LOVE
Today’s Reading: John 13-14
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
This is the place identified as the “Upper Room” by the Tourist Department of Israel. It probably is not the actual location of the Last Supper, but it is a great place for Christian visitors to Jerusalem to meet, pray, and sometimes celebrate the “Last Supper.”
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: John 13:5, 35
After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded…By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
The words, “love, loved or loves,” are found 14 times in our reading! The Lord Jesus is letting us know what is truly important to Him. When we say, “I love You, Jesus,” we must say it in a practical way by loving one another. Jesus said to His disciples, “I love you,” by washing their feet and by drying them with a towel. What an example to follow! In fact, Jesus tells us that the way all will know that we are His disciples is by loving one another. Sadly, the history of Christianity has, from time to time, been marked by fights and divisions. Often when we witness for Christ, we have these dark stains on the Church thrown at us. People will look past these historical messes if they see love in us as individuals, or if they experience love from and in the local church. If we are breaking the bonds of love through gossip, self interest, or outright rebellion, STOP!!! Ask God’s forgiveness, confess our sin, repent, and ask God to mend the broken bonds of love. We then are ready to read the love chapter again (1 Corinthians 13 – King James Version).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear loving Lord Jesus, give me the grace and determination to wash the feet of my brothers and sisters (figuratively or maybe now and then literally – it sure wouldn’t hurt to ask someone, “May I wash your feet as Jesus washed His disciples’ feet?” This should be someone I wish to serve or someone with whom I’ve had strife). I’m asking You, Lord Jesus, to grant me the humility I need to do this. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I thought one time of washing someone’s feet on the 100 Huntley Street TV program, and then I backed off because it might look like I was trying to be humble, and proud of it! The story is told of the man who was voted the most humble in the congregation and given a button stating this. However, the first day he wore the button to church, they had to take it away! He was no longer the most humble person. As a public school teacher, and later teaching college English, I required my students to memorize 1 Corinthians 13. I’m not the only one who considers the love chapter of the Bible as the finest example of the use of the English language. Of course, we memorized it in the Old King James language. In my opinion, it loses some of its beauty in modern translations. I’m a believer today because, as a teenager, I came across people who loved one another and who loved me enough to lead me to Christ.
Yours, not because of my own love, but because the love of Christ is in my life,
David
“… and they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love; yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”
Father God, thank You for Your great love. Please wash all Your children clean of all our sins, fill us with Your Holy Spirit, and help us to go and show Your love to others, so You will be glorified and many come to You. In Jesus’s name, amen
That hymn jumped to mind for me too,Rob.Thank you.Amen to your prayer too.
Amen!
Amen!!
Amen Rob.
Amen
agreeing with your prayer, Rob
Amen Rob
We all know those ‘who elevate themselves’ above others and expect to be regarded as such,especially in a Christian environment,saying all the right things from a heart that is self centred.That is where charity’s ‘long suffering’ (“4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not….”) must be endured while they sit on their plastic throne.They are an exercise in Christian love,a lesson that teaches from within ourselves for that quality (and ‘quality’ it is.) must be cultivated with the holy Spirit nurturing its seed.”Love/charity” is the sibling of our Lord.(Fine words from someone who struggles.)
Thank you Ron,Ann and all connected with Crossroads,for this ministry.God bless
Following is the latest update from Mike’s family. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind this is a miracle. No response from Mid August, sent from Fargo to Jamestown (his hometown) for hospice, and then one day he woke up, and has been improving daily Dwane is his older brother and Michael is his son. I thank all the bloggers for joining in prayers for Mike.
“Mike was able to go to see the doctor at the clinic today. Dwane and Michael were there with him. Results were positive: 1. Discontinue hospice 2. Order for Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy, and 3. Referral for the Neurologist.
All his vitals signs were good and he is gaining weight steadily. He gets very restless and wants to keep getting out of bed and ends up on his cushioned matt on the floor. I guess he is ready for therapy. We hope that it gets started ASAP.
When Dwane and Mike returned to Eventide, Mike asked the CNA if she missed him, said goodbye to her, and asked her to pray for him! Funny Mike is coming back!
We have all witnessed this amazing miracle and are praying for continued improvements. Thank you EVERYONE for all of your support and prayers!! This could not have happened without them. You have all touched our hearts with your encouraging words of love, prayers, and support.
From brother Dwane this morning: “Seek First the kingdom of God and His holiness and all your needs shall be met” (Matthew 6:33)🙏
Bless you all! Love, The Mike’s Family”
This is such wonderful news HJR, praise God from whom all blessings flow. I will continue to pray for complete healing for Mike.
Blessings to all Eleanor M.
Amen Eleanor M!
Continuing to pray for Mike’s full recovery,
in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen!
To God be the Glory!
Thank you for sharing this amazing God answers Prayer!!
Prayed David’s prayer. In a prayer group, we washed each other’s feet: it was a humbling experience!
God bless your day saints of God!
Irene: That must have been very special, one of the young Pastors at our church washed his new brides feet at their wedding, she did the same to him. It was really very touching to see this.
Eleanor M.
So happy to hear of the miracle taking place in Mike’s life! Thank you Lord for what you have done thus far in his life and thank you for healing him completely. All for your honour and glory! Amen!
Praise You Jesus for making Mike from Fargo a true living walking miracle in the making. A long road to complete recovery but it will evolve and is possible. Grateful to HJR for this praise report and update. Continually praying for Mike and his family and all the fellow saints. My intrernet is not hooked up until next week, so difficult to make posts.