The Upper Room Daily Devotional from The United Methodist Church of Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Friday, 3 November 2017 "Finding a Friend" by Dave Caswell (Arkansas) - John 15:9-17
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DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017
While on an extended vacation, I made a point to visit an old Navy buddy I hadn’t seen in years. I was surprised to find that we connected just like we had many years ago. Sharing our experiences was a joy. Beginning a relationship with Jesus is something like that. It’s like rekindling a friendship that we have missed for a long time. When it happens, we realize that we should have made this friendship long ago. Jesus is our friend, but he is so much more. He has walked where we walk and has experienced the troubles that can enter our lives. Not only does he know what we are going through, he promises to fill us with a joy that we can find nowhere else. But we can miss opportunities to connect with God through Jesus. There are so many things that can get in the way — the busyness of life, the draw of constant entertainment, a culture that often discourages thoughtful connection with God. Just as the visit to my friend required action, it takes action on our part to connect with God. Jesus has been seeking us from the very beginning, but it is up to us to look and listen to find him. Today’s reading is a wonderful place to start.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, you came from heaven to be with us. Turn our hearts toward you so that we may know you and be filled with the joy of your presence. Amen.
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John 15:9 “Just as my Father has loved me, I too have loved you; so stay in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will stay in my love — just as I have kept my Father’s commands and stay in his love. 11 I have said this to you so that my joy may be in you, and your joy be complete.
12 “This is my command: that you keep on loving each other just as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than a person who lays down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends, if you do what I command you. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is about; but I have called you friends, because everything I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, I chose you; and I have commissioned you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last; so that whatever you ask from the Father in my name he may give you. 17 This is what I command you: keep loving each other!
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I always have a friend in Jesus.
Long-distance friendships
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Header Photo Credit: "Harvested Land," Beth Shumate. August 15, 2014. (link)
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