Love One Another

"This is my commandment: 

love one another as I love you. 

No one has greater love than this, 

to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 

You are my friends if you do what I command you. 

(John 15:12-14)

Abiding in God’s love brings true joy that is complete. Our relationship with God should be one of constant connection and dependence. Showing love to others reflects the love that God has shown us. An intimate love relationship that is deep, personal, and sacrificial even to the point of laying down His own life for His friends. Let us always be mindful of God’s sovereignty and His purpose for our lives.

In God's love we abide, in joy we reside,

Complete and whole, in His love we confide.

A relationship of dependence, a connection so deep,

In His love we are grounded, His promises we keep.

Showing love to others, a reflection of His grace,

In every heart, in every face.

A love so intimate, so deep, so personal,

Sacrificial and profound, beyond the usual.

Laying down His life, for His friends so dear,

In His love, we find no fear.

Mindful of His sovereignty, His purpose, His plan,

In His grand design, we see the span.

So let us remember, in our lives each day,

In His love we abide, in His purpose we stay.

Dear Lord Jesus,

In Your love we abide, a joy so complete, a relationship with You, so wonderfully sweet. Constant and dependent, in Your love we rest, reflecting Your love to others, we strive to do our best.

An intimate relationship, deep and personal, we share, Your sacrificial love, beyond compare. You laid down Your life, for friends so dear, in Your love, we find no fear.

Mindful of Your sovereignty, Your purpose, Your plan, in every moment, in every span. Help us to remember, in our lives each day, in Your love we abide, in Your purpose we stay.

In Your name we pray,

Amen.

Background and Learning Lessons

John 15:9-17 is a significant passage in the Bible. Here’s some background information:

This passage is part of a long discourse by Jesus to His disciples during the Last Supper. It is part of the Farewell Discourse of Jesus, where He prepares His disciples for His departure.

In this passage, Jesus uses the metaphor of a vine and its branches to explain the relationship between Himself (the true vine), His disciples (the branches), and His Father (the vineyard keeper).

He emphasizes the necessity of abiding in Him to bear fruit. The concept of “abiding” is a key theme in this passage, symbolizing the intimate and enduring relationship between Jesus and His followers.

From verses 9-17, Jesus emphasizes the importance of love, both toward Himself and others. Love is given center stage, interpreting the whole of the passage on vine and branches in terms of love.

The passage can be divided into two major sections, the first (9-12) focusing on the abiding relationship of love that binds Father, Son and disciples into one, the second (13-17) focusing on the empowering love of the Son by which he laid down his life for his "friends".

This passage provides a glimpse into the deep love that Jesus has for His disciples and the importance of abiding in that love. It also underscores the sacrificial nature of Jesus’ love, as He lays down His life for His friends.

The passage John 15:9-17 in the Bible offers several important lessons:

Abiding in Love: Jesus emphasizes the importance of abiding in His love. This teaches us that our relationship with God should be one of constant connection and dependence.

Love One Another: Jesus commands His disciples to love one another as He has loved them. This teaches us the importance of showing love to others, reflecting the love that God has shown us.

Sacrificial Love: Jesus speaks of the greatest love being to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. This foreshadows His own sacrificial death on the cross, teaching us about the depth of God’s love for us.

Joy in Love: Jesus speaks of His joy remaining in us and our joy being complete. This teaches us that abiding in God’s love brings true joy.

Friendship with God: Jesus calls His disciples not servants, but friends, indicating a deep, personal relationship. This teaches us about the intimate relationship we can have with God.

Chosen and Appointed by God: Jesus tells His disciples that they did not choose Him, but He chose them. This teaches us about God’s sovereignty and His purpose for our lives.

These lessons remind us to abide in God’s love, love one another, understand the sacrificial nature of God’s love, find joy in His love, cultivate an intimate relationship with Him, and recognize His sovereignty in our lives. (Copilot)

Love God and Neighbor

 "And to love Him with all your heart, 

with all your understanding,

with all your strength, 

and to love your neighbor as yourself 

is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 

MARK 12:33

Jesus emphasizes the importance of loving God with all one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving one’s neighbor as oneself. These acts of love are more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. The emphasis on love - both for God and for one’s neighbor - underscores the importance of relationships and compassion in religious and moral life. Our actions towards others, the love and kindness we show them, are a reflection of our love for God. This teaching encourages us to prioritize love and compassion over ritualistic practices. It’s a powerful message about the nature of faith and the ways in which we can express it in our everyday lives.

28 One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” 29 Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! 30 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. 31 The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. 33 And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions. (Mark 12:28-34)

In heart, in soul, in mind, in might, we're called to love with all our light. To love our God, so divine, and to love our neighbors, a love benign. These acts of love, so pure and true are more than offerings in the view. More than sacrifices, more than rites, they're the beacon of heavenly lights. To love God with all we are is to follow a guiding star and to love others as we do self is the greatest commandment, above all else. So let us love, in every way, in our actions, in what we say. For in love, we truly find, the reflection of the Divine.

Dear Lord Jesus, we come before You today with hearts full of gratitude. We acknowledge Your teachings that emphasize the importance of love - love for You and love for our neighbors. We strive to love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We understand that this love for You is expressed in our obedience to Your commandments and our faithfulness in our relationship with You. We also strive to love our neighbors as ourselves, recognizing that each person is made in Your image and is deserving of love and respect. We understand that these acts of love are more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. They are the true expressions of our faith and our commitment to You. Help us, Lord, to live out these commandments every day. Strengthen us in our resolve to show love in all we do and to all we meet. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.

God's desire for us is to live in righteousness and truth. All good things, including the fruits of our labor, are blessings from God. Let us return to the Lord our God, acknowledging our sins, and seeking His forgiveness so that we may receive His promise of healing, love, and prosperity. As an act of faith and gratitude, let us give thanks to the Lord for our blessings and to acknowledge that our achievements are not solely due to our own efforts, but also the grace and favor of God.

2 Thus says the Lord: Return, O Israel, to the Lord, your God; you have collapsed through your guilt. 3 Take with you words, and return to the Lord; say to him, “Forgive all iniquity, and receive what is good, that we may render as offerings the bullocks from our stalls. 4 Assyria will not save us, nor shall we have horses to mount; we shall say no more, ‘Our god,’ to the work of our hands; for in you the orphan finds compassion.” 5 I will heal their defection, says the Lord, I will love them freely; for my wrath is turned away from them. 6 I will be like the dew for Israel: he shall blossom like the lily; he shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar, 7 and put forth his shoots. His splendor shall be like the olive tree and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar. 8 Again they shall dwell in his shade and raise grain; they shall blossom like the vine, and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon. 9 Ephraim! What more has he to do with idols? I have humbled him, but I will prosper him. “I am like a verdant cypress tree.” Because of me you bear fruit! 10 Let him who is wise understand these things; let him who is prudent know them. Straight are the paths of the Lord, in them the just walk, but sinners stumble in them. (Hosea 14:2-10)

In righteousness and truth, we strive to live, under God's watchful eyes, our lives we give. The fruits of our labor, blessings from above are testaments to His unending love. To the Lord our God, we return, we seek, acknowledging our sins, for we are weak. His forgiveness we implore, His mercy we need to receive His promise of love, we heed. Healing, love, and prosperity, His promise so grand, a testament to the works of His mighty hand. In faith and gratitude, we give thanks and praise, for His blessings and favor in all our days. Our achievements are not solely our own but also the grace and favor God has shown. So let us live in truth, in righteousness, in love under the watchful eyes of the Lord above.

Dear Lord Jesus, we acknowledge that Your desire for us is to live in righteousness and truth. We recognize that all good things, including the fruits of our labor, are blessings from You. We return to You, our God, acknowledging our sins, and seeking Your forgiveness. We trust in Your promise of healing, love, and prosperity. We understand that it is through Your grace and favor that we are able to achieve. As an act of faith and gratitude, we give thanks to You for our blessings. We acknowledge that our achievements are not solely due to our own efforts, but also the grace and favor of You, our God. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.

God delivers us from burdens and rescues us in times of distress. His love, mercy, and blessings come from our obedience. Let us listen to the Lord our God and follow His ways so that we may receive His promise of abundance and prosperity.

6 An unfamiliar speech I hear: 7 “I relieved his shoulder of the burden; his hands were freed from the basket. 8 In distress you called, and I rescued you.” “Unseen, I answered you in thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. 9 Hear, my people, and I will admonish you; O Israel, will you not hear me?” 10 “There shall be no strange god among you nor shall you worship any alien god. 11 I, the Lord, am your God who led you forth from the land of Egypt.” 14 “If only my people would hear me, and Israel walk in my ways, 17 I would feed them with the best of wheat, and with honey from the rock I would fill them.” (Psalm 81:6-8, 8-9, 10-11, 14, 17)

In times of distress and burdens so deep, God's promise to us, He does keep. He delivers us with a love so grand, rescues us with His mighty hand. His mercy flows like a river wide, in His blessings, we do confide. From our obedience, His blessings flow, His love and mercy, He does bestow. Let us listen to the Lord, our guide, in His wisdom, we confide. Following His ways, walking His path, spared from His righteous wrath. His promise of abundance, prosperity so bright, shines on us with a heavenly light. So let us listen, let us heed, To the Lord our God, in word and deed.

Dear Lord, we acknowledge Your divine power and mercy. You deliver us from our burdens and rescue us in times of distress. Your love is boundless, Your mercy infinite. We understand that our obedience to Your commandments brings forth Your blessings. We strive to listen to Your word, to follow Your ways, and to live according to Your will. We pray for Your guidance as we navigate through life's challenges. We seek Your wisdom as we make decisions. We ask for Your strength as we face trials and tribulations. We trust in Your promise of abundance and prosperity. We believe that through our faith and obedience, we will receive Your blessings. Lord, we thank You for Your love and mercy. We are grateful for the blessings You have bestowed upon us. We commit ourselves to live in righteousness and truth, as You desire for us. In Jesus' holy name, we pray. Amen.

Pericope:

IV: The Full Revelation of the Mystery

THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT

Mark 12:28-34

II: Israel's Guilt and Punishment

SINCERE CONVERSION

Hosea 14:2-10

Third Book of Psalms 73-89

AN ADMONITION TO FIDELITY

Psalm 81:1-17

Reflection Source:

Copilot in Edge

LOVE FOR GOD

THE ADVOCATE

"If you love Me, 

you will keep My commandments." 

(John 14:15) 

"He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him." (John 14:21)

"If a man loves me, 

he will keep my word, 

and my Father will love him, 

and we will come to him 

and make our home with him."  

(John 14:23) 

"He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me." (John 14:24)

Some torment themselves in seeking means to discover the art of loving God, and do not know - poor creatures - that there is no art or means of loving Him but to love those who love Him - that is, to begin to practice those things which are pleasing to Him. -- St. Francis de Sales

Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands. -- Deuteronomy 7:9

"If you love those who love you, 

what credit is that to you? 

Even 'sinners' love those who love them." 

Luke 6:32

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good (Rom 12:9).Hate evil, you who love the LORD, Who preserves the souls of His godly ones; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked (Ps 97:10).


The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. -- Psalm 145:20

Love the LORD, all his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full. -- Psalm 31:23



God's Promise:

"I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me. To endow those who love me with wealth, That I may fill their treasuries." (Prov 8:17,21The descendants of His servants will inherit it, And those who love His name will dwell in it. (Ps 69:36)


Prayer:

O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands (Neh 1:5). Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, "Let God be magnified." (Ps 70:4) Come and show me your mercy, as you do for all who love your name. (Ps 119:132)


Published:

May 15, 2017
June 10, 2011, 6:33AM

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

"This is my commandment,

that you love one another 

as I have loved you." 

 (John 15:12)

Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. (Romans 9:9-10)

"Greater love 
has no man than this, 

that a man lay down his life 

for his friends."

(John 15:13)

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"You are my friends 

if you do what I command you."

(John 15:14)

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. (John 15:15-16)

"This I command you, to love one another."   

(John 15:17)

Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.  The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:8-10)

Pericopes:
THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES - John 15:1-17

Published:

September 06, 2020, 10:34 AM

May 31, 2017, 6:50 AM
May 19, 2017, 4:21 AM
May 14, 2013

Love the Lord More than Anything Else

 “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, 

and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."

MATTHEW 10 : 37

Lord Jesus, You are my life and my truth, my Lord who gives me everything. I love you more than anything else in this world. 

My worthiness of You entirely depends on how much I love You. Please forgive me for the countless times I have not fully expressed my deep love for You as my one true Lord and Savior. Times when I am too much pre-occupied with the works at hand instead of focusing on You as the right hand of God who works for me and in me. 

All the works that You do in me is an expression and manifestation of Your great love for me. May Your works of love continue to increase and flourish in me not only for my own benefit but moreover for those whom You have entrusted under my care. 

Thank You so much for giving me an abundant life, full of Your blessings, graces, healing, and miracles. 

With much hope, love, and thanksgiving, I give you back all the glory and praise. Amen.

Published:

July 02, 2023, 10:12 AM

LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD

Love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.  (Mt 22:37-38)

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength (Dt. 6:5). To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices (Mk. 12:33).

Love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give (Dt. 30:20). He is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else (Acts 17:25). In Him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring' (Acts 17:28).

Love the LORD your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always (Dt. 11:1). "Keep my requirements and do not follow any of the detestable customs that were practiced before you came and do not defile yourselves with them. I am the LORD your God" (Lv. 18:30). Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time (Dt. 4:40).

"See, I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you this day, by loving the LORD your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his ordinances, then you shall live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you are entering to take possession of it." (Dt. 30:15-16)

I love you, O Lord, my strength, O Lord, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer. My God, my rock of refuge, my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold! Praised be the Lord, I exclaim, and I am safe from my enemies. (Ps 18:2-4)

Published: 

July 23, 2023, 6:23 AM

August 07, 2021, 6:05 AM

February 14, 2013, 7:51 AM

November 04, 2012, 7:22AM

Love the Lord Your God

 “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart 

and with all your soul and with all your strength."

DEUTERONOMY 6:5 ; MARK 12:30 ; 

MATTHEW 22:37 ; LUKE 10:27

Love means a strong feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection; a profoundly tender, passionate affection. First recorded before 900; Middle English noun love, louve, luve, Old English lufu, cognate with Old Frisian luve, Old High German luba, Gothic lubō; verb derived from the noun; akin to Latin libēre (earlier lubēre ) “to be pleasing,” (Dictionary.com)

I am commanding you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, so that you may live and become numerous, and that the LORD your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to take possession of it (Dt 30:16).

Moreover, the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the hearts of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and all your soul, so that you may live (Dt 30:6).

If you carefully follow all of this commandment which I am commanding you today, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in His ways always—then you shall add three more cities for yourself, besides these three (Dt 19:9).

Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today. Drill them into your children. Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest.  Bind them at your wrist as a sign and let them be as a pendant on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates. (Dt 6:6-9)

I love You, O Lord, my strength, O Lord, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer. My God, my rock of refuge, my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold! (Ps 18:2-3)

Published:

August 07, 2023

July 23, 2023, 6:26 AM