Love. One. Another.

 

Today is Monday, March 30th (maybe 31st by the time you are reading). We have been staying safe at home now for a little bit of time and I think it is safe to say that there are many of us that are getting really antsy!! Well here are some things to consider while staying safe at home. Be encouraged that God is at work, right where you are at home or if you are still working. Open your eyes and see Him work all around you.

Today I challenge you to…

Love. One. Another. – John 15:1-17

John 15:1–17 (ESV)

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
11 T hese things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.
15 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.
16 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.
17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

Ways to Grow Today

Spiritually

Do you love God as His commandments ask? Do you love Him like He is the One True God? Do you love Him as He has loved you?  We cannot bear fruit if we do not abide with the vine. Jesus is the vine and you/we are the branches. Has this time at home given you a time of trimming away and refreshing in Him? Spend time in His Word and spend time talking to Him. Pray for your spouse and your children.  Spend time truly studying and truly talking. Read this scripture above and plug in your name.  He is the Vine! You are the branch! You need Him! We are but simple branches that desperately need Him to live and to enable us to produce fruit.

Marriage

When was the last time you did something for your spouse that really filled their love tank? Something out of the norm? If you do not know your spouse’s love language, please try and figure it out soon. Figure out their love language and do at least one thing every day this week to just fill them up! I promise you it makes a difference. It will help to produce a fruitful marriage! It does not have to be something elaborate. Sometimes the little things mean the most.

Jesus tells us in the scripture above that by abiding in Him we can be full of joy. Abide in Him and JOYFULLY love your spouse.

Parenting

A branch cannot bear fruit by itself. It must abide with the vine. Read it again in The Scriptures I shared above. We need Jesus to help us to raise our kiddos and through Him, this is a sweet opportunity to produce fruit!! Read a Bible story with your kid today. Watch a video from the Bible Project or one of the many links that have been shared on social media for you to enjoy with your kids. You know, even being stuck at home we can busy ourselves. Heed caution, do not be so busy that this time of being stuck at home flies by and we failed to spend time investing in our children. God has given us a “pause” in the craziness that had become our norm; use it to trim away the things draining your branch and really get down to the spiritual foundation that we as parents are responsible for helping to build for our children. It must come from The Vine. Take time. Read The Word and have real conversations with your kiddos. As this time seems to drag on, it seems to fly by too. Use this time to grow with your children. Have meaningful conversations with them about Jesus. Produce fruit. Their eternal lives need you to take time with and for them.

Check out Bibleproject.org. This website has amazing videos explaining The Bible. Check it out. It is free and is amazing.

Love.  One.  Another.  Wouldn’t it be great if we all loved as He has loved us??