Morning Devotional

John 13
34 “I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. 35 This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.”

I am not sure about the rest of you but I am excited to see the new movie, Toy Story 4. The one with the spoon.  One of the reasons I love this series is that it is about friendship, a close, sincere, genuine friendship. Like, "I would do anything for you" kind of friendship. I remember in one scene, Buzz Lightyear said, “Woody once risked his life to save mine, and I couldn’t call myself his friend if I wasn’t willing to do the same. Now who’s with me?”  From rivalry to being secure in Andy's love.

At the root of our Christian faith we, too, must be secure and trust in the love God has for us. In the verse above, we must notice how radical of a saying it is. They lived in a time where the gods around them from Egypt, Greece, Rome and Canaan, made by man, did not love them. The understanding that a god would love a man was unheard of. But we as followers of Jesus know He showed us His love and this love shapes our lives for the better. At the core it changes how we deal and treat others, how we are all equals and are loved the same. Jesus, their Lord and master told His followers he didn't call them servants but friends. And it is here He asked of them to live in God's love and to love one another the same way. We, followers of Jesus Christ, are to reflect the love that God has for us to all those around us. Let it it start here at E.O.C.C.. Let our motives, interactions and communications be grounded in that deep love that we know in Christ and be the proof God is among us. I pray that I see this love as we gather this morning for worship and our annual meeting. PC

Almighty and Holy God, may all honor be yours. Lord, I want the world to know me as Your disciple. Guide me through the Holy Spirit to live in such a way that my love for You is reflected in the love I share with others. May my love for brothers and sisters in faith be equal to the love I share with my family. Lord, forgive me in my selfishness, forgive me in my sinfulness as I work and journey through the trial of life. Father, thank you for the blessing I witness from the time I wake until the time I rest my head. You are truly giving and merciful. I pray for this church family, our communities and the world around us. May they all know I am a christian by my love. I pray and lift this up in the name of Jesus. Amen