Scripture – “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
John 15:9-11 NIV
Observation – Jesus is telling his disciples that the best way to love him and to have a strong relationship with him is to obey his commands. Jesus says that if his disciples do this his joy will be in them and their joy will be complete.
Application – Choose to obey Jesus in every situation in your life. Shortly after Jesus instructed his disciples in John 15, the disciples were faced with persecution, jail and physical punishment. In Acts 6:41 the Bible tells us, after they were flogged, that they left rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for Jesus.
Prayer – Dear Jesus, just like almost every person on earth I desire to live a joyful life. In this passage you have told us how to do it. I pray you strengthen me with your strength so that I can obey you and not succumb to fear of man, apathy or selfishness. Amen.
What are you doing? Do it better 