Devotion 1/19, Love One Another!

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
John 13:34

Man, that’s a tall order to fill, isn’t it! Jesus has just washed the feet of his disciples. Over the next few hours, Judas will betray him with a kiss, Peter will deny him three times, and the other 10 disciples will forsake and leave him to die alone. Yet he still washed their feet knowing they would do this. He still goes to the cross for them while knowing they will abandon him. I’m not sure that I can love like that. With the Holy Spirit’s help, I will make a renewed commitment to love others who have hurt and disappointed me. I will also seek to mend relationships where I may have hurt and disappointed others.

Father, thank you for your never ending love. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit and pour love into my heart so I can love others as Jesus has loved me. I need your help to love those who have disappointed and hurt me. God, I don’t want my bitterness or resentment to keep someone from serving you and knowing Jesus’ grace. In the name of my loving Savior I pray. Amen.

“To love one another as I have loved you”, That means I need to step my game. I need to show more empathy and compassion to everyone that is in my life’s path.
Lord, thank you for you enormous love you have for me, a sinner. I pray for your strength to be the person you want me to be. Thank you for your grace and mercy. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.