40 Day Devotionals 2014 Day 13

Hey Everyone!

I have had quite a few folks ask me where I have been and if everything is okay. Unfortunately I got really sick on Friday. I had a fever of 102 and was coughing pretty bad most of the weekend. I am still a little under the weather. I stayed home and worked on Monday. I need to take it easy. I already told you that I haven't slept well, it must have caught up to me. I don't get sick very often, but when I do, it's a doozy!
On to more important news, It's a girl!I know that is what all of you really wanted to know! Of course this is very exciting news on the baby front. I wouldn't have minded either way, boy or girl. I am just excited to be having a child. Granted, I have had plenty of practice with little girls. Having a younger sister helps! Now the name search is heavy on! Do you have any preferences? Feel free to let me know! I only have 2 rules, no cliche movie or pop culture references, and your name is not allowed. Meaning, none of my friends can tell me they want my child named after them.
I missed a lot of great events this weekend being. First, Plantation UMC had the Stop Hunger Now (click this link to see a news article) event that prepared food for more than 49,000 starving people worldwide. I think the last count was more than 200 church members and about 49,500 bags of food. I'm pretty impressed and proud to be a part of such a loving community.
Also First Priority of South Florida had its first annual 5k color run. For those of you who don't know, I have been working with First priority for many years. I love this organization. I was going to try to make both events. But alas, I wasn't able to make either events. Not all plans come to fruition.
Also, due to my sickness, my devotionals got derailed. Sorry to all of those who were using them as their daily dosage. I hope you were able to just read the scriptures by your lonesome (gasps!). Nevertheless, I have one now. They will continue for the rest of Lent, unless something else throws them off.

Day 13

Scripture

John 14:15-24

-          ¹⁵ “If you love me, keep my commands. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be^[a] in you. ¹⁸ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. ¹⁹ Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. ²⁰ On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. ²¹ Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”  ²² Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” ²³ Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. ²⁴ Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

Wisdom

-          The scripture today is long. But it is there to prove a point. Within this passage Jesus mentions obedience to God is Love three times (v. 15, 21, and 23).

-          So many of us believe that doing lots of good things; preaching, teaching, mission work. participate in worship, serving the church, giving money are great ways to please God. They are great. However, if we do these things and do not obey the will of the Father then our love is lukewarm.

-          Jesus says if you love me, obey my commands and keep them. This is something that is crucial to our faith. A follower of Christ is not by name alone, a follower of Christ is determined by Christ. Spending time with him, loving Him and others, sharing your faith. These are all things he requires. When Christ comes in contact with you when your time to meet Him has arrived, will He say that He knows you?

-          You aren’t a believer unless Jesus knows you! Remember, “The Lord looks upon the heart.”

Apply

-          Are you spending time in scripture regularly? Will you continue to do so after the season of Lent?

-          Are you spending time in daily prayer and worship of God?

-          If Jesus looked in your heart what would he find?

Prayer

-          Praise the Lord for the ability to worship and be with Him. Praise Him for the blessings you received today and every day. Ask Him to help create in you a heart of obedience to His will.