Week: Joy
As usual, we start by pausing and taking a deep breath:
In and out.
In and out.
We remember that God is here, and so together we prepare ourselves to be with God.
Pause
Let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit may want to say to us from today’s Bible reading.
Read by Vera Lynn
John 15:12-16
[Jesus said] ‘Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father. You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil.’
John 15:12b-16a (MSG)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible reading?
In the book of Acts, Paul says that ‘God began by making one person, and from him came all the different people who live everywhere in the world.’ (Acts 17:26a, NCV)
Father God, thank You for making us. You made us because You love us, and You give us everything we need to live life to the full.
Jesus said, ‘You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil.’ (John 15:16, MSG)
Lord Jesus, thank You for choosing us. Before we ever chose You, You chose us to join You in making the world a better place.
In his letter to the church in Galatia, Paul writes, ‘the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.’ (Galatians 5:22-23, NCV)
Thank You, Holy Spirit, for changing us, from the inside out. We can’t change ourselves, but You are changing us and making us more like Jesus, each and every day.
Let’s press pause and talk about our Sabbath question which is: As our week comes to an end, what was good about it – what are we thankful for? It could be something big or small.
As we finish our time together, let’s say this week’s memory verse one last time:
Read by Vera Lynn
Philippians 4:4
Be full of joy in the Lord always. I will say again, be full of joy.
Philippians 4:4 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
May this Sabbath bring rest and joy to our hearts and our homes.
May today be a little less go, go, go, and a little more slow… slow… slow…
May we care less about things, and care more for people.
As we relax in God’s love, may we take time to listen and remember that we are all God’s children.
Chris lives in Melbourne, Australia with his wife and two boys. He works for 24-7 Prayer Australia and Red Church and is also a professional musician. When he’s not working or drumming Chris enjoys going on long hikes in the mountains with his boys and playing table tennis.
Vera Lynn lives in Phoenix, Arizona, USA with her parents, sister, and dog Max. Her favourite hobbies include reading, knitting, sewing, and embroidery. She is very creative. Her favourite book is The Voyage of the Dawn Treader in the Chronicles of Narnia series by CS Lewis.
