Loving One Another
Today’s Bible Verse: John 14:15 ESV
(Jesus said) “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
The commands that Jesus gave His followers during His ministry were very straightforward: Love God above all things and other people as God has loved you. We see the love God has for us in this Easter season - He sent His Son into this world to save us from the penalty of our sins. Our Father in Heaven forsook His Son on the cross for us. That is a love we can never understand. So Jesus says we are to love the same way - first, to God, then, to others. Jesus never tells us that this is easy. He just gives us His command to love.
PRAYERS
Keep in Your Prayers:
The people of Taiwan as they deal with the aftereffects of the earthquake that struck their island.
Those who reject Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Today’s Prayer:
Grant me the strength to love others. It is hard, especially when called upon to love people with whom I disagree. Embolden my faith through Your Holy Spirit so I can love others as You have loved me through Your Son. In His name, I pray. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.