Christ Church Daily Devotion Nov 5 2023

Jesus teaches his disciples to love one another as he has loved them. This love should extend to our closest relationships, where we learn what true everyday love is. It is a love that accepts us for who we are, supports us through thick and thin, and helps us be our best selves. By loving our family and friends, we show that we belong to Jesus and receive blessings in return. In our personal worship, we can pray to God, thanking him for our loved ones and asking for help to love them as Christ taught us. Welcome to Christ Church's Daily Devotion for November 5th, 2023. Today we will be reading from John chapter 13, verses 34 through 35. A new command I give you, love one another as I have loved you. So you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. Love one another. Jesus is talking to his disciples. Love one another. In our closest relationships, when they are what they should be, we learn what real everyday love is. We learn about the phrases in the traditional marriage vows, such as for better, for worse. Whether we are dealing with a spouse, children, parents, or siblings, we have learned that the kind of love that matters most is the kind that loves us in spite of our faults and failures. It's the kind of love that supports us through thick and thin, but also holds us accountable to being our best self. As part of our own self-care, it is so important that we give attention, care, and love to our closest relationships, to those family members and friends that are the nearest and dearest to us. When those relationships are going well in my life, it lifts me up. It is fulfilling to me. I am able to both give and receive love from them. Yes, Jesus was talking specifically to his disciples when he gives this new commandment, but I am confident that it applies to our love for our family and others close to us. People will also know you belong to him by how you love your family and friends, and you will be blessed and healthier in doing so. Today's personal worship option. Offer this prayer or another one in your own words. God who loves us the most, thank you for my family and close friends. Help me love them as Christ taught us to love. Thank you for the personal blessing that comes from loving you, other people, and myself. In Jesus' name, amen.