7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified when you produce much fruit and in this way prove that you are my disciples. 9 “As the Father loved me, I too have loved you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete.
Reflection
When we abide in Christ, our prayers are effective (v. 7), we glorify God in our fruit bearing (v. 8), we demonstrate our discipleship (vv. 8–10), and our joy becomes full through experiencing Christ’s own joy within us (v. 11).
Pastor Joe’s message on the 21st spoke about Sacred and Secular. I liked the illustration value of the three-dollar wine glass from Walmart compared to its value when used in a sacred service. That made me wonder what I would find if I tried to search for a text that compared the two. This is what I found:
Sacred and secular are two contrasting concepts that often refer to various aspects of life and belief systems.
Sacred is associated with religious or spiritual matters, encompassing beliefs, rituals, and practices that are considered holy or divine. It is often connected to a higher power or a transcendent realm.
Secular pertains to the worldly or non-religious aspects of life, focusing on the material, temporal, and human-centered aspects of existence. It encompasses various fields such as politics, education, arts, and sciences, which are not necessarily tied to any religious or spiritual beliefs.
While sacred and secular may intersect and influence each other in certain contexts, they generally represent distinct spheres of human experience and understanding.
Read that sentence above for a moment. I believe that when we have Christ’s love in our hearts, and the values that God has given to us, love others, care about the other, and remain in close relationship with God, Christ and the Holy Spirit, that our lives take on more humanity, more meaning.
Laura shared a song with me earlier today that she was going to share with one of the teams that she works with to buoy their spirits, given some of the tough experiences that we are often confronted with in this time. The song link from Sara Bareilles & John Legend – A Safe Place to Land, is below. I hope that it inspires you as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht2NCrlghS4
by Clarence Beverage
For Pondering and Prayer
What in your life buoys, refreshes, renews and gives you strength?
Do you find lifting others up lifts you as well?
What has Jesus called, led you to do that you are so very glad you have done?
When the world is pressing in and you know it is time to get a breath, what works for you?
Prayer: Lord and Savior Jesus, help us, as time passes, to appreciate more fully how Great Thou Art, how much you love us, and desire that we share that love richly. Amen.
