Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

September 20
Monday


DOGGED
DEVOTION

READ:
John 15:9-17
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In Your presence is
fullness of joy.
__Psalm 16:11
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Maggie doesn't care much for television. She would rather look out a window than stare at a small screen. Reading doesn't thrill her either. She has been known to "chew" on books, but only in the strictly literal sense. Nevertheless, when Jay and I read or watch TV, Maggie participates. Even though she doesn't enjoy what we're doing, she enjoys being with us. Maggie is our very devoted dog. More than anything (well, just about anything) Maggie wants to be with us.

The word dogged means "determined and persistent." These words describe Maggie. They should also describe us. When we are devoted to God, we want to be with Him even when He's doing something that makes no sense to us. We may ask, "Why, Lord?" when He seems angry (Ps. 88:14) or when He seems to be napping (44:32), or when the wicked prosper (Jer. 12:1). But when we remain devoted to God despite our questions, we find fullness of joy in His presence (Ps. 16:11).

Jesus knew that we would have questions. To prepare us for them, He urged us to abide in His love (John 15:9-10). Even when God's ways are inexplicable, His love is reliable. So we remain doggedly devoted to Him. __Julie Ackerman Link
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````````````````Never should our love be just a word,``````````````
``````````````````A passing phase, a brief emotion;```````````````
`````````````````But love that honors Christ our Lord```````````````
`````````````Responds to Him with deep devotion. __Hess```````````
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We find joy when we learn to abide in Jesus' love.

***************Today's Bible Reading __ John 15:9-17*************

9 As the Father loved Me, I
also have loved you; abide
in My love. 10 If you keep
My commandments, you
will abide in My love, just
as I have kept My Father's
commandments and abide
in his love.

11 These things I have
spoken to you,, that My joy
may remain in you, and that
your joy may be full. 12 This
is My commandment, that
you love one another as I
have loved you. 13 Greater
love has no one than this,
than to lay down one's life
for his friends. 14 You are
My friends if you do
whatever I command you.

15 No longer do I call you
servants, for a servant does
not know what his master is
doing; but I have called you
friends, for all things that I
heard from My Father I
have made known to you.

16 You did not choose Me,
but I chose you and
appointed you that you
should go and bear fruit,
and that your fruit should
remain, that whatever you
ask the Father in My name
He may give you. 17 These
things I command you, that
you love one another.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

A servant was rarely, if ever, the confidant of the master. Instead,
his role was to anticipate the needs of those he served. using this
illustration, our Lord explains a change of relationship on the part
of His disciples. "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does
not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for
all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you"
(John 15:15). Because Christ had disclosed His Father's revelation
to them, they had spiritual "inside information" and gained a
relationship best defined as a brotherhood. __DENNIS FISHER

[Mackenaw]

Hello Cimi

Thank you, Cimi, for your faithful dedication in bringing these "Our Daily Bread" messages to us.

I like this message. I can relate about the dog too -- because right at this moment my dog is waiting and listening with every fiber of his being -- waiting for my husband to return from his outing to Walmart. Why? just because he likes to be in my hubby's presence.

Cool analogy.

Love,
Mack

[cimi]

That was a good one. I wish I weren't such a clean freak--I would let my Golden in the house more often