40 Days Of Prayer - Day 25

John 15:12-17
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another."

Although we do not have “green thumbs,” we attempted to grow a garden last year. We carefully planted four Snow Pea plants in the sun near a pole so that they could grow to produce a tasty harvest in the summertime. Three weeks into the growing season the plants were doing well.

Then rats happened! They dug up and scattered all four plants. We salvaged two plants. They were doing well, they grew to six inches then stopped growing. Although they were watered at their appointed intervals and had warm rich soil – they never reached their potential. It was a complete disappointment and waste of time and effort not to have any home-grown peas.

This example of the peas can sometimes be like seasons that we go through. Despite God providing us with all the resources we need. We too can be dwarfed and not provide him with the fruit he asks us for.

In John 15 he tells us the following: he insists that we love one another, he calls us friends; he insists that we bear fruit… fruit that lasts. He tells us we must do these things so that we will love one another. Isn’t it great that God wants to partner through us to provide him with fruit.

He chose us, He Is our friend, He loves us. As we partner with Jesus – we also partner with God’s family (the church). As we produce fruit together it builds a great partnership. The gift that results is a love for each other, and ultimately a greater love for Him. What could be better!

"Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to love one another, serve and work together with our church family.  Please pray for our Kingdom Legacy initiative."

Written by Thom & Cynthia Letkeman