Daily Word

The fruit the Father desires to see in all His children is Christlikeness.

It is not something we can achieve on our own—not an accomplishment, but a result of our loving relationship with Jesus.

How did the Son become the most loving, self-sacrificing person ever to walk this earth?

Not by Himself.

In His eternal love-relationship with the Father, He was filled with all that His Father is.

Throughout His earthly life, Jesus lived in constant awareness of His Father’s presence and guidance, continually permeated by His love and power, enabling Him to meet the needs of everyone He encountered without growing weary.

“Just as the Father has loved Me…”

Jesus invites you and me into a similar loving relationship with Himself.

In that relationship, we are filled with all that Christ is, and His Spirit makes us constantly aware of His presence and guidance. We are ceaselessly permeated by His love and power, enabling us to see our fellow human beings through the eyes of Jesus and serve them without growing weary.

How does this work in practice?

Begin each day by renewing and deepening your love-relationship with Jesus.

Worship and praise Him from your heart—Psalm 145 is a wonderful choice for this.

Read a passage of His love-filled Word.

Offer heartfelt prayers for those He brings to mind (creating a prayer list can be helpful!).

Place the entire day in the hands of Jesus and ask the Holy Spirit to keep you constantly aware of His presence and to show you how to share the love of Jesus with those you meet.

Reconnect with Him throughout the day through silent prayers.

Offer a smile or a word of encouragement to those you encounter; this may open the door to sharing your faith with them.

End the day by thanking Him for being the Source of all that you are—not yourself!

Remind yourself that He is the vine and you are a branch, entirely dependent on Him.