Day: September 2, 2024

Christ Models Caring Love

The Upper Room Discourse
contains Jesus’ final words of
instruction and encouragement
to His disciples before His death.
Only John records these intimate
moments between Jesus and His
men as He models true humility
(John 13), describes Holy Spirit
who will comfort and empower
them (John 14-16) and intercedes
for the unity and protection of
His disciples worldwide (John 17).

Lord, we’ll Emulate Your Example:
When Jesus knew that His hour
had come that He should depart
from this world to the Father,having
loved His own,He loved them to the
end…So He got up from the table,
wrapped a towel around his waist
& poured water into a basin. Then
He began to wash the disciples’
feet, drying them with the towel
He had around him (John 13:1-5).
I have given you an Example, that
u should do as I have done to you…
Now that u know these things, God
will Bless u for Doing them (v15-17)
A new Commandment I give to
you that you love one another as
I have loved you, that you also love
another. By this all will know that
you are My disciples, if you have
love for one another(v34-35) Amen

Lord, we note Your advice to the
disciples to Follow Your Example
of servanthood & submit to needs.
Like the disciples, we may tend
to miss our mission to serve
and to meet the needs of others.
Motivate us Lord by Your promise
that those who serve others will
Be Blessed by You in special ways
we wouldn’t want to miss. Amen.

Lord Jesus, I want my friends to
serve You; and I desire them to be
served by You, to experience the
cleansing only You can provide.
Help me to get the gospel right
as I talk with them. For it is not
primarily about what they must do
for You; but about what You have
done for them & for them to really
appreciate and reflect it. Amen.

Lord, we receive Your Command
to love one another thru actions;
and to love those yet to know You.
You promise that when we demo
sacrificial love for one another,
the world will notice our actions.
And recognise us as disciples of
the one who sacrificed Himself
on the cross in order to save
all of us from our sins. Amen.

Saviour the Shepherd Lead Us

We don’t know who wrote the words
to Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us.
It appeared in a children’s hymnal
compiled by Dorothy Thrupp in 1836
But it is clear the wording was
inspired by John 10, where Jesus
says: I am the good shepherd.
And we know the music was by
William Bradbury, a gifted music
student in Boston. After finishing
school, Bradbury moved to New
York where he worked as a church
musician focussing children’s music.
He intended Savior Like a Shepherd
Lead Us to be a children’s hymn, but
it turned out adults enjoyed it too.

Lord, we’ll Hear & Follow You:
A Shepherd enters through the gate.
He Calls His own sheep by name
and leads them out… He walks
ahead of them, and they Follow
Him because they recognise
His voice (John 10:2-4).
I have come that they may
Have Life and have it to the Full.
I am the good shepherd.
The good shepherd gives
His life for the sheep (v10-11).
I am the good shepherd; I know
my own sheep, and they know me,
just as my Father knows me and
I know the Father. So I sacrifice
my life for the sheep (v14-15).

Lord Jesus, Thank You for
being my good shepherd and
making me one of Your sheep.
Thank You for caring for me by
providing, guiding & protecting me.
What a privilege to belong to You;
You Call me by name and speak
to my heart. With all the voices
in the world, quieten my mind
and heart so that I will recognise
Your Voice and Follow You. Amen.

Lord Jesus, You did not come
just to forgive our past deeds and
offer us hope of heavenly glory.
You came to give us full satisfying,
meaningful and abundant life.
Forgive me Lord when I am too
preoccupied with earthly things.
Help me to seek You, pursue things
eternal and further Your kingdom,
for You’ll Provide my needs. Amen.

Lord Jesus, I am so blessed that
You are my caring Shepherd and
because of that I can fear no evil.
For You Lord have promised
to provide, lead and protect me.
Though evil may come, it has no
power over me for I am Safe in You.
Keep me trusting You; and help me
to stay close to You and not worry,
for You’re Watching over me. Amen.