Dave's Diary

This week, we’re asking: How on earth can we ever manage to love the Lord, one another, and our neighbours? Living this life of Jesus-following love is a seemingly impossible task. But it can be done!

It CAN be done when we help each other to do it in community!

Prayer before Reading:

Before you read, pray this simple prayer inspired by Psalm 23:1-3

Lord You are my trustworthy Shepherd; I shall not lack any resources I need. In this time of prayerful intimacy with You, please make me lie down in green pastures, feed me Your Word, lead me beside still waters of peace, restore my weary soul, and set me on the path of righteousness for Your name’s sake.

Now spend a moment quietly getting focused on the Lord’s presence before you read.

Daily Reading

Matthew 11:28-30

²⁸ (Jesus said,) ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’ (NIVUK)

Let’s end this week with glorious good news. Jesus does not call us to be His disciples in order to send us out into the big bad world with these massively challenging love-commands to obey.

No, Jesus calls us to Himself. He invites us into an intimate relationship with Himself, in which we abide in Him and He abides in us. Out of that place of intimacy, we choose to be “yoked” to Him; which means that we surrender ourselves to His Lordship and direction each day. We willingly choose to let Him be in control, set the direction, and inspire our moment-by-moment action. And then we set out into each day in fellowship with Him, staying in step with Him, being guided and empowered by Him to live a life of love “alongside Him”.

We love God alongside and in step with and in fellowship with, His Son, Jesus Christ. We love one another alongside and in step with and in fellowship with our mutual Lord, Jesus Christ. We love the world around us alongside and in step with and in fellowship with the One who loves them enough to die for them.

Contemplation:

Please take time to ponder this truth. Turn one or more of these statements over and over in your mind:

• My life is yoked to Jesus.
• It is my delight is to stay in fellowship with Him.
• It is my calling to stay in step with Him.
• I do not love God and others for Jesus, I love with Jesus!

Lord Jesus, keep me close to Your side and to Your heart today. Help me to love the Father, my family, my community and th world around me with You today. Amen