Daily Scripture Threshing for Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Today’s Text: John 15:5–17
Key Verse: John 15:12 (NKJV): “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
An American author once pictured a man who best fits the Bible description of a Pharisee. He was pictured as always quoting the scripture to suit himself and criticize others. He would ransack the Bible for favorable promises to himself and throw all the curses to other men. This is a funny but not funny way to live the Christian life; but unfortunately, many Christians are now like this. That is who you are when you use God’s word and name to condemn others’ failures while using the same to excuse your own.
The Bible presents us better ways to live. It recorded the lives of a few real and godly men who were willing not only to give up their rights or themselves; they were willing to give up God’s promises for them and even be cursed if doing so would serve in the salvation of others. One of such was Moses. He would rather be blotted out of God’s book than see that the children of Israel unforgiven (Exodus 32:32).
Another example was Paul. He would rather be “cut off from Christ” if it would serve the purpose of his people’s knowledge of Him (Romans 9:3). While we are all naturally self conscious, selfish and self-righteous, the highlight we find of Moses and Paul challenge us to love others more than ourselves. This is ultimately the way of Christian love that would lead others to Jesus.
Now, our greatest example is Jesus. “Greater love has no one than this!” He shows us how to lay down our life for others (John 15:13). Before we knew Him, He loved us. Though we hated Him, yet He died to give us life. And now he invites us into the same spirit. And as we pour Christ’s unimaginable love into others, the world will catch a clearer glimpse of Jesus.
Quote for the Day: “A steadfast heart seeks the slightest reason to continue to hold on to the strings. A faithful heart holds on even if there’s no more reason or no more strings.” (Simon Olatunji)
Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank You for loving me so much, and for showing me what it means to love others. Please help me, Lord, to love like You. Let the extension of my love for you be seen in my love for others — in Jesus’ name. Amen.
With all my love and prayers,
Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.
Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)
For further inquiry and free spiritual help, visit or write:
The Darling Bishop,
2321 S Belt Line Rd., Suite 144
Grand Prairie TX 75051 USA
+1 (407) 360-8280; (817) 822-8441
[Daily Scripture Threshing is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA distributed for free use by individuals, small groups, families, and Christian churches]
Send | Share | Subscribe | Support
Comments