Monday, August 10, 2026

New Testament Reading Plan: Leviticus 13-15 | 1 Corinthians 5

My parents often use the phrase, “I’m your biggest fan,” to encourage me and my siblings. We might be dealing with friend troubles, discouragement over an assignment or project, or facing consequences for a choice we made. Through it all, my parents still choose to remind me and my siblings that they are for us. Even when things get messy, they want us to have joyful and purposeful lives, and they are cheering for us all along the way. 

When we are living for something, passionately pursuing our calling, we all need a home base - a person who provides strength and encouragement when we can’t do it on our own. Jesus promises to provide this for everyone who follows him. 

John 15:5
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

We are the branches, the parts of the vine that bear fruit or bloom with flowers. We are the hands and feet of Jesus - the people he’s called to share his good news with the entire world. 

However, a branch will wither and die if it’s not connected to the vine. We can pursue our purpose, trying to share the truth with those around us, but if we aren’t connected to the heart of Jesus, we can end up driving people further away from God instead of drawing them closer. 

If we want our lives to be for Jesus, we also have to live from him - from his love. Jesus explains this to his disciples a few verses later, 

John 15:9
“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.” 

Jesus asks us to start here, with his love. It isn’t until we’ve rooted ourselves in this love that we are able to fully embrace it and share it with the world around us. 

Jesus is essentially telling us that he’s our biggest fan. He has the best possible plan for our lives, and he’s inviting us to follow him in pursuit of it. A life that is centered in his love for us and for all people. 

God is for you. That is something you can live from and for. 

Questions:
What are you living for? How can you remain in God’s love this week?           

Next Steps:
Before you start a task, no matter how big or small, invite God to help you remain in his love. When you feel tempted to act in a way that isn’t rooted in love, take a deep breath and step back.

Consider joining in next month’s Second Saturday Serve, or joining a serving group, in order to remind yourself of the ways God loves the people around you. 

21 Days of Prayer | Today’s Focus: For God to be Known

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for your great love for us, and for sending your Son, Jesus, to die for our sins and to reconcile us to you. We praise you for your grace and mercy that are new every morning. We pray for our communities, Lord, may they know you more. May the people in our communities who don't know you be introduced to Jesus. Help them respond to your life-changing love and put their trust in you. We ask you to fill us with your love and send us out into our communities to make your name known. Help us to respond to evil with good, to forgive as you have forgiven us, and to serve others with humility. Help us to shine your truth and grace to those who don't know you. We pray all these things in the name of Jesus, amen. 

Series Theme Verse:

John 13:35
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” 

Written by Lydia Snyder, a regular contributor to the Daily Devotional.