Focus
Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.
Read
John 13:31-35 (NRSV)
When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Reflect
It is Denomination Day for those of us who are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian and Cumberland Presbyterian in America denominations. We often get asked about the difference between our denomination and other denominations in the Presbyterian family.
Our history started in a cabin, a replica of which sits in Montgomery Bell state park near Dickson, Tennessee. The story of Revs. Samuel McAdoo, Samuel King, and Finis Ewing and the night of prayer is often where we begin our denomination’s story. However, all theological differences aside, we all fall under the label of Christian.
In this passage, Jesus shared with his followers what we must do if we want to be one of his disciples: Love one another. Jesus did not mean a romantic love, but a love that puts others above ourselves. Jesus certainly modeled this kind of love.
When we seek to love one another, the world is full of opportunities for us to share God’s love. As we reflect on the beginning of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America, let us also think about our life of being called a disciple of Christ. Let us share an unconditional love with all those we encounter.
Pray
God of Peace, thank you for our history as part of your people. As ambassadors for you, help us to share your love with everyone. We pray in the name of our Savior. Amen.
Serve God by serving others.
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