New Life UMC

Let’s also run the race12 So then let’s also run the race that is laid out in front of us, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us. Let’s throw off any extra baggage, get rid of the sin that trips us up, 2 and fix our eyes on Jesus, faith’s pioneer and perfecter. He endured the cross, ignoring the shame, for the sake of the joy that was laid out in front of him, and sat down at the right side of God’s throne.Hebrews 12:1-2 (CEB)

John 15:1-17 (CEB) “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vineyard keeper. 2 He removes any of my branches that don’t produce fruit, and he trims any branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit. 3 You are already trimmed because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch can’t produce fruit by itself, but must remain in the vine. Likewise, you can’t produce fruit unless you remain in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, then you will produce much fruit. Without me, you can’t do anything. 6 If you don’t remain in me, you will be like a branch that is thrown out and dries up. Those branches are gathered up, thrown into a fire, and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified when you produce much fruit and in this way prove that you are my disciples.Love each other9 “As the Father loved me, I too have loved you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete. 12 This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than to give up one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I don’t call you servants any longer, because servants don’t know what their master is doing. Instead, I call you friends, because everything I heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you could go and produce fruit and so that your fruit could last. As a result, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. 17 I give you these commandments so that you can love each other.

Psalm 88:1-18 (CEB)1 Lord, God of my salvation, by day I cry out, even at night, before you—2 let my prayer reach you!Turn your ear to my outcry3 because my whole being[c] is filled with distress; my life is at the very brink of hell.[d]4 I am considered as one of those plummeting into the pit. I am like those who are beyond help,5 drifting among the dead, lying in the grave, like dead bodies— those you don’t remember anymore, those who are cut off from your power.6 You placed me down in the deepest pit, in places dark and deep.7 Your anger smothers me; you subdue me with it, wave after wave. Selah8 You’ve made my friends distant. You’ve made me disgusting to them. I can’t escape. I’m trapped!9 My eyes are tired of looking at my suffering. I’ve been calling out to you every day, Lord— I’ve had my hands outstretched to you!10 Do you work wonders for the dead? Do ghosts rise up and give you thanks? Selah11 Is your faithful love proclaimed in the grave, your faithfulness in the underworld?[e]12 Are your wonders known in the land of darkness, your righteousness in the land of oblivion?13 But I cry out to you, Lord! My prayer meets you first thing in the morning!14 Why do you reject my very being, Lord? Why do you hide your face from me?15 Since I was young I’ve been afflicted, I’ve been dying. I’ve endured your terrors. I’m lifeless.16 Your fiery anger has overwhelmed me; your terrors have destroyed me.17 They surround me all day long like water; they engulf me completely.18 You’ve made my loved ones and companions distant. My only friend is darkness.