Upper Room Daily Devotional: Heaven Under Your Roof (John 14:23)

Today's Scripture: Verse of the Day

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. John 14:23 (NIV)

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John 14:23 - Daily Devotional: Heaven Under Your Roof

Dear ones, have you ever thought that the Creator of this vast universe wants to make His home in a small corner of my and your heart? Don't you also think how thrilling and pleasurable this mere thought sounds, that the infinite God, whom heaven and earth cannot contain, comes running to us at the call of our love? When we love Jesus, it becomes not just an emotion, but a deep commitment to Him that transforms our being. The Lord does not demand any difficult rituals from us, but only a loving heart that treasures His words and lives according to His commandments for our good and salvation. As we make His words the basis of our lives, a sacred place begins to be created within us where heaven and earth meet.

God's word is not just for hearing, but for resurrection. Lord Jesus makes it clear that the one who loves Him follows His words. This is the same obedience that Abraham showed when he stepped out in faith on unknown paths. Just as Mary treasured the Lord's words in her heart, so when we 'obey' His words, we are actually opening our doors to them. According to Psalm 119:105 His Word becomes the light on our path, leading us out of the darkness Where the world leaves us.

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The wonderful truth is that we are not alone; The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit come together to 'dwell' within us. And yes, this is not a temporary meeting, but an eternal residence with us. Just as in the Old Testament the Shekinah glory resided in the tabernacle, so now you and I are that living temple. 1 Corinthians 6:19 reminds us that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. This divine company gives us that peace and strength which is not found in any happiness of the world. When the Triune God dines with us and becomes part of our lives, every lack we have is transformed into His abundance.

Today the Lord is standing at the door of your heart and knocking; Will you let them in or will you still keep your mind as hard as you have been doing till now? It's time to make your life a beautiful abode worthy of them. Let go of your worries and hold on to His words, for he who abides in His love is never and never will be alone. Hear that call from Revelation 3:20 and make a new commitment. Believe that your heart is no longer an ordinary place, but the very throne of God. Rise up and walk in the glory of this divine presence, for Jesus says that if anyone loves me, he will keep my word; And My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him.

John 14:3 - Prayer 

O my beloved God, great Creator of heaven and earth, I come before you with utmost humility and awe. I thank You for the wonderful truth that You want to reside not only in the high and holy place, but also in this small and loving heart of mine. O Lord, create within me a deep and true love for You that is not limited to words alone, but is also visible in the obedience to Your words and commandments. Give me the strength to make my heart a 'holy temple' worthy of You and an 'invisible dwelling place' where Your glory can rest.

O dear Savior, you have promised that you will come and dwell in him who loves you, and not only you, but also the Father will come and dwell in him. So I pray that you remove unbelief and love of the world from my life, so that I may be found in You alone and may clearly feel Your divine presence. Fill my conscience with Your peace and open my spiritual eyes so that I may enjoy that 'mysterious union' with You that Your devotees of old found in Your presence.  Similarly, I also want to experience that deep fellowship with you where you will become my 'table companion' and 'guest in the house' in the form of this body of mine. And I want that when you come inside me, you should not reside as a temporary guest, but as a permanent resident. So that you fill that void within me which the world can never fill. Grant me the grace to daily strive to make myself acceptable to You, so that Your abode within me may be safe and well-furnished. I want my thoughts, my feelings, and my actions to be completely under Your influence, and I wish to constantly bask in the joy of Your presence.

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O Lord, make this prayer a living experience of my life. Give me that 'unshakable love' and 'unwavering faith' so that I can treasure Your words in my heart. When I face the challenges of this world, let me remember that the Master of the Universe resides within me. May this divine presence of yours give me the strength to overcome every weakness and spread your love to others. So that this entire world is filled with your love and you, so that evil never comes out of anyone's heart, only you come out.  I surrender my entire being to You, so that Your name may be glorified through my life. I ask this prayer in Your holy and mighty name, Amen.