Waiting for Truth
Read: John 16:12-19 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. (v. 13) The words of Scripture often seem shrouded in mystery. Jesus acknowledged a sense of ambiguity when he told the disciples, “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t handle them now” (v. 12 […]
Be Prepared
Read: John 16:1-11 Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. (vv. 2-3) This chapter begins with Jesus’s dire warnings about impending persecution. Throughout history, many horrible injustices have been committed […]
This Is a Test
Read: John 15:18-27 When the Advocate comes . . . he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning. (vv. 26-27 NIV) I don’t like to be tested, to have to prove my knowledge or show evidence for my beliefs. But most of us have […]
Full of Joy
Read: John 15:9-17 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you,and that your joy may be full. (v. 11) Do you know this JOY acronym: Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last? It doesn’t seem realistic to find joy by putting yourself last. But the life God calls us to […]
Pruned to Produce
Read: John 15:1-8 Every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (v. 2) It’s hard for me to cut away a perfectly fine, green and growing branch from a plant or bush. But sometimes, I realize that it’s the best thing I can do for the health of the […]
Peace to You
Read: John 14:22-31 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (v. 27) Many churches have a practice of “passing the peace,” a mutual greeting as they begin worship. I appreciate […]
One Within the Other
Read: John 14:8-21 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. (v. 20) When I was a young child, I was confused by the lyrics to the Sunday school song, “Into My Heart,” even as I sang along with “Come in today, come […]
Troubled or Trusting?
Read: John 13:33-14:7 Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. (v. 1) During the terrorist attack in 2001 on the World Trade Center, there was mass panic in the building. Building announcements told people to stay where they were. One department head told his staff to ignore those instructions […]
The Final Prayer
Read: John 17:20-26 . . . that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (v. 21) When loved ones are close to dying, people often notice what they […]