John – Be Still…

John 17:17 – Jesus Prays for You

“Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.” (John 17:17)

Jesus declares that God’s word is truth, so there can be no question. People go around today throwing the word “truth” out there as if it suggests their own meaning of life. I wish they’d find a different word because, for me, the only truth is God’s word. And God’s word points to Jesus as the truth. Any other truth is only fiction.

Context: This verse is only one tiny excerpt of Jesus’ prayer for us found in John 17. I suggest you take some time to read the whole prayer and be blessed by how Jesus cares for you. There are plenty of other gems there to hold on to and memorize as encouraging insight. To know that Jesus prayed this for his disciples and us is powerfully comforting. Continue reading “John 17:17 – Jesus Prays for You”

John 6:44 – God Moves

“For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.” (John 6:44)

Not only is this a great memory verse, but it is also packed with truths we don’t often reflect on. What did Jesus mean when he said it? Who was he talking to? Those are the kinds of questions that get answered when we look at the context or bigger picture. Always ask, “what can I learn from where this single verse got plucked?”

Context: In this case, there is a lot going on in Chapter 6 of John’s gospel. So many stories of Jesus, including the feeding of the 5,000 with a few fish and loaves of bread, and the memorable episode of Jesus walking on the water. By verse 44, Jesus is responding to a group of people in the crowd who were questioning his reference to himself and eternal life. How could just a “normal” person make such claims? Jesus’ statement to them is bold and very direct. We can glean truth from these words. Continue reading “John 6:44 – God Moves”

John 1:1-5 – The Word

Read John 1:1-5

The gospel of John doesn’t spend any time with the shepherds and angels surrounding Jesus. Rather, John gets right to the point and connects some dots for us. He reveals Jesus to us as the Word who has always existed. He was with God at creation, and John tells us he is God. John had a special relationship with Jesus, and his opening lines are powerful.

As we picture Jesus as a helpless babe in the manger, we must remember his majesty. These verses do just that for us. Jesus was no ordinary baby. John reminds us that Jesus didn’t just appear. Our forever king was always Jesus. At Christmas we celebrate when that forever king became flesh and bone like us. Continue reading “John 1:1-5 – The Word”

John 6:35-40 – Our Purpose

Read John 6:35-40

Even as we’re preparing to celebrate Jesus’ first coming as a helpless babe, we can’t help but remember his life and some of the great lessons he taught us. In this passage, Jesus teaches of the last day and the reason he came in the first place.

What did Jesus say about that? “For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.” That’s good counsel for us as well when we wonder what our purpose in life is. We can ponder all day long why God created us. What is our job on earth? I love how Rick Warren’s book, “The Purpose Driven Life,” breaks it down into five purposes. They all point back to loving God and others while doing his will. The high schoolers at the orphanage are walking through that book with me, and it’s been great to see the lightbulbs going on that will help them in life to live how God desires. Continue reading “John 6:35-40 – Our Purpose”

Christmas John 1:1-14 – Word

Read John 1:1-14

Our Christmas reading selections would not be complete without this passage from John’s gospel. There are no smelly stables or glowing angels in this story, only powerful messages about who Jesus is! We often forget that Jesus played an instrumental role in creation. He is also the Word bringing light to everyone.

Jesus is the “true light” available to all. Yet there are many people who reject the light of Christ in their lives. Either they don’t know the joy of Jesus’ saving grace, have never heard about Jesus, or have decided they don’t need Jesus because everything is “good.” How do you get across to this dark world that life can be so much better than “good” with Jesus in it?