Today’s Podcast
Today’s Scriptures
Today’s Bible reading plans include:
Ready – John 14:15-31
Set – Jeremiah 10; John 14
Go! – Jeremiah 10-12; John 14
John 14:15-31
Jesus: 15 If you love Me, obey the commandments I have given you. 16 I will ask the Father to send you another Helper, the Spirit of truth, who will remain constantly with you. 17 The world does not recognize the Spirit of truth, because it does not know the Spirit and is unable to receive Him. But you do know the Spirit because He lives with you, and He will dwell in you. 18 I will never abandon you like orphans; I will return to be with you. 19 In a little while, the world will not see Me; but I will not vanish completely from your sight. Because I live, you will also live. 20 At that time, you will know that I am in the Father, you are in Me, and I am in you. 21 The one who loves Me will do the things I have commanded. My Father loves everyone who loves Me; and I will love you and reveal My heart, will, and nature to you.
The Other Judas: 22 Lord, why will You reveal Yourself to us, but not to the world?
Jesus: 23 Anyone who loves Me will listen to My voice and obey. The Father will love him, and We will draw close to him and make a dwelling place within him. 24 The one who does not love Me ignores My message, which is not from Me, but from the Father who sent Me.
25 I have spoken these words while I am here with you. 26 The Father is sending a great Helper, the Holy Spirit, in My name to teach you everything and to remind you of all I have said to you. 27 My peace is the legacy I leave to you. I don’t give gifts like those of this world. Do not let your heart be troubled or fearful. 28 You were listening when I said, “I will go away, but I will also return to be with you.” If you love Me, celebrate the fact that I am going to be with the Father because He is far greater than I am. 29 I have told you all these things in advance so that your faith will grow as these things come to pass. 30 I am almost finished speaking to you. The one who rules the world is stepping forward, and he has no part in Me; 31 but to demonstrate to the cosmos My love for the Father, I will do just as He commands. Stand up. It is time for us to leave this place.
Today’s Devotional
From today’s background scripture God might say:
These scriptures contain a treasure chest of good news for you, but today I want you to take away just three important points. I left My Spirit with you so you will never be alone. Anyone who loves Me does what I command. My peace is the legacy I leave with you.
When I ascended bodily back to My Father, I returned to as the third part of the triune godhead in the form of My Spirit so I could remain with you forever. I could not only be with you, but could be in you. My Spirit can live in you. When you accept Me I come to you and live in you, so you never need to be alone in this world. I will remain with you in every situation and circumstance in which you find yourself. I will guide you through every situation and every event in your life. Just listen and learn from Me through My Spirit in you.
The second truth means that as you listen to My Spirit, you will obey Me. Anyone who loves Me obeys My commands. So as My Spirit speaks to you and teaches you, I expect you to follow the commands I give you. I also expect that you will read My word and let My Spirit speak to you through My written word as well as through My Spirit in you. Then if you love Me, obey those commands that come to you through My word.
The third truth I want you to learn from the passage today says My peace is the legacy I leave with you. It sounds like a bit of a paradox for those who don’t know Me because until time ends there will be war. Nations will war against nations. My believers will be hated by those who do not believe in Me. Around the world you already know My followers give their lives every day just because they refuse to renounce Me. Never since the beginning of time have more people lost their lives for Me than in this generation.
Yet peace still comes to those who follow Me. Peace unlike the world can understand. You will have an indescribable inner peace with yourself and with others that exists despite your circumstances. In the heat of battle, you will find peace. In the midst of persecution, you will feel My peace. In the face of death, you will know My peace. Peace is the legacy I leave with you and you can enjoy it when you let My Spirit live in you.
These three truths can help you live better today if you take them to heart. Contemplate them today as you go about your daily routine.
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved. In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.