Tag Archives: John

Unity through the Spirit (John 17), August 15, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – John 17

Set – Jeremiah 18; Psalms 93; John 17

Go! – Jeremiah 18-20; Psalms 93; John 17

John 17
1 Jesus (lifting His face to the heavens): Father, My time has come. Glorify Your Son, and I will bring You great glory 2-3 because You have given Me total authority over humanity. I have come bearing the plentiful gifts of God; and all who receive Me will experience everlasting life, a new intimate relationship with You (the one True God) and Jesus the Anointed (the One You have sent). 4 I have glorified You on earth and fulfilled the mission You set before Me.
5 In this moment, Father, fuse Our collective glory and bring Us together as We were before creation existed. 6 You have entrusted Me with these men who have come out of this corrupt world order. I have told them about Your nature and declared Your name to them, and they have held on to Your words and understood that these words, 7 like everything else You have given Me, come from You. 8 It is true that these men You gave Me have received the words that come from You and not only understood them but also believed that You sent Me. 9 I am now making an appeal to You on their behalf. This request is not for the entire world; it is for those whom You have given to Me because they are Yours. 10 Yours and Mine, Mine and Yours, for all that are Mine are Yours. Through them I have been glorified.
11 I will no longer be physically present in this world, but they will remain in this world. As I return to be with You, holy Father, remain with them through Your name, the name You have given Me. May they be one even as We are one. 12 While I was physically present with them, I protected them through Your name. I watched over them closely; and only one was lost, the one the Scriptures said was the son of destruction. 13 Now I am returning to You. I am speaking this prayer here in the created cosmos alongside friends and foes so that in hearing it they might be consumed with joy. 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has despised them because they are not products of the world, in the same way that I am not a product of the corrupt world order. 15 Do not take them out of this world; protect them from the evil one.
16 Like Me, they are not products of the corrupt world order. 17 Immerse them in the truth, the truth Your voice speaks. 18 In the same way You sent Me into this world, I am sending them. 19 It is entirely for their benefit that I have set Myself apart so that they may be set apart by truth. 20 I am not asking solely for their benefit; this prayer is also for all the believers who will follow them and hear them speak. 21 Father, may they all be one as You are in Me and I am in You; may they be in Us, for by this unity the world will believe that You sent Me.
22 All the glory You have given to Me, I pass on to them. May that glory unify them and make them one as We are one, 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be refined so that all will know that You sent Me, and You love them in the same way You love Me.
24 Father, I long for the time when those You have given Me can join Me in My place so they may witness My glory, which comes from You. You have loved Me before the foundations of the cosmos were laid. 25 Father, You are just; though this corrupt world order does not know You, I do. These followers know that You have sent Me. 26 I have told them about Your nature; and I will continue to speak of Your name in order that Your love, which was poured out on Me, will be in them. And I will also be in them.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

John records My prayer to the Father in the garden My last night before the crucifixion. I prayed for My disciples. Those who walked with Me while I lived alongside you in the flesh for some thirty years, and for those who would believe in Me because of their message through the centuries to come. I pray you are among that group.

My prayer speaks of the unity between My Father and Me and between My disciples and Me. I also long for unity between My disciples. The only way that can happen, though, comes from My living in you though My presence in the form of My Spirit in you. You must invite Me into your life. You must turn your life over to Me and do as I ask. You must become a disciple, one who becomes like his or her teacher, if you expect to understand Me and My word.

I call all My children to discipleship. I don’t want to leave you where you are. I want you to become like Me. Just ask Me into your life and let Me show you the difference I can make.

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.

God’s word comes true (John 16:16-33), August 14, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – John 16:16-33

Set – Psalms 96; John 16

Go! – Jeremiah 16-17; Psalms 96; John 16

John 16:16-33
Jesus: 16 For a little while you will not see Me; but after that, a time will come when you will see Me again.
Some of His Disciples: 17 What does He mean? “I’ll be here, and then I won’t be here, because I’ll be with the Father”?
Other Disciples: 18 What is He saying? “A little while”? We don’t understand.
19 Jesus knew they had questions to ask of Him, so He approached them.
Jesus: Are you trying to figure out what I mean when I say you will see Me in a little while? 20 I tell you the truth, a time is approaching when you will weep and mourn while the world is celebrating. You will grieve, but that grief will give birth to great joy. 21-22 In the same way that a woman labors in great pain during childbirth only to forget the intensity of the pain when she holds her child, when I return, your labored grief will also change into a joy that cannot be stolen.
23 When all this transpires, you will finally have the answers you have been seeking. I tell you the truth, anything you ask of the Father in My name, He will give to you. 24 Until this moment, you have not sought after anything in My name. Ask and you will receive so that you will be filled with joy.
25 I have been teaching you all of these truths through stories and metaphors, but the time is coming for Me to speak openly and directly of the Father.
26 The day is coming when you will make a request in My name, but I will not represent you before the Father. 27 You will be heard directly by the Father. The Father loves you because you love Me and know that I come from the Father. 28 I came from the Father into the cosmos, but soon I will leave it and return to the Father.
Disciples: 29 We hear You speaking clearly and not in metaphors. How could we misunderstand? 30 We see now that You are aware of everything and You reveal things at the proper time. So we do not need to question You, because we believe You have come from God.
Jesus: 31 So you believe now? 32 Be aware that a time is coming when you will be scattered like seeds. You will return to your own way, and I will be left alone. But I will not be alone, because the Father will be with Me. 33 I have told you these things so that you will be whole and at peace. In this world, you will be plagued with times of trouble, but you need not fear; I have triumphed over this corrupt world order.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Around the world, My followers encountered persecution from the time I spoke to My disciples in the upper room until today. Those who do not know Me and do not understand Me seek to destroy My teaching and those who uphold My teaching. Despite the goodwill My followers demonstrate My love for those around them, they feel the same rejection, punishment, and pain I felt.

The Adversary does his best to confuse and veil the hearts and minds of people to lure them away from Me. I told My disciples and I will tell you that trouble will follow you as long as you live in this world. But like I told them 2000 years ago, don’t despair. I already defeated your Adversary. His judgment is determined. His defeat is complete. I have already overcome this corrupt world order.

As I leave My Spirit with you to guide you and strengthen you, you will have the ability to stand in the face of your enemy. In the face of trouble, you can remain true to Me. You can face persecution and trouble. Just as I triumphed over the cross and burst from the tomb, I will return to resurrect you and take you to a home I’ve been preparing for you since I ascended to heaven so many centuries ago.

My disciples had a hard time understanding all that was happening on the other side of the history of the cross. From your vantage point on this side of the cross, you understand the words I spoke to them and their fulfillment in My sacrifice on the cross, My death, and resurrection. As the words I spoke to the disciples revealed what would happen to Me came true in the following days in Jerusalem, so the words I spoke are true for you.

I will never leave you or forsake you. My Spirit, the Helper, will remain with you and be in you if you will ask Him into your life. He will strengthen you and enable you to become more like Me each day if you will listen to Him and obey His urging in your life.

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.

The vine and Christian character (John 15:1-17), August 13, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – John 15:1-17

Set – Jeremiah 13; John 15

Go! – Jeremiah 13-15; John 15

John 15:1-17
Jesus: 1 I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. 2 My Father examines every branch in Me and cuts away those who do not bear fruit. He leaves those bearing fruit and carefully prunes them so that they will bear more fruit; 3 already you are clean because you have heard My voice. 4 Abide in Me, and I will abide in you. A branch cannot bear fruit if it is disconnected from the vine, and neither will you if you are not connected to Me.
5 I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you abide in Me and I in you, you will bear great fruit. Without Me, you will accomplish nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is like a branch that is tossed out and shrivels up and is later gathered to be tossed into the fire to burn. 7 If you abide in Me and My voice abides in you, anything you ask will come to pass for you. 8 Your abundant growth and your faithfulness as My followers will bring glory to the Father.
Jesus: 9 I have loved you as the Father has loved Me. Abide in My love. 10 Follow My example in obeying the Father’s commandments and receiving His love. If you obey My commandments, you will stay in My love. 11 I want you to know the delight I experience, to find ultimate satisfaction, which is why I am telling you all of this.
12 My commandment to you is this: love others as I have loved you. 13 There is no greater way to love than to give your life for your friends. 14 You celebrate our friendship if you obey this command. 15 I don’t call you servants any longer; servants don’t know what the master is doing, but I have told you everything the Father has said to Me. I call you friends. 16 You did not choose Me. I chose you, and I orchestrated all of this so that you would be sent out and bear great and perpetual fruit. As you do this, anything you ask the Father in My name will be done. 17 This is My command to you: love one another.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

You’re probably familiar with the metaphor I’ve used about the vine and branches. Let Me expound on it a little today. In an agrarian society where I first gave the metaphor, the people understood clearly what I shared with them. Today, the lesson may not be quite as clear since so many live in cities and your produce comes from the grocery store and you know so little about growing things.

Growing grapes for both fruit and wine was an important part of life for the people of Jesus day. Wine was a part of meals since often sources of clean cool water were scarce. They also understood what was necessary to care for vineyards. Branches that didn’t produce grapes just sucked nutrients and water from the soil needlessly and the smart caretaker cut those branches from the vines to maximize the production of grapes.

Vineyards, like any crop takes care and attention to allow them to produce in an optimum way. They will grow wild or will grow with little attention, but the grapes they produce when given little or no attention are not conducive to producing good wine. The owners of vineyards know these principles well and so take care to tend to their crops to make sure everything they can do gets done to grow the best clusters of grapes possible.

That’s just what the Father does with those who follow Me. He wants My followers to produce fruit. My word describes that fruit. My fruit comes in the form of changed hearts, changed lives, changed character. The character the Father looks for in My followers Paul calls the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit include unconditional love, joy, peace, patience, kindheartedness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When My followers do not show evidence of growing these characteristics in their lives, they obviously have disconnected themselves from Me. My Father prunes them from the vine and they have no part in Me.

Are you producing fruit? Is your character changing to reflect the fruit of the Spirit? Can you take an inventory of your character and see spiritual fruit growing in your life? Do others see a change in you since you accepted Me as your Savior? If not, something is wrong. It’s time to get into My word and learn what I want from My followers. It’s time to be more than a hearer of My word and do what I ask of you. It’s time to follow My commands. I don’t want you to stay the same as when I found you. I want you to become like Me. I want to transform you and make you unlike those in the world.

The metaphor was clear to those who heard it years ago. It may need a little more clarification today, but the truth is no less real. I expect My followers to become more like Me every day. Grow in your likeness or expect the Father to cut you from our presence.

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.

Three things to learn today (John 14:15-31), August 12, 2015

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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.

A servanthood lifestyle (John 13:1-17), August 11, 2017

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – John 13:1-17

Set – Jeremiah 9; John 13

Go! – Jeremiah 7-9; John 13

John 13:1-17
1 Before the Passover festival began, Jesus was keenly aware that His hour had come to depart from this world and to return to the Father. From beginning to end, Jesus’ days were marked by His love for His people. 2 Before Jesus and His disciples gathered for dinner, the adversary filled Judas Iscariot’s heart with plans of deceit and betrayal. 3 Jesus, knowing that He had come from God and was going away to God, 4 stood up from dinner and removed His outer garments. He then wrapped Himself in a towel, 5 poured water in a basin, and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with His towel.
Simon Peter (as Jesus approaches): 6 Lord, are You going to wash my feet?
Jesus: 7 Peter, you don’t realize what I am doing, but you will understand later.
Peter: 8 You will not wash my feet, now or ever!
Jesus: If I don’t wash you, you will have nothing to do with Me.
Peter: 9 Then wash me but don’t stop with my feet. Cleanse my hands and head as well.
Jesus: 10 Listen, anyone who has bathed is clean all over except for the feet. But I tell you this, not all of you are clean.
11 He knew the one with plans of betraying Him, which is why He said, “not all of you are clean.” 12 After washing their feet and picking up His garments, He reclined at the table again.
Jesus: Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and truly, that is who I am. 14 So if your Lord and Teacher washes your feet, then you should wash one another’s feet. 15 I am your example; keep doing what I do. 16 I tell you the truth: a servant is not greater than the master. Those who are sent are not greater than the one who sends them. 17 If you know these things, and if you put them into practice, you will find happiness.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Some get turned off by the example I gave you while I lived alongside you. When I washed my disciples feet at My last passover with them, it showed an example of My humility and servant attitude. It’s much easier to believe in a religion that lets you progress to a position of high status. People enjoy gaining authority and stature in their faith just as much as they do in their job.

The problem with religions that create positions of power and prestige, though, they have a tendency to make you think you have more importance than you should. You suddenly think you should have the center of attention in some circumstances. But you should never have center stage in your faith. I should. I’m God, after all, not you.

I served you since I created you. I gave you life, then provided everything you need to sustain you. I give you the need for relationships with each other and with Me and the opportunity to fulfill that need through good, honorable, authenitic means. Your adversary, the devil tries to lure you into meeting those needs in perverse ways. Ways that will tarnish your reputation and make you no greater than the other animals around you. I created you to become more than just an animal fighting for survival, though. I created you to remain in a consistent, loving relationship with Me.

I want that relationship for you. It means you must live the kind of life I showed you. It means a life of servanthood. It means accepting the menial tasks in life. Not because you’re not ambitious or cannot do more, but because in doing good for others, nothing is beneath you. You accept the tasks I give you without complaint and do it because of love for each other and love for Me.

I taught you the life of servanthood by living the life of servanthood in front of you each day. My faithful followers replicate that lifestyle in seeing something that needs to be done for others and doing it. They don’t ask questions about whether someone else should take up the task or if it is beneath their dignity to complete that mission. They just roll up their sleeves and get to work.

That’s the lifestyle I want from you. I want your willingness to work for Me. Work as if our life depended on your excellence in action for Me. Work as if the lives of those around you depended on the excellent completion of your next task. Give and then give some more. Always be ready to help your brother in need in whatever way you can so you can show My love to others through your action.

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.

Did Mary steal? (John 12:1-19), August 10, 2015

Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – John 12:1-19

Set – Jeremiah 5; John 12

Go! – Jeremiah 5-6; John 12

John 12:1-19
1 Six days before the Passover feast, Jesus journeyed to the village of Bethany, to the home of Lazarus who had recently been raised from the dead, 2 where they hosted Him for dinner. Martha was busy serving as the hostess, Lazarus reclined at the table with Him, 3 and Mary took a pound of fine ointment, pure nard (which is both rare and expensive), and anointed Jesus’ feet with it; and then she wiped them with her hair. As the pleasant fragrance of this extravagant ointment filled the entire house, 4 Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples (who was plotting to betray Jesus), began to speak.
Judas Iscariot: 5 How could she pour out this vast amount of fine oil? Why didn’t she sell it? It is worth nearly a year’s wages; the money could have been given to the poor.
6 This had nothing to do with Judas’s desire to help the poor. The truth is he served as the treasurer, and he helped himself to the money from the common pot at every opportunity.
Jesus: 7 Leave her alone. She has observed this custom in anticipation of the day of My burial. 8 The poor are ever present, but I will be leaving.
9 Word spread of Jesus’ presence, and a large crowd was gathering to see Jesus and the formerly deceased Lazarus, whom He had brought back from the dead. 10 The chief priests were secretly plotting Lazarus’s murder since, 11 because of him, many Jews were leaving their teachings and believing in Jesus.
12 The next day, a great crowd of people who had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem; 13 so they gathered branches of palm trees to wave as they celebrated His arrival.
Crowds (shouting): Hosanna!
He who comes in the name of the Lord is truly blessed
and is King of all Israel.
14 Jesus found a young donkey, sat on it, and rode through the crowds mounted on this small beast. The Scriptures foretold of this day:
15 Daughter of Zion, do not be afraid.
Watch! Your King is coming.
You will find Him seated on the colt of a donkey.
16 The disciples did not understand any of this at the time; these truths did not sink in until Jesus had been glorified. As they reflected on their memories of Jesus, they realized these things happened just as they were written. 17 Those who witnessed the resurrection of Lazarus enthusiastically spoke of Jesus to all who would listen, 18 and that is why the crowd went out to meet Him. They had heard of the miraculous sign He had done.
Pharisees (to one another): 19 Our efforts to squelch Him have not worked, but now is not the time for action. Look, the world is following after Him.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Judas decried Mary’s extravegance when she poured the nard on My feet. John characterized Judas as a thief because of his comment. The real question though, from whom did Judas think Mary was stealing?

I didn’t need the money Judas thought about. As I demonstrated with Peter in the incident paying the Temple tax, I produced his tax and Mine from the mouth of a fish. Because I created everything and therefore own everything, I am in need of nothing. His thought of withholding the nard for My use in giving the proceeds to the poor seems pretty ridiculous.

Judas also saw Me feed thousands with just a handful of food. I’m able to multiple the simplest provisions and satisfy any number of needs around Me. Judas watch Me and even participated in the distribution of those provisions on those occasions, so he knew My power. So, no, Judas didn’t steal from Me.

Mary wasn’t stealing from the poor. If she had not poured the nard on My feet, no doubt she would not have sold the nard to give to the poor. She probably had it for her own burial or that of another family member. Judas didn’t think about the use of nard when he blurted out his comment. Lazarus had already died once and nard not used in his burial sat in a jar ready for its next requirement. So, Mary wasn’t stealing from the poor, she stole from a dead man no longer dead. Is that stealing?

So who was Judas stealing from? Himself. He stole his joy and peace in thinking he could gain from material goods instead of lavishing his love on Me. Mary found the source of real joy in pouring out her extravegance on Me. She worshiped Me for who I am. Judas doubted My discourses on who I said I was and looked at the material things of this world to satisfy his longings. Things can never satisfy. Only I can do that.

Mary found the truth in Me. Judas found emptiness, loneliness, and ultimately death and his own destruction in the material things he sought. You also get to choose the path you take. Choose the right one.

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.

Jesus, the Great Shepherd (John 10:1-21), August 8, 2015

Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – John 10:1-21

Set – Jeremiah 2; John 10

Go! – Jeremiah 1-2; John 10

John 10:1-21
Jesus: 1 I tell you the truth: the man who crawls through the fence of the sheep pen, rather than walking through the gate, is a thief or a vandal. 2 The shepherd walks openly through the entrance. 3 The guard who is posted to protect the sheep opens the gate for the shepherd, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When all the sheep have been gathered, he walks on ahead of them; and they follow him because they know his voice. 5 The sheep would not be willing to follow a stranger; they run because they do not know the voice of a stranger.
6 Jesus explained a profound truth through this metaphor, but they did not understand His teaching. 7 So He explained further.
Jesus: I tell you the truth: I am the gate of the sheep. 8 All who approached the sheep before Me came as thieves and robbers, and the sheep did not listen to their voices. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be liberated, will go in and go out, and will find pastures. 10 The thief approaches with malicious intent, looking to steal, slaughter, and destroy; I came to give life with joy and abundance.
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep in His care. 12 The hired hand is not like the shepherd caring for His own sheep. When a wolf attacks, snatching and scattering the sheep, he runs for his life, leaving them defenseless. 13 The hired hand runs because he works only for wages and does not care for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; I know My sheep, and My sheep know Me. 15 As the Father knows Me, I know the Father; I will give My life for the sheep. 16 There are many more sheep than you can see here, and I will bring them as well. They will hear My voice, and the flock will be united. One flock. One shepherd. 17 The Father loves Me because I am willing to lay down My life—but I will take it up again. 18 My life cannot be taken away by anybody else; I am giving it of My own free will. My authority allows Me to give My life and to take it again. All this has been commanded by My Father.
19 When He spoke these words, some of the Jews began to argue.
Many Jews: 20 He has a demon and is a raving maniac. Why are you people listening to Him?
Other Jews: 21 No demon-possessed man ever spoke like this. Do demons give sight to the blind?

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Few today understand the life of a shepherd and his sheep. Most today live in cities and the only sheep they see are in books or on television. You don’t know the days and weeks a shepherd will spend out in the weather with his flock to make sure the sheep have good pasture land, good water, are kept free from predators, and a thousand other responsibilities to keep them healthy.

Sheep certainly don’t rank as one of the more intelligent animals in the world, nor are they the most obedient. But they do follow their shepherd because they understand the shepherd leads them to food and water and keeps them from being eaten by their enemies. They listen for their shepherds voice and follow no one else because they have learned to trust in their shepherd and in no one else.

One of the important things I told the crowd that day, though, in talking about the shepherd is My willingness to lay down My life for you as the shepherd is willing to lay down his life for his sheep. The other very important point is no one can take My life from Me. If you look carefully at the description of My arrest in the Garden of Gethsemene by John in chapter 18 of his gospel, you’ll find when the guards first approached Me they fell back unable to come near Me. It wasn’t because of Peter’s tiny sword. These were trained guards against twelve mostly unarmed and all untrained men. But none could arrest Me. I freely gave Myself into their hands.

Only I can give up My life and only I can take it up again as I showed with My arrest, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. I have the power of life and death. And I want to give you life…everlasting life. I have told you how to receive it. Believe in Me and you will have life everlasting instead of certain destruction because of your sin. Just ask and then follow Me, your great Shepherd.

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.

Watch who sets the rules (John 9:1-34), August 7, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – John 9:1-34

Set – Zephaniah 2; John 9

Go! – Zephaniah 1-3; John 9

John 9:1-34
1 While walking along the road, Jesus saw a man who was blind since his birth.
Disciples: 2 Teacher, who sinned? Who is responsible for this man’s blindness? Did he commit sins that merited this punishment? If not his sins, is it the sins of his parents?
Jesus: 3 Neither. His blindness cannot be explained or traced to any particular person’s sins. He is blind so the deeds of God may be put on display. 4 While it is daytime, we must do the works of the One who sent Me. But when the sun sets and night falls, this work is impossible. 5 Whenever I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.
6 After He said these things, He spat on the ground and mixed saliva and dirt to form mud, which He smeared across the blind man’s eyes.
Jesus (to the blind man): 7 Go, wash yourself in the pool of Siloam.
Siloam means “sent,” and its name reminded us that his healing was sent by God. The man went, washed, and returned to Jesus, his eyes now alive with sight. 8 Then neighbors and others who knew him were confused to see a man so closely resembling the blind beggar running about.
Townspeople: Isn’t this the man we see every day sitting and begging in the streets?
Others: 9 This is the same man.
Still Others: This cannot be him. But this fellow bears an uncanny resemblance to the blind man.
Formerly Blind Man: I am the same man. It’s me!
Townspeople: 10 How have your lifeless eyes been opened?
Formerly Blind Man: 11 A man named Jesus approached me and made mud from the ground and applied it to my eyes. He then said to me, “Go, wash yourself in the pool of Siloam.” I went and washed, and suddenly I could see.
Townspeople: 12 Where is this man who healed you?
Formerly Blind Man: I don’t know.
13-14 The townspeople brought the formerly blind beggar to appear before the Pharisees the same day Jesus healed him, which happened to be on the Sabbath Day. 15 The Pharisees began questioning him, looking for some explanation for how he could now see.
Formerly Blind Man: He smeared mud on my eyes, and I washed; now I see.
Some Pharisees: 16 God can’t possibly be behind this man because He is breaking the rules of the Sabbath.
Other Pharisees: How can such a lawbreaking scoundrel do something like this?
The Pharisees were at odds with one another about Jesus and could not agree whether His power came from God or the devil.
Pharisees (to the formerly blind man): 17 What do you say about this man, about the fact He opened your eyes so you could see?
Formerly Blind Man: I have no doubt—this man is a prophet.
18 Some of the Jews suspected the whole situation was a charade, that this man was never blind. So they summoned the man’s parents to testify about his condition.
Pharisees: 19 Is this man your son? Do you testify that he has been blind from birth? How therefore does he now see?
Parents: 20 We can tell you this much: he is our son, and he was born blind. 21 But his new sight is a complete mystery to us! We do not know the man who opened his eyes. Why don’t you ask our son? He is old enough to speak for himself.
22 The man’s parents were a bit evasive because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. It had been rumored that anyone who spoke of Jesus as the Anointed One would be expelled from the synagogue. 23 So they deferred the thorny question to their son, 24 and the Pharisees called on him a second time.
Pharisees: Give God the credit. He’s the One who healed you. All glory belongs to God. We are persuaded this man you speak of is a sinner who defies God.
Formerly Blind Man: 25 If this man is a sinner, I don’t know. I am not qualified to say. I only know one thing: I was blind, and now I see.
Pharisees: 26 What did He do to you? How did He give you sight?
Formerly Blind Man: 27 Listen, I’ve already answered all these questions, and you don’t like my answers. Do you really need me to say it all over again? Are you thinking about joining up with Him and becoming His followers?
Pharisees (berating him): 28 You’re one of His followers, but we follow Moses. 29 We have confidence that God spoke to Moses, but this man you speak of is a mystery; we don’t even know where He comes from.
Formerly Blind Man: 30 Isn’t it ironic that you, our religious leaders, don’t even know where He comes from; yet He gave me sight! 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does respond and work through those who worship Him and do His will. 32 No one has ever heard of someone opening the eyes of any person blind from birth. 33 This man must come from God; otherwise, this miracle would not be possible. Only God can do such things.
Pharisees: 34 You were born under a cloud of sin. How can you, of all people, lecture us?
The religious leaders banished him from their presence.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Once again scripture gives evidence of a common problem among humankind. When you set up the rules instead of listening to Me, you begin to think you know best. You don’t. Institutional religions are important. They can do great work when they remember to keep Me first in all they do. There is power in numbers and institutions can change societies and cultures more easily than individuals or single, independent congregations.

I must set the rules, though. I must remain the center of attention. The leaders must listen to Me and let His Spirit guide the mission and vision of the institution, not their hunger for position and power that so often takes hold as the institution grows. If you a leader watch carefully that you do not fall into the trap of the Pharisees.

If you are a member of a congregation, look carefully at the tenets of the doctrine of the church you attend. Know what the institution says it believes and know if the institution lives up to the standards it sets for itself. If not, call out the leaders and let them know. Eternity is too long and too important to follow blind leaders. Instead, let Me open your eyes through the careful reading and study of My word. Know Me personally and you will not be led astray.

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.

Jesus, the I AM (John 10:1-21), August 6, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – John 8:31-59

Set – Habakkuk 3; John 8

Go! – Habakkuk 1-3; John 8

John 8:31-59
Jesus (to the new Jewish believers): 31 If you hear My voice and abide in My word, you are truly My disciples; 32 you will know the truth, and that truth will give you freedom.
Jewish Believers: 33 We are Abraham’s children, and we have never been enslaved to anyone. How can You say to us, “You will be set free”?
Jesus: 34 I tell you the truth: everyone who commits sin surrenders his freedom to sin. He is a slave to sin’s power. 35 Even a household slave does not live in the home like a member of the family, but a son belongs there forever. 36 So think of it this way: if the Son comes to make you free, you will really be free.
37 I know you are descendants of Abraham, but here you are plotting to murder Me because you do not welcome My voice into your lives. 38 As I speak, I am painting you a picture of what I have seen with My Father; here you are repeating the things you have seen from your father.
Jews: 39 Abraham is our father.
Jesus: If you are truly Abraham’s children, then act like Abraham! 40 From what I see you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that comes from the Father. This is not something Abraham would do, 41 but you are doing what you have learned from your father.
Jews: We were not born from adulterous parents; we have one Father: God.
Jesus: 42 I come from the one True God, and I’m not here on My own. He sent Me on a mission. If God were your Father, you would know that and would love Me. 43 You don’t even understand what I’m saying. Do you? Why not? It is because You cannot stand to hear My voice. 44 You are just like your true father, the devil; and you spend your time pursuing the things your father loves. He started out as a killer, and he cannot tolerate truth because he is void of anything true. At the core of his character, he is a liar; everything he speaks originates in these lies because he is the father of lies. 45 So when I speak truth, you don’t believe Me. 46-47 If I speak the truth, why don’t you believe Me? If you belong to God’s family, then why can’t you hear God speak? The answer is clear; you are not in God’s family. I speak truth, and you don’t believe Me. Can any of you convict Me of sin?
Jews: 48 We were right when we called You a demon-possessed Samaritan.
Jesus: 49-50 I’m not taken by demons. You dishonor Me, but I give all glory and honor to the Father. But I am not pursuing My own fame. There is only One who pursues and renders justice. 51 I tell you the truth, anyone who hears My voice and keeps My word will never experience death.
Jews52 We are even more confident now that You are demon-possessed. Just go down the list: Abraham died, the prophets all died. Yet You say, “If you keep My word, you will never taste death.” 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died; remember? Prophets—are any of them still alive? No. Who do You think You are?
Jesus: 54 If I were trying to make Myself somebody important, it would be a waste of time. That kind of fame is worth nothing. It is the Father who is behind Me, urging Me on, giving Me praise. You say, “He is our God,” 55 but you are not in relationship with Him. I know Him intimately; even if I said anything other than the truth, I would be a liar, like you. I know Him, and I do as He says. 56 Your father Abraham anticipated the time when I would come, and he celebrated My coming.
Jews: 57 You aren’t even 50 years old, yet You have seen and talked with Abraham?
Jesus: 58 I tell you the truth; I AM before Abraham was born.
59 The people picked up stones to hurl at Him, but Jesus slipped out of the temple. Their murderous rage would have to wait.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

You would think those who claim to know Me so well would recognize Me by My words and actions. When I lived along side you, though, the ones who claimed to know Me best wanted to kill Me. In fact, they picked up stones to execute Me for blasphemy. Of course, it didn’t work because I came to act as your sacrificial lamb at Passover, not served up as a criminal for blasphemy before an arrogant crowd.

It’s still that way today. Often, those who claim to know Me best seem to do their best to destroy Me and the works My servants do for Me. Their efforts are futile, though. I cannot fail, because I AM. As I told those assembled at the temple that day 2,000 years ago, I was before Abraham, am now, and will be forever. I AM. They understood the words and took it as blasphemy. But it’s only blasphemy if it isn’t true.

My followers know by their relationship with Me and the power of My Spirit in them it wasn’t a blasphemous statement. I only spoke the truth that day. I AM. That’s all you need to know to understand the rest of the story.

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.

Five groups of people (John 7:25-52), August 5, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – John 7:25-52

Set – 2 Kings 23; John 7

Go! – 2 Kings 23; 2 Chronicles 35; John 7

John 7:25-52
Some People of Jerusalem: 25 There is the man they are seeking to kill; surely He must be the one. 26 But here He is, speaking out in the open to the crowd, while they have not spoken a word to stop or challenge Him. Do these leaders now believe He is the Anointed One? 27 But He can’t be; we know where this man comes from, but the true origin of the Anointed will be a mystery to all of us.
Jesus (speaking aloud as He teaches on the temple’s porch): 28 You think you know Me and where I have come from, but I have not come here on My own. I have been sent by the One who embodies truth. You do not know Him. 29 I know Him because I came from Him. He has sent Me.
30 Some were trying to seize Him because of His words, but no one laid as much as a finger on Him—His time had not yet arrived. 31 In the crowd, there were many in whom faith was taking hold.
Believers in the Crowd: When the Anointed arrives, will He perform any more signs than this man has done?
32 Some Pharisees were hanging back in the crowd, overhearing the gossip about Him. The temple authorities and the Pharisees took action and sent officers to arrest Jesus.
Jesus: 33 I am going to be with you for a little while longer; then I will return to the One who sent Me. 34 You will look for Me, but you will not be able to find Me. Where I am, you are unable to come.
Some Jews in the Crowd (to each other): 35 Where could He possibly go that we could not find Him? You don’t think He’s about to go into the Dispersion and teach our people scattered among the Greeks, do you? 36 What do you think He means, “You will look for Me, but you will not be able to find Me,” and, “Where I am, you are unable to come”?
37 On the last day, the biggest day of the festival, Jesus stood again and spoke aloud.
Jesus: If any of you is thirsty, come to Me and drink. 38 If you believe in Me, the Hebrew Scriptures say that rivers of living water will flow from within you.
39 Jesus was referring to the realities of life in the Spirit made available to everyone who believes in Him. But the Spirit had not yet arrived because Jesus had not been glorified.
Some of the Crowd: 40 This man is definitely the Prophet.
Others: 41 This is God’s Anointed, the Liberating King!
Still Others: Is it possible for the Anointed to come from Galilee? 42 Don’t the Hebrew Scriptures say that He will come from Bethlehem, King David’s village, and be a descendant of King David?
43 Rumors and opinions about the true identity of Jesus divided the crowd. 44 Some wanted to arrest Him, but no one dared to touch Him.
45 The officers who had been sent by the chief priests and Pharisees to take Jesus into custody returned empty-handed, and they faced some hard questions.
Chief Priest and Pharisees: Where is Jesus? Why didn’t you capture Him?
Officers: 46 We listened to Him. Never has a man spoken like this man.
Pharisees: 47 So you have also been led astray? 48 Can you find one leader or educated Pharisee who believes this man? Of course not. 49 This crowd is plagued by ignorance about the teachings of the law; that is why they will listen to Him. That is also why they are under God’s curse.
50 Nicodemus, the Pharisee who approached Jesus under the cloak of darkness, was present when the officers returned empty-handed. He addressed the leaders.
Nicodemus: 51 Does our law condemn someone without first giving him a fair hearing and learning something about him?
Pharisees (ignoring Nicodemus’s legal point): 52 Are you from Galilee too? Look it up for yourself; no real prophet is supposed to come from Galilee.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

What you heard today mimics conditions today. Some listen and believe in Me because of My words. Some wait until they see physical evidence of My actions before they will believe. Some remain ambivalent about Me regardless of what they see or hear. Some discard My teachings despite the truth they see and hear. And some wish to destroy Me even though the evidence points to the truth that I am God, their Creator and their only hope of salvation.

You stand in one of those groups of people. My hope is your faith in Me is enough to put you in the first group. You hear My word and you receive it gladly believing in Me. It doesn’t take much faith. Less than it takes to put the key in the ignition of your car and believe turning it will start it. Because you see, one day your car will fail to start, but I will never fail.

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.