John made an interesting statement at the conclusion of his book. He stated, “If every one of them (the works of Jesus) were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

Jesus declared before Pilate that, “Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” [Jn. 18:37c]

This rings true today when we hear of many who categorically and openly reject Christ. They seem to align themselves with others who embrace lawlessness and immorality. They love what God hates, and hate what God loves.

Christ’s teachings are Truth. He was the incarnate Truth of God to us. We listen to Him.

PRAYER: Lord, we embrace Your teachings and want to please You with the way we live. We love the Truth we find in You.

READING: John 17-19

Jesus made it crystal clear that obedience to His teachings were essential to be included in a loving relationship with Him and His Father in Heaven. “He who has my commands and KEEPS THEM, he it is that loves me.” [Jn. 14:24]

What better way to know His commands than to read (or listen to) the Bible every day.

As I age, my respect and need for God’s Word grows and my value upon material things diminishes.

Its amusing to see young people covet MORE MONEY. What can you do with it that has eternal value? Investing in God’s Kingdom is a good place to start.

PRAYER: Lord, I keep my eyes upon You. I guard my heart from chasing after materialism and other idols that try to displace You.

READING: John 14-16

Jesus made it clear that He was on a mission. He was “Co-Missioned” by His heavenly Father to redeem us from our sinful estate and to usher us into God’s eternal kingdom.

In that He was sent by His Father, He also made it clear that He brought His Father’s message when He said, “I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.” [John 12:49]

When we speak the words of Jesus, we are taking up the same commission to be faithful to God’s message to men.

PRAYER: Father, fill my mouth with Your Words. Fill my heart with Your love and compassion. Jesus, apart from You, I can do nothing.

READING: John 12,13

Christ was a compassionate man. When he heard of the passing of Lazarus, He wept with the others who were grief stricken.

The author of Hebrews said, “For we do not have a high priest (Jesus) who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses …” [Heb. 4:15] There you have it. Christ has emotions that are deeply moved by our sufferings here in this life. Count on His lovingkindness as you pray and pour out your heart to Him concerning the trials of life you experience everyday. He cares.

PRAYER: Lord, we cry out to You about every little thing that troubles us, because Your Word instructs us to “Cast all our cares upon You because You care for us.”

READING: John 9-11

Jesus described the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit as being a river. It is a moving body of water that receives its contents from a source, but flows where a channel is provided, bringing life to everything it touches.

God’s Holy Spirit in our lives does just that … it brings life to everything it touches. Don’t dam up the source. Drink deeply of God’s Word and His presence EVERY DAY!

PRAYER: Father, fill me, use me, flow through me today. Bring Your life to everyone I come in contact with today.

[By the way, every prayer we pray is in the name of Jesus]

READING: John 7,8

Jesus said everyone who would look to Him and believe in Him would have eternal life and would be raised up on the last day. He described this as doing the works of God.

For each of us to point to Christ with our lives is the work God really wants us to do.

Paul said, “We proclaim Christ! We warn everyone we meet, and we teach everyone we can, all that we know about him, so that, if possible, we may bring every man up to his full maturity in Christ. This is what I am working at all the time, with all the strength that God gives me.” [Col. 1:28]

PRAYER: Father, we accept our role as witnesses of our saving power through Christ. Empower us with Your grace to get the job done.

READING: John 5,6

Drawing insight from the way Jesus zealously uprooted the con men who were extorting too much profit from worshipers making temple transactions, we infer an attitude of reverence for the buildings in which we worship. Actually, not so much for the building, but for the act of seekers meeting with their God.

Far be it from us to actually try to unjustly profit from any enterprise associated with the church, we esteem to rightly respect and cultivate the appropriate attitude towards the frequent experience we have with God when we meet together with other worshipers.

PRAYER: Lord, we don’t want to place undue reverence on the building we meet in on Sunday, but we want to reflect Your attitude on this point. Jesus, You are our perfect example for living. 

READING: John 2-4

Jesus clearly did not come the way the Jews thought He would. He came to model God’s way to live, suffer the rejection of men, and die for their sins. Their expectation of Him did not deter His obedience to His Father’s will . They wanted a triumphant military champion.

We find God’s plan in His Word. As we study it, we find the Words of Life to live by. The more acquainted we are with His plan through His Word, the more successful will be our role in this life.

PRAYER: Father, forgive us for forging our own plan to do Your will. We repent and look to Your Word for the direction vital to our purpose in Your Kingdom.

READING: Luke 24, John 1

Peter denied he ever knew Christ when challenged in the yard of the High Priest. This man who was to become the foremost evangelist of the new Kingdom failed so miserably in being faithful to Jesus Who was about to lay His life down for Peter’s sin. Can we imagine how Peter felt as he saw the events of Christ’s crucifixion unfolding?

We fail the Lord on a daily basis, but His great love and understanding continue to redeem us and draw us to Himself. Hallelujah, what a Savior.

PRAYER: Lord, we humbly come to You with our faults and shortcomings. Forgive us and use us in Your Kingdom like You did Peter.

READING: Luke 22,23