Looking Back at John 12-13 for Encouragement on the Journey Ahead

For the last few weeks, the journey has taken me through John 12-13. The journey has taught about what’s most important in life, that the Spirit inside will guide, and the fruits of the Spirit contain seeds that need to be spread. Below, are some seeds that provide encouragement on the journey ahead!

The takeaway in John 12:1-11 is to know what’s most important in life and focus in on that. To understand that what’s on the inside or in the heart is most important because that’s what will ultimately come out in what I do and how I do it. I was reminded of the old saying “actions speak louder than words”.

Focusing in on the passage John 12:12-19, noted was how caring Jesus was toward people. He was passionate about His purpose and taught how to live. He was interesting, inspiring, and wanted people to be the best they could be. His Spirit inside continues to guide people today!

Jesus’ death on the cross produced many seeds. A thought from reading John 12:20-36 is that these seeds have grown into the fruits of the Spirit; building intangibles living inside each person to guide.

A thought after reading John 12:37-50 is that receiving approval from others gives a good feeling but is only short term. On the other hand, approval from God brings joy forever!

Insight gained from reading John 13:1-11 is that following God’s purpose brings composure. Just like demonstrated by Jesus as he calmly continued to carry out His purpose. To have the same composure as Jesus when facing threatening situations, let us each discover that purpose, accept God’s love, help others, promote His glory, and look forward to an amazing future.

Learned in reading John 13:12-20 is that we can obey today and follow the Way by using our God given skills to humbly serve others. We can start right where we are, focus on the path Jesus has laid, and continue the walk of faith step by step. Then we can share what we see, what we hear, and what we feel as we go along life’s journey.

When the Son of God shines on us my friend, we cannot help but reflect the Light. From the Word of God in John 13:21-35, the vision was to let us take in this Light and provide rays of sunshine into the lives of others.

Approval from God brings joy forever and following His purpose brings composure to carry it out. We can obey today by following the Way of Jesus in all we do or say. Jesus has taught how to love others and by following what He taught, the whole world benefits and there is a smile from heaven.

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Thought From Devotional 02-02-2024

The religious and moral climate had become appalling because of the poor leadership of the kings who worshiped idols. This angered God so a drought was brought on which led to famine.

A thought from reading 1 Kings 17 is that grace received because of Jesus’ death on the cross is replenished for us. The grace available to us is like the cooking oil and flour that never runs out. It keeps feeding the soul forever!

Our job is to do like Elijah who took steps right where he was to listen to God. To start spreading faith so that one day a healing rain would come to the area and the crops would grow to produce a harvest so the people would be lacking nothing.

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A Smile From Heaven

Jesus tells the disciples the following:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:34-35

Let us point it out when we are shown how to love others because the whole world benefits and there is a smile from heaven.

We understand more about how to love our brothers and sisters from the scripture above. Like the post “Rays of Sunshine” we can take the example of Jesus and strive to love one another in the same way. Deeply care for each other by praying for each other, encouraging, and hoping the best for each other.

Let us worship with the song “Show Me How To Love by Sidewalk Prophets”.

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Rays of Sunshine

When the Son of God shines on you my friend, you cannot help but reflect the Light. As we read the Word of God with focus on John 13:21-35 today, let us take in this Light and provide rays of sunshine into the lives of others.

In today’s passage, Jesus and the disciples are at the Last Supper. Jesus told those in attendance who were gathered after the meal that one of His disciples would betray Him. No one at the meal understood who or why one of them would betray Jesus. Even when Jesus dipped bread into the dish and handed it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot (v. 26), they didn’t realize who it would be. They just thought that since Judas was in charge of the money that he would buy something for the upcoming Passover festival or give something to the poor (v. 29).

After Judas leaves, we are given more evidence that Jesus is God in the flesh. The Light of the world who came down from heaven to earth to teach us how to live. Verses 31-32 reveal more about the relationship of God and Jesus.

When he (Judas) was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.” – John 13:31-32.

Like Jesus loves us, we are to love one another. Deeply care for each other by praying for each other, encouraging, and hoping the best for each other. When a brother or sister accomplishes something to glorify the Lord, point out this ray of sunshine to the whole world because everyone benefits and there are smiles from heaven for a job well done.

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Focus On The Path Jesus Has Laid

Shared in “Along the Way Day by Day” is that we can obey today and follow the Way by using our God given skills to humbly serve others.

We can start where we are, focus on the path Jesus has laid, and continue the walk of faith step by step. Then we can share what we see, what we hear, and what we feel as we go along life’s journey.

Take inspiration today from the song Walk By Faith by Jeremy Camp as we follow God’s divine design which provides direction and protection as we walk by faith along the Way every single day.

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Photo Source – “Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >

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