Faithfully Yours Forever

Passage: John 17:11b-12a, 14-19 (NIV) – Jesus prays for us.

“Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.  While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me.”

“I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.  My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.  Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.  As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.  For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.”

May we praise Him and, through Him and the Word, be sanctified.  May we be cleansed and set apart for service and holy living.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3 (NIV)

Passage: John 17:1-10

Well now, that is it in a nutshell.  Eternal life is to know the Father… and Jesus Christ whom the Father sent.  When Jesus returned to the Father, He sent the Holy Spirit to guide us to all truth.  What a blessed Trinity!  We can begin to experience eternal life now.  The relationship that God wants to have with us involves us learning to know Him… really know Him.  May we grow in our knowledge of Him.  May we search the Scriptures and trust the Holy Spirit to show us the Truth.  May we experience the full message of the gospel as lived out on earth by Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  May we praise Jesus for His prayers and His intervention on our behalf.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)

Passage: John 16:16-33

Much of what was written of in this passage was intended for the disciples living at the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry.  However, the truths of this passage may apply to our lives today as well.  Even though we are told that we will have trouble, Jesus reassures us that, as disciples, our grief will turn to joy.  This joy will be so great that any pain or anguish we have experienced will be remembered no more.  He also indicates that this joy is a joy that no one can take away from us.  May we experience the joy, from the Lord, in our lives today.  May we remember that our troubles will only be for a little while and that they will be replaced with joy.  May we thank the Lord Jesus for what He endured for us to be able to experience the joy that come through a resurrected life.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. John 16:13a (NIV)

Passage: John 15:26-16:15

Today’s passage speaks of false prophets.  Often we think of false prophets at charismatic religious leaders who intentionally deceive us.  In some cases, this may be true.  However, sometimes false prophets can turn out to be well intended, but misguided, Christians who dilute the full message of the gospel.  While Jesus warned us about individuals who might seek to lead us astray, He also gave us hope.  Jesus told us He would send the Holy Spirit to speak the truth… and to guide us.  May we have ears to hear and minds that are open to discern the truth.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, may we be able to testify to others about this truth.  As we obediently follow the Lord, may we also be protected from those who might seek to hurt us.  (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)