April 25 Bible Reading: John 17:6-18 John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” I sometimes joke when I see how much a child has grown that all that is necessary for that to happen is to “just add food and water.” Things are not so simple with our spiritual growth.  But it matters immensely, even as Jesus prayed for the sanctification (spiritual growth) of those that belong to Him.  Elsewhere, Scripture reminds us that sanctification is, in fact, the will of God for the believer in Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:3).  But what is the meaning of this term, sanctifica ..read more

April 24 Bible Reading: John 17:1-5 John 17:4-5, “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.” Our passage describes the glorious work of Jesus, in which He left the glory of heaven, glorified the Father in His work on earth, and then, as a result, was glorified by and with the Father. Jesus spoke of “the glory that (He) had with (the Father) before the world existed.”  His estate, from eternity, has been heaven’s glory.  He was the object o ..read more

April 23 Bible Reading: John 17:1-5 John 17:3, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” Throughout history, many explorers and adventurers looked for an elusive Fountain of Youth which allegedly held the power to restore the youth of anyone who drinks or bathes in its waters.  In fact, there is a park in St. Augustine, Florida—the “Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park”—which serves as a tribute to the spot where Ponce de León was supposed to have landed in his search for the fountain.  But a visit to the park will yield ..read more

April 22 Bible Reading: John 17:1-5 John 17:1, “When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said…” Too often, my prayers failed to ascend to the heights to which they should, and I’m reminded again of what it says in Romans 8:26, “For we do not know what to pray for as we ought.” Jesus’ prayer offers much encouragement and instruction regarding how and why we ought to pray. In his devotional study on the Gospel of John, John G. Mitchell shares these thoughts regarding Jesus’ magnificent prayer, “Now He brings us right within the holiest of all, and we are permitted ..read more

April 18 Bible Reading: John 16:16-24 John 16:19-20, “Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, ‘Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, “A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me”? Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.” I’ve witnessed it many times.  First comes the hospice referral, when a physician has determined that there’s nothing to be done to remedy the patient’s condition.  Then it’s left f ..read more

April 17 Bible Reading: John 16:12-15 John 16:14, “He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” “He shall glorify me.” These four words speak to the primary purpose and intent of the person of the Holy Spirit in this age.  His ministry is to glorify Jesus Christ.  Charles Spurgeon put it this way: “It is the chief office of the Holy Spirit to glorify Christ.  He does many things, but this is what he aims at in all of them, to glorify Christ.” The term translated “glorify,” means “to cause the dignity and worth of some person or thing to become manife ..read more

April 16 Bible Reading: John 16:8-11 John 16:8-11, “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” It was the summer of 2016 when my wife, Laura, began to experience back pain.  As is typical in such cases, the physician prescribed physical therapy.  Though she dutifully attended the recommended exercises, things got worse instead of better ..read more

April 15 Bible Reading: John 16:1-7 John 16:7, “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” Advantageous (adjective): “involving or creating favorable circumstances that increase the chances of success or effectiveness; beneficial.” Imagine the shock of the disciples when they heard from Jesus that His departure would be advantageous for them!  How would His leaving be in any way beneficial?  They had been blessed by His presence and experienced many amazing ..read more

April 12 Bible Reading: John 15:26-27 John 15:26, “But when the Spirit comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.  And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.” It was a “by the Spirit” work when you trusted in Jesus for salvation.  You were convicted “by the Spirit” of your sins.  Someone was led “by the Spirit” to share the truth with you.  “By the Spirit” your eyes were opened to the glory of Jesus.  That is the way it works. “I will build My c ..read more

April 11 Bible Reading: John 15:18-25 John 15:20, “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.” Their only crime?  They were Christians telling others about Jesus.  A group of Hindus gathered to teach them a lesson.  They stripped the husband and wife of all their clothing, then they compelled the husband to carry his wife, piggie-back style, down a path.  Along the way, the tormentors goaded the couple with sticks and shouted derogator ..read more