A God Worth Following (Part 3)
Daily Bible Studies for the Week of January 26, 2009
This Week’s Scripture: John 14:23-31 NLT
23Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. 24Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. 25I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. 26But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
27“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. 28Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. 29I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.
30“I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, 31but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going. John 14:23-31 NLT
Monday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know that the key to having You “make your home” with me, is obedience. Obedience to You shows You that I love You. I pray that You will fill me with the Holy Spirit that I may hear Your voice and do Your will. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
23Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.
What is the connection between obedience to Jesus and loving Him according to these words of Jesus?
What does it mean that Jesus and the Father will come and “make [their] home” with us?
Today’s Challenge: I will obey Jesus and show my love for Him in all I think, say and do today!
Tuesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know that You and Jesus are One, and that the Holy Spirit is One with You as well. As I live today, empower me by the Holy Spirit to do all You say and thus show my love for You. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
24Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me.
What does Jesus mean when He says that His words are not His own?
How does this show that He and God the Father are one, or does it?
Today’s Challenge: I will listen to the words of Jesus and thus do God’s will!
Wednesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I claim the promise of Jesus that the Holy Spirit will teach me everything and bring to my remembrance what is written in Your word! Fill me anew with Your Holy Spirit that I may live those promises today. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
25I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. 26But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
Why does Jesus call the Holy Spirit “the Advocate”?
What does it mean that He will teach us everything?
Today’s Challenge: I will rely on the Holy Spirit to teach me and to guide my decisions and actions today!
Thursday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, again I claim Jesus’ promise—this time the promise of peace. I pray that I will live in that peace every moment today that others around me will see that peace, and look to You. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
27“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
How is the peace of God different than the kind of peace the world gives?
What does it mean to live our lives without being troubled or afraid?
Today’s Challenge: I will live with the peace of Jesus ruling in my heart!
Friday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, of all Jesus’ promises in this week’s Scriptures, today’s is the best---that He is coming back again! I pray that I will live in such a way today that I will bring You glory and honor and show that I am ready for Your return at any moment. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
28Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. 29I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.
Why does Jesus tell the disciples to be happy that He is going back to the Father?
Why does Jesus say the disciples will believe what He is saying?
Today’s Challenge: I will live as if Jesus was returning today, so that if He does I will be ready?
Saturday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You once again for giving Jesus the courage to face crucifixion on my behalf! I pray that You will empower me today to live with the gratitude that such an amazing action deserves. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
30“I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, 31but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going.
Who is the ruler of this world? Is he REALLY the ruler of this world?
Where were the disciples going?
Today’s Challenge: I will live with Jesus as the ruler of my life and of my world!