Experiencing Jesus e~Devotional | 5/27
PASSAGE: John 14 [6] Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
INSIGHT: In this passage in John 14, when Jesus said that he is the truth. What did he mean? He is the sole revelation of the one and only God that you can’t see with your human eyes (John 1:18). What did he mean when he said he is the life?
In Matthew 7:13-14, many scholars believe that this is a reference to heaven and hell. Heaven and hell are real places that do exist but other Bible scholars think this passage here in Matthew refers to life in the here and now.
Matthew 7 [13] Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. [14] But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
In the context of this passage, Jesus was in the midst of trying to get the religious leaders to see that their form of spirituality was all about religious formulas that were keeping people from experiencing the freedom and release that God has for them. In effect, their teachings were leading people to destruction or a life of ruin. On the other hand, the narrow gate or way of Jesus leads to life — not external requirements to keep and uphold — but an internal transformation.
Think about it. When we do life in our strength and power, we fall into all kinds of things that control us and choke us — worry, doubt, depression, anxiety, boredom, isolation – you name it. These can lead to destructive strongholds that keep us from experiencing life the way God intended. When we choose to follow Jesus and ask him to lead us and guide us each day, worry leaves, doubts subside, depression lessens since we experience God’s love, anxiety turns to trust and boredom is replaced with enjoying life like never before! In John 11:25, Jesus says “I am the resurrection and the life.” He is the way to avoid destruction in this life and in the next life too.
PRAYER FOCUS: Spend some time thanking God for sending His Son to be the way, the truth and the life for each us each day.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE TODAY: If you’re struggling with an unhealthy stronghold, the starting place for healing is to renew your mind with truth. The biggest battle that we face in life is right between our ears. The negative self-talk that happens in our minds can be a constant battle. Today, think of a favorite Psalm that brings encouragement to you (e.g., Psalm 139 or Psalm 119). Spend some time reading it today and ask God to renew your mind with his thoughts and ways.
Psalm 139 [23] Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. [24] See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Experiencing Jesus e~Devotional | 5/26
PASSAGE: John 14 [6] Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
INSIGHT: What did mean when he said he was the way? He is the way to eternal life with God forever. But, when he said he was the way, it also applies to our present lives. It means that he is the only avenue of access to this one and only God that we can’t see.
He is the way that God made the world (Colossians 1:15-16). Jesus is the way that people were made to function in relationships with each other. He is the way that people were made to live in harmony with God. He is the way that people were made to live and breath. Jesus is saying here that I am the source and giver of the life from above. Just as in the original creation, he is the giver of physical life.
As you think about Jesus, is he truly the way for you?
PRAYER FOCUS: “God, please help me to see Jesus as the way for me in how I do life.”
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE TODAY: Spend some time reflecting on how Jesus is the way in aspects of your own life. If you discover areas of your life where he isn’t the way, won’t you give him those areas of your life today.
Experiencing Jesus e~Devotional | 5/22
PASSAGE: Matthew 4 [8] Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. [9] “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” [10] Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ ” [11] Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
INSIGHT: Satan tries one more time to get Jesus to cave into trusting himself instead of his heavenly Father. This last temptation is a full-on attack – not as subtle as the first two temptations. Satan’s offer is real since the Bible tells us that he rules the world (Ephesians 2:2; 3:10 and 6:12). When you look at this final temptation, you may be thinking that this one is fairly easy to resist. But, when we’re struggling to make ends meet and we look at how well others are doing, we may be enticed to want more things. When we see those in power over us, we may become envious and want that kind of power and authority too.
Possessions, power and money are not unhealthy. It’s the love or envy of these things that is unhealthy. Why? We’re most likely moving toward seeking to satisfy ourselves – above and beyond that God may want for us.
Jesus resists the temptation by quoting Scripture to Satan. He seeks God’s will first. “I can do nothing on my own.”
PRAYER FOCUS: Thank God for the many blessings that you have. Be satisfied with what he has given you.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE TODAY: Do a spiritual inventory of your life. Is there any unhealthy envy in your life that may be pulling you away from God? If there is, ask God to help be fully satisfied with him, the things he had given you and the life that you have.
There’s an old hymn that I’m reminded of from time to time that helps me get perspective on all that God has given me. Read it and focus today on the incredible love and provision of our heavenly Father.
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
Experiencing Jesus e~Devotional | 5/21
PASSAGE: Matthew 4 [5] Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. [6] “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: ” ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ ” [7] Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”
INSIGHT: How is Satan tempting Jesus in this second situation? In the first temptation, Jesus quoted Scripture back to Satan about trusting God above all else. So Satan uses that against Jesus in this second temptation by trying to get him to trust God – and jump from the temple. Satan is trying to use Jesus’ faith in his heavenly Father against him. Satan: “Jesus, you’re so strong in your faith, then trust God and jump!”
In our own life with God when we feel strong that’s the time when we need to be careful. We can become proud and even begin to rely on our abilities. It’s a subtle thing that happens. We’re vulnerable to spiritual attack if we begin to become self-reliant. Remember what Jesus said in John 5:19 – “I do nothing on my own …”
Jesus again quotes Scripture back to Satan. Satan wants Jesus to make a decision independent of God to jump from the temple and then trust God to save him. The Scripture that Jesus quotes – “Do not put the Lord your God to the test” – means that we shouldn’t use God by making decisions without asking him – and then expect him to save us or help us when things go wrong.
PRAYER FOCUS: Ask God to help you identify any areas in your life where you are self-reliant. Then confess that to him and ask him to help you trust him in those areas.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE TODAY: Self-reliance is the great enemy of God. Ask God for his strength to help you live a life that’s dependent on him – in every area of your life.
Experiencing Jesus e~Devotional | 5/20
PASSAGE: John 8 [31] To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. [32] Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
INSIGHT: Temptation leads to thoughts that lead us away from God’s best for us. Thoughts lead to actions. Actions lead to habits. It takes about six weeks for a habit for form a stronghold. Once a negative or unhealthy stronghold forms and gains a foothold in our lives, our life with God suffers. In John 8, Jesus gives us some preventative spiritual medicine for fighting strongholds. Just as we saw what happened to Jesus in the Matthew 4, the devil is constantly working to draw followers of Christ away from God. How do we know and embrace truth so that we can be set free of the negative impact of strongholds?
2 Corinthians 10 [5] We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. The Apostle Paul is giving us a way out of strongholds enveloping our lives. When the negative thoughts come, we need to recognize right away what they can do if left unchecked. Paul is encouraging us not to let these negative thoughts grow into actions, habits and then strongholds. Dealing with negative thoughts means that we need to renew our minds continually with the truths and promises of Scripture (Romans 12:1-2).
PRAYER FOCUS: Ask God to help you identify any potential strongholds in your life that may be getting in the way of you experiencing all that God has for you.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE TODAY: Write out Philippians 4:8-9 on a 3 x 5 card and memorize it this week. Let the truth in this passage permeate your inner being. Begin to focus more on thoughts that honor God and are more positive – just as this passage says.
Philippians 4 [8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. [9] Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
