Daily Devotional – September 4-10
September 4 – Meditating on God’s Word
This devotional series offers less content but more opportunity for you to reflect, contemplate, and pray through the short Scriptures we offer. It is an opportunity to help us slow down and enjoy time in the presence of God. It is an exercise in listening with the intent of hearing from God through His Word and by His Spirit. Here is the passage for the week:
John 14:15-18, “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
Prayer: “Jesus, I do love you! I do want to make it clear by obeying Your teaching. I’m so grateful for Your promise to send me an advocate to help me and be with me forever. Your very Spirit. The Spirit who is truth and speaks truth. The world cannot understand this because they don’t see and experience what believers do. However, we can know He is present and dwells within us speaking and assuring us of Your love and truth. Thank you that You never leave us but that You keep coming to us and for us. Amen.”
September 5 – Meditating on God’s Word
John 14:15, If you love me, keep my commands.
Write out the Scripture. (As it is or in your own words.)
“If you love me, keep my commands.”
Observe what it is saying. (Answer the who, what, when, where, why, and how questions)
In Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples the night before He went to the cross, He reminded them of a crucial teaching. His love language is obedience. When we hear and heed His Word, we speak of our love to Him. We can say it. We can sing it. However, until we live it, we are not communicating with the heart of Jesus. Even with Jesus, the old saying is true: “Actions speak louder than words.”
Relate it to your life. (Connect how this Scripture speaks into your life today.)
If I really want to communicate my love for Jesus, then I will gladly obey what He has clearly taught.
Do something. (Pray it. Live it. Act on it.)
“Jesus, thank You for Your life-giving teaching. You have clearly identified the target of Your love. Give me wisdom and strength to live in full obedience to Your commands. May my daily life show You how much I really do love you. Amen.”
September 6 – Meditating on God’s Word
John 14:16-17, And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth…
Write out the Scripture.
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever- the Spirit of truth…”
Observe what it is saying.
When we are in fellowship with Jesus, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Just as the Father and Son are in intimate fellowship in the Godhead, so Jesus offers us the Spirit of the Godhead to be with us forever. The very presence of God comes to be our advocate and helper. Through the Spirit of truth, God leads us in the righteous way of the gospel so that we might know life.
Relate it to your life.
God loves us so much that He comes to us to lead us into all truth.
Do something.
“Jesus, thank you for the gift of the Spirit who is my advocate and my helper. Holy Spirit lead me in the way of truth so I remain faithful and true to the gospel all of my days. Amen.”
September 7 – Meditating on God’s Word
John 14:17, The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him…
Write out the Scripture.
“The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him or knows him…”
Observe what it is saying.
We live in a world of sight and sound. Many have difficulty believing in what they can’t see and hear. The Apostle Paul gives commentary in 1 Corinthians 2:14, “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” When we have the Spirit then we have the assurance of Christ’s amazing presence dwelling within us.
Relate it to your life.
It may be difficult to describe to those who don’t believe, but for us who do, we take delight in the presence of the Spirit living and working within us.
Do something.
“Jesus, thank You for the gift of Your Spirit. To have You in me is beyond description. Amen.”
September 8 – Meditating on God’s Word
John 14:17, …But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
Write out the Scripture.
“…But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
Observe what it is saying.
Half of this verse was not new news to them. God was “with” believers under the old covenant by dwelling among them in the temple. Occasionally, the Spirit came upon individuals to empower them for God’s specially anointed work. However, after Jesus’ death and resurrection, the Spirit is promised to not only be with all believers but will permanently indwell them. This is absolutely startling news. This speaks of God’s intimate love and care for each one of us. He takes up residence within us so that we can be rich in faith and fellowship.
Relate it to your life.
The Holy Spirit is God’s ever-present gift to make me spiritually vibrant through bonds of deep loving fellowship.
Do something.
“Jesus, thank You for Your ever-present gift of Your presence living within me. What a joy it is to have this ongoing fellowship as You transform me into a brand-new person. Amen.”
September 9 – Meditating on God’s Word
John 14:18, I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
Write out the Scripture.
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”
Observe what it is saying.
In speaking about the coming of the Holy Spirit, Jesus revealed that the Spirit is nothing less than Him coming to us. He prepared His disciples for His soon departure, as He promised they wouldn’t be left alone. As we now know on the day of Pentecost, Jesus came and flooded them with His Spirit of peace and power to be witnesses into the world.
Relate it to your life.
When I declare faith in Jesus, I have the living and loving presence of Jesus within me.
Do something.
“Jesus, may I never forget this fantastic promise that I am never alone but always have all Your resources available for all of life. In the good times and in the bad times, You strengthen and equip me so that I may be an effective witness of the glorious gospel message. Amen.”