Trusting God In John 15 (Sep 6)

Christ Desires us to be Fruitful

The Upper Room Discourse contains Jesus’ final words of
instruction and encouragement
to His disciples before His death.
Only John records these intimate
moments between Jesus & His men
as He models true humility (c13),
describes the Holy Spirit who will
comfort & empower them (c14-16)
and intercedes for protection and
unity of His disciples worldwide (17)

Lord, we purpose to Remain in You:
I am the true vine and My Father
is the gardener. Every branch that
does bear fruit he prunes so that it
will be even more fruitful (Jn 15:1-2)
I am the vine; you are the branches.
IF You REMAIN In Me and I in you,
you will bear much fruit; apart
from Me you can do nothing…
By this My Father is glorified that
you bear much fruit (Jn 15:5-8).
IF You KEEP my commandments,
you will abide in My love. This is My
commandment that you Love one
another as I have loved you.
You are My friends IF You DO
what I command. I no longer call
you servants… Instead I have
called you friends (v10-15) Amen.

Lord, You desire that we will be
fruitful; full of love, joy and peace.
U desire we be full of good works
and sharing the faith so that
others will come to believe in You.
Help me to walk close to You
each day and stay constantly
in communication with You –
both by talking and listening
to You speak to my heart. Amen.

Lord, Help me to stay deeply in
Your Word, learning more about
You, Your ways and Your will.
Help me hold on to Your Word
for you promise that You hear me
when I pray in line with Your will.
Help me to cling to You especially
when times are tough, knowing
faithfulness will lead to fruitfulness
and to answered prayers. Amen

Lord, U command us as believers
to love one another as You have
loved us sacrificially. Help me
follow Your command to love
others with Your kind of love.
And help me Develop Deep
Friendship with You, loving You,
spending time with You and
talking to You each day. Amen.

Trusting God In John 14 (Sep 5)

Christ the Way Gives Peace

The Upper Room Discourse
contains Jesus’ final words of
instruction and encouragement
to His disciples before His death.
Only John records these intimate
moments between Jesus & His men
as He models true humility (c13),
describes the Holy Spirit who will
comfort & empower them (c14-16)
and intercedes for protection and
unity of His disciples worldwide(c17)

Lord, thanks for Secured Future:
Let not your heart be troubled;
you believe in God, believe also
in Me. In My Father’s house are
many mansions…I go to prepare
a place for you. And if I go and
prepare for you, I will come
again and receive you to Myself;
that where I am, there you
may be also (John 14:1-3).
I am the way, the truth and
the life. No one comes to the
Father except through Me (v6).
And I will pray the Father, and
He will give you another Helper
that He may abide with you forever…
Peace I leave with you, My peace
I give to you; not as the world
gives do I give to you. Let
not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid (v16, 27).

Lord, so grateful for the magnificent
mansion You have prepared for me.
Thank You that I will live with You
in a perfect place for all eternity.
Thank You for the promise that You
will escort me to my heavenly home.
Thank You for giving me eternal life:
Though this life is filled with trouble,
I know that I’m only passing through.
Grant me an eternal mindset so that
I can endure temporal difficulties
that may come my way. Amen.

Lord, in life challenges that come,
I will not let my heart be troubled
but will choose to keep trusting
You to deliver on Your promises.
For I trust in You with all my heart;
for I have purposed to live by faith.
For my God knows the plans He
has for me, plans to prosper me
and not to harm me, to give me
a future and a hope. Amen.

Lord, we may have afflictions
but You will surely Deliver us;
and we’re more than conqueror
through You who loved us.
Loving Lord we choose to keep faith,
trusting that You will protect and
provide, for in due time we’ll reap.
And thank You for the comfort
and reminder from the hymn.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er & o’er!
O for grace to trust Him more. Amen

Trusting God In John 13 (Sep 4)

Christ Models Caring Love

The Upper Room Discourse
contains Jesus’ final words of
instruction and encouragement
to His disciples before His death.
Only John records these intimate
moments between Jesus and His
men as He models true humility
(chap 13), describes Holy Spirit
who will comfort and empower
them (chap 14-16) and intercedes
for the unity and protection of
His disciples worldwide (chap 17).

Lord, we will follow Your Example:
When Jesus knew that His hour
had come that He should depart
from this world to the Father,having
loved His own,He loved them to the
end…So He got up from the table,
wrapped a towel around his waist
& poured water into a basin. Then
he began to wash the disciples’
feet, drying them with the towel
he had around him (John 13:1-5).
I have given you an Example, that
u should do as I have done to you…
Now that u know these things, God
will Bless u for Doing them (v15-17)
A new Commandment I give to
you that you love one another as
I have loved you, that you also love
another. By this all will know that
you are My disciples, if you have
love for one another(v34-35) Amen

Lord, we noted Your advice to the
disciples to Follow Your Example
of servanthood and submission
to the needs of the moment.
Like the disciples, we may tend
to miss our mission to serve
and to meet the needs of others.
Motivate us Lord by Your promise
that those who serve others will
Be Blessed by You in special ways
we wouldn’t want to miss. Amen.

Lord Jesus, I want my friends to
serve You; and I desire them to be
served by You, to experience the
cleansing that only You can provide.
Help me to get the gospel right
as I talk with them. For it is not
primarily about what they must do
for You. But about what You have
done for them and for them to really
appreciate and reflect it. Amen.

Lord, we receive Your Command
to love one another through our
actions; and to express love for
those who don’t yet know Christ.
You promise that when we demo
sacrificial love for one another,
the world will notice our actions.
And recognise us as disciples of
the one who sacrificed Himself
on the cross in order to save
all of us from our sins. Amen.

Thought for the Week: John 10

Christ the Good Shepherd Cares

Christ’s claims draw the attention
of more than the hungry and sick.
The religious leaders concerned
about maintaining the status quo,
respond with angry resistance.
But how do You refute a Man
who preaches that He is the
Light of the World, then proves
it by giving sight to the blind?…
The choice is to either believe
Him or seek to silence Him.

Lord, we’ll Hear & Follow You:
A Shepherd enters through the gate.
He Calls His own sheep by name
and leads them out… He walks
ahead of them, and they Follow
Him because they recognise
His voice (John 10:2-4).
I have come that they may
Have Life and have it to the Full.
I am the good shepherd.
The good shepherd gives
His life for the sheep (v10-11).
I am the good shepherd; I know
my own sheep, and they know me,
just as my Father knows me and
I know the Father. So I sacrifice
my life for the sheep (v10:14-15).

Lord Jesus, Thank You for
being my good shepherd and
making me one of Your sheep.
Thank You for caring for me by
providing, guiding & protecting me.
What a privilege to belong to You!
You Call me by name and speak
to my heart. With all the voices
in the world, quieten my mind
and heart, so that I will recognise
Your Voice and Follow You. Amen.

Lord Jesus, You did not come
just to forgive our past deeds and
offer us hope of heavenly glory.
You came to give us full satisfying,
meaningful and abundant life.
Forgive me Lord when I am too
preoccupied with earthly things.
Help me to hear You and seek You.
Help me to pursue things eternal
and further Your kingdom, knowing
You will Provide all my needs. Amen

Lord Jesus, I am so blessed that
You are my caring Shepherd and
because of that I can Fear No Evil.
For You Lord have promised
to provide, lead and protect me.
Though evil may come, it has no
power over me and I can live with
confidence that I am Safe in You.
Keep me trusting You; and help me
to stay close to You and not worry,
for You’re Watching over me. Amen

Reflection on John 7-12 (Sep 3)

Trusting God thru His Promises

The purpose of the gospel of John
is to prove conclusively that Jesus
is the Son of God and that all who
believe in Him will have eternal life.
On Monday, we learn from Jn 7 that
Christ Our Source of Living Water.
On Tuesday, we learn from John 8
that Christ’s Light Set You Free.
On Wednesday, we learn fr John 9
that Christ Shows Power of God.
On Thursday we learn fr Jn 10 that
Christ the Good Shrpherd Cares.
On Friday, we learn from John 11
that Christ Assures Resurrectn Life.
On Saturday, we learn from Jn 12
that Christ Models Glorifying God.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who trust You:
for You’re the source of living water,
the light that sets us free, and
the caring Good Shepherd;
for You show the power of God,
give & assure us resurrection life,
and model glorifying Father God;
for You truly keep Your promises.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Trusting God In John 12 (Sep 2)

Christ Models Glorifying Father

Christ’s claim draw the attention
of more than the hungry and sick.
The Pharisees, religious leaders
concerned about status quo,
respond with angry resistance.
But how do you refute a Man
who preaches that He is the
Light of the World, then proves
it by giving sight to the blind? …
who claims He is the Resurrection,
then validates that claim by raising
a man from the dead. The choice
is clear: Either believe Him or seek
to silence Him once and for all.

Lord, we will Live for Your Glory:
Jesus replied: the time has come
for the Son of Man to enter into
His Glory… Those who love their life
in this world will lose it. Those who
care nothing for their life in this
world will keep it (John 12:23-25)
All those who want to be my
disciples must follow me because
my servants must be where I am.
And if they follow me, the Father
will honour them. Now my soul
is deeply troubled. Should I pray:
Father, save me from what lies
ahead? But that is the very reason
why I came! Father, bring Glory
to Your name (v26-28). Amen.

Lord, we ask you to begin a life-
time of sanctifying work in our
children. Let the years of their
youth not be wasted, preoccupied
with just earthly things. Instead
make them be fruitful years that
generate plentiful harvest in your
kingdom. And Lord give me the
power I need to put to death any
-thing that keeps me from being
fruitful for your kingdom. Amen.

Lord, grant us the grace to be
immersed in the love of Christ
and to live more purposefully.
Help us learn to lead fruitful lives
spent in loving others so that
they may know the Saviour.
Help us to stay close to You;
to worship and praise You; and
bring Glory to God’s name. Amen.

Lord, may my desire & motivation
be that Your name be Glorified in
every trial & situation I may go thro.
Keep my mind and heart focused
on Jesus’ example and committed
to what God wants to accomplish
in my life. Holy Spirit, please give
me grace to live wholeheartedly
for the Glory of God’s name, Amen.

Trusting God in John 11 (Sep 1)

Christ Assures Resurrection Life

Christ’s claim draw the attention
of more than the hungry and sick.
The Pharisees, religious leaders
concerned about status quo,
respond with angry resistance.
But how do you refute a Man
who preaches that He is the
Light of the World, then proves
it by giving sight to the blind?
who claims He is the Resurrection
then validates that claim by raising
a man from the dead. The choice
is either believe Him or silence Him.

Lord, we Wait In Persistent Faith:
Although Jesus loved Martha,
Mary & Lazarus, He Stayed where
He was for the next two days and
did Not Go to them. Finally after
two days, He said to His disciples:
Let’s Go to Judea again (Jn 11:5-7)
Jesus told (Martha): I am the
Resurrection and the life. Anyone
who believes in me will live, even
after dying. Everyone who lives
in me and believes in me will
never die (John 11:25-26).
Jesus said to Martha: If you would
believe you would see the glory
of God. Then Jesus looked up
and said: Father, I thank You that
You have Heard me… I said this for
the benefit of the people standing
here, that they may believe that
You sent me (Jn 11:41-42) Amen.

Lord, help me persist to Wait for U
in Hope & Perseverance, knowing
that You will come. Remind me
Lord of Lazarus that Your plan did
not suffer because of Your delay.
For the delay was part of Your
plan so that Your power would be
demonstrated in a greater way.
Grant me Lord patience and faith
in the waiting rooms of life. Amen.

Lord, I do believe in Your Word and
help me believe in long waiting.
Help me respond in way that reflects
genuine belief in Resurrection life.
Give me Lord the grace I need
to wait in hope and not as those
who have no eternal hope. And
praise You Lord for triumphing
over the grave and thank You that
I do not have to live in fear. Amen.

Father God, I thank You that I am
Your child & joint heir with Christ.
Because of that, I can trust that
You always Hear my prayers.
Help me to maintain ongoing
communication with You, just
like Jesus did, so that I may have
an abiding walk with You and
You will be glorified by my life.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Trusting God In John 10 (Aug 31)

Christ the Good Shepherd Cares

Christ’s claims draw the attention
of more than the hungry and sick.
The religious leaders concerned
about maintaining the status quo,
respond with angry resistance.
But how do You refute a Man
who preaches that He is the
Light of the World, then proves
it by giving sight to the blind?…
The choice is to either believe
Him or seek to silence Him.

Lord, we’ll Hear & Follow You:
A Shepherd enters through the gate.
He Calls His own sheep by name
and leads them out… He walks
ahead of them, and they Follow
Him because they recognise
His voice (John 10:2-4).
I have come that they may
Have Life and have it to the Full.
I am the good shepherd.
The good shepherd gives
His life for the sheep (v10-11).
I am the good shepherd; I know
my own sheep, and they know me,
just as my Father knows me and
I know the Father. So I sacrifice
my life for the sheep (v10:14-15).

Lord Jesus, Thank You for
being my good shepherd and
making me one of Your sheep.
Thank You for caring for me by
providing, guiding & protecting me.
What a privilege to belong to You!
You Call me by name and speak
to my heart. With all the voices
in the world, quieten my mind
and heart, so that I will recognise
Your Voice and Follow You. Amen.

Lord Jesus, You did not come
just to forgive our past deeds and
offer us hope of heavenly glory.
You came to give us full satisfying,
meaningful and abundant life.
Forgive me Lord when I am too
preoccupied with earthly things.
Help me to hear You and seek You.
Help me to pursue things eternal
and further Your kingdom, knowing
You will Provide all my needs. Amen

Lord Jesus, I am so blessed that
You are my caring Shepherd and
because of that I can Fear No Evil.
For You Lord have promised
to provide, lead and protect me.
Though evil may come, it has no
power over me and I can live with
confidence that I am Safe in You.
Keep me trusting You; and help me
to stay close to You and not worry,
for You’re Watching over me. Amen

Trusting God In John 9 (Aug 9)

Christ Shows the Power of God

Christ’s claim draw the attention
of more than the hungry and sick.
The scribes, Pharisees, religious
leaders concerned about status
quo, respond with angry resistance.
But how do you refute a Man
who preaches that He is the
Light of the World, then proves
it by giving sight to the blind? …
who claims He is the resurrection,
then validates that claim by raising
a man from the dead. The choice
is clear: Either believe Him or seek
to silence Him once and for all.

Lord, we yearn to see Your Power:
As Jesus was walking along,
He saw a man who had been
blind from birth. Rabbi, his disciples
asked him: Why was this man
born blind? Was it because of
his own sins or his parents’ sins?
It was not because of his sins or
his parents’ sins, Jesus answered.
This happened so the power
of God could be seen in him.
We must quickly carry out the
tasks assigned us… The night
is coming, and then no one
can work (John 9:1-4). Amen.

Lord, we long for Your power
to be put on display in our lives.
Give sight where we are blind;
give life where there is deadness
and bring to reality the dreams
and hopes that yet to come true.
Lord, put your power on display
in my brothers and sisters’ life
with the fruit of your Holy Spirit.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Lord, thank you because we have
been united to Christ by faith, we
never need to think that God will
punish us for our sin or weakness.
For the punishment for apathy
toward God and rebellion has
all been laid on Jesus. And though
our loving Father will discipline
to make us more holy, he will not
punish us simply to make us pay.
Thank you for Your goodness
and word of assurance. Amen.

Lord, we realise You may allow
suffering to teach us about faith
and glorify God through healing.
Help us not look for scapegoats;
but instead look for ways to help
those who suffer and to learn
from their suffering. Help us not
to ask: Why did this happen? But
instead ask God for strength for
the trial & reliance on Him. Amen.

Trusting God In John 8 (Aug 29)

Christ’s Light Set You Free

Backgrounder on John 6-8:
Early in His ministry, Christ issues
a challenge: Search the scriptures
for they testify of me (Jn 5:39).
Now His public declarations and
miraculous demonstrations serve
to confirm what the OT said of Him.
Using Jewish feast days as public
forum, Jesus declares Himself
to be the Bread of Life (6:35),
the Forgiver of Sins (8:11) and
the Light of the World (8:12).

Lord, Your Light Sets Us Free:
Jesus said: I am the Light of
the world. If you Follow me,
you won’t have to walk in darkness
because you will have the Light
that leads to life (John 8:12).
To the Jews who had believed
Him, Jesus said: If you Hold
to my teaching, you are really
my disciples. Then you will
know the truth, and the truth
will set you Free (v31-32).
So if the Son sets you free, you
will be free indeed (v36). Amen.

Father God, thanks for sending
Your light in Jesus, for lighting
up our difficult situations we face.
Though God has not promised
joy without sorrow or peace
without pain; He has promised rest
for the labour and light for the day.
And grant that we will Be Bearers
of Your light and so bring hope
and encouragement to someone
who needs You this day. Amen.

Lord, thank U for being the Light
for we live in a dark world & there
are so many confusing voices.
Help me to not merely walk
or live in the light of Your truth,
but rather to Follow You the Light.
For I don’t want to rely on living
by methods but by knowing You.
So Jesus, help me to recognise
Your Light. Fill me with the truth &
guide my steps. And teach me live
by the light of Yr Presence. Amen

Lord Jesus, this is an amazing
truth that I am truly Free in You.
Free from not only sin’s grave
penalty and terrible power but
also free from guilt and shame.
I am free not to live as I want,
but free to live as You desire; for
You have set us free to obey You.
Teach me to believe the paradox
that I am most free when I am
living as Yr servant. And help me
better understand Yr grace. Amen