Overcome

But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and…

The Big Ask

At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy… Then you will ask…

Into All Truth

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. (John 16:13-14) Read: Luke 14:25 – 17:10, John…

Unbearable

There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. (John 16:12) Read: Luke 13:22 – 14:24, John 10:1-42 Relate: I was absolutely horrified. It was dark, horribly dark, and I was in a strange place. There were lots of trees and stuff and there were things in those trees making noises.…

Nothing

 Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be…

Love, Accept, Obey

When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them…

Early Expectations

So from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus’ death.  As a result, Jesus stopped his public ministry among the people and left Jerusalem. He went to a place near the wilderness, to the village of Ephraim, and stayed there with his disciples. It was now almost time for the Jewish Passover…

Lazarus, Come Forth

Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in grave clothes, his face wrapped in a head cloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” (John 11:43-44) Read: Ezekiel 5:1 – 9:11 Relate: Quick little jaunt down memory lane. I remember listening to this on…

Believing is Seeing

Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” (John 11:40) Read: Jeremiah 37:11 – 38:28, Ezekiel 1:1 – 3:15 Relate: Did you ever have one of those “aha” moments when an earlier conversation all of a sudden makes a bit more sense? Perhaps it was a joke somebody told and…

Rise

Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.” “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.” (John 11:23-24) Read: Jeremiah 8:4 – 11:23 Relate: Martha was clearly not on the same page as Jesus. I wonder how often we do this. Jesus was talking about right now. Martha was thinking about…