The Gospels through the Summer, Day 81 Jesus sents the example and the standard. Read John 13. As Jesus was conducting the the passover with his disciples, Jesus demonstrates to them the essence of leadership. Servant leadership. Jesus, who acknowledges that he is their leader and teacher, explains to them that they must serve others. Jesus himself serves them and then says that a servant is not greater than his master. Jesus goes on to explain love. We are to love the people we are around the way that Jesus loves them. We are not to love people based on our understanding of what love is or based on our…

The Gospels through the Summer, Day 80 Where do we look for our praise and recognition? Read John 12. As Jesus is continuing to share the message, many of the religious leaders were unhappy and trying to find a way to silence Jesus. This verse is used to describe these leaders. They were looking for their praise from the people instead of from God. Where do we seek praise and approval from? What has the top level of influence in our lives? Are we seeking God’s approval and praise above any others? How are we looking to move past the influence of others in our lives so that we are…

The Gospels through the Summer, Day 79 Do we see God’s glory? Read John 11. As Jesus is sharing his glory, the people are getting an opportunity to see so many amazing and wonderful things that God does. Do we see God’s glory? Jesus uses this phrase and mentions that those who believe in him are the ones who will see his glory. We are often surrounded by amazing and wonderful things come up, but do we recognize them as the glory of God? Only those who believe will truly see the world as it is and truly see God’s influence and fingerprints on the world. Do we see God’s…

The Gospels through the Summer, Day 78 Life abundantly. Read John 10. As Jesus continues to speak, he shares the importance of trusting him as the only way to salvation. Jesus indicates that he is the one who not only brngs life, but brings life abundantly. Are we experiencing life abundantly? That life is only found through Jesus Christ. The thief is truing to steal everything from us, including our joy. Jesus Christ brings life.

The Gospels through the Summer, Day 77 Jesus is the light of the world. Read John 9. Jesus is very clear about his role in the world. He is the light of the world. He is the truth and he is the way. Through Jesus we have the ability to see and to know what we need to be doing and how we should be living. Jesus is the light that gi es us purpose and that helps us to understand that path. Are we living in the light? Is our life a reflection of his light?

The Gospels through the Summer, Day 76 What do we believe about Jesus? Read John 8. Jesus takes the time to explain who he is and his relationship to the Father. These people don’t believe him or understand what he is talking about. They can’t comprehend anyone being greater than Abraham. When Jesus explains that he is greater, they want to stone him. When we think about our freedom, it matters who sets us free. The liberator determines of what type of freedom we will enjoy. Because Jesus is the Lord of the universe, he is able to truly free from everything else. His freedom is real and complete. Are…

The Gospels through the Summer, Day 75 Whose glory are you seeking? Read John 7. We are to speak in such a way that we are seeking the glory of God. If we are speaking on our own, then we are doing so to gain personal glory. Our own personal glory means absolutely nothing. And there is nothing glorious about any of us except for the work that Christ does in and through us. Only by his grace and his mercy are we are we able to have any glory or bring any glory to God. Are we seeking the glory of God and speaking in his truth, or are…

The Gospels through the Summer, Day 74 Are we doing the work of God? Read John 6. There may be a lot of thoughts about what exactly it means to do God’s work. Despite all our preconceived ideas, Jesus clearly states that he is going to be about doing God’s work and that means believing in the One that God sent. We may wonder what our purpose is. We may question what we are supposed to be doing. We may have difficulty understanding the plans. We may even look at our lives and feel that we have wasted time or trusted the wrong people or situations. We may feel lied…

The Gospels through the Summer, Day 73 God is working. Read John 5. As Jesus defends himself and the miracles that he is performing, he shares that God is working. God never stopped working. He hasn’t been idle or dormant. God is working and moving and changing lives. Because of this, Jesus was working and moving and changing lives. We, as his followers, are called to him as well to see what else is going on and how else He wants to use us to work and move in all that he is doing. Are we open to being used? Are we willing to do the work? God is calling…

The Gospels through the Summer, Day 72 What is it that sustains and motivates us? Read John 4. As Jesus continues his ministry, he he spends his time with a couple of people that others might not have given any time to. When his disciples ask him about this, Jesus responds with this verse. Jesus explains that following and obeying God brings sustenance and motivation that no food could possibly ever fulfill. What motivates us? What drives us to be obedient to him? Do we recognize that our fulfillment only comes through our obedience to God? There is nothing that can motivate us like seeing and obeying God’s will in…