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John 14:15-26

16 — We are not alone. No, not alone. At all. The follower of Jesus has the Holy Comforter abiding with him, sustaining and empowering him to do the impossible.

17 — The Holy Spirit abides with the Christian because He dwells within the Christian. Such a common truth in the church. We accept it by faith and rarely think much of it. It’s too mind-warping to try to figure out. So don’t even try it. Rather, let that truth be life-shaping for you. Live as the holy vessel you are, indwelt by the pure Spirit of truth.

18 — Comfortless. The Greek term is used one other time in the New Testament. In James 1:27, where it’s translated fatherless. Go ahead and look it up in Strong’s Concordance; you’ll likely be surprised at the meaning of the Greek word.

18 — So it isn’t just the Comforter that comes to abide with us, the Advocate does also. Ah, the wonders of the Trinity!

19 — “Because I live, ye shall live also.” Exactly. Be sure to read Galatians 2:20 for more on that. Read it all

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Some of the sower’s seed “fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit” (Matthew 13:8).

I want that kind of good ground. But if I don’t have it, how do I get it (or become it)?

It’s in how I hear the Word (Matthew 13:19, 20, 22, 23).

How I hear the Word, how I receive it — that’s a choice I get to make.

Another choice I have is to ask God to create in me a soft heart, a receptive heart, an obedient heart.

It is the choice to live “by every word of God” (Luke 4:4). Read it all

John 1:29-34

John the Baptist identified himself as a voice, specifically, “the voice of one crying in the wilderness.” John cried for repentance. John cried out the news of the coming One. John cried forth that the kingdom of Heaven was at hand. John was a voice, John had a voice, John used his voice to prepare the way for Jesus. Have you found your voice?

John was very busy preaching repentance, baptizing the repentant, and preparing the repentant for Jesus. Then one day he saw Jesus Himself coming. “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

Read it all

Matthew 12:1-13

“Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day” (Matthew 12:2).

Earlier, some Pharisees had asked the disciples why Jesus ate with publicans and sinners (Matthew 9:11).

When Jesus had heard about that, His response had included this: “But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matthew 9:13). This seems to be a quote from Hosea 6:6, “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.”

But they were unpersuaded, asking soon after: “Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days?” (Matthew 12:10).

Do we understand their fixation with the Sabbath?

If you accepted that God established the Sabbath as a sign and a covenant with Israel (Exodus 31:13,16,17; Ezekiel 20:12,20), would you endorse its violation? Of course you wouldn’t!

Nevertheless, their priority choices regarding God’s Law were different than His. Let’s see to it that our own spiritual priorities come in line with God’s. Read it all

Ephesians 6:10-20

10 — If our strength and power aren’t from Him and in Him, we are weak and powerless. The Christ life can be lived no other way.

12 — Never forget the identity of the real enemy! If you’re a Christian, it isn’t your comrade-in-arms.

14 — This is the third time we’re told to stand. We can only do this “in the Lord.”

18 — Behold the armor for your back and your fellow soldier’s back! Who said we don’t have protection for our backs?!

20 — In bonds but bold. Amazing! May I as an ambassador for Christ speak as I ought to speak. Read it all