Author: admin

¹⁵ When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” ¹⁶ He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” ¹⁷ He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?”and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.¹⁸ Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹ (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

²⁰ Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” ²¹ When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” ²² Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” ²³ So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

Meditation

1. Silence – Read/Listen – Meditate – Pray – Contemplate
2. Read it slowly as if I were Peter and the Lord was asking me three times, “Do you love me? ”  Follow Peter’s answers and imagine his mood, emotion and thoughts going through his whole person.  Repeat it several times paying extra attention to what the Lord is saying to Peter.  Is He speaking to you, too?
3. Continue to be quiet before the Lord, listen, wait, listen, and wait…..
4. If you have heard what the Lord is telling you, thank Him.  If you haven’t, thank Him, too.  Continue to wait and listen to the whispering voice of the Holy Spirit after this time with God.

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: If you were asked the same question that Jesus asked Peter three times, how would you respond?  (1. yes, all the time;  2. yes, most of the time; 3. Yes, some of the time; d. huh?  e. ask me tomorrow.)  Ask each to explain his/her answers.  Lead a prayer of commitment to love God always.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 11:28-31

²⁸ Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.  ²⁹ Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.  ³⁰ The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.  ³¹ If the righteous is repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!

¹⁹ On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” ²⁰ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. ²¹ Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” ²² And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

²⁴ Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them,“Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

²⁶ Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” ²⁸ Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” ²⁹ Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me?  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Meditation:

1. Thomas reminds us that skeptic is not rejected by God – that doubts and uncertainty do not disqualify us for a place in God’s kingdom.  He also reminds us that Jesus willingly comes to us, to show us His hands and side, that we might believe.
2. Read the passage once more.  Look around Jesus’ disciples, those believing ones; and then Thomas.  Judging from where you actually are in your relationship with Jesus right now, which group will you be?  As you hear Jesus speak to you, respond to him from your heart.  Let him engage you in conversation.
3. Thank God for the faith he has given you no matter if you were a Thomas or like the other disciple.

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Have you said, “Unless I see it, I will not believe it”?  If so, you were a “Doubting Thomas”.  Thomas would not believe Jesus was alive unless he saw and touched Him.  Encourage family members to share times when they doubted Jesus.  Acknowledge that we all have those times.  What can we do to strengthen our faith in Christ?  List some practical actions and decide when and how to accomplish the suggested actions.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 11:24-27

²⁴ One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.  ²⁵ Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.  ²⁶ The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.  ²⁷ Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it.

¹ Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. ² And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. ³ They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. ⁴ Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” ⁵ So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” ⁶ When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” ⁷ The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” ⁸ When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. ⁹ He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. ¹⁰ So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” ¹¹ Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

¹² From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” ¹³ So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha.¹⁴ Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” ¹⁵ They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” ¹⁶ So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.

Meditation:

1. Read this passage slowly.  If it’s possible, read the whole chapter.  Try to see and hear the story.
2. Sing or read this hymn.  What are your thought and your feeling?  Talk to God about it.  Wait for His response.  Were You There  By: Negro spiritual

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?(2X)
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Did Pilate believe Jesus was guilty or innocent?  Pilate had the authority to release Jesus.  Why did Pilate not let Jesus go?  Discuss some ways Jesus is put on trial today.  Encourage family members to share specific examples out of their day-to-day experiences.  How can we “defend” Jesus?

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 11:21-23

²¹ Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.  ²² Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.  ²³ The desire of the righteous ends only in good; the expectation of the wicked in wrath.

⁴ Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them,“Whom do you seek?” ⁵ They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. ⁶ When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.⁷ So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” ⁸ Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” ⁹ This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” ¹⁰ Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) ¹¹ So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

²⁵ Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” ²⁶ One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” ²⁷ Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.

Meditation:

1. Peter seemed brave to take up a sword and attack the mob that approached Jesus.  He was rebuked by Jesus.   Have you also attempted at times to “help God out” in your own strength and wisdom?  Then later, when Pete was threatened, he realized his vulnerability and, in fear, disowned his Lord.
2. How does the story of Peter both humble and encourage you?  When have you felt competent and righteous but become weak and fallen like Peter?
3. Talk to God about this.  Allow the Holy Spirit to work to heal and to mold you slowly and surely.

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Ask family members to share a time when they denied being followers of Christ.  The denial may not have been as blatant as Peter’s denial in v25.  Nevertheless, either verbally or through actions, you denied knowing Jesus.  Discuss your feelings.  How did you get right with God again after your denial?  Be sensitive to confession needs during this time.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 11:18-20

¹⁸ The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.  ¹⁹ Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die.  ²⁰ Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the Lord, but those of blameless ways are his delight.

²⁰ “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, ²¹ that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²² The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,²³ I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. ²⁴ Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. ²⁵ O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. ²⁶ I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Meditation:

1.  Read the passage slowly, knowing that this is Jesus praying for you (“those who will believe in me”). Read it again, substitute your name when it comes to them or they.  Read it one more time.
2. What are you most excited about Jesus praying for you or saying about you?  Why?
3. Thank Jesus for praying for you.  Talk to him about the prayer phrases you found most meaningful.  Pray Jesus’ prayer for his followers today in the world.
4. Walk around today with the sense that Jesus is in you and that this was always his plan – to be in you.

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Ask:  Who is in the life of each believer in v26?  Ask family members to pray thanking God the Father for Jesus.  Thank the Holy Spirit let you know God and experience God’s love.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 11:14-17

¹⁴ Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.  ¹⁵ Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.  ¹⁶ A gracious woman gets honor, and violent men get riches.  ¹⁷ A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.

⁴ But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.

“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. ⁵ But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’⁶ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. ⁷ Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. ⁸ And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:⁹ concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;¹⁰ concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; ¹¹ concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

¹² “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. ¹³ When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. ¹⁵ All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

 

Meditation

1. Jesus’ disciples were filled with grief at the thought of losing Jesus.  Jesus explained that His departure was for their benefit.  Christ left, but sent the Holy Spirit, who is a living presence within every believer.
2. The mission of the Holy Spirit is to guide believers into “all truth”.  His mission is to help us experience reality: to know Jesus as He is, to live a life in accord with true holiness, and to build relationships rooted in real love.  When we are eager to know Jesus and please Him, the Holy Spirit will surely guide us nearer and nearer to our Lord.  We will know God’s truth, and our experience of that truth will set us free.(8:32)
3. Prayer:  Thank the Holy Spirit for guiding you to live out the Christ-like life daily.

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Ask your family, why would Jesus say to His disciples, “It is for your good that I am going away?”  Who is coming after Jesus’ gone?  What do you know about the Holy Spirit?  Encourage everyone to share and discuss the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 11:11-13

¹¹ By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.  ¹² Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.  ¹³ Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

¹“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.² Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³ Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ By this my Father is glorified, that youbear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. ⁹ As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.

Meditation

1. Jesus’ disciples are branches, He is the Vine.  As we remain in Him, we produce fruit.  A branch draws its nutrients from the vine.  In the same way we draw the spiritual vitality from Jesus in order for us to produce fruit.  Thus Jesus says clearly, “Apart from me you can do nothing.”
2. For the branches to bear more fruits, the gardener needs to prune his vine regularly.  The great Gardener, our heavenly Father, works with extreme care to prune His vines.  We’re assured that God, the gardener, actively tending His vineyard, is fully committed to bring us to maximum fruitfulness.  God’s pruning work benefits us, it doesn’t threaten us.
3. Remain in the Lord and thank Him for the necessary pruning in order for you to be fruitful.

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Have ready an indoor plant or go to the backyard to view a living plant/tree.  Discuss how a plant can grow and the importance for branches to be connected with the main trunk. In what ways are Christians like the branches?  What does Jesus teach about this?

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 11:8-10

⁸ The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead.  ⁹ With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.  ¹⁰ When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.

 ¹“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.² Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³ Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ By this my Father is glorified, that youbear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. ⁹ As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.

Meditation

1.        Jesus’ disciples are branches, He is the Vine.  As we remain in Him, we produce fruit.  A branch draws its nutrients from the vine.  In the same way we draw the spiritual vitality from Jesus in order for us to produce fruit.  Thus Jesus says clearly, “Apart from me you can do nothing.”

2.        For the branches to bear more fruits, the gardener needs to prune his vine regularly.  The great Gardener, our heavenly Father, works with extreme care to prune His vines.  We’re assured that God, the gardener, actively tending His vineyard, is fully committed to bring us to maximum fruitfulness.  God’s pruning work benefits us, it doesn’t threaten us.

3.        Remain in the Lord and thank Him for the necessary pruning in order for you to be fruitful.

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time:Have ready an indoor plant or go to the backyard to view a living plant/tree.  Discuss how a plant can grow and the importance for branches to be connected with the main trunk. In what ways are Christians like the branches?  What does Jesus teach about this?  

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 11:8-10

⁸ The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead.  ⁹ With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.  ¹⁰ When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.

¹⁵ “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, ¹⁷ even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

¹⁸ “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.¹⁹ Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.²⁰ In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. ²¹ Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” ²² Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” ²³ Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. ²⁴ Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.

²⁵ “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. ²⁶ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Meditation:

1. Ask the Holy Spirit’s guidance for today’s devotion.  Make the reading a prayer in itself.
2. The Holy Spirit is the most neglected personhood of God.  Yet Jesus promises to leave His disciples (and us as his followers) with this important Friend.  What do you learn about the Holy Spirit in vv 16-17, and 25-27?
3. What does it mean to have the Holy Spirit in you and guiding you throughout your day, as this passage says: “But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you”?  Is it comforting? Discomforting? Frustrating?  Hard to understand?  Awesome?  How can you grow today in the awareness that the Friend lives in you?
4. As you drive, walk, work, study, and interact with others today, call on your Friend for his guidance with your thoughts, your words, and the decisions you make.

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Refer to the Meditation questions for today’s family devotion.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 11:5-7

⁵ The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.  ⁶ The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.  ⁷ When the wicked dies, his hope will perish, and the expectation of wealth perishes too.

¹ Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. ² During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, ³ Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, ⁴ rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. ⁵ Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

¹² When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? ¹³ You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. ¹⁴ If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. ¹⁶ Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Meditation

1. In the Last supper, Jesus acted out a lesson in servitude. Jesus also shows us the spirit he expects in those who follow him. Greatness in Christ’s eyes does not come from having many servants but from being the servant of many.
2. In your early spiritual life, who was one of the people that demonstrated to you what it means to “wash feet”?
3. How will you put Jesus’ teaching into practice in at least one relationship this week at home, work, or church?
4. Ask God to give you a humble spirit.

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: In some Christian traditions literal foot-washing is practiced.  Have a “foot-washing” party at home today.  After everyone has washed and been washed, come back to share the experience.  What’s your feeling when you wash or being washed?  Why did Jesus do it?  What was he trying to teach his disciples?

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 11:1-4

¹ A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.  ² When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.  ³ The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.  ⁴ Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

²⁰ Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. ²¹ So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” ²² Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. ²³ And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.²⁴ Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. ²⁵ Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ²⁶ If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

Meditation:

1. What does Jesus mean when he talks about a grain of wheat dying and reproducing itself?  Every spring, many of us would bury seeds in our gardens and in a few weeks enjoy the bloom of flowers and the nourishment of vegetables.  Jesus is teaching us that instead of grasping more tightly to whatever we value, we are to hold it more loosely, letting it fall from our hands into the ground.  Then, “if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over.”(v24, The Message Bible)
2. Wait for Jesus to show an area of your life – a relationship, a decision to be made, and so on, – in which you are holding on to the status quo, and not allowing God to bring growth or change.  In what way might this be destructive or suffocating?
3. Sit a little longer.  Hold hands in tight fists.  Then relax them, open them, and turn palms upward and talk with Jesus about what a life of open hands would look like.  Ask him to show me what it means to be where he is(26).
4. Think again about the tightly held part of your life.  Try to let go just a little bit, with Jesus’ help.  Serve Jesus and follow him today.

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Prepare some seed packages beforehand.  Go to your garden or prepare some pots and plant some of the seeds.  Remember to mark them with names on sticks.  Sit together and talk about this experience.  Have a discussion about how plants grow.  And discuss what Jesus means when he talks about a grain of wheat dying and reproducing itself.  What does that mean to each one?

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 10:29-32

²⁹ The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers.  ³⁰ The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land.  ³¹ The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.  ³² The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.

¹⁷ Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. ¹⁸ Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, ¹⁹ and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. ²⁰ So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. ²¹ Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. ²² But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” ²³ Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”²⁴ Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” ²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, ²⁶ and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”²⁷ She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

²⁸ When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” ²⁹ And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. ³⁰ Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. ³¹ When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. ³² Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”³³ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. ³⁴ And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.”³⁵ Jesus wept.

Meditation:

1. What stands out and draws your attention in this passage? The deep love of the two sisters for their brother?  Their grief?  Jesus’ weeping?
2. Mary said to Jesus: “Lord, if you had been here…”. Have you also had similar thought?  What was your complaint or accusation of the Lord?
3. Have you felt lonely and burdened lately?  Sing or read the words as your prayer:
   WHEN I CRY by Marshall Hall and Ben Gaither: http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=0JFFJ1NU

Makin’ a list of all of the good things You’ve done for me
Lord, I’ve never been one to complain
But right now I’m lost and I can’t find my way
My world’s come apart and it’s breakin’ my heart
But it helps to know Your heart is breakin’ too

When I cry, You cry; When I hurt, You hurt
When I’ve lost someone, It takes a piece of You, too
And when I fall on my face,  You fill me with grace
‘Cause nothin’ breaks Your heart, Or tears You apart, Like when I cry

Alone in the dark, face in my hands, crying out to You
Lord, there’s never been a time in my life
There’s so much at stake, there’s so much to lose
But I trust it to You
You’ll bring me through
And it helps me to know that I’m not alone

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: (The 7^th sign of Jesus in John’s Gospel is recorded in this chapter) Listen and learn this song “When I Cry” together.  Talk about feelings each have after listening or singing this song and what comfort and encouragement we can draw from God.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 10:26-28

²⁶ Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.  ²⁷ The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.  ²⁸ The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.

¹“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. ² But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. ⁵ A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” ⁶ This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

⁷ So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. ⁸ All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.⁹ I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. ¹¹ I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹² He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. ¹³ He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. ¹⁴ I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Meditation

1. Silence – Read/Listen – Meditate – Pray – Contemplate
2. Jesus uses the scene of a shepherd enclosing his sheep in a sheepfold to explain our salvation and security in Christ.  If you’ve ever doubted the love of Christ, read these words of Jesus aloud slowly as if he were explaining this to you personally.  Notice that the repeated word know.  Jesus knows his sheep; they know Jesus.  The Father knows Jesus; Jesus knows the Father.
3. What usually prompts you to have doubts about your salvation or your walk with Christ? —Your own sin? Feelings of unworthiness? Personal failures? Talk honestly with Christ about your doubts.

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Watch this clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Coq_grSFlNs  and talk about how sheep respond to shepherd’s calling.  Read today’s passage and discuss how each person can respond to Jesus as the sheep do to the shepherd.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 10:22-25

²² The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.  ²³ Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.  ²⁴ What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.  ²⁵ When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever.

¹³ They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. ¹⁴ Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. ¹⁵ So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” ¹⁶ Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them. ¹⁷ So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”

¹⁸ The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight ¹⁹ and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” ²⁰ His parents answered, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. ²¹ But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.”²² (His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesus to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.) ²³ Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

²⁴ So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.” ²⁵ He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”

 Meditation

1. The Pharisees could say whatever they wanted about Jesus.  But they had to face the fact that He gave sight to a man born blind.  Today, people can pass any judgment on Jesus.  But if they are honest they have to face the fact that millions testify to Jesus’ transforming work in their lives.  John Newton, once a slave trader, experienced a transformation expressed and wrote this hymn:
   “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,  That saved a wretch like me….
   I once was lost but now am found,  Was blind, but now, I see.
   T’was Grace that taught…  my heart to fear.  And Grace, my fears relieved.
   How precious did that Grace appear…  the hour I first believed.
2. Sing softly this hymn and reflect on your life before and after encountering God’s grace.  Use this hymn as your thanksgiving to God for His wonderful transforming “work in progress” in you.

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: (This is the 6^th signs of Jesus in the Gospel of John.)  Refer to today’s meditation.  Read the lyrics of Amazing Grace by John Newton.  Discuss, “Why did John Newton write: ‘I once was lost but am found, was blind, but now, I see.’?”   Sing this song a few times encouraging everyone to sing it as his/her own prayer to God.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 10:18-21

¹⁸ The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.  ¹⁹ When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.  ²⁰ The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth.  ²¹ The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.

¹ But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. ² Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. ³ The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst ⁴ they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. ⁵ Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” ⁶ This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. ⁷ And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” ⁸ And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. ⁹ But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. ¹⁰ Jesus stood up and said to her, Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”¹¹ She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

Meditation:

1. Imagine yourself in the crowd that day.  Picture the embarrassed and shamed expression on the woman’s face.  Hear the condescending voices of the religious leaders.  Feel the dirt blowing against me as Jesus bends down and writes something in it.
2. Come honestly before God and ask the Spirit to reveal to you the sins you’ve engaged in recently.  Then imagine yourself in the same situation as this woman.  You’re caught in this sin, exposed.  Imagine you and Jesus having the same conversation: “Does no one condemn you?”  “No one, Master.”  He looks you in the eye.  “Neither do I.  Go on your way.  From now on don’t sin.”  What are you feeling?  Thinking?

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Have you ever been caught doing something you are not supposed to do?  How did you feel then?  Why?  Read this passage.  What was this woman’s feeling when she was brought to Jesus?  What did she expect to happen to her?  What did Jesus do? Imagine how this woman must have felt compare with her feelings when first brought to Jesus.  What do you learn about Jesus from this story?  Close with a thanksgiving prayer of God forgiving our sins.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 10:15-17

¹⁵ A rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.  ¹⁶ The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin.  ¹⁷ Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.

³² The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest him.

³⁷ On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. ³⁸ Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”³⁹ Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

⁴⁰ When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This really is the Prophet.” ⁴¹ Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee? ⁴² Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” ⁴³ So there wasa division among the people over him. ⁴⁴ Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.

⁴⁵ The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?”⁴⁶ The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” ⁴⁷ The Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? ⁴⁸ Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? ⁴⁹ But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” ⁵⁰ Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them,⁵¹ “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” ⁵² They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”

Meditation:

1. The temple guards impressed with Jesus’ teaching didn’t arrest Jesus.  Nicodemus, the Pharisee that visited Jesus at night (ch 3) had apparently became a believer, despite the overwhelming hatred of Jesus from his fellowmen.  He risked his reputation and defended for Jesus.  He attacked them for breaking their own rules and exposed their hypocritical motive.
2. How do you respond when you hear people around you (relatives or strangers) criticizing or blaspheming Jesus?
3. Sit quietly before the Lord.  Try to imagine what Jesus encountered, vicious attack and murder threat.  What feelings are stirred up in you?  Talk to Jesus and listen to His response.

 

Suggestion for Family Devotional Time: Bring pencil and paper as your family gathers for a time of discussion about how people respond to Jesus.  Based on experiences and observations, encourage family members to give examples of ways people either accept or reject Christ.  Make a list of responses.  What role can we as Christians play to help them have a better understanding of Jesus?

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 10:11-14

¹¹ The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.  ¹² Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.  ¹³ On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.  ¹⁴ The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.