Devo June 26

John 1:9-13

The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.  He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

What's being said?
Jesus Christ is the true light.  The world did not recognize and receive him.  For those who received and believed in Jesus Christ, God gave the right to become children of God.

How is this related to me?
Jesus Christ is the true light.  When I was young, I did not recognize and receive him.  When I received and believed in Jesus Christ, God gave me the right to become a son of God.

How to apply this today?
I am thankful for my identity as God's beloved son.  Out of this identity, I am accepted and loved by God regardless of my abilities and performances.  Because of the acceptance and love from God, my attitudes and values become different than how I was when I was lost in this world.

2 John 2:15-17

15Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the
love of the Father is not in him. 16For everything in the world—the cravings of
sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes
not from the Father but from the world. 17The world and its desires pass away,
but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

Meditation
1. The “world” in this passage refers to the value system and perceptions
expressed in the culture of sinful human beings. John pointed out the roots
of every human society are in the selfish cravings of man, in the tendency to
greedily desire the materialistic things he sees, and in man’s drive for selfimportance.
Each of these is antagonistic to God.
2. It is easy to become self-centered and drawn away from God by the glamour
of sensuality, status, and riches that will not last. Those who remain on
pilgrimage with God will live forever. The author reminds us that we must
choose; we can have only one master.

Personal Note:
I find that most people including myself love the things of the world more than God.  Before engaging in this devotion, I went on Facebook to check out some videos and comments of my friends and that took like 10min (yes, I try to discipline myself in this area).  I am reminded that anything in the world will pass away.  Why don't I get excited for spending time with God and resting in His Words?  I can only do the will of God when I read and reflect on what God says through His Words.

Devo John 16:7-15

7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away,
the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8When he
comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness
and judgment: 9in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10in regard
to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no
longer; 11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now
stands condemned. 12”I have much more to say to you, more than you can now
bear. 13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.
He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell
you what is yet to come. 14He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine
and making it known to you. 15All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why
I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

Meditation
1. The Holy Spirit has three ministries to the world. In regard to sin: the essence
of sin is unbelief (v9). Our trust in Jesus contrasts the world’s rejection of
Him, this confirms its guilt. In regard to righteousness: the ultimate standard
of righteousness is God Himself, expressed in Jesus, whose claims have
been vindicated by His return to the Father’s side(v 10). Though men see
Jesus no longer, His character is displayed in believers’ Christlike lives. We
continually exhibit the gap that exists between sinners and the Lord. In
regard to judgment: The Cross and Resurrection – the reality of which are
seen in the believer who lives his life in Jesus’ resurrection power (Rm 8:11),
proves unequivocally that Satan is a defeated foe. Thus the world system he
dominates is an empty sham.
2. There is nothing we can do to convict the world we live in. It is our lives,
infused by the Spirit’s power and displaying heaven’s grace, that boldly
proclaim the judgment of our God.
3. Thank the Holy Spirit for His guidance in helping me to live out the Christlike
life daily.

Personal Note:
It is the Holy Spirit that convicts me of my sins and disobedience to God.  It is also the Holy Spirit that convicts anyone of their sins and disobedience to God.  I pray that as I continue to model after Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit will go ahead of me to work in the lives of the people whom I will have contact with.  I pray that my thoughts and actions are completely guided by the Holy Spirit.

Devo John 12:20-26

20Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the
Feast. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request.
“Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22Philip went to tell Andrew;
Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. 23Jesus replied, “The hour has come for
the Son of Man to be glorified. 24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls
to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces
many seeds. 25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates
his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow
me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who
serves me.

Meditation
1. What does Jesus mean when he talks about a grain of wheat dying and
reproducing itself? Then wait for Jesus to show an area of my life – a
relationship, a decision to be made, and so on – in which I am holding on to
the status quo, and not allowing him to bring growth or change. In what way
might this be destructive or suffocating?
2. Ponder Romans 12:2 “Fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the
inside out.”(the Message). What would this area of my life look like if I am to
“fix my attention on God, ” and in so doing, let go?
3. Hold hands in tight fists. Then relax them, open them, and turn palms
upward. 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 my life. Talk with Jesus, ask Him to
help me to let go just a little bit today, and tomorrow, …

Personal Note:
I want to let go of how other people look at me.  I want to let go of my fear and dependency on worldly treasure.  I want to let go of the fear of rejection so I can courageously share the Gospel.