- But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. John 8:1 – Even Jesus knew the value of stepping away from all the craziness of life to spend time with the Father alone. If you read a few verses before this one, crowds were torn as to who Jesus was. There was yelling, accusations, and hate being thrown all around. Sometimes we too can find ourselves in situations just like the one Jesus found Himself in here, possibly even at a recent family dinner. So how do you keep your focus on God strong after finding yourself in the middle of such disruption? Follow Christ’s lead and find time alone with God to reset. Maybe it’s in your room alone, maybe it’s a hike outside, maybe it’s just waking up a little early before everyone else. Wherever and however you find that time alone take it because it is so essential to your walk with God. Step away from the craziness to reset your focus and purpose back on Him. Once there though don’t stay there. While one-on-one time with God is key to your spiritual health, so is stepping back into the craziness and being that light we’re called to be. Either way, do what you have to to keep your focus on God; He’s the only thing that will keep you going properly. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 396
- So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” John8:31-33 – This here is a perfect example of the deceiving sense of freedom sin gives to those who are in it. They here thought they needed no freeing because they weren’t a slave to anything. Sin wants you to believe that as you follow its lead you’ll find true freedom. Freedom from what parents say, from what society says, and from your longings. But many who have followed sin’s path long enough realizes it isn’t freedom at the end of it all. Sin though never wants you to see the chains it’s putting on you every step deeper you get onto it’s path. Maybe you look free right now as you pursue your sin, know though you aren’t seeing everything behind the curtain sin has put up. Find the freedom only Jesus gives, the freedom these people in our story were to stubborn to step into. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1400
- Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God. John 8:47 – To seek to then sum up the chapter, Jesus is speaking with His critics. They see Him as a liar, a fraud, and demon possessed. Jesus though says He is from God and that He is God and that He is doing the will of the Father. How can there be such a vast disconnect between their understanding and the truth about Jesus? Our passage above answers that clearly, that can’t understand the words of Jesus because they are not of God. They don’t see Jesus for who He truly is, nor do they believe the words coming from Him, all because they are not of God. They have the superficial, religious actions down and they have the right family tree, but they are not true followers of God. If they were, they’d know they had the Messiah right in front of them. Let us then give grace to those around us that don’t embrace the gospel or God’s words to them immediately after hearing it if they are not followers of Jesus yet. If someone does not have the Holy Spirit within then helping them, the words of God are confusing, overwhelming, and can even appear false. We need the Lord helping us understand His word, and if they don’t have the Lord within their life yet, how can we expect them to understand? So again, give grace when they don’t follow immediately, and even when they reject the message. Pray the Holy Spirit will give them understanding and that they will have a desire for the Lord. Finally, continue to live a faithful life of following Jesus in front of them. They may not understand, but they won’t be able to deny the reality of God’s works within your life when you display it in front of them. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2758
Daily DEVO 