Scripture:
John 17:1-11, 17-21
Thu, 13 April 2023

God’s Word as Truth

Observation:

What was a key purpose for Jesus’ prayer for the sanctification of His
disciples (see vv.7-8, 17-21)?

Deeper Reflection
Besides truth being personified in Jesus (the living Word of God), spiritual and moral truths are found in the Bible (the written Word of God). Within its sacred pages, God revealed His moral standards, which are grounded in His unchanging character of holiness and righteousness. God’s Word guides us in our reasoning and decision-making regarding moral choices, as we discern what is (a description of truth and reality) and what ought to be (a prescription of right and wrong). In biblical ethics, what God requires of His people, He has in Christ already done for us,15 shown us by His example16 and by His Spirit empowered us to do.Jesus wants His disciples to be set apart for holy purposes. He asked the Father, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth” (v.17). This work of regeneration by God’s Word17 is effected through the Spirit of truth18 . Verses 17 to 21 tell us that the sanctification of believers is for witness to the world. Earlier, Jesus prayed, “I have given them the words that You gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from You; and they have believed that You sent me” (v.8). Receiving God’s Word equates to knowing and believing the truth, which leads to obeying the truth. Our understanding of Scripture as divine truth is fundamental and indicative of our acceptance of God and His authority over our lives. This the Lord desires, not just for His disciples to-date, but for all people in the world who have yet to come to believe in Him.
15 Loving God with our whole being and loving our neighbour as ourselves (Matt 22:37-40; 5:17-18). 16 For example, Jesus instructed His disciples to wash one another’s feet, but not before setting Himself as an example for them to follow (Jn 13:12-15). Similarly, Jesus’ commandment for them to love one another (Jn 13:34) came after He first loved them (Jn 15:9; 17:26; cf. 1 Jn 4:11, 19) 17 See Jesus’ conversation with Peter in the upper room in John 13:6-10 (cf. Jn 15:3; Eph 5:26). 18See John 14:16-17; 15:26; 16:13.
Application:

How is the truth of God’s Word impacting my daily life – for example,
decisions and actions at work and at home, and missions engagements
for Gospel witness in the world?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for Outreach/Missions/New Life leaders: To be good role models in leading church members to be faithful Christ-followers who live godly lives, proclaim the Gospel and make disciples of Christ
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self
 

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 6:1-10
Wed, 7 June 2023

Consistent Daily Devotion to God

Observation:

What does verse 10 tell us about Daniel?

Deeper Reflection
For Daniel’s distinguishing competency and character, and commitment to ensuring that the king suffered no loss in his empire, Darius “planned to appoint” him “over the entire kingdom” (v.3). But out of jealousy, Daniel’s fellow-commissioners and the satraps attempted to accuse him of “negligence or corruption” in “government affairs” (v.4a). They could find nothing, because Daniel was “faithful” (v.4b). So, they planned to make accusation against him “with regard to the law of his God” (v.5). And they maliciously instigated Darius to establish a law that “anyone who makes a petition to any god or man” besides the king “for thirty days, shall be cast into the lion’s den” (vv.6-9).Then, “when Daniel knew that the document was signed…he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously” (v.10). This was Daniel’s spiritual discipline with a structure of regular “three times a day”. He kept it daily. We can say that Daniel never missed his quiet time. The most important words in the verse may be “when Daniel knew that the document was signed”. They indicate the context of Daniel’s spiritual discipline: A discipleship challenge where his life was at stake. Daniel’s spiritual discipline was no mere religious ritual and routine. He could have skipped his quiet time “for thirty days” and be safe. He didn’t. Daniel’s spiritual discipline manifested his consistent daily devotion to “his God”: “he continued…three times a day…as he had been doing previously.” At the heart of this spiritual discipline was Daniel’s relationship and fellowship with “his God”.
Application:

How can I cultivate a consistent daily devotion to God?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for the Generations: That young people will seek to be devoted to God consistently
  • Pray for self
 

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