Joyce

Pray, Listen, Obey

I can’t do a solitary thing on my own: I listen, then I decide. You can trust my decision because I’m not out to get my own way but only to carry out orders. If I were simply speaking on my own account, it would be an empty, self-serving witness. But an independent witness confirmsContinue reading “Pray, Listen, Obey”

Understanding Scripture in Crisis

17 Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.” 18 But the Jewish leaders demanded, “What are you doing? If God gave you authority to do this, show us a miraculous sign to prove it.”19 “All right,” Jesus replied. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”20 “What!” theyContinue reading “Understanding Scripture in Crisis”

Set Apart

I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. John 17:23 Jesus wants us to be like Him in complete unity with the Father. Isn’t that our prayer as believers, to be in unity with the Father, to hear His voice and move at His command. I am remindedContinue reading “Set Apart”

Grafted In or Cut Off

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:1-2 Jesus continues to teach his disciples what true discipleship looks like and what you can expect as a disciple. ThroughoutContinue reading “Grafted In or Cut Off”

Totally at Home with Jesus

“I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love. John15:9-10 Jesus has just described the metaphor of the vineContinue reading “Totally at Home with Jesus”

Never Orphans

I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, bereaved, and helpless]; I will come [back] to you. 19 After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also. 20 On that day [when that time comes] you will know for yourselves that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am inContinue reading “Never Orphans”

A Holy GPS

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another [c]Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be inContinue reading “A Holy GPS”

Love Equals Obedience

If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments. (AMP) As I continue working through John 14, this is probably one of the most challenging passages. Christ had just told His disciples how to show their love for Him. True love would not be just emotional and theoretical, it would be lived out daily by obeyingContinue reading “Love Equals Obedience”

Greater Things?

John 14:12Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. This verse has always troubled me. How is it possible that anyone can do “greater things” than Christ? Jesus is answeringContinue reading “Greater Things?”

No Realtor Needed

John 14:1-4 “Do not let your hearts be distressed.[a] You believe in God;[b] believe also in me. 2 There are many dwelling places[c] in my Father’s house.[d] Otherwise, I would have told you, because[e] I am going away to make ready[f] a place for you.[g] 3 And if I go and make ready[h] a place for you, I will come again and take you[i] to be withContinue reading “No Realtor Needed”