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TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE

Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.

(233) 21 August : Proverbs 16v4 / John 14-15 / Psalm 55v12-15

BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."

Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world.

Wisdom to chew on

Understanding to grow in
Christians increasingly feel a minority, some facing hostility, and most a degree of isolation and lonliness. How much more the disciples would have felt the same after Christ left them. So these encouragements to them the night before his death encourage us too. He is not here as he has gone to prepare a place where we will belong, and we can be confident of that because of who he is, proved by his words and works. And although he isn't with us physically, if we love and so obey him we can be sure he is with us spiritually. Indeed, as the three are one, by the Holy Spirit both Father and Son have made their home with us. So Christ is still with us. And his teaching is too. He promised the Spirit would both remind his apostles of all he taught them and teach them "all" things - the things we now have in our New Testament. We therefore have all we need. Jesus is clear that the world will hate his people as they hated him, because as his people we belong to another world. That means there is all the more reason to serve one-another in love, as those who know their place is as friends of Jesus. And we can be sure that as long as we remain in him by loving and obeying him, we will not only continue in faith, but will bear the fruit of righteous living and evangelistic growth. As you read note the different encouragements Jesus gives.
John 14-15

Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.

Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.