Unashamed Reading Plan
Check out all the previous Unashamed readings here.
Unashamed Reading Plan | Week 9 | Day 4
Prayer
Take a moment to be silent and still. In order to be fully present in body and mind, take a deep breath in and let it out slowly. Do this three times. Ask God to give you His wisdom today.
Bible Reading: John 14:15-21
Read these verses three times slowly.
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him,because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
Reflection & Questions
By Ken Mullette
There are a lot of historical details that can be discussed about the life of George Washington. At the end of his presidency, Washington was asked to run for a third term in office but declined to do so. After the publication of his Farewell Address, the people would come to understand that it was because Washington loved the United States that it was good for the nation to elect someone else as President.
In this passage, Jesus is speaking to his followers, explaining some key aspects of their relationship with him and how they will experience his presence after he leaves them. Jesus promises that even though he will not be with them physically much longer, he will send another helper or guide, the Holy Spirit. Jesus explains that when the Holy Spirit comes, it will be a time when his followers will have a deeper understanding of their connection with him.
Jesus’ promise to his followers is rooted in love. Jesus reassures them that his presence will remain with them in a new way and that their relationship with him will deepen as they continue to follow his teachings. The results of the Holy Spirit’s arrival continue to benefit all of us as we deepen our relationship with Jesus.
- How might understanding Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit as a “helper” change the way you approach your daily challenges?
- In what ways do you see being loved by Jesus and the Father reflected in your relationships?
Prayer
Talk to God in response to today’s reading.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
Bible Reading: John 14:15-21
Read these verses three times slowly.
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him,because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
Reflection & Questions
Today’s scripture takes place when Jesus is getting ready to leave his followers here on earth after He had lived, died on the cross, and then came back to life again. I can imagine that his followers were a little anxious about Him leaving them as He went back to join God the Father in Heaven. He had been there for over 30 years and suddenly He was going to be gone?!
But He reassured them that they would never be alone. He would be leaving the Holy Spirit with them to help them and guide them. We have learned a lot about the Holy Spirit over the last couple of weeks and we know He is the ultimate gift! He is our inner strength. He points us in the right direction. He never lets us be alone because He is always with us. He comforts us and even talks to God for us when we can’t find the words. He’s the best BFF anyone could ask for!
So when Jesus reassures His followers that when He leaves them, it will not be as though they are orphans. He is truly giving them the best gift He can when He leaves the Holy Spirit with them. He gives them (and us) this gift because He loves us.
- Have you ever thought about the fact that the Holy Spirit is with you always? Even when you are taking a difficult test or having a tough visit to the dentist? How does that make you feel?
Pray
Thank Jesus for the gift of the Holy Spirit so that you are never alone and always have someone you can turn to for comfort and guidance.
Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.
Questions?
Ed Applegate
