Scripture for the week: John 16:1-4

Quote for the week: “All this I have told you so that you will not go astray.”

Message:  Told us what? That seems to be our cry, “Wait a minute, tell me one more time what I am supposed to know!” Jesus had just finished telling the disciples in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” [emphasis mine] I would often like to think He said,”… apart from me you can do some things, or some fairly good things, or be a pretty good example of Christ, or…” Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) He said we can do NOTHING. Galatians 2:20 comes to mind, “…I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”

Jesus wanted the disciples to know this because He knew the trials they would soon face. He wants us to know it because He knows the trials we will face, and HE is ready to carry every burden and be our fullness. David, the King and psalmist, says it throughout his writings.

“I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.”

Psalm 57:2 KJV

This theme is repeated over and over in both the Old and New Testaments. God’s plan has never wavered; He has always desired to be our all. Today we need to allow Him to be our all. 

Prayer for the week: Father, today I desire you to be my life, that I might not go astray. Continue your mighty work in me.

“All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you.”

John 16:1-4 (NIV)