Growing Deeper in Christ - Daily Devotionals

DAY ONE – JESUS IS LIFE

Jesus is life. Meditate on the following verses:

John 1:4

In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.

John 14:6

I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.

What does 'Life' look like?

Life is the Greek word zoe, Strongs #2222. It is defined as a state of vitality. It is “real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever.” [1]

How do you picture life? What does it taste like, smell like, look like? How would you describe someone you thought was living life to the fullest? What characteristics do you associate with life? 

As you read the following scriptures what stands out to you as life overflowing in Jesus?

John 1:11-12,

He came to that which belonged to Him [to His own-His domain, creation, things, world] and they who were His own did not receive Him and did not welcome Him. But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority... to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name.

John 1:16,

For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift.

John 4:10,14

Jesus answered her, If you had only known and had recognized God's gift and Who this is that is saying to you, Give Me a drink, you would have asked him [instead] and He would have given you living water... whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more...

John 16:7,
However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable... for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter... will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you.]

DAY TWO – JESUS LIVED LIFE 

When Jesus came to the earth He lived life to the fullest. What are some scriptures from the gospels of Jesus living life that speak to you about what life should look like?

What do these scriptures of him loving, calling His disciples, making wine for a wedding speak to you about life?

John 1:36-39

John 13:1
John 1:46-47
John 2:1-10

What do these scriptures about Him reaching out and receiving those who are outcasts, healing the leper, casting out demons, and raising the dead speak about life?

John 4:4-11
Luke 19:1-10
Matthew 8:2-3
Matthew 4:24
John 11:1-47

In the verses in John 11 where Lazarus had died, both Martha and Mary came to Jesus and told him, “Lord, if You would have been here, my brother would not have died” (verse 21, 32).

Have you ever thought when something difficult happened that the Lord must have abandoned you and was not there with you or for you when it happened?

Thinking about both good and difficult things that have happened in your life, what does this verse speak to you in John 3:27,

John answered, A man can receive nothing [he can claim nothing, he can take unto himself nothing] except as it has been granted to him from heaven. [A man must be content to receive the gift which is given him from heaven; there is no other source.]

Many years ago my previous pastor (a close friend and mentor of mine) died from cancer. She was being treated and we all hoped and prayed she would recover. At one point she decided to go off her medication and treatment because it was making her so ill that she did not have any quality of life anymore. From the treatment, she was incredibly sick and her medication caused her severe depression and paranoia. She could no longer function or minister to others.  

When she made the decision to go off her treatments and stood in faith for if God would decide to heal her, it felt overwhelming to me. Tears streamed down my eyes for days as I worried about where the outcome would lead. Everyone around me was encouraging her that she would be healed.

Once she was off the treatment, she became much better. She was taking vitamins that helped her to feel good. She began to take some ministry appointments and to write again. She had hoped to be healed and was given several prophetic words to that effect. Eventually when she went back into the doctor to be checked out, the cancer had spread significantly. She seemed to decline quickly at that point.

This has been one area of my life where I have found myself saying, “Lord, if you would have been there, she would not have died.” This so many years later, I found that I had grown bitter about it,was still somewhat angry at the people who supported or encouraged her decision, and afraid for others who might somehow make the same choice if faced with the decision.  

However, what God spoke to me a few weeks ago was that He was there and He did know and all things were in His hands. If she would have continued with the treatment, it does not mean necessarily that she would have recovered.

One thing that was certain was that God was faithfully with her and loving her all the way what she walked through. Even in the hospital the several weeks before her death she was leading the nurses to know the Lord, ministering to her husband and children, and comforting the people who came to see her in their grief. Every time I walked out of the hospital room I would tell her one last time that I loved her and she would always answer, “I love you too Twila.”

DAY THREE -JESUS LIVED LIFE

Cont. of John 11

Martha saw eternal life is something only available in the future outside of her time. When Jesus told her that her brother would live again, she replied, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” (vs. 24)

Jesus responded to her, I am [Myself] the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on) Me, although he may die, yet he shall live; And whoever continues to live and believes in... Me shall never [actually] dies at all. Do you believe this?”

Do you believe that God's resurrection life and His goodness is available to meet you where you are today in your need or that you will receive it sometime way out in the future when you get to heaven?

When trouble came and Lazarus died, some doubted and questioned why Jesus didn't prevent his death all together. They said to each other in John 11:37, “Could not He Who opened a blind man's eyes have prevented this man from dying?”

Do you ever doubt God's goodness and questioned why he permitted difficulty in your life? Have you ever thought that the difficulties happening your life should have been prevented by God? Do you see experiencing difficulties as living life to the fullest?

What do these scriptures about Jesus speak about what living life fully today looks like?

Matthew 23:13-39 – Jesus rebuking the Pharisees

John 2:13-16 – Jesus throwing out the money changers
Matthew 8:5-13 – Jesus commending and rebuking people for their faith.

What do these scriptures speak about full life?

John 4:1-3 – Jesus' response to those who said He was 'winning' and baptizing more than John
John 7:1-9 – Jesus' brothers not believing in Him
John 7:19,22-24 – Jesus reasoning with Jews about following the Law as a set of rules

What about these verses? Do you see living life to the fullest as experiencing pain at times?

John 13:27, 18:2-5 – Jesus being betrayed by a close friend
John 19:5-6, 15-18 - Jesus being mocked and the people wanting Him crucified

DAY FOUR– KNOWING LIFE

Meditate on the following verses:

John 17:3

And this it eternal life: [it means] to know...You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ... Whom You have sent.

John 1:18

No man has ever seen God at any time; the only unique Son, or the only begotten God, Who is in the bosom [in the intimate presence] of the Father, He has declared Him

Having eternal and fulll life is knowing God. Sometimes we can think that by focusing on the things of this life we can some how grasp it and live it to the fullest. What do these verses speak about this?

1 John 2:15

Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.

Jeremiah 9:23-24

Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise and skillful person glory and boast in his wisdom and skill; let not the mighty and powerful person glory and boast in his strength and power; let not the person who is rich [in physical gratification and earthly wealth] glory and boast in his [temporal satisfactions and earthly] riches; But let the understands and knows Me [personally and practically, directly discerning and recognizing My character], that I am the Lord, Who practices loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.

Do you see knowing God as your first and highest priority? What does this verse speak of knowing God?

John 15:9

I have loved you, [just] as the Father has loved Me; abide in My love [continue in His love with Me].

Sometimes we are turning to Jesus by having the right theology and learning about Him -knowing of Him. Do you see having eternal life as a love relationship out of desire or a requirement of you out of obligation? What does this verse speak to you?

John 5:39-42

You search and investigate and pour over the Scriptures diligently, because you suppose and trust that you have eternal life through them. And these [very Scriptures] testify about Me! And still you are not willing [but refuse] to come to Me, so that you might have life. I receive not glory from men [I crave no human honor, O look for no mortal fame], But I know you and recognize and understand that you have not the love of God in you.”

David Benner writes, “Knowing God is not simply a matter of believing certain things about him. Personal knowing goes beyond objective knowing. Think for a moment about knowing your spouse or best friend. If this is a genuinely intimate relationship, you would never confuse knowing this person with holding correct views about her or him. Genuine knowing-personal knowing-involves much more than head knowledge. It involves a relationship; it involves the heart. If God is love, he cannot be truly known apart from love.” [2]

DAY FIVE – JESUS THE LIFE GIVER

Jesus came to give us His life. And our Father gave His only Son that we may live in Jesus and have this eternal life (John 3:16). Meditate on the following verses:

John 8:12b
I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the Light which is Life.

John 10:10

The thief comes only in order to steak and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

When we look to Him, we can experience His peace. And in His presence is fullness of joy. What do these scriptures about His experiencing peace and joy speak to you about the life He gives?

John 14:27, John 15:11

Jeanne Guyon writes, “When we posses God, we also posses His kingdom; and in His kingdom there is fullness of joy. Our ultimate purpose is to enjoy God... in this life. To enjoy God! This is the very purpose for which we were created.” [3]

Water is often used as a symbol of the Spirit and the life that Jesus came to give. Water gives life. Without it, we die and land becomes barren and unfruitful.[4] Jesus longs for us to drink from this water that gives us life.

Read John 7:37-38

Jean Vanier writes about this, “Jesus is revealing that if we drink from the fountain of the love and compassion of God, we become a fountain of love and compassion. If we receive the Spirit of God, we will give the Spirit of God. The life we receive is the life we give.” [5]

Jesus came to give us the very life of God through a personal relationship with each one of us. Out of this relationship, life flows to others as we are in relationship with them. [6]

What life are we drinking from and giving away? Do you realize your need for this life giving water and thirst for it?

Jean Venier notes that this life “can only come about if we are humble and recognize our poverty and brokenness, and accept ourselves just as we are.”[7]

He writes that we too easily get caught up in things (having things, doing things, selling and buying things) and then we become less available to people. He writes, “We risk forgetting that the joy and treasure of human beings is to be with other human beings and to celebrate life together. The heart of relationship is not to do things for people. It is not to posses them or use them for our satisfaction, to fill our emptiness. It is to reveal to them that they are unique , precious and have beautiful gifts. It is to live a communion of hearts with them where we help each other grow to greater freedom. Life flows from one to the other.” [8]

1. Strong, James: The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible : Showing Every Word of the Text of the Common English Version of the Canonical Books, and Every Occurrence of Each Word in Regular Order. electronic ed. Ontario : Woodside Bible Fellowship., 1996, S. G2222

2. David G. Benner. Surrender to Love: Discovering the Heart of Christian Spirituality (pp. 27-28). Kindle Edition.
   
   
3. Guyon, Jeanne. Experiencing The Depths of Jesus Christ. SeedSowers, Christian Books Publishing House, Sargent GA.
4. -8. Vanier, Jean. Drawn into the Mystery of Jesus through the Gospel of John. Novalis, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 2004.