Tag: Gospel of John

Posted on

Lent Day 22: Hearing the Shepherd’s Voice

LeapofFaith_DailyReadings_Horizontal

PREPARE

Breathe in God’s presence. Invite Jesus to be your shepherd. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your ears to hear his voice.

READ

John 10:22-42

REFLECT AND PRAY

1) In verses 25-30, Jesus explains the distinction between those who are his sheep and those who are not.  He also explains the depth of the connection between him and those he calls his sheep. In what ways have you experienced Jesus as your shepherd?

2) Are there any ways in which you have trouble seeing yourself as Jesus’ sheep? Ask God to give you a deeper connection so that you can hear and know his voice.

OBEY

Pray for God to open your heart to hear his voice. Try to be aware of him speaking today – in your prayer time, through a worship song, in a conversation, through nature or art (among other ways). What do you sense him saying to you?

Guest writer: Aaron Perez

“Leap of Faith” is a devotional series on the Gospel of John for the Lent season. All readings are available on the Vineyard One NYC app, along with additional resources for Bible reading, worship, and prayer (IPhone app here; Google Play app here).

 

Posted on

Lent Day 21: The Sheep of His Pasture

LeapofFaith_DailyReadings_Horizontal

PREPARE

Breathe in God’s presence. Invite Jesus to be your shepherd. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your ears to hear his voice.

READ

John 10:1-21

REFLECT AND PRAY

The Confidence and Assurance of Jesus Christ

Jesus claims to be a good shepherd that stands to protect and provide for his sheep. In this passage, the sheep represent his people (his Church).  The relationship between Jesus and his church is represented by the dependence of the sheep on the good shepherd.

1) According to the passage, why is it so important for the sheep to be able to recognize the good shepherd in the field?

2) Why is so important for God’s people be able to recognize Jesus (the Word of God) every day in the world? How has this been important in your own life?

OBEY

In what ways might you strengthen your comprehension and reception of God’s voice every day? Ask God to reveal to you one or two ways you can position yourself to obey God’s voice daily.

Guest Writer: Marcus Samerson

“Leap of Faith” is a devotional series on the Gospel of John for the Lent season. All readings are available on the Vineyard One NYC app, along with additional resources for Bible reading, worship, and prayer (IPhone app here; Google Play app here).

 

Posted on

Lent Day 17: “The Truth Will Set You Free”

LeapofFaith_DailyReadings_Horizontal

PREPARE

Find a place where you can be still and sense God’s presence. Ask Jesus to come to you in his love and truth.

READ
John 8:31-59

REFLECT AND PRAY
1) Jesus told his disciples (vs. 31-32 ), “If you hold to my teaching you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” In what areas of your life are you holding to Jesus’ teaching and searching for truth and greater freedom?

2) Jesus was secure in his identity. He spoke boldly about who his Father was and what purpose He was sent for. How do you feel in knowing that God is your true Father? In what ways does this empower you to speak truthfully about Him and to pursue whatever purposes you may feel called to?

OBEY
In verse 54, Jesus says, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.” Spend some time reflecting on what it means to you to glorify God. Ask God to reveal to you the ways in which He is glorifying himself through you.

Guest writer: Erin Brehm

 

“Leap of Faith” is a devotional series on the Gospel of John for the Lent season. All readings are available on the Vineyard One NYC app, along with additional resources for Bible reading, worship, and prayer (IPhone app here; Google Play app here).

 

Posted on

Lent Day 16: “Go and Sin No More”

LeapofFaith_DailyReadings_Horizontal

PREPARE

Find a place where you be still and sense God’s presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your time of prayer so you may hear Jesus’ call.

READ

John 8:1-30

REFLECT AND PRAY

You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one (v. 15).

1) If Jesus had passed judgment on the Pharisees, what would have been the consequence for them?  What would it be for you now? In light of this statement, who is Jesus to you?

2) “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” (v. 4-5).

Actually, Leviticus 20:10 says, “If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife – with the wife of his neighbor – both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death.” Why do you think only the woman is condemned in this account? What might this reveal about Jesus’ justice versus justice administered by people?

OBEY

Jesus spares the woman from being stoned, then fellows with the words “sin no more.” Jesus tells us the same thing each time we are spared from punishment for our wrongdoing. Is there any area of your life in which you are experiencing Jesus’ mercy and hearing his call to “sin no more?” How can you respond in obedience?

Guest writer: Mimi Otani

“Leap of Faith” is a devotional series on the Gospel of John for the Lent season. All readings are available on the Vineyard One NYC app, along with additional resources for Bible reading, worship, and prayer (IPhone app here; Google Play app here).

 

Posted on

Lent Day 15: There are No Limits on His Love

LeapofFaith_DailyReadings_Horizontal

PREPARE

Find a place where you can be still and sense God’s presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand Jesus’ boundless love for you.

READ

John 7

REFLECT AND PRAY

In verse 51, Nicodemus asks, “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?

The Pharisees respond, “Are you from Galilee too? Search the scriptures and see for yourself no prophet ever comes from Galilee!”

The Pharisees have studied the law and are staunch about keeping it. They are no strangers to the supernatural events that fill Jewish history: the flood, the opening of the Red Sea, and the battle where the Sun stood still until the conflict was won. Each event was attributed to a mighty, all-powerful God. The same God raised Prophets to communicate with the Jewish nation, calling them to deliver Gods warning, judgments, and love. And yet here are the Pharisees, believing that raising a prophet from Galilee is something God cannot do.

Through Jesus, we have access to an almighty, all-powerful, compassionate and loving God, one who relentlessly loves and seeks us. How has God acted in your life recently? Do you hold any preconceived ideas about God’s limits that might be limiting his power in your life?

OBEY

Ask God to show you someone you can encourage today. Remind them that God has already given us his son to show us his heart for us. There are no limits on his love.

Guest writer: Mercy Perez

 

“Leap of Faith” is a devotional series on the Gospel of John for the Lent season. All readings are available on the Vineyard One NYC app, along with additional resources for Bible reading, worship, and prayer (IPhone app here; Google Play app here).

 

Posted on

Lent Day 14: “Only Believe in the One He has Sent”

LeapofFaith_DailyReadings_Horizontal

PREPARE

Find a place where you can be still and sense God’s presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to make you receptive to hearing Jesus’ words for you.

READ

John 6:22-71

REFLECT AND PRAY

Jesus says, “Don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you” (v. 28). What worries do you have right now? What does Jesus say to you about them?

Obey

Jesus repeatedly tells his listeners that the only thing God asks of them is belief in him. Once you give Jesus your trust, everything else you do or say or choose will flow from your relationship with him.

In your own words, tell Jesus that you believe he is the bread of life, come from the Father. Thank him for his gift of eternal life. Ask him to free you from any worries about “perishable things” that so that you can focus on him.

 

“Leap of Faith” is a devotional series on the Gospel of John for the Lent season. All readings are available on the Vineyard One NYC app, along with additional resources for Bible reading, worship, and prayer (IPhone app here; Google Play app here).

 

Posted on

Lent Day 13: Called to Greater Things

LeapofFaith_DailyReadings_Horizontal

PREPARE

Find a place where you can be still and sense God’s presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to make you receptive to hearing Jesus’ words for you.

READ

John 6:1-21

REFLECT AND PRAY

At the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11), Jesus didn’t just turn water into wine – he turned it into the best-tasting wine at the party. When he feeds the 5,000 men (in addition to the women and children), he provides enough food for everyone to eat “as much as they want,” and there are still twelve baskets of food left over. He gives generously, beyond expectations.

1) How have you experienced God’s great generosity? How might God be calling you to show generosity to others?

OBEY

Jesus doesn’t do things halfway. Perhaps he is also inviting you to “go big” – to do or be something greater than you could ask for or imagine. Spend some time asking him what that something greater might be.

 

“Leap of Faith” is a devotional series on the Gospel of John for the Lent season. All readings are available on the Vineyard One NYC app, along with additional resources for Bible reading, worship, and prayer (IPhone app here; Google Play app here).

 

Posted on

Lent Day 11: The Blessings of the Week

 

LeapofFaith_DailyReadings_Horizontal

PREPARE

This is a day to review the graces, or gifts and blessings, of the week. Find a place where you can welcome God’s presence, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you think back over the previous week. What relationships, events, or things have you been grateful for? How has Jesus been present to you in your daily life?

REVIEW OPTION 1

Review one or more Bible passages and devotionals from the previous days (Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10). Is there anything in particular that stands out to you? What has Jesus been saying to you so far in the Lent Season?

REVIEW OPTION 2

If you need something simpler, you may choose to meditate and pray on one or more of these questions from the week:

  1. In John 3:16-21, Jesus tells us that his light illuminates the world. In what areas of your life or heart is he bringing his light?
  2. In John 4:34, Jesus says, “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.” How have you been fed by doing God’s work in the past? What do you sense is God’s will for you in this moment?
  3. Review the emotions and experiences of the week, both the high and the low points. Ask God to speak to you in detail about one high and one low point? What do you hear him saying to you?

PRAY

What is Jesus’ invitation to you today? Ask for the grace to say “yes.”

Close with a prayer of gratitude or with The Lord’s Prayer (Find classic and contemporary versions here.)

 

“Leap of Faith” is a devotional series on the Gospel of John for the Lent season. All readings are available on the Vineyard One NYC app, along with additional resources for Bible reading, worship, and prayer (IPhone app here; Google Play app here).

 

Posted on

Lent Day 10: Witnesses to the Truth

LeapofFaith_DailyReadings_Horizontal

PREPARE

Find a place where you can be still and sense God’s presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to make you receptive to hearing Jesus’ words for you.

READ

John 5:16-47

REFLECT AND PRAY

In this passage, Jesus is facing religious leaders who treat him with doubt and hostility. Jesus replies that he has witnesses who testify that he is telling the truth: John the Baptist, Jesus’ own teachings and miracles, and God himself.

1) Who in your life has witnessed to you that Jesus is the Son of God? What led you believe their testimony? In what ways have you heard the truth directly from God, whether in the person of the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit, or the Word? What can you learn about the ways you are most likely to receive God’s truth for you and become more aware of his love?

OBEY

As you reflect on the ways you are most “wired” to connect with God, choose one such activity or posture and spend some time today doing that very thing. Then, tell another person about your experience so that they might also be blessed by it.

 

“Leap of Faith” is a devotional series on the Gospel of John for the Lent season. All readings are available on the Vineyard One NYC app, along with additional resources for Bible reading, worship, and prayer (IPhone app here; Google Play app here).

 

Posted on

Lent Day 9: “Pick Up Your Mat and Walk”

LeapofFaith_DailyReadings_Horizontal

PREPARE

Find a moment to be still and sense God’s presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you reflect on his healing work in your life and in the lives of others.

READ

John 4:46-5:15

REFLECT AND PRAY

1) In verses 4:46-5:15, Jesus encountered two men who desired healing – the official who was pleading for his son’s life and the lame man who could not see past his circumstances. Jesus gave healing in both cases. With whom do you identify more, the official or the lame man? Why?

2) In the case of the official, Jesus heals his son because of the father’s pleas. Is there anyone in your life currently that needs healing? Take this opportunity to intercede on their behalf, having faith that God will heal.

OBEY

When Jesus healed the lame man, he sent the man away with a task: “carry your mat.” By carrying the mat he once laid on, the man was living out the reality of his healing, doing work that used to be impossible for him. Ask Jesus what task he has for you today. How can you respond to Jesus’ healing in your own life? What might it mean for you to carry your mat?

 

Guest writer: Aaron Perez

“Leap of Faith” is a devotional series on the Gospel of John for the Lent season. All readings are available on the Vineyard One NYC app, along with additional resources for Bible reading, worship, and prayer (IPhone app here; Google Play app here).