It Is God

READ: JOHN 14:12-21; 15:1-17

Let me understand when it’s You, God
Telling me to go
Speak loudly to me, God
So that I can know
Let me feel You with me, God
As I simply live
Knowing You are right beside me, God
Help me to give
Let them understand when it’s You, God
Helping me to stand
Show them You’re supporting me, God
And I’m following Your command
Let them know You move in me, God
You’re a part of all I do
Show them You are helping me, God
I am nothing without You • Emily Acker

• When we put our trust in Jesus, believing in His death and resurrection, we are given the Holy Spirit, sometimes called the Spirit of Christ. As we seek to abide in Jesus, we may often find there are things we do in life that we know we would never be able to do without God’s power working through us—such as forgiving others, loving our enemies, speaking the truth in love, acting with self-control, giving generously, or enduring hardships. Yet, we cannot take credit for any of this—for, as Philippians 2:13 says, “It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” If you know Jesus, how have you seen Him working in you? How has the Spirit been transforming you? Consider taking a moment to thank God for this, and ask Him to point people to Himself through your life. Remember, as we rest in Jesus’s great love for us, His love naturally overflows from us to others.

• John the Baptist made it very clear he was not the Messiah and consistently pointed to Jesus. What might it look like for us to follow his example? (If you want to dig deeper, read John 1:15-39; 3:22-36.)

“I [Jesus] am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV)