I AM: Discovering the Nature of Jesus!

Sunday, March 28, 2004

My Prayer Today

Dear Jesus, I thank you that you are my hope and salvation. I thank you that no matter what I face, you are always with me. I ask that you would give me the grace to trust you this day. My circumstances are not always perfect, but I put my confidence in you. I do not want to live in fear but rather live in faith. Help me to rest in the knowledge that heaven is my reward because of you. Thank you for comforting me when I am afraid. I pray this all in your name, Amen.

God's Word Today

John 14:1-7

1 "Don't be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father's home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly. 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know where I am going and how to get there." 5 "No, we don't, Lord," Thomas said. "We haven't any idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known who I am, then you would have known who my Father is. From now on you know him and have seen him!"

Reflecting on God's Word

According to verse 2, what is the first thing Jesus says to comfort his disciples?

According to verse 3, what is the second thing Jesus says to comfort his disciples?

According to verse 4, what is the third thing Jesus says to comfort his disciples?

A Deeper Exploration of God's Word

In verse 1, what does Jesus say to do when in trouble?

Why does Jesus link trusting God with trusting in himself?

Read John 13 and find out why the disciples where troubled?

Understanding God's Purpose

Does God want us to be troubled in our hearts?

How does trusting God help from being troubled in our heart?

Is God concerned about the details of our lives? Why?

Applying God's Word to Our Lives

How do you find comfort when you are troubled?

What spiritual disciplines do you do when you are troubled (ie. prayer, Bible reading. . .)? Does your worry subside?

What is one truth you can rest in today if you are feeling troubled?

Thoughts

Everyone hurts one time or another. We all have times of trouble in our life, where we do not know what to do next. It is during these times where we can often lose our peace, our joy, and our focus. When the world comes crashing down upon us, where we turn often tells the most about us. The disciples knew some of these feelings as Jesus told them that he was going to have to leave them. For the disciples, this meant that all that they had known for three years would be taken away from them. The way of life that the disciples knew while being around Jesus would soon be over. As they listened to Jesus speak, they became deeply troubled.

Jesus knows when all of us are troubled. In John 14:1 it says that Jesus told the disciples "Don't be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me." Just as he told the disciples not to worry, so he is also telling us not to worry. He gives both the disciples and us today three reasons why we should be comforted: First, heaven is the reward of those who trust in Him (verse 2). Second, He will come back to receive those who trust in Him (verse 3). Finally, because we trust in Him we know the way to God the Father (verse 4). Jesus provides the disciples with these truths as ways of comforting them when they are troubled in their hearts. God does not want us to be troubled. When we are tempted this day to become discouraged and worry, remember to trust the truth of God's promises.

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