Don't Leave the Gospel of John Behind
By Jason McConahy | Published Monday, August 17, 2009
We just concluded our wonderful journey of studying verse-by-verse thru the gospel of John. Over the last two years, we have beheld the glory of our savior through the many unique events, moments, and words in Jesus' life recorded by John. Even though we are are concluding our corporate study, I pled with you to not leave these great truths behind. There is enough in those 21 chapters of scripture to fuel a lifetime of meditation and worship.
I briefly mentioned how I have been in the habit of carrying around a "prayer card" in my Bible to aid me in my own times of prayer each day. If you are like me, you are prone to learn more than you actually apply in daily life. The prayer card has been a way for me to keep track of truths that God seems to be impressing on me during that season of life. I use the card to remind me of things I want to be praying through each day. Currently, that card is filled up with things from the gospel of John, and I intend to focus on them for a while. Here are some of the things from John that I am seeking to pray through each day...
- God's Glory - As Jesus opens His prayer in Ch 17, we see Him consumed with God's glory. I am praying that I too would be consumed with God's glory, that I would behold His glory around me each day, and that I would be led into deeper worship.
- My Mission - In that same chapter, we also see Jesus remind us of our mission (vs. 18 & 20). I remind myself of the mission He has given to us, and pray for His strength to live it out.
- Abiding in Him - I review the beautiful image of the vine and the branches in Ch 15, and remember that apart from Him I can do nothing. I am seeking to declare my dependance on Him daily. I try to ask in prayer what things might be pulling me away from intimacy in Him, and seek to quiet my heart. I also remember His promise of His joy being in us, and our joy being full!
- Protection from the Evil One - If Jesus prayed that the Father would protect us from the evil one (17:15) then I figure this is a good prayer to pray as well. I then think about Ch 8 where Jesus tells us that Satan is the father of all lies, and ask if there are any lies I am prone to buy into that day. This usually springs me to Ephesians 6 where I pray through the Spiritual Armor.
- The Power of the Holy Spirit - Jesus spoke much of the Holy Spirit in Ch 14-16. I remember the promise of 7:37-39 that the Holy Spirit will be like rivers of living water in our innermost being and declare my desire to experience the reality of that promise. I ask for, and seek to yield to, the Spirit's leading and power during the day.
- Abundant Life - I try to review the many great phrases in John's gospel that remind me of all that we have in Christ (abundant life, we are children of God, eternal life, He is bread of life and living water, He overcame the world, He gives us His peace, He prepares a place for us and is coming back to take us there...) and then let them fuel some time of worship, thanksgiving, and declaring my need for Him
How will you take the truths of John with you?