Need Comfort?

N.T.#788  "Need Comfort?"

May 1, 2026 

John 15-Part 8

LET IT GLOW 

Needs some hope today? some comfort? The Holy Spirit gives strength to endure the unreasonable hatred and evil in our world and the hostility many have toward Christ. This is especially comforting for those facing persecution. 

Jesus gives two names for the Holy Spirit-Comforter and Spirit of Truth. 

Comforter refers to intercessor; advocate; consoler. 

He helps, encourages, strengthens, intercedes for us to the Father. 

The Spirit of Truth points to the teaching, illuminating, and reminding work of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit ministers to both the head and the heart. 

[Resource: Life Application Study Bible]

Be careful that suffering does not bring doubt. Are we relying upon the Holy Spirit today?

LET IT GROW 

We need to rely upon the Holy Spirit to supply wisdom, abilities, and courage. He provides for believers to faithfully bear witness of Jesus Christ. We need to stand firm and proclaim the divine truth. The only way to heaven is through faith in Jesus as Savior.

Are we standing firm on our faith in Jesus?

Don't run away; don't back off. 

LET IT GO 

Let the Comforter intercede for you and console you.

Love and Hate

N.T. #787 "Love and Hate"

April 30, 2026 

John 15-Part 7 

LET IT GLOW 

Who are we to love? Jesus said it twice in this chapter. We are to love one another. (verses 12, 17) This is a command, not an option. The world hates us because Jesus chose us out of the world.

Then Jesus turns to the subject of hate. It is so hared when someone shows hate toward us, isn't it? We want everyone to love us, but they won't because we represent Jesus and His love.

Hate means to detest; love less. 

Hate occurs 8 times in the rest of this book. 

What does Jesus teach about hate?

• The world hates us because Jesus choses us to be in the family of God. (verse 19)
• He that hates Jesus hates God, too. (verse 23)
• Jesus performed works that should have caused those in the world to believe in Him, but they did not. (verse 24)
• The world hates Jesus and God. 
• They hated Jesus without a cause. 

When we stand up for God's commands and Word, we should expect a reaction of hate, not love shown to us by those in the world. That doesn't make it any easier, though, does it. Love your enemy and do good to them, pray for them.

LET IT GROW

Jesus didn't hurt people, He helped them. He told them the truth. When it gets tough, remember the Comforter is only a prayer away. We are not alone. Jesus will send the Spirit of Truth to bear witness of Jesus. (verse 26)

The Holy Spirit helps us witness and proclaim the gospel. He gives us direction, convicts us of sin, gives us strength. 

LET IT GO

Holy Spirit breathe on me until my heart is new.

Are You Chosen?

 N.T.#786 "Are You Chosen?"

April 29, 2026

John 15-Part 6

LET IT GLOW 

To be a friend of Christ means to obey Him. (verse 14) He calls us His friends. (verse 15) Because of the disciples' obedience.

What is Jesus telling His disciples and us here?

*Christ chooses who will be saved and serves Him. We did not choose Him. (verse 16a)

*Chosen means to select; make choice.

*Jesus chose us and His disciples so we produce spiritual fruit in kingdom work. We reflect God's character. 

*We are appointed to a mission on earth that is soul winning and helping them row in faith. 

*When we remain in fruit production, whatever we ask in Jesus' name God will give. 

Christ could now call the disciples His friends. As His friends, they were told all the things that Christ had heard from the Father. Although they were Christ's friends, this was by His choice, not their choice. (verse 16) (Liberty Bible Commentary)

LET IT GROW 

What is our mission?

We keep the command of Jesus, love Him, and love one another. (verse 9-15)

Jesus wants believers to bear fruit, live out the gospel, share the gospel, and win many to Him. He wants that fruit to remain in us. (David Jeremiah)

Are we a friend of God? Seek Him with all your heart and you will be.

LET IT GO

                               ... of whatever keeps us from remaining in Jesus and producing fruit.

                                ... so love, joy, peace, faith, goodness, kindness, patience dwell in us.

To God be the glory!

Who Are We To Love?

N.T.# 785 "Who Are We to Love?" 

April 28, 2026 

John 15-Part 5 

LET IT GLOW 

It's easy to love those who love us, treat us well, and give to us. What about those who say hurtful things to and about us, degrade us, withhold from us the good we deserve, even physically and emotionally abuse us? Are we still showing them love in spite of their actions toward us?

What is Jesus telling us about love? 

*Love one another as I have loved you. (verses 12)

*Love your enemies., bless and pray for them. (Matthew 5:44)

*Lay down your life for your friends. (verse 13)

*Love God with all our heart, soul, mind, strength. 

Love is the decision to compassionately, righteously, responsibly, and sacrificially seek the well-being of another. Love is not depending on our feelings, so we can love people whom we may not necessarily like. Love isn't driven by our feelings. Love is driven by sacrifice for the welfare of others. Laying down our life for our friends is the greatest expression of love. (verse 13)  (The Tony Evans Bible Commentary)

LET IT GROW 

Do we want to be a friend of Jesus'? Then we must do whatsoever He commands us to do. (verse 14)

Only two people in the Old Testament were described as "friends of God." It was Abraham and Moses. David loved God. 

Jesus' disciples were His friends. He shared what was on His heart. He disclosed to them what the Father shared with Him. 

Are we seeking after God with all our heart?

LET IT GO

Help us let go of our self and love You, God, and love others.

Is Your Joy Empty?

N.T.#784 "Is Your Joy Empty?"

April 27, 2026 

John 15-Part 4

LET IT GLOW 

 Are you still waiting for a prayer to be answered? Look back at verse 7. We can have the assurance that God answers every true petition. We need to trust in His promise here and in the complementary intercession of the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 8:27) Remain in Jesus and in His Word. (verse 7)

Remember that with God noting is impossible. No problem is too difficult, no burden too heavy for Him. Be sure to not put our will above His. We must not insist on our way. Don't expect an immediate answer to come in exactly tTonyhe way, the place, and the manner we are seeking. Learn to pray as Jesus Himself prayed. (Billy Graham)

Prayers get answered when we maintain intimate fellowship with God through His Word. That is because our will aligns with God's will. (Tony Evans)

LET IT GROW 

Is your joy container empty? Jesus offers His joy to us. 

What was the joy of Jesus? It was His absolute self-surrender and self-sacrifice of Himself to His Father, the joy of doing that which the Father sent Him to do. Jesus delighted in doing God's will. (Oswald Chambers)

Friend, God is in control. Be assured and confident in His sovereignty. 

Is it our joy to do our Father's will in our life? 

Have we surrendered our will to His? 

Are we making self-sacrifices in order to accomplish God's will?

Is Jesus' joy in us right now?

LET IT GO

What is hindering us from living our God's will for us?

What is keeping the joy of Jesus in our life?

Are You Loving and Abiding?

 N. T. #783 “Are You Loving and Abiding?”

April 24, 2026

John 15-Part 3

This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. (verse 12)

LET IT GLOW 

What are the two commandments which Jesus gave that appear in this chapter?

1. Abide in Jesus

2. Love one another as Jesus lives us.

How do we remain in Christ and He in us?

• We confess our sins and ask Jesus to forgive us. 
• We study HisWord and obey it in our life.
• .We depend on Christ and submit to the power of the Holy Spirit allowing Him to flow through us.

Is there someone we are not loving?

Are we denying ourself, dying to self, following Jesus?

Challenging, isn’t it?

LET IT GROW 

What is the greatest love?

In verse 13, Jesus tells us it is to lay down our life for our friends, 

Love is sacrificially for others.It’s not an emotional feeling, but an act of giving. 

Is there someone we should be giving to sacrificially that we are not right now?

When we do, then our joy will be complete. Then we will bear much fruit for Jesus. 

LET IT GO

Before we can love, give, and obey, what do we need to let go?

Is there resentment, hurt, uncontested sin in our life?

Love and Joy

 N. T. #782 “Love and Joy”

April 23, 2026

John 15-Part 2

LET IT GLOW 

Are you bearing fruit today? How do we bear spiritual fruit?

• We are purged, cleansed, pruned. The Word of God cleanses us. (verses 2-3)
• We abide (be present, remain, stand, tarry) in Jesus. (verse 4)
• When Jesus is in us and we in Him, and Hus Words are in us, we produce much spiritual fruit
• Then when we ask, it will be done. (verse 7)
• We glorify God when we bear much fruit and we are His disciples. 

Are we confesses up? What a blessed promise Jesus gave us in verse 7. He will do what we ask when we remain in Jesus and His Words remain in us. When those conditions are met, we are praying according to God’s will. 

LET IT GROW 

We remain in Christ’s love because we obey His commandments.  ( If you missed the 38 commands previously posted, look at earlier ones.)

When we obey them, we abide in God’s love  and Jesus’ love. 

Jesus told us these things so His joy is in us and our joy might be full. (verse 11)

Full means complete, mature, filled.

LET IT GO

Love God, His Word, live it out.

Jesus

Others

You

spells joy.