AUGUST 27, 2024
READ: John 17 (Focus vs. 6-17)
MEMEORY VERSE
“They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” John 17:16
BACKGROUND
God designed the great gray owl as a master of camouflage. Its silver-gray feathers have a collective pattern of coloring which allows it to blend into the bark when perched in trees.
When the owls want to remain unseen, they hide in plain sight, blending into their environment with the help of their feathery camouflage.
God’s people are often too much like the great gray owl.
We can easily blend into the world and remain unrecognized as believers in Christ, intentionally or unintentionally. Jesus prayed for His disciples—those the Father gave Him “out of the world” who “obeyed” His Word (John 17:6).
God the Son asked God the Father to protect and empower them to live in holiness and persevering joy after He left them (vv. 7-13). He said, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one” (v. 15).
Jesus knew His disciples needed to be made holy and set apart so they could live out the purpose He’d sent them to fulfill (vv. 16-19).
The Holy Spirit can help us turn from the temptation to become masters of camouflage that blend into the world. When we submit to Him daily, we can look more like Jesus. As we live in unity and love, He’ll draw others to Christ in all His glory.
By: Xochitl Dixon
INSIGHT
The Scriptures don’t often record what Jesus prayed because He often prayed alone (Matthew 14:23; Mark 1:35; Luke 9:18). On some occasions, however, He wanted us to hear His prayers for our benefit (see Matthew 6:9-13; John 11:42).
John 17, known as “Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer,” is one such prayer. It reveals His deepest concern for us. It’s the longest of Christ’s recorded prayers and can be summarized this way: Jesus prays for His glory (vv. 1-5), His disciples’ security (vv. 6-12), His disciples’ sanctity (vv. 13-19), and the church’s unity (vv. 20-26).
By: K. T. Sim
APPLICATION
In what area of your life can you ask God to make you more like Jesus? How has God used others to draw you closer because of the way they lived and loved like Jesus?
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
The Holy Spirit can help us turn from the temptation to become masters of camouflage that blend into the world. When we submit to Him daily, we can look more like Jesus.
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
To look more like Jesus – “Love like Jesus; Care like Jesus; Be selfless like Jesus; Forgive like Jesus; Encourage like Jesus; Serve like Jesus; Be patient like Jesus” Anonymous
PRAYER
“Holy Spirit, please make me look so much like Jesus that others will be drawn to seek the one true God.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“MORE LIKE JESUS WOULD I BE”
More like Jesus would I be,
Let my Savior dwell with me;
Fill my soul with peace and love,
Make me gentle as a dove;
More like Jesus, while I go,
Pilgrim in this world below;
Poor in spirit would I be;
Let my Savior dwell in me.
If He hears the raven’s cry,
If His ever watchful eye
Marks the sparrows when they fall,
Surely He will hear my call:
He will teach me how to live,
All my sinful thoughts forgive;
Pure in heart I still would be;
Let my Savior dwell in me.
More like Jesus when I pray,
More like Jesus day by day;
May I rest me by His side,
Where the tranquil waters glide:
Born of Him, through grace renewed,
By His love my will subdued,
Rich in faith I still would be;
Let my Savior dwell in me.
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
ACTS 8
