February 01

Jesus’ Healing Words


Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth and the life….”

John 14:6 (NLT)


The DVD presentation finished and Bill turned the TV off. The fluorescent lights came back on and I adjusted my seat at the long, wood table. I was sitting in on a divorce recovery class and it was time for group members to respond to what the experts had just said and to share their own thoughts.

I was a bit surprised, because these hurting people, both men and women, didn’t dwell on the negative, but they could have. They could have railed against their ex-spouses or described in detail how they were wronged. They could have, but they chose not to. Instead, they focused on Scripture and the words that brought them comfort and encouragement that week. Words that gave them hope.

The words they read: Isaiah's message of healing, the psalmist's hope, and John's plea to have faith gave them meaning and hope for what lie ahead. I joined them by opening my Bible, and I read Jesus’ healing words: “I am the way, the truth, and the life….” And it connected. I understood.

No matter how bad it gets, no matter what life throws at us:

He is the way. He will guide our steps … as we ask Him to.

He is the truth. His word will help us see past the lies, the deception and the world’s propaganda that seems to pull us down.

He is the life. Though I feel like I'm dead or dying, He revives me, and I can experience abundant life in Christ in any situation.

God can do anything, and He provides steady, consistent healing. It’s His way; and He does it with His truth resulting in His life ... His wonderful life!

Jesus told us what we need to do to receive this healing. He gave us the qualifier when he said, “Come unto Me.” It's as simple as that....


LORD, thank you for this simple truth. More and more, may you bring it to others that they may come to You and be healed. Amen.

January 31

Cause for Constant Celebration


Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send some of their food to others, and to celebrate with great joy. They finally understood what they had been taught.

Nehemiah 8:12 (NCV)


But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters … For you are all children of the light and of the day … always try to do good to each other and to anyone else. Always be joyful.

1 Thessalonians 5:4,5,15,16 (NLT)


The light of the word brings us to the Light of the World and faith in His truth lights within us a burning joy and satisfaction. Understanding brings hope and confidence and every reason to celebrate and rejoice.

People who have this hope, people who have this joy, are sharing people. And this is the truth we share: “Life itself was in him and this life gives light to everyone. The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." (John 1:4-5 NLT)

So, I say with Paul, “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)


LORD, fill us with Your truth and may Your joy shine through us! Amen.

January 30

Reassurance … with Christ


Simon Peter said, “I am going fishing.”

John 21:3a (NLT)


… Jesus told him, “Follow me.”

John 21:19b (NLT)



Without the Lord’s presence in his life, without direction, Peter resorted to his old lifestyle, his old habits. And he took others with him.

But Jesus had made the point over and over in John 15: “Abide in Me!”

This is what I need, first and foremost. If I am to live for Him, I must live with Him. Day by day. Moment by moment.

Jesus hasn’t moved. He stands in the wings of our stage and says simply and directly, “Follow Me.”


LORD, keep this fresh in my mind. When I am at the point of abandoning ministry, of going my own way, may I hear Jesus’ words, “Follow Me.” Amen.