Hearing God’s Voice from His Word
James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word.
Psalm of the Day
Psalm 132:13-18
For the Lord has chosen Zion;
he has desired it for his home:
14 “This is my resting place forever;
I will make my home here
because I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless its food;
I will satisfy its needy with bread.
16 I will clothe its priests with salvation,
and its faithful people will shout for joy.
17 There I will make a horn grow for David;
I have prepared a lamp for my anointed one.
18 I will clothe his enemies with shame,
but the crown he wears will be glorious.”
Read the Entire Psalm
This is my resting place forever; I will make my home here. These are God’s words. This describes our beautiful future. One day we will forever be at home with God. He will dwell with us. Sin will no longer stain any part of our existence. God will be at home. We will be resting completely with him. This future is secure if you have trusted Christ. Praise God for this certain
SCRIPTURE READING:
John 6:58-71 – New Living Translation
58 I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.”
59 He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
Many Disciples Desert Jesus
60 Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”
61 Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? 63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) 65 Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”
66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. 67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”
68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”
70 Then Jesus said, “I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil.” 71 He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would later betray him.
Having God’s Ear through Prayer
- Express thanksgiving to God.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal sin to you.
- Confess your sin to Him and receive forgiveness.
(1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sin He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins.”) - Bring your personal requests to God.
(Psalm 62:8 “Pour out your heart before God”) - Pray for someone in your small group.
- Join with others from River and pray for those who do not know God. Ask God to help you see the lost people around you and have compassion for them. Ask God for opportunities to build trust. Ask God to give you opportunities to have gospel conversations.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Scripture Reflection from the Sermon
There were disciples and then there were disciples in the life of Jesus. Disciple means “student” or “learner.” It came to be used to describe all Christians. At this point in the Lord’s earthly ministry, there were some who were following him but would soon abandon him. Of the twelve who remained, even one of them would betray him. How do you know if you are truly a disciple? The first “test” is whether you do what he taught. A disciple, a true learner of Jesus, will model their life after Jesus. If we say we follow him, then we will obey him. The second “test” is that the true disciple will continue to follow Christ. This is both evidence of God’s grace and human grit. It is God’s grace because those he calls, he keeps. It is human grit because we are responsible to remain in Christ. We are told to abide in him and obey him. We should never waste time asking if we are truly saved. If you are worried about being accepted by Christ, then you probably don’t need to worry. Those who don’t care are the ones who should worry. If you worry about your salvation, then ask God to help you turn the energy of worry into the energy of worship. Tell him you will follow and obey him. Tell him you want and need him. Trust him to save and keep you. Give thanks to God for his saving and keeping grace. Let worship overpower worry in your life.