I don’t know about you, but I tend to overanalyze things. Sometimes even a small decision can lead to an overwhelming list of pros and cons. I know I want pizza for dinner in my heart of hearts, but maybe I should want the soup, or the salad…or the chicken. You’d think dinner would be a simpler decision. (The answer is pizza. Always choose the pizza!) When it’s so easy to complicate the tiniest of decisions, how do we come to any sense of peace and assurance about the bigger matters in life?
The Christian faith is simple and complicated at the same time. We are called to have faith like a child (Matthew 18:3), and also to grow toward maturity (Hebrews 6:1). In some places the Word of God seems so straightforward, and yet the psalmist declared some knowledge too wonderful and lofty to grasp (Psalm 139:6). The seeming contradiction between this simplicity and complexity speaks to the mystery of the gospel. But when it comes to our salvation, Jesus doesn’t want there to be any confusion.
It’s funny—and oddly reassuring—just how human the disciples were. By the time we come to John 14, they were well into their ministry alongside the Son of God. You would think after all the miracles and face-to-face teachings from Jesus, they would have learned the basics. But when Jesus talked about the way to heaven, the disciples seemed totally and utterly confused!
So, once again, He spoke clearly, telling them:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
—John 14:6–7
Jesus spells it out for His disciples—and for us, too—so that there can be no misunderstanding. He is the way to freedom. He is truth and life.
There are parts of our faith that are truly complex because we love and serve an infinite God. Some questions don’t have simple answers. The gospel is like an intricately woven tapestry, with threads intertwining in hidden places, forming the most epic story of all time. God gives us minds to think and question and analyze these mysteries with humility so that we might grow in our understanding and love.
But, some parts of the Word are crystal clear.
Jesus came to our world in the form of a man so that His followers could see, know, and touch the love of their Father. In a world full of confusion, God wants His people to know exactly who He is.
If you know Jesus, you know the Creator of all and the way to salvation. As you “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12), may you find peace in the straightforward declarations and promises of our Lord.
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68 thoughts on "The Way, the Truth, and the Life"
♥️ Re-reading the book of John had brought out so many emotions! This particular day exemplifies the power of God and the sacrifice that he made for our salvation.
Let go and let God
I shall give you praise lord you are good
Lord you are good
Gosh our human’ess is frustrating. We know but it’s so hard and easy to forget In the chaos of life. It’s comforting to remember that even the disciples struggled with this.
Amen
Amen, thank you Father for sending me Jesus.
❤️
I love how God made Himself evident and crystal clear to us revealing His amazing plans in our world filled with complexity and confusion. He truly loves us.
Thank you! I just ordered that book.
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you. When I am feeling anxious and a panic attack coming up – I say – Lord God, when I keep my mind and heart on you, you give me perfect peace. Lifting you in prayer Allison. It’s not easy – but God had got you in his hands.
This Beautiful Truth by Sarah Clarkson may be encouraging for you. She struggles with OCD and anxiety as well and her book is wonderful.
Sorry y’all, I am not sure why that posted so many times.
Hi Allison, I too have struggled with OCD & anxiety and been overtaken by them in my walk with the Lord at times.
I want to encourage you with this, know you are not alone and it is so much more common than you think in Christian women.
Best of all, there is nothing your mind can do to interfere with your salvation or the Lord’s perseverance of you.
Hi Allison, I too have struggled with OCD & anxiety and been overtaken by them in my walk with the Lord at times. I want to encourage you with this, know you are not alone and it is so much more common than you think. Best of all, there is nothing your mind can do to interfere with your salvation or the Lord’s perseverance of you.
I think it’s 1 John 3:19
Allison Mitchell- no one can snatch you from the Father! I am praying for you. I feel like I heard that some famous Christians over the years have also struggled with OCD and fears over their salvation. I can’t remember who now but it is not uncommon. Be comforted that God is not limited to our perception of Him. “This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in His presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything. “ 1 John
He is the Way!!!!
John 14 always brings me great comfort! I’m really struck by the emphasis of “belief” in this gospel. It’s amazing what God will speak and reveal to us each time we open His Word. And I’m struck with the way Jesus encourages his doubting disciples to believe who He says He is- to believe His words. And “at the least believe in the evidence of the works themselves” (14:11). As He also states in 10:38, “believe the works.” And how amazing that God knows we doubt- so He works and moves on our behalf. He says, we may ask for anything and He will do it. The hard part is releasing our expectation of how or when He will do it. My vision is not His vision, but I pray my eyes would more clearly search for and seek Him in everything!
Lynne, I pray all went well
I have a lot of favorite scripture, but John 14:1-6 is truly at the top…this is the first chunk of scripture I memorized as child. I teeter between two strong desires, one for Jesus to return and make all things right and the other to be more obedient in the path he laid before me. This scripture just moves me forward in my my desire to do His good works as He instructed.
Thank you, Lord, for coming down to my level, just as how a human father squats down to speak to his little child. Thank you for helping my limited mind understand the Way. I may not get it all, but because I trust my Father, I take Your hand and let you lead me. Off we go! ❤️
Love this!
Thank you, Lord, for coming down to my level, ,
Salvation is both simple and complex. After all, we serve an omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent God whose thoughts are unfathomable. Thankfully, the core Message is simple. Because He speaks to my heart and not my head, and the language of our hearts is love, I get it. He showed us that love (loud and clear) by sending us His Son in human form to die for us. I can’t explain it completely, but I get it.
I love today’s reading and devotional. I have read those passages many times, yet it speaks to me differently every time. It is indeed the Living Word!
Hi Everyone! Dorthy, I recommended that episode of The Unfolding as well, so good!! I listened to them every Friday, they have all been such inspiring testimonies!
I also listened to a great message today on grief and loss of a baby during pregnancy on Focus on the Family and wanted to recommend that to
@ Victoria E, and think you could really relate, and it was helpful to understand those that have this grief and heartache.
Thanks for all the great comments and wisdom today!
Can’t remember who asks, but we all just know each other through commenting and reading them, but yes, it feels like we do!
Read this from daily sapphires and thought it fit yesterday’s and today’s readings: “A king adopts a beggar child, takes him into his mansion and says all this is yours. The child takes the candlesticks and jewels and puts them in his pocket. He takes the paintings down, puts them in a bag. The child still has the mind and heart of a beggar. He doesn’t really believe he’s rich, adopted or loved. As long as he clings to it, he’s not. If we’re clinging to money, that means we’re really not rich. If we’re clinging to possessions, that means we really don’t have much. If we’re clinging to the love of people, then it means we really don’t have love. If we’re clinging to anything in the world, it means we really don’t have much in heaven. You’re a child of God if you’re born again. You’re a child of the king. Whatever He has is yours. He has gladly, freely, given you the kingdom and all His blessings. You don’t have to cling to things anymore. If you’re His child, you’re rich. Receive it, and stop clinging. Let go and be blessed. In God, you’re no longer a beggar. You’re a child of the King.”
Today’s Mission
Give to those in need and help the ones who have lost hope; love those who need to see, and feel God’s love. Doing these things, we store up heavenly treasures and His blessings.
Please continue praying for my sister Grace as she is undergoing radiation.❤️
Janna and Traci and anyone else dealing with loss (especially of a child), this week on “The Unfolding” Jan Rozga talks about how God and Christ and her faith got her through the loss of her son. Hope this helps. It is very hard — I never doubted when I lost my son but other son, niece and nephew did. My other son still struggles with it at times. My sister is struggling with it right now also at times. No your friend, Janna, may never know why it happened in her life time but God has reasons for all things He does. I’ll be praying for her, Janna. I have been praying for the rest of you my sisters.
Janna- praying for you and your friend during this difficult time of loss. May God open your friends eyes to see who He truly is- a good God who loves us and wants to walk alongside us. May she see that He is the great comforter. I pray wisdom for you as you walk with her during this difficult time, that you speak light and peace into her life.
Grammiesue- praying for your husband and the results from his surgery.
Prayers for any of you I missed, spoken or unspoken.
Tina- how fun! I didn’t meet a lot of people with my name until I was much older in life. Fun to find other Lexi’s or Alexis’s out there. :)
Thank you to those of you that prayed; my toe is not broken but badly bruised. Not agonizing to walk on, just sore. I earned myself a two day staycation from this, which I actually really needed. Funny how that worked out.
REBECCA… we just know each other from our comments… someday we will all meet! How fabulous is that?!?!?!
After reading todays devotion all I have to say is BUT GOD, BUT JESUS, BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT!!!!!!
Kaitie’s message is soooo….I don’t have the words. WOW JUST WOW!!!
Be blessed and remember to “find peace in the straightforward declarations and promises of our Lord” sisters.
Tina and Kelly (Neo)- thank you for praying for me and the little one!
As someone who struggles with OCD and anxiety, I’m often crippled by my own misunderstandings, doubts, and fears about salvation. My mortal brain cannot grasp how infinite God’s love is- that He would truly want to save me. That’s it’s really as awesome as accepting Jesus as Savior- simply accepting the truth. I’ve had some panic attacks in the past few days, doubting my faith and if I’ve am unsavable. I pray that my mind be quieted by these sacred words by Jesus, by the peace of Christ, and the knowledge that He is infinitely greater than I am and anything that I do. I would greatly appreciate any prayers for my fear and trembling. I’m praying for you all too and may the peace of Christ be with you.
Janna I am praying for your friend. That kind of pain is life changing but it can change it for the better. When we lost our baby last year it changed my relationship with God, I went from an intellectual understanding of Him to a deeper one where I actually needed Him and wanted to experience Him and His love, peace, and great mercy.
Rebecca I only know these women (4 yrs) from reading their comments. I don’t post often but look every day (sometimes several times) to read and hear from some. All are special but some give me direction and understanding. Thank you each for your sharing. Prayers for all.♥️
♥️ this Churchmouse!
Praying for the requests here today. ❤️ I’m rather new to SRT and was wondering, do y’all know each other just from comments written and read or is there a list/directory somewhere? I love reading what is on everyone’s hearts and learn so much from everyone’s perspectives. Have loved this first study so much!
30 I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, 31 but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.
“Come now; let us leave. – John 14:30-31 I have never really paid attention to this verse but today it stood out!!! Wow- the ruler of the world is coming! The devil is here and working BUT he has NO POWER OVER ME!!! Praise God!!! Help me Lord to LEAN on you and glorify you daily!!!
30 I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, 31 but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.
“Come now; let us leave. – John 14:30-31
I came to the exact same thought. How comforting to read about the disciple’s struggles with understanding Jesus’ teachings and the concept of salvation.
Janna Klinghagen, you are showing your dear friend the love of Christ by being with her in her pain. I am a nurse case manager on an inpatient psychiatric unit. I get to speak with patients and their families while they are going through very dark seasons. A lot of my patients have struggled for years with depression, addiction, and suicidal thoughts. Most family members are quick to try to make sense of things(a reason/explanation)or talk about how unjust their circumstances feel. Our earlier reading in John 9 helped me to understand that not all suffering and affliction is a direct result of sin. Jesus told his disciples that the man was born blind so that the glory of God could be displayed through his affliction. It will always be a mystery to me but this helps me each day I have conversations with individuals and families that are having a hard time reconciling their current circumstances with their belief in an all powerful and good God. I have found it to be very powerful to sit with people in their pain, allow the sadness, anger and questioning to come out and just be there with them in it while God works on their heart. I’ll be praying for all involved in this very difficult situation ❤️
Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. The only way. What a precious promise we have in John 14:23 – If we love Jesus and keep His word, His Father will love us and will come and make His home with us!
Janna, praying for your friend. My heart breaks with yours for your friend. Please go to pastorrick.com and search for a sermon titled, How to Get Through What You’re Going Through. After the loss of their son, Matthew to suicide Pastor Rick Warren and his wife Kay taught this sermon on his first day back to the pulpit. It has ministered and brought so many people comfort after a loss. I will continue to pray for your friend and for God to equip you with wisdom as you love on your friend!
After all this morning’s comments, I/we am even more ready for the next study… Do Not Fear! And… I am always amazed at how dense the disciples always seem to be. I pray that we are not dense, either. Aren’t we so blessed to have the Bible?!?!?! Blessed day to you all, my sisters! P.S. I looked in both the ESV and the NIV about yesterday’s verse (John 13:1j. It is the same. (He loved them to the end.) How did I never see that before! Suh-weet!
So many rich scriptures in the reading today, I feel like I highlighted most if it!! So much comfort, the repetition of how he dwells in us, loves us and is coming back for us…I need that reminder just like they did. Slowly filling up my heart (feelin like the Grinch!) leaving me feeling so loved by God and so grateful. It’s what I need to focus on. Lifting up all the requests!
I am putting this out there because it is real and I know I’m not the only one who struggles with how to minister to friends whose have a different faith walk than your own. This past summer my dear friends’ son (16) committed suicide after a season of rebellion from the faith he was raised in. My friend is wrecked. Her questioning of all she knew God to be is overwhelming. I was raised in a more “evangelical” church where the trinity was real and spoken about and interaction with a living breathing God thru the Holy Spirit residing in me and being a part of my daily living has given me that peace during some gut wrenching turmoils of life. (Although I have not lost a child, I have had several other major tragedies from my teens into my adult life that have caused deep hurt, fear and pain where you question everything) Her faith walk has been more “traditional” for lack of a better way to describe it. Formal prayer, recitation of litergy, living based on fear of judgement, and the belief that if you do this… this will happen and if you don’t do this the you might be at risk for bad things. Last night as we talked and she cried tears of pain and questioning, asking “what did I do to make God so mad at me that he would take my son?” While I know and I think she does too that this is not how God interacts with us – her question is very real. I am at a loss, other than to direct her to the word. Challenging her to start in psalms and just read and get to know the God we serve. Friends- even though her grief and pain will be real for a very long time, I want her to know and feel the comfort the Holy Spirit gives us and to Know the power of our triune God! It is so simple yet SO very complicated! I pray that many will look to scripture to be their helper, comfort and answers during this season of chaos and turmoil for so many.
Good morning, sisters! Lifting up these requests. ❤️ KELLY—thank you for asking about my interview & for all those who prayed. It went well! The doc called me back yesterday to offer me the job as I was her top choice. My husband and I have been praying and considering and I am going to call her back to accept today. We are now searching for a nanny to be with the kids. Praying and hoping to find someone who is a believer to love on my kiddos and who we can be a blessing to as well. Would appreciate prayers there too. We have a couple ladies from our church family we are reaching out to first. Love and hugs to you all. John 14 is one of my favorites—grateful for the Holy Spirit. Give me ears to be sensitive to His leading!
“I am THE way, THE truth, and THE life.” Accept no substitutes.
Father God, thank you for this day, thank you for these women. As I read their names, their prayers, I lift them up to you. Thank you for the words in John 14. Thank you Jesus for telling us to let not our hearts be troubled. You gave us a firm foundation of truth and because of that we can “rise and go from here” as it says in verse 31. We can rise because there is a hand to help us up. Just as we naturally reach for those who are around us when we fall, your hand will never fail us when we reach for you. And if we fall and there is no one we can see to help us, remind us that you do not leave us as orphans. Thank you for revealing your truth to us, thank you for your love, thank you for coming to us. In Jesus’ name amen.
This weeks lessons and comments have been just beautiful. Prayers for all our loved ones. We are so very blessed to each one of us have the Holy Spirit!! Just think, He joins us together as sisters to His and our Father!! ❤️❤️
I see many of you dealing with surgeries and difficult medical journeys… I am so sorry. My husband is a surgeon and he so appreciates when people pray for him – for WISDOM for him and the rest of the medical team. May this be encouragement to also pray for your doctors, and perhaps even over them when you’re in the room with them. What a special way to share your faith and an opportunity to bring your requests to God “where two or more are gathered.”
I see many of you dealing w
“If you love me, you will keep my commands.” Such a good Jesus one-liner! I often forget that this includes his command, “Do not be anxious about anything.” ;)
“Truly I tell you,
I’ve really been working on praying to the Holy Spirit lately, rather then just straight to God. Not that God isn’t listening, but I’ve felt more personally connected to the these prayers, like I have my own little personal warrior, a small piece of Jesus dwelling inside me that nods it’s head in agreement when I am seeking answers or guidance. It has definitely felt more personal and has made my prayers for intimate.
Praying for your husband Lynne from Alabama. Todays reading I do feel like the disciples like them I have followed Jesus along time yet I make something so complicated such as trusting God. I have a hard time letting go of control and letting God do his thing. A friend gently pointed it out to me. . But it was true. Trusting and believing is hard and easy. So today I am trusting God to heal me and protect me, to do a work in my family and touch my children. All Glory to God almighty
Keeping you and your husband in our prayers, Lynn❤️
Amen. Holy Spirit fill me afresh. Amen
LYNNE FROM ALABAMA, GRAMSIESUE, VICTORIA E, SARAH D, all of us, listen to the words of Jesus, the Lover of your soul
“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.”
RHONDA J praying for your husband’s safe travels and success in advocating for Brydon
JEN BREWER how did the interview go?
Praying for the other requests too❤
Praying! God bless and protect you and all you know today!
Praying for each of you and may you each have a blessed spirit filled, guided day.
LYNNE FROM ALABAMA & GRAMSIESUE – praying for your husbands, for healing and recovery, and for each of you as you care for them ❤️
LYNN FROM ALABAMA.. let me add my prayers for peace of heart and for the presence of the Great physician Himself, as your husband goes for his surgery..
It is well, sister. It is well.
MARTHA HIX.. you are in my prayers. Sending healing love across the pond.❤
KRISTEN DILL.. thank you.
TRACI GENDRON.. having been a rotten step child to my step mother, as i now sees the error of my ways, I hear you. Do not beat yourself up. The brokenness in us means we act in certain ways in certain situations. We will always fall short, I think.. BUT GOD, in the form of the Holy Spirit, in the form of pure love, guides us to do, be, see, know, live, love better..
Sending you love across the pond and hoping life is being kind to your heart.❤
GRAMIESUE.. lifting Steve, yourself and the family up in prayer. Praying the Great Physician Himself is present in all aspects of this journey..
He is near..❤
K SWENSON thank you!
DOROTHY,.. ❤
VICTORIA E..I’m not commenting as much, but, you and yours are held close in my prayers..
Blessings.❤
RACHEL.. that journey of ‘washing feet’ of those who have hurt us… yep, I hear you…
Praise God that it is well, in His presence..❤
LEXI B.. I smile when I see your name, my granddaughter is also Lexi B. I hope your toe heals soon.❤
SKY HILTON.. such truth.. we are ALL equal in God’s eyes. Amen.❤
JENNIFER LOVES JESUS.. ❤
KAREN S..praying dear sister, praying.
SUE DALOS.. thank you. You are too kind.
A book you say..❤
CHURCHMOUSE.. sending love my friend across the pond ❤
Good morning, SRT sisters! Today is the day of my husband’s cancer surgery. Thank you so much for your prayers! Today’s reading is such a comfort. God has prepared a place for us! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Praying that the Lord is near to you all this Wednesday, and for the specific needs to be met of so many who had requests yesterday — Brain tumor resection, loved one with Alzheimer’s, the caretakers, the nurses, the ones pressing into the Lord like never before. You ladies sure are special!
I absolutely love reading about the Holy Spirit — and I will never get over how wonderful it is that He lives within me!!! I am never without Him. I am never alone! Praise God for this gift!