John 14:7If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.Thought:It’s common for many people to hold God at arm’s length. They love learning about Jesus, chatting about spiritual concepts, and soaking up Bible wisdom, but they still don’t fully connect with Him. They see Him as someone to figure out, not someone to trust. They crave infor...

John 14:21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.Thought:Christ’s saving love does not change. If you belong to Him, He loves you with a steadfast love that took Him to the cross and secures your salvation. That love is rooted in His finished work, not in your u...

John 14:21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.ThoughtGod’s love is the beginning of everything. Scripture teaches that the Lord moved toward us first, not because we were good, but because He is gracious. He loved us while we were still sinners, and that love...

John 14:15If ye love me, keep my commandments.Thought:Jesus defines love in a way that questions our shallow ideas. In His teaching, love is not simply an emotion that rises and falls with our moods or circumstances. Love is faithful loyalty. It is a settled devotion of the heart that shows itself through obedience. Jesus does not call for warm feelings or kind thoughts about Him. He calls for a l...

John 14:21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me…”Thought:Jesus does not say, “He that has heard my commandments,” but, “He that hath my commandments.” That difference matters. To hear Christ’s words can simply mean you have only been exposed to them. You can sit in a service, listen to preaching, read a passage, or memorize facts, and still keep His Word at a dist...