20 August 2021 – John 6:65 (NIV)
Scripture
He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”
Reflection
Jesus is speaking to his disciples and reminding them that no one can decide to come to Him except through the work of the Father in the person of the Holy Spirit who lives within them. We are blind on our own until we receive illumination and conviction from the Spirit of God. He is the ultimate light that guides us out of the darkness. In other words, His light illuminates our sinful nature and through the prompting of the Holy Spirit, we are convicted and this enables us to draw closer to Jesus and to seek His forgiveness. In our human strength, we cannot come to this conclusion. The Father is the ultimate source of salvation.
In the same way, the Father will put a conviction in our heart, through the Holy Spirit, to pray for a person or a situation. We should not ignore these unexpected promptings, as this is also the Father at work, using us for His Glory. At times, we are merely prompted to pray, other times we are to reach out and contact the individual.
May we be intentional about the promptings of the Father today.
Thoughts for the day
- What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- How can you apply this message in your current situation
Prayer
In this time of isolation people need connection more than ever. Thinking through the day ahead, I ask the Lord to put particular people on my heart to call. To give me opportunities to smile and wave to those I might pass in the street. To help me love and listen to those I meet -even if it’s only online.