WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH
John 4:20-26
But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. John 4:23
We see how the Samaritan woman asked Jesus about the proper place to worship. And Jesus responded and told her, “A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” (John 4:23 NIV) It goes to show that Jesus is not concerned with physical locations or rituals but with the state of the heart and attitude of the worshiper. He seeks those who will worship Him in spirit – humbly and sincerely – and in truth – according to God’s Word and character.
Take a moment to reflect on your worship habits and attitudes. Are there areas where you may be focused on external rituals rather than internal sincerity? You have to make a conscious effort to cultivate a deeper, more authentic worship life, seeking to worship God in spirit and in truth. What is the state of your heart when you worship? How can I cultivate a deeper, more authentic worship life? What distractions or obstacles hinder my ability to worship in spirit and truth?
Prayer: Dear Jesus, I want to worship You in spirit and truth. Help me to let go of external distractions and internal pretences. Amen.
THE HARVEST IS RIPE
John 4:27-38
You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. John 4:35
The harvest is a common biblical theme associated with the kingdom of God. When the fields are white for harvest, it means that they are “ripe” or “ready” to be harvested. When grain is fully sprouted and in peak condition for gathering, it approaches the colour of white. So, a ripe grainfield looks like a sea of white. Jesus wanted His disciples to understand the urgency and the immediate opportunity of His mission. People hungry for the truth, ready to receive His salvation, were coming to Him; therefore, “the ‘right time’ is now. The disciples were focused on physical, earthly concerns like rest and food. But Jesus saw the spiritual necessity. He was consumed with the more urgent and gratifying mission of winning souls for His Father’s kingdom.
Jesus told His disciples that the time for harvest had come and that they were the ones He is sending to gather the harvest. He was not just talking to the original disciples, but also to all of us who follow Him. We are the ones He is sending to share the Gospel and make disciples. So, let us take a step of obedience and share the Gospel with someone today. It could be a friend, family member, or coworker. Let us ask God to give us the right words to say and the courage to say them.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for sending me to gather in the harvest. Give me the courage and boldness to share the Gospel with those around me. Amen.
FAITH THAT HEALS
John 4:46-54
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:6
From our text, we read the story of a royal official whose son was at the point of death. Desperate for a miracle, he met Jesus and asked Him to come and heal his son. But Jesus didn’t go immediately. Instead, He said, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe” (John 4:48). The official could have easily become discouraged or angry at Jesus’ response. But instead, he pressed in, saying, “Sir, come down before my child dies” (John 4:49). Jesus then spoke words that must have seemed so casual: “Go, your son will live” (John 4:50). The amazing part was that the official believed Jesus. He took Him at His word and turned and went home. And when he arrived, he found that his son had been healed at the exact moment Jesus had spoken those words.
This story teaches us about the power of faith. The official didn’t need to see a miracle before he believed. He didn’t need Jesus to physically touch his son. He simply took Jesus at His word, and that was enough. Today, we can learn from the official’s example. We can choose to believe Jesus, even when things seem impossible. We can trust that He is working, even when we can’t see it. And we can have confidence that He will do what He says He will do. We have to grow in our faith and trust in God to the point where we don’t need constant proof or signs before we believe. What area of your life do you need to apply faith today?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to trust You, even when things seem impossible. Give me the faith to believe Your words, and to take You at Your promise. Amen.
THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF JESUS
John 5:1-11
“And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.” John 5:9
Our text tells the story of a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years. He laid by the pool of Bethesda, waiting for someone to help him into the water when it was stirred. But Jesus saw him, and with a simple command, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk,” the man was healed. This story teaches us about the power of Jesus to transform our lives. Just like the paralyzed man, we may feel stuck in our circumstances, unable to move forward. It may look like there’s no help available for us. But Jesus sees us, and He has the power to heal and restore us. Jesus didn’t just heal the man’s physical body; He also addressed his spiritual condition. He told him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you” (John 5:14). Jesus desires to bring wholeness to every area of our lives. All we have to do is trust in His to transform our lives, and we will experience His healing and restoration in every area. As we reflect on this passage, let’s ask ourselves: Where do I feel stuck or paralyzed in my life? Am I willing to obey Jesus’ command to “get up” and walk in His power and freedom?
Another issue is the issue of sin hindering or depriving someone of God’s power and blessing. Jesus’ warning to the man applies to us today. Sin creates a loophole for the devil to enter and gain footholds and strongholds in our lives.
Prayer: Father, I receive Your healing and restoration in every area of my life. Cause me by Your grace to live righteously. Amen.
TRUSTING GOD’S ABUNDANCE
John 6:5-14
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus Philippians 4:19
From the scripture we read, we see the incredible miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000 with just five loaves of bread and two fishes. This remarkable event reveals the power of multiplication that occurs when we trust in God’s abundance. Jesus’ question to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” was not a search for a practical solution but an invitation to trust in God’s provision. As Jesus gave thanks and distributed the bread, the impossible became possible. The crowd was fed till they were satisfied, and there were even leftovers! This miracle demonstrates that God’s resources are not limited by our own.
God’s abundance is not limited by our scarcity. When we trust in God’s provision, it makes room for multiplication and abundance. Our offerings, no matter how small, can be used by God to make significant impacts. Faith is very necessary if we want to see God’s multiplication and abundance. What areas of your life do you feel you are lacking or insufficient? God is still in the business of making His children increase and live in abundance. Trust and faith are what you need. Can you trust God’s abundance in those areas?
Prayer: Lord, help me to trust in Your abundance and provision. Take my small offerings and multiply them to make a difference in the world. Amen.
FINDING PEACE IN THE STORM
John 6:16-21
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalms 46:1
Have you ever felt like you’re in the midst of a storm, with waves crashing against you? Maybe it’s a difficult situation at work, a challenging relationship, or a personal struggle that’s got you feeling overwhelmed. Life can be so unpredictable and overwhelming, like a sudden storm on the sea. The disciples experienced this firsthand when a fierce storm threatened to capsize their boat. But in the turmoil, Jesus appeared, walking on the water towards them. At first, they were terrified, thinking he was a ghost. But Jesus reassured them, saying “It is I; don’t be afraid.” His presence calmed their fears, and when he got into the boat, the storm subsided.
This encounter reminds us that Jesus is always with us, even in the midst of life’s storms. He is the calm in the chaos, the peace that surpasses all understanding. Whenever we feel overwhelmed, let us always look to Jesus. When we feel like we’re drowning in our struggles, let us look to Jesus. No matter what storms we’re facing, Jesus is always with us. What storms are you facing in your life right now? Invite Jesus into your boat today, and you are sure to be safe!
Prayer: Lord, help me to trust in Your presence and to find my peace in You. Amen.
SEEKING THE TRUE BREAD
John 6:22-27
Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him. John 6:27
Jesus taught about the importance of seeking eternal life. The crowd that had followed Him was focused on the physical bread they had previously received, not because they were hungry for His teachings or a deeper relationship with Him. But Jesus redirected their attention to the true bread that gives life – Himself. He confronted their misunderstanding, saying, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life” (v. 27). How often do we approach Jesus with the same motivations? Jesus wants us to shift our focus from temporary satisfaction to eternal fulfilment. He is calling us to seek a deeper connection with Him, the ultimate source of spiritual sustenance.
Are you seeking temporary satisfaction or eternal fulfilment? Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the true bread that satisfies our souls. Let us hunger for His presence and work for that which endures to eternal life. Do you seek Him only when you need something or do you genuinely desire to know Him and follow Him? Seek Him for a deeper relationship and He will surely satisfy the longing of your soul.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to seek You above all else. May my heart be filled with a deep longing for Your presence and Your eternal life. Amen.
French 
English