Key Thought

God loves the world. He sent his Son to die to redeem the world. But, the world does not love God. The world, its processes and powers, rejected his Son. Since we have become Christians, we are no longer part of the world opposed to God and his work. We should not be surprised when the world does not accept us. We should not be shocked when the world opposes and hates us. Jesus longs to protect us, but he does ask us to live in the place of risk; he calls us to join him in helping redeem people caught by the processes and powers of this current world. We are called to live on the boundary of darkness and light; we are to shine our light to help those trapped in darkness find their way to the One True Light, Jesus. As we do this, we know that Jesus is our advocate at the Father's side, asking that we be kept safe from the evil one.

Today's Prayer

Grant me courage and compassion, dear Father, as I live in the place of danger and grace—that place of redemption where light penetrates the darkness and lost men and women are rescued from the decay and despotism of the world and its dark prince. Keep my heart on the light and my strength renewed when I face the powers of darkness and the hate this world might offer. Please, dear Father, guard my heart from cynicism and hate, so that I can be one of your many tools of redemption. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

"I am coming to you now. But I pray these things while I am still in the world. I say these things so that these men can have the true happiness that I have. I want them to be completely happy. I have given them your teaching. And the world has hated them. The world hated these men, because they don't belong to the world, the same as I don't belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world. But I am asking that you keep them safe from the Evil One (the devil). They don't belong to the world, the same as I don't belong to the world. Make them ready for your service through your truth. Your teaching is truth. I have sent them into the world, the same as you sent me into the world. I am making myself ready to serve. I do this for them, so that they can truly be ready for your service. "I pray for these men. But I am also praying for all people that will believe in me because of the teaching of these men. Father, I pray that all people that believe in me can be one. You are in me and I am in you. I pray that these people can also be one in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me. I have given these people the glory that you gave me. I gave them this glory so that they can be one, the same as you and I are one. I will be in them, and you will be in me. So they will be completely one. Then the world will know that you sent me. And the world will know that you loved these people the same as you loved me. "Father, I want these people that you have given me to be with me in every place I am. I want them to see my glory. This is the glory you gave me because you loved me before the world was made. Father, you are the One who is good. The world does not know you, but I know you. And these people know that you sent me. I showed them what you are like. And again I will show them what you are like. Then they will have the same love that you have for me. And I will live in them."

Related Scripture Readings

that God will strengthen you with his own great power; that God will strengthen you, so that you will be patient and not quit when troubles come. Then you will be happy and give thanks to the Father. He has made you able to have the things he prepared for you. He has prepared these things for all his people who live in the light (good). God made us free from the power of darkness (evil). And he brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son (Jesus). The Son paid the price to make us free. In him we have forgiveness of our sins.

Jesus answered: "Be careful! Don't let any person fool you. Many people will come and use my name. They will say, 'I am the Christ. ' And they will fool many people. You will hear about wars that are being fought. And you will hear stories about other wars beginning. But don't be afraid. These things must happen before the end comes. Nations will fight against other nations. Kingdoms will fight against other kingdoms. There will be times when there is no food for people to eat. And there will be earthquakes in different places. These things are like the first pains when something new is born. "Then people will treat you badly. People will give you {to the rulers} to be persecuted (hurt) and killed. All people will hate you. All these things will happen to you because you believe in me. At that time, many believers will lose their faith. They will turn against each other and hate each other. Many false prophets will come. They will cause many people to believe wrong things. There will be more and more evil in the world. So most believers will stop showing love. But the person that continues strong to the end will be saved.

"If the world hates you, remember that the world hated me first. If you belonged to the world, then the world would love you like it loves its own people. But I have chosen you out of the world. So you don't belong to the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the lesson I told you: A servant is not greater than his master. If people did wrong to me, then they will do wrong to you too. And if people obeyed my teaching, then they will obey yours too. People will do all this to you because of me. They don't know the One who sent me.