Today's Verse: John 5:30

Saturday, September 16, 2023

[Jesus said,] "By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me."
— John 5:30
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"So who you tryin' to please, anyway?" These words from my dad still ring in my ears. His point? There are only two voices we MUST please:
  1. Our Father in heaven, because all praise and honor are due him.
  2. Ourselves, because we want to know that we've done our best and been the best we could be for God.
Over the years, however, I've learned that I can't begin to honor the second voice very well without seeking the first will of the Father, the heart and character behind the first voice. Don't you hope that someday you reach the place where you can join Jesus in saying with absolute assurance: "I seek not to please myself but him who sent me!" The closer we approach that reality, the more we realize that we can't do anything of eternal significance on our own. Only when we live to honor God do we achieve the significance and have the impact that our lives were made to have.

My Prayer...

Almighty and Righteous Father, I know that without you, I can do nothing of lasting significance that is good. I have tried my way and failed. I have sought my good and seen my success short-lived. I want to live now, today, and the rest of my life to please you. As I do this, I am confident that you will provide what I need and empower me to accomplish what you would have me achieve. In Jesus' name, I thank you. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

The Grand Consultant
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[Jesus continued,] "I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who....."
Whom will you please?
Illustration of John 5:30
Inspirational illustration of John 5:30 -- By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
He is "I Am"
Article by Mike Barres
How do we really help people with low self-esteem? We are given remarkable freedom in Jesus; we can become like him.
Beyond the Sacred Page
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, The Bible is a precious treasure. Don't neglect it. Use it and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you through it. Remember! It is a tool....."

Illustration

Illustration of John 5:30 — [Jesus said,] "By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, September 16, 2023

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'All Things through God' (Ph. 4:11-13)
"Sovereign Lord of all things, dear Father, How aware I am of my mortality! All flesh is like grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
2 Peter 1:5-7
"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control,..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Our Guide' (Jn. 16:13)
"[Jesus said,] "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell...."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Fall Down and Worship God' (Re. 19:3-4)
"And again their voices rang out: "Praise the Lord!" ... Then the twenty-four elders and the four living beings fell down and worshiped God, who was..."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

More Today's Verse