Key Thought

Today's Prayer

Father, forgive me. I sometimes let the evaluation of others mean too much to me and compromise my mission and my integrity in your work. Bless me with strength, dear LORD, as I seek to leave the determination of my worth solely in your hands so that I am not swayed by the criticism of those who would seek to derail my life's mission. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

The Jews answered, "We say you are a Samaritan. We say a demon is making you crazy! Are we not right when we say these things?" Jesus answered, "I have no demon in me. I give honor to my Father. But you give no honor to me. I am not trying to get honor for myself. There is One who wants this honor for me. He is the judge. I tell you the truth. If a person continues to obey my teaching, then that person will never die." The Jews said to Jesus, "Now we know that you have a demon in you! Even Abraham and the prophets died. But you say, 'The person that obeys my teaching will never die.' Do you think you are greater than our father Abraham? Abraham died. And the prophets died too. Who do you think you are?" Jesus answered, "If I give honor to myself, then that honor is worth nothing. The One that gives me honor is my Father. And you say that he is your God. But you don't really know him. I know him. If I said I did not know him, then I would be a liar like you are liars. But I do know him. And I obey what he says. Your father Abraham was very happy that he would see the day when I came. He saw that day and was happy." The Jews said to Jesus, "What? You have never seen Abraham ! You are not even 50 years old!" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth. Before Abraham was born, I AM. " When Jesus said this, the people picked up rocks to throw at him. But Jesus hid, and then he left the temple area.

Related Scripture Readings

Jesus answered, "The things I teach are not my own. My teaching comes from him (God) who sent me. If a person wants to do what God wants, then that person will know that my teaching comes from God. That person will know that this teaching is not my own. Any person that teaches his own ideas is trying to get honor for himself. But a person that tries to bring honor to the one that sent him—that person speaks the truth. There is nothing false in him.

This is what people should think about us: We are servants of Christ. We are the people that God has trusted with his secret truths. A person that is trusted with something must show that he is worthy of that trust. I don't care if I am judged by you. And I don't care if I am judged by any human court. I don't even judge myself. I don't know of any wrong that I have done. But that does not make me innocent (without guilt). The Lord is the One who judges me. So don't judge before the right time; wait until the Lord comes. He will shine light on the things that are hidden in darkness. He will make known the secret purposes of people's hearts. Then God will give every person the praise he should get.

Now do you think I am trying to make people accept me? No! God is the One I am trying to please. Am I trying to please people? If I wanted to please people, I would not be a servant of Jesus Christ.