Free Reading Plans and Devotionals related to John 12:25

So often we are following the Lord Jesus, but there are significant parts of our lives that hinders the Holy Spirit to work in our lives.

Limits and boxes have always been part of the human experience from the very beginning, and therefore should not be an issue of unnecessary concern to us. The key is recognizing we have limits, but if we engage with God’s timeless truth and His relentless purpose for our lives, we can live so well within those limits that it seems like we’re living beyond them. We can go beyond what we think is possible if we stay within the God-designed boxes of our lives. He can do more with us and through us in a box, than we can do on our own, outside of the box!

Jesus promised that we would grow into the fullness of life by His Spirit. To do that we need to keep encountering the basic truths of faith more deeply and profoundly. If we do, there is a vibrant and supernatural life that exceeds our hopes and dreams, as we experience partnership with God, extending His Kingdom here on earth.

“Always we begin again.” –St. Benedict   Do you ever feel stuck, restless, or cornered in your own life? It’s easy to shut down in those moments. Or, you can learn to begin again. To begin again is to open the window, even an inch, to let the breeze of grace come in. It is a call to open our hands when all we want to do is clench our fists. May this week-long devotional help you trade your trying for trust and your striving for surrender.

While people are aware of the Lord’s Prayer for daily needs, they may not know that Jesus had a vital prayer life and especially relied on his Father’s help as he faced and endured the cross. We can learn much about how to pray in crisis times by looking at those prayers of Jesus. 

Do you feel stuck, silenced, small? Overwhelmed by your life, your responsibilities, your choices (or lack thereof), your regrets, your longings? These seven brief readings remind us that no matter our circumstances, we are held and we are invited to receive new mercies. There is always a hand reaching toward you. There is always grace available. And there is always a chance to begin again.

It's often easy for us to beat up on Jonah for his self-centered, foolish rebellion. But as we'll discover, there's a bit of Jonah in all of us. Overcome by self-centeredness and personal prejudices, we too sometimes resist God's call. Thankfully, when we act like Jonah, God acts like God—lovingly pursuing us with his unrelenting grace. It's a wild ride, but one you don't want to miss!

“Passion Week” (or Holy Week), the week between Palm Sunday and Easter, reflects upon the passion displayed by Jesus as He endured the excruciating pain of the cross. Through this 7 day plan of select passages taken from His final week, we posture our hearts to praise Him for all He has done, marvel at His gift of salvation, and remember how much He loves and cares for His children.

Do you take the time to reflect on the Holy week of Easter? We tend to focus on this special week once a year, but the events that happened on this week are relevant to us everyday. This 7-day plan will help you quietly reflect on the events of Passion week.

This devotional combines reflections from Rev. Sarah Wiles and the artwork of Wayne Forte (www.wayneforte.com) to take the reader on a journey through Holy Week, beginning on Monday and ending on Resurrection Sunday. Join us as we journey through the book of John with Jesus to the cross and the empty tomb. Cover image: "Communion 2002" by Wayne Forte