(#1561) Day 7. Like Jesus, God Has Good Works For Me (21/9/26)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (currently posted on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) as we continue our 9-week series: Fresh Vision From Jesus' High Priestly Prayer from John 17. 

To watch this devotional, go to:

Please read John 17:1-5

Over the generations, our understanding of life and work has changed dramatically. In the past, a son would often follow his father into the family trade, while a daughter would commonly follow her mother into the responsibilities of home and family. People's lives tended to have a clearer direction, with fewer choices to make and a more obvious path to follow.

Today, many people - especially young people - struggle to find a clear sense of purpose. With the rise of modern communications and social media, we are presented with countless role models and competing visions of what makes life successful or meaningful. Instead of bringing clarity, this abundance of choice often leads to confusion and overwhelm.

Becoming a Christian changes everything. When we come to know Christ, we discover that God has created us with a purpose. As we listen to His voice through His Word and the wisdom of godly believers, He leads us into the good works He has prepared for us.

Jesus could therefore pray:

1. God’s Work Brings God Glory

Jesus had work given to Him by the Father. By completing that work, He brought glory to God.

This is true for us as well. Paul writes:

Whatever work God calls us to do, our greatest aim is not status, success, or wealth, but the glory of God. Our attitude, integrity, diligence, and love for others should all point people to Him.

2. God’s Work Needs To Be Finished

For Jesus to finish God’s work meant, ultimately, going to the cross. On the cross, we read of Jesus’ last moments, and His completion of God’s work:

Jesus completed everything the Father had given Him to do.

The same principle applies to us. We are called to persevere. We do not give up simply because the work is difficult, because we feel discouraged, or because something else seems more exciting. We remain faithful until the work God has entrusted to us is complete.

I've heard Terry Virgo (Founder of New Frontiers) tell of a time when he became deeply discouraged in ministry. Feeling that someone else could do a better job, he wrote a letter of resignation. Before handing it in, however, he spent time in prayer. During that time, he sensed the Lord asking a simple question:

"Did I ask you to resign?"

The answer was no. So he tore up the letter and carried on.

Whether or not our circumstances are difficult, the question is the same: 

"Did He ask me to do this?”

Paul encourages us:

3. God Has Work For You

Just as Jesus had work given to Him by the Father, God has prepared good works for each one of us.

These good works include both our everyday work and our service in God's kingdom.

i. God Has Work For You

From the beginning, God designed humanity to work - not only to provide for our needs but also to be generous toward others.

Paul writes:

Of course, our ability to work varies according to age, health, and circumstances. Yet each of us is called to be faithful with the opportunities God gives us -  working diligently and giving generously. 

ii. God Has Ministry For You

God has also given every Christian spiritual gifts and opportunities to serve.

Peter writes:

Every believer has a part to play in the life and mission of the church. There are no spectators in the kingdom of God.

Whether at home, at work, in the church, or in the community, God has prepared good works for you. The privilege of the Christian life is to discover them, walk in them, and, like Jesus, finish the work He has given us to do.

Moment To Reflect

Jesus faithfully finished the work His Father gave Him. God also wants us to have a vision for our lives as Having purpose and good works prepared for us. 

• Are you working faithfully - according to your stage of life and abilities - to provide for your needs and to be generous toward others?

• Are you discovering and using the spiritual gifts God has given you to serve His church?

• What work has God entrusted to you today, and how can you faithfully continue until it is complete? 

Download the booklet

Below is the link to download the devotional booklet: Fresh Vision From Jesus Prayer. This is a series of 27 devotionals based upon Jesus' High Priestly Prayer in John 17.

This year we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of CCP; to watch our anniversary video, please select the link below:

Community Group Study

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News. 

2. Icebreaker

You might want to use the icebreaker: How has God been speaking to you from His Word recently, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.

On Sunday, we continued our series, Fresh Vision From Jesus’ Prayer, reflecting on God’s vision for our lives and the church through Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer in John 17.

As we spend a final week focusing on the ‘myself’ aspect of our vision we will reflect on the importance of our personal relationship with God based on Jesus’ relationship to the Father.

As we ask the question - ‘Where is my heart?’ we will consider whether our hearts are near or far from the Father.

If we desire to have hearts nearer to Him, will we surrender those things that are getting in the way of our hearts being near to Him?

Read John 17:1–5 together and discuss:

• What spoke to, challenged or inspired you from Sunday’s message?

• Has anything from the series of devotions particularly encouraged or helped you? If so, what could you share with the group?

• On Sunday, we reflected on how, like Jesus, we need a vision of what it means to live as a child of God. How does this understanding of who we are transform the way we live?

• As you reflect on Jesus’ prayer in John 17 - as well as what we read of His earthly life in the gospels - how would you describe Jesus’ relationship with God the Father?

Please read James 4:8. and discuss:

• What are some examples of things that are impacted by being near something else (e.g. a person standing next to a fan, in the heat of summer vs someone who is far away from the fan)?

• Describe the ways a person’s life can be impacted by purposely drawing near to God or by neglecting a close relationship with God (i.e. being ‘far’ from Him).

• Where is your heart today? Take some time to consider this question personally. You can either share and discuss this together or take some time to quietly reflect on this.

Let’s pray together: 

In our prayers together, we continue with the same themes as last week: 

• For our new series: Pray that God uses Fresh Vision From Jesus’ Prayer to inspire, refresh, and re-envision us as a church.

• For Serendipity: Pray for Graeme, the team, and the relaunch in its new format. Ask God to raise up more volunteers from within the church family.

• For students: Pray for the young people in our church and community who are heading off to university.

• Let’s also pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.

SIV: 

• Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.

• Pray for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives, asking God to open their hearts and give us the Love and boldness to share His love as He opens opportunities.