March 20 Daily Devotional

Monthly Theme:

In March we read the gospel of John. John wrote his gospel so that his readers would know and believe the claims of Jesus. Those who do have everlasting life here and now.

Bible Reading:

John 15:18–27

Bible Text:

"The Counselor ... will testify about me And you also must testify" (John 15:26–27).

Devotional:

When Jesus returned to the Father, he sent the Holy Spirit to be with his followers. He promised to do this long before it happened. That shows that he was indeed on a mission for his Father. Now that Jesus is exalted and the Spirit has come, we must all believe that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God.

Jesus called the Holy Spirit the "one-who-comes-to-help-you." Our English Bibles translate this name as "Comforter," "Counselor," "Advocate," or "Paraclete." The Spirit brings us comfort, courage, and guidance. He brings us Jesus.

As Jesus came to teach us about the Father, so the Spirit teaches us who Jesus is. When the Spirit is with us, Jesus is with us. The Spirit continues Jesus' ministry in the world now that Jesus has returned to the Father. In Jesus' own words, "The Spirit ... will testify about me."

The Spirit does not work apart from Jesus' followers but through them. "You also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning." The apostles were trained by Jesus and empowered by the Spirit to be Christ's witnesses.

Christ is building his church on the testimony of the apostles. Through the church Jesus' Word and works continue to be heard and seen. In the church the full benefits of the Spirit's work are enjoyed. Praise God for the steady witness of the Spirit in our church and in our hearts.

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published in 1994. This edition is copyright by Faith Alive Christian Resources, from whom may be ordered Daylight, the predecessor of Twilight.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this edition of Twilight are from the New International Version

Be sure to read the "Preface" and the "Acknowledgments" by the author.