The week’s memory work is John 17:1-5. It is made up of five verses. Today focus on reciting verses one and two:

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.”

Set a timer throughout the day to remind yourself to repeat the verses. Knowing where we are on our journey does not mean we know exactly where we are going. The act of seeking God to know Him and know where He is guiding us is a process that takes time.

Hebrews 11:8 says, By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

We learn through Abraham that God will help us discover where we are on the journey, but He doesn’t give an immediate complete and clear picture of how He will work in us and in our life to guide us to know and become like Jesus on our journey with Him. Abraham’s story helps us learn to believe God and to have a favorable view of the future, even when the future is not clear. We know the Holy Spirit is at work to change us, but all we may see is the present moment. Knowing Jesus gives us the security to follow Him in the journey through all the ups, downs, twists, and turns of life. Belief helps us trust God on the journey, taking one step at a time forward in faith.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

John 6:28-29: Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

All change begins with belief:

• The belief God loves us.
• The belief that God can change us.
• The belief that God is good and the change He has for us will bring life, health and peace.

God is your Father, and He loves you. Do you have faith God loves you? Say the following statement out loud three times: God, You are my Father, and I receive Your love and acceptance for me.

John 20:30-31 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

The Father has gifted you the Holy Spirit. Do you have faith the Holy Spirit is at work in you? Say the following statement out loud three times: Holy Spirit, I receive You, and I believe You are working to transform me to think, feel and act like Jesus.

Titus 3:4-7 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

How does the hope of who we are in Christ and our future life with Him help you pursue God in the uncertainties of today as He leads you in your journey to know and become like Jesus?

Read 1 John 5:20. In March of 2001, when Jacob’s Well launched in Delong Middle School, the church followed God in faith. Through the first five years of its existence, every year brought uncertainty as the church waited to see if the school district would renew their lease. The church moved from Delong Middle School to Altoona High School to South Middle School and back to Altoona High School before God opened the door for the land where the church now has its home. Even with the land in place, so many pieces had to come together for the building’s first phase.

As we celebrate the church’s 20th anniversary this week, let the faithfulness of God for His church bring you comfort as you work through the Know section of the Journey Tool. God gives us the guidance we need to keep moving forward in the journey even though we do not have all the answers. Seeking God helps us keep moving forward in faith one small step at a time.

Pray for God to strengthen your faith during this time of Renewal.