Jesus we Thank You

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus came from the beginning; He dwelt among us.

John reminds the reader that Jesus was active at creation and chose to enter human history to dwell among people. This truth means he was behind the scenes long before Bethlehem — working in the lives of the Hebrew boys, the prophets, and those who trusted God. Dear brothers and sisters, hold to the confidence that the One who made all things stepped into our story so we do not walk alone. [02:24]

John 1:1-14 (ESV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Reflection: Where have you been living as if Jesus were distant rather than present? Name one situation this week where you will intentionally invite him to dwell (a short prayer, a Bible verse you’ll speak, or a person you’ll ask him to be with you in).

Day 2: Jesus dwelt with us, bringing grace and truth.

Dear brothers and sisters, the Word became flesh and lived among us, and that means grace and truth were not temporary resources but his abiding presence. Unlike a battery that runs down, his grace never runs out; when promises were broken and people strayed, his grace remained. Receive the comfort that because he dwelt with us, mercy meets us in our mistakes and truth leads us back. [25:22]

John 1:14 (ESV)
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Reflection: When have you tried to power through life on your own “battery” instead of resting in Jesus’ grace? Identify one recurring place of failure or shame and describe one concrete way this week you will receive his grace (a prayer, confession, or asking someone to pray with you).

Day 3: God works all things together for good.

When decisions are made—even risky ones like Peter stepping out—God is able to work things together for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose. This truth frees believers to act with faith instead of paralyzing fear of being wrong, because God redeems even our stumbles. Pray, seek peace about your choices, then move with resolve and leave the outcome in his hands. [16:34]

Romans 8:28 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Reflection: What one decision have you been delaying out of fear of being wrong? List the next concrete step you will take this week to move forward in faith (a phone call, a set deadline, or a prayerful confession), trusting God to work it for good.

Day 4: God is not the author of confusion.

The enemy wants to cloud minds and keep God’s people guessing so they won’t act with clarity; Scripture reminds believers that God is not the author of confusion but of peace. Be deliberate in discerning your calling and identity—seek Scripture, calm your heart, and get godly counsel so confusion loses its grip. Declare a made-up mind in areas where God has already given direction and refuse to be held hostage by doubt. [15:00]

1 Corinthians 14:33 (ESV)
For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.

Reflection: Where is confusion stealing your peace—about your identity, your calling, or a relationship? Choose one spiritual discipline this week (silence, Scripture, counsel) and commit to it for three days to test and clarify the voice of God in that area.

Day 5: Jesus brings mercy and healing to outcasts.

As Jesus traveled between Samaria and Galilee he met ten lepers who cried out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Their distance and shame did not stop him from giving mercy; his dwelling among us means he meets the outcast with compassion. Remember that his presence brings healing and restoration to those who call on him from afar. Dear brothers and sisters, mercy meets the lonely and makes whole what was broken. [31:01]

Luke 17:11-14 (ESV)
On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.

Reflection: Who in your life feels like an outcast or has been pushed away—someone you’ve avoided or judged? Choose one simple act this week to bring Jesus’ mercy to them (a call, a message, a meal, or a prayer) and do it with humility and love.

Sermon Summary

I opened with a simple reminder: God sees you, God loves you, and God is not shaken by what shakes you. In a world crowded with reasons to lose hope, I called us to anchor our anticipation—both in the return of Jesus and in the ways He’s moving right now. John 1:1-14 grounds our gratitude. The Word who was with God and was God stepped into our world—light in our darkness, life in our dead places, grace and truth embodied. I framed it with a “lunch break” picture: Jesus left the glory of heaven, stepped onto our job site, and used His “break” to serve—turning water to wine, healing the broken, feeding the hungry, teaching with authority, and ultimately dying and rising for us.

From that passage, I thanked Jesus for three things. First, for being decisive. The Son didn’t drift into salvation’s work—He chose it. The enemy thrives in fog and hesitation, but Jesus shows us the power of a made-up mind. In Him we learn to pray, decide, and trust God to redeem our missteps—like Peter stepping out of the boat, sinking, and still being held by Christ.

Second, for being deliberate. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. He kept moving, healing, teaching, and finishing the assignment even when misunderstood, minimized, or maligned. Many of us know rejection, abandonment, or loneliness. Jesus shows how to keep walking when support is thin—how to stay faithful when applause turns into accusation.

Finally, for dwelling. The Word became flesh and lived among us, full of grace and truth. I contrasted fading batteries and empty gas tanks with the inexhaustible store of His grace and truth. He doesn’t need to refill before He meets us; He is the fullness. Like the ten lepers who cried out from a distance, we learn that when Jesus dwells, mercy comes close. That’s why I urged us to stop pushing people away and to receive the friends God sends. Welcoming faithful presence—human and divine—trains our hearts to live in gratitude.

So today, I simply say: Jesus, we thank You. Thank You for decisiveness that breaks confusion, deliberateness that endures rejection, and dwelling grace and truth that never run out.

Key Takeaways

1. Decisive obedience defeats confusion The enemy often wins by keeping us hesitant and foggy. Jesus shows the way of a clear, obedient yes that cuts through mental noise and spiritual paralysis. Pray, choose, and trust God to shepherd you even if your steps are imperfect. A made-up mind is an act of worship. [14:46]
2. Be deliberate when unrecognized Jesus came to His own and wasn’t received, yet He stayed on mission. Your purpose isn’t validated by applause but by obedience. Expect misunderstanding without surrendering your calling; let rejection refine your focus, not rewrite your identity. Finish what God asked you to start. [19:12]
3. Grace and truth never deplete Unlike batteries and gas tanks, Jesus’ grace and truth do not run out. When you fail, you don’t find Him empty—you find Him full, again and again. He dwells with you, restoring you to the path rather than discarding you for missing it. His fullness is your stability. [28:04]
4. Welcome presence; don’t push love away God sends people who show up to bless, support, and stay. Pain can make us defensive, but gratitude reopens the door to community and healing. Receiving others trains us to receive Christ’s nearness in ordinary days. It’s good to be wanted—and to say yes to it. [11:41]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:50] - God’s care in our trials
[02:02] - Reading John 1:1-14
[03:51] - Title and opening prayer
[05:04] - Lunch break analogy: purpose in pauses
[07:01] - Jesus steps from heaven to earth
[09:04] - Miracles on His “break”
[10:40] - Appreciating those who show up
[12:12] - Thank You: Decisive Savior
[18:47] - Thank You: Deliberate under rejection
[25:22] - Thank You: Dwelling among us
[28:04] - Grace and truth never run out
[33:08] - Prayer of thanksgiving
[35:52] - Invitation, baptism, and giving

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Read John 1:1–14 aloud together. — 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Observation Questions

In John 1:1–3 and 14, what do the phrases “the Word was with God,” “the Word was God,” and “the Word became flesh” say about who Jesus is and what he chose to do?
What contrasts does John draw between “light” and “darkness” in verses 4–5? What does it mean that the darkness has not overcome the light?
Who are “his own” in John 1:11, and how does that shape the shock of “his own did not receive him”?
Which actions of Jesus are listed as examples of him entering people’s lives while he was “on a break” (turning water into wine, healing, feeding, teaching, dying and rising)? Notice the examples and how they show serving in the middle of work. [09:04]

Interpretation Questions

How does the decision of the eternal Son to leave the glory of heaven and become flesh clarify the meaning of “decisive obedience,” and why would decisiveness matter for disciples today? [14:46]
What does it mean to persist in one’s calling even when people who should recognize and receive the work do not (compare John 1:11–13)? How does being deliberate shape ministry or daily faith when approval is absent? [19:12]
How should the truth that Jesus is “full of grace and truth” and that his grace does not run out change the way the church responds to failure, relapse, or people who have been hurt? [28:04]

Application Questions

Jesus made a firm decision to come and to finish his work. Where is a decision you have been postponing that needs a clear “yes” or “no”? What is one practical step you will take this week to move forward in faithful obedience? [14:46]
When Peter stepped out in faith and began to sink, he was still upheld by Christ. What is one choice you fear making because you worry you might “sink”? How can you reframe that fear in light of God’s promise to work things for good? [17:04]
There will be seasons when those closest to you misunderstand or reject your calling. Name one area where you need to stay deliberate despite little support. What concrete habits (prayer rhythms, accountability, Scripture memory, serving opportunities) will help you keep going? [19:12]
Grace and truth never run out in Christ. When you have failed or disappointed others, how will you accept God’s restoring grace this week? Who can you tell (one trusted person) about this so you don’t try to carry it alone? [28:04]
The presence of Jesus dwelling among people brought mercy to those who could not approach him directly (the ten lepers). Who in your life is standing at a distance and calling out for mercy or help? What is one gentle, concrete way you will “welcome” that person this week instead of pushing them away? [31:01]
It is good to be wanted and to receive faithful presence. What barriers (shame, fear, busyness) keep you from receiving the care people bring to you? What will you do in the next seven days to welcome a friend or let someone into your life? [11:41]

Sermon Clips

And listen, do not allow your trials and tribulations to make you think that God is not still on the throne. He is still on the throne. He's still making a way out of no way. These are not just cliche sayings. These are sayings that we totally believe. And I pray and hope that you believe as well, dear brothers and sisters. Listen, do not allow what's going on in the world to make you lose hope, to make you lose hope. Don't lose hope, dear brothers and sisters. [00:00:58] (28 seconds) #HoldOnToHope

It is unique and interesting from the standpoint that John mentions to us that the people he came to help and the place that he came from didn't recognize him and didn't receive him. We know that Jesus was in heaven, but God strategically placed Jesus in Nazareth so that Jesus could be raised there as a child and at the appropriate time help those in that area. But those that saw him didn't receive him. That means, watch this. Jesus, we thank you for being deliberate. [00:19:12] (37 seconds) #PurposefulPlacement

Can you be deliberate even when the folks that should have received you didn't receive you? And dear brothers and sisters, you have to be deliberate even when those that are close to you do not understand your goals and the dreams and the stuff that you talk about. Can you be deliberate even when you don't have the support that you need? Can you be deliberate in your goals, in your dreams, in your ambitions, even when folks don't understand the message that you are trying to convey? When Jesus, dear brothers and sisters, came on the scene, he was deliberate. Come on. [00:19:49] (42 seconds) #DeliberateWithoutApproval

When Jesus came preaching repentance, men thought he was strange. When he began to heal and perform miracles, men thought he was a prophet sent by God. When he spoke the word of God with power, men thought he was amazing. However, when Jesus claimed equality with God, men thought he was crazy. Come on. Controversial stuff, sometimes, dear brothers and sisters, can make people call you crazy. As long as they understand, as long as they can fit it in their brain, they will sit there and say, oh, you know what? Yeah, you're on to something. But the moment that they cannot comprehend, they begin to question. [00:20:32] (55 seconds) #CalledCrazyForFaith

Dear brothers and sisters, are you ready to be deliberate even if people are going to crucify you? Can you be deliberate even if people want to nail you to the cross? Even if people want to take you out, can you still be deliberate? Come on. And this is a reminder, dear brothers and sisters, somewhere here today, that just because they doubt you, just because they don't receive you, just because they don't appreciate you, that you should do it anyway. Come on. It's a reminder. Just because they doubt you, just because they don't receive you, just because they don't appreciate you, that you should do it anyway. [00:21:45] (49 seconds) #BeDeliberateAnyway

for some of you that are being deliberate about watch this not your dreams but the dreams that god has placed in your life sometimes you have to deal with rejectionsometimes you have to deal with the feeling of abandonment and sometimes you have to deal with the feeling of loneliness but jesus is still with you and even though he dealt with it you can deal with it too and then lastly thank you for dwelling jesus we thank you for dwelling [00:25:09] (44 seconds) #GoAfterGodsDreams

when jesus dwells with you no matter where you go he got you covered when he dwells with you dear brothers and sisters no matter how you act he still has you covered now i'm not sitting there saying as the scripture says should we because of grace should we sin even more no because grace abounds should we sin more no but what i am saying is i thank jesus for being full of grace and full of truthand never run out so that if i step out he will allow his grace and his truth to keep me on track [00:29:39] (51 seconds) #GraceAlwaysCovers

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