Today's Verse: John 5:30

Tuesday, September 16, 1947

[Jesus said,] "By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me."
— John 5:30
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"So who you tryin' to please, anyway?" These words from my dad still ring in my ears. His point? There are only two voices we MUST please:
  1. Our Father in heaven, because all praise and honor are due him.
  2. Ourselves, because we want to know that we've done our best and been the best we could be for God.
Over the years, however, I've learned that I can't begin to honor the second voice very well without seeking the first will of the Father, the heart and character behind the first voice. Don't you hope that someday you reach the place where you can join Jesus in saying with absolute assurance: "I seek not to please myself but him who sent me!" The closer we approach that reality, the more we realize that we can't do anything of eternal significance on our own. Only when we live to honor God do we achieve the significance and have the impact that our lives were made to have.

My Prayer...

Almighty and Righteous Father, I know that without you, I can do nothing of lasting significance that is good. I have tried my way and failed. I have sought my good and seen my success short-lived. I want to live now, today, and the rest of my life to please you. As I do this, I am confident that you will provide what I need and empower me to accomplish what you would have me achieve. In Jesus' name, I thank you. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

The Grand Consultant
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[Jesus continued,] "I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who....."
Whom will you please?
Illustration of John 5:30
Inspirational illustration of John 5:30 -- By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
He is "I Am"
Article by Mike Barres
How do we really help people with low self-esteem? We are given remarkable freedom in Jesus; we can become like him.
Beyond the Sacred Page
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, The Bible is a precious treasure. Don't neglect it. Use it and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you through it. Remember! It is a tool....."

Illustration

Illustration of John 5:30 — [Jesus said,] "By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, September 16, 1947

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Let Me Decide!'
"Dear Precious Disciple, Satan uses a very effective form of temptation on many of you who are My followers. He gets you to avoid looking at your own...."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Devoted to Prayer and Praise' (Acts 2:42-47)
"All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper), and to..."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Born of Water and the Spirit' (Jn. 3:4-5)
""What do you mean?" exclaimed Nicodemus [when Jesus told him he must be born again to see the Kingdom]. "How can an old man go back into his mother's...."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'I Believe!' (Ro. 10:8-17)
"Dear Father, May the word of Christ always be on my lips and in my heart. May I make known to everyone in every place that Jesus is Lord and that you..."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

More Today's Verse