“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:17)

Why God did this wonderful thing

Many people know John 3:16, but the very next verse, John 3:17, reveals God’s heart even more clearly. Jesus did not come to point fingers, heap guilt, or condemn us for our sins. He came to rescue us from them. God’s plan was never about condemnation—it was always about salvation.

Imagine someone drowning in deep water

The lifeguard doesn’t stand on the shore shouting about how foolish they were to swim too far out. Instead, he dives in to save them. In the same way, Jesus came to save us when we were drowning in sin—not to condemn us, but to lift us out and give us life.

Therefore

When you think of Jesus, remember this: He didn’t come to condemn you—He came to save you. Trust His love, receive His grace, and live in the freedom of His salvation.

“But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8)

“He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32)

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

John 3:16 is one of the most wonderful and personal promises in all of Scripture! You can personalize it by inserting your own name where the asterisks (*) appear below:

“For God so loved * that He gave His only begotten Son, that if * believes in Him, * should not perish but * shall have everlasting life.”

—Signed in His blood, Jesus Christ

It changed my life!

I personally received Jesus Christ into my life more than 50 years ago while driving down a busy road. I had just finished reading a small gospel booklet I found in a glove compartment. It explained how to pray a simple prayer of faith to receive Jesus as Savior.

I prayed: “Jesus, thank You for dying on the cross for me! I believe in You and I need You. Please forgive me of my sins and come into my life. I invite You to be my Savior. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

That simple prayer changed my life forever that day!

You must receive Him for yourself

Think of a gift wrapped and waiting under the Christmas tree. No matter how wonderful the gift is, it only becomes yours when you reach out and receive it. Eternal life is God’s gift in Jesus Christ—it must be personally received.

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12 KJV)

Therefore

Remember this: God loves you personally, Jesus died for you personally, and eternal life is yours if you believe and receive Him.

“This is how God's love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.” (1 John 4:9)

“For it is My Father's will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:40)

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Something you must do

Many of God’s promises include instructions or conditions to receive them. In the above verse, there are two promises: 1) God will forgive our sins, and 2) He will purify us from all unrighteousness. But these blessings come with a requirement—the small word “if”. If we confess our sins, then God, who is faithful and just, will act.

For example

Imagine a messy room, no matter how good the cleaning supplies are, the room won’t be clean unless someone actually uses them. In the same way, God’s forgiveness and cleansing are available, but we must take the step of confessing our sins to receive them.

Therefore

Whenever you read a promise, look carefully for instructions that show how to receive what God offers.

Don’t ignore the “if” in the promise at the top of the page. Confess your sins honestly, and you will receive His forgiveness and cleansing. God is faithful to do exactly what He promises.

Two examples promises with the word “if”

• “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matt. 6:14-15 ESV)

• “For if you return to the Lord, your brothers and your children will find compassion with their captors and return to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him.” (2 Chron. 30:9 ESV)

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6)

The world tells us there are many paths to God, but that is a lie from the enemy. The Bible is unmistakably clear—salvation is found in no one else but Jesus. He alone is the mediator between God and mankind, and apart from Him there is no access to the Father.

Imagine trying to board a flight without the right ticket. You could argue, try another gate, or insist on your own way, but only the valid ticket will grant access. In the same way, Jesus is the only “ticket” to eternal life. No amount of good works, religion, or philosophy can substitute for Him.

Therefore

Never be deceived into thinking there are many ways to God—there is only one way, and His name is Jesus. Trust Him, follow Him, and boldly share His truth with others.

• “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

• “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Tim. 2:5)

“Jesus wept.” (John 11:35)

I often hear people say they cannot memorize Bible passages: “I’m not good at memorizing anything,” or, “I have too many other things to think about during my day, so I don’t have the time.” But there are some verses that are extremely short and instantly memorable. For instance, “Jesus wept” is the shortest verse in the Bible. I bet you’ve already memorized it! Maybe you haven’t memorized its reference, John 11:35, but that’s easy to add. Just say it at the beginning and end of the verse: “John 11:35: Jesus wept. John 11:35.” That’s it—you’re done! Wasn’t that easy?

What can we learn from this two-word verse?

First, it shows that Jesus cared deeply and emotionally. He was moved by the sorrow of those He loved and cried alongside them. This is important because it refutes the common misconception of God as emotionally distant and out of touch with the world He created. Remember, Jesus and the Father are one. He said, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9)

Second, it reminds us that it is okay to grieve, to process strong emotions, to face terrible situations, and to cry. Tears are not a sign of weak faith but of a heart touched by love and loss.

Challenge

Take a moment today to memorize John 11:35 and carry it with you. When you encounter someone who is grieving or burdened, remember that Jesus understands and weeps with them—and so can you. Sometimes the greatest ministry is simply being present with compassion.

Additional References

“As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it.” (Luke 19:41)

“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.” (John 11:33)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7)

This passage gives us a command, instructions, and a promise:

1. The command: Don’t be anxious about anything.

2. The instructions: Pray to God about it, thank Him in it, and present your request to Him.

3. The promise: God will give you His peace—beyond human understanding—and He will guard your heart and mind in Christ.

Imagine carrying a heavy backpack all day, weighed down with worry. The moment you set it down, the relief is immediate. Prayer is laying your burdens at God’s feet and trusting Him to carry the weight. In exchange, He gives you peace that no circumstance can shake.

Therefore

When anxiety rises, don’t hold on to it—hand it over to God in prayer. He will carry your burden and replace your worry with His perfect peace.

• “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” (Matt. 6:25 ESV)

• “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 ESV)

“But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isa. 40:31 ESV)

This promise has two parts: we must wait on the Lord, and in return, He will renew our strength. Waiting is not easy, especially in a world of instant answers and quick solutions. Yet, God’s timetable is perfect, and His strength is far greater than our own.

Think of a phone battery that runs down after constant use. The only way to restore its power is to stay connected to the charger. In the same way, our strength is renewed only when we remain connected to God by waiting on Him in prayer, trust, and patience.

Therefore

Don’t grow weary or give up—wait on the Lord. He will recharge your spirit, strengthen your walk, and lift you higher than you could ever go on your own.

• “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.” (2 Cor. 4:16 ESV)

• “Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9 ESV)

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV)

This beautiful promise has two connected parts:

1. God promises to keep you in perfect peace.

2. This peace comes because you trust in Him.

If you want to experience the peace God offers, trust in Him must be at the center.

Peter’s experience on the water in Matthew 14:29–32 is a vivid illustration. In the middle of a storm, Peter stepped out of the boat and began walking on water toward Jesus. As long as his eyes stayed on Jesus, he was fine. But the moment he looked at the wind and waves, fear took over—he began to sink. Jesus caught him and asked, “You of little faith… why did you doubt?”

What is peace?

Webster’s dictionary defines it as “freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions.” That’s exactly what God offers—a deep inner calm that no storm can touch.

But it’s hard to hold onto peace when scary things happen or when we’re bombarded by bad news. If our minds stay fixed on the chaos, our hearts will follow into fear. Isaiah 26:3 gives the key: keep your mind stayed on God. That might mean turning off the constant stream of negative headlines and instead filling your heart with God’s encouraging promises.

Perfect peace is like noise-canceling headphones in a crowded, chaotic airport. The noise is still there, but it no longer controls what you hear or how you feel. God’s peace doesn’t remove every problem—it guards your heart so the trouble around you can’t shake the trust within you.

Jesus put it this way:

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27 ESV)

That’s a peace you can personally claim—apply it to your situation, believe it no matter how things look, and meditate on it until it settles deep into your heart.

Therefore

Peace isn’t found in the absence of trouble, but in the presence of God. Keep your focus on Him, speak His promises over your life, and trust Him completely. The storm may still rage, but your heart can be as calm as a glassy lake—because the One who commands the wind and the waves is holding you.

“I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV)

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16 ESV)

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7 ESV)

“The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.” (Nahum 1:7 NKJV)

This short verse—just nineteen words—is worth committing to memory. In it, we find three powerful truths, which are also promises:

1. God is good.

2. God is a stronghold in the day of trouble.

3. God knows those who trust in Him.

A stronghold is a place of safety

It’s a fortress that enemies cannot easily penetrate. In ancient times, people fled to walled cities or mountain fortresses when danger came. David often hid in the strongholds of the wilderness when King Saul pursued him (1 Samuel 23:14). Those strongholds gave him rest, safety, and time to regroup.

Today, our stronghold isn’t a physical fortress

It’s the unshakable character of God. When storms hit, when bad news arrives, when life feels like it’s falling apart, we don’t have to search for a hiding place; our refuge is the Lord Himself.

Think of it like a tornado shelter

When the sirens go off, you don’t stand in the yard hoping the storm misses you—you run to the shelter, confident it will protect you. Or picture a bank vault: thick walls, impenetrable doors, designed to keep what’s inside safe from harm. God is far more secure than any vault, fortress, or shelter—He is the ultimate refuge.

Additional References

• “The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their stronghold in time of trouble. The LORD helps and delivers them; He rescues and saves them from the wicked, because they take refuge in Him.” (Psalm 37:39–40)

• “I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me.” (John 10:14)

Therefore

When trouble comes, don’t run to worry, fear, or self-reliance—run to the Stronghold. Pray honestly. Rest in His goodness. Trust that He knows you by name, sees your need, and will protect and sustain you. A fortress is only helpful if you enter it; in the same way, the Lord’s protection is experienced when we place ourselves fully in His care.

“For the LORD is good, and His loving devotion endures forever; His faithfulness continues to all generations.” (Psalm 100:5)