To The Place Where I Belong
A 31-Day Devotional on John 13-17
To The Place Where I Belong
A 31-Day Devotional on John 13-17
Take to Heart the Words of Jesus Found in John 13-17
“You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in You.”
– St. Augustine of Hippo
This quote captures the heartbeat of life, as our hemorrhaging world desperately seeks to find a place to call home-yet it is just out of reach. Our Father God desires us to know Him, His love and that we belong to Him. Our souls will never find peace until we find our true home with Him.
The goal of this devotional is for you to take to heart the words of Jesus found in John 13-17 and to know the place where you belong. Visuals from the tabernacle and temple presented in the Old Testament are incorporated to help you encounter the fulfilled promise of Jesus. May these 31 days awaken your heart to discover the place of true rest, a place you can call home.
The Father Longs to Dwell with His People
“The Father’s passion to be with His children is seen in His presence dwelling in the Tabernacle in the Old Testament. The elements found in both the courtyard and tabernacle are sign posts pointing ahead to Jesus, who would be the gift of the Father bringing His children back to their true home.”
– Tim Spykstra
from “To The Place Where I Belong”
About To The Place Where I Belong
The 31 Devotionals
Days 1-6: The Altar and Laver: Joining the Family
Finding our way home always begins with a sacrifice. In John 13, Jesus established that He is both the perfect priest and sacrifice that the Old Testament pointed to. Days 1-6 are:
| 1. The Family Meal (John 13:1) |
| 2. The Humble Host (John 13:1-2) |
| 3. The Dysfunctional Family (John 13:2,6,18-30,37-38) |
| 4. Washed in Love (John 13:4-11) |
| 5. In His Steps (John 13:12-17) |
| 6. Family Love (John 13:31-35) |
Days 7-12: Behind the Door: The Promises that Await in the House
In John 14, Jesus shares the amazing promises available to those who follow Him. He provides the door through which to enter the Father’s house. Days 7-12 are:
| 7. The Promise of Belonging (John 14:1-3) |
| 8. Opening The Door (John 14:4-7) |
| 9. What Does Our Home Look Like? (John 14:8-10) |
| 10. What His Kids Will Do in the House (John 14:11-17) |
| 11. The Place Where He Belongs (John 14:18-24) |
| 12. All the Benefits of Belonging (John 14:25-31) |
Days 13-18: The Holy Place: Eating the Word
In the Old Testament, bread was a powerful picture of God’s provision and presence. The Bread of Presence is also a picture foreshadowing Jesus, who called Himself, “The Bread of Life” (John 6:35). Days 13-18 are:
| 13. Encountering Heaven’s Bread (John 15:1-3) |
| 14. Eating the Bread (John 15:4-7) |
| 15. The Gift of Eating (John 15:5-8) |
| 16. Energized to be Fruitful (John 15:9-13) |
| 17. The Fruit of Intimacy (John 15:14-17) |
| 18. You Are What You Eat (John 15:18-16:1-4) |
Days 19-24: The Holy Place: Burning with Fire
In the Holy Place, the lampstand provided light for the priests. Day and night, the priest poured oil into the cups to keep the light of the lamps burning. In John 16, Jesus promises that His finished work will bring the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Father’s children. This precious oil of the Spirit is Christ’s presence in us, filling us with love, joy, and peace to be His glorious presence, a light to a dark world. Days 19-24 are:
| 19. Holy Fire (John 16:4-7) |
| 20. Life-Giving Fire (John 16:8-11) |
| 21. Burning Hearts (John 16:12-16) |
| 23. Accessing Joy (John 16:23-28) |
| 24. This Little Light of Mine (John 16:29-33) |
Days 25-31: Praying Us Home
Behind the veil was the mysterious Holy of Holies. Where once a year on the Day of Atonement, the High Priest entered in and brought blood from the sacrifice to atone for the sins of the people of that past year. This is where chapter 17 is leading us. Jesus, our Great High Priest, is praying for us to be brought to the mercy seat of God’s love. To be able to live with the Father behind the veil, to be brought back to our true home. Days 31-40 are:
| 25. The Prayer of Our Great High Priest (John 17:1-2) |
| 26. Home Revealed (John 17:3-5) |
| 27. The Gift of Belonging (John 17:6-10) |
| 28. Holy Children (John 17:11-19) |
| 29. Dancing in the Same River (John 17:20-23) |
| 30. What Are You Sitting On? (John 17:24) |
| 31. The Running Father (John 17:25-26) |
The Journey to the Father’s Heart
Climbing Prayer Mountain
Stepping Into the Lord’s Prayer
To The Place Where I Belong
