READ JOHN 14:8-21
In the previous verses Jesus gave a promise that He will return. In these verses Jesus is give us two more promises:
Promise of answered prayer: Ask in Jesus name and it will be done. It is by the authority of Jesus that our prayers are listened to and answered. Jesus takes our prayers and presents them to the Father. (See also John 15:16)
Promise of a helper: I will not leave you orphans, but give you a helper, the Spirit of Truth. One who will abide with us and be in us.
Why can Jesus make these promises? Because He is one with the Father. He is the evidence that God exists and if you, Philip, do not believe my words than believe my works. But what is more amazing: His works will increase:
1) He will represent us before the Father with our prayers.
2) He will help us keep His commandments through the enabling of the Holy Spirit.
3) He will bring all of us, chosen in Him, into eternal life.
4) He discloses Himself to us and those whom He loves will be loved by the Father as His own possession.
THANK YOU MOST GRACIOUS AND LOVING FATHER FOR YOUR SON, WHO IS ONE WITH YOU AND CAN BE FULLY TRUSTED, LOVED AND BELIEVED. HIS WORKS ARE MARVELOUS! AMEN
Monday, February 18, 2008
Monday, February 04, 2008
JESUS, THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE
READ JOHN 14:1-1-7
1-7) Jesus continues His discourse with His disciples in this chapter. His emphasis here: don't be troubled, don't worry, don't be scared, don't lose heart! BELIEVE IN THE GOD AND IN ME! You have a place in heaven, a place that I am preparing for you and I will return to receive you to Myself. What good news and encouraging words!
Jesus Himself is going to prepare that place for us. What is about to take place on the cross is just a beginning to the wonderful resurrection when Jesus returns to the Father and believers, through Him, are able to enter into the very abode of God. In the Old Testament, God dwelt among His people in the tabernacle or temple, but only the High Priest one day a year could enter into the very presence of God, the Holy of Holies. Now through Jesus we can not only enter into the very presence of God, but abide, make it our home. The old way was good and a shadow of what was to come, but the new way is much better.
The best news is that He is coming again. Right now we spiritually abide in Christ and God, but there will come a time when we will also physically abide in the presence of Jesus and the Heavenly Father. Best of all it is forever!
Where is the evidence, you may ask as Thomas did? Look at Me, Thomas, I am the Way the Truth and the Life. I am the evidence!
FATHER, IT IS BECAUSE OF JESUS THAT WE CAN HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY. HELP US KEEP OUR EYES FOCUSED UPON HIM, THE AUTHOR AND PERFECTER OF OUR FAITH. AMEN
1-7) Jesus continues His discourse with His disciples in this chapter. His emphasis here: don't be troubled, don't worry, don't be scared, don't lose heart! BELIEVE IN THE GOD AND IN ME! You have a place in heaven, a place that I am preparing for you and I will return to receive you to Myself. What good news and encouraging words!
Jesus Himself is going to prepare that place for us. What is about to take place on the cross is just a beginning to the wonderful resurrection when Jesus returns to the Father and believers, through Him, are able to enter into the very abode of God. In the Old Testament, God dwelt among His people in the tabernacle or temple, but only the High Priest one day a year could enter into the very presence of God, the Holy of Holies. Now through Jesus we can not only enter into the very presence of God, but abide, make it our home. The old way was good and a shadow of what was to come, but the new way is much better.
The best news is that He is coming again. Right now we spiritually abide in Christ and God, but there will come a time when we will also physically abide in the presence of Jesus and the Heavenly Father. Best of all it is forever!
Where is the evidence, you may ask as Thomas did? Look at Me, Thomas, I am the Way the Truth and the Life. I am the evidence!
FATHER, IT IS BECAUSE OF JESUS THAT WE CAN HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY. HELP US KEEP OUR EYES FOCUSED UPON HIM, THE AUTHOR AND PERFECTER OF OUR FAITH. AMEN
Friday, January 25, 2008
WHAT I LEARNED FROM CHAPTER 13
TIME OF REFLECTION:
The Book of John gives us a portrait of Jesus as God/Diety. In Chapter 13 this theme is very important to notice.
For it is only God:
1) Who can serve with a pure motive. (Washing the disciples feet)
2) Who knows the heart and mind of man. (the purpose and plan of Judas)
3) Who has authority over Satan's plan. (v27-31)
4) Who institutes the New Commandment, which is a new aspect of the Old Commandment (see Lev. 19:18) (v33-34)
5) Who knows the future. (Peter is told that he would deny Jesus)
6) Who is love and through Him we can love others. (washing another's feet and loving one another)
WHAT DID YOU REFLECT ON THIS CHAPTER? FATHER, THANK YOU THAT YOU GAVE YOURSELF TO REDEEM FOR YOURSELF A PEOPLE. AMEN
The Book of John gives us a portrait of Jesus as God/Diety. In Chapter 13 this theme is very important to notice.
For it is only God:
1) Who can serve with a pure motive. (Washing the disciples feet)
2) Who knows the heart and mind of man. (the purpose and plan of Judas)
3) Who has authority over Satan's plan. (v27-31)
4) Who institutes the New Commandment, which is a new aspect of the Old Commandment (see Lev. 19:18) (v33-34)
5) Who knows the future. (Peter is told that he would deny Jesus)
6) Who is love and through Him we can love others. (washing another's feet and loving one another)
WHAT DID YOU REFLECT ON THIS CHAPTER? FATHER, THANK YOU THAT YOU GAVE YOURSELF TO REDEEM FOR YOURSELF A PEOPLE. AMEN
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
THE LAST SUPPER
READ JOHN 13:21-38
21-30) The time has come for the last supper with the disciples. He has washed their feet, is now sending Judas on his way to do his evil deed, and has come to the greatest work for which Jesus has been called to do. Judas is here signaled out as the betrayer by our Lord, yet the disciples seem ignorant of what was happening. It isn't until the crucifixion that the full realization of Judas' act penetrates their minds.
31-38) In His death the Father will be glorified (v31). In the resurrection and exaltation the Father will glorify Christ and make valid all His claims. In verse 33Jesus addresses the disciples as little children, not to belittle them, but to show the intimate kindness and love that He has for them. How do we continue to show that love now? Verse 35, by loving one another! Our mutual love would be the strongest possible argument for the Christian faith.
FATHER, HELP US TO LOVE WHEN IT IS HARD TO LOVE. LOVE THROUGH US. AMEN
21-30) The time has come for the last supper with the disciples. He has washed their feet, is now sending Judas on his way to do his evil deed, and has come to the greatest work for which Jesus has been called to do. Judas is here signaled out as the betrayer by our Lord, yet the disciples seem ignorant of what was happening. It isn't until the crucifixion that the full realization of Judas' act penetrates their minds.
31-38) In His death the Father will be glorified (v31). In the resurrection and exaltation the Father will glorify Christ and make valid all His claims. In verse 33Jesus addresses the disciples as little children, not to belittle them, but to show the intimate kindness and love that He has for them. How do we continue to show that love now? Verse 35, by loving one another! Our mutual love would be the strongest possible argument for the Christian faith.
FATHER, HELP US TO LOVE WHEN IT IS HARD TO LOVE. LOVE THROUGH US. AMEN
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