Moments With God

Do Not Be Troubled

General — Posted by sharaug @ May 29, 2006 16:13
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John 14:1-14

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am." John 14:1-3

"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me"

John 14:6

"And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask Me for anything in my name, and I will do it." John 14:13-14

In chapter fourteen of the Gospel of John it is the night before Jesus is to go on the cross for our sins. Jesus is telling His disciples of His imminent death. Jesus is also speaking of leaving His disciples and returning to God, the Father. The disciples are probably confused and troubled by what Jesus is saying to them. Jesus tells them, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me." (John 14:1) When we are troubled by life's circumstances the first place we need to run is to the Lord. We need to turn our worries or grief over to the Lord in trust. We can do this, because even though we have difficulties and grief in this world we have a certain eternal future. Jesus is preparing an eternal place for us with Him right now! Jesus says to us, "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you." (John 14:2) Furthermore, the Lord will return some day for us to take us to be with Him! Jesus goes on to say in John 14:3, "and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am." Any difficulties we may have in this life are of little significance in light of the glories of eternity! For that matter, no worldly pursuits or pleasures can begin to compare with the glories of an eternity with the Lord!

Jesus goes on to tell us that He is the only way to the Father and to life eternal. Jesus says, "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 we are being judgmental and narrow, if we say Jesus is the only way to eternal life. The Lord makes it very clear in His Holy Word, however, that He is the only way to the Father and to eternal life. There is only one price sufficient to purchase our way to heaven; and that is the death of Jesus, the Son of God, on the cross. God, the Father, gave us His Son, Jesus, to be punished for our sins and to pay the price for our sins. Jesus is the only way, truth, and life. He will lead us safely through this life to eternal life! We must trust in Him alone, because Jesus is the very Son of God. Jesus is God incarnate, and thus He is the only way to the Father and to an eternity with Him.

As His children we have intimate fellowship with the Lord. Verse twelve of John fourteen suggests that we will and can do great things in Jesus' name. If we are totally submissive to His will and desirous of serving Him, He can use us in powerful ways. Jesus goes on to say in John 14:13-14, "And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask Me for anything in my name, and I will do it." If we are asking for things in our prayers which will bring glory and honor to God, the Lord will hear and answer such prayers. The Lord will answer those prayers in a powerful way. We as His children will then also have the privilege of being used in the Lord's kingdom in powerful ways! This is what gives meaning to life. Jesus and living for Him is the way to joy, life, and truth. Jesus Christ is the only way to blessings now and for eternity!


A Servant Attitude

General — Posted by sharaug @ May 23, 2006 15:44
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John 13

"I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

John 13:34-35

Displaying a servant attitude towards others is not a popular concept in the world’s philosophy. The world believes we need to "look out for number one" and defend our "rights." Jesus, however, commands us to lovingly serve each other. Jesus so desired for us to show a servant attitude to one another that it was one of the last things He talked about with His disciples the night before He went on the cross. Jesus not only talked about being a servant, however, but He demonstrated it by washing the disciples’ feet. The streets and roads of those days were not paved and so were dusty. Hence, it was important for feet to be washed after being out in the dirty streets. This was a menial task usually performed by a servant. It seems as if this time no servant was available, and not one of the disciples were willing to perform this task. Perhaps they thought washing feet was below their dignity. Verse three of John 13 reads, "Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God." In spite of the fact that Jesus was the son of God and He had all power, look what happened next in verses four and five! Jesus began to wash the disciples' feet! He performed a servant’s job which the disciples had thought was below their dignity! Peter at first objected to Jesus washing His feet. Jesus told Him, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." (John 13:8b) The foot washing was symbolic of the spiritual cleansing from sin that Peter needed. It is also symbolic of the spiritual cleansing that you and I need.

Jesus Christ's demonstration of what it meant to be a servant extended far beyond foot washing, however. The very next day Christ died the horrible death on the cross for your and my sins! Christ being a servant for you and I involved Jesus being forsaken on the cross by God, the Father. Jesus Christ was willing to pay the punishment for all God’s wrath against our sins! Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for your and my sins! The wonder of what He did for us is almost too much to comprehend! Our lives should be lived in eternal gratitude for what He has done for us. One way we can do that is by showing a servant attitude to each other. Jesus said in John 13:15, "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." Later in verse 17 Jesus said "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." Jesus was saying that you and I will find joy in life by having a servant attitude towards others! Jesus went on to say in John 13:34-35, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Our standard for our love for others is Christ’s love for us! It is the distinguishing mark of Christ's followers. We are to carry the aroma of Christ to those around us! How far you and I fall short in this! We must not become discouraged, however. The Holy Spirit is working in our hearts and lives to make us more and more conformed to the Lord’s will.

John 13:15

He Calls Me By Name!

General — Posted by sharaug @ May 18, 2006 11:22
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John 10

"He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out

In Biblical times a group of eastern shepherds would keep small flocks of sheep together in one fold or sheep pen during the nighttime hours. They would do this for the common protection of their sheep. This sheep pen was a type of court area surrounded by walls and open to the sky. The sheep pen had only one entrance, and it served to keep the sheep from wandering or being harmed by wild animals. When the shepherd returned in the morning for his sheep the sheep would recognize and listen for the shepherd's voice. They would follow the shepherd, because they recognized and trusted the shepherd. John 10:3b-5 tells us that the shepherd "calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."

Jesus is our Shepherd, and we are His sheep. He calls and knows each one of us, His sheep, by name! He knows everything about us and has planned our entire lives. In fact, in Jeremiah 1:5a God tells us, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." Before we were a speck in our mother's bodies Jesus, our Shepherd, knew us and had set us apart to be His chosen sheep!

Jesus, our Shepherd, also leads us, His sheep; and we must follow. He goes on ahead of us, and paves the path for us. He protects us from lurking dangers and wisely leads us to safe pastures. We do not always understand why we have to endure certain difficult circumstances in our lives, but we must trust our Lord's leading. He is infinitely wiser than you and I. Our job is to simply follow Him in trust and obedience. Jesus Christ, our Shepherd, can be fully trusted. Running after pleasures that the world offers is like following false or pseudo shepherds. Following or running after anything or anyone but the Lord will only lead to distraction and destruction.

Our Good Shepherd, however, has come that we "may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10b) The Lord Jesus Christ, our Shepherd, is the only way to joy and peace. He alone can make our lives beautiful for Him. He alone can shape our lives into lives which are pleasing and honoring to Him. He is also the only way to eternal life. Jesus said, "I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." (John 10:11) Only because of Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross can we be forgiven of our sins and experience the joy of being His sheep forever. He is not only our Shepherd, but He is also our "gate" into an eternal relationship with Him!

Some of the religious leaders of Jesus' day expressed contempt and rejection of Jesus. In response, Jesus simply reiterated the fact that He was the Good Shepherd. Jesus said, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." (John 10:27-28) We must listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, our Shepherd. We must follow Him in trust and obedience. He knows us better than we understand ourselves, and He will meet our every need. Our Shepherd gives us eternal life through His sacrifice on the cross. We are not only saved from sin's consequences, but we are saved for a joyful love relationship with Him. We are saved to bring glory and honor to the Lord, our Shepherd. We are eternally secure in the Good Shepherd's love! Praise His name!

. John 10:3b

Jesus is the Word

General — Posted by sharaug @ May 13, 2006 13:17
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John 1

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning."

"Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God."

Jesus Christ is called "the Word" in John chapter one. Jesus, "the Word," was with God, the Father, from the beginning. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Jesus Christ is God Himself. Through Jesus Christ, the Son of God, all creation came into existence.

Jesus Christ, the creator of the universe and who is God Himself, is also our Savior! Jesus Christ is the source of our salvation from sin and the source of our right standing before God. John 1:14a says, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." Jesus Christ totally identified with us. Jesus Christ as God and man came to this earth and lived a perfect life for us that we couldn't live. He then died on the cross to pay the just punishment for our sins! Jesus Christ is "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29b) Now because of Christ's sacrifice on the cross "all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12) What grace! What awesome love!

Jesus Christ is the source of abundant life, spiritual light, and truth. As His children He has worked in our hearts through His Holy Spirit; and "we have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." ( John 1:14b) Jesus Christ is our source of truth and wisdom. The world's philosophies will never lead us to true wisdom and truth. Only Jesus is the perfect revelation of God, the Father, to us. Only Jesus is the source of truth, wisdom, and light. The Lord Jesus is also the source of abundant blessings. "From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another." (John 1:16) From Jesus Christ we not only received the blessing of salvation, but we also receive daily bountiful blessings.

In gratitude for what Jesus, the Son of God, did for us on the cross and in gratitude for His daily blessings in our lives we must point others to the Lord Jesus. John the Baptist pointed people to the Savior. John said, "I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God." (John 1:34) John also said, "Look, the Lamb of God!" (John 1:36b) In verses forty-one and forty-two Andrew also pointed his brother, Peter, to the Savior. We do not read much about Andrew in the Bible. He was perhaps not a spectacular person. Christ, however, must have been very real to Andrew; because Andrew was involved in leading his brother, Peter, to the Lord. This was significant, because Peter later became a prominent apostle in the church of Jesus Christ. Peter also wrote two of the Epistles in the New Testament. This would never have happened, if Andrew had not allowed God to use him in pointing Peter to the Savior! Philip also pointed Nathanael to the Savior in John chapter one verse forty-five.

So we too must do all we can to point others to the Lord Jesus and His awesome salvation. In God’s providence the person we lead to the Savior might someday be used in a powerful way for the cause of Christ and His kingdom. May others see Christ in us, as we seek to live our lives for Him!

John 1:12John 1:1-2

His Strength In Me

General — Posted by sharaug @ May 08, 2006 16:04
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Judges 6:1-16

The Midianites had been oppressing God's Old Testament people, the Israelites, for seven years. The Midianites ravaged the Israelite's crops and killed all their animals. Judges 6:2 tells us, "because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds."

One day an angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and said, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior." (Judges 6:12b) The Lord is with us also even in the darkest and most difficult times of our lives. Even in very difficult times in our lives we can be used as "mighty warriors" for the cause of Christ and for His glory. We can be used for the Lord's glory, because the Lord's strength is residing in us.

After the angel spoke to Gideon he replied to the angel, "if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?" (Judges 6:13a) Sometimes it is difficult to understand why we have to go through some of the trials we experience in this life. We have to trust that the Lord is in control in all situations, however. God weaves both the "bad" and "good" circumstances of our lives together for our ultimate good. Often trials help us grow spiritually and cause us to lean more heavily on the Lord. Romans 5:3-4 tells us that difficult times in our lives helps to produce perseverance. Perseverance in turn produces Christ-like character in us. This Christ-like character in us produces hope. The word "hope" in Scripture means something we are absolutely certain about but have not yet received. We have absolute certainty about our eternal futures with the Lord.

The Lord then turned to Gideon and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?" (Judges 6:14) God was calling Gideon, a timid and fearful man with no real ability, to lead the Israelites against the Midianites. Gideon did not have to go in his own strength, however, because it was the Lord who was sending Gideon. Since the Lord had called Gideon to this task, the Lord would also supply Gideon with His supernatural grace and strength. In spite of this fact Gideon began to make excuses for not following God's calling. The Lord once again reassured Gideon and said to him, "I will be with you." (Judges 6:16a) In spite of his own weaknesses and inadequacies Gideon would be able to do great things in the name and strength of the Lord!

When the Lord calls us to a task we also must not make excuses. We must not say that the task is too great for us. The Lord always gives us His strength for whatever tasks He assigns us in this life. We simply have to trust in Him and in His strength. We may be weak, untalented, and ill-equipped; but the Lord's strength in us is all-sufficient. In II Corinthians 12:9a the Lord says to us, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." God delights in using people who feel inadequate in themselves, because such people will lean more heavily on the Lord and on His strength. Our human weakness provides the perfect opportunity for God to display His awesome power and all-sufficiency. In ourselves we can do nothing, but with Christ's strength in us we can do whatever task He asks of us. Paul said in Philippians 4:13, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."

Gideon undertook the task assigned to him by the Lord, and he was able to accomplish great things in the Lord's strength. Continue to read in the book of Judges about the exciting defeat of the Midianites by God's people. The Lord can use us also to do great things for Him. We just need to be willing to follow the Lord's leading and rest and trust in His all-sufficient strength! The Lord promises to always be with us with His unfailing presence and strength!


Persistent Prayer

General — Posted by sharaug @ May 02, 2006 14:48
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Luke 18:1-8 and James 5:13-18

"Always pray and not give up." Luke 18:1b

"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective

There is power in prayer. Needs are met, and the seemingly impossible is accomplished through prayer. Prayer should be a daily and constant part of all of our lives. It should be almost like breathing with us. We may at times become discouraged and not always feel like praying, but we must persist in praying.

Luke 18:1b says that we should "always pray and not give up." Obviously we can't have our hands folded in prayer at every second of the day, but there should be a constant attitude of prayer in our lives. Our line of communication with our Lord should always be open. There should always be a sense of the Lord's presence right beside us. We often have a tendency to pray only after our own resources and attempts to solve a problem has failed. We need to pray first and "always" and not seek to run ahead of the Lord. We are also to be persistent in our prayers and "not give up." Even if we have been praying about something for a long time with seemingly no visible results, we must persist in prayer and trust the Lord to bring about His results in His perfect timing. God is infinitely wiser than us. "And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly." (Luke 18:7-8a)

James 5:16b tells us, "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." God's power is released in our lives and in the lives of others after we pray. The possibilities of what can be accomplished through the power of prayer are limitless. We need to be persistently praying for our needs. We must also be persistently praying for the needs of others and for the needs of the world around us. We need to not only be persistent in our prayers, but we must also be fervent and genuine in our prayers. There is great power in persistent and fervent prayer.

Our prayers requests must be specific, if we expect specific answers to our prayers. There is great power in Holy Spirit directed specific and fervent prayers. It is a good idea to have not only a written "prayer list" but also "an answered prayer list." The writer of this devotional has a written prayer list with dates beside each prayer item. This list states when she began to pray for some specific request. This writer also has a list of answered prayer items with dates beside them. It is good to see how the Lord hears and answers our prayers.

Elijah in the Old Testament was a man of prayer. Although Elijah sometimes became discouraged and faltered in his faith, much was accomplished through his prayers. "Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops." (James 5:17-18) Read the exciting stories of Elijah in I Kings in the Old Testament! Elijah, the prophet for God's Old Testament people, knew the power of prayer. Elijah understood and saw that the impossible could be accomplished through the power of prayer. Eljah's prayers were specific, persistent, and fervent; and Elijah's prayers were answered!

We too can experience the power of prayer in our lives. We need to first be sure that our hearts are right, and we need to be sure that we are passionate about our Lord and His will. Then we may and must come to the Lord boldly with our specific and fervent requests. Like Elijah and many other Biblical saints of old we too can experience the power of answered prayer!

." James 5:16b

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