Moments With God

It Is Finished!

General — Posted by sharaug @ June 27, 2006 05:07
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John 18-19, Isaiah 53

Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit."

"But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed."

"It is finished." (John 19:30) Jesus has completed your and my redemption! Your and my sins are so horrendous in God's sight that they deserve the punishment of God's eternal wrath. Instead Jesus Christ willingly suffered the consequences of our sins on the cross! Jesus Christ suffered the horrors of hell on the cross for us!

Jesus Christ voluntarily left the glories and perfection of heaven and the presence of God, the Father. Jesus voluntarily came to this world of sin and trouble. He did this willingly for us, His chosen children! Jesus Christ then voluntarily lived a perfect life for us which we were unable to live. Jesus Christ also voluntarily accepted the rejection of others. "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering." (Isaiah 53:3a) Jesus Christ accepted and experienced betrayal and denial from His own disciples. He was beaten unmercifully by the soldiers. Isaiah 52:14b tells us, "His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and His form marred beyond human likeness." Finally, Jesus Christ voluntarily laid down His life for our sins. John 19:30b tells us, "Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit." Death did not conquer our Lord Jesus Christ, but Christ voluntarily "gave up His spirit!"

It was necessary for Christ to die on the cross for His children. Without Christ's death on the cross we have no joy, no peace, and no comfort. Without Christ's blood being shed we have no pardon from sin, no purposeful life, and no hope. It was OUR sins that put our Lord Jesus on the cross. "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6) So often we like to rationalize our sins or compare ourselves with others, but OUR sins were so abominable in the sight of God that they could only be atoned for by Jesus Christ's precious blood on the cross. "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)

Praise God for His great gift of salvation! Praise God that Christ's work on the cross is accomplished. Praise God that His children are now in right standing before Him! We are sinners, but the Lord Jesus saved us and made us children of God! The Lord saved us for a purpose, however. That purpose was to bring glory and honor to the Lord. He saved and made us His children "in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:12) May our hearts be filled with thanks for Jesus Christ's salvation. May that thankfulness to our Lord be shown in our lives and actions. May it be our consuming passion to live our lives in gratitude "as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God." (Romans 12:1)

 Isaiah 53:5John 19:30b

Jesus' Prayer

General — Posted by sharaug @ June 22, 2006 04:32
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John 17

Prayer is as essential to our spiritual lives as breathing is to our physical lives. Jesus, the Son of God, felt the need to spend time with His Heavenly father in prayer. If Jesus Christ felt the need for prayer in His life here on earth, we certainly need prayer in our lives. In John chapter seventeen Jesus was about to suffer the horrors of hell on the cross, and so Jesus prayed. Jesus prayed for Himself. He also prayed for His disciples and for you and me. Two thousand years before we were even born Jesus prayed for us! Isn't that an awesome thought?

In verses one through five Jesus prayed for Himself. Jesus recognized that the time for His crucifixion had come. Jesus asked the Father to glorify the Son of God through this process. Jesus said, "Father, the time has come. Glorify Your son, that Your Son may glorify You." (John 17:1) Jesus' humiliating death on the cross would bring glory to Himself. This was because Christ's death on the cross was the Father's will and would bring glory to the Father. Because God the Father, and God, the Son, are one; it would also bring glory to God, the Son. Furthermore, it would bring about the glorious redemption of God's chosen people. Jesus recognized that the glorious redemption of His people could only come about by His atoning sacrifice. We can be fully confident in the sufficiency of Christ's atonement for our sins, because we were given to Jesus Christ by the Father. Also we can be confident in our salvation, because Jesus completed the work on the cross that God gave Him to do.

Jesus also prayed for His disciples. Jesus again said that they were given to Him by the Father. Jesus' disciples had shown that they belonged to the Lord by their obedience and acceptance of God's Word. They had shown that they belonged to the Lord by their acceptance of Jesus as the Son of God. They had shown they belonged to the Lord because glory had come to the Lord through them. So also our lives must show these same fruits of being disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our passion and desire should be to bring glory to His name by our lives. Jesus went on in His prayer to ask the Father to protect His disciples, because they were still in the world. He also prayed that they would be united in Him. The Lord of the universe continues to protect His disciples today also! He also desires our unity as believers. Jesus went on to pray for the disciples' joy. This is a joy which we also can have. It is a joy that we can experience in the Lord and is not based on our outward circumstances. It is a joy which comes from abiding in Christ Jesus and in His promises in His Word. Finally, Jesus prayed for the sanctification of His disciples. He prayed that His disciples would grow in their faith. He prayed that through the truth of God's Word they would grow in practical holiness and righteousness in their lives.

Jesus Christ's prayer was not just for the disciples of that day. It was also for us, His disciples today! Jesus said in John 17:20, "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message." It is also His desire for us His disciples today that we become more like Him. It is His desire that our lives more and more reflect His holiness. Jesus also prayed that we may be one in unity as believers in Him. This is so the world will take note of our lives and believe in Jesus Christ. Christ's prayer was that He will live in us, as He lives in the Father. Jesus Christ's prayer also was that we would be with Him eternally to be able to see Him in all His glory. Jesus Christ's prayer was that He and His love would be in us. Are we living our lives according to Christ's desires and prayers for us? Is living for the Lord our consuming passion? May we be increasingly reflecting Him in our lives!

Grief Turned to Joy

General — Posted by sharaug @ June 17, 2006 15:52
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John15:18-John16:33

The night before Jesus went on the cross He told His disciples to expect persecution on this earth. Jesus says in John 15:19b, "I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." In the free world we enjoy much freedom and do not experience a lot of the blatant outward persecution which is found in some parts of the world. There is subtle persecution in the free world also, however. Also as the free world moves ever increasingly towards the acceptance of all kinds of immoral behavior, we will also increasingly see more open persecution of believers. Already we as followers of Jesus Christ are considered narrow or judgmental, if we do not follow or accept the life styles and philosophies of the world around us. The world does not understand the wisdom of God and of His Holy Word. They do not understand our love for the Lord and our desire to serve Him. It is difficult sometimes to live for the Lord in this world. The Lord Jesus promised His disciples to send the Holy Spirit, however, to help them. The Holy Spirit is our helper also today. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins and leads us to Christ. The Holy Spirit guides us into all of God's truth and speaks God's truth to our hearts. He does this through God's Holy Word. He gives us the guidance we need when we need it. He makes known to us what God, the Father, and God, the Son, wants us to know and understand.

The night before Jesus died on the cross Jesus tried to explain to His disciples that He would soon be dying on the cross for their sins. Jesus further tried to explain to the disciples that He would be leaving this world to return to the Father. This was necessary so that He could pay for our sins, and then go to prepare an eternal home for His people. Jesus said to His disciples in John 16:16, "In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me." Jesus' words must have been confusing and a cause for grief to the disciples. Sometimes we don't see Jesus in the difficult circumstances of our lives either. Sometimes it is difficult to hang on to our faith during these times in our lives. Jesus told His disciples that they would grieve temporarily, but He said their grief would turn to joy. This would happen when Jesus arose from the grave victorious over sin, Satan, and death! Jesus told His disciples that when this happened "no one will take away your joy." (John 16:22b) We too may have suffering or difficulties in this life. Our final victory, however, has been won through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ! Because of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection even the trials of life can not rob us of our joy. Nothing or no one can rob us of our joy in the Lord! Also someday Jesus will return for us. What joy! What glorious expectation we have in Christ Jesus!

While we are still on this earth we need to abide in Christ. John 16:24 tells us that if we abide and remain in Christ, we can ask for anything from the Father in Jesus Christ's name. We can go directly to the Father in prayer. Jesus says this is true because "the Father Himself loves you because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from God." (John 16:27)

If we abide in Christ, we experience His peace. It is a peace which the world can not understand or take away from us. We should not be shocked, if we often face difficult obstacles in this world. Jesus says in John 16:33b, "In this world you will have trouble." Trials of various kinds are inevitable in this world. Jesus goes on to say in that same verse, however, that we should not become discouraged. Jesus says, "But take heart! I have overcome the world." Jesus has won the final victory! Everything is under His control, even the smallest details of our lives. He gives us grace to meet each and every trial that He allows in our lives. Hence, in Jesus Christ we have His joy and His peace in our lives!


Chosen to Bear Fruit

General — Posted by sharaug @ June 13, 2006 06:53
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John 15:9-17

"I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."

John 15:11

"You did not choose Me, but I choose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name."

Jesus tells us in John fifteen that the only way we can expect to live spiritually fruitful lives is by remaining in Him. Jesus is like the vine. We are like the branches. A branch can only survive when it is attached to the vine. We can only live our lives in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord when we are doing it in the Lord's strength. Our strength alone will fail every time. God's strength in our lives is all-sufficient.

One way we show that we are remaining in Jesus Christ's love is by obeying His commands. We can not just have a lukewarm affection for the Lord. Our love for the Lord must be a passionate love. Our love for Him must be demonstrated in a love for His Holy Word and in a desire to obey the Lord in all areas of our lives. Christ demonstrated this kind of obedient love for the Father. Christ was willing to endure the horrors of hell on the cross, so that He could be obedient to the Father's will.

Another way we can show that we are remaining in the Lord's love is by loving our fellow Christians. We need to love each other, as the Lord has loved us. Jesus Christ was willing to go to the cross because of His great love for us! This was sacrificial love beyond our human comprehension! We need to show sacrificial love for each other. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) In verse fourteen of John chapter fifteen Jesus says to us, "You are My friends if you do what I command." Proof that we are remaining in the Lord's love is obeying His commands, and one of the Lord's commands is to love each other.

When we abide in the Lord it brings joy to His heart. When we show spiritual fruit in our lives and a passion and love for the Lord it also brings joy and delight to the Lord's heart. If we are abiding and remaining in the Lord it further brings joy to our own lives. Jesus says in John 15:11, "I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." Joy in the Lord is much deeper than the joy and happiness found in pleasant and peaceful circumstances. The Lord's joy is found in our lives, because we delight in the Lord. The Lord's joy is found in our lives because of our love for Him, and this joy is present even in the midst of very difficult trials in our lives. The Lord's joy is constant and enduring in spite of outward circumstances. The Lord's joy in our lives is abundant and overflowing. We must learn to draw daily from the Lord for our joy and strength. That joy will then overflow to others. The Lord's joy is found in obedience to Him and in our love for others. The Lord's joy is found in fulfilling the purpose for which we were put on this earth, and that purpose is to bring glory and honor to God. Jesus says in John 15:16, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." God chose you and me to bring glory to Him and to bear spiritual fruit. We must be willing to serve Him in this world in the place where He has placed us. We must bear spiritual fruit for Him and continue to grow in our love and obedience of Him. May this be our passion and desire!

John 15:16

Spiritually Fruitful

General — Posted by sharaug @ June 08, 2006 04:46
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John 15:1-8

"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."

When we know someone we love is about to die we tend to cling to their every last word. John chapters thirteen through seventeen reveal Jesus' last words and prayers for His disciples. Jesus spoke these words the night before He went on the cross. These were truths that were very important to the Lord. Jesus wanted His disciples to really grasp these important truths. The Lord wanted the disciples to apply these very important truths to their lives. We need to pay attention to what the Lord said to His disciples then and says to us today also.

In John chapter thirteen Jesus speaks of the importance of servanthood in our lives. In John fourteen Jesus comforts the disciples and speaks of His preparing a place for us in heaven. In John chapter fourteen Jesus also tells us that He is the only way to the Father. Then in chapter fifteen Jesus speaks of the need for fruitful service in our lives. Jesus says that He is like the vine, and we are like the branches. Jesus goes on to say that God, the Father, is like the gardener. In judgment God, the Father, will cut off branches that bear no spiritual fruit at all in their lives. These are people who profess to be Christians but really are not true believers. God, the Father, who is like the gardener, also prunes all the branches that do bear fruit. This represents true believers who show spiritual fruit or evidence of faith in their lives. Pruning of plants involves cutting away unwanted parts on a plant. This pruning process produces more fruit from plants. God, the Father, also does pruning in our lives. He seeks to prune the undesirable things out of our lives, so that we can grow spiritually and bear even more spiritual fruit in our lives. God often uses trials and difficulties in our lives to rid our lives of undesirable things and to help us to become more like Jesus in our thoughts, motives, and actions. This pruning process in our lives can be painful sometimes. It is necessary, however, if we are going to grow spiritually.

The only way we can expect to be fruitful in our service to the Lord is by remaining in Jesus. Jesus says in John 15:4, "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." We have no spiritual fruitfulness in our lives apart from fellowship and union with the Lord Jesus Christ. If we, the branches, are out of contact with Jesus, the vine; we are useless and lifeless. Jesus goes on to say in John 15:5b, "apart from Me you can do nothing." We may struggle and struggle on our own, but without Christ in our lives we can do nothing. We must give control of our lives completely over to the Lord. We must not seek to be self-reliant, but we must rely on God's all-sufficiency alone. This is the secret to a spiritually fruitful life which is lived for the Lord. It is the secret to a life which truly shows the evidence of faith in one's thoughts, motives, and actions.

Remaining and abiding in the Lord is the secret also to a fruitful prayer life. If we desire a fruitful prayer life, we must remain in Jesus and live in constant fellowship with Him. We also must be certain that we daily read His Holy Word with a passionate desire to seek His will for our lives. The Lord's words in the Bible will prune, control, and direct our desires in the right direction. If we do this, we are in a position for the Lord to hear and answer our prayers.

We bring glory to the Father by bearing spiritual fruit in our lives. This is the reason for which we were created. We can only bear spiritual fruit in our lives, if we are remaining in Jesus and finding our strength in Him alone. It must be our consuming passion to bear spiritual fruit for Him.

 John 15:4

Obedience

General — Posted by sharaug @ June 03, 2006 19:46
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John 14:15-31

"If you love Me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with You forever-the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you." John 14:15-17

"Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you."

Jesus gave His all for us on the cross. Jesus, the Son of God, paid the horrible penalty for our sins on the cross. We need to be filled with gratitude and love to the Lord for the awesome sacrifice He made for us. We show our love and gratitude to the Lord by our obedience to His Holy Word. Our salvation is all of grace through faith. We can do nothing to earn our salvation. Thankful obedience always accompanies true faith, however. Jesus says in John 14:15, "If you love Me, you will obey what I command." Jesus said these words to His disciples the night before He went on the cross, and He says these same words to His children today. Jesus promised His disciples to send the Holy Spirit as their helper in their life of obedience. The Holy Spirit today also helps us in our comprehension of God's Holy Word and in the comprehension of God's will. Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit will be with us forever and that He is "the Spirit of Truth." (John 14:17a) The Holy Spirit brings us to the truth of God. The Holy Spirit always stands by us who are God's children. The Holy Spirit is our comforter, encourager, counselor, advocate, and the One who strengthens us. The world doesn't understand this, but Jesus' promise to you and me is that the Holy Spirit "lives with you and will be in you." (John 14:17b)

As children of God we will live eternally! Jesus says to us, "Because I live, you also will live." (John 14:19b) Jesus goes on to say in John 14:20b, "I am in my Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you." Jesus, the Son of God, is in the Father. Furthermore, we are in Jesus Christ; and He is in us! Isn't that an exciting thought?

Jesus goes on to remind us again in verse twenty-one, however, that we need to show we are children of God by our lives. We show we are children of God and show our love for Him by our obedience. Then and only then will the Lord reveal Himself to us. Then the triune God will come and make His home in our lives and hearts! The Holy Spirit helps us in our compliance with the will of God. The Holy Spirit is our homemaker and lives in us to transform our lives and hearts into a fit dwelling place for the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit in our hearts teaches us and reminds us of God's commands and promises in His Holy Word. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins, and He comforts us in our times of difficulty. He helps us to experience the peace of Christ in our lives even in the worst of times. The Holy Spirit also helps us in our obedience to the Lord. Jesus' life was a perfect example of obedience to the Father. Jesus said in John 14:31b, "I do exactly what my Father has commanded me." Jesus was speaking here of His death on the cross the very next day! Jesus paid the entire penalty for your and my sins! We owe Him our obedience. We owe Him our all!

John 14:19b-20

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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