Jesus gets close

John ch13-17 has Jesus sharing a very intimate moment with his disciples. He speaks plainly and openly with them, equating them as friends. He washes their feet. He prays with and for them. He tells them of his leaving and why it is important. He goes to prepare a place for them. He comforts them with the knowledge that the Holy Spirit will come to guide them. He even prays for us today, who believe what the apostles taught and wrote. In john ch17v20 Jesus notes this because of the disciples' testimony. He chose even us. We need to keep the chain of testimony going...through our words, teachings and actions. We are to become one. We need to love one another. Thinking of others first, as Jesus did.

Get Busy!

: Hopefully all is well from the storm. Jesus creates quite a storm in John ch9. He heals a blind man on the Sabbath. The religious leaders are furious! They question the blind man, and his parents! When the religious leaders question him again, he asks,"do you want to be his disciples too?" Out of the mouths of the innocent. We do try to complicate things in life, trying to "figure them out". We fail to see the simple purity of Christ's message and purpose! He saved us! Jesus makes this point in ch9v41, check it out! Remember, you have been blessed with the truth not to keep it to yourself, rather it is to be used to teach and lead others! Get busy"

Is it love that drives us?

John 6-8. Jesus' ministry is expanding. He preaches in Samaria, Galilee and Jerusalem. Many disciples, though, find his teachings too rigid and fall away. John ch6v26-27 ask a very pointed question we need to answer today as well. Do we desire Jesus beccause of something we get or have received? Crowds followed because he fed them. Is love, true love born out of what you get? Or is it born of a desire to know another and be with them? Why do we follow? Is it merely for the promise of eternal life? How wonderful might that life be if it is something we do not want? True desire for another....that is what should drive us in our relationship with Him.

He is God!

Welcome to John. Ch1 begins with the declaration of utmost importance. In the beginning (sound familiar?), the Word already existed. He was with God, and he WAS God. John doesn't mince words. He goes straight to the point. How could we accept people saying that Jesus was merely a good teacher or nice guy. Either John is lying, or Jesus IS God. So, armed with this revelation of who Jesus is, what do we do with it? Do we worship? Follow His example? Revere His name? Or are we hesitant to say it outloud in public? Do we shun from proclaiming ourselves "Christian". I know I have in the past. But no more,, Jesus is too important to me to ignore or sidestep. He is God!

Are you being served?

We finish Luke ch22-24 with the familiar story of betrayal, crux, and resurrection. Before this happens in ch22, Jesus is talking with His disciples at the last supper. He pointedly discuss what it means to serve, rather than being served. He demonstrates this by washing the disciples feet. Amazing humility! His point is more than just doing acts of kindness, it is one of attitude. He is demonstrating how to put others first. He is giving us that example to follow. So, how are we putting others first? How do we love others through our attitudes? Acts of kindness are important, but we cannot do them and keep score. True service to others begins with a loving attitude and desire to put others first, regardless of what we "get" in return!

What are you seeking?

We are still in Luke (ch16-18). Some very interesting parables by Jesus in these chpts. Ch16v10-13 talks about being faithful in small matters before large ones. As we grow and mature, we are able to take on bigger roles. God enables to learn responsibility. He is preparing us for something even greater than we can imagine. So the little scraps we chase after here on Earth, will one day be seen for what they are. You cannot serve 2 masters, God and money. Money will never fulfill and will never be enough! God will provide what you need! Ch17v33 is a key one to remember...whoever clings to this life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will save it. What are you living for? The next dollar, or for God?

Life's Instruction Manual

Today, in Luke 3-6, we read of Satan tempting Jesus in the wilderness. Jesus responds to this temptation by quoting scripture, truly a lost art in this day and age. Satan cannot stand against the Word of God. He even tries to use scripture in ch4v10-11 in tempting Jesus. But he has wielded it incorrectly and Jesus refutes him in ch4v12. What do we do today when attacked? I do not quote scripture or even think about it at first. Thankfully I am still growing. God has given us His Word not for a history lesson or fun reading (it can be both), rather it is a manual for life. I know most of us don't like to read manuals, but this one is crucial. Familiarize yourself with the instructions. Lean on them in troubling times. After all, Jesus did!