Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Cor. 15:58

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Friday, June 29, 2012

John 17: Jesus' Prayer

Blogging Through John Chapter 17


(John 17:1-5) After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.

If you lived in a perfect paradise, how horrible must it be to be brought back to Earth to live. Jesus wasn't excited about dying, but he was overjoyed to be going back home.



(John 17:6-8)“I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me.

I just love Jesus' heartfelt prayer to his Daddy. Are we heartfelt when we pray?



(John 17:9-12) “My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. 10 All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. 11 Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. 12 During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.

Jesus asked God to protect his people. I got goosebumps reading that. We are Jesus' people too, so he asked God to protect us. What an awesome verse!



(John 17:13-19) “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy.14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do. 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. 18 Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19 And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.

Jesus knew we all had to live in the world, in sin. He accepted it and didn't ask God to keep us away from it. But he did ask him to keep them (us) safe from the evil one Satan). Thank you, Jesus, for thinking of us.


(John 17:20-21)“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

Proof that Jesus cares for you! If you ever need it, memorize this verse or stick it on your fridge.



(John 17:22-26) “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!
25 “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. 26 I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”


What an awesome and heartfelt prayer from Jesus. He truly loved/loves us.


God Bless You


~*~Kelly~*~

Thursday, June 28, 2012

John 16: You Are Not Alone


Blogging Through the Book of John

Chapter 16

(John 16:1-4) “I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. This is because they have never known the Father or me. Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. I didn’t tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer.
Jesus warned the disciples that they they would be persecuted and even killed for their beliefs. They would be abandoned by the world. It could happen to us. In fact, it does. People are killed every day in the world for believing in God. In our country, Christians are sometimes not painted in the best light. Jesus knew all of this was going to happen, and He gave us tools to use to make it through.


(John 16:5-11) “But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. 10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. 11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.

When people die, we mainly focus on the bad, the sadness WE feel. Same for these disciples. They were grieved because they loved Jesus, but Jesus told them that it was a good thing that was going to happen to him. If it didn't happen, no one would or could be saved. The Holy Spirit had to couldn't come until it happened. The found little comfort in that, though, at the time.



(John 16:12-15) “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’

I'd LOVE to know what else Jesus wanted to tell them, but couldn't because they were too grieved! Can you imagine the things Jesus knows that we don't? It's an amazing though!

(John 16:16-24) “In a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again.”
17 Some of the disciples asked each other, “What does he mean when he says, ‘In a little while you won’t see me, but then you will see me,’ and ‘I am going to the Father’? 18 And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.”
19 Jesus realized they wanted to ask him about it, so he said, “Are you asking yourselves what I meant? I said in a little while you won’t see me, but a little while after that you will see me again. 20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. 21 It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. 22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. 23 At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. 24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.

Jesus wanted them so badly to feel joy for him. I have tears thinking about him giving the speech to them... telling them that it will all be ok. That will be bad for a while, but joy will come at the end and they will be happy.

Labor is the hardest thing I've ever done, but at the end, you totally forget the pain and you are so happy to have the little baby. Jesus used that analogy to describe his death. They would be grieved for a time, but they would be happy again some day.

Even in his last moments, he was trying to make them feel better, to comfort them.


(John 16:25-33) “I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father. 26 Then you will ask in my name. I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, 27 for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God. 28 Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father.”
29 Then his disciples said, “At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively. 30 Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.”
31 Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? 32 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

And the tears continue...

Everyone abandoned him, but he knew God wouldn't.

When people leave us or we feel totally alone, God is with us. He won't leave us, and he definitely won't abandon us even if we turn our back from him at one time or another. 

In the world is sadness and trials, but Jesus has overcome it all. Trust in Him, and the world can't hurt you... oh, it can TRY! But it won't succeed.

Which would you rather have? An OK supper, nothing bad, nothing great... OR a tasteless supper with the most amazing dessert you ever ate in your life at the end?

Follow the world and you'll only have ok meals... Trust in Jesus and your meal might be bland at times, but your dessert (Heaven) will be worth it all!

I wish I could put into words what this chapter has meant to me today. Just know that I've had tears since I started, happy tears (and some sad). I love to picture Jesus as a regular human like us all-- and he was-- In this chapter he was very much human, very much trying to convince his friends that everything would be alright. He had to have sorrow in his heart (in fact, he prayed about it), but in the end, he cared more about his friends than himself-- the people that would betray him and leave him-- than himself. Can you picture that conversation he had with his disciples? Can you picture how he felt?

Wow. 

I amazes me that someone could love me so much. Does it you?

God Bless You (I know he has me with this chapter :)
~*~Kelly~*~


**Linked with: Faith Filled Friday

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

John 15: 'Love Each Other'

****Please take time to visit Faith Filled Fiction. If you love good, faith based, clean stories, it's the place for you! :) This week's story is by M. J. Wille called 'Love Struck'. 

Blogging Through the Book of John

Chapter 15:

(John 15:1-4) “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.


That tells me that if I want to lead others to Jesus (and that's one of my main missions on earth) then I have to stay close to Jesus. I have to bear fruit and remain in Jesus so He can remain in me. 





(John 15:5-6)“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 

Have you ever tried to do something without God's approval? How did that go for ya? I have, and it didn't go well. I was reading a book once that said to truly be happy, you had to say YES to God and do what He wanted... well, I got kinda upset and down about that. I got to wondering and worrying about "What if what I want to do for God isn't what He wants?"

Seriously, I was upset over it.

Then I read this verse and got to thinking.... if God doesn't want me to do (whatever... lets say write) then it's not going to happen no matter how much I want it. AND even if it does, it won't go well because He's not in it. We need to find what God wants us to do and focus on that, because if we do what *we* want, we are going to fall. Without God behind it, we can't do anything. And that's NOT a bad thing! It just means we get to try new and different things :)



(John 15:6-8) Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

Ouch! I don't want to be thrown away like a 'useless' branch. We need to keep our head, eyes, and ears in God's Word so it will remain in us.




(John 15:9-4)“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 

When you obey Jesus' commandments, you are showing him that you love him. After all he's done for us, isn't it only fair that we do that for him? 

He didn't say love the Christians, love those who believe like you, love those who look like you, love those who do things like you--- We are supposed to LOVE each other the way that Jesus loved us... and how did Jesus love us? He loved us all... the big sinning lot of us, enough to die for us. 



(John 15:13-14) There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 

I read this the other night and had tears in my eyes. How awesome to be Jesus' friend. I'm on Twitter now (@MartieKay) and I'm a twitter follower of one of my favorite authors, Colleen Coble. Well, she followed me back. One of the hashtags was to tag your favorite Christian author, and I of course put her name.  I got a friendly message back from her saying thanks, and I nearly fell over. I mean, Colleen Coble... 'talked' to me! Little ole me! Like a friend...

How much MORE amplified is that with Jesus? Do we get that giddy when the master of the entire universe talks to us? Ok, so he doesn't have a twitter account and talk to us directly, but we can see him in other's posts... and just in every day life if we look. I should be smiling like a clown everytime I get a 'message' from Jesus. He's our friend :)




(John 15:15-17) I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

Jesus made sure he told them again to love each other. It was as hard for them then as it is for us now.

I love the part where Jesus says, "I chose you." Sure, he was talking to the disciples, but he's also talking to us. He CHOSE YOU to tell others about him, to spread his word, be it by Twitter, Facebook, Blogging, Writing, Email Signatures, or even face to face (the hardest one for me). No turning back now :) We have a job to do... just like the disciples did.


(John 15:18-25)“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. 20 Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. 21 They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me. 22 They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Anyone who hates me also hates my Father. 24 If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father. 25 This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures[a]: ‘They hated me without cause.’

Some people, spiritual people, have a hard time with the world. It gets them down. They are persecuted, not talked to, ignored, or things just don't go their way. Because it's like we live on the same Earth in 2 different realms.

The WORLD Realm has everything we could ever want: Lusts, Pleasures, Pride, Acclaimations, Awards, Anything you what for the taking...

The SPIRITUAL Realm is within the world, but different. We see the lusts, but we fight against it. If we fall through to the World Realm we feel bad about it. Same for everything else the world dangles in front of us like a carrot to get us to turn to the 'dark side'.

It's like these two forces constantly fighting, pulling at us. The only way we can ever make it through is with Jesus. When (I said WHEN not IF) we stumble, he's there to help us, to bring us back where we need to be.




(John 15:26-28) “But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. 27 And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.

We are never alone. The Holy Spirit lives in us, guides us, and shows us how to live Godly lives. Do we always listen? Nope. Wouldn't it be great if we did. But we can be assured that he's there, no matter what.

God Bless You,

~*~Kelly~*~


Tuesday, June 26, 2012

John 14: The Gift Jesus Gave Us

Blogging through the Book of John.

Chapter 14

This chapter is about peace in times of trouble and a verse that I really love-- John 14:27 If you read nothing else in this post... please read that verse.

(John 14:1) “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 

I love this verse! A lot of times are hearts are troubled. We try not to get down, but we do. When we get that way, we need to remember to Trust God. I know it's hard (I know), but it is the only way we will find peace.


There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.”

Heaven doesn't have a set number. Anyone who believes in Jesus and is saved will get to go. I love that part too. And how amazing that Jesus himself builds our houses for us; prepares our places!



“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Can you picture the disciples confusion, sadness, and fear? They had no idea what Jesus was talking about. All they knew was that their friend was going to die. It was a sad time for them.


Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is.[c] From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”

Jesus gives us the definitive answer to how to get to Heaven. HE is the way, the truth and the life. NO ONE can get to Heaven but through him. That is spelled out pretty plainly there.


Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”

After everything Jesus had done, they still needed proof. Are we much different? Jesus does miracles for us everyday (did you wake up this morning? how about have food to eat?), and we still ask for more. I get upset with my kids sometimes they keep wanting... MORE. I've thought before, "Don't they know what I've already given them!" Oh, how I'm glad God isn't like me. I'm just like my kids when talking to him, "Please do this, God. Please do that. Give me a sign..."


Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. 11 Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.
12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

So... does that mean that every prayer we pray will be answered? No. I've prayed many prayers that I'm GLAD weren't answered (have you?). It means that God may say no, but because he has something greater instore for you.

15 “If you love me, obey my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. 19 Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. 20 When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

There is a lot in those verses, but I wanted to keep them together so you got the whole effect. Jesus simply says, "If you love him, obey him." What a novel concept! And he even gave us a helper so obeying him will be easier, the Holy Spirit which lives in each of us when we accept Jesus as our savior. The world doesn't have Him because it isn't looking for him.



22 Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”
23 Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. 24 Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. 25 I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. 26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

Verse 24 really hits home. If you don't love Jesus, you won't keep his commandments. How sad :( I'm so glad we have to Holy Spirit to help us! If you are anything like imperfect me, I need him!


27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

Not only did Jesus give us the Holy Spirit, he left us with a gift. He died.... and on top of that... he gave us a gift! We didn't deserve salvation, much less a gift! That's LOVE!

Anxiety can get us all down. When it gets you down, remember to look at and cling to Jesus. He gives us a peace of mind and heart that the world can't give. This verse brings tears to my eyes....


28 Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. 29 I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.
30 “I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, 31 but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going.

He knew the disciples were sad that he was going to die, but he wanted them to be happy for him. He was going home! Funerals are so sad, especially if it is a close loved one. But we should be happy that they have gone home. We can be sad for us because we will miss them, but they have finished their race. They've crossed the finish line and gone home to be with Jesus.

The 'Ruler of this world' is Satan. Don't let him steal your joy (he does me all the time). Cling to Jesus. He gives peace. If you need to pray, send me an email or leave a comment and I'll be happy to do it for you.

God Bless You,

~*~Kelly~*~


LINKED WITH: On Your Heart Tuesday @ A Pause on a Path

Monday, June 25, 2012

John 12-- The Beginning of the End (or so they thought)

Blogging Through the Book of John
Chapter 12
(Because I got out of order....)

(John 12:1-3) Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. 2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. 3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.

Less than a week before his death, Jesus knew his time was running out. He went to Bethany to visit his friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. It would be interesting to know what he and Lazarus talked about. I'm sure they had friendly banter along with Lazarus asking him how he was really doing. Lazarus had a huge reason to believe Jesus was who he said he was.

While they were talking, Mary took a jar of expensive perfume (which cost about a year's wages) and began washing Jesus' feet.

*Some* people weren't very happy about that. Have you ever done something for Jesus and have others either question it or criticize you for it? Don't worry about what others say... Like Jesus tells Judas in the next passage, she was serving him.


(John 12:4-6) But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” 6 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.

I have to stop here and mention that it is fairly obvious by the way John writes Judas that he was hurt by his "friend's" betrayal. Every time he mentions Judas, he talks about how crooked he was or that he betrayed Jesus. I'm sure he forgave him, but you can tell by his writings that the hurt was still there.



(John 12:7-8)Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

Every time someone criticise you for doing something for God, repeat this verse in your head. Know that Jesus is telling that person, "Leave her alone!" When you do things for Him, he's on your side... no matter what the world says.



(John 12:9-11)When all the people heard of Jesus’ arrival, they flocked to see him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead. 10 Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, 11 for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus.

Does anyone know what happened to Lazarus? Did they end up killing him after all? If you have an answer, I'd love to know. I'm guessing they didn't, but I'm not sure.

 

(John 12:12-13) The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors 13 took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, “Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hail to the King of Israel!”

One day you are on top of the world, treated like royalty with crowd clamoring to touch you. The next, you are hanging on a cross, dying and with only a handful of people there who care about you.

In a way, that can be like our lives. Know that Jesus understands better than anyone-- He's lived it. When you think no one cares, know that Jesus does. He remembers how it felt to be loved and rejected in such a short amount of time.


(John 12:14-16) Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said:

15 “Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem.
Look, your King is coming,
riding on a donkey’s colt.”

16 His disciples didn’t understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about him.

Hindsight being 20/20, the disciples looked back later and found truths in their every day lives. At the time, he was just a man riding a donkey. After he died, the realized how many prophesies he'd fulfilled. It added to their faith. Throughout his ministry, Jesus gave them 'foreshadowing' events that they wouldn't understand until he wasn't with them any more. Isn't it cool that God does that? He knows everything about us so he puts things in our path that will LATER grow our faith?



(John 12:17-19) Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others about it. 18 That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign. 19 Then the Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after him!”

The Pharisees knew they couldn't get him with the crowds around-- so they waited until night....

(John 12:20-26) Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration 21 paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, “Sir, we want to meet Jesus.” 22 Philip told Andrew about it, and they went together to ask Jesus.23 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. 26 Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.

... Jesus told the disciples that his time was running very short. And that his death would produce many new kernels-- lots of new followers and believers. Have you ever wondered where you'd be if Jesus didn't die for you? If he didn't let the 'wheat' die and allowed other 'kernels' to have a new life?

 


(John 12:27)“Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came!

Jesus was NOT looking forward to dying. He wasn't overly joyed about going through the pain and humiliation he knew he would have to endure. In fact, he thought about asking his Daddy to save him from it-- but he knew it was why he was there... he was a man born to die.

He kept praying...

(John 12:28-29) Father, bring glory to your name.”
Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.” 29 When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him.

That would be amazing! To hear God's voice, telling you that he was proud! It also lets us know that he hears all of our prayers. Even though Jesus wasn't in a church or temple or whatever, God heard him where he was. Whatever we do, we should want to bring glory to God's name.... will we always succeed? NOPE. We are human after all, but we need to try, then ask for forgiveness when we don't. Remember, he hears our prayers.


(John 12:30-33)Then Jesus told them, “The voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. 32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate how he was going to die.

Jesus was telling them that he knew exactly how he was going to die. He would be lifted up--- hung on a cross. It also let them (us) know that he knew the Romans were going to carry out his execution.

He also let us know that Satan is the ruler of this world. He was then, he is now. We have to be so careful....


(John 12:34-36)The crowd responded, “We understood from Scripture that the Messiah would live forever. How can you say the Son of Man will die? Just who is this Son of Man, anyway?”

35 Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. 36 Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.”
After saying these things, Jesus went away and was hidden from them.

What the crowd didn't understand was that the Messiah would live forever... and they would too... if they accepted him.

Have you accepted him? Have you prayed, accepting Jesus as your Savior? If you believe it, and you haven't prayed about it, do it now. He's always there to listen.



(John 12:38-43)This is exactly what Isaiah the prophet had predicted:
Lord, who has believed our message?
To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm?”[n]

39 But the people couldn’t believe, for as Isaiah also said,

40 “The Lord has blinded their eyes
and hardened their hearts—
so that their eyes cannot see,
and their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to me
and have me heal them.”[o]

41 Isaiah was referring to Jesus when he said this, because he saw the future and spoke of the Messiah’s glory. 42 Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. 43 For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.

The Pharisees had the proof right under their noses. They even had scriptures saying no one would believe... and they didn't. One of the main reasons was that they loved human praise more than the praise of God.

We can be the same way. Sometimes we put God in a corner and want the human praise more. We have to be very careful about that, because it's so easy to do! I know it is for me sometimes.


(John 12:44-50) Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. 45 For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. 47 I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. 48 But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken. 49 I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. 50 And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.”

Trusting in Jesus is like a flashlight. If you trust him, he will light your way in the darkness of the world. If you reject him, you'll have to walk in the darkness. Some people think that Christians are the ones in the dark; we don't do (or try not to do) the same things the world does. They think our minds are stifled, and we live in the dark ages. When in reality, our light keeps us on the straight and narrow... now sometimes we stray. Sometimes we get attracted to something outside the light, but as long as we keep our eyes on him, we stay out of the darkness.

Being a Christian doesn't mean your perfect, it means you can be forgiven and have a clean slate when you inevitably do.

If you are enjoying, learning from, or really just dislike this series, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

God Bless You,

Kelly