Take Heart

John 16:29-33

Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech.  Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”

 “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied.  “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

The last verse there, verse 33, has to be one of my all-time favorites.  This world is not a place where many of us really find peace and comfort.  There is a lot of stress and turmoil.  We are always worried about what the future holds or attacks on our country. 

I, however, find peace and comfort in verse 33.  Christ already said we would have trouble so when it comes, it should not come as a surprise.  Instead, we should realize that these things are going to happen and embrace the promise that Christ has overcome the world.  This world is only temporary for those of us that believe in Christ Jesus. 

My prayer for you today, is that you will have peace no matter what is going on in your life.

Thursday Devotional - Revealing God

Sharing the Gospel with others can be overwhelming, especially if we do it in our own strength or out of guilt, instead of a natural outflow of our love for God.  In studying the book of John this year, I noticed how Jesus shared the truths of God. He didn’t insist on continuing a conversation to convince someone of the truth. He did answer questions and He did initiate conversations. Also, most of His teaching was to a select few – the 12 disciples. He revealed God and “discipled” them so they could then go out and share the truth with others who would share the truth with others.

John 17:6-9     ⁶ “I [Jesus] have revealed you [God] to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. ⁷ Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. ⁸ For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. ⁹ I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.

God gave Jesus 12 men to lovingly disciple for 3 years. Who has God given to you? Whether it’s a circle of friends, family, co-workers or neighbors, He has uniquely placed us in those relationships. We have the opportunity to reveal Him to those closest to us! Jesus took His responsibility seriously and faithfully prayed for and shepherded His disciples.

As a new parent, I realize what an awesome responsibility it is to pray for and reveal God to my children. It’s such a huge blessing to watch them grasp different aspects of who God is! James has really understood the fact that he can talk to God at any time about anything and take all his cares to Him. A couple weeks ago James (and I) were getting nervous the day before his major surgery. We had definitely prayed about it many times together, but as he was thinking about it in the car on our way home from my sister’s he asked if he could pray. Of course! So, he prayed!

Who will you and I pray for today? How can you and I reveal attributes and characteristics of God to them?

Alice

The 11th Commandment

 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.  Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.  John 13:34-35

We live in a world with so much discourse and nonbelief in each other.  The conversations have become too hot to handle, and we talk to each other with such venom and emotion that at times it becomes impossible to hear the other side.  Those feelings can just overwhelm you, and recently, I too have dished it out with anger and frustration.  However, I once again discovered it was only through Christ that I could find my center again and a strength to love those who would wish ill will of me.

It is only through love of each other that we can reveal the love Christ has for us to others.  In reading today’s verses, we are given the hope of a better society that is attainable.  However, love, contrary to what you may have heard, is not easy.  Just like when you were asked to eat the vegetable you did not like because your mother said so, anything that is commanded never comes without a level of self-sacrifice.  It’s not just about the love for a child or spouse, and not for just God.  It is love for all who you would come in contact with.  Whether they act, look, think, or talk like you or not, we can only show ourselves to be true Disciples of Christ when we show love.  For in the end, those who love always come out ahead. 

Love is hard, but anything worthwhile is never easy.  So when someone says something you may not agree with, don’t jump to your initial reaction to be right.  Pause, and then reflect on the love God has for you.  Then, show that in your response.  That’s what this commandment is all about.  How can you focus on God’s love for you when challenged?  Will you let go of past anger, hurt, pride, or other inhibitors of love and pursue a more loving path toward others?  My prayer is that we take up Jesus on His new commandment; The 11^th Commandment.  Amen.

Tues Devo: But they

Hello,

I have been doing a lot of thinking this past week or so about how we justify our poor choices. Man is it easy. It is also a large trap. You see, it starts with justifying to ourselves. As we talk with ourselves (yup…not just you that does that!) we become more committed to our support of the bad decision. The more committed to the bad support of the bad decision we become, the tougher it is to be self-aware and see the impact.

It got me thinking about the Sermon on the Mount, and how in His calls to action there was nothing about how others acted to produce our responses – it is just that we are to respond well in our circumstances.

Matthew 5:1-12 “When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (NASB)

I hope this encourages you today, have a blessed day.

Will Hill