Joy Connection

Joy Connection

John 15: ¹¹ “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. ¹² This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

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During the aquarium school trip, I encountered a machine that made wax figurines. I was given an allowance but did not have enough. I had a talent for finding abandoned coins so I looked around.

I did find enough money to purchase my trophy. I was happy. I guarded it all the way home. After playing with it outside, I came in, leaving it on the grass. My neighbor’s dog ate it. I was not happy about that!

• Over the years I have lost a lot of trophies.
• Over the years I have had things that have broken.
• Over the years I have had  stuff stolen from me, lost stuff or missed out on getting stuff.

JESUS wanted HIS disciples to be whole. HE knew the things of this world would result in disappointment and sorrow. Not having enough would inspire a pursuit of getting more. BUT HE had another plan.

• GOD wants me to have joy even when I am not happy.
• GOD wants me to be filled with HIS joy even when things seem to go wrong.
• GOD wants me to have joy so I can overcome any issue that I face.

Joy is very different than happiness. Joy is permanent, whereas happiness is temporary and sometimes fleeting. The joy of CHRIST is to bring back those who have lost their way to HIM. HE wants me to show HIS love. But why were people lost in the first place?

One being decided he would be GOD. This being was thrown out of heaven to this world. After tempting the first human to sin, in an effort to destroy GOD’s prize, he thought he had won. All humans were lost. BUT JESUS lived a sinless life and took the punishment for humans. My fight is no longer against GOD. I have joy for HIS salvation!

• Are you sad, lonely and depressed?
• Does your outlook on life look bad?
• Will you seek the joy of JESUS to get through the unhappy times?

Moods

Moods

John 15: ⁹ “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. ¹⁰ If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

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Walking into the stall, I saw the worse use of a toilet that I had to clean up. “I hate this job” I said to myself. When I was stuck in traffic, I sat behind the “slow” driver who left gaps. “I hate drivers like that” I groused. When I confirmed my suspicions of my sneaky boss looking at “my” ideas and stealing them, I set the person up for failure. “I hate bosses like that” I said to myself. I was in a bad mood in every instance.

• Looking back, I used the words “I hate” a lot.
• Looking back, I thought negatively a lot.
• Looking back, I had a lot to complain about.

JESUS implores HIS disciples to keep HIS commandments. A new commandment HE gave was for humans to “love one another”, not just tolerate them. HE said “If you keep MY commandments, you will abide in MY love.” All commandments were made off of one commandment, namely “Love one another.”

• JESUS wants me to decrease my negativity and increase my trust in HIM.
• JESUS wants me to look for opportunities to love those HE sends to me.
• JESUS wants me to see HIS examples of love and follow them.

Showing love actually guides my mood. I mean when I do what GOD says and show love to “those” people, the HOLY SPIRIT gets excited. No “thank you” is needed or expected because GOD has a special reward for me each time I serve someone silently.

GOD wants me to “go” and “serve” and “teach” and “baptize” and “pray” and “praise” and “show kindness” and “have patience” and “make peace” amongst a long list of things I could do right now. I am glad HE showed me examples of HIS love.

• Are you complaining a lot?
• What are you thankful for?
• Will you lift your spiritual eyes up and give thanks today?
• Will you show love to all those HE brings to your mind?

Finding

Finding

John 15: ⁵ “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷ If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. ⁸ By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

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When I “found” the new job, I was excited. I was making two dollars more than the last job and I could work twenty hours a week instead of twelve. I could finally fix my car! I told everyone about the job I “found.”

• One time I was searching for something and thought a job could fill it.
• One time I was seeking something and thought I could fill it with more money.
• One time I was longing for something and thought the problems would go away if I had more money.

JESUS says again “I AM the vine, you are the branches.” HE then tells them to “bear fruit.” If we bear fruit, it is only because JESUS lives in us. Those who do not bear fruit will be cast out. This scared me.

• JESUS says to me “do not worry for I AM with you always.”
• JESUS says to me “do not be afraid.”
• JESUS says to me “you live in me and I live in you. Go make disciples of all nations, and teaching them.”

GOD wants me to bear fruit. In other words, HE wants me to point my life to HIM, not towards more buildings that “will” get burned down. HE desires to be the only message and sadly, that message is dissipating. JESUS is the primary message that needs to be preached to the lost.

HE “found” me and HE wants me to “find” others. HE sends me to seek HIS kingdom first, and if anything gets in the way of finding HIS people, I can ask and it will be given to me. This message is about bearing GOD’s fruit, not fulfilling human ego and lusts. I am grateful GOD enables me to bear HIS fruit.

• What is your primary message?
• Have you mentioned programs, church names and buildings, but have not mentioned JESUS?
• Will you make JESUS your primary message without thinking people need to be “fixed” first?

Alive

Alive

John 15: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³ You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

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Driving around the city, instead of riding the bus, made me feel alive. I was free to leave at any time instead of being stuck on a schedule. After a while though, I did not feel as alive. I barely had enough money to pay for gas. Some liquid always needed replenishing. To top it off… it would not start sometimes and I would be late. When the car died, so did I, or at least I felt that way.

• Moments of my life made me feel alive.
• Moments of my life made me feel like nothing could stop me.
• Moments of my life made me feel free to do anything I wanted.

JESUS says “I AM the true vine.” The vine is something that is alive and can bear fruit. Since JESUS “is” the true vine, all of HIS messages enable me to bear fruit. But what about my desires to be free to do anything I want? JESUS has a solution.

• JESUS wants me to believe in HIS word so I will be free indeed.
• JESUS wants me to live for HIS purpose so I will not be chained to temporary things that die.
• JESUS wants me to put all things in HIM so I can truly be alive.

Desire to live can make me die. I mean if I examine my life based upon what the world says “alive” should be, I would be sad, exhausted and unwanted. Utopia cannot be achieved by human standards. BUT GOD enables me to truly be alive.

HE gives me purpose, drive, determination and love that never fails. HE and HE alone is the truth in which I can place my trust. Human kingdoms come and go, BUT GOD’s kingdom will last forever! I am alive eternally because of JESUS.

• Are you dead or alive?
• Do you feel you are living a life of purpose?
• Will you turn to JESUS so HE can guide you to bear fruit, even through troubles, today?

Unpreached

Unpreached

John 14: ²⁹ “And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. ³⁰ I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. ³¹ But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.

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Over the years, I have heard many people speak about sin, marriage, raising kids and money. But I rarely heard about demonic forces, who’s sole purpose is to rob humans of their true relationship with GOD. When I did hear it mentioned, it seemed to be in a context that gave humans some sort of comic-book like super-power to fight the forces of evil.

• Sometimes I feel alone when I speak about demonic forces.
• Sometimes I feel laughed at when speaking about the “ruler of this world” being demonic.
• Sometimes I feel I am not taken seriously when I mention there is a spirit that is against JESUS.

JESUS says HE would not speak to the followers much because the “ruler of this word” was coming and this ruler has “nothing in JESUS.” HIS words spoke more than HIS death. HE spoke about the spiritual blindness humans would fall into.

• To believe in JESUS, means I believe I need HIM.
• To believe in JESUS, means I also believe there is something that would cloud my judgment, trying to skew HIS words away from what HE really said.
• To believe in JESUS, means I believe that I am susceptible to being tricked by lies that seem sound.

It is not popular to mention Satan and a demonic force. I mean movies portray evil as this ugly, weird, alien thing, with blood or green acid dripping from sharp fangs. BUT JESUS saw different. HE saw the need to teach unpopular views so we, who follow HIM, would not be fooled.

HE saw through cravings for comfort, control and lusts for power as distractions away from HIM. HE saw the rich and educated as distractors from HIM as well. HE is the sower of the seeds of love and wants me to believe HE can heal any sickness, fix any problem and grow any person who believes in HIM. I believe in JESUS.

• Do you believe you can be lied to?
• Do you feel you are following JESUS with all your heart?
• Will stop trying to fit into the world and start trying to seek those who need JESUS?

Taught, Peace, Rejoice

Taught, Peace, Rejoice

John 14: ²⁵ “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. ²⁶ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. ²⁷ Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. ²⁸ You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.

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When a thug punched my frail stature, I nearly passed out. “What did I do to deserve that?” I thought to myself. When someone broke out my window and stole all of my music, I wondered, “Why did this happen to me?” When I was told “You no longer work here” after years of dedication, I felt lost and said “Why me?”

• What am I supposed to do when things seem to go wrong?
• What am I supposed to do when the situation seems bad?
• What am I supposed to do when I am in pain or I am suffering or I do not have direction?

JESUS knew HIS followers would face difficulty. HE also knew that leaving would make HIS followers feel abandoned. HE gives words of comfort that can only be heard by those who love HIM.

• JESUS says to me “I gave you the HOLY SPIRIT who will bring MY words to memory when you are in trouble.”
• JESUS says to me “Peace will be your weapon against the things that will try to distract you from the purpose I gave you.”
• JESUS says to me “Rejoice that I go to the FATHER because I AM alive and HE is greater than ME.”

“Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” are not easy words to hear when my heart is troubled and I am afraid. BUT GOD took care of that. HE sent someone to be with me, namely the HOLY SPIRIT.

HE teaches me and makes me remember all the things I have been brought through. HE gives me a strange “peace” when I should be troubled because I dare to trust that HE will work everything out. As for JESUS, the HOLY SPIRIT, teaches me the HE went to prepare a place just for me and HE will return, soon. I rejoice over what I am taught so I have peace.

• Do you have peace?
• Do you feel lost or abandoned?
• Will you allow the HOLY SPIRIT to guide you to a place of peace today?

Full of Something

Full of Something

John 14: ²² Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”

²³ Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. ²⁴ He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.

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“Buying some clothes will make you happy” was one salesperson’s philosophy spoken to me. I went along with it and it did make me feel a little better. “Buying a new car will make you feel better” another salesperson said to me. I bought the car and did feel better.

Eventually the car needed maintenance. Then the cycle repeated. I still owed money on the car. I looked at my elbow and the clothes were getting frayed.

• One time I thought things would make me feel good.
• One time I followed the philosophy of getting more things.
• One time I felt great when I had things and miserable when I did not.

Judas, the believer, asked JESUS “How will you manifest YOURSELF to us and not to the world?” JESUS explains that if a person loves HIM, they would keep HIS Word. By keeping HIS Word, the FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT would get excited enough to live inside of the person.

• JESUS made me similar to an empty vessel.
• JESUS wants to fill me up with HIS Word.
• JESUS desires that I open my heart to HIS guidance.

Keeping GOD’s Word is impossible for the world to do. With the emphasis on self and money and power, the world cannot listen to “Love one another.” GOD is not a philosophy, HE is GOD. HIS power, grace and love is beyond any human religion or attitude.

JESUS knows I will fill myself up with something. Will I fill myself up with HIS love and be hated by the world? Yes! Those who are blind will hate HIS love and complain about how HE guides me. I accept GOD’s guidance and will honor HIS home inside me.

• What philosophy are you filling yourself up with?
• Are you seeking GOD’s kingdom daily?
• Will you stop listening to the world for a moment and listen to GOD so HE will guide you today?

What Love Looks Like

What Love Looks Like

John 14: ¹⁹ “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. ²⁰ At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. ²¹ He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

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No longer could I mask the despair, I sat in the hallway. Things were going okay, but the future seemed cloudy. With no one to guide me, I sat and cried. It was Sunday morning and I was still up from the night before. “Want to go to church with us?” a few people asked. I had avoided the question for far too long. “Sure” I said. I went and felt better. But I stopped going soon after.  

• I once went to church looking for something, but did not find it.
• I once went to church looking for all of my problems to be cleared up, but the magic did not happen.
• I once went to church looking for things to immediately change in my life, but they stayed the same.

JESUS explains to HIS disciples that those who choose to follow the world will never see HIM again. But those who choose to follow HIM would be with HIM eternally. The belief that HE is the only need mankind has, creates a desire to follow HIS commandments.

• JESUS has shown me love, and I want to do the same.
• JESUS has given HIS live for me, and HE wants me to serve others so they will follow HIM to life.
• JESUS has provided a way back to HIM by showing love to those HE has given me.

“A new commandment I give to you, love one another as I have loved you.” This single word is easier said than done. In this selfish world of “me” showing love to someone is a rare occurrence. BUT GOD wants me to give up the “me” lifestyle and seek the lost HE brings to mind.

JESUS wants me to abide in HIM. The only way I can do this, is to show love and truly hope “that” person will give their life to HIM, not just by church attendance, but by eternal salvation. When I let go of JESUS, HE holds onto me with a tight grip. I am grateful for HIS love and mercy.

• Do you feel unloved?
• Has everyone abandoned you?
• Will you accept JESUS so HE can fill you up with IS love for others today?

You are not alone

You are not alone

John 14: ¹⁵ “If you love Me, keep My commandments. ¹⁶ And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. ¹⁸ I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

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As I walked around the huge crowd at the convention, I felt lonely. Everyone was smiling and laughing and I could not join in on the festivities, because I did not know anyone. Finally someone summoned me over. “Want to get drunk with us?” I went with them just to meet people. There was laughter and flirting. I felt lonelier.

• There have been many times when I felt lonely sitting in a crowd.
• There have been many times when I was around a crowd who were bashing “those” people and I felt lonely for not partaking.
• There have been many times when I sat in groups that were supposed to be talking about GOD, yet they ended up talking about humans, and I felt lonely.

JESUS knew those who follow HIM would be the minority. HE spoke the truth and was about to be killed for it. HE then says to HIS disciples, “The world does not know the SPIRIT of Truth.”  “The FATHER will give you a HELPER” was a promise JESUS made to those who love HIM.

• The HOLY SPIRIT lives in me because I believe I needed to be saved.
• The HOLY SPIRIT begs for forgiveness to the FATHER when I sin.
• The HOLY SPIRIT gives me the words of truth because HE is The TRUTH.

When I had no purpose, the world looked like a “fun” place. Sex, drunkenness, and wealth seemed like a truth I could buy into. BUT GOD wanted something different. HE wants me to speak the real truth about HIS SON.

Though the world my laugh at the words of salvation and ridicule even the very existence of the Most High GOD, I still persist in HIS purpose. At times I may get weary, BUT GOD gave me The HELPER who does not leave or forsake me. I am grateful for the HOLY SPIRIT who comforts me.

• Are you alone?
• Do you believe in GOD while those around you do not?
• Will you draw your power from the HOLY SPIRIT today and keep going on GOD’s plan?

Honorable Mention

Honorable Mention

John 14: ¹² “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. ¹³ And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

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“LORD help me pass this test” I said quickly. “Oh, I forgot, in JESUS name” I added. Days later I received my failing grade. “LORD, please pay this stack of bills” I said frustrated. “Oh, yes, in JESUS name” I grunted. I got final notices that they were going to shut off my utilities if I did not pay. I gave HIM an honorable mention.

• When I get nervous, I simply want a quick way out of the problem.
• When I get in trouble, I simply want the fastest way out of the trouble.
• When I get frustrated, I simply want relief from my frustrations.

JESUS says some very profound words when HE tells the disciples they will do greater works than HE did. HE then goes on to say, “If you ask for anything ‘IN MY NAME’, I will do it. But why doesn’t this always work?

• JESUS wants me to ask for the things HE stands for.
• JESUS wants me to desire what HE desires.
• JESUS wants me to bring HIS lost sheep back to HIM.

Asking a florist to fix my car will yield the same answer, namely “I cannot do that.” No matter how many times I ask, it would be out of character for the florist to do something that is outside of their “name.” GOD will not do something that is out of HIS will.

JESUS wants me to understand HIS desires, so when I ask, HE will give it to me in abundance. If someone is sick, it is not just about healing, it is about people giving their life back to GOD.

HE wants people to see HIS healing power, but only for the purpose of them, or those around them, to be excited enough to go out and tell others about HIM. I ask JESUS for the salvation of those HE has placed around me so they will be HIS disciples to reach others.

• What do you think you need?
• Is what you need part of GOD’s desire to bring mankind back to HIM?
• Will you seek first what GOD desires, so HE will bless your requests abundantly?

Inside In

Inside In

John 14: ⁷ “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”

⁸ Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”

⁹ Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ¹⁰ Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. ¹¹ Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.

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“Come camping with us” was the offer posed to me. I had never been camping before so I asked if I could go. Getting all the gear built up my excitement. When we arrived, it rained nonstop. I lost a lens to my glasses and a shoe in the mud. My sleeping bag caught fire. After all that, I still wanted to go camping again because I was part of the group.

• I was inside the group.
• I was building a comradery.
• The group was now inside of me.

JESUS tried to explain that if you have seen HIM, you have seen the FATHER. Philip asked JESUS to show the disciples the FATHER, even after JESUS’s comment. “I AM in the FATHER  and the FATHER is in ME.” This was not a figurative statement.

• The FATHER agreed to save me by losing HIS only SON.
• JESUS agreed to save me by volunteering to become a human, live a sinless life and be murdered by HIS own creation.
• The HOLY SPIRIT lives inside of me, speaking to the FATHER on my behalf, begging for forgiveness.

I am inside of JESUS and JESUS is inside of me through the HOLY SPIRIT. I now have access to the FATHER, who is all powerful. I cannot truly explain the structure of the Living GOD, but I can explain what HE has revealed to me. HE loves me and that is what matters.

• Are you living inside of GOD?
• Is GOD living inside of you?
• Will you allow GOD to take over your life so you can be guided by HIM to a better place today?

Wandering

Wandering

John 14: ⁵ Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

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Feeling abandoned, I wandered aimlessly, with no place to go. As I tried different ways of having “fun” I still felt empty. In fact, the more, “fun” I had, the emptier I felt. “What’s the point?” I asked. I mean everyone seemed to be going somewhere in life and I had no place to go.

• I felt church people were phony.
• I felt the establishment was against me.
• I felt I had no direction and no one I could trust.

Thomas told JESUS, “We do not know where YOU are going, so how can we know the “way?” JESUS gave Thomas a bigger destination. Life’s journey should be towards the FATHER.

• GOD wants me to understand that my life should point to JESUS.
• GOD wants me to seek HIM daily even in my earthly pursuits.
• GOD wants me to trade in my wandering for that of a life of purpose for HIM.

JESUS is the way, the truth and the life.” Any other philosophy that distracts people from this statement is false. I mean, if I am focused on fixing a certain sin in people without having JESUS in the middle, then it may be a distraction.

JESUS wants to be first and only destination. Some philosophies want food or health or psyche or pleasure or money or human words to be their god. BUT JESUS wants to be the only truth. There is no other way to the FATHER but through JESUS. I am grateful HE came after me when I was wandering.

• Are you wandering through life?
• Does your life have no good direction?
• Will you give your life to JESUS so HE can guide you to a much better place today?

I Know a Place

I Know a Place

John 14: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. ⁴ And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

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“You always know great places to eat” someone said to me. It was a compliment that I took to heart in my own small way. I put the restaurant’s name and what they were known for in my contact list. When someone would ask me for a restaurant, I could recommend the place and what they sold.

• It felt great being asked for advice.
• It felt like I was helping by providing information.
• It felt nice that I could guide people to some enjoyment.

JESUS explained that HE was going to be murdered. HE then said “Let not your heart be troubled.” HE was trying to assure HIS disciples that HE is allowing the murder to fulfil HIS p[purpose. HE was going to prepare a place for those who believe in HIM. HE knew of a great place.

• JESUS has risen and is preparing a place for me.
• JESUS is alive and will return for me when HE has prepared the last place for the last person to believe in HIM.
• JESUS told me I know the way.

“In my FATHER’s house are many mansions” shows me HE is concerned about my quality of life. But HE also knows the deceiver will try to fool me into thinking I can create a false heaven on this cursed earth.

Scratching and clawing for the “best” food, clothes, cars, houses and jobs, to sustain the above, can exhaust any time with GOD. JESUS knows a place that is right for me and that place is with HIM. HE wants my heart to seek the kingdom. I do know a place and it is with JESUS.

• What place are you seeking?
• Are you being led by GOD or by your own desires?
• Will you seek GOD was your swelling place so HE can fill your empty heart today?

More than information

More than information

John 13: 31 So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. 32 If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. 33 Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

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“Please give us your bio” said an organization to me. Since there was a word limit, I could only put down the information that pertained to the inquiring group. After I spoke to the group, a person approached me. “Oh, you are the person who does… (blank)” She remembered a few items I had written in my bio, but I was so much more than what was written.

• I have been labeled by lazy people.
• I have been boiled down to a few actions from the labels people give me.
• I have been shoved in a corner by the labels people give me.

JESUS begins giving HIS disciples HIS final commands. HE speaks about “the being” who is GOD. HE explains that the FATHER has raised HIM up to the Most High, because the FATHER is the Most High with the HOLY SPIRIT, who is also the Most High.

Since they are the highest and have shown love, we should do the same. But is showing love simply going to a building and listening to information?

• GOD wants me to experience HIM every day.
• GOD wants me to “be” HIS example by showing love to those HE sends to me or I am sent to.
• GOD wants me to know HE is far more than what is written down or spoken by humans.

“Love one another as I have loved you” means more than listening to someone talk about GOD. It means I believe the consequences of pride caused the fall of humans. This fall could only be cured by belief in JESUS dying for me.

I now have sided with the one who wants all humans back, even those with stubborn hearts. Only love can penetrate the stony heart. I am glad GOD loves me .

• Have you labeled GOD as something to try every once in a while?
• Do you see HIM as a being, who can only do a few magic tricks, as written in a bio named the Bible?
• Will you experience GOD’s power, by loving HIM enough, to love those who hate you today?

Cautious Confidence

Cautious Confidence

John 13: ³⁶ Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?”

Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.”

³⁷ Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.”

³⁸ Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.

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“I will never do that again” I said in haste. I was so relieved to be out of the bad situation, so I exclaimed how I would “never” get back into the same problem. Maybe a day or so passed and I found myself tiptoeing around the thing that got me in trouble in the first place.

• There have been times when I was over confident in my ability to stay away from sin.
• There have been times when I was over confident in my ability to follow what GOD says I should be doing.
• There have been times when I just knew I would never sin again and be perfect for the rest of my life.

Peter was perplexed by JESUS’s words of leaving. “Where are YOU going LORD?” Peter inquired. JESUS had already explained that HE was going to die and be raised, so HE said “You will, in fact, follow ME, but not now.”  Peter in his zeal said “I am willing to lay down my life for YOU.” JESUS said “You will deny ME.”

• GOD wants me to be confident in HIS abilities, not mine.
• GOD wants me to understand that my Spirit is willing but my flesh is weak.
• GOD wants me to know there will be times when I will do what I do not want to do and other times when I will do what HE wants me to do.

Being excited about GOD is great. I mean HE cares for me and is the most powerful being there is. Siding with HIM can give me confidence that HE can resolve any situation I can get in. But my confidence needs to be proceeded with caution. I should also know that I am still a sinner who fights temptation daily. My confidence is in GOD’s forgiveness when I am weak.

• Do you have a lot of self-confidence?
• Do you like to control the situation because of your lack of confidence in others?
• Will you place less confidence in your abilities and more confidence in GOD’s love for you?

Open to it

Open to it

John 13: ²⁶ Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. ²⁷ Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” ²⁸ But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. ²⁹ For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.

³⁰ Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.

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“There will be drinking and you may have sex” the party planner implied. While those exact words were not used, that was the gist of the party. I said “no” on many occasions, but this time was different. I was sulking over a dead end job, being dumped by someone I liked and being thrown out of school, all in the same week. I was open for some ”fun.”

• Many times I have been willing to sin.
• Many times I have made excuses for my sin.
• Many times I have been open to sin because I felt I had been “good” and look where that got me.

JESUS is the Bread of Life. HE used bread, in this passage, to show who was open to sin. HE gave the bread to Judas who, after eating the bread, Satan entered. JESUS then sent him on his way to get the murderous church leaders. In this case, the bread did not provide life but exposed sin.

• JESUS wants me to look at HIM when I am sulking and sad.
• JESUS wants me to seek HIM when I am lonely and forlorn.
• JESUS wants me to desire HIM when I am nervous and worried.

Empty vessels is what GOD made when HE created humans. Free will gives me a choice as to what I will fill myself up with. I “will” fill myself up with something, as all humans will do the same. The question is, will I fill myself up with Satan or GOD?

Fortunately for me, JESUS made it easy. HE chose me because I would not choose HIM. HE opened my eyes, ears and heart to HIM and filled me with the HOLY SPIRIT. I still sin, but because of JESUS, my sins have no hold on me.

• What are you open to?
• Are you looking at your life and are not satisfied with it?
• Are you open to sin?
• Will you ask GOD to use you today, even in the smallest way?

Assurance

Assurance

John 13: ²¹ When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” ²² Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke.

²³ Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. ²⁴ Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke.

²⁵ Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?”

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While trying to move my bike over the back porch, I lost my balance and broke the bottom window of the door. Immediately I wondered how I would stay out of trouble. Would it be possible to clean up all of the glass without anyone noticing? After carefully cleaning the glass I saw the gaping hole. I had to accept the fact that I was going to get killed.

• There have been times when I have been scared to confess.
• There have been times when I worried about The things I have done.
• There have been times when I spent more time thinking about my guilt than doing other things.

JESUS says something very unnerving to the disciples. “One of you will betray me.” Everyone got worried about this statement. If I were them, I probably would start recounting my recent sins and work my way back to try to account for each one. Peter was bold enough to ask “Who is it?”

• JESUS wants me to admit I need HIM.
• JESUS wants me to believe that HE is the only way to salvation.
• JESUS wants me to confess that I am a sinner and the only way to be forgiven is to believe that JESUS died for me and is now alive, placed over everything by the FATHER.

Sin will make me feel like I am not saved. I mean, shouldn’t I stop sinning now that I know that GOD abhors sin? Yes, but this is very difficult. GOD knew it would be difficult and made a way back to HIM that gives me assurance. HE simply says “believe.”

When I believe in JESUS, I do not have to worry if GOD loves me or not. HE does love me, so much so, that HE died for me. Does HE need to do more? No, but HE does anyway. HE guides me daily and protects me. I am grateful for HIS deliverance.

• Are you worried about your relationship with GOD?
• Do you question whether there is a GOD, because you don’t seem to be getting “your way?”
• Will you get total assurance about your future by believing that JESUS is your Savior and HIS plans are great for you?