"So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns, and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, 'Who is it you want?' 'Jesus of Nazareth,' they replied. 'I am he,' Jesus said. ...When Jesus said, 'I am he,' they drew back and fell to the ground." John 18:3-6
I love this scene! Jesus' enemies come against him armed to the hilt and with a few simple words from His mouth they fall to the ground before Him. Jesus' answer "I am he" is literally just "I am." It is the divine name of God which He revealed to Moses at the burning bush. Jesus of Nazareth is "I am" and over Him no man can stand in authority.
The ones arresting Him were able to take Jesus but only because He allowed them. Peter took his sword and struck off the ear of one of them. But "Jesus commanded Peter, 'Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?'" (John 18:11). He gave Himself over to His opponents because it was the Father's will to secure our salvation through Christ's suffering. But let there be no doubt Jesus was then and is now in absolute charge!
You cannot overcome Him but You can trust Him. Those who oppose His purposes will fall before Him. Those who align there lives with His purposes will rise with Him in triumph.
Father, I rejoice in Jesus, the miracle of the great I AM robed in human flesh. I rejoice that He is in charge and willingly bow my life before Him today.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Monday, November 15, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
MORE
"You made your people Israel your very own forever, and you, O LORD, have become their God." 1 Chronicles 17:22
Looking back over the Old Testament—seeing the big picture—the story of God's relentless pursuit of His chosen people is hard to miss. The ins and outs, the ups and downs, all are wonderfully and painfully evident. All of this was God’s process of putting His stamp upon the nation of Israel: His people, their God.
Today, God is pursuing you and me. We become His child in an instant, but the process of growing up as God’s very own takes a while. Chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation (1 Peter 2:9) kind of transformation can take a lifetime. And while God is completely able to effect this change in us, the best part is that we are His forever!
Who wouldn’t want to be His forever, for He has become our God—more and more precious to us with each passing day.
To put it another way, God becomes even more our God as we draw closer to Him. We’ve got all of God from the start, but we discover and own more of God as we follow Him. He is our God, but in a deeper, more fulfilling way—and then we crest the next hill on this God pilgrimage and our jaws drop at the sight of how much more of God we find there (that we had not realized could even exist)!
The more completely we become His, the more God we realize Him to be.
O Lord, You are my God. I ask that You would continue to transform me as Your very own, and in that process become my God more and more completely.
Grace to you,
Jim
Looking back over the Old Testament—seeing the big picture—the story of God's relentless pursuit of His chosen people is hard to miss. The ins and outs, the ups and downs, all are wonderfully and painfully evident. All of this was God’s process of putting His stamp upon the nation of Israel: His people, their God.
Today, God is pursuing you and me. We become His child in an instant, but the process of growing up as God’s very own takes a while. Chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation (1 Peter 2:9) kind of transformation can take a lifetime. And while God is completely able to effect this change in us, the best part is that we are His forever!
Who wouldn’t want to be His forever, for He has become our God—more and more precious to us with each passing day.
To put it another way, God becomes even more our God as we draw closer to Him. We’ve got all of God from the start, but we discover and own more of God as we follow Him. He is our God, but in a deeper, more fulfilling way—and then we crest the next hill on this God pilgrimage and our jaws drop at the sight of how much more of God we find there (that we had not realized could even exist)!
The more completely we become His, the more God we realize Him to be.
O Lord, You are my God. I ask that You would continue to transform me as Your very own, and in that process become my God more and more completely.
Grace to you,
Jim
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
At Home in Christ
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I remain in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 NIV
The NET Bible offers the word "reside" as an alternate translation for "remain." "Reside" seems to really drive home Jesus' intended meaning. He wants us to be at home in and with Him day by day. The more established our residence becomes in Him the more we will experience His life in us. The more we experience His life in us the more we will see His fruit produced through us. Fruit is not determined by how hard you work but by how much at home you are in relationship with Christ. Work with Him not just for Him. Settle in, put down roots, enjoy His presence daily, keep in step with His leadership and the fruit will follow.
Lord Jesus, I thank you for residing in me through Your Spirit. Teach me to more and more make my daily residence in You.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
The NET Bible offers the word "reside" as an alternate translation for "remain." "Reside" seems to really drive home Jesus' intended meaning. He wants us to be at home in and with Him day by day. The more established our residence becomes in Him the more we will experience His life in us. The more we experience His life in us the more we will see His fruit produced through us. Fruit is not determined by how hard you work but by how much at home you are in relationship with Christ. Work with Him not just for Him. Settle in, put down roots, enjoy His presence daily, keep in step with His leadership and the fruit will follow.
Lord Jesus, I thank you for residing in me through Your Spirit. Teach me to more and more make my daily residence in You.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Nothing to Fear
Do not let your hearts be troubled. - John 14:1
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. - John 14:27
The disciples were facing tremendous uncertainty. Their leader, Jesus, was about to be crucified. Their faith would be put to the test. Jesus wanted them to know his peace. He wanted them to be confident in who he was and what they had learned from him. He also told them about the Holy Spirit whom he would send after he was gone.
Like the disciples, there are times that we need to be reassured - times when our faith is tested and our hearts could be troubled. But again, like the disciples, we have the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit is no consolation prize. He is God and He lives in us. He is our advocate. And because of the Spirit we can face uncertainty with peace and confidence.
Father, thank you for not abandoning me. I thank you for the peace and confidence that you provide me by your Spirit. Lead me to walk in step with the Spirit.
By His grace,
Matt
Monday, November 8, 2010
How Great is Our Love?
"I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me." John 14:30-31
Jesus spoke these words on the night before His crucifixion. "I will not speak with you much longer" points toward His coming death and departure from this world--the completion of His mission. But Jesus made it clear that His death would not be the result of "the prince of this world" (Satan) having the upper hand on Him. Much to the contrary, it would be because of His love for the Father that Jesus would die. Through obedience even to the point of death Jesus demonstrated His love for the Father to the world.
Earlier Jesus had said, "If you love me, you will obey what I command" (14:15, see also verses 21 and 23). The disciple's love for Jesus will be reflected in the same way that Jesus demostrated His love for the Father which is through obedience at any cost. How truly can we claim to love Him?
Father, show me any lack of obedience in my life. Convict me of any failure to fully love Jesus with full obedience to His commands. As He so faithfully loved You, help me to love Him.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Jesus spoke these words on the night before His crucifixion. "I will not speak with you much longer" points toward His coming death and departure from this world--the completion of His mission. But Jesus made it clear that His death would not be the result of "the prince of this world" (Satan) having the upper hand on Him. Much to the contrary, it would be because of His love for the Father that Jesus would die. Through obedience even to the point of death Jesus demonstrated His love for the Father to the world.
Earlier Jesus had said, "If you love me, you will obey what I command" (14:15, see also verses 21 and 23). The disciple's love for Jesus will be reflected in the same way that Jesus demostrated His love for the Father which is through obedience at any cost. How truly can we claim to love Him?
Father, show me any lack of obedience in my life. Convict me of any failure to fully love Jesus with full obedience to His commands. As He so faithfully loved You, help me to love Him.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Listen Carefully
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.... My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John 10:11, 27
Jesus laid down His life on our behalf. He has surely earned the right to be heard and followed by us. If we remember what He has done for us how can we be inattentive and neglectful of His words? He who loved us enough to die for us will lead us faithfully day by day. Let each day find us in His presence with an open Bible praying for ears to hear His voice. As we hear, let us follow with all faith and faithfulness where our Good Shepherd leads.
Father, give me an attentive mind and an affectionate heart toward my Good Shepherd Jesus. Help me to hear and faithfully follow today that I might know intimate fellowship with Him and effective service to Him.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Jesus laid down His life on our behalf. He has surely earned the right to be heard and followed by us. If we remember what He has done for us how can we be inattentive and neglectful of His words? He who loved us enough to die for us will lead us faithfully day by day. Let each day find us in His presence with an open Bible praying for ears to hear His voice. As we hear, let us follow with all faith and faithfulness where our Good Shepherd leads.
Father, give me an attentive mind and an affectionate heart toward my Good Shepherd Jesus. Help me to hear and faithfully follow today that I might know intimate fellowship with Him and effective service to Him.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Monday, November 1, 2010
Real Discipleship
"To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.'" John 8:31
Real discipleship consists of living in the teaching of Jesus. The Greek word translated "hold to" by the NIV is the same word used in John 15:5 and translated "remain" or "abide." It means to make yourself at home and continue in something. Discipleship is not launching out on our own agenda with a prayer and hope for God's blessing. Discipleship is listening to Jesus' word and making our home in it. Discipleship is not merely believing Jesus' word. It is submitting to Jesus' word. Are you living as a disciple of Jesus today?
Lord, examine me and show me the true condition of my discipleship. Help me to become an attentive listener to Your voice and a faithful doer of Your word that I might be a real disciple of Yours.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Real discipleship consists of living in the teaching of Jesus. The Greek word translated "hold to" by the NIV is the same word used in John 15:5 and translated "remain" or "abide." It means to make yourself at home and continue in something. Discipleship is not launching out on our own agenda with a prayer and hope for God's blessing. Discipleship is listening to Jesus' word and making our home in it. Discipleship is not merely believing Jesus' word. It is submitting to Jesus' word. Are you living as a disciple of Jesus today?
Lord, examine me and show me the true condition of my discipleship. Help me to become an attentive listener to Your voice and a faithful doer of Your word that I might be a real disciple of Yours.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
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