Author: Good Life Church

Scripture:

Romans 5:5. But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.

Observation:

1. Gifts are not valued by everyone at the same level. Have you ever been given an expensive gift to someone and you were so excited to see their reaction to the gift only to learn that they did not value the gift as much as you did? They don’t take care of it as well as you would. They don’t treat it with the same level of respect. How did that make you feel? 2. Gifts have value, even if they are free to the recipient. One reason they don’t value a free gift is because they didn’t pay for it and/or don’t have as much vested in the gift. They didn’t put in the work or effort or pay the price to acquire the gift. How do we expect others to act when they are given a free gift? 3. Gifts must be accepted A gift can be given but it also has to be accepted. If the recipient doesn’t accept the gift, the gift is wasted or rejected.

Application:

God gave us a free gift: salvation through his son Jesus. He died on a cross to save us and give us the gift of eternal salvation. I have not valued this gift like I should. I value it sometimes but not all the time. I value it when I think I need it most like when something is wrong or after I have sinned. But I need to remember that in all things and at all times I am to remember Him and appreciate what he freely gave us. To get the true value of the gift that we have been given, the gift must be accepted and used as intended. We can’t use the gift as a “when I want it” or think that the gift will always be available to us. If you have not accepted this free gift today, you must act now. One of the biggest lies we tell ourselves is that we have time. We don’t. We are not promised tomorrow. Act now.

Prayer:

Father, I have not valued your free gift as much as I should. Help open my eyes to the areas of my life that are in contradiction to your word and to your will. Help me to reflect your light and to help further you kingdom. Give me the wisdom to identify opportunities that I can use to help spread your word to those that have not accepted your son as their Lord and Savior.

-Paul Palmer

Scripture:

Rom.4:19 “He (Abraham) did not weaken in his faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead … or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. Vs 20 ” … he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God.” Vs 21 “fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.” Vs 22 “That is why his faith was counted to him as righteousness.”

Observation:

Abraham had not received the fulfillment of the promise of God, yet he was glorifying God. As a result of this, he grew strong in his faith. Abraham knew the promise God made to him, and he glorified God before the promise was fulfilled. He based his faith on who God is (“fully convinced that God was able”), not on the circumstances of his own life (“he was as good as dead”). Abraham was counted as righteous by God because of this kind of faith.

Application:

How often do I reverse the order of Abraham’s actions? With me is it usually: Step 1 – Something good happens in my life! Step 2 – I’ll credit God for it happening! Step 3 – I glorify God for his goodness. (And maybe even “step 4”, where I glorify myself for being such a “good Christian” who credits God for the good things in my life & doesn’t take credit myself. … But I’ll leave that thought for another time.) “To God be the glory!” is a common refrain to God’s goodness in life. But this is in response to “good things happening”. And it’s almost become “cliche” in Christian circles … Like saying “God bless you” after a sneeze. How sad, could I really let glorifying God become cliche, trite, … a superficial response? With Abraham he first glorified God! And then his faith grew strong! And later God’s promise (to be a father of generations and nations) was fulfilled. Those words … “he grew strong in his faith AS HE GAVE GLORY TO GOD” ring in my ears and heart. It’s so much easier to “grow in faith” as God gives to me! But then, is that faith? Or is that merely thankfulness? Abraham was righteous because of FAITH, not because he said “Thank You”. Perhaps my favorite definition of “faith” is: Believing God is who He says He is and will do what He says He’ll do. This is precisely the faith Abraham shows. And it’s in seeing this faith that the words of Jesus makes sense, “A wicked generation demands a sign”. How many future generations of Abraham would demand signs & miracles … including my own generation? But Abraham glorified God BEFORE the sign of a fulfilled promise. To glorify God the way Abraham did is not as a response to God, but as a “pre”-sponse to God. What does that look like for me? … God seems silent. I will glorify God. God seems absent. I will glorify God. I can’t see God “showing up” in my days. I will glorify God. When my life isn’t “all good” or even terrible. I will glorify God. I will glorify God because of who He is, not because of my circumstances. And my faith will grow stronger. And I will be counted as righteous.

Prayer:

Father God, thank you for the gift of faith. Holy Spirit encourage me and empower me to exercise this gift of faith even when I don’t see the evidence or promise of God revealed. Jesus I pray that I would live to glorify God in my everyday actions just as you did. In Jesus name, Amen!

-Dan Shontere

Scripture:

Romans 3:20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law, rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

Observation:

Paul is writing to the church in Rome. The theme of this letter is righteousness. Many Jews felt that by their works and following the law that they were made righteous. Paul is opposing that idea by stating that no one gets righteous except through God.

Application:

The second part of this verse reached out to me today. I know that I am saved by God’s grace alone. His laws do not make me saved, but rather they point out the sins from which I must be saved. The law shows me my sin. I am not made more holy by reading the bible and following it. Rather, the more that I read, the more I am condemned and the more that I need to be saved. The law points me to my sins, Christ saves me from them.

Prayer:

Father, The cost of my sin is Christ’s life. I am so thankful for your grace in forgiving my sins. I do not deserve righteousness because I am a sinner. I accept your gift of grace and I am thankful for the gift of salvation.

– Don J

Scripture:

“Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. (Romans 2:1-8 ESV)”

Observation:

I think Romans is a tough epistle to break down into bite size pieces. In Chapter 2, Paul continues showing the difference between God and His Judgment and Man’s propensity to make it a little bit easier on ourselves. He also unpacks the idea of those who are “special” and those who are not, i.e. judges vs. the judged. What does the Scriptures tell me about myself in Romans 2?

Application:

I must remind myself again and again: Look in the mirror and see the man who needs the Salvation of God moment by moment—who needs the Gospel preached every day to. I have not, nor ever will, arrive(d). I read in this passage about how God peels back the veneer of my o’ so righteous life to keep in front of my eyes and mind my tendency to “presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience” of God? I do it all the time and when I don’t do it I am tilted to do it in my heart anyway. It is right not to judge. But, is it right to observe and evaluate? Judge in one sense is having an opinion leading to condemnation. Judgment in another sense is evaluating. Slippery slope to negotiate here. My assumption is that if I am not being fiercly transparent with myself then I have ZERO authorization to point out faults in others—I haven’t even considered the log in my own eye. I am more inclined to rest in mercy concerning myself than to others. That couldn’t be more opposite. So what should I do to train myself in Godliness? To keep my head on straight concerning Doctrine? How do I apply Truth vigorously? Respond humbly to trials? Keep my foot on the straight path?

Prayer:

Father, I have more questions than answers at times. That is why I cry out to You. It really isn’t that I don’t have answers—it is because the answers demand responses from me. Scripture says “Study to show yourself approved before God: A workman not ashamed, accurately dividing the Word of Truth.” Sometimes I think it ought to read “…to get your head on straight, being accurate about what the Scripture says about yourself.” Douglas Hyde wrote: “Sacrificial demands create heroic responses.” Being a hero isn’t knowing more or pointing out faults in others, it is peeling back the veneer of my façade and vigorously applying Biblical truth before pointing out the faults in others. Please—convict my heart, O God and make it so in me. AMEN.

-Rick Sutton

Scripture:

Psalm 49:12-13, 20 NIV

People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings.

People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish.

Observation:

Prosperity

Perish
Purpose

Prosperity –

God loves when we prosper. Don’t you love when your children prosper? As Zig Ziglar used to say, “I don’t think God made the diamonds and beautiful homes for Satan’s bunch!, don’t you know the streets of gold and mansions are some kinda special?”

Having said that, it’s not what you own that’s the problem – it’s what owns you!

Perish –

V 13. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves…Perish

Derwin L Gray (Duey ), linebacker of the Indianapolis Colts In the 90’s – and now known as the highly motivating, “Evangelism Linebacker” talks about how low his self worth and struggles with selfishness used to be – even as a rich man. He said, “The money and fame allowed me to escape the ghetto of my environment but not the ghetto of my Soul.”

Purpose

Are we trusting in ourselves? Are were sure!? What is our purpose with wealth?

If any answer takes us further from God, further from glorifying Jesus, further from loving the Lord with our WHOLE being – watch out. It’s owning you, it’s controlling you, it’s widening your gap of true prosperity – Jesus flowing through your veins!

True prosperity through Jesus gives us clearer visions, more wisdom, The Holy spirit draws people to salvation through us, gives us SECURITY THROUGH JESUS, shows us where and when to invest money. Makes us more of a lover of people, a grower, a giver, a servant. The prosperity of Jesus transforms us into a better Husband, Wife, Mother, Child, or Brother.

Application:

Seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God AND THEN Jesus will prosper you in ways you never even dreamed up! Are you seeing Him first?

Side note , I like the things money can buy but I love the things money can’t buy. Money bought me a home but not a good night’s sleep. Money can buy me a companion but not a mate. Money can buy me a good time but not peace of mind. Money can buy me a business deal but not integrity. Money can buy temporary happiness but not joy.

Jesus is our hope, our prosperity!

Prayer:

Father, sometimes I’m guilty. Sometimes I use you for my prosperity. Sometimes I buy into “The prosperity gospel” which says maybe I’ll get more for myself if I just live for you. But Thank you Jesus for truth. Lord YOUR GOSPEL is our prosperity. End. Period. Thank you Lord for showing us and guiding us as we seek you. In Jesus name, amen.

-James Smith

Scripture:

Psalm 16:1 “Keep me safe my God for in you I take refuge.”

Observation:

This is a prayer of safekeeping, trust and faith. Some translate Micktam ad golden. The Golden Psalm. The refuge and safety mentioned here is more precious than gold.

Application:

What a wonderful reassurance for me to know that my safety and refuge is in God. As I think about what this means and reread the passage I can see a clear difference between worldly safety and refuge and the safety in my trust of God. My riches and gold are in this wonderful word of God and my faith in the inheritance of everlasting life. In today’s world and in David’s world, the pursuit is in riches, power and influence. In God’s world the riches are his words, the power is in loving others and the influence is in leading others to Christ. “For though we live in the world we do not wage war as the world does” 2Cor10:3

Prayer:

Father, thank you for the riches that you give to me. All that I have comes from your blessing. Though I do have many worldly blessings, I am most thankful for the gift of Your Son. Jesus died so that I could have an eternal inheritance. Amen

– Don J

Scripture:

“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place–what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:3-4 ESV)

“O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:9 ESV)

Observation:

David lets it go with praise to God, enumerating (counting and listing) observations about the Most High in song, in prayer, in reflection.

Application:

I can almost feel the elation that David exhibits and relates with this psalm. Whether all the Psalms are in chronological order (they are not always) Psalm 7 was a reflection about repentance and the process, the rewards and consequences of repenting (or not). Here in Ps 8 I get the sense of almost complete abandonment to declaring SPECIFIC praise to God—“You have set Your Glory above all the earth.” “When I look upon the heavens at the Work of your Hands, the Moon, the stars—how You have set them in place in their orbits—and all the wonders of Your Hands…” David is losing himself in the Wonder of God’s Creation, marveling at the things that he sees, not missing the important over the urgent. And then David compares: “What is man that You are mindful of him…” The neat thing, the wonderful thing is that God is mindful of man!! How much the Creation declares His Wonder, His Glory, His Worthiness and is magnificent to behold from the sky to the microbe—nevertheless He is unfathomably mindful of Man. We cannot fathom why He is or why He should be—but He is and to that I must bow my head and my heart and humbly rejoice at the wonder that His is—because, like David, I recognize that I don’t deserve His attention.

Prayer:

God, oh God: How majestic is Your Name above all the earth. I don’t spend enough time just reflecting and meditating on You—Your Attributes, Your Character, etc. I run too quickly to “help me this and help me that”—making all of my prayer time about me and not You. I want to discipline myself to fall in love with You again; to fall on my face to understand the terrible, magnificent, and glorious Holy God that You are. The entire Bible is about You—Your Mercy, Your Grace and so much more—and how You have CHOSEN to be mindful of me. What a humbling wonder…AMEN.

-Rick Sutton

Scripture:

John 21:17 – A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.”

Observation:

The three questions and affirmations of Peter’s love for Jesus parallel his denials of Christ. In spite of Peter’s previous failure, Jesus knows Peter’s faith and commitment and is able to use him. With Peter’s affirmation, he is being commissioned into a ministry to care, love and nurture Jesus’ flock.

Application:

In looking at how Jesus asked Peter if he loved him, after earlier denials causes me to self-examine if Jesus asked me the same questions. After years of prior denials myself, now my response is yes! So if my response is yes to love Jesus, I need to be faithfully prepared to protect and lead his sheep. This is true discipleship to receive his love then be willing to share that love with others. Jesus wants me to follow Him. My ability to follow Jesus is not dependent on others but on my submission to the Holy Spirits guidance along Jesus’ path for me. Following Jesus will cause sacrifice and suffering in this world but there is great reward to those who glorify his name.

Prayer:

Father, Thank you for loving us so much that you sent your Son to conquer death for me. Help me to be spirit led to follow you and build disciples of your flock.

-Todd Dawson

Scripture:

John 19:14-16

Pilate said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.

Observation:

Pilot was a weak leader, scared leader, betraying leader.

Weak – many but ultimately, even though Pilate believed Jesus was the King, he still caved to the crowd.

Scared – vs 8. “When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid.” I don’t know if Pilate was afraid Jesus claiming (and possibly true) to being God, or afraid of breaking Jewish law on blasphemy.

Betrayer – Pilate choked like a Miami hurricane! Like Buffalo Bill’s kicker, Scott Norwood! Pilate totally and epically fails and gives in to the temptation of the crowd. He totally gave in to his fears and weaknesses – and chose everyone and everything else over Jesus. AND not only did he say yes to flesh, no to Jesus – he also hands him over to be murdered!

Application:

Don’t be a Pilate! Be a spirit filled you!

You might say, “No way, me? Never a Pilot”. Easy, now you’re sounding like the foot-in-mouth master, Peter. Don’t be a Peter either! (John 18)

Truth – sometimes, I’m a Pilate. I’ve said…

No to Jesus yes to a 3rd scoop of ice cream!
No to Jesus yes to sex
No to Jesus yes to money
No to Jesus yes to drunkenness
No to Jesus yes to shopping, gossip, lust, power, bullying, laziness, pot, porn, and politics!

Don’t be a James, either!

Sin turns great leaders into lame leaders.
Sin makes us a Pilate.
Don’t be a Pilate!
Be a spirit filled you!

The spirit turns us into and delivers us in through – Jesus! The spirit of Jesus allows us to be bold to politics, culture, to society, to sin!

Jesus was bold to Pilate. No concerns at all. At all! He boldly told Pilate who’s really in charge. Now THAT’S leadership!

Be a spirit filled you! ( saved, serving, committed )

Prayer:

Lord you used the sin of man to save us from man’s sin. Mind blown. You truly love us. May our love for you overcome our fears and insecurities. May your love for us give us strength when faced with temptations of the flesh and world. In Jesus name, amen.

-James Smith

Scripture:

John 18:6 When Jesus[b] said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

John 18:17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.”

Observations:

The dichotomy of the two answers that Jesus and Peter gave, “I am he” and “I am not” is very interesting. It is only one word that is different in the answers but it is 180 degrees different in the responses. Jesus was confirming not only who they were looking for but also who he was. Peter, on the other hand, was denying who he was and that he even knew of Jesus’ existence. Jesus was affirming he was the truth, Peter was trying to distance himself from the truth. Jesus, by his answer, started the process by which he saved the world, Peter was just trying to save himself. Jesus knew that events had to take place to fulfill God’s will. These events were necessary to glorify God. Peter was only looking out for himself. Jesus knew that his short term pain would lead to long term gain. Peter was looking for short term avoidance in the hopes that he would survive long term. We often think we would be more like Jesus and less like Peter. We would or will stand up to events that are taking place and we would stand true to His word. We would never think that we would ever deny Jesus. We may even question how Peter could do such a thing. And not just once but three times. We are confident that we would stand firm in the reality of what is occurring and be bold in our faith.

Application:

The truth is we are all probably more like Peter than we care to admit. I am more like Peter than I care to admit. I am bold in front of Jesus when it is easy to be bold but when the pressure of the world, the pressure of the situation is upon me, how often do I fold and not honor Jesus? I don’t stand for Him or with Him, I often stand for me. I don’t stand for what is best for Him, I stand for what is best for me. I don’t care about the long term, I only think of the short term. When we do this, we deny Jesus. That is why there are people that act one way on Sunday at church and another way the rest of the week. They are denying Jesus. We may not be denying Jesus in the same fashion as Peter but if our actions don’t match our “Sunday words” we deny Him just the same. We are saying to those around us “I am not his disciple”. When I am with Him, I act like Him but when I am not with Him, I am just like the world.

Prayer:

Father I admit that I don’t always act the way I want. I deny you at times when it is seemingly convenient for me. Forgive me for not standing true to your word at all times. Give me the daily strength to live for you, to love for you and to stand for you.

-Paul Palmer

Scripture:

John 17:24“Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.”

Observation:

What an amazing chapter. Here we get to know what Jesus prayed right before he was arrested as “… the hour had come …”.
What an earnest, deep, transparent, heartfelt, intimate prayer.
And what a rich verse. This verse had it all!
The who: “I desire”
The what: “be with me” & “see my glory”
The where: “where I am”
The when: “before the foundation of the earth”
The why: “because you loved”
Interesting also that Jesus uses the phrase “You have given me” twice in this one verse.
Once in reference to us, believers in Him.
The second time in reference to His glory.
We and His glory would be described as having the same source … The Father.
Incredible.
Not only is His glory a gift, but even we are gifts!
How incredible, also, that we get to see what Jesus’ desires were right before going to the cross.
And in this verse His desire is for us to be not only “with” Him, but to “see” His glory!
Again, so incredible as to be overwhelming!

Application:

So how is my prayer life?
I come back to John 17 with some frequency whenever I’m thinking about prayer.
The depths are never reached.
It only gets deeper.
I’m given to Jesus by the Father!
I often consider everything around me as a gift from the Father. … But even my very self? Indeed!
Whenever I’m tempted to think little of myself, I need to recall Who’s I am and Who I was given by.
Also, prayers are often full of desires & how amazing that I/We are part of Jesus’ desire in prayer!
His “desire” is for us to be with Him & see His glory.
Does His desire match my desire? I hope so.
What desires are my prayers full of?
My desire may be for locations & sights.
But is the location “with Him”?
Is the sight “His glory”?
And do I pray for my “desires” or my “wants”?
Perhaps not a subtle difference.
If the lord is my shepherd, I shall not “want”.
But if I take delight in the lord, He will give me the “desires” of my heart.
This prayer is full of the pleadings of Jesus for unity.
If I am “with” Jesus, fulfilling the very prayer of Jesus’ desire, perhaps my desires would match Jesus’ desires.

Prayer:

Father, may my prayers be more like Jesus’ prayers.

-Dan Shontere

Scripture:

John 12:20

Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

Observation:

Jesus is preparing the disciples. He knows what is going to happen, but the disciples don’t know. There is not yet a death on the cross; there is not yet a resurrection. Jesus is telling them that surely you will weep, but soon you will rejoice.

Application:

In my life, during times of grief or mourning, I must remember that with faith in God I will eventually see joy return to my life. I must remember that dawn always follows darkness. How much darker can it get than when the perfect loving Jesus is tortured and nailed to a cross? Where is our faith then? Do I remember that Jesus will rise, “after a little while”? I don’t ever know how long my darkness lasts. Jesus only told the disciples, “in a little while”. His time and timing is not for us to understand or question. I do know that eventually there will be joy. I have to know this and believe this without question. Eventually Jesus rises and my ultimate price for my sins is paid for. Joy comes. So when I am beaten down and possibly tortured I have to have faith that eventually God will work it out to my joy and His glory. This world will not win. Even if my final triumph is death and resurrection, I will conquer this world just as Jesus did.

Prayer:

Father, I believe that your world will triumph. Just as Jesus overcame the world, I believe that I can too. I have to stay in your world and focused on You. When the going gets rough, I have to lean in more to you. It is only thru Jesus that I can overcome this world. Amen

– Don J

Scripture:

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. (John 15:4 ESV) You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. (John 15:16 ESV)

Observation:

This can be a very familiar section of Scripture. Jesus is rapid fire with instructions and consequences of either obedience or disobedience. He speaks of the world at large and the church small. He identifies and defines the Father’s reaction to us. Jesus also defines His relationship with us as well as defining our relationship to Him. Question: Can I really abide in Him?

Application:

Goodness, I like to cherry pick this chapter of John. But I have come to realize I can cherry pick so much in John 15 as to miss what Jesus is saying in order to get a scripture that gives me warm fuzzies. Over the past number of years I am trying to get out of that habit and really read what the scriptures are saying and not skim over the unpleasant or the implication parts. I see one particular phrase repeated over and over in John 15: Abide in Me. Jesus goes on to describe different issues that can happen to tempt me to NOT abide in Him: I can get into a place in my life where I am not bearing fruit (read: results of being a Christian); I can get into a place where I am trying to bear fruit all by myself (independently) and apart from Jesus; I do not study and embrace the Word in my life (I read Ps 119 frequently through the year—that guy knows about the supremacy of the Word of God); I don’t elect to serve, look for opportunities to serve, implying I am not a friend; I have issues with worldliness in my life; and, I look at my life and the things that I think are horrible are nothing compared to what Jesus encountered (am I greater than my Master?). So, what is the magic bullet of Godliness? Could part of it be “Abide in Me?” That is easier said than done sometimes. 2nd Cor 13:5a says “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” I realize this isn’t some reference to make myself doubt whether I am a disciple or not (being Justified in Him) but to do diagnostics on my heart to determine whether I am abiding in Him. Just like I have to run my Disc Clean up and Defrag on the computer, I have to frequently run the same in my heart asking the Holy Spirit to bring up the issues of my soul that needs addressing in a sanctification sort of way—and being OK to go seek out help to identify issues that I am ear-blind to the Holy Spirit. A good friend is a good way to get a good read on my life—even if it hurts or takes some time to get there. Finally today, I must remember what God says about me: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you…” I may think that I volunteered for this Christian life, but I couldn’t have unless He chose me first. Therefore, that has meaning for “He who began a good work in (me) will complete it to His Glory…”

Prayer:

Lord God, Humbly I thank You that You have done all the hard work concerning my salvation. I did not and do not deserve your love and mercy towards me but am grateful that You looked upon me and wanted me despite my sin. Help me to abide in You—not superficially, not without depth, but to grow evermore to abide in You. Let me see what that entails and help me not to shrink back from the effort it will take. For Your Glory I remain humbly a servant, AMEN.

-Rick Sutton.

Scripture:

John 14:6 – Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Observation:

Verse 6 is Jesus response to Thomas question about not knowing where he was going, so how could he know the way. Jesus is the only way to the Father. There is no other route to God without Jesus. Jesus is the truth because God is truth. In John 14:10 Jesus tells us, “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.” Jesus is the exclusive source of eternal life for those who place their trust in him. Jesus tells us in Revelation that he holds the keys to death and the grave.

Application:

In contrast to the religious pluralism prevalent today, all roads don not lead to heaven. Although this may appear arrogant, I need to be confident that Jesus is the only way to God and be able to articulate this in a loving way. I must always remember we serve an all knowing, all powerful creator of the universe that is truth and justice. Jesus is in the Father and the truth is on our side. This is an unconditional truth that is not dependent on a given set of variables or situations to be true. I must place my faith and trust in Jesus to not perish, but have eternal life! This is the Gospel and is God’s redemptive plan to save everyone who believes in a broken world.

Prayer:

Father, Thank you for loving us enough to send your Son to pay for our sins so that we may have the way to know you. Let your spirit guide me in your truth as I share your word and interact with others.

-Todd Dawson

Scripture:
John 13:3 “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,”

Observation:
Before Jesus rises from the table to perform one of the most humble acts in the history of time, the apostle John gives insight to the state of Jesus, His heart and mind before He does this. Jesus knows fully who He is, what He’s doing and where He’s going. This is essential to serving the needs of others before yourself.

Application:
Serving other people can be exhausting. Especially when those other people do not respond the way that you would hope for them too. These same feet of the disciples that Jesus washed, in just a matter of days would run away from Him and abandon Him in a time of need. The key to laying our lives down in service to people who many times don’t respond the way we hoped, is having a clear heart and mind on who we are, what we’re doing and ultimately where we’re going. Without this clarity, serving others, sacrificing for others, just gets old. The first step to pushing away from the table and committing ourselves to being contributors instead of consumers is clarity on whose we are, who we are, what we’re doing, and where we’re going.

Prayer:
Father I’ve been tested the last couple days in multiple ways with people who don’t respond the way that I would hope they did. Thank you for this reminder. My heart and mind have to be in the right place or I will find myself getting frustrated. Thank you for your perfect love and for your example. May I serve from your love and not my own.