Category: Good Life Journal

Scripture:

“I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.” (Romans 9:1-2 ESV) “But it is not as though the word of God has failed. “ (Romans 9:6a ESV) “…For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.” (Romans 9:15-18 ESV) “What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?” (Romans 9:22-24 ESV)

Observation:

This chapter is titled God’s Sovereign Choice in my bible. It broadly talks about choice: God’s Choice and man’s choice. From my perspective these are not in conflict although it takes a bit of work to understand the Grace of God in the Gospel concerning Chapter 9—although a full understanding is sort of impossible because of my feeble mortal mind. For me it represents another beautiful facet of the Jewel that is the Gospel.

Application:

Once per year on my personal calendar is to review the Attributes of God. On a monthly basis I try to thoroughly recite the Plan of the Gospel. Good times in the car—I can get to the Cross but run out of time thinking of the Gospel and the local Church (not often getting to the Gifts of the Holy Spirit). Weaving the study of the Attributes into the Gospel is certainly needed because I either want to; 1) Short cut and minimize the enormity of the Gospel or; 2) Define the Gospel into a term that is all about me and only partially about God. In Romans 9 I see the heavy, wet, cloth of truth: God is Sovereign. No matter how I want to look at it God is Sovereign—all of Creation is under His rule and Active influence and control. I do not submit to that lightly. Even as I write the above and know that there are “better” answers candidly my heart doesn’t like this. I want to have some measure of control, of independence. I want to think God gives me latitude (like a doting father might). I tend toward self-importance, self-absorption. If I wanted to humanize my attitude it would be “Look what I did, Daddy. Aren’t you proud of me?”… but in some kind of score keeping way—however I thought about it, it wouldn’t be godly and glorifying to God. I know in my heart it would be “I don’t need You…I can do it myself.” This is ardently exemplified when I think that I have failed doing “God’s work” of some kind. What a crooked thought that is: like I am in charge of results. But that attitude is not the Heart of the Gospel. The Heart is that God loved his Creation; and that so thoroughly He created and executed the Plan to redeem the world by offering His Son as the Propitiation of His Wrath—Jesus died to pay the penalty for my Sin from the Wrath of God that I deserve. The humbling part of Romans 9 is that, according to the Scriptures, from a personal perspective—God chose me. Why? Why wasn’t I counted like Pharaoh? Why wasn’t I counted like Esau? “God so loved the World that He gave His only Son…” I get that objectively—what I am wrestling with and am in awe with more and more as I grow older is “why did He die for me specifically?” Don’t misunderstand this—my faith has not been stronger; I am not wavering. I don’t use the word “awe” lightly. What I am certainly coming to grips with is that I will not EVER understand the depths of His mercy towards me…and I am understanding that on That Day I will be among countless who will throw their crowns at the Feet crying “Only you are Worthy to receive Glory and Honor and Power—Worthy is the Lamb!”

Prayer:

I remember this refrain “Were the whole realm of nature mine; that were an offering far too small. Love so amazing, so divine; Demands my soul, my life, my all.” (Isaac Watts) My offering, Lord, of my life is meager, not anywhere close to being enough. But it is all I have. Daily I lay it down at the foot of the Cross, that blazing center of your Mercy and Grace. Please help me get my head on straight and teach me Your Ways. (Ps 119).

-Rick Sutton

Scripture:

Romans 6:15-17

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?

Observation:

Grace
Slavery
Obedience

Grace – I often find myself taking advantage of God’s grace. After all, we can’t outsin the grace of God, right?

Slavery – nope, can’t outsin God’s grace. But we also can’t unsin the consequences. God’s grace doesn’t stop the butt whoopings that come from sin. Slavery.

Obedience – Bob Dylan wrote the song, “you’re gonna serve somebody.” He said, “it might be the devil, it might be the Lord, but you’re gonna serve somebody.

Application:

If I’m going to practice obedience anyway. If I’m going to be a slave anyway.

Be obedient and a slave to Jesus. It’s the best deal going!

Prayer:

Father, thank you for allowing us to be your slave instead of sin’s. Thank you for giving us the power to obey you. In Jesus name, amen.

-James Smith

Scripture:

Rom. 7:15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.

Observation:

Paul, the greatest church planting missionary of all time expresses a frustration that everyone of us have. We are a new person in Christ, yet we continue to do the very things we hate and struggle to do the things we know we should. Paul actually says he “wants” to do the right thing yet ends up doing the thing he “hates”.

Application:

The use of want and hate is interesting. The question I would pose to Paul is, “If you really hate it why are you doing it? And if you really want to do the right thing, why don’t you do it.” It seems very simple until I apply it to my own life. I find myself where Paul is many times. Too often. Thoughts, words, actions, emotions, fears… none of which I really want to have as part of my life start to come creeping back. Yet in my right mind, when surrounded by support and living in a clear reality that God is with me and within me, none of these thoughts, emotions, fears are appealing whatsoever. Yet here I sit. This passage reminds us that I am not alone in this, and either are you. As long as we live on earth and in our flesh we will battle with this. Today I am drawing a line down a piece of paper and writing the things I hate and the things I actually want to do. My life is not defined by my ability to master my weaknesses and accentuate my strengths. The truth is I am defined by the victory Christ claimed 2,000 years ago when He delivered me from this body of death through the crucifixion and resurrection! No temptation has seized me today except what is common to man today. (1 Cor. 10:13). May I seek to find the way out and stand up under the resurrecting power of Christ.

Prayer:

Father, I know I am not alone in this life. I know I am here for a purpose. I know it isn’t to do the things I despise, but rather do the things you have called me to do for your glory. Lead me today and may I realize that the battle is already won.

Scripture:

Romans 8:14-15 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are Children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him “Abba, Father.”

Observation:

When we place our faith in Jesus, we have God’s Spirit living in us. Those who follow the Spirit are chosen to be children of God. God gives us his Spirit and adopts us as his own children where we can have an intimate relationship with him and call him “Abba/Daddy.” The Spirit does not make us slaves to God, rather it gives us power to overcome our sinful nature.

Application:

The same Spirit of God that raised Jesus from the dead lives inside me. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and resurrection gives me life so I am right with God. It is amazing how God loves us so much that when we believe in Jesus, he literally adopts us as his own children! If this is the way God views us in the spirit of adoption, so too should the Church and its’ body view adoption. While everyone may not become adoptive parents, we have many ways to support adoption with our time and resources.

Prayer:

Father, Thank you for loving us so much to send your son Jesus so we can believe in Him and become your children. May your Spirit of adoption guide us for opportunities to support and serve that ministry.

-Todd Dawson

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