Category Archives: love of God

Glorify Your Son!

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Good morning! Today let’s read John 17:1-5.

“After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” ‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

(God’s glory is the sum total of all His attributes. It is who He is. To glorify is to reveal the divine nature.)

Jesus is getting ready to go to the cross and experience the crucifixion. He also knows that this will not be the end. He will rise again. His prayer is that His Heavenly Father would reveal to the world His divine nature — “glorify Your Son”.  And in turn, Jesus would glorify the Father — reveal God’s divine nature to us.  

Jesus death, burial, and resurrection revealed something to us about who God is: He is powerful. He is loving. He is just. He is good. 

God wants us to know Him. This knowing is an intimate knowing. He wants us to experience a relationship with Him. He generously provided The Way through Jesus. On the cross and through the empty tomb, Jesus glorified His Father. His Father glorified Him! God made Himself— Known! 

“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” ‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Knowing God is VERY important to us! It is life itself! When we know God, we experience Him! We experience His life in us. This is why Jesus prayed that He would glorify God or make God’s attributes, His divine nature, known to us. 

God’s one true purpose for our lives is that we would KNOW Him and experience His life! 

Do you know God? Are you living moment by moment in a deep and intimate relationship with Him?  

The events of Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday are proof that God’s one true purpose for us is for us to KNOW Him! May our desire be to KNOW Him all the more!

Jesus Has Overcome!

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Today let’s read John 16:16-33.

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

‭‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus wanted to prepare His disciples for what was coming. He knew He would suffer and die soon on the cross and He wanted them to understand that His death would not be the end. He promised that their grief would turn into joy that would never be taken away from them. He told them what was to come so they could have peace in the midst of trials and sadness — trouble. He wanted them to know that no matter what came their way, He had overcome the world!

Jesus is the same today as He was yesterday and He is the same forever!

He has overcome! Even death could not stop Jesus! We can be assured that with Jesus on our side we will overcome as well!  We can live in peace and have complete joy because of Jesus!

Love As He Loved

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Let’s read John 15:9-17

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” ‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Love — A deliberate act of one’s will to promote, benefit, or prosper another for their own sake at no cost to them; a deliberate act of one’s will to do that which is the very best, most excellent, and most profitable for another without expectation of something in return (Living Life Live)

When my oldest was born, I began to get a picture of what God’s sacrificial love is like. I would sacrifice sleep, my time, money, my entire life to provide what I thought was best for that sweet little helpless baby. He had nothing to offer back except his need to be held and loved and his newborn baby smell. 

We are that to God. Honestly if we look deeply at ourselves, what does the God of the universe really get in pursuit of us? For myself, I can tell you… He gets a mess… someone who willingly has chosen to do the opposite of what He commanded time and time again. He gets someone who is helpless to fix themself. The truth is, without Him, I am needy and I am spiritually poor… But HE loves me! HE was willing to give Himself away so that I could be His! 

When I realize all the truth of how God loves me, I realize that my life is not my own. As He has loved me, I am to love others. God’s love is never selfish. It always gives. I am to live my life as He did — willing to give myself away in service to Him and others. My life is not about myself. It is God’s. He fills me with His self sacrificing love so that I can love like Him! 

Do you understand what you are truly like without God’s sacrificial love? 

Do you understand how much God wants you to experience His love?

Are you experiencing His love? And Are you loving like Him?

Abide In His Love

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““As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” ‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

You and I are dearly loved by God! In fact, God is love. We were born out of Divine Love, by Divine Love and for Divine Love!  We will never experience what we were meant for if we do not experience God’s Divine Love every moment of every day. This is not a one time spiritual experience. We “remain in {His} love…”  or we ABIDE in it. We are to Abide/ Dwell In Him!  

Jesus talked about being the vine and us being the branches. There is connection between the two. They are one! His Divine Love is similar to the sap that goes between the vine and the branches. It flows in and out of every fiber. If that sap — LOVE — does not flow the branch dies. 

You and I need to live connected to Jesus in a vibrant relationship. This is how we remain in His love!  This relationship is characterized by total obedience to His Word, total submission to His will, and total dependence on Him for everything we need or ABIDING in Christ! 

Am I living connected to Jesus? Am I remaining/ abiding in His love?

 

Obedience

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Today let’s read John 14:15-23.

“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”” ‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Our one true purpose is to KNOW God! Jesus tells His disciples how to fulfill that purpose. He told them that it is the  one  who “keeps” His commands that truly loves Him. It is the one who truly loves Jesus who Jesus shows Himself to or makes Himself KNOWN. 

Jesus said that if we love Him, we will OBEY His teachings and His Father will love us and they will come and make their home with us, or dwell with us. (John 14:23-24) 

Obedience to what God says gives us a close and intimate relationship. Disobedience (sin) put’s God at a distance. It separates us from Him. 

We need to remember that all that God commands us in the Bible is for our good. What He tells us He requires is meant to keep us from harm and to help us walk close to Him. When we are truly in love with Jesus, we will want to do what He says because we will want to please Him and be close to Him.

The problem is when we are not truly living our lives close to Jesus we want our way… when we want it and how we want it… THEN “obedience” seems like it is a “dirty word.”  We do not consider what God wants. If we live our lives at a distance from Him, obedience will seem like a task and a burden. 

Here’s the kicker….We can’t come to God on our own terms… If we live our lives chasing our ways with no consideration of what He has told us, we need to take a look at what is in our spiritual hearts. 

Jesus said the greatest command is this: 

 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your souls and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37) 

If you and I are truly loving God, we will do what He says in His Word. Which means we need to know His Word so we can obey it. 

How is my love life with God? 

Do I desire to KNOW Him and His Word so I can obey Him and then live my life connected to Him in an intimate relationship? 

Or does the word “obey” feel like a dirty word to me? Does it make me recoil at the thought of it?

Love As Jesus Loved

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Today let’s read John 13:18-38.

Time is ticking. Jesus knows His time with His disciples on earth is coming to a close. He gives them a new command: 

““A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”” ‭‭John‬ ‭13‬:‭34‬-‭35‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus had already told them what the greatest command was, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” And the second to love your neighbor as yourself. 

Jesus wanted the ones who follow Him to take that further. That is to love as He loves! This Agape love, “God’s love” is self sacrificial, forgiving, and gives away all for another. It is the kind of love that benefits and prospers another person with no expectation of receiving anything in return. This kind of love is not possible for us to demonstrate in our own lives on our own. It is His love that He pours out inside of us through the Holy Spirit who lives inside of us. (Romans 5:5) 

When we love as Jesus loves, we demonstrate or reflect Him to the world. In fact Jesus says that this is how everyone will know that we are “HIS” disciples — when we love as He loves. We will be living as one who bears HIS Image to the world. 

Holy Spirit we ask You to fill us with Your love so we can do as Jesus commanded. We desire to love as Jesus loved! 

Jesus Served

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Good morning! Today let’s read John 13:1-17.

“It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.”‭‭John‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God is omniscient (all knowing). Jesus is God so He knows all things. 

“…Jesus knew…” The events that occurred right before Jesus died did not happen by chance and they were not a surprise to Jesus. He knew! He knew that one of His twelve disciples, Judas, would betray Him. He knew another one, Peter, would deny Him. He knew the rest would scatter when faced with the danger in the moments ahead. He knew He would be arrested, beaten, spit upon, have His beard pulled out. He knew He would be made to carry a heavy cross, a Roman instrument of torture, up a hill. He knew He would be crucified. 

So what was Jesus’s response to all the injustice He would suffer? He washed feet… He humbled Himself, took the position of a lowly servant and bowed before the ones who called Him teacher. The Master served…

Why would Jesus do such a thing? LOVE.  He loved His own and He loved them to the end. Everything Jesus did was from His love, His desire to benefit and prosper us with absolutely nothing that could be repaid to Him. 

I think the thing about this account that gets me the most is that Jesus washed Judas’s feet. Even though He knew… Would I do that? Would I serve the one who would betray me?

One more thought… It’s easy to read this account and forget that I am one of those He loves and loved to the end… When I have chosen sin over obedience, I have betrayed Jesus. When I have chosen to go my own way instead of follow His, I have denied Him as Lord. When I have repeatedly refused to live as He has called me to do, I have abandoned Him. Yet, He knows all this and He would willingly wash my feet. Because Jesus came to serve not to be served… 

What is my response to such love?  What is your response to such love? 

Jesus finishes washing feet and then gives an instruction:

““You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”‭‭ John‬ ‭13‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Help me to love as You love, Jesus. Help me to serve as You serve. 

Jesus — The Servant King

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Let’s read John 12:12-19.

“At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.” ‭John‬ ‭12‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The conquering kings of Jesus’s time would ride into their newly acquired territories on their war horses. They displayed their power in order for their new subjects to understand their need to submit. “Jesus found a young donkey…” This was to fulfill a messianic prophecy regarding Him. He had come as King! The crowds shouted it! BUT He had not come as a conquering King, but as a King of peace! Riding a donkey symbolized a King who had come to reconcile the people to Himself. It was a symbol of humility and service. 

BUT the people did not understand… including Jesus’s very own disciples. 

Jesus displayed the heart of His Heavenly Father to the world. What we see Jesus doing as we read the Gospels is exactly what Our Heavenly Father does. Jesus came in peace. Our Father comes to us in peace as well! He comes to us for our deliverance from sin! He comes to us in humility and love! He does not come to force us to follow Him! He comes to provide the way for us to be restored to what He had designed us for all along… relationship with Him! 

“Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your king is coming seated on a donkey’s colt.” (verse 15) Jesus our Servant King displayed what God had revealed about Himself almost 1400 years earlier when He spoke to Moses regarding who He is. He said He is:

“The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin...”‭‭Exodus‬ ‭34‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God never changes! Who He was to Moses, He was in Jesus’s time. Jesus is still our Servant King, humble, and “abounding in love and faithfulness” today! 

Jesus chose to ride into Jerusalem on a donkey so the people could know and understand exactly who He was.

Jesus wanted them to KNOW Him! He still wants us to KNOW Him today! 

Hard heartedness

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Today let’s read John 11:45-57.

“Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.””

‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭47‬-‭48‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I am always amazed at the hard heartedness of the religious leaders of Jesus’s time. Jesus simply did not fit into their agenda. They wanted things the way they wanted them, when and how they wanted it… They pursued their ways so much that they had drifted further and further from the very God they claimed to serve. They could see Jesus doing miracles that were beyond explanation, but they chose to pursue their ways instead of following Him. They stood there in the very presence of Jesus and they were not moved by His words, His miracles, His love… I would like to point my finger, but there have been times in my life that I chose to go my way instead of pursuing Him. There have been times I’ve heard His voice, saw His miracles, and yet turned away. 

Lifehouse recorded a song in the year 2000 thats lyrics have been rolling around in my head this morning as I have thought of this section of scripture. 

“You are the life to my soul

You are my purpose, you’re everything

… And how can I stand here with you

And not be moved by you?

Would you tell me how could it be

Any better than this?” 

You and I were created with a purpose — to Know God! A hard heart will keep us from realizing this purpose. Sin hardens our hearts. What is it that stands between you and God? Are you able to stand in the very presence of Jesus and not be moved by Him? 

This video illustrates the things that get in between us and God. Let’s ask  these questions: “How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?” 

Is there an area of sin in my heart that has caused me to have a heart that is hardened towards God? 

Am I living my life wanting only what I want when and how I want it? Or is knowing Jesus my one true purpose, my everything? 

Laying Hold of Victory – Living a life of Faith (Prayer 1)

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Victory over Fear, Unbelief, Anxiety, Worry, People Pleasing

(Originally Written October 4, 2023 for WOW — Women on Wednesdays Ministry)

Father,

I come to you as your beloved daughter that you have adopted into Your family knowing that by Your Spirit, I can call out to you as my “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:14-15) I know I can trust You because I know that You love me, and there is nothing that can separate me from that love.  There is no fear of death or fear in life because I know you are always with me.  There is no spiritual power- no angel, or demon that can tear me apart from You and Your love.  Nothing in the present or the future can divide me away from You.  No powers, no height or depth, or anything in all of creation can isolate me away from Your love, God, that is in Jesus Christ my Lord. (Romans 8:37-39) I can rest in this confidence!

I am assured that God is working in all things that I face now or in the future. God is working for my good and His glory because I love Him and am called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

It is Your precious and perfect love for me, Your will to good for me, that casts out all fear that comes against me. (1 John 4:18) I am not subject to anxiety or worry because I know you are my Rock, my Fortress, and My Deliverer! You are the God I take refuge in. (Psalm 18:2)   When the enemy comes in like a flood you raise up a standard against him. (Isaiah 59:19) He will not win!  You are victorious! And You have given me victory over fear, unbelief, anxiety, worry, and people pleasing because I love you and I keep your commands.  I am born of God, and I overcome the world. You have given me faith.  I believe in You, Jesus the Son of God. (1 John 5:3-5)

When fear tries to attack my mind, I call out to you God because you are my Help! (Psalm 18:6) When anxiety and worry try to drown me in their torrent, You reach down from on high and pull me out! (Psalm 18:16) When unbelief speaks lies in my ears, I will praise You alone my God because you establish a stronghold against my enemies and you silence the voice of my foe, the liar, Satan! You alone will I serve and worship with my whole heart and you alone will I long to serve, fear of man, people pleasing, has no hold on me!  (Luke 4:8)

I fix my mind and my eyes on you alone God.  I will not follow any voice of torment because I know Your voice, God, and follow You alone! You are my Good Shepherd.  You take care of me and love me greatly!  I am trusting that though the thief wants to steal, kill, and destroy, You have come to give me abundant and full life! (John 10:4-5, 10) I submit myself to You alone! I depend on You alone! I obey You alone! I am assured that I can rest in Your care and Your love! (Psalm 23)

In the precious name of Jesus, I pray!

Amen

Verse to commit to memory:

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.”

Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV

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