Jesus

  • (PASSION WEEK) How To Live Ruled By What You Know

    “Jesus knew the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal…and wrapped a towel around his waist.  After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples feet…”You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”……For he knew who was going to betray him.”
                                                                     John 13:3,11 NIV

    LIVE RULED BY WHAT YOU KNOW

    I love how unshakeable Jesus was throughout the Passion Week.  It started off on what we call Palm Sunday with people waving branches of Palm trees, singing His praises and declaring Him the Messiah; but the tide of popularity quickly changed, as it so often does.  Jesus knew that He was headed into the storm of His life.  I admire how Jesus didn’t live in the applause of men, or the attacks of them either.

    [tweetthis]Jesus didn’t live in the applause of men, or the attacks of them either[/tweetthis]

    Then, at the Last Supper Jesus doesn’t let the reality of his troubles overrule what He knew. I long to be ruled by what I know, not what I’m living!

    [tweetthis]I long to be ruled by what I know, not what I’m living![/tweetthis]

    jesus washing disciples feetWASHING FEET

    These verses make it clear that Jesus knew His position with the Father.  Jesus knew He had all power yet displayed humble submission through servant leadership and washed the disciples’ feet.

    Jesus wasn’t in denial to His circumstances; he was fully aware of the situations surrounding Him; but instead of letting the situations rule His actions, Jesus chose to act on what He knew from the Father.  Oh to be like Jesus!

    You need to make conscious decisions to not live a life based on your circumstances but based on what God the Father has said about OU in His word and the promises He’s given you.  You need to KNOW, with steadfast assurance what God has revealed to you and let that be your guiding force.

    So, what do you KNOW?
    Prayer

    Father… The enemy wants me to base my knowledge on the facts of my current circumstances.  Help me to know Your truth.  Guide me in Your Word to passages that will strengthen my knowledge of what You say, so I can silence the information of the enemy in my mind and live in Your truth!   In Jesus Name…Amen

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    YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
    MONDAY     Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis,
    TUESDAY     Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
    WEDNESDAY     Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
    THURSDAY     Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
    FRIDAY     Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell

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  • Stay

    “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
    Luke 24:48 NIV

    In my lifetime I’ve had a few dogs. There was Missy, then Coby, next a crazy Daisy followed by Roxie and a brief stint with Chancho. With training, or shall I say, trying to train all those dogs, there were a ton of “Stay” directives spoken. Some dogs learned the command quickly. Crazy Daisy and Chancho never learned to come under their master’s authority.

    In this verse, Jesus is at the end of His life. He’s just about to be ascended back to heaven when He gave the disciples this command to “stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Learning to stay is not an easy lesson to grasp.   As a first-born, with a slightly Type-A personality who was raised at the dragstrip; I’ve struggled with learning to stay. I don’t want to slow down, and I especially don’t want to stay. I want to get things done but, if I don’t heed the master’s voice when He’s directing me to stay, and I run on ahead of His timing; I end up in a whole heap of problems.   Jesus knew what was ahead for the disciples. He knew that they had so much to do and couldn’t do it in their own strength. They needed to stay and wait for the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish all that God desired them to do.

    Could Jesus be directing you to stay? Trust that He knows what is ahead of you. I encourage you to discern His voice and learn to stay until you hear His voice declaring a FORWARD command.

    Prayer

    Father…My heart’s desire is to follow You; not running ahead or lagging behind. Help me to rightly discern the direction You’re giving me today. Please take away my anxious heart and help me to accept Your command when it’s given to stay; not as punishment, but protection for what’s ahead.   May I stay still long enough so You can clothe me in Your power! In Jesus Name…Amen

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  • Jesus Was Full of Passion

    “As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.”
    Luke 19:41 NIV

    True love wells up passion in your heart that’s impossible to keep inside.  Passion bubbles up and spills out!  It’s the force inside that compels people to greatness despite adversity; an emotion that propels us.  Passion is aroused from either a great love or hatred.  One motivator brings about increased love, while the other produces hurt.   Passion motivated by hatred caused Romeo and Juliet’s parents to try and break up their love, while passion motivated by love made the couple willing to die for each other.

    During Passion Week, Jesus was heartbroken over how the people of Jerusalem were rejecting the God who was doing everything to reach them and show them His love. The most religious of cities, yet their lack of faith in God brought Jesus to tears.  Jesus passionately loved the lost people of Jerusalem even though they rejected Him.  Like Romeo and Juliet, He was willing to die for the sake of love.  This love caused Jesus to passionately pursue God’s plan for His life.  Nothing and no one could stop Him from fulfilling His mission to restore us to right relationship with the father.

    When I read how Jesus lived and loved, I want to follow suit.  I don’t want to live my life with a ‘get by’ mentality.  I want to live with passion and reach the world with the love of Christ!  I want to see each day as an opportunity for adventure and ‘seize the day’!  This Easter, let the passion of Christ renew your passion to love and serve Him more!

    Prayer

    Father…I cannot thank You enough for sending your son.  Jesus I thank You for the way You lived Your life with passion because of Your love for me.  That thought is overwhelming.  I don’t deserve your love, but I’m grateful for it!  Help me to passionately pursue the life You have planned out for me so others can know the depths of Your love.  In Jesus Name…Amen.

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  • Undeterred

    “The moment they saw him, they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally. Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge…”
                                              Matthew 28:17-18 MSG

    My friend Melanie would often come over and play Barbies with my daughter, so Shelby began to expect that whenever Mel came over she was her playmate. One day Mel didn’t feel like playing Barbies and declined Shelby’s invite. Shelby kept asking so I told her to go to her room. While I was preparing food she begged Mel to come down to her room for just a minute. As soon as Mel walked in the room, Shelby, undeterred by Melanie’s responses, shut the door and said, “Now we play Barbies!”

    I love how Jesus was undeterred by the response of His disciples. Jesus was a strong leader and He wasn’t governed by His emotions or the responses of people to His words. Their lack of unity or commitment to the plan didn’t faze Him. Jesus was committed to following His father’s lead and fulfilling the call on His life no matter how people reacted or what was the popular opinion about Him. In Luke 9:51 it says that Jesus “resolutely set out for Jerusalem” when it was His time to return home to Heaven.

    In this coming new year, may you walk towards the call of God on your life; undeterred by emotions, circumstances, the responses or opinions of others!

    Prayer

    Father…I thank-you for sending Your Son Jesus to be the perfect example of how I should live! Help me to not be swayed by the response or opinions of others. Let my heart be so set on Your purposes that nothing; not even my emotions, could deter me from following Your lead. In Jesus Name…Amen

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  • Looking For The Wrong Messiah

    “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us…And he will be called…
    Prince of Peace
    …His government and its peace will never end.”
    Isaiah 9:6-7 NLT

    looking for the wrong messiahYears ago I heard Joyce Meyers tell about a time she went shopping and had trouble finding her car. After wandering the parking lot a kind gentleman asked if he could help her. They walked and walked the parking lot. When exasperated, she remembered that she driven their other car to the mall! Now that’s looking for the wrong thing!

    The unrecognized Jesus as the Prince of Peace

    Countless Israelites recognized Jesus as the Prince of Peace when he came as that “child born to us”, but sadly too many were blind to the truth that Jesus was their promised redeemer because they were looking for the wrong messiah. Many Jewish people are still looking for a military and political leader1, but I believe the messiah was prophesied as one who would come to bring peace in a different way than they are hoping for.

    Like the Israelites, we often look for Christ’s “government” and “peace” to change our circumstances, but He wants to change our hearts. We want God to deal with the sin in our world, but He wants to deal with the sin in our lives. The redemption God cares about happens within our hearts. The peace He desires to bring will come as a result of our restored relationship with the Father through all Christ accomplished on the cross.

    We can sit and judge Israeli people as looking for the wrong messiah, but could we be doing the same thing? Do we ever spend all our prayer time asking God to change our circumstances? This Christmas let Jesus be the Prince of Peace over your heart through relationship with Him and it will affect how you view your circumstances.

    Prayer

    Father…I pray that you would help me to see the truth of who You are and why You sent Your Son. I’m overwhelmed to think that the God of the Universe desires to be in relationship with me. Jesus, I thank You for coming as a child to be MY Prince of Peace! In Jesus Name…Amen 

    1 Judaism 101 website. https://www.jewfaq.org/mashiach.htm


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    Soul H2OIf you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

    WHERE YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP MY BLOG WITH OR PLACES WHERE MY WRITING HAS BEEN FEATURED

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  • Internship

    “Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.”
                                                      Mark 10:21-22 NLT

    My stepdaughter became involved in the political field during her last few years at University and realized a passion she didn’t know she had. Morgan recognized that to enter into a political career she needed to complete a government Internship. She landed an amazing position as the summer Intern for the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. She learned so much and was blessed to be a part in the success of the 2015 Toronto Pan Am games. Morgan was willing to move four hours away from home and work two jobs in order to position herself one-step closer to her dream.

    The rich young ruler in the scripture above “said” he wanted to do whatever it took to gain eternal life. Jesus even offered him a personal Internship, but he refused when he felt the cost to follow was much too great. His decision was a drastic contrast to the choice of Jesus’ disciples. When Jesus found a group of fishermen out fishing, he called them and offered the same type of Internship as He had to the rich young guy. The Bible tells it like this, “Follow Me,” Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish for people!” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.” (Mark 1:17-18). The disciples’ lives were forever changed as they followed Jesus.

    The Bible is full of Internship examples like: Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha, Paul & Timothy, Jesus and the disciples. So, are you a ‘Moses’ or a ‘Joshua’ right now? There will always be mentors and people who need mentoring. You’re wise to learn from godly direction, and a blessing when you lead with heart.

    Prayer

    Father…I thank-you for placing godly mentors in my life that help me grow into the person you’ve divinely designed me to be. Help me to discern what season I’m in, whether it’s time for me to lead or a time for me to teach. May I always stay registered in Your Internship program! In Jesus Name…Amen

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  • Speak Out Scripture

    “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
                                                              John 7:38 NIV

    When I was young, scripture memorization was a big deal. There were prizes to be won in Sunday School and Badges to attain at Crusaders.   Having a competitive edge to my personality (you know this is an understatement if you’ve ever played a board game with me), I took up that challenge each time. I won stuffed animals, pens, pencils, stickers, plaques and so much more! The real prize was filling up my well with living water and being taught how to let it flow from within. Learning to speak out scripture was priceless.

    Jesus lived to be an example for us. John records often how Jesus modeled the habit of speaking scripture out loud. When he was tempted in the desert by the devil, Jesus overcame by speaking scripture to the enemy. When Jesus taught his disciples, he quoted scripture. When he was attacked by the Pharisees, Jesus reminded them of scripture. When he was wrongfully accused, Jesus quoted scripture. On the cross, Jesus spoke scripture. So often Jesus response to difficult situations was to speak out scripture.

    So, fill up that well, drink in the living water till you’re brimming over and speak it out until there’s a steady flow, refreshing you…refreshing others!

    Prayer

    Father…I thank You for sending your son. Jesus I thank You for willingly coming and being the perfect example for me to model my life after. Help me to speak out scripture and overcome every struggle by the power of Your Word! In Jesus Name…Amen  

    So, what’s a verse that you speak out to overcome?

    Speak Out
    Share it in the Comment Section below
    and     let those rivers flow! 

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  • New Clothes

    “You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised…but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
                                             Luke 24:48-49 NLT…NIV

    I love getting new clothes and who doesn’t? I remember when my son was a teen and got a new shirt before camp. I literally had to wash it every other day so people could stand to be near him! Getting a new job often requires buying new clothes to prepare you for the new position; like that first suit, the company uniform, coveralls with your name on them or the tool belt for your trade.

    At the end of Jesus’ life and ministry on earth, he explains to his followers about their new position as witnesses for Christ to the world. Jesus warns them not to start the job without getting some new clothes on! We read in Acts 2 how the Holy Spirit fell on all those who followed Jesus direction by waiting and praying together in the upper room. Immediately, these men and women were turned into powerhouse witnesses for Christ! 3000 people were reached that day!

    Our mission hasn’t changed and Jesus direction applies now more than ever. If we are to reach this world for Christ we need to be clothed in the power of the Holy Spirit!

    Prayer

    Father…It’s my desire to let my friends…my family…those in my sphere of influence and people all around this world know about You! I can’t do it in my own strength. Holy Spirit, please clothe me in Your power, like you did for the disciples, so I can be an effective witness for Christ! I need some new clothes! In Jesus Name…Amen

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  • Discerning the Best from the Good

    worn out“The next morning, Jesus sneaks away. He finds a place away from the crowds, but soon they find Him. The crowd tries their best to keep Him from leaving. Jesus: No, I cannot stay. I need to preach the kingdom of God to other cities too. This is the purpose I was sent to fulfill..”
    Luke 4:42-43 The Voice

    In this day and age you could be going 24 hours a day, 7 days a week following the demands of people around you. I admire Jesus discernment of the best from the good. I desire to be this discerning but often lack the discipline He had and end up tired and burned out from doing too much.

    There are so many good things we can do. Helping a friend or family member…volunteering at church, in the schools, our community..working, cleaning, exercising…The trouble is we simply can’t do them all. When we do, we stop following Jesus’ example, ending up exhausted. When Mark records his account of this event we see what Jesus was doing when he hid away from the crowds. He was praying (Mk 1:37). Jesus made the discipline in His life to take time away from people and pray. It was out of this pulling back and allowing for rest that He was re-energized to fulfill the purpose that the Father had for His life. It was during these times of rest and prayer that brought about discernment for what the Father wanted Him to do next. Jesus refused to be controlled by guilt and sought after purpose.

    Check yourself. Are you feeling tired and weary? If so, you’ve been doing too much. Find some time away, lock the bathroom door if you have to! Rest from all those that would try and keep pulling you to help them. Pray and ask God so you can discern the best from the good that your life can make the greatest impact for Him!

    Prayer:

    Father…Forgive me for not taking the time I should to rest and spend time with you. Help me to prioritize my time with you over anything here on earth. I ask you to provide me with the discernment to know the best from the good and give me boldness to follow through. In Jesus Name…Amen.

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  • The Closeness Of God

    closeness“They will be my people, and I will be their God.”  

    Jeremiah32:38 (NIV)
    Isn’t it amazing how the more you love someone the closer you want to get to them?  From the beginning of the Bible in Genesis 3 we can read how God would come down and hang out with Adam and Eve in the garden.  God originally created us to have fellowship with Him and even went so far as to create the perfect place to fellowship with us.  Sin messed that all up.
    In the Old Testament, it tells us that God dwelt “among” His people.  There are so many scriptures that talk about it.  All of them say the same thing.  God came to dwell “among” us.  Exodus 25:8 affirms this and then the following section of scripture gives instructions on how to build the Ark of The Covenant.  The Ark was a symbol of God’s presence amongst the people.  The priests were to put the Testimony—the record of God’s laws and promises inside the Ark.
    As time passed God desired to come closer in relationship with us.  Jesus came down to earth to live “among” us full-time.  Even that no longer satisfied God’s desire for relationship with us.  He wanted more.  He wanted closer.  In John 16:7 Jesus tells the people that it is better that He goes so that the Counselor, the Holy Spirit could come.  The Holy Spirit came so that God could dwell “in” us!  1 Corinthians 3:16 tells us that we are God’s ‘temple’, His place of fellowship with others and that God’s spirit dwells “in” us.
    God desires to grow closer in relationship with you!  Open your heart today.  Spend time with Him reading His Word and listening to His Voice.  Allow the spirit within you to fellowship with Him, and He with YOU!
    Father…May you enable us “Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us” to “carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to” us (2 Tm 1:14 NLT).  May we move closer to You as you draw closer to us.  In Jesus Name…Amen.
    OT—God dwelt “among” His people
    (Genesis 3:8; Exodus 25:8,29:45-46; Leviticus 26:11-12; 1Kings 6:13)
    NT—God dwells “in” His people
    (2 Timothy 1:14; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 2:22,3:17)

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