QT 10/3/2024 John 13:33c-35, A disciple loves like Jesus

John 13:33c–35 (ESV) —

33c … ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

 

NOTE: This passage is the night before he died, in Jewish terms, the same day, since the day started at sunset. This is not the last command Jesus gave but it is an important one for a disciple. We are to be characterized by love for one another -- the distinguishing sign of a believer.

 

At work or in the community, we get to know many people, but we don't love them. We should, but we reserve love for our family and our very close friends. Love means to sacrifice for another, as Jesus did for his disciples (and for the whole world). Love costs. It is selfless. And it is unusual. Finally, the example is Jesus Christ, "… just as I have love you …."

 

My concern probably does not rise to that level. I do care for people greatly, but I don't know if I truly love others. I could do more if I loved. I could pray more fervently. I could ask more questions. I could invite over to my home. I would do all these things if I truly loved others as Jesus loves me.

 

PONDER:

1. What can I do to love others? Who can I invite out for a mean?
2. Whom do I need to serve who is not my family?

 

PRAYER: Father, forgive me for my sins. I continually fall and fail you. Help me to love others like Jesus. Help me to see the opportunities. Help me to follow through.

 

QT 9/6/2024 John 3:29-36, Loving others through our spiritual gift

John 3:29–36 (ESV) —

29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

 

NOTE: Do I take what is rightly God's and apply it to myself? Over the years, God's gift of speaking has matured in me greatly. People regularly thank me for my "message" or my class. But I am really nothing. God gave me a gift of teaching. God has given me the wisdom. God has given me the words. God has given me tools to study. God has given me the time to do the work. God has taught me. Really, it all comes from God, my joy should not be that people enjoyed it, but rather that people learned something and that God used me as his vessel.

 

That should be true in all of the spiritual gifts of the Spirit. God gives gifts to build up the body and build up the kingdom. We can misuse our gifts by taking pride, or doing them to be seen, or not truly loving the people we serve with our gifts. What do I mean by "not truly loving?" I believe if we do not think of the person, we are in danger of not helping, but rather enabling bad habits. I want people to get in the Word of God on their own, but if my teaching does not encourage that or even make them think it is not necessary, then I am misusing my gift of teaching.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I think about how I am using my gift in individual people?
2. Do I think of what behavior I am encouraging or teaching?
3. Do I challenge people to know God and get into the word, because that is what is really important?

 

PRAYER: Father, help me to think through this more and to think how I can use my gift to build up the body and not myself.

QT 12/24/2021 John 1:14-18, The miracle of God dwelling in human form

 

John 1:14–18 (ESV) —

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

 

NOTE: The "Word," in Greek the Logos, was first introduced in verse 1: as existing in the beginning, as God and with God, as creator, as life, and as the light. Now John concludes his description of the Logos as the Logos becomes flesh (the incarnation) and dwells (tabernacles) with us. The tabernacle was the first symbol of God's presence to Israel. It went with them through the Exodus. Moses would speak to God, "face-to-face," as a man might speak to another. Now God tabernacles in the form of a human, a fully human in flesh. Verse 18 tells us that no one has ever seen God (because God is spirit), but Jesus has made him known. We see God when we see Jesus. We cannot see the eternal, holy, omnipresent God, but somehow God stepped out of eternity to live among us and show us himself. That is why the celebration of Christmas is so important. The miracle of God dwelling in human form to save us from our sins is only eclipsed by his carrying our sins, dying, and rising again. Today, be thankful that God did the impossible to make our salvations possible.

 

PONDER:

1. My mind is overwhelmed trying to put into the words the idea of God tabernacling among us. It is not a simple thing to take the infinite and present him as finite.

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for the impossible and unbelievable incarnation. The proof is in Jesus' life and the careful documentation of all he said. It is in all the eyewitnesses. It is in the people who knew him very well, and gave up their life rather than deny him. Anyone can believe an idea and be a martyr, but people who were eyewitnesses to everything, they do not give up their lives for a lie. Thank you!

QT 12/1/2021 John 1:11-17, Deceived by religion

 

QT 11/29/2021 John 1:1-5, Do I believe in a person or an ideal? It makes a difference

 

QT 10 Nov 2020, John 1:9, It's a great time to be a witness for Jesus

 

QT 9 Nov 2020, John 1:1-2, The next time the WORD speaks aloud, it will not be a good thing for the world

 

QT 28 Sep 2020, John 21:15-17, We can start over, every morning

 

QT 29 Aug 18, John 19:17, What is my mission on earth?

QT 13 Jul 18, John 14:1-3, We don't need to worry, we have a glorious promised future

Week	Passage	Date	Verse	Thought	Prayer
11	John 14:1-11	7/13	John 14:1–3 (ESV) — 1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.	It is exciting to think that there is a place prepared for us and that Jesus is coming again to take us to our new home. Knowing a little of the inherent beauty of the earth, I cannot imagine how beautiful our new home will be. I know that it will be glorious. I know that life will have meaning and purpose. I know that we will finally reach what we were originally created, a relationship with the most high.	Father, the words of Jesus provide great comfort. Whatever pain this world throws at us, the future will be so much different. Whatever evil rules now, good will reign in the future. Evil has disguised itself as a greater good, but it is not. It does not provide the real life that you promise.

QT 12 Jun 18, John 14:15, The Christian life is about seeking God's things, not our own things

Week	Passage	Date	Verse	Thought	Prayer
7	John 14:12-15	6/12	John 14:15 (ESV) — “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.	The preceding verses discuss asking for anything in Jesus' name. This verse follows. How seldom, it seems that we tie the verses together. Prayer is not getting what you want. Prayer is seeing God's will come to earth. If we really love God, we will desire to obey his commandments with all of our heart. We won't be interested in the trifling things of the world, but we will be interest in God alone.	Father, clear my heart of sinful thoughts. I want to focus on you and love you with all my being. I want to be obedient. I want to honor you with my life. Have mercy on me and help me with the power of your Holy Spirit inside of me.

QT 11 Jun 18, John 13:16, Jesus sets us an example of humility and servanthood for us to live out daily

Week	Passage	Date	Verse	Thought	Prayer
7	John 13:12-17	6/11	John 13:16 (ESV) — Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.	In context, Jesus had just washed the feet of his disciples. He had taken the role of the servant and did what none of the others would stoop to do. He was the leader. He was the long awaited Messiah. He was their Lord. He was the King of Kings. He was the Son of God. He washed their dirty feet. They would never be greater than him, but if he could stoop low to serve, they also could stoop low to serve. And it wasn't about feet-washing. Jesus clearly says that he set them an example.	Father, forgive me for my own pride. I am nobody special, except in my own eyes at times. Forgive for stupid thoughts and the arrogance I have. Forgive me for desiring the pride of life and giving in to that temptation. I want to act in humility and gentleness to all those around me.

QT 28 May 18, John 1:10, We cannot even recognize our own creator

Week	Passage	Date	Verse	Thought	Prayer
5	John 1:9-13	5/28	John 1:10–11 (ESV) — 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.	He created the world. He was here in the world. And the world did not recognize him. His own people did not recognize. But a few did -- 12, 70, maybe more recognized him. How could we be so blind? I think it is our sinful nature that makes us "want" to be blind. We want to be our own gods and do things in our own strength -- it feeds our pride. But to not recognize your own creator, is so sad. This is someone much greater than a father or mother, this is our creator God. Everything about existence is defined by him.	Father, forgive us for not recognizing the time of your coming, and even more importantly, your coming. Forgive us for how we treated you. Even today, we read the stories and we mock our creator. We are so … sick. Forgive us. Have mercy on us. Open our eyes. Let the tears flow. We need our creator.

QT 23 May 18, John 2:23-25, We need God to truly know ourselves

Week	Passage	Date	Verse	Thought	Prayer
4	John 2:23-25	5/23	John 2:23–25 (ESV) — 23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.	Jesus completely knows us. We can fool others with our spirituality or knowledge or by saying the right words, but Jesus knows us. In fact, Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves. It is why David prayed to God to "search me Oh God and know my ways, try me and test my thoughts and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." That is a poor paraphrase from memory of a verse in Ps 139, but God knows us better than we know ourselves. We can fool ourselves and think that our motives are right, but God knows the true motives of our heart.	Father, Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! Open my eyes to the real me. I want your will not my will. My will always causes me trouble.

QT 4 May 18, John 12:20-24, Living up to God's expectations, not the world's

Week	QT Passage	Date	Verse	Thought	Prayer
1	John 12:20-26	5/4	John 12:20–24 (ESV) — 20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. …, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” … and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.	Popularity and the things that the world values are not the things that God values. We need to give up our ambitions for this life and serve God. He will place us where he wants us to serve. We need to be the very best at whatever our job is, because we serve God and not man, but we shouldn't be worried about the things of the world or even the views of the world.	Father, forgive me for applying the world's standards to my life. I want to do your will not mine. Help me to see it and walk in it. Help me experience even a greater depth of real life, the knowledge of doing your will and living for you.

QT 22 Jan 18, John 14:1-3, We need a new home, this world is becoming less and less of a home

Wk	Date	Passage	Key Verses(s) [Optional]	Basic Thing(s) Taught	Personal Insight(s) & Application(s)	Prayer Response
15	1/22	John 14:1-14	John 14:1–3 (ESV) — 1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.	This is the Jewish wedding motif. The son goes to prepare a place for the bride. He will come again to take the bride to the place he has prepared. Jesus was very firm on this point. If he goes to prepare a place, he will come again to take him to that place.	Jesus' words are clear and they cannot be dismissed. He has none of the characteristics of a madman or a liar. He always spoke the truth. His resurrection proves that everything he said was true. He will come again. He will take us to him. He is worthy of our allegiance and worship.	Lord, I believe that someday you will return and take us away from what is rapidly becoming a hell-hole of evil thoughts and ideas. We are tossing logic and wisdom away for feelings, experiences, and cute sayings. We no longer think. We no longer obey your word. Oh God, have mercy on us I pray.

QT 18 Jan 18, John 5:28-29, The sting of death is gone. Death died.

Wk	Date	Passage	Key Verses(s) [Optional]	Basic Thing(s) Taught	Personal Insight(s) & Application(s)	Prayer Response
15	11/18	John 5:18-29	John 5:28–29 (ESV) — 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.	When Jesus descended into Hades and preached, he brought the dead out, and took them to heaven. But they were not give their new bodies. That will not occur to the resurrection of the dead that seems to occur in phases. Jesus was the first. The rapture will be the second phase, church believers (alive and dead), and the third phase occurs after the tribulation OT believers and tribulation saints. A later resurrection will be the final great throne judgment when unbelievers are resurrected.	By believing in Christ, death has no hold on him. The last enemy to be put to death was death. By Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection, death has lost its sting. Someday, we will have new material bodies and live in a new heaven and earth, no polluted by sin. We will live forever and we will enjoy creation as God intended.	Thank you Lord for the provision of life. Thank you for salvation. Thank you for putting to death, death. Thank you!

QT 17 Jan 18, John 16:20-22, The world thought it won

Wk	Date	Passage	Key Verses(s) [Optional]	Basic Thing(s) Taught	Personal Insight(s) & Application(s)	Prayer Response
14	1/17	John 16:16-24	John 16:20–22 (ESV) — 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.	Jesus death on the cross would bring great sorrow at first, although for some it was a time of rejoicing. Later, three days to be exact, their sorrow would turn to great joy as they witnessed the resurrected Christ.	I've always wondered about the relationship between sorrow and joy. It seems that they are inseparable. True joy often follows times of great sorrow. Can you really have one without the other? And if so, what does that mean for heaven? Jesus says that heaven will be a time of no tears, but what kind of tears? I don't know the answers but I can trust that God's plan is perfect.	Father, the world and Satan thought they had defeated you that day on Golgotha. But you won the victory and defeated death. Because of you victory, I have eternal life with you in heaven. Thank you.

QT 15 Jan 18, John 16:2, Jesus' example is the true mean of Christianity, not the religions out there

Wk	Date	Passage	Key Verses(s) [Optional]	Basic Thing(s) Taught	Personal Insight(s) & Application(s)	Prayer Response
14	1/15	John 16:1-15	John 16:2 (ESV) — 2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.	People, out of deception and ignorance, will put believers to death, thinking that they are serving God.	There is so much wrong with this way of thinking. First of all, Jesus never advocated a kingdom ruled by force or growing by force. This is religious thinking. Religion is whenever you think your work or service is a way to gain God's favor. Christianity is a relationship gained as a result of a gift and only a gift.	Father, protect me from my flesh who wants to earn salvation. It can never be earned. It can only be received by faith.

QT 11 Jan 18, John 14:30, Satan no longer has any claim on those who believe in Jesus

Wk	Date	Passage	Key Verses(s) [Optional]	Basic Thing(s) Taught	Personal Insight(s) & Application(s)	Prayer Response
14	1/11	John 14:25-31	John 14:30 (ESV) — 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me,	The ruler of this world had no claim on Jesus. He does have a claim on us because we rebelled against God's rule. In a sense, we are part of his family, his domain, not Gods, until we repent and believe.	Jesus chose to undergo death for us. There was no legal requirement for his death, as we have. In a sense, since that day, there is no longer any legal requirement for our death. God has chosen to let us die, the result of sin's impact on the body. But technically, the real reason for death is sin, not decay. Someday, this earthly body will be changed into a heavenly body, and we will no longer struggle with sin.	Father, thank you for my new status in your family. Death will come, but it is death for my body, not for my soul. Death has no hold on me. Satan has no claim on me. I am yours now, a child of God. Thank you.