Week 31 Day 5

The Daily Take 10

The Gospel of John

Week 31 Day 5

Introduction…Love involves risk. Whenever we love we risk rejection and much more. God loved us so much that He gave…Jesus risked His life by willingly giving it up to accomplish His purpose. It was not easy for Him. He felt the physical pain and emotional rejection of being misunderstood, wrongly judged, betrayed by Judas, and the denial of Peter. Yet at the Cross, there were a few who loved Jesus enough to risk association. John, Jesus’ mother, her sister, Salome (see Mark 15:40), Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Clopas were there.

Read John 19:23-27 “When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and they divided them into four parts, a part for each soldier, and they took his tunic. It was a tunic which had no seam, woven throughout in one piece from the top. They said to each other, ‘let’s not tear it, but cast lots  for it, whose it shall be,’ that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says, ‘They divided My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.’ Therefore the soldiers did these things. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, ‘woman behold your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘behold your mother!’ And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.”

Bible Study

• Jesus staked everything on His absolute obedience and loyalty to God, all the way to the Cross and the giving up of His life. Have we staked our love on Him? It is a daily and moment by moment decision. “Choose this day who you will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
• What a travesty of greatest proportion and the gross indifference, which depicts the world everyday, to see the scene of God the Son hanging in agony for the sin of the world which God loves, while the world is gambling their lives for things.
• Jesus’ outer garment, the tunic, was woven and seamless, just as the linen of the High Priest wore, whose function was to be a liaison between God and man.
  • The “pontifex”, or priest, means bridge builder. Jesus fulfilled the calling perfectly and ultimately, as He ushers us into the presence of God through His completed work, continuous intercession and through His name.
• Soldiers gambling fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy, “they divide my garments among them and for my raimnent they cast lots.” Psalms 22:18
• Mary, the mother of Jesus, spent her life grasping the reality of God’s plan to use her to bear His Son, Jesus, but then to see Him die, alone and upon a Cross. Did God fail? What a dark time! Did I hear God say…? Will it come to pass?
• Salome, was Mary’s sister, the mother of James and John the disciples. Jesus rebuked her for misthinking and misstating the Kingdom of God, but she humbly understood her error, forgiveness and sustaining love for Jesus. See Matthew 20:20
• Mary Magdalene, would not and could not forget Jesus and was eternally grateful as she had 7 devils cast from her. See Mark 16:9 and Luke 8:2
• John, the disciple, was Jesus’ cousin and disciple, whom He loved. Since John was the only family member that believed, he was given charge to care for Jesus’ mother. What tenderness to think of His mother and care for her in those last minutes of life!

Application

• If you or I were there, would we be there at the Cross? Would we be there, like Mary Magdalene, because the person who has been forgiven much, is thankful and loves much.
• If you are like me, you can say as I do, that I have failed to love God consistently, but His love has never failed.
• Through the ins and outs of life, from the beginning to the end, God’s love is reaching out to whoever will come to Him, reaching down to pick us up when we fall and reaching back to pull us forward when we fail to love God first and to bring us back into fellowship with Him.
• Studdert Kennedy wrote…

“And, sitting down, they watched him there,

The soldiers did;

There, while they played at dice,

He made his sacrifice,

And died upon his Cross to rid

God’s world of sin.

He was a gambler, too, my Christ.

He took his life and threw

It for a world redeemed.

And ere the agony was done,

Before the westering sun went down,

Crowning that day with its crimson crown,

He knew that he had won.”

Tags: Take 10

May 17, 2010 – Finances, Part 3

Our money is such an important part of our lives.  Not that money itself is soooo important but it touches life in so many ways; our peace of mind, our faith, our family, our marriages.  Its our provision, our blessing  - it governs many times our desires and our passions – it impacts our purpose our destiny.  Wars have been fought for it / people have died over it – money, money, money.  I mean I guess that is why the Bible has so much to say on the matter.

It is a pretty important topic to discuss and understand – understand the wisdom God’s word has for our lives in regards to money.

So here are some principles found in Dave Ramsey’s Life. Hope. Money Series:

God is an owner of everything we have and He has placed things into  our hands – time, talents and treasures.  But He has given it to us because He owns it all (Ps. 24:1).  Once you understand that it changes the perspective about going into debt because it isn’t yours – It changes the way you budget because you are planning to use His money – It changes the way you give.  We are stewards, which means we are managers of what God has given to us – we are just managers.

Giving a tithe is an instruction from the owner of everything – why, because He wants us to be Christlike and Christ is a giver.  Jn. 3:16 He gave His one and only Son for you.  When we aren’t givers – when we don’t think outside of ourselves we aren’t operating in the way we were created.  Four thoughts on tithing:

1. It changes who we are

2. It is a reminder us of ownership

3. Giving is an act of worship (2 Cor. 2:9)

4. Giving is spiritual warfare (Mal. 3:11)

The tithe is what you give to the local church and giving an offering is giving everywhere else in Jesus’ name.  When you learn to live on a budget and you know you can save you will become givers.

Tags: Jonathan Spuler

Week 30 Day 1

The Daily Take 10

The Gospel of John

Week 30 Day 1

Introduction…Seven times in the 17^th chapter of John, Jesus speaks of Christians, as those given to Him by the Father. We know from John 3:16, that God so loved the world that He gave Jesus Christ. Now in this chapter we see that whoever believes in Jesus as their Savior becomes the Father’s gift of love to Jesus Christ. It is enlightening and thrilling to observe the beautiful loving relationship unfolding between the Father and Son. Jesus commits the believer to the Father for safekeeping indicating the believer’s security is based upon the perfect faithfulness of the Father to His Son, Jesus Christ. What unity and love! It is no wonder that nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Read John 17:9-19 “It is for them that I pray. It is not for the world that I pray, but for those whom you have given me because they are yours. All that I have is yours and all that you have is mine. And through them glory has been given to me. I am no longer in the world and they are no longer in the world, and I go to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you gave to me, that they may be one, as we are one. When I was with them I kept them in your name, which you gave to me. I guarded them and none of them went lost, except the one who was destined to be lost and this happened that the Scriptures might be fulfilled. And now I come to you. I am saying these things while I am still in the world that they may have my joy completed in themselves. I gave them your word and the world hated them because they are not of the world. I do not ask that you should take them out of the world, but that you should preserve them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Consecrate them by the truth. Your word is truth. As you send me into the world, I send them into the world. And for their sakes I consecrate myself, that they too may be consecrated by the truth.”

Bible Study

• We understand through this Scripture that the believer disciple of Jesus Christ…
  • Is given to Jesus by God. Remember, no one comes to God unless they be drawn by God (John 6:44, 12:32).  The Spirit of God moves in us and upon us. All we can do is respond. If we accept, believe and follow, we are His.
  • Brings glory to Jesus through our obedience, love and development as a mature believer that is committed to following Him.
  • Is committed to be an ambassador. As Jesus was sent, so are we, His disciples. We are commissioned to ‘go into the world and lead them to Christ.’ See Matthew 28:18-20, the Great Commission given by Jesus.
• Jesus tells His disciples that following Him would bring them joy, yet He warns the world would hate them, since their values and purposes were different.
• Jesus prayed to the Father for His disciples…
  • To be kept and engaged with the world, but to be unlike this world in purpose, calling and connection.
  • Not to leave this world or belong to it, but be victorious and that the world through them might be won to Christ. We are pilgrims in this world and we belong to God. Children of God. He is our Father.
  • For unity among the disciples. Divisions, exclusivity, or competition hinder the work of the God and is contrary to Jesus’ prayer for us.
  • For protection from the Evil One. Lead us not into temptation and cover over us with the Blood of Jesus. We battle not people, but powers of evil.
  • To be consecrated by truth. The word in Greek is hagios and means to be holy, different and separated for a task. It also means to be equipped by God.

Application

• We are Jesus’ modern day disciples. Do you sense the calling and purpose for your life?
• We too are set apart, “hagios”, for a special task. Jeremiah 1:5 reveals an amazing fact where God speaks, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you and before you were born, I consecrated you…”
• We too are equipped by God with qualities of mind, heart and character, which are necessary for the task we have been given by God.
• God equips us for what He calls us to do! Live in that truth!

Tags: Take 10

Week 30 Day 2

The Daily Take 10

The Gospel of John

Week 30 Day 2

Introduction…There is a new reality show on TV called “Undercover Boss”. It centers around a different CEO each week going to work somewhere within their company without the other employees knowing the true identity of the person with whom they are working. It is enlightening to the boss to see what their employees go through and some CEO’s are actually fired or told they will never make it in the business. It is quite interesting and revealing of the workplace. Jesus, our life CEO wants to be in us and go with us through our day and be with us throughout our lives. This is the heart of God, for our lives to be intertwined, interdependent and connected at the heart. Listen and feel the heart beat of God through Jesus’ prayer. It’s about us. He wants to with us forever.

Read John 17:20-26 “It is not only for these that I pray, but also for those who are going to believe in their word of testimony to me. And my prayer is that they may all be one, even as you, Father, are in me and I in you, so that they may be in us, so that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory which you gave me that they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me, so that their unity with us and with each other may stand consummated and complete. I pray for this that the world may realize that you sent me and that you loved them as you loved me. Father, it is my will that those whom you have given me should be with me where I am going that they may see my glory which you gave me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world did not know you, but I knew you and these realized that you sent me. I have told them what you are like and I will go on telling them that the love with which you loved me, may be in them and that I may be in them.”

Bible Study

• In this prayer Jesus prays for those believers that are afar off in time to come to Him. He is thinking of us and sees us in His prayer to the Father. Jesus still is the Great Intercessor.
• The unity Jesus is praying for is that the Body of Christ, the Church would be one, united in love as the family of God, all based upon our loving Savior and God.
• Like Jesus, our glory in life is taking up our cross, obeying the will of the Father, and living our lives connected to and dependent upon God and His direction.
• There is a chorus/song that goes, “In my life Lord, be glorified, be glorified. In my life Lord, be glorified, today.” We glorify Him by going with God throughout the day, trusting and obeying Him.
• 2 Timothy 2:11-12 tells us, “if we have died with him, we shall also live with him. If we endure, we shall also reign with him.”
• 1 Corinthians 13:12 explains that here in this world, while we live, we see dimly in a mirror, but when we see Christ and are with Him for eternity, we shall see Him face to face. We shall behold Him!

Application

• Come to God with an open heart ready to receive His blessings. He knows our needs before we utter them to Him in prayer. He is our Great Provider who sees our need before we do and begins the provision.
• Your life may be draining you and depleting your strength. Come to God and let Him fill you with His Presence and perspective.
• You in Him and Him in you. What a picture of seamless love and dependence that pleases God and has us living in His abundant peace.
• Practice living knowing Jesus is in you and with you throughout the day.
• This life on earth is a warm up for eternity with God.

Tags: Take 10

Week 30 Day 3

The Daily Take 10

The Gospel of John

Week 30 Day 3

Introduction…When the last supper, the Passover was finished and when Jesus’ beautiful heartfelt prayer of John 17 to the Father was over, He and the disciples go to the Garden of Gethsemane. There Jesus is betrayed, goes on trial and then to the Cross. His last words of prayer were for His disciples and us, the Church of Jesus Christ to come.

Read John 18:1-11 “When Jesus had said these things he went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley to a place where there was a garden into which he and his disciples entered, and Judas, his betrayer, knew the place for Jesus often met his disciples there. So Judas took a company of soldiers, together with officers from the chief priests and Pharisees and went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus knew the things which were going to happen to him, so he came out and said, ‘who are you looking for?’ They answered, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am he.’ And Judas, his betrayer, stood there with them. When he said to them, ‘I am he,’ they stepped back and fell on the ground. So Jesus again asked them, ‘who are you looking for?’ They said, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus said, ‘I told you that I am he. If it si I for whom you are looking, let these go, so that the word which Scripture said may be fulfilled, I have lost none of those whom you gave me.’ Now Simon Peter had a sword and he drew it and he struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, ‘put your sword in its sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which my Father gave me?”

Bible Study

• The Bible teaches us to pray, be in communion with God, without ceasing. See 1 Thessalonians 5:17. But there are also significant times when decisions are being made and we face important situations, when we must go to the Father in prayer.
• Jesus just prayed a beautiful prayer of intercession for himself, his disciples and for those who were yet to come to Christ in saving faith. But now the time had come for His arrest, trial and crucifixion. Jesus prays, asks for the prayers of His disciples and beseeches the Father about the situation He faces.
• Like Jesus, when we are anxious about a situation, bathe it in prayer. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6
• Showing some awareness of Jesus’ supernatural abilities and power, should He decide to use it…soldiers (at least 240 Temple police and Roman soldiers) came to arrest Jesus. And they fell to the ground at just the sound of His voice.
• Instead of hiding, leaving, or running away from the soldiers who came for Him, Jesus steps out bravely and boldly and asks them who they seek.
• The spirit, courage, authority and loving protection of us that Jesus displayed shows He knew His purpose on earth and was ready to give His life, lay it down, like a lamb to slaughter for us. See the prophecy related to Christ in Isaiah 53:6-7.

Application

• When we realize Jesus could have called thousands of angels, or smitten the soldiers with blindness, or struck them down…it makes us realize that no one was able to overpower and kill Jesus.
• It was not the work of the Jews or the Romans. It was your sin and mine that Jesus died to forgive

• Jesus willingly for us and obediently to the Father laid down His life that you and I might live!
• Now all I can say is, “Thank you Lord for saving me!” “I love you Lord!” “I surrender all to Jesus!”
• Live today with that grateful awareness…

Tags: Take 10

Week 30 Day 4

The Daily Take 10

The Gospel of John

Week 30 Day 4

Introduction…It is the responsibility of a leader to set an excellent example for those watching, and since there is always someone observing our actions, we are all responsible leaders. Realize that what we think, say and do matters. Our first priority should be to do the right thing. Next we must do the right thing, the right way. Our actions must be trustworthy and based upon consistent integrity. When we honor the Lord in our words and actions, our lives become one of positive influence. Titus 2:7-8, “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”

Read John 18:12-14, 19-24 “The company of soldiers and their commander and the officers of the Jews took Jesus and bound him and led him first of all to Annas. He was the father in law of Caiaphas who was High Priest in that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it was better that one man should die for the people…The High Priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. Jesus answered him, ‘I spoke openly in the world. I taught at all times in the synagogue and in the precincts of the Temple, where all the Jews assemble and I spoke nothing in secret. Why do you ask me questions? Ask those who heard me what I said to them. See! These know what I have said.’ When he had said these things, one of the officers who was standing by dealt Jesus a blow. ‘Do you answer the High Priest like this?’ he said. Jesus answered, ‘if I have spoken ill, produce evidence about the ill, if I have spoken well, why do you strike me?’ So Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the High Priest.”

Bible Study

• Jesus was a Servant Leader who set an example for us of selfless living. Giving up His rights for a higher calling, a higher good…to obey God, take up the Cross, die for our sins and thereby save us.
• Annas, was self serving leader. He had the position of great influence. He was the power behind the power. Yet his life choice was to purchase power and live for it. History tells us Annas was the High Priest, a position his 4 sons held as well, and now Caiaphas, his son in law, was the High Priest in power.
• Historians documented the notorious corruption, bribes and power behind the choices and direction of Annas and his family.
  • Keeping in line with the Roman government instead of God’s ways.
  • Not leading people by example or towards God and His ways.
  • Overcharging and profiting from the people for payment of sacrifices. Remember that Jesus came against all this when He cleared the Temple.
  • Making merchandise of worship and the things of God for personal gain.
• Jesus, contrary to selfish acts and greed, taught the truth of God’s Word which says, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul,” Matthew 16:26
• So earthly focused and driven by power, money and prestige, were the family of Annas, that the High Priests missed the Messiah, disobeyed God and lost their soul for eternity. What a tragedy!

Application

• We are 1 choice away from changing our life forever. Joshua of old while leading the people of Israel knew he couldn’t chose for them, but said as a leader, “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
• Life for us today is what our choices have made it to be. But with the opportunity to choose the right direction starting this very moment, it offers hope for a better tomorrow.
• “We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.” With God’s strength we can do all things. He gives us the blueprint for living an abundant life, free from the guilt of yesterday’s mistakes. If and when we get it right on the inside of us…Today is the first day of the rest of your life!
• Our prayer could be, “Dear Father, help me to pattern my life after Your example. I want to be a positive influence in the lives of those around me. Give me the courage to walk in Your way. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

Tags: Take 10

Week 30 Day 5

The Daily Take 10

The Gospel of John

Week 30 Day 5

Introduction…A person’s feeling of self sufficiency is a myth perpetuated by personal pride or temporary success. Our health, wealth, circumstances or success can disappear instantly, as can life itself be gone in a moment. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we should rejoice in our insufficiency and at the same time be at peace with our vital dependency upon God for our strength. The Word warns us, when we think we stand, take heed unless we fall See 1 Corinthians 10:12. The Word also teaches us that God’s strength in us works wonders, “My power is made perfect in weakness.” See 2 Corinthians 12:9

Read John 18:15-18, 25-27 “Simon Peter was following Jesus with another disciple. That disciple was known to the High Priest and he went in with Jesus into the courtyard of the High Priest’s house. Peter was standing at the door outside. The other disciple, who was known to the High Priest came out and spoke to the door keeper and brought Peter in. The maid servant, who kept the door, said to Peter, ‘you are not one of this man’s disciples are you?’ Peter said, ‘I am not.’ The servants and the officers stood beside a charcoal brazier they had kindled because it was cold and they were warming themselves, and Peter too was standing with them warming himself….As Simon Peter was standing warming himself. They said to him, ‘surely you too are one of his disciples?’ He denied it and said, ‘I am not.’ One of the servants of the High Priest, a relation of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, ‘did I not see you in the garden with him? Again Peter denied it and immediately the cockcrow sounded.”

Bible Study

• Even though Peter and the disciples slept instead of praying with Jesus in the garden, when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, Peter courageously jumped to defend Jesus. So much so, Peter, a fisherman was wielding a sword and cut off the ear of Malchus. That must have been the first act of violence in the life of Peter!
• Jesus reprimanded Peter for being out of character for a disciple of Christ and corrected the situation by healing the man’s ear. Think about this amazing scene!
• No doubt the happenings that night were sequentially firsts for Peter. It all started with Jesus hours before while celebrating the Passover, Peter questioned Jesus about washing the disciples feet, then when Jesus said one of them would betray Him, Peter protested that he would go to his death for Christ. Jesus said to the contrary, that Peter would deny him 3x before morning. See John 13:36-38. Then hours later, Peter defended Jesus with the sword.
• Peter was not being led by the Spirit. Jesus was fulfilling and obeying the plan of God and Peter was out of sync with that plan and will of God.
• After Jesus was arrested the disciples scattered for fear, except for bold Peter and ‘the other disciple’, probably John. Peter, following his courageous heart and love for Jesus, tried to keep his word and follow the happenings from a distance.
• Yes, Peter failed in denying the Lord 3 times, but he did so while bravely staying close to Jesus, who he loved, during the tense and dangerous arrest process.

Application

• Who are we…really? It is said that sometimes, only under pressure, or when we are squeezed that the real person comes out.
• Jesus knew Peter would fail and deny Him, but Jesus knew Peter’s heart, just as He knows our heart. The Word says, “man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks upon and knows our heart.”
• King David, the Psalmist, killed and committed adultery, but God said about him that, “he was a man after God’s heart.” Plus, God chose David to be in the lineage of Jesus and write anointed Scripture.
• Do we know our heart? God does!
• Do we know the heart of God? We can!
• He loves us…thinks the best and wants the best for us!

Tags: Take 10

May 10, 2010 – Finances, Part 2

This week we are going to talk about being good stewards of what God brings into our lives.  God is a blessing God and you are blessed – whether you feel it or not.  To keep your perspective you and I live better than most of the world even in these tough economic times.  You and I have to know that we serve a good God – one who wants to bless you and He doesn’t care so much about your money, He cares about you.  He has a plan and a purpose for your life but he will not give to you all that He wants to give to you until you are ready for it – otherwise it wont be a blessing but a burden.  Something that is meant to bless you He will withhold so that it cannot harm you.  Prov. 10:22 says, The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.  Think about that for a moment.

That is why we need to study what the Bible says about our finances.  It is our responsibility to learn, and expand our capacity to receive all that God wants for our lives and that is why this series is so important.  God wants to bless and prosper and we want to receive all that God has for us.

Here are some more principles from Dave Ramsey in his Life. Money. Hope Series:

Prov. 22:7 – the borrower is slave to the lender

1. You have to get gazelle intensity and RUN out of debt!

2. Debt Snowball – attack the smallest amount and debt first to start some behavior modification.

Steps to get out of debt:

1. Save Money ($1,000)

2. Quit borrowing more money (no matter what happens I will not borrow)

3. Prayer really works

4. Sell something

5. Take a part-time job

To get more information on all of these points sign up for Elevate’s Financial Peace University or find a class near you by going to www.daveramsey.com

Tags: Jonathan Spuler

Week 29 Day 1

The Daily Take 10

The Gospel of John

Week 29 Day 1

Introduction…In 2005 Jack Nicholson stated one of the all time great lines in the movie, “A Few Good Men”. He said, “You can’t handle the truth.” Many people today can handle the truth, but don’t want the truth. They would rather live a lie, be deceived, or just don’t want truth. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 warns about some people saying, “for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine (teaching) but, after their own lusts, shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears and they will turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned to fables.” Then in Titus 1:14-15 it underscores the same warning, “do not give heed to fables and commandments of men, that turn from the truth…but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure, but even their mind and conscience is defiled.”

Read John 16:12-15 “I have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of Truth has come, he will lead you into all the truth. For he will not speak on his own authority and out of his own knowledge, but he will speak all that he will hear and he will tell you of the things to come. He will glorify me, for he will take of the things which belong to me and will tell you of them. All things that the Father has are mine. That is why I said that the Spirit will take of the things which belong to me and tell them to you.”

Bible Study

• Jesus clearly stated that when He was leaving, there would remain many things unrevealed until the Holy Spirit would be sent. See John 16:12
• Jesus assured that this further revelation would be completed after the Spirit came to guide us into all truth. See John 16:13
• Jesus promised the further revelation would come. No doubt referring to Scripture that would be written. It would be…
  • Historical by “bringing all things into remembrance.” See John 14:26
  • Doctrinal by “teaching you all things.” See John 14:26 and 16:14
  • Prophetic by “showing you things to come.” See John 16:13
  • Given to certain chosen people to receive and witness the revelations. See Matthew 28:19; John 15:27&16:13; Acts 9:15-17
  • The revelation would be recorded for posterity, ‘those yet to come to Christ’. See John 17:20 & Acts 1:8
• The Apostle Paul was chosen to receive new revelation and record it in Scripture. Ephesians 3:3-5 gives us insight into how God revealed to Paul. “By revelation God made known to me the mystery, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge …which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Sprit.”
• The further revelation Jesus promised would come after His departure is seen in Romans 16:25-26, “now to Him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God…”
• “For those who live according to the flesh, set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:5-6

Application

• The spirit of deception is rampant in the world. Billboards, TV, magazines and Internet advertisement show smiling Hollywood people who are in the process of divorce, drug and alcohol rehab and a host of other problems and issues, but they are still made to look good for the pictures and products they are selling.
• Instead of being deceived like many people choose to be, we can choose to know and live in truth, with the Spirit of Truth that gives us discernment between good and evil, right and wrong, real and fake and truth from error.
• Choose to hear the voice of the Spirit within you speaking and hold onto the truth from the Spirit of Truth that is living within you and I.

Tags: Take 10

Week 29 Day 2

The Daily Take 10

The Gospel of John

Week 29 Day 2

Introduction…hindsight is 20/20. God has been moving by His Spirit since the beginning. In Genesis 1 it tells us the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. With the help of the Holy Spirit we can look back at what God was doing and see how He was moving with greater clarity. In fact, it is the work of the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth. While you are going through certain things, you don’t readily see the hand of God, but only later do we understand, as the Spirit reveals to us His footprints in the sand of our lives.
Read John 16:16-24 “In a little while you will not see me anymore and again in a little while you will see me.” Some of his disciples said to each other: “What is the meaning of this that he is saying to us, in a little while you will not see me and again in a little while you will see me? And what does he mean when he says: “I am going to my Father?” What does he mean when he talks about, ‘a little’? We do not know what he means. Jesus knew that they wished to ask him their questions and he said to them: “you are discussing among yourselves what I meant when I said: “In a little while you will not see me and again in a little while you will see me.” This is the truth I tell you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be grieved, but your grief will turn into joy. When a woman bears a child she has grief, because her hour has come. But when the child is born, she does not remember her pain because her joy that a man is born into the world. So you too for the present have grief. But I will see you again and your heart will rejoice and no one will take your joy from you. In that day you will not have any questions to ask me. This is the truth I tell you, the Father will give you in my name whatever you will ask him. Up to now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, that your joy may stand complete.”

Bible Study

• In this passage, Jesus is telling His disciples God’s plan before it happened. They couldn’t grasp it or understand. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 says, “eye has not seen, neither ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for them that love Him. But God has revealed them to us by His Spirit.”
• Jesus was giving a basic outline and the Holy Spirit would fill in the details and content to the disciples and to us as believers.
  • Jesus outlined God’s plan in the short term, saying His leaving referred to His sacrificial death on the Cross, but He would return the risen Christ, which He did, showing Himself to believers for 40 days thereafter.
  • Jesus also outlined God’s plan in the longer term, speaking of His 2^nd return to earth. After His ascension to the Father, which ended His 1^st Advent, He promised to return to this world. His 2^nd Advent would be to rule and reign. Acts 1:8-11 “This same Jesus…taken up into heaven, will come in like manner…” The return of Christ will happen. See Matthew 23:39, 24:30 & 25:31; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17.
  • In both the short and long term plans, it was the Holy Spirit that reminded believers of what Jesus said, leading them and us into all truth, giving understanding, meaning, direction, hope and purpose for the future.
• Jesus outlines the life of the believer, the disciple of Christ who endures:
  • Our sorrow will turn to joy. In this time period before the return of Jesus, it seems the world lives carelessly while the Christian lives for Christ and endures. In Mark 13:13, Jesus says, “he who endures until the end shall be saved.” We are to endure hardship and afflictions while living by faith and maintaining our trust in God. See 2 Timothy 2:3-5
  • Our joy is secure. Christian life is faith based and built upon the stable Rock of Jesus. Worldly ‘joy’ depends on circumstances, but our joy is secure in the unchanging love and goodness of God. See Psalms 89:14-15.
  • Our joy is perfect. Why? How? Think of it…the Creator God loves us. We are forgiven through Christ. We will live eternally with Him. The work was done. Completed in Christ. That promise will not change nor can we be separated from that love. See 1 Peter 1:8, 4:13; 2 John 12.
  • Our pain, sorrow and sacrifice in this life will be forgotten as we enter into greater joy and eternal reward. “It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus.”
  • Our knowledge will be complete. We shall know Him and be like Him. 1 John 3:2 “…it does not appear what we will be, but we will be like him…”
  • Our relationship with God is intimate. Hebrews 10:20 tells us of a new and living way to God through Jesus and entering the Presence of God boldly (see Hebrews 4:16) asking the Father in Jesus’ name, what we need.

Application

“The Desert Song”

This is my prayer in the desert

And all that’s within me feels dry

This is my prayer, the hunger in me

My God is a God who provides

And this is my prayer in the fire

In weakness or trial or pain

There is a faith proved, of more worth than gold

So refine me Lord through the flames

And this is my prayer in the battle

And triumph is still on it’s way

I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ

So firm on His promise I’ll stand

This is my prayer in the harvest

When favor and providence flow

I know I’m filled to be emptied again

The seed I’ve received, I will sow

All my life in every season

You are still God

I have a reason to sing

I have a reason to worship

Tags: Take 10