Jesus knew that pain and suffering was coming his way, but he was obedient to the very end. His sacrificial love for humanity cannot be compared to anything else, as this is the true, perfect manifestation of love.
We read of Jesus making sure that his disciples would be spared during his arrest. Jesus is indeed our Shepherd, who makes sure his sheep are safe and protected.
God gave Jesus this responsibility and duty. Jesus obeyed and followed through with it. He did not reject the cup that His father has bestowed him. It makes me think of whether I have gladly received the cup that the Father has prepared for me. Am I readily accepting it? Am I willing to give up what I want for the things that God wants me to do? I'd say that especially being in the last year of undergrad in university, God has helped me to understand what it means to surrender everything to Him along with being satisfied in His ways. God's plans are perfect and how it folds out is not up to me but up to Him and how He wants it to unfold. It may seem crazy or like it's not going your way... but you are a tool that God uses for His glory so allow Him to use you according to His perfect will in you. Tomorrow is the last day I can hear back of whether I get an interview for optometry school or not. My reaction at the end of the day will be clear as to whether I am at peace with whatever door God will lead me through.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
John 17
Jesus' prayer to God before he gets arrested really reveals a lot about Jesus' character... and reveals traits that we ought to mature and manifest within ourselves. One of those is obedience to God's call for you, or even to parents in general. Jesus knowing that he was going to endure pain and suffering for the evil of the world did not complain or be wrought with sadness from the idea, but rather he gives praise to God for helping him complete his mission on earth. This is a prime example of what it truly means to be rejoicing even in suffering. There are so many things that I don't want to do even though it's probably the right thing to do and in the grand scheme they're nothing compared to what our Lord Jesus had to endure. Our complaints and anxieties on different things are so minuscule compared to what Jesus had to go through for me and you.
Everything we have is from God. Not from anyone else but as a part of God's creation and blessing to a broken humanity that He still cherishes deeply.
John 17:11
I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name-- the name you gave me-- so that they may be one as we are one.
We as believers are also called to be disciples of Christ: as believers who constantly strive to learn, know, and apply the teachings of Jesus into their own walk and lifestyle. Jesus prayed for us. May we strive to become one with one another, brothers and sisters, within the global community known as the body of Christ. God's protective hand is around us, warding off any spiritual warfare or attacks from Satan. We can't let any obstacles, challenges, or trials get in the way of us glorifying the Lord in all the things we do.
John 17:15
My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
We still have a mission and purpose while we're living on this planet. Serving in different ministries and building up the brothers and sisters around us is a part of everyone's mission. God will watch out for us.
John 17:17
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
Scripture breathes life into us because it gives us the truth to what we believe, what we live for, and what we love. The Holy Spirit within us helps us understand these holy words that plays an important role in cleaning us and making us less blameless in front of the Lord.
John 17:20
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.
There are still so many people out there who have not heard of Jesus and the mission he was sent to do. This message speaking of brokenness, a King and servant at the same time, redemption, grace, and resurrection has the ability to change lives. We need to be active and continue sharing this with those who haven't heard so that they too can be transformed and given new life by the Spirit.
John 17:26
I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.
God sent Jesus to take the form of a humble servant to show us the great, powerful love that He has for each of us. We need to share this love with others as well as we are also called to do so. God's love can work in its own miraculous, unique, yet subtle ways... turning hearts of stone into flesh, turning us from the darkness towards the light.
Everything we have is from God. Not from anyone else but as a part of God's creation and blessing to a broken humanity that He still cherishes deeply.
John 17:11
I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name-- the name you gave me-- so that they may be one as we are one.
We as believers are also called to be disciples of Christ: as believers who constantly strive to learn, know, and apply the teachings of Jesus into their own walk and lifestyle. Jesus prayed for us. May we strive to become one with one another, brothers and sisters, within the global community known as the body of Christ. God's protective hand is around us, warding off any spiritual warfare or attacks from Satan. We can't let any obstacles, challenges, or trials get in the way of us glorifying the Lord in all the things we do.
John 17:15
My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
We still have a mission and purpose while we're living on this planet. Serving in different ministries and building up the brothers and sisters around us is a part of everyone's mission. God will watch out for us.
John 17:17
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
Scripture breathes life into us because it gives us the truth to what we believe, what we live for, and what we love. The Holy Spirit within us helps us understand these holy words that plays an important role in cleaning us and making us less blameless in front of the Lord.
John 17:20
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.
There are still so many people out there who have not heard of Jesus and the mission he was sent to do. This message speaking of brokenness, a King and servant at the same time, redemption, grace, and resurrection has the ability to change lives. We need to be active and continue sharing this with those who haven't heard so that they too can be transformed and given new life by the Spirit.
John 17:26
I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.
God sent Jesus to take the form of a humble servant to show us the great, powerful love that He has for each of us. We need to share this love with others as well as we are also called to do so. God's love can work in its own miraculous, unique, yet subtle ways... turning hearts of stone into flesh, turning us from the darkness towards the light.
Monday, November 4, 2013
John 16:17-33
John 16:22
So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
There is something to look forward to: the everlasting joy that comes from Jesus. Whether it is anticipating our time with him in the next life or enjoying the things that God has blessed us with, there is always something to be joyful and thankful for.
John 16:26-27
In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.
Through Jesus we are able to be in God's presence and acknowledged as his children, as part of His kingdom and family. By our faithfulness and surrender to God, He will give us everything we need. To be satisfied with only having the necessities without the extra "wants" is tough but we learn to enjoy the simplest things and see everything the best as it is. This perspective is definitely through the Gospel lenses where we learn to be thankful for all things, big or small. Also simply because God loves us and so He will give what we ask in humility.
John 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."
Such a beautiful verse. God will be by our side in all the tough times and for us there's nothing to worry about because Jesus is the King and have overcome the impossible, such as raised to life after death. Nothing can bring down the sovereignty and glory of Lord Jesus Christ. Our faith and assurance in him shall sustain us through any obstacle or challenges that may come upon us.
So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
There is something to look forward to: the everlasting joy that comes from Jesus. Whether it is anticipating our time with him in the next life or enjoying the things that God has blessed us with, there is always something to be joyful and thankful for.
John 16:26-27
In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.
Through Jesus we are able to be in God's presence and acknowledged as his children, as part of His kingdom and family. By our faithfulness and surrender to God, He will give us everything we need. To be satisfied with only having the necessities without the extra "wants" is tough but we learn to enjoy the simplest things and see everything the best as it is. This perspective is definitely through the Gospel lenses where we learn to be thankful for all things, big or small. Also simply because God loves us and so He will give what we ask in humility.
John 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."
Such a beautiful verse. God will be by our side in all the tough times and for us there's nothing to worry about because Jesus is the King and have overcome the impossible, such as raised to life after death. Nothing can bring down the sovereignty and glory of Lord Jesus Christ. Our faith and assurance in him shall sustain us through any obstacle or challenges that may come upon us.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
John 16:1-16
We neglect the Holy Spirit, but in fact the Spirit plays such an important role in our spiritual journey, especially in mine. This is the Counsellor who guides our every step, helps us with every decision, protects us from threats or temptations that Satan may throw at us. Even puts in in situations where at the end you realize that it did not happen by coincidence. Like now... knowing that there is discernment needed for something important, this passage reminds me that the Holy Spirit- ultimately God- will take the reins and will open my eyes to what the discernment will be.
I think truly acknowledging the Spirit dwelling in you will help reaffirm the Gospel in your heart. I admit that I forget the Gospel in my life at times, but when little things happen like this or when I'm reminded of the Spirit of God in me, it helps me remember that I am a child of God adopted into this family who care and support for one another in picking up our cross daily. It's a struggle but the struggle is not as hard with the community and with the knowledge that God still loves me even if I fail at times.
John 16:13
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
Allow the Spirit to tell you what is good and worth your investment. Don't let the world or Satan define it. Hearing God and determining what the Spirit is trying to tell you is hard but it comes down to how much you seek to pursue God.
I think truly acknowledging the Spirit dwelling in you will help reaffirm the Gospel in your heart. I admit that I forget the Gospel in my life at times, but when little things happen like this or when I'm reminded of the Spirit of God in me, it helps me remember that I am a child of God adopted into this family who care and support for one another in picking up our cross daily. It's a struggle but the struggle is not as hard with the community and with the knowledge that God still loves me even if I fail at times.
John 16:13
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
Allow the Spirit to tell you what is good and worth your investment. Don't let the world or Satan define it. Hearing God and determining what the Spirit is trying to tell you is hard but it comes down to how much you seek to pursue God.
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