John 17 - 3.24.26

SCRIPTURE:  John 17:1 – 5

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

“1 Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”

OBSERVATION

Do you ever envision a scene when you read a scripture? In reading this prayer, I saw Jesus look up to the heavens with eyes full of joy, maybe some tears, all in praise to his Father. This prayer is in worship to God, our heavenly Father. I loved every word of this prayer, the praise, and the purpose. Jesus is vocalizing his heart about the salvation message.

Jesus prays as if He already died on the cross. He knows how His story ends here on earth, and how His death will bring eternal life to all who believe. 

In verse 1, Jesus prays and acknowledges his position as God’s son. He asks for glory so that he can glorify his Father in heaven. His focus is not on himself but to glorify God. He again prays, in verse 5, asking again for glory in his Father’s presence. Jesus is acknowledging that after his death, he will rise again and be in glory with God. 

There are four small words in verse 5 that stood out to me the most. Jesus is asking for the same glory that he had with his Father in heaven, “before the world began.”  Jesus is confirming his presence when the world began and exactly what John 1:1 – 2 says:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.”

APPLICATION

Jesus modeled and vocalized his position under the Father yet confirmed that God is the one who has the power and position, through Jesus, to give eternal life. When we pray, give God all the glory, honor, praise and position as the one true God.

God was glorified through Jesus in his resurrection. If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead after three days, God would not be glorified but would be seen as not the one true God. Because Jesus did rise from the dead, as it was predicted, God is ultimately glorified. This is why it’s important we share answered prayer, something God revealed to you, how He cares and loves us so we can give God all the glory.

In verse 3, Jesus shares the essence of eternal life: “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”  What Jesus did on the cross changed everything! Through Jesus, we can have a personal relationship with God through Him. The word “know” in Greek is used to describe a deep level of intimacy. This scripture, in essence, says eternal life doesn’t necessarily begin when you die, it begins here and now with a personal and intimate relationship with God through Jesus. It’s through your prayers, time in His Word, praising Him for everything, and walking through life with Him daily. Living an eternal lifestyle now can change how you actually live your life. It can draw you into a deeper relationshp. It can enhance how you view and live every aspect of your life, in how you love others, all in preparation for the life you will live in eternity. Once your physical body dies here on this earth, your spirit (the part of you that had the personal, deep, and intimate relationship with God and Jesus) will then transition into the eternal world called heaven. Praise God!

PRAYER

Lord, I’m so overwhelmed with thankfulness for your eternal plans. Thank you for Jesus, His life, His sacrifice, and raising him from the dead so we can begin living an eternal life here. Help me, Lord, to always keep my eyes on you. Forgive me for the times where “life” gets in the way of living an eternal life for you each and every moment. All I desire is a deeper relationship with you each day. Just like Jesus’ prayer in this scripture, I pray that my life will bring you glory, honor and praise. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

- Mary Oberg

John 16 - 3.23.26

Scripture

‭‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬ ‭NIV‬‬

““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.””

Observation 

The disciples were filled with grief because Jesus was going away and leaving the world to go back to the Father. However, Jesus encouraged them so that they would be at peace. In summary, He told them:

1. The Holy Spirit (His Spirit) would come to them and be with them.

2. He (Jesus) will come back for them.

Application 

We can have peace and not live in fear in this world. 

The Lord has not left us alone. We can be encouraged, knowing that the Lord has left us His Holy Spirit and that He will be returning for us. 

In verse 11, it says that the prince of this world (aka the devil, our enemy), stands condemned already. Therefore, we need not fear him or his antics.

Also, we must keep encouraging, loving and serving each other as we see “the Day” (aka Christ’s 2nd coming) approaching. 

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” -Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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

Lastly, we must use our time here on earth to shine our light for Jesus and make more disciples! We are not called to just sit on the sidelines, be complacent and just wait around for His return. We must work together, using our gifts and talents to lead others, who do not know Him yet, to Him. 

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”” -Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank You that You haven’t left us alone. Thank You that You left Your Holy Spirit with us to help us discern truth and live how You want us to live. Help us to steward the gifts You’ve given us. May we love and serve each other well. We look forward to Your 2nd coming Jesus! Help us continue to lead more people to You as we await Your return. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi

Psalm 28 - 3.20.26

Scripture: Psalm 28:6-9

Praise be to the Lord,
    for he has heard my cry for mercy.

The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
    and with my song I praise him. 

The Lord is the strength of his people,
    a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

Save your people and bless your inheritance;
    be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Observation:

We can praise God for he hears our cry for mercy.

He himself is our strength.  I always say,  “He gives strength.” It says “He is our strength”.  This wording stood out to me.  I hadn’t noticed this before, He “IS”, what a concept.  Not something I have to muster up and do, but just like on the cross He took my place.

He is also our shield, this is used in battle to protect the soldier from attack.

WHEN I Trust HIM, He helps me.  We have to choose to trust and surrender to God.  Then, He will help us.

He is a “fortress of salvation for his anointed one.”  A fortress surrounds us and does a lot more than a shield.  Salvation is something that can’t be touched by outside forces.

Then, David makes a request of God to save “your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.”

David began this Psalm asking God to hear him and wanted to be separated from the wicked.  He then declares praise for who God is.  Now he is making a request with much more confidence.  That is what praise and coming to God with our concerns does.  We can have assurance He Is our strength and come to Him with confidence that He will save and bless us and be our shepherd forever.

Application:

My Bible has a note that says the word “song” in verse 7 is not thoughts of thankfulness.  “But, actually verbalizing praise….” This is such an important reminder, things change as we speak out loud and declare God’s goodness! Declaring how good God is with our voice changes the atmosphere and even more our mind set.  The action of praise lifts our spirits. When I pray I am going to change my wording to match this psalm.  Instead of saying give me strength I am going to pray you are my strength.  

Prayer:

Father God,

Thank you that you will shepherd me and I have your salvation as my fortress.  Nothing can take that away from me.  Thank you for the revelation that you are my strength.  May I cling to this today and every day.  Also as I go through my day please help me remember to declare your goodness out loud and not just think it. You are so awesome there are countless reasons to praise you.  Thank you for your goodness and blessing on my life.

Amen

- Cindy Howard