1-31-07 John 13:1-17 Pride

Memory Verse: John 13-14: If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.

A British general once entertained a number of guests. The generals assistant seated a prominent lady at the left of the host rather than at his right, the place of honor. She fumed quietly and then said indignantly: "I suppose you have great difficulty getting your aide-de-camp to seat your guests properly!" "not at all," the general responded. "Those who matter don't mind, and those who mind don't matter."

One of the most destructive traits is supersensitivity. Those who are constantly looking for some trifle to touch off their tempers and upset their dispositions are sure to be successful in their search. People who wear their feelings on their sleeves are often in a stew. Individuals who are continually drawing invisible emotional line over which they dare others to step, will find their energies taken in nursing their many hurts and will have little time or strength left for worthwhile tasks.

If you are easily offended, you have a simple but serious problem - PRIDE. Secretly, you expect others to treat you rather special because you think you deserve that kind of treatment. NO wonder your feathers are ruffled regularly!

Consider the Saviour washing the disciples' feet. Contrast His attitude to the frame of mind that makes you so hard to live with. Meditating on His humble act that day will enable you to put away petty pride and its resultant touchiness. You will become insulated against insults. And nothing will offend you!

1-30-07 John 12:5 The Complainers

John 12:1-9

Memory Verse: John 12:5:

Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

Judas was a complainer. Though Pilate could find no fault in Jesus, Judas did. Some are specialists at picking flaws. Life will be better if you refuse to hear them.

Refuse to hear the "daily downers,: Some thrive on complaints. The enjoy ill health and spread their contagion everywhere thy go. Even God cannot please them and they spend their lives blind to His blessings. Though sometimes feigning spirituality, they know nothing of the Bible command to "do all things without murmurings and disputings" (Philippians 2:4). Their coups overflow - with vinegar.

Refuse to hear criticism of others. When hypercritical people find fault and gossip in your presence, tune them out. Change the subject. Inject conversation that fits Paul's call for continual praise: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Philippians 4:8).

Refuse to hear comments that undermine you church or pastor. All churches are imperfect because they are made up of sinners who have been saved by grace. All pastors fall short of fulfilling their responsibilities because their tasks are overwhelming. But what an awful thought to stand in judgment having invested time and effort in slowing the work of God or in hindering one of His servants.

So, practice that delightful deafness that breaks the chain of criticism and complaining. If you have been guilty one, confess this serious sin to the Lord and claim His forgiveness.

Weigh your words; they'll be weighed again in judgment.

1-29-07 Tears

Memory Verse: John 11:35: Jesus Wept

No study of the life and ministry of Jesus would be complete without the considering the tears of Jesus at the grave of Lazarus. Here the tender heart of the Saviour is revealed and all grieving people are made aware that He understands.

One who ever waled on this earth wept at a grave. Tears do not signal weakness. On the contrary, they are but part of God's plan for releasing the tension that comes with trouble. And in this world we have trouble.

The tears of Jesus were for all who ever pass though the valley of the shadow of death. Shortly, He would call Lazarus from the the tomb. Within a few moments the disciples would move the stone at the mouth of the grave. At the call of Christ, Lazarus would come walking out of the burial place just as all Christians will respond to His call the Rapture of the church. These tears were not for Lazarus. In that moment, Jesus felt the sorrow of death through which all pass, and wept. He knows that ache deep within that one human help can cure, and offers His comfort to those who lose loved ones in death.

Death is an enemy. Even for Christians. Paul wrote: "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death: (1 Corinthians 15:26). Though heaven awaits the child of God, earth itself is never pleasant. Still, it is important to know that the Light of the World goes with the believer through that valley. And His tears are testimony to His care.

1-28-07 1 Peter 5:4

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

1 Peter 5:4

The symbols Scripture uses of palms, crowns, streets of gold and seas of glass are just that, symbols. They never quite satisfy our curiosity about heaven, and they're not meant to. They are only shadowy images of the real things, as well as guides, and signposts that's point us in the right direction to show us the way home.

1-24-07 - Revelation 21:25

On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.

Revelation 21:25

Do you know why a photographer uses a negative to take your photo? He uses it to show us a positive image. The principle is the same when it comes to heaven. The negatives are used in order to show us the positive. On earth, we know all to well what the negatives are. Suffering, pain and death. Show us their opposites, the positive side, and we shall have the best possible idea of the perfect state.

1-23-07 Revelation 21:5

He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

Revelation 21:5

We will not lose in heaven. We will gain. The Lord who has planted the seed of future divine fulfillment in almost every good thing on earth will carry it on to completion until the day he arrives and makes crystal clear all the unseen divine realities. God won't throw any good thing away.

1-22-07 Revelation 21:23

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its Lamp.

Revelation 21:23

Heaven won't be less than the wonder you experience over a glorious sunrise...."for the glory of God gives it light." Even light will have its future divine fulfillment. (C.S. Lewis says) it will be a better light "not as a candle flame that is put out, but as a candle flame which becomes invisible because someone has pulled up the blind, thrown open the shutters, and let the blaze of the risen Son."

1-21-07 James 1:12

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12

From a verse like this we can infer that when we curb our appetites on earth and refuse to let lust and covetousness ruin wonderful things like marriage or food, our victories gain us glory and splendor in heaven. All this will bring greater glory to God

1-20-07 Hebrews 9:28

So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Hebrews 9:28

Where have you looked for identity? One of the major factors needed to find true happiness is a sense of identification. Some people seek their identity in other people. We must have someone with whom we can relate. It may be a hero, a teacher, or a friend. It seems as if the entire world is looking for a leader with whom they can identify. This is a universal need; you hear it on every hand. Jesus Christ is the person with whom you can identify. Unlike any other leader, He will abide when all others fail. The only Person who does not have feet of clay is the Lord Jesus Christ. Look to Him and seek your identity there. Look to others only when, and if, they in turn point you to Him

1-19-07 1 King 19:11-13

The lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by," Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was no in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. The a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

1 King 19:11-13

Don't look for Jesus among the dead teachers of the world.
Don't look for Jesus among the good examples.
Don't look for Him among the heroes
Where do we look for Jesus? We look for Him in His Living Word and in the hearts of believers where He dwells; we look for Him among the sinners who confess their need of a Savior; we look for Him among the lowly, the unlovely, unloved, unsung. Where do we look for happiness and joy? There's only one place---in Jesus. Where do we look for security? God is the only secure thing in our world. Where do we look for nourishment and growth? We need to find it among fellow believers in a church, and from feasting on His Word.