John 18
October Memory Verse: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 (NIV)
John 18
Jesus, by His own volition, came to do the will of God.
I have read this chapter so many times, but verse 4 caught my attention this time. Verse 4 says, “Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward…” (ESV).
Jesus knew He was going to die. He knew He was going to be beaten, whipped, and hung on a cross. He knew that He was going to take all of God’s wrath upon Himself. Yet, He willingly went forward. It is so mind blowing to me that Jesus went forward to the people who were about to treat Him horribly. But He did because He was bearing truth to the world (v. 37). The truth that He is the Son of God who came to save those who believe in Him.
For many of us, we would run in the other direction if we knew what God was about to do in our life. Jesus did the exact opposite. And what Jesus had to endure was way more difficult than what God would call any of us to do.
What has God called you to do that you have run from? What things are you holding back from God?
By: Brice Stockton
John 18
Jesus, by His own volition, came to do the will of God.
I have read this chapter so many times, but verse 4 caught my attention this time. Verse 4 says, “Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward…” (ESV).
Jesus knew He was going to die. He knew He was going to be beaten, whipped, and hung on a cross. He knew that He was going to take all of God’s wrath upon Himself. Yet, He willingly went forward. It is so mind blowing to me that Jesus went forward to the people who were about to treat Him horribly. But He did because He was bearing truth to the world (v. 37). The truth that He is the Son of God who came to save those who believe in Him.
For many of us, we would run in the other direction if we knew what God was about to do in our life. Jesus did the exact opposite. And what Jesus had to endure was way more difficult than what God would call any of us to do.
What has God called you to do that you have run from? What things are you holding back from God?
By: Brice Stockton
5 Comments
This year has seemed harder than most. We have had a lot of need, a lot of desperate prayer for healing, for comfort, for provision. It may seem sometimes like we must be using up all the prayer answers . Joking. But God does not leave anything "on the table". He tells us to come to him for ALL , to cast ALL our fears and doubts. He says we can do NOTHING without Him. He is a God of absolutes. "my God will provide for ALL your needs". We know that ALL things work for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. And then we "give thanks for ALL things for it is Gods will"
So what is the next prayer? Oooo I have to ask God to forgive me here, for my fear and my selfishness. Because I have to confess my heart when I pray the next "so God, what do you want from me? What do you want me to do?" Because He knows my heart is hoping His answer won't take me out of my comfort zone. Boy did the sermon convict! BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS
Have a beautiful day, friends
"Truth sounds like hate to those who hate the truth!". A quote I read in today's message reminder from Dr. David Jeremiah. When truth is real, it is fidelity (same as) to the original. When Jesus spoke He spoke truth; He is fidelity to God.
I am certain that there are many things that I have ran from since I became saved. However, I do try again and again to put myself in tough uncomfortable positions that I feel led of God to be in.... One was public speaking after I got sober. I had a story to tell, but Satan did not want it told. I was very anxious and nervous and concerned about judgement from others. I kept doing it and doing it to try and not let Satan prevent God's story of redemption from being told. While I have failed many times I would encourage each of us to take the step, no matter how small that Jesus is asking us to take. Otherwise Satan is using his lies in our lives to mute God's power. Remember what the pastor said this past week it says to be used of God. We are all scared, weak and feel like quitting that's what makes us normal. Staying this way is the reason that we don't share Christ, don't invite others to church, don't share our testimony and don't live on mission. As our friend Matt chandler says "it's ok to not be ok, but it's not ok to stay that way".
Such helpful comments today. As I was reading them I kept hearing what I've heard someone else say, "Do it afraid." The only way to concur fear is by facing it. I've had to practice this many times and I don't see an end to it while I'm on this earth. Have a courageous day CPC family!
I love that, Lindsay-thank you!
I do like hearing different views of the same passage. We see how the Holy Spirit is interpreting the passage for each of us