Category: Christian Blog

Is Your Spirit Ever Troubled Because Of Love?

Is Your Spirit Ever Troubled Because Of Love?

It was with great love and compassion for these His apostles that Jesus had washed their feet with tenderness. He knew and saw their hearts. Though they would scatter briefly at the time of His crucifixion; they would become His redeemed. He knew their fears, their coming failures; yet, they would become the ones who would spread the gospel news to the world. He longed to prepare them for the coming days. He wanted to wrap them with truth, love, and joy that would sustain them. Yet, there was one whose heart was dark. One whom Jesus saw the darkness lurking deep. There was one who would betray Him to the chief priests.broken heart

 

The plan had already been set by Judas with the priests.  Jesus knew this and that Judas Iscariot would betray Him. Still, the truth of this caused Jesus to moan within His spirit. Note, “20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. 21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me” (John 13). There was one who had walked with Jesus, who had eaten with Jesus, who had seen the miracles; yet, did not believe or receive Jesus as the Savior. In the darkness of his heart, Judas had only sought money and fame. When Jesus rebuked him back in John 12:8; he had become angered instead of yielding to the truth of Jesus’ words. Yet, Jesus moaned at the reality of this truth that Judas, one whom He had poured out His love upon—would betray Him. Has that ever happened to you? Have you loved someone dearly; only, to be betrayed by them?  Your heart is shattered.   Oh, how agonizing is that feeling!! Yet, Jesus knows exactly how you feel.  He was betrayed by one He loved dearly.  He longs to comfort your soul with His love.

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4 Important Powerful Life Lessons When Jesus Stooped Low

4 Important Powerful Life Lessons When Jesus Stooped Low

“It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet. ”Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”9 “Then, Lord,” wjpas0240Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not everyone was clean. 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them” (John 13 NIV).

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Are You Searching For Passionate, Compelling Love To The End?

Are You Searching For Passionate, Compelling Love To The End?

“when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end” (John 13:1).

There was a heaviness and almost gloom that had laid upon my heart that week. All of the years of loving Pete had been a lesson in love my heart needed. It was throughout those years I had begun to understand at least a glimpse of God’s love toward me. To love someone so much that you are so vulnerable, and willing to endure selfless agony at times if only they were to find happiness. To love so dearly that you are willing to give up all other dreams, hopes and desires; if that would bring them joy. Yet, Pete at times was swallowed up by the darkness of bipolar depression. Although, I had watched that world in my own mother; I could not fully comprehend it. The chemicals in my own brain could not truly understand that world of mental illness. At times I was frustrated by it; yet, at other times like a mother would cradle her sick child, I longed to discover the cure. Perhaps if I could love just a little purer, I could sweep away the pain and darkness. That week, as I prayed; my prayer went like this. “Father, I have pleaded for years that you cure Pete. If the only way for him to be well and to find joy is to go home to you and for certain, he is your child—then I let go. If by any slim chance, he doesn’t know You, Lord—then give me the words and the strength to show him Your Love. Give me one more chance.” Two days later, he was gone to be with the Lord. That was July 23, 1994 that he died and still, today; I love Pedro Barba and I guess I always will unto the end—no matter what else my life brings.

Love of Jesus

Mine was such an imperfect love; as always is the case with human love. Yet, I tell you all this to help you FEEL GOD’S LOVE. Paul prayed earnestly for the church of Ephesus that they might be grounded in and strengthened by the love of Christ and that they “May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:18-19). That is my prayer for you.

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What Is The Power Of Words In Faith And Condemnation?

What Is The Power Of Words In Faith And Condemnation?

As we come to the closing of John Chapter 12, Jesus cries out. Was it a shout for all to hear? Where did He cry out from? John has just written that Jesus had withdrawn from the crowd—then John eloquently proceeds with the discussion of Isaiah’s prophecies and how they are fulfilled. He showed us the barriers to faith amongst the crowds—even those who wanted to believe but feared the authorities. Then, John ends the chapter with these words of Jesus; yet, John does not set up the scene as he has before. He does not tell us where Jesus was when He cried out, nor does John reveal to whom Jesus cries out. Perhaps, that is the case because John wants us to see that this is a truth that is so relevant for you and I as well as those who heard it first. Truth is truth, whether I believe it or not. The earth was round, even when most men believed it to be flat. So what was this truth that Jesus cried out?

LIGHT OF TRUTH

“44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12).

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3 Barriers in the Heart of Man Preventing Genuine Faith

3 Barriers in the Heart of Man Preventing Genuine Faith

As we see the public ministry of Jesus coming to its end in the book of John, Jesus withdraws to be alone. John through the inspiration of the spirit takes us back to Isaiah’s scriptures to help to guide us to what is both tragically heartbreaking and yet should point us toward our greatest source of joy. Jesus came that He might save the world; yet, to do so He had to suffer utter rejection and humiliation at the hands of those He came to save. His ultimate joy in those who would follow Him, His unwavering love, and His Glorious Grace would be realized only through the greatest travesty of disbelief by mankind’s pride filled hearts. The very people for whom He came would reject Him as their messiah. Why? What were the barriers in the Heart of Man that prevented their seeing Him, desiring Him and believing in Him as their Savior? As we look at the barriers of the crowds that had seen Jesus, perhaps we can see the barriers within our own hearts which thwart our faith.

darkness

To help us realize these truths let us first go back to the temple when Mary and Joseph first brought Jesus as a baby.

“25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2).

Why did I take us back here? Look closely, Simeon so accurately declared—“this child is set for the fall and the rising of many in Israel”. While the hearts of some would rise in faith

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