FIRST THINGS FIRST
BUT DOES JESUS REALLY CARE FOR ME?
WE can be pursuaded that something is true based on information someone has given us, especially if the source of that information is reliable. So the Word of God reliably promises that we are a child of GOD. What does that mean?
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT
In His Last mortal night on Earth, Jesus sat and ate the passover with His disciples, His dear friends. He instituted "communion" with them "This is MY body which is given for You. This do, in remembrance of ME". "This cup is the New Testament in MY Blood, which is shed for you." He also washed His disciples' feet He said as an Example of how HE wants us to serve one another, After supper they sang a hymn together(Mark 14:26), then JESUS said "Come now let us leave" They headed out toward the Garden of Gethsemane.
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Why? Why this assignment? If there was a way for me to convey to you how intensely and intimately JESUS cares for you: for you as the person that you are now. He loves you right now, as you are, as much as HE will ever love you. Three things will convey this truth to you in time:
1. The words of JESUS in his Word. Thus todays assignment.
2. The 2nd is not a what but a Who, the Holy Spirit, will witness in your heart the love of JESUS for you.
3. The third is the toughest lesson, at least it was for me: Time. Time, and all the things that put wrinkles in your brow and make pigmented hair turn grey. All the struggles you will have, walked through learning that JESUS is right with you. Know that HE has been there all along. Know this also: He is ahead of you. He has already been there and knows what is in the road ahead, and will walk you through it. Trust Him, as much as you can, (it takes exersize) every step of the way.
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Get this picture: Jesus knows HE's headed for His sacrifice. HE is giving His last Will and Testament to His best friends. HE is going to pour out His heart to them. Then in prayer to HIS FATHER, HE will pour out HIS heart for us. I could type the whole episode here, but that would take an eternity, and it's in your Gospel of John from the last verse in the chapter 14, through Jesus' Prayer to the Father in Chapter 17.
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Why? Why this assignment? If there was a way for me to convey to you how intensely and intimately JESUS cares for you: for you as the person that you are now. He loves you right now, as you are, as much as HE will ever love you. Three things will convey this truth to you in time:
1. The words of JESUS in his Word. Thus todays assignment.
2. The 2nd is not a what but a Who, the Holy Spirit, will witness in your heart the love of JESUS for you.
3. The third is the toughest lesson, at least it was for me: Time. Time, and all the things that put wrinkles in your brow and make pigmented hair turn grey. All the struggles you will have, walked through learning that JESUS is right with you. Know that HE has been there all along. Know this also: He is ahead of you. He has already been there and knows what is in the road ahead, and will walk you through it. Trust Him, as much as you can, (it takes exersize) every step of the way.
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Get this picture: Jesus knows HE's headed for His sacrifice. HE is giving His last Will and Testament to His best friends. HE is going to pour out His heart to them. Then in prayer to HIS FATHER, HE will pour out HIS heart for us. I could type the whole episode here, but that would take an eternity, and it's in your Gospel of John from the last verse in the chapter 14, through Jesus' Prayer to the Father in Chapter 17.
When you get to the part of the prayer where HE says "My prayer is not for them [His disciples] alone. I pray also for those who will believe in ME through their message",
You MUST understand: When HE is pouring out His heart, with HIS Last Will to His disciples, HE is talking directly to you and to me. And when HE is pleading with HIS FATHER (Our FATHER) for HIS disciples, HE IS pleading for you and for me. Not for our salvation from Hell. We are His Children. That is settled! But there is so much we can become on Earth! He Created us to a purpose, when fulfilled, the fruits of which will ascend with us to Heaven.
He begins "Abide in ME" and ends praying to FATHER for us. Please let that sink in: "Abide in ME"
The more we practice our moment to moment lives, recognizing that HIS Spirit resides in us, and we live in Him, and look to Him for our every moment, the more we will live out His eternal purpose for our lives.
So Go! Find a quiet hour or so, today or tomorrow, this week, where you can read Jesus' Last Will and Testament for you-HIS dying wish for you. The end of John chapter 14 through the end of His prayer to FATHER. It will add much for you to be thankful for.
You MUST understand: When HE is pouring out His heart, with HIS Last Will to His disciples, HE is talking directly to you and to me. And when HE is pleading with HIS FATHER (Our FATHER) for HIS disciples, HE IS pleading for you and for me. Not for our salvation from Hell. We are His Children. That is settled! But there is so much we can become on Earth! He Created us to a purpose, when fulfilled, the fruits of which will ascend with us to Heaven.
He begins "Abide in ME" and ends praying to FATHER for us. Please let that sink in: "Abide in ME"
The more we practice our moment to moment lives, recognizing that HIS Spirit resides in us, and we live in Him, and look to Him for our every moment, the more we will live out His eternal purpose for our lives.
So Go! Find a quiet hour or so, today or tomorrow, this week, where you can read Jesus' Last Will and Testament for you-HIS dying wish for you. The end of John chapter 14 through the end of His prayer to FATHER. It will add much for you to be thankful for.
OH, HE lives today IN GLORY, ever to plead for us to the FATHER, that we would live out the promise of our lives here below, so that we will have many many friends ready to greet us when we get there . But this moment of HIS, just hours before the cross was the lynchpin of History, and HE thought of ....YOU!
Your Brother,
Duane
Your Brother,
Duane
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