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John 17:20-26
"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;
that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:
I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
"Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me.
And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."
that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:
I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
"Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me.
And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."
The expression ‘may be one’ occurs five times in John 17, a number usually considered to show the grace of God, and ‘one’ — the number denoting Father God — appears seven times, as you might expect. So we can see that the arithmetic of Jesus’ prayer underlines what He speaks.
As mentioned beforehand, the prayer is in three parts, and leads us to understand the Holy Trinity working.
The link between these three aspects is encapsulated in verse 23; “I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” This for me is perhaps the most beautiful and reassuring verse in The Bible, particularly when Jesus tells us that each believer has been chosen from “before the foundation of the world”.
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” [John 15:16]
This verse from John 15, reiterates that when we ask of The Father in prayer, we should do so “in Jesus’ Name”, because we then ask as Him; in Jesus’ nature, Jesus having declared to us His Person and that of Father God.
Thus, it is vital, that when we meet, we are one together — without division — united in His Presence.
As mentioned beforehand, the prayer is in three parts, and leads us to understand the Holy Trinity working.
- When Jesus prays for Himself He is, in a sense, receiving ministry from Father God.
- When Jesus prays for His disciples, He is speaking of His own ministry to His followers, who will carry on His work.
- And when Jesus prays for all believers, He is acknowledging the work of The Holy Spirit, who will minister to the many generations to come after Him.
The link between these three aspects is encapsulated in verse 23; “I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” This for me is perhaps the most beautiful and reassuring verse in The Bible, particularly when Jesus tells us that each believer has been chosen from “before the foundation of the world”.
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” [John 15:16]
This verse from John 15, reiterates that when we ask of The Father in prayer, we should do so “in Jesus’ Name”, because we then ask as Him; in Jesus’ nature, Jesus having declared to us His Person and that of Father God.
Thus, it is vital, that when we meet, we are one together — without division — united in His Presence.
Meditate On These Things
HEBREWS 10:15-16
But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,"
But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,"
HIGHLY EXALTED — Robin Mark with the New Irish Choir and Orchestra.
A HOLY OCCUPATION: Oswald Chambers on PRAYER
— Requires CHILDLIKENESS--
THERE IS A subtle thing that goes by the name of unworthiness which is petulant pride with God. When we are shy with other people it is because we believe we are superior to the average person and we won't talk until they realize our importance. Prayerlessness with God is the same thing; we are shy with God not because we are unworthy, but because we think God has not given enough consideration to our case, we have some peculiar elements He must be pleased to consider.
[from “If You Will Ask”]
[from “If You Will Ask”]
Listen to this meditation by clicking on the download file below...
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John 17:6-11
"I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.
Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You.
For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.
"I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.
And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them.
Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.
Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You.
For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.
"I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.
And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them.
Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.
My Bible divides John 17 into three parts — Jesus prays for Himself; Jesus prays for His disciples, and Jesus prays for all believers. There is, of course, much more to it than that. The whole of John 17 is devoted to the connection of each one of us who believe to the idea that we can be one with Jesus; that with Him we can have everlasting life, but without Him we dwell among the eternally lost. It also expresses through Jesus’ prayer — and the chapter is His prayer — in essence a summation of His purpose.
That purpose is best summed up in the last few words of verse 11 — that they may be one as we are. So, just as The Father and The Son are one, so too are The Son and His disciples. And as we shall see, Jesus extends this ‘one-ness’ to all who believe through their [the disciples’] word (verses 20-21). Thus, Jesus pulls together so much of what is prophesied and laid down in the Old Testament. Here He reveals how His church was created and continues to be created in the hearts of men, and sets a seal on it with The Father, while they are connected in Spirit through prayer.
John 17 is the template for the creation of the Third Testament — the body of Christ. That body — with Christ the Head — is one. All who have and move in the mind of Christ are part of that one entity. We should see that Jesus is showing us by example, about our prayer-life, but also inferring our responsibilities one to another if we become believers and part of the body.
That purpose is best summed up in the last few words of verse 11 — that they may be one as we are. So, just as The Father and The Son are one, so too are The Son and His disciples. And as we shall see, Jesus extends this ‘one-ness’ to all who believe through their [the disciples’] word (verses 20-21). Thus, Jesus pulls together so much of what is prophesied and laid down in the Old Testament. Here He reveals how His church was created and continues to be created in the hearts of men, and sets a seal on it with The Father, while they are connected in Spirit through prayer.
John 17 is the template for the creation of the Third Testament — the body of Christ. That body — with Christ the Head — is one. All who have and move in the mind of Christ are part of that one entity. We should see that Jesus is showing us by example, about our prayer-life, but also inferring our responsibilities one to another if we become believers and part of the body.
Meditate On These Things
JOHN 10:14-16 — ONE FLOCK AND ONE SHEPHERD
I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
AS ONE — Hatton Primary School
Here are the words to their song, and while these words do not come straight from The Bible, they reveal as aspiration among young people to live in a right and spiritual way which is commendable
We've got to get on together, think of each other,
Look at ways to help us to get along.
If we can learn how to listen, where there's division,
we can live as one.
We've got to trust one another, stand with each other,
fix our eyes on all that's right not wrong.
If we can learn to be sorry, love everybody,
we can live as one
Here are the words to their song, and while these words do not come straight from The Bible, they reveal as aspiration among young people to live in a right and spiritual way which is commendable
We've got to get on together, think of each other,
Look at ways to help us to get along.
If we can learn how to listen, where there's division,
we can live as one.
We've got to trust one another, stand with each other,
fix our eyes on all that's right not wrong.
If we can learn to be sorry, love everybody,
we can live as one
A HOLY COMMAND: Oswald Chambers on LOVE
— Love with all your STRENGTH --
THE DEATH OF Jesus not only gives us remission from our sins, it enables us to assimilate the very nature of Jesus until in every detail of our lives we are like Him. How much more does the death of Jesus mean to us today than it ever has before? Are we beginning to be lost in wonder, love and praise at the marvellous loosening from sin, and are we so assimilating the nature of Jesus that we bear a strong family likeness to Him.
[from ‘The Philosophy of Sin’]
[from ‘The Philosophy of Sin’]
Listen to this meditation by clicking below
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John 17:1-5
Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,
as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.
And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth.
I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.
And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.
And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth.
I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.
And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
If any part of scripture has had a profound influence on my life, it must surely be John 17. It is a chapter I have turned to again and again — and I believe will continue so to do. The first verse shows us the fifth and final time in John’s Gospel that Jesus tells us that the hour has come.
On each occasion, Jesus links the hour that has come, to The Father and to His purpose. Furthermore, on the first and second occasions, the emphasis is on Jesus Himself — the third time, He is explaining this to the Disciples, that they (and we) may better understand what is happening — then on the fourth and fifth occasions the emphasis is on Father God. In these five verses Jesus gently leads us step-by-step in our approach to a deeper faith, a higher calling; into the heart of faith. Furthermore, each episode speaks clearly of new life — everlasting life in Jesus.
The hour is coming, yes, has now come. We are used to hearing that this walk of faith is a ‘now’ thing. No use dwelling on the past, whether glorious or otherwise. No point in speculating on what is to come. It will be what it will be, and we must trust in Him for our security, believe that He will honour His promises. The time is coming; this we know, and yet it has already come: that is the nature of God and His heavenly realms, for He is not governed by time as we are.
What we can infer from Jesus’ statement “Father, the hour has come” is that — if we are one with Jesus — we shall be among those in Jesus’ company so that He should give eternal life to as many as [The Father] have given Him. “The hour has come” is everlasting life, and it is not eternal life hereafter, but available in the here and now. Hallelujah!
- 12:23 But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.
- 13:1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.
- 16:21 A woman, when she is in labour, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.
- 16:32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
- 17:1 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,
On each occasion, Jesus links the hour that has come, to The Father and to His purpose. Furthermore, on the first and second occasions, the emphasis is on Jesus Himself — the third time, He is explaining this to the Disciples, that they (and we) may better understand what is happening — then on the fourth and fifth occasions the emphasis is on Father God. In these five verses Jesus gently leads us step-by-step in our approach to a deeper faith, a higher calling; into the heart of faith. Furthermore, each episode speaks clearly of new life — everlasting life in Jesus.
The hour is coming, yes, has now come. We are used to hearing that this walk of faith is a ‘now’ thing. No use dwelling on the past, whether glorious or otherwise. No point in speculating on what is to come. It will be what it will be, and we must trust in Him for our security, believe that He will honour His promises. The time is coming; this we know, and yet it has already come: that is the nature of God and His heavenly realms, for He is not governed by time as we are.
What we can infer from Jesus’ statement “Father, the hour has come” is that — if we are one with Jesus — we shall be among those in Jesus’ company so that He should give eternal life to as many as [The Father] have given Him. “The hour has come” is everlasting life, and it is not eternal life hereafter, but available in the here and now. Hallelujah!
Meditate On These Things
MARK 14:41-42 — JESUS GIVES US A WAKE-UP CALL…
Then He came the third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand."
Then He came the third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand."
THE HOUR HAS COME — Jeff Byers (and featuring Matt Newton)
A HOLY COMMAND: Oswald Chambers on LOVE
— Love with all your STRENGTH --
"IF ONLY GOD would leave me alone!" men are apt to cry. God never will. His passionate, inexorable love never allows Him to leave men alone, and with His children He will shake everything that can be shaken till nothing more can be shaken; then will abide the consuming fire of God until the life is changed into the same image from glory to glory.
[from ‘Our Brilliant Heritage’]
[from ‘Our Brilliant Heritage’]
Listen to this meditation by clicking below…
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1 Corinthians 1:17-25
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."
Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;
but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."
Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;
but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1 Corinthians 2:13-16
These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
This is the word that was mentioned in our gathering last week. Reproduced above is an expansion of some of the Bible verses that Carter Conlon mentions. Carter Conlon is the overall Pastor of Time Square church in New York. However, this word is not to be found on their You Tube channel, but on that of their affiliated channel for World Challenge. Either of these sources are well worth searching out should you be interested to seek for more like this…
RECLAIMING THE MIND OF CHRIST — Carter Conlon
A HOLY COMMAND: Oswald Chambers on LOVE
— Love with all your STRENGTH--
IN DAYS GONE by we all used to love the creatures that exhibit reflections of the Eternal Good — honour and courage and strength, but when we are made one with Jesus Christ we find we love the creatures that exhibit the fruit of the Spirit.
[from ‘If Thou Wilt Be Perfect’]
[from ‘If Thou Wilt Be Perfect’]
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Deuteronomy 15:7-8
"If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother,
but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.
but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.
In a recent telephone conversation with our 6 year old eldest grand-daughter, Gill had a discussion regarding old clothes and what to do with them. Ella — for ‘twas she — had firm views on the subject and declared that old clothes must be given to the poor, because “their clothes are small.” That at least, was the gist of the story.
While this is a charming use of words in a novel way — just the sort of thing that all grandparents love to hear — it also showed a young girl with a caring heart. And the more that I thought about Ella’s expression, the more I felt that there was a truth in those words, depending on your understanding of the word ‘small’ — for amongst the meanings of the root of the word ‘poor’ is ‘rest content’; to ‘be acquiescent’; or in other words, to have little or no desire — or ability — to make for change or improvement in circumstances. Smallness of mind.
In a spiritual sense, the ‘poor man of your brethren’ is without the willingness to reach higher in faith and holiness. Our clothes — our garments — represent The Lord’s covering hand upon us, so if we rest content where we are — ‘what need have I for the deeper life in Christ?’ — then I limit my covering from Him and I wallow in my spiritual poverty.
Thus, in Deuteronomy 15:7-8 we are exhorted to do all that we can to help our brother out of his poverty and into the full rich life in Jesus, by praying and encouraging without condemnation. If the ‘poor man’ responds, he will find that his clothes — God’s covering — will grow at a greater rate than he needs, because when the Lord gives, He does so abundantly.
While this is a charming use of words in a novel way — just the sort of thing that all grandparents love to hear — it also showed a young girl with a caring heart. And the more that I thought about Ella’s expression, the more I felt that there was a truth in those words, depending on your understanding of the word ‘small’ — for amongst the meanings of the root of the word ‘poor’ is ‘rest content’; to ‘be acquiescent’; or in other words, to have little or no desire — or ability — to make for change or improvement in circumstances. Smallness of mind.
In a spiritual sense, the ‘poor man of your brethren’ is without the willingness to reach higher in faith and holiness. Our clothes — our garments — represent The Lord’s covering hand upon us, so if we rest content where we are — ‘what need have I for the deeper life in Christ?’ — then I limit my covering from Him and I wallow in my spiritual poverty.
Thus, in Deuteronomy 15:7-8 we are exhorted to do all that we can to help our brother out of his poverty and into the full rich life in Jesus, by praying and encouraging without condemnation. If the ‘poor man’ responds, he will find that his clothes — God’s covering — will grow at a greater rate than he needs, because when the Lord gives, He does so abundantly.
PRAYER: Lord, help us to appreciate Your abundant provision and not set ill-conceived limits on Your promises. You are greater than we can understand and only our pride stands in the way of Your mighty blessings. Lead us deeper into the relationship with You, and let our garments be garments of praise and thanksgiving, so that we do not think in a small way, but glory in the riches of Your presence.
Meditate On These Things
1 SAMUEL 2:6-8
"The LORD kills and makes alive;
He brings down to the grave and brings up.
The LORD makes poor and makes rich;
He brings low and lifts up.
He raises the poor from the dust
And lifts the beggar from the ash heap,
To set them among princes
And make them inherit the throne of glory.
"For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's,
And He has set the world upon them.
"The LORD kills and makes alive;
He brings down to the grave and brings up.
The LORD makes poor and makes rich;
He brings low and lifts up.
He raises the poor from the dust
And lifts the beggar from the ash heap,
To set them among princes
And make them inherit the throne of glory.
"For the pillars of the earth are the LORD's,
And He has set the world upon them.
Today’s song is about peace, love and joy which is ours when we embrace the greatness of God.
PEACE LIKE A RIVER IN MY SOUL — Listener Kids
A HOLY COMMAND: Oswald Chambers on LOVE
— Love with all your STRENGTH --
IT Is His perfections, not ours; His patience, His love, His holiness, His strength. There is a danger with the children of God of getting too familiar with sublime things. We talk so much about these wonderful realities, and forget that we have to exhibit them in our lives.
It is perilously possible to mistake the exposition of the truth for the truth; to run away with the idea that because we are able to expound these things we are living them too.
[from ‘Our Brilliant Heritage’]
It is perilously possible to mistake the exposition of the truth for the truth; to run away with the idea that because we are able to expound these things we are living them too.
[from ‘Our Brilliant Heritage’]
Listen to this meditation by clicking below
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Psalm 147:12-14
Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
For He has strengthened the bars of your gates;
He has blessed your children within you.
He makes peace in your borders,
And fills you with the finest wheat.
Praise your God, O Zion!
For He has strengthened the bars of your gates;
He has blessed your children within you.
He makes peace in your borders,
And fills you with the finest wheat.
the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! What a great thought to begin anything — with praise and thanksgiving — an exhortation to The LORD’s people to come up higher to God’s Holy mountain.
And the praise is due to Him because He has strengthened the bars of [our] gates; He has hedged us about, causing our enemies to flee, a phrase should be read in the same way as we see in 2 Timothy 1:6-7 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you … . For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
He has blessed your children within you, speaks of your thoughts and intentions ‘birthed’ within each one individually, but as the exhortation to praise is addressed to His church, that blessing will be a corporate gift to all who follow Him — for we shall be fruitful ‘after [our] kind.’
The end result will be, and is now, peace in your borders. The ‘in’ has been inserted by the translators, but this line might be better reading He makes health, prosperity and peace your territory. God always holds His treasures in safety — in an ark of one sort or another, and scripture is full of such pictures, from the Ark that Noah built, and Moses’ basket right through to Jesus’ tomb.
We are in good hands. He has set peace in the borders of your heart and mind.
And the praise is due to Him because He has strengthened the bars of [our] gates; He has hedged us about, causing our enemies to flee, a phrase should be read in the same way as we see in 2 Timothy 1:6-7 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you … . For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
He has blessed your children within you, speaks of your thoughts and intentions ‘birthed’ within each one individually, but as the exhortation to praise is addressed to His church, that blessing will be a corporate gift to all who follow Him — for we shall be fruitful ‘after [our] kind.’
The end result will be, and is now, peace in your borders. The ‘in’ has been inserted by the translators, but this line might be better reading He makes health, prosperity and peace your territory. God always holds His treasures in safety — in an ark of one sort or another, and scripture is full of such pictures, from the Ark that Noah built, and Moses’ basket right through to Jesus’ tomb.
We are in good hands. He has set peace in the borders of your heart and mind.
Meditate On These Things
EXODUS 34:24
For I will cast out the nations before you and enlarge your borders; neither will any man covet your land when you go up to appear before the LORD your God three times in the year.
For I will cast out the nations before you and enlarge your borders; neither will any man covet your land when you go up to appear before the LORD your God three times in the year.
PEACE — Bethel Music
A HOLY COMMAND: Oswald Chambers on LOVE
— Love with all your MIND --
HOW MUCH OF faith, hope, and love is worked in us when we try to convince somebody else? It is not our business to convince other people, that is the insistence of a merely intellectual, unspiritual life. The Spirit of God will do the convicting when we are in the relationship where we simply convey God's word.
[from ‘If Thou Wilt Be Perfect’]
[from ‘If Thou Wilt Be Perfect’]
Listen to this meditation by clicking below
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John 16:25-33
These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father.
In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you;
for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.
I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father."
His disciples said to Him, "See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech!
Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God."
Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe?
Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer,
I have overcome the world."
In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you;
for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.
I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father."
His disciples said to Him, "See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech!
Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God."
Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe?
Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer,
I have overcome the world."
‘Figurative language’ looks and sounds awkward and unlikely as a Biblical expression, and I find myself turning again to the King James Version, where verse 25 reads as ‘These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.’ Many will find this translation archaic or difficult; it is what we are used to reading. For myself, what is often lost in more modern translations is the poetry — my mother always cited ‘the majesty’ — of the Authorised Version.
Why do I mention this matter of translation? The reason has a lot to do with understanding. A good translation — and one that you are comfortable reading — aids understanding, whereas another translation can positively hinder your relationship with The Lord. Here is verse 25 from the Wycliffe Bible … ‘Y haue spokun to you these thingis in prouerbis; the our cometh, whanne now Y schal not speke to you in prouerbis, but opynli of my fadir Y schal telle to you.’ It speaks better than it reads — if you can speak it!
Jesus says “I will tell you plainly”, and the disciples are pleased — “now You are speaking plainly,” — yet Jesus has not changed His manner of speech. He merely tells the disciples that He has. In other words, Jesus has imparted spiritual understanding to the disciples. They now understand because Jesus gifts them with it. This is what our Saviour does. He speaks life and our thoughts become His thoughts; where previously we knew not, we now know. This foretaste of Holy Spirit work that He gave the disciples, He also gives us when we ask for His clarity; when we ask that the fog be lifted from our minds. “Ask and it shall be given to you.”
His purpose in this is simple and powerful — “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." His peace is the most valuable gift any of us could wish for, and we have that in abundance … in Him.
Why do I mention this matter of translation? The reason has a lot to do with understanding. A good translation — and one that you are comfortable reading — aids understanding, whereas another translation can positively hinder your relationship with The Lord. Here is verse 25 from the Wycliffe Bible … ‘Y haue spokun to you these thingis in prouerbis; the our cometh, whanne now Y schal not speke to you in prouerbis, but opynli of my fadir Y schal telle to you.’ It speaks better than it reads — if you can speak it!
Jesus says “I will tell you plainly”, and the disciples are pleased — “now You are speaking plainly,” — yet Jesus has not changed His manner of speech. He merely tells the disciples that He has. In other words, Jesus has imparted spiritual understanding to the disciples. They now understand because Jesus gifts them with it. This is what our Saviour does. He speaks life and our thoughts become His thoughts; where previously we knew not, we now know. This foretaste of Holy Spirit work that He gave the disciples, He also gives us when we ask for His clarity; when we ask that the fog be lifted from our minds. “Ask and it shall be given to you.”
His purpose in this is simple and powerful — “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." His peace is the most valuable gift any of us could wish for, and we have that in abundance … in Him.
Meditate On These Things
2 JOHN 1:3
Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love.
Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ—the Son of the Father—will continue to be with us who live in truth and love.
PEACE LIKE A RIVER — Vinesong Worship
A HOLY COMMAND: Oswald Chambers on LOVE
— Love with all your MIND --
IT IS ONLY by getting our mind into the state of the Mind of Jesus that we can understand how it is possible to fulfill the royal law and love our neighbour as ourselves. We measure our generosity by the standards of men; Jesus says, "Measure your love for men by God's love for them, and if you are My disciple, you will love your neighbour as I have loved you.
[from ‘Conformed To His Image’]
[from ‘Conformed To His Image’]
Listen to this meditation by clicking below…
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John 16:16-24
"A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father."
Then some of His disciples said among themselves, "What is this that He says to us, 'A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me'; and, 'because I go to the Father'?"
They said therefore, "What is this that He says, 'A little while'? We do not know what He is saying."
Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, "Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, 'A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me'?
Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.
A woman, when she is in labour, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.
Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.
"And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.
Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
Then some of His disciples said among themselves, "What is this that He says to us, 'A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me'; and, 'because I go to the Father'?"
They said therefore, "What is this that He says, 'A little while'? We do not know what He is saying."
Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, "Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, 'A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me'?
Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.
A woman, when she is in labour, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.
Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.
"And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.
Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
We see that Jesus is giving the disciples an understanding of His Resurrection, yet they remain confused by His words. We might consider the disciples to be a bit slow to grasp the truth, but we must also remember that we already know what happened thereafter, how things unfolded in the world.
Their reaction is one that all of us might have, when our teacher speaks of things that are contrary to our everyday experience. Jesus’ “now you’ll see me, now you won’t” speech could come across to us as obfuscation, should we not know otherwise. He seems on occasions to speak in riddles. Why not explain it simply to begin with?
Jesus speaks truth always, but throughout the Gospels has to explain that truth in parables for us to understand. Jesus’ words come straight from the throne of God, but as our intercessor, He must bring God’s message and then re-interpret those words for our limited understanding. Thus, the ‘riddles’ are a difference language which we cannot yet grasp, unless Jesus translates for us.
Jesus’ story of a woman in labour, forgetting her anguish when she experiences the joy of her newborn child, perfectly captures sorrow turned to joy, while giving the disciples a real life example to help them see the heavenly reality of what was occurring. It shows us afresh that Jesus is more real than real — if I can put it like that. Supernatural reality and Earthly reality become one in His person.
“Most assuredly”, (or “Verily, verily” in the King James Version), is mentioned twenty five times in John’s Gospel, and twice in our chosen passage today. ‘Verily’ means ‘truthfully’, made more so by repetition. The modern ‘most assuredly’ emphasises the promise in the truth, that our “sorrow will turn to joy” and that we should “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
Their reaction is one that all of us might have, when our teacher speaks of things that are contrary to our everyday experience. Jesus’ “now you’ll see me, now you won’t” speech could come across to us as obfuscation, should we not know otherwise. He seems on occasions to speak in riddles. Why not explain it simply to begin with?
Jesus speaks truth always, but throughout the Gospels has to explain that truth in parables for us to understand. Jesus’ words come straight from the throne of God, but as our intercessor, He must bring God’s message and then re-interpret those words for our limited understanding. Thus, the ‘riddles’ are a difference language which we cannot yet grasp, unless Jesus translates for us.
Jesus’ story of a woman in labour, forgetting her anguish when she experiences the joy of her newborn child, perfectly captures sorrow turned to joy, while giving the disciples a real life example to help them see the heavenly reality of what was occurring. It shows us afresh that Jesus is more real than real — if I can put it like that. Supernatural reality and Earthly reality become one in His person.
“Most assuredly”, (or “Verily, verily” in the King James Version), is mentioned twenty five times in John’s Gospel, and twice in our chosen passage today. ‘Verily’ means ‘truthfully’, made more so by repetition. The modern ‘most assuredly’ emphasises the promise in the truth, that our “sorrow will turn to joy” and that we should “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
Meditate On These Things
ISAIAH 51:11
So the ransomed of the LORD shall return,
And come to Zion with singing,
With everlasting joy on their heads.
They shall obtain joy and gladness;
Sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
So the ransomed of the LORD shall return,
And come to Zion with singing,
With everlasting joy on their heads.
They shall obtain joy and gladness;
Sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
THEREFORE THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD SHALL RETURN — Maranatha Music
A HOLY COMMAND: Oswald Chambers on LOVE
— Love with all your MIND --
MANY A CHRISTIAN who loves Jesus Christ in his heart denies Him in his head.
[from ‘Bringing Sons Unto Glory‘]
[from ‘Bringing Sons Unto Glory‘]
Listen to this meditation by clicking below…
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John 16:5-15
"But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, 'Where are You going?'
But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement:
of sin, because they do not believe in Me;
of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more;
of judgement, because the ruler of this world is judged.
"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement:
of sin, because they do not believe in Me;
of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more;
of judgement, because the ruler of this world is judged.
"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
The Holy Spirit — the Paraclete (from the Greek ‘paraklētos’, helper, advocate, comforter) — is no better explained than in Jesus words to His disciples here. The purpose of the Spirit of Truth is to act as Jesus’ presence with all who follow Him, when He is no longer physically in our company.
As always, what Jesus says illuminates our understanding, otherwise we could easily fall into error. He names this guide and helper ‘The Spirit of Truth’, and personified as ‘He’, so that we are to know that the Holy Spirit is someone with whom we should have an intimate relationship, just as we would if Jesus stood before us. As has been said, “it’s an inside job”; and Jesus is preparing His disciples — and us — for that direct connection which bypasses all of our external resistance; our moods and prejudices, our thoughts and interpretations, and leads us into all truth.
Jesus also discerns that all He is saying may be too much for the Disciples to take in all at once, saying that “you cannot bear them now.” And nor can we at first. There is a wide gulf of difference between hearing and experiencing. Only by experience — “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” [Psalm 34:8] — can we find the truth realised in us, and thus our faith is enhanced and trust in Him grows.
There is always profound wisdom from Jesus whenever He speaks, and compassion also, so that we are lifted up despite the ever-present troubles. He tells us that through the Spirit of Truth, the world will be convicted of sin, righteousness and judgement … and the reasons why this will be, and is now so, for we have this promise from Him — “… the Father … will take of Mine and declare it to you."
As always, what Jesus says illuminates our understanding, otherwise we could easily fall into error. He names this guide and helper ‘The Spirit of Truth’, and personified as ‘He’, so that we are to know that the Holy Spirit is someone with whom we should have an intimate relationship, just as we would if Jesus stood before us. As has been said, “it’s an inside job”; and Jesus is preparing His disciples — and us — for that direct connection which bypasses all of our external resistance; our moods and prejudices, our thoughts and interpretations, and leads us into all truth.
Jesus also discerns that all He is saying may be too much for the Disciples to take in all at once, saying that “you cannot bear them now.” And nor can we at first. There is a wide gulf of difference between hearing and experiencing. Only by experience — “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” [Psalm 34:8] — can we find the truth realised in us, and thus our faith is enhanced and trust in Him grows.
There is always profound wisdom from Jesus whenever He speaks, and compassion also, so that we are lifted up despite the ever-present troubles. He tells us that through the Spirit of Truth, the world will be convicted of sin, righteousness and judgement … and the reasons why this will be, and is now so, for we have this promise from Him — “… the Father … will take of Mine and declare it to you."
Meditate On These Things…
HEBREWS 13:5-6
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
HOLY SPIRIT WE WELCOME YOU — Chris Bowater
A HOLY COMMAND: Oswald Chambers on LOVE
— Love with all your MIND --
TO THINK AS a Christian is a rare accomplishment, especially as the curious leaven which puts a premium on ignorance works its sluggish way. A blatant pride which boasts of knowing nothing outside the Bible, in all probability, knows nothing inside it either. Christian thinking is a rare and difficult thing; so many seem unaware that the first great commandment according to our Lord is, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God… with all thy mind…”
[from ‘Called of God’]
[from ‘Called of God’]
Listen to this meditation by clicking below…
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John 15:26 — John 16:4
But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
"These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble.
They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.
And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.
But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.
"And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.
And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
"These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble.
They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.
And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.
But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.
"And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.
Is there a specific event to which our Lord is referring in this passage? The first words here speak of ‘The Helper’, which we know refers to the Holy Spirit, which Jesus refers to as ‘the Spirit of Truth’. Is that ‘when the time comes?’ Assuredly, yes it is.
The apostle Peter talks of ‘the time has come for judgement to begin at the house of God’ [1 Peter 4:17-19], that time when we have to face our Maker and submit to His judgement. Psalm 9:7-8 says ‘But the LORD shall endure forever; He has prepared His throne for judgment. He shall judge the world in righteousness, And He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness.’ Is that ‘when the time comes?’ Assuredly, yes it is.
‘the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.’ Jesus tells us openly that there will be times of persecution, pain and suffering, that we may also die for our faith, because some who do not know Him or God will believe that they are doing the right thing by God. Is that ‘when the time comes?’ Assuredly, yes it is.
When the time comes is always now; the present moment. What Jesus is saying is He is always with us, because He is ‘of The Father’, ‘begotten not created.’ David Wilkerson put this better than I, in his devotional ‘You Will Survive’…
The apostle Peter talks of ‘the time has come for judgement to begin at the house of God’ [1 Peter 4:17-19], that time when we have to face our Maker and submit to His judgement. Psalm 9:7-8 says ‘But the LORD shall endure forever; He has prepared His throne for judgment. He shall judge the world in righteousness, And He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness.’ Is that ‘when the time comes?’ Assuredly, yes it is.
‘the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.’ Jesus tells us openly that there will be times of persecution, pain and suffering, that we may also die for our faith, because some who do not know Him or God will believe that they are doing the right thing by God. Is that ‘when the time comes?’ Assuredly, yes it is.
When the time comes is always now; the present moment. What Jesus is saying is He is always with us, because He is ‘of The Father’, ‘begotten not created.’ David Wilkerson put this better than I, in his devotional ‘You Will Survive’…
You may feel rejected, abandoned and alone. Your faith may be weak and you think you are down for the count. Sorrow, tears, pain and emptiness may swallow you up at times. But God is still on the throne. He is still God!
Convince yourself that you will survive. Read His Word and meditate on it. You will come out of it; live or die, you belong to the Lord. Life does go on, and it will surprise you how much you can bear with God’s help.
He wants you to cry aloud, “Jesus loves me! He is with me and He will not fail me. He is working it all out right now. I will not be cast down, I will not be defeated. I will not be a victim of Satan, I will not lose my mind or my direction. God is on my side. I love Him and He loves me!”
The bottom line is faith. It rests on this one absolute: “No weapon formed against you shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17).
DAVID WILKERSON from ‘God Is Faithful'
MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS..,
ROMANS 3:24-26
Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past,
for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past,
for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
WHEN THE TIME COMES — Abigail Liong and Alyssa Haijon
A HOLY COMMAND: Oswald Chambers on LOVE
— Love with all your SOUL --
ATONEMENT [Romans 3:25] TAKES AWAY fearfulness and unbelief, and brings us back again into the relationship of faith and love to God. The new birth will bring us to the place where spirit, soul and body are identified with Christ, sanctified here and now and preserved in that condition, not by intuitions now, not by sudden impulses and marvellous workings of the new life within, but by a conscious, superior, moral integrity, transfigured through and through by our union with God through the Atonement.
[from ‘Biblical Philosophy’]
[from ‘Biblical Philosophy’]