John 17:20-26

We are created in the very image of God. Revealed to the world we live in by our faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to save and restore us to the glory of God..Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit resides in us and His power is activated in and through us by the light of the world whose flame we become in Christ. The Holy Spirit is the very heart of the Trinity revealed.

This little light of mine…I’m gonna let shine!

If you are a believer, these words are Jesus’ prayer for you.The ultimate reason for future believers to know the love of God is so that God’s love may be replicated in them, thus drawing the entire world to Christ. NKJ Bible.

John 17:20–26 (NKJV)

²⁰ “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; ²¹ 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. ²² And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 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.

²⁴ “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. ²⁵ O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. ²⁶ 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.”

Matthew 25:34 (NKJV)

³⁴ Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Acts 26:12-18

Paul’s conversion to Christianity probably astonished many of his contemporaries. He was enlightened to enlighten others. Paul was sent to the Gentiles…to save as many as would listen and seek the Christ. God loves all people regardless of their nationality, religious beliefs or sexual leanings and He wants no one to perish but to come to the truth. 

Salvation only comes through the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Paul records what Jesus said to him on the road to Damascus, elaborating both on the earlier account in Acts and what he has previously articulated during his former trials. Faithlife Bible.

A young ox, when it was first yoked, usually resented the burden and tried kicking its way out. If the ox was yoked to a single-handed plow, the plowman would hold a long staff with a sharpened end close to the heels of the ox. Every time the ox kicked, it struck the spike. If the ox was yoked to a wagon, a studded bar with wooden spikes served the same purpose. The point was that the ox had to learn submission to the yoke the hard way. Before his encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road, Paul was resisting God in a similar manner. NKJ Bible.

 Acts 26:12–18 (NKJV)

¹² “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, ¹³ at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. ¹⁴ And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ ¹⁵ So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. ¹⁶ But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. ¹⁷ I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, ¹⁸ to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

Luke 1:79 (NKJV)

⁷⁹ To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,

To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

1 Corinthians 2:9

God so loved the world that He created that He gave His only begotten Son to give His life in place of ours. What we could never do… He did. To God be all glory!!!

Just BELIEVE

Paul asserts that people cannot understand the things of God through human faculties, they must rely on the Spirit graciously given to believers by God. Faithlife Bible.

We could never have discovered the mysteries of God or the benefits of Christ’s death by ourselves. But we can know them by experience because they have been freely given to us by God. NKJ Bible.

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV)

⁹ But as it is written:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,

Nor have entered into the heart of man

The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Isaiah 64:4 (NKJV)

⁴ For since the beginning of the world

Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear,

Nor has the eye seen any God besides You,

Who acts for the one who waits for Him.

Acts 13:42-52

The truth of the Word of God will always stand! 

Nothing hidden remains that way.

Luke (the narrator) could mean that the individuals whom God intended to believe did, or this could be a broad reference that, according to God’s plan, the gospel reached the Gentiles in this region. Either way, Luke is stating that despite opposition, God’s intended purposes are accomplished. Faithlife Bible.

When Luke refers to the Jews, he is not speaking of all Jews. The Jews mentioned, those who were urging Paul and Barnabas “to continue in the grace of God,” honestly wanted to know the truth. The Jews in this verse were the Jewish leaders, those in the positions of religious authority. When the Jewish leaders saw the crowds following Paul, they changed their minds about Paul and became filled with jealousy, especially since many of the people who had gathered were Jews. NKJ Bible.

Acts 13:42–52 (NKJV)

⁴² So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. ⁴³ Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

⁴⁴ On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. ⁴⁵ But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. ⁴⁶ Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷ For so the Lord has commanded us:

‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,

That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

⁴⁸ Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

⁴⁹ And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. ⁵⁰ But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. ⁵¹ But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. ⁵² And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 49:6 (NKJV)

⁶ Indeed He says,

‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant

To raise up the tribes of Jacob,

And to restore the preserved ones of Israel;

I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles,

That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

1 Timothy 4:9-11

God loved the world that He created so much that He sent His only begotten Son to live, die and rise for them. 

It is up to us to BELIEVE in Him and in the salvation that He gives to all who trust in Him.

God is the One who gives life, breath, and existence to all. Especially of those who believe draws a contrast between God’s common grace to all and His special saving grace to those who trust Him as their Savior. NKJ Bible.

1 Timothy 4:9–11 (NKJV)

⁹ This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. ¹⁰ For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. ¹¹ These things command and teach.

Psalm 36:6 (NKJV)

⁶ Your righteousness is like the great mountains;

Your judgments are a great deep;

O Lord, You preserve man and beast.

Micah 2:1-4

God protects those who place their total trust in Him alone. We are living in perilous times. Pride and arrogance are detested by our Creator. God help America!

The ethical teaching of the prophets regularly included oracles of judgment against greed, theft, and oppression, actions of the powerful in attacking the weak. To covet is not just to have a passing thought; it is a determination to seize what is not one’s own. God would take the property rights from those who had seized them illegally and give them to people who were even more reprobate than they were.

Micah 2:1–4 (NKJV): 

Woe to those who devise iniquity,And work out evil on their beds!At morning light they practice it, Because it is in the power of their hand.They covet fields and take them by violence, Also houses, and seize them.So they oppress a man and his house, A man and his inheritance.Therefore thus says the Lord:“Behold, against this family I am devising disaster,From which you cannot remove your necks; Nor shall you walk haughtily,For this is an evil time.  In that day one shall take up a proverb against you, And lament with a bitter lamentation, saying: ‘We are utterly destroyed! He has changed the heritage of my people; How He has removed it from me! To a turncoat He has divided our fields.’ ”

Amos 5:13

Therefore the prudent keep silent at that time, For it is an evil time.

Habakkuk 2:6

“Will not all these take up a proverb against him, And a taunting riddle against him, and say,‘Woe to him who increases what is not his—how long? And to him who loads himself with many pledges’?

Proverbs 9:7-9

Not sure if this applies to me or my mother right now. She dismisses the advice of those in charge of my fathers Alzheimer care. It is an ongoing battle with her and her control issues. 

Lord help us, please.

A scoffer or mocker is thoroughly set against wisdom and scoffs at the things of God. How should a person respond to a mocker? It is best not to respond at all. By contrast, a wise man accepts correction and responds with gratitude to the one who points out his error. A wise person always welcomes constructive criticism; by implication, he or she is also humble.

Proverbs 9:7-9

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you. If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.”

Proverbs 1:5

A wise man will hear and increase learning,And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,

Proverbs 4:2

For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law.

Proverbs 16:21

The wise in heart will be called prudent,And sweetness of the lips increases learning.

Proverbs 16:23

The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,And adds learning to his lips.

Matthew 13:12

For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.

Luke 17:20-21

Christ within is the hope of glory. 

Joy in our salvation gives us the strength to persevere in our walk with Christ. The Holy Spirit will not leave us the same way that He found us. We will be changed precept by precept.

Jesus’ concept of the kingdom of God was broader than the time of the final consummation. These verses indicates that there was an aspect of kingdom promise involved in Jesus’ first coming. The kingdom of God is among earthly kingdoms today; but one day the kingdom of God will swallow up all rival kingdoms. Jesus makes it clear that the kingdom has two phases—one now and one to come. In the beginning of His kingdom on earth, God first prepares a King to rule; then He gathers a people for Him to rule over; then He gives the Ruler a realm in which to reign. The power of God is shown now in the distribution and work of the Holy Spirit. NKJ Bible.

One day Jesus will rule over all!

Luke 17:20–21 (NKJV)

²⁰ Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; ²¹ nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”

Romans 14:17 (NKJV)

¹⁷ for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 5:1-12

What does God require of us? 

He requires us to:

Be fair to everyone.

Forgive others quickly.

Be humble. 

Live a life of gratitude for His mercy and His grace knowing all things come from God.

As believers we are to be humble, comforting others in need, always seeking justice, merciful, and looking for peaceful solutions for ourselves and all people.

It was normal for a teacher or rabbi to sit while he taught, with his audience gathered around. The mountain, probably a high hill on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, would have served as a natural amphitheater. Jesus had many disciples in addition to the crowds who followed Him and listened to His teaching. These disciples were probably confused as to the true nature of righteousness and God’s kingdom. In this address, Jesus clarified both the heart of the law and the nature of true religion in God’s kingdom (Micah 6:8). In a sense, Jesus turned the law, which was mainly negative, inside out to show its positive core.

The Beatitudes are comprised of three elements: a pronouncement of blessing, a quality of life, and a reason why the recipient should be considered blessed.

1 Corinthians 14:18-19

Thankful for the gift!

We attend a Church where speaking in tongues is not normally expressed. Is this a major or a minor issue for me?  I am not really sure. Paul also thought that women should not be allowed to speak in a Church service. We know now that it is a tradition upheld by men not a doctrine of Jesus Christ. In my humble opinion all gifts of the Spirit should be lifted up in the Body of Christ. Time will prove their benefit or what we lost by not using them.

   Love is what it’s all about. “Pursue love, and strive for spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For the one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God,   because no one understands, but by the Spirit he speaks mysteries” (1 Cor 14:1–2). By tongues, Paul is likely referencing the “tongues of angels”—some angelic language (1 Cor 13:1)—although elsewhere the term is used in reference to people speaking in a language they don’t actually know for the sake of ministering to others in their native tongue (Acts 2:3–4).

Love—as manifested in Christ’s death and resurrection and in our living sacrificially for Him and others—is central, and spiritual gifts should support that cause.

Paul goes on to say: “Now I want you all to speak with tongues, but even more that you may prophesy.… But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, how do I benefit you, unless I speak to you either with a revelation or with knowledge or with a prophecy or with a teaching?” (1 Cor 14:5–6).

Spiritual gifts are meant to indwell believers. Christians are meant to be driven by God’s Spirit and to do miraculous things in His name. But none of it matters if it’s not for the purpose of showing Christ’s love.

What gifts do you resist using? How can you use the spiritual gifts God has given you to show love to others, and how can you correct your use of them if you’re not currently using them for this purpose?

 Barry, J. D., & Kruyswijk, R. (2012). 

Paul wanted the Corinthians to serve and benefit each other above all. But instead they had developed the skill of attacking and neglecting each other. If each person brings to the meeting the special ability that God has given him or her, and if everything is done for edification, the church as a whole will benefit. NKJ Bible.

1 Corinthians 14:18–19 (NKJV)

¹⁸ I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; ¹⁹ yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

John 15:1-5

I just want to be like You, Jesus!

Ever wish that the pruning was over? Me too.

Every branch is said to be in Christ. Paul uses the phrase “in Christ” to speak of a Christian’s legal and family position as a result of God’s grace. The emphasis of in Me in this passage, however, is on deep, abiding fellowship. Jesus’ purpose was to move His disciples from servants to friends. This would involve a process of discipline in regard to His commandments.

No plant produces fruit instantaneously; fruit is the result of a process. Such is also the case with believers. Prunes means “cleanses.” Once the fruit is on the vine, the vinedresser cleanses the fruit of bugs and diseases. The spiritual counterpart is cleansing which is done through the Word. NKJ Bible.

John 15:1–5 (NKJV)

15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³ You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

⁵ “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Matthew 15:13 (NKJV)

¹³ But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.

John 17:17 (NKJV)

¹⁷ Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

Acts 13:26-35

Just B E L I E V E.

We live because He died.

The Jerusalem religious leaders’ ignorance of who Jesus was fulfills Scripture. Faithlife

Acts 13:26–35 (NKJV)

²⁶ “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. ²⁷ For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. ²⁸ And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. ²⁹ Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. ³⁰ But God raised Him from the dead. ³¹ He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. ³² And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers. ³³ God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm:

‘You are My Son,

Today I have begotten You.’

³⁴ And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus:

‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’

³⁵ Therefore He also says in another Psalm:

‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’

Colossians 1:9-14

I never want to take for granted the gift that I have been given by my Father through the salvation that He provided in Christ Jesus. I never want to take for granted the visions, dreams and knowledge given to me by the Holy Spirit who took the things of Jesus and brought them to life to me. 

May I always desire relationship with the Trinity though the power of the Holy Spirit and the love of the Father and cherish it.

Followers of Christ, filled with the knowledge of His will, can live in a manner pleasing to God because they know what matters to Him. The purpose of having knowledge, wisdom, and insight is not to boast or brag, but to love God and others, thereby reflecting His image in the world. The knowledge of God refers to experiential knowledge, not just intellectual understanding. As believers trust and obey God’s will, they become more acquainted with God’s ways—and with God Himself.

God’s forgiveness removes sin and provides reconciliation. Forgiveness is an expression of God’s grace and love.

As non-Jews (Gentiles), the Colossians would have been considered outsiders to God’s blessings, which were reserved for the people of Israel. However, the central truth of the gospel for Paul was that Christ’s death and resurrection brought salvation for all who believed, Jews and Gentiles alike. Faithlife Bible.

Paul’s prayer for the Colossian Christians is a model for us. As soon as he heard of the new faith of the Colossians, he began interceding with God for them, asking Him to give them knowledge, wisdom, strength, and joy. He prayed that the new believers at Colosse would grow into Christian maturity so that they might walk before God, pleasing Him and producing good works.

Wisdom is the practical outworking of knowledge, and that knowledge cannot be separated from the spiritual understanding that comes through the discernment given by the Holy Spirit.

Paul wanted the Colossians to live in a manner that adequately reflected what God had done for them and was doing in them. Being “worthy of God” is a phrase that occurs in ancient pagan inscriptions throughout Asia. It pictures someone’s life being weighed on scales to determine its worth. If these devotees to false gods knew they had to walk in a worthy manner, certainly Christians should dedicate their lives to the living God in order to please Him. Believers can never be qualified on their own; instead God must make them sufficient through Jesus Christ. The Father “qualifies” us for eternal life with Him, whereas the Son will reward us at the end of the race. NKJ Bible.

A believer’s strength comes from God alone.

Colossians 1:9–14 (NKJV)

⁹ For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; ¹⁰ that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; ¹¹ strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; ¹² giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. ¹³ He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

Ephesians 1:7 (NKJV)

⁷ In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

1 Thessalonians 2:12 (NKJV)

¹² that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

2 Peter 1:11 (NKJV)

¹¹ for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.