Secure In Yourself

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. John 13:3-5

Pat Riley, the outstanding NBA coach, wrote about the “danger of me.” He said, “The most difficult thing for individuals to do when they’re part of the team is to sacrifice. It’s so easy to become selfish in a team environment. To play for me. It’s very vulnerable to drop your guard and say, ‘This is who I am and I’m gonna open up and give of myself to you.’ But that’s exactly what you’ve got to do. Willingness to sacrifice is the great paradox. You must give up something in the immediate present-comfort, ease, recognition, quick rewards-to attract something even better in the future.”

What is true on the basketball court is also true in all of life. Serving others can be tough. Expending your energies and resources toward the interest of others can be exhausting. Yet, the most effective leaders are servants. Nobody demonstrated this better than Jesus on the night prior to his crucifixion. Alone with his disciples in a room in Jerusalem, Jesus did the unthinkable. When there was no servant to carry out the custom of foot-washing, Jesus assumed the role. The Master became the servant. The greatest and most high became the least and the lowest.

Jesus was able to do this because He loved His disciples (John 13:1). But He was also very secure in Himself. He knew what the Father had given to Him, where He came from, and where He was going (13:3). When you are secure in your own self-identity, you can be free to be who you are. You won’t have to struggle and strive to prove anything to anyone-not even to yourself.

While these two reasons would be adequate in and of themselves, the Lord had another reason for His actions. When He finished washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus told them, “For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (13:15). The Lord didn’t tell them to do “what” He had done. He commanded them to do “as” He had done. They weren’t to become full-time foot-washers, but rather full-time servants of other men and women.

Are you a follower of Jesus? Do you desire to be His disciple? Then make a commitment to do as He did and expend your energies in service to others.

Jesus Wept

Jesus wept. John 11:35

“Feelings aren’t important.” “Emotions get in the way.” “Don’t trust your feelings.” “Don’t feel sad.” “Real men don’t cry.” “Just trust God.” Have you ever heard such advice before? I suspect you have because many believers have a serious misunderstanding about the Christian life. They think Christians should live stoic lives and never express strong emotions. Yet, the Bible describes more than 20 different emotions that Jesus felt. If Christ is our model of perfect spiritual and emotional maturity, then we should take a look at a few of Jesus’ emotions:

(1) Compassion: Jesus fed the multitude because they hadn’t eaten for three days and He had “compassion on these people” (Matt. 15:32). He also healed the two blind men by the roadside out of compassion (20:34). As a compassionate person, Jesus was profoundly moved by the sufferings and troubles of those He encountered.

(2) Love: If compassion characterizes Jesus’ feelings toward the multitudes, then love epitomizes His relationships with those closest to Him. When Lazarus laid dying, Martha and Mary sent this word to Jesus: “Lord, he whom you love is sick.” Then John records, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (John 11:3-5). Jesus didn’t try to be less than human by shielding Himself from love and affection.

(3) Joy: One time, following Jesus’ prediction of His betrayal, He said, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (15:11).

(4) Grief and sorrow: John 11:35 is the shortest verse in the Bible. It reveals a Savior who could feel pain for those He loved. Jesus didn’t try, as we sometimes do in times of sorrow, to be outwardly “strong” and hide or deny His feelings. Through His tears, Jesus showed He had the strength to care enough to weep.

(5) Anger: Perhaps the best-known expression of His anger was when He drove the moneychangers out of the temple. To those who sold doves, Jesus rebuked, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” (2:16). Like Christ, mature Christians will experience angry feelings. But those feelings must be stimulated by a love and concern for others and for righteousness, rather than by the frustration of our own desires.

(6) Peace: As Jesus prepared to leave His disciples in death, He told them, “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” (16:32-33). Jesus displayed Spirit-controlled emotions freely. Take responsibility for your feelings. no one makes you feel any particular emotion—positive or negative. you choose to feel the way you feel. So, express those feelings constructively so that in every emotion, God is glorified.

Seven " I AM " Sayings

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. John 10:11

Unique to the Gospel of John, there are seven “I am” pronouncements Jesus made to describe who He really is as our Savior. Here is the list:

(1) I am the bread of life (John 6:35). This is the first of the seven “I am” sayings of Jesus. There is an unmistakable parallel to God’s covenant name-Yahweh-by which He revealed Himself to Moses in Exodus 3:14, “I AM WHO I AM.” Jesus made the pronouncement “I am the bread of life” three times (6:35, 48, 51). He is the real heavenly bread, the true life sustaining power. Anything else is an inadequate substitute.

(2) I am the light of the world (8:12). The world is in darkness apart from Christ. And as a follower of Jesus reflecting the light that comes from Him, you too are “the light to the world.”

(3) I am the gate for the sheep (10:7-9). The imagery contrasts Jesus’ protection of the sheep in the fold with all other false prophets past and present. Entering the sheepfold through Jesus is a saving action and provides the sheep with abundant life and provision.

(4) I am the good shepherd (10:11-14). The good shepherd is genuinely concerned for his sheep. He gives His life for His sheep. But to a hireling, his only interest is self-preservation.

(5) I am the resurrection and the life (11:25). More than giving resurrection and life, Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Final death is impossible with Him. Death will never triumph over those who believe in Him.

(6) I am the way and the truth and the life (14:6). Jesus is not one way among many, He is the only way to the Father. He is the truth about God and the very life of God. As such, He reveals truth to you and gives life to you.

(7) I am the true vine (15:1, 5). This seventh “I am” is the last self-designation in John’s Gospel. It describes the relationship between Jesus and His disciples. When you abide in Christ—the true vine—your prayers will be effective (15:7); you will glorify God in your fruit bearing (15:8); you will demonstrate your discipleship (15:8-10); and your joy becomes full through experiencing Christ’s own joy within you (15:11). Invite Jesus to become the “I am” of your life, your every moment, as He fills you with His presence.

Counted It All Joy

"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." Luke 2:10

As we begin this time of year getting close to the celebration of Easter, it is good to remember that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was filled with joy. Even though He knew He was going to die on the cross for our sins, He "counted it all joy." He was to endure horrible suffering and humiliation and death, but He was filled with the love and joy and peace of God.

How can this be? We think happiness comes from a good job, a nice car, a good bank account. But true and lasting joy comes from God. Jesus knew that in doing the will of God His Father He would save millions of people -- and that we could spend eternity in heaven with Him. "Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning." Suffering on this earth, however painful, is still temporary. The Bible says that Jesus, for the joy set before Him, endured the suffering of the cross.

So let us be like Jesus who obeyed the will of His Father. We do not have to suffer and die on a cross, but we should obey God in what He asks us to do. And the Bible says as Christians we can ask God and by faith receive the gift of the Holy Spirit -- and the fruits of the Holy Spirit are "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."

Do you want true joy in your life? Then obey God and ask Christ to be your Lord and Savior in every aspect of your life. Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit. You can have God's joy even in the midst of difficult times.

So, this week, let us pray that

• God will give us His joy no matter what our circumstances

• God will bring hundreds of people to our conference so that millions can learn about Jesus

• God will protect our volunteers and staff and the many people coming to Christ

• God will fill and control and empower you and me each and every day with His Holy Spirit

May God bless you. God loves you very much and we love you with the true love that is found only in Jesus Christ.

Receiving The Holy Spirit

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:37-39

How do we receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit?

Step #1: Repentance. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter said, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Repentance is an inward change of heart and attitude toward God that opens the way for the sinner to be reconciled with God. Thereafter, baptism is an outward act by which the believer testifies to the inward change wrought by God’s grace in his heart.

Step #2: Thirsting. The one essential condition for receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit is to be hungry and thirsty (John 7:37). God does not squander His blessings on those who see no need for them. Many professing Christians who lead good, respectable lives never receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit simply because they see no need for it. Since they are satisfied without this blessing, God leaves them that way.

Step #3: Asking. Jesus places upon God’s children an obligation to ask their heavenly Father for the gift of the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13). Sometimes, Christians make foolish remarks like: “If God wants me to have the Holy Spirit, He will give it to me. I don’t need to ask Him for
it.” This attitude is totally unscriptural! If you want the Spirit, ask God persistently for it.

Step #4: Drinking (John 7:37). Drinking is an active process of receiving. This infilling of the Holy Spirit cannot be received by a negative or passive attitude. No one can drink except of his own active choice, and no one can drink with a closed mouth. God cannot fi ll a closed mouth. Simple though it may seem, there are those who fail to receive the fullness of the Spirit simply because they fail to open their mouths and trust the Holy Spirit to give them a new heavenly language called “tongues.”

Step #5: Yielding. Paul speaks of a twofold surrender to God in Romans 6:13:

1. The surrender of yourselves—will and personality,
2. The surrender of your physical body—namely, to open your mouth by faith and start speaking out in tongues.
   

Begin your walk in the Spirit now. Take each of these steps and share them with other believers who may not yet know the fullness of the Spirit’s baptism.

Thanksgiving

And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. John 6:11

Thanksgiving is an extremely powerful key to spiritual breakthrough. There are four reasons why we give thanks:

• Firstly, thanksgiving is a command from God. It is neither a suggestion nor an option, it is a command. The Bible says, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col. 3:17).

• Secondly, thanksgiving is a sure indication that the Holy Spirit is in you. We are told to “be filled with the Spirit … giving thanks always for all things to God” (Eph. 5:18-20). The measure of the Holy Spirit within you can partly be gauged by seeing how often and sincerely you give thanks to God each day. When you cease to give Him thanks, it is an indication that you are probably “leaking” the presence of the Spirit.

• Thirdly, thanksgiving is the will of God for you. Paul says, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess. 5:18).

• Finally, thanksgiving is part of bringing your prayer requests before the Lord. The Bible says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6). God does everything by prayer and nothing without it. Remember, never bring a prayer request to Him without first giving Him thanks. When we do that, two wonderful miracles begin to happen:

(1) Thanksgiving opens the pathway for you to come into God’s presence. Without thanksgiving, there can be no access to God. We enter the gates of His presence through thanksgiving (Ps. 100:4). Many people pray for a long time and still feel so distant from Him. The reason is because they are not praying His way. You can stand outside and shout loudly to God. But you are still not going to have access to His presence unless you come through the gate of thanksgiving.

(2) Thanksgiving is a key that unlocks God’s supernatural power. In John 6, Jesus wanted to feed 5,000 men. He didn’t pray a verbose prayer. All He did was to give thanks for the five loaves and two fish. Immediately, the power of God came to multiply the food for the multitude. Many times, we miss out on the power of God simply because we do not release it through thanksgiving!

Power To Get Wealth

And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Deuteronomy 8:18

We all know that money can’t buy us happiness, a good name, a happy marriage or lasting friendships. Money certainly can’t buy us eternal salvation or the anointing of the Holy Spirit. But nevertheless, God still wants us to have money—the more the better!

There is a reason why Jesus, for your sakes, became poor that you, through His poverty, might become rich (2 Cor. 8:9). Deuteronomy 8:18 says that He gives you the power to get wealth for the purpose that His covenant with all mankind can be established. So, the reason why God wants you to have money is so that you can use it to bring the gospel to the whole world. No wonder the psalmist says, “Let the LORD be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant” (Ps. 35:27).

Because the more we prosper financially, the more we can preach the good news and magnify our Lord. There are two contrasting covenants in the Old Testament. One is God’s covenant with Abraham which is eternal, and the other is God’s covenant with Moses which is temporal. Under the Abrahamic covenant, God blesses you to be a blessing to others. God told Abraham, “In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 12:3).

But under the Mosaic covenant, there is another set of promises found in Deuteronomy 28. It is about God’s favor and blessing for our individual lives. Now, you have to be very careful which covenant you lock your mind onto. If you focus exclusively on the temporal Mosaic covenant, you could become self-serving and greedy, and end up destroying your life. But if you mature to focus on the eternal Abrahamic covenant, then the more prosperous you are, the more you can be effective for the cause of the kingdom.

The truth is this: you can’t be a blessing if you haven’t been blessed. If you can’t even feed yourself, how are you going to feed the hungry? If you can’t even clothe yourself, how are you going to clothe the naked? If you have no money for your church projects and world missions, how are you going to take the good news to the world? Meditate on this thought right now: “God has given me the power to get wealth, that I can use it to bring the gospel to the world!”