Tag: Daily Devotion

Your Destiny is Determined

There is a trail I ride that is called the hidden trail. It’s not really hidden, but there is a big dip at the start of it that scares off most riders. There were several times I looked at it and turned back. I didn’t want to get injured and be a burden to my family or miss time from work. Once I finally committed, it ended up being the most enjoyable trail on the mountain. People treat a relationship with Jesus the same way. They don’t want to commit at first, but once they do, they never regret it. Your destiny is determined.

‭‭John‬ ‭17:3‬

“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

The seventeenth chapter of John is Jesus’ prayer for the disciples after the Last Supper. He starts off praying that they (and the church after them) know that eternal life is only found in God through His Son Jesus. Part of this was prophetic because ever since then, humans have been trying to enlarge the opening to heaven by saying that all roads there. Jesus also wanted the Disciples to be sure of their eternal destiny because of their assurance of salvation. They knew this, and this ensured their entrance through the pearly gates.

Crowning Moment

The coronation of a king or queen is filled with rich tradition and great fanfare. When they bow down, and the crown is placed on their head, the whole cathedral recognizes power transition. That crown represents the position that they are now in. As they sit on the throne, they assume the responsibility that comes with their crown. Did you know that there will be twenty-four elders in heaven who will have crowns and who will sit on thrones around Jesus’? It will be a crowning moment.

Revelation‬ ‭4:4

“Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads.”
‭‭
Heaven is going to be an amazing place. At the center will be the throne room where Jesus will be sitting. Around Him will be twenty-four thrones on which the elders will be seated. They will be wearing white garments, which represent how they have been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. There is a lot of debate about who these twenty-four will be but suffice it to say it will take the twelve Apostles, including Paul. Their primary focus will be to cast their crowns and worship the Lord.

It’s Hard to Say Goodbye

Goodbyes are tough. You have to say them to people close to you, and the thought of being apart can seem unbearable. You look forward to the next time you see them, and when that happens, your heart is filled with joy. Jesus had to say goodbye to the Disciples right before He went to the cross, and He knew that it would cause grief, but He promised to see them again, and it would be much better. It’s hard to say goodbye.

‭‭John‬ ‭16:22‬

“Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.”

That Last Supper was more than just a dinner. Jesus used that time to give final instructions and prepare the Disciples for life after He left earth. He also said goodbye, and the Disciples were filled with grief. Grief is that feeling of sorrow and that things would never be the same. It was okay for them to feel this way, but Jesus knew it would get better. He was going to see them again, and their hearts would be filled with joy. After the resurrection, He appeared to them multiple times, and He knew He would see them again in eternity.

Open the Door of Your Heart

Anyone who has raised teenagers will tell you that they use the door to their room to assert their growing independence. They want to be left alone to figure out life. Often, what was once a healthy, loving relationship with their parents grows lukewarm. Parents are often left standing at their door, knocking to see if they can come in. Jesus does the same with you. He stands knocking, asking if you will open the door of your heart.

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3:20

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”

This verse is written to the church in Laodecia, otherwise known as the lukewarm church. They got that tag because the water from the hot springs that flowed downhill from Heiropolis to Laodecia was lukewarm. People would spit it out of their mouths after drinking it. Jesus compares the church to the city’s water. They were neither hot nor cold in their faith. They had shut Jesus out of their lives. So, Jesus was standing at the door, knocking to see if they would open up. He wanted to come in and dine with them. That meant He wanted a close relationship.

Avoid the Darkness

Light and darkness are common ways that Hollywood symbolizes good and evil. The good guy wears white while the bad guy wears black. The criminal is always sitting in dark places until the police officer comes in and shines a light on the situation. It is something all of us understand. Jesus tells us to avoid the darkness and walk in the Light.

‭‭John‬ ‭12:35‬

So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.”

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote on a similar topic out of 1 John. The principle of light and darkness were important ones for both Jesus and John. Jesus declared in John 8:12 that He was the Light of the World. Here in chapter twelve, He tells them that “for a little while longer the Light is among you.” He refers to His time before His death and that the disciples needed to walk in that light while they had it. Judas didn’t pay attention, but the others did. Straying away from the light allows the darkness to overtake you.

Seasons of Growth

The seasons are starting to change. In my area, winter is starting to give way to spring. The days are getting longer, and the temperatures are starting to warm up. With the rains, the hills all around are turning green, and life is sprouting up everywhere. Most everyone loves the new life that comes with spring. Just like the seasons of nature, Christians go through seasons of growth as well. It’s when those seeds of God’s Word, which were planted in your heart, shoot forth and begin to grow.

‭‭John‬ ‭12:24‬

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”

A grain of wheat is a seed. Unless that grain is planted, it will never produce wheat. The process by which that happens is that the kernel of wheat dies and gives life to a stalk of wheat, which has multiple wheat kernels that can either be processed into flour or replanted to produce more wheat. Jesus uses this metaphor to let His followers know that He must die so that people could be made right with God. If He didn’t die, then he would’ve been known as a good teacher, and people would die in their sins.

Walk in the Truth

There is a humorous belief in the United States that men never ask for directions. This may be true where you live also but it has risen to epic proportions here. Men will drive around lost for hours instead of humbling themselves and asking someone who knows how to get there. The same can be said for a lot of Christians who are trying to live for Jesus without consulting His Word for direction. John tells us to walk in the truth.

‭‭3 John‬ ‭1:4

“I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.”

At the end of his life the Apostle John was simple and direct to the church. He emphasized loving one another and living by the truth of God’s Word. That falls in line with what Jesus said were the two greatest commandments: “Love the Lord your God” and “Love your neighbor.” It is as simple as it sounds. We can make it more complicated or seek for something much deeper but in the end it really is about loving God, which happens by us being obedient to His Word, and loving others.

Full of Life

Finding someone full of life is getting to be a challenge. It seems the stress of the world is weighing everyone down. Everyone is being tossed back and forth by the waves of events that have gripped our world. Jesus never intended for us to live lives of apprehension. He desires that we are full of life and growing closer to Him.

‭‭John‬ ‭11:25

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,”

When Lazarus died, Jesus was questioned for why he lingered so long before coming to heal him. Lazarus died during that time, and Martha came up to Jesus and said, “If you would’ve been here, Lazarus would not have died.” Jesus replied, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection.” This is when Jesus tells her “I am the resurrection and the life.” This was a critical dialogue between Martha and Jesus. It showed Jesus had power over death and that life could be found in Him.

Can’t Touch This

One of the songs on my youth is MC Hammer’s “Can’t Touch This.” It’s all about how Hammer is untouchable because he is so good. That didn’t work out too well for him but Jesus also told His disciples something similar when they told Him about a mob that wanted to attack Him. Nothing was going to happen to them until the right time because He was with them.

‭‭John‬ ‭11:8-10

The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”

There were twelve hours the Jews considered to be the day. Those hours started at 6 am and ended at 6 pm. The other twelve hours were considered night time. Everything was supposed to happen during the day, when it was light. Anything that happened at night was considered suspect. There was a lynch mob that wanted to take Jesus out and the disciples were concerned. Jesus reassures them that they aren’t going to attack him until it’s the right time because the people would turn on them.

Discern the Times

These are crazy times. There is not a week where I don’t encounter something completely insane. People are acting strange, and many of them are professing Christians. How do you navigate what is true and false? John tells us to discern the times. False prophets who deny Jesus will come on the scene and try to lead many astray.

‭‭2 John‬ ‭1:7

“For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.”

There are a lot of people and belief systems that deny Jesus came in person or that he was resurrected from the dead. They will throw lots of theories out there that might make you question your faith. Remember that Jesus warned us about these people, and so did John. They will tell lies to draw people away from the faith and to follow them. Their talk is slick and persuasive, and for those who don’t think quickly on their feet, it would be easy to get confused. Stay faithful and watch as Jesus makes Himself known to you.