"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WITH TROUBLED, ANXIOUS, AND FEARFUL HEARTS"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WITH TROUBLED, ANXIOUS, AND FEARFUL HEARTS"

John 14:2 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.

John 14:2 “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

John 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions and a prayer:

Jesus was in the process of saying some of the very last things He would say to His disciples who loved Him very much. He had just told them that He would be leaving them ( after 3 1/2 years of being with them day by day ) and that they would not be able to go with Him. This was very troubling to His followers. In fact, the word troubled, means, to be agitated, to cause inward commotion, take away calmness of mind, disturb a person's equanimity. to disquiet, to stir up, to strike one's spirit with fear and dread. To render the mind anxious or distressed. What Jesus did was to give them a Divine prescription to ease their troubled minds, and hearts.

1. Jesus has a remedy for the troubled, anxious and fearful heart.
John 14:2 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.

It's actually a 3 fold remedy. Here's the first one.

(1) Let not your heart be troubled. Or, don't let what I've just told you about the future trouble you. Or, You must not let yourselves be distressed. Or yet again, You must hold on to your faith.
Now, in Jesus giving this instruction to His troubled disciples, He was not asking them to do something they could not do, but rather something they could do.

It's the same with us today. We who know the Lord have the God given capacity, ( it's called faith ) to exercise that faith or trust in God, and thereby find relief for what is ailing our hearts and minds. Trusting God rather than looking at and pondering our own feelings is the way God would have us live our lives.

Trust in God is always rewarded by God. Faith in God, puts us in contact with God as it were. It brings us into fellowship with Him, and He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we can ask or think. So, the first part of Jesus's prescription for the troubled and anxious heart, "Trust in God"

And, just as a specific clarification here. Jesus was affirming their faith in God, but, here, He was specifically drawing their faith towards Him. Don't stop trusting in God the Father, but I also want you to believe in Me. Put your trust, your faith, in Me.

2. Jesus is preparing a place for you.
John 14:2 “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

There are several important things said in this verse.

(1) Jesus refers to the place called heaven, as His Father's house. That's a nice way to think about Heaven, it's where our Father lives, and it's where we are going someday.

(2) Jesus says there are many mansions in His Father's house. Or to put it another way. There is plenty of room for you in Heaven. There are many rooms, or dwelling places in His Father's house. We don't know for sure about a lot of things regarding heaven. But, 2 things we do know. We will have new bodies, and their is plenty of room for us up there. Many believe that each of us will have our own individual homes or dwelling places in heaven.Our own mansions if you will.

(3) Jesus is currently in heaven preparing a place for His followers. I'm leaving here, to go to heaven, and when I arrive, I'm going to get a room ready for you. Isn't that something. We don't often think about what Jesus is doing in heaven, but He is not only praying for us, and waiting to come back, but He is also working or preparing a place for each of us. And, since we already have evidence of His creative abilities, ( just look around and up in the skies and in the seas, ) to see what a skilled creator He is, imagine what your dwelling place will be like. Wow, It's going to be wonderful for sure.

3. Jesus is coming back to get you and to take you with Him to heaven.
John 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Again several things are said here.

(1) Jesus may be in heaven, but He is coming back. Just as true as it is that He was leaving for heaven, it's true that He is coming back from heaven. He was there to begin with, He came here, died on the cross for our sins, was buried, rose from the dead, and then ascended to heaven. But, He is planning on coming back here again.

(2) Jesus is going to receive you to Himself. Or, I'm coming back to welcome you into my own home. I'm coming back to get you. When Jesus comes back, it's with one thing in mind as far as His church is concerned, and that is to get them and take them to heaven. That is our future. Jesus is going to come and get us, and take us to heaven.

(3) Jesus is going to receive you, so that You can be with Him in heaven.
The emphasis here, is that of "so that You can be with Him in heaven" He wants you to be with Him in heaven.

Imagine that. We often think about the future, and think about heaven. And so does the Lord. He is doing more than thinking about it. He is fast at work, getting everything ready for us. He desires that we would be with Him.

He must be anxious to have us there don't you think. Because He loves us so much. That's why He died for your sins, it's so that you could believe in Him, and wind up in heaven with Him forever. And, once we arrive in heaven, we will be with Him forever and forever.

Some questions:

1. Is your heart troubled and anxious and fearful today?

2. Is it something to do with you health, your family, Your job, Your church, Your finances, Your future?

3. The teaching of Jesus is just for you. Would you please take just a moment to slowly and carefully re-read what Jesus said to troubled hearts?

4. It's important to do several things with God's Word. One, is to know it, two is to believe it, and three is to submit to it. Will you do those things? Are you doing those things?

5. Will you ask Jesus to help you with your troubles? Will You ask Him to help You understand His teaching?
Will You ask Him to help you believe His Word? He will help you.

6. Do you know some other troubled people? I'm sure you do. Would you please think about sharing these truths with them, and help them be comforted by them.

A prayer:

Father, You made it clear to us, that in this world and life we would have tribulation. Things that are hard and difficult for us. But, You also have made it clear that Your Word has been given to us so that we might have peace ( John 16 ) So, thank You for both things, telling us the truth, and that Your truth is what gives us peace.
How exciting it is for us to know that we are on our way to heaven, and that You are personally sending Jesus to come and get us, to take us there. And, thank you for the work He is doing in making things ready for us in heaven. It's hard to imagine it now, but, one day we will see all that Jesus has done to prepare a place for us.
We love You Father, In Jesus name. Amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT BEING CLEANSED OF SIN AND KEPT FROM SIN BY GOD"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT BEING CLEANSED OF SIN AND KEPT FROM SIN BY GOD"

Psalm 119:9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.

Psalm 119:10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!

Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!

Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions, and a prayer:

These verses are of course taken from the Book of Psalms, and written it's believed by King David.
You will notice that in each verse there is a direct reference to the Word of God. In fact, here is something very interesting, This 119th Ps, is the longest chapter in the the Book of Psalms, there are 179 verses in this book, and it is divided up into paragraphs containing 8 verses each. But, here's even what is more interesting. In each line of every 179 verses, there is a reference to the Word of God. Sometimes, it says, Law, Statutes, Word, Ways, etc, but, they without any doubt are all referencing the Word. So, let's dig in and see just what is said about the Word in the three verses in today's devotional.

1. How can we cleanse ourselves with respect to sin?
Psalm 119:9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.

David asks the question, and than gives the answer. If we are sinning, if we need to be made pure, how can we do it? That's the problem, and that's the question, and Here's the answer. "By taking heed according to Your Word" Or to put it another way, "By obeying Your Word and following it's rules"

Sounds simple and it is. God has provided for our sin, and it's through faith and obedience to His Word. Jesus is the living Word of God. The Bible is the written Word of God. And, if we find ourselves in need of cleansing, than we must look to, listen to and obey the Word of God, and we will find ourselves being cleansed, i.e forgiven, made pure. Isn't that wonderful?

God knows that we need His help with our sin, So, He has provided us with the way to be cleansed, and the faith to believe, and He calls us to put our faith in Him, and obey Him, and the result is a cleansed life, a pure life etc.

And, if we will day by day, take heed to His Word, (while we will never be sinless) we will certainly be kept from sinning so much, and we will live much holier lives. Or lives that are much more free from sin. You can see then why it so wonderful and important to be in God's Holy Word day by day.

2. God can and will help us to stay close to Him.
Psalm 119:10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!

Here David both expresses what he had done with his heart and the Lord, and he also expresses a desire towards God.

David had tried his very best to find the Lord and to stick close to Him. He had sought the Lord with His whole heart. He was very serious in his walk with the Lord. It's great to know that we can do the same thing. Be like David was, a man after God's own heart.

Also, David was making a prayer request to God. A very good one. "Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!" He was asking God to not let Him wander away from God's Commandments. Or you could say from God Himself. He wanted to stay close to God. I cannot think of a better desire to have, can you?

3. We can relate to the Word in such a way that it will keep us from sin.
Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!

Now David lets us in on a very simple, true and powerful way for a believer to be kept from sinning against God.
David calls it "hiding God's Word in his heart" What does this mean? Hidden means, to lay up, to esteem, treasure up, store up, to hide.

Besides the obvious respect and joy that David had with the Word of God, it could very well also mean, that David  knew in the sense of having memorized and meditated on God's Word.

Memorizing the Word of God will increase the power of God in your life. Try it, and see if you do not find it to be so.

4. Here are three "Basic Steps" you can take to relate to God's Word in a way that will change your life.

(1) Know the Word of God.

If you know the Word of God then, You can depend on it, but if you don't know it, then it can't really help you. So, get to Know the Word of God. Memorizing Verses is a great place to start. Along with regular personal daily Bible reading, and church attendance where the Bible is taught, and being part of a small group that studies the Word of God. Jesus and His followers as recorded for us in the Gospels and the Book of Acts, were men who knew the Word from memory and were able to call upon it when needed. You can be this way also.

(2) Believe the Word of God.

The Bible is chock full of Gods promises. But, you can only act upon promises that you believe. So, you must believe in or have faith in God's Word. If you want to have God's power in your life, than you must believe God's Word. Try it. You will be pleasantly surprised.

(3) Submit to the Word of God.

God has a will for each of us. His will for us are not suggestions, but rather commands to be obeyed, and we obey by submitting to His Word. If you want God's power in you life, then You must submit to His Word.
Again, by submitting to God's Word you will discover His power in a fresh way in your life.

Some questions:

1. Have you found these verses to be encouraging and enlightening?

2. Have you in the past found these truths to be true in your life?

3. Are these things happening now at this time in your life?

4. Is the Lord calling you back to that former intimacy you may have had with Him and His Word.

5. If so, will you take just a moment and very sincerely express your thoughts to Him at this very moment, and ask Him to cleanse you, to keep you close to Him, and begin a day by day new life of seeking Him in His Word?

A prayer:

Father, thank You for the Psalms. They are always so wonderful and speak to us, and to so many parts of our lives. Help us Lord to grasp the truth of them, and to find the comfort we need, and to see the instruction and guidance You give, and to commit ourselves to being true sincere, followers of Yours. In Jesus name. Amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT SEEKING THE WILL OF GOD"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT SEEKING THE WILL OF GOD"

2nd Samuel 2:1 It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?” And the LORD said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “To Hebron.”

Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions and a prayer:

This incident came on the heels of the death of King Saul. David had already been chosen by God to be the new King over Israel, but, he had to wait on God's timing to begin his ministry as King. Now that Saul was dead, the time had come for him to move into the new role God had for him. And, David did what any man can do when he wants to know the will of God, He enquired of the LORD.

1. A Christian is well served to follow this example set forth by David.
2nd Samuel 2:1 It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?”

One thing that is not in this verse, is that David was accustomed to inquiring of the LORD. In fact, in the books of 1st and 2nd Samuel, David, no less than 6 times did this very thing. He inquired of the LORD.
David had learned the importance of seeking the will of God before acting, and of asking God what He wanted him to do.

This is a good practice for any believer to adopt, and practice regularly. To inquire of the Lord.
The word inquire means, to ask, to request, to beg, to consult, to seek.
It simply means to ask God what He wants you to do.

2. The Lord will answer the person seeking God's will and wisdom.
2nd Samuel 2:1 It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?” And the LORD said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “To Hebron.”

You see in the verse above that David's specific request had to do with what cities he should go to at this time.
He was seeking direction from God as to where to go. That was what David needed to know, "Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?"

And, you also see here, that God answered David's prayer.
2nd Samuel 2:1 It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?” And the LORD said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “To Hebron.”

3. Often we need to ask for step by step direction from the Lord.
2nd Samuel 2:1 After this, David asked the LORD, “Should I move back to Judah?” And the LORD replied, “Yes.” Then David asked, “Which town should I go to?” And the LORD replied, “Hebron.”

David actually asked two questions, and received two answers.

(1) Should I move back to Judah?.
Judah was the southern area of Israel.
And, the Lord said "Yes" move back to Judah.

(2) Then David asked which city in Judah he should move back to?
And, the Lord answered him and said, "Hebron"

4. Jesus Christ has both instructed us to ask and promised to answer our prayers for wisdom and guidance.
Matt 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Matt 7:8 “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

This is how these verses read in the NLT Version.

Matt 7:7 “Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened.

Matt 7:8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.

You notice that Jesus says to keep on asking, keep on looking, and keep on knocking. And, then promises that the person who asks will receive, the person who seeks will find, and the door will be opened to everyone who knocks.

5. God has given us another promise to those who do not know what to do.
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

So, if you don't know what to do, just like David did not know what to do, but he asked, please be encouraged to ask God to tell you. If you need wisdom, if you want to know what God wants you to do, than simply ask Him. And, just like He did with David, He will be more than glad to tell you what you need to know. And, God will never resent you asking. He wants you to ask, because He wants to guide you into His will.

Some questions:

1. What situation are you in this very day and you do not know what to do about it?

2. Do you believe that God knows what you should do?.

3. Are you willing to do what He will direct you to do if you ask Him?

4. Will you be patient and specific, and consistent in your asking?.

5. Do you believe that God will answer Your prayer?

A prayer:

Father, what a beautiful example You have given us in David, and His consistent habit of inquiring of You. He had developed this habit and pattern in his life. And, You were faithful, each and every time to answer him. Lord, help us to follow this example. And, thank You for the teaching You give us in the NT about asking, seeking and knocking, and thank you for the promise You give to respond to our prayers. Lord, please restrain us from just going off on our own without consulting You. Thank You that Your ways are much better than our ways, but help us Lord to humble ourselves and to ask, and to be patient, and trusting, that You will answer us. In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN GREAT FEAR AND SERIOUS TROUBLE"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN GREAT FEAR AND SERIOUS TROUBLE"

1st Samuel 30:6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions, and a prayer:

This incident is one of many that had been taking place in David's life. God had already chosen him to be the next king of Israel, but the current King, Saul, who had disobeyed God, and the kingdom was therefore taken from him, had become jealous, enraged, and had sought to kill David many times. David on the other hand, demonstrated an entirely different heart and character. He did not retaliate, he continuously looked to God for direction and protection, and received it. However, trials and difficulties kept coming his way, and this verse describes one of them. Now, David's own people were out to kill him, for a perceived evil he had done, ( which he had not ). David's response is found in the end of the verse.

1. God's people can find themselves greatly distressed.
1st Samuel 30:6a Now David was greatly distressed.

The word distressed here, means, to bind, to be cramped, be narrow, be in straits, besiege, to suffer distress.
And, the word "greatly" means just what you think it means. Literally, it is muchness, exceedingly, up to abundance, to a great degree. In other words, David was in very serious trouble.
It's not unusual for God's people to find themselves in serious trouble, especially if they are doing God's will.
Satan will come against the child of God, and unleash all the power he has against that person. A person can become like David, in very serious trouble. He was in danger of actually losing his life.
Jesus taught about this to His disciples. And, also in the Book of Revelation, to the Church of Smyrna, known as the suffering church, and often used a symbol of the suffering Christian.

John 16:33 “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.”

Revelation 2:10 “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

2. God's people themselves can turn against one another as was the case here.
1st Samuel 30:6b Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters.

David's distress was due to the fact that his own people wanted to execute him by stoning. They were so grieved at their own loss of family and possessions by the enemies of Israel, that they were blaming David for their misfortune and pain.

Often people will as you no doubt know, will "take it out" on their own family or friends, when they are suffering.
Imagine for a moment if you were the object of such grief, that your friends wanted to kill you. The fact is, that David was not responsible for what had happened. It happened through no fault of his. But, the people were so upset that they wanted to kill David.

The people could have chosen to act in another manner, but they did not. You and I can make choices as well when the pressure and pain of life is taking place. May our choices not be like these people. But like David as we see below.

3. God's people can do what David did, which is that "David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.
1st Samuel 30:6c But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. Or David found strength in the the LORD his God. And, of course this is what you can do also. You can find that same strength in your Lord as well.

A few things about God's strength.

(1) Our God is strong.

Micah 5:4 And He shall stand and feed His flock In the strength of the LORD, In the majesty of the name of the LORD His God; And they shall abide, For now He shall be great To the ends of the earth;

(2) We can access God's strength personally.

Psalm 71:16 I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.

(3) The Bible gives countless accounts of people doing this, and explicitly teaches us to do so.

1st Cor 16:13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

2nd Tim 2:1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

4. David wound up finding strength in the Lord, and so can you.
1st Sam 30:6d "But David found strength in the LORD his God." NLT

We receive strength in the Lord by asking Him for it, and then believing He will give it to us, and by submitting to His will and His Word, and walking in the path that He shows us to walk in. God is your strength, and wants to give His strength to you, all you need to do is to ask Him for it.

Some questions:

1. Are you in some kind of serious trouble and distress at the moment?

2. Do you identify more with the people who wanted to kill David, or with David himself?

3. Has God helped you in the past in similar instances?

4. Do you believe God will help you now?

5. Will you take a moment to pause, bow your heart before God and ask Him to help you right this minute?

A prayer:

Father, thank you for these wonderful true stories in the Old Testament. You gave them to us, that we might gain patience and learning through the comfort of the Scriptures. And, indeed we do. Thank You.
Also Father, help us to be like David. We know that You never change, and Your power is always available to us.
You are so gracious and giving. You will give us the strength we need to meet the challenge of the day.
Thank You Father for Your care, and Your love. Give us Your power this very day, in Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT JESUS BEING THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT JESUS BEING THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE"

John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

John 11:26 “And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions and a prayer:

The verses in this devotional were spoken by Jesus to Martha, the sister of Mary and Lazarus. Lazarus had just died, and Martha had called for Jesus to come. What ensued was a teaching by Jesus about Himself, who He is, and what happens to those who believe in Him. 

1. Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

In talking with Martha, Jesus explained what is no doubt the most wonderful, powerful and amazingly true truth in the entire world. And, that is, that He is the resurrection and the life. These are found in no one else but Jesus. Let's just look a little closer at each one. 

(1) I am the resurrection.
In saying this, Jesus was explaining that while sin that had entered the world and had brought physical and spiritual death to all men, See Rom 5, He is the one who is the resurrection. That is, He came and would conquer death, and has conquered death, by rising from the dead. He is more powerful than satan, than sin, and than death itself. While men die from sin, Jesus who also was a man, having died on the cross, then rose from the dead. He was able to do this, because He is the resurrection. He is the one who alone, and on His own, has the power to conquer what no one else can. And, He did it by rising on the third day after His death. 

(2) And the life.
Jesus is telling us that He is in Himself life. Sin, as mentioned above, brought death into the world. God sent Jesus who is life, to bring victory over death. Jesus was no ordinary man, He was a man to be sure, but He was also God. He was the God Man. And, being who He is, He has life in Himself. He is the creator, the giver of life.
So, our Lord, is the one who is both the resurrection and the life. He is the conquerer of death, and He is the giver of life, eternal life. 

2. The person who believes in Jesus will live.
John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

Jesus was explaining what happens to the person who makes the choice to believe in Him. It's very simple. Since He is the life, than it follows that anyone who believes in Him will also live. By believing in Jesus, we live. We pass from the realm of death and darkness, into the realm of light and life. We are naturally born dead in our sins and trespasses, but upon believing in Jesus Christ, we become alive. Because He is life. He becomes our Savior, and as such, we then become alive from the dead. Believers receive life by believing in Jesus. Life in this context, means that the separation that existed between the sinner and God is now gone. The believing sinner, by believing in Jesus is now united with God. Jesus is the bridge between God and man. And, when a sinner turns to Christ and believes in Him, it's as if we walk across the separation between us and God and come into a real and eternal union with God Himself. 

3. Whoever lives and believes in Jesus will never die.
John 11:26 “And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

This statement was made directly to Martha. But, it's for each of us as well. There is a lot said here by Jesus.
Whoever lives and believes in Him shall never die. How amazing. It's important to keep in mind that when Jesus speaks of dying or death, or uses the word "die" He is speaking of separation. Death means separation. Not only of the soul from the body, but of the soul from God. 

So, when Jesus says, that whoever lives and makes a choice to believe in Him, that person will never die, He means that that person will never be separated from God. Believers are joined to God through Christ.
Believing in Jesus brings a dead, separated soul into life, and into union with God. The separation is gone, and it will remain gone. 

4. Do you believe this?
John 11:26 “And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Jesus was asking Martha this question, but it's one He is asking you and I as well. Do you believe what He has said about Himself, and about what happens to the person who believes in Him?. Do you?
I believe it, I believe it because Jesus said it. It's in the Holy Bible, the Word of God. God cannot lie.
I know that because of my faith in Jesus Christ, that I will never die (be separated from God) I'm with Him now, and will be with Him in the days ahead, and will be with Him when I leave this world, and go into the hereafter. 

Some questions:

1. Are you going through a hard time in your life right now?. Martha was, she had just lost her brother. 

2. Isn't it interesting that in Martha's sorrow over death, that Jesus talked to her about life? 

3. Can you think of anything more important than what Jesus was saying to Martha?

4. Will you please take a few moments, and re-read these two verses, and ponder them, and then talk with God about what He has said? 

5. Have you believed in Jesus Christ? Than You are alive in Him, and You will not die, You will be with Him forever and ever. You will not be separated from Him ever. 

A prayer:

Father, thank You for sending Your only begotten Son into this world to save us. Lord Jesus thank You for being who You are. Thank You that You are the resurrection, and that You are the life. Thank You for giving each of us a measure of faith. I thank You that I have come to believe in You. And, I thank You for anyone reading this prayer, who has also believed in You. They are saved just like me. Thank You Lord that we as believers will never, ever be apart from You. And, thank You that the best is yet to come. Lord, help us to realize what You have done for us, and what it means for us, and where we are headed. Lord, would You even in this very moment, fill us afresh with the Holy Spirit of God. Would You please lead us and guide us into Your will, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. We want to glorify You now and forever. In Your name we pray, amen. 

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT OUR GOOD SHEPHERD JESUS CHRIST"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT OUR GOOD SHEPHERD JESUS CHRIST" 

John 10:26 “But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.

John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

John 10:28 “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

John 10:29 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.

Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions and a prayer:

This part of John's Gospel is chock full of Jesus teaching us many things. In this particular part of chapter 10, Jesus is explaining His role as the good shepherd, and His relationship with His sheep ( those who believe in Him, and those who do not ) Jesus tells us some very comforting truths about what He has given to us, and of His grip on our saved lives. 

1. We become one Jesus's sheep by believing in Him.
John 10:26 “But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.

Jesus was talking with the Pharisees who thought they knew the Lord and were right with Him. But, they were rejecting Jesus and did not believe in Him. Thus, Jesus explains the consequence of unbelief, and how it affects a person. Simply put, He told them, John 10:26 “But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.

Believing is a possibility for anyone, and it is also a choice for everyone. A person chooses to believe in Jesus or not. For the person who believes they become saved, and Jesus calls believers "My Sheep" So, if You have believed in Jesus Christ to save you, if you have come to faith as it were, You are one of Jesus's sheep. You belong to Him, and You are in His sheepfold, you are part of His flock. 

2. Jesus says 3 things about His sheep.
John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

(1) They belong to Him, and they hear or recognize His voice.

As mentioned before you came to faith, You were not one of His sheep. But when you turned to Jesus and believed in Him, and received Him then, at that very moment, You became one of His sheep. 

In Jesus's day, shepherds would speak to their sheep, and their sheep would recognize their shepherds voice. They did not recognize the voice of other shepherds, only their own. Jesus's point here, is that we are not only His sheep, but we hear His voice, or we can understand Him when He speaks to us. Before you became one of His sheep, you may have heard sermons or read the Bible, but it did not come through to You. You were not one of His sheep, but, now being saved, You can hear His voice. We hear, or recognize His voice through His wonderful Word. 

(2) And I know them.

Here is another lovely truth about Jesus's sheep. He knows them. He knows You. Shepherds were intimately aware of which sheep belonged to them, and which ones did not. As a believer, being one of His sheep, Jesus knows You. In fact, He knows everything about You, when you get up, when you sit down, what you are going to think before you think it, how many hairs are on your head, and every circumstance that is taking place in your life. He knows You. 

(3) And they follow me. 

Sheep follow their shepherd. And, believers are marked by following Jesus. Those who don't believe, don't follow, or obey Jesus, but those who are His sheep follow Him. And, by the way, He leads His sheep, and He leads us to still waters and to green pastures, and in the paths of righteousness. And, eventually, He will lead you right on up into heaven. 

3. Jesus has given us eternal life, and we are in His hand, and in the Father's hand. And no one can take us out of their hands.
John 10:28 “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
John 10:29 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.

Here's how this reads in the NLT. 

John 10:28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them away from me,

John 10:29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. So no one can take them from me.
for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. So no one can take them from me.

Jesus has given you eternal life. This happened the very moment you turned to Him. You are united with Him, and with the Father, and You know them. You have a relationship with them. 

Jesus says, You will never perish, you will not wind up in eternal judgement, but in heaven. And, furthermore, no one can take you out of His hand. You are secure in His loving hand. You have been given to Jesus by the Father, and He is more powerful than anyone else. And, thus, no one can take you away from Jesus. You are also in the Father's hand, and no one can take you out of His hand either. 

Believers are in good hands to say the least. The hand of Jesus, and the hand of God the Father. 

Some questions:

1. Can you remember when you did not believe in Christ, and can you remember when you came to believe in Him? 

2. Can you remember when You started to understand the Bible, it started making sense to You? 

3. Are you following Jesus today, are you seeking to obey His voice today. 

4. How does it make you feel to know that Jesus knows you?

5. Do you realize that God has given you the greatest gift possible, and that is eternal life?

6. Would you take a moment to say thank You to God today for what He has given you, and to thank Him for the fact that you are not going to perish, and that You are safe and sound in the hands of Jesus and of God the Father?

A prayer:

Our Father, who is greater than You? Who has done for us what You have? Thank You for giving us to Jesus.
Thank You for Your promise to keep us and not let anyone take us out of Your hands, or the hand of Jesus.
What better place to be than in your hands. We once were lost, but now we are found.
Father, as we hear You speaking to us through Your Word, we want to not only hear You, but we want to do what You tell us. We want to follow, we want obey You. In Jesus name, amen. 

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.