Good day dear friends. A cold day here in Central Texas! The high today is expected to be 38 and San Marcos schools will open today at 10 a.m. This is something we Texans are not used to! We went to Wel-Mart last night and in the 20 minutes we were inside ice had formed on our vehicle! Please stay safe.
We continue our study of Advent, All Signs Point to Jesus!
Here is our study guide for today:
Thursday: Read John 14. This is an awesome chapter of Jesus’ love for His disciples and us, especially as He has revealed to them the need for His death. Notice there is nothing final in those words of promise and hope that the Lord offers to us. Note especially Jesus’ promise to “come again” in verse 3. If your “Point A” is centered on loss and sadness because of someone’s death, let the Lord loving speak to you through these words from Jesus in this chapter. If you’re already at “Point B” please be in prayer for those who are still languishing at Point A.
Here is that passage:
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going." 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." 8 Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." 9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, "Show us the Father'? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12 Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it. 15 "If you love me, you will keep {Other ancient authorities read [me, keep]} my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, {Or [Helper]} to be with you forever. 17 This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in {Or [among]} you. 18 "I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them." 22 Judas (not Iscar'iot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?" 23 Jesus answered him, "Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me. 25 "I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, "I am going away, and I am coming to you.' If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way.
This was Jesus' P.E.P (Pre-Eternity Promises) talk to the disciples. Jesus had revealed to them that He was to suffer much and die and the disciples reacted much as we would; so Jesus shares the words of this chapter. If ever there was a "Point B" it's found here. Jesus covers the essential. He begins by addressing the heart. Jesus knew the heart is troubled at the loss or thought of the loss of a loved one. He then shares about His Father's house and how it has many rooms (mansions in the KJV) for those who believe in Him. Jesus mentions that this place is being prepared for us and that His desire is to have us with Him, a continuation of the invitation of God to be in relationship with us. This is the eternal relationship God desires.
This time of year is especially difficult for so many who are grieving the loss of a significant person in their life. The coming holiday of Christmas is one that most do not like having to spend alone without that loved one. We pray that God's comfort be with those who are facing the first Christmas without a spouse or parent or family member. May these words of promise from the Lord be yours.
PRAYER: Come Holy Spirit with Your comfort to all who feel the pain of the season. Come to all of us and bring to us the hope that Jesus desired to share with us. Speak to us tenderly and give us your peace. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a blessed day!
e.v.
