Give God Time (Devotional)
Prayer and Praise
Jesus said, “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” Matthew 26:40.
So, we start our journey of giving God time to work in us, by praying along with this hymn; –
I don’t know why Jesus loves me…
I don’t know why Jesus loved me
I don’t know why He cared
I don’t know why He sacrificed His life
Oh, but I’m glad, so glad He did.
He left His mighty throne in glory
To bring to us redemption’s story
Then He died but He rose again
Just for you and me
Oh, but I’m glad, so glad He did.
He left His mighty throne in glory
To bring to us redemption’s story
Then He died but He rose again
Just for you and me
Oh, but I’m glad, so glad He did.
Where would I be if Jesus didn’t love me?
Where would I be if Jesus didn’t care?
Where would I be if He hadn’t sacrificed His life
Oh, but I’m glad, so glad He did.
A Word in your ear
John 3:22-36 John points to Jesus as Messiah.
(Cf. Jn.5:31-37)
(Acknowledgements to the Complete Jewish Bible).
22 After this, Yeshua (Jesus) and his talmidim (disciples) went out into the countryside of Y’hudah (Judah), where he stayed awhile with them and immersed (baptised by immersion) people.
Jesus trained His disciples from the start to ‘immerse’ repentant believers by believer’s immersion. That was always the plan although Jesus did not immerse personally; John 4:2.
23 Yochanan (John) too was immersing (baptising) at Einayim, (Aenon), near Shalem (Salim), because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to be immersed.
John’s ‘baptism’ required plenty of water, as it was immersion. (Not as state churches practice it today, with drops of water on infants.)
24 (This was before Yochanan’s [John’s] imprisonment.)
John was persecuted for speaking truth to power, (criticizing Herod for taking his brother’s wife off him), which eventually cost John his head.
25 A discussion arose between some of Yochanan’s (John’s) talmidim (disciples) and a Judean (Judean Jew) about ceremonial washing;
26 and they came to Yochanan (John) and said to him, “Rabbi, you know the man who was with you on the other side of the Yarden (Jordan), the one you spoke about? Well, here he is, immersing; and everyone is going to him!”
A disciple of John’s complained that Jesus’ disciples were also immersing repentant believers in the Jordan!
27 Yochanan (John) answered, “No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from Heaven. 28 You yourselves can confirm that I did not say I was the Messiah, but that I have been sent ahead of him.
John only gave what he was given from God. John corrected them by saying that he had always pointed people to Jesus.
29 The bridegroom is the one who has the bride; but the bridegroom’s friend, who stands and listens to him, is overjoyed at the sound of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine is now complete.
The person they were complaining about was actually the main event – like the groom at a wedding. John was just the best man.
30 He must become more important, while I become less important.
Hence this famous verse of John the Baptist saying it is Jesus who takes centre stage.
31 “He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth is from the earth and talks from an earthly point of view; he who comes from heaven is above all.
The One he speaks of has come from heaven.
32 He testifies about what he has actually seen and heard, yet no one accepts what he says!
Jesus speaks the truth which is not believed.
33 Whoever does accept what he says puts his seal on the fact that God is true,
Believing Jesus is the same thing as believing what God says.
34 because the one whom God sent speaks God’s words. For God does not give him the Spirit in limited degree —
Jesus has the fulness of the Holy Spirit.
35 the Father loves the Son and has put everything in his hands.
Jesus has unlimited authority.
36 Whoever trusts in the Son has eternal life. But whoever disobeys the Son will not see that life but remains subject to God’s wrath.”
Summary
36 Whoever trusts in the Son has eternal life.
- Today’s Verse…
Whoever trusts in the Son has eternal life.
But whoever disobeys the Son will not see that life but remains subject to God’s wrath.” John 3:36.
- Today’s Challenge
Repetition is the secret to remembering…
36. Whoever trusts in the Son has eternal life.
But whoever disobeys the Son will not see that life but remains subject to God’s wrath.” John 3:36.
We either choose to live for the present – or for eternity. Which one have you chosen? Have you made this hymn your own story?
I Will Sing The Wondrous Story
Prayer and Worship
“… He went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.” Matthew 14:23. Jesus taught His disciples what we call ‘The Lord’s Prayer’; (Luke 11). Listen here to Albert Malotte’s ‘The Lord’s Prayer’.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever;- Amen.
Prayer Suggestions;-
- The world. (ie ‘For those in authority.’)
- The ‘suffering church.’ https://barnabasfund.org/nz/pray/daily-prayer/#previous-dates
- Your own situation. (Suggest ‘needs’ rather than ‘wants’.)
