Jesus prays for glory

 

For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. Isaiah 60:2

Jesus Prays to Be Glorified

17 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.² For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. ³ Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. ⁴ I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. ⁵ And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

Jesus Prays for His Disciples

⁶ “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. ⁷ Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. ⁸ For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. ⁹ I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. ¹⁰ All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. ¹¹ I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. ¹² While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

¹³ “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. ¹⁴ I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. ¹⁵ My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.¹⁶ They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. ¹⁷ Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸ As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. ¹⁹ For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

Jesus Prays for All Believers

²⁰ “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹ that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²² I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— ²³ I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

²⁴ “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

²⁵ “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. ²⁶ I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

John 17

 

glory to all

holy and blameless

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

This verse may be deeply implanted to keep you humble since you’re only human right?

When this verse is used by itself, it keeps us in an identity of shame and unworthiness which is not of God. Jesus came to set us FREE! As with most verses, there is much more to the story.

The discussion was on the law and Jew and Gentile – that there was not one group worthy and making the others outcasts.

Jesus did not die for some – but for ALL.
It’s not that only the good people are created in His image, but ALL.
Grace isn’t just for those in need or who are humble, but for ALL.
Jesus didn’t surrender to the cross just for those “predestined” but for ALL. 

Many will not receive this gift, many seem beyond His reach or ours, but the truth remains that Jesus wants to see ALL come to the saving knowledge of His truth.

And all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Romans 3:24-26

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4

 

 

For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Romans 11:36

Thank you Lord that when we receive Your good and perfect gift of grace, we are made new! We are no longer sinners but saints. We might sin, but that is no longer our nature or our identity. The old is dead and the new eternal life starts here on this earth and will reach it’s fulfillment when You return. We are no longer just human – we are one with You and called redeemed! Thank You for these precious gifts!

a promise

Sword

How often are you making promises to others?
Do you find yourself unable to fulfill them?

I’m being more careful with this. I have a promise to my mom still undone. Helping her with woodchips. They are still a calendar item, but put aside due to rain, our availability and more. We both know it will be done and I’m thankful for her grace in the timing.

An internet search shows a range of 3000 to over 7000 promises from God. I’m not out to prove a number…but do you think we can rely on His words?

How often are we incorporating these promises in our prayers and conversations instead of whining, complaining and saying God is distant (when He dwells in us)?

As I am reading the Bible, I’ve been listing some of these promises and using them in my prayers. Very impacting to me.

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV

God is faithful to complete the work that he has begun. Philippians 1:6
No weapon formed against us will prosper. Isaiah 54:17
Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you. Matthew 7:7
God is not a man that he should lie. Numbers 23:19
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

Many are relying more on the words of people than the Word of God.
Who should really be trusted and relied on the most?

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 ESV

His Word is trustworthy and His promises are definitely worth praying! 

wonder of words

Do you ever have stray words come to your mind? They don’t relate to anything in the moment but you know you must pay attention. They are like invitations to explore, to dream and imagine where they will lead.

How about EXPECTANCY?
Google definition:  the state of thinking or hoping that something, especially something pleasant, will happen or be the case.

Not in a normal days conversation but makes you think further than the moment. I will hold on to expectancy through the coming days. I think it will bring something pleasant.

You might want to ask for a word…

Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
    or, whine, Israel, saying,
“God has lost track of me.
    He doesn’t care what happens to me”?
Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening?
God doesn’t come and go. God lasts.
    He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.
    And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
    gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
    young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
    They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired,
    they walk and don’t lag behind.
Isaiah 40:27-31 The Message

conform or transform

One of my most impacting verses…

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 NIV

I’ve prayed in these verses for years and still love how they challenge me. I kind of liked my mind before and was learning to conform well. But oh what wonderful things happen when you give up what you are comfortable with or what seems good to get God’s much better perspective!

Renewing is a continual process – not a once and done thing. And transformed – means a dramatic change in form, appearance or character. When I first “came to Jesus” my life still looked pretty conformed to the rest of the world. Now is a different kind of messy that is definitely dramatically different!!

The first circle encaustic painting (wax w/oil pigment) was later melted and transformed.

Blues

Wings

What does this speak to you today?

To me it says – “Don’t settle for a pretty puddle when God wants to give you wings!”

right spirit

Yesterday morning I woke with these words…

God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power love and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

shortly after…

…Renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

They stayed with me through the day and gave extra things to pray and ponder while we helped my aunt with her first day in her memory care facility.

There are many spirits in this world but only one Holy Spirit of God.
How can we tell the difference?

Psalm 51 starts with, Create in me a clean heart… Sometimes it’s very apparent and sometimes it’s a part of our “flesh” we have become comfortable with. We often use the phrase “I’m only human” to excuse it.

Well – if we are created in the image of God (Gen 1) and being conformed in the image of Christ (Rom 8), should we “be” like the rest of the world?

We can learn things everywhere but should our main textbook be the world? Should we compare or measure ourselves to it or to something/someone else?

A good measuring place is John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. Does it bring life or condemnation?

The testing of spirits – 1 John 4:2-5 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.  You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.
It’s important that we can hear and know the difference. You don’t have false unless a truth exists too.

It’s not just what comes AT us but more importantly what comes OUT of us.

Lord, I pray we all can see Christ in us – the hope of glory. That we will carry Your power, love and sound mind in every step we take, each word we speak and really know the Spirit of Truth in a more intimate way. May it all be for Your glory!

 

unfinished

unfinished work

How much more…
to earn?
to learn?
to overcome?
to change?
to understand?
to experience?

Should we ever become “satisfied” where we are at?
Does being “content” mean we settle when things are not good?
Can we only “rejoice” when all is well?

Life brings more and more questions as we continue to breathe. And if you dig into God’s Word, you should find even more to make you say, “What does this mean?”

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Philippians 3:12

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. Philippians 4:11

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:6

deeper unity

One Lord
One Church

Often when reading a different Bible version – verses usually ignored – stand out more.

The angel to Zechariah speaking about his coming son John…

And he will prepare a united people who are ready for the Lord’s appearing. Luke 1:17 TPT

(Notes “united people” is found in the Aramaic text. Most versions say, “a people.”) Church is studying Exodus which is also God preparing “a people.”

We can easily see division all around. We may be in church but are we “being the church” that is described through His Word?

Are we following what He sets before us or what we desire? Romans 8
Is our focus more on the world or even serving others than Him? Luke 10
Add in how technology keeps people even busier…

I’ve been asking myself several of these tough questions. Some answers are really stretching me. I don’t want to just be a good American – I desire the fullness He designed for me and I pray you will want that too.

high above

Living Waters

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.”
Isaiah 55:8-12

May even more hear Your voice Lord!

confidence

hand up

This has come up multiple times for me. I hope it’s an encouragement to you too.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God you will receive what he has promised.
Hebrews 10:23-24, 35-36

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16

In this world we ALL have troubles – He tells us to take heart – He has overcome even this world!!! Hang on to His word – His truth – His promises. It’s not just a history lesson but manna that brings life…

I pray your weekend is filled to overflowing.