Devotion

Devotional: John 17

What “authority over all people” has Jesus been granted? Jesus has been granted authority over all people that he might give eternal life to those that believe in him. He is the basis by which every person’s eternity will be determined; he is the authority over how their life is to be judged. In the end, the only thing that matters for a person is the nature of their relationship with Jesus.

What is my view towards Jesus’ authority over my life? What is the implication of rejecting Jesus’ authority? As a Christian, my basic confession and declaration is that Jesus is the Lord over my life and therefore has complete authority over my entire life. The rejection of Jesus’ authority is the essence of sin and the implication is declaring my own autonomy and severing my relationship with Jesus. I need to be reminded of this, that every time I sin – each time I choose to disobey, not do something that I know I ought to do, give into my anger or lust or defend my pride and ego rather than choosing to humble myself, hold back from serving or sacrificing in some way rather than denying myself and choosing to die – each time I am rejecting Jesus’ authority over my life and going back on my commitment to give him Lordship and command over my entire being. Each time I sin, I must therefore confess and repent and reassert Jesus’ authority over my life, relinquish my control and ask Jesus to reign in me again.

Notice Jesus’ definition of eternal life. What are some wrong notions of “eternal life” that people hold? Jesus’ definition of eternal life is to know God and to know him – this knowledge is a personal knowledge, and that entails a personal relationship with Him of love that does not end and means dwelling with God for eternity. Eternal life is not a continuation of life on earth; it’s not immortality or going to a place where you all your earthly desires and wishes come true, but rather it’s life as God intended it to be from the very beginning, a restored and eternal and unhindered relationship with Him.

In what ways can I pursue eternal life today? I can pursue eternal life by striving to give authority to God over every area of my life and striving to know Him through His word. As eternal life is essentially a personal relationship with God, I can pursue eternal life by pursuing this relationship, through meditating on and obeying God’s Word. The one who sows to please the Spirit will reap eternal life. I need to sow to please the Spirit by struggling against my sin (giving God authority), remaining in Jesus through His word, and striving to obey.



Devotional Questions:

John 17:1-5

◦What “authority over all people” has Jesus been granted?
◦What is my view towards Jesus’ authority over my life? What is the implication of rejecting Jesus’ authority?
◦Notice Jesus’ definition of eternal life. What are some wrong notions of “eternal life” that people hold?
◦In what ways can I pursue eternal life today?
John 17:11, 14-18

◦What distinguishes Jesus’ disciples according to vv. 14-16? Are these evident in my life?
◦What are the unique challenges that Christians face as those who are “still in this world” but “not of the world?” How is the word of God key to facing these challenges?
◦How have I experienced the sanctifying work of God’s word in my life?
John 17:19

◦How is Jesus’ love for his disciples manifested in this verse?
◦For whom I do need to sanctify myself in order that “they too may be truly sanctified?”
Additional Questions:


John 17:1, 4-5

◦What brings God glory?
◦What specific work do I need to carry out on earth to bring God glory?
John 17:6-19

◦What did Jesus pray for his disciples, and what can I learn from the fact that these are the issues he prayed about?
John 17:20-23

◦According to this passage, what is the basis and motivation for Christian unity?
◦What is the relationship between oneness with God and oneness with the people of God?
◦How does Christian unity show the world the reality of Christ’s incarnation (cf. Acts 2:44-47)?
◦Am I experiencing this kind of oneness with the people of God? If not, what may be the reason?
◦How does Jesus’ final prayer for his disciples show me what my priority should be?
John 17:24

◦What is revealed about Jesus’ heart in his prayer for the disciples to be with him in his glory?
◦What assurance does this give me? Is Jesus’ desire matched with mine?
John 17:25-26

◦How am I experiencing this process Jesus describes: “will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them?”
Commentary:

Introduction “Jesus prays that his followers will be kept safe ‘by that name.’ The idea of name is not a minor idea to Jesus. The ‘name’ of someone represents the totality, the inner character, of their entire person. Thus in Exodus 3:13 it is important to Moses that he know the name of God so that he can indicate to the Israelites who their Savior really is. It is no accident that throughout the Gospel Jesus not only refers to his work as empowered by God’s name (John 10:25) but also that people should believe in ‘his name’ (1:12; 2:23; 3:18). Jesus bears the name of God, which is unveiled in the Gospel in its many ‘I am’ sayings. Thus, in revealing himself, he has disclosed the personhood (the name) of God to the entire world.

“(1) Jesus’ first concern, his first petition for his followers, is that they remain united (17:11). Remarkably he desires that his disciples enjoy an intimacy and oneness that are analogous to the intimacy and oneness he shares with the Father.

“(2) Jesus’ next worry concerns his disciples’ sustenance and strength in the world. Their assignment is dangerous, and so he prays for their equipment and protection. Jesus has given them his word (17:14a), and the Spirit will recall it and keep it secure (14:26). This word, this divine revelation, will become essential equipment in their testimony and survival in the world.

“(3) Jesus’ third concern has to do with holiness (17:17 – 19). There is a spiritual dilemma that pertains to all disciples: They live in the world, and yet Jesus can say that they are not ‘of the world’ (17:14, 16). This points not to their location geographically, but to their position spiritually.”[1]

v. 17 “Jesus prays that his disciples might be ‘sanctified’ (Gk. hagiazo) in the truth (17:17). This Greek word refers to something made holy, but the means to achieving this holiness is through separation. God is God by virtue of his difference, his transcendence, his otherness with respect to all creation. Anything (a mountain, a temple shovel, a priestly garment, a people) that belongs to him or serves his purposes should consider itself ‘holy’ and set apart from common use. To be holy, then, is not in the first instance a description of perfection (though this is included). It refers to a life that is so aligned with God that it reflects God’s passions completely (for good, against evil). Such a person can be considered ‘sanctified,’ holy, attached to God’s purposes and presence. In this case Jesus understands that a complete attachment to the truth discovered in God’s Word will be the means of achieving this holiness (17:17b).”[2]

v. 19 “Perhaps 17:19 is one of the key verses in the prayer. When Jesus says that he sanctifies himself (Gk. hagiazo), to what does this refer? He may have in mind his self-dedication to his greater mission. Prophets and priests dedicated themselves thus. The Lord says to Jeremiah, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart’ (Jer. 1:5, italics added). Priests likewise set themselves apart (Ex. 40:13; Lev. 8:30; 2 Chron. 5:11). But here in John 17:19 we learn that as a result of Jesus’ consecration, his disciples will benefit. In the phrase ‘for them,’ ‘for’ (Gk. hyper, meaning ‘for the sake of’) implies sacrificial death throughout John (see 6:51; 10:11, 15; 11:50 – 52; 13:37; 15:13; 18:14).”[3]

vv. 20-26 “Jesus is aware that not only will he depart from the world, but likewise those who stand with him — his immediate circle of followers — will also depart to be with him in his glory (17:24). This will leave those whom they disciple, the church, to represent the kingdom in the world. Therefore Jesus now turns to pray for these followers whom he has not yet met, men and women who will follow the apostles, indeed the church today, which carries the mission set down by Jesus during his final week.

“This is the essence of Jesus’ vision for the church. It is not a community that heals people just so that they will be whole (though healing is important); it is not a community that teaches so that people will be gratified by knowledge (though wisdom is valuable); it is not a community that evangelizes so that it will grow its ranks (though its mission to the world is crucial). The church is a community that invites people to touch the glory of God, to be changed by it, and to bear it to the world. ‘This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples’ (15:8). Spiritual fruit is essentially that which glorifies God.

“Such a concept forces us to ask hard questions about every aspect of what we do. ‘Is God glorified here?’ is the refrain that should accompany every decision. And the answer will not always be obvious or easy. But it must be asked because in Jesus’ vision, this was the essential mission of his incarnate life and now is the essential mission of the church.

Devotion: Praise The Lord of All Help...

Prayer: Dear God of All Help, we need Thee Today. Violence and Joblessness are the order of the day. People need help. Our systems are too weak to help. Only You can save us in Christ Jesus. We Thank You Lord for all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. We give you all power, glory and honor for ever. A-men

CASTING OUR CARE ON CHRIST



"Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." - 1PET 5:7

Casting our cares upon Christ is the only sure way of soothing sorrow. What can be a greater consolation than to receive the faith to believe "He careth for you"?

Christian! Do not dishonour the tender, caring love of your Saviour by always wearing a brow of care. Come, cast your burden upon your Lord. You are staggering beneath a weight that your heavenly Father will carry for you. What seems to you a crushing burden, would be to Him but as the small dust of the balance. Nothing is so sweet as to

"Lie passive in God's hands,
And know no will but His."

Isn't it true that most often our greatest concerns are with regard for tomorrow? Our Saviour gives us such blessed consolation in MAT 6:34 where He says, "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

Our blessed Lord gives strength for the burdens of the day--but we all to often attempt to carry the load of tomorrow with it. That is why our burden seems heavier than we can bear. O dear child of God, be patient; our God sends these trials in providence to prove our faith in Him, He has not passed you by in His providence.

See how our Saviour counsels His little flock to trust in our Heavenly Father's providing care! "And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?" MAT 6:28-30.

In His infinite wisdom our God's purpose is to wean us from trusting in an arm of flesh. As we enter His service we find all our spiritual and temporal needs supplied in abundance. Our Saviour says, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you," MAT 6:33.

Our tender heavenly Father, who feeds the sparrows, will also furnish you with what you need. Do not sit not down in despair; look away from the circumstances unto Christ in faith. See what He says in JOH 3:14, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up."

As long the Israelites looked upon the fiery serpents, they died, but the command was, "...Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live," NUM 21:8. Even so Christ must be lifted up before the eye of faith, and when we look away from our present circumstances unto Christ--we shall live!

Look unto Christ in a sea of trouble, our text says to, "Cast all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." Our loving Saviour cares. His eye is fixed on you, His heart beats with pity for your woe, and His hand omnipotent shall yet bring you the needed help. The darkest cloud shall scatter itself in showers of mercy. The blackest gloom shall give place to the morning.

Nothing heals any wound like the Balm of Gilead, i.e., the love of our crucified Christ. If you are one of His family, He will bind up your wounds, and heal your broken heart. Doubt not His grace because of your tribulation, but believe. He loves you as much in seasons of trouble as in times of happiness. What a serene and quiet life might you lead if you would leave providing to the God of providence!

With a little oil in the cruse, and a handful of meal in the barrel, Elijah and the widow that sustained him outlived the famine, and you will do the same. Seeing God cares for you, why should you care too? Can you trust Him for your soul, and not for your body? He has never refused to bear your burdens, He has never fainted under their weight.

Come, then, souls! Be done with fretful care, and leave all your concerns in the hand of a gracious Saviour. "Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." Amen.



STILL SWEETER EVERY DAY


To Jesus ev'ry day I find my heart is closer drawn;
He's fairer than the glory of the gold and purple dawn;
He's all my fancy pictures in its fairest dreams, and more;
Each day He grows still sweeter than He was the day before.


His glory broke upon me when I saw Him from afar;
He's fairer than the lily, brighter than the morning star;
He fills and satisfies my longing spirit o'er and o'er;
Each day He grows still sweeter than He was the day before.

My heart is sometimes heavy, but He comes with sweet relief;
He folds me to His bosom when I droop with blighting grief;
I love the Christ who all my burdens in His body bore;
Each day He grows still sweeter than He was the day before.
The half cannot be fancied this side the golden shore;
Oh, there He'll be still sweeter than He ever was before.

- W. C. Martin

Lord Bless all who read these words in Jesus name. We pray for an increase in followers in the name of our Lord and Savior....

Great God Almighty

We Praise God for all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior and The Holy Spirit of God all in Christ Jesus.

GREAT GOD ALMIGHTY There is a time for war and there is a time for peace. The time has come to lay down your weapons and to turn them into plowshares. It is time now to give food to the widows, go and tend to your orphans, heal the wounded, give comfort the aged, and bring peace upon your night and day. I gave my creation as a gift so that mankind could become fruitful and to multiply. The division and subtraction are the making of the evil that lies in a mans heart and soul. Behold, I am watching you, and I alone know you well.

It was I, the Alpha and the Omega, who created the Heavens and the Earth. It was I, the Creator, who breathed eternal air into the lungs of man and woman whom I also created. Because of my love for you, you and you alone were given domain over all that lives in the seas, that which soars through the skies, and all things, great and small, that move upon the land. I am he, the Beginning and the End.

I know what is hidden in your heart. I know every thought that has entered your mind. Do you not remember, it is I who knows the number of hairs upon your head. There will come a time when you will stand before me, and like an open book, I will read the balance of good and evil within your soul. It is then, in a twinkling of the eye, that I will measure the reward of your eternal salvation. Woe to those who follow in the path of that devil, known as Satan.

Devotion: Blessed is the Lord

Prayer: Oh Lord our God, we humble ourselves completely unto thy power. Forgive us of all sin as we forgive all in the name of Jesus.

We thank you for all blessings and the gift of salvation. We pray for all people. We ask that you continue to bless our members all over the world. We pray for love, peace and joy to ring in our hearts, minds and souls.

Lord, we praise you today. We magnify Thy Holy Name. In Jesus name we continue to pray. A-men.

Song: Blessed is The Rock

Blessed be the Rock of my salvation,
Blessed be the Rock of my salvation,
For the Lord is on my side,
And He's made His victory mine
Blessed be the Rock of my salvation,

Blessed be the Rock,
Blessed be the Rock,
Blessed be the Rock,
Blessed be the Rock,
Blessed be the Rock of my salvation

Praise God for whom all Blessings...A-men

Devotion: Bless The Lord

Often most people are looking for a blessing. This is particularly true during a world recession. Times are hard. The joblessness, rudeness and violence are so common place. Foul language is funny, relationships are strained to the limit. Sure we want Cod to Bless. We need a blessing. Yet, our scripture instructs us to Bless The Lord with our soul and everything we have. Therefore in our devotion; let Bless God with our whole being, today.


<< Psalm 103:1 >>


New American Standard Bible (©1995)
A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
King James Bible
Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

American King James Version
Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

American Standard Version
Bless Jehovah, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Douay-Rheims Bible
For David himself. Bless the Lord, O my soul: and let all that is within me bless his holy name.

Darby Bible Translation
{A Psalm of David.} Bless Jehovah, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

English Revised Version
A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Webster's Bible Translation
A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

World English Bible
Praise Yahweh, my soul! All that is within me, praise his holy name!

Young's Literal Translation
By David. Bless, O my soul, Jehovah, And all my inward parts -- His Holy Name.

תהילים 103:1 Hebrew OT: Westminster Leningrad Codex
לְדָוִ֙ד ׀ בָּרֲכִ֣י נַ֭פְשִׁי אֶת־יְהוָ֑ה וְכָל־קְ֝רָבַ֗י אֶת־שֵׁ֥ם קָדְשֹֽׁו׃

תהילים 103:1 Hebrew OT: WLC (Consonants Only)
לדוד ׀ ברכי נפשי את־יהוה וכל־קרבי את־שם קדשו׃

תהילים 103:1 Hebrew OT: WLC (Consonants & Vowels)
לְדָוִד ׀ בָּרֲכִי נַפְשִׁי אֶת־יְהוָה וְכָל־קְרָבַי אֶת־שֵׁם קָדְשֹׁו׃

תהילים 103:1 Hebrew Bible
לדוד ברכי נפשי את יהוה וכל קרבי את שם קדשו׃

Apocalypsis 22:21 Latin: Biblia Sacra Vulgata
(101-29) filii servorum tuorum habitabunt et semen eorum ante faciem eorum perseverabit

Salmos 103:1 Spanish: La Biblia de las Américas (©1997)
Bendice, alma mía, al SEÑOR, y bendiga todo mi ser su santo nombre.

Salmos 103:1 Spanish: La Nueva Biblia de los Hispanos (©2005)
Salmo de David. Bendice, alma mía, al SEÑOR, Y bendiga todo mi ser Su santo nombre.

Salmos 103:1 Spanish: Reina Valera (1909)
Salmo de David. BENDICE, alma mía á Jehová; Y bendigan todas mis entrañas su santo nombre.

Salmos 103:1 Spanish: Sagradas Escrituras (1569)
De David. Bendice, alma mía al SEÑOR; y todas mis entrañas al Nombre de su santidad.

Salmos 103:1 Spanish: Modern
(De David) Bendice, oh alma mía, a Jehovah. Bendiga todo mi ser su santo nombre.

Psaume 103:1 French: Louis Segond (1910)
De David. Mon âme, bénis l'Eternel! Que tout ce qui est en moi bénisse son saint nom!

Psaume 103:1 French: Darby
Mon âme, bénis l'Éternel! Et que tout ce qui est au dedans de moi, bénisse son saint nom!

Psaume 103:1 French: Martin (1744)
Psaume de David. Mon âme, bénis l'Eternel, et que tout ce qui est au-dedans de moi bénisse le Nom de sa Sainteté.

Psaume 103:1 French: Ostervald (1744)
Psaume de David. Mon âme, bénis l'Éternel, et que tout ce qui est en moi bénisse son saint nom!

Psalm 103:1 German: Luther (1912)
Ein Psalm Davids. Lobe den HERRN, meine Seele, und was in mir ist, seinen heiligen Namen!

Psalm 103:1 German: Luther (1545)
Ein Psalm Davids. Lobe den HERRN, meine Seele, und was in mir ist, seinen heiligen Namen!

Psalm 103:1 German: Elberfelder (1871)
(Von David.) Preise Jehova, meine Seele, und all mein Inneres seinen heiligen Namen!

詩 篇 103:1 Chinese Bible: Union (Traditional)
（ 大 衛 的 詩 。 ） 我 的 心 哪 ， 你 要 稱 頌 耶 和 華 ！ 凡 在 我 裡 面 的 ， 也 要 稱 頌 他 的 聖 名 ！

詩 篇 103:1 Chinese Bible: Union (Simplified)
（ 大 卫 的 诗 。 ） 我 的 心 哪 ， 你 要 称 颂 耶 和 华 ！ 凡 在 我 里 面 的 ， 也 要 称 颂 他 的 圣 名 ！

詩 篇 103:1 Chinese Bible: NCV (Simplified)
大卫的诗。我的心哪！你要称颂耶和华；在我里面的一切，都要称颂他的圣名。（本节在《马索拉抄本》包括细字标题）

詩 篇 103:1 Chinese Bible: NCV (Traditional)
大衛的詩。我的心哪！你要稱頌耶和華；在我裡面的一切，都要稱頌他的聖名。（本節在《馬索拉抄本》包括細字標題）
A Psalm of David Bless the LORD O my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name


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A Psalm of David
David (daw-veed')
loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse -- David.
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Bless
barak (baw-rak')
to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason)
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the LORD
Yhovah (yeh-ho-vaw')
(the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God -- Jehovah, the Lord.
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O my soul
nephesh (neh'-fesh)
a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
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and all that is within
qereb (keh'-reb)
the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
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me bless his holy
qodesh (ko'-desh)
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity -- consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, (most) holy (day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary.
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name
shem (shame)
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character -- + base, (in-)fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
Psalm 103:1 Multilingual Bible

Psaume 103:1 French

Salmos 103:1 Biblia Paralela

詩 篇 103:1 Chinese Bible

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org.

ScriptureText.com Multilingual Bible


Bless
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Bless
David
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Inmost
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Bless
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Inmost
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Devotion

Monday is a day of serious thinking. Often, it is the first work day of the week. Actually it is Sunday which is reserved for the Lord. As we prepare for the week, we must seek Divine guidance in terms of the decisions we make in life.

The real question is what are my priorities for the week. God is constantly working each detail of the universe. The movement of each cloud and bird. The direction of the wind, the blooming of each rose, the placement of each rainbow and knowing the number of each hair on ones head. God is all knowing and all powerful.

We must place all of our trust in God. The world is in constant turmoil because of sin. However, Jesus is our answer to all sin. Jesus can make a way out of when all doors seem shut.

In conclusion, we must devote our lives to Christ Jesus. As we make our work plans for the week, let us focus on the goodness of God in nature. Think about how Jesus gave His life for our sins. Lord we humble ourselves, thank you and praise for all your divine guidance in a sin sick world of confusion.