Is It Too Late?

N.T.# 746 "Is It Too Late?"

March 2, 2026 

John 11-Part 3 

LET IT GLOW

If only Jesus had answered my prayers, my brother would be alive today. Yes I can relate to Martha. Last year my brother Larry passed away. He had a change of heart and our relationship was on a good note. Why did it take him so long? I wanted more years with him, but God had another plan. If only...

It's too late, for Lazarus is dead now. Jesus waited 2 days before going on His way to Bethany. The disciples decided to go with Him, for the Jews wanted to kill Jesus. By the time the guys arrived, this friend Lazarus had been in the tomb 4 days. Jesus knew all along what was going on and how He was going to handle this situation. It was so the disciples' faith would increase and they would witness this great miracle, as well as the power the Son of God has. 

What did Thomas tell the group of Jesus followers? "Let us also go, that we may die with Him."

How far are we willing to go with Jesus?

Will we deny ourself, take up our cross, and follow Jesus? (Matthew 16:24)

Are we putting others and Jesus before ourself, allowing Jesus to be Lord of all our life, and obeying Him and His Word?

 LET IT GROW 

Martha went out to meet Jesus. She and Mary went through a funeral, sorrowing greatly because they loved their brother. You can understand the situation. If only Jesus had arrived earlier, Lazarus would not have died. We can understand, can't we? Who hasn't lost a loved one? The grief can overwhelm us.

In verse 22, we hear Martha's faith in Jesus-But I know, that even now, whatsoever Thou wilt ask of God, God will give it Thee. 

Martha expressed her disappointment when she told Jesus to listen to her, come right away and healed her brother, then we would all be sitting down to supper together today. 

Belief through disappointment can be a spiritual struggle becoming unbelief.

Have you been there?

LET IT GO 

Turn to Jesus when doubts arrives, when disappointment lingers, when the burdens become too heavy.

Trust Him, for He is Truth.

No Rush

N.T.#745 "No Rush"

Feb. 27, 2026 

John 11 

LET IT GLOW

Are you waiting for an answer to a prayer, a changed behavior of a loved one, a healing touch?

Are you familiar with the event of the resurrection of Lazarus? Let's see what we can learn from it.

What happened?

• Mary and Martha and Lazarus were siblings with whom Jesus would stay and visit in their home in Bethany. The four became close friends and loved each other. 
• The girls sent word to their friend Jesus that their brother was sick. They believed Jesus could heal Lazarus.
• Mary had previously anointed Jesus with ointment and wiped His feet with her hair-it was her brother that was sick.
• Jesus said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. (verse 4)
• Jesus did not rush to Bethany, but stayed where He was for 2 days.

Sometimes we have to trust Jesus for the timing and outcome. (There are times that sickness is not a result of sin or rebellion, but for God's glory. Believers should interpret circumstances by the love of Christ rather than trying to interpret Christ's love for the circumstances. (David Jeremiah)

LET IT GROW

The disciples reminded Jesus that the Jews had earlier wanted to stone Him. Going through Judea was risky. His limited time on earth could not be changed. A person who walks in the light of God's will cannot be harmed, but the person who does not stumbles.  (verses 9-10)

By the time the Lord got there, Lazarus had been in the tomb 4 days. Jesus was glad He was not there when Lazarus died. It is so the disciples would believe in Jesus as the Son of God, all-powerful. Seeing the miracle would increase the guy's faith. 

LET IT GO

Thank you Lord that life and death are in Your hands. 

We are going to pause there. LET IT GO

A Sheep in the Flock

N.T.#744 "A Sheep in the Flock"

Feb. 26,2026 

John 11 

LET IT GLOW 

If we are in the sheepfold of God, we should have His love, kindness, and goodness to show to others. Jesus described four qualities which we, as God's sheep should have:

1. Sensitivity to His leading. (10:27a) When we hear Jesus' voice, we know it is Him and we follow Him. 
2. We are eager to obey His commands. (10:27b)
3. We can be confident. (10:28) Eternal life in heaven is ours, as well as remaining in God's hands while here.
4. We are secure. (10:29) No matter how insensitive, disobedient, or fearful, our place in the flock is secure. It is Jesus who provided our salvation, not us, so He never turns us away. We may displease Him and fall into sin, but we are still His. Repentance makes our relationship with Him right.

Remain sensitive to His leading, obey the Lord, and rest in the confidence of Jesus' power to protect us from all evil.

[Resource: Swindoll's New Testament Insights on John]

LET IT GROW 

Are you a part of the Good Shepherd's flock? If not, admit to God you are a sinner, believe Jesus is God's Son and Savior. confess your sins. Ask Jesus to forgive you and be your Savior.

LET IT GO

Help us let go of our sinful lifestyle.

Jesus make a way for us in this wilderness.

You are so faithful. 

Will You Believe?

N.T.#734 "Will You Believe?"

Feb. 25, 2026

John 10-Part 5

LET IT GLOW 

How long will you keep us in suspense? Are you the Christ/Messiah? Jesus had already told the previously that He is-6:35; 7:37-39; 8:23-25. The Jewish leaders rejected Jesus for what He said about Himself, His works, and unbelief. They were not His sheep, so we should expect nothing else. (verse 26)

As believers in Jesus, we hear our Savior's voice and we follow Him. 

What is the good news for us?

• We will never perish.
• We have eternal life. 
• No one can pluck us out of Jesus' hand. (verses 28,29)

What promises our Lord made to us! We are forever His! No doubt in the security of the believer. Jesus said it and I believe it. How about you?

LET IT GROW

I and my Father are one. (verse 30)

I am the Son of God. (verse 36)

The Jewish leaders had hard hearts, for they said Jesus blasphemed. However, many others believed in Jesus. And so it is today. Cults consider Jesus a good teacher or prophet, but not the Son of God. Therefore, they are not saved from the penalty of their sins. Their destiny is not heaven because of the lack of belief. Sad that so many are deceived.

Will you believe?

LET IT GO 

Only Jesus paid the price for me. Only His love can set me free. Nobody else can open heaven's door-just Jesus and nothing more.

A Good Shepherd

 N.T.#742 "A Good Shepherd"

Feb. 24, 2026 

John 10-Part 4

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (verse 11) 

LET IT GLOW

Did you notice that Jesus is not merely a shepherd, but a Good Shepherd? What does a good shepherd do?

• He lays down his life for the sheep. (verse 11)
• He has the power and right to do so. (verse 18)
• He knows his sheep and they know Him. (verse 14)
• His fold will be both Jews and Gentiles. (Acts 10:28)

Besides being the only door into the sheepfold, Christ is also the Good Shepherd. He is good because He giveth His life for (in behalf of) the sheep. Laying down His life for the sheep was a voluntary act of sacrifice. (Falwell)

Friend, who is your Good Shepherd?

LET IT GROW 

The hireling (hired people) is not the same as shepherd because they flee when the wolf comes to steal and devour the sheep. They don't give a hoot for the sheep. No way would they put their life in danger. Nope, they are out of here. 

There is similarity with the hireling and a pastor just in it for the money. When troubles arise, they leave. No love for the people.

LET IT GO

Teach us to love the sheep.

Help us forgive, overcome criticism, conflict. and love.

Abundant Life

N.T.#741 "Abundant Life"

Feb. 23, 2026

John 10-Part 3 

LET IT GLOW 

Who is the Door? Jesus said twice that He is the Door. (verses 7 and 9) What does that mean? Jesus is the only way into God's kingdom, heaven. It is His salvation that gives us abundant, rich, and full life. Life in Christ is lived on a higher plane because of His overflowing forgiveness, love, and guidance. 

Abundant life includes peace, purpose, destiny, a genuine purpose for living, the joy of facing any adversity-including the grave-without fear, and the ability to endure hardship with confident assurance. The abundance Jesus offers is a spiritual abundance that transcends circumstances like income, health, living conditions, and even death. (Swindoll)

Do you have this life which Christ offers to all who will have faith in Him and walk through the Door

LET IT GROW 

The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy. (verse 10a, NAS)

Satan and his followers have no concern for the well-being of the sheep. They enter the sheep pen for their own gain. The enemy attempts to block the blessings, purpose, and spiritual fulfillment God has for your life. (Tony Evans)

Following the Good Shepherd leads to blessing, joy, and growing experience of eternal and abundant life. Which do you want?

LET IT GO 

Close the door on the devil, his ways of evil, the fleshly desires, and turn to Jesus.

His love never fails, never gives up, never runs out. 

Scoop the Poop

N.T.#740 "Scoop the Poop"

Feb. 20, 2026 

John 10-Part 2 

I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (verse 9)

LET IT GLOW 

Where are you looking to find satisfaction? 

Jesus Christ is the door. Enter Him, and you can be saved and have eternal life. This believer will find pasture (abundant life) or constant nourishment necessary to maintain life.

I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (verse 10)

 Christ gives life abundantly [something thrown off (by the spade)], as a clod. 

Sometimes the cows would get out of the field and into our yard back at the farm. Where there are cows, there are cow piles (poop for city folks). I would get the shovel and scoop it up, then throw it over the fence. If we throw off those sinful habits or ways not pleasing Jesus, then we can have life abundantly. Just scoop the poop.

Anything needing thrown off in your life? Scoop it up and get rid of it, confessing the sin, and leave it alone.

LET IT GROW

Are you finding love, joy, peace in worldly things or in Jesus? It isn't the world's broad way that leads to those things, but the narrow way to Jesus. The world tries to convince us that it provides fulfillment in marriage, raising children, advancing a career, or pursuing pleasure. Sin leads to death. (Roman. 6:23) Living God's way gives us abundant and joyful life.

LET IT GO 

Settle for nothing less than God's best for your life. (Blackaby)

Help us throw off those sins that so easily beset us, Lord Jesus.