How Much do We Love Jesus?

N.T. #810 "How Much do We Love Jesus?"

June 5, 2026 

John 21-Part 2 

LET IT GLOW 

While the disciples were eating bread and fish with Jesus around the campfire, Jesus had a personal conversation with Peter, a heart-to-heart:

• *Previously, Peter had denied Jesus 3 times. 
• *Three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. 
• *When Peter answered yes, Jesus told him to feed His sheep.

• In the first two questions, Jesus asked Peter if He agapao (to love in a social or moral sense) Jesus. It was a self-sacrificial love. Of course, Peter loved Jesus, though He didn't show it when tested. The last time, Jesus used the word phileo (to be a friend to; fond of an individual.) It was a brotherly love.

How much do we love Jesus? Is it a self-sacrificing love or just a brotherly love? Do we give our all to Jesus or only our Sundays?

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LET IT GROW

The first and last instructions to feed Jesus' sheep meant to pasture; to graze. 

The second feed meant to tend as a shepherd.

It is one thing to say you love Jesus, but the real test is willingness to serve him. Peter's life changed when forgiveness came to him. Finally, Peter understood the importance of Jesus' words about His death and resurrection. Peter's three denials of knowing Jesus and being His follower needed three recommitments and declarations of His love for Jesus.

Is Jesus only our friend or is He our Savior and King of our life? 

LET IT GO

Help us declare our love for You, Jesus.

Use us in kingdom work.

May our love for you be shown as we serve others and share what You have done in our life.

When Disappointment Comes

N.T.#809 "When Disappointment Come"

June 4, 2026 

John 21

LET IT GLOW 

What do we do when disappointment comes? Call a friend, pray? 

Peter, Nathanael, James, John, and 2 unnamed ones which were together at the Sea of Galilee. Peter decided he was going fishing. The rest of the guys joined Peter in a ship, yet they caught nothing. Evidently, they were fishing during the night. This was probably a month later than chapter 20. What a disappointment.

What happened next?

• *When it was morning, Jesus stood on the shore. The disciples didn't know it was Jesus. 
• *Jesus asked it they had an meat, and they answered no.
• * He told them to cast the net on the right side of the ship and find fish. 
• *There were so many fish that they couldn't pull in the net. 
• *John recognized the stranger as Jesus. 
• *Peter put on his outer robe and jumped into the water. (verses 1-8)

Peter wanted to see Jesus. How important is it for us to be with Jesus?

Even in times of disappointment, Jesus can cheer us. He cheered up the disciples and fed them, too.

Do we seek Jesus when are disappointed?

LET IT GROW 

What did Jesus do next to the disciples?

• *He told the guys to bring their fish ashore. They caught 153 fish and the net didn't break.
• *Come and dine, which was an invite to breakfast with Him. 
• *Jesus gave the guys bread and fish to eat. 
• *They added fish to the fire to cook and for them to eat.
• *Peter contributed the fruit of his efforts, which the Lord provided.

The disciples were in the presence of Jesus a third time. Jesus doesn't need us to help, but He wants us to do our part. 

It was a time of fellowship with the Master. Do we enjoy it, too?

LET IT GO 

Grow our faith, Lord.

Help us to obey You.

Do You Believe?"

N.T. #809 "Do You Believe?"

June 3, 2026 

John 20-Part 4 

LET IT GLOW 

Jesus entered the room where the disciples, minus Thomas and Judas, were meeting after the resurrection. He showed His nail-holed hands and spear-pierced side. This was proof it was Jesus. The guys were glad to see their friend and Savior. Then Jesus commissioned them to go and tell the Good News-Jesus is alive. Before that took place, Jesus gave the disciples the Holy Ghost to share the gospel. (verses 20-22)

Now the disciples were on a Spirit-guided mission and Spirit-powered. They were sent to preach the Good News about Jesus so people's sins might be forgiven. No one has the ability to forgive sins but Jesus Christ.)  We have the same privilege when we have been repented and been forgiven.

LET IT GROW 

Do you need a sign or miracle before you believe in Jesus as your Savior/ Our proof is in the words of the Bible and testimony of believers. 

The guys told Thomas they had seen the LORD. However, Thomas said he had to see and touch those nail print hands and side of Jesus before he believed. (verse 25) Belief was Thomas' issue. 

Eight days later, they disciples were together when Jesus appeared in the room. Then Jesus told Thomas to reach, touch, and behold Jesus' hands and side. 

Be not faithless, but believe. (verse 27)

Thomas didn't need to touch after all. 

My LORD and my God. (verse 28) That was Thomas' answer of confession of the resurrection and deity of Christ. 

Here is a promise for us:

Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.  (verse 29)

God wants you to believe in Him before you see Him work in your life. (Tony Evans) 

Do you believe Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God?

LET IT GO

Thank You Jesus we come to you by faith, not by works, status, education, skills, employment.

Thank YOu for salvation YOu provided for those who believe in YOu.

When Jesus Shows Up

 N.T.#808 "When Jesus Shows Up"

June 2, 2026 

John 20-Part 3

LET IT GLOW 

It was Sunday evening. The doors were shut and locked. The terrified disciples were sitting around talking about current events. They were fearful of the Jews since Jesus was crucified. Suddenly, Jesus appears to them, apparently by coming through the wall. Can you see the stunned look on the faces of the 10 guys frozen and silent us the disciples thought Jesus to be a ghost. 

Peace be unto you. (verse 19) 

What can be concluded here?

• Jesus brought a message of peace to the ten disciples. 
• Jesus had a real body.
• His body had been resurrected, not just His Spirit.
• The nail prints proved that He was Jesus and not someone else. (Liberty Bible Commentary)

Jesus proved it was He by showing the disciples His hands and side. Can you see the relief on their faces? Can you hear the chatter in the once silent room?

Jesus can speak peace into trouble. Is your heart full of unrest? 

Though your circumstances are unstable, He can provide the internal stability your heart needs. (Tony Evans)

LET IT GROW 

How would you have reacted to all of this? The disciples were glad when they saw Lord Jesus. (verse 20)

*Please pray for us as we fly to Hawaii today with our son's family. We are celebrating our granddaughter's high school graduation with them. We return on the 9th. So blessed to be able to go see the beauty of God's creation. I am writing posts ahead of time so continue to study with me.

God had sent Jesus to earth on a kingdom mission to atone for the sins of the world so that all who believe would receive eternal life. Now the Son was sending His disciples on a kingdom mission to proclaim that message and make other disciples throughout the world. (Matt. 28:16-20)

Our purpose is to go and teach the truth, Word of God, and the salvation provided by Jesus Christ. Although meeting needs and showing love is included as we go. 

LET IT GO

Use us today, Lord, for your purpose and glory.

He's Alive!

N.T.#807 "He's Alive!"

June 1, 2026 

John 20-Part 2

LET IT GLOW 

Mary returned to the tomb after Peter and John returned home. She didn't know about the resurrection of Jesus. When Mary looked into the tomb while weeping. She saw 2 angels sitting there. 

Look at their conversation:

• One angel asked Mary why she was crying.
• Mary told the angel she was looking for Jesus' body that was taken away. She didn't know where it was. (She came to finish the embalming.) 
• Then Jesus appeared and asked Mary why she was crying. She thought He was the gardener. Mary asked where Jesus' body was and she would take it away. 

Mary wanted to finish her task, but she couldn't. She was so overcome with grief and sorrow that she didn't recognize Jesus. Do we seek Jesus when our world is falling apart?

LET IT GROW 

Jesus spoke Mary's name and she recognized Him. She called Jesus Rabboni, Master. Apparently Mary moved toward Jesus to hug Him because Jesus told her not to do so. 

Touch refers toto cling to, or to take hold of. 

Jesus had not yet ascended to God so He wanted to be uncontaminated when He went to the Father. Jesus gave Mary a job of going and telling the disciples that Jesus is risen. (verse 17) She obeyed.

Are we going and telling others that Jesus is alive and risen from the dead?

LET IT GO

He's alive!

The Tomb Was Empty

N.T.#806 "The Tomb Was Empty"

May 29, 2026 

John 20

LET IT GLOW 

John tells about the resurrection of Christ in a little different way from Matthew, Mark, and Luke:

• *It was the first day of the week when Mary Magdalene went early and in the dark to the sepulchre. She went with the purpose of anointing the dead body of Christ Jesus. (verse 1)
• *The stone covering the tomb of Jesus was rolled away. It was an empty tomb.
• *Mary ran to tell Peter and John, leaders of the disciples. 
• *She told the guys someone took Jesus' body away and she didn't know where. (verse 2)
• *Peter and John ran to the tomb. (verses 3)
• *John arrived first. (verse 4)
• *When John looked inside, he found only linen clothes lying there. (verse 5)
• *Peter went inside and found the headband folded and lying in a separate place from the rest of the grave clothes. (verse 5-6)

What an experience for just a few people as they discovered Jesus' body was gone. Friend, do you believe all of this actually happened. The Bible is truth.

LET IT GROW

Notice that Joh saw and believed, yet they did not know about the Scripture saying He must rise again from the dead. (verse 9)

Jesus taught about His resurrection. t began to dawn on these folks and their sight now turned to faith as they realized that Christ had risen. (Liberty Bible Commentary)

These close friends of Jesus had some thinking to do. A lot had happened in just 3 short days. Being overwhelmed, they returned to their homes.

What a shock it must have been.

LET IT GO 

Will you accept the fact that Jesus rose from the dead, that He is God's Son, that He is alive? 

Have you committed yourself to the Risen Lord Jesus?

Faithful to The End

N.T.#805 "Faithful to The End"

May 28, 2026 

John 19-Part 7

LET IT GLOW 

Certainly, Jesus' work was finished as He died on the cross. (verse 30)

The Jews did not permit a body to remain on the cross until the next day, for it would have violated their Jewish law. (Deut. 21:22-23) Since the victim would press on his legs to lift his chest enough to breathe, if the legs were broken, this would hasten death. The victim would not be able to breathe and die. (Falwell)

However, when the soldiers came to break Jesus' legs, He was already dead and they did not break them. (Ps. 34:20) Also, it was against the law to work after sundown on Friday, their Sabbath. One of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side and outflowed blood and water. This was proof that Jesus was dead. 

God's plan of salvation was taking place before their eyes. Soon, in 3 days, the Savior would rise from the grave to complete it. Jesus has defeated death and sit in heaven on the throne reigning as King.

Do you believe this? 

LET IT GROW 

Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus were sect disciples of Jesus. The openly asked Pilate for Jesus' body so they could bury it. It was a new tomb so no one could claim bones were in it where they lay Jesus' body. They wrapped His body and used spices. (verses 38-42) The guys intended on finishing the body preparations after the Sabbath. (Luke 24:1)

LET IT GO 

Thank You Jesus for enduring the cross to provide our salvation. What love!

Are we faithful to the end like Jesus?