Jesus is the Only Way to Heaven

N.T.#770 "Jesus is the Only Way to Heaven"

April 7, 2026

John 14-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

Is your heart troubled? We are looking at the secret to an untroubled heart. 

First, Jesus tells us to believe. Are you believing God and Jesus? To believe in someone is to rely on them or to trust them. 

Secondly, Jesus reassured His disciples that in God's house in heaven were many mansions.

Mansions means to residence; abode.

Swindoll says this refers to our future relationship with our Heavenly Father rather than our prospects in real estate there. Some think otherwise, that each believer will have a dwelling place of their own in heaven. Whatever it is, I'll take it. 

Thirdly, Jesus went to prepare a place for us. (verse 3)

Fourthly, Jesus says He will come again and receive us unto Himself, so we will be with Him in heaven. We will see our Savior face-to-face. What an experience for us who have not seen Him yet!

Next, He reassures us that where He is, there we will be also. (verse 3)

Can you think of anything better than living with Jesus and saints in heaven? Hearing the angles sing His praises?

LET IT GROW

Thomas pops up and says they don't know where Jesus is going, so how can they know the way. Really guy? Jesus is the Son of God. Surely you know He had resided in heaven with God before coming to earth, thus will return there.

Get you highlighter out my friend and mark this profound statement Jesus said:

I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. (verse 6)

Jesus is the only way to heaven. He is the embodiment of all truth. No man can approach the Father unless he does so through Christ. (Falwell)

How can we know the way to God? It is only through Jesus. No by works, not by good intentions, not by thinking good thoughts. Jesus is the only way.

Jesus is the truth, for He is the reality of all God's promises. God keeps His promises. His life joins His divine life to ours, both now and eternally,

The truth is, Jesus is the only way to heaven. Plane and simple. Either you believe in Jesus or not.

LET IT GO

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

Have you trusted in Jesus as your Savior?

Troubles and Trust

N.T.#769 "Troubles and Trust"

April 6, 2026 

John 13-Part 11

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. (verse 1)

LET IT GLOW

I'm worried sick about this situation. How in the world is it going to resolve or turn out?

Friend, are you troubled?  Are things on your mind churning throughout the day and steals your sleep at night? I hear ya.  As Christians, we may use different terms for it like concern, burden, lack of peace.

Apparently, the disciples' hearts were troubled at the news Jesus gave them, which His leaving them. (13:33)

In the Greek language, troubled means to stir or agitate (disturb).

Here are some important things Jesus was telling His disciples to not be troubled by His going away. Had the guys caused such an offense that the Lord must separate Himself from them? Had they been disloyal? 

We can see what Jesus' purpose in leaving them-provide eternal life for those who believe in Him, to take away our sins through forgiveness?

What words of comfort did the Lord offer?

Believe in God and believe in Him (Jesus). 

Place our full trust in Jesus, just as we trust in our Father God. They are unified, sharing the same divine nature and same divine purpose. Jesus is God who came in the flesh. 

LET IT GROW 

Swindoll gives us 6 truths that are found here which offer our troubled hearts:

1. Personal faith in a personal Lord brings personal relief. (verse 1)
2. Our long-term future is secure. (verses 2-3)
3. The sovereign hand of God is at work in each believer's life. (verses 8-11)
4. Greater results occur when we pray in Jesus' name and for the Father's glory. (verses 12-14)
5. We are not alone; we have been given an indwelling Helper. (verses 15-17)
6. We are inseparably linked to Christ. (verses 18-21)

Jesus' prescription for peace is faith. Faith in God's love, will, purpose, and our Lord's presence, enables us to be victorious over every trial. (Herschel H. Hobbs)

I don't know about you, but I needed to hear this. We are either coming out o troubles, going into troubles, or in them right now. That is life. How are we going to respond? Faith or worry? It's a choice.

LET IT GO 

Jesus, You are so trustworthy. 

Hep us lay down our burdens and trust You with them.

Glory to God! You will work it out in Your way and timing.

April 4, 2026

I just wanted to pop in today and say Happy Easter ahead of time, dear one. Thank you for studying God's Word with me. 

May the love of God richly dwell in you and me. I hope everyone spends time tomorrow worshiping our Savior, Lord, and King Jesus with other believers.

Oh, how Jesus loves you and me. He gave His life, what more could He give?

In His love,

Linda

Are You Following Jesus Today?

N.T.#768 "Are You Following Jesus Today?"

April 3, 2026 

John 13-Part 10

LET IT GLOW 

Others will know we are followers of Jesus when we love one another. How are we showing others that we love them and Jesus?

What conversation went on between Jesus and Peter, in verses 36-38?

• Jesus told His guys where He was going they could not come. 
• Then Peter asked where Jesus was going.
•  Jesus answered Peter, "Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you shall follow later. "
• Peter asked the Lord why he could not follow Him right then. Peter said he was ready to lay down his life for Jesus' sake.
• Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly, I say to you, a cock shall not crow, until you deny Me three times."

Peter was confident that he was ready to follow Jesus. However, Jesus knew what was going to happen-Peter was going to deny Him 3 times before the rooster crowed. It was as if Jesus poured cold water on this fiery disciple. Jesus wanted Peter to put his pride to death. He was talking a good game, but he wouldn't be able to back it up with action. (18:15-18, 25-27) (Tony Evans)

Are we playing a game at being a Christian? Are we an actor in a play, playing the good guy? Or does Jesus truly have our heart, our life, our soul? Jesus knows all and sees into our heart.

LET IT GROW 

Three years earlier it had been easy for Peter to follow Jesus. He was fascinated with Jesus and didn't need the Holy Spirit to help him do it. Then Peter came to the place where he denied Jesus, and his heart broke. Then, he received the Holy Spirit, and Jesus gave Peter another chance to follow Him faithfully. This follow went from an external following to an internal martyrdom. (John 21:18) Peter died stretched out on a cross upside down.

Peter preached a fantastic sermon on the Day of Pentecost when 3,000 got saved. Jesus forgave Peter of his denial, loved him, and used him in a mighty way to bring others to believe in Jesus. This is my prayer for all who read this blog.

Friend, have you admitted your sins to Jesus, believed Jesus is the Son of God, died on the cross your place, arose from the dead, sits at the right hand of the Father God? Have you asked Jesus to be your Savior and Lord of your life?

Too often we're exactly like Peter. In our minds we envision ourselves as better disciples than we actually are. Pride will cause us to think too highly of ourselves and then fall flat on our faces.

But Jesus...

He loves us, forgives us, cleanses our heart from sins, dusts us off, and uses us again for His glory.

LET IT GO 

of pride, ego, hurts, unforgiveness.

Deny thyself, take up thy cross, and follow Jesus. (Matt. 16:24)

Then you will be living the happy life with purpose-serving God and others.

Love Conquers All

N.T.#767 "Love Conquers All"

April 2, 2026 

John 13-Part 9 

By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another. (verse 35)

LET IT GLOW 

What sets us believers in Jesus apart from unbelievers? How does the world see Christ in His followers? 

When we love one another, other believers, as Jesus loves us:

• then our preeminent mark is that we are disciples of Jesus. 
• Love is how the world notices we are different. 
• It is not an option. 
• It is revolutionary when we love others as much as Christ loved others.
• Such love brings unbelievers to Jesus Christ.
• It keeps believers strong and united in a hostile world.
• Jesus was a living example of love. He loved those rejected by the world. So ought we love others.
• It is a sacrificial love. 

Folks, love is what makes us different. We read about it in 1 Corinthians 13. Are we loving others as Christ loves us? I know, some people need an extra dose of love from us. 

LET IT GROW 

Love is an attitude that reveals itself in action. How can we love others as Jesus loves us?

• Helping when it's not convenient.
• Giving when it hurts.
• Devoting energy to others' welfare rather than our own.
• Absorbing hurts from others without complaining or fighting back.

This kind of love is hard to do. That is why people notice when we do it. They see we are empowered by a supernatural source-God.

LET IT GO 

Help me love those who have hurt me and those who don't deserve my love.

Help me forgive them.

Change my heart so You can love them through me.

Don't give up on those you love, dear one. God can change hearts.

Love

N.T.#766 "Love"

April 1, 2026 

John 13-Part 8 

LET IT GLOW 

Here in the last 5 chapters, we see Jesus giving His farewell discourse. Now we are entering Jesus' final teachings to His disciples. Now with the betrayal set in motion, the events leading up to the crucifixion had begun. 

What was Jesus telling His following group about His future?

• The Son of Man is glorified. (verse 31) 
• God is glorified in Him. 
• Jesus would soon be gone and ascend to God the Father. (verse 33)

Jesus came into the world to offer Himself as a substitutionary atonement and then be raised from the dead. As Jesus glorified God, so we Christians called to do the same. Everything we do-in thought, word, and deed-is to be done for the glory of God. (1 Cor. 10:31)

[Resource: The Tony Evans Bible Commentary]

LET IT GROW 

What was the new commandment which Jesus gave His men and us?

I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 

Guys, love each other because the Jews were about to kill your leader., Me.  Love one another because I will be gone and you will need each other. Support and encourage each other, boys. 

Biblical love is the decision to compassionately, responsibly, and righteously pursue the well-being of another person. Loving someone may or may not have feelings connected to it. Love is a decision to seek another's best, regardless of your feelings.

LET IT GO

Help us love others as You love us, Jesus.

Remind us throughout today.

Betrayal

 N.T.#765 "Betrayal"

 April 1, 2026 

John 13-Part 7 

LET IT GLOW 

Friend, have you been betrayed by a loved one or friend? It hurts like your heart has been cut out and sliced into pieces. Jesus experienced betrayal. Read on.

 Who is it? One in the group who would eat with Christ would betray Him.-Judas. All along Jesus knew who His betrayer was, but the disciples did not.

He quotes Psalm 41:9:

Even my close friend, in whom I trusted,

Who ate my bread,

Has lifted up his heel against Me. 

In the ancient world, to dine with someone was an intimate activity that affirmed mutual trust. It would have been inconceivable to eat with one's enemy. This is what made Judas' actions all more reprehensive. (David Jeremiah)

Which guy in the group was a betrayer? Peter wanted to know if it was him. Not this time, Peter.

It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it. (verse 26)

Then Jesus dipped the bread (probably in oil) and gave it to Judas Iscariot. Satan entered Judas. Jesus told Judas what he was to do, do it quickly. Judas left, went to the religious leaders, bargained the location of Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. 

Judas had been in charge of the money bag for the disciples. They used the money to give funds to the needy and to buy food for the group. 

Whatever Judas was thinking, Satan assumed that Jesus' death would end His mission and thwart God's plan. Jesus' death was the most important part of God's plan all along. 

Will we remain faithful to Jesus forever? Or only when it is convenient to be a follower of Jesus?

LET IT GROW 

Keep in mind that Jesus hand-picked His disciples. 

Although Judas would be turning Jesus over to the authorities, the Son of Man would be glorified because everything remained under the foreknowledge, control, and redemption of a sovereign God. Even the greatest of injustices against God's own cannot prevent His goodness from prevailing. (Romans 8:28)

Jesus found it in His heart to forgive His accusers, those who beat Him, those who drove the nails in His hands and feet. Our sins put Jesus on the cross. Have you asked Him to forgive your sins and be your Savior? His loving, nail-scarred hand is stretched out to you today.

LET IT GO

Forgive our betrayal, Jesus,.

Help us forgive those who betray us.

Heal our hurting hearts and fill us with Your love.

Glory and praise to Jesus. You are our hope, joy, peace, love.