Who Are We Serving?

 N.T.#754 "Who Are We Serving?"

March 13, 2026 

John 12-Part 5 

If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me: and where I am, there shall My servant also be; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. (verse 26)

LET IT GLOW

Are we pursuing the worldly and materialistic ways of this life? If so, then we will miss what God wants us to have in the spiritual realm. The natural outflow of a spiritual life is serving and following Christ. (David Jeremiah)

If your life is all about you and finding yourself, you will not find the "you" that you're looking for. To hate your life means not living in a self-centered way but being a servant of others. The one who lives a life of service in the name of the Lord Jesus will be rewarded in this life and in the life to come. To serve the King, we must follow the King. If He serves, we must serve. (Mark 10:45) 

The first responsibility of a follower of Christ is to His people. We are to love those whom He loves and gave Himself for. And if we love and serve sacrificially, the Father promises to honor us with a reward-some of which may come in this life, though most will come in eternity. (Tony Evans)

LET IT GROW 

Are we willing to die if doing so will glorify God?

LET IT GO

May we serve Jesus with a heart given to Him.

Die and Reap a Harvest

N.T.#753 "Die and Reap a Harvest" 

March 12, 2026 

John 12-Part 4

 LET IT GLOW 

When a grin of wheat dies (buried in the ground), it sprouts up nd produces many seeds, fruit. So it is with believers who die to a self-centered life, they experience joy and become fruitful for the kingdom of God. When we do so, we give Jesus control of our lives and we produce fruit from His Spirit. Is that you and me?

He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. (verse 25, KJV)

He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal. (NAS)

These verses use two different words for life in the Greek language. The first two times it appears in this verse uses the word psuche, which refers to one's present existence in this world and exercise of the mind, desires, and will. The third use refers to spiritual life everlasting. 

He owh love his psuche (life now) will lose it, and he who hates his psucche will keep it for zoe. To pursue a psuche life with a materialistic philosophy will cause a person to miss what God wants him or her to have in the spiritual realm. The natural outflow of a zoe life is serving and following Christ.

[Resource: The Jeremiah Study Bible]

Do you want to miss out on what God has for your life by living in the flesh, worldly ways, focused on self? Or do you want to live the extraordinary Christian life with blessings overflowing? Ouch!

I'm not saying this is easy. It is a difficult thing to do, but what a harvest we can reap when we follow Jesus and obey His Word.

LET IT GROW 

What can we glean from those sown seeds?

Seeds which are not sown are alone. The seeds which are sown, die, and in so doing bring forth a harvest. Christ used this to illustrate His death, which will produce a rich spiritual harvest. ((Liberty Bible Commentary)

And Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (Matthew 16:24)

There is our challenge for today, folks. When we die to self and our desires, surrender it all to Jesus, He will bring forth spiritual fruit in our life. Are we willing?

LET T GO 

Change our mind, desires, and will, Father God.

May we surrender our self as a living sacrifice. 

May it be acceptable in Your sight, Lord.

Do You Want to See Jesus?

N.T.#752 "Do You Want to See Jesus?"

March 11, 2026 

John 12-Part 3 

LET IT GLOW 

Jesus came into Jerusalem riding not on a king's decorated horse, but humbly on a donkey never ridden before. His people laid down palm branches and clothing, shouting "Hosanna!" It means save us. They believed the Messiah had come on His triumphal entry. No longer was Jesus a visiting worshiper, but claimed to be their King. 

As a result, the loyalty of people shifted away from the Pharisees and onto Jesus. (verse 19) There were some Greeks that came to worship at the feast. Some Greeks had become Jewish faith. They may have gone to Philip because he was a Jew and he had a Jewish a Greek name. 

They asked to see Jesus when they approached Philip:

Sir, we would see Jesus. (verse 21)

It would have been something for the group of Greeks to say they had seen and had some conversation with Jesus. Do we feel our conversations with Jesus is valued? 

Do we speak to Jesus throughout our day? 

LET IT GROW 

The hour had come when the Son of man should be glorified. (verse 23)

What a picture of the necessary sacrifice Jesus was about to make for all people. Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it will produce a great crop. Also, it yields many more seeds. 

Jesus used that event to show He must die for the penalty of our sins so we don't have to pay it. He has power over death and gives eternal life to believers in Him. Jesus is our substitutionary atonement for sinners like you and me. 

Have you trusted in Jesus for your eternal life?

LET IT GO

Oh what a Savior!

Isn't He wonderful!

Sing His praises today.

Thank You Jesus for enduring so much for us sinners.

The King is Coming!

N.T.#752 " The King is Coming!"

March 10, 2026

John 12-Part 2 

LET IT GLOW 

What extravagant gift have we given Jesus lately?

Mary poured extravagant perfumed oil upon Jesus' feet and wiped it with her hair. What ans expression of her complete love and devotion for the Savior. She anticipated His death. 

Lazarus had become a phenomenon since Christ raised him from the dead. He was on the religious leaders' hit list along with Jesus. It was because so many had believed in Christ after observing what He had done for Lazarus.

The next day folks heard Jesus was in town for the feast. What did they do? 

Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet Him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. (verse 13)

Jesus rode on a donkey into Jerusalem, as predicted by Zechariah 9:9, He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 

Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Messiah and Savior, the Son of the Living God. do you know Him today, my friend? Do your family and friends know Jesus as their Savior? He is coming again to reign as King on the earth. Are you ready

LET IT GROW 

The disciples did not understand these things until after the ascension of Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit, who called these things to remembrance.  (verses 16; 14:26)

Are there things Jesus has done in your l life? Have you praised Him for it?

LET IT GO

                               ... and praise the Lord Jesus for all He has done for you.

                               ... of pride and share that He is your Savior.

An Extravagant Gift

N.T.#751 "An Extravagant Gift"

March 9, 2026 

John 12 

LET IT GLOW 

There are 4 parts to this chapter:

1. The anointing of Jesus (verses 1-11)
2. The Triumphal Entry (verses 12-19)
3. The Greeks seek Christ (verses 20-36)
4. The Jews reject Christ (verses 37-50)

[Resource: Liberty Bible Commentary]

The setting was 6 days before Passover, in Bethany, at the house of Simon the healed leper. Maybe it was a Saturday evening. Martha was serving a meal designed to thank the Lord for what He had done for Lazarus and Simon. (verses 1-2) Lazarus was dining with his friends and sister. 

What did sister Mary bring with her? 

She brought an expensive gift for Jesus-a pound of perfumed oil in an alabaster box. It was a very costly perfume imported from India. It was worth a year's wages for a worker then. Picture the Lord and disciples were reclining at a table, feet extended away from it, making it possible for Mary to easily anoint Jesus' feet. 

What did Mary do with her gift? 

She anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair.

Why would she do this? 

It was an act of love and devotion to the Lord. She had such a grateful heart to the Lord for giving her brother Lazarus a new live, raising his from the dead. Do you feel Mary's humble devotion and love for her Lord Jesus?

The first step in preparing a body for burial was to rinse with water and anoint with perfumed oil. Mary illustrated this for what was ahead for Jesus.

Matthew Henry describes Mary's love as generous, condescending, and believing love. Her faith in Jesus as Messiah, the Christ, and the Anointed One. It was her act of worship to her Lord.

What compassion and gratitude we feel in this room. 

Other Scriptures recording this event is found in Matthew 26 and Mark 14.

LET IT GROW 

Simon's house was filled with this expensive perfumed oil. Yet, some did not appreciate such an extravagant sacrifice for Jesus. Ole Mr. Money Bag, Judas suggested the oil could have been sold for money to give the poor. Really? He wasn't concerned about the poor. He had been sealing form the money-bag for some time. Adding 300 denarii into the piggy bank would have provided more cash in Judas' pocket. To Judas it was a waste, but to Mary it was worship. What a contrast of hearts.

Jesus stood up for Mary. Her act of love was done as an anointing for the death of Christ. They didn't always have Christ with them, for He was soon going to die for such people as Judas.

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.  (Ephesians 5:2)

In the Greek, sweetsmelling refers to a fragrance; savour is a lawyer.

Do we pour on Jesus love overflowing, giving Him our heart and serving Him with our best?

LET IT GO 

Help us give what costs us as a sacrifice to You, Precious Jesus.

May Your love overflow through us to others today.

The Plot Thickens

N.T.# 750 "The Plot Thickens"

March 6, 2026 

John 11-Part 7 

LET IT GLOW

Jesus must die so Israel could live? The religious leaders were afraid of the Romans, who ruled their government. Better for one man to die as a traitor than everyone die. That was their thinking. Caiaphas determined Jesus must die so that the nation will live. Little did he realize that was so. The Sanhedrin formally decided to kill Christ. Knowing this plan, Christ removed Himself from the public view. (verses 53-54) The leaders made it clear that anyone who saw Christ should report it, that they might take him. (verse 57)

LET IT GROW 

Would Jesus show up for the Passover Feast around the city of Jerusalem.? There were informants throughout the city of Jerusalem. Boy, would He ever make an entrance! You just wait, Jews, the King of kings is coming to you.

Is Jesus coming to you, dear one? 

LET IT GO 

Let go of fear and trust our Heavenly Father.

Surrender to His will.

Listen to His Spirit and enjoy His presence.

God Uses Evil for Our Good

N.T.#749 "God Uses Evil for Our Good"

March 5, 2026 

John 11-Part 6 

LET IT GLOW 

Why should Jesus die? He was a great teacher and performed miracles. Apparently, when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, that was enough for the Jewish leaders. They couldn't let him continue to stray Jews to His group. 

What were the results of this miracle?

1. Many believed on Jesus. 
2. Some went back to Jerusalem to report this incident to the leaders.
3. The Sanhedrin became angry and were afraid that if people continued to follow Christ, the Romans would think the Jews were planning a rebellion and would take their leaders into captivity. (Liberty Bible Commentary)

So the Jewish leaders did not rejoice with Lazarus' family or the community. They worried about how Jesus' rising prominence would affect their power. Personal status and ambition can often blind people to truth, to God's work, and to the need for gratitude. (The Jeremiah Study Bible)

LET IT GROW 

Shall we take a look at Tony Evan's perspective on this situation:

*Caiaphas the high priest had a solution. It was better for 1 man to die than a whole nation. (verse 5)

* Actually, Caiaphas prophesied. He was thinking on the physical realm, but foretold a spiritual reality. Jesus would die for Israel. (verse 51) 

*Not only for Israel, but for the Gentiles, you and me, did Jesus die. So they plotted to kill Him. (verse 53) 

*What they planned for evil, God planned for good. (Gen. 50:20)

As a result, Jesus left this area and no more walked openly among the Jews. (verse 34) He and His disciples went to Ephriam. We know Jesus was eventually killed, yet no one took His life, for He willingly layed it down for you and me.

LET IT GO 

Thank You Jesus for providing salvation for us sinners; for taking our punishment for our sins.

Glory to God!