23 April: Famous Last Words

Whenever someone’s about to die, it’s their last words that should really be pondered. Today’s chapter is one of comfort in preparation for saying goodbye…

READ JOHN 14  Make notes, if you’d like, of what stands out for you. Feel free to use the “Leave a Comment” box below to also write some of your thoughts.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

After attending several funerals recently, I’m wondering how many of us really think through our “end-by-date” and exit plan. In this chapter, Jesus is fully aware that His hour has come. The reason is not because He’ll be betrayed, arrested, abandoned without defence witnesses, tried without a lawyer and crucified (illegally under Roman Law) without being charged with a crime that warranted the death penalty. The real reason was to go ahead, prepare the way, and bring us to a place that our Maker has for us to go.[a]  So then, in His “famous last words”, Jesus uses His last minutes to explaining to His closest friends what’s next. [v1-4]

Trust and Obey
Trust and Obey

To do this, He spends what time He has, explaining His relationship with the Father who sent Him [v7-14; 28,31]; who the Holy Spirit is [v16-17]; and how our relationship with our Maker will be connected now through His Holy Spirit – once Jesus had successfully done what He came to do. [v18-21; 25-26] Not fully understanding what was going on, His disciples only knew that something big was about to happened and that Jesus was leaving them. So, in fulfilment of Isaiah Chapter 40, Jesus focuses on comforting His people. [v1,27]  The message is simple: Trust and Obey. [v14-15; 21; 23-24, 26]

Read More? …CLICK on “23 April – Additional Notes”

But what about your thoughts – can you tell me what today’s “breadcrumb” is? Leave a note in the “Comments” box below to tell me what you think of today’s chapter.

Wanting to connect with the Master Planner? The rest of this webpage uses Jesus’ own prayer to help…[b]

THE LORD’S PRAYER: 

   1.   Praise: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your Kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven …”

All Your works shall give thanks to You, O Lord. Your godly ones shall bless You. They’ll speak of the glory of Your kingdom and talk of Your power. [Psalm 145:10-11]

   2.   Ask: “…Give us today our daily bread…”

  • The World: Pray for the people of Taiwan[c]
  • Your Country: International Students
  • Yourself: Renewal of your mind
  • Your concerns for today
You’ve bared Your Holy Arm in the sight of all the nations, Lord. You did this so that all the ends of the earth may see the salvation of our God. [Isaiah 52:10]

   3.   Admit: “…Forgive us our sin as we forgive those who sin against us…”

You’ve dealt with me according to my righteousness, Father God, and the cleanness of my hands You’ve rewarded me. For I’ve kept Your ways and I’m not guilty of turning from You. [2 Samuel 22:21-22]

   4.   Protect: “…Lead us not into temptation but delivers us from evil.”

You’ve not given me a spirit of cowardice, O Lord, but of power, love and sound judgement. [2 Timothy 1:7]

“For Yours Lord is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory now and forever. Amen!”

When Jesus was questioned, tested, tricked or in His hour of great need, He always spoke things that were previously written in God’s Word.[d] Following these memory verses from ten topics, will help you learn 52 verses from the bible in a year! THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE: An Assured Future

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life, has set us free from the law of sin and death. [Romans 8:1-2]

[a] Exodus 23:20 (Referenced against John 14:1-6)

[b] Matthew 6:5-15

[c] http://www.operationworld.org/node/151

[d] Matthew 4:4,6,7,10; 11:10; 21:13; and 26:24,31

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *