Tag Archives: abandonment

Be careful what you promise (John 13:36-38), March 25, 2017

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Today’s Podcast


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  1. Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
  2. Have you ever made a promise you really intended to keep, but them just crumbled under the enormity of the task? I have to admit, I have more times than I’d like to remember, actually. Peter did it, too.
  3. Scripture
    1. John 13:36-38
    2. Simon Peter:  Lord, where are You going?

Jesus: Peter, you cannot come with Me now, but later you will join Me.

Peter:  Why can’t I go now? I’ll give my life for You!

Jesus:  Will you really give your life for Me? I tell you the truth: you will deny Me three times before the rooster crows.

  1. Devotional
    1. Have you ever made a promise you really intended to keep, but them just crumbled under the enormity of the task?
      1. I have accepted a few tasks that I really wanted to complete
      2. Promised a completion date
      3. Promised high quality
      4. Had to go back and beg for more time or relinquish control of the project completely
      5. Just not able to do it
      6. Overcommitted
      7. Beyond my capability
    2. Peter promised to stay with Jesus forever to support Him and protect Him
      1. Really wanted to
      2. Had every intention of fulfilling His promise
      3. Then the soldiers came in the middle of the night
      4. Judas betrayed their Master
      5. Arrested Jesus to take Him to trial and crucifixion
    3. Peter stood for a moment with sword in hand
      1. Cut off the high priest’s servant’s ear
      2. Jesus put it back and made it new
      3. Peter dropped his sword
      4. Ran rather than be arrested
    4. Peter didn’t want to deny Him
      1. Meant every word
      2. Meant to stand up to the enemy
      3. Meant to stay faithful to the end
      4. Couldn’t take the pressure of feeling alone
      5. All the other disciples fled, too
    5. Peter tried to keep his promise but crumbled under the load
    6. Jesus knows our weaknesses,
      1. Still He forgives
      2. Strengthens
      3. Lifts us
      4. Calls us to follow Him
  2. If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved. In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Visibly distressed (John 13:21-27), March 23, 2017

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Today’s Podcast


Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

 

  1. Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
  2. How much did it hurt when your friend hurt you by saying or doing something that you didn’t expect. Imagine what it would feel like if they did it and you knew it was going to happen.
  3. Scripture
    1. John 13:21-27
    2. Jesus was becoming visibly distressed.

Jesus: I tell you the truth: one of you will betray Me.

The disciples began to stare at one another, wondering who was the unfaithful disciple.  One disciple in particular, who was loved by Jesus, reclined next to Him at the table.  Peter motioned to the disciple at Jesus’ side.

Peter (to the beloved disciple): Find out who the betrayer is.

Beloved Disciple (leaning in to Jesus):  Lord, who is it?

Jesus:  I will dip a piece of bread in My cup and give it to the one who will betray Me.

He dipped one piece in the cup and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.  After this occurred, Satan entered into Judas.

Jesus (to Judas): Make haste, and do what you are going to do.

  1. Devotional
    1. We’ve all been hurt by a friend at some time or other or we haven’t lived.
      1. It’s the way of relationships in a broken world
      2. Misinterpret actions or words
      3. See things from our broken past instead of God’s perfect lens even if Christian brothers and sisters
      4. Marred by the consequences of past sins and the brokenness of this world
    2. Probably never expected the hurt or betrayal, though
      1. We expect our relationships to be good
      2. We expect encouragement and support from friends
      3. We expect our friends never to stab us in the back or give us up to our enemies
    3. Now put yourself in Jesus’ place
      1. Betrayed by His friend and abandoned by the rest
      2. But knew about it ahead of time
      3. Inspired the prophets to write about it centuries before He came to earth
      4. Lived with the reality every day
      5. Had to eat this last meal with His betrayer knowing what would happen next
    4. Jesus was becoming visibly distressed! No kidding!
      1. Had a human side
      2. We all need others to lean on
      3. They were about to desert Him and one would betray Him
      4. He knew it all and it was coming in just hours
      5. His physical, mental, and spiritual agony was about to begin
    5. We cannot begin to understand the stress Jesus felt
      1. But we can thank Him for His sacrifice
      2. We can praise Him for what He did for us
      3. We can follow Him when He calls
      4. We can love Him because He loves us more than we can know
  2. If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved. In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.