Tag Archives: words of Jesus

Have you ever been to a diamond mine? (John 5:41-47), February 2, 2017

Today’s Podcast

Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
When you find a diamond in the field, it’s not such a thing of beauty. So why does everyone want diamonds in the first place?
Scripture
1. John 5:41-47
2. This kind of glory does not come from mortal men. And I see that you do not possess the love of God. I have pursued you, coming here in My Father’s name, and you have turned Me away. If someone else were to approach you with a different set of credentials, you would welcome him. That’s why it is hard to see how true faith is even possible for you: you are consumed by the approval of other men, longing to look good in their eyes; and yet you disregard the approval of the one true God. Don’t worry that I might bring you up on charges before My Father. Moses is your accuser even though you’ve put your hope in him because if you believed what Moses had to say, then you would believe in Me because he wrote about Me. But if you ignore Moses and the deeper meaning of his writings, then how will you ever believe what I have to say?
Devotional
1. I don’t know if you’ve ever been to a diamond mine or any place where you can find raw gems in the ground, but it is a fascinating experience. The first time you go there, you might expect to see something very different that what you will really see
  1. Expect to see shiny, glimmering, jewels
  2. Really find lots of dirt and a few rare off colored dull pieces of something
  3. Might think it is broken, discarded glass
2. Jeweler sees something different
  1. Sees potential after polishing and cutting
  2. Studies the stone for hours before first cut is made
  3. Angles facets just right to capture light throughout the stone and cause it to reflect within itself adding brilliance to the stone
  4. Dull misshapen piece of rock becomes a flawless, priceless jewel after much study, careful work, long hours
3. Same way with scripture
  1. Might just see a bunch of rules and laws from Moses and the prophets
  2. Dos and don’ts we must keep
  3. Study, careful work, long hours brings out the beauty and richness of God’s word
  4. Helps us capture the inner beauty of what He wants us to know about Him
4. Aim to please men and we’re left with just lumps of dirt, aim to please God but put no effort in it and we have those dull bits of colored rock, give our all to Him and work tirelessly to please Him and we find diamonds in life each day
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.

Mistaken identity (John 5:36-40), February 1, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Have you ever seen a celebrity in a restaurant or out of character and not recognized them at first. What was your reaction? Did you finally wake up and believe it was them or blow it off and miss the chance to meet them?
Scripture
1. John 5:36-40
2. Jesus: There’s another witness standing in My corner who is greater than John or any other man. The mission that brings Me here, and the things I am called to do, demonstrate the authenticity of My calling which comes directly from the Father. In the act of sending Me, the Father has endorsed Me. None of you really knows the Father. You have never heard His voice or seen His profile. His word does not abide in you because you do not believe in the One sent by the Father.

Here you are scouring through the Scriptures, hoping that you will find eternal life among a pile of scrolls. What you don’t seem to understand is that the Scriptures point to Me. Here I am with you, and still you reject the truth contained in the law and prophets by refusing to come to Me so that you can have life.

Devotional
1. Growing up in Nashville
  1. Not uncommon to see country-western singers around town
  2. Treated like ordinary people with special talents instead of flocked by camera hounds
  3. Often would eat at a restaurant and overhear a fan talking about them
  4. Walk up to the table and be unrecognized
  5. Sometimes the fan would argue about identity
2. Star gives evidence of identity with information
  1. Birth statistics
  2. Favorite foods, color, songs
  3. Others might agree with identity
  4. Fan still skeptical
3. Might even sing to show fan that he is who he says
4. Jesus felt the same way
  1. John testified as to His identity
  2. Father testified with voice at baptism and descending of the dove
  3. Scripture testifies of His identity
  4. Still some refuse to believe He is the One sent by the Father, the Messiah
5. When a fan refuses to believe a singer or celebrity is not who they claim to be, they miss out on meeting a popular person; when we refuse to believe Jesus is the Messiah, the savior of the world, we miss out on eternity
6. Maybe we should be a little less skeptical and start listening to the evidence around us
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.”

You have a commission, so what does that mean? (John 5:30-35), January 31, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
A commission is an important document. It gives the holder the authority to act on behalf of the one who issues the commission. How does that affect us as followers of Christ?
Scripture
1. John 5:30-35
2. Jesus: I have not ever acted, and will not in the future act, on My own. I listen to the directions of the One who sent Me and act on these divine instructions. For this reason, My judgment is always fair and never self-serving. I’m committed to pursuing God’s agenda and not My own.

If I stand as the lone witness to My true identity, then I can be dismissed as a liar. But if you listen, you will hear another testify about Me, and I know what He says about Me is genuine and true. You sent messengers to John, and he told the truth to everyone who would listen. Still his message about Me originated in heaven, not in mortal man. I am telling you these things for one reason—so that you might be rescued. The voice of John the Baptist, the wandering prophet, is like a light in the darkness; and for a time, you took great joy and pleasure in the light he offered.

Devotional
1. In May of 1976, I raised my hand and took an oath of office as an officer in the United States Army accepting a commission issued by Congress.
  1. I serve to support and defend the constitution against all enemies
  2. I serve at the pleasure of the President of the United States
  3. The commission is for life, it doesn’t expire, and remains in effect unless withdrawn by an authority appointed by the President
  4. The commission gives the scope and boundaries of my authority as an officer in the United States Army representing the President and the United States as I fulfilled the responsibilities outlined in that document
  5. I proudly served on active duty for thirty years and continue to support my country under the authority and responsibility of that commission
2. Jesus had a commission from the Father while He breathed the air we breathe and stood on the dirt on which we stand
  1. Came to save that which was lost
  2. Came to be light to the world
  3. Came to heal and forgive
  4. Came to show the Father’s love
  5. Came to give a new covenant
  6. Came to introduce God’s spirit
3. Gave His followers a commission before He left to ascend to His Father
  1. Go
  2. Make disciples
  3. Teach them
  4. Do the things He did
  5. Live within the boundaries of the commission He gave
4. How are you doing with the commission God gave you? Are you living up to the terms of the commission He presented to you? Only you and God know the answer, but He will ask the question one day.
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.”

What would this place be life if Adam had obeyed God? (John 5:25-29), January 30, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Have you ever thought about what our world would be like if Adam and Eve had not disobeyed God. What would this place be like if Adam carried out God’s plan from the beginning?
Scripture
1. John 5:25-29
2. Jesus: I tell you the truth: a new day is imminent—in fact, it has arrived—when the voice of the Son of God will penetrate death’s domain, and everyone who hears will live. You see, the Father radiates with life; and He also animates the Son of God with the same life-giving beauty and power to exercise judgment over all of creation. Indeed, the Son of God is also the Son of Man. If this sounds amazing to you, what is even more amazing is that when the time comes, those buried long ago will hear His voice through all the rocks, sod, and soil and step out of decay into resurrection. When this hour arrives, those who did good will be resurrected to life, and those who did evil will be resurrected to judgment.
Devotional
1. That phrase in Jesus’ words today, “the Father radiates with life; and He also animates the Son of God with the same life-giving beauty and power to exercise judgment over all of creation”… made me think about those opening questions today.
  1. What if Adam had not disobeyed?
  2. What would our world be like?
  3. What did God really want from humankind?
2. The Father radiates with life
  1. Triune Godhead present at creation
  2. Created life, not death
  3. Death entered the cosmos as a consequence of man’s disobedience, not God’s creative act
  4. Intends for us to live, not die
3. The voice of God penetrates even dead, inanimate objects, death’s domain, to restore life
  1. Think about how seeds burst from the ground using nutrients from dead and decayed plants and animals
  2. Life comes from death by a creative act of the Father
4. Jesus talks about an amazing time to come, though
  1. He will return
  2. The dead will be resurrected
  3. The good to life
  4. The evil to judgment
5. God never intended for us to die. That was our doing through disobedience. But God’s plan is to restore those who believe in His restorative plan. Those who will follow Him and worship Him will be restored to life eternally. It’s our choice to believe or not. What’s your choice today?
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.”

Do you fear death? (John 5:24), January 29, 2017

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Today’s Podcast

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Do you fear death? I’ve seen too much death in my lifetime, but I’ve seen those who are incredibly afraid of death and those who accept it as just the passage from life to life with no fear in their countenance at all. What’s the difference in them? Stick around and we’ll talk about it.
Scripture
1. John 5:24
2. Jesus: I tell you the truth: eternal life belongs to those who hear My voice and believe in the One who sent Me. These people have no reason to fear judgment because they have already left death and entered life.
Devotional
1. A few years ago I was suffering from some physical symptoms that scared my wife pretty bad. I couldn’t walk more than thirty or forty feet without stopping to suck in all the air around me. I just couldn’t get enough air to satisfy the needs of my body.
  1. Check for asthma
  2. Check for pulmonary edema or other lung problems
  3. Check for cardiac problems
  4. Check for neurological problems
  5. Found nothing except I couldn’t get enough oxygen
2. Family feared for me
  1. Several mechanical problems to be labeled as a disabled veteran
  2. Nothing life threatening
  3. Now I couldn’t get enough oxygen to pass into my blood to satisfy my body
3. For me, no fear, overwhelming peace
  1. Knew the status of my heart
  2. Knew my destination
  3. Knew the next step if i took my last breath
  4. Pain but comfort in pain
4. Eternal life belongs to those who hear My voice and believe in the One who sent Me. These people have no reason to fear judgment because they have already left death and entered life.
  1. Did I want to die
  2. Too much left to do and see
  3. Not anxious to get to the other side
  4. But not afraid of death
5. Good feeling to know death is not as frightening an experience as Satan tries to get us to believe.
  1. A lot of unknown
  2. Watch the faces of believers and non-believers
  3. Peace versus fear and anguish
  4. Personal experience from what should have been frightening experiences
  5. Death approaching is okay when God’s spirit is in you
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 games children play (John 5:22-23), January 28, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
I love to watch children play games. They seldom care about the rules that come in the box. They just make up the rules as they go along and change them to suit themselves if it looks like new rules will benefit them. We’re a lot like that as adults sometimes, too. Perhaps we should consider Jesus words when we apply those rules to life, though..
Scripture
1. John 5:22-23
2. Jesus: The Father does not exert His power to judge anyone. Instead, He has given the authority as Judge to the Son. So all of creation will honor and worship the Son as they do the Father. If you do not honor the Son, then you dishonor the Father who sent Him.
Devotional
1. Children have a tendency to make up their own rules when they play games. Have you ever noticed that?
  1. Board games with grandkids
  2. Discard the rules quickly
  3. Make up rules that will help them win
  4. Change the rules in the middle of the game to suit them
2. We try to do that in life
  1. Rules are given to us by God in His word
  2. We discard them quickly or don’t pay attention to them just like my grandkids with their board games
  3. Try to make up our own rules or change God’s rules to suit us
  4. Creates a problem
3. Imagine baseball or football game where there is no referee or the referee changes the rules at a whim
  1. Create chaos on the field
  2. Rules provide order and direction and guidance in games and life
  3. In sports the referee is the judge for obedience to the rules
  4. In life, we set up courts with judges and juries to determine obedience to our civil laws
4. God gives us some civil laws to live by, but His word is primarily focused on our spiritual well being
  1. Relationship with each other
  2. Relationship with Him
  3. We will be judged based on the spiritual rules He has established and given to us in His word
  4. Jesus, His Son, God in the flesh, has been appointed as our judge
  5. Since He is our judge, it pays to learn and obey His rules
  6. You wouldn’t play college football without reading and understanding the rules, why do we think it’s okay to go through life without doing the same in matters so much more important, things with eternal consequences
5. It’s time we pick up that spiritual manual God has given us. Read it again and again. Get familiar with the things He expects us to do as we journey through this game of life. Then practice those things daily. He is the referee and will be our judge at the end of time. Knowing that, don’t you think it’s time to live by His rules instead of making them up as we go along?
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.”

What is in store for us next? (John 5:19-21), January 27, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
We are amazed at all the things Jesus did during the few years He walked the earth in the flesh. But He said some incredible things about what will happen next. Listen to His words to His disciples and us.
Scripture
1. John 5:19-21
2. Jesus: The truth is that the Son does nothing on His own; all these actions are led by the Father. The Son watches the Father closely and then mimics the work of the Father. The Father loves the Son, so He does not hide His actions. Instead, He shows Him everything, and the things not yet revealed by the Father will dumbfound you. The Father can give life to those who are dead; in the same way, the Son can give the gift of life to those He chooses.
Devotional
1. I remember a smoking cessation commercial many years ago that said a lot about kids behavior.
  1. Man washing his car
  2. Pre-school aged son mimicking with rag and squirt gun
  3. Dad takes a break to take a smoke
  4. Son picks up the pack from his dad’s shirt pocket and pulls out a cigarette
  5. Warning from the surgeon general
2. Children mimic their parents
  1. It’s how they learn most of their skills
    1. Fishing
    2. Camping
    3. Tools
  2. It’s how they learn good and bad behavior
    1. Previous illustration
    2. Helping others
    3. Kind gestures (Christmas picture)
  3. It’s how they learn about relationships
  4. It’s how they learn about God
3. Jesus tells us the Father does not hide His actions from His Son, but shows Him everything.
  1. Miracles performed are just a taste of what’s in store
  2. Healing the sick
  3. Feeding the hungry
  4. Raising the dead
  5. Forgiving sins
  6. Giving us His spirit to live in us
4. The things not yet revealed by the Father will dumbfound you.
  1. Can you imagine what they might be after all we have seen today?
  2. God’s word is still true!
  3. I can’t wait to see what is in store for us at the hand of the Father can you?
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.”

One person sows, and another reaps (John 4:32-38), January 26, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
“One person sows, and another reaps.” It seems no matter how hard we try, someone else gets the credit and the profit for the work we do. Is that fair? Listen to what Jesus has to say.
Scripture
1. John 4:32-38
2. Jesus: I have food to eat that you know nothing about.

Disciples (to one another): Is it possible someone else has brought Him food while we were away?

Jesus: I receive My nourishment by serving the will of the Father who sent Me and completing His work. You have heard others say, “Be patient; we have four more months to wait until the crops are ready for the harvest.” I say, take a closer look and you will see that the fields are ripe and ready for the harvest. The harvester is collecting his pay, harvesting fruit ripe for eternal life. So even now, he and the sower are celebrating their fortune. The saying may be old, but it is true: “One person sows, and another reaps.” I sent you to harvest where you have not labored; someone else took the time to plant and cultivate, and you feast on the fruit of their labor.

Devotional
1. It just doesn’t seem fair, does it? You do the work and someone else reaps the benefit. We sometimes feel that way with the companies we work for or the when we purchase big ticket items and think about the profits the companies must be making and in all sorts of situations. But we need to stop and remember Jesus’ words. The saying is old, but it is true.
2. God made it that way
  1. One person sows and another reaps is true in more cases than you think and part of being in a community
  2. He made us interdependent
  3. Each of us have different skills and talents
  4. Stop and think about what it means for us today
3. One sows another reaps
  1. You drive a car you probably didn’t make
  2. You eat food you probably didn’t grow
  3. You eat meat you probably didn’t raise
  4. You wear clothes you probably didn’t make
  5. You sit on chairs and eat at tables you didn’t construct
  6. Think of the things you enjoy you had no part in creating
4. One person sowing and another reaping is the nature of life
  1. Jesus uses the example to talk about the harvest of people ready to be introduced to the kingdom of God
  2. We Satan sneak in feelings of jealousy about someone else’s reaping
  3. When we think about the nature of sowing and reaping in everyday life our attitude changes
5. Remember the story of sowing and reaping and be happy you live in community with others so you don’t have to create everything yourself. You can enjoy the efforts of others and they can enjoy your efforts as well.

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.”

Would bringing back blue laws help? (John 4:21-26), January 25, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Do you remember blue laws? If you’re younger than 50, probably not. We don’t have many if any blue laws around anymore, but maybe we should. Maybe we wouldn’t be in the pickle we’re in today with our worship. Listen and find out why.
Scripture
1. John 4:21-26
2. Jesus: Woman, I tell you that neither is so. Believe this: a new day is coming—in fact, it’s already here—when the importance will not be placed on the time and place of worship but on the truthful hearts of worshipers. You worship what you don’t know while we worship what we do know, for God’s salvation is coming through the Jews. The Father is spirit, and He is seeking followers whose worship is sourced in truth and deeply spiritual as well. Regardless of whether you are in Jerusalem or on this mountain, if you do not seek the Father, then you do not worship.

Woman: These mysteries will be made clear by He who is promised, the Anointed One.

Jesus: The Anointed is speaking to you. I am the One you have been looking for.

Devotional
1. I’m not sure, but I think the largest segment of the population today are the baby boomers. Generations before us, families were larger, but they have now passed on our parents started worrying about population growth, being able to send us to college and provide for all us baby boomer kids in the suburbs, and so our families tended to begin to curb those population swells. The Gen-Xers and Millennials seldom have more than two kids and many have no kids, so the baby boomers are the big chunk in the US anyway. So what’s that got to do with today’s scripture?
2. Greatest Generation and their children
  1. Raised with societal norms of Christian standards in this country
  2. Church every Sunday
  3. Blue laws
  4. Nothing open on Sunday
3. Baby Boomers became interested in money
  1. Relaxed and abolished blue laws
  2. Worship anytime or anywhere
  3. Sports took center stage on Sunday afternoon instead of family
  4. Christian values were no longer the norm
4. Today
  1. No worship tolerated
  2. 24 hour operations the norm
  3. Christian values viewed as hate speech
  4. Cesspool of sex, drugs, and violence everywhere you turn
5. Jesus’ words come back to haunt us today because we have lost our way in worship and following what He wants us to do.
  1. It doesn’t matter where or when we worship
  2. but…The Father is spirit, and He is seeking followers whose worship is sourced in truth and deeply spiritual as well. Regardless of whether you are in Jerusalem or on this mountain, if you do not seek the Father, then you do not worship.
  3. When we let the world dictate our norms and leave Him out, we run the risk of losing our eternal life

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.”

Give a fish or teach to fish, what does that have to do with Jesus? (John 4:8-20), January 24, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. I’m sure you’ve heard that saying many times. That old piece of wisdom popped into my head as I read Jesus’ words today. Let me tell you why.
Scripture
1. John 4:8-18
2. Jesus: Would you draw water, and give Me a drink?

Woman: I cannot believe that You, a Jew, would associate with me, a Samaritan woman; much less ask me to give You a drink.

Jews, you see, have no dealings with Samaritans.

Jesus: You don’t know the gift of God or who is asking you for a drink of this water from Jacob’s well. Because if you did, you would have asked Him for something greater; and He would have given you the living water.

Woman: Sir, You sit by this deep well a thirsty man without a bucket in sight. Where does this living water come from? Are You claiming superiority to our father Jacob who labored long and hard to dig and maintain this well so that he could share clean water with his sons, grandchildren, and cattle?

Jesus: Drink this water, and your thirst is quenched only for a moment. You must return to this well again and again. I offer water that will become a wellspring within you that gives life throughout eternity. You will never be thirsty again.

Woman: Please, Sir, give me some of this water, so I’ll never be thirsty and never again have to make the trip to this well.

Jesus: Then bring your husband to Me.

Woman: I do not have a husband.

Jesus: Technically you are telling the truth. But you have had five husbands and are currently living with a man you are not married to.

Devotional
1. So, you’ve heard the old sage’s wisdom many times in your lifetime, I’m sure. “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
  1. Simple logic when you think about it
  2. Fill his belly once yourself or teach him to fill it every day on his own
  3. Too many times we are satisfied with giving someone a fish instead of teaching him to fish
2. Why is it so easy to feed instead of teach?
  1. Takes much more time
  2. Must invest yourself in the person’s life
  3. Must understand their strengths and limitations
  4. You must know how to do it in the first place
3. Why would Jesus’ words bring me to these thoughts today?
  1. God-sized hole in each of us
  2. Easy to try to fill it with worldly pleasure; like giving a person a fish, it doesn’t last
  3. Jesus wants us to dig deep into His word
  4. Study what He tells us
  5. Put it into practice
  6. Learning from God how to fill that God-sized hole His way satisfies for eternity
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.”