Tag Archives: words of Jesus

Are you a pessimist? (John 21:7-8), May 5, 2017

Today’s Podcast

Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
My daughter calls me a pessimist because I like to plan for contingencies that might happen in the future. But I think we would all like to know a little bit of what will happen next so we can be prepared. Does that make me a pessimist?
Scripture
1. John 21:7-8
2. Jesus: The Father, on His own authority, has determined the ages and epochs of history, but you have not been given this knowledge. Here’s the knowledge you need: you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. And you will be My witnesses, first here in Jerusalem, then beyond to Judea and Samaria, and finally to the farthest places on earth.
Devotional
1. I was putting together some information a few months ago in preparation for things that I hope will never happen to me or my family.
  1. Daughter saw me gathering the information
  2. “Dad, do you consider yourself an optimist or a pessimist?”
  3. Optimist, I like to think I look on the bright side of things
  4. “Then why are you always planning for the worst case?”
2. Good question that made me start thinking about how I approach some of the bigger problems that can confront us in life.
  1. Insurance – life and health
  2. Shelter
  3. Provision for family
  4. How to leave a legacy of values for family
  5. Not a survivalist, but prepare for disasters
3. Some of the thought process comes from military training
  1. Strategic planner during military career
  2. Built plans around contingencies
  3. “What if” thinking to avoid surprises that shook you to inaction
  4. Crossed over to thought process in other things
4. I don’t necessarily see planning for contingencies as pessimism, but…
  1. We can go too far and miss life
  2. Jesus warned early Christians to perform a task instead of trying to guess when He would return
  3. He had a job He wanted them to do
  4. If they spent all of their time planning for the contingency of His return, no one would hear the good news of His power to forgive sins
  5. Enough that God knows the future and will take care of the ages and epochs of history
  6. Enough that God gives us His spirit to enable us to do the work He gives us to do
  7. Enough that we can concentrate on the work at hand and not worry about what comes tomorrow, He has those contingencies covered
5. Knowing the future is already determined and taken care of by the Commander of heavenly armies, how does that make you feel about contingency planning?
  1. The future is in His hands and He has your best in mind.
  2. So are you an optimist or a pessimist about tomorrow?
  3. With Him on your side, how can you be anything but an optimist?
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.

Wishing to be in the other man’s shoes (John 21:22), May 4, 2017

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Music intro
Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Have you ever thought it would be better to be in someone else’s shoes? Be careful what you wish for!
Music intro
You can subscribe to the podcast, send me comments to let me know what you think, and listen to past devotionals at richardagee.com. That’s richardagee.com.
Music intro
Scripture
1. John 21:22
2. Jesus: If I choose for him to remain till I return, what difference will this make to you? You follow Me!
Devotional
1. We sure think the grass is greener on the other side of the fence sometimes, don’t we?
  1. Different job
  2. Different place
  3. Different circumstances
  4. Life would be so much better
  5. Just look at the life of that guy over there compared to what I’m going through right now
2. Big problem with that thinking
  1. We only see what’s on the outside and what his external circumstances allow us to see
  2. Never know the struggles, heartaches, difficulties going on behind closed doors
  3. We all tend to wear smiles in public when we can and put our best foot forward for those around us
3. Example of promotion in the military
  1. Thought it would be nice to be a colonel when I was a lieutenant
    1. Set your own calendar
    2. Driver to get you places
    3. More pay
    4. Secretary
    5. Best seats in every gathering
  2. With every promotion I figured out lieutenant wasn’t so bad
  3. As a colonel
    1. Eight to ten hours of every day spent in meetings or preparing for one
    2. 200-300 emails to answer every day
    3. A ream of paper to go through every day
    4. My secretary made sure my inbox was emptied and all those papers sent to the right place after I reviewed them; she deconflicted meetings so they didn’t overlap
    5. I had a driver so I could read email and talk on the phone while going from one place to another and not waste those precious minutes
    6. Best seats? Only because my eyes are getting bad and those seats are the best targets for all the question and answer sessions from the generals
  4. As a colonel, I knew a lieutenant’s life was great
4. Jesus reminded Peter and us, What difference does it make to you, just serve where you are and follow me.
Music exit
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.”
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Don’t forget the command that goes with the love (John 21:15-19)

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
What was Jesus trying to tell Peter when He ask three times if he loved Him? Did you remember His command each time as well?
Scripture
1. John 21:15-19
2. Jesus: Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these other things?

Simon Peter: Yes, Lord. You know that I love You.

Jesus: Take care of My lambs.

Jesus asked him a second time . . .

Jesus: Simon, son of John, do you love Me?

Simon Peter: Yes, Lord. You must surely know that I love You.

Jesus: Shepherd My sheep.

(for the third time) Simon, son of John, do you love Me?

Peter was hurt because He asked him the same question a third time, “Do you love Me?”

Simon Peter: Lord, You know everything! You know that I love You.

Jesus: Look after My sheep. I tell you the truth: when you were younger, you would dress yourself and go wherever you pleased; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and take you to a place you do not want to go.

Jesus said all this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. After this conversation, Jesus said,

Jesus: Follow Me!

Devotional
1. A lot has been said about why Jesus asked Peter three times whether he loved Him
  1. Three different words to describe love
    1. Like something like you like ice cream or a good movie
    2. Love like brotherly love
    3. Unconditional agape, god-like love
  2. Peter denied Jesus three times so Jesus asked Peter three times for each denial
  3. Peter needed to reach deep into His core to get past the flippant answer we all give to questions most of the time
    1. How are you? Fine
    2. How was your vacation? Great
    3. What can I do for you? Just looking
    4. Do you love me? Of course I do
2. What we often forget is the command Jesus gave Peter that goes along with his declaration
  1. Take care of my sheep
  2. Shepherd my sheep
  3. Look after my sheep
  4. Do the hard work of keeping these fledgling followers encouraged during hard times
  5. Teach them My ways when the world is trying to drive them another way
  6. Give them help when they’re caught in the storms of life
  7. Be their shepherd
3. Jesus is telling Peter the same way James tells us in his letter
  1. Faith without works is dead
  2. Works do not save you
  3. But faith without works is not the faith Jesus wants of His followers, either
  4. Just ask Peter
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.”

Sharing the haul (John 21:10-12), May 2, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
So is Jesus’ invitation about sharing the haul He help bring about or sharing the breakfast He already prepared or teaching His disciples a lesson or what?
Scripture
1. John 21:10-12
2. Jesus (to disciples): Bring some of the fish you just caught.

Simon Peter went back to the boat to unload the fish from the net. He pulled 153 large fish from the net. Despite the number of the fish, the net held without a tear.

Jesus: Come, and join Me for breakfast.

Devotional
1. Peter heard the man call from the shore to throw his nets on the right side of the boat
  1. He wasn’t real sure why that side was any better than the other
  2. Did what the man suggested
  3. Made one of the biggest hauls of his life – 153 large fish
  4. Not sure what constitutes large, but Peter was a fisherman and large would not be something you could hold in the palm of your hand
2. Recognized the command came from Jesus after the fact
  1. Jumped in to meet Him
  2. Didn’t care what others thought of His actions
  3. Didn’t care about the wealth lost in getting to Him
3. Finally felt sorry for his friends and went to help unload the boat
  1. Took time to unload 153 large fish plus whatever else was caught in the nets
  2. Laid them out in the sand to dry
  3. Checked the nets for tears
  4. Hung them up to dry to be ready to go out again
  5. Professional fishermen
4. Bring some of the fish you caught
  1. Share what you have with others
  2. Don’t be greedy with what God has allowed you to gain
  3. Enjoy the fellowship with others as you give generously
  4. Bring some of the fish you caught
5. Breakfast was already roasting on the fire
  1. Brought fish, but fish was already cooking
  2. Abundance came out of sharing
  3. Joy came out of accepting the invitation from Jesus
6. What would have happened if Peter had not paid attention to that man on the beach that day?
  1. Tired, hot, sweaty from a long night’s work
  2. No fish to show for his toil
  3. Would not have met the Master for breakfast
  4. Would not have eaten some of the best fish created, just for him
7. God invites us to share out of the abundance He has given us so that He can invite us to experience even more with Him.
  1. God’s math doesn’t add up in our sense of thinking
  2. But we are not God
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 know your nautical terms? (John 21:5-6), May 1, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
If you’re going to be around sailing men, you need to know a few nautical terms like bow and stern, port and starboard, and a few others just to get around. One today struck me for the first time in some of Jesus’ final words to His disciples.
Scripture
1. John 21:5-6
2. Jesus: My sons, you haven’t caught any fish, have you?

Disciples: No.

Jesus: Throw your net on the starboard side of the boat, and your net will find the fish.

Devotional
1. I’m not much of a naval guy. But having been on a few ships during my some of deployments,
  1. Meetings on a the USNS Comfort and Mercy
  2. Meetings on Flagships
  3. I needed to know a few nautical terms so as not to embarrass myself in front of my Navy brothers and sisters.
  4. Needed to know the difference between port and starboard, bow and stern. Important terms like galley, mess, and head.
2. Both brothers served in the Navy
  1. Also wanted to be able to converse with them
  2. One a submariner for twenty years
  3. One an engineer for six years
  4. All our languages are a little difference, but many commonalities
3. Never thought about what Jesus said until I read it again in The Voice
  1. “Throw your net on the starboard side of the boat…”
  2. The right side of the boat
  3. Not the wrong side
  4. How many times do we beat our heads against the wall because we are hard at work doing the wrong thing?
4. I’ve been guilty of working hard on the wrong thing
  1. Sometimes physical labor
    1. Digging the wrong hole in the ground
    2. Cutting the wrong board
    3. Building the wrong wall
    4. Tearing down the wrong structure
  2. Sometimes mental
    1. Taking the wrong classes
    2. Reading the wrong books
    3. Watching the wrong programs
    4. Listening to the wrong teachers
  3. Sometimes spiritual
    1. Following the wrong guide
    2. Listening to the wrong voice
5. How do we know what the right is?
  1. Get into God’s word
  2. Listen for His voice
  3. Know His voice better than any other
  4. Do what He says when He says it
  5. Do the right thing!
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.”

Why is it so hard to accept the word of others? (John 20:27-29), April 30, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Topic Introduction with headline.
Scripture
1. John 20:27-29
2. Jesus: Reach out and touch Me. See the punctures in My hands; reach out your hand, and put it to My side; leave behind your faithlessness, and believe.

Thomas (filled with emotion): You are the one True God and Lord of my life.

Jesus: Thomas, you have faith because you have seen Me. Blessed are all those who never see Me and yet they still believe.

Devotional
1. My wife gets on to me all the time thinking that I don’t believe her when she tells me something.
  1. Mr Right Brain
  2. Have to work through the logic of her answer
  3. Does it fit the science or math or philosophy or some other discipline I’ve studied?
  4. Does it fit into my personal frame of reference?
  5. Usually agree with her after I’ve logically gone through it, but while I’m on that mental journey, she thinks I don’t believe her
2. A little frustrating for both of us
  1. Can damage a relationship if you don’t understand how the other person processes information
  2. Still strains a relationship at times when she just wants me to stop the logic part of my brain and nod my head
  3. That’s what the other disciples wanted Thomas to do
3. I think I relate to Thomas
  1. The science, math, philosophy, logic of the situation didn’t fit with his experience
  2. Needed to work through his logic to make sense of what they were saying
  3. He wasn’t there to see what they saw and might have eventually put it together
  4. Reviewing Jesus’ miracles
  5. Recalling Jesus’ words
  6. Listening to the stories from those who saw Him
  7. Would have put the logic together and believed but would take time
4. Jesus appeared to cut through the logic and made Himself known immediately
  1. Don’t worry about the science or philosophy or experience
  2. Just believe
  3. Sometimes hard for the right brain people
  4. We need to work on that part of our personalities
  5. Blessed (happy) are those that believe without seeing, without going through all the logic
    1. They won’t be as frustrated
    2. It won’t take them as long to get there
    3. They won’t have to work through the unexplained to believe
    4. They can just take by faith the news they hear from other believers
5. If you’re on the right brain side of the crowd
  1. Let loose a little
  2. Just believe
  3. You’ll be blessed by it

Covered from head to toe (John 20:22-23), April 29, 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 lived or worked in a place that required you to be covered head to toe to protect you from exposure to the elements? Welcome to the world!
Scripture
1. John 20:22-23
2. Jesus: Welcome the Holy Spirit of the living God. You now have the mantle of God’s forgiveness. As you go, you are able to share the life-giving power to forgive sins, or to withhold forgiveness.
Devotional
1. Between my freshman and junior year of college, to earn a little money, I worked in a grocery chain warehouse loading their delivery trucks.
  1. It was hard work, but I didn’t mind it so much.
  2. It kept me in good physical condition
  3. pay wasn’t so bad for a young kid
  4. Negatives were night work, 7 to whenever trucks were loaded
  5. Worked in the freezer
2. I don’t like the cold
  1. Born and raised in Tennessee
  2. Got some snow and few days, maybe a week at a time below freezing
  3. Never liked cold
  4. After serving in Desert Storm, Saudi Arabia, hated cold – anything below 60 degrees
3. In the freezer temperatures at zero or just below
  1. Dry ice in boxes to keep frozen foods cold during transport
  2. dressed from head to toe
    1. Thermals
    2. Freezer coveralls
    3. Gloves
    4. Hat
    5. Mask
  3. Stayed protected from the cold and severe injury
4. When we ask Jesus into our lives He gives us the mantle of God’s forgiveness
  1. I think about the covering I had when working in that freezer
  2. Covered from head to toe with His Spirit
  3. Protected by His forgiveness
  4. Guilt and burden of sin cannot get through
  5. Free from the internal injury sin because His spirit keeps the fiery darts of Satan away from us
5. We underestimate the power of forgiveness
  1. God’s forgiveness to us
  2. Our forgiveness of others
  3. When He forgives us, we have the power to forgive others
  4. His grace and mercy extended to us shows us how to love and how to extend that same grace and mercy to those who wrong us
6. What does forgiveness do?
  1. It takes away the barriers that keep us from loving each other
  2. It tears down the walls in relationships
  3. It stops the negative thinking that builds up about our neighbors
  4. It helps us see others as God sees them, their potential as His children
  5. It helps us love unconditionally
7. Invite Him into your life and be covered by the mantle of His forgiveness
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 does peace mean to you? (John 20:20-21), April 28, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s and you saw peace signs everywhere. Technology brought the Viet Nam War into our living rooms for the first time in history and we heard the daily body count from across the sea. Everyone longed for peace.
Scripture
1. John 20:20-21
2. Jesus: May each one of you be at peace.

As He was speaking, He revealed the wounds in His hands and side. The disciples began to celebrate as it sank in that they were really seeing the Lord.

Jesus: I give you the gift of peace. In the same way the Father sent Me, I am now sending you.

Devotional
1. What does peace mean to you?
  1. There will never be peace between nations.
  2. We can’t even have peace within nations as evidenced by our most recent elections here.
  3. We often can’t achieve peace in our own households as evidenced by divorce rates climbing toward 60%
  4. So what is peace?
2. Definition of peace: 1. freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility. 2.freedom from or the cessation of war or violence.
  1. Is this what Jesus promised His disciples and us?
  2. Freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility?
  3. Slander; persecution; martyrdom
  4. Where is the peace He promised?
3. If looking for peace in regard to our relation to the world, it will never happen
  1. The world hated Him and will hate us
  2. Promised trouble in this world and all who follow Him have found trouble if they share His message or live the life He demands of us
  3. The world opposes us and tries to turn us to their ways
  4. When we don’t they do everything they can to destroy us
4. So what kind of peace did Jesus leave?
  1. Inner peace
  2. Peace with ourselves and with God
  3. Freedom from the guilt that plagues us because of estrangement from God in our wickedness
  4. Doesn’t mean we’re murderers or robbers
    1. Although, Jesus says hate means murder
    2. Coveting, means robbery
    3. Robbing God with our tithes and offerings
  5. All have sinned against God
  6. Failed to honor Him and live the life He wants us to live
  7. We know we need His forgiveness
  8. He gives assurance of forgiveness and peace
5. What can you give in exchange for that peace?
  1. Nothing
  2. Nothing in all the world is worth the peace you can have in knowing your sins are forgiven
  3. Every follower of Jesus who is really all in for Him knows that
  4. His legacy is peace
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.”

We all need mentors, peers, and students? (John 20:17-18), April 27, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Who do you have in your life helping you along the path? We all need certain kinds of people. Jesus’ words today reminded me of that.
Scripture
1. John 20:17
2. Jesus: Mary!

Mary Magdalene (turning to Jesus and speaking in Hebrew): Rabboni, my Teacher!

Jesus: Mary, you cannot hold Me. I must rise above this world to be with My Father, who is also your Father; My God, who is also your God. Go tell this to all My brothers

Devotional
1. We all need three kinds of people in our lives.
  1. Mentors
  2. Peers
  3. People we are mentoring
2. We often try to journey through life on our own
  1. God made us with the need for relationships
  2. All have different gifts
  3. None have enough gifts and talents to make it through life alone
  4. God created us with the need to reach out to others
3. Mary came looking for Jesus’ body
  1. Came with others to carry out the funerary rituals
  2. Knew she couldn’t do it alone
  3. When Jesus met her in the garden and she recognized Him for who He was, she called Him teacher
  4. He was her mentor, learned from Him
  5. We need someone to pull us along – a teacher
4. Go tell this to all My brothers
  1. Mary ran to tell the story
  2. These brothers were Jesus’ friends while He walked with us
  3. His inner circle gave Him strength
  4. They were His confidants
  5. He knew He was God’s son, but considered them His brothers
5. Reached out to all who came to Him to teach, heal, share the message
  1. God’s kingdom is at hand
  2. Believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins
  3. Jesus is the true son of God
  4. He gives freely of His grace and mercy for the asking
  5. He just asks us to follow His ways in return
6. So who is your mentor? Who challenges you along your Christian walk? Who are you helping progressing along the journey as a mentor to them? We all need those three kinds of people in our lives. Take inventory and see how you’re doing.
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.”

Perfectionists never get to perfect, but Jesus did (John 19:30), April 26, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Perfectionists have a hard time determining when they are done with a project. Something always needs a little more work before it’s ready to go public. Not so with the perfect man.
Scripture
1. John 19:30
2. Jesus: It is finished!
Devotional
1. I’m not a terrible artist, but I don’t haven’t painted in a while and when I pick up the hobby, I don’t do it very long at a time.
  1. I have a problem
  2. I start working on a painting and don’t know when to stop
  3. Always one more thing I can do better
  4. Make one more correction
  5. Finally end up with a hodge-podge of corrections that make the whole thing a mess
2. Same with some other hobbies and projects
  1. Want everything to be perfect but can never get there
  2. Never know when to stop and say this is right, this is done
  3. Need it to be just a little better
  4. Need one more thing to make it right
  5. Want things to be a exactly right but in our flawed state we don’t really know what perfect looks like because we’re not perfect
3. Jesus had a job to do
  1. Share the message of God’s love
  2. Tell of the reconciliation He wanted with His highest creation
  3. Came to pay the penalty for the sins we committed
  4. God told us the penalty for sin was blood spilled; death
4. Moses gave the Israelites the laws concerning blood sacrifices to atone for sins
  1. Every year sacrifices made
  2. Scapegoat took on the sins of the community as representation of their repentance
  3. Blood spilled and sacrifice made
5. Jesus came
  1. He became the scapegoat for us
  2. Penalty for sins committed still death; sacrifice; spilling of blood
  3. But the scapegoat was imperfect; had to return every year and do it again
  4. Jesus didn’t sin; His was the blood of man, but a perfect, sinless man
  5. He intervened as man to God and God to man and sacrificed Himself for our sin
  6. The perfect sacrifice spilled His blood to atone for our sins
6. Jesus knew what He came to do
  1. He knew what the outcome was to be
  2. He took all the punishment and abuse we could dish out
  3. With His last breath He lifted His brush from the canvas of humanity’s future
  4. It is finish – a perfect plan of salvation
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.”