Tag Archives: words of Jesus

Effective prayer (John 11:39-42), March 14, 2017

Today’s Podcast

Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Is silent prayer effective? Yep. Is vocal prayer effective? Yep. Is prayer effective? Yep. When it’s for the right reason.
Scripture
1. John 11:39-42
2. Jesus: Remove the stone.

Martha: Lord, he has been dead four days; the stench will be unbearable.

Jesus: Remember, I told you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God.

They removed the stone, and Jesus lifted His eyes toward heaven.

Jesus: Father, I am grateful that You have heard Me. I know that You are always listening, but I proclaim it loudly so that everyone here will believe You have sent Me.

Devotional
1. I know people that are scared to death to pray out loud.
  1. They are afraid they’ll say the wrong thing.
  2. They think someone might think poorly of them because of the words they say.
  3. They get their tongues tied and nothing seems to come out right
  4. They’re afraid they’ll forget something they really want to say
2. I know others who think you really need to pray out loud to keep focused during prayer
  1. It’s too easy to let your mind wander
  2. It’s easier to gather your thoughts
  3. It helps you articulate your praise to God
  4. It helps you focus on others instead of yourself
  5. It forces you to think more clearly about what you’re doing
3. Jesus shows us that prayer is effective no matter how we pray as long as it’s for the right reason.
  1. “Father, I’m grateful You have heard Me.”
  2. But He hasn’t said anything out loud yet. He has obviously prayed, but communicated silently with His Father.
  3. “I know You are always listening”
  4. “I proclaim it loudly so that everyone here will believe You have sent Me.”
  5. His vocal prayer is heard so others will know His specific prayer to the Father for Lazarus’ resurrection
4. What was all of this about?
  1. Everything Jesus did was to bring glory to God
  2. He stated before He left for Bethany that His delay and actions would bring glory to His Father
  3. All His prayer requests sought direction to give the most glory to God
  4. His actions aimed glory to God and not Himself
5. Jesus came to Bethany to bring glory to His Father
  1. He would raise Lazarus from the dead
  2. He would show He was one with the Father since only God had the power to give life
  3. He would point all of those action toward one purpose and one cause
  4. Bringing glory to His Father
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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Can you believe? (John 11:23-26), March 13, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Sometimes the things people say are just really hard to believe. Can you imagine what it was like for Mary and Martha when Jesus asked them to believe we truly never die?
Scripture
1. John 11:23-26
2. Jesus: Your brother will rise to life.

Martha: I know. He will rise again when everyone is resurrected on the last day.

Jesus: I am the resurrection and the source of all life; those who believe in Me will live even in death. Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never truly die. Do you believe this?

Devotional
1. Some people try everything they can to cheat death.
  1. Trillion dollar industries
  2. Cosmetics
  3. Exercise regiments
  4. Vitamins
  5. Cryonics
2. Imagine when Mary and Martha heard these words for the first time
  1. “Believe in Me and live”
  2. “All who believe will have life everlasting”
  3. Easy until looking death in the face
  4. “Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never truly die”
  5. “Do you believe this?”
3. Two different major sects among mainstream Jews
  1. Pharisees believed in resurrection after death
  2. Sadducees believed death was final and there was no resurrection
  3. Listened to Jesus and believed what He said, believed there was a judgment and resurrection
  4. Couldn’t put together the thought of moving between the two
  5. Couldn’t think about His power over death
4. Still the question hung in the air
  1. Do you believe everyone who lives and believes in Me will never truly die?
  2. Mary and Martha watched their brother take his last breath
  3. They washed his body and wrapped it in linen clothes filled with spices
  4. They put their brother in a tomb four days earlier
  5. He will never truly die? What do you call what happened?
5. We have 2,000 years of testimony from people who have lived the assurance of Jesus’ message.
  1. Still we have trouble believing
  2. Yet Mary and Martha voiced the words and took Jesus to the tomb with the expectation of Jesus doing something spectacular for their brother
  3. If they could believe that we never truly die when we believe in Him, without having knowledge of His resurrection, don’t you think we should be able to believe
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.”

Personality of a specialist (John 11:14-15), March 12, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
I’ve heard a lot of reports of people with cancer, heart problems, strokes, all kinds of maladies in the last few weeks and I’ve heard families complain sometimes about the specialist caring for their loved one. Rough bedside manner. No people skills. Don’t seem to care. I’ll let you in on a secret in just a minute.
Scripture
1. John 11:14-15
2. Jesus: Lazarus is dead, and I am grateful for your sakes that I was not there when he died. Now you will see and believe. Gather yourselves, and let’s go to him.
Devotional
1. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but in the medical world, there seems to be an inverse relationship between bedside manner and perfection of subspecialty skills.
  1. Brilliant people with exceptional medical knowledge and skill
  2. Can diagnose and treat when no one else seems to be able to
  3. Knows exactly what to do and wonders why no one else can see the problem
  4. Horrible bedside manner
    1. Matter of fact
    2. No social skill
    3. Blunt without emotion or feeling
  5. But they’re good, maybe the best
  6. Perhaps okay to put up with lack of social skill when they are the best at their craft
2. Jesus sounds a lot like that when He talks to the disciples in this passage.
  1. Lazarus is dead
  2. For your sakes
  3. Grateful I wasn’t there when He died
  4. Don’t cry.
  5. Let’s go
3. Knowing Jesus is the best at what He does, don’t always expect Him to be all soft and squishy with you
  1. Sometimes needs to tell it like it is
  2. Sometimes needs to just cut to the chase and let you have the news you need to hear
  3. Sometimes needs to have no bedside manner to get your attention so you can heal best
  4. Great Physician
    1. Physically
    2. Mentally
    3. Spiritually – only He can save us from our sins
  5. He’s the specialist, it’s okay for Him to get rough with us sometimes
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.”

Jesus has some weird ways to think about sleep (John 11:9-11), March 11, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Jesus makes us think about sleep in some ways you might have never thought about sleep before. Some may even think it a little weird.
Scripture
1. John 11:9-11
2. Jesus: There are 12 hours of daylight, correct? If anyone walks in the day, that person does not stumble because he or she sees the light of the world. If anyone walks at night, he will trip and fall because he does not have the light within. (Jesus briefly pauses.) Our friend Lazarus has gone to sleep, so I will go to awaken him.
Devotional
1. I wish I could face the reality of death as easily as Jesus did. Of course, He knows the other side of that curtain and we don’t. He tells us about it. We hear reports of near death experiences from some, but we really don’t know what lies on the other side of the grave until we actually go through that process. I don’t know about you, but I’m not anxious to go through it.
  1. Not necessarily afraid of death
  2. But not anxious to go through it to face that unknown
2. Lazarus experience help us face that unknown better
  1. Just sleeps
  2. Waiting to wake up
    1. Most wake up on the other side of this life
    2. He woke up again on this side
3. Sleep is the time our bodies heal
  1. Minds organize the day through dream process
  2. Cells work their hardest to repair the damage done through the day
  3. Empties themselves of toxins and sends them to the liver and kidneys
  4. Body mends and prepares for the next day
4. Jesus looked to the tomb and saw something besides decay and death and finality
  1. He saw life and vitality
  2. He saw joy and renewal and continued relationship
  3. He saw beyond the grief of the moment and looked into the future where He would receive His friends in heaven
5. We all need sleep in this life and Jesus knows we will sleep before we move into the next one
  1. He did not call it death because He doesn’t want us to fear it
  2. He wants those who believe in Him to recognize it for what it is, transition from one state of life to another
  3. When we follow Him we don’t need to fear death
  4. It will be like Lazarus experienced and Jesus described
  5. “Our friend Lazarus has gone to sleep, so I will go to awaken him.”
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.”

Only one purpose (John 11:4), March 10, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Why do you ask God for the petitions you raise to Him? Jesus had only one purpose for every request. You know what it was?
Scripture
1. John 11:4
2. Jesus: His sickness will not end in his death but will bring great glory to God. As these events unfold, the Son of God will be exalted.
Devotional
1. Wouldn’t it be nice to go into every hospital room and announce these words to every family member of every patient there? Wouldn’t that bring joy to your heart to tell everyone on their deathbed because of cancer or some traumatic injury or heart attack or stroke that they would get up from their bed and have a rich full life?
  1. Our world doesn’t work that way very often
  2. Sickness often ends in death
  3. Graveyards attest to the finality of this life
  4. We are all destined to die
  5. Even Lazarus went back to a tomb one day
2. Medicine has gotten better
  1. Life has been extended
  2. Life expectancy reaches toward centennial years
  3. A few decades ago, 60 was old
  4. Social security set at 65 because government didn’t expect to have to pay very long when it was established. Average life span was 67.
3. Jesus had something else in mind
  1. Wanted those around Him to know He had power over death
  2. Wasn’t the first time
  3. Centurion’s daughter
  4. Widow’s son in Cain
  5. None had been dead four days
  6. Practice was to bury the dead within 24 hours
4. Lazarus would have already begun to decay and smell in the heat of the middle east, even closed away in a cave
5. Shows us anything is possible for God, He is the creator of life
  1. He can take it and He can give it
  2. He did the same with His own life, yesterday’s words, no one can take it from Him, He willingly gives it up and has the authority to do so
  3. But not for show
  4. Not as some circus act
6. Why do we ask for the impossible?
  1. Do we do it for ourselves
  2. Do we ask for our convenience or because of our grief
  3. Do we ask so that God will be glorified
7. Jesus’ sole purpose was to glorify His Father and delayed His coming to Mary and Martha so that God would be glorified and for no other reason. He loved them and Lazarus.
  1. Didn’t want to see them grieve
  2. Didn’t want to see their pain and anguish
  3. Wanted to glorify His Father more, though
8. What is your motivation for the petitions you raise to 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.”

Go figure; I’m convinced (John 34-38), March 9, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
I don’t know if probability was a science in Jesus’ day, but it sure gives us something to think about today.
Scripture
1. John 10:34-38
2. Jesus: You know what is written in the Scriptures. Doesn’t it read, “I said, you are gods”? If the Scriptures called your ancestors (mere mortals) gods to whom the word of God came—and the Scriptures cannot be set aside— what should you call One who is unique, sanctified by and sent from the Father into the world? I have said, “I am God’s Son.” How can you call that blasphemy? By all means, do not believe in Me, if I am not doing the things of the Father. But examine My actions, and you will see that My work is the work of the Father. Regardless of whether you believe in Me—believe the miracles. Then you will know that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father.
Devotional
1. I don’t know when you last saw a hundred dollar bill, I don’t see them very often anymore with all the electronic transactions we do now days, but a few decades ago, they were pretty common. The problem with hundred dollar bills a few decades ago, though, they were not common enough that people could tell the real thing from the counterfeit.
  1. Good engravers, good parchment, good ink
  2. Public could be fooled
  3. Bank tellers handled enough they knew the difference quickly
2. Started putting security strips in every denomination $5 and larger beginning in 1990
  1. Tried to thwart counterfeiters
  2. Micro-engraving around portraits
  3. Green-black ink in numbers seen at different angles
  4. Polyester strips with denomination printed on it
  5. Counterfeits look real enough, but when put to the test, they fail
3. Jesus told those around Him to put Him to the test
  1. Scriptures supported His claims
  2. Tasks performed in the name of the Father supported His claims
  3. Miracles supported His claims
  4. Examine Him the same way you examine a US bill and you’ll see He meets all the requirements
  5. Nothing is missing when stacked against all the criteria of who the Messiah is supposed to be and what He is supposed to do
  6. What exactly are the odds? Professor of mathematics Peter Stoner gave 600 students a math probability problem that would determine the odds for one person fulfilling eight specific prophecies. (This is not the same as flipping a coin eight times in a row and getting heads each time.) First the students calculated the odds of one person fulfilling all the conditions of one specific prophecy, such as being betrayed by a friend for 30 pieces of silver. Then the students did their best to estimate the odds for all of the eight prophecies combined.
  7. The students calculated that the odds against one person fulfilling all eight prophecies are astronomical-one in ten to the 21st power (1021). To illustrate that number, Stoner gave the following example: “First, blanket the entire Earth land mass with silver dollars 120 feet high. Second, specially mark one of those dollars and randomly bury it. Third, ask a person to travel the Earth and select the marked dollar, while blindfolded, from the trillions of other dollars.”¹
4. Is Jesus who He says He is? That’s the odds of only fulfilling 8 of the sixty He fulfilled, so get your pencil and go figure. I’m convinced!
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.”

Reality video of your life (John 10:32), March 8, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Are you ready to let someone follow you around with video cameras to make a real-time movie of your whole life? Believe it or not, it’s already being done. God knows it all.
Scripture
1. John 10:32
2. Jesus: I have performed many beautiful works before you in the name of the Father. Which of these can be judged as an offense that merits My execution?
Devotional
1. If you could put any part of your life on a video and let the world see it, what would it be?
  1. Would it be some great accomplishment that brought you acclaim?
  2. Would it be the day you received some promotion that made you proud?
  3. Would it be some special event like your wedding day or the birth of your children?
  4. Would it be some kind act you did for someone you love? Or something you did for a complete stranger even?
  5. What would you put on that video of your life?
2. Now the opposite question. What would you want to keep off of that video of your life if you could?
  1. The hidden sin you don’t want anyone to know about?
  2. The unkind words to friends or family because you didn’t get your way or were frustrated or angry at the outcome of some situation?
  3. Your reaction because you didn’t get that recognition or promotion you thought you deserved?
  4. The time you gave that kind service to someone and received nothing but criticism and harsh words in return?
3. The thing I like about Jesus’ words in this story is that His life was an open book to all who walked with Him and He asks us to be the same.
  1. Paul said to imitate his life and you’ll find Jesus because he was imitating Christ.
  2. Live a life worthy of imitation
  3. Live without worry of exposure
  4. No such thing as private and public life anymore, everything is exposed thanks to electronic media
4. Live life openly for others to see
  1. Keeps from becoming something we are not
  2. Vulnerable but without pride or pretense
  3. Show our weakness and causes us to rely on Go and on each other
  4. Forces us to trust Him and others more than ever before
5. Jesus lived in such a way He could ask, “Which of these beautiful works I’ve performed at the direction of my Father can be judged as an offense that merits My execution?”
  1. The answer is none.
  2. We cannot say that until He has forgive us and tossed our sins away. Frankly, we might still suffer consequences for the wrongs we have made against our fellow man, but God will throw those thoughts into the sea never to remember them against us again when we ask repentantly for His forgiveness.
  3. We can then, with His help do as He asked the adulteress to do, “Go and avoid the sins that plague you.” Stay away from those temptations. Stay out of the areas that you know will cause you to fall. Keep away from the things that Satan will use against you. Lean on Him for His protection against the evil one.
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 fear of public speaking (John 10:25-30), March 7, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
So what’s the greatest fear you face? Many say it’s speaking in front of a crowd. I’m not so sure that’s right, though.
Scripture
1. John 10:25-30
2. Jesus: I have told you, and you do not believe. The works I am doing in My Father’s name tell the truth about Me. You do not listen; you lack faith because you are not My sheep. My sheep respond as they hear My voice; I know them intimately, and they follow Me. I give them a life that is unceasing, and death will not have the last word. Nothing or no one can steal them from My hand. My Father has given the flock to Me, and He is superior to all beings and things. No one is powerful enough to snatch the flock from My Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.
Devotional
1. Studies say that people are more afraid of speaking in front of a crowd than they are of dying.
  1. Might be true until people actually face death
  2. We really don’t know what lies beyond that last breath, that last heartbeat
  3. Something inside us tells us there is more than just the few years we have in these mortal bodies
  4. We want to have assurances of the next step after we pass from this life to whatever we face next
2. Some want us to think there is nothing beyond this life
  1. Our heart tells us that is not true
  2. God’s word tells us it’s not true, too
  3. If we listen to Him we can find out something about what is next
  4. He tells us something of heaven
  5. Feast with Him
  6. No darkness, God is light
3. We only get there through Him
  1. Some don’t want to believe that either
  2. Everything people try to disprove turns out to be right in God’s word
  3. Why would we think Jesus’ words about the way to God to be any different?
  4. Listen to what He has to say
  5. Pay attention to the sound of His voice in your heart and do what He says
  6. Ignore the other voices that vie for your attention and focus on the words Jesus tells you
  7. He is the Good Shepherd and takes care of His sheep. He will do what is best for those under His care. That means us if you have accepted Him as the Lord of your life
4. Death doesn’t have to be the most frightening thing you face. Let speaking in front of a crowd scare you more than anything else. He will walk with us through that shadow that separates us from the next step that takes us into 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.”

Our real hero (John 10:11-18), March 6, 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 10:11-18
2. Jesus: I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep in His care. The hired hand is not like the shepherd caring for His own sheep. When a wolf attacks, snatching and scattering the sheep, he runs for his life, leaving them defenseless. The hired hand runs because he works only for wages and does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know My sheep, and My sheep know Me. As the Father knows Me, I know the Father; I will give My life for the sheep. There are many more sheep than you can see here, and I will bring them as well. They will hear My voice, and the flock will be united. One flock. One shepherd. The Father loves Me because I am willing to lay down My life—but I will take it up again. My life cannot be taken away by anybody else; I am giving it of My own free will. My authority allows Me to give My life and to take it again. All this has been commanded by My Father.
Devotional
1. These words remind me of the many Congressional Medal of Honor recipients I’ve been privileged to meet.
  1. Director for officer training in the Army Medical Department
  2. Chief of Staff of Army’s schoolhouse for medics
  3. Medal of Honor speakers
  4. Stories were usually the same
  5. Anyone would have done the same, fought for their fellow soldiers and didn’t think about the danger they were facing
  6. Just doing their job
2. Most awards of the Congressional Medal of Honor are presented to family members posthumously.
  1. Service member died saving the lives of his or her teammates.
  2. Every one I’ve seen suffered severe injury in the course of duty in earning the right to wear the medal
  3. All ready to give their life for their team in the face of the enemy
  4. Only 3,440 people awarded the medal (19 double awards) of the roughly 57 million who have served throughout America’s 240 year history
3. That’s 0.006% of the people who have served. Not many.
  1. Speaks of Paul’s thought that not many are willing to give their life for a friend
  2. Jesus gave His life for us while we were still God’s enemies, sinners, living apart from Him in disobedience
  3. Many Medal of Honor recipients tell me they were just at the wrong place at the wrong time and just did what their training taught them to do
  4. Jesus gave Himself willingly to save us from certain destruction at the hand of Satan
4. So to whom should we pledge our allegiance? Don’t you think He deserves our thanks, our praise, and our devotion?
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 wolf and the shepherd (John 10:7-10), March 5, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
I don’t know if you’re a fan of Aesop’s Fables, but Jesus’ words today remind me of “The Fox and the Shepherd.” Stick around and find out why.
Scripture
1. John 10:7-10
2. Jesus: I tell you the truth: I am the gate of the sheep. All who approached the sheep before Me came as thieves and robbers, and the sheep did not listen to their voices. I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be liberated, will go in and go out, and will find pastures. The thief approaches with malicious intent, looking to steal, slaughter, and destroy; I came to give life with joy and abundance.
Devotional
1. Aesop gave us a lot of pithy little stories to help us remember some life lessons. Most adhere to the same moral codes God asks of us. “The Fox and the Shepherd” reminds me of how Satan stands by ready to pounce. The story goes like this:
2. A wolf hung about near a flock of sheep for a long time, but made no attempt to molest them. The shepherd at first kept a sharp eye on him, for he naturally thought he meant mischief. But as time went by and the wolf showed no inclination to meddle with the flock, he began to look upon him more as a protector than as an enemy; and when one day some errand took him to the city, he felt no uneasiness at leaving the wolf with the sheep. But as soon as his back was turned the wolf attacked them and killed the greater number. When the shepherd returned and saw the havoc he had wrought, he cried, “It serves me right for trusting my flock to a wolf.”
  1. Clearly, Jesus isn’t the shepherd in this story
  2. He guards us if we let Him
  3. But the world want to break in and rob us of everything good and holy
3. When we talk about the wolf being at the door, this is the picture I often see
  1. Not a growling, aggressive, ready to kill everything at first sight animal
  2. But a patient predator waiting for the right moment
  3. Waiting for us to let our guard down so he can enter our lives with the right temptations to cause us to fall
  4. As soon as we let our guard down the wolf pounces
  5. Looks and acts like a protector, but at the first opportunity, death awaits
4. Jesus reminds us He is the shepherd at the gate and if anyone tries into come into the fold by any means other than through Him, they are a robber and a thief.
  1. Satan wants to get his hands on us and destroy us just like the wolf in Aesop’s tale. But Jesus is ever vigilant. God will never leave us or forsake us.
  2. We can trust Him as the Good Shepherd to always be on at the gate helping us through this journey, protecting us from the evil one when we let Him.
5. Aesop can teach us a few things, but Jesus can teach us a lot more if we will listen to Him. Try Him out for a while and you’ll see
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.”