Category: Spiritual

John 14:15-17 NKJV, AMP

Jesus continued His final teaching to His disciples before His death: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (v.15). What a powerful statement! It contains two key principles of Christianity – loving Him and keeping His commandments. How often have we said, “Love is action?” Well, Jesus was saying to His disciples that they are expected to show their love for Him. Consider, God created man in His own image to be in relationship with Him to bring Him glory by faithfully living a life of righteousness. Therefore, Jesus stated that His disciples’ love for Him is based on the condition of their obedience to His commandments. The NKJV note on v.15 says: “Genuine love for Jesus results in genuine obedience.” 1 John 5:3 says: “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.”

Jesus was soon to depart from earth, but He continued teaching His disciples, telling them they will not be left alone. He promised them the Father will give them another helper that will always be with them. What an expression of love! He taught (AMP): “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever— (v.16) the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you” (v.17).

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”

John 14:12-14 NKJV

This passage is part of Jesus’ final teaching to His twelve disciples. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (v.12). The phrase “Most assuredly, I say to you,”stresses that what Jesus is teaching is truth. He promised them that all who have faith in Him will do the works that He did during His earthly ministry. Also, He prophesied that they would do greater works than these he will do because He was returning to His Father. His Holy Spirit will come to live in every believer. This will give believers power to live a life of obedience and faith, and their works will have a greater reach than Christ’s earthly works, according to God’s purpose. 

Jesus continued instructing His disciples: “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (v.13). Prayer is not a passing thought for believers; the idiomatic expression “Little prayer, little power, much prayer, much power” reminds us of that. Jesus declared to His disciples that prayer has power and purpose. The power is Jesus’ promise to answer their prayers when done in His name. The purpose is Jesus’ promise that by answering their prayers in His name, the Father may be glorified in the Son. His teaching reinforced that if you ask anything in His name, He will do it (v.14). Remember, prayers done in Jesus’ name are according to God’s will and purpose.  

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”

James 5:5-6 Contemporary English Version

The Bible declares that God is owner of the earth, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Man is the crown jewel of His creation and desires to possess material wealth. Having wealth is not forbidden; however, we are commanded to have no other gods before Him. Since everything we have belongs to God, He does expect His children to be responsible stewards of how wealth is used because “no man can serve two masters.” Either we use wealth to honor God and serve others or selfishly store it up, making it an idol that is treasured over God.  

To show the seriousness of misusing wealth, Jesus spoke to the unrighteous rich: “But woe (judgment is coming) to you who are rich [and place your faith in possessions while remaining spiritually impoverished], for you are [already] receiving your comfort in full [and there is nothing left to be awarded to you]” (Luke 6:24 AMP). No matter what your spiritual condition is or how little or great your wealth is, whether you acknowledge it or not, you do need the Lord. He is our Creator and Providence; we are called by Him to fulfill His purpose in our lives. So, in every aspect of our lives we are to  trust and depend on Him and not our riches.

Those evil rich men who oppress others are warned: ^“While here on earth, you have thought only of filling your own stomachs and having a good time. But now you are like fat cattle on their way to be butchered” (v.5). “You have condemned and murdered innocent people, who couldn’t even fight back” (v.6).

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”

James 5:1-2

Believers have the assurance that in every aspect of their lives, God will supply all their needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19 ). They are reminded that God has given them power to get wealth and all other blessings (Deut. 8:18). Yet, riches are not just for personal gain only but to serve others and fulfill God’s covenant promises made to our forefathers. God’s people are stewards of both material and spiritual blessings and are to obey Him, having the assurance that promises given will be fulfilled. 

Here in James 1 the Apostle issued an urgent warning, sharply condemning the unrighteous rich who oppressed the poor, telling them to come now;  listen and take quick action. Those “who lack true faith and hoard and misuse the resources” of which they have been blessed are commanded to repent of their unjust treatment and lack of compassion for the poor and less fortunate. James prophesied that the rich oppressors should “weep and howl for the miseries they will suffer as a result of their coming judgments.”

“Your wealth has rotted and is ruined, and your [fine] clothes have become moth-eaten” (v.2). It is clear that God doesn’t want us to selfishly hoard earthly riches; they can lead to spiritual decay and give us a false sense of trust. Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters. You cannot serve both God and riches” (Matt. 6:24). God is jealous and command that we have no other gods before Him; He requires our wholehearted loyalty. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21). Wait patiently for God will judge the rich oppressors.

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”

Matthew 6:20 -21 NKJV

When God created humanity, it was for His glory and the fulfillment of His purpose; therefore, nothing else should come before Him. Exodus 20:5 tells us that God is the Lord thy God and He is a jealous God. He is not partial to His creation; His love for mankind is unconditional. Even though, we are often selfish in our thoughts, words, and actions, God’s plan is to redeem us from sin. Do we deserve redemption? We do not, but because of God’s grace and mercy; each person is called to live their life in harmony with Christ Jesus, purposefully reflecting their trust in God’s provision. 

In the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-6), Jesus taught His disciples to seek first His kingdom and righteousness and trust Him for food, drink, and clothes. Jesus warned them against trusting in and worrying about earthly riches because they have no eternal value. He encouraged His disciples in Matt. 6:20 -21 NKJV: “²⁰ But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” “²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Jesus wants believers to focus their hearts on His kingdom of spiritual treasures rather than worrying about earthly riches that are temporary. “God has given us power to get wealth” (Deut. 8:18a), but He does not expect His children to selfishly hoard what He has given them. They are not to forget Him and fail to bless others. He commands believers to lay up for themselves heavenly treasures that provide eternal blessings in Christ.

Today, lift your voice and give God glory!