Who Were Jesus' Friends?.....By Meg Bucher

 Who Were Jesus' Friends?

By Meg Bucher

“You are my friends, if you do what I command.” (John 15:14)

It’s important to consider what friendship meant in Bible times. The NKJV Chronological Study Bible Notes say, “In the Roman world, a ‘friend’ was often a political ally who owed one a favor, or a more powerful patron on whom one could depend.”

But we don’t often think of the friends of Jesus as political allies or business acquaintances. Jesus took a concept familiar to those that surrounded Him at the time, and redefined what it meant to be a friend. “Jesus is our model for love… If believers obey His command to love, they enjoy the intimacy of His friendship. Friendship… is not a once-for-all gift, but develops as the result of obeying Jesus’ command to love” (NKJV Study Bible).

The Twelve
“Here are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (also called Peter), then Andrew (Peter’s brother), James (son of Zebedee), John (James’s brother), Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew (the tax collector), James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus.” (Matthew 10:2-3)

The apostles held no qualifications to be apprentices of the Savior of the world. They were average men at best. But Jesus saw something in them, as He does in us, unknown even to them. They left everything to follow Him, and with that simple step of obedience, He molded them into fishers of men.

The Big Three
Scripture reveals a lot about Jesus’ friendships with Peter, James, and John. James and John were brothers, and the three of them had been called to follow Christ while out fishing on John’s father’s boat. (Luke 5:1-11)

These three were present for miracles that the others were not. Jesus specifically brings only those three along with him to Jarius’ house, where He raised his daughter from the dead. “He allowed no one to go with Him but Peter and James and John.” (Mark 5:37) They were also taken up the mountain for the miraculous transfiguration of Jesus. “Jesus took with Him Peter and James and his brother John.” (Matthew 17:1)

They all turned out to be leaders of the early church. Though we are all followers of Jesus, not all are called to lead the founding of churches and write Gospel accounts. Perhaps Jesus took the extra care to personalize their apprenticeship, knowing what lay ahead for them.

The One Jesus Loved
The Apostle John referred to himself as “the one Jesus loved” (John 14:13). But John’s loyalty as a friend to Jesus surpassed his speech. He was there for Him in the Garden, and the only one of the 12 at the foot of the cross.

“When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Dear woman, here is your son, and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on this disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:26-27)

He was called just like the other 12, and witnessed miracles alongside the big three. John, however, was the only apostle that wasn’t martyred. He was given the vision that we study in the book of Revelation. John wrote something particularly touching about Jesus at the foot washing at the Last Supper: “Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.” (John 13:1b)

Perhaps John was the most eloquent with words, among his other gifts. Though we get a very matter of fact view of the Gospel account from Mark, John wrote a palpable picture of what it felt to like to be close to Jesus… an important quality to embrace and understand as we seek our own friendship with Him.

The Throne of Grace.....Craig Denison Ministries

 The Throne of Grace

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

Grace is a gift most of us don’t know how to receive. We’ve been so inundated with the earthly systems of give-and-get and work-and-earn that grace is a concept few ever fully grasp. Yet it’s grace alone that has the power to transform lives. Grace alone has the power to bring freedom to the captives. By grace alone we are saved. There could be no better use of our time than consistently and passionately pursuing a greater revelation of God’s grace.

Scripture:“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

Devotional:

What do you picture in your mind’s eye when I talk about God sitting on his throne? I always picture a massive throne with tiny little me staring up at a distant face feeling about the size of God’s pinky toe. The idea of a throne makes God seem too large to be near to me, as if he was too big to notice me.

There is Scripture that speaks about how large and majestic God is on his throne, to be sure! Isaiah 6:1 says, “In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.” And Revelation 20:11 says, “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.”

Seemingly in contrast to the previous ideas, Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” After reading Hebrews 4:16, I get a completely different picture of God on his throne. Hebrews paints for us a picture of a throne of grace rather than a distant ruler. It speaks of a throne from which comes mercy and help for those in need. And it commands us to come before the throne of the King of Kings, Creator and Ruler of all, with confidence. Hebrews 4:16 makes me love how huge God is on his throne because the bigger he is, the more grace and mercy there is.

Your God is full of both power and compassion. His presence brings both fear and grace. He is a God whose voice both commands obedience and is full of the richest kind of love. And he is beckoning you to draw near to him today so that he can offer you grace, mercy, and help.

James 4:8 tells us, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” The same God whose robe fills the temple longs for you as his child to simply get wrapped up in his arms.You can boldly come before the Lord of Lords and tell him all of your needs. David understood this when he wrote in Psalm 40:17, “As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!” And Jesus teaches us in Matthew 7:7-11:

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

So where do you need God’s help today? Where do you need his mercy and grace in your life? Know that he is not a God who is distant but one who is closer than your own heartbeat. He’s a God who knows all and is full of love and mercy. He’s a Father who gives the best gifts to his children. Whatever you have need of today, come before the throne of grace and boldly ask for it. If you hunger for righteousness, you will be satisfied. If you need provision, God has promised to take care of your every need. Your heavenly Father loves you and longs to bless you with every good and perfect gift.

Guided Prayer:

1. Renew your mind to God’s incredible gift of grace.

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

2. Ask God for whatever need you have. What do you have need of? Where do you need God’s help?

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:7-11

3. Come before the throne of God with confidence and receive the help he desires to give you. Draw near to him, and let his presence satisfy your need for love, forgiveness, and attention.

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8

Whenever you need help today you can run with confidence to your heavenly Father’s throne room. Take time throughout your day and ask for his help. If the enemy attacks with temptation, come before the throne of grace and allow God to satisfy you. If you come up against a wall, ask God to show you how to conquer it! He is with you always, and he longs to help you in his limitless grace and love for you. Don’t live your life today as if God wasn’t right there with you. Seek his help in every situation and follow his leadership in whatever way he provides it.

Extended Reading: Hebrews 4

Experiencing God’s Presence in Unexpected Places.....MEREDITH HOUSTON CARR

 Experiencing God’s Presence in Unexpected Places

MEREDITH HOUSTON CARR

“And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the LORD by saying, ‘Is the LORD among us or not?’” Exodus 17:7 (ESV)

I’d read accounts of Yosemite National Park’s beauty, but seeing it for myself felt electrifying. With eyes wide, I tried to absorb the grandeur set before me. The massive rock formation El Capitan rose high into a cerulean sky, its monstrous granite face basking in the sun. The waters of Bridalveil Fall roared with authority, and the peak known as Half Dome stretched upward, shrouding itself in clouds.

All this splendor made it clear: God’s presence lives among this land, His fingerprint evident on every breathtaking peak. And yet my heart struggled to reconcile how a God who created such majesty could let crushing heartache into my family.

Just before this trip, my son received a diagnosis identifying special needs that would change his life and my family’s life forever. We found ourselves thrust onto a hard road we neither anticipated nor desired. It felt like God was asking me to scale one of these peaks with no equipment, and I couldn’t help but wonder, God, are You here with me? Have You forgotten about us?

Maybe you’re asking the same questions. In your marriage, family, work or health, you struggle to see evidence of God’s activity. As you wipe away endless tears, you may wonder if He’s with you — and if He truly has your best interests in mind.

In Exodus, we read about the Israelites, who also struggled to believe God was with them. They’d seen God perform miracles on their behalf, from parting the Red Sea (Exodus 14) to sending daily bread from heaven. (Exodus 16) But at every bump in the road, they wrestled with believing God was on their side.

Exodus 17 details how the Israelites became overwhelmed with a need for water as they wandered in the desert. Instead of trusting God to provide, they broke out in a full-on, panicked meltdown:

“And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the LORD by saying, ‘Is the LORD among us or not?’” (Exodus 17:7).

In response, God told Moses to strike a rock — and in another supernatural display, fresh water gushed out! Like in every crisis before, God came through.

Yet instead of memorializing God’s provision, this place would symbolize the people’s Massah (testing) and Meribah (quarreling). In hindsight, we see how the Israelites succumbed to panic: God’s provision didn’t arrive in the way they expected. So instead of firmly fixing their eyes on God, they focused on the lack of an oasis or watering hole or well. And in this posture, their minds couldn’t fathom that a lifeless rock could provide what they needed.

But God’s presence never left their midst, even when they couldn’t see it.

If we’re honest, we know we often take a similar approach. We quickly conclude that we must be on our own when we see only desert rocks and unscalable mountains in our path. When human solutions are absent, we often assume God’s presence must be absent, too.

But the next time we face a crisis, we can make a different choice! In Matthew 28:20, Jesus promises to be with us — always. So when trouble comes, we can pause, take a deep breath and choose to acknowledge the unshakeable reality of God’s presence.

We can also cultivate the habit of shifting our eyes from the obstacle to the God who will sustain us through it. Fixing our gaze on Jesus frees us to experience God’s provision in surprising ways. We can refuse to let our human expectations form a barrier to God’s divine workings.

It’s been years since my son’s difficult diagnosis — and while special-needs parenting hasn’t been an easy road, I can confidently say God has never left our side. Time and again, He’s shown up for us in ways my mind couldn’t comprehend. And He wants to do the same for you, dear one.

Today, will you choose to look for God’s presence along your desert road? The rock you keep tripping over may just be the tool God uses to demonstrate His sustaining presence in your life.

Dear heavenly Father, thank You that Your presence goes with us always, even along the desert roads. Forgive us for the times we’ve doubted Your ability to provide for us, and grant us strength to look expectantly for Your provision. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Understanding the Bible.....Dr. Charles Stanley

 Understanding the Bible

Dr. Charles Stanley

1 Corinthians 2:12-16

“I just don’t understand the Bible.” That’s a comment I hear quite often, even from believers. We can understand why those without Christ are unable to comprehend biblical concepts, but why do those who know Him struggle? Some people think that a seminary education is the answer, but I have met several trained pastors and teachers who didn’t really understand the Word of God. They knew facts, but they had no excitement for the Scriptures or for the Lord.

The key is not education but obedience. As we act on what we read, the Holy Book “comes alive,” and we begin to hear and understand the voice of God. However, if we have not obeyed what He’s previously revealed to us, why would He give us His deeper truths? “The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him” (Ps. 25:14), and those who fear Him are the ones who obey His commandments and are promised “a good understanding” (Ps. 111:10).

Living a fleshly lifestyle of disobedience to the Lord clouds our eyes, diminishes our ability to hear, and fogs our thinking. Although we have full access to the mind of Christ, our attachment to our own sinful ways keeps us from tapping into the rich treasures of wisdom that are found in His Word.

As you read the Scriptures each day, look for God’s instructions. Then with reliance upon the Holy Spirit, commit to do what He tells you. When you obey His voice, He’ll reveal deeper truths, and your understanding will grow. Soon your time in the Word will become a delight instead of a duty.

From Discipline to Delight: Learning to Love God’s Word.....By Rachael Adams

 From Discipline to Delight: Learning to Love God’s Word

By Rachael Adams

"So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it" (Isaiah 55:11).

I didn’t start going to church until I was a preteen. During one of the first church services I attended, I remember watching the people in the congregation worship, pray, and belt out an occasional amen. I was fascinated by these activities, but I was also perplexed, even a little uncomfortable.

Not long after, I visited a women’s Bible study. I observed and listened in bewilderment at what sounded like a foreign language. I didn’t understand the Christian terms that seemed so familiar to everyone else in attendance. My lack of comprehension was evidenced by my failure to complete the study. Years later, I found that Bible study booklet in my bookcase. Flipping through its pages, I discovered the preteen me had only completed two of the days.

Looking back, I see how patient God was with me. He slowly gave me opportunities to get to know Him as I was ready. I went to Vacation Bible Schools, youth groups, and Sunday morning services, but I don’t recall ever reading His Word regularly on my own until I had my son. Having a child jolted me awake from my spiritual slumber. I wanted to be a good steward of what God had entrusted to me. So, in the quiet of my newborn’s nursery, while rocking him to sleep, I began to have my first consistent quiet times with the Lord. I came before the Lord as a spiritual infant, opening my heart to Him as I opened the pages of His Word. As I did, it was as if He sat cradling and rocking me in His loving arms, just as I cradled my son.

Around this time, a friend invited me to a Bible study. I hadn’t attended a group study since the one I attempted as a preteen, but, even though I still had to look at the table of contents to find each book of the Bible, I finished the study this time. Being surrounded by a community of women who could answer my questions and with whom I could discuss God’s Word was exactly what I needed.

Eventually, our women’s Bible study group began attending Christian women’s conferences. In stadiums and arenas, I sat (and sometimes stood) overcome with emotion and in awe of the Lord. I was still fascinated, but I was no longer perplexed because I had now experienced God’s presence for myself. The passion of the worship teams and speakers was contagious. I was inspired by the way they could quote Scripture and recall passages of the Bible with such confident assurance. I wanted what they had.

On the way home from one of these conferences, a friend of mine and I were talking about how, while we enjoyed and valued reading about and listening to other people’s encounters with the Lord, we wanted to get to know Him for ourselves, not just through the secondhand accounts we had received up to that point. With this realization, my friend and I decided to read only the Bible for the following year.

So, each morning of the next year, I gathered my Bible, notebook, pen, and cup of coffee, and I sat with my Savior. To be honest, there were times when it was more of a discipline than a desire. Some days, I would sit dumbfounded, unsure how portions of the Scriptures applied to me. Other days, I would sit astounded at how every word seemed to be written just for me and my current situation. Over time, my motive shifted. Reading the Bible became less about how it pertained to me and more about getting to know God. Without fail, when I would show up, He would show up within those black, white, and sometimes red-lettered pages. Whether I needed hope, encouragement, or correction, I received my daily bread (Matthew 6:11). Slowly but surely, what began as a religious ritual became a relationship.

In our earthly relationships, the more time we spend with someone, the closer we feel to them. On the other hand, if we go days or even years without conversation or seeing them, they begin to feel distant. We drift away emotionally and don’t feel as connected as we once did. The same is true of the Lord. It takes intention and effort on our part to open the pages of His Word, but I have discovered that when I make being present with Him a priority, His presence is evident to me throughout the rest of my day. His words enter my mind when I need reminding, guiding, or correcting. His Word has never returned void (Isaiah 55:11).

Now, not only do I want to spend time with Him, I want to become more like Him. Because, truthfully, the Bible isn’t just about receiving information—it is for our transformation. While we want to increase our knowledge of Him, the true purpose is to apply what we learn—to not only be hearers of the Word but doers of the Word, so that others may come to know, love, and seek to be like Him too. 

A Prayer for When You’re Downhearted.....By: Kristine Brown

 A Prayer for When You’re Downhearted

By: Kristine Brown

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 43:5 NIV)

When I’ve prayed and prayed and haven’t received the answer I hoped for, frustration and doubt threaten to take over. My thoughts become consumed with wondering why. Why hasn’t God answered? Why am I going through this? People around me can see I’m hurting, because the sadness of unanswered prayer is written all over my face.

When things don’t turn out the way we wanted even after we’ve prayed, how do we get past the heartbreak? How do we find hope and keep praising God if the thing we prayed for looks like it will never happen?

A woman named Hannah in the Bible knew the deep sadness of unanswered prayer. She’d been praying for a child for many years. And to make matters worse, her husband’s other wife Peninnah teased her because she couldn’t have children. Hannah carried the same forlorn look on her face that I’ve carried so many times. Her sadness was evident to those around her.

“Her husband Elkanah would say to her, ‘Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?’” (1 Samuel 1:8 NLT)

The word downhearted can be defined as “discouraged, or in low spirits.” Discouragement happens when we feel like there’s something missing in our lives. Maybe it’s a dream unfulfilled, a longing that won’t go away, or a prayer that wasn’t answered the way we expected. Whatever the cause, we can trade downhearted for hopefulness by turning our focus toward God.

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 43:5 NIV)

Hannah, too, had enough of feeling downhearted. One day she stood up, went into the temple, and poured out her anguish to the Lord. She discovered something she needed all along— to refocus through prayer. Hannah walked out of the temple a different person than she was before. “Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.” (1 Samuel 1:18b NIV)

Hannah did eventually see her dream for a child fulfilled, and from her example we can learn a valuable truth for those times when we’re downhearted. Truth that will help us trade sorrow for a renewed perspective.

Hannah’s hope wasn’t in the answer to her prayer; her hope was in God alone. Let’s find our own renewed hope from Hannah’s story today and take any anguish we’re carrying to the Lord with this prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lately, discouragement has come against me like a fierce enemy. I’ve prayed and prayed but haven’t seen my prayer answered. I need you, Lord. Help me turn my discouragement around and find hope once again.

I know you are working on my behalf, even when I don’t see it. You know what’s best for me, and your timing is perfect. Let the words of Psalm 43:5 be my prayer today, “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” I will praise you, Lord! Whatever the outcome, my hope is not in the answer to my prayer. My hope is in you. Thank you for filling the void in my heart. You are a good and faithful Father.

In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.