Exploring God's Colossal Promises
John 14 is not flyover country! We need to land here and live here, because John 14 is chock full of colossal promises! If we trusted in them fully, our lives would be transformed. Since many people pay scant attention to these astounding promises, this series of blogs will provide a guided tour through them all.
In pursuit of excellence, paramedics endure 1800 hours of training, so they can save lives hanging by a thread. Jesus, the ultimate Life Saver, call us to: “Love one another as I had loved you.” Before an unbelieving world, Christ’s excellent love is to be our trademark, our Nike swoosh, saving lives that hang by a thread.
Why did Judas betray Jesus? Despite many conjectures, the Bible gives only one reason. Why do “good Christians” sometimes behave so vilely that it makes no sense at all? The reason is the same.
1 Corinthians 13 waxes eloquent about love, but John 13 waxes practical about love. Jesus washes feet and calls us to imitate Him, but we would much rather wash our hands of some people than wash their feet. How can we overcome our distaste for foot-washing?
John 12:27-33 reports a personal conversation between Jesus and God the Father. When has God guided, encouraged, or warned you in a personal way? How highly did you value what He told you?
The Bible calls us to be fruitful. What does fruitfulness look like? John 12 gives five examples. Will I trust the promises in this chapter or seek a mere fraction of what they offer?
When confronted by hopeless cases that require a miracle, will we dare to speak simple prayers of faith? What holds us back? Are our reasons Bible-based or fear-based? Consider the response of Jesus when Mary and Martha send word that their brother Lazarus is deathly ill.
An Arab Christian in Israel has learned that 15 words can open hearts to Jesus: “People need Jesus. You need Him too. Jesus helped me. Ask Him to help you.” This video explains ways you can use them too.
Contrary to common opinion, a climber does not conquer a mountain. Yes, you may relish the rush of conquering its summit. Later you may recall your mountain climbing triumph. Sooner or later, however, you will grasp that on that day the mountain conquered you — by its immensity, by its grandeur, and by its grace in having permitted you to enter and survive the Most Holy Place of its heights. Exploring God’s colossal promises, you can discover how wide and long and high and deep is the love of God in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
The Good Shepherd is also the Good Warrior! Artists often portray Jesus and His flock in tranquil scenes. But John 10:1-14 speaks of deadly combat. We are part of a war to the death, but we follow the Good Shepherd who has laid down His life for the sheep and continues to guard our lives.
Prophets like Elijah performed many miracles, while John the Baptist did none — with one exception! Do you know John’s singular, stupendous supernatural sign? John 10:41 reports: “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man [Jesus] was true.” John’s sole miracle was foretelling the truth about Jesus.