What Happened To The Other Guy?

2 Peter 1-3;  John 1

Scripture: John 1:40  "One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. "

Observation:  John the Baptist, having recently baptized Jesus, saw Him on the road and said " There goes the Son of God." According to this verse, two of John's followers took John at his word and followed Jesus. One was Andrew, but who was the other?  Was it one of the eventual 12 and, if so, why does John ( the author) not name him?  Where did  he get his information?  If Andrew told him, did he mention the other by name and did John choose not to include it? Does it really matter? It does, if this one heard and simply walked away.

Application: Many people heard Jesus in person and "followed" Him, but few truly committed their lives to Him. Millions of people will hear about Him this Sunday and/or Tuesday ( Christmas Eve), but few will truly commit to Him as Lord and Savior.  Too many will come and, like the one with Andrew, will go away nameless.  How do I find them and lead them back to Jesus?

Prayer: Jesus, it is exciting to see the crowds who seek You on Christmas Eve, but it is also heartbreakingly sad. Those of us who know You  will experience the joy of Your birth, Your life, and Your resurrection, knowing that we, too, will one day live with You for all eternity; however, MOST will come just to observe, and will leave unchanged-- perhaps to return again on Easter, perhaps not.
Break my heart for these, Dear Lord, that I might seek them out and bring them to You---just as Andrew did with Peter, his brother.

Divine Mentor- Jesus Knows Best

Romans 5-8
Scripture: Romans 8:27 " Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

Observation: This is an amazing verse which I always overlook on my way to verse 28 ( which I use when trying to make sense out of some painful or frustrating situation). I think I know what I need, so I ask for it and wait for Jesus to take my request to the Father ( after all, He is interceding for me, right?) . Then I wait for God to answer me, and He says yes, no, or wait. Right?
BUT Paul is saying that Jesus bypasses my human mind ( which died with Him anyway at the Cross),  knows the Spirit's mind, knows God's will for me, and brings that to the Father--- and that is why Romans 8:28 is true for the believer!

Application: So, why should I pray? Why bring my requests to my Father? Because Jesus did. God wants to hear my heart, which He already knows- and my voice, which He hears before I speak- but even more than that, He wants to hear Jesus in me.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for taking my desires to our Father. Help me grow until my every desire aligns with the desire of Your Spirit which lives in me. Amen.

Divine Mentor: Give Thanks in Everything by cb.cooksey

A beautiful reminder of giving Thanks by our friend Cindy B. Cooksey Give Thanks in Everything by cb.cooksey "Give thanks in all circumstances; For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 What's the will of God for you?  That in everything you give Him thanks.  That's His willfor you.  The circumstances swirling around you aren't necessarily His will, but He desires that you give Him praise and thanks in the midst of those circumstances.  By doing so, you begin to infuse any situation with the possibility of His divine presence and His almighty power. Sometimes it's very easy to be thankful.  When God's blessings seem to be overflowing in our lives and everything is running smoothly, it's easy to have a thankful heart.  But in times of hardship or heartbreak, in times of bitter disappointments, in times of tragic loss,  in times of painful suffering, in times when the diagnosis is bleak, in times when we've been treated wrongly ~ God's will for us in those situations is to continually give Him thanks.  Through these difficult times, we shouldn't be thinking, "This terrible thing must be God's will for my life," because God didn't necessarily cause the thing that happened to you.  But as Christians "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  (Romans 8:28)  This is not saying that God caused bad things to happen to bring about good in your life.  No, this tells us that even when bad things happen, God can weave His power and love in it, through it, and beyond it to bring about good in your life. So as His children, we know that God can take the worst of circumstances and weave in threads of hope and goodness to form a beautiful tapestry.  Psalm 22:3 tells us that Godinhabits the praises of His people.  Begin to praise Him and thank Him in the midst of your circumstances, and invite His presence to permeate your situation.  Your present condition may or may not be directly changed by God, but ultimately He promises to bring about good in your life as a result. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100: 4 - 5

Divine Mentor: Distractions by Debbie McGrath

Today's Reading: PSALM 124 and 2 CORINTHIANS 11-13

Spending time in God's Word every day can be challenging - thanks to Satan and many distractions we face each day. This morning, I got up with the best intention to spend time with my Father. But instead of going straight to the Word - I checked a few emails.  Of course there was an email that required immediate attention.  Next, my 4 dogs decided it was time to go out and be fed.  While my dogs were outside,  I checked my Facebook.  While looking at everyone's post it hit me -- I am so distracted!!!  

I only have so much time in the morning to spend in the Word and I must be singled-minded.  The Holy Spirit convicted my heart and I immediately closed my computer and ask God to keep me focused.

2 Corinthians 13:5 says Jesus Christ is in YOU!!  I love this verse.  Wow - Jesus is in me!!  When I read this, I knew Jesus was waiting on me this morning - He had something to tell me- He wanted to bless me thru His Word.  

I know as a mother, when I don't get to speak to my daughter - I really miss her.  It is no different for my Father, Creator in Heaven - when I don't spend time with Him - his heart weeps.  

I encourage you to spend time with God today.  Our God sits at the throne - waiting to bless us and share His truth's with us.

Divine Mentor- Whatever It Takes?

Job 41-42; II Corinthians 1-2

Scripture: Job 42:5 " I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes see You."

Observation: Knowing about God and knowing God are vastly different. Sometimes, although not always, it takes an upheaval of our lives for us to truly see who we are and who God is. Job loved the God he knew, but at the end of his story he knew the God he loved.

Application: I often pray for myself and those I love that God will protect them, heal them, keep them safe. I may even ask for prosperity and success.  What if  God could reveal Himself more deeply and intimately through the very circumstances from which I am asking Him to keep them? Or me?

Prayer: Lord, I ask for my children, brothers and sisters, grandchildren, all those I love most that You would reveal Yourself intimately to each of them, no matter what it takes. I pray the same for myself. Thank You, Lord. Amen.

Divine Mentor- It's Not About Smart

Job 33; I Corinthians 1-3

Scripture: I Cor. 2:2 " For I am determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

Observation: Paul says later in verse 5 that our faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. So often we seek out the most " eloquent" speakers, the most " intellectual" writers, the most "dynamic" personalities. We forget that there is only one story worth telling,  one truth-- Jesus Christ was crucified, died, buried, and rose again - and He changed my life.

Application: Today I will remember that nothing in this world is of eternal significance except Jesus and Him crucified. This is my reason for living. Only what is done for Christ will last.

Prayer: Lord, keep me today from being caught up in what the world sees as important. Amen.

Divine Mentor-Taking a Risk- by: Debbie McGrath

Today's reading: 
Job 26, 27, Mark 15, 16

The passage that God used to speak to me this morning was Mark 15:43

S:  Joseph of Arimathea a prominent member of the Sanhedrin who was himself looking forward to the kingdom of God came and boldly went into Pilate and asked for Jesus body.

Observation: When Jesus died, some were still mocking him. Others were weeping. The disciples fled in fear.  The women were around but fearful. Some became new believers when they witnessed the death of Christ.   Joseph of Arimathea was there and knew that the Jesus body could not hang overnight and it was time to bury his body.

 Taking a huge risk,  Joseph went to Pilate and asked for Jesus body.  By doing this, he was risking his reputation, his position and possibly his life.  To play it safe, he could of walked away but he didn't.  

By stepping up to bury Jesus, he was admitting the Jesus was Lord of his life.  

Joseph was single minded, submissive and obedient to God's will.
 He stepped out of his comfort zone and did the extraordinary. 
He put Christ first in his life and took a risk.  
He sacrificed a very expensive tomb.  

Application:  No matter what comes my way this week - I want to be like Joseph of Arimathea:
Single minded
submissive
servant attitude
sacrificial

Prayer:  Lord transform my thoughts, my desires, my relationships, and the very purpose for which I live.  Lord reproduce the mind of Christ in me!