"If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world - therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'Servants are not greater than their master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. ...
"When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning.
MEDITATION—Today is Saturday Psalmody! Today, the meditation is offered as a psalm from my heart. If you would like a more traditional devotion, please search the archives for a title that appeals to you! (smile)
VICTORIOUS, JUST AS I AM
The world
Will
Hate you.
Hate me?
Hate you.
Just as they hated me…
But why?
I’m a good person
I laugh a lot
I help people
I’m usually kind
They will hate you.
Hate me?
Hate you.
Just as they hated me…
But, I come from a good family
I have a lot of friends
I make good money
And I’m fun to be around.
They will hate you.
Hate me?
Hate you.
Just as they hated me…
But I try to do everything right
I love God
Love neighbor
Strive to be full of joy
And peace…
They will hate you.
Hate me?
Hate you.
Just as they hated me…
But why?
Why will they hate me?
Because
My Spirit
Lives
Inside of you
Bearing witness to
The Truth.
They will hate you.
Hate me?
Hate you.
Just as they hated me…
My Spirit
Whispers
Things they do not want to hear
Challenges
Convicts
Reminds
Reprimands
They will hate you.
Hate me?
Hate you.
Just as they hated me…
Spirit stands up
To greed
Lust
Gluttony
Laziness
Anger
Envy
And Pride
They will hate you.
Hate me?
Hate you.
Just as they hated me…
My Spirit demands justice
Loves mercy
Inspires humility
Requires loyalty
And is LOVE…
They will hate you.
Hate me?
Hate you.
Just as they hated me…
Spirit
cares for the least
of these--
The outcast
The one
who cannot
afford
to pay
Their own way
Spirit stands up
For the mute
The powerless
And the hungry.
They will hate you.
Hate me?
Hate you.
Just as they hated me…
BUT,
Do not worry.
Do not fear.
Do not shirk from their faces.
Do not turn and hide.
Be bold
Proclaim GOOD NEWS
DO GOOD NEWS
BE
GOOD
NEWS
You will be victorious.
Victorious?
Victorious.
Just as I am…
The very same Spirit
That raised Me from the dead
Is alive
And working
In you!
You will be victorious.
Victorious?
Victorious.
Just as I am…
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Congratulations to the people who have recently put all of their hope in Jesus! We celebrate your re-birth-day and promise to hold you in our prayers!
If you would like to put all of your hope in Jesus today, please visit my blog entitled, “Putting All Your Hope In Jesus” located at
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/04/putting-all-your-hope-in-jesus.html
If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
Pastor Yolanda is now publishing another blog entitled, “A Spoken WORD” in celebration of Holy Hip Hop, Gospel/Christian Rap and Spoken Word. Please check it out @ http://aspokenword.blogspot.com/
You are invited to follow Pastor Yolanda on Twitter www.twitter.com/PastorYolanda
Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right!
Thanks for reading and please come again. Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
PLEASE MAKE A SPECIAL EFFORT TO SHARE TODAY’S DEVOTION WITH A NON-CHRISTIAN FRIEND!
SCRIPTURE
Sixth Sunday of Easter
John 15:9-17 (NRSV)
Christ, the friend and lover
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.
DEVOTION
Today’s scripture reading hits me in the deepest core of my being. I know so many people who live, devoid of hope; sure that nobody truly loves them.
You may be one of those people, or know somebody who is. They really and truly believe that no one loves them and that no one cares. They fear that if they died tomorrow, no one would notice or even show up at their funeral. They feel like they are unworthy of love; they honestly believe that they are too sinful, too broken, and too “bad” to deserve the good things in life.
These people live their lives in the shadows, seeking to stay unto themselves. They have no close friends, no one who has earned their confidence, no one with whom they can have a good cry or share a deep secret.
They know no love, no joy, and no hope. They are devoid of good news.
Isn’t this incredibly sad?
And let me say this, it is not only the outcasts of society who feel this way. Some popular people feel this way. Some rich people feel this way. Some powerful people feel this way.
We may look into their lives and feel like they have everything going for them; but, when they go to bed at night they drench their pillows with their tears wishing for at least one good friend who loves them for who they are and not for what they have…
My Jesus!
This is such sad, sad news. If we’re honest, we all know how this feels. It is a part of the human condition that we often feel lonely, sad, or depressed.
But, today I have GOOD NEWS!
There is someone who loves us more than we can ever hope, dream, or imagine. There is someone who knows all of our sin, deepest secrets, and greatest fears and still cares passionately about us. There is someone who has looked into the depth of our hearts, seen the truth, and still determined that we are worth dying for!
His name is JESUS.
Jesus loves us so much that He was willing to die for us. In the soap operas and the fairy tales the hero is always willing to die for his beloved. But, as humans we expect this type of devotion to remain fictional. We don’t believe that someone would actually do the same for us in reality!
But, the truth is, that someone has already died for us! Someone has already proven His great love for us. His name is JESUS.
Let me introduce you to your new best friend. JESUS is fully God and fully man. He lived on the Earth and died on a cross. He died on the cross because he loves you so much that he couldn’t bear the thought of your suffering because of your sin. He couldn’t even think of being separated from you for eternity.
See, sin separates us from God. God loves us, but hates our sin. In our sinfulness, we could never enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. JESUS paved the way for us to enter into eternity with God.
By dying on the cross, Jesus paid the price for our sin. Now, our sin is forgiven and we have been given access to eternity in the City of God.
On a daily basis God is peering into our hearts. What does God see? Well, God either sees the Name of God’s Son—JESUS or God sees only our sin.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want God to see only my sin. Jesus’ love covers the multitude of our sin. Jesus’ blood hides our sin.
That is why it is so important to put all of our faith in Jesus, trusting that His love, joy, and friendship is sufficient to make things right with our Creator.
Look, we can’t do it by ourselves. I’m sure you’ve tried. You may have sought love, joy, and friendship in alcohol bottles, pornography, promiscuous sex, expensive toys (cars, boats, trips), etc. The list goes on and on.
But, at the end of the day, as the sun sets and darkness rises, let me ask you to be honest. Does any of that stuff fill the hole in your heart?
My friend, I already know the answer and so do you. It does not. It will not. It CANNOT.
Nothing fills the hole in our heart but GOD. When we put all of our faith in JESUS the hole is filled. We are flooded with an awareness of the love of God, the joy of knowing Jesus, and the friendship and peace that comes from the Holy Spirit.
As you walk with Jesus, you will grow in love, joy, friendship and peace. Your life will reflect the goodness of God and your friends will want some of what you have too!
As you share your love relationship with God, your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, and friends will learn to put all of their hope in Jesus too!
Before you know it, your “spiritual tree” will be full of the eternal fruit of loved ones who will spend eternity in love with God.
What could be better than this my friend? (I assure you, absolutely nothing!)
You’ve been looking for love in all the wrong places. Today, I recommend JESUS.
Will you put all of your hope in JESUS today?
If so, please pray with me.
Dear God, I know you love me and I love you too. I believe that Jesus died on the cross and that you raised him from the dead! Please forgive all of my sins and fill me with your Holy Spirit. I truly want the love, joy, and peace that friendship with you affords. I want my whole life to declare your praise and glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
SPECIAL NOTE
If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! I would be so honored if you would let me know about your decision by clicking “Yes” in the poll located at the top/right of today’s devotional! I am so happy for you! Happy Spiritual Re-Birth-Day!
Next steps: In response to what God did for you just now, let me suggest that you consider telling another Christian so that they can celebrate with you! Ask them to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand so that you can learn more about your new-found faith! Ask them to help you find a good Bible believing church where you can make new friends who will walk with you on your new journey! You are already saved; now let God mature you by faith! Congratulations!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Congratulations to the people who have recently put all of their faith in Jesus! We are so excited about your new-found faith in Jesus! You are in our thoughts and prayers!
If you would like to put all of your hope in Jesus today, please visit my blog entitled, “Putting All Your Hope In Jesus” located at
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/04/putting-all-your-hope-in-jesus.html
If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
Pastor Yolanda is now publishing another blog entitled, “A Spoken WORD” in celebration of Holy Hip Hop, Gospel/Christian Rap and Spoken Word. Please check it out @ http://aspokenword.blogspot.com/
You are invited to follow Pastor Yolanda on Twitter www.twitter.com/PastorYolanda
Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right!
Thanks for reading and please come again. Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
DEVOTION
Today is a wonderful reminder that we can do nothing apart from God. It is God who gives us life and it is through Jesus that we can live it abundantly!
You know, it just doesn’t make any sense to try to do anything well without the blessing of God! Have you ever tried to make something work by your own strength, power, wisdom, or effort? You tried and tried and then tried again and your efforts simply failed! Just when you were about to give up, you whispered a prayer. What did you find? I bet you learned—like me--that in the absence of the blessing of God, no good thing is possible. (laughing…)
Today we are reminded that in order to “bear much fruit” we must abide in Jesus. This means that we need to remain or stay in close relationship with Jesus.
Now, there are a lot of things that cause us to fail to abide in Jesus. First of all, our sin cuts us off from close relationship with Jesus. We sin, we feel guilty, we don’t pray, we run from God, and we end up in a mess!
Secondly, our busyness keeps us from close relationship with Jesus. Let’s face it we get so worried and anxious about money, power, and people that we sometimes forget to abide in Christ. We work, fret, and strive seeking earthly riches and/or pleasures and we forget to rest into the loving care of Jesus Christ!
Finally, our fear prohibits us from abiding in Jesus. This one always amazes me! Many Christians are afraid to get too close to Jesus. They are afraid that God will ask them to do something or give up something that they are not ready to share. They are not ready to “surrender all,” so they will give God Sunday, but on Monday-Saturday they live for themselves. They are afraid to do what God says do because they are afraid of failure, ridicule, or even success!
Oh my goodness! It seems that as human beings we often try to live “cut off” from the source, God, who is the vinegrowerer and Jesus, who is the vine.
There is no life if we are cut off from the source. We can’t get the living water and bread from heaven that we need to live truly healthy, happy, holy, and whole lives!
I don’t know about you, but I’ve tried to do things my way, and I’ve failed. I learned a long time ago, that I must abide in Jesus. I must stay in close relationship with God through prayer, Bible study, charitable good works, and fellowship with other believers.
God is always speaking. We just need to get still enough to listen! God is always calling us to Kingdom Come work that will cause us to love God and neighbor as ourselves!
Today we read that if you abide in Jesus you can, “for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
See, the true secret to “success” and lasting joy is to abide in Jesus. As you tend to your relationship with God your hopes, dreams, and desires will line up with the heart of God. You will begin to “wish” for the same things God does and God will empower and equip you to carry out Kingdom Come work in your spheres of influence!
Isn’t it amazing that scripture teaches that when we abide in Jesus we “bear much fruit and become Jesus’ disciples?”
Are you Jesus’ disciple? The world should be able to tell. Someone on Twitter wrote this week, “If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”
Wow! This question bears much consideration, my friends. Does your life currently bear the fruit of abiding with Jesus?
If so, keep up the good work! If not, let’s get started now!
Will you make a commitment to being in relationship with God through abiding with Jesus? Will you share the GOOD NEWS with others?
When we abide with Jesus, we walk with Him, introducing Him to all of our friends.
I love to tell people that God loves, gave and saves. God loves us so much that God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sins and to gift us with eternal life!
As you share this GOOD NEWS message, God will allow you to bear much fruit! It will be the joy of knowing that you are doing all that you can to enlarge the family of God!
Now, ain’ta that GOOD NEWS?!
Holy God, please help me to abide in Jesus. I know that when I am “cut off” from you, I don’t function very well. Help me to daily walk with you, trusting that you will lead and guide me in the way that I should go! I want to be truly “successful” by pleasing you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful women celebrating the ministry of motherhood! May God richly bless you today and always. Peace!
Congratulations to the people who have recently put all of their faith in Jesus! We are so excited about your new-found faith in Jesus! You are in our thoughts and prayers!
If you would like to put all of your hope in Jesus today, please visit my blog entitled, “Putting All Your Hope In Jesus” located at
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/04/putting-all-your-hope-in-jesus.html
If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
Pastor Yolanda is now publishing another blog entitled, “A Spoken WORD” in celebration of Holy Hip Hop, Gospel/Christian Rap and Spoken Word. Please check it out @ http://aspokenword.blogspot.com/
You are invited to follow Pastor Yolanda on Twitter www.twitter.com/PastorYolanda
Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right!
Thanks for reading and please come again. Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
