Measuring Infinite Love
We are looking at John 17:1-5, and it’s a doozy! Jesus wants to glorify the Father by giving eternal life to all the people the Father has given him. This shows us Jesus and the Father were, in fact, in on the specifics of the plan this whole time. Put simply, Jesus wants us to have eternal life and is willing to do what it takes to make it happen. He foreknew you, me, and our spiritual siblings and bought us all eternal life!
What Jesus accomplished on the cross defeated evil, giving us a way to actually measure God’s infinite love for us. Case in point, the Apostle Paul was forgiven much for his evil acts as Saul. God chose to forcefully offer salvation to him and forgive his atrocious sins. Paul, therefore, is uniquely aware of the mountain of evils that have been removed from his account, paid for by better blood than his. Paul subsequently suffered much following Christ, but he had been forgiven much more.
Ultimately, when forgiveness is genuinely received, it produces true humility, and then joy abounds. Life gets really interesting then! Knowing God has forgiven our past sins, we are afforded so much confidence that he will forgive our future failures. We can rest in that comfort no matter what life has in store.
Jonathan Duncan
EFCC Member
Ten Words That Changed My Life
It’s hard to believe that it’s been well over 50 years (7/30/67) since Joni (Eareckson Tada) broke her neck by misjudging the depth of the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and diving in.
This past week, I watched an interview during which she explained how she’s struggled with quadriplegia and life in a wheelchair for close to six decades. Few of us have any idea how difficult it’s been.
How has she coped?
With the help of the 10 words shared by her friend, Steve Estes, as she struggled to understand God’s role in her accident and plan for her life:
“God permits what He hates to accomplish what He loves.”
Those simple words are loaded with meaning and mystery, especially for anyone who has wondered about a loving God’s role in personal suffering known as “theodicy.”
How does the Bible explain it?
Well, Lamentations 3:32-33 gives us some insight: “... if He causes grief, then He will have compassion according to His abundant lovingkindness. For He does not afflict willingly or grieve the sons of men.”
God’s sovereignty requires His being a part in every calamity (Isa. 45:7; Amos 3:6), but we’re assured it gives Him no pleasure in doing so (Ezek. 33:11). He "gets no kicks" out of His decision to afflict or cause grief for anyone. Job’s story illustrates that fundamental truth this way, “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21).
A good and loving God “permits what He hates.” Why? “To accomplish what He loves.”
Maybe the best way to think about this deep mystery is Jesus and His agony on the cross. Abba allowed the horrific suffering of “His only begotten Son” so that He could demonstrate His sacrificial love and by it, redeem sinful humanity. It’s why the OT Patriarch Joseph could say after his painful and heart-wrenching journey, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result;” (Gen 50:20).
That's Joni's testimony. For close to 60 years, she's used that horrible injury as a platform and pathway for sharing with others the good news and hope of the gospel. It hasn’t for one moment ended her chronic pain, but it has helped her hold fast to the grace of God in all of her earthly afflictions (2 Cor. 1:3-4) and long for “the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27) in heaven.
Can you testify to the truth of those 10 words?
Most of us can in some way as we all face unexplained challenges… maybe some will come this week. Whatever happens, if we can trust Him through the pain and confusion, hanging on sometimes by the smallest of faith, He promises that one day, either in this life or the next, He “will exponentially atone for every tear” (Psalm 56:8) and “abundantly reward us for every hurt” (J.E.T.).
So, as we start this Monday Mourning, let's hang on and believe that our good and gracious Abba is at work, even when there is confusion in our minds, tears in our eyes, and pain in our bodies. Jesus assures us, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NIV).
Know that I love you all,
Rev. Dennis Keating
P.S.: If you would like to subscribe to Pastor Dennis’ once-a-week reflections, sign up at gratefulshepherdministries.org.
Editor: This was a re-posting of a very applicable entry from Pastor Dennis Keating’s “Monday Mourning” devotional from February 12, 2024.
The Joy of Anticipation
When we were children, we always loved Saturdays. Good things always happen on Saturdays. So we’d slog through the school week to make the most of our glorious weekends. As childhood faded, we learned the weekend wasn’t that great and we found other things to propel us through hard work, like success. Unfortunately, secular life teaches us not to anticipate because nothing is fantastic enough to properly inspire us to endure hardships. So we spend much of our time seeking out the path of least resistance which in turn requires the slightest inspiration, anticipation, or hope.
As Christians, we believe that Jesus has overcome the world and that he reigns supreme from heaven. We believe quite a few things about our lives in his kingdom now and things about our eternal future. Yet life can seem to march on steady and solemn, irrespective of our faith. In the long days of our earthly struggles, it can seem like our faith resembles whimsical imaginary fiction.
I’m disabled right now, but my new heavenly body will be perfect. So when I trip over nothing, which happens sometimes actually, I focus on how awesome it will be to fly in my new body. I want to build genuine anticipation. Tripping over nothing can become a reminder of amazing things to come. If we practice this, we solidify and fortify our joy for life to come in eternity with Jesus. The Lord knows us and walks with us in unique ways. He’ll show you how to take your struggles and turn them into joy-empowering anticipation!
Jonathan Duncan
EFCC Member
Take Heart
At the end of John Chapter 16 (verse 33), Jesus told his disciples “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Jesus revealed to the disciples there was a lot they would yet have to endure once he left them and returned to his Father. Their future was far from easy. Many trials and tribulations were in store. They would be scattered by persecution, some would be cast into prison, and most of the apostles would eventually be martyred. Yet, in the face of all of this, Jesus assures them (and us as well) “... that in me you may have peace.”
Believers through the centuries have faced all types of trials and tribulations, yet in fulfillment of Jesus’ words in John 16:33, countless numbers of brothers and sisters in Christ experienced peace in the eye of the storm. When the world and the flesh scream, “Fight or flee!”, God’s children can entrust themselves into His arms and remain in perfect peace. From a human perspective, this is counter-intuitive. It speaks clearly of God’s supernatural presence within a believer. Our ability to find such peace in the face of dire circumstances speaks of a spiritual reality the world cannot understand — the presence of Christ in you!
Even as Jesus anticipated his coming suffering and lonely death upon the Cross, he assured his disciples, “Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me” (John 16:32). And, Christ’s promise to you as a believer is he will never leave you nor forget you in your time of need. You can take heart in the face of any worldly trial because, first of all, Jesus has overcome the world, and secondly, God will not allow any given trial in your life unless he knows you can endure it. As the Father is present in the Son, his Holy Spirit is present in you. His Spirit searches your heart and knows exactly what spiritual gifts and capacities he has given you. He knows what trials you can and cannot endure. Whatever God allows, he will enable you to both survive the trial and grow in your walk of faith as his beloved child.
Remember when trials enter your life that Christ is with you, Christ is in you, and Christ will provide all that you need to endure. In doing so, your life will bring him glory.
Pastor Dave Korinek
The Basis of Joy
In the second half of John 16:20, Jesus gives his disciples a warning along with some strange-sounding words of hope. He says, “You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.”
The warning is that sorrow is coming. The hope is that this same sorrow will somehow turn into joy. Hmm. I’m not sure that the disciples would have known what to do with a promise like this, especially regarding Jesus’ talk of his impending death. How in the world could the sorrow of death be turned into joy? This is a question that would have boggled their minds in a way that we don’t understand.
You see, we are not shocked by this promise because we live in a society in which the idea of an afterlife is taken for granted. Pew Research tells us that 73% of Americans believe in Heaven and another 7% believe that there is some other form of afterlife. That means that 80% of Americans believe that there is some sort of hope after the sorrow of death (and those are numbers from 2021). We see it all the time. When a celebrity dies (regardless of their convictions about religion or even morality), people just assume that “they are in a better place.” Of course, this notion may be comforting for people to hear, but it is often an unfounded hope that is based on the culturally accepted assumption of an afterlife. However, Jesus’ disciples did not grow up in such a society.
In fact, if you read the Old Testament alone (the Bible of Jesus and his disciples), it is quite hard to find firm assurance of an afterlife at all. There are a few passages that we can point to, but the OT evidence about heaven is not overwhelming. The real hope of heaven is something that was introduced by Jesus. The Jews of the day had debates about whether or not there would be a resurrection one day, but this was a distant, almost foggy hope for them. This means that Jesus’ disciples would have no basis for understanding how the sorrow of death could in any way lead to joy. For them, death was the end, and whatever hope they had beyond that was vague at best. This is why Jesus’ statement here is so profound: “Your sorrow will turn into joy.”
What they didn’t know at the time was that in a few days, Jesus would give them a real reason for joy. He would remove all fogginess about what happens after death and give them a real reason to hope for joy, by conquering death and rising to life. This was new! It was unheard of! And it was the basis for all our joy moving forward. Now, we too can even find joy amid the worst sorrow, because we know that Jesus has overcome!
Josh Rose
Discipleship Pastor
I Don’t Get It …
A classic movie premiered in 1988 that would advance Tom Hanks’ career, earning him his first Oscar nomination. The movie was Big.
It’s the story of 12-year-old Josh struggling through pre-adolescence. He makes a wish at a magic carnival game one night and the next morning wakes up to discover he’s still 12, but in the body of a 35-year-old man.
Eventually, Josh gains employment at a toy corporation and is included in a corporate board meeting to review and discuss a line of new toys. As 12-year-old Josh enthusiastically explores the new toys, he’s unimpressed and confused that the toys just aren’t fun. He tentatively raises his hand and when called on, replies sincerely, “I don’t get it.” The executives impatiently explain and continue the meeting but Josh raises his hand again with the same puzzled expression, “I still don’t get it.”
I almost see the same perplexed look on the 11 apostles' faces in John 16. Jesus has mere minutes left with his closest friends, companions he’s spent every day and night with for the past three years. His words to them in verses 16-33 would be his very last in that unforgettable upper room. He stooped low to wash their feet there, demonstrating a new level of love. He named a trusted friend his betrayer-to-be. He reprimanded Peter, “the rock” as he’d called him. He encouraged, comforted, promised, instructed, warned, prepared, and equipped his followers with critical truths and wisdom for all that would lie ahead.
The apostles listened to and loved their Rabbi, but did they get it? Did they understand?
Listen to their replies …
“Lord, we don’t know where you’re going …”
“We don’t know the way …”
“Will you show us the Father?”
“Why are you doing it that way?”
“What does he mean?”
“We don’t understand what he is saying …”
Can you relate?
Ever feel like raising your hand and saying, “Um … I don’t get it.” “Why is this happening?” “It shouldn’t be this way.” “I, I still don’t get it.”
Confusion on this side of eternity is normal. Like the earliest Jesus followers, we’re simply not going to always understand. God has been at work since day one of creation and yet sometimes life doesn’t seem to make sense. This is where faith comes in. When life throws you a wicked curve ball, faith says, “I’ll still follow.” When God’s not acting as you want him to, faith says, “I will obey.” When it seems like the bad guys keep winning, faith says, “I trust you’re in control, God.” When you want to raise your hand and say, “I don’t get it!”, faith whispers, “Take heart, he’s overcome the world.”
Donielle Winter
EFCC Member
It Hurts!
“When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.” (John 16:21, ESV)
I have to admit, verse 21 arouses some rebellion in my soul. While eventually my pain turned to joy after 18 hours of mostly back labor with my third son, I can still remember the pain. He, along with his two brothers, was born in a military hospital, and I was given nothing for the pain though I would have gladly taken it. I’m not sure I would even equate that physical pain with the emotional or spiritual sorrow I’ve had at other times in my life. That was because I knew it would eventually end and the anticipation of seeing the baby I had carried for nine months kept me going. I do remember my sweet husband at my side watching the contractions ebb and flow on the machine with tears in his eyes saying, “I just don’t know how you do it.” Me either, I would have said, but I was trying to breathe. It was comforting to have him with me in suffering though.
When we go through difficult times, nothing means more than having someone come alongside who understands. For believers, that someone is Jesus, our Savior and Lord!
Because Jesus understands:
Disappointment: Luke 13:34
Rejection: John 6:66
Sorrow: Matthew 26:38
Ridicule: Mark 15:19
Loneliness: Matthew 27:46
Weariness: John 4:6
Temptation: Mark 1:13
Poverty: Matthew 8:20
Frustration: John 2:15-16
No matter what we’re going through, we have a Savior and heavenly Father well acquainted with all our ways (Psalm 139:3). He wants to wrap his arms around us and whisper comfort in our pain. Even more, he wants to give us his peace and strength to endure whatever comes our way. Psalm 46:1 reminds us, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
He can and will turn our sorrow into joy, but first, he will walk with us through the dark valleys of life and give us physical, spiritual and emotional rest when we let go of our burdens and trust his deep love and care for us.
As soon as I saw my beautiful son’s face, the pain of childbirth faded in comparison to the joy I felt as I held him close. Sometimes the most joyous moments come despite pain or sorrow. God promises that, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).
Is your heart full of joy or sorrow today? Will you cast all your cares on him today and let him restore your joy?
Deb Hill
Exec. Admin. Assistant
Saltshakers and Lanterns
Matthew 5:13-16
In John 16, we are reading some of the last teachings of Jesus to His disciples before the culmination of His purpose in coming to earth. These are important urgent words. The Lord told them of the coming of the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11, 14) to bring glory to the Lord Jesus through salvation.
We are blessed to have a part in the fulfillment of this purpose because the Holy Spirit indwells us and will work through us. Jesus told us how in Matthew 5:13-16, in essence telling us to be saltshakers and lanterns.
Why salt? I like to bake bread and usually have good results, but a few times had epic failures. One was when I forgot to put in the salt. The loaves looked beautiful but tasted like cardboard! Salt in life is necessary. Salt is used for seasoning and preserving but also causes thirst. If our lives are seasoned with His salt, we help bring out the good and preserve it. If we live filled with the Spirit, we can create a thirst in those who don’t know Him to want what we have in Him. Be a saltshaker!
Jesus called Himself the Light of the World in John 8:12. In Ephesians 5:9, the Word says, “For this light within you produces what is good and kind and true.” In our world today, most people do not believe in God, but fashion a god from their own desires, and do not even know what is good and true because they don’t know God. Isaiah 5:20 says, “What sorrow for those who say that evil is good, and good is evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness.” The Holy Spirit will use the light of Christ in us to bring people out of darkness into His light. Be a lantern.
We have an enemy who wants to keep us from being salt and light for obvious reasons. But if we choose to be led by the Spirit, He will develop in us the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If this salt and light is seen in us, then many may turn from sorrow to joy, from death to life, from despair to hope when they turn to Jesus.
Be a saltshaker and a lantern!
Prayer: Lord, today, help me to live in such a way to inspire a thirst for you and show the world the truth of your Light! May this bring you glory. Amen
Francie Overstreet
EFCC Member
Can You Handle It?
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” John. 16:12-13
In 2011, Americans took in five times as much information every day as they did in 1986. I wonder what the stats say now? Ten times as much information? I’m sure much more information is bombarding our brains now. It’s no wonder we can feel overwhelmed just managing the most basic aspects of life.
Jesus fully sympathizes with us since He experienced a human life (Hebrews 4:15-16). Jesus was speaking to his disciples about leaving, and of hard times, which made the disciples nervous and afraid (John 16:6). So, rather than overwhelm them with even more, Jesus knew when to stop. Jesus declared that he did not have enough time to say all that he would like to his followers and they would not have the ability to hear it. Then he promised a future with the Helper to guide them. “It will be just like having me around,” Jesus might as well be saying. His compassion and love never fail.
This was good news for the disciples, even though they did not fully understand Jesus, as John makes clear in 16:17-18, the last line of which is “we don’t know what he is talking about.” Giving them even more information wouldn’t have helped but confused them more.
Like the disciples, we might say we don’t understand God when life sends us curve balls. But God’s sending the Spirit of Truth doesn’t depend on our understanding. The Spirit will not be taken away from us in the challenging times when we are least able to trust, understand, or persevere. Rather he will comfort, bring peace, and restore our joy that can only come from him. That doesn’t mean we will always “feel happy” or not cry out “why” but it does mean that he will catch every tear, remind us somehow that we matter, and encourage us through Scripture and other believers. In the biggest trials and our weakest moments, we find the Lord speaking to us and the Holy Spirit directing us when we take time to listen.
Father, please help us to slow down, listen, and be sensitive to the Spirit’s direction in our lives so that we can in turn be a blessing to others.
Deb Hill
Exec. Assistant
Revelation from God
Jesus poured divine revelation into the hearts and minds of his disciples for three years. As he prepared to leave and go back to the Father, Jesus said that he had much more to reveal to them but they weren’t ready. This was an act of grace by God. He knew the disciples would need time to process the coming events of the cross and Christ’s resurrection before they could absorb further revelation. Once Jesus returned to the Father, he promised to pour the Holy Spirit upon them. All that they still needed to understand, to proclaim, and to record for posterity, would be revealed to them then by the Holy Spirit.
Beginning with the Spirit’s arrival on the day of Pentecost, all the things Jesus had promised began to be revealed to the disciples. The Spirit guided them in all truth (that includes the message of the cross, salvation by grace, and the awesome love God has for his people). Secondly, the Spirit told them of things to come (that includes all of divine prophecy through the end of the age and beyond). Finally, the Spirit declared to them that which glorifies Christ (including his second coming as King of Kings and his eternal reign at the right hand of the Father). The summation of what the Spirit revealed to the apostles is recorded in the writings we know and treasure as “the New Testament.”
The Holy Spirit continues to serve as a teacher, guide, and counselor to his people in each generation. He illuminates our understanding of the written Word, guides us in God’s will, and may even choose to speak to us on an individual basis. In God’s wisdom and grace, he doesn’t tell us everything awaiting us in the years to come. He wisely reveals it to us as we need to know. The wonderful news is that, no matter what your age, God is never finished with what He can do in your life. As the Master painter, God sees your life as a canvas on which he’s waiting to do some of His finest work yet! May your spiritual eyes always be open to the work of the Master’s hand and may you rejoice in each new stroke of the brush he reveals.
Pastor Dave Korinek