Can't Deny Him

This morning, the girls and I studied John 18:1-11 and we discussed any questions they had about verses that stood out to them. Elizabeth asked about verse 6, “Now when He said to them, ‘I am He,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.” Savannah asked about verse 3, “Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.” In both cases, we discussed what the verses meant and the picture of the magnitude of the situation. This wasn’t a quiet arrest of a lawless man. This was 600+ armed soldiers who showed up in a garden, at night, to arrest one sinless Man.

 

As we saw in verse 6, when Jesus responded to them, “I am He,” the men all fell to the ground. Their falling wasn’t because they tripped, but as a response to the power of the name I AM. No man, nor spirit, can deny the power of the Name. In His power, Jesus could have struck them dead, or escaped. Rather, by His power and of His will, He allowed Himself to be arrested and crucified.

 

It’s interesting that while the soldiers and Pharisees, and many others, refused to accept Jesus, they couldn’t deny Him. They couldn’t deny the miracles or His power—that’s what made them show up in a garden at night with over 600 armed soldiers. They didn’t want to believe, they refused to repent, but they couldn’t deny Him, either.

 

As we closed our study this morning, I asked the girls the same as I will ask you: to pray for those you know who have not, yet, repented and made Jesus their Lord and Savior. “For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life,” (John 3:16 AMPC). On this Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday and weekend, let’s not just celebrate what we have in Jesus, our Lord and Savior, but pray deeply and desperately for those who don’t, yet.

 

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” … So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. ~ John 19:28-30 NKJV

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LASyD0ASRfI

Scandal of Grace ~ Hillsong United

 

©Heather Potts 2022

The Basics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4RUjGsTfks&list=RDD4RUjGsTfks&start_radio=1

Heart of Worship ~ Matt Redman

“Give in to God, come to terms with him and everything will turn out just fine. Let him tell you what to do; take his words to heart. Come back to God Almighty and he’ll rebuild your life. Clean house of everything evil. Relax your grip on your money and abandon your gold-plated luxury. God Almighty will be your treasure, more wealth than you can imagine. ~ Job 22:21-25 MSG

Yesterday was day one of a week of prayer at the girls' school. As a family, we're asked to pray together for student believers in schools, and for all authority in schools. Yesterday, I also read a devotional from Proverbs 31 Woman that said we need to go back to the basics, revisit Kindergarten Bible lessons, so we can draw on those lessons, even in life's crazy times.

As Easter approaches, we, as parents, are having to go back to the basics to ensure we're teaching our girls on their level. Of course, there are lots of "Why" questions, but that's why we need the basics: 'For God so loved [you] that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ' ~ John 3:16 NIV.

Today’s passage from Job was just one of the prayer points for the students. “Take his words to heart,” is a teaching we all need to remember. God’s words have great power: the power to heal, move, and shape our lives, if we’ll let them. As Easter approaches, what’s one thing your family is doing to prepare? If nothing else, will you consider praying for students, and each other? Life can get crazy and chaotic, but as we come back to the basics of praying with and for each other, it’s amazing how we will see God move.

©Heather Potts 2019

Promised Hope

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPO3meEuU24&list=RDsPO3meEuU24&start_radio=1&t=0

Promises ~ Sanctus Real

For this is how much God loved the world—he gave his one and only, unique Son as a gift.  So now everyone who believes in him will never perish but experience everlasting life. ~ John 3:16 TPT
https://www.bible.com/verse-of-the-day/JHN.3.16/2929?version=1849

This scripture has always been in my heart. I'm sure it's because it's the first one I memorized in Sunday School as a child. It's a verse most Christians know. It's the reason we can call ourselves Christ-followers, but also the greatest promise as one. Eternal life. Life everlasting. These are the words of the promise of hope.

When do we need hope? Everyday! When we watch the news, when life is hard, and when heaven receives another loved one. The night before last, heaven received Brad's grandma. She was a sweet lady who will be missed on earth. And as we grieve and mourn the loss, we can also cling to the promised hope.

Father, I won't lie, loss hurts! It hurts because the one loved-one is gone, but also because it reminds us of those we lost previously. But even as I type these words, Holy Spirit reminds me they are not lost, but found, and held up in His love. Thank you, Father, for loving us so much, that You gave us the promise of hope through Your Son. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen. 

©Heather Potts 2019