JOHN --- THE DISCIPLE JESUS LOVED

The men Jesus called to follow Him were such a diverse group of individuals each with their strengths and weaknesses and such. Jesus simply said to each "follow Me" and they left whatever they were doing at that moment and followed Him. Their Destiny began the amazing journey that would forever mark a New Testement into what Life is really all for. Somehow these men knew that when Jesus (whom they didn't know about yet) called for them to "follow Him" without thought, question(where we going? comes to mind here) or hesitation they responded. Right here I am sensing in my spirit - man that The Holy Spirit had to have pricked their hearts, causing them to act, although this 3rd member of The Trinity had not yet come. Glory to God!! So they each decided to leave and go where no man has gone before. Walking along side God Himself in the form of man among us( Matthew 1:23).Glory!! How else could they know?  Extraordinary---for lack....  But for this posting, I am called to write about one Disciple in particular and that is John. The son of Zebedee (Matthew 4:21), brother to James (not Jesus' brother by mother Mary.)and the Disciple Jesus Loved. That is were ministry is and I shall endeavor to take this message The Spirit of The Lord put inside my heart and write about it. The Disciple Jesus loved?  Of course He loved them all, but this Disciple is repeatedly referred to as The ONE Jesus loved.  Jesus himself said so when up on the cross He gave His precious mother to this Disciple (John 19:26-27nlt). As I studied John, I have discovered some things about him that stand out and display his love and devotion to the Savior. John and his brother James asked Jesus for the priviledge to sit with Him at his right and left hand in Glory (Mark 10:35-40). This sounds like they were saying wherever you are Jesus we want to be there as well, even in this place of Glory You speak of.  Hallelujah!! I believe that when Jesus prayed His High Priestly prayer (John 17) shortly before the betrayal,perhaps in the Garden of Gesemane(?) John was the Disciple who heard it word for word and that each Disciple couldn't keep their eyes open, but John couldn't close his. He couldn't take his eyes off of Jesus at any time, the love he had for Jesus was all too powerful and consuming. The prayer starts out by saying " After saying these things, Jesus lifted up His eyes to Heaven and said"....(John 17:1 kjv). This statement is so telling, because John would have to have his eyes on Jesus' eyes to know that He lifted them up to Heaven. The others couldn't keep theirs open but again John couldn't close his. Glory!!! Love does strange things at times.  He heard this Prayer that The Savior of the world prayed for us at a time when He knew what was to come momentarily. Right here I can say that My Lord and Savior had me and you on His mind when He prayed this powerful prayer. He interceded to The FATHER for us as his betrayal was soon approaching. He prayed for us!! Not Himself, us!! Glory to God in the Highest Heaven!! Glory to our God !!! What a Lover this Is !! Read and meditate the prayer and ask God to open your spiritual eyes and allow you to see the Love oozing from such an act of GRACE. John was a witness and his cup overflowed. I can say that it is overwhelming, this Love God has for us, imagine the disciples walking with LOVE in the FLESH. John was overcome so much so that he laid on Jesus' bosom at The Passover Supper.(John 13:23,25 kjv).  Not content with a close encounter, he wanted total body touching as he asked who the betrayer would be. Just imagine yourself laying on Jesus chest, not wanting to move ever again. Hallelujah!! John had this experience. How awesome could this have been for Him?   When the Disciples were again fishing after Jesus' resurrection it was the Disciple Jesus loved who recognized Him when He said to them to throw their nets on the right hand side of the boat (John 21:7). Jesus indicated that the Disciple He loved would live longer than the others ( John 21:20-23) . Perhaps that is why John is the Disciple that writes a good bit of the book of Revelation.  He out ran Peter  when Mary Magdalene found the tomb empty and she thought that they had stolen the body of Jesus, she came and told them and John's heart propelled him to reach the scene first.(John 20:1-10).  He didn't go in first although he outran Peter and reached the tomb first. Speculation right here tells me that he was overwhelmed or protocol dictated that the lead Disciple go first. Or he needed to catch his breath and perhaps prepare his heart for what was to come next. He was in love afterall. What ever or whichever these this is speculation and the Bible doesn't say. God chose John to write Revelation and speak to the 7 churches directly from Jesus (THE FAITHFUL WITNESS) by way of an angel He sent to John.( Revelation1:4-5). He  was allowed to see the New Heaven and The New Earth, The Holy City, New Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven, a beautiful Bride ready for her Husband ( Revelation 21:1-2).  GLORY TO GOD!!  Holy! Holy! Holy!! I can't say any thing but Holy!  John. What a testement to the Love of God. Jesus saw something in John that caused him to respond to him differently than the others. He loved each one,  Peter was the rock He would build the Church upon (Matthew 16:17-19). He spoke blessings over each ONE.  But ONE stood out and above the rest and as a result, he revealed the Plan  Jesus spoke to Him about in Revelation. I choose to believe it is a heart issue. Jesus looks upon the heart and what He saw in John's heart cause Him to move in Him powerfully, Glory! Remember my friend, God looks upon the HEART of man and sees much. What does your Heart speak? It is talking to THE CREATOR that created it whether you know it or not. Be Blessed  of God !!  I love you,  Jesus loves you and He is Lord!! John21:24-25.

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT - LOVE, JOY, PEACE.

Most of the time I have found it an easy thing to walk in the Spirit. Here lately with all the situations, circumstances, events,occurrances, and such, that have come up in my everyday life, I found it necessary to do a check. I lovingly refer to it as a fruit - bowl check. To see if all the fruit are there bearing witness that I am a reborn spirit. Not that I am questioning the FACTS but as I said recent events have made me suspicious. I will admit that I have said more 4 - letter words in the month of May than I have in quite some time.( I know what you are probably thinking, )but I am honest if nothing else. The words "I'm sorry Lord", or "Forgiver me God", became a part of my daily vocabulary,much more than normal. So as I type I stand before you reader, a perpetual repentant spirit ever seeking to walk in the Spirit.  So I went to The Love Letter and into the Fruit of The Spirit chapter in Galatians 5:22-23kjv (although 24-26 I will also check). Love, joy, peace longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: the Bible says these are the evidence that your spirit man has been reborn, and there is no law to govern these. I am so much like Paul in the Bible that it is amazing.When he talks about sin in Romans 7, I can certainly relate to verses 14 - 25nlt. Sounds like the sinful nature comes out at times,  and inspite of WANTING to walk in the Spirit at all times,  there will be those times when I will stumble,  what about you? Thank God for His amazing GRACE and the new MERCY He gives everyday,  cause I for one KNOW I have used up yesterday's mercy, probably before noon. The Fruit Of The Spirit is what I want to focus on , particularily the first 3: love, joy, peace.  The Bible talks about Love's attributes and in 1 Corinthians 13(the love book)   it states that love is patient(one of the fruit) and kind and how we are commanded to love others especially the ones I refer to as unloveable. You may know the type, they are also refered to as enemies, we have to love them as well. I can feel the 4 - letter words come to mind when I think of mine.(Help me Holy Spirit). I am a work in progress. But we are to love them as well. I will need help with this one, but it is do - able. God is Faithful. Love is easy when it is returned and given to those who love us, but it becomes an olympic size challenge when given to an enemy.  I have discovered that I have to step outside myself to accomplish this. I would like to claim responsibility for that statement, but I heard my daughter say it when she was asked to do something she thought was unpleasant, but necessary. I give it to God and then allow Him to walk me through the mine-field step by step, and it works, Glory!!! Joy is my favorite fruit because it can be so deep. By that, I mean, for me through all that occurs, Nehemiah 8: 10 is still true: ....the joy of the Lord is my strength. I need strength every day and it comes as I spend time in praise and worship (Psalm 35:27) (Philemon 1:20kjv). The Love Book says I can obtain gladness and Joy and sorrow and sighing(frustration) shall flee away ( Isaiah 35:10kjv). That sounds wonderful to me and I shall stand on this WORD.  Joy must be a powerful fruit cause Jesus,  my Lord and Savior,  endured the cross,because of the Joy that was set before Him.(Hebrews 12: 2). GLORY TO GOD!!!  He knew what was awaiting Him on the other side, Praise God!!  Peace is a fruit that we shouldn't want to live without.  Peace in relation to this war torn world we reside in yes, but it can and is deeper, more firmly established than that. The Bible says that The Lord will fight for us (those who claim Christ as Savior) we can hold our peace( Exodus 14:14). I have recently experienced this myself having gone into a battle that God fought for me and WON, Praises!!!! I stand in awe of my Heavenly Father and His Fierceness on this girls behalf. He is my JEHOVAH NISSI  and SABAOTH  my victory and my deliverer, PRAISE GOD IN THE HIGHEST!!!! Jesus said in John 14: 27nlt  that He is leaving us a Gift and it is His peace, much different than the world's peace (thank God)  it is peace of mind and peace  in heart. When all else around is in turmoil, Jesus peace rules in your heart if you accept Him. Glory!! He said we can have peace IN HIM( John16: 33nlt) while here on earth there will be many trials and sorrows. I know about that. Thank you Jesus for Peace, Your Peace.  The Bible talks about our feet being shod with the preperation of the gospel of peace (Ephesians6 ;15kjv). Sounds abit like walking in peace at all cost. Paul talked about preaching peace to those who were near and far away, perhaps believers and unbelievers (Ephesians2:17kjv). I love the Peace of God that passeth all understanding Paul talked about in Philippians 4:7kjv.It shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Isn't that Good News?  I am typing and rejoicing in my heart for this amazing gift of Peace that keeps me. I have experienced this as well and more so in light of recent occurances in my life. I would have lost it if it had not been for God and His MERCY for His girl.(Luke 7:50, Luke 8:48kjv).  I can say that as I walk this walk down here,God 's promise to never leave me alone  is solid ground for me. He has shown time and again even in all the fall down,stumbling around I do daily, He has shown me that He still loves me and forgives me each and every time, I ask. He is not mad at me or holding a grudge against me. What kind of Love is that? I love that each time Jesus greeted the discilpes after his Passion, He said to them "Peace Be unto You", John 20: 19, 21, 26. He had that purpose in mind for them and for us as we live for Him.  Love, Joy, Peace all seem to intermingle with each other and are each needed to support or substantiate the others.  Glory to God!! The rest of Galatians 5:24-26 we  can't leave that out.Since I belong to Christ I must nail the sinful desires to the cross and trust God to help me when I miss it or fall down. I do rely on God for that cause I am dirt - bound daily. Falling happens. I shall get back up again and again. It is imposssible with out Christ at the helm, but He is in charge , so all things are possible with Him. So I shall close saying walk in  the Love of God my friend, Allow the Joy of the Lord to strengthen you, and Peace unto you. I love you! God loves you!!! Job 42.