BC - Day 310

"When he heard this, Jesus said, 'This sickness will not end in death.  No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it.' " John 11:4


Footnote:  Any trial a believer faces can ultimately bring glory to God because God can bring good out of any bad situation.  When trouble comes, do you grumble, complain and blame God, or do you see your problems as opportunities to honor him?


"Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.  Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days. 


Then he said to his disciples, 'Let us go back to Judea.' "  John 11:5-7


Footnote:  Jesus loved this family and often stayed with them.  He knew their pain but did not respond immediately.  His delay had a specific purpose.  God's timing, especially his delays, may make us think he is not answering or is not answering the way we want.  But he will meet all our needs according to his perfect schedule and purpose.  Patiently await his timing.


"A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."  John 13:34,35


Footnote:  To love others was not a new commandment, but to love others as much as Christ loved others was revolutionary.  Now we are to love others based on Jesus' sacrificial love for us.  Such love will not only bring unbelievers to Christ; it will also keep believers strong and unified in a world hostile to God.  Jesus was a living example of God's love, as we are to be living examples of Jesus' love.


Jesus says that our Christlike love will show we are his disciples.  Do people see petty bickering, jealousy, and division in your church?  Or do they know you are Jesus' followers by your love for one another?


Love is more than simply warm feelings; it is an attitude that reveals itself in action.  How can we love others as Jesus loves us?  By helping when it's not convenient, by giving when it hurts, by devoting energy to others' welfare rather than our own, by absorbing hurts from others without complaining or fighting back.  This kind of loving is hard to do.  That is why people notice when you do it and know you are empowered by a supernatural source.  The Bible has another beautiful description of love in 1 Corinthians 13.


JUST KEEP READING..........

All notes in italics taken from Life Application Study Bible, New International version.