DAY #181: Acts 1:12-2:4

Following the instructions of Christ, the disciples stayed in Jerusalem. The upstairs room seems to have been a specific and well-known place. This may have been the same room in which they had eaten the Last Supper with Christ, as well as the location of many of the post-Resurrection appearances. At this time it became the first meeting place of the church.

Luke took special note of the fact that the disciples were joined by Mary the mother of Jesus and several other women, likely the ones who had been present at the Crucifixion and at the empty tomb. Also present were the brothers of Jesus. During his lifetime, Jesus’ brothers (Mary and Joseph’s other sons) did not believe he was the Messiah and actually thought he was out of his mind. But Jesus’ resurrection must have convinced them otherwise.

Peter put the events concerning Judas’s betrayal and suicide into biblical perspective by explaining how it was necessary for the Scriptures to be fulfilled, and then he called the believers to the task of choosing Judas’s replacement, something he likewise said was necessary. Peter gave a great lesson in healthy biblical leadership: it is a combination of insight from the word of God and corresponding practical action.

Although Jesus predicted this betrayal and bitter end, it was Judas’s choice. Those privileged to be close to the truth are not necessarily committed to the truth.

Peter pointed out the qualifications of the one who was to be chosen to replace Judas. Notice that it had to be someone who had been with Jesus and the other disciples throughout Jesus’ ministry on earth. Such eyewitness involvement was absolutely necessary for the credibility of the person bearing witness to the words and the works of Christ. This one would join the other apostles in being a witness of Jesus’ resurrection. What this witness said would be a testimony to the credibility of the life of Christ and the words of Christ. It is clear that, in addition to the twelve disciples, many others had consistently followed Jesus throughout his ministry on earth.

The Twelve were his inner circle, but many others shared deep love for and commitment to Jesus. It was now simply a matter of finding the one who would be elevated to the title of apostle.

Matthias was chosen to be the twelfth apostle. That may seem odd because Paul (who is also called an “apostle”) is not mentioned here. Remember that all of this occurred prior to Paul’s conversion. Paul’s calling was unique. To begin with, he did not meet the qualifications spelled out by Peter. Thus, though Paul was not technically one of the Twelve, he clearly was designated an apostle with authority equal to any of them.

The day of Pentecost was an annual feast celebrated on the day after the seventh Sabbath after Passover (Leviticus 23:15-16). Since the date was determined by the passing of a “week” of weeks (seven weeks), it was often called the Festival of Weeks. The word “Pentecost” means “fifty,” so named because this festival was celebrated fifty days after Passover. Pentecost was one of three major annual festivals celebrated by the Jews (along with Passover, fifty days earlier, and the Festival of Shelters about four months later).

Jesus was crucified at Passover time, and he ascended forty days after his resurrection. The Holy Spirit came fifty days after the Resurrection, ten days after the Ascension. As the believers were gathered, they heard a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm. The wind is a good analogy for the Spirit: it is not seen, though its effects are, and it can be found everywhere in never-ending supply.


At Pentecost God confirmed the validity of the Holy Spirit’s ministry by sending fire. And while at Mount Sinai fire had come down on one place, at Pentecost fire came down on many believers, symbolizing that God’s presence is available to all who believe in him.


In principle, the filling of the Holy Spirit can be distinguished from the term “baptism” of the Spirit. “Baptism” is the theological, objective term referring to the Spirit’s initial work in a believer’s life, beginning the relationship, and—like water baptism—is not a repeated act.
At Pentecost the Holy Spirit was made available to all who believe in Jesus. Believers receive the Holy Spirit (are baptized with him) when they trust in Jesus Christ for salvation.

The Spirit marks the beginning of the Christian experience. No one belongs to Christ without his Spirit; no one is united to Christ without his Spirit; no one is adopted as God’s child without his Spirit.

The Spirit is the power for the new life. He begins a lifelong process of change as believers become more like Christ. Those who receive Christ by faith begin an immediate personal relationship with God. The Holy Spirit works in them to help them become like Christ.

The believers could speak in these other languages because the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. This is the clear teaching of the New Testament—that the Holy Spirit sovereignly determines which gift(s) a believer will have (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11). Furthermore, these gifts are meant to be used to build up the body of Christ.


SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Lord, fill me with Your Holy Spirit today. May everything I do and say bring honor and glory to You. May everything I do and say be a blessing to others. Lord, use me to build others today. Use me to build Your kingdom today. Use me to build my family today. Use me to build COV. Lord, may I be less and may you be more today (John 3:30).

Lord, teach our people, show our people what their spiritual gifts are. Teach them and show them how to use their gifts to build others and Your church. And Lord, You know the needs of our church. Lay those needs on the hearts of Your people and Lord, even in these difficult financial times, teach them how to be faithful to giving and tithing.

DAY #180: Acts 1:1-11

Luke’s opening statement ties this volume to his first book, the Gospel of Luke. That book was also addressed to Theophilus, whose name means “one who loves God.” Most likely Theophilus was a Roman acquaintance of Luke’s with a strong interest in the new Christian religion.

During the days after Christ rose from the dead, he appeared to the apostles from time to time. The word proved refers to demonstrated, decisive evidence. Jesus’ resurrection had not been sleight of hand or illusion, with Jesus being merely a ghostly presence. Instead, these were solid, visible, and undeniable proofs of the fact that Jesus was alive.

When Christ returned to heaven, God’s Kingdom remained in the hearts of all believers through the presence of the Holy Spirit. God promised, however, that he would ultimately reign over all and bring about the end of all death and disease. The ultimate culmination of the Kingdom of God will not be fully realized until Jesus Christ comes again to rule, defeat his enemies, and consummate the Kingdom.

When would the risen Lord set up his Kingdom? This was the question uppermost in the apostles’ minds. They were eagerly hoping for a glorious earthly kingdom free from Roman rule.

Acts 1:8 is the last recorded statement of Christ on earth. It is thus final, authoritative, and of utmost importance. The Holy Spirit is a major theme in Luke and Acts and is the major point of continuity between the life of Jesus and the ministry of the church.

Who is the Holy Spirit? God is three persons in one—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God became a man in Jesus so that Jesus could die for our sins. Jesus rose from the dead to offer salvation to all people through spiritual renewal and rebirth. When Jesus ascended into heaven, his physical presence left the earth, but he promised to send the Holy Spirit so that his spiritual presence would still be among mankind.

When the Spirit comes, he told his followers, you will receive power. To do what? To tell people about him. They were to start right there in Jerusalem. Judea was the region surrounding Jerusalem (possibly including Galilee). Samaria was Judea’s hostile next-door neighbor, a more difficult but equally important place to take the gospel. The ends of the earth may have referred to Rome or the Roman Empire, the world power at that time.

The direction was of primary importance: Beginning from where you are at this moment, take the message of Christ outward, like ripples caused by a pebble thrown into a pond, not stopping at just your city or state but moving on beyond regional influence to the very “ends” of the earth. In other words, reach it all!

The disciples took Jesus at his word and went about their task exactly as he directed: they began in Jerusalem, spread to Judea and Samaria, then filtered out across the world to the imperial capital, Rome.

After giving this important charge, Jesus was taken up into the sky while they were watching, and he disappeared into a cloud. The disciples needed to see Jesus make this transition. The Ascension confirmed for them that Jesus truly was God. In addition, they witnessed the fact that he had physically left earth and had returned to his heavenly home; thus, the remaining work would be done by the witnesses he had left behind, operating in the power of the promised Holy Spirit.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

His last command - Acts 1:8 - must be my first concern. I have often said, the only reason that God left us here, after receiving Christ, was to to tell others about Him. To share the Good News. I have had many Christians debate this point with me, saying things like, We are left here to worship or to pray. These are good things, high things to be sure. But let me ask you, where could you pray or worship better? Here or in heaven? The answer is clear.

There are only two things you can't do in heaven. Sin and share the good news with unbelievers. Let me ask you, which has God left us here to do?

Lord, fill my heart daily with Your spirit and give me boldness and courage and power to share the news of Your love, Your sacrifice and Your forgiveness. Give this same courage and boldness and power to the people of COV.

DAY #179: John 20:19-21:25

Jesus gave His peace to the disciples and then commissioned them to be His representatives, even as he had been the Father’s. Jesus again identified himself with his Father. He told the disciples by whose authority he did his work. Then he gave the task to his disciples of spreading the gospel message around the world. They were sent with authority from God to preach, teach, and do miracles —in essence, to continue across the world what Jesus had begun in Palestine.

Whatever God has asked you to do, remember: (1) Your authority comes from God, and (2) Jesus has demonstrated by words and actions how to accomplish the job he has given you. As the Father sent his Son, Jesus sends his followers . . . and you. Your response is to determine from day to day those to whom the Father has sent you.

Before the disciples could carry out this commission, however, they needed the power of the Holy Spirit. And Jesus gave them this power by breathing into them the Holy Spirit. With this breathing came the power to do God’s will on earth.

Jesus gave the disciples their Spirit-powered and Spirit-guided mission—to preach the Good News about him so that people’s sins might be forgiven. The disciples did not have the power to forgive sins (only God can forgive sins), but Jesus gave them the privilege of telling new believers that their sins have been forgiven because they have accepted Jesus’ message. All believers have this same privilege. We can announce the forgiveness of sin with certainty when we ourselves repent and believe. Those who don’t believe will not experience the forgiveness of sins; their sins will be retained (i.e., not forgiven).

When the disciples told Thomas that Jesus had appeared to them, he did not believe. Thomas insisted that he see the Jesus who had been crucified. He wanted bodily proof—to see and touch the nail scars in Jesus’ hands and to place his hand into the wound in Jesus’ side. Sometimes people overemphasize the doubtful part of Thomas’s character.

After eight days, Thomas got his chance. Jesus told him to touch and see his hands and side. Jesus’ resurrected body was unique. It was no longer subject to the same laws of nature as before his death. He could appear in a locked room; yet he was not a ghost or apparition because he could be touched and his wounds were still visible.

When he saw Jesus, “doubting” Thomas became believing Thomas. His response rings through the ages as the response of many doubters who finally see the truth, “My Lord and my God!” This clear affirmation of Jesus’ deity provides a good conclusion to John’s Gospel, which continually affirms Jesus’ deity.

Jesus came to make another appearance to the disciples, especially to Peter. Perhaps because of the distance, haze over the water, or lack of light at dawn, the men in the boat did not recognize the man on the shore. He called out, “Friends, have you caught any fish?” They were only about a hundred yards out and called back, “No.”

This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples; the first two times had been behind locked doors in Jerusalem. Jesus had come to them to encourage these disciples, especially Peter, concerning their future work. The text seems to imply that Jesus had come to remind them that they were not to return to their old life of fishing. He had called them to be fishers of people and to start the church. Peter, the leader among them, needed to be ready for the responsibilities he soon would assume. He would lead and feed the flock—not with physical food (which Jesus would provide) but with spiritual food.


After the meal, Jesus and Peter had a talk. During their conversation, Jesus led Peter through an experience that would remove the cloud of guilt that came from Peter’s denial.


SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

So often, after a failure, either we categorize ourselves as finished, or we let others do it for us. I am so grateful that after the fear displayed by the disciples and their failure to stand up for Jesus and speak out for Jesus, He does not condemn them. Rather, He affirms their call and encourages them to keep on keeping on.

Lord, do that work in me. Remind me daily of Your call on my life. Every time I fail and fall, pick me up, forgive me and set me on the right path again. Do that same thing people for the the people of COV. Remind them that we are not defined by our failures, but by how we respond to them. Give them the courage to GET UP and get back after it.

Lord, draw people to COV this morning. Speak to their hearts and speak through Pastor Marty. Give people courage to act upon whatever You say to their hear hearts.

DAY #178: John 19:38-20:18

The Jewish custom of burial did not include mummifying or embalming; instead, they washed the body, then wrapped it in a cloth soaked with aromatic oils and spices. According to Matthew 27:60, this new tomb was Joseph’s own that he gave up for Jesus. Such rock-hewn tombs were expensive. Even in burial, Jesus fulfilled prophecy (Isaiah 53:9).

Mary Magdalene was one of several women who had followed Jesus to the cross, watched his crucifixion, and then remained to see where he was buried. She, along with other women, was an early follower of Jesus who traveled with him and helped provide for the financial needs of the group. Mary was obviously grateful to Jesus for freeing her from the torment of demon possession. She was from Magdala, a town near Capernaum in Galilee.

Mark records that as the women were on their way to the tomb, they were discussing how they would remove the stone that had been rolled across the entrance. But this would not be a problem, because as they approached they found that the stone had been rolled away. The other Gospel accounts record that angels spoke to the women.

Mary Magdalene, and the other women, ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved (probably John).They had been in the tomb, the body was gone, and they assumed that someone had taken the Lord’s body.

20:3-5 Though John’s youthful legs carried him more swiftly to the grave, once he was there he stooped and looked in, but he waited for Peter’s arrival before entering the cave. Resurrection would not have been their first thought. None of the possible natural explanations for the missing body were of any comfort. If Jesus’ body had been stolen or moved by the religious leaders, the disciples would have reason to worry about their own fate.
20:6-7 Close examination revealed that the linen wrappings had been left—perhaps as if Jesus had passed right through them. The cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was rolled up separately from the other wrappings that had enveloped Jesus’ body. A grave robber couldn’t possibly have made off with Jesus’ body and left the linens as if they were still shaped around it. The neatness and order indicated that there was not a hasty removal of Jesus’ body. Rather, Jesus arose and left the wrappings lying there, empty.

When John saw the empty tomb and the empty graveclothes, he instantly believed that Jesus must have risen from the dead. The text stresses the importance here of John “seeing and believing” to affirm the eyewitness account of an apostle. Most believers would not have this opportunity; they would have to base their faith on what these witnesses reported. John explains that until then they hadn’t realized that the Scriptures said he would rise from the dead. Though Jesus had told them, it took the experience for them to understand.

The angels asked Mary, “Why are you crying?” Under normal circumstances this would seem to be an odd question. People might be expected to be crying beside the tomb of a loved one. However, the angels knew why the tomb was empty. They also knew that if these people had listened to Jesus’ words about his resurrection while he was alive, they would not be sad and confused; instead, they would be leaping for joy. So the angels’ question was not odd, but obvious. It was not meant as a rebuke, but as a reminder of heaven’s perspective. Mary simply answered the angels’ question with her fears, “Because they have taken away my Lord and I don’t know where they have put him.”

Mary was trying to grasp what might have happened to Jesus’ body, so thinking Jesus was the gardener, she asked if he knew anything. If only she could find him, she herself would go get him. Mary had been looking for the body of her dead Lord; suddenly, to her amazement, she stood face to face with her living Lord. Jesus spoke her name, and immediately she recognized him. Imagine the love that flooded Mary’s heart when she heard her Savior saying her name!

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Even today, 28 years after first meeting Christ, I am not sure I understand fully the magnitude of what Jesus did on the cross. He took my place. He died for me. He took my sin upon Himself. He became sin. He defeated death. He broke the chains of hell. He made a way for me to get to heaven and have a personal relationship with God.

Without the ressurection, we have a great story, but no power. No life. No forgivness. The ressurection proves Jesus was who He said He was. I owe Him everything.

"And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God." Colossians 1:10 (NIV)

DAY #177: John 19:16-37

Jesus was led away, forced to carry his cross by himself. But he became weak because of the flogging, and Simon was commanded to take over. Jesus was taken to Golgotha, which in the Hebrew means “skull.” The familiar name “Calvary” is derived from the Latin calvaria (also meaning “skull”).

As the drama of the cross unfolds, John’s writing captures the simple ironies of the tragedy. The soldiers who escorted Jesus to Calvary didn’t know who he was; they were just doing their duty. Pilate knew that Jesus wasn’t guilty of death, but he still didn’t understand who Jesus was. The people, roused to a fever pitch by the religious leaders, didn’t take the time to care about who Jesus was (even though they had hailed him as their king a few days earlier. Obviously, they were disappointed by the mocking display of him as a pitiful king).

The chief priests perhaps were the most blind of all, for they had totally lost sight of everything they stood for, seeking Jesus’ death only to hold onto their precious positions and to stop the teachings that were threatening their status quo.

Jesus knew his destiny, and he approached death boldly and courageously. Jesus endured the shame of crucifixion, the ridicule of the crowd, and the insults of those who cast lots for his clothing as he died. Though he was in agony, his thoughts included the care of his aged mother, whose care he entrusted to the disciple he loved. The Jews and the Romans were not taking Jesus’ life from him; he was laying it down of his own accord.

Pilate had a sign prepared and fastened to the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Pilate wrote this notice in three languages so that anyone passing into or out of the city would be able to read it: Hebrew (or, Aramaic—the language of the Jews), Latin (the Roman language, the official language), and Greek (the lingua franca, the common tongue).

The dying King was actually taking control of his Kingdom. His death and resurrection would strike the death blow to Satan’s rule and would establish Jesus’ eternal authority over the earth. Few people reading the sign that bleak afternoon understood its real meaning, but the sign was absolutely true. Jesus was King of the Jews as well as the Gentiles, the universe, and you. This sign became a universal proclamation, an unconscious prophecy, that Jesus is the royal Messiah.

Jesus did not take the wine earlier because he wanted to be fully conscious through the entire process. Jesus tasted it, and then said, “It is finished!” According to the Greek, the one word, tetelestai, means “it is accomplished,” “it is fulfilled,” or even, “it is paid in full.” Jesus’ death accomplished redemption—“paid in full”; and his death fulfilled all the Old Testament prophecies. It was time for Jesus to die.

Up to this point, sin could be atoned through a complicated system of sacrifices. Sin separates people from God, and only through the sacrifice of an animal, a substitute, and faith in God’s promise could people be forgiven and become clean before God. But people sin continually, so frequent sacrifices were required. Jesus, however, was the final and ultimate sacrifice for sin. With his death, the complex sacrificial system ended because Jesus took all sin upon himself. Now we can freely approach God because of what Jesus did for us. Those who believe in Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection can live eternally with God and escape the penalty that comes from sin.

Then Jesus bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

He died for me. He died for you. How humbled and honored I feel simultaneously. How in the world can I hold something against anybody or how can you hold something against anybody, in light of what Jesus has done for us on the cross?


Lord, keep my eyes on Jesus. I need His strength. I need his humility. I need His stamina. I need His perseverance. I need His holiness. I need His compassion. I need His wisdom. I need His vision. I need His temperament.


As you watch this vide once again, ask God to make you more like Christ than ever before.

DAY #176: John 18:28-19:15

Peter was still in the courtyard of Annas’s house and was standing beside a fire with several other people. Again Peter was asked: “Aren’t you one of his disciples?” Peter denied it saying, “I am not.” The vehemence of Peter’s denial may have caught the attention of several others who were gathered around the fire. To at least one of them, Peter looked very familiar.

This, the third denial, happened exactly as Jesus had predicted. The other three Gospels say that Peter’s three denials happened near a fire in the courtyard outside Caiaphas’s palace. John places the three denials outside Annas’s home. This was very likely the same courtyard. The high priest’s residence was large, and Annas and Caiaphas undoubtedly lived near each other. This time a household servant who happened to be a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Didn’t I see you out there in the olive grove with Jesus?” But for the third time, Peter denied it. A crowing rooster and the piercing look of Jesus made Peter realize how quickly he had abandoned his Lord.

By now it was the early hours of Friday morning. This headquarters was also called the Praetorium, where the Roman governor resided when he was in Jerusalem. By Jewish law, entering the house of a Gentile would cause a Jewish person to be ceremonially defiled. As a result, a Jew could not take part in worship at the Temple or celebrate the feasts until he or she was restored to a state of “cleanness.” Afraid of being defiled, Jesus’ accusers stayed outside the house where they had taken Jesus for trial. They kept the ceremonial requirements of their religion while harboring murder and treachery in their hearts. Because the Jews were outside, Pilate went out to them and asked, “What is your charge against this man?”

Pilate realized that something wasn’t normal about this case. He must have sensed the jealousy of the Jewish leaders who brought this popular teacher to him. Pilate certainly had seen or at least had heard about Jesus’ glorious entry into Jerusalem only a few days earlier, so he understood the motives of these religious leaders. Therefore, Pilate demanded that they provide a bona fide legal charge against Jesus.

The Jews needed Pilate to give Jesus a trial because only the Romans were permitted to execute someone. Being under Roman rule, the Jews were not permitted to carry out the kind of execution they were planning without the sanction of the Roman government. It seems that “spontaneous” executions like the stoning of Stephen or the woman taken in adultery were overlooked by the Romans. But in the eyes of the Jewish leaders, Jesus needed to be executed publicly. Thus, the Jews needed the Romans to execute Jesus for them.

Pilate handed Jesus over to the soldiers to be flogged. This was another attempt by Pilate to set Jesus free. Pilate knew that Jesus was innocent of any crime, and he desperately wanted Jesus freed to quiet his own conscience. So Pilate thought the flogging would appease the Jews. This was ruthless but not intended to kill him. Nevertheless, it was not uncommon for prisoners to die of floggings. Some of the whips used for flogging were designed to inflict terrible damage to the human body. The leather thongs that formed the striking surfaces were lead-tipped so that victims were both bruised and cut severely. Punishment was applied to the bared upper body of a bound prisoner. Apparently, Pilate thought this flogging was a humane alternative to crucifixion. He was avoiding condemning Jesus to death.






SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

For the fourth time, in this the fourth Gospel, we read of the horrific punishment that Jesus endured for us. Not once did He respond like I could see myself doing - in the flesh.

"Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." 1 Peter 2:18-23 (NIV)


Lord, build into me a peace and understanding that I don't always have to be right. I don't always have to have my pound of flesh. I don't always have to win and prove my point.
Today, I commit myself and my future and my family and my flock to you anew.

DAY #175: John 18:1-27

To get to the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus and the disciples had to cross the Kidron Valley, a ravine that starts north of Jerusalem and goes between the hill where the Temple is built and the Mount of Olives, then moving on to the Dead Sea.

Though Judas had left the group while they were still in the upper room, he calculated that Jesus would go to Gethsemane with his disciples because that seemed to be a favorite place for Jesus and the disciples to get away from the crowds when they were in Jerusalem.

Judas acted as a guide to two groups: (1) a battalion of Roman soldiers (about 600 men), and (2) Temple guards who were Jewish Temple police. The Jews were given authority by the religious leaders to make arrests for minor infractions. The soldiers probably did not participate in the arrest but accompanied the Temple guard to make sure matters didn’t get out of control.

Jesus’ betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion transpired according to the prearranged, divine plan—he fully realized what was happening. The betrayer, Judas Iscariot, had been selected by Jesus. He knew from the beginning that Judas was a devil and would be his betrayer. The time of his arrest was predetermined; it would happen during Passover, not before or after. The method of execution (crucifixion) was predetermined, so Jesus knew that he would be lifted up on the cross.

Jesus was willing to turn himself over to the soldiers, but he asked them to let these others go, referring to the eleven disciples who were with him. By this action, he fulfilled his own statement, “I have not lost a single one of those you gave me.” Jesus was the Good Shepherd who would lay down his life for the sheep.

Once the religious leaders had Jesus in their power, the events began to move with planned precision. Since the point of the effort was to kill Jesus, determining his guilt or innocence was a mere formality. To the leaders, the issue of timing the death was more important than asking whether Jesus deserved to die.

The Jews and the Romans arrested Jesus and tied him up like a common prisoner. Jesus was immediately taken to the high priest’s residence even though it was the middle of the night. The religious leaders were in a hurry—they wanted to complete the execution before the Sabbath and get on with the Passover celebration.


SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have heard?)

Every time I read this passage, I am moved by the compassion of Jesus towards everyone - even Judas. Oh Lord, give me a heart like Yours. Give me the ability to see beyond the flaws and short-comings in people and see their potential. Help me see people like You do.

Lord, today, help me be a conduit of Your love, of Your grace, of Your forgiveness. Help me extend the grace of Christ and the mercy of Christ.

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

DAY #174: John 17:6-26

After praying for his own glorification, Jesus turned the direction of his petition to his disciples. These were the men God had selected to give to his Son as his disciples. To these men, given to him by the Father out of the world, Jesus had expressed the reality of the Father’s person to them . And they had kept his word. Their faith wasn’t perfect, and they would fail their Savior in the coming hours; but their commitment was in the right place, and they would return to this faith and to obedience to God.

Jesus would be departing the world to rejoin the Father; the disciples would stay behind to carry out God’s plan by spreading the good news of salvation. Such a mission would arouse great hostility from the evil one, so the disciples needed special protection. Jesus asked that the Holy Father would keep them and care for them. The prayer itself indicates confidence in God’s ability to “keep” his children, while at the same time allowing the disciples to hear Jesus’ desire for how they are to be kept. Jesus prayed that they would be united just as he and the Father are united. They should have a unified desire and purpose to serve and glorify God. Then they would have the strongest of all possible unions.

Jesus had told his disciples many things about his coming death—hardly a joyful topic. But after these events would take place—especially after the Resurrection—the disciples would be filled with joy, for they would then understand that Jesus had conquered death and Satan and had brought eternal life to all who believe in him.

The world hates Christians because Christians’ values differ from the world’s, and because Christians expose the world’s values for what they are—absolutely worthless. Because Christ’s followers don’t cooperate with the world by joining in their sin, they are living accusations against the world’s immorality. The world follows Satan’s agenda, and Satan is the avowed enemy of Jesus and his people.

Jesus did not pray that God would take them out of the world to protect them from the hatred and persecution to come, rather that they would be kept safe from the evil one—that through difficult circumstances they would not fall prey to the devil. The only way believers can be witnesses to the world is to be witnessing for Christ in the world. We must carry our message, trusting God for his protection. Jesus was not a part of the world’s system, headed by Satan. Neither are believers a part of the world because they have been born again.

Jesus came into the world on a mission for the Father; so he sent these disciples into the world on a mission by the Son. That mission was to make God known. This is an important and exciting theme in John’s Gospel. The Father sent the Son into the world, the Father and the Son sent the Spirit to the disciples, and the disciples are sent by the Father and Son into the world.
It is up to us to carry on Jesus’ mission—to make God known to others.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Lord, help me be about Your mission today. Help me, remind me, prode me, shake me. Put the needs of others right before my eyes. Give me a heart to love all and serve all and most important give me opportunities to share about you today. I want to be a messenger of your love today, Lord.

“For God was in Christ, restoring the world to Himself. This is the wonderful message He has given us to tell others. We are Christ’s ambassadors. God is using us to speak to others.” 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 (LB)


“Remember why He is waiting. He is giving us time to get His message of salvation out to others.” 2 Peter 3:15 (LB)

DAY #173: John 16:16-17:5

Following his explanation of the time between his departure and return, Jesus used a figure of speech to depict how quickly the disciples’ grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy: “It will be like a woman experiencing the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives place to joy.” The disciples would grieve for their crucified Master, and the world (the mass of people opposed to Jesus) will rejoice that this “madman” had finally been silenced.

But the disciples’ grief would turn to joy when they would see their resurrected Lord. In addition, the Holy Spirit would help them understand the true purpose of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection—that it meant salvation from sin and eternal life for everyone who believes! Indeed, they would rejoice, and no one would be able to rob them of that joy.



Jesus was preparing the disciples for the reality that his death would allow them direct access to the Father in prayer and that they ought to make use of it (Hebrews 10:19-25)! The Father would respond to the disciples because, as Jesus said, “The Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God.” All who love Jesus and believe in him as God’s Son are loved by the Father. Why? Because they have loved him whom the Father dearly loves. God remembers our faithfulness to his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus not only encouraged the disciples to love him and remain faithful, but he also reminds us how essential our faithfulness really is.



In a final note of encouragement, Jesus promised the disciples peace through their union with Him—for He would overcome the world by rising from the grave. The world, Satan’s system that is opposed to God, will give the believers many trials and sorrows. But Jesus has beaten Satan’s system, won the victory, and overcome the world. The disciples could constantly rejoice in the victory because they were on the winning team.



With these words Jesus told his disciples to take courage. Despite the inevitable struggles they would face, they would not be alone. Just as Jesus’ Father did not leave him alone, Jesus does not abandon us to our struggles either. If we remember that the ultimate victory has already been won, we can claim the peace of Christ in the most troublesome times. Jesus wants us to have peace.



Looking beyond the Cross to his resurrection and ascension, Jesus asked the Father to restore the glory he had shared with the Father before the world began. In saying this, Jesus gives us a glimpse of his relationship with the Father before the beginning of time. Jesus wanted to return to the glory he had with the Father before the world was created. Jesus would enter into that glory as the crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ.





SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Take courage. Live like a champion. In Christ we are winners. We are overcomers. There will be trials and struggles and battles. We will fall short at times. We will blow it. Get up and get on with it. There are people to love and lives to be saved. Get on with it. There is work to be done and lives to be built. Get on with it.

Lord, give each of the people at COV a heart and mind of a winner. Build a mental and emotional and spiritual "toughness" into each of. Give us a heart and spirit to never give up and to never walk away from you. Everyday, remind us that you achieved our victory on the cross.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV)

DAY #172: Happy Father's Day!

Good Morning! Hey Dads, happy father’s day! Hey this is your day. Kick back, loosen the belt and enjoy this morning. I’d like to start this morning by reading a fathers day story. I thought it was a good fathers day story. Sounds like something I would do.

“As ham sandwiches go, it was perfection. A thick slab of ham, a fresh bun, crisp lettuce and plenty of expensive, light brown, gourmet mustard. The corners of my jaw aching in anticipation, I carried it to the picnic table in our backyard, picked it up with both hands but was stopped by my wife suddenly at my side.

"Hold Johnny, (our six-week-old son), while I get my sandwich," she said. I had him balanced between my left elbow and shoulder and was reaching again for the ham sandwich when I noticed a streak of mustard on my fingers. I love mustard. And I had no napkin.I licked it off. It was NOT mustard. No man ever put a baby down faster. It was the first and only time I have sprinted with my tongue protruding. With a washcloth in each hand I did the sort of routine shoeshine guys do, only I did it on my tongue. Later my wife said, "Now you know why they call that mustard 'Poupon.” You’ll never look at mustard the same again.

Because it’s Father’s Day, I thought it would be good if we could look at the characteristics of a good father. I want to be a good father and I know every one of you here want the same. Al you future fathers – you need to hear this. All you wives and future wives – you need to know how to pray for your man. This morning, let’s look at what the Bible say God is really like.

What kind of Father is God?
1. The Bible Says that GOD IS A CARING FATHER.

He is compassionate, loving, gracious and He cares about you. In fact He loves you more than you will ever know. He loves you more than you will be able to experience. You can’t even understand how much God loves you because your brain isn’t big enough to handle it. But compassion is God’s number one characteristic and attribute. The Bible tells us in Psalms 104 “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who honor Him.” God is caring. God is compassionate.

I know that one of the most profound questions in human existence is “Does God care about my problems?” Does God care about my hurts? The things I’m going through? The stresses I’m feeling? The worries I’m experiencing? Does God really care about what happens to me? The answer is a resounding YES!

He says it many, many times in the Bible. One place is in 1 Peter 5:7 – It says, “Cast all [circle that] your anxiety on Him, [that means every kind of anxiety you have – financial, physical, social, spiritual, mental, relational] because He cares for you.” Does God care about your house payments? Yes. Does God care about the fact that your kids need braces on their teeth? Yes. Does God care about the grades you get at school? Yes. Does God care about whether you have a boyfriend or not? Yes. Does God care about your dreams and hopes and ambitions? Absolutely. He is a caring Father.

You have a heavenly Father that cares about all the details of your life. In fact, He knows every detail of your life. The Bible says He knows every hair on your head. He knows how many you have. They’re numbered. For some of you that isn’t too hard. But I guarantee you, there’s not a person in here today that knows how many hairs you have. God knows every hair on your head and He knows their original color!

2. The second thing the Bible tells us about God is GOD IS A CONSISTENT FATHER.

You can count on Him, every time. He never lets you down. He’s always dependable, entirely consistent in who He is. God is worthy of our trust. James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from the Father who does not change like shifting shadows.” I know some teenagers who feel like, “I never know what to expect from my dad. It changes so much from one day to the other depending entirely on the mood he’s in. One day he’s silent and the next day he’s violent. One day he’s a good guy and the next day he’s a tough guy. I don’t know what to expect.” GUYS, inconsistent fathers produce insecure kids.

The good news? God is a consistent Father. God is not moody. God never has a bad day. That’s good news for us. What if God woke up and said, “I feel a little grouchy today. Who can I zap today?” What kind of world would that be? The good news is God is always consistent. And the great news is His consistency and dependability does not depend on my consistency and dependability.

2 Timothy 2:13 says “Even if we are faithless, He remains faithful for He cannot disown Himself.” I’m so glad that even on the days that I’m down, God is still up. Even on the days when I’m struggling, God is still victorious. He’s always consistent.

This Father’s Day I encourage you: Trust God. Trust God as the Father you never had. He is consistent and deserving of your trust.


Not only is he caring and consistent, but… 3. GOD IS A CLOSE FATHER.

That means He’s available all the time. He’s there when you need Him. He’s not distant. He’s not far off. He’s available. The Bible tells us in Acts 17:27 “God did this so that people would reach out for Him and find Him since He is not far from each of us.” God wants you to find him. God wants you to know Him. God wants you to have a relationship with Him, so He is not far off. He is a close Father. What does that mean for us? Three things:

1. God is never too busy for me. Your parents may be too busy for you. You may be too busy for your kids. But God is never too busy for you. When you pray, God does not say, “Not now. I’ll see you later.” No, God is never too busy for you. He never turns away. He’s with you every single day.

2. God loves to meet my needs. Matthew 7:11 says this, “You know how to give good gifts to your children. How much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him. God says, “If you being an imperfect parent love to give good gifts to your kids what do you think a perfect parent like your heavenly Father wants to do?” I am selfish a lot of the times. I’m self-centered. I think of my needs. But I still, as a parent, love to give to my kids. I love to meet their needs. I really do. And if I with my own mixed motives love to do that, how much more does God want to meet your needs. He’s a perfect Father and He’s waiting to meet your needs.

3. God is sympathetic to my hurts. He is never too busy, He loves to meet my needs and He’s sympathetic to my hurts. When I come to God with my pain, God doesn’t say, “Oh, come on! Get over it! Put a smile on your face. That’s an easy little thing. Get a Band-Aid!” If you’ve had a tough week, God understands. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” I have no doubt that in a crowd this size here today somebody’s got a broken heart. Somebody had their heart broken this week. Some of you feel crushed in spirit. What do you do? Turn to God. He is sympathetic to your hurt. He loves to meet your needs. He is never too busy for you. He wants to help you out! He’s your heavenly Father.

The word that Jesus used for “father” in the Bible is Aramaic, and it is the word “abba”. (Abba is not a Swedish rock group.) Abba is the first word that every Middle Eastern child learns. It means “daddy”. It is a term of endearment and closeness.

Folks, God desires to have you call him daddy. He longs for a close relationship like that with you. You know I have four kids - my three older kids are teenagers. My oldest, Kelsey is going to turn 18 this year. Still today nothing is sweeter to my ears than when I open the door to my house and walk in and my four kids say, “DADDY!” That still turns my crank!! I still get excited when my kids go, “It’s Daddy!” It’s a term of endearment.

I want to tell you, this was a tough week for me. Kelsey graduated from high school. Sad and glad times. I cried – I was depressed. Man, I can’t even imagine what it will be like when se leaves to college in September.

I found myself longing to be able to pick up a phone and call a dad to get some advice on how to get through this time – but no one. So guess what? Friday morning, I got up very early and just wept and cried out to my heavenly daddy. I just poured out my heart and my hurt – my uncertainty. God is a close father!

Finally, God is close, consistent and caring father, also…
4. GOD IS A COMPETENT FATHER

He can handle any problem you give Him. Nothing is beyond His ability. Nothing is beyond His resources. We have an epidemic of fathers today who are good at a lot of other thing but pretty lousy as fathers. Especially on TV, all the fathers are duffuses. Think about it, Homer Simpson there’s a real winner huh? I heard this joke recently “two school kids bragging on the schoolyard. One said, “My daddy can beat your daddy.” And the other kid goes, “Big deal! So can my Mom.”

But nobody can beat up your heavenly Father. Nobody! The Bible says in Luke 1:37 “For nothing is impossible with God.” Nothing is impossible. He can handle it all because He is competent.

I love the family circus sketch that is in your bulletin – you know why? When you’re growing up, you think your dad is Superman. As a little kid you think, “My daddy can do anything!” But as you grow older, you realize that your father had limits to his resources when it came to allowance and there were limits to his wisdom when it came to advice. Sometimes he was just guessing, giving it the best guess.

But your heavenly Father really can do anything. He can do anything! Nothing is impossible with God. Ephesians 3:20 in the Living Bible says “God is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of – infinitely beyond our highest prayers or desires or thoughts or hopes.” God says, “Think of the biggest dream for your life. I can top that. Think of the biggest goal for your life. I can top that. Think of the biggest problem you think you can ever come up against. I can solve it.
We have come to that point in thew message where we ask THE question – what is it?

SO WHAT? (what will you do with what you have read today?)

What are you thinking? Let me tell you what I was thinking as I put this message together - the bottom line is God can take care of His children. He’s caring, He’s consistent, He’s close and He’s competent. He takes care of His children.

The obvious logical question then is - is everybody a child of God? Will God take care of everybody’s needs? Is God the Father of everyone? The answer is Yes and No. If you mean, Did God create everybody? YES! If you mean, Does God love everybody? Absolutely. If you mean, Does God have a plan and purpose for every person on the face of this planet? With out a doubt –YES! God is the Father of everyone in that sense.

But it takes more than birth to be a father. It takes a relationship. Some of you were probably birthed by men you never met. They are your father by creation but they are not your father by relationship and you miss it. You long for it and you wish you had that relationship. God says, “I have created everyone but not everyone is My child unless they have a relationship with Me.” You are not in the family of God – you were created by God but you are not in the family of God until you choose to become a part of it. That’s a choice you can make today.

How do I become a part of the family of God? How do I become a child of God? How do I get God to be my heavenly Father? Some of you say, “I believe in Jesus. I believe in God and Jesus. I believe He was who He said He was.” I say, “Congratulations! You’re half way there.” It takes more than believing in Jesus Christ to get into God’s family.

You must believe and receive. I must believe Jesus was who He said He was. And I must receive Him into my life and say, “God, You call the shots now. You be my Savior. You be the manager of my life. I’m putting on a sign that says, ‘Under new management.’ God, You’re in charge now from here on out.” When you put your faith in Christ, you believe and you receive Him, then you get into God’s family.

If you haven’t done this, what are you waiting on? I don’t care if you’re Catholic or Protestant or Jewish or no religious background. No religion will get you into the kingdom of God. No religion will get you into God’s family. No religion will get you to heaven. There’s not one verse in the Bible that says religion is the way. Not one. It says a relationship to your Father is the way, through Jesus Christ. I hope you make that decision today

Psalm 119:33 (LB) says “Just tell me what to do and I will do it, Lord. As long as I live I'll wholeheartedly obey.”

Prayer:

Would you pray this prayer in your heart? “Dear God, I want You to be my heavenly Father and I want to be Your child. I ask You to adopt me into Your home. I want to be spiritually born into Your family through Jesus Christ. Jesus, I don’t understand it all but I accept You as the way to the Father. I want You to be in charge of my life to guide me and direct me. Thank You that You are a loving Father. Thank You that You are a caring Father. Thank you that You are consistent. Thank You that You are competent and that You can handle all the problems that I give to You. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

DAY #171: John 14:25-15:17

Please pray for the kids who made decisions at camp. Pray that they would stay connected to Christ and to other believers. Pray that God would preserve the commitments and the softness of heart in each student. Pray that these students would continue the habits of reading the Word and praying and confession that they began at camp.

In today's passage, we see that Jesus gave his last words to His disciples. The coming days would bring horrifying, then glorious. Jesus would not be able to talk to his disciples during those events. Before the disciples could understand any more, Jesus’ death and resurrection would have to take place. Then, the disciples’ understanding would be heightened by the coming of the Holy Spirit.

The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, would be sent as Jesus’ representative The Spirit would continue Jesus’ ministry of teaching. The Spirit would also remind the disciples of what Jesus had told them. The apostles remembered and wrote with the help of the Spirit. John’s Gospel, even the entire New Testament, would not exist if not for this reminding work of the Holy Spirit.

In chapter 15, Jesus begins His teaching about the Secrets of the Vine. The grapevine is a prolific plant; a single vine bears many grapes. In the Old Testament, grapes symbolized Israel’s fruitfulness in doing God’s work on earth. Believers, both sincere and false, are pictured here as the branches.

The fruitful branches are true believers who, by their living union with Christ, produce much fruit. Fruit is not limited to soul winning. In this chapter, answered prayer, joy, and love are mentioned as fruit. Galatians 5:22-24 and 2 Peter 1:5-8 describe additional fruit, explained as qualities of Christian character.

Jesus prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. Successful gardeners know that pruning, cutting back the branches, increases fruit bearing. Each spring vinedressers cut back each vine to its root stock to enhance its fruitfulness. Sincere believers, the fruitful branches, will be “pruned,” meaning that God must sometimes discipline us to strengthen our character and faith. But branches that don’t bear fruit are “cut off” at the trunk and are completely discarded because they are worthless and often infect the rest of the plant. People who won’t bear fruit for God or who try to block the efforts of God’s followers will be cut off from his life-giving power.

True disciples do more than just believe what Jesus says; they let Jesus’ words remain in them. An essential part of being a disciple requires bearing fruit for the Lord. And in order to pray for results, a person must remain in Christ. For when we remain in him, our thoughts and desires conform to his, and we can pray “in his name", knowing that our requests please God. We can be assured then that whatever we ask will be done.

A vine that produces much fruit glorifies God. Jesus does not call Christians to a dull existence of being hated by the world, obeying commands, and waiting to get to heaven. Instead, he offers us fullness of joy! Nothing else in all the world can bring the joy that we find in serving, abiding in, and obeying Christ.

Finally, we read in this passage that Jesus commanded His followers to love each other as He loved them. We must love each other sacrificially, as Jesus loved us. Jesus required His disciples to make peace with one another, to place the interests of others above their own, and to solve differences quickly. He knew they were diverse in background, but he ordered them to love each other. Jesus knew that setting this high standard was essential to preserving the unity of the church. If he required it, the believers would accept and live out this standard. Backbiting, disrespect, and bitterness toward fellow believers strips the church of its power

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

I must stay connected to Jesus. I must stay connected to His Word. I must keep short accounts of sin (in other words, don't let my sin pile high and then throw a blanket confession over them. Rather, when I sin, when i blow it, I need to immediately confess the sin and move on). Lord, I want my life to bear fruit. I want my life to be used by You - however You please. Lord, do this same work in the hearts and lives of the people of COV.

Lord, press upon their hearts the need to stay connected with you moment by moment. Press upon them Your desire for them to bear fruit. Give them a heart for Your word and for people.

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." John 15:16 (NIV)

DAY #170: John 14:1-24

I'm a little down. Camp is over. I thoroughly enjoyed my time serving at camp. I am so grateful for the volunteers who took a week of vacation to be with us. God did an amazing work. I would encourage each of you to do the same in the coming years. Vacation with a purpose.

In today's passage, we see that Jesus spoke to Peter and to all the other disciples, telling them, “Don’t be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me.” All of the disciples must have been troubled about Jesus’ predictions of betrayal, denial, and departure. After all, if Peter’s commitment was shaky, then every disciple should be aware of his own weaknesses. Jesus urged his disciples to maintain their trust in the Father and in the Son, to continue trusting through the next few very difficult days

The traditional interpretation of this phrase teaches that Jesus is going to heaven to prepare rooms or “mansions” for his followers. Based on that imagery, entire heavenly subdivisions and elaborate “mansion blueprints” have been described. Many commentators think that Jesus was speaking about his Father’s house in heaven, where he would go after his resurrection in order to prepare rooms for his followers. Then he would return one day to take his believers to be with him in heaven.

Jesus said, “You know where I am going and how to get there.” This statement anticipated Thomas’s question (in the next verse) and prepared the groundwork for what Jesus was about to teach regarding himself. Jesus was not naively hoping his disciples understood; he was inviting them to declare their ignorance so they might receive the truth.

Clearly, the disciples didn’t know what Jesus meant. Thomas expressed the obvious by asking, “We haven’t any idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Like us, the disciples thought in terms of this world—time and space. So going must mean physically moving from one place to another. Jesus replied: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

Jesus’ response shows that the destination is not a physical place but a person (the Father), and that the way to that destination is another person (the Son). Jesus is the Way to the Father; Jesus is the Truth (or reality) of all God’s promises; and Jesus is the Life as he joins his divine life to ours, both now and eternally. Jesus is the way that leads to the truth and life.

Jesus’ exclusive claim is unmistakable. It forces an unconditional response. Jesus invites people to accept or reject him, making it clear that partial acceptance is rejection. His self-description invalidates alternative plans of salvation. Some would say that a single way is entirely too restrictive. But that attitude fails to see the desperate state of the human condition. That there is a way at all is evidence of God’s grace and love. The state of human rebellion can be seen in this: We are like people drowning at sea who are graciously thrown a life-saving rope but who respond by insisting that we deserve a choice of several ropes along with the option of swimming to safety if we so choose.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

While the PC thing to say today is that many "roads" lead to heaven, scripture teaches there is only one way. Highway 146 - Jesus Christ. Buddha didn't die for people and then beat death. Neither did Confucius or Mohamed or Joesph Smith or Ganges Khan or whoever.

Jesus claimed to be the only way to God and backed it up by proving He was/is God through the Resurrection. Deservedly, He deserves our worship. He deserves our full heart and full commitment. In a day and age when so many former "mainstream" denominations are backpedaling on the Deity of Jesus and the authority of the bible, we at COV stand our ground. We believe in the inerrancy and infallibility of the Bible. We believe in the truth of creation. No matter how unpopular those truths may become, we will not compromise these essential truths.

DAY #169: John 13:18-38

What a great day at the beach yesterday. God is working in the hearts of kids and staff. Keep praying for protection and for God to break through barriers. So many broken homes and hurting kids. We must be a church that builds families and equips parents and trains children.

In today's passage, we see Jesus’ previous statements about serving and loving one another did not apply to all of his disciples because, in fact, one of his disciples (Judas) was about to betray him. However, this betrayal was not an unexpected event, for Jesus had known from the beginning that one of the men he chose would betray him.

Jesus’ betrayal was necessary to fulfill Scripture—specifically, Psalm 41:9. Jesus drew from Psalm 41 because it describes how one of David’s friends turned against him. This may have referred to the story of David’s trusted companion, Ahithophel, who betrayed David and then went and hanged himself (2 Samuel 16:20–17:3, 23). Judas, who had been with Jesus and was a trusted companion (Judas was keeper of the money), would betray Jesus and then hang himself.


Next, we see Jesus and the Disciples Share the Last Supper. At this point in the dinner, the mood shifted, partly as a reflection of the ominous tone Jesus used. Apparently the food was on the table, and they may have already been eating. Moments later, in answer to John’s direct question, Jesus indicated his knowledge of Judas’s betrayal by handing him the bread that he had dipped in the bowl. The rest of the disciples could not understand the meaning of Judas’s abrupt departure.

Jesus was in great anguish of spirit over the coming betrayal, even though he knew that the betrayal had been foreordained. His inner turmoil was expressed when he said, “The truth is, one of you will betray me!” Jesus’ pronouncement caused great consternation among the disciples. It was not obvious who the betrayer was. Judas, as keeper of the money, may have been the one they would least suspect.

Peter motioned to the one who was sitting beside Jesus to ask who the betrayer was. So that disciple, the one Jesus loved (identified as John, the author), asked Jesus, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus identified the betrayer as “the one to whom I give the bread dipped in the sauce.” Jesus dipped the piece of bread into a dish filled with a sauce probably made of dates, raisins, and sour wine. Having said this, Jesus dipped the piece of bread and gave it to Judas. Ironically, a host offering a piece of bread to a guest was a sign of friendship. Jesus’ act of friendship was his identification of the betrayer. Later, in the Garden, Judas would identify Jesus to the guards with another sign of friendship—a kiss.

After Judas ate the bread, Satan entered into him. Thus the betrayal was set in motion. Jesus said to Judas, “Hurry. Do it now.” No one else at the table understood, but Judas did. Jesus identified Judas so tactfully that all the disciples missed the significance of the act: they did not connect Jesus’ earlier statement (“One of you will betray me”) with his present exchange with Judas. Despite the disciples’ misunderstanding, the stage was quickly being set: Judas left at once, going out into the night. The last statement recounts the actual time yet also symbolizes the spiritual condition of Judas. He was in darkness, under the control of the prince of darkness, Satan.

After Judas’s departure, Jesus spoke of his own glorification and referred to the brief time they would still have together. With a sense of urgency, he commanded them to love each other. He indicated that this single characteristic would set them apart from the world as his disciples. Peter wanted to know where Jesus was planning to go that they could not go with him. Jesus simply restated that his destination would not be theirs until later.


When Judas was gone, Jesus said, “The time has come for me, the Son of Man, to enter into my glory.” As Judas was on his way to betray Jesus into the hands of those who would crucify him, Jesus looked past the cross to his glorification at the resurrection.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Lord, help me be more like you. Even though You knew Judas would betray you - even though you knew Judas was stealing money and had the wrong motives in serving, You did not alienate him or ostracize him - you served him and you loved him. Simply awesome. Lord, give me that grace and mercy for those who speak ill of me or do harm to me. Daily, help me see the big picture of Your love and mercy and grace.

DAY #168: John 13:1-17

Summer camp is going great. Kids are safe, having a great time and many are making commitments to Jesus. I am grateful that many of you are praying for camp and equally grateful for the financial support of the church so that kids who needed help could go. God is working. Keep praying.


Now to the passage this morning; because Jesus was fully aware that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father, he devoted his last hours to instructing and encouraging his disciples. Jesus continued his devotion to his disciples until the very end of his life, showing them in this last night the full extent of his love. Before he left them, he wanted to express his love to them, one by one—and this he would do in a way that would surprise them.

Jesus had already called Judas “a devil” because Jesus knew that Judas would cooperate with the Devil in perpetrating Jesus’ death. Thus, the Devil and Judas corroborated in Jesus’ betrayal. Indeed, Satan entered Judas to carry out the actual betrayal.

Being assured of His own destiny, Jesus focused his attention on the disciples and showed them what it meant for him to become their Servant and for them to serve one another. At the time so near to the revelation of Jesus’ true identity and glory, he set aside what was rightfully his and expressed his character through an act of humility. He got up, took off his robe, and wrapped a towel around his waist like an apron. He then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet.

Jesus was the model servant, and he showed his servant attitude to his disciples. Foot washing was a common act in Bible times. People traveled mostly on foot in sandals across the dusty roads of Judea. When entering a home, it was customary to wash one’s feet. Washing guests’ feet was a job for a household servant to carry out when guests arrived. It was a subservient task. What was unusual about this act was that Jesus, the Master and Teacher, was doing it for his disciples, as the lowliest slave would do.

Jesus’ act of washing the disciples’ feet demonstrated love in action. Jesus was their Teacher and Lord, meaning he was on a higher level than they; yet he assumed a position of humility and service because he loved those he served. Jesus commanded his disciples to wash each other’s feet—to serve one another in love according to the example he set. To refuse to serve others, to refuse to humble yourself, no matter how high your position, is to place yourself above Jesus. Such arrogant pride is not what Jesus taught.

These disciples would soon be sent out as the messengers for the Christian church. They would be leaders in many places—indeed, James, John, and Peter became the leaders of the Christian church in Jerusalem. Jesus taught these soon-to-be leaders that as they labored to spread the gospel, they first and foremost had to be servants to those whom they taught.

The disciples must have remembered this lesson often as they labored with the problems, struggles, and joys of the early believers. How many times they must have remembered that they were called to serve. And what a difference it made! Imagine how difficult the growth (even existence) of the early church would have been if these disciples had continued vying for spots of greatness and importance! Fortunately for us, they took Jesus’ lesson to heart.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

I am so grateful for the example that Jesus set. He was truly the greatest servant. This week at camp has been great for me. To see how God is at work. To see the hope Christ lived out in the lives of many of these students. Pretty awesome stuff. I wish all of you could experience what I have this week. God has reminded me of the privilege it is to serve and to do so with a willing heart.

Lord, make me more and more like you every day. It is an honor to serve you and others. Lord, raise up more and more servants at COV each and every week.

DAY #167: John 12:37-50

We are having a great time at the COV Summer camp. God is working in kids hearts. Already six kids have given their lives to Christ. Keep praying for safety and protection. Keep praying that god will use the staff to break through the barriers that kids have built up between them and God.

Now to the passage today. Jesus had performed enough miraculous signs to cause people to believe in him. The greatest of all signs—raising Lazarus from the dead—should have been enough to elicit faith from all those who saw it and even heard about it. Yet most of the people still did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah.

This unbelief had been predicted by Isaiah. In the opening of his chapter on the suffering Savior, Isaiah asked, “Who has believed our message? To whom will the Lord reveal his saving power?” (Isaiah 53:1). It took revelation from God to know that Jesus was the one through whom God demonstrated his saving power. But the Jews lacked this understanding. Why? Because it was prophesied. Isaiah wrote: “The Lord has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts.”

The entire quotation,taken from Isaiah 6:9-10 appears quite often in the New Testament because it provides a prophetic explanation for why the Jews did not perceive Jesus’ message nor receive him as their Messiah. And because they would not believe, they eventually could not believe. As a result, the Jews remained unenlightened and hardened.

At these words, some of the Jewish leaders believed in Jesus, but they wouldn’t admit it, afraid the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. John made the point that their faith was weak, and he described the reason: They were still subject to the lure of human praise. But John primarily warned his readers that secret faith does not ultimately please God.

John closes this section in his Gospel about Jesus’ public ministry with a summary of Jesus’ entire testimony. The shared Passover meal will take up the next several chapters. But John leaves his readers with the cry of Jesus’ final public speech ringing in their ears. It is an ultimatum set before the crowds: Believe in Jesus, the Light of the World, or live in darkness under God’s judgment.

Jesus left the crowds temporarily, but in one final public appearance he appealed to his hearers to believe in him and thereby walk in his light. In this appeal, he affirmed his union with the Father: “If you trust me, you are really trusting God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me.”

Those who believe in Jesus have left Satan’s dark kingdom and influence in the world, and they have entered the light of God’s Kingdom. Some people in the church act as though they still remain in the darkness. Jesus died so that we might be transformed. If our life is not changing, we may not have begun to really follow the light.

Jesus’ mission was to faithfully convey the words of God to all who would truly listen. He knew that those who rejected those words would be rejecting life. God himself gave Jesus instructions as to what he should say. Jesus did not change that message. Some, like the Jehovah’s Witnesses, have used verses like this to say that Jesus was not God because he was subordinate to the Father. But Jesus’ essential, divine being was not subordinate to the Father—in all things he was equal with God; rather, Jesus coordinated his will to fully comply with the Father’s will. Thus, to respond to Jesus is to respond to God. To believe in Jesus is to believe in God. To reject Jesus is to reject God. To hear Jesus’ words makes each person responsible before God for what he or she does with them.


SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Lord, as I read this passage this morning, I think of all the kids on this trip and all the kids we need to reach who do not know You. Lord, help us build a youth ministry that reaches every kid, everywhere in every way possible. Lord, every day break my heart with the dire degradation that kids face. The impossible odds of living a life of purpose with knowing You. Everyday, remind me that people, especially young people who have so much hope and potential, are doomed to a life of quiet desperation - stuck in the circumstances they are born into - without you. Lord, use this week to reach hearts of kids and staff who will have a burden to reach others.

DAY #166: John 12:12-36

Jesus part of the large crowd moving toward Jerusalem, others came out to meet him from the city itself. Expectations that something marvelous was soon to happen must have been at fever pitch! The crowd began to shout. As they shouted “Praise God,” they thought that their conquering King had finally come to liberate them from Roman rule.

Therefore, the Jews thought they were hailing the arrival of their King! But these people who were praising God for giving them a king had the wrong idea about Jesus. They were sure he would be a national leader who would restore their nation to its former glory; thus they were deaf to the words of their prophets and blind to Jesus’ real mission. When it became apparent that Jesus was not going to fulfill their hopes, many people turned against him.

Indeed, their King came to them—but not the kind of king they had expected. He did not arrive as a political ruler might, on a mighty horse or in a chariot. Rather, Jesus came to them in the way prophesied by Zechariah: “Don’t be afraid, people of Israel. Look, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.” The Old Testament prophet Zechariah had prophesied the arrival of a great king, possibly Alexander the Great, in Zechariah 9:1-8. Then contrasting that, he had prophesied the arrival to Jerusalem’s people of their King. In this coming, Israel’s King would be a humble servant, not a conqueror. He would not be exalted to a throne, but lifted up on a cross.

The Pharisees were exasperated by such exultation. They were hoping to find some sly way to get hold of Jesus and get rid of him while they knew his whereabouts, but it was impossible with the huge adoring crowds surrounding him. Their statement, “the whole world has gone after him!” is ironic—for most of those people did not really believe in Jesus.

The picture of a kernel of wheat reveals the necessary sacrifice of Jesus. When a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, it actually dies before producing many new kernels. In the same way, Jesus, by his death, produced more fruit than could have been gained had he become the king of Israel on an earthly throne. Indeed, by being lifted up on the cross, Jesus would draw all people to himself. We also, when we "die" to ourselves, when we die to our pride and ego, when the out shell of self-centerdness is shattered, we allow the life of Christ to work in our lives.

True followers of Jesus must have their priorities in order; if they choose to love their life more than their Master, they will lose the very life they seek to maintain. True disciples must be willing to suffer and experience rejection, even unto death if need be. To serve and follow Jesus means making radical lifestyle changes. To follow Jesus means going the way he went—not the way of earthly power and honor—but the way of humility and death.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Lord, work in the lives of kids at camp this week. Breakthrough the barriers that separate them from you and break through the walls that stop them from living wholeheartedly for You. Work in my life in this same way. Break through the walls of EGO (edging God out) and pride in my life.

"Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?" Luke 9:23-25 (NIV)

Father, have your way in my life, in my families life and in the lives of every family at COV.

DAY #165: John 11:45-12:11

The high council was the highest ruling authority among the Jews in Judea. It was composed of seventy-one members: The high priest presiding over seventy religious leaders, the majority of whom were Sadducees and the minority, Pharisees. “What are we going to do?” they asked. The dialogue that follows points clearly to the Jewish leaders’ single-minded opposition to Jesus.

Caiaphas led the Sadducees, the elite, educated, and wealthy Jews, who stood on fairly good terms with Rome. Jesus was a special threat to their quiet and secure positions in leadership over Judea’s religious life. Caiaphas was proud and ruthless. His usual policy was to remove any threats to his power by whatever means necessary. For him, Jesus’ death was not an “if” but a “when, where, and how.”

Caiaphas was convinced that nothing short of destroying Jesus would save Israel from being destroyed by Rome. The life of one person was considered cheap and expendable as an alternative to endangering the nation. God used his words to express an unwitting prophecy of universal proportions: “Let this one man die for the people.” One man did have to die in order that the world might be saved.

The words of Caiaphas were really a prophecy. Though his intent was sinful, God used him to indicate that Jesus should die for the entire nation. In addition, Caiaphas didn’t think of it himself; he was inspired to say it. The irony of Caiaphas’s statement that John didn’t want his readers to miss was that Jesus’ death, intended to spare the nation of Israel from physical destruction, was actually to spare Israel from spiritual destruction. In the end, Jesus’ death was for the gathering together of all the children of God scattered around the world.

Aware of the plot against his life, Jesus went to a place near the wilderness. Jesus and his disciples stayed there until the time of the Passover.This Passover probably occurred in a.d. 30, the year of Jesus’ death. Everyone in Jerusalem during the Passover celebration knew that the chief priests and Pharisees wanted to arrest Jesus. Furthermore, they were under strict orders to report Jesus’ whereabouts. Into this tense scene Jesus would make his triumphal entry.

Only a few weeks had gone by since Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. He was back in the home of Lazarus. According to parallel accounts of this story, this meal was held at the home of Simon the leper, who also lived in Bethany and was very likely healed of his leprosy by Jesus. A dinner had been prepared in Jesus’ honor.

According to Matthew and Mark, all the disciples were offended that Mary had “wasted” this expensive ointment (Matthew 26:8; Mark 14:4). But in John’s Gospel, Judas Iscariot verbalized the offense. “The perfume was worth a small fortune. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” Judas’s motive was not to care for the poor. Judas was a thief who had been entrusted with the disciples’ funds. Judas often dipped into the money for his own use. Undoubtedly, Jesus knew what Judas was doing, but he never did or said anything about it.

Jesus pointed out that Mary was not wasting this perfume on him. Certainly, the money could have been given to the poor; there would always be opportunities to care for the poor. But they would not always have Jesus. Mary understood how special Jesus was. Her anointing was like an ointment put on his body in preparation for burial.

This act and Jesus’ response to it do not give us permission to ignore the poor. Rather, Jesus explained that his followers would have many opportunities to help the poor, but only a short time to love and honor the Messiah. Mary’s loving act was for a specific occasion—an anointing that anticipated Jesus’ burial and a public declaration of her faith in him as the Messiah.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

I am moved that in these last days of the earthy life of Jesus, the disciples were still largely clueless. It seems only Mary knew the importance of the time and thus, she spared no expense to worship our Lord. Oh Lord, make us aware of how precious short that time really is. Help us capture every moment of everyday and use it to honor You and worship You and live for You.

"So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! Don't live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants." Ephesians 5:15-17 (MB)

Lord, use this next week in the lives of our students and staff to bring about lifechange. Speak through Matt Cohen. Use the worship band. Work through the lives of the staff to speak truth into the lives of every student. Even at this late hour, if there is one student who needs to be there, prompt their heart, break through the barrier and bring them. Lord, protect the kids as they drive down and through the week. Put Your hedge of protection around them at all times.

DAY #164: John 11:17-44

Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days by the time Jesus arrived. In the warm climate of Palestine, a dead body would decompose quickly, so a person’s body was often buried the same day of death. When Jesus and the disciples arrived in Bethany, many Jews from Jerusalem had gathered to console Lazarus’s family, and some of those who had arrived were religious leaders. In Jewish society, prolonged mourning for the dead was considered an essential part of every funeral.

Upon seeing Jesus, Martha said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Martha probably realized that Jesus could not have arrived much earlier, but she was confident that Jesus’ presence would have prevented Lazarus’s death. Mary makes the same comment later. Despite their pain and sorrow, their faith in Jesus did not waver. The implication for us is that we should not quickly assume that God has let us down when we are in the midst of difficulties.

When Jesus said, “Your brother will rise again,” she attributed it to the future resurrection—“When everyone else rises, on resurrection day.” But Jesus did not mean an eventual, distant resurrection, he meant that Lazarus would rise again that very day!

The believer will not experience eternal death. Lazarus had been a believer in Jesus; therefore, even though he died, he would live. Every believer who has died will yet live, and everyone who is still living and believing will die, but not eternally. Christ did not promise the prevention of physical death; he guaranteed in himself to give abundant life, including resurrection and eternity with him. Christ did not prevent Lazarus’s physical death (after being raised, Lazarus would eventually die again), but Lazarus had the guarantee of eternal life.

As the next passage opens, we see Mary, Martha, and the crowd expressing conditional belief in the power of Jesus. They believed that Jesus could have worked a miracle if Lazarus had still been alive. But death intervened, and they thought it was irreversible. Little did they know that what they considered impossible would soon be overcome by God’s power.

John once again tells us that Jesus was deeply troubled. Lazarus was buried in a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. Tombs at this time were usually caves carved in the limestone rock of a hillside. A tomb was often large enough for people to walk inside. Several bodies would be placed in one tomb. After burial, a large stone would be rolled across the entrance to the tomb. This burial spot was much like the one in which Jesus would be buried.

Jesus said to the crowd, “Roll the stone aside.” When Jesus asked that the stone be removed, Martha protested. While the crowd waited beside the tomb—with the stone now rolled aside from its entrance—Jesus praised his Father aloud, publicly, so that, upon witnessing the miracle of resurrection, the people might believe in Jesus. His prayer was not a petition, but a prayer of thanks to the Father. Jesus knew that his request would be answered.

Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” The voice of Jesus is potent and life-giving. Lazarus provided proof of Jesus’ earlier words: “The dead will hear my voice . . . and those who listen will live”. At Jesus’ words, Lazarus came out. He was completely bound in grave clothes. There was no question that a dead man had come back to life. The miracle was not only Lazarus’ resuscitation. After four days, the body would have seriously decayed. Lazarus’ body was raised and restored. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what i have read today?)

Lord, I find myself once again today asking that you break my heart with the lostness of people. Remind me of the reality and finality of death. Lord, move me everyday, today in particular, to do everything I can do give people an opportunity to receive Christ. Lord, move in the hearts of parents to make a way possible for their kids to go to summer camp, so their kids will receive You and be impacted in a greater by You.

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 (NIV)

Lord, give the people of COV a heart to share with their friends about You. Give our people a heart to invite their friends and family to church. Lord, give our people courage. Lord, thank you for my wife and the last 28 years You have given us together. God bless her for putting up with me. Bless her for the love and care she so freely bestows on others. Lord, watch over her. Protect her. Thank you for giving me this awesome friend, partner, help-mate and lover. Lord, if you would, bless the next 28 years in an even greater way.