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Live to Love Scripture Encouragement
Hosted by Norm Wakefield · EN
Podcast by Norm Wakefield
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Live to Love Scripture Encouragement John 16.21
2w ago00:02:28Tap to summarizeJohn 16:21 “Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world.” Jesus chose the example of the anguish and joy of giving birth to a child to give hope to His disciples who were about to go through deep emotional and spiritual pain. Just as the pain is unavoidable in labor, so the pain of the cross and their anguish was unavoidable. There will be no joy in the arrival of the child unless the pain is endured. In the same way, the disciples had to endure great anguish before the resurrection appearance, which signaled the new birth of the children of God. Peter used the birth figure in his first epistle. Let these words be your live to love with Jesus encouragement today. 1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 1 Peter 1:5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 1 Peter 1:7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; Expect various trials each day. We are in labor pains. But we do not labor without hope. There is a resurrection—a revelation of the fruit of the seed of the Holy Spirit—to come to the praise and glory and honor to God. Live with expectation of that future joy. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
Transcribe →Live to Love Scripture Encouragement John 16.19-20
2w ago00:02:38Tap to summarizeJohn 16:19-20 “Jesus knew that they wished to question Him, and He said to them, ’Are you deliberating together about this, that I said, “A little while, and you will not see Me, and again a little while, and you will see Me”’? Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy.” When Jesus was put to death, the world rejoiced and Jesus’ followers grieved their loss. The same happens today as we hear of our brothers and sisters in the faith suffering for His name sake. The world rejoices. As Jesus said only moments before this statement, recorded in 16:2 “They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God.” In 15:18, He had said, “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.” Even though we have been given a “heads up” to these things, we still weep, lament, and grieve when the world casts its hatred for Jesus upon His followers. But we are not without hope just as the disciples were not without hope. They had the hope of joy set before them, much like Jesus. The writer of Hebrews wrote about Jesus, “Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). As we know, they did weep, lament, and grieve when Jesus was crucified and laid in the tomb. However, in a very little while He was raised and appeared to them and said, “Peace be with you. And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord.” And thus, Jesus’ words in this verse were fulfilled. Today, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who has promised us that our weeping, lamenting, and grief will be turned to joy. May the hope of joy fill our hearts in this fallen world as we live to love with Jesus. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
Transcribe →Live to Love Scripture Encouragement John 16.17-18
3w ago00:01:51Tap to summarizeJohn 16:17-18. “Some of His disciples then said to one another, ‘What is this thing He is telling us, “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me”; and, “because I go to the Father”?’ So they were saying, ‘What is this that He says, “A little while”? We do not know what He is talking about.’” Obviously the disciples were confused and puzzled by Jesus’ remarks about being seen, not being seen, then being seen again, and His going to the Father. After the resurrection and the gift of the Holy Spirit, all that confusion was cleared up. Jesus, the living God, changed everything! We are now in the age of history where Jesus has come and the Holy Spirit has been given. We have the record of the life and ministry of Jesus as well as His disciples. They went from a confused band of followers of Jesus to a world-impacting, history-making, kingdom-consumed, love-empowered strike force. Their ministries in the world still ripple today. Believers of every generation stand on their shoulders and are encouraged by their testimonies and understanding of Jesus Christ. Have you ever been confused about Jesus and what He said? If so, just wait a little while. In time, at just the right time, the Holy Spirit will disclose to you what you need from God to manifest His life and light in your world. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
Transcribe →Live to Love Scripture Encouragement John 16.16
3w ago00:02:04Tap to summarizeJohn 16:16 "A little while, and you will no longer see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me." That’s exactly what happened. Again, Jesus told them of things to come before they happened so that when they occurred, they would believe and trust in Him. Within less than 24 hours, a little while, Jesus was placed in the tomb, out of their sight. However, He was only there “a little while.” On the third day, while gathered in the same room where they had observed Passover, they saw Him again. John 20:19 “So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ And so it was. A little while and they no longer saw Him, and then a little while and they saw Him. These things have been recorded so that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah, the savior of the world. He is the way, the truth, and the life, and the only way for any human being to have access to God, the Father. What’s the main point? Jesus died, was buried, and was raised to give eternal life to all who believe. Those who believe have been called to testify to the risen Jesus by displaying His love, bearing fruit, for the glory of God. It’s why they breathe, eat, sleep, work, exercise, read their Bibles, pray, and serve. May the life of Jesus be the fullness of our lives today, so that the world may see that Jesus lives and saves sinners. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
Transcribe →Live to Love Scripture Encouragement John 16.15
3w ago00:02:17Tap to summarizeJohn 16:15 “All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.” The concept of the Holy Trinity is reflected in this verse. Jesus spoke of His father, Himself, and the Holy Spirit as one, yet distinct. All that belongs to the Father, belong to Jesus, and the Father and the Son both sent the Holy Spirit (14:16; 15:26). Jesus informed His disciples that the things the Holy Spirit discloses are the things of the Father and the Son. Jesus said, those things “are the Fathers” and “are Mine.” What are we? All who belong to the Father and the Son are recipients of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus called “the Spirit of truth.” The apostle Paul referred to the Holy Spirit as “the Spirit of God” (1 Cor. 3:16), “the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:17), “the Spirit of His Son” (Gal. 4:6), “the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:9), “the Spirit of adoption”(Rom. 8:15), “the Spirit of promise” (Eph. 1:13), and “the Spirit of life” (Rom. 8:2). The writer of Hebrews spoke of “the Spirit of grace.” Living to love with Jesus is the same as living to love with the Holy Spirit. This life is not a normal, natural life. His love is supernatural—literally it is a superpower. The worldview, mindset, and attitude of Christ is the way God’s love flows in our lives to everyone He puts in our paths. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Father and the Son, and those in whom He dwells, have received the things freely given us by God. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
Transcribe →Live to Love Scripture Encouragement John 16.14
3w ago00:02:24Tap to summarizeJohn 16:14 “He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.” Even as Jesus glorified His father by revealing the Father, so the Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus by revealing Him. We may glorify God also as we reveal Jesus in the world. The Holy Spirit takes the mind and love of Christ and discloses it to us as He did to His disciples. Listen to the fulfillment of Jesus’ words explained by the apostle Paul to the Corinthians. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10, 12-13. “But just as it is written, ‘Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.’ For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.” 12-13. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.” The only way to live to love with Jesus is to receive that which is of Jesus given to us by the Holy Spirit. In this way, Jesus is glorified. His life is manifested in and through the lives of believers who are filled with the Holy Spirit, and thus they think like Jesus, speak the words of Jesus, and love like Jesus. I hope you are encouraged today to abide in Christ by receiving what He gives you through your relationship with the Holy Spirit. Tune in to the Spirit of truth, your Helper and Guide. What a privilege Jesus’ disciples have to receive from the Holy Spirit the things that belong to our glorious Savior, Jesus Christ. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
Transcribe →Live to Love Scripture Encouragement John 16.13
3w ago00:02:34Tap to summarizeJohn 16:13 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” Jesus had just told His disciples that He had more to say, but He had restrained Himself because they were not able to bear it. But that didn’t mean that they would miss out on those things He had to say. They would receive them from Him later, once the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, came to them. We have some hint from this verse about the things on Jesus’ mind—they were things “to come.” The Holy Spirit would guide them when they needed it. The Holy Spirit speaks what He hears from Jesus just like Jesus spoke what He heard from the Father. Again we may be encouraged by the union of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus is the son of truth, and the Holy Spirit is the spirit of truth. Neither of them spoke on His own initiative. If we walk by the Spirit, then we also should be careful not to speak when we feel like it. Just as love restrained Jesus with His disciples, we can expect love to restrain us as the Holy Spirit guides us. John referred to this wonderful truth of the Holy Spirit’s guidance and teaching when he wrote in 1 John 2:27 “As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.” This is the reason I pray in the Live to Love prayer these words, “Father, anoint and fill me with the Holy Spirit, the presence and power of Christ, so that I can love and trust You and love the people You put in my path today, for Your glory.” May we abide in the gift of the Holy Spirit, the spirit of truth, as we live to love with Jesus today. Whatever we hear from Him, let us speak in love with confidence. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
Transcribe →Live to Love Scripture Encouragement John 16.12
3w ago00:01:53Tap to summarizeJohn 16:12 "I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” Jesus had given them much to bear or carry since they had eaten their last meal together in the upper room. Because Jesus is the incarnation of the love of God, we know it is love for His Father and for His disciples that gave Him freedom to speak to them as He had. At this point, apparently there was an inner restraint in sharing more with them about what was to happen to and in them in the future. Love restrained Him. He knew they were not able to carry more than He had given them. As we live to love with Jesus, we also need to have His sensitivity to the spiritual state and circumstances of those He puts in our paths. We might ask ourselves, “Are they spiritually able to receive the things I want to share with them? Are their circumstances in life such that more information would be overwhelming? Do they have ears to hear? Is it in their highest good for me to share with them? This verse informs us that there are times when we should restrain ourselves from saying things, even if they are words of encouragement, insight, and wisdom, out of love for someone. My guess is that most of us have “many more things to say,” but that doesn’t mean it is best or loving for us to say them. May the Holy Spirit give us discernment and discretion as to when and what to speak to those we love. Remember, apart from Jesus, we can do nothing. If He isn’t speaking, then neither should we. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
Transcribe →Live to Love Scripture Encouragement John 16.11
3w ago00:02:43Tap to summarizeJohn 16:11 “and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.” Let’s consider how the presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers convicts the world of judgment. Jesus said He convicts the world of judgment because the ruler of this world has been judged. Who is the ruler of this world to whom Jesus referred? Certainly, it is the devil, aka Satan. Only minutes before, Jesus told His disciples, “I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me” (14:30). We know Satan was at work in those who were his in the world from the betrayal of Jesus by Judas through the burial of His body in the tomb. God gave Jesus, an innocent, righteous man, into the hands of the devil and his world, and judged him as a hater and murder of God. He saw it in him, gave him the occasion to confront Jesus, and God’s judgment was right. Satan killed the righteous Son of God. Now what does the presence of the Holy Spirit have to do with that judgment? The sending of the Holy Spirit testifies to the world that they are just like their father, the devil. As the disciples, and all in whom Jesus dwells, express His life in this world, those in the world hate them and want to kill them. The world wants believers our of their lives! They hate Jesus and murder Him, just like their father. God sees it in them, gives the occasion to confront Jesus in His disciples, and God’s judgment is righteous. They are children of the devil. Their ruler has been judged, and so have they. Jesus loves those who are in the world through us. They will never be able to say that Jesus did not love them. We should not be surprised that they will sabotage His love and twist it, just like their ruler did when Jesus was here on the earth. As we live to love with Jesus, the Holy Spirit is at work. He will convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
Transcribe →Live to Love Scripture Encouragement John 16.10
4w ago00:02:30Tap to summarizeJohn 16:10 “and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me;” After Jesus’ resurrection, ascension, and sending of the Holy Spirit, the disciples were transformed by the presence of the life of Christ dwelling in them. Even though the disciples no longer could see Jesus with their physical eyes, their testimony was that Jesus was in them. So it is with everyone who lives to love with Jesus. They convict the world of what they lack—the righteousness of God. Unlike the world, who cannot see Him, we practice righteousness (live to love with Him) because He lives in us. We love because He first loved us. His love was seen in His coming to perform a righteousness for us, bearing our sins in His body on the cross, going to the Father, having made a place in Himself for us to live with Him, and then sending the Holy Spirit to us. The presence of His love in us testifies concerning righteousness. Rom. 5:1-5 says it best. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” There is the truth that convicts the world concerning righteousness. Believers have the love of God poured out in them and through them. May Jesus’ love flow through us today for the glory of God. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
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