Be With Me: 7 Minutes of Biblical Wonder

What is our world like? It is full of trouble.
What are people like? They can be the source of great pain.
These aspects of life on this planet are not much of a mystery.

Be enheartened.  (it is a real word).  We have peace with God.  We have peace IN God.  HE has overcome the world.  He has conquered more than we know.  The enemies are VANQUISHED.  Jesus came in first place.

Here's the good news...So...did...we.  That is, through Him.  In Him.  Those who put FAITH in Him, get to BE ON HIS TEAM.  He does the heavy lifting after that. There is some crazy math in there that is above our pay grade, but that is what He says.

We are supposed to be little peace-units walking around while the world is shooting at us like NEO in the Matrix.  Why?  Because He wins! AND, I am ON HIS TEAM!

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The disciples comment that Jesus is finally speaking clearly to them.  We probably should listen to what Jesus says.  He is leaving them very soon either with the crucifixion or the ascension.  One is hours away.  The other is 40 days.  Either way, listen up!

The Father Himself Loves us.  That is probably old news to most, but it is a main principle to go back to.  Trouble is coming, and we are going to need that reassurance and REALITY.

Strike the Shepherd and the Sheep will be Scattered.  So says the prophet Zechariah 13:7.  I wonder if the disciples KNEW THIS PROPHESY, and claimed in their hearts, "it's not going to be me.  I won't leave you.  I'll die with you".  Thomas even said it out loud in John 11:17.  It turns out differently.  They all fall away, in fulfillment of the prophesy.  Every one.

But Jesus is NOT alone.  The Father is with Him.  In the hour of almost universal abandonment of Jesus, Jesus tells us that in that hour, He will not be alone.  Psalm 22 confirms this.  It is time for plain speech from Jesus, for His hour is nigh.  Listen and learn and confirm.

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What happens when Jesus is separated from the disciples by death and burial?  Sorrow.  Weeping. Lament. and Anguish.

What happens after they get back together?  That is the topic of this section of scripture.

"You will see Me again," says Jesus.  That is, the disciples (and us by extension) see Jesus after His resurrection.  We are filled with joy that is un-takable.  He did it!  He conquered death and sin!  He demonstrated His power!  Yeah! We are thrilled to see you again Jesus.

"I will see YOU again," says Jesus.  He sees the object of the rescue mission on the other side of the cross.  He confirms the value of the object of the mission.  

I'd imagine that the disciples, in seeing Jesus in His post-rescue-mission-state would feel as would an object of delight; seen; enjoyed; treasured; forgiven; and valued.  Imagine what it would be like to see the Guy who basically said, "I did all this for you."  Listen as we aim for Un-Takeable JOY.  Share this podcast please.

Before the Last supper's teaching, the Holy Spirit, didn't practically exist in the life or even in the KNOWLEDGE of these rookie believers.  My guess is that essentially for them, "the Helper was about 2 hours old".  

But what an introduction!  What was really unknown to the disciples turns out to be absolutely ESSENTIAL in the life of the believer.  As we considered yesterday, Jesus proclaims Him as ADVANTAGEOUS to the believer.

• do you need help? God provides a Helper
• do you not grieve over your sin? The Spirit will convict
• have you FORGOTTEN the Spirit? He is to your advantage
• do you desire fellowship with the Father and Son? It is accessed mostly by the Spirit now
• do you not know everything yet? the Spirit will guide you into Truth

What an introduction.  For a part of the Trinity that was almost unknown 2 hours ago for the disciples, they find out HE IS EVERYTHING in the practical life of the believer. He SHOULD BE everything to us too.  Listen and see if He is your Swiss army Knife spiritually. 

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Somebody paid $4.6 million to have lunch with Warren Buffet.  How much would you give to have lunch with Jesus?  I think you'd give YOUR RIGHT ARM to have lunch with Jesus, I know I would.

But here is the most surprising thing I have ever read in the entire Bible.  Jesus says that there is something BETTER, more ADVANTAGEOUS than having lunch with Him.  In fact, Jesus says He has to go away to send this "Mr. Advantageous" to us. 

None of this is said to devalue the Worth of Jesus.  He is full of glory.  He is rightly WORSHIPPED. 

But, don't fail to see the truth of this lesson.  Jesus Himself says it is to our ADVANTAGE to have lunch not with Himself, but with this new Guy.  Who is He? And too, How does the math work out that it is MORE ADVANTAGEOUS?  (Hint: By getting this guy, you get Jesus too.  By getting Jesus you get the Father too.  More on that later...) It is more advantageous not because of what we lose, but because of what we gain.

This line in the Bible was my biggest surprise in 1800 pages.  Listen and see if it is yours.  If you too are surprised, find somebody else to share this episode with who also just won't believe it!

The Spirit is sourced fro the Father, Sought by Jesus, Sent to US to 'SSIST us.

He is Called HELPER and also the Spirit of Truth.  The truths of the realities of Jesus are identified, explained and made much of.  This continues the "Trinity-Party" that we have tried to understand.  To the critics of Jesus, I agree that some of the doctrines of Christ are difficult to understand.  You might call them crazy.  It sounds like the Holy Spirit might have some role in helping us get our arms around all of this stuff.

Would you rather a world with the Holy Spirit in it or not in it?  A:  In it.  That's easy.
Does it make any practical difference for you that the Holy Spirit is here?  If we were able to magically make the Holy Spirit just disappear...Would any one notice in you?

• Would your bible be less understandable? (or don't you read it anyway?)
• would you fail at discipleship?  (or don't you have any disciplees?)
• Would your ministry crumble? (or don't you have an oar to pull in the family of God?)
• Would your character stop changing for good? (or don't you use His escape hatch anyway?)

You get the idea here.  His coming as a Helper suggests we should be being HELPED by Him.  So listen and Lean in, be LED by, be HELPED by, WALK with, ALLOW in, and be filled with the Spirit of Truth.  Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, Google, Deezer, Audible, etc.  ESPECIALLY share the podcast.

Being associated with Jesus sometimes brings the wrath of people around you.  Relax.  It is not about you.  It is about the offense of Jesus.  You are just part of His family.  

But what is it that is so very very offensive about Jesus?  Today, we get a real clue. When Jesus comes, He moves the sin that we have been cherishing in our "excusable sin" category to an "INEXCUSABLE Sin" category.  His presence, His truth, His sinlessness, His entrusting just erase all my good excuses.  After all of HIM, my "excusable sin" category is EMPTY.  My "Inexcusable Sin" category is FULL.

That offends me.  Wait, now I HAVE a sin problem?  And it is pretty bad?  It is bad enough to need a remedy? And the Remedy is wounds and blood and suffering and death of a sacrifice?
I don't like ANY of that.  Therefore, I am going to rage against the Man, and against His Family members.  

So dear listeners, if this podcast series OFFENDS YOU, then you are a friend of mine.  The concepts here offended ME at one time too! I ESPECIALLY appreciate listeners who are being offended.  It means you have the guts to take a look at your theoretically "excusable" sins and the Savior who has come to help.  Thank you for listening and considering.

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This Podcast has occasional critics.  Often, their protest is something like, "You guys just CANNOT know God.  You CANNOT be friends with God".  Today, I am appreciating their sentiments.  I suppose it should be just as amazing to me as it is to them.  Yup, sometimes I can hardly believe it either.

Jesus reiterates a final commandment:  Love one another (that part is old) AS I HAVE LOVED YOU (that part is new).  The problem is that He then defines it as the ultimate laying down one's life for them.

The good news is that is one thing that makes us friends.  The second is REVELATION.  Just like our friendships are all about getting to know; interesting conversations; what do you think about...; and all the INTIMACIES each other, so it is with God.  Jesus has revealed all this about God and in so doing now makes 11 new friends.  

That we might be God's FRIENDS: chosen, elected, sacrificed for, and revealed to blows my mind.  I can see how our critics can't get over it either. Whether you are a jaw-dropped believer, or a critic, I thank you for listening and considering.  Subscribe on Spotify or google podcasts.  www.bewithme.us

Either being a Christ identified person is the absolutely GREATEST way to live, or it is NOT.  Either there should be unique, special, noteworthy LOVE, JOY, and OBEDIENCE coursing through our veins and life, or NOT.

Maybe you aren't even connected to the pipeline.  That is a belief problem.
Maybe you got a big clog. That is a sin problem that needs pruning.
Maybe you got a LOW FRUIT issue.  A Low LOVE issue.  A Low obey issue.  A low JOY issue.  What's up with that?

Today Jesus tells us 'where we sit' with Him.  If we could just understand this, then the fruit of love, joy and obedience gets very doable.  Imagine that God would say to you, specifically, "I LOVE YOU".  Well, you don't even have to imagine it.  He actually says it today.  

His love, His Joy and His Obeying power is the GREATEST WAY TO LIVE, or not.  Listen and freshly taste it, see it, smell it and hear it.  Then SHARE this podcast with someone who might need a helping hand.  www.bewithme.us

Abiding in the Vine of Jesus is a spiritual requirement, if you take some of Jesus' last words seriously.  But what does it MEAN?

Maple syrup flows in the branches of every maple tree, just in a dilute form.  It is the life-blood of a tree:  active, alive, restorative, connected, communicating, nourishing, healing Xylum and Phloem.  How does a branch bear fruit and make flowers and seeds and more maple trees?  Stay connected to the maple syrup.  Abide in the MAPLE SYRUP. 

I think it appropriate for a Christian to desire impact, influence, love, grace and truth to share.  May it then be ABIDED impact, ABIDED influence, ABIDED love, ABIDED grace and ABIDED truth.  May all that we do taste of the sweet maple syrup that flows in our veins.  

But, be ready for a little pruning.  Not everything you do is good; that you think is pure; that you keep is yours; that you say is kind; that you see if for your eyes; that you walk brings you closer to God; that every habit is helpful.  To manifest His Glory might necessitate moving stuff out of the way.  

Listen and be maple-syruply-sweet and fruitful.  Please share and expand this podcast so as to expand the Kingdom.