Psalm 145:14 NLT

The LORD helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads.

There’s often an excitement at the beginning of something new. We might sell things, pack up and move, take a risk, or step out in faith with fresh energy. But as my pastor recently said, “In the middle of the race, we need endurance.”

Spiritual endurance doesn’t come from willpower, but rather it requires a fresh filling. And that’s exactly what I needed (and will keep needing). How about you?

Sometimes it helps just to know what to ask for.

In this episode, I’ll be sharing a few things from my church notes and my personal journal. Wherever you find yourself today, I hope these few moments bring encouragement to you along the way.

I’ll end today’s episode with the song “Fall Afresh,” written by Jeremy Riddle.

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John 14:1-3 

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

David Guzik wrote:

"Love prepares a welcome. With love, expectant parents prepare a room for the baby. With love, the hostess prepares for her guests. Jesus prepares a place for His people because He loves them and is confident of their arrival."

Mercy softens the rough edges of life and reminds us of Whom we have now— and of the place being prepared for us.

In this episode, we’ll look at how a pile of bricks in a pool, old rags and worn-out clothes, and a screen door that no longer falls off all pointed me back to the mercy of God.

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John 1:18 

No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

Pastor Jon Courson wrote:

"The Greek word translated 'declared' is exe-geomar, from which we get our word 'exegesis,' meaning 'to expound.' 

Jesus expounded on the Father because Jesus had seen the Father. We are to expound on Jesus because we have seen Jesus. 

Therefore, the key to all of Bible interpretation, the key to hermeneutics is really 'Himaneutics.'" (If you are familiar with Pastor Jon, you know he is the king of pastor dad-jokes) 

He continues:

"Whether you're teaching a Sunday-school class, preaching to thousands, or serving on the mission field, expound upon Jesus.

Look for Him in every passage and on every page of Scripture. Focus on Jesus and you'll behold the Father as well."

It seemed fitting to end this episode with the song, “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us," which was written by Stuart Townend.

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I collected some previous episodes centered around the Gospel of John. I liked the idea of having them all in one place, and thought you might too. 

John 14:1

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.

In the Gospel of John, chapters 13-17 all took place within a matter of hours before Jesus would lay down His life.

Jesus knew His time had come. And like most of us would do, He gathered His closest people and said the most important things He wanted to leave with them. What a privilege we have a view into these precious hours.

I will read to you from:

John 13:34-38

John 14:1-3, 15-18, 27

John 15:9-17

John 16:13-15, 33

John 17:13-26

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I collected some previous episodes centered around the Gospel of John. I liked the idea of having them all in one place, and thought you might too. 

John 13:10a

Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean;

Though we are clean, forgiven, and reconciled to God, we still need Him to wash off the dirt of the day.

The words that flew out of our mouth, the thought we lingered on too long, the show we watched that won’t leave our head, the envy, the gossip — the dirt of the day. We don’t want to track that stuff into the house.

I will read to you from:

John 13:1-17

Ephesians 4:29 - 5:2

John 15:34

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I collected some previous episodes centered around the Gospel of John. I liked the idea of having them all in one place, and thought you might too. 

John 10:11

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Charles Spurgeon wrote:

"Jesus stands in the same relationship to his people as a shepherd does to his flock. He owns his people; every one of them belong to him. He prizes them because they are his—sets a value on each of them. He takes care of them, remembering them both night and day.

His heart is never off them..."

I will read to you from:

John 10:1-18

John 10:27-29

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I collected some previous episodes centered around the Gospel of John. I liked the idea of having them all in one place, and thought you might too. 

John 6:28-29

Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

Every time I read this chapter in John, I lean in when I get to the words, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” OK, tell me what to do.

I literally put my head in my hands and prayed, "Show me all the ways I need to believe more."

I was met with silence, and then I thought, "Actually, I don’t know if I could handle ALL the ways." 

Here is where I landed and what helped me.

I will read to you from:

Matthew 6:31-34

John 6:22-39

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John 20:31 

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

John made it perfectly clear why he wrote his Gospel—that we would believe who Jesus is and have life in His Name.

In this episode, we will explore the life we are promised. 

John 10:10-11 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  

ABUNDANT: Over and above, more than enough, superabundance.

Antonyms: Depleted, insufficient, lacking, meager, needy, sparse, scarce.

I will confess which list I've related to more lately, and then share how the Lord drew my eyes back to the truth of my life with Him.

While I’m confessing, I have to admit I had made this list of antonyms once before, years ago. It seems I need redirecting often. I hope you might be encouraged (or redirected, if needed) back to the life you have in His Name. 

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Psalm 84:11–12

For the LORD God is a sun and shield;

the LORD bestows favor and honor.

No good thing does he withhold

from those who walk uprightly.

O LORD of hosts,

blessed is the one who trusts in you!

Last week, we looked at the authors of Psalm 84—the sons of Korah. This week, we’ll look at the Psalm itself. I went back and revisited some thoughts from an earlier episode, as well as adding new thoughts and commentary.  

Paraphrasing F.B. Meyer: In our need, God becomes exactly what we lack—light in darkness, protection in battle, grace for the moment, and glory to come.

I found “grace for the moment” by remembering that God doesn’t withhold good. He gives us Himself. He gave us His beloved Son and sent His Holy Spirit to live in us.

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Psalm 84:1-2

To the Chief Musician. On an instrument of Gath. 

A Psalm of the sons of Korah.

How lovely is Your tabernacle,

O LORD of hosts!

My soul longs, yes, even faints

For the courts of the LORD;

My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

Though Psalm 84 has long been a favorite of mine, this is the first time I ever looked into who the (human) authors were — the “sons of Korah.”

Now that I know more about them, this Psalm is all the sweeter. What a beautiful shift of heart and reputation they had. I’ll tell you all about it in this episode. 

Second chances and redemption stories reminded me of how "Amazing Grace" is all the sweeter when you know the story of John Newton.  

All these thoughts brought to mind the song, "Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)," written by Joel Houston and Jonas Myrin, which I will play for you at the end. 

If you would like to support this podcast with a monthly or one-time donation, thank you!

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