JESUS’ KINGDOM
Today’s Reading: John 17-18
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
A majestic view of the Church of All Nations that is built over the traditional place where Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of His arrest.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: John 18:36a
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world…”
The kingdom of Saul, David and others was a small geographic entity known as Israel. At the time of our reading, Israel was known as Palestine, and was a province of the Empire ruled over by the Roman Caesar. But Jesus declares the fact that His Kingdom is the entire planet and beyond to the entire universe. Jesus’ responded to the representatives of an earthly political and religious entity with the words, “I AM HE,” when they said that they were seeking Jesus of Nazareth; He demonstrated His total authority when He spoke that Name given to Moses from the burning bush. The detachment of troops and officers from the chief priests fell backward on the ground at His Name!!!
Let’s back up to chapter 17. This is Jesus’ powerful prayer to His Father. This prayer was answered with a resounding “YES!” His followers did maintain unity most of the time, and as a result, over two billion people on earth today claim to be Christians. When the world sees that we are one, as Jesus prayed, they believe that the Father sent His Son. Please read again John 17:20-26.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, I pray that I, as one who seeks to follow Your Son and my Saviour, Jesus Christ, will be one with my brothers and sisters as You and Your Son, Jesus, are One. I’m totally confident that as the world around me sees that love in me and the unity that I have with my fellow believers, more and more will believe that You sent Jesus. In His Name, Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
The Internet connects in a way which is important, but not really personally in a close friendship where I can put my arm around someone who is weeping or dance with someone who is rejoicing. This happens when believers come together in person. This “coming together” is “ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL.” As a leader of an international ministry with a good sized full-time team and many volunteers, I would bring together the core team to establish the budget. We would go over everything that we were doing and ask the team to categorize all our commitments under three headings: (1) Necessary (2) Essential (3) ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL. Then if funds were not available we would eliminate the necessary and the essential, keeping in the budget only the ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL!!! The teaching of Jesus on UNITY in today’s reading is the ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL for the cause of bringing lost precious people to Him. Without the unity for which He prayed, we fail miserably in the call He has placed on our lives.
Yours for the Father’s answer in all of our lives,
David
P.S. Tonight is Halloween, originally “Holy Evening.” The evening before All Saints Day, believers would come to church in centuries past to be prayed for to make sure that no unclean or evil spirits were controlling their thoughts and lives. The next day at church they joined all the saints, past present and future, in their celebration of God’s provision for holiness. Come to think of it, it might be a good idea to resurrect this practice.
Amen to your prayer, David! I have been away and will watch the episode of 100 Huntley Street, today. Great idea, to re-instill a gathering of prayer on Halloween evening for all saints. Wishing all a blessed day in the Lord.
My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 17:5; 8. ESV
Aaron Shust – My Hope Is In You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugD0i5Y3cw8
Amen!!!
Amen Beverlee …Yes a great idea to reinstall the practice. Also that you for sharing Psalm 17:5;8!!
Wonderful song…My hope is in Him!!!
Good morning, and God bless and keep you all. Thank you, David, Reynold, Ron, Anne, Beverlee, and all you saints – you are all blessings, bringing the presence of God wherever you go. Truly salt and light.
I agree with Rob! Thank-you.
I agree with rob as well!
Amen…I agree Rob!
Prayer sounds like a good idea on Halloween night! Prayed your prayer for unity with my brothers and sisters in Christ Pastor David. God bless you saints!
Amen! I Prayed that prayer as well!
I hope and pray that Halloween would return to being “Holy Evening”
and God would prevent any unclean or evil spirits from controlling anyone
in Jesus Precious Name I pray, Amen!
My dear mother passed away in August, today would have been her 93rd birthday– miss her every day– spending the day with many tears in my eyes, but a grateful heart to our Lord for blessing me with a caring loving mother for 92 years– and the hope of knowing I will one day join her and all the saints in heaven to glorify God forever and ever– Amen
I pray the Lord comfort you and hold you close, Donna, in your time of grief. I pray precious memories of her fill your heart.
Thank you David for sharing the origin of “Holy Evening”.
I shared it with my friend whose birthday is Oct. 31. On her 3rd birthday her father was killed in a car accident coming home for her birthday. This is her 63rd birthday.
In tears she received this truth, to know that her father died on “Holy Evening” and that she was born on “Holy Evening”.
God bless you for your faithfulness for this daily manna, and bless all who together bring it to us.
Always am blessed reading John 17; Jesus’ Powerful prayer as He pours out His heart to the Father on behalf of those He loves.
I agree the prayers should be re installed again Donna hear is a scripture you can lean on He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart: he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11
A friend pointed this scripture to me lately I hope it helps you.
Thank you that does help as does Isaiah 40:29 He gives power to the weak. And to those who have no might He increases strength. I know I would not have gotten through this far in my journey through grief without Him— God is good.
Lord God please bring back the practice of meeting together and praying on Halloween! This would be so wonderful!
I would encourage all Christians to gather together even if only for a few moments and pray every day! evil will not last when Christians pray!
Our Father who art in Heaven; Hallowed by Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven, Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power and the Glory For ever and ever AMEN
A beautiful prayer and Jesus taught us this Prayer! Thank you Lord, thank you.
Blessings to everyone!
How powerful the name of Jesus just to say his name glory to God.!Asking for prayer for good weather that we as farmers can finish harvesting. We know nothing is impossible with God!
I agree with you in prayer for weather to finish our harvest. In our area there is many thousands of acres still in the fields.