JOHN

JOHN, THE BELOVED

John was just a lowly fisherman, in fact the runt of the crew.

But he had a heart for Jesus and Jesus saw what John could do.

I’m just a lowly servant. I have tried so hard to serve.

But God just placed me on a shelf with more love than I deserve.

I do not know the outcome. Sometimes feeling battered and torn.

But all I know for certain is that God’s Peace in me is born.

I’ll trust Him today for tomorrow. I’ll release ever care I am fed.

I’ll offer my fears and frustrations as fellowship of suffering instead.

John was the least and the lowest. John was simple and kind.

Lord, Help me know Your loving gifts to John can be claimed as mine.

I too am Your Beloved Disciple. I am learning to lean on Your Breast.

When I feel bewildered and weary, in Your love and peace I find rest.

THE LORD CONFIDES IN THOSE WHO FEAR HIM

FORGIVE ME LORD

Lord, forgive me for asking for relinquishment.

I preferred to lay down my tools.

I’ve had enough of these assignments.

Suffering was not explained in the rules.

Suffering and fear are uniquely separate

From the assignment given right now

Care, concern and comfort should come.

But they seem to allude me somehow.

Lord, forgive me for “not getting it”

Your programs include many things

Pain with perplexing problems

Are indications of more release to my King.

I will walk slowly through today’s suffering.

I’ll try to relax in your tenderized arms.

Nothing and no one that’s not filtered

By Your controls can do me any harm.

LEANABLE

It is okay t o lean upon Jesus

He’s the One worthy of our trust.

Leaning indicates dependency upon Him.

Leaning on Him is a spiritual must.

Leaning involves dependency upon Him.

Leaning is comforting as such.

Saints that lean totally on Jesus

Know first hand about His loving touch.

Am I a “leanable” disciple

Or do I resist, taking control my way?

Lord, keep me leaning upon You

Until like John I am teachable always.

THREE YEARS

The disciples had only three years to learn from Jesus. How might I use the next three years for His Honor.

Only three years on earth to serve Him.

Only three years to honor His Crown.

Only three years the disciples followed.

They knew they were on holy ground.

If I have three years to serve Him,

What would my Call be today?

This moment, this day is important

What opportunity might be coming my way?

Will I stay at home and rearrange clutter?

Will I try to help a soul in deep need?

What is my assignment from the Father?

A disciple is alert as He leads.

Will I give financially so that poverty is lessened?

Will I sing until someone’s joy becomes full?

What is the Father now asking?

Perhaps overseas service is His pull.

Only three years, three days or three minutes.

God knows every timeline ahead.

Lord, keep me fully discipled and obedient.

Disciples are commissioned and led.

Jesus saw John’s wounded heart in Gethsemane, during the trials, at the cross with His mother, in his disappointment when he thought the body was stolen and later in his loneliness and death. Jesus wants to stitch wounded hearts.

“Jesus started stitching our hearts back together even when a knife was tearing it apart. Love and compassion hemorrhaged from His heart” on our behalf.

WOUNDED HEART

God is stitching your heart back together

While a knife is tearing you apart.

God’s sutures are permanent and invisible

His forgiving balm is where He starts.

God is stitching your heart back together.

He has mellowed and refined you somehow.

His joy and protection are stitched carefully

Permanent peace is available now.

God is stitching your heart back together.

All the pieces are His, don’t refuse.

He loves and cherishes His handiwork

Mended hearts are the treasures He can use.