Sons of Thunder to the One that Jesus loved - (Mark 3:17 and John 19:26)
Two of Jesus’ closest disciples were brothers, James and John, also known as the Sons of Thunder. Their nickname depicted their fiery disposition. On one occasion when Jesus and his disciples were traveling to Jerusalem they stopped in a village of the Samaritans and wanted a place to stay. They were rejected because they were Jews. The Samaritans and Jews did not get along. The brothers asked Jesus if they should call fire down from heaven to consume them because of their disrespect for Jesus. Jesus rebuked them and said, “you do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” (Luke 9:55)
John later became the author of the gospel of John, and 4 more books in the New Testament. Jesus picked John to take care of His mother when they were at the foot of the cross. John was also the only disciple that could not be killed even though he was boiled in oil and forced to drink poison. He was exiled to the Isle of Patmos where he wrote the book of Revelations.
It is interesting to note that John called himself, “the disciple that Jesus loved.” Spending time with Jesus was transformative. When Jesus was hanging on the cross, John was the only disciple that was at the foot of the cross with Mary the mother of Jesus, and other women who were followers of Christ. All of the other disciples had scattered because of fear.
John had a revelation of how much Jesus loved him and he was not afraid to be by the cross or of the Roman soldiers and the Jewish religious leaders who were responsible for Jesus’ death. In 1 John 4:18, it says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”
When we have a deep revelation of how much God really loves us, it is transformative. It’s not how much we love Jesus, but how much we understand and know that Jesus loves us so much, more than we could even imagine.
Having that confidence that God is for us and not against us and He loves us with all of our faults and shortcomings eliminates guilt, condemnation, and fear.
Receiving Jesus Christ as your personal savior is the first step to a transformative life. (John 3:16)
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Personal Development Tip of the week:
What is something you need to give up this month that is not serving your life?
Most of the time when making progress in your life in order to get to the next level you need to give some things up to move forward. Whenever you start something new, whether it be a workout program or any new type of routine to better your life you also have to give something up in exchange.
It’s not always adding new things to your life and sometimes easier to subtract things that are no longer serving you.
This is why I am a big fan of creating a Not-To-Do List. Everyone knows about To-Do Lists but have you ever thought about creating a Not-To-Do list in your life?
If not, I highly recommend trying this exercise of creating a not do list for your life.
Eliminating one thing from your life can be the thing that you need to take your life to the next level.
Question for you? What is one thing that you need to subtract from your life?
Prayer for the week
Father, thank You for this great day that You have given me. I look forward to a blessed and productive day. Help me to keep my thoughts on who You say I am - blessed, favored, healed, prosperous, deeply loved, above and not beneath, the head and not the tail in Jesus name, Amen.
PS. If you would like to support us consider checking out www.litwithprayer.com and picking up our devotional prayer journal to our new pieces of Christian-based Jewelry.
Do you know Jesus?
If you have never asked Jesus to be the leader of your life and forgive you of all your sins, this is the right time to act. Pray this simple prayer and believe it in your heart: “Dear God, Your Word says that You loved me so much that You sent Your Son Jesus to die on the cross for me. I want to be saved and have all my sins forgiven, past, present, and future. Forgive me now as I receive Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. You promised me salvation and an abundant life. I believe and receive Your free gift. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me grow stronger in You each day, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.” (John 3:16)
Sons of Thunder to the One that Jesus loved