Take Ten with John - Day 27!

The 7th and final I AM statement of Jesus comes to us in John 15:1-11, which I encourage you to read before you listen to the video!  And notice the emphasis on "abide" - used 5 times in this verse.  While this is an old word, it is so important.  Jesus abides with us so closely that we are inseparable from his love and grace.  He abides IN us - making us tied into his very presence.  So look beyond your circumstance, and see God's presence in every waking moment.  That's what it means to have him "abide" in and with us.

Here's the video:

Here's a wonderful song about Jesus being the vine and us being the branches.  Enjoy!

 Take Ten with John - Day 26!

In John 14:6 Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."  It's the 6th I AM statement of Jesus.  And it gives such a blessing to those who know and follow Jesus!  It gives a picture of what heaven will be like - with a "mansion" that he has gone before us to prepare.

As you listen to the video, and read through John 14, think of all the blessings that your faith provides you.  And remember how a blessing helps you move forward in life, no matter what kinds of challenges you face.  God wants to bless you, and in this passage Jesus certainly brings that blessing home to us!

Here's a song about Jesus being the way, truth, and life.  The background is a little distracting, but I like the song!  

 Take Ten with John - Day 25!

We're on the 5th I AM statement of Jesus - I AM the resurrection and the life.  This comes in John 11:25 when Jesus is talking with Martha about delaying his visit to Lazarus when Jesus knew he was sick.  We've talked about this before - how Jesus wanted to let them know a bigger truth than just healing Lazarus - he wanted to let them know that the abundant life he wants to bring (John 10:10) was a resurrected life that gives us power and strength over all the enemies we face in this life - enemies of doubt, confusion, disappointment, and enemies that wish to drag us down and take us away from centering on Jesus.  Jesus IS the resurrection and the true life!  

Here's the video:

And I know we've heard Josh Groban before, but You Raise Me Up is such an awesome song for today, so listen in and sing along!

 Take Ten with John - Day 24!

Today we're on the 4th I AM statement of Jesus - I AM the good shepherd!

Now, as people heard Jesus say that, their minds would have gone back immediately to Psalm 23 - The Lord is my shepherd.  That's how they'd process this I AM statement - through the lens of the 23rd Psalm.  So, before you listen to the video, read through Psalm 23 and just remember what a wonderful psalm it is.  Enjoy the video and the song!

And here's a great song that's based on the 23rd Psalm - I didn't know it before but I kind of like it!

 Take Ten with John - Day 23!

Today our "I Am" is I Am the Gate (or door).  It comes twice in John 10:1-10, which describes the door or gate of a sheepfold.  And there are three lessons to learn from this - first, that Jesus is the only gate, but it's a gate that's open to all who want to know and follow him.  Second, that the door/gate is narrow, and third, that the gate/door is the most satisfying way.

Listen in!

And here's a song I love - O Praise the Name.  We sing it at church so sing along!

 Take Ten with John - Day 22!

Today we are on the second of the I Am statements of Jesus - I am the light of the world - from John 8:12.  What's fascinating is the context of this verse, when Jesus was in Jerusalem around the Temple during the Feast of the Tabernacles.  This was an important festival that reminded the Jews of the pillar of fire that guided their ancestors during their wilderness journey.  And in that context, Jesus shows how he shaped his sayings around external circumstances to reinterpret their experience!  Jesus was a master of that, especially in the Gospel of John!

So listen in to Jesus - the light of the world!

Take Ten with John - Day 21!

Today we begin looking at the 7 "I Am" statements of Jesus, and our focus today is on his first statement: I am the bread of life, from John 6:35. It follows as commentary from the feeding of the 5,000. And in the video I pose the question, "What are you hungry for?"

Are you hungry for God's provision or God's person?

Are you hungry for the temporal or the eternal?

Are you hungry for the flesh or the spirit?

Think of these questions as you listen to the video!

Here's a great video by Sierra Hull called Trust and Obey!