Be With Me: 7 Minutes of Biblical Wonder
Be With Me is a daily 7 minute chronological walk through the New Testament hosted by Michael Smith. It is for everyone who is curious about what Jesus actually said and did in the gospels. Most episodes will leave you with at least one good thought to chew on for the rest of the day. We start with the Bible and hopefully end with Awe. We are walking through the chronological events of Jesus' life and then thoughtfully considering them. It is meant to spur the devotional life of the Christian and the not-yet-Christian. We occasionally venture into the Old Testament when it helps our understanding of the New Testament events. Everybody has 7 minutes. Everybody needs to wonder. Be With Me is hosted by Michael Smith who has absolutely no special qualifications to do a podcast. He is not a pastor. He has not been to seminary. He does not lead a mega-church. He is not a professional and he has no more credentials than you do. He does, however, follow a great God with an observant eye and a curious heart. Each day, he starts with a study bible and aims for astonishment. ‘be with him’ for 7 minutes as he sets out daily to discover the God who invites us to ‘Be With Me.’
Be With Me: 7 Minutes of Biblical Wonder
How deep are the Giant Redwood’s roots? S28e132 Jn17:9
The most amazing thing about the Giant Redwoods is not what looms 380 feet above you, it is what lies right beneath your feet. You see, redwoods have a secret below the ground that assures their visible glory.
Join me for 7 minutes to hear that secret. It is the same secret that Jesus prays for you.
https://youtu.be/TKTdHj2h-Vk
How deep are the Giant Redwood’s roots? S28e132 Jn17:9
Stand of Redwoods. Massively tall trees found on the coast of CA. 380 feet. you ever find a giant redwood, you know ONE THING: you wont find It alone. Here’s why
If you stand UNDER one you will be amazed in awe.
But the most amazing thing is what is what cant seebeneath your feet. The majic is below the ground
Here’s the most amazing thing root system only 10-13 feet 3.4%
80 feet wide. But, intertwined with other redwoods. Sharing support and stability and nutrients. It is a “STAND” of trees. Stand Togeth.Unity. Exactly what we’ll see in the prayer today
Jesus last supper. High priestly prayer. Next is the arrest.
What would you say if you only had your last few minutes: this:
9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
Thinking of a positive truth list from this passage
TARGET First let’s ask: for WHO ARE THESE for?
It is for the disciples, but also for all believers who are linked through the generations in a chain of faith reaching back to Jesus and shadows of it reaching back to Abrahamand even Adam and Eve
20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
We literally are doing that this morning: following and admiring the “words of John” and the Words of Spirit 2 Peter 1:21
21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carriedalong by the Holy Spirit.
Don’t think it is bad theology to appropriate this blessing to us because He tells us it is FOR US. All those who believe thru their word.
Security
The Father designated / gave people to the Son as a possession
Those of the Son are of the Father in belief and identity
Those of the Father are of the Son in belief and identity
You are given, we are possessed
You are guarded (disciples )
You are protected and NONE have been lost
Security of the believer rests upon the strength of this promise
The strength of this promise rests upon, relies upon the Strength of this Savior, and the strength of Trinity John 10:28
no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
Greatness of this promise is nested in the greatness of God
BECAUSE God is greater than all, none can be snatched
How does He keep individuals strong and standing?
Remember the redwoods.
Jesus prays for UNITY
UNITY 11Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.
He prays that we HAVE unity that is powered by the unity of the trinity.
He prays that we have UNITY that resembles the trinity
UNITY IS: Group of individuals that stand together in singularity, under the bannerof the name of God, the accomplishments of God, the Word of God, the family of God,
God places a high value on such fellowship
Critical pieces of support for the ongoing care and feeding
Unity is one of the Mechanisms that Jesus uses to fulfill His promise that NONE WILL BE LOST
After the resurrection, he empowers the unified church with diverse, mutually supportive gifts
Remember the redwoods. Remember the strength , the glory, the power of that tree. Represent the faith and fruit of an individual abiding in God
Remember one of the reasons why they stand: UNITY. They are unified. Interdigitated. Operating and surviving and thriving as one
They are individuals who stand in unity.
We have much to learn from the redwoods and from Jesus.
He prays for exactly this: that we’d be glorious and fruitful
and that we’d be unified and together
What I see in this passage today is the strength of the unified church based on the security and intercession of the powerful God.
May we be more like the redwoods, just like God designed us to be
Group of individuals that stand together as one unified.