Happy Wednesday! And Happy April! (no foolin’) We have begun a prayer and share group at our school. We began today. There were nine at our first meeting. I love starting the day with prayer, the Word, coffee and great friends. Please pray for this group as we continue to grow in faith and fellowship with Christ.

John 14:12 says, “He that believes in Me, the works I do shall he do because I go to the Father.”

In this passage Jesus is talking to His disciples. Jesus is trying to tell His disciples not only what is expected of them, but the power they will have if they will just believe in Jesus. Jesus is also trying to tell these men that they are going to have to listen, learn, practice and go out and tell others about Him and salvation because the time is coming when Jesus will return to the Father. As a teacher I recognize the “teachable moments” as Jesus instructs His disciples in the ways of ministry and discipleship. Jesus is in the middle of one of these teachable moments as He tells His disciples that they will do far greater things then He and that He is not going to be with them for very long. So, listen up! If you read the verses before and after, Peter asks, “Where are you going Lord?” Does Peter ever remind you of one of those big goofy dogs that follow after the other dog saying, “Which way did he go? Which way did he go?”

Can you imagine sitting and being taught by Jesus and having Him say, “If you will just believe…” The God on foot, Jesus Christ, only asks that His disciples believe in Him and then later tells them if they will just ask in His name…and all will be given to them.” So now we are up to believe and pray in His name. Friends, that is power!!! Jesus tells them they will preach, teach, heal and baptize only if they will ask in His name.

God asks the same of us. He asks us to believe and ask in His name. Because of the Holy Spirit we can continue the ministry began by Jesus Himself and passed on to the twelve disciples. Jesus asks of us the same things He asked of the disciples. He asks us first to believe. Then He asks us to pray in His name. And then He asks us to tell someone else about His life and salvation. Jesus ascended to the Father at the resurrection, but He sent back His Holy Spirit, His very essence to each of us so we can faithfully and obediently with love and a grace saturated soul do the good works He asks.

Take joy in the journey. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.