When He had finished praying, Jesus left with His disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and He and His disciples went into it. Now Judas, who betrayed Him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with His disciples. So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some

When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask Him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" Matthew 11:2-3 NIV

What kind of question is that to ask Jesus? Are you the one, or should we expect someone else? Of course Jesus is the One! He is the only One! He is the way, the truth, and the

Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: Matthew 11:4-5 NIV

Jesus wanted John the Baptist to have factual information, so He told John's disciples to report what they heard and saw . He didn't want John to receive half truths. I'm sure, since John was in prison, he would have been desperate for any information he could

The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Matthew 11:5 NIV

In other words, "the work you were preparing, John, continues even today. Lives are changing and you were a major part of that happening."

Jesus' reply to John the Baptist

Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." Matthew 11:6 NIV

Jesus says we are blessed if we don't all away on account of Him. That's what He told John the Baptist when John was questioning where Jesus was while John was in prison. I think Jesus was encouraging John to stay strong in his faith. I think Jesus encourages you and me

As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than

Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? Psalm 56:8 KJV

What does the bottle look like? Do each of us have our own bottle? And, what is this book? Don't the pages get wet? I know these may seem like silly questions, but they are real to me. I want to know all I can about a God who would collect

Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD. 2 Kings 20:5

God does see our tears! The Bible is very clear about that. In this story, Hezekiah was told

I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. Psalms 6:6

My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? Psalms 42:3

Yesterday I encouraged you to shed some tears every now and then; to pour them out before God. I realize that encouragement was

Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. Psalms 39:12

The reason God will hear your prayers and see your tears; the reason He will catch them and collect them in a bottle; is because you are His. You are God's child. (I trust you are,

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4

God has been catching your tears, storing them up all your life, so that one day He can wipe your eyes dry of them forever! God cares that

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. Ephesians 1:17 NIV

This is a series on feelings. It may not clearly be evident at first, because you want see the word "feelings" very often. You certainly won't see it in the beginning

"You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." John 18:37 NIV

Feelings are fickle. Have you noticed? Sometimes I feel good. Sometimes I feel bad. Feelings

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV

Okay, you help me write this devotional. Here's the scenario. A Christian friend comes to you for help. They are suicidal. They feel that life is caving in around them. It seems that no one loves them anymore. They have no purpose in