All FOR Jesus

Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. — John 21:25

And this is how John closes his gospel. 

We only know in part the things that Jesus did while he walked the planet. The things that were recorded have been a constant source of encouragement, training, discipleship, discussion and debate for centuries. And the truth of the matter is that we only have a small glimpse into the life of Jesus that was recorded for us to know about.

I've read this verse before. I've taken this same principle away every time. But this morning it became much more personal. Here's what I wrote in my journal:

"And I pray that I will mimic Jesus in this. May I live my life in such a way that not everyone will know everything that I do for Christ so that the motivation for my service is actually Christ."

No applause from people. No one recording what I do. Nothing. Rather, all for Jesus and to his glory.

One day I do want to sit down with the Great Storyteller and listen to all that he did while he walked the earth. I don't want to rent the video of his life, but rather sit quietly at the Rabbi's feet and listen to what he did and why he did it. Until that day: I will live my life in such a way that Christ is honored and glorified and that others are introduced to him through my words and deeds, all for Jesus and to his glory. 

I'm At Peace

I was just spending time with Jesus in John 20. This chapter shows us what happened to some of those who loved Jesus on the day of his resurrection. Mary Magdalene had gotten up early that Sunday morning to go to the tomb where Jesus' body was placed. When she got to the tomb, she noticed that the stone had been rolled away and the body had been taken (even the wording of that verse shows that she did not believe that Jesus was alive at this point). So she took off running to tell his disciples.

She found Simon Peter and John. On hearing the news, they took off running for the tomb. John, the younger of the two, outran Peter (showing that John had a little bit of a competitive spirit in him since he made sure to mention this in his gospel account), stopped at the tomb and looked in. Simon Peter showed up after John, but went right in to the tomb to see for himself. After they went in, seeing the linen strips lying there by themselves, with the garment that covered Jesus' face folded in a different spot, they went home.

Mary Magdalene stayed there. And then Jesus showed up. She didn't recognize him at first. Rather, she thought him to be the gardner and begged him to tell her where Jesus' body was if he knew. And then the "gardner" said that one word that opened her eyes to the identity of the man before her. He simply said, "Mary." He said her name and she knew it was Jesus.

After that, Jesus showed up in the room where his disciples (minus Judas Iscariot of course) were locked away in for fear of the religious leaders. While the doors were still locked, he just showed up. And his words:

"Peace be with you."

They were dumbfounded at the sight of Jesus in the room with them. But isn't that just like the miraculous? The miraculous always leaves us dumbfounded. Then the Bible says that the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. And Jesus' first words to them were:

"Peace be with you."

But Thomas missed out on all of this. He wasn't there for this reunion with their beloved Rabbi. So when he came back from wherever he was, the disciples told him about what had just happened. His response: "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe" (John 20:25). So eight days later, Jesus answered his request. Jesus showed up, but had these words to say to him first:

"Peace be with you."

Three times in the span of about eight verses, Jesus says, "Peace be with you." I did a search for that phrase and saw that Jesus never used it before his death and resurrection as a greeting toward anyone. But here, in the chapter telling us of his first moments and week of his resurrection, he uses the phrase three times.

So I kept listening and journaling, and this verse came to my mind:

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1, ESV).

How did it feel for Jesus to use those words with that meaning? Because of Jesus' sacrifice, peace with God is available. Because of Jesus' sacrifice, I am good with God. So as Jesus said those words to his disciples, he was proclaiming a major truth: those who have surrendered to Christ have peace with God.

And that truth hit me so wonderfully this afternoon as I looked at those words. So much of my walk with God is trying to appease him, not truly accepting that I have peace with him. I have struggled with this truth for so long over the years. But today: those words rang loud and true. Jesus showed me this afternoon that I have peace with God. And not only that, God's peace, through his Holy Spirit, is with me.

And I'm at peace.

The Danger of Strength. The Gift of Pain.

"But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the LORD his God..." — 2 Chronicles 26:16a, ESV

Strength. Ease. Comfort.

These are what we strive for. These are what we pray for when the tough stuff hits. These three things probably make up the majority of the prayers that we pray for ourselves and others.

Is it wrong to pray for these things? Not at all.

• Strength to continue in the work that Jesus called us to.
• Comfort given as we face trials and as pain interrupts our lives.

I want people praying for me like this when I'm in need, but I want to be open to the way that God decides to answer their requests.

Uzziah started off well. It says in 2 Chronicles 26:4 that "he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD,..." At 16 years old he became king and started off well in God's eyes. But the problem came when he was strong. Strength is needed to accomplish an overwhelming task. However, that strength can also lead us toward conceit and self-reliance. These character traits are not connected to the life that God leads us into. Rather, they lead us away from God. That's why Paul so thankfully could write this in his second letter to the church in Corinth:

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harm me, to keep me from becoming conceited." — 2 Corinthians 12:7, ESV

What was the thorn? No one knows. Many people have their opinion but no one really knows. And honestly, do we really think that Paul wrote this verse so that people could sit around and argue about what that thorn actually was or to encourage us toward accepting God's gracious provision of thorns in our own lives to keep us from becoming conceited?

Could it be that God's most gracious and loving act could be given to us through a most annoying and painful trial? Could it be that the very tool of God to move us forward in the journey with Christ we pray against, constantly asking for comfort from it? Even Paul prayed that God would take that thorn away, but he asked three times and left it alone. When he knew God's answer to his request of releasing him from the thorn, he accepted it as God's gracious gift and said,

"Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." — 2 Corinthians 12:9b-10, ESV

Content with weakness. Content with insults. Content with hardships. Content with persecutions. Content with calamities.

Content   | eudokeo |

1. be pleased with
2. enjoy, take pleasure in
3. prefer, choose as better

I look at that statement from Paul. I look at the word that he chose to use (content) to describe his heart toward his suffering and struggles. I look at this and admit that I have a long way to go. There is still conceit in my heart which is why God blesses me with the "thorn in the flesh" as a most gracious gift.

Thank you Jesus.

It ALWAYS Gets Done

Classes began today. Some of you started. Some of you, later this week. Either way, you're getting a lot busier. I just wanted to encourage you. Hang in there. You will wonder, again, "How am I going to get all of this done?" I thought the exact same thing as I was working full-time while working on my masters degree at Azusa Pacific. I was always reminded of this one thing when I asked the question (mostly by my wife): "It always gets done." And do you know what: it did.

Hang in there. I'll be praying for you. See you soon on campus.


What a ride,
Brian Holland
SoulQuest Chaplain: L.A. Regional Center

Summer is Here

Summer has arrived. It is here. I used to love summer because there was something called summer vacation. Remember those days? Being young and having no school and time to play? Just play.

Well, those days are long gone. My boys asked me what my favorite part of summer vacation was. My response: I'm glad they get to take a break but daddy doesn't have summer vacation.

We just keep getting busier and busier, wishing we could go back to the days of kindergarten. But we can't.

I just want to encourage you to press on. Some of you will not be taking classes this summer, but I'm sure your days will be filled with other things so hang in there. Some of you will take classes for the summer on a different campus. For you I say to hang in there. Either way, it is my prayer that during the summer season you get a chance to take a break, take a breath, and let God strengthen you.

Hang in there. I'm so thankful for you and am praying for you. Send any prayer requests that you may have to lasoulquestchaplain@gmail.com. Also, if you haven't done it already, join the SoulQuest Facebook community.

Satan's Favorite Target

"For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ." — 2 Corinthians 11:2-3


From the beginning, Satan has had a favorite target for his attack. We picture it being an all-out fierce battle, with fire and smoke and explosions and the like. However, he is much to cunning for that type of attack. In fact, most of his attack is not even a frontal attack. Like I just said, he is much to cunning and deceptive to just run straight at you with everything that he has. So, he goes a different route. He goes after that one thing in you that will affect every single thing that you will do in your life.

Your mind.

The serpent deceived Eve by playing with her thoughts. He does the same thing today. And do you know why? Because he's effective. This is why it is VITAL for all Christians to protect our minds so that we do not give the Enemy a foothold into our lives.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." — Romans 12:2, ESV

Transformation comes by the renewal of our minds. Without that, transformation doesn't happen.

Are you getting time alone with the Holy Spirit? Are you getting time with him in the Bible, listening to what he says rather than what you think? What are you filling your mind with? Because the truth of the matter is this: if you do not control your mind and the thoughts that come, then your mind will control you.

"BE OVERWHELMED"

Here is the message that I preached at our mid-week worship service at my church. I kept telling everyone that this was the most important message that I had ever preached. It's true. I put this on here not so that you hear me preach but so that you hear from the Holy Spirit the most amazing message that He wants everyone to hear.