Flipping open the book

Sometimes I just open my Bible and see where I want to go...which probably isn't the best way to read the Book, but I find some great stuff that way, so I'll keep it up on occasion just because.  Last night before I went to sleep, I opened to John 14, mainly because it's the chapter that includes one of those verses everyone knows (14:6 "And Jesus said, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me'.")  I figured there had to be more to the chapter than that verse though, so I decided to read around it.  

Chapter 14 opens with "Don't let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, and trust also in me."  I really love that, because it is so often my heart that leads what I do, and my brain seems to kind of get left behind.  Here God clearly states though that, if we trust in Him and Christ, then we have no reason for our hearts to be disturbed or discomforted or worried or agitated (all definitions of troubled).  At the end of the chapter, Jesus reiterates that He has given us the gift of peace of mind and of the heart.  His love is so great for us that, as the time of His death comes near, He is comforting His disciples because He senses their worry about what will happen when He leaves.  

Also, Jesus makes it very clear here that He is part of the Father, and the Father dwells in Him, which reiterates the point that we need to be close to Jesus to be close to God.  Also, if we are acting in accordance with His will, then nothing is impossible, because we have the support of the Son and the Father...which is quite a bit of collateral on any limb we may decide to step out on.  

In verses 23-24 Jesus equates love with obedience...which is definitely something that I struggle with.  I don't always see why I have to do certain things in accordance with God's commandments, when the sinful way just seems, well, easier.  I know that He gives us laws to abide by because in Him we find freedom, and His commandments are designed to protect us and keep us from doing evil.  Sometimes I think it would be simpler to just go with the flow, and not stand for what Christ is and His commandments for us, and I'll definitely admit that I often fail to do so.  However, it is when I go my own way or choose to disregard what I know is God's way that I end up in the biggest messes with hurt feelings and a bruised ego.  If I acknowledge that it is only through God and with His help that I accomplish or gain anything in this life, then for some reason (shocker!), I seem to get things right a lot more.  

...Chapter 15 tomorrow night.  Gnite :)