What is the shortest verse in the Bible? John 11:35

And, what do you think it means? According to Chuck Smith, Calvary Chapel, Costa Mesa:

"Now, there are those who suppose that Jesus wept, they say, because His friend Lazarus was dead. That's ridiculous. Why would He weep because Lazarus was dead? He knew that He was going to raise him from the dead in a few minutes. Don't you remember that Jesus said to His disciples down there at the Jordan River, "I must go to wake him out of his sleep"? And He said, "This is happened that the Son of God may be glorified, and I go that I may awake him out of his sleep." And then He said, "He's dead. I'm going to raise him from the dead." So, those commentators who say that Jesus was weeping because His friend was dead haven't really read the whole text. He was weeping when He saw the pain and the sorrow of humanity, when He saw the pain that His friends Mary and Martha were experiencing as a result of death. And He wept for their grief. Jesus is moved by our infirmities; we have such a great High Priest, who is touched by our weaknesses. He sees us in our frailties. He sees us in our griefs. And He's touched by our feelings of grief and sorrow, by our weaknesses. He's just a loving and compassionate Lord, and One who is moved by our own sorrow and grief. And so, He wept for them."

"Whenever a Church keeps back Christ crucified, or puts anything whatsoever in that foremost place which Christ crucified should always have, from that moment a Church ceases to be useful. Without Christ crucified in her pulpits, a Church is little better than a dead carcass, a well without water, a barren fig-tree, a sleeping watchman, a silent trumpet, a dumb witness, an ambassador without terms of peace, a messenger without tidings, a lighthouse without fire, a stumbling-block to weak believers, a comfort to unbelievers, a hot-bed for formalism, a joy to the devil, and an offense to God."

J. C. Ryle

I found this on the Net and I am sad to say I am not the author...

A preacher and a bus driver met their demise
They arrived at Heaven's gate side by side
Heaven was beautiful they waited to see
Where God would place them for eternity

God took the preacher to a valley nearby
Showed him a cottage with a gate so white
There were soft rolling hills all around

A stream running made peaceful sounds.

God said "Preacher, this is your home
Peace and beauty you have for your own
All these flowers will brighten your days
For a job well done, for keeping the faith

Then to the bus driver, God said with care,
"The stately mansion on the hill up there
With waterfall and flowers so bright
You'll forever enjoy, both days and night"

The preacher said "God, I don't understand
A stately mansion to such a common man,
And I only get a cottage in the valley below
I'm not ungrateful; I would just like to know"

God said "Yes, you've been faithful, it's true
You've served me well all your life through
But when you were preaching, my children slept
While he was driving, they prayed and wept."

So, I was thinking, what a wonderful Saviour we have. He loves us so. Especially, since He came to Earth and we nailed Him to a cross. And on that Cross He said, “Father, forgive them…” just like He told us to do to our enemies.

I’d much rather hate my enemies, plot their destruction and laugh at their calamities. If you are honest, you feel the same way too. It’s all part of that old nature thing Paul spoke about (Romans 6:6). He tells us that our old nature died with Christ so we are account our old nature as dead. Okay. Sometimes, okay? Maybe after I get a little self satisfaction? Nope. Dumb old Paul. Uh, oh. Paul was speaking by the Holy Spirit? This is what God wants? Okay, but sometimes (okay, most of the time) I still don’t want to do it.

Jesus commands us to love our enemies in order to demonstrate to them that we really are children of God (Matthew 5:44). So when I don’t, it doesn’t mean I’m not His child. What it means is I am acting like a selfish, spoiled brat. Ouch!

Jesus commands us to love our enemies, just like He has. “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son…” (Romans 5:10). You mean, we were His enemies and He loved us? Yep. That’s what God says in His word.

The problem is, that even if I wanted to, I can’t. I don’t have the power to do so. He knows that. That’s why He has given us His power, the Power of the Holy Spirit. You see, the fruit of the Spirit, the proof of His working in our lives, is…Love (Galatians 5:22-23). So, if I am unwilling to love my enemies, I’m not allowing the Holy Spirit to work in my life? Now your getting it Randall. Maybe I should ask the Holy Spirit to work in my life? Better yet, maybe I'd better let Him...

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." I Peter 5:7

Here Peter encourages us to cast our care upon Jesus. The first word "care", is not a throwing, but "a definiate act of the will in commiting to Him our worries." The second word "cares" means, "concerned with our welfare."

There are many things to be concerned with in the world today. But there is nothing that the Christian should be worried about. Has God not saved you? Has Jesus not promised to be with you forever? Has He not promised to return and to take you to His Father's House? When I find myself worring, it is the Holy Spirit that reminds me of these things. And when I commit to Him my worries, I have peace once again.

God has taken the responsibility of taking care of us. So, why worry?

"So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

A simple message today: If you don't read and study your Bible, you will be deceived. Is this harsh? Yes. But so is the fate of those who are deceived. Much of what is popular reading today in Christianity is false. And if you don't know the truth, you may end up believing a lie.

"...be sure your sin will find you out." (Numbers 32:23).

The time for confession and repentence is today. It is foolishness to think that one can hide their sin from God.

He stands ready to forgive today, even now.