John 6:16-24 (New International Version)
16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” 21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
22 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake
realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not
entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. 23 Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 Once
the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there,
they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.
"It is I; do not be afraid." Once the disciple knew it was Jesus, they invited him into the boat. Jesus is with me, yet I am nervous about work......Why? Because I don't feel like I know what I am doing.
God, I have a control issue going on here. Please help me today at work.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Monday, April 28, 2014
John 6:1-15
John 6:1-15 (New International Version)
Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2 and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. 3 Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4 The Jewish Passover Festival was near.
5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
14 After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
What really struck me today was vs 15. The people wanted to make him King. Not because they wanted to follow him, but because he was providing for them and giving them what they want. Things have been rough for me the past few years. I hope I am not just following Christ to get things.
Also I see Jesus leaving. He knew his task had nothing to do with an earthly kingdom. so he left.
Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2 and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. 3 Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4 The Jewish Passover Festival was near.
5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
14 After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
What really struck me today was vs 15. The people wanted to make him King. Not because they wanted to follow him, but because he was providing for them and giving them what they want. Things have been rough for me the past few years. I hope I am not just following Christ to get things.
Also I see Jesus leaving. He knew his task had nothing to do with an earthly kingdom. so he left.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
John 5:31-47
John 5:31-47 New International Version (NIV)
31 “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true.
33 “You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. 34 Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. 35 John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.
36 “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38 nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. 39 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
41 “I do not accept glory from human beings, 42 but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
45 “But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. 46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. 47 But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?”
Do I believe what Jesus says? Sometimes. When it is convenient. I do know that I seek acceptance and glory and honor from man and not from God. Till this past week, I've not really cared what God had to say.
Friday, April 25, 2014
John 5:16-30
John 5:16-30 (New International Version)
16 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. 17 In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” 18 For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. 22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.
24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. 25 Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.
28 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. 30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
Jesus really did claim to be God. Twice Jesus said he can do nothing by himself. I Jesus, the Son of God, relies on the Father, why do I think I can do things by myself?
16 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. 17 In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” 18 For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. 22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.
24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. 25 Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.
28 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. 30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
Jesus really did claim to be God. Twice Jesus said he can do nothing by himself. I Jesus, the Son of God, relies on the Father, why do I think I can do things by myself?
Thursday, April 24, 2014
John 5:1-15
Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. 5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”
7 “Sir,”
the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the
water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down
ahead of me.”8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.
The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 10 and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.”
11 But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ ”
12 So they asked him, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?”
13 The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.
14 Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” 15 The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well.
I see the man was healed. But what was it that Jesus was more concerned about? His heart and his soul. He told the man to "stop sinning". What comes to my mind is, "Don't waste you new health with a sinful life."
I am not in perfect health, but what am I doing with my body?
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
John 4:43-54
John 4:43-54 (New International Version)
43 After the two days he left for Galilee. 44 (Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.) 45 When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, for they also had been there.
46 Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.
48 “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”
49 The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”
50 “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.”
The man took Jesus at his word and departed. 51 While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. 52 When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.”
53 Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed.
54 This was the second sign Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee.
"The man took Jesus at his word and departed." It was not till he learned that his son was healed at the same moment that Christ spoke, that the man believed, but Jesus words were enough for him to step out on faith. Oh to have such simple faith.
43 After the two days he left for Galilee. 44 (Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.) 45 When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, for they also had been there.
46 Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.
48 “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”
49 The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”
50 “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.”
The man took Jesus at his word and departed. 51 While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. 52 When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.”
53 Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed.
54 This was the second sign Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee.
"The man took Jesus at his word and departed." It was not till he learned that his son was healed at the same moment that Christ spoke, that the man believed, but Jesus words were enough for him to step out on faith. Oh to have such simple faith.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
John 4:27-42
John 4:27-42
27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”
28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him.
31 Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.”
32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”
33 Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?”
34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35 Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37 Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”
39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers.
42 They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”
The woman, left everything behind and told the towns people who she met and what she had heard. That's all witnessing for Christ is. I don't need a Bible degree or to clean up my act. Christ accepted this woman as she was and she told people what happened. That's all I have to do.
Jesus was not distracted by food or anything else. He had a mission and wanted to be about it.
What is my mission God?
27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”
28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him.
31 Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.”
32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”
33 Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?”
34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35 Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37 Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”
39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers.
42 They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”
The woman, left everything behind and told the towns people who she met and what she had heard. That's all witnessing for Christ is. I don't need a Bible degree or to clean up my act. Christ accepted this woman as she was and she told people what happened. That's all I have to do.
Jesus was not distracted by food or anything else. He had a mission and wanted to be about it.
What is my mission God?
Monday, April 21, 2014
John 4:1-26
John 4:1-26
7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)
10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”
13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”
16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”
17 “I have no husband,” she replied.
Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”
19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”
21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”
I see Jesus associating with one whom Jews did not associate. I see Jesus, knowing full well that she was an immoral person, accepting her as she was. I see a woman thirsty for true love and true satisfaction.
God I ask that you would once again forgive me. I know you will do as you promised. I ask for peace today as I trust that you will work in me.
4 Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.
4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)
10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”
13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”
16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”
17 “I have no husband,” she replied.
Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”
19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”
21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”
I see Jesus associating with one whom Jews did not associate. I see Jesus, knowing full well that she was an immoral person, accepting her as she was. I see a woman thirsty for true love and true satisfaction.
God I ask that you would once again forgive me. I know you will do as you promised. I ask for peace today as I trust that you will work in me.
Monday, November 4, 2013
John 3:36
I was checking my blog and realized I did not finish the chapter. I could have just added this verse to the tail end of the last blog and started knew, but I feel like blogging just this verse today.
John 3:36 New International Version (NIV)
Believe in the Son. It is his work that saved you and his work that will carry you through.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
John 3:22-35
22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.) 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”
John's disciples having a bit of human concern for their Rabbi. Perhaps even a bit of remorse that they had perhaps "backed the wrong horse".
27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less.”
I can only receive what is given to me from heaven. That tells me anything else is taken. John knew his position and purpose and he did not desire more. He was "full of joy" that Jesus was here.
31 The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33 Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.
God has given Jesus everything. He is the one sent from God and speaks the words of God.
I must know my place and listen to Him.
John's disciples having a bit of human concern for their Rabbi. Perhaps even a bit of remorse that they had perhaps "backed the wrong horse".
27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less.”
I can only receive what is given to me from heaven. That tells me anything else is taken. John knew his position and purpose and he did not desire more. He was "full of joy" that Jesus was here.
31 The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33 Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.
God has given Jesus everything. He is the one sent from God and speaks the words of God.
I must know my place and listen to Him.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
John 3:1-21
3 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
When reading this passage verses 19 through the end really hit home. When exercising my freedom in Christ there are things I do in private that I would not do in front of a Christian brother. My reasons have always been to not be stumbling block. Yet recently I've begun to question my motives and these verses only reinforce those doubts. Am I just hiding my sin from exposure?
Thursday, August 22, 2013
John 2:13-25
13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So
he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both
sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and
overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
Jesus took the time to make the whip out of cords. This was not a rash over reaction. It was a calculated response to what was happening. Jesus knew exactly what he was doing. Jesus has a "zeal" for the house of God.
Where is my zeal for God when I go to worship. All too often I go to sing...because I like singing...not so much to worship. I need to focus on why I am there.
18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.
Once again the Jews demand proof of His authority. My first reaction is to judge them, but I am immediately convicted. I know who Jesus is. I know he died and rose again for me. I have accepted his work on the cross as payment for my sin. Yet every day I do things that he does not want me doing. Every day I question his authority.
23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.
Jesus was careful who he gave himself to. Some were just users and he knew it. I need to follow the leading of the Spirit so I too will not give myself to these kinds of people. This does not mean I will not minister to them, but I will guard my heart and soul from their "using" ways.
Jesus took the time to make the whip out of cords. This was not a rash over reaction. It was a calculated response to what was happening. Jesus knew exactly what he was doing. Jesus has a "zeal" for the house of God.
Where is my zeal for God when I go to worship. All too often I go to sing...because I like singing...not so much to worship. I need to focus on why I am there.
18 The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
20 They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.
Once again the Jews demand proof of His authority. My first reaction is to judge them, but I am immediately convicted. I know who Jesus is. I know he died and rose again for me. I have accepted his work on the cross as payment for my sin. Yet every day I do things that he does not want me doing. Every day I question his authority.
23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.
Jesus was careful who he gave himself to. Some were just users and he knew it. I need to follow the leading of the Spirit so I too will not give myself to these kinds of people. This does not mean I will not minister to them, but I will guard my heart and soul from their "using" ways.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
John 2:1-12
2 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
I wish I could remember the preacher who told me the significance of the jars being ceremonial cleansing jars. Take note that when Jesus would eventually die and rise again, he would cleans us once for all.
7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.
I like the image of to the brim. Jesus fills us to the full. He does not hold back.
8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”
With Jesus the best is yet to come.
11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
12 After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.
When Jesus cleansed me of sin it was forever. Were I to die right now, even if there was unconfessed sin in my heart, I would still go to heaven.
Jesus will fill me to the brim if I let him.
The best is yet to come. This here earth is temporary.
Monday, August 19, 2013
John 1:43-51
43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”
44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
There is a pattern here of Jesus saying come and his followers grabbing others and telling them about Jesus.
46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.
“Come and see,” said Philip.
47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”
48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”
49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”
50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”
Here we see Nathaniel believe after Jesus told him of something a mortal man would not know.
I look at my life and what I have seen Christ do. I know he saved me. I know he provides for me. I know he forgives me. Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
There is a pattern here of Jesus saying come and his followers grabbing others and telling them about Jesus.
46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.
“Come and see,” said Philip.
47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”
48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”
49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”
50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”
Here we see Nathaniel believe after Jesus told him of something a mortal man would not know.
I look at my life and what I have seen Christ do. I know he saved me. I know he provides for me. I know he forgives me. Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
John 1:29-42
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”
35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”
They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”
39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”
So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.
40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).
John testified to what he knew about Jesus. Andrew heard it and followed Jesus. Andrew told his brother Simon what he knew about Jesus and he too followed Christ.
Witnessing is not complicated. My responsibility is to be faithful to tell others. The results is up to God.
32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”
35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”
They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”
39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”
So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.
40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).
John testified to what he knew about Jesus. Andrew heard it and followed Jesus. Andrew told his brother Simon what he knew about Jesus and he too followed Christ.
Witnessing is not complicated. My responsibility is to be faithful to tell others. The results is up to God.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
John 1:19-28
19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”
21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”
He said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?”
He answered, “No.”
22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”
24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
The Pharisees were to political and religious leaders of the day. Yes they would still answer to Rome, but they had clout. And here is John answering them boldly. John new who he was. He knew his role and his duty. Just as important, he knew whom he was not.
So here I am. Who am I? A child of God. What is my role? To serve God and share the gospel. How shall I go about doing just that?
21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”
He said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?”
He answered, “No.”
22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”
24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
The Pharisees were to political and religious leaders of the day. Yes they would still answer to Rome, but they had clout. And here is John answering them boldly. John new who he was. He knew his role and his duty. Just as important, he knew whom he was not.
So here I am. Who am I? A child of God. What is my role? To serve God and share the gospel. How shall I go about doing just that?
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
John 1:1-15
Jesus referred to John as the greatest man that ever lived. Luke 7:28 I have also heard of people reading the gospel of John and accepting Christ. With that in mind and adding my own personal desert of the past month, I've come to the conviction that John is my next book of study. I have decided to approach it with no preconceived ideas and just let the Holy Spirit guide me.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
John was not the promised messiah. He was the forerunner.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
One of my children has reached the age where I am not cool. I know she loves me, but I am an embarrassment to her. The less I speak around her friends, the happier she is. Even after we have not seen one another in days, she rather NOT show public affection. It hurts. I understand that this is a phase and I know she loves me, but it still hurts. Now imagine Jesus. He is the creator and his creation had no clue who he was.
12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
Believe and receive. That's it and the GIFT of becoming a child of God is yours
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”)
I have the John 1:14 reverence on my arm beneath a cross of nails. Encircled above the cross are the words, LOVE TRANSCENDS TIME. I wish now I had John 1:14-15. As it more accurately depicts the sentiment. Jesus, who is with God and the Word of God, who was there at the beginning, left God to come to earth. This is why John, who was born physically first and the "older" cousin, was able to say Jesus was before me. John knew who Jesus was. He knew he was the Son of God.
I am convicted of how flippant I can be with my relationship with Jesus. I take for granted his grace and forgiveness.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
The "Word" is another name of Jesus. He was there at creation. It was through him that God created all that exists. I am just not realizing that God spoke creation into existence and Jesus is the "Word". I'm not saying God created Jesus, I am saying Jesus created what God spoke. Jesus is our light and our life.
John was not the promised messiah. He was the forerunner.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
One of my children has reached the age where I am not cool. I know she loves me, but I am an embarrassment to her. The less I speak around her friends, the happier she is. Even after we have not seen one another in days, she rather NOT show public affection. It hurts. I understand that this is a phase and I know she loves me, but it still hurts. Now imagine Jesus. He is the creator and his creation had no clue who he was.
12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
Believe and receive. That's it and the GIFT of becoming a child of God is yours
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”)
I have the John 1:14 reverence on my arm beneath a cross of nails. Encircled above the cross are the words, LOVE TRANSCENDS TIME. I wish now I had John 1:14-15. As it more accurately depicts the sentiment. Jesus, who is with God and the Word of God, who was there at the beginning, left God to come to earth. This is why John, who was born physically first and the "older" cousin, was able to say Jesus was before me. John knew who Jesus was. He knew he was the Son of God.
I am convicted of how flippant I can be with my relationship with Jesus. I take for granted his grace and forgiveness.
Monday, August 12, 2013
Restoration
Since my last blog all those weeks and months ago I have been lost in a haze of self gratification and ignoring what I know to be the truth. So much so that I was becoming angry with God for not providing a job. Why is it I, who was trying to walk with the Lord, lost everything, yet others living in blatant open sin, had all they needed and more? The immediate answer came to me immediately as I have memorized the first verse years ago.
3 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Yet I had turned from delighting in the Lord because I was tired of waiting. I went through the motions at church for a while.
August 28th I was going to skip church. I went anyway, but not for the right reasons. Pastor's sermon was "Why do you go to church?". I don't remember exactly what was said, but conviction began to grow that I was not living as a should.
This past Sunday our elder Dave Dore preached on the book of Ruth. Boaz was her kinsman redeemer. Jesus is mine.
I once again confess that I need you Lord. I have traded your peace for a lie.
Psalm 37:7 New International Version (NIV)
1 Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; 2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
Yet I had turned from delighting in the Lord because I was tired of waiting. I went through the motions at church for a while.
August 28th I was going to skip church. I went anyway, but not for the right reasons. Pastor's sermon was "Why do you go to church?". I don't remember exactly what was said, but conviction began to grow that I was not living as a should.
This past Sunday our elder Dave Dore preached on the book of Ruth. Boaz was her kinsman redeemer. Jesus is mine.
I once again confess that I need you Lord. I have traded your peace for a lie.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Knowing God's will.
I'm headed to bed last night and really feeling the crunch as the last few hundred dollars are disappearing out of my check book. I still need a job and the fantastic interviews I had Friday are a distant memory. Becoming more distant as the days go by and I hear nothing from them.
As I climb into my bed and begin to pray about no work the Holy Spirit begins to nudge via the chorus of and old hymn played in that great jukebox in my mind.
Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
Your heart does the Spirit control?
You can only be blessed,
And have peace and sweet rest,
As you yield Him your body and soul.
As I lay there in bed, the answer is "No." I'm still holding back. Dear God please increase my faith so that I want to let go of the things I now cling.
It took me a while but I found this YouTube video and it's the closest to the version I grew up singing. Enjoy.
As I climb into my bed and begin to pray about no work the Holy Spirit begins to nudge via the chorus of and old hymn played in that great jukebox in my mind.
Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
Your heart does the Spirit control?
You can only be blessed,
And have peace and sweet rest,
As you yield Him your body and soul.
As I lay there in bed, the answer is "No." I'm still holding back. Dear God please increase my faith so that I want to let go of the things I now cling.
It took me a while but I found this YouTube video and it's the closest to the version I grew up singing. Enjoy.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Where do I go from here?
For almost 3 years now, I've been blogging my Bible study. I've blogged all the NT except the four gospels and the book of Revelation. Not sure what my next step is or book or if this blog has run it's course in my life and served it's purpose.
I may be sporadic in how often I post as I seek what God wants.
Peter
I may be sporadic in how often I post as I seek what God wants.
Peter
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