God – Page 74 – Me From the Inside Out

Posted on March 15, 2022March 15, 2022 by

Living Water – The Hope of Eternal Life

Suggested Reading: John 4:1-42; SOAP John 4:13-14

¹³Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴but 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.”
John 4:13-14

Before and After Notes

I believe to fully appreciate and grow from verses 13 and 14 it is helpful to stop and look at some things that happened before and after Jesus’ well known words, “Everyone who drinks some of this water will never be thirsty again”.

Before

First, there’s the fact that Jesus, a Jew, asked the Samaritan woman for water at the well. I believe we do ourselves an injustice if we do not attend to the fact that the woman entered into conversation with Jesus (9). She could have simply given Him a drink and gone on about her business or either of them could have ignored the other altogether, instead she entered into conversation with Jesus – and so it began.
Second, enhancing the conversation, is the fact that the woman was versed in some of the history and truth and hope of God’s people – which was the Messiah to come – the very One who stood before her.

After

As their conversation continued she began to realize who she was talking with and she left her water jars and ran to tell the people in the town. (28-30) You see, when we “see” Jesus for who He really is we will share Jesus – and when we share Jesus others will see Him for who He is – and they will believe … and they will “know” for themselves that He is the Messiah, the Savior of the world (41-42).

While there may be many other things I haven’t noted from these 40 verses that surround our focus verses – there is one other thing did jump out at me … The woman was changed when she realized that Christ knew everything about her and yet he did not turn away from her or condemn her (29, 39). (On a personal note: This is the very thing that forever changed my relationship with Christ from one of a religious nature to an intimate one.)

In Between

Packaged neatly in between the before and the after are the words Jesus spoke to the woman in verses 13 and 14. It is here where we see that not only did she enter into conversation with Him – but He took time with her. He listened and answered and guided her to the TRUTH of who He was and what it meant for her.

Our Response

When we read or listen to the Word and engage with Him – we will hear and see the truth and be forever changed. Hopefully, in turn, we will want others to Know the TRUTH and be forgiven and set free and so we will tell others who He is and what He’s done.

Prayer

Father, thank You for Your Word and the hope it reveals. Help us to stop, to pay attention, to enter IN – so that we might hear and see the TRUTH and be forever changed – and then Father, grace us with the courage and the passion to share the TRUTH with others – so that they too might be saved. Amen and Amen!

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Posted on March 14, 2022March 14, 2022 by

The One Who Believes and the One Who Doesn’t

³⁵The Father loves the Son and has placed all things under his authority. ³⁶The one who believes in the Son has eternal life. The one who rejects the Son will not see life, but God’s wrath remains on him.
John 3:35-36 NET

The Message Continues

We last looked at John 3:16-17 and how God loved the world so much that He sent His only son to die on a cross for things He didn’t do- in order to save everyone who would believe in Him. In today’s passage we see how He loves Jesus, the only begotten son and how that love spills over to everyone who believes.

Out of God’s love for Jesus, His only begotten Son, God places all things under Jesus’ authority. This is the great news for us as believers because it means He has the power to save, to forgive, to rule over every other spirit and authority on our behalf, and it means He is equal to God the Father and no one can pluck us from His hand – we are eternally safe (secure) when we belong to Him. We will read more about this in John chapter 10.
Out of His love for the world God gives eternal life to all who believe in His only begotten Son.
Out of His love for the Son, we also see that God’s wrath remains on all who reject Jesus, His son. God wants all men to come to Him, He wants no one to perish and He has made a way for this to happen but for those who blatantly refuse Him and His gift of salvation there is only a coming judgment which ultimately includes the lake of fire – which “…According to the Bible, the lake of fire is the “second death.” This is the ultimate consequence of sin, which is to be totally cut off from God. The lake of fire will be a place of perpetual suffering and misery. Scripture indicates that every person whose name is not in the Book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire”¹(Revelation 20:15).

Eternal Life Versus The Wrath of God

Eternal Life

Remember, the Bible says we have all sinned and fall short of God’s glory and that the cost of sin is death, Romans 6:23. This certainly sounds like we have nothing to hope for but the good news is “God so loved the world” and sent His gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Because of that gift we do have hope and the promise of eternal security – if we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Wrath of God

So, what happens to those who don’t believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? The Scripture is clear that for those who do not place their faith in Jesus Christ there is no hope of escaping God’s wrath. There is no promise of eternal security, and there is no forgiveness of sins. Actually, our focus passage today says that the one who doesn’t – “rejects the Son” – will not even see life.

The wrath of God is a fearsome and terrifying thing. Only those who have been covered by the blood of Christ, shed for us on the cross, can be assured that God’s wrath will never fall on them. “Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him!” (Romans 5:9).

But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. ⁶He will judge everyone according to what they have done.
Romans 2:5-6

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.
Acts 16:31

¹As explained by gotquestions.org @ https://www.gotquestions.org/lake-of-fire.html

Do you want to know Him as your personal Savior? Consider these truths and believe in Him to be saved. Turn it into a prayer, tell Him you believe you are a sinner and your are coming to Him in faith – trusting Him to save you from your sins. 1 John 1:9 says that when we confess our sins He forgives us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Claim the eternal security (John 3:16) and the new life (2 Corinthians 5:17) He has promised to all who believe in Him.

Please let me know if you have chosen to believe in Christ and be saved. I would love to send you a gift to celebrate your new life in Christ. If you have questions just message me I would be happy to connect with you and help you understand this amazing gift of God.

Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study

Posted on March 13, 2022 by

God’s Gift of Love

Read: John 2:23-3:21 and SOAP verses 16 and 17

¹⁶“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:16-17

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How Deep the Father’s Love

These words, from the hymn – How Deep The Father’s Love For Us, by Stuart Townsend, came to mind as I read and began to soap this passage. It’s a perfect description of the love of God. The God who knew what was in the heart of man – yet would send His one and only son into the sin cursed world to rescue everyone who would believe in Him. Surely, there is no greater love than this – a love that would lead Him to turn His face away from His only son … a love that allowed my sin to hold Him on the cross … a love that allowed deep wounds to inflect Him on my behalf … and a love that worked in such a way that left me no room to boast – except in the cross of the One who paid my ransom.

For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (HCSB)

The Gift and Its Benefit

The gift of God’s love was Jesus Christ, His only son and the benefit or blessing of the gift was salvation for all who would believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul affirms this in Romans 6:23 where we read that, “The wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” and again in Ephesians 2:8-9 where he writes, “For it is by grace that you have been saved through faith and this is not form yourselves it is the gift of God through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

While the chief benefit of God’s gift is salvation we must not miss the secondary benefit, the freedom from condemnation of our sin. Paul affirms this benefit as well in Romans 8:1 where we read, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”

Our Response to a Love Like This

Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ so that we can share in the gift (16)
Accepting the free gift (16)
Living free from the power of sin (Romans 6:1-2, 14)
Walking in the freedom of no condemnation (18)
Practicing the truth so that others may see, hear, and know God. (21)

What Believers Need to Remember and Unbelievers Need to Know

We have all sinned and fall short of God’s glory, we need a savior. Roman 3:23

Jesus is the only Way to eternal security. John 14:6

He was crucified, dead, buried, and raised to life to be our redeemer. Ephesians 1:7

Believing that – having faith in what Jesus Christ has done for you and you will be saved. Acts 16:31

Hear what God’s Word says – “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Romans 10:9-10

An Invitation

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Spoiler Alert …

Posted on March 10, 2022October 18, 2024 by

Today we’re reading John 1:12-22, and the SOAP passage is John 1:22

After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this, and they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus had said.
John 1:22

The End Before the Beginning

Both of my daughters love to read, however, one of them is known to – and even enjoys starting in the back of the book just to see how it ends. It drives me crazy, I don’t want to know the ending I want to follow along from the beginning and imagine along the way where or how it will end. For Abi though it somehow makes the journey a bit better when she knows where she’s going and exactly what is going to happen at the end of the destination. She’s not a surprise me kind of girl. As I began to write the outtake of this passage this quirky little habit of hers came to mind as I reflected on the oddness of John’s spoiler alert, not only that Jesus died but that He had been raised from the dead. WHAT? Didn’t we just ‘see’ Him as He was traveling through Galilee meeting disciples turning water into wine? Yes, we did, but John has a point to make throughout his Gospel that causes him to take a different approach than the other three. Instead of sharing these details at the end of Jesus’ ministry he shares them right up front and let’s the listener/reader know the end almost before the beginning. Why such a spoiler alert? Simply put, it is a way of letting the people know who He is and giving them proof all along the way that confirms what they’ve already been told and deepens the roots of their faith.

The Benefit of Remembering

“His disciples remembered that He (Jesus) had said this.” Of all the lines in this 11 verse passage, I believe this is my favorite. It seems to me that it is the key to our believing and finding hope in the difficult times of life. To have the Word planted in us and then see it coming alive around us not only deepens the roots of our faith but it heightens our senses to His work and presence in and around us. It’s a great example of why it’s important and beneficial to follow God’s instructions to teach the Scriptures diligently to our children and talk about them when we are at home or when we walk along the road, or lie down and get up, ¹ and perhaps why Solomon wrote the words of Proverbs 4:20-22, telling his son not to lose sight of His words but to let them penetrate his heart, emphasizing that they were life to those who find them and healing to their whole body. God’s Word is important, it is valuable beyond measure and it is meant to be remembered. So important is ‘remembering’ to the deepening of our faith that God gave us His Spirit to teach us and to remind us of everything Jesus said (John 14:26).

They Believed

Note what happens after they remembered … “they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus had said.” We have to be careful to understand they had already believed in Jesus and had chosen to follow Him as disciples – but what they had believed was now solidified with more proof. Their confidence in who Jesus was – was being strengthened – and yet again, the roots of their faith were growing deeper.

Have you believed in Jesus? Have you trusted that He is who He says He is – the Son of God, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world? I plead with you to keep reading, keep listening, and remember what you have seen and heard about Him. – I would love to know if you have believed – so that I can send you a small gift and a tool to help you grow in your new life of faith. Email me at mryelnb@aol.com

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved – For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
Acts 16:31 and John 3:16

Today

The benefits of ‘remembering’ are still the same today. Whether we memorize Scripture, remember verses from our childhood, have them on notecards, read the Scriptures daily, or the Spirit reminds us of one – the benefit of being familiar with God’s Word is great comfort in times of stress and strife, it is courage for our fears, peace that guards our hears and minds as we live in Christ Jesus. it is a lamp to guide us in our decisions and a light that illuminates God’s will and way. It is protection when we are tempted and strength when we are weak. It’s benefits are actually countless and invaluable to our faith. So, we must do well at following Solomon’s words of wisdom and not allow ourselves to lose sight of God’s Word, what He has done or said , but rather let it penetrate our hearts and minds – for, as the Proverb says, His words will bring life to those who find them and healing to our whole body, and they will help us not sin against Him. We would be wise to keep our minds on Him the giver of “perfect peace”, on His Word, His accomplishments, and His mission so that our faith roots grow deeper, our trust is strengthened and we are able to share the message with others.

Thanksgiving

Father, thank you for the richness of Your Word – the promises and the fulfillments. The hope and the confidence we gain from it is priceless. It is the power to save and the strength to continue. Help us to fix our eyes on You – to remember the battle is over and the victory is won!

Me from the Inside Out –

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Posted on March 9, 2022March 10, 2022 by

Seeing Him For Who He Is

John 2:1-11 and SOAP John 2:11

This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
John 2:11

The Elephant in the Room

First things first, let’s address the proverbial ‘elephant in the room’, found in verse 4, where Jesus says to His mother, Mary … “Woman, why are you saying this to me?” Was Jesus being rude to His mother? Absolutely not. Often, despite our best efforts, inflections or intent are lost in the translation of Scripture, as is the case here. According to Gotquestions.org and other trusted commentaries, such as BibleRef.com, the use of this term, “Woman,” in the original Greek would have been understood as a polite and possibly even formal statement. Much like our use of the term ma’am, “woman” is meant to show respect, and is even considered by some to have been an affectionate term. For an example of this – look how Jesus used the same word from the cross – and how different it sounds in this context – when He said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son”, referring to His dearly loved disciple in John 19:26-27.

The First Miraculous Sign

Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine at a wedding where He was a guest. Perhaps it was because His mother had requested it, however, I believe we see the real reason in our focus passage today. It’s here that we read that Jesus revealed His glory (made Himself known) and His disciples believed in Him, (2:11). He would go on to do many more miraculous signs over the course of His ministry, and all of them would be used as a means of proof that He was who He said He was, the One John had been announcing as – The One God Loved … The Lamb of God … The Chosen One … the Son of God …

The Proof Is In The Wine

The outcome of Jesus turning the water into wine was a victorious success as the “disciples believed in Him”. They trusted He was who He said He was – The Son of God. You see the miracles weren’t about Jesus looking amazing or astounding people or gaining popularity among the people. The miraculous signs, as John called them, were meant to make God known. Today, when we glorify God we are making Him known. We are making His Son known and this will always have an impact on the people in our lives – whether they are family, friends, strangers, or neighbors.

What’s this mean for His followers today?

As Mary told the servants in today’s story – we should do whatever He tells us to do. Not only will we be blessed (see verse 9) but we will be making Him known to those watching or listening, or receiving … Working along side Jesus, doing what He tells us to do will always have an impact on those around us – because what is said and done in His name will always make Him known. We should also call to mind what we have read about Him and what we’ve seen or experienced Him do in or through us or those we love – remembering the ‘miraculous signs’ will bolster our faith and secure our hope in Him.

Father, thank you for the miracles - the miraculous signs through and by You in the Old Testament and Christ in the New. Thank you for those I have experienced in my own life, such as Abi's feet being healed, Annie's cancer being healed, peace in the storms of life, as well as Your perfect timing in more ways than I can count, and Your provisions and making a way when there was no hope ... Thank you for letting us see Him for who He is. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of Your work. May we be quick to do as you say and careful to pay attention to what You do and to make Your works known - so that Your glory might be seen and many many more might believe. In Jesus' Name - So let it be! 
- Me, From the Inside Out 💕

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Posted on March 8, 2022March 12, 2022 by

Rabbi, Son of God, King of Israel … Who Do You Say He Is?

Let’s read John 1:43-51 and SOAP John 1:49

Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel!”
John 1:49

I found it difficult to read this passage and not get caught up in all of the details. I underlined and circled and colored in words. Words and phrases that gave insight into Jesus’ interest in those around Him and His willingness and purposefulness in seeking them out. I love seeing the way He interacted and communicated with these men – men that would ultimately become His companions and friends. I love the way He saw them before they saw Him and how He revealed Himself and even dealt with the ‘doubter” subtly. I watched with interest as the men began to share Him with others- to approach Him and respond to Him. Jesus was connecting with them – setting the stage – perhaps cultivating the soil of their hearts and minds

Then there’s our focus verse where Nathanael moves from his platform of questioning – “what good could come from Nazareth?” (46) – to declaring Jesus, from Nazareth, to be not just a Rabbi (teacher) but the Son of God, and even The King of Israel, (49). What moved Nathanael from snarky doubter to firm believer? I believe it was because Jesus met him where he was. He saw him under the fig tree before Philip found him and by the words Jesus spoke in verse 47, He apparently heard his snarky, if not rude and judgmental comment about those from Nazareth – and yet He did not turn away from him but engaged with him. Actually, it is believed by some that the comment of verse 47 was meant to be a gentle response to Nathanael’s words in 46, a reminder to him of the wrongness of judging someone by their heritage. Which, by Nathanael’s reply, “How do you know about me?”, did not go unnoticed but rather seems to have moved Nathanael’s heart to believe. (Visit https://www.bibleref.com/John/1/John-1-47.html for more)

““How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.””‭‭
John‬ ‭1:48‬ ‭NLT‬‬

So, who do you say Jesus is? Is he simply a teacher? Do you know Him as the Son of God who came to save the world? Do you recognize Him as the King of the Jews? Or, like Nathanael, do you proclaim Jesus is all of these things and more?

Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study

Posted on March 8, 2022March 8, 2022 by

John’s Testimony: This Is the Son of God

Read John 1:19-42 and SOAP John 1:34

I have both seen and testified that this man is the Chosen One of God.”
John 1:34

John uses a variety of names to identify Jesus to the people in verse 19-42, for instance in the NET version John references Him as Lord (23), The Lamb of God (29, 36), and The Son of God (34). On top of the specific names John also uses several specific references such as “the One – whose sandal strap I’m not worthy to untie” (27), “the one who takes away the sin of the world!” (29),”a man who has surpassed me, because He existed before me.” (30), “The One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit” (33). All of these references are specific to this One Man. They are applicable to Jesus alone.

John had a job to do – a ministry call to fulfill, for he was commissioned before he was even born to “prepare the way for the Lord” (Luke 1:17 and 76), and he did it well. However, he not only tasked with telling people who Jesus was – but he had seen who Jesus was. God gave John an unmistakable sign that left no room for doubt that Jesus was the Chosen One, The true and undeniable Lamb of God.

Every time I read this portion of Scripture, one question pops in my head and convicts my heart. What is my testimony about Jesus? This question is followed by a seemingly endless list of follow-up questions like – Do I know Him well enough to testify about Him? Am I certain enough of who He is that I talk freely and assuredly about Him, where He came from, what He can do, and what He’s done already? I am convinced that if we are to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8) we must be able to move beyond simply knowing His name and His birthday, to seeing “who He is” because God has shown us who He is! – We must be able, like John, to say without wavering – “I have both seen and testified that this man is the Chosen One of God”.

Yes God, may we see the Son through Your eyes, may we watch for and remember the ways you make Him known to us so that in due time we can make Him known to others. May our lips not only name Him but may we point Him out with descriptions that testify to who He really is. In all of this may You be glorified.

Me, From the Inside Out – 2 Corinthians 5:17

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Posted on March 7, 2022March 7, 2022 by

Jesus – The Word and The Creator

Grab your favorite Bible and read John 1:1-18; SOAP: John 1:1-4

In the beginning the Word already existed.
    The Word was with God,
    and the Word was God.
²He existed in the beginning with God.
³God created everything through him,
    and nothing was created except through him.
⁴The Word gave life to everything that was created,
    and his life brought light to everyone.
John 1:1-4

John was born and sent by God to be the one who prepared the way for “the Lord”, the Messiah to come, (Luke 1:1-25 and 67-80). While Jesus was not yet with John, we find John introducing Him in the very first verse of John’s Gospel. He doesn’t introduce Him as a baby in a manger or a name at the end of a long line of genealogy – but he boldly proclaims Him as “the Word” … as One being with God in the very beginning – we’re talking Genesis 1:1 beginning – before creation was spoken into being beginning. John not only says that Jesus was with God in the beginning but he introduces Him … as being God and as being used by God in the creation of everything – “Nothing was created except through Him.” The other word John uses to describe Jesus is life – “life that brought light to everyone”. The importance of that last statement, “brought light to everyone”, is made clear in verse 5 where we are told that His light shines in the “darkness” but the darkness does not overcome it. Jesus will explain this part of Himself later in John 8. For now just let John’s description settle over you for a moment – Jesus, the very word of God … with God in the beginning … God Himself … Life and Light. The One, who though He was God, came and took on flesh to offer us the hope of eternal security wasn’t dreamed up when all else failed – He was there in the beginning.

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Posted on March 3, 2022March 3, 2022 by

Remaining or Cut Off

Read Proverbs 2:11-22 (SOAP: 21-22)

For the upright will live in the land,
and the blameless will remain in it;
²²but the wicked will be cut off from the land,
and the unfaithful will be torn from it.
Proverbs 2:21-22 NLT

This section of reading makes it clear that righteous living, that which is based on the wisdom of God, is better than those who live in perverse ways, delighting in doing wrong and rejoicing in evil. Solomon concludes this section of sayings with pointed instruction to “walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous”. Why? Because he knows that these are the people who will obtain and dwell in the land the LORD had promised long ago. “Dwelling in the land” was a phrase known as a great reward in that day because it indicated that they were heirs to the promises of God. (see Genesis 12; 2 Samuel 7:16) He also understood that those who were unfaithful – who chose to not follow the ways of wisdom would forever be “cut off from the land”. From Solomon’s instruction and words of warning it is clear Solomon wanted more for his “son” than this.

Through faith in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, I am a child of God. Because I have believed He has made me an heir and I have a share in the promises and blessings of God’s people. (Galatians 3:17-29; 4:4-7 and Hebrews 3:12-14)Like Solomon, I must be faithful to tell my children and the generations to follow what God desires and what He has promised.

So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Galatians 4:7

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Posted on March 1, 2022March 1, 2022 by

The Peace of Listening

But all who listen to me will live in peace,
untroubled by fear of harm.”
Proverbs 1:33

All the wise sayings that preceded this verse were concerning those who had ignored the opportunity for wisdom, 1:20-32. They had chosen their own desires and their own ways over that of wisdom and because of this they were having to deal with the fall out of failing to do what is good and right. Not so with those who had chosen to follow after wisdom, who because of their obedience were graced with peace and did not have to worry about harm coming to them.