Tag: John

Posted in Advent, Advent, Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Promised Messiah

Salt and Light

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based on the Love God Greatly Advent study, The Promised Messiah / w4d4

Scripture: Luke 1:57-80 / SOAP verses 68-71

This is like a segment from the memorable Paul Harvey and his segments known as “The Rest of the Story.” Previously in Luke’s story we learned of an angel named Gabriel who appeared to a priest who was serving in the Temple, with an announcement that the priest and his wife, both very old, would have a son, whom they were to name John; and John would be the messenger for the coming Messiah. Which of course, is exactly where the story picks up today. Elizabeth gives birth to a son and she named him John. Their neighbors and relatives rejoiced with the miraculous birth but questioned the name she gave since it was not a family name. Zechariah, though still mute because of his disbelief in the angelic proclamation, confirms by writing on a tablet – “His name is John.” Scripture says that Zechariah immediately regained his speech and blessed God and then, filled with Holy Spirit, he prophesied, saying:

“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
    because he has visited and redeemed his people.
69 He has sent us a mighty Savior
    from the royal line of his servant David,
70 just as he promised
    through his holy prophets long ago.
71 Now we will be saved from our enemies
    and from all who hate us.

Luke 1:68-71

I love this response and am quite convicted by them. Zechariah’s words, his first words spoken in months, weren’t a story about what had happened to him but they were about God. They were words of praise that would have brought to the people’s minds God’s long awaited promises to His people – promises of a messenger (Malachi 3:1), a savior (Isa 7:14 and 9:6; Micah 5:2), and of salvation from sin (Jeremiah 31:31-34).

“But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. . . . Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

Gotquestions.org

I see several applications as I read through and study this passage. Certainly we learn the importance of believing and obeying God’s word. I also noticed and was reminded of the importance of keeping our minds on God, whether we are in the midst of hard times or celebratory ones. The ultimate example being how in all of the excitement of the birth of a son to a couple well beyond the years of having a child – the fulfillment of the angel’s message – and the return of his speech – Zechariah’s focus remained on God. Undoubtedly, this was a result of the the filling of the Holy Spirit – but let us remember, this is the same Spirit that fills us who have believed, the Spirit of whom Paul said bears within us the fruit of self-control. Both of these examples lead me to the third, you see – because Zechariah believed and obeyed God, evidenced in his naming the child John, Zechariah was given back the ability to speak and maintaining his focus on God, even in all of the excitement, his words poured forth a beautiful prophesy that pointed the people to God and what He had done and was yet to do. The combination of these examples led me to this ultimate application – when we obey God and keep our minds on Him – what pours forth from our lips will be about what He does or has done in the past – it stirs up thought and attention to who He is and what else He can and will do. Thus, we become the salt and light God has called us to be.

Reflection For the Journey

God undoubtedly saw Zechariah and Elizabeth in their years of pain and longing. He was merciful despite their mistakes and used both to encourage their community and make His name great. He is the same God today. What might He be working to restore in your life, even to your longing or momentary unbelief?

From the LGG devotion journal, p 134 / The Promised Messiah
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

The World-vs-Your Soul

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Today’s Verse: Mark 8:36

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” Mark 8:36

Have you ever known someone that was never satisfied? You know, the person who seems to have everything going for them but they’re just never content. Their lack of satisfaction or contentment motivates them to grasp at the next best thing “the world” offers with the thought or the hope that “it” will make them happier. A better car… a bigger house… a better relationship…a better job… more money… more status… more accolades… more happiness… you get the picture. The list is endless and exhausting, and according to today’s verse – it can be dangerous.

Don’t get me wrong, none of these things in themselves are bad – but the danger comes when our motive is based on what the world offers or says is best rather than on the reality of what God has given us. For God has graciously gifted us with “life to the full”(John 3:16 and 10:10). This gift includes the Kingdom of Heaven and an eternity in paradise with Him! There is nothing better or anything in the world that can make our joy and contentment fuller than this. 

Check out today's inspiration for this post @ 'our daily verse'

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, He Sees He Knows He Cares, He Sees He Knows He Cares, LGG Study, Quiet Time

It’s All About Him

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Today’s Scripture: Luke 1:57-80; SOAP – Luke 1:68-71

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
because he has come to help and has redeemed his people.
69 For he has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David,
70 as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from long ago,
71 that we should be saved from our enemies,
and from the hand of all who hate us.

Luke 1:68-71 NET

The Rest of the Story …

I was never a big radio listener but on occasion I would find myself caught up in a program by Paul Harvey, called “The Rest of the Story“. The stories would catch my attention but even if I wasn’t interested in the particular story of the day I would continue listening to the end just to hear him say, the now renown statement, “And now you know…the rest of the story.”

This statement and the sound of his voice came flooding back to my mind today as I was reading the rest of Zechariah’s story. If you remember on day one of our study we read how the angel appeared to Zechariah in the Temple and announced that Elizabeth, Zechariah’s wife, would become pregnant and give birth to a son. We also read that Zechariah had been struck mute because he didn’t believe what the angel had told him. Day two brought the news that, just as the angel had said, Elizabeth did become pregnant; and today’s passage reveals that the child was indeed a son. When the people came to circumcise the child, in obedience to the angelic instructions Elizabeth gave him the name John, instead of the customary name of his father. When the people questioned this, Zechariah, still unable to speak, confirmed the name that Elizabeth had spoken, by writing the name John for all to see. Miraculously, upon writing the name his speech returned – and all the people were amazed and “wondered what this child will be.” Scripture says, “Then, Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied.”

He Turned All of His Words Into Praise

Zechariah could have used his words to describe what had happened in the Temple that day with the angel, he could have described what it was like to have not been able to talk, he could have done some new-dad baby-bragging, which no doubt he did at some point. However, in this moment, with this blessing he turned all of His words into praise of the Lord God of Israel and prophesying about the Messiah – “The Horn of Salvation”, whom His child, John, would make known to the world. Zechariah used his voice to make it known that God had done this to show mercy to their people and to remember His holy covenant made to Abraham. He reminded the people that because God was rescuing them from their enemies they could now and forever more serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness. Even when He turned tenderhearted attention to his infant child before him, his blessing continued to focus on God and Jesus, the Most High – the Lord who was coming to save His people from their sins, saying:

And you [John], will be called the prophet of the Most High For you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways, to give His people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. Because of our God’s tender mercy the dawn will break upon us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. And [John] kept growing and becoming strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day [Jesus] was revealed to Israel.

Luke 1:76-80

“And now you know…the rest of the story.“

Paul Harvey
My Response to God’s Word

Father, thank You for the story of John, who made Jesus known to the world, as God called him to do. But I also thank you for Zechariah and Elizabeth, who You used to fulfill the prophecy from Isaiah 40:3 of “one who cries out, In the wilderness clear a way for the Lord” -. From the barren womb of Elizabeth, who was in her old age, you brought forth the messenger of our Lord. You silenced the tongue of Zechariah and then loosened it to make known the great things You were doing. You taught Zechariah, who doubted, to trust You in all things by showing him – and all of us through him – that “nothing is impossible with You”. Help me, like Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary – to use my words to praise You – to make known Your greatness. Help me to trust and not doubt, and to obey – even when i don’t understand what You are doing. Help me to live and talk in such a way that others see and hear what You have done so that others will experience and/or see Your mercy and rejoice with me- and may “the rest of my story” be a beautiful legacy of faith – to the glory of Your good and gracious name! Amen, In Jesus’ Name!

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Sin and the Need for Jesus

Day 4 of Jesus, I Need You – Part 2, a study of Thistlebend Ministries

Scripture Reading: Malachi 1:6-8, 3:1, 4:5-6; Matthew 11:14, Luke 1:17; and Isaiah 57:14-19

God Forgives the Repentant14 God says, “Rebuild the road Clear away the rocks and stones so my people can return from captivity.” 15 The high and lofty one who lives in eternity the Holy One, says this: “I  live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble  and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts. 16 For I will not fight against you forever; I will not always be angry. If I were, all people would pass away—all the souls I have made. 17 I was angry,
so I punished these greedy people. I withdrew from them, but they kept going on their own stubborn way. 18 I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway! I will lead them.
I will comfort those who mourn, 19 bringing words of praise to their lips. May they have abundant peace, both near and far,” says the Lord, who heals them.  Isaiah 57:14-19  NLT
 Observation: What’s the Message?

Every day, throughout this study, I have read the verses and looked for ways that they point us to our need for Jesus. Some passages have been more obvious than others but today’s proved to be challenging for me. Here’s where I landed …. Malachi 1:6-8 was a reminder that our sins require a sacrifice acceptable to God, but then it also prompted to praise God that Jesus is forever a perfect sacrifice. This reminded me that The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God will not despise a broken and humbled heart. The other two passages from Malachi as well as the ones from Matthew and Luke seem to point us yet again to John the Baptist and his role as the one who would prepare the way for our Lord.

The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart.

Psalm 51:17

It is the passage from Isaiah however, that captured my attention. I confess it grabbed my attention mostly because I couldn’t figure it out and that always bugs me – so I chased down some information on its meaning and was glad I did. From all that I read, my synopsis is – it’s all about Christ making a way for us to have a relationship with God! However, I want to share with you a few bullet points from an article I read that I hope will help you reach the same ‘hallelujah’ I did.

  • Christ is the one who opens the way for a great returning to God (14)
  • Christ is the one in whom the “lofty one” – whose name is Holy comes to dwell with the oppressed and lowly (15)
  • Christ’s death is why God can acquit a guilty people without dropping the charges (16)
  • It is by Christ’s stripes that we are healed (18)
  • Everything hoped for in this passage comes to us – even to us Gentiles – in Jesus Christ.

Piper, from whose article I borrowed these points, went on to say, “We can read it as a personal offer of hope to any of us who will accept the healing of humbling and the cure of a crushed spirit.”

Application: How Then Should We Live?

From the inferior sacrifices of Malachi’s day to yet more reminders of John coming to prepare the way we are once again reminded of our need for Jesus. If we do not acknowledge this need daily, in both our hearts and minds, I am convinced that we will live as though we do not need Him.

We must not allow ourselves to live as though we can save ourselves or make ourselves better – we need a savior and that savior cannot be a pastor, a church, a child or spouse or friend, it can not be a job or good works. The only savior able to meet the demands of our Holy God is His Righteous Son, Jesus Christ.

Sin is the key because it is often the stumbling block that keeps us from dealing with the daily reality of our need for Jesus. We convince ourselves the questionable things we think, do, say, or watch really aren’t that bad. We play the grace card sometimes before we’ve even committed the sin – content that He will forgive us – we proceed with the sin. We should not make light of sin or treat it as a mistake – we need to humble ourselves before Him, confess our sin for what it is and deal with the sorrow that contrition brings. Remember, a humble and contrite heart He will not despise and according to this passage in Isaiah it is with the contrite and humble that He lives.

Prayer: Response to God’s Word

Father, how blessed we are that You sent Jesus to open a way to You, to acquit us of our quilt, to come and dwell among us, to heal us by His stripes, and to offer us hope and an eternal future with You. May we daily consider what You have done for us and live accordingly. Guard us from living in ignorance or rebellion – knowing what You’ve done for us but choosing our own way over Yours. Help us to be aware of our sin and may it make us contrite and humble, for it is with a humble and contrite heart You will dwell. To You be the glory, honor, and praise now and forever – Amen!

Your Turn:
  • What’s your take away from today?
  • How can you plan to walk humbly with your God?
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Jesus, I Need You





Scripture Reading: John 1:14-18; SOAP – John 15:5 





Day 1 of “Jesus I Need You, part 1” A study by Thistlebend Ministries, as posted on Youversion





“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5  NLT





Observation: Of the Teaching: 





Christ’s teaching that He is the “vine” is a well known and wonderful illustration of our need to stay close to Him. However, because it is so familiar, it is easy to gloss over, which means we would be wise to ask the Lord for fresh eyes to look closely at what there is to learn even from the most familiar passages. Let’s dissect it and see what reminders or perhaps even some new insight the Spirit (John 14:26) might lead us to in this reading. 





But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
John 14:26





In John 15:5, the following observations can be made:





  1. I [Christ] am the vine
    • Christ is the source of life
    • He became human and “made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14)
  2. You [disciples/followers] are the branches
    • His followers are dependent on Him for life, strength, wisdom … 
  3. Those [disciples/followers] who remain [abide/stay – meaning they are truly engaged with Jesus rather than just in it for appearance sake]
    • 2 Cor 5:17 says: Therefore if anyone is in Christ they are a new creation the old has gone the new is here
    • Gal 2:20 says: I have been crucified with Christ therefore I no longer live, the life I live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me
  4. And I [Christ] [abide/stay in them [disciples/followers] 
  5. will produce [grow/develop] much fruit [evidence of new life]
    • Galatians 5:19-26 bears witness that followers of Christ will bear fruit when they live by the Spirit
  6. ‘but you [disciples/followers] cannot do this without me’
    • Paul emphasizes this truth in Philippians 4:13 with this antithesis – “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.”





Application: How Then Should I Live?





Clearly, we are dependent on Jesus Christ and will only be healthy followers when we remain connected to Him – the Living Word. Abiding in Christ is both a privilege and a responsibility that is ours by Grace through Faith. It is vitally important that we realize this so that we do not neglect the responsibility nor forfeit the privilege by attempting to walk through this life in our own strength or according to our own desires. 





LESS OF ME MORE OF CHRIST





This means we must SEEK and STRIVE to ABIDE in Christ and not be pulled away by the desires of the heart/flesh. We must be alert to the enemy’s tactics to steal, kill, and destroy. ABIDING IN CHRIST is our key weapon against our great enemy, the devil! The best formula for ABIDING is for there to be less of me and more of Christ. This happens when we saturate ourselves with Christ, the Word made flesh to dwell among us, John 1:14. 





We must be alert to the enemy’s tactics to steal, kill, and destroy.





 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8 





The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
John 10:10










Prayer: Response to the Word





Father, I praise You for sending Your only begotten Son – Jesus – The Living Word and Lover of my soul. So deep and lasting is His love that He gave His life for mine! Sadly, I so often crave other things more – forgive me for these times and work in me a discipline to never put anything before You – my Savior and my God. Thank You for Your faithfulness to love me, to forgive me, to abide in me, and to hear me when I call to You. Change my desires – lessen the hold this world and my flesh have on me. May there be less of me and more of You LORD -that Your glory may be known and seen in me! For Your glory,  Amen – 





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Enough that we Might Know





Today’s Reading: John chapter 21





This is the disciple who testifies about these things and has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. 25 There are many other things that Jesus did. If every one of them were written down, I suppose the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
John 21:24-25  NET





The Things We Could Talk About





Sometime after Jesus revealed Himself to Thomas He appeared to them again and we could focus on the events that took place  – like the miraculous catch of fish, or Jesus’ conversation with Peter about feeding His sheep, or the type of death Peter would face. Instead we will conclude our study with John’s conclusion of the Gospel and why it’s important to the quest of being secure in our eternity. 





Through Their Testimony





As we have learned from this book, the words of Scripture are meant to lead us to know/believe in Jesus Christ and in the One who sent Him. This being true we naturally want to know that the sources of the word are trustworthy, how they are related to the Christ they profess. What we find here is that John wrote or dictated as one who was an eyewitness to the stories shared. He was loved and trusted by Jesus, which is perhaps most evident when, from the cross, Jesus placed His mother under John’s care, John 19:26–27. The point however, isn’t how much Jesus loved John or why but that John is a reliable source. Which, if we are staking our eternal security on words that were written centuries ago by those we do not know we want to know they are reliable. After all,  Jesus Himself prayed in John 17:20, “I am not praying only on their behalf, but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their testimony …” Don’t misunderstand me, I do not mean to take God out of the picture nor am I inferring we must trust the reliability of man over trusting that the Bible is God-breathed, 2 Timothy 3:16, However, He chose to use humans, just like us, to write the words and so having knowledge of these people and why God might have used them or what role they played surely enhances the way we listen to or read their presentations. Perhaps John understood this and thus addresses it here to close his book. 





“When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” 
John 19:26-27





He Knew THe Importance of Jesus





I love that John wanted to testify about these things so that others would know the man and the friend that Jesus was. However, I also appreciate that he couldn’t help but point out that the things he had shared were no where near all that could be shared about His friend, His teacher, The Christ. John was, as we should be, impressed with Jesus. He knew Jesus’ importance and the value of what He had to offer and believed in the dire need to proclaim it so that, as Jesus prayed, “the world will know that you sent me, and You have loved them just as You have loved me.” (John 17:23)





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No Other Access





Today’s Reading: John 13:31-14:31





Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:6  HCSB





Loving Others





I’ve had John 13:34 in my memory bank for many years, so while it isn’t our focus/soap verse I can’t just skip by it. Love is a key ingredient of Christ’s teaching. Actually, loving others was included in the answer He gave to a teacher of the law who asked Him what the most important commandment was. After explaining that the greatest commandment is loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength He went on to say that loving our neighbor was equally important. Suffice it to say Love was a vital part of His teaching and He intends for it to be a vital part of the believer’s life as well. To understand why it’s so important we only have to read the next verse which says, “By this (loving like Jesus) all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”





You see it isn’t just nice to love one another like Jesus has loved us, it is our testimony for Him. 





 Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
Mark 12:29-31





“How Can We Know the Way?”





Jesus was re-emphasizing the importance of love because it would be the very thing that identified them as His witnesses when He was gone. This naturally led to great concern over where He was going and answers they didn’t quite understand. This discussion led to our focus verse today which was Jesus’ answer to Thomas who asked: “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?” The answer comes back to one we have looked at before, Jesus is the way to the Father for everyone who believes. So He makes the statement again that when we know Jesus we know “The Way”. He is not only the way to the Father, but He is the truth of the Father, in the flesh,(Psalm 119:142 and John 1:1). Finally, Jesus declares Himself to be the life from the Father, (John 3:16).  





The answer to Thomas’ question is the same for us today. When we know Jesus we know The Way! While we rejoice in this we must take seriously the alternative – for those who do not know Jesus do not know the way and will have no access to the Father’s promise of eternal life. For this reason, like Jesus, we must be committed to our Father’s business – the saving of souls.










Personal Application





There are several noteworthy applications we can make from our focus/soap verse as well as others from today’s reading. 





  1. Let’s look at our focus verse in John 14:6. 





  • Examine how Jesus has loved you and love others like that. (13:34)
  • Be His witnesses (13:35)
  • Go “the way” of Jesus – the way of the cross. (Luke 9:23)
  • Walk in “the truth” – His Word is truth (Psalm 119:142)
  • Live “the life” of freedom that He came to give (Gal 5:1, John 10:10)
  • Enjoy the access we have to the Father. (Hebrews 4:14-16; Eph 2:18





What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
https://westminstershortercatechism.net/manschiefend/





2. I also want to make an application note on verse 11 of chapter 14, where Jesus tells Philip to believe – if not because of what He has told them – then because of all they had seen Him do. You see, it won’t always be what we say that leads others to believe – sometimes it will be because of what we do in His name – such as loving others as He has loved us. 





3. The final application came at the end of the passage, 14:31 where Jesus says to His disciples – 





but I am doing just what the Father commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Get up, let us go from here.





Actually, it’s those last five words that hit me. It is so easy and comfortable to sit in the presence of Jesus, to talk with Him – listening to Him, asking Him questions, gazing into His eyes through His Word. But, at some point we must “get up” and go out from that place of safety and comfort to do what the Father has commanded us – and this so that others may believe. For “how will they believe if they do not hear?” 





As we discovered earlier this week, we are His messengers and today we have seen that we are His representatives – so that others will know that we are His disciples. In this He is glorified (made known) – and in this the Father will be pleased. 

	







	
			

			
				
							
		

	
	

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Sent





Today’s Reading: John 13:1-30





“I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me.”
John 13:20 NLT





An Action Packed Narrative





I don’t even know where to start with today’s reading. It is action packed emotionally and physically. You can almost feel a pulse to John’s narrative as he tells us Jesus is aware that His time to leave this world was getting close. The depth of His love is seen and heard both through John’s words and through Jesus’s act of servitude as He tied the towel around his waist and began to wash the feet of His disciples.  His knowledge of a betrayer among His own is heart wrenching as it unfolds subtly, almost silently from Jesus’ lips. His servant’s heart and attitude are  a living and lasting example of His love.  His patient and gentle explanation of what He was doing and why it was important for Peter to reconsider letting Him wash his feet. The beautiful yielding of Peter is such a fabulous picture of the relationship developed between teacher/Lord and student. Having washed their feet, we watch as He moves closer to the final hour, revealing more and more to His inner circle.  He has set for them an example of serving others and made sure they know this is how they are to live. He also removes all excuses of stations in life and focuses them on the blessings of obedience to His way. 





The Warning





Then Jesus comes back to the subject of the betrayer with a warning that one among them is not truly clean or to be blessed. He acknowledges that choosing this one was not a mistake but done so  that Scripture might be fulfilled.  He isn’t telling them this to stir up dissension or trouble but so that when it happens they will be able to deal with it and know that it was supposed to be this way. While it might be a shock to them they will know with certainty that it was not a surprise to Jesus. 





Even my friend in whom I trusted,
one who ate my bread,
has raised his heel against me.
Psalm 41:9  HCSB





 The Messenger





Then comes our focus verse, which seems a bit oddly placed as it appears to fit more with verses 12-17, specifically verse 16 where Jesus mentions “one who is sent as a messenger”.  Here He continues with the explanation that whoever accepts the message He has been giving them, which is the Gospel, that person accepts Christ and if the person accepts Christ they also accept God, who sent Him.  It is so important for us to understand and to grasp that what we do with the “message” Christ gave His followers about who He was and who sent Him is a life giving message. Make no mistake, as surely as we are to serve and love others as He served and loved – we are also called to be His messengers. (Mark 16:15)





Then He said to them, “Go into all the world 
and preach the gospel to the whole creation.
The Prayer
Mark 16:15  HCSB





The Prayer





Father, You sent the Son and I have believed – Not because I have walked with or talked with Jesus like Peter, James, John, and the rest of the twelve – but because You placed people in my path who have demonstrated His Love and shared His message with me. Help me to be Your faithful messenger in all I do and say, so that others will see and hear and receive the message and draw near to Jesus and to You through Him. In Jesus’ Name – Amen!










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When it Becomes Personal





Suggested Reading: John 4:43-54 and SOAP: John 4:53-54





 Then the father realized that that was the very time Jesus had told him, “Your son will live.” And he and his entire household believed in Jesus. 54 This was the second miraculous sign Jesus did in Galilee after coming from Judea.
John 4:53-54  NLT





Miracle Worker or Jesus? 





What drew you to Jesus? The official in our story today had heard about Jesus, the miracle worker. So, naturally, when he heard Jesus was back in town he went looking for him – not just to gawk at the “miracle worker” but to ask him to help his sick son. The official pleaded with Jesus to “come down and heal the boy but instead, Jesus simply told the father that the boy would live and sent him home. The father did not continue to beg and plead but chose to believe what Jesus had said and headed toward home – no doubt to see the boy for himself and confirm the miracle – which is exactly what happened. Actually, before he even saw the boy he was greeted with the news that his son was going to live and that the improvement had happened at the time Jesus had told him, “your son will live.” Because of the miracle, not only did the boy’s father believe but his servants believed. The official had heard about a miracle worker and sought him out to heal his son – but he found so much more – for he found Jesus, the Son of God. 





Life-Changing 





It is a life-changing moment when we see Jesus not just as a miracle worker but as the life-giving Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  He is the real and present, intimately involved with His people, Son of God. The One who sees us and hears us and the One who gives and restores life. We must come to Him believing, but like the official in today’s account of the second miracle, we must often move forward believing without seeing … believing expecting Him to do great and wonderous things … believing and knowing He will do what is good and right and perfect according to His plan … believing and trusting and rejoicing that what is done will be for our good and His glory … believing and sharing our hope all along the way. 





Prayer





Father, surely we are attracted by the wonder of who You are and what You can do- but there is nothing so special as when we know You to be a personal God full of grace and mercy, and power and love. May we not hide but share Your miraculous works 

	







	
			

			
				
							
		

	
	

		Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study		
Spoiler Alert …
		

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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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