In Know It's Saturday, But....

"The officers answered, 'No one ever spoke like this Man!'"  (John 7:46)

The guards were supposed to bring Jesus to the Jewish leaders.  Instead, they were "dumbfounded" when they heard Jesus' Words, and came back without Him.  They had discovered what you and I have discovered over our life time, "No one ever spoke like this Man!"  Remember what Jesus once told His confused followers?  "The Words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."  This, my friend, is the difference between our Lord Jesus Christ and, well, those other guys.  

Have you ever heard someone say that some of what Jesus said had already been said by religion-founders?  There is, however, one very, very huge difference.  Philosophers and religionists could not give humanity, "The Words that...are Spirit, and...Life."  

By the way, our Lord Jesus has made sure that you can have His Spirit-Imparting, Life-giving/sustaining Words any time you so wish.  You may have a copy not too far from you right now.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You so much for, "Words that...are spirit, and...life."  Amen

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

I Have Been Told My "Answers" Are Too Simplistic

"And Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life.  He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.'"  (John 6:35)

Jesus does not "send" people some place to get what we need; He invites us to Himself, "I Am...," what you need; hence, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you...."

It is not a "trip" to the bread store or the water fountain.  The hunger and thirst in humanity can only be met in a Person, not a place.  Jesus declared to the crowd, "You seek Me...because you ate of the loaves and were filled."  In essence, there is, "Bread," which you should be seeking.  "Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life...."

Way, truth, life, light, bread, resurrection, the well, "springing up to eternal life," all are in Jesus Christ.  Later in John 6 Jesus declares, "I am the living bread which came down from heaven.  If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world....For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed."

Well, many of the contemporaries who first heard these Words were greatly offended.  I find them, "food indeed, and...drink indeed."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I say with the hymn writer, "Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night, Jesus I come to Thee."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"If You Knew...."

"If you knew the gift of God, and Who it is Who says to you...."  (John 4:10a)

"If you knew...."  This is at the same time glorious news and sad news, glorious news to those who, "hunger and thirst for righteousness," and sad news for those who don't.

Jesus then told her so that she could know.  "The gift of God," was speaking to her, though, as most throughout history, she did not know it.  This is the One Who comes to humanity as, "the carpenter's son," not as some royal prince, some king and potentate riding on a magnificent white horse; that's coming later.  Instead, "the Mighty God,..the Prince of Peace," chose to come as, "the carpenter's son," looking as a, "carpenter's son," moving about as a, "carpenter's son."  He was the oldest of a relatively large family and who grew up in Nazareth, "Can any good come out of Nazareth."  Well, yes.  I submit to you today that there is a very real sense in which our Lord Jesus Christ still "walks" midst the world as, "the carpenter's son."  Don't miss Him.  

Early in the chapter we read that, "Jesus...sat by the well."  Caution:  That "secret   place" just might be, "....by the well."  So I ask today, Do you know, "the gift of God, and Who it is Who says to you?"  One who does should never be insulted if asked such a question.  This should be a daily "relational check."  How am I doing walking in Jesus Christ today?  Am I running today's race, "looking unto Jesus," and not my religious activity, no matter how "spiritual"?  No "means of grace" can replace Grace Himself. 

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to see a "secret place" where I may not have before.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

How The Bible Defines "Love"

"Thus God loved the world...." (John 3:16a, Interlinear Greek)

This is John 3 Gospel reading day for the quarter; therefore, a repeat is in order.  A good way to interpret the Word interpret, "so," as in the modern versions' of John 3:16, "For God so loved the world..," is found in Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates His Own love toward us, in that while were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  And so we have the best way to translate John 3:16, "Thus," or, "This is how God loved the world: He gave...." 

I know I have written and said this many times over the years, but you and I know that "love" is such a feelly, gushy word for most, that for the majority of mankind it has become a cheap utterance; but not so Jesus.  We cannot speak of God's love in degrees, e.g., "so."  God's love is demonstrative, not just talk, or just hugs, and "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing."  God's love for humanity is demonstrated in Jesus, not in His shouts from some glorious mountain top, "I love you."  It is found in, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, with loving kindness I have drawn you," and, "'Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean'....Then [Jesus] put out His hand and touched him, saying, 'I am willing; be cleansed.'" 

You know, it might be good sometimes to respond to, "I love you," with, "Well, what have you done about it lately?"  I know I'm on thin ice here, so I'll just close.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray my love always be, "....demonstrates...love...."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"I've Always Believed" So?

"We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God...."  (2 Corinthians 10:5a, NASB)

I was 21 years old, student pastor of what the E. U. B. denomination called a charge.  It was comprised of 4 small churches.  In a Bible study that first year, I asked a discussion question.  One of the prominent members opened with, "Well, I've always believed."  Fine, that is, if what "I've always believed" aligns with the Scriptures.  If not, one needs a conversion, which means a repentance from what "I've always believed" to what the Godhead declares.

Somebody once joked, "Everybody's entitled to my opinion."  While this is a joke as far as you and I are concerned, this is a true statement in our relationship in Jesus Christ.  Some may never have considered wrong opinions/thinking as something from which they need to, "Repent therefore and be converted...."  Yet this reality is the reason the Holy Spirit tells us, "We are destroying speculations...," which is integral to the conversion process in life.  Conversion means, "to turn back, turn towards."  Conversion is initiated by the New Birth, but does not stop with the New Birth.  It is a life-time process, always learning of the ways of Jesus and turning back from, "I've always believed," viz., "speculations," and turning,"towards," Jesus and His Words. 

I repeat emphatically that this attitude of repentance and conversion is a life style, not just a one time "prayer."  Our pride does not like it, especially when the Holy Spirit brings something to our attention from which we need to, "turn back," comes after we have walked in Jesus for decades.  Our text reveals just how critical it is to know that I will act as I believe; therefore, right believing is essential to right living.  This is a key reason that, "We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that "I've always believed" continues to undergo conversion.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2