John 4
The man in this story is a royal official who has heard about the miracle of Jesus turning the water into wine at the Cana wedding. Desperate to help his son who is close to death, he walks the 16 miles from Capernaum to Cana. He begs Jesus to go back to Capernaum with him and heal his son. Jesus tells the man to go home and assures him that his son will live. Amazingly, this man takes Jesus' word and heads home. This is called trust!
How many times do we come to Jesus in desperation, wanting him to touch someone we love in a supernatural way? How many times has he given us a special word, a special promise as we spend time alone with him in his Word, yet we depart our quiet time without taking him at his word and trusting His word will be accomplished in our life?
The answers to these questions would vary based upon your relationship with God. However, there is a common denominator: God is always willing and able to help when we ask.
Today take the time today to listen for the opportunity to escape and have a conversation with Him and listen for that special word or promise that He has yet to give us! By having a series of conversations with Him you will soon enough learn to trust Him.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
He is always there!
“The LORD says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you’” (Psalm 32:8, NLT).
The apostle Paul understood and lived by the truth that God is constantly at work in and around us, monitoring every circumstance. Paul writes in Philippians 4:10, “I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.” There is a truth in this verse that is easy to miss - the truth that God is always at work around us. Paul’s circumstances did not show that God was working, but Paul knew He was. Paul was secure in the belief that help was on the way, so he stood firm and began watching for God to show up.
Paul examined every circumstance, understanding that it had already passed through His Father’s hands - with His permission. And God came through. To find real security and contentment we must learn to search for the handprints of God in the every day circumstances of life.
Life is not a series of accidents but a series of divine appointments made by our heavenly Father – each one designed to prove that He loves us and orchestrated to illustrate His provision for us. That interruption we complain about or that intrusion we resent may well be a window of opportunity sent by Him. God is our provider. The word “provider” comes from two Latin words: “pro” which means “before” and “video” which means “to see.” In other words, God will take care of it beforehand. God caused the church at Philippi to become concerned about Paul’s needs when Paul needed their love most. God always comes through when we need Him the most. It is a picture of the Good Shepherd meeting every need of every sheep.
John 10:4 (NLT) “After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they recognize his voice.”
The Shepherd is always ahead of his sheep - out in front - which means that any attack upon the sheep has to take Him into account first. What peace and security we can have knowing that God has gone before us through every valley, across each mountain of life. He knows what tomorrow holds and will give us everything we need to face it. When we begin to understand and walk in the truth that God monitors every circumstance, we will walk in contentment – knowing that He really is in control.
You may find yourself in a frightening place filled with darkness and doubt. Your fragile heart may be wondering if God knows where you are. He does. You think that because you cannot see the hand of God or sense His presence, it means He is not working. Nothing could be further from the truth. We may not understand or even like His process, but God is always at work in our lives. Rest assured – God really is in control – and He will come through for you.
The apostle Paul understood and lived by the truth that God is constantly at work in and around us, monitoring every circumstance. Paul writes in Philippians 4:10, “I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.” There is a truth in this verse that is easy to miss - the truth that God is always at work around us. Paul’s circumstances did not show that God was working, but Paul knew He was. Paul was secure in the belief that help was on the way, so he stood firm and began watching for God to show up.
Paul examined every circumstance, understanding that it had already passed through His Father’s hands - with His permission. And God came through. To find real security and contentment we must learn to search for the handprints of God in the every day circumstances of life.
Life is not a series of accidents but a series of divine appointments made by our heavenly Father – each one designed to prove that He loves us and orchestrated to illustrate His provision for us. That interruption we complain about or that intrusion we resent may well be a window of opportunity sent by Him. God is our provider. The word “provider” comes from two Latin words: “pro” which means “before” and “video” which means “to see.” In other words, God will take care of it beforehand. God caused the church at Philippi to become concerned about Paul’s needs when Paul needed their love most. God always comes through when we need Him the most. It is a picture of the Good Shepherd meeting every need of every sheep.
John 10:4 (NLT) “After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they recognize his voice.”
The Shepherd is always ahead of his sheep - out in front - which means that any attack upon the sheep has to take Him into account first. What peace and security we can have knowing that God has gone before us through every valley, across each mountain of life. He knows what tomorrow holds and will give us everything we need to face it. When we begin to understand and walk in the truth that God monitors every circumstance, we will walk in contentment – knowing that He really is in control.
You may find yourself in a frightening place filled with darkness and doubt. Your fragile heart may be wondering if God knows where you are. He does. You think that because you cannot see the hand of God or sense His presence, it means He is not working. Nothing could be further from the truth. We may not understand or even like His process, but God is always at work in our lives. Rest assured – God really is in control – and He will come through for you.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Please teach me!
As you open the book of John to chapter 3, the bold caption at the beginning of the chapter may jump out to you, "Jesus teaches Nicodemus." As an exercise, cross out Nicodemus' name, and write your name. You should feel an intense desire to be taught by God today. How desperate are you to know and understand truth?
Nicodemus was drawn to Christ because he had witnessed Jesus performing many miraculous signs and he just knew that Jesus had to be from God. "Nick" was a religious man, but he felt that something was missing in his own life. Coming to Jesus for an answer, Nicodemus hears him simply state that in order to have eyes to see the kingdom of God, one must be born again; that is, experience new birth.
How is one born again?
In the rest of chapter 3, Jesus clearly tells us the answer four times! "Everyone who believes in him,"(vs. 15) "whoever believes in him," (vs. 16) "Whoever believes in him," (vs. 18) "Whoever believes in the Son." (vs. 36)
The moment a person chooses to exercise faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sins, his or her sins are forgiven and he is born again by the power of the Holy Spirit.
To believe in him brings new life. We are recreated, renewed, and born again by His Spirit, and our faith in Jesus is what opens our eyes to see the kingdom of God.
This is an important step in our lives. Many choose to do it later: when I have retired, when the children are grown, when I am done with school, etc. The truth is that Jesus is here today and the sooner you surrender, the faster you will begin working for the Lord. Don't delay the inevitable....He is waiting for you!
Nicodemus was drawn to Christ because he had witnessed Jesus performing many miraculous signs and he just knew that Jesus had to be from God. "Nick" was a religious man, but he felt that something was missing in his own life. Coming to Jesus for an answer, Nicodemus hears him simply state that in order to have eyes to see the kingdom of God, one must be born again; that is, experience new birth.
How is one born again?
In the rest of chapter 3, Jesus clearly tells us the answer four times! "Everyone who believes in him,"(vs. 15) "whoever believes in him," (vs. 16) "Whoever believes in him," (vs. 18) "Whoever believes in the Son." (vs. 36)
The moment a person chooses to exercise faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sins, his or her sins are forgiven and he is born again by the power of the Holy Spirit.
To believe in him brings new life. We are recreated, renewed, and born again by His Spirit, and our faith in Jesus is what opens our eyes to see the kingdom of God.
This is an important step in our lives. Many choose to do it later: when I have retired, when the children are grown, when I am done with school, etc. The truth is that Jesus is here today and the sooner you surrender, the faster you will begin working for the Lord. Don't delay the inevitable....He is waiting for you!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
21-Day Challenge (Day 2)
Today I read John 2. Jesus' miracle of turning water into wine was the first of many miraculous signs that he performed to reveal his glory. Yet we see a beautiful example of Jesus partnering with lowly servants to do it.
I have also found that I get engrosed with the details of the reading: I wonder where was Cana of Galilee? Where was Capernaum? Why does Jesus call Mary woman and not mother? Then, I remember it is not for me to know the details, but for me to obey the command.
He gave the servants two simple commands: Fill the jars with water and draw some out to take to the master of the banquet. The servants did exactly what he told them to do, even though it had to have seemed crazy at the time! Have you ever tried to imagine what thoughts must have gone through their heads as they were carrying the jars? When did the water turn into wine -- the minute they obeyed, or as they were carrying it to the master? What nerve it must have taken to deliver what they thought was water to the head master. Jesus' miraculous sign occurred because these guys simply did what Jesus said to do even though it seemed crazy. Their obedience led to a blessing in their lives and in the lives of those at the banquet.
Miraculous signs will never occur in our lives unless we are willing to step out in faith and do what Jesus tells us to do. Only then can God receive any glory.
I have also found that I get engrosed with the details of the reading: I wonder where was Cana of Galilee? Where was Capernaum? Why does Jesus call Mary woman and not mother? Then, I remember it is not for me to know the details, but for me to obey the command.
He gave the servants two simple commands: Fill the jars with water and draw some out to take to the master of the banquet. The servants did exactly what he told them to do, even though it had to have seemed crazy at the time! Have you ever tried to imagine what thoughts must have gone through their heads as they were carrying the jars? When did the water turn into wine -- the minute they obeyed, or as they were carrying it to the master? What nerve it must have taken to deliver what they thought was water to the head master. Jesus' miraculous sign occurred because these guys simply did what Jesus said to do even though it seemed crazy. Their obedience led to a blessing in their lives and in the lives of those at the banquet.
Miraculous signs will never occur in our lives unless we are willing to step out in faith and do what Jesus tells us to do. Only then can God receive any glory.
Monday, March 7, 2011
The 21-Day Challenge
Reading the word of God is extremely hard. Have you noticed that as soon as you make a decision to begin reading it, you are either very "tired" or there is so much going on in your life that you have no time to read it. I am making a commitment today, that throughout the next 21 days I will read the word of God and meditate in it. I began with John 1.
The Book of John, opens up with the proverbial question of where did God come from? However I believe that the writer wants for the reader to decide whether he/she believes in God or not, because if not, then it would be best for the reader not to continue reading the rest of the passage. Did God always exist? Was Jesus really God in flesh form? It is a decision that each person in the universe faces. One has to decide whether to believe or not.
Two of John's disciples decided to follow Jesus. One of them was Andrew, I wonder if he followed Him more out of curiosity than devotion or faith? It does not matter, bottom line He followed Him....
I want to be like that guy and follow Jesus, with or without any questions...
The Book of John, opens up with the proverbial question of where did God come from? However I believe that the writer wants for the reader to decide whether he/she believes in God or not, because if not, then it would be best for the reader not to continue reading the rest of the passage. Did God always exist? Was Jesus really God in flesh form? It is a decision that each person in the universe faces. One has to decide whether to believe or not.
Two of John's disciples decided to follow Jesus. One of them was Andrew, I wonder if he followed Him more out of curiosity than devotion or faith? It does not matter, bottom line He followed Him....
I want to be like that guy and follow Jesus, with or without any questions...
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
One Crazy Love
When I read the old love stories, it makes me think of a magical time. A time when knights would fight for their ladies. A time of bravery, traditions and customs, a time of family honor and values.
But, if we look around God is still living in that time. See, He comes once, twice, or as many times as it takes to court you. Sometimes we decide to go out on a date with the Lord, and sometimes we tell Him that we have to wash our hair and cannot go out with Him. As frivolous as that sounds that is how we treat God.
When we decide to go out with Him, we feel like He should feel honored that we have chosen Him instead of everything else in the world. That He should feel important because we decided to go out with Him. The thing is that we have not realize that God feels a Crazy Love for us! We are so minute and insignificant, yet he defies logic and decides to LOVE us...one of my friends told me recently that LOVE is a decision....I chose to love God from now on!
But, if we look around God is still living in that time. See, He comes once, twice, or as many times as it takes to court you. Sometimes we decide to go out on a date with the Lord, and sometimes we tell Him that we have to wash our hair and cannot go out with Him. As frivolous as that sounds that is how we treat God.
When we decide to go out with Him, we feel like He should feel honored that we have chosen Him instead of everything else in the world. That He should feel important because we decided to go out with Him. The thing is that we have not realize that God feels a Crazy Love for us! We are so minute and insignificant, yet he defies logic and decides to LOVE us...one of my friends told me recently that LOVE is a decision....I chose to love God from now on!
Monday, February 28, 2011
El Salvador -- My Mission -- My Home
Some people think that writing your thoughts is silly or downright stupid....as you can see I disagree!
Today is the last day of February 2011 and I want to immortalize this month forever... for it has been a blessing from above to me.
I was able to travel to El Salvador Central America, made some wonderful friends, lost some very dear people to me and through it all was able to praise God and lift His name on High as it should always be.
It was a magical trip, full of laughter, and new friends. The word of God was soothing to my heart, because without me knowing, it was still broken. The word worked as an ointment and it allowed me to heal one more time.
I was able to witness how economically deprived people are in Central America, but how incredibly rich they are when it comes to life. I witness how they value family, free time, community and above all worship time with God. In a way I can definitely claim to be jealous. I have been back but one week, and yet I miss the time I spent there. Even though the atmosphere was laid back, we got so much work done. But, it wasn't our work, it was the work of the Lord, we were merely His hands and His feet. I am proud to have served for one week in that beautiful country....my home!
Today is the last day of February 2011 and I want to immortalize this month forever... for it has been a blessing from above to me.
I was able to travel to El Salvador Central America, made some wonderful friends, lost some very dear people to me and through it all was able to praise God and lift His name on High as it should always be.
It was a magical trip, full of laughter, and new friends. The word of God was soothing to my heart, because without me knowing, it was still broken. The word worked as an ointment and it allowed me to heal one more time.
I was able to witness how economically deprived people are in Central America, but how incredibly rich they are when it comes to life. I witness how they value family, free time, community and above all worship time with God. In a way I can definitely claim to be jealous. I have been back but one week, and yet I miss the time I spent there. Even though the atmosphere was laid back, we got so much work done. But, it wasn't our work, it was the work of the Lord, we were merely His hands and His feet. I am proud to have served for one week in that beautiful country....my home!
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