BibleTrekToday.com

Year: 2015

  • Faith–antidote for a troubled heart!

    Scripture reading for April 24th:  John 14

    After Jesus revealed Judas as His betrayer and Peter’s future denial, the disciples were troubled in their souls about the things that Jesus was telling them.  Jesus sought to comfort them and prepare them for what was coming!

    “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, trust also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.”  (John 14:1-3)  Jesus knew that troubling times were just ahead where these men would have their faith shaken and broken.  He knew that all would deny Him in their weakness of flesh.  But He encouraged them to trust in God and in Him and His word.  Jesus was preparing a place for them in Father’s house through the events of the next few hours.  They must trust that Jesus would prepare that place by going away and then return to take them there to be with Him.

    Thomas told Jesus that he did not know where He was going or the way there.  Jesus answered, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  (John 14:6)  Knowing Jesus was also knowing the way to Father’s house.  It was the truth that would make them free! (John 8:32) It was the life that would never end!  (John 3:16)  Jesus told them, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.”  (John 14:9)  Jesus wanted these followers and us to know the way to Father’s house!  Have you put your trust in God and His Son Jesus Christ?

  • “One of you will betray Me!”

    Scripture reading for April 23rd:  John 13

    Loyalty is a valued trait in friendship or marriage.  We like to know that those we are closely associated with will be faithful to us and have our back.  The Bible states that those who have been given a trust must be faithful.  (1st Corinthians 4:2)  Jesus chose twelve disciples to share the ministry and become His apostles.  One of them proved unfaithful!

    Jesus had gathered His disciples together in the upper room for the Passover meal.  To set an example of servant-leadership, Jesus had washed each of His followers’ feet.  He showed them that the path to greatness was through serving.  After He had done this, Jesus became troubled in His spirit saying, “I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray Me.”  (John 13:21)  This surprised the disciples and wondered which one of them it might be who would do such a thing.  Peter boldly had John ask Jesus which one it was.  “Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.””  (John 13:26)  John records that Jesus gave the bread to Judas Iscariot and immediately Satan entered into him.  He took the bread and went out into the night to quickly do what he had planned–betray Jesus for some money!

    None of the disciples even suspected Judas and examined their own hearts.  Judas had been seated close to Jesus in a position of honor.  He was the treasurer of the group and was entrusted with their ministry funds.  But Jesus knew what was in Judas’ heart and to help the others believe, identified Him before the betrayal.  We must all search our hearts and allow Jesus to speak to us about our own loyalty!

  • The kernel of wheat!

    Scripture reading for April 22nd:  John 12

    As a farmer, I have put lots of seeds into the ground.  In a sense, they are buried and die.  But the seed has life inside of it.  In the soil, it begins to germinate and sends out a shoot that soon breaks through the surface and a plant emerges!  From that plant, more seeds will be produced so that another harvest will come.  Wheat usually produces from fifty to one hundred more seeds from one!

    “Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.  I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.  But if it dies, it produces many seeds.  The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be.  My Father will honor the one who serves Me.””  (John 12:23-26)  Jesus looked at His coming death as a “glorification”!  He knew that as a seed is planted in the ground, He would be planted in the grave.  He also knew that after three days, He would be resurrected in a glorified body!  He knew that this would fulfill the plan of the Father and the purpose that He came to earth for–the salvation of those who would believe and follow Him!

    “”But I,  when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.”  He said this to show the kind of death He was going to die.”  (John 12:31)   The message of the cross is foolishness to those who love the world but the power of God to believers!

     

  • “I am the Resurrection and the Life!”

    Scripture reading for April 21st:  John 11

    Humans are perplexed by death!  Death is an enemy that brings fear, sorrow, and something that is usually irreversible by man’s power or ability.  Jesus’ friends, Mary and Martha had lost their brother Lazarus.  They had send word to Jesus to come when he was near death, but Jesus delayed on purpose.  Lazarus had been in the grave for four days when Jesus finally arrived on the scene.

    “”Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.  But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”  Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”  Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die.  Do you believe this?””  (John 11:21-26)

    Martha knew Jesus had power over sickness, having witnessed miracles He had done.  She knew that God heard Jesus’ prayers.  She also knew the teaching of the Scriptures that there would be a resurrection in the last day. (Daniel 12:3)  But she had trouble thinking about Lazarus living again now.  Jesus’ words brought her encouragement and she answered His question about believing, “Yes Lord,” she told Him, “I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”  (John 11:27)

    This confession of faith is the key to salvation and resurrection for each person!  Jesus demonstrated that He was the Christ by raising Lazarus from the dead after four days by calling his name! “Lazarus, come out!” (John 8:43)  Have you made this confession for yourself?

  • The Good Shepherd and His Sheep

    Scripture reading for April 20th:  John 10

    Tending sheep and caring for them is an occupation that is common in most places around the world.  Sheep are very docile animals that cannot defend themselves and sometimes they wander off.  They need someone to care for them and protect them.  They will willingly follow a shepherd and get to know his voice.  The shepherd also knows his sheep and calls them by name.   Jesus took this very common job and applied it to His own life and ministry.

    The Jews who saw the healing of the man blind from birth asked Jesus if He thought they were blind too.  In response to this question, Jesus told them about sheep and shepherds and gates, making some strong statements to help them understand who He was.

    “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.  All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.  I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved.  He will come in and go out and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  (John 10:7-10)

    “I am the good Shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know Me–just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father–and I lay down My life for the sheep.”  (John 10:14-15)

    At these statements, the Jews were divided.  Some said Jesus was demon-possessed or mad, but others recognized the miracle and were wondering.  Jesus had said that only “His sheep” would recognize His voice and follow Him! Have you heard the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for “His sheep?”

     

     

  • “I am the Light of the World”

    Scripture reading for April 17th:  John 9

    I can only imagine what it would be like to be blind from birth.  Living in a world of darkness and not being able to see family, friends, or the amazing world that God created would be a great loss.  But suddenly having sight after years of living in darkness would make a tremendous impact on a blind person’s life!  Jesus gave this opportunity to a man he encountered.

    Encountering the man born blind, the disciples asked, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?”  “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” Jesus answered, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.  As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent Me.  Night is coming, when no one can work.  While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”  (John 9:2-5)  Jesus taught that in this particular case, sin was not a cause.  God would use this man’s blindness to display His glory to open eyes to His Son.

    Jesus made some mud and placed it on the man’s eyes and told him to wash in the Pool of Siloam.  As he obeyed, he was restored to sight.  This caused the Pharisees to question him and then his parents.  They had trouble believing because Jesus restored this man on the Sabbath!  They condemned the man and cast him out of the temple for claiming that Jesus was from God!

    There is a deep darkness over all mankind because of sin.  Jesus alone is the light of the world.  When we acknowledge Jesus is the Son of God we can see the light of His life!  Have you had your world lit up?

     

     

  • Holding to Jesus’ teaching!

    Scripture reading for April 16th:  John 8

    Many people start out with zeal for Jesus and His teachings, but after a time grow weary, fall away or run away from truly following Him.  They want to ‘try it out’, and when it doesn’t make them feel good any longer they go on to try something else.  Jesus gave further instructions to His disciples to help them find a deeper connection.

    “To the Jews who had believed in Him, Jesus said, “If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples.  Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.””  (John 8:31-32)  True disciples are those who hold firmly to the teaching of Jesus.  They do not waver or shrink back when the teaching goes against their beliefs or their fleshly desires.  They do not compromise or look for something newer or more appealing, but hold fast in faith and practice.

    The Jews answered Him,  “”We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone.  How can You say that we shall be set free?”  Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.  Now a slave has no place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.  So if the Son sets you free you will be free indeed.””   (John 8:34-36)  As Jesus patiently explained the truth that all were slaves of sin and that being a descendant of Abraham did not make you free, the Jews became offended with Jesus’ teaching.  They mistakenly thought that having the right ancestor made them “God’s children.”  They had trouble holding to His teaching and finding the truth that would free them!  Many today assume they are automatically ‘God’s children’ and don’t have to repent of sin!  Has the Son of God made you “free indeed?”

  • Hated by the world!

    Scripture reading for April 15th:  John 7

    Jesus’ own brothers did not understand who He was and what His purpose was.  They incorrectly assumed that His desire was to become a public figure and have a great following.  Jesus wasn’t into politics or religion and it’s trappings!  He had come to seek and save lost people, even His brothers!

    After His brothers encouraged Him to go up publicly to the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus declined saying, “The right time for Me has not yet come; for you any time is right.  The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify that what it does is evil.”  (John 7:6-7)  Jesus knew the effect of His teaching on the religious people of His day.  They desired to kill Him because He brought their hypocrisy to light.  He declared truth with authority and demanded repentance and belief in Him and His word.  This shocked them because He was not a part of their religious system and not a member of the Pharisees or Sadducees.   In violation of God’s law not to commit murder, they were plotting His murder while claiming to follow God’s laws!

    Jesus did attend the Feast later and began to teach there.  “The Jews were amazed and asked, “How did this man get such learning without having studied?”  Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own.  It comes from Him who sent Me.  If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether My teaching comes from God or whether I speak on My own.”   (John 7:16-17)   A key to understanding Jesus and His teaching is a sincere desire to know and do God’s will.  Many want to hear amazing teaching and have interesting facts, but faith requires belief and action on that teaching of Jesus!  Are you ready to do God’s will?

  • Bread from Heaven!

    Scripture reading for April 14th:  John 6

    Jesus miraculously fed five thousand men plus women and children with five loaves of bread and two fish.  The people were amazed and desired to make Him king by force so He withdrew to pray and sent His disciples across the lake in their boat.  He caught up with them in the middle of the night, walking on the water!  John recorded these miracles for us and went on to share Jesus’ further teaching about this miracle and what it meant.

    When the people realized that Jesus and the disciples were no longer there, they also left in boats to find Him.  When they found Him they asked how He got there, Jesus responded to them, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for Me not because you saw the miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.  Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.  On Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”  (John 6:26-27)  They then asked Him what they must do to do the work God required. Jesus replied, “The work of God is this:  to believe in the One that He has sent.”  (John 6:29)

    “Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life.  He who comes to Me will never go hungry, and he who believes in Me will never be thirsty.”   (John 6:35)  Jesus declared that He alone was the ‘bread from heaven’ that all must believe on to find eternal life.  People were working to find a source of bread for food, but Jesus was the most satisfying food and drink that anyone could find.  The only ‘work’ that can be done is ‘believe’ in the One God sent!  Have you done that?

     

  • The Father has Life in Himself!

    Scripture reading for April 13th:  John 5

    Jesus was constantly working to do His Father’s will of bringing healing to the broken and forgiveness of sins to those who were bound.  Because He even healed on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted Him and sought to kill Him because He called God His Father.  In their carnal understanding, He had made Himself equal with God but was only a man.  They did not believe He was the Christ!

    Jesus tried to help these religious people with understanding of who He was.  “For the Father loves the Son and shows Him all He does.  Yes to your amazement He will show Him even greater things than these.  For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom He is pleased to give it.  Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.  He who does not honor the Son, does not honor the Father who sent Him.”  Jesus stressed that all He did was from the Father.  If anyone claimed to Love God the Father, they must honor the Son.  If they refused, the Son would judge them!

    “For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself.  And He has given Him the authority to judge because He is the Son of Man.”  “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out–those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.”  (John 5:26-30)  The Father and Son have life in Themselves!  He who has the Son, has life! (John 3:36, 1st John 5:12)