Tag: believe
John’s assigned purpose!
Scripture reading for May 5: John 21
“”Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His Name.” John 20:30-31 “This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that His testimony is true. Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” John 21:24-25
John was the youngest of Jesus’ disciples and the disciple who Jesus loved. John was assigned the task of taking care of Jesus’ mother by Jesus from the cross. John was also assigned the task of writing down the Gospel record of the book we have just read. John’s world view had been shaped by being with Jesus and following Him as the resurrected Christ now for many years. As he summarized the purpose of his book, his focus was on helping us to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. John knew that knowing Jesus in this manner would open up each person’s world view to include eternity. The greatest gift of Jesus is eternal life in God’s forever family. John’s purpose was clearly stated.
John also told how he had personally born witness to the things that he wrote down in his Gospel. He proclaimed the truth of his testimony. He also stated that his record was very limited. John proclaimed another ‘truth’ about Jesus. If all the things that Jesus said and did were to be written down, the world itself could not contain all the books that would be written! This is an amazing statement from John’s heart and world view!
Have you explored John’s purpose in writing this Gospel record of the life and miracles of Jesus? How has John’s world view affected your own understanding of Jesus’ ministry and life? If you wrote a book, what purpose would you state for writing it?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for assigning John the task of writing down some of the signs that Jesus Christ did on earth. Thank You for desiring all come to believe and John’s same focus. Use me to invest my life with that same purpose–that all might have eternal life in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
The Truth of Jesus’ death!
Scripture reading for May 1: John 19
“Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness–his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth–that you may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken.” And another Scripture says, “They will look on Him Whom they have pierced.” John 19:31-37
One of the foundational truths of the Christian faith is that Jesus was the Son of God. This record of John is written to help us believe that Jesus Christ really did die. He willingly gave up his spirit after finishing His suffering for our sins. His last act was to declare His thirst, and the cup of sour wine was offered. After He completed that final act, Jesus declared, “It is finished.” Everything necessary for our salvation had been accomplished. He gave up His spirit at that point. This would be three in the afternoon preceding the Sabbath of Passover week, a Holy High day that would start at sundown.
To prepare for Sabbath, the Jews wanted the crucified bodies removed before sundown. They appealed to Pilate who then dispatched soldiers to break the legs of the criminals and Jesus to insure a quick death. Often, crucified individuals could hang there for several days before death by using their legs to help breath. Both other crucified men had their leg bones broken, but Jesus was already gone. The soldiers, wanting to be sure of death, pierced Jesus’ side, puncturing the heart and sack of fluid around it. In doing both of these acts, Roman soldiers who did not know the Scriptures, fulfilled the Word of God!
How does this very detailed account of Jesus’ death on the cross and the events afterwards help your world view concerning Jesus? Who do you think was the one who reported these things that we might believe? Have you chosen to believe yet?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this amazing account of the details of the death of Jesus Christ, Your Son. Scripture is amazing in that it reveals Truth and details that help those of us who doubt to believe. Help those who may be reading this account to open their hearts to Jesus Christ, Son of God. Amen.
Death and sleep analogy
Scripture reading for April 21: John 11
“After saying these things, He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep but I go to awaken him.” The disciples said to Him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He meant taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him. So Thomas, called the twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” John 11:11-14
The world has many views of death and what happens when someone dies. Every person knows that they will die and there is a universal fear of death because of the understanding that God places in each human heart. Every person is aware of eternity and eternal life. Each person is aware of the judgment that they will face upon leaving this earth. Ecclesiastes 3:11 states that God has placed eternity in man’s heart. Hebrews 9:27 states that man is appointed once to die and after that comes the judgment. There is a fear of punishment in each heart, because all have sinned and have guilt and accountability before God. (Psalm 53:1-3) The soul that sins will die.
To His disciples, Jesus stated that His friend Lazarus had fallen asleep. Jesus knew that he had died but He also knew God’s divine purpose and what the Father was going to demonstrated to His disciples. Death for the believer is like his body being asleep. It rests in the grave awaiting the resurrection. At the resurrection, Jesus taught, the dead would hear the voice of God and those that hear (His sheep) will live. They would enjoy eternal life and not come into judgment. (John 5:24-25) Thomas, one of the disciples, evidently did not understand what Jesus had just said. He followed Jesus expecting death!
What is your world view concerning death and what happens to those who believe in Jesus? Does this account of Jesus raising Lazarus from death after four days stretch your faith? Can you identify with the world view of Thomas: Let’s follow Jesus and die with Him?
Prayer: Father God, As I have recently faced the death of one of my godly friends, this view of a temporary sleep is comforting to me. I am thankful that my life is in Your hands and the hands of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Help me to follow Jesus today and view life as opportunity and death as gain. Amen.
Knowing Jesus for ourselves!
Scripture reading for April 10: John 4
“Many Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to Him, they asked Him to stay with them, and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His Word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.” John 4:39-42
Jesus had purposely gone to Samaria to reach lost people there. The Samaritans were Jews who had intermarried with the people of Canaan in disobedience to God’s Word and were shunned by the rest of the Jewish world. The Samaritans had set up their own alternate place of worship. Jesus encountered a woman at a Jacob’s well in Samaria that He initiated a conversation by asking for water. She was shocked that Jesus, a Jew, would ask her for a drink! During this encounter, Jesus revealed to her that He knew her marriage failures. He challenged her religious knowledge about worship, revealing her need to worship God in Spirit and Truth, not just in a ‘right’ location. She ran to her village and invited others to come and hear Jesus themselves.
People often respond to other’s testimony or spiritual experiences. We are all wired with a deep but hidden desire to know truth about ourselves, God, and eternity. The Jews of Jesus’ day were stirred with reports from those who had encountered Jesus, heard His teachings with authority, or received His miracles. In this Samaritan village, the woman who encountered Jesus, shared her exciting testimony of Jesus’ prophetic ability in knowing her intimately. This caused many to come to see for themselves and receive prophetic words. Jesus stayed two more days ministering there and the people’s testimony was solidified: We now know for ourselves that this is the Savior of the world! Second hand testimony is good, but no one can talk you out of a personal encounter!
Have you heard testimonies of those who have encountered Jesus today? How have you responded to what others have said about Jesus? What could you do today to seek out Jesus for a personal encounter that solidifies your faith?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for those You have sent to me with testimonies of what Jesus did for them. Thank You that You have now revealed Yourself to me personally so that I know Jesus as my Savior and the Savior of the world! Use me like this Samaritan woman to call others to Jesus today! Amen!
World view from above!
Scripture reading for April 9: John 3
“He Who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what He has seen and heard, yet no one receives His testimony. Whoever receives His testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For He Whom God has sent utters the Words of God, for He gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” John 3:31-36
John’s Gospel describes Jesus as the Son of God Who came from above. Jesus came to bear witness of the Father and God’s Word. He is the ‘Word made flesh” (John 1:14) Who came to dwell among His people. Jesus, as God’s Son, was loved by His Father and given authority and dominion over all things. He was given the Father’s Gift, the Holy Spirit, without measure! Therefore, it is imperative that anyone wanting to understand God the Father and His truth would come to Jesus Christ. Those that are of the earth can only speak and know in an earthly way from earth’s low view point.
In this passage, John declares that believing in the Son, Jesus, brings eternal life. Believing involves obeying the Son and His Word which is the definition of faith. Anyone who refuses to believe the Son of God and obey His Word will never see eternal life. Not only that, but that person will remain under God’s wrath that is eternally set against sin and those clinging to it. All born of woman on this earth, except the Son of God, are born in sin and under God’s wrath. This world view is very simple and very clear, enabling all to understand God’s truth and declaration of how to obtain eternal life. Repentance is a choice to exchange our earthly world view for heaven’s eternal truth.
Have you come to consider Jesus’ world view from above and chosen to believe? Do you have the assurance of eternal life promised to those who believe? Have you considered that to do nothing with Jesus is to be under the wrath (eternal anger) of God?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for revealing to us Your great love through Your Son. Thank You for bearing witness to me that I might repent and be saved from Your eternal wrath. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I might declare this Good News with power from above! Amen!
Forgive, believe and receive!
Scripture reading for February 24: Mark 11
“”Rabbi, look! The fig tree that You cursed has withered.” And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also Who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”” Mark 11:21-25
As human beings, we are not accustomed to our words having power. We often make requests that are ignored and ask for certain things to happen that never come to pass. We make declarations of our intentions but fail to follow through. We develop our lack of trust over repeated failures of our own efforts and others who don’t respond as we asked. Then when it comes to God, we are full of unbelief because we are centered on ourselves. Forgiveness is needed for all.
Jesus wants to alter our view of God and life in His kingdom. In this story of cursing the fig tree, Jesus was teaching multiple lessons to His disciples as His time to be physically with them was soon coming to a close. The kingdom of God works through faith because of love. God is love and this implies a relationship where God wants the best for us. We are to have faith in God as the central relationship in our lives. He has promised to answer prayers prayed in faith. Faith believes in God and His goodness and ability to do whatever is asked. Because God has forgiven us through Jesus, we must also forgive others and maintain the loving relationship that fosters faith. Forgiveness also takes faith to give and receive. Mountains of bitterness and hills of resentment can be easily removed when faith works in love!
Have you ever felt bitterness and cynicism come into your heart because of your own or others failures? Have you asked God for something you desperately needed and felt He failed to respond? Have you forgiven others as Christ has forgiven you?
Prayer: Father God, forgiveness requires great faith in You and Your amazing goodness and justice. As I mature in Christ Jesus, help me to more freely forgive others and myself when I fail. Prompt me to ask and believe that I will receive the answers I need. Perfect Your love in me to improve my faith. Amen.
“If you believe . .”
Scripture reading for October 16: Mark 8-10
Have you faced a situation that was beyond your spiritual ability to know what to do? Today we have the story of a man with a son who had an evil spirit that was trying to kill him. This boy was often thrown to the ground, into the fire, and foamed at the mouth and became rigid. The father had brought his son to Jesus’ disciples for deliverance, but they could do nothing. This problem was not responding to what they knew and where they were spiritually. They needed help!
“O, unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” Mark 9:19 Jesus cried out from the depths of His being! He had spent many hours with these men and showed them the power of faith and of words. They were being ruled by sight! As the boy was brought before Him, the spirit caused another seizure to occur. Jesus asked the boy’s father how long he had been like this and he replied that his son had been that way from childhood. The man begged Jesus, “. . .if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”. “If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Mark 9:23 “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”” Jesus rebuked the evil spirit, it left the boy and he was healed!
The disciples were perplexed as to why they had failed. Jesus explained to them that this kind of demonic activity can only be defeated by prayer. (Mark 9:29) At this point, we should stop and think about what has happened and look at our lives as disciples. Jesus called His followers to take up their cross and follow Him. He lived a life of prayer and of complete submission to God as Father. He left these records for us to know that by faith, all things are possible. When we are faced with an impossible situation, prayer (and fasting) often is the only way to victory. God has answers if we won’t give up or quit too soon! If we lack faith, we need to seek His Word and direction on whatever obstacle we face and ask!
A scriptural prayer is found on the lips of the boy’s father: “I believe; help my unbelief!” He saw the salvation of God because of his faith and Jesus’ mercy. May we enjoy growing in faith and experience His mercy in our lives today!
“You will die in your sins”
Scripture reading for October 25th: John 8, Psalm 63, Proverbs 27
John 8: 21-27 “So He said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek Me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” So the Jews said, “Will He kill Himself, since He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am He you will die in your sins.” So they said to Him, “Who are You?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. I have much to say about you and much to judge, but He Who sent Me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from Him.” They did not understand that He had been speaking to them about the Father.”
Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father in Heaven, came to reveal His Father to lost mankind. Jesus spoke plainly in rebuke to these religious leaders who were attacking Him after He had told the woman caught in adultery that she was forgiven and to sin no more. He proclaimed Himself the ‘Light of the World’. They were critical of Him for promoting Himself. Jesus said that there were two witnesses: He and the Father. Jesus stated that He only did what the Father asked and said what the Father said. Their failure to believe would result in them dying in their sin. It was the sin of unbelief. This rebuke was not intended to be a condemnation, but was Truth given that they might repent. Their question: “Who are You?” would be answered fully when Jesus was ‘lifted up’ in crucifixion, buried, and raised from the dead!
Psalm 63:8-10 “My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth; they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the plain truth about each person: we will die in our sins unless we believe in Jesus. I choose to put my trust in You alone! My soul clings to You and Jesus upholds me. You alone are worthy of praise, honor, and obedience. I ask that the Holy Spirit bring this rebuke to all the lost yet in my family and among my neighbors. Fill me with Your Spirit to proclaim Jesus the Christ.
Proverbs 27:5-6 “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”
Jesus–the Light of Life!
Scripture reading for October 26th: Ezekiel 7-9, John 3
John 3:16-20 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the Name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the Light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the Light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the Light and does not come to the Light, lest his works should be exposed.”
Nicodemus, a Pharisee, had come to Jesus at night to ask some questions. Jesus spoke plainly to him concerning his need of new birth by faith. He then declared to Nicodemus the path of eternal life–believing on Him! Nicodemus coming to Jesus in darkness to find true ‘light’ is a parabolic story. All mankind is in the dark concerning the Father and eternal life. Sin has darkened each soul. Darkened souls don’t like the light, because it exposes them. They think they can hide in the darkness and continue to do their own things. But God sees it all and has provided a remedy by sending Jesus Christ. Those who believe on Him will escape God’s wrath against sin and find grace and life in the Light.
John 3:35-36 “The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your great love. Thank You that You did not justly condemn me to eternal death under Your wrath but offered Your only Son to take my place and bear the curse of my sins on the cross of Calvary. My prayer today is for each of my family to receive that love through believing in Jesus Christ and living a life of faith and holiness out of honor and respect for all Your love provided.
Ezekiel 8:12-13 “Then He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the dark, each in his room of pictures? For they say, “The Lord does not see us, the Lord has forsaken the land.” He said also to me, “You will see still greater abominations that they commit.””
Christ shines in the darkness!
Scripture reading for October 24th: Ezekiel 1-3, John 1
John 1:1-5 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”
The apostle John was in his eighties when he wrote this Gospel of Jesus Christ. John was a young man when he was called by Jesus to follow Him. He was now old and an overseer of churches in Asia. He wrote to counter false teachers in the church who were denying the deity of Jesus Christ. As an eye-witness of Christ’s glory, John wrote to clarify that Jesus was the Son of God and Creator of all things. Jesus was and is the source of all life and light and came from heaven to earth as the Son of Man to bring a revelation of God the Father and His love to a dark world of lost people. John uses the word “believe” ninety-eight times. Faith by ‘believing’ brings adoption into God’s forever family.
John 1:9-13 “The true Light, which gives Light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, but the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Old Testament descriptions of the likeness of Your throne and the human form on it. But thank You for the clear and final revelation of the Word made flesh in Jesus Christ, Son of God! He is the true Light of the world bringing light and eternal life to all who will repent of sins and self-centeredness and believe on Him.
Ezekiel 1:26-28 “And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness of a human appearance. And upward from what had the appearance of His waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around. And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around Him. Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.”