"This should be your ambition:
to live a quiet life,
minding your own business.
As a result, people who are not Christians will respect the way you live..."
Paul, writing in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12a (NLT, 1st ed.)
oh my...
we have SO lost our way...
we've spent too much time & effort whoring after political power & "religious liberty"
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
on the way...
4John 4
3 At the end of the two days, Jesus went on to Galilee.
44 He himself had said that a prophet is not honored in his own hometown.
45 Yet the Galileans welcomed him,
for they had been in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration and had seen everything he did there.
46 As he traveled through Galilee, he came to Cana, where he had turned the water into wine.
There was a government official in nearby Capernaum whose son was very sick.
47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die.
48 Jesus asked, "Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?"
49 The official pleaded, "Lord, please come now before my little boy dies."
50 Then Jesus told him,
"Go back home. Your son will live!"
And the man believed what Jesus said and started home.
51 While the man was on his way, some of his servants met him with the news that his son was alive and well.
52 He asked them when the boy had begun to get better, and they replied,
"Yesterday afternoon at one o'clock his fever suddenly disappeared!"
53 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.
Sometimes, we have to simply believe what Jesus may say to us,
because sometimes the miracle(s) we seek won't happen until we move forward in faith.
Just sayin'...
3 At the end of the two days, Jesus went on to Galilee.
44 He himself had said that a prophet is not honored in his own hometown.
45 Yet the Galileans welcomed him,
for they had been in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration and had seen everything he did there.
46 As he traveled through Galilee, he came to Cana, where he had turned the water into wine.
There was a government official in nearby Capernaum whose son was very sick.
47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die.
48 Jesus asked, "Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?"
49 The official pleaded, "Lord, please come now before my little boy dies."
50 Then Jesus told him,
"Go back home. Your son will live!"
And the man believed what Jesus said and started home.
51 While the man was on his way, some of his servants met him with the news that his son was alive and well.
52 He asked them when the boy had begun to get better, and they replied,
"Yesterday afternoon at one o'clock his fever suddenly disappeared!"
53 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.
Sometimes, we have to simply believe what Jesus may say to us,
because sometimes the miracle(s) we seek won't happen until we move forward in faith.
Just sayin'...
Monday, June 18, 2018
think about it
John (the Baptist) replied,
"God in heaven appoints each person's work."
John 3:27
Think about that...
think about the overarching truth for each of us in that statement...
and what that truth means in each of our lives...
& the meaning & scope imbued to each of us through our individual lives...
of all it - every day, every month, every year.
"God in heaven appoints each person's work."
John 3:27
Think about that...
think about the overarching truth for each of us in that statement...
and what that truth means in each of our lives...
& the meaning & scope imbued to each of us through our individual lives...
of all it - every day, every month, every year.
Sunday, June 17, 2018
consider
John 2
23 Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration,
many began to trust in him.
24 But Jesus didn't trust them,
because he knew human nature.
25 No one needed to tell him what mankind is really like.
Hmmmmmm...
Maybe we should reflect more of Jesus' behavior in this area...?
23 Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration,
many began to trust in him.
24 But Jesus didn't trust them,
because he knew human nature.
25 No one needed to tell him what mankind is really like.
Hmmmmmm...
Maybe we should reflect more of Jesus' behavior in this area...?
Saturday, June 16, 2018
right off the bat
John starts his gospel off with a bang...
he makes a HUGE statement as to who Jesus is...
one of the most profound passages in all the Bible.
John 1
1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.
6 God sent a man, John the Baptist,7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony.
8 John himself was not the light;
he was simply a witness to tell about the light.
9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He came into the very world he created,
but the world didn't recognize him.
11 He came to his own people,
and even they rejected him.
12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.
13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan,
but a birth that comes from God.
14 So the Word became human
and made his home among us.
He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.
And we have seen his glory,
the glory of the Father's one and only Son.
15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds,
"This is the one I was talking about when I said,
'Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am,
for he existed long before me.'"
16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.
17 For the law was given through Moses,
but God's unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has ever seen God.
But the unique One,
who is himself God,
is near to the Father's heart.
He has revealed God to us.
he makes a HUGE statement as to who Jesus is...
one of the most profound passages in all the Bible.
John 1
1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.
6 God sent a man, John the Baptist,7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony.
8 John himself was not the light;
he was simply a witness to tell about the light.
9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He came into the very world he created,
but the world didn't recognize him.
11 He came to his own people,
and even they rejected him.
12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.
13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan,
but a birth that comes from God.
14 So the Word became human
and made his home among us.
He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.
And we have seen his glory,
the glory of the Father's one and only Son.
15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds,
"This is the one I was talking about when I said,
'Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am,
for he existed long before me.'"
16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.
17 For the law was given through Moses,
but God's unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has ever seen God.
But the unique One,
who is himself God,
is near to the Father's heart.
He has revealed God to us.
Friday, June 15, 2018
living as a follower of Jesus
Paul makes a big statement her about what life should look like as a follower of Jesus...
Colossians 3
1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ,
set your sights on the realities of heaven,
where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand.
2 Think about the things of heaven,
not the things of earth.
3 For you died to this life,
and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you.
Have nothing to do with sexual immorality,
impurity,
lust,
and evil desires.
Don't be greedy for the good things of this life,
for that is idolatry.
6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.
7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world.
8 But now is the time to get rid of anger,
rage,
malicious behavior,
slander,
and dirty language.
9 Don't lie to each other,
for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.
10 Put on your new nature,
and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator
and become like him.
11 In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile,
circumcised or uncircumcised,
barbaric,
uncivilized,
slave,
or free.
Christ is all that matters,
and he lives in all of us.
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves,
you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy,
kindness,
humility,
gentleness,
and patience.
13 Make allowance for each other's faults,
and forgive anyone who offends you.
Remember, the Lord forgave you,
so you must forgive others.
14 Above all,
clothe yourselves with love,
which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.
For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.
And always be thankful.
16 Let the message about Christ,
in all its richness,
fill your lives.
Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.
Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
17 And whatever you do or say,
do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Colossians 3
1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ,
set your sights on the realities of heaven,
where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand.
2 Think about the things of heaven,
not the things of earth.
3 For you died to this life,
and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you.
Have nothing to do with sexual immorality,
impurity,
lust,
and evil desires.
Don't be greedy for the good things of this life,
for that is idolatry.
6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.
7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world.
8 But now is the time to get rid of anger,
rage,
malicious behavior,
slander,
and dirty language.
9 Don't lie to each other,
for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.
10 Put on your new nature,
and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator
and become like him.
11 In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile,
circumcised or uncircumcised,
barbaric,
uncivilized,
slave,
or free.
Christ is all that matters,
and he lives in all of us.
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves,
you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy,
kindness,
humility,
gentleness,
and patience.
13 Make allowance for each other's faults,
and forgive anyone who offends you.
Remember, the Lord forgave you,
so you must forgive others.
14 Above all,
clothe yourselves with love,
which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.
For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.
And always be thankful.
16 Let the message about Christ,
in all its richness,
fill your lives.
Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.
Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
17 And whatever you do or say,
do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Thursday, June 14, 2018
a psalm of assurance
This is an incredible psalm of assurance.
Remember this one when life overwhelms,
or is in an impossible place,
or doesn't make sense,
or is falling apart,
or doesn't make sense.
It's an incredible psalm.
Read it slowly, & more than once...
Psalm 91
1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 This I declare about the LORD:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
3 For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
4 He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
7 Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
8 Just open your eyes,
and see how the wicked are punished.
9 If you make the LORD your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
10 no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.
12 They will hold you up with their hands
so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.
13 You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
14 The LORD says, "I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
15 When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
16 I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation."
Remember this one when life overwhelms,
or is in an impossible place,
or doesn't make sense,
or is falling apart,
or doesn't make sense.
It's an incredible psalm.
Read it slowly, & more than once...
Psalm 91
1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 This I declare about the LORD:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
3 For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
4 He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
7 Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
8 Just open your eyes,
and see how the wicked are punished.
9 If you make the LORD your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
10 no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.
12 They will hold you up with their hands
so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.
13 You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
14 The LORD says, "I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
15 When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
16 I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation."
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