Author: Good Life Church

Scripture:

John 12 5-8 NIV

“Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages. ” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

Observation:

Guilt
Purpose
Urgency

Guilt – People try to make us feel guilty, even when doing good.

Purpose – Jesus said it was intended she do this. Knowing I’m doing it for Christ is important.

Urgency – Jesus said he wouldn’t be here long.

Application:

Guilt – in James I’m reminded guilt does not come from God. Society is in the guilt business. Stay prepared!

Purpose – the more I stay prepared the more I’ll be in the will of God. Intentional!

Urgency – I recently heard someone say one of man’s weaknesses – we believe we have more time!

We don’t have forever to serve Jesus and live the life He created us to live. Keep moving!

Prayer:

Lord thank you for being our light house, or way, our source. I know by continuous seeking of you – I’ll be better prepared to stay in your will. Thank you for this privilege Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

-James Smith

Scripture:

John 10
Vs 1 – (Jesus said) “Truly, truly I say to you …”
Vs 8 – … “they (the religious leaders)did not understand” …
Vs 2 – “So Jesus again said to them, ‘Truly, truly I say to you …’”
Vs 31 – “The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him.”
Vs 32 – “Jesus answered them, I have shown you many good works ….”
Vs 33 – “The Jews answered Him, “It is not for a good work we stone you, but … because you make yourself God.”
Vs 34 “Jesus answered them …. – Scripture can not be broken – ….”
Vs 40 – “Jesus went away again … to where John had been baptizing …”
Vs 41 – ” … many came to Him. And they said, “John did no sign, everything that John said about this man was true.”
Vs 42 – “And many believed in Him there.”

Observation :

Jesus is revealing Truth.
The religious leaders didn’t understand.
He tells the Truth, again, even more specifically.
This time they seem to have understood it to the extent that they knew it was strikingly different from what they currently believed.
They were willing to kill the one who delivered this truth.
Ironically, they were willing to kill not only the deliverer of Truth, but the Deliverer of themselves!
It was the religious non-leaders who not only heard Truth, but believed in the One who spoke it.

Application:

Do I want to hear Truth or do I want to hear echoes of what I already think?
Does the Truth draw me in or does affirmation draw me in?
I hope it’s Truth!
Truth is constant. I am not.
If I seek or crave affirmation of what I already think, I will wander down many paths …. And I will find it.
But I may end up “killing” my Deliverer in my life.
If it’s Truth I seek, only one Path reveals it.
Because “Scripture Will Not Be Broken!”
What a powerful statement Jesus makes there.
I may like the sound of what I hear down plenty of paths.
But every path except one leads to a dead end … Brokenness.
Only the path of the Good Shepherd leads me to open pasture … to freedom … to grace … to forgiveness … to belief in the One who holds me in His hand.
John starts his gospel telling us “In the beginning was the Word”.
It is Truth.
It will not be broken.
I do not need to seek more words.
I need to seek the Word more.

Prayer:

God you are Truth.
Help me know you and your Truth more.
When I come up against untruth, show me how to respond with your wisdom.
Help me discern your Truth from my own ideas of truth.
Thank you for your grace and forgiveness when I mistake these.
Amen.

-Dan Shontere

Scripture:

John 11:41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him 46 but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

Observations:

This chapter is full of examples of how to live our lives and how Jesus lived his life. Jesus knew that Lazarus was going to die. He also knew that He would raise him from the dead. This was a purposeful narrative of events in the way that Lazarus was raised from the dead. 1. Jesus prayed to his father. 2. God hears and answers prayers Jesus looked to the heavens and specifically thanked his father for listening and answering his prayers. Even saying “I knew that you always hear me”. He knew this but he said this for our benefit. 3. Some people will simply never believe. Jesus had just raised someone from the dead. Read that last part again… “from the dead’. Not healed an illness, not sent spirits out of a possessed body but raised someone that had been dead for four days! Skeptics could say a doctor healed a person or it was the medicine. They could say that the possessed people weren’t really possessed. They can come up with all kinds of rationale to try to explain miracles but they can’t deny this dude was dead for four days. Only our heavenly Father has power over life and death and Jesus used this situation to glorify God.

Applications:

Jesus gives us the example of gratitude in prayer. His first words were, “Father, I thank you.” This story of Lazarus was to glorify God. Jesus did not walk around afterwards saying “look what I did!” Rather he went near the wilderness to be with his disciples. We need to use Jesus’ example. We need to be thankful. We need to be in God’s will and ask Him to use us for His glory. God answers prayer. The answer may not be “yes” or “no” or what we want to hear but God answers our prayers if we are in God’s will. We can’t get frustrated when things don’t go our way. Jesus was frustrated and even angered during this story. The chapter points out a couple of times he was “deeply moved” and was troubled. Jesus knew that even after this extraordinary miracle, there were non-believers. There were people that were more concerned about what Jesus was not doing, why he was doing it and even the timing of when he performed miracles. We can get caught up in this as well. We can worry more about rules, norms and appearances and not be as concerned about the miracles that God is performing in our lives and the lives of others. We can get more concerned about the little things and miss the big picture. God, thru Jesus, raised someone from the dead and yet people still did not believe. That amazes me but also scares me. We are a cynical society today as well. What miracles does God perform today that we just blow off as something other than God’s amazing power?

Prayer:

Father, thank you. Thank you for listening to me. Thank you for answered prayers. Never let me forget that you hear me when I speak to you. Help use me to glorify you.

-Paul Palmer

Scripture:

John 8:5-11 ESV

“Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” This they said to test him that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” 

Observation:

The Pharisees were looking for a “gotcha” moment concerning Jesus. Clearly they thought finding a woman committing a clear violation of the Law (a sin) would be the opening the Pharisees were looking for. Jesus didn’t have any problem seeing what was happening and what was driving this confrontation—a complete misunderstanding about the nature and fact of the judicial relationship between God and Man—and of the Grace and Mercy coming soon through the Cross.

Application:

This is a situation which I can struggle with—the idea that “now I am redeemed; look at all the poor sods who should know better. If only they would stop doing [fill in the offense or condemnation of the moment].” I can fight with myself about condemning others: Maybe they cuss. Drink. Have immoral relations with others. Porn. Pride. Maybe just stays away from meeting at a local church. Fellowshiping. Doesn’t study, pray, and so forth. Has a sharp tongue for spouses. Not kind, short, angry, mean. I keep that “Bar” firmly in sight and measure everyone against it. Oh, yeah—and I do it with scripture references wielded like a sword, chopping up and laying bare anybody that has the misfortune of coming into contact with me. So just like the Pharisees I can be tempted to pick up that stone and hurl it “righteously.” I know why I do it: I forget the Gospel. Sounds like a trite answer but it’s true. I forget that, just like the scripture above, I am always a sinner saved by Grace. I revert to being a Pharisee, thinking that I have a pass before God because I am “doing the right things” and that others “who are not as enlightened as I” need to straighten up and fly right. So my attitude, my thinking, are skewed—away from the Word of God and into some sort of judgmental, condemning, mode of looking at others. It is noteworthy that how I look at others is not the merciful way I look at myself. Jesus doesn’t look at me with condemnation—but do I to others? But why? Why does that happen to me? From a practical side it can be a number of things:; I don’t get into the Word or I just gloss over what I am reading (skimming); I don’t pray well (also skimming); I don’t confess my sin daily to others; I don’t want the Spirit to expose my soul; Stress and anxiety of the stuff that I have to deal with daily (which leads to sickness and lack of sleep which can lead to all sorts of not doing the Fruit of the Spirit stuff), temptation, and, and, and…. At the end of all this thinking I am being self-justified, self-righteous, and self-important. I forgot what I deserve and the price that was paid for me despite me.

Prayer:

Lord God, Please forgive me lapsing into Pharisee. I do that way too often, even if I don’t say anything, I struggle with thinking it. I saw that commercial on TV the other day about “what I do in the dark…” and I was reminded about “what do I do when no one is watching?” Am I still submitting, surrendering, working hard to conform to and embrace Your Word? You are always watching, always there. It is part of “never leaving me, nor forsaking me.” I welcome Your “conforming me to the Image of Your Son”—Please make it always true that I welcome it. Thank you for reminding me that Your Grace is sufficient—that my salvation is dependent by Faith about Your Work on the Cross—not my performance. Just the same, I want to honor you by walking Worthy of the Gospel.

-Rick Sutton

Scripture:

John 9:1 As He went along, He saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

Observation:

Jesus and his disciples pass by a blind man. First, Jesus actually takes notice of him. Even the lowliest in society do not escape Jesus’ love. Second, Jesus knew that he was blind from birth. He knows every one of us. Then, the disciples ask the question, whose sin caused the blindness? Jesus answers that the blindness is neither from the man’s sins nor from his parent’s sin. He explained that the man was born blind so that one day Jesus could heal him and bring glory to God.

Application:

The age old question is why does God allow blindness and suffering in the world? Sometimes it does come from sin. Man has free will to turn from God and to sin. If someone murders me, my suffering is caused by his sin. My suffering could also be caused by my own sin. (John 5:14, “Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.”) Also, the bible has numerous cases where the sins of the parents cause suffering for their children. (Ex 20:5, Deut 5:9) Here however, Jesus answers that this man’s suffering is not caused by sin but to show the glory of God. It makes me think, is my suffering going to ultimately be to bring glory to God? When I go thru tough times, I try to look at it not as punishment, but as a trial. God is testing me and giving me the opportunity to grow my faith. Faith is strengthened under adversity, not fair weather. When I am strong in faith, it pleases God. In this story, the man was blind and was healed by Jesus to show the glory of God. In my suffering, it is not as important what caused it as it is important what I do with it. Do I feel sorry for myself or do I persevere in faith in order to bring glory to God?

Prayer:

Father, thank you for the opportunity to grow closer to you and strengthen my faith. Keep me focused not on the speck in my brother’s eye, but on the plank in my own eye. It’s not for me to understand why someone else is sins or is suffering. Please help me to recognize when someone is suffering and help them somehow to bring glory to God. When I am facing trials, keep me thankful for the opportunity to strengthen my faith in you. Amen

– Don J

Scripture:

John 7:16-18

So Jesus told them, “My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me. Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or merely is my own. Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies.”

 

Observation:

There was much discussion at the Festival of Shelters about who Jesus was. When Jesus taught at the Temple, the people were in awe of his knowledge. Jesus is responding to the peoples’ question about how he has attained such knowledge without formal training. Jesus’ message comes directly from the Father who sent him. Those who truly want to do the will of God will accept Jesus and his teachings versus those who belong to this world and choose to reject Jesus. Jesus’ message is the truth as he is speaking to honor the Father. In contrast, although the Pharisees were well educated in the law, they spoke to honor themselves.

Application:

I must know/recognize that Jesus existed in the beginning, was with God and is God. Therefore, his message is part of God’s plan. In order for me to truly do the will of God, I need to follow the teachings of Jesus and trust Him by turning everything over to him. If I am sharing the Gospel, it is the truth and will bring glory to God. When I skew my conversation and speak highly of myself from a worldly view, this is denying the honor due to God. This lesson is applicable for all and requires no formal training but faith.

Prayer:

Father, Please give me the wisdom to know that Jesus’ message is from you. Let your Spirit guide me to trust you for your will to be done in my life. May I speak truth in a loving way to others that brings honor and glory to you.

-Todd Dawson

Scripture:

John 6:33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

Observation:

After Jesus had fed the 5,000, He then retreated away from the crowd because He knew that their desire was to make Him King by force. When the crowd pursued and found Him the next morning they asked Him why He had left. Jesus responded by telling them they weren’t following Him because of the signs but rather because He had given them bread. He then explained that physical bread is not their greatest need. Rather, eternal life is the greatest need of mankind and Jesus is the “bread of God”.

Application:

1. Recognize my greatest need. As real as hunger pains and thirst are to my physical body, my greatest need has nothing to do with my flesh. Instead my greatest need is eternal life.

2. Recognize who supplies my greatest need. If eternal life is my greatest need I must recognize there is only one place to go to receive it, Jesus.

3. Reject the desire to use Jesus to get my physical desires met without a true desire to follow Him as my Master.

4. Remember that Jesus came down to the world, not just for my family, our church, our community and me. Jesus came to give life to everyone. May I have the boldness to take the bread of life to the ends of the earth. What Jesus offers is what everyone needs, regardless of culture or continent.

Prayer:

Father, forgive me for using you to get my fill. Forgive me for receiving your great love and then being stingy with it. Thank you for the Bread of Life you offer through Christ. Lord, help me continue to trust Jesus as my source of life. May I see myself for what I am; “a beggar who found bread and is telling others beggars where I found it.”

Scripture:

John 5:39-40

You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

Observation:

It’s possible to be in a religion with the Scriptures instead of a relationship with the Savior.

This is scary. They studied diligently!These people really knew the Scriptures. Or did they?

It seems what they really knew was how to use, even the Scriptures, for selfish gain.

They were using Scripture to testify for self not the Savior.

Sound familiar?

Can’t see the forest because of the trees?

Whether it’s attending church, reading the Bible, being good, or even loving others – sometimes I’m doing it for myself.

Sometimes I realize it, sometimes I don’t.

It’s easy to get caught up in playing church, quoting scriptures, and being religious for selfish reasons. It does, after all, feel good.

How can I avoid this? How can I avoid missing Jesus when he’s right in front of my face? How can I avoid killing Jesus for claiming he’s God when Scriptures clearly tell me – He is God!?

Application:

Why and Who

If I keep the WHY In check. I’ll avoid the wrong WHO. Am I doing it for Jesus or me?

Why am I attending church, reading scriptures, working, dating, serving, eating, having kids, playing, getting education, voting, getting married, exercising, loving, etc.?

Jesus answers in Matthew how to avoid the wrong reason (why) and for the wrong person (who).

Matthew 22 – Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

No matter what I do, if I do it as a love for Jesus FIRST, then others (not self), I’ll avoid being blinded by selfishness.

Prayer:

Lord, today we celebrated Easter, that beautiful day when you rose from death. A death which was executed because people were religious with Scriptures instead of righteous with the Savior.
Father please help me not be so close to you yet so far away. Help me love YOU first in what I say and do. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

 

-James Smith

Scripture:

John 4:28-29

So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?”

Observations:

Jesus does not care about norms. This story demonstrates several ways in which Jesus acted in a manner outside of the socially accepted norms. First, Jesus traveled directly through Samaria. By passing through Samaria he ignored social norms, religious norms and cultural norms. The Jews and the Samaritans despised each other, in general. Jews would purposely avoid traveling through Samaria even if it meant taking them far out of their way. The Samaritans were of mixed heritage (they married outside of the Jewish faith), had different cultural beliefs, different religious beliefs and customs, and were hostile to the Jews. Jews and Samaritans did not generally associate with one another. Second, Jesus spoke directly to a woman. This was not a socially accepted practice in those times. Third, Jesus drank from the woman’s water jug. The Jews would have considered him unclean for doing this. Yet, Jesus did not care. He did all of these things anyway. Anyone can spread the Gospel. In fact, it is sometimes the people we least expect who are the boldest. In verse 4 it states Jesus had to pass thru Samaria. This was not forced travel but divine intervention. Jesus knew he had to meet this woman at the well. God chose her to go into the city and tell others about Jesus. She was so excited that she left her water jug. She was able to share the news about Jesus and many people were saved as a result. Jesus picked a woman that society would say was not a model citizen. She was living in sin with a man who was not her husband, was at the well during a time to most likely avoid being seen or having to talk with other women. Yet, this is who Jesus picked to talk to and who went back and spread the news about Jesus to others. Her action caused others to believe.

Application:

Jesus showed that everyone is worthy of being saved. We have to be ready to reach out to everyone and anyone. Jesus spread the word in Samaria, speaking the truth in an area that considered themselves to be following the word but that had twisted the truth and added on to God’s word. They were a despised group yet Jesus showed love and compassion. He did not judge them, he showed them the truth. We have to be ready to defend the Gospel by knowing and understanding the truth to show people that are not following the word where they are being misled. The Samaritans believed that a Messiah was coming. They built and worshipped in their own temple. But somewhere along their path they had gone astray. I need to use this story as an example of what I should not be doing. I should not judge others. I should not have preconceived notions of what people can or cannot do for the Lord based on how I think they are living their life. I should not judge who can and cannot be effective for spreading the Gospel. Jesus picked a woman who was probably shunned and outcast by society to spread the news, He can use anyone. Who am I to judge someone’s effectiveness? Who am I to be prejudiced about how someone else is living their life? I should live as Jesus lived and that is by displaying compassion, love and forgiveness. Not judgement, prejudice or hatred toward others.

Prayer:

Father, we are often too concerned with what others think of us or will think of us if we don’t conform to society’s norms. Help us to realize that you can use anyone or anything to bring people closer to you. Help us to rid ourselves of prejudices and help us to live in love, showing compassion toward others, not judgement or contempt. You are an amazing God. You are a loving God that has shown compassion on me. Thank you for your patience with me.

-Paul Palmer

Scripture:

John 3:1-3,8-9,12,17-18,21
Vs 1 – “There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemas, a ruler of the Jews.”
Vs 2 – “This man came to Jesus by night ….”
Vs 3 – “Nicodemas questioned Him …
Vs 8 – Jesus answered …
Vs 9 Nicodemas questioned Him …
Vs 12 Jesus answered ….
Vs 17 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
Vs 18 “And this is condemnation, that the light came into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light…”
Vs 21 “But he who loves truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

Observation:

Nicodemas had questions for Jesus.
Jesus had answers for Nicodemas.
Nicodemas thought he had all the answers.
He was “a ruler”.
So, he went to Jesus “by night”.
Jesus had more than answers to questions, though.
Jesus had revelation … illumination.
Jesus spoke in terms of New Birth & Truth & Light.
Jesus also understood man’s motivation.
Man is more interested in condemnation than salvation.
… So long as they are the ones doing the condemning.
Otherwise, Nicodemas would have gone to Jesus “by day”, not “by night”.
Nicodemas didn’t want his actions to be “clearly seen”.
God’s desire, though, is salvation. “… that the world through Him would be saved…”

Application:

Do I have more questions for God or faith in God?
When it comes to God, what do I want more?
Full understanding of Him, or loving relationship with Him?
I used to have this running list of questions I wanted to “understand” about God…
“How’d the whole ark thing go down?”
“What was up with Jonah & the whale?”
Those are just a couple.
But the more I saw people in God’s Word who had encountered God Himself, it seems questions to Him were the last thing on their mind.
People who encountered God we’re face down on the ground in utter awe of the living God!
Now I care more about the “sign of Jonah” than the “story of Jonah”.
Now I try not to “lean on my own understanding”.
It also seems that the more I encounter people today that have questions for God, they often aren’t looking for Truth & Light.
They’re looking for justification of they’re own belief.
And rationalization of their own life.
It’s seems questions of God can be a way of “condemning” Him, not “saving” Him!
If my questions of God aren’t somehow satisfactorily answers, then He’s gone from my life.
As if this is possible!
It reminds me of the 6 year old that “runs away from home”.
… “I can’t eat the whole bag of candy?!”
… “Fine! I’m outta here!”…
All the while, the parent watches from the door as the child walks down the street thinking he’s really “the boss” … “the ruler”.
The child thinks he’s condemned the parent.
The parent wants the child safe.
My Heavenly Father also desires my salvation,
even when I think I understand more than Him.

Prayer:

God thank you that you are the God of Truth, and Light, and revelation.
But thank you even more so that you are the God of Salvation!
God, when I’m tempted to come to you “by night” with thoughts of self righteousness or thinking I’m “the ruler”,
forgive me.
Thank you that you know all and give me peace when I don’t understand your ways.
Help me to love your light and give me the desire to be “clearly seen” … “In God”.
Amen

-Dan Shontere

Scripture:

John 2:9
He did not realize where it had come from, though many servants who had drawn the water knew.

Observation:

John’s gospel starts not with Jesus’ birth, but Jesus as an adult. Chapter 1 starts with Jesus being baptized then calling his disciples. Chapter has Jesus reluctantly committing his first miracle. Then we see Jesus being angry with the moneychangers in the temple.

Application:

At first I wonder why the statement in verse 9 was important to preserve for centuries.
He did not realize where it had come from, though many servants who had drawn the water knew.  Why does it matter that the master of the wedding didn’t know where the wine came from but the servants did? What is the importance of this?
Then I was thinking that this was Christ’s first miracle. Many many more followed. Then I thought miracles take place in our lives every single day. When miracles happen, sometimes we are aware of them and sometimes they slip by unnoticed. The master of the feast was unaware of where this magnificent wine came from. Only the servants and Jesus’ disciples knew about the miracle. Then again maybe of the disciples, only John saw this miracle. This account is not in any other book of the bible. Maybe only John saw it. Miracles happen all of the time. Sometimes we see them, sometimes we are unaware. Often we take the miracles in our lives for granted. It is a gift and a miracle that we wake up every day. I should be more tuned in to the miracles in my life of others.

Prayer:

Father,
Father, thank you for having an interest in my life every day. I know that you are with me always, celebrating with me in good times and holding me up during challenges. Help me to always remember that you are there. Keep me aware of your miracles every day in my life and the life of others.

– Don J

Scripture:

“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 anything made that was made.” (John 1:1-3 ESV) “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14 ESV) “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 ESV) “Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”” (John 1:49 ESV) “…you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (John 1:51 ESV)

Observation:

I noticed multiple references and descriptions of the Name. Jesus is referred as 1) The Word and equated as God: 2) the Lamb of God; 3) the Son of God; 4) the King of Israel, and: 5) the Son of Man. It seems to me that these all accurately describe Jesus in all of His fullness—God, God-Man, the perfect Sacrifice, and the Coming King.

Application:

I am thinking (again) “Why is this important? Why should I take notice and reflect on the various facets of the Name that is above all Names? Why should I meditate and wonder?” It is because it is the Gospel. Jesus is the Gospel. Jesus is the Word—the Word made flesh. The Gospel is from before Time began and it will be through the End of the Age—to That Day and beyond. Why should I reflect on these Names? Because: The Word of God has permanence; it is Eternal—it is forever set in the Heavens; it will not move or lose effectiveness or power. All of creation bows to and obeys the Word. The Lamb is the Sacrifice; the perfect Sacrifice that God has appointed and gave that my Sin might be covered, blotted out from His Sight. The only perfect sacrifice that would appease God’s Justice for the transgression towards His Holiness cannot be a part of sinful Creation—it must be as perfect as God yet a Man of creation—a God-Man, the Second Adam. And while Creation is sacrificed and bled for, ultimately He will return not as the Lamb but the Lion. These are the things I must remember and reflect upon. Once upon a time I began an exercise to compose the entirety of the Gospel, starting from Eternity through That Day and beyond. It was amazing what the Spirit brought to mind—“Don’t forget this; don’t forget that…”; and so on. While the Gospel is simple it is also so very beautifully complex—like a Diamond. Jason is fond of reminding that Jesus meets (me) where I am at but doesn’t leave me where I am. The more I meditate on the Gospel the more I see and understand its eternal beauty. I will never fathom the Gospel completely to its depths but to know more of the Gospel is to know more of Him who saved me and to catch a shadowy and, at the same time, dazzling glimpse of the Glory behind the Gospel.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You are my Friend and companion, my Lord and King. Love, friendship, and brotherhood are Your’s to give; my service, devotion, and everlasting wonder are mine to give to You. You sustain me with Your Spirit and by Your Word. Your Word is life. Help me to remember the Gospel every day—I want to walk worthy of it. Amen.

-Rick Sutton

Scripture:

Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Observation:

After being caught in his sin, David is broken. He feels a million miles away from God and he is sorry for what he did. He wants to get things back the way they used to be; when he was joyful and he felt close to God. He remembers the moment of his salvation, in David’s case, when God rescued him multiple times when fleeing his enemies. It was in the moments of God’s salvation work that David felt most close to God.

Application:

When I read this passage of scripture the first thing in my mind was the lyrics to an old Boyz to Men song… “Can we go back to the days our love was strong? Can you tell me how a perfect love goes wrong? Can somebody tell me how to get things back The way they used to be? Oh, God give me the reason I’m down on bended knee I’ll never walk again, until you come back to me I’m down on bended knee”. Even though these lyrics were written about a love relationship that had gone astray, they fit perfectly in today’s scripture. When we find ourselves in a tough spot in our relationship with God, we have two distinct responses. Either we run away in fear or frustration or we run towards Him and desire reconciliation and restoration. David chooses the second and so should we. When I recognize that my sin and disobedience has created a wall in my relationship with God, a good practice is to call out to God for forgiveness and ask Him to make things like they used to be. Now in the Boyz to Men song, like in our lives and relationships, things rarely go back the way they used to be. People have a hard time forgiving and forgetting. But God is different. When we confess our sins, He forgives and removes our sin from us as far as the East is from the West. It’s safe to ask God to make things like they used to be. Remember the moments of joy and salvation and ask Him to take you back there. A handful actions steps:

1. Run to Him when I feel far away, not further away.

2. Ask Him for forgiveness.

3. Ask Him to restore me back the way things used to be.

4. Trust in His restoration power.

Prayer:

Father, when I fail, which is too often, help me run back to you. Remind me of your forgiveness and your power to restore. Take me back to the moments I sensed your presence and remind me that you never let me go. Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Thank you Father.

Scripture:

Psalm 55:16 &22

But I will call on God, and the Lord will rescue me. 22-Give your burdens to the Lord and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

Observation:

The psalmist turns to God in prayer as he is distraught by the betrayal of a former friend. The psalmist prays without ceasing throughout the morning, noon and night and the Lord hears his voice. The Lord not only hears our prayer but he cares for and will rescue us. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

Application:

I must understand and be prepared to face those that once were friends who we shared fellowship with could become adversaries. When dealing with an attack from an enemy, I must be with God! I need to ‘pray without ceasing to God and be in His word to gain wisdom how to confront an attack. I can’t go into a situation like this relying on my own worldly knowledge, rather I must turn it over to Jesus whose yoke is easy and burden is light. God cares for me and his plan is the right path to follow.

Prayer:

Father, Please let me be in constant prayer to you knowing your love and caring for me will lead me out of difficult places. Help me turn my worries/cares over to you to be sprit led and not rely on my worldly reactions to situations when confronted by adversaries.

-Todd Dawson

Scripture:

Psalm 48:9

Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.

Observation:

Unfailing love.

Science, philosophy, religion, psychology – they all agree. The treasured human ultimate goal. Nothing else trumps this – we are always looking for more love.

Did we read Unfailing love? Wait a minute!Love that NEVER fails? Ever? Stop.

What about…

Traffic jams. Break ups. Betrayals. Religion. Money. Sex. Social media. School. Friends. Church. Family. Food. Politics. Disease. Gossip. Sports. Porn. Abuse.

Never? Still he NEVER FAILS!? Shut the front door!

Can you point me to any other person, place, or thing which can make such a claim? And back it up?

Me neither!

Application:

Learn more about this incredible source of UNFAILING LOVE – Jesus.

How?

1. Read the bible DAILY. NIV and NEW AMERICAN STANDARD are good versions. See www.biblegateway.com.

2. Pray on your knees daily. it’s humbling and quite wonderful

3. Share your experience. Your story is needed. Jesus will use you to share Him. And rock your world.

I dare you!

Remember , according to all the science, bible, and psychology – You’re chasing Jesus anyway – – Think about it.

Prayer:

Father I’m daring me too. Everyday, read your word. Talk to you intimately.

Jesus why would I not want this connection with the only source and person who claims and proves he’s the only source of unfailing love? Thank you Jesus. In your name I pray – amen.

-James Smith