Category: Good Life Journal

Journal John 14 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

 

Scripture:  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6

 

Observation:  Simple statement full of complex implications.  One of the first scriptures I was introduced to and memorized.  What happened between then and now to increase my First Love?

 

Analysis: What confidence this simple verse provides!

 

Jesus is the way.  Jesus is the truth.  Jesus is the life.  If I am going to approach the Father, the only way to get there is through Jesus.

 

Songs were written on this verse.  Joy came welling up from our hearts.  Courage filled our souls.  We sang these truths to each other and to the heavens above, declaring Him and Him alone!!

 

Pretty cool times.

 

Then I grew older in the faith and, guess what?  These words deepened.  They became part of the reason why other theological things (like say, duh, the Gospel?) started to make sense.

 

The mind-boggling wisdom of God is how everything that I have learned, whether I realized it or not at the time of learning, folds into and support/is supported by the Gospel.

 

The Gospel, therefore, isn’t just some theological construct, isn’t a dry and stale “plan”, but is a living and active representation of the Wisdom and Mercy of God.  That is why my eyes get brighter, my voice gets more intense and excited, my heart and pulse start to race.

 

We are privy to and experiencing a Plan, conceived before Time began, executed on purpose with a Terrible price to pay by the Son, so that all of Creation would bow before the Lamb at the End of Days, redeemed and sanctified through the Cross.

 

Hammer point:  Even the simplest of Bible references point to the Gospel.

 

Prayer:   Lord Jesus, thank you for the Cross and your decision to die for me to redeem me from the penalty of Sin.  The Way, the Truth, and the Life: no other person could have done what you did.  AMEN

Scripture:  (Jesus) came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”  Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”

 

Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.”  Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”

 

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you?  You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.

 

If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should do just as I have done to you.  Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.”  Excerpts from John 13:6-16

 

Observation:  Biblical principles are found everywhere in the Bible.  It takes more than just complying with a task to plant and cultivate a reflex.

 

Analysis:  I think I have been to dozens of prayer meetings where washing feet was the agenda of the day.

 

The thing about meetings like this is that the task may overwhelm teaching about the principle behind it.  In this case, servanthood.

 

My inner being recoils at the idea of being someone’s servant.  Oh, being a servant of Jesus is OK, supposed to come with the territory of being a Christian.  And best of all, from a practical POV, I get to choose who and how I serve, and determine where the threshold of servant accomplishment has been achieved.

 

That isn’t quite biblical servanthood.

 

There are two principles involved with biblical servanthood:

1. A disciple is not above (or greater) than his master, and;
2. Consider others as more important than yourself.  (Phil 2:3)

 

Easy to say, hard to do.  The flesh (or self) always wants first place.  “I should be respected; I should be treated better; I should get…etc., etc.”  Give?  Give out of strength, where it doesn’t hurt.  Give out of weakness?  If I am weak that is where I need to be given to…”

 

Jesus was making a point to the disciples.  Peter went first; how did the other guys feel watching Jesus as he went down the line?  Squirming?  Uncomfortable?  Embarrassed?  Warring with their feelings?  “Come on”, a few of them probably thought, “Let’s get over with this…”

 

Reading through the NT, it took years for the guys (and subsequent disciples) to get this principle.  And then only because, like many Spiritual Disciplines, it must be hammered and hammered and hammered again in rebellious hearts…like mine.

 

Hammer point:  Cultivate the same attitude that Paul writes about in Phil 2:3-8.  Easy to write about, lifetime worth of work.

 

Prayer:  Father, so much of being a Christian has to do with mortifying the flesh, putting death to self.  How do I be firm in my confession and yet not come across proud or superior?  I know: Not only remember the cost that paid for my salvation but remember what a sorry prize God got in exchange—I will forever be grateful for His mercy.  AMEN

John 13

 

Scripture

 

Vs 1 … Jesus knew that his hour had come …

Vs 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands …

Vs 5 (Jesus) … began to wash the disciples’ feet …

Vs 6 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”

Vs 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”

Vs 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”

 

Vs 12 When he had washed their feet …, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you?

Vs 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

Vs 27 … Jesus said to (Judas), “What you are going to do, do quickly.”

Vs 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him.

 

Vs 36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?”

Vs 37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

Vs 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.

 

Observation

 

This is the intense foot washing scene between Jesus and His disciples.

What strikes me is John’s documenting that Jesus knew everything that was happening.

And that the disciples were clueless.

More than lacking in knowledge, the disciples, Peter, in particular, made demands of and questioned Jesus’ actions.

Jesus had a knowledge beyond anyone’s comprehension.

Yet, He humbled Himself to the lowest position He could … even in the face of their ignorance.

 

Application

 

What are my questions of Jesus? Do I think I know a better way?

Do I think Jesus is doing things wrong?

Do I trust that Jesus, just maybe, knows a better way? Knows what’s best for me?

 

John states Jesus did what He did … “knowing His hour”, and “knowing all things”.

What’s more, Jesus specifically told the disciples, “You do not understand now, but afterward you will understand”.

 

Am I willing to wait until “afterward”?

So often, before I endure something, especially a hard thing, I want to “understand now”.

I’m like Peter … “Jesus, No!” … “Jesus, why can’t I?”

But Jesus says “NO” to that kind of thinking.

This is Faith! … Do I trust Him?

Am I willing to humble myself? … Am I willing to set an example Jesus set for me?

 

Do I boast to Jesus, “I am willing to lay down my life for You!!”

Jesus simply asks in return, “Will you lay down your life for Me?”

 

Prayer

 

Thank you, God, for your word

Thank you that you make me clean

Help me trust your wisdom

Help me live the example you set

In Jesus name

Amen

Scripture:

 

[21] Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.

 

[32] Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

 

[37] But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?”

 

[40] Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”

 

 

Observation:

 

21, if you had been here..

32, Lord, if you had been here..

37, ..Could not he who..

40, Then Jesus said..

 

Mary and Martha were true believers and yet.. they were questioning God. They didn’t know His plan and in a time of grief were blaming God for the loss of someone they love.  Others were questioning His mighty power.

 

Application:

 

Sound familiar – questioning God?  This is a good lesson for all of us to trust in Him even when we’re in the darkest times. God can do anything, He is always good, He is always in control, Jesus is with us and His plan is perfect.  “If you believe you will see the glory of God.”  He doesn’t say that if you believe, you will see God’s glory right now, when you want it, and as you expect it.

 

Prayer:

 

Lord thank You for always being present with us as we go through this life. Even when we go through times when we can’t feel your presence we know you’re with us and that your plan is perfect even when we don’t understand it.  In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Journal John 11 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

 

Scripture: (The following is about raising Lazarus)

 

Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.

 

Bethany was near Jerusalem (about two miles off) and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother.  So, when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him—but Mary remained seated in the house.

 

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here [she said perhaps plaintively] my brother would not have died.  But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus said, “Your brother will rise again.”

 

Martha said, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”  Jesus said, “I AM the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. [Mary,] do you believe this?”  John 11:17-26

 

Observation:  Isn’t it easy to escape into the writ of the Word and totally miss the meaning of the Word?

 

Analysis: I have often wondered about myself how I can quote and reference scripture in unbelief.

 

I think that Martha does this.  Looking at the discourse between Jesus and Martha:

 

“If you would have been here, he wouldn’t have died!”  Martha may have been in tears, but the anger and anguish is unmistakable.  “Lazarus would not have died.  Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”  Then she recovers to a point and says, “But I know that God would do anything you ask of Him.”  Her confession becomes dutiful and orthodox.

 

I can do this as well.  I can say all the right things and yet my heart is bouncing all over the place with parallel complaint and attempted restraint; I complain of the circumstance and realize my heart needs to be reeled in, not in authenticity but in outward orthodoxy.

 

Jesus says, “Lazarus will rise again.”  Here my imagination runs a little for I can “see” Martha rolling her eyes, “Yes, yes, I know: Resurrection, last day, and all that…” while still churning on the inside saying, “But he didn’t have to die if you would have just been here on time…”

 

Jesus: “Martha, I am the resurrection and the life.  Here’s my question to you, do you believe that?  Are you totally convinced?  Do you embrace that over all your senses and experiences?”

 

Isn’t that always the question I need to answer and be accountable for?  Easy for me to spit out scripture references, cherry-picked, eye-candy verses, theological principles and the like and yet be a believer wallowing in functional unbelief.

 

Hammer point:  Is the stuff that rolls out of my mouth really the stuff I believe?  Accountable belief?  Matt 12:24 says, “For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Mouth equals heart; it can be just as simple as that.

 

Prayer:  Lord, writing like this is therapeutic.  It allows me to confess to You what I think is going on in my heart.  Help me, O Lord, help me navigate through these rough waters that are causing me in some way to be unstable.  AMEN.

John 10:27 – 30 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.  I and the Father are one.”

Observation-

Jesus is answering a question from the Jewish leaders to answer them clearly if he is indeed the Messiah.  He tells the leaders they do not believe and are not able to understand Jesus like His sheep.  Jesus knows His sheep and gives them eternal life.  No one is capable to take Jesus’ sheep from the out of the Father’s hand.  Jesus tells the leaders of His deity as he states He and the Father are one.

Application –

I have to listen to Jesus, hear His voice to know him to understand what he wills for me.  Jesus knows me and everyone who believes in his name.  To be a sheep of Jesus, I must follow the Good Shepard in everything he has commanded us.  Jesus gives us eternal life when we believe and we can be assured that we are safe in the hands of the Father.  Jesus is God wrapped in flesh who came to save us so we can have a relationship with the Father.

Prayer –

Father,

Thank you for your love, grace and mercy in sending Jesus so we can repent, be reconciled and have a relationship with you.  Let me be still to hear Jesus, understand he knows and loves me and follow Him.  Let me draw near to know you better so we can make you known giving you the glory!

 

Scripture:   Jesus heard that they had cast (the formerly blind beggar) out, and having found him (Jesus) said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

 

He answered, “And who is he, sire, that I may believe in him?”   Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” He said, “Lord I believe”, and he worshipped him.

 

Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see and those who “see” may become blind.

 

Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things and said to him, “Are we also blind?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, “We see”, your guilt remains.  John 9:35-41

 

Observation: Why did Jesus come into the world?  And what does that have to do with my perception of things?

 

Analysis:  There is a saying: “God helps those who helps themselves.”

 

While there may be a smidgen of truth in that (only a smidgen), this is a saying that identifies the road of self-reliance and self-righteousness. If I am talking about being religious, then it is that big green board on the interstate that proclaims, “Turn here, this is the exit for the Pharisee Boulevard.”

 

The issue (for me at least) is that this turn off sneaks up on me; is not really marked well on Google maps; but is wide and easy to get on and stay on.  The road of self is easy to navigate.

 

The story here is about the difference between a blind guy and those with so-called sight.  The miracle of restoring this guy’s sight is wonderful—but it wasn’t about sight restoration, it was about a testimony concerning the local branch of Pharisee Nation.

 

They asked (trying to find the cause and effect of the beggar’s handicap), “Is he blind because of something he is or something he has done”—as if this blindness could be categorized that way. They continued to press, “Or did this poor man suffer because of something his parents did?”—again attempting to find cause.

 

Jesus said, “Neither.  He is blind because of the will of God for this very time, as a testimony against you.”  The blind beggar was healed.  The episode doesn’t end there—he was interrogated, beaten; his parent interrogated, etc. etc.

 

Finally, Jesus introduces himself to the beggar.  Additionally, Jesus speaks a core principle: “For judgment I came into this world—to bring sight to the ones who want sight and to bring blindness to those who think they are seeing but are actually blind.

 

Here is the real saying: “God helps those who admit they are helpless.”  If I say “I see”, I can’t be healed of blindness because I don’t need healing, right?

 

“Nuff said.”

 

Hammer point:  Guarding my heart is an effort to make every day.  The road of self-righteousness is wide and easy; the path of godliness is narrow and hard—but is worth the effort.

 

Prayer:   Father God, I am blind—an every daysort of blindness.  Show me your wondrous works that I may worship You.  AMEN.

Journal John 8 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

 

Scripture:  So, Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

 

They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone.  How is it that you say, “You will become free?”

 

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you: Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.  The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains (in charge) forever.  So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

 

(Look) I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you.  I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what have heard from your father.” John 8:31-38

 

Observation:  It is all about embracing God.  It is all about embracing his Word.  It is all about dropping preconceived religious notions and seeking Him anew every day.

 

Analysis:  Writing this I am caught with this thought: How hard is it to lose weight?

 

For me, it is hard, very hard.  Why is that?  Because it is way easier to keep on, keeping on, and not making any changes in my life.  This is the same with seeking God anew daily—it is easier to draw on the bank of scripture memories and not draw new living water.

 

Another variation: It is easier to draw on commonly defined morality than to base actions on the Biblical principles.

 

This is the basis of conversation Jesus had with these Jews:

“The truth will set you free.”

“Wait a minute, we are not slaves.  Besides, we are offspring of Abraham.  We will not be slaves.”

“Do you practice sin?  If you do, guess what: You are a slave to sin.”

 

Jesus continues: “Slaves may run the house for a while, but not forever.  At some point, they are not in charge anymore.  But the Son of the Owner is in charge all the time.  If the Son (who is always in charge) says ‘You are free’, you are indeed free!”

 

John 8:32 is one of the first Scripture references I memorized way back when.  At the time, it was the right thing to get me going.  As time progressed, the truth of being set free hadn’t been diminished, but reading further (both before and after) broadened the meaning and application.  The Gospel now becomes expanded with meaning and intensity and furthers walking in maturity.

 

Hammer point:  Walking worthy of the Gospel and being free to do so means that we make any kind of effort to look for new mercies every day. (Lev 3:22).

 

Prayer:  Father, I hope that what I write finds a home in my heart.  It is easy to be lazy in seeking You daily.  AMEN

Scripture:  About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching.  The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning then he has never studied?”

 

So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.  If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.  The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.”  John 7:14-18

 

Observation:  Speaking in the fear of God or speaking from confidence in a particular agenda?  There is a difference in humble fear and self-confidence.  Where is the heart in all of this?

 

Analysis: I cannot help but try to find myself in the Scriptures.  The Word of God is a mysterious thing: It can be soothing, a balm to the soul.  It can also be a steady, heart-rattling mirror of the heart.  It is not either/or; it is both at the same time.

 

Because the Word of the Lord is eternal and I am not, there are times I cannot experience the “balm” and the “rattle” at the same time; I must seek one at times over the other.

 

Why does the Word have an effect in me?  Because of the goodness of the Holy Spirit who sees my need and opens my heart and mind to His whisper.

 

Speculating on the attitude of the Jews in this passage, Jesus points out the two conflicting views: I have an Agenda, and, I have a desire for the will of God.

 

For me, these are important distinctions.  One draws me to my feet to speak about what I see and the other drops me to my knees waiting to be sent.

 

It is confusing to say the least about it.  In me it results in what I think is doublemindedness and keeps me unstable.  Go or don’t go?  Speak or keep silent?  Be loud or be soft spoken?

 

What it does do for sure is keep me seeking God.

 

There is a good possibility that the “good” Jews of Jesus’ time spoke about “good” stuff, righteousness and morally upstanding stuff.  Many do that today.  But speaking and doing good and moral stuff isn’t instantly related to Godliness.  In fact, doing good without fearing God, could be broadly considered works of the serpent.  I must think about that some more: Good without God is evil?

 

Hammer point:  Jesus continually hammers the Proverb: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”  Prov 9:10

 

Prayer:   Lord, I hope these candid words honor you.  You see my fearful and quaking heart today.  Help me O Lord.

 

I pray for my brothers and sisters in the church that they may find solace in the Fear of the Lord today.  AMEN

Scripture

 

14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”

15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

 

26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.

 

27 Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life …

 

28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?”

29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

 

41 So the Jews grumbled about him …

 

52 The Jews then disputed among themselves …

 

54 (Jesus said to them), “Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life …”

 

60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?”

 

63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

 

66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him …

 

Observation

 

Intense interactions between Jesus and followers in this chapter.

Jesus miraculously feeds them.

So they want to make him king.

Jesus calls them out for exalting him merely because they saw a miracle and got their physical needs met by it.

 

Jesus tells them they should seek what brings eternal life, not temporary life.

The people want to “do something”, but Jesus tells them not to “do something” but to “believe Someone”, namely Himself.

 

Many following Jesus did not like this.

So they “grumbled” and “disputed” and, ultimately even “turned away”.

 

Application

 

People love the flesh, not the Spirit.

Do I?

The people wanted to know what to do for eternal life.

They hated that they couldn’t “do” anything!

They had to “believe”.

And this is ONLY possible by the Spirit!

What they really wanted was control!

They wanted to control what was circumstantial … for example, their hunger . (“Jesus magic” met their physical needs of food.)

They wanted to control what was eternal … by “doing something”.

 

Ultimately, they wanted to control God … and for their own means.

 

The big questions becomes …

Do I want to control God?

 

I can act in the flesh every day all day.

I can believe I have control over my circumstances and even control over what seems “eternal” … (a “successful retirement”, etc.)

It’s all an illusion.

Control is an illusion.

 

It is the Spirit that gives me belief.

It is the belief in the Son that gives me eternal life.

 

I can “grumble” about this.

I can “dispute” this.

Plenty do.

I can even “turn away” from this like so many did then and do today.

 

But ultimately, the Truth stands.

Will I stand with the Truth?

I will if I rely on the Spirit.

 

Prayer

 

Thank you, God, for your word

That it is given to me

Spirit help me trust it

For what’s circumstantial

And what’s eternal

In Jesus name

Amen

Scripture:

 

[10] Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

[16] He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”

[17] “I have no husband,” she replied.  Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. [18] The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”

 

Observation:

 

1) Jesus is not prejudice

2) Jesus confronted the woman about her sinful lifestyle

3) Gave her an opportunity to confront it herself

4) He knew all about her and still offered her Salvation

5) He offers Salvation to all who truly know Him

 

Application:

 

Jesus takes us as we are and who we are.  Even knowing all there is about us – our sinful and messy lives, and that we don’t deserve His grace, mercy, or forgiveness, He takes us as we are.

 

While he takes us as we are, He will still confront our sin with truth and give us every opportunity to recognize and repent of our sin.

 

Salvation is ours through Him but this doesn’t mean we can continue to try to hide our sin from Him

 

We can’t hide our sin from Him.  Like the lady at the well said “He told me all that I ever did”.   It amazes me every single day how I can be so undeserving and yet receive salvation through Jesus.

 

Prayer:

 

Lord thank you for taking me as I am.  A sinner and far from perfect.  Send people or circumstances to confront me when I step out of line of Your will and let me never take for granted my Salvation and the price You paid for me and others like me.  In Jesus holy name I pray, amen.

Scripture:  Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

 

The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep.  Where do you get that living water?…”

 

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

 

The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will be thirsty of have to come here to draw water.”  Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.”  The woman answered him, “I have no husband.”  Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband; for you have had five husbands and the one you now have is not your husband.  What you have said is true.””  John 4:10-18

 

Observation:  Now, this is evangelizing!

 

Analysis:  What is a nice story like this doing on a Journal page?  And in the hands of this guy?

 

Just this: “All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” (2 Tim 3:16)

 

So, what can I glean, sift, unpack, etc. from this section of scripture?

 

There are times where “just the facts, ma’am” are totally pertinent in conversations.

1. If you only knew the gift of God;
2. Jesus is the living water;
3. Go, call your husband…oops, don’t currently have one, but are living with a guy…

 

What?  Go, call your husband?  That cannot be a part of the Good News presentation, right?

 

Sometimes there are situations where sin must be pointed out, if for nothing else to identify the condition of the fruit.  Here’s where I get messed up: I can point out fruit condition (usually what I identify as bad fruit) looking down my nose.  That is the wrong attitude to have.

 

Imagine the scene above with Jesus talking.  He may be looking directly into her eyes; He may be sitting down on a rock trying to catch a piece of shade.  What He isn’t doing though is condemning her—He is presenting His knowledge of the situation factually, perhaps blandly, no attacking or gearing up for an argument involved.

 

That is evangelism practiced.  My attitude to have?  When the Gospel is preached, talked about, discussed, engaged in conversation about (this last is the best to start), my long nose better get short in a hurry because I MUST remember I deserve God’s total wrath except for I have faith in Jesus’ redeeming Atonement at the Cross.

 

That is why I boast in the Cross and not in myself or my obedience.

 

Hammer point:  The Cross is my redemption daily.  Whatever sin I speak about or attribute to others, I have just as much that needs forgiveness.  Let that be my story and my song.

 

Prayer:   Lord God, how I forget the Gospel to the face in the mirror all the time.  All the time!!  “The Gospel isn’t applicable to me anymore, I have been saved.”  Rubbish!  The older I grow, the more I need the fact and facts of the Gospel to walk worthy of the calling in which I have been called.  AMEN.

 

Scripture

John 3:16-18 –“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.

Observation

Nicodemus, a Pharisee, has gone to visit Jesus at night to find out who he is and how he is from God.  Jesus tells Nicodemus that you must be born again to see the Kingdom of God.  Then Jesus tells Nicodemus of the great love that God has for the world.  God the Father, sent his only son Jesus into the world to save the world and offer eternal life to those who believe in the name of Jesus.  Jesus did not come to condemn the world but those who do not believe in Jesus are already condemned.

Application

The love of God to send Jesus to save us by his grace is the most powerful thing in the world.  The love of Christ has the power to change hearts, lives and give eternal life when we believe in our heart and confess with our mouth that Jesus is our Lord and savior.  In this time of uncertainty, it is the truth I can cling to and share with others as nothing seems to make sense from a worldly perspective.

 

Prayer

Father,

Thank you for the truth in your word and the love, grace and mercy you have given us through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Let the power of the Spirit guide me to draw near to you and you will be near to me.  May I reach out to you in prayer, cast my anxieties on you knowing you are there interceding for me and have already met my greatest need.

Journal John 2 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

 

Scripture: “Now when he (Jesus) was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing.  But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man—for he himself knew what was in man.”  John 2:23-25

 

Observation: Ah, the little throwaway sentences found in the scriptures, the sentences that are easily sped read through.  I can pick up some significant stuff when I slow down and read…

 

Analysis:  I am like everyone else: I live for the “eye candy” in the Word of God.  Plain, straight-forward, easily understood and memorized.  Makes me feel good.

 

But, reading thoroughly, what comes before, what comes after: perhaps there are other things that the Holy Spirit wants me to put in my pocket for later.  Like learning about the commutative property in math class, some of these references that doesn’t quite get the highlight pen, I can wonder “What do I need to know this for?”

 

I picked up on this section today because of the principle of “What is in the Heart of man.”

 

I see the reference that many believed in His name because of the sizzle and steak of “signs and wonders.”  Jesus knew better than to get all excited about this response because He knew what the heart of man is all about.

 

And I should as well in my oh so limited way…

 

What did Jesus see with this group?  Knowing their hearts didn’t stop the signs and wonders.  Knowing their hearts didn’t bring Jesus to the point of saying, “What am I doing this for?  I know how this is going to end up.”

 

Jesus soldiered right on through; did the Will of His Father; proclaimed the Kingdom of God—and didn’t entrust himself to any…

 

So, what is the point?  Jesus is giving the example.  Do what is right; proclaim the good news (whether to strangers or in the household of God); do not be discouraged for the results of the effort in obedience is completely and always in the Hand of God.

 

Hammer point: I am not a used car salesman.  Live and express myself as an example of the Gospel and walk worthy of it at all times.

 

Prayer:   Father, I so appreciate your care for me, so full of grace and mercy.  Make me know that the Gospel isn’t a one-trick message.  I need to remind and preach to myself what wonder and majesty caused you to save me; I need to remind and encourage my spouse and my family of your awesomeness; I want to express my gratefulness to the world around me of your salvation.  AMEN.

Journal John 1 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

 

Scripture: (talking about John the Baptist) “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold: The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!  This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’  I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.’” John 1:29-31

 

Observation:  Such a casual mention to the disciples of John.  Probably wasn’t that casual, but perhaps wasn’t theatrical either—somewhere in the middle.  How do I think about and present the Lamb of God in my daily conversation?

 

Analysis:  The Gospels are neat to read.  Not exactly theological like Romans; not exactly like an instructional manual; not exactly like history such as in the OT—but like Guardians of the Galaxy, “A little bit of (all).”

 

Thinking about John and Jesus’ relationship, John does backflips in Mom’s belly just getting close to Jesus in Mary’s belly.

 

They are cousins, close cousins presumably and maybe had more than a passing friendship growing up.

 

As adolescence approaches, John’s life is taking a turn perhaps.  Jesus’ is as well: in parallel, but different.  John’s prophetic thoughts are increasing about the Lamb and the coming Kingdom, apparently just a little clueless that his cousin is whom he is dreaming about.

 

I wonder what that day was like when John first went, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world…. wait a minute…is that Jesus?  My Jesus?  That runt cousin of mine?  Good Lord, can it really be?”  John saunters over to him and says, “Jesus, really?  You kept this from me all these years?”  “Yeah, sorry, Johnny.  It wasn’t my secret to reveal yet.  Glad you are now in the know….”

 

This is where I want to be: “Look there!  The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”, and then be able to explain why that is.

 

I hammer this to myself: Study the Gospel.  Study and breakdown all the specific aspects of the Gospel.  Enjoy in awesome reflection what the Triune God has done for underserving men like me.

 

Hammer point: Don’t think the Gospel is fully known, because there are facets of it that can be discovered daily.

 

Prayer:  Father, journaling about Your Word is hard.  It is beneficial, but so difficult.  That is why I suppose journaling isn’t done much.  Help me be thorough in reading and journaling through your word.  I don’t do it daily: I probably should.  Reading and writing: who would have known at 8 years old how important this skill would be?  AMEN