Hi, sorry it's been a little while, life got crazy. I worked 120+ hours in the last two weeks, and even without a class to work on I was beat. Life really isn't slowing down, I started Hebrew Monday, a language that is written right to left and composed of lines and dots, two letters for T, two letters for H, four letters for S, two silent letters, several letters that sound the same, and multiple forms of letters that look similar to other letters. I probably should have taken this class before I committed to a PhD on the portion of the Bible written in the language.
The last post I wrote focused on John 4.49-50:
The royal official said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off.
The royal official had a problem, came to Jesus, and was sent away with nothing more than Jesus' word that his son would live. He responded in trust, took Jesus at His word, and went home.
Trusting Jesus is something that has been difficult for me. I believe in Him as the only source of eternal life, but most of my trust in Him has stopped at the work of salvation. The word of Jesus goes far beyond that. Jesus came not simply to forgive sins, but to give eternal life. This is not simply living forever, but a different quality of life. Jesus came not just to forgive, but to free.
The intention of God is not just to forgive me so that I can get into Heaven some day, but to bless my life so that I can glorify Him. This is in no way proclaiming a message of God wants you to be happy and wealthy, but God blesses us so that we can glorify Him. He is a loving Father, and He loves to bless His children.
In my life, this hasn't seemed to workout like I thought it would/should. As a result, I've fallen into periods of doubt and discouragement because of how life has turned out. It is so easy to look at the hardships, the disappointments, and begin to doubt the promises of God. This week I was reminded of a quote from A.W. Tozer, I'm guessing it's from The Pursuit of God, "It's doubtful that God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply."
Again this is not saying that God will make everything better, and give you anything you want; I don't believe that, and I'll never preach that. The reality of this life is that there will be hardships, there will be struggles, there will be pain and disappointments. But the reality of God is that He is loving a Father (1 John 3.1), He cares for us (1 Peter 5.7), He desires for us to have life (John 3.16-17; 10.10), and that He will never leave us, or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31.6).
The word of God is one of promised presence, provision, and blessing. Through the hard times, God is there. In the blessings, God is there. The word of God is His unfailing presence. This is the thing that I have to remember, whatever I face, God is with me, and whatever I go through, God can use it for His glory.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Thursday, August 10, 2017
Jesus' Word
The royal official said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off. -John 4.49-50
Jesus is back in Galilee, and when He entered the region, He was welcomed by the Galileans because they had seen what He had done at the Passover feast. They saw His power and were amazed by the signs He did, so they welcome Him because of what He can do. As He traveled through the region, He returned to Cana, and there a royal official from Capernaum comes to meet Him. His son as sick, he has heard of Jesus' power, and so, as a parent, he seeks a cure for his child.
I get it, I've got two girls, and there is nothing I would not do for them. When my oldest daughter cries because something hurt her, I can't hold her tightly enough. When my youngest daughter is scared by something, I can't get to her fast enough to comfort her. I get how this official felt. His child had a need, he saw a solution, and rode miles to attain it.
The official arrives in Cana and asks Jesus to come, "So Jesus said to him, 'Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.'" (John 4.48). This verse points back to John 2.23-24, and John 4.45. People trust what they can see; they believe the results. So often we hold out until we get what we demand, but God doesn't work that way. The official pleads with Jesus to come, and Jesus responds, "Go; your son lives." He isn't going to Capernaum, but He speaks the words of healing. Here is where faith comes in; the official believes, and heads home. That is trust in Jesus' word.
As I've been thinking about this passage, I've been reminded about a hymn, "'Tis So Sweet":
’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise;
Just to know, Thus saith the Lord.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him,
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er,
Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more.
O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
Just in simple faith to plunge me,
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him,
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er,
Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more.
Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life, and rest, and joy, and peace.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him,
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er,
Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more.
I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him,
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er,
Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more.
'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His word. That is where faith begins, choosing to trust Him when He doesn't respond in the way we want. Jesus is trustworthy.
As he was now going down, his slaves met him, saying that his son was living. So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. Then they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives”; and he himself believed and his whole household. -John 4.51-53
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Jesus is back in Galilee, and when He entered the region, He was welcomed by the Galileans because they had seen what He had done at the Passover feast. They saw His power and were amazed by the signs He did, so they welcome Him because of what He can do. As He traveled through the region, He returned to Cana, and there a royal official from Capernaum comes to meet Him. His son as sick, he has heard of Jesus' power, and so, as a parent, he seeks a cure for his child.
I get it, I've got two girls, and there is nothing I would not do for them. When my oldest daughter cries because something hurt her, I can't hold her tightly enough. When my youngest daughter is scared by something, I can't get to her fast enough to comfort her. I get how this official felt. His child had a need, he saw a solution, and rode miles to attain it.
The official arrives in Cana and asks Jesus to come, "So Jesus said to him, 'Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.'" (John 4.48). This verse points back to John 2.23-24, and John 4.45. People trust what they can see; they believe the results. So often we hold out until we get what we demand, but God doesn't work that way. The official pleads with Jesus to come, and Jesus responds, "Go; your son lives." He isn't going to Capernaum, but He speaks the words of healing. Here is where faith comes in; the official believes, and heads home. That is trust in Jesus' word.
As I've been thinking about this passage, I've been reminded about a hymn, "'Tis So Sweet":
’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise;
Just to know, Thus saith the Lord.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him,
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er,
Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more.
O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
Just in simple faith to plunge me,
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him,
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er,
Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more.
Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life, and rest, and joy, and peace.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him,
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er,
Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more.
I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him,
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er,
Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more.
'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His word. That is where faith begins, choosing to trust Him when He doesn't respond in the way we want. Jesus is trustworthy.
As he was now going down, his slaves met him, saying that his son was living. So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. Then they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives”; and he himself believed and his whole household. -John 4.51-53
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Sunday, August 6, 2017
Application to Me
This week has been a bit of a blur, and yet again I find myself writing this late at night at the end of the weekend, in some ways hurrying to do this just to get it done. As I've reflected each day on passage I've studied, my mind has thought about the past few years since I graduated college. In my first full time ministry job so much changed in my understanding of God, and the relationship I had with Him. I'm currently in the process of recovering what was lost, and rekindling the first that was smothered.
As I reflect on the majority of John 4, I find myself longing for true satisfaction in Christ. Apart from God, nothing can satisfy, not even ministry done for God. I desire to be sustained by God, and I want to own the reality that when I invite Him He will come. It's crucial to remember that Jesus gently confronts and deals with sin, and those who seek Him are never rejected.
God has not rejected me, and God is not angry with me. For so long I've felt that my apparent failures in ministry have disappointed Him, causing Him to reject me, and leave me on my own. These feelings have caused me to not seek Him or invite Him to stay. These are lies of the enemy; this is an attempt of the lion to get me alone and devour me. They key is finding satisfaction and sustenance in Christ. This allows for defense against the enemies attacks and survival.
This is what God desires, and this is what God offers. The enemy does not want the reality to be accepted because when it is, He is resisted and defeated.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
As I reflect on the majority of John 4, I find myself longing for true satisfaction in Christ. Apart from God, nothing can satisfy, not even ministry done for God. I desire to be sustained by God, and I want to own the reality that when I invite Him He will come. It's crucial to remember that Jesus gently confronts and deals with sin, and those who seek Him are never rejected.
God has not rejected me, and God is not angry with me. For so long I've felt that my apparent failures in ministry have disappointed Him, causing Him to reject me, and leave me on my own. These feelings have caused me to not seek Him or invite Him to stay. These are lies of the enemy; this is an attempt of the lion to get me alone and devour me. They key is finding satisfaction and sustenance in Christ. This allows for defense against the enemies attacks and survival.
This is what God desires, and this is what God offers. The enemy does not want the reality to be accepted because when it is, He is resisted and defeated.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Friday, August 4, 2017
Inviting Jesus
So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. Many more believed because of His word; and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.” -John 4.40-42
Jesus had already broken the social norm by traveling through Samaria. He then went further by engaging a woman of Samaria in conversation. Now He goes so are beyond what was culturally acceptable, and stays there for two days. Jews would cross the Jordan to avoid stepping on Samaritan soil, and Jesus sleeps and eats there for two days. Why? Because they people of Samaria asked Him to.
When Jesus' presence is requested, He comes. When invited to stay, He stays. Because He stayed, many more believed and they believed because they had heard from themselves. Those who seek Jesus will find Him. Those who find Him will believe in Him.
Jesus is available, and all who seek Him will find Him, but He has to be sought and invited. Had the Samaritans asked Jesus to leave, He would have; this happens in Mark 5 after He drives out Legion, the people ask Him to leave, so He gets in the boat and leaves. Jesus does not stay where He is not wanted. But all who desire Jesus, all who seek Him, will find Him.
Jesus spoke to a Samaritan woman because she engaged Him in conversation. Jesus stayed with Samaritans because they invited Him. When Jesus is invited by those who genuinely desire to know Him, He always shows up.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Jesus had already broken the social norm by traveling through Samaria. He then went further by engaging a woman of Samaria in conversation. Now He goes so are beyond what was culturally acceptable, and stays there for two days. Jews would cross the Jordan to avoid stepping on Samaritan soil, and Jesus sleeps and eats there for two days. Why? Because they people of Samaria asked Him to.
When Jesus' presence is requested, He comes. When invited to stay, He stays. Because He stayed, many more believed and they believed because they had heard from themselves. Those who seek Jesus will find Him. Those who find Him will believe in Him.
Jesus is available, and all who seek Him will find Him, but He has to be sought and invited. Had the Samaritans asked Jesus to leave, He would have; this happens in Mark 5 after He drives out Legion, the people ask Him to leave, so He gets in the boat and leaves. Jesus does not stay where He is not wanted. But all who desire Jesus, all who seek Him, will find Him.
Jesus spoke to a Samaritan woman because she engaged Him in conversation. Jesus stayed with Samaritans because they invited Him. When Jesus is invited by those who genuinely desire to know Him, He always shows up.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Thursday, August 3, 2017
Sustained
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work." -John 4.34
The disciples return, the woman leaves. The woman goes to tell people about Jesus, and the disciples try to feed Jesus the food they have bought. Jesus then tells them that His food is to do the will of God. I can imagine that the disciples got a little frustrated at this point. Their in Samaria, a place that as Jews, they don't want to be. Who knows what they went through to buy food from a Samaritan market, because Jews and Samaritans didn't get along. Now Jesus isn't going to eat what they brought, and instead tells them that His food is in obedience to the Father.
Jesus is not saying that He didn't need to eat, but that His sustenance is found in accomplishing the work of God. He is sustained through the hardships and difficulties because He is focused on the mission. The reason Jesus went through Samaria, sat at a well in the heat, and talked to a Samaritan woman, was because it was part of God's work. The reason that Jesus would touch lepers, dine with tax collectors, and the cross, was because it was part of the mission.
Life is full of hardships. Every mission faces challenges. It is easy to give up and just scrap everything, but then the mission fails. The driving force, the thing that sustains us, must be the fulfillment of the mission. For Christ, obedience to God was the thing that drove Him on; it sustained Him as food would. Christ had work to do from God, and that kept Him going, kept Him focused. And because of this, the mission was accomplished.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
The disciples return, the woman leaves. The woman goes to tell people about Jesus, and the disciples try to feed Jesus the food they have bought. Jesus then tells them that His food is to do the will of God. I can imagine that the disciples got a little frustrated at this point. Their in Samaria, a place that as Jews, they don't want to be. Who knows what they went through to buy food from a Samaritan market, because Jews and Samaritans didn't get along. Now Jesus isn't going to eat what they brought, and instead tells them that His food is in obedience to the Father.
Jesus is not saying that He didn't need to eat, but that His sustenance is found in accomplishing the work of God. He is sustained through the hardships and difficulties because He is focused on the mission. The reason Jesus went through Samaria, sat at a well in the heat, and talked to a Samaritan woman, was because it was part of God's work. The reason that Jesus would touch lepers, dine with tax collectors, and the cross, was because it was part of the mission.
Life is full of hardships. Every mission faces challenges. It is easy to give up and just scrap everything, but then the mission fails. The driving force, the thing that sustains us, must be the fulfillment of the mission. For Christ, obedience to God was the thing that drove Him on; it sustained Him as food would. Christ had work to do from God, and that kept Him going, kept Him focused. And because of this, the mission was accomplished.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Not Rejected but Revealed
The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” -John 4.25-26
Jesus continues to talk to the Samaritan woman, responding to her statements with truth. She then reveals that she knows the Messiah is coming, and then when He arrives, the truth will be revealed to them. Jesus then announces that the Messiah has come, and is speaking to her now, revealing the truth to her.
From what I can find, I believe this is the first time Jesus identifies Himself as the Messiah. In John 2, the Bible says twice that Jesus did not reveal Himself. At the wedding in Cana in verse 4 He says, "My hour has not yet come" and verses 24-25, "But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man." Twice He had the opportunity to declare Himself to the Jews, twice, before making any waves, He could have revealed Himself and gained a following. But He doesn't, because the following He would have gained would not have supported what He was here to do.
The first person to hear from the mouth of Jesus that He is the Messiah, was an outcast, Samaritan woman, who had five husbands and was living with a man she was not married to. Why her? Because she pursued eternal life. She talked to Jesus, sought answers, and Jesus did not disappoint her. Those who seek eternal life, those who own their sin, those who speak to Jesus, will see and hear from God.
Jesus had every reason not to talk to to this woman. As a man, she was a woman, and in Middle Eastern culture this doesn't happen. As a Jew, she was a Samaritan, and Jews don't associate with Samaritans. As God, she was a sinner, worthy of condemnation. None of that mattered to Jesus then, and none of it matters to Him now. Regardless of status, race, or past, those who seek God will find Him.
God does not reject those who seek Him, He reveals Himself.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Jesus continues to talk to the Samaritan woman, responding to her statements with truth. She then reveals that she knows the Messiah is coming, and then when He arrives, the truth will be revealed to them. Jesus then announces that the Messiah has come, and is speaking to her now, revealing the truth to her.
From what I can find, I believe this is the first time Jesus identifies Himself as the Messiah. In John 2, the Bible says twice that Jesus did not reveal Himself. At the wedding in Cana in verse 4 He says, "My hour has not yet come" and verses 24-25, "But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man." Twice He had the opportunity to declare Himself to the Jews, twice, before making any waves, He could have revealed Himself and gained a following. But He doesn't, because the following He would have gained would not have supported what He was here to do.
The first person to hear from the mouth of Jesus that He is the Messiah, was an outcast, Samaritan woman, who had five husbands and was living with a man she was not married to. Why her? Because she pursued eternal life. She talked to Jesus, sought answers, and Jesus did not disappoint her. Those who seek eternal life, those who own their sin, those who speak to Jesus, will see and hear from God.
Jesus had every reason not to talk to to this woman. As a man, she was a woman, and in Middle Eastern culture this doesn't happen. As a Jew, she was a Samaritan, and Jews don't associate with Samaritans. As God, she was a sinner, worthy of condemnation. None of that mattered to Jesus then, and none of it matters to Him now. Regardless of status, race, or past, those who seek God will find Him.
God does not reject those who seek Him, He reveals Himself.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
Gentle Confrontation
The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw.” He said to her, “Go, call your husband and come here.” The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have correctly said, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly.” -John 4.15-18
Jesus offers a Samaritan woman living water, and her response is "give it to me". Jesus, who is addressing her deeper need of healing and transformation begins His work. He offers eternal life to everyone, but there is work that must be done before this gift can be bestowed. Jesus knows her story. He knows why she is at the well in the heat of the day. He knows why she is alone. When she asks for living water, He gently addresses her sin. He tells her to bring her husband, to which she admits she has no husband. Jesus tells her she is correct, and then shows her relationship history. And though He reveals her sinful past, he doesn't do it in a way that is condemning, nor does He rescind the offer of living water.
Jesus does not condemn her for her past, if He did, He would have told her that she was unfit to ever receive new life. He also does not condone her sinful lifestyle, if He did, He wouldn't have addressed it. Jesus offers life to all, regardless of the past, but He does not allow the past to go unaddressed. Jesus gently breeches the subject of sin, allowing the woman to confess. When she does, He is able to deal with it, call her to God's quality of life, and offer her living water.
People are not to be condemned or condoned for their choices by us, that is God's job. We are to take the Jesus approach. We must show the love of God, knowing that no one is beyond His grace, and point people lovingly to living water. That is how God reached all who believe and have been transformed. It is how He reached a sinful woman at the well, and how He reaches sinners today. Let us be like Jesus.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Jesus offers a Samaritan woman living water, and her response is "give it to me". Jesus, who is addressing her deeper need of healing and transformation begins His work. He offers eternal life to everyone, but there is work that must be done before this gift can be bestowed. Jesus knows her story. He knows why she is at the well in the heat of the day. He knows why she is alone. When she asks for living water, He gently addresses her sin. He tells her to bring her husband, to which she admits she has no husband. Jesus tells her she is correct, and then shows her relationship history. And though He reveals her sinful past, he doesn't do it in a way that is condemning, nor does He rescind the offer of living water.
Jesus does not condemn her for her past, if He did, He would have told her that she was unfit to ever receive new life. He also does not condone her sinful lifestyle, if He did, He wouldn't have addressed it. Jesus offers life to all, regardless of the past, but He does not allow the past to go unaddressed. Jesus gently breeches the subject of sin, allowing the woman to confess. When she does, He is able to deal with it, call her to God's quality of life, and offer her living water.
People are not to be condemned or condoned for their choices by us, that is God's job. We are to take the Jesus approach. We must show the love of God, knowing that no one is beyond His grace, and point people lovingly to living water. That is how God reached all who believe and have been transformed. It is how He reached a sinful woman at the well, and how He reaches sinners today. Let us be like Jesus.
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
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