John 8:12-20 – Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” 13 So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not true.” 14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I am testifying about Myself, My testimony is true, because I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone. 16 But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me. 17 Even in your Law it has been written that the testimony of two people is true. 18 I am He who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me.” 19 So they were saying to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.” 20 These words He spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple area; and no one arrested Him, because His hour had not yet come.
“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”” King David said of the Lord God “For you are my lamp, LORD; and the LORD illuminates my darkness.” (2 Samuel 22:29) Jesus, the long sought after Messiah came into the world. The Apostle John, in his prologue to this Gospel, says of Jesus “In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind.” (John 1:4) Psalm 119:105 says of the Lord “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” God the Father sent Jesus His Son to be the light, the Word of God to lights up the path and directs us back to the Father. It is Jesus who is the salvation who makes a way back to the Father. It is He that showed us, by His own being, who God was. Jesus said to see Him is to see God because He and the Father are one. It the will and pleasure of the Father that we should return to Him as long lost reprobates and prodigals. (Luke 15:11-32) Jesus came to proclaim God’s truth to mankind. To see who was Jesus was to see who the Father was. Jesus was to later say that those who have seen Him have seen the Father. (John 12:45) The world, since the fall, is a dark place and we do not see it as it is. It is not until a dark room has light fill it that one can see his surroundings as they are. Jesus lit up the dark places so that everyone can see God the Father. (John 14:9) Jesus is the light that leads all who would come to the Father.
“So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not true.” 14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I am testifying about Myself, My testimony is true, because I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.” The Pharisees, in general, couldn’t jump from swamp to faith. They always thought with their minds and believed man-made traditions. They didn’t know how to think spiritually. The first and most important thing to understand was that belief and obedience to Jesus was essential. But that came at the loss of control of their life and submitting to and obeying Jesus, which they were unwilling to do. The scriptures, over and over again, tell how the things of God are only understood as God reveals them. Now, in our times, the Word of God is truly revealed by the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:10-14, John 14:26, 16:13, 15:26) We yield to God and ask for understanding from Him that is a request that pleased God and He blesses. (James 1:5)
I wonder how many people in our world could say where Jesus truly came from and where He went to. Do they know where He is? But by the Spirit, we know.
They celebrated the Festival of Booths which was a time God led them as a pillar of fire. (Exodus 13:21-22) He was their light. This same Shekina glory later filled their temple (2 Chronicles 7:1)
“You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone. 16 But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me.” The Pharisees accused Him of giving false testimony of Himself because they did not believe that He and the Father are one. If they had believed Jesus, then they would have understood, but because they did not believe Him, that means they also did not believe the Father, who testified of Jesus coming. All the things Jesus spoke of, including Himself, were words from the Father. So the words that they heard from Jesus were the Father’s words and Jesus’ words. Because of their hard hearts they couldn’t understand.
“Even in your Law it has been written that the testimony of two people is true. 18 I am He who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me.” Jesus said it clearly to them now. Jesus told them that His Father also testifies about Him. So Jesus has two witnesses, both Jesus and the Father, which satisfies their requirement for two witnesses. The scriptures and the Father and Jesus testify of Jesus. A purposely blocked mind does not understand.
“So they were saying to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.” The Pharisees and hard headed people from then to now claim they know God but they do not. They reject God’s word in whole or part and then say they know God while rejecting His Word and so thereby are calling Him a liar, or denying His omniscience. Those who reject His words, His Son and His Spirit reject God and those who reject God don’t know Him. Jesus said if someone sees Him one has seen the Father, because they are one. So you cannot see and know Jesus without also seeing the Father. All believers should understand this.
“These words He spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple area; and no one arrested Him, because His hour had not yet come.” This scene had played out during the Festival of Booths and it is good to remember that as we read these verses. This festival celebrating God taking care of them as He freed them from the slavery in Egypt. When they were in the desert God led them a pillar of smoke during the day and a bright burning fire during the night. (Exodus 13:21-22) They didn’t need candles because He lit up their camp. Later their temple was filled with the presence of God and so, as in the desert, the Lord their God was with them leading them. (2 Chronicles 7:1) Then because of their sin the glory of the Lord left their temple. They light of God that once filled their temple had departed. (Ezekiel 10:18) Now Jesus came and stood in the temple and the Light of God had returned. Yet the rulers had become blind and could not see the return of the Light. But some did. The symbolism of Jesus the Light that had led them safely through the desert was back, but because of the hardness of the heart, they didn’t receive Him back. So sad, so very sad. May our hearts be pliable, are ears listening and our eyes open to see the movements of God in the world. Let our lamps be ready. (Matthew 25:1-13) May we be found loving the Lord when He returns. (Revelation 3:5) He is faithful and will reward those who remain faithful to Him. (Revelation 22:12) Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will Hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 – The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
by Bob withPsalm 18:1-3 – “I love You, Lord, my strength.” 2 The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my Savior, My God, my Rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the Horn of my salvation, my Stronghold. 3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. The Lord is my strength in times of trouble and times of rest. As the mighty fire encircles me, as the beasts are about seize me, He is my strength. I will not fear. He has guarded me and let me walk in His peace in times without threats and in times without threats. Is He not the same God at both times? He is no less my guardian when fearful things surround me than when I am surrounded by love. Who shall I fear? What shall I fear? The Lord is my strength I will not fear and I will not worry. I accept the good with the bad. I have not mourned the blessings God has given me and neither shall I lament the trials and tribulations that come upon me. He is beyond reproach, beyond doubt and beyond criticism. I will not doubt Him and I will not disrespect Him. He is my God and has proven Himself to me. He is my strength, my everything. He is my Lord, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 18:6 – In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried to my God for help; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry for help before Him came into His ears. When the shout of trouble fills my ears and stands close enough to smell its foul breath, I will not fear because closer and louder is the sure love of my God. Because He loves me He hears me and protects me. He is my strength, my everything. He is my Lord, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 18:7 – Then the earth shook and quaked; And the foundations of the mountains were trembling And were shaken, because He was angry. Fierce is the Lord in the protection of those who love Him. Knowing that, there is nothing that can befall me that I will not see in it the love of God. It is not the circumstances I look for evidence of Him, but I look to what He has shown me in His Word and by His Spirit. In all circumstances I see the love of the Lord. He is my strength, my everything. He is my Lord, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 18:16-17 – He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. 17 He saved me from my strong enemy, And from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. From every evil He is able to save me. From every confusion, from any fear, and from all foes it is He that is with me always. He is the Mighty One. With His hand He protects me as He blows away enemies with His breath. He is my strength, my everything. Mighty and able is our God.
Psalm 18:20 – The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness; According to the cleanness of my hands He has repaid me. The Lord has given me His righteousness in trade for my unrighteousness. He has taken my righteousness upon Himself and declared me free. So the beauty that belongs to His Son is upon me and therefore His love rests endlessly upon me. He is my strength, my everything. He is the Lord my God my Savior.
Psalm 18:46 – The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock; And exalted be the God of my salvation. He is the Ancient of days, who has ruled, does rule and will always rule. He is the unmovable Rock who stops the evil winds from reaching me. The side of my Rock that faces out faces the lashing, the cold, and the fire. The side that I reside in is calm, peaceful and does not hear the noise from the world. He is my strength, my everything. He stands before me and protects me at all times.
Psalm 18:49 – Therefore I will give thanks to You among the nations, Lord, And I will sing praises to Your name. Proudly will I share the Gospel of my Savior and Lord! With great humility I will sing His praises before all. Never will He be an offense to me but always the one thing about me that brings satisfaction, joy and peace. Whom or what will I fear? Who or what can take His place? The answer to both question is none and nothing. He is my strength, my everything. “The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my Savior, My God, my Rock, in whom I take refuge.” And all my days I will thank and praise Him. Glory to God! Praise Him!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will Hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 – The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
by Bob withJohn 8:1-11 – But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 And early in the morning He came again into the temple area, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began teaching them. 3 Now the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in the act of adultery, and after placing her in the center of the courtyard, 4 they *said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the very act of committing adultery. 5 Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” 6 Now they were saying this to test Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. 7 When they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Now when they heard this, they began leaving, one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman where she was, in the center of the courtyard. 10 And straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on do not sin any longer.”
“But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.” He went to pray and be with the Father. Everyone else, at the end of John 7 went to their homes. Jesus went to the Mount of Olives, to prepare to go home to be with the Father and also, as He prayed with the Father, He was home.
“And early in the morning He came again into the temple area, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began teaching them.” Jesus was always ministering either to the masses, to the individuals and to His disciples. All who do the work of the Lord know the blessing of it, but also the exhaustion that can come. How did Jesus do it nonstop? Well, He was God and He was full of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes the Spirit and sometimes the angels ministered to Him. (Matthew 4:11, Mark 1:13, Luke 4:1, 14) Always the Holy Spirit ministers to us and the Lord uses angels also.
The Lord loved the people and so He loved teaching them. When you love what you do…
“Now the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in the act of adultery, and after placing her in the center of the courtyard, 4 they *said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the very act of committing adultery. 5 Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” Of course if these scribes and Pharisees had really been after enforcing the The Law (Deuteronomy 22:23-27, Leviticus 20:10) they would have brought both the adulterer and the adulteress to answer to The Law. But they only brought the woman, which betrayed their motives as V6 reveals. In fact, were they not, as the leaders of the Jews, in this way themselves sinning? The guilty condemning the guilty.
Acting righteous, but only being self-righteous, they quoted The Law to Jesus. If only they knew how clearly they revealed their own guilt and how they did not know The Law as well as they thought. Being taught by the Spirit trumps being taught by men who themselves have the insight of men but not of God.
“Now they were saying this to test Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground.” The Apostle John here reveals the true motive of those who were questioning Jesus. It was not for the sake of righteousness as they would falsely claim, but to put Jesus in trouble and in the wrong light to the people and to cause Him run afoul of Romans as in Mark 12:13-17. They wanted to have grounds to accuse Him. They did not learn their lesson then and repeated their error of trying to fool Him. The first pastor I learned under had often said that God is not like the current education system. He won’t pass you to the next grade if you don’t pass the one you’re in. These, because of their pride and hard hearts, did not pass and so never advanced.
Most, if not all of us have wondered what Jesus wrote on the ground. There are some fine suggestions what He may have wrote. Yet we should remember that if God doesn’t tell us, it means He thinks we didn’t need to know. Trust God about such things.
Jesus did not respond to them. The King James Version states that He stooped down and wrote on the ground “as though he heard them not.” Likely, He responded to them both by His refusal to “play their game” and by what He wrote on the ground.
“When they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her. 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Now when they heard this, they began leaving, one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman where she was, in the center of the courtyard.” Can you imagine how these hypocrites hushed their tirade when Jesus sudden straightened up and began to speak to them? Was Jesus going to issue a judgement against the woman? Would He side with The Law or with Roman law? Then He simply said that the one who is without sin could be the first to throw the first stone. One pastor suggests that Jesus was writing the names of those in the crowd and next to their name the woman they had committed adultery with in act or in thought. Maybe, but we don’t know. But certainly the words of the Lord stuck into their conscience and they all left. Guess they still didn’t fool Jesus as they hoped.
“And straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on do not sin any longer.” And here is where the hero of all who know we are nothing more than saved sinners wins us over once again. Jesus had not contested them The Law, or the place of Roman law, or whether mercy rules over judgement. Instead He offered to the woman what He offered to her accusers, love, mercy and a chance to repent and change. He did not accuse her and scold her, He loved her and set her free to do His will and follow Him. 1 Corinthians 13:7 states that love always hopes. I like to think that woman appreciated that Jesus saved her life there and she submitted to His Lordship so that He would also save her eternal life. I hope she did and I hope that some of the accusers did to. I hope so. Love compels me to. Glory to God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will Hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 – The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
by Bob withJohn 7:40-53 – Some of the people therefore, after they heard these words, were saying, “This truly is the Prophet.” 41 Others were saying, “This is the Christ.” But others were saying, “Surely the Christ is not coming from Galilee, is He? 42 Has the Scripture not said that the Christ comes from the descendants of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43 So a dissension occurred in the crowd because of Him. 44 And some of them wanted to arrest Him, but no one laid hands on Him. 45 The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, “Why did you not bring Him?” 46 The officers answered, “Never has a man spoken in this way!” 47 The Pharisees then replied to them, “You have not been led astray too, have you? 48 Not one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he? 49 But this crowd that does not know the Law is accursed!” 50 Nicodemus (the one who came to Him before, being one of them) *said to them, 51 “Our Law does not judge the person unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?” 52 They answered and said to him, “You are not from Galilee as well, are you? Examine the Scriptures, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee.” 53 And everyone went to his home.
“Some of the people therefore, after they heard these words, were saying, “This truly is the Prophet.” 41 Others were saying, “This is the Christ.” But others were saying, “Surely the Christ is not coming from Galilee, is He? 42 Has the Scripture not said that the Christ comes from the descendants of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” 43 So a dissension occurred in the crowd because of Him.” After listening to Jesus and seeing the miracles He had performed some of the people thought that He was the prophet that Moses had told them would come after him. (Deuteronomy 18:15) Others thought that He was the Christ. So there was a group who believed what Jesus said. Not that they necessarily were His disciples, but at least they were moved by the Lord and curious to know more. Unlike others among them.
Some were saying this is not the Christ because Jesus came from Galilee and the Messiah would not come from Galilee. Isn’t it like those in authority to express their opinions, or what they have heard, as fact when actually they don’t know the facts? Error they have been learned and so they teach what they have learned but what is, in fact, incorrect. The Jews from Jerusalem, being self-righteous, believed that the Messiah would, like them, come from the Judean area. They thought their area was where scholars and priests came from and so must the Messiah. Yet they were wrong in various ways. They thought, but were wrong in thinking Nazareth was where Jesus was born, which would make Him a Galilean. Actually Jesus was born among them in Bethlehem,in Judea. (Matthew 2:1-6) So, by their reasoning, the birthplace of Jesus did not deny that He was Messiah, but by their reasoning, should have caused His birthplace to give weight to the fact that Jesus was the Messiah. And the belief of where their Messiah would be born was wrong by their own Scripture. (Micah 5:2) He was raised in Nazareth in Galilee, but He was born in Bethlehem just south of Jerusalem. Isn’t it odd those who are not confident of their situation, or are lying, can so confidently assert their situation and spread deadly lies?
Beware the person who says believe me because of my school or lineage. Instead, believe the one who can prove their beliefs by the Word.
“And some of them wanted to arrest Him, but no one laid hands on Him.” In John 7:30 we also see that the authorities sought to arrest Jesus, but they could not, because it was not in the Father’s timing. See also John 8:20.
“The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, “Why did you not bring Him? 46 The officers answered, “Never has a man spoken in this way!” 47 The Pharisees then replied to them, “You have not been led astray too, have you? 48 Not one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he? ”” These officers, sent out to arrest Jesus, were employed by the chief priests and Pharisees. But once they listened to Jesus, and heard from the “people of the land” what signs Jesus had performed, they just could not arrest Him. Though they may not have ever become disciples of Jesus, they listened with open ears and were at least moved enough, and intuitive enough, to not rise up and arrest Him even if the leaders of their government told them to. In our day we need such people who will not do evil even if ordered to by their superiors. 2 Chronicles 16:9a “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” In our day, though many say they are committed to the Lord, is the gate still narrow? The authorities forced themselves to hell and dragged as many as they could with them. (Matthew 23:15) The authorities would not believe and forbade others to believe and be saved. Misery loves company but in hell, no company will be able to help. But those who lead others to Jesus shall eternally enjoy the bliss of the eternal company of our Savior and Lord Jesus.
“But this crowd that does not know the Law is accursed!” Again the authorities say to believe in them because of their scholarship and authority. Those who don’t listen to them, the authorities say, must be under a curse from God. Well, isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?
“Nicodemus (the one who came to Him before, being one of them) *said to them, 51 “Our Law does not judge the person unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?” The Pharisees had just said that none of them believed in Jesus and now, here is Nicodemus, though softly, speaking up for Jesus. He reminded them that a man cannot be condemned without first a trial in which He can call witnesses and speak in His own defense. He is reminding them who are condemning Jesus that in fact they are the law breakers by what they plan to do to Jesus. Hypocrisy is a sin with deadly potential.
“They answered and said to him, “You are not from Galilee as well, are you? Examine the Scriptures, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee.” The one man amongst them who honestly sought Jesus out to hear him, they immediately turned against him because he dared to not believe what his own were saying. Perhaps they were truly no longer his own? Be careful of those who demand you follow without thinking. The Apostle Paul praised the Bereans for searching out the truth in the scriptures. (Acts 17:11) Don’t trust anyone who will not allow you to consider a matter.
“And everyone went to his home.” Everyone went to their homes. Where did Jesus go to? He was readying Himself to go to His home, with His Father. Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will Hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 – The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
by Bob withLuke 11:2a “And He said to them, “When you pray, say:”
We are told in the Bible to pray. Jesus set the example and prayed to the Father continuously. (Luke 3:21, Matthew 14:23, Mark 6:46, Luke 6:12, Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16, Matthew 26:39, Matthew 14:19, Luke 22:32) He is our example.
Who do we pray to? Of course we should only be praying to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is the only and the one true God. But what is it to pray to God? We know it is a good thing which the Word calls us to do, (1 Thessalonians 5:17) but what makes it special to you? Why does God want us to pray? Of course we treasure that we can bring our prayers to the one who is able to answer them all. Certainly the Lord loves that we should rely upon Him. Prayer is a good thing. But what is best about prayer? Why is it such a vital blessing?
Reading and studying the Word is a special blessing. Pondering it and memorizing it stores blessings within that God will use to bless our lives, gives us confidence in God and a sure hope for tomorrow. The Lord draws us to Him through His Word. However reading and memorizing the Bible means nothing if Jesus is not loved and obeyed. To read the Word of God with the Holy Spirit within is the key and the beauty. Asking the Spirit to reveal the meaning within is the key. Of course, Knowing Jesus as one’s Savior and Lord is what must precede the receiving of the Holy Spirit within. To really understand the Word one must be taught by the Spirit.
Studying without the Spirit is not more profitable than a hater of Christ who studies the Word (in vain) with the motivation of profaning the faith.
When a person arrives atop a beautiful place to watch the sunrise, or the sunset, and has a wonderful time with the Lord, some mistakenly think that the blessings was the place rather than God Himself. We can return to the place thinking it blesses us when the blessings come instead from God. The presence of God comes not from any place, but from God Himself. The place may motivate us to be alone with God, but God alone gives His blessings. (James 1:17)
So the reading of the Word, without the Spirit of God revealing it, is fruitless. We must read and study the Word of God to know God. But we must do it with the Spirit of God in gratitude to Him. When we pray, it is not the act of praying that is most important. A godless man can pray to the universe that has no power to answer. The beauty of praying, of talking with God, is fellowshipping with Him. The honor of praying to Him is to be in His presence. The goal is to know the Lord God in a personal and relational way. That is what gives us a sure knowledge that He is and also who He is. To be able to say “God is my personal friend” (by the grace of God through Jesus) is the purpose and meaning of prayer. It is not a work to check off so we feel like we did a good deed. The goal is to be in fellowship with God. To hear Him, to obey Him, to cherish Him. That is the prize of prayer. The act profits as it brings us to His presence. So let us pray continuously as we seek and find His presence. After all Jesus assumed that all who belong to Him would pray. (Matthew 6:5-7, Luke 11:2) Then we can confidently assert, to all who ask, that yes, we do personally and truly know God. Now that is the greatest blessing. Praise the Lord!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will Hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 – The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
by Bob withHebrews 10:23 – Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;
Hebrews 3:14 – For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end.
Most, if not all of us, have been told at sometime, or several times, to “hold on” or “hang in there.” When I was a teenager I remember I was gifted a poster with a kitten hanging on by its fingernails with the caption “Just hang in there.” I thought why would someone give me this. I thought that it was an insult because I thought I was strong. At that time I didn’t even like cats. Later on, during hard times, it became very valuable to me.
After coming to know Jesus as my Savior and Lord, God, through the Holy Spirit, and the Word, kept me hanging on. I knew I would never let go of the Lord because I knew, beyond all doubt, that He would never let go of me. (John 10:28, John 5:5-8) After all these years I have never let go of the Lord. Sometimes I would hang on to the Lord’s coattails, other times I would hang on to a thread of His coattails, but I hung on with everything I could. Sometimes it seemed such a struggle. Then I learned, that though I knew I was saved by faith, that I need not battle with my strength to continue on. My strength would not do, it could not do. I had to be saved and kept by His strength. Suddenly grasping and holding on to Him was easy. Easy because I knew that even if my grasp should fail, His would not. We love Him who first loved us. (1 John 4:19) We cling to Him who first grasped us. God is good all the time and He loves us. Everyone, please, hang in there!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will Hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 – The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
by Bob withJohn 7:32-39 – The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering these things about Him, and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to arrest Him. 33 Therefore Jesus said, “For a little while longer I am going to be with you, and then I am going to Him who sent Me. 34 You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.” 35 The Jews then said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find Him? He does not intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks, does He? 36 What is this statement that He said, ‘You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come’?” 37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 But this He said in reference to the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
“The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering these things about Him, and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to arrest Him.” The Jewish authorities had known Jesus was gaining in followers. They had warned against following Him, against believing His claims. But more and more people came to belief in Him. Now, at the Festival of Booths even more were coming to Him and believing, and sharing in whispered tones lest the Jewish authorities arrest and ex-communicate Him. The authorities sent officers to arrest Him. It is not that they were concerned for the people, but for their own power. But what of the police, how will they respond.
In the midst of a war, if a soldier was ordered to fire upon orphans huddled in a corner, we would condemn not only his commanding officer, but also the soldier for doing something so morally depraved, even under orders. There are very few reasons a soldier should disobey his commanding officer, but certainly something like this would be a time to do so. To save innocent lives should cause every person in uniform to resist an evil authority. A righteous person should resist evil commands. That is the soldier’s command from the highest authority, from God Himself, because most importantly all people ultimately answer to God. And not only should soldiers respond to God rather than man, but every soul that ever lived also should. What if, in all history, every person who was commanded to do evil resisted the command or law? How would our history be different? Go back through history. What if when an evil command was roared with a threat it had always been rebuffed by a righteous return roar of refusal? We would have a different world.
“Therefore Jesus said, “For a little while longer I am going to be with you, and then I am going to Him who sent Me. 34 You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.” We, with the promised Holy Spirit within, clearly understand what Jesus was talking about. We see what those who do not have the Holy Spirit cannot see. We understand the meaning of what the unendowed cannot. They could not see or find him because they seek him from their own resolve and strength. We see Him and find Him because we seek not using our resolve and strength but because we lean entirely on Him to guide and teach us.
“35 The Jews then said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find Him? He does not intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks, does He? 36 What is this statement that He said, ‘You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come’?” Again, man cannot know the things of God unless received from Him. They wondered if Jesus would go out into the places that the Jews fled to during the dispersion and teach to the Jews and the Greeks (non-Jews) there. No, Jesus Himself would not but His disciples would, under the power of the Spirit, and they change the future of the world. These authorities sought to understand the spiritual from a worldly position. It will not happen.
“37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 But this He said in reference to the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” During the Feast of Booths there was ritual that had been performed for at least a couple of hundred years in which water from the Pools of Siloam would be poured out to signify the coming of the Messiah and His Spirit. This was done the first seven days of the festival. On the eighth day, the final day, it was not done. It was to show that this day of the pouring out of the Spirit had not come. The day they longed for had not yet come. So it is sad that they did not understand the significance of Jesus giving them this proclamation on this day. It was yet another informing of them that their Messiah had come and Jesus was He. The words are clear for those with eyes to see and those with the eyes to see, ears to understand, and mind to receive are those who have the heart to believe the words of Jesus. From Jesus flows living water because only He is the way ordained by God to Jesus. (John 14:6)
Then, at that time, the Spirit was not yet poured out to them because that would only happen after Jesus had died and risen. But for us, Jesus has risen. We can know. We can drink water that gives eternal life. We can eat the flesh and drink the blood of Jesus. We can take up the cross that all believers are called to do, that all must do. We can know and love Him who first knew and loved us. What a glorious advantage the Gospel is. Family and Friends, let’s be sure we all know the one true Gospel and that we cling to it as if our lives depend upon it, because they do. Thank you Jesus! Thank you God! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will Hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 – The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
by Bob withJob 2:9-10 – Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold firm your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 But he said to her, “You are speaking as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we actually accept good from God but not accept adversity?” Despite all this, Job did not sin with his lips.
Job was man who lived thousands of years ago. The scriptures tell how he was a man who loves, knew and trusted the Lord. It was his life’s goal to please God and He was diligent to pursue that goal. He not only was consumed by honoring God with His obedience to the Lord, but He offered prayers and sacrifices to Him for His children, just in case they should sin. But there came a day, unbeknownst to him, that in order to prove that a man could love and serve God for unselfish reasons, the Lord allowed the enemy to greatly torment Job. The Lord was confident that Job would stand strong. So in one day Job was robbed of all of his possessions (He had great wealth). His possessions were stolen or destroyed. That included all of his property, his servants and all of His children. Incredibly, though Job was stricken with sadness, immediately after receiving the news Job said “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21) Job’s faith, though he was greatly grieved, did not waiver. (Job 1:22)
Since the devil had tried to steal Job’s faith through this great loss and he had failed to do so, he had one more trick up his sleeve. He said that if allowed, he would take Job’s health from him. The devil said that having done all that to Job then it would cause Job to hate God and curse Him to His face. So Job’s health was taken from him and left him with open wounds from the top of his head to the soles of his feet. Job, since he had no possessions left, sat on the side of the road scratching his wounds with broken pottery. Now let’s remember that all that Job suffered through His wife also miserably suffered through. As she watched the horrific condition of Job and how he still loved God and was faithful to Him, she lost her temper and said to Job “Do you still hold firm your integrity? Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9) Wow, imagine being beaten down and at the worst place of your life and having only your spouse to comfort you, who then says to you “You’re a fool for continuing in your faith after all this. You miserable wretch, curse God and die.” Wow! So how did Job respond now? He told his wife that the God we accept good from, if we truly know, love and trust Him, should also be the God that we accept adversity from Him? (Job 2:10)
Family and friends, when life is easy and good, people see us praise the Lord. So if we have testified about the goodness of God and praised Him during the good times, then shouldn’t we continue in trusting and praising him during the bad times? After all, God has not changed, He remains the same. (James 1:17, Hebrews 13:8) If we truly know, love and praise Him, thereby making ourselves servants of God before the world, shouldn’t we also continue to praise Him in adverse times. If not we cheapen our testimony and even worse, we bring disgrace to His name. (Hebrews 10:29) People will mock Him saying that some will love Him during good times but not in the bad times so why should anyone serve Him, which is what the devil said would happen should Job’s blessings be removed. It is an evil thing to disgrace the name of the Lord. That is acceptable to none who love Him. Praise God in the easy and in the hard times. Always praise God!
When deep adversity ravaged Job verse 1:22 states “Despite all this, Job did not sin, nor did he blame God.” What about us? When adversity ravages us, will we not sin by accusing and blaming God? Will our faith in Him descend into sin by not continuing to trust in Him (Romans 14:23). Or will we like Job stand strong and be praised by God for doing so. Let’s set our goals high and our conscience will be free. (1 Peter 2:20) Let us study God through close fellowship with Him and let Him reveal Himself to us so that we shall not become weak, stumble and fall, but instead will be steadfast and true to Him, who is rock solid and true to us. (Matthew 7:24-25) Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will Hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 – The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
by Bob withPhilippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus
Never, never, never,
Never ever,
Has God left me alone,
Or unprotected.
No, not ever,
Never ever.
He has been with me always,
When I was stupid,
He was wise
And loving,
Then, and again, and now.
He has never left me alone.
Always His love called to me,
When I was deaf He stood before me,
And mouthed His words.
When I was blind He made,
My heart and mind see.
When I couldn’t feel,
He touched and healed me.
Never, never, never,
Never ever,
Has God left me alone,
Or unprotected.
When the enemy of my soul,
Lied and told me “It’s not worth it!”
The Lord God,
This massive omnipotent God,
Put His gargantuan arm,
Tenderly around my shoulder.
And told me “Don’t believe Him”
“Believe me,
You’ll see,
It will all be worth it.
And in greater and
More numerous ways,
Than you can imagine”
Never, never, never,
Never ever,
Has God left me alone,
Or unprotected.
No, not ever,
Never ever.
So often He talked
Me off the ledge.
So often He hugged me till I dropped
The knife.
He sang peace into,
My heart and soul,
When I could not find it,
On my own.
Because I never could,
I never did,
And still can’t,
Find true,
Through and through,
Peace on my own.
So He has whispered to me,
“It’s okay, take some of mine.
You’ll be alright,
I promise.
Never, never, never,
Never ever,
Will I leave you alone,
Or unprotected.
No, not ever,
Never ever
Always I have been,
And always will be,
With you.
Always.
Forever.
And so I live.
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will Hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 – The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
by Bob withPsalm 34:18 “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Have you ever heard a despondent person say that they hate themselves? Some will say that they hate themselves because they are ugly, or untalented, or because they always do the wrong thing or are always failing. Now, isn’t that a silly thing to say that one hates oneself because everything seems to be going wrong. It is a confusing lie from our enemy. Family and Friends, if one really hates oneself, one would be happy when everything is going wrong and sad when good things are happening to them. Someone who hates you wants bad things to happen to you and are pleased when they do. If you hate yourself then you would be happy when bad things happen to you and would even likely look to place yourself in harm’s way, for hates sake. We would not cry over our hurt and harm but rejoice in it. No the problem is not that we hate ourselves, but that we love ourselves too much and love each other too little.
If we hated ourselves why would the Lord tell us to love others as we love ourselves? (Matthew 22:39) He has told us to love each other (John 13:34-35; 15:12) and taught us not to hate each other. (1 John 4:20, 1 John 3:15). We are encouraged to show our loving to others more by bearing each other’s burdens. (Galatians 5:2). So our problem is not hating ourselves, but loving ourselves too much. We want control of our lives, we are the only one we trust with our lives. We trust ourselves more than we trust God. What does that say about us? Yes, we love ourselves, and usually, too much.
Let us be tender and encouraging to each other (Ephesians 4:32), but don’t be quick to believe that they actually hate themselves. Lead such a person to Jesus. Remind them of eternal truth that they already know, but have lost sight of. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! …” (1 John 3:1) Encourage each other to encourage each other. (Hebrews 10:24) Let us not acquiesce to be unwise and believe lies, but to hold onto the truth. Hold to the truth and allow the love of God to bring healing to the despondent. In doing that we please the Father. Share Jesus out of love. He is always the answer. Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will Hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 – The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
by Bob with