John 1:43-51 – The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” 48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” 50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”
Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” I would imagine that every Pastor would like to have people in His congregation like Philip. We read that Philip is called by the Lord and immediately he follows Jesus and becomes His disciple and grew into one of the Lord’s twelve Apostles. Philip believed the Lord. This is not a simple belief in how we tend to understand belief. The Lord does not want us to only believe that He is who He is, but He wants us to prove our belief and trust in Him. Recounting the old example of a crowd being amazed as it was watching a tightrope walker push a barrel filled with heavy objects across a highly placed tight robe. The crowd was amazed at his ability. Several times, to the delight of the crowd, he pushed the full wheelbarrow back and forth across the tight rope. Finally he asked the crowd “Now that you’ve seen me push the full wheelbarrow across the tightrope do you believe I could put a person in the wheelbarrow and push that person across the rope?” The crowd yelled out their belief that he could. He then called out to them “Do you really believe?” The crowd shouted out their affirmation. Then he said to them “Wonderful! Now, who will be the first to get into the wheelbarrow?”
Romans 10:9 is often quoted to illustrate that all we need to do to be saved is believe in Jesus. And that is true as the Apostle Paul wrote. But what is the belief that is needed. As with the example of the tightrope walker, there is a belief that requires no commitment and there is belief that requires full commitment. Full commitment is what the Lord requires of us. Jesus wants us to get into His “wheelbarrow.” Complete belief and commitment is what Philip had in Jesus and He showed it by going out and expressing his faith to others. His commitment and his belief were one hundred percent and his actions and joyous words showed it.
Philip’s rock solid belief caused Nathaniel to be curious and excited about the possibility. Even though Nathaniel had his doubts about a Messiah from Nazareth, Philip’s excitement lit the lamp of curiosity for Nathanial. No one catches excitement from someone who lacks it. Consider God and let the fire of your relationship be seen. You share because your heart and mind demand it. Your spirit demands it. People see that, and they want what you have. Then they meet the Lord and having met Him, they are excited because they have met Him and now they now.
Now Philip did not only not have all the facts (being a new believer) and even the facts he had were not right on. Jesus, though raised in Nazareth was not born in Nazareth. The Messiah, as Nathaniel knew, was to be born in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2) Also, Joseph was not His father, God was. So the presented facts were a little fuzzy but Philip knew he had met the Savior and was convinced of it. That excitement about finding and knowing the Lord got Nathaniel curious. After all, Nathaniel also was seeker of God and also hoping to meet the Messiah, the fulfilment of highest hope.
The fire of the love of God in us must burn bright. Jesus did say that love is the highest commandment (Mark 12:30-31) and He also said that we ought to let our lights shine before all people and glorify God. (Matthew 5:14-16). So we see how powerful, eternal and effective the ministries of God are. John the Baptist was faithful and prepared the road to Jesus and that led Andrew to follow Jesus. Andrew believed and acted on it and Peter was saved. Jesus called Philip and he believed and acted on it and Nathaniel was saved. God’s Word is alive, perpetual and eternal and so are the ministries that He blesses. So let God start something eternal in us. Let us be excited about God and be amazed at what He does through us. Philip shared and immediately discovered the excitement in sharing His Jesus. Let us share our Jesus. What a blessing!
John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
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 1:43-51 – The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” 48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” 50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”
“The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” Jesus decided to leave. He had another divine appointment. He did not happen upon Philip, He found him where He knew he would be. It is the same for all of us. We all had an appointment with the Lord God who had preordained it. For our benefit. He knew and loved us before all of creation. (Ephesians 1:4, Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139:16) Jesus located Philip exactly where He knew Philip would be. He knew exactly who Philip was and what he was destined to be. He not only knew what location to find him at, but He knew who and what he would be. The point is, that whatever our spiritual condition is upon the day we encounter the Lord, God knew what it would be. He knew our failures, our heartaches and our physical hurts and He still loved us and called us. And He still does. He knows each morning what regrets and sorrow we will wake with. He calls us, in whatever condition we wake, to follow Him. Remember He loves us and He can fix us. Every day He calls us to follow Him.
Jesus said to Philip “Follow me.” Yes, it was an invite, but it was also a command. “Follow me” so that I may pluck you from the path that leads to hell. “Follow me” because I am on the only way to eternal life. For our sake He calls all of us to also follow Him. Yes He invites us, but He also informs us that we must follow Him or we will perish. No man comes to the Father unless they will submit and follow Jesus. It was an invitation and a command. Some may view it as a threat because the invite and command had no other good option but to obey and follow. To not follow meant the most dire of endings. But yet, we know that God did give the option. Man can and does choose. One unto life and one unto death. (John 3:18) It is an option and only a few of all of mankind will make the right choice.
The Lord also says to us, all of us. “Follow me.” Now whatever doctrines you find dear, know that Jesus says to all of us every morning, Believers and Un-believers, to follow Him afresh every morning. There is no day that we should not commit to follow Him. Every day we have a choice and there is only one correct response. I pray that we all make the right one. Praise God that He is with us to help us. It is what He wants. (2 Peter 3:9) Praise God that He calls to all! Praise God who loves us! Praise God!
John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
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 84:1-4 – How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! 2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. 3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—a place near Your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.
Psalm 51:10 – Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
This morning, today. Every day my precious Lord I need You. I must have You. Lord if I cannot walk in Your presence here on earth, then please bring me home that may always gaze upon you. I have only one high desire and that is to be with You and to please You. Oh Lord, I ache for You. If I am not with You I am utterly alone. As an empty stomach growls for food my soul cries for you. My heart hurts and cries to be always in Your presence. I care not for casual affection with You. If all people are my friend, yet I do not dwell with You, how wretched is my soul. I need you Lord. Oh Lord, like an open mouthed chick am I seeking You. Oh Lord, pour Your Spirit into me. I need You. Yes Lord, I need You.
John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
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 1:35-42 – The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” 37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” 39 “Come,” He replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. 40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).
“The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” Once again John points out that Jesus is the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29). Isaiah 53:2 points out that the Messiah Jesus “had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.” John, who whose ministry was to prepare the people to receive their Messiah, pointed out the Lord. God did not want people to focus on the beauty of His physical features, so Jesus physically just blended into the crowd. Jesus appeared in the form of a regular man and was not born rich to give Him a platform that men give to wealthy people. Yes, Jesus came as a man, but was God in the flesh. It was not physical beauty that we are to focus on but on His spiritual beauty. The important part of His salvation work was spiritual and not physical (though not excluding physical works). Jesus broke the spiritual curse that came upon all men at the fall in the Garden of Eden. The consequences of the fall was twofold. The first was loss of spiritual life and the second was the loss of physical life. After all, even after having received salvation from Jesus our bodies still perish, but it is our spirits that now have eternal life with God.
“When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.” These two of John’s disciples immediately followed Jesus. They were hungry for God and though they loved and valued John, even John admitted that Jesus was so far above him that he was not even fit to untie the sandal of Jesus. (John 1:27) How I relate to this is from a memory when I was new in the Lord. At that time I attended a church that was blessed with the operation of the gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12 and 13). The first day I visited there I witnessed a message in Tongues from God, I immediately after service inquired what it was I had just seen. Once I was properly informed I immediately thought “Well if they can have this gift from God, then so can I.” I wanted everything from God that I could have. In prayer, I pursued the gifts and the Lord generously gave them. John’s two disciples wanted as much of God as they could have so they followed Jesus. I think I get their desire. We know all of God is what He wants to give all of us.
“Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” We know that Jesus knew they were following and that He knew what they wanted. However, He wanted them to say what they wanted. It is a question that today is valid for all who want to receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. What do we want? Because we must confess and repent from our sins so that we may be saved. And we must also desire the Lord to be our Master and Lord, submitting to Him in ever increasing submission. Yes, salvation is a free gift of God and received only by faith, but Jesus did say “If you love me, keep my commands.” (John 14:15) Also let’s remember that Jesus taught that we should count the cost of discipleship to Him (Luke 14:25-35). So yes, even today “What do you want” is a pertinent question.
They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” 39 “Come,” He replied, “and you will see.” The disciples answered His question with a question. Perhaps they knew they wanted more of God, but beyond that didn’t know what more to say. I suppose if I had been asked what I want my only answer would have been “I want to be saved. I want to go to Heaven and not to hell.” Oh, now, knowing the Lord, my answer would be more specific and more personal about growing closer to Him and knowing ever more His wisdom and knowledge. But starting out, my prayer was “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:30)
Jesus responded to them “Come and you’ll see.” I wonder if He smiled at them in a welcoming way and in a way that also revealed the joy within Him that they would come to receive and know much more than they could imagine. He probably had that same smile for us as we cried out to Him.
“So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. At first I wondered at how wonderful that first time alone with Him must have been. Now I venture to say that Jesus said to them what He wants to say to us, that He does say to us. They stayed with Him and listened. So we should hear the Spirit and search His Word and He will continually reveal to us what they would heard. The work of God never stops and so we continually travel along the wondrous path with Him. What things did He say to them, most likely like what He says to us.
“Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.” Some refer to Andrew as the “First Called.) Whether it was he or the other disciple that first was called by the Lord, or simultaneously called, what is true is that Andrew not only followed Jesus but he believed Jesus was the Messiah. The Word here states that the “first thing” Andrew did after believing in the Lord was to tell the brother he loved, Peter. That is a common experience for Believers. After becoming His disciple we are so excited that we have to share the “Good News” with those we love and know. We have tell them so that they too may know the love and goodness of God. So Andrew told Simon that they had found the Messiah and brought his brother to Jesus. That desire to share should continue to burn as bright as our love for Him.
John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
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 51:10-12 “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”
Oh Lord God,
Forgive me for not living,
Continuously in Your sacred presence!
Never am I more loved,
Than when I am in Your presence.
Never am I more in peace,
Than when I am in Your presence.
Never am I more complete,
Than when I am in You presence.
Then, oh Lord my God,
Do I want to shout and sing,
The greatness of You!
When in Your sacred presence,
I cry, and laugh,
Silence alternates with praise,
To You,
And always I am in awe,
Of You!
Oh Lord my God,
Like a man with no oxygen to breathe,
Am I when not before You.
To not be hearing Your voice,
A distance is unbearable if,
I cannot hear Your every breath.
When Your sacred presence
Is not fully around me and through me,
If it is not a sea enveloping me,
I am not living in complete joy.
Life is not about food and drink,
And certainly not about possessions,
Life is You.
It’s about more of You from,
From a moment of eternity,
To the next moment of eternity.
More of you Lord,
I am thirsty for Your living water,
I cannot drink fast enough.
Fill me Lord and keep me filled,
With You.
Lord God, please,
All of You for all of me.
With You Lord,
Always with You,
Is where I long to be.
Without the vibrant presence of You,
I wither, I perish.
I need you Lord God,
My God, if I possess an anxious thought,
It is that I would no longer live,
Before You and with You.
Yet that anxious moment is a phantom
Fleeting and shooed away.
Oh Lord God,
My God who loves me,
Please keep me,
In spite of me,
Ever and forever,
Close enough to feel,
Your breath,
To feel the warmth,
Emanating from You,
Let there not be an iota,
Of separation between us.
In You and with You,
I live and grow,
The slightest separation
From You,
Is a cold and dark place.
Next to You Lord,
Oh Lord, next to You,
Lord God, please keep me next to You.
It is my prayer and high desire.
To be next to you,
For eternity,
With no spaces between,
The moments of eternity.
With You Lord,
You in Me
Me in You.
That’s where I belong
With You.
Always with You.
Thank You!
John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
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 withProverbs 24:17-18 – Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, 18 or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.
Matthew 5:43-48 – “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Be kind to each other. Be loving to each other. Care about each other. This is what the children of God do. If we live in His Spirit we can do it. It should brand who we are.
Praise God for His love and goodness. That covers everything. We can’t be God, but we can grow to be more and more like God. Be grateful to God. Be kind, loving and caring to each other. And when we do we begin to look like our Father. Praise God always!
John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
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 107:1-2 – Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those He redeemed from the hand of the foe.
Every day, and as often as possible throughout the day, give thanks to God. It is for our good that we should do it. In doing that we increasingly know that He is good all the time and that all the time He loves us. He is never not good and He never does not love us. Never! Wow! Of who else can we truly say that both of these are true? Can we say it of ourselves? Not me.
As our knowledge of His goodness and love grows then we grow in confidence that He will never leave us or forsake us. Gratitude to Him leads to faith and faith to gratitude. They lead to knowledge of His goodness and love. In knowledge of His goodness and love our love for Him grows. Then the bounty of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control [Galatians 5:22-23) grows within us and more and more we see God in the daily moments of our lives. Knowing God increases our gratitude as we witness His goodness and love. In this the love of God is made complete as we love Him and show our love for each other by sharing His Word and encouraging each other. (1 John 4:16-17)
As the love, joy and peace of God fill us to overflowing we cannot help but share who is our great love. A couple meet and fall in love and they cannot help but tell people about their love. I remember that as a high school girl, as our love was growing, my wife would write my initials on her folders. She was filled with thoughts of us. Love fills hearts and overtakes thoughts, so is it with our love for God. When a child or grandchild is born we continually take pictures and share them with whomever we can. How great is our love! Yet, how much greater is our love for our Savior and Lord Jesus who loves us, and our loves, infinitely greater than we can. He suffered and died that we may have peace, joy and eternal life. Us and our loves. So more, much more, do we desire to share the “pictures” from moments of our lives where we have witnessed God’s goodness and love? We share because we love Him and we just have to tell about Him. And we are excited as we grow in the knowledge of His goodness and love. We just have to tell somebody. The Apostle Paul wrote “For Christ’s love compels us…” (2 Corinthians 5:13-15)
It is indecent not to we tell our story (which is His story). Let us “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” And let us who are thankful tell His story, His Gospel, which is ours by His mercy and grace. Praise God that He has blessed us so that we can. Praise God! Yes, praise God!
John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
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.
Psalm 119:68 – Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.
The Lord God wants us to know Him. Once we receive the knowledge of Him we are to grow in it. Then we are to be like a pond with water flowing into it, we are to release what we have been given to share it with all around. The sharing is not an effort. Rather it is evidence of the possession of the knowledge. No pond can overflow with water unless water is within it. So is the knowledge that only those who love Him can know. (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
Knowledge of God only comes from God. Out of love He gives the knowledge. He does not withhold knowledge of Himself from the ignorant, but the rebellious do not have it because they don’t want it. (1 Corinthians 2:10-16, John 3:20)
God is. He openly displays Himself every day. (Romans 1:20)
His love is real. If you want it, really want it, you will have it. (Jeremiah 29:13)
His protection remains for those who love Him. (Psalm 145:20)
Even His enemies are recipients of His love. (Matthew 5:44-48) But His salvation is given only to those who receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. (John 3:16-18)
God is good all the time. His goodness is inherent and eternal. (Psalm 92:15, Psalm 27:13)
None of the above are trite sayings but are living essentials truths about God. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
We should not only have a head knowledge of these things. They must live in our hearts, in our spirits, and never be only a head knowledge nor only a “heart thing.” If only in our heads we are not in love. And if we don’t love God we don’t have God. If only in our hearts then we will be unable to answer challenging questions and we will wither. Life in us should flow out of us because life continually grows in us. (1 John 4:7-11) The knowledge of God should be by the Spirit in our hearts and in our minds and not in our hearts or our minds.
Jesus is our life. (John 1:4) He is God. (John 1:1) God is always good. (Psalm 106:1) He always loves us. (Psalm 63:3) Know that God the Father, Jesus His Son and the Holy Spirit are all God. (1 Peter 1:2, John 1:5:20, Acts 5:3-4) To know One is to know all. (John 14:7, 9-10, 16-21)
God is good and He loves us and when we know that beyond anything else that we know, then we cannot be defeated and how happy and in peace we are! Praise God!
John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
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 withAt the edge of the walkway the ant turned sharply to the left toward the front porch. I thought that perhaps he would carry it to somewhere under the porch but instead he began climbing up the corner post of the porch. What an incredible feat of strength! There was a breeze that seemed like it would tear the wavering leaf away from the hardworking ant. Then it happened, the leaf was lifted into the air, but much to my surprise the ant had not let go and was flying away with the leaf. This ant was determined and tenacious!
Suddenly a sparrow flew to the leaf and snatched it away…with the ant still clinging on. Another amazing event in this little show. As the sparrow was flapping away he dropped the leaf and it flittered to ground. Okay, at this point, I had to see if the little ant had finally let loose. I hurried to where the leaf landed and got there just in time to see the ant still had a hold of the leaf and somehow, as if guided by sovereign will, the ant and leaf had landed right next to the anthill. I saw the determined ant disappear with the leaf into the anthill.
The Lord has called us all to do unique tasks. He has plans for us that we don’t know of, don’t understand, and don’t need to. Sometimes they are special and we perceive they are divinely appointed. Other times we are just “doing life” when something, or a series of somethings, supernatural happens. It could be an obvious and mind-blowing something or it could be a series of events that leads to unexpected blessings. Some would say that the events are coincidences with an amazing result. Me, I like to look to the Lord and say thank you to Him. Giving gratitude to God is a nourishment to our faith.
Hard work pays off. Do your best and don’t give up. God has a plan for us. God knows the end from before the beginning. (Isaiah 46:10) The eyes of the Lord are always upon us and He gives us signs of His goodness and His love for us. Actually He does that daily, even throughout the day. It just a matter if we are looking and thanking God. Look and see that God is good. (Psalm 34:8) Life if better that way. Thank you Jesus!
John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
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 withIsaiah 51:6-8 “Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail. 7 “Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have taken my instruction to heart: Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals or be terrified by their insults. 8 For the moth will eat them up like a garment; the worm will devour them like wool. But my righteousness will last forever, my salvation through all generations.”
Psalm 27:1-3 “The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. 3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.”
We see and hear the taunting of the deceitful and arrogant. They are full of the wine of their own lies. How foolish are they who hear themselves tell their own lies and know them to be lies, yet still believe them. How deceived are they who believe the boasting of those who lie and boldly lift themselves to oppose God. They think the number of them who agree with each other will bring them victory, have brought them victory. (Revelation 19:11-21) How foolish the man who thinks he can knock down the Rock mountain with his bare fists. Sadder then the boasters are those who have tasted the truth and left it to believe the lies. (Hebrews 6:4-6) Pray for all because God loves the sinner as well as the redeemed, and He leaves the door open for the reprobate. Pity to those who lie and believe their own lies. Pity those without spiritual discernment who believe the lies. Pray that they perhaps will discern the truth. (Psalm 119:66)
Our eyes are on the Lord. He has given us a victory that grows throughout eternity. (John 10-28-29, 1 John 5:11-13) We believe God above all others. We discern and refuse the words of those who don’t love the Lord and we are able to do that because we walk in His Spirit and we know His Word. (Ephesians 6:17) We fear no man. No man has the victory over us. It is God who has provided the victory and no ruler, and no army, can stop the will of God. (Psalm 91:7) The will of God is that we love Jesus and live for Him. (John 3:18) In that we cannot be defeated because the victory is the Lord’s and we are adopted into it for eternity. Nothing on earth, no victory of the ungodly can defeat us because all the ungodly are already defeated. We do not fear regardless of the number against us. It is God in whom we have confidence and so we do not fear, we do not break and run, but look to our God who loves us and we are emboldened. See, we see, the victory is now and yet is imminent. Praise God! We are safe! Praise God
John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
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