tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41539178725721981652024-03-24T18:32:55.526-05:00May His Light Shine More BrightlyMy name is Lollie Hofer and I'm a "golden oldie." In the twilight of my years, may His Light shine more brightly.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16 (NKJ)
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4153917872572198165.post-72486209437091166182024-02-16T15:49:00.003-06:002024-02-19T11:33:33.942-06:00Give Me a Drink/Part Three<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Give
Me Drink/Part Three<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
“Red-Letter Words” of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Day
41<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">So He came to a
city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave
to his son Joseph. Now Jacob’s well was there, Jesus therefore being wearied
from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman of
Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Give Me
a drink.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> John 4:5-7 (NKJV)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Why didn’t Jesus
get his own drink? I believe the answer to that question is found in the
practical and the spiritual.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The above verses show
us that, in the practical sense, Jesus was human. His physical limitations
caused Him to be tired and thirsty. He needed water but had no way to get it on
His own. Jacob’s Well, approximately one hundred feet deep, didn’t have a bucket
or clay pot to lower by a rope into the well. The woman had the container needed
to draw the water.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The word “drink”
here is a present tense, imperative verb. Imperative signifies a command; although,
it doesn’t mean the command was given harshly. It would’ve been out of
character for Jesus to demand what He wanted from her. He simply stated his desire
for water.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">There’s also a
spiritual aspect to the story when Jesus said, </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Give Me
a drink.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Jesus recognized a soul ripe for harvest. He desired to start
a conversation with the Samaritan woman so He could offer her what her spirit longed
for – living water (or spiritual life). He started with a practical need to draw
her to the deeper matters of the soul (which we’ll look at in the next couple
of devotions).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">In this chapter of
John, we see two examples of evangelism: 1) Jesus persistently found those who
were lost and needed salvation, including this woman at the well. 2) Once she
understood Jesus offered her spiritual life, her first reaction was to share
the good news with the residents of Sychar. The entire town believed Jesus was
the Messiah because of her testimony.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In the </span>practical<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> aspect of my day, is my spiritual antenna tuned to those who are lost and thirsting for God? Is yours?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Father, just like with
the Samaritan woman, Jesus’ desire has always been to seek and save the lost.
That’s why He hung with the outcasts and the dregs of society. He revealed to
them their thirst for the heavenly things of His Father. Thank you for seeking me
out and saving me too. In turn, may I seek those who are desperate for more
than what this world has to offer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/john4</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john4</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john4</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4153917872572198165.post-41591702858918027152024-02-07T14:38:00.001-06:002024-02-10T13:53:36.782-06:00Give Me a Drink/Part Two<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Give
Me a Drink/Part Two<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
“Red-Letter Words” of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Day
40<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">(This is my opinion on the Samaritan woman and I'm sharing from my perspective. You are free to disagree.)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">A woman of Samaria
came to draw water. Jesus said to her, </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Give Me a
drink.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> John 4:7 (NKJV)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I hope my last
post regarding the Samaritan woman messed up your theology. Many times, we interpret
scripture through the context of our culture instead of Jewish culture. I believe
Christianity in America reads way more into her story then what transpired.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Last post I
focused on who the Samaritan woman was not. Now let’s look at John 4:7-42 to
understand who she was.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">1.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">A respected citizen</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">She lived in Sychar. She was respected by its citizens
because after she told them she had met the Messiah, they didn’t hesitate to
believe her. No one doubted her due to her lack of morality. Not one person suggested
what the Pharisee in Luke 7:39 stated about another female, “This Man, if He
were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching
Him, for she is a sinner.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The moment
this woman at the well told others about Jesus, they trusted her word.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">2.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Knowledgeable</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">The scriptures don’t indicate she came to the well as the
rejected, sullied person we hear about in sermons. Instead, we see an
articulate woman who held her own with Jesus. They had a give-and-take dialogue
on culture, tradition, and scripture. She was secure enough to challenge Him a
couple times: 1) She questioned why he approached her, a Samaritan woman. She
knew it broke many Jewish traditions; and 2) She challenged Him when she assumed
He dissed Jacob’s well. Head on. Direct. No apparent insecurities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">3.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Honest</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">She projected honesty. Jesus acknowledged He knew she
had five ex-husbands and that the man she lived with wasn’t her husband.
Without hesitation she admitted it was true. Her forthright answer never
indicated shame. In my previous post, I wrote, “Many people read between the
lines and assume something sinister happened. Jesus never addressed her sexual
sin. He never told her, ‘Go and sin no more.’ Nor did He demand she change her lifestyle.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">If she was sexually promiscuous, I believe He would’ve
addressed it with her which was His custom.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">4.<span> </span><span> Strong</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">We don’t know why she had five ex-husbands. Most people
assume the reason had to do with her being an impure woman. All I can say to
that is, “Chapter and verse, please.” She could’ve been widowed five times for
all we know. Also, in those days Jewish interpretation of the law allowed a man
to divorce his wife for even the slightest reason. (See Phillip J. Long’s
article on website, <i>Reading Acts</i>, titled “Jesus and Divorce in the First
Century – Matthew 19:3-12.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: 3pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: 3pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 3pt;">We don’t have a clue why she had
five exes since it’s all speculation. We do know that she was a strong woman
who endured a lot of heartache throughout the years.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">5.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Thirsty for more</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">At first, the Samaritan woman didn’t grasp Jesus’s words
about the living water. She desired to understand so she asked questions and
listened. Her soul eventually understood the point He desired to make. The living
water – the spiritual life - was hers for the taking. Take it, she did. She
drank deeply from its waters. It affected her in a powerful way because the
first thing she did was share the good news with others. As a result, revival
came to Sychar.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I like this feisty
woman who went to the well and received something she didn’t know she needed – a
new spiritual reality. Jesus reached beyond tradition and law to minister to a
woman who thirsted for more than whatever life had to offer. He will do the
same for us.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Ho, everyone who
thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat.”
Isaiah 55:1[a] (NKJV)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Father, I like
this woman and can’t wait to sit down for a long talk with her in heaven. I do
feel she has been given an unsubstantiated reputation. I’m sure right now it
doesn’t bother her a bit because she’s with You. Thank You that the living
water You so freely gave to her is available to me as well. Fill my cup,
Father. In Jesus’ name, Amen.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4153917872572198165.post-85756372913351977772023-07-28T09:37:00.000-05:002023-08-03T15:57:07.982-05:00Appreciate What I Do Have<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Appreciate
What I Do Have</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Finally, brethren,
whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just,
whatever things are pure, whatever things are of good report, if there is any
virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8 (NKJ)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I can’t eat
gluten. It makes me sick…hospital visits kind of sick. Gluten includes wheat,
barley (malt), rye, and oats. That covers a substantial percentage of the
available foods you find at the grocery store. Since I’m trying to eat healthy
by eating less carbs and sugar, my list of allowable foods shrinks even more.
It’s easy to have a pity-party. Poor me.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Instead of
focusing on what I can’t have, I need to appreciate what I do have. I can eat
fruits, veggies, meats, eggs, and milk products. On </span>Sundays,<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> I allow myself
to eat whatever my palate desires, within reason of course (still no gluten but
that’s okay). Due to folks educating the food industry about celiac </span>disease<span style="font-size: 12pt;">, there are now numerous gluten-free alternatives.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I'm also thankful for my health. And
my family. And my friends. And my church. And my writer friends (who totally
get me). I have Jesus and His unconditional Love. I have His Word.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">There’s no reason
for me to feel sorry for myself or feel like I’m missing out on all the good
stuff. As I count my blessings, the Lord fills me with gratitude and I’m able
to appreciate His goodness, grace, and mercy in my life. God is Good.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4153917872572198165.post-79807691875645951852023-07-26T15:06:00.000-05:002023-08-03T15:57:30.367-05:00His Grace Is More Than Enough<p>I'm going to change directions for a few days and focus on something else that is important to me. Living a healthy lifestyle. I posted three articles on my Facebook and now I want to share them here. This 3rd article was written on 7/26/23.</p><p style="text-align: center;">His Grace Is More Than Enough</p><p>I've written a couple posts about my struggles with unhealthy eating. I hope you don't mind one more. My prayer is that God will use these posts to encourage someone else struggling with addictive issues in their lives. (Not to mention, it helps hold me accountable.) May God be glorified...<br /><br />And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distress for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NKJ)<br /><br />Unhealthy foods are my kryptonite. Let’s face it, many of us have our own areas of struggle, some listed in the above verses. Paul called them "a thorn in the flesh." (See 2 Corinthians 12:7-8.) He begged God several times to remove the thorn. God’s response was, “My grace is sufficient for you.”<br /><br />I’ve begged God to remove my craving for unhealthy foods. He hasn’t. He pretty much told me the same thing He told Paul. God wanted Paul and He wants me to be dependent on Him. Like Paul, I can't boast in my own accomplishments because, without Him, I'm a hot mess.<br /><br />Without the power of Christ in my life, I’d be living with high cholesterol and high blood pressure, probably taking a plethora of meds. I was facing those physical issues two and half years ago when I decided to change to a healthier lifestyle.<br /><br />Three months ago, I lost focus that it was Christ in me who helped me make healthy food choices. I bragged in my accomplishments forgetting it was Christ’s strength which gave me the power to withstand the lure of unhealthy foods. I became prideful and was determined to do it my way in my own strength. And God let me do it my way for a while.<br /><br />The reality is when I am weak, I become strong only through Him. Thankfully, His grace is more than enough. Yesterday was another good day. As I focus on Jesus and the Truth of His Word for my specific situation, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 3:14).</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4153917872572198165.post-50747847640356381332023-07-26T14:58:00.002-05:002023-08-03T15:57:44.526-05:00He Is My Portion<p>I'm going to change directions for a few days and focus on something else that is important to me. Living a healthy lifestyle. I posted three articles on my Facebook and now I want to share them here. This 2nd article was written on 7/25/23.</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
Is My Portion<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">"The Lord is my
portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!" Lamentations
3:24</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Time for honesty. (Gulp.) I've been struggling with my addiction to unhealthy
foods. My desire is to live a balanced and healthy lifestyle which I succeeded
in doing for about two and half years. The past three months, yeh, not so much.
Yesterday, the Lord reminded me that He is my portion. My hope isn't in the
half gallon of cookie dough ice cream I want to consume or the dozen frosted
sugar cookies calling my name. (Not to mention both have gluten in them and
gluten makes me sick.) My hope is in Him. Only He can satisfy the thirsting and
hungering in my soul.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Yesterday and today have been good days. Thank you, Jesus. I haven't been able
to say that for three months. However, even if I blow it, my hope is still in
Him. He reminded of the previous two verses in Lamentations...His mercies are
new every morning. Great is His faithfulness.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4153917872572198165.post-90378604108208424932023-07-26T14:53:00.000-05:002023-08-03T15:58:00.007-05:00New Every Morning<p>I'm going to change directions for a few days and focus on something else that is important to me. Living a healthy lifestyle. I posted three articles on my Facebook page and now I want to publish them here. I didn't publish this article on Facebook, although I did write it shortly after I posted the first article on Monday, July 24th.</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">New
Every Morning<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I open the freezer
door and then close it. I take the lid off the container of cookies on the
counter and take a sniff. Frosted Sugar Cookies. They smell as good as they
taste. </span>Somehow,<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> I walk away without eating one or two or...who am I kidding...a dozen. I sit at the computer to work on a devotion. The kitchen still beckons like the
sirens calling out to Odysseus. I scold myself, “Stay out of the kitchen, you
idiot.”</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I try to fight the
urge; however, by 9:00 a.m. the battle is lost. I’ve eaten three cookies, a
bowl of ice cream (smothered in chocolate syrup), and I’m eyeing the potato
chip bag. It would help if I didn’t have any junk food in the house but the
rest of the family has a better relationship with food than I do. Why punish them for
my lack of self-control?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">To be honest,
that’s the sort of day I had yesterday. It sucked. (Yep. Strong word although I
can’t think of a better word to describe what happened.) After a binge-fest, I
felt lousy. My joints hurt. My stomach hurt. The fifteen extra pounds I’ve
packed on over the past three months caused my knees to hurt. I was irritable
and grouchy. I felt like a failure.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I’m allowing
myself to be vulnerable. I pray my honesty will encourage others who struggle to
break free from the bondages in their lives. You are not alone in your
struggle. I’m right there with you.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Two and a half
years ago, I had high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I was also diagnosed
with Osteoporosis. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Instead of taking
meds, I decided to make a lifestyle change by eating healthy and exercising
several times a week. By the grace of God, I accomplished what I set out to do.
To God be the glory.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I’m not sure why
I’ve struggled over the past three months. I’m not sure why I’ve given into all
the unhealthy cravings. I’m not sure how I ended up in this pitiful condition. Maybe
the “why” doesn’t matter.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I’ve prayed and
prayed and prayed and I’ve begged and begged and begged. Nothing happened. I didn’t
change nor did my situation. Why can’t God close the freezer door for me? Why
can’t He slam the cabinet door shut? Truth be told, God’s been quiet about the
whole thing. Until today.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">What makes today
different? I don’t know. The important thing is in my spirit I heard God speak
to me. He told me, “I’ve given you a new day full of my mercy, love, and
forgiveness. What are you going to do with it?”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I shrugged. “I
don’t know, Lord. What should I do with it?”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">He responded, “I’m
glad you finally asked.” I swear I heard a chuckle in His voice. “Since you
asked, I’ll tell you what you can do with it. Meditate on my Word.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I do, Lord. Daily.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“No. I’m not
talking about you reading the Logos Word, the written Word. I want you to get a
hold of my Rhema Word…my powerful and active Word which can be applied to your
life right now. Think on these things.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Then it dawned on
me. I prayed and pleaded for deliverance but not once did I attempt to apply the
Bible to my situation. I know God’s Word and yet, somehow, I failed to use it
in this current battle.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Lord led me to
two scriptures. I’ve written them out on sheets of paper and taped them on my desk.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Through the LORD’S
mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new
every morning; great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my
soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lamentations 3:22-24 (NKJ)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I’m grateful the
Lord’s mercies are new every morning. I’m thankful today is a new day to walk
in His purposes and plans for my life. I’m a realist – the day’s not over – I
may blow it. The good news is it’s 4:00 p.m. and His Word is giving me
strength. I’ve been able to withstand the temptations trying to lure me into
the kitchen.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Even if I blow it later
tonight, tomorrow is still coming. His faithful love won’t wane and His mercies
will be available to me once again.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">For the word of
God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even
to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a
discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Hebrews 4:12
(NKJ)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Lord knows the
thoughts and intents of my heart. I believe He supports my desire to live a
healthy lifestyle. I don’t feel like He’s done with me yet and my desire is to serve
Him into my eighties. (I'm seventy-two and still active in service to Him.) It couldn’t hurt to have my health. As I begin to meditate
on the truth of His Rhema Word as it applies to my specific situation, I
believe His Word will empower me to do what I can’t do for myself.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I don’t expect to
do this thing perfectly any time soon. I do know I’ve been given a powerful
weapon to wield as I fight this battle. There’s something liberating about
dwelling on the truth of His word…it does set a person free.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then Jesus said to
those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples
indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> John 8:31-32
(NKJ)</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4153917872572198165.post-88496029208087786452023-07-26T14:35:00.001-05:002023-08-03T15:39:48.666-05:00His Mercies Are New Every Morning<p style="text-align: left;">I'm going to change directions for a few days and focus on something else that is important to me. Living a healthy lifestyle. I posted the first three articles on my Facebook and now here. This article was written on 7/24/23.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">His
Mercies are New Every Morning</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Through the LORD'S
mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new
every morning; great is Your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion,"
says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!" Lamentations 3:22-24 (NKJ)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Who am I kidding? I should have been consumed a long time ago. I'm eternally
grateful that the Lord's compassion never fails and, through the shed bled of
Jesus Christ, He extends His mercy to me every morning.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I’ve struggled the past
three months. I don’t know what I’d have done without His mercy and great
faithfulness.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4153917872572198165.post-21902631397560849192022-12-29T15:51:00.035-06:002024-02-10T13:52:47.999-06:00Give Me a Drink/Part One<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Give Me a Drink/Part One</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The “Red-Letter Words” of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Day 39<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">(This is my opinion on the Samaritan woman and I'm sharing from my perspective. You are free to disagree.)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A
woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, <span style="color: red;">“Give Me a drink.”</span></span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> John 4:7 (NKJV)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jesus
went from an encounter with Nicodemus in John three to another one with the
woman at the well in chapter four.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His
meeting with the Samaritan woman had a more positive outcome than it did with
Nicodemus. Although we know Nicodemus became a [secret] follower of Jesus, he
didn’t make his position clear at the conclusion of their middle-of-the night meeting.
With the woman, not only did she believe Jesus was the Messiah, but an entire
village believed in Him as a result.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I’m
going to mess with your theology…with all those things you thought you knew
about the Samaritan woman at the well. Let’s begin by revealing who this
remarkable woman was not.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A rejected woman</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I’ve heard numerous sermons about this
wretched woman who had to go to the well in the middle of the day (instead of
in the morning) because she was ostracized by the other women in Sychar. Chapter
and verse please. We read she went to the well to draw water. Nothing more. We
do not find in scripture where she was rejected and ridiculed by the other
women because of sexual promiscuity.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A sullied woman<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We do know she had five marriages;
however, we don’t know why. </span>Nowhere<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> does it state she was unfaithful to any of
her husbands or did anything worthy of divorce. She could have been widowed five
times for all we know. Also, in those days, a man was allowed to divorce his
wife for even the smallest reason. If she didn’t please him, he could serve her
with divorce papers. If he decided he no longer loved her, he could divorce
her. Nowhere in scripture do we find that these men divorced her because of
illegitimate sexual acts on her part.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">She was a hurting woman, I’m sure. How
could she not be wounded after five marriages for whatever reason? But sullied?
I don’t see any evidence in the scriptures.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">3.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A timid woman</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When the Samaritan woman and Jesus got
into a theological discussion she didn’t back down. She held her own with Him. I
like that about her. She’s not the shameful, timid woman I’ve heard so much
about in sermons.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">4.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A woman living in sin</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jesus pointed out the man she lived with
was not her husband. She admitted she lived with him although the scriptures never
state they were having an illicit affair. Many people read between the lines
and assume something sinister happened. Jesus never addressed her sexual sin. He
never told her, “Go and sin no more.” Nor did He demand that she change her
lifestyle. Just because she lived in this man’s house doesn’t mean she slept in
his bed. In fact, if she was a widow, law required a </span>kinsman<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> to step up and provide
for her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Did
I rattle your theology a little bit? I sure hope so. In the next devotion,
we’ll look closer at her true character.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Father, I misunderstood this woman because I looked at her through my modern-day
American interpretation of the Bible. I’ve come to realize there’s much more to
this woman than I’ve given her credit for. I love it when You challenge me to look at scripture from
a new perspective. Thank You for teaching me new and wonderful truths
from Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4153917872572198165.post-29554608211092802952022-10-31T13:26:00.000-05:002022-10-31T13:26:09.534-05:00November Will be a Quiet Month<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">During the month of November, I won't be writing any posts on my blogs. I'm sure you find that bit of news devastating (not). I have been challenged to participate in NaNoWriMo. That stands for National November Writing Month. The goal is to write at least 50,000 words in that amount of time. I'll see you on the other side of attempting this crazy feat.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4153917872572198165.post-48363929361853066442022-10-12T10:39:00.004-05:002022-10-26T10:53:56.029-05:00Jesus Needed to Go Through Samaria<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Jesus Needed to Go Through Samaria</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
“Red-Letter Words” of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Day
38<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Therefore, when
the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more
disciples than John (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples).
He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. But He needed to go through
Samaria. So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot
of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus
therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about
the sixth hour. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, <span style="color: red;">“Give Me a drink.”</span> For His disciples had gone away
into the city to buy food.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> John 4:1-8 (NKJV)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">There’s so much
packed between the first verse of John 4 and when He said to the Samaritan
woman, </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Give Me a drink.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Let’s unpack some of
these items before we delve into the interaction between Jesus and this woman.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.5in;">1..</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.5in;">He
had to leave Judea.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> The
Pharisees, although tolerant of John the Baptist, didn’t like his water baptisms
and messages of repentance. Many of their faithful followers changed their
allegiance to John. They were even more unhappy with Jesus who had a larger
following than John. Verses 1-3 give indication Jesus left Judea because of the
Pharisees. He didn’t run away in fear of them but out of concern that He would
be arrested and crucified before His time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">2.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Holy Spirit led Him.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">On His way to Galilee, Jesus went the shortest and
most direct route He could take - through Samaria. Due to strong animosity
between the Jews and Samaritans, many Jewish travelers went out of their way to
not go through Samaria. Although Samaritans were somewhat distant relatives,
the Jews felt they erred in their religious practices since they didn’t worship
God at the temple in Jerusalem.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Not Jesus.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">“But He needed to go through Samaria” gives indication
God sent Him on a specific mission. To fulfill the mission, it was imperative
He go through Samaria. The Spirit compelled Him to go to the well outside of
Sychar to meet with a lost and hurting woman. A Samaritan who had value in the
eyes of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">3.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus faced human limitations.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">He walked quite a distance that morning. His feet hurt
and He thirsted for water. Jesus completely understands our physical struggles because
He experienced them too. He chose to live within the realms of the natural law
as a human so He could die for us. And yet, He is God. (It would take volumes
to explain what our finite minds struggle to grasp here.) Suffice to say, Jesus
is both God and human.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Father, thank You
for the encouragement we receive in the above verses. You loved the woman of
Samaria long before she ever heard about Jesus. You set her up for a great
encounter with the Messiah. We have value in Your eyes as well. Your love for
us is unconditional. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for drawing us to Jesus. In Jesus’
name, Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/john/3"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/john/3</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/3"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/3</span></a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4153917872572198165.post-53905088224206783432022-09-20T11:11:00.009-05:002022-10-12T10:59:59.771-05:00Nicodemus: Was He Born Again?<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Nicodemus:
Was He Born Again?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
“Red-Letter Words” of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Day
37<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">After this, Joseph
of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews,
asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission.
So he came and took the body of Jesus. And Nicodemus, who at first came to
Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a
hundred pounds. Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of
linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> John 19:38-40 (NKJV).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The above passage
relates the final time John mentions Nicodemus.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Up until the time
of Jesus’ crucifixion, scripture gives no evidence Nicodemus publicly declared
himself to be Jesus’ disciple. The scriptures indicate just the opposite – He and
Joseph of Arimathea, both Pharisees, were secret followers.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">After Jesus died, many
of His followers laid low for fear of being the next martyr. Not Nicodemus or Joseph
of Arimathea. They went public. I’m sure word spread rapidly that the two
Pharisees accepted the responsibility of burying Jesus according to Jewish custom.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">That act alone
could’ve cost them their reputations, positions, and possibly their lives.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Be forewarned. The
rest of this devotion is “the gospel according to Lollie” so please bear with me.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I want to believe
Nicodemus was born again and is with his Savior.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I don’t know if
Nicodemus saw Jesus after His resurrection, but the good news must’ve impacted
his life. After all, he touched Jesus’ corpse. He helped wrap His body in strips
of linen with the special spices he purchased. He knew for a fact Jesus died.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus’
resurrection forced Nicodemus to a point of decision…to believe or not believe He
was the Messiah. Jesus’ words in John, Chapter 3, would have stirred his spirit
because God’s Word doesn’t return void (Isaiah 55:10, 11). Since he followed
Jesus before His crucifixion, albeit secretively, I think it was a probable next
step for Nicodemus to accept Him as his Living Savior.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Yes, my theory is speculation. Maybe I'm sympathetic towards him because he seemed like a sincere man, but I’ll be looking for him once I reach heaven.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">How about you? </span><span>T</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">he
important question now is, “Are you born again?” Have you given your life to Jesus? Click here to learn how you can be born again: :</span><a href="https://lolliehofer.blogspot.com/p/salvation.html">May His Light Shine More Brightly: Salvation (lolliehofer.blogspot.com)</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Father, thank You
that I am born again. Jesus is my Savior and my Lord. Thank You for forgiving
me of my sins and making me a new person. The old has past and the new has come
(2 Corinthians 5:17). In Jesus’ name, Amen. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/john/3"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/john/3</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3</span></a></p>
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/3"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/3</span></a></span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4153917872572198165.post-33478204892106632802022-09-15T10:58:00.000-05:002022-10-12T10:57:18.428-05:00Nicodemus' Response to the Words of Jesus<p style="text-align: center;"></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nicodemus’
Response to the Words of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
“Red-Letter Words” of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Day
36<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Then the officers
came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not
brought Him?” The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” Then
the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived? Have any of the rulers or
the Pharisees believed in Him? But this crowd that does not know the law is
accursed.” Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to
them, “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is
doing?” They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and
look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> John 7:45-52 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Before we move on
to other “Red-Letter Words” of Jesus, let’s take another look at Nicodemus.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">At the conclusion
of John 3:1-21, nothing indicates that Nicodemus became a follower of Jesus. However,
this isn’t the only place in the book of John we read about Nicodemus.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The above
scriptures relate the second time John mentions Nicodemus. Prior to the officers
(temple guards) reporting Jesus’ behavior to the religious leaders, they had
witnessed Him teaching in the temple during The Feast of Tabernacles. Some of
the people believed He was the Christ while others refused to believe since
nothing good came out of Galilee. As a result, a commotion arose among the
crowd. The officers were supposed to whisk Him away, but they didn’t because they
were mesmerized by His words (vs. 10-44).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The frustrated
Sanhedrin demanded to know why the officers didn’t bring Jesus to them. They
accused the guards of being deceived by Jesus. They challenged the officers by
asking the wrong question. “Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in
Him?” They didn’t realize the answer to their question was “Yes.” We know of at
least two Pharisees who believed in Him…Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea (John
19:38-40).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Both were covert
disciples of Jesus. The passage above which reads, “Nicodemus (he who came to
Jesus by night, being one of them” (vs. 50) indicates he was a secret follower.
He pointed out that his peers broke the law by deeming Him guilty before He had
an opportunity to defend Himself (vs. 51).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nicodemus had a
lot to lose if he declared Jesus as the Messiah. Did he ever publicly declare
his faith in Him? We do know Nicodemus wasn’t ready to make such a statement in
these verses. We’ll continue this discussion in the next devotion.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">How about you? Are
you a covert Christian or are you willing to declare boldly, “…But as for me
and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15[b]).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Father, may my
faith in Jesus be bold and steadfast. May I not hesitate to openly declare He
is my Savior and my Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/john/3"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/john/3</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/3"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/3</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align: center;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4153917872572198165.post-31543350189787100312022-08-31T15:56:00.008-05:002022-09-01T10:48:46.399-05:00My Choice - Light or Darkness<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">My
Choice – Light or Darkness<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
“Red-Letter Words” of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Day
35<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">For God did
not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world
through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned, but he who
does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name
of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light
has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because
their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does
not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he Who does the
truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have
been done in God.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> John 3:17-21 (NKJV)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">During my junior
high years (now middle school), I was insecure which probably made me a typical
adolescent. I also had a recurring nightmare that my subconscious couldn’t shake.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">In my dream, I was
invited to hang out with the popular kids from school. It was always at night. Once
I got to my destination – whether the beach, hamburger joint, football game,
etc. – the kids would turn a spotlight on me. Evidently, I was the only one aware
of the fact that I didn’t have any clothes on. I tried to run but I couldn’t. I
was stuck in the spotlight, frozen in shame. Then my peers would mock me and call me names. (Please tell me someone else had those dreams in their early teen
years.)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I think that’s a
good analogy of how I felt when the Holy Spirit dealt with my love of darkness
before I gave my life to Jesus. (Darkness gives reference to my life without
God.) When the Truth of God’s Word illuminated my evil deeds, it brought shame and
condemnation. That’s probably why I preferred the obscurity of blackness. My evil
deeds remained hidden in the darkness.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Initially, I hated
the light. (Light gives reference to God’s Truth which exposed my sin.) When
the spotlight shone on my sinister ways it immobilized me with shame. Sort of
like the “deer in the headlights” scenario.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">At that point, I
had a choice. Slink back into the darkness or allow the Holy Spirit to continue
to shine the Truth of His light on my life leading me from condemnation to
guilt to repentance to forgiveness to freedom from shame.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Father, thank You
for calling me out of darkness into Your marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). Thank
You that I am no longer under shame and condemnation because I am forgiven in Christ
Jesus (Romans 8:1). I choose truth and light. In Jesus’ name, Amen.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">(For further
explanation of my transformed life, click on the page titled, “Salvation.”)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/john/3"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/john/3</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/3"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/3</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4153917872572198165.post-91742166395440235152022-04-24T14:26:00.003-05:002022-08-31T15:58:18.700-05:00Jesus Didn't Come to Condemn the World<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Jesus
Didn’t Come to Condemn the World</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
“Red-Letter Words” of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Day
34<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“For God
so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in
Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son
into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be
saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is
condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten
Son of God. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">John
3:16-18 (NKJV)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Robert Wilson was
found guilty of murder, kidnapping, and armed robbery in a Georgia courtroom. He
received three life sentences, plus seven years, for each crime he committed. Only
by the grace of God did he not receive the death penalty.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The jury didn’t
condemn Robert nor did the judge who tried the case. His own actions condemned
him. It was the judge’s duty to make sure he had a fair trial, and that the resulting
guilty verdict was carried out.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Let’s revisit the
bronze serpent mentioned in John 3:14, 15. The Israelites were judged by God
because of their constant complaining and lack of faith. As a result of their
guilt, God sent poisonous snakes to bite the people. Many people died. Once
they cried out to God and repented, He gave them an antidote. He had Moses set
a bronze snake on a pole. When folks looked up at the snake, they were healed.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">God nor Moses
condemned the Israelites for their complaining. Like Robert, they condemned
themselves by their own actions.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Romans 3:23 tells
us, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” We’re all
guilty of sin. Maybe we didn’t murder someone, but we’re still marked by our
sinful nature.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Romans 6:23(a)
says, “For the wages of sin is death.” We receive a sentence because of our
sin. Robert’s consequence was three life sentences. Poisonous snake bites were
the sentence for the Israelites. Eternal death is our sentence.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Thank God for the
rest of Romans 6:23, “…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ
our Lord.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus didn’t come
to condemn the world. It was already condemned. Jesus came to rescue humankind
from the consequences of their sin by being lifted high on a cross.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Through believing
in Him, we are pardoned from spiritual death and receive eternal life. Those
who choose not to believe in His name are condemned by their own sin. Sadly, since
they refuse to look up to the One lifted high, the guilt can’t be removed from
their lives.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Father, Jesus
didn’t come to condemn mankind. Like Robert, it’s our sinful actions that
condemn us. Thank You that Jesus is our Salvation. When we believe in the name
of the only begotten Son of God, we are forgiven and eternal life is ours. More
importantly, our relationship with Him is restored. In Jesus’ name, Amen.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Robert Wilson was
twice pardoned…once by his Savior Jesus Christ while incarcerated and a second
time miraculously by the state of Georgia. You can find his incredible story of
redemption in his book </span><u style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Beyond Hope</u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">. Here is a link to his book. Click on the link for direct access: </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Hope-Robert-Wilson-ebook/dp/B074WKRPPC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3A5L9QAZ9C1JQ&keywords=Robert+Wilson+Beyond+Hope&qid=1650828508&sprefix=robert+wilson+beyond+hope%2Caps%2C85&sr=8-1">Beyond Hope - Kindle edition by Wilson, Robert. Self-Help Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/john/3"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/john/3</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/3"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/3</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4153917872572198165.post-41661746669635057302022-04-06T14:25:00.003-05:002022-08-30T10:07:09.284-05:00For God So Love the World...Say What?<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">For
God So Loved the World…Say What?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
“Red-Letter Words” of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Day
33<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“And as
Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be
lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal
life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God
did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world
through Him might be saved. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">John 3:14-17 (NKJV)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nicodemus probably
had a tough time accepting what Jesus said in verse sixteen. “For God so loved
the world…” went against everything he believed. Befitting the Pharisaic mindset,
Jesus should have stated “For God so loved the Jewish people that He gave His
only begotten Son…”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Jews expected the
Messiah to come, not to the entire world, but exclusively to them to save them
from Roman domination. That’s why Nicodemus visited Jesus in the middle of
night. His thought was, “Could this be The One the scriptures prophesied
about?”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">It’s easy for me
to condemn the Jewish view of exclusiveness, and yet, the truth is at times I’m
guilty of the same thing. And I don’t have Nicodemus’ excuse either. According
to God’s own law, He consecrated them as His unique people and set them
apart from the rest of mankind to fulfill His purposes and plans. God even promised
the Messiah would descend from the nation of Israel.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">When I arrive in heaven,
I’ll probably be shocked at some of the folks who are there. How did the
Catholics and Methodists get in? After all, their doctrines pale in
comparison to the one for my denomination. I’ll let the Baptist slide because
they are strong on salvation and baptism, although I don’t quite buy the “you
have to be baptized to get to heaven” part.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Of course, I’m
being facetious. I think you get my point. My denomination doesn’t hold
the keys to heaven and eternal life, only Jesus Christ does. Even so, I do know
when Nicodemus heard Jesus declare that God loved all people, it was a tough
pill for him to swallow.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Father, You indeed
love the entire world. Your love isn’t exclusive but all-inclusive. Please
forgive me where I have judged others and attempted to exclude them from Your love.
Or where I have deemed my denomination superior and authoritative compared to
other denominations. As a result of Your great love, You have the whole world
in Your hands. In Jesus’ name, Amen.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/john/3"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/john/3</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/3"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/3</span></a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4153917872572198165.post-49964309537621844862022-03-28T14:25:00.006-05:002022-03-28T14:52:27.941-05:00The Bronze Serpent<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
Bronze Serpent<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
“Red-Letter Words” of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Day
32<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“And as
Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be
lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal
life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">John 3:14-16
(NKJV)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Numbers 21:4-9
tells the account of the bronze serpent. In the wilderness, the Israelites complained
to Moses about everything. God punished them for their ungrateful attitudes by
sending poisonous snakes to bite the people. Many died. After the Israelites
repented, God gave them an antidote. He had Moses make a bronze serpent on a
pole. Anyone who looked at the bronze serpent was immediately healed.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">In John 3:14-16, Jesus’ predicted His death to Nicodemus. Just like Moses raised the
bronze serpent on a pole, Jesus would be raised up too. However, He wasn’t
raised up in glory but on a cross where He suffered horribly.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Two provisions
were made for all people when Jesus was lifted on the cross:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">1.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Salvation</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Did you notice in verses 15 and 16 Jesus declared His
deity? He claimed Himself to be God’s only begotten Son who could offer
everlasting life. His declaration didn’t sit well with Israel’s spiritual leaders,
and it cost Him His life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Israelites who looked at the bronze serpent were
saved from physical death. When we look to the cross of Jesus Christ and
believe we’re saved from eternal death. (See page titled "Salvation" for further information.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">2.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Healing</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Israelites who looked at the serpent on the pole
were healed of their poisonous snake bites. When we look to Jesus, His wounded
body provides healing for our sick and broken bodies.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Isaiah 53:5
states:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">He was wounded for our
transgressions,</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">He was bruised for
our iniquities;<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">The chastisement
of our peace was upon Him, <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">And by His stripes
we are healed</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 2.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 2in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">1 Peter 2:24
states:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i>Who Himself bore our sins
in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for
righteousness-<b>by whose stripes you were healed.</b></i><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: -1in;">We are saved through Jesus' shed blood. We are healed because provision was made through</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: -1in;">the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: -1in;">stripes </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: -1in;">He bore. Receive salvation and </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: -1in;">healing now in the name of Jesus.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Father, thank You that through Your resurrection power, Jesus is alive. Thank You we</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>have </b></span><b style="text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">eternal </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; text-indent: -1.5in;">life </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: -1.5in;">in Him. Thank You for the healing that is ours through His broken body.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><b style="text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: -1.5in;">In </span></b><b style="text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: -1.5in;">Jesus' </span></b><b style="text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: -1.5in;">powerful </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: -1.5in;">and </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: -1.5in;">authoritative name, Amen.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/john/3"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/john/3</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">h<a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">ttp://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/3"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/3</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 0in 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4153917872572198165.post-35859202862173949242022-03-09T12:00:00.006-06:002022-08-30T11:23:48.959-05:00Complaining = Rebellion<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Complaining
= Rebellion<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
“Red Letter Words” of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Day
31<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“And as
Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be
lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal
life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">John 3:14-16 (NKJV)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">In Numbers 21:4-9,
you will find the story of the serpent mentioned in the above scriptures. In
this Biblical account, the Israelites complained to Moses about God delivering
them from Egypt. They nitpicked about the wilderness and the manna too. Whine.
Whine. Whine.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">God became fed up
with them and brought judgment because of their angry and rebellious spirits.
The Lord sent fiery serpents. “Fiery” references their bodies’ reaction to
being bit by poisonous snakes.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The people went to
Moses and admitted they had sinned against the Lord and repented of their
rebellious attitudes. Immediately, God gave the antidote. He told Moses to make
a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. Everyone bitten by a snake who looked up
at the pole was healed.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Time to be
vulnerable. I’m a complainer. I’m a “my glass is half-empty” kind of person.
Even complainers think I complain a lot. Okay, you get my point. I may want to
heed what happened to the Israelites.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">When I moan and
groan about my situation, my eyes are on my problem and not the Lord. When I murmur,
I’m letting the Lord know I don’t like what has happened in my life. I’m not
happy with the cards He’s dealt me. I don’t like His way; I want my will to be
done. That’s called rebellion. When I protest, I lack trust in God.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Anyone else want
to raise your hand and say, “Me too.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Father, I admit
I’m a complainer. Instead of looking to You, I focus on my circumstances. I
blame you for dealing me a bad hand. I become angry and cling to my ways. I
accuse You of not caring about me. Please forgive me. I have sinned against
You. You do care…so much so You sent Your Son to take my punishment on the
cross. May I choose to trust You. Your ways and thoughts are higher than mine
and are for my good (Isaiah 55:8-9). In Jesus’ name Amen.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">(In the next
devotion, we’ll look at how the fiery bronze serpent typifies Jesus Christ.)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/john/3" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/john/3</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/3">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/3</a></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4153917872572198165.post-12714038619601862002022-02-28T12:08:00.000-06:002022-02-28T12:08:52.498-06:00I'm Back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEgVwCYQkLUy7RTg7NyTLJDvOtTbZWAPIu9Qza51UGuuuVujGhPhq1pAHhhPttP4rfLH6AI-bzOTeQRCKm17fKWs1XFI2yiYey9B3bB83C3_cLMICyXhgIc2yVYMiQSwwDkGOUdeQZ7Pf3ocar_2p7ZzV36BgW1PYfTA1JElvKcMD1XemQ--k-BJ_1=s4160" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEgVwCYQkLUy7RTg7NyTLJDvOtTbZWAPIu9Qza51UGuuuVujGhPhq1pAHhhPttP4rfLH6AI-bzOTeQRCKm17fKWs1XFI2yiYey9B3bB83C3_cLMICyXhgIc2yVYMiQSwwDkGOUdeQZ7Pf3ocar_2p7ZzV36BgW1PYfTA1JElvKcMD1XemQ--k-BJ_1=w199-h231" width="199" /></a></div><br /><p>I've been quiet for the last few months refining a manuscript for a children's chapter fiction book and ended up adding several chapters to it. Whew. It may take me a couple weeks to get back into the groove of writing on my blogs again, but I'm looking forward to the change. The nitty-gritty of preparing the manuscript for an editor was grueling but glad I focused on getting it done.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4153917872572198165.post-40087035089054100592021-10-27T10:51:00.002-05:002021-10-29T12:00:27.160-05:00Jesus: Human and Divine<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial Nova",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Jesus:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Human and Divine</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The
“Red-Letter Words” of Jesus</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial Nova",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Day
Thirty<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;">If I
have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I
tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down
from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.</span><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> John 3:12-13 (NKJV)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Nicodemus struggled
to understand heavenly things via his human nature (vs. 12). He couldn’t comprehend
godly truths with a natural mind. Hence, the reason he needed a spiritual rebirth.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Jesus had a dual
nature. Verse thirteen gives us some insight into His dual nature. Jesus’
preferred title for Himself, “The Son of Man,” gives reference to His human
nature. And “…who is in heaven” gives reference to Jesus’ divine nature.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I admit the above
scriptures confused me when I first started studying them. How could Jesus be in
two places (earth and heaven) at the same time? It’s a head scratcher of a question, for sure.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Let’s look at John
1:51 to help us understand Jesus’ statement. </span><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;">“Most
assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of
God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Jesus’ body was
limited by the laws of His humanness. That’s why He couldn’t perform miracles
until the Holy Spirit, like a dove, lit on Him. However, His spirit, not
limited by the laws of nature, knew no bounds. Heaven was wide open to Him. He
had connection in the spiritual realm allowing Him readily access to His Father and home.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">In John 3:13, Jesus explained to Nicodemus that heaven was His eternal home (long before His Bethlehem birth). Who better to teach spiritual truths than someone who had come from
there? It’s true Enoch and Elijah ascended to heaven, but they never returned
to earth. Jesus,
being the only one who descended from there, understood its ways and glory.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Jesus makes it
clear heaven is open to us today. Through rebirth our spiritual eyes can be awakened to its activities, warfare, and dynamics. He gives us first-hand knowledge of its funtionality and splendor. The Holy Spirit helps us to comprehend those heavenly things which were previously hidden to Nicodemus and us.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">“But as it is
written:</span><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">‘Eye has not seen, nor ear
heard,</span><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> n</span><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">or have entered into the heart of man t</span><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">he things which God has prepared f</span><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">or those who love Him.’ </span><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>But God has
revealed them to us through His Spirit.</b> For the Spirit searches all things,
yes, the deep things of God.”</span><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">1
Corinthians 2:9-10</span><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">(NKJV)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/ellicott/john/3.htm">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/ellicott/john/3.htm</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3.htm"><span face=""Arial Nova",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3.htm</span></a><span face=""Arial Nova",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/3/htm"><span face=""Arial Nova",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/3.htm</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial Nova, sans-serif">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/john/3.htm</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial Nova, sans-serif"><br /></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4153917872572198165.post-83344889826695837982021-10-11T11:06:00.039-05:002021-10-29T12:10:11.240-05:00Nicodemus Understood Religion, Not Spirituality<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: center;"> <span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Nicodemus
Understood Religion, Not Spirituality</span></p></blockquote>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial Nova",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The
“Red-Letter Words” of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial Nova",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Day
Twenty-Nine<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova",sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Nicodemus answered
and said to Him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered and said to him, <span style="color: red;">“Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?
Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have
seen, and you do not receive Our witness. If I have told you earthly things and
you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?”</span> John 3: 9-12 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I’m encouraged by
Nicodemus’ question. It seems to me he wanted to push through the confusion he experienced to
some type of understanding of what it meant to be born again. He became the humble student instead of the well-renown
teacher.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">I like what Charles
John Ellicott has to say:</span><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><i style="font-family: "Arial Nova", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The answer
to the previous question has spoken of a spiritual birth and a spiritual life
and a spiritual kingdom, but all this is in a region of which the Rabbinic
schools knew nothing. They were the authorized exponents of Law and Prophets;
they knew the precise number of words, and the shape of letters; the form of a
phylactery, and the width of a fringe; the tithing of garden herbs, and the
manner of washing the hands; but spirit, life, a man’s soul born again!—“how
can these things be?”</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Nicodemus understood
religion all too well. Spirituality, not so much.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Jesus “called him
out” since Nicodemus was more than a common teacher…he taught in the
Sanhedrin…the governing, religious authority. Nicodemus’ words carried weight
and power. It became imperative for him to teach the truth; but, first, he had
to understand the truth.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The
interpretation of the “We” and “Our” in the above scriptures vary with each Bible
scholar I studied. Some say they were plural references to Jesus; others say they
referenced the presence of some of the disciples with him; and still, others say
they referenced Jesus’ and John the Baptist’s teachings. The one thing they all
agree on is Nicodemus didn't accept Jesus' teachings right away. They believe he eventually did, although he remained in darkness that night.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">"In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it." John 1:4,5 (NKJV)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nicodemus lived in
darkness and only through rebirth could he understand the truth of Jesus’ words.
Being born again brought him into the light and helped him comprehend “heavenly
things.” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That's true for all of us. It wasn’t until I gave my heart to Jesus that I could say, “Ah, now I get
it.” It took the Holy Spirit to illuminate my understanding to spiritual truths.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/ellicott/john/3.htm"><span face=""Arial Nova",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/ellicott/john/3.htm</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3.htm"><span face=""Arial Nova",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3.htm</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/3/htm"><span face=""Arial Nova",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/3/htm</span></a></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4153917872572198165.post-58123645699680161802021-09-28T13:15:00.000-05:002021-09-28T13:15:12.717-05:00Understanding the Spirit<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial Nova",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Understanding the Spirit</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial Nova",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">The
“Red-Letter Words” of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial Nova",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Day
Twenty-Eight<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova",sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;">“Do not
marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it
wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and
where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”</span><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> John 3:7, 8
(NKJV)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">What was true in
Nicodemus’ time isn’t true today. Advancements in meteorology have helped us to
know from where the wind comes and where it goes. Hurricanes can now be forewarned
thanks to Doppler Radar and satellite imagining. Understanding Low- and
High-Pressure Systems help predict the direction of the wind and its velocity</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Nicodemus didn’t
have the luxury of modern science to help him predict wind or weather. Even with
all the sophisticated meteorological equipment we have today, science still
can’t control the direction of the wind. Just like in Nicodemus’ time, the wind
blows where it wishes.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">So does the Spirit
of God. We can recognize the effects of the Holy Spirit; however, we can’t
control Him any more than we can control the wind.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Jesus wanted
Nicodemus to know that, although he couldn’t control the Spirit of God, he
could discern the things of God by being born again. The truths Jesus shared
with him fell on confused ears since he hadn’t experienced spiritual rebirth yet.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Look at Nicodemus’
response in verse nine, “How can these things be?” He tried to see spiritual
truths through carnal eyes. As a footnote, the above scripture was a play on
words. The word “Spirit” means “breath” or “wind.” Nicodemus simply didn’t get
it because he was spiritually dead.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Being born again
helps us discern godly things. Even then, we can’t always understand the
purpose of the Spirit’s comings and goings, but we can see the effects of it.
We can give personal testimony how the Holy Spirit impacts our lives as He lives
in us.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova", sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">Let’s face it, we
can’t control the wind. We can’t control the Spirit of God either. But we can become intimately acquainted with Him. It begins with being born again.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/homiletics/john/3.htm" style="font-family: "Arial Nova", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/homiletics/john/3.htm</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial Nova",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3.htm">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3.htm</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div><br /></div><span face=""Arial Nova",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/3/htm">http://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/3/htm</a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4153917872572198165.post-20742983573160306902021-08-17T11:09:00.000-05:002021-08-17T11:09:16.152-05:00Born of the Spirit<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Born
of the Spirit</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
“Red-Letter Words” of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Day
Twenty-Seven<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus answered, </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water
and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the
flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel
that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> John 3:5-7 (NKJV)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">When Jesus told Nicodemus
he had to be born again, it shocked him. Hence, the “Do not marvel” part. Nicodemus
thought his religious pedigree and good works were sufficient to earn him
entrance into God’s kingdom. They weren’t because his spirit man was dead and
needed to be revitalized.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Newborns of my
generation have something in common which isn’t practiced today. We got our
butts spanked. If a baby didn’t immediately cry, the doctor would hold the baby
upside down and give him or her a smack on the butt. The doctor believed the
shock of the smack helped jump-start the baby’s breathing. Must have worked.
I’m here.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">When God created
man, He did something unique that He didn’t do for other creative beings.
Adam’s first breath came from God. Of course, Adam was a grown man so holding
him upside down and giving him a good smack on the butt wouldn’t have been
dignified. However, God did literally breathe life into Adam.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">God then created
another human being to be a helpmate to Adam. The Bible doesn’t say if God
breathed life into Eve but, obviously, something happened. Perhaps a first kiss
from her husband?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Adam and Eve had perfect
communion with God until the dreadful day they disobeyed Him and ate the forbidden
fruit. Sin came into the world like a fatal sucker punch to the gut. Man’s
spirit died that day. Direct communion with God was severed and needed to be restored.
Spiritual rebirth became necessary.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Thankfully, Nicodemus
came to understand his need to be born again. Jesus so impacted his life that,
after His death and prior to His resurrection, Nicodemus risked his reputation
and life by helping Joseph of Arimathea procure Jesus’ body for burial in the
tomb. (John 19:38-42)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus’ declaration
to Nicodemus still holds true today. You must be born again. Just like God
breathed life into Adam, the Holy Spirit can breathe life into your spirit. This
comes about through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Ask Jesus to forgive you of
your sins and commit your life to Him. Your spirit being will leap to life
within you as you take your first spiritual breath.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/commentaries/ellicott/john/3.htm"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://biblehub.com/commentaries/ellicott/john/3.htm</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/3.htm"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/3.htm</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3.htm"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3.htm</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4153917872572198165.post-59242015013233640102021-04-19T14:49:00.000-05:002021-04-19T14:49:02.413-05:00Born of the Flesh<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Born
of the Flesh<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
“Red Letter” Words of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Day
Twenty-Six<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus answered, </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water
and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the
flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel
that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">John 3:5-7</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Let’s set the scene one more time:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">It’s nighttime and Nicodemus seeks out Jesus. He’s hoping
Jesus is the Messiah but he’s not for sure. He does know He’s a man sent from
God because of His miracles and teachings. What he doesn’t bargain for is that
Jesus messes with his theology and everything he thought he knew about God and
the Law.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I like what is written in the Pulpit Commentary regarding
verse six. “That which hath been born of the flesh, is flesh” is not the
physical as opposed to the spiritual or immaterial, nor is “flesh” necessarily
sinful, as we see from John 1:14 but as it often appears in John’s writing and
Paul’s, “flesh” is the constituent element of humanity as apart from grace –
humanity (body, intellect, heart, conscience, soul, spirit) views on its own
side and merits and capacity, without the Divine life, or the Divine supernatural
inbreathing. The being born of the flesh is the being born into fallen
humanity.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">In other words, “apart from grace” we are separated from
God as a result of sin brought about by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Nicodemus
struggled to understand the rituals of the law (including the strict ritual of
washing the hands and body) weren’t enough to give him access to the kingdom of
God and renew his relationship with God. Even John the Baptist’s teachings of
water baptism and repentance didn’t open the portals of heaven.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Although he adhered to the Law, Nicodemus’ flesh was as
lost as the worst heathen of his time. He probably thought Tiberius, the Roman
emperor known for his partying ways and murderous insecurities, was evil
personified. He had to come to a point where he understood his flesh was as
lost as Tiberius’. This new teaching confounded Nicodemus. No wonder he stood
there, in the middle of the night, with a shocked look on his face.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Like Nicodemus, I can go to church my entire life and
still be separated from God. My flesh (body, intellect, heart, conscience,
soul, spirit) is lost apart from God’s grace. Thank God, His grace is
sufficient for all humanity, including me.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/commentaries/ellicott/john/3.htm"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://biblehub.com/commentaries/ellicott/john/3.htm</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/3.htm"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/3.htm</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3.htm"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">https://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3.htm</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4153917872572198165.post-36879820921308656192021-03-30T09:12:00.005-05:002021-03-30T09:15:20.456-05:00Born of Water<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Born
of Water</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
“Red Letter” Words of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Day
Twenty-Five<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nicodemus said to
Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his
mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Most
assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot
enter the kingdom of God. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">John 3:4-6</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Let me set the scene:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">It’s nighttime. Something (or Someone) is drawing Nicodemus
to Jesus and he secretly seeks Him out. He believes Jesus is a teacher come
from God. He’s hoping for more. <i>Is He the promised Messiah?</i> And yet, there he stands with his mouth wide open. It’s so obvious he's stunned by Jesus’
words that Jesus says to him, </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Do not marvel.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> (See John 4:7)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">That’s okay. My mouth is hanging open too as I attempt to
wrap my mind around the above scriptures. After I studied what several
different commentaries had to say about John 3:4-6, I found myself as confused
as ever. All three commentaries had a different perspective on the verses,
especially the “unless one is born of water” part.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I asked my friend, Bible Scholar Dr. Rick Wadholm, Jr.,
for his input on what “born of water” referenced. Here’s what he had to say:
“Some say birth. Some say water baptism. It seems to me that Jesus may be
referring to the ritual washings that included John’s baptizing mentioned in
the first chapter of John. It pertains to repentance and preparation.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nicodemus felt he was spiritually okay because of the
ritual washings and adherence to the letter of the law. Then Jesus told him it
was only a preparation. Even repentance wasn’t enough to gain access into the
kingdom of God. Flabbergasted, he struggled to understand what Jesus meant.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Nicodemus thought being “born of water” (ritual washings)
deemed himself holy and pure. He thought wrong. In the kingdom of church, I can
say all the right things and do all the right things, however, those alone
won’t grant me entrance into God’s kingdom either. It’s a good start, a
preparation for the next step but I must be born of the Spirit to gain access.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/commentaries/ellicott/john/3.htm">https://biblehub.com/commentaries/ellicott/john/3.htm</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/3.htm" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">https://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/3.htm</a></p>
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3.htm"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">https://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3.htm</span></a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4153917872572198165.post-53351995376134164242021-02-12T12:14:00.002-06:002021-02-15T13:18:26.089-06:00Born Again<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Bor",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Born Again</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Bor, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The “Red Letter” Words of Jesus</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Bor",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Day Twenty-Four<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Bor",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a
ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we
know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that
You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, <span style="color: red;">“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God.” </span>Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be
born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be
born?”</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John 3:1-4 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There used to be a television show hosted by Robin
Leach titled “The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.” Only the privileged made
it on the show…entertainment personalities, famous athletes, filthy-rich businessmen,
best-selling authors…those on the A-list. The truth is Nicodemus could’ve been
featured being a well-known spiritual leader, born of God through Abraham, a
respected teacher, and insanely rich.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When Nicodemus went to Jesus to scope Him out, he at
least knew Him as “a teacher come from God,” although he hoped for more. His
unasked questions hung in the air. “Are you the Messiah? The One who will
deliver us from the tyrannies of Rome dominance?” If Jesus was the Messiah, he
probably assumed his privileges gave him access to the Messiah’s kingdom. After
all, his name appeared on the religious A-list.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Skillfully, Jesus turned Nicodemus’ inquiry around and
put the focus on him. </span><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;">“Most assuredly, I say to you,
unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nicodemus understood what it meant to be born again.
The Jews had a saying, “One that is made a proselyte is like a child new born.”
In other words, a Gentile who converted to Judaism had to die to their old way
of life and take on a new lifestyle. If they refused to do this, they couldn’t convert.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What Nicodemus didn’t understand is that Jesus saw his
heart. Like all humans, it was sinfully wicked. Position, privilege, obedience
to the law and stringent ceremonial cleanings didn’t qualify him for the kingdom
of God. He thought he was secure; however, his inward nature, his spiritual
nature, was dead. His spirit-man needed to be “like a child new born.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nicodemus had to grapple with the shocking reality he
didn’t qualify for the Messiah’s kingdom. It’s the same for us. The only way to
inherit His kingdom is through rebirth. To be born again means I must repent of
my sins, die to my old lifestyle, ask Jesus for forgiveness of sins, commit my
life to Him and invite the Holy Spirit to live within.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/2.htm"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/2.htm</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/expositors/john/2.htm"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/expositors/john/2.htm</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/john/3</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/ttb/john/3"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/ttb/john/3</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/wes/john3"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">https://www.biblehub.com/commentaries/wes/john3</span></a><span style="font-family: "Bor",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0