John_11

Today as I read i am reminded of John's original audience - Christ-followers experiencing persecution.  John continues the theme that in this world you will experience trouble but greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.  John makes it clear that Jesus loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus, yet these beloved three still experience the sting of death.  And Jesus' seeming lack of action on their behalf had a greater plan to it, not just for Mary and Martha but for His disciples and the people who would witness the miracle of Lazarus being raised from the dead.  

 

As I read I wondered what would be the response of the disciples and the sisters if Jesus had not raised Lazarus from the dead?  Would they still believe in Him as the Son of God?   Would it have changed anything?  John gives a slight hint to it I think that we should consider that Jesus is still in control, powerful, loving and caring even if the circumstances of our life does not go the way we want it to go.  The Holy Spirit whispered to me as I was reading today, "Would Jesus still be Lord of your life even if life didn't turn out the way you wanted it to?"  and today I must make that commitment again that He is trustworthy and I can depend on Him even if I find myself in the midst of suffering and pain.  It really is a win-win situation if we continue to put our trust in Him and let Him work His will according to His purposes for our life.

 

Sorry about the rambling but I guess the bottom line is..."Lord I trust you in spite of the circumstances I face.  I trust you even if you don't show up on my time table or do things the way I think you should.  I believe you when you say...

I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. 

John_10

Scripture

 

John 10:3-4

 

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.

 

Observation-What does it say?

 

Jesus is using the example of a shepherd and his sheep to explain who He is to the Pharisees. He explains the relationship between the shepherd and the sheep - the shepherd will lay down his life to protect his sheep, and the sheep recognize the sound of the their shepherd's voice and will follow him wherever he leads.

 

Understanding-What does it mean?

 

As I read through this chapter a couple of times, what stood out to me was that the sheep recognize their master's voice. They have spent time with him and trust him. They understand that he has their best interests at heart and they will follow where he leads. Do you have a hard time hearing God's voice? I know I do sometimes. But I want to be able to pick out His voice from all the voices fighting for my attention. Jesus says in verse 14 "I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me." The more I strive to know Him, the better I will hear His voice. As my relationship grows, I become more in tune with Him and His leading. 

 

Life Application

 

Jesus, you promise us that as we draw near to You, You will draw near to us. Help me to remember to draw near to You daily. As I spend time in Your presence, Your voice will become more and more clear to me as I grow in relationship with You.

 

-Debbie Dunn

John 9

Scripture - What stood out?

35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”36 “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

Observation - What does it say?

The blind man from birth had seemingly had a very long day. First, he was healed by Jesus, then summoned to the pharisees twice in the same day so that he could be questioned by them both times. He gets thrown out the second time around only to be found by Jesus, again.

Understanding - What does it mean?

Jesus had offered the blind man healing- his eyes which had not worked since birth could now see. As news spread of this miracle the town was soon divided by the notion of whose authority Jesus healed by. In John 9:28-29 the pharisees hurl insults at the blind man, exalting Moses because God clearly spoke to him, while sowing doubt about Jesus's authority. 30 The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”

Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?

This turns out to be the blind man’s BEST DAY EVER.He gets to see the world, but more importantly:He gets to see his salvation! Lord, give me boldness! Give me the courage to simply ask people if they know you! Help to sharpen me that I would be able to share your life with those you would send my way! May I be able to keep your message short, simple, and to the point. Help me to be a vessel, a delivery system, for your Holy Spirit to move through me! Lord I believe in you.Send me to others that they may also believe!In the name of Jesus,Amen. -Kenneth Lee