John_7

Scripture  John 7:37-38  Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”  Observation-What does it say?  Jesus enters Jerusalem during the Feast of Shelters, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, is celebrated after the Feast of Atonement (Yom Kippur).  The Feast of Shelters, the most joyous and the longest of the festivals, was also considered to be the greatest of the feasts.  The Feast of Shelters memorialized God's holy Dwelling place, the desert Tabernacle, which was later replaced by the Temple built by Solomon.  Jesus entered the city secretly, to avoid causing a disruption.  As he speaks in the city, the crowd becomes divided between belief and unbelief.  As his last statement before leaving the city, Jesus foretells the coming of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit will come and fill us to overflowing, like a river in our soul. Understanding-What does it mean?  I love traveling to where there is water.  There is just something about water that seems to bring life to the area around it.  But something that I never really considered about water, it has to have an outflow to continue bringing life.  I learned the reality of this a couple of years ago, while driving to Idaho on vacation.  During our drive, we passed Walker Lake, in Nevada.  The lake has no natural outflow and is dying.  As agriculture has reduced the flow of water going into the lake, and sediment continues to flow in, the level of salt in the water is increasing.  This kills off the fish and increases the rate of evaporation.   When we ask God to, He will pour out His love on us.  But, just like a river, we are supposed to have an outflow.  Jesus told us all the law and commandments are fulfilled in loving God and loving our neighbors (Matthew 22:36-40).  Furthermore, Jesus states later in the book of John that His disciples will be known by their love (John 13:35), and those who know Him and love Him will follow his commands (John 14:21).  Therefore, loving others is a natural outflow of God’s love and spirit in our lives.  It’s this outflow of love that shows the true life found in a life submitted to Jesus.  The Holy Spirit is our guide to living a life filled with love and submitted to Jesus.
Life Application:  Jesus, help me to rely more fully on you everyday.  As I trust in you, show me ways to love those around me in a way that is both practical and sensitive to the spiritual needs of others.  Help me to seek the needs of others before my own wants and needs.    

 

-Tyler Galloway

John__6

Scripture - What stood out?

John 6:26 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”Observation - What does it say?Jesus had just fed a group of 5 thousand (only the men were counted so the total number of people including women and children would be greater than 5k) the day before using 5 small loaves of bread and 2 fish . That night the disciples got on a boat (Jesus would join them on the boat later on walking on water) and crossed the lake into Capernaum. Some of the people who had experienced that miracle meal realizing Jesus had left would cross over in search of him.Understanding - What does it mean?I feel like I got a gut check after I read this verse. Literally, bc I am gaining weight like you would not believe right now. It is the middle of a pandemic and I’m getting fat. I am not exaggerating...And then Jesus hits me with this - do not work for food that spoils but for food that endures to eternal life! I can almost hear Jesus telling me to lose weight, and his voice sounds like my mother’s!Eating my fill and satisfying my tummy in a nutshell is how I live here on earth. I am looking for some sort of satisfaction. And that is the constant struggle between the spiritual food that will endure and this earthly food which provides temporary satisfaction.I have contemplated for months now what to do with my post-pandemic life. And while I don’t have all the answers I feel like one message is clear - focus on the food that endures and does not spoil.Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?Lord readjust my focus. May I stop being hungry and craving things that have no eternal consequences. Help me to reprioritize in my head and in my heart. May I focus on the food that brings me closer to eternal life with you. May I focus on living bread. May I focus on You. In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.-kenneth lee 

Psalm_67

Scripture

 

Psalms‬ ‭67:2-3

 

“May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere. May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you.”

 

Observation-What does it say?

 

This is a psalm of worship. This psalm of thanksgiving expresses the people’s gratefulness to God and their confidence in God’s continued blessings. The psalmist desires to see the whole world come to fear and know of God’s amazing saving power so all may come to praise Him.

 

Understanding-What does it mean?

 

The gospel of...(insert your name here).

 

We all know the 4 major gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. But did you know that we, our life stories of what Jesus has done for us, are gospels as well? Did you know that the closest thing that some people may come to hearing the gospel is through our life’s testimonies and the example of the life we are living? It’s really quite mind blowing when you think about it. But we are an extension of the Bible, God’s story, to be told for generations to come.

 

In verses 2 & 3 the psalmist expresses their desire for the nations to know of God’s ways and saving power. The psalmist desires for all to praise Him and experience His blessings the way he has. How can we as His people continue to make that happen?

 

“Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:18-20‬

 

Life Application

 

Even during times like these, we can still be on mission.

 

We may not currently be meeting at church, but the church was never about the building. The church is about the people...God’s people. And although we are unable to physically see each other, God provides the technology for other ways to still see each other, encourage one another, and pray for one another. Whether it’s through Zoom Meeting Rooms, On-Line Church Services, texts, or emails, there is no excuse for us to give that we cannot continue God’s mission. I mean look at the Apostle Paul for example. Even while being imprisoned, (for sharing the gospel), Paul still found a way to accomplish God’s mission. And even though we are on government “Stay Home” orders, we too can still find a way to accomplish God’s mission for us. So let’s be purposeful, use this opportunity to be on mission. Let those we come into contact with know of God’s ways and His amazing saving power. Let all praise His name and experience His amazing love and blessings. 😊

 

-Moses Gaddi