Faith

John 21: Follow Me

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Journaling Through John Fall Picture leaves falling

“As for you, follow Me.” John 21:20. (NLT)

Jesus appears to some of His disciples for a third time. They are out in their boats and are not catching any fish. Jesus calls to them from the shore and tells them to throw their nets to the right side. They do what He says and their nets are filled. Peter swims to shore to be with Jesus.

Jesus asks Peter 3 times if He loves Him. Peter replies, yes each time. The third time, Peter is a little frustrated that He keeps asking Him, because He does love Him and has said yes. Jesus reply is to tell Peter, then “feed my sheep.” He is calling Peter to go and continue His ministry to people.

Another disciple is there and Peter asks Jesus, “What about him?” And Jesus replies in verse 22, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow Me.” Jesus is letting Peter know He needs to mind his own business and do what he is called to do. What the other does or does not do is none of his concern.

What a great reminder for me today. There are things God has called me to do. His plans and purposes for my life don’t match anyone else’s. What others do is not my concern. I must follow Him and obey the call and commands He has placed in my life. My life won’t look the same as anyone else’s. I can’t compare what I have done or have not done to others accomplishments.

Thank you Lord today for the plans and purpose you have for my life. I pray for a continued desire and determination to go after those things you are calling me to. May I not fall into the temptation to compare myself to others. I pray that I would keep my eyes fixed on you and follow where you go. Amen.

What is God speaking to you today in chapter 21 of John? Share your insights in the comment section below.

John 20: Not By Sight

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“You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing Me.” John 20:29. (NLT.)

“But these are written that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. And that by believing in Him you will have life by the power of His name.” John 20:31 (NLT)

This chapter starts at the empty tomb. The stone was rolled away and Jesus has risen from the grave! He is alive! The disciples see Him and realize what they thought they knew, Jesus is the Messiah! Thomas, one of the disciples, was not there when Jesus first appeared to them. When they told him they had seen Jesus alive, Thomas said He would not believe until He saw Jesus.

It was 8 days later when the disciples were together again and Jesus came to them. Thomas was with them and Jesus told Thomas to “Look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. believe!” John 20:27 (NLT) Then Thomas believed that Jesus was Alive!

In verse 29 Jesus tells Thomas “You believe because you have seen Me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing Me.” And this is where faith comes into play. I’ve never seen Jesus, seen the holes in His hands or touched the wound in His side, but I believe what the Word says. He came as a baby, fully God and fully man. He willingly went to the Cross and died for the payment of my sin. And He overcame death, hell and the grave. He rose from the dead and Lives!

Verse 31 tells me that these things are written so that I will continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah! And, that because I believe I will continue to have life by the power of His name! It’s His Word that brings me hope, that strengthens my faith and reveals Jesus to me.

My prayer today is for a greater desire and love for His Word. I pray for the hunger for the Word would be continuous. I pray for a greater depth in my understanding. Thank you Lord for your Word and for the life it gives me. Amen.

What is God revealing to you today in chapter 20? Share your insights in the comment section below.

John 17: His Prayer for Me

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“I am in them You are in Me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent Me and that You love them as much as you love Me.” John 17:23. (NLT)

This chapter is a prayer from Jesus. He knows the time has come for Him to fulfill His purpose. He prays for His disciples and in verse 20 He says,, “I am praying not only for these disciples, but also for all who will ever believe in Me.” Which means He is praying for me in this chapter. His words to His Father are for me! For my life! Today! Right now! In this moment! His words are for me!

In verse 23 He says He is in Me. His presence and power fills me today. It’s His presence that strengthens me and holds me. I am so very grateful for the assurance I have that He is in me.

He prays that we, those who believe He is who He says He is, will experience “such perfect unity”. SO THAT, “the world will know that You sent Me and that you love them as much as You love Me.” Our unity as believers will show the world Jesus and the greatness of His love!

There is and has been, such a need for the peace, hope and joy that Jesus brings. i believe He truly is the answer to all we need. Jesus prays for perfect unity and when I look around me I see a lot of disunity. I see the division among believers, those who believe and know the presence and power of Jesus. How different would our world look if we could be in “perfect unity?”

I pray today for the presence of Jesus to be greater in my life. I pray that I will be slow to speak and quick to listen. I pray for His peace to be in me, with Me and that it will be evident where I go. I pray that as much as possible, that I live peaceably with everyone (romans 12:18). And I pray for His presence to strengthen me. I want to be a woman who is lead by the Spirit, who speaks and responds by the leading of the Spirit. I pray He is greater and I am less. Amen.

What is God speaking to you today in chapter 17 of John? Share in the comment section below.

John 12: Hail to the King

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 “The news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city.  A large crowd of Passover visitors took Palm branches and went down the road to meet Him.  They shouted, “Praise God!  Blessings on the One who comes in the name of the Lord!  Hail to the King of Israel!”  John 12:12-13. (NLT)

We know this as the Triumphal Entry!   Jesus fulfills prophecy by entering  the city riding on a young donkey!  The news of Lazarus was spreading and many people came out to see Him.  Jesus knows this is all part of His purpose and He will soon be arrested and crucified.

I’m moved today by the words “Hail to the King!”  A reminder to me today that Jesus IS the King!  He is King of Kings!  His Kingdom will not end, it is eternal.  And more for me today, He is MY King!

Hail to the King! Praise His Holy name!  Glory and honor be to Him.  Hallelujah!  Worthy is the King!  I exalt Him and glorify His Majesty!   He was and is and is to come!  There is no one greater!

I pray today that my faith would be strengthened.  I pray today for a renewed hope and a greater awareness of His presence in and around me.  I pray that His praise will ever be on my lips.  Amen.

What is God speaking to you today in chapter 12 of John?  Share your thoughts in the comments below.

John 11: Stay Focused

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John 11

Earlier today I made a quick pass through my FB news feed.  I read a post from someone who was just disgusted by closed minded people. Those who only quote others and stand firm in their biases and opinions.  He then went on to say that the characteristic all of these people have, and he did say ALL, was they also professed to be Christians. Ugggghhhh!! That kind of comment can just fry me.  I want to just say something to counter his comment, something that leaves him speechless.  I’m a Christian and I know lots of Christians who are working very hard to build bridges, have the hard conversations, listen to others life stories, lead in repentance and reconciliation.

As I thought about it, I’m just more fried by those who profess to be Christians and speak such harsh thoughts and opinions.  And instead of posting, responding or dwelling on my feelings, I went to my Bible and began to read.

In John 11 we read about a miracle.  Lazarus had been dead and in the grave for 4 days! 4 days!  Jesus comes and calls him out.  Lazarus rises from death and walks out of the tomb! This was a miracle that “the Son of God would receive glory” verse 4.   In verse 45 we read that “many of the people believed in Jesus who saw this happen.”  But you know what, even after witnessing this miracle, some went to the Pharisees to tell what they saw (verse 46).  It was there that they decided that they could not allow Him, Jesus, to continue, people might believe Him.  In verse 53 we read that it ‘was from that time on the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus’ death.”

Jesus response to all this, “He stopped His public ministry in among the people and left Religious and non-religious people did not believe Him.  He knew what His purpose was, and He continued forward and began to prepare.  He didn’t have to set anyone straight.  He didn’t allow comments and opinions to affect Him in a way that would be misunderstood or reek of criticism, judgment and pride. He moved on and continued doing what He was called to.

fall shortWhat have I learned today from this chapter in John and how can I apply it to my life today?

  1. There has been and there will always be those who don’t believe and won’t hear.
  2. As Christians, we will often fall short and misrepresent Christ. None of us are perfect and we must DAILY look to His Word for guidance and correction.
  3. And finally, God has called me with a purpose. I just need to move forward and continue doing the things He has called me.  I can’t be distracted by what others say..

My response to the FB post I mentioned in the first paragraph shouldn’t be one to leave Him speechless.  I shouldn’t even allow it to fry me to be frustrated and angry.  My response should be one that leads me to prayer and repentance.  My response should be from a place of love and not of setting someone straight.  This kind of talk against Christians has been around since Jesus walked the earth and you know what, He still gave His life for all!

I pray today for a greater love for all mankind.  I pray to see each person as Jesus sees them and to love them unconditionally right where they are.  I repent for inconsistencies in my life, for those biases I fail to see and for misrepresenting Christ with my emotional opinions.  Lord, continue working on my heart creating a pure and clean heart.  Give me clear understanding of my purpose and plan for my life.  Give me courage to walk it out and to love my neighbor.  Amen.

What is God saying to you today?  Share your thoughts and insights from John 11 in the comment section below.

 

John 3: Eternal Life

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“For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.  God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him. John 3:16-17 (NLT)

God sent His only Son to save me from the judgement that I deserve.  His sacrifice was perfect and complete.  My response is to believe He is who He says He is.  By faith, I believe His love was so great that He made a way for me to have eternal life separate from sin.

My hope is in this eternal promise.  I recognize that today, this life here on earth is not all there is.  When troubles come, difficulties rise up, despair and hopelessness call out to me, uncertainty shakes me, it’s this gift of Jesus that makes hope alive in me.

I have hope today because of this great gift of love!  It is by faith and not by sight, that I believe Jesus is real.  It is His presence that holds me and stills my soul.  I am so thankful for knowing the Truth today.

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of your Son, Jesus.  I know I am a sinner who is in need of a Savior.  I welcome you into my life and my heart.  Thank you for forgiveness and for eternal life with You. Amen.

What is God speaking to you today in chapter 3 of John?  Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Day 8: Joyful – Proverbs 8

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day 8 picture - daisy

“Listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful.  Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don’t ignore it. Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home.” Proverbs 8:32-34 (NLT)

To me, joy is more than just a feeling. The Joy of the Lord is more than just being happy or experiencing good times. The kind of joy that I am talking about is possible even during the lows of life, in the difficulties in the uncertainties and it can be present in the chaos. This kind of joy is rooted in wisdom and faith.  It’s rooted in the understanding and in the revelation that He is who He says He is.

I long for this kind of joy to be evident in my life, not just so I can feel it. But so, it can go where I go. It can be so easy for me to think bringing my thoughts and corrections to those around me or into situations I encounter is what I should do. After all, I study God’s Word daily and don’t they need to hear and be set straight? Well, I’ve been there done that, and it gets you about as far as the door. Others around me don’t need to hear, or rather they don’t want to hear what I think they need to do different or better. They need to experience the presence of Jesus. They need me to love them. They need for the JOY inside of me to overflow onto them.

 And here’s the thing about this kind of joy, it doesn’t’ leave when I leave. It’s not just the laughter experienced because of a good joke. It’s not the “feel goods” during a friendly conversation. It’s a kind of joy that leaves residue on those it encounters and leaves them longing for more. It leads them to the Savior.

Here in verses 32-34, I read that joy comes when I seek out wisdom and follow it’s instruction. I can experience joy when I seek out wisdom, when I wait for wisdom. I can experience joy when I respond to wisdoms voice. Wisdom is so much more than just knowing what decision to make. Verse 35 says, “For whoever finds me (wisdom), finds LIFE AND receives FAVOR from the Lord.”

 To sum all this up, when I seek out wisdom, I will find it because it’s waiting for me to find it. Then, when I obey it’s instruction, I will be full of JOY, have LIFE and will receive FAVOR FROM THE LORD. If that doesn’t make me want to pursue and obey wisdom, I’m not sure what will.

 Thank you, Lord, for wisdom. Thank you for this revelation that wisdom is not hidden but is readily available to me. Lord, continue to give me understanding and insight. Let your joy fill me and overflow around me. Lord my prayer is that your wisdom will get in me so I can lead others to You. Amen.

 What is God speaking to you today in Proverbs 8? Share in the comments below or on the Journaling Through Proverbs Facebook Group.