Forgiveness

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 19: It Is Finished

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“It is finished!  Then He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”  John 19:30  (NLT)

Jesus was arrested and taken to Pilate.  They flogged Him with a lead tip whip.  They put a crown of thorns on His head and they mocked Him.  They cried, “Crucify Him!”  He carried His cross and they led him to Golgotha where they hung Him to the cross.  It was there that He made the final sacrifice for my sin.  He said “it is finished.”

It was in that moment that the payment was made for my sin.  It was in that moment that Jesus made a way for me.  It’s because of this moment I have access to the Father.  He gave His life so I could have life.  His life for mine.   It’s because of this moment that I have hope that surpasses anything here on this earth.

May I never forget this moment. May I never loose sight of the price He paid for my life.  May I always take sin seriously and surrender all to Him.  I will never be able to say thank you enough for the forgiveness He freely gives me.  Lord, I stand amazed at all you have done.

What is God speaking to you today in chapter 19 of John?  Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

John 18: Willingly He Surrendered

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“Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to Him, so He stepped forward to meet them.”  John 18:4 (NLT)

Jesus and His disciples have gone off into the garden, a place they had gone   often.  There the Roman soldiers and temple guards came to find and arrest Jesus.  And without any fan fair, Jesus stepped forward.  Verse 4 says that Jesus  “fully realized ALL that was going to happen.”

Jesus asked, “Who are you looking for?”  They replied, “Jesus the Nazarene.” (v. 5)  When Jesus told them, I am He,” “they all drew back and fell to the ground.” (v. 6) Did you catch that?  when Jesus spoke, there was such power that they “all fell to the ground!”

First, Jesus stepped forward because He knew the time had come for Him to fulfill His purpose.  He was aware of the suffering that was to come, yet He stepped forward without any resistance.

Then, in verse 6, He demonstrates His power.  He could have wiped them all out and continued on.  He chose to go forward and become the sacrifice we all need. He knew God’s plan.  He knew the difficulty ahead. And even though He could have stopped them all, He willingly let them arrest Him.  He surrendered Himself.

I’m not sure I can find the right words to adequately express what I am understanding here in these couple of verses.  I’ve always known that Jesus went willingly to the cross.  But, really, He went WILLINGLY!  He had the power to stop it all, but He chose Me.  He chose suffering and death for my benefit.  He said yes to Me and took the punishment I deserve.

This is a truth I’ve always known.  But this morning I am gaining a new a deeper revelation of His love for me and for all mankind. I’m in awe of Him.  I’m amazed and overwhelmed.

Jesus, thank you for your great love for me.  I can’t fully comprehend it all and I don’t feel thank you is enough.  I pray that I would live my life walking in your presence and reflecting the grace you have given me.  I pray today for a continued awareness of your love for me.  Amen.

What is God revealing to you today in chapter 18 of John?  Share your insights in the comment section below.

John 8: Stone Drop

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“As He was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery.  They put her in front of the crowd. “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery.  The law of Moses says to stone her, what do you say?”  They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against Him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with His finger.  They kept demanding an answer, so He stood up again and said, “all right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone.”  John 8:4-8 (NLT)

Jesus shows up early in the morning and begins to teach the crowd that gathers.  The religious leaders and Pharisees want to trap Jesus and get Him to do or say something that they can use against Him.  They bring in a woman who has been caught in a sin that according to the law, is punishable by death.

Jesus seems kind of chill.  He just stoops down and begins doodling in the dust.  Although, I do wonder if He was just doodling, or did He write or draw something specific, something that preceded His response.  We don’ know, but He does respond and tells them that the one with no sin can throw the first stone.  They drop their stones and leave Jesus and the woman.  Jesus tells her to go and sin no more.

This story always reminds me of how quickly I can judge others, especially other believers, and overlook the sin in my own life.  It can be so easy to want to point out others failures, especially those we see as “real sin.”  It seems that in the church we want to judge and disqualify those we see as immoral or whose life looks different than what we think it should look like.  All the while missing our own self-righteous pride and judgmental attitude.  And for whatever reason, these sins get a pass.  We, I allow myself to think higher of myself than I ought.  I sin and need a Savior.

Jesus didn’t overlook the woman’s sin.  He acknowledges it and tells her to go and sin no more.  I don’t want to be like the religious leaders and jump quickly to “stoning” someone for their sin.  I want to be like Jesus, extending grace and mercy and pointing them to the Cross.  My role as a believer isn’t to judge others sin with a self-righteous attitude, it’s to point them to the Word, to Jesus, to redemption, forgiveness and healing.

How much more satisfying is it to love someone, pointing them to Jesus and watching them receive forgiveness and healing, than just condemning them.    We all sin.  We all need His saving grace.  I need His forgiveness.

Lord, reveal to me the sin in my life today.  Convict me of the things that are harmful to me and to others.  Take me to my knees so that I can repent and be forgiven.  Lord, help me to see others like you see them.  I want to be your hands and feet, loving people and leading them to You.  Amen.

What is God speaking to you today through John 8?  Share your thoughts and insights in the comment section below.

John 7: Not Always As It Appears / Thirsty

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Fall photo Journaling Through John

As I was preparing for this session of journaling, I somehow ended up with 2 post for chapter 7.  I could not decide which to post, so I put them both here!  Enjoy!

John 7: Not Always As It Appears
“Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.” John 7:24 (NLT)

People are gathering and talking. They are questioning Jesus. Even His brothers don’t believe Him.  There is a lot of talking and division. Those who do believe won’t speak up, they are afraid of the Jewish leaders. They are looking for Him and wondering why He isn’t there at the festival.  Then Jesus shows up at the temple and begins teaching.

Earlier in the chapter, in verse 7, Jesus says the world hates Him because He accuses it of doing evil.  And then in the temple He begins to speak directly to the pharisees, those who accuse Him of not obeying the law.  He calls them out for doing the same thing they accuse Him of doing.  then He says in verse 24, “Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”

It can be so easy to judge other’s actions simply by what I can see.  And how quickly I can jump to conclusions based on such little information.  And oh, how rampant is it today to call out others simply because of something we see or a comment that is made.  The reality is there is so much more beneath the surface.  My thoughts, beliefs, actions, convictions, opinions, responses are all based on my processes, journey and circumstances.  I must also recognize that about others.  I can’t let myself assume I know or understand why someone says or does something.

I must look beneath the surface.  This means I have to go deeper in my relationships to know their heart.  It’s in intentional, real relationship that I can get to the core of any issue.  There are definitely times where I need correction and to be called out on my actions, but I won’t always respond to those who haven’t taken the time to really know me, to go deeper.  So, why would I expect that others would hear my heart when I just spout off my thoughts and opinions.  If I want to make a difference in n people’s lives I must be willing to put in the work of relationship. AND, I must also look deeper into my own heart and motives, allowing the Holy Spirit to purify and cleanse my heart of malice, un-forgiveness, offense, selfish ambitions, critical judgement and whatever other junk is hardening my heart to Jesus and toward people.

Lord, I pray today for a heart like yours.  A heart that loves people right where they are.  I desire for real, authentic relationships where I allow others to speak into my life.  Teach me to respect others journey not always jumping to judgments.  I want to see people like you see them.  Teach me to love like you love. Amen.

John 7:  Thirsty

“Anyone who is thirsty may come to me.  Anyone who believes in me may come and drink!  For the Scriptures declare, rivers of living water will flow from His heart.”  John 7:37-38 (NLT)

Jesus is speaking at the temple during a Jewish festival.  The religious leaders have and continue to question who he is.  He shows up and begins speaking to them of His work and their doubt of who He is..

Jesus says, “anyone who is thirsty may come to me.” (V37). And my heart responds, yes, I am thirsty!  The weight of everything leaves me feeling parched and desperate for a fresh drink.  What I see in the news, the things I hear in politics, the conversations on social media and the brokenness of it all can leave me depleted, heavy and longing for refreshing.

Jesus, I am thirsty.  Fill me with a fresh outpouring of your Holy Spirit.  Refresh and fill my soul.  Allow your living water to cleanse and refresh every part of my soul.  I pray for more and more of your Spirit, let it flow through me and out of me.

In verse 38 Jesus says that for anyone who believes and drinks, rivers of living water will flow from their heart.  The thirst is for His Spirit and it is for me, but it will flow out of me.  I know that the world needs Jesus.  Those in my life need His presence and the hope He offers.  I pray today that the filling and refreshing I experience would flow over and reach those in my life.

Today I pray for a deeper understanding of my responsibility.  Where can I offer hope?  My desire is that wherever I go, His peace will be present.  Lord, teach me to just lead those around me to you. I pray my life would reflect your heart for all people.  Amen.

What is God speaking to you today through John 7?  Share your thoughts 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 20: Double Standard – Proverbs 20

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Day 20 pic of birds over sunset

“False weights and unequal measures; the Lord detests double standards of every kind.” Proverbs 20:10 (NLT)

“The Lord detests double standards; He is not pleased by dishonest scales.” Proverbs 20:23 (NLT)

It can be so easy to read the Word and pick the parts of Scripture that are about love, grace and forgiveness. I think it’s just my human nature to want to feel all warm and fuzzy all the time. Journaling about how good God is and all He is done for me is so important and has great value. But I can’t overlook the parts of Scripture that challenge me or convict me of sin. It’s the moments of repentance that I experience true transformation. If my true desire is to become more like Him, then I have to be willing to allow His Word to penetrate deep into all the corners of my heart.

As I read through Proverbs 20 the statement “the Lord detests double standards,” jumped out at me TWICE! And in all honesty, I didn’t want to journal on that today. I reread the chapter a couple more times trying to pick something different. But, “double standard” are the words that were speaking to me today.

I want to just say, “I’m good, no double standards here!” And though nothing may come to my mind in this moment, I feel challenged to search my heart and to allow the Lord to draw out the inconsistencies in my life. Where have I compromised my values and beliefs? Where have I allowed myself to accept less than what He has for me? Where have I allowed myself to sin, simply because it’s socially acceptable? Where in my life do, I walk out a double standard, saying I believe and have faith, but my actions, attitude, thoughts or my heart don’t reflect the same.

Lord, I’m praying today and asking you to search my heart and reveal areas of my life where I hold a double standard. I desire those things to be brought to the surface and for healing to come into my life. I pray for courage to face those inconsistencies allowing you to break strongholds and bring freedom. And I thank you for your grace and forgiveness. Amen.

What is God speaking to you today in Proverbs 20? Share in the comments below or join the conversation on our Journaling Through Proverbs Facebook Group.