The other day in a conversation with a young woman, I shared with her the above verse from Colossians. She replied what is fully pleasing to Him? Great question! And it got me to thinking, what has God revealed to us as the things that are pleasing to Him?
It pleases God when we:
CALL TO HIM Jeremiah 33:3 Don't call out to the world for help, it only disappoints
In prayer, in thanksgiving, in worship, in song, in intercession for others.
COME TO HIM Matthew 11:28-29 Don't seek answers from the world, they don't have them
With our burdens, to rest in Him, to learn from Him.
FOLLOW ME John 12:26 Don't follow the ways of the world, you will get lost
We don't lead, a disciple follows the leading of the Lord.
OBEY ME John 14:15,21 Don't listen to the world, it is opposed to the ways of God
Jesus defines loving Him, as obeying Him, love Me, mind Me!
ABIDE IN ME John 15:5 Don't try to bear fruit on your own, it can't be done
Jesus says that when we abide in Him we bear much fruit and that brings glory to the Father.
FEED ME Matthew 25:35 We are to feed the hungry, the least of these in our family
Jesus says when we do it for the least of these, we have done it to Him.
CLOTHE ME Matthew 25:36a We are to clothe the naked
Jesus so identifies with His body of believers that, doing something for them is doing it
for Him.
VISIT ME Matthew 25:36b We are to visit the sick and those in prison
Jesus heart goes out to the sick and suffering, and also to those who have sinned, don't you love that! Since we are all sinners saved by grace our compassion should always be towards other sinners.
Today Lord may we all walk in a manner that is worthy of You, that pleases Christ in every respect and brings glory to You.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
"Let everything that has breath, Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!" Psalm 150:6 NASB
Every so often it just seems the right thing to do is just to pause and praise the Lord. Thank Him for everything in our lives.
Thank You LORD for the seasons of the year that You ordained. Thank you especially for fall, for crisp, cool air, the smell of wood burning in fireplaces, and the brilliant color of the leaves, what a landscape You painted this year, Thank You Lord.
Thank You LORD for not giving us what we deserve, thank You that You never leave us alone, You are always with us in good times and in bad times. Thank You Lord for never, ever giving up on us!
Thank You LORD for loving us even when we are unlovable. Thank You LORD that You are always there to pick us up when we fall. You always know when we badly need a hug and You see to it that we get one. You listen when we hurt so bad that we can't speak, all we can do is cry.
You are always encouraging us, never condemning us. You cheer us on in our trials and comfort our hearts when we are sad. Your all sufficient grace toward us is all we ever need no matter what we face. Thank You LORD for hearing our prayers and always answering even when we don't like the answer we know down deep you always give us the best, what is good. Thank You LORD for loving us enough to say no.
Thank You LORD for today, all of Your grace is available to us today. Thank You LORD for giving me today; may I make the very most of it and do that which is pleasing in Your sight.
Thank You LORD for the seasons of the year that You ordained. Thank you especially for fall, for crisp, cool air, the smell of wood burning in fireplaces, and the brilliant color of the leaves, what a landscape You painted this year, Thank You Lord.
Thank You LORD for not giving us what we deserve, thank You that You never leave us alone, You are always with us in good times and in bad times. Thank You Lord for never, ever giving up on us!
Thank You LORD for loving us even when we are unlovable. Thank You LORD that You are always there to pick us up when we fall. You always know when we badly need a hug and You see to it that we get one. You listen when we hurt so bad that we can't speak, all we can do is cry.
You are always encouraging us, never condemning us. You cheer us on in our trials and comfort our hearts when we are sad. Your all sufficient grace toward us is all we ever need no matter what we face. Thank You LORD for hearing our prayers and always answering even when we don't like the answer we know down deep you always give us the best, what is good. Thank You LORD for loving us enough to say no.
Thank You LORD for today, all of Your grace is available to us today. Thank You LORD for giving me today; may I make the very most of it and do that which is pleasing in Your sight.
Friday, November 11, 2011
"When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had alredy been a long time in that condition, He said to him, Do you wish to get well?" John 5:6 NASB
At first glance we might read this account in the gospel of John and ask ourselves, Why would Jesus ask such a strange question? But now read the man's reply to Jesus in John 5:7; "The sick man answered Him, Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me." The man's reply is even stranger than Jesus question appeared to be. Instead of replying to the One who could heal him that he wanted to be healed, he gave excuses as to why it hadn't already happened! Jesus paid no attention to the man's response, "Jesus said to him, Get up, pick up your pallet and walk." John 5:8. And he did, fully healed!
Over the years doctors are discovering what Jesus knew all along, some disease is brought on in our physical bodies by emotional problems that have never been dealt with. For instance there are definite correlations between; unforgiveness, hatred, guilt, worry, jealousy, and fear to dis--ease in our minds and bodies. Sadly we sometimes cling to the very things that are making us sick because we feel powerless over them. If you don't believe that consider the cases of cirrhosis of the liver, bleeding ulcers, stress headaches, addictions that can lead to all kinds of related physical illnesses etc.
Our Lord Jesus is the only One that knows what lies within us, the things that are hidden from us. And He is the only One who can remove them from our lives, sins that we have lived with for so long that we have grown attached to them without even realizing it. Or they are sins that we are powerless over, and we are prisoners inside our own bodies.
There is hope, there is help for each one of us and His name is Jesus Christ! Read this prophecy from Isaiah concerning Jesus, Isaiah 61:1; "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon Me, for the LORD has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed."
The Lord Jesus is all about setting us free, free from sin, free from bondage to anything or anyone, free from lies, free to love Him and worship Him and to experience the Abundant Life that He promises. "...I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." John 10:10.
We may not be paralyzed, we may not be in prison, but we all have need of Jesus, unless of course you are already living the abundant life as defined by Christ by putting your faith, trust and hope in Him. Maybe you are a believer but you know you aren't living abundantly, then do business with God today. Go to Him today in prayer, enter into His throne of grace and find help in your time of need. He will hear your voice.
If you aren't satisfied with your life surrender it to Christ, ask Him to take over your life and please don't put it off, do it today. Today may be all we have, we are never promised a tomorrow. "Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts." Hebrews 4:7.
Over the years doctors are discovering what Jesus knew all along, some disease is brought on in our physical bodies by emotional problems that have never been dealt with. For instance there are definite correlations between; unforgiveness, hatred, guilt, worry, jealousy, and fear to dis--ease in our minds and bodies. Sadly we sometimes cling to the very things that are making us sick because we feel powerless over them. If you don't believe that consider the cases of cirrhosis of the liver, bleeding ulcers, stress headaches, addictions that can lead to all kinds of related physical illnesses etc.
Our Lord Jesus is the only One that knows what lies within us, the things that are hidden from us. And He is the only One who can remove them from our lives, sins that we have lived with for so long that we have grown attached to them without even realizing it. Or they are sins that we are powerless over, and we are prisoners inside our own bodies.
There is hope, there is help for each one of us and His name is Jesus Christ! Read this prophecy from Isaiah concerning Jesus, Isaiah 61:1; "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon Me, for the LORD has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed."
The Lord Jesus is all about setting us free, free from sin, free from bondage to anything or anyone, free from lies, free to love Him and worship Him and to experience the Abundant Life that He promises. "...I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." John 10:10.
We may not be paralyzed, we may not be in prison, but we all have need of Jesus, unless of course you are already living the abundant life as defined by Christ by putting your faith, trust and hope in Him. Maybe you are a believer but you know you aren't living abundantly, then do business with God today. Go to Him today in prayer, enter into His throne of grace and find help in your time of need. He will hear your voice.
If you aren't satisfied with your life surrender it to Christ, ask Him to take over your life and please don't put it off, do it today. Today may be all we have, we are never promised a tomorrow. "Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts." Hebrews 4:7.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
"And Jesus said to him, If You can? All things are possible to him who believes." Mark 9:23 NASB
The above scripture in Mark was Jesus' response to a man who said to Jesus, "Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute." "And He asked his father, How long has this been happening to him? And he said, From childhood. It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us." (Mark 9:17,21-22). Then in Mark 9:25, "When Jesus saw that a crowd was gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, You deaf and mute spirit, I command you come out of him and do not enter him again."
Everywhere Jesus went He performed miracles but when He returned to His home town of Nazareth, Scripture says in Matthew 13:58; "And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief."
Jesus Christ is the same today as He was over 2000 years ago when He lived and walked on the face of this earth and the only thing that ever prevented Him from meeting the needs of the multitudes was their lack of faith. It never was and never will be His inability to perform miracles. Hebrews 11:6; "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."
When we come to Him in prayer, with faith, it pleases Him and honors Him and He hears every prayer of those who seek Him. Psalm 34:15, 17-19; "The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry. The righteous cry, and the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all." Wow! Do we ever need to hear those words in the world we are living in today. What encouraging words!!
What is it that you need from the Lord? What is preventing you from seeking Him regarding that need? Perhaps you like the father of the boy in Mark need to cry out to the Lord, "I do believe, help my unbelief." (Mark 9:24).
Does your faith need to grow? Time spent in the Word of God is the best source you will ever find for building your faith. "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ." (Romans 10:17). Show me a person who spends time in God's Word daily, one who meditates on it, one who doesn't just hear it but one who does it and I will show you a person of faith!
We never test the resources of God until we request the impossible, impossible to man, never impossible to God! (Luke 18:27). Honor God with the enormity of your requests!! Don't project your limitations onto God, that is what causes us to doubt, when we bring God down to our level of understanding. How absurd, the created shrinking the Creator down to their level. If this describes what you are doing, then your idea of God is causing you enormous problems!
Read and behold your God, El Shaddai, the LORD God Almighty!!! Job chapter 38, read Isaiah 40:10-31, Isaiah 44:24-28, Isaiah 45:5-7, 12, 18-19, 21-24.
Always remember that faith coming from the heart and out of the mouth of one of God's children is always pleasing to Him. That knowledge alone should prompt everyone of us to seek Him, seek Him in His Word and our faith will soar and our lives will bring glory to God.
Everywhere Jesus went He performed miracles but when He returned to His home town of Nazareth, Scripture says in Matthew 13:58; "And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief."
Jesus Christ is the same today as He was over 2000 years ago when He lived and walked on the face of this earth and the only thing that ever prevented Him from meeting the needs of the multitudes was their lack of faith. It never was and never will be His inability to perform miracles. Hebrews 11:6; "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."
When we come to Him in prayer, with faith, it pleases Him and honors Him and He hears every prayer of those who seek Him. Psalm 34:15, 17-19; "The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry. The righteous cry, and the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all." Wow! Do we ever need to hear those words in the world we are living in today. What encouraging words!!
What is it that you need from the Lord? What is preventing you from seeking Him regarding that need? Perhaps you like the father of the boy in Mark need to cry out to the Lord, "I do believe, help my unbelief." (Mark 9:24).
Does your faith need to grow? Time spent in the Word of God is the best source you will ever find for building your faith. "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ." (Romans 10:17). Show me a person who spends time in God's Word daily, one who meditates on it, one who doesn't just hear it but one who does it and I will show you a person of faith!
We never test the resources of God until we request the impossible, impossible to man, never impossible to God! (Luke 18:27). Honor God with the enormity of your requests!! Don't project your limitations onto God, that is what causes us to doubt, when we bring God down to our level of understanding. How absurd, the created shrinking the Creator down to their level. If this describes what you are doing, then your idea of God is causing you enormous problems!
Read and behold your God, El Shaddai, the LORD God Almighty!!! Job chapter 38, read Isaiah 40:10-31, Isaiah 44:24-28, Isaiah 45:5-7, 12, 18-19, 21-24.
Always remember that faith coming from the heart and out of the mouth of one of God's children is always pleasing to Him. That knowledge alone should prompt everyone of us to seek Him, seek Him in His Word and our faith will soar and our lives will bring glory to God.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?" 1 Corinthians 6:19 NASB
To set the scene for the allegory that I am writing we must first visit Jerusalem where Jesus is and read what happened and why when He entered the temple. John 2:14-17.
"And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; and to those who were selling the doves He said, "Take these things away; stop making My Father's house a place of business. His disciples remembered that it was written, ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME." (The capitalized portion is a quote from the Old Testament, Psalm 69:9.)
Life application; Jesus was consumed with zeal, as He is, so also must I be. Supporting scriptures; Ezra 7:23 NASB; "Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be done with zeal..." Romans 12:11 Amplified; "Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord."
Now to the allegory;
Jesus drove out the money changers, with zeal. They had no place in God's temple.
Lord show me the things in my body that have no place in Your temple, and I will be zealous in driving them out through the power of Your Holy Spirit. Most of this concerns those things we take in through our eyes and ears.
Jesus declared that His Father's house should be a house of prayer.
Lord God you have commanded us to pray with out ceasing, ( 1 Thessalonians 5:17). Through the power of Your Holy Spirit may my temple be a temple of prayer.
Jesus on many occasions went to the temple to teach and to read the Word. (Luke 4:17-22).
My temple must be filled with the Word of God and the Holy Spirit who is my Teacher will guide me into the truth of the Word. (John 14:26). If I view my body as various rooms, I desire to fill every square inch of space with the Holy Scriptures! Rooms full of Light, shining out to others and glorifying to God!
Jesus said that we are to worship the Father in spirit and in truth.
My temple is a place where I sing and make music unto the Lord, a place where I worship my Creator, my Redeemer, My Savior and Lord. It is a place of thanksgiving and joy.
Jesus clears unclean spirits from the temple. (Mark 1:23-27).
A believer cannot be possessed by demons, yet we have lies from the devil that we believe in our heads, we have been desensitized by the world's view coming thru TV, internet, movies, etc. Father reveal to me the evil things within me that I am not even aware of that I may be set free. I want a clean temple. (Psalm 139:23-24) (Isaiah 61:1)
Jesus went to the temple to minister to His people.
The most precious thing about our bodies being the temple of the Holy Spirit is that Jesus communes and meets with us there, right where we are. Just think of that, allow that truth to sink into the very core of your being.
Jesus Christ meets with you in intense and intimate ways when you seek His face. "Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD..." Jeremiah 29:12-14. Amen.
"And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; and to those who were selling the doves He said, "Take these things away; stop making My Father's house a place of business. His disciples remembered that it was written, ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME." (The capitalized portion is a quote from the Old Testament, Psalm 69:9.)
Life application; Jesus was consumed with zeal, as He is, so also must I be. Supporting scriptures; Ezra 7:23 NASB; "Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be done with zeal..." Romans 12:11 Amplified; "Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord."
Now to the allegory;
Jesus drove out the money changers, with zeal. They had no place in God's temple.
Lord show me the things in my body that have no place in Your temple, and I will be zealous in driving them out through the power of Your Holy Spirit. Most of this concerns those things we take in through our eyes and ears.
Jesus declared that His Father's house should be a house of prayer.
Lord God you have commanded us to pray with out ceasing, ( 1 Thessalonians 5:17). Through the power of Your Holy Spirit may my temple be a temple of prayer.
Jesus on many occasions went to the temple to teach and to read the Word. (Luke 4:17-22).
My temple must be filled with the Word of God and the Holy Spirit who is my Teacher will guide me into the truth of the Word. (John 14:26). If I view my body as various rooms, I desire to fill every square inch of space with the Holy Scriptures! Rooms full of Light, shining out to others and glorifying to God!
Jesus said that we are to worship the Father in spirit and in truth.
My temple is a place where I sing and make music unto the Lord, a place where I worship my Creator, my Redeemer, My Savior and Lord. It is a place of thanksgiving and joy.
Jesus clears unclean spirits from the temple. (Mark 1:23-27).
A believer cannot be possessed by demons, yet we have lies from the devil that we believe in our heads, we have been desensitized by the world's view coming thru TV, internet, movies, etc. Father reveal to me the evil things within me that I am not even aware of that I may be set free. I want a clean temple. (Psalm 139:23-24) (Isaiah 61:1)
Jesus went to the temple to minister to His people.
The most precious thing about our bodies being the temple of the Holy Spirit is that Jesus communes and meets with us there, right where we are. Just think of that, allow that truth to sink into the very core of your being.
Jesus Christ meets with you in intense and intimate ways when you seek His face. "Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD..." Jeremiah 29:12-14. Amen.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
"For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds." Matthew 16:27 NASB
Deed, from the Greek ergon; to do, work, action, behavior, effectual, labor, task.
Jesus spoke of this judgment of deeds that is coming in John 3:19-21; "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds would be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God."
If you have put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, then your sins are forgiven, because in Christ they are taken away, never again to be remembered by God. There will not be a judgment for sins in the body of Christ, the church, for Jesus Christ is our propitiation.
There is a judgment for deeds, and as the title scripture says, the Son of Man will repay every man. It reads this way in the Amplified version; "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory (majesty, splendor) of His Father with His angels, and then He will render account and reward every man in accordance with what he has done."
We are given insight as to what this accounting for deeds looks like in the book of Revelation. Jesus Christ in His resurrected, glorified body sends seven letters to the churches in various locations and His summations of their deeds apply to the church today in 2011 in various locations around the world. Please carefully and prayerfully read the following, asking God to reveal to you which apply to your life. Because of space I won't write out all of them but I will list the references so that you can read them for yourself.
Revelation 2:2-5 "I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first..."
Revelation 2:9-10 "I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich)... Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life."
Revelation 2:13-16
Revelation 2:19-23 "All the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds."
Revelation 3:1-3 "...I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you."
Revelation 3:8,10 "I know your deeds. Behold I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth."
Revelation 3:15-17, 19 "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot, I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing, and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent."
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Please pray for the body of Christ around the world.
Jesus spoke of this judgment of deeds that is coming in John 3:19-21; "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds would be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God."
If you have put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, then your sins are forgiven, because in Christ they are taken away, never again to be remembered by God. There will not be a judgment for sins in the body of Christ, the church, for Jesus Christ is our propitiation.
There is a judgment for deeds, and as the title scripture says, the Son of Man will repay every man. It reads this way in the Amplified version; "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory (majesty, splendor) of His Father with His angels, and then He will render account and reward every man in accordance with what he has done."
We are given insight as to what this accounting for deeds looks like in the book of Revelation. Jesus Christ in His resurrected, glorified body sends seven letters to the churches in various locations and His summations of their deeds apply to the church today in 2011 in various locations around the world. Please carefully and prayerfully read the following, asking God to reveal to you which apply to your life. Because of space I won't write out all of them but I will list the references so that you can read them for yourself.
Revelation 2:2-5 "I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first..."
Revelation 2:9-10 "I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich)... Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life."
Revelation 2:13-16
Revelation 2:19-23 "All the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds."
Revelation 3:1-3 "...I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you."
Revelation 3:8,10 "I know your deeds. Behold I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth."
Revelation 3:15-17, 19 "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot, I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing, and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent."
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Please pray for the body of Christ around the world.
Monday, November 7, 2011
"Jesus answered and said to her, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." John 4:10 NASB continued
Continued from Saturday's post on November 5th. John chapter 4.
11a. (verse 19) As Jesus reveals her sinful state to her, she begins to really "see" this Rabbi she has been talking to. She now believes He is a prophet. Life application; The closer I get to Holy Jesus the more aware I become of my own sinful state, but not in a condemning way.
11b. (verse 19) The dialogue begins in earnest, seeking has begun on the woman's part. God initiates and then we are free to speak.
12. (verses 21-24) Jesus reveals spiritual truths regarding worship and the Father. Jesus doesn't speak to the woman in parables but as He does to His disciples. In effect Jesus is treating her as one who has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. Supporting scripture Matthew 13:11; "Jesus answered them, To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted." Life application; Worship, true worship is not possible with out knowing the truth of Who you are worshiping. Life application; The part of me that is created in God's image is my spirit, God is spirit and it is my spirit that truly worships Him. (Beware of any fleshly shows in worship)
13. ( vs 26) Jesus clearly, plainly reveals Himself as Messiah, He who is called the Christ!!! As far as scripture is concerned this is the first time Jesus reveals Himself with His true identity Messiah and it is to a sinful Samaritan woman! Life application; When I share Jesus with someone, I must never allow prejudices or traditions of man to get in the way!
14. (vs 27) Jesus own disciples wondered why He was speaking to the Samaritan woman, yet none of them would dare question Him. Life application; I have so very, very much to learn from my Lord Jesus and I learn through the Scriptures! Why did He speak with her? First and foremost because the Father had given her to Jesus. Supporting scripture John 10:29; "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand." And secondly look at what a bold witness she is...
15. (verses 28-30) She immediately leaves her waterpot (she doesn't care about that water, she has just tasted of the Living Water) and goes into the city and tells all the men, "Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?" She was so persuasive that people followed her out of the city to Jesus. Life application; When we know Jesus, two things should follow; worship and witnessing! Supporting scriptures; "Jesus said to him, "You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you. And he said, "Lord, I believe." And he worshiped Him."" John 9:37-38. "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses..." Acts 1:8.
16. (verses 31-34) Jesus told His disciples that He has food to eat that they don't know about. They are confused and He explains to them; "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work." Wow!! Life application; Living and walking in God's will is nourishment to my soul!
17. (verses 35-38) God's harvest field of lost souls has never been whiter, they are ready for harvesting. Are you sowing, watering, or reaping? Already God's workers are receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life. Supporting scripture, 1 Corinthians 3:7-8; "So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor."
18. (vs 39) Many believed in Jesus because of the Samaritan woman's testimony about Him. If we are believers in Jesus Christ we too have the testimony within us, we too have a story to tell about what Jesus is doing in our lives. Life application; May I share with you what Jesus Christ has done in my life? Supporting scripture 1 John 5:10; "The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself..."
19. (vs 40) The witness of a single, sinful, Samaritan woman yielded a two day harvest for Jesus Christ! Jesus remained there for two days, preaching and teaching. Life application; I have the testimony of what Jesus Christ is doing in my life, how many lives could I impact for the Kingdom of God? Lord I want to be active in Your harvest fields, open doors of opportunity for me, grant me divine appointments. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
20. (verses 41-42) Many believed because of the woman's testimony, then when they heard the words of Jesus they discovered for themselves and knew that Jesus, this One is indeed the Savior of the world! Life application; My testimony can bring them to Jesus, and His Words, the Scriptures can take them all the way to know Jesus, and to understand for themselves that He is indeed the Savior of the World!!!
11a. (verse 19) As Jesus reveals her sinful state to her, she begins to really "see" this Rabbi she has been talking to. She now believes He is a prophet. Life application; The closer I get to Holy Jesus the more aware I become of my own sinful state, but not in a condemning way.
11b. (verse 19) The dialogue begins in earnest, seeking has begun on the woman's part. God initiates and then we are free to speak.
12. (verses 21-24) Jesus reveals spiritual truths regarding worship and the Father. Jesus doesn't speak to the woman in parables but as He does to His disciples. In effect Jesus is treating her as one who has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. Supporting scripture Matthew 13:11; "Jesus answered them, To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted." Life application; Worship, true worship is not possible with out knowing the truth of Who you are worshiping. Life application; The part of me that is created in God's image is my spirit, God is spirit and it is my spirit that truly worships Him. (Beware of any fleshly shows in worship)
13. ( vs 26) Jesus clearly, plainly reveals Himself as Messiah, He who is called the Christ!!! As far as scripture is concerned this is the first time Jesus reveals Himself with His true identity Messiah and it is to a sinful Samaritan woman! Life application; When I share Jesus with someone, I must never allow prejudices or traditions of man to get in the way!
14. (vs 27) Jesus own disciples wondered why He was speaking to the Samaritan woman, yet none of them would dare question Him. Life application; I have so very, very much to learn from my Lord Jesus and I learn through the Scriptures! Why did He speak with her? First and foremost because the Father had given her to Jesus. Supporting scripture John 10:29; "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand." And secondly look at what a bold witness she is...
15. (verses 28-30) She immediately leaves her waterpot (she doesn't care about that water, she has just tasted of the Living Water) and goes into the city and tells all the men, "Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?" She was so persuasive that people followed her out of the city to Jesus. Life application; When we know Jesus, two things should follow; worship and witnessing! Supporting scriptures; "Jesus said to him, "You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you. And he said, "Lord, I believe." And he worshiped Him."" John 9:37-38. "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses..." Acts 1:8.
16. (verses 31-34) Jesus told His disciples that He has food to eat that they don't know about. They are confused and He explains to them; "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work." Wow!! Life application; Living and walking in God's will is nourishment to my soul!
17. (verses 35-38) God's harvest field of lost souls has never been whiter, they are ready for harvesting. Are you sowing, watering, or reaping? Already God's workers are receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life. Supporting scripture, 1 Corinthians 3:7-8; "So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor."
18. (vs 39) Many believed in Jesus because of the Samaritan woman's testimony about Him. If we are believers in Jesus Christ we too have the testimony within us, we too have a story to tell about what Jesus is doing in our lives. Life application; May I share with you what Jesus Christ has done in my life? Supporting scripture 1 John 5:10; "The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself..."
19. (vs 40) The witness of a single, sinful, Samaritan woman yielded a two day harvest for Jesus Christ! Jesus remained there for two days, preaching and teaching. Life application; I have the testimony of what Jesus Christ is doing in my life, how many lives could I impact for the Kingdom of God? Lord I want to be active in Your harvest fields, open doors of opportunity for me, grant me divine appointments. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
20. (verses 41-42) Many believed because of the woman's testimony, then when they heard the words of Jesus they discovered for themselves and knew that Jesus, this One is indeed the Savior of the world! Life application; My testimony can bring them to Jesus, and His Words, the Scriptures can take them all the way to know Jesus, and to understand for themselves that He is indeed the Savior of the World!!!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)