What a powerful passage that unmistakably announces Jesus to His public ministry. How can we look at this passage and not long for the Kingdom of God to come! Lord, allow my life to help people see just a glimpse of the kingdom.
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Friday, March 6, 2026
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
1 Chronicles 1-2, Jesus vs Lineage
“Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah, Noah’s sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Shem, Arpachshad, Shelah, Eber, Peleg, Reu, Serug, Nahor, Terah, and Abram (that is, Abraham).”
1 Chronicles 1:1-4, 24-27 CSB
The detail of recording all those generations is intense! I am guessing that these Israelite people put a lot of value in identifying their lineage…so different how that we have a Jesus who adopts us no matter our lineage! Praise Him!!!
Sunday, April 20, 2025
Psalms 121, 123-125, 128-130 - Sin Forgiven
“Lord, if you kept an account of iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that you may be revered. Israel, put your hope in the Lord. For there is faithful love with the Lord, and with him is redemption in abundance.”
Psalms 130:3-4, 7 CSB
Happy Easter…He is risen! He is risen indeed!!!
What a blessing to know that God made a plan for the forgiveness of sins through Jesus sacrifice on the cross. His resurrection demonstrating His power over death and victory over sin. Thank You Jesus for willingly paying my penalty and giving me righteous in return!
Saturday, January 11, 2025
Job 29-31, Layers & Layers
“For I rescued the poor who cried out for help, and the fatherless child who had no one to support him. The dying blessed me, and I made the widow’s heart rejoice. I clothed myself in righteousness, and it enveloped me; my just decisions were like a robe and a turban. I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy, and I examined the case of the stranger.”
Job 29:12-16 CSB
I have felt like Job before …fully and thoughtfully reviewing my performance and seeing nothing but good… that was shortly before God revealed what my motivations were. I had no idea that pride was driving much of my good works! I actually think, that was not the case with Job, I think he was a good guy. But this reminded me of how blind I can be to my own reality.
More importantly, it reminded me that God carefully and lovingly walks with us on the road to sanctification. He doesn’t point us in a direction and tell us to go…but He is with us every step of the way, revealing reality slowly so that we can be made new, one layer at a time.
God is so patient with us, lovingly opening our eyes to the next failing He wants us to surrender to Him. He then reshapes us to resemble Jesus just a little bit more, then on to the next, and the next, and the next…
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Job 21-23, Jesus Advocates
“If only I knew how to find him, so that I could go to his throne. I would plead my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.”
Job 23:3-4 CSB
What a blessing that we know how to approach God! Better still that we do not need to argue our case before Him, rather Jesus is our Lawyer. Jesus is our intercessor, who pleads our case to the Father. The case is compelling because it has nothing to do with what we have done, only what Jesus has done for us!
Lord, thank You for revealing yourself to us through Jesus and Your Word! Thank You for allowing us to know You and desiring relationship with us.
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
John 21:20-25, Do YOU Believe?
“And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if every one of them were written down, I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written. ”
John 21:25 CSB
John was selective about what he wrote because he was telling a story about the greatest man to ever live…a story that would be compelling and force the reader to deal with the truth about God. The undeniable truth is that Jesus was a real person, He performed miracles that are not possible even today, He loved people as if they were His family even when they were against Him, and He spoke with authority, clarity and conviction like nobody in history. Then, He died, punished as a criminal for you and me, and miraculously came back to life.
All of these things were undeniable. The people who witnessed them could have torn down these as lies when they were written if that was the case…but they didn’t because it is all true.
So, the question is: will you believe? Or will you reject Jesus love for you? That is the only question that matters…
Sunday, December 29, 2024
John 21:1-14, Nearness to God
“I’m going fishing,” Simon Peter said to them. “We’re coming with you,” they told him. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
“Cast the net on the right side of the boat,” he told them, “and you’ll find some.” So they did, and they were unable to haul it in because of the large number of fish. The disciple, the one Jesus loved, said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tied his outer clothing around him (for he had taken it off) and plunged into the sea [and swam ashore].”
John 21:3, 6-7 CSB
Nothing was more important to Peter than being near Jesus. He didn’t finish the task, or wait till a convenient time… he immediately went to Jesus. God, I want to have the same sense of urgency to be near You!
Saturday, December 28, 2024
John 20:24-31, Belief Evidenced
“But Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were telling him, “We’ve seen the Lord! ”
But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.” A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.”
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. ”
John 20:24-27,30-31 CSB
God made a way for Thomas to believe, and all that is written has the same motive for us today! Lord, help me to believe even when it is easier to be selfish and stubborn.
Friday, December 27, 2024
John 20:19-23, Peace & Confidence
“When it was evening on that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.”
John 20:19-20 CSB
In the midst of fear, chaos and confusion, Jesus often steps in and His first words are “don’t be afraid, be filled with peace”. What a comfort it is knowing that the God of the universe is here with me at every moment. If I behaved as if that were true, I would never have fear or anxiety.
Lord, help me to live my life in a way that reflects this truth! Forgive me for ignoring You at times and being filled with selfish thoughts and chasing after my own ideas. Allow me to trust You fiercely!
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
John 19:38-42, Details Orchestrated
“After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus #— #but secretly because of his fear of the Jews #— #asked Pilate that he might remove Jesus’s body. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and took his body away. Nicodemus (who had previously come to him at night) also came, bringing a mixture of about seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloes. They took Jesus’s body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the fragrant spices, according to the burial custom of the Jews.”
John 19:38-40 CSB
The planning of God here is amazing, he strategically placed two men to be able to take care of Jesus body after he dies on the cross. These were men with authority, power and standing,,,the only type of people who could have helped in this way…and God orchestrated previous circumstances to have them follow Jesus.
How many time do we feel like God has ignored us, or forgotten us…the feeling of being deserted and alone? Yet, we can look back at those times and see that God had already been preparing someone to show up, or a situation to play out just when we needed it. We often chalk this up to coincidence, but don’t fool yourself, this is GOD perfectly caring for us.
Lord God, thank you for caring for the most important need, my eternal salvation. Something I could never even start to help with. Thank you for sending Jesus at just the right time to save all humanity from the consequences of our sin. Thank you for orchestrating every aspect of life so that I could know You and that through faith in Jesus finished work on the cross, have a personal relationship with You, the King of the universe! There are not enough or even appropriate words to fully thank You! Help me to always remember that I am so blessed!!! Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
John 20:11-18, Intimately Known
“Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
Turning around, she said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni! ” #— #which means “Teacher.” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord! ” And she told them what he had said to her.”
John 20:16, 18 CSB
Earlier in John, Jesus says, “my sheep hear my voice and they know me and follow me”, what a perfect example of that principle. Jesus calls her name, He speaks to her as intimately as a close friend, and everything changes for Mary. Jesus intimately knows each of us the same way! If we really understood, it would instantly transform our lives from chaos to calm, from pain to peace, from anxious to abiding.
Lord, allow me to never forget Your personal care and knowledge of who I am. Help me to rest in knowing You.
Monday, December 23, 2024
John 20:1-10, Labored Belief
“The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then also went in, saw, and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he must rise from the dead.”
John 20:8-9 CSB
Looking back to the story of Jesus resurrection it is very obvious what had happened, but those who experienced it were very confused. And honestly, that makes sense…every person who dies, stays dead…this was a whole new category that they needed to wrap their minds around.
I feel like today God continues to do things in my life that are unexpected, and I always have a hard time figuring out what He is doing. I have learned one thing though, His ways are good, perfect, pure and right…even if I don’t yet understand what God is doing!
Lord, give me faith to trust that You are perfectly working out Your plan, that You have everything in control, and that all of these things are for my ultimate good!
Sunday, December 22, 2024
John 19:28-42, Prophecy Fulfilled
“For these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: Not one of his bones will be broken. Also, another Scripture says: They will look at the one they pierced.”
John 19:36-37 CSB
Some of the ways that prophecy was fulfilled could have been organized by Jesus. For example, riding into town on a donkey. But things that happened after His death, even by people who were secretly His followers would have been impossible to plan ahead. These type of things give additional credibility to the plan for redemption of God the Father! This was not some faked plot by Jesus to pull one over on people.
Lord, help me to live for You after all that You have done for me.
Saturday, December 21, 2024
John 19:17-27, Selfless Awareness
“When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.”
And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.”
John 19:26-27 CSB
Jesus, while being crucified, makes sure His widowed mother is cared for…Lord help me to be less self focused and see the people around me more clearly. Strength me to help everyone around me regardless of what is happening to me.
Friday, December 20, 2024
John 19:1-16, People Pleasing
“From that moment Pilate kept trying to release him.
But the Jews shouted, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Anyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar!” When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside. He sat down on the judge’s seat in a place called the Stone Pavement. They shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!”
Pilate said to them, “Should I crucify your king?”
“We have no king but Caesar!” the chief priests answered.
Then he handed him over to be crucified. Then they took Jesus away.”
John 19:12-13, 15-16 CSB
It seems like everyone in the book of John except the religious leaders understands that Jesus is someone important, at least. Most people suspect that He is the Messiah. But the power hungry religious leaders are determined to get rid of Jesus. Even Pilate wanted to let Jesus go…but he was swayed by the intensity of the culture and especially the priests.
Lord, help me to stand for what is true and not be directed by the impulse of the culture I am in. Allow me to hold to my convictions if they were authored by You! Help me to love you more than pleasing the people around me!!!
Thursday, December 19, 2024
John 18:28-40, Purpose Sure
“You are a king then? ” Pilate asked.
“You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
John 18:37 CSB
What an incredible testimony that Jesus gives that His arrest and death are literally what He was born for! This circus of a trial and the ultimate condemnation to death is the very thing God sent Him to earth for. How humbling, that Jesus did all this for me!
God, thank You for stooping to our level to come to us and die for us. It really is the only way that we could possibly have relationship with You! What a privilege to understand that all of this was for me. Help me to love You more!
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
John 18:12-27, Accidental Deniability
“Then the servant girl who was the doorkeeper said to Peter, “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you? ” “I am not,” he said.
Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. [The servants and officials] said to him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you? ” He denied it and said, “I am not.”
One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden? ” Peter denied it again.
Immediately a rooster crowed. ”
John 18:17, 25-27 CSB
Peters denial of Jesus is so hard to watch…Jesus tells him it would happen, to everyone’s disbelief. Peter swears it is not possible because he is all in! Then Peter denies even knowing Jesus 3 separate times…
It is so relatable to me, because Peter does what he “needs” to do to accomplish his plan to never leave Jesus. He never once thinks about it because it is “ just” little lies to insignificant people…they are all servants…but they could possibly get in the way of Peter’s goal.
It is not until the rooster crows that Peter even realizes what he has done is the very thing he was adamant could not possibly happen. So absorbed in his own goals, he does the very thing that he passionately swore was impossible.
Lord, You know I have been in Peter’s shoes and have been so distracted by my plans that I miss the significance of my own actions and choices. Help me to follow Your plan, and be focused on what You call me to!
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
John 18:1-11, Destination Known
“Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) At that, Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword away! Am I not to drink the cup the Father has given me? ””
John 18:10-11 CSB
I am sure Peter wasn’t aiming for the guys ear…Peter was ready to kill to protect Jesus. But this was Peter’s plan, not what God was asking him to do. Poor Peter is often ready to act on his own ideas…I’m thankful God included Peter in scripture, because it gives me someone to relate to.
Lord, help me to trust Your plans and be willing to wait for Your timing. Lord, I confess that my plans seem so logical, and Yours are often confusing! My plans get me closer to the goals I have, Your plans seem to lead in a different direction…yet they always lead to peace and contentment when I get to the end of the path.
Lord, build my trust in You, in Your plan and in Your love for me. If I know the destination is good…help me to trust you at the start and in the middle of the journey!
Monday, December 16, 2024
John 17:20-26, God With Us
“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they will see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the world’s foundation. I made your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love you have loved me with may be in them and I may be in them.”
John 17:24, 26 CSB
This prayer is adamant about Jesus desire to be with us. That is an incredible reminder that God wants to dwell with us…probably even more than we want to be with Him! Lord, grow my love for You and my earnestness in pursuing You!
Sunday, December 15, 2024
John 17:6-19, Joy & Holiness
“Now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy completed in them. I am not praying that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. I sanctify myself for them, so that they also may be sanctified by the truth.”
John 17:13, 15, 17, 19 CSB
In this section Jesus prays for His disciples…He is shortly headed to the cross, but takes a moment to pray that God the Father would amplify the Joy inside His followers. And, also for protection from the Enemy…protection and joy…at the same time as being sanctified.
Sanctification is the reality of being set apart for a holy purpose, and being transformed into a more Christlike person. This is the process of the Christian life…
So, while we are being reshaped and transformed in our holiness, Jesus wants us to experience safety and joy! God, thank You that you don’t want one at the expense of the other. You don’t desire that we only suffer while being made holy, or You also don’t want us to just be joyful and stay in our sin. Both are possible, joy and holiness! You are a good God!!
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