Years ago, when I was brand new to the faith, my Pastor taught us that we all have the capacity to think, feel and choose but that we should never be driven by our feelings because they could lead us in the wrong direction. As Christ followers we are to know God's revealed word then surrender our will for His. So feelings, as important as they are, should take a backseat to what we know and choose. In today's portion of thelifebook we read of how Jesus was feeling and the choice He made. Let's read today's portion of thelifebook... John starts by telling us that Jesus was "deeply moved again". According to the Strongs Concordance that word "deeply moved" is defined as- I snort (with the notion of coercion springing out of displeasure, anger, indignation, antagonism), express indignant displeasure with some one. The word literally means to snort like the sound a horse makes through its nostrils. This is a very different picture that is drawn for us than usual. Usually we see a quite, calm and sad Jesus at the tomb but this word tells us He was displeased, angry and against some one. We are not told who that someone is. Maybe it's the devil, death, sin or the people who lacked faith present that day. What we do know that Jesus had emotions like ours but those emotions did not drive His behavior. His purpose was clear, to show Himself to be the Resurrection and the Life. He already knew that Lazarus was sick and intentionally waited until he died so the glory of God would be displayed. He knew He would raise him from the dead. Sadly that resurrection was just back to this earthly life, one day Jesus will raise up all who belong to Him to eternal life.
It's great to know that my near and distant future is in Jesus' hands. Have a great day Loved Ones and God bless you real good!
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There is something special about a good cry. Whether it's because of joy, despair, pain or frustration it just does the body good. I believe God designed us this way and science proves this to be true. In today's reading from thelifebook we read that Jesus wept. The circumstances surrounding the event are quite common in that all of us will experience the same but the fact that it was the Son of God made it unique and a bit enigmatic or puzzling. Let's read today's portion of thelifebook... The truth is that the Bible doesn't tell us why Jesus cried but the words that precede Him doing so are interesting. It says, "Jesus was deeply moved in His Spirit and greatly troubled." t
There are a handful of theories as to why Jesus wept. The most obvious would be that he cared for Mary and Martha and was wept because others were weeping. Some say that he wept because of the effects of sin or His own impending death that was soon to come. I've even heard it said that Jesus cried out of frustration because of people's lack of faith. These are all good reasons and they will all preach but it's the fact that we share this emotion with the Son of God that makes it so endearing. One of the most powerful scenes I have seen in a movie was in "Man of Steel". Superman is telling Lois Lane that his father believed the world was not ready for Him and they cut to a scene where his father actually gave his life because he believed this to be true. God the Father knew the world wasn't ready for his Son but He gave Him anyway. The Bible tells us that while we we're still sinners and enemies of God, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6,8) God did not spare His Son but willingly gave Him to secure our place with Him in eternity. With all eyes on Jesus, this act of raising Lazarus from the dead would seal His fate and ensure that the religious leaders would do all they could in their power to have Jesus killed. But let us never forget that Jesus made it crystal clear- He is NOT a victim. He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. Have a great day Loved Ones and God bless you real good! Martha, the busy one, runs to Jesus knowing at he can do something no one else can but believes it will come on the last day. Resurrection was not not a foreign idea to Israel. Although the Sadducees rejected it, the Pharisees did not. It has been a veiled teaching for the beginning now revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He would not only rise from the grave but He Himself declared that He is the resurrection and the life! This is not the first time He claims to be the life nor the last He will in the 7 I Am statements recorded for us in the Gospel of John. He already said He was the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, the Gate and the Good Shepherd who would lay down His life for the sheep. All of these statements are of life giving and sustaining power. Jesus said, "Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die-ever." Death is so much more than our spirit being separated from our bodies. We are born dead, which means we are spiritually separated from God and at death we are separated from our bodies but the eternal death or second death as John tells us in the book of Revelation, this death is separation from God's presence forever, both body and spirit. This is the very opposite that Jesus gives on behalf of His finished work on the cross and what people deserve when they reject Jesus as God's Son and Christ. Martha evidently knew but Jesus says it's not enough to know, you must know and believe or in other words trust. He doesn't just tell her this but shapes it in the form of a question, "Do you believe this." The apostle Paul says in his letter called Romans, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." (vs. 9,10) To confess means to agree with. Jesus was telling Martha to say out loud what she knew to be true in her heart in light of what she was just told. Thank God for His Truth preserved for us these 2,000 years so that we, like Martha, can know, believe and declare that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world. Let us sense His presence, trust His promise and live in His resurrection power today. Have great day Loved Ones and God bless you real good! It has been said that death and taxes are the two things we cannot escape. Unless you are working already you really don't feel the pain of paying taxes but death is not prejudice, it touches everyone regardless of age. Today we read of Lazarus the brother of Mary and Martha and a loved one of Jesus Himself. Let's read today's portion of thelifebook... At first when I read that the sisters sent word to Jesus saying, "Lord, he whom you love is ill.", it almost sounds manipulative but then John clearly says that Jesus loved Mary and Martha so it would be certain that He in fact loved Lazarus, their brother as well.
It is Jesus' response that is baffling. When He was told that His friend whom He loves is ill, He decided to stay where He was a couple more days. Anyone else would have felt like they had to come to his side immediately and do all that he could for him. Jesus did not make His way to Lazarus until He knew he was dead. Only Jesus knew what He was about to do. Let this be our lesson today. Trust that Jesus knows what you are going through and what He will do in His time for His glory. Have great day Loved Ones and God bless you real good! Super hero's are a dime a dozen nowadays and you don't have to be a comic book fan to know who they are. There have been so many movies that have been released in the past decade, one building upon another. My favorite would have to be Thor with his mighty hammer. The Jewish people in Jesus day had their superhero as well and he wasn't made up, he lived about 160 before Jesus was born. He would be called Judah Maccabee which meant Judah the Hammer. The Greeks had conquered their land and desecrated the Temple, he started a revolution against them and gained the freedom of Israel. In the winter of that year they rededicated the Temple having only enough oil for one day but the menorah stayed lit for eight days. The Jewish people in Jesus time and even today celebrate this every year and called it Hanukkah. It is with this in mind that we read today's portion of thelifebook... The religious leaders wanted to know if Jesus was the Christ, the one who would set them free like Judah did with power and glory. What they didn't understand is that Jesus was not only greater than greater than Judah, he was better. Greater means higher in position which Jesus is because He is God. Better means, "of a more excellent or effective type or quality." Judah may have saved his people at a particular time in history but Jesus would save all the people God gave Him, Jew and Gentile and He would save them for all time!
Jesus also made it absolutely clear that they, He and His Father, would not fail. He said, "I and the Father are one." which meant so much more than they are equal he was saying they are one in purpose. Their purpose is to save and save they will do! We may come to Jesus with wrong ideas of why He came and what He will save us from but Jesus makes it clear that He will save all those the Father has given to Him. He paid with His own blood so we would be His forever. What glorious truth from a glorious Savior. Let this truth sink into your soul. It's not what we do that will secure our eternity it is what Jesus did, He laid down His life for the Sheep. Thank you Jesus! Have a great day Loved Ones and God bless you real good! When I was a kid there were those who would pay for their movie ticket then once they are in they would let there friends in through the side door. Sometimes it was because they didn't have the money to pay for it and other times because they wanted to see if they could get away with it. In today's portion of thelifebook Jesus talks about people who "climb in by another way". Let's read today's portion of thelifebook... Jesus says those "climb in by another way" are thieves and robbers in other words they are in but do not belong there because they didn't come through Him. Jesus is not only the door but also the Good Shepherd who pays with His life for His sheep.
There are a few things that Jesus makes clear will reveal those who are His. 1. They will hear His voice. 2. They will follow Him. 3. They will be spiritually alive and live eternally. 4. They will be secure in Him. These are not things that we do to become His, they are things that are a reality in our lives because we belong to Him. Let us NOT be like Vanessa who said, "I hope I am one of them.", but rather trust that Jesus ALONE gives life. The point of the passage today is the work that Jesus does, not what we are to do. If you do NOT have this confidence PLEASE let me know either by phone, email or I can meet with you. (708) 735-3507 [email protected] Let us rest in His precious work and promises today. Have a great day Loved One and God bless you real good! Having read trough the Gospel of John numerous times the record of our Lord's words and His marvelous works are awesome, it's the remarks and responses of the religious leaders that I find unbelievable! Here is man everybody knows, who has been blind from birth, who didn't even ask to be healed, who Jesus healed with mud He made from spitting on the dirt, yet all the religious leaders can see is that Jesus healed on the Sabbath, UNBELIEVABLE!!! As a pastor and leader here at EBC, I am embarrassed to read of this behavior and have to check myself that I am not judging others, either inwardly or outwardly for doing the same thing.
As a New Testament believers we set aside Sunday as our Sabbath or day of rest. It is a "work day" for me and I'm usually here from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm without lunch. But for me it's a labor of love, I'd do it for free and have done it for over 20 years. To have the honor of being called a pastor and work full time in the Church is beyond a dream come true because I never dreamed this could be. Jesus came to serve, not be served and so it should be for all those who desire to follow Him. Let us be careful that we don't lose sight of what God is doing and has done among us for the things we think should or shouldn't be done on any given Sunday. Let us seek the well being of others and come ready to serve Him and witness what He will do in and through His people. Pray for me and the other pastor and leaders who, among other responsibilities, are preparing to teach and preach this Sunday. To God be the glory. Have a great day Loved Ones and God bless you real good! In the Lord of the Rings series there is a man called the Steward of Gondor. His job description was right in his title, he was to be a steward or manager of the kingdom of Gondor until the rightful heir returns. The heir returned but he was so drunk with power that he could not recognize him as such and as a result would not hand over the authority and power given to him that was only meant to be temporary. So was the case with the religious leaders of Jesus day. They were stewards of God's people yet having the rightful King in front of them they refused to hand over the authority that was given them. Let's read today's portion of thelifebook... In yesterday's reading Jesus called the devil their father after they questioned who was Jesus' father. Fascinating that the strongest comeback in their eyes was saying to Jesus, "you are a Samaritan and have a demon". Jesus tells them, "if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” then said something that they could understand. He sounded like He was saying He's been around before Abraham's day, Seeing that Jesus was so young they ask Him if He is greater than Abraham. Jesus cool as a cucumber says He predates Abraham by ETERNITY and again rightfully claims the Name of God for Himself.
Understand that Jesus wasn't trying to show them up, He simply and humbly was stating the truth. How do feel when someone insults you? Is your tendency to defend yourself or even result to insulting them back? Jesus was confident in who He was and wants us to have that same confidence if we truly are children of God. The apostle John would later write, "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are." 1John 3:1 Let us live in light of this truth today confidently as loved children of God. Have a great day Loved Ones and God bless you real good!
Yesterday I wrote, "We'll read their response and what Jesus said after this is truly shocking! " Their response to Jesus telling them that they are truly slaves to sin was to question the legitimacy of Jesus birth! Imagine they said to the very Son of God, "We were not born of sexual immorality". They said Abraham was their father but Jesus blew up that idea quick, saying essentially, Abraham was a man of faith and you have none. Then they even claimed God as their father and Jesus said what would seem the cruelest thing that can be said, "You are of your father the devil". WOW!!! I don't believe Jesus was being cruel, He was simply stating the truth.
In the end our desires come from our father. If God is our Father Jesus said we would love Him. Thank God we don't have to generate this love on our own because it's simply impossible. The new birth is what prompts this new desire. It's origin is from the Father and poured out on us from the Son through the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul said, "the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:5b Thank God for His great love toward us. we may not love Jesus perfectly but we a His children and not of the devil! Have a great day Loved Ones and God bless you real good! Perhaps one of the most quoted verses of the Bible is Jesus saying, "The truth will set you free." but did He say just that and who was He talking to when He said it? Well we will find out today because it's exactly where we are in thelifebook. Let's read today's portion of thelifebook... Dylan's comment is interesting, "Heard this before but didn’t know it was Jesus who said it. Seems like he’s saying his Word is the truth and that’s what sets you free. Different than how I heard it before. - D" I would imagine there are many people who do not know Jesus said it, especially why and to whom He said it.
Jesus is talking to those who claim to believe in Him. He makes it clear that not all those who claim to believe in Him are His disciples but rather those who abide or remain in His word. This simply means those who live by His word are really His. In other words, it will be made clear who belongs to Him because they will follow Him. This has little to do with us and everything to do with Him in us. This is not just being an honest person, He is speaking of God's word which Jesus Himself will not contradict. Going to church, reading our Bibles even memorizing scripture does NOT prove we are Christ followers, following Christ does. Don't forget that John even called Jesus, the Word of God who was and is God. Which is the debate that ensued just after He said the truth will set you free. Jesus said His TRUE disciples would abide or remain in His word and that they would know the truth and that THAT truth would set them free. In the end It's all about Jesus. He is the Word of God and God Himself, made flesh to reveal God like never before. Jesus even says, "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.", but it is hard to want freedom when you don't even believe that you are slave to begin with. Jesus lays it out for them plain and simple, you sin your a slave to sin and only the Son can set you free. The funny thing about being a slave to sin is you don't know it and unless the Jesus opens your eyes to it you'll remain blind. Just like Jesus being the Light of the world, He illuminates the darkness only to bring us to Himself- the Light of Life. These who said they believed in Him were being called out and there are but two responses to that. One is surrender to His truth and the other is to buckle down and defend yourself. We read their response and what Jesus said after this is truly shocking! But we'll read that tomorrow :) Thank God that the Son sets us free because apart from Him we would be blind, enslaved and believing we're OK without Him. Have a great day Loved Ones and God bless you real good! |
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