As I am reading the Book of Numbers, I got a little bogged down a few chapters back. I know each of God’s words are important, but It took me a while to read through one chapter. However, chapter 10 was a fresh word to me. I don’t remember reading this information previously about trumpets in Numbers. It is awesome! The LORD told Moses to make 2 silver trumpets.
One sound of the trumpet signaled for everyone to come together, and two sounds of the trumpet signaled for everyone to break camp.
If both trumpets were blown simultaneously, that was the sound for everyone to gather. However, if only one trumpet was sounded, that meant for only the Leaders to to gather.
Only the priests were allowed to blow the trumpet.
The LORD said to blow the trumpets when you go to war in your own country. He would remember them!
Also, the trumpets were to be blown in times of gladness. These times included festivals and the beginning of each month.
The chapter ends with instructions for the trumpets to be blown over burnt offerings and peace offerings.
APPLICATIONS TO MY LIFE:
Praise God for providing His Word. It has been preserved for millenniums!
Praise God that He is a God of order. These trumpet signals clearly conveyed specific messages.
Praise God that he is a God of music! I love the way God used an instrument to convey messages: war cries, festival music, and worship music!
QUESTIONS FOR MYSELF:
Am I listening for His voice (trumpet) like I should?
Am I obeying His voice (trumpet) like I should?
Is the LORD telling me to stay?
Is the Lord telling me to go?
Am I meeting with the people of the Lord at the appointed times?
Am I enjoying the Lord? This hit me earlier this week about how I eat. I look forward to eating (big time), then I often hurry through the meal. JUST TO FINISH. I need to enjoy the meal. PS to self: much of the world is starving! LORD HAVE MERCY! I often am going through my day, and checking items off my list. JUST TO FINISH. I need to enjoy each moment—each moment is a present from the LORD!
Am I praying enough for others (my offering)?
PRAYER
LORD, help me to honor you by listening, obeying, and enjoying you and all you provide for me. Let me be a conduit of your grace. Your will be done. For your glory. For your Kingdom. For Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Saturday, May 25, 2019
Monday, May 6, 2019
Christ's Final 24 Hours--By the Numbers
I love numbers! God loves numbers, too! There is certainly order with numbers. I am not a member of the clergy, so keep that in mind as I list the following numbers about Jesus' last 24 hours. The studying of these events adds validity to Jesus' claims. it adds clarity of the horror. clarity of the sacrifice. clarity to the perfection of God's plan to free us from sin. free us from guilt forever by trusting in the fact that Jesus was the spotless Lamb, the Messiah, and (3 days later) the Resurrected King! As you read these numbers, please keep in mind that Jesus has been up all night. He is dehydrated. He is embarrassed. He has been arrested. He has been on trial and falsely condemned. Jesus was whipped so that we could be healed (Isaiah 53:5). After he carries his cross (with some help from Simon of Cyrene--mentioned in Matthew, Mark, and Luke), he is crucified. Jesus is nailed to a cross at 9:00 AM. He stays on that cross, pulling himself up to breathe until 3:00 PM. So for 360 minutes, Jesus had to pull himself up to breathe. Normal respiratory rate is 12-20 breaths per minute. I have no idea how many times a crucified person breaths. Since he has to pull himself up to breathe, let's guess 10 times a minute. If that is accurate, Jesus would have pulled himself up 3600 times. What horror! What pain! But more than that unspeakable physical pain was the spiritual pain of carrying our sins! every sin that had or ever would be done! But still worse for Jesus was the separation from His Father! (Mark 15:34) Perhaps this was the three hours of darkness that fell over the land from Noon until 3:00 PM. Some think that God the Father could not look on Jesus as he bore our sins (Isaiah 53:5-6). I believe this was the case. The bottom line for these 24 hours---JESUS PAID IT ALL!!!
Below are some of the numbers of Jesus' last 24 hours on this earth. It is not an exhaustive list. More could be listed, but these are the ones that I have chosen along with scripture references for each.
Betrayers...ONE: Judas (Matthew 26:16) (Mark 14:10) (Luke 22:3-5) (John 18:2-3)
Number of Disciples who deserted Jesus: ALL (Matthew 26:56) (Mark 14:50)
Number of times Jesus prayed His last night in the Garden of Gethsemane: THREE: (Matthew 26:44) (Mark 14:32-39) TWO (Luke 22:40-47)
Number of times Peter denied knowing Jesus: THREE (Matthew 26:75) (Mark 14:71-72) (Luke 22:56-62) (John 18:27)
Number of pieces of silver that Judas received to betray Jesus: THIRTY (Matthew 27:3)
Number of times Jesus was flogged with a lead-tipped whip: UNCLEAR BUT PROBABLY 39 HITS (Matthew 27:26) (John 19:1)
Number of Crowns of Thorns that Jesus wore: ONE (Matthew 27:29) (Mark 15:17) (John 19:2)
Number of reeds given to Jesus as a scepter in order to mock Him: ONE (Matthew 27:29)
Number of times that Jesus was spit on by the Roman soldiers: NUMEROUS (Matthew 27:30) (Mark 15:19)
Number of times that Jesus was struck with the scepter by the Roman soldiers: NUMEROUS (Matthew 27:30) (Mark 15:19)
Number of feet that Jesus carried the cross: UNKNOWN (Matthew 27: 31-32) (Mark 15:21-23) (Luke 23:26) (John 19:16-17)
Number of people who scoffed at Jesus on the Cross: MANY; people passing by (Matthew 27:39) (Mark 15:29); the leading priests (Matthew 27:41) (Mark 15:31) the teachers of religious law, (Matthew 27:41) (Mark 15:31) and the elders (Matthew 27:41); the leaders (Luke 23:35); the soldiers (Luke 23:36); at least one of the revolutionaries who were crucified on either side of Jesus (Matthew 27:44 says both) (Mark 15:32 says both) (Luke 23:39-43 accounts for one criminal scoffed at Jesus, while the other criminal asked Jesus "to remember me when you come into your Kingdom").
Number of hours that Jesus was crucified: SIX; the following references mention either the ending three hours or the beginning and ending times of Jesus' crucifixion. (Matthew 27:45) (Mark 15:25 & 34-37) (Luke 23:44)
Number of times that Jesus died: ONCE. He was the FINAL Sacrifice for all mankind! (Matthew 27:50) (Mark 15:31) (Luke 23:46) (John 19:30)
Number of Roman officers who saw the way Jesus died and said, "This man truly was the Son of God!": ONE (Mark 15:39)
Number of Roman officers at the cross who said, "Surely, this man was innocent."(Luke 23:47)
Number of women watching from a distance: SEVERAL (Mark 15:40-41)
Number of Jesus's friends (including women) who had followed him from Galilee and stood at a distance. UNKNOW NUMBER (Luke 23:49)
Number of people who took the body down from the cross ONE; Joseph of Arimathea (Luke 23:53) (John 19:38)
Number of people who came with Joseph of Arimathea: ONE (Nicodemus) (John 19:39-40)
Number of specific people standing near the cross: FIVE (Jesus' mother, his mother's sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), Mary Magdalene, and John)
Below are some of the numbers of Jesus' last 24 hours on this earth. It is not an exhaustive list. More could be listed, but these are the ones that I have chosen along with scripture references for each.
Betrayers...ONE: Judas (Matthew 26:16) (Mark 14:10) (Luke 22:3-5) (John 18:2-3)
Number of Disciples who deserted Jesus: ALL (Matthew 26:56) (Mark 14:50)
Number of times Jesus prayed His last night in the Garden of Gethsemane: THREE: (Matthew 26:44) (Mark 14:32-39) TWO (Luke 22:40-47)
Number of times Peter denied knowing Jesus: THREE (Matthew 26:75) (Mark 14:71-72) (Luke 22:56-62) (John 18:27)
Number of pieces of silver that Judas received to betray Jesus: THIRTY (Matthew 27:3)
Number of times Jesus was flogged with a lead-tipped whip: UNCLEAR BUT PROBABLY 39 HITS (Matthew 27:26) (John 19:1)
Number of Crowns of Thorns that Jesus wore: ONE (Matthew 27:29) (Mark 15:17) (John 19:2)
Number of reeds given to Jesus as a scepter in order to mock Him: ONE (Matthew 27:29)
Number of times that Jesus was spit on by the Roman soldiers: NUMEROUS (Matthew 27:30) (Mark 15:19)
Number of times that Jesus was struck with the scepter by the Roman soldiers: NUMEROUS (Matthew 27:30) (Mark 15:19)
Number of feet that Jesus carried the cross: UNKNOWN (Matthew 27: 31-32) (Mark 15:21-23) (Luke 23:26) (John 19:16-17)
Number of people who scoffed at Jesus on the Cross: MANY; people passing by (Matthew 27:39) (Mark 15:29); the leading priests (Matthew 27:41) (Mark 15:31) the teachers of religious law, (Matthew 27:41) (Mark 15:31) and the elders (Matthew 27:41); the leaders (Luke 23:35); the soldiers (Luke 23:36); at least one of the revolutionaries who were crucified on either side of Jesus (Matthew 27:44 says both) (Mark 15:32 says both) (Luke 23:39-43 accounts for one criminal scoffed at Jesus, while the other criminal asked Jesus "to remember me when you come into your Kingdom").
Number of hours that Jesus was crucified: SIX; the following references mention either the ending three hours or the beginning and ending times of Jesus' crucifixion. (Matthew 27:45) (Mark 15:25 & 34-37) (Luke 23:44)
Number of times that Jesus died: ONCE. He was the FINAL Sacrifice for all mankind! (Matthew 27:50) (Mark 15:31) (Luke 23:46) (John 19:30)
Number of Roman officers who saw the way Jesus died and said, "This man truly was the Son of God!": ONE (Mark 15:39)
Number of Roman officers at the cross who said, "Surely, this man was innocent."(Luke 23:47)
Number of women watching from a distance: SEVERAL (Mark 15:40-41)
Number of Jesus's friends (including women) who had followed him from Galilee and stood at a distance. UNKNOW NUMBER (Luke 23:49)
Number of people who took the body down from the cross ONE; Joseph of Arimathea (Luke 23:53) (John 19:38)
Number of people who came with Joseph of Arimathea: ONE (Nicodemus) (John 19:39-40)
Number of specific people standing near the cross: FIVE (Jesus' mother, his mother's sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), Mary Magdalene, and John)
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Lessons from Exodus; Vol. 2
Exodus 34; After Moses had a hissy fit and broke the tablets containing the 10 Commandments, He chisled two more tablets. God wrote the Commandments again! Praise God for His patience!
God revealed His name is Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! He is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.
While Moses was on the mountain--alone with God--he fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. While Moses spent time with God, his appearance was changed--reflecting God's glory.
LESSON ONE: If we have any hope of reflecting God's glory, we must spend time with Him. While we probably will not show God's glory in a physical manner, His Spirit will change our heart. I am so haphazard in my time with God! I am so haphazard in my plans to be a reflection of God! I need to allow God to help me with a plan to be the moon that reflects the SON.
In Exodus 36-38, the LORD gifted some of the people with wisdom and ability to perform any task involved in building the sanctuary. The people were eager to get to work, and did so.
Meanwhile, as they worked, the people made contributions of physical goods. They brought special offerings of gold totaling 2,193 pounds. The whole community of Israel gave 7,545 pounds of silver. The people also brought as special offerings 5,310 pounds of bronze.
LESSON TWO: All we have is given to us from God. It is only right that we use it to glorify Him in whatever manner He decides.
In Exodus 37, the Ark of the Covenant's Cover is called the place of atonement.
As we read in Exodus, God details a way to atone for the Hebrews' sin. But it was always temporary.
LESSON THREE: I believe the Cross is the place of atonement for us. We need no priest, but Jesus. We need no sacrifice, but Jesus. We need no sanctuary, but ourselves dedicated to Jesus and open to the filling of His Holy Spirit. I love that! Soooooo exciting! Thank you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!!!
God revealed His name is Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! He is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.
While Moses was on the mountain--alone with God--he fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. While Moses spent time with God, his appearance was changed--reflecting God's glory.
LESSON ONE: If we have any hope of reflecting God's glory, we must spend time with Him. While we probably will not show God's glory in a physical manner, His Spirit will change our heart. I am so haphazard in my time with God! I am so haphazard in my plans to be a reflection of God! I need to allow God to help me with a plan to be the moon that reflects the SON.
In Exodus 36-38, the LORD gifted some of the people with wisdom and ability to perform any task involved in building the sanctuary. The people were eager to get to work, and did so.
Meanwhile, as they worked, the people made contributions of physical goods. They brought special offerings of gold totaling 2,193 pounds. The whole community of Israel gave 7,545 pounds of silver. The people also brought as special offerings 5,310 pounds of bronze.
LESSON TWO: All we have is given to us from God. It is only right that we use it to glorify Him in whatever manner He decides.
In Exodus 37, the Ark of the Covenant's Cover is called the place of atonement.
As we read in Exodus, God details a way to atone for the Hebrews' sin. But it was always temporary.
LESSON THREE: I believe the Cross is the place of atonement for us. We need no priest, but Jesus. We need no sacrifice, but Jesus. We need no sanctuary, but ourselves dedicated to Jesus and open to the filling of His Holy Spirit. I love that! Soooooo exciting! Thank you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!!!
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Lessons from Exodus; Vol. 1
In Exodus 2, while Moses is on Mt. Sinai, the people's impatience leads to evil desires. They talked Aaron in to making them "some gods." So, Aaron makes a golden calf for the Israelites to worship.
Lesson 1: These are the same people who have seen God's power. The parting of the Red Sea, God's provision of manna and quail. God's provision of water when Moses struck a rock. They had witnessed many more miracles! All of the sudden, God was not on their time table, and they turned to mischief. They turned to sin.
Hmmm...that sounds familiar. As American Christians, we can easily become impatient with God. After all, we have a time schedule. We know exactly how and when we want things to happen. I mean, they have been happening this way for years!
WAIT!! God has given and given us so much for so long, we some times believe we are in charge. We are in control. We have the power. LORD, HAVE MERCY!!! We have no power unless God gives it to us. We have nothing--including food, water, shelter, law & order, a job, a church, and most of all...a relationship with Him---unless God provides!
In Exodus 33, we are told that God knew Moses by name. My first question is, "Doesn't he know my name?" Well, of course he does. But, i believe this was a deeper meaning. God and Moses were friends. Why? Because Moses believed in God. Moses worshipped God. Moses obeyed God.
Lesson 2: If we want to be right with God, we must put our faith in Jesus Christ. We must believe in Jesus. We must worship Jesus. We must obey Jesus. I believe Jesus not only wants to be our Lord and Savior----and he does. I believe Jesus wants to be our friend.
Lesson 1: These are the same people who have seen God's power. The parting of the Red Sea, God's provision of manna and quail. God's provision of water when Moses struck a rock. They had witnessed many more miracles! All of the sudden, God was not on their time table, and they turned to mischief. They turned to sin.
Hmmm...that sounds familiar. As American Christians, we can easily become impatient with God. After all, we have a time schedule. We know exactly how and when we want things to happen. I mean, they have been happening this way for years!
WAIT!! God has given and given us so much for so long, we some times believe we are in charge. We are in control. We have the power. LORD, HAVE MERCY!!! We have no power unless God gives it to us. We have nothing--including food, water, shelter, law & order, a job, a church, and most of all...a relationship with Him---unless God provides!
In Exodus 33, we are told that God knew Moses by name. My first question is, "Doesn't he know my name?" Well, of course he does. But, i believe this was a deeper meaning. God and Moses were friends. Why? Because Moses believed in God. Moses worshipped God. Moses obeyed God.
Lesson 2: If we want to be right with God, we must put our faith in Jesus Christ. We must believe in Jesus. We must worship Jesus. We must obey Jesus. I believe Jesus not only wants to be our Lord and Savior----and he does. I believe Jesus wants to be our friend.
Thursday, March 28, 2019
Jesus heals a blind man
In John 9, Jesus heals a man that has been blind since birth.
***Facts Section 1
His disciples saw the man and asked Jesus whose sins caused the man's blindness-his or his parents.
Jesus was quick to tell them it was not because of his sins or his parents' sins.
He told them it happened so the power of God could be seen in him.
***LESSON ONE: What appears negative to our physical eye may be the backdrop for God to use that item to show His glory! We need to trust God to bring us through the tough times. God will be victorious in and through our lives if we let Him.
The man was blind.
People (including the Disciples) thought it was due to the man's sins or his family's sins.
He was blind so that Jesus could heal him.
***Facts Section 2:
Jesus's method of healing the man was interesting.
He did not ask him if he wanted to be healed.
He did not simply lay hands on him and heal him.
He did not say, "Be healed."
Jesus spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva (For Real).
Then he required something of the man. an action. "Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam."
The blind man was required to do something specific at a certain place.
***LESSON TWO: Our intellect sometimes prevents us from being vehicles of God's glory. We may think (or say) things like: Why did Jesus use spit to heal me? Why do I have to go wash it off? Can't he just wipe it off? It would be less trouble. Why do I have to go to the pool of Siloam? The pool of Convenience is closer! What is Jesus thinking? Did He really mean for me to do this? I feel weird walking around with mud on my eyes. Those people at the pool will laugh at me. I am just going to go home. MERCY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Help us, Lord! to listen. to obey. to not worry about our appearance to others. to not worry about others period. to realize you are God! to trust you. Help us, Dear Lord.
Thankfully, the man did what Jesus said. "So the man went and washed and came back seeing."
***LESSON THREE: Sometimes God requires action from us before the miracle takes place.
***Facts Section 3
The man had to go wash at the Pool of Siloam. Then he was healed
***LESSON FOUR: We open a door for God to turn people's worlds upside down when we obey Him and receive a miracle.
***Facts Section 4
At first, people doubt it is the same man! Besides being able to see, I figure his countenance was completely different. He was probably a sad beggar. Now, he is probably smiling. laughing. praising God!
Jesus did this miracle on the Sabbath. The Pharisees were indignant that such "work" was done on the Sabbath. They were going crazy trying to figure it out.
***LESSON FIVE: Be ready to give an accurate description of God's work in your life. God desires to use people to witness to other people. He provides the power. We just need to be available.
***Facts Section 5
The Pharisees ask the former-blind man about his healing.
Then, the Pharisees asked his parents about the healing. They threw their own son under the bus (or chariot). They said ask him-he is of age. They were looking out for their own interest. The parents were scared of getting thrown out of the Temple. maybe it was for spiritual reasons. maybe it was for social status reasons. maybe they were scared. (Hopefully they made up with their son after all this was over.)
Finally, the Pharisees called the former-blind man back in.
This dude now witnesses to the religious leaders. They asked him the same questions, and he exclaimed, "Look! I told you once. Didn't you listen? Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?"
The Pharisees cursed him and spoke of knowing that God spoke to Moses but they didn't even know where this man was from.
The former-blind man spoke words that could be heard around the world or around the centuries...
"Why, that's very strange! He healed my eyes, and yet you don't know where he comes from? We know that God doesn't listen to sinners, but he is ready to worship them and do his will. Ever since the world began, no one has been able to open the eyes of someone born blind. If this man were not from God, he couldn't have done it."
LESSON SIX: There are times we seem to be on the outside of God's Kingdom, just to find out we are staring at Jesus!
***Facts Section 6
Then the Jewish leaders threw him out of the Synagogue.
Jesus found the former blind man.
Jesus asked him if he believed in the Son of Man.
The former-blind man responded, "Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him."
"You have seen him," Jesus said, "and he is speaking to you."
The former-blind man said, "Yes, Lord, I believe!" And he worshipped Jesus.
***Facts Section 1
His disciples saw the man and asked Jesus whose sins caused the man's blindness-his or his parents.
Jesus was quick to tell them it was not because of his sins or his parents' sins.
He told them it happened so the power of God could be seen in him.
***LESSON ONE: What appears negative to our physical eye may be the backdrop for God to use that item to show His glory! We need to trust God to bring us through the tough times. God will be victorious in and through our lives if we let Him.
The man was blind.
People (including the Disciples) thought it was due to the man's sins or his family's sins.
He was blind so that Jesus could heal him.
***Facts Section 2:
Jesus's method of healing the man was interesting.
He did not ask him if he wanted to be healed.
He did not simply lay hands on him and heal him.
He did not say, "Be healed."
Jesus spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva (For Real).
Then he required something of the man. an action. "Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam."
The blind man was required to do something specific at a certain place.
***LESSON TWO: Our intellect sometimes prevents us from being vehicles of God's glory. We may think (or say) things like: Why did Jesus use spit to heal me? Why do I have to go wash it off? Can't he just wipe it off? It would be less trouble. Why do I have to go to the pool of Siloam? The pool of Convenience is closer! What is Jesus thinking? Did He really mean for me to do this? I feel weird walking around with mud on my eyes. Those people at the pool will laugh at me. I am just going to go home. MERCY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Help us, Lord! to listen. to obey. to not worry about our appearance to others. to not worry about others period. to realize you are God! to trust you. Help us, Dear Lord.
Thankfully, the man did what Jesus said. "So the man went and washed and came back seeing."
***LESSON THREE: Sometimes God requires action from us before the miracle takes place.
***Facts Section 3
The man had to go wash at the Pool of Siloam. Then he was healed
***LESSON FOUR: We open a door for God to turn people's worlds upside down when we obey Him and receive a miracle.
***Facts Section 4
At first, people doubt it is the same man! Besides being able to see, I figure his countenance was completely different. He was probably a sad beggar. Now, he is probably smiling. laughing. praising God!
Jesus did this miracle on the Sabbath. The Pharisees were indignant that such "work" was done on the Sabbath. They were going crazy trying to figure it out.
***LESSON FIVE: Be ready to give an accurate description of God's work in your life. God desires to use people to witness to other people. He provides the power. We just need to be available.
***Facts Section 5
The Pharisees ask the former-blind man about his healing.
Then, the Pharisees asked his parents about the healing. They threw their own son under the bus (or chariot). They said ask him-he is of age. They were looking out for their own interest. The parents were scared of getting thrown out of the Temple. maybe it was for spiritual reasons. maybe it was for social status reasons. maybe they were scared. (Hopefully they made up with their son after all this was over.)
Finally, the Pharisees called the former-blind man back in.
This dude now witnesses to the religious leaders. They asked him the same questions, and he exclaimed, "Look! I told you once. Didn't you listen? Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?"
The Pharisees cursed him and spoke of knowing that God spoke to Moses but they didn't even know where this man was from.
The former-blind man spoke words that could be heard around the world or around the centuries...
"Why, that's very strange! He healed my eyes, and yet you don't know where he comes from? We know that God doesn't listen to sinners, but he is ready to worship them and do his will. Ever since the world began, no one has been able to open the eyes of someone born blind. If this man were not from God, he couldn't have done it."
LESSON SIX: There are times we seem to be on the outside of God's Kingdom, just to find out we are staring at Jesus!
***Facts Section 6
Then the Jewish leaders threw him out of the Synagogue.
Jesus found the former blind man.
Jesus asked him if he believed in the Son of Man.
The former-blind man responded, "Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him."
"You have seen him," Jesus said, "and he is speaking to you."
The former-blind man said, "Yes, Lord, I believe!" And he worshipped Jesus.
Thursday, February 14, 2019
LAZARUS
What was the Purpose of Lazarus’ Sickness?
John 11:4 But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.”
John 11:14 So he (Jesus) told them (the Disciples) plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come let’s go see him.”
***The fact that Jesus tells his disciples that they will really believe, causes me to believe there are levels of faith. The disciples had faith in Jesus, but the upcoming event that they would soon witness would kick their faith to a much higher level.***
2. John 11:21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you would have been here my brother would not have died. 22. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.”
John 11: 23 Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.”
John 11: 24 “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises at the last day.”
***Martha seemed perturbed with Jesus. Obviously, Jesus could have healed her brother. She pretty much blamed Jesus for Lazarus not being alive. In her mind, her brother’s life on this earth was over. Yet, astoundingly, she utters a glitter of hope in verse 22 with the words:
But even now.***
Jesus continues to use this time to predict the soon-to-be-miracle and to proclaim his own glory.
John 11:25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never, ever die. Do you believe this Martha?”
Now Martha proclaims her supreme faith in Jesus.
John 11:27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.”
3. John 11:38 Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. 39 “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them.
John 11:39b But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible..”
John 11:40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?”
***This entire event was orchestrated to help people have faith in Jesus and to see His glory and God’s glory.***
John 11:41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of these people standing here, so they will believe you sent me.” 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”
***WOW!! Surely everyone believed in Jesus now! OOPS…
John 11:45 Many of the people who were still with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. 46 But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.
***Some of these people did not believe Jesus was the Messiah, so this awesome miracle went right by them.***
John 11:4 But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.”
John 11:14 So he (Jesus) told them (the Disciples) plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come let’s go see him.”
***The fact that Jesus tells his disciples that they will really believe, causes me to believe there are levels of faith. The disciples had faith in Jesus, but the upcoming event that they would soon witness would kick their faith to a much higher level.***
2. John 11:21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you would have been here my brother would not have died. 22. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.”
John 11: 23 Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.”
John 11: 24 “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises at the last day.”
***Martha seemed perturbed with Jesus. Obviously, Jesus could have healed her brother. She pretty much blamed Jesus for Lazarus not being alive. In her mind, her brother’s life on this earth was over. Yet, astoundingly, she utters a glitter of hope in verse 22 with the words:
But even now.***
Jesus continues to use this time to predict the soon-to-be-miracle and to proclaim his own glory.
John 11:25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never, ever die. Do you believe this Martha?”
Now Martha proclaims her supreme faith in Jesus.
John 11:27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.”
3. John 11:38 Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. 39 “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them.
John 11:39b But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible..”
John 11:40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?”
***This entire event was orchestrated to help people have faith in Jesus and to see His glory and God’s glory.***
John 11:41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of these people standing here, so they will believe you sent me.” 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”
***WOW!! Surely everyone believed in Jesus now! OOPS…
John 11:45 Many of the people who were still with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. 46 But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.
***Some of these people did not believe Jesus was the Messiah, so this awesome miracle went right by them.***
Saturday, February 9, 2019
WHAT ABOUT LOVE?
WHAT ABOUT LOVE?
***Part ONE
A Volunteer will read 1Corinthians 13:1-3. Plainly, without love, we gain NOTHING.
Core Scripture for this Lesson:
I Corinthians 13:4-7; 4. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5. or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
DISCUSSION
How do we obtain this love?
***Part TWO
As we live our American Christian lives, we can easily get caught up in wrong attitudes, selfish purposes, and non-Biblical mindsets. Thus, I will pose questions to myself…and I ask you to do likewise.
Do I use my wealth well? Do I misuse my wealth?
I am self-reliant? Am I so independent that I don’t recognize God as my provider?
Do I feel superior to others? Do I feel inferior to others?
Am I trapped by guilt? Does guilt keep me from efficiently serving God?
Is my identity…my career? my family? my education (and/or intellect)? my friends? my position in the church? my position in the community? my position in society? other?
Do I love well?
DISCUSSION
Do any of the questions stick out to you? Which one(s)? Elaborate.
What does scripture say?
Philippians 4:19 Matthew 6:19-20 and 24-34 I John 1:9
***WRAPUP
Dr Kelvin Elko is an inspirational speaker who focuses on team building. In the world of sports, he has 21 championships at the college and pro level. He has succinct, meaningful inspirational messages.
In one of his messages, Dr. Elko tell us to say out loud, “There are some things I can control and some things I can’t control.” I found myself saying this as I recently attempted to get a DVD player working at PAYH. It was out of my control. We finally got a needed cord from our Visual-Aids Expert and all was good. But, this little line helped. Dr. Elko continues to speak of an interview that took place decades ago. Marlo Thomas interviewed Paul McCartney. At that moment, the Beatles were falling apart and Paul’s life was in disarray. He mentioned that he would really like to talk to his mother. Paul’s mother was a nurse who had died ten years previous to that interview. As he went to sleep that night, he had the desire of talking to his mother on his mind. After he went to sleep, he had a dream. Paul McCartney clearly saw his mother at the foot of his bed. She told Paul, “Let it be.” He got up at 2:00 AM and wrote the song Let It Be. Also, he married one of the studio back-up singers that helped record the song. From that point forward, things turned around for Paul.
REFLECTION
Are there tasks, people, worries in our life that we need to LET IT BE.
Philippians 4:6-7; Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will receive God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
***Part ONE
A Volunteer will read 1Corinthians 13:1-3. Plainly, without love, we gain NOTHING.
Core Scripture for this Lesson:
I Corinthians 13:4-7; 4. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5. or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
DISCUSSION
How do we obtain this love?
***Part TWO
As we live our American Christian lives, we can easily get caught up in wrong attitudes, selfish purposes, and non-Biblical mindsets. Thus, I will pose questions to myself…and I ask you to do likewise.
Do I use my wealth well? Do I misuse my wealth?
I am self-reliant? Am I so independent that I don’t recognize God as my provider?
Do I feel superior to others? Do I feel inferior to others?
Am I trapped by guilt? Does guilt keep me from efficiently serving God?
Is my identity…my career? my family? my education (and/or intellect)? my friends? my position in the church? my position in the community? my position in society? other?
Do I love well?
DISCUSSION
Do any of the questions stick out to you? Which one(s)? Elaborate.
What does scripture say?
Philippians 4:19 Matthew 6:19-20 and 24-34 I John 1:9
***WRAPUP
Dr Kelvin Elko is an inspirational speaker who focuses on team building. In the world of sports, he has 21 championships at the college and pro level. He has succinct, meaningful inspirational messages.
In one of his messages, Dr. Elko tell us to say out loud, “There are some things I can control and some things I can’t control.” I found myself saying this as I recently attempted to get a DVD player working at PAYH. It was out of my control. We finally got a needed cord from our Visual-Aids Expert and all was good. But, this little line helped. Dr. Elko continues to speak of an interview that took place decades ago. Marlo Thomas interviewed Paul McCartney. At that moment, the Beatles were falling apart and Paul’s life was in disarray. He mentioned that he would really like to talk to his mother. Paul’s mother was a nurse who had died ten years previous to that interview. As he went to sleep that night, he had the desire of talking to his mother on his mind. After he went to sleep, he had a dream. Paul McCartney clearly saw his mother at the foot of his bed. She told Paul, “Let it be.” He got up at 2:00 AM and wrote the song Let It Be. Also, he married one of the studio back-up singers that helped record the song. From that point forward, things turned around for Paul.
REFLECTION
Are there tasks, people, worries in our life that we need to LET IT BE.
Philippians 4:6-7; Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will receive God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
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