Rev 1-3

"Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." verses 3:19-20

The first chapter really sets the stage for both these chapters and the rest of the book of Apocalypse (aka the Revelation of John). Not only does it set up that this is a vision from God to John and the churches, but sets the imagery he saw of the one "like a son of man" who stands before the seven lampstands and holds the seven stars, which are explained to be the seven churches in Asia and the seven angels or messengers.

Chapters 2 and 3 are the seven letters to the churches. Each begins with an addressed church and a characteristic of the sender. The main portion of the letter varies from church to church, but begins with a statement of knowledge speaking of specific situations or actions or trials. At the end is the phrase "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." and then a promise to those who overcome.

Most often the thing He knows is their deeds: hard work and perseverance; love and faith, service and perseverance, doing more than at the beginning; kept my word, not denied my name. These are good, but other deeds are rebuked: "You have forsaken your first love", holding to false teachings, tolerating sin, "you are neither cold nor hot", "I have not found your deeds complete".

Their deeds were incomplete, but in each case He doesn't really tell them to do all that much but to hold on, persevere, be faithful, repent, wake up, endure patiently, open the door as we hear Him knock and allow Him to enter. Ultimately it isn't by our deeds that we "will walk with [Him] dressed in white". Only by going to Him are we made rich, pure, and can see clearly. Ultimately, only in Him can we overcome.Only He has overcome sin and death.

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

Each letter speaks to a different situation, to rebuke and correct that we may repent and be found in Him when the hour comes. But we are told to hear what the Spirit says to the churches, not just one.

The letter to the Church in Philadelphia is the one that has spoken to me the most (I won't go into it now), but they all to a degree speak to situations I am in now or in the past. And listening to the Spirit speak the idea to hold firm, pursue holiness, and endure to the end really speaks to me.

Tiens ferme. "Je viens bientôt; tiens ferme ce que tu as, afin que personne ne prenne ta couronne" v.3:11 (OST)

1 John 3-4

Some thoughts from the last time I read 1John3-4 in April

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"

What does it mean to be a child of God? What is the significance of the word lavished? If that is what we are, how can this be seen practically in our lives?

What we will be has not yet been made known. So, I guess it doesn't really matter as much as the fact that we are His children. No matter what happens, you are always your father's child. This is how it is with God as well. When you are adopted by Him, He will never leave or forsake you.

But it says we shall be like Him. What does that mean? We will not be gods. That is sure. For God alone, the perfect three-in-one image of diversity and unity, is worthy of all our praise. We deserve none. But it says we shall see Him as He is. This being one of the characteristics of Christ. Seeing the Father for all that He is. That's gonna be amazing. If only based on the little bits and pieces we see of Him now, God is absolutely world shatteringly awesome and powerful, yet lavish in His eternally driven and passionate love for those He has created in His image.

All with this hope purify themselves. Do we purify ourselves? I mean, it does say it, but what does it /say/? Cuz it's pretty evident experientially that this is a losing battle. In chapter two it says to young men "you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one." This strongly reflects Psa119:11 and Eph6:17. And more so, it is He who purifies, He who "take away our sins", and He shall make us holy as He is holy, to reflect more and more of His image (2Cor3:18).

They will not continue in sin because God's seed (the Word of God) is in them!

Whoa! Awesome. Exactly what the other passages were saying!

To destroy the devil's work. Does this include those who are being drawn to sin? I don't think so, but those who are of the devil (what does that mean?) I guess so. For you know we were all at one point objects of this wrath; we were deserving of punishment. We are deserving of this wrath.

I think this is where the lavishness of God's love comes in. Instead of wrath, He poured it out on Christ that we might be adopted into His family; given the right to become His children.

But now is when we are strengthened by Him, strengthened by His Word, and strengthened by His Spirit and the hope that will never fade. May we continue to reflect more of Him and truly be children of God, pure and blameless by His blood and that even, by being born of Him, we /Cannot/ go on sinning.

1 John 1-2

"因为黑暗正在消逝，真光已经在照耀"

This is a part of 1 John chapter 2 verse 8 in simplified Chinese characters. It says "because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining."

Both before and after this verse is a discussion of light and darkness.

God is light and in him is no darkness.

But we are not like this. We do not produce light, but sometimes we act like it. We put on this mask that shows the world we are perfect, that we are never sad, we are never upset. This applies to both Christians and non-Christians. We want ourselves to look good, no matter what is happening on the inside. Whether it is to get a girlfriend or boyfriend, to get a good job, to get the things we crave and desire above all else, we will present the best in ourselves. We boast in our accomplishments. We share bout our joys and great lives. We only present the best side of ourselves.

Facebook. You only see happy pictures, and if someone does start sharing about real doubts or negative thoughts people judge them and say things like "you're just trying to get attention." Presenting this idea that there is no room for this real struggle.

I think especially Christians end up like this sometimes. Where now that you are Christian you have to be perfect. Jesus never said "Believe in me and you will be perfect right now and never make another bad choice or mistake".

We show our best in the light and hide anything sub-par in the shadows.

But in God there is no darkness. As we walk with him there is a continual choice being made to take the next step forward or turn to the side, back to darkness.

If we claim to have fellowship wit him, but walk in the darkness we lie and do not live by the truth.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
The man who says "I know him", but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

"Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did."

This is a heavy burden on our own. But by the Spirit we are given strength and power. Ultimately, love is made complete in us. Trusting in Him for every need.

As we walk with him, our darkness will be removed and we will reflect His light more and more.

"For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of the eyes, and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world. The world with its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." v 2:16-17

Darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. True Light. 真光。

This means so much to me since my name is "Sunshine" in Chinese. Each time I hear "真光" I am reminded how I am not the sunshine and nothing I can do would make it that way, but as I walk with Him, who is light, the darkness is removed and I can better shine His light into the darkness.

John 8:12 "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.""

Will you follow in the light, or hide in the dark?

2 Tim 2

Continuing from last time,

2 Tim 1 verses 8-10 "So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me His prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel."

God has called us not to live as the world following the lusts and passions of the flesh, given over to immorality and every kind of deceit. He has called us to holy lives for His purposes and grace.

In this chapter verses 20-22 exemplify the meaning behind these words.

"In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."

Not to be rude, but we all have become articles tainted by ignoble purposes. Whether it be chasing money and success by trading in ethics and morals; chasing our own pleasure and desires leading to immorality with or without others directly involved; or even to make ourselves look better by cheating, making others look worse, or finding loop holes. By our flesh nature, we have become ignoble instruments.

This is why we needed to be saved.

For these things we would continue to be useless for the noble purposes we were made. A perfectly made exquisite vase will never hold beautiful flowers after it has been used as a spittoon.

But God saved us by Jesus, washed us in His blood, made us clean again. Now is the choice to go back to these things, or pursue holiness in Him.

If you ever wonder why you don't see people coming to Christ, why you don't have great conversations, why you feel God is far away, these things stem from a separation from God, a division caused by sin. When you pursue His kingdom and righteousness first all else will fall into place, when you abide in Him you will see fruit, fruit that will last.

If you want to see Amazing and Awesome things happen that only God can do, and to see God use you, gotta cleanse ourselves from these things on an ongoing basis and seek His Spirit to continue sanctifying us.

Does it make sense to pray for revival on campus when inside we ourselves are dying? We need revival and life in Him first.

2 Tim 1

Verses 8-10 "So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me His prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immmortality to light through the gospel."

These long sentences are an encouragement to suffer.

Not to suffer for just anything, but the greatest thing! The gospel, which is partially explained in this passage. God has saved us through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, having planned from the beginning the grace He has apportioned for each of us as He calls us to true life and holiness as part of His purposes for us.

Suffering for the gospel of life and salvation, not because of anything we have done, but what He has done for us.

Verse 11 of chapter 2. "Here is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him;"

This death is not a death physically. This death is not dying in a war on unbelievers 'for the gospel'. This is not a cult-ish dying together now so we can be with God in life tomorrow.

This death is suffering. This death is choosing God over the things in the world that offer some breif pleasures. This death is a death to bring true life and satisfaction in God by forsaking the idols we love so much.

This death is following God wherever He calls us, at whatever time, in whatever place, at whatever personal cost, knowing that He has a plan and purpose for us that is greater than our own comfort in this moment.

1 Tim 1

In the first chapter of 1 Timothy there is a warning about false teachers, those who have turned to meaningless talk without a pure heart, good conscience, or sincere faith, desiring to teach the law. They want to be teachers of the law, but do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

"We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me." v8-11

So, how do we use law properly?
Why is it made only for those who break it?
How is the law similar to the gospel?

So, how do we use law properly? We learn the rules and we avoid breaking them. If we break them, we get punished, justly, and in the future will remember the consequences of being caught breaking them so that we avoid breaking them again. Right? But it only really works if we want to follow the laws. If we seek to just satisfy our own desires, we can blur the rules and ignore them for our own purposes.

Getting to drive you learn all about traffic signs and rules. But shortly after being able to drive a number of people just speed all the time. You've gotta get somewhere as soon as possible. As long as you don't see a cop and aren't driving by the places you typically see them, you go faster. You've never got a ticket before.

But you know what? Breaking the rules has consequences. Not the ones you are expecting.

If you speed, you deserve a high-speed death. The law was put there to avoid the consequence. You can choose to ignore it, but that's the eventual outcome. That ticket isn't a punishment. That ticket is grace for both you and the person you could have hit.


The law was made to protect those who might break it. It was not made to fix the situation, but to assist in avoiding breaking the laws, and the consequences of such.

The laws are not made by the law breakers, but by those whom have never broken the laws for the safety of everyone including those who might break them.

This is the same for the gospel. It was made for those who would break laws because unfortunately breaking the law goes on your permanent record. Once you have broken a law, there is nothing you can do to take it off your record. You can pay the penalty, but when it comes to breaking God's laws everyone ends up paying the death they deserve apart from receiving Jesus' death in their place.

"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Matt 9:12-13

1 Thes

Today I was reading and the words "God's will" appeared a couple times.

4:3-5 "It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honourable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him."

5:16-18 "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for that is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

So, I was wondering, what other verses are so direct about God's will for us?

>.> There was really only one verse... lol.

1 Pet 2:15 "For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men."

So what do these three tell us, for certain is God's will for us?

-Sanctification, Holiness, control of our bodies
-Joyful
-Prayer
-Giving Thanks
-Doing Good

Is this really so hard? By the Spirit He promises us sanctification as we walk with Him. As we fellowship with Him and know Him better we will delight in Him and have joy in Him. We can speak to Him any time any place. Everything we have is from above, we should be thankful always and even in hard times, we know it is all for the good of those who love Him. The last one is more vague, but the Spirit convicts us of evil and temptations and helps us.

Rom 12:1-2 By renewing our mind in Him and being transformed we can then test what His will for us is.
1 Thes 5:21 "Avoid every kind of evil"

So, there's still a lot to figure out, and definitely each individual calling will vary, but God's Spirit in us knows exactly what He has for us. Let us seek His will for us.

Col 3-4

Col 3:1-17
Ok, let's just break this passage down into things Paul is telling the church at Colossae to do, and why:

To do:
-set your hearts on things above, Christ and God, not earthly things v3:1-2
-put to death all that belongs to your earthly nature (flesh and sin) since it is idolatry v5,8
-do not lie to each other v9
-clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. v12
-bear with each other and forgive each other v13
-especially put on love v14
-let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts v15
-be thankful v15
-let the word of Christ dwell richly in your heart v16

Why:
-you have been raised with Christ v3:1
-you have died and your life in in Christ now v3
-when Christ appears again in glory, so will you v4
-you have taken off the old self and its practices and now have put on the new self being renewed in God's image v9-10
-as God's holy, chosen, dearly loved people v12
-God has forgiven you greatly v13
-love binds all together in unity v14
-you were all called into peace v15


Nearly every encouragement and thing on the list of things they were told to do or not to do reflect into what God has already done for us by the cross. God chose us and in His love sent Jesus to the cross to pay for our rebellion and transgressions. By His resurrection we are made new, and His Spirit in us is tranforming us more and more into His image each day (2Cor3:18). So, why would we continue in the practices of the old self, immorality, idolatry, greed, when God has given us so much more. In regards to each other, treat one another as God has treated you: forgive, love, be patient, all as God was towards us. And now out of the gratitude and thanks for what God has done, live in Him, the truth, the way, and the life.

Although we lived and died in these things, His Spirit in us now helps us to know which way to go and also gives us the ability to do so.

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the Father through Him." v17

Col 1-2

"All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard and understood God's grace in all its truth." v 1:6

All over the world, the gospel is bearing fruit? Is that still true? I can assure you it is.

This summer alone I know of over 15 missions trips through just people I know personally going to countries around the world with this message of hope in God, hope in Christ. To places like Peru, Nigeria, Rwanda, Niger, Uganda, North Africa, East Asia, India, Gateway, Mukti, Benin, Haiti, Guatemala, Northern Quebec,  Northern Ontario, even Montréal and Toronto. I've heard stories of hundreds of people coming to know Christ for the first time, and hundreds of people coming to truly understand what they've heard before in a church meant in their own lives.

Now if you think it's only Canadians and Americans doing missions, you are way off. I have personally seen local churches with a heart for their country in Haiti where teachers and construction workers have a passion for sharing Christ. I have heard stories of girls in Uganda when they accept Christ within a matter of weeks their family and their maid has accepted Christ and are now telling their friends, I know students from Asia who are going to the Middle East with the gospel, fathers who grew up in a muslim country now raising a family and living out each day to stand firm in God despite having to swim against the current.

The church is not just you and me, but the each and every one whom God has called out of the world. People from every tribe, nation, culture, tongue, every one. So, be encouraged, God's got this plan going. And each of us can play a part in some way as we ask God to use us.

But here's a question: What does it mean to understand God's grace in all its truth? Is that even possible? To fully understand the grace of God?

Ephesians 1-3

I once read a true story about a missionary who brought Bibles into closed countries behind the 'Iron Curtain'. Despite not knowing the language there was a part in the story where he had a great conversation with two other men.

To this day I continue to try and learn sentences that I could use in the same way.

In the story they spoke through the Bible. He had an English one and they had one in their language. To speak to each other they said the name of a verse.

"I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers" v1:16

I think this is one of those verses.

But think of what this verse means. Paul must be thankful for the people he is writing this to for what they have done and wants to have God build them up and use them powerfully, right?

I think it is actually the opposite when I read this. With a bit more context we read of their famous faith, and how Paul wishes them to be filled more and more with the Spirit to know God more intimately. All this nis from God, not at all what they have done.

Paul is more likely giving thanks to God for what He has done in showing even a glimpse of His love, sacrifice, and plans for the Ephesian church. Praying for them more that God would continue to do amazing things through them.

Eph 2:8-10 (Go read it, the following is not a quote)

It is by grace you have been saved. You haven't done anything to deserve this, but God chose to pay the price to adopt you from the morgue and bring you to life in Christ. This is all from God, not at all by your own earning. God has plans for you now. Walk in His light.

Gal 1-3

Are you so foolish?

What is a "Christian life" and how do we live it?

So often it degrades into the following:
-Go to church every Sunday morning.
-Pay your 10% in tithes.
-Read the Bible.
-Pray before meals and bed.
-Wear a cross necklace.
-No sex before marriage.
-No divorce.
-Dress modestly.
-No swearing.
-Listen to music about Jesus.
-etc.

A list of do's and don't's. But isn't it so much more than that? What is the point of all that stuff?

The Christian life, Christian meaning 'little Christ', is a life where you are following Jesus' example, but more importantly is that you have a close relationship with God and as you experience Him more and more you see the areas in your life that need changing and ask Him to help where you can do nothing.

When we started a relationship with God we asked for forgiveness of all our sin and for Him to enter our lives in a powerful and meaningful way. But so quickly we abandon the good news that was given to us in favour of a list of things we can do to make ourselves feel better than others.

"All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written "Cursed is everyone that does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." Clearly no one is justified before God by the law because "The righteous will live by faith"" (Gal3:10-11)

Ultimately our little lists are meaningless because they are still far less than God's lists. But then God's lists are too great for us to even come close to accomplishing. He promises "I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." (Ezk 36:27) God's Spirit in us. Intimacy with God as well as power and strength when we are weak. Boldness to proclaim His goodness and works. Power over sin in our lives. 

But here we are again, back doing what we can by our own abilities. This lack-luster 'Christianity' that is nothing different than the world.

"Are you so foolish? After beginning by the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" (Gal 3:3)

"Does God give you His Spirit and work miracles because you observe the law, or because you believe what you have heard?" (3:5)

His Spirit in us can do so much more than blending into the crowd while wearing a cross. He can do miracles, empower us to beat sin, stir up in us a heart to reach the world, boldness to trust in Him in crazy situations.

So, are we merely following our lists, or following where the Spirit will take us?

2 Cor 5-8

Hey, so I really don't like being the mean guy, the one who has to tell you that you are doing something wrong. I mean it could come off like I think I am better, it could come off like I think you are so wrong, it could just cause you to become more firm in what you think is right. BUT! It could also help you immensely. I mean, depending on the situation, right?

You could be making a fatal error in your calculations and end up failing calculus because you didn't realize that trig equality wasn't actually equal. Or you could push yourself past your limits or be lifting the wrong way at the gym and have a large amount of weights come crashing down on you. Maybe you bought what you thought was a Caribbean potato and didn't cook it quite all the way through and it was actually cassava and you eat it and die of cyanide poisoning.

So maybe you tell them they are wrong and they hurt for a little bit. You've saved them a much worse outcome.

This was not fueled by self-righteousness, not by pride, but by compassion and a desire to save them from the consequences of ignorance.

Paul writes in 2 Cor 7 that he regretted writing the last letter. He no longer regrets writing it. Although at the time it caused sorrow, it was for the best because this rebuke led to godly sorrow, a sorrow leading to repentance.

"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." 2 Cor 7:10

If you see a brother or sister way off, go gently, lovingly correct them. Point them back to the grace, forgiveness, and justice of Christ. It may hurt temporarily, but leads to far greater intimacy with God and eternity, not destruction.

2 Cor 3-4

2 Cor 4:7

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."

(I just read this:
https://bible.org/seriespage/distinguishing-contents-container-2-cor-47-15
It was really cool. Ok. I didn't read it all.)

The treasure is the glorious gospel of salvation for all people of all nations which shines light in the darkness. We are but jars of clay in the potter's hands. But the best way to see the treasure is to get rid of this clay vessel.

" Our lives are like earthen vessels, which, when broken by suffering, manifest the light of the gospel" The author of the article made a point about Paul using the imagery of Judges 7:15-25 where Gideon goes to fight the Midianites with only his 300 men. He goes at night with torches in jars. They surround the enemies and all at once break the jars to shine forth the light from within and scare the enemies.

"When we are broken by adversity, opposition, and suffering, God’s power is revealed, and God’s work is accomplished in a way that does not glorify the “clay pots” but manifests God’s surpassing power and glory."

2 Cor 1-2

I had never noticed before, but if Philippians is the "book of Joy" (somewhat misnamed) than the first chapter of 2 Corinthians must be the "chapter of Comfort". I don't think I've ever realized how many times the word comfort is written here.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort." 2 Cor 1:3-7 

But the chapter continues as Paul wants us to realize they suffered many hardships. They were under great pressure to the point they would rather die, far beyond what they themselves could endure.

I thought this was about comfort? But reading it again I see so much suffering. So many troubles. Distress. 

In John 16:33 Jesus says "In this world you will have trouble". Other translations say "tribulations", "trials and sorrow", and others.

Don't get me wrong though, God comforts. In Him our hope is sure. We do not need to gamble our eternal fate when we come before Him and the cross. In Christ our future is sure and these present sufferings are nothing in comparison (Rom 8:18).

John 16:33 continues "But take heart! I have overcome the world." Jesus is our strong refuge and tower and the 2 Cor passage also continues like this in verse 10 "He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us".

I've heard before that we never find rest by running from our problems, but right in the middle of it as we trust God to help us overcome them we find peace like that in the eye of a hurricane. Even beyond what we can bear, we always know He is with us and has overcome it all.

As seen in the passage, comfort is found as we trust in Christ, in the midst of troubles.

1 Cor 14-16

1 Cor 15

This chapter is all about resurrection. In general, but also specifically about Jesus.

Resurrection is life after death.

If there is no resurrection there are many implications here since we preach Jesus Christ's death AND resurrection.

If there is no resurrection, Jesus wasn't raised to life; sin wasn't paid for, no new life. No atonement, we are not seated in the heavenly places with Him. Our sin remains, we never received His righteousness.

Baptism into Christ's death and resurrection would be meaningless. Our words of hope in the coming redemption and renewal of the world is useless. The good news would be a failed attempt, not a victory.

"If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." 1 Cor 15:17-19

So this is pretty crucial. Especially when men are persecuting Christians around the world this very moment. If He did not rise from the dead, there is no hope, no salvation, nothing worth dying for, nothing worth telling the world.

This is why earlier in the chapter Paul reminds us that Christ did rise from the dead. Verses 3-6. Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day. Afterwards He appeared to more than 500 disciples at the same time, to the apostles and others.

Christ has indeed been raised, erasing our sin and preparing us for the work at hand. "Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." v. 58

1 Cor 11-13

1 Cor 12:4-6 "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work."

Different Gifts. All from above (James 1:17)
Different Service. Reflecting His Service (John 13:14-15)
Different Works. All God's calling (Eph 4:1,11-12)

So there is no point in comparing yourself, your talents, your dreams, your blessings, your works, your deeds, to others'. They will be different, but all from God so that no one can boast in themselves. And even  in these differences we are not divided, but brought together as a body united by Christ. United by one Spirit, one faith, one Lord, one baptism, one God.

But I do have a question: is there significance to how the trinity is divided having different things assigned to them in these verses?

1 Cor 1-5

So Paul is writing a letter to a church again. What's new?

There are divisions, there is immorality in the church. There is quarreling and jealously. There is idolatry, and the list goes on as we read the letter. But there are also so many encouraging verses here.

1:2 "to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ--their Lord and ours"

1:8 "He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ."

1:26,30-31 "Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ... It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord."

3:6-7 "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."

Our hope, our salvation, our righteousness is found in Christ alone. Nothing we can do will do it. We also have no control over others' salvation, but can only play our part in God's ultimate plan. We may not have been much when we were called; steeped in sin, powerless, enslaved, weak, useless. But God called us and has redeemed us by His cross to live anew in Him, filled with the Spirit of Power.

Romans 6:1-14

"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
 
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace."

Romans 3

Without Dark, there is no Light?

Without Cold, there is no Hot?

Without Evil, there is no Good?


Are these true? Are they justification for the darkness, for the cold, for evil?

If by my selfishness, my greed, my lust, my laziness, my lack of integrity, my judgmental nature, my pitiful self-righteousness, my fears; if by these things I show God alone to be worthy of praise, all-sustaining, love, steadfast, faithful, just in judgement, truly holy, and the one who casts out all fears; if these things magnify God's greatness, why does He punish me for them?

Because He is just.

Evil deserves punishment, by nature. Each act of disobedience needs correction, each act of rebellion needs restoration, each thought of ill will on others needs healing.

"Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is deserved. No, let us overcome evil with good.

But now we see that when we try our hardest there is still yet none who do good. Not even one. When we try our hardest, we still fall so short of God's glory, of God's plans for us. By the law we see just how far we have fallen, and not one can be justified by it. Yet these are the words of God, entrusted to the Jews and true.

But now we all see how flat on our faces we have fallen, how can we get up?

To demonstrate His justice God sent the Christ, His only begotten Son, that all who believe and trust by faith may be considered righteous. By faith in the blood of Jesus, the source of life, we may be forgiven and our punishment paid for and grace poured out instead of wrath.

Darkness, Cold, and Evil all are naught but the lack of Light, the lack of Heat, and the lack of Goodness.

Let us ask, knock, and seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit to overflowing instead of living as if we were full whilst broken and empty.

Romans 1-2

The gospel is powerful.

Verse 1:16-17 "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith.""

Although the gospel and the news of the Kingdom of God came first to the Jews, it was always meant for the world.

for the salvation of everyone ... a righteousness from God ... by faith

Romans is a letter that focuses on the gospel from beginning to end to inform the readers what this gospel, this good news is.

Starting off is how God has revealed Himself to all in many ways: "what may be known about God is plain to them" (v.19) through creation and everything God has made His qualities are known so that no one has an excuse.

Bad news verses 1:22-23a: "Although the claimed to be wise, [having known of God,] they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images"

They settled for things they could understand, things they could see, things they could do, lies. "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen." (v.25)

Worse news chapter 2: 'you are a hypocrite and God's judgement and wrath are coming to you, He "will give to each person according to what he has done" (v.6)'

Read Verse 28-29. Appearances mean nothing, only what is on your heart will mean anything. Even Jews who thought they were fine because they had the law.

"A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God."

I've heard multiple times, you can't know how good the news is until you're heard the bad news first. Romans 1-2 is that bad news. Some more in chapter 3 too, but the Good News is just around the corner, you don't need to wait thousands of years for it.

Acts 23-26

Paul speaks before the Sanhedrin and just stirs them up by mentioning the resurrection. They plot to kill him, but his nephew overhears and gets him transferred.

Felix hears him speak in his defense and about faith in Jesus Christ. Clearly he was interested, they met frequently until he was succeeded and Paul was left in prison two years 'as a favour to the Jews' (v.24:27).

Festus is here now and the Jews ask him to bring Paul back to Jerusalem so they can finish their plot to kill him (I hope they had something to eat these last two years. ;P). But he left Paul in Caesarea and heard his defense and Paul appealed to Ceasar, so he's gonna go to Rome.

King Agrippa hears and "I would like to hear this man myself" (v25:22) were his words.

So Paul again gets to share his testimony about imprisoning and approving the killing of Christians, but how Jesus appeared and sent him out with the gospel "in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also" (v.26:20).

Verse 29 seems very powerful to me, after Agrippa asking "Do you think in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" Paul says "Short time or long--I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains".

Short or long. God's plans will vary for each person. All we can do is pray, and take every opportunity given us to share what God has done in our lives as Paul did. It may mean 2 years in a prison only able to send letters before being able to preach publicly again, but all in God's plans.

Acts 22

In this chapter Paul to the crowds as he is being arrested. He tells his testimony until the crowd gets riled up again. They start to take him to the barracks and flog him when Paul mentions that he was a Roman citizen. The man who heard this went to the commander.

"The commander went to Paul and asked, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" "Yes, I am," he answered. Then the commander said, "I had to pay a big price for citizenship." "But I was born a citizen," Paul replied." v. 27-28 (NIV)

Now, I don't know anything about why it was so important that he was a Roman citizen, but these words bring to mind a few passages about our citizenship in heaven.

Acts 8:20 "Peter answered: May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!" (in response to Simon the sorcerer)

John 3:3 "In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, n one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

John 1:12-13 "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--children not born of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."

Phil 3:20 "But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior." (NLT)

Eph 2:19-20 "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone."

Basically, becoming a citizen of heaven cannot be done by money, or our own efforts, but by being born again, receiving Christ who Himself has paid the price by the cross to adopt us as God's children.

Acts 20-21

I remember reading this passage for the first time about 3 years ago on an inflatable mattress on the third floor of building in Brooklyn, New York, and being very bored and just reading because it was in my reading plan. This is one of those places where I got tired of Acts because it seemed like a list of people and places and times, but if that's all you see you are missing out.

This whole passage is Paul going back to Jerusalem knowing that he will be imprisoned for the gospel and it seems to parallel Jesus' journey to Jerusalem to the cross so well. He knows what is going to happen, his friends and other believers beg him not to go, there is prophecy about the event, there is breakign of bread upstairs, and ultimately people saying "The Lord's will be done" (v.21:14).

Paul says "I consider my life worth nothing to me" (v.20:24).

Paul is not living for himself. He is living his life as God would have him live it. He is killing his own selfishness, and desires for comfort and long secure life, for the sake of all those who would hear, from his mouth or the elders he left behind or his disciples, the gospel of grace and salvation from God through Jesus' death and resurrection.

"I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace" (v.20:24)
"I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." (v.21:13)

Seems like a similar attitude to Jesus. May our attitudes also reflect His as we seek for Him to help guide us and lead us in the way everlasting.

(Additional Reading: Philippians 2:5-11)

Acts 18-19

In these chapters Paul does a lot of preaching and teaching over a period of more than 4 years, but within this time "all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province f Asia heard the word of the Lord" (v19:10) and that was only mentioned because of his two year stay in Ephesus in the hall of Tyrannus.

Anyways, as usual he starts in the synagogues. In Corinth "the Jews opposed [him] and became abusive" (v.18:6), but after he did something "the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord" (v. 18:7).

What did he do?

"Paul left the synagogue and went next door" after "he shook out his clothes in protest and said [quite directly] "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsability. From now I will go to the Gentiles." (v. 18:6-7)

He had devoted himself to preaching and testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ, but there was nothing left he could do, so he had to leave. God had used that time, and even those last words and actions to bring the ruler of the synagogue to faith in Christ.

This raises the question, when is it right for you to move on and stop preaching the gospel? I don't think my friends are abusive. Does that mean I don't leave?

Acts 17

Nothing big today. lol. Just questions and comments.

v. 4, 12, 34 Each time Paul speaks it mentions that prominent women believed. Not that it isn't important, but it doesn't typically mention women (usually assumed when it just says 'men' believe), so why does it start now?

v. 6b. Still one of the coolest verses ever. "These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also" because they follow their king Jesus instead of Caesar.

v. 9. "Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go" What does post bond mean?

v. 11. They examined the scriptures everyday to make sure what Paul was saying was true. It doesn't take much to either listen and accept or listen and reject, but to listen and then go and find out if someone is telling the truth takes effort and initiative. I wish that we'd see people do this when we share the gospel, but I guess he was in a synagogue speaking to Jews. I don't usually do that. 

v. 30 "In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent" Are there idols in our lives that we are worshiping instead of God? He commands we repent for He will judge with justice.

Acts 15-16

So, there's a whole discussion about the law in these chapters.

This started in 15 verse 1 "unless you are circumcised ... you cannot be saved".

After a long discussion and council meeting where it was obvious that the grace of God and the Holy Spirit were being poured out on the Gentiles (uncircumcised), so they decided the main things from the law that they would 'do well to avoid' were food sacrificed to idols, blood, meat from strangled animals, and sexual immorality. Now, I don't at all know why these four things are emphasized and so many other things are not. but one thing is clear: they didn't mention circumcision.

In other words, circumcision isn't important which is firmly emphasized elsewhere: "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." (Gal 5:6)

Good. That's all decided, wait, what is Paul doing to Timothy?!?

So, right after this Timothy (who is not a baby) gets circumcised, which I read (even with local anesthetics) is a half hour procedure involving much blood and stitches and a week or so of pain. >.<

So, if this isn't important, why go through all this?

My best idea is the old 'become all things to all people' (1 Cor 9:19-23). If being circumcised was what Timothy needed to show his dedication and resolve for following Jesus and going with Paul to the Gentiles; if that's what was needed to show the Jewish people who knew he was Greek, so be it.

"Therefore, circumcise your heart and stop being stubborn." Deut 10:16

If you know God is calling you to something seemingly unnecessary and potentially painful, stop fighting with Him and have faith in His plans.

Acts 14

"So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders." verse 3.

This follows a group of unbelieving people stirring up the people. They did not leave, but stayed longer, speaking boldly, and all the more God was at work confirming their words by miraculous signs and wonders they couldn't do on their own.

How quickly do we pack up and go when things get tough?

Verses 19-20 show Paul getting stoned to apparent death and what does he do? "he got up" and? "went back into the city". He did leave the next day, but still. He went back.

They just kept going preaching, strengthening, encouraging, and appointing elders with prayer and fasting for the new churches as they left.

Let's keep going empowered by the Holy Spirit within us.

Acts 12-13

In this passage is another "Old Testament"-style death. Zoom in on verses 21-23:

"On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died."

Brutal. How fast can worms eat someone? o.O

But that is what we deserve when we worship anything other than God, the creator of all, the one who is in control of all, the one who is good and just, the one who deserves all praise.

When I read this I thought of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and the golden statue in the book of Daniel.In Daniel there is this back and forth between Nebuchadnezzar worshiping idols and praising God until he becomes like a wild animal, eating the grass like cattle because he became proud in his own accomplishments and possessions saying "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?"

His hair grew and he lived like an animal until he finally acknowledged God as sovereign and worthy.

Dan 4:37 "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble."

God is able to humble those who walk in pride.

Let us seek humility before our great Father each day so that these things may not happen to us.

Acts 10-11

After the visions and everything Peter ends up at Cornelius' house. And here we see Peter say how it is against the law for a Jew to associate with Gentiles. Samaritans, kinda like half Jewish, kinda, but now we are into the realm of Roman soldiers, clearly not of Jewish descent and yet the Spirit is still poured out, even before Peter is done talking.

So, who is so 'unlawful' that the Spirit would not be poured out, the gift of Salvation not reserved, the gospel of salvation not preached? Think really hard. Who do you think is so far from the gospel that it would never be accepted by them, never be heard and produce lasting fruit? People who sleep around? Prostitutes? People walking in parades this week? People on the street who steal? Business CEOs with millions? The big guys in bars who drink and curse? The people in the market who rip you off?

"God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean." v. 29

No one. All are able to be given the grace of God and to hear the words of salvation and come to repentance.

Now, I don't mean that they should continue in their wrongdoings whatever they may be. Repentance is a change of mind and heart. Both recognizing what you are doing for what it is in God's sight and also then seeking to change what you are doing. A change in attitude and action.

"I now realize how true it is that God does not show favouritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right." v. 34b-35.

Do what is right.

Paul later, inspired by the Holy Spirit wrote a letter to the Corinthian church.

"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolators nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." 1Cor106:9-11

That is what some of them were. Were. Past tense. But by the Spirit they were sanctified and no longer live that way; their sins forgiven and washed away by the death of Jesus on the cross allowing them to be made new in Him by the resurrection.

No one is too far off to be saved, so we should not look at them with hatred, but with God's love and compassion.

Acts 7-9

So, I don't know if this has ever happened to you, but as you are reading the Bible there is a page flip in the worst place and you just forget all about what you were in awe of God for because of it.

In chapter 8 there is a page turn for me, but it's in the best place. Right between verse 3 and 4.

3: "But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison."

page break.

4: "Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went."

From one page including the death of Stephen and severe persecution in the church from Saul and others, murdering, imprisoning, and scattering all but the apostles, to the next page where the good news about Jesus that had been primarily heard in Jerusalem now being told throughout Samaria and everywhere the persecuted church went, the Spirit being poured out on Samaritans and Ethiopians, and then Jesus appearing to Saul and giving him a 180' experience for his life where after he was healed he started preaching immediately.

God can completely change your situation from death and destruction to life in Christ, life to the fullest and this is just one example of how things that look bad at first can actually lead to awesome stuff happening shortly after, so pray and trust in God's plans cause we usually don't understand them at the time.

Acts 1-3

So. If you are anything like me when I first started to read through the New Testament then Acts is not your favourite book. In fact, as it was to me, it might just look like a record of someone's roadtrip filled with millions of name of places and people you don't recognize and some you don't know how to say. I also never liked history class, and that is also what this seems like at first.

But you know, the book of Acts is in the Bible and as God's Word it must be useful for something (2Tim3:16-17). Really digging into it and studying it helped me see it for so much more.

Persecution. Prayer. Visions and Miracles. Controversy. Missions Trips. Earthquakes. Kings. Trials. Shipwrecks. Most importantly, the Holy Spirit being poured out left and right on people near and far.

This is so much more than the disciples could have imagined, but it is just a taste of what is to come.

John 14:12 Jesus says "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these".

Acts is Luke's second book, and is almost the opposite of what he wrote in his gospel. Where Jesus had been teaching and rebuking the Pharisees drawing closer and closer to Jerusalem, ending in the cross, His death and resurrection. Now we see the Spirit poured out so that the gospel may advance forcefull from Jerusalem to the ends of the Earth (Acts1:8).

Already we have seen great things: Pentecost and speaking in the tongues of many nations, Peter preaching and thousands coming to repentence and receiving Jesus, even healing a crippled man.

Best part: We get to be part of the action and see God do great things!

Acts was written without and ending. As we read it let us learn from the acts of the apostles so that we too may go forward and out with the gospel in the boldness of the Spirit.

John 21

Verse 22: "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?"

This verse is clarified directly after that Jesus did not say he wouldn't die and then repeats these words.

So, I think it's really cool that it is recorded that Jesus said He'd be coming back. xP

But there is a final sentence in this verse "As for you, follow me" (NLT).

This verse arouse because Peter asked about the other disciple after Jesus told him to follow Him.

When we follow Jesus our eyes are set on Him, not on others. If we turn to look to the right or left we may trip and fall, hit a wall, or get off track. Each path God has set our for us is going to be unique and different, not to mention we may be at different steps along the journey, but the end is the same:

Rom8:28-30 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified."

Being conformed and transformed daily to reflect more of God's image and following in Jesus' example (1Cor3:18); a path of sanctification by the word and Spirit (John 17:17, Gal 5:16).

So what does it matter what happens to a brother in Christ along the journey of walking with God daily?

The answer is different for those who have not yet received this eternal gift (Rom 6:23). We need to care immensely and pray for those who have not heard this good news, and then to go and just show them all that has been done for us and for them, ultimately giving them the choice; a gift held out within arm's reach.

John 18

4a "Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them." (NLT)

Tonight I was at church early and was reading from the pew Bibles as I usually do. The Bibles are NLT, which I don't usually read, but this verse just stood out as such a powerful verse.

Jesus fully knew of everything that was going to happen to him. (The mocking, the trials, the whips, the thorns, the humiliation, the abandonment from all who were close by, the nails, the cross)

If you knew all that was going to happen, you know, you'd want to avoid that. Maybe there is an easier way?

Maybe we should complain about it for a while and whine and become desperate

No.

He stepped forward to meet them.

This is where my jaw dropped.

Just imagining all that is going through His head. (From the side the camera pans upwards towards his head) You can hear his calm, yet heavy breathing. (When the camera gets to his head it switches over to a close up on his face) He internally says to Himself "let's do this thing" (switch to mid side view, a few shots of close up on his feet) and steps forward (probably in slow motion) and swallows with this intensity just in the air around him.

Never a second thought at this point. All throughout the next chapter Pilate interrogates Jesus. Again and again Jesus remains calm and nothing is found as a charge against Him, but Jesus presses on forward. He had every chance to stop and say 'hey, you know what, I don't think I am the Christ, you can let me go now, eh?' But it was far too important, God's love to great, the burden and sin of the world on His shoulders.

Jesus knew what was happening and not for a second turned away.

John 13-14

So, recently I have focused a lot on sin. The severity of sin, but also the ridiculous nature of God's redeeming grace. So today I am going to focus on God's love. So I'm cheating a bit (by like 9 verses) and taking the verse from Chapter 15:9.

"As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love."

Jesus said this.

So, obviously we won't understand how God has loved Jesus. I don't think I could ever explain that, that perfect understanding and intimacy as two who are actually fully one. Even when/if I get married I don't think I would ever fully get it.

So, I am going to focus on how Jesus has loved us since He showed us and it is as the Father has loved Him.

5 Love Languages.

Heard of them? (http://www.5lovelanguages.com/ (take the quiz too! =D))

Basically, they are like the 5 ways that we can show and receive love from others. In these chapters Jesus uses all five languages, showing the extent that He loves us and that He extends it to all types of people. Verse 1b "Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love."

1. and 2. Service / Touch. This was shown in verse 5. Jesus humbled himself and washed their feet.
3. Quality Time. Can I just say these whole five chapters in the upper room (13-17) as well as pretty much Jesus' entire ministry was quality time with the disciples?
4. Words of affirmation. 14:1-14 He affirms the disciples again and again to trust in God, that He is preparing them a place in Heaven, they know the way, you will do greater things than me, you may ask for anything in my name and I will do it.
5. Gifts. Jesus is giving them the gift of the Holy Spirit. God with them and in them forever to help and guide. Best gift ever?


I'm sure there is a lot more than is recorded in just these chapters and then how they relate to the Father's love for us. His gift of sending His only Son to die on the cross for us is pretty high up there on the list too.

But ya, how have you seen God show His love to you?

John 11-12

Today the verse that stuck out the most to me was verse 16 of chapter 11.

"Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."

This is a pretty striking comment. And I'm not sure what part of the conversation recorded before it was the cause of it.

Jesus said "Let us go back to Judea" which prompted the disciples to remind Him that the Jews wanted to stone Him not long ago. If He goes back He will likely face opposition and death.

Jesus insists, speaking that it is still day and that in the light you can see and will not stumble, but soon it will be night. He goes on to say that He is going to wake up Lazarus, from death.

1. The fact that Thomas is saying this makes me think of what happens after the crucifixion. About how Thomas refused to believe Jesus was alive until he saw it himself and felt His wounds. This seems so odd since in the next few verse he saw, eye witness, Jesus raise Lazarus from being 4 days dead. Resurrection happened in front of his own eyes, yet to believe his friends' testimonies of seeing Him alive would not change his mind.

2. Who was Thomas speaking of dying with? Jesus, as an act of sincere loyalty and faith? Or Lazarus, that Jesus could then wake them up?

a) If it was Jesus I think it makes more sense, there would be a potential danger of dying and much benefit and reason to go with Him. Like going with Him, Jesus, who was recently threatened with stoning, potential danger of death. But to go with Him, the light of the world (John 8:12) (since he had just mentioned all that stuff about the light of the world and it not lasting forever it made me remember him say it not long ago 'whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life') would then give them a chance to believe more. Jesus said he was going for their sake "so that you may believe (v15). So that makes the most sense to me, despite the fact it isn't back to back verses.

b) Dying with Lazarus doesn't make nearly as much sense for Thomas to say here. But for us, it makes more sense for us to say it. Let us die that others may believe. Not just go die meaninglessly 'for the faith', but I am talking about dying to self. Taking our crosses upon our own shoulders and following Jesus so that others may believe (v15). When Jesus comes and changes our lives, makes us new in Him, when we honestly surrender our selfish aims and seek His will, amazing things happen and it makes people ask and discover Christ in their lives (v45).

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

He will live the abundant life (John 10:10) though he dies (to self (Luke9:23)). Whoever lives and believes in me  will never die (but experience God's goodness for eternity (John 17:3)).

John 10

"his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."

Verses 4 and 5

This whole section is Jesus telling us about sheep and a shepherd; a good shepherd who would watch over his sheep with his life. He walks before them, he watches over them, he loves them and wants what's best for them giving them pasture, still waters, and protection from robbers and wolves.

"I am the good shepherd: I know my sheep and they know me"



You know that second of thought when you are thinking about following into something you know is probably not a good idea?

That's what I am thinking about when Jesus says 'they do not recognize a stranger's voice'.

But what does it take to recognize someone's voice?

You need to be listening closely, you need to have spent time with that person, you need to have spent time talking with that person.

How could you tell an impressionist apart from the real deal? Because you know, the enemy masquerades as an angel of light too. (2Cor11:14)

So, it comes down to how close you are in your relationship with God. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." James 4:7b-8a

We are supposed to know His voice. Maybe even learn from Him, learn how He speaks, learn His heart and impersonate Him sometimes? =P Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

John 8-9

"You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!"

yelled the Pharisees at the formerly blind man.

This exclamation shows pride, for their own life accomplishments, for their assertions of Jesus' identity, for their position.

But "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Rom 3:23. All have gone and put their own selfish ways above the ways of God, our plans above His, our goals and desires above His.

Now, if this was the only verse you could argue that they wouldn't have heard this before, but it is not just in the New Testament. Verses describing how sinful nature has been passed on throughout the generations since the very first disobedience and how none are good are found throughout the Old Testament.

Ecc 7:20 - "Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins."
Prov 20:9 - "Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin"?"
Psa 51:5 - "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me."
Job 15:14 - "What are mortals, that they could be pure, or those born of woman, that they could be righteous?"

And sin was so rampant that at one point God flooded the earth.

Sin. The ultimate end of those who have sin, is separation from God who is without. Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can even a strong man be more pure than his Maker? (Job 4:17)

But God was patient with us, and also spoke through the prophets of the way out of this sin problem. Although sin was as a stain that could not be removed, it would be bleached.

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isa 1:18

But not by us.

"Who can bring what is pure from the impure? No one!" Job 14:4

Only He who is pure can purify. Only a clean sponge with soap can clean dirty dishes. And even then it is only by the sponge taking on the dirt of the dishes.

Isa 53:4-5

"Surely he took up our pain
    and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
    stricken by him, and afflicted^.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
    and by his wounds we are healed."

All that to say the way they spoke to the formerly blind man is arrogant and incorrect. We all need to have our eyes opened and receive forgiveness for sins.

John 7

So today one of my thoughts was about the verses 25-27.

In these verses the people are talking about what the Pharisees and the authorities are thinking about Jesus.

"Isn't this the man they are trying to kill?" 'but He's speaking publicly and no one is saying anything to Him.' "Have they concluded that He is the Christ?"

This was all speculation about what they were thinking about Jesus, and it would ultimately be swaying how they react because of the authorities.

But the thing is that you can't just go off what other people think of Jesus. You need to come to an understanding yourself, and even more is that God needs to reveal Himself to you. In Matthew's recorded version of Peter's confession of Christ Jesus says "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven." (Matt 16:17)

And as shown again and again in the last chapter "no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him" (John 6:44,65).

At the end of the chapter the Pharisees are discussing Jesus and we see that some people are not swayed by the crowds, specifically Nicodemus who was the only one in the crowd to defend Jesus.

So, verse 24 Jesus tells us "Stop judging by appearances and make a right judgement."

This should be what we seek to do. To not just see what we think Jesus is, but to really seek who He is and see Him for more of who He is each day.

John 6

So, sometimes when I am reading the Bible I underline parts that stick out or that are really awesome. Needless to say, a large portion of my Bible is underlined and more each day, but there is a section in this chapter that is absolutely not underlined. Throughout the chapter I have underlined, but not here.

Verses 16-24.

This section is subtitled "Jesus Walks on the Water".

Summary of the passage: Jesus had fed the 5000. The disciples got on a boat. During the night Jesus caught up to the boat by walking on the waves. The disciples were scared, Jesus calms them, and they arrive at the other side. This confused some people the next day when they did not find Jesus, but knew He had not got on the boat the night before.

So, if all scripture is useful, what is this passage useful for? What are your thoughts?


After more careful inspection, there is a mere, faint pencil underlining of the words "It is I; don't be afraid" in verse 20.

To me it seems odd that they'd leave without Jesus, but then they face winds and waves and darkness without Him. However, after they were willing to take Him onto the boat they reached the other side, like, immediately. Almost like they were lost while in the middle of the lake..?

John 4-5

Dying. Slowly dying.

This life is short and indeed it would seem that it would be much better to just live life while the time is here; before it is all over and then who knows what happens. Right?

Then why do we need to be freed from these things that we run to, these things we think will satisfy us, these things we go back to again and a again? (Rom 6:20-21, Jer 2:13, Prov 26:11)

The healing at the pool by the sheep gate is an image of this. A man who had no ability to heal himself, and no one to help him. But Jesus healed him immediately, no superstitious pool, just God's glory, majesty, and power being displayed.

But here's the question: verse 6 "Do you want to get well?"

Like, actually? Because God can heal, God can free, God can despite our own failings and inability. But if we don't want to, He won't make us.

Gotta seek with all our hearts to trust in Him more.

and soon we will see we are well again. But verse 14 "Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you."

This could mean something actually happens before you die, or it could just be referring to what happens after death, but either way, sin leads to death and destruction, while seeking to follow the Spirit leads to increasing righteousness in Jesus' image.

Life in Christ alone.

John 3

Verse 8. "The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear it's sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

This reminds me of John 1:12-13. All have the right to become children of God, but this is not at all the choice or decision of parents; children not born of natural descent, but of God.

So it is with the wind. Now, I'm not a meteorologist, but there are definitely no parent winds deciding to make baby winds; they just happen (pressure changes etc.). But ultimately the One who created it all was the one who knows where they come from and are going.The one who decides to give you a cool breeze on that heated day.

I don't know where I am going or all the little details that got me to this point, but I know God's got a plan. Worrying about the details doesn't really make anything better (Matt6:25-27). Just gotta try our hardest and trust God with everything (James4:14-15). Who knows, you could be that much needed breeze on a hot day for someone in need (metaphorically).

John 1-2 (Part 1)

Now, there's so much good stuff in these chapters, but this one little verse caught my attention.

Verse 1:16 "From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another."

And it's so true, we are blessed, so much more than we deserve (the definition of grace). So blessed.

So, until we are done reading the Gospel of John I want to see comments of what God has blessed you with and once we are done I will post my thought on this verse.

Luke 23-24

Chapter 23, verses 4 and 5

"Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, "I find no basis for a charge against this man." But they insisted, "He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here." 

He stirs up the people. But is that a bad thing? 

When people are so set in their ways, they need to be stirred. It's like you are cooking something in a frying pan. If cooked well, it will be amazingly delicious, better than the ingredients alone. But sometimes you need to stir. If you don't the bottom will burn and the top will not cook.

Today we did a Bible study of 2 Chronicles 34-35 about King Josiah. Enthroned at age 8. Seeking the Lord by age 16. Turning the country upside down by 20, destroying idols, and preaching the Law of Moses by 26 and seeing the whole country turn from the 60 years of evil to God, committing their lives.

I think the world we live in now needs some stirring.

When they insist "He has come all the way here" I doubt they realized how much further He was going to go.

"you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8)
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations ... and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt 19-20)

Later in Thesalonica when Paul and Silas are there the Jews say “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also" (Acts 17:6)

If the world is upside down to begin with, you wouldn't know any better, but if it is so then flipping it can only be good. And God can use young adults, in fact, often chooses to.

Luke 22

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." - verses 31-32

Many thoughts here, but my focus is on the bigger picture of this event.

-  Satan attacks for the chance to break the relationship between Peter and God which would prevent God from doing great things through Peter.
-  Jesus prays for faith to remain, knowing he will fall temporarily.

-  After the fall instead of failure and loss, by grace Jesus says that he will be able to strengthen the brethren.


I feel like Simon right now. Despite his profession to go to the cross and die alongside Jesus before denying Him, he followed at a distance and not once, but again and again denied Jesus to men and women. He didn't just laugh this off, but when Jesus reminded him he wept bitterly.

I'm not going into it, but even in the struggle, in the pain, God can teach us so much and mature us.

In tough times we can either run towards or away from God. I think the faith Jesus is praying for is the deciding factor here. Even a tiny bit allowing us to trust His greater plans and see that even through this He is good.

Nothing can separate. Rom 8:38-39 Whether it be selfishness, a desire to fit in with those around us, or Satan himself.

Now I don't know what those hours or days were like for Peter, but there was bitter weeping. But afterwards Jesus forgives and still has a higher plan for him. John 21:15-17. 'If you love me, feed my sheep.' Use what I have taught you to reach others, to teach others, to encourage and inspire.

So, there will be attacks. Fight by the Spirit!
But if you do fall, there is bitter weeping because of it. 'Choose to sin, choose to suffer.'
However, God still has grace, Jesus died for this too. 1John2:1-2 And even this He can redeem and use.

Peter walked away, but after walking back he preached the first sermon in Acts and over 3000 people heard the gospel and found Jesus as their Lord and Saviour (Acts2:14-41).

Let's not get stuck in a little pothole, but finish this race.

Luke 20-21

Yo. I don't know about you, but when I am in class and the professor asks the class a question I do not answer. I just keep the answer to myself. I don't want to be the guy singled out from the crowd, and what if I am wrong?? Than the professor would be annoyed. Typically I also get into situations where I actually do know the truthful answer to a question about my life, but I know it is not a good answer, so to hide it I just say I don't know.

This is what I see the Pharisees doing in verses 1-8.

They fear the crowds and so do not want to answer their opinion. While they cannot go along and say the other answer because their life contradicts it; the Teacher would rebuke them.

I don't know.

But do you really? Do you want to know the right answer?

I think apathy and pride are both bad things. One the one side you don't care whether you are wrong, while prideful you don't want to look wrong, either way you will not seek the help of others and so continue in wrongness.

What if Jesus asked you a question about your life? What answer could you give?

Luke 13-14

Luke 12:4-5 "“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. ⁵ But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him."

These words have been echoing in my head all day.

Mark 14:38 "Watch and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The Spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

And that's why. 

I was watching and knew a compromising situation was coming, but rationalized that I'd be fine. Mistake. Temptation just gets worse when we are trying to resist it and stay in the tempting situations.

So, today's chapter's spoke strong warnings, but also grace.

Luke 13 verses 1-5 speak of some Galileans who suffered and then of some living in Jerusalem who had a tower fall on them. I don't know anything about these events historically, but Jesus asks 'so, you think it is because these guys were worse than you?' v15 "I tell you no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."

If we continue to live an unrepentant lifestyle we have nothing but death to come, and worse to be thrown into hell after.

So, the fact that I am now consistently struggling with this battle is scary.

Luke 13 verses 6 and 7 speak of a vineyard owner who year after year goes to this fig tree to find no fruit. So he wants to cut it down! What good is it if it doesn't make fruit? "Why should it use up the soil?" This combined with John 15 are strong warning to those who aren't bearing fruit, aren't seeing God work great things in their lives right now. But the next two verses speak grace to those who are willing to learn and change. The man taking care of the vineyard implored the master to give it one more year. "I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, cut it down."

I don't know much about fig trees. I know figs, fresh figs, are amazingly delicious. That may be part of why the owner allows this extra year of not cutting it down. But it better bear fruit next year, or it's gone. Chopped up, withered, and thrown into the fire.

So, fear the Lord and seek His help in changing. He has the right to judge and throw us into hell if we do not repent of our ways and trust in Christ's blood to buy our forgiveness and the Spirit to change us bit by bit each day until we are ready for pruning as we bear more and more fruit.

Luke 12

Birds.

Jesus often uses parables of seeds and plants, but in this chapter he speaks of birds twice.

verses 6-7 speak of how 5 sparrows are sold for two pennies, yet are not forgotten. Yet we are worth far more and even the hairs on our heads are numbered. So why fear death when God does not leave us, but has plans for us even after?

verse 24 speak of how ravens do not sow or reap fields, yet God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds! So, why do we worry about food or clothes?


So, if we are greater than birds, why do we act like birds?

We worry, we store up treasures, we so easily fall into traps.

We are free to soar the skies, yet instead shove our faces into the dirt for worms.


Are we not so much more, made in the image of God? Bought by the blood of Christ on the cross, adopted as sons and daughters of the Almighty?

As those who are valued and entrusted with much, much will be asked of us. Let's not act like the birds, but as God's children and ambassadors.

Luke 8

How does a plant grow to maturity and fruition?



Well, it needs to be planted. Then it needs water. Then it needs nutrients from the place it was planted and enough room to stretch it's roots out and be firmly grounded. Through this process the stem grows upward in search of light. It begins to do photosynthesis and grows green.

If any of the requirements are lacking it will stop growing and may even die if the nutrients / light / room to grow / water are not available or replenished.

But if they are it may continue growing taller, leaves shooting outwards to collect more light, stem shooting further upwards and eventually producing flowers if the length of the day and temperature are right.

Now that it has flowers, what happens? If nothing happens it won't be pollinated and will die without producing fruit. It will stand there solitary, unmoving, but dying slowly.

The flower needs to be beaten up, not to the point of breaking, but to still stand up under the beating. This can be done by the winds shaking it, insects probing and stealing nectar, or other mechanical means.

But if this happens, the flowers pollinate and seeds are produced; an increase of 10, 20, 100 fold from the one seed planted.



verse 15 "But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop"

It is not an easy process to growing and maturing in Christ, but even in the times when things are lacking, we know He provides; when we go through tough times and take a beating, we know He will not let us take more than we can take and He gives us strength to stand through it and grow in the process.






John 15:1-2 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."

Luke 7-8

"This man deserves to have you do this!"

O Really? Based on what?

"He loves our nation and has built our synagogue!"


Truly, how can anyone deserve God to do anything? As fallen, sinful humans, with nothing good in us, how can we command the God who created the Universe to do anything for us, except by His grace and willingness to go out of His way for us that He has done anything for us when all we actually deserve is death (Rom 3:23).

The centurion was right in saying that he did not deserve Jesus to be under his roof, let aone to even talk to him directly.

It wasn't his merit that caused Jesus to heal his servant, but his faith, and trust in Jesus' ability to heal and save that caused it. Again and again Jesus said 'your faith has healed you'.

1 Cor 8:2 "The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know."
Isa 5:21 "Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight."
Gal 6:3 "If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves."

Truly, by our own actions we fall so short. Let us not be fooled into thinking we are something, but come before God humbled and ready for whatever He'd have for us, knowing His plans are good for those who love him.