1. And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
2. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
3. Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
(Of course, we have all sinned and the man and his parents had sinned, but that was not the cause of his blindness.)
4. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
5. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
6. When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he annointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay.
7. And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
8. The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?
9. Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.
10. Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?
11. He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.
12. Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.
13. They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.
14. And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.
15. Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.
Talk about straining at a gnat. They wanted to pick apart a miracle. Humans!
16. Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.
17. They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.
18. But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.
19. And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?
20. His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:
21. But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
22. These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
23. Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.
24. Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.
25. He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
26. Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?
What a joke. I'm thinking that Jesus did the whole rigamarole with the spit and the mud and the washing just to make it funnier so that the story got told over and over. But, I think it would be funny. Maybe one of the Pharisees even tried using spit and mud to heal someone else after that. I mean, it was such a performance that I really think he must have had a sense of humor about the whole thing.
Any other time, He just spoke the word, told the guy, "according to your faith" or whatever and the guy got healed, but this time, he did this whole play with spit and dirt and rubbing it on the guy, like he was playing doctor or something. He really gave them something to talk about. Those heady, high-minded Pharisees loved having something to chew on! Ha!
27. He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? (Maybe YOU guys should ask Jesus to heal your hearing!) will ye also be his disciples?
28. Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples.
29. We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from when he is.
30. The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvelous thing, that ye know not from when he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.
31. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
32. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
33. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
34. They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
So, who wasn't altogether born in sins? Did the Pharisees think they weren't? If so, boy, were they deceived.
35. Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
36. He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
37. And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.
38. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
39. And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
40. And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
41. Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
When you're willing to admit that you don't know-it-all, God can help you with that. It's when you say I do know-it-all that God can't help you. Because, you won't let Him.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Saturday, January 26, 2013
John 8
1. Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
2. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4. They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest Thou?
You get the feeling that the scribes and Pharisees knew Jesus enough to know that He probably wasn't going to stick to the Law. They must have been paying attention somewhat to what He'd been preaching and how He'd been acting, because they brought the woman to Him, thinking, more than likely that it would catch Him in the act of suggesting that people should break the law.
6. This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
This kills me. He was essentially ignoring them, which probably infuriated them even more. His stance was as if he were thinking, "Why are you in such a hurry? You are messing with the wrong Guy here."
7. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
Again, Who but God could answer like this? He saved the woman's life, judged his enemies and removed the satisfaction of letting them convict Him, -- all in one sentence! This is just too brilliant for any human being to have said. "The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us!" Praise God!
8. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
The Bible doesn't tell us what it was that Jesus wrote on the ground that day, but a man of God told us that he had a dream that Jesus wrote, "I would have forgiven your sins too, if you would have asked."
9. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11. She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
12. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
13. The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.
14. Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.
15. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
If even Jesus didn't go around judging people, how much should we leave off of judging others? It's not easy to do. We were raised to judge, judge, judge every single little thing that goes on around us. But, here's the example in Christ. "I judge no man." In other words, it's not his pleasure and he doesn't do it unless he must.
16. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
For myself, I think a great deal of my own problems could have been avoided if I had been able to not judge. We have to remember who the real enemy is and that we are all equal in every way. It doesn't matter if one is smarter, stronger, richer, taller, prettier or healthier, we are all equal in that we were all born into sin. We had no choice in the matter. Yet, this is the very weakness which we share. It is our struggle against sin that will make us stronger, not against each other.
17. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
18. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
19. Then said they unto him, Where is they Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.
20. These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.
21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: wither I go, ye cannot come.
22. Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
23. And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
24. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
My friends, I do hope and pray that you will not die in your sins! It's easier to just believe in Jesus.
25. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that i said unto you from the beginning.
26. I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of Him.
27. They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
28. Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
29. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please Him.
30. As he spake these words, many believed on him.
31. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my Word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Just reading the Word will do it! Continue in the Word.
33. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
34. Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
35. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
37. I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
38. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
39. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
40. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
41. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they unto him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
42. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but He sent me.
43. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
44. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Ever get confused? Ever wonder why you can't understand what God is doing in your life? It doesn't help if you have an ear to the devil. He'll fill you with lies and doubts and you'll wonder why you are even alive! Quit listening to the devil and your life will be better. Much better.
45. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
46. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
47. He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
48. Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
49. Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.
50. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
51. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
Right there! That's the best offer anyone has ever had!
52. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.
53. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
54. Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:
55. Yet ye have not know him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
56. Your Father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
57. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
58. Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
59. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
2. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4. They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest Thou?
You get the feeling that the scribes and Pharisees knew Jesus enough to know that He probably wasn't going to stick to the Law. They must have been paying attention somewhat to what He'd been preaching and how He'd been acting, because they brought the woman to Him, thinking, more than likely that it would catch Him in the act of suggesting that people should break the law.
6. This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
This kills me. He was essentially ignoring them, which probably infuriated them even more. His stance was as if he were thinking, "Why are you in such a hurry? You are messing with the wrong Guy here."
7. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
Again, Who but God could answer like this? He saved the woman's life, judged his enemies and removed the satisfaction of letting them convict Him, -- all in one sentence! This is just too brilliant for any human being to have said. "The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us!" Praise God!
8. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
The Bible doesn't tell us what it was that Jesus wrote on the ground that day, but a man of God told us that he had a dream that Jesus wrote, "I would have forgiven your sins too, if you would have asked."
9. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11. She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
12. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
13. The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.
14. Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.
15. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
If even Jesus didn't go around judging people, how much should we leave off of judging others? It's not easy to do. We were raised to judge, judge, judge every single little thing that goes on around us. But, here's the example in Christ. "I judge no man." In other words, it's not his pleasure and he doesn't do it unless he must.
16. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
For myself, I think a great deal of my own problems could have been avoided if I had been able to not judge. We have to remember who the real enemy is and that we are all equal in every way. It doesn't matter if one is smarter, stronger, richer, taller, prettier or healthier, we are all equal in that we were all born into sin. We had no choice in the matter. Yet, this is the very weakness which we share. It is our struggle against sin that will make us stronger, not against each other.
17. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
18. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
19. Then said they unto him, Where is they Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.
20. These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.
21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: wither I go, ye cannot come.
22. Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
23. And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
24. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
My friends, I do hope and pray that you will not die in your sins! It's easier to just believe in Jesus.
25. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that i said unto you from the beginning.
26. I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of Him.
27. They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
28. Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
29. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please Him.
30. As he spake these words, many believed on him.
31. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my Word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Just reading the Word will do it! Continue in the Word.
33. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
34. Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
35. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
37. I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
38. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
39. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
40. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
41. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they unto him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
42. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but He sent me.
43. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
44. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Ever get confused? Ever wonder why you can't understand what God is doing in your life? It doesn't help if you have an ear to the devil. He'll fill you with lies and doubts and you'll wonder why you are even alive! Quit listening to the devil and your life will be better. Much better.
45. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
46. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
47. He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
48. Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
49. Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.
50. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
51. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
Right there! That's the best offer anyone has ever had!
52. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.
53. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
54. Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:
55. Yet ye have not know him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
56. Your Father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
57. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
58. Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
59. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Testimony by Brother Yun
This is the testimony of a Chinese man who desperately prayed for a Bible, because he had heard that it was the word of God. After weeks of crying out to God and begging God for a Bible, one was delivered right to his door! He immediately started reading and memorizing it! Then, was able to quote chapters of it verbatim in meetings, leading thousands to the Lord! Such is the power of God's Word! Thank God for men, like this who worship the Word, respect the Word and pass it on to to others!
Thursday, January 24, 2013
John 7 continued. . .
One of the great things about the Bible is that you can pick up where you left off, or just read one verse randomly and still get so much out of even reading one single verse that it can change your whole day. Or even your whole life. What other book can do that for you?
Here are these people, commenting about all the miracles that Jesus did, and what is the reaction of the Pharisees? They're so wrapped up in themselves and their religiosity that they don't even take notice of the wonderful miracles. I wonder whether it would have been at all different if they themselves had been the subject of one of Jesus' healings. I wonder what they were thinking to be able to completely shut their eyes to the Truth.
33. Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto Him that sent me.
34. Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.
35. Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?
36. What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?
37. In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.
38. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
40. Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.
41. Others said, This the Christ, But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?
42. Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
I wonder whether anyone thought of asking Mary where her son was born? Dig a little deeper and you might find that things are not always as they appear, eh?
43. So there was a division among the people because of him.
44. And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.
45. Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?
46. The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
47. Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?
48. Have an of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?
(Yes, actually, there were several believers, but they believed in Jesus secretly because they didn't want to lose their positions.)
49. But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
(There you go, talking about yourself. People who knew the law, knew that Jesus fulfilled every prophecy about the Messiah that was ever recorded in the Jewish scripture. Check it out! --You'll have to read the Bible if you want to find that out for yourself.)
Seriously, though; how ironic is that, that the guys who were supposed to know the law inside and out were the very ones who gapped the most important event of their entire nation's history???
50. Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them.)
51. Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?
52. They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.
53. And every man went unto his own house.
Here are these people, commenting about all the miracles that Jesus did, and what is the reaction of the Pharisees? They're so wrapped up in themselves and their religiosity that they don't even take notice of the wonderful miracles. I wonder whether it would have been at all different if they themselves had been the subject of one of Jesus' healings. I wonder what they were thinking to be able to completely shut their eyes to the Truth.
33. Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto Him that sent me.
34. Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.
35. Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?
36. What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?
37. In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.
38. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
40. Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.
41. Others said, This the Christ, But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?
42. Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
I wonder whether anyone thought of asking Mary where her son was born? Dig a little deeper and you might find that things are not always as they appear, eh?
43. So there was a division among the people because of him.
44. And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.
45. Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?
46. The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
47. Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?
48. Have an of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?
(Yes, actually, there were several believers, but they believed in Jesus secretly because they didn't want to lose their positions.)
49. But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
(There you go, talking about yourself. People who knew the law, knew that Jesus fulfilled every prophecy about the Messiah that was ever recorded in the Jewish scripture. Check it out! --You'll have to read the Bible if you want to find that out for yourself.)
Seriously, though; how ironic is that, that the guys who were supposed to know the law inside and out were the very ones who gapped the most important event of their entire nation's history???
50. Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them.)
51. Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?
52. They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.
53. And every man went unto his own house.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
John 7
1. After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill Him.
2. Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand.
3. His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples, also may see the works that thou doest.
4. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.
5. For neither did his brethren believe in him.
6. Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.
7. The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
8. Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.
9. When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.
10. But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
11. Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?
12. And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.
13. Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.
14. Now about the midst of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
15. And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
16. Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
17. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
18. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
19. Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?
20. The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?
21. Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.
22. Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the Father;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.
23. If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?
24. Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
25. Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?
26. But, lo he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?
27. Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.
28. Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but He that sent me is true, whom ye know not.
29. But I know Him: for I am from Him and He hath sent me.
30. Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.
31. And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?
32. The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priest sent officers to take him.
2. Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand.
3. His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples, also may see the works that thou doest.
4. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.
5. For neither did his brethren believe in him.
6. Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.
7. The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
8. Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.
9. When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.
10. But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
11. Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?
12. And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.
13. Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.
14. Now about the midst of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
15. And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
16. Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
17. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
18. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
19. Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?
20. The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?
21. Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.
22. Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the Father;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.
23. If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?
24. Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
25. Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?
26. But, lo he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?
27. Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.
28. Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but He that sent me is true, whom ye know not.
29. But I know Him: for I am from Him and He hath sent me.
30. Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.
31. And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?
32. The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priest sent officers to take him.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Chapter 6 of John continued. . .
41. The Jews then murmured at Him, because He said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.
42. And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?
43. Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.
44. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
45. It is written in the prophets, AND THEY SHALL BE ALL TAUGHT OF GOD. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto Me.
46. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save He which is of God, He hath seen the Father.
47. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.
48. I am that Bread of Life.
49. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
50. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
51. I am the Living Bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
52. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
53. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you.
54.Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
55. For My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed.
56. He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him.
57. As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me.
58. This is that Bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this Bread shall live forever.
59. These things said He in the synagogue, as He taught in Capernaum.
60. Many therefore of His disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
61. When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples murmured at it, He said unto them, Doth this offend you?
62. What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where He was before?
63. It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
64. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray Him.
65. And He said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
66. From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him.
67. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
68. Then Simon Peter answered, Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.
69. And we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
70. Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
71. He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray Him, being one of the twelve.
42. And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?
43. Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.
44. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
45. It is written in the prophets, AND THEY SHALL BE ALL TAUGHT OF GOD. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto Me.
46. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save He which is of God, He hath seen the Father.
47. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.
48. I am that Bread of Life.
49. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
50. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
51. I am the Living Bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
52. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
53. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you.
54.Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
55. For My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed.
56. He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him.
57. As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me.
58. This is that Bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this Bread shall live forever.
59. These things said He in the synagogue, as He taught in Capernaum.
60. Many therefore of His disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
61. When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples murmured at it, He said unto them, Doth this offend you?
62. What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where He was before?
63. It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
64. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray Him.
65. And He said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
66. From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him.
67. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
68. Then Simon Peter answered, Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.
69. And we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
70. Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
71. He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray Him, being one of the twelve.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
How to Believe the Word? Read It!
If you've read previous posts, you'll know that I was talking about believing.
Some people will say, " I don't believe in the Bible." My question to that would be,
"Have you ever read the Bible? If you have, how much of it have you truly read?"
Usually people will say it's difficult to read it, it puts them to sleep, they can't understand the strange words, etc.
Here's the thing. First of all, one really doesn't know whether or not they believe in the Bible, unless they have read it. Secondly, reading the Bible is what gives you the faith to believe in the Bible.
Did you get that?
Faith comes from the Word (The Bible). The more you read it, the more faith you get.
You might be very surprised to discover that you actually do believe in the Bible. Once you get to know it and read it for yourself, you might find out that you actually LOVE it! Like getting to know a person that you really haven't taken the time to talk to and then, when you do, ZAP! --You fall in LOVE!
That's the way it was for me and for thousands of other believers. They didn't know Jesus. They even professed to being an atheist, a non-believer, an agnostic. It seemed easier to just brush aside the Bible.
After all, the Bible is constantly being ridiculed, even associated with ignorance. We used to refer to those who were "heathen" or non-believers as being ignorant. If you were uneducated in the Bible, it made you ignorant. But, nowadays, believing in the Bible is what makes you "ignorant" in the eyes of the so-called "educated".
Why is there so much embarrassment surrounding The Holy Bible and the name of Jesus? Think about it and we'll discuss that later.
Did you know that there are little animals, called lemmings that follow each other so closely that when the leader runs off a cliff, the rest follow? How dumb is that?
My point is that we are individuals who are responsible for our own lives. When we stand before God and it's our turn to "cash in our chips", so to speak, we won't get anyone else's chips. Nobody else is going to do the explaining for us. . . . Except Jesus.
So, here's more Word. If you don't have your own Bible handy, you can read it right here on "Faith Feed"!
John, Chapter 6 continued. . .
30. They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
31. Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
32. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the True Bread from heaven.
33. For the Bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
34. Then said they unto Him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
35. And Jesus said unto them, I am the Bread of Life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
36. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
37. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
38. For I came down from heaven not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.
40. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Some people will say, " I don't believe in the Bible." My question to that would be,
"Have you ever read the Bible? If you have, how much of it have you truly read?"
Usually people will say it's difficult to read it, it puts them to sleep, they can't understand the strange words, etc.
Here's the thing. First of all, one really doesn't know whether or not they believe in the Bible, unless they have read it. Secondly, reading the Bible is what gives you the faith to believe in the Bible.
Did you get that?
Faith comes from the Word (The Bible). The more you read it, the more faith you get.
You might be very surprised to discover that you actually do believe in the Bible. Once you get to know it and read it for yourself, you might find out that you actually LOVE it! Like getting to know a person that you really haven't taken the time to talk to and then, when you do, ZAP! --You fall in LOVE!
That's the way it was for me and for thousands of other believers. They didn't know Jesus. They even professed to being an atheist, a non-believer, an agnostic. It seemed easier to just brush aside the Bible.
After all, the Bible is constantly being ridiculed, even associated with ignorance. We used to refer to those who were "heathen" or non-believers as being ignorant. If you were uneducated in the Bible, it made you ignorant. But, nowadays, believing in the Bible is what makes you "ignorant" in the eyes of the so-called "educated".
Why is there so much embarrassment surrounding The Holy Bible and the name of Jesus? Think about it and we'll discuss that later.
Did you know that there are little animals, called lemmings that follow each other so closely that when the leader runs off a cliff, the rest follow? How dumb is that?
My point is that we are individuals who are responsible for our own lives. When we stand before God and it's our turn to "cash in our chips", so to speak, we won't get anyone else's chips. Nobody else is going to do the explaining for us. . . . Except Jesus.
So, here's more Word. If you don't have your own Bible handy, you can read it right here on "Faith Feed"!
John, Chapter 6 continued. . .
30. They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
31. Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
32. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the True Bread from heaven.
33. For the Bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
34. Then said they unto Him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
35. And Jesus said unto them, I am the Bread of Life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
36. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
37. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
38. For I came down from heaven not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.
40. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Believe!
When the people asked Jesus, "What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?", Jesus answered them,
"This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."
One might ask, "How difficult could that be?" It doesn't sound like work.
To me, I feel it deep inside my soul that what Jesus said here was very profound.
If we made it our life's work to believe on Jesus, what would we be actually doing? Probably, lots of praying, for one thing.
Not only that, but, it seemed like such an impossible task for some people. And this profound statement is just so multidimensional!
When you first read it, it seems ludicrously simple, even a little self-aggrandizing, or you might think Jesus is being a little too elementary.
What does the word 'believe' actually mean? The Oxford English Minidictionary says:
1. accept that something is true or someone is telling the truth.
2. have faith in the truth or existence of.
3. think or suppose
4. have religious faith.
Most of the time, I dislike the word, "Christian" as a way to identify myself, so I call myself "a believer". The reason for that is because, the word Christian has soooo many connotations and assumptions and misconceptions attached to it. However, I do know for sure that I believe in Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour. So, I prefer to call myself a believer (by faith!).
Believing is such a difficult thing to do! It doesn't come naturally and, I don't 'believe' you can do it without the help of God.
There was a man who was asking Jesus for healing and when Jesus asked him,
"Do you believe I can do this?", the man answered,
"I believe! Help my unbelief."
He knew that there was some unbelief mixed in with his beliefs. We all have doubts. Only God can help us to overcome them.
Across the street from my house, there is a brightly painted red Buddha box where people of that persuasion go to offer sacrifices and burn incense. I see people coming and going from there throughout the day. They come by car, they come by bicycle. They seem so dedicated to offering sacrifices to a false idol.
Why is it so difficult to believe in Jesus?
Here's something else: We are living in the age of FAITH.(Why is it called the age of faith? That's because, God used to talk to humans. People like Moses, Abraham, Jacob and all the prophets heard God's voice and Moses got to see His back in a burning bush. There was tangible evidence of God. If you go back to Adam and Eve, God walked with them in the Garden of Eden. They didn't need faith to believe in God. He was right there.)
Now, the Bible says that "faith that is SEEN is NOT faith." In other words, if you have seen it with your very own eyes, it's pretty easy to believe what you saw. That doesn't take much faith, does it?
Even still, some people refuse to believe it even when they see it! "There are none so blind as those who will not see."
Believing in Jesus is work. That should be our whole work.
One of the things I love about Jesus is the way He continually spoon-feeds us. It's like He went around saying over and over, "Believe. Believe on Me. I and My Father are One. If you can't believe in Me, believe Me for the works sake." And on and on, He always put His cookies on the lowest shelf and spoon-fed the Truth to us. All we have to do is receive it. Or, believe! Believing is receiving.
"This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."
One might ask, "How difficult could that be?" It doesn't sound like work.
To me, I feel it deep inside my soul that what Jesus said here was very profound.
If we made it our life's work to believe on Jesus, what would we be actually doing? Probably, lots of praying, for one thing.
Not only that, but, it seemed like such an impossible task for some people. And this profound statement is just so multidimensional!
When you first read it, it seems ludicrously simple, even a little self-aggrandizing, or you might think Jesus is being a little too elementary.
What does the word 'believe' actually mean? The Oxford English Minidictionary says:
1. accept that something is true or someone is telling the truth.
2. have faith in the truth or existence of.
3. think or suppose
4. have religious faith.
Most of the time, I dislike the word, "Christian" as a way to identify myself, so I call myself "a believer". The reason for that is because, the word Christian has soooo many connotations and assumptions and misconceptions attached to it. However, I do know for sure that I believe in Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour. So, I prefer to call myself a believer (by faith!).
Believing is such a difficult thing to do! It doesn't come naturally and, I don't 'believe' you can do it without the help of God.
There was a man who was asking Jesus for healing and when Jesus asked him,
"Do you believe I can do this?", the man answered,
"I believe! Help my unbelief."
He knew that there was some unbelief mixed in with his beliefs. We all have doubts. Only God can help us to overcome them.
Across the street from my house, there is a brightly painted red Buddha box where people of that persuasion go to offer sacrifices and burn incense. I see people coming and going from there throughout the day. They come by car, they come by bicycle. They seem so dedicated to offering sacrifices to a false idol.
Why is it so difficult to believe in Jesus?
Here's something else: We are living in the age of FAITH.(Why is it called the age of faith? That's because, God used to talk to humans. People like Moses, Abraham, Jacob and all the prophets heard God's voice and Moses got to see His back in a burning bush. There was tangible evidence of God. If you go back to Adam and Eve, God walked with them in the Garden of Eden. They didn't need faith to believe in God. He was right there.)
Now, the Bible says that "faith that is SEEN is NOT faith." In other words, if you have seen it with your very own eyes, it's pretty easy to believe what you saw. That doesn't take much faith, does it?
Even still, some people refuse to believe it even when they see it! "There are none so blind as those who will not see."
Believing in Jesus is work. That should be our whole work.
One of the things I love about Jesus is the way He continually spoon-feeds us. It's like He went around saying over and over, "Believe. Believe on Me. I and My Father are One. If you can't believe in Me, believe Me for the works sake." And on and on, He always put His cookies on the lowest shelf and spoon-fed the Truth to us. All we have to do is receive it. Or, believe! Believing is receiving.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
John 6
1. After these things, Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
2. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.
3. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.
4. And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.
5. When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
6. This he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
7. Philip answered him, two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
8. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,
9. There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
10. And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11.And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
12. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
13. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
14. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
15. When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
16. And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,
17. And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.
18. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.
19. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.
20. But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
21. Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.
In other words, the ship immediately appeared where they wanted to be at! They let Jesus on their boat and . . . pooof! They arrived. Time travelled or were translated or whatever way it happened.
22. The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;
23. (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)
24. When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.
25. And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?
26. Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but becasue ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
27. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
Famous verse here. Don't labour for the meat that perishes.
28. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Excellent question! What's the ANSWER?
29. Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom He hath sent.
2. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.
3. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.
4. And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.
5. When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
6. This he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
7. Philip answered him, two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
8. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,
9. There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
10. And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11.And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
12. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
13. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
14. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
15. When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
16. And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,
17. And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.
18. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.
19. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.
20. But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
21. Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.
In other words, the ship immediately appeared where they wanted to be at! They let Jesus on their boat and . . . pooof! They arrived. Time travelled or were translated or whatever way it happened.
22. The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;
23. (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)
24. When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.
25. And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?
26. Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but becasue ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
27. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
Famous verse here. Don't labour for the meat that perishes.
28. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Excellent question! What's the ANSWER?
29. Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom He hath sent.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
John 5
1. After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
3. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered waiting for the moving of the water.
4. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
5. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
6. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
7. The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
8. Jesus saith unto him, Rise take up thy bed, and walk.
9. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
10. The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.
11. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
12. Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed and walk?
13. And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.
14. Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
15. The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.
16. And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.
17. But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
That's the thanks Jesus got for performing an amazing miracle of healing! They persecuted him and tried to kill him. Things haven't changed much, have they?
18. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
19. Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
20. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
21. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
22. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
Interesting verse there. God decided to let Jesus be our Judge, because he knew what it was like to be human. He's our Defense Attorney.
23. That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
24. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
25. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
(After His crucifixion, Jesus went to hell and spoke to the dead there.)
26. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
27. And hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man.
28. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice.
29. And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
30. I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
31. If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
32. There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
33. Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.
34. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
35. He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
36. But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
37. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor see his shape.
38. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
In other words, if they'd been reading the Torah, or the scripture, they would have recognised that Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies about himself. If they were in tune with God, they would have known immediately, like even many non-Jews did, that Jesus was the Messiah.
39. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
40. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
41. I receive not honour from men.
42. But I know you, that ye have not hte love of God in you.
43. I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
44. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
45. Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.
46. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
47. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
2. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
3. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered waiting for the moving of the water.
4. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
5. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
6. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
7. The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
8. Jesus saith unto him, Rise take up thy bed, and walk.
9. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
10. The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.
11. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
12. Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed and walk?
13. And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.
14. Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
15. The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.
16. And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.
17. But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
That's the thanks Jesus got for performing an amazing miracle of healing! They persecuted him and tried to kill him. Things haven't changed much, have they?
18. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
19. Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
20. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
21. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
22. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
Interesting verse there. God decided to let Jesus be our Judge, because he knew what it was like to be human. He's our Defense Attorney.
23. That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
24. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
25. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
(After His crucifixion, Jesus went to hell and spoke to the dead there.)
26. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
27. And hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man.
28. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice.
29. And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
30. I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
31. If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
32. There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
33. Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.
34. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
35. He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
36. But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
37. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor see his shape.
38. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
In other words, if they'd been reading the Torah, or the scripture, they would have recognised that Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies about himself. If they were in tune with God, they would have known immediately, like even many non-Jews did, that Jesus was the Messiah.
39. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
40. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
41. I receive not honour from men.
42. But I know you, that ye have not hte love of God in you.
43. I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
44. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
45. Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.
46. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
47. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Light
Someone arguing against the belief in creation, as written by Moses in Genesis, claimed that it takes 5 million years for light to travel to earth from a star. This "fact" was clear proof to him that Creation was impossible.
In answer to this accusation, I sited Genesis, chapter one, verse 3, which says: "And God said, Let there be light and there was light."
In this verse, it shows that God actually created light as a separate entity, long before He created the sun, moon or stars. Light was already available on the first day of creation. He divided the light from the darkness and gave them names! Then, He created the sun to rule over the day and the moon to rule over the night.
Aside from the fact that the light was already in existence before the stars were created, I'd have to say that, to me, it only makes sense that the light had to be there first, because it does take eight years (not 5 million years) for light to travel from Serius to the earth. (There is some debate about how far away the stars are.)
This, of course, is all without even mentioning that, since God is God, He could have sped up the speed of light. But, that takes faith to believe. I'm speaking to those who, apparently have very little faith to believe that God could have created the world.
-Although, they are able swallow the idea that man started out as a bacteria that slowly developed into a fish that, over millions of years, grew legs, crawled out on the land and started to breathe the air.
Now, that is easy for them to believe. Why? Because they want to.
Why is it so hard for some of us to just accept the Bible as the truth? Why do we not want to accept that God said what He meant,and meant what He said. Why is it so hard to trust Him?
The answer to that is also in the Bible, by the way. Romans, chapter 8, verse 6 and 7 says: "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."
We can't trust our carnal mind. It's the enemy of God. We have to be spiritually minded. (How much less should we trust a scientist, who, quite possibly, and more-than-likely, doesn't even know God or believe in the Bible? Don't you think it's possible for men to lie to support their opinions?)
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8 & 9)
"As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all." (Ecclesiastes 11:5)
Instead of looking for ways to contradict the Word, we should lead our lives in such a way that, if something contradicts the Word, we delete it from our belief system. The Word is the Standard. It's not to be made light of nor mocked.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
John 4
1. When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
2. (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but His disciples,)
3. He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.
4. And He must needs go through Samaria.
5. Then cometh He to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
6. Now Jacob's well was there, Jesus therefore, being wearied with His journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
7. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
8. (For His disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
9. Then saith the woman of Samaria unto Him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
10. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him and He would have given thee living water.
11. The woman saith unto Him, Sir thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
12. Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
13. Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
14. But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
15. The woman saith unto Him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
16. Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
17. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:
18. For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
19. The woman saith unto Him, Sir I perceive that thou art a prophet.
20. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
21. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
22. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
23. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.
Verse 23 is a very significant verse for me. It may be a hard saying for some loyal church-goers, but the true worshippers worship in spirit and in truth. Your body is the temple. Your heart is the place of worship. In fact, we're not supposed to stop worshipping God. So, merely taking your temple to a church doesn't imply that you have fulfilled your duty of worship. It's about having a personal relationship with God that follows you around wherever you go and whatever you do.
24. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.
25. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when He is come, He will tell us all things.
26. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am He.
There are people who say, "Jesus never said He was the Messiah." Is He not saying it here? In fact, He said, "I and my Father are One."
27. And upon this came His disciples, and marvelled that He talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?
28. The woman then left her water pot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
29. Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
30. Then they went out of the city, and came unto Him.
31. In the mean while His disciples prayed Him, saying, Master, eat.
32. But He said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
33. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought Him ought to eat?
34. Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work.
35. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
36. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
37. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
38. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
39. And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on Him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
40. So when the Samaritans were come unto Him, they besought Him that He would tarry with them: and He abode there two days.
41. And many more believed because of His own word;
42. And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
43. Now after two days He departed thence, and went into Galilee.
44. For Jesus Himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.
45. Then when He was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received Him, having seen all the things that He did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.
46.So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where He made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.
47. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto Him, and besought Him that He would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.
48. Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
49. The nobleman saith unto Him, Sir, come down ere my child die.
50. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way,
51. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.
52. Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday, at the seventh hour the fever left him.
53. So the father knew that it was at the same hour in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.
54. This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when He was come out of Judaea into Galilee.
2. (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but His disciples,)
3. He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.
4. And He must needs go through Samaria.
5. Then cometh He to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
6. Now Jacob's well was there, Jesus therefore, being wearied with His journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
7. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
8. (For His disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
9. Then saith the woman of Samaria unto Him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
10. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him and He would have given thee living water.
11. The woman saith unto Him, Sir thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
12. Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
13. Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
14. But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
15. The woman saith unto Him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
16. Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
17. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:
18. For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
19. The woman saith unto Him, Sir I perceive that thou art a prophet.
20. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
21. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
22. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
23. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.
Verse 23 is a very significant verse for me. It may be a hard saying for some loyal church-goers, but the true worshippers worship in spirit and in truth. Your body is the temple. Your heart is the place of worship. In fact, we're not supposed to stop worshipping God. So, merely taking your temple to a church doesn't imply that you have fulfilled your duty of worship. It's about having a personal relationship with God that follows you around wherever you go and whatever you do.
24. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.
25. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when He is come, He will tell us all things.
26. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am He.
There are people who say, "Jesus never said He was the Messiah." Is He not saying it here? In fact, He said, "I and my Father are One."
27. And upon this came His disciples, and marvelled that He talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?
28. The woman then left her water pot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
29. Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
30. Then they went out of the city, and came unto Him.
31. In the mean while His disciples prayed Him, saying, Master, eat.
32. But He said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
33. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought Him ought to eat?
34. Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work.
35. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
36. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
37. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
38. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
39. And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on Him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
40. So when the Samaritans were come unto Him, they besought Him that He would tarry with them: and He abode there two days.
41. And many more believed because of His own word;
42. And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
43. Now after two days He departed thence, and went into Galilee.
44. For Jesus Himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.
45. Then when He was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received Him, having seen all the things that He did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.
46.So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where He made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.
47. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto Him, and besought Him that He would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.
48. Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
49. The nobleman saith unto Him, Sir, come down ere my child die.
50. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way,
51. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.
52. Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday, at the seventh hour the fever left him.
53. So the father knew that it was at the same hour in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.
54. This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when He was come out of Judaea into Galilee.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
The Dangers of Evolution
There are some forms of so-called evolution that are true, as we can see in nature and the way that animals will adapt to their environments over time. Adaptation happens. But, not the unproven theory of evolution as put forward (invented or imagined) by Charles Darwin and other proponents of the "Big Bang" theory, etc.
The great anthropologist, Margaret Mead confessed that there is not one iota (tiny bit) of evidence to support the theory of Evolution. In fact, there are whole chains missing, not just a few links.And yet, this theory is published in students' text books and taught as facts. Blatantly, the text books spew the lies of the devil to unsuspecting children in public schools all over the world. The poor kids haven't got a chance. They trust their teachers to be "educating" them --and they are! Right from grade one, they're made to believe that the planet they live on was merely a result of some kind of cosmic "accident".
If the earth's creation was an accident, that means humans were not put here by God. That means God is not in control. That means we don't owe Him our allegiance, obedience, acknowledgement or worship. It also means there's no redemption, no heaven, no hell, no damnation, no eternal life. You can do whatever you want.
Wait. That's exactly what society is doing... just whatever they want. Where did they get the idea that they don't have to answer for their sins? Why do kids take guns to school and shoot their peers and teachers?
It is my opinion that one cannot profess to believe in the Bible, unless they believe in it from cover to cover. All or nothing. Sad to say, if you're not "for it", you're "against it". You can't just sit on the fence forever.
Romans 8, verse 7 says, "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."
Someone's carnal mind came up with a substitute for faith in the Bible. It's called Evolution. It's a lie straight from the pits of hell. The devil is a liar and the father of lies and he really thought up a great lie that's fooling a lot of people.
Don't fall for the lies of the devil. Even if you have questions about God's explanation of creation in Genesis, don't turn to the enemy for your answers. True science will not contradict what God has written in His Word. Read it today.
"The truth will set you free."
http://freehovind.com/download/seminar5.torrent
The great anthropologist, Margaret Mead confessed that there is not one iota (tiny bit) of evidence to support the theory of Evolution. In fact, there are whole chains missing, not just a few links.And yet, this theory is published in students' text books and taught as facts. Blatantly, the text books spew the lies of the devil to unsuspecting children in public schools all over the world. The poor kids haven't got a chance. They trust their teachers to be "educating" them --and they are! Right from grade one, they're made to believe that the planet they live on was merely a result of some kind of cosmic "accident".
If the earth's creation was an accident, that means humans were not put here by God. That means God is not in control. That means we don't owe Him our allegiance, obedience, acknowledgement or worship. It also means there's no redemption, no heaven, no hell, no damnation, no eternal life. You can do whatever you want.
Wait. That's exactly what society is doing... just whatever they want. Where did they get the idea that they don't have to answer for their sins? Why do kids take guns to school and shoot their peers and teachers?
It is my opinion that one cannot profess to believe in the Bible, unless they believe in it from cover to cover. All or nothing. Sad to say, if you're not "for it", you're "against it". You can't just sit on the fence forever.
Romans 8, verse 7 says, "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."
Someone's carnal mind came up with a substitute for faith in the Bible. It's called Evolution. It's a lie straight from the pits of hell. The devil is a liar and the father of lies and he really thought up a great lie that's fooling a lot of people.
Don't fall for the lies of the devil. Even if you have questions about God's explanation of creation in Genesis, don't turn to the enemy for your answers. True science will not contradict what God has written in His Word. Read it today.
"The truth will set you free."
http://freehovind.com/download/seminar5.torrent
How Old is Our Planet? http://askdavid.com
There is a consensus of opinion, even among some mainstream Christians, that our planet is very, very old, possibly even billions of years old. The evolutionists seem to increase the age of the earth every time they write about it. It's all guess-work.
As Christians or followers of Christ, we are told that there are approximately 6,000 years of recorded world history. It's very clear in the geneologies that man used to live longer life-spans closer to the beginning of our existence, making it a lot easier to calculate the age of the earth.
Children could easily go and ask their grandparents for their eye-witness accounts because their grandparents were still alive and youthful. Other than that, there is lots of scientific proof to support the truth of creation, not that we should need to support the truth.
One man, in particular, has spent his life expounding in depth, the truth of Creation vs Evolution. That man is Kent Hovind. I hope you can get a chance to listen to some of his debates. He's very convincing.
Friday, January 4, 2013
The Truth about Creation
According to the Bible, God created the world in six days, not six million years or six billion years. How do we know that God actually meant "days"? (Genesis 1, verse 5 says, "And the evening and the morning were the first day." Now, it seems God is making it abundantly clear, marking the time here to explain that this time frame was, indeed one day, or one rotation of the earth.) Again, you can read it for yourself. I won't make any interpretations of the Bible. Neither should anyone else who wants to justify believing in evolution.
Genesis, chapter one. This is the first book of the Bible. The first verse of the first chapter says: "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth." Now, if we believe in the Bible as being the Holy Book, the unvarnished truth of God's Word, I should think that the first verse of the first book of the Bible is the first thing we should accept and believe.
In the beginning God, not the cosmos, not evolution, not the devil but God created the heaven and the earth.
Ok, but you say, "How could God have possibly created the world in only six days? It's impossible!"
And, you would be right. That's why they call it a miracle. A miracle is something that is impossible in the natural. But, since God is God and He is a God of Miracles, yes, He created our world in six days. Would it be less of a miracle if it happened over a period of billions of years? No. But, if God could create it in billions of years, He could create it in six days. Creation is a miracle. There's no other way around it.
We didn't get here from some super nova exploding out in outer space and then arranging itself all neatly into under-developed life forms that were at the beginning stages of evolution. If you believe all that, it takes a lot of faith. But some would call that being educated. In fact, it's hard for such people to have enough faith to simply believe that God actually meant what He said.
When Moses asked God for an explanation of creation, he received the book of Genesis. So, who was Moses? What was his track record? You can read about him. God said that He talked to Moses "face to face".
Take a look at Moses' credentials, his life and all the miracles God used him to perform. Moses heard from God. Moses had conversations with God and took notes. Wouldn't you?
On the other hand, when Charles Darwin, for example, wanted to know the secret of creation, did he talk to God? I'm leaning towards the idea that he talked to the "other guy".
Ask yourself why someone would want to come up with ungodly theories of how we got here. I think the answer is simple. They didn't want to have to believe in God because that would mean they owed their allegiance to something greater, smarter and more powerful than themselves.
So they convinced billions of, so-called, educated people to believe that our purpose for existing on this planet is to be a part of evolution's primordial soup, to do our part in the advancement of the species into future generations and generations and generations of the super humans we will some day evolve into.
Of these two men, who are you going to believe?
Take a look around you. Do you honestly believe we are evolving? If any of us are making any progress, it's the people who try to follow the example set out for us in the Gospels.
Jesus was the purest and highest form of humanity that ever walked on the face of this planet. That's why we had to crucify Him.
Oh, ...but He rose again. And that, too was a miracle.
Just like the miracle of creation.
Genesis, chapter one. This is the first book of the Bible. The first verse of the first chapter says: "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth." Now, if we believe in the Bible as being the Holy Book, the unvarnished truth of God's Word, I should think that the first verse of the first book of the Bible is the first thing we should accept and believe.
In the beginning God, not the cosmos, not evolution, not the devil but God created the heaven and the earth.
Ok, but you say, "How could God have possibly created the world in only six days? It's impossible!"
And, you would be right. That's why they call it a miracle. A miracle is something that is impossible in the natural. But, since God is God and He is a God of Miracles, yes, He created our world in six days. Would it be less of a miracle if it happened over a period of billions of years? No. But, if God could create it in billions of years, He could create it in six days. Creation is a miracle. There's no other way around it.
We didn't get here from some super nova exploding out in outer space and then arranging itself all neatly into under-developed life forms that were at the beginning stages of evolution. If you believe all that, it takes a lot of faith. But some would call that being educated. In fact, it's hard for such people to have enough faith to simply believe that God actually meant what He said.
When Moses asked God for an explanation of creation, he received the book of Genesis. So, who was Moses? What was his track record? You can read about him. God said that He talked to Moses "face to face".
Take a look at Moses' credentials, his life and all the miracles God used him to perform. Moses heard from God. Moses had conversations with God and took notes. Wouldn't you?
On the other hand, when Charles Darwin, for example, wanted to know the secret of creation, did he talk to God? I'm leaning towards the idea that he talked to the "other guy".
Ask yourself why someone would want to come up with ungodly theories of how we got here. I think the answer is simple. They didn't want to have to believe in God because that would mean they owed their allegiance to something greater, smarter and more powerful than themselves.
So they convinced billions of, so-called, educated people to believe that our purpose for existing on this planet is to be a part of evolution's primordial soup, to do our part in the advancement of the species into future generations and generations and generations of the super humans we will some day evolve into.
Of these two men, who are you going to believe?
Take a look around you. Do you honestly believe we are evolving? If any of us are making any progress, it's the people who try to follow the example set out for us in the Gospels.
Jesus was the purest and highest form of humanity that ever walked on the face of this planet. That's why we had to crucify Him.
Oh, ...but He rose again. And that, too was a miracle.
Just like the miracle of creation.
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