35. Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
36. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
37. But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him.
38. That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, Who hath believed our report? And to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
39. Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
40. He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
41. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
42. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
43. For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
44. Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
45. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
46. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
47. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
48. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
49. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
50. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
John 12
1. Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
2. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
3. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
Note: Easton's Bible Dictionary defines spikenard as a much-valued perfume. It is the root of an Indian plant, the Nardostachys jatamansi, of the family of Valeriance, growing on the Himalaya mountains. It is distinguished by its having many hairy spikes shooting out from one root. It is called by the Arabs sunbul Hindi, "the Indian spike." In the New Testament this word is the rendering of the Greek nardos pistike. The margin of the Revised Version in these passages has "pistic nard," pistic being perhaps a local name. Some take it to mean genuine, and others liquid. The most probable opinion is that the word pistike designates the nard as genuine or faithfully prepared.
4. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him.
5. Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
6. This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
Note: I'd say this is a great example of self-righteousness. In case you're wondering what self-righteousness looks like, Judas Iscariot is a dandy bad example of it right here. Self-righteous people (and we all are guilty of it at times) set themselves up as being so good and considerate of others, showing others what they believe is the "right way to do things". At the center of self-righteousness is self. "Look at me. Look how wonderful I am."
7. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
8. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
Judas needed to get his priorities straight! Like many of us, he was putting God last and putting himself first, trying to draw attention to himself and his own righteousness instead of the righteousness of God.
9. Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
10. But the chief priest consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
11. Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
12. On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
13. Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
14. And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
15. Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold Thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.
16. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
Again, I see Jesus laughing and having fun, riding on the back of that donkey because he would have had to have held his feet up off the ground and, plus, he was surrounded by a lot of children who were probably enjoying the sight immensely. That's humility. He didn't ride a horse into Jerusalem, or even a camel.
17. The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
18. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.
19. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
20. And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast.
21. The same came therefore to Philip which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
22. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
23. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
24. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
27. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
28. Father glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
29. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
It really must be according to your own personal faith whether you hear the actual voice or just hear "something" like thunder. It must depend on how clear your channel to God is.
30. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
31. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
32. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
33. This he said, signifying what death he should die.
34. The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
2. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
3. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
Note: Easton's Bible Dictionary defines spikenard as a much-valued perfume. It is the root of an Indian plant, the Nardostachys jatamansi, of the family of Valeriance, growing on the Himalaya mountains. It is distinguished by its having many hairy spikes shooting out from one root. It is called by the Arabs sunbul Hindi, "the Indian spike." In the New Testament this word is the rendering of the Greek nardos pistike. The margin of the Revised Version in these passages has "pistic nard," pistic being perhaps a local name. Some take it to mean genuine, and others liquid. The most probable opinion is that the word pistike designates the nard as genuine or faithfully prepared.
4. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him.
5. Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
6. This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
Note: I'd say this is a great example of self-righteousness. In case you're wondering what self-righteousness looks like, Judas Iscariot is a dandy bad example of it right here. Self-righteous people (and we all are guilty of it at times) set themselves up as being so good and considerate of others, showing others what they believe is the "right way to do things". At the center of self-righteousness is self. "Look at me. Look how wonderful I am."
7. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
8. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
Judas needed to get his priorities straight! Like many of us, he was putting God last and putting himself first, trying to draw attention to himself and his own righteousness instead of the righteousness of God.
9. Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
10. But the chief priest consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
11. Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
12. On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
13. Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
14. And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written,
15. Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold Thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.
16. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
Again, I see Jesus laughing and having fun, riding on the back of that donkey because he would have had to have held his feet up off the ground and, plus, he was surrounded by a lot of children who were probably enjoying the sight immensely. That's humility. He didn't ride a horse into Jerusalem, or even a camel.
17. The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.
18. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.
19. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
20. And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast.
21. The same came therefore to Philip which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
22. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
23. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
24. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
27. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
28. Father glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
29. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
It really must be according to your own personal faith whether you hear the actual voice or just hear "something" like thunder. It must depend on how clear your channel to God is.
30. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
31. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
32. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
33. This he said, signifying what death he should die.
34. The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
Thursday, March 21, 2013
The Milk of the Word
The reason the book of John has been written out here is because it really needs very little, if any explanation. It's the "Milk of the Word" for new believers. Just like a newborn baby needs nothing but pure mother's milk, so a newborn believer should soak up the milk of the Word to get a good, solid foundation of faith.
Meat is fine. However, if one adds meat to the diet immediately after being born again, it can be very difficult to digest. It can be confusing, unsettling and even stumble the new believer. Paul warns us not to strive with doctrines and disputes. He suggests that we stay simple.
There's nothing wrong with being simple. We should all keep our "first love", -- that initial burst of joy and amazement upon accepting Jesus into our lives.
In my humble opinion, I would say that if you haven't read the book of John, you are missing out on the foundation of your faith. Without a firm foundation of faith, your house will start to lean and get off balance. Like they say, "As the twig is bent, so grows the tree."
If it is humbling to remain in the gospels for your reading, remember that humility is one of the most important and valuable virtues of a Christian, because it is not easy to come by. Humiliation is the way to humility. There's just no easy route. Yet, without humility, we can get into an awful mess!
"Pride comes before a fall."
Don't ever take the credit for anything good that you may accomplish or any great idea you come up with. Give God the due credit for everything good that ever happens. After all, he gave you your life. Your life is in his hands.
Basically, God is God. We are human. We are the clay. He is the Potter. Not the other way around. So, let's keep things in perspective. God should get all the glory because all the glory belongs to God. What more can I say?
Stay humble. Stay simple. Stay in love with Jesus!
If you read the book of John with an open heart and mind, you can't help but fall in love with Jesus! And, when you do that, your life will change and continue to change and improve. The Light will shine brighter and brighter for you unto the coming of that perfect day of the Lord!
Meat is fine. However, if one adds meat to the diet immediately after being born again, it can be very difficult to digest. It can be confusing, unsettling and even stumble the new believer. Paul warns us not to strive with doctrines and disputes. He suggests that we stay simple.
There's nothing wrong with being simple. We should all keep our "first love", -- that initial burst of joy and amazement upon accepting Jesus into our lives.
In my humble opinion, I would say that if you haven't read the book of John, you are missing out on the foundation of your faith. Without a firm foundation of faith, your house will start to lean and get off balance. Like they say, "As the twig is bent, so grows the tree."
If it is humbling to remain in the gospels for your reading, remember that humility is one of the most important and valuable virtues of a Christian, because it is not easy to come by. Humiliation is the way to humility. There's just no easy route. Yet, without humility, we can get into an awful mess!
"Pride comes before a fall."
Don't ever take the credit for anything good that you may accomplish or any great idea you come up with. Give God the due credit for everything good that ever happens. After all, he gave you your life. Your life is in his hands.
Basically, God is God. We are human. We are the clay. He is the Potter. Not the other way around. So, let's keep things in perspective. God should get all the glory because all the glory belongs to God. What more can I say?
Stay humble. Stay simple. Stay in love with Jesus!
If you read the book of John with an open heart and mind, you can't help but fall in love with Jesus! And, when you do that, your life will change and continue to change and improve. The Light will shine brighter and brighter for you unto the coming of that perfect day of the Lord!
Chapter 11 of John, continued . . .
23. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
24. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
25. Jesus saith unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Important Note: Believe in Jesus and you will never die. It's free. Conditions do not apply. Just believe.
27. She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
It looks to me like Martha was really doing her homework! She knew her brother was going to rise and she believed Jesus was the Christ prophesied about in the Torah. What a woman of faith!
28. And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
29. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.
30. Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.
31. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.
32. Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
33. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit and was troubled.
34. And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
35. Jesus wept.
Why would Jesus have wept? He knew there was going to be a happy ending. I believe it was because he was feeling the emotion of the people around him and was affected by it.
Hebrews 4:15 "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
36. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
37. And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?
38. Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
39. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
It takes an impossible situation for God to do a miracle. This guy was not only dead, but his body had already begun to rot and decay!
40. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
41. Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou has heard me.
42. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
43. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
Wake up call!
44. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him and let him go.
I just bet any money that Jesus was smiling and laughing when he said that!
45. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
It would have been pretty hard not to believe, wouldn't it? After all, how many people were going around visiting graves and raising the dead?
46. But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what thing Jesus had done.
47. Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
48. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
49. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
50. Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
51. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation.
52. And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
53. Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
54. Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.
55. And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.
How ironic is that? They wanted to purify themselves before God. Then their very next move was to hunt down Jesus to kill him! -- And the ironic part is that only the death of Jesus could purify them!
56. Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?
57. Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him.
24. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
25. Jesus saith unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Important Note: Believe in Jesus and you will never die. It's free. Conditions do not apply. Just believe.
27. She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
It looks to me like Martha was really doing her homework! She knew her brother was going to rise and she believed Jesus was the Christ prophesied about in the Torah. What a woman of faith!
28. And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
29. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.
30. Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.
31. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.
32. Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
33. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit and was troubled.
34. And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
35. Jesus wept.
Why would Jesus have wept? He knew there was going to be a happy ending. I believe it was because he was feeling the emotion of the people around him and was affected by it.
Hebrews 4:15 "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
36. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
37. And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?
38. Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
39. Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
It takes an impossible situation for God to do a miracle. This guy was not only dead, but his body had already begun to rot and decay!
40. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
41. Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou has heard me.
42. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
43. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
Wake up call!
44. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him and let him go.
I just bet any money that Jesus was smiling and laughing when he said that!
45. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
It would have been pretty hard not to believe, wouldn't it? After all, how many people were going around visiting graves and raising the dead?
46. But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what thing Jesus had done.
47. Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
48. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
49. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
50. Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
51. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation.
52. And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
53. Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
54. Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.
55. And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.
How ironic is that? They wanted to purify themselves before God. Then their very next move was to hunt down Jesus to kill him! -- And the ironic part is that only the death of Jesus could purify them!
56. Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?
57. Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
John 11
1. Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and his sister, Martha.
2. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
3. Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
4. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
5. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
6. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
7. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.
8. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
9. Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not because he seeth the light of this world.
10. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
11. These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
12. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
13. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
14. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
15. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
16. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
(It's funny how humans can think the worst. "Let's go so we'll all die together! Yay!" But, in fact, Jesus didn't die and Lazarus was raised FROM the dead and nobody else died and everything turned out great!)
17. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
18. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
19. And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
20. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
21. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22. But, I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
(She probably didn't DARE to think the impossible after four days, that Jesus would be able to raise him back to life. How could she imagine such a thing? But, she was struggling to believe that whatever Jesus asked, God would give it to him.)
2. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
3. Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
4. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
5. Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
6. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
7. Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.
8. His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
9. Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not because he seeth the light of this world.
10. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
11. These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
12. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
13. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
14. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
15. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
16. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
(It's funny how humans can think the worst. "Let's go so we'll all die together! Yay!" But, in fact, Jesus didn't die and Lazarus was raised FROM the dead and nobody else died and everything turned out great!)
17. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
18. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
19. And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
20. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
21. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22. But, I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
(She probably didn't DARE to think the impossible after four days, that Jesus would be able to raise him back to life. How could she imagine such a thing? But, she was struggling to believe that whatever Jesus asked, God would give it to him.)
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Kampar to Cambodia to Thailand
In my travels, meeting and greeting other believers, I notice that the ones who are the most on-fire, excited and exuberant are the people who tell me they spend time in the Word. One lovely Cambodian girl said that she reads some Bible first thing every morning and starts her day with prayer. She is a real warrior of the faith, encouraging other new believers with her enthusiasm.
But, the other side of the coin is that the people who have nothing positive and everything negative to say are the ones that confessed they either couldn't or wouldn't read the Word. Two people that I have in mind told me that they were constantly besieged with doubts, fears and lies. One of them could not sleep. As a result, she could barely keep her eyes open during the day and, unfortunately, downer dialogue was all that came out, even though she has been used mightily of the Lord in the past.
A young man who professed to believe in Jesus did not understand the importance of reading the Bible. So, two other Spirit-filled girls helped me try to convince him on it.
We know it's not easy. Of course it isn't easy. Anything worthwhile takes some effort. Even for those of us who have developed a habit over years of reading the Word will sometimes find it easier to do anything else BUT read the Word.
"Oh, I need to cut my finger nails." or . . ."Oh, I should read the news." or . . ."I need to make a shopping list." or . . . "I have to send a text-message.What was I just going to do? Oh yeah, read some Word!"
Read your Bible! Read your Bible! Read your Bible!
Then, after you've done that, tell your problems to God. I can pretty much guarantee that you won't have anything negative to complain about to anybody. You'll be wanting to help them with their problems instead!
It's a wonderful, wonderful thing when you give up your life to God! He can do a much better job with it than you can. He can see all the pitfalls and even when you don't know yourself, He's knows you and He knows what you need and when you need it. He won't let the tasks get too heavy. Nothing is too big for Jesus to bear!
"Give me a task too big, too hard for human hands.
Then shall I come to lean on Thee
And leaning, find my strength."
So, before you come up with your arguments, doubts, fears and problems, go to God's Word. That's what it's there for. Go cry to your Daddy about it! He lives inside the pages of your Bible!
Did I happen to mention: He's got all the answers! Don't be lazy! Don't keep asking other people for the answers! They don't know any better than you do! Go to the Answer Man!
But, the other side of the coin is that the people who have nothing positive and everything negative to say are the ones that confessed they either couldn't or wouldn't read the Word. Two people that I have in mind told me that they were constantly besieged with doubts, fears and lies. One of them could not sleep. As a result, she could barely keep her eyes open during the day and, unfortunately, downer dialogue was all that came out, even though she has been used mightily of the Lord in the past.
A young man who professed to believe in Jesus did not understand the importance of reading the Bible. So, two other Spirit-filled girls helped me try to convince him on it.
We know it's not easy. Of course it isn't easy. Anything worthwhile takes some effort. Even for those of us who have developed a habit over years of reading the Word will sometimes find it easier to do anything else BUT read the Word.
"Oh, I need to cut my finger nails." or . . ."Oh, I should read the news." or . . ."I need to make a shopping list." or . . . "I have to send a text-message.What was I just going to do? Oh yeah, read some Word!"
Read your Bible! Read your Bible! Read your Bible!
Then, after you've done that, tell your problems to God. I can pretty much guarantee that you won't have anything negative to complain about to anybody. You'll be wanting to help them with their problems instead!
It's a wonderful, wonderful thing when you give up your life to God! He can do a much better job with it than you can. He can see all the pitfalls and even when you don't know yourself, He's knows you and He knows what you need and when you need it. He won't let the tasks get too heavy. Nothing is too big for Jesus to bear!
"Give me a task too big, too hard for human hands.
Then shall I come to lean on Thee
And leaning, find my strength."
So, before you come up with your arguments, doubts, fears and problems, go to God's Word. That's what it's there for. Go cry to your Daddy about it! He lives inside the pages of your Bible!
Did I happen to mention: He's got all the answers! Don't be lazy! Don't keep asking other people for the answers! They don't know any better than you do! Go to the Answer Man!
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