"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 28 December 2011"
Today's Blog Title: "Love, Expressed In Caring"
Today's Scripture Reading: John 21:1-25
Today's Key Verse: John 20:18 "Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish."
Today our Blog on the Book of John will reach its climax as we come to the final chapter of this eyewitness account from John whom the Lord loved. John in this final chapter cannot help but go back and bring back some of the post-resurrection times Jesus spend with His disciples.
In verse 3 we see that Peter has decided to go back to his old trade of fishing. He may have done this because He was restless or a feeling that he needed to support his family. You will note that when Peter told the others that he was going fishing that they wanted to go with him. This reminds us that Peter really is the laeder of the disciples.
The fishing trip was an exercise in futility. They caught no fish. We see that Jesus is at the shore and they don't recognized Him. He tells them to cast out there nets one more time and when they did they caught so much fish that they could hardly pull it in. John tells Peter that it is the Lord and Peter jumps into the sea and swims ashore to get to Jesus.
We as Christians need to realize that as we follow Jesus we cannot and will not want to go back to our old way of life. Jesus calls us to something fresh and new. We will find no real satisfaction except in doing His will.
Peter must have felt as we do when we fail the Lord: eager for acceptance, yet uncertain and ashamed. We as Christians need to follow Peters example. Peter was so eager to see Jesus again that he jumped out of the boat and swam ashore. There he rushed to bring fish to Jesus when He asked for them.
In verses 15-17, Jesus gently confronts Peter and asks, "Do you love Me?" three times-- once for each of Peter's eariler denials. This discussion was probably conducted with hearing of the other six disciples. Peter had publicly professed his loyalty before the Crucifixion and Jesus wants the othe disciples to understand Peter's restoration. Jesus uses his old name "Simon," not "Rock," his new spiritual name.
"Tend" in verse 16 means to shepherd. Lambs need to be fed, sheep need to be guided. Peter was called to care for diverse people in different ways, just as Christ had done with the disciples.
Twenty five times in the Gospel of John Jesus uses the expression Verily, verily (KJV) to introduce a concept the hearer might have difficulty believing. This intensive expression emphasized that what was stated was true because God is True. Jesus in verse 18 predicts the manner of Peter's death. Tradition tells us that Peter was crucified upside down, for he did not feel worthy to die as the Lord had.
In verse 21 Peter says to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?" (refering to John). Jesus rebuked Peter for asking about John's calling. Jesus tell Peter that he should be concerned with following God's will himself and nor worrying about God's Will for others. There was an important principle here. We as Christians need to concentrate on folllowing where Jesus leads them. The church is not a hierarchy, with overseers telling others what God's Will is for them. The church is an organism and each Believer is directly connected with Jesus Christ, the church's living head. We each are to love and follow Him--and let others follow wheer they are led.
John closes his Gospel on a nore of regret because there is so much more He could share about Jesus, but there would not be enough books published in the whole world to record His Works and Words.
My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, don't let sin drive you from the Lord. Hurry back to Him and show your love by ready obedience.
(This closes our Blog Study on the Book of John. Beginning on Monday 2 January 2012, we will head back into the Old Testament and go into the Book of Isaiah. Thursday's Blog will be more on the "Restoration Of Peter," and Friday will be a writing from Philippians 4:8-9.)
Today's Hymn: "One Day"
One Day when Heaven ws filled with His praises, One day when sin was a black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin, Dwell among menm my example is He
One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain, One day they nailed Him to die on the tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected, bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He!
One day they left Him alone in the garden, One day He rested from suffering free
Angels came down over His tomb to keep vigil; Hope of the hopeless, my Savior is He
One day the grave could not conceal Him no longer One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered, Now is ascended, my Lord evermore
One day the trumpet will sound for His coming, One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing; Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine!
(Refrain)
Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me; Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever; One day He's coming-O glorious day!
Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit how we praise You as our everlasting God. Thank You for the strength and hope that you give to those that have put there faith ad trust in You. Help us Lord, as we serve You, to run and not be weary, to walk and not faint. May we keep our hearts and eyes fixed upon You and may we always pray our prayers in accordance with Your perfect Will. Amen
Today's Biblical Truth: "The strength of believers, who are nourished by God, is compared to the strength of an egale."
Click on the Link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for Today's Scripture Reading from Romans 8:22-25."
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today. Pray for our Brothers and Sisters that are being persecuted for their Faith and Trust in Jesus Christ. Pray also for God's Blessings on the Nation of Israel. Always remember that when you have a spiritual dilemma in your life and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD Whispers to you, "BUT I CAN."
"The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy." Psalm 147:11
Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
Today's Blog Title: "Love, Expressed In Caring"
Today's Scripture Reading: John 21:1-25
Today's Key Verse: John 20:18 "Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish."
Today our Blog on the Book of John will reach its climax as we come to the final chapter of this eyewitness account from John whom the Lord loved. John in this final chapter cannot help but go back and bring back some of the post-resurrection times Jesus spend with His disciples.
In verse 3 we see that Peter has decided to go back to his old trade of fishing. He may have done this because He was restless or a feeling that he needed to support his family. You will note that when Peter told the others that he was going fishing that they wanted to go with him. This reminds us that Peter really is the laeder of the disciples.
The fishing trip was an exercise in futility. They caught no fish. We see that Jesus is at the shore and they don't recognized Him. He tells them to cast out there nets one more time and when they did they caught so much fish that they could hardly pull it in. John tells Peter that it is the Lord and Peter jumps into the sea and swims ashore to get to Jesus.
We as Christians need to realize that as we follow Jesus we cannot and will not want to go back to our old way of life. Jesus calls us to something fresh and new. We will find no real satisfaction except in doing His will.
Peter must have felt as we do when we fail the Lord: eager for acceptance, yet uncertain and ashamed. We as Christians need to follow Peters example. Peter was so eager to see Jesus again that he jumped out of the boat and swam ashore. There he rushed to bring fish to Jesus when He asked for them.
In verses 15-17, Jesus gently confronts Peter and asks, "Do you love Me?" three times-- once for each of Peter's eariler denials. This discussion was probably conducted with hearing of the other six disciples. Peter had publicly professed his loyalty before the Crucifixion and Jesus wants the othe disciples to understand Peter's restoration. Jesus uses his old name "Simon," not "Rock," his new spiritual name.
"Tend" in verse 16 means to shepherd. Lambs need to be fed, sheep need to be guided. Peter was called to care for diverse people in different ways, just as Christ had done with the disciples.
Twenty five times in the Gospel of John Jesus uses the expression Verily, verily (KJV) to introduce a concept the hearer might have difficulty believing. This intensive expression emphasized that what was stated was true because God is True. Jesus in verse 18 predicts the manner of Peter's death. Tradition tells us that Peter was crucified upside down, for he did not feel worthy to die as the Lord had.
In verse 21 Peter says to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?" (refering to John). Jesus rebuked Peter for asking about John's calling. Jesus tell Peter that he should be concerned with following God's will himself and nor worrying about God's Will for others. There was an important principle here. We as Christians need to concentrate on folllowing where Jesus leads them. The church is not a hierarchy, with overseers telling others what God's Will is for them. The church is an organism and each Believer is directly connected with Jesus Christ, the church's living head. We each are to love and follow Him--and let others follow wheer they are led.
John closes his Gospel on a nore of regret because there is so much more He could share about Jesus, but there would not be enough books published in the whole world to record His Works and Words.
My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, don't let sin drive you from the Lord. Hurry back to Him and show your love by ready obedience.
(This closes our Blog Study on the Book of John. Beginning on Monday 2 January 2012, we will head back into the Old Testament and go into the Book of Isaiah. Thursday's Blog will be more on the "Restoration Of Peter," and Friday will be a writing from Philippians 4:8-9.)
Today's Hymn: "One Day"
One Day when Heaven ws filled with His praises, One day when sin was a black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin, Dwell among menm my example is He
One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain, One day they nailed Him to die on the tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected, bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He!
One day they left Him alone in the garden, One day He rested from suffering free
Angels came down over His tomb to keep vigil; Hope of the hopeless, my Savior is He
One day the grave could not conceal Him no longer One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered, Now is ascended, my Lord evermore
One day the trumpet will sound for His coming, One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing; Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine!
(Refrain)
Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me; Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever; One day He's coming-O glorious day!
Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit how we praise You as our everlasting God. Thank You for the strength and hope that you give to those that have put there faith ad trust in You. Help us Lord, as we serve You, to run and not be weary, to walk and not faint. May we keep our hearts and eyes fixed upon You and may we always pray our prayers in accordance with Your perfect Will. Amen
Today's Biblical Truth: "The strength of believers, who are nourished by God, is compared to the strength of an egale."
Click on the Link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for Today's Scripture Reading from Romans 8:22-25."
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today. Pray for our Brothers and Sisters that are being persecuted for their Faith and Trust in Jesus Christ. Pray also for God's Blessings on the Nation of Israel. Always remember that when you have a spiritual dilemma in your life and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD Whispers to you, "BUT I CAN."
"The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy." Psalm 147:11
Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
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