Bible Scripture Reading for Tuesday 6 December 2011

"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 6 December 2011"

Today's Blog Title: ""The New Commandment"
Today's Scripture Reading: John 13:1-38
Today's Key Verse: John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

The Last Supper took place on Thursday night and the theme was love.  "To the end" at the end of verse 1 means either "to the last" or "utterly and completely".  What followed in verses 1-11,  demonstrates the complete love of Jesus.  Jesus loved His disciples, even though He knew that one would betray Him, another would dent Him and all would desert Him for a time.

Jesus demonstrates this theme by personally  washing His disciples feet, a courtesy usually performed by a servant.  Jesus is seen here removing His outer garment which would have impeded His movements and girded Himself with a towel and begins to wash he feet of His disciples.  The washing of their feet was a symbol of spiritual cleansing.  When Jesus comes to Peter, he tells Jesus, "You shall not wash my feet!"  Jesus tells Peter that if he did not participate in the cleaning, that He would not enjoy fellowship with Him.

When Peter was told this by Jesus, Peter had no choice but to submit, only this time he went to far in the other direction.  At first Peter wanted to tell the Lord what to do, now he wanted to give directions to Jesus on how to do it.  Jesus tell Peter that he did not need a bath; he only needed Jesus to wash his feet that were dusty from the road.  A believer has already been cleansed.  We as Christians only need the cleaning of daily sins that comes from confession.  So with Jesus washing the feet of the disciples is not only a model of service, but it represents the ultimate in service, forgiveness of sin.

In verse 27 "Satan entered Judas".   Judas has already made His bargain with the religious leaders to betray Jesus.  Christ's statement let Judas know that He knew what he was about to do and gave Him a last chance to repent.  Satan can only tighten his grip on those who make a hardened, final decision to reject Jesus. 

After Judas leaves to go and betray Jesus, he gives them what He calls "a new command." His followers are to love one another just as Jesus has loved them, self-sacrificially, totally and with a mutual commitment that will amaze the world and mark them as His own. 

Peter, missing the the significance of the command, fastens on on a earlier remark and rashly pledges to lay down his life rather than leave Jesus. At the close of this chapter, the Lord tells Peter,  "that before the rooster crows you will deny me three time." At these words of Jesus, Peter was stunned and said nothing.

Today's Christmas Hymn "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear"

It came upon a midnight clear, that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth, to touch there harps of gold
"Peace on earth, good will to men, from heaven's all gracious King."
The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing.

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, what a blessing it is to have Your Word to read and live by.  How thankful we are Abba father that you loved us before we loved you.  May we as Christians love one another as as you have taught and shown us.  May we forgive those whom trespass against us just as You forgive us of our trespasses.  may we reach out in love to those who are lost, and with the Holy Spirit's conviction bring them to that loving and saving grace of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
                                                                                                                           Amen
Click on the link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for Today's Bible Verse from Psalm 31:20.

Today's Biblical Truth: "Christ's last living command is love."

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 in Christ who are being persecuted for their Faith and Trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Pray also that God's blessings be upon 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."

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold, In settings of silver." Proverbs 25:11

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi


  

    

Bible Scripture Reading for Tuesday 2 December 2011

"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 2 December 2011"

Today's Blog Title: Faith In God, Is Faith In Jesus"
Today's Scripture Reading: John 12:1-50
Today's Key Verse: John 12:44 "Then Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in Me, believes not in Me, but in Him who sent me."

As the Passover Week approaches, Jesus stays with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in Bethany.  One night Mary comes in anoints the feet of Jesus and wipes them with her hair.  She also anoints His head (Matthew 26:7; Mark 14:3).  The custom of that time was to anoint the heads of the guest.  Anointing Jesus' head was an act of honor; anointing His feet was a display of devotion.  Mary's anointing was the first stage of embalming.  Whether Mary knew it or not, she anticipating Jesus' death, which would come within the week.

Judas here (the betrayer of Christ), tried to sound spiritual by expressing a concern for the poor that surely he did not feel.  He objects, angry that the gift wasn't sold and turned over to the groups treasure-Judas himself.  Jesus says to, "Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always."

The crowd that had gathered for the Feast and when they herd that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem took branches of palm trees and cried out,  "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! The King of Israel!" This was the Sunday before Christ arose and is to this called "Palm Sunday".  Up until this point Jesus, Jesus had discouraged expressions of support from the people.  Here He allowed public enthusiasm.  He entered in Jerusalem on the back of a young donkey which fulfilled prophecy from (Zechariah 9:9) and as such was a symbolic proclamation that Jesus is the Messiah.

Jesus tells his disciples (John 12:20-28a), and the crowds (John 12:28b-36), that He is about to be killed.  Instead of answering questions, Jesus gave them a warning, "Walk while you have the light,".  He wanted the people to believe and abide in Him.  Their unbelief is startling.  However Jesus' prediction of His suffering and death did not fit into the peoples idea of the Messiah.

Did the silent minority of leaders who "believed in" Jesus truly believe?  Probably so. And many may have taken an open stand for Jesus AFTER His resurrection.  Yet there silence was in its self a kind of betrayal.  It is hard to see how we as Christians wholeheartedly in Jesus and yet still worry about what the world may think of us.

In the closing of this chapter, Jesus insisted that anyone who believed in Him was at the same time exercising belief in God the Father.  Jesus explained that He was the personal manifestation of God.  In verse 47 "I do not judge," may be rephrased as "I do not execute judgment."  Christ will judge, but at His first coming He did not come to judge but to save.

Today's Hymn: "Joy To The Word"

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King;
let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ;
While fields, and floods, rocks, hills and plains, Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy
Let no more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground 
He comes to make the blessings flow, Far as the curse is found
Far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found
He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love
And wonders of his love, And wonders of His Love

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, how thankful we are Father that You are our strength and refuge.  Who but you Father can protect us from all that the enemy has to fling at us Your children.  May we as You did Jesus forgive those that do us wrong so that You can forgive us of our trespasses.  Bless us Father with health, wealth, longevity, spiritual vitality and harmony with You, and those around us in our daily lives.
                                                                                                                           Amen
Today's Biblical Truth: "It is ironic that the men who put Jesus to death, believed they could put to death permanently One who could raise the death."

Click on the link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for Today's Bible Verse from Isaiah 43:10.

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 Brothers and sister in Christ who are being persecuted for their faith and Trust in our Lord and Savior 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".
                                                                                                                                       Amen
"I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry." Psalm 40:1

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi


          

Bible Scripture Reading for Thursday 1 December 2011

Today's Blog Title: "Life Is Assured In Jesus"
Today's Scripture Reading: John 11:1-57
Today's Key Verse: John 11:25-26 "Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.  And whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.  Do you believe this?"

Jesus was very close to a family living in Bethany, near Jerusalem.  When Lazarus became sick, his sisters (Mary and Martha) sent an urgent message to Jesus.  Its easy to pray when we or a loved one first becomes sick.  We believe firmly that Jesus does love us.  The problem comes when there seem to be no response from God.  We will see in this chapter that the events reported not only display Christ's power, but helps us realize how to deal with those painful delays in answers to prayer that trouble us so often.

When Jesus gets the new about Lazarus He delays two more days at where He was at. God's purpose of this delay was to Glorify His Son, and to cause the disciples to grow.  Had Jesus immediately rushed to Lazarus's bedside and healed Him, Lazarus would not have died and Jesus would not have been able to manifest His glory by raising Lazarus.  God's timing to accomplish His purpose is perfect.  The disciples were skeptical.  In their minds, for Jesus to go to Judea would mean death.

When Jesus arrived Lazarus was dead.  Jesus spoke to the sisters of Himself as the "Resurrection and the Life," a reality they acknowledged that would happen in their brothers future resurrection, but Jesus intended to raise Him now.   Jesus was not glad that Lazarus was dead.  He was glad for the opportunity the disciples would soon see an amazing miracle.  The disciples had already believed, but each new trail offered an opportunity for there faith to grow. 

In verse 25, "He wept", is the shortest verse in the Bible, and is one of the most important.  Wept simply means "shed tears".  Jesus did not weep in hopeless grief like the others.  He knew what He was about to do , but His compassion for the pain of Mary and Martha moved Him to tears.  we as Christians need to realize that if Jesus delays His answering our prayers, its not because He's unconcerned.  He shares our suffering and our pain.  He wept's both for us and with us.

Jesus had the stone rolled away from the front of the tomb.  Martha says to Jesus, that there will be a smell since He has been dead for four days, but Jesus tells her, "Did I not tell you that if you believe you would see the glory of God?"  Jesus calls out in a loud voice, "Lazarus come forth".  Lazarus comes out of the grave and Jesus tell them to unbind him and let him go.  The loud cry of Jesus was either the result of strong emotion or that the multitude might hear.  It is interesting to point out that if Jesus had not called Lazarus by name when He commanded him to come forth, all the graves would have emptied at His command.  Raising Lazarus from the dead is the seventh sign of Jesus' messiahship, the greatest miracle of all, giving life back to the dead. 

This story is one of the most moving of Gospel stories about Jesus, for it showed the depth of affection and trust that existed between Him and His Friends.  Never make the mistake of limiting Jesus power to act in your present.  Neither time, nor apparent impossibility can restrict our Lord's ability to meet our deepest needs.

Today's Hymn: "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"

Hark! The heard angels sing, "Glory to the new born King, peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful all Ye nations rise, join the triumph in the skies; with the angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the new born King!"

Heaven Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, how wonderful that we as Christians serve the Resurrection and the Life.  How we are thankful for Your compassion and undying love for us Your children.  Thank you Jesus that You are the Resurrection for our loved ones who have died in You and that you are the Life for those who believe and have not yet died.  May we as Christians get the message out that in order to have this eternal life, one must place his or her faith and trust in Jesus. who is the Christ, the Son of God, who came into this world to bring eternal life to those who believe.
                                                                                                          Amen
"Today's Biblical Truth: "Christ is the resurrection for those who believe and are physically dead."

Click on the link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for Today's Bible Verse from Ephesians 6:12.
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 in Christ who are being persecuted for their Faith and Trust in Our Lord and Savior 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".

"Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty." Psalm 104:1

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi 

Scripture Reading for Wednesday 30 November 2011

"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for for 30 November 2011"

Today's Blog Title: "Jesus' Greatest Claim"
Today's Scripture Reading: John 10:1-42
Today's Key Verse: John 10:27-30 "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of my My hand.  My father who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of my Father's hand.  I and My Father are One."

Jesus in this chapter of John speaks of familiar things that those who were listening to could relate to.  He describes Himself as the Good Shepherd, willing to give His life for the sheep.  Jesus came as Israel's rightful Messiah and He came openly and honestly. 

When Jesus says in verse 8, "All who come before Me," he is referring to the many false prophets, who aroused national passions and claimed to be sent by God to deliver the people from foreign enemies.  They, however, come to exploit the people rather than serve them, to gain, rather than give.   

The religious leaders here, are only concerned with their own safety and ease and not with the sheep.  Jesus is the Good Shepherd because the sheep are His and we are precious to Him.  He cares about us so much that He willingly that He gave His life for us.  This self-sacrifice is completely voluntary, the true measure of God's love sinful and dying world.  How do we recognize God's people?  What are the marks of faith?  They believe in Jesus, they listen to the voice of Jesus and they follow Him.  Confession, obedience, and allegiance are the marks of the true believer.    Jesus described three characteristics of His sheep: (1) They hear His voice, and he knows them (2) The follow Him (3) They have eternal life that never can be taken away.  God's hands is more powerful than that of any enemy.

Jesus is God.  this is another clear claim by Jesus of deity.  His hearers understood exactly what He meant and they were ready to stone Him for blasphemy.  The Hebrew term for blasphemy means, "to spurn" or "to treat with contempt.  The Greek words means, "to slander", "to speak abusively of", or "to speak lightly of the sacred."  This charge was far more serious that the casual curse or misuse of God's name common in out time.  Jesus was charged with blasphemy because He claimed the right and authority that belonged to God alone.  This fact reminds us that no one can dismiss Jesus as a "good man."  He was either an impious deceiver, a mad man, or exactly what we as believers know is true,  He was the God the Son, God with us in human flesh.

Today's Hymn: "Amazed"

You dance over me while I am unaware, You sing all around, But I never hear the sound
Lord I am amazed by you, Lord I am amazed by You, Lord I am amazed by You
And How You love me
You paint the morning sky with miracles and lines, My hope will always stand
You hold me in Your hand, Lord I am amazed by You, Lord I am Amazed by You
And How You love me
How wide, How deep, How great is your love for me, How wide,
How deep, How great is Your Love for me, And Lord I am amazed by You
Lord I am amazed by You, Lord I am Amazed by You, and how deep Your love is for me

Heaven Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, how thankful we are that through Your shed blood and Your Resurrection from the Grave we have through You the victory over Satan.  How wonderful it is to know that You are faithful and good in the promises that You make, and You are there with us to carry us and strengthen us when we need it the most.  May as we speak to others about You, be able to speak out boldly and proclaim as Peter, "Thou art Christ, the son of the living God."
                                                                                                                                      Amen

Today's Biblical Truth: "The joy of the righteous will be great when there is an end to evil."

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 Sister in Christ who are been persecuted for there Faith and Trust in our Lord and Savior 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".

"Bless the Lord , O my soul, and forget not all His benefits." Psalm 103:2

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi  
  

  

Bible Scipture Reading for Tuesday 29 November 2011

"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 29 November 2011"

Today's Blog Title: "The Obvious Is True"
Today's Scripture Reading: "John 9:1-41
Today's Key Verse: John 9:33 "If this man were not from God, He could go nothing."

Chapter 9 deals with a man who was born blind is healed by Jesus and the opposition to Jesus continues to intensify when this healing is done.  Popular theology held that sickness was a punishment for sin.  In the case of a person born blind, this posed a theological riddle. Was the man punished for sins he would commit? Or were sins of the parents being punished in the son?

Jesus' answer to this question is important.  "Neither sinned."  God had allowed the man to be born so that Jesus could heal him and thus reveal the works of God and His healing power.  Mixing clay with saliva was a common practice used for eye infection.  Jesus may have used the clay on his eyes instead of simply speaking the words for the man to exercise his faith in washing it off.  Christ's healing of this blind man reminds us that, in often unexpected ways, our suffering can be used by God for His Glory.

When the Pharisee's find out about the healing they begin to badger the man.  After repeatedly answering the same question over and over the blind man finally cuts through to the heart of the issue:  "If this man were not from God, He could do nothing." The blind mans remark" Do you want to become His disciples too?", drips with sarcasm and reflects the blind man's frustration with the constant nagging of the Pharisees.  The blind man is thrown out by the religious leaders, but is found by Jesus, and believes in Him.

We will note that the blind man is bolder than his parents, who refused to take any position on their sons healing because of the known hostility of the religious leaders to Jesus.  The once blind man openly expresses the obvious fact that the leaders were intent on trying to hide.  The blessing of sight restored was so great that nothing the leaders could do would intimidate him.

In verse 36 the blind man finds Jesus and asks Jesus "Who is He?"  We see here that faith must have proper object.  Jesus, not faith saves.  Faith is only a channel to the worthy object, the Lord Jesus Christ.  We see the progression throughout this chapter of the healed man's understanding of the person of Christ.  First, he called Jesus "a Man" (verse 11), then "a prophet" (verse 17), and finally he realized that Jesus is the Son of God (verses 35-38).

Jesus did come into this world to execute judgment. Nevertheless, the inevitable result of His coming judgment, because some refuse to believe.  As the light of the world, Jesus came that the blind might see and those who think they can see will be made blind.  There was no way that the Pharisees could claim ignorance.  Their rejection of Jesus was deliberate, so they were guilty of the most terrible of all sins, the rejection of Jesus Christ as the Son of God.

Today's Hymn: "Come Let us Worship"

Come, let us worship and bow down, Before the Lord Most Holy,Before the King of Glory
Come and lay your burdens down, Before the Friend who's faithful, Before the One's who's able
For he is our God, And we are His people, Yes He is our God, And we shall never be forsaken
Come let us lift our voice in praise, Unto the rock of Ages, Unto the God who saves us
Come and Glorify His Name, All the earth together, All the saints forever
You are our God, And we are your people, You are our God, And we will be with You Forever

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, may our faith be that of the blind man who was healed by Jesus.  May we when led by the Holy Spirit step out in faith and follow in the footsteps of Jesus.  May our eyes be opened that we may freely share our own faith in Christ.  May we as Christians remember that in serving and standing up for Christ, there is nothing we could possibly lose that compares with what we have gained.
                                                                                                                               Amen
"Today's Biblical Truth: "As the light of the world, Jesus exposes sin and gives sight."

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 in Christ who are being persecuted for their Faith and Trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Pray also God's Blessings be on the Nation of Israel.  Always remember that when you have a spiritual dilemma n your life and you yell out, "I CAN'T", GOD Whispers to you, "BUT I CAN".

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." Psalm 23:6

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi 

Bible Scripture Reading for Monday 28 November 2011

"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 28 November 2011"

Today's Blog Title: "Jesus Is, And Always Was"
Today's Scripture Reading: John 8:1-59
Today's Key Verse: John 8:58 "Jesus said to them, "Most Assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."

In this chapter, Jesus is again teaching in the temple courts when the religious leaders drag in a woman caught in the act of adultery (notice that the man involved was not brought) and challenged Him to sentence her.  Old Testament Law called for the death sentence for adultery which was done with stoning.  He avoids their trap by saying, "anyone of you without sin, cast the first stone."  In my mind after Jesus says this, I hear the rocks dropping as they walk away, leaving her alone with Jesus, and Jesus reaching down with those strong arms and pulling her to her feet and looking into her eyes with eyes of love and telling her that he neither condemned her and to go and sin no more. (Wow).

When Jesus next preaches,  He calls Himself the "Light of the World."  When the Pharisee's demand proof, Jesus points out that God, His Father has already testified, through the miracles that He has performed.  In the Book of John "light" is closely linked with distinguishing between the true and the false, between reality and illusion. As the "Light of the World" Jesus becomes the one and only source of illumination of spiritual reality.  Believe in Him and you will see Him as He really is.  Refuse to believe in Him, and you will be left with only "human standards" and darkness.The confused Pharisee's press the point, and Jesus bluntly warms them they will "die in their sins" unless they believe in Him.

In John "truth" is that which is in full correspondence with reality.  We can't know this kind of truth in theory, but experience the reality Jesus' words portray by putting them into practice.  If we want to "know the truth" about anything, we must be disciples, holding firmly ho Jesus' teaching and putting His words into practice.

In verse 32 "you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free", is freedom.  Freedom is the experience of life-with God, with one's self, and with others, and with the material world, as God intends it to be for human beings.    

Today's Hymn "Let It Rain"

Let it rain, Let it rain, Open the floodgates of heaven, and let it rain
The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad, Let the distant shores rejoice
Clouds and thick darkness surround Him
Righteousness and Justice are the foundation of His throne
A fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side
His lightening lights up the world, The earth sees and trembles
The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, Before the Lord of all the earth
The heavens proclaim His righteousness, And all peoples will see His glory
We want to see Your Glory, God! Do you want to see His Glory
Lift up your voices, Lift your hands, Let it rain, let it rain
Open the floodgates of heaven and let it rain

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, how thankful we are to have the freedom of life when we have a relationship with You are Abba Father.  Thank you for the conviction of our hearts that we needed you in our lives and needed you to go from eternal death into eternal life.  May we always be obedient to You so that we will have a daily relationship with You, protection from sin, and experience Your neverending Love.
                                                                                                                                   Amen
"Today's Biblical Truth: "One who abides in the Word of God know the truth."

Clink on the link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for Today's Bible Verse from Isaiah 41:10.

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 who are being persecuted for there Faith and Trust in our Lord and Savior.  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".

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi

Bible Scripture Reading for Friday 25 November 2011

"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 25 November 2011"

Today's Blog Title: "Commitment Produces Certainty"
Today's Scripture Reading: John 7:1-52
Today's Key Verse: John 7:38 "He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."

As we begin Chapter 7 we see that Jesus delays going up to Jerusalem for one of Judaism's three required religious festivals.  We are told by John that Jesus' brothers argued, "If You are really working miracles and thus claiming to be the Messiah, do not hide in obscure Galilee.  If you are doing miracles at all, then do them in Jerusalem at the Feast to convince the who nation."  These words were sarcastic, because even His own brothers did not believe Him.  Later though two of Jesus' brothers, James and Jude, did believe and will become leaders in the Book of Acts of the young church.  Don't write off those who don't respond at once to the Gospel.  Often it takes time.

Halfway through the eight day day festival Jesus begins teaching publicly in the temple courtyard.  Jesus attributes  His teaching directly to God, rather that rabbinical "seminary training," and insists that anyone who chooses to do God's will, will recognize it.  When He is challenged, He bluntly states that the judgment of the religious leaders is flawed and that they do not keep the Law they claim to honor.  In verse 12 John uses the phrase "the Jews" of Judaism's religious hierarchy.  Their power to cut of any Jewish person off from Israel's religious and social life kept those who did think Jesus was the Messiah from speaking out.

Choosing to doing God's Will is a vital and basic principle.  To know Jesus and develop spiritual understanding, a person must make a conscious, determined choice to do God's Will.  If we make that choice, God will show us what His Will is, and we can live it, step by step.

Widespread speculation that Jesus is the Christ angers the Jewish leaders even as His sayings puzzle them.  The Jews assumed Jesus was born in Galilee, because He lived in Nazareth.  Yet if they had checked the records, that given the Jewish concern with genealogies surely existed, they would have learned He was born in Bethlehem, of David's family line. 

 But the crowds also hesitate when, on the last day of the festival, Jesus calls on His listeners to believe in Him.  The religious leaders' fury is intensified when their own guards refuse to arrest Jesus, and Nicodemus, one of their members, defended Him.  It's clear that the leaders absolutely refuse to believe Jesus could be the Christ.

Jesus promises to pour out the Holy Spirit as the source of "Living Water", for those who would believe in Him.

Today's Hymn: "Amazing Grace"

Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I am found, Was blind but now I see
"Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed
My chains are gone, I've been set free, My God, My Savior has ramsoned me
And like a flood His mercy reigns, unending love, Amazing grace
The Lord has promise good to me, His Word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be, As long as life endures
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below. Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine, You are forever mine

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, how thankful we are Father, that the moment we take Jesus into our lives, that we receive an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, whom walks with us, guides us, and teaches us.  How happy we are as Christians, to follow You in Your footsteps, and to be sons and daughters of the King.  May we continue to grow in your mercy and grace, and grow stronger in our relationship with Thee.
                                                                                                                         Amen
Today's Biblical Truth: "As with Jesus, so with us; no one can touch us without the Father's consent."

Click on the link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for Today's Bible Verse from John 7 which is Titled: "Commitment Produces Certainty."

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 in Christ who are being persecuted for their Faith and Trust in our Lord and Savior.  Also Pray 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".

"Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you." Psalm 50:15

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi