Tell What You Know

After a recent surgery, I needed to tell the doctor what I knew. An itchy rash was invading the right side of my body! I could tell the doctor where and when, but I could only guess the why. Turned out, my guess was wrong.

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During His ministry, Jesus healed a blind man on the Sabbath. The disciples wondered why the man was blind. Whose sin caused this malady, his parents’ or his own. The disciples’ assumptions were wrong. Jesus explained, “[T]his happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life” (John 9:3b).

The religious Jewish leaders chose to investigate the healing and questioned the man born blind. Again, he could only testify to what he knew. “He put mud on my eyes . . . and I washed, and now I see” (John 9:15b).

Still not satisfied, the Pharisees interrogated the parents of the man born blind. Their testimony was succinct. “We know he is our son . . . and we know he was born blind. But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know” (John 9:20-21a).

Finally, the Pharisees grilled the no-longer-blind man again. Since he had no additional testimony, he simply stated, “One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” (John 9:25b).

I love that! Many times, we fear we have nothing to say, no testimony worth sharing. We feel unable to explain the “whys” of this world. But we can share how Jesus has met our needs, how we have witnessed answered prayers, and experienced the Lord walking with us through difficult seasons. We can express who Jesus is to us.

May we tell what we know!

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The Week of Thanksgiving

‘Twas the week of Thanksgiving
and all through the house
there were chores to be done
by mom, children, and spouse.
Floors to be vacuumed,
dusting and more,
grocery lists made,
and some trips to the store,
the patio swept and appliances shined,
a turkey to thaw and recipes combined,
a table to set, and pies for the oven
all carefully prepared with a good dose of lovin’.

Then “thank-yous” were given as kiddos pitched in.
Mom gave Dad a peck, leaving flour on his chin.
Dad gave Mom a hug for she baked what he favored,
his favorite side dishes, warm and well-flavored.

The time had arrived.
They sat down for their feast
but felt a slight tinge before waistlines increased.
Was there someone to thank on this Thanksgiving Day,
one they’d left out in their hurried-up way,
one who had blessed them, provided, and cared,
encouraged them when they felt helpless and scared?

Then humble heads bowed to honor the One,
Almighty God who had given His Son,
who provided forgiveness to all who believe,
who accept Him as Savior, and in faith receive.

Oh, may we take time to thank God above   
for the blessings rained down on us, poured out in love!

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1)

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God Sees You

Remember in Genesis, after Adam and Eve sinned by eating the forbidden fruit? The two “sewed fig leaves together” to cover their nakedness.

Fig trees, like the one pictured below, are also mentioned in the New Testament. If allowed to grow naturally, they appear more bush-like.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

In John’s gospel, we find Jesus gaining disciples. At one point, Jesus finds Philip and invites him to follow. Then Philip eagerly tells Nathanael, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote” (John 1:45). After a little persuasion, Nathanael agrees to “come and see.”

Nathanael is surprised when he meets Jesus. Jesus gives Nathanael a greeting that indicates He already knows him, including his character as a man of integrity. Taken aback, Nathanael asks how Jesus knows him.

“Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you’” (John 1:48). Nathanael is so awed at Jesus’ insight that he immediately acknowledges Jesus as the Son of God.

Now, I’m curious why Nate is so amazed. Fig trees are shady so it is not unusual to sit under one. Did Nate find one that was more bush-like? Was he hiding under it? Having a personal time of distress or doubt? Or, as portrayed in “The Chosen” series, was He feeling unseen by God?

Whatever it was, when Jesus said, “I saw you,” it touched Nathanael’s heart dramatically and changed his life forever.

I want to encourage you, friends, that God sees you too. He knows everything about you and still chooses you to come and follow Him. If you do, it will be a journey you will never regret.

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Who Do We Turn To?

Joys, sorrows, worries, fears, secrets. With whom do you share your deepest thoughts and concerns? Perhaps a spouse, best friend, neighbor, fellow believers, a mentor, or counselor. It usually depends on the subject or matter at hand.

Sometimes, we may feel there is no one with whom we can share. If that is the case, where do we turn to find encouragement, guidance, a helping hand, or listening ear?

What did Jesus do?

The gospel of John describes a time when Jesus was teaching and performing miraculous signs before large crowds in Jerusalem. Then John adds an interesting detail. “But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man” (John 2:24-25). (Note that the words “man”/”men” are usually referring to all people.)

So, what’s wrong with us people . . . well, besides the fact that we have wrong motives, are foolish, greedy, selfish, not trustworthy, and deceitful? Oh.

In the gospels, we read of the task assigned Jesus, the salvation of the world. We see His great responsibility of teaching and training His disciples who along with the help of the Holy Spirit would be accountable for spreading the Good News to the known world.

Jesus regularly made it a priority to spend time with the Father. Many times, He went off alone to pray, like before choosing His twelve disciples, after feeding the 5000, and the night in Gethsemane before His arrest and crucifixion.

How amazing it is that we also have that same Heavenly Father to turn to! Or perhaps, we are more comfortable talking with Jesus. No matter, God is God. He is always available, always listening, always aware of our situation. Always near to help.

Enjoy some time with the Lord today!

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Overflowing Fountains

A friend of ours camps regularly out in the woods. But to refill his water supply, he must daily make the trek to a nearby campground.

My question today is, do we?

In Bible times, it was part of a woman’s daily routine to go to the local well or water source, draw water, and carry water home to her family. It was a labor of love and necessity.

Jesus had some notable teachings about our need for living water and regular times of refreshing from Him.

  • Jesus instructed the woman at the well, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:13-14). Jesus taught that believers should be an overflowing fountain with Jesus as our source.
  • To the crowd in Jerusalem, Jesus said, “‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’ By this he meant the Spirit” (John 7:37b-39a).

The river of the Spirit of God should continually flow from us to others. In order for this to happen, we must first be present with the Lord to receive daily renewal. Do we thirst for His word? Are we feeling dry or dehydrated? He is the fountain we need to “drink” from regularly.

However, if we only receive without overflowing to others, we become a lake or even like the Dead Sea. The blessings we receive from our Lord are to flow out and bless others. We are to be a fountain that Jesus flows through.

May we stay in the cycle of being filled and overflowing.

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Court Is in Session

Testifying in court carries with it a heavy responsibility. It can influence the course of someone’s life dramatically. Your words paint pictures, provide details, and better convey truth.

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Jesus’ disciple, John, recounts the story of Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath who had been sick, probably an invalid, unable to walk, for many years.

Scripture explains that the Jews were not only upset that Jesus healed on the Sabbath but also that He had told the man to carry his mat, a “work” not allowed in their strict interpretation of keeping the Sabbath.

Jesus’ response provokes the Jews even more when He said that He and His Father were always working. With His statement, Jesus “was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God” (John 5:18b).

That does it! Court is in session. Listen to Jesus’ list of who and what testifies about Him:

  • John the Baptist ~ John testified that Jesus was “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). He proclaimed Jesus was the Messiah.
  • Miracles, including healing the lame, blind, and deaf, and raising the dead all testified that Jesus was from God.
  • The Father ~ Jesus said, “And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me” (John 5:37a). Remember God also spoke from heaven when John baptized Jesus saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
  • Scripture testified about Jesus from the beginning. Moses and many prophets foretold of the astonishing things Jesus would do.

Even with all of this valid testimony, most Jewish leaders still refused to accept the truth of who Jesus was, the Son of God, God in human form.

Your verdict will determine the rest of your life here . . . and for eternity. May you judge wisely.

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Predictable Jesus

Last week we looked at a few of the ways Jesus was completely unpredictable. (You might want to check it out if you missed it.) So, it’s only fair that today we focus on some areas where Jesus is totally predictable. Below are my top ten.

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#1: Jesus loves you! ~ “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

#2: Jesus offers eternal life to all people. ~ “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

#3: Jesus is the only way to the Father. ~ “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6).

#4: Jesus is truth. (See verse above.) ~ “These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me” (John 14:24b).

#5: Jesus saves and stands before the Father on our behalf. ~ “Therefore he [Jesus] is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

#6: Jesus forgives those who come to Him. ~ “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

#7: Jesus is faithful to keep His promises. ~ “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:20a).

#8: Jesus gives peace to believers. ~ “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14:27a).

#9: Jesus is preparing a place for believers. ~ “I am going there [my Father’s house] to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2b).

#10: Jesus will return and take all believers with Him. ~ “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me” (John 14:3).

Praise the Lord!

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Unpredictable Jesus

I just love it when we have unexpected showers in our desert, those not included in the meteorologist’s forecast or on my weather app. But the other morning, I was like, “What is that sound?” Outside, I saw it! Rain!

The downpour reminded me that Jesus could also be extremely unpredictable. Let’s peek back to recall Him catching people off guard.

Religious leaders were frequently shocked to see who Jesus ate with, what kind of people He healed, and the “unlawful” acts of kindness He did on the Sabbath.

At one point, a group was trying to find Jesus. They knew He had not boarded the boat the disciples left in so they assumed Jesus was still in the area. Little did they know that He had walked on the water to the boat to join His disciples! (John 6:16-25)

Then, there’s the time Jesus chose to pass through the typically avoided region of Samaria. His own disciples were surprised to see Him actually speaking to a Samaritan woman (a no-no in Jesus’ day). And who would have guessed that this woman was the first person Jesus chose to reveal His true identity to as the Messiah? (John 4:4-27)

So unpredictable!

Then, why am I surprised when Jesus doesn’t work in my life the way that I expect? The LORD reminds us, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways” (Isaiah 55:9a).

I imagine Jesus is in my “boat.” But He’s not stopping at any of the places I expected and I find my days “interrupted” in unforeseeable ways.

I have a choice. I can be impatient, whine, and complain or I can accept this adventure with joy and hope, knowing that I am not alone and reassured that He has a better plan . . . which may include some rain.

May we be flexible and teachable on our journey with Jesus!

Enjoy the ride!

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Leaders Impact Nations

Whether we look at ancient civilizations or the more recent activities of nations, those in leadership have great powers of influence that effect the future of many.

In the Old Testament, we find that after the reign of King Solomon, the son of David, the nation of Israel was divided. Jeroboam became the first king of the northern nation of Israel and sadly influenced all nineteen kings after him.

Jeroboam not only turned away from God, but he led the entire nation to worship idols. God’s message to Jeroboam through the prophet Ahijah was “[God] will uproot Israel from this good land that he gave to their forefathers and scatter them beyond the River, because they provoked the LORD to anger. . . And he will give Israel up because of the sins Jeroboam has committed and has caused Israel to commit” (1 Kings 14:15b-16). In 722 BC, the northern kingdom fell to Assyria and was taken into exile.

More recently, the impact of other dangerous leaders has been felt. In the early 1900s, atheistic Bolshevik leaders seized control of Russia, rejecting religion and promoting a Marxist ideology. The communist experiment caused the suffering of many generations and killed millions. This was followed by Nazi leaders taking control of Germany in the 1930s, ruining a nation and devastating Europe.

What about America? A powerful influence indeed. Her Founding Fathers were heavily influenced by biblical principles, the very principles that today are being rejected. Those who boast as “progressives” are leading our nation in a downward spiral, championing abortion, homosexuality, same-sex marriage, transgender ideology, and more. Freedom of religion is being lost to “freedom from religion” and freedom of speech is threatened when not politically correct.

If God addressed America today with “Those who guide this people mislead them, and those who are guided are led astray” (Isaiah 9:16), then may she heed this warning, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20a).

With America’s elections less than a month away, may we prayerfully and wisely seek God’s guidance in voting biblical values. And may God raise up godly leaders!

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Strength for Your Workout

Typically, we think that we work out in order to become stronger, but in reality, we need some strength to even begin our workout. Or even, to begin our day. Most need a little something to get going whether it’s caffeine, a hearty smoothie, or protein bar.

Our soul and mind need a healthy start as well, so today let’s focus on some strength-building Bible verses.

“The LORD gives strength to his people” (Psalm 29:11a). God is the source of strength.

“Blessed are those whose strength is in you” (Psalm 84:5a). Dependence on God for strength brings blessing.

“[B]ut those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31a). Putting our hope in God gives strength.

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). The strength of the Lord will help us through life’s trials.

“If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:11b). God gives us strength to do His work. Accomplishing His work then brings God praise.

Finally, Paul prayed this for believers and it is my prayer for you as well: “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3:16-17a).

No one enjoys feeling weak either physically or spiritually. The great news is we have a God to turn to when experiencing spiritual weakness. Scripture says that in our weakness, He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-11).

May we go to God for strength each day. He has a never-ending supply and knows just what we need for our present situation.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10).

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