Tag: the word

Abiding In The Word Made Flesh

Barbara Weber

John 12:46-48 WEB

I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in the darkness. [47] If anyone listens to my sayings, and doesn’t believe, I don’t judge him. For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. [48] He who rejects me, and doesn’t receive my sayings, has one who judges him. The word that I spoke, the same will judge him in the last day.

The Word of God will judge us on the last day. That is an excellent reason to become familiar with the Bible. Jesus came to save us. Even now, he is not judging us but rather, loving us into the kingdom. That love includes the grace you need to lay ahold of the truth found in the Bible. If you have access to a Bible, you are responsible for all it says. According to the world that is impossible. But we are not of the world and Jesus clearly thought we could know the Word. We have the truth, and that truth will judge us in the end.

The truth is a great light to all who believe (Ps 119:130). For those who reject the Word of God as a mandate, there is darkness. Not darkness as the world perceives, but darkness of the mind and spirit. When we are witnessing to the lost we are talking to people lost in the dark. Thus, we must shine brightly with righteousness and holiness so the lost can find their way (Mt 4:16).

These virtues come to us when we hide the Word in our hearts. Jesus is called the Word. When we are hiding the Word in our hearts we are abiding with Christ. We know he abides with us, but we must be deliberate if we are going to abide with him. Jesus is the living Word, and the Word was inspired by the Holy Spirit. So, when we hide the Word in our hearts, not only are we abiding in Christ, but we are also filling ourselves with the Spirit. The Word is the mind of Christ. The Word is our lamp, and we must keep our light brightly shining (Isa 28:18).  

Lord, please bless me to hunger and thirst for Your Word. Fill me with an interest in the Bible and help me practice hiding it in my heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.

How much Scripture did Jesus Know?

Barbara Weber

John 12:12-16 WEB

On the next day a great multitude had come to the feast. When they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, [13] they took the branches of the palm trees, and went out to meet him, and cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!” [14] Jesus, having found a young donkey, sat on it. As it is written, [15] “Don’t be afraid, daughter of Zion. Behold, your King comes, sitting on a donkey’s colt.” [16] His disciples didn’t understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about him, and that they had done these things to him.

I have always wondered how much of the Word Jesus knew. Did he know the minor prophets well enough to quote them? The scripture quoted in the above passage was from Zechariah 9:9. Or, was he merely flowing in the Spirit during his life? It was when Jesus rose from the dead that he began to teach the Word to his disciples (Luke 24:27) In verse 32 of Luke 24 the disciples are in wonder that their hearts were burning as Jesus taught them. It is clear in his resurrected state Jesus had a huge knowledge of the Word of God.

But that still doesn’t answer the question; how much of the Bible did Jesus know before he rose from the dead? To understand Jesus, it is essential to look at his family history. Jesus was born into a middle-class family. That means his family would have had the means to help Jesus pursue his knowledge of the Scripture. It was common for young men from prosperous families to seek to study with a Rabbi. Jesus’ family was most likely prosperous. Furthermore, there was a major building project going on during Jesus’ lifetime. Sepphoris was the capital of Galilee and was under ongoing construction during Jesus’ life. It is also a city in which Rabbinical families settled. It is very likely Jesus spent many years walking the 3.5 miles from Nazareth to Sepphoris to work with his father Joseph.

So what does it all mean? It means that growing up, Jesus was located near the capital of Galilee. He was from a family of financial means. He also had access to rabbinical teaching because of his family’s status. It is likely that Jesus was formally trained by a Rabbi and did indeed know the scripture. Moreover, his knowledge of the scripture seems to be greater than someone who had only gone to the synagogue to learn all they knew. It is almost certain that Jesus studied the Scripture formally.

Lord, please instill in me a desire to learn more about the Bible. I want to be a worker who knows how to handle the Word responsibly. Bless my study, Lord, and help me arrive at the truth. Please fulfill my heart’s desire to know more about you, Jesus. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Jesus’ Message

Barbara Weber

John 10:25-28 WEB

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you don’t believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, these testify about me. [26] But you don’t believe, because you are not of my sheep, as I told you. [27] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. [28] I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

Do you ever have trouble believing Jesus? Do you ever have questions about God’s word? The Bible says Jesus is the word. No, he is not the ink or the pages of the Bible, but he is found in the message of the Bible. To trust the Bible is to trust Jesus. Likewise, to not believe the Bible is to not believe Jesus. Those who believe Jesus are his sheep.

You can tell if you are a sheep. Do you love the Bible? Again, not the pages or the ink, but the message it contains. In the Bible is Jesus’ message and thereby Jesus. When we follow the Bible, we are behaving like the Lord’s sheep. However, if we do not read the Bible, we are rejecting Jesus. How can you ever obey someone you won’t listen to? When you read the Bible, you are listening to Jesus.

It’s not enough to read the Bible. Even demons do that. It is obedience to the Bible’s entire message that reveals a true sheep. We are not saved by reading the Bible, we are saved by grace through Jesus. However, a symptom of salvation is a hunger for God’s whole message. If you are a sheep and you are not hungry for God’s word, then your conscience may be seared. To remedy a seared conscience, you must repent and ask God, persistently, to give you a hunger and thirst for His Word.

Lord, please forgive my disbelief and help me trust you more. Give me a thirst and hunger for your Word and give me an understanding of what I read. Help me activate the Word of God in my life and become obedient to its full message. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

The Promises

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John 8:56-59 WEB

Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it, and was glad.” [57] The Jews therefore said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” [58] Jesus said to them, “Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM. ” [59] Therefore they took up stones to throw at him, but Jesus was hidden, and went out of the temple, having gone through the middle of them, and so passed by.

Jesus is talking to a crowd who has been calling him a demon. Now, taking it a step further, the crowd attempted to stone Jesus. But Jesus knew he could trust God. And so, Jesus just walked right out of that situation. He took one step at a time. Step by step, with stones in their hands, he walked through the middle of the crowd.

How did Jesus walk out of a raging mob intent on stoning him to death? He believed God. He believed the things he heard and saw from the Lord. Based on that belief he knew he was safe. Based on that belief he knew to pivot and walk away.

What we believe about God’s Word matters. Jesus had the Word of God in his heart and he had the scriptures. We have those same things. The Holy Spirit gently speaks to us and leads us. The Bible also leads us. If it is in the Bible, you can trust it completely. If you encounter a promise in the Word, let it guide your decision-making process.

Lord Jesus, please help me know your Word, trust your Word, and act based on your Word. Help me receive the promises and walk in them. Give me the grace to trust You more. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Watching for Jesus

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John 7:11-12 WEB

The Jews therefore sought him at the feast, and said, “Where is he?” [12] There was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others said, “Not so, but he leads the multitude astray.”

Why did people say Jesus was leading others away from God? It’s because Jesus claimed to be related to God (John 10:30), come from Heaven (John 6:38), and be one with God (John 5:18). Essentially, he made himself one with the Father. What would happen if someone today started teaching they had come from heaven and were conjoined with God? People would probably start asking about their mental health (John 10:20). More, leaders would teach their flocks to avoid the danger (John 9:22).

Our leaders would do the same as the Pharisees. They would try to discredit Jesus (Mat 16:4). Because like the Pharisees, there is a chance Jesus would be hard to recognize. We all have messianic expectations. Just like the Pharisees. In John 7:27 WEB it says, “However we know where this man comes from, but when the Christ comes, no one will know where he comes from.”

The Pharisees thought they knew how to recognize the Messiah. More, the Pharisees had traditions, Godly counsel (John 12:42), the Word of God (John 5;45), and still, they could not recognize Jesus (John 7:52). We have all those same things today. Of course, we have one thing the Pharisees did not have. We have the Gospels. This gives us an advantage. God testifies about himself that he is unchanging (Heb 13:8).

This is an advantage because God has testified about himself that he is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Jesus is still the Son of Man (John 5:27). He may come back as a baby (Luke 2:11). He may have to win the battle by trusting and having faith in the Father (Mat 17:21). Regardless, we do not know. So, it seems pertinent to pray and keep watching for Jesus.

Lord Jesus, please help me know you and your voice. Bless me Lord as I watch for your return. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

#Jesus #God #Father #Armaggedon #Testimony #Word #Bible #Leaders #Flocks #Pharisee

The Fragrance of Christ

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John 6:46 WEB

Not that anyone has seen the Father, except he who is from God. He has seen the Father.

Wait a minute. Didn’t the author of the Book of John just tell us that no one has seen the Father? In John 1:18 WEB it reads, “No one has seen God at any time. The one and only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.” Jesus knew the Father well. He understood the Father and understood the Father’s priorities. (John 3:16) Jesus knew how to connect with the Father and hear from him. (John 5:19) Therefore, he could share the precepts of God so clearly that people could learn from him. In fact, Jesus represented God so well looking at him was like seeing the Father. According to the text scripture, the person who is from God is the one who can see the Father (by looking at Jesus.)

People could see the Father in Jesus. This helped him teach people how to be reconciled to God. People being able to see the Father in Jesus helped him in his ministry. It is not a far-fetched idea. The Word of God teaches Christians that they are to “put on Christ.” (Rom 13:11) So, it makes sense that Jesus would put on the Father.

It also makes sense for believers to look like God. Our devotion to God should allow us to interact with his Word and Spirit until we begin to look like God. The people in our lives should be strangely drawn toward us, especially those who are empty inside. Jesus should be a fragrance that comes from our lives. He is the bread of life. It seems reasonable that people who are empty inside would be attracted to the fragrance of Jesus, the Bread of Life.  

Lord Jesus, please give me the grace to overcome every distraction that would prevent me from spending time with you. Please give me a hunger for the Word of God and a hunger to hear from your Holy Spirit. I want to look and smell like you, Jesus. Please help me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

Compromise or Belief

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John 3:34-36 WEB

For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure. [35] The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. [36] One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

Cultural compromise is destroying the modern church. A desire to be accepted in the world has caused entire congregations to become irrelevant to the mission of God. Namely, to bring the world into the victory of Jesus shed blood on the cross. John 3:16 WEB says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” To fulfill the mission of this verse the church has compromised in the hope of becoming relevant to the world. However, what has happened is the church no longer carries the true message of the gospel. You cannot compromise and be on fire for the Lord at the same time. You must believe Jesus to serve him and demonstrate that belief through obedience to the word of God.  In Matthew 7: 21-23 WEB we are instructed on the reality of compromise, it says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ [23] Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’ It seems like the church has forgotten this passage of scripture. Instead, a strong delusion is upon much of the church. People in this situation are convinced that they are in the right relationship with God. Yet, they compromise with the world. The desire to be liked and accepted has masqueraded as a desire to reach the lost. But reaching the lost is dependent on holiness and righteousness. We can understand that righteousness comes when we are obedient to the word of God. When that righteousness is coupled with a humble heart we can become holy. Holiness is the ability to give people access to the Father through the Son. Jesus was the holiest and when he died, he released his most Holy Spirit to guide the world into truth. The church must first accept the truth to become righteous and thereby holy. The truth is, no one believes who does not obey. The compromise of the church with the world is leading many who think they are safe into a collision course with hell. In Romans 2:8 it says, “but to those who are self-seeking, and don’t obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, will be wrath and indignation,” The word is clear, and it is urgent that every Christian accept that no one can compromise a little. This is because a little leaven works through the entire loaf. And each person will get more of what they already have. If one is compromised a little, then that person is compromised. And if compromised they will continue to become more compromised. However, if one truly believes they will obey. In John 14:23 it says, “Jesus answered him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him.” Thus, because of obedience, their obedience will grow. God will make His home in that person’s heart. The result is their ability to bring the lost into a saving relationship with Jesus, or their holiness, will also grow. This is how we become relevant to God and the world. We must renounce compromise and return to obedience.

Lord Jesus, please forgive me for compromising with the world. I recognize I must return to obedience, and I ask you to help my unbelief. I want to be accepted on the final day Lord, please come in and save me from disbelief which results in disobedience. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

Was with God

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John 1:1-2 WEB

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God.

I love to hear God talk about himself. It’s always a mystery. And these verses are no different. God describes himself as the Word. More, we understand that through the author, God is also describing himself as Jesus Christ. And all the while, maintaining his Oneness as God. How can it be that God is the word and that God was with the word and that God is one? So, was Jesus with God? Or, is it that Jesus is God? Jesus in this verse is described as the Word of God. When I read that it makes me think of a voice. And I wonder if God is personifying his own voice as he talks about himself. When he imparted his own essence and gave birth to Christ as his only begotten son, his voice went from being Spirit to being Flesh. This makes sense when you think about the wording in the verse. It says the word was with God, not that the word is with God. That’s an important distinction because the circumstance of the Word being with God are in the past tense meaning they’ve changed. The author of John is going to spend the rest of his book telling us how the circumstances have changed. Jesus is not only God In the Flesh, He is the thought and mind of God revealed through the words of Christ. He is both with God and He is God.

Lord Jesus, please give me a revelation of your uniqueness and your oneness with the Father. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

Evidence of Belief

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John 2:18-22 WEB

The Jews therefore answered him, “What sign do you show us, seeing that you do these things?” [19] Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” [20] The Jews therefore said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple! Will you raise it up in three days?” [21] But he spoke of the temple of his body. [22] When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he said this, and they believed the Scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

Do you believe the scriptures? It is amazing that the disciples walked with Jesus and witnessed the miracles and still did not truly believe the scriptures. To what evidence can a believer turn to measure their level of belief in the Bible? There are many. How much do you read the Bible? Do you obey what you find in the scriptures? Do you pray in opposition to the Word? Do you know the Word, even committing it to memory? It is not hard to check in with ourselves to measure our belief in the Bible. Beliefs are revealed by actions. If we believe in the Bible and what it teaches, we will demonstrate that through our actions. Our faith-filled actions of reading, memorizing, and obeying God’s Word are the evidence of what we hope for, to truly believe the Bible.

Lord Jesus, please give me a greater belief in your Word. Let my actions reveal a strong belief in the Holy Bible. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

Unrecognizable

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John 1:10-11 WEB

He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn’t recognize him. [11] He came to his own, and those who were his own didn’t receive him.

If God was sitting on the pew next to you, would you know? It seems unlikely considering God has walked the Earth in the past and not been recognized (John 1:11). When I think of how much the Pharisees were devoted to God (Acts 26:5), and how well they knew scripture (Mt 23:23), it stuns me they did not recognize God (John 5:16). But more, it scares me.

It’s frightening. Pharisees were trained for years in the word of God. All Pharisees had huge sections of scripture memorized. They had more of God’s word inside of them than modern Christians (Phil 3:5-7). And if the Pharisees could not recognize God, why do we think we are going to be able to recognize God?

Lord Jesus, please send out a spirit of Revelation that will open the eyes of Christianity so we can see you at your appearance. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.