30I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
31If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
32There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
33Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.
34But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
35He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
36But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
(John 5:30-36, King James Version)
Who is Jesus?
In John 5:30-36, Jesus continues to address the unbelieving Jews who were asking, "Who is Jesus?" He has just made some rather amazing statements, condemning the Jews for their unbelief, particularly their unbelief in Him as the Son of God.
Note the beginning of verse 30: I can of mine own self do nothing.
Jesus is expressing the fact that He is doing nothing by himself; even the just judgments He makes are done to please the will of the Father who sent Him. Now He goes a step farther by pointing out others who bore witness of Him.
These are things the Jews should have understood; they were diligent in studying the Scriptures, and the Scriptures all pointed to Him as being the Messiah. First, John the Baptist, who was a burning light, was a witness for Christ Jesus, and second the miraculous works that the Lord Jesus did were a witness that He was sent by the Father.
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3
The Jews were expecting a forerunner to the Messiah; it was not an obscure Bible passage, but one that was very familiar to them. Who was John the Baptist? He was the voice of one crying in the wilderness. (Matthew 3:3, Mark 1:3, Luke 3:4, John 1:23, NKJV)
If the Jews did not receive the testimony of John the Baptist, then they should have recognized the miraculous works that Jesus did as foretold in Isaiah 35:5-6, NKJV.
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
6 Then the lame shall leap like a deer,
And the tongue of the dumb sing.
For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness,
And streams in the desert.
Who is Jesus? Jesus is the Lord of Glory, the Son of God, the Son of Man, and the Messiah. Jesus came to do more than just the miracles the Jews witnessed, the greatest work He did was His death on the cross to save a people for Himself.
Are you one of those people?
How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? (Hebrews 2:3, NKJV)
God Bless You,
Linda
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
The Dead Shall Live!
25Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
26For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
27And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
28Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
(John 5:25-29, King James Version)
The Dead Shall Live!
What an amazing portion of Scripture! There is so much depth in the words which Jesus Christ speaks in John 5. What is meant by the statement the dead shall live? There are two very important things to consider from the verses shown above. First, those who are spiritually dead shall live, and secondly, those who who have died in the Lord will be resurrected to life.
It is so very important that we understand how dead is dead! Somehow many have this conception that we can come to Christ all by ourselves, and therefore make ourselves Christians. It is a very nice thought, but how can those who are dead do anything? We are not just sick before the Lord; we are dead! Is there then no hope? Oh, there is, indeed, hope. We cannot save ourselves, but the Lord Jesus Christ can save us! When we come to Christ, empty of any pride or arrogance, realizing that, because of our sin, we are powerless before Christ, we can cry out to Him, and He will save us.
We know, also, that we must all face our own physical death, unless Christ returns while we are still alive on this earth. Do our bodies stay in the grave forever? What about the bodies of those who died thousands of years ago? Surely there is nothing left of their bodies but dust.
The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
There is no gray area here; there are only two classes of people. Who determines each person's class? Who determines if we have done good or evil? The Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior, but He is also the Judge. In this resurrection, everyone who has ever lived will be resurrected and brought before the judgment seat of Christ--even Adam and Eve!
However, we must not despair; it is this same Jesus who declares to us in John 5, the dead shall live! I invite you, this day, to live! Go to Christ; He is the only way, the only truth and the only life. He is the only One who can make us good instead of evil!
God Bless You,
Linda
26For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
27And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
28Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
(John 5:25-29, King James Version)
The Dead Shall Live!
What an amazing portion of Scripture! There is so much depth in the words which Jesus Christ speaks in John 5. What is meant by the statement the dead shall live? There are two very important things to consider from the verses shown above. First, those who are spiritually dead shall live, and secondly, those who who have died in the Lord will be resurrected to life.
It is so very important that we understand how dead is dead! Somehow many have this conception that we can come to Christ all by ourselves, and therefore make ourselves Christians. It is a very nice thought, but how can those who are dead do anything? We are not just sick before the Lord; we are dead! Is there then no hope? Oh, there is, indeed, hope. We cannot save ourselves, but the Lord Jesus Christ can save us! When we come to Christ, empty of any pride or arrogance, realizing that, because of our sin, we are powerless before Christ, we can cry out to Him, and He will save us.
We know, also, that we must all face our own physical death, unless Christ returns while we are still alive on this earth. Do our bodies stay in the grave forever? What about the bodies of those who died thousands of years ago? Surely there is nothing left of their bodies but dust.
The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
There is no gray area here; there are only two classes of people. Who determines each person's class? Who determines if we have done good or evil? The Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior, but He is also the Judge. In this resurrection, everyone who has ever lived will be resurrected and brought before the judgment seat of Christ--even Adam and Eve!
However, we must not despair; it is this same Jesus who declares to us in John 5, the dead shall live! I invite you, this day, to live! Go to Christ; He is the only way, the only truth and the only life. He is the only One who can make us good instead of evil!
God Bless You,
Linda
Monday, February 08, 2010
Son of God
20For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
21For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
22For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
23That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
(John 5:20-24, King James Version)
Song of God
How important is it that we really believe that Jesus Christ is really the Son of God? As long as we believe in God, isn't that enough? If you have ever had questions like these, John 5 is a great passage of Scripture to read. Jesus addresses this very carefully, especially in John 5:23.
It is not easy for us to comprehend that God the Father and God the Son are separate and yet together, with the Holy Spirit, are one God. Jesus, however, makes that quite clear in our Bible reading for today. We see that they each have separate duties, and yet both must be honored as God.
We know that it is Jesus Christ who came to this earth, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, to offer His own life as an atonement that men might come to the Father through Him. As a matter of fact, it is our Lord Jesus Christ who judges those who do not come to Him for salvation. Therefore, to not honor the Son of God, is to not honor God the Father.
That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
John 5:24 sums it all up in this way.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
I love the book of John; in John, Jesus Christ, in His own words, lays out the only way that man can come to Him. It is so very simple, and yet so very profound. I cannot fathom that God would be so willing to sacrifice His very own Son to save a people such as us! Yet, that is exactly what He did.
Where do you stand before the Father? Have you tried to come to Him by your own power? Do you think you are good enough to stand before a holy, righteous, and sinless God with your sins dripping from you? Go to the Son of God. The only way to the Father is through the Son!
What an amazing God we have!
God Bless You,
Linda
21For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
22For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
23That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
(John 5:20-24, King James Version)
Song of God
How important is it that we really believe that Jesus Christ is really the Son of God? As long as we believe in God, isn't that enough? If you have ever had questions like these, John 5 is a great passage of Scripture to read. Jesus addresses this very carefully, especially in John 5:23.
It is not easy for us to comprehend that God the Father and God the Son are separate and yet together, with the Holy Spirit, are one God. Jesus, however, makes that quite clear in our Bible reading for today. We see that they each have separate duties, and yet both must be honored as God.
We know that it is Jesus Christ who came to this earth, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, to offer His own life as an atonement that men might come to the Father through Him. As a matter of fact, it is our Lord Jesus Christ who judges those who do not come to Him for salvation. Therefore, to not honor the Son of God, is to not honor God the Father.
That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
John 5:24 sums it all up in this way.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
I love the book of John; in John, Jesus Christ, in His own words, lays out the only way that man can come to Him. It is so very simple, and yet so very profound. I cannot fathom that God would be so willing to sacrifice His very own Son to save a people such as us! Yet, that is exactly what He did.
Where do you stand before the Father? Have you tried to come to Him by your own power? Do you think you are good enough to stand before a holy, righteous, and sinless God with your sins dripping from you? Go to the Son of God. The only way to the Father is through the Son!
What an amazing God we have!
God Bless You,
Linda
Sunday, February 07, 2010
The Father Loveth the Son
17But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
18Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
19Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
20For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
(John 5:17-20, King James Version)
The Father Loveth the Son
In today's Bible devotional we continue with a conversation between Jesus and the Jews. Well, actually it is a treatise given by Jesus to the unbelieving Jews. The Jews were seeking to kill the Lord because He had told a man to take up his bed on the Sabbath. At Jesus' words in John 5:17, they were even more furious.
But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
Why was this so offensive to the Jews? The Jews understood that, by this comment, Jesus was making Himself equal with God.
Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
The Jews were very astute, because that is exactly what Jesus meant. I love the next two verses from John 5.
19Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
20For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
Jesus is plainly saying that everything He does is what He sees the Father doing. Because of the love of His Father, His Father teaches Him to do the same as He does. In other words, there is no disparity between the Father and the Son.
The Jews, living in a world created by the Lord Jesus Christ, rejected the Creator of their world. Of course, we see that today as well. How arrogant is man, to think He can dismiss God out of His very existence. Does the unbelief of man change anything? Are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit diminished because they are rejected by so many? Absolutely not!
Will the time come when those who rejected Christ, both the Jews of His day as well as everyone before or since, understand their mistake and bow down before the Lord Jesus Christ? Oh yes! We are told that, at the end of time, all men will bow down before the Lord Jesus Christ and acknowledge Him as the only true and living God. It will be too late for them, however. After acknowledging Christ, they will be cast into the depths of Hell forever.
Rejection of Christ comes at a huge cost. Is there truly safety in numbers? Seeing the majority of people rejecting Christ, is that really a safety net? No! Go to Christ, acknowledge Him as your Lord and Savior; acknowledge Him as the only one who can cover your sins by His blood and bring you to God.
What an amazing God we have, that He chose to send His only Son to die for the sins of a people so unworthy!
God Bless You,
Linda
18Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
19Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
20For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
(John 5:17-20, King James Version)
The Father Loveth the Son
In today's Bible devotional we continue with a conversation between Jesus and the Jews. Well, actually it is a treatise given by Jesus to the unbelieving Jews. The Jews were seeking to kill the Lord because He had told a man to take up his bed on the Sabbath. At Jesus' words in John 5:17, they were even more furious.
But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
Why was this so offensive to the Jews? The Jews understood that, by this comment, Jesus was making Himself equal with God.
Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
The Jews were very astute, because that is exactly what Jesus meant. I love the next two verses from John 5.
19Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
20For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
Jesus is plainly saying that everything He does is what He sees the Father doing. Because of the love of His Father, His Father teaches Him to do the same as He does. In other words, there is no disparity between the Father and the Son.
The Jews, living in a world created by the Lord Jesus Christ, rejected the Creator of their world. Of course, we see that today as well. How arrogant is man, to think He can dismiss God out of His very existence. Does the unbelief of man change anything? Are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit diminished because they are rejected by so many? Absolutely not!
Will the time come when those who rejected Christ, both the Jews of His day as well as everyone before or since, understand their mistake and bow down before the Lord Jesus Christ? Oh yes! We are told that, at the end of time, all men will bow down before the Lord Jesus Christ and acknowledge Him as the only true and living God. It will be too late for them, however. After acknowledging Christ, they will be cast into the depths of Hell forever.
Rejection of Christ comes at a huge cost. Is there truly safety in numbers? Seeing the majority of people rejecting Christ, is that really a safety net? No! Go to Christ, acknowledge Him as your Lord and Savior; acknowledge Him as the only one who can cover your sins by His blood and bring you to God.
What an amazing God we have, that He chose to send His only Son to die for the sins of a people so unworthy!
God Bless You,
Linda
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Take Up Thy Bed
10The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.
11He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
12Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?
13And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.
14Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
15The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.
16And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.
(John 5:10-16, King James Version)
Take Up Thy Bed
In yesterday's devotion we read of the miraculous healing of a man at the pool of Bethesda, who had an infirmity for 38 years. Jesus, upon healing him, told him to take up his bed and walk. Can you imagine the joy this man felt?
Surely the Jews must have been astounded by this miracle. How did they respond? When the Jews saw the man carrying his bed they said, "It is not lawful for you to carry your bed on the Sabbath." They missed the whole thing!
In keeping the law of God, the Jews had a huge list of do's and don'ts for honoring the Sabbath. Even healing was forbidden on the Sabbath. Can you imagine our hospitals closing their doors on the Sabbath?
But, it gets even worse! When the Jews discovered that it was Jesus who had healed the man of his infirmities, they sought to kill Him! What were the Jews missing? They were zealous to keep the law of God, but did that make them Christians? What was lacking? They kept the letter of the law, but they had no heart for the Lord.
I have met many "Christians" like that today. Filled with pride at their faithful (in their manner of thinking) observance of the commands of God, they look down upon those who did not. When I was in my late teens and early 20's, I lived in the states of Washington, Texas, Wyoming, and Iowa. Do you know what I discovered? The churches I attended in each of these states had a different definition of what obedience to the law was or was not. I could partake of a certain activity in one church, only to find that it was considered sinful in another.
It was a good lesson to learn. Yes, we must strive to be obedient to the Law of God, however, Christianity is a religion of the heart. When we love the Lord Jesus Christ with all of our heart, the result will be a life lived to His glory and not our own. "Perfect" obedience to the law (which, by the way, is impossible for us) does not make a person a Christian. A person may be "perfect" in their own eyes, and yet lost from Christ forever!
That is the lesson the Jews missed. Everything pointed to Jesus Christ being the Messiah. He fulfilled all of the prophecies concerning His coming which were written in the Old Testament Scriptures, and His coming was announced by John the Baptist. Their hearts, however, condemned the Lord Jesus Christ, which brought about their own eternal condemnation.
As we seek to be obedient to the Word of God, let us pray that we will have hearts filled with love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Then, take up thy bed and walk!
God Bless You,
Linda
11He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
12Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?
13And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.
14Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
15The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.
16And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.
(John 5:10-16, King James Version)
Take Up Thy Bed
In yesterday's devotion we read of the miraculous healing of a man at the pool of Bethesda, who had an infirmity for 38 years. Jesus, upon healing him, told him to take up his bed and walk. Can you imagine the joy this man felt?
Surely the Jews must have been astounded by this miracle. How did they respond? When the Jews saw the man carrying his bed they said, "It is not lawful for you to carry your bed on the Sabbath." They missed the whole thing!
In keeping the law of God, the Jews had a huge list of do's and don'ts for honoring the Sabbath. Even healing was forbidden on the Sabbath. Can you imagine our hospitals closing their doors on the Sabbath?
But, it gets even worse! When the Jews discovered that it was Jesus who had healed the man of his infirmities, they sought to kill Him! What were the Jews missing? They were zealous to keep the law of God, but did that make them Christians? What was lacking? They kept the letter of the law, but they had no heart for the Lord.
I have met many "Christians" like that today. Filled with pride at their faithful (in their manner of thinking) observance of the commands of God, they look down upon those who did not. When I was in my late teens and early 20's, I lived in the states of Washington, Texas, Wyoming, and Iowa. Do you know what I discovered? The churches I attended in each of these states had a different definition of what obedience to the law was or was not. I could partake of a certain activity in one church, only to find that it was considered sinful in another.
It was a good lesson to learn. Yes, we must strive to be obedient to the Law of God, however, Christianity is a religion of the heart. When we love the Lord Jesus Christ with all of our heart, the result will be a life lived to His glory and not our own. "Perfect" obedience to the law (which, by the way, is impossible for us) does not make a person a Christian. A person may be "perfect" in their own eyes, and yet lost from Christ forever!
That is the lesson the Jews missed. Everything pointed to Jesus Christ being the Messiah. He fulfilled all of the prophecies concerning His coming which were written in the Old Testament Scriptures, and His coming was announced by John the Baptist. Their hearts, however, condemned the Lord Jesus Christ, which brought about their own eternal condemnation.
As we seek to be obedient to the Word of God, let us pray that we will have hearts filled with love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Then, take up thy bed and walk!
God Bless You,
Linda
Friday, February 05, 2010
Pool of Bethesda
1After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
(John 5:1-9, King James Version)
Pool of Bethesda
In John 5, we find Jesus in Jerusalem, walking by the Pool of Bethesda. He spotted a man who had been lying by the pool for 38 years waiting for someone to help him into the pool. An angel appeared at certain times and stirred the water of the pool; the first person to enter the pool after it was stirred was healed.
Imagine spending 38 years lying beside a pool of water, waiting to be healed. Jesus, knowing the man's condition and long years of waiting, asked him if he wanted to be healed. Not knowing to whom he was speaking, the man told Christ that he had no one to put him into the pool after the water was stirred. Someone else always got there before him.
Jesus looked upon him and said, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. We are told that the man was healed immediately and took up his bed and walked. It is interesting that the man did not hesitate to obey. He did not say, "No, I think I will wait here for awhile, as I am sure someone will eventually come to put me in the water."
Are we ready when Christ comes to us with His healing power? Think about that for a minute.
How many people, hearing the call of the Gospel, turn away. Sadly, most people do not see the need of Christ--they do not need a Savior. Let us take this a step farther. How many Christians are content to live in daily spiritual squalor, rather than take the healing Word of God to heart.
Most people tend to treat their salvation as an attachment or addendum to their real life. Is that true salvation? One must wonder! Salvation is not an attachment or addendum to our life, rather, it is our life.
Do you think this man's life was ever the same again? Do you think he ever regretted being healed, and wished to go back to that pool? When we come to Christ, everything changes. Old things pass away, and all things become new.
Have you been languishing from lack of fellowship with the Lord? Go to Christ, spend time in prayer and Bible reading, asking Christ to heal your lethargy, and bring you into that wonderful state of peace and joy in Christ.
Are you at the pool of Bethesda? Do you want to stay there? Go to Christ, He will heal you now.
God Bless You,
Linda
(John 5:1-9, King James Version)
Pool of Bethesda
In John 5, we find Jesus in Jerusalem, walking by the Pool of Bethesda. He spotted a man who had been lying by the pool for 38 years waiting for someone to help him into the pool. An angel appeared at certain times and stirred the water of the pool; the first person to enter the pool after it was stirred was healed.
Imagine spending 38 years lying beside a pool of water, waiting to be healed. Jesus, knowing the man's condition and long years of waiting, asked him if he wanted to be healed. Not knowing to whom he was speaking, the man told Christ that he had no one to put him into the pool after the water was stirred. Someone else always got there before him.
Jesus looked upon him and said, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. We are told that the man was healed immediately and took up his bed and walked. It is interesting that the man did not hesitate to obey. He did not say, "No, I think I will wait here for awhile, as I am sure someone will eventually come to put me in the water."
Are we ready when Christ comes to us with His healing power? Think about that for a minute.
How many people, hearing the call of the Gospel, turn away. Sadly, most people do not see the need of Christ--they do not need a Savior. Let us take this a step farther. How many Christians are content to live in daily spiritual squalor, rather than take the healing Word of God to heart.
Most people tend to treat their salvation as an attachment or addendum to their real life. Is that true salvation? One must wonder! Salvation is not an attachment or addendum to our life, rather, it is our life.
Do you think this man's life was ever the same again? Do you think he ever regretted being healed, and wished to go back to that pool? When we come to Christ, everything changes. Old things pass away, and all things become new.
Have you been languishing from lack of fellowship with the Lord? Go to Christ, spend time in prayer and Bible reading, asking Christ to heal your lethargy, and bring you into that wonderful state of peace and joy in Christ.
Are you at the pool of Bethesda? Do you want to stay there? Go to Christ, He will heal you now.
God Bless You,
Linda
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Faith of Faith
43Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee. 44For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country. 45Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast. 46So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. 48Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. 49The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. 50Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. 51And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. 52Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. 53So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. 54This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.
(John 4:43-54, King James Version)
Faith of Faith
The record of Jesus' second miracle in Galilee is recorded in the verses shown above from John 4. The main character in this account, besides the Lord Jesus, is a certain nobleman. Notice as the account progresses, the nobleman's faith progresses as well.
How much faith is required to be a true Christian? Oh, the faith of faith! In the beginning, we learn that the nobleman believes that Jesus must come to his house to heal his son. Jesus could have done that; as a matter of fact, He often he did. Why not this time? I am sure their were many others who lived near the nobleman who would have benefited from Jesus' presence.
Jesus recognized the nobleman's heart, and knew that his faith was lacking. The nobleman believed that Jesus must be present to perform a miracle. In other words, He did not believe that He was really the Son of God. When Jesus said, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe, He was not just referring to the nobleman, but to all whose faith rests in the miracles instead of Jesus Christ.
The nobleman's heart was changed when Jesus told him to go on home because his son was healed. Of course, he still verified that it was Jesus, when he asked his servants the exact time his son's condition change, and observed that it was the same time that Jesus said, Thy son liveth.
Where does your faith lie? What kind of "Jesus" do you serve? It is an interesting question, is it not? Do you think that everyone who calls himself a Christian is a Christian? Do you think that everyone who believes in Jesus Christ is a Christian? The difference is in the heart. In your heart of hearts have you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as you Savior and Lord? He is your Savior because He is the only one who could make the payment for your sins. He is your Lord because your heart has changed and you have a desire to love and serve Him all the days of your life.
Can you accept Jesus as your Savior, but not your Lord? I think that is what the nobleman did at first, but Jesus did not view him as a Christian at that time. But, when he truly believed in the Lord, his heart had made a change, and now Jesus Christ was his Lord and Master as well.
You cannot have one without the other. To accept Christ as the Son of God is one thing, but the true Christian so loves Christ from his heart, that the Lord Jesus Christ immediately becomes his Lord and Master as well.
Do you have the faith of faith? In other words, where is your heart? Do you try to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and yet keep your feet firmly planted in the things of the world? Many do, and still consider themselves to be a Christian. It is a slippery slope! You must love the Lord God with all of your heart, with all of your soul, and with all of your voice.
What an amazing God we have, that he even saves us!
God Bless You,
Linda
(John 4:43-54, King James Version)
Faith of Faith
The record of Jesus' second miracle in Galilee is recorded in the verses shown above from John 4. The main character in this account, besides the Lord Jesus, is a certain nobleman. Notice as the account progresses, the nobleman's faith progresses as well.
How much faith is required to be a true Christian? Oh, the faith of faith! In the beginning, we learn that the nobleman believes that Jesus must come to his house to heal his son. Jesus could have done that; as a matter of fact, He often he did. Why not this time? I am sure their were many others who lived near the nobleman who would have benefited from Jesus' presence.
Jesus recognized the nobleman's heart, and knew that his faith was lacking. The nobleman believed that Jesus must be present to perform a miracle. In other words, He did not believe that He was really the Son of God. When Jesus said, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe, He was not just referring to the nobleman, but to all whose faith rests in the miracles instead of Jesus Christ.
The nobleman's heart was changed when Jesus told him to go on home because his son was healed. Of course, he still verified that it was Jesus, when he asked his servants the exact time his son's condition change, and observed that it was the same time that Jesus said, Thy son liveth.
Where does your faith lie? What kind of "Jesus" do you serve? It is an interesting question, is it not? Do you think that everyone who calls himself a Christian is a Christian? Do you think that everyone who believes in Jesus Christ is a Christian? The difference is in the heart. In your heart of hearts have you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as you Savior and Lord? He is your Savior because He is the only one who could make the payment for your sins. He is your Lord because your heart has changed and you have a desire to love and serve Him all the days of your life.
Can you accept Jesus as your Savior, but not your Lord? I think that is what the nobleman did at first, but Jesus did not view him as a Christian at that time. But, when he truly believed in the Lord, his heart had made a change, and now Jesus Christ was his Lord and Master as well.
You cannot have one without the other. To accept Christ as the Son of God is one thing, but the true Christian so loves Christ from his heart, that the Lord Jesus Christ immediately becomes his Lord and Master as well.
Do you have the faith of faith? In other words, where is your heart? Do you try to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and yet keep your feet firmly planted in the things of the world? Many do, and still consider themselves to be a Christian. It is a slippery slope! You must love the Lord God with all of your heart, with all of your soul, and with all of your voice.
What an amazing God we have, that he even saves us!
God Bless You,
Linda
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