I Am All You Need
Beri and her family are enjoying their time in Europe!
I Am All You Need
John 6:22-65
"Jesus answered them and said, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal. Therefore, they said to Him, what shall we do so that we may work the works of God? Jesus answered and said to them, this is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent,” verses 26-29.
Jesus slipped away from the crowds. The people pursued Jesus by boats to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. They had miraculously been fed and they wanted more. They wanted a king that would meet their needs. They wanted a king that would over-through the Romans. They thought they found such a leader in Jesus. But Jesus rebuked them for being consumed with their physical and earthly needs and missing His main message of eternal significance: you must believe. Read more
Hot Fudge Sundae
Hot Fudge Sundae
John 6:14-21
So when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.’ So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone.
Jesus showed His creative power (a sign of His Deity: "in the beginning God created...") by multiplying a few loathes and fishes to feed thousands. Verse 14 says as a result "when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, 'this is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.'"
But they interpreted Jesus incorrectly. Fueled by their physical needs and their weariness of being ruled by the Romans, they wanted a national leader. Read more
This is a Test
This is a Test
John 6.1-14
“A large crowd followed Him because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick...Therefore, Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread so that these may eat?’ This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do.”
Back in chapter 5, Jesus ripped the Pharisees and religious leaders a new one. He wasn’t subtle. He didn’t use allegories or parables. He was straightforward and blunt about who He is and how they are foolishly ignorant and willfully defiant against the Messiah’s claim as the Son of God. Read more
Looking for love
Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places
John 5:39-47
"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life...Do not think that I will accuse you before he Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words.”
So close, yet so far
The Pharisees were religious, pious, devout and studious students of scripture. These are qualities today that we would consider noble. Those who exhibit them are placed on a pedestal as spiritual leaders. Read more
Let’s Be Clear
I’m going to wear this hat today to games 3 of the ALCS, Astros vs. Red Sox
Let’s Be Clear
John 5:18-46
“For this reason, therefore, the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God...'You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life...but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves.'”
I know that spending day after day in the book of John can seem tiresome to some of you. I understand. My posts are not always inspirational, whimsical and motivational. However, I go through entire Bible books to see the whole picture of God and not just the "inspirational" part of God. In this study of the gospel of John, we are using both our heart and mind to dwell upon all that Jesus is. We love who He is to us but also who He is in history and His monumental impact on the world. Do your best to hang with me as we seek Jesus and ALL that He is.
As we approach this section of the gospel, Jesus is not subtle about His claims any longer. He has officially established His claim as God and the Jewish leaders don't just want to hold Him back or simply silence Him. They want Him dead. Read more
This Is Jesus!
Hole 1 at Cordillera Ranch, Boerne, TX
This Is Jesus!
John 5:1-18
Jesus said to him, ‘Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.’ Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk. Now it was the Sabbath on that day. So the Jews were saying to the man who was cured, ‘It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet.’ But he answered them, ‘He who made me well was the one who said to me, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk.’
When reading the gospel narratives, it's interesting to me that there’s always a “big picture” theme that the immediate story fits into. These are not a random collection of stories. There is a continuing and consolidated purpose of the entire book. At the same time, these stories effect individual lives and there is meaning and personal application within each story accordingly.
The Big Picture
For example, the theme of John is to substantiate that Jesus is the Christ with an emphasis on that fact that He is the Son of God. Therefore, Jesus is God! John often uses the word "sign" to emphasize the evidence of his claims. John 4:54 says, "this is again a second sign that Jesus performed." Like a skilled attorney, John is making a case to validate Jesus as the Son of God. Why is this important? Read more
Stunning! Part 2
Stunning! Part 2
Psalms 139
For you formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance...Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.
Thank you Lord! There is peace in knowing that you are GOD and all Your attributes are directed toward me personally. This is too wonderful to absorb. But it brings peace, security and confidence in your plans and your will for me and for my loved ones! "Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.” Read more
Stunning! Part 1
This is me and Leigh with JT Olsen, founder and director of Both Hands. This is one of our favorite ministries. They are doing amazing work to serve widows and orphans. https://bothhands.org
Stunning! Part 1
Psalms 139
O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and I rise up. You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it all.
You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it.
We don’t often get alone and release our minds to think deeply of God. Deeply, expansively and comprehensively. Read more
Psalms 132
Here's another picture of beautiful Washington state, courtesy of my childhood friend, Calvin Luce.
Psalms 132
The Lord has sworn to David, a truth from which He will not turn back; of the fruit of your body I will set upon your throne...For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her needy with bread. Her priests also I will clothe with salvation, and her godly ones will aloud for joy. There I will cause the horn of David to spring forth I have prepared a lamp for Mine anointed. His enemies I will clothe with shame, but upon himself his crown shall shine.
Oh no! That was my thought when I read this Psalm. I’m not sure what all this is saying and even more important, how do I write a compelling devotion that teaches and inspires. Yikes! I used to just skip over such Psalms (there are many confounding ones) but with a little research and diligence, the message began to emerge. I don’t have it all figured out, but what I do know is written below. How wonderful is the Word of God? Every word has purpose, but sometimes it takes a little time and diligence to uncover it. Read more