It’s Not My Fault

It’s Not My Fault

John 5: ⁸ Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” ⁹ And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.

And that day was the Sabbath. ¹⁰ The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.”

¹¹ He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’ ”

¹² Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” ¹³ But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. ¹⁴ Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.”

¹⁵ The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.

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Sneaking off to the movies with someone I was amorous with seemed like a good idea. After my day of enjoyment I found myself having to make my way home. Unfortunately, the person lived in a tough neighborhood. I was chased. “How am I going to explain getting beat up and robbed when I wasn’t supposed to be there in the first place?” Then I questioned the strictness of dating when I made it to safety.

• There were times when I wanted to leave out information so I would not get in trouble.
• There were times when I made sure that I was not the person at fault rather it was someone else’s fault.
• There were times when I was caught in the act and quickly thought of ways of trying to not make it my fault.

The crippled man was healed by JESUS but it does not say that he thanked HIM or found out HIS name. He was so excited that he ran off. Unfortunately he ran into the church leaders who judged him for carrying his bed. “It’s not my fault… I was healed” said the man in a self-protecting way. I would have done the same.

• GOD wants me to take responsibility for my sin.
• GOD wants me to understand that I need HIM so I should approach HIM with my ugly hidden sin.
• GOD wants me to stop blaming everyone else and accept the fact that I can mess up and I need HIS help every day.

Being responsible for my actions may include accepting consequence for decisions that may have hurt me or others. GOD shows me grace beyond belief and this is the great news I can share. Back to the man in this slice of history.

JESUS found him in the temple and said “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” I supposed JESUS had a reason for saying this to the man. Probably the man did something sinful to get into the crippled situation in the first place. I can’t tell. But I do know GOD wants me to sin less and less to stay out of HIS trouble.

• Are you blaming others for where you are in life?
• Do you blame GOD for what is happening to you right now?
• Will you start accepting responsibility for your sin and allow GOD to use you today?

Powerful Words

Powerful Words

John 5:  ⁶ When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”

⁷ The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”

⁸ Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” ⁹ And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.

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When I first learned how to use curse words correctly, it felt liberating. I mean I could now curse someone out and have them fully understand my disdain for the situation while belittling them in the process. It became an art, as a froth of foul language rolled from my tongue.

• Sometimes I want to tell “that” person off.
• Sometimes I want to make sure “that” person is taken down a few notches.
• Sometimes I want to complain about “that” person, slander “that” person and let everyone know “that” person is wrong, wrong, wrong!

“Do you want to be made well?” JESUS asked the man. He did not answer but gave the reason why he was still sick. “No one will help me.” JESUS said “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” HE spoke health into existence.

• JESUS gives me the ability to speak things into existence.
• JESUS gives me the ability to increase HIS kingdom with mere words.
• JESUS gives me the ability to protect, heal and comfort others simply by speaking.

By the measure of faith given to me I can speak things into existence. It takes practice, but it is true. JESUS said “If you have the faith of a mustard seed you can tell the mountain to move and it will.” HE literally means words are extremely powerful, why waste them saying negative things.

GOD enables me to encourage, love, comfort and enjoy HIS creation. If I spend most of my time speaking negative words about what is wrong and who did something bad, I miss out on the power of GOD. Speaking life means I trust GOD to heal and move the mountain for me. I trust GOD to be my source of power.

• What words do you use often?
• Are your words more negative than positive?
• Would GOD be glorified with the words you are using?
• Will you concentrate on speaking what GOD tells you to say to “that” person today?

Hope Kept

Hope Kept

John 5: After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ² Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. ³ In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. ⁴ For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. ⁵ Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. ⁶ When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”

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When the news of a friend getting a job reached me, I reacted unexpectedly. I was supposed to be excited and celebratory but instead I was upset and angry. “What about me?” I questioned GOD. With bills piling up and no income for years I wondered if my prayers were even being heard.

• When problems go for a long time, I feel like giving up.
• When issues stay around longer than expected, I feel like I am being blamed for something.
• When obstacles seem to get higher and higher, I feel like I cannot even lift a finger.

Unintended consequences occurred when an angel stirred up the Bethesda pool. First one in wins great health. I can only imagine how selfish I would have been if I were sick. I mean I would have given up living life to wait on the pool to magically stir and then I would be ready to jump in at any given time. BUT JESUS did not want that kind of dependence.

• GOD wants me to understand HE knows what I am going through.
• GOD wants me to know HE can heal my situation at any time.
• GOD wants me to place my hope in HIM and live life instead of waiting on “this” situation to be fixed.

“Do you want to be made well?” seems like an obvious question, especially from GOD, who knows everything anyway. This question made me think. “What is HE asking?” GOD seems to be questioning the desire versus the method.

People will do anything and spend any amount of money to be made “well” and I am no exception. GOD wants me well, but HIS method is to heal me spiritually first. When my spiritual eyes are opened, I can see HE has already healed me of any circumstance but this may not be seen through worldly eyes. GOD is where I place my hope, not on what I can see.

• Do you want to be made well?
• Where are you placing your hope?
• Can you trust the process that GOD has you in and know HIS reason for keeping you in this place is to reward you and not hurt you?

Excited Curiosity

John 4: ²⁷ Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”

²⁸ Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, ²⁹ “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” ³⁰ They came out of the town and made their way toward him.

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“Want some concert tickets?” the clerk asked. “Of course!”, I answered. After getting the tickets, I told several people about the music store. I went back more and more. “What else do you have?” I thought to myself.

• Sometimes I am curious about what I can get.
• Sometimes I get excited about something that has been done for me.
• Sometimes I tell other people what I am excited about.

The disciples found JESUS speaking to a woman. “What was she up to?” they thought suspiciously. They also thought, “Are you crazy?”, pointed their thoughts to JESUS. But something amazing happened.

• JESUS wants me to be excited about HIM every day.
• JESUS wants me to tell people about HIM as often as I can.
• JESUS wants me to be bold about HIS goodness to whomever HE sends me.

“Could this be the Messiah?” the woman said to people. She was excited and so should I. When my excitement is met with doubtful questions, I am to remain excited and focus my efforts on HIM. The woman’s excitement and curiosity filled me up. I am glad JESUS went out of HIS way to meet with me the same way HE did for her.

• Are you excited about JESUS?
• Do you feel compelled to tell others about HIM?
• Will you live your life with purpose today and allow GOD to speak through you?

Unseen Belief

John 4: ⁴⁶ Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. ⁴⁷ When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.

⁴⁸ “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”

⁴⁹ The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”

⁵⁰ “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.”

The man took Jesus at his word and departed. ⁵¹ While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living.⁵² When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.”

⁵³ Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed.

⁵⁴ This was the second sign Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee.

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“Trust me” were the words I had been burned by before. I mean those words seemed synonymous to “don’t believe anything I am going to say.” I wrote the check with the feeling of remorse and skepticism. Months later the investment flopped, just as I thought.

• Sometimes I am skeptical.
• Sometimes I have doubt.
• Sometimes I don’t trust so I develop my own plan to rest my mind.

A royal official could not heal his dying son by using influence or money. He went to JESUS to beg HIM to heal his son. JESUS said something that seems harsh. “Unless you see you will not believe.” “Go, your son will live,” JESUS said to the official. This was a moment of trust.

• JESUS wants me to believe in HIS power with faith.
• JESUS wants me to stop building contingency plans in case HIS plan for me fails.
• JESUS wants me to trust HIS word and obey what HE tells me to do.

Trusting in GOD means letting go of the fear, doubt and worry that so easily creeps into my soul. HE wants me to stop trying so hard and allow HIM to do HIS marvelous work. Instead of controlling GOD, HE wants me to trust HIM to do amazing things. GOD wants my faith to be in the unseen things HE does. I believe and trust GOD.

• Are you waiting on GOD to “show” you something?
• Do you feel you need HIM to do something before you can trust HIM?
• Will you put your trust in GOD today, before HE shows you HIS marvelous plan for you?

Outside Observers

Outside Observers

John 4: ⁴³ After the two days he left for Galilee. ⁴⁴ (Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.) ⁴⁵ When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, for they also had been there.

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“I have been watching you to see if you are sincere” someone said to me. I had no idea this person was looking at my actions until they approached me. I was flattered but then I was filled with fear. I wonder how many people were watching me mess up time and time again and didn’t tell me.

• Many times I have not been proud of what I have done.
• Many times I have not been excited about the way I messed up.
• Many times I have felt ashamed of what I have done, so I hid.

JESUS went to Galilee and was welcomed. In Jerusalem the church leaders rejected HIM, but the Galileans watched JESUS and were excited. They saw HIM serve HIS people in miraculous ways and believed in HIM more and more.

• GOD wants me to see HIS work every day.
• GOD wants me to acknowledge HIS presence every day.
• GOD wants me to praise HIM for the things HE is doing, not just for what HE has done.

Watching GOD work brings praise to my lips. HE gives me a front row seat to the best performance I could ever imagine. HE places so many people in my life and sustains them, protects them and heals them, right in front of me. HE places praise on my lips and makes me recognize HIM. I am grateful for HIS great power!

• What will people say about you?
• Do people recognize GOD in you?
• Do you see GOD in spite of your circumstances?

Words Pave Roads

Words Pave Roads

John 4: ³⁹ Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” ⁴⁰ So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. ⁴¹ And because of his words many more became believers.

⁴² They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

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“You can do it!” screamed my teammates as I attempted to pass an opponent in a track meet. My body didn’t feel like it at first. I was saying to myself “I’m tired” but their words encouraged me to keep running. I passed the person and came in 8^th place!

• When I listen to negative words I feel like giving up.
• When I listen to negative words I feel like I cannot do anything or be anything or see anything.
• When I listen to negative words I put on a negative face and tell others negative words.

Excitement filled the streets of Samaria as the woman told everyone about JESUS. “HE told me everything I ever did” she said, not leaving any sin out. She used her sin as an encouragement, no longer feeling shame. The town responded, “We know this man is the Savior of the world.”

• GOD wants me to speak words of HIS encouragement.
• GOD wants me to speak words of HIS power.
• GOD wants me to speak words of HIS love.

Telling people “You can do it” does have temporary results, until they face a GOD sized problem that seems so overwhelming that no solution can be had. BUT GOD tells me to say something different. HE tell me to say “You can do anything when you are connected to GOD’s power who is the one who gives strength.”

Words are too powerful to waste. I can speak negatively all day or I can tell people of how much GOD loves them, protects them and desires the best for them. I am glad I heard the right words to put me on GOD’s path.

• Are you saying negative words more than encouraging words?
• Do you see what is wrong more than you see what is right?
• Will you listen to the HOLY SPIRIT today and allow HIM to transform your words into those of GOD’s kingdom?
• Will you hear that you are special to GOD and HE loves you?

Generous Benefits

John 4: ³¹ Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.”

³² But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”

³³ Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?”

³⁴ “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. ³⁵ Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. ³⁶ Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. ³⁷ Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. ³⁸ I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”

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“Turn them on” were the words I seldomly heard, but they came out of the owners mouth this time. As I saw the lights come on and heard the machines whir, I was filled with excitement. My bowling alley job finally had benefits. I joined in and bowled as much as I wanted to that day, for free!

• I have received some great benefits on various jobs.
• I have been given some wonderful benefits, but I had to work for them.
• I have enjoyed some delightful benefits and sometimes I became more demanding because I thought I “deserved” more.

The disciples tried to get JESUS to eat. Little did they know they were in for a lesson. JESUS introduces them to a different kind of food. This food was to be eaten eternally. HE was speaking of HIS favorite currency, namely people.

• JESUS wants me to go out and bring people back to HIM.
• JESUS wants me to reap HIS harvest where I did not plant the seeds of HIS wisdom.
• JESUS wants me to open my eyes and see someone who may be seeking something and point that something to HIM.

Seeing a plentiful harvest for GOD takes open spiritual eyes. Instead of complaining about “those” people, GOD may want me to pray for them. HE gives me opportunities to reap a harvest every day.

Each person I pass can be prayed for. Some may even stop and listen to the words GOD puts in my mouth at the right time. I am grateful GOD guides me to go get HIS harvest.

• Are you working hard for your “benefits?”
• Are you concerned you do not have any benefits?
• Will you ask GOD to open your spiritual eyes and allow HIM to give you the right words to bring many people to HIS harvest today?

Getting Some Answers

John 4: ²⁵ The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

²⁶ Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

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“Where is the manual?” I wanted to ask. That question was not posed to anyone at the time, rather a vent of frustration towards life in general. I mean if I would have known that things would go wrong, I may not have chosen “fill in the blank.”

• Many times in life I have more questions than answers.
• Many times in life I want guidance but have none.
• Many times in life I desire the “right” path but I choose the very wrong path and need help getting back to the point where I started complaining in the first place.

The Samaritan woman concludes her encounter with JESUS by saying “The Messiah is coming and will explain everything to us.” JESUS declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I AM HE.” But what questions was JESUS supposed to answer?

• GOD wants me to know I have a purpose.
• GOD wants me to understand that my purpose is to tell as many people as possible that they are freed spiritually through JESUS.
• GOD wants me use the gifts and talents HE has given me to show HIS love so HE will draw many to HIM.

“What do you want from me?” is usually a question I have in frustration to GOD because of an unmet expectation. BUT GOD picks me up and fills me with HIS SPIRIT when I am low. HE opens my eyes to what HE is doing even when things I want are coming to me slowly or not at all.

JESUS said “I AM the Messiah” meaning, “Stop looking for answers because I AM the answer to life.” When I point even the smallest part of my life towards HIM, HE blesses it abundantly. I am grateful for HIM giving me purpose.

• Are you looking for answers?
• Do you base your faith on what you can see?
• Will you allow GOD to give you purpose and seek those HE wants to draw to HIM today?

Looking for you

John 4: ¹⁶ He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”

¹⁷ “I have no husband,” she replied.

Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband.¹⁸ The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”

¹⁹ “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. ²⁰ Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

²¹ “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. ²² You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. ²³ Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. ²⁴ God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

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“Have you ever committed a misdemeanor?” was the scary question on the application. The reason it was scary to me was, I had. I had no money and a pile of parking tickets in a town that would suspend your license for lack of payment. I had to go to work, so I drove and got a huge ticket for driving on a suspended license. Back to the application. I had to answer, “yes.” I got the job anyway.

• Sometimes I want to tell people “It’s not my fault.”
• Sometimes I want to appear righteous in front of people when I really am not.
• Sometimes I want to hide the “truth” so I can appear good.

JESUS confronts the Samaritan woman about her marriage situation. HE may have seen some guy off in the distance, acting like a husband, however husbands act. “Call your husband over” HE said. She told the truth, as painful as it was. “I have no husband” she said. JESUS said “What you have said is quite true.” She was given the opportunity to lie or tell the truth.

• GOD is looking for me in the middle of my sinful state.
• GOD wants a relationship with me before I “clean myself up.”
• GOD is seeking me to have a special relationship with HIM even though I may have many sins.

Truth is hard to admit but worth it. Telling GOD how good  I have been, while complaining that HE hasn’t given me my way is usually a recipe for disaster. GOD wants the truth. HE wants me to worship HIM by telling HIM “I have sinned and need YOU.”

GOD doesn’t need me to be self-righteous. In fact, the more I admit my sins to others, the more others admit their sins to HIM. Truth has given me freedom.

• What sins are you hiding?
• Do you want to appear righteous in front of people so you can hold others to a standard higher than you hold yourself?
• Will you drop the façade and allow GOD to use you in a truthful way today?

Easier Living

John 4: ¹⁰ Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

¹¹ “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? ¹² Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”

¹³ Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,¹⁴ but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

¹⁵ The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

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Tired of pulling weeds, I decided to put down some rock. It took some hard work, digging up everything and laying down a liner to place the decorative stones. After the project was complete, I said to myself “I will never have to pull weeds from this area again.”

• Sometimes I want things to be easier.
• Sometimes I will work very hard to make something work automatically.
• Sometimes I just want peace and tranquility without having to work for it.

JESUS spoke to the Samaritan woman about “living water.” HE promised she would never thirst again. She took HIM literally and questioned HIS power. “Are you greater than Jacob?” she asked GOD unknowingly. JESUS answered “the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

• GOD wants me to have eternal life.
• GOD wants me to believe in HIM to the point of overflowing.
• GOD wants me to never thirst again spiritually.

When GOD gave me the HOLY SPIRIT, HE gave it to me abundantly. I never have to chase down the philosophies of humans, trying to understand how to live because I am already full. Nothing else can fit. GOD said it, I believe it, that’s it.

• What education or philosophy has you doubting GOD’s power?
• Do you believe in GOD “to a point?”
• Will you drink from GOD and receive HIS eternal life, dropping your constraints about HIM today?

The Them Effect

John 4: ⁷ When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” ⁸ (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

⁹ The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

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“Watch out for those people” I was warned mistrustfully. I could hear the years of hurt mixed in with bitterness from this seemingly innocent person. Unfortunately, hate was the motive of the statement. Another unfortunate thing was they were justified in their thinking because a lot of mistreatment did occur.

• I have to decide whether or not to lump people into the “them” category every day.
• I have to decide if my hurt and pain is causing others to hurt and feel pain.
• I have to decide if my broad statements about people are blinding me to someone who may need my help.

JESUS did a few socially abnormal things in this passage. HE spoke to a woman in a subordinate tone by asking her for a drink. A woman? No demands? Yes, JESUS asked politely. Next, JESUS spoke to a Samaritan. A Jew speaking to a Samaritan? Unheard of. BUT JESUS saw something different.

• JESUS wants me to see all of HIS humans as valuable.
• JESUS wants me to stop propagating anger and hurt so others can be saved.
• JESUS wants me to get rid of my biases towards other people so I can be available to be sent to whoever HE chooses.

No respect of person is an old way of saying no prejudices towards or against a certain group of people. GOD wants to take my small-mindedness and stretch it into love for the world. This is hard. I mean, aren’t they supposed to act like I act and do what I do? No. GOD has an individual plan for HIS people.

HE wants me to reach people where they are and point their lives to HIM. HE will change them from the inside and I do not have to see the change, because I am too busy noticing how much he is changing me. I am grateful to be part of GOD’s vast family.

• Are you fearful of “them?”
• Do you secretly or overtly speak against “those people?”
• Will you drop your prejudices so you can be used to reach many people for GOD today?

Compelled

John 4: ⁴ Now he had to go through Samaria. ⁵ So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph.6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.

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“Get up and volunteer” was the sensation I felt as the preacher asked if anyone would join him on a missions trip to a country on another continent. I had barely seen this continent let alone travel somewhere else. I had to go. Something was pressing me to focus on this trip.

• Something inside of me prompted a desire.
• Something inside of me overcame my fears and gave me peace.
• Something inside of me bubbled up joy, excitement and peace all at the same time.

JESUS “had to go” to Samaria, even though it was way out of HIS way. It was a place HE had to see. He returned to a place where HE wrestled Jacob and blessed him in the process. JESUS showed HIS humanity, however, by being tired from the walk.

• GOD sent HIS HOLY SPIRIT to guide me daily.
• GOD sent HIS HOLY SPIRIT to prompt me to do HIS will.
• GOD sent HIS HOLY SPIRIT to have me participate in HIS glorious plan.

I can hear from the HOLY SPIRIT every day if I would just listen. HE guides me to speak about JESUS to the right person at the right time. HE does not prompt me to harm others, rather draw them to the kingdom with love in mind.

• What leads you to do something?
• Are you listening to your own desires or is GOD leading you?
• Will you allow the HOLY SPIRIT to lead you to someone in need today?

Mislabeled Leadership

John 4: Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— ² although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. ³ So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.

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“Why did you charge me so much for my system?” one person complained to me as I stood on stage. Since I was the leader of the organization that supported the system, it seemed only fitting to personalize the complaint towards me. I wanted to say “The last time I looked, I didn’t get any money for the system you bought” but that wouldn’t go so well with the people above me,

• Many times I have been labeled for things I did not do.
• Many times I had to accept the label because I was the leader.
• Many times I had to assume blame and simply try to make things right.

The church leaders were jealous of JESUS’s popularity. They went so far as to say “JESUS was baptizing people” as if to accuse HIM of not having the authority to do so. JESUS was not baptizing people, rather it was HIS disciples. But if HE did, HE definitely had the authority to do so.

• GOD wants me to accept responsibility for my actions without blaming HIM for my sin.
• GOD wants me to drop any jealousy I may have for someone who is serving the kingdom.
• GOD wants me to rely on HIS word which tells me exactly what HE is doing.

Knowing GOD removes blaming GOD. I mean when I get to know HIM, I understand that HIS motives are only to love me. Belief in this love not only gives me everlasting life, but care and protection in this life. HIS love for me is unsurpassed and that is the correct label I should give Him. GOD, the ultimate love, is my label.

• What are you blaming GOD for now?
• Does blaming GOD enable you to shirk your responsibilities?
• Will you study GOD to understand HIS vast love for you today?

Responsible One

John 3: ³¹ The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. ³² He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. ³³ Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. ³⁴ For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. ³⁵ The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. ³⁶ Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

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“Stay in your lane” is a term I’ve heard jokingly on commercials and movies. It means, be responsible for what you are responsible for and stay out of someone else’s responsibility. But sometimes I want to drive my car and drive for the “crazy” driver next to me. If I could just figure out how to hop from car to car, then we would both be safe.

• Sometimes I want to be responsible for everything in order to keep things going the way “I” want them to go.
• Sometimes I feel I should be making all the decisions, even in areas I don’t understand.
• Sometimes I feel I should be in control even if the one who is in control is doing a good job.

John explains responsibilities of the FATHER, the SON, the HOLY SPIRIT and humans in this passage. Only the “one” who is from above or heaven can talk about above or heaven. Humans cannot.

• GOD says to me “Accept the testimony of JESUS and you will be saved.”
• GOD says to me “Believe in JESUS and receive eternal life.”
• GOD says to me “If you reject JESUS, you will receive MY wrath.”

JESUS, who is GOD, is the only “one” who can talk about GOD, because HE is GOD. HE sends the HOLY SPIRIT without limit to those who believe in HIM. The FATHER has given everything to JESUS, who decides and knows who loves HIM.

The true gospel is “Whoever believes in the SON has eternal life, but whoever rejects the SON will not see life, for GOD’s wrath remains on them”. I am grateful for JESUS and I believe in  HIS salvation.

• Are you trying to do what GOD should be doing?
• Do you feel you are in control of your life?
• Will you allow JESUS to be your savior and let HIM guide your life today?

Joy

John 3: ²⁷ To this John replied, ‘A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. ²⁸ You yourselves can testify that I said, “I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.” ²⁹ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. ³⁰ He must become greater; I must become less.’

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Grousing all about, I could tell I was not very approachable. I was having a bad day and people could tell from my face that I did not want to be bothered. I felt comfortable being miserable that day. I can’t even remember the circumstances that put me in the bad mood, but I’m sure I was justified, right?

• Sometimes I just want to be in a bad mood.
• Sometimes I just want to be mad.
• Sometimes I just want to feel low because I “deserve” some things I am not getting.

John explains to his disciples, it is alright that JESUS is making HIMSELF known as the Messiah. He then tells them a quick parable of the joy a friend receives while attending the wedding of the bridegroom. John felt that joy.

• GOD wants me to have joy in my life.
• GOD wants me to ignore the things that can take my eyes off of HIM.
• GOD wants me to see HIS power in the middle of my storm.

Joy is something that cannot be explained. It supersedes happiness, problems and any negative thoughts or words. True joy only comes from heaven. GOD opens my eyes daily and shows me HE is still with me no matter what is going on. I must make JESUS great and myself small, which in turn, makes my problems small. I am grateful for the joy HE has given me.

• What mask are you wearing?
• Are you hurt and letting people know about your pain?
• Do you know GOD feels your pain and wants you to give it to HIM?
• Will you release what is going on in your life and fill the void with the joy of GOD today?

It’s Getting Done

John 3: ²² After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptised. ²³ Now John also was baptising at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptised. ²⁴ (This was before John was put in prison.) ²⁵ An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. ²⁶ They came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan – the one you testified about – look, he is baptising, and everyone is going to him.’

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Working long hours, I felt exhausted but satisfied. I mean I had everything under control, or so I thought. “Why don’t you let that person do this part of the project now?” my boss said directedly. When the person did their work, I felt a sense of jealousy. They were getting accolades I was used to getting.

• I felt jealous.
• I felt I was losing accolades.
• I felt I was slipping in value.

JESUS and HIS disciples were baptizing people and John “The Baptist’s” disciples questioned why these guys were doing this. They noticed their crowd was getting smaller and smaller and sensed something was wrong, or so they thought.

• GOD wants me to be part of a team who bring people to HIM.
• GOD wants me to see how HE is working through others.
• GOD wants me to praise HIM daily for what HE is doing, especially when someone else is doing it.

As long as it is getting done, who am I to argue. If someone else is serving GOD by serving others, I do not need a pat on the back or an accolade for what I am doing. GOD sees what I am doing as part of HIS plan for all of humanity. HE knows the pie is big. In other words, HE knows the harvest is plenty and the laborers are few. I am glad I am part of GOD’s big picture.

• Are you jealous of someone’s abilities?
• Do you talk bad about someone so you can get praise?
• Will you stop trying to point at yourself and allow GOD to work through others and through you?

Good News and Bad News

John 3: ¹⁶ 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. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. ¹⁹ This is the verdict: light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. ²¹ But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

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“I got some good news and some bad news for you. Which would you like to hear first?” said the mechanic. These words were never really comforting because I did not want to hear any “bad news.” I said, don’t tell me the bad news. Months later my car broke down for good.

• When I hear bad news, I sometimes forget the good news.
• When I hear bad news, I sometimes lose hope.
• When I hear bad news, my mood changes to the point where I cannot give any good news.

JESUS explains one of the most famous verses of the Bible. HE talks about the Great News of HIS arrival as a human sent to die for the rescue all of humanity.  It truly is great news! But there is some bad news. Whoever does not believe in JESUS will be condemned forever.

• GOD wants me to believe that JESUS became a human, was murdered for me and was raised from the dead, showing all power.
• GOD wants me to not be afraid of HIM exposing my sin because HE has forgiven me.
• GOD wants me to live by the truth and come into the light so all my deeds can be put in front of HIM.

Choosing GOD is easy and extremely hard. I mean HE made it so easy to accept HIM and also easy to not accept HIM. I can choose to not believe in HIM or consequences or condemnation. BUT GOD has promised great things for accepting HIM and horrible things for rejecting HIM. This is the total gospel that I believe.

• Have you accepted the need for a savior?
• Will you reject GOD and believe in yourself or other human teaching?
• Will you surrender your life to CHRIST today and allow HIM to speak good news through you today?

Earthly and Heavenly Lessons

John 3: ⁹ ‘How can this be?’ Nicodemus asked.

¹⁰ ‘You are Israel’s teacher,’ said Jesus, ‘and do you not understand these things? ¹¹ Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.¹² I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? ¹³ No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven – the Son of Man. ¹⁴ Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵ that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.’

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“This doesn’t make sense” I reasoned. As I read the bible verses I wondered really how some of it happened. I mean I haven’t seen any oceans parting lately.

• There were times when I was skeptical of parts of the Bible.
• There were times when I rationalized GOD into a small myth.
• There were times when I thought the Bible was a grouping of old tales and belief should come from what could be seen.

JESUS says to Nicodemus “You are supposed to be a scholar and you don’t understand simple things.” Nicodemus questioned being “born again” and JESUS pointed out that this was a “heavenly” lesson.

• GOD wants me to believe what is not seen.
• GOD wants me to have faith in HIS mighty power.
• GOD wants me to receive HIS goodness on a daily basis even when it doesn’t “look” the way I think is should.

Earthly lessons are derived from the five senses of humans and proven by observation which are centered humans being the top of everything. BUT GOD says something different. HE says “I AM” giving no other explanation to who HE is. HIS infinite power cannot be proven, nor HIS infinite knowledge nor HIS infinite presence.

GOD is and that is my proof. HE chased me down and opened my eyes to spiritual matters that require belief and that is it. I made a choice to believe in JESUS and I am grateful HE chose me before I ever knew HIM. HIS heavenly lesson is wonderful.

• What parts of the Bible have you thrown away with skepticism?
• Do you know so much that GOD can no longer perform HIS mighty miracles?
• Will you stop looking at life through unfaithful earthly eyes and allow GOD to show you just how powerful HE is today?