Freed Indeed

Freed Indeed

John 8: ³¹ Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. ³² And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

³³ They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”

³⁴ Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. ³⁵ And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. ³⁶ Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

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Discussing it with the person who sublet the apartment for the summer, I planned this particular sin. I did not want to be disturbed, so I asked for privacy. It was my first time doing this so my heart raced each time I thought of what I was getting into. Afterwards, it was all I could think of.

• Sometimes sin rules my thoughts.
• Sometimes sin guides my actions.
• Sometimes sin seems like a good idea, especially since “everyone else is doing it.”

JESUS told those who believed in HIM how to be free. “If you abide in MY word, you are MY disciples indeed.” Then HE said “You will know the truth and the truth will make you free.” “We have never been slaves”, they replied. “Sure you have… You are slaves to sin.”

• JESUS wants me to admit I am a slave to sin and I do not deserve to live with a sinless GOD.
• JESUS wants me to believe HE is the only cure for my sin because HE died as a sinless human and was raised from the dead, placed over everything as GOD.
• JESUS wants me to confess my sin willingly so HE would be willing to cleanse me of ALL sins.

Abiding in JESUS’s word sound constrictive, but it truly is freeing. I am now free to live without the burden of eternal separation from GOD. When I study HIS word, I find out what pleases and displeases GOD. No longer is HE such a mystery.

I can serve others and live my life with a purpose. I am free to speak about HIM and let people know JESUS is the only way to freedom. I am grateful HE has freed me indeed!

• What are you bound to?
• Is there something or things in your life you absolutely are not willing to let go of, that are not pleasing to GOD?
• Will you allow the HOLY SPIRIT to guide you to HIS purpose in JESUS today?

Following the Example

Following the Example

John 8: ²⁸ Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. ²⁹ And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” ³⁰ As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.

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Frustrated, I stopped following the instructions. “What’s wrong?” said the expert. “I cannot understand what you are talking about and you are moving too fast” was my reply. He stopped speaking, came over to me and showed me how. After seeing how it was done, I could easily follow the example.

• It’s easier for me to see how something is done.
• It’s easier for me to see an example so I can mimic the teacher.
• It’s easier for me to see what needs to be done so I can come up with my own ideas and do them.

JESUS tells the church leaders they will kill HIM by crucifixion, then they would truly know HE is GOD. They had no idea HE would be raised from the dead. Many people believed in HIM as HIS words pierced their hearts. Could I do the same?

• JESUS gave me many examples that I can do in my power.
• JESUS showed me how to pray for “us” instead of only praying for “me.”
• JESUS taught me that all humans are worth seeking, even those I can easily hate.

I cannot “Be JESUS” to someone. I mean I cannot die for the sins of all humans, nor can I send the HOLY SPIRIT to comfort the hurt. But I can follow HIS example and care for people. HE showed massive compassion for the hungry, poor and lost. HE cried over those who had nowhere to go.

JESUS has so many examples that I can do right now that I wonder why I ask HIM the question “What do you want me to do?” He would probably say “Pick any example and do it today.” I am grateful HIS expectations of me are easy and HIS burdens are light.

• Who’s example are you following?
• Are you looking to GOD as your answer?
• Will you allow HIM to heal, comfort and grow while you simply serve?

Elevate

Elevate

John 8: ²³ And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. ²⁴ Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

²⁵ Then they said to Him, “Who are You?”

And Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning. ²⁶ I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him.”

²⁷ They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father.

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Looking for a promotion, I followed what was important to some of the higher-ups. I asked questions, listening for their concerns. I sat and thought of solutions to ensure they were successful. It worked! They promoted me to a higher level. Now, I had to do it again with the next level up.

• Many times I looked at people as being on a higher level.
• Many times I treated people with titles differently than others.
• Many times I assumed that people with certain titles were smarter, stronger and wiser than others.

JESUS puts the church leaders in their place by saying “You are from beneath; I AM from above.” HE then explains that HE is GOD and is not of this cursed world, but they were. HE doomed them to die eternally in their sins, but gave them a way to succeed… believe in HIM.

• JESUS wants me to believe that HE is GOD.
• JESUS wants me to believe that HE took care of all my problems.
• JESUS wants me to believe that birth was the beginning of eternity and my choice to believe in HIM guides where I will spend it.

Elevating JESUS is extremely important. HE chose to die for my sins as the ultimate demonstration of love. HE only asks that I believe I need HIM otherwise I would die in my sins. HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live in me because I believe in HIM. The FATHER sends me because HE is pleased with the way HE cleaned me up. I am grateful HE is GOD and I elevate HIM.

• How do you view GOD?
• Is GOD very common to you?
• Do you easily blame GOD or treat HIM like HE only deserves a little attention?
• Will you give more of your life to HIM and elevate HIM to GOD versus placing the constraints you have on HIM today?

Invited

Invited

John 8: ²¹ Then Jesus said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come.”

²² So the Jews said, “Will He kill Himself, because He says, ‘Where I go you cannot come’?”

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Adorned with gifts, my boss made their last appearance. It was my boss’s last day, so the tradition was to have a last meal dinner. About a year and a half later I got in touch with the person. “Want to come over to this company?” was the question. “Absolutely” was my answer.

• It felt great to be invited.
• It felt great to be thought of in a positive way.
• It felt great to be part of someone’s group.

JESUS says to the church leaders, who did not believe in HIS position as GOD, “I AM going away, and you will seek ME, and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come.” HIS words were not inviting.

• GOD invites me to be in HIS family.
• GOD wants me to see with my heart that I need HIM.
• GOD seeks me especially when I sin so I can be forgiven.

Being invited gives me the option to say, “No, I do not want to attend.” Unfortunately, the church leaders of that time said just that. They held onto the Bible’s words so tightly, that they missed the heart of what was said. When JESUS, the Messiah showed up, they indignantly refused to believe in HIM.

JESUS invites everyone, even me, to believe they are sinners in need of salvation from eternal separation from GOD. Satan’s pride of trying to be GOD would not be tolerated by GOD. HE threw Satan out of heaven, along with his followers. HE seeks HIS creation who are being fooled. I am grateful HE invited me to seek HIS family members.

• Do you wander around aimlessly?
• Do you feel you are not part of a family even though you were born into one?
• Will you accept GOD’s invitation as HE knocks on the door of your heart today and seek those HE wants to find?

Not Alone

Not Alone

John 8: ¹³ The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.”

¹⁴ Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. ¹⁵ You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. ¹⁶ And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. ¹⁷ It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true.¹⁸ I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.”

¹⁹ Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?”

Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.”

²⁰ These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come.

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Sitting in a room full of people, I felt alone. Everyone knew each other and no one knew me. I walked around for a while but that became tiresome. I decided to miss the evening festivities and dined in my room, alone.

• There were many times I felt alone.
• There were many times when I was around lots of people and still felt alone.
• There were many times when I had one viewpoint and the majority had another, so I felt alone.

JESUS was challenged by the church leaders stating “HE is bragging about HIMSELF and making up the story.” JESUS, being GOD, answered them back, letting them know how much they did not know about HIM. “You only see with the flesh and not the SPIRIT” JESUS implies. Then HE said “I AM not alone.”

• GOD wants me to live my life for HIS purpose.
• GOD wants me to stand firm even when it is not popular.
• GOD wants me to believe HE is with me and to help others do the same.

In the days of humans explaining away GOD, it seems quite illogical to believe in this higher being who controls everything. I mean there are explanations for human behavior, weather, volcano eruptions and why a building should remain standing. BUT GOD confounds those who think they are “wise.”

GOD laughs at those who think HE is not involved with everything and wants me to believe HE is. HE sends me to gather those who are in need of HIS love. HE lets me know I am not alone as HE sends me out with HIS purpose. I am grateful HE is with me always!

• Do you feel alone?
• Do you have a view of the love of GOD when no one around you speaks of HIM at all?
• Will you keep trusting in GOD and know HE loves you and is with you today?

Before Accusing

Before Accusing

John 8: ⁴ they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. ⁵ Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” ⁶ This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.

⁷ So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” ⁸ And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. ⁹ Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. ¹⁰ When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”

¹¹ She said, “No one, Lord.”

And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

¹² Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

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“Ooo, I’m telling” was my threat to my adversary. Getting this person in trouble and seeing them punished was my goal so I added a few items just to make sure the sentence was harsh.

Unfortunately the person I spoke to used discernment and made me settle the issue I had with the person I was telling on. They also gave me a warning. “Be careful of accusing someone or you may get in trouble yourself.”

• Many times I wanted to accuse someone.
• Many times I wanted to see “that” person get in trouble.
• Many times I wanted to see justice served because of my accusation.

JESUS discerned the motives of the church leaders. HE wrote something on the ground that may have scared them. Did HE write the names of those who also committed adultery? Or did JESUS write specific hidden sins of the church leaders? We do not know. BUT JESUS did something else.

• JESUS forgives me in the middle of my sin.
• JESUS has compassion for me, knowing I need HIM.
• JESUS ignores my accuser, the devil, by giving me the HOLY SPIRIT who pleads for me on my behalf.

Before accusing anyone, GOD wants me to check my motive for accusing them. Do I want to restore this person or tear them down? If it is the latter of the two, then I may be accused of hatred by GOD HIMSELF. I am grateful GOD forgives me.

• Are you slandering someone?
• Do you speak harshly about other people?
• Will you stop trying to get others in trouble and seek GOD’s restoration so they can bring others to HIM today?

Seeking by Lurking

Seeking by Lurking

John 7: ⁵And everyone went to his own house.

John 8: But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

² Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. ³ Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, ⁴ they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act.

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Listening intently to every word, I wanted to catch this person in a lie, “I know they are guilty” I said to myself as I replayed events in my mind over and over. Something seemed strange this particular day when I saw the person. “This is the day I catch them in their lie” I thought. The person confessed their strange behavior on a very serious illness.

• There were times when I looked for something to be wrong with people.
• There were times when I watched people intently to see if they would fail.
• There were times when I sentenced people as guilty, then I watched them prove their guilt to me.

After the crowd left, JESUS went to the Mount of Olives, usually to pray. When HE returned HE was met by the church leaders who caught a woman in the act of adultery. They must have lurked behind her as she met with her lover or was the male someone they knew? Whatever the case, they did not accuse him.

Bringing her to JESUS, they demanded a biblical answer to trip HIM up. They sought failure for her and JESUS, hoping guilt would show their superiority.

• GOD wants me to seek people with grace, not guilt.
• GOD wants me to desire restoration for people, not reasons to leave them.
• GOD wants me to follow people to serve them, not harm them.

Motive for proving someone’s guilt is usually a problem with GOD. As I have said many times, “We are all in the mud, throwing mud at each other, saying ‘you have mud on your face’.” Pronouncing someone guilty, then watching them prove their guilt may be the very thing that makes me “guilty” before GOD.

HE wants me to admit my guilt to restore guilty people. Instead of lurking for superiority, HE wants me seeking people to bring back to HIM, gently. I am glad people were sent to bring me to HIM.

• Are you accusing others?
• Do you want to feel good about yourself by making someone else look guilty?
• Will you start seeking guilty people to gently bring them back to JESUS to save them and you today?

Speak for Yourself

Speak for Yourself

John 7: ⁴⁵ Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not brought Him?”

⁴⁶ The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!”

⁴⁷ Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived? ⁴⁸ Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? ⁴⁹ But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.”

⁵⁰ Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, ⁵¹ “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?”

⁵² They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.”

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While pledging an organization we were not supposed to be late, but we were. “Let’s get our story together” one person said as they were they primary culprit for our being late. As the lies came together, I was not convinced. When I was pulled to the side and asked what happened, I had a choice. “Should I go along with the lie?”

• There were times when I was scared to tell the truth.
• There were times when it seemed like I could not please anyone whit the answer I had.
• There were times when I told the truth and made those around me angry.

Losing their power quickly, the Pharisees had to protect their stance against JESUS. One of them spoke on behalf of the church leaders saying JESUS was a deceiver, like the devil, instead of considering HIM as GOD. But Nicodemus spoke for himself and used the heart of the law, just like JESUS.

• GOD wants me to believe in HIM for myself.
• GOD wants me to pursue HIM daily with just me and HIM.
• GOD wants me to spend time alone with HIM so HE can guide me through HIS word.

Going with the crowd to protect a lie is not the way GOD wants me to act. This is the wrong type of unity. GOD wants unity in the truth that does not exclude humans based on hate. HE wants me to observe what HE did by supplying grace based on HIS word. I give GOD my desires today.

• Do you desire something?
• Have you convinced yourself that your desires are admirable without checking to see if they are against GOD?
• Will you allow GOD to guide your desires so you can speak for HIM even when it is not popular?

Simple Math

Simple Math

John 7: ⁴⁰ Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” ⁴¹ Others said, “This is the Christ.”

But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? ⁴² Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” ⁴³ So there was a division among the people because of Him. ⁴⁴ Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.

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“Multiplication is addition only quicker and division is subtraction that is just as quick” my math teacher said. I learned the principle and went home. Weekends later I went camping. In a playful way, one of the campers pulled a knife on another.

As the knifeless person pushed the blade away, his hand was cut deeply. Suddenly we were divided at the camp the entire weekend. It happened quickly.

• I have noticed division happens quickly.
• I have been involved with dividing people against “those” people.
• I have warned others to stay away from “those” people.

The crowd tried to figure out who JESUS was. Some said HE is the CHRIST, while others said HE is the Prophet. But there was a group who refused to believe and they traced HIS roots back to where HE lived in Galilee. Arguments grew and division rose.

• GOD wants me to follow HIM in unity with others.
• GOD wants me to figure out what is important and unify rather than divide.
• GOD wants me to have grace for others so the unity can speak louder than being right.

Division amongst those who try to follow GOD is a serious problem with HIM. The words “They are doing it wrong” seems to be easy to say yet difficult to rectify. I have been guilty for packing up “my way of doing things” and leaving a church group, searching for a group who acts and sometimes looks like me.

BUT GOD wants different. HE wants me treat all sin the same. HE wants me to look at my sin as ghastly as someone else’s. After my confession that I need GOD as my savior, HE wants me to treat others with care so they will point their lives to HIM. I am glad HE forgives me.

• Are you part of dividing GOD’s kingdom?
• Will you look at what is causing the division and allow GOD to handle the outcome?
• Will you do your part to show unity so others can be healed by GOD?

Watery Excitement

Watery Excitement

John 7: ³⁷ On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. ³⁸ He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” ³⁹ But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

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“Can we go?” was my constant question I asked at every occasion. As the commercial played for the nearby amusement park, I added reason to my repetitious question. “Everyone else is going” I said in an effort to break through the barrier during dinner. When we finally went, I was elated! I told everyone within two blocks of my house, how amazing the experience was.

• Many times I craved something.
• Many times I wanted something so badly, I could not stop thinking about it.
• Many times I thirsted for something so much, it could not be quenched until I got it.

“If anyone thirsts, let him come to ME and drink”, JESUS said to the crowd after the feast. HE may have heard many desires of individuals as they sat and ate. Some of the desires could have been so deeply rooted, that the person could not stop talking about it. But what was driving the desire? JESUS had an answer.

• JESUS wants me to point my desires toward HIM.
• JESUS gave me the HOLY SPIRIT so I could live for HIM.
• JESUS desires that I crave HIM so I would speak about HIM daily.

Craving that everyone around me believes and accepts JESUS as their Savior, is what HE wants me to hold onto. HE wants me to be excited enough about HIM that I speak about the wonderful things HE has done for me. Out of my heart pours this watery excitement about how much JESUS actually loves me.

HE provides, guides and protects me because HE is excited about me. After requesting a lot “from” HIM, I finally I realized that maybe I should be excited enough “about” HIM, to speak lovingly “for” HIM. I love HIS love for me!

• What are you excited about?
• What do you talk about constantly?
• Will you be led by the HOLY SPIRIT today?
• Will you get excited about JESUS enough to speak about HIM to everyone HE provides to you?

Controlling

Controlling

John 7: ³² The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring these things concerning Him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take Him. ³³ Then Jesus said to them, “I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me. ³⁴ You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come.”

³⁵ Then the Jews said among themselves, “Where does He intend to go that we shall not find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? ³⁶ What is this thing that He said, ‘You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come’?”

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Planning my route was difficult this day. For some reason, several tempers had flared and multiple fights were planned in different parts of the playground leaving the school. In fear, I went an extreme route, that was several blocks out of the way, just to get home. “Why can’t this just be easy?” I exclaimed.

• Sometimes life seems out of control.
• Sometimes life seems like a huge problem.
• Sometimes life seems to bring raging out of control situations that affect me.

The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring about JESUS. They felt their controlling power slipping away. They wanted to get control of this situation so they sent officers to take HIM. JESUS knew what they were doing and addressed them directly. “You will seek ME and not find ME and where I AM you cannot come” was HIS disturbing news.

• JESUS wants me to let go of my control of HIM.
• JESUS wants me to allow HIM to do things HIS way and in HIS time.
• JESUS wants me to put HIM in control of my decisions, expectations and outcomes.

Trying to control GOD is like trying to control a raging storm. It cannot be done. GOD’s power is uncontrollable, by me. BUT GOD controls HIMSELF to love me instead of hating me for my sins. HE says to me “You are mine” so I can never put GOD under my feet and control what HE does.

I can control one thing, namely believing that HE knows what is best for me. GOD keeps HIS promises, always! HE wants me to be with HIM eternally and sends me out to seek those who seek HIM. I am grateful HE wants me.

• Are you trying to force GOD to act the way “you” want HIM to?
• Do you think that because you stopped doing a few sins, you are better than “that” person?
• Will you stop trying to control GOD with your smelly righteousness and allow HIM to control your path to guide people back to HIM today?

The Answer

The Answer

John 7: ²⁵ Now some of them from Jerusalem said, “Is this not He whom they seek to kill? ²⁶ But look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ? ²⁷ However, we know where this Man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from.”

²⁸ Then Jesus cried out, as He taught in the temple, saying, “You both know Me, and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. ²⁹ But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me.”

³⁰ Therefore they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come. ³¹ And many of the people believed in Him, and said, “When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?”

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For once in my life, the answers were easy. I had prepared ahead of time and could recall the information clearly during final exams. When I got my grades for that semester, I was pleased. So, why was I still broke with no way to pay my bills? And why did a relative of mine get sick?

• There are times when I have more questions than answers.
• There are times when I am in situations that seem overwhelming.
• There are times when I want to know exactly what to do but do not have a clear answer.

Some from the crowd commented that the leaders were definitely trying to kill JESUS. The church leaders must have spoken against JESUS behind HIS back. The crowd noticed how boldly JESUS spoke without retaliation. JESUS tells them why. Many believed.

• JESUS wants me to know HE is the answer to life.
• JESUS wants me to understand that HE is the only reason for my existence.
• JESUS wants me to believe that I am HIS person and HE is my GOD.

“Who will do more signs than this Man has done?” was the crowds reply. They were seeking the answer to life and realized they found it. But what about the broken cars, relationships, bones and ability to feed myself? JESUS is the answer to all of that as well.

GOD cares about me eternally and HE cares about my present state. HE does care about the things I get concerned about and wants me to have faith that HE is the answer to all of my questions. HE miraculously heals, amazingly provides and unbelievably fixes things I could never imagine. I am glad JESUS is my purpose for HE is “the answer.”

• Are you too scared of your situation to have faith in GOD?
• Is your mind racing trying to figure things out on your own?
• Will you allow GOD to calm you down and use HIS power to guide you through this situation, HIS way today?

Rule Hugger

Rule Hugger

John 7: ¹⁹ Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?”

²⁰ The people answered and said, “You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?”

²¹ Jesus answered and said to them, “I did one work, and you all marvel.²² Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. ²³ If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? ²⁴ Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

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“What a reckless driver!” I grunted to myself. As the person darted in and out I could see the imminent danger approaching. Then a morbid thought crossed my mind. “I hope they get in an accident, that will show them.” Moments later I saw police lights coming from a distance. “That’s what they get!” I thought. The police pulled me over. I was speeding.

• Many times I have judged people.
• Many times I wanted people to be punished.
• Many times I desired to see “justice” for others but not for myself.

Angry at JESUS due to their flawed thinking, the Jews sought to put HIM to death for healing a man on the Sabbath. JESUS was not following their controlling ways and as their popularity diminished, their hatred escalated to wanting to kill HIM. When JESUS confronted them, they said to the Most High GOD, that HE had a demon.

• JESUS wants me to see HIM as the one who judges me and others.
• JESUS wants me to see “us” instead of them, when it comes to people.
• JESUS wants me to include myself in the basket of sinners so my desire to judge people will be smaller.

Following the rules does not cleanse me of the rules I have broken. In fact, the more I study GOD’s word, the more I realize I cannot ever clean myself up. BUT GOD can clean me up. JESUS went through life sinless, was murdered to pay for my sin and was raised from the dead to prove HIS power over life and death.

HE wants me to seek HIS grace instead of blaming HIM for not giving me “my” way this time. Time is short and hatred for one another is growing. JESUS wants me to seek those HE has chosen, so I can give HIS words of encouragement. I am glad HE wants me to exchange my judgement for encouragement.

• Are you judging someone?
• Do you spend enormous amounts of time grousing about someone in power?
• Will you stop your negative words and start encouraging people to follow JESUS today?

Root of Truth

Root of Truth

John 7: ¹⁴ Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. ¹⁵ And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?”

¹⁶ Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. ¹⁷ If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. ¹⁸ He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.

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After listening to many stories, I headed towards the door. “Do you know who that was?” someone asked me. “No” I replied. That was the owner and founder of this place. The stories he told now had more meaning as they expressed true experiences.

• I enjoy hearing stories about how someone struggled and then made it.
• I enjoy hearing stories that tell the truth with difficult details.
• I enjoy hearing stories I can use as a roadmap for what I am going through.

JESUS went to the feast anyway, knowing the church leaders were trying to kill HIM. HE taught in riveting detail and they marveled at HIS knowledge. JESUS said some pointed words that said HIS teaching comes from GOD to glorify GOD. Each word JESUS spoke could easily be checked.

• GOD wants me to learn as long as my learning points to HIM.
• GOD wants me to acquire more an more knowledge as long as my knowledge can be used to glorify HIM.
• GOD wants me to check what I say about HIM with the words HE says about HIMSELF.

Self-promotion is something GOD wants humans to avoid. While this practice is highly honored in politics and wealth chasing, GOD sees it as a prideful move away from needing HIM. Each time I speak about GOD, HE wants me to check with HIM first to see if my words will promote HIM alone. I am glad HE revealed the truth through the words of HIS SON.

• Are you seeking to be the center of attention?
• Do you want fame socially, politically or even theologically?
• Will you check your attitude towards GOD by seeking HIS teaching through HIS Word today?

You Are Good

You Are Good

John 7: ¹⁰ But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. ¹¹ Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, “Where is He?” ¹² And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, “He is good”; others said, “No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.” ¹³ However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.

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“Weakling!” was one of the random insults hurled at me by a person I did not know. “You think you are so smart” the unknown person said in a persecuting fashion. I was just standing there with my backpack full of math and physics books. Why did I feel bad?

• There were times when I felt I could not please anyone.
• There were times when I felt I could not be what others expected me to be.
• There were times when I felt I was the root of someone else’s problem.

The church leaders went looking to kill JESUS at the feast where people were supposed to be celebrating and remembering how GOD saved them. The crowd quickly turned against JESUS and complained about HIM, calling HIM a deceiver. Even those who witnessed the miracles HE performed became silent. Although a few did say “HE is good.”

• JESUS says to me “I have been slandered even though I have the best intentions for you.”
• JESUS says to me “I have been mislabeled even though I have shown nothing but love for you.”
• JESUS says to me “I have been blamed even though I cared for you.”

Blaming GOD seems to be a default when it comes to not getting “my” way. I mislabel HIS intentions and sometimes categorize them as “evil.” BUT GOD has no evil in HIM. HE has pure love for me and wants only the best for me.

My immature eyes are sometimes opened to HIS marvelous grace that I do not deserve. HE is not to blame, rather to thank. GOD has done so much for me that I cannot thank HIM enough. HE cleans me up from the inside by living in me and those who believe in HIM.

Now when someone slanders me, they are also slandering GOD inside me and vice versa. HE is the one who makes me clean. I am grateful HE calls me good.

• Have you been slandered?
• Do you feel bad about yourself because of what others have said about you?
• Do you think low about yourself even when others have not said anything about you?
• Will you accept the fact that when GOD made you and saved you HE said “You are good, no one can pluck you from MY hand”?

Alone

Alone

John 7: After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. ² Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. ³ His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. ⁴ For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” ⁵ For even His brothers did not believe in Him.

⁶ Then Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. ⁷ The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. ⁸ You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come.” ⁹ When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee.

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Excited about my renewed faith, I went back to my “friends” to tell them about what GOD was teaching me. “This group of people should be excited about my faith in GOD” I thought as I told them about my journey away from the club scene. No one said anything bad to my face but I noticed communication from them to me was slowly dissipating. I felt alone.

• There have been many times when I felt alone because I believed in GOD.
• There have been many times I have felt alone because I wanted a certain group of people to believe in GOD but they would not.
• There have been many times when I could see the struggles people go through and I felt alone because they would not turn to GOD as the answer.

“Why don’t YOU show YOURSELF to the world if YOU are so great?” JESUS’s brothers implied in their disbelief of HIM being GOD. Even family did not believe in HIM. Was Mary, HIS mother, lying when she told everyone about the virgin birth? No! But they still could not understand just how powerful GOD is.

• GOD wants me to understand that I am not alone.
• GOD wants me to know that HE is with me always.
• GOD wants me to believe in HIS power even though many around me will believe in humans over GOD.

Belief in GOD can only be measured by GOD. No human can look at me or someone else and tell how much faith in GOD a person has. BUT GOD knows. HE gives me a measure of faith to believe that HE can and will do anything. HE heals, protects, guides and grows me. HE answers prayers to those who seek HIS face.

Wisdom will be confounded to those who do not believe in HIS power. GOD desires that I place all my faith in HIS teachings and know the battle I face is spiritual. I place my faith in GOD.

• Are you alone in your belief in JESUS?
• Have those around you given up on you because you believe strongly in JESUS?
• Will you keep your faith and pray for everyone GOD sends to you or who HE sends you to?