Guided Light

Guided Light

John 11: ⁵ Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. ⁶ So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. ⁷ Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”

⁸ The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?”

⁹ Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. ¹⁰ But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” ¹¹ These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”

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“Let’s go to this party, it’s going to be wild” someone suggested. For some reason, I did not go this time. I was partied out and was trying to graduate. “No thanks” was my strange reply. Everyone knew I would be there.

The next day, I got a report that a fight broke out and a drunk football player, wielding an ax, hit someone in the arm. They added “but it was the blunt side that he used.”

• Looking back, there were events I am glad I did not attend.
• Looking back, there were groups I am glad I did not hang with.
• Looking back, there were situations that I am glad I did not get into.

Heading into danger, JESUS tells HIS disciples that HE had to go back to Judea. Knowing the church members would stone HIM, the disciples gave a stern warning. JESUS explained what guided HIM.

• GOD wants me to be led by the SPIRIT.
• GOD wants me to have a purpose for my life.
• GOD wants me to see HE has a plan for my life that is greater than any plan a human can ever dream of.

“Half the time it is day where people can see” JESUS explains. HE used this analogy to explain living a life of purpose. Being guided by the “light” means I an enlightened by GOD to do the things HE wants me to do, otherwise I would be guided into meaningless or sinful places.

When my life is over, GOD will look at everything I have done. HE wants me to have some moments where HE values what I have done and will call it “fruit.” I am glad HE leads me to serve.

• What guides you?
• Are jobs, entertainment, lust or pleasure on the top of your mind most of the time?
• Will you allow GOD to enlighten you so you can be led by the HOLY SPIRIT today?

Part of something bigger

Part of something bigger

John 11: Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. ² It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. ³ Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”

⁴ When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

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“Five A.M.?” I questioned. I failed to see the purpose of getting up that early to run, so I did not join the college track team. “Weekly meetings?” I questioned. I wanted a bit more relaxation in my life so I did not join a group to accelerate promotions in the company. I mean, I was already driving over an hour just to get to entry level position.

• Many times I question something that seems painful to me.
• Many times I weigh the pain against the benefits to determine if “this” is useful.
• Many times I use my limited experiences to question what is going on around me.

Lazarus was extremely sick. Mary and Martha sent for JESUS, knowing HE could heal him. Lazarus was a close friend of JESUS so why did he have to become sick in the first place? The entire family “believed” HE was and is GOD, so why the calamity?

• JESUS says to me “You are part of something bigger when you believe in ME.”
• JESUS says to me “These things have to happen so I may be glorified through it.”
• JESUS says to me “Do not grow weary, for your suffering leads to perseverance.”

Questioning GOD’s motive and reason for pain is quite natural. Unfortunately, sometimes I think GOD is a sadistic scientist, using humans as lab rats to see the outcome. BUT GOD forgives my loathsome thinking. HE opens my eyes to HIS love, generosity and mercy towards me.

HE knows HIS fight is not against me, but against the deceiver. HE threw Satan to this earth and cursed the planet, and everything on it, and around it. This was a policy that could not be taken back. HE then died for my sins, just to redeem me. I am now part of the redemption story.

• How do you view GOD?
• Do you feel you cannot trust HIM because you do not see how HE can handle your situation?
• Will you stop looking through human lenses and let GOD handle your situation so HE may be glorified?

Spreading Good News

Spreading Good News

John 10: ⁴⁰ And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing at first, and there He stayed. ⁴¹ Then many came to Him and said, “John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true.” ⁴² And many believed in Him there.

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“Tell your department that they have an extra bonus this year” were the words I was glad to pass on. In fact I was so excited that I dreamed of unique ways to deliver the message. After the spree of wild ideas passed, I settled on a simple lunch celebration. Everyone was excited and they went home and told others.

• When I have good news I get excited.
• When I have good news I cannot wait to tell many people.
• When I have good news I think of who I can share it with and I tell them, hoping they will tell other people.

JESUS went to where John was baptizing. John’s message was unique and full of GOD, unlike the church leaders who were trying to kill JESUS. John dedicated his life to tell people they can have hope. He told many about JESUS before HE arrived. The crowd believed.

• JESUS wants me to tell people a simple message.
• JESUS wants me to let people know they can place all their hope in HIM.
• JESUS wants me to be excited about telling people that HE has forgiven me for all my sins and HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT to comfort me when I have doubts, fears and worries.

What great news! I mean JESUS saw through every sin that I ever did and chose me anyway. HE told me HE loves me, when humans cannot muster up those words. HE knows my faults and doesn’t constantly blame me with bitter retorts. HE then says to me “I forgave you, now go, do the same so others will come to ME.” I am excited to spread the Good News of hope in JESUS!

• Are you excited about JESUS?
• Do you remember when you accepted HIM as your Savior?
• Will you recall the excitement about GOD so you can tell people to place their hope in JESUS today?

Total View

Total View

John 10: ³¹ Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. ³² Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?”

³³ The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”

³⁴ Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods” ’? ³⁵ If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), ³⁶ do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? ³⁷ If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; ³⁸ but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” ³⁹ Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand.

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Angry at the situation, I scheduled a meeting with my boss’s boss. I was tired of my boss snooping around my desk, looking for ideas to steal and call his own. I voiced my frustrations and left. Later, I found out that my boss and my boss’s boss, were friends. I was now in trouble.

• There were times when I did not have the total picture.
• There were times when I did not see danger coming.
• There were times when I did not have enough information to make a decision.

The entire congregation, especially the leaders, were furious at JESUS. HE clearly called HIMSELF GOD and they labeled HIM a blasphemer. Unfortunately for them, they did not have the total view of the situation. They were gravely wrong.

• JESUS reveals HIMSELF to me through HIS word.
• JESUS shows me all I need to know in order to live an abundant life.
• JESUS discloses HIS will to me by giving me HIS Scripture.

“Scripture cannot be broken” is what caught my eye. This means GOD spoke specific words that HE wanted authors to write down. These words are binding and humans will be held accountable to them.

Since some of the words can be taken out of context, GOD wants me to see the total view of what HE has revealed. HE revealed that one day HE would return to collect those who believe in HIM. HE also said that while I wait for that day, the COMFORTER would be here with me. I seek the total view of JESUS.

• Are you living your life on a couple of scriptures you like?
• Are there parts of Scripture that you don’t agree with, so you discount their meaning?
• Will you seek the total revelation of GOD so you can live an abundant life for HIM today?

Silence Problem

Silence Problem

John 10: 22 Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”

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“Please, please, please start” I begged the car. It was not the time for this to happen. When I turned the key, I heard nothing. I was supposed to hear the usual engine noise, but this time, nothing. The silence was heartbreaking.

• Silence, when I’m expecting noise. is usually a bad thing.
• Silence, when I’m expecting to hear from someone. can make me nervous.
• Silence, when I’m expecting the comfort of good news, can make me worry.

The congregation and the church leaders surrounded JESUS, expecting HIM to say something worthy of “their” discipline. JESUS implies they could have heard who HE is, simply by looking at HIS works. HE healed a blind man and they tried to kill HIM. They refused to hear that JESUS is GOD, and that was the problem.

• GOD wants me to hear HIM daily.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS kingdom daily.
• GOD wants me to listen to HIS small, still voice daily.

When I do not hear GOD, there is a problem. I mean, I may mention GOD or even attend church, but there are times when I am lot listening to HIM. GOD wants me to listen to HIM and do what HE says to do. Usually it means loving those who are difficult to love or serving those who will never say thank-you.

GOD speaks to me through the HOYL SPIRIT, enlightening me with HIS word. I find it hard to complain about what someone is doing or not doing when I listen to GOD.HE led me back to HIM and HE can do the same for “that” person. GOD speaks words of love. I am grateful.

• Can you hear GOD?
• What is HE saying to you?
• Will you listen to HIM and go seek HIS kingdom, not for your gain, but for HIM?

Controversy

Controversy

John 10: ¹⁷ “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

¹⁹ Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings. ²⁰ And many of them said, “He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?”

²¹ Others said, “These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

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One person came up to me with a story about “that” person. The claims they made were pretty serious. Another person came up to me in “that” person’s defense, giving me another side of the story. I had a controversial decision to make without all of the information.

• There have been times when I placed in the middle of controversy.
• There have been times when people tried to sway me to one “side” or another.
• There have been times when two opposing crowds were trying to get their way and wanted me to be the deciding factor.

JESUS says some extreme words that caused controversy. HE told everyone that HIS FATHER, GOD, loves HIM because HE chose to die to save all of humanity. Then HE said HE has the power to become alive again. This created a huge division among the Jews.

• GOD wants me to choose this day whom I will serve.
• GOD wants me to take the less popular route and choose HIM.
• GOD wants me to accept the controversy by believing that JESUS is GOD, who became a human, died for my sins and was raised from the dead to regain all power.

Belief in JESUS is very controversial, especially in the days of the “knowledge” by looking something up with technology. Every action GOD does can be explained away by some human observation. BUT GOD refuses to be explained away.

HE seeks me, guides me and shows me HIS power in unconventional ways. HIS power is vast and ways unknown. HE speaks life to those HE chooses. HE enables me to bear fruit. Anyone who opposes HIM will not bear fruit, but breed prideful exclamations that point to themselves. I am glad HE chose me to be on HIS side.

• Where is GOD in your life?
• Is GOD second to your knowledge?
• Can you flip your expertise and place it under GOD?
• Will you become controversial and believe in JESUS, allowing HIM to speak through you today?

Ownership

Ownership

John 10: ¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. ¹² But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. ¹³ The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. ¹⁴ I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. ¹⁵ As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. ¹⁶ And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

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Seeing the overflowing garbage can, I quickly turned my eyes. It was no longer my shift and it was two in the morning. This can was the furthest from the dumpster and besides, it was next to the door on my way home. I bypassed the garbage. “Let the next shift handle it.”

• Many times I overlooked things that I had a “right” to overlook.
• Many times I shirked away from things I felt were not “my” responsibility.
• Many times I avoided messy situations because I did not want to get messy.

JESUS healed a man born blind on the Sabbath and was accused of heresy by the church leaders. HE called them blind and implied they had no part in HIS kingdom. HE switches the conversation and talks about how much HE cares for humans. HE mentions how “HE gave HIS life for the sheep”, both Jews and Gentiles.

• JESUS wants me to share in HIS desire to bring all humans back to HIM.
• JESUS wants me to empathize with HIS goal of looking for those who have wandered away from HIM.
• JESUS wants me to own the problem of seeking the lost and being involved in messy lives.

Owning the problem of bringing people back to GOD seems huge and overwhelming. BUT GOD does not expect me to save the world. HE simply wants me to reach “that” person and then another and another. HE desires my testimony to be simple but sincere. I am a sinner with no solution to sin, BUT JESUS has all solutions. To HIM, I point my life.

• Do you know your neighbors?
• Have you prayed for them or for other people outside of your family?
• Will you own the lives of those around you, without trying to control them and allow GOD to speak about JESUS through you today?

Protection

Protection

John 10: ⁷ Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. ⁸ All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. ⁹ I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

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Wanting to be the top in my industry fed my drive. Long hours and missing family events became the norm as I pursued, what I thought was, abundance. “I’m doing this for the family” I rationalized as the pressure from being on top continued to wear on me. It was three A.M. and I was awake, thinking about work.

• My previous pursuits made me worry.
• My previous pursuits made me lose sleep.
• My previous pursuits made me leave friends and family only to feel pressure to deliver.

JESUS continues to reveal who HE is in this passage. HE explains why HE came, but first, HE explains something important. JESUS talked about thieves and robbers who come to steal, kill and destroy. HE was speaking to the church leaders and those who oppress and exploit people.

• JESUS wants to protect me from my desires that may get in the way of my relationship with HIM.
• JESUS wants to protect me from things that rob me of HIS love.
• JESUS wants to protect me from worries, fears and doubts so I can have abundant life.

“I AM the door” is a strong statement that JESUS gave us. HE tells me that “No one can get you away from ME if you believe in ME.” HE says this to give me “abundant life.” A life where I can find peace and rest in HIM. But the worries of life rob me of this abundance and sometimes kills my relationships because of my pursuits.

GOD sees my futile attempts to hold onto my life and whispers “let go.” “Let ME have your life and I will give you abundance you have never known.” When I let go, GOD always comes through with abundance. I love HIS peace.

• Are you full of complaints and discontent over life?
• Do you feel you have little?
• Will you ask GOD to open your eyes to the abundance of life HE has given you?
• Will you change your thinking about what “true” abundance is and allow HIM to use you to bring an “abundant” amount of people to HIM through you today?

Be Different

Be Different

John 10: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. ² But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. ⁵ Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” ⁶ Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.

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Seeing the professor compliment one of the students made me glad I did not go first. I quickly adjusted my speech to sound like theirs. I figured that would get me extra points. I gave my speech and it seemed like the excitement went out of the room. “Thanks” was all I got. I asked for feedback. “You sounded like everyone else”, was the response.

• There were times when I wanted to be safe with what I said.
• There were times when I wanted everyone to agree with what I said.
• There were times when I wanted to fit in, so I said what “they” said.

JESUS had just told the church leaders they were blind. They taught what they felt the people wanted to hear. Eventually they got a large following that increased their power. They spoke about GOD, but not about JESUS being GOD. JESUS then says “But the sheep will know the Shepherd’s voice.”

• JESUS says to me “Speak about MY kingdom.”
• JESUS says to me “Bring people to ME and I will guide them.”
• JESUS says to me “Take MY yoke upon you and learn of ME.”

Loving yet offensive, is the message of JESUS. I mean HIS word offends everyone because they have to admit they are a sinner. It makes me say “I am wrong and need help that I cannot get from a human.” This offends those who love religions, programs and especially those who have all the answers.

GOD is the only answer and JESUS is the only way. HIS message is so simple that people walk away from it, thinking it has no power. BUT GOD says be different. HE wants me to tell people I am a weak sinner, but I have hope. This hope comes from JESUS. I am grateful for HIS vast power.

• What do you sound like in public?
• Do you sound and act like the world?
• Will you dare to be different and admit “your” sins to people so they will feel comfortable admitting their sins?
• Will you lift JESUS up to where HE should be when you talk about solutions today?

Roots

Roots

John 9: ³⁵ Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?”

³⁶ He answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?”

³⁷ And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.”

³⁸ Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him.

³⁹ And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.”

⁴⁰ Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, “Are we blind also?”

⁴¹ Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.

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After the third promotion I could see the top getting a bit closer. Nervous about the trail, I resorted to listening to lines from some cheesy movie. “You are the master” are the words I remembered, to give me confidence. “You can do this!” I went in and got the promotion. I was invincible! Or so I thought.

• There were times when I had a lot of “self-confidence.”
• There were times when I believed in myself and “my” abilities.
• There were times when I thought “I” accomplished a lot.

JESUS reveals HE is GOD to the man HE healed of blindness. HE then asks “Do you believe in the SON of GOD?” The man says “Yes!” The church leaders, who were very confident in their titles, asked “Are we blind?” They knew the Bible thoroughly and mentioned GOD regularly. They could not “see” their blindness.

• GOD wants me to only have confidence in HIS abilities.
• GOD wants me place my trust in HIS abilities, motives and methods.
• GOD wants me to admit I am blind and need HIM every second of every day.

Forgetting that GOD raised me up from very meager roots led to my blindness. I foolishly believed that it was “my” talents that raised me up to where I got to. My ego was deflated when it was all taken away. GOD showed me just how blind I had gotten. I forgot to give HIM credit for the little things as well as the large.

GOD is in control of everything, no matter what humans think. All trust needs to be placed in JESUS for only HE knows the true plan. GOD is my master, in HIM I place my trust.

• Are you over confident in your abilities?
• Do you suffer from lack of confidence because you think you lack abilities?
• Will you remember where you came from and believe GOD made you exactly as HE wanted so you can serve HIM today?

Subject Matter Expert

Subject Matter Expert

John 9: ²⁶ Then they said to him again, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?”

²⁷ He answered them, “I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?”

²⁸ Then they reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples. ²⁹ We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from.”

³⁰ The man answered and said to them, “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! ³¹ Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. ³² Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. ³³ If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.”

³⁴ They answered and said to him, “You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?” And they cast him out.

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Being deemed the subject matter expert was a hidden honor to me. I mean whenever someone had questions, they would come to me for the answers. I felt needed and wanted. One day, someone came up to me with a question that I could not answer. How dare they! “Why were they trying to trip me up?” I thought.

• There were times when I thought I could “know it all.”
• There were times when I believed I could be the one who had all the answers.
• There were times when I felt so great about being the subject matter expert that I would defend my title.

The church leaders kept interrogating the man healed of his blindness by JESUS. They repeated their questions, not seeking the truth but to see if they could catch the man in a lie. The man had enough and asked them, “How could HE heal me, the way HE healed me, if HE were not from GOD? This question stumped them so they threw him out of the community.

• GOD wants me to know he raises other people for HIS purpose.
• GOD wants me to accept that I am not the only one who follows HIM.
• GOD wants me to place HIM as the only one who is superior.

Superiority is a fatal flaw that GOD wants to get rid of. Bragging and boasting about being an “expert” in knowing GOD or HIS word can be a weakness. The Pharisees could not see GOD when HE arrived because of their blindness to their lust for power. They were supposed to be the experts.

JESUS wants me to be able to hear HIM speak even through the youngest child. HIS truth is true from the rich and learned as well as the poor and unlearned. HE can and will use unlikely people to spread HIS word. I am glad HE gives me grace to hear HIM.

• Do you consider yourself a subject matter expert?
• Do you give GOD any credit for what you know?
• Will you allow GOD to open your ears to hear from people who may not be an expert?

Assumptive Knowledge

Assumptive Knowledge

John 9: ²⁴ So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him, “Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner.”

²⁵ He answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.”

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It was time to visit a college so I asked everyone to get in the car. I used someone else’s GPS to put in the directions and began driving. After a long while, something seemed wrong. “Let me see that GPS” I said. The volume was down and it was not connected to the car. For over an hour, I did not hear the messages to turn around. I just knew I had done everything right!

• Sometimes my assumptions are wrong.
• Sometimes my assumptions may lead me in the wrong direction.
• Sometimes my assumptions can cost something precious.

“We know that this Man is a sinner” the church leaders assumed about JESUS. They assumed HE was some random guy trying to get their power. They loved their power over the people and would never let anyone threaten their position. They used the name “GOD” but assumed it was not JESUS.

• JESUS wants me to know HE is GOD.
• JESUS wants me to know HE loves me.
• JESUS wants me to know HE is the only one who can save me eternally.

My assumptions about GOD can be wrong at times. I mean when things are not going so well, I may assume HE does not love me. I may also assume I can manipulate GOD by trying to be good after I sinned. GOD is bigger than my sinful actions HIS grace is sufficient to save me and forgive me. I no longer have to assume. I know GOD is for me.

• Do you feel GOD is against you?
• Do you think HE finds pleasure in your pain?
• Will you stop your assumptive thinking and know GOD is the only solution to your problem?

Innovation Interrogation

Innovation Interrogation

John 9: ¹⁷ They said to the blind man again, “What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?”

He said, “He is a prophet.”

¹⁸ But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind and received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight. ¹⁹ And they asked them, saying, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?”

²⁰ His parents answered them and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; ²¹ but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself.” ²² His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. ²³ Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

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In the meeting I asked one person for suggestions. “Brilliant!” I exclaimed to their answer. I asked follow on questions to get them to think of new ideas. When another person tried to add their remarks, I replied “Thanks, but not right now.” Then I added, “Can you stay after the meeting?” knowing I wanted to ask questions about their strange expenses.

• There have been times when I asked questions of people, knowing fully that I did not believe them.
• There have been times when I have put together a line of questions that forced people to prove themselves.
• There have been times when I sought after the guilt of a person.

The church leaders were getting nowhere with the healed blind man so they brought in his parents. They hoped his parents would say, “This man is not our son” or “He never was blind” but they confirmed he was their son who was born blind. His parents feared the church leader’s power to make them homeless and ostracized.

• GOD wants me to seek the innocence in people in order to bring them to HIM.
• GOD wants me to look at people with grace so they can grow in HIM.
• GOD wants me to add to people versus taking away from them.

Innovative questions assume expertise, wisdom and capability. Interrogation questions assume guilt, wrong motive and need for correction. GOD wants me to be in the innovative realm as much as possible. HE is the creator and has given me the ability to do the same on a much smaller scale.

It takes patience, grace and mercy to think innovatively. GOD wants me to build people up instead of trying to tear them down. I ask GOD for help in this and I am grateful HE gives mercy.

• Are you asking interrogation type questions to people around you?
• Are you seeking their guilt so you can look better?
• Will you start asking innovative questions so people can grow in the way GOD wants them to?

Following the Rules

Following the Rules

Jon 9: ¹³ They brought him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees. ¹⁴ Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. ¹⁵ Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.”

¹⁶ Therefore some of the Pharisees said, “This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.”

Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them.

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“You cannot leave the table until you finish your food” was the rule imposed on me. The problem was, I hated most food at that stage in my life. “How do I get the food off of my plate without it going into my mouth?” was the question I pondered. The answer came to me. I was sitting on a chair with pillows. I lifted up the pillow and shoveled the food under it. Rule followed!

• There were times when I interpreted the rule to my advantage.
• There were times when I did not enjoy the rule so I figured out ways to get around it without breaking it.
• There were times when I felt the rule held me hostage and I had no delight in the rule.

Blind from birth, a man was healed by JESUS. This awesome demonstration of power was met with contempt by the church leaders. Blindly, they overlooked the obvious facts that JESUS was and is GOD, by accusing HIM of doing work on the Sabbath. JESUS encroached on their lifestyle by showing compassion on their day off.

• GOD wants me to look at HIS rules as a guide to bring people to CHRIST.
• GOD wants me to use HIS rules as freedom rather than bondage for those HE wants me to bring to CHRIST.
• GOD wants me to drop my insecurities, doubts and fears so I can have my spiritual eyes opened to follow HIS rules with love.

GOD did not make humans so HE could torture them with rules they could not follow. HE made humans, knowing they would sin. The rules were made as a map back to the right path, which is JESUS, the CHRIST. If I interpret the rule in a way to “get around it” then I will remain lost. I am grateful GOD’s word is a way back to HIM.

• Are you lost?
• Are you making GOD’s word fit “under” your education or human observations?
• Will you place GOD’s word higher than what you learn so you can see HIS power and love daily?

What is the purpose?

What is the purpose?

John 9: ⁶ When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. ⁷ And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.

⁸ Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind said, “Is not this he who sat and begged?”

⁹ Some said, “This is he.” Others said, “He is like him.”

He said, “I am he.”

¹⁰ Therefore they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?”

¹¹ He answered and said, “A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received sight.”

¹² Then they said to him, “Where is He?”

He said, “I do not know.”

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“That’s it! I’ve had enough!” I exclaimed. Problems had multiplied and I was alone. Having nowhere to turn, I decided to get on my knees and pray. It had been a while, but I did not know what to do. Before I prayed, I recalled my own words. “What’s the purpose of going to church?” Then I remembered incriminating the hypocrites who taught and preached. I wasn’t worshiping GOD.

• There was a time when I questioned the power of GOD.
• There was a time when I dared GOD to do HIS worst to me.
• There was a time when I doubted GOD’s love for me and power over my life.

JESUS spat on the ground and made clay to put over the blind man’s eyes. HE then “sent” him to the pool named “Sent” to wash off the clay. The blind man did so and was healed. But why the theatrics? Couldn’t JESUS just touch him and heal him? Yes, but there was a purpose.

• JESUS wants me to know there is a purpose for everything that I go through.
• JESUS wants me to understand that there is a reason I go through problems.
• JESUS wants me to acknowledge HIS power and seek HIM for the rest of my life.

Nowadays we label things as “birth defects.” BUT GOD may label it as a showing of HIS power. HE healed one person and thousands, if not millions, believed in HIS power. We still read this story today and get hope.

JESUS had a purpose for this person being healed after decades of living with the problem. HE could show everyone that HE is in control of physical ailments and long lasting problems. HE gave the town hope. I place my hope in JESUS.

• Are you questioning GOD?
• Do you question the “purpose” of HIS decisions?
• Will you stop doubting GOD based on your little knowledge of HIM and ask HIM to grow your faith so you can trust HIM more and more?