John 18:11 “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
What struck me: Jesus was willing to take a step of faith that He knew would cost Him.
Spacepets:
When was the last time my faith cost me anything? Money, time, comfort… If it isn’t costly, why not? Am I really willing to follow Jesus?
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Day 26
John 17:11 “Holy Father protect them by the power of your name – the name you gave me – so that they may be one as we are one.”
What struck me: Why pray for protection? They would be attacked with the goal of dividing them. Jesus prayed for protection so that they would be one as Jesus and the Father are one. This is an incredibly tight connection and it’s what Jesus wants for all of His followers. Wow.
Spacepets:
Truth: This is what I need to strive for. I need to get better at fighting for unity! The unity of the church is so important and I need to pray for God’s protection over us. God, protect us so that we can be one as you and your son are one.
What struck me: Why pray for protection? They would be attacked with the goal of dividing them. Jesus prayed for protection so that they would be one as Jesus and the Father are one. This is an incredibly tight connection and it’s what Jesus wants for all of His followers. Wow.
Spacepets:
Truth: This is what I need to strive for. I need to get better at fighting for unity! The unity of the church is so important and I need to pray for God’s protection over us. God, protect us so that we can be one as you and your son are one.
Day 25
John 16:3 “They will do this (persecute you) because they have not known the Father or me.”
What struck me: This is one of the key phrases in the New Testament. There were highly religious people doing lots of religious activities, but it didn’t matter. They did not KNOW Him. Compare this verse with John 15:21 – I never knew you.
Spacepets:
Error to avoid: This is one of the most important messages I could deliver today. To help people understand that there is a difference between knowing about God and knowing God. This is one of the biggest issues in WI. Many people know about God, but don’t know Him.
What struck me: This is one of the key phrases in the New Testament. There were highly religious people doing lots of religious activities, but it didn’t matter. They did not KNOW Him. Compare this verse with John 15:21 – I never knew you.
Spacepets:
Error to avoid: This is one of the most important messages I could deliver today. To help people understand that there is a difference between knowing about God and knowing God. This is one of the biggest issues in WI. Many people know about God, but don’t know Him.
Day 24
John 15:2 “Every branch that does not bear fruit He prunes so that it will be more fruitful.”
What struck me: This is why we suffer when we decide to step out and try something for God. God begins working in our life to prune us and to increase our fruit bearing potential.
Spacepets:
Sin to confess: Forgive me for the times I’ve fought with you over the pruning process
Promise: God will do this in my life.
Attitude: I need to be humble and teachable so that God can improve me
What struck me: This is why we suffer when we decide to step out and try something for God. God begins working in our life to prune us and to increase our fruit bearing potential.
Spacepets:
Sin to confess: Forgive me for the times I’ve fought with you over the pruning process
Promise: God will do this in my life.
Attitude: I need to be humble and teachable so that God can improve me
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Day 23
John 14:21 “whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me.”
What struck me: The #1 command God has given us is to love God above all. Our love for God is demonstrated by our obedience. If we obey Him, we love Him. If we say NO to God in any area, it reveals that our love for God is NOT where it should be.
Spacepets:
Error to avoid: Are there any areas of my life where I’m not saying yes to God?
What struck me: The #1 command God has given us is to love God above all. Our love for God is demonstrated by our obedience. If we obey Him, we love Him. If we say NO to God in any area, it reveals that our love for God is NOT where it should be.
Spacepets:
Error to avoid: Are there any areas of my life where I’m not saying yes to God?
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Day 22
John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”
What struck me: This becomes one of the most important commands of Jesus. Love one another. Three times in these few sentences, Jesus commands it. Love One Another. Just think how unified churches in America would be if we could learn to do this.
Spacepets:
Command to obey: Do I love the Christians around me? Are there Christians that I am NOT acting in loving ways toward right now? Since love acts patiently, am I being impatient with someone right now in my life?
What struck me: This becomes one of the most important commands of Jesus. Love one another. Three times in these few sentences, Jesus commands it. Love One Another. Just think how unified churches in America would be if we could learn to do this.
Spacepets:
Command to obey: Do I love the Christians around me? Are there Christians that I am NOT acting in loving ways toward right now? Since love acts patiently, am I being impatient with someone right now in my life?
Monday, June 21, 2010
Day 21
Congrats on making it 21 days! No matter how fast you are going, this is great progress!
John 13:1 “It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.”
What struck me: Jesus showed them the full extent of his love. Not just that He loved them. He wanted to show them how deep and wide His love was for them.
Spacepets:
I’m not sure why this one struck me. I just like the wording “full extent of his love.” Especially when you read tomorrow’s entry.
John 13:1 “It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.”
What struck me: Jesus showed them the full extent of his love. Not just that He loved them. He wanted to show them how deep and wide His love was for them.
Spacepets:
I’m not sure why this one struck me. I just like the wording “full extent of his love.” Especially when you read tomorrow’s entry.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Day 20
John 12: 46 “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in the darkness.”
What struck me: We don’t tend to think of ourselves as people who live in darkness even though we see the evidence of the darkness all around us in the pain and suffering. Jesus used this metaphor of darkness and light regularly.
Spacepets:
Promise to believe: I am not in darkness anymore.
Thank God: I am not in darkness anymore.
What struck me: We don’t tend to think of ourselves as people who live in darkness even though we see the evidence of the darkness all around us in the pain and suffering. Jesus used this metaphor of darkness and light regularly.
Spacepets:
Promise to believe: I am not in darkness anymore.
Thank God: I am not in darkness anymore.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Day 19
John 12:6 “He didn’t say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. As keeper of the money bag he used to help himself to what was put into it."
What struck me: How hard was this to do? Judas lived for three years in the presence of the perfect Son of God and still remained a thief. How did he do this? Didn’t it bother him? How hard was it to hold on to this as he saw more and more miracles? The progression in the book for him seems to go from more faith to less faith. Quite a contrast with verse 11 where many were putting their faith in Jesus.
Spacepets:
Error to avoid: Does this story mean that our sin will destroy our faith? It definitely shows that our hearts are very fragile. We can choose to easily harden our hearts to God. Watch your heart! Don’t let it be hardened so you just accept your sin. If you embrace your sin, it will destroy your faith.
What struck me: How hard was this to do? Judas lived for three years in the presence of the perfect Son of God and still remained a thief. How did he do this? Didn’t it bother him? How hard was it to hold on to this as he saw more and more miracles? The progression in the book for him seems to go from more faith to less faith. Quite a contrast with verse 11 where many were putting their faith in Jesus.
Spacepets:
Error to avoid: Does this story mean that our sin will destroy our faith? It definitely shows that our hearts are very fragile. We can choose to easily harden our hearts to God. Watch your heart! Don’t let it be hardened so you just accept your sin. If you embrace your sin, it will destroy your faith.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Day 18
John 11: 46 “But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.”
What struck me: This amazed me! These witnesses had just seen Lazarus come back from the dead. That’s an incredible thing to see! However, instead of faith, they immediately ran back to Jesus’s enemies and told them what He had just done. Now that’s unbelief. There are some people who will not believe no matter what they see or hear. They cling to their unbelief and not even the most amazing miracle would change their mind.
Spacepets:
Sin to confess: Have their been times in my life where I’ve clung to unbelief when I should have chosen faith? Are there any of God’s promises I struggle to believe as true or that I refuse to believe are true?
What struck me: This amazed me! These witnesses had just seen Lazarus come back from the dead. That’s an incredible thing to see! However, instead of faith, they immediately ran back to Jesus’s enemies and told them what He had just done. Now that’s unbelief. There are some people who will not believe no matter what they see or hear. They cling to their unbelief and not even the most amazing miracle would change their mind.
Spacepets:
Sin to confess: Have their been times in my life where I’ve clung to unbelief when I should have chosen faith? Are there any of God’s promises I struggle to believe as true or that I refuse to believe are true?
Day 18
John 11: 46 “But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.”
What struck me: This amazed me! These witnesses had just seen Lazarus come back from the dead. That’s an incredible thing to see! However, instead of faith, they immediately ran back to Jesus’s enemies and told them what He had just done. Now that’s unbelief. There are some people who will not believe no matter what they see or hear. They cling to their unbelief and not even the most amazing miracle would change their mind.
Spacepets:
Sin to confess: Have their been times in my life where I’ve clung to unbelief when I should have chosen faith? Are there any of God’s promises I struggle to believe as true or that I refuse to believe are true?
What struck me: This amazed me! These witnesses had just seen Lazarus come back from the dead. That’s an incredible thing to see! However, instead of faith, they immediately ran back to Jesus’s enemies and told them what He had just done. Now that’s unbelief. There are some people who will not believe no matter what they see or hear. They cling to their unbelief and not even the most amazing miracle would change their mind.
Spacepets:
Sin to confess: Have their been times in my life where I’ve clung to unbelief when I should have chosen faith? Are there any of God’s promises I struggle to believe as true or that I refuse to believe are true?
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Dive 17
John 11:6 “Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.”
What struck me: His good friend was sick, but Jesus stayed where he was for two more days. He did this on purpose so that when He arrived, Lazarus would be in the tomb four days. Nobody could fake their death in a tomb for four days. This was all about
a) Proving it was a genuine miracle
b) Expanding the faith of His followers
In John 11:15 Jesus says this was “so that you may believe.”
Then in John 11:45 it says that many put their faith in him.
Spacepets:
Example and truth to believe: Jesus will intentionally put situations in my path designed to bring glory to Him and stretch my faith. Thank God that He is very patient! He was very patient with the sisters as their faith was challenged.
Prayer to pray: God, continue to help my faith grow.
What struck me: His good friend was sick, but Jesus stayed where he was for two more days. He did this on purpose so that when He arrived, Lazarus would be in the tomb four days. Nobody could fake their death in a tomb for four days. This was all about
a) Proving it was a genuine miracle
b) Expanding the faith of His followers
In John 11:15 Jesus says this was “so that you may believe.”
Then in John 11:45 it says that many put their faith in him.
Spacepets:
Example and truth to believe: Jesus will intentionally put situations in my path designed to bring glory to Him and stretch my faith. Thank God that He is very patient! He was very patient with the sisters as their faith was challenged.
Prayer to pray: God, continue to help my faith grow.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Day 16
John 10: 28 “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish”
What struck me: Here again is the offer of God – Eternal life to all who believe in Jesus. We are so secure in this new life that we will “never perish”. Obviously this doesn't mean that our physical bodies won't perish. It's referring to our eternal souls. For our soul to be separated from God is death. What He's promising is that when we believe in Jesus, they will never be separated, never die...they will NEVER perish.
Spacepets:
Truth to believe: This is what I believe. Because I have believed in Jesus, I’m forgiven and free. I had nothing to do with it – I just received it as a free gift and now my soul will NEVER perish. Cool!
What struck me: Here again is the offer of God – Eternal life to all who believe in Jesus. We are so secure in this new life that we will “never perish”. Obviously this doesn't mean that our physical bodies won't perish. It's referring to our eternal souls. For our soul to be separated from God is death. What He's promising is that when we believe in Jesus, they will never be separated, never die...they will NEVER perish.
Spacepets:
Truth to believe: This is what I believe. Because I have believed in Jesus, I’m forgiven and free. I had nothing to do with it – I just received it as a free gift and now my soul will NEVER perish. Cool!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Day 15
John 10:18 "No one takes it from me (His life), but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
What struck me: As Jesus was talking about His death, He was very clear about what was going to happen. He was going to voluntarily lay down His life and voluntarily take it up again. This is the power of God. No other human being could ever say this. I could not lay down my life and then take it up again. I can only lay it down. That's the difference between Jesus and all of us.
Spacepets:
Truth to believe: This is one of the statements where Jesus again reveals His true identity. He’s not just a man. He is fully the son of God.
What struck me: As Jesus was talking about His death, He was very clear about what was going to happen. He was going to voluntarily lay down His life and voluntarily take it up again. This is the power of God. No other human being could ever say this. I could not lay down my life and then take it up again. I can only lay it down. That's the difference between Jesus and all of us.
Spacepets:
Truth to believe: This is one of the statements where Jesus again reveals His true identity. He’s not just a man. He is fully the son of God.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Day 14
John 9:6 “Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes.”
What struck me: Why did Jesus spit? He didn’t need to do this in order to heal the blind guy. Did He do this to confront the Pharisees wrong thinking since He knew the blind man, once he was healed, would be in front of them? Was He just trying to shake them from their complacency? Some of them even knew that a sinner could not do such miraculous signs, but it still wasn’t enough to turn them from unbelief to faith. (see verse 16)
Spacepets:
I have no idea what to learn from this one. I’m still thinking about it. (By the way, sometimes things will strike you, but you won't know why at the time. This was one of those times.)
What struck me: Why did Jesus spit? He didn’t need to do this in order to heal the blind guy. Did He do this to confront the Pharisees wrong thinking since He knew the blind man, once he was healed, would be in front of them? Was He just trying to shake them from their complacency? Some of them even knew that a sinner could not do such miraculous signs, but it still wasn’t enough to turn them from unbelief to faith. (see verse 16)
Spacepets:
I have no idea what to learn from this one. I’m still thinking about it. (By the way, sometimes things will strike you, but you won't know why at the time. This was one of those times.)
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Day 13
John 8:21 “Once more Jesus said to them, ‘I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin.’”
What struck me: Notice how much Jesus is trying to get them to understand that they are in HUGE trouble. He says it again in John 8:24 – “I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.” You can hear Jesus trying to warn them over and over again. And remember, these were people who hated him and fought against Him, but He still loved them and cared about them and wanted them to know what was at stake.
Spacepets:
Example to follow: Jesus wants me to lovingly reach out – even to people that don’t like me. There’s too much at stake to be petty. Also, it seems like it’s appropriate to warn people at times about what’s at stake. Jesus did this.
What struck me: Notice how much Jesus is trying to get them to understand that they are in HUGE trouble. He says it again in John 8:24 – “I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.” You can hear Jesus trying to warn them over and over again. And remember, these were people who hated him and fought against Him, but He still loved them and cared about them and wanted them to know what was at stake.
Spacepets:
Example to follow: Jesus wants me to lovingly reach out – even to people that don’t like me. There’s too much at stake to be petty. Also, it seems like it’s appropriate to warn people at times about what’s at stake. Jesus did this.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Day 12
John 8:31 “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.’”
What struck me: It’s a conditional promise. I never noticed that before. It says IF you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples. It’s not enough to just hear about Jesus or listen to Him occasionally, but a disciple is someone who will grasp and hold on to his words and His promises.
Spacepets:
Promise to claim: By learning and holding on to the teachings of Jesus, I get freedom. This has been true throughout my life. His teachings have “set me free” in India, Madison, and many other locations and times.
What struck me: It’s a conditional promise. I never noticed that before. It says IF you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples. It’s not enough to just hear about Jesus or listen to Him occasionally, but a disciple is someone who will grasp and hold on to his words and His promises.
Spacepets:
Promise to claim: By learning and holding on to the teachings of Jesus, I get freedom. This has been true throughout my life. His teachings have “set me free” in India, Madison, and many other locations and times.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Day 11
John 7:24 “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.”
What struck me: After watching the miracles of Jesus and listening to His teaching, the crowd called him demon-possessed. What struck me about this was how confrontational Jesus was in this situation. Jesus’s message wasn’t just a message of peace and love. There were times when He went after people also. He was trying to get them to think about the truth of His message.
Spacepets:
Example to follow: How do I do this? What situations require this? Are there situations in my life right now that require me to say something direct right now?
What struck me: After watching the miracles of Jesus and listening to His teaching, the crowd called him demon-possessed. What struck me about this was how confrontational Jesus was in this situation. Jesus’s message wasn’t just a message of peace and love. There were times when He went after people also. He was trying to get them to think about the truth of His message.
Spacepets:
Example to follow: How do I do this? What situations require this? Are there situations in my life right now that require me to say something direct right now?
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Day 10
John 6: 29 “Then they asked him, ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’ Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’”
What struck me: I love this verse! When people want to know about what works they have to do to please God, this is the verse to show them. Here are the works: BELIEVE in Jesus. That’s what He wants us “to do”. That's the "work" God requires from us. Just believe. It's really that simple.
Spacepets:
Truth to believe: The only work you have to do to be ok with God is to BELIEVE!
What struck me: I love this verse! When people want to know about what works they have to do to please God, this is the verse to show them. Here are the works: BELIEVE in Jesus. That’s what He wants us “to do”. That's the "work" God requires from us. Just believe. It's really that simple.
Spacepets:
Truth to believe: The only work you have to do to be ok with God is to BELIEVE!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Day 9
John 6:5-6 “When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’”
What struck me: I love what Jesus was doing here! He knew full well what He was going to do! He wasn't really asking the question because He didn't know. He was going to feed the 5000 with a miracle. So then why ask the question? I believe it was because He was testing the faith of His disciples. He was putting them in a situation that was impossible for them to fix on their own. They needed Jesus. They would have to rely on Him.
Spacepets:
Attitude to change: God will put me in situations where I am facing problems beyond my ability to handle it on my own. I know He will do this not to hurt me, but to help me keep relying on Him. Am I in a situation like that today? Will I trust Him?
Truth to believe: God is always trying to move us back to that original order where we are relying on Him. Not so that we will be hurt, but so that we will experience His supernatural power. Faith is the key to experiencing God in life!
What struck me: I love what Jesus was doing here! He knew full well what He was going to do! He wasn't really asking the question because He didn't know. He was going to feed the 5000 with a miracle. So then why ask the question? I believe it was because He was testing the faith of His disciples. He was putting them in a situation that was impossible for them to fix on their own. They needed Jesus. They would have to rely on Him.
Spacepets:
Attitude to change: God will put me in situations where I am facing problems beyond my ability to handle it on my own. I know He will do this not to hurt me, but to help me keep relying on Him. Am I in a situation like that today? Will I trust Him?
Truth to believe: God is always trying to move us back to that original order where we are relying on Him. Not so that we will be hurt, but so that we will experience His supernatural power. Faith is the key to experiencing God in life!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Day 8
John 5: 24 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”
What struck me: I love the way Jesus expresses what happens to a person on the day they believe. At the moment of faith, we “cross over”. It makes me think of crossing over something large – like crossing over an ocean or crossing over a mountain. Notice, also, the word is past tense. "he has crossed over"... It’s already happened. Because of faith, my soul has gone from death to life. It's already happened. I've crossed over.
Spacepets:
Promise to claim: This is what has happened to me! Because of Jesus, I have gone from death to life.
Something to thank God for: God, I want to thank you for doing this for me. It's all because of you that I have this amazing gift.
What struck me: I love the way Jesus expresses what happens to a person on the day they believe. At the moment of faith, we “cross over”. It makes me think of crossing over something large – like crossing over an ocean or crossing over a mountain. Notice, also, the word is past tense. "he has crossed over"... It’s already happened. Because of faith, my soul has gone from death to life. It's already happened. I've crossed over.
Spacepets:
Promise to claim: This is what has happened to me! Because of Jesus, I have gone from death to life.
Something to thank God for: God, I want to thank you for doing this for me. It's all because of you that I have this amazing gift.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Day 7
John 4: 48 “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”
What struck me: Jesus has already done so much, but still they wanted more. It made me wonder if Jesus was sad as He said these words to them. In order for their faith to begin, they had to see more and more miracles or they would not believe. Contrast this with the words of John 4:41 – “And because of his words many more became believers.” What a difference! All they needed were words and they believed. The other group required miracles. Some people take a LOT to build faith and some need less. Why? I'm not sure sure, but the ones with faith are the ones who experience God.
Spacepets:
Error to avoid: How strong is my faith in Jesus? Are there promises of God that I do not believe? Does my faith please Him or sadden Him?
Prayer to pray: God, I want my faith to continue to grow so that you are pleased by how much I trust you even without having to see you.
What struck me: Jesus has already done so much, but still they wanted more. It made me wonder if Jesus was sad as He said these words to them. In order for their faith to begin, they had to see more and more miracles or they would not believe. Contrast this with the words of John 4:41 – “And because of his words many more became believers.” What a difference! All they needed were words and they believed. The other group required miracles. Some people take a LOT to build faith and some need less. Why? I'm not sure sure, but the ones with faith are the ones who experience God.
Spacepets:
Error to avoid: How strong is my faith in Jesus? Are there promises of God that I do not believe? Does my faith please Him or sadden Him?
Prayer to pray: God, I want my faith to continue to grow so that you are pleased by how much I trust you even without having to see you.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Day 6
John 4:14 "…whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
What struck me: I love what Jesus offers us. It’s ETERNAL life. The word that struck me here is the word eternal. This is the kind of life Jesus came to bring us! Not just temporary life, it was eternal life. Life that will never end! Notice, it’s what Jesus told Nicodemus that He was offering in John 3:15 and it was the same message that John the Baptist said that Jesus would be offering in John 3:36. All throughout John, Jesus repeats this message. He is offering us something we cannot have on our own. His gift to humanity is eternal life.
Spacepets:
Something to thank God for: Thank you God for giving me something I could never earn! Eternal life.
What struck me: I love what Jesus offers us. It’s ETERNAL life. The word that struck me here is the word eternal. This is the kind of life Jesus came to bring us! Not just temporary life, it was eternal life. Life that will never end! Notice, it’s what Jesus told Nicodemus that He was offering in John 3:15 and it was the same message that John the Baptist said that Jesus would be offering in John 3:36. All throughout John, Jesus repeats this message. He is offering us something we cannot have on our own. His gift to humanity is eternal life.
Spacepets:
Something to thank God for: Thank you God for giving me something I could never earn! Eternal life.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Day 5
John 3:30 “He must become greater; I must become less.”
What struck me: I love John’s attitude! Instead of clinging to the idea that his ministry must keep growing, he doesn’t make it about himself. It’s all about Jesus. All that mattered was Jesus. If John’s ministry dies out, but Jesus’s ministry grew that was just fine with John.
Spacepets:
Example to follow: I love John’s attitude. I love that it’s just all about Jesus! Is this my attitude also?
What struck me: I love John’s attitude! Instead of clinging to the idea that his ministry must keep growing, he doesn’t make it about himself. It’s all about Jesus. All that mattered was Jesus. If John’s ministry dies out, but Jesus’s ministry grew that was just fine with John.
Spacepets:
Example to follow: I love John’s attitude. I love that it’s just all about Jesus! Is this my attitude also?
Friday, June 4, 2010
Day 4
John 3:2 He (Nicodemus) came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. for no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if god were not with him.”
What struck me: Nicodemus was able to connect the displays of power (miraculous signs that Jesus was doing) as evidence of God’s presence. He understood that no mere human could do these things.
Where God is present and working there will be displays of power. Not just normal stuff. People’s lives will really be changed. Situations will be changed that cannot be attributed to man's power.
Spacepets:
Prayer to pray: God, I want to see more of your power. Change my life and allow me to be a part of your incredible work.
What struck me: Nicodemus was able to connect the displays of power (miraculous signs that Jesus was doing) as evidence of God’s presence. He understood that no mere human could do these things.
Where God is present and working there will be displays of power. Not just normal stuff. People’s lives will really be changed. Situations will be changed that cannot be attributed to man's power.
Spacepets:
Prayer to pray: God, I want to see more of your power. Change my life and allow me to be a part of your incredible work.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Day 3
John 2:12 "After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days."
What struck me: Periodically, Jesus withdrew with his disciples and just spent time with them alone. You can also see this in John 3:22 – “After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized.” Why? Here's my best guess: His time alone with them allowed him to teach them, strengthen His relationship with them, and mentor them. I imagine that what Jesus valued was both the teaching time and relationship building time.
SPACEPETS:
Example to follow: I think this is one of the key elements of helping people grow. It takes both time together with people who are spiritually growing and good teaching.
Prayer to pray: God, is there someone else who can come in my life to help me grow? Do I need to look for a mentor in some area of my life who can teach me how to live more like you?
What struck me: Periodically, Jesus withdrew with his disciples and just spent time with them alone. You can also see this in John 3:22 – “After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized.” Why? Here's my best guess: His time alone with them allowed him to teach them, strengthen His relationship with them, and mentor them. I imagine that what Jesus valued was both the teaching time and relationship building time.
SPACEPETS:
Example to follow: I think this is one of the key elements of helping people grow. It takes both time together with people who are spiritually growing and good teaching.
Prayer to pray: God, is there someone else who can come in my life to help me grow? Do I need to look for a mentor in some area of my life who can teach me how to live more like you?
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Day 2
Welcome to Day 2! Here's what I wrote about in my journal:
John 1:19 “Now this was John’s testimony…”
What struck me: The word testimony struck me. It is repeated several times in the first part of this book:
John 1:7 – He came as a witness to testify…
John 1:15 – John testifies concerning him…
John came to testify about Jesus. We usually only think of that word being used at a trial. We bring in an expert to give testimony about what is true.
SPACEPETS:
Example: There is an example to follow here. John knew his purpose. He was here to testify to Jesus. That’s my role also. I am supposed to continually testify about Jesus – who He is and what He has done. A testimony is simply someone telling another person what they have experienced. My life is certainly different because of Jesus and that's my "testimony". Is there someone I need to “testify” to today?
John 1:19 “Now this was John’s testimony…”
What struck me: The word testimony struck me. It is repeated several times in the first part of this book:
John 1:7 – He came as a witness to testify…
John 1:15 – John testifies concerning him…
John came to testify about Jesus. We usually only think of that word being used at a trial. We bring in an expert to give testimony about what is true.
SPACEPETS:
Example: There is an example to follow here. John knew his purpose. He was here to testify to Jesus. That’s my role also. I am supposed to continually testify about Jesus – who He is and what He has done. A testimony is simply someone telling another person what they have experienced. My life is certainly different because of Jesus and that's my "testimony". Is there someone I need to “testify” to today?
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Day 1
John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
What struck me: When Jesus is called “the Word” it struck me. It’s a strange thing to call Jesus. But think about what words do. Words communicate, reveal what’s in our heart, explain, describe and Jesus does all of this for us. Jesus communicates to us what the Father is like, what’s in the heart of our Father, describes and models our Father for us. (By the way, you can look on page 128 in your commentary for more ideas on why Jesus was called “the Word".)
S.P.A.C.E.P.E.T.S.: (sin to confess, promise to claim, attitude to change, command to obey, example to follow, prayer to pray, error to avoid, truth to believe, something to thank God for)
Thank God: Thank God that He chose to reveal to us what He is like through His son Jesus. How could I know what the Father is like if not for Jesus?
What struck me: When Jesus is called “the Word” it struck me. It’s a strange thing to call Jesus. But think about what words do. Words communicate, reveal what’s in our heart, explain, describe and Jesus does all of this for us. Jesus communicates to us what the Father is like, what’s in the heart of our Father, describes and models our Father for us. (By the way, you can look on page 128 in your commentary for more ideas on why Jesus was called “the Word".)
S.P.A.C.E.P.E.T.S.: (sin to confess, promise to claim, attitude to change, command to obey, example to follow, prayer to pray, error to avoid, truth to believe, something to thank God for)
Thank God: Thank God that He chose to reveal to us what He is like through His son Jesus. How could I know what the Father is like if not for Jesus?
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