January 2014 – Nuggets From God's Word

The Difference Obedience Makes

Three of Jesus’ disciples who really struggled with believing and obedience are now faced with a decision that many of us could very easily face each day. Having fished all night and caught nothing, they were ready to pack up their nets and call it a night. But from the shoreline a man questions them. Often men who know what they are doing, yet going through times of unsuccessful results will snap at anyone questioning, or especially telling them how to do their job. Yet, we see where the three obeyed Jesus. Could be a God inspired moment, but through obedience to the Master of the sea and fish, the disciples obeyed and saw marvelous results. Could it be that our Christian work that seemed to have plateaued has maximized because we have not yet allowed the Master in? Just a word, or the slightest action from Him could make the world of difference in our ministries. Let’s invite Him in friend and ask for His involvement and direction. It’s all about Him anyway!

As the sun was rising, Jesus stood at the water’s edge, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then he asked them, “Young men, haven’t you caught anything?” “Not a thing,” they answered. He said to them, “Throw your net out on the right side of the boat, and you will catch some.” So they threw the net out and could not pull it back in, because they had caught so many fish.

John 21:4–6 (GNB)

The Purpose of the Bible

The signs and proofs of our Lord’s resurrection were just detailed, and for those who believe in Jesus, we can rejoice in that fact until Jesus comes back for us. But the Bible says that although all miracles could not be included in the book, these ones were committed to writing, so that all might believe that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the Savior of sinners, and the Son of God; and that through this faith, they might obtain eternal life, by his mercy, truth, and power. Yes, we will be lifted up as we read the Word, but let us take a new perspective as we read, with verse 31 always on our mind, and look for truthes to share with our unsaved loved ones and acquaintances? May all who read the Bible, believe that Jesus is the Christ, and discern that in believing we may all have have life through His wonderful, matchless name! May God be glorified today knowing that His children are reading, believing and accepting Him as Lord of their lives, as we read and meditate on His Word!

Verses 30, 31 There were other signs and proofs of our Lord’s resurrection, but these were committed to writing, that all might believe that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the Saviour of sinners, and the Son of God; that, by this faith, they might obtain eternal life, by his mercy, truth, and power. May we believe that Jesus is the Christ, and believing may we have life through his name.

John 20:30 (MHCCB)

Obedience leads to success

Just as David told his son, Solomon, the importance of obedience to God’s commands and that it would lead to a successful reign for him, so it is with us today. First of all we must experience the results of such obedience ourselves, then as we preach that to our kids it will have much more of an impact. Too often we live like the world and become envious of all that we could have been if only we had been obedient. Friends, we must commit ourselves to obedience and the ways of God. It’s our witness that is at stake, and our joy that is incomplete. It’s up to us, friend, to shape our destiny as God leads, if only we will Trust and Obey the Master!

If you obey all the laws which the LORD gave to Moses for Israel, you will be successful. Be determined and confident, and don’t let anything make you afraid.

1 Chronicles 22:13 (GNB)

Will We Recognize Answer To Our Prayer?

Although hurting terribly about the loss of her Lord, Mary was first to the tomb, and first to find the tomb empty. No doubt, she was one of the first to pray for the safety and peace of the body of Jesus who had been crucified. But like us, when we see answer to that prayer we are in deep shock and disbelief. Often we say things like: “I can’t believe it!”; or “Who would have ever thought!”; or “We sure were ‘lucky’ to see the change in events today!” Friends, like Mary who prayed earnestly for her Master, we too must pray in earnest. We must learn to pray with such compassion that it consumes us. We hurt and even cry out to God for that concern. Then, we look with such anticipation and anxious expectation for any sign of answered prayer, so that we can quickly praise God with a thankful heart for hearing His children and answerring our prayers. Remember, God may answer prayer in His way. Totally unexpected ways from our ways, but He is in control. Let Him be God!

Then she turned round and saw Jesus standing there; but she did not know that it was Jesus.

John 20:14 (GNB)

Facing a battle?

Don’t try to-
Figure your way through,
Reason your way through,
Guess your way through,
Feel your way through,
Push your way through,
Manipulate your way through,
Fake your way through.

What should you do?
Trust your way through! We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You. 2 Chronicles 20:12 AMP
Pray your way through! Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance. Ephesians 6:18 AMP
Believe your way through! This is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4 AMP
Walk your way through! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:2-3 NLT
Praise your way through! This happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Joshua 6:20 NKJV

-Devotional by Roy Lessin, from his blog Meet Me In The Meadow.

Why We Should Care When No One Else Cares

David, the king of a vast domain, Israel, made sure that his people were always treated fairly and justly. This is not just my opinion, this is verbatim from verse 14. Friend, in verse (6) we see that David was controlled by the Lord. That verse tells us that The Lord made him victorious everywhere. Now to read that he deeply cared for his people falls right into place, because I know that in spite of how he may have felt about certain factions of his kingdom, God was instilling in him the importance and the love to care for all of God’s people. Do you struggle with accepting, or loving some people? How’s your connection to the source of real love? Is God controlling your love for others? You will deeply care for those you love. There will be no prejudice or unfair treatment for some when we love as Jesus did, and as He has taught us to do, and as He will guide us to do. Let’s get closely connected to the source so that we may care/love like He did and like He intended us to do.

David ruled over all Israel and made sure that his people were always treated fairly and justly.

1 Chronicles 18:14 (GNB)

Loving and Caring for Parents Even When Beyond Our Control

Jesus cared for and showed love to all while He was alive. Now even hanging on the cross, He tenderly provided for his mother based on His impending death. This is awesome that, although God removes one comfort from us, he raises up another for us, where we never even suspected. Christ’s example teaches all men to honor their parents in life and death; to provide for their wants, and to promote their comfort by every means in their power. This is in stark contrast from what we see today when we visit nursing homes and realize that some have dropped their parents off and never went back to visit them. Friend, in spite of the struggles that we face today, we must care for our parents. It’s a part of God’s law, plus it is evidence of our love for them. Let us love like Jesus showed us – especially our parents. Even this is part of our Christian witness to a lost world!

Standing close to Jesus’ cross were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there; so he said to his mother, “He is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “She is your mother.” From that time the disciple took her to live in his home.

John 19:25–27 (GNB)

As It Is Written

God’s Holy Word contains many truthes that we often brush off because we either believe that they are directed to the brother to the left, or the sister to the right of us. However, as we study the Word we see things fulfilled just like they were prophesied earlier in Scripture. Think about the action we take when we see the clouds building and the thunder rolling in. These are signs of what’s to come. As we study God’s Word we must keep that in mind. We need to take heart, give God thanks for the warning, prepare our hearts for the long haul and hang tight. In this particular scripture, had Christ not suffered at the hands of, and been rejected by, the Jews, we would be eternally rejected by God. Friend, it behoves us to ready our heart for Christ’s return. The Bible foretells this, so we should count on it. If you don’t, the Bible also says that you will be rejected by God. Sad, but very real friend. Only you can change that course in your life. Do it today, please?

Pilate wrote a notice and had it put on the cross. “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews”, is what he wrote. Many people read it, because the place where Jesus was crucified was not far from the city. The notice was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. The chief priests said to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews’ , but rather, ‘This man said, I am the King of the Jews.’ ” Pilate answered, “What I have written stays written.”

John 19:19–22 (GNB)

What Do We Do With Him?

Pilate presented Jesus to the crowd and asked them what they wanted him to do with Him. Each Sunday most churches/pastors will present the gospel and ask the crowd to respond to a similar question. Most of us leave our churches having said something very similar to that of the crowd before Pilate. Perhaps by our unresponsive action we are saying, hey you may as well crucify Him, for we have this ‘life’ thing under control. I don’t need this Jesus interferring and telling me what to do or how I should act, or highlighting my wrongs. Perhaps we totally ignore the message, and the idea that Jesus is in control of us and all of life’s happennings. Perhaps we conclude that since Jesus is available, we could easily and quickly call on Him if, and when, we need Him. Friends, in and of our natural selves we have no desire for godly things. If we ARE alerted to the things of Christ, we are actually being personally admonished by GOD Himself. We NEED to listen and obey, not aim to crucify Him.

Pilate went out once more and said to the crowd, “Look, I will bring him out here to you to let you see that I cannot find any reason to condemn him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Look! Here is the man!” When the chief priests and the temple guards saw him, they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “You take him, then, and crucify him. I find no reason to condemn him.”

The Purpose for Which Jesus Came to Earth

Jesus expressed His purpose for coming to this earth. We often hear people’s explanation being that He came to save the world. Fortunately, I believe both statements are true. The first statement is true, because Jesus said it. The second statement is true, because as the ‘truth’ is spoken about the love of God and about His salvation, people believe and are saved. The idea of ‘truth’ has another powerful impact though. It tells us to consult with God and His Word anytime we want to know the ‘truth’ about something, because just as He is Truth, and He speaks of ‘truth’ so shall we too have access to perfect, unadulterated, unbiased truth. Let us look at God and His Word as the plumbline against which we look to test everything else in this world.

So Pilate asked him, “Are you a king, then?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. I was born and came into the world for this one purpose, to speak about the truth. Whoever belongs to the truth listens to me.”