Tag: Wine

Understanding Jesus’ First Sign: Lessons in Faith

On By Ed AlgreenIn Accept Jesus NOW, Acknowledge God, All have sinned, Awesome God, God Cares For Us, God’s Word, Miracles, signsLeave a comment

DATE POSTED
Wednesday, February 12, 2025, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa at Hunter Road, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Read it in your Bible or click John 2:1-11 to read it in the Amplified Bible (AMP).

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
For those of us that have been around Bible teachings and sermons for a while, we could easily say what the first miracle of Jesus was, but look closely at the words of today’s Scripture and you will note that several versions of the Bible are clear that this was the first sign offered by Jesus, and it spoke volumes to the people who witnessed this ‘superhuman’ act that had an awesome, spiritual, meaning and impact. This miracle was the first of many that were designed to show that Jesus was indeed the Son of God. By performing this sign, He showed His relationship with God and where His power came from. He revealed to men that He was indeed God – manifest (revealed) in the flesh. Let’s think of the ways, and then we will remind ourselves how this is still so relevant today.

  • Verse 11 declares that the disciples were so impacted by this sign that they were convinced of the power of the One they chose to follow. In a Bible Study last night, I was reminded that the people may listen to what my pastor, church leaders, or I have to say, but when they experience, through our daily living, that we live out what we preach or teach, they are more impacted and often make a decision to know the God in whom we trust, serve and share with others. This was evident in the experience of the disciples with this first miracle/sign by their spiritual leader – Jesus!
  • Jesus chose to perform this first miracle at a wedding. Coincidence? Friends, Jesus knows every hair on our head and He knows our very thoughts that lead us either closer or Him or deeper into sin. So, I have no question that this miracle was very much in line with the Father’s plan for all those who were privileged to experienced it. Think about these in attendance:
    • The bride and groom – When the head waiter tasted the new wine, he immediately called the bridegroom. Now, in a wedding, please stop for a moment and think how miraculous it is for a man of one culture and background to join heart, soul and mind with a woman – different gender, culture and background. But what an amazing eye-opening experience it must have been for this groom to hear of the parallel with this first miracle of Jesus. If one’s soul is emptied of all contaminants (sin), totally cleansed, sterilized and refilled with the very basic elements of life, blessed by the Son of God, and that love shared with all those who came to witness your union, don’t you think that you might be better prepared, internally at least, for what might lie ahead in your new married life?
    • The disciples – already willing followers of Jesus, and they probably already witnessed how He lived each day quite differently to anything they were used to, yet to now witness something they had never before seen, this must have been an awesome point of reaffirmation for them. In fact, verse 11 states that the disciples believed [confidently] in Him [as the Messiah—they adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Him]. As a follower of Jesus Christ, or one considering His invitation, what might it take for you to reach this stage in your life?
    • The invited guests – in the skeptical world in which we live, and the individuals that we encounter who first appear so suspicious, can you imagine the gossip that went around that wedding reception that day? After all, who is this man? By whose authority or power is He able to do something so miraculous? Why in a crowd where Jews or other unbelievers are? Isn’t he afraid of provoking their anger? Is He for real?

Friends, this Jesus of whom we have looked at closely today – He is alive today, and He has promised through the Word of God that where two or three are gathered in His name, He will be right there in our midst. His power is still intact. I am convinced that He will be at our Wednesday night service tonight, and He will be in our midst on Sunday at all services where we meet to worship He and the Father. Please make it a point to be at church and prepare yourself for any miracles Jesus may choose to perform this week. He already knows your needs, just be there and be vigilant about His powerful work that He may choose to perform. Be a part of this, my friends! He has a special ‘sign’ to convince you of who He is!

PRAYER
Lord, for many of us, we may be at a point in life where we say with our lips ‘Lord, I believe’, but it may take a miracle such as we were reminded about today, to convince our innermost person that You are indeed ‘The Christ’. In some circles we may call that person a ‘doubting Thomas’, but it took Your first sign/miracle to truly convince Your first disciples to completely trust in You. For some of us, we’ve experienced miracles personally or perhaps been exposed to Your power in the lives of others. Whether it’s for the first time believer, or for the longtime believer who just needs a jolt from their lackadaisical faith that has grown cold, I just pray that You will hear our cry for more of You and place us right in the middle of Your miracles to show us Your power that is always expressed lovingly to those who need it.

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. One of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals or subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. Friends, I encourage you to find a church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you make every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!

The Creation of My Awesome God!

On By Ed AlgreenIn Bible Believing, Christian, Disciple, God our Provider, PraiseLeave a comment

The Bible – The Good News Translation

Psalm 104:13–15

13             From the sky you send rain on the hills, and the earth is filled with your blessings.

14             You make grass grow for the cattle and plants for human beings to use, so that they can grow their crops

15             and produce wine to make them happy, olive oil to make them cheerful, and bread to give them strength.

Thoughts:

I am blessed to enjoy a short vacation this week, so as I meditate on this scripture I can hear the ocean waves beating against the shoreline, I can overlook the vastness of the ocean, the beauty of the land as it tapers off into the ocean waters (the beach), and the shrubbery that is specific to this area and tolerant of the salt sprays from the ocean. In addition to its beauty and the amazement of my wonderful God, I am overwhelmed by the stubbornness of man who is forced to obey government rules and regulations concerning our beaches and adjacent properties, and they are forced to cooperate with the rules of nature/God by planting the right kind of shrubs for the brutal salt sprays, yet we are challenged to convince these same men that there is a God who loves them even more than the waters and the earth. Isn’t it interesting that God is patient with these smart men in their ignorance and rejection, and He will forgive them at their request when coming to Him for salvation? David also recognized the awesomeness of all that surrounded him, so he expressed the inner joy and appreciation in the value of the rain, and the lush growth of plants around him. These plants were not just another pesky bush that he had to complain about trimming, but David recognized that had it not been for God providing these specific plants, he and others, like you and I, would be cheated from valuable things like wine, olive oil and bread. Friends it is not our responsibility to prove to non-believers that God exist, it is our duty to God to boast about the power of God that saved us from our sin, and that all the many things around them us were created and strategically placed because of the wonder, majesty, power and awesome love of our Provider, our maker, our Savior and our Lord. Please be reminded that we can save no one. We merely express what’s in our heart. God will use that little, to accomplish much for His ultimate glory. I am reminded in another scripture verse where Jesus said that if His disciples kept quiet the very stones will cry out/sing praise (Luke 19:40). We are not challenged to find words to praise our kids and grand-kids, why are we so challenged to sing the praises of our Creator? Could it be that our relationship with God is not where it needs to be? Draw close to God dear friend, so that He can draw near to you. He loves You and wants to be involved in your life.

Prayer:

Lord, I praise You for who You are, and for the beauty of all that You have provided for us to enjoy and benefit from. You not only made us in Your wonderful image, but You followed through by providing everything we need to survive, and even things to enhance our worship of You. You are awesome Mighty God! Thank You for being my Master and yet my friend. I honor You today and I thank You for providing everything around me to enjoy, both for peace of mind and rejuvenation but also for survival through the foods that I eat and the air that I breathe. As David reminds me, this earth is filled with Your blessings and Your awesome touch. Thank you for being my God, my Lord and my Savior. I adore You heavenly Father. May You be praised by every living soul this day, especially those that may meditate on this devotional. I praise You, and ask all this, in Your most holy and awesome name, Jesus my Lord, AMEN!

 

NOTE: If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray.