John 2:23-25 Jesus knows everything about us

Scripture: John 2:23-25 23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name.  24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people.  25 He did not need human testimony about them, for he knew what was in them.

Observation: 

My bible’s foot note has the verse pointing to: 1 Kings 8:39    then hear from heaven, your dwelling place.  Forgive and act; deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you alone know every human heart). 

In verse John 2:25 Jesus knew what was in them (the people who saw many signs).  He knows everything about us good, bad, and ambivalence.  Solomon in 1 Kings is acknowledging that God knows our hearts.

Jesus does not need our testimony, as he knows everything about us. 

Application:  We need to fix our eyes on Jesus.  We need to know him.  He knows everything about us.  Our goal is to please him.  We need to listen and obey.  He knows every teeny, tiny thing about us.  I need to accept this and stop trying to be in control. 

Prayer:  Lord how amazing that you know each one of us to the smallest detail.  I am undone by this knowledge.  Lord I do not want to be in charge, I want you to be in charge.  I do not want to lead first, I want you to lead.  Lord, I want my will to be your will.  Lord help me to see what is the next right thing to do.  Help me Lord to rest in you and know that you are Lord.

Jesus chosen before creation is LOVE

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:20-23 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.  21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.   22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
 
Observation:  These verses sum everything up from start to finish.  God chose Jesus before creation.  Wow, this has always been something amazing for me to grasp. In God’s perfect timing, he came to the earth and revealed himself.   Our belief in this amazing reality is our faith.   As we are born again, we are imperishable, unshakeable, living and enduring through the word of God.    

Application:  God provides us with hope, as we believe.  As we believe, we are to obey.  As we are transformed, we are to love one another sincerely, deeply (from the bottom of our heart).  I need to love one another.  I need for those on the outside to see that we are to love, in a way that sets us apart from the world. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I have not always loved others as I love you, as I love myself.  Lord you are the creator of the world.  Lord I praise you as God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, Holy Spirit who is in me.  Lord, show me whom I need to love and whom I need to serve, Thank you Lord for the many blessings in my life.  Help me to see whom I am to love. Amen.

The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts, James 3:1-4

Scripture:  James 3:1-4 
1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.  2 We all stumble in many ways. Those who are never at fault in what they say are perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.  3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

Observation:  Teachers teach with their words using their tongues.  What a teacher says is impactful.  Verse 2 acknowledges that we stumble in many ways.  Those who are not at fault (I believe with reference to their tongue) are perfect and able to keep all of their body in check.   For me, this also applies to what I pass into my mouth over my tongue.  There are times, my tongue so wants to taste something that is unhealthy, excessive, not a blessing to my body.  When I have self-control and do not take in the food or drink that is not a blessing, I am able to keep my whole body in check.  So it is, with the words coming out over my tongue.  I am better at controlling my tongue.  However definitely not perfect.

Application:  The old Helen would want everyone to think I "knew it all".  I am better off once I figured out that God is the only person who "Knows it ALL".  I want to honor God with my words, with my body, with my actions. I need to slow down and think before, I say, act, and for me eat. To honor God with my body, my actions, my food choices, I need to seek guidance from the Holy Spirit who is in me, who I have received from God.

Prayer:  Lord, I am amazed that you care enough about me that you provided the scripture to speak to me, to each of us.  How, do you do that?  Your love for me is more than I can fathom.  I mess up every day, and yet you forgive me.  Lord, you are indescribable when I consider all that you are.  Lord help me to slow down, help me to consider my actions, my words, my food choices, how I spend my time.  I want my time to honor you, to be fruitful for your kingdom.  Lord thank you for more that I can comprehend.  Lord I am amazed by YOU!!  Amen.

God Equips with good for doing his will

Scripture: Hebrews 13:20-21  20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,  21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
 
Observation: The God of peace, equips us with everything good for doing his will.  God works in us what is pleasing to Him.  This is done through Jesus Christ, his blood and resurrection.  God’s work is pleasing to him.  This does not sound like a painful process.

Application:   I need to recognize that equipping comes from the God of peace.  As I work on Small Group Leader and member equipping, recognize the peaceful process.  There are times that the process looks painful from an outsider.  Remember that God’s will is not to harm me, but to prosper me.  What do we worry, have fear where God is leading us.  I need to give God the glory in all things.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Lord Almighty, forgive me for my doubt, my grumbling, my lack of faith.  Help me to see all things you want me to see.  Help me to embrace the changes that you bring to my life.  Equip me lord with everything good for doing your will.  Lord may your work in me be pleasing to you.  Thank you Lord, for Jesus and his sacrifice.

Perseverance in Faith

Scripture: Hebrews 10: 19-27 19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,  25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

Observation:  Three main themes jump out at me.  In verse 19-22, we are told because of the blood of Jesus, we are to change the way we are to act.  Jesus brings new life and we have full assurance from God, we are cleaned.  Verses 23-25 tell us that we need to do this together “Let us”.  Verses 26-27 are convicting.  If we keep on sinning after we know we are not suppose to we are fearful of God’s judgment, worried about the consuming fire.

Application:  As I continually acknowledge Jesus’ sacrifice for me, I need to reach out to others, meet regularly and be unmovable in my conviction towards small group, weekend service, First Place group, and sharing You with others.  I need to be honest about the sins I continue to return to.  I need more sleep, I need to fill out my tracker, I need to work on my spiritual disciplines, and I need to increase my time with God.  I need to strive for balance, spiritual, physical, mental and emotional. 

Prayer:  Lord your patience with me is undeserving.  Help me to see where you want me to change, where you want me to continue, where you want me to stop.  Help me Lord. Show me, teach me, and reveal to me your purpose and direction for my life.  Thank you Lord for the ability to enter your Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus.  Help me to remember that it is only through your grace that I am drawn to You.  Thank you for washing away my sins.  I look forward to the work you have for me.  Help me to focus on you and not the work.

Responding to God's voice

S. Hebrews 3:7-9,15  7 So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness, 9 where your ancestors tested and tried me, though for forty years they saw what I did.  15 As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.”

O.  This message is repeated twice in Hebrews 3 that if you hear God’s voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.    

A.  We need to learn from our past.  Learn to not harden our hearts when we hear God’s voice.  Too many times, I have heard God’s voice and been resistant to the message.  It is often something I need to stop doing or change.  I might be intimidated, scared, or selfish.   Many times God continues to send the message.  He does not give up on me.  I want to be obedient.  I want to show my love to God by being obedient when I hear his voice.

P. Lord, forgive me for the many times I hear and do not obey.  Lord you are my Creator, my Father, my Savior.  Lord help me to hear with clarity.  Lord help me to have faith that the plans you have for me are to prosper me and not to harm me.  Thank you Lord.  Your love for me is indescribable.  Your faithfulness is everlasting.  Your patience for me is undeserved.  Lord I am blessed by your unconditional love for me.

Paying Attention to God helps us with our temptations

Scripture. Hebrews 2:1, 18  1 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Observation. In this chapter of Hebrews, there is much to observe.  In verse 1, we are cautioned to pay careful attention so that we do not drift away. It is so easy to get distracted and not drift away.  Satan is always trying to distract me from my time with the Lord.  Distraction is a temptation.     In the last verse of this chapter, we are reminded that Jesus suffered when he was tempted, so he is able to help me who will be tempted.  When I am distracted from God, my relationship suffers.  Jesus was tempted and was without sin.  Jesus is able to help me with my temptations.

Application.  When I am being tempted, I sense the conviction of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spriit helps me to be aware of the temptation. The temptation is so strong at times; I do feel as if I am suffering.  I want what I cannot have.  I need to lean in on Jesus during these times.  Focus on HIM.  Then I can stand up under the temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Prayer.  Thank you Lord.  You always provide insight to temptation.  The world is full of temptation.  I need you more than I will ever know.  Your faithfulness and love for me is more than I can comprehend.  Lord I know from your word, that no temptation will seize me that is not common to man.  I know that you are faithful and will not let me be tempted beyond what I can bear.  Lord help me to see the way out that you provide.  Help me to remember and know that through you, I can stand up under the temptation. My strength truly is in you Lord.   Amen.