John 2:1-12 (The Message)
From Water to Wine
- v4 Jesus said, "Is that any of our business, Mother—yours or mine? This isn't my time. Don't push me."
Are you pushing Jesus to get what you want? He makes all things beautiful in His time (Ecc 3:11). I don't just want any car; I want my beautiful car at an even more beautiful price.
John 2:13-22
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
- v16 And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!”
I wondered why Jesus specifically told those who sold doves. Since we know that doves are a picture of the Holy Spirit, was He referring to those who try to sell the Holy Spirit to you when all of us are entitled to be baptised in the Spirit for free?
John 2:13-25 (The Message)
The Discerner of Hearts
- v23-25 During the time he was in Jerusalem, those days of the Passover Feast, many people noticed the signs he was displaying and, seeing they pointed straight to God, entrusted their lives to him. But Jesus didn't entrust his life to them. He knew them inside and out, knew how untrustworthy they were. He didn't need any help in seeing right through them.
Here lies the key to not letting people disappoint you. Jesus did it Himself. Here's where you need to know that people (your leaders, your cg mates, the people who serve together with you) are not perfect. You need to be secure and stable in Him alone.
Notice that in this chapter itself, it is written that the disciples/people believed in Him on 3 different occurrences (how many times does it take for them to believe Him?!?!?):
- v11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.
- v22 Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.
- v23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Saturday, August 11, 2007
John 1
John 1:43-51
Philip and Nathanael
- v47-50 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”
When we hear God's Word and simply believe it, do you think we'll not see even greater things? ;)
Philip and Nathanael
- v47-50 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”
When we hear God's Word and simply believe it, do you think we'll not see even greater things? ;)
Friday, August 10, 2007
Luke 23-24
Luke 24:44-53
You're the Witnesses
- v 44-45 Then he said, "Everything I told you while I was with you comes to this: All the things written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets, and in the Psalms have to be fulfilled." He went on to open their understanding of the Word of God, showing them how to read their Bibles this way.
Are you reading your Bibles in another way? =)
You're the Witnesses
- v 44-45 Then he said, "Everything I told you while I was with you comes to this: All the things written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets, and in the Psalms have to be fulfilled." He went on to open their understanding of the Word of God, showing them how to read their Bibles this way.
Are you reading your Bibles in another way? =)
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Luke 22
Luke 22:35-38
Suppplies for the Road
- v35 And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” So they said, “Nothing.”
Suppplies for the Road
- v35 And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” So they said, “Nothing.”
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Luke 20-21
Luke 21:7-19
The Signs of the Times and the End of Age
- v12-15 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
The Signs of the Times and the End of Age
- v12-15 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Why do I live?
I was reading this book by K.P. Yohannan, founder of Gospel For Asia, and in it he told about a conversation he had with an 8-year-old boy which I thought was rather interesting. He was talking to the boy about Jesus and asked him several questions.
"What are you doing?" K.P. Yohannan asked the boy.
"I go to school," the boy replied.
"Why do you go to school?"
"To study," the boy said.
"Why do you study?"
"To get smart."
"Why do you want to get smart?"
"So I can get a good job."
"Why do you want to get a good job?"
"So I can make lots of money."
"Why do you want to make lots of money?"
"So I can buy food."
"Why do you want to buy food?"
"So I can eat."
"Why do you want to eat?"
"To live."
"Why do you want to live?"
At that point, the little boy thought for a minute, scratched his head, looked at K.P. Yohannan and said, "Sir, why do I live?" He paused a moment in mid-thought, then gave his own sad answer, "To die!"
There ain't much meaning in life without Jesus. I thought this conversation was rather cool becaues it bridge from a non-spiritual one to a spiritual one. Maybe can try using it on people.
"What are you doing?" K.P. Yohannan asked the boy.
"I go to school," the boy replied.
"Why do you go to school?"
"To study," the boy said.
"Why do you study?"
"To get smart."
"Why do you want to get smart?"
"So I can get a good job."
"Why do you want to get a good job?"
"So I can make lots of money."
"Why do you want to make lots of money?"
"So I can buy food."
"Why do you want to buy food?"
"So I can eat."
"Why do you want to eat?"
"To live."
"Why do you want to live?"
At that point, the little boy thought for a minute, scratched his head, looked at K.P. Yohannan and said, "Sir, why do I live?" He paused a moment in mid-thought, then gave his own sad answer, "To die!"
There ain't much meaning in life without Jesus. I thought this conversation was rather cool becaues it bridge from a non-spiritual one to a spiritual one. Maybe can try using it on people.
Luke 19
Luke 19:11-27
The Parable of the Minas
- v11. Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately.
- v24-27 “And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.’ (But they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas.’) ‘For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.’”
Luke 19:28-40
The Triumphal Entry
- v37-38 Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: “‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
- v39-40 And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”
The word "stones" here is not referring just to literal stones as used in 2 Cor 3:3 - "written on tablets of stone". The word used here is Lithos, which means
a stone
of small stones
of building stones
metaph. of Christ
Isn't Jesus good at this "he who has ears let him hear" business?
The Parable of the Minas
- v11. Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately.
- v24-27 “And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.’ (But they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas.’) ‘For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.’”
Luke 19:28-40
The Triumphal Entry
- v37-38 Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: “‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
- v39-40 And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”
The word "stones" here is not referring just to literal stones as used in 2 Cor 3:3 - "written on tablets of stone". The word used here is Lithos, which means
a stone
of small stones
of building stones
metaph. of Christ
Isn't Jesus good at this "he who has ears let him hear" business?
Monday, August 6, 2007
Luke 18
Luke 18:9-17
The Story of the Tax Man and the Pharisee
The Story of the Tax Man and the Pharisee
-v13-14 "Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not daring to look up, said, 'God, give mercy. Forgive me, a sinner.'"
Jesus commented, "This tax man, not the other, went home made right with God. If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face, but if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself."
consider it done
Psalm 138
1 I will praise You with my whole heart;
Before the gods I will sing praises to You.
2 I will worship toward Your holy temple,
And praise Your name
For Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.
3 In the day when I cried out, You answered me,
And made me bold with strength in my soul.
4 All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O LORD,
When they hear the words of Your mouth.
5 Yes, they shall sing of the ways of the LORD,
For great is the glory of the LORD.
6 Though the LORD is on high,
Yet He regards the lowly;
But the proud He knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;
You will stretch out Your hand
Against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me.
8 The LORD will perfect that which concerns me;
Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
in the strong's concordance, "perfect" in v8 means to perform, to bring to an end, to complete. Jesus has completed His work on the cross and sealed our lives for greatness, for prosperity, for wholeness, for abundant life. today, He continually perfects every single detail that concerns us. consider it done.
1 I will praise You with my whole heart;
Before the gods I will sing praises to You.
2 I will worship toward Your holy temple,
And praise Your name
For Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.
3 In the day when I cried out, You answered me,
And made me bold with strength in my soul.
4 All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O LORD,
When they hear the words of Your mouth.
5 Yes, they shall sing of the ways of the LORD,
For great is the glory of the LORD.
6 Though the LORD is on high,
Yet He regards the lowly;
But the proud He knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;
You will stretch out Your hand
Against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me.
8 The LORD will perfect that which concerns me;
Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
in the strong's concordance, "perfect" in v8 means to perform, to bring to an end, to complete. Jesus has completed His work on the cross and sealed our lives for greatness, for prosperity, for wholeness, for abundant life. today, He continually perfects every single detail that concerns us. consider it done.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Pray for the Taliban militants and the 21 South Korean hostages
"...Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..." Matthew 5:44 (NIV)
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34 (NIV)
Ask the Father to forgive... if u dont have the strength to...
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34 (NIV)
Ask the Father to forgive... if u dont have the strength to...
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
john 21:4-14
4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
5He called out to them, "[Little children], haven't you any fish?"
"No," they answered.
(Jesus asked not because He didn't know the answer; He wanted His disciples to know that they cannot!)
6He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
7Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.[b] 9When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
10Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."
11Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. 13Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
(quoted from mark's friend who went for the hillsong conference: the last session of the conference [speaker: TD Jakes]
Jesus was on the shore already COOKING fish – smell it! Thought you gave up the fish to follow Him? But whatever you gave up He’s already got prepared!
Mt6:33 Seek first kingdom and His righteousness and all these things ADDED. God will give it to you, not raw – COOKED! Pressed down, shaken together, running over! He’s waiting for you to be prepared for what He’s prepared for you!
God had fish prepared on shore all the time. Jesus says goodness and mercy is following – here comes all you thought you’d given up – 153 big fish! If you choose Him you will lose nothing – and gain it ALL!
It’s your last night on the boat! You can go forward, but you can never go back. Peter never recorded back on boat. His mind was taken to a new dimension – couldn’t be who he was and who he is at same time – forgetting those things behind and reaching to things before us! Kissed goodbye, and pressed on! Because of Word and what God’s been doing, this is your last night on the boat! )
i love this portion of the Scripture. there's so much to glean from it! be blessed!
5He called out to them, "[Little children], haven't you any fish?"
"No," they answered.
(Jesus asked not because He didn't know the answer; He wanted His disciples to know that they cannot!)
6He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
7Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.[b] 9When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
10Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."
11Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. 13Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
(quoted from mark's friend who went for the hillsong conference: the last session of the conference [speaker: TD Jakes]
Jesus was on the shore already COOKING fish – smell it! Thought you gave up the fish to follow Him? But whatever you gave up He’s already got prepared!
Mt6:33 Seek first kingdom and His righteousness and all these things ADDED. God will give it to you, not raw – COOKED! Pressed down, shaken together, running over! He’s waiting for you to be prepared for what He’s prepared for you!
God had fish prepared on shore all the time. Jesus says goodness and mercy is following – here comes all you thought you’d given up – 153 big fish! If you choose Him you will lose nothing – and gain it ALL!
It’s your last night on the boat! You can go forward, but you can never go back. Peter never recorded back on boat. His mind was taken to a new dimension – couldn’t be who he was and who he is at same time – forgetting those things behind and reaching to things before us! Kissed goodbye, and pressed on! Because of Word and what God’s been doing, this is your last night on the boat! )
i love this portion of the Scripture. there's so much to glean from it! be blessed!
Jesus is God, but...
"He(Jesus) is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power."
"But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed."
- Heb 1:3, Isa 53:5 (ESV)
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