Category: John

John 12:37-50 (NIV)

37 Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet:

“Lord, who has believed our message
    and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”[h]
39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:

40 “He has blinded their eyes
    and hardened their hearts,
so they can neither see with their eyes,
    nor understand with their hearts,
    nor turn—and I would heal them.”[i]
41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.

42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved human praise more than praise from God.

44 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

47 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

The answer is…Yes, Yes, Yes. Without even knowing the question, the answer is Yes! The question…”Do you want out of the dark?” Yes!

The dark is scary, but it’s easy. The dark hides what needs to be cleaned, but it’s easy. The dark allows you to sleep, and it’s easy. The light exposes all that requires cleansing, and it’s hard. Hard with a capital H. It’s hard friends. Hard. But oh is it gorgeous!!!

A life with the veil lifted is a life cleansed by God, but you must believe in Him. He was sent by God to lift your burden, not amplify it. If you are feeling exposed, then Amen! If you are feeling like everything you are doing is wrong and you need to stop, the Amen! You are on the right path.

Trust the Word of God, He does not feel that way about you. He doesn’t care for your sin. He doesn’t want your sin. He wants your heart. Give it to Him. Now! #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

It so for this very reason that we live…

John 12:20-36 (NIV )

20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!”

Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up[g] from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

34 The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?”

35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. 36 Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

It is for the trial that we live. The happiness, anger, frustrations, or any feelings that you have are just that…feelings. The trial itself is the reason you are here. People will turn to you and focus their attention on you, and when they, God will be glorified.

Jesus knew this, and He was telling us this. We just need to listen to Him and begin to realize that suffering is only temporary, life is eternal with God.

Step into the light and live forever. Run from darkness and into the light. God has His arms open as He waits for you.

Amen
DK

Jesus is coming…

John 12:12-19 (NIV)
12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,

“Hosanna![d]”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[e]
“Blessed is the king of Israel!”
14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:

15 “Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
    see, your king is coming,
    seated on a donkey’s colt.”[f]
16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.

17 Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”

News of His miracles spread fast. As Jesus continues to fill prophecy after prophecy, the Pharisees are unhappy and concerned. It is obvious that not all were prepared to be freed. Many lived in bondage, as many do today.

Many Christians around the world have chosen to believe. Some are being killed for their faith in the Living God. Thousands are celebrating in caves and in dark places so that they cannot be seen by those that would kill them. The beautiful miracle is the answer to this question. “If they are in darkened caves and away from prying eyes, then how do we know of them?” It is because their light shines bright and cuts through the darkness. It is the Light of God that has made its way through them and into our lives. That is beautiful.

Now. Here it is. The challenge for all of us. The challenge…to be a light for even one person. To be His Light in a dark world for them. Find someone. You may even know them. It’s time to shine Believer. Do it today! #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

Your blessing is multiplied through Him…

John 12:1-11 (NIV)
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.[b]” 6 He did not 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.

7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you,[c] but you will not always have me.”

9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

As we have read before, Jesus knew what was coming. He knew the hearts of all people He came into contact with. He could see who they were. He even knew of Judas and what we to come, yet E loved him anyway and let him stay.

The use of this expensive and fragrant perfume on the feet of Jesus, coupled with the use of her hair tells you that all prophecy would be fulfilled on the days leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus. The washing if the feet was a part of the burial process, and to do this in front of all who had come to see Jesus was part of the witnessing of the miracle that would occur. The salvation of all who believe.

Jesus makes it a point to let us know that riches used to glorify Him is correct. Yes, there are poor that could use the money, but you must celebrate the Father with gifts of value. Those things which we see as possible waste, if given to God, will be multiplied to once again be used to bless the poor and lowly in society. It is our job to give to the Father. We are to celebrate and glorify Him with the gifts that He has blessed us with. There will always be the poor and downcast. The time will come again to bless them.

That time for you may be now. It may be time for you to bless the church or a group that gives to the poor. But, you must give to Him who made us and saved us first. The first fruits are His. When given to Him first, your gifts are multiplied. The thief will see it as waste. The selfish will long for that gift which belongs to the Father. Give anyway. Even when it makes no sense to your eyes, give. He will multiply your gift and it will bless more than you will ever know. He does not want your money. He wants your heart. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

The fear of losing earthly things can inhibit faith…

John 11:45-57
45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.

“What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.”

49 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”

51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52 and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. 53 So from that day on they plotted to take his life.

54 Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples.

55 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. 56 They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, “What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the festival at all?” 57 But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him.

The fear is obvious. The Jewish officials are scared that the Romans would take away what they had. That all of the earthly wealth that they were given by Rome would be taken from them. They held onto the seen and had trouble believing that Jesus would bring them everything not of this world. He was here to bring them eternal gifts.

I can only imagine how many on this earth have wealth, whether it be in the form of actual cash or in land or investments that have struggled with belief. I can only imagine how many times they sat at the precipice of a monumental decision that only became difficult because they might lose earthly wealth. How many times a decision was made not because it was the right thing to do, but only because it was the easy thing to do. I am sure those instances are as numerous as the stars in the sky. Our flesh can inhibit so much.

The thought comes to mind that the reason Jesus left to the countryside was to ease some of the pain for those that believed but we’re too afraid to let go if this world’s wealth. He must’ve sensed the agony in them. He must of sensed man’s inability to let go of this earthly wealth and trust Him. He left so that we could seek Him, and when we do, we find Him waiting for us. No matter what we did, said, or will do or say, He waits. Many sought Him then. Many seek Him now.

As your relationship grows with the Holy Spirit, He begins to stretch your faith and grow you. You are placed in positions that require faith, and in places where that faith can be shown publicly to glorify Him. The opportunities are endless and will forever come to you, onlyvif you continue to seek Him. Seek, and you shall find. Ask, and you shall receive.

Tonight I seek His face. I look for in every part of my life. I see His hands shaping me and molding me, and I see His work being the most obvious the further He stretches my faith. I am left only to rely on Him. Without Him, I am nothing. #JesusSaves

Amen.
DK

He was raised from the dead so that we all would believe…

John 11:38-44
38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said.

“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.

Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

Jesus was once again deeply moved. He loved Lazarus, and He wanted Lazarus to live, but not for His own needs. Jesus wanted Lazarus to live so that we would believe and have the faith to trust in Jesus. He talked to the Father on our behalf.

As our Savior, Jesus took care of all the millions of requirements that are necessary to follow the Law of Moses. The idea that we could somehow qualify ourselves has been disproven time and time again throughout the annals of history. We are sinners, and as sucj, need to be saved. We were. We were brought back from death, just as Lazarus was, only our death will come later, and our eternal life spent with Him.

Lazarus being brought back to life is only temporary. He would eventually die again, this time for good. The bringing of him back to life would last but a short time compared to the grand scheme of things. The impact if the work Jesus did olin this temporary life was always meant to allow faith to grow in you, in me, in all of us. Believe. #JesusSave

Amen
DK

John 11:17-37
17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles[b] from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

28 After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked.

“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

35 Jesus wept.

36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

Jesus wept. I don’t pretend to know why. He was flesh and bone, perhaps He felt the weight of death for the first time. Even though He had healed the blind, the sick, and the lame, this was different. This was death, and death stings all who come close to it. Jesus loved Lazarus. That was His friend.

As Jesus was getting closer to Lazarus and his sisters, the realization of the women that Lazarus may have been saved must’ve been a very painful one. Yet they were so sweet even then. Their faith still so strong and evident ,even in this dreadfully painful hour. Jesus saw this, and loved them deeply. This show of humanity as Jesus cried is beautiful.

I have heard time and time again how much Jesus loves me. I know He does, but it’s this verse that really shows just how He loves me. When I sin, He cries for me. When I am in pain, there He stands, right next to me in support and love. His love never fails and it never gives up on me. The best is yet to come. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

Believe.

John 11:1-16
Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?”

9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”

12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Lazarus was a dear friend to Jesus as He walked this earth. He loved all He came in contact with, but Lazarus held a special place in Jesus’ heart. It must have really hurt Jesus when He heard the news, yet was in constant contact with our Father IN heaven. He knew that God would be glorified through this difficult trial.

Jesus understood His job so well, that He waited another two days before He went to Lazarus. Those that were with Him could not understand why Jesus would wait, but it is in the wait that His plan would be revealed. Nothing through spontaneity. The plan was God’s and it must be according to God’s will. His plan never fails and is always perfect.

Patience is an amazing characteristic of Jesus. He truly understood the power of the wait. Paul was the essence of passionate patience. He knew, as Jesus did, that the power in the wait is stronger than the quick and eradicate action that can be wasted. We must learn to be patient in all we do. It is in the patience, coupled with a connection with the Holy Spirit through orayer, that we can act in His authority. In this patyern, we begin to act as Jesus did, and when that is done, we possess and can activate the power that He left in us at Calvary.

As we walk in the flesh, it is our job not to allow doubt or ignorance to overtake us. If we connect to Jesus through daily reading of His Word in the Bible, we can become more and more like Him. It’s not easy. Nothing worthwhile ever is. We must persevere and commit to becoming a true believer and friend of Jesus. Fear not, for fear is as much a sin as anybother. Instead, trust in the Lord. For He is always with us. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

Jesus is the Messiah…

John 10:22-42
22 Then came the Festival of Dedication[b] at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[c]; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

31 Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”

33 “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”

34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”’[d]? 35 If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside— 36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? 37 Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. 38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” 39 Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.

40 Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed, 41 and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” 42 And in that place many believed in Jesus.

The Pharisees are losing control of this world, but rather than surrender to Him, they are holding on to law. They grasp and claw for the seen world and forget the unseen. They are afraid to let go their own understanding. They are being fooled by their thoughts and feelings and for that reason they are unable to walk in the Spirit of God.

Once again the learned and all knowing people are trying to get rid of Jesus. They are not ready for Him. That is actually the reason that Jesus came down from Heaven in the first place. Had the Pharisees known the truth, perhaps God would never have has to come down from Heaven and send His Son to die for us on the cross. But, we can what if all day. The bottom line is, we needed Jesus then, and we need Him now.

God is in us. He is in our hearts, and walks with us. However, we walk this world completely saturated in sin. We bathe in it daily, and at many times don’t even know it. We fight and battle in a war played out over our souls focused only on the sins that we can see. We have no clue of all of the thousands of sins that we commit without even knowing it. The obvious fight is a good one. The sins we do see require repentance on our parts, as we ask God for forgiveness. However, there are many more sins that a tree numerous as the stars that we don’t even know that we commit. What about those?

Jesus took them to the cross along with the ones that you go to war with every day. Jesus was and is the Son of God. He came to earth to save us. He cried tears of blood as He begged for our forgiveness. He taught us how to love and lift others up to a place higher than ourselves. He taught us to trust and to be humble. He rebuked our wicked ways, and then took them with Him to the cross. Jesus is the Messiah! No if, ands, or buts about it. Jesus hung on the cross and died so that we would live. It is my hope that you have accepted Jesus as your Savior. He waits with open arms for you. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

He is our Shepard…

John 10:1-21
“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, 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.”

19 The Jews who heard these words were again divided. 20 Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?”

21 But others said, “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

These verses speak to the heart of who we are. Not who the Jews are, not who the Christians are, who WE are. We are all His flock. He is OUR Shepard. To follow anyone or anything else will lead to death and destruction. To follow Him brings life and Salvation and safety. Our Shepard lays His life down for us.m…Every day.

There is no easy way in. To get into the Kolingdom of Heaven you have to believe. For many, that was and still is the battle. That is the war. To believe the message that Jesus brings to this world. His world. He was sent so that all of Man would be saved. He did this through miracles of healing, through His words as He taught, and through His death and resurrection at Calvary.

As Believers, we are given the duty…the Commandment to go out into the world and spread the Gospel. We are to be the sower of seeds. These seeds that we plant are planted by what we say and how we walk in this world. We are to walk and speak in such a way that calls upon someone to ask you, “What is up with you?” You have been called to be different. Not of this world.

Some Pharisees saw Jesus as a man of God. Some as a demon-possessed man. How do you see Him? Okay.. now go tell someone. #JesusSaves

Amen.
DK