Category Archives: Christian

Five groups of people (John 7:25-52), August 5, 2015

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast


Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – John 7:25-52

Set – 2 Kings 23; John 7

Go! – 2 Kings 23; 2 Chronicles 35; John 7

John 7:25-52
Some People of Jerusalem: 25 There is the man they are seeking to kill; surely He must be the one. 26 But here He is, speaking out in the open to the crowd, while they have not spoken a word to stop or challenge Him. Do these leaders now believe He is the Anointed One? 27 But He can’t be; we know where this man comes from, but the true origin of the Anointed will be a mystery to all of us.
Jesus (speaking aloud as He teaches on the temple’s porch): 28 You think you know Me and where I have come from, but I have not come here on My own. I have been sent by the One who embodies truth. You do not know Him. 29 I know Him because I came from Him. He has sent Me.
30 Some were trying to seize Him because of His words, but no one laid as much as a finger on Him—His time had not yet arrived. 31 In the crowd, there were many in whom faith was taking hold.
Believers in the Crowd: When the Anointed arrives, will He perform any more signs than this man has done?
32 Some Pharisees were hanging back in the crowd, overhearing the gossip about Him. The temple authorities and the Pharisees took action and sent officers to arrest Jesus.
Jesus: 33 I am going to be with you for a little while longer; then I will return to the One who sent Me. 34 You will look for Me, but you will not be able to find Me. Where I am, you are unable to come.
Some Jews in the Crowd (to each other): 35 Where could He possibly go that we could not find Him? You don’t think He’s about to go into the Dispersion and teach our people scattered among the Greeks, do you? 36 What do you think He means, “You will look for Me, but you will not be able to find Me,” and, “Where I am, you are unable to come”?
37 On the last day, the biggest day of the festival, Jesus stood again and spoke aloud.
Jesus: If any of you is thirsty, come to Me and drink. 38 If you believe in Me, the Hebrew Scriptures say that rivers of living water will flow from within you.
39 Jesus was referring to the realities of life in the Spirit made available to everyone who believes in Him. But the Spirit had not yet arrived because Jesus had not been glorified.
Some of the Crowd: 40 This man is definitely the Prophet.
Others: 41 This is God’s Anointed, the Liberating King!
Still Others: Is it possible for the Anointed to come from Galilee? 42 Don’t the Hebrew Scriptures say that He will come from Bethlehem, King David’s village, and be a descendant of King David?
43 Rumors and opinions about the true identity of Jesus divided the crowd. 44 Some wanted to arrest Him, but no one dared to touch Him.
45 The officers who had been sent by the chief priests and Pharisees to take Jesus into custody returned empty-handed, and they faced some hard questions.
Chief Priest and Pharisees: Where is Jesus? Why didn’t you capture Him?
Officers: 46 We listened to Him. Never has a man spoken like this man.
Pharisees: 47 So you have also been led astray? 48 Can you find one leader or educated Pharisee who believes this man? Of course not. 49 This crowd is plagued by ignorance about the teachings of the law; that is why they will listen to Him. That is also why they are under God’s curse.
50 Nicodemus, the Pharisee who approached Jesus under the cloak of darkness, was present when the officers returned empty-handed. He addressed the leaders.
Nicodemus: 51 Does our law condemn someone without first giving him a fair hearing and learning something about him?
Pharisees (ignoring Nicodemus’s legal point): 52 Are you from Galilee too? Look it up for yourself; no real prophet is supposed to come from Galilee.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

What you heard today mimics conditions today. Some listen and believe in Me because of My words. Some wait until they see physical evidence of My actions before they will believe. Some remain ambivalent about Me regardless of what they see or hear. Some discard My teachings despite the truth they see and hear. And some wish to destroy Me even though the evidence points to the truth that I am God, their Creator and their only hope of salvation.

You stand in one of those groups of people. My hope is your faith in Me is enough to put you in the first group. You hear My word and you receive it gladly believing in Me. It doesn’t take much faith. Less than it takes to put the key in the ignition of your car and believe turning it will start it. Because you see, one day your car will fail to start, but I will never fail.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

The bread of heaven (John 6:22-59), August 4, 2015

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast


Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – John 6:22-59

Set – 2 Chronicles 34; John 6

Go! – 2 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 34; John 6

John 6:22-59
22 The following day some people gathered on the other side of the sea and saw that only one boat had been there; they were perplexed. They remembered seeing the disciples getting into the boat without Jesus.
23 Other boats were arriving from Tiberias near the grassy area where the Lord offered thanks and passed out bread. 24 When this crowd could not find Him or His disciples, they boarded their small boats and crossed the sea to Capernaum looking for Him. 25 When they found Jesus across the sea, they questioned Him.
Crowd: Teacher, when did You arrive at Capernaum?
Jesus: 26 I tell you the truth—you are tracking Me down because I fed you, not because you saw signs from God. 27 Don’t spend your life chasing food that spoils and rots. Instead, seek the food that lasts into all the ages and comes from the Son of Man, the One on whom God the Father has placed His seal.
Crowd: 28 What do we have to do to accomplish the Father’s works?
Jesus: 29 If you want to do God’s work, then believe in the One He sent.
Crowd: 30 Can You show us a miraculous sign? Something spectacular? If we see something like that, it will help us to believe. 31 Our fathers ate manna when they wandered in the desert. The Hebrew Scriptures say, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”
Jesus: 32 I tell you the truth: Moses did not give you bread from heaven; it is My Father who offers you true bread from heaven. 33 The bread of God comes down out of heaven and breathes life into the cosmos.
Crowd: 34 Master, we want a boundless supply of this bread.
Jesus: 35 I am the bread that gives life. If you come to My table and eat, you will never go hungry. Believe in Me, and you will never go thirsty. 36 Here I am standing in front of you, and still you don’t believe. 37 All that My Father gives to Me comes to Me. I will receive everyone; I will not send away anyone who comes to Me. 38 And here’s the reason: I have come down from heaven not to pursue My own agenda but to do what He desires. I am here on behalf of the Father who sent Me. 39 He sent Me to care for all He has given Me so that nothing and no one will perish. In the end, on the last day, He wants everything to be resurrected into new life. 40 So if you want to know the will of the Father, know this: everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will live eternally; and on the last day, I am the One who will resurrect him.
41 Some of the Jews began to grumble quietly against Him because He said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”
Crowd: 42 Isn’t Jesus the son of Joseph? We know His parents! We know where He came from, so how can He claim to have “come down from heaven”?
Jesus: 43 Stop grumbling under your breaths. 44 If the Father who sent Me does not draw you, then there’s no way you can come to Me. But I will resurrect everyone who does come on the last day. 45 Among the prophets, it’s written, “Everyone will be taught of God.” So everyone who has heard and learned from the Father finds Me. 46 No one has seen the Father, except the One sent from God. He has seen the Father. 47 I am telling you the truth: the one who accepts these things has eternal life. 48 I am the bread that gives life. 49 Your fathers ate manna in the wilderness, and they died as you know. 50 But there is another bread that comes from heaven; if you eat this bread, you will not die. 51 I am the living bread that has come down from heaven to rescue those who eat it. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever. The bread that I will give breathes life into the cosmos. This bread is My flesh.
52 The low whispers of some of Jesus’ detractors turned into an out-and-out debate.
Crowd: What is He talking about? How is He able to give us His flesh to eat?
Jesus: 53 I tell you the truth; unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you will not know life. 54 If you eat My flesh and drink My blood, then you will have eternal life and I will raise you up at the end of time. 55 My flesh and blood provide true nourishment. 56 If you eat My flesh and drink My blood, you will abide in Me and I will abide in you. 57 The Father of life who sent Me has given life to Me; and as you eat My flesh, I will give life to you. 58 This is bread that came down from heaven; I am not like the manna that your fathers ate and then died! If you eat this bread, your life will never end.
59 He spoke these words in the synagogue as part of His teaching mission in Capernaum.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

The crowd that followed Me to Capernaum were much like a lot of people I encounter today. They follow Me wanting Me to act as a cosmic Santa Claus. Their only interest is in what material things I can give them. The crowd followed to get more food after after fed them on the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Too many want the same from Me today. You’re only interested in what I can give you materially.

Yes, the prayer I taught you does say, “Give us today our daily bread,” but that doesn’t mean I’m the genie in the magic lamp. I will meet your needs. I’m not here to grant your every wish. I want you to hunger and thirst for righteousness. I want you to long for the bread of heaven, the meatier things found in My word. I want you to long for Me, not what I can give you.

When you come to understand the difference, you will find yourself close to the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Father and Son radiate life (John 5:16-47), August 3, 2015

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – John 5:16-47

Set – Nahum 2; John 5

Go! – Nahum 1-3; John 5

John 5:16-47
16 So they began pursuing and attacking Jesus because He performed these miracles on the Sabbath.
Jesus (to His attackers): 17 My Father is at work. So I, too, am working.
18 He was justifying the importance of His work on the Sabbath, claiming God as His Father in ways that suggested He was equal to God. These pious religious leaders sought an opportunity to kill Jesus, and these words fueled their hatred.
Jesus: 19 The truth is that the Son does nothing on His own; all these actions are led by the Father. The Son watches the Father closely and then mimics the work of the Father. 20 The Father loves the Son, so He does not hide His actions. Instead, He shows Him everything, and the things not yet revealed by the Father will dumbfound you. 21 The Father can give life to those who are dead; in the same way, the Son can give the gift of life to those He chooses.
22 The Father does not exert His power to judge anyone. Instead, He has given the authority as Judge to the Son. 23 So all of creation will honor and worship the Son as they do the Father. If you do not honor the Son, then you dishonor the Father who sent Him.
24 I tell you the truth: eternal life belongs to those who hear My voice and believe in the One who sent Me. These people have no reason to fear judgment because they have already left death and entered life.
25 I tell you the truth: a new day is imminent—in fact, it has arrived—when the voice of the Son of God will penetrate death’s domain, and everyone who hears will live. 26-27 You see, the Father radiates with life; and He also animates the Son of God with the same life-giving beauty and power to exercise judgment over all of creation. Indeed, the Son of God is also the Son of Man. 28 If this sounds amazing to you, what is even more amazing is that when the time comes, those buried long ago will hear His voice through all the rocks, sod, and soil 29 and step out of decay into resurrection. When this hour arrives, those who did good will be resurrected to life, and those who did evil will be resurrected to judgment.
30 I have not ever acted, and will not in the future act, on My own. I listen to the directions of the One who sent Me and act on these divine instructions. For this reason, My judgment is always fair and never self-serving. I’m committed to pursuing God’s agenda and not My own.
31 If I stand as the lone witness to My true identity, then I can be dismissed as a liar. 32 But if you listen, you will hear another testify about Me, and I know what He says about Me is genuine and true. 33 You sent messengers to John, and he told the truth to everyone who would listen. 34 Still his message about Me originated in heaven, not in mortal man. I am telling you these things for one reason—so that you might be rescued. 35 The voice of John the Baptist, the wandering prophet, is like a light in the darkness; and for a time, you took great joy and pleasure in the light he offered.
36 There’s another witness standing in My corner who is greater than John or any other man. The mission that brings Me here, and the things I am called to do, demonstrate the authenticity of My calling which comes directly from the Father. 37 In the act of sending Me, the Father has endorsed Me. None of you really knows the Father. You have never heard His voice or seen His profile. 38 His word does not abide in you because you do not believe in the One sent by the Father.
39 Here you are scouring through the Scriptures, hoping that you will find eternal life among a pile of scrolls. What you don’t seem to understand is that the Scriptures point to Me. 40 Here I am with you, and still you reject the truth contained in the law and prophets by refusing to come to Me so that you can have life.
41 This kind of glory does not come from mortal men. 42 And I see that you do not possess the love of God. 43 I have pursued you, coming here in My Father’s name, and you have turned Me away. If someone else were to approach you with a different set of credentials, you would welcome him. 44 That’s why it is hard to see how true faith is even possible for you: you are consumed by the approval of other men, longing to look good in their eyes; and yet you disregard the approval of the one true God. 45 Don’t worry that I might bring you up on charges before My Father. Moses is your accuser even though you’ve put your hope in him 46 because if you believed what Moses had to say, then you would believe in Me because he wrote about Me. 47 But if you ignore Moses and the deeper meaning of his writings, then how will you ever believe what I have to say?

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

My conversation with the religious leaders recorded by John make pretty clear My position and role while I was living with you. I did the work of the Father as part of the Triune godhead while on earth. I shared His message with you both in words and in action so you would believe in Me and My mission.

One important thing to remember about the description recorded by John, the Father radiates life, and so does the Son. I will soon demonstrate the fact by raising others from the dead and after My crucifixion I will rise from the dead Myself. The Father and Son are one radiating life to all who will accept it, and judgment to all who will not. Make the right choice. 

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Don’t get your role confused (John 4:1-42), August 2, 2015

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast


Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – John 4:1-42

Set – 2 Chronicles 33; John 4

Go! – 2 King 21; 2 Chronicles 33; John 4

John 4:1-42
1 The picture was becoming clear to the Pharisees that Jesus had gained a following much larger than that of John the Baptist, the wandering prophet. Now He could see that the Pharisees were beginning to plot against Him. 2 This was because His disciples were busy ritually cleansing many new disciples through baptism, 3 He chose to leave Judea where most Pharisees lived and return to a safer location in Galilee. 4 This was a trip that would take them through Samaria.
5-8 In a small Samaritan town known as Sychar, Jesus and His entourage stopped to rest at the historic well that Jacob gave his son Joseph. It was about noon when Jesus found a spot to sit close to the well while the disciples ventured off to find provisions. From His vantage, He watched as a Samaritan woman approached to draw some water. Unexpectedly He spoke to her.
Jesus: Would you draw water, and give Me a drink?
Woman: 9 I cannot believe that You, a Jew, would associate with me, a Samaritan woman; much less ask me to give You a drink.
Jews, you see, have no dealings with Samaritans.
Jesus: 10 You don’t know the gift of God or who is asking you for a drink of this water from Jacob’s well. Because if you did, you would have asked Him for something greater; and He would have given you the living water.
Woman: 11 Sir, You sit by this deep well a thirsty man without a bucket in sight. Where does this living water come from? 12 Are You claiming superiority to our father Jacob who labored long and hard to dig and maintain this well so that he could share clean water with his sons, grandchildren, and cattle?
Jesus: 13 Drink this water, and your thirst is quenched only for a moment. You must return to this well again and again. 14 I offer water that will become a wellspring within you that gives life throughout eternity. You will never be thirsty again.
Woman: 15 Please, Sir, give me some of this water, so I’ll never be thirsty and never again have to make the trip to this well.
Jesus: 16 Then bring your husband to Me.
Woman: 17-18 I do not have a husband.
Jesus: Technically you are telling the truth. But you have had five husbands and are currently living with a man you are not married to.
Woman: 19 Sir, it is obvious to me that You are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped here on this mountain, but Your people say that Jerusalem is the only place for all to worship. Which is it?
Jesus: 21-24 Woman, I tell you that neither is so. Believe this: a new day is coming—in fact, it’s already here—when the importance will not be placed on the time and place of worship but on the truthful hearts of worshipers. You worship what you don’t know while we worship what we do know, for God’s salvation is coming through the Jews. The Father is spirit, and He is seeking followers whose worship is sourced in truth and deeply spiritual as well. Regardless of whether you are in Jerusalem or on this mountain, if you do not seek the Father, then you do not worship.
Woman: 25 These mysteries will be made clear by He who is promised, the Anointed One.
Jesus: 26 The Anointed is speaking to you. I am the One you have been looking for.
27 The disciples returned to Him and gathered around Him in amazement that He would openly break their customs by speaking to this woman, but none of them would ask Him what He was looking for or why He was speaking with her. 28 The woman went back to the town, leaving her water pot behind. She stopped men and women on the streets and told them about what had happened.
Woman: 29 I met a stranger who knew everything about me. Come and see for yourselves; can He be the Anointed One?
30 A crowd came out of the city and approached Jesus. 31 During all of this, the disciples were urging Jesus to eat the food they gathered.
Jesus: 32 I have food to eat that you know nothing about.
Disciples (to one another): 33 Is it possible someone else has brought Him food while we were away?
Jesus: 34 I receive My nourishment by serving the will of the Father who sent Me and completing His work. 35 You have heard others say, “Be patient; we have four more months to wait until the crops are ready for the harvest.” I say, take a closer look and you will see that the fields are ripe and ready for the harvest. 36 The harvester is collecting his pay, harvesting fruit ripe for eternal life. So even now, he and the sower are celebrating their fortune. 37 The saying may be old, but it is true: “One person sows, and another reaps.” 38 I sent you to harvest where you have not labored; someone else took the time to plant and cultivate, and you feast on the fruit of their labor.
39 Meanwhile, because one woman shared with her neighbors how Jesus exposed her past and present, the village of Sychar was transformed—many Samaritans heard and believed. 40 The Samaritans approached Jesus and repeatedly invited Him to stay with them, so He lingered there for two days on their account. 41 With the words that came from His mouth, there were many more believing Samaritans. 42 They began their faith journey because of the testimony of the woman beside the well; but when they heard for themselves, they were convinced the One they were hearing was and is God’s Anointed, the Liberating King, sent to rescue the entire world.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

The encounter between Me and the Samaritan woman at the well in Sychar tells of the universality of My salvation. It shows the grace I freely give to all people. It breaks down the ethnic barriers between peoples, races, and cultures. But that not what I want you to take away from the story today.

I want you to hear the very last part of John’s recollection of the events today. “They [the Samaritans in Sychar] began their faith journey because of the testimony of the woman beside the well; but when they heard for themselves, they were convinced the One they were hearing was and is God’s Anointed, the Liberating King, sent to rescue the entire world.”

I want to remind you of the important role you play in building My kingdom and the limitation you have as well. Like the Samaritan woman, your responsibility is to witness your experience with Me. She told everyone she saw what I told her at the well. She shared what she knew of Me. She didn’t save them. She couldn’t. It wasn’t in her power to do so. Her job, her task, her responsibility began and ended with sharing with others what I did for her at the well.

I do the rest. Some believed in Me. Some didn’t. Some were convinced. Some remained skeptical and are lost forever. Her job and yours is to witness what I’ve done for you. That’s it. I will take care of the rest. Don’t get the roles confused.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Nicodemus is a lot like us (John 3:1-21), August 1, 2015

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast


Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – John 3:1-21

Set – Isaiah 66; John 3

Go! – Isaiah 65-66; Psalms 62; John 3

John 3:1-21
1 Nicodemus was one of the Pharisees, a man with some clout among his people. 2 He came to Jesus under the cloak of darkness to question Him.
Nicodemus: Teacher, some of us have been talking. You are obviously a teacher who has come from God. The signs You are doing are proof that God is with You.
Jesus: 3 I tell you the truth: only someone who experiences birth for a second time can hope to see the kingdom of God.
Nicodemus: 4 I am a grown man. How can someone be born again when he is old like me? Am I to crawl back into my mother’s womb for a second birth? That’s impossible!
Jesus: 5 I tell you the truth, if someone does not experience water and Spirit birth, there’s no chance he will make it into God’s kingdom. 6 Like from like. Whatever is born from flesh is flesh; whatever is born from Spirit is spirit. 7 Don’t be shocked by My words, but I tell you the truth. Even you, an educated and respected man among your people, must be reborn by the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God. 8 The wind blows all around us as if it has a will of its own; we feel and hear it, but we do not understand where it has come from or where it will end up. Life in the Spirit is as if it were the wind of God.
Nicodemus: 9 I still do not understand how this can be.
Jesus: 10 Your responsibility is to instruct Israel in matters of faith, but you do not comprehend the necessity of life in the Spirit? 11 I tell you the truth: we speak about the things we know, and we give evidence about the things we have seen, and you choose to reject the truth of our witness. 12 If you do not believe when I talk to you about ordinary, earthly realities, then heavenly realities will certainly elude you. 13 No one has ever journeyed to heaven above except the One who has come down from heaven—the Son of Man, who is of heaven. 14 Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness. In the same way, the Son of Man must be lifted up; 15 then all those who believe in Him will experience everlasting life.
16 For God expressed His love for the world in this way: He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not face everlasting destruction, but will have everlasting life. 17 Here’s the point. God didn’t send His Son into the world to judge it; instead, He is here to rescue a world headed toward certain destruction.
18 No one who believes in Him has to fear condemnation, yet condemnation is already the reality for everyone who refuses to believe because they reject the name of the only Son of God. 19 Why does God allow for judgment and condemnation? Because the Light, sent from God, pierced through the world’s darkness to expose ill motives, hatred, gossip, greed, violence, and the like. Still some people preferred the darkness over the light because their actions were dark. 20 Some of humankind hated the light. They scampered hurriedly back into the darkness where vices thrive and wickedness flourishes. 21 Those who abandon deceit and embrace what is true, they will enter into the light where it will be clear that all their deeds come from God.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

People have mixed emotions about Nicodemus. Some praise him for his coming to Me and inquiring about My message even though he risked everything in doing so. He held a position in the Sanhedrin as an honored Pharisee. He ruled on matters of the law and yet he came seeking answers from Me because of what he heard others saying about Me.

Others condemn Nicodemus because of his cowardess for coming to Me at night, not daring to approach Me in the daylight. Some see his motives as impure because of the line of questioning he raises and his lack of understanding. Some think he tries to trap Me in his own misunderstanding.

I see Nicodemus as I see all My children, confused by a veil of darkness until the light of My truth breaks through that darkness and touches your heart. But just a little faith in Me shatters the darkness. It doesn’t take much. Faith the size of a mustard seed, not much bigger than the head of a pin, burst through the veil that keeps truth from you. Once you let Me in, I will reveal My heart to you. I will help you see as I see. I will give you My Spirit to teach you and guide you.

Like Nicodemus, you will learn what being born again means. It isn’t just a few words. It’s not a catch phrase to throw around. It’s a total transformation. It’s dying to the old you and becoming someone you never thought you could be. In fact, it’s more than a transformation, it’s a metamorphosis. You can come to Me any time, anywhere. Just call My name and I’ll be there for you.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Jesus knows how to party! (John 2:1-12), July 31, 2015

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – John 2:1-12

Set – Psalms 107; John 2

Go! – Isaiah 63-64; Psalms 107; John 2

John 2:1-12

1 Three days later, they all went to celebrate a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was invited 2 together with Him and His disciples. 3 While they were celebrating, the wine ran out; and Jesus’ mother hurried over to her son.
Mary: The host stands on the brink of embarrassment; there are many guests, and there is no more wine.
Jesus: 4 Dear woman, is it our problem they miscalculated when buying wine and inviting guests? My time has not arrived.
5 But she turned to the servants.
Mary: Do whatever my son tells you.
6 In that area were six massive stone water pots that could each hold 20 to 30 gallons. They were typically used for Jewish purification rites. 7 Jesus’ instructions were clear:
Jesus: Fill each water pot with water until it’s ready to spill over the top; 8 then fill a cup, and deliver it to the headwaiter.
They did exactly as they were instructed. 9 After tasting the water that had become wine, the headwaiter couldn’t figure out where such wine came from (even though the servants knew), and he called over the bridegroom in amazement.
Headwaiter: 10 This wine is delectable. Why would you save the most exquisite fruit of the vine? A host would generally serve the good wine first and, when his inebriated guests don’t notice or care, he would serve the inferior wine. You have held back the best for last.
11 Jesus performed this miracle, the first of His signs, in Cana of Galilee. They did not know how this happened; but when the disciples and the servants witnessed this miracle, their faith blossomed.
12 Jesus then gathered His clan—His family members and disciples—for a journey to Capernaum where they lingered several days.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

So many people think Christians have sour dispositions and must keep this down-in-the-mouth look about them all the time. Nothing could be further from the truth. My followers should know real joy. I did. I knew what life was all about. In fact, my first public miracle happened at a party! If you’ve never been to a Jewish wedding feast, I can tell you, they know how to throw a party! Food, music, dancing, laughter. Everyone has a great time celebrating the beginning of new family with the bride and groom.

Naturally, when My mother saw the host ran out of wine, she didn’t want him embarrassed in front of his family and friends and came to Me to do something about it. She knew I was the Creator. If anyone could help him out, I could. She wasn’t sure how, but knew I could do something.

Of course no one would expect Me to use the water used to wash the guests feet as they came in from the street to fix the situation, but I’m known for doing the unexpected. The servants were certainly surprised I asked them to fill those pitchers full of water instead of the wine casks, but they did it. I’m sure they didn’t tell the host where they got the wine until after the party, though.

If the host and his guests knew they were drinking from the jars reserved for footwashing they wouldn’t understand. But My act of service for My mother is tied to My last act of service for My disciples. I took water from jars similar to those at that wedding in Cana to wash My disciples feet. You see, it’s not about how good the wine tasted or how clean the water might or might not be, it’s about living a life of servanthood for those around you.

Look for ways you can serve in little ways. You’ll find dozens of things you can do for others if you just open your eyes with My eyes. Instead of jars of dirty water, you’ll see the best wine. Instead of a muddy street, you’ll see the material to make new eyes. Instead of a leper shunned from society, you’ll see a friend who needs a hug. You’ll see opportunities all around you to do the unexpected.

I came and turned organized religion upside down. I changed the somber, sour, burdensome rules to a life of joy and contentment and peace. One that attracted children wherever I went. And you know that children will not follow a sour-puss. Even My disciples scoffed at the fun I had with the children around Me until I rebuked them for trying to push them away. They they joined in on the games and the fun. I enjoy life! That’s why I grant you life in the first place. That’s why I want you to accept eternal life with Me so the joy never has to end.

I’m ready to party with you in just a little while. I’ve been getting the banquet hall ready. We will have a grand time of it. Get ready. I’m coming soon.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

He came with grace and gifts (John 1:1-28), July 30, 2015

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast


Subscribe in: iTunesDownload|

Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready -John 1:1-28

Set – Isaiah 62; John 1

Go! – Isaiah 60-62; John 1

John 1:1-28
1Before time itself was measured, the Voice was speaking.
The Voice was and is God.
2 This celestial Word remained ever present with the Creator;
3 His speech shaped the entire cosmos.
Immersed in the practice of creating,
all things that exist were birthed in Him.
4 His breath filled all things
with a living, breathing light—
5 A light that thrives in the depths of darkness,
blazes through murky bottoms.
It cannot and will not be quenched.
6 A man named John, who was sent by God, was the first to clearly articulate the source of this Light. 7 This baptizer put in plain words the elusive mystery of the Divine Light so all might believe through him. Some wondered whether he might be the Light, 8 but John was not the Light. He merely pointed to the Light. 9 The true Light, who shines upon the heart of everyone, was coming into the cosmos.
10 He entered our world, a world He made; yet the world did not recognize Him. 11 Even though He came to His own people, they refused to listen and receive Him. 12 But for all who did receive and trust in Him, He gave them the right to be reborn as children of God; 13 He bestowed this birthright not by human power or initiative but by God’s will.
14 The Voice took on flesh and became human and chose to live alongside us. We have seen Him, enveloped in undeniable splendor—the one true Son of the Father—evidenced in the perfect balance of grace and truth. 15 John the Baptist testified about Him and shouted, “This is the one I’ve been telling you is coming. He is much greater than I am because He existed long before me.” 16 Through this man we all receive gifts of grace beyond our imagination. 17 You see, Moses gave us rules to live by, but Jesus the Anointed offered us gifts of grace and truth. 18 God, unseen until now, is revealed in the Voice, God’s only Son, straight from the Father’s heart.
19 The reputation of John was growing; and many had questions, including Jewish religious leaders from Jerusalem. 28 So some priests and Levites approached John in Bethany just beyond the Jordan River while he was baptizing and bombarded him with questions:
Religious Leaders: Who are you?
John the Baptist: 20 I’m not the Anointed One, if that is what you are asking.
Religious Leaders: 21 Your words sound familiar, like a prophet’s. Is that how we should address you? Are you the Prophet Elijah?
John the Baptist: No, I am not Elijah.
Religious Leaders: Are you the Prophet Moses told us would come?
John the Baptist: No.
Religious Leaders: 22 Then tell us who you are and what you are about because everyone is asking us, especially the Pharisees, and we must prepare an answer.
23 John replied with the words of Isaiah the prophet:
John the Baptist: Listen! I am a voice calling out in the wilderness.
Straighten out the road for the Lord. He’s on His way.
24-25 Then some of those sent by the Pharisees questioned him again.
Religious Leaders: How can you travel the countryside baptizing people if you are not the Anointed One or Elijah or the Prophet?
John the Baptist: 26 Baptizing with water is what I do; but the One whom I speak of, whom we all await, is standing among you; and you have no idea who He is. 27 Though He comes after me, I am not even worthy to unlace His sandals.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Many are familiar with the description of My Son John gives in the opening verses of his gospel. It’s good to hear it every once in a while, though, and just be reminded of what He did for you in coming to live among you. I know it’s difficult to understand how I can exist as three persons in one godhead, but I do, Father, Son, and Spirit. Here since the beginning of time and I will exist as a triune godhead throughout eternity.

For you I gave up the splendor of the heavenly realms and wrapped myself in human flesh to live alongside you. I wanted you to see Me and know Me. I wanted you to experience My grace and gifts first hand from hands of flesh and blood. I had tried to let you experience those gifts from My godly presence, but you rejected Me. I hoped by living among you, I would be accepted by you. Few of you did. Few of you do today.

Many today still baptize with water. I still baptize with My spirit and will fill you to the full if you will let Me. I haven’t changed. I remain the same from before time began until time finally comes to an end. For a short time I took on a physical body so I could share your pain and suffering in physical form. I am both your savior and your judge.

I still want to give you My grace and My gifts. You must accept them, though. An unaccepted gift just sits, useless, unopened, given but of no value to the receiver. You must accept the gift and with it My Spirit that guides you through your days. I will lead you where you should go if you will let Me.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

East to west, not a very short distance (Psalm 103), July 29, 2015

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready -Psalms 103

Set – Psalms 103; 2 Peter 3

Go! – Isaiah 57-59; Psalms 103; 2 Peter 3

Psalms 103
1 O my soul, come, praise the Eternal
with all that is in me—body, emotions, mind, and will—every part of who I am—
praise His holy name.
2 O my soul, come, praise the Eternal;
sing a song from a grateful heart;
sing and never forget all the good He has done.
3 Despite all your many offenses, He forgives and releases you.
More than any doctor, He heals your diseases.
4 He reaches deep into the pit to deliver you from death.
He crowns you with unfailing love and compassion like a king.
5 When your soul is famished and withering,
He fills you with good and beautiful things, satisfying you as long as you live.
He makes you strong like an eagle, restoring your youth.
6 When people are crushed, wronged, enslaved, raped, murdered,
the Eternal is just;
He makes the wrongs right.
7 He showed Moses His ways;
He allowed His people Israel to see His wonders and acts of power.
8 The Eternal is compassionate and merciful.
When we cross all the lines, He is patient with us.
When we struggle against Him, He lovingly stays with us—changing, convicting, prodding;
9 He will not constantly criticize,
nor will He hold a grudge forever.
10 Thankfully, God does not punish us for our sins and depravity as we deserve.
In His mercy, He tempers justice with peace.
11 Measure how high heaven is above the earth;
God’s wide, loving, kind heart is greater for those who revere Him.
12 You see, God takes all our crimes—our seemingly inexhaustible sins—and removes them.
As far as east is from the west, He removes them from us.
13 An earthly father expresses love for his children;
it is no different with our heavenly Father;
The Eternal shows His love for those who revere Him.
14 For He knows what we are made of;
He knows our frame is frail, and He remembers we came from dust.
15 The children of Adam are like grass;
their days are few;
they flourish for a time like flowers in a meadow.
16 As the wind blows over the field and the bloom is gone,
it doesn’t take much to blow us out of the memory of that place.
17 But the unfailing love of the Eternal is always and eternal
for those who reverently run after Him.
He extends His justice on and on to future generations,
18 To those who will keep His bond of love
and remember to walk in the guidance of His commands.
19 The Eternal has established His throne up in the heavens.
He rules over every seen and unseen realm and creature.
20 Adore Him! Give Him praise, you heavenly messengers,
you powerful creatures who listen to
and act on His every word.
21 Give praise to the Eternal, all armies of heaven—
you servants who stand ready to do His will.
22 Give praise to the Eternal, all that He has made
in all corners of His creation.
O my soul, come, praise the Eternal!

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

I put the vision in the psalmist’s head about sins being cast away as far as the east is from the west. He could have said as far as the north is from the south, you know. But he didn’t. I didn’t want him to use those directions. I wanted him to use east and west. You might not have thought much about why, but I did. He might not have even thought about it at the time except that the sun rose in the east and set in the west. Maybe he thought about sins being blotted out the same way the sun is blotted out of the sky each night.

I wanted him to use those directions, though, because I knew that one day science would catch up with navigation. Men already navigated by the stars. They knew about the cardinal directions and that each of them went on endlessly. Except they don’t.

Today you know the truth. North stops at the north pole and south stops at the south pole. You can’t continue to go north or south when you’ve reach those two places respectively. As soon as you take another step, you’re headed in the opposite direction. So there is always a limit as to how far removed your sins would be if I let the psalmist use the expression “as far as the north is from the south”. The limit would be the distance from the north to the south pole, or 12,430 miles.

But how far is the east from the west? Begin traveling west and stop when you hit east. Sorry, there is no stop sign. You can circle the globe a million times and you’ll still be traveling west. It never ends when you travel east or west. The psalmist didn’t know that at the time. His concept of the world then was a flat world held up by pillars over an endless ocean. You know the earth is one of My planets circling one of billions of suns in one of billions of galaxies within this things you call a universe.

How far is east from west? You can’t get there in a million life times. That’s how far removed I take your sins when I forgive you. Come to Me and ask. I’ll do the job. Then you just follow Me and see what else I can do.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

What’s not fair about living? (2 Peter 2), July 28, 2015

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 2 Peter 2

Set – Isaiah 55; 2 Peter 2

Go! – Isaiah 53-56; 2 Peter 2

2 Peter 2
1 Just as false prophets rose up in the past among God’s people, false teachers will rise up in the future among you. They will slip in with their destructive opinions, denying the very Master who bought their freedom and dooming themselves to destruction swiftly, 2 but not before they attract others by their unbridled and immoral behavior. Because of them and their ways, others will criticize and condemn the path of truth we walk as seedy and disreputable. 3 These false teachers will follow their greed and exploit you with their fabrications, but be assured that their judgment was pronounced long ago and their destruction does not sleep.
4 For God did not spare the heavenly beings who sinned, but He cast them into the dark pits of hell to be kept until the time of judgment; 5 and He did not spare the ancient world, but He sent a flood swirling over the ungodly (although He did save Noah, God’s herald for what is right, with seven other members of his family); 6 and God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, reducing them to ash as a lesson of what He will do with the ungodly in the days to come 7-8 (although again He did rescue Lot, a person who did what was right in God’s eyes and who was distressed by the immorality and the lawlessness of the society around him. Day after day, the sights and sounds of their lawlessness were like daggers into that good man’s soul). 9 If all this happened in the past, it shows clearly the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from their trials and how to hold the wicked in punishment until the day of judgment.
10 And above all, it shows He will punish those who let the desires of their bodies rule them and who have no respect for authority. People like this are so bold and willful that they aren’t even afraid of offending heavenly beings, 11 although the heavenly messengers—in spite of the fact that they have greater strength and power—make no such accusations against these people before the Lord. 12 These people who speak ill of what they do not understand are no different from animals—without sense, operating only on their instincts, born to be captured and killed—and they will be destroyed just like those animals, 13 receiving the penalty for their evil acts. They waste their days in parties and carousing. As they feast with you, these stains and blemishes on your community are feasting on their deceptions. 14 Their eyes are always looking for their next adulterous conquests; their appetites for sin cannot be satisfied. They seduce the unwary soul, and greed is the only lesson they have learned by heart. God’s curse lies upon them. 15 They have veered off the right road and gotten lost, following in the steps of Balaam, the son of Beor, the false prophet. Balaam loved the reward he could get by doing evil, 16 but he was rebuked for crossing the line into sin; his own speechless donkey scolded him in a human voice, an amazing miracle that reined in the prophet’s insanity.
17 These people I’m talking about are nothing but dried-up springs, mists driven by fierce winds; the deepest darkness has been set aside for them. 18 They speak in loud voices empty and arrogant. They exploit the desires of the flesh, take advantage of sensual natures, to entangle people who have just escaped from those who live by deception. 19 They claim to offer them freedom, but they themselves are enslaved by corruption because whatever a person gives in to soon becomes his master. 20 Those who have been pulled out of the cesspool of worldly desires through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus, the Anointed One, yet have found themselves mired in it again are worse off than they were before. 21 They would have been better off never knowing the way of righteousness than to have known it and then abandoned the sacred commandment they had previously received and dived back into the muck! 22 In their cases, the words from Proverbs hold true: “The dog goes back to his own vomit,” and as the Greeks say, “The sow is washed to wallow in the mud.”

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

False prophets have been around since I created the first beings with creative intelligence. Even some of My messengers, created to serve Me, thought they could become more powerful than Me and learned the hard way they could not. I threw those who sinned against Me into the pits of hell for their disobedience.

False prophets in Noah’s day caused me to destroy all mankind except Noah and his family as they led people astray from worshiping Me. False prophets throughout history turned people away from Me with their convincing lies and appealing appearance. I always give you a choice as to whether you will follow Me. I don’t plead and push. It’s your choice and I will honor it.

The one area in which I withhold My power is at the point of your moral choice. You can choose to follow Me or follow the lies of the world. There are false prophets alive and well today. They tell you I’m not real. They tell you as a God of love I would never allow anyone to spend eternity in hell separated from Me. They tell you I will save everyone because of My love. They tell you the stories of My wrath are not true or at least that side of Me has changed since I came in the flesh and sacrificed Myself for you.

The false prophets tell you a lot of things. Don’t believe them. I am the same today as I was at creation. I am still slow to anger and personify love. But I am also a God of justice and wrath because I am holy. Sin must be punished. I paid that penalty, but the covenant into which you enter to benefit from My sacrifice is not a one sided contract. Like all contracts and covenants, you must be obedient to Me. You must carry out your part of the covenant. Otherwise, the consequences of the contract will be executed.

You see, I’m God. I made you. We have a contract, you and I. I’ve fulfilled My part. You can choose to fulfill your part and follow Me or you can accept the penalties that come. Your choice. You think the game’s not fair? Well, you can try to make it on your own, but how will you make food without Me? How will you make water without Me? How will you make the air you breathe without Me? I guess I get to make the rules since I provide all your sustinence. But I do let you choose how you want to play. I just want you to make the right choice. 

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Peter’s characteristics means love (2 Peter 1:1-11), July 27, 2015

Leave a reply

Today’s Podcast

Subscribe in: iTunes|Download

Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 2 Peter 1:1-11

Set – Isaiah 51; Psalms 92; 2 Peter 1

Go! – Isaiah 50-52; Psalms 92; 2 Peter 1

2 Peter 1:1-11
1Simon Peter, a servant and emissary of Jesus the Anointed One, to those who have received the same precious faith we share through the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus the Anointed. 2 I wish you a full measure of grace and peace as you grow in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
3 His divine power has given us everything we need to experience life and to reflect God’s true nature through the knowledge of the One who called us by His glory and virtue. 4 Through these things, we have received God’s great and valuable promises, so we might escape the corruption of worldly desires and share in the divine nature.
5 To achieve this, you will need to add virtue to your faith, and then knowledge to your virtue; 6 to knowledge, add discipline; to discipline, add endurance; to endurance, add godliness; 7 to godliness, add affection for others as sisters and brothers; and to affection, at last, add love. 8 For if you possess these traits and multiply them, then you will never be ineffective or unproductive in your relationship with our Lord Jesus the Anointed; 9 but if you don’t have these qualities, then you will be nearsighted and blind, forgetting that your past sins have been washed away. 10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, work that much harder to confirm that God has called you and claimed you. If you do this, then you will never fall along the way; 11 and you can be sure that you will be richly welcomed into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Anointed, our Liberating King.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

It wasn’t until the end of their lives that My disciples began to understand I might delay My coming for generations to allow the greatest number of people to find My grace. It was at the end of their lives they began to pen the words you heard and read in the throughout the New Testament that grab your attention and help you understand what it means to live for Me and pattern your life after Me. Then knew their lives were short and wanted to make sure the words I had given them lived on for you.

Peter learned about the character of Christians first hand. He walked with Me for almost three and a half years before I was physically taken from him by My death on the cross. Still he knew Me by his study of My word and listening carefully to what I told him through My Spirit within him.

Peter learned to build the greatest attribute you can share that is like Me – love. Start with faith, add virtue to it. Then with those in place increase your knowledge of Me. As you learn more of Me, you’ll find discipline in your life becomes more important and you’ll add discipline to your life to become more like Me in character.

To faith, virtue, knowledge, and discipline, you will discover the need for endurance because life is not a short or easy race at times and endurance is a characteristic you will need to embrace. To endurance for the race, you will need godliness and to godliness you will need affection for those around you. Without affection you will be blind to the needs of others and miss the godly opportunities I put in your path. You will not be able to endure the hardships of life or suffer through the discipline necessary to really know Me. You will slip in your life of virtues and you and others will question your faith.

Finally, from affection will blossom love for your brothers and sisters. Real heart-felt love, like Mine that you demonstrate through benevolent action expecting nothing in return. You’ll just give – of your time, your money, your energy – whatever God asks you to give for the good of those around you.

Peter reminds you that you need these characteristics as you go through life. I will remind you, too. These characteristics lead you to the point of love, the two great commandments. Love Me with all your heart and love your neighbor like you love yourself. Do these two things and you’ll do the rest. Just love.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.