Today’s Reading: Mark 1:35-2:12; Luke 5:12-26

Several years ago, I had the privilege of sitting and visiting with Pam Tebow, mother of former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow. As we waited for her turn to speak at our fundraising banquet, we got to know each other, and I enjoyed her sweet spirit and genuine heart. We spoke of some of the big public moments in Tim’s life, but she also shared some of their private moments as a family. By the time Pam rose to go to the stage, I no longer saw her as a public figure about to speak to a room of 800 people; I now saw her as another mom who loves her family and daily allows God to use her however He desires.

WITH OR WITHOUT AN AUDIENCE

As we read through the gospels, we see that Jesus’ ministry had both its public and private moments. In many of those private moments, Jesus instructed the person he healed not to reveal his identity to others. There was a bigger plan at work and wisdom in what Jesus was asking his followers to do, even though they did not always listen to him. Let’s look at the difference between these two kinds of moments in the ministry of the Messiah.

In the first chapter of Mark, we read of a private moment when a man with leprosy fell on his knees before Jesus and was healed. There were probably very few people listening in on their conversation, or very few left within hearing distance once they realized the man had a highly contagious disease.

Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. Then Jesus sent him on his way with a stern warning: “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you.” – Mark 1:41-44a

But because the man left and told everyone who had healed him, large crowds began to follow Jesus. He struggled to enter into a town publicly because of the attention he would immediately receive. When Jesus arrived in Capernaum, news spread of the house where he was staying and it was soon packed with visitors. As Jesus was preaching to the standing room only crowd, four men dug a hole in the roof and began to lower a paralyzed man down in front of Jesus. Jesus not only met his physical needs, he also met his spiritual needs, which caused the religious leaders in attendance to grumble.

Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”

And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!” – Mark 2:8-12

There may be moments in our lives when many people are aware of something we have accomplished or a way in which we have served God. We may get a pat on the back or the applause of an audience, and in all of that we hope and pray that God is glorified. But there will also be moments in our lives when God asks us to do something for Him, something we will never get earthly recognition for. We obediently follow Jesus REGARDLESS OF THE PRESENCE OF AN AUDIENCE. There is no need for public fanfare or media attention; we are simply daily responding to God’s lead.

WITH OR WITHOUT AN AUDIENCE

That night at the banquet, I was introduced and those in attendance welcomed me warmly. At that moment, everyone in the room knew who I was and the position I held in the ministry. In the same room there was a retired couple sitting at their assigned table. Every week she would come in and volunteer, working with the young mothers who were learning how to parent. Her husband would come with her each week and volunteer by cleaning the pregnancy center. Neither of them got specific public recognition that night, but I was given the honor of privately thanking them for all they do for Living Alternatives.

My obedience to what God has asked me to do with my time is no greater than the faithful service of this couple. I guarantee you they were not concerned that they did not get a standing ovation; that is not why they do what they do. They are humble servants of their Savior, and it is His approval that they are living for.

WITH OR WITHOUT AN AUDIENCE

“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:1-6

May our testimony today be the same — willing hearts, WITH OR WITHOUT AN AUDIENCE, whether or not our reward is on earth or in Heaven. May our testimony be as strong in today’s private moments as it is in the public moments when others are watching. May we be consistent in all that we say and do, seeking the approval of God and not man. And may God receive the glory for anything He chooses to accomplish through us today.

Today’s Reading: Mark 1:16-34; Luke 4:31-5:11

THEN ANDREW BROUGHT SIMON TO MEET JESUS.

Consider the weight of these seven words. Andrew did not soak up all the Jesus he could get and then just hope from a distance that his brother would someday have the opportunity to meet this incredible man. He brought Simon to meet Jesus; he introduced his brother to the one who would forever change his life!

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come and follow me and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. – Mark 1:16-18

God had a plan for the lives of these two brothers — a plan bigger than they had ever imagined. I would guess that, even in that moment, Andrew and Simon Peter did not fully comprehend the extent to which Jesus was going to penetrate their lives.

After leaving the synagogue that day, Jesus went to Simon’s home, where he found Simon’s mother-in-law very sick with a high fever. “Please heal her,” everyone begged. Standing at her bedside, he rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and prepared a meal for them. – Luke 4:38-39

John the Baptist introduced Andrew to Jesus and then Andrew introduced Simon, now known as Peter, to Jesus. Not only did Jesus impact the lives of these two fishermen, He reached out beyond Peter to his family. This woman who was sick in bed was now on her feet serving Jesus. All who witnessed this miracle became aware of the power of the Son of God. The number of people whose lives were touched by Jesus was multiplying.

As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed everyone. Many were possessed by demons; and the demons came out at his command, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But because they knew he was the Messiah, he rebuked them and refused to let them speak. – Luke 4:40-41

THE TOUCH OF JESUS’ HAND HEALED EVERYONE.

Because Simon Peter said yes to Jesus’ invitation to follow him, his family had the opportunity to experience the healing power of the Messiah. Not only his family but his entire community! By following Jesus, Peter had shortened the distance between those he came in contact with every day and the Savior of the world. They now had the opportunity to be touched by Jesus because of Peter’s faithful obedience.

One day the crowds were pressing in so close to hear Jesus that he stepped into one of Simon Peter’s empty fishing boats to preach. When he was finished, he told Simon to take the boat into deeper waters and let down the nets to catch some fish. They had not caught anything that night, but they did as Jesus commanded and caught so many fish that their nets began to tear! Another of Simon’s boats came out to help and soon both boats were on the verge of sinking from all the fish (Luke 5:1-7).

Now Simon’s relationship with Jesus was not only affecting his family and community, Simon had brought Jesus to work with him! Now all of his coworkers and colleagues were given the opportunity to see a miracle and to reap the benefit of this huge catch of fish. How do we know his coworkers and colleagues gained from this large catch? Because Simon was officially no longer a fisher of fish; the catch was theirs to keep. He was now Peter, a fisher of men!

When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me – I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.” For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” As soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus. – Luke 5:8-11

OUR SUBMISSION IMPACTS THE LIVES OF THOSE AROUND US.

Our response to our encounter with Jesus will determine whether or not those around us get an opportunity to have their own encounter with Jesus. When we fall on our knees, admit that we are a sinner, and obediently follow Jesus – doing whatever He tells us to do simply because He said so – our submission impacts the lives of those around us. We can keep all this Jesus to ourselves or we can take Jesus into our family relationships, our community and our workplace.

Lord, help us to conquer our fears and uncertainties. Help us know that you are with us and that you want to make an impact on those around us. May our submission allow us to be your hands and feet to everyone we come in contact with today. Give us a new identity in you so that we stop seeing ourselves as “Simon” and begin seeing ourselves as “Peter”— a follower of Christ and a fisher of men. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Matthew 4:12-25; Psalm 23

With John no longer available to preach the message of repentance to a lost and dying world, Jesus picked up where John had left off with the same message — “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near” (Matthew 4:17). The impact of Jesus’ presence and his message of repentance was significant. As the prophet Isaiah had said hundreds of years before:

“In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali, beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River, in Galilee where so many Gentiles live, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.” – Matthew 4:15-16

There is significance in where Jesus chose to begin his ministry. He went first to Nazareth, his hometown, and then he traveled to Capernaum and became a light for those who had been sitting in darkness for so long — the Gentiles. His message of repentance and hope was not just for the Jewish people, but also for the Gentiles. Throughout his ministry, Jesus would continue to show that he had come to save ALL people from their sins, both Jews and Gentiles. His gift of salvation was for everyone, for me and for you.

WHERE DEATH CASTS ITS SHADOW, A LIGHT HAS SHINED.

Have you ever experienced the shadow of death? Have you been close to death but survived to tell the story? Have you sat by a loved one and watched them slowly slip from this world into the next? Have you experienced the darkness of death’s shadow?

Just asking this question brings my thoughts back to our last day with my father. The memories of those last hours are still vivid, taking me back to the room where we gathered together in anticipation of his last breath. As we sat in the shadow of death, we spoke of the hope of eternal life. We grieved our loss while celebrating that my father would no longer be confined to a body devastated by Parkinson’s. The light of Jesus filled our hearts as we sang around his bed, releasing our patriarch into the hands of God.

Where death casts its shadow, a light shines. As a young man, my father had received the message of salvation and gave his life to the Lord. He walked away from his career in library science, put down all the work he had done on his dissertation, and began to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to others — “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon-possessed or epileptic or paralyzed – he healed them all. Large crowds followed him wherever he went – people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River. – Matthew 4:23-25

This is a great description of the kind of impact Jesus had on those who were living while he walked the earth. They had never heard anyone speak like he did or heal like he did. They would travel long distances to see this man from Nazareth who could free people of their demons and diseases. They would follow him wherever he went. Among those followers were Simon, Andrew, James, and John.

And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. — Matthew 4:18-22

Simon Peter and Andrew were casting their net into the sea. This was how they provided for themselves — by catching fish to sell or trade. They were working hard doing what they did every day. James and John were mending their nets. Their means for catching fish was broken and in need of repair. They were working hard doing what they had been raised to do. But this day was different. This day a man named Jesus invited them to put down their nets and follow him. Something about this man compelled them to walk away from everything they knew and begin a new journey of following Jesus.

Many of us have heard this story of following Jesus over and over again — so much so that the reality of the disciples’ decision is somehow lost on us. Do we fully understand what they were willing to walk away from in order to follow Jesus? Maybe they were content, successful, and pleased with their routine. What prompted them to let go of everything they knew to walk into the unknown.

So much of my life has been spent watching my father say yes to the next direction from God, and then joining my husband in responding to what God is calling us towards. Even now, we are settling into a new home and a new church for a new season of ministry. Each chapter has brought joy. God has been faithful, and God will continue to be faithful.

When Jesus calls us to follow Him, He requires us to step out of our comfort zone and believe that His ways are greater than our own. We daily choose to give our lives to whatever He has for us and we follow wherever He leads — eyes fixed on Jesus and ready to say yes to the next invitation. This is the kind of impact Jesus wants to have on each of us; this is the life of obedience that Jesus is calling us to.

My father experienced the light of Jesus when he recognized his need for a Savior. He testified of this light to others, bringing countless people to a place of repentance and hope. Even during his 15 year battle with a cruel and debilitating disease, he walked in the light.

WHERE DEATH CASTS A SHADOW, A LIGHT SHINES.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4

Lord, thank you for bringing your light into the darkness of this broken world. Thank you for your comfort when we find ourselves in the valley of the shadow of death. I pray for those who have just received a terminal diagnosis or who are still grieving the loss of their loved one, marriage, job, or identity. I pray you give hope to those who are walking that journey of loss even now, and replace their sorrow with a peace that can only come from you. May our prayer this morning be that we are willing to go wherever you lead, even when death has cast its shadow. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Luke 4:16-30; Psalm 118

When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.
Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. – Luke 4:13-15

Let’s not miss that Jesus’ trip back to Galilee came soon after the forty days he spent in the wilderness being tempted by the devil. Jesus returned home – not worn out and beat up by the devil’s attempts to destroy him but rather “filled by the Holy Spirit’s power.” I love this! God strengthens us through the power of the Holy Spirit as we go through difficult times. At the end of our struggle, our faith is often stronger than before the hard times arrived.

By this time, word had spread throughout the region about Jesus and everyone seemed pleased with what he was teaching in their synagogues. He was in his homeland, but now it was time to return to the village where he grew up – Nazareth. It was TIME TO GO HOME.

When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”

He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!” – Luke 4:16-21

Luke tells us that the people were amazed by all that Jesus was saying, but they were also confused. This was Joseph’s son. How could Isaiah’s prophecy be fulfilled through someone they were so familiar with?

Then he said, “You will undoubtedly quote me this proverb: ‘Physician, heal yourself’ – meaning, ‘Do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum.’ But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his hometown. Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner – a widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, but the only one healed was Naaman, a Syrian.”

When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. – Luke 4:23-28

Jesus knew their hearts and their struggle to see him as anything but the son of a local carpenter. They had watched him grow up, watched him play in the streets with the other kids. They were excited that he had come home and amazed at what a good teacher of the Law he had become, but they did not see him as the promised Messiah or the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah.

Jesus laid out his calling for everyone. He was anointed by the Spirit to bring good news to the poor. He was sent to proclaim that captives would be released, the blind would see and those who were oppressed would be set free! The time of the Lord’s favor had come, but Nazareth was not going to experience all that God had for them because they would not accept all of who Jesus was.

I know several people who grew up in the church but who still struggle to fully believe in Jesus. My heart aches for them to have faith – to fully accept Jesus for who He is! They spent so much time in the presence of the church without taking the time to truly seek God. When eyes are focused on religion, we miss out on seeing God Himself revealed.

The village of Nazareth missed out because they wanted to define Jesus one way instead of listening to what he was trying to teach them. How much do we miss out on when we decide to define Jesus from our own perspective and make him who we want him to be? This is who Jesus wants to be in our lives today if we will just stop trying to contain him in a box and truly allow Him to be Lord:

He wants to bring good news to strengthen our faith.
He wants to set us free from the bondage of sin.
He wants to open the eyes of our heart so that we can truly see Him.
He wants us to stop deciding we already understand him.
He wants us to daily open up to what He wants to reveal to us today.

The stone that the builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing,
and it is wonderful to see.
This is the day the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Please, Lord, please save us.
Please, Lord, please give us success.
Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
The Lord is God, shining upon us.
Take the sacrifice and bind it with cords on the altar.
You are my God, and I will praise you!
You are my God, and I will exalt you!
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever. – Psalm 118:22-29

Today’s Reading: Mark 1:14-15, Luke 4:14-15, John 4:43-54

Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News. “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” – Mark 1:14-15

After Jesus heard that Herod had thrown John the Baptist in prison, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. But before leaving for Galilee, Jesus performed many miraculous signs in Jerusalem (John 3:23). John does not give us details regarding those miracles but he does give us the results — many began to trust in him.

John is the only disciple who told the story of what happened as Jesus travelled from Jerusalem to Galilee. Instead of choosing to walk around Samaria, as many Jews chose to do, Jesus made the intentional decision to walk through Samaria. He positioned himself in the life of a woman from Samaria by resting at a well while his disciples went into a nearby village for food. The timing was not random but perfectly choreographed by Jesus to intervene in the life of this woman with a dark past but a bright future.

On December 8th, we studied the evangelistic conversation Jesus had with the Samaritan woman who came to the well where Jesus was resting. Not only was her life touched by the living water Jesus offered her that day, her whole village was impacted.

Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, long enough for many more to hear his message and believe. Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world.” – John 4:39-42

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. – Luke 4:14-15

Excitement was growing across Galilee as people heard about Jesus’ teaching. Word was spreading about the miracles that Jesus had performed in Jerusalem, which caused a father to journey to where Jesus was on behalf of his son, who was very sick. Let’s consider this morning the second miracle that Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee.

As he traveled through Galilee, he came to Cana, where he had turned the water into wine. There was a government official in nearby Capernaum whose son was very sick. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die.

Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live!” And the man believed what Jesus said and started home.

While the man was on his way, some of his servants met him with the news that his son was alive and well. He asked them when the boy had begun to get better, and they replied, “Yesterday afternoon at one o’clock his fever suddenly disappeared!” Then the father realized that was the very time Jesus had told him, “Your son will live.” And he and his entire household believed in Jesus. This was the second miraculous sign Jesus did in Galilee after coming from Judea. – John 4:46-54

GOD’S TIMING IS A BEAUTIFUL THING!

It is often in the timing of an event or miracle in our lives where our faith is strengthened the most. The miracle itself is incredible, but it is the timing of God’s movement that confirms that it is God Himself at work. The suggestion of coincidence is weak while the evidence of God’s supernatural action on our behalf is obvious.

I see two elements of timing in this account written by John. The first is that Jesus arrived in Galilee just as the government official’s son became very sick. Secondly, the boy was healed at the very time when Jesus had said the words, “Your son will live.”

For most of my life, I have heard the saints in the church say, “God is always on time. He’s never late and He’s never early.” I have found that to be true in my own life, but I must admit it is not always easy to patiently wait for God’s timing. It is in these moments of waiting that our faith grows.

IT IS IN THE WAITING THAT GOD HAS OUR ATTENTION AND IT IS IN HIS PERFECT TIMING THAT WE LEARN TO TRUST IN HIM.

Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. – Psalm 27:14

I am learning each day how to trust in God in new ways. In every season of my life, God stretches me. I am confident that I am only at the beginning of all He is about to teach me. I am not sure exactly what is ahead for me this year, but I am sure that I can trust Him. His timing is always perfect and so I plan to give Him my attention as I wait patiently for Him.

But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. – 2 Peter 3:8

In what ways has God shown up for you throughout your life? Can you look back and see the evidence of God’s movement on your behalf at exactly the right time? While you wait patiently for the Lord to answer your prayers, hold tight to the memories of God’s faithfulness throughout your life. Press on in confidence that God is never late and He is never early.

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. – Galatians 6:9

Today’s Reading: John 3:18-36; 1 Peter 1:3-9

“There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” – John 3:18-21

WE HAVE A CHOICE: BELIEVE & WALK IN THE LIGHT OR CHOOSE UNBELIEF AND STAY IN THE DARK.

Day or night, light or dark, belief or unbelief. When we truly believe, we step into the light with a willingness to let our sins be exposed. Jesus meets us there, not to judge our sins but to save us from our sins and to offer us eternal life – SPIRITUAL REBIRTH.

“…The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. And anyone who BELIEVES in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.” – John 3:35-36

John the Baptist believed in Jesus and with that came an understanding of what it meant to be born again or born of the Spirit. John knew that the miraculous signs were more than just evidence that God was with Jesus – He knew that God had sent Jesus.

These are the words of John the Baptist regarding Jesus. His disciples had come to him concerned that everybody was going to Jesus to be baptized instead of coming to John and his disciples. John, who believed that Jesus was the Messiah, spoke with confidence of God’s plan.

“It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few BELIEVE what he tells them! Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true. For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit…” – John 3:29-34

Still today we live in a society where many struggle to believe in God. We have a choice to make – to believe and allow God to transform our lives through spiritual rebirth OR to not believe and put our confidence in earthly things. When we have doubts, we can either focus on the struggle or focus on Jesus in the midst of the struggle. He holds the answers and can help us get through our struggle to believe; He can give us the faith we need.

GOD ALLOWS THIS STRUGGLE TO BELIEVE IN ORDER TO STRENGTHEN OUR FAITH.

Debates on whether there really is a God can be heard across social media, college class discussions, and coffee shop conversations. If someone told you to come to the front of the room and convince those around you of God’s existence, could you? Better yet, would you?

Pop culture and politics want us to believe that we are in the minority when we put our trust in an unseen God, but a 2022 Gallup poll shows that 81% of Americans believe in God. The media wants to shame us for our Christian beliefs and the entertainment community chooses to mock us, but when an NFL player collapses to the ground during a game, both players and fans respond quickly by going to prayer. When wildfires are destroying homes across southern California, social media posts cry out for people to pray. When former presidents and national leaders gather for President Jimmy Carter’s funeral, they stand together and recite the Lord’s Prayer. When faced with death or disaster, this country shows evidence that its motto still rings true today — In God We Trust.

LET’S BE READY TO SHARE WHY WE BELIEVE WHAT WE BELIEVE.

If you have struggled with doubts but came out strong in your faith as a result of the struggle, it is important to equip yourself for the conversations God is going to place before you. If you are still in the midst of the struggle to believe, trust someone with those doubts and find someone to talk to. Focus on Jesus in the midst of the doubts and allow Him to reveal Himself to you. Let Him give you a rebirth or new life experience that will help you to feel His presence and know with confidence that our God is alive and well!

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. – 1 Peter 1:3-9

Today’s Reading: John 3:1-17; Hebrews 11:1-12:2

Jesus often used something that could be easily understood to explain something harder to grasp. He did this when he was talking with Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. Nicodemus had seen and heard of the miraculous signs that Jesus was doing and he believed them to be evidence that God was with Jesus (John 3:2). He saw God as the source of what Jesus was accomplishing.

NICODEMUS WAS STRUGGLING TO BELIEVE WHAT HE COULD NOT UNDERSTAND.

Jesus seemed to know that Nicodemus was struggling to understand. Without explaining why he had come to Jesus and why he had chosen after dark to do so, Jesus knew what Nicodemus was searching for and the decision he would have to make between darkness and light. Jesus went on to explain what needed to happen in order for Nicodemus to find what he was looking for – the Kingdom of God.

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

“What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”

Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3-8

HUMAN UNDERSTANDING VS. SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT

Not only was Nicodemus struggling to believe what he could not understand, he could not understand because he was struggling to believe. Does this sound like your own journey to faith? Does it remind you of the struggle a loved one or friend is currently in the midst of?

Nicodemus was a very intelligent man but this was going to require more than just head knowledge, this was going to require a response of the heart. Jesus knew Nicodemus was going to have to choose between remaining in the dark or stepping into the light. In order to do this, he was going to have to believe not only that God was with Jesus, but also that Jesus was sent by God.

“How are these things possible?” Nicodemus asked.

Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things? I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t BELIEVE our testimony. But if you don’t BELIEVE me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly BELIEVE if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven. And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who BELIEVES in him will have eternal life.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” – John 3:9-17

FAITH REQUIRES A RESPONSE OF THE HEART — A CHOICE TO BELIEVE.

If you want to experience the Kingdom of God, you are going to have to step out of the darkness and believe in who Jesus is. The price has already been paid – the Light of the World has already come to save us. We must choose to step into the light, allowing our sins to be exposed. When we come to Him believing, the Light of the World does not judge those sins but instead saves us from them.

I have friends who seek to understand the Bible and its spiritual truths, but they want to understand before they choose to believe. The problem is that understanding is not going to come as long as we choose to remain in the dark. It is in believing and stepping into the light, experiencing the re-birth of the Spirit, that spiritual truths begin to make sense. Understanding comes after the choice to believe.

​​And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. – Hebrews 11:6

We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. – Romans 3:22-23

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. – Romans 10:9-10

Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. – 2 Corinthians 13:5

And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. – Hebrews 12:1b-2a

And there it is. We need to respond to Jesus by believing, by having faith, even when we do not yet understand. But Jesus is willing to initiate and perfect our faith. We can pray for Jesus to give us the faith we need to believe. If we desire faith and pray for faith, Jesus will give us the faith we need to take the next step of faith. Praise Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith!

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)

Jesus, I ask you to give me the faith I need to fully believe in you and the understanding I desire to fully embrace you. I pray for those who are struggling to understand who you are because they resist believing that you are who you say you are. I pray that you will use me in their lives as a reflection of your love and a source of your light. May they come to a saving knowledge of you because they chose to step out of the darkness and follow the light made visible through our lives. Amen.

Today’s Reading: John 2:13 – 3:4; Exodus 12:1-13

“All right,” Jesus replied. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
“What!” they exclaimed. “It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple, and you can rebuild it in three days?” – John 2:19-20

This was the conversation that occurred between Jesus and the Jewish leaders the day he chased the money-changers and vendors out of the Temple in Jerusalem. You might be familiar with this passage of scripture, but let’s pray for the Spirit to give us fresh eyes with which to see this important moment in the ministry of Jesus.

Let’s consider the context of this story. God’s people were arriving from all over the land to worship at the Temple in Jerusalem. It was almost time for the Jewish Passover celebration and the Temple would have been crowded with people who were coming to celebrate how God had freed His people from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12:1-13).

Booths had been set up throughout the Temple to exchange money and to sell animals for the people to sacrifice. They were charging high rates and making a profit instead of creating space for God’s people to come and authentically worship Him. They were taking advantage of the situation in order to profit off the needs of those who traveled a great distance to Jerusalem.

​​Passion for your house has consumed me,
and the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. – Psalm 69:9

Passion for God’s house consumed Jesus (2:17) and he took action in order to make a change. Try to imagine this next moment; attempt to hear the shouting, the animals, the chaos. Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased the merchants and dealers out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle. Coins from the money changers fell to the floor as he flipped their tables over. And he had a special message to those who were selling doves:

“Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!” – John 2:16b

You can imagine the emotional reaction of the Jewish leaders. They demanded an explanation from Jesus; they wanted him to perform a miraculous sign in order to prove his authority. When he offered them one, their unbelief caused them to miss out on an opportunity. They were so focused on the physical place of worship that they lost the opportunity to believe in the One they should be worshiping.

“All right,” Jesus replied. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
“What!” they exclaimed. “It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple, and you can rebuild it in three days?” But when Jesus said “this temple,” he meant his own body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this, and they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus had said. – John 2:20-22

ALL THE PEOPLE HAD TO DO WAS CHOOSE TO BELIEVE, BUT THEY CHOSE UNBELIEF INSTEAD.

There were many who chose to keep their eyes on Jesus that week and they witnessed many miraculous signs because of their willingness to believe. They put their trust in Jesus and began a new walk of faith. But Jesus did not put his trust in the crowds, nor should we put our trust in those who have the potential to disappoint and misdirect us. But this I have come to know from experience — we can trust in the Lord our God!

No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart. – John 2:25

The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” – Jeremiah 17:9

Later, one of the Jewish leaders came after dark to speak with Jesus. Nicodemus had seen the miraculous signs Jesus was performing among the people and knew that Jesus was sent by God, but he still had questions.

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
“What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” – John 3:3-4

Jesus was speaking of spiritual rebirth but Nicodemus, like the other Jewish leaders, was stuck in the physical or literal explanation. Nicodemus lacked an understanding of the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives and he lacked the faith he needed to take Jesus at his word.

WHAT AM I STRUGGLING TO BELIEVE AT THIS TIME IN MY LIFE?

Is there a truth that God wants me to learn but that I am resisting? Is there an area of my life that Jesus is trying to clear, or has my worship become for my own benefit instead of for God’s glory? How does the Spirit want to use the living word of God in my life today?

Lord Jesus, I give you permission to get my attention. Clear away the excess in my life and bring my focus back to you. Consume me with a passion for my Father’s house. I believe that you are who you said you are and that you will do what you said you would do. I do not want to miss a moment with you because of my lack of faith so I choose to take you at your word and respond in obedience to your call. I ask that you help me to trust you with all of my struggles; I give you my disbelief and pray for you to strengthen my faith. Amen.

Today’s Reading: John 2:1-12

John records seven miracles in his account of Jesus’ life referring to them as “dunamis” — an event or sign that has a deeper meaning. The first of these miracles is when Jesus TURNED the water into wine. But even more than that was the TRANSFORMATION that took place in the lives of those in attendance that day.

Jesus attended a wedding celebration in Cana with his mother and his disciples. When Mary told Jesus the wine supply ran out, his response was, “My time has not yet come.” Mary turned to the servants and told them to do whatever Jesus told them to do.

Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions. – John 2:6-8

This group of servants, whom society devalued, had a front row seat to the Messiah’s first miracle. John does not clearly state the impact this had on the servants but I imagine their lives were never the same. Can you picture their initial fear as they handed the master of ceremonies a glass of water? Can you imagine their instant faith when he was pleased with the beverage?

When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” – John 2:9-10

JESUS TRANSFORMED A WEDDING DISASTER INTO A BEAUTIFULLY ORCHESTRATED MIRACLE.

Jesus took six stone water jars, each holding 20 to 30 gallons of water, and turned them into 180 gallons of fine-tasting wine. He took a simple everyday beverage (water) and transformed it into a highly-valued drink (wine). But this miracle of transformation was not about the water turning into wine; the true transformation was in the disciples. Curiosity had made them followers; this miracle made them believers. They witnessed the power of Jesus and their lives were never the same.

This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him. – John 2:11

Who else believed in Jesus after that day? It’s possible very few people at the wedding even knew about the miracle. The servants obviously knew where the wine had come from; they knew better than anyone else. Jesus’ mother knew they were running out of wine, and she knew who had provided in abundance for this wedding celebration. But did she know before this day what Jesus was capable of? Perhaps this was the day when Mary’s view of her son was also transformed, helping her understand that Jesus was ready to go about his Father’s business.

JESUS TRANSFORMED THE LIVES OF THE DISCIPLES, JUST AS HE TRANSFORMS OUR LIVES.

Jesus takes our simplicity and is able to make us into highly effective tools for Him to use to change the world. He takes our impure, imperfect lives and purifies us, giving us a new quality and new value. We are never the same. The enemy wants to convince us that we have not changed; the world wants to continue to define us by what we used to be. God sees us as the beautiful creation that He is changing and perfecting through the infilling of His Spirit.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being TRANSFORMED into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. – 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

I am so thankful that God is working in my life. I am thankful that He loves me enough not to leave me like I am, but to change me, to redefine me and to transform me. I do not have to stir up my own enthusiasm or strength to follow Him. He places in me the desire to serve Him and the passion to pursue holiness. This transformation is nothing short of a miracle in my life.

Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that I have been REDEFINED by Jesus and that my life has been TRANSFORMED by Him. Thank you for seeing me for what I could become instead of what I am. Thank you for taking my impure, imperfect life and purifying me – giving me a new quality and a new value in you. When the enemy tries to convince me of who I am, remind me of whose I am. I am your creation, your masterpiece and a work in progress. Amen.

After the wedding he went to Capernaum for a few days with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples. – John 2:12

Today’s Reading: John 1:43-51; Genesis 28:10-22; Philippians 3:1-11

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come follow me.” Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown. – John 1:43-44

Because the name Philip is not a Hebrew name, many believe that he was Greek. This shows a mix of cultures between the disciples, but it also shows that Jesus’ ministry was going to be for more than just the Jews. Because Philip was either Greek or possibly spoke Greek, he became a doorway for other Greeks to approach Jesus.

Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, “Sir, we want to meet Jesus.” – John 12:20-21

EACH OF JESUS’ DISCIPLES WERE CREATED UNIQUELY TO DRAW OTHERS TO JESUS, JUST AS WE ARE.

There was something special about Philip that gave others the opportunity to encounter Christ, just as there is something unique about you that God desires to use to draw others to Himself. The first person to find Jesus through Philip was a young man named Nathanael:

Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth!”
“Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
“Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied. – John 1:45-46

There was a natural tendency for people to define others by where they have come from, the color of their skin, their family background, etc. Sounds like society today, doesn’t it? Nazareth was a small town, not famous enough to be considered a possibility for greatness. It was not well thought of, yet God chose it as the birthplace of His Son. How wonderful that God sees value in even the small, imperfect places and people!

REVALUED & RECOMMITTED

As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel – a man of complete integrity.”
“How do you know my name?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.”
Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God – the King of Israel.”
Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.” – John 1:47-51

It was not just that Jesus knew where Nathanael was before he arrived, he knew who he was. It was as if Jesus was saying – Just as you know where I came from and want to judge me by my origin, I know where you came from. You are a descendant of Jacob, who was known to be scheming and deceitful, but I know that you are a man of complete integrity. And, just as Jacob dreamed of a stairway reaching to heaven with angels of God going up and down the stairway (Gen. 28:12), you will see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.

Because they were given the opportunity to encounter Jesus, the lives of these two disciples were forever changed. Philip found his value in the Son of God, and Nathaniel became aware of the Son of God’s value. They could have been content with hearing his sermons and seeing his miracles, but they chose to have a personal relationship with Jesus, and it changed the trajectory of their lives. Both of these young men RECOMMITTED their future and became full-time followers of Christ. And because of their response to the call of Jesus, the lives of others were significantly impacted.

MAY THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD THAT WE ONCE SAW AS GIVING US VALUE BE CONSIDERED WORTHLESS COMPARED TO THE INFINITE VALUE OF KNOWING CHRIST JESUS AS LORD.

Lord, I pray that each of us is able to accept our value in who you say we are; I pray we are able to see our identity in you. May we never be satisfied with knowing Jesus from a distance, but always be pursuing a closer relationship with you. Thank you for renaming me your child, redefining me with your purpose, and revaluing me according to your grace. I choose to daily recommit myself to you and faithfully remain a follower of Christ. Amen.

I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! – Philippians 3:7-11