To The Church

Happy Tuesday Bible Journal family!

In Revelation 2 we have hear Jesus speak to John and to four of the seven churches in the province of Asia. The words Jesus speaks to John would be the letters written for the churches then and to all of us as “the Churches” now.

The letters to the churches are of praise and encouragement, but also warnings.  So as you read through Revelation 2, listen to His words and hold onto His promises.

7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

To the Church in Ephesus

  • He is our right hand that holds it all in His hands. v.1
  • He knows our actions and our deeds. v.2
  • He understands our perseverance.v.3
  • He reminds us to repent when we have fallen. v.5

To the Church in Smyrna

  • He is the First and the Last v.8
  • He knows our pain and needs. v.9
  • He reminds us the devil will test us, still be faithful to receive your victor’s crown. v.10

To the Church in Pergamum

  • He holds a sharp double-edged sword. v.12 (Hebrews 4:12)
  • He will provide manna v.17
  • He will provide a white stone with a new name on it. v.17

To the Church in Thyatira

  • He knows our deeds, love, and faith, our service and perseverance. v.19
  • He gives us time to repent, are you willing?
  • If we don’t repent, we will suffer. v.22
  • I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.  v. 23

Jesus is reminding us that He truly knows us. (Romans 8:27-37)  He knows what is said and done in the dark and what is in the light. (Luke 12:3)  That judgment will be passed and He gives us the opportunity to repent and turn to Him. (John 9:39 and Matthew 4:17)

To each church and to each of us Jesus says, Whoever has ears let them hear.  Do you hear Jesus speaking to you today? Listen close, He knows what we go through every day, He is here for us, waiting. All we need to do is listen.

Dear God,

Thank you for your words that we are able to apply to our hearts each day.  God, we know you are with us always and know every detail of our being.  Help us to listen and obey your words. That in this wonderful Christmas season we remember and focus on your ultimate sacrifice of sending your own son Jesus to live a perfect life and ultimately die for our sins.  The sins we all like to hide away, let us bring them to the light and repent.   God I’m sorry when I lose faith, I’m sorry when I don’t listen.  Search my help and reveal to me all that you desire and help me to live not by my will, but yours.  Help me to open my ears, and hear your loving voice today.  We love you.

Amen

 

 

 

 

 

Season of Anticipation and Wonder

 

Today’s Reading: Revelation 1

Advent is here.  This is the time of year that we celebrate the anticipation of the coming Christ.  This is the time that we start to sing Christmas carols.  The kitchens are a buzz with warm cookies and treats to share and gift to our loved ones.  We might start decorating our houses for guest and family to share in the holiday.  And in the midst of the preparation have we allowed our spirit to settle and prepare for Christ?

John gives us a beautiful salutation to the season:

Revelation 1: 4-5

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

In the Life Application Study Bible, the commentary is as follows “ The book of Revelation unveils Christ full identity and God’s plan for the end of the world, and it focuses on Jesus Christ, his second coming, his victory over evil, and the establishment of his kingdom.”  This echoes the fulfillment of the prophets Isaiah and the gospels of the apostles.

Isaiah 9: 6-7

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon[d] his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called[e]
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
    there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
    to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
    from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. 

As we begin our journey through this Advent season let us mediate and reflect on the Grace and Peace that Christ give us daily and allow the love of Christ to more evident in our daily lives especially in this season.

 

 

Share the Good News!

In the past 6 months we have shown our house to 3 prospective families who are relocating to our town.  Our house is not officially on the market, but a few realtors know that we have a desire to downsize now that 2 of our 3 kids are off to college, so they reach out to us.  Each time after the showing we have gotten a phone call from the showing agent saying, “Your house showed great!  They really liked it!  It is one of their top 2 choices.  We will get back to you soon!”  With this news our minds start reeling with thoughts!  Where will we move?  How much time will we have to find a new house?  The excitement grows quickly.  But, low and behold, 3 times now, we have gotten the same phone call, “They really loved your house, but they chose the other one.”  So many questions go through our minds at this point!  What is wrong with our house?  God, don’t you want us to downsize and save money?  Will we ever get out of this house?  God what is your plan???

Today we read the first chapter of the Book of Acts.  Jesus has spent the past 40 days with His disciples.  They saw and touched his nail pierced hands.  They ate together.  They talked about the Kingdom of God.  They enjoyed being together.  The disciples were asking Jesus exactly this question.  God what is your plan?  If you are leaving us, what are we to do?  

Acts 1:6-8 (ESV) So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”  He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The Father alone sets the dates and times of our future’s events.  And as much as we want to know what’s next, the answers are not for us to know.  

Jesus had to leave so that we could be armed with the presence of and power of the Holy Spirit.  We are given one mission as Jesus states in the verse above, to be His witness to ALL people.  Everywhere we go, we need to tell people about Jesus.

As we face our day and the unknown days ahead of us, we are not without purpose.  Even though we may not know our next steps.  Or, we may receive answers that we don’t think are right, we are not without direction.  The Holy Spirit is with us and longs to be part of all our interactions each and every moment.  

May we not miss a moment today when: 

talking with our neighbor, the grocery store check out person, the Starbuck’s drive through person, our child’s teacher, our child’s coach, our co-worker, our boss, our parents, and even our own children…

to know that THEY are our purpose! We need to share the love of Jesus with each and every person we encounter!

The Holy Spirit is with us and He will empower us as we tell them about Jesus and who Jesus is to us.  

Share the good news!

Love God, Love People!

Thank You

John 21

“Can I see it?”  The words come from Freddy in the backseat.  “No,” is Annika’s simple response.  Not liking the answer, the question comes again, still the same, but a little louder, “can I see it?”  “No,” is again the response, now matching his tone.  “Annika, just let me see it, I’ll give it right back.”  Silence.  “Dad, would you tell Annika to let me see it?”  “No,” is my simple reply.  “Why not?  That’s not fair!” says Freddy, now agitated and becoming hostile.  Cooly and calmly, I remind him “because I love her more.”  Amazingly, that simple phrase ends it. Maybe it’s a cruel method.  Of course, it is not true.  My objective is not to put one child higher than another, it is simply to point out that the argument is ridiculous.

Jesus does something similar to Peter today in John 21.  Take a closer look at verses 18-23.  Actually, go all the way back to John 13:25.  They were at the last supper.  The disciple, John, was sitting next to Jesus, leaning back on him.  This was a sign that Jesus favored John over all the others.  Know what happened?  Peter got jealous, just like Freddy.  He wanted that attention and recognition for himself.  

This was a recurring issue for Peter.  Looking on to verse 18, Jesus gives him a picture of a tough life and a brutal death.  Peter accepted it.  Sort of.  At least, he was willing to submit to Jesus command, “follow me.”  But, Peter was not fully resolved.  He was still asking, internally “why, me?”  Reading forward to verse 21, they were walking. Peter asks Jesus “Lord, what about [John]?.”  He’s really asking, “hey, what about John.  Is he going to die badly, too?”  (v21).  In a nice way, Jesus’ response is “No.  He is going to live a long and bountiful life.”  Im sure that Peter didn’t hear it that way.  I’m betting that he heard “because I love him more.”  

I wonder how often we compare ourselves to other people and assume that God loves them more because their circumstances are better than ours.  This is simply not true.  In fact, God had special plans for Peter that only Peter could carry out.  The same is true for us.  Our inability to accept our current circumstances as God’s perfect plan for our lives will prevent us from fulfilling our destiny.  Today, Im finding the best words for God, despite all my trials and tribulation are “Thank You.”

Peace Be With You

Today’s reading is John 20.

At what point do you believe something to be true? Do you have to hear it from a certain family member or friend? Do you have to hear it from a certain news source or just hear it multiple times?

We read today the well-known story of “Doubting Thomas” who would not believe until He saw Jesus even though 10 other of what have to be His best friends, which He spent time together with Jesus in the Holy Land observing miracles first-hand, said He was alive. I’m really glad we are continuing to focus on the words of Jesus because it caused me to look deeper into some of His other words here outside of Him telling Thomas to stick his fingers into His hands and side.

Many times, we ourselves face pain and problems in our life and struggle with where to turn, or we know those who face problems with relationships, family, careers, money, or health and can’t figure out where to turn. As Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb and sees that Jesus is not there, she goes outside and weeps. Jesus then appears to her and says in John 20:15, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you seeking?” Later, in John 20:22 when Jesus appears to the disciples the first time He says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” He says in John 20:19, “Peace be with you.” And again, here in this same chapter in John 20:26 when He appears 8 days later to the disciples a second time He starts by saying again, “Peace be with you.” At first glance in reading this it seems as though He’s wishing for them to have peace, but upon further reading I believe He’s telling them that “Peace” is with them and “Peace” is Him. He asks Mary why she’s weeping and who she’s seeking because “Peace” is right in front of her! How many times is “Peace” right in front of us yet we don’t seek Him, we don’t see Him when he’s right there like Mary didn’t, or we don’t accept Him when He reaches His hand out? He could be right there in front of us, but as He says in John 20:22, it is up to us to “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Pastor Mike Baker of Eastview Christian Church says, “Seeing is not believing. Believing is seeing.” We must focus on the miracles right in front of us and the reasons the Gospel is true rather than the reasons it’s not. People often put more faith in reasons not to believe than reasons to believe. Are we more aware of the ways He’s working in our lives or more aware of the reasons we think He’s not? Are we more in touch with His presence in our lives or more focused on why we think He’s missing? Do we concentrate more on our blessings which come from Him or do we concentrate more on what we don’t have but want? Let us stop weeping and seek Him, see Him, accept Him, and “Receive the Holy Spirit” when He reaches out His hand.

 

Delivered

John 19

Our introduction to today’s reading:  “Jesus is delivered to be crucified”.  Pilate had a decision to make.  In reviewing the charges against Jesus, Pilate states: “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.”  How conflicted he must have been?  He finds no guilt in him but he feels the pressure of the crowd.  The crowd clearly wants and believes he should be crucified.  When I last wrote on this verse, I used the terminology “crowdsourcing”.   While not a perfect definition for this situation, it relays the message that the crowd came together and decided Jesus’ fate.  Pilate kept trying to get Jesus to open up, to talk to him, to say something he could use to free Jesus, but all that he said was “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”   Not much to go on to free this man people believe is disobeying the law.   Pilate tried a few times but without success and finally gave us, releasing him to the crowd.

What if the story had been different?  What if Jesus had confided in Pilate?  What if they had a conversation and came to a conclusion on what to do next? What if Pilate let Jesus go?  It is hard to contemplate because we know the rest of the story.   Jesus is then given over the crowd, already wearing a purple robe, a crown of thorns and multiple wounds from being flogged.  The events of this day are traumatic.  We continue reading about Jesus bearing his own cross on the way to the Place of the Skull.  We read about the Crucifixion along with two others.  This chapter is not written from Jesus’ perspective, but from Pilates and others.  The next turn of events: 19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”  He goes against the crowd with what he believes and still showing he does not feel Jesus was guilty.

The story continues as we know it today with the dividing of his garments and casting lots for his tunic.  The scene presents vivid images of the drama as it unfolds with a large crowd, watching Jesus die on the cross.  The Death of Jesus as it is written:

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

His side is then pierced and he is buried. Before we continue to the next chapter and read about his resurrection, let us ponder again what would have happened if Pilate had released Jesus?  At this time of Thanksgiving, let us give thanks that Jesus died on the cross for us!

~Carol Barham

The Betrayal of Jesus

Today’s reading is John chapter 18.

A couple of weeks ago my family had dinner with one of my co-workers and her family. My 5 year old son, Samuel, who is outgoing and oftentimes precocious, asked my co-worker where she went to church. She answered him that they don’t actually go to church anywhere. He brightened up and said, “You should come to my church! You can learn about Jesus and His love for you!”

(I’ll tie that in later on)

Have you ever seen the movie The Passion of the Christ? I only watched it once – in the theater the weekend it was released (over 14 years ago). Reading John 18, I couldn’t help but visualize the betrayal of Jesus by Judas and then by Peter by the imagery portrayed in that movie so long ago. I find myself thinking – HOW? How could these men who knew Jesus betray him this way?? Not just Judas – but also Peter, denying that he was a disciple, not once – but three times. I tell myself that surely I would never deny my Lord and Savior like that.

But how often do I take an opportunity to proclaim the love of Jesus to people? Not as often as I’d like to think, if I’m being honest with myself. In fact, I don’t even put one of those cool magnetic “e” things on the back of my car because I don’t really want to have people watching my driving and knowing where I go to church. Is that a betrayal of Him? Probably not an intentional, outright denial – but I think it can be an easy slide. Here I am, living on earth a very temporal life, KNOWING that everything I have and love is only mine for a very short time, and that eternal life is guaranteed and freely given. Not just for me, but for anyone and everyone that accepts Jesus as their personal savior.

Here’s where I tie in my earlier anecdote. If Samuel had been asked if he knew Jesus, he would have shouted with a glad heart that he did. Would I? Probably not. Granted, Samuel at age 5 wouldn’t have understood that being associated with Christ would have been treated like a crime. I would have (and so did Peter). Thinking about this reminds me of Jesus telling us, “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:14

In verse 37, Jesus tells Pilate, “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

As you go about your busy Tuesday, reflect on these things. Think about whether your actions bear witness to the truth or whether they are a betrayal.

Lord, thank you for coming into this world to bear witness to the truth. Thank you for the unbelievable gift of your life and blood for our sins to be wiped clean. Let your truth light the darkness in our daily lives, and let us proclaim your love and faithfulness at every opportunity, without hesitation and without shame.

 

Surrender

John 17

For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.

John 17:8-10

 As John’s gospel draws closer to the crucifixion of Jesus, there’s a certain heaviness that settles in. We witness the intimacy of the relationship between Jesus and his Father. Jesus reveals the character of God through his presence on earth and now that character will continue to live through his disciples and Christ followers.  For me, as I read today’s scripture it feels like the beginning of goodbye. As Jesus prays for his disciples and then for all believers I find myself thinking, “no, not yet, I’m not ready to be without you!” There is so much comfort and peace in the knowledge that we belong to God and that he is always with us. But there is also a requirement of surrender that comes with that promise. My husband and I have experienced that surrender on two occasions. Two of our children battle chronic illness. Our son became very ill as an infant. The days in the hospital became weeks and the answers more elusive. Eventually, it became clear that we would take this baby home without the healing we had prayed for. Truthfully, I was angry. I couldn’t understand why God would heal other babies but not mine. I asked Him over and over to reveal what I needed to do to be a better Christian so that he would heal my son. The answer never came. As time went on, I watched friends and family members give birth to healthy babies and I envied their freedom. Every part of my life was colored by the realities of having a sick child.

On one particularly difficult day in the hospital, our son required a procedure to place central line into his heart for nutrition. They took my baby from me and promised to be back soon with the new line in place. When they brought him back, everything had changed. He was lying still, eyes closed inside a clear plastic warming box. All we could do was look at him through the lid. We could not reach in, could not touch him we simply could not have him in that moment. We were told that he was having difficulty bringing his body temperature back up to normal and therefore he needed to stay in the box. We were told that his body was very weak going in to the procedure and that now we’d have to wait and see how he responded over the next several hours. I remember every detail of that night. I remember sinking into the corner of his room, face to the wall as I slid down to the ground. There was no more reasoning, no more bargaining, no more controlling the situation. I surrendered. For the first time in my life I had to livethe truth that our children are not ours, they belong to our Heavenly Father.

“All mine are yours and yours are mine….“ John 17:10

In John 17 we watch and listen to Jesus making that same kind of surrender. He knows this is the beginning of the end for his earthly life with his disciples. There is a sadness and a heaviness as he acknowledges the tremendous battleground he leaves on earth. Jesus’ greatest desire for his disciples is that they will become one. He wanted them to be unified as a powerful witness to the reality of God’s love. I view this chapter of John as Jesus’ last love letter to us. He has completed his mission on earth and God glorifies him. Now we are left to live in His truth until he returns. Jesus gave me one son, and today Ollie is a nearly 8 year old miracle. When I surrendered him to God on that February night in 2011, he was given back to me several hours later, tiny baby fists pounding on the lid of his isolette. I said goodbye to the idea that he belongs to me and accepted Christ and the plans he has for our life. If there’s something you can surrender this week, I hope you’ll take the time to be in prayer and conversation with Jesus. I wish you joy and most of all hope in this season of Advent!

~Jillian

 

 

 

What Could Be Better?

A few years ago, my daughter Gracie received a gift card for her birthday, and she knew EXACTLY what she planned to purchase. She had her sights set on a deluxe Lego set that would bring the Frozen castle to life. When we got to the toy store, they were completely sold out. And the sets they did have were half the size of the one she wanted, but not half the cost. I laid out her options: order the set she wanted online and wait 3-5 business days OR get one of the smaller sets that she could take home and play with that same day.

She really didn’t take much time deciding – she chose to wait. She wanted the bigger and better set and was willing to wait it out.

This choice, while small in the grand scheme of things, was huge in her world. This was one of those milestone moments that showed her maturity. And truth be told, I didn’t see it coming. I fully expected her to want the immediate, the now, the joy of a new toy in the moment. She really blew me away that day, and I can vividly remember my heart swelling – my five year old is practicing good decision making, good self-control. Good stewardship. She understood the pros and cons, and even with something small like Legos, she made a big decision.

As we approach John 16, Jesus didn’t give the disciples any choices. He laid out what’s coming for Him, and what that means for them. They don’t get it, and I don’t think they want to get it. Jesus proactively answers the questions they’re all thinking, but aren’t asking out loud – He is so good to us! If the disciples were given a choice, my guess is they would choose to have Jesus stay with them in the flesh. I am sure I would have too.

As Jesus continues with His farewell + next steps, He lets them know He will send someone EVEN BETTER for them! And if you’re anything like me, your eyebrows raise at verse 7 when Jesus outlines all of this – I mean, WHAT could be better than having Jesus with us, sitting next to us, right here, right now?!

My longing for Jesus to return leaves me with some questions:

  • Am I fully aware and tuned in to the Holy Spirit that is here, NOW, and LIVING inside of me?
  • Do I trust Jesus completely, and fully believe Him that it’s to my advantage that He goes for awhile, and the Holy Spirit is in His place?
  • How am I a witness to the Holy Spirit’s power in this world? Guiding, convicting the world of sin, and glorifying Jesus?
  • Is the fruit of the Spirit, that’s living in me, evident in my life?

Gracie was able to see that waiting for the deluxe Lego set that she wanted would be better.

Am I able to see that having the Holy Spirit live inside of me, is better right now than having Jesus walk beside me? And if so, am I relying on His power in my life – the same power that rose Jesus from the dead?

Constantine

I’ve spent much of my life seeking to avoid awkward situations. Like avoiding interactions with homeless people or undocumented immigrants. Sadly, through much practice I’ve gotten pretty good at this.

Selfish

As a human I am prone to the sin of selfishness.

In Italy I have observed people engaging the underprivileged in conversation and it has been on my mind for a while. Sure, I’ve given some cash to people on the street, but most of the time perhaps it was more of a payoff as if to say, “please just don’t talk to me.”

If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. (John 15:6)

An Unexpected Gift

Last weekend we had some houseguests: Amy’s cousin Megan and Vern (Megan’s husband) who live in Rome, along with a friend of theirs (Maria) who lives in the UK. We had a nice weekend together, eating good food, having good conversation, and just enjoying time with the only family we have within a 4,000 mile radius.

Sunday morning I drove our guests back to the train station. After dropping them off Amy informed me that Vern had secretly left some cash behind so that we wouldn’t find it until after they had departed. Vern generously, lovingly, and privately thanked us with a nice gift. What a great (yet unnecessary) gesture!

An Unexpected Encounter

After the drop off, it was time to stop at a trash/recycling area to unload from the weekend. Our city does not have curbside trash/recycling pickup so we have to bring these items to a nearby series of bins.

Next to the trash bin there was an older man with a cane, picking through waste, hoping for a treasure (perhaps food or maybe a useful item). My first thought: Get out of here before he asks for money.

Upon leaving it hit me… the thought was so strong, it almost felt audible… “no one should have to do that….”

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ (Matthew 25:40)

Message received. I then handed the guy a couple Euros (just over $2.00), he said thanks, and I was on my way.

Seconds later the thoughts came back, but stronger… “what about that money you received but were not expecting?” People picking through dumpsters… No one should have to do that.

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. (John 15:10)

I hadn’t driven far so I pulled over and found the man and gave him what felt right in my heart, then we started talking. His name was Constantine, he was from Romania, he cannot work, and his son works at a nearby restaurant.

This time we hugged goodbye and what a joy it was. Hugging the guy came so natural, yet unnatural as I felt like was giving up control. Tears flowed down my face as I drove away knowing there are so many like this man, so many people to love, and so much work to do here on this Earth.

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (John 15:11-12)

Jesus changed my life and he’s still working on me. He can do the same for you today if you let him.

Today’s reading: John 15