The Challenge --- Day 164

Today's Scripture: John 17
[Click the reference above to read online... or open up your Bible...]

"Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son

that the Son may glorify you..."

John 17:1

God the Father glorifies God the Son, so God the Son may glorify God the Father.

To glorify is to cause someone to have glorious greatness (Louw-Nida Greek Lexicon).

We've read three gospels already, so we know what comes next: Jesus's unjust arrest, beating, mocking, and crucifixion... the hour has come... 

Jesus is glorified in laying down His life for others. 

Jesus is glorified in suffering.

Jesus is glorified through obedience to the Father, even unto death on a cross.

And in turn... Father God is glorified by Jesus.

Jesus says of His disciples and those who will believe...

"... The glory that you have given me I have given to them,

that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me,

that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know

that you sent me and loved them as you loved me. ..."

John 17:22-23

Just as Jesus was glorified through suffering, we are too.

Just as Jesus glorified the Father through suffering, we do too.
Sons of God, brothers of Jesus, look like Him.

And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me,

let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ..."

Luke 9:23 ESV

It is through our loving obedience to the Father through the Son to willingly enter into suffering on behalf of another that we are glorified and we glorify Him.

As we glorify Him, we reveal who He is to the world that they may know His love.

"... Greater love has no one than this,

that someone lay down his life for his friends. ..." ---Jesus

John 15:13 ESV

Are you willing to suffer for others that they might see Him? believe that He came? because He loved them?

Suffering seems an odd way to be glorified or to bring glory to God, but in a broken world that is the way it works.

For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist,

in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder

of their salvation perfect through suffering.

Hebrews 2:10 ESV

Ask Him to prepare your heart to suffer for others.

Ask Him to prepare your heart to embrace the privilege of suffering for others.

Ask Him for the faith and trust to obey in the opportunities He sets before you to suffer for others.

Let's make Jesus's prayer our prayer:

O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you... 

I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known,

that the love with which you have loved me may be in them...

Amen.

The Challenge -- Day 163

Today's Scripture: John 16:16-33
[We're coming close to the end of our journey through the gospels. You know what to do. Open up the Word through your Bible or by clicking the reference above.]

Jesus has been preparing His disciples for this moment...

"A little while, and you will see me no longer;

and again a little while, and you will see me."

John 16:16

But they could not understand... What is He saying to us?

Through Jesus we discover God's grace in preparing us for what's to come, what lies ahead. We just don't always get it.

There was a time in my life He prepared me for something He knew was coming. For a season of several weeks, months, I felt His call to fast several hours a day, several days a week.

I had no idea why. Previous to this time, the call to fast also came with a call to pray. But not this time. Through these days I felt a little crazy. Was this me? Is it Him? The pressing to fast continued, and by faith I chose to obey.

During this time He revealed some issues in my heart with food. It was one place I went for comfort and solace, instead of Him. In the exercise of fasting, He revealed how I worshiped the clock for the hour of fasting to conclude for the day rather than seeking my strength from Him. Through the spiritual discipline of fasting He revealed and corrected skewed places in my heart.

The day came when I walked into Target and did not feel the need to buy and eat their popcorn (one thing I've really loved!). I was content just to enjoy the aroma. The moment surprised me... something had changed in me.

A few days after this moment came the call from the doctor's office. Glucose intolerant... decrease the carbohydrates you eat... check your blood sugar... schedule an appointment in three months...

My life was radically changed when it came to my eating habits. The diagnosis completely unexpected. After the shock wore off, my thoughts went to the last few months of struggling with fasting. My heart cried out... You knew this was coming...!

Yes, He knew and He prepared me for the change I would have to make.

He still prepares His people for what's coming. We just don't always understand.

The best we can do is listen, trust, and obey. Even when it doesn't make sense, and we feel a little crazy in the process.

Father God, thank You for preparing me for what is to come.

Bless me with the faith to trust and obey, even when I don't understand.

I want to be prepared.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5 ESV

The Challenge -- Day 162

Today's Scripture: John 15:18 - 16:15
[Open up the Word, either in your Bible or click the reference to read online.]

"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. ..."

John 16:12

God has many things to say to us, but He waits for just the right time. There are some things we are just not ready to hear, we are unable to bear them.

The Greek translated as bear is bastazo. According to the Louw-Nida Greek Lexicon it means: to accept, but with the implication of the truth being difficult to comprehend or to respond to properly --- 'to accept, to receive.'

God knows our hearts. He knows the amount of faith He has blessed us with. He knows when we are ready to accept and receive His truth and when we are not.

There's an amazing amount of grace in His holding back teaching until we are ready. He longs for us to succeed in this walk of faith. He does not want to give us more than we can handle. He is our loving Father who watches our growth and offers us new teaching when we are ready to bear it... walk in it.

No father would teach his infant how to buckle themselves in their carseat.
No father would hand the car keys to a 4 year old and begin teaching them to drive.
Or suggest a 6 year old learn to change a flat tire.
They're just not ready.

Our heavenly Father knows when our hearts are ready to bear the next step in our spiritual growth. He reveals truth as we're ready to actually walk in it.

We too need to offer grace to others, because we are all at different places in our faith journeys. You may look at someone and not understand what they are doing, even if they tried to share what God has called them to. Or you may see someone who looks like they're not doing anything, but maybe they just haven't grown to the same place as you.

God knows our hearts and He loves each of us as a Father.
He gives each of us teaching as we are prepared to walk in it.
Trust Him with what He's teaching you, and don't judge where others are in their teaching.

It is by grace we are saved.
Let's pour out grace on each other, just as we have received.
In just a little while, you may receive the teaching that helps you understand where someone else is in their walk, and be able to be gracious with those who are more spiritually immature.

Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another?

It is before his own master that he stands or falls. 

And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

Romans 14:4 ESV

Father God, thank You for Your teaching which comes at the right time.

Thank You for the guidance of the Spirit of truth. Bless me with the grace

to not question or judge where others are in their walk with You.

You alone are able to uphold each one of us as we grow in faith.

Thank You for Your grace.

The Challenge -- Day 161

Today's Scripture: John 15:1-17
[Be sure to read the passage before the words below. If you only have time to read one or the other, choose His words not ours. Click the reference above to read online.]

"... You did not choose me, but I chose you..."

John 15:16

God chooses His followers; we do not choose Him first.

If you are a follower of God: Father, Son, Spirit you are chosen.

For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world,
to be holy and blameless in His sight.

Ephesians 1:4 HCSB

If you are chosen, you are appointed to bear much fruit.

...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,

kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control...

Galatians 5:22-24 ESV

Of course, the only way to be fruitful is to abide in Christ, live your life in Him.

"... I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me

and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me

you can do nothing. ..."

John 15:5

As a chosen one, if you choose to live your life apart from Him, you will not bear fruit for His Kingdom. Those who are not fruitful are cut off.

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.

Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away..."

John 15:1

You have been chosen.

Live the life you were chosen to live.

Abide in Him every moment of every day.

Lord, thank You for choosing me.

Help me to choose to live in You every day.

Every moment of every day.

I want to be fruitful for Your Kingdom.

The Challenge -- Day 160

Today's Scripture: John 14
[Click the reference to read above or open up your Bible.]

There is one God and He has made only one Way to Himself.

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me. ..."

John 14:6

There are many rooms being prepared for those who believe. But only one Way to get to those rooms.

Some teachers in the church today say there is more than one way. Some even say everyone will have a place there. But that's not what Jesus says.

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter

the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my

Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me,

'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out

demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?'

And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you;

depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' ..."

Matthew 7:21-23 ESV

Jesus is the only Way to the only God.

Those who know Him love Him, obey Him, and know the Way.

Do you know the Way?

Father God, do not let me be deceived by the lies of the world.

Do not let me be led astray into believing there is another way.

I want to love You as Your Word says. Teach me Your commands,

I want to follow Your Way.

"Lord, to whom shall we go?

You have the words of eternal life..."

John 6:68 ESV

Sabbath Challenge -- Day 159

Today's Scripture: John 13:21-38
[Open your Bible to read today's verses, or click the reference above to read online.]

Through Jesus, God reveals His love for us and how we are to love one another.

The Israelites received the law through Moses. And Jesus in His teaching summed up the law...

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and

with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest

commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."

Matthew 22:37-40 ESV

Father God's law has always been about love.

People rightly loving Him and rightly loving each other.

But here, Jesus says He gives a new commandment: ...just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

How did He love the disciples?

He healed and brought them back to life.

He taught them the Word through His actions and stories.

He washed their feet.

He laid down His life for them.

Jesus was troubled in spirit, because one of His disciples was going to betray Him.

Judas was not about love, he was about love of money.

Judas wasn't loving toward Mary when she poured out extravagant worship on Jesus, his rebuke came from his love of money.

By loving money more than Jesus. 

Loving money more than people. 

Judas betrayed Jesus. 

Judas betrayed God.

God is troubled by those who betray Him.
By those who do not love as He loves us.

Are you loving others as Jesus loves you? as He's shown you how to love?
Are you stirring up God's heart with grief? because you love something else more than Him? more than your neighbor?

It's Sunday.
Spend some time in His presence.
Ask Him how you have grieved His Spirit.
Come into agreement with what He reveals.
Confess.
Ask for forgiveness.
Ask Him to change your heart.

I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord,

according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness

to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion,

according to the abundance of his steadfast love.

For he said, "Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely."

And he became their Savior. In all their affliction he was afflicted,

and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity

he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned

to be their enemy, and himself fought against them.

Isaiah 63:7-10 ESV

Father God, I do not want to grieve Your Spirit.

Forgive my betrayal of You by not loving You or others as You do me.

Show me my sin. Bless me with godly sorrow, that I may turn back to You

and be healed in heart, mind, and spirit.

The Challenge -- Day 158

Today's Scripture: John 13:1-20
[Click the reference above to read on BibleGateway.com.]

Lord Jesus did something completely incomprehensible to the disciples. He washed their feet. The Greatest of all did the lowliest of tasks.

"What I am doing you do not understand now,

but afterward you will understand."

John 13:7

God does things we will not understand now.

He is Sovereign in all creation, both seen and unseen, He creates both darkness and light.

I form light and create darkness,

I make well-being and bring calamity,

I am the Lord, who does all these things.

Isaiah 45:7 ESV

There are many things going on in this world I do not understand.

Some are great calamities.

Loved ones with cancer...

Children abused...

Families torn by death of a child...

Addiction...

Divorce...

War...

Famine...

But there are also good things I don't understand.

The miracle of birth... both physical and spiritual...

Grace undeserved...

Forgiveness of sins...

His faithfulness to rebellious people...

Love holding Jesus to a cross...

His resurrection...

Eternal life...

Yes. There are many things God is doing now that I just don't get. But He says... afterward you will.

So I wait for afterward. Whether it's a moment, an hour, a week, month, year, in the world to come, I wait for understanding. And trust Him in the mean time.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,

for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 ESV

What has He made happen that you don't understand? Does it help to know someday you will? Can you trust Him in the wait?

 Father God, help me accept I am unable to understand all You

are about in the world at this moment. Fill me with the faith

to trust You are working it all out for the good of those who love You.

In the mean time, help me to wait and trust.

The Challenge -- Day 157

Today's Scripture: John 12:27-50
[Open up your Bible or open up the passage online by clicking the reference above.]

Jesus --- fully God, fully man --- not only reveals who God is, but how we are to live.

"... But for this purpose I have come to this hour.

Father, glorify your name." ---Jesus

John 12:27-28

God created us for a purpose --- for His glory.

Just like Jesus, our purpose for His glory costs us something... our life.

Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me,

let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ..."

Matthew 16:24 ESV

What greater purpose could we have than bringing glory to God? But do we actually see this as our purpose? 

How are you glorifying God?

Many who believed missed out on their purpose because they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

Whose accolades do you prefer? man's or God's? Whose glory are you living for? Are you missing out on the purpose He created you for?

Jesus is our model for glorifying God in this dark world. He did nothing on His own authority. He lived only by His Father's commandment, which told Him what to say and do. The Father's commandment is eternal life.

To live for God's glory, to fulfill our purpose in this world, we must live His way and when we do, we enter into eternal life.

To live for man's glory, leads only to death. It is temporary and empty at the end of the day.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Proverbs 14:12 ESV

Consider, He created you for a purpose. Are you fulfilling it?

Father God, open my eyes and soften my heart to Your purpose for me.

I want to glorify You with my life. Forgive me for the time I've wasted

living for the glory that comes from man. Redeem the time I have left.

The Challenge -- Day 156

Today's Scripture: John 12:1-26
[Open your Bible or click the reference above to read online.]

Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made of pure nard,

and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair.

John 12:3

Because Jesus raised Mary's brother from the dead, she poured out extravagant worship on Him. She knew His resurrection power, she knew He deserved lavish worship. Worship without thought of what it cost.

Mary knew Jesus. But Judas, he only knew the power of a buck, he reprimanded her for pouring out such expensive means on Jesus. Means that could have been used to feed the "poor."

Jesus corrected the one who had it wrong. He defended Mary and told Judas to leave her alone.

Which one do you identify with more? Mary? or Judas?
Do you find yourself criticizing others' hearts of worship?
Or pouring out praise with no thought of what it costs you?

God deserves extravagant worship and will defend those who worship extravagantly.

Test your heart. Test your worship.
Those who worship Him don't care what it costs.
Those who worship the things of the world have a critical eye on those who worship Him.

Lord Jesus, fill my heart with extravagant worship.

Let me never forget, I was dead but now am alive

only because of You.

Praise the Lord!

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,

in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

Psalm 111:1 ESV

The Challenge -- Day 155

Today's Scripture: John 11:38-57
[Click on the reference to read online. Unless you have your Bible then open it up.]

"Did I not tell you that if you believed

you would see the glory of God?"

John 11:40

God's glory is visible to those who believe.

BELIEF, BELIEVE Conviction based on testimony that something is true or that someone is reliable. As used in the Bible, to believe in God involves the element of trust, not mere acknowledgment of his existence.

---Tyndale Bible Dictionary 

Biblical belief means to trust Him, not just have intellectual assent.

Biblical belief means you trust His presence in your everyday life.

Biblical belief means you trust His sovereignty in everything that happens to you, in your community, in the world.

Biblical belief means you trust His Word, His promises, and live by His truth.

Biblical belief changes the way you live.

When you believe (biblically speaking) you will see His glory.

Where have you seen His glory recently?

Father God, I believe,

open my eyes to Your glory.

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;

the whole earth is full of his glory!

Isaiah 6:4 ESV

The Challenge -- Day 154

Today's Scripture: John 11:17-37
[Expect an epiphany! Open up your Bible to make a note. Or click the above reference to read online and be prepared to start a digital journal in your word processor.]

"I am the resurrection and the life. ..." ---Jesus

John 11:25

Some of those who consoled Mary and Martha in the death of their brother doubted Jesus's love for them... Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying? 

If we were part of the crowd, we too might have asked, Why didn't He come sooner? Why didn't He heal Lazarus with just a word, as He has others? We know He doesn't have to be present to heal. He let him die. Is that love?

Sometimes, God lets something He loves die, in order to resurrect it to new life.

We know the story of Jesus, by now. Father God allowed Him to die a horrible death on a cross, the sole purpose to resurrect Him for His glory and to make the way for eternal life for all who believe. 

The spiritual healing Jesus brings us through His death and resurrection is far greater than any healing He did for people physically. After all, what happened to Lazarus after he was physically revived? Did he live forever? No, he died... again.

God loves all whom He created and longs to resurrect them to real life --- eternal life --- something better than we have now. I believe He does this with other areas of life, too. Perhaps we have to let things die, rather than holding on desperately. Because just maybe, He wants to resurrect it to something greater.

He is the resurrection and the life of people, hopes, dreams, churches, relationships, ministries. All things come under His power.

What are you clinging to that just might need to die? Or maybe it's already dead, you just haven't realized it.

Ask Him to show you what needs to die in your life that He wants to resurrect for His glory.

Lord, I praise You as the Resurrection and the Life.

I trust You today with my hopes, dreams, relationships,

endeavors, and desires. Show me which ones need to die,

enable me to let them go, so I can see You 

resurrect them to something greater.

Amen.

The Challenge -- Day 153

Today's Scripture: John 11:1-16
[Click the reference above to read online.]

Again, we see God using illness for His glory, just like He did with the man born blind (John 9:1-3). But we also see something even stranger...

Now Jesus loved Mary and her sister and Lazarus.

So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed

two days longer in the place where he was.

John 11:5-6

Jesus loved them, but when He heard of Lazarus's illness He stayed where He was?! That does not seem right. After all Jesus was in the healing business as far as Lazarus's family was concerned. Wasn't that why they wanted Him to know?

Any time in Scripture where we see people talking to Jesus, or someone relaying a message on behalf of another, we are witnessing prayer. Prayer is simply a conversation with God.

So, sometimes God delays the answer to our prayers, because He loves us. This sounds very strange. We want God to act right away, meet our needs immediately, but He has His own timing and His own purpose in everything He allows, both illness and healing.

In this case, He was waiting. Waiting for Lazarus to "fall asleep." 

Can you trust God with your prayers? Even when He chooses to delay the answer? Even when it looks like He hasn't heard at all?

God is trustworthy. He loves His people and He hears their cries for mercy. But as His people we are to be surrendered to His way and purpose in all things. Just as Jesus was. Willing to die on a cross for His Father's will. He may have something He wants to resurrect in your life or the life of a loved one. All for His glory.

Father God, I long to trust You with my prayers.

Teach me to wait on Your timing and surrender to Your purpose.

Fill me with knowledge of Your love while I wait.

Sabbath Challenge -- Day 152

Today's Scripture: John 10:22-42
[It's Sunday, you have time to open your Bible, but if you feel like you don't, click the reference above to read online.]

The unbelievers in the crowd were upset with Jesus because He said He was one with the Father. They picked up stones and called Him blasphemous!

"... you, being a man, make yourself God."

John 10:33

But this is not the truth. The truth is God being God made Himself Man.

The truth was these unbelieving men were busy creating God in their own image. Leaning on their own understanding, seeing Jesus from the bottom up rather than considering that God works from the top down. 

In our broken state, we see things from the wrong perspective. Instead of looking up to Him for truth that comes down, we start with our own earthly reasoning and make a god that is not God. We cannot start with our own understanding, the created will never come up with the truth of the Creator. Only the Creator can bring the truth down to us.

He stooped down to make us great. 

You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me;

you stoop down to make me great.

Psalm 18:35 NIV84

Maybe we need to get low before Him, in order to see His greatness and not miss the truth...

Today, take time to look up.
Ask Him to reveal where your perspective is wrong.
Ask Him to teach you to view everything from the top down.

Father God, thank You for stooping low, humbling Yourself

to become one of us so we might see Your greatness.

Let me not miss Your truth. Teach me to learn from You.

Teach me to see everything from the top down.

Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high,

who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?

Psalm 113:5-6 ESV

The Challenge -- Day 151

Today's Scripture: John 10:1-21
[No Bible near? Click reference to read online.]

... He calls His own sheep by name...
... He goes before them...
... the sheep follow...
... they know His voice...

God calls His people by name.

Have you heard Him call your name?
Have you seen Him go before you?
Did you follow?
Do you know His voice?

I remember sitting in a Bible study, many years ago, I don't remember the lesson or Scripture being taught, but what I do remember was an older gentleman in the class saying: I wouldn't trust anyone who said they heard God speak to them.

This was early in my walk with God and this man's remark clearly startled me. I thought: That's me he's talking about. Isn't every Believer supposed to hear God speak to them?

Yes, I heard God call me. And since He's called me, I've continued to follow, grateful He leads the way. Thankful that He speaks to me.

Do you know His voice?
It's an important question to consider.
It's the only way to follow.

Father God, there are many voices in this world.

I want to hear Yours above all.

The Challenge -- Day 150

Today's Scripture: John 9
[Click the reference above to read online.]

God uses the brokenness of the world to reveal His glory.

Bad things don't only happen to bad people. Good things don't only happen to good people. This broken world is impartial in the way it metes out deformities, disease, and death. But God is sovereign over all, He allows what He allows for our good and His glory.

Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion

because of the greatness of his unfailing love.

For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.

Lamentations 3:32-33 NLT

The man was not born blind because of his sin or his parents' sin. He was born blind as an opportunity for the works of God to be revealed to the world.

Without brokenness, without disabilities, without pain, there would be no way to see the miracles of God. Without the bad, we can't possibly know what's good.

God uses our rebellion that broke the world as an opportunity to reveal Himself to all mankind through Jesus. To reveal our need for Him, and for the healing of our hearts and souls.

The man did not ask to be healed. But Jesus healed him and the man revealed the works of God not only to those who witnessed the miracle, but to the Pharisees as well. The formerly blind man could now see the glory of God and tried to make the unbelieving religious leaders see, too.

Do you know someone suffering from disease? disability? deformity? See them from a new perspective, not as a victim of chance, but as an opportunity for God to reveal His miraculous works.

Use the following prayer to intercede on behalf of someone you know who is in need of His work. They just might be the opportunity He's been waiting for to reveal His glory.

Lord, You have purpose in all things.

You are loving, compassionate, and gracious.

You work all things for the good of those who love You

and for the revelation of Your glory.

I pray for ______________ today, that You might reveal

Your glorious work by _________________.

Amen.

The Challenge -- Day 149

Today's Scripture: John 8:48-59
[Click the reference above to read on BibleGateway.com.]

Jesus continued explaining who He is to the Jews, but they simply would not accept. They were dead set in their judgment of the situation.

The problem with relying on our own judgment is that in the end what we judge to be true doesn't really matter.

...He is the judge.

John 8:50

One day, God will judge all of us for the way we lived our lives. Our motives. Our actions. Our words. None of our faulty judgments will hold up before Him.

Today, let's remember our judgments are skewed by sin. Take time to question your beliefs, your understanding of who God is, and who you are before Him.

Are you in line with His Word? If not, you still have time to reconsider...

Lord, Your judgment is always right and just.

In the end no one will be able to argue with You.

Judge my heart, now, and reveal where I am wrong.

Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

And see if there be any grievous way in me 

and lead me in the way everlasting!

Psalm 139:23-24 ESV

The Challenge -- Day 148

Today's Scripture: John 8:31-47
[Do you know where your Bible is? Click the reference to read online.]

Jesus had some hard words for church people. Remember, He wasn't preaching to unbelievers, He was teaching those who called themselves Believers. He said if they didn't believe Him, their father was the devil and not God.

Those who are entrenched in the world cannot bear God's Word, even if they are regular church-goers. It makes them lash out in homicidal rage against the truth ...but now you seek to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth..."

God's Word reveals where our allegiance lies: with the world or Him.

"... Whoever is of God hears the words of God. .."

John 8:47

How do you receive His Word? does it humble? convict? or does it anger? enrage?
Do you seek to follow it even if you have to die to self? or do you put aside what does not sit well with your sensibilities?

Lord, this is a hard truth that if I don't believe and obey Your Word,

I am an offspring of the devil. Help me to see and receive the truth

as only Your Word reveals. Your Word is truth.

I believe, help my unbelief!

Mark 9:24 ESV

The Challenge -- Day 147

Today's Scripture: John 7:53 - 8:30
[If your Bible's out of reach, click the reference to read online.]

Jesus said: I am the light of the world. Light reveals what is true, washes away darkness, shows us the way.

In this passage, we see Jesus reveal the hearts of those who brought the adulteress to Him. All are guilty of sin.

He washed away the darkness of the woman's previous life. He did not condemn: ...go, and from now on sin no more.

He shines light on His own identity as He witnessed about Himself, revealing Himself as Savior: ...unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.

Those who follow Him will never walk in the dark. He shows us the way to have the light of life. After all, what is darker than death?

God brings light into our life. We no longer have to walk around in the darkness of deception, death, ignorance, and confusion. He shows us the Way when we believe -- trust in -- Jesus, the Word made flesh.

Father God, wash all traces of darkness from my life.

I long to follow You and live in the light of life. 

Bless me with the faith and courage to stand fully in Your light

and allow You to reveal the dark places in my heart that need to go.

The Challenge -- Day 146

Today's Scripture: John 7:25-52
[Click the reference above to read online or grab your Bible and open it up.]

He who sent me is true...

John 7:28

God is true. He is steadfast, loyal, honest and just. He alone is in accordance with the actual state of affairs in heaven and on earth. He is true and knows what is true.

Jesus shared these truths with the people of Jerusalem. His words divided because none of us really know what is true. All our perceptions and understandings are skewed by sin.

The religious leaders thought they knew the truth. But somehow they missed that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. His family line, David's.

Some believed the truth Jesus shared, because of the signs He performed. They looked and considered Him. They didn't lean on their own understanding.

God is true and He alone holds truth.

In His great grace, He has provided His followers with His Word and His Spirit. Between the two we can know truth. But we cannot make the mistake of thinking we know anything of our own accord or that we have the ability to figure out truth through reason. No one can.

We need His Word and His Spirit in order to find truth. He alone reveals what is true.

Where are you seeking truth? the world? religious scholars? science?

See to it that no one takes you captive

through hollow and deceptive philosophy,

which depends on human tradition

and the basic principles of this world

rather than on Christ.

Colossians 2:8 NIV84

Make sure you're seeking it from the only One who is True.

God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.

Lord, I do not want to miss Your truth. I want to live Your way.

Lead me to what is true. You alone know truth.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5 ESV

Sabbath Challenge -- Day 145

Today's Scripture: John 7:1-24
[No Bible? Click the reference above to read online.]

Jesus, at home in Galilee, dealt with unbelieving brothers.

"Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing.

For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. ..."

John 7:3-4 ESV

He would not be moved by His brothers' goading. Jesus went to Judea, but in His own time, and privately. In Jerusalem, He made Himself known when He was ready.

God, too, makes His presence known and unknown. He reveals Himself as He wills.

There are times He feels very near.

And other times absent.

He has His purpose in both.

Unbelievers, as a whole, don't want to see God. They don't want to recognize His presence, because then they would have to deal with their sin.

Those who hated Jesus (denied Him as Messiah and wanted to kill Him) did so because their deeds were evil.

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, 

and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

John 3:19 ESV

Believers long to know His presence, be fueled by His Spirit, yet sometimes, He hides Himself in order to test and strengthen our faith.

Whether we recognize His presence or not rarely has anything to do with how He feels about us. He loves us and desires to be in relationship with all people.

He makes His presence known and unknown based on His purpose, which is always good.

The Lord is good to all,

and his mercy is over all that he has made.

Psalm 145:9 ESV

He's always present, but not always recognized.

Do you struggle when you don't recognize His presence in your life?

Take time today to remind yourself that He is near.
Read and ponder the words of Psalm 139:1-18.
Choose a line or two to memorize, to keep hold of, to sustain you when you feel He's absent.

The Challenge -- Day 144

Today's Scripture: John 6:60-71
[Still have that Bible near? Open it up! Or click the reference above to read online.]

This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?

The disciples said this in response to Jesus's teaching: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 

God's Word can feel very hard to our fleshly sensibilities.

Many of His disciples turned back that day and no longer walked with Him. Have you come across a Word of His that you turned from? Maybe you didn't openly walk away, but did you reject that one part of His truth?

Jesus asked His Twelve if they wanted to leave as well. Here, Simon Peter gives the answer we all need to learn, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life... You are the Holy One of God.

God's Word contains the words of eternal life. There is no other way to live.

I sometimes wonder if there are those who've rejected a part of His teaching, still believe they are following Him, but are only deceiving themselves. Can we really follow Him and reject His teaching?

Consider for yourself a Word you've heard from Him that seems hard. How do you respond? Do you walk away from it? Or do you know it's the only way, the words of eternal life, because of who He is?

Father God, at times, Your Word seems hard to my corrupt flesh.

Remind me that my understanding is perverted, my flesh-driven sensibilities

get in the way of Your Truth. I want to be as sure as Peter, there is no other way, 

You alone have the words of life.

The Challenge -- Day 143

Today's Scripture: John 6:22-59
[Click the link to read online... Or go ahead, get up, find your Bible and open it. Maybe you'll need to underline an important Word today!]

Those who had their bellies filled in the field tracked Jesus down. They wondered at how He had gotten away from them. They wondered at how He got to where He was: Rabbi, when did you come here?

Jesus didn't answer their direct question, He answered according to what He saw in their hearts: Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, because you ate your fill of the loaves...

God does the same thing. God answers our questions with the heart of the issue.

We may come with our Why? or How? and never receive a direct answer. But if we listen, and are open to His Word, He will tell us what we need to know.

Jesus knew the crowd was all about their physical need, feeding their flesh, filling their hunger. He also knew that would not satisfy. He knew they needed spiritual food, salvation, forgiveness, to fill their hungry hearts. They needed Him: The Bread of Life.

The crowd was not pleased with His answer to their question. They grumbled, they questioned His lineage, they questioned His answer.

What about you? Have you posed a question to God lately and gotten an answer that made you grumble? Consider, it may be what lies at the heart of your question. His answer may be exactly what you need.

Lord, when Your answers make me grumble,

open my heart and mind to what You are really saying to me.

Reveal the heart of my question, what lies at the root,

fill me with what I really need.

The Challenge -- Day 142

Today's Scripture: John 6:1-21
[Can't find your Bible? Click the reference above to read online.]

The feeding of the five-thousand. We know this story, but have you ever tested Him in this truth: God takes the very little we have and multiplies it to more than enough?

He doesn't just multiply food, I believe He multiplies whatever resource we have need of for the work He's calling us to do. Whether we need more talent, money, time, whatever... if we receive what He's given with thanks, He will provide more than enough.

My need lately has been time. Recently, feeling very pressed with all He's calling me to do in this season. I must confess, I didn't really see how all would get done. I was at the limits of my faith. It was making me grumpy.

Through my bad attitude, He revealed my unbelief. So, I confessed, repented, and went about trusting Him. And what I discovered, was what the disciples discovered, leftovers...

As I came to the point of my most recent deadline, everything done, some time to spare, this story came to mind. I thought about the disciples, who began with very little to feed the hungry crowd, they felt the pressure Jesus put on them to provide bread for the people. But afterward, when they gathered twelve baskets of leftovers, I'm sure they stood there wondering, Now what do we do with all this?

I felt the same way in that moment. Just standing wondering what to do with the leftover time...

Test Him for yourself. Exercise your faith, stretch its limits. If He's called you to something that feels way too big for the resources you have, say Thanks, obey, and watch what He will do. Be ready to wonder at the abundance...

Father God, forgive me for the times I've shied away from Your call

because of a fear of scarcity. Forgive me for my lack of faith.

Bless me with opportunities to exercise trust in You.

Increase my faith.

The Challenge -- Day 141

Today's Scripture: John 5:19-47
[Click the reference above to read online.]

"For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life,
so also the Son gives life to whom he will. ..."
John 5:21 ESV

Father God raises the dead and gives them life... the Father has life in himself... He is the Creator of life. His Son has the same power.

All people, in their sin, are doomed to die. Jesus came by the Father's will to make the way for all to move from death to eternal life. Those who believe, who receive His gift of grace, become His children --- heirs to the same power as Jesus --- they too are called to enter into the business of life.

God the Father wants all His children to be about His business of raising the dead to life, according to His will. 

Sharing the message of the gospel, knowing His truth, and living it out spreads life wherever we go. When we find discouraged Believers in the church, we need to remind them of the life they've been called to through encouragement and intercessory prayer. If something has died in our own life, we need to take our concerns and wounded hearts to Him. Allow Him to resurrect our hope and faith.

God calls all His children into the family business of resurrection. Open your heart to Him, be obedient, bring life. It's what you're called to do in Christ Jesus.

Where are you bringing life these days?

What dead things are you a part of resurrecting?

Are you bringing life to your community of Believers?

Are you living the abundant life promised?

Father God, open my eyes to the places where death has a foothold,

the places where You call me to bring life. Bless me with the faith,

hope, courage, and life to do all You call me to do.

The Challenge -- Day 140

Today's Scripture: John 5:1-18
[Don't have a Bible handy? Click the reference above.]

Before Jesus lay a multitude of invalids, but He saw one man. As far as we know, this was the only man He healed at Bethesda this Sabbath day. Only one out of a multitude.

What did Jesus see in that one man?
What does this reveal to us about God?

I don't know.

It's a difficult account when you think of all who went unhealed... unnoticed... What specific criteria was He looking for that day? Or was it just random on His part? Did it have to do with how many years he had suffered? Or how many others had stepped out in front of him at the pool? Maybe it was because he had no one to help him?

I don't know.

But He says:

I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious,

and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.

Exodus 33:19 ESV

This is one of those mysteries we just have to trust Him with, remembering His judgment is perfect and ours is perverted by sin.

What we do have reaffirmed in this passage is Jesus, the Word made flesh, revealing God the Father to us.

...he was calling God his own Father,

making himself equal with God.

We will never understand all God does, whom He chooses to heal and whom He chooses to leave blind, lame, and paralyzed. But we do know, He came down from His heavenly throne room out of love for all people and nations. He came to make a way for all to receive eternal life.

Sometimes... most of the time... all we can do is trust Him and His wisdom and judgments.

Father God, Your ways are a mystery to me.

Some of Your ways make me doubt. 

Please continue to remind me that You are good and perfect,

and I am not.

The Challenge -- Day 139

Today's Scripture: John 4:46-54
[Click the reference above to read on BibleGateway.com]

Water to wine.
Death to life.
God changes things.

What is He changing in your life?

Lord, do not leave me unchanged.

Sabbath Challenge -- Day 138

Today's Scripture: John 4:24-45
[Click the reference above to read online.]

When the disciples left Jesus at the well in Samaria, He was tired and thirsty. When they returned with food, He would not eat, He was full.

"I have food to eat that you do not know about. ...

My food is to do the will of him who sent me

and to accomplish his work. ..."

John 4:31, 34

God fills us to overflowing when we do His will, and I'm not just talking about following His written Word. I'm talking about knowing His voice, hearing Him speak to us moment by moment. Hearing Him ask us to share a word, a meal, our time --- whatever --- with someone we meet along our way. Being attuned to the Spirit and obeying His living word no matter how inconvenient or uncomfortable, is the way to a full life.

The sad thing is, Jesus told His disciples they did not know about this food. They didn't have access to the Spirit like Jesus did, they couldn't hear.

But you can. 

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit,

if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you.

Romans 8:9 ESV

Have you experienced the satisfaction and fulfillment of doing God's will? the specific work He has called you to do? If not, consider why that might be.

Learn to hear His voice.

Know the fulfillment of doing His will.

Lord, open my heart and ears to Your active voice.

I don't want to miss the call You have on my life.

I want to know the fulfillment of  accomplishing the work

You have prepared for me to do.

Sabbath Challenge:

Set aside 15 minutes today and practice listening for His voice.

Find a quiet place, outdoors or inside.

Ask Him what He would like you to do for His kingdom today... this week... this month...

Approach Him with an open heart and the willingness to obey.

"Man shall not live by bread alone,

but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Matthew 4:4 ESV

The Challenge -- Day 137

Today's Scripture: John 4:1-23
[Click the reference above to read online.]

It's Independence Day and we see Jesus offering freedom to a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. He offers her freedom from thirst and freedom in worship.

When Jesus made the audacious offer, the woman asked Him if He was greater than Jacob. Yes, He is. He's the one who wrestled with Jacob. Gave him a permanent limp. Changed his name from Jacob the Cheater to Israel the God-wrestler. She's talking with the One who freed up Jacob to become the father of God's chosen people (Genesis 32:24-31; Genesis 35:9-11).

In Jesus, we see God making the way for freedom for all people from sin and death.

"... The water that I will give him will become in him

a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Freedom from the thirst the things of the world fail to quench.
Freedom from tradition, religion, and rules.
Freedom to worship God in spirit and in truth.
Freedom to wrestle with God face to face.
Freedom from fear of sin and death.

Today, before you celebrate the independence of our country, celebrate the greatest freedom you have through your dependence on Jesus Christ.

Know God as the One who sets you free.

Jesus, thank You for the way of freedom You provided.

Grow me to fully walk in Your gift of grace and peace:

fully satisfied, fully free to worship You in spirit and truth.

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore,

and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1 ESV

The Challenge -- Day 136

Today's Scripture: John 3:16-36
[If your Bible is out of reach, click the reference above to read online.]

Most of us are quite familiar with where we started today, John 3:16...

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son,

that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. ..."

But are you as familiar with what comes after?

"... For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,

but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Whoever believes in him is not condemned,

but whoever does not believe is condemned already,

because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. ..."

John 3:17-18 ESV

In a world that loves to portray God as a hard-hearted legalistic, discriminatory Judge, we find something completely different in His Word.

Here Jesus shows us a God who loves. 

A God who does not come to condemn, 

but humbles Himself in order to save the entire world.

God judges, but in Christ He does not condemn, we condemn ourselves through unbelief.

When people reject Him, His Word, His way, they condemn themselves to destruction, because they love darkness more than light.

Consider people you know who reject God because they don't believe a good God would allow rampant evil in the world. 

How might you approach them in light of the truth seen today?

Take time to work out your understanding, ask God for revelation, in order to bring light into the lives of others.

Father God, You love us and long for us to love You.

You made the way for relationship through Jesus, righting our wrongs.

Bless me with the understanding and insight that I might correctly

share the truth of Your great love and goodness with others.

The Challenge -- Day 135

Today's Scripture: John 2:23 - 3:15
[Click the above link to read online, if your Bible's not near by.]

Jesus teaches Nicodemus about the Spirit and life in the Spirit. We also learn something about God through His lesson.

"...The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound,

but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes.

So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

John 3:8 ESV

He tells us the wind blows where it pleases, and we know God does, too. Those born of the Spirit follow Him, even when we don't know where He's coming from or where He's going.

We feel the wind's direction in the moment... as it blows across our face. Often, it's the same with God's direction in our life, it's in the moment. He seems to guide on a need to know basis.

As Believers we struggle when we anticipate what He's doing or where He's going with a particular issue or circumstance, because of what we've felt and seen and been called to do --- but suddenly, the direction changes. It's not what was expected. We become dismayed, discouraged, doubtful.

To live by the Spirit is to walk by faith --- each moment of each day --- feeling His breath, hearing His voice, following where He leads, even when you are unsure.

How are you when it comes to living the Spirit-filled life?

Are you willing to listen to Him, trust Him in the moment, obey when it doesn't make sense? Or are you one who needs to know the whole plan before you step out? Consider, where's the faith in that?

Yes, God seems to work on a need to know basis. He's given us His Word, a solid place to stand. We know the big picture plan, His purpose. But the steps to get there, our specific role in His plan, is not mapped out for us... it's often given in the moment... on the need to know. He's told us what we most need to know to encourage us in life in the Spirit --- He's trustworthy.

Father God, make me attentive to Your Spirit.

When He blows across my path bless me with the faith to follow.

Grow me to trust You more. 

Bless me with opportunities to exercise my faith.

...without faith it is impossible to please God...

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

The Challenge -- Day134

Today's Scripture: John 2:1-22
(Find yourself without a Bible? Click the reference above to read on BibleGateway.com.)

In this passage, we see Jesus manifest His glory and His authority.

His greatness revealed at a wedding. Honoring His mother through obedience, even though it wasn't His time; turning water to wine, so the bridegroom would not be disgraced. His glory revealed through service, and the only ones who witnessed it were the servants and His disciples.

He revealed His authority in the temple. Righting a wrong, clearing out the blasphemous. Braiding a whip, beating the scandals. His authority revealed in public to the disgrace of those who were responsible for the sanctity of the temple.

What do we learn about God from these episodes?

His greatest glory is service and will be seen by those who serve Him.

"... the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve,

and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Matthew 20:28 ESV

He wields His authority to right wrongs and humble those who despise Him and His Word.

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse,

whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war.

Revelation 19:11 NIV84

Those who humble themselves before Him, accept His authority, will see His glory and experience His grace. But the proud, who disregard His Word and question His authority, will be humbled.

How do you see Him? Is He causing you trouble? Or blessing you with grace?

The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked,

but he blesses the home of the righteous.

He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.

Proverbs 3:33-34 NIV84