Spiritual Food for Women

John 7:51-8:1

51 “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?”

52 They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.”

53 And everyone went to his own house.

8:1  But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

“Can You Judge Someone Before You Truly Listen to Him?”

Nicodemus, whom we read about in chapter 3, speaks up in defense of Jesus by saying, “How can we who follow the law, judge someone before hearing him and knowing what he is doing here?” This shows that Nicodemus is different from the rest of the Pharisees in that he takes the law seriously and believes in giving Jesus a fair chance to explain Himself. In other words, Nicodemus is saying that Jesus deserves a fair trial. Maybe Nicodemus thought of Proverbs 18:13 at this moment, “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.” The law did not advocate the practice of arresting someone without cause. We see that Nicodemus’ heart is much different from the other Pharisees. He came to Jesus by night so that he could find out more about him (John 3). I believe he came to Jesus at night for two reasons. One, to be alone with Jesus so that he could speak from his heart and ask him the questions he had without an audience, and two, to protect himself. He knew that the other Pharisees wouldn’t be on board with Nicodemus giving this Jesus person the time of day. These Pharisees were arrogant and quick to belittle anyone who questioned their authority and views on the law. 

In verse 52, we see a scornful attitude in their answer to Nicodemus’ question. They said, paraphrasing, “Are you from Galilee also? You must be, since you are speaking up in defense of this man! Don’t you know that no prophet ever came out of Galilee?” Do you hear the hateful sarcasm and prejudiced tone in their voices? These Pharisees have a contempt for people from the region of Galilee, so much so that they won’t even consider that the Messiah would come from there. They were also wrong in their statement about no prophet ever coming from Galilee, because Jonah was from the town of Gath-Hepher, which was in the region of Galilee. (2 Kings 14:25) I feel fairly certain that they knew that, but were just grasping at straws to try to discredit Jesus because of where He was from. This could be a mini-lesson on being prejudiced against others because of where they are from, what they look like, how they dress, how wealthy they are, their status in the community, etc. God shows no partiality, and neither should we (Romans 2:11, James 2:1-8). Galatians 3:28 says all we need to know about showing partiality, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” 

After this discussion, everyone went to their own homes, but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. The Mount of Olives is the site of some major events in Jesus’ life. In Luke 21:37, it says, “And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet.” It seems that this was the home base of Jesus during this time. Jesus taught His disciples from the Mount of Olives, including the famous Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24-25. The Garden of Gethsemane is located at the foot of the Mount of Olives, where Jesus prayed the night before His crucifixion. Jesus ascended back to heaven from the Mount of Olives. (Acts 1:9-12) 

There are a couple of applications for us that I took from these verses. We need to have the courage of Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a Pharisee himself. Think about the courage it took for him to question his fellow Pharisees on matters of the law! Were there other Pharisees there who felt the same way as Nicodemus, but were afraid to speak up? How did they treat Nicodemus after this confrontation? Will I speak up for the truth when everyone else in the room is against it? Or will I stay quiet, and just let it go? Doesn’t it seem like it is acceptable for everyone else to say what they believe “their truth” is, except for us, the members of the Lord’s church? Yes! It certainly does seem that way! But the bottom line is, we can’t stay quiet. We have to get into the conversation if we want to affect any kind of change.

The second lesson that I got from these verses comes from the Pharisees. It is a lesson in what not to do. When responding to Nicodemus, the Pharisees were sarcastic and belittling towards him, just because he had a different view than they did. When talking with others about the gospel who have different views than we do, we have to be careful not to have any kind of argumentative or sarcastic tone, even if the person we are talking to becomes argumentative and sarcastic towards us. We have to rise above, continue to speak the truth in love, and stay calm, cool, and collected. The truth is so clear to us, but let’s always remember that it is not clear to others who have been raised in a denomination, or possibly haven’t been raised in any kind of religious environment at all. Personally, I know that I took the fact that I was raised to know the truth for granted for a really long time, and I still feel guilty for that, even though I know I’m forgiven. I often think, why me? Why did I get to be raised to know the truth, and others have not had that opportunity? Don’t get me wrong, I am so very grateful, but I’m humbled by it also. The fact that I took my upbringing for granted the way that I did when others haven’t had the same opportunity to learn the truth really bothers me. Will I speak up for the sake of others’ souls? Will I be like Nicodemus?

God means for everyone to learn what the Bible teaches about being saved. It only takes an open heart for Jesus and a willingness to put away what we’ve been taught in the past, and truly read what God’s Word says for ourselves… and then accept what it says and obey it. If I can help you in any way, I would love to! Are you walking in the light? Are you in Christ? Are you saved? If you aren’t, or if you’re not sure if you are, I’d love to help you. Are you a member of the Lord’s church, but are struggling spiritually in your walk with Christ? If you are… believe me, I’ve been there many times, and I’d love to help you. If you have any questions, please reach out. 

I love God’s Word. It challenges me to be better… to do more in His service. It is interesting and keeps me on the edge of my seat, wondering what will happen next. It gives me confidence and builds me up, and it brings me to my knees when my soul needs convicting! Thank you, Father, for the wonderful gift of Your Word!

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan God has outlined in His Word for humankind to receive His grace, which leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible. 

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)

John 7:47-50

47 Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived? 

48 Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? 

49 But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.”

50 Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them,

“Will I Let Fear Keep Me From Speaking Up For Jesus?”

In the previous verses, the Pharisees wanted to know why the officers had not arrested Jesus, to which the officers replied, “No one ever spoke like this Man!” The Pharisees then proceeded to belittle the officers by saying, in today’s language, “Really, guys? Are you letting Him trick you, too? Don’t you see that no one who really matters believes in Him? This crowd doesn’t know the law as we do. We are the authority on the law. These people are cursed if they listen to this Man instead of us.” In verse 50, we see Nicodemus mentioned. We know that he came to see Jesus by night back in chapter 3, because he was curious about Him. He is about to speak up for Jesus in the next verse. He hasn’t proclaimed belief in Jesus, because verse 48 says that none of the rulers or Pharisees believed in Him. Of course, if any of them did secretly believe, they would not let it be known for fear of what would happen to them if they did. 

So what is the lesson from these verses? Well, here’s a question for myself. Do I let fear of what others will think about me or say about me keep me from sharing my faith in Jesus? Do I let fear of confrontation keep me from speaking up when the truth is being twisted? For example, when someone says they are saved but haven’t been baptized yet, should I let that slide or join the conversation? I know there’s a time and place for discussions like this. Sometimes, in the workplace, we can’t engage in conversations such as this, can we? But can we approach the person and say something like, “Hey, I heard you talking about being saved. I’m so glad you are getting to know Jesus. Could we talk more about this after work sometime?” Is this doable for me? They might not accept what I say. They might even get offended. But I planted a seed. Who knows? They might go home and look at those scriptures again. They might come back to me and want to study more. I won’t know until I try. I can’t stay in my box. I have to step out of it. Fear has always been a big problem for me. I have been so afraid of offending someone or saying the wrong thing. I really don’t want to be this way in the future. Everyone’s soul matters. I can’t be afraid to help others. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” This verse is one of my favorites. If I could only live by it! Will I remember it when I’m in the moment, and that fear starts to creep in? Lord, help me step out of my comfort zone and help others by speaking the truth in love. 

God means for everyone to learn what the Bible teaches about being saved. It only takes an open heart for Jesus and a willingness to put away what we’ve been taught in the past, and truly read what God’s Word says for ourselves… and then accept what it says and obey it. If I can help you in any way, I would love to! Are you walking in the light? Are you in Christ? Are you saved? If you aren’t, or if you’re not sure if you are, I’d love to help you. Are you a member of the Lord’s church, but are struggling spiritually in your walk with Christ? If you are… believe me, I’ve been there many times, and I’d love to help you. If you have any questions, please reach out. 

I love God’s Word. It challenges me to be better… to do more in His service. It is interesting and keeps me on the edge of my seat, wondering what will happen next. It gives me confidence and builds me up, and it brings me to my knees when my soul needs convicting! Thank you, Father, for the wonderful gift of Your Word!

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan God has outlined in His Word for humankind to receive His grace, which leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible. 

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)

John 7:43-46

43 So there was a division among the people because of Him. 

44 Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.

45 Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not brought Him?”

46 The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!”

“No man ever spoke like this Man!”

The people certainly were divided about Jesus. Some of them wanted to arrest Him, but no one did. Why? Maybe they were afraid of how the people who believed in Him might react. We don’t really know what they were thinking, but we do know one thing. We know from verse 30 that Jesus’ time had not yet come. It was not according to God’s timetable for Him to be arrested yet. Everything had to happen according to God’s plan. 

In verse 45, the chief priests and the Pharisees asked the officers why they had not arrested Him. And they said an interesting thing, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” Was there some belief underneath that statement? Maybe not belief, but curiosity for sure! Curiosity can be the beginning of belief. It is almost as if they couldn’t stop listening to Him, even though they wanted to arrest Him! 

The reason Jesus’ words were so powerful is that they were the Words of everlasting life. He spoke in a way that these people had never heard before. His Words were confusing to them, but comforting at the same time. Phrases like “living water” and “everlasting life” brought them comfort even though they didn’t believe in Him. Jesus’ words were rooted in the Old Testament Scripture, even though some of what He spoke of was new to them. They were thinking, “The Words that this Man is speaking are rooted in the Scriptures, so they have to have some truth to them, right?” 

Jesus also spoke with such confidence and boldness, but coupled with just the right amount of love and kindness. Oh, the lessons we can learn from Jesus about teaching the truth to others. Jesus used what the people already knew to teach them the new concepts that would be coming after His death and resurrection. He used their background knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures to introduce new information to them. Peter did the same thing in the first gospel sermon in Acts 2. He talked about what they already knew from the past before teaching them the truth about how to be saved. 

My teacher friends, isn’t this what we do in the classroom? We build on what our students already know to teach new material. So… when we are teaching others the gospel, we begin where they are and move forward from there. We begin with what they know about Jesus. We begin with scriptures that they know, and move forward from there. And we always, always, always, speak with kindness and love in our voices, no matter what. I pray for opportunities to help someone learn the truth, and I pray that I recognize those open doors and walk through them without fear. 

God means for everyone to learn what the Bible teaches about being saved. It only takes an open heart for Jesus and a willingness to put away what we’ve been taught in the past, and truly read what God’s Word says for ourselves… and then accept what it says and obey it. If I can help you in any way, I would love to! Are you walking in the light? Are you in Christ? Are you saved? If you aren’t, or if you’re not sure if you are, I’d love to help you. Are you a member of the Lord’s church, but are struggling spiritually in your walk with Christ? If you are… believe me, I’ve been there many times, and I’d love to help you. If you have any questions, please reach out. 

I love God’s Word. It challenges me to be better… to do more in His service. It is interesting and keeps me on the edge of my seat, wondering what will happen next. It gives me confidence and builds me up, and it brings me to my knees when my soul needs convicting! Thank you, Father, for the wonderful gift of Your Word!

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan God has outlined in His Word for humankind to receive His grace, which leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible. 

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)

John 7:39-42

39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

40 Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” 

41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? 

42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?”

“Confusion over Jesus…Some Things Never Change”

Remember in John 7:38 when Jesus said that whoever believes in Him would have rivers of living water flowing out of him? Well, John, the writer, goes on to explain what Jesus means by “living water”. He said that Jesus was speaking about the Spirit. Anyone who believed in Him would receive the “living water” or Spirit, but not yet, because Jesus hadn’t been glorified yet. The Spirit, or living water, that Jesus referred to was not about miraculous spiritual gifts, since not all believers received them (Acts 8:16-17; 1 Corinthians 12-14). But, after the death and resurrection of Jesus, the apostles preached that anyone who repented and was baptized would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). It makes sense that the writer would explain this to us since Jesus would not be glorified until his death and resurrection. The “living water” that Jesus spoke of in verse 38 is the Holy Spirit. Jesus and the Spirit are the same. The Spirit, or the “Helper” as Jesus called it in John 14:16-17, would come after Jesus ascended back to heaven. 

Listen to Titus 3:4-6 where Paul speaks of the Holy Spirit, “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior….” When is the Holy Spirit poured out on us today? When do we, as Christians today, receive the living water?” When we are baptized into Christ! Belief leads to obedience. Obedience is confession, repentance, and baptism into Christ. The Holy Spirit for us today is accessed through the written word of God. God’s Word is our “Helper”, our “Comforter”. We feed ourselves the Holy Spirit when we feed ourselves with God’s Word. We need to be in His Word so much that the Word is actually “in us” even when we are not actually “in it,” if that makes sense. We are living it and breathing it. It is within us, and it shows in how we live. 

In verses 40-42, there was a division among the people about who Jesus was. “He’s the Prophet.” “No, He’s the Christ.” “But, could the Christ actually come from Galilee?” “Don’t the Scriptures say that the Christ will come from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, like David?” They were completely divided about Jesus. What they didn’t realize was that Jesus was from the seed of David and was born in Bethlehem. They were basing their assumption on where Jesus was from at that time. I wonder… if they had asked Jesus the question, “Where were you born?”, and He had told them He was born in Bethlehem, would they then have believed He was the Christ? Probably not. They would have probably talked themselves out of believing in Him in some other way. They did not want to believe that Jesus of Nazareth, a lowly carpenter’s son, was the Messiah. He did not meet their expectations, and they could not get past that. 

Jesus was resurrected and ascended back to heaven more than 2000 years ago to sit at the right hand of God. But people are still confused about Him to this day. Some believe and obey Him. Some believe in Him, but don’t obey Him. They say belief is enough. Some believe He existed, but was just a man, not the Son of God. There may even be some who don’t believe He existed at all. So, see… the confusion is still here. That hasn’t changed. The doubt and confusion are Satan’s way of keeping people trapped in the darkness. He did it back during Jesus’ time on earth, and He is still hard at it today… still keeping people in doubt about who the Messiah really is. 

God means for everyone to learn what the Bible teaches about being saved. It only takes an open heart for Jesus and a willingness to put away what we’ve been taught in the past, and truly read what God’s Word says for ourselves… and then accept what it says and obey it. If I can help you in any way, I would love to! Are you walking in the light? Are you in Christ? Are you saved? If you aren’t, or if you’re not sure if you are, I’d love to help you. Are you a member of the Lord’s church, but are struggling spiritually in your walk with Christ? If you are… believe me, I’ve been there many times, and I’d love to help you. If you have any questions, please reach out. 

I love God’s Word. It challenges me to be better… to do more in His service. It is interesting and keeps me on the edge of my seat, wondering what will happen next. It gives me confidence and builds me up, and it brings me to my knees when my soul needs convicting! Thank you, Father, for the wonderful gift of Your Word!

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan God has outlined in His Word for humankind to receive His grace, which leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible. 

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)

John 7:35-38

35 Then the Jews said among themselves, “Where does He intend to go that we shall not find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? 

36 What is this thing that He said, ‘You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come’?”

37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 

38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

“Are You Thirsty? Come and Drink.”

In response to Jesus’ words in verse 34, the Jews asked, paraphrasing, “Where is He going that we can’t find Him? Is He going to teach our people who are dispersed outside of our country? Is He going to teach the Greeks? What does He mean, ‘we will not find Him and cannot come where He is’?” Again, instead of listening to Jesus, they question Him and complain against Him. Instead of having open hearts to try to understand, they set their hearts against Him.

In verse 37, the writer makes it a point to tell us that it is the last day of the feast, and Jesus stood up to speak. Again, it says that He “cried out”! He was pleading for someone, anyone, to listen to Him. The words that Jesus says in verse 37 are full of symbolism. Jesus says, “If you are thirsty, come to Me and drink.” Why is Jesus using the symbolism of being thirsty here? Well, as always, Jesus’ teaching methods make perfect sense. The Feast of Tabernacles lasts eight days. On each of the seven days, priests would draw water from the Pool Siloam in a golden pitcher, carry it to the temple, and pour it around the altar. When the priests got near the gate, the shofar (a ram’s horn trumpet) was blown, and then they would sing psalms of praise and thanksgiving to God for the harvest. (Borchert, New American Commentary) The pouring of the water was in remembrance of when God provided water for their ancestors in the desert. It also represented the pouring out of God’s Spirit in the last days. The pouring of the water at this Feast symbolized the coming of the Messianic age in which a stream from the sacred rock would flow across the whole earth. (Carson, Pillars New Testament Commentary) The Feast also included prayers for rain, since it was in the fall after a hot, dry summer. Now, knowing all that, imagine Jesus getting up and saying, “If anyone thirsts, let Him come to Me and drink.” He is everything the Feast of Tabernacles represents. He is the fulfillment of all the symbolism found in the Feast. Amazing! I would have never learned so much about the Feast of Tabernacles and what it all meant if I hadn’t done this scripture writing and study. I am so amazed by what I have learned. 

 In verse 38, Jesus says, paraphrasing, “Anyone who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have living water flowing out of his/her heart continually.” Who did Jesus discuss living water with first? Remember His discussion with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well? She was the first to hear about the “living water” that Jesus would provide. We know why Jesus used the symbolism of “living water” with the woman. He was at a well, Jacob’s well, to be exact, where God had provided water for Jacob’s family in the past. Now we know why He brings “living water” up again here during the Feast of Tabernacles. When Jesus says “as the Scripture has said” in verse 38, He could be referring to several scriptures that speak about water. Isaiah 44:3 refers to “pouring water on a thirsty land” and “pouring my Spirit upon your offspring”. Zechariah 14:8 refers to “living waters” flowing out of Jerusalem. 

What is the keyword that Jesus uses in verse 38? What is the key to all of this, the living water, never thirsting again, all of it? The keyword is “heart”. If we truly believe in Jesus with all of our hearts, then that belief will lead to obedience. Obedience to Jesus will lead to constant spiritual satisfaction. We will have a never-ending fountain of fresh water that quenches our spiritual thirst forever. That fresh water is Jesus. These Jews who were against Jesus had a heart problem. They went through the motions of all their rituals and ceremonies of the law, but that’s all they did; they went through the motions. They punched a clock, as we would say today. They had not given God their heart. If they had, then they would have accepted Jesus. If we don’t fully give our hearts to Jesus, we don’t have the satisfying, thirst-quenching, life-giving “living water” that He promises us. It is a transformation of the heart. There can be no more of this “I am who I am” attitude. That attitude has to change into an “I am who Jesus wants me to be” attitude. We all have tendencies to fall to different temptations that Satan puts before us. Everyone has weaknesses. But Jesus, the “living water”, will satisfy us if we will only “come and drink”. He will satisfy us in a way that the temptations of the world could never even begin to satisfy us, if we will only “come and drink” and let His Word flow through our hearts continually. How peaceful and satisfying does that sound to you? It sounds like heaven to me. 

God means for everyone to learn what the Bible teaches about being saved. It only takes an open heart for Jesus and a willingness to put away what we’ve been taught in the past, and truly read what God’s Word says for ourselves… and then accept what it says and obey it. If I can help you in any way, I would love to! Are you walking in the light? Are you in Christ? Are you saved? If you aren’t, or if you’re not sure if you are, I’d love to help you. Are you a member of the Lord’s church, but are struggling spiritually in your walk with Christ? If you are… believe me, I’ve been there many times, and I’d love to help you. If you have any questions, please reach out. 

I love God’s Word. It challenges me to be better… to do more in His service. It is interesting and keeps me on the edge of my seat, wondering what will happen next. It gives me confidence and builds me up, and it brings me to my knees when my soul needs convicting! Thank you, Father, for the wonderful gift of Your Word!

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan God has outlined in His Word for humankind to receive His grace, which leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible. 

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)

John 7:31-34

31 And many of the people believed in Him, and said, “When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?”

32 The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring these things concerning Him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take Him. 

33 Then Jesus said to them, “I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me. 

34 You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come.”

“You Can’t Come Where I Am”…Such Scary Words!

“If another man is coming who is the Christ, how could he possibly do more signs than this man has already done?”, the believers in the crowd murmured amongst themselves. The Pharisees and chief priests heard all this and sent officers to arrest Jesus. The hardness of these Jewish leaders’ hearts is unbelievable to me. They have seen the same signs as all these other people, but they won’t budge. They don’t want anyone else receiving attention from the people other than themselves. These Pharisees and chief priests believe they are closer to God than anyone else. No one else is to put themselves above them in matters of religion or the law. Do we see people like this today? Do we see people who claim to be “religious” who think they are above others? The Pope is called the “holy father” and makes all decisions on matters of faith and morality for the Catholic Church. He is considered infallible and a representative of Jesus Christ here on earth. I believe these Pharisees thought so highly of themselves that they believed they were infallible.

A Catholic priest is called “father” and claims to forgive a person’s sins at confession. How can anyone think that a man has the authority to forgive sins? Some denominational preachers are called “reverend,” which elevates them above other men in the congregation. All of this is elevating men to the status of God. No one is above anyone else here on this earth. We are all supposed to represent Jesus Christ here on earth, not just one man. Why would we want a man to forgive our sins when we have Jesus as our high priest? We don’t need anyone else to give us access to God except Jesus Christ. What about us in the Lord’s church? Is it possible for us to think too highly of ourselves because of who we are and what we know? It certainly is! Sadly, I’ve seen it, and I’ve heard it in my past. I saw and heard things when I was very young that could have pushed me away from the church. Thankfully, I had humble parents who helped my young mind sort through things like that.

In the church today, some people appear to be strong Christians, but think and act like the “Pharisees”, just like there are people in the church who aren’t strong spiritually and are unfaithful. Both types of people are in the same boat with God. He is not pleased with either group. God wants us to do all we do in love (1 Corinthians 16:14). God doesn’t want us to elevate ourselves above anyone else (Philippians 2:3-4). I need to examine myself daily to make sure that I am a faithful Christian whose motive is purely love for God and others. 

In verses 33-34, Jesus says that He won’t always be with them. He was saying, “This is your opportunity to believe in Me. I won’t always be with you. I’ll soon be going back to My Father.” Then, He says some sad words, “You will look for Me, but you won’t find Me, and you won’t be able to come where I am going.” Someday, these unbelievers will beg for Jesus, but He won’t be there. They will want to be where Jesus is, but won’t be able to go there. Judgment day will be this way for people who are not Christians. Every single person who has rejected Jesus will want Him to advocate for them on that day, but He won’t be there. Every knee will bow before Him at that time, but it will be too late.  However, let’s look at the opposite side of this, though, the happy and joyful side that we read about in John 14:1-4, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go, you know, and the way you know.” Those verses are the opposite of what He told the unbelievers in John 7:34. As long as we obey Jesus, we will get to be with Him someday! Nothing on this earth is worth missing out on that! It is so important for those of us who know the truth to try our best to spread it to those who haven’t been taught. I always think of that song, “You Never Mentioned Him to Me”, and it cuts my heart. It hurts me to think of all the people that I haven’t talked to about the gospel in the past, simply because I wasn’t right with God myself. I had the Christian home. I had the upbringing, and didn’t follow it as I should have. I had the truth taught to me, but I didn’t share it, and I wasn’t a Christian example. I pray for opportunities to share it now and throughout the remainder of my life.

God means for everyone to learn what the Bible teaches about being saved. It only takes an open heart for Jesus and a willingness to put away what we’ve been taught in the past, and truly read what God’s Word says for ourselves… and then accept what it says and obey it. If I can help you in any way, I would love to! Are you walking in the light? Are you in Christ? Are you saved? If you aren’t, or if you’re not sure if you are, I’d love to help you. Are you a member of the Lord’s church, but are struggling spiritually in your walk with Christ? If you are… believe me, I’ve been there many times, and I’d love to help you. If you have any questions, please reach out. 

I love God’s Word. It challenges me to be better… to do more in His service. It is interesting and keeps me on the edge of my seat, wondering what will happen next. It gives me confidence and builds me up, and it brings me to my knees when my soul needs convicting! Thank you, Father, for the wonderful gift of Your Word!

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan God has outlined in His Word for humankind to receive His grace, which leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible. 

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)

John 7:27-30

27 However, we know where this Man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from.”

28 Then Jesus cried out, as He taught in the temple, saying, “You both know Me, and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. 

29 But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me.”

30 Therefore they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come.

“Do You Really Know Me?”

“Isn’t this the man that they want to kill? Why aren’t they stopping Him from speaking so boldly in the temple? Do the rulers actually know that He is the Christ?” This was the conversation among the people as Jesus was speaking in the temple during the Feast of Tabernacles. Then, in verse 27, we see just how confused the people were about the Old Testament scriptures. They said, paraphrasing, “But we know where this Man is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where He came from.” It is unclear why they thought this or where they got the idea. The scriptures never said that the Christ would come from some unknown place. In fact, they tell us exactly where He will come from. He will come from the tribe of Judah. (Genesis 49:8-12) He will be from the lineage of David. (2 Samuel 7:12-13) He would be born in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2) So why would they say that they wouldn’t know where He came from? From what I have read, they believed that the Messiah would come out of nowhere in some kind of fantastic way. This false idea was another obstacle holding them back from seeing the truth clearly… from seeing Jesus the Christ clearly. People were spreading false teachings based on this idea. Don’t we see this all around us today? There is nothing new under the sun! We see all kinds of false teachings, ideas, and speculations today. It is another ploy by the devil to keep people confused and blinded to the truth. 

In verses 28-29, Jesus cries out to them. I can only take this to mean that He was pleading with them to open their eyes! He knows all of their thoughts, all of their doubts, and all of their false speculations. He cries out, paraphrasing, “You know Me, and you know where I am from! I am not here by My own will! I am here by the will of Him who sent Me, and He is true! You do not know Him (God), but I know Him! I am from Him! He sent Me to you!” Jesus just told all the Jews, God’s chosen people, that they did not know God. These words had to be a gut-punch, especially to the Pharisees and the chief priests. How dare this Man say that He knows God and we don’t! 

In verse 30, it says that they tried to take Him, but couldn’t lay a hand on Him, because His time was not at hand. Here we see God’s timetable yet again. They were not allowed to lay a finger on Jesus at this time. 

These people had Jesus standing directly in front of them, teaching them in a way that they had never been taught before. Yet… they didn’t believe. They had Him performing miracles right in front of them. Yet… they didn’t believe. Isn’t it the same today? No, we didn’t physically hear Him speak. No, we didn’t see the miracles. But, how could Jesus still be the historical figure that He is today if none of it were true? Time, as we know it, is based on the fact that Jesus was here. He was born. He lived about 33 years. He died a horrible death as an innocent man. And then there’s the tomb… it was empty. And, of course, the testimonies of all the people who saw Him alive when He was resurrected.

The evidence is all out there, and it is sound evidence. And, on top of all that evidence, there’s the Old Testament prophecies about Jesus that line up perfectly with His life. The Bible is the Living Word of God… the God-breathed Word… that has never been destroyed despite many attempts. Attempts were made in 303 A.D. by the Roman Emperor Diocletian, throughout the Dark Ages by Rome between 500-1500 A.D., and by the Council of Trent between 1545-63 A.D. But it has stood the test of time! God said that no one would ever destroy His Word, and that it would remain forever. (Matthew 24:35, 1 Peter 1:25, Isaiah 40:8) 

How clearly do I see Jesus for who He is to me personally? Do I talk to Him enough? Do I consider Him in every decision that I make? How clearly do I see His purpose for my life? Do I really SEE Him? Jesus is absolutely everything to every single one of us! Can you imagine being everything to every person in the world… past, present, and future? He wants to be our everything! That is Jesus. It is just really sad that everyone doesn’t see Jesus as everything to them. “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

God means for everyone to learn what the Bible teaches about being saved. It only takes an open heart for Jesus and a willingness to put away what we’ve been taught in the past, and truly read what God’s Word says for ourselves… and then accept what it says and obey it. If I can help you in any way, I would love to! Are you walking in the light? Are you in Christ? Are you saved? If you aren’t, or if you’re not sure if you are, I’d love to help you. Are you a member of the Lord’s church, but are struggling spiritually in your walk with Christ? If you are… believe me, I’ve been there many times, and I’d love to help you. If you have any questions, please reach out. 

I love God’s Word. It challenges me to be better… to do more in His service. It is interesting and keeps me on the edge of my seat, wondering what will happen next. It gives me confidence and builds me up, and it brings me to my knees when my soul needs convicting! Thank you, Father, for the wonderful gift of Your Word!

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan God has outlined in His Word for humankind to receive His grace, which leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible. 

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)

John 7:23-26

23 If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? 

24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

25 Now some of them from Jerusalem said, “Is this not He whom they seek to kill?

26 But look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ?

“Does My Judgment Pass the Three Tests?”

What happens when the eighth day of a baby boy’s life falls on the Sabbath? Jesus says, paraphrasing, “You perform the circumcision on the Sabbath to keep the law of Moses, so why are you angry at Me because I completely healed a man on the Sabbath?” Circumcision on the eighth day, even on the Sabbath, made the person complete under the law. When Jesus healed the man by the pool, He made the man complete under the law as well. Now, the man would be physically able to keep the law. Jesus is basically calling them hypocrites in verse 23. 

In verse 24, Jesus says not to judge by appearance, but to use righteous judgment. He doesn’t say that we can never judge, but we do have to be very careful when we do. The world today wants to quickly quote Matthew 7:1, which says, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” However, they don’t read the rest of the verses after verse 1. Jesus explains in Matthew 7:2-6 exactly how to judge with “righteous judgment”. As Matthew 7:5 says, “Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” For our judgment to be righteous, it has to pass three tests. First, we have to use God’s Word as our standard of judgment. Secondly, we have to be right with God ourselves before we can judge righteously. And thirdly, and this is so important, we must have the right motives for our judgment to be righteous. Do we truly have the person’s best interest at heart? Are we doing it to save the person’s soul? The judgment that these Jews were placing on Jesus was not righteous. It failed in all three areas. Their judgment was not from God’s Word. It was hypocritical because these Jews were not right with God. And the motives behind their judgment were not pure. Here’s a question for myself and everyone else. Do I want God to judge me in the same way that I judge other people? Just food for thought… because that is exactly what Matthew 7:2 says will happen to us. We will be judged in the same way in which we judge other people. 

In verses 25-26, we see that some of the people are confused. They are asking, “Isn’t this the man that they want to kill?” They are wondering why the Jewish leaders are allowing Him to speak so boldly in the temple. If they want Him dead so badly, then why are they allowing this to continue? Because of the Jews’ hesitance to stop Jesus from teaching, they begin to wonder if He is actually the Christ. The people were saying, paraphrasing, “Do they know He is the Christ? Is this why they aren’t trying to stop Him?” So the word had gotten around that the Jewish leaders wanted Jesus dead, yet they allowed Jesus to question their actions, and speak to them as if He had authority…which of course He did. Jesus had ALL authority!

Let’s go back to verse 24 for a moment. Jesus tells us not to judge by appearance. We aren’t to look at a person’s outward appearance, such as their clothing, height, weight, makeup, hair color, tattoos, piercings, etc., and decide what kind of person they are based on it. We certainly can’t decide, by looking at someone, whether they deserve the gospel taught to them or not. Everyone equally deserves the gospel. Well, actually, none of us deserves the gospel! God sent Jesus to save us out of pure love. He doesn’t want anyone to be lost (2 Peter 3:9). He is no respecter of persons (Romans 2:11). It is certainly nothing that any human has done to deserve such a gift. God looks at the heart as we should. God looks at our hearts to see whether we appropriately view others as souls who need saving. Am I looking at others in this way? Am I seeing opportunities to share the gospel? Like the picture at the top says, “Am I looking beneath the surface?”

God means for everyone to learn what the Bible teaches about being saved. It only takes an open heart for Jesus and a willingness to put away what we’ve been taught in the past, and truly read what God’s Word says for ourselves… and then accept what it says and obey it. If I can help you in any way, I would love to! Are you walking in the light? Are you in Christ? Are you saved? If you aren’t, or if you’re not sure if you are, I’d love to help you. Are you a member of the Lord’s church, but are struggling spiritually in your walk with Christ? If you are… believe me, I’ve been there many times, and I’d love to help you. If you have any questions, please reach out. 

I love God’s Word. It challenges me to be better… to do more in His service. It is interesting and keeps me on the edge of my seat, wondering what will happen next. It gives me confidence and builds me up, and it brings me to my knees when my soul needs convicting! Thank you, Father, for the wonderful gift of Your Word!

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan God has outlined in His Word for humankind to receive His grace, which leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible. 

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)

John 7:15-18

15 And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?”

16 Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. 

17 If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. 

18 He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.

There is Only One Doctrine…The Doctrine That Came From God

As Jesus was speaking in the temple during the Feast of Tabernacles, the Jewish leaders were surprised at how well-spoken He was. The Greek word for the term “letters” that we see in verse 15 is “grammata,” meaning “literate” or “a person with educational skill”. They are asking, paraphrasing, “How is this man literate?” or “How does this man sound so educated?” They considered Jesus to be an uneducated man because He had never had formal rabbinic training. He spoke like no other rabbi they had ever heard before. I would assume that most rabbis would refer to the teachings of other rabbis on the law. But Jesus needed no teachings from past or present rabbis, because His teaching came straight from God. 

The word “doctrine” in verse 16 means teaching or instruction. Jesus says, “My teaching or instruction is not Mine, but His who sent Me.” We have so many different “doctrines” or “teachings” floating around in the religious world today. It seems to me that this word is used loosely today to validate different opinions on scripture. This is how I see this word used today. If they call what they are teaching a “doctrine”, then it makes it sound more official or more real. People will be more likely to believe it if it is called our “doctrine”. That may not make sense, but it is how I view the use of the word in today’s religious world. I can hear people saying things like, “Well…that is your doctrine, but this is our doctrine. But…they are both “doctrines”, so they are both fine to live by.” It is very sad that men have come up with all these “doctrines”, and put them out in the world as truth. It is very confusing. There is only one “doctrine”, and that is the “doctrine” that Jesus is speaking of here in John 7:16…..the doctrine that comes straight from God. I am reminded of Romans 16:17, where Paul says, “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.” The word “doctrine” that Paul uses is singular.

In verses 17-18, Jesus says, paraphrasing, “Anyone who aligns his own will with God’s will, shall know for certain whether the doctrine that I speak is from God or if I’m just making it up for My own glory with my own authority. Anyone who speaks a doctrine on his own authority is only wanting glory for himself, but the doctrine of a person who is seeking to give all glory to God is speaking the truth, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.” Being a disciple of Jesus means that we don’t seek any glory for ourselves. And Jesus plainly said that anyone who makes up a doctrine that does not align with Jesus’ doctrine is seeking his own glory. We are to strive to bring God glory in everything we do. And part of bringing God glory means that we are to keep His doctrine intact. Human nature causes us to want to be noticed or recognized for the things that we do. We worry about whether other people agree with or like what we are doing or saying. However, it should never be about what other people like or don’t like. It shouldn’t be about what we ourselves prefer or don’t prefer. It should be about what pleases God, and nothing else. We tend to rely on other people’s opinions of what we are doing for validation. It is something we have to fight against even as we work in the Lord’s kingdom. Being a disciple of Jesus is all about diverting 100% of the glory away from us and onto God…100%. John the baptizer said, “He must increase, I must decrease.” This should be my attitude… zero attention for me, ALL attention for the One who created me. 

God means for everyone to learn what the Bible teaches about how to be saved. It only takes an open heart for Jesus and a willingness to put away what we’ve been taught in the past, and truly read what God’s Word says for ourselves… and then accept what it says and obey it. If I can help you in any way, I would love to! Are you walking in the light? Are you in Christ? Are you saved? If you aren’t or you are not sure if you are, I’d love to help you. Are you a member of the Lord’s church, but are struggling spiritually in your walk with Christ? If you are… believe me, I’ve been there many times, and I’d love to help you. If you have any questions, please reach out. 

I love God’s Word. It challenges me to be better… to do more in His service. It is interesting and keeps me on the edge of my seat, wondering what is going to happen next. It gives me confidence and builds me up, and it brings me to my knees when my soul needs convicting! Thank you, Father, for the wonderful gift of Your Word!

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan that God has outlined in His Word so that humankind can receive His grace, which leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible. 

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)

John 7:11-14

11 Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, “Where is He?” 

12 And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, “He is good”; others said, “No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.” 

13 However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.

14 Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught.

Am I Willing to Speak “Openly of Him”, or Am I Fearful?

Why were the Jews looking for Jesus at the feast? Well…..since all Jewish men were required to attend, I would say that they were hoping He wouldn’t. If He didn’t show up, then this would give them something to hold against Him. Wasn’t this what they were always doing to Jesus? They were always trying to test Him, trap Him, or catch Him not keeping the law. Verse 12 makes it very plain that the subject of conversation at the feast was Jesus. Some spoke positively about Him, and some spoke negatively. Isn’t this how the world speaks about Jesus today? Some speak positively, and some don’t. Some believe in Him, and some don’t. But, even the people who believed in Him were afraid to speak up. 

Verse 13 is where the real lesson is found for me. The people at the feast were afraid to speak openly about their true feelings about Jesus, because of fear of the Jewish authorities. Isn’t fear a problem for us as Christians today? I know it has been for me in the past. I wanted to fit in with the world too much, and this caused me to not speak up for the truth or live out the truth. Fear caused me to be in a lost condition for a long time. What will people think of me? Will people think I’m weird? Will I lose friends over my beliefs? If I say what I really believe, will I be made fun of? You know…..the older I get, the less I fear. I have grown more and more concerned about what My Savior thinks, and less and less concerned about what people in the world think. I still have ups and downs. I have times where fear tries to creep in. I’m sure most people do. Sometimes I let fear get a foothold, but when I realize it’s there, I kick it to the curb as soon as I can.      2 Timothy 1:7 says this, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” This clearly says that fear does not come from God, so where does fear come from? Fear comes from Satan. He causes us to doubt God, and doubt ourselves. What a scary thought! Ok, I need to clarify something. Earlier in this post, I said that as I get older, the less I fear. That’s not entirely accurate. I have been in God’s Word more in the last few years than ever before in my life. So…..the answer for fear is God. I promise you…..the more that you are in God’s Word, the more courageous God will make you. It is not about age. There are a whole lot of people way younger than me who don’t let fear hold them back the way that I did at their age. It’s called spiritual maturity, and it has no age. It is about allowing God to infiltrate our very beings through His Word. We are either filled with fear, or filled with trust in God. The two can’t coexist. A lack of fear equals a deep trust in God. Fear equals a lack of trust in God. Here is the truth…..we can trust in God no matter how many times the world hurts us. Trusting God is about knowing…..beyond a shadow of a doubt…..that God has us in the palm of His hand forever…..no matter the physical pain we endure…..no matter the mental anguish we experience…..no matter the obstacles that are put in our paths. It makes me think of Paul and all that he endured while spreading the gospel. The trust that he had in God was immeasurable. 

As we move into verse 14, we see the Father’s timetable for Jesus coming full circle. When and how does Jesus decide to make Himself known to everyone at the feast? In the middle of the week, when the feast was in full swing, Jesus went to the temple and taught. Jesus wanted as many people to hear Him as possible. He obviously showed no fear as He went straight to the heart of the feast…..the temple, and began to speak God’s Word to the Jews. Jesus was the definition of fearless. His trust in His Father was beyond our capability or understanding.

So….I ask myself…..do I fully trust in My Savior, Jesus Christ? When I find myself struggling with fear, I turn to Romans 8:31, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” I mean, think about that…..who can? Who or what do we have to fear if we have God, the Creator of the universe, first in our lives and on our sides? And then…..I read Romans 8:37-39,  “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” These verses are some of the most courage-building verses in the Bible for me personally! Nothing can separate us from Jesus! We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us! Jesus’ love is perfect, and perfect love casts out fear! (1 John 4:18) So…..my Sisters in Christ, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” These are the inspired words of Moses as he spoke some of his last words to God’s people before turning his leadership role over to Joshua. That word, “One”, with the capital letter stands for Jesus as well as God the Father,…..because Jesus was with the Father when Moses spoke those words. Jesus was always there…..just waiting on God’s perfect timing to make His entrance into the world, and turn it upside down for our salvation. Those words in Deuteronomy 31:6 are just as true for us today, as they were for them long ago. Jesus will NEVER leave us! He is our courage! He is our strength! He is our confidence! He is our only hope! We’ve got this, Sisters! No fear! 

God means for everyone to learn what the Bible teaches about how to be saved. It only takes an open heart for Jesus, and a willingness to put away what we’ve been taught in the past, and truly read what God’s Word says for ourselves…..and then accept what it says and obey it. If I can help you in any way, I would love to! Are you walking in the light? Are you in Christ? Are you saved? If you aren’t or you are not sure if you are, I’d love to help you. Are you a member of the Lord’s church, but are struggling spiritually in your walk with Christ? If you are…..believe me, I’ve been there many times, and I’d love to help you. If you have any questions, please reach out. 

I love God’s Word. It challenges me to be better…..to do more in His service. It is interesting and keeps me on the edge of my seat wondering what is going to happen next. It gives me confidence and builds me up, and it brings me to my knees when my soul needs convicting! Thank you Father for the wonderful gift of Your Word!

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan that God has set forth in His Word, for humankind to receive His grace that leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible. 

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)