Revelation 2 - Nathanael

I find several things interesting as I read this chapter:

1) The characteristics of Jesus that are described in the intro to the church relate to what the church is going through. For instance in the first to Ephesus, Jesus is described as one who walks among the seven golden lamp stands and then that church is in jeopardy of having their lamp stand removed if they don't repent.  In some ways this is similar to how some of the names of God are demonstrated in the Old Testament where we see Jahweh Jireh as the God who Provides when God provides a substitute for the sacrifice of Isaac.

2) When reading through these descriptions of churches it is good to see that most have their strengths and their weaknesses.  God commends for the strengths and then calls for changes in the areas of their weakness or sins.  When we look at our own churches, I think it is good to view them from a similar lens 1) what are the strengths 2) what are the weaknesses.  Also we can look at these examples to see which of these churches that we are most like and what areas God would commend and what areas God calls us to change.  

These lenses can also be used on our own lives.

As I look over the list of these churches, it seems to me that from the ones listed in chapter 2, we would be closest to the first - the church in Ephesus.  I'm not saying that we are identical, but just from this list so far, that is the closest.

Ephesus - hard work, good deeds, not tolerate wicked, hardships - forsaken first love -- partial

Smyrna - under heavy persecution - even to point of death -- not us now

Pergamum - persons killed but still faithful, sexual immorality -- not us now

Thyatira - good deeds - doing more than did - tolerate Jezabel -- not as close

There are items from each that we can learn are bad and to be avoided and things that are good and to be aimed for.

From Ephesus we see that it is possible for us to grow cold in our love for God. We can be so busy serving and working that we lose the relationship with God.  He calls us to repent - to change our minds and direction - to do the things we did earlier on - that is loving and pursuing God.

Jesus, help me to not only serve you, but to love you with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  I want you to be my purpose, my sufficiency, my goal, my choice, my life, my hope, my joy...my all in all.

Thank you for your love and your goodness!

Revelation 2 - Randy

I read this chapter.  I think I will need to spend ore time/research to gain an understanding of Revelation.  

I John - Randy

Verses 6-10:

 6If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

Integrity, as I read these verses the word Integrity stands out.  I can't  help but think of the times of trying to teach my children that things only get worse when we try to hide them or lie about them. I can remember saying to them, the earlier you admit to what yo have done, the lesser the consequences  and the quicker things are made right.  The longer we hide our wrong doing, the more we lie to cover up our mistakes, the worse things become. I think its possible that  we can hide and cover up something  for so long, that we start to thing its ok, but it never ends up as being ok. Its also true that the longer we continue down this path of concealing our behavior, the more people we hurt.  

So, how does all this relate to the verses above? (Before I go an further, I should declare that I'm speaking to myself here, so this commentary is about Randy and to Randy. I only hope that Randy listens to himself, for once.)  We all want to be saints on Sunday morning, but we are all sinners.  Its not ok to be satisfied or complacent with being a sinner,   sometimes we make statements about being sinners, and we joke about it and we smile or laugh.  But I don't think this is ok, this is not what we are meant or built to be or become.   Of course we  are all sinners, we know this, but this doesn't give us a "pass".

Back to the verses above, I have an integrity problem.  I want to be a Jesus Follower, but on my terms :(. I want to be a Jesus Follower on Sunday morning, or when I'm in the presence of other Jesus Followers. But what about Saturday afternoon when I with friends, or on Monday morning when I'm at work, or at a business dinner on Wednesday night?  Or even worse and maybe more incriminating, how about when I'm alone, how do I spend my time, what  do I read, or watch on TV?  So you see, (again this is Randy talking to Randy) its not ok, and its not "just the way it is" and more importantly, I know I am forgiven, but maybe I'm not excused from being accountable. 

So to be a Christian, a Jesus Follower, means having Integrity, being sincere and loyal to being the best Jesus Follower that I can be.

In my case, I always come back to the exercise that Nathanael suggested I try, to list all of my sins and to confess them.  This taught me, that for me, its not necessarily about stopping doing the "don'ts" (although I am guilty of my fair share of these), but about starting to do and practice the "DOs" .  I think if I put the required time and energy into doing the DOs, I will have less time to fall into Don'ts.

Revelation 1 - Nathanael

Revelation 1:5b-6 To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

Jesus is a great and mighty God!  This book is a revealing of Jesus, his greatness and his mighty works that will come at the end of times.

Jesus you are amazing and all glory and power belong to you forever!  Thank you so much that you love us!  I don't deserve your love.  And thank you that you freed me from my sins - at the cost of your life and blood.  I'm sorry for my grievous sins and I thank you that you love me and set me free!  And not only did you wash and cleanse me but then you made us to be a kingdom - your kingdom.  And you have given us the privilege of being priests - to serve our God and Father!! It is too much to imagine! I will worship and serve you all of my life!  Thank you for your goodness and love!

John 21 - Nathanael

Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."
John 21:22 NIV
http://bible.com/111/jhn.21.22.NIV

Peter starts into the deadly game of comparison and Jesus quickly refocused his attention. He told Peter not to worry about what his plan was for John and that it was actually none of his business. What Peter needed to focus on was simply following Jesus!
That is the same for all of us. We tend to look at others and ask 'what about them?' - why don't they have to go through this? Why do they get that?
Jesus answer to us is the same: it is none of our business. We just need to follow Jesus.

Help us to keep our eyes on you and not on others!

John 20 - Nathanael

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:30‭-‬31 NIV
http://bible.com/111/jhn.20.30-31.NIV

Thank you Lord Jesus that you have shown us that you are God, you are good,  that you love us and that we can have life in your name!
Your name is powerful and like no other! Your name gives life and hope!
Your name moves mountains!
You alone have the power to forgive us, change us, heal us, restore us.  Thank you for your love!

John 19 - Nathanael

From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jewish leaders kept shouting, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar." 

These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken,"
John 19:12‭, ‬36 NIV
http://bible.com/111/jhn.19.12-36.NIV

Though Jesus could have been let go from most perspectives it was all happening according to God's plans.

John 18 - Nathanael

Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"
John 18:11 NIV
http://bible.com/111/jhn.18.11.NIV

While Jesus was praying in the garden before this point, he had asked for the cup to be taken away. But he submitted his will to God and decided that he would do God's will and not his own. So at this point he was firmly decided to go to the cross

John 16 - Randy

Verse 33: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

We all want peace, joy, security, love, prosperity, etc..  The list goes on, what seems like forever. 

But, "In this world you will have trouble".  We work so hard, try so many things, and torture ourselves and those around us, seeking, what is in essence, peace. In fact, I know I'm guilty of turning away from God, all in an effort to find...peace.

I think this is another case where God gives us the answer, the roadmap, to what we are looking for, but we are just so stubborn. Or maybe its our pride, we want "do it our way", our way always turns out to seem foolish,  in the end.

I am only speaking for myself here, I think I need to look more (exclusively) to God, and quit looking at all the things in the world, if I want to find peace.

John 15 - Nathanael

If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.  Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.'  If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
John 15:19‭-‬20 NIV
http://bible.com/111/jhn.15.19-20.NIV
This passage is both comforting and sobering at the same time.
First it tells us of the belonging we have in Christ- that he has chosen us!
But with that great honor comes the reality of persecution. It is a common human desire to have everyone like them. Clearly this is not possible no matter who you are. Jesus himself was hated by some!
So we must rather choose to find our belonging in Christ. Then those who love him will also love us.
Thank you Jesus for your love and the privilege of belonging to you!

John 15-Hanjun

Verse 7, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you." (NIV) My understanding for "..., ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you" is once we know God's will through his words, we would ask for the requests and needs that are according to or consistent with his will, so God will answer our prayer requests. 

Verse 25, "But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law, 'They hated me without reason.'" (NIV) I pray God please help the people who hate you experience your love and love you. You can change people's hearts.

John 14 - Nathanael

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 
John 14:6
Important messages:
1)Jesus is the one and only way to eternal life and to knowing God

And what goes with this is John 6:44
"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them
2) No one can be saved on their own but it takes God beginning that work in their heart to draw them to Jesus.

Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them."  
John 14:21
It is easy to say that we love Jesus. According to Jesus, the proof of that statement is in obedience. If you want Jesus to show himself to you then obey him.

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 
John 14:26
Thank you Father for sending your Holy Spirit and thank you Spirit for coming to teach and remind us of what Jesus said!

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:‬27 NIV
Peace is something we need and long for. Jesus brings a peace beyond our understanding or our expectations! Then he tells us - commands us really- to not let our hearts be troubled. So we are to stop the troubled feeling when it starts to come. We can only do that when we recognize that we have a good God who loves us, knows what is best, knows the future and is working for our good. Then we can rest in him and put our trust in him.
Holy Spirit remind and teach us. Come and comfort and give rest to our souls!
http://bible.com/111/jhn.14.6-27.NIV

John 14 - Randy

Verse 6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.7If you really know me, you will knowmy Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

Its pretty simple isn't it,  there is only one way, so its not like we have to navigate a complex map with many routes to our destination.  But, we (at least I am guilty of this) want an alternative path, why can can't we define our own way?  We ask for Jesus to tell us the way, he responds, and we say..uhmmm let me think about it.  

Sometimes I think all of our efforts that we pour into religion and theology are an attempt to build a different path. 

Just like the verse above, the way is simple, doesn't require a lot of research or indepth probing to understand.   But like so much of what I read in the Bible, Faith is the key here, faith to believe the words of Jesus.  Where the research and probing comes into play isn't into the words of Jesus, but into our own hearts. Do we have the heart to turn away from false beliefs and teachings, and turn to Jesus?

 

John 13 - Nathanael

Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."  Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!
John 13:37‭-‬38 NIV
http://bible.com/111/jhn.13.37-38.NIV

We often think that our faith is stronger than it really is and that our internal strength to do right is stronger than it really is. We are only tested in adversity and only then see what is really inside. We see that sin and fear is lurking and that our only hope is our savior Jesus Christ!

Lord show us our weakness and sinfulness so we will seek you more completely!

John 11 - Randy

I read  the chapter.

Thanks

John 10 Randy

Verses 14- 18: 14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.16I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.17The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again.18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

I don't think I have ever heard anyone teach on theses verses, and maybe I'm not reading correctly.  But, it looks to me as though that the reference "I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also." may be Jesus saying that his invitation is not only for the Jews, but for anyone who will listen and accept him as Savior.   I also like the additional language "there shall be one flock and one shepherd."  which I read as there is a community beyond or greater than what we know, there is a community that rises above Jews, Gentiles, republicans, democrats, etc. there is the Christian community.

John 9 - Nathanael

Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"   Jesus said, "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you."   Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him. 
John 9:35‭, ‬37‭-‬38‭
When we hear the term 'son of man' we don't usually understand what it means like this man and others during that time.  It is a messianic title as clearly this man understood.  As soon as he knew that Jesus was the son of man, he worshipped him!

Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.
John 9:‭41 NIV
http://bible.com/111/jhn.9.35-41.NIV
When we come to God thinking we are OK and that we know what we need to know we receive nothing from him - no forgiveness, no healing, no help, no eternal life. But if we come in true humility, recognizing the depth of our sinfulness and recognizing that we have no hope except through Jesus, then we will be forgiven and set free and receive new life from Jesus!

John 9 - Randy

My take away from reading this chapter is that we all, as individuals, make a decision of accepting or rejecting Jesus.

There is no room for the "middle" or "I have to hear more", we all have had the opportunity to hear the Message,  there is no need for more evidence, research, etc.  

I don't mean that we stop trying to tell people about Jesus, or that we force a permanent acceptance or rejection decision.  But, I think the message is that we have all the evidence we need, we have all the data we need, more evidence or data will not provide an answer, its down to acceptance. 

I also think for people like me, we need to remind ourselves daily (if not constantly) that we have made this decision and we need to live up to a standard that reflects our acceptance (this isn't easy).  As for me, I think I need to focus more on the "doing" of God's teaching versus the don'ts.  I feel like if I did all the "DOs" then there would not be room in my life for me to do the "Do Nots".

John 8 - Nathanael

"Very truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"  At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
John 8:58‭-‬59 NIV
http://bible.com/111/jhn.8.58-59.NIV

This is a powerful passage and a clear statement that Jesus makes claiming to be God, taking on the name of God and claiming to have been around before Abraham.

Not sure how Jesus hid himself, if it was supernatural or just that he ran out from there. The people wanting to stone him probably didn't have big rocks suitable for stoning right there since they were in the temple court. So they may have had to step outside to get some and then he could have slipped away.

John 5 - Nathanael

Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."   I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
John 6:27‭, ‬51 NIV
http://bible.com/111/jhn.6.27-51.NIV

We spend most of our time and focus on food that spoils. I want my focus to be on eternal things but I am so often distracted and fear chokes out passion.
Jesus help me to keep my eyes focused on you! I want to live and act and think with an eternal focus!

John 3 - Nathanael

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
John 3:19‭

Here is one of the most basic reasons that some will not follow Jesus. It isn't because the evidence that he is good isn't clear or that they don't understand. We usually have the same response when we've done something wrong and it gets pointed out to us. We usually get defensive. But our attitude needs to be to love the light, recognize humbly that we are sinners, accept the truth that we need to change, and that we need God's help to do so.
Help me Jesus to be humble and live the light!

He must become greater; I must become less."  
John 3:30
Here is an attitude that we should always have. This life is not for our fame or glory but for God's. This  kingdom is not ours but God's!
Help me Jesus to love you most and always put you first and to live for your fame!

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them.
John 3:36 NIV
http://bible.com/111/jhn.3.19-36.NIV

Amen! You Lord Jesus are the king! In you alone is life. May we submit  to you fully and find life and forgiveness in you! May the world know you, submit to you, experience your love and find eternal life!

John 2 - Nathanael

John 2:24-25 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.

It is interesting how Jesus dealt with fame, people knowing him and his relationship to people in general.  He wasn't looking for the testimony about him from others.  In other words, he wasn't wanting people to be proclaiming that he was God, or the Messiah - as we see many times that he quieted the demons who said who he was, and told people not to tell who he was.  He knew what was in people, that they are sinful, and one moment can love you and another moment can crucify you - as happened to him in the end.

He didn't look for fame, though it found him. When he grew too famous in an area, he would leave and go to another place so that he could preach.  He was always on mission - working to find and save those who were lost.  Fame often detracted from that so he avoided it and would stay in quiet and remote locations.

Fame and celebrity culture is something that today is one of the main things that people are looking for.  Wanting to be known and be famous - even if for a short while - is a common goal for many.  Certainly this attitude comes into the church of God as preachers and leaders can seek to be famous, and people push and shove trying to become the most important in the church and gain fame or notice.

I think that I/we need to examine our hearts, goals, motivations in this area.

Lord Jesus, help me to follow you and you alone!  May you alone receive the glory and honor and help me be your humble servant, following you and living in your love!

John 1- Randy

read the chapter today.

Hebrews and James - Debbie

I've read.

Jude 1 - Randy

Verses 17-25: 17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their 

own ungodly desires." 19These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

20But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,21keep yourselves in Godʼs love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

22Be merciful to those who doubt; 23save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

24To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

There seems to be a never ending array of distractions and dissenters (I am sure that I fall into one of these categories from time to time). Even well meaning believers can sometimes get caught up in petty arguments, or even issues that they (we) believe are of high importance to the Christian faith and our "religion".  These type of issues/behaviors come about as a byproduct of of our human nature. We are quick to point out someone's error or improper behavior. 

But in reading the Bible, its interesting to me as to who Jesus rejected versus who he accepted.  

I pray that I do not continue to fall into this type of behavior: "These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit."

I think the only  way that I can avoid failing into this trap of judgmental behavior, while ignoring my own faults, is to focus on "him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen."

James 2 - Nathanael

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.
James 2:1 NIV
http://bible.com/111/jas.2.1.NIV
This works two ways: don't show favoritism and don't discriminate.