Day 8
Finishing the first chapter of John. It has been so freeing to “tarry” as long as I wish. With no set reading plan to follow, I was able to get what the Holy Spirit had for me.
When Nathanael was walking towards Jesus, Jesus said, “Here truly is an Israelite, in whom there is no deceit.” What made me stop in my tracks. What would Jesus say to me like He did to Nathanael when Nathanael was walking toward Him?
“Here comes that woman who gets full of angst when things don’t go here way. Here comes that woman who trusts when things are great, but forgets I’m there for her to lean into when things go bad.” How would Jesus greet you today?
Then He tells Nathanael “you believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.”
You will see greater things! Why don’t we live in anticipation of the greater things? Why do we only live in what we see or have seen?
Do we really long and wait expectantly to watch God work, for the greater things? (And I know in this scripture it was about the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man) but I think we forget as we go through the motions of the day, that we were created as masterpieces of the Great Creator, to do great things He planned long ago, that can only come through Jesus.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10
This is my prayer: Lord I want to live in anticipation of greater things to come. The miracles of families reconciled. Family relationships restored. Those addicted becoming free. And most of all, doing the good things You planned for me to do while on this earth to make You known
Day 7
Today’s quiet time had to follow me to the repair shop.
John 1 starting in vs 43.
Jesus didn’t just wait around, He was in action mode. He came upon Philip. Follow Me.
Okay. There was no, now tell me what I get out of this deal? Or well can I think about it. I think I like me life just as it is.
It was. “Okay.” Then Philip was so excited that he went and got Nathanael. Hey, we found The One. The Law of Moses spoke of. You know The One the prophets told us of. Then he added it’s Jesus of Nazareth. Joseph’s son. (Just a side note during the time of Jesus the name was Yeshua and it was common. That is why Jesus was introduced as Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph)
Immediately Nathanael was like “nothing good comes from Nazareth.” Do you have a place or town that when someone says they are from there you immediately think “nothing good ever comes from there?”
This is what hit me today. How many times do we take someone’s word at truth or blindly follow because of where they are from? A mega-church, Hollywood, etc. We blindly believe without checking for truth or accuracy?
Then on the other hand, because of where they are from “Nazareth”, we choose to question everything and even not believe.
Philip gave Nathanael the background, we found The One The Law of Moses talked about. The One the prophets spoke of. And then because Philip added a clarifier so that they knew what Yeshua he was speaking of, Nathanael started to question.
How many times do we write off Jesus even though from Genesis to Revelation it’s the same? We need to get back to The One where truth originated. The Truth that has never changed. The Truth that will never change.
Day 6
Still in John 1. You know many things stick out when you take your time in a book, verse or chapter. Today vs 35-42, seemed like no big deal. What kind of “meat” is there in John saying “Look the Lamb of God”. LOTS! John didn’t just mention this in passing, he wanted his disciples to see, THE Lamb of God was right here, right now and fixing to walk right past them. He wanted to make sure they didn’t miss it. He wanted to make sure they saw. He wanted to make sure they knew. They followed Him. Jesus then turned and asked, “what do you want?” All they wanted was to see where He stayed, then stayed with Him for hours. And we have a hard time getting into His Word and staying there for 30 minutes. The first thing Andrew (who was one who followed Jesus) did, was to find his brother. Andrew didn’t just tell his brother about Jesus, he then took him to Jesus. The first thing Jesus did was change his name to Cephas, which is translated, Peter.
What struck me, was how many leaders don’t use authority when saying “look there is The Lamb of God”, when preaching.
Secondly, John was wanting his disciples to follow Jesus, that was his job. He wasn’t jealous. He knew this is what needed to happen.
How many leaders are wanting those under their leadership to actually “follow” them instead of following Jesus.
And then lastly, Jesus’s first order of business was to change his name to Cephas, which is Peter! Did you know we get a name change as well? I am now a daughter. You are now a daughter or a son.
Do we walk in a manner worthy of being called sons and daughters?
We need to quit just telling people about Jesus, but taking them to Him? (Through studies, church events and services, walking with them)
As a leader do we with authority point people to Jesus as the one and only way or do we shirk our responsibility as to not offend someone else’s faith?
Day 5
Today’s devotions had to be inside due to a torrential downpour! 🤦♀️ Welcome to Florida during rainy season.
I am still in John 1 and as I was reading the words “the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie” hit me like a lead balloon, to the point that my prayer today will be one of repentance.
We live in a society who has taught us that our relationship with Jesus is a friendship, our buddy ole’ pal, per se. Unfortunately, that is farthest from the truth. “I am not worthy to untie the straps of His sandals.”
We live in a throwaway society, especially in relationships. We “try on marriage” just in case, so we can throw the person to the curb. A friend makes us mad and we have been taught to walk away and throw away a multi-year friendship because they hurt our feelings.
So as we live in a throwaway society, throwing away everything, even marriages, and friendships, how do we expect to have a right relationship that is honoring, respectful and in right order with Jesus if we see Him as a friend, a buddy ole’ pal?
Oh Lord forgive me. May I remember who You really are!
Day 4
This morning I am still in John 1 and man is my soul getting filled back up. I didn’t realize how fulfilling it was to “tarry” in a section at a time, a verse at a time.
Today God showed me the words grace and truth. And even though the word grace came first truth is not a second rate word, but just as important. And we are not to put more emphasis on grace than truth. We need grace. We need to be thankful for grace. But we need to stand on truth! God’s truth! The only truth that isn’t up for interpretation.
What is God showing you? Are you even taking time to “tarry” in His Word.
Day 3
Today’s study time was bright and early, seeing I have to leave for work in an hour.
John 1
Jesus is the Light by which we should illuminate our day by. When we believe in Him, we get a new bloodline we are now called children of God. My prayer today went like this:
Lord help me to live in the victory as a child of Yours. Help me to know at my very core of who I am comes from You, the Great I am, and not the world. May I strive to impress You and not the world.
Every day we walk through this world trying to make a name for ourselves whether it’s trying to impress a boss for a promotion or raise. Trying to get in with a group or crowd. Or trying to get the attention of someone.
Why don’t we use those same efforts impressing God by becoming the child He wishes us to become. Jesus left us here, just like He left the demon-possessed man who was healed so that we can “show and tell” of God’s transformational power!
What action in your life do you need to surrender or re-surrender to God this morning?
Pride?
Jealousy?
Anger?
May you lay it down this morning.
Day 2
I heard once to take your time and “tarry there”. Don’t rush to get through your reading. It’s not a sprint it’s a marathon. So I decided to go back to John 1 and start over.
Today I read John 1:6-8
As I read about John (not the author of John) it says he was sent as a witness to the Light.
In Luke 1 is where Zechariah, the priest and Johns dad, finds out he is going to have a son. He was serving in the temple and on this day, a once in a lifetime event took place. He was chosen to go into the Holy Place to burn incense. It was here that the angel of the Lord, Gabriel, came to tell him. Then Zechariah, even though he and Elizabeth were righteous in the sight of the Lord (not only did they read and speak of Gods Word, they were obedient), was gripped with fear and questioned God’s messenger.
Gabriel now silenced Zechariah because of his unbelief until John was to be born.
My question how many times do we fear and God says “ do not be afraid!”
He may not silence our mouths per se but we don’t get the full blessing of a promise because we don’t believe so therefore we don’t finish the course?
Day 1
I didn’t realize how much my soul was craving. It was so wonderful to take this morning and have an uninterrupted time of reading and asking God to tell me what His Word was saying today. Then to yearn to locate scripture that pertained to what I was reading.
Today’s takeaway… was about not allowing depression and darkness overtake you. And as a Christ-follower, I have and can call on the same resurrection power of the Spirit to handle satan and his mini me’s. I don’t have to let it overtake me.
Self-care: knowing when it’s time to walk away and do like Jesus did, and commune with the Father in a quiet place.
Today mine was on my lanai.
Where is yours?