Category Archives: Church

Countercultural II

John 4:25-26 “The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!” (emphasis added).

Did you know that in general at the time, men do not speak to their own wives in public? This was the cultural setting in place when Paul was talking to the Corinthian church. 1 Cor. 14:34-35 Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says. If they have any questions, they should ask their husbands at home, for it is improper for women to speak in church meetings.” Paul made this statement when they wanted to put order in the disorder in the Corinthian church. When I read this I was like, why can’t she ask him in church? Read the rest of this entry

Knowing

John 3:26 “So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us.” (emphasis added).

In today’s scripture reference, John the Baptist’s disciples were practically blaming Him for identifying Jesus as the Messiah because now Jesus is also baptizing people, and everybody is going to Him instead of coming to John and his disciples. Read the rest of this entry

Yes And No

Gen.37:10 “This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his brothers, but his father scolded him. “What kind of dream is that?” he asked. “Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you?”

Over the past few days, we have learned that Mary was an executionist and she had power with God. Mary used her power with God to change and influence things for others. We have seen from the example of Mary that when you have power with God, you can change things. Read the rest of this entry

True Focus

John 1:26-27 “John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” (NRSV, emphasis added)

John in reference to Jesus said, “I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” What did he mean? At that time, what is called the “Rabbinic Movement” was very strong. The Rabbis are the teachers and each Rabbi will have students. Read the rest of this entry

Life Light

Jn.1:4 “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.”

Dabar, God’s Word, gives life and that life brings light. It is not the other way around; we will like to have light first before we put life into a situation. But God puts His life and His life brings the light. In Gen.1, in the beginning the earth was without form and void, Read the rest of this entry

This John, III

1Jn.1:1 “We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life.” (emphasis added).

We are still on the question, who is John? Bible scholars believe, in comparing John 19:25 and Mark 15:40 [please read] and other historical facts, that Salome is the third sister of Mary the mother of Jesus, which makes Jesus and John cousins. Salome herself was a follower of Jesus [please read Matt.27:56]. Read the rest of this entry

Harmony

James 3:9-10 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!”

Our final thought from yesterday’s devotional is really big and worthy of repetition because it is so important that we get what James is saying to us. And it is this; exhibiting the gifts of the Holy Spirit and not manifesting the fruit of the Holy Spirit is a misnomer. Read the rest of this entry

Mindful

Joshua 23:11 “So be very careful to love the Lord your God.”

The Holy Spirit is a person you can love and talk to. As we learn to love and learn to communicate with the Holy Spirit, it leads to us learning His moods and understanding His feelings. You need to learn His moods and understand His feelings. While there are certain things that the Lord is not interested in. There are certain areas that God wants to move in. Read the rest of this entry

Responses II

Matt.12:11-12 “Jesus said, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a PIT on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep!” (NIV, emphasis added).

How do the five major world views [religions] respond if one falls into a dip pit? Yesterday, we looked at three responses. Buddha says, it is your karma. Mohammed says, you violated the law of Allah. Hindus say, the pit does not exist, it is an illusion, it is in your mind. Read the rest of this entry

Shepherd vs. Cowboy

Ps.26:3 “Your constant love is my guide and your faithfulness always leads me.” (TEV, emphasis added)

Who is your shepherd? I hope that by now you can say Only Jesus! A lot of us know people or are people that travel. When we travel to new places, sometimes we go around the city just to appreciate the sights. Read the rest of this entry