God spoke to me about

Verse 17, in a chapter that speaks of the Holy Spirit, says the world cannot accept Him as it neither sees or knows Him (HS).  However, just from yesterday’s chapter (13), Jesus is speaking and refers to us and how the world will KNOW that we are disciples, if we have love one for another.  So the evidence for the HS is not in the HS Himself but what He does through us.

Change

Sometimes I don’t allow God to love people through me.  I need to keep a check on that … hmm

God spoke to me about

Though I had something different in mind, when I started to re-read this section … v. 7 blasted out to me.  When Peter queries Jesus about him washing his feet, Jesus replied, “You do not realise now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”  For all the times … looking back … I see God’s hand, I still get frustrated not knowing the “whys” of what is happening.

Change

I need to keep this little blip on my mind when those events come up.  Just because I don’t understand why doesn’t mean God doesn’t understand.

God spoke to me about

Over the last year I have battled with anger more than in a long time.  That might be clouding my take on what I see during our John Challenge.  The awfulness of sin just seems to shout.  More children hurt by the very people who should love and protect them above all others.  Young people strung out on drugs, alcohol, sex.  Sexual perversion seems stylish.  John 12 speaks to me when Jesus speaks more than once of people being in darkness.  Why would people choose darkness over light.  I just don’t get it …

Change

I cannot allow anger to rule me.  Jesus had compassion.  I must have compassion.

God spoke to me about

Thomas is an interesting character.  In v. 16 he is ready to go and “die with him”.  I presume he is referring to Lazarus.  Christ was called to him though he is dead already.  What a contrast between the Thomas of John 11 and that of after the crucifixion in the upper room where the same Thomas says he won’t believe Christ rose from the dead unless he sees the nail prints for himself.  People are fickle.  It frustrates me at times.

Change

People are people.  Though I so much desire people, teens to “get it”, it takes time, encouragement, falling, picking up to get to that point.  God help me to have patience as You have patience with me.

God spoke to me about

Jesus speaks much to/about the crowd, Pharisees, disciples which is understandable as they are the immediate audience.  However here (vs. 16) Jesus speaks about “other sheep”.  As his prayer in John 17 speaks of those who will believe as a result of the testimony of the disciples, Jesus is including ME in with the other sheep.  Wow.

Change

I can get discouraged at times, feel abandoned … but just to consider that Jesus specifically mentions ME, His “other sheep”.  That helps me get through a tough day.

God spoke to me about

The story of the blind man receiving sight is the main theme here.  It never ceases to amaze me how a religious system … in the name of God … will try to criticise anything that does not fit within their understanding of God.  Of course you can take that to extremes which we can’t do however.  The blind man gives a very clear, logical argument on why the One who healed him MUST be from God but they did nothing but throw him out (v. 34)

Change

I must be very careful in my own heart and mind regarding God’s working as not to be judgmental if it doesn’t fit into my own particular “box”.

God spoke to me about

Starting from v. 31, Jesus confronts the religious Jews.  As Jesus tries to speak truth to them, their religion amounts to nothing more than a stumbling block.  What was supposed to be a stepping stone to relationship (the Law) has become the barrier.

Change

I must guard my own thoughts / heart.  I can very easily create my own sense of “religion” with my own blinders so that i am blind to truth in scripture.  I must allow the Holy Spirit to be my teacher without a religious wall as a barrier.

God spoke to me about

Twice in this chapter Jesus refers to the time not being right (vs. 6 and 30).

Change

I have preached for any number of years regarding timing, God’s timing v. my own timing.  However still within my being I battle over the timing of things.  Without going into too many details, why does _______ have to take so long?  God does do things at the right time.  I need to release my worries and allow God to complete his schedule.

God spoke to me about

John 6 contains probably my favourite story in the gospels, that of Jesus walking on the water.  However, God just showed me in v. 17 a mention of it being dark when the disciples set off in the boat to go towards Capernaum.  It makes specific mention of Jesus not being there.  Then in the next verse a strong wind blows and the storm starts.  Jesus is setting up a huge event.

Change

Sometimes I have huge doubts on where God is in the storms.  Maybe this will help me to remember that even though I don’t sense God with me in the storm, He IS there and is maybe even setting things up to do something big.

God spoke to me about …

I like John … the baptiser.  What an example.  John 5:35 states “John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light”.  There is no pretence about John.  He just allowed the light to shine.  He had a following but quickly pointed people to the Saviour.  He gave it all.  People are fickle and he didn’t allow that to distract him.  He allowed the light to shine even though people chose ‘for a time’ to enjoy the light.

Change …

I need to make sure my attitude is such that the light shines to please the One to whom it REALLY matters.