The Challenge — Day 170
Today’s Scripture: John 21
[It’s the last day of our journey. Open up the Word however you prefer: a Bible or click the reference to read online.]
Today’s Scripture: John 21
[It’s the last day of our journey. Open up the Word however you prefer: a Bible or click the reference to read online.]
Today’s Scripture: John 20:11-31
[The end of the journey is very near. Click the reference to read online, or perhaps you have your Bible handy by now.]
The disciples experienced a terrible loss. A great confusion. The one they believed to be the Messiah had been crucified and buried. Their hope buried along with Him.
In fear of being found out, maybe even being next, they locked themselves away from the world.
We too as Believers experience times of terrible loss. Times we’ve trusted, hoped, only to find ourselves faced with disaster. Sudden death. A terminal diagnosis. The betrayal of a loved one.
Confused. Afraid. We lock ourselves away. From the world. From community. From Him.
Or at least we try.
Today’s passage shows God as One who cannot… will not… be locked out from the lives of His disciples.
Today’s Scripture: John 19:28 – 20:10
[Click the reference above to read on BibleGateway.com.]
Several times in our passage today, the fulfilling of Scripture is mentioned.
Today’s Scripture: John 19:1-27
[Click the reference above to read online, if your Bible is out of reach. We are almost within reach of the finish line, three more days after today.]
Today’s Scripture: John 18:25-40
[This is the last Sunday on our journey through the gospels. Be prepared to spend some extra time with Him today. Open up your Bible or click the reference above to read online.]
Jesus came to bear witness to the truth of His Kingdom. And everyone who is of the truth, a part of His Kingdom, listens to His voice.
God’s voice is only heard by those who are of the truth.
Pilate’s response to the truth is the response of the world: What is truth?
There is truth and it only comes through God: Father, Son, Spirit.
He alone is the source of truth and knows truth.
Those who long for truth, long for Him.
Those who seek truth, hear His voice.
Do you have questions about what’s true and not true?
The world these days says we all make our own truth. But truth by definition is singular, two different “truths” cannot be true. If they contradict each other in any way, one is a lie.
We do not create our own truth. We are not God. He alone set His Kingdom on truth and those who are a part of it listen to Him and know the truth.
Who are you listening to these days? Do you hear His truth? receive it?
Or do you say with Pilate: What is truth?
Today’s Scripture: John 18:1-24
[Five more days after today, and we’ll be done with The Challenge. Open up His Word, get your Bible in hand or click the reference above to read online.]
Those who have the power to hurt you the most are those you love the most.
Those on whom you can inflict the greatest pain are those you love more than anyone else in the world.
Today’s Scripture: John 17
[Click the reference above to read online… or open up your Bible…]
And in turn… Father God is glorified by Jesus.
Jesus says of His disciples and those who will believe…
Just as Jesus glorified the Father through suffering, we do too.
Sons of God, brothers of Jesus, look like Him.
Are you willing to suffer for others that they might see Him? believe that He came? because He loved them?
Suffering seems an odd way to be glorified or to bring glory to God, but in a broken world that is the way it works.
Today’s Scripture: John 16:16-33
[We’re coming close to the end of our journey through the gospels. You know what to do. Open up the Word through your Bible or by clicking the reference above.]
Jesus has been preparing His disciples for this moment…
But they could not understand… What is He saying to us?
Through Jesus we discover God’s grace in preparing us for what’s to come, what lies ahead. We just don’t always get it.
There was a time in my life He prepared me for something He knew was coming. For a season of several weeks, months, I felt His call to fast several hours a day, several days a week.
I had no idea why. Previous to this time, the call to fast also came with a call to pray. But not this time. Through these days I felt a little crazy. Was this me? Is it Him? The pressing to fast continued, and by faith I chose to obey.
During this time He revealed some issues in my heart with food. It was one place I went for comfort and solace, instead of Him. In the exercise of fasting, He revealed how I worshiped the clock for the hour of fasting to conclude for the day rather than seeking my strength from Him. Through the spiritual discipline of fasting He revealed and corrected skewed places in my heart.
The day came when I walked into Target and did not feel the need to buy and eat their popcorn (one thing I’ve really loved!). I was content just to enjoy the aroma. The moment surprised me… something had changed in me.
A few days after this moment came the call from the doctor’s office. Glucose intolerant… decrease the carbohydrates you eat… check your blood sugar… schedule an appointment in three months…
My life was radically changed when it came to my eating habits. The diagnosis completely unexpected. After the shock wore off, my thoughts went to the last few months of struggling with fasting. My heart cried out… You knew this was coming…!
Yes, He knew and He prepared me for the change I would have to make.
He still prepares His people for what’s coming. We just don’t always understand.
The best we can do is listen, trust, and obey. Even when it doesn’t make sense, and we feel a little crazy in the process.
Today’s Scripture: John 15:18 – 16:15
[Open up the Word, either in your Bible or click the reference to read online.]
God has many things to say to us, but He waits for just the right time. There are some things we are just not ready to hear, we are unable to bear them.
The Greek translated as bear is bastazo. According to the Louw-Nida Greek Lexicon it means: to accept, but with the implication of the truth being difficult to comprehend or to respond to properly — ‘to accept, to receive.’
God knows our hearts. He knows the amount of faith He has blessed us with. He knows when we are ready to accept and receive His truth and when we are not.
There’s an amazing amount of grace in His holding back teaching until we are ready. He longs for us to succeed in this walk of faith. He does not want to give us more than we can handle. He is our loving Father who watches our growth and offers us new teaching when we are ready to bear it… walk in it.
No father would teach his infant how to buckle themselves in their carseat.
No father would hand the car keys to a 4 year old and begin teaching them to drive.
Or suggest a 6 year old learn to change a flat tire.
They’re just not ready.
Our heavenly Father knows when our hearts are ready to bear the next step in our spiritual growth. He reveals truth as we’re ready to actually walk in it.
We too need to offer grace to others, because we are all at different places in our faith journeys. You may look at someone and not understand what they are doing, even if they tried to share what God has called them to. Or you may see someone who looks like they’re not doing anything, but maybe they just haven’t grown to the same place as you.
God knows our hearts and He loves each of us as a Father.
He gives each of us teaching as we are prepared to walk in it.
Trust Him with what He’s teaching you, and don’t judge where others are in their teaching.
It is by grace we are saved.
Let’s pour out grace on each other, just as we have received.
In just a little while, you may receive the teaching that helps you understand where someone else is in their walk, and be able to be gracious with those who are more spiritually immature.
Today’s Scripture: John 15:1-17
[Be sure to read the passage before the words below. If you only have time to read one or the other, choose His words not ours. Click the reference above to read online.]
FUMC Jacksonville
1031 SE Loop 456
Jacksonville, TX 75766
(Corner of Corinth Road
& Loop 456)
(903) 586-2494
info@jacksonvillemethodist.org
Church Hours:
Mon-Fri: 10:00am -5:00pm
Sun: 9:00am -1:00pm