Request: Please bring the joy back.
Answer: John 4:7
"When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?""
Notice:
1. Jesus was waiting for her at a place she would come to daily to get something she NEEDED TO SURVIVE.
2. Jesus spoke to her and asked her to do what she does everyday for Him instead of for herself.
3. Samaritan: not ever (rarely) associated with Jesus; Jesus went and sought her out.
So today, when you feel down, lonely, disappointed in yourself, scared, frustrated, anxious, I challenge you to claim out loud with your mouth:
"Jesus,
Thank You for meeting me where I am.
For seeking me out.
For speaking my languages and believing in me enough to trust that if you come to me, I will choose to try to do things for You instead of myself. We both know I'm not perfect, and I really could use your help today. I recognize with my mouth, heart, soul, and mind, that You, oh Lord, care enough for me to help me with anything I ask. Please grant me wisdom, prophecy, and your perspective to see your people and the opportunities I have to share your love with them.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Friday, August 8, 2014
The blood covers who?!
Matthew 27
The money that was used to bribe Judas to betray Jesus, when Judas was convicted by God and he threw the money into the temple, it was determined by chief priests that it was against the law to put the coins into the treasury, so they bought the potters' field as a burial place for foreigners. Today it is still called the Field of Blood.
WHAT!?!?
Jesus' blood covers foreigners.
These types of fields had no more nutrients and all the soil was gone; all that was left was clay. So it may as well become a graveyard for those who could not be buried in an orthodox cemetery.
Here is a picture of the field today: http://www.visualbiblealive.com/image-bin/Public/038/20/038_20_0003_BOL_prev.jpg
It is full of life.
The money that was used to bribe Judas to betray Jesus, when Judas was convicted by God and he threw the money into the temple, it was determined by chief priests that it was against the law to put the coins into the treasury, so they bought the potters' field as a burial place for foreigners. Today it is still called the Field of Blood.
WHAT!?!?
Jesus' blood covers foreigners.
These types of fields had no more nutrients and all the soil was gone; all that was left was clay. So it may as well become a graveyard for those who could not be buried in an orthodox cemetery.
Here is a picture of the field today: http://www.visualbiblealive.com/image-bin/Public/038/20/038_20_0003_BOL_prev.jpg
It is full of life.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Plot, Oil Woman, Betrayal
1. The Plot Against Jesus
Matthew 26:5
"But not during the Feast," they said, "or there may be a riot among the people."
This is when the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace and were plotting to arrest Jesus in some sly way, but were afraid to do so since Passover was so near. It was bothersome to me that I didn't understand why they didn't want to do it near a celebration. I didn't understand why they wanted to wait since many people wanted Jesus dead for His apparent blasphemy; but why not near the time of a celebration?
Answer: They (high priests and elders) knew people would be in a great mood celebrating and would be more gracious to forgive and not want to hurt anyone during this time.
2. Jesus Anointed at Bethany
Matthew 26: 12
"When she poured this perfume on my body she did it to prepare me for burial."
Jesus spoke the above and I was curious as to who this woman was and why this is so important that it must be included in the Bible?
Answer: This is the first woman to act, publicly in faith in such a bold manner. Furthermore, this can demonstrate that we should get a fresh anointing before we go to a new place.
3. The Lord's Supper
Matthew 26:24-25
"The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.
Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?"
Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you."
Jesus warned Judas that he would betray him; why didn't he stop?
Answer: He couldn't. It was part of the plan. Sometimes, we want to get out of a rut of sin, but we are unable to. As difficult as it can be, maybe we can all consider asking the Lord how to stop and allow Him and His strength and His power, which is in us, to help us, guide us, and lead us to a freedom filled life where we are no longer bounded by repetitive sin.
Challenge: Take a deep breath, repent, and then leave it as His feet. Hold your head up high because you are covered by the blood and have been given the opportunity to live in freedom. Let God lead you, don't try to be strong on your own.
Matthew 26:5
"But not during the Feast," they said, "or there may be a riot among the people."
This is when the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace and were plotting to arrest Jesus in some sly way, but were afraid to do so since Passover was so near. It was bothersome to me that I didn't understand why they didn't want to do it near a celebration. I didn't understand why they wanted to wait since many people wanted Jesus dead for His apparent blasphemy; but why not near the time of a celebration?
Answer: They (high priests and elders) knew people would be in a great mood celebrating and would be more gracious to forgive and not want to hurt anyone during this time.
2. Jesus Anointed at Bethany
Matthew 26: 12
"When she poured this perfume on my body she did it to prepare me for burial."
Jesus spoke the above and I was curious as to who this woman was and why this is so important that it must be included in the Bible?
Answer: This is the first woman to act, publicly in faith in such a bold manner. Furthermore, this can demonstrate that we should get a fresh anointing before we go to a new place.
3. The Lord's Supper
Matthew 26:24-25
"The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.
Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?"
Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you."
Jesus warned Judas that he would betray him; why didn't he stop?
Answer: He couldn't. It was part of the plan. Sometimes, we want to get out of a rut of sin, but we are unable to. As difficult as it can be, maybe we can all consider asking the Lord how to stop and allow Him and His strength and His power, which is in us, to help us, guide us, and lead us to a freedom filled life where we are no longer bounded by repetitive sin.
Challenge: Take a deep breath, repent, and then leave it as His feet. Hold your head up high because you are covered by the blood and have been given the opportunity to live in freedom. Let God lead you, don't try to be strong on your own.
Monday, July 14, 2014
Why "followup17"?
Well, I wanted to have a way to record responses to the sermons I heard on Sunday, hence "followup".
Also, a way to write some of the things God reveals to me in the Bible.
The number 17, Biblically refers to overcoming the enemy. Check out http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible/17.html
Well, I wanted to have a way to record responses to the sermons I heard on Sunday, hence "followup".
Also, a way to write some of the things God reveals to me in the Bible.
The number 17, Biblically refers to overcoming the enemy. Check out http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible/17.html
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