Our Father’s will

John 6:40 “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” Sometimes we think that winning the power ball would be the best thing that could happen to us.   Sometimes we think that it would be great to live in the Carribean, or live disease free forever or sit on our lanai or deck in the morning with a great cup of coffee and watch the sun rise.  What about this—-wouldn’t it be great to know Jesus very well and be able to spend eternity in the glory life of Heaven which is unbelievable in beauty and unimaginable in magnificence.  We have phenomenal beauty waiting for each of us.

Food and water

John 6:35 “Then Jesus declared,’ I am the bread of life.  Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'” Everyone who reads these devotional thoughts enjoys eating a delicious meal, either at home or at a restaurant.  All of us also enjoy drinking a refreshing glass of cool, clear water or cool, infused water.  Upon finishing such a meal each of us would enjoyably say—aah, that was good!  But we will be hungry again in only a few hours.  Jesus knows the preceding truth.  His truth to each of us is—once you or I have a relationship with Him, our mind and soul are contented for life-eternal life.  We never search again.  We live with a peace and comfort that is such a joy, our longing for food totally disappears.  We have found our Savior!

Purposeful life

John 6:28-29 “Then they asked him,’ What must we do to do the works God requires?’ ‘Jesus answered, The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”‘ Jesus could not have been clearer.  Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.  The world has the false conception that truth is up to each person on the earth and what Jesus declares carries as much weight as anyone else.  That sad opinion has led to an immoral society where basic principles in regard to abortion, homosexuality, marriage, love our neighbors as ourselves, greed and a multitude of other issues have become personal issues with various opinions with a disregard for what our Savior says so clearly.  Who do we listen to—our Lord and Savior or man?

Short but amazing

John 6:20 “But he said to them, ‘It is I; don’t be afraid.'” These words of Jesus may be (probably are) the most comforting words you will hear today, or maybe ever.  Our Savior has His loving arms wrapped around each of us and tells you and me—don’t be afraid, I am with you.  We must believe those words and our lives will be the most peaceful and contented possible.   “It is I, don’t be afraid.”  Believe and share!

Pray before meals

John 6:11 “Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted.  He did the same with the fish.” Before Jesus or the people enjoyed their meal, He thanked our Heavenly Father for providing the meal.  Jesus’ entire life was a life of teaching.  When you eat do you simply eat whatever food God has provided without thanking Him for the food?  If you don’t thank Him, you are making a mistake.  If you do thank Him and invite Him to join you, you have obediently recognized who has generously given you another blessing. Jesus again teaches each of us. Have a great weekend.

An unfortunate truth

John 4:48 “‘Unless you people see signs and wonders, ‘Jesus told him, ‘you will never believe.”‘ Faith is believing without physical, mental, touchable or any other kind of visible and tangible proof.  Isn’t that definition of faith without human proof a little foolish?  Can you prove Jesus lived?  That Abraham and Lot separated?  That Noah built an ark?  That the world was created in 6 days?  That Jesus lived, died and rose again?  That eternity is real?  And the list is endless.  Faith is that cherished love all believers believe simply because God says so.  No proof beyond God’s word is necessary.  Is faith foolish?  To the unbeliever–absolutely yes.  To the faith filled–absolutely the foundation of life.  Praise God for faith!

Guess what!

John 4:26 “Then Jesus declared, ‘I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” You and I have found the treasure.  Our lives are totally affected because of our relationship with this God-man Jesus.  We don’t have to waste any time or energy looking for Truth.   Having found that Truth is an absolute miracle in each of our lives.  We thank and praise God for performing that most loving miracle.  Now we spread the news–we are excited about Christmas.

Water quenches thirst

John 4:13 “Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”‘ God has created this world in such a way that without water nothing lives, but with water life flourishes.  Life demands water.  To gain eternal life a simple truth applies:  you and I must drink water, not pop or beer or alcohol or any other wet product—only pure water.  Everything else we drink might contain some water, but everyone who desires eternal life with our Heavenly Father must drink pure water.  Jesus’ point is: I am the pure water– believe in me and receive a multitude of absolutely fantastic benefits.

Believe in Jesus

John 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” God could not be more direct in stating the truth of faith.  The Son (Jesus) and faith in Him as the Redeemer of the world is the most important truth one must believe to gain eternal life.  Rejecting that truth promises eternal death.  This is not a man thought—it is an Almighty God truth.  The crowd never determines absolute truth—God does.  Is this truth harsh?  No, it is the most loving truth known.  Believe in Jesus and receive a treasure beyond belief.  That is pure love.

Thanksgiving for Light

John 3:19 “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” Thanksgiving can be a wonderful celebration or Thanksgiving can be a time of eating with no appreciation of where all our blessings come from.  For every Christian, Thanksgiving is another day of celebration for the earthly and spiritual blessings which you and I enjoy only because of the boundless generosity and love coming from our Almighty Heavenly Father.  Happy Thanksgiving to all.  We praise God for Light!

Consequences

John 3:18 “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”  God does not allow man to determine truth in regard to salvation and His Son.  His truth is quite simple—believe in Jesus and be saved–do not believe in Jesus and do not be saved.  Our world makes up the truth–good guys are saved because God is a good guy.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

Why did He do that?

John 3:17 “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” Our Heavenly demands perfection.  As soon as sin entered the world man was incapable of having a relationship with his Heavenly Father by his sinful self.  God loved man and wanted a close relationship with man.  Man needed an advocate–a perfect Advocate.  Therefore, Jesus came.  Only through our Savior are you and I capable of standing before God.  Jesus has made each of perfect.  Isn’t that a wonderful and comprehendible truth?  That truth is what makes Christmas such a glorious celebration.