Bloggin through the BOOK

OK, I admit it! I'm a busy Bible Blogger!

When I finally settle in to read the Word of God online, I want to write about it!

I'm a journalist - so watch for quick, sometimes grammatically butchered (Forgive me, English majors) blogs on the best guidebook around!

Let's READ and WRITE about God and His Love Letter to us. We may be busy, but never too busy for bloggin through the BOOK! -- Laurie


"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light
for my path." -- Psalm 119:105







Thursday, February 5, 2015

John 14 ...A Promise of Peace

Man oh man! This Chapter is SOOOO comforting and SOOOO clear!

How can anyone read this chapter and not understand Jesus is God and the only way to get to Heaven, which is a super place??????!!!!

Oh, how I love this Chapter and how clearly Jesus tells the TRUTH!

Setting the stage -- Peter (I always think I am just like impetuous Peter!) has just said he wants to die for Jesus in John 13:37

Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” - John 13:37

Jesus' answer is so sharp and penetrating:

Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times! - John 13:38

Well, I would think Peter is feeling AWFUL about this. So Jesus gives him some reassurance as we start

John Chapter 14: 

“Do not let your hearts be troubled." You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going.”  
                                                                                                                - John 14:1-4

These verses remind me of walking up the hill with my daughter Brynn when she was 5 or 6. She was looking up.

"What you looking at, Brynn?"

"Heaven. God's sweepin out my room up der."

Haha! Love it!

Again, I LOVE how John captures the sheer humanity (and human frailty) of the people around Jesus.
It makes me feel so much better to know those folks did not always understand Jesus! Just listen to how confused the disciples were:

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 
 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” 

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” 

Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. - John 14:5-9

WOW -- People still don't get this. Jesus says He is the Father -- How can we be confused????

Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.  Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.  And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it - John 14:11-14

Zowee! Can I really do great things? Jesus says so, as long as I am doing "the works Jesus has been doing"

Also -- interesting -- Read verses 13-14 -- THIS is why we pray in Jesus name!

Does this mean He will always give us what we pray for?

Hmmmm I think sometimes He answers prayer in a different way. This is not always immediate.  We just have to figure out what Jesus is doing...and join Him.

“If you love me, keep my commands." -John14:15

You are pretty clear here, Lord, but how can I do this? I'm pretty weak.  I need HELP!

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and He will be with you forever—  the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. - John 14:16,17

Oh....this must be that still, small voice that tells me..."Something is wrong here" or "You should do this..."

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." --John 14:18

I'm so glad I am NOT alone EVER!  I've got a Daddy.  I am NOT and orphan, even when my parents have left this earth!

Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.

 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them - John 14:19-21

Judas does not understand why Jesus would not reveal himself to everyone. Remember -- Judas wanted to follow the SPLASHY - POWERFUL leader. He really is disappointed in this humble servant with poor Public Relations skills!

Again, I love the conversations John captures! Remember: HE was there!

Jesus is such a wonderful communicator -- He reassures his followers before all the craziness happens. Did you notice how He tells them he is going?

All this I have spoken while still with you.  But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. - John 14:25-26

Thank you, Jesus, for the Holy Spirit! ALSO thank you for the following statement which helps me in so many circumstances:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. - John 14:27

Don't look to the world for peace.

Run into the loving arms of the one who understands you and loves you the most: Jesus.

See you next week in John 15!  Read and be ready!



John Chapter 13...A Humble Servant

Hello, my loves!   

I had to make a mad dash out of town, so I'm a bit behind.  I thought we'd jump on over to John 13 and learn a bit more about serving. 

Last week in John 12 we looked at Mary washing Jesus' feet with perfume.  Today, we see yet another foot washing...this one done by the King of Kings...Lord of all.

Read John 13 and let's chat.

Jesus and his disciples have gathered for the Passover meal.  They enter the room with dusty clothes and dirty feet.  Usually, a servant of the household is ordered to clean the feet of the visitors.  

Today, however, something unbelievable is about to happen.  The King of Creation will take on the job of the servant.  He will remove his outer clothes and bend down with a basin of water. He will kneel at the feet of his disciples.  WOW!  I can't imagine the sight! 

 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.  Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;  so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet,drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. -- John 13:2-5

Jesus, the King of Kings,  became the humble servant...can we?  

Pay close attention to how Jesus treats the one who will betray him.... He washes his feet.


When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them.  “You call me ‘Teacher’  and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. --John 13:13-17

Let's follow Jesus' lead in humble service! Ask yourself -- Did Jesus also wash Judas feet? How are we supposed to treat those who persecute us?

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

ZOWEE! Jesus was really giving us guidance here!

Finally -- there is Peter -- How I relate to him! He's quick to speak, but often falls short. He claims he will always follow Jesus -- but Jesus knows better !  How often do I fall short?  

In spite of those faults, however, Peter is used in such a MIGHTY way by God!

I am glad God uses us Cracked Pots! Hooray!

See you in John 14!

PS -- Ask yourself:

___Am I growing closer to Jesus or am I distracted? 
___Am I willing to become the servant ?  
___Can I do the dirty jobs?  

I am asking this before work today! Now on to the task!