January 2021 Blog Posts (9)

The Feast of Booths had begun before Jesus arrived in Jerusalem. He hid in the crowds listening to the people, discerning what His Father was doing in their hearts. Right in the middle of the celebration He went up into the temple and began to teach. His authority was so obvious that no one challenged him. They marveled at His teaching. 

They said, “How has this man come to know so much without studying in…

If you fail under pressure, your strength is not very great. 

PROVERBS 24:10 NLT

High-pressure situations give you a chance to experience My grace.

     Trouble is good for you—if you get to know Me better in…

After the large group of disciples deserted him Jesus ministered only in Galilee for some time. He did not go at all into Judea because the Jewish hierarchy were threatening to kill him. With the Feast of Booths at hand Jesus went back to his childhood home in Nazareth. There he found his brothers and sisters and their families gathered. His oldest brother, Joseph, welcomed him. 

“Jesus! We are glad to see you. We…

                                                                Choose a good reputation over great riches,

                                                for being held in high esteem is better than having silver or gold.

                                                                             …

(It has been 4 weeks since I posted one of these stories based upon the signs of Jesus recorded in the Gospel of John. This story is actually a continuation of a supposed gathering of the disciples who were at table when Jesus first instituted the Lord’s Supper, now a full year later.)

We sat together for a while after we had eaten, all of us reluctant to leave the fellowship.…

If the righteous are rewarded here on earth,

how much more true that the wicked and the sinner will get what they deserve.

PROVERBS 11:31 NLT

 

What you think, you become.

     What you…

In John 7:25 Jesus said,

“Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgement.”

I am not addressing these remarks to everyone. But some of you will allow God to lead you deeper into His holiness.

• Holy thinking begins by discerning your own heart.

We all need to…

Teach the wise, and they will be wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn more.

RIGHT JUDGMENT

“Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgement.”

John 7:25

I am struck by the rendition of Philippians 4:5 in the e.s.v.…