20051027

John 10 Summary

v1+ They know His voice
v7+ Enter in by the door
v19+ In the porch at winter
v25+ Never plucked out of His hand
v30+ Jesus is God
v37+ Many believed on Him

v3 The sheep hear the shepherd's voice, and he leads them.

Jesus loves us and gave His life for us and saved us. He truly cares for each of us in a very special way, and nobody will ever pluck us out of His hand. We don't have to worry that we won't know what to do, to follow Him or find the things we need, the pasture. We won't miss out on Him or any of the good things He's promised to give us.

He has promised that He will send us His calling with His voice, and He will lead us. When we need to know what to do, and which way to go, and when we have needs, He Himself cares for us, and He will lead and provide.

My application is to rejoice and be glad in singing hymns.

20051017

Bible Memory Marathon

A great way to spend time is to see how much of the Bible you can memorize. Read it, say it, listen to it, type it, and write it, over and over again. Do it in little pieces at a time. Don't think that you aren't very good at remembering things like that. Keep trying, and you might be surprised.

Spiritual Blindness

John 9 Summary

v1+ The man wasn't born blind because he or his parents had sinned.
v4+ We need to work for the Lord while we can.
v12+ The Sabbath has always been a popular thing to argue about and throw people out for.
v35+ Spiritual sight is believing in Jesus.
v39+ Spiritual blindness is believing in yourself.

Meaning

v22 I've been such a chicken, so much like these chickens. Many times I've wimped out at confessing Jesus Christ because I'm afraid. I don't want to make a mistake. Many times just staying comfortable and keeping your mouth shut, is a mistake.

Application

v38
And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
Now I do have a habit of preaching the gospel to everybody. But it's hard for me to pray in front of other people and to worship the Lord in front of other people. My application is to worship, praise, or thank the Lord in public, and not just in meetings.

20051011

Bible Reading Marathon

I was reading Ezekiel when I started reading in Mark in the New Testament, and just kept reading. Then I read the rest of the gospels- and decided to read the entire New Testament as fast as I could. The epistles went by really fast. I think I finished the whole New Testament in about 1 month.

To keep myself awake, I drink coffee or something, scroll down the page one line at a time, read it out loud (but that slows me down,) or listen to music. Otherwise I keep falling asleep and then trying to start reading again, and can't get anywhere.

I had just read Proverbs through Ezekiel (all this year, I think,) so I decided to read the rest of the Old Testament - Ezekiel through Malachi first, then Genesis through Psalms. I was in 2nd Corinthians when I had the idea for a Bible Reading Marathon.

I think 2 of my friends also happened to be reading in 2nd Corinthians. Both of them agreed to race me to Proverbs. I read for about 1 hour every day, more some days, and less on others. It took me about 2 days to read Genesis, and 2 days to read Esther and Job. After Proverbs, I decided to keep going all the way back to Ezekiel.

I just finished Lamentations this morning.

I've also been trying to study about 1 chapter per day, and I started Genesis in that, about 3 weeks ago. (But I'm only to Genesis 10 today!)

The genealogies and architecture are really difficult, but it sure is a good way to encourage people to listen for the Word of God, and it's a much better use of time than many other things, like novels, other books, movies, sports, web surfing, and TV. Think about having a Bible Reading Marathon yourself, or with your family and friends!

20051010

Fire and Brimstone

I grew up knowing about the Bible, doing good things, and even believed in Jesus. But sin is real, and it's a problem. At least for me, I had a lot of the fear and shame that comes with sin.

I wanted to be good, so I ended up saying things that weren't completely honest to other people, to hide my sin. Then I kept reading my Bible. If you haven't been reading the Bible, please open it up and read it. It was when I was reading God's Word that He warned me.

The Bible says that there's a book in heaven, and it's called the book of life. The Bible says that there are names written in the book of life, and at the end of the world, the book will be opened. Whoever's name isn't found written in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire.

I'm sure that my name is written in the book because I received everlasting life by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 10:9 says that if you confess with your mouth, the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart, that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. I know I'm saved because I believed Jesus enough to talk to God and ask Him to save me in Jesus' name.

But it also says that the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, will have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone. Hebrews 10:26,27 say: "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries."

I tried to hide my sins, by hiding the things I was doing, not admitting that it was sin, and not confessing that it was my fault. But when I kept reading the Bible, Jesus had great mercy on me and got ahold of my heart. I asked Him to forgive me, help me confess my sins, and not sin any more.

He forgave me and helped me, like He has promised, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Have you ever asked God to save you, in Jesus' name?

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Please believe in Him right now.

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