Jesus ministers to the Samaritan woman at the well

John 4:1-30
AIM: Jesus is approachable and brings truth to those he engages
Jesus went where the non-believers are or would be going and did this "on his way" to where he was going. He asked questions that challenge assumptions and prejudices, even exposing hidden sin. Contrast John 3 with John 4,

• Samaritan woman came for water during the day, Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. 
• Jesus approached the woman, Nicodemus approached Jesus. 
• Jesus told the Samaritan woman about knowing the gift of God, who he is and "living water". 
• Jesus told Nicodemus about spiritual birth,  reminding Nicodemus about Spiritual birth, faith and salvation

A) Jesus talks to the samaritan woman at Jacob's well
(John 4:1-3) Jesus avoided Pharisees (ministry bigger than John's) from Judea to Galilee
(4-6) Jesus tired at noon walk through Samaria, town Sychar Jacob's well for Joseph

• Sychar, 34 hour walk Genesis 33:19 Jacob's well

  

  jesuswalk.com

(7-8) Samaritan woman came for water, Jesus said "give me a drink" disciples into town to buy food
(9) She reminds Jesus; Jews/Samaritans don't associate
Who are the Samaritans?

• (2 Kings 17:23-28) they were foreigners, didn't know God and were being killed by lions, so a priests was brought in to teach them how to worship the Lord. 
• (2 Kings 17:29-33), each national group made its own gods, Avvites burned their children - worshiped the Lord but also appointed priest to shrines in high places, served own gods according to customs from nations they were brought. 
• (2 Kings 17:34-39) They persist in former practices, neither worship Lord, adhere to decrees, regulations, laws and commands "do not worship any other gods, bow down or serve them/sacrifice to them. Don't forget the covenant made with you - worship Lord God/deliverer. 
• (2 Kings 17:40-41) they wouldn't listen, persisted in former practices - while worshiping the Lord, serving their idols, children and grandchildren do as ancestors did.
• (Ezra 4:1-5), Enemies of Judah and Benjamin, "Let us help/we seek your God/sacrifice to him since 2 Kings 17", but they said "you have no part in this, we alone build temple for Lord, God of Israel. so they set out to discourage people of Judah, make them afraid to build, bribed officials work against/frustrate their plans.

(10) Jesus answered; knew/gift/God/Me/you'd have asked/I'd give living water

• Jesus would say this again in John 6:35 Jesus declares "I'm the bread of life, whoever comes to me will never go hungry and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 
• John 7:37-39 "Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them (Holy Spirit)." 
• In Revelation 7:17 "lead them to springs of living" water
• In Jeremiah 2:13 God himself is the spring of living water that the idolatrous people have forsaken (see also Jeremiah 17:13; Zachariah 14:8)

B) Skeptical woman, believes Jesus is a prophet because her sin was exposed

(11-12) Woman: "You have nothing", "Where can you get living water", "Are you greater than Jacob/sons"
(13-14) Jesus:"water/thirst again", "water I give, never thirst, spring welling up in them to eternal life"
(15) woman: "give me this water/no thirst/stop coming here"
(16-18) Jesus: "call your husband/come back" woman: no husband/ Jesus "Yes, fact is you had 5 husbands, man with now is not your husband - you spoke true"
(19) she believes, "I can see your a prophet"

C) Seeking woman believes Jesus is Messiah because Jesus explained worship
(20) Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain but you Jews say worship in Jerusalem
(21-24) Jesus: Believe me, time's coming worship Father in Spirit and Truth (God is Spirit)
(25-26) Messiah will explain everything to us, Jesus told her, I'm the  Messiah!/I AM is here/I am the LORD
(27) Disciple came back, shocked he talked with a woman but didn't ask
(28-30) Woman left jar, ran to village telling all/ come and see him, could he be Messiah, people came streaming from the village

What is the significance of Jacob’s well?

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Feast of Tabernacles (Ezra, John)

In the New Testament, the Feast of Tabernacles is primarily described in the Gospel of John, where Jesus attended the festival in Jerusalem and taught in the temple courts. On the final day, He made two key declarations: "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink" and that "streams of living water will flow from within him" for those who believe in Him. These statements linked the Old Testament ritual of water drawing to His identity as the source of spiritual and eternal life.

Jesus's teachings and actions

• Secret attendance: Jesus initially went to the feast in Jerusalem secretly, as some Jewish leaders wanted to kill Him.
• Teaching in the temple: He began teaching around the middle of the festival, and later on the "great day" at the end of the feast.
• Declaration of "living water": On the last day, Jesus cried out, offering spiritual life to anyone who believes in Him, just as the Jewish people were drawing water from the Pool of Siloam.
• Healing the blind man: After the feast, Jesus healed a man born blind, using the same water from the Pool of Siloam, which had been used in the feast's water-drawing ceremony.

Symbolic meaning

• Living water: Jesus's proclamation of "living water" was a symbolic claim that He is the spiritual fulfillment of the Old Testament rituals.
• Light of the world: The feast also involved the lighting of great candelabras in the temple, and Jesus later made a similar claim in that same area, "I am the light of the world".
• Anticipation of the Holy Spirit: John's Gospel notes that the Holy Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified, connecting His promises to the future outpouring of the Spirit.
• A joyous feast: As one of the major Jewish festivals, it was a time of joyous celebration and remembrance of God's provision, and Jesus's participation highlighted His role in providing spiritual sustenance and in ultimately fulfilling the festival's meaning.  

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Seeking (with a salty thirst): His Kingdom and His Righteousness (Matt 5:6,13,6:33, Jer 29:13)

One of my brothers favorite verses is "You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jer 29:13)" this came up as I was reading through Matthew 5-13. I know he like journaling in a physical book, and though I gave him a One Step Closer Bible, I have a feeling he won't use it. So I purchased a NLT journaling and note-taking Bible for him.

I was stuck by the idea of people being "the salt of earth", that "lost its flavor. (Matt 5:13). We often talk about the spirit we are born with, verse the Holy Spirit we receive when we are born again (John 3). The big idea from Matthew 5:1-12 is God blesses characteristics of people with promises. These characteristics represent how we view ourselves in relationship with Him. Am I poor and realize my need for him? If so then do I mourn (salty tears) and receive His comfort? Humbly receive my inheritance (rule and subdue the whole earth Gen 1:28)? Hunger and thirst (salt) for justice NLT/righteousness NIV, [those who actively seek right standing with God] AMP. This hunger and thirst is "SATISFIED"

If you're satisfied, you're contented, and you don't need anything more. You're not overjoyed, but you're not complaining either. When something is satisfied, the requirements have been met and nothing more needs to be done. When you pay back the money you owe on a loan, you have satisfied the debt. You sleep well but also wake up energized. 

This progresses in our lives to be merciful and in doing so we are shown mercy. With a pure heart we will see God. We work for peace and are called his children and we're persecuted unjustly as we follow Jesus, actively seeking right standing with God. This is the way of the prophets. 

Discovering Matt 5:6

Psalm 42:1-2: For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God. / My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God’s presence?

Isaiah 55:1-2: “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! / Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.

John 4:13-14: Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. / But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”

John 6:35: Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.

Revelation 7:16-17: ‘Never again will they hunger, and never will they thirst; nor will the sun beat down upon them, nor any scorching heat.’ / For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. ‘He will lead them to springs of living water,’ and ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

Psalm 63:1: A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water.

Isaiah 44:3: For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and currents on the dry ground. I will pour out My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring.

John 7:37-38: On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. / Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”

Amos 8:11: Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.

Psalm 107:9: For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Isaiah 61:1-3: The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, / to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn, / to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

Luke 1:53: He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.

1 Peter 2:2-3: Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, / now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Philippians 3:9-10: and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith. / I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death,

Romans 3:21-22: But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. / And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.

Alleluia, you have saved me - so much better your way, Alleluia! 

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Jesus teaches about Living Water at Festival of Tabernacles

John 7
AIM: Things are not always as they appear at first.

Characters: Brothers don't believe, Religious Leaders want to suppress Jesus, Optimistic people say he's good, pessimistic people say he deceives, yet some believe he's the Prophet other that he's the Messiah.
Appearances:
A) Wrong Timing (1-9)
B) Wrong Understanding (10-32
C) Wong Background (33-52)

A) Unbelievers partake in Festival of Tabernacles, Jesus waits
(1) After thisJesus around Galilee, not Judea Jewish leaders looked to kill him
(2-5) Unbelieving (5) brothers: Jewish Festival Tabernacles go to Judea public figures not secret, show the world

• Tabernacle: a movable habitation, "tavern, hut, tent"
• 3 times annually all men must appear before Lord your God at the place he will choose: Festival of Unleavened Bread, Weeks, Tabernacles. No one should appear before Lord empty-handed Deuteronomy 16:16
• Leviticus 23 shows seven appointed festivals of the Lord or sacred assemblies are progressively leading to Festival of Tabernacles, they are; Sabbath, Passover and Unleavened Bread, Offering First-fruits, Weeks, Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles. In the presents of his mother and brothers (John 2:12), Jesus had spoken of his relationship to God his Father (John 2:16) and his purpose for coming (John 2:19-22). I speculate the brothers heard Jesus declare this festival points to his work and that they will indeed see Psalm Sunday (Leviticus 23:40-41; Matthew 21:8-11; Luke 24:44-53).

Application: What traditions do I take for granted, not understanding the significance? Where am I going through the motions of religious activity with an unbelieving heart towards God?
(6-9) Jesus time not here; you anytime will do. World hates me, I testify its works are evil - you go I'll stay

• Yet his hour had still not yet come (John 2:4;7:6). Many didn't understand the purpose of the Festivals, Jesus had already clarified that true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth and this is the kind of worshipers the Father seeks (John 4:23).

Application: What is God's will for my time?

B) Jesus teaches about understanding God's will and the law
(10-13) Jesus went after his brothers left in secret, Jewish leaders watch for him crowds, "good man" others replied "deceiver" silent in public

• To say Good Man or deceiver, both attitudes are wrong yet still prevalent in our society. He is God's son, the Holy One of God (Christ, Messiah). One thing that is still true is people don't feel comfortable saying anything publicly about Jesus for fear of leaders at work, in government and the home.

Application: Who do you say that Jesus is?
(14-15) Jesus 1/2 through festival teaches at temple courts amazing everyone by his learning without being taught
(16-19) Jesus "Teaching from God, anyone chooses God's will finds I speak for God's glory in truth,
Application: How does one choose to do God's will? Repent from the pattern of this world, be transformed, renewed in mind having given your life to God (Rom 12:1-2). Chip Ingram has a whole course on becoming a Romans 12 Christian that is excellent.http://truespiritualityonline.org/r12
(19-20) Moses law, no one keeps, why try kill me?" Crowd, "demon-possessed, trying kill?"
(21-22) Jesus, "miracle on Sabbath amazed you, Moses/Abraham circumcision on Sabbath
(23-24) "boy circumcision so Moses law isn't broken, why be angry for healing a man's whole body, stop judging by appearances, but judge correctly

• 1 Samuel 16:7: "...People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
• Isaiah 53:2 regarding the Messiah, "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him." Fulfilled in Jesus Christ "And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:8). Mark 12:14 Jesus was "not influenced by outward appearances or social status, but in truth You teach the way of God."
• Matthew 16:3 "...You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times."
• 2 Corinthians 10:7-11 "Judge by what we do", not "self-imposed worship, false humility and harsh treatment of the body" (Colossians 2:23)

Principle: God cares about the heart of our actions.
Application: How do I ensure my heart is right with God?
(25-27) People Jerusalem asked "trying to kill him, but he speaks publicly, concluded Messiah? But we know where he is from/Messiah no one will know where he is from"
(28-29) Jesus teaching temple courts, you know me, but not who sent me
(30-32) tried to seize him, no one did time hadn't come, many believed "who will perform more signs than him?"

C) Jesus provides living water, people question his background
(33-34) Here short time, going to one who sent me where I am you can't come

• much like "Lord, Lord...away from me I never knew you", "they honor with lips but hearts are far from him" (Matthew 7:21; Matthew 15:8; Isaiah 29:13)

(35-36) Confused can't find him? Greeks, what's he mean?
(37-39) Last day festival Jesus "anyone thirsty come and drink, believe in me Scripture said, rivers of living water will flow from within them" - Spirit believers would receive after resurrection of Jesus

• Revelation 7:16-17; Isaiah 49:10; John 7:37-38; John 4:14 - "Never again will they hunger (or) thirst"... "He will lead them to springs of living water"- He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them besides springs of water. Whoever believes in Jesus as Scripture said, rivers of living water will flow from within them, like a spring welling up to eternal life.

(40-43) Surely the Prophet, or Messiah but Galilee? Scriptures say Messiah from Bethlehem - divided
(44-46) Chief priests wanted to seize, didn't lay hand, guards confess "no one like him"
(47-49) Pharisees "he deceived you?" has any rulers believed?, no mob knows nothing, cursed
(50-52) Nicodemus, "law condemn man before hearing, find out what doing, "Galilee too - prophet not out of Galilee"
Application: Where do I jump to accusations about people sent from God into my life?

Palm Sunday
Judging on Appearances

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True worship is submitting yourself to God wholeheartedly (Jer 17:11-18:17)

focus verse: 

O Lord, if you heal me, I will be truly healed; if you save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for you alone! Jer 17:14

 Jer 17:11-18:17

• A) Worship the LORD with your whole self and find living water, healing, and salvation (Jer 17:11-18)
• B) Keep the Sabbath Holy and receive incalculable blessing (Jer 17:19-27)
• C) God molds us and re-molds us until he see repentance (Jer 18:1-17)

A) Worship the LORD with your whole self and find living water, healing, and salvation (Jer 17:11-18)

11-12) WORSHIP: Wealth by unjust means is lost by fools, worship LORD instead

• Devotion to God enables visibility and employment in his kingdom (Matthew 6-7)

13) APOSTASY: all who turn away/abandoned LORD (fountain living water) are disgraced, dead

• Jesus ministers to the Samaritan woman at the well
• Jesus teaches about Living Water at Festival of Tabernacles

14) FAITH: LORD, if you heal me, I'm truly healed, save me, I'm truly saved, I praise you alone

15) People scoff, what message from LORD, predictions don't come true

16) WORK: LORD, I've not abandoned my job as shepherd, patient, in your presence, hoping in you alone

17-18) Don't terrorize me but double on them, meshame/dismay on perecuters, not me.

B) Keep the Sabbath Holy and receive incalculable blessing (Jer 17:19-27)

19-23) LORD says: stop carrying your trade on Sabbath day, make it holy, pay attention, accept discipline 

• Love will slow you down - to your benefit
• Application: I'm here Lord

24-26) Obey me in Sabbath and city will be strong forever, blessing everyone with offering/thanksgiving to the LORD's Temple.

27) Refuse me in Sabbath and I will set fire to gates spreading to palaces

• Application: we have two choices in life, obedience or refusal

C) God molds us and re-molds us until he see repentance (Jer 18:1-17)

1-4) Potter working his wheel, jar didn't turn out, so he crushed it into a lump and started over

5-10) As clay in potter's hand so we are in God's hands; God announces destruction but if nation renounces evil ways, I won't destroy as planned. If announces blessing but then nation turns to evil and refuses to obey, I won't bless.

11-12) Jeremiah warns about disaster instead of good, turn from evil ways, do what's right

• Does God change his mind?

13-17) LORD, "snow capped mountains, reliable cold streams? not so, people deserted, incense worthless idols, muddy path, land desolate, stupidity, scattered - LORD turned back on them, refuse their distress

Diagnostics of a depraved psychology and consequences (Romans 1:18-32)

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Intercessory prayer is a holy bucket brigade

Intercessory prayer is a holy bucket brigade. God fills the first bucket with living water. The Spirit places it in our hands. We pass it forward through prayer, through pleading, through faith. One by one, heaven’s supply is carried to earth’s thirst, until the fire of need is quenched and life springs up again.

I've been enjoying connecting with leaders using Google Calendar, Appointment schedule. As I work with over 20 people in 7 timezones this makes it easier for me to create several 1/2 hour blocks of time over a 10 day period and allow my friends to meet when they can. It's free and simple and an answer to prayer (though its been around for a long time I've just discovered it). I plan on redoing this every month for 1 on 1 w/Ben (BSF). Topics include Personal life, family, community, work, other & Spiritual health, prayer and encouragement. 

What I've learned is a bucket brigade is a method of transporting items, most notably water, by forming a line of people who pass the items from one to the next, rather than having each person carry the item individually from the source to the destination. It's a human-powered conveyor belt. 

• God is the Source of living water (Jeremiah 2:13, John 7:37–38).
• The Intercessor is like one in the line, faithfully passing along what is needed—pleas, petitions, encouragement, blessing.
• The Recipient is the one in need, receiving the provision, healing, or breakthrough supplied by God through prayer.
• The Authority Structure mirrors the order in the brigade: each person participates under direction, passing on what is not their own but entrusted to them.

Biblical Anchors for “Passing On Behalf of Another”

• God as Intercessor: The Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26–27), showing God Himself steps into the brigade. Jesus lives to intercede on our behalf (Hebrews 7:25), ensuring prayers reach the throne (Heb 12:22-25). We join God in intercession, speaking the very Words of God (1 Peter 4:11), to benefit others according to there needs (Eph 4:29,32).
• Jesus as Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5) – the ultimate one in the line, passing our prayers to the Father.
• Believers as Priests (1 Peter 2:9) – each of us takes our place in the brigade, carrying needs to God and blessings back to others.
• Moses as Intercessor: Exodus 32:11–14 – Moses pleads on behalf of Israel after the golden calf. He “passes” Israel’s need to God, and God relents.
• Numbers 21:7 – The people ask Moses, “Pray to the LORD to take the snakes away.” Moses carries their request to God.
• Samuel as Intercessor: 1 Samuel 7:8–9 – Israel says, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us.” Samuel acts as the one holding the bucket in the line, passing their cry up to God, and God answers with thunder.
• Paul’s Intercessory Role: 2 Corinthians 1:11 – Paul says, “You also must help us by prayer,” implying a chain of spiritual help where prayer links believers together.

Poetic Imagery of Response and Flow

• Hosea 2:21-22. Notice the chain of response: “I will respond to the heavens, and they will respond to the earth; and the earth will respond to the grain, the new wine, and the oil, and they will respond to Jezreel.” This is a bucket brigade of blessing, God’s word flows down through creation, each layer passing on life. 
• Psalm 147:8, God prepares rain, just as prayers “rise like incense” (Psalm 141:2) and come down as provision.
• Deuteronomy 11:13-14, If Israel loves and obeys God, He promises rain in season, another flow of supply.
• Isaiah 55:10-11 God’s word is like rain and snow that water the earth, accomplishing His purpose as it “flows down.”

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Everything revealed to John says REPENT! Jesus is coming soon!

Revelation 22:6-21
AIM: Everyone who is thirsty, can come and drink in new life in Jesus Christ

A) Everything John has seen and heard will come to pass soon
(6) Angel to John, Everything heard and seen is trustworthy and true, sent from Lord God who inspires prophets, tell servants what's happening soon

• 2 Peter 1:20-21 - Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.

(7) "Look I'm coming soon! Blessed who obey words of prophecy in this book"
(8-9) John worships angel but he being a fellow servant (brothers/prophets/all who obey) says "No, worship only God"
(10) "Don't seal up, time is near"

• Previously sealed up because it was distant future Daniel 8:26, 12:4, 9

Application: Who will you tell the good news of already fulfilled prophecies about Jesus (Isaiah 53) too?

B) Human history will culminate into a separation of vile from holy

(11) Let people continue as they are wrong/vile verses right/holy

• Matthew 13:24-30 Wheat and tares explained Matthew 13:38
•  New song, gospel proclaimed and final harvest Rev 14

(12-13) "Look I'm coming soon, bring reward/repay all according to deeds. I am Alpha, Omega, first, last, beginning and end" (Rev 1:8; 1:17-18; 21:6-7; Isaiah 44:6; 48:12)
(14) Blessed are those who wash their robes (7 of 7 blessings) permitted to enter, eat from tree of life
(15) Outside are dogs/sorcerers/sexually immoral/murderers/idol worshipers who love to live a lie
(16) "I Jesus sent angel, message for churches, both Root and offspring of David, bright morning star

• Isaiah 11:10; Romans 15:12; Root of Jesse
• 2 Peter 1:19; Revelation 2:28 Jesus is The Bright Morning Star, Satan is counterfeit (Isaiah 14:12)

Application: How can you know the truth from counterfeit religions and lies? How can you keep you "robes clean"? When will you come to the Lord Jesus in confession and repentance?

C) The Spirit and the Bride say "Come" to the thirsty and those desiring God
(17) Spirit & Bride say "Come" Let anyone who hears say "Come", anyone thirsty come, anyone who desires

• John 4:7-26,39-42 water Jesus gives is living water, becomes in you a bubbling spring, welling up to eternal life
• John 1:33 Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit
• John 3:5 we are born of water, but also need to be born of Spirit
• John 7:38 whoever believes in Jesus rivers of living water will flow from within them

(18-19) Everyone who hears: don't add anything or remove

• Matthew 5:17-19 Jesus came to fulfill the law and prophets, non will disappear until accomplished

(20) faithful witness all these things, "yes I am coming soon!" Amen come Lord Jesus

(21) Grace of Lord Jesus be with God's holy people

• 2 Corinthians 13:14 Grace of Jesus, Love of God, fellowship of Holy Spirit
• Grace that you have been saved (Eph 2:8), Because of the love of the Father (Genesis 3:21-24;John 3:16) by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5)
• Revelation 2:7 the one who conquers will eat the tree of life, in the paradise of God
• 2 Corinthians 5:27 anyone who is in Christ is a new creation
• Galatians 2:20 Christ lives in me, I now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me
• Romans 3:24 Justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

Application: 

Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

http://www.gotquestions.org/parable-wheat-tares.html
http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Alpha-And-Omega
http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/root-of-jesse/
http://www.gotquestions.org/morning-star.html
https://www.openbible.info/topics/grace_of_the_lord_jesus_christ

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Getting a new perspective Genesis 1-3 compared with Revelation 20-22

On Thursday we had a wonderful service at Wooddale for Teen Challenge Spiritual emphasis week. I was worshiping behind the pastor who was holding his hand up, one holding the Bible. "Who is sufficient for these things?" (2 Corinthians 2:16) came to mind as the crowd of new believers, make believers and unbelievers were loud and acting like people at a soccer game instead of a church service. His message was about the presence of God through Jesus ("Immanuel," meaning "God with us," is Matthew 1:23), changes everything.  “I (Jesus) will send you the Helper (Holy Spirit) from the Father. The Helper is the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father. When he comes, he will tell about me (Jesus)." John 14:26. Indwelling and filling of the Holy Spirit. I was grateful to see Danny and KC. 

The garden where God dwells with man, is now a city. The Temple of God's presence (1 Kings 8:1-21) was revealed in Jesus resurrection (John 2:19-22, Matthew 28:18-20), and now we our the Temple of the living God (1 Corinthians 6:19). The light of God which preceded his followers (Exodus 13:21) as a light on a path (Psalm 119:105), permeates from Jesus (John 8:12) and us (Matt 5:16). 

• When life seems hopeless, shift your focus - raise your level of understanding
• Discovering the Light of listening and being Salt (Luke 8-14)

My friend Aneej sent me Bible The Unique Book The Genesis Revelation Comparison and it correlates to our BSF study this week. 

• Gen 1:1, God creates Heaven and Earth, Rev 21:1, new heaven, new earth (without the curse)
• Gen 1:5 Darkness called night, Rev 21:25, no more night
• Gen 1:16, God made sun and moon, Rev 21:23, no need for sun or moon
• Gen 2:17, in the day you eat you will surely die, Rev 21:40, no more death or sorrow
• Gen 3:1, Satan appears as te deceiver of humanity, Rev 20:10, Satan disappears forever
• Gen 3:6-7, a garden where defilement enters, Rev 21:27, a city without defilement. 
• Gen 3:8-10, Walk of God with man is interrupted, Rev 21:3, Walk of God with man resumed. 
• Gen 3:13, initial triumph of the serpent, Rev 20:10,22:3, Ultimate triumph of the Lamb.
• Gen 3:16, greatly multiple your pain, Re 21:4, No more pain
• Gen 3:17, Cursed is the ground for your sake, Rev 22:3, There is no more curse
• Gen 3:19, man's dominion is broken in Adam, Rev 22:5, Man's dominion restored in the rule of the new man Christ - Adam's act was an act of disobedience, in eating the forbidden fruit (Rom. 5:19; and see Genesis 2:17; 3:6). Christ's act was an act of obedience, in dying on the cross (Romans 5:19 and see Phil. 2:8).
• Gen 3:23, first paradise closed, Rev 21:24-26, new paradise opened
• Gen 3:24 access to the tree of life is disinherited in Adam, Rev 22:14, Access to the Tree of Life reinstated in Christ
• Gen 3:24, they were driven from God's presence,  Rev 22:4, they shall see His face

John describes the crystal-clear river of the water of life flowing from God’s throne and through the middle of the city. This river will water lavish, fruitful trees, including the Tree of Life, which brought healing to the nations. Other passages with a similar emphasis may include the record in Genesis of a river flowing from Eden and the Tree of Life in the middle of the garden (Genesis 2:9-10); Jesus’s conversation with the Samaritan woman about the water of eternal life that would satisfy the thirst of her soul (John 4:4-14); and Jesus’s promise of streams of living water, in the form of the Holy Spirit, that would flow out of believers (John 7:38).

Continuing to pray and praying continually. "Pray without ceasing," found in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, means to cultivate a constant, ongoing relationship with God, not just through formal prayer, but through a mindset of prayerfulness and seeking God's guidance in all aspects of life. As we prayed last night I was remined of Heb 12:22-25, "...you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel. Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. " I'm reminded of staying on the phone while I wait for help to arrive like a 911 call.

Christians have an ongoing struggle against sin that is frustrating

True worship is submitting yourself to God wholeheartedly (Jer 17:11-18:17)

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Geysers, planters and pruners: How people are born into and matured in the Faith

I was teaching a class on evangelism and faith where I walked people through, three phases of their faith journey as pictured as a tree. The center you'll notice a cross shape, Jesus said if you remain in me you'll bear much fruit. So the bottom is our natural birth, the middle is our spiritual birth in Christ and the top is our fruit made possible by God's grace. This is fun interactive way to share the gospel and it's repercussions on our lives. The pdf can be downloaded and used freely with my blessing.

We start at the bottom 1/3 of the page (you can fold it into 3rds so the students are not distracted). The bottom third of the page are experiences that led them to Christ both negative (left) and positive (right).
Objective Fill in the boxes, however some of them may be more difficult than others, this will get deeply personal, especially for older students.

Begin with prayer, invite God in to reveal his word and his purpose of faith, hope and love in your life. Thank him for drawing you near to him and your desire to draw near.

Phase 1 the Bottom of the page
Bottom Center box, write "Mom and Dad" and at the foot of the Cross, write "[your name]"

• God made mankind, male and female - he blessed them saying "be fruitful and multiply" and this is where your parents came from and you came from your parents Genesis 2-3:1
• The first people, God breathed life into there nostrils. "take a deep breath" - God is the giver of life and sustains life by the power of his word. 

Left box (below the rocks and next to the toxic waste) write "Satan"

• He deceived mankind, telling a lie that led them to sin, death, despair and eternal separation from God - Gen 3. 
• He is the father of lies and aims to kill, steal and destroy - John 8:44, 10:10
• He is doomed with all who follow his blasphemous ways - Rev 20:10-15 (Read this whole passage)

In the lines above Satan's toxic waste, write the experience in your life that caused you pain, made you angry or makes you sad - negative actions that you or someone you know has done that have shaped who you are. 

• Depending on the people could be deep like; Parents Divorce, abortion, loosing everything in gambling/addictions, child abuse or murder
• The first family (not the president and his wife and kids) but the first family had murder (Cain killed Able Genesis 4:1-16)
• or milder like Betrayal of friends and family treating you poorly
• Joseph was thrown in hole, sold into slavery by his own brothers, falsely accused and put in prison (Genesis 37:18-32;39:1-23)
• These negative things are hurtful and impact us for along time after they happen - they impact how we view God, ourselves and other people

In the bottom right box write, "Holy Spirit"

• He is God, He is holy (separate from creation, pure in every way). He is the third member of the Trinity. He is sent by Jesus and precedes from the Father.  (who is the Holy Spirit)
• He authored the Bible (2 Peter 1:21-22) and his words will never fail to produce good prosperous fruit. ( Isaiah 55:10-14)
• He is our comforter and I know that you have many questions right now and the great news is that he is our counselor, master teacher and he opens our hearts and minds to the good news of Jesus Christ. Everything from the Holy Spirit points to Jesus and brings glory to the Father. (Holy Spirit in the Bible)
• (Take this moment to pray in the Spirit, Ephesians 6:10-20) 
• When we believe in Jesus life, death and resurrection and commit our lives to Jesus in faith, we are born again by the power of the Holy Spirit, who comes to live inside our hearts.

In lines above the Holy Spirit write times when you've felt God's love and presents in your heart. These are the positive experiences that someone has done for you that are the benevolence of people being made in the image of God, or regeneration of the Holy Spirit in and through another person.

• Pause and pray that God would reveal these experiences in the heart and minds of the students

Phase 2, the middle section

In the middle of page, write vertically "Jesus loves Me"

• Read 1 John 4:9-13, "God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. "

In the left box write "Mercy"

• ASK: What does it mean to have mercy? Let's take a look at Matthew 18:21-35 where Jesus explains it
• Since we have been forgiven, we must forgive those who have hurt us, even if they continue to do so
• This brings us to liars, thieves, murders: write down the names of people you will pray mercy over in the name of Jesus right now
• Mercy from God is taking on himself the punishment we deserve. Open your arm to the right and say "mercy is on one side of the cross and grace is on the other" as you open your left arm, by Grace and mercy we are made right with God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

In the right box write "Grace"

• ASK: What is grace? 
• We are saved by God's Grace, not anything we did (Ephesians 2:8-10)
• We are redeemed (Romans 3:22-24) - what a great promise! Some people would be happy if God would allow there great grand children to have a future. But by Grace he redeems us, right now his grace is available to redeem you in accordance with the riches of God's grace (Ephesians 1:7).
• The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17)
• By the trespass of one man (Adam from Genesis 3), death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who received God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! (Romans 5:27)
• This brings us Geysers, planters and pruners; write down the names of people you'll thank God for who have given you grace when you needed it most
• Geysers: Jesus said the water he gives will become in us a spring of water welling up to eternal life (John 4:14) and whoever believes in Jesus as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38;Isaiah 44:3; Jeremiah 2:13). In both John 7:37 and Revelation 21:6 "to the thirsty I will give from the spring of water of life without payment" We are like a spring of water whose waters do not fail (Isaiah 58:11).
• As the church we say Come to all who hear, to the one who is thirst come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price! (Revelation 22:1)
• Planters:  Jesus said the word of God is like seed (Luke 8:4-15). 1 Peter 1:23 says we a born again by the word of God, the incorruptible seed. Jesus said the words he speaks are spirit and they are life (John 6:63). God's word is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). Galatians 6:7 whatever a man sows, that is what he will reap. Seed takes time to produce and will stop growing without nourishment given through the living water.
• Pruners: God's discipline cuts off anything that no longer is bearing fruit giving room for new branches to grow (Hebrews 12:5-11). This is done by the holy Spirit who convicts the world of righteousness and judgement (John 16:8).

Phase 3, the top section - this is the results of your faith

In the top left section write the names of family members who you are uncertain if they know Jesus

• Jesus said go out to world, preach the gospel (Mark 16:15-16) and make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20), however the first place to start is our close family. Provide for the physical needs and spiritual needs of your family. (1 Timothy 5:8)
• Jesus first disciples invited their family to be disciples (John 1:42)

In the middle top section write the names of your friends, people you'd like to be friends with and acquaintances

• We are to put our faith in action as God's ambassadors (James 2:14-26; 2:17; 2 Corinthians 5:11-21)
• Jesus said Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, I'll be ashamed of them when I come in the glory of the Father and his holy angels  (Luke 9:26; Mark 8:38; Matthew 10:32)

In the right hand side write the names of people that might look up to you, these are the people who want and need you as their friend

• What do they look like? Who are people you know that are overlooked? Who may need help and kindness - who may not be able to repay you. Let's read Luke 10:25-37 (read out loud passage)
• Notice these are the people closest to the sun, these are your "ripe" fruit. These people only know you as God has shown his mercy and grace. You are the geyser or the planter here but God is the one who makes it grow (the sun). 1 Corinthians 3:6

#lifeChange

Evidence of life change is when we go public with our faith. This is the first step obedience to God. This is the water baptism. This is were you share what you believe in public and openly commit your life to him. Have you taken this step? If not why not?

Close in prayer:

"Dear God, thank you for showing me your plan for my life. Give me your grace to be your light in the world I live in - with the people you have entrusted around me. Help me to be your merciful, gracious ambassador - sharing the good news of salvation from sin, death to eternal life. In Jesus name. Amen"

Definition-of-gods-grace-faq.htm

living_water

God's word is a Seed

Work, As Ordained By God

convict-world-sin-righteousness-judgment.html

Jesus Calls His Disciples (Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-34; Luke 5:1-11; John 1:29-2:2

Luke 9:26

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Jesus is identified as the Lamb of God

John 1:19-51
AIM: Identify Jesus, the Lamb of God and respond with faith

A) John Identifies himself with scripture
(19) Testimony of John the Baptist when Jews (Pharisees (vrs John 1:24) sent priest, Levites from Jerusalem to ask "who are you" (25 hour walk to 51 hours if there was no way to cross to get to Bethany, John 1:28)

• Because John was filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:15) people came to John from all over to hear him preach "repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand", they confess sin and were baptized in the Jordan (Matthew 3:1-6), he also taught people what God expects from him people (Luke 3:8-14).

(20) John said, I'm not the Christ

• Luke 3:15 tells us people were in expectation, questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ - but he openly said to all that he was coming to baptize with the Holy Spirit (at Pentecost) and fire (at judgement), see Luke 3:16-17; Acts 2:1-4; Rev 14:14-16; Daniel 7:13.

(21) They asked "Elijah?"  he said "I am not", "the prophet" "No"

• Reincarnation is explicitly denied in the Bible, Hebrews 9:27 says each man is appointed to die and then face judgement
• Elijah was taken up (2 Kings 2:11), yet spoken of regarding day of the Lord (Malachi 4:5), at the transfiguration of Jesus Elijah and Moses were there as well as the Father speaking (Matthew 17:1-13).  Jesus explained John the Baptist was like Elijah, Matthew 17:11-13; Luke 1:16-17 - some see the two witnesses as being before the final judgement (Revelation 10:1-11:19)
• The Prophet was promised in Deuteronomy 18:15; Acts 3:18,22-26

(22-23) "We need an answer for those who sent us", "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said (Isaiah 40:3)

(25-27) "Why baptizing if not Christ, Elijah or Prophet", "I with water, among you stands one you don't know, comes after me"

B) John identifies Jesus, the Lamb and Son of God

(29) John sees Jesus, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (forty days later Matthew 3:13-4:2)

• Matt Henry: "great sacrifice, by which atonement is made for sin, and man reconciled to God", plan of redemption (Acts 2:23), Our Passover lamb (1 Cor 5:7)
• Eternal Lamb (1 Peter 1:19-20; Revelation 13:8), Perfect sacrifice (Isaiah 53:4-10), Lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7)

(30-31) Jesus is who John has been preaching about, why he baptized - so Jesus would be revealed to Israel

(32) John, "I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, remained on him

• Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit, to be born of the Spirit to see and enter God's kingdom (Luke 3:16; John 3:3,5)
• Believers would receive the Spirit like wind and fire and flow from their heart streams of living water (John 3:8; 7:38-39; Acts 1:5;2:1-4,17) Faith is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9;1 Cor 12:13)
• Living Water: Song of Solomon 4:15; Jeremiah 2:13;17:13; Zechariah 14:8; John 4:10;7:37-38; Rev 7:17

(33) (Holy Spirit) said to John, whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit 

(34) John's witnesses: "this is the Son of God"

• Prophecy in Isaiah 9:6, Child is born, son is given his name called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
• The tempter believed, Matthew 4:3,6 as did demons in Matthew 8:29 and His disciples Matthew 14:33; 16:16 and everyone understood Jesus claimed to be Son of God Matthew 26:63;27:40,43,54
• Jesus taught we would be called sons of God (Matthew 5:9) and this has happened as 1 John 5:20 says, "And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.", Ephesians 1:5 we are adopted through Jesus Christ.

C) Andrew, Simon/Peter, Philip and Nathanael follow Jesus

(35-36) John, two disciples points to Jesus, "Behold, the Lamb of God!"

(37-38a) They followed Jesus who turned, saw them following asked "what are you seeking"

(38b) "Rabbi/teacher, where are you staying"

(39-42) "Come and you will see", they stayed with him a day - Andrew believed and told brother Simon/Peter we found the Messiah/Christ
(43-35) next day Jesus Galilee, found Philip from Bethsaida city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael found him whom Moses in the Law and prophet wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, son of Joseph
(46-47) Nathanael doubts, Jesus recognizes him as honest Israelite
(48) Nathanael questions Jesus about knowing him and Jesus answered "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."
(49) Nathanael says, Rabbi, you are Son of God, king of Israel
(50-51) Jesus answered because I said v48 you believe - you'll see greater things "heaven opened and angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man

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God's presence awaits all who come through tribulation

Revelation 7:15-17;Exodus 25:8;John 1:14; Isaiah 49:10;Psalm 23:1-3;Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34; John 1:29; John 10:1-18; Isaiah 49:10; John 7:37-38; 4:14 ;Isaiah 25:8; 1 John 1:9; Romans 8:28; 1 Peter 5:7

AIM: To know the great promises of God
Revelation 7:15;Exodus 25:8; John 1:14 - "(God) will shelter them with his presence"
God chose to dwell among them in sanctuary (Tabernacle), and Jesus (Word, only Son of God)

Revelation 7:16-17; Isaiah 49:10; John 7:37-38; John 4:14 - "Never again will they hunger (or) thirst"... "He will lead them to springs of living water"- He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them besides springs of water. Whoever believes in Jesus as Scripture said, rivers of living water will flow from within them, like a spring welling up to eternal life.

Revelation 7:17; Psalm 23:1-3; Isaiah 40:11; John 1:29; John 10:1-18 "Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd"
Lacking nothing, He makes me lie down, leads me beside quite waters, refreshes my soul, guides my along right paths for his name's sake. He tends, gathers, carries and gently leads. (Ezekiel 34:30) Then they will know the Lord their God am with them declares the Sovereign Lord. He takes away the sin of the world and knows his sheep, lays down his life for them.

Revelation 7:17; Isaiah 25:8; 1 John 1:9; Romans 8:28; 1 Peter 5:7 "God will wipe away ever tear from their eyes" 
He will swallow up death forever, the Sovereign Lord will wipe away tears, remove disgrace from all the earth. The LORD has spoken. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. And we know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purposes.

Application: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

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Clones from clipping versus planting and nurturing seed

My friend Eric gave me this book today Christ of the Indian Road by Stanley Jones. Great reminder to keep Jesus at the center. Don't worry about defending bad culture, knowing Genesis to Revelation (Jesus fulfilled the law and prophets). 

This reminds me that we don't want to have behavior change, we want heart change that bears fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).  Only God can do this. We plant (seed, the Word of God, Jesus), we water (living water flowing from within, Holy Spirit), but God makes it grow (Creator, Father, LORD of all). 

The Lord also grafts us into his family (Romans 11:17-24), this metaphor also remind me of a "circumcised heart (Romans 2:25-29)." This variety is amazing to me right now. What amazing progress people have made since 2000 years ago when the Lord began to pour out his Spirit onto all people (Acts 1-3). When we have a heart felt conversation, or divine appointment - this circumcision and grafting is taking place. We've taken something to heart - for good or for bad. Our words matters. 

When I started this post I was thinking that "clones don't bear fruit" like Banana's and other seedless fruit. But now I'm seeing we too can graft in what others who came before us learned, we can see their good fruit and incorporated it into our lives. The Fascinating Science of Fruit Tree Cloning. The important thing is that the variety is the same, so it's both/AND, not either/OR. By their fruit you will know (words expose our heart and attitude). Is your fruit nourishing and easy to carry to others like bananas, or is it like buck-thorn, invasive, destructive, spreads like a virus and takes years to remove?

Jesus said, "abide in me", "remain in me" and you will bear much fruit. Also when we put our lives in God's care, the LORD will prone us, those branches that aren't bearing the desired fruit of Spirit. This can be lies we've let get established from our upbringing (1 Peter 1:18-21 calls this an empty way of life). It can also be lies we've internalized from anti-heroes in popular music.  

Jesus Christ is the root of my life now. And I've grafted into my spiritual life Charles Ryrie, Donald S. Whitney, Warren Wiersbe, A.W. Tozer, Jonathan Edwards, Lenard Ravenhill, Timothy Keller, John Bevere, as well as many others. It's interesting how we continue to grow by being close to a stream of living water (Psalm 1:1-5). BSF discussion groups offer this for me. Renewed by the washing of the Word (Titus). We need God and we need eachother. 

Into my work life, I've grafted Edvard Deming, Peter Drucker, Earl Nightingale, Edgar Codd, Bill Gates, Joel Schwartzberg, Seth Godin and others. Into my family life, I've grafted in Joseph Bailey, Ken Sande, Andrew Murray and many others. 

matthew 16:15-19;1 Corinthians 1:23-24;Romans 1

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! (Isaiah 52:7), Romans 10:13-21 expands;

For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

• But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. But I ask, have the people of Israel actually heard the message? Yes, they have:

• “The message has gone throughout the earth, and the words to all the world.”
• But I ask, did the people of Israel really understand? Yes, they did, for even in the time of Moses, God said, “I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a nation. I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles.”
• And later Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying, “I was found by people who were not looking for me. I showed myself to those who were not asking for me.”
• But regarding Israel, God said, “All day long I opened my arms to them, but they were disobedient and rebellious.”

 

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God's plan for judgement, justification, and redemption (Zech 12-14)

Yesterday we had the Prayer Course on Spiritual Warfare, "Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from Evil." I've been thing about  Ephesians 6:12-16 the battle and the shield of Faith. Spiritual realities are easy to grasp when we think about a "spirit of fear and anxiety" that can manifest itself physically, like a sick stomach. 2 Timothy 1:7, "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid/fear/cowardice, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."

Zechariah 13:2 talks about a "spirit of impurity/uncleanness" or "unclean spirit" being removed with prophets and idols. 

Contemporary English Version says, "The LORD All-Powerful says: When that time comes, I will get rid of every idol in the country, and they will be forgotten forever. I will also do away with their prophets and those evil spirits that control them."

Zech 12-14

"On that day" appears 16 times, Other repeated elements include:

• "Declares the Lord / declares the Lord Almighty" appears multiple times, functioning as a divine authentication formula throughout.
• "All the nations" recurs as a theme phrase, emphasizing the universal scope of God's final judgment and reign (gathered against Jerusalem, then ultimately worshiping there).
• "Jerusalem" named repeatedly as the focal point of both conflict and redemption.
• "The house of David" appears in 12:7, 8, 10, 12 and 13:1, linking the Davidic line to the mourning, cleansing, and restoration narrative.
• "Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever" (2 Sam. 7:16)
• Genealogical descendants of David. This is why Matthew 1 and Luke 3 trace Jesus' lineage specifically back to David. Joseph is called "son of David" and Bethlehem is "the town of David."
• Isaiah 9:7 says the government would rest on the Messiah's shoulders ruling "on David's throne." Jeremiah 23 and 33 promise a righteous Branch from David. Ezekiel 34 and 37 speak of a future Davidic shepherd-king. 
• Zechariah 12-13's references to the house of David receiving the spirit of grace, mourning for "the one they pierced," and receiving cleansing (John 19:37, Revelation 1:7)
• Revelation 3:7, Jesus himself holds "the key of David"
• community of believers, grafted in, become heirs of the Davidic promise through Christ (Romans 4, Galatians 3)

A) Creator LORD Almighty, consumes enemies 

12:1-5) Prophecy LORD creator heaven, earth, human spirit makes Jerusalem fortress, enemies panic madness Judah heart strong Almighty is their God.

6-9) Judah consumes surrounding people like fire, LORD shields Jerusalem, house like God

Principle: Panic and madness are signs that we have moved away from God.

Application: When your feeling the ground move beneath you, will you ask God the maker of heaven, earth and your soul to give make your heart strong?

B) Fountain of blood cleanses sin, removes spirit of impurity and gives a spirit of grace and supplication

10-14) House of David spirit grace supplication, look on me pierced, mourn for only child, all mourn with wives

13:1-3) Fountain house of David cleanse sin, spirit of impurity, banished idols, prophesies removed, 

4-6) prophet ashamed and hidden, deceive 

7-9) Sword against my shepherd, sheep scattered, 2/3 perish, 1/3 in fire refined gold, call on my name, answer them, my people, LORD is our God.

Principle: God's gift is revealed in his loving kindness we find in Jesus

Application: When will I renounce the spirit of impurity and accept his Spirit of grace and supplication for the wounds I've inflicted on him?

C) Day of the Lord, victorious over enemies, always light, living water from Jerusalem. 

14:1-5) LORDS coming Jerusalem captured, rape, exile LORD fight, Mount of Olives split, God with holy ones

6-7) No sunlight or darkness, unique known only to LORD, light day/night

8-9) living water flows 1/2 dead sea other Mediterranean summer and winter

10-11) south land Arabah, Jerusalem raised high, inhabited never destroyed secure

12-15) plague nations rot while standing, stricken with panic, attack one another, animals too

16-19) survivors all nations worship LORD Almighty Tabernacles, rain or drought 

20-21) HOLY TO THE LORD inscribed on bells pots, no Canaanite

Principle: God redeems all things as "holy to the Lord" 

Application: what traumatic event in my past can I lay down to the Lord and holy surrender to him? What plan for the future can I lay down and instead offer myself to Him as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God? 

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God's Day Planner: From Chaos to Very Good

Often in life, we can find ourselves in a rut. Going through the motions but not feeling like we are "getting anywhere". Over the past year, I've been studying and building a class on Origins, Morality, Meaning and Destiny as a tool to help people understand what they believe and what the Bible teaches on these topics. During Origins I was astounded by Creation week in Genesis 1, by what God said and what was created. He established the Sabbath as a lasting ordinance. The stars moon and sun were created to mark the time and seasons.

I got to thinking what if we modeled our days after the creation week. Would we be more productive, more fulfilled and have better relationships?
Sun 1. Team Vision Day: Seeing forward
Mon 2. Team Evaluation Day: The space between
Tue 3. Team Planning Day: Plant to produce
Wed 4. Teamwork Schedule Day: Lights, Separation, and Signals
Thu 5. Teamwork Day: Be fruitful and multiply
Fri 6. Teamwork Day 2: Be fruitful and multiply
Sat 7. Reflection Day: Look backward

1. Team Vision Day: Let there be light and there was light

Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.”

Let there be light. Be honest, impartial, humble and see. What do you see around you? Start with God, what gifts have you been given that maybe you haven't opened to see what it is. 

Be nearsighted in thanksgiving, be farsighted in hope, be present in faith and love.  

Separate light from darkness. Spend time hearing from God, this is our Sunday. Remember we go to church Sunday to celebrate and remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

2. Team Evaluation Day: The space between

Then God said, “Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth.” And that is what happened. God made this space to separate the waters of the earth from the waters of the heavens. God called the space “sky.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the second day.

See space between heaven (desire) and water (life)

What's happened in the past week? What did you set out to achieve, what did you achieve? Did your actions result in the expected benefits? 

"You are here". Look at your roadmap or directory and see where you are. Take time to understand your cycle of life. In my job we have a Software Development Lifecycle, We also follow a Capability Maturity Model, in everything we look to make process improvements in our delivery. We use Six Sigma and build feedback mechanisms in order to help us make informed evaluations and develop recommendations for improvements. At other points in my career, we've had month end, quarter end cycles. At other points weekly staff scheduling and inventory management and coordinated product releases. 

As a Project Manager, I developed plans that help determine adjustments to time, cost and scope that are needed based on where we are according to plan. I've never seen a day go by without change, we want to identify, embrace and drive change for the benefit of God's plan in our lives. 

Let there be space between water (life) and earth (legacy)

Separate the water from the earth: In your evaluation see where water is stale and creating problems. Where is water needed, how can you create a channel for the water to flow from where it's a problem to where it's needed? Start with the end in mine.

3. Team Planning Day: Plant to produce (scope the work)

Then God said, “Let the waters beneath the sky flow together into one place, so dry ground may appear.” And that is what happened. God called the dry ground “land” and the waters “seas.” And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.” And that is what happened. The land produced vegetation—all sorts of seed-bearing plants, and trees with seed-bearing fruit. Their seeds produced plants and trees of the same kind. And God saw that it was good. And evening passed and morning came, marking the third day.

Healthy ground is created when obstacles are removed and the field is level. Good leaders and managers see the vision, evaluate the place we are and create a healthy environment for plans to flourish and produce good results. 

Make good soil; the primary ingredients are organics and water. Organics can be created quickly by setting dead things on fire or overtime with composting. Fertilization adds something new to the mix. I think of fertilization as innovation, adding something external to an internal problem.

You may gather the food for six days, but the seventh day is the Sabbath. There will be no food on the ground that day. They must realize that the Sabbath is the Lord’s gift to you. That is why he gives you a two-day supply on the sixth day, so there will be enough for two days. On the Sabbath day you must each stay in your place. Do not go out to pick up food on the seventh day.” Exodus 16:26,29

4. Teamwork Schedule Day: Lights, Separation, and Signals

Then God said, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years. Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth.” And that is what happened. God made two great lights—the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set these lights in the sky to light the earth, to govern the day and night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And evening passed and morning came, marking the fourth day.

The night sky has bright stars that help give direction, but the brightest object appears once a month. The full moon. Every year constellations show us what time it is and predictable cycles of life emerge. We all have schedules but not all of the time we spend is spent well. Take time on Wednesday to evaluate your use of time. Looks at the bright lights in your industry to see what makes them shine brighter. If you can, ask them or read up on what they do - or who their inspiration is. 

Separation of duties is essential in providing a quality system. I work in software development and when a complete system is developed by one person it's almost always a mess to maintain. This is because they assume they're the only one who will work on it. They find it easier to "just do it" rather than following S.O.L.I.D principles and when the developer is the tester they typically don't include clear signals of success or failure. 

Signals are needed to tell you and your team what needed in the short term and long term. We call these leading indicators. Many people struggle with defining lead indicators but a simple starting point is who and when categories around your "what". Build categories of who (top, aspiring top, middle, at risk, in trouble) and categories of when (up to date, need status, stale, not being worked on). If your "what" is prioritized from Tuesday (because it's achieving your vision from Sunday) - now your signals will make Monday's evaluation a lot easier. I use Sharepoint modified date to enable this automatically. 

5. Teamwork Day: Be fruitful and multiply

Then God said, “Let the waters swarm with fish and other life. Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind.” So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that scurries and swarms in the water, and every sort of bird—each producing offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply. Let the fish fill the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the fifth day.

I love how Jesus talks about living water and the image of waters swarming with life. I had the opportunity to swim in Maui Hawawii after Kim and I were married. It was one of the most amazing experiences I've had.

Being fruitful happens naturally when we've taken care of preparing for healthy growth and success. I think of a team building a sky scrapper. There is a clear order but once the foundation is laid - each floor goes through the process. the first floor can nearly be finished while the top floors are still being framed.

Being fruitful in our work means we are united in vision (long-term plan), aligned on evaluation (status),  know the scope of work for the next 90 days and who will do the work (roles).

6. Teamwork Day 2: Be fruitful and multiply

Then God said, “Let the earth produce every sort of animal, each producing offspring of the same kind—livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and wild animals.” And that is what happened. God made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to produce offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.

Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the seat, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”
So God created human beings in his own image.
In the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”
Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life.” And that is what happened.
Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!
And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.

• We learn from earth's ecosystems and natural production
• We reign over everything, bearing God's image
• We fill and govern the earth, everything that has life
• It's not good to be alone, we need husbands and wives, moms and dads and family

7. Reflection Day: Look backward

So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.

Exodus 13:8
“On the seventh day you must explain to your children, ‘I am celebrating what the Lord did for me when I left Egypt.’

“Remember the Sabbath (seventh) day to keep it holy (set apart, dedicated to God). For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. Exodus 20:8,11,
“You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working. This gives your ox and your donkey a chance to rest. It also allows your slaves and the foreigners living among you to be refreshed. Exodus 23:12

On the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from inside the cloud. (Exodus 24:16)

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Blessed with wisdom having walked through the narrow gate (Matt 7:13, Rev 22:14, Prov 3:18)

Matthew 7:7-8) keep on asking = receive, keep on seeking = find, keep on knocking = "the door will be opened to you."

• What door? the narrow gate you enter into God's Kingdom. Matthew 7:13

Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. Rev 22:14

Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy (blessed) are those who hold her tightly. Proverbs 3:18

This weekend we had wonderful time with family, celebrating life and birthdays and rekindled relationships. Lane, Chloe, and Roman are delightful as are Mike and Jeannie. My brothers and sisters got along, a great answer to prayer and I got quality time with all of them. 

Pastor Jeremy's son and graduating class was blessed with our the Word: "fan into flame the gift of God." 2 Tim 1:6

Sunday's sermon was on Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." As the pastor talked about a TV show to illustrate we have limited understanding - I kept reading through Proverbs 3. 

1-4) IF Never forget loyalty, kindness, store/write commands deep in your heart, THEN long satisfying life, favor God and people, good reputation. 

• 5-6) Trust (faith), depend, seek LORD, whole hearted, in everything, he shows which path to take (walk by faith)

7-8) IF Humbley fear LORD, turn from evil THEN healing Body, strengthen bones.

• 9-10) Honor LORD wealth, best part of everything produced, THEN he fill your barns with grain, vats overflow with good wine.
• 11) Don't reject the LORD's discipline, or be upset when HE corrects you...
• I had split hostas in a portable greenhouse and thought of giving them extra sun. The sun almost killed them, so now they are back in the shade and protected, receiving warmed at night and morning sun. Some relationships are like this. As I've been discovering: Jesus sermon concludes, defining what Loving Others Looks like (Matthew 7:1-29), I've rediscovered I never knew you explained in parable of virgins (Matthew 7:23, Matthew 25:12). 
• 12) for the LORD corrects those he loves, just a s father corrects a child in whom he delights
• I know God helped me explain that our thinking comes from influence we bring into our minds. I got to share this with my brother Monday at Punch: Tasteful, sunny disposition brings glory to God (Psalm 34:8, Matthew 5:13-16)

13) Joyful is the person who finds wisdom (Ask, Seek, Knock), understanding (Matthew 13:15)

• 14-17) Wisdom is precious, offers long-life, riches, honor, guidance down delightful paths, all ways are satisfying
• 18) Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly.
• 19-20) By Wisdom, LORD founded earth, by understanding created heavens, by HIS knowledge deep fountains burst forth (geyser of living water, welling up to eternal life), dew settles beneath the night sky (gentle living water for the thirsty)

21) Don't lose sight of common sense and discernment, hand on to them.

• Seeking (with a salty thirst): His Kingdom and His Righteousness (Matt 5:6,13,6:33, Jer 29:13)
• 22-26) refresh you soul, safe on your way, sleep soundly without fear, unafraid, LORD secures and keeps us from being caught in a trap.

27-28) Use power to help those who deserve it (Lane, Chloe & Roman)

29-35) Be peaceful, trustworthy, godly, upright, humble and honorable. 

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We are the clay, and you are our potter (Isa 64:8)

O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand - Isaiah 64:8

When God calls, we do not make a decision — we answer! Robert Murray McCheyne said, “The greatest need of my people is my own personal holiness.”

God interacts with us like our Father
 - Jesus said, "Let the children come to me and do not hinder them" (Matt 19:14, Luke 18:16)
 - Jesus said, "unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 18:3-4, Mark 10:15)
 - Fathers want their children to grow up (1 Peter 2:2, 1 Cor 14:20)
 - Application: We must approach God, submitting ourselves to him with childlike humility, faith, and simplicity - knowing that he loves us and is our greatest advocate. We don't talk back to God our creator with talk like, "why have you made me like this?" (Romans 9:20, Isaiah 29:16, Psalm 100:3).

Clay is prepared 
 - The purest clay is white and deep in the earth. Clay is separated from other materials. Clay sticks together and can be shaped into useful items like plates, cups, sinks, tiles. (good youtube video). Purity, wisdom, and preparation are illustrated by Jesus parable of the 10 virgins (Matthew 25:1-46
 - We pray to God, asking for him to prepare our heart; "Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10, and we honor the preparation he does "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you" 1 Peter 3:15
 - God is preparing us even when we are not aware or asking for it; Romans 8:28, "no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him" - 1 Cor 2:9
 - When ready we present ourselves to God as aa one approved, as a living sacrifice, allowing him to mold us (2 Timothy 2:15, Romans 12:1-2)
 - Prepared clay can be tested

A potter molds good clay
 - God's holy people, who are faithful, loyal, and steadfast in Christ Jesus (Eph 1:1), having been given every spiritual blessing, adopted in his family, purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins (Eph 1:3-7),

The potter adds water to clay
 - He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding (Eph 1:8, Isaiah 41:17-18, Isaiah 55:1-2),
 - God himself is living water (Jeremiah 2:13, John 4:14), from our heart (John 7:38), promised long ago (Isaiah 44:3;58:11)
 - We have the promised Holy Spirit having trusted in Christ Jesus (Eph 1:9-14)
 - Being molded into Christ body (Eph 1:15-23), "With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." - Isaiah 12:3
 - We are the work of his hands - Eph 2:10,

http://biblehub.com/isaiah/64-8.htm
https://www.openbible.info/topics/god_the_father
http://www.gotquestions.org/let-the-little-children-come-to-me.html
http://biblehub.com/matthew/19-14.htm
https://www.openbible.info/topics/preparation
https://www.openbible.info/topics/living_water

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The reason people forget about God and live miserable lives (Jeremiah 2-3:5)

key verses: 

"...Why then do my people say, ‘At last we are free from God! We don’t need him anymore!’... for years on end my people have forgotten me." Jeremiah 2:31-32

AIM: Every calamity's root is forgetting the God that made you and rescued you to be holy.

A) Leaders stopped asking 'Where is the LORD?' and turned to idols ruining their future (1-13)

1-3) another message to Jerusalem, "remember eagerness as young bride follows, Israel holy first child protected"

 - Interesting "holy first child" is not Isaac 

4-6) Listen LORD, "worship worthless idols, become worthless. Didn't ask 'where is the LORD who saved/led out of Egypt'

• God's desire for us is salvation in relationship with him (Hosea 13-14)

7-9) fruitful land, you defiled/corrupted. Priests didn't ask 'where is the LORD?' teachers ignored Him, prophets name of Baal (Numbers 25 sex plague, 1 Kings 18:21 tested,  Romans 11 explains) - worthless idol. Children's children charged.

• Similar message from Zephaniah 1:2-3) everything on earth, all mankind will be destroyed, Zephaniah 1:4-6) hand against Judah, Baal worship, idolatrous priests, astrologers, apostate believers
• 1 Kings 16:29-34) Omri, evil, worse than others, married Jezebel, worshiped Baal, setup Asherah pole, Jericho rebuilt costing life of oldest and youngest sons.

10-13) sent searching elsewhere exchanging glorious God for worthless idol, abandoned fountain of living water, dug cracked cisterns 

• Rescued, kept.. so now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light (Psalm 56:13 Coram Deo))

Application: Getting off course starts with wicked leaders. Yet the Lord is interceding on your behalf, giving you a thirst for his righteousness. Your broken cisterns can't hold this holy water. We are lost. Pray the Father draws us to himself. Give us the gift of faith - let us repent of ignorance, help me to release my grip on worthless idols. Awake my soul. 

B) God delivered us from slavery, yet we've used our freedom to leave him (14-22)

14-17) "why Israel enslaved, tormented, destroyed? you rebelled against God, though he leading you"

18-19) "what gained from wicked world? punishment, shame - see evil bitterness = fearlessly abandon LORD."

20-22) "freed from slavery, yet said 'I won't serve God' - prostituted instead, stained guilty

Application:   I need to stop rebelling against God and let him led me in the fear of the LORD.

C) We claim to be right with God, yet we are living apart from him, living a lie (23-3:5)

23-25) "you deny worshiping images of Baal, yet lust is obvious, panting after other gods 'I can't stop'

26-27) "thief, shame only when caught, leaders bring idols, turned backs to LORD, in trouble cry out 'come and save us!'

28-30) you don't call on idols because you know the are lifeless, your rebellion punishes children, they don't respond to LORD discipline - because you killed your prophets

31-32) listen to the words of the LORD, why MY people claim freedom from God, forgetting him:

• 33-34) plot, scheme, win lovers, clothes stained with blood of innocent/poor
• 35) you say, 'I've done nothing wrong, God's not angry with me!' - claim you've not sinned
• 36-37) flit from ally to ally for help, Egypt/Assyria let you down, despair/exile - LORD rejected nations you trust
• 3:1) Divorce is final, you prostituted yourself, why are you trying to come back?
• 2-5) Look, shrines of defilement, adultery to other gods, polluted land with brazen prostitution/wickedness, spring rain fails - shameless fake repentance, fake obedience, "you keep on doing all the evil you can."

Application: People claim freedom from God because we don't live as we claim to believe. Lord, I've sinned against you in every way. I've surrounded myself with idols and have grown callous to your discipline. I've lived a life 'I can't stop' - a lie. I don't want to live a lie, but to live in Spirit and Truth. 

Thank you Father, Lord - you're mercy is made new everyday. Help me follow where you lead, the way you lead. Amen. Thank you for conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgement. Revelation 22:15

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