John 16
"'All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God."
Strange isn't it? Why would anyone think they are "offering a service to God..." yet in reality, they are not, according to Jesus?
Jesus is speaking to the disciples warning them of this fact, so as to not be mislead.
"...They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you."
Friday, February 13, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Glorify
John 17
What is the meaning of "Glorify"?
To give glory, honor, or high praise to; exalt
According to Webster's: to make glorious by bestowing honor, praise, or admiration.
What the heck does all that mean, really?
"After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began."
Jesus has "glorified" God by "completing" the work God gave him to do.
Understood, he finished what was supposed to be done, which was telling the truth so that people might have eternal life.
Now, Jesus in return, asked God to "glorify" him so that he may "glorify" God.
Is he asking God to raise him from the dead and ascend to heaven as the glorification?
In our lives, are we supposed to ask God to "glorify" us by doing something out of the ordinary, so God can be "glorified"?
So what is this "something" that is out of the ordinary?
"And glory has come to me[Jesus] through them[the disciples]. "
Were the disciples the handy result of God's work through Jesus, and hence Jesus was glorified through his disciples from what was given by God, there God is glorified.
"Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified."
Keeping them clean, protected, grounded. Because for the disciples, Jesus stayed cleaned, protected and was grounded by God, so they can be the same. Being a great example.
For all who will believe through the disciples:
"I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me."
So glory is given. Glory is served. In order for glory to be reflected or have effect, it has to be accepted by the recipient.
In this case, complete unity is the glory.
"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."
To God be the glory.
What is the meaning of "Glorify"?
To give glory, honor, or high praise to; exalt
According to Webster's: to make glorious by bestowing honor, praise, or admiration.
What the heck does all that mean, really?
"After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began."
Jesus has "glorified" God by "completing" the work God gave him to do.
Understood, he finished what was supposed to be done, which was telling the truth so that people might have eternal life.
Now, Jesus in return, asked God to "glorify" him so that he may "glorify" God.
Is he asking God to raise him from the dead and ascend to heaven as the glorification?
In our lives, are we supposed to ask God to "glorify" us by doing something out of the ordinary, so God can be "glorified"?
So what is this "something" that is out of the ordinary?
"And glory has come to me[Jesus] through them[the disciples]. "
Were the disciples the handy result of God's work through Jesus, and hence Jesus was glorified through his disciples from what was given by God, there God is glorified.
"Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified."
Keeping them clean, protected, grounded. Because for the disciples, Jesus stayed cleaned, protected and was grounded by God, so they can be the same. Being a great example.
For all who will believe through the disciples:
"I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me."
So glory is given. Glory is served. In order for glory to be reflected or have effect, it has to be accepted by the recipient.
In this case, complete unity is the glory.
"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."
To God be the glory.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
What is the Truth?
John 18
"What is truth?" Pilate asked.
Is that not the all encompassing question?
As Jesus answered when Pilate was questioning him:
"You are a king, then!" said Pilate.
Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
My question is, would it be easier to live if you know what the "ending" of your life is going to be or would it be easier if you do not know what your life is going to end up?
I think it would be harder if you do not, but maybe just as hard if you do, because, ultimately, you have to believe that it is going to be what "you" want.
Now the key question is, what is it that you "want"?
I do not think Jesus "wanted" to be crucified.
I do not think Jesus "wanted" to be flogged.
I do not think Jesus "wanted" to be betrayed.
I do not think Jesus "wanted" to be abandoned by his Father, nor his friends. (At least for a few days...3 to be exact)
In the end, we all have to know "where" we are going, otherwise, it would be a really morbid life and that is exactly what the devil wants.
My definition of "where" is what this "Truth" is, otherwise, you do not know where you are going because you are living a "lie".
To God be the Glory.
"What is truth?" Pilate asked.
Is that not the all encompassing question?
As Jesus answered when Pilate was questioning him:
"You are a king, then!" said Pilate.
Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
My question is, would it be easier to live if you know what the "ending" of your life is going to be or would it be easier if you do not know what your life is going to end up?
I think it would be harder if you do not, but maybe just as hard if you do, because, ultimately, you have to believe that it is going to be what "you" want.
Now the key question is, what is it that you "want"?
I do not think Jesus "wanted" to be crucified.
I do not think Jesus "wanted" to be flogged.
I do not think Jesus "wanted" to be betrayed.
I do not think Jesus "wanted" to be abandoned by his Father, nor his friends. (At least for a few days...3 to be exact)
In the end, we all have to know "where" we are going, otherwise, it would be a really morbid life and that is exactly what the devil wants.
My definition of "where" is what this "Truth" is, otherwise, you do not know where you are going because you are living a "lie".
To God be the Glory.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Power
John 19
Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."
It read:|sc JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews."
It is just challenging that God has "put" certain people in power so bad things can happen and people might have a chance to see and be with God.
Almost seems cruel in a way. Why is there not a "better" way?
Is it because this world, as it is mentioned, is doomed?
So, in my own little human thinking, would it be better if it was lead by people that are "Godly" or is that not possible while things are still here on earth?
I am in question.
Again, it is my own little human brain working.
To God be the Glory
Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."
It read:|sc JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews."
Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."
Everything appears to be all pre-planned, and I believe it is.It is just challenging that God has "put" certain people in power so bad things can happen and people might have a chance to see and be with God.
Almost seems cruel in a way. Why is there not a "better" way?
Is it because this world, as it is mentioned, is doomed?
So, in my own little human thinking, would it be better if it was lead by people that are "Godly" or is that not possible while things are still here on earth?
I am in question.
Again, it is my own little human brain working.
To God be the Glory
Monday, February 9, 2009
The Other disciple
John 20
Is John the disciple that Jesus loved?
It is always interesting, or intriguing, that as much as the disciples and people around Jesus saw and lived with him, no one knew what was to come.
Why?
Is this concept or faith that foreign?
Should it be not as simple and clear that people who truly loves God knows?
Maybe it is.
To God be the Glory.
"Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."
"Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Is John the disciple that Jesus loved?
It is always interesting, or intriguing, that as much as the disciples and people around Jesus saw and lived with him, no one knew what was to come.
Why?
Is this concept or faith that foreign?
Should it be not as simple and clear that people who truly loves God knows?
Maybe it is.
To God be the Glory.
"Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."
"Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Reality is not real
John 21
It has been a while since I have really dig deeper into the Bible like never before.
My faith is challenged as I continued to read more and more.
I have shared with many about how it gets more and more frightening the more I read and supposedly understand.
I am going to read John backwards, since I have read it many times, and just recently even more so, I figured that it would be a nice change to read it from the end.
As God is the beginning and the end and there's really no time frame, why not see what happens if we know the ending and work from there?
Regardless, this chapter is challenging.
The reality is, the fishermen did not catch any fish. There were no fruits of their labor, even though they were professionals.
Yet, when Jesus gave the instructions, it changed the outcome of all realities.
According to God, reality is his.
We are just living in the dream, or illusion.
So what is real?
Are we so ignorant and helpless, we can not do anything ourselves, but just to obey?
Where is the free will? Where is the choice? Where is the reality?
To God be the Glory.
It has been a while since I have really dig deeper into the Bible like never before.
My faith is challenged as I continued to read more and more.
I have shared with many about how it gets more and more frightening the more I read and supposedly understand.
I am going to read John backwards, since I have read it many times, and just recently even more so, I figured that it would be a nice change to read it from the end.
As God is the beginning and the end and there's really no time frame, why not see what happens if we know the ending and work from there?
Regardless, this chapter is challenging.
The reality is, the fishermen did not catch any fish. There were no fruits of their labor, even though they were professionals.
Yet, when Jesus gave the instructions, it changed the outcome of all realities.
According to God, reality is his.
We are just living in the dream, or illusion.
So what is real?
Are we so ignorant and helpless, we can not do anything ourselves, but just to obey?
Where is the free will? Where is the choice? Where is the reality?
To God be the Glory.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Choose correcty
Isaiah 66
Finally. The last chapter. Not that it is good that it is finally over, but finally this ties everything together. I wish there was more. Finally I think I got it. At least I think I did.
We chose to do what is right in our eyes.
We are waiting for the day to come where there will be rest and relaxation, or aka, R&R.
The question is if we see or understand what that R&R is.
God is waiting for the right day to reveal what that is because most of us are still trying to figure it out.
However, before we can see what God has in store for us, we have to go through a transformation, a labor in pain, a construction, a selection.
We have to keep that in our heads, our soul, our spirit to remind us where we are going.
Patience, perseverance, and endure the challenges to get to where that place is.
To God be the Glory.
"But whoever sacrifices a bull
is like one who kills a man,
and whoever offers a lamb,
like one who breaks a dog's neck;
whoever makes a grain offering
is like one who presents pig's blood,
and whoever burns memorial incense,
like one who worships an idol.
They have chosen their own ways,
and their souls delight in their abominations;
Finally. The last chapter. Not that it is good that it is finally over, but finally this ties everything together. I wish there was more. Finally I think I got it. At least I think I did.
We chose to do what is right in our eyes.
We are waiting for the day to come where there will be rest and relaxation, or aka, R&R.
The question is if we see or understand what that R&R is.
God is waiting for the right day to reveal what that is because most of us are still trying to figure it out.
However, before we can see what God has in store for us, we have to go through a transformation, a labor in pain, a construction, a selection.
We have to keep that in our heads, our soul, our spirit to remind us where we are going.
Patience, perseverance, and endure the challenges to get to where that place is.
To God be the Glory.
"But whoever sacrifices a bull
is like one who kills a man,
and whoever offers a lamb,
like one who breaks a dog's neck;
whoever makes a grain offering
is like one who presents pig's blood,
and whoever burns memorial incense,
like one who worships an idol.
They have chosen their own ways,
and their souls delight in their abominations;
so I also will choose harsh treatment for them
and will bring upon them what they dread.
For when I called, no one answered,
when I spoke, no one listened.
They did evil in my sight
and chose what displeases me."
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