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This is going to be a place where I process my Bible reading. |
| Welcome to my Bible reading journey. I find that I process information better when I write/respond to it. This blog is simply a place where I can write down my thoughts about God's word. If you are reading I hope you get something out of it. Feel free to comment your take on the verses. Enjoy! |
| Today's verses: John: 5:16-47 These verses pick up from yesterday. The Jews are upset with Jesus because he healed a man on the sabbath. Jesus basically responded my Father is working so am I. This made the Jews even angrier because now He was claiming God as His Father. They pretty much wanted Him dead. Jesus new this and spent the next 25-30 verses responding. He points out the fact that everything He does is only possible because of His Father. Belief in the Son will do away with condemnation and bring everlasting life. The then talks about the day when those in the grave will rise up into resurrections of life or resurrections of damnation. He then uses John as an example. John was telling them about Jesus but they didn't listen to him. The continues to tell them that He comes in God's name. Jesus pretty much laid out his personally point blank in these verses. One thing I notice is how the Jews took a moment which should have brought rejoicing and turned it into a negative. Jesus had healed a man and all they were concerned with was "How dare he heal on the sabbath." Really there should have been a celebration going on. How many times does that happen to us today. Especially with social media, the news, and the Covid epidemic. I can not count how many touching stories I read on face. They are heartwarming and bring a smile to my face. But it never fails, once I read through the comments there are always negative people focusing on something. This then creates a whole argue which completely derails from the positivity of the post. I think this is why Jesus had to lay out His identity here. The people were focusing on the wrong things. He was trying to bring their attention back to God first and then to His own purpose. The verses that stand out the most to me during reading this are 25-29. My mom passed away a little over two months ago. I have spent a lot of time today just thinking about her. It has been bittersweet. The memories are good but its still a reminder that she is not here on earth anymore. I appreciated the reminder that one day she will hear His voice and leave the grave. I am so blessed with God's peace that I will see her again and that she is in a better place. I love how God sends us what we need when we need it. |
| Today's verses come from John 5:1-15 These verses find Jesus performing another healing. Jesus was in Jerusalem near a pool called Bethesda. This was special pool because an angel would come and trouble the water during a certain season. Whoever entered into the pool after the angel would have any illness healed. Therefore sick people could often be found here. On this day a man who had been dealing with an illness for 38 years was near the pool. Jesus asks him if he wants to be whole? The man said he couldn't because he didn't have anyone to take him to the pool. Everytime he tried by himself, someone else would rush in. Jesus told get up, take his bed, and walk. The man was able to immediately do this. Now Jesus performed this on the sabbath. When the Jews heard of this they wanted to know how this happened because it was against the law to do work on the sabbath. However when questioned the man didn't know who healed him. Jesus had made himself scarce. Later once everything settled down, Jesus appeared to the man at the temple and told him he was healed and to sin no more. After that the man was able to tell people that Jesus healed him. One thing that sticks out to me in these verses is the fact that Jesus asks the man does he want to get better. This might seem like a silly question. I mean the man was at the pool to be healed. Who would not want to be healed. But I think this is a super important question that we should all ask ourselves. How many times do we pray to God for healing, help, escape, etc, but then we don't do the follow through? Sometimes I wonder if we aren't just speaking lip service. I know I"m supposed to do better, be better so I'm going to ask God for help, but when it comes down to it we aren't will to follow through with the necessary actions. Jesus didn't help the man up. He told him to get his own self up. Now we have to understand the man couldn't have just gotten up by himself, he was invalid for 38 years. Jesus is the one who did the healing, but the man had to heed his words. What would have happened if the man refused to get up? Would he have still been healed. I'm not sure. But Jesus is offering the same thing today. He is offering to heal us from the consequences of sin. He died so that we would have a way to make it to heaven. But the thing is we aren't just going to automatically go. We have to want to be healed first. Then we have to take up our bed and go (actively accept God's precious gift). |
| Today's verses are John 4:43-54 Here Jesus is continuing His journey. He is actually passing back through where he performed His first miracle. The people here have heard what He did (some witnessed). There was a man here who had a sick son. He heard about Jesus and went to beg Him to come back to Capernaum (where is son was dying). Jesus made a comment: you won't believe until you see signs and wonders. The man continues to ask for His help, so Jesus told him to go home and that his son was healed. As the man headed home his servants met him to tell him that his son was healed. He asked for the specific time, and it was just when Jesus said it was. In today's verses I am really paying attention to what Jesus said. He mentioned the fact that without miracles people won't believe. Now remember He has already performed a miracle in this place. He turned water into wine. Now He is performing another healing a sick man's son why? I know I hate when I have to repeat myself (as an elementary school teacher it happens quite alot) or when I have to continue doing the same thing over and over. Yet that is exactly what Jesus is doing. Did he have to? NO! Why did He? Because He loves up and wants us to believe. I"m sure we have all seen relationships where a supposed friend only wants to have something to do with you because of what you can do for them: whether it is money, an experience, etc. I wonder is Jesus felt that way. That the people only accepted Him if He was performing miracles for them. I wonder if He feels that way today? Regardless, He never stops showing us His love and dedication. The other thing that Jesus said was to go your way your son is healed. He didn't say he will be healed, or that he is in the process of being healed. He said it and immediately it happened. How powerful is that! As the man travelled back home I wonder what he was expecting. Maybe He was expecting a slow healing process. Maybe He didn't really expect Jesus to be telling the truth. But Jesus healed the son with just words. |
| Today's verses come from John 4:1-30 These verses are about the Samaritan woman at the well. So Jesus approached Jacob's well. He was thirsty and asked a woman who was there to give Him some water. The woman is surprised because the Jews and the Samaritans really didn't have too much to do with each other. She questions Him. He tells her that if she knew who He was she would be asking Him for a drink. This makes no sense to her because He had nothing to get the water with. He tells her He is talking about the everlasting life. The conversation then moves on and Jesus asks her to bring her husband. She tells Him she has no husband. Jesus goes on to agree and talk about the many men she has known. She is amazed that He knows her story. It is at this point that they begin to talk about the Messiah. He talks about the fact that right now its really only the Jews that understand worship, but there will be a day when any true follower who worships in spirit and in truth can be a believer. This is another well known bible story. There are a lot of take-aways from this. One thing I notice is how Jesus asked the woman to bring her husband. He already knew that she didn't have a husband and the kind of lifestyle that she lived, but He still asked her, why? I believe this goes to show the He wants a personal relationship with us. Yes He has all the answers. Yes He knows what we are going to do before we do it, but He wants us to talk, come clean, and be honest with Him. This is also just another showing of Jesus breaking down barriers. Up until this point the Jews lived by strict laws and commandments. Now times were different and things had to be set up a certain kind of way in order to avoid chaos. But I do believe that the Jews over time probably became more concerned with keeping up with traditions, laws, and rules than the reason for them. This is one reason why Jesus coming down to earth was such a hard thing for the "upper class" of the Jewish system. Jesus came for EVERYONE. No matter what their denomination or lifestyle. He came to show love and to make a way for them. I feel like Christians today can relate. Often times I feel like we (myself included) worry more about living the way the bible expects that we forget why Jesus truly came. God didn't create us to send us to hell. Hell was not created for us. Jesus loved people. He helped people. He was patient and showed compassion. Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying that we should just live however, but I do believe Jesus never let a person's sins to stop Him from loving them. That says a lot. |
| Today's reading comes from John 3: 1-21 These verses talk about the story of Nicodemus. Nicodemus was called a ruler of the Jews. We find him coming to Jesus during the night time. He admits that he believes Jesus a teacher come from God. Jesus goes on to tell Nicodemus that one must be born again to enter into heaven. This confuses Nicodemus and he questions Jesus. Jesus uses various different examples to explain.It all boils down to the fact that we must be spiritually reborn Nicodemus was thinking in terms of the physical. He even asks Jesus if we are going to enter our mothers womb again. Now I admit I have the tendency to be a little sarcastic. Everytime I am reading these verses I wonder if Jesus was being a little bit salty. He basically tells Nicodemus, look dude you don't understand when I am talking about earthly things which you have experience with how in the world can you begin to understand spiritual things. He even calls him out by saying you are a leader yet you don't know these things. Jesus often tried to make what He was preaching and teaching relatable. Here He uses the wind. It is something we can't physically see, but we see the evidence of it so we know it is real. That is the same way with salvation. John 3:16 is one of the most well known bible verses and one of the most powerful. Jesus died so that EVERYONE may have eternal life. Powerful words. Now something to understand here is the reason why Nicodemus came to Jesus in the middle of the night. I have always been taught that he came at this time so he wouldn't get caught. His normal crowd were not big fans of Jesus. Now if I was Jesus I probably would have caught an attitude if this person wakes me up in the middle of the night seeking answers, but is ashamed/afraid to come to me during the day. Jesus takes the time to explain (in multiple ways). He even goes on to say the most quoted and well known bible verse. How often can we not be bothered to share God's word because it is "inconvenient." Or because that person will never listen to me. We need to follow the example of Jesus. Take the time to reach out (as many different ways as it takes. |
| Today's reading comes from John 2:1-12 These verses contain Jesus's first miracle. Jesus was attending a wedding with his mom and some disciples. During the wedding, they run out of wine. Mary is distressed and tells Jesus. He says it is not His time yet, but ends up turning water into wine. Then the person in charge talks about the fact that normally they put out the good stuff first, but they saved the best for the end. The verses go on to say this is the beginning of miracles and that his disciples believed on Him Now I have to admit that I look back on these verses fondly. I can remember my Youth teacher having us reenact this scene. She brought fancy accessories. We even had a old (out of tune) piano downstairs where we met on Wednesday nights. A peer played here comes the bride as we acted it all out. I remember distinctly how we talked about this being the first miracle and that it kind of began Jesus's ministry. Reading this as an adult I have some different take-aways. While Jesus completely performed the miracle there were some other things that had to happen. First of all Mary brought the issue to Jesus's attention. And then told the servants to do whatever Jesus asks. Then the servants brought the jugs and water. Now I firmly believe that Jesus could have been aware of the problem without Mary and that He didn't need the servants to fill up the jugs and bring them. So why did He? As a teacher, I always look for teachable moments. Instances where I can help train others. I see Jesus doing that here as well. Discipleship has been something that I am becoming more aware of and seeing in a different light. Jesus wants a relationship with us. We need to take part in it. We need to take action. Now don't get me wrong, our actions will fall short each and every time, but we still need to put forth the effort. We need to be willing not only to bring problems (even other peoples) to Jesus, but take it a step further and have the faith and confidence to do whatever Jesus tells us to do. And make sure that our actions back up our words. |
| Today's reading comes from John 1:43-51 Today's verses are about Jesus calling Philip and Nathanael to follow Him. Jesus finds Philip and Philip recruits Nathanael. Now Nathanael is a little doubtful and even questions whether anything good can come from Nazareth. Jesus assuedes this doubt when he knew Nathanael without an introduction. Jesus goes on to tell him that this is just the beginning. They will see many more wondrous works to come. One take-away I have from these verses is the the fact that Philip brought his friend to Jesus. I guess in my years of studying the disciples I never really paid attention to this fact. I feel like this is a model to us as Christians. We need to be bringing our friends and family (well everyone actually) to Jesus. Now Nathanael wasn't sure about Jesus at first. Did Philip have to beat it down his throat. No. All Philip had to do was bring him. Jesus did the heavy lifting. Its the same with us. We need to bring them. We do not have the power to save people. Our job is to witness and to create the opportunity. God does the rest. Another thing I am picking up is the importance of community. Why did Philip go get Nathanael? Because he wanted to share the good news. He wanted someone on this journey with him. We need a community to help and support us. That is why I believe meeting at church is so important. With times being the way they are, we aren't able to physically meet in a church building with our neighbors. We can meet through online platforms which I am extremely thankful for, but it is not the same. There is an accountability from being present in church. There is a comfort, and a strength from being involved with your church family. I think it says something that Jesus often called His disciples in pairs or small groups. |
| Today's reading comes from John 1:35-42 In these verses, we find John announcing Jesus as the Lamb of God. A couple of disciples hear and approach. Then Jesus speaks (the first 2 statements spoken by Jesus in the book of John). He says 2 things: 1) What seek ye? and 2) come and see. Now I had to really think about that first statement. Jesus asked them what did they want. The irony of that statement is Jesus already knew what they wanted. Not only did He know what they wanted, He knew what they needed. Yet He still asked them. As I mentioned yesterday, I have been working on a Sunday school unit about identity. Who are you?/Who does God say you are? This question is completely different. What do you want? Have you ever really sat down and thought about what you wanted from God? What do you want in regards to your relationship with God? Are we being superficial and thinking about earthly things? Or are we truly seeking to know more about God? In these verses they wanted to know where he was dwelling. They wanted to know more about Jesus. Now I find His next statement powerful to. Come and see. Jesus didn't just tell the disciples where He lived. He showed them. I feel like this is great lesson for us. When we have people who are seeking out Jesus. Thirsty to know more about Him we shouldn't just tell them about Him. We need to show them. Take them to the place. We can do that with our actions, our lives. We can do that with prayer and the Bible. Put it needs to be more than lip service. It needs to be with actions. |
| So here goes nothing. Today my devotion came from John 1: 15-34 These verses were about John the Baptist. Specifically when Pharisees came to question John. They asked a very important question: Who are you? Talk about a question. If someone asked me who I was I would immediately say. Alicia Calhoun. I might mention my parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and grandparents names. I would tell them I was a 3rd grade math teacher. John the Baptist however told about who he was in reflection of Jesus. I personally find this to be super powerful. Our identity is everything. In the world dominated by social media we as humans are constantly branding ourselves. We are posting things as a way to connect to the world. It is our way of say, "Hey look at me and who I am, and what I'm all about." John the Baptist wasn't about himself. His purpose was to share Jesus with the world. I think this is wonderful lesson to live by. My take-away question is: Am a reflecting Jesus or myself On a side note: I (before the world shut down) was creating a series of lessons about identity for my church kiddos. Who are we? Who does God say we are? I feel like this would very nicely fit into this unit. |
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