Devotional Notes Psalm 124+John 12

Blogging will be rather sporadic as we are selling the house and moving.

MORNING

Psalm 124

B1 What does this mean?

C1 No matter what battle we face. It may be the battle of depression, persecution, pain, abuse, etc., but we must remember:

D1 If the Lord had not been on our side, there would be no victory or hope. God always wins. It may be at death or before. He knows best. The soul of a believer will not be cast into hell.

D2 Psalms 39:7 GNB What, then, can I hope for, Lord? I put my hope in you.

C2 Psalms 124:8 GNB Our help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. God may send someone, something, some event to help us. We never have to worry about God’s punishment at death.

D1 John 16:33 GNB I have told you this so that you will have peace by being united to me. The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!"

D2 Philippians 4:6-7 GW Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks.  7  Then God's peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus.

D3 James 3:17 GW However, the wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure. Then it is peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good deeds, impartial, and sincere.

D4 John 11:25-26 GNB Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will live, even though they die;  26  and those who live and believe in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

D5 Psalms 23:4-6 GW Even though I walk through the dark valley of death, because you are with me, I fear no harm. Your rod and your staff give me courage. 5 You prepare a banquet for me while my enemies watch. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows. 6 Certainly, goodness and mercy will stay close to me all the days of my life, and I will remain in the LORD'S house for days without end.

B2 How do I apply this to my life? Trust God always.

EVENING

John 12

B1 What does this mean?

C1 Mary of Bethany Anoints Jesus’s Feet

D1 We learn who was present.

D2 We learn what Mary did.

D3 We learn Judas’ response and Jesus’s response.

D4 We learn about Judas’ character. He was outwardly trustworthy, but his actions (stealing) revealed his true character. As it is said, “Actions are louder than words.”

D5 We learn that the Jewish leaders solution to problem was often murder. Lazarus had done nothing worthy of death. If people wish to kill Christians today, the same attitude is revealed.

C2 Jesus Enters Jerusalem Riding a Colt

D1 This feast is the Passover. It is one of 3 feasts that all Israelite men were required to attend. The others were Pentecost and Tabernacles.

D2 Verse 14 & 15 are another fulfilled prophecies. Compare: Top 40 Most Helpful Messianic Prophecies

D3 Barclay (beware) writes on verse 19: We cannot leave this passage without noticing the simplest thing of all. Seldom in the world's history has there been such a display of magnificently deliberate courage as the Triumphal Entry. We must remember that Jesus was an outlaw and that the authorities were determined to kill him. All prudence would have warned him to turn back and make for Galilee or the desert places. If he was to enter Jerusalem at all, all caution would have demanded that he enter secretly and go into hiding; but he came in such a way as to focus every eye upon himself. It was an act of the most superlative courage, for it was the defiance of all that man could do; and it was an act of the most superlative love, for it was love's last appeal before the end.

C3 Jesus Predicts His Death

D1 Verse 21, would all people so desire.

D2 Verse 21, would see Jesus probably refers to be able to speak with Him. Nevertheless, time does not permit it.

D3 Verse 24 not only refers to Jesus’s death but also our death to the world system, worldview, and lifestyle.

D4 In verse 25 Jesus warns about the error of having this life as the highest priority. We are to seek God’s kingdom as our highest priority.

E1 Matthew 6:33 ESV But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

E2 Bible Illustrator has this comment:

Man’s first duty His first duty.

1. In priority of time.

2. In excellence of value.

3. It implies diligence.

4. It implies consideration. How the unjust steward planned his conduct.

5. Seek a personal interest in the kingdom of God.

6. Seek the extension of the Redeemer’s kingdom.

7. Seek the glory of the kingdom

D5 In verse 32, the word all refers to all people. See here.

D6 In verse 32, the word draw is to lead into a certain place.

E1 Even though He draws, that is attracts, believing and trusting in Jesus is up to the individual to accept and reject.

E2 Sometimes, depending on the context, it can mean drag as James 2:6 CSB Yet you have dishonored the poor. Don't the rich oppress you and drag you into court?

E3 In verse 32, it has the idea of draw. See lexicon.

F1 Compare: John 6:44 ESV No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

F2 Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges: ἑλκύσω. Not συρῶ (see on John 6:44). There is no violence; the attraction is moral and not irresistible. Man’s will is free, and he may refuse to be drawn. Previous to the ‘lifting up’ it is the Father who ‘draws’ men to the Son (6:44-45). And in both cases all are drawn and taught: not only the Jews represented by the Twelve, but the Gentiles represented by the Greeks. Πρὸς ἐμαυτόν, unto Myself, up from the earth. The two verses (31, 32) sum up the history of the Church; the overthrow of Satan’s rule, the establishment of Christ’s.

D7 Verse 35 is a warning. Much light has come from the teaching of Jesus Christ. His actions and words were understood, but as the hearers, for the most part, rejected, the light faded and the hearing dulled. Let us not refuse the call from the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 11:28-30 NET Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry."

C4 Most Jews Refuse to Believe

D1 A very sad commentary for sure. God help us. John 12:42-43 WEL Nevertheless, even of the leaders many believed in him, but because of the Pharisees, they did not confess, lest they should be thrown out of the synagogue, 43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

D2 Verse 46, darkness refers to the opposite of truth, freedom, peace, safety, rest, hope, etc. If we believe Jesus, we have these good things. If we do not believe, then we have lies, slavery, no peace, no safety, no rest, no hope, etc. Ephesians 5:8 GNB You yourselves used to be in the darkness, but since you have become the Lord's people, you are in the light. So you must live like people who belong to the light,

D3 Another warning in verses 47-48: we can either believe in Jesus or reject. This is a genuine warning of our choices. Choices have consequences.

D4 The commandment of verse 50 is the commandment to believe. We can obey the Gospel call or reject.

B2 How do I apply this to my life? As above.

I hope to have a devotional every day on John’s Gospel starting with the last chapter of Luke’s Gospel. This is the way I do my devotions. You may notice grammatical and spelling errors. It is my hope you will also start or continue in your daily reading and thinking about the Scriptures. I do this Monday through Friday. It is a 3 year plan of reading and thinking on 1 chapter in the Old Testament, which takes 3 years, and reading and thinking on 1 chapter in the New Testament once a year for a total of 3 times. So, I read through the Old Testament 1 time and the New Testament 3 times over a period of 3 years. I do this Monday through Friday and use Saturday and Sunday for other devotions.

Devotional notes Psalm 123+John 11

Blogging will be rather sporadic as we are selling the house and moving.

MORNING

Psalm 123

B1 What does this mean?

C1 We look to Yahweh for help and guidance first.

C2 We watch for His answer (waiting).

C3 Many do not love God, His ways, His rules, His lifestyle, or His worldview, so they persecute our brothers and sisters for their faith.

B2 How do I apply this to my life? Seek God’s help first, wait for answer to prayer, love God supremely and that being the highest priority, and pray for my brothers and sisters.

EVENING

John 11

B1 What does this mean?

C1 Lazarus Dies

D1 It is not written why Lazarus died. It seems that he was a young man as he and his sisters were not married yet.

D2 While some sickness may be caused as punishment from God and by foolish choices, most sickness is the result of the curse of the universe. Romans 8:20 NLT Against its will, all creation was subjected to God's curse. But with eager hope.

D3 Verse 4, Jesus is teaching that Lazarus is not permanently dead.

D4 Verse 11 reveals the knowledge Jesus had of events even if not present. Hebrews 4:13 NLT Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

D5 Verse 13, John would know this, because he heard Jesus say this.

C2 Jesus Teaches Lazarus’s Sisters

D1 Martha went to meet Jesus, while Mary stayed home. Many have suggested this was due to their character. See Luke 10:38-42.

D2 Verse 23, Jesus asks questions in order to teach and reveal what a person believes. He knows what we believe, but often we do not. Martha shows that she knows Jesus can do miracles and that there is a resurrection.

D3 Note Martha’s sorrow at Jesus not coming to heal her brother. Jesus does not rebuke her. He is the great counselor and listens, then teaches. We should do the same. 21 Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died,

D5 Note Jesus’s emphasis concerning the length of life to those who believe. This is both a statement of fact and a promise. 26 “And all who live and believe in me will never, ever die forever. Do you believe this?”

D6 Jesus emphasis that He is God, is life, and is the life giver. He wants Martha to understand this. Apparently, she only believed that Jesus was a prophet.

D7 She confesses her faith that Jesus is Messiah: 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I have believed that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

D8 Verse 33, God does have emotions. Note Jesus’s sorrow.

C3 Jesus Raises Lazarus From Death

D1 Verse 39, Jesus had taught, and now it is time to test, as all good teachers do. Jesus knew what would happen, but we need testing for us to know. We need to learn what we believe and put into practice what we have been taught.

D2 Why 4 days? Some have suggested that the Jews of that time believed that after death, the person’s spirit leaves the body but stays in the area for 3 days, then leaves. Lazarus’ spirit would have left by now. See Gill’s commentary.

D3 Verse 41-42, It is interesting to note Jesus mentioning almost apologetically of the reason for thanking God for answering His prayer request. This is a testimony to those present and a witness of Jesus’s faith.

C4 As a Result, the Jewish Leaders Plot to Kill Jesus

D1 One would think everyone would fall on their knees, thank God, and believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah. Some did not. It was from their hard hearts. John 11:45-46 NLT Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. 46 But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

E1 Mark 3:5 NLT He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, "Hold out your hand." So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!

E2 Psalm 78:8 NLT Then they will not be like their ancestors—stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God.

D2 Verse 48 reveals the Jewish leaders’ jealousy and wanting to continue their position of privilege and power.

D3 Verse 56, the greatest desire of these Jewish leaders should be towards the celebration and seriousness of Passover, instead it was to find Jesus and kill him as soon as possible.

B2 How do I apply this to my life? Help mine unbelief.

I hope to have a devotional every day on John’s Gospel starting with the last chapter of Luke’s Gospel. This is the way I do my devotions. You may notice grammatical and spelling errors. It is my hope you will also start or continue in your daily reading and thinking about the Scriptures. I do this Monday through Friday. It is a 3 year plan of reading and thinking on 1 chapter in the Old Testament, which takes 3 years, and reading and thinking on 1 chapter in the New Testament once a year for a total of 3 times. So, I read through the Old Testament 1 time and the New Testament 3 times over a period of 3 years. I do this Monday through Friday and use Saturday and Sunday for other devotions.

Devotional notes Psalm 123+John 11

Blogging will be rather sporadic as we are selling the house and moving.

MORNING

Psalm 123

B1 What does this mean?

C1 We look to Yahweh for help and guidance first.

C2 We watch for His answer (waiting).

C3 Many do not love God, His ways, His rules, His lifestyle, or His worldview, so they persecute our brothers and sisters for their faith.

B2 How do I apply this to my life? Seek God’s help first, wait for answer to prayer, love God supremely and the highest priority, and pray for my brothers and sisters.

EVENING

John 11

B1 What does this mean?

C1 Lazarus Dies

D1 It is not written why Lazarus died. It seems that he was a young man as he and his sisters were not married yet.

D2 While some sickness may be caused as punishment from God and by foolish choices, most sickness is the result of the curse of the universe. Romans 8:20 NLT Against its will, all creation was subjected to God's curse. But with eager hope.

D3 Verse 4, Jesus is teaching that Lazarus is not permanently dead.

D4 Verse 11 reveals the knowledge Jesus had of events even if not present. Hebrews 4:13 NLT Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

D5 Verse 13, John would know this, because he heard Jesus say this.

C2 Jesus Teaches Lazarus’s Sisters

D1 Martha went to meet Jesus, while Mary stayed home. Many have suggested this was due to their character. See Luke 10:38-42.

D2 Verse 23, Jesus asks questions in order to teach and reveal what a person believes. He knows what we believe, but often we do not. Martha shows that she knows Jesus can do miracles and that there is a resurrection.

D3 Note Martha’s sorrow at Jesus not coming to heal her brother. Jesus does not rebuke her. He is the great counselor and listens, then teaches. We should do the same. 21 Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died,

D5 Note Jesus’s emphasis concerning the length of life to those who believe. This is both a statement of fact and a promise. 26 “And all who live and believe in me will never, ever die forever. Do you believe this?”

D6 Jesus emphasis that He is God, is life, and is the life giver. He wants Martha to understand this. Apparently, she only believed that Jesus was a prophet.

D7 She confesses her faith that Jesus is Messiah: 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I have believed that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

D8 Verse 33, God does have emotions. Note Jesus’s sorrow.

C3 Jesus Raises Lazarus From Death

D1 Verse 39, Jesus had taught, and now it is time to test, as all good teachers do. Jesus knew what would happen, but we need to know. We need to learn what we believe and put into practice what we have been taught.

D2 Why 4 days? Some have suggested that the Jews of that time believed that after death, the person’s spirit leaves the body but stays in the area for 3 days, then leaves. Lazarus’ spirit would have left by now. See Gill’s commentary.

D3 Verse 41-42, It is interesting to note Jesus mentioning almost apologetically of the reason for thanking God for answering His prayer request. This is a testimony to those present and a witness of Jesus’s faith.

C4 As a Result, the Jewish Leaders Plot to Kill Jesus

D1 One would think everyone would fall on their knees, thank God, and believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah. Some did not. It was from their hard hearts. John 11:45-46 NLT Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. 46 But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

E1 Mark 3:5 NLT He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, "Hold out your hand." So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!

E2 Psalm 78:8 NLT Then they will not be like their ancestors—stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God.

D2 Verse 48 reveals the Jewish leaders’ jealousy and wanting to continue their position of privilege and power.

D3 Verse 56, the greatest desire of these Jewish leaders should be towards the celebration and seriousness of Passover, instead it was to find Jesus and kill him as soon as possible.

B2 How do I apply this to my life? Help mine unbelief.

I hope to have a devotional every day on John’s Gospel starting with the last chapter of Luke’s Gospel. This is the way I do my devotions. You may notice grammatical and spelling errors. It is my hope you will also start or continue in your daily reading and thinking about the Scriptures. I do this Monday through Friday. It is a 3 year plan of reading and thinking on 1 chapter in the Old Testament, which takes 3 years, and reading and thinking on 1 chapter in the New Testament once a year for a total of 3 times. So, I read through the Old Testament 1 time and the New Testament 3 times over a period of 3 years. I do this Monday through Friday and use Saturday and Sunday for other devotions.

Devotional Notes Psalm 121+John 9

Blogging will be rather sporadic as we are selling the house and moving.

MORNING

Psalm 121

B1 What does this mean?

C1 No matter where we look for help and comfort, the only true, lasting help and hope come from Yahweh.

C2 Clarke comments on verse 3: The foundation, God's infinite power and goodness, on which thou standest, cannot be moved; and whilst thou standest on this basis, thy foot cannot be moved.

C3 God does not sleep or take a nap.

C4 God is our keeper (the good shepherd).

C5 God keeps our soul/life safe. Our flesh may die or be killed but the soul is safe to those who trust God. Matthew 10:28 EMTV And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

C6 Since God does not die or defeated in any battle, He can keep our soul safe forever and ever.

B2 How do I apply this to my life? Thank you, O Lord.

EVENING

John 9

B1 What does this mean?

C1 Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

D1 Sad to see that at that time it was common to believe that if you were healthy and rich, then God was blessing them. It was a sign. Still today, people believe this. Jesus clarifies, by stating, “Neither this man or his parents sinned, on the contrary [it was] that the works of God might be made evident in him.”

D2 Jesus proves that statement by healing the man. Note how Jesus deals with individuals individually.

C2 Jewish Leaders Question the Healed Man

D1 Even though the religious leaders knew of many miracles, they still question it. Some teach that if there are many miracles, many will believe, but often miracles do not do that. God still heals.

D2 Verse 16 “…does not comply with the Sabbath...” refers to their rules not Gods.

D3 Verse 27, the man realizes that they don’t believe or Jesus.

D4 Verse 34, note the arrogance or love of power/authority. It seems that they considered themselves to not have been born in sins. Yet, Psalms 51:5 GW Indeed, I was born guilty. I was a sinner when my mother conceived me.

C3 The Healed Man Believes and Worships Jesus

D1 Verse 35, the Jews understood the term “Son of God” to refer to Messiah. See: John 10:36-39 NLT why do you call it blasphemy when I say, 'I am the Son of God'? After all, the Father set me apart and sent me into the world. 37 Don't believe me unless I carry out my Father's work. 38 But if I do his work, believe in the evidence of the miraculous works I have done, even if you don't believe me. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father." 39 Once again they tried to arrest him, but he got away and left them.

D2 Barclay (beware) writes:

(i) Jesus looked for the man. As Chrysostom put it: "The Jews cast him out of the Temple; the Lord of the Temple found him." If any man's Christian witness separates him from his fellow-men, it brings him nearer to Jesus Christ. Jesus is always true to the man who is true to him.

(ii) To this man there was made the great revelation that Jesus was the Son of God. Loyalty always brings revelation; it is to the man who is true to him that Jesus most fully reveals himself. The penalty of loyalty may well be persecution and ostracism at the hands of men; its reward is a closer walk with Christ, and an increasing knowledge of his wonder.

D3 Verse 38, there is no such thing as needing to say the sinner’s prayer. Note this man’s prayer, “Lord, I believe.” The proof? “And he worshiped Him.”

D4 The Amplified Version clarifies verse 39: The Amplified Bible Then Jesus said, I came into this world for judgment [as a Separator, in order that there may be separation between those who believe on Me and those who reject Me], to make the sightless see and to make those who see become blind.

B2 How do I apply this to my life? Lord, your ways are true, just, and faithful. Thank you.

I hope to have a devotional every day on John’s Gospel starting with the last chapter of Luke’s Gospel. This is the way I do my devotions. You may notice grammatical and spelling errors. It is my hope you will also start or continue in your daily reading and thinking about the Scriptures. I do this Monday through Friday. It is a 3 year plan of reading and thinking on 1 chapter in the Old Testament, which takes 3 years, and reading and thinking on 1 chapter in the New Testament once a year for a total of 3 times. So, I read through the Old Testament 1 time and the New Testament 3 times over a period of 3 years. I do this Monday through Friday and use Saturday and Sunday for other devotions.

Devotional Notes Psalm 120+John 8

Blogging will be rather sporadic as we are selling the house and moving.

MORNING

Psalm 120

B1 What does this mean?

C1 Deliver me from my lying lips and more likely those who lie about me/us.

C2 Compare Jeremiah: Jeremiah 20:10 NLT I have heard the many rumors about me. They call me "The Man Who Lives in Terror." They threaten, "If you say anything, we will report it." Even my old friends are watching me, waiting for a fatal slip. "He will trap himself," they say, "and then we will get our revenge on him."

C3 For many people the solution for a problem is murder.

B2 How do I apply this to my life?

C1 Turn to God for help.

C2 Know the truth.

C3 People will lie about us, and it hurts.

C4 Revenge is not for believers. Reporting a crime is not revenge.

EVENING

John 8

B1 What does this mean?

C1 Jesus and the Woman Caught in Adultery

D1 Some do not consider this to be genuinely Scripture, but for what it’s worth, Wilbur Pickering commenting on this verse: ...But why was the story omitted? Leading church father and theologian, Augustine (about A.D. 430), answers: “Certain persons of little faith, or rather enemies of the true faith, fearing, I suppose, lest their wives should be given impunity in sinning, removed from their manuscripts the Lord’s acts of forgiveness toward the adulteress, as if He who said ‘sin no more’ had granted permission to sin.” (See Augustine, “Adulterous Marriages” [2.7] trans. by Charles T. Huegelmeyer, in Saint Augustine: Treatises on Marriage and Other Subjects [New York: Fathers of the Church, 1955], p. 107.) [I took this material on Augustine from Living Water: The Gospel of John—Logos 21 Version, Absolutely Free Incorporated, p. 74.]

D2 Note how Jesus is desiring the crowd to acknowledge their own sins. The woman’s sins are now known, but the crowd was hiding their own sins. Sins can be committed in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

D3 From verse 4 it almost seems that this case was set up. Also note: Leviticus 20:10 NLT If a man commits adultery with his neighbor's wife, both the man and the woman who have committed adultery must be put to death.

D4 Note Jesus adhering to the Law (2 witnesses needed) and His mercy. He also warns her not to sin anymore so acknowledging her actions to be sinful. Deuteronomy 17:6 NIV On the testimony of two or three witnesses a person is to be put to death, but no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.

C2 Pharisees Accuse Jesus of Having No Witnesses

D1 The Pharisees are correct about needing witnesses, but note how they reject Jesus’s witnesses.

D2 Verse 18, if nothing else see 2 Peter 1:17-18.

C3 Jesus Identifies Himself as God

D1 The Bridgeway Bible Commentary has this:

E1 Because the Jews could never get their minds above earthly things, they could never accept Jesus' claim that he came from God. By rejecting him they lost all chance of having their sins forgiven. They would die in their sins and thereby be excluded from heaven, the place to which Jesus would return after his death and resurrection (John 8:21-26).

E2 Most of the people still did not understand how Jesus could be the Son of God, but one day in the near future they would have clear proof. They would see Jesus die on the cross, but then, by the power of God, rise from the dead. This would be an unmistakable demonstration of the unity between the Father and the Son (John 8:27-29). Some who heard Jesus speak did not wait for the events he spoke of, but put their faith in him immediately (John 8:30).

D2 In reading the various witnesses from the 4 Gospels, we see a clearer picture of who Jesus is. Also, many prophets have spoken of Him.

C4 Jesus Exposes the People’s Sins

D1 The Scriptures are the only source of 100% truth.

D2 Sin is addictive. It is the natural state of humans to be sinners.

E1 Romans 3:23 EMTV for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,

E2 If our sin is not exposed, we will continue to believe that we are good people and are doing more good than evil. We must face the truth.

D3 The actions of Abraham are his believing God and how this believing is seen in the actions and decisions in his life.

D4 Barclay (be aware!) writes: Jesus' closeknit indictment goes on. He asks "Why do you not understand what I am saying?" The answer is terrible—not that they are intellectually stupid, but that they are spiritually deaf. They refuse to hear and they refuse to understand. A man can stop his ears to any warning; if he goes on doing that long enough, he becomes spiritually deaf. In the last analysis, a man will only hear what he wishes to hear; and if for long enough he attunes his ears to his own desires and to the wrong voices, in the end he will be unable to tune in at all to the wavelength of God. That is what the Jews had done.

D5 Verse 44 shows one reason people reject Christ Jesus. It is their love of sinful pleasures.

D6 Verse 46, Abraham did believe.

C5 Jesus Is the Great I AM

D1 I AM is the identity, character, and name of God.

D2 Passing through their midst, that is, they could not seize Him, should show them something special about Jesus.

B2 How do I apply this to my life? As noted above.

I hope to have a devotional every day on John’s Gospel starting with the last chapter of Luke’s Gospel. This is the way I do my devotions. You may notice grammatical and spelling errors. It is my hope you will also start or continue in your daily reading and thinking about the Scriptures. I do this Monday through Friday. It is a 3 year plan of reading and thinking on 1 chapter in the Old Testament, which takes 3 years, and reading and thinking on 1 chapter in the New Testament once a year for a total of 3 times. So, I read through the Old Testament 1 time and the New Testament 3 times over a period of 3 years. I do this Monday through Friday and use Saturday and Sunday for other devotions.

Devotional Notes Psalm 119+John 7

Blogging will be rather sporadic as we are selling the house and moving.

MORNING

Psalm 119

B1 What does this mean?

C1 This Psalm plus Psalms 1 and 19, teach much about Scripture.

C2 Psalms 119:1-3 OEB Happy they whose life is blameless, who walk by the law of the LORD. 2 Happy they who keep his charges, and seek him with all their hearts; 3 who have done no wrong, but walk in his ways.

D1 Blameless because we are not and cannot be sinless. Philippians 2:15 OEB so as to prove yourselves blameless and innocent—‘faultless children of God, in the midst of an evil-disposed and perverse generation,’ in which you are seen shining like stars in a dark world,

D2 Walking equals living our lives and having a worldview and lifestyle that God approves.

D3 Keep equals obey.

D4 Seek Him is to ask for wisdom, guidance, help, deliverance, etc. It is communicating with God.

D5 All their hearts refers to reality instead of faking it.

D6 There are 2 ways to live—God’s way or not God’s way.

B2 How do I apply this to my life? Help me to elevate your word, your teaching, your ways above my ways or any ways of any teacher.

EVENING

John 7

B1 What does this mean?

C1 Jesus At the Feast of Tabernacles and Teaches

D1 Verse 1, think of all the blessings that never happened because of the attitudes. What blessings do we miss by our rebellion?

D2 Verse 3&4, I think Jesus was very open. What are they thinking?

D3 Verse 7, the reason Jesus’s brothers did not believe in Him, nor most people, was because He exposed their sins. Exposing sins is something God does, in order that we will repent.

D4 Verse 14, we can have the fear of humans or the fear of God. Fear is a fear of judgment. These Jews did not want their evil religious leaders judging them, condemning them, and throwing them out of Temple life. Their fear should be the God’s judgment in His judging them, condemning them, and throwing them out of the Kingdom of God. Let me be wise, O God.

D5 Verse 18, how many religious speakers are promoting themselves instead of God. I’ve seen standing ovations for some preachers. I know others that make much money promoting their books.

D6 Verse 19, these people knew the Law, but they did not do it.

D7 Verses 20-24, note how no one answers His questions. I need to ponder on how would I have answered, if I lived then? A principle is taught here that we must make righteous and true decisions when judging someone’s character and actions. There may be another explanation for what we think they are doing.

C2 The Attempted Arrest of Jesus

D1 Verse 25, they knew people was trying to have Jesus killed. Those who wanted it were the religious leaders. We see the method of how these religious leaders solve a problem; it is to murder. Do we still see this solution being carried out today? If not kill, then try to destroy their character, their business, etc.

D2 Verse 30, maybe incidents like this gave Judas Iscariot a false hope when he betrayed Jesus.

D3 Verse 34, the reason these people could not come with Jesus is because they are evil. They refuse to repent of their evil, acknowledge their evil, or believe Jesus’s teaching.

D4 Verse 38, these blessings are the result of the Holy Spirit’s work in us.

D5 Verse 39 refers to everything from the Resurrection and beyond.

D6 Verse 42, they either had been wrongly instructed or believed in error. They could have searched the Scriptures to find out.

C3 The Jewish Leaders Do Not Believe

D1 Verse 48, Nicodemus and Joseph were secret believers for many years.

D2 Verse 49, the Scribes taught and interpreted the Scriptures and the Pharisees were the ones who lived it out in their lives.

D3 Verse 52, I wonder if Nic went and searched the Scriptures.

B2 How do I apply this to my life? As above.

I hope to have a devotional every day on John’s Gospel starting with the last chapter of Luke’s Gospel. This is the way I do my devotions. You may notice grammatical and spelling errors. It is my hope you will also start or continue in your daily reading and thinking about the Scriptures. I do this Monday through Friday. It is a 3 year plan of reading and thinking on 1 chapter in the Old Testament, which takes 3 years, and reading and thinking on 1 chapter in the New Testament once a year for a total of 3 times. So, I read through the Old Testament 1 time and the New Testament 3 times over a period of 3 years. I do this Monday through Friday and use Saturday and Sunday for other devotions.

Devotional Notes Psalm 118+John 6

MORNING

Psalm 118

B1 What does this mean?

C1 Mercy is something received by us from God. We receive not what we deserve but what God offers us.

C2 God’s mercy is because of His love, so the word means.

C3 The Psalmist was hurting and in distress. God delivered him. God is the greatest Counselor. Even if we are not delivered but die for the faith, our souls are safe for eternity.

C4 Verse 8-9, we must seek God’s advice first before any other advice. God may use others to give good advice, but we need to seek God and His kingdom first. James 1:5-6 EMTV If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it shall be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, doubting nothing, for he that doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

C5 The chastening (disciplining) is noted by the Psalmist. It is for our good, not harm.

C6 This is an important prophecy: Psalms 118:22 NKJV The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. Compare Matthew 21:42 and 1 Peter 2:4-8. Note how this is God’s doing. The cornerstone is the stone that is the perfect standard for all measurements, so Jesus is the perfect standard for Christianity.

C7 This is important for all of us to do. Psalms 118:28-29 NKJV You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You. 29 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

B2 How do I apply this to my life? As written above.

EVENING

John 6

B1 What does this mean?

C1 Jesus feeds the 5,000

D1 It appears from verse 5 that the large crowd was following Him only for the miracles. So I guess they just wanted a show.

D2 The didn’t accept Him as Messiah, just a miracle worker. We should be careful about what reasons we follow Him. For me, Christianity is reasonable and also is based on conviction.

D3 Verse 6, to test him. Jesus said this because all good teachers teach, then they test. Jesus knew what both He and Phillip were going to do. Jesus tests us, too. Many of the things we go through in life are a test. Will we respond God’s way or some other way? We are all in God’s school. God gives grace to help us.

D4 Jesus does give the thanked and blessed food to the disciples to distribute to the crowd. Wilbur Pickering notes: Perhaps 3% of the Greek manuscripts, of inferior quality, omit the reference to the disciples here and have Jesus distributing directly to the crowd (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.), making John contradict the other three Gospels.

D5 We should remember God’s provision for us. These Jews should have remembered how God provided food during the 40 years of Wilderness Wandering.

D6 Note how Jesus is careful to not waste food. Also, this shows the people had all they needed, not just a bite.

D7 Note how the people did not want God’s ways. All they wanted was God’s provisions. John 6:15 WEL When Jesus knew that they would come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew to the mountain alone.

D8 Jesus will set up His own kingdom, not trusting the setting up the kingdom to others.

C2 Jesus Walks on Water

D1 Notice their fear, and Jesus’s calming words. Let us remember.

D2 Why did Jesus walk on water? Perhaps to show the He is Messiah, the God/Man, not just a man, not just a prophet, but God the Son. They also learn a few things about His character and style of living. He is a much different king that those we see today.

D3 Verse 24, looking for Jesus. These people were not looking for Jesus in order to worship Him, that is, accept that He is THE Messiah, or even thank Him. It seems that they wanted miracles, food, and welfare of their lives instead of welfare for their souls.

C3 Jesus Is the Bread of Life

D1 Verse 29: Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”

E1 Certain people take this to prove that faith is God’s work, that people cannot exercise faith, only do what God decrees.

E2 But notice the context. It states that they wanted, that is desired, to do God’s works, that is, miracles. Jesus replied that they needed to believe God, that is, Jesus and His teaching. Reading 28 and 30 show plainly what is meant, and how the people understood what Jesus was telling them.

E3 Adam Clarke adds: This is the work of God, that ye believe—There is nothing you can be employed in more acceptable to God than in yielding to the evidence set before you, and acknowledging me as your Messiah and the Savior of a lost world.

E4 Whedon writes: 29. Believe on him—Faith in Christ is the great saving work. Faith is work. Faith and work are one. Faith is the work in which all works is embodied. Be there a true perfect faith, and all works of righteousness will come into it and be one with it. Upon such a faith God forgives; by such a faith a man is graciously held just; consequent upon such a faith is present and eternal salvation.

To these men it was an explanation, too condensed to be overlooked, and too clear to be misunderstood. Fresh from the great miracle under whose influence they were confessedly acting, he places the offer of divine life, through faith in himself as God’s own Son, before their acceptance so plainly, that they completely see it —and finally REJECT it.

D2 Jesus is the true bread sent by the Father. It is through Him, we can have forgiveness of sins and be reconciled to our Creator.

D3 In verse 36, Jesus tells them plainly that they do not believe.

D4 The Father’s conditions for people being given to Jesus is believing the Gospel.

D5 In verse 38, we need to imitate Jesus and have an attitude that doing God’s will is more important than doing our will.

D6 Verse 40, these people do see Jesus. Today we see Jesus through the testimony of the Gospel writers.

D7 Shouldn’t the people have known. They had the prophets speaking about the Messiah?

D8 Verse 44 teaches us that God initiates salvation. We do not and cannot reach out to God until He reaches us to us first.

D9 Verse 50 is not referring to the bread of the Lord’s Supper. It refers to Jesus Himself, His teachings, His ministry, and His sacrifice as the Passover Lamb.

C4 Many Disciples Leave Jesus

D1 These people did not believe. They just wanted physical food, not submitting to Jesus’s authority, ways, beliefs, etc.

D2 Verse 62 refers to Jesus’s Ascension.

D3 Verse 63 refers to Jesus prophesying about Judas, though Judas is not named until later. It should have been the warning to Judas to repent. Judas Iscariot loved money instead of God. He is just like those who wanted to take Jesus by force and make Him king.

B2 How do I apply this to my life? As noted above.

I hope to have a devotional every day on John’s Gospel starting with the last chapter of Luke’s Gospel. This is the way I do my devotions. You may notice grammatical and spelling errors. It is my hope you will also start or continue in your daily reading and thinking about the Scriptures. I do this Monday through Friday. It is a 3 year plan of reading and thinking on 1 chapter in the Old Testament, which takes 3 years, and reading and thinking on 1 chapter in the New Testament once a year for a total of 3 times. So, I read through the Old Testament 1 time and the New Testament 3 times over a period of 3 years. I do this Monday through Friday and use Saturday and Sunday for other devotions.