Friday, October 19, 2018

EVERLASTING LIFE

Today’s Reading: John 2 – 3

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).

 

Here is a panorama of the modern-day city of Cana (John 2). The population at the time of Jesus would have reflected more the size of a small village.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: John 3:16

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

 

Jesus repeated the John 3:16 truth again in 3:18, and in 3:36 He restates this fact. We should watch for when the Holy Spirit inspires the writers of Scripture to record these repeats. Jesus would not waste words, but would make sure He got His point across. In this case, eternal destinies are at stake. The words “believe in” make all the difference. We can believe about Jesus, or believe maybe, and go through all the motions of religion, but nothing will change. Believing “in” Jesus changes everything! This is what a bride does when she walks down the church aisle and says, “I will” and “I do.” She is giving her very life to her beloved. According to Jesus, in marriage, the two become one. We are one with Him. Jesus, as in the wedding in Cana, literally becomes the LIFE of the party. Our celebration of our union with Him goes on forever. We should celebrate together with others as often as possible. Going to Church and enjoying the company of others in Christ’s Bride is a natural expression of our union.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, You gave Your life to me, and I’ve given my life to You. I believe in You. I pray for grace so that I won’t take You for granted or bring any disgrace to You. You love me and have told me over and over that You do. I love You too, with all my heart. I delight in Your presence! Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

A few blogs ago, I mentioned a live Canadian Broadcasting Corporation TV interview where I was asked about money. In that same show, the host, who was a one-time ordained minister, said that Jesus only spoke of being “born again” once. I answered, “Charles, have you been reading your Bible faithfully lately?” Jesus said that twice for a stronger emphasis. The Apostles taught this in several places such as in 2 Corinthians 5:17. Saint Paul taught that if we are in Christ we are new creations. Old things have passed away and all things have become new. What an amazing opportunity to boast in the Person and work of Jesus.

I can’t let this blog pass by without mentioning that in 1983 our second daughter, Ellen Jean, married a young man named Nizar Shaheen, whose home town is Cana of Galilee, where Jesus performed His first miracle (John 2). His culture says that the groom’s family puts on the wedding, not Ellen’s family. Nizar’s arrival at the church in Cana was spectacular. He was dressed in white and rode on a highly decorated white horse with hundreds of men dancing around him. The bride, on the other hand, simply slipped out from the background to stand before the pastor for the ceremony. Experiencing a Middle-Eastern wedding helped me to understand the coming of Christ for His Bride in a new way (Revelation 19:11 & 21:9). I’ve taken the time just now to thrill to the reading of the last chapter of the Bible, Revelation 22. I recommend it. Also, I encourage everyone to check out what God has done with this Cana marriage by visiting the website of Nizar and Ellen’s ministry to the Arab world called Light For All Nations.

Yours to tell the stories of the past, an old man’s joy, and to teach that we can be confident that God will put the final period to the stories of how His Bride and He have done God’s will on earth as it is in Heaven,

David

5 thoughts on “Friday, October 19, 2018

  1. I remember Ellen & Nizar’s wedding so well. Very exciting & beautiful. Looking forward to the Lord’s return & being in His Presence.

  2. Wow that wedding must have been like a royal wedding and very biblical in appearance with the white suit and a white horse.
    When I was recruited to ‘the Men’s Club’ (OAMC),I was looking in our hymnal for the last line that the others ended “Love Lifted Me” with,lol.They kept singing “John 3:16”.There are a few others that have invisible last lines too.Since I joined,some of the wives/widows have also been adding to the voices.They (we) have been singing in nursing homes for about 38 years and most of the original members have gone home.Yall have a great day.God bless

    Oh,King Of Kings

    Oh,King of kings make haste I pray,
    That your return will set us free,
    Then take us Home with You to stay
    In loves vast ocean of eternity.

    You have been the truest of friends,
    A mentor to my searching soul,
    Now is the time that Heaven lends,
    To reap the garden Satan stole.

    With open arms Your bride awaits,
    To be no more of sin’s dark lie,
    As the demon burns with his mates,
    We’re safely Home above the sky.
    G W (Bill) Marshall / Sept 06, 2013

  3. Yes, I too remember this spectacular wedding and it was beautiful! And what a day that will be when our Jesus we shall see! Glad you are home Irene. Did you have a repair or replacement. You were blessed to have it a new way. God bless you!

  4. thanks Ger. I had a replacement.

    I saw the wedding on TV, what a celebration!

    Looking forward to His coming to take His bride home with Him!!

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