PEACE
Today’s Reading: John 20-21
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).
A Nazareth Village family enjoying time with one another.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: John 20:19
Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
Jesus speaks “peace” three times to His disciples here. They were obviously in a state of great turmoil and fear. Jesus might have said, “Settle down, we’ve got some very practical matters to accomplish in the next 50 days.” After all, Jesus’ followers were very ordinary people. Peter and John came from two fishing families. Notice that John could not escape the competition motivation. He had to put in the Gospel that he beat Peter to the tomb. Of course, Mary Magdalene was first. She didn’t recognize Jesus until she heard His voice. We need to listen for Jesus. He’ll speak our names too. He has something unique to say to each one of us. He had a special message for Peter who had denied knowing Him three times. Three times He asked, “Do you love Me, Peter?” He had a message in the number of fish caught, 153. In Hebrew, each letter has a numerical value. The number 153 translates into “Ana Elohim = I am God.” The disciples had been to Hebrew school. They would have known exactly what Jesus was communicating. In our Bibles, let’s read again John 20:31. This is the reason for John to write. He was there in person when it happened!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord Jesus, Help me to do that which You told Peter to do in today’s reading, “Feed My sheep,” and “Feed My lambs.” You know that I love You too. And help me, like John, to know my purpose in writing, speaking, and simply living the Gospel before others. May many more believe in You and have life in Your Name. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’m simply a student. I’m hoping to learn more about God. In the Hebrew language, the word “disciple” is “talmudim,” and is what a kindergarten child in Israel is called today. Before moving from the weekly telecasts, Crossroads and Circle Square for children, to the daily telecast, 100 Huntley Street, I was begging God for guidance. I remember the spot on Highway 400, north of Toronto, where I heard the Lord say my name. He said to me so clearly I could never deny it, “David, I love you!” “Yes Lord,” I said, “What about specific guidance?” Again He said, “David, I love you!” I was so overcome that I had to pull over to the side of the road and sit there for a long time. I realized that the assurance of His love was all I needed. I was simply to go ahead, share my decisions with the Board of Directors for their approval, and His love would keep me on track to do His will.
Yours for “Life in His Name!”
David
Good morning, Saints! Here is a re-post from yesterday for November: Wishing all a beautiful day full of God’s blessings!
NOVEMBER
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind
John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892)
American Quaker poet; written in 1872
“Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
Forgive our foolish ways!
Re-clothe us in our rightful mind,
In purer lives Thy service find,
In deeper reverence, praise.
In simple trust like theirs who heard
Beside the Syrian sea
The gracious calling of the Lord,
Let us, like them, without a word
Rise up and follow Thee.
O Sabbath rest by Galilee!
O calm of hills above,
Where Jesus knelt to share with Thee
The silence of eternity
Interpreted by love!
With that deep hush subduing all
Our words and works that drown
The tender whisper of Thy call,
As noiseless let Thy blessing fall
As fell Thy manna down.
Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace.
Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and Thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm.”
“Take hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands, and you will live.”
Proverbs 4:4b NIV
Andrea Bocelli – Amazing Grace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k421o8CKSac
Thanks,Beverlee.Now that is poetry and also a message or prayer.Beautiful song,one of my favorites and title of the wonderful book I just finished.
Here is a lesser known but great poet,singer “and preacher” as well as being a very humble guy.(He speaks some mornings now at the Revival In Belfast,PEI every May.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuhijtYVVHw
Yall be blessed
How lovely is that William, thank u. The words and visual are inspiring for sure. God’s abundant blessings upon you and all saints this snowy day in West Central Alberta.
Well, isn’t that amazing, Bill, because I was thinking of this singer (Robin Marks) the past few days, wanting to post one of his songs, and could not, for the life of me, remember his name to look him up on youtube. So, praise God for your post!! Amen!!!
Thank u Beverlee. Isn’t history amazing! So wonderful that we humans keep records of poems and writings of the past as well as artifacts, etc. Our bible is totally a Godsend.
Amazing Grace hymn is done so magnificently by Andrea Bocelli. Praying for plenty more souls to come to the cross daily.
thank you Beverlee for both the poem and song…Andrea Bocelli a miracle of God, blind and yet sings opera!! Yes, God is Amazing and wonderful!!
Beautiful music for a cold, damp, morning!
Amazing words go out and proclaim the Lord name tell people Jesus loves you. Tell the children. Tell your friends, neighbors. Jesus loves you. Shalom Dale
Amen Dale!
Love these two chapters in John and the commission of Jesus, “As the Father hath sent me, so send I you.” (20:21) and Jesus words to Peter, “Feed my sheep.”(21:16). As we all are commissioned to do in one way or another. Amen? Like your poem and song Beverlee. Damp but mild morning here. Thanks to David and his sons and daughter-in-love for continuing this blog. Blessings on you saints. Please keep me in prayer as still have discomfort of aching. Thanks.
Lord I pray for total healing, and pain relief fin Ger’s body, Jesus I pray this in Your Holy Name, Amen!
In agreement with Irene for your healing, comfort, and pain relief, sister Ger. God be with you.
I just finished reading Amazing Grace,the book,available through Crossroads.It is about the fantastic example(s) of one diminutive and sickly man,through faith,can achieve greatness.The authour of that same song,a former slave ship captain,was like a grandfather to him.I can’t say enough about Wilberforce or this book.
Some are living their purpose but I suspect,like me,most do not know what God has in store for us to do for Him.I am trying to wait patiently…abiding….Learning from this blog may be His current desire?Yall have a great day.
Would anyone know if this is referring to Judas?
The Beloved Disciple and His Book
20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”
22 Jesus said to him, “If I [n]will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?”
24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.
25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.
No, it is referring to John the brother of James! John who wrote the gospel of John.
Thanks so much Irene. I couldn’t remember reading where Judas had been forgiven. Confusing to have two prominent Johns in the Bible to me. God bless u Irene and praying for your total healing.
There is only John as Jesus disciple and he is the one that wrote the Gospel of John and speaks of himself as the one that Jesus loved” Lynda, hope that helps to clear things up:)
“it should read “only one John”
Just wanted people to understand how blessed we are to live here in Canada while serving our Lord and Saviour in relative peace in comparison. Praise the Lord for the internet:
Asia Bibi is a Pakistani wife and mother of five. She and her family were the only Christians in their village. Her fellow workers repeatedly urged her to convert to Islam.
In June 2009, she was harvesting berries with a group of other farmhands. She was asked to fetch water from a nearby well and stopped to drink with an old metal cup she found near the well. A Muslim neighbor angrily told her it was forbidden for a Christian to drink from a utensil used by Muslims. The woman condemned her faith and ridiculed her Lord.
Asia responded: “I believe in my religion and in Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for the sins of mankind. What did your Prophet Mohammed ever do to save mankind? And why should it be me that converts instead of you?”
Five days later, she and her family were beaten by a mob, then she was arrested for blasphemy. In November 2010, she was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging. She was put in solitary confinement while her husband appealed her conviction. Her family was threatened with death and forced to flee their village.
A Pakistani governor who supported her was assassinated; a government official who worked for her release was shot to death.
On Wednesday, the Pakistani Supreme Court acquitted Asia Bibi of blasphemy charges. However, protesters immediately took to the streets and the leaders of one Islamic group called for the judges to be killed. Roads, schools, and phone services were shut down in most parts of Pakistan today as protests continued across the country.
Until Bibi and her family can leave Pakistan, their safety is in jeopardy. As is the safety of Pakistan’s 2.5 million Christians.
Thank Lynda for sharing this incredible story!
Yes, we are praying to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ–King above Kings, Prince of Peace, Creator, Redeemer, Protector and Restorer. We pray for Him to take care of Asia Bibi and her family and deliver them safely home, away from the violence.
Have you ever noticed that saints who love Jesus are peaceful and wanting all to be well in the world. Followers of others, such as Allah and Muhammad, are hateful, angry, torturous and dangerous individuals set on murder and revenge.
Yes, many attributes of the devil.
Praise the Lord, Jesus is alive and lives in me; Praise His Holy Name!!
Isn’t there John the Baptist? And then just John the disciple?
Lord Jesus, be The Defender & Shield for Asia & family. Make a way where there is no way. Minister to them as only You can. May You be glorified in this situation. Amen
Amen Doreen
Stephen Colbert is a talk show host, he is a Christian! He speaks boldly about his faith! He taught Sunday School. the other night he had as his guests; Andre Bocelli and Andre’s son, they sang a beautiful song! It brought me to tears….
you could possibly Google it….so amazing, so beautiful……
please pray for healing for Janet & Sherrie; both have cancer, Sherrie has mortgaged everything to go to Mexico to get treatments, we pray God will heal them both them completely we praise and thank the Name of Jesus,,the Name above all other Names, amen