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
Amen, and Praise God in all Eternity!
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (3:16).
Whoever believes in him is not condemned…(18)… Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. (36) Amen!
Thanks for all the links, David. God bless you, your family, and all the saints, today! Let us worship Him as we proclaim He is our Risen Lord and King!
AMEN !!!
I have just returned from the 140th Session of the Ontario Diocesan Synod in Kingston with the theme “Called by Christ, sent to serve”.
Bishop Michael Oulton believes that John 3:16 can also be interpreted “God so loved the world that He SENT His only begotten …..”
He also challenged us all to know Christ and walk faithfully with him on our personal journey to serve. I hope you don’t mind me sharing what is on my heart this morning. .
Shalom,
Graham.
2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus.
PS The picture of Cana brought back wonderful memories of Ron’s worship service in the courtyard before we actually saw an earthen water/wine pot inside the Church.
Love the pic of Cana. Looked on the map to see where it is situated in the grand scheme of things and there doesn’t seem to be a lake or river near it. Wonder where their source of water is?
I love when people make very-biased CBC look wrong…especially Jesus.
Blessings believers.
Had the most emotional and incredible experience at church, with the Pastor and saints from the congregation gathered around and praying over me, at the altar, for my upcoming surgery on Thursday. The power of the Holy Spirit ever present and a sense of comfort peace and healing that took over was indescribable. There is nothing more powerful than to feel God’s love and almighty touch. For perfect love casts out fear. Amen.
Amen!
Lord God be with Beverlee Kay and all those involved with her surgery. Bless all the surgery, may it go very well and that recovery will be swift and this child of God can go on living and praising the Lord each and every day. All praises and thanks go to God the Father, the Son and to the Holy Spirit. for ever and ever AMEN!!
Amen! Still glorying in the wonderful sense of God’s presence at my niece’s wedding yesterday in Fredericton. It is so great when you see God bring two believers together like this and everyone rejoicing together with them at the event. God is good and it is a good testimony to other young people who are not serving God and are choosing their own way of uniting together. Will be praying for you Beverlee on Thursday that God will be with you and your operation will be a great success. In the precious name of Jesus! Amen. Thank you for your continual faithfulness and love of the Word, David. Blessings to all!
yes, “Come Lord Jesus”…”The Spirit and the Bride say, Come”
Thanks for your daily blog, David. I joined in Genesis and it really helped me be consistent in reading God’s Word. I’m a day behind, however, and just read John 2-3 this morning.
I’m making my own notes in a Word document as I go along.
By the way, it was John the Baptist who spoke the words in John 3/36, not Jesus. I had never realized that, and made a comment in my notes, and then read your blog.