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
Jesus and Nicodemus
( from Gospel of John, Chapter 3 )
Secretly following this man
Who was stirring this Nation
with incredible healings
and His talk of Salvation…
~
I was at odds with my brothers
( Pharisees all together )
and we desperately sought,
how this storm we could weather !
~
The crowds did not heed us
and gathered around Him;
This ‘prophet’ of Galilee
whose life was astounding
~
My life was in turmoil;
Law and reason had fled,
and my heart was now drawn
To this Rabbi instead.
~
Though this Council I ruled;
I stayed mostly quiet,
for my brothers were raging
and were almost in riot !
~
They’d wanted to seize Him
and my guidance did seek,
but I said, “Let’s not judge Him
till we all hear Him speak”
~
“Nicodemus, you’re just like Him,
are you from the same place ?
Do you grant Him permission
our Laws to replace? “
~
If only they knew that
in the dead of the night,
I’d sought out this Rabbi ..
My beliefs in full flight !
~
“I know that your signs
declare you’re from God.
Your feet with His Presence
and Peace have been shod !”
~
He looked at me gently
and said, “It’s from Men
we are born once in flesh
and must be Born Again “
~
“Most surely my friend
I’m declaring God’s Plan:
To enter His Kingdom
needs a birth NOT from Man.”
~
“The Spirit of God
brings birth from Above.
It’s wholly beyond
the designs of Man’s love”
~
“With new eyes you will see
and with new ears, you’ll hear,
the things of God’s Kingdom
as your heart then draws near.”
~
“I speak of the things
that the Father has shown.
..You’re a Teacher in Israel,
but know NOT God’s throne ! ”
~
“The Son came to Save;
NOT to bring Condemnation.
To win by His love;
Eternal Salvation “
~
“ The Light, it has come.
Forsake shadows and night !
Walk in Newness of Life,
And enjoy REAL birthright ! “
~
Indeed, I obeyed Him
And witnessed His death
on a cross for our sins:
He’d surrendered His breath.
~
Indeed, I obeyed Him
And witnessed His death
on a cross for our sins:
He’d surrendered His breath.
~
The last thing I could do
( and it wasn’t so brave )
was anoint His dead body
which we bore to the grave.
~
A disciple named Joseph
who owned a new tomb
lay Jesus within it
and we left in deep gloom.
~
Three days later, He rose up
Defeating Sin’s Blight
and brought to me memories
of that talk in the night.
~
Will you now join this family
who are bonded in Love
of our God, who can Birth
Us Again from Above ?
( Robin Stephen Aldrich, May 24, 2015 )
Wow! Powerful Robin!! Thank you so much for posting this. Amen!!!
Beautifully said!!
ye, Amen, Robin, thanks for sharing this with us
Wow! Very good, Robin. Amen!
Blessings today to all .
Thank you Nan.
Looking for His return & praying for family/friends and the harvest that is ripe & ready to be prepared. Looking up! Looking up. His blessings upon you all today. Amen
Amen
Amen Doreen
I never realized it was John the Baptist who said,
“He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true. For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”
Thank You, Lord, for Your Word. Thank You, Jesus, that You are the Bridegroom. And thank You for the bride. Help each one of Your people to be strong in You; to do the things that please and honour You. In Jesus’s great name, amen
And thank you, Robin, for the lovely poem!
Amen, Rob.
Amen Rob and Robin S. Aldrich!
Thanks for sharing that uplifting poem and
testimony. Praying that our Lord God’s Will be done
on earth as it is in heaven, in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen!
Yes, Amen Joyce, Amen
Amen, Rob.
Robin:,What a wonderful abs meaningful poem . Thank you.
Oops, Meant to say absolutely.
Amen Rob.
Amen!!!
Thank you, Rob
Enjoyed reading the scriptures and David’s comments.
Thinking of Beverlee, Donna, Ger, Irene and all others who need a special touch from the Lord today.
Blessings to all, Eleanor M.
Me too, Eleanor M. such promises in God’s word today.
Thank you Eleanor.
Thank you sister Eleanor for your prayers. God bless you.
Thank you Eleanor M. for your prayers and for your poem Robin and for all posts. God bless you!
Thank you Robin and Rob uplifting posts.
God bless and heal you all.