The Daily Dose

The Wind

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So, it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:8

You can’t see the wind, but you can sure see the effects of the wind.  Sometimes it is just a gentle movement of the grass or leaves, but other times it can be fierce and even violent pulling trees up by the roots or blowing my trash can into the neighbor’s yard.  Even though you cannot see what is actually moving the seen objects, you learn at a very young age that the wind is there and is pretty much always blowing to some degree.

In today’s reading, Jesus compared the Holy Spirit in your life to the way we cannot see the wind, but we see how it moves things in the natural world.  So it is with the Spirit.  We cannot see Him with our physical eyes, but we can see when the Spirit of God is moving in our circumstances by the way they are turned in a totally different direction than they were heading before we prayed for things to change.

Jesus was talking to Nicodemus, a Pharisee who came to Him to ask questions about the things he had heard and seen.  Jesus told Him that He had to be born again and that in order to be born of God you had to be born of His Spirit.  This is where the illustration of the wind comes in.  When a person is living life in the natural world the way they are taught by society; they are heading in a certain direction.  However, when the are born again of the Spirit of God, suddenly, their life is changed and heading in a different direction, God’s direction.  This is simply a picture to help us understand how the Spirit of God moves. 

Another way to look at it would be: When we are born into this world, we live life the way we are shown by others in the world around us, but we are all heading in the same direction away from God because of the sin that is at work in the world right now.  When we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, our life is turned by the Spirit to now be walking in a new direction toward God.  You cannot actually see it happening in the natural physical world, but you can see the effects of that decision in the way you are living life now.  Suddenly, you have purpose and suddenly you have a reason for the things you are accomplishing.  You are in a new family now, the family of God and even though you may look like the same person on the outside, things have changed on the inside below the surface that cannot by seen by the naked eye.

If you are reading this message today, I pray you have already experienced the change in your life that the Holy Spirit makes when you receive Jesus as your Lord personally, but if you do not know that love and have never experienced that change of direction, you can do it right now by praying and inviting Him into your life today.  He will come in and He will change the trajectory of your future and even if you look like the same person tomorrow, that wind of the Spirit will turn your heart in God’s direction, and you will see the effects of His love turn your life around!

Pray: _{God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new today.  I know Your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in the blood of Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to accomplish the things You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen}

Today’s scripture reading: John 3:1-21

1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 

2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 

7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 

8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”

10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 

11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 

12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 

13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. 

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 

15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 

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. 

17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 

19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 

20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 

21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

He knows what is in your heart

He had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man. John 2:25

While Jesus was in Jerusalem during the Passover feast time, many came to Him for healings and miracles.  There were also many that came because they wanted to see the signs and wonders that He did.  Because of what they saw with their own eyes, they believed in His name.  However, Jesus did not stay in Jerusalem after the Passover like He did in other towns that He ministered.  He didn’t trust that the people there were really there for salvation because He knew what was in their hearts. 

He knows what is in our hearts today too.  He know when we come to Him with requests if we are just there because we have a need or if we are coming to hang out with Him for a while simply because we love Him.  Of course, He is always there for us when we have needs and concerns, but much like a parent/child relationship in the natural, He desires to have a close relationship with us beyond a “to do” list.

It can be compared to having a child that is born into your home and you provide, feed and nurture them until they are old enough to take care of their own needs.  Hopefully by that time you have developed a close enough relationship with them that after your child moves and has their own family, they still keep in touch and come by to visit regularly.  Yes, you love it when the call you when they have a problem or need help with something. However, you also enjoy just if you child wants to go to lunch with your or celebrate events with you.  The point is, there comes a point in your relationship with your children that you become friends.

Jesus had His core crew with Him all the time and these were His students, they were His followers and they were His confidants.  He taught them things that He didn’t teach others, He took them places that no one else went with Him and He showed them things that were coming up in the ministry.  They were His closest friends and He knew what each one of them had in their hearts the same way He knows what is in our hearts today.

Today I want to encourage you to spend some time in worship.  Let you Father in heaven know how much you love Him and show Him your love in an act of praise.  Keep Him with you all day long in conversation and listen to the direction that He speaks to your heart as you go through your time together, but don’t come with your agenda in mind. Go to Him with love in your heart because He has already discerned what your real intentions are. Open up and be honest with Him today to the point that you know what is really in your heart too. Then your relationship with Him will be based on love and trust on both sides.

Today’s scripture reading: John 2:23-25

23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 

24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, 

25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.

Cleanse your Temple

When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. John 2:14

In today’s reading, Jesus went to the temple in Jerusalem at Passover.  When He got to the temple, He found that the priest had brought in outside venders to sell animals for sacrifices for their own prophet.  They had completely commercialized the process that God had put in place for the cleansing of sin.  Needless to say, Jesus set things straight and although He upset some seemingly important people, He determined to keep the temple from being tainted by those who were taking advantage of the people.

As I read this passage, I see a parallel to keeping our own temple clean still today.  As reborn children of God, our bodies have now become the temple of God.  He lives in us and through us.  When we receive Him, we invite Him in to be the Lord of our life and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  The problem with that is if we do not keep our guard up and continually offer ourselves up as a living sacrifice, the enemy and outside influences can creep in to defile our temple.  Distractions, other people and addictive habits can take the throne of our heart that was designed for our King to sit in.  It is vital for us to keep inventory of our thoughts, actions and words to ensure that we are keeping our temple clean.  When an extorter does get in, we need to become determined even to the point of violently chasing the evil out or our heart and our lives to offer it back up again to our Lord.

I understand this all too well from my own life experience.  Having received salvation at a young age and being closely watch over through my childhood, I didn’t fully grasp this concept of being responsible for keeping my temple clean.  I had a naïve view that because I was saved, I would not be in a position to be threatened by the enemy of my soul.  That could not have been further from the truth.  The fact is that because I did not keep my guard up, gradually habits and people creeped into my life that took over the place where my Savior should have occupied.  I let outside forces and people pull me in a direction far from home and then filled my temple with filth and bad habits.  Until one day, I came to myself and recognize my need to drive these things out of my life and purge out the things that were trying to destroy me.  Thank God for His goodness and grace that relentlessly chased me down and pulled me out of a deep pit, over and over again.  Now I am on guard and keep my temple clean from the outside media, distraction and temptation that would try to put the blinders back on me again.

Today I want to encourage you to keep your temple clean and free from the outside corruption that is trying to get in. Do an assessment of what is coming out of your mouth and life and if you see or hear anything that is contrary to God’s best, take time to investigate what the source is.  What are you allowing in that is coming out in your words or actions that needs to be adjusted.  Eliminate those threats and replace them with Worship, the Word and Prayer.  Fill your temple with the fullness of God’s love and goodness and when it is full of these things, there will be no room for the enemy to occupy.

Today’s scripture reading: John 2:13-25

13 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 

14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. 

15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. 

16 And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” 

17 Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.”

18 So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?”

19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

20 Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”

21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body. 

22 Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.

23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 

24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, 

25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.

He changes things

When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. John 2:9

I’ve seen Him change things.  Things in this natural world supernaturally changed by the hand of God.  I’ve seen Him change hearts, I’ve seen Him change lives and I’ve even seen diagnosis’ change.  In today’s reading, He changed water to wine.  This was a great miracle but doesn’t seem as important today as it was that day.  However, that great miracle was recorded so that we could hope and know today that He still does miracles and He still changes things.

In verse five of today’s reading, Jesus’ mother tells the servants to do whatever He told them to do.  These words continue to be true even today.  Whatever He says to do, when we follow those words, we will see our miracle and we will see our victory.  Whatever He says in His word about our situations and whatever His Spirit speaks to our heart over our circumstances.  When we take steps of faith in those directions, He is leading us to the answer we have been praying for and waiting for.

The miracle of the water turning to wine did not happen until the servants followed the direction of filling the water pots with water.  If they had not taken that step, there would have been no substance to their faith and no action to mix with their faith.  Even though they didn’t understand what was about to happen, the acted on His word and continued until the master of the feast confirmed that the water was now indeed wine.

I love this account because if occurred at a celebration and even though it was a critical moment for the family of the couple, if was certainly not a life or death situation.  Jesus answered the request for the wine simply because He was asked.

Today I want to encourage you in whatever you are facing and whatever you are up against.  He can change the circumstances, hurts or doctor’s report.  First you must go to Him and believe that He can make a difference.  Then you have to ask.  After you have talked to Him about the situation, take some time to listen inside your heart for a scripture or thought that the Holy Spirit is pointing you to.  Take some time to pray over that word or direction and begin to take small steps that way.  Ask the Lord to make His direction plain and clear to you and even though it may not make sense at the time, believe that He knows what He is doing and whatever He says to do, do it!

Today’s scripture reading: John 2:1-12

1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 

2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 

3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”

4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”

5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. 

7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 

8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. 

9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 

10 And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”

11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

12 After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.

Come and see

“And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”  John 1:46

Many of Jesus’ disciples were called personally by Jesus Himself, but some were brought to Him by the invitation of the other disciples.  Nathanael was invited to “come and see” by Philip and he came to know that Jesus was indeed the Son of God and followed him.

Philip looked for Nathanael one day to tell him that they had found the One they were waiting for.  To say Nathanael was skeptical would be an understatement.  You can hear in his response to Philip’s invitation the doubt and unbelief that was in his heart.  Philip was very wise in his answer to Nathanael’s lack of enthusiasm.  He didn’t try to convince him or argue with Nathanael based on what Philip had experienced himself, he simply said, “come and see for yourself.”  It wasn’t long at all before Nathanael was 100% convinced of Philips’ claims when he met Jesus personally.

This same approach can be used today when sharing your faith with others.  It can be intimidating to come right out and say, “Jesus is my Savior” or “I’m a Christian”.  Saying things like that can sometimes cause a person you are trying to lead to Jesus to shut down immediately.  Then they will not hear anything else you have to say after that.  However, if you have an approach like, “I know someone who has the answer to all your trouble” or “there is someone who can turn your struggles around.”  Then you may have the opportunity to get another sentence in about the things your Heavenly Father has done in your life.  When you get a resisting response, don’t take that as a rejection or not interested answer, simply invite them to “come and see for yourself.”  Give them the option to make that choice by giving them an invitation to come with you to church or a small group meeting or an event, then they can decide if He’s real or not firsthand.  Just like He did for Nathanael, He will show Himself to your invited friend in a way that will touch their heart and turn their life toward God.

Today there are opportunities all around us to invite people to a service, group or special event that your local church may be having.  Let those around you know there is hope and there is help for whatever they are facing today.  If the response is unbelieving, invite them to “come and see!”  Then leave it up to God to show up and introduce Himself to that person that has questions.  He will remove their doubts far from them.

Today’s scripture reading:  John 1:43-51

43 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” 

44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

46 And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”

48 Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”

49 Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 

51 And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Your part

The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.  John 1:37

I was feeling very inadequate the other day.  I had compared myself to a well-known author and thought, “What do I have to offer?”  I wanted to wallow in my self-pity for a while, but first, I asked God about it.  I know He said in His Word that it is not wise to compare ourselves with others (2 Cor. 10:12) but it seems like that is just a natural thing that we all do.  As I talked with Him about it, He showed me how all of us are unique and have been strategically placed to reach those around us.  He also said that the person I was measuring myself with would never reach the people that I reach out to.  No matter how big or great a ministry is, it still cannot reach everyone.

As I thought about it, I remembered Jesus’ ministry and how He called a couple of fishermen, but then they went and got others to follow Jesus with them.  In John 1:37, some of John’s disciples followed Jesus, but then Andrew went and got his brother Simon. Simon would not have known about Jesus if his brother would not have come and told him.   The point is that Jesus’ ministry may have never reached Simon if someone else wouldn’t have invited him to come along to meet Jesus.   

Don’t be intimidated by others that seemingly have a big ministry or high platform and don’t think they can do it all.  The fact is that we all have a ministry whether great or small, it doesn’t matter.  We need to reach the ones within our sphere of influence even if it is just by being a friend to them by inviting them to a service or group meeting.  

Today I want to encourage you to do your part of ministry.  We are all in this together and we all have a place to fill.  Reach out to others with the love of God and develop relationships with people who are lost and need a Savior.  Your love and friendship will prepare their hearts so when the timing is right, you will have an opportunity to invite them or introduce them to your Savior Jesus.  Recognize your part in bringing others to Jesus, just like the first disciples did and step into your purpose today.  Let those around you know you have found the Savior and invite them to come and see who He really is.

Today’s scripture reading:  John 1:35-42

35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. 

36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”

37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 

38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?”

39 He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).

40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 

41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). 

42 And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).

Get Rid of Guilt

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

Jesus came to take away sin.   That means that God, through the blood of Jesus, has completely done away with the power of sin and that you, as a born again believer, can live as if it never existed. Glory to God!  You can step out from under its shadow once and for all.  

Does that sound too good to be true?  Well, the first thing to understand is that stepping out from under sin’s shadow doesn’t guarantee you will never sin again.  You still might stumble sometimes and fall into sin, but you have a promise from God that is backed up by the precious blood of the Lamb of God that says when you confess that sin, He’s faithful and just to forgive you of it and cleanses you from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

You don’t have to live under the guilt and condemnation of that sin for even five seconds.  You can quickly repent and receive God’s forgiveness.  No matter how bad you feel about it, repent by faith and receive God’s cleansing.  He will make you clean from all unrighteousness.

Here is some more good news!  As soon as you confess and turn away from that sin, God removes it far from you . . . As if it never happened.  Psalms 103:12 says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”  God chooses to forget about your sins and never brings it up again.  Hebrews 8:12 says, “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”  

Today I want to encourage you to get rid of all the feelings of guilt in your life. Repent and step out by faith from under the shadow of sin into the mighty light of God’s forgiveness!  Let the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus free you from the chains that hold you back from the right relationship with God that Jesus died to give you.

Today’s scripture reading: John 1:29-34

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 

30 This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ 

31 I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.”

32 And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 

33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 

34 And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”

Word in the flesh

“And the Word (of God) became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 

Today I want to turn the focus on to Jesus being the “Word” of God.  This passage in John 1 is truly amazing.  It starts out in verse 1 saying in the very beginning of everything, there was the Word, and that Word was with God and that Word was God! (Word = God) I am thinking about “Word” and my conclusion so far is that there is no “word” without speaking.  Even if it is just one word, it cannot be a word until it is spoken or else it is just a thought.  So, as you read the scripture reading today, consider the word “speaking” every time you read “Word” or “Him”, since He is the Word.  This is opening up my understanding on speaking God’s Word.  It seems when we speak God’s Word, we are speaking God, or at a minimum speaking “God” language.  (Heavenese)

The passage also says that “All things were made by Him (the Word/speaking), and without Him (the Word/speaking) nothing was made or created.”  If you go back in Genesis 1 and read the creation account, you see that everything that God created, He spoke it into existence.  The scripture says, “And God said . . .” and then it was there.  “Then God said, “Let there be light; and there was light.” (Genesis 1:3)  It doesn’t say “and God thought let there be light.”  I’m sure He thought it, but nothing happened until He spoke.

So, consider that Jesus was God’s Word wrapped up in flesh and blood like us.  God’s very Word!  God’s breath became a man, just like one of us, in body form, to live among us, to show us how to live and live victoriously in this world.  Jesus said He only said what came from His Father, because He was His Father’s Word in the flesh.

I can’t seem to express this strongly enough or come up with the words big enough to stress the importance of speaking God’s Word.  Also, the privilege and power that God’s Words carry.  Yet, God gave us permission and wants us to speak them!  He created us to speak!  We are the only ones of His creations on earth that He gave this power and authority to.  Yet, how often do we abuse this great gift of speech?  Instead of speaking the words that God gave us, we speak the doubt and unbelief in agreement with God’s enemy.

I want to leave you with one final thought today:  “But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God/speaking the Word of God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 God’s Word is a creative force and when we speak them, we put ourselves in agreement with His power and His will.

Today, I want to encourage you to consider your words and how they affect your everyday life.  Are you speaking life (God’s Words) into every circumstance, situation, and problem?  If not, you can start today.  Listen to yourself talking.  If you hear any words that seem contrary to what Jesus would say, repent quickly and ask God for the right words to apply in that situation. One hint is, God’s Words are encouraging, uplifting, and bring freedom/peace to any given circumstance.  If you are not seeing those results, ask the Holy Spirit for the God Words to say, then speak the power of God’s Words to your “mountain” of circumstances. Line your life up with God and His plan today by speaking them out with His Words.

Today’s scripture reading:  John 1:14-28

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ ”

16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 

17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 

18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

19 Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”

20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”

21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”

22 Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?”

23 He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord,” ’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

24 Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees. 

25 And they asked him, saying, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

26 John answered them, saying, “I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know. 

27 It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.”

28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

There was a man sent

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.”   John 1:6

This passage is written about John the Baptist.  He was sent ahead of Jesus to prepare the way for Him.  As I read it, I consider that this is exactly what we all are sent to do.  It is our job description.  We are to prepare the way for the Lord to enter into the hearts and lives of those who are lost.  We do this in a variety of ways.  Sometimes it’s by inviting someone to church, or helping someone through a difficult time.  It could be simply sharing the love of God with someone or showing someone the way to salvation.  It doesn’t have to be complicated or dramatic.  John simply said, “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the LORD.” (John 1:23)

This passage in John says that he came as a witness of the Light that all through the Light would believe.  John wasn’t the Light, but his job was to lead people to the Light. That’s our job, too.  Jesus said, “we are the light of the world,” (Matthew 5:14) but our job as lights is to lead people to the true Light by shining in this dark world.  Our lives and example of love is our greatest display of His light.  As we live and walk in His light, others are drawn to that light because now they can find their way in the dark.

Today I want to encourage you to display the true Light in your life.  Be the witness and example that God has called you to be.  Don’t make it complicated or overbearing, develop relationships and trust with others so they want to get closer to the Light.  Be that witness that John was.  You can be the name in today’s verse. There was a person sent from God, whose name was (your name here.)  This is your job description and you are His witness so go ahead and prepare the way of the Lord to enter into the hearts of the lost ones around you.

Today’s scripture reading: John 1:6-13

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 

7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 

8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 

9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 

11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 

12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 

13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

The Word gives life

_{The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. John 1:4}

The Gospel of John.  Many people start reading the Bible here, in the book of John as new believers.  It is a good place to start, but it is also a deep place to start.  The very first words are: In the beginning was the WORD.  Of course, most of us know that the WORD is Jesus.  Because the very next verse says He was in the beginning with God.  He is Jesus, the Word, the Life and the truth.  However, we are getting ahead of ourselves.  Let’s go back to verse one.  John said that in the beginning of everything was the Word.  We know this is a person, or being because it is capitalized as a name. Plus, just a few verses down, John is going to tell us that the WORD became a body.  Then John says that the Word was not only with God, but the Word was God and that all things that exist were made by the WORD.  John goes on to tell us that in the WORD was life and that life was the light of men.  God’s Word is life and when we speak His Words, we are shining His light.

If that were not enough to make us stop and praise God, let’s take this a step further and consider the WORD.  In the beginning was the Word of God.  The Word of God is what created and made all things, including people.  When the Word made mankind, they were the only one of God’s created things that He gave the Word to. Therefore, we have the same creative power in us that was in the beginning to create all things.  Oh, I’m not saying we have it to that extent, of course. But, today more than ever, we have the Word of God at our fingertips and when we speak that Word, it has the potential for power because it is God’s very own Word, Jesus.

This is pretty deep for me, but we do see many examples of the creative power of Words throughout the scriptures, starting with the creation of all things.  When we look at the account in Genesis, we see that the Spirit of God was hovering, but nothing came into existence until Words were spoken.  God spoke the Word’s “Let there be” and there was.  I know what you are thinking, and you are right.  That was God and of course that worked for Him.  He is the creator!  But did you know that when He spoke the Words “Let us make man in our own image,” He was including the image of the creative power of Words in them.  In fact, He said “Let them have dominion over everything on the earth”.  They certainly didn’t do that with strength and power, they were given that authority in Words.

There are many other instances such as Abraham was called the “father of many nations” long before he even had Isaac. David rehearsed killing Goliath to king Saul before he slung a rock at him and hit him in the head. The woman with the issue of blood said: “If I can touch the hem of His garment, I will be made whole” before she ever got close to Him.  Even Jesus Himself said if you have faith, you can speak to a mountain and tell it to move, and it will be done.

Lastly, I want to consider the Word as the light.  When you speak the Word of God to others, you are speaking His light over them and into them.  God’s light of His Word can be deposited into others simply by speaking to and praying it over those you love and come into contact with each day.  You have the power with you to speak God’s Words to those around you and to yourself to change the trajectory of the direction you are heading right now.

Today I want to encourage you to speak God’s creative Words into the world around you.  Proverbs 18:21 says that death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruit.  Begin today to take in the fruit of speaking life Words that build yourself and other up.  Search out the scriptures and find the wisdom of God in them that will put pressure on the struggles you are are dealing with to turn them around for good.  I will warn you, you will be tested when the situations do not change instantly, but continue to speak that power of the Word of God over those conditions and I promise you things will turn around for good.  Take authority over your life’s struggles by stepping into the creative power of the Word of God and your life will never be the same again.

Today’s Scripture Reading: John 1:1-5

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

2 He was in the beginning with God. 

3 All things were made through Him, and without Him (the WORD) nothing was made that was made. 

4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 

5 And the light shined in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.