The Daily Dose

Your background

They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.” John 7:52

Where did you come from and what is your background?  Did you grow up in a wealthy home or was it average?  Were you brought up in a Christian family or did you know very little about God?  When you look back now, it doesn’t necessarily look like it has a lot to do with where you are in life at this point, but in reality, where you were born and how you were raised can be a determining factor in many of your life decisions and can define you as an adult if you let it.

In my case, I was raised in a Christian home.  Actually, my dad was a pastor, so I was in church three times a week for the first 18 years of my life.  God was very important in our home, and I learned at a young age to talk to Him and learn His Word.  However, after I turned 18, it didn’t take long at all for my reputation to change and when I moved away from the people in that small town I grew up in, there was very little evidence of God on the outside of me.  Then, people who knew me had no idea of where I had come from, and I didn’t talk about it much at all.

The verse today is about Jesus’ background and even though He lived a sinless life, He was judged by the area He was from.  The Pharisees thought they knew His kind because of where His ministry began.  They also knew what the scripture said about where the Messiah would be born.  Because Jesus was born in one place, but grew up in another, those religious minded people did not want to acknowledge Him as their Lord. 

His reputation as a Galilean was only one of the reasons, they used to discredit Him.  But when it came to the scriptures, it just didn’t matter what anyone else believed.  He was and is the Messiah and no matter what His reputation was with the chief priests, His relationship with God was what really mattered.

That is what is important for you today too.  Your relationship with your Father is the only thing that matters.  Sure, you want to be respected and live honestly and upright, but even if you fall short, your Father in heaven will be there to pick you up and get you back on track again.  Don’t let where you have come from or what you have done in the past define who you are, just be who your loving Father in heaven designed you to be.

Today’s scripture reading: John 7:45-52

45 Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not brought Him?”

46 The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!”

47 Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived? 

48 Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? 

49 But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.”

50 Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, 

51 “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?”

52 They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.”

53 And everyone went to his own house.

Division

So there was a division among the people because of Him. John 7: 43.

Have you ever wondered why there are so many denominations of churches in the world today?  Seriously, it is crazy that in America alone, there are over 30,000.  That is insane.  How is the body of Christ supposed to be a bride when she is in so many pieces.  It is like she has been broken and now she tries to be effective in the world operating out of all her broken pieces.

However, as sad as the picture of a broken bride is, division in God’s people is not a new concept.  Even before the foundation of the church there were divisions in God’s people.  In Jesus’ day, there were the priests, the Pharisees and the Sadducees.  There were also elders and scribes.  They all believed in the same God, but their doctrines were based on what the could understand and figure out, not on God’s Word, or at least not solely on His Word.

In today’s reading, the crowd of people were trying to figure out who Jesus was.  They knew a little of the scripture.  Enough to know that the Messiah was to be from Bethlehem.  They talked among themselves to try to understand and justify who He was.  Maybe a prophet or maybe the Christ?  The passage doesn’t say that they actually argued, but it does say there was a division which implies a disagreement.  Some took one side and others took another stance.  Even if they would have asked Jesus and He told them, they still would have had different ideas.  That is just the way that people are.

This is the reason it is so important to have a standard to align your life with.  That standard is the Word of God.  Today, we have access to God’s word on a continual basis. It is unlimited.  You would think that would be enough to bring God’s people into agreement, but sadly God’s word is often used to fit people instead of being used to change and grow His people.  There is another gift God has given the church today and that is the gift of the Holy Spirit.  As I mentioned yesterday, the Holy Spirit was not available to all of God’s people the way He is today.  He is truly a gift that has been given to the church and when we all yield completely to His leading, we will come together in agreement.  That is when the Bride of Christ will be blameless, and without spot or wrinkle.

Today I want to encourage you to look for points of agreement with others in the body of believers.  We do have some common ground and when we focus on that instead of correcting one another, we can begin to follow the leading of God’s spirit today in agreement.  We believe in the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all unrighteousness.  We believe that Jesus is the only way and door to the Father. (John 14:6) and we all believe that God love the world so much that He gave His One and only Son so that anyone who believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.  When you meet other Christians who may be of another denomination than yours, look for the common ground and celebrate God’s great love for the world.  As we begin to do this, the Holy Spirit will heal the broken pieces of Jesus’ bride and we will be whole and complete with nothing missing or broken.

Today’s scripture reading: John 7:40-44

40 Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” 

41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? 

42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” 

43 So there was a division among the people because of Him. 

44 Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.

Living Water?

It’s been a while, almost two weeks since I have written a fresh “Dose”. Thank you all for your patience and I hope today’s dose will be a blessing to you. I have been struggling a little bit with this passage, but mostly, I have been busy and not able to keep up with writing like a want to. Even this morning as I began to write, I had an idea how to start, but was not sure about the whole “living water” thing. I don’t know why I was making it so hard, but I realized after I wrote, it was because I had actually become thirsty myself. I commit today to filling up on His “living water” each day instead of just sipping it. I’m not sure yet what that looks like, but I do not want my life to become stale ever again.

“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38

There are many kinds of water.  There is fresh water, drinking water and spring water.  There is bottled water and tap water.  There is even smart water and skinny water.  We know that water is good for our bodies and the reason is because that is one of the ingredients that we are made up of.  In fact, most people have up to 60% in water weight if they are healthy.

In today’s reading, Jesus talks about “living water”.  In fact, He talks loudly about it.  I am sure that there was some interest because most people had probably never heard of living water before and tuned in to hear what it was.  Jesus wanted to let the people know that if they were thirsty for life, if they were feeling dry, stale and without hope, they could receive Him and be invigorated with new life and purpose.  They could live life to the fullest and be empowered to help others along the way.

Vs. 39 in this chapter explains that Jesus was talking about receiving the Holy Spirit that had not yet been given.  Up until that time, only the prophets and sometimes kings could hear from God through His Spirit.  Jesus was letting the people know that the Spirit of life was coming, and He would be available to all people so that they could live lives of purpose and meaning, not just existing here until they die.

What a great promise that carries on today to us.  We can drink of His living water every day by getting into His Word and spending time filling up with His power through prayer and meditating on the scripture.  God wants us to live victorious and intentional to complete our mission and to rescue the lost and perishing ones and we can do this with the help of the Spirit that He has deposited inside of His people for such a time as this.

Today I want to encourage you if you are feeling dry, thirsty and stale to get some “living water.”  Spend time with your Father of love and find out the mission He has for you today.  Take in His Words and drink them all day long in your meditations and keep His Spirit close all day long by checking in regularly to complete your assignment.  Let the Spirit of the Living God fill you up with His Living Water today and continue to drink there so that your life never becomes dry and stale again.

Today’s scripture reading: John 7:37-39

37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 

38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 

39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Don’t live in bondage

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Hebrews 2:14 & 15

Many times in the old testament, God intervened in the world by using angels, prophets, judges, kings even animals and weather.  However, these were mostly sent to bring messages or to get people out of trouble.  I wonder why God didn’t choose to get rid of sin by one of these methods or beings.  Even when God completely destroyed everything in the world except one family and the animals with water, sin’s dominion was not removed.   It was necessary for God Himself to come into the world as a person to take care of the sin problem because sin entered into the world through a man.  That is why a man’s blood had to be given to satisfy the requirement that God had already established to eliminate sin.

Now we know that sin was not eliminated in the world.  Obviously, sin is still here and running rampant.  But, when a person enters into the blood covenant with God through the blood of Jesus, they are no longer subject to the required payment and penalty for sin.  We have been set free and released from the hold that sin once had over our lives.

Today’s scripture says that Jesus destroyed the one (devil) who once had the power of death.  That means, Satan no longer has power, he has been defeated.  However, he still pretends that he does have power and is always trying to get it back through the same way he got it, through people.  It is up to each individual to stop following him back into bondage. 

This is the message that God has been trying to get to us since the beginning of time.  If we look at the examples of those who have gone before us, we can clearly see that living a sinful life leads to bondage and a deliverer has always been required to get us out.  God’s people were in slavery to the Egyptians, then He sent Moses to lead them out.  They were trapped in the wilderness, then Joshua led them out.  Over and over again, God’s people found themselves oppressed and needing a “savior” to get them out.  Finally, He came down to take care of this problem once and for all and became the flesh and blood Savior that would allow people to individually get free from sin’s grip. 

In Christ Jesus, we no longer need to be afraid of death or satisfying the requirement for our sin.  That has already been done by our Savior, Jesus.  Now He wants to lead each one of us into His promised land to live a life of peace, contentment and enjoyment by lining up with the kingdom of God’s ways.

Today I want to encourage you to enter into His rest.  Don’t be carried away with all the bad news of the world.  The world is still a sinful place and fear has a stronger hold than ever, but we are not subject to the bondage/hold of that fearful way.  We have a Savior and He wants us to be free and has made the way for us to live in that freedom.  Press into Him and receive His peace right in the middle of the turmoil of today.  By focusing on His love and His Word, you can purge out the fear of death in your own life personally.  Trust Him to get you through to the missions He has planned for you each day and don’t be afraid of failing.  He has a path right through the middle of the valley of death and will walk through it with you to success.

Today’s scripture reading: Hebrews 2:14-18

14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.

17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

He calls us brothers and sisters

For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying: “I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly, I will sing praise to You.”  Hebrews 2:11&12

Jesus isn’t ashamed, afraid or shy about calling us His family.  In fact, this passage actually says that we are His brothers and sisters.  This is an amazing revelation, not only are we brothers and sisters with all who have been born again into salvation through Jesus, we are also brothers and sisters to Jesus, personally.

Next comes the really amazing part . . . Jesus praises our Heavenly Father with us.  When we come together, in church, each week and sing praise and worship to God, Jesus does too.  Right along with us, in fact, He is the one that is offering our praise to our Father.  He is our go between.  Not only does He give our requests and prayers to God, but He also gives Him our praise, worship and thanksgiving!

Now, something I have never considered before, the passages say that Jesus is declaring God our Father’s name to us.  He goes to Father on our behalf, and He brings back His response to us on God’s behalf.  Through the Holy Spirit within us, we can know that God is not only hearing our praise, worship, prayers and request but we can also know that He is receiving and answering through Jesus our high priest and go between.

Today I want to encourage you to consider that Jesus is our brother in the family of God.  As children of the most high God, Jesus represents all of us to our Father, then He represents our Father back to us.  When you talk to God, consider that your brother Jesus is there interpreting for you.  When you worship God, Jesus is there getting the message through.  When God gives the answer, Jesus declares it back to us through the Spirit of God inside us.  Then the Spirit of God bears witness with Jesus and puts peace, love and joy in our heart, so we know we have the petition we have asked.

Today’s scripture reading:  Hebrews 2:10-13

10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,

12 saying: “I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly, I will sing praise to You.”

13 And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” And again:

“Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.”

 

A little while longer

Then Jesus said to them, “I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me. John 7:33

These are words we could be saying today: “We will be here just a little while longer.”  No matter what age you are, we are in this world for just a short time.  Even if we live out the full number of our day, it is likely that it will be under 100 years, then we will go to be with our Father in heaven.

In today’s reading, Jesus told the temple guards that came to arrest Him, that He would be with them a little while longer.  It was not time yet for Him to be taken in and put on the cross, so He just told them: “Not yet.”

As I get older and with each passing day, it feels like time is speeding up. While I know it isn’t the case, it is true that my life is heading for the finish line.  Each day I race through the course that I am on.  Somedays it is a slower pace than others, but overall, I know where and what my destination is.  I will end up with my Lord in heaven one day.  We all will, or at least all of us who know Him personally.

So here is the all-important question to ask today.  What will I say when I stand before Him and He looks at what I have done here in this world in this lifetime.  What will I talk about when I see Him face to face.  More importantly, what is He going to be interested in about my life.  Will He be asking me how much money I saved or what great deals I got when shopping?  Or will He ask me questions about how I helped others or how much I prayed for others.  The thing is, only two days really count for us.  They are that day . . . the day I stand before Him and today. That is, what am I doing today that will be seen or recognized on that day.

This thought really gives me a new perspective on my life.  It helps me to keep in mind that I am living today for a day in the future when I meet my Lord in heaven when I am done here.   This is actually good news and empowers me to know that I am living today for a reason, an eternal reason.  This is good news for you too.  You still have today.  Even if you have made no eternal impact with your life up to this point, you can start today.  You can begin to live your life on purpose, touching the people that go through it with you each and every day.  You can begin to prepare today for that day after you leave this world.  We are all going to have that day, whether knowing Him or not.  Don’t wait until it is too late to make it a good day.

Today I want to encourage you to recognize that your time has not yet come.  You still have time here in this world and although it seems to be going faster as you get older, you can still make each day here count for your eternity.  Start today to impact the world around you and be ready when you step from this life into the next.  You only get one chance today, don’t let it be a day of regret, make every word and action be as unto the Lord.

Today’s scripture reading: John 7:32-36

32 The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring these things concerning Him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take Him. 

33 Then Jesus said to them, “I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me. 

34 You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come.”

35 Then the Jews said among themselves, “Where does He intend to go that we shall not find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? 

36 What is this thing that He said, ‘You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come’?”

Crowned with Glory and Honor

You have made man a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor and set him over the works of Your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” Hebrews 2:7&8

This section of Hebrews 2 starts out by saying: God didn’t put the world we live in today in the hands of the angels.  It quotes a passage in Psalms 8 that talk about why God is interested in people.  It says even though God made people “lower” than angels, He actually crowned the first people (Adam and Eve) with glory and honor and gave them dominion over the created world.  It goes on to say in verse 9:  Now we don’t see the dominion that people once had, but we look to Jesus who became a man to suffer death, raise up and once again be crowned with glory and honor.  He, by God’s grace took on death for all people and then came back to give us all a life crowned with God’s glory and honor.

Oh, I know we do not have our glorified bodies that we will one day get, but we do have God’s love, grace and power on the inside of us through His Holy Spirit.  So once again, we cannot see by looking at people’s outward appearance, but on the inside and in Christ Jesus, we now have our dominion back.  We are children of God and as a child of the King, He backs us with all the grace, glory and honor of heaven.

Today I want to encourage you to receive His Glory and honor through Christ Jesus the Lord by praying this salvation prayer.  Jesus will come into your heart and into your life and will change you from the inside out.

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 me for my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new.  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. I also ask for Your Holy Spirit’s grace, glory and honor to guide me and to empower me to do the things that You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today’s scripture reading: Hebrews 2:5-9

5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels.

6 But one testified in a certain place, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You take care of him?

7 You have made him a little lower than the angels. You have crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the works of Your hands.

8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him.

9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

Has the time come?

Therefore, they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come.  John 7:30

I used to think God’s plan and will for my life would happen automatically.  However, now I realize that it is only accomplished on purpose.  I have to intentionally follow each day if I want to finish all that my Father is calling me to. God’s plan for each life does not happen in an instant, it is a daily purpose that you walk out in your lifetime.  Even though you will be living it today, it will happen over the course of your life.  The key is to be walking with Him day to day and following the direction that He puts in front of you and leads you through.

In today’s reading and previously in this chapter, Jesus said His time or hour had not come.  He was walking out the plan of God for His life daily, but the time for the fulfillment or finish of the plan was not yet.  He knew that no one would lay a hand on Him until just the right moment, but He also knew that He needed to stay away from certain people until His Father’s timing. I am not sure if He knew when the completion of His life in the world would be, but He did know how it would be at the finish. He just stayed close to His Father and followed the plan every day of His life. 

God has timing and hours planned into our life too.  If you find that you are in a place of waiting or even uncertainty, keep walking close to Him day by day until the waiting time is over.   Allow God’s Spirit to lead you into the goodness God has planned for your life at the precise moment of the plan.  Don’t become irritable or impatient when it doesn’t feel like things are moving forward.  Be faithful to do what you know to do today, and the doors will open at just the right time.  When they do open up, be sure to check in to make sure that the door was put there by your Father for you not the enemy to trap you.  God’s path will always lead to His goodness, so even if it doesn’t look like the right time or isn’t for you, follow Him through at just the right time and you will never miss out on His best plan for your life.

Today I want to encourage you to wait until your time has come.  Wait for the day and hour for your next steps and promotion to open up.  But be watching and ready for it so that when it does show up, you will not pass it by and miss all that your Father has planned for your life.  His plan and His purpose are good!  In fact, He has planned the best life you could ever want to live for you to walk out, but it is up to you to check in and stay close to not miss it.

Today’s scripture reading: John 7:25-31

25 Now some of them from Jerusalem said, “Is this not He whom they seek to kill? 

26 But look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ? 

27 However, we know where this Man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from.”

28 Then Jesus cried out, as He taught in the temple, saying, “You both know Me, and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. 

29 But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me.”

30 Therefore they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come. 

31 And many of the people believed in Him, and said, “When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?”

Give Glory to God

He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. John 7:18

Here is the way to always recognize the heart of any speaker, teacher or preacher.  Who are they seeking to glorify.  If you are listening to someone who talks about their own great accomplishments or why they are the person that you should believe and listen to, you can be pretty sure they are in it for their own glory.  If you are learning from someone who is talking about another person’s teachings or philosophies, they are probably singing the praises of that flawed person.  Ideally, we will be listening to and even learning from teachers like Jesus. Those who only want the attention to be on the goodness and love of God and His great plan.

Jesus had a ministry like that.  He only spoke what He heard from His Father and all of His teachings pointed to the One who had sent Him into the world.  He taught success principles and told stories about the way God created things to work.  He told people about the plan God had to send His Son into the world to pay the price and penalty for people who could never reach Him on their own.  He did signs and miracles and gave all the glory and recognition to God in heaven never claiming the praises for Himself.  Even when dying on the cross, He prayed for the people who were executing Him to be forgiven because they didn’t know what they were doing.

In today’s reading, Jesus did end up going to the feast, but He went in secret at first.  After a couple days, He went in to do some teaching.  He told the people that what He was teaching was not something He made up, but it came directly from the Father in heaven.  Then He told them they could believe Him because He wasn’t seeking to glorify Himself.   It is a good rule to follow when you are not sure who to believe or whom you should follow.  You are always safe to stick with God the Father.  He will never steer you wrong.

Today I want to encourage you to not seek your own glory.  When talking to others, don’t let the focus of your conversations be about your accomplishments and what you are doing.  Instead, talk about how great the Lord has been in your life.  What He has done and what He is doing in your world today.  If anything let people know that you have missed it but God has given you a life worth living despite your short comings.  Next, use this as a guide when following or learning from others. If their message is all about how great they are and what they have accomplished, guard your heart.  Make sure God is the One getting the glory and who gets the attention.  Our doctrine is not of ourselves and we are not to speak on our own authority.  Our message is about the One who came and saved us from the unrighteous state we were in.

Today’s scripture reading: John 7:10-24

10 But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. 

11 Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, “Where is He?” 

12 And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, “He is good”; others said, “No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.” 

13 However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.

14 Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. 

15 And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?”

16 Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. 

17 If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. 

18 He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. 

19 Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?”

20 The people answered and said, “You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?”

21 Jesus answered and said to them, “I did one work, and you all marvel. 

22 Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 

23 If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? 

24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

You don’t have to convince them

For even His brothers did not believe in Him. John 7:5

            Have you ever had someone not believe what you say?  Maybe a family member or friend?  A time when you had something important to say, but you just couldn’t get that person to understand or even listen.  There are many reasons why it can happen like, it’s just too good to be true or it is beyond realistic.  This can happen when you are trying to tell others about the love of God.  Some people think they have been too bad for God to love them or that God is too far away and not interested in them.  No matter how hard you try or what you say, they just don’t want to hear it.

            This often happened to Jesus.  Even though He was sinless, there were still people who didn’t believe His message and even though He did great signs and miracles, even His family doubted Him for a long time.  In today’s reading, Jesus’ family tried to get Him to go to Judea for the Feast of Tabernacles.  Jesus knew that the Jewish people there wanted to kill Him, so He knew it was not the right timing for Him to go.  His brothers tried to convince Him, but Jesus simply said: “My time has not yet come.”  The passage goes on to say that His brothers did not believe in Him.  Jesus knew what was in their hearts, but He didn’t try to convince them of Who He was.  He knew that the work of their heart was God’s work, and it was not His job to make people to believe.  He only did the will of His Father Who sent Him.

            We can learn from Jesus in this area.  It seems like when someone questions what we believe or something we have said about the good news of Jesus, we feel the need to convince others that we are right or that we know what we are talking about.  However, that is not our job, that is the work of the Holy Spirit drawing others to God’s love.  Our job is to share the message in love, answers legitimate questions and let it grow on the inside of a person. We can read later on that Jesus’ brothers did finally believe and followed Him, even to the death. Therefore, we can trust that God will bring our loved ones in at just the right time.

            Today I want to encourage you to share the message of the gospel with others, but in a loving and caring way.  If some do not believe or even ridicule, don’t argue or get angry, just let the Holy Spirit do the work in their heart.  You have planted a seed of God’s goodness and love in their heart, and the Holy Spirit will come along after and give a continuing watering.  Keep them in prayer and show up for them in love when they need a hand, but if they don’t believe, it is not for you to make them.  God will bring someone else along to help them understand and His timing will be perfect.

Today’s scripture reading: John 7:1-9

1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. 

2 Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. 

3 His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. 

4 For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” 

5 For even His brothers did not believe in Him.

6 Then Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. 

7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. 

8 You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come.” 

9 When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee.