It has been a while since I have felt led to blog. I only want to blog when I feel that the Lord has given me something to blog about. I don’t want to get ahead of him and I don’t want to do it for my own glory, but for His. I was honestly getting discouraged because I haven’t felt like He has given me anything to share with y’all. He has been doing so much in me and I have wanted to share this transformation, but the timing still isn’t right. Six weeks ago I started a Bible study with a group of ladies via email on the book of John. Yesterday as I was writing to them about what He was teaching me for that day, I FINALLY knew what I was supposed to blog about. I am supposed to share with you what He has been teaching me daily through this study. I will go back to March 26 and post everything He has taught me thus far. I hope that the Father uses these words to speak truth to you and encourage you. It will be lengthy to read at first since I am getting you caught up, but read when you have time. 🙂 Be blessed!!
March 26, 2012
John 1:3-4 “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
What the Lord is reminding me is that He made EVERYTHING…every person, every animal, every tree, every flower…everything!! And that He is LIFE and LIGHT…and as His children, we are also full of His life and His light so we can share it with others.
He is just showing me that He is in control of everything because He made everything…without Him, there would be nothing! And it is so important that I really draw close to Him and trust Him and let His life and light shine through me so others that “He made” will be drawn to Him!
March 27, 2012
John 1: 41-41 “The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother, Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.
I loved that the FIRST thing that Andrew did after he learned who Jesus was, was to FIND and TELL and BRING his brother to Christ.
That is what we ALL should be doing! We KNOW who Christ is, we KNOW He is the Messiah, Our Savior, and we need to be FINDING those that are lost and TELLING and BRINGING them to Jesus so they can know Him too!
March 30, 2012
John 3:27-30 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. He must increase, but I must decrease.
The Lord is reminding me that I can receive NOTHING unless it has been given to me from Him! That He is the One that gives, and He is also the One that can take away. But as a believer, I am also His friend and I rejoice greatly when He speaks to me and I hear His voice so clearly! I must continually remember to surrender myself…my wishes, my desires, my wants, my “needs” – to let myself “decrease” so that He can increase. So that He can fill me up with His ways, His desires, His wants and His needs for my life. Not so that I can be “happy” and take credit for it, but so He can use me to teach others to do the same.
April 2, 2012
John 4:23-26 But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. The woman *said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.” Jesus *said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”
I love this reminder that as TRUE worshipers we must worship in spirit AND truth because God is spirit! So I asked the Lord, “What exactly does it mean to worship in the spirit?” The greek word for spirit is pneuma, which means a current of air, breath, blast or a breeze; the Holy Spirit. So we are to connect with the Holy Spirit within us when we are worshiping our Lord. Allow the spirit to move as if air through our bodies. I feel like so often we stifle the spirit in our times of worship for fear of what others may think of how we are praising our Lord. But the Holy Spirit is like a BLAST of air. A BLAST! How can you contain that?? I don’t think you could really contain that if you’re truly surrendered to Christ and you make worship ALL about who it’s supposed to be about…Him. The word picture I’m getting is a hurricane and how powerful they can be and I think that the Lord is wanting us to surrender to Him in worship & let THAT kind of power flow through us so that He gets all the glory! He brought to remembrance the song, “How He Loves Us”. If you haven’t heard that song before, or it’s been a while, I would recommend you listen to it and worship the Lord in spirit and in truth! I know that’s what I’m going to do. 🙂
April 3, 2012
John 4:39-42 From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.” So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. Many more believed because of His word; and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.”
*I think it is so cool how God uses us to draw people to him, but then as they really come to KNOW Him personally and intimately for themselves, it is no longer because of what YOU told them, but only because of what Jesus Himself revealed to them. As they said above to the woman, “It is no longer because of what YOU said that we believe, for we have heard OURSELVES and KNOW that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.” So we can NEVER take credit for ourselves! God gives us the opportunity to speak His truth to others, but it is ALWAYS Him that truly reveals Himself to them!
John 4:50 Jesus replied, “You may go. Your son will live. The man took Jesus at his word and departed.
That is EXACTLY the kind of faith that God is calling each of us to have! When we call out to him and beg him for answers and direction on what to do and He tells the answer…we are to TAKE HIM AT HIS WORD! He is not man who would lie, when Jesus says, “You have nothing to worry about”, don’t doubt and don’t be fearful, just DEPART (to leave, to change or vary from a pattern).
April 4, 2012
John 5:5-9 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.
I just think it is so crazy that the FIRST question that Jesus asked the invalid man was, “Do you want to get well?” It seems so silly to me because you would think that is an obvious answer…OF COURSE he wants to get well, he has been an invalid for THIRTY-EIGHT YEARS! But what is even crazier is the man’s response! He doesn’t say, “YES I want to be healed, he basically BLAMES his condition on others! Saying, “Well, I try but NO ONE else helps me and others always get there before me.”
But the Lord showed me, “How often are we in the EXACT same place?” How often does He give us the answer or show us the way and we say, “Yea, BUT…if only SOMEONE else would help me.” He is your help!! And just like He told the man to get up and take his mat and walk – and the man was healed at ONCE – He will do the same for me and you! I really think He is just waiting for you to stop depending on others for your help and KNOW that He is the ONLY ONE that can help you. But what I also love is that even though the man was blaming others for not being able to get to the water, Jesus still healed him. So I think there are times He allows us to depend on others for direction and guidance, but ultimately He wants us standing on our own 2 feet and just seeking Him for the “healing.”
April 5, 2012
John 5:39-40 You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
This is such a reminder that when you study the Scriptures, you must always remember who those Scriptures testify about. So often people can read the Scriptures and study the Scriptures in hopes of gaining eternal life or just more head knowledge, may it never be so with any of us. God didn’t give us the Written Word so that we can be “smarter” or we can be more “religious”, but so that we can come to know Him personally and intimately. As you get in the Word and learn more about Jesus, I pray that it would come alive to you and that you won’t just be gaining more head knowledge in hopes of possessing eternal life, but that you would diligently study the Scriptures with a heart that is seeking to know the Lord more because that is Who it is ALL about. And that is the ONLY way you will possess eternal life.
April 9, 2012
John 6:35-40 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”
*Jesus is the bread of life and if you truly rest in Him it is true that you will NEVER lack anything! But even like it was hard for them to believe back then, even though they actually SAW Jesus, people still seem to really struggle to KNOW Him today. A lot of people will “follow” after Him or go to church, but why are they really going? Is it to “see” Jesus or is it to KNOW Jesus? I challenge each of You to really get serious about your relationship with God. Why do you go to church? Is it to get more head knowledge? To feel better about yourself? A way to entertain the children? A thing to check off your weekly “to do” list? What about your quiet time? Do you actually spend time listening to Your Father or do you just rush through so you can say you did it?
The only reason I am challenging you to ask yourselves these questions is because I see so many people, that say they KNOW Jesus, struggling – depressed – defeated – confused – worried. If you are totally surrendering yourselves to Him EVERY SINGLE DAY, you should be filled with the fruits of the spirit – even in the midst of the battle. Am I saying that everyday will be easy – NO! But I am saying, instead of so much depression and worry, there should be joy & peace. When you get in His Word – the bread of life – it should come alive to you and change you completely! I have honestly just in the last 1 ½ weeks totally surrendered myself to Jesus Christ. He has rocked my world and I will NEVER be the same again. And I KNOW He can do the same for each and every single one of you – so just surrender and fall in love with your Savior and NEVER be the same again. As He says, “”I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.”
April 10, 2012
John 6:41-45 Therefore the Jews were grumbling about Him, because He said, “I am the bread that came down out of heaven.” They were saying, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does He now say, ‘I have come down out of heaven’?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.
*Isn’t this just like us? We are always questioning and grumbling and complaining about what Jesus says! If we don’t like WHAT He is teaching, then we question the teaching…thereby, questioning the TEACHER. But He makes it VERY clear that we will be TAUGHT by God and that God is the One that does the drawing unto Himself. No matter what the “biblical” dispute is, it is God that will teach You the truths on the matter, as long as You are seeking after Him. As long as you put your “wants” and “needs” aside and focus on what He is teaching You. Allow Him to draw you to Himself and be shown what He wants to show you.
April 13, 2012
John 7:47-49 The Pharisees then answered them, “You have not also been led astray, have you? No one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he? But this crowd which does not know the Law is accursed.”
*I find this interesting that the Pharisees, who were the “Know it Alls” when it came to knowing the Law and what was going to happen. They believed they knew how the Savior would come, where He would come from and they were so caught up in the law and rules, that they totally missed the Christ! They even said that the people that were following after Jesus were basically deceived because they didn’t know the law.
This was such a great reminder to me that just because someone has a lot of head knowledge & knows the “law”, doesn’t mean they know the Christ! So be very careful what you listen to, what you believe, and who you follow after…make sure it is the Lord Jesus Christ!
April 17, 2012
John 8:14-19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone. But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me. Even in your law it has been written that the testimony of two men is true. I am He who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me.” So they were saying to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.”
*It amazes me that all through John 8 so far the religious leaders are constantly questioning Jesus and where He came from and who sent Him and He continually tells them the truth, but they never believe Him. He was fully man walking on this earth and speaking to the “religious” men, the “law” followers of His day and they didn’t even WANT to see the truth. They were judgmental of Him in their flesh, but Jesus reminds them that He didn’t come to judge, but if He does judge, He has a right to judge because He was listening to His Father. He also constantly uses their own laws against how they are behaving and still, they do not believe. They were so caught up in “being right” that they didn’t even know the One to whom was speaking to them. I pray it is never so with us…that instead of “being right”, we would just seek the One who knows all things. That we would always know that by knowing Jesus, we also know the Father!
April 23, 2012
John 10:14-16 I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.
*I love this reminder from our Father that He knows His “sheep” or children and they know Him! We know Him because we follow after Him and we know His voice. How do we know His voice above the voice of others? Because we spend time with Him. We worship Him. We get in His Word and see what He has to say and let Him lead us forward to make the right decisions and point us in the right direction. I also like how this reminds us that at that time He was speaking to them that it wouldn’t just be the Jews that would know Him. He was drawing others to Him as well, that weren’t of that sheep fold, but His nonetheless. And that we would all become ONE with Him – we won’t be divided or separate, but we will worship Him together. This just makes me think in current terms – there may be Baptists, Catholics, Pentecostals, etc. but as His children we all belong to Him and none of those “distinctions” really matter. We are to love Him and follow Him and be one with Him. I think in today’s society we can get so caught up in what “religion” is right, that we completely miss the point. It isn’t about who is “right”, it is about who is following Christ – who is hearing His voice. So let’s all make it a point to not follow after a religion or denomination, but follow after our Shepherds voice.
April 24, 2012
John 10:24-26 The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep.
*These verses just amaze me because Jesus kept telling the Jews over and over again who He was, and they kept making it seem like he was “keeping them in suspense.” They kept saying, “Tell us plainly.” And Jesus is like, “I HAVE!” It just reminds me that we can be the same way. He will keep telling us something and we keep asking Him to be more clear about what He is saying, that we don’t know His will. And He tells us over and over again, “I have told You…now believe.” “Now do it.” But I think to often we don’t like what He has to say, so instead of believing Him, we ask for more “signs”, more “miracles”, a clearer “direction.” We say the same things the Pharisees did, “Stop keeping us in suspense and just tell us plainly.” And He is giving us the same answer, “I HAVE told you, but You don’t believe.” So I say we start taking Jesus at His Word…when he tells us something, let’s not question it, but just do what He says.
April 25, 2012
John 11:9-10 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”
*I have to admit that these verses really stuck out to me, but I wasn’t sure why. I find it interesting that Jesus says if anyone walks in the day he doesn’t stumble because he sees the light OF this world, but if you walk at night, you stumble because the light is not IN you. Logically I want to just be like, “Of course it makes more sense to walk in the daylight because there isn’t light at night, but that isn’t what He is saying or trying to teach. He wants them to see that there is a light that is IN a man, that has nothing to do with this world.
So like I said, I had really no idea why these verses stuck out to me, but I word searched the word LIGHT and in Psalms found these verses:
Psalm 104:2 The LORD wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent
Psalm 112:4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
So I believe what the Lord is teaching us is that He is our LIGHT! And whether we walk in the day or night the “LIGHT”, JESUS is ALWAYS with us. I love how Psalm 112:4 says that even in darkness that LIGHT dawns for the upright. What a great reminder to all of us that are going through trials right now that even though it seems “dark” and it’s “hard”, even in the midst of the trial that Jesus is our LIGHT and He is guiding us every step of the way. So don’t focus on this world or the “light” it offers. Focus on the LIGHT that is in you!
April 27, 2012
John 11:41-42 So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.”
*I just love how often Jesus did things just for the sake of those that were watching and listening. He knew that His Father was ALWAYS with Him and was ALWAYS speaking to Him and was ALWAYS answering His prayers, but He made it point to let the people know who He was speaking to, not for His benefit, but for theirs! He said and did things so that they would BELIEVE in the One who sent Him. And I know that is our mission and purpose in life as well. We are constantly supposed to be saying and doing things that point others to our Father – not away from Him. Just like people were constantly watching and listening to Jesus, people are constantly watching and listening to what you say and how you act. And as followers of Christ, we are to live in such a way that there will be NO mistaking who our Father is!
It’s been crazy to me how often the Lord has been taking me to “end time” scriptures lately. All about how the world will be, about false prophets and being aware of the TRUTH. He is telling us, warning us, to be on guard. Guard your hearts and your minds. Stay in the Word and in fellowship with like-minded believers. People are easily being led astray today, they are believing the lies of the enemy and seeking after their own selfish desires and “needs”, instead of dying to self DAILY and picking up their crosses. As I myself walk through a very dark season in life, I am learning that being a Christ follower is very difficult at times. It’s not all sunshine and roses. It is all about DAILY surrendering to Him and trusting Him and knowing that He will NEVER leave me or forsake me. And even though this time is difficult, I know He is my light and that I will come out on the other side knowing Him more and being more like Him. So to me, no matter what He asks me to go through, I will walk with Him and trust Him with the outcome. I pray each of you do the same in whatever season He has you in. Grow in the trials – don’t throw pity parties (even though I often want to). Not only is He going to change you through your trials, others are watching and He can use ALL things for His glory. So in the midst of the storm…smile and praise God because He is worthy of all of our praise and honor!
April 30, 2012
John 12:10-11 But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus.
John 12:19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are not doing any good; look, the world has gone after Him.”
*These verses just make me sad! The chief priests and Pharisees, the “religious” leaders of that time, were so scared about people following Jesus instead of them (basically), that they were wanting to kill not only Jesus, but Lazarus – just because he was a miracle that Jesus performed! They were so caught up in what they “believed” that they weren’t even willing to see WHO Jesus really was, but they were constantly fighting against Him. I honestly think most of their actions were done out of pure pride because they wanted followers – it really had nothing to even do with religion. They liked the people thinking they were so good, such good rule followers and they wanted all the “pats on the back.”
I can sit here and read that and be like, “How dare they!” But how many times are we just like that? How many times do want people to just think we are good and following all the rules, but deep down inside we aren’t really following Jesus? We are following after a list of do’s and don’ts instead of Jesus. I know I have been guilty of it. When I first became a believer, I thought that is what it was all about…I should do this, I shouldn’t do that. And to be honest – I was miserable! I was trying in my own power to do things “right” and be “good”, but I had NO idea why. Then I kept failing miserably and would want to feel “bad” because I had done “wrong”, but I didn’t. It wasn’t until I got in the Word myself and learned why Jesus said to do certain things and not to do others – it wasn’t to keep me from having “fun”, but it was to protect me from the consequences of those sins.
So I just challenge each of you to not just follow religious leaders, even if they are great men of God, but to get in the Word yourself and see what Jesus is teaching you! To know why you believe the things you do and to truly get to know your Savior. You need to know Him personally and intimately because you never know when a “pharisee” or “chief priest” might come along and try to persuade you that Jesus isn’t really Someone you should follow. Know what you believe and why you believe it and stand on the Word of God!
May 1, 2012
John 12:27-28 “Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”
*As I have stated in previous emails, right now I am in the midst of a pretty intense battle…so it is no wonder these verses would really stand out to me. Like Jesus’ heart was troubled, mine is too. But also like Jesus, should I ask God to save me from this hour, from this trial? NO! As hard as this season may be, as much as I would LOVE to be out of this valley, I do not want to rush it – I want to learn what He is teaching me, I want to grow closer to Him, I want those around me to learn what He is teaching them and for them to grow closer to Him as well. I want my Father to be GLORIFIED! Because it is ALL about Him! There are so many days when I really struggle, when I beg him to “let this cup pass from me”, but at the same time I know that He is working in me and in those around me and that is what makes me push through and say, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” If this is what it takes for me to be transformed – so be it! If this is what it takes to save others -so be it! Use me Father – bring Yourself glory! On those days when I focus on Him and take myself out of the equation – those days I am at peace. When I remember that it is NOT ABOUT ME and I DON’T HAVE TO BE RIGHT – those are the successful days, those are the days that my God can really use me. Those are the days I want to have EVERY day!
I know several of you are also going through very difficult times as well. Whether it is your finances, your health, your marriage…whatever it is, I just pray that you would each remember that it isn’t about you and you don’t have to be right! That you just need to surrender your will to Jesus and bring your Father glory! Don’t focus on the circumstances or the problems, focus on Jesus and open your eyes and ears and heart to what He is teaching you and showing you and others during this time. There is always a reason for everything you go through and we should ALWAYS strive to bring our Father glory!
May 2, 2012
John 13:1 Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
John 13:5-9 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well.”
*This starts out by saying that Jesus loved those who were in the world and He was going to show them the full extent of His love towards them. How? By washing their feet. By serving them. By humbling Himself, even though He was their Lord, their Master, their Teacher, He was going to become like a servant and show them how much He loved them. Simon Peters response to the idea of Jesus washing his feet shows how significant this act was. It was like he was saying, “No Jesus you are everything to us, we should be washing Your feet, You should not be washing ours, it isn’t right. We need to serve You, not the other way around.” But Jesus was teaching them with this symbolic act – that they are to serve others and that by serving others it is showing GREAT love.
I remember the first time I ever read this scripture I honestly cringed. If you know me, you know that I am NOT a feet person. I hate feet. I mean I don’t mind my own, I don’t mind looking at them, but DO NOT touch me with your feet or get them anywhere near me. That was not okay. So when I read this, and Jesus was saying to wash others’ feet shows them that you love them, I was like, “I am never going to be able to do this!” I later came to realize that this didn’t mean I would have to go around washing peoples’ feet to show them that I loved them. (Thank the good Lord! 😉 Jesus was teaching us that we are to humble ourselves and serve people. In that time, washing feet was a very humbling act of service because the people walked everywhere and their feet got dirty and needed to be cleaned. Today there are many ways to humble ourselves and serve others and that is what He is teaching here.
But I will tell you, last year my husband and I had the opportunity to go to Outback (if you’ve never been, you have to go). Anyway, one of the activities they had us to do wash our spouses feet. They used these same scriptures and said the way you show love for others, what will make you happy, is to serve others. And what greater way than washing someones’ feet. I started to cringe again at even thinking about doing this act. But the time came when I got to wash my husbands feet, ask for forgiveness from him for ways that I had wronged him, pray over him and he got to do the same for me. It was a very humbling act. It was a very honoring act. It was an act that brought a lot of healing and hope. It was an act that taught me that feet weren’t really that bad after all. 🙂
transformednotconformed 