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The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 15:26 (NLT)
²⁶ The LORD detests evil plans, but he delights in pure words.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 118:6 (NLT)
⁶ The LORD is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?

Psalm 118:8 (NLT)
⁸ It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in people.

The Word of God for encouragement:

John 12:9-11 (NLT)
⁹ When all the people heard of Jesus’ arrival, they flocked to see him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead.
¹⁰ Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too,
¹¹ for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus.

My observation:

Every day is a good day to lift up and exalt the name of Jesus.

Psalm 118:24 (NLT)
²⁴ This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I delight in you, and my prayer is that you will be able to delight in me.

Father God, I rejoice because today is a day that you have made. However, I am ecstatic that you sent Jesus, and he remade me so that you are able to delight in me because of Jesus living in me. O the pure delight and joy of those who have believed in Jesus. Hallelujah!

My song:

Since Jesus Came Into My Heart (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://biblestudycharts.com/SH_Since_Jesus_Came_into_My_Heart.html

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 15:20-21 (NLT)
²⁰ Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother.
²¹ Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 116:1-9 (NLT)
¹ I love the LORD because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy.
² Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!
³ Death wrapped its ropes around me; the terrors of the grave overtook me. I saw only trouble and sorrow.
⁴ Then I called on the name of the LORD: “Please, LORD, save me!”
⁵ How kind the LORD is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours!
⁶ The LORD protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and he saved me.
⁷ Let my soul be at rest again, for the LORD has been good to me.
⁸ He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
⁹ And so I walk in the LORD’s presence as I live here on earth!

The Word of God for encouragement:

John 10:24 (ESV)
²⁴ So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

John 10:30 (ESV)
³⁰ I and the Father are one.”

My observation:

What a wonderful way to close out this week, and to conclude the visit with my family in Alaska. Today I selected the passage from the Psalm to comment on. The Lord did something great and gracious for the psalmist, and for this he was grateful. Isn’t God good? Yes, all the time God is good.

Psalm 116:5 (ESV)
⁵ Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful.

The psalmist asked a pertinent question. It is one that we should consider, and respond to in the manner that the psalmist did.

Psalm 116:12 (ESV)
¹² What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me?

Psalm 116:17 (ESV)
¹⁷ I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.

The psalmist response was not only pleasing to God, which is of first importance; It was also good for his soul. It is a good thing to be thankful, and to give praise to the Lord. It is true that God inhabits the praises of his people. Also, singing God’s praise will bring you into the presence of God. There is healing power in praise. It is medicine without negative side effects.

Proverbs 17:22 (ESV)
²² A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, when I think about all that you have done for me, I can’t help but give thanks to the LORD.

Father God, I thank you and I praise you for being so gracious and so good to me. I shudder to think of where I would be without the LORD in my life. I thank you Jesus for being my light and my salvation.

Lord, I thank you for hearing and answering my prayers for help, healing, and for being my hope for today and all of my tomorrows. Amen.

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 15:18 (NLT)
¹⁸ A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 115:1 (NLT)
¹ Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness.

The Word of God for encouragement:

John 10:1-6 (ESV)
¹ “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber.
² But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
³ To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
⁴ When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.
⁵ A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
⁶ This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

My observation:

A song comes to mind as I read today’s passage from the gospel of John. It is the song, “He Leadeth Me, O Blessed Thought”. The Lord is a good leader, and we see that in the verse I have selected to comment on today.

John 10:4 (ESV)
⁴ When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

I notice three things about Jesus in this verse:

1.       He goes before the sheep.

2.       The sheep follow him.

3.       Jesus speaks to the sheep.

Who wouldn’t follow a leader like Jesus, and who wouldn’t listen to his voice. Today He speaks to us through His word. Are you listening daily for His voice?

Psalm 23:3 (ESV)
³ He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that you are a God who values so much the people you have made with your own hands.

Father God, I am so grateful that you do not breakdown the door of our hearts to enter, but that you enter in the right way.

John 10:2-3 (HCSB)
² The one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
³ The doorkeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

Father, I am so thankful that Jesus is the Great Shepherd, and I am delighted to be a Christ follower. Lord Jesus, speak into my heart; your servant is listening. Amen.

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 15:15 (NLT)
¹⁵ For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 113:1-3 (NLT)
¹ Praise the LORD! Yes, give praise, O servants of the LORD. Praise the name of the LORD!
² Blessed be the name of the LORD now and forever.
³ Everywhere—from east to west— praise the name of the LORD.

The Word of God for encouragement:

John 9:1-4 (NLT)
¹ As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.
² “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?”
³ “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.
⁴ We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.

My observation:

Jesus used the occasion of the healing of the blind man to teach his disciples then and us today a most profound lesson about His purpose and our purpose.

This is the choice verse that spoke into my heart.

John 9:4 (NLT)
⁴ We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.

The first word, “We”, indicates that what is to follow includes you and me. Jesus was on a mission; God sent him into the world for a purpose.  We also have a divine purpose.

John 4:34 (NLT)
³⁴ Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.

John 20:21 (NLT)
²¹ Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”

Our mission is an important mission. Notice that Jesus used the word “Must” to describe the God assigned work. Also, notice the mission is time limited; “The night is coming, and then no one can work”.

The work for Jesus was compelling, and so should our work for God be compelling. Jesus was willing to do His work. Are we faithful and willing to do our work?

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am grateful to be a participant in the work of God in the world.

Father God, thank you for loving us so much that you have entrusted this work to your people. Father, may we be as zealous as those first century believers in telling about everything we have seen and heard. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Acts 4:20 (NLT)
²⁰ We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 15:13 (NLT)
¹³ A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 112:1 (NLT)
¹ Praise the LORD! How joyful are those who fear the LORD and delight in obeying his commands.

The Word of God for encouragement:

John 8:30-32 (ESV)
³⁰ As he was saying these things, many believed in him.
³¹ So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
³² and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

My observation:

Although Jesus faced stiff opposition during his earthly ministry, there were still many who believed in him. However, not all who professed belief in Jesus had genuine faith. Jesus spoke of those types of people earlier.

John 2:23-25 (ESV)
²³ Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing.
²⁴ But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people
²⁵ and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.

Jesus is able to look into the hearts of those who say they believe in him, but don’t really have genuine faith. He can tell the fakers, who subscribe to the notion that if you fake it, you can make it. That kind of belief is not the kind that saves.

Jesus gives the standard for the kind of belief in Him that result in salvation; in eternal life. Examine your faith by how you measure up to the way Jesus responds to those who say they believe in Him. I ask the question, Does Jesus believe in you? What kind of faith does he see when he looks into your heart?

John 8:31 (ESV)
³¹ So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,

How are you doing with the obedience standard?

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that all of those who say that they believe in Jesus will be able to have a faith that will result in Jesus entrusting himself to them. Father, give all of those who hear the word this type of faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

James 1:22 (ESV)
²² But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 15:11 (NLT)
¹¹ Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the LORD. How much more does he know the human heart!

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 111:2-3 (NLT)
² How amazing are the deeds of the LORD! All who delight in him should ponder them.
³ Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails.

The Word of God for encouragement:

John 8:25-30 (ESV)
²⁵ So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning.
²⁶ I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.”
²⁷ They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father.
²⁸ So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.
²⁹ And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”
³⁰ As he was saying these things, many believed in him.

My observation:

There has been a consistent theme that I have encountered as I have read the bible this weekend. It has revived and refreshed me. I have strength to complete the purpose for which God made me.

A number of years ago in a cabin in Utah I reworked my mission statement. A few months later after visiting with a professional coach, I reduced that mission statement to two words; Please God.

Today’s focal passage has provided me with a new life verse to support my mission statement. This is my new life verse.

John 8:29 (ESV)
²⁹ And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the word of God, and for the power it has to change lives today. Father God, I thank you that the word of God is a lamp and light to my needy soul in this dark and dangerous world.

Father God, I thank you for your constant presence in my life. Father, I am so glad that I never have to spend a second of my life absent your presence and power in my life. Amen.

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 15:8 (NLT)
⁸ The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 110:1 (NLT)
¹ The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”

The Word of God for encouragement:

John 8:12-19 (ESV)
¹² Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
¹³ So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.”
¹⁴ Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness 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.
¹⁵ You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.
¹⁶ Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me.
¹⁷ In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true.
¹⁸ I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.”
¹⁹ They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the testimony of Jesus. Father, what a blessing it is to know that your testimony confirms the testimony of Jesus.  Father, I thank you for sending Jesus to be the light of the world. Father, I thank you for the gift of faith that enabled me to accept the invitation of Jesus to come to Him, and receive love, life and light. Amen.

John 8:42 (ESV)
⁴² Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 15:4 (NLT)
⁴ Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 108:1-3 (NLT)
¹ My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart!
² Wake up, lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song.
³ I will thank you, LORD, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations.

The Word of God for encouragement:

John 7:14-15 (ESV)
¹⁴ About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching.
¹⁵ The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?”

The brothers of Jesus did not understand who he was or the nature of his mission. They wanted him to go to Jerusalem to put on a show of his miraculous works.

John 7:3 (ESV)
³ So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing.

However, Jesus knew what was more needful for the people attending the feast. He knew that they needed teaching more than they needed to see a show of his miracles. The people needed to hear a word from God.

The response of the Jews to the teaching of Jesus was to attack him. If critics can’t refute the message, they will attack the messenger.

John 7:15 (ESV)
¹⁵ The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?”

Jesus defended his message with the truth. In addition, he gave them three ways to test his message. This is his defense.

John 7:16-18 (ESV)
¹⁶ So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.
¹⁷ If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.
¹⁸ The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, help us to use the primary tool for learning spiritual truth, which is obedience to the word and will of God. Father God, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit of God to be our tutor. Father, I thank you that with the aid of the Holy Spirit, we can know and do the will of God. Amen.

John 14:26 (ESV)
²⁶ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Hosea 6:3 (ESV)
³ Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.”

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 15:1 (NLT)
¹ A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 107:1-2 (NLT)
¹ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
² Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.

The Word of God for encouragement:

John 6:34-35 (ESV)
³⁴ They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”
³⁵ Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

My observation:

Jesus is still standing at the door waiting for the invitation to come in. He says, “I am the bread of life”.

The response of the people who heard and believed in him then said, “Sir, give us this bread always”. Notice the word always; it indicates a once for all receiving of eternal life.

John 6:50-51 (ESV)
⁵⁰ This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.
⁵¹ I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I thank you for sending from heaven the bread that we needed to give life to our dead bodies. Father, only Jesus can satisfy our hunger and our thirst for life. Lord Jesus, thank you for giving your all so that we could live forever in heaven. Amen.

My song:

The Savior is Waiting (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZO-NvuJAhI

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 14:34 (NLT)
³⁴ Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 106:47-48 (NLT)
⁴⁷ Save us, O LORD our God! Gather us back from among the nations, so we can thank your holy name and rejoice and praise you.
⁴⁸ Praise the LORD, the God of Israel, who lives from everlasting to everlasting! Let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the LORD!

The Word of God for encouragement:

John 6:37 (ESV)
³⁷ All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

John 10:27-29 (ESV)
²⁷ My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
²⁹ My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

My observation:

These words from the lips of Jesus gives me such assurance that when God saves you, that He can and will keep you saved. If he said it once, that would be enough for me, but when He said it again, well that settles it for me. The miracle of salvation is the work of God; that is evident in the following revelation. God is the author of salvation, and Jesus is the implementer. Isn’t grace amazing? Truly, God is the author and finisher of our faith.

John 6:44-46 (ESV)
⁴⁴ No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
⁴⁵ It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—
⁴⁶ not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the length you were willing to go to provide for your believing children so great a salvation.

Father God, I am so thankful for the words of Jesus that gives us the assurance that all who are born from above have eternal life, and they will never perish, and that no one will snatch them out of the hands of Jesus. Oh, the blessing of being in Christ. Amen and Amen.

Colossians 1:27 (ESV)
²⁷ To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

My song:

Blessed Assurance (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://biblestudycharts.com/SH_Blessed_Assurance_v1.html