# 392 What Are the Greater Works?

The Book of Genesis

Day 392

Ge 41: 32 "And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

We  are taking a little break from the study in Genesis to pursue the importance of repetition in the Scriptures. In particular we are looking at the “verily, verilies” found in the Gospel of John. When God repeats things, He is merely underlining or highlighting them for us. He gives them an extra sense of urgency.

Today we will look at Joh 14:10-12, “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.  11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.  12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

In this portion of John, (the final discourse of Jesus) He is preparing His disciples, (His church) for His departure. His death is not the end of all  that He has for them, it is just the beginning! (Joh 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.)

So here, in Jn 14:12, He lays another fantastic truth on them!. “He who believes in Me, will do the works that I do, and even greater works, because I go to My Father.” What does that statement conjure up in YOUR mind? Do you get visions of laying your hand on the sick and healing them or casting out demons? Maybe raising the dead? Walking on water? I know I do, but then I start to get a little troubled.

Quite frankly I have not witnessed a whole bunch of these kinds of miracles!  Oh I’ve heard of demonic deliverance in third world countries from trusted missionary friends, but not so much in America. I’ve been blessed to be a part of some physical healings through prayer and the laying on of hands, but it has been more the exception than the rule. And I certainly haven’t seen any physical miracles that SURPASS the works of Jesus. (Of course some miracles may have happened or may even be happening now that I am not aware of)

So what are we to make of this “verily, verily” statement? Let’s look again at verse 10: Jesus says, “The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; But the Father who dwells in Me does the works.”

The works? Why didn’t Jesus say, “the Father who dwells in Me does the speaking?” He went from SPEAKING the Word of God to doing the WORKS of God. This is key! Because in speaking the Word of God, the disciples, (His Church, you and I)  do the greater work! “For which is easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven you, or to say, “arise and walk.” (Mt 9:5)  Both require supernatural intervention from on high.

The point is, we have been given the faith and the privilege of speaking the supernatural Word of God. This Word has unlimited potential and it’s most powerful use is that of speaking forgivness and faith into the hearts of men.  This is a faith that doesn’t produce some temporary relief of a natural law (Lazarus did die again) but rather it speaks a permanent victory over death, sin, and the devil! THERE IS NO GREATER WORK!

Remember the jailer at Philippi? He cried out to Paul and Silas, “What must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” And he did. There were no hoops to jump through, no prayer to say, he just responded to the Word of God . The word spoken by Paul and Silas spoke faith into that man’s heart. There is no greater work than this, and this work has been given to the church! Therefore, speak it! Declare it in the name of Jesus and that spoken Word will accomplish the purpose for which God has sent it!

# 391 Verily, Verily, Don’t Rely On Your Flesh

The Book of Genesis

Day 391

Ge 41: 32 "And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

We  are taking a little break from the study in Genesis to pursue the importance of repetition in the Scriptures. In particular we are looking at the “verily, verilies” found in the Gospel of John. When God repeats things, He is merely underlining or highlighting them for us. He gives them an extra sense of urgency.

Today we will look at Joh 13:38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

Here’s a “verily, verily,” that doesn’t appear to pass along any great spiritual truth. This truth is directed at Peter of course, and among other things it reminds us that when Jesus says,  “verily, verily” it is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth! Think of the impact this “verily, verily” would have on the disciples as it concerns all other verily, verilies, when it came to pass exactly as Jesus said it would, a few hours later!

Peter had just stated that he would lay down his life for Jesus, and Jesus replied, “Oh really? Before tomorrow morning dawns, you will have denied me three times. Given Jesus’ track record on accuracy, this must’ve been very disturbing to Peter. Perhaps that’s why Jesus immediately follows that statement with , “Let not your heart be troubled;” As if to say, “even in your denial Peter, keep believing in God, keep believing in me.!”

Troubled hearts have a way of stirring up unbelief, and when hearts are troubled, we have a need to “untroubled” them, and we often turn to our flesh to resolve the issue. Peter’s bold statement was made in the flesh, and in his flesh he would try to keep it, and he failed miserably.  That’s the way it is with all of our fleshly efforts, they never bring lasting peace. Troubled hearts remain troubled.

So let’s learn from this incident with Peter. Will you seek to be like him and serve in the power of your flesh? Will you thereby deny the power of God?

Let’s stop saying things like, “I will defeat this sin!” Or, “I will do this!” Or “I will do that.” Rather let us say, “if the Lord wills!”  Here’s the truth! It is “not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord of hosts.” (Zech 4:6) because “verily, verily,” our flesh will fail us!

Pray: Lord, expose this weakness in our hearts. If we must be crushed as Peter was when he heard the rooster crow, so be it, but let us stop saying, “I will do,” and start allowing You to do!

# 390 Lost Souls Trouble Jesus

Genesis Study

# 390

Ge 41: 32 "And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

We  are taking a little break from the study in Genesis to pursue the importance of repetition in the Scriptures. In particular we are looking at the “verily, verilies” found in the Gospel of John. When God repeats things, He is merely underlining or highlighting them for us. He gives them an extra sense of urgency.

Today we will look at Joh 13:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.  21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

 Wow! Back to back “verilies!” Time is getting short for Jesus! This is the night before He would be put to death and there is much on His mind, and much He wants to say to His disciples. Woven into this discourse of forgiving one another, and not being greater than their Master is His assertion that one among them would betray Him.  He knew this betrayal was coming and He wanted His disciples to know that the Scripture had already spoken of it in Ps 41:9, “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.”

He says, “the reason I mention this now, is that when it comes to pass, you may believe that I am He, I am the sent One!” (The Messiah!)

Then He says, “Let Me tell you another important truth: “He who receives whomever I send,  receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” What words of comfort that the Holy Spirit will be able to bring to mind later on for these Apostles. As they faced horrendous persecution, they would have this truth to cling to! Any rejection of the Apostles and their doctrine by others would not be personal, those rejecting them, were in reality rejecting Jesus and the Father.

Suddenly, Jesus is greatly troubled, as this truth was about to hit home for Judas. “Verily, verily, one of you will betray Me,” One of you will reject the truth that I am the Messiah, the sent One. This troubling of Jesus should tell us something about Jesus. Lost souls trouble Him. They matter to Him. “Behind every set of eyes is a soul that matters to God!”

Let us remember this as we follow the lead of the Apostles and become the sent ones who tell of God’s “sent One.” Lost souls matter to God! Even in the midst of massive rejection of the gospel message we bring, let us never cease to be troubled as Jesus was, for the lost! Lost souls matter to the One who sends us, and they ought to matter to us!

# 389 Washing Feet Is More About Forgiveness

The Book of Genesis

Day 389

Ge 41: 32 "And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

We  are taking a little break from the study in Genesis to pursue the importance of repetition in the Scriptures. In particular we are looking at the “verily, verilies” found in the Gospel of John. When God repeats things, He is merely underlining or highlighting them for us. He gives them an extra sense of urgency.

Today we will look at Joh 13:5-17,  After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.  6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?  7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.  8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.  9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.  10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.  11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.  12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?  13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.  14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.  15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.  16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.  17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Most everyone is familiar with this story of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. We usually come away from this account with the idea that it is important that we humbly serve one another. Of course, that’s fine and a wonderful way to put loving thy neighbor into action. But I think footwashing has a lot more to do with forgiveness rather than service.

Jesus stated at the beginning that His disciples would not understand what HE was doing at this time, but they would be given understanding later on. Peter immediately protested, (proving he didn’t understand) not desiring that the Christ would stoop to such a state as to wash his dirty feet, and Jesus said, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part of Me. He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; And you are clean, but not all of you.”

Just as in natural life, a man who is bathed needs only to wash the dust off his sandaled feet when he returns home from his daily travels, so in our spiritual life. A man who has been cleansed from sin in the waters of baptism, need not think that all is lost when he sins again in his daily life. He only needs to confess those sins, (wash his feet of the accumulation of his daily dirt) and he will be entirely clean again! 1Jo 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Jesus demonstrates this truth as He washes their feet, but then adds in verse 14, “You ought to wash one another’s feet.” In other words you ought to forgive one another.

Hmmmm, maybe this footwashing has a connection to service after all! I mean, there is no greater service rendered to each other than forgiving one another as Christ has forgiven us!

# 388 The Law of Seeds

The Book of Genesis

Day 388

Ge 41: 32 "And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

We  are taking a little break from the study in Genesis to pursue the importance of repetition in the Scriptures. In particular we are looking at the “verily, verilies” found in the Gospel of John. When God repeats things, He is merely underlining or highlighting them for us. He gives them an extra sense of urgency.

Today we will look at Joh 12:24,25, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.  25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. “

Jesus takes a natural law and turns it into a spiritual truth. We all know about seeds. We take them out of the packet, put them in the ground, sprinkle a little water on them and  they die unto themselves and are changed into a dynamic living plant that produces much fruit, and consequently, many more seeds.  If we leave those seeds in the packet, absolutely nothing happens!

Jesus made this statement on the day we now call Palm Sunday. One week later, HE would sprout out of the tomb in which His lifeless body was planted, and HE went on to produce much fruit. But, He emphasizes the point here that this law does not just apply to Him. He who loves his life, as is, (stays in the packet) will lose it eternally! In other words, if we refuse to die to self, we remain in our little shell of a body and produce nothing in the spiritual realm. 

But he who dies to self, begins the process of producing much fruit, and it begins with our baptism where we are planted with Jesus. Ro 6:4 says, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

Of course this seed that has been transformed through baptism, now will need nurturing along the way in order to produce fruit. (See the parable of the sower in Matthew 13)

The necessity of dying to self and producing fruit is underscored in Joh 15:2,5,6,  "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

 We are talking about eternal life here, and the key to abiding in Jesus is to trust Him and His Word. Joh 15:7,8 says,  "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.  8 "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Simply stated, die to yourself! The process starts with baptism and continues as we keep trusting  in Jesus!  Trust Him for your salvation, even your obedience, and let the Holy Spirit 

# 387 They Make You Worthless

The Book of Genesis

Day 387

Ge 41: 32 "And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

We  are taking a little break from the study in Genesis to pursue the importance of repetition in the Scriptures. In particular we are looking at the “verily, verilies” found in the Gospel of John. When God repeats things, He is merely underlining or highlighting them for us. He gives them an extra sense of urgency.

Today we will look at Joh 10:1-16, “ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.  2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.  3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.  4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.  5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.  6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.  7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.  8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.  9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.  10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.  11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.  12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.  13  The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.  14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.  15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.  16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”

A couple of “verily, verilies,” here that could be summed up in Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” However, Jesus uses the illustration of sheep as a way to convince His audience of the necessity of entering the kingdom of heaven through Him alone! He especially concerns Himself here with the shepherds or the leaders of the flock. In verse 7, He asserts to all that He is the door of the sheep. The sheep must enter through Him. The sheep of course are representative of the people of Israel, but this flock is not exclusively Jewish.

Verse 16 points out that there are other sheep, (not of the fold of Israel) which Jesus must also bring into the pen. They are all others who will hear His voice (the Gospel) believe it, and follow Him. All people must enter the pen by responding affirmatively to the voice of Jesus.

Jesus also passes along a warning here. Some false shepherds will seek to bypass the Gate (Jesus) and they will infiltrate the flock seeking to lead the sheep astray. These false shepherds are tools of the devil, and they like their master seek to steal, kill, and destroy.

It seems like a strange warning to have to give, but it’s not! Even in this day and age, there are slick shepherds leading entire congregations, professing to be Christian, but they have not yet bowed their knee to Jesus. They have climbed over the fence rather than submit to the Door.

That’s a strong charge on my part I know, but how else can you explain pastors who have turned the Words of Jesus into “nice stories” rather than reverencing them as the Word of God! Without holding to the truth of God’s Word, they lead trusting sheep away, often itching the ears of the sheep with syrupy messages rather than the truth of God’s Word.

Abortion, homosexuality, divorce, fornication, and countless other sins are excused in the name of tolerance, and “feel good” theology. The existence of hell is denied. And saving faith and souls that matter to God, are stolen, killed, and destroyed. 

What are the unsuspecting sheep to do? Stop listening to them! Jer 23:16 says, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; They speak a vision of their own heart, Not from the mouth of the LORD.”

If it’s not from the mouth of the Lord, (the Bible) don’t listen to them!

# 386 Stunned By the Grace of God

The Book of Genesis

Day 386

Ge 41: 32 "And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

We  are taking a little break from the study in Genesis to pursue the importance of repetition in the Scriptures. In particular we are looking at the “verily, verilies” found in the Gospel of John. When God repeats things, He is merely underlining or highlighting them for us. He gives them an extra sense of urgency.

Today we will look at Joh 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.  59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

We get a double whammy of truth here as Jesus not only underlines His eternal existence, but in using the term “I Am,” He claims to be the Yahweh of the Old Testament. He claims to be God!

We first hear this term in the Bible with Moses at the burning bush in  Ex 3:13,14, “Then Moses said to God, "Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they say to me, 'What is His name?' what shall I say to them?"  14 And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

Oh, the Jews knew exactly what Jesus was saying here, and they immediately picked up stones to throw at Him to kill Him. Let’s not be too hard on them though, they were only doing what they perceived what the Law told them to do to blasphemers. Le 24:16 says, “And whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall certainly stone him, the stranger as well as him who is born in the land. When he blasphemes the name of the LORD, he shall be put to death.”

Since they did not believe that the Father had sent Jesus, they regarded His words as blasphemous! (Sometimes I shudder to think what I might have done had I been there with them!) But rather than getting bogged down on what I might’ve done, let’s just use this occasion for thanksgiving to God and His graceful revelation  of Jesus to us as the Christ the Son of the Living God!

Joh 6:44 says,  "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

This whole incident should make us pause and consider how blessed we are to have the gift of faith in Jesus.  I mean just imagine such a commotion in our world today. If we were religious people like these Jews, we more than likely would’ve been scrambling for stones to throw along with the crowd, or if we were irreligious, we might notice the commotion and just pass by, writing it off as another display of religious fanaticism!

Either way, we should be stunned by the grace of God that has saved wretches like us, and if we were to throw anything, let it be us, as we throw ourselves at the feet of Jesus where we receive His undeserved mercy unto salvation!

# 385 “Keep” As Opposed To “Obey”

Genesis

Day 385

Ge 41: 32 "And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

We  are taking a little break from the study in Genesis to pursue the importance of repetition in the Scriptures. In particular we are looking at the “verily, verilies” found in the Gospel of John. When God repeats things, He is merely underlining or highlighting them for us. He gives them an extra sense of urgency.

Today we will look at Joh 8:51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

“Keep My saying?” Sounds like obeying a proverb doesn’t it? Well, let’s see if we can clear that up. The word “saying” here in the Greek simply means. “Word” If a man keeps My word, he shall never see death. Can you wrap your head around that promise? It’s like there is no delay between your last breath on earth and your first breath of heaven. That is mind-boggling!

Our part of this magnificent, almost  too good to be true deal,  is to keep God’s Word! How are you doing with that? If you make the mistake of confusing “obey” with “keep,” you likely aren’t doing well. The word “keep” in Scripture does not mean obey! Obedience is a fruit of keeping God’s Word but it is not the same as keeping.

To “keep” in the biblical sense is to value you something so much that you put a fence around it to protect it from harm or loss. It means to treasure something.

“If a man “treasures” My Word he shall never see death.” Quite a difference isn’t it?  This “treasuring” is the essence of faith!  Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness! Abraham treasured God’s Word! He believed it! We are children of Abraham if we have that same childlike treasuring of God’s Word!

Jesus tells us in  Joh 14:26 "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 things that I said to you.”

The Holy Spirit comes to us as believers and brings all of God’s treasured Word with Him, and it allows us to agree with Him when He says in  2Pe 1:21, “for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

And in  2Ti 3:16 ”All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,”

Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will never taste of death if you keep His Word.

# 384 Get Free and Stay Free

The Book of Genesis

Day 384

Ge 41: 32 "And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

We  are taking a little break from the study in Genesis to pursue the importance of repetition in the Scriptures. In particular we are looking at the “verily, verilies” found in the Gospel of John. When God repeats things, He is merely underlining or highlighting them for us. He gives them an extra sense of urgency.

Today we will look at Joh 8:31-36, “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;  32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.  33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?  34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.  35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.  36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

 Most people aren’t going to like what they are about to hear, but let’s not forget the “verily, verily!” This is underlined truth from Jesus. These particular Jews believed on Jesus, but they also believed that they could ride the coattails of Abraham in the matter saving faith, after all, they were God’s chosen people right?  But it’s not the physical DNA that makes anyone God’s chosen, it is the spiritual DNA and that DNA can be summed up in Ro 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."

Jesus helps set the record straight for all mankind. Sin is a slavemaster, and whoever commits sin is a slave to it, (no matter his family tree!) and a slave is in trouble. He dies in slavery unless his master sets him free. But this is not so for the son. A son abides in freedom forever, therefore if the Son (Jesus) sets you free, you shall be free indeed! Our freedom from sin is a supernatural act of God. It is by His grace through the gift of faith in Jesus that we are set free from the slavery of sin.

The slavery connected to sin is simply this: The Law tells us. “Thou shalt do this and thou shalt do that, and thou shalt not do this and thou shalt not do that, and if thou faileth to do this or that perfectly, thou shalt not have eternal life.” Pretty scary deal isn’t it?

But then Jesus comes along and speaks of freedom. He says, “I will do the thou shalts for you. I will keep the Law perfectly in your stead. I will even pay the penalty for your sins and thereby set you free from the taskmaster…the Law!  By grace, I will free you, by grace I will keep you free!

Now here’s the part most people don’t want to hear. Having been set free, if we then choose to live in sin. we are like a dog returning to his own vomit. We remove ourselves from God’s grace and place ourselves once again under the curse of the Law. It is only as we repent of that our sins, confess our sins, and turn away from our sins, that we once again find ourselves back in the good graces of the Father. This is our true freedom. It’s the freedom the prodigal son found when he “came to his senses,” and returned to the father!

Are you presently living in sin? Is there some admonition of the Law that you refuse to obey? How’s that freedom thing working for you in your rebellion? It may seem fine now, but it will catch up to you sooner or later, and you better pray that it is sooner!

Where is your peace these days? In willful disobedience to God’s Word, you lose it. (Just ask David as he steadfastly avoided confessing his sins in the Bathsheba affair!)  But there’s always a way back (again ask David) You can be free again! Turn to Jesus and repent, confess, and receive!

# 383 This IS

The Book of Genesis

Day 383

Ge 41: 32 "And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

We  are taking a little break from the study in Genesis to pursue the importance of repetition in the Scriptures. In particular we are looking at the “verily, verilies” found in the Gospel of John. When God repeats things, He is merely underlining or highlighting them for us. He gives them an extra sense of urgency.

Today we will look at Joh 6:52-69, “The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? 53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. 58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. 59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. 60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? 61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? 62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. 65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. 66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

 A lot going on here, but nothing that the simple faith of a child can’t handle. Jesus said on the night in which He was betrayed, “This IS My Body, this IS My blood,” and here He says, “Truthfully, truthfully, except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you.” Same deal. And so Christians everywhere observe the Lord’s Supper.

Some struggle though with the idea that the bread and wine can actually be the Body and Blood of Jesus and camp on the idea that it “represents” His Body and Blood. I get it!  The struggle is nothing new, in fact we read that “many of his disciples said, “this is a hard saying, who can hear it?”

Jesus replied to them by saying, “you think this is hard to believe? What about My upcoming resurrection and ascension?” Doesn’t it seem strange that we can believe in His resurrection, but struggle to believe that the bread and wine we partake of in the Lord’s Supper is indeed His Body and Blood?

Let me briefly share something that has really helped me in this area. Remember when Jesus fed the 5000 with just five loaves and two fishes? He took the loaves and fishes in his hands “and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.” (It seems every time we read about Jesus doing that before a meal, something miraculous happens!. The Last Supper and the road to Emmaus come to mind)

Anyway, let me ask you this concerning the loaves and fishes: “How many people do you think Jesus COULD’VE fed that day?” The answer of course is as many as kept coming.

Here’s another question: “Was that real food the people ate or did Jesus concoct up something artificial?” The answer of course is it was real food.

Here’s another question: “Who distributed the food?” The answer is, His church, the twelve.

Now fast forward to the upper room on the night in which He was betrayed. Paul tells us about it in 1Co 11:23-29, “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread;  24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me."  25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."  26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.  27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.  28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.  29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.”

In the account of the last Supper in Matthew and Mark, we are told that Jesus took the bread, gave thanks and BLESSED it! Same thing He did when He fed the 5000, and the same thing He did before He broke bread with the disciples who were on their way to Emmaus! Oh! Oh! Miracle on the way!

He gave the blessed bread and wine, which now became His Body and Blood to His disciples (the church) that night and commanded them to do the same often in remembrance of Him! And did they stop at 5000 or do you think His church keeps giving it to as many as would come? To this day the church blesses the elements in like manner and the heavenly feast is on! The miracle continues! Souls are strengthened with the Body of Christ) and sins are remitted by the blood of Jesus!

Finally, note what it says in 1 Cor 11:27, it says those who partake of the bread and wine in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. Whoa! We better find out what that means or we are guilty of the wine and bread of Jesus!  Oh wait, that’s not what it says. It says we are guilty of the body and blood of Jesus! Seems to me that a big difference.

# 382 White Are the Fields

The Book of Genesis

Day 382

Ge 41: 32 "And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

We  are taking a little break from the study in Genesis to pursue the importance of repetition in the Scriptures. In particular we are looking at the “verily, verilies” found in the Gospel of John. When God repeats things, He is merely underlining or highlighting them for us. He gives them an extra sense of urgency.

Today we will look at   Joh 6:34-48, “Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.  35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.  36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.  37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.  38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.  39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but  should raise it up again at the last day.  40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.  41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.  42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?  43 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.  44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.  45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.  46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.  47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.  48 I am that bread of life.

Jesus continues His discourse with the Jews on the Bread of Life. He repeats His assertion here that He made earlier in verse 35, “I am the Bread of Life!” (There’s that principle of repetition at work again!) In verse 34, the people begged Him to give them this bread always, and Jesus said, “no need to beg, just come. 

Who are those who come? They are the ones given to Jesus by the Father. (verse 37) So how does the Father decide who comes to Jesus and who doesn’t? Well. He doesn’t “decide” per se, He calls us to come through the working of His Word and the Holy Spirit. In verses 44 and 45 we are reminded, that no one can come to Jesus unless the Father who sent Him, draws . We are drawn by the Word (the prophets) whom God uses to teach us about salvation, and if we are willing students we come.

Do you see how important it is that the Word of God is simply proclaimed? It is God’s chosen instrument to bring the lost to Jesus! Have you come to Jesus? If so, it’s because you were taught by God through the proclamation of His Word. His Word created a hunger in you  for the Bread of Life and His Word assured you that you don’t have to work for it. All you had to do was receive it and partake of it, and anyone who partakes of this Bread (Jesus) will live forever!

Now that you have tasted, don’t you want others to taste it? Don’t you want to share the recipe with others? Then get involved somehow with your local congregation in the great commission. People are starving to eternal death in your families, your neighborhoods, your workplaces, your state, your nation, the world! They are missing out on the bread of Life because we have become content to gorge ourselves on this feast with little thought of others.

Church! Let’s get going! White are the fields!

# 381 Manna….A Picture of the Gospel

The Book of Genesis

Day 381

Ge 41: 32 "And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

We  are taking a little break from the study in Genesis to pursue the importance of repetition in the Scriptures. In particular we are looking at the “verily, verilies” found in the Gospel of John. When God repeats things, He is merely underlining or highlighting them for us. He gives them an extra sense of urgency.

Today we will look at Joh 6:32,33, “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.  33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.”

Jesus continues to try and open the eyes of the people to the gospel of grace as opposed to Law and works, and He uses an incident in the wilderness that all Jews would be familiar with, namely the miraculous supply of manna!  The manna in the days of Moses was just a foreshadow of the real bread to come. “For the Bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

The manna of Moses pointed to the real Bread of Life….Jesus, who is sent by the Father to be our heavenly provision for salvation. This is the Gospel in a nutshell, it is heavenly provision!

This concept of course is foreign to man and his flesh, we want to do something for our salvation, instead of simple receiving what has already been done by Jesus on the cross!  This gospel, is foreign to our flesh.  

Let me show you something interesting in that regard.  That manna was a foreshadow of the gospel is evident in its very name which literally means, “What is it?” You see, the gospel of grace is foreign to sinful man, it’s not in his heart like the Law is, but when it is received (believed) it is all the sustenance the soul needs! 

Look at Joh 6:28,29, “Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?"  29 Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."

The gospel demands one thing….faith, and that’s not a command, it’s an invitation, given to a man who has been made desperately hungry by the Law, and the burden of his sin. It’s an invitation that says, “Come, sit down at My table and eat.”  

In the name of Jesus Christ, the true Bread from heaven, I offer it to you today! If you’ve been struggling with wondering if you are good enough, wondering if you have done enough to receive salvation, please sit at the table of the Lord! It’s free! Come! Taste and see that the Lord is good!

# 380 You Can’t take It With You!

The Book of Genesis

Day 380

Ge 41: 32 "And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

We  are taking a little break from the study in Genesis to pursue the importance of repetition in the Scriptures. In particular we are looking at the “verily, verilies” found in the Gospel of John. When God repeats things, He is merely underlining or highlighting them for us. He gives them an extra sense of urgency.

Today we will look at Joh 6:26, 27 “Joh 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. 27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. 

 A little background here, Jesus had just finished feeding the 5000. This miracle so impressed the crowds that they were about to take Him by force to make Him King. (The earthly variety, and by the way, the government taking care of you is never a good idea, it’s called socialism.)

Anyway, Jesus slips off to a mountain to be alone. The disciples didn’t know where He had gone, so they got into their boat and headed to Capernaum. That night, Jesus came to the disciples by walking on the water. The next day, the recently fed people noticed only one boat was gone, they knew Jesus had not gotten into that boat, and following the disciples lead, they hop into their boats and also head to Capernaum. When they arrived, wow! What a surprise! Jesus was there! When they saw Him, they asked, “When did You get here?” (Jn 6:25)

Notice how Jesus ignores their question. He doesn’t say, “Oh, I just walked over on the water>” Instead, He seeks to deal with a serious issue involving their hearts. They wanted to be waiting for Him at Capernaum for their next free lunch! They were more interested in material things, you know, those things that perish! Those things that moths and rust will eventually claim. Verily, verily, Jesus saw what was in their hearts and it was vitally important that they, (and we) see it.  So He says, to you and I, “Truthfully, truthfully, do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food that endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you because God the Father  has set His seal on Him.

All these signs, all these miracles were God’s seal of approval on His Son, so that we might see and believe. These signs, this seal says, “This is the One! He is My Son, the Promised Messiah! Receive what He gives. He gives you food unto everlasting life! You don’t have to labor, just receive it! “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these (other) things, (the necessities of life) shall be added unto You. “No need to labor for your salvation, just seek and receive.

Truthfully, truthfully, it is the eternal not the temporal that matters most!

# 379 When God’s Word Becomes Muted

The Book of Genesis

Day 379

Ge 41: 32 "And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

We  are taking a little break from the study in Genesis to pursue the importance of repetition in the Scriptures. In particular we are looking at the “verily, verilies” found in the Gospel of John. When God repeats things, He is merely underlining or highlighting them for us. He gives them an extra sense of urgency.

Today we will look at Joh 5:25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

Jesus has just highlighted the truth of what it takes to inherit eternal life in the preceding verse, now He indicates how spiritual ears are opened to that truth as we move from being spiritually dead to being spiritually alive.  Ro 10:17 says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” It is the Word of God that opens our deaf ears to produce faith, whether through the preaching of the Word or through the Sacraments. (It is the Word that gives the Sacraments efficacy)  This faith comes and remains to those who keep on hearing, and those who keep on hearing shall live.

God does not hold a gun to our head and demand that we listen, we have free will in the matter just as those who stoned Stephen did when the Word was preached to them: Ac 7:57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord;  58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him.

Let’s look at a couple of things that can hamper our spiritual hearing: Of course, there is doubt. That’s a great ploy of the devil that he has used from the very beginning. “Did God really say?”  Then, there’s the cares of this world which can drown out the word of the God and distract us from what really matters! Mr 4:19 speaks of this danger: "and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Unconfessed sin, can also stop up our spiritual ears. (Just ask David) or listen to what the Holy Spirit tells us in Jas 1:21, “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

All these things bring dullness to our heart and the Word of God becomes muted! As Jesus said in  Mt 13:15 “For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their  ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.'

 This last one can really hinder your spiritual growth. The Jews of Jesus day, refused to be teachable. They had their idea of what the Messiah would be and no one and no thing was going to change their mind. Be open to correction in your thinking as it relates to the Word of God. Don’t ever think you know it all! Remember God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

# 378 Start With Humility

The Book of Genesis

Day 378

Ge 41: 32 "And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

We  are taking a little break from the study in Genesis to pursue the importance of repetition in the Scriptures. In particular we are looking at the “verily, verilies” found in the Gospel of John. When God repeats things, He is merely underlining or highlighting them for us. He gives them an extra sense of urgency.

Today we will look at Joh 5:24  “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

Wow! Eternal life is at stake here! Hear the words of Jesus and have faith in the One who sent Him, and you will be free of condemnation and have everlasting life.

I fear that many have never considered this underlined truth of Scripture. Sure, many believe that they will pass from death to life, but they are banking that God is grading on a curve, and since they basically see themselves as a good person, they feel their good will outweigh their bad and GOD will not condemn them as they pass from death to life.

But Jesus sets the record straight here. There is going to be a Judgment Day, truthfully, truthfully, not all people will enter the kingdom of heaven. If you refuse to hear the words of Jesus, if you refuse to have faith in the Father, you will be judged or left out. So the question begs to be asked, are you hearing the words of Jesus? Are you really hearing them? Are you allowing them to penetrate your heart and soul? Are you allowing them to mold you and shape you , more and more into the image of Christ? Are you allowing your opinions to be shaped by Him and His Word, rather than the opinions of Ellen and Oprah? Are you stubbornly clinging to your ways or the ways of the world?

Do you believe in God the Father who sent Jesus and no one else to redeem you? Do you trust Him? Do you believe he will do the things that His Word says He will do?  Then start acting like it!

But you say, “I don’t know where to start?  Good! That’s an important humble confession and a great place to start!  Listen to the words of Ps 25:8,9, “Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.  9 The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way.” Then in Ps 25:14, “The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant.”

You see, God promises to teach us, to guide us, and to show us, all we have to do is rightly fear Him, reverence Him, acknowledge HIM as God Almighty, instead of YOU god almighty.

Salvation, eternal life is near to those who humbly fear the Lord, for God resists the proud, but gives saving grace to the humble, and aren’t we saved by grace through faith? Faith in the One who sent His Son, that we might hear Him and pass from death into life!

# 377 He Did Nothing Of Himself

The Book of Genesis

Day 377

Ge 41: 32 "And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

We  are taking a little break from the study in Genesis to pursue the importance of repetition in the Scriptures. In particular we are looking at the “verily, verilies” found in the Gospel of John. When God repeats things, He is merely underlining or highlighting them for us. He gives them an extra sense of urgency.

Today we will look at Joh 5:18,19, “Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.  19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

“Verily, verily,” this is important stuff, Jesus does not deny the allegations of the Jews, in fact He emphasizes the truth of their allegations with the words, “verily, verily!” God the Father and God the Son are one!  Grasp that by faith, it’s an underlined truth,  and let’s move on to still another lesson here.

If the Son can do nothing of Himself, what makes you think you can? If the Son is that reliant on the Father, then we, who have received Jesus, must be reliant as well. This is the essence of grace, trusting Jesus rather than our flesh. Ro 8:13-15, says, “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.  14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.  15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."

Do you see how important it is to stop striving to keep the Law in your own power? You can’t do it! Attempting to live as a Christian in the strength of your flesh will put you into bondage. God’s children are not in bondage, freedom is one of their characteristics. (If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!)

As children of God, through faith in Jesus, we are free to trust the Spirit to put the deeds of our flesh to death! The Spirit of God will never lead you to break the Law of God, only the world, the devil, and your flesh will do that. But Christ has over come those three and “did nothing of Himself,” but only what the Father told Him to do! Let us seek to do the same!