Wednesday, June 8, 2011
John 9:25 "Disciples Riddled with Ambition" (June 9)
Jesus was brought before the High Priest. He remained silent. He was lowered into a sacred pit for the night's stay before his death. The psalmist describes this sobering site where Jesus was abandoned into total darkness, dampness, a dungeon. John 9:25 Meanwhile, Simon Peter was safe and standing and surreptiously warming himself. “Are you one of the disciples?” Peter denied the accusations three times. In John 18:27, a rooster crowed searing his conscience. Pierced by a sound. Who was Peter more concerned about? Jesus or himself? The disciples are riddled with their own ambition. Our ambitions are no different than this unrighteous move of denial, of cutting off an ear. We are all fickle disciples who are tempted to serve justice on our own.
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For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world— to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice." Pilate said to him, "What is truth?"
ReplyDeleteHear the sarcasm of Pilate. It's easy to get tainted with versions of truth, everyone's perspective on truth. People say, "Well, that is her truth..." meaning she really believes what she says but it is biased. Man's truth is tainted with selfishness, skewed perception, self-justification.
But God's Truth is pure. Jesus says "I came into this world for this purpose--to bear witness to the Truth. "And those who are of the truth, listen to Me." God's truth is absolute. When we want to know Truth, we need to ask Truth Himself to show up in our circumstance.
This is from Henry Blackaby's "Experiencing God."
"When the Holy Spirit speaks to you, He will reveal Truth to you. He is going to talk to you about a Person, Jesus Christ. Yes, truth is a Person! Jesus said, "I am..the truth." (John 14:6
Truth in a Storm
The disciples were in a boat when a terrifying storm struck (Mark 4:35-41) but Jesus was asleep in the back of the boat. If you had asked those disciples in the middle of the storm, "What is the truth of this situation?" they would have said, "We perish!" But was that the truth? No. Truth was asleep at the back of the boat. In a moment, Truth Himself would stand up and calm the storm. Once that happened, they knew the truth of their circumstances. The Person of Truth is always present in your life. You cannot know the truth of your circumstance until you have heard from God."
And the beauty of that last sentence is "With God all things are possible." Our doubt isn't truth speaking to us. Every miracle is a real possibility when the person of Truth steps into the situation!
ReplyDeleteOh Annette, I love the Blackaby quote...did you know he was a mentor to my husband? He made a huge impact in Bob's life when he was right out of college. I think Bob worked one summer for him...can't remember. Loved the quote~!
ReplyDeleteGod provided an unexpected respite on a roving ranch in Lampasas, Texas. It's me, Bob, and the Lampasas longhorns on 400 acres of rolling wonder. Haven't been able to find Wi-Fi anywhere except McDonald's but they don't have electical outlets available for people---they are all hidden. Sigh. I'm back in the pioneer days in this wild frontier town where families feuded violently against each other, rustling cattle, and taking each other's lives. Rather historical sobering site in this quaint county seat of 6,000.
ReplyDeleteYou would laugh if you saw how this post is rigged up. Finally found Wi-Fi at the Lampasas Pizza Hut except the outlets are in their ceilings. So, the cute little waitress climbled up on my table and plugged me in. The battery charger is hanging in the air waving in the a/c. Hope it doesn't fall in my pizza. Having fun in Lampasas! Going home Friday so we can watch the Mavs tonight (except they are ON and I am at Pizza Hut!)
ReplyDeleteBev, got your msg...I am fine. When you can check on FB where msgs are left...and where conversations are when you chat on line. i left a detailed explanation of my doctor's visit yesterday.
ReplyDeleteThere is a prayer meeting on Sunday night for Sally at seven thirty central time...they are asking those who can/will/want to, to fast for her on Monday. Just passing this info along..not expecting anyone to fast. She is in such a very tight place.
Praying for others is part of my purpose for being here.
Great praise....my son's oldest son Noah who will be 10 next month made a decision for Christ today at VBS.....his dad is speechless and I am doing the happy dance. We all knew he was close to this choice, now for much prayer to keep him safe in the fold and away from the enemy. God got him this far...may he be as faithful as his name sake...Now, i only lack one grandchild left to make a decision for Christ.Praise the Lord for His faithfulness to draw people when we lift Him up...
Picturing Bev hooked up in the Pizza Hut is priceless. Thankful you could get away from the big city and out into the country..almost too far though..lol...Love you...Mary Lou
I love Henry Blackaby. He has made an impact on my life. What you share here, Annette, is so critical to our survival as Christians.
ReplyDeleteTRUTH.
This world is so full of lies that all the world accepts with complete gullibility.
And so would we, except God has given us a precious Gift. The Holy Spirit that draws us to TRUTH. I am so thankful today for The Word of God and the convicting power of the Holy Spirit who always draws us to Jesus.
I have to share something. Sometimes I receive a glimpse of God's love in ways that make me feel so connected to Him. For a few weeks, I've been seeing egrets flying daily. Frankly, I just don't ever see them flying. They are usually on the banks of the lake standing so still, patiently waiting for their provision.
When I've seen them flying, it would be one flying over my path as I drive home from work. The egret would make me catch my breath at their grace and beauty. And for some reason, the egret felt like a significant gift to me from God for that day to let me know He was watching over me and caring for me.
Then, twice this past week, I've seen them fly over in threes.
Immediately, I felt the presence of the Trinity of God.
I've read that the egret has a message of purity and being on the right path (new age beliefs which I do not follow).
But I know the sightings have been Godstops for me.
Anyone know any interesting facts about egrets?
Mary Lou, I hope your tests were good. And praise God for your grandson's declaration of faith! I will be praying for Sally, you know I will. Bev, rest up and enjoy your sanctuary. Sounds so much like a Godsend.
Daughter of The King,
deborah
Bev, Experiencing God was life-changing for me. Just a few lines that I remember grow my faith. This was one. Bob was blessed to know this man and be mentored by him.
ReplyDeleteMary Lou, I'm still praying for you to know what to do next. Sally remains in my prayers, too. Suffering is so hard to watch, isn't it. And Noah!! Praising Him this morning for your godly inheritance for this little guy. May he be a valiant soldier of Jesus, and yes, Lord, give him a hedge of protection in the coming years. I will put Monday on my calendar to pray particularly for Sally, Mary Lou.
Deborah, I love the story about the egrets God has given you to show you His presence. Around ranches, many think they are just "old cow birds." However, in our creek, tens of thousands come in to roost each evening and it is a magnificent site. They fly in groups of 2-5 at first, then in flocks of 50 or more as they finish their day. You must come again in the summer and see them. By Lindsay's wedding, they were almost all gone south for the winter (October 24) but right at the end of the service, two flew over with their silver wings catching the evening glistening sun. It felt like a God choreographed moment for me. Cameras captured them and there was an audible gasp among the spectators. Interestingly, two macaws flew over and roosted in a nearby tree at Lauren's wedding. More significance than I have room to write here, but I was certain it was a gift that God was telling me, He had them in His control as they flew the coop and this mama bird was letting go.
Egret watching at Annette's ranch is one of the most jaw-dropping show-stopping sightings I've ever seen. It is a wonder!
ReplyDeleteIt is so intimate when you get that "catch" in your heart and realize God has spoken to you through something only He and you are aware of. I've caught myself telling Him back, "I love You, too, Lord."
ReplyDeleteHe loves deeply. And He shows it to us if we will only be AWARE of Him. I have to admit I've been praying for Him to thrill me here lately. Today I saw one egret in a pond, pure white, bent over, still as a statue. I mean not one single movement for the minute I was able to watch...that is "abiding." Stop, trust, wait. Don't get ahead of Him and don't run away. Be STILL.
I missed the egrets flying in en masse at the ranch, but I still have my stones from there. Loved every minute!
Ambition. I think about your title for this day's reading, Bev. How much of God's beauty we miss when we only look at our own face in the mirror instead of seeking His.