Friday, February 26, 2010

Bible Study Weekend - John 7:25-52




John 7:25-53

Is Jesus the Christ?

25At that point some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, "Isn't this the man they are trying to kill? 26Here he is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Christ? 27But we know where this man is from; when the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from."
28Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, "Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, 29but I know him because I am from him and he sent me."

30At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come. 31Still, many in the crowd put their faith in him. They said, "When the Christ comes, will he do more miraculous signs than this man?"

32The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering such things about him. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest him.

33Jesus said, "I am with you for only a short time, and then I go to the one who sent me. 34You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come."

35The Jews said to one another, "Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? 36What did he mean when he said, 'You will look for me, but you will not find me,' and 'Where I am, you cannot come'?"

37On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." 39By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

40On hearing his words, some of the people said, "Surely this man is the Prophet."

41Others said, "He is the Christ."

Still others asked, "How can the Christ come from Galilee? 42Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David's family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?" 43Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. 44Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.

Unbelief of the Jewish Leaders

45Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why didn't you bring him in?"
46"No one ever spoke the way this man does," the guards declared.

47"You mean he has deceived you also?" the Pharisees retorted. 48"Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? 49No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them."

50Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, 51"Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?"

52They replied, "Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet[d] does not come out of Galilee."

53Then each went to his own home.

Questions

1. In verses 37 Jesus says, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink." What do the streams of living water (vs.38) signify?

2. What is required to receive those streams of living water?

3. Who is Jesus? Is He Prophet or the Christ? (Please feel free to reference other scriptures in your answer)

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Talk Tuesday - How Do You Know That God Is Good?

How do you know that God is good if He does not show you? How do you know He is faithful if He has not taken you through the storm? We all say that God is good but we only know that to be true until we put our trust in Him as we walk through the fire. When He takes us through it, we will not be burned. His Word promises us, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:2 It is easy to say that God is my provider when there is money in my pocket. When we are down to our last penny, and He takes us through it, then do we know that He truly is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides.

When we are in a trial we often ask ourselves why do we have to go through it. Sometimes God wants to teach us something or reveal Himself to us in a new way. Tash and I have seen God as our provider on many occasions. One time we were blessed with $400 and we did not know why that person felt led of the Lord to give it to us. A few weeks later we got a car maintaince bill for $402. On two occasions we needed tuition for school and on both occasions we received enough money to pay for the courses. Now we know God as Jehovah Jireh, our Provider.

We claim that God answers prayers but we only know that He answers pray when He does. Even after the surgery Tash had many complications. All I could do was pray and trust God. He came through for us. The Lord is my Shepherd. I am sure you have countless examples of how God has answered prayer or how He has been your Provider. Now is the time to share it and encourage someone else today.


1 Peter 1:6-7

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Talk Tuesday - What is wrong with porn?

At church my pastor talked about sexuality and he touched on the harm porn does to you. This is a big problem both in secular and Christian circles. I thought that I would share what I have learned from going to the Promise Keepers conference, men’s meetings and interaction with other men.

If you are struggling with this problem please seek help. This addiction is more harmful than you think. If you are married, it can destroy your marriage. If you are single it can prevent you from having an honest relationship with someone else. When you are lost in the world of porn you lose touch with reality. Some people are so desensitized to the porn that they are looking at, that they begin to view even more disturbing images. You don’t just all of a sudden become addicted to porn, it slowly creeps into your mind and then you become hooked.

So how do you free yourself from this addiction? Only God can help you. You need to fill your mind with the word of God.

Philippians 4:8 (New International Version)

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

There is power in prayer. God can help you break this addiction.

Once you are ready to get God’s help the next step is to get rid of all your porn. DESTROY IT ALL! Move your computer to an area where people can see your computer screen when you are on it. Try not to surf the internet late at night or when you are alone in the house. Another good idea is to get a filter for your computer. Visit www.xxxchurch.com and there is a filter there that you can put on your computer that will prevent you from going on these sites. There are also workshops you can do that will help you.

The last step is to get an accountability partner and join a men’s prayer group. You can’t do this on your own, you need someone to come along side you and pray for you. Please tell someone you can trust. You need someone that can encourage you and pray for you when you fall. The men’s group is also good because it helps you in your spiritual walk.

The battle is not yours, it is the Lord’s. I pray that God will deliver you from this addiction and free you to live an abundant life, in Jesus Name. God is able.

Andrew

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Movie Monday - Super Bowl commercial with Pam and Tim Tebow




This is the controversial commercial that was aired during the Super Bowl by Focus on the family.  Please visit www.focusonthefamily.com to see the full story.

Saturday, February 6, 2010