Lifebythestream

  John son of Zebedee was a disciple of Jesus.  He left everything behind including his father to follow Jesus because he had evidence to believe Jesus was the Son of God.  Jesus gave him the authority as a disciple to drive out demons and heal diseases.  He was to shout from the roof tops what Jesus told them.  John’s job was to preach to the lost sheep of Israel that the kingdom of heaven is near.  John’s testimony in his gospel is part of our evidence that Jesus is the Son of God and He is worth leaving everything behind and following.  According to Matthew 10:32-33 Jesus will acknowledge before the Father in heaven whoever acknowledges Him before men.  John acknowedges Jesus before all men so we may believe and become disciples ourselves.

”The one who welcomes you welcomes Me,  and the one who welcomes Me welcomes Him who sent Me.  Anyone who  welcomes a prophet  because he is a prophet  will receive a prophet’s reward. And anyone who welcomes a righteous person because he’s righteous  will receive a righteous person’s reward.”                                                           Matthew 10:40-41 

I watched Tom Brady’s face last night as he lost the Superbowl literally in the last minute of the game.  I thought of the interview our pastor showed us in church earlier that day.  Tom Brady was proud of himself for the Superbowls he had already won but perplexed because he did not feel satisfied yet.  The interviewer asked him, “what else is there?” and Tom simply but enthusiastically answered “I wish I knew.” What else is there?  There is a life beyond life- not just after life.  Jesus came to give us life more abundantly. (John 10:10)  The Greek word John used was “zoe” which is more than the physical “bios” life.  Zoe is the essence of life in spirit and soul.  Eternal is a word that has both quantitative and qualitative components which means that life in Jesus is not just everlasting but it is of good quality too.  Jesus came to give us zoe life.  In our Bible study time I would like us to study under someone who knew the zoe life Jesus offered personally.  John was a disciple of Jesus who knew the truth that Jesus is the Son of God.  Jesus entrusted John with the care of His mother and the leadership of His church in Jerusalem.  At the time John wrote his account of the gospel the other three gospels were already circulating.  Paul had already completed his missionary journeys, written his letters to the churches, and had been marytred in Rome.  The facts of Jesus’ life were accounted for and documented, however, John had more to say about his beloved Lord.  Before his death he set forth his testimony loud and clear  to bear witness “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God ; and that believing you may have life in His name.” John 20:31- notice the word life- yes, that is zoe life.

 ”… is the man who trusts in the LORD,
       whose confidence is in him.

 He will be like a tree planted by the water
       that sends out its roots by the stream.
       It does not fear when heat comes;
       its leaves are always green.
       It has no worries in a year of drought
       and never fails to bear fruit.”

The prophet Jeremiah gives us a beautiful image of the peace that passes all understanding.  As children of God we are rooted in Him and need not fear when the heat comes.  We will not be scorched by the sun, and will never fail to bear fruit.  What a blessing it is to live  lifebythestream. 

Good morning.  Rise and shine and give God the glory, great things He has done!My girls are spending quite a bit of time in social studies learning about the Greek gods and goddesses.  They had to list 10 characterisics of Zeus and when I checked their homework, I also had them list 10 characteristics of Jesus.  I have tried to make clear the distinction between the Greek myths and the truth of Scripture.  I paraphrased 1 Samuel 5-6 for them.  I know it is 2 chapters of reading but it is well worth it.  Go to biblegateway.com if you do not have a Bible handy and you can look it up really fast.   I love this image.  I alway imagine our Greek statue of Athena at our Parthenon downtown.  Now wouldn’t that be a sight to see the 90 ft statue bowing down to God’s throne.  When is the last time you physically bowed before the God of Israel? Joyce: What an awesome  thought! It is much the same thought as the Christmas statue I have of Santa Claus bowing before the Baby Jesus. That is undoubtedly one of my favorite Christmas decorations. We should all remember that we will either bow on our own or be brought to our knees, and who wants skinned up knees?