Whispers of Truth

We make things so much more complicated than they need to be. We are humans, dwelling in frail bodies made of flesh, full of sinful desires, absorbed by the cares of the world around us and our own fears. We need Jesus as we struggle to walk out His will for us. And we often question that will, in reality seeking our own way instead of His. During the course of my reading in the Word the last few weeks, God has taken me in several directions as I finished up several books I’ve been in the process of reading, but they’ve all led back to the same place. As I read and studied in 1 Timothy a few weeks ago, I made notes about being in God’s will, and today’s reading in John 15 (where I keep coming back to) led me right back to what I’ve been pondering from my reading in Timothy. Let me try to explain. People often think God’s will is a nebulous thing. It is something we grasp for, aching to know that we are acting in obedience to Him, not wanting to be out of fellowship or favor.

I have not ever really been sure that anyone else struggles with the things I struggle with; yet, conversely, I know the reality is they do. A quick glance at any social media account will speak of the struggles of this life, but knowing (or saying) that the struggle is real isn’t enough. As Christians, we must go beyond our own insecurities, the struggles of this life, and dwell in the reality of “knowing Christ Jesus as Lord . . . being found in Him . . . knowing the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Phil. 3:8-11)—not focused on the struggles, rather focused on Him, dwelling there. In my years in the classroom, I saw many students become fixated on a particular struggle, whatever theirs was. Often it was a real or perceived inability in a given area, and because my area of instruction was English, it was often a struggle with reading, comprehending, or writi

WISDOM (all caps because wisdom yells in the streets . . . Prov. 1:23) Comes from God (who gives generously and without reproach) at our request (James 1:5) Accompanies unwavering faith (1:6) Sees without blinders Considers trials/temptations joyful because they’re opportunities for growth, endurance, and maturity (1:2-3) This is the context for asking for wisdom in this chapter occurs if one is lacking it . . . Sees humble  circumstances  (humiliation even) the way God sees them (v. 9-11) Persevering under trials Receiving approval and a crown of life promised to ones who love the Lord (1:12) Never blames God when tempted (v. 13) Recognizes God cannot be tempted by evil Realizes God Himself does not tempt  anyone  Rightly places blame on self when temptations come and I give in to them (v. 14-15) Sees my enticement leads to lust Understands my lust for something breeds and gives birth to sin Embraces the knowledge that sin unchecked brings about death

John. The author of this gospel relates an incident the other gospels do not, of a man long lying in wait for a healing that has not come.  Bethesda. The house of mercy, house of lovingkindness; ironically, no one had extended any to the lame man lying there, poolside until Jesus does.  The lame man . Thirty-eight years of misery, hopelessness, (John 5:5, NASB); yet, seemingly hoping against hope to be made well, a man without the life-giving water, lies in wait beside the pool.  Jesus. The gate for the sheep at the sheep gate’s pool, the one stirred occasionally by an angel of the Lord (v. 3-4); Jesus, the living water, offering entrance to wholeness, to renewed life, to mercy, to lovingkindness, all to a man who doesn’t deserve it. Jesus, who comes and asks the man, “Do you wish to get well?” (v. 6). Interestingly enough, the man doesn’t respond with an emphatic, “Yes!” or even a pathetic, "No." Instead, he responds with an excuse, but Jesus—already knowi

This is a rare post as it will be mostly listing, usually defied by my word-hungry soul, but sometimes lists are called for. At the end of I Corinthians 9, Paul is speaking about disciplining his own body while he’s preaching to/teaching others lest he disqualify his words by his actions (26-27).  As I’ve reread Paul’s words in I Cor. 10, the following stood out to me: What I Should NOT Do Because “these things happened” to Israel as an example and “they were written for our instruction upon whom the ends of the ages have come” (v. 11), do not: 1. crave evil things (6). 2. be an idolator (7). 3. act immorally (8). 4. try the LORD (9). 5. grumble  (10). 6. be proud  . . . “Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed  lest he fall”      (12).   What I Should Be Doing Paul reminds me of some really important things instead of just leaving rules and regulations in his wake. This Pharisee (sinner) in recovery makes sure to extend God’s grace and f