Challenges

N.T.#726 "Challenges"

Feb. 2, 2026 

John 7-Part 4 

LET IT GLOW

There was talk behind the scenes. The Pharisees were trying to get the officers to arrest Jesus, but there was no basis for that. Nicodemus brought to the attention of the Pharisees, being one of them, that they were violating the law in judging a man without hearing him. (verses 40-53)

The Pharisees claimed no prophet came out of Galilee. This revealed their ignorance of the Scriptures. Jonah, Nahum, Elijah, and Hosea came from Galilee. The Sanhedrin adjourned and everyone went home. (verse 53) We know the Pharisees would not quit until they killed the As a Pharisee, he Messiah. Jesus' hour was months away.

Nicodemus became a secret believer. As a Pharisee, he risked his reputation and high position, going to Jesus by night, as well as speaking up for Jesus indirectly. You will recall that after Jesus' death, Nic brought spices for His body. (19:39) That is the last time he is mentioned in Scriptures. 

While Jesus came to earth to die for the sins of the world, He had no suicide mission. He didn't seek the first available opportunity to be arrested. We must balance three primary issues: trust in god, danger from enemies, and dedication to mission. As the Lord walked among the lions in Jerusalem, He perfectly balanced all three. (Swindoll)

LET IT GROW

Are you having challenges because of your beliefs? Jesus faced challenges, too. Nothing occurs unless God permits it. Stay faithful at the task God has for you. Complete it. Endure whatever. Draw strength from the Lord. Cast your cares on Him, for He cares and loves for us.

Let us fervently pray, assess the danger, plan our approach, remain focused on the goal, seek to glorify God in all our actions, trust Him to accomplish His will, complete the task at hand without reluctance, and then retreat to safety at the right time. (Swindoll's Insights on John)

Sometimes staying is what the Lord wants us to do, endure. Sometimes it is time to leave. Seek God's will in your situation before either. Grace sustains, mercy endures.

LET IT GO 

Keep us near You, Precious Jesus.

Show us Your will, Your way.

Is Your soul Thirsty?

 N.T.#725 "Is Your Soul Thirsty?"

Jan. 30, 2026 

John 7-Part 3

He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (verse 38)

LET IT GLOW 

We still have 14 more chapters in this book to study. By this time, the Pharisees and chief priests sent officers to take Jesus into custody. It was about 6 months between the Feast of Tabernacles and the Passover. 

What are some golden nuggets found in this chapter?

• In a little while, Jesus was going back to heaven to be with the Father God. (verse 33)
• As the Jewish leaders rejected Jesus as the Son of God and Messiah, they were rejecting God. Thus, when they seek Jesus, they will not find Him, for it will be too late for them. (verse 34)
• Where Jesus goes, those hateful Jews cannot go. It takes faith in Jesus, repentance of sins, in order to enter heaven. (verse 34)
• During the feast, a priest would fill a golden pitcher with water from the Pool of Siloam, carry it to the altar at the Temple, and pour it through a funnel leading to the base of the altar. Probably that is when Jesus said, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. (verse 37)

Is your soul spiritually thirsty? Find satisfaction in Jesus. (Judaism gave emptiness, failing to satisfy the soul.)

[Resource: Liberty Bible Commentary]

LET IT GROW 

The one who believes not only gets satisfied (verse 37), but also that person becomes a channel of blessing to others. (Isaiah 55:1-2)

These rivers of living water is the Holy Spirit, which was given after Jesus was glorified in the resurrection. His Spirit comes to live within saved believers-Christians.

Isaiah goes on to say, Seek the LORD while He may be found: Call upon Him while He is near. (55:6)

Isaiah goes on to say our thoughts and ways are not as His are. His Words will accomplish what He desires. The mountains and hills shout for joy and the trees clap their hands in praise to their Creator.

LET IT GO

May we always be a living and breathing testimony of Jesus in our life.

May we share You joy and praise You, King Jesus.

Oh, What a Savior!

N.T.#724 "Oh, What a Savior!"

Jan. 29, 2026 

John 7-Part 2 

LET IT GLOW

Friend, who do you say Jesus is?

It wasn't the time for Jesus to make His public presentation as the Messiah. He knew His death would soon follow afterwards, and it wasn't time for it yet. Jesus did things according to his Father's timetable, not ours. The world system hated Jesus, even the Jewish leaders.  His brothers were a part of that system, so He wasn't going to Jerusalem until God told Him to go. Finally, Jesus went to the Temple. When the festival was half over, Jesus made an appearance and taught in the Temple. People were puzzled how Jesus seemed so learned but not trained by the religious leaders. Jesus represented the Father in everything.

He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seJesueketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. (verse 18)

Even though the Jews had the Law, they didn't keep it and yet wanted to kill Jesus. verse 19) The crowd denied this and accused Jesus of being demon possessed. (verse 20)

LET IT GROW

The Jews circumcised men on the Sabbath, but they considered it was not breaking the Law. (verse 22) However, they criticized Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. Talking out of both sides of their mouth. 

Jesus told them to stop judging on the surface. (verse 24) He called for Jews to ignore fancy robes and big hats in order to discern who is telling the truth by comparing their deeds to the command of Scripture. The deeds of Jesus reflected the grace of God and did not violate the Sabbath.

Many in the crowd began to believe, although they found it difficult to overcome the traditional evidences of the Messiah they had come to expect. Jesus didn't come to be a puppet or a genie, but to do God's will.  

People believed their Messiah would appear suddenly; however, they knew Jesus come from Nazareth. The true Messiah, according to the leaders, would come from Bethlehem. (Of course, Jesus was born in Bethlehem.) 

No man laid hands on Jesus because His hour was not yet come. (verse 30)

What were the reactions of the people toward Jesus?

• a good man (verse 12)
• a deceiver (verse 12)
• demon-possessed (verse 20)
• the Messiah (verse 26)
• the Prophet predicted by Moses (verse 40) (Life Application Study Bible)

We have to make up our own minds about who Jesus is. Whatever we decide has eternal consequences.

LET IT GO

Is Jesus your Savior and Messiah?

If not, you can make Him today.

Admit you are a sinner.

Believe Jesus is God's Son.

Confess your sins and turn from them today.

What a blessing is my Savior!

Isn't He wonderful!

Secrets Revealed

N.T.#723 "Secrets Revealed"

Jan. 28, 2026 

John 7 

LET IT GLOW

He healed, fulfilled prophecies, forgave sins, and gave glory to the Father while keeping none for Himself. He was unlike any rabbi or any political leader anyone had ever seen. Jesus continued to expose the greed and jealousy of the Jewish leaders. He threatened their power and they wanted Jesus dead. (Swindoll)

It was time for the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles or Shelters, which all males in Israel were required to attend. It occurred during the fall after harvest time. It reminded the Jews of their ancestors' exodus from Egypt. The celebration lasted a week. 

Jesus' half-brothers (James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas) tried to convince Jesus to go there so people could see the miraculous works He was doing. They wanted Him to put on a public show and make front-page headlines. (verses 3- 4) Not even His brothers believed Jesus was the Messiah until after His resurrection. They wanted Jesus to show Himself openly, which was bad advice. However, it wasn't His time yet. (verse 6)

James became a leader in the early church and authored the New Testament letter bearing his name. Judas, better known as Jude, authored the New Testament letter that bears his name. 

   

LET IT GROW 

How did Jesus answer His brothers?

For there is no man that doeth anything in secret. (verse 4a)

In the Greek language, secret means concealed; private; hidden. 

Jesus knows all and sees all. Nothing is hidden from Him. We will all answer to Him one day. Will you ashamed or proud of what Jesus sees in your life.

LET IT GO 

Are there any bad habits we need to let go so our life is pleasing to Jesus?

Who is Jesus Christ to You?

N.T.#722 "Who is Jesus Christ to You?"

Jan. 27, 2026 

John 6-Part 8

LET IT GLOW 

As believers, we believe that Jesus voluntarily laid down His life for evil, sinful mankind. What an amazing love! However, for the Jews, a crucified Messiah was unthinkable. (Acts 17:1-3) They were among the crowd, along with those who believed in Jesus. 

What do we learn from Jesus' Words here?

• Jesus knew from the beginning who the unbelievers were. 
• He knew who should betray Him, also. (verse 64)
• No one can come to Jesus unless it be granted him from the Father. (verse 65)
• Many followers of Jesus stopped walking with Him. (verse 66)
• So Jesus asked the 12 if they wanted to go away, also. (verse 67)

The Jewish crowd wanted to see what Jesus could do, then believe, but that is out of order. 

 

LET IT GROW 

Peter was the spokesman for the guys-Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the Words of eternal life. Peter went on to say, in verse 69:

And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the Living God. 

Yeah Peter! He got it right. He proclaimed Jesus is the anointed, holy, and Chosen One from God. 

Who is Jesus to you? Is He the Son of God, God in physical form come down from heaven? Dear one, are you a believer in Jesus? I pray you will believe in Him today.

LET IT GO

What do you need to let go and believe in Jesus as your Savior?

Amazing love, I know it's true, that Jesus died for me a sinner.

Drawing Close to Jesus

N.T. #721 "Drawing Close to Jesus"

Jan. 26, 2026 

John 6-Part 7 

LET IT GLOW 

We pick up verse 60 where Jesus says, "This is a hard saying: who can hear it?"

Jesus' followers were offended by the thought of eating Christ's flesh and drinking His blood (had saying). He didn't mean it literally, but figuratively. We must accept the sacrifice of the body and blood of Christ for salvation and the basis for eternal life. (Falwell)

His was a substitutionary sacrifice-for you and me. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, then He is our life. The Jews did not accept Jesus having come down from heaven, as God's Son, the Messiah.

By this time in Jesus' ministry, His disciples numbered in the tens of thousands, with varying degrees of devotion. Hundreds were serious enough to consider Him their rabbi and would actively have supported a movement to make Jesus king. Yet, it was a fickle devotion that sprouts quickly and withers suddenly in the heat. Jesus' teaching wasn't difficult to understand, just difficult to accept. Paul frequently used the corresponding noun (skandalon) to describe Jesus as an intellectual and moral trap for any who oppose God and think themselves righteous. (Swindoll)

LET IT GROW 

It is the Holy Spirit that quickeneth (to vitalize; make alive; give life), that gives life. Jesus' Words are not dead, but they carry the potential of producing life. Accept what He said and they would have life. (verse 63) 

Also, the Holy Spirit convicts of our sins. It is mankind's inclination to hide from God, rather than to come to Him, like Adam and Eve did. (Genesis 3:8; Ps. 14:1-3) When Jesus saw that the Father was drawing a person to Himself, He immediately began relating to them. such was the case with Zacchaeus. 

Because His truths were difficult for the people to grasp, many of His listeners departed. Jesus did not become discouraged. Since Jesus saw the Father working in the lives of the disciples, that is where He invested His time. 

As you read the Scriptures and pray, trust that God will honor your response to His leading by teaching you more about Himself.

[Resource: Experiencing God Day -By-Day Devotional by Henry and Richard Blackaby]

LET IT GO

Draw me close to You, never let me go.

I lay it all down again, to hear You say that I'm your friend.

Help me find a way, lead me back to You, Jesus.

You're all I want. You're all I've ever needed. You're all I want. 

 Help me know You are near.

*Praying ya'll stay safe in the cold and snow. As I write this, we have a couple of inches of snow and expecting more later this afternoon and night, maybe tomorrow, also.

Do You Want Life?

N.T.#720  "Do You Want Life?"

Jan. 23, 2026 

John 6-Part 6 

LET IT GLOW

Are you spiritually hungry? Come to Jesus. If we believe in Him, we will never be spiritually hungry or malnourished, for Jesus is the "Bread of Life." Every time we face a spiritual need, it is a simple matter of going to Christ and allowing Him to provide us with what we need. Are we trying to satisfy our spiritual hunger with human resources? It only leaves an emptiness. Come to Jesus in faith as He invites. (John 10:10) Just as Israel had to go out each day to receive God's daily provision in the wilderness, so must we come to Jesus daily for our spiritual nourishment. (Experiencing God Day-to-Day by Henry and Richard Blackaby)

In verses 52-59, Jesus was using a metaphor to emphasize that believing in Him is essential. Just as you will die without physical food, so also you can't have spiritual life apart from Jesus. (Tony Evans)

 As you read this chapter, did you notice two words used many times by Jesus? Live is used 4 times and life is used 11 times. So, how much do you and I desire to live the abundant life with Christ? Will we surrender all at the cross? 

LET IT GROW

Lord, we devote ourselves to living as You require, depending on Your teaching for guidance and trusting in the Holy Spirit for power. All spiritual renewal begins and ends with God. He reveals truth to us, lives within us, and then enables us to respond to that truth. There is no middle ground with Jesus. Either we accept or reject Him. (Life Application Study Bible)

Either we follow Jesus and His teachings through faith and obedience or we turn away in rebellion. Which is your way? Be honest, my friend.

LET IT GO

Move the unmovable, break the unbreakable, God we believe for it. Do the impossible. We need You today to have Your will and way in our life and that of our loved ones.

Bread of Life

 N.T.#719 "Bread of Life"

 Jan. 22, 2026 

John 6-Part 5 

LET IT GLOW

Why did Jesus come to earth? In verse 38, Jesus explains that He came to do the Father's will-provide salvation. 

What are some things Jesus taught the people?

• A person cannot fall from grace. Everlasting life guarantees security because this is the Father's will. No one will be lost.  (verse 39)
• Everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and will be raised up in the last day. (verse 40)
• The Jews knew Jesus from His childhood, yet He expects them to believe He is the Son of God sent from heaven. (verse 42)
• No one came come to Jesus except the Father draw them. (verse 44)
• Salvation is impossible apart from hearing the Word of God. (verse 45)

Has God drawn you to Jesus for salvation? Answer the call today.

LET IT GLOW

Jesus made two "I am" statements:

I am that bread of life. (verse 48)

I am the Living Bread which came down from heaven.  (verse 51)

Jesus was speaking of the sacrifice of His body (His life) on the cross for the sins of the world. Those who trust in Jesus as the atoning sacrifice for their sins will receive eternal life. 

We must receive Jesus, trust Him, believe Him, have faith in Him, partake of Him. (Tony Evans)

Jesus is our spiritual life. Is He yours?

LET IT GO

Be our sustance, Jesus, our Bread of Life, for our soul is hungry.

Come and Never Hunger or Thirst Again

 N.T.#718 "Come and Never Hunger or Thirst Again"

Jan. 21, 2026 

John 6-Part 4 

LET IT GLOW

When was the last time you were really hungry or thirsty? 

The following day, those who had been fed by Jesus began looking for Him. Jesus had not crossed the lake with His disciples, so they knew He had not gone with them. Where did He disappear to? So the people got into boats and sailed to Capernaum. Had they heard Jesus tell His disciples to go there? When they found Jesus, they asked Him when He got there. Jesus ' reply revealed their purpose for hunting them-food for breakfast? 

Here is a good proclamation by Jesus: 

Labor 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 hah God the Father sealed. (verse 27)

That food is Jesus Christ. He is our spiritual food, which gives us grace and lasts forever. Were the people fixated on only physical hunger and not on their spiritual hunger?

The people were confused. How were they to work for God? Christ offered to give them eternal life. Their work was to receive what God had done for man; believe in Jesus Christ.

LET IT GROW

How did Jesus identify Himself? Verse 25 tells us:

I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger: and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.

Friend, are you hungry for a new life? Come and believe on Jesus as your Savior, the Son of God. Then your soul will not hunger or thirst again. Jesus satisfies. Jesus will not cast out us sinners. (verse 37)

LET IT GO

Only Jesus paid the price for me. Only His love could set me free. Nobody else can open heaven's door-just Jesus and nothing more.

Have you reached out by faith and received the gift of God? Salvation is free to us, but it cost Jesus His life.

What a Savior!

Overcoming Trouble

N.T.#716 "Overcoming Trouble"

Jan. 20, 2026 

John 6-Part 3

LET IT GLOW 

We read about the fish and bread being multiplied so a multitude could eat. We saw where God gave in abundance, not just meeting the need, but there was extra food left over for Jesus and His disciples. He takes whatever we can offer Him in time, ability, or resources and multiplies its effectiveness beyond our wildest expectations. (Life Application Study Bible)

Now John turns to the guys on the Sea of Galilee. It is 650 feet below sea level and 150 feet deep, surrounded by hills. It is a common thing for windstorms to suddenly come causing high waves. The disciples were about 3 1/2 miles from shore when one of those storms came to them. 

Suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water, which made the guys terrified, for at first they didn't know it was Him. Mark 6 tells about Peter walking on the water, going to Jesus. Then he began sinking. We have heard of this event many times, as well as reading it in the Gospels. 

Now these guys had already seen Jesus do some miracles, so if they had thought about it, anything was possible with Jesus. Yet, they were afraid. They were not prepared for Jesus' help, nor expecting to see Him out there on the rough sea.

Faith is a mind-set that expects God to act. When we act on this expectation, we can overcome our fears.

LET IT GROW 

Jesus identified Himself to the disciples-It is I; be not afraid. (verse 20)

Since Jesus is with us, we should not be afraid, right?

The guys willingly received Jesus into their boat. Do we invite Jesus into our life, our situation, our problem? Do we surrender and let God handle it?

Something happened in verse 21, which I have never caught. 

Immediately the ship was at the land wither they went. 

According to Matthew 6, when Peter began to sink, Jesus stretched out His hand and caught Peter. He called Peter, O thou of little faith. (verse 31)

When Peter and Jesus got into the ship, the wind ceased. Jesus made it into a speed boat and they landed on land. That was a miracle in itself.

What can we learn from this?

• Keep our eyes on Jesus through our storms of life.
• Watch Jesus show His power over everything (gravity here), over the storm(stilling the winds), and over space (bringing the ship to land).
• Jesus can handle anything for us; do we have faith in Him?
• Let the peace of God rule in our heart. (Col. 3:15)
• Trust Him to help us overcome fear and trouble.

LET IT GO 

Who knows, we just might walk on water, over our storm, like Peter.

Help us not take our eyes off You, Jesus.

Let the peace of Christ rule in our heart.

How the Lord Did Multiply!

 N.T. #716 "How the Lord Did Multiply"

Jan. 19, 2026 

John 6-Part 2 

LET IT GLOW

Philip's faith was so little, but so were the 2 small fish and 5 pancakes of barley. Jesus wanted to fee the crowd there with them, so He asked Philip where they could buy bread so they could eat. (verse 5) It was a test for Philip's faith. Jesus knew what He was about to do. Did Philip respond to the Lord making it happen? No. The amount in their treasury was not sufficient to give each person just a little food. That was Philip's response to Jesus. 

What about the lad who had only 5 pancakes and 2 fish for his lunch? Would that be enough to go around? Nope. That would not have even filled up the disciples, much less 15,000-20,000 folks. Andrew offered the little bit of food, which the boy was willing to share.

With Jesus, anything is sufficient to multiply and meet needs. Jesus had the 5,000 men sit down on the grass. Perhaps their families were with the men. Jesus gave thanks for the dab of food and gave to the disciples to distribute. Those people got as much fish as they wanted. (Not a scrawny sardine.) 

LET IT GROW 

Afterwards, Jesus had the disciples gather up the fragments left over-12 baskets full. The people saw a miracle/sign Jesus performed. What did they call Jesus? A Prophet who is come into the world. Jesus perceived that they intended on making Him king by force. So He slipped away to the mountain by Himself. It wasn't time for that.

What can we learn from this event? 

Never gauge the size of a challenge in terms of our capability. What we have to offer is never enough. God never calls us to provide; that's His responsibility. Instead, He calls us to commit whatever we have-even if it's no more than a sack lunch. His call comes with a promise: You take care of the addition, I'll be in charge of the multiplication, and the mission I've invited you to join will be accomplished.  (Swindoll's Insights on John)

Jesus knew His path was to be one of suffering, not kingship as of yet. It wasn't His time for that.

Faithful obedience:

1. Acknowledge your own inadequacy and the Lord's omnipotence. Nothing is too difficult for You.
2. Be certain the challenge before you glorifies the Lord, obeys one of His commands in Scripture, or helps to fulfill a scriptural mandate. He can do supernatural things!
3. Give the challenge back to the Lord as an opportunity for Him to accomplish it on your behalf and to receive glory for the victory.
4. Do what you can, supply what you have, put forward your effort, then allow the Lord to multiply it (or not) at His discretion. (Swindoll)

Is God asking you to become a part of His plan as a means of grace, so when victory comes we can say together, "We triumphed!"

LET IT GO

Lord, we surrender our money, our time, and our abilities to You for kingdom work.

Sorry everyone for not posting yesterday, but I have been sick. 

Should be ok by Monday. Have a blessed weekend.

Linda

The God of Possibilities

N.T.#715 "The God of Possibilities"

Jan. 13, 2026

 John 6 

LET IT GLOW

Is God asking you to give a little so He can multiply it and provide for someone? A lad gave all his lunch away so others could eat.

Several months passed between the events of chapter 5 and 6. The disciples had just completed an extensive preaching tour of their own and needed some rest and encouragement. (Mark 6:30-31) So Jesus took them to a secluded place somewhere in the wilderness east of Bethsaida. (Luke 9:10) Being up on the mountain, they saw a vast crowd coming. Jesus knew most sought Him for selfish gain and nothing more. Nevertheless, He felt compassion for them, unlike His disciples. (Swindoll)

Jesus knew what He would do. He put Philip to the test by asking him how much money they had for bread. Philip was the statistical pessimist among the group. Hang on guys-Jesus was going to feed more than 5,000. Andrew found a lad with 5 barley loaves and 2 fish. 

What did the disciples say about this situation?

• Two hundred penny worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. (verse 7)
• But what are they (2 fish and 5 pancakes) among so many? (verse 9)

Guys, you already saw Jesus turn water into wine, heal the nobleman's son of a fever, and heal the lame man. Did you not learn anything about who Jesus was? Where is your faith?

LET IT GROW

We know what Jesus did to meet the need of probably at least 20,000 people that were hungry. Jesus came through for them, multiplying the lunch shared by a little lad. Jesus gave thanks for the few fish and bread, then gave it to His disciples to distribute. Folks, the food did not run out; it kept multiplying.  How much was left over? There was enough to fill 12 baskets, one doggy bag for each disciple.

The Bread of Life multiplied the bread needed for those hungry. Are we hungry for the Word and the bread of Life-Jesus? He can fill our spiritual hunger with Himself.  (Tony Evans).

Yield to the Provider of our needs, Jehovah Jire.

Jesus took insufficiency, thanked God for it, and provided more than enough. Don't let your lack of resources limit what God can do. Offer prayers of thanksgiving even in the midst of your insufficiency. (Tony Evans)

We can limit what God does in us by assuming what is and is not possible. Is God asking you to do what you consider an impossible task? Trust the God who can do the miraculous, for He is a Multiplier. Remember, the boy gave what little he had, and it made all the difference for a crowd. God can take our little and turn it into something great. Are you up for the challenge? 

LET IT GO and let God use you today.

Don't miss His working in and through you.

It is for His glory.

Jesus Gives Evidence of Who He Is

N.T.#714 "Jesus Gives Evidence of Who He Is"

Jan. 13, 2026

John 5-Part 6

LET IT GLOW 

What is the secret of obtaining eternal life in heaven? Believing in Jesus Christ, for He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes unto the Father except through Him (Jesus). (John14:6) No one can approach God the Father except through Christ. Have you come to Jesus, asked His forgiveness of your sins, and to be your Savior?

Search the Scriptures: for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me. (verse 39)

The Jews were constantly searching the Scriptures since they knew the secret to eternal life was found within them. Although, they missed the very key-Jesus Christ. 

Dear one, do not miss out on spending eternity in heaven. Believe Jesus is God's Son, the Messiah, the only way to heaven. Trust in Him today.

LET IT GROW 

What witnesses did Jesus have to validify His claim to be the Son of God?

• John the Baptist bore witness of the truth. He was a burning and shining light for Christ. (verses 33-35)
• The works of Jesus, His miracles gave evidence to His deity. Truly, the Father sent Jesus into the world. (verse 36)
• The Father sent Jesus on a divine mission. (verse 37) His voice was heard at Jesus' baptism.
• The Scriptures pointed to Christ Jesus. (Liberty Bible Commentary)

Jesus revealed that the Jewish leaders did not believe in Him as the Messiah, would not come to Him for salvation, and had not the love of God in them. Because of their hard hears they rejected Jesus. Moses had warned them of false prophets coming, not sent from God. (Deut. 18:15-22)

Had the Jews accepted Moses/ writings, then they would have accepted Jesus' Words. (verses 44-47)

LET IT GO 

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care. (Psalm 95:6-7)

Thank You Father for sending Jesus to die in our place as punishment for our sins!

Thank You for Your love and compassion, grace and mercy.

*Friends, please pray that none can destroy this blog. Yesterday there were 2,460 views, most were trying to log in and take the Truth away for the internet. Pray for their salvation. 

Jesus the Messiah

N.T.#714 "Jesus the Messiah"

Jan. 13, 2026 

John 5-Part 6 

LET IT GLOW 

Jesus is the Judge of humanity. How does ones escape divine judgment on sin? Jesus told us the answer: 

Anyone who hears My Word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life. (verse 24)

To believe in the Son, then, is to pass from death (eternal separation from God) to life (eternal relationship with God). That's eternal security. Faith in God's promise through Jesus Christ guarantees eternal life to all who believe in Him for it. Assurance is the essence of saving faith. (Tony Evans)

Friend, do you have this assurance?

One day the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God:

• and live because the Father is the source of life and has given the Son the right to grant life. (verses 25-26)
• Eternal, spiritual life is available through Jesus. 
• God has given to Jesus the right to pass judgment. (verse 27)
• One day, all who are in the graves will hear the Son's voice and come out.-either to the resurrection of life or to the resurrection of condemnation. (verses 28-29)
• This will depend entirely on their response to Jesus in this life. 
• If they believed in Jesus, they will have done good things because of the eternal life in them. 
• If they did not believe in Jesus, they will have done wicked things because of the lack of life in them. (verse 29)

[Resource: The Tony Evans Bible Commentary]

LET IT GROW 

Everything Jesus did, He did at the initiative of His Father. Jesus did not seek His own will but the Father's will. That is what a life looks like when it is completely yielded to God.

What did Jesus tell us about Himself in verse 30?

• He does nothing on His own initiative but that of His Father. (Jesus prayed alone a lot.)
• He sought not His will but the will of His Father. (verse 30)
• Jesus' works, which were miracles, gave evidence to His deity. They were evidence that God sent Jesus on a divine mission. (verse 36)
• Jewish law required 2 witnesses for validation. Jesus' witnesses were John the Baptist (verses 33-35), His works (verse 35), the Father (verses 37-38), and the Scriptures (verses 39-47).
• God's testimony of Jesus being His Son and His baptism.  God spoke in the Old Testament of the coming Savior/Messiah.

The Jews were constantly searching the Scriptures because it was recognized that they contained the secret of eternal life. These same Scriptures bear testimony of Christ. (verse 39)

[Resource: Liberty Bible Commentary]

The Jews knew Scriptures yet failed to see the Messiah to whom the Scriptures pointed. They missed the Savior. Their own religious system did not allow them to recognize Jesus and let Him change their lives. 

As we witness to others about Jesus, we have this knowledge to share. 

LET IT GO 

Do you have faith in Jesus? How are you walking? 

Thank You Jesus for providing us with eternal life. You are the way, the truth and the life for us!

Thank You for the Word, the truth.

Help us be a witness for You today.

Who Did Jesus Claim to Be?

N.T.#713 "Who did Jesus Claim to Be?"

Jan. 12, 2026 

John 5-Part 5 

LET IT GLOW 

What are the things Jesus is revealing about Himself in verses 17-24?

• Jesus calls God His Father; thus Jesus is coequal with God, a part of the Trinity. So they both have authority to work on the Sabbath. (verse 18)
• Both God and Jesus are working in the world. (verse 17)
• This resulted the Jews wanting to kill Jesus more because He broke their law working on the Sabbath and Jesus said God is His Father. (The Jews rejected all of this as truth.)
• When the Son sees the Father doing something, the Son of God does it in like manner. (verse 19)
• Since the Father loves the Son and shows Him all things He is doing, God will show Jesus greater works than healing a lame man. (verse 20)
• Just as God raises the dead and gives them life, so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. (verse 21)
• All judgment is given to Jesus; He is The Judge of the souls. (verse 22)
• Jesus will receive honor as every knee bow to Him and confess Jesus is Lord. (verse 23)

Two of the greater works are raising the dead (physically and spiritually) and pronouncing of judgment. One day all the unsaved disbelievers dead will be raised to stand before Christ Jesus at the Great White Throne Judgment. the saved raptured ones will be judged on our works for Jesus. The Son is equal to the Father in character, in works, and in honor. 

[Resource: Liberty Bible Commentary]

LET IT GROW 

If a person accepts Christ's Word and believes in the Father God, what happens to them?

• They have everlasting life,
• shall not come into condemnation (judgment),
• but passed from death unto life spiritually.

To summarize, Jesus' 6 claims He is:

1. equal with God (v.19-20)
2. giver of life (v. 21)
3. the final judge (v. 22-23)
4. the One who determines the eternal destiny of humanity (v.24)
5. going to raise the dead (v.25-29)
6. always doing the will of God. (v. 30)

When we read or hear this, how will we respond-trust or rebel?

Folks can have a head knowledge of God, even believe Jesus to be a good man and teacher, yet reject His offer of grace and suffer the just penalty of sin. 

How does one get into heaven? Simply accept Jesus as God's Son and your Savior. Believe in your heart that He died in your place to receive your punishment for your sins. Confess those sins and ask God to forgive you.

LET IT GO 

Good works is not enough to get us into heaven.

The road to hell is jammed with Bible-toting, cross-wearing, hymn-singing, good-doing, church-going men and women, who expect to be rewarded handsomely for their efforts. (Swindoll)

All of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

Have you accepted Jesus' claim as truth, placed your complete trust in Him? If so, then you have the gift of eternal life.

Doing Good

 N.T.#712 

Jan. 9, 2026 "Doing Good"

John 5-Part 4 

LET IT GLOW

Are we doing good no matter what day it is? Jesus had that decision confront Him.

Where is the love? The religious leaders should have had compassion and love for others. But not the Pharisees. They had become warped in their thinking. After Jesus spoke to the healed man, the guy was able to identify Jesus as the one who healed him. Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath-broken a manmade law. That is why the Jews were persecuting Jesus.

Persecute means to pursue; given to (suffer); follow after.

They were going to make Jesus pay for it. They sought to slay Jesus. (verse 16)

 LET IT GROW

Jesus answered them by establishing His authority to work on the Sabbath. He is coequal with God the Father. The Jews angered and sought to kill Jesus, the Son of God. 

We do not have an option to believe in God while ignoring God's Son Jesus. So the Pharisees had two choices: to believe Jesus or to accuse him of blasphemy. They chose the second.

The Word didn't become flesh to establish a new religion. He became one of us to restore a abroken relationship. He came to restore the true worship of God through grace.

If God stopped every kind of work on the Sabbath, nature would fall into chaos, and sin would overrun the world. He doesn't stop doing good just because it is Sunday. When the opportunity presents itself, we should not ignore it but do the good deed even if it is Sunday.

[Resources: Liberty Bible Commentary; Life Application Study Bible, Swindoll's Insights on John]

LET IT GO

Who is Jesus to you?

He could Walk Again

N.T.#711 "He Could Walk Again"

Jan. 8, 2026 

John 5-Part 3 

LET IT GLOW 

My dad was wounded during WWII. He stepped on a mine in France, which killed his leg below the knee. A medic cut the leg off while in the field. It saved dad's life. He was shipped a hospital in Texas. Eventually, dad was able to walk with a wooden leg. It was always a very difficult thing for him. Summertime was extremely painful, for he wore a woolen sock on the amputee leg so it would not get blisters. However, the heat still caused them. Without the wooden leg, dad had to use crutches. I wonder what it was like the first-time dad could walk. We have been reading about a man is similar circumstances.

Get the picture-a lame man for 38 years is walking the streets carrying a mat. He had not been able to walk in 38 years, mind you. Can you see the big smile on his face. Was he dancing for joy as he went? 

Can you hear the Jews, "Who told you to carry your mat on the Sabbath?" 

The former lame man told the truth-it was the man who made him whole and told him to take up his be and walk. 

Whole means healthy; well; true (in doctrine).

The man didn't know Jesus' name, just His power to heal. In the meantime, Jesus slipped away from the pool area and a crowd was there. The guy didn't know he had an encounter with the Son of God. He just felt His compassion. 

LET IT GROW

Afterwards, Jesus found this man in the Temple. Maybe he was there to give thanks to God for healing him. What did Jesus tell the whole man?

Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse may befall you. (verse 14)

Jesus wasn't insinuating that the man had been sick due to sin. His sins were forgiven, so he must walk in a new life. (Falwell)

The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who made him well. Because Jesus healed on the Sabbath, breaking Jewish law, they persecuted Him.

How did Jesus answer them? My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working. (verse 17)

Had Jesus not worked on the Sabbath, making the lame man whole, then the lame man would not have been healed. 

Instead of looking for a wonder-worker to praise, the Pharisees went in search of a troublemaker to censure. Their tradition forbade activity on the seventh day. Jesus refuted their self-serving definition of "work" and claimed ownership of the Sabbath as God. (Swindoll)

While Jesus was changing lives, the leaders were playing religion. No matter how much religious activity you are engaged in, if you're not in the business of changing lives, then you're not in the business of Jesus. (Tony Evans)

A lame man found Jesus at a pool that day. Do you see Jesus working around you? 

LET IT GO

What do you need to let go of in order to follow Jesus or in so you can be made whole?

Do we stop doing good on Sunday? Jesus didn't.

Will You be Made Whole?

N.T.#710 "Will You be Made Whole?"

JAN. 7,2026

John 5-Part 2 

LET IT GLOW 

Did he want to be healed? The answer was so obvious, for the lame man had his affliction for 38 years. He sat beside a pool of healing. Yet, Jesus asked the man if he wanted to be made well. It must have been important for the man to verbalize his need and specifically ask Jesus to heal him. 

Now days people choose to remain in a den of sin. They may even attend church regularly, remain in an addiction, fluff it off as a character flaw, or blame an abusive upbringing. In the long run, sin is still sin and disobeying God's commands. It may be the result of a physical affliction, or it may be due to a spiritual matter of rebellion against God.

[Resource: Experiencing God Day-By-Day, a devotional by Henry and Richad Blackaby]

LET IT GROW

What is the answer?

There is no sinful habit or past hurt that is beyond the healing touch of our Lord Jesus.

He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (Prov. 28:13)

A person's own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the Lord. (Prov. 19:3)

When we humbly come to Jesus, confess our sins, ask Him to forgive us, He does. We don't have to dwell in our den of sin. He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all righteous. (1 Hob 1:9) Let Jesus set you free today from the chains of sin.

Is Jesus telling you to Rise, take up thy bed, and walk? After healing of the soul, we can leave behind our sinful ways and turn from them, pick ourself up, and walk with Jesus. 

LET IT GO

Forgive us sinners, Father.

Change our hearts.

Thank You Father for the perfect peace you give to us.

Healing at the Pool

N.T.#709 "Healing at the Pool"

Jan. 6, 2026 

John 5 

LET IT GLOW

The official and his whole household believed in Jesus as the Messiah and not just a miracle worker. (4:53) This occurred after Jesus had healed the man's dying son from a distance. This was the second miracle John records which Jesus had done.

Next, we read about Jesus healing of a disabled man, feeding the hungry, and walking on water in chapters 5-6.

The third miracle John wrote about, concerned the healing of a man, which took place at the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem. What do we know about this special place?

• The pool had 5 porches.
• Intermittent springs may have fed the pool and caused the disturbance of the water. (verse 7)
• Ancient witnesses indicate the waters of the pool were red with minerals thought to be medicinal in value. 
• Impotent folks, which were blind, lame, and withered came to the pool for healing. Impotent means feeble, diseased, sick, weak.
• Jesus visited the pool.
• A man who had a sickness or disease for 38 years was there.

The earliest and best Greek manuscripts exclude verses 3 and 4, speaking of "waiting for the moving of the water." (John MacArthur)

An underground spring periodically fed the pools. (Swindoll)

Do we visit the sick? Jesus went to the place where sick people visited. 

LET IT GROW 

Jesus saw the man, knew about his condition, and spoke to him. (verse 6)

Wilt thou be made whole? (verse 6) Jesus aske the man.

What was the man's problem? No one was there to help him into the pool. Others were able to get into the water before this man.

What did Jesus tell him? 

• Rise.
• Take up thy bed.
• Walk.

Immediately the man was made whole, took up his bed, and walked. This happened on the Jewish Sabbath. What a day for this man!

How can we apply this spiritually? 

• Rise to spiritual healing through salvation.
• Take up thy bed symbolizes a break with the past.
• Walk refers to our Christian growth. (Liberty Bible Commentary)

 Obedience brought complete and instantaneous healing. Have you come to Jesus with a broken life, broken heart, full of sin. He can cleanse us of your sins when we confess them. (1 John 1:9) Jesus forgives our sins and helps us walk in newness of life.

LET IT GO 

Create in me a clean heart, O Lord.

Heal our sin-sick soul.

Help us walk with You as You lead us.

Go Home

N.T.#708 "Go Home"

Jan. 5, 2026 

John 4-Part 5 

LET IT GLOW

Do you have a problem that seems to have no way out? so did a nobleman in this chapter. Read on to see how his problem was solved.

Here is the second miracle which Jesus did in Cana. The first when He turned water into wine. What was the second miracle of 8 which John records?

• The curious Galileans and seekers received Jesus, having seen all the things He did at Jerusalem. (verse 45)
• He was approached at Cana by a nobleman (royal official) serving King Herod Antipas, Tetrarch of Galilee from 4 BC to AD 39.
• The man's son was sick at the point of death at Capernaum, which was 16 miles northeast of Cana. (verse 46) 
• The nobleman thought Jesus would have to travel to Capernaum to heal, and that He did not have power over death. (Falwell)
• Jesus revealed that the people would not believe except they see signs and wonders. Faith and belief are what Jesus was/is looking for in people. (Without faith it is impossible to please God.)
• Twice the man asked Jesus to go heal his son. 
• Jesus simply told the man to go home, for his son was healed. (verse 50)

LET IT GROW

Did the man have faith in what Jesus said was truth? Why did the nobleman not go directly to his son? What did the man find whenever he got home?

• The man believed what Jesus spoke and left. 
• The father was greeted by his servants the next day tell him the boy lives. 
• It was the same hour which Jesus spoke healing over the boy that his fever broke. (verse 52)
• As a result of the man's faith in Jesus, his entire house believed, placing their faith and confidence in Christ. (verse 53)

Are you walking by faith in Jesus today? Jesus' power is over the physical and spiritual universe. It is not limited by distance. 

LET IT GO 

Help us walk by faith and not by sight, Jesus.

We need Your touch.

Planting and Harvesting

N.T.#707 "Planting and Harvesting"

Jan. 2, 2026 

John 4-Part 4 

LET IT GLOW 

The disciples showed up at the well with meat to eat for the group. They marveled that Jesus was speaking to a woman, a Samaritan, and woman of the world. Yet, they did not question the Master. (verse 27) The woman then left her waterpot and went into town to share her testimony about Jesus. (verse 28) 

His followers wanted Jesus to eat and wondered if someone had given Him food while they were gone. Jesus explained that His meat, spiritual nourishment and satisfaction, was to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work. (verse 34)

Is Jesus our Bread of Life and Living Water? Do we get our spiritual nourishment from Jesus and His Word?

LET IT GROW 

As the crowd of Samaritans approached the group, Jesus told His guys to not wait 4 months to harvest. 

Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. (verse 35b)

The soul-harvest in a matter of upmost urgency. In the spiritual harvest, one sows and one reaps, but both rejoice in the harvest. In kingdom work, some plant seeds of kindness, love, and the Gospel. Others are soul-winners. Although, all reap the benefits of their labors. One shares how Jesus paid for our sins so we don't have to. Believing in Hims as Savior gives us the gift of eternal life. When the time is right, the lost repent of their sins and believe Jesus is the Savior.

Because of the adulteress' testimony, many Samaritans believed in Jesus as the Christ, the Savior of the world. (verses 41-42)

Are we sharing our testimony with others? Are we showing the love of God to the lost?

After a couple of days, Jesus went on to Galilee to minister there. He had no honor and respect there. Except those who had seen what He did in Jerusalem welcomed Jesus.

For Jesus Himself testified, that a prophet hath no honor in his own country.  (verse 44)

Not only would those from Jesus' hometown reject Him, but they'd even seek to kill Him. (Luke 4:16-30) The Jews rejected Jesus as the Messiah, yet the Samaritans did not. What success Jesus had in the Samaria area. He grew up the Galilean region in Nazareth.  Perhaps He was shunned as a young man which never sinned.

LET IT GO 

Jesus, help us focus on You, Your Word, and finishing the kingdom work you have for each of us.

May we lay aside those things which so easily beset us.

Help us plant the Gospel in hearts as we go about our day.

What a wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord!

The Dejected Finds Love

N.T.#706  "The Dejected Finds Love"

January 1, 2026

John 4-Part 3 

The Samaritan woman should have been asking Jesus for a drink from the Living Water. Are you searching for love in all the wrong places? Read on how a promiscuous woman found it.

Jesus was appealing to her deepest personal longing-to feel loved. She sought love in the wrong way-6 temporary men. His divine power could fill her hungry soul with His love and forgiveness. The Living Word, Jesus Christ, and the written Word, the Bible, can satisfy our hungry and thirsty souls. 

Because Jesus was willing to drink from her cup, He could now address her sin. (Tony Evans)

Jesus knew exactly what her sin problem was-adultery. She responded with His knowledge of her lifestyle as Jesus being a prophet. She knew her forefathers had worshiped God there. Yet had she? She quickly changed the subject, for He was hitting too close to home. 

Jesus' presence exposes sin and makes them squirm, but only Christ can forgive sins and give new life. (Life Application Study Bible)

Jesus gave this nobody in society some spiritual insight that would change her life forever and into eternity:

• The location of worship is not as important as the attitude of worshipers. (verses 20-24)
• Only through the Jewish Messiah would the word find salvation. This woman didn't realize she was talking to the Messiah, at first. (verse 22)
• God is a Spirit, not a physical being limited to one place. (verse 24
• It isn't where we worship that counts, but how we worship-genuinely and in truth. 

She knew the Messiah was coming and would tell all things. (verse 25) It seems this woman had been taught in her younger years about God, the expected Messiah, and worship. However, she had turned away from her spiritual learning and went into deep sin. Jesus was there to rescue the Samaritan woman.

Has Jesus rescued you and your family from unrighteous living?

LET IT GROW

The woman was claiming that the only person who could answer her questions and doubt was the Messiah. Then Jesus introduced Himself and revealed to this woman that He is the Messiah. (verse 26) Obviously, she believed Jesus to be the Messiah, for she left her waterpot, went into the city, and told men. 

Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? (verse 29)

Messias in Greek means Christ. 

As a result of this woman's testimony, many Samaritans believed on Jesus. He told me all that I ever did. Christ was invited to stay in the city, and He did for 2 days. Mandy more believed because of His Word. (verses 39-42) 

And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world. (verse 42)

This rejected and unloved woman shared her belief and many believed in Jesus Christ as the Savior, Messiah. How simple her testimony was and is. It continues on in the Bible. What a privilege. Jesus showed her love by talking with her, telling her past, and revealing His is the Messiah. Her heart was changed. She and many other Samaritans are in heaven today because she was willing to lay aside her shame and share the Savior.

LET IT GO

Are you open to receive Jesus as your Savior?

Are you sharing His love and gift of salvation with those you love?

Jesus Messiah, name above all names; Blessed Redeemer, Emanuel; the Ransom for sinner, the Rescue from heaven; Jesus Messiah, Lord of all!

All our hope is in You, Lord, Light of the world.

Thank You for loving us, forgiving us, using us for kingdom work.

To You be glory forever!