Repent, for Grace and Mercy are Waiting

 N.T.#727 "Repent, for Grace and Mercy are Waiting"

Feb. 3, 2026 

John 8

LET IT GLOW

We all know about the woman caught in adultery. The Pharisees brought her to Jesus. They reminded Him that Moses' law said to stone her. 

What did He have to say about the situation? 

• He that is without sin among you, let him cast a stone at her. (verse 6)
• He simply wrote something in the ground with His finger. Whatever it was resulted in her accusers  leaving. 
• Woman, where are your accusers? Has no man condemned thee? (verse 10)
• Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (verse 11)

It was a catch 22. If Jesus opposed stoning the guilty one, He would be opposing the law of Moses. If He advocated her death, He would be in trouble with the Romans because the Jews were not permitted to execute anyone. (18:31)

In mercy and love Jesus forgave the undeserving adulterous. 

LET IT GROW

Where was the man? The law required both man and woman be judged. (Lev. 20:10)

Was this a set up? You bet. However, the Pharisees who knew the Word did not know the divine author of the law. Which of the Pharisees were qualified to judge the woman? Since everyone is a sinner, they were not qualified to be a judge. (Maybe they were guilty of the same sin.) Grace and mercy do not endorse or promote sin; it's designed to produce gratitude and holiness. 

There is forgiveness available to the sinner, but first we have to admit our sins. We admit our need for a Savior's forgiveness. Then we turn from our wicked ways and live for Him. Friend, have you done this?

LET IT GO

Thank You Jesus for love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy You show us.

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.