All posts by John (HFJ Director)

All Knowing, Faith / Trusting God, Fear / Reverence for God, Guide, Purposeful / Intentional, Teachable

While Everyone Was Marveling At What Yeshua Was Doing…

February 28, 2018 John (HFJ Director)

It was an exciting and dramatic moment in Yeshua’s ministry. He, along with Peter, James, and John, had just experienced the transfiguration. The next day they come down from the mountain and are greeted by crowds. Yeshua casts out a demon from a boy, which His disciples had been unable to accomplish. The crowds “were all amazed at the greatness of God”.

In this very dramatic moment, Yeshua has not lost sight of His mission and what is to happen. He has not been distracted or become prideful in what the Father is doing through Him. He is not “lost in the moment”. At this point He brings the attention of His disciples to His impending fate where He would be turned over to men for torture and execution.

The disciples could not understand because it “was concealed from them”. They were afraid to ask, perhaps because Yeshua had just rebuked them about casting out the demon.

Luke 9:37-45

37On the next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met Him. 38And a man from the crowd shouted, saying, “Teacher, I beg You to look at my son, for he is my only boy, 39and a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly screams, and it throws him into a convulsion with foaming at the mouth; and only with difficulty does it leave him, mauling him as it leaves. 40“I begged Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not.” 41And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” 42While he was still approaching, the demon slammed him to the ground and threw him into a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy and gave him back to his father. 43And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.

But while everyone was marveling at all that He was doing, He said to His disciples, 44“Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” 45But they did not understand this statement, and it was concealed from them so that they would not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this statement.

Two principles come to mind. First, God is never surprised by what is going to happen and He does not lose sight of His plans in a moment of celebration or victory or because men are impressed. Second, God will reveal to His disciples only what and when He wants them to know something. We just have to learn to trust Him, even if we don’t always understand what He is directing us to do or why. We have to trust Him even if we don’t fully understand His word in the Bible.

We can always feel comfortable to ask Him to enlighten us through the work of the Spirit. We just have to accept that the answer may be “no” or “not now”.

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Compassionate, Faith / Trusting God, Healer, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Loving / Kind, Miracles, Rebuke Wrong Behavior, Teachable

Amazed At The Greatness Of God

February 27, 2018 John (HFJ Director)

I enjoy studying the book of Luke. There is so much detail and it is so well organized in the historical record. Imagine yourself walking along with Yeshua and His disciples. We pick up literally the day after the transfiguration and they are back to a busy schedule amongst crowds of people.

The people so hungered for the ministry of Yeshua, that after only one night on the mountain, they were pressing in and waiting in large numbers for His return. It appears that the disciples who had not gone with Him to the mountain, instead had stayed behind to minister to the crowds as best they could. They encountered a boy possessed by a demon they could not cast out. We can plainly see that Yeshua is frustrated with them in verse 41.

Luke 9:37-43

We can be comforted that though we may fail in the execution of God’s work, He never will. We should, of course, not be content to fail, but seek to grow in our relationship and in our faith so that we become conduits for Him to minister to the world. What a wonder it is to see the crowds hungry for Yeshua and to see Him at work healing and casting out demons. People respond in dramatic fashion when they see the work of the Lord and not just those things which we, as His followers, can accomplish on our own.

Let us be open to any rebukes we receive from our Lord. Rather than get defensive, let us pray for the Spirit to enlighten us and help us grow to become even better servants of the master. I suppose we can also take a little consolation recognizing that Yeshua also was frustrated and disappointed from time to time. He was indeed fully human but sinless none the less.

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Fear / Reverence for God, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Learning To Pray Effectively, Miracles, Purposeful / Intentional, Seeking God, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

He Went Up On The Mountain To Pray

February 26, 2018 John (HFJ Director)

Prayer is an integral part of our communication and relationship with the Father. We must make time for prayer if we are to come into close relationship with the Father. Yeshua set the example to go off in private to pray and to do so in a way that is not rushed. He still met the needs of the people. He had a busy schedule. But He knew that time with the Father was a focal point to make the rest work right. It is a first priority.

Luke 9:28-36

The Transfiguration

28Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. 30And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, 31who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him. 33And as these were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not realizing what he was saying. 34While he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” 36And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent, and reported to no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.

Peter, John, and James almost missed this encounter because they slept. We can assume that if they were overcome with sleep, that Yeshua was also equally tired. They were keeping the same schedule. Yeshua remained awake to pray and had an amazing and personal encounter with the Father.

We can also note, that Peter seems to have put his “foot in his mouth” by speaking up while he was still very sleepy. The Lord seemed to prefer to emphasize that Yeshua is the Son, the Chosen One. There are no peers or equals, not even Moses and Elijah. That is a good point to remember for all of us.

How would you rate your prayer life? How much time do you spend undistracted with the Lord… not just talking but listening as well? It is in prayer that He often meets us and spends time with us. He often speaks in a still, small voice to guide us. If we are too busy and too distracted, we will miss it.

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Am I on the path?, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Doubt / Lacking Faith, Fear / Reverence for God, Generous, Giving, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Help / Serve Others, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, How do I get started?, Jesus (hearing from God), Money / Finances / Wealth, Obeying God, Purposeful / Intentional, Share the Good News, Worldliness

Yeshua Is The Way, The Truth, And The Life

February 25, 2018 John (HFJ Director)

Luke 9:24

24“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.

Some will dismiss it as nonsense because they do not have eyes to see. However, for those of us whom the Holy Spirit guides we can see much more in this statement. We must lay down our own selfish desires and plans and submit to Christ. By submitting to Him we will find true life through Christ.

John 14:6

6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

If we strive and struggle to save our live… our desires and plans… our vision for life… then we will lose it, chasing all the wrong things.

Psalm 46:10

10“Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Let us put Christ first. Putting Him first means we will choose sometimes the path that is difficult in this wicked world. We must “pick up our cross daily and follow [Jesus]”. The cross was hard, brutal in fact, but above all, selfless and devoted to the Father’s will.

Luke 9:23-27

23And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. 24“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. 25“For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? 26“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27“But I say to you truthfully, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

Let us proclaim our love for Him and His love for us. Let us not be ashamed of Him before men. There are serious consequences to this. Jesus, Himself, says He will deny before the Father those who deny Him before men. Don’t rush over that statement. Pause on it and reflect. Are you acknowledging Jesus publically and broadly? or are you silent, trying not to offend those who reject Him?

Let us put Christ first rather than all the things that the world tells us to chase, even when it seems hard.

Matthew 6:33

33“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Truly what good is it to have all the selfish desire we may want in this world… to succeed beyond the wildest imagination of the worldly… if we lose our relationship with Christ and end up without Him in this world and eternity beyond?

Luke 9:25

25“For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?

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Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Faith / Trusting God, Fear / Reverence for God, Jesus (hearing from God), Jesus Christ / Yeshua

Who Do You Say That Jesus Is?

February 24, 2018 John (HFJ Director)

It is a critical and decisive question we all answer in our hearts, even if we do not acknowledge it consciously. We all must come to a decision about who we say that Jesus is.

Is He a fictional character? No. There is way too much historical evidence that He is real and not just in the Biblical text. The evidence is broad, including historical accounts outside the Bible and archaeological evidence.

Is He just a good teacher or a prophet? No. He claimed to be the Son of God, the Messiah. That means He is either a liar, a madman, or the Son of God.

Luke 9:18-22

18And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying, “Who do the people say that I am?” 19They answered and said, “John the Baptist, and others say Elijah; but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again.” 20And He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.” 21But He warned them and instructed them not to tell this to anyone, 22saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day.”

Matthew 16:13-17

13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” 15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

It is God Himself who reveals to each of us who follow Christ the truth that He is Messiah. Let us never be so arrogant as to look down on others who reject Him and think too highly of ourselves. Instead let us pray for them and give thanks to the Lord for revealing Himself to us. God initiates the relationship. We choose how to respond.

Whether or not we accept Jesus as Messiah should then influence the entirety of our lives. If He is Messiah, then we should follow Him and submit to Him all areas of our lives. He should not be a once a week, one hour lecture but a way of life. We should seek out a personal relationship with him and study His word. He should be our first priority and His teaching should guide us in all we do.

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All Powerful / King of All, Faith / Trusting God, Faithful, Guide, Jesus (hearing from God), Miracles, Miracles, Obeying God, Strong in Our Weakness

When God Says “Go Do”, He Will Provide The “How To”

February 23, 2018 John (HFJ Director)

It is incredible sometimes how hard it is for us as followers of Christ to change the way we think. We are naturally drawn to think of how we solve problems and what our limitations are. When we try to do something or even when God tells us to do something, we often default to evaluating the request based on whether or not we can do it in our own power. We do not naturally think about God’s unlimited power and that if He asks us to do something, then He will provide the power needed to make it happen. It is hard for us to obey without thinking about our strategy to get it done. That is where faith needs to come in.

Luke 9:12-17

Five Thousand Fed

12Now the day was ending, and the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the crowd away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and get something to eat; for here we are in a desolate place.” 13But He said to them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless perhaps we go and buy food for all these people.” 14(For there were about five thousand men.) And He said to His disciples, “Have them sit down to eat in groups of about fifty each.” 15They did so, and had them all sit down. 16Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them, and broke them, and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the people. 17And they all ate and were satisfied; and the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up, twelve baskets full.

I certainly can identify in my life a strong tendency to plan out whatever I am trying to do. When I plan it out, I do not know how to figure in the power of God, so I tend to look for how I can make it happen on my own. Over the past years, however, the Spirit has really been working on me and helping me grow in this area. I am so grateful that our Lord, Creator of all, cares enough about each of us to get involved in our lives and help us. He loves us and is worthy of praise and obedience!

Now when He asks me to do something challenging, I am getting much better at praying for Him to show me how and when and relying less and less on my plans to make it happen. Sometimes the “ask” is so simple and within my own power it is easy to go make it happen. It just takes willingness to obey and put His desire over mine. Of course even giving us the willingness to submit to His will is something we can ask the Spirit to help us with.

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Comforter, Compassionate, Healer, Help / Serve Others, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Loving / Kind, Miracles, Share the Good News

The Character of Christ

February 22, 2018 John (HFJ Director)

Scripture is so deep and rich with meaning. I find myself pouring over the same section of scripture three days in a row now… for 11 verses. There are different themes worth highlighting and prayerfully reflecting on. This morning I am focused on verses 10-11. We see on full display the character of Christ. He is selfless and concerned for others. He is loving and kind. He puts the needs of others above His own.

Luke 9:1-11

Ministry of the Twelve

1And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. 2And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing. 3And He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even have two tunics apiece. 4“Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that city. 5“And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” 6Departing, they began going throughout the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

7Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was happening; and he was greatly perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, 8and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen again. 9Herod said, “I myself had John beheaded; but who is this man about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see Him.

10When the apostles returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done. Taking them with Him, He withdrew by Himself to a city called Bethsaida. 11But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and welcoming them, He began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing.

Jesus sent the apostles out on a mission and they accomplished it. They had such an impact that they gained the attention of Herod. When they returned and debriefed Him on all that happened, He withdrew with them to Bethsaida. The apostles were likely tired from their evangelical efforts and Jesus I am sure was impacted by the death of John the Baptist. It was a good idea to withdraw for some rest and regroup time.

However, the crowds followed. What a true reflection of Christ’s character… rather than turning them away, He welcomes them, speaks to them about the kingdom of God and cures those in need of healing. He is totally unselfish and focused on our needs. We should pray for His help to follow in His example by the grace of God.

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Guide, His Timing Not Ours, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Obeying God, Share the Good News

Follow God’s Plan Rather Than Your Own

February 21, 2018 John (HFJ Director)

When God is on the move, He commands attention even from those who reject Him and His messengers. They have stubbornly decided to reject Him, but they can’t ignore what He is doing either. It perplexes them, confuses them. Such was the case with Herod observing the ministry of the twelve.

Luke 9:1-11

Ministry of the Twelve

Perhaps one could wonder… with such power for miracles to get the attention and interest of one like Herod, why didn’t the disciples go to Herod to convince Him of Christ as Messiah. Influencing someone important such as Herod would do much for the cause of Christ.

The simple answer is that we are to listen to and obey the Lord’s instructions. Jesus sent the disciples into the various towns, not to Herod. We are to humbly and respectfully obey and trust the Lord to manage the strategy of how He wants to use our service to influence others. Let us not try to make our own plans for how we will serve God and then ask Him to bless them. Rather, let us listen closely to what He tells us to do and then obey. If we are going about doing His will, He will give us the power to accomplish what He asks.

There are times, such as with John the Baptist and Paul and Old Testament prophets, where they were sent to the kings and leaders for teaching, preaching, council and rebuke. There are other times when our Lord sends us directly to the people. Listen for and accept the assignment He gives you. Don’t try to pick the assignment and then ask Him to bless it.

Trust in the Lord. His ways are above our ways. He has a masterful and flawless plan. Only He can see how it flows in its entirety from beginning to end in all the glorious detail that He leads us through.

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Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Faith / Trusting God, Help / Serve Others, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Jesus (hearing from God), Miracles, Miracles, Obeying God, Share the Good News

He Sent Them Out To Proclaim the Kingdom

February 20, 2018 John (HFJ Director)

God’s ways are not our ways. We can not make our own plans and then just demand God bless us as we try to accomplish them… even if we mean well and want to please Him. We must build relationship with Him and then let Him tell us where and what He wants us to do. He can show us where He is working and what He wants us to do.

Luke 9:1-11

Ministry of the Twelve

Consider the twelve disciples. If they decided to go proclaim the gospel on their own to honor God they would not have nearly the power or success, even if their hearts were desiring to please the Lord. There is no way they can succeed on their own power, even if the Lord tells them what He wants done. When the Lord sends them out, however, He sends them with power and authority enough to accomplish the task. In this case He sends them with power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. He sent them to proclaim the gospel and to heal.

God, however, wants them to know beyond a doubt that it is God working through them and not themselves accomplishing His work. As if the healing and power over demons would not be dramatic enough, He sends them out in true faith… taking no staff, bag, bread, money or even a spare tunic. He tells them where to go and what to do but sends them in a way that would make most people cringe, starting a journey with no supplies or money and relying on others to supply their needs. But we are to trust our Lord as we go about His business. Then we know beyond a doubt that it was His power and not our own.

His ways are not our ways… they are better. His ways help us to walk in right relationship with Him and to learn to rely on Him and love Him and experience the joy and peace of walking with Him… humbly aware of our own limitations.

It is worth noting, that the Lord tells them ahead of time that even though He is sending them out with great power and authority… some will still not receive them. Our Lord allows us free will and the opportunity to either accept or reject Him. We are to expect that some will reject us and Him and we are to be prepared. We must not become frozen desperately chasing those who reject Him. We must get on with the harvest of those who will receive us and receive our Lord.

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All Powerful / King of All, Holy, Peace / Rest, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

The Majesty of the Lord

February 18, 2018 John (HFJ Director)

Pause from your busy life and reflect prayerfully on the majesty of the Lord.

Psalm 93

The Majesty of the LORD.

1The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty;
The LORD has clothed and girded Himself with strength;
Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.

2Your throne is established from of old;
You are from everlasting.

3The floods have lifted up, O LORD,
The floods have lifted up their voice,
The floods lift up their pounding waves.

4More than the sounds of many waters,
Than the mighty breakers of the sea,
The LORD on high is mighty.

5Your testimonies are fully confirmed;
Holiness befits Your house,
O LORD, forevermore.

As we remember that the Lord reigns now and forevermore, let us lift up our praises to Him and find true peace in our relationship with Him.

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Sharing God's word through devotionals and other resources. Helping you study the Bible and apply it to your life. Helping young children to enjoy the Bible at our Kid Zone.

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Sharing God's word through devotionals and other resources. Helping you study the Bible and apply it to your life. Helping young children to enjoy the Bible at our Kid Zone.