Writing about life, leadership, faith, and anything else I find interesting.

John 2:22 - Belief in my Unbelief

This morning I was ready to dive into John chapter 3, but there was something that just was not settling with me in my reading yesterday. Some of this came from a few pastoral conversations I had during the day; both of them revolved around remembering what God has done in their lives previously.

Isn’t it funny (funny might not be the right word) that we can often forget how God has moved…

John 2: 13-25 - Rage and Discipline

So, Jesus just completed his first public miracle by turning water into wine at a wedding, the scriptures tell us his disciples believed in him...and then he retreated down to Capernaum with his mother, brothers, and disciples for a few days.

A few little observations quickly before we dive into Jesus going into beast mode. We read Jesus went up to Jerusalem, or down…

John 2: 1-12 - Jesus delivers Joy

Here in John 2, John is pretty forward about days. John is counting up from when Jesus came on the scene 1v29; “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

“The next day, John was there again with two of his disciples.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭1:35‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” - John‬ ‭1:43‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John 1:43-50 - Religion to Relationship

Ok, ok. This is wild. Nathanael, the one who is a bit racist, prejudice, and carrying a chip against Nazareth, was studying the Scriptures and meditating, and Jesus was with him. There is some comfort in this for me knowing Jesus is with those of us who are not perfect, who are in the process of transformation, still trying to figure it out...even those who are prejudice. Jesus looks at this guy and sees his full transformation, sees his full potential, and sees him with no deceit. Praise God!

John 1 - How to Build Greatness

What does it take to build something great, something lasting, something that transcends generations? What comes to your mind, a great product? A person that is great? Just think about whatever comes to your mind, and think about what all went into that thing, someone, whatever, and what made it great? What made that greatness last? What made that greatness transcend, and have a legacy?

John 1:19-40 - Becoming Less

There is something very encouraging and helpful for me reading about John the Baptist. Maybe it’s because of my flesh, and pride that is continuously being refined and pruned. Isaiah gives us John’s mission.

“A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” - ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John 1:9-18 - Grace upon Grace

Just to get my head fully back into the book of John, I am reminded the Gospel of John has a key and central purpose. This entire book was written, so we will come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus is fully God and fully man. The opening of this Gospel connects back to the Creation story, the story, and narrative that these readers would understand and connect with. After the creation story, it goes right into John the Baptist, and him being sent to point to the light.

Today is a exciting day. As a family we are off to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Yep, flying into the eye of the COVID storm. I am writing this on the flight from Houston to Orlando.

As I dive into John, I am going to just really process out loud, in a journal type style what is interesting and standing out to me. I am not sure what will come out of this, but it will be a little different than previous writings. I am just going to approach the Gospels, or at least John this way for now. Who knows, I may change my mind and approach, but for now, I am diving in and seeing what just begs of me to process out loud. So, here we go.

John 1:1-5, The Word Became Flesh.

The Gospel according to John

I am not quite sure how I am going to tackle journaling and writing about the Gospel of John, but here we go anyway. I am excited and a little intimidated by diving into John. In chapter 20 we read the purpose of John’s Gospel;

“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭20:31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Hebrews 13 - United with Jesus

What a blessing, what a prayer for us to rest in and pray ourselves. May Jesus work perfection into every part of us, giving us all that we need to fulfill our destiny. Yes and Amen!

And may he express through you all that is excellent and pleasing to him through your life-union with Jesus the Anointed One. Life-union, united, one with God through Jesus. Yes and Amen.

All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.