The Simple Life

Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." John 2:2-5 (ESV)   Mary knew who Jesus was. Mary knew that Jesus could solve any problem at any time for anyone. Mary knew exactly to whom to go when trouble arose.   We cannot allow ourselves to be stifled because we do not know how a problem will be solved. We need to focus on Who it is who can solve the problem, and encourage those who experience the trial to do as He says.   This seems like simple advice, and it is. This sounds like something anybody can do, and it is. This looks too good to be true, yet it's true.   If I seek God and listen to Him, He will carry me through the problems of life. I can do this.  

One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means Christ). John 1:40-41 (ESV)   Peter was a curious person who was looking for Christ, yet not really knowing what following Him would look like. From the time Peter met Christ and began to follow Him his life was unusually exciting. There were displays of miraculous power and moments of complete confusion. In the end, Peter led the early church.   We need to recognize that God works both through the miraculous and the confusing. In the end, if we do what the old hymn said, if we continue to trust and obey, we will see that there is no other way.   Those who commit to following Jesus will have no regrets in the end. Those who try to make an arrangement with Jesus will one day abandon Him, because we were not made to make arrangements, but we were made for commitments.

The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, "What are you seeking?" And they said to him, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come and you will see." So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. John 1:35-39 (ESV)   Jesus asked them a question each of us must answer: “What are you seeking?” What am I seeking? Do I pursue comfort, money, fame, fortune, privacy, God, power, and more? What would my life look like if I followed God and let the rest of life work out however He works it out?   If those seeking Christ were doing so for personal gain, they would lose. If they were seeking Christ to live as they were meant to live, th

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.' I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel." And John bore witness: "I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God." John 1:29-34 (ESV)   It is a privileged position to point to God. Those who do that must recognize who God is, how He works, and the fact that He has placed us in a position that should clearly show who He is. Sometimes we blur the view by focusing on who we are, that at which we are gift

(Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) They asked him, "Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie." John 1:24-27 (ESV)   John had a chance to elevate himself in the eyes of the religious community, yet he maintained an honest perspective of one who is a servant of God.  Canon Westcott once wrote: "This may be regarded as a temptation of John corresponding to the simultaneous temptation of Christ. John refused the titles in which the hierarchical party expressed their false views, even as Christ refused to satisfy their expectations by the assumption of external power."   To be used by God for any task is a privilege, and we are all unworthy of such an honor. Serving God is not about us; it is about Him and others. If we ever make it about us,

And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No." So they said to him, "Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said." John  1:19-23  (ESV)   When the Apostle John was asked who he was, he proclaimed that he was the one whom Jesus loved. When John the Baptist was asked who he was, he declared that he was a voice of one crying out in the wilderness.   It is essential to know who we are and what we are about. Both Johns understood who they were, and the responsibilities that went wi

No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. John 1:18 (ESV)   "We use many words to declare our minds, thereby showing the incoherency of our thoughts and the faultiness of the vehicle in which we convey them. The more powerful the mind, the fewer and clearer the words it uses to disclose itself; and the higher and more inspirational the mood, the more condensed and significant the language. Every extraordinary genius reveals itself, not by the multiplicity of its sentences, but by one or two words struck off the anvil at the moment of white heat. Every illustrious man is characterized by one or two sentences. "Know thyself! " therein you see the whole mind and philosophy of Socrates. God revealed Himself once in Christ the Word." (J. Cynddylan Jones, D. D.)  

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17 (ESV)   We were not meant to stay under the law. We were created to enjoy the freedom that comes from being in a healthy relationship with God.   When you are in a relationship with one who is perfect, the only proper response to Him would be obedience. If you truly know God, you love God, and if you love God, you obey God. This may not be true with humans, but it is the proof text of our love with God.   It is popular to talk of loving God and people, yet most struggle to understand what that means. Love is not enabling; it is empowering. Love is patient and kind, and it displays many other qualities that are byproducts of our choice to love.  No one loves because they are kind; however, if you love, you are kind.   Love is the most powerful force on earth, so it is no wonder that Satan wants us to be confused about what it means.  

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (ESV)   "The glory of the Mediator consisted, not in His wisdom, by which He knew what was in man—nor in His power, to which a material universe rendered homage—but in His grace, in the kindness of His heart, in the complete and perfect benevolence of His character. In this respect, He was the "brightness of His Father's glory." His heart was an overflowing fountain of love, a plenary spring of goodness, which perpetually sent forth streams of grace, to bless a barren and desert world. He is exhibited to us in this character, as the Head of the gospel dispensation, as the Founder of a new order of things, as the Author and Finisher of our faith." (S. Summers)  

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (ESV)   God became man to show us who God is. Jesus demonstrated how to live in perfect communion with God, the way it was meant to be.  Jesus demonstrated what it looks like to love others, serve others, and live and die with purpose. Jesus made the concept of God the reality. Finally, Jesus demonstrated what happens to the believer after physical death when He came back from the dead.   It would be foolish to ignore Jesus and make life a complete waste of time. As Jesus came to bring reality to the concept of God, I, too, am challenged to live in a manner that demonstrates the reality of God in this life.   I have the example, I have the challenge, for now, the choice is mine.  

He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John  1:11-13  (ESV)   Choices. We have choices. To all those who receive Him, who believed in His name, they are the ones who have the right to be named as children of God. Their entrance into God's family has nothing to do with human heritage, and everything to do with God's mercy and grace.   Those who understand the sinful condition of man are positioned right to accept the grace of God. Those who try to make man "good" cannot grasp the idea of mercy or grace.   God loves, so He gave. As we love, we accept His love and gift. It is simple.

He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John  1:11-13  (ESV)   Jesus came to the people He loved and created, and they rejected Him. They obviously did not know what they were doing, for if they really knew what they were doing, they would not have rejected God. This is evident when Jesus, on the cross, said, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."   Why would those whom God created and loved not know that He is God and that He loves them? What could possibly keep anyone from missing the facts of God's love?   As a baby is totally consumed with its own feeling and demands that those who are capable of providing for them do so promptly, we, too, become consumed with our feelings, and demand that God respond to our desires promptly. This extreme se

He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. John 1:10 (ESV)   God giving us choice can be confusing to some, but it is consistent with God's character. God is love, and therefore must give those He loves the opportunity to accept or reject His love. In order for His choice to be real, the choices must have real consequences attached to them. God is not fake and does not pretend.  You and I have real choice and our choices really matter.   The human struggle is not really with the idea of choice, but with the idea that God lives in a timeless state, already knows the real choice we are going to make, and He has adjusted history to reflect this choice.   God loves me and I can choose to love Him, or obey Him, or reject His love. My choices do and will matter.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. John 1:9 (ESV)   Anyone who wants to know God can know God. All who seek Him, find Him. If we really want to see life clearly, we go to God and examine it though His eyes of truth.   We often hear people say they do not feel close to God or cannot "feel" His presence. What they are saying, in essence, is that they have not sought God and therefore they feel distant from Him. God has fulfilled and will continue to fulfill His responsibility to us. I need to be responsible and seek Him or I can expect a distant feeling.   If I told you I was bothered because I could not find my car keys, you would probably ask me where I had them last, or where I had been looking. If I answered that I had not been looking for them, but wish I could find them, you would dismiss my concern, because I had put no effort in the find.   So it is with those who cannot find God.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. John 1:6-8 (ESV)   Does light need help? Do we really need to be a witness to the light? Yes and no.   When the sun shines it exposes, gives life, purifies, and clarifies. Darkness is the absence of light. When there is no light, like at nighttime, the sun uses objects like the moon to reflect its light.   John is the moon of the world. God would use him as a witness of the light, to show what the light looks like, and what the light can accomplish.   While we are on this earth, we live in darkness, and the best we can do is to position ourselves to reflect the light. We will never be the light, and if we try to live as if we are, we will be profoundly disappointed in this life and the next.   We were created to reflect, not to be the source of light. My job today is to be the best

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. John 1:6-8 (ESV)   The goal in life is that we bear witness to God. Those of us who live in extreme comfort often have trouble bearing witness to God. It seems that our money and comfort often blocks His view. Often we see the provision of comfort as His blessing, when in reality, it could be keeping us from His blessing. . Certainly, God enjoys providing the Promised Land for His people, yet the Promised Land was never meant to keep us from knowing, loving, and bearing witness to God. When that happens, the very blessings of God have become a curse rather than a blessing.  

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. John 1:6-8 (ESV)   John was sent by God. He was on a mission, a mission created specifically for him. I was sent by God. I am on a mission created specifically for me.   God has not randomly created anyone. We were all created with some common characteristics and other things that God uniquely "bent" us towards. In some ways we are all the same and in others we are all unique.   Finding the common factors is somewhat easy, yet finding, developing, and enjoying the unique characteristics God created us with takes a bit more effort. Those who love God and honor Him by obeying Him live what is described as "holy" lives. Holy could also be translated as "unique," and God is referred to being "unique, unique, unique," whereas I am only to be "

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. John 1:6-8 (ESV)   Light is a wonderfully descriptive word to use when speaking of God. When something travels at the speed of light, time stands still, and it is in a timeless state. Light clearly exposes "dirt." Light is the source for all growth, keeps us from stumbling and allows us to see horizons.  Any healthy cell benefits from light and without it, in total darkness there is death.   As the moon reflects the life-giving sunlight, my job is to reflect life-giving Son light.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5 (ESV)   Nothing was made without Christ. He created all things by the word of His mouth. His Word is most powerful and we are in a position to see, understand and experience His Word.   The idea of Christ being the creator of all things connotates the idea of purpose behind all things. We do not live in a random, haphazard world that was thrown together by a great cosmic accident.  All things were created on purpose, with purpose. There are no random creations, no accidents, no "I did not mean to do that" moments.   God is infinite and can be described in many ways, but He can never be defined as random. The trend today to reassign gender, redef

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5 (ESV)   You might translate this as "In the beginning was the concept of God" or the "Idea of God." Often, truth starts as an idea that may be hard to grasp until it somehow moves to reality.   Later in this chapter we see this: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14 ) Jesus came to this earth and made the concept of God a reality. We can observe God in the flesh in Jesus.   Jesus is God, in the flesh, sent to bear a cross for all people. He came to pay the price that we incurred, to eliminate the separation our

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5 (ESV)   We all start at a beginning, yet, before the beginning, there is God. No matter when we started, there was God. He was before all and all exist and are sustained by Him.   God is totally beyond our comprehension, yet totally understandable. He is beyond belief, yet we have faith. He is beyond comparison, cannot be manipulated, contained, or ignored, yet, we often try to compare, manipulate, box and/or ignore Him.   In the beginning was the Word. In the beginning, God.   I was not in the beginning, even though I had a beginning. I would be wise to keep this in mind today and every day.