Arise and Abide

Reading from The Gospel According to John 3:1-12 (NLT) ~Jesus and Nicodemus Cont.~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Jesus engaging Nicodemus where he was. Nicodemus taking everything literally. Being born of the Spirit opens eyes to see and ears to hear. Dying to self and our own ideas of how things are so we can see the things of God.

Reading from The Gospel According to John 2:23-25 (NLT) ~Jesus and Nicodemus~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. People began to trust Jesus, but Jesus did not trust them, because He knew their nature. Matthew 7:15-20. Not trusting people is a learned response as we experience the negative consequences of people’s sin nature.

Reading from The Gospel According to John 2:13-22 (NLT) ~Jesus Clears the Temple~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Jesus making a whip and the response of the people. The revolving door of animal sacrifices, the cheating of the money changers. The importance of leadership, God’s standard for leadership, people of integrity would not allow profit to be made off of what is sacred. Jesus calls His own body a Temple, as is ours. Allow Jesus to clear the temple ground within our hearts.

Reading from The Gospel According to John 2:1-12 (NLT) ~The Wedding at Cana~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Jesus revealing it’s not His time but still honoring the request of His mother. The servant’s willingness to just follow Jesus’ instructions. The story shows Jesus’ kindness, honor towards His mother, empathy towards the families who would have been embarrassed and possibly shamed.

Reading from The Gospel According to John 1:35-51 (NLT) ~The First Disciples~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. John the Baptist continues to proclaim Jesus is the Lamb of God but does not chase after Him, but Andrew and John do immediately. Nathanial being a man of integrity.

Reading from The Gospel According to John 1:29-34 (NLT) ~Jesus, The Lamb of God~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. John Testified that he was baptizing in the Jordan because God said He would reveal the Messiah to John as he baptized people. Why didn’t John follow Jesus? John’s testimony of Jesus being the Lamb of God, the Chosen’s depiction of the night the Lamb was born.

Reading from The Gospel According to John 1:19-28 (NLT) ~The Testimony of John the Baptist~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. John’s humility and response. Deut18:15, Malachi 4:5&6, Matthew 11:14. Having ears to hear, listen and understand. Keeping our eyes on the Word of God and not on our own expectations or the expectations of others. Jesus won the battle; we step into that victory and step into His peace when we surrender.

Reading from The Gospel According to John 1:6-18 (NLT) ~Prologue: Christ, the Eternal Word cont.~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The humility of John the Baptist, and how he did not get distracted by the crowds or the attention, his testimony always pointed to Jesus. All who believe in Jesus and accept Him are given the right to be called “Children of God”. Jesus has reviled God’s love. The gift of the Holy Spirit allows us the opportunity to share God’s love.

Reading from The Gospel According to John 1:1-5 (NLT) ~Prologue: Christ, the Eternal Word~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Jesus being with God and at the same time, is God. How darkness cannot extinguish or understand the light. The power we hold in our words. James’ teaching on the tongue. The need to filter the words spoken over us through the truth of the Word of God. Filling our hearts with the truth of God so that the wellspring of our hearts will overflow with life and encouragement.

Reading from Revelation 22:1-21 (NLT) ~Jesus is Coming~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Living in the reality that God’s presence is always there, knowing all the things we want to keep hidden, and seeing all we do in solitude. The Story of God’s love. Choosing God’s way or choosing our own way. Love God, love people the way God loves them by not forcing your own way. There is an invitation to come to the marriage supper of the Lamb and dwell in the New Jerusalem. Come! You are invited too!