Excel Still More

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John 2

The first recorded miracle of Jesus’ ministry is the turning of water into wine in Cana of Galilee. His mother informs Him that the wine has run out at a wedding feast. While the time has not come for Jesus to show everyone His deity, He honors His mother’s request, and He turns six waterpots into wine. This serves to “manifest His glory” to His disciples. Jesus then makes a trip to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. He makes a whip and drives out the money changers in the temple. The Jews ask for a sign as proof of His authority. He speaks of the temple being destroyed and rebuilt in three days. Jesus is referencing His death and resurrection. In Jerusalem, He performs signs, and many believe in Him. 

The miracles in this chapter demonstrate the love of Jesus. He is easing into public ministry, but at His mother’s request, Jesus turns the water into wine. This is a concession He makes out of love, and it encourages everyone. Later, in Jerusalem, while not yet time for Him to die, He still drives greedy Jews out of the temple. He does this because of His passion for bringing honor to His Father. Jesus is motivated by love, and He later dies on the cross to help others and obey God. We should appreciate how much He did out of concern for us, and we should emulate that by helping others and openly showing our love for our heavenly Father.  

Worthy Lord, You deserve to be loved, worshiped, and obeyed. Your Son believed this so strongly that He drove out those who disrespected Your will. Lord, help us to be like Your Son, emotional about your worthiness and bold in the face of those who disobey You. Show us how to be motivated by love for You, but also our love for other people. Jesus often acted out of compassion and care, even altering His plans to be helpful. Lord, demand this of us. Create opportunities for us to serve others and demonstrate the heart of Christ in observable ways.   

Thought Questions:

-       It was clear that Jesus loved His mother. Who in your life is so loved that you honor their requests even when it is not your desire?

-       The signs of Jesus “manifested His glory” and led to belief. In what ways do the miracles of Jesus lead you to stronger faith in Him?

-       Zeal for God led Jesus to aggressive behavior in the temple. Is there a time for that, and how must you be cautious in such moments?

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John 1

John’s gospel starts “in the beginning.” Jesus was the Word in heaven who made all things. After creation, He becomes the Light from heaven to illuminate our hearts. Jesus is the grace of God revealed to bring the Father’s favor. He is the Lamb of God who would die to “take away the sins of the world.” He is the Christ prophesied in the Old Testament. Jesus Christ is the greatest gift man has ever been given. John the Baptist proclaims Jesus as the Son of God, saying he has seen the Spirit fall on Him and that Jesus will be the One who baptizes others in the Holy Spirit. Jesus then begins his public ministry by calling into service four men from Galilee: Peter, Andrew, Philip, and Nathanael. 

Most scholars contend that John’s Letter is the last inspired gospel. He brings a different perspective and unique details to Christ’s ministry. The central point of his letter is belief. We must believe Jesus is the Creator. We must embrace Him as God’s Light and grace, and as the sacrificial Lamb sent to save us from our sins. The evidence from John the Baptist, the Old Testament prophets, and the Holy Spirit falling on Him testify to Christ’s identity. We must see Him as Nathanael did: with amazement and humility. Starting with simple trusting faith, Jesus takes Nathanael on an incredible journey and shows him many wonderful things. He will do likewise in our lives if we choose to follow Him.   

Glorious Father, we praise Your Name for Your beautiful grace. Thank You for taking all the blessings You seek to give us and placing them in Your Son. If we will pursue Him, loving and obeying Him, we will be forgiven and saved forever. Great God, we ask you to take us on a journey like the four men who followed Jesus. Overwhelm us with Christ’s glory. Then take us places we have never been, show us things we cannot imagine, and use us in ways we never thought possible. Lord, we believe. Show us how to follow Jesus.  

Thought Questions:

-       Is Jesus your Creator? Is He God’s greatest gift to bring grace and hope into your life? Why are those questions important?

-       John the Baptist was a great prophet, but he always redirected glory to Jesus. How do you direct all glory to Christ?

-       If Jesus showed up today and said, “Follow Me”, would you go? How is He already calling you to do that in your life?

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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Luke 24

Women come to the tomb on the first day of the week and see two angels standing inside. The angels proclaim that Jesus is risen, just as He prophesied. Disciples then come to the tomb and marvel. That same day, Jesus appears to two men on the road to Emmaus, teaching them from the Old Testament scripture and revealing Himself to be the Christ. These men take this report to the eleven apostles in Jerusalem. Jesus then appears to the eleven and shows them the nail marks on His hands and feet, but they still struggle to believe. Jesus teaches them from the scripture to firm up their faith and to prepare them for their ministry. He then ascends into heaven, as the disciples worship Him with great joy. 

Luke’s resurrection account openly notes how difficult it was for the disciples to believe. They did not initially believe the women’s testimony about the angels. They did not believe the two men who reported their time with Jesus. They still could not believe, for a time, even after Jesus appeared to them! Throughout the chapter, Jesus uses scripture to teach them about Himself and to help them believe their eyes. It can be difficult for people to accept the resurrected Christ. It is life-changing news. We must keep going to the word to examine testimony and truth. Jesus was patient, and the disciples grew in maturity and service. Jesus is also patient with us, so we must be with others.  

Great God, we believe! We believe Jesus died for us. We believe He was raised on the third day. And we believe that Jesus has ascended to rule in heaven. Patient God, help us see how the truths should shape our daily lives and mission. The disciples worshiped Him with great joy and were continually praising You. Heavenly Father, give us the humility to fill our days with praise. And please help our unbelief. Make Christ’s resurrection the central part of who we are. Help us to be committed to being in the word daily to learn more about our Savior. 

-       Why did the disciples struggle to believe, even after all they had seen? They had much to learn to further fortify their faith. Do you?  

-       Jesus went to the scripture to prove Himself, though He could have worked any miracle. What does that say about the power of the word? 

-       Jesus died and was raised so a message of repentance and forgiveness could be preached to all. Who will you share that message with today?

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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Luke 23

Pilate is a central figure in Luke’s crucifixion account. He and Herod both question Jesus and find no guilt in Him. Pilate seeks to release Jesus, but the jealousy of the Jewish people is unrelenting. Pilate lacks the courage to save Jesus, but he demonstrates how an unbiased mind will see Him as holy. As Jesus is crucified, Luke’s account notes three things He says on the cross. He asks God to forgive His killers, for they do not know what they are doing. Jesus extends salvation to the repentant criminal. And He commits His spirit into the Father’s hands. These statements demonstrate His endless love and mercy and His complete trust in the Father. Following His death, a righteous man named Joseph is permitted by Pilate to bury Jesus. 

Pilate is confronted with a choice: to side with an innocent man and risk his standing or to turn from Jesus and give in to the demands of sinners. We know he chose poorly. But if we see Jesus for who He is, then discipleship will be even more than just claiming His innocence. We must defend His honor. Perhaps Jesus’ honor is best shown by who He was while dying on the cross. His words reveal the depth of His righteousness. We can see how deeply he loves mankind. In His image, we must prove our character by how we speak and behave under harsh and unkind treatment. Even in death, Jesus trusted that God would take care of Him.

Giving Father, You have shown Your grace in giving Your only Son to die on the cross to redeem us from our sins. We pray to have the cross always on our minds and to live each day in the shadow of that sacrifice. Help us to see His unrelenting love so that we will be drawn to Him, even after we have sinned against Him. We are the criminal on the cross, saved by Christ as we repent and turn to Him. Father, we also commit to a character that mirrors our Savior. Help us to shine in the darkness. 

-       Pilate is such a tragic character. He knew the truth and lacked courage. What inspires you to stand for Jesus Christ against all opposition?

-       Both criminals mocked Jesus. One repented, and Jesus saved Him. What does that say about Jesus’ willingness to save those who believe in Him?

-       A Centurion saw Jesus die and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.” How important is grace under fire in showing righteousness to others?

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Here's the Exercise of the Episode:

Answer four questions:

- Why are you a Christian?

- Why do you go to worship?

- Why do you treat everyone with kindness?

- Why do you abstain from sexual immorality?

First - Answer each question starting with JESUS

Second - Answer each starting with OTHERS

Finally - Answer each starting with YOURSELF

This is the way to process and prioritize all we do.

Sequencing is Important: J.O.Y.  

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Luke 22

Jesus is the calm amid the storm as the end of His earthly life approaches. The Jews seek to kill Him. Judas has set up His betrayal. The disciples, while faithful, understand little and often devolve into arguments over who is the greatest. Peter makes a commitment he cannot keep. But in all this, Jesus remains faithful. He gathers the Apostles and establishes the memorial supper that would have great meaning after His death and resurrection. He goes to the garden and communes with His Father. He is comforted by an angel and made ready to complete His mission. He quietly submits to arrest. While Peter’s world is shattered by weakness in denying Jesus, the Savior tells the world He is God’s Son, knowing it will lead to His death.   

Satan is at work near the end of Jesus’ life. He enters Judas to lead him to betray Jesus. He incites the jealousy of the Jewish leaders. He even demands permission to sift Peter like wheat and succeeds in tempting him to deny Jesus. Satan is a menace, then and now. He still features these same tactics: greed, fear, and pride. But Jesus is our anchor in the storm of Satan’s efforts. He gathers and protects His disciples. He appeals to God on our behalf. Jesus communes with us in His memorial supper. And Jesus helps us face trials with composure and wisdom. We should always be anchored in Him and grateful for His help in times of need. 

Holy God, we praise You during the trials and temptations of life. Satan tries to sow doubt and fear into our hearts. Father, give us clarity to see Your Son. He was focused, faithful, and always connected to You. His identity as Your Son sustained Him. Dear Lord, help us to be more like Him. Lead us to make more time for prayer and to keep our eyes on future hopes and blessings in Jesus. His behavior, even in the face of evil, was controlled by peace. Father, fill us with peace in knowing our triumphant King is always with us.  

-       Why was Jesus so calm even as Satan was doing his work? How can you establish that kind of peace even if there is trouble around you?

-       Jesus’ disciples struggled under trial because overconfidence led to complacency. How do you keep from complacency in your faith?

-       “Are you the Son of God?” “Yes, I am.” Jesus confidently confessed His name. How does your faith in His identity help you daily?

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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Luke 21

Jesus is at the temple and commends a poor widow for putting in all that she has to live on. This contrasts with those who give out of their surplus. Jesus has a message for those who deem the temple to be holy, but do not worship there with the right heart: the temple in Jerusalem will be destroyed. The disciples ask Jesus when such things will happen. Jesus tells them times will get tough and deceivers will abound. But it will be a great opportunity to testify to the truth. He instructs them to flee to the mountains when the judgment begins. Disciples will need to be on guard, stay prepared, and be willing to walk away when the time comes. This destruction would come in their generation. 

The destruction of Jerusalem occurred in 70 A.D. Roman soldiers attacked the city, and many Jews were killed. Jesus warned about this, and those who believed in Him looked for signs, stayed ready, and escaped annihilation. There was much deception in those days. Disciples had to sift through error and be sure they were following the truth. The Roman army was the agency of Christ’s judgment against the ungodly. We know that a final judgment is coming. Jesus will return personally, and He will destroy the world and those who are caught in deception. We can “stand before the Son of Man” if we listen, learn, and prepare for the coming of our King. The day of judgment is coming. 

Powerful Creator, we live, move, and exist because of Your power and love. It brings great comfort to worship the One who created and controls all things. Father, give us the wisdom to see that this also means You have the power to destroy. As Jesus predicted Jerusalem’s destruction, so will this world be burned with fire. Thank You for teaching us how to avoid judgment and stand with Jesus on the final day. We commit to being ready and embracing every opportunity to tell others to love and obey Your Son, and to prepare to meet Him face to face. 

-       The temple was special to Jews, yet many had the wrong hearts. How important is your heart when you gather with others at places of worship?

-       Jerusalem’s destruction was complete and terrible. How important is it to see that Jesus is willing to do this for those who reject His will?

-       Jesus warns you to be on guard, so your heart is not burdened by the worries of life. How do you work on that to prepare for His return? 

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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Luke 20

It is easier to ask questions than to answer them, especially when one’s motives are wrong. The Pharisees learn this lesson throughout this chapter. They ask about Christ’s authority, but they cannot answer His question about the baptism of John. Jesus then tells a parable about workers in a man’s vineyard. They beat his delegates, eventually kill his son, and they seek to take the vineyard for themselves. Judgment will be severe for such people. The Jewish leaders respond to this by asking Jesus questions about taxes and government, and then about marriage and the resurrection. On each occasion, He answers with integrity. He then asks them about David’s son being Lord and they have no answer. Jesus warns people to beware of those who question but have no integrity. 

There is no doubt that Jesus’ teaching is powerful and demanding. Because of this, many in the world seek to diminish His authority and establish their own. A fundamental part of our faith is admitting that He has all authority to rule our lives. If He is relegated to a lesser role, our own desires will replace Him in the seat of our hearts. From there, many sinful things can happen. Jesus is faithful. He handles questions about Caesar, questions about the resurrection, and all questions with perfect wisdom. He knows infinitely more than we do. No question can stump the Maker of all things! If we doubt Him now, He will have difficult questions for us in the judgment. 

Dear Lord, teach us how to have an all-in faith in Jesus. We have questions in this life. Help us to understand that our questions do not diminish His authority. Instead, they serve as more reason to trust in the One who knows all things. We have seen doubt turn to anger in the Pharisees and in people around us. How can we show them the peace that is found in surrender? Maybe that is seen in how we view the government. Or perhaps what we believe about resurrection. Give us opportunities to show the world we find our answers in Christ.  

-       The Pharisees asked Jesus, “By what authority” He speaks and acts. How would you answer that question on your Savior’s behalf?

-       Jesus was righteous when questioned about taxes and government. Why is it important to be peaceful and wise when asked about such things?

-       Questions about life after death can be very tough. Why is it important to defer to God and scripture and trust that He will work it out?

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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Luke 19

Compassion and repentance go together. Jesus shows compassion for a tax collector by approaching him, and Zaccheus responds by repenting of his sinful past. Jesus establishes a kingdom of workers who will carry His saving message. As the parable of the minas indicates, some will reject Him and be wasteful with their opportunities. But those who engage enthusiastically in sharing Him with others will be rewarded. As Jesus approaches Jerusalem for the last time, some worshipers gather to praise Him. But sadly, many in Jerusalem do not. It hurts Jesus to see so many reject His mercy. Jesus goes to the temple to drive out the greedy men and this enrages the Jewish leaders. These men prove to be the hateful and wasteful citizens from the parable of the minas.   

Jesus went out of His way to help a tax collector in a tree, a man most would avoid. The parable of the minas, or even the talents, is only understood from this perspective. The work of cultivating His investment in us demands reaching people who are seeking Jesus. Evangelism is at the heart of discipleship. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. The Jewish leaders simply could not understand this. They wanted to protect their own established traditions, even though it had led to ungodly behavior, like money changing in the temple. They hated Him for demanding that they focus less on themselves and more on others. We must emulate Jesus and never these men of selfish motives.  

Merciful Father, we are Zaccheus. We are sinners in search of someone to love us. Jesus has come, brought salvation to us, and challenged us to repent and lovingly serve Him faithfully. Lord, we are forever indebted to Him. Please give us the wisdom to know how to show that in the way we love, teach, and help others. You have invested in us, and we pray for the courage to multiply that investment. We will worship Your Son with boldness and joy. Please discipline us to focus less on self, money, and status, and more on kingdom ministry. 

-       What would it require for you or me to derail our day to stop and notice Zaccheus and then go to his home? How can we be more like Jesus?

-       You belong to Jesus. This is such a peaceful place to be. How important is it for you to share that hope with people who need Him?

-       It seems money and greed kept the Pharisees too blind to see Jesus. What can you do each day to keep that from happening to you?

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Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
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Luke 18

Saving faith is defined by humility. Throughout this chapter, this is taught in many ways. It starts with persistent, thankful, modest prayer. How we approach God, and if we compare ourselves to others, says a great deal about us. This humility must persist after prayer and in how we treat those less fortunate than us. A ruler walks away from Christ because he will not sell his goods and help others. For those who are willing to do so, Jesus will care for them now and forever in heaven. Jesus demonstrates this entirely when He gives His life on the cross. So much of this for us is tied to our unworthiness. We are like the blind beggar, saved by the relentless pursuit of the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.  

Jesus’ teaching from Luke’s perspective is quite challenging. It demands of us things we may easily understand, like prayer and trust and seeking Him diligently and fully. But then Jesus turns attention to how we see others. He demands we never elevate ourselves over others. He tells us to give up our own goods to help those who have less. Instead of telling us to be cautious about that, He demonstrates unprecedented charity by giving His life on the cross. He then challenges us to love like He loves. Would we have stopped to help the blind man? Part of growth is realizing that we are that man. But this must then extend to the compassionate way we see others.  

Ever-present Lord, we thank You for always being willing to hear our prayers. We believe You always answer in a way that honors You and is good for us, according to Your will. Help us to self-evaluate as we pray. Teach us to be loving toward others, and to ask for wisdom to give, to serve, and to spread Your mercy and kindness to them. Your Son gave everything and now sits in glory. Show us how to pattern our daily lives after Him. Open our eyes to Him and give us the opportunity today to help others see His way.

-       How impactful is daily prayer in your life? If you are consistent and filled with thanksgiving, how will prayer be helpful to you?

-       Do you pray for others? Not just friends, but the needy, the hurting, and even those who don’t love you. Why is this important?

-       “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Do you appeal to Jesus in this way? How does Jesus respond to genuine calls for healing and help?