The Preacher’s Corner

Today we are blessed with another opportunity to understand how we drive  our LORD crazy! Beginning in Malachi 2:17 we discuss the two ways we  weary the LORD by our words (which really happen to be our thoughts, for  sometimes we may not say these things, but we sure are thinking them)!  First, we announce evil to not only be considered good, but we also  falsely apply God's blessing to them (daring enough to say God is  delighted in them). The next way is how we accuse God of not being there  for us when tragedy strikes. To say, "Where is the God of judgment?" Of  course, when we call evil good we can expect evil things to happen, but  this isn't God's fault for we have brought this evil upon ourselves!  Then we move into Malachi 3:1-5 and are introduced to the 2 messengers;  the one who prepares the way for the LORD (John the Baptist), and the  Very Messenger of the Covenant (our LORD Jesus Christ). There is so much  to be received today from God's Word with Pastor J, and may God bless  you richly for tuning in!!!

Today in Malachi 2:10-16 we add to the discussion of the priesthood by  including Judah. Keep in mind that Judah is referred to, in this  instance, as being the whole tribe, and specifically dealing with  Jerusalem and the "institution" that God loves. As this people have  brought their profane sacrifices to God's house and the priesthood has  accepted those sacrifices as being "OK" with the Lord God has vowed that  He will "cut off" anyone who continues to profane His house and offer  such sacrifices. Also we find Judah "cheating" on God and committing  adultery with the daughters of other gods! The "daughters" used in this  case are the other institutions of worship the Jews had begun to worship  in concerning the gods of the nations around them. Lots to be received  today with Pastor J!!!

Today we begin a new adventure through the book of Malachi and the very  first statement God makes to His children is, "I have loved you." We  discover though, the heart of the people have a blazing question they  will not ask, and that is, "In what way have you loved us?" God reveals  the initial answer today in a revelation between Jacob and Esau.  Alongside understanding the issues behind Israel's question we shall  learn what the term, Malachi, means as well as the word "burden" and  "hated". All very important things to receive today as we begin our  decent into God's heart for His people (for us today)!!!

Today, as we finish the Gospel of John 21:20-25, we get an opportunity  to learn a bit more about Peter's personality and how easily he can be  double minded about his service to the Lord! We also get an opportunity  to gaze into our own hearts and see those things which may draw us away  from serving Jesus unto serving our flesh and the passions/desires of  it! As Peter was waiting for the Lord he saw a boat that was in the  lake. It didn't take him very long to end up in that boat, with the  other disciples who were fishermen, to be out fishing all night long  (and back into their old ways and lives as fishermen). This was the  whole point behind the questioning of Peter by Jesus concerning if Peter  truly loved the Lord. The multitude of the disciples looked up to Peter  and followed after his example, rather good or bad! Also, we receive a  beautiful teaching of the Lord that tells us to pay attention to our own  relationship to Him instead of judging ourselves based on others'  relationship to Him! To stay focused on the Lord and not get carried  away by those types of John we know who have a close and intimate  relationship with the Lord! As we finish this Gospel there is so much to  receive and so little time to receive it that we pray God's richest  blessings be upon you today as you hang out with Pastor J!!!

In today's session of John 21:1-19 we first come across the disciples  waiting for Jesus by the sea of Tiberius. As they had been waiting a  while for Jesus and no doubt had become bored Peter saw a fishing boat  and it was time to go fishing to fill in the time! As they engaged all  night in the fishing expedition and caught nothing, the next morning  Jesus came along the sea shore and told them to cast on the right side.  As they caught enough fish to break the net, John recognized His Lord  and Peter got dressed and dove into the water to get to Jesus! From  these events we glean the joy the disciples were filled with in waiting  for Jesus to arrive, but we also see just how easy it is for us to get  back into those things we once were even though we've been called by  Jesus unto another purpose with, and in our lives. This is the case with  Peter as he hopped back into the fishing mode! Jesus pulls him aside  and asks him a similar question 3 times. "Do you love me?" This also is a  question we must answer before the Lord. We all have hobbies; we all  have careers/jobs which occupy fair amounts of our time, energy, and  life; we all have passions we enjoy and things that we tend to think on  and desire. All these things can potentially get in the way of what we  have been called to do by Jesus. If our hearts aren't focused on Him we  can easily be drawn away! This is why Jesus singled out Peter. Peter was  an unofficial leader of the "pack" and it would be his responsibility  to keep the rest on the straight and narrow way! This and more we shall  receive today with Pastor J!

Today, at the end of John 19:24-31, we dive into the conversation that  was held between Thomas and Jesus. As revealed in the text, Jesus had  gathered with the others 8 days before (on the first day of the week)  but Thomas was not among them then. This time, as the doors were closed  and secured, and the disciples were gathered together (which is where  the pattern of the church's gathering on Sundays instead of Saturdays  begins at this point) and were discussing Jesus there He stands in the  midst of them. We see Jesus immediately engage in conversation with  Thomas by showing the nail holes and His side which was pierced. He  invited Thomas to stick his fingers in the holes and his hand in Jesus'  side! The only comment Thomas could make was, "My Lord and my God!" At  this Jesus spoke of us today when He said, "Blessed are those who have  not seen, yet they believe!" There is so much more that is covered today  with Pastor J so dive into the riches of the Lord and rejoice in His  presence, Amen!

Today in John chapter 19:19-23 we spend our time discussing what it  meant for Jesus to meet with His disciples on the first day of the week  (certainly one reason is that day was the day of His resurrection). Next  we begin to see the first day of the week begin as a pattern for the  early church's gatherings (though many still attended their synagogues  the day before in purpose to evangelize). We discover the abilities  Jesus now has, that He does not need to knock on the door or climb  through the window to be in the room, He is simply in the room with  them! We receive the "great commission" given to us today (as is also  revealed in Matthew 28; Mark 16, and Luke 22) and we understand this was  not a suggestion for the few, but a command for the whole of God's  children. Lastly we see the giving of the Holy Spirit take place in the  same manner as man was brought to life at the beginning. Jesus breathed  on them! Thus, we find the disciples filled with the Holy Spirit 40+  days before the Pentecost event of Acts chapter 2! Lots to be discovered  today with Pastor J!!!!

Today in John 20:1-23 we cover the events of Jesus' resurrection from  the perspective of John. Keeping in mind there is the need to connect  all 4 Gospels together to get a clearer picture of all the things that  are happening during this time, This place in John first shows Mary  Magdalene coming to the tomb. Upon discovery of the disturbance of the  stone she reports back to Peter and John. All three take off back to the  tomb to investigate! John believes after looking in and seeing the face  cloth folded neatly and placed separate from the rest of the trappings!  But neither Peter or John had seen, or spoken with Jesus. After they  departed, Mary was still there and she encountered the two angels, but  most importantly she encountered Jesus! There is much to be covered  today with Pastor J,  so hold on tight and let's dive in!!!

Today, finishing off John chapter 19:33-42, We come to the fulfilled  prophecies of Psalm 22 as concerning the fact that not one of Jesus'  bones were broken. The criminals on either side of Jesus were not so  lucky though as their legs were crushed and they were drug off to die in  an equally horrible manner! We also get to see 2 of the Pharisees,  Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, claim the body of Jesus for the  proper burial of their Lord (as they were secret disciples of Jesus and  His teaching!) Lots of amazing things for us to receive today from God's  Word!!!

Today we cover the crucifixion of our LORD in John 19:16-34.