Saturday Easter Week Seven -- May 31
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Meditation
Saturday, Easter Week Seven, shone the spotlight on “Who is God?” The Psalmist declared the Lord reigned or more simply, was King. Words like, ‘clothed in majesty,’ ‘strength,’ ‘established the world so it cannot be moved,’ ‘lived before time began,’ ‘more powerful than the ocean waves,’ ‘your laws are forever,’ and ‘your holiness stands in your temple forever.’ The words were a beginning. How could one possibly describe the Infinite? The Omnipotent? The Omniscient? The Creator, who set in motion the universe and kept it on track, so the earth stays in its orbit. It could not be moved without God’s action.
The Old Testament lesson continued yesterday’s lesson of the translation of Elijah in a chariot of fire riding a whirlwind up into the heavens, while Elisha watched. In his grief, he cried unto the Lord, picked up the mantle of Elijah that fell, and used it in the same way that his mentor had—rolled up to touch the Jordan River. He called out, “Who is the God of Elijah?” and the river parted for him to go across. The 50 prophets across the Jordan River declared that God had blessed him, saying “The spirit that rested on Elijah now rests on Elisha.” And they bowed reverently before him, acknowledging the power of God that worked through Elisha.
The New Testament lesson took it further. Jesus engaged in dialogue with people that distrusted, sometimes hated, him. Jesus spoke cryptically. He said he would be gone, they would look for him and not find him, because where he was going, they couldn’t follow.
First, it meant that those particular Jewish leaders Jesus identified in a different way than the thief on the cross, who would be with him that same day in heaven. For the disbelieving, he said they would die in sin and not follow him where he was going—i.e. heaven.
Those leaders missed the point, asking, “Is he going to kill himself?”
Jesus elaborated that the Son of Man would be lifted up and then they would know that Jesus was the one from God, and that the work he did was in obedience to God, and an interesting add-on, “I am never alone.” Why would he say that?
One of Jewish traditions was that truth was achieved when there were two witnesses. In the first Gospel, the Apostle, Matthew, (who was writing to the Hebrew believers) continued that tradition and stated additional facts of the Gospel, always insuring that two witnesses were mentioned. Jesus has used the ‘two of them—God the Father and himself’ being two witnesses to the truth of what he said.
As a result, it said, many believed. Even among hostile Jewish leaders, we learned that Jesus persuaded them from their antagonistic attitude to belief in him. So what he started with, the idea that the sinful Jewish leaders would die in their sinful disbelief, gave us a glimpse of hope. Even among the least expected, God can be persuasive enough to transform their hearts. Like the past lessons in Jonah. Ninevah held a horrible and violent reputation, but God selected Jonah to change that. The hearts of the worst sort of sinners turned around and God was pleased.
This is why we must pray for our leaders, even when we don’t like them or agree with them. We must trust God—regardless of who is in power. Now, that doesn’t mean we can’t be active in changing things, but when we come to the point where we cannot change things, we must not be nasty or belligerent but let God handle it.
Ronald Niebehr’s Serenity prayer that alcoholics often say, puts it simply:
“God, grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.”
For the latter, we can trust God and rest in the Divine wisdom to intervene.
Thanks be to God.¬¬
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Season of Easter Bible Readings
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 93;2 Kings 2:13-15;John 8:21-30&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;NIV (multiple versions)
Saturday, Easter Week Seven
Psalm 93
2 Kings 2:13-15
John 8:21-30
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Proverbs 3:5-12 King James Version (KJV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Single Bible Study chapter to study
John 8:21-30
King James Version (KJV)
21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
25 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.
26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.
27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
30 As he spake these words, many believed on him
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
O God, give us the serenity to accept what cannot be changed, the courage to change what can be changed, and the wisdom to know the difference. In Jesus name. Amen
Conclusion
Saturday, Easter Week Seven – who God is weaves a tapestry for us of the characteristics of God. We learn from the Psalmist that God reigns as King, and established the earth in its orbit. From Elisha’s question and the power that coursed through him to touch the Jordan River and have it part, added to the clarity that God is omnipotent, omnipresent and with us.
Jesus led the Jews, who questioned him, step by step to make it known that God the Creator and Father of Jesus, was in charge of Jesus’ message and actions. Jesus didn’t do anything without the guidance of God the Father. The bottom line? We can trust and obey God. God has power. God cares for us. God is with us. We can count on God for every aspect of our lives.
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. Please like if it was meaningful. God bless you.
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.
Saturday, Easter Week Seven, shone the spotlight on “Who is God?” The Psalmist declared the Lord reigned or more simply, was King. Words like, ‘clothed in majesty,’ ‘strength,’ ‘established the world so it cannot be moved,’ ‘lived before time began,’ ‘more powerful than the ocean waves,’ ‘your laws are forever,’ and ‘your holiness stands in your temple forever.’ The words were a beginning. How could one possibly describe the Infinite? The Omnipotent? The Omniscient? The Creator, who set in motion the universe and kept it on track, so the earth stays in its orbit. It could not be moved without God’s action.
The Old Testament lesson continued yesterday’s lesson of the translation of Elijah in a chariot of fire riding a whirlwind up into the heavens, while Elisha watched. In his grief, he cried unto the Lord, picked up the mantle of Elijah that fell, and used it in the same way that his mentor had—rolled up to touch the Jordan River. He called out, “Who is the God of Elijah?” and the river parted for him to go across. The 50 prophets across the Jordan River declared that God had blessed him, saying “The spirit that rested on Elijah now rests on Elisha.” And they bowed reverently before him, acknowledging the power of God that worked through Elisha.
The New Testament lesson took it further. Jesus engaged in dialogue with people that distrusted, sometimes hated, him. Jesus spoke cryptically. He said he would be gone, they would look for him and not find him, because where he was going, they couldn’t follow.
First, it meant that those particular Jewish leaders Jesus identified in a different way than the thief on the cross, who would be with him that same day in heaven. For the disbelieving, he said they would die in sin and not follow him where he was going—i.e. heaven.
Those leaders missed the point, asking, “Is he going to kill himself?”
Jesus elaborated that the Son of Man would be lifted up and then they would know that Jesus was the one from God, and that the work he did was in obedience to God, and an interesting add-on, “I am never alone.” Why would he say that?
One of Jewish traditions was that truth was achieved when there were two witnesses. In the first Gospel, the Apostle, Matthew, (who was writing to the Hebrew believers) continued that tradition and stated additional facts of the Gospel, always insuring that two witnesses were mentioned. Jesus has used the ‘two of them—God the Father and himself’ being two witnesses to the truth of what he said.
As a result, it said, many believed. Even among hostile Jewish leaders, we learned that Jesus persuaded them from their antagonistic attitude to belief in him. So what he started with, the idea that the sinful Jewish leaders would die in their sinful disbelief, gave us a glimpse of hope. Even among the least expected, God can be persuasive enough to transform their hearts. Like the past lessons in Jonah. Ninevah held a horrible and violent reputation, but God selected Jonah to change that. The hearts of the worst sort of sinners turned around and God was pleased.
This is why we must pray for our leaders, even when we don’t like them or agree with them. We must trust God—regardless of who is in power. Now, that doesn’t mean we can’t be active in changing things, but when we come to the point where we cannot change things, we must not be nasty or belligerent but let God handle it.
Ronald Niebehr’s Serenity prayer that alcoholics often say, puts it simply:
“God, grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.”
For the latter, we can trust God and rest in the Divine wisdom to intervene.
Thanks be to God.¬¬
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Season of Easter Bible Readings
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 93;2 Kings 2:13-15;John 8:21-30&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;NIV (multiple versions)
Saturday, Easter Week Seven
Psalm 93
2 Kings 2:13-15
John 8:21-30
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Proverbs 3:5-12 King James Version (KJV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Single Bible Study chapter to study
John 8:21-30
King James Version (KJV)
21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.
23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
25 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.
26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.
27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
30 As he spake these words, many believed on him
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
O God, give us the serenity to accept what cannot be changed, the courage to change what can be changed, and the wisdom to know the difference. In Jesus name. Amen
Conclusion
Saturday, Easter Week Seven – who God is weaves a tapestry for us of the characteristics of God. We learn from the Psalmist that God reigns as King, and established the earth in its orbit. From Elisha’s question and the power that coursed through him to touch the Jordan River and have it part, added to the clarity that God is omnipotent, omnipresent and with us.
Jesus led the Jews, who questioned him, step by step to make it known that God the Creator and Father of Jesus, was in charge of Jesus’ message and actions. Jesus didn’t do anything without the guidance of God the Father. The bottom line? We can trust and obey God. God has power. God cares for us. God is with us. We can count on God for every aspect of our lives.
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. Please like if it was meaningful. God bless you.
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.
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