John 8:39-47

" Abraham is our father," they answered
" If you were Abraham's children," said Jesus, " then you would do what Abraham did. As it is, you are looking for a way ti kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the works of your own father."
" We are not illegitimate children," they protested. " The only Father we have is god himself."
    Jesus said to them, "  if god were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, why don't you believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."

Undigested Knowledge

In his book on language, British diplomat Lancelot Oliphant (1881-1965) observed that many students give correct answers on tests but fail to put those lessons into practice. " Such Undigested knowledge is of little use," declared Oliphant.
   Author Barnabas Piper noticed a parallel in his own life: " I thought I was close to God because I knew all the answers," he said, " but I had fooled myself into thinking that was the same as relationship with Jesus."
   At the temple one day, Jesus encountered people who thought they had all the right answers. They were proudly proclaiming their status as Abraham's descendents yet refused to believe in God's Son.
   "If you were Arbraham's children," said Jesus, " then you would do what Abraham did" (John 8:39). And what was that? Abraham " believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness" (GEN. 15:6). Still, Jesus' hearers refused to believe. " The only Father we have is God himself," they said (JOHN 8:41). Jesus replied, " Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God"
   Piper recalls how things " fell apart" for him before he " encountered God's grace and the person of Jesus in a profound way." When we allow God's truth to transform our lives, we gain much more than the right answer. We introduce the world to Jesus.
   Father, thank you that You receive anyone who turns to You in faith.
   Faith is not accepting the fact of God but of receiving the life of God.

Colossians1:15-20

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Jesus Over Everything

My friend's son decided to wear a sports jersey over his school clothing one day. He wanted to show support for his favorite team that would be playing an important game later that night. Before leaving home, he put something on over his sports jersey-it was a chain with a pendant that read, "Jesus." His simple action illustrated a deeper truth: Jesus deserves first place over everything in our lives.
    Jesus is above and over all. "He id before all things, and in him all things hold together" (COL 1:17). Jesus is supreme over all creation. He is "the head of the body, the church". Because of this, He should have first place in all things.
    When we give Jesus the highest place of honor in each area of our lives, this truth becomes visible to those around us. At work, are we laboring first for God or only to please our employer?. Do we put him first as we live our lives and pursue our favorite pastimes?
    When Jesus is our greatest influence in all of life, He will have His rightful place in our hearts.
    Dear Jesus, You deserve the best of my time, energy, and affection. I crown You King of my heart and Lord over everything I do.
    Put Jesus First.

News and Views: JOHN 4:31-34

News and Views: JOHN 4:31-34

JOHN 4:31-34

Meanwhile his disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat something." But he said to them, " I have food to eat that you know nothing about." Then his disciples said to eachother," Could someone have brought him food?" "My food." said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.

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