Father God, Let this touch someone’s heart today in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
When I took drawing and painting in college. We take a photo and try to copy it exact by drawing the portrait of any person. We did it in charcoal, colored pencils and paint. So I had several drawings. Any ways when it came to painting. I painted this picture. It was my last that was to be critiqued. Well I painted finished painting it the night before and it was dried. So I stayed up. I varnished it and knew it wouldn’t be dried by the morning so I put it in the freezer to dry. Hmm! Next morning I took it out of the freezer and the varnish was cracked all over like a mess. So I left it in the car until class. Then I went and got it out of the car and the cracks had settled down. But I was so upset that I was going to get a bad mark. Well we placed them on easels and then the teacher critiqued each one but also had us doing the same thing. I was so embarrassed by my painting. So Sue that was her name. She critiqued my painting. I told her I am sorry I didn’t have time to dry it so I stuck it in the freezer that is why it is cracked. So I thought my picture wasn’t cracked up like it wasn’t surpose to be. Well’ Sue looked at it critiqued it and I listened. I though I was going to get a failing mark. But she said that people pay good money for paintings that have a antique look and that the way I varnished and dried it in the freezer was the right way to make it look antique. I got a 98% on the painting. Who knew! So God can take our worse night mare and turn it out for HIs glory. Thing is I prayed that i would pass and then when I saw the painting when I took it out of the freezer I was sure I failed. God answered my prayer even when I showed Him doubt. He showed me He didn’t give up. I believe God loves us so much that He brings Heaven to earth when we pray, but then we wrap our mind in judgement and blame He shows us love, growth and change to believe in ourselves. Believe in our selves as Jesus walked this earth and was God in the flesh. Jesus went back to Heaven to leave space for grace and forgiveness on earth. We cannot come to a knowledge of Christ without first of all understanding the truth of who he is, and secondly, the truth of who we are. If do not know who Christ is, we will not value him. If we do not recognize who we are, we will not grasp the greatness of our need.
I found eight: “I AM” statements, as recorded in the gospel of John. Jesus’ reference to light was probably playing off of a ritual performed during the Feast of Booths, where lamps would be lit using wicks made from the robes of priests.
1) I Am the Bread of Life: Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
John 6:35
2) I Am the Light of the World: When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”John 8:12
3) I Am the door or gate: “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. John 10:9
4) I Am the Good Shepherd: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. “John 10:11
5) I Am the resurrection, and the life: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26
6) I Am the way, the truth, and the life: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6
7) I Am the true vine: “I am the TRUE vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard.
John 15:1
8)”Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”
John 8:58
In John 8 we read truths in Jesus situation. Jesus did three key things when he was faced with conflict in the Bible: He prayed to His Father and he stayed defined and connected. All Jesus enemies were frustrated and exasperated. They were unable to make Jesus look bad, and even more had believed on Him. When the three truths are grasped all together we see the glory of God in Christ Jesus, and we understand that he is the only answer to our enormous need. Jesus did three key things when he was faced with conflict in the Bible: These three steps we can do also in our everyday living, knowing who loves us unconditionally.
Let’s read John 8:21-30
Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.” This made the Jews ask, “Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, ‘Where I go, you cannot come’?” But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.” “Who are you?” they asked. “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. “I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.” They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” Even as he spoke, many believed in him.
{Let’s Pray}
Father God, this is a impressive teaching, and it breaks my heart and my soul that there are many, like the proud Pharisees, who reject Your offer of salvation. It breaks my heart to know that there are still foolish and froward people, who like the leaders of the Jews, refuse to open their eyes and ears to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Soften the hearts of all men and women alike, so that they may recognize Jesus Christ as Savior, and place their trust in His sacrificial work at Calvary. I believe You will use me, to spread the good news to unsaved people, so that they may hear, know from their heart You answer their prayers and turn to You an believe and not die in their sins, but to be saved by grace and show them there is room to change and grow through faith in Jesus Christ, our God, our Savior and His freedom in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
{Power Verse}
There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD. Proverbs 21:30
"Only Life Changes" 