Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”  “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”  Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.  You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ —John 3:5-6 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted…

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. —Psalm 103:11-12 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. —II Corinthians 5:21              How great is God’s love for us?  It is “as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him.”  Just think how far that is!  That is how much He loves those who have…

The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.  One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was…

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. —John 1:1-3  He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. —John 1:10 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.  The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We…

One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”  “What things? “He asked.  “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early…

But Gideon told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The Lord will rule over you.” —Judges 8:23              This was Gideon’s desire for the Israelites that “The Lord will rule over you.”  And, brothers and sisters, fellow followers of Jesus, is this not what we desire for people as well?  We desire people to know our Lord Jesus and to be obedient to Him!              I recently heard a story about a pastor who was acting like a dictator, ruling it over the people or as just told his disciples—-  “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority…

“Now announce to the army, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained… Three hundred of them drank from cupped hands, lapping like dogs. All the rest got down on their knees to drink.  The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.” So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites home but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others. —Judges 7:3, 6-8 Dividing the three hundred men into three companies, he placed…

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior…. The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” —Judges 6:12, 14              One thing can be fully certain— when our Lord sends someone, He sends them with a purpose to be carried out.  So it was with Gideon.  Gideon did not see himself as a mighty warrior, but that is how our Lord saw him.  How could Gideon be a mighty warrior?  It was because our Lord was with Him!              Jesus said to His disciples that “As you sent me…

When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves— praise the Lord! …Judges 5:2 My heart is with Israel’s princes, with the willing volunteers among the people.  Praise the Lord! —Judges 5:9 “If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is of God, or I am speaking from Myself.” —John17:17 For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. —Romans 7:18              In the Lord’s prayer, we read this— “…your will be done…”  Now, do we really have a willingness for His will to be done?  Are we submitting willingly to His will?  Are we…

They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” —Psalm 92:14-15              Yes, Lord, it is my desire that I bear fruit all my life, even in old age.  For You, Jesus, have said, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:8).  I truly want to 1- Bring glory to You, Dear Father and 2- Been seen as a disciple of Jesus, not to lift myself up, but to lift up Jesus and communicate Him to many others!…