John 2:13-17 "Get Your Bibles Here!"

 John 2:13-17

13And the Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14And He found in the Temple the ones selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers sitting. 15And having made a whip out of small cords, He cast out all out of the Temple, both the sheep and the oxen. And He poured out the coins of the money changers, and He overturned the tables. 16And He said to the ones selling the doves, “Take these things from here! Stop making the house of my Father a house of trade!” 17Then His disciples remembered that it is written, “The zeal of Your house will consume Me.” (Psalm 69: 9)

Good Day Child of God! "Father? Your Will Be Done!" This group of verses is cut nearly in half for the purposes of a single lesson. It is interesting that this story actually takes up the rest of Chapter 2, but in it are three lessons, so we will take it slowly.

The scene above is likely familiar to any of you that have been going to church for any amount of time. For those of you that are new to Christianity, these verses are a staple among nearly every sect of Christianity. Too bad it doesn't seem to hit home.

Today's easy lesson: Have you ever seen the movie where the prison warden says to one of his most difficult prisoners, "What we got here is a failure to communicate!" That's exactly how I feel when I go into any church building that is supposedly hallowed ground. At least that is how many people treat their church buildings. Most will only whisper once inside, and there I find more than just a place of worship. I find a gift shop.

The bigger the church building, by the way, the bigger amount of goodies they have for sale. One church I was a member of in my youth had its own bookstore. I say book store, but it was more than Bibles, it had how-to books of every sort, trinkets, crucifixes, banners and on and on it goes. It all starts innocently enough, usually giving away the sermon on tape or CD, but then there is a small price put on to at least break even. Of course the Pastor becomes so popular a new building goes up, nice cameras are brought in with magnificent large HDTV screens. All of a sudden DVDs are sold, his book(s) are sold, and of course everyone needs to have access to so many different Bibles, and all those Christian self-help books. It's only right. Why not put in a restaurant and a small cafe'? Oh, they already do in more than the many mega-churches these days.

What is the message? If Jesus were to come down right now and see what people dress like, behave like, what the "book store" sells, and how much money it takes to run a local church with its grandiose building, because we have to have a nice place to worship, He would not be happy. Are you going to church to focus on the Love of God, or to learn how to look a Christian? People make a living selling books and trinkets. Why does a church have to get involved? Making it convenient is not a credible answer. Don't you think the people above were trying to tell Jesus that? God mentions somewhere in the Bible, oh yes, the Ten Commandments, that so many of you cannot do without, that you should make NO image of Him. Crosses, fish, infinity symbols, statues, decals. Do I need to go on? Are you there to learn about God and worship, or to shop? Listen closely to the sermon, worship with honesty and focus, and keep doing that. Lastly continue to study the Bible daily, with the Holy Spirit leading, and you will be ahead in every way. Have a Grace Day!

Brother Glenn

This blog link: http://askgodsword.blogspot.com/
Complete New Testament Grace Studies link: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/

John 2:1-12 "Turning Wine Into Trust"

John 2:1-12

1And on the third day a marriage took place in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2Now Jesus also was called, and His disciples, to the marriage feast. 3And when wine had fallen short, the mother of Jesus says to Him, “They have no wine.” 4Jesus says to her, “What to Me and to you, woman? My hour is not yet come.” 5His mother says to the servants, “Whatever He says to do.”


6Now were standing there six water jugs of stone according to the purification of the Jews, each containing two or three measures (18-27 gallons). 7Jesus says to them, “Fill the water jugs with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8And He says to them, “Now draw out and be carrying to the head steward.” And they carried. 9But when the head steward tasted the water having become wine and knew not from where is, the head steward calls the bridegroom 10and says to him, “Every person first puts out the good wine, and when they have drunk freely, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”

11This beginning of the signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and He revealed His glory, and His disciples believed (trusted) in Him. 12After this He went down to Capernaum, He and His mother and His brothers and His disciples. And there they stayed not many days.

Good Day Child of God! "Father? Your Will Be Done!" I wish there were a secret message in these twelve verses. The truth is what it is. This is simply the story of how things got started for Jesus' Earthly Ministry.

There are some things to learn to be sure. Mothers have lots of power over their children in the Israeli household, even the adults. There is also the idea of the naming of the day of the week. Why do you suppose the Bible always says this day or that day in a number rather than Tuesday or Saturday, with rare exception? Let’s find out.

Today's easy lesson: What occurred at Cana of Galilee during the wedding above would be looked at these days as some kind of magic or trick. We have seen more difficult things, yet similar to what Jesus has done, on a talent show on television. We are jaded, but for those that were following Jesus, this small miracle was enough to have them Trusting Him, not just Believing Jesus may be the Messiah.

We in America live in a Republic. Rome also was a Republic but we get to vote for all of our leaders. The reason I tell you this is because Israel was a Theocracy. That means that not only is God that whom they worship, He is supposed to be their only leader. Because God is the Leader, the Ten Commandments become The Law, so the Israelites gave numbers to the days, except for the Sabbath. Everything then was spoken about in terms of either the day number, or the day before the Sabbath, after the Sabbath, and so on. The third day then was a Tuesday. Strange for us to think of that as a wedding day, but no one got married on the Sabbath or the Day of Preparation for the Sabbath, which would be Friday, and no work was done on the Sabbath, so that leaves Sunday out as well.

What is the message? It is very simple to Believe in Jesus, but it is a whole different matter to Trust what He has done through His suffering for your sin(s), ending that issue on the Cross with the words; "It is finished." Then being Resurrected from the dead to overcome death so that when you Trust what Jesus did for you, you are marked with the Holy Spirit. You become a Child of God, and you will always be a Child of God. It isn't a matter of days, times, knowledge, work or lack there of, it is simply a matter of taking the gift of Life He is offering and Trusting that it is Truth. Have a Grace Day!

Brother Glenn
This blog link: http://askgodsword.blogspot.com/

Complete New Testament Grace Studies link: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/

 

John 1:47-51 "It's Not About Religion"

 John 1:47-51

47Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards Him, and He says concerning him, “Look! Truly an Israelite in whom is no deceit!” (treachery!”) 48Nathanael says to him, “From where do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, while you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49Nathanael answered and says to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ you believe; greater things than these you will see.” 51And He says to him, “Most positively, I say to, from now will see heaven (sky) having been opened, and the angels (messengers) of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Humanity.” (Gen28:12)

Good Day Child of God! "Father? Your Will Be Done!" We are the end of Chapter One of John's Gospel, however it is one of those instances where the Chapter Division is correctly placed. When studying on your own, it will make more sense if you know that Chapters are arbitrarily put in place, more by word count than by structure of the Scripture.

There is something above that should have caught your attention that goes beyond the idea that Jesus saw Nathanial while he was under the fig tree. There is also something beyond Jesus' promise to Nathanial that he will see the sky open and observe angels attending to Jesus. Let's see what the Spirit says it is.

Today's easy lesson: It is important to have John the Apostle point out that Jesus said to Nathanial that he as a Jew. Oh, He didn't? Of course not, as we go along we are all going to see what Jesus’ and His Father think of the Jewish Religion, in fact, all religions. Jesus addressed Nathanial as "a true Israelite". I turned the words a bit, but that is what He is saying, above all else, Nathanial is first an Israelite, a died in wool Israelite that is not pretending, or as Jesus put it: without deceit, to others nor too himself. Nathanial was on a mission to find the Messiah, God's Plan, and in that effort, religion has no place.

What is the message? When you talk to your Father, are you doing so with a motive of receiving from Him so that you can grow and understand His thinking or are you doing it so you can gain something worldly? You could be doing it for both reasons; it is hard not to do that. After all, you want your Father to lead you on the straight and narrow, which you hope will fill you with peace, love, and joy, and there is nothing wrong with that. The message is however, if you are going to your Father to learn how to beat the system, how to get that new car, home, shoes, whatever it might be in the world, you are going to Him for all the wrong reasons.

People often ask, "Where was God when I needed Him?" That's the wrong question. Like Nathanial, if you are not already building on that relationship of both giving and expecting, then where is there a relationship to begin with. If all you do on earth is go to your mom and dad and ask for money, help or favors, other than being a vending machine, what are they to you? This doesn't change at all with your heavenly Father. He can provide infinitely more than your earthly mom and dad, and His Love is infinitely more intense, but He is not a vending machine. To think you can bend Him into one, well, it won't happen. God Loves you like no other, and is committed to you like no other. Just as giving your children candy morning, noon, and night is something you would not do, what do you suppose your much wiser Father is thinking? It is time to work seriously with the Father; you will be surprised at the change in your Life when you do. Have a Grace Day!

Brother Glenn
Complete NT:
http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/

John 1:40-46 "It's All About You"

John 1:40-46  

40Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two having heard from John and having followed Him. 41This one finds first his own brother Simon and says to him, “We have found the Messiah!” (The Christ). 42And he brought him to Jesus. Having looked attentively at him, Jesus says, “You are Simon, the son of Jonah; you will be called Cephas” (Peter).  

43The next day He wanted to go out to Galilee. And Jesus finds Philip and says to him, “Be following Me!” 44And Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. 45Philip finds Nathanael and says to him, “Whom Moses wrote in the Law and the prophets we have found— Jesus the Son of Joseph, who from Nazareth.” (Matt 2:23) 46And Nathanael said to him, “Is anything good able to be out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Be coming and see.”

Good Day Child of God! "Father? Your Will Be Done!" This Study will be a surprise to all of you. The reason is, it is about: You! Well not about you in particular, but about you as a Student of the Word.

So many people, pastors included think the Apostles were interviewed and chosen one by one. Many folks have no idea that most of them knew each other, Studied Scripture together and were serious about their relationship to God. They are easily given names like "fishermen" or “Jews”, but neither is complete for the single purpose of which Jesus saw as an opportunity to bridge the gap between religion and His Father's Children.

Today's easy lesson: It seems we are going at an unusually slow pace through the verses of John's Gospel. There is a reason it seems that way. It's true. It is an impossibility to make a single lesson out of several paragraphs when each section was written for a specific reason. In fact, in learning to teach the Bible, I know that some say each teaching has a primary lesson, a secondary lesson, and a tertiary or third lesson.

What we do is follow the Holy Spirit's direction, and that is the primary lesson. That way, whoever is reading knows it is what should be taught at this time and in this place. Never forget that there is more to glean from all of these passages, but equally, never forget that you must never ever take one passage from its place and use it to prove a point somewhere else unless the context is exactly the same. To do so would cause you to miss the basic, obvious reason for the writing to begin with. Please, never take anything out of context, never. If you do, you will have lost the Word and again, what keeps it easily fitting together without any exception.

What is the message? Was it an accident that Andrew was speaking to John the Baptist and decided by John's nudging to follow Jesus? In turn, Andrew upon meeting Jesus went to find his brother, the newly named Peter,  could it be that Peter suggested going to Galilee the next day and low and behold there Jesus found Peter’s neighbor and most assuredly his friend Phillip? Phillip upon meeting Jesus ran off and found Nathanial, who asked a question only a Student of the Scripture would ask; "Is anything good able to be out of Nazareth?" You see connection after connection, all from very serious, honorable men that revered God. Are they perfect? We know from the Bible they are not, but they have one thing that Jesus finds basic to becoming a Child of God. The honest search and reasoning over the plans of God, and what He expects. This alone overcomes our constant discussion of sins, actions, and works. God wants you, not what you can bring to the table. The table is set. He wants people willing to go to Him; you need no other to lead you because the Spirit is in you, and share in the Blessings. Congratulations Students, you are doing the right thing, you are seeking, and you will find. Have a Grace Day!

Brother Glenn
N.T.Complete: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/

 
 

John 1:32-39 "It's About Time"

John 1:32-39


 
32And John testified, saying, “I have seen the Spirit coming down as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. 33And I did not know Him; but the One having sent me to baptize in water, that said to me, ‘Upon whomever you see the Spirit coming down and remaining upon Him, this is the One baptizing in Holy Spirit.’ 34And have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God!” 35The next day again John had stood and two of his disciples.

 
36And having looked attentively at Jesus walking about, he says, “Look! The Lamb of God!” 37And the two disciples heard him speaking, and they followed Jesus. 38But Jesus having been turned and having beheld them following, says to them, “What do seek?” But they said to Him, “Rabbi (Teacher), where are You staying?” 39He says to them, “Be coming and see.” They came and saw where He stayed, and they stayed with Him that day. It was about tenth hour (4: 00 p.m. Jewish time/10:00 a.m. Roman time).

 
Good Day Child of God! "Father? Your Will Be Done!" This is going to be an unusual Study because of a bit of interesting information included in this brief reading.

The focus on these verses has always been that John the Baptist points to Jesus and says, "Look the Lamb of God!"  There is nothing wrong with pointing that out, but there are two other facts that are important in these verses, one of which without a concordance or some other study aide, you would miss entirely. Not many of us would go that far in trying to understand what seems to be a very simple couple of paragraphs.

 
Today's easy lesson: The last Study took place on a different day than this group of verses as far as John's Gospel is concerned, the day before. John the Baptist is speaking to two of his disciples and he points out Jesus as the Messiah, and he explains how he knows that Jesus is the Son of God. 

Then, for some reason this section of Scripture is time stamped. Time of day was subjected to all local ruling authorities up until about 150 years ago, when the railroads asked that everyone get on the same time schedule, which is what we still live with to this very moment. 

What is the message? It is rare for time stamping through out the Bible, but what can it teach us? Here are two quick examples. In Genesis, God Created-and there was morning and evening, Day X. Without our world in steady orbit around our Sun, and also spinning on it's axis at the speed it is now, there is no 24 hour day. Yet we argue it, we separate over it; we depend on it to prove the Bible accurate. We miss the point. Another example is that Jesus said He would be in the grave three days and three nights. We take that as seventy-two hours.  Is it that long? On the day Jesus was arrested for example, time becomes of great importance. The message to you should be, that arguing over things that are not time stamped makes whatever theory one may have very much arguable, not factual. Arguing over the unproved always lead to theory, and theory ends up in divisions, not coming together. Starting a sect of Christianity over non-facts has caused more harm than good too many times over the last two thousand years.

God is interested in time to be sure, your time. He isn't interested in hearing you confess the same sins over and over again like you have OCD, or coming to him in rote prayers with beads and other such ceremonial nearly superstitious approaches to Him.  He is your Father, your Abba, Daddy! Would you like your children to approach you like that? No, of course not. You want a personal, interesting and informal relationship with your children, and so does God. That's the primary reason Jesus came fellow Students, to open the door wide to the Father, so that you can come to him often and in earnest, seeking a relationship with an honest and open conversation. That's called Grace, a.k.a. unearned favor. 

Have a Grace Day!

 
Brother Glenn 
Complete NT:  http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/

John 1:29-31 Why Did John The Baptist Come?

John 1:29-31

29The next day he sees Jesus coming towards him and says, “Look! The Lamb of God, the One taking away the sin of the world! 30This is concerning whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man, who has come before me, because He was before me.’ 31And I did not know Him. However, so that He should be revealed to Israel, for this reason I came in water baptizing."

Good Day Child of God! "Father? Your Will Be Done!" I love these four verses. The reason is the simplicity of it all, and the way everyone that reads them skips over them like they were never written. Dollars to my Greek beaver pelt collection, none of you remember why John the Baptist had come, and to whom Jesus came to speak.

When you study the Bible, even one Book, you should read through it first, make a some note in the margin where you don't understand what is being said, and then when you come back, read only as little as you can to contemplate the lesson. If time is short focus on the writings of the Apostle Paul, that is the Books found after the Book after Acts. 

Today's easy lesson: John the Baptist shouts, "Look, One taking away the sin of the world!" Singular, not plural as in many sins, as is taught over and over again, to this very moment! One sin, and what is it? You think about that one unforgivable sin, and we'll come back to it later.

A bit more reading, and John the Baptist shouts again, "...I did not know Him. However, so that He should be revealed to Israel,...I came in water baptizing." 

What is the message? Jesus did not come for the Jews. He came for the Israelites, God's Chosen People. What is the difference? An Israelite is a heritage, Judaism (Jewish) is a Religion that some Israelites practiced, and Hebrew is the official language of both Israel and Judaism. A people, a religion, a language. Don't thrown off by them, because to do so will find you extremely confused in trying to understand God's Plan. What is God's Plan? Most don't know that either, do you? It is that no man or woman should perish and miss becoming a Child of God. To make that happen God decided since mankind could not even understand the reason for the Ten Commandments, He had His Son, His Only Son, take the punishment for the sin of the world-unbelief in God's Sovereignty, experience and defeat death, and all this so that anyone Trusting in the work done by Jesus would become a Child of God. As we have discussed before, it is simple. Religion makes it complicated. Have a Grace Day!

Brother Glenn 
NT Archive: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/
 

John 1:19-28 "Who Is More Trustworthly? You or God?"

John 1:19-28

19And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent from Jerusalem priests and Levites, so that they should question him, “You, who are you?” 20And he confessed and did not deny, and confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21And they questioned him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” (see Mal 4: 5,6) And he says, “I am not.”—“ Are you the Prophet?” (see Deut 18: 15-18) And he answered, “No.” 22So they said to him, “Who are you, so that we shall give an answer to the ones sending us? What do you say concerning yourself?” 23He said, “I ‘a voice shouting in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of Lord,”’ just as Isaiah the prophet said.” (Isaiah 40:3)

24And the ones having been sent were from the Pharisees. 25And they questioned him and said to him, “Why then do you baptize (immerse), if you are not the Christ nor Elijah nor the Prophet?” 26John answered them saying, “I baptize in water, but He has stood in the midst of whom do not know. 27He is the One coming after me, who has come to be before me, of whom I am not worthy that I untie the strap of His sandal.” 28These things took place in Bethany, beyond the Jordan River, where John was baptizing.

Good Day Child of God: "Father? Your Will Be Done." This is an interesting bit of Scripture that needs background from the Old Testament, before there can be a full understanding of the conversation above, and verses that will be coming.

John the Baptist is the representation of Elijah; he just doesn't know it. Jesus makes this clear later when teaching the Apostles. When John the Baptist says "He is One coming after me..." John is speaking of two things. Jesus and John the Baptist were cousins. Jesus' Mother, Mary, and her sister Elizabeth, were both with child at the same time, but John the Baptist was born about six months or so before Jesus. Secondly, John started his ministry first not realizing who Jesus was, but later on it was made obvious to him by Jesus himself, that Jesus truly was the Messiah. The answers are true to the point of the knowledge John has the information, and in fact he is more on point than he realizes. Jesus will explain that later as well.

Today's easy lesson: What we have here is an envoy from the High Priest, (similar to the Pope), trying to find out what John the Baptist is up to out there in the wilderness, baptizing, teaching a different view of God than the relatively new religion, Judaism, and why he is getting so many people to follow him, when he is not preaching anywhere near towns and villages.

Pharisees are Jewish Lawyers, extensively trained in the Law, so they know how to ask questions, and read between the lines. At this point they are getting gibberish as far as they are concerned. You have to know the Holy Spirit is speaking through John; he is much to simple a man to argue against their expertise.

What is the message? When you are a Child of God, when it comes to witnessing, being put to the test of questions similar to John the Baptist above, you are shown by example above, and taught elsewhere in Scripture that not to even think about it. Allow the Holy Spirit to deal with your Life, and it will all work out for the best. You see above, John did not even come close to telling the Pharisees what Jesus will do to Judaism, maybe he does not know, but in fact all he is doing is keeping those that believe they are in control out of the loop. God knows what is coming, what His Plan is, and how it will be executed. That is true for your Life too. It's a matter of you deciding if you can handle everything, or if you would like your Loving Father to do it for you. It is not complicated. Religion makes it complicated, not God. Have a Grace Day!

Brother Glenn
Complete N.T.: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/
 

John's Gospel 1:14-18 From Moses Comes Law; From Jesus Comes Grace

John 1:14-18

14And the Word (Expression Divine Logic) became flesh and tabernacled among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of an only-begotten (uniquely-begotten) from Father, full of Grace and Truth. 15John testifies concerning Him and has cried out, saying, “This was whom I said, ‘The One coming after me, before me, has come to be, for He was before me.’” 16And out of His fullness we all received, even Grace in place of Grace (new Grace for each new day). 17For the Law was given through Moses: Grace and Truth came to be through Jesus Christ. 18No one has seen God at any time. The only-begotten (unique) Son, the One in the bosom of the Father, that One explained.

Good Day Child of God! "Father? Your Will Be Done!" It is an amazing thought that the Apostle John wastes no time in producing the theme of his Gospel. Here we are just a moment after being introduced to John the Baptist, who is still speaking of Jesus, and now comes the great Truth, the one that is constantly missed, misused, and misunderstood so very often, even to this very moment.

As we continue on in this Gospel, John will continue to hurry along with facts, details of significance and bring up important point after important point unlike the other three Gospels which contain more history than this. Understanding how much there is to glean from these verses, it is no wonder why nearly everyone that becomes a new Child of God is told to start reading the Bible here. The trouble is, if no one explains what this really means, how do you know what you are reading?

Today's easy lesson: You have heard it time and again, "Come on down, God Loves you just as you are. Confess your sins and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Someone will be here to pray with you, and when you are done, they will give you important information to help you in your new life." To bad it doesn't work so easily. How can you have a new life, more appropriately Life, for that is what Grace gives you: Life, when you haven't spent five minutes considering God let alone what has been done for you through the works of Jesus?

What is the message? John the Baptist solidifies the standing of Jesus by not only saying He is unique in His birth, but He is the ONLY one to ever See and Know God. That in itself is incredible when you consider it. Along with that Jesus came to remind everyone, first the Jews, then the world, that the Law isn't the way to God. God never intended that, and if you don't understand, you don't understand what Jesus accomplished through His sufferings, His death, and most importantly His Resurrection. Jesus came so that you can forget about your sins. Forget them! They are forgiven, they are forgotten, they are not an issue. The issue is that you go directly to your Father, not Jesus, He pointed always to the Father, and talk to Him, ask Him to Live and Love through you, and then you will begin to understand the Agape' Love of a Father that cares more for you than you care for yourself. If you can come to understand that the Father knows your particular needs and wants, and will, not maybe, not could be, but will work things out for your best if you Trust Him, then you will realize how much you have to be thankful for. This is a process, it takes time to build Trust, and Jesus opened that door for you. Please walk through it and begin Living. You have so much peace, love, and joy waiting for you. Have a Grace Day!

Brother Glenn
Complete N.T.: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/

 

 

John’s Gospel 1:6-14 John the Baptist Introduces Jesus

                John 1:6-14

                6There came a man having been sent from God, name to him, John. 7This one came for a testimony, so that he should testify concerning the Light, so that all should believe through him. 8That one was not the Light, but so that he should testify concerning the Light.

               9He was the true Light, which enlightens every person coming into the world. 10He was in the world, and the world came to be through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12But as many as received Him, He gave to them authority to become Children of God— to the ones trusting in His name, 13who were begotten, not from bloods, nor from a will of flesh, nor from will of a man, but from God.

               14And the Word (the Expression of Divine Logic) became flesh and tabernacled among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of an only-begotten (uniquely-begotten) from Father, full of Grace and Truth.

        Good Day Child of God! “Father? Your Will Be Done!” We have to start with the fact that the end of the nine verses above sum up the entire Ministry of Jesus, and God’s Will for Mankind. The primary reason Jesus came to us was to explain His Father’s Will, that is, to become Alive in Grace and Truth.

        The Apostle John had to have written this Gospel well after his leaving Jerusalem, and we know that because the Church at Jerusalem had Jesus’ brother James as leader. James didn’t believe in Jesus while He was alive, and then his belief system mixed Law and Grace. Actually it mixed Judaism and the Father’s Will for mankind. The Apostle John new better, and wrote His Gospel in a way that show that it was Grace from the beginning.

        Today’s easy lesson: While our verses above introduce John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist at the same time introduces Jesus declaring which of the two is the Messiah. Why do you suppose he would do that? There are three reasons John the Baptist explained Jesus’ superior position to his own. One, John the Baptist was well known, well respected, and was fearless. Two, John was baptizing teaching people to cleanse themselves of sin was not a Temple matter, a Jewish matter, but in fact a relationship issue between mankind and God. Three, he needed to fulfill prophecy.

        Jesus, hardly known, His ministry yet to start in any important manner, and as John recognizes Jesus from the distance, announces Who He is to those following him. In fact John the Apostle goes beyond that and explains that Jesus is for everyone. Most of us don’t catch that phrasing, it is easy to read right over it and not notice that Jesus did not bring His message for the Jews alone, but for all mankind.

        What is the message for you? The religion of Judaism began sometime between the last Book of the Old Testament, and the birth of Christ Jesus. When we get into Jesus’ earthly ministry we will see Jesus savage the Jews, more specifically their leadership. The message? If you believe your church, your pastor, indeed your religion is going to provide a ticket to heaven for you, you are dead wrong. The Father wants you to Trust in Him, His Son’s work on your behalf, and build a personal relationship by allowing the Father to lead and you follow. If you are a Child of God, the Holy Spirit is in you. You will be protected, loved, and cared for in all the ways that you need and want if you will just allow God His Place in your life. That place is you submitting to His Will, not the other way around. Then you will see Grace in action, and you will be a person filled with peace, love and joy. Have a Grace Day!

        Brother Glenn

        Complete NT: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/

John’s Gospel: John 1:1-5 "The Word"

John 1:1-5
 
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. This One was in the beginning with God. All came to be through Him, and without Him not even one thing came to be which has come to be. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of the people. And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not apprehend it."

The Gospel of John, "In the beginning...” This is a familiar refrain. Genesis 1, "In the beginning...” In the context of the use of the word, "Word", we have some interesting information to consider. When using the word “in” the first in Genesis, "In the beginning was the Word", it refers in its vernacular to the idea that the "Word" is the expression of God, and one could say, Divine Logic.

In the second use, "the Word was with God", in its vernacular, it points to the idea that the "Word" is the essence of God. Or, God's exact representation of thought and action. So we have God, Elohim (His Name), expressing Divine Logic through the Word, and following up that Divine Logic with Power and Action. What does that teach us? That the Word is God the Son and the Power behind the Word is God the Father, or Elohim the God that is one but is made up of more than one dimension.

Today's easy lesson: Jesus is the beginning. He is also the end. He expressed in words what was done in power, Love, and reality. Jesus spoke, the Father did. We look to Jesus because He became a man to rid us of our sin focus issue, along with our constant yearning to build a church, especially one to meet in, you know, a building, a place where God lives as we see it.

We must keep in mind however, that again, Jesus spoke; the Father in His power did the work. It never was mankind, never in our power; we don't and cannot do anything to impress God to sway Him from being Elohim, which is the “Initiator” or “Subjector". We can only respond to His Loving Actions for our benefit. This is good. This is Grace. Arms stretched out, waiting to hold us tight, telling us how much He Loves us, even when we seem unlovable. Yes, it is very good, and it gets better. Have a Grace Day!

Brother Glenn

You will find the entire New Testament here: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/

Hello, My Name Is Glenn, And I Have Traveled A Lifetime Trying To Find God!

It is not my intention to sell you into becoming anything or become anybody different than the person you already are. It is my intention to share with you on a very personal level that which decades of taking God seriously, studying many Religions, although mostly Christian Sects and the Roman Catholic Church, and trying to find where God is in all the rhetoric. He is here, in fact you will be surprised to know exactly where He is and how He got there.

So many people are attracted to the things God should provide for them, or could provide for them, or that He is compelled to provide for them, that they actually turn things around making themselves God. Then when God doesn't do or provide as people wish, they blame Him for all kinds of things from floods to broken relationships and everything in-between.

God will provide everything you need, in fact, if you knew yourself well enough you would realize He will provide everything you want. Needs and wants are same except as humans we don't see it that way. You have many questions, within this blog are the answers plain, simple, and easy for you to learn. There is nothing for you to do but for one smaller than a mustard seed job. Trust Him, He has your back, in fact, He has you covered all around, all the time.

Are you ready to start our journey? If so, the next time we meet, something beautiful, warming, and wonderful will be in the message. No, I don't have a clue at this moment what the message will be, but I do know God, and I know what He is capable of, so be prepared for great things.

Brother Glenn
Complete N.T.: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/