Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - WordAction - The Foundry Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States - The Global Church of the Nazarene for Friday, 15 September 2017 "The Light For Us All" by Norayr Hajian - John 8:12-20John 8:12 Yeshua spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light which gives life.” 13 So the P’rushim said to him, “Now you’re testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid.” 14 Yeshua answered them, “Even if I do testify on my own behalf, my testimony is indeed valid; because I know where I came from and where I’m going; but you do not know where I came from or where I’m going. 15 You judge by merely human standards. As for me, I pass judgment on no one; 16 but if I were indeed to pass judgment, my judgment would be valid; because it is not I alone who judge, but I and the One who sent me. 17 And even in your Torah it is written that the testimony of two people is valid. 18 I myself testify on my own behalf, and so does the Father who sent me.”
19 They said to him, “Where is this ‘father’ of yours?” Yeshua answered, “You know neither me nor my Father; if you knew me, you would know my Father too.” 20 He said these things when he was teaching in the Temple treasury room; yet no one arrested him, because his time had not yet come.
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Many years ago, a friend of mine was well off the beaten track in Canada’s Yukon territory enjoying the serenity of the unspoiled wilderness and hoping to bring home some moose meat for the winter. Everything went well until he was out walking near his tent at night. He stepped into a hidden hole in the ground, resulting in a serious fracture.
Walking in the darkness is never safe. Hazards remain hidden, just waiting for opportunity to hurt unsuspecting victims. In the darkness, we don’t know which way to turn; it all looks the same. Before we know it, we are lost.
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the light of the world. In contrast, the lies and deception in this world keep people in darkness. Once in darkness, it becomes difficult to find our way out. Truth is, we have all been caught in the darkness, but praise be to God, He has called us out of darkness into His wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9). If we want to stay out of the dark, we need to keep following Jesus. He will never lead us astray.
Hymn for Today:
Many years ago, a friend of mine was well off the beaten track in Canada’s Yukon territory enjoying the serenity of the unspoiled wilderness and hoping to bring home some moose meat for the winter. Everything went well until he was out walking near his tent at night. He stepped into a hidden hole in the ground, resulting in a serious fracture.
Walking in the darkness is never safe. Hazards remain hidden, just waiting for opportunity to hurt unsuspecting victims. In the darkness, we don’t know which way to turn; it all looks the same. Before we know it, we are lost.
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the light of the world. In contrast, the lies and deception in this world keep people in darkness. Once in darkness, it becomes difficult to find our way out. Truth is, we have all been caught in the darkness, but praise be to God, He has called us out of darkness into His wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9). If we want to stay out of the dark, we need to keep following Jesus. He will never lead us astray.
Hymn for Today:
"The Light of the World Is Jesus" by Philip P. Bliss
1. The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Like sunshine at noonday, His glory shone in;
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Refrain: Come to the light, ’tis shining for thee;
Sweetly the light has dawned upon me;
Once I was blind, but now I can see:
The Light of the world is Jesus!
2. No darkness have we who in Jesus abide;
The Light of the world is Jesus!
We walk in the light when we follow our Guide!
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Refrain: Come to the light, ’tis shining for thee;
Sweetly the light has dawned upon me;
Once I was blind, but now I can see:
The Light of the world is Jesus!
3. Ye dwellers in darkness with sin-blinded eyes,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Go, wash at His bidding, and light will arise;
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Refrain: Come to the light, ’tis shining for thee;
Sweetly the light has dawned upon me;
Once I was blind, but now I can see:
The Light of the world is Jesus!
4. No need of the sunlight in Heaven we’re told;
The Light of the world is Jesus!
The Lamb is the Light in the city of gold,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Refrain: Come to the light, ’tis shining for thee;
Sweetly the light has dawned upon me;
Once I was blind, but now I can see:
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Thought for Today:
“Arise, shine [Yerushalayim],
for your light has come,
the glory of Adonai
has risen over you.(Isaiah 60:1).
Please pray:
Please pray:
For faculty and students as they prepare for Christian ministry in the Dominican Republic.
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Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - WordAction - The Foundry Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States - The Global Church of the Nazarene for Thursday, 14 September 2017 "Our Surprising Savior" by Norayr Hajian - John 1:43-51John 1:43 The next day, having decided to leave for the Galil, Yeshua found Philip and said, “Follow me!” 44 Philip was from Beit-Tzaidah, the town where Andrew and Kefa lived. 45 Philip found Natan’el and told him, “We’ve found the one that Moshe wrote about in the Torah, also the Prophets — it’s Yeshua Ben-Yosef from Natzeret!” 46 Natan’el answered him, “Natzeret? Can anything good come from there?” “Come and see,” Philip said to him. 47 Yeshua saw Natan’el coming toward him and remarked about him, “Here’s a true son of Isra’el — nothing false in him!” 48 Natan’el said to him, “How do you know me?” Yeshua answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Natan’el said, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Isra’el!” 50 Yeshua answered him, “you believe all this just because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than that!” 51 Then he said to him, “Yes indeed! I tell you that you will see heaven opened and the angels of God going up and coming down[John 1:51 Genesis 28:12] on the Son of Man!”
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Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - WordAction - The Foundry Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States - The Global Church of the Nazarene for Thursday, 14 September 2017 "Our Surprising Savior" by Norayr Hajian - John 1:43-51John 1:43 The next day, having decided to leave for the Galil, Yeshua found Philip and said, “Follow me!” 44 Philip was from Beit-Tzaidah, the town where Andrew and Kefa lived. 45 Philip found Natan’el and told him, “We’ve found the one that Moshe wrote about in the Torah, also the Prophets — it’s Yeshua Ben-Yosef from Natzeret!” 46 Natan’el answered him, “Natzeret? Can anything good come from there?” “Come and see,” Philip said to him. 47 Yeshua saw Natan’el coming toward him and remarked about him, “Here’s a true son of Isra’el — nothing false in him!” 48 Natan’el said to him, “How do you know me?” Yeshua answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Natan’el said, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Isra’el!” 50 Yeshua answered him, “you believe all this just because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than that!” 51 Then he said to him, “Yes indeed! I tell you that you will see heaven opened and the angels of God going up and coming down[John 1:51 Genesis 28:12] on the Son of Man!”
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Over time, many places develop a reputation. Brazil produces the majority of the coffee beans in the world. The Swiss are known for their timepieces. Other places are known for everything from the best assortment of spices to the most advanced computer technology. We develop expectations, both positive and negative, based on our experiences and reputation.
Imagine the surprise, then, as Nathaniel heard that “the one Moses wrote about” had come from Nazareth. Nazareth had a reputation of being substandard–it had a poor reputation. Nothing good ever came out of there.
Philip answered Nathaniel’s protest with a simple, “Come and see” (John 1:46). Jesus has a way of circumventing our expectations. He is full of surprises. He made the lame walk, the blind see. He spoke of loving one’s enemies and praying for those who persecute us. He provided meals for a thousands out of a bag lunch.
Today, if you are feeling overwhelmed and uncertain of what the future holds, remember that Jesus just might have a surprise for you. His ways are not our ways, but His way is always best.
Hymn for Today:
Imagine the surprise, then, as Nathaniel heard that “the one Moses wrote about” had come from Nazareth. Nazareth had a reputation of being substandard–it had a poor reputation. Nothing good ever came out of there.
Philip answered Nathaniel’s protest with a simple, “Come and see” (John 1:46). Jesus has a way of circumventing our expectations. He is full of surprises. He made the lame walk, the blind see. He spoke of loving one’s enemies and praying for those who persecute us. He provided meals for a thousands out of a bag lunch.
Today, if you are feeling overwhelmed and uncertain of what the future holds, remember that Jesus just might have a surprise for you. His ways are not our ways, but His way is always best.
Hymn for Today:
"Infant Holy, Infant Lowly" from a Polish Carol paraphrased by Edith M. G. Reed
1. Infant holy, infant lowly,
for His bed a cattle stall;
oxen lowing, little knowing
Christ the Babe is Lord of all.
Swift are winging angels singing,
noels ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ the Babe is Lord of all,
Christ the Babe is Lord of all.
2. Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping
vigil till the morning new
saw the glory, heard the story,
tidings of the gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow,
praises voicing, greet the morrow:
Christ the Babe was born for you.
Christ the Babe was born for you.
Thought for Today:
he humbled himself still more
by becoming obedient even to death —
death on a stake as a criminal!(Philippians 2:8).
Please pray:
Please pray:
That many young people in the Dominican Republic will be called into Christian ministry.
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