Yes, as Long as My Friends Don't Know I'm Christian...

In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.  For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.  And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.  When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, He saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?  The impotent man answered Him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.  Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.  And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath.  The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the Sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.  He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.  Then asked they him, What Man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?  And he that was healed wist not Who it was: for Jesus had conveyed Himself away, a multitude being in that place.  Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.  John, Chapter 5, verses 3-14.

Something that impresses me about this passage is that Jesus asked the handicapped man, “Wilt thou be made whole?”  Now, it would seem any handicapped person in their right mind would say, “Sure I will.  I would do anything to be made whole!”  But I don’t think we always do that as Christians.  When Jesus gave His life for us and rose again to gain us Salvation, He is asking all of us, “Wilt thou be made whole?”  What would we reply? 
Would it be, “Yes, as long as my friends don’t know that I’m a Christian”?  “Yes, as long as I can still cheat on my spouse every now and then.  It really doesn’t mean a thing!”  “Yes, as long as I can still stab my co-workers in the back to get another wrung up the ladder of success.”  “Yes, just as long as I can party every now and then.  You know it doesn’t really hurt anything.  Besides, I need to relax now and then.”  When Jesus asks us if we will be made whole, all we have to do is believe in Him as our Lord and Savior.  The other part of being made whole is trying to live as examples of how He works in our lives.  I don’t think any of the responses above reflect that.  What will you say to the question Jesus poses in our lives, “Wilt thou be made whole?”

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 

Some Can Believe in Looking at Their Horoscope, but Don't Trust in Jesus...

So Jesus Himself came again into Cana of Galilee, where He made the water wine.  And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum.  When he had heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Gaililee, he went unto Him, and besought Him that He would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.  Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.  The nobleman saith unto Him, Sir, come down ere my child die.  Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth.  And the man believed the Word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.  And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.  Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend.  And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.  So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.  This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when He was come out of Judaea into Galilee.  John, Chapter 4, verses 46-54.

The thing that made all the difference in the life of the young boy was what the father believed Jesus when He told him that his son liveth.  Now if the father had doubted Jesus, his son would be dead and he would have always regretted not having had the faith necessary to trust Jesus.
The sad thing is that some can’t believe that Jesus is going to take care of their needs.  It’s almost funny that they can believe things like the following:
It’s funny, they can believe their concerns are going to be taken care of by sending money to someone on TV, but they don’t trust in Jesus.  It’s funny, they can believe in someone who looks at some tea leaves, crystals or lines in their hands, but they don’t trust in Jesus.  It’s funny, some can believe in chanting some positive affirmation, but they don’t trust in Jesus.  It’s funny, some believe in looking at their horoscope, but they don’t trust in Jesus.  It’s funny, some can believe in putting positive thoughts in their minds, but they don’t trust in Jesus.  People can believe in all these ridiculous things and all they had to do was to have faith in Jesus.  It’s almost so simple that it eludes them.
We have choices in our lives.  We can believe God is going to take care of our concerns in whichever way is His will (because He sees the Big Picture).  Or we can doubt and live to regret, not having the faith necessary to trust Jesus.
Here is a related passage:
*And when He was come into the house, the blind men came to Him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this?  They said unto Him, Yea, Lord.  Then touched He their eyes, saying, according to your faith be it unto you.  And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.  Matthew, Chapter 9, verses 28-30.

Because this an example of how I’ve applied these Bible passages to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passages.


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 

Looking for Jesus in All the Wrong Places Christians...

God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.  The woman saith unto Him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when He is come, He will tell us all things.  Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am He.  John, Chapter 4, verses 24-26.
Have you ever watched movies where men or women are looking for their true love, but have a good friend they overlook because they are looking for the ideal partner?  The majority of the movie is focused on the main character pursuing people who are attractive, popular, etc., but never are satisfied.  Later, in the movie, they find that the ideal person for them is their true-blue friend who has been there, all along.
It’s like this lady who is desperately searching for Jesus, without realizing He is right in front of her.  He isn’t attractive, popular, etc., so He might go unnoticed.  He is our true-blue friend and Savior who is there to save us, but do we notice Him?  Like the song says, “Looking for love in all the wrong places,” do we want to be a “Looking for Jesus in All the Wrong Places Christian” or should we stop to realize that He has been right here in front of us, all along?

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 

How to Satisfy our Thirst...

Then cometh He to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.  Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with His journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.  There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give Me to drink.  (For His disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)  Then saith the woman of Samaria unto Him, How is it that Thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.  Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and Who It is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee Living Water.  The woman saith unto Him, Sir, Thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast Thou that Living Water?  Art Thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?  Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the Water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the Water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of Water springing up into everlasting life.  John, Chapter 4, verses 5-14.

I like the picture I get when I read this.  I know that I get thirsty and get a glass of water; but in a little while, I might get thirsty again.  Sometimes, it becomes annoying when I have to run downstairs to get another glass of water.  Other times when I’m away from home and find myself without a place to get water, my thirst seems unquenchable.
I have never thought of being so satisfied that I’m never thirsty again.  Of course, Jesus isn’t talking about actual water, but we do have a thirst to have eternal life with Him.  If we ignore that inner thirst and choose to lead a more worldly life, that thirst is still there, unquenched.  If we satisfy our thirst, by finding out more about Jesus and His love for us and try to be examples of how He works in our lives, our thirst for a relationship with Jesus is quenched.  We don’t have to seek eternal life, because we will have it through our love of Jesus, who will quench all our needs, if we only ask Him.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 


I Would Much Rather Have Everlasting Life...

For He whom God hath sent speaketh the Words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him.  The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand.  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.  John, Chapter 3, verses 34-36.

God tells us through the Bible in plain and simple Words: If we believe in Jesus, God’s Son, we will have everlasting life in heaven; and if we don’t, we will have God’s wrath instead!  I don’t know about you, but I would much rather have everlasting life with God than to endure His wrath.  What about you?

Here are some related passages:
*All things are delivered unto Me of My Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him.  Matthew, Chapter 11, verse 27.
*And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul.  Deuteronomy, Chapter 10, verse 12.

Because this an example of how I’ve applied these Bible passages to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passages.



This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 

Satan Sneaking Up and Dimming Our Focus...

If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?  And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of Man which is in heaven.  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.  He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God.  And this is the condemnation, that Light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than Light, because their deeds were evil.  For every one that doeth evil hateth the Light, neither cometh to the Light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  But he that doeth Truth cometh to the Light, that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God.  John, Chapter 3, verses 12-21.

This passage makes me think of Satan as lying within the shadows ready to pounce on unsuspecting people by tempting them.  Satan entices them with worldly pleasures and lifestyle choices that lead them away from the Light and into the shadows.  I think of Jesus as the Light that is turned on in the dark, to illuminate our way and to make our path clearly visible. 
Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us and Lights the way to Salvation.  As the children of Light, we need to lead our lives accordingly.  Are we making the lifestyle choices and leading our lives as examples of the Light that Jesus provides for us?  Or, do we fall prey to Satan sneaking up and dimming our focus through worldly choices and people who lead us astray?  We need to be in prayerful consideration of these questions.
Here are some related passages:
*Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.  Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on Me, believeth not on Me, but on Him that sent Me.  And he that seeth Me seeth Him that sent Me.  I am come a Light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness.  And if any man hear My Words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.  He that rejecteth Me, and receiveth not My Words, hath One that judgeth him: the Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the Last Day.  For I have not spoken of Myself; but the Father which sent Me, He gave Me a Commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.  And I know that His Commandment is life everlasting whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto Me, so I speak.  John, Chapter 12, verses 42-50.
*Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my Salvation: my God will hear me.  Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a Light unto me. Micah, Chapter 7, verses 7-8.

Because this an example of how I’ve applied these Bible passages to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passages.


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 

Distracted by Living a Life with Worldly Values...

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  Nicodemus saith unto Him, How can a man be born when he is old?  can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit.  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.  John, Chapter 3, verses 3-8.

I tend to get distracted when I say my prayers for my family, myself and the world situation.  When I find myself doing this, I pray for God to give me His Holy Spirit to guide me and to keep me focused.  When God’s Holy Spirit lives within me; my actions are more God-focused.  Otherwise, it’s very easy for me to get distracted by living a life with worldly values.
Well, it’s the same for being a Christian.  I can say that I believe in Jesus and live a worldly life not focused on Jesus at all.  Will I go to heaven?  Possibly not.  If I love Jesus enough to commit to be baptized, will I go to heaven?  Well, it’s a start, but it’s not enough.  There are lots of people who were baptized years ago who spend their lives focused on drugs, alcohol, power, prestige and self instead of God.  After you’re baptized, you need to be an example of Jesus’ positive influence on your life.  What if I live a good life, but don’t recognize Jesus as my Savior?  Will I still go to heaven?  There are lots of Bible passages that state a person doesn’t have Salvation by good works alone.  They have to believe in Jesus as their Savior and to try to live their lives as examples to others.

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 

I Don't Want to Be an Only for the Moment Christian

If ye abide in Me, and My Words abide in You, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.  Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit: so shall ye be My disciples.  As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love.  If ye keep My Commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s Commandments, and abide in His love.  These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.  This is My Commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  Greater love hath no man than this that a Man lay down His life for His friends.  Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.  Henceforth I call you no servants: for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you.  John, Chapter 15, verses 7-15.
I don’t want to take this lightly, being an “Only for the Moment Christian,” then falling back into my old sinful ways again.  Jesus gave His life for me and for you.  He deserves a little more recognition than an occasional mention on special religious holidays or when we feel the need to go to church for family traditions.  He sacrificed so much for us which should warrant us trying to make a committed effort to be the Christian that Jesus would want us to be.

Since I've used this passage to relate it to my life, it doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.


Thanks for clicking on comments below to share. Debbie

Getting Led Astray to Metaphysical and Cult Type of Churches...

Then answered the Jews and said unto Him, What sign showest Thou unto us, seeing that Thou doest these things?  Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.  Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt Thou rear it up in three days?  But He spake of the Temple of His Body.  When therefore He was risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this unto them; and they believed the Scripture, and the Word which Jesus had said, Now when He was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in His Name, when they saw the miracles which He did.  John, Chapter 2, verses 18-23.

This reminds me of Missouri, the Show Me State.  It’s kind of like we say to God, “I’ll believe that Jesus is our Savior if You show me the proof, if You show me a sign, if You show me…”
I think that’s how many Christians get led astray to metaphysical and cult types of churches.  They are looking for valid proof of Jesus’ existence and a concrete explanation for the creation of the world.  These metaphysical churches seem to appeal to them because they combine religion with science in a way that makes some kind of sense to them.

Jesus’ telling us that His body is going to be raised up on the third day defies any explanation, real or metaphysical.  It’s in the Bible and enough different disciples wrote about it from their perspective, so we know that no one made this up.  This allows us to compare what was foretold in the Bible years before Jesus’ birth with what the different disciples wrote.  That’s why reading the Bible is beneficial, especially for those that have doubts.

Even Thomas told the other disciples that he didn’t believe that Jesus had risen from the grave.  Knowing this, Jesus appeared to Thomas and told him to touch the nail prints in His hands and thrust his hand into His side in order for him to believe.  It really did happen!  Although it defies our human logic, Jesus arose from the grave to save us all from our sins.

I see Jesus’ work in my life each and every day in ways that defy all explanation, but I do.  I try to turn my life over to God and turn to Him to take care of my daily issues and concerns.  He gives me the Peace Which Passes All Understanding to get through the tough times.  He is always there taking care of me. Jesus’ rising from the grave to save us from our sins defies all explanation…but it’s true!!!!

Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage.



This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections. 

A Sign from Jesus that Defies All Explanation

Then answered the Jews and said unto Him, What sign showest Thou unto us, seeing that Thou doest these things?  Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.  Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt Thou rear it up in three days?  But He spake of the Temple of His Body.  When therefore He was risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this unto them; and they believed the Scripture, and the Word which Jesus had said, Now when He was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in His Name, when they saw the miracles which He did.  John, Chapter 2, verses 18-23.

This reminds me of Missouri, the Show Me State.  It’s kind of like we say to God, “I’ll believe that Jesus is our Savior if You show me the proof, if You show me a sign, if You show me…”
I think that’s how many Christians get led astray to metaphysical and cult types of churches.  They are looking for valid proof of Jesus’ existence and a concrete explanation for the creation of the world.  These metaphysical churches seem to appeal to them because they combine religion with science in a way that makes some kind of sense to them.
Jesus’ telling us that His body is going to be raised up on the third day defies any explanation, real or metaphysical.  It’s in the Bible and enough different disciples wrote about it from their perspective, so we know that no one made this up.  This allows us to compare what was foretold in the Bible years before Jesus’ birth with what the different disciples wrote.  That’s why reading the Bible is beneficial, especially for those that have doubts.
Even Thomas told the other disciples that he didn’t believe that Jesus had risen from the grave.  Knowing this, Jesus appeared to Thomas and told him to touch the nail prints in His hands and thrust his hand into His side in order for him to believe.  It really did happen!  Although it defies our human logic, Jesus arose from the grave to save us all from our sins.
I see Jesus’ work in my life each and every day in ways that defy all explanation.  I try to turn my life over to God and turn to Him to take care of my daily issues and concerns.  He gives me the Peace Which Passes All Understanding to get through the tough times.  He is always there taking care of me.


Because this is an example of how I’ve applied this Bible passage to my life, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the passage. Debbie


This is a connection I've made from this Bible passage. Please share your connections.