John 3

Scripture breakdown using the SOAP method (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer).

John 3:23

S: But anyone who lives by the truth, comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.

O: This verse is preceded by Jesus sharing what it looks like for someone to live in darkness. It can be said that verses 22-23 are comparisons of each other in that Jesus sets up two ways of living be it by darkness or by light. Truth is in the light. Truth cannot hide, nor does it need to hide because the light that encompasses it, makes a way for it to be seen. There are several scriptures that make reference to the power of light. Jesus also tells us in Matthew 5:14-16 that we are the light of the world. He tells us further, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. 

A: It's clear that Jesus is not advising us to live by truth to appease ourselves or to impress others. No. He's encouraging us to live by truth, and to come to the light so in that--God gets the glory! These scriptures clearly supports this as well.

P: Father God, please help me to not succumb to my flesh and the temptation to live by darkness. Help me to seek the truth of your word, and to live in the light. Not in the shadows of my evil desires. In Jesus Name, Amen.

John 3:27

S: John responded, "No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven."

O: John the Baptist's disciples were beginning to feel threatened over the growing popularity of Jesus. John in his humility was reassuring them that the power displayed in Jesus could only come from God--from heaven. I love how confident and content John was in his ability to know what God had called him to do; rather than trying to compete with Jesus. It takes a lot of security and confidence to applaud the work of someone else, when people come to you trying to cast doubt regarding that person's ability and/or authority to perform said work. John goes on to say that, Jesus must increase and that he must decrease. It's almost as if John knew that his time was coming to an end. And he chose to have peace over it.

A: Jealousy is a strong thing. It can destroy our ability to have healthy perspectives when it comes to the success of others; in juxtaposition to how we view ourselves. If we're unable to be honest with ourselves and confess our sins to God, jealousy can destroy us. It's not just reserved for our haters. No. Jealousy is equal opportunity. It's for anybody willing to have or want it. If we don't check our hearts, our jealousy over others talents and gifts can be stopping us from achieving God's glory with the talents and gifts he's given to us to worship him.

P: Father God, please help me to celebrate others rather than questioning the ability to which you have given them to serve. Help me to pray for those in power, and in positions where they stand to help or hurt many; let not judgment rule in my heart. Help me also to grow in contentment with what you have given to me without the need to question or compare it to what you've given to my brother or sister. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Closing remarks: John knew that his job had been assigned to him by God; therefore, he was content to receive no more than what God wanted him to have. John was simply the opening act, expected to warm up the crowd and then get off the stage. Jesus was the main event, the star attraction. John's job was to point to and glorify the Messiah. And that's our job too. John was content with and grateful for his role. Are you? [The Tony Evans Bible Commentary]

John 2

Scripture breakdown using the SOAP method (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer).

John 2:4-5-
S: "What has this concern of yours to do with me, woman?" Jesus asked. "My hour has not yet come." "Do whatever he tells you," his mother told the servants.

O: Jesus, along with his mother and some of his disciples were attending a wedding, and they ran out of wine. Mary makes this announcement to Jesus in verse 3, and verse 4; well, that's his response to her! I just love how comical it reads. Basically, Jesus is trying to tell his mother to not put his gifts out on full display because it wasn't his time to display them. Yet, in verse 5, she says to the servants, "do whatever he tells you." There was something transpiring between Jesus and his mother that isn't recorded in these verses. Despite his original response to her, Mary knew her son enough to know that somehow, and some way he would find a way to fulfill her request. Whatever the nonverbal interaction between Jesus and Mary--it was effective enough for him to reconsider his first response, and to find a solution to the wine shortage without risking his identity. And to top it all off, the wedding celebration could continue without missing a beat; I'll toast to that!

A: As the mother to a toddler, I am beginning to see the special bond that my son and I share. The ways in which he gravitates towards me at times is overwhelming in the sense that the joy in my heart is running over. His thoughtfulness and care for my well-being, at such a young age, is so very endearing. That being said, I am reminded of the responsibility I have to not try and steer him in the wrong direction. To not rush him into situations and/or experiences before God says it's his time. My son has the right to tell me no, if what I am wanting of him compromises a directive he's received from God. God is no respecter of persons. He can speak to my child and reach him at his level, and as a Christ following adult, I should humble myself to receive God's word through my child. Hosea isn't less than because he's a child; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

P: Father God, I pray that in the same way you gave Jesus the creativity to devise another way to meet a need; you would also give that gifting to my son, Hosea, as life begins to introduce him to problem solving. In Jesus Name, Amen.

John 2:24-25:
S: Jesus, however, would not entrust himself to them, since he knew them all and because he did not need anyone to testify about man; for he himself knew what was in man.

O: Ain't no fakin with JC! He can spot a real from a fake. We can try and act pure, but Jesus sees through it! The scriptures tells us that Jesus gave to us the gift of the Holy Spirit as he was preparing to ascend to the Father. The Holy Spirit is a spirit of truth. Not of deceit. Not of maybe. Not of feeling...but of TRUTH. I love when I encounter people in life, who can just tell it like it is! Who can give it to me straight, no chaser. Here was Jesus Christ performing signs and wonders in people, but he knew they were not for him, per se. He knew they couldn't handle the fullness of who he was, and he accepted it. He didn't compromise his identity for immaturity, fear of others opinions, or doubt, but he also remained open to being gracious and merciful despite knowing the truth about human nature.

A: I've got some people who want to be associated with me for the wrong reasons. They see where I'm going, and they either want to ride on my coattails or try and stop me from getting there altogether. Sometimes, it's hard to discern what my response to them should be without being ruled with a need to be liked; to be accepted by them. That's what stands out to me about these verses...Jesus' confidence. He doesn't seemed bothered by the truth of man; while also being a great example for setting healthy boundaries with people. He knew what to give of himself to others and what to keep. Now that's social distancing!

P: Father God, please help me to remain confident and discerning as to who needs to be walking beside me on this new exciting journey where you have placed my feet. Help me not be moved by fear of others opinions or a fear of rejection. Let not a spirit of doubt stop me from pursuing your will for my life. There is some pain and betrayal ahead, but I trust that you will send me those who are from you, and are willing to stand in the gap with me. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Closing remarks: Spiritual growth is important because it expands our capacity to experience more of God. Jesus does not relate to all believers the same way. [The Tony Evans Bible Commentary]

John 1

On Monday, April 27th I began reading the book of John. This post is dedicated to summarizing John 1: using the SOAP method (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer).

S: "And John testified, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and he rested on him."

O: John was referencing Jesus Christ and testifying that he was indeed the Messiah. For many years, I always thought that a dove descended on Jesus because John 1 is such a popular book in the bible that I have heard many times, this was a mistake that I made. It wasn't until I took my time reading it that I realized it wasn't an actual dove that descended upon Jesus, but the Spirit who assumed a dove like appearance.

A: After I received the revelation about the dove it got me to realize that the Spirit of God can assume whatever form he desires. Doves are thought to be a sign of love, purity, and positivity; while crows are thought to be an omen of death. Crows serve as popular allegorical tropes for horror novels and/or movies. And yet, they're extremely knowledgeable and loyal. How can they too, not come from God? If he could send a raven to feed Elijah in his chosen exile, surely he can use a crow for something godly. For is not life and death in the hands of God? Then why have we come to fear it? Death. Why have we come to fear it? On Sunday, April 26th I was working in our den when I got up to stretch, and look out the window of our backdoor. Within seconds, a crow hurriedly flew up, startling the life out of me! In my timidity, I jumped. All while being captivated by the beauty of its black feathers, and its prowess. It was too big to balance itself on our line wire, but it managed to very gently balance itself enough for me to see its profile, before flying off into the distance. [In general, there have been a lot of crows in my neighborhood which we have attributed to the many deaths due to the coronavirus.] I know not, what message if any, it was sent to give me, but I choose to give God credit for having allowed me to see it, rather than receiving it as an omen from the enemy.

P: Father God, help me to see you in all the details rather than being quick to assign blame or credit to the enemy; for something that could very much be a part of your divine purpose for my life. In Jesus Name, I pray. Amen.

Closing Remarks: A Christian's testimony ought to accomplish what John the Baptist's testimony did: pointing people to Jesus so that they want to follow him. When you understand who Jesus is, you'll want others to know him. (This was taken from Tony Evans Bible Commentary)

the seed

The seed...he didn't ask to come here.

The seed...was placed in the woman's womb by God.

The woman did not conceive the seed by way of immaculate conception. She and the man who would later become the monster...conceived the seed in matrimony.

The seed asks the woman not long ago...if the monster will hit him?

The woman responds saying she doesn't think so.

The seed then asks the woman if the monster will hit her?

The woman hesitates before responding..."I hope not."

The monster tries to use his influence over the seed to separate the woman from having a close bond with her seed.

Sometimes the woman becomes discouraged, and fears that the monster will devise a wicked scheme to take away her seed. To punish her because he knows that her seed is where he can hurt her the most.

The woman asks herself, "what's the worst thing the monster can do to me..." she ponders...

"He could hit me," but of course I would find a way to get even.

She thinks again..."what's the worst the monster can do to me..."

"Take away my seed," she dreads.

Suddenly, the woman rethinks her fears. If the worst thing that the monster can do to her is take away her seed...then that really isn't the worst thing at all.

The woman realizes that the worst thing that could happen to her is not losing her seed, or being bonded to the monster for the rest of her life...it's being separated from her Creator. It's losing out on His love.

There is a start date and an end date to everything, the woman reminds herself. Even if the monster doesn't take her seed away from her, there will come a time when the seed will face his end date; as will the woman.

And greater still, is the end date of their oppressor.

the monster

People believe that monsters are figments of one's imagination. That they're big, scary, furry or out-of-this-world ugly in terms of their appearance. 

Many don't stop to consider that sometimes, however, people can take on the form of monsters, especially when what's on the inside of them can no longer be controlled to stay there. Those emotions must come out, and so must the monster.

I know a monster...who does his best to hide in the shadows. Who is crumbling on the surface, whose temper is fighting to remain unseen.

I know a monster...who stalks to and fro looking to find something. What, he doesn't know, but he's looking all the same. Determined that guilt is to be had, and someone will pay the cost.

I know a monster...who is consumed with what people think about him, because heaven forbid someone sees through his facade, and into his temper. 

I know a monster...who craves control, and will stop at nothing to get it. 

I know a monster...who wants to be hailed as a "good guy," yet in his thoughts and actions he's one fist away from assault and battery.

I know a monster...who notices how easily the woman's skin bruises and how easily the skin of their seed, bruises too.

I know a woman. 

A strong woman. 

A scared woman. 

A tired woman. 

She sees through the monster's charms, and craves so badly to run away from him. Yet, she knows that as long as she's alive, her monster will find her, and he will make her subject to him. One way or another. She wants to run to this person and that person, yet the only person who is strong enough to deliver her from her monster...isn't a person at all. He is a force. And so she's praying that this force will render a supernatural answer so strong that it will release her of her monster; henceforth and evermore.

And in the meantime, she's praying for the fear to subside within her because... 

Twas' fear;

That attracted the monster to her in the first place.

Imagine?

“Imagine there’s no countries. It isn’t hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for, and no religion too.” These are some of the lyrics to “Imagine” which was both written and sung by John Lennon. It is a timeless song that wonderfully imagines a host of possibilities about life. There are those, who despite the songs tempting and lofty ideas, couldn’t imagine a life sans religion, or faith. Though the ever increasing presence of xenophobia exists, it can be argued that so does the willpower of those who practice any religion, and who dare to persevere and not conform, while running the risks of being lambasted or rejected for refusal to endorse the status quo. Perhaps what the world sees as a religion, faith practitioners see as an undying relationship, to a deity or deities, for whom they deem it is worth to suffer.

The Middle

It is pretty fair to say that I was born in the middle. I am not the middle child. I am my father's only remaining child, and my mother's only child. The statement about being born in the middle comes from the role that I was assigned by my mother and grandmother. I have been in the middle of their on-again, off-again contentious relationship for as long as I can remember.

Fast forward to now, I tend to still be in the middle. I try not to take sides, but rather acknowledge fault on both sides and strive to remain peaceful. I don't tend to tell either of them where I find them to be at fault, unless there's some blow up that causes me to lash out. 

Throughout my life, I tend to be the person that other people come to--to vent. Sometimes about one another, and sometimes just about life. I have learned to not repeat what I'm told, and to remain neutral. Open to listen to both sides, and quick to remain loyal to both as well.

This can sometimes come at a cost. A very high cost, especially when people take my passivity for weakness, and believe they can bully me. There is a lot I know, and that much more I can say in response to being insulted. Most times, I try to be the bigger person. I try to take the high road, forgive, and move forward.

What I have recently, and very painfully recognized is that there comes a time when silence is not the best answer. When a response to insensitivity and bullying must be called out for what it is. A family member recently popped-off at the mouth so viciously that upon reading her text, I was nearly shut-down.

I couldn't think. I wanted to cry. I wanted to curse. Instead, I shared it with my husband as calmly as I knew how and together we shared the truth behind the person's mean words, and from where they were coming. We acknowledged our hurt and our pain. Then we sucked it up and had fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

I know the latter part of that paragraph may appear to be full-on mush, but it's true. We decided that we weren't going to allow this person's distorted version of the truth shape our actions, and how we chose to spend time as a family.

Can I tell you that we are still hurt by the words this person threw at us. I am still angry, but I refuse to lose joy, to stop living my life over the misery of someone else.

While I believe in the power being in the middle provides me such as, serving as an intercessor or mediator; I do believe it's vital to walk away from this person to assess how to remove myself from being her target. 

My response to this person closed with "I don't know what's wrong with you, but I didn't do it." "Take care." Translation: We both know what's wrong with you, but only you can do something about it. In the meantime, you don't have the right to bully me through text. You don't have the right to speak recklessly to me. I don't have to take your crap. I am not your target anymore, and until you can treat me with respect and not intentionally seek to wound me with your words, I release you.

I am not a victim. I am not a pushover. I am no one's target. I have removed the bulls-eye from my back. And no one will put it back.