16For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. + JOHN 3:16 + HOLY BIBLE ~ NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION

16 "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. + JOHN 3:16 + THE HOLY BIBLE + THE MESSAGE

Resurrection!

1-2Early in the morning on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone was moved away from the entrance. She ran at once to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, gasping for breath. “They took the Master from the tomb. We don’t know where they’ve put him.”

3-10Peter and the other disciple left immediately for the tomb. They ran, neck and neck. The other disciple got to the tomb first, outrunning Peter. Stooping to look in, he saw the pieces of linen cloth lying there, but he didn’t go in. Simon Peter arrived after him, entered the tomb, observed the linen cloths lying there, and the kerchief used to cover his head not lying with the linen cloths but separate, neatly folded by itself. Then the other disciple, the one who had gotten there first, went into the tomb, took one look at the evidence, and believed. No one yet knew from the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead. The disciples then went back home.

11-13a But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she knelt to look into the tomb and saw two angels sitting there, dressed in white, one at the head, the other at the foot of where Jesus’ body had been laid. They said to her, “Woman, why do you weep?”

13b-14 “They took my Master,” she said, “and I don’t know where they put him.” After she said this, she turned away and saw Jesus standing there. But she didn’t recognize him.

15Jesus spoke to her, “Woman, why do you weep? Who are you looking for?”

She, thinking that he was the gardener, said, “Sir, if you took him, tell me where you put him so I can care for him.”

16Jesus said, “Mary.”

Turning to face him, she said in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” meaning “Teacher!”

17Jesus said, “Don’t cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I ascend to my Father and your Father, my God and your God.’”

18Mary Magdalene went, telling the news to the disciples: “I saw the Master!” And she told them everything he said to her.

To Believe

19-20a Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” Then he showed them his hands and side.

20b-21 The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were awestruck. Jesus repeated his greeting: “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.”

22-23Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. “Receive the Holy Spirit,” he said. “If you forgive someone’s sins, they’re gone for good. If you don’t forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?”

24-25But Thomas, sometimes called the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We saw the Master.”

But he said, “Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won’t believe it.”

26Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.”

27Then he focused his attention on Thomas. “Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don’t be unbelieving. Believe.”

28Thomas said, “My Master! My God!”

29Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.”

30-31Jesus provided far more God-revealing signs than are written down in this book. These are written down so you will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and in the act of believing, have real and eternal life in the way he personally revealed it.

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JESUS', JESUS COMMANDS Us TO "Run hard and fast in the faith {2 TIMOTHY 6:12 + HOLY BIBLE + THE MESSAGE}." JESUS' Previous Day's Smooth Stone From FriDAY, September the Sixth IN THE YEAR OF THE LORD JESUS 2024

Imitating Christ’s Humility

1Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

5In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: + PHILIPPIANS 2:1-5 + HOLY BIBLE ~ THE MESSAGE

~~~ JESUS', JESUS ~~~

“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. + JOHN 3:16-18 + HOLY BIBLE ~ THE MESSAGE

Ask for What You Need

1One day he was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said, “Master, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.”

2-4So he said, “When you pray, say,

Father,

Reveal who you are.

Set the world right.

Keep us alive with three square meals.

Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.

Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.” + LUKE 11:1-4 - HOLY BIBLE - THE MESSAGE

Praise JESUS.

41“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42but few things are needed—or indeed only one. ^f Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” {LUKE 10:41-42 + HOLY BIBLE + NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION}

Resurrection!

JESUS, THANKS FOR HELPING Me.

Praise JESUS.

40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. + 1 SAMUEL 17:40 + HOLY BIBLE ~ THE MESSAGE

~~~~

The grace of the Master Jesus be with all of you. Oh, Yes! + REVELATION 22:21 + HOLY BIBLE ~ THE MESSAGE

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Today's "smooth stone" {1 SAMUEL 17:40}

JESUS', JESUS COMMANDS Us TO "Run hard and fast in the faith {2 TIMOTHY 6:12 + HOLY BIBLE + THE MESSAGE}." MonDAY, September the Ninth IN THE YEAR OF THE LORD JESUS 2024

Faith in the Incarnate Son of God

1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

6This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7For there are three that testify: 8the ^a Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. 10Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 11And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Concluding Affirmations

13I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

16If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. 17All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.

18We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. 19We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 20We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

21Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. + 1 JOHN 5:21 + THE HOLY BIBLE + THE MESSAGE

PHILIPPIANS 2:6-21

6Who, being in very nature ^a God,

did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

7rather, he made himself nothing

by taking the very nature ^b of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

8And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

by becoming obedient to death—

even death on a cross!

9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Do Everything Without Grumbling

12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

14Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” ^c Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

19I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

25But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, 30because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me. + PHILIPPIANS 2 + HOLY BIBLE ~ NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION

1 Two years passed and Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile River.

2 Seven cows came up out of the Nile, all shimmering with health, and grazed on the marsh grass.

3 Then seven other cows, all skin and bones, came up out of the river after them and stood by them on the bank of the Nile.

4 The skinny cows ate the seven healthy cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.

5 He went back to sleep and dreamed a second time: Seven ears of grain, full-bodied and lush, grew out of a single stalk.

6 Then seven more ears grew up, but these were thin and dried out by the east wind.

7 The thin ears swallowed up the full, healthy ears. Then Pharaoh woke up - another dream.

8 When morning came, he was upset. He sent for all the magicians and sages of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but they couldn't interpret them to him.

9 The head cupbearer then spoke up and said to Pharaoh, "I just now remembered something - I'm sorry, I should have told you this long ago.

10 Once when Pharaoh got angry with his servants, he locked me and the head baker in the house of the captain of the guard.

11 We both had dreams on the same night, each dream with its own meaning.

12 It so happened that there was a young Hebrew slave there with us; he belonged to the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams and he interpreted them for us, each dream separately.

13 Things turned out just as he interpreted. I was returned to my position and the head baker was impaled."

14 Pharaoh at once sent for Joseph. They brought him on the run from the jail cell. He cut his hair, put on clean clothes, and came to Pharaoh.

15 "I dreamed a dream," Pharaoh told Joseph. "Nobody can interpret it. But I've heard that just by hearing a dream you can interpret it."

16 Joseph answered, "Not I, but God. God will set Pharaoh's mind at ease."

17 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile.

18 Seven cows, shimmering with health, came up out of the river and grazed on the marsh grass.

19 On their heels seven more cows, all skin and bones, came up. I've never seen uglier cows anywhere in Egypt.

20 Then the seven skinny, ugly cows ate up the first seven healthy cows.

21 But you couldn't tell by looking - after eating them up they were just as skinny and ugly as before. Then I woke up.

22 "In my second dream I saw seven ears of grain, full-bodied and lush, growing out of a single stalk,

23 and right behind them, seven other ears, shriveled, thin, and dried out by the east wind.

24 And the thin ears swallowed up the full ears. I've told all this to the magicians but they can't figure it out."

25 Joseph said to Pharaoh, "Pharaoh's two dreams both mean the same thing. God is telling Pharaoh what he is going to do.

26 The seven healthy cows are seven years and the seven healthy ears of grain are seven years - they're the same dream.

27 The seven sick and ugly cows that followed them up are seven years and the seven scrawny ears of grain dried out by the east wind are the same - seven years of famine.

28 "The meaning is what I said earlier: God is letting Pharaoh in on what he is going to do.

29 Seven years of plenty are on their way throughout Egypt.

30 But on their heels will come seven years of famine, leaving no trace of the Egyptian plenty. As the country is emptied by famine,

31 there won't be even a scrap left of the previous plenty - the famine will be total.

32 The fact that Pharaoh dreamed the same dream twice emphasizes God's determination to do this and do it soon.

33 "So: Pharaoh needs to look for a wise and experienced man and put him in charge of the country.

34 Then Pharaoh needs to appoint managers throughout the country of Egypt to organize it during the years of plenty.

35 Their job will be to collect all the food produced in the good years ahead and stockpile the grain under Pharaoh's authority, storing it in the towns for food.

36 This grain will be held back to be used later during the seven years of famine that are coming on Egypt. This way the country won't be devastated by the famine."

37 This seemed like a good idea to Pharaoh and his officials.

38 Then Pharaoh said to his officials, "Isn't this the man we need? Are we going to find anyone else who has God's spirit in him like this?"

39 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "You're the man for us. God has given you the inside story - no one is as qualified as you in experience and wisdom.

40 From now on, you're in charge of my affairs; all my people will report to you. Only as king will I be over you."

41 So Pharaoh commissioned Joseph: "I'm putting you in charge of the entire country of Egypt."

42 Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his finger and slipped it on Joseph's hand. He outfitted him in robes of the best linen and put a gold chain around his neck.

43 He put the second-in-command chariot at his disposal, and as he rode people shouted "Bravo!" Joseph was in charge of the entire country of Egypt.

44 Pharaoh told Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, but no one in Egypt will make a single move without your stamp of approval."

45 Then Pharaoh gave Joseph an Egyptian name, Zaphenath-Paneah (God Speaks and He Lives). He also gave him an Egyptian wife, Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On (Heliopolis). And Joseph took up his duties over the land of Egypt.

46 Joseph was thirty years old when he went to work for Pharaoh the king of Egypt. As soon as Joseph left Pharaoh's presence, he began his work in Egypt.

47 During the next seven years of plenty the land produced bumper crops.

48 Joseph gathered up the food of the seven good years in Egypt and stored the food in cities. In each city he stockpiled surplus from the surrounding fields.

49 Joseph collected so much grain - it was like the sand of the ocean! - that he finally quit keeping track.

50 Joseph had two sons born to him before the years of famine came. Asenath, daughter of Potiphera the priest of On, was their mother.

51 Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh (Forget), saying, "God made me forget all my hardships and my parental home."

52 He named his second son Ephraim (Double Prosperity), saying, "God has prospered me in the land of my sorrow."

53 Then Egypt's seven good years came to an end

54 and the seven years of famine arrived, just as Joseph had said. All countries experienced famine; Egypt was the only country that had bread.

55 When the famine spread throughout Egypt, the people called out in distress to Pharaoh, calling for bread. He told the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph. Do what he tells you."

56 As the famine got worse all over the country, Joseph opened the storehouses and sold emergency supplies to the Egyptians. The famine was very bad.

57 Soon the whole world was coming to buy supplies from Joseph. The famine was bad all over. + GENESIS 41 + THE HOLY BIBLE ~ THE MESSAGE

JESUS' Blog Belongs Belongs To HIM and to HIM Alone

To Be Mature

4 1-3 In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.

4-6 You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.

7-13 But that doesn’t mean you should all look and speak and act the same. Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift. The text for this is,

He climbed the high mountain,

He captured the enemy and seized the plunder,

He handed it all out in gifts to the people.

Is it not true that the One who climbed up also climbed down, down to the valley of earth? And the One who climbed down is the One who climbed back up, up to highest heaven. He handed out gifts above and below, filled heaven with his gifts, filled earth with his gifts. He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.

14-16 No prolonged infancies among us, please. We’ll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are easy prey for predators. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.

The Old Way Has to Go

17-19 And so I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They’ve refused for so long to deal with God that they’ve lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can’t think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion.

20-24 But that’s no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.

25 What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.

26-27 Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.

28 Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can’t work.

29 Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.

30 Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted.

31-32 Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you. + EPHESIANS 4 + THE HOLY BIBLE ~ THE MESSAGE

JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD {JOHN 3:16}.

JESUS LOVES You.

1 "I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer.

2 He cuts off every branch of me that doesn't bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more.

3 You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken.

4 "Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can't bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can't bear fruit unless you are joined with me.

5 "I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can't produce a thing.

6 Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire.

7 But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon.

8 This is how my Father shows who he is - when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.

9 "I've loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love.

10 If you keep my commands, you'll remain intimately at home in my love. That's what I've done - kept my Father's commands and made myself at home in his love.

11 "I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature.

12 This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you.

13 This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends.

14 You are my friends when you do the things I command you.

15 I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father.

16 "You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.

17 "But remember the root command: Love one another.

18 "If you find the godless world is hating you, remember it got its start hating me.

19 If you lived on the world's terms, the world would love you as one of its own. But since I picked you to live on God's terms and no longer on the world's terms, the world is going to hate you.

20 "When that happens, remember this: Servants don't get better treatment than their masters. If they beat on me, they will certainly beat on you. If they did what I told them, they will do what you tell them.

21 "They are going to do all these things to you because of the way they treated me, because they don't know the One who sent me.

22 If I hadn't come and told them all this in plain language, it wouldn't be so bad. As it is, they have no excuse.

23 Hate me, hate my Father - it's all the same.

24 If I hadn't done what I have done among them, works no one has ever done, they wouldn't be to blame. But they saw the God-signs and hated anyway, both me and my Father.

25 Interesting - they have verified the truth of their own Scriptures where it is written, 'They hated me for no good reason.'

26 "When the Friend I plan to send you from the Father comes - the Spirit of Truth issuing from the Father - he will confirm everything about me.

27 You, too, from your side must give your confirming evidence, since you are in this with me from the start. + JOHN 15 + THE HOLY BIBLE ~ THE MESSAGE

~~~ JESUS', JESUS ~~~

Praise My LORD AND My GOD {JOHN 20:28}, JESUS!!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~

JESUS', JESUS COMMANDS Us TO....Love

John 7

1 Later Jesus was going about his business in Galilee. He didn't want to travel in Judea because the Jews there were looking for a chance to kill him.

2 It was near the time of Tabernacles, a feast observed annually by the Jews.

3 His brothers said, "Why don't you leave here and go up to the Feast so your disciples can get a good look at the works you do?

4 No one who intends to be publicly known does everything behind the scenes. If you're serious about what you are doing, come out in the open and show the world."

5 His brothers were pushing him like this because they didn't believe in him either.

6 Jesus came back at them, "Don't crowd me. This isn't my time. It's your time - it's always your time; you have nothing to lose.

7 The world has nothing against you, but it's up in arms against me. It's against me because I expose the evil behind its pretensions.

8 You go ahead, go up to the Feast. Don't wait for me. I'm not ready. It's not the right time for me."

9 He said this and stayed on in Galilee.

10 But later, after his family had gone up to the Feast, he also went. But he kept out of the way, careful not to draw attention to himself.

11 The Jews were already out looking for him, asking around, "Where is that man?"

12 There was a lot of contentious talk about him circulating through the crowds. Some were saying, "He's a good man." But others said, "Not so. He's selling snake oil."

13 This kind of talk went on in guarded whispers because of the intimidating Jewish leaders.

14 With the Feast already half over, Jesus showed up in the Temple, teaching.

15 The Jews were impressed, but puzzled: "How does he know so much without being schooled?"

16 Jesus said, "I didn't make this up. What I teach comes from the One who sent me.

17 Anyone who wants to do his will can test this teaching and know whether it's from God or whether I'm making it up.

18 A person making things up tries to make himself look good. But someone trying to honor the one who sent him sticks to the facts and doesn't tamper with reality.

19 It was Moses, wasn't it, who gave you God's Law? But none of you are living it. So why are you trying to kill me?"

20 The crowd said, "You're crazy! Who's trying to kill you? You're demon-possessed."

21 Jesus said, "I did one miraculous thing a few months ago, and you're still standing around getting all upset, wondering what I'm up to.

22 Moses prescribed circumcision - originally it came not from Moses but from his ancestors - and so you circumcise a man, dealing with one part of his body, even if it's the Sabbath.

23 You do this in order to preserve one item in the Law of Moses. So why are you upset with me because I made a man's whole body well on the Sabbath?

24 Don't be nitpickers; use your head - and heart! - to discern what is right, to test what is authentically right."

25 That's when some of the people of Jerusalem said, "Isn't this the one they were out to kill?

26 And here he is out in the open, saying whatever he pleases, and no one is stopping him. Could it be that the rulers know that he is, in fact, the Messiah?

27 And yet we know where this man came from. The Messiah is going to come out of nowhere. Nobody is going to know where he comes from."

28 That provoked Jesus, who was teaching in the Temple, to cry out, "Yes, you think you know me and where I'm from, but that's not where I'm from. I didn't set myself up in business. My true origin is in the One who sent me, and you don't know him at all.

29 I come from him - that's how I know him. He sent me here."

30 They were looking for a way to arrest him, but not a hand was laid on him because it wasn't yet God's time.

31 Many from the crowd committed themselves in faith to him, saying, "Will the Messiah, when he comes, provide better or more convincing evidence than this?"

32 The Pharisees, alarmed at this seditious undertow going through the crowd, teamed up with the high priests and sent their police to arrest him.

33 Jesus rebuffed them: "I am with you only a short time. Then I go on to the One who sent me.

34 You will look for me, but you won't find me. Where I am, you can't come."

35 The Jews put their heads together. "Where do you think he is going that we won't be able to find him? Do you think he is about to travel to the Greek world to teach the Jews?

36 What is he talking about, anyway: 'You will look for me, but you won't find me,' and 'Where I am, you can't come'?"

37 On the final and climactic day of the Feast, Jesus took his stand. He cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.

38 Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way, just as the Scripture says."

39 (He said this in regard to the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were about to receive. The Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet been glorified.)

40 Those in the crowd who heard these words were saying, "This has to be the Prophet."

41 Others said, "He is the Messiah!" But others were saying, "The Messiah doesn't come from Galilee, does he?

42 Don't the Scriptures tell us that the Messiah comes from David's line and from Bethlehem, David's village?"

43 So there was a split in the crowd over him.

44 Some went so far as wanting to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him.

45 That's when the Temple police reported back to the high priests and Pharisees, who demanded, "Why didn't you bring him with you?"

46 The police answered, "Have you heard the way he talks? We've never heard anyone speak like this man."

47 The Pharisees said, "Are you carried away like the rest of the rabble?

48 You don't see any of the leaders believing in him, do you? Or any from the Pharisees?

49 It's only this crowd, ignorant of God's Law, that is taken in by him - and damned."

50 Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus earlier and was both a ruler and a Pharisee, spoke up.

51 "Does our Law decide about a man's guilt without first listening to him and finding out what he is doing?"

52 But they cut him off. "Are you also campaigning for the Galilean?

53 Examine the evidence. See if any prophet ever comes from Galilee." Then they all went home. + JOHN 7 + THE HOLY BIBLE + MESSAGE

JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD

Plots Against Saul

19-21 Saul spent a few days getting acquainted with the Damascus disciples, but then went right to work, wasting no time, preaching in the meeting places that this Jesus was the Son of God. They were caught off guard by this and, not at all sure they could trust him, they kept saying, “Isn’t this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem among the believers? And didn’t he come here to do the same thing—arrest us and drag us off to jail in Jerusalem for sentencing by the high priests?”

+ ACTS 9:17 + HOLY BIBLE ~ THE MESSAGE

JESUS, Thank YOU FOR HEALING me.

16For God so loved the world that He gave His one and onlye Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. + JOHN 3:16 + HOLY BIBLE + BEREAN STANDARD BIBLE

16 "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.

17 God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. + JOHN 3:16-17 + THE HOLY BIBLE + THE MESSAGE

Praise JESUS.

JESUS, Thank YOU FOR HELPING me.

"Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. {1 JOHN 5:21 + HOLY BIBLE + NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION}"The grace of the Master Jesus be with all of you. Oh, Yes! {REVELATION 22:21 + THE HOLY BIBLE + THE MESSAGE}"

At the crack of dawn on Sunday, the women came to the tomb carrying the burial spices they had prepared. They found the entrance stone rolled back from the tomb, so they walked in. But once inside, they couldn’t find the body of the Master Jesus. + LUKE 24:1-3 + HOLY BIBLE + THE MESSAGE

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. + JOHN 3:16 + HOLY BIBLE + ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION

Return to Jerusalem
33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

46 and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
50And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. + LUKE 24:33-34, 46-53 - HOLY BIBLE - KING JAMES VERSION

JESUS', JESUS COMMANDS Us TO....Love.

~~~~~~~

Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. + 1 SAMUEL 17:40 + HOLY BIBLE + NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION
JESUS' "five smooth stones {1 SAMUEL 17:40}"
JESUS IS GOD {JOHN 1:1-5}

JESUS', JESUS COMMANDS Us TO "Run hard and fast in the faith {2 TIMOTHY 6:12 + HOLY BIBLE + THE MESSAGE}." TuesDAY, September the Tenth IN THE YEAR OF THE LORD JESUS 2024

4 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, + EPHESIANS 4:1-5 + THE HOLY BIBLE ~ KING JAMES VERSION

JESUS', JESUS COMMANDS Us TO "Run hard and fast in the faith {2 TIMOTHY 6:12 + HOLY BIBLE + THE MESSAGE}." WednesDAY, September the Eleventh IN THE YEAR OF THE LORD JESUS 2024

"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. {17} God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. + JOHN 3:16 + THE HOLY BIBLE ~ THE MESSAGE

JESUS', JESUS COMMANDS Us TO "Run hard and fast in the faith {2 TIMOTHY 6:12 + HOLY BIBLE + THE MESSAGE}." ThursDAY, September the Twelth IN THE YEAR OF THE LORD JESUS 2024

I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. + PHILIPPIANS 3:13 + HOLY BIBLE ~ THE MESSAGE

JESUS', JESUS COMMANDS Us TO "Run hard and fast in the faith {2 TIMOTHY 6:12 + HOLY BIBLE + THE MESSAGE}." FriDAY, September the Thirteenth IN THE YEAR OF THE LORD JESUS 2024

The Armor of God

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. + EPHESIANS 6:10-17 + HOLY BIBLE ~ NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION

JESUS', JESUS COMMANDS Us TO "Run hard and fast in the faith {2 TIMOTHY 6:12 + HOLY BIBLE + THE MESSAGE}." MonDAY, September the Sixteenth IN THE YEAR OF THE LORD JESUS 2024

8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. + 1 JOHN 1:8-9 + HOLY BIBLE ~ NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION

"Praise GOD, BEAUTIFUL."

The grace of the Master Jesus be with all of you. Oh, Yes! + REVELATION 22:21 + THE HOLY BIBLE ~ THE MESSAGE

All SCRIPTURES ARE FROM THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

* NOTE: SCRIPTURES RECEIVED FROM BIBLEHUB.com, AND BIBLEGATEWAY.COM

JESUS TRUE VINE CHURCH AT MOUNT OLIVET DEANWOOD CAMPUS

Monday, September 9, 2024

To Be Mature

The Old Way Has to Go

John 7

Plots Against Saul

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