Everyone likes stories with happy endings and, camping out under the stars, as they did in today’s chapter, gives us a clue for the feast ahead of us at our journey’s end…
READ JOHN 7 Make notes, if you’d like, of what stands out for you. Feel free to use the “Leave a Comment” box below to also write some of your thoughts.
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Refusing to believe a great story is a matter of choice. But while stubborn unbelief blinds us, Faith – even a little faith that’s hastily put together and camped out between unanswered questions – will always have an ability to produce even more faith.
The seven-day festival in today’s chapter (observed in autumn) was meant as a reminder of the Book of Exodus where the Creator God extracted for Himself one nation clean out of another in a sudden over-night “exodus”. The family celebration is called the Feast of Tabernacles and the eighth day is the Feast of Ingathering. Many Jewish families today, construct a “sukkah” – a small hastily-built hut where meals are eaten. Dubbed The Season of Our Joy, it’s in memory of the first 12 days of their 40-year journey through the wilderness, before entering into the place that their Maker had prepared for them to go. But what has any of it to do with us?
My Breadcrumbs, including today’s chapter, is an on-going journey that’s destined for future LIFE with our Maker. As hard to believe as it is, it finishes with a fantastic celebration after an over-night ingathering, in time for our season of great joy. On the last and greatest day of the feast in today’s chapter (at the Feast of Ingathering), Jesus chose His moment to say in a loud voice:
‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’ By this He meant the Holy Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive.” [v37-39]
Read More… CLICK on “16 April – Additional Notes”
But what about your thoughts – can you tell me what today’s “breadcrumb” is? Leave a note in the “Comments” box below to tell me what you think of today’s chapter.
Wanting to connect with the One who’s preparing a place for you? The rest of this webpage uses Jesus’ own prayer to help…[a]
THE LORD’S PRAYER:
1. Praise: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your Kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven …”
I praise You, Father God, for sending Your Son. The government is on His shoulders. He’s called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end! [Isaiah 9:6-7]
2. Ask: “…Give us today our daily bread…”
The World: The “slave labour” force in China[e]
Your Country: God’s Will to be done
Yourself: A greater moral excellence
Your concerns for today
Let me give thanks to You, O Lord, for Your unfailing love and wonderful deeds for humankind. You satisfy the thirsty and You fill the hungry with good things. [Psalm 107:8-9]
3. Admit: “…Forgive us our sin as we forgive those who sin against us…”
May I peg my choices and actions to Your Word, Lord God, because all Scripture is inspired by You and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that I’ll be adequately equipped for every good work. [2 Timothy 3:16-17]
4. Protect: “…Lead us not into temptation but delivers us from evil.”
I know that my life is not my own; it’s not for me to direct my steps. Discipline me, Lord, but only in due measure – not in Your anger, or You’ll reduce me to nothing. [Jeremiah 10:23-24]
“For Yours Lord is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory now and forever. Amen!”
When Jesus was questioned, tested, tricked or in His hour of great need, He always spoke things that were previously written in God’s Word.[c] Following these memory verses from ten topics, will help you learn 52 verses from the bible in a year! THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE: An Assured Future
Jesus said: “Very truly I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life. He will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” [John 5:24]
[a] Matthew 6:5-15
[b] http://www.operationworld.org/country/chna/owtext.html
[c] Matthew 4:4,6,7,10; 11:10; 21:13; and 26:24,31