SHINING LIGHTS

 MEDITATION John 5:31-39

1. Christ said if he witnesses about himself he is not true. (V31)
2. Jesus said there is another person who bears witness about him and that his witness is true. (V32)
3. The Jews sent to ask of John and he witnessed the truth. (V33) But Christ said he does not receive the testimony of any man. (V34)
4. John was a burning and shining light and Jesus said that they were rejoicing in his light for a while. ( v35)
5. Jesus said that he has a greater witness than John as the works that the Father God has given him to do, will testify about him that he was sent of the Father God. ( v36)
6. Father God who sent him, witnesses of CHRIST. Nobody else have heard him speak or known his shape. (V37)
7. If we do not believe in Christ, the word of the father cannot abide in us. (V38)
8.  Christ tells us to search the scriptures. We think there is eternal life in it. It is the scriptures that testify about Christ.  (V39)

 LIFE APPLICATION:

 Testimony of Christ:

1. The WORD of GOD says nobody can accept one witness or what the person speaks about himself.

One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
Deuteronomy:19:15

It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
John:8:17

Let us see now those witnesses that testify about Christ and that their testimony was true.

B. The testimony of the Father God about Christ:

JESUS says that the Father God himself bears testimony about him and that his testimony is true.

And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
John:5:37

C. The WORD of GOD testifies about Christ:

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
John:5:39

And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
Hebrews:3:5

D. The Holy Spirit testifies about Christ:
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1 John:4:2

This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
1 John:5:6

E. We are his testimonies:

Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
1 Corinthians:1:6

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
2 Corinthians:1:12

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Revelation:19:10

LIFE APPLICATION 2:

Shining Lights:

God has called us to be shining lights in the dark world

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Matthew:5:14

We are supposed to get the light from Christ and shine in the dark world. The WORD of GOD says,

God is light.

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
1 John:1:5

God wants us to walk in his light.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1 John:1:7

We are called to show forth his praises that brought us into his marvellous light.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
1 Peter:2:9

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign forever and ever.
Revelation:22:5

B. Beware! In darkness we can create our own light too.


Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.
Isaiah:50:10

Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.
Isaiah:50:11

Most of the times, when darkness comes our way, God wants us not to create our own fire but to wait on him. The WORD of GOD says,

O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
Psalm:43:3

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm:119:105

He will enlighten our souls and show our paths with the word of God being the light. But we have to wait upon him.

C. We can enjoy the light of another person too.

He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
John:5:35

But John was not THE LIGHT, but Christ is.

He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
John:1:8

That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
John:1:9

So let us carry the testimony as the light in this dark world receiving the light of God and walking victoriously. God bless you.

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Philippians:2:15

TRINITY

 Meditation John chapter 5:18-29

1. Christ said he cannot do anything by himself than what he had sees his father do. Whatever the father did the son did the same. (V19)
2. Father loves the son so much that he shows him everything that he does. He will greater things too that we may marvel. (V20)
3. The Father raises the dead and quicken them and so does the son quickens them whom he wants to. (V21)
4. The Father never judges any man but passing judgement is committed to Christ that all men must honour Christ as they honour the father. (V22, 23)
5. He further goes on to explain, if one does not honour Christ he does not honour the father too. (V23)
6. Then Christ says, if we hear his word and believe in him who sent him we will have everlasting life. We shall not come into condemnation but pass from death to life.  (V24)
7. Then Christ said, dead shall hear the voice of him and they will live. (V25)
8. The Father has life in himself. Similarly, he has given to the Son to have life in himself.  (V26)
9. Father has given Christ the authority to judge as he is not the only son of God but also the son of man. ( V27)
10. Christ tells us not to marvel as time is coming that people in the graves are going to hear his voice. (V28)
11. There is a time of resurrection. Those who did good will resurrect to life and those doing evil deeds will resurrect unto damnation. (V29)
12. Christ says he judges based on what he heard from God. His judgements are just as he judges based on the will of his father and not of his self. (V30)

LIFE APPLICATION:
1. The Father and the son:
A. Many of us are confused about the relationship of Father God, the Son Jesus CHRIST, and the role of the Holy Spirit, which I would like to clarify today.

The best example for all the three people in action is the creation. Let us look a little deeper into the scriptures.

This is Father God:

In the beginning *God* created the heaven and the earth.
Genesis:1:1


This scripture below tells about the Holy Spirit.

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the *Spirit of God* moved upon the face of the waters.
Genesis:1:2

The *WORD* God spoke is Christ.

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Genesis:1:3

Let me explain with a scripture, how the word is Christ.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John:1:1

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John:1:14

Yes, the Word became flesh as JESUS CHRIST.

B. With this understanding, I would like to explain about today's meditation.

How does Christ describes his relationship with God the Father?

A. He was with the father since the beginning.  This is how CHRIST explains it,

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
John:3:13

B. He does what he had seen his father do. (V19) and he speaks of what his father speaks. (V30)

C. Father God loves Christ so much that he shows Christ everything he does. (V20)

D. He has given him all authority on heaven and earth including passing judgement. Let me explain this with the following scriptures. (V22)

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, _All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth._ 
Matthew:28:18

Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the _power_ of God.
Luke:22:69

But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, _Christ the power of God,_ and the wisdom of God.
1 Corinthians:1:24

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the _judgment seat of Christ._ 
Romans:14:10

E. He also explains that the father and the son are the same so much as, seeing the son means seeing the father and honouring the son means honouring the Father too. (V23)

Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
John:14:11


Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
John:14:10

He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
John:15:23

All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
Luke:10:22

This portion is something beyond comprehension and all human understanding and I am trying to put it all together to the best of my ability.

Life APPLICATION 2:

I would like to explain the second part of our meditation today.

GOD The Father raises the dead:

The Father GOD raises the dead. He is full of life and the same life is in Jesus CHRIST. (V21)

Let us see some INCIDENCES of how the Father GOD had brought death to life.

And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.
Ezekiel:37:3

So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.
Ezekiel:37:10

Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.
Ezekiel:37:12

And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.
Ezekiel:37:14

Dear  Child of God, we have a God who makes the dry bones to become an army. He does it through the Holy Spirit the very breath of God.

Similarly, Christ came as a quickening Spirit, giving life to the dead.

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Romans:8:11

He can quicken our mortal bodies. He is the life giver to anyone whom he will.

And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
1 Corinthians:15:45

Christ has come as a quickening Spirit. The Spiritually dead shall hear his voice and they will live.

Christ came to give us life and life in abundance.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John:10:10

This is why, Christ will resurrect us one day and we will have our glorious bodies and be with him forever.

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1 Corinthians:15:22

So for a child of God, death is not an end. We are only passing from glory to glory.

Dearly beloved,

Most of the time we are so engrossed in life that we don't take time out to know who this big God is. God is interested in revealing more of his love and reveal of himself more to us. If we have the maker of the universe for us, we will definitely receive everything for this life.

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that aGod sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
1 John:4:9


But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians:4:19

May the Spirit of God prepare your souls for this glorious future. Amen.

Opinions.

 Meditation John 5:10-18

1. The Jews asked the man who was healed, why he was taking his bed and walking on a Sabbath day as it was not lawful. ( V10)
2. He said the person who made him whole told him to take his bed and walk. (V11)
3. Then the Jews asked him who healed him , but he knew not as JESUS conveyed himself away. ( V12,13)
4. Then later Jesus meets him in the temple and deals with his sin. (V14)
5. The man and testified to the Jews that it was Jesus that made him whole.  ( V15)
6. They started persecuting Jesus because he healed on a Sabbath day. ( V16)
7. Jesus said he should work where his father works. (V17)
8. They hated him evermore as he not only broke the Sabbath, but also made him equal to God the father. (v18)

LIFE APPLICATION:

Dealing with Opinions of People:

Jesus was every time aware of the intentions of people. It is very easy for any man to judge others and the law facilitates it. (V10)

And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Genesis:6:5

It is from the hearts  of man that evil things arises.

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
Matthew:15:18

For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
Matthew:15:19

God never wants us to hold a judgemental spirit as there will be a day when we stand before the judgement seat of God.

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
Romans:14:10

This is what CHRIST says,

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Luke:6:37

Here I would like to take you all into a deeper understanding of law and Grace.

A. Law makes us guilty of our sins:

Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Romans:3:19

Christ fulfilled law in the flesh: (grace)
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Romans:8:3

B. Law makes sin come alive.

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
1 Corinthians:15:56

But we have victory over the strength of sin and death that comes through the law through JESUS CHRIST.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians:15:57

C. Law breeds self-righteousness but Grace bears the righteousness of CHRIST.

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Philippians:3:9

Jesus was more concerned of the welfare of people than their traditions. I would request you to kindly meditate Mark 7 to know more.

Jesus came to fulfil the law.. through Grace.

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Matthew:5:17

Christ has summed up the fulfilment of the Law as Love.

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Matthew:22:37

This is the first and great commandment.
Matthew:22:38

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Matthew:22:39


On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Matthew:22:40

Christ emphasises more on love than law. Dear Child of God, we are made free from the condemnation of the law, by the righteousness of CHRIST.  Law puts us under bondage. But Grace liberates us to walk in freedom.

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
John:1:17

Hence, we do not need to fear nor are we condemned if we walk according to the spirit.

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Romans:8:15

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans:8:1

LIFE APPLICATION 2:

REVELATION OF CHRIST:

I have shared beforehand, that a man who had an encounter with God can never be the same.

A. The first encounter:
The first time the man met Christ his body was healed. (V9)
B. the second encounter:
The second time this man met CHRIST, his sins were dealt with, and he was made whole inwardly.
Here I would like to go a little deeper about sin and it's consequences.

A. What is sin?

Sin is the transgression of the Law.

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
1 John:3:4

All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
1 John:5:17

If we know what is right and don't do it.
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
James:4:17

B. How do we know when we sin?
1. Our conscience convicts us.

And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
John:8:9

The WORD of GOD says that we are sinners who need forgiveness.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1 John:1:8

C. What happens when we sin?
1. Our spirit man becomes dead and death begins to reign in us.

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Genesis:2:17

2. The sin lies at our doorsteps when to devour us.

If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
Genesis:4:7

3. When sin is fulfilled in our mortal bodies, it breeds death.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans:6:23

This is the sequence. Lust conceives sin and sin brings curse and death.

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
James:1:15

So the consequences of sin is terrible.  If you are knowingly playing with sin, it is time to come back to God.

Christ has borne all our sins and curses at the cross.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isaiah:53:5

The WORD of GOD says,

There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
Isaiah:57:21

So let us come back to Christ and he will give us his peace.

When his soul man was healed, he went about testifying what CHRIST has done to everyone. (V15)

So will God do the same with us when we have an encounter with God.

May the Spirit of God minister unto your souls.

Overthrow SELF PITY

MEDITATION John chapter 5: 1-9

1. In Jerusalem there was a pool named Bethesda having five porches where many impotent people, lame and blind were laying. (V1-3)
2. They were waiting for the water to be stirred as some times an angel comes down and troubled the water and whoever stepped in first were healed of all their diseases.  (V4)
3. There was a man lying there with an infirmity for 38 years. ( v5)
4. Jesus saw him lying and asked him if he wants to be made whole (V6)
5. The impotent man said that there was no man to put him in the pool when the water is stirred and someone else enters first. (V7)
6. Jesus told him to rise, take up his bed and walk.  ( V8)
7. Immediately the man was made whole and he took up his bed and walked.  (V9)

LIFE APPLICATION:

Today I would like to bring to light the stronghold of self-pity, which the Holy Spirit will open our eyes to, through this meditation:

1. I would like to analyse the condition of this person. If you can identify yourself with this person, then this meditation is for you.
A. 38 years of infirmity.

A long term illness undefined, that he can do nothing by himself and under the mercy of others.
Many times we are unable to pick ourself up. We are lying in our weaknesses (V5)

B. He had repeated failures;

 He has seen before his eyes the waters being stirred and someone being healed but not himself. (V7) We see a lot of people around us coming out of problems easily, but not us.

C. He was discouraged because of repeated failures:

He puts it as, when the water is stirred, someone else enters first and he misses every time. (V7)

D. He was very angry:

He was angry with people that nobody helped him out in his distress. (V7)

E. He was sad:

He was sad again, as he has no way out. (V7)

Who has more reason to feel pity for himself, more than this man??

Also the self-pity can follow a  series of emotional manifestations like,
Discouragement, disappointment, sadness, depressive thoughts, hopelessness and why not even thoughts of suicide.

So how are we to deal with it? Scroll down to know more...

 1. Waiting for Miracle:

Long term waiting is not a pleasant situation to face. The WORD of GOD says,

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
Proverbs:13:12

Yes, whenever our hopes are deferred our heart is sick. But when what we desired comes it is like a tree of life.

Dear brothers and sisters, is your heart sick of waiting? God has a better way of dealing it. The WORD of GOD says,

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah:40:31

If waiting for a miracle is making your heart and life sick, wait on the Lord, for strength.
He will give you the strength to run till you receive your miracle.

Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
Psalm:84:5

Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
Psalm:84:6

They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
Psalm:84:7

You want to move from strength to strength? You feel your strength failing? You cannot go 1 step further, wait on the Lord and he will be your strength.

2. Dealing with repeated closed doors:

This is another source of frustration. We desire for things to happen and if it doesn't our heart is becoming sick. We don't stop there, we blame God for that too. This is human nature.

What to do when confronted with closed doors everywhere?

1. Be still:

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more forever.
Exodus:14:13

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm:46:10

Let us be still and know that he is our God.

2. BRING our desires before God:

He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
Psalm:145:19

Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.
Psalm:21:2

3. Acknowledge GOD and allow God to direct your paths:
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs:3:6

C. Dealing with discouragement:

Discouragement hits everyone. Even the great prophets like  Elijah and Jonah were discouraged that they wanted to die.

But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
1 Kings:19:4

Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.
Jonah:4:3

But praise God for the blood of CHRIST we can boldly go before the throne of grace.

Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews:4:16

Dear brother, Dear sister do not be disheartened... through CHRIST we have Grace upon Grace. We do not need to stay discouraged forever.

We can boldly approach the throne of Grace when in distress.

3. Dealing with anger and sadness:

Getting angry or becoming sad, especially with other people when our things don't work our way is not going to help us any further.

This is where we renew our minds to rise up. Christ has promised us a garment of praise instead of a spirit of heaviness.

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Isaiah:61:3

Put on the garment of praise, that is the treatment for a heavy Spirit. It is a willful act. We might sometimes have to force ourselves to give thanks to God. But do it...
 This is how we declare to the enemy that we are no more on the bed and along with the people who are going to be there in infirmity forever...

This is what CHRIST means, RISE UP, TAKE YOUR BED and WALK. My good friends, the word of life is spoken in your life. Rise up... stir your spirits and renew your strength like an Eagle...

All the more.... Rejoice! We have a miracle-working GOD