trials

For Your Sake (John 11:14)

“So then he told them plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe.'” (John 11:14)

This morning I spoke to a co-worker and brother in Christ, who shared that he has gone through many life-threatening trials in his life due to several illnesses. As my wife goes through her own season of faith-stretching, Jesus gives me a wonderful reminder in John 11 that God can use suffering, even to the point of death, for our sake. (more…)

When Bad Things Happen (John 9:2-3)

“His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.'” (John 9:2-3)

“Why do bad things happen to good people?” This is a very popular cosmic question that tries to assign blame for any number of reasons we may find ourselves in difficult life situations. (more…)

“It Is I; Don’t Be Afraid” (John 6:18-21)

“A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified. But he said to them, ‘It is I; don’t be afraid.’ Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.” (John 6:18-21)

There’s a popular saying that states: “When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.” This is a call for people to depend on their own strength and to just “push through” their circumstances and “hang in there.” But fortunately God gives us a better way! (more…)

Believe That You May See (John 2:23-25)

“Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.” (John 2:23-25)

The book of John presents 8 miracles or signs that reveal the glory of Jesus during his ministry on earth. While signs and wonders were necessary to establish Jesus’ ministry (John 5:36), He teaches us today that His Word alone is enough, and that our faith should not be based on emotion, feeling, or the witness of miracles. He knows our hearts, and will not entrust himself to those with a faith that is shallow and momentary. (more…)