He Ate Nothing - Luke 4:1-2

Luke 4:1-2 ESV 

​And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.

When we receive the Holy Spirit we embark on our own wilderness journey. The span of our new life is represented in the forty days. It is then we face the temptations of the devil. Jesus ate nothing in the wilderness, relying instead on the word of God. Unlike Adam, Jesus did not eat the fruit offered by the hand of the devil. 

He was hungry at the end, but found food and ministrations from heaven. His needs were met. He is more than able to do the same for us. Be not of this world.

The Final Victory - 1 Corinthians 15:53-57

1 Corinthians 15:53-57 ESV 

" For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

“O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

The power of sin is the law. The law distinguished the Jews from the other nations and was a source of pride for a chosen people. It was a privilege and onerous burden, for that very law was the sting of death. In this way they participated in the death of the Savior Who would come from this small and weak people. They were part of the new thing that God was doing. 

From their line would come another chosen one Who would fulfill the law and thus conquer death. 

First, He had to put on the mortal and perishable to show us the way to victory. He took back to heaven a changed earth, a new creation. These are the "rooms" in His Father's house that He prepares for us. The gift of life results for all who choose that way, immortal and imperishable. The victory is ours. Thanks be to God. 

Our Final Image - 1 Corinthians 15:45-49

1 Corinthians 15:45-49 ESV 

" Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven."

The seed of immortality was sown in the earth, in the living man who enjoys the natural along with the other living creatures. 

The word of life is sown in the earth of man and finds various soils. The seed finds various levels of receptivity and room to grow, but the seed is the same. 

We become the soil of our choosing and we choose our final image. 

The One - John 21:20

John 21:20 ESV 

Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?”

Who is it that Jesus loves? The one that follows and leans on Him. That one will eat with Christ. Be the one. 

Our Garden

The heart is the Garden of our earth. Light is brought into the darkness and the earth begins to take shape. Christ enters our world, into the garden of our hearts, breathing the life of God into inert bodies that walked in a world apart from the divine. He walks in the garden as the wind of the Spirit moves in the cool of the evening. 

The Peacemakers - Matthew 5:9

Matthew 5:9

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

The desire for peace is evidence of our being made in the image of God. We long for something the world cannot offer. Peace is our home and our home is not of this place. We are the peace in this world, for we have the Holy Spirit as a light and guarantee of the peace which is now and to come. 

Peace on earth. 

Transcends Creation

Faith does not offer metrics that quantity God or measure Him in terms of human understanding. Faith takes us to a higher and heavenly place. It transcends creation and brings us into the presence of the Creator through the Spirit of truth. 

Found Favor - Luke 1:28-33

Luke 1:28-33 ESV 

And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

Like Mary, we are also favored by the Lord, for He is with us. We have received the favor of God through His mercy and presence in our lives. 

Eve conceived a man with the help of the Lord. Mary conceived the Son of the Most High with the help of the Lord. 

With the help of the Lord we transform into the being God saw from the beginning. We were lost, but we've been found. 

We will share in His kingdom which will have no end. We will serve as priests and kings to the Lord Most High. 

The Sixth Month - Luke 1:26-27

Luke 1:26-27 ESV 

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary.

The sixth month is mentioned twice in a span of a few verses. This may be an oblique reference to the sixth day of the creation story found in Genesis. This is the day man is created. The first Adam is formed and receives the breath of God. He is charged with subduing the world, that is bringing the world into the light of God. Adam's disobedience disqualified him for that mission. 

A new creation begins with a new "Adam", Jesus, who is able to perfectly obey the will of God. He accomplishes what the first Adam was unable to do. Christ will fill the earth when He returns to consummate His kingdom. At that time heaven and earth will be joined. We who believe have a foretaste of that union because we have received the Holy Spirit, the Divine mixing with the earth of our flesh. A new creature arises from the clay of our bodies. 

The virgin represents all who come to the Lord with a repentant heart. Jesus cleanses the believer from sin, to be remembered no more. We become part of the Bride of Christ, a virgin adorned with the robe of righteousness awaiting her bridegroom. 

To You? - John 21:22

John 21:22 

Jesus said to him, “If it is lmy will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”

We are to love our brother, not to compare him with ourselves as he lives out God's will for his life. Each soul is called to follow Jesus. It is an individual journey and he is accountable to only One. 

Follow Christ and leave room for your brother to do the same. 

Follow Me - John 21:18-19

John 21:18-19 ESV

Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

The translation "when you are old" really should have conveyed the idea of being at a different place or state of mind. That is supposed to happen as we age. That is to happen when we believe in His name. Peter is no longer of the world and doing what he wants, but what God wants if he follows Christ. 

He stretches out his hands to take the hand of God. He will now be dressed with the righteousness that comes from putting on Christ. Dying to self is not where self wants to go. It is dying to self that allows us to glorify God. 

This is what Jesus did. Follow Him. 

The Reality - Colossians 2:16-17

Colossians 2:16-17 NIV 

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

Being real is found only in Christ. It's not in any religious exercise or tradition. It's not anything we do or can do. Let us be found in Christ, for that is the only path to God. 

Paul equates observing Sabbath day with a New Moon celebration. These things are good, but do not substitute for being in Christ. Do not make the mistake of knowing about Christ, but not knowing Him. 

Leave the shadow behind and step fully into the light. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

Being real is found only in Christ. It's not in any religious exercise or tradition. It's not anything we do or can do. Let us be found in Christ, for that is the only path to God. 

Do not make the mistake of knowing about Christ, but not knowing Him. 

Leave the shadow behind and step fully into the light. 

After The Order - Hebrews 7:15-19

Hebrews 7:15-19 ESV 

This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him, 

“You are a priest forever,

after the order of Melchizedek.”

For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

"After the order", based on the Greek word (μέν men; a primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause)Strong's, seems to imply both a likeness and a difference. The tabernacle in the wilderness was representative of Jesus, but a shadow, a hint of the future. It told us something about the man to come. It was not the same as the Son of Man. 

Just as the old covenant helped prepare the way for the new, Melchizedek gives a picture of the promised one to come. He pointed to the better and sure hope God predestined as sons of God. It's through this better hope we are able to draw near to God. 

After The Image - Colossians 3:9-10

Colossians 3:9-10 ESV 

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

We are made in God's image. It is into this image we have been reborn, this new self which is our true self. This is what we seek and long for. 

Firstfruits - 1 Corinthians 15:22-24

1 Corinthians 15:22-24 ESV 

" For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power."

Through one man's disobedience all men die. Through one man's obedience all may live. With death we have no choice. Life comes through choice, our choice between two "trees" just as Adam. We can remain in death or pick the fruit from the tree of life. It does not fall into our hand. One must reach out and take the fruit offered. It must be eaten. Merely picking the fruit is not enough. 

Dine with Christ. 

Fill All Things - Ephesians 4:9-10

Ephesians 4:9-10 ESV 

(In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

Where are the lower regions? The earth. 

Where were the dead He came to save? The earth. 

What is man made from? The earth. 

The new creation is the joining of heaven and earth. 

It has begun. First with Christ, then each believer. We are filled with His Spirit. 

It will be finished upon His return, to fill all things. 

Where Are You?

Exodus 3:4 ESV 

" When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”"

Where are you?

Mark 1:1-3 - Before Your Face

Genesis 1:1-2 ESV 

The Creation of the World

​In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Psalms 67:1-3

Psalm 67

Make Your Face Shine upon Us

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song.​ May God be gracious to us and bless us

and make his face to shine upon us, Selah

that your way may be known on earth,

your saving power among all nations.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;

let all the peoples praise you!

Mark 1:1-3

​The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,

“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,

who will prepare your way,

the voice of one crying in the wilderness:

Prepare the way of the Lord,

make his paths straight,’”

1 Corinthians 13:12-13

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

The Spirit hovered over the face of the waters.

Light was given to shine upon our face. 

John prepared the way of the Lord before the face of the people. 

A time will come when we see Him face to face and we will know in full what we now know in part. 

Our faces will shine with the full light of the Lord and it will be good. 

To Eat - Revelation 2:7

Genesis 3:22 NIV 

" And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.”"

Revelation 2:7

" Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God."

Adam and Eve had not eaten of the tree of life, though they were in the Garden. 

They were in a state of grace. 

They were obeying God until they didn't.

They fell from the state of grace, still loved by God. 

They were expelled from the Garden. 

When we believe in Jesus we are returned to the state of grace, into the garden of the kingdom of heaven. 

We have not eaten from the tree of life, but we will if we continue to follow Christ. 

We journey through the wilderness as we seek to return to the paradise of God. 

Christ said we will. 

We are made alive the moment we believe, though our physical new life has yet to begin. This is the reverse of Adam dying spiritually the moment he sinned and his physical body dying later. 

We are on our way back. 

Make Perfect - Hebrews 10:1

Hebrews 10:1 ESV 

Christ's Sacrifice Once for All

​For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.

God used "shadows" to communicate to the world since it is a place of darkness. Reality is too much for the darkness to comprehend. 

Into the shadow of the valley of death shines that morning star of glory that is the Son. It makes perfect the faces that are turned toward Him. 

It Is Evident- 1 John 3:9-10

1 John 3:9-10 ESV 

No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

Something changes when one is born of God. We do not immediately become perfect in our flesh, but immediately become children of God. God works with us toward the perfection for which all children of God are predestined to be. This discipline to His sons spans our entire life on earth. 

We are always perfect, no matter how long or short our time on earth. He's got us covered either way. 

Gave Them Over - Romans 1:24-25

Romans 1:24-25 NASB 

" Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen."

This is how God "hardens" a heart. He no longer woos and seeks the rebellious heart, but gives them over to their heart's desire. Truth is replaced with a lie and the Creator is forgotten for the creature. 

A Depraved Mind - Romans 1:28-32

Romans 1:28-32 NIV 

" Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them."

When we reject the knowledge of God which is good, we are left to suck on the fruit of evil. There is plenty of fruit to be picked. We will be judged by that fruit. 

Choose wisely my friend. 

Evident Within - Romans 1:18-20

Romans 1:18-20 

"Unbelief and Its Consequences

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse."

We are made in the image of God. This is how the His truth manifests within. We have the capacity to know Him, no matter how small it might be. 

Even to an unregenerate spirit, these attributes are clearly seen in what is visible to the natural eye. All of life is a parable. Jesus used parables to speak of heavenly things to those earthly bound. 

But Rather Division - Luke 12:49-51

Luke 12:49-51 ESV 

"Not Peace, but Division

“I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division."

This fire will serve to purify those who choose God and to destroy those who do not. It is necessary for a new creation and the passing of the old. It comes from the light of God and by this fire a new creation is revealed. It has been kindled by the baptism of Jesus, that is the death and resurrection of Christ. 

There is a peace given in this tribulation of division as God calls and delivers His people out of this world. He is with us until we join Him at last.s accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division."

This fire will serve to purify those who choose God and to destroy those who do not. It is necessary for a new creation and the passing of the old. It comes from the light of God and by this fire a new creation is revealed. It has been kindled by the baptism of Jesus, that is the death and resurrection of Christ. 

There is a peace given in this tribulation of division as God calls and delivers His people out of this world. He is with us until we join Him at last.

First Fruits - James 1:18

James 1:18 NASB 

" In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures."

It is the Holy Spirit who begets us by the word of truth. This was the same Spirit who begat the man Jesus, the Son of God. The seed takes root within, producing the fruit of the Spirit. We become a kind of first fruits as we become more like Jesus.  

Law To Themselves - Romans 2:12-14

Romans 2:12-14 

"God's Judgment and the Law

For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law."

All have sinned, with or without the law. The law reveals sin, but does not save. 

To do what the law requires by nature tells us that Paul is speaking of new creatures in Christ. It is a new heart and a new nature which are alone able to perfect man in the Lord. The important thing is to obey God rather than the law. 

Whoever Abides - John 15:5-6

John 15:5-6 ESV

" I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned."

Abiding contains the idea of dwelling, remaining, and enduring. Abiding in Christ means obedience to Him, for in this way we show that we have received His love. 

It is love that flows in the vine and causes the branches to thrive. We drink from the vine, partaking of the living water that flows from the throne of God. If we withdraw our lips from the cup, we are in danger of becoming fodder for the fire. 

It is something we choose to do and must continue to do. Choose this day whom you will serve. 

High Position - James 1:9-10

James 1:9-10 NASB 

" But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away."

There is but one position and it is in The Lord. The humble and rich meet each other as equals in the body of Christ. It the highest position. 

Proclaim The Lord's Death - 1 Corinthians 11:26

1 Corinthians 11:26 ESV 

" For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."

We do not proclaim the resurrected life when partake of the bread and cup, but the death of the Lord. We identify with the destruction of His body and the corresponding eradication of our sins. He gave His body and blood for our salvation. Eating and drinking it a sign of our acceptance of this sacrifice on our behalf. We do not merely hear the word, but fully enter the body of Christ, even as it enters us. 

Much More - Romans 5:10

Romans 5:10 ESV 

" For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."

Through His death we are reconciled. This is the first part of the good news. It did not end there. He was resurrected and lives. Life happens after death. 

To not accept the resurrection is to remain in the tomb. 

Jesus said, "Come forth!"

We Have Seen - 1 John 1:1-4

1 John 1:1-4 NASB 

"1 JOHN

Introduction, The Incarnate Word

​ What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us— what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete."

This same Word was with God and was God before and in the beginning of creation. The Word was spoken and is still unraveling through time and space. It will be fulfilled and shall endure forever. 

The light of God was the first word recorded from God in Genesis. It was the foundation of the world, the beginning and end. Through this light the earth begins to take form and order emerges from the void. In the end the light of God will fill the earth. 

That Word and light becomes manifest in creation in the glorious birth of the man named Jesus. God's own Son enters our existence and delivers the perfection of love in the message of mercy and salvation offered by God the Father. His life is given for our life. We manifest that new life here on earth just Jesus did because we have that same Holy Spirit. While He obeyed the law perfectly as one of us, His obedience allows us to perfectly meet the requirements of the Law. If we walk in that light, we begin our presence in the new creation of heaven and earth. 

The joy of the disciples finds its completion in the receiving and giving of this brotherly and Godly love. It is the communion of love that is God. 

A Host - Ephesians 4:7-8

Ephesians 4:7-8 ESV 

" But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says, 

“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,

and he gave gifts to men.”"

Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, taking with them gifts from the Egyptians. God parted the waters and they passed through leaving behind the shackles of slavery. 

Jesus parts the heavens leading a host of those He has freed. This journey is not across land but spans the upward distance to God. The gift of God is with us. The Holy Spirit seals us with that promise. 

He will return with that mighty host. 

Foreshadowed In Adam

We have become what was foreshadowed in Adam. We have received the breath of God, the Holy Spirit, and are charged to multiply and fill the earth with the truth and knowledge of God. 

A Shepherd Separates - Matthew 25:32-33

Matthew 25:32-33 ESV 

" Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left."

John 21:5-6

" Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish."

We are on one side or the other of the boat, the ark of salvation, a sheep or goat. The sheep, the fish of the sea that are drawn to the net are those that respond to the word. They are found on the right side. 

There is no middle ground. 

Render Powerless - Hebrews 2:14-15

Hebrews 2:14-15 NASB 

" Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives."

Revelation 20:1-3

" Satan Bound

​ Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time."

Christ freed the captives bound to the power of death. In other words, He bound the power of the devil, He bound the devil with the power of the truth, the very power of God. 

What Jesus opens no one can close and what He shuts no one can open. He has opened our eyes and the devil has lost his power to deceive those who believe. 

This will for a long time from our perspective, but a thousand years is like a day to The Lord. Behold, He is coming quickly.  

Today, if you hear His word, do not harden your heart. There might not be a tomorrow. 

Into The Wilderness - Mark 1:9-13

Mark 1:9-13 ESV 

"The Baptism of Jesus

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

The Temptation of Jesus

The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him."

Jesus came out of the water and was immediately in the wilderness. This happens to every believer in Christ. It is only when we leave the water of the world that we are able to perceive the wilderness that surrounds us with the wild animals and the beasts of the field. The Spirit and angels watch over us and offer comfort as we follow Christ on our own journey. 

Our Father is well pleased. 

They Caught Nothing - John 21:3

John 21:3 ESV 

" Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing."

Peter fell back to what he had always done, something familiar and comforting. He and the others were in an unfamiliar and uncertain time. They were in the midst of transition between the earthly teaching of Jesus and the giving of the Holy Spirit. Peter leads the disciples as he would come to lead the church. 

They were in the same boat, but in the darkness of night they caught nothing. There were no fish to show for all their effort. The following account confirms that He is the vine and we are the branches and apart from Him, they and we, are helpless. Going fishing without The Lord is quite different from listening to The Lord and letting Him direct our nets. 

Revealed Himself - John 21:1

John 21:1 ESV 

"Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples

​ After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way."

John 21:14

" This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead."

This is right before Jesus asks three times if Peter loves Him. The number three is the stamp of the divine. In these account Jesus is revealing His victory over death and the central element of the new covenant, which is love. It is love that forgives and through love salvation is given. 

It is from the sea of the world these fishers of men would throw the net of love into the murky water. They would raise men from watery darkness into the light of life. 

Dull Of Hearing - Hebrews 5:11-14

Hebrews 5:11-14 ESV 

"Warning Against Apostasy

About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."

Hearing the word over and over without taking that word to heart and providing fertile ground for the word to take root and grow will cause that word to lose effect due to dullness of really hearing that word. Hearing the word includes its manifestation in the life of the believer. 

We come to the Lord as a child, reborn into the life of God. We are to grow and bear fruit as branches attached to the vine of life. To do less is cause for pruning and runs the risk of being cut off. 

Do You Love? - John 21:15-17

John 21:15-17 

"Jesus and Peter

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep."

As many know, a different Greek word for "love" is used when Jesus asks Peter a third time about his love for Him. The usual interpretation has Jesus using Peter's response with a lessor quality of love of "phileō", or brotherly love, than the more a more divine love implied by "agapaō".  Jesus seems to be lowering His expectation of love to meet Peter's ability. 

Another interpretation is possible. The love in the third question is a more intimate and brotherly love than the term used in the first two inquires. This question may allude to the fact we become brothers of Christ as we enter the house of God when we believe on the Son. We now call upon God as our Father. The love spoken of with this word "phileō" is of a personal nature which reflects the personal nature afforded by this new covenantal relationship with the Father. We have entered into the family of Christ. We have a new ability and possibility of love. 

We love God by obeying Him and loving our brother. We are brothers in Christ, united by the one and Holy Spirit. We do not worship a distant God from afar, but bask in the warmth of a son in his father's love. 

Predestination - Ephesians 1:5

Ephesians 1:5 ESV 

" he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,"

Unless God had done something, we would die. This is our destiny. 

Unless we do something, we will die. This is our destiny without exception. 

If we believe Christ, we will live. This is our destiny without exception. 

Believing is living to Christ. 

It is predestined. 

My Soul - Matthew 26:38

Matthew 26:38 NASB

" Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.”"

Jesus was made a man in every way: body, soul, and spirit. He experienced the sorrows that plague the souls of man, and this for every man. It was thus He was able to be the perfect man. We were created in the image of God, and are reborn from heaven above to complete that likeness. We must go through the first death, to self and its body. We will not face death again. 

Thereby we gain our true self, soul, and life. 

Days Of His Flesh - Hebrews 5:7

Hebrews 5:7 ESV 

" In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence."

Jesus modeled a life that leads to life. We are in the days of our flesh and calling on God is the way of salvation, the way. Because He was the Son, He had the ear of His Father. Because of His obedience, He was heard. 

As sons of God we have the ear of the Father. Our obedience to Him as sons ensures our words are heard. Our reverence or "fear" of the Lord arises from our awe and wonder as we contemplate and apprehend our Creator and what He is doing. 

The end of all flesh is death. There is no end for those who are reborn from above. Death will come but will not have the final word. Jesus is the final word. "It is finished ".

Remains A Sabbath - Hebrews 4:9-11

Hebrews 4:9-11 ESV 

" So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience."

We begin to enter His rest as we begin to rest from our own works. We continue to seek His rest until we reach the end of this old creation and are revealed as the new creation. 

Do not grow weary in this endeavor with God.  

I Am The Lord - Exodus 6:2-3

Exodus 6:2-3 ESV 

" God spoke to Moses and said to him, “I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself known to them."

The revelation of God has been ongoing and our understanding increases as given by the Holy Spirit. He appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, but did not reveal Himself in full. We are privileged to live after He revealed Himself in the person of Jesus. By His grace He reveals Himself to our hearts. By His mercy He lets us know Him as Father. 

Some know Him as "yhwh", others as Lord. Do not take this name in vain. 

h3068. יְהוָֹה yhwh; from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; name of God: — the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069. (Strongs)

Passed Through - Hebrews 4:14-16

Hebrews 4:14-16 ESV 

"Jesus the Great High Priest

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

The Son of Man descended and ascended through the heavens, down to the abode of the dead bearing many believers back with Him as He ascended into the life and kingdom of God. He preached to dead and some believed in His life. 

We no longer labor under the certainty of death, but the promise of life. We can draw close to the throne of grace because our brother sits on that throne. His power enters our weakness and will bring us close to Him, the author of mercy and grace. 

Exposed - Hebrews 4:11-13

Hebrews 4:11-13 ESV 

" Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

It is the word that shapes and defines us, that saves us or condemns us. 

From the mouth of God comes the living truth which enters the into the deepest recesses of a man. The light has been given and no creature is able to avoid the gaze of our Creator. We will give an account for our journey, whether we answer His call or ignore it. He knows what we do. Adam and Eve hid in the Garden when He called to them after they had eaten of the forbidden fruit. 

Who told us that we are naked? Who is able to clothe us and cover our nakedness?

The answer is in the word.