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For I know the plans I have for you,declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11 |
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| Archived Manna: | |
Dear
Friend,
If you do not already have a habit of gathering daily manna the first thing in the morning (we can look at the example given to us in Exodus 16 and find the pattern for make it a habit. Establish your life and your schedule to allow you the necessary time to do your daily collection first thing every morning to give you the strength to make it through the day. And remember that today’s manna will not be sufficient for tomorrow; tomorrow’s manna must be collected tomorrow morning. Monday, May 22, 2023
Today's Passage : Today's Passage :Testimony Concerning the Son of God Bible Verse:1 John 5:6-12 (ESV) "This is he who came by water and blood — Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. " Message:
The word “testimony” has become such a staple of the Christian vocabulary that we forget exactly what it means. It is a solemn statement of facts given to a court. A jury does not know what has happened in a court case, and the only way they can discern the truth is if people who know something relevant come to the courtroom and testify.
And so it is with Christ, and especially the Holy Spirit. People in the world want to know the truth. We are born ignorant, and people say many different things. So those of us who know the truth must be willing to be witnesses.
John says that Christ came by water and blood, which are metaphors or symbols. Receiving the belief that leads to salvation is symbolized by the water of baptism, for as Christ put it, when we believe in Him, we drink the water of life. Blood represents Christ’s sacrifice of pain and death, as the propitiation for our sins.
blood of Christ
Remember, John is writing partially to squash false teachings that Christ was not flesh and blood. The “water and blood” poured out of Christ’s side, from a wound made by a Roman spear. He gave back a human life as his own body poured out onto the ground. The blood imagery is kind of gross, but it is important, because it connects the material aspect of our own physical life to the miracle of eternal life in the spirit.
The water, the blood, and the Holy Spirit are all God’s testimony to us. They are His proof to us that life will continue to exist after our bodies die, and that such life can exist in great joy and happiness through the miracle of salvation.
But in our daily lives, it is the third gift that becomes most important: the Holy Spirit. We know the Holy Spirit directly. It is the “living” aspect of the living God. It is not just something we are told about; it is something we can know first-hand.
In other words, the Holy Spirit testifies to us that God lives with us and in us. And through us, through our testimony in word and deed, the Holy Spirit reaches out to the world.
If it occurs to us to wonder, “Why do I believe in God and Christ,” it is because the voice of the Holy Spirit testifies to us. It is not a voice we hear with our ears, but with our heart.
Meditation : “Relying on God has to start all over everyday, as if nothing has yet been done.” Prayer : Finally, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, let me think about these things. What I have learned and received, let me do; and the God of peace be with us all.....Amen. |
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