Analogy - Turn this ship around

First, I have an observation about our family, then my analogy.

These past few years of major transitions in our family has been quite challenging (you can be sure that is an understatement). Some of our major changes were: a move in August 2018, putting three boys in school in August 2018, New Baby October 2018, two major surgeries in 2018, one major surgery in 2020, corona-trauma-schooling... to name a few. In all of that chaos, some of our family patterns and habits changed drastically.

Family worship became non-existent. Boys got out of chores and my oldest girl and I picked up a lot of slack. Kids became disrespectful as I became too overwhelmed to deal with it. Etc. You get the idea. I don't need to spell it out, because you guys have all been there too. When talking to a friend a few weeks ago, I told her that I feel like our family is a ship that has been slowly going off course. I know that changes need to be made and that we need to turn this ship around. We talked about which changes I most wanted to see. And, I walked away being encouraged that I could begin to make changes.

Now you guys know me. I am ridiculously authentic on this blog. I believe that honesty in relationship and/or mentoring is the only way to see real growth. So, knowing me- you are all thinking, "oh no, Bethany went home and wrote a dozen charts and intends to change her family overnight." Yep, the thought did cross my mind. But, y'all, God is changing me. He is growing me. And, HE KNOWS ME. So, He sent me a message.

A few weeks back I was returning home from a socially-distanced night out at a friend's home. I drove home through the country in the deep darkness (no moon). I know the roads, though I admit to being a bit afraid of the dark that night. Anyway, I went over a one-lane bridge that also turned the direction of the road a bit. I did not see what was ahead until I crossed the bridge into deeper darkness. It was black. My headlights were on, but it was blackness. The road disappeared. Water. A creek had flooded and my 12-passenger van was IN the water. The road had completely disappeared beneath me. I'm not embarrassed to say that I called Paul in hysterics. I was sobbing so hard that he couldn't even understand me. I didn't know how to turn around! There was no longer a visible road! Y'all, I'm covered in goosebumps just recalling it.

Paul spoke calmly to me. He said, "it doesn't matter if you make a 40-point turn about. Move only a few inches at a time." I did as he recommended. (The water wasn't moving, I was not in any danger of being swept away. I just couldn't see the road and I didn't want to get stuck there... in the blackness.) I must have made at least 25 wheel adjustments. Forward, reverse, forward, reverse, a few inches each time. With Paul's calming common sense and a lot of prayer, I was able to get back to that one-lane bridge without getting stuck.

A few days after I had recovered from the trauma of that, God started working on my heart. I was praying about the changes I was trying to implement in my home. And I felt God nudge my heart, "Turn this ship around." And the image of my being stuck in the blackness making a 40-point turnabout flashed in my head. I hear you, God, I get it. I want to turn this ship around, but I need to be patient and calm and make many small, sensible adjustments. 

You guys, God is Good. And He knows us well. And, I believe that if we listen for His guidance and encouragement, He will send them. And, whatever the ship is in your life that needs turned around - God wants to help you with that. You can see change if you just keep making one small change at a time.   

Analogy - Going to the gym once a month

I went to the YMCA the other day with my two oldest children to have the wellness coach teach us to use all of the weight lifting equipment. One of the statements the coach kept saying was, “It doesn't matter how much weight you start with, just make sure you have good form and keep at it.” He impressed upon us the importance of 1) just getting started, and 2) sticking with it.

The wellness coach told us about one lady who goes to the Y very irregularly. She will walk on a treadmill for an hour and a half until she is completely burnt out on it, then she stays away from the Y for 6 weeks or so.

I think we Christians, in this same way, have the tendency to think we need to be lifting the whole spiritual pile of weights (whether real or imaginary) all at once. So many times we fall under conviction to do more of some discipline, but rather than try to build up to a reasonable daily amount, we burn out. Take for example Bible reading. The ideal would be to read some amount of Scripture daily. But, all too often, we make the mistake of saying, “oops, I haven't read my Bible for days, I better read two hours today to make up for it.” Then, like the lady at the YMCA, we get burnt out and leave the Bible untouched on the nightstand for a week.

What if we try to look at spiritual disciplines like we do our physical disciplines? We cannot lift a whole stack of weights on our first day at the gym. We have to build up to that, right?

Here are some of the disciplines that are important to some believers (this is a variety to cover a broad range of denominations): Bible reading, prayer, keeping a spiritual/prayer journal, fasting, telling others about the Lord, reading Christian books, Scripture memorization, learning a catechism, etc.

Not all of those weights will be lifted in one day. But, I think it would be wise over time to build up our strength level. A mature Christian should be more disciplined in their daily devotions that a new believer. But, it is never too late to start now. The important thing is to start small, what you can reasonably carry right now, and stick with it! Reading one Bible verse a day and pondering on it throughout the day is better than reading nothing at all! (And, I submit to you that sometimes reading one verse a day and meditating on it can be the best thing a sleep-deprived mama can do!)

Too often I have felt like a “bad Christian” because I didn't read a long enough portion in my Bible daily. We do not need to be adding guilt to our weary souls by setting someone else's standards as our own. Just because some blog author reads two hours a day, prays an hour a day, and journals daily doesn't mean that God expects this of you. Give yourself grace in these disciplines! You know what you can handle.

If I go to the gym to lift weights and get healthy, but I max out on every machine and come home grumpy – how does this help my family? Likewise, if you try to participate in every spiritual discipline to the point of exhaustion and yelling at your husband or children – you are not helping yourself or your family.

Just get started with something and stay with it. Keep building on slowly.

Analogy - Take care of Sin

I know that I have a "bad back." I worked at Hardees' fast food chain in my teen years. One day I was running outside to take a bag of food to a waiting customer and I fell on my tailbone. I have never been the same since. But, I have discovered that going to the chiropractor helps to manage my condition... if I go regularly.

At the end of July, I noticed that we had some mice coming into the house. And, since we found a few mice in my room, I wanted to check thoroughly for a nest. I emptied the closets. I removed all the furniture except the bed. Then Paul said that I better check the bed just to be safe. Rebecca was busy and Paul was at work, so Nelson and I attempted to move the king bed . . . alone. Starting the next day my back "went out." Meaning, I could not sit on my tail bone, I could not walk, I could not bend, I could hardly move. The only position that was remotely comfortable was lying flat on my back.

I had re-injured my sacroiliac.

I knew what to do about it. Rest (of, yeah, I did plenty of that!). Ice. And, go to the chiropractor. But, I thought I would be brave and stick it out. My intention was to save Paul money. We pay $40 out of pocket each time I visit my chiropractor. I know that money is well spent, but I thought if I could just wait that I would get better on my own.

I waited three weeks!

I never improved on my own. I started crying more from the pain and from exasperation. Finally, we made an appointment. The doctor adjusted my spine, hips, and tailbone and I walked out of the office on air. I felt like I could have walked home.

But, in the van, the pain came back. In the next week my pain became more severe, yet not as bad as it originally was. I made another appointment. The doctor adjusted those same areas again. I felt amazing. Then, in the van the pain returned. (I have since ordered tailbone and lumbar support pillows for my van, by the way.)

I ended up going back four days later. This time I asked him, "Is this an issue of muscle memory, or something like that?" His reply was, "Exactly, if you had come in as soon as you were injured, it may have taken only one visit to correct the problem. But, since you waited nearly a month, your muscles had time to get comfortable in the wrong position. Now your other muscles are spasming as they all try to remember how to work together."

It has been about 3 months now. And, I am still not completely healed to where I was before the incident in July. I have been to the chiropractor more times that I can remember, each time is spaced out a little farther than the one before. I am still stubborn about going as often as I need to because I am trying to save money. And, perhaps that is why after 3 months I am still not healed...

Here is where the analogy comes in - When we sin, our spirits get out of alignment. We, as Christians, are to walk by the spirit and not walk according to the flesh. When we sin, our flesh "muscles" and our spirit "muscles" are spasming against each other as both try to regain control. The longer we go without confessing that sin to the Lord and repenting of it, the more those same sin habits take hold. It would be best to repent and confess right away, so that The Great Physician can realign our hearts, minds, and spirits. A sin problem will not go away if we wait and try to get better on our own. The longer we wait the more the flesh begins to corrupt the health of our spirit.

If we confess our sins, 

He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins 

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I John 1:9 NASB

I hope this story and analogy resonates in your heart today as it does in mine.

God in the Dessert - A look back at 2013

We all daydream of mountain top experiences in our lives. Few of us like the moments in the valley or the dessert. But, I have been meditating on life in the wilderness for quite a while now.

For our family, 2013 was a year spent wandering in the wilderness. God ALWAYS provided for the things that we truly needed. Sometimes we had to wait until the eleventh hour. Sometimes God would not give us what we wanted, because He knew that we did not NEED it. But, God never left us.

When the Israelites were wandering in the dessert God provided their daily bread one day at a time. I have come to believe that this may be the single greatest sign that a person is truly in a spiritual dessert… because they literally have to pray “give us this day our daily bread.” (Daily bread could be literal food, physical strength, emotional stability, etc.) We humans don’t do well with one-day-at-a-time philosophies. I want to know that my financial future is secure. We want retirement plans, life insurance, secure jobs, etc. And, there is nothing wrong with good planning! God gave us our brains to plan for our future.

But, some times we experience situations completely outside of our control. In our case it was Paul’s herniated discs from January to March. Then, a few months of work. Then, another type of hernia from May to July. Back to work for a few weeks in August. Then, WHAM!, someone ran into Paul’s UPS truck and Paul was fired for being in a wreck that wasn’t his fault. Back to work in October and running strong till the end of the year resulted in a total of 32 weeks working and 20 weeks without work and without pay.

Talk about a dessert.

I hated it. I kicked against it. I refused to learn from it. I continually prayed against it. I wanted it over. I don’t ever want to go back.

But, yet…

In the dessert is where our faith is truly tested and refined. God loves our family so much that He wants us to be closer to Him. And, as I read the Old Testament (in particular) I see God saying to the Israelites that they will draw near to Him in the wilderness. They will cling to Him in the dessert. They will run to Him when under attack from the enemy. But, when they have plenty of food and money… then, they seem to allow distance to come between them and their Creator. (See Deut. 6)

We all do it.

I was crying the other day. Paul was with me while I was emoting… and he had some wise responses. He said, “What’s so great about the mountain? We learn in the dessert. We don’t learn on the mountain. On the mountain we say ‘Lord, should I build you three tents?’” (See Luke 9, especially verse 33) I see his point. Paul is right.

God loves to give us blessings. But, His blessings are not always in the form of more money and better health. There are times that He sees that we will grow from a period of sifting. Satan asks the Lord for permission to sift His people. He asked for permission to bring trouble to Job. These troubles are allowed by the Lord because blessings come in many forms.

Our family prays nightly that we will be the family God has meant us to be. It is quite possible that we need to go through some rough times to refine us and purify us. I cry out daily, “I want what You want for me life.” If you are going to pray that prayer…well, you need to be prepared for God to answer. And, it may not look like what you expect. Maybe God does want to give you riches and health. But, maybe He wants you to taste a bit of pain to be better acquainted with the sufferings of Jesus Christ. (see Phil 3:7-10)

Some of my dearest friends would view this line of thinking as heresy. But, Jesus tells us that in this world we will have troubles. He does not promise that we will be free from trouble! (see John 16:25-33) He promises that He will be with us when the trouble comes.

So, I write this on the edge of the dessert gazing towards the fertile crescent. It’s so close that I can smell the water and green grass. I acknowledge that I would rather be in the refreshing green pastures than in this arid climate, but I want to recollect (in case I lose sight of the Lord when we enter a time of abundance and plenty) that the time in the dessert was/is well-spent.

I don’t ask the Lord to take me back to the wilderness. But, if He sees that it is necessary for our family to spend more time there – I will try to praise Him in the midst of that situation, because God is still God. He is the One who gives us the daily manna in the dessert. He will never leave us or forsake us. And, I trust that the Lord will do what is necessary to fulfill His purposes for my life. (Psalm 57:2)

NOTE: I wrote this thinking that our time in the dessert was nearing an end. Paul was working full time at UPS (finally) and all would be well. So I thought. But, my fibromyalgia reached an all time low. In Feb-April of 2014, I could not take care of my own basic needs. Paul left his job at UPS to care for me and teach the children. At the time, it seemed like the only solution. The months that followed were far worse than the agonies we had experienced in 2013. So, perhaps, we needed more time in the wilderness to draw near to God. By American standards, we have not yet had a time of "abundance and plenty," but our table has food on it and we have vehicles that work. I am grateful!  

Mopping - An Analogy

Rebecca mopped the floor for me a few days ago. It needed it. Six kids age 11 and under. 'Nuff said.

When Rebecca started mopping I had my usual thoughts. "How did the floor get this bad in just a week?" "Why didn't I mop sooner?" And the like.

The job was finished. It looked great...except for a few sticky gum-like spots that I actually got down on my hands and knees to scrape with a razor blade. "Strange that these spots didn't bother me before."

Then it hit me.

Mopping is like repentance. After we thank God for cleansing our heart through the blood of Jesus Christ the slate is clean. For a few minutes. Then, someone comes along and spills the milk. Or, you step on one blood red pomegranate seed. Those first few spots seem such a stark contrast compared to the fresh mop job. And, our first sins after confessing seem so offensive.

But, if I take a nap and Rebecca bakes brownies...and the little ones help. Well, there will be flour, sugar, chocolate chips (no, on second thought, the baby eats those off the floor), and egg yoke plastered to the floor. Most of this gets wiped up, but some will remain for a few days until the next mopping. Little by little, one day at a time, it seems like the messes blur together on the floor...and you start training yourself not to see them. "It isn't mop day yet." Or, "I'm too tired."

Likewise, our hearts become hardened to our own sin so quickly. We get lazy with our holiness. A little spill of poor speech here... a little dab of poor conduct there... a big pile of nasty thoughts marring the center of my heart.

In the case of my kitchen, it was not until I knew the landlord was stopping by that I saw the mess through someone else's eyes. The floor was appalling. I had gotten used to the mess. But, what would the landlord think?

In the case of my sinful heart, it is by reading the Word of God and seeing ourselves through God's eyes that we see the mess and the caked on sins that we have allowed to pile up and crust over our hearts of flesh. The solution is simple.

The cleaner I keep the kitchen floor, the cleaner I want to keep the floor.

The more I read the Word, the more I want to read the Word. But, a few sins spilt on that clean heart begins a hardening process that starts to quench my desire to meet with the Lord. We've all been there.

This little analogy is not meant to be a thorough treatise on sin and repentance. Far from it. Just an illustration of what the Lord showed me in the clean kitchen floor.

We need to keep our hearts clean before the Lord.

Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Dirty Diaper Analogy

A two-fold analogy - What would happen if I smelled that my toddler pooped in his diaper, but I did not change it? What if I left the diaper alone for days? It would get messier, stinkier, and -at some point - the poop would get on everyone else and on furniture too. Let's say I then decide to take care of the diaper. Well, it's bigger than that now. His whole body needs bathed. The furniture needs washed. Clothing needs to be burnt. And so on. It would have been a whole lot easier to change the stinky diaper days ago. Right?
 
First interpretation - to parents - when you see sin in your children, correct it (in a godly manner) right away. Don't let the stink spill over and get on everyone and everything else till the whole household reeks.
 
Second interpretation - to believers - God is a loving Father. He knows when we have soiled ourselves. Sometimes we try to run away, because we don't want to be wiped clean. But, in the end, God will clean us up. He will dunk us in the bath tub of heaven and we will come out white as snow. He loves us and He will not let us remain in sin long term. There will be a reckoning. If you choose to run around in your dirty diaper (sin) constantly trying to avoid the Hand that would clean you...well, you will end up soiling other people and all the circumstances you touch. Sin hurts more people than just you. Let God wash you clean. Then, when you are clean, go lead others to the Great Father who would wash them clean. Be a living testimony to the grace and goodness of God.

Healing

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Analogy for your Wednesday afternoon - Imagine that a tornado or a strong storm knocked over a large tree in your yard. And you weren't able to clear this tree out. You didn't have the tools or the know-how. Perhaps you took away some small sticks and left the rest behind. This event represents trauma in your life. Now, let's say you want to start clearing away this debris years later. You are more equipped now. But, here is a serious consideration. (In the natural) When timber is left on the ground it becomes a home to many critters. There's a good chance that when you pick through the pile you will run into snakes. Spiritually speaking, as you deal with past trauma little trials will arise. You might find a bee hive or hornet's nest. This should not scare you away from completing the job. This tree needs to be removed to enjoy your yard to the fullest. Likewise, your trauma needs to be dealt with so you can have the abundant life God has given you. Each varmint you tackle in clearing away the dead mass will make your yard (your life) better. It may take years to clear up the whole mess. But, remember, you are not doing this alone! God sent you a Helper, the Holy Spirit, to give you the strength and knowledge to restore your life. Let Him help you! And, keep working at those pesky old tree roots. In time, you will be whole again.

Seeds of Faith

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There are moments when you have far-fetched ideas of what you could do with your life. What if some of these thoughts are seeds of great faith sown by a loving God who gives more than you can ask or imagine? What if, instead of shutting the valve of hope and creativity, you pray, "Lord, if this is from You bring it about in your timing." Then wait. God will bring it about in His way and His time. Or, He might lead you another direction. But, just because an idea seems impossible is not a reason to ignore it. Our God does the impossible!
It may be a broken relationship. It may be a new career. It may be a desire to reach the world for Jesus or save as many orphans that you can. If your idea is not against anything written in His Word, then keep praying. He hears you. The answer might not be what you expected. But God is better than our expectation. We see through a glass dimly. Keep hoping. Keep praying. Keep seeking. Keep listening. Don't give up on the seemingly outrageous ideas in your head.
One word of caution- Neither let these hopes become an idol. God does not generally operate in the box we try to place Him in. He is God. He is good. We worship Him for who He is and what He has done for us through Jesus. Withdrawing your intimacy from the Lord when He does not provide as you expected Him to could be a sign that you are seeking the gift over the giver. That would be idolatry.
Keep that seed of faith alive. Water it by reading the Bible and by praying. Do not underestimate the possible fruit that could come from one little seed of faith sown in well-prepared ground.

Cleaning the yard - analogy

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We were cleaning our yard today and MUCH grieved by all the garbage that is now visible after the spring rains. Similarly, when we submit ourselves to God, His refreshing rains fall on us. Sometimes it reveals a lot of garbage that was formerly hiding beneath the surface. The good news us that when the garbage is visible we can throw it away once and for all. Friend, Jesus died so that you can be saved (first of all) and cleaned up. For the glory of God!

 

Sunshine - an analogy

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I was going to write, "the sunshine is back," when I realized the sun never left. Likewise, we cannot say God is good only when we are well and wealthy. God is good every moment of every day, whether we acknowledge it or not. It's just that sometimes we let clouds of sin and unbelief block the radiance of His Goodness.

A Good Father

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While Paul was cutting up potatoes for breakfast, Jeremiah stood reaching up crying. Jeremiah could not understood why Daddy did not share. How many times are we like that with the Lord. Holding our hands out towards what it is that we want, it looks so good to us. But, The Father is saying, "No, Dear One, it is not the time yet." Paul did not scold Jeremiah for asking for food or for crying about it. Likewise, your father knows you have needs too. You may keep asking, and when the time is right, He will hand you what you need.

Walking in the Dark

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Last night when I went to bed I couldn't see in my room. It was just black. Without thinking, I closed my eyes and walked where I needed to go without bumping anything. I even plugged in my phone to charge. The spiritual analogy is this- when you are paralyzed with fear, because your next steps are so dark, stop trying to see it with your eyes. Just like my feet and hands knew the way in the dark, the Spirit within us can keep moving forward. You can walk in faith. Your hands can do the jobs God has for them. When it is dark, stop trying to make sense of the future, just let God lead you forward in the right path.

Progress, Not Perfection

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Let's say that you have a friend who spent her whole life in the suburbs, but when she grew up she decided to be a farmer and grow all her own food. Do you expect her to move to a farm that year and fill her freezer and root cellar with goodies that first year? Of course not. Well, how many of us expect to do this very thing in our Christian lives? The analogy is far from perfect, but I wanted to get your attention. We can no more become sinless creatures overnight than we can become farmers. There are bitter roots that need removed from our fields, we need to plow the soil and remove weeds. We have much to learn and it can't be accomplished in one day, one year, or one decade. Sanctification is a process. It takes a lifetime. Don't expect perfection from yourself or your friends. The work in you will be completed, just not in one day.

"And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Phil 1:6

Drought - Analogy

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One of the blessings of these past years of drought is that farmers were able to enlarge their ponds to hold water and prepare for future trouble. There is a spiritual analogy in that.

Talking to a Brick Wall - Analogy

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If I was to repeatedly talk to my father or my husband without getting a reply, I would feel like I was talking to a brick wall. Yet how many times have I poured out my heart to the Lord and not expected an answer. God is good. Better than any of the human counterparts who, in a blurry way, represent Him to us on Earth. We need to expect that He listens and that He will answer with compassion and tenderness.

Analogy For Looking at the "Big Picture" of Scripture

I think this will be a great "children's sermon" idea or a homeschool Bible lesson. But it is not just for kids... we all need this reminder.

Props needed (to really make this lesson come to life): world map, globe, or both and a Bible

I will write this like I am speaking to my kids (and I am speaking to American pupils. You will have to change the story according to your geographic location).

Can any of you children point to the Pacific Ocean for me? (Pick one child. He/She will most likely point to the West coast of America) You are right, Rebecca. That is the Pacific Ocean... but only part of it. Did you know that the Pacific Ocean wraps all the way around the globe (or on a flat map "appears on the far right side")? We usually look at the Pacific Ocean as being just off of the coast of America, but it is also just off of the coast of Japan as well. In fact, if we had a little boy or girl from Japan here, he or she would probably have pointed to the Pacific Ocean being right near Japan.

Here is another question for you - who can show me where the Atlantic Ocean is? (Pick one child. If the child is older and intuitive, he/she might have learned from the previous answer where to point more accurately). That is right, Nelson. The Atlantic Ocean is East of the United States... but that is only part of the Atlantic Ocean. Children, do you know that the Atlantic Ocean stretches between America and Europe and even over to Africa? In fact, if we had a little boy or girl here from Africa, he or she would probably have pointed to the Atlantic Ocean as being right near the coast of Africa.

You see, children, most of us understand the World from what we can see and what we know best. We live in America, so we understand where places are in the world as it relates to America. This is completely normal. However, we always need to be learning to look at the whole picture, the "Big picture." One of the ways that we will learn to see the "big picture" is to read history books. For example - if you read the history of World War 2, especially about Pearl Harbor Day, then you will realize that Japan and America both have a border on the Pacific Ocean. Or, if you read about how Christopher Columbus and others went searching for a "New World," then you will better understand that Europe and America both have borders on the Atlantic Ocean.

Now, children, this lesson is not just about world geography - though I hope you did learn something new today. This lesson is also about how we read our Bible. Our Bible is divided into two big categories: The Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament tells stories and history from the Beginning of the World (or "Creation") until about 400 years before Jesus came to the Earth. Then, the New Testament is the Story of Jesus being born, dying, and coming back to life. Actually, both the Old and New Testament are One Big Story about Jesus. All of the stories in the Old Testament and New Testament are about how God loves people so much that He sent His Son to die for us. 

Just like with the globe, we sometimes forget to look at "the big picture." Sometimes we forget to read the Old Testament. Sometimes we forget to read the New Testament. But, we need to read all of the Bible, because that is the only way we can make sense of the whole Story of God's Love for us.

So, children, next time you are looking at the map or a globe, I hope you will remember that we want to try to understand "the big picture" of how much God loves us. And, to do that we need to look at the whole Bible and read from both The Old Testament and The New Testament.

Let's pray - Father, Thank you that You love each and every child here so much that You sent Your Son, Jesus, to die for their sins. Please help us to remember to read all of the Bible. Thank You for giving us Your Holy Spirit to help us understand what we read so that we can see the Big Picture of how much You love us. In Jesus Name, Amen.

In Christ Alone - Booth Brothers

An awesome rendition of "In Christ Alone", by one of my favorite Southern Gospel Groups, The Booth Brothers.

Who Is Jesus? - Part One

Our culture has many ideas about who Jesus is, and who He is not. As Christians, we need to know who Jesus is (according to the Bible) and we need to be able to clearly tell others too. This series is meant to encourage and strengthen your faith as well as give you Scripture verses to help you teach others the Truth. Because, in all likelihood, you will have someone come to your door this year who holds an opinion of Jesus that does not match the Scripture. Can you refute their views?

Part One will focus on the seven "I am" statements that Jesus makes about Himself in the Gospel of John.

Part Two will be other things that Jesus says about Himself.

Part Three will look at what others say about Jesus.

As I write this post, I am expecting Baby #6 any day. I might not get to the rest of this series for weeks. Thanks for your patience.


WHO IS JESUS? What does He say about Himself?

In the Gospel of John, there are seven statements that Jesus speaks of Himself. Many people refer to these as the "I am statements." They are worth memorizing or jotting down in your Bible for quick reference. I will primarily let these texts speak for themselves.

1 -"I am The Bread of Life"

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." (John 6:35 ESV)

2- "I am The Light of the World"

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 ESV)


"As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:5 ESV)

3- "I am The Door"

So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. (John 10:7-9 ESV)

4- "I am The Good Shepherd"

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. (John 10:11-14 ESV)

5- "I am The Resurrection and the Life"

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. (John 11:25-26 ESV) 

6- "I am The Way, The Truth, and the Life"

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 ESV)

7- "I am The True Vine"

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 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. (John 15:1-5 ESV)

Praise God that we can know who Jesus is through the Bible. He has stated these truths very plainly. Your choice is to believe them or find an excuse not to believe them. My prayer is that you will believe that what Jesus says is the Truth!

Analogy - The Holy Spirit

First of all, you have to understand that sometimes my sweet, nearly-perfect Rebecca likes to put on airs with her younger siblings. ; )   So, we had just finished eating a smallish kind of meal and I asked, "Did everyone get enough to eat?" Simple question, right? Well, Rebecca says something along the lines of "I think I am full, but the human body cannot really know when it is full." It sounded even sillier, because she was using a snooty-know-it-all kind of voice. I replied, "That's a lie! Of course you can know you are full, but sometimes we don't listen to our bodies."

Then it hit me - teaching moment - here is an anaolgy for the Holy Spirit, and I shared it with the chlidren. There are people who think that the Holy Spirit will not speak things to their hearts, will not give any impressions, and is not moving in Christians today. What I think is that many of us have quenched the Spirit, the way we suppress our knowledge that our body is full. My body tells me it is full, but I might choose to over-indulge anyway... Over time, I will become overweight/unhealthy, because I ignore the signs my body gives me.

Are you listening to the Holy Spirit, letting Him move in your life? Or, have you blocked His "voice" so many times that you no longer sense it at all?

Real Struggles

He enters my home and sits down comfortably as though he is an invited guest. My fatigue and irritation are written all over my face, but rather than make a move to leave he settles in all the more. You would think that he is all the more resolved in his visit after seeing my noticeable agitation.

His name is Rage. He often enters my home with the desire of disrupting all my well-laid plans. My plan is to act in a loving way to my family, to my friends, and to everyone I meet. My plan is to be patient and kind, forbearing with those who are irksome to me. But, Rage does not pay any heed to my plans. He thinks he has a higher authority. We are constantly bickering back and forth. He points out all my flaws and short-comings. Then he proceeds to point out all the weaknesses of those surrounding me. At times in the conversation I become quite provoked. I lash out and use words with the others in the room that are entirely inappropriate. Rage is pleased. He is starting to pace now… like a lion on the prowl. It is becoming more clear in my mind every minute that this visitor is my Adversary. He is waiting to devour me. And, if he has his way, he will use me to  devour everyone around me.

The fur on the back of his neck is now sticking up. He went from being a seemingly innocent bystander to being a constant source of contention within my home. In response, I am perturbed within my own self. Another visitor has entered the room, he is closely acquainted with Rage. In fact, they serve the same master. This new unwelcomed visitor goes by the name of Condemnation.

Rage and Condemnation and now working together with a will to steal, kill, and destroy all my good intentions at godly living. Condemnation is quick to point out each and every way that I have displeased my Master. He speaks with authority, as though he knows my code of conduct better than I do myself. The constant prodding of Condemnation is causing me to further conduct myself in a pattern of behavior consistent with that of his companion Rage.

I see how things are spinning out of control. So do they. Rage is cheering me on. Condemnation is reminding me that self-control is a fruit of the spirit, and I am clearly not acting like a person who is filled with the Holy Spirit. He goes on to tell me that perhaps I am not a Christian at all. With weeping I agree that he is right. I am undone.

But, wait! What’s this I remember reading in My Master’s Book about Condemnation? I remember now! There is no condemnation in Christ. There is no condemnation in Christ. There is no condemnation in Christ. Condemnation is not welcome in my home, he must leave at once!

Condemnation leaves and I see that he too was truly a lion trying to devour me. He never intended to build me up and help me to live a more godly life. I see now, as he turns to go, that his tail is between his legs. He was acting strong enough for a while, but he knows he is no match for My Master’s Word! He cannot be welcomed in a home whose motto is – There is no condemnation in Christ.

But, who is that prowling behind me. It is Rage. He is still here. He thinks that I am still under his influence, because I spoke with such vehemence to his friend Condemnation. But, my anger is something that Rage has misinterpreted. He will soon see that the power of anger within me now is the same as that Righteous Holy Anger burning in The One who turned over the tables in the Temple. That’s right, Rage. The power within me is the same power that was within the sinless One, Jesus.

Rage begins to back away. He sees a light in my eyes that tells him that he has lost ground. He has seen this light before, it is a reflection of the Light of the World shining from inside my very soul. With one last offensive effort, Rage jumps at me again. But, I am holding my shield of faith now! I have at last remembered that My Master gave me armor to fight against such enemies. While my shield deflects his sharp teeth, I reach for my dagger. I stab Rage again and again:

“No weapon formed against me will prosper.”

“I am the righteousness of Christ.”

“Put away bitterness, wrath, and anger.”

“I am a new creation in Christ.”

I feel strength from within me. Clearly my master is fighting from within my own self. He is waging war with his foe. My Master’s Helper – that is the Holy Spirit – has given me strength and armor for this battle. And, now, Rage is stumbling out the door.

I sit down to look at my own wounds. They are many. The lions never leave me unscathed. But, My Master’s Helper is here to tend to the wounds. He speaks kind words to me. He reminds me that My Master loves me so much that The Son came to die for me. He reminds me that I am the apple of My Master’s eye. Such words of love are a balm to my soul. The stings of my enemy’s sharp teeth are no longer so evident to me. I am immersed in remembering the love of my master.

I get up. I now have renewed strength to face the day. Yes, I made mistakes. Yes, I have a lot more growing to do. But, My Master loves me. He looks on me and sees the righteousness of His Perfect Son. He looks at me and sees what He knows I will become. My Master knows that He will finish the Good Work that He has begun in me. He has perfect confidence in this… and He wishes to share some of this confidence with me. Warmth, joy, peace, and love are all abounding now within my home. My Master’s Helper has left a blessing in the place of the conflict that was here just moments ago.

I can hear my Master singing over me from afar. He is still reminding me of his love. He is delighting over me! He is singing over me! I am quieted by His Holy Love and I return to the business of my day.

Peace is restored. Joy is restored. Love is restored. My Master loves me and He sent His Helper to restore unto me the joy of my salvation.

His Mercies are new every morning, and I have a reason to live. Praise God to whom all blessings flow.