Tag: chosen

Miraculous Signs

Barbara Weber

John 10:22-25 WEB

It was the Feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem. [23] It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. [24] The Jews therefore came around him and said to him, “How long will you hold us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” [25] Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you don’t believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, these testify about me.

No matter how many people Jesus healed, many Jewish people refused to believe. They demanded signs and refused to believe the testimony of others (1 Cor 1:22). They wanted to see a spectacle, a miracle, and they were not going to believe until they did (John 6:30). Jesus was the chosen of God (John 5:36). However, Jesus did not do miracles at his discretion. Jesus did and said what he saw and heard (John 3:32).

When the Jews demanded an answer from the Lord, he spoke what he heard. He told them to look at the previous signs and make a judgment. How many signs did the Jewish people need? Always one more. It is the same in the lives of many modern-day believers. No matter how many times the Lord intervenes in some believers’ lives, they refuse to trust him. They are constantly seeking signs. This behavior opens believers up to demonic influence (1 Thes 2:9).

Following signs is dangerous. We must remember the signs God has already performed. We store these in our hearts. Then, when our faith is challenged, we can think about the past moves of God and believe. However, God does not perform miracles so people will believe. He performs miracles to both help his children, and to place his seal of approval on godly ministers and believers (John 5:37, 10:25). The one by whom a miracle comes, if they are performed in Jesus’ name, is the chosen of the Lord.

Lord, please help me call to mind your past moves in my life. I repent of needing to see signs before I will believe. Help me trust you on good days and difficult days. Give me eyes to see your miracles. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Only God is Good

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John 3:26-27 WEB

They came to John, and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, the same baptizes, and everyone is coming to him.” [27] John answered, “A man can receive nothing, unless it has been given him from heaven.

Whatever any person has, for good or evil, is authorized by heaven. The Lord either released it or allowed it. Therefore, whatever good any person has is from heaven. This heavenly reality is critical for men and women of God to have firmly fixed in their minds. Did you learn skills and values in your childhood home so that you are clean and positive? Give thanks, those things are from heaven. Do you Love Jesus and desire his will with all your heart, mind, and soul? Give thanks, those things are from heaven. Are you enduring hardships? Rejoice, those things serve your good. The Father is good and he knows how to bend a twig and how to refine your faith (Romans 8:28). If all things are from God, what do you have to be proud of? Romans 3:27a (WEB) says, “Where then is the boasting? It is excluded.” Have you ever heard gossips and slanderers say unkind things about those who were not given values and were not taught right from wrong? What about the mentally or intellectually ill? Do they deserve to be despised? What, do we think a sound mind is something we gave ourselves? No, it is a good gift and it came from the Father. In Matthew 19:17 (WEB) it says, “He said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” And in Mark 10:18 (WEB) it says, “Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God.” Only God is good so there is nothing for any person to be proud of or boast about. Only God gives each of us our blessings and hardships. If we have this firmly fixed in our minds we will come nearer to the marks of righteousness and holiness. And thus, we will become a vessel that God can make use of. This is God’s goodwill for each of us. “If anyone, therefore, purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21 WEB)

Lord Jesus, please forgive me for thinking that I have accomplished anything apart from you. Help me to believe your word and thereby become humble and usable. I hope for your will in my life and in the world. Choose me, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Anointed and Set Apart

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John 1:6 WEB

There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John.

It has always been God’s way to choose a man or a woman and raise them up for his purpose (Romans 1:1, Hebrews 11:32). The Old Testament is full of heroes that were raised up in God’s timing to perform tasks and services for God. Most people know about Moses, King David, and the prophet Isaiah. All these men were raised up at a point in time to serve God’s purpose.

There are many other heroes you may not know about. For example, Rahab was a prostitute in the Old Testament who was raised up to serve God and accomplished his purpose (Joshua 2:6). In the time of Jesus, John the Baptist was raised up to serve a purpose for God (Luke 1:14-17).

In our modern era, the idea of a single person standing for God is not popular. In order to avoid favoritism, many ministries have attempted to open up space for a broad section of the laity to serve. There’s an idea that if the man of God has to leave this will prevent the ministry (or church) from collapsing. It’s an attempt to avoid losing an anointing that may rest with a single person. And, while it seems really fair and it feels really inclusive, it’s worldly. Because in the Bible, God picks a person to anoint to accomplish a purpose.

Lord Jesus, please help me recognize when another person is anointed to serve you. Please guard my heart Lord so that I do not use the world’s means to try and discern your Spirit resting on another. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.