Written by John the Apostle about A.D.85 probably written when John lived in Ephesus. Written to give its readers a fuller understanding of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. For myself I love this gospel because it speaks so much about the new life anyone can experience if they receive Jesus as saviour and Lord. I also find much comfort in the I AM sayings of Jesus that are only recorded in this Gospel. Please join me on this journey of discovery!

John chapter 1:1-18

Pause for thought!

What does Jesus the Word mean to you?

Do you see truth as being relative or absolute why?

People didn’t recognise Jesus when he came, what caused them to be blind? what was the remedy?

Memory verse

Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone. N.L.T.

PAUSE FOR THOUGHT

How can I know that I’m in Christ and what does that mean to me? Ephesians 1:7

Is my idea of becoming a more fruitful Christian in-line with the Bible? John 15:5

MEMORY VERSE
For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms all because we are one with Christ Jesus Ephesians 2:6 N.L.T.

The Lord Jesus said that his sheep would hear his voice John 10:27. In a former life I was a shepherd and had about 300 Ewes plus lambs to see to. As I look back to those days you might find it strange but I tend to think that my farming days were part of Gods training for the work that he would later call me to. I have often joked that shepherding Sheep was much easier than shepherding people! but we do have some things in common and yes Jesus was aware of this when he spoke of his sheep hearing his voice and following him and in John 10:5 that his sheep will not follow a stranger. Back to my farming days we did not drive the sheep I was taught by my father to walk in front and call them and they would follow because they recognised my voice, they followed because they knew I cared for them! what an illustration of the love God has for us, we are Jesus Sheep. Look what Jesus said about false prophets he likens them to wolves in sheep’s clothing Mathew 7:15 The best defence against deception is knowing the shepherds voice, even the youngest of lambs would come running when they recognised my voice. Recognising the saviours voice doesn’t take years of practice or a special spiritual gift every Christian is able to recognise the voice of God. If you are a Christian then you have been born again by the Holy Spirit you have not been born spiritually deaf or spiritually blind. The number one way God still speaks is through the Bible it is the inspired word of God, it must always be our final authority every prophetic word that is uttered must be consistent with the whole of scripture not just part. I hear it said “what is God saying today? Read your Bible you can trust it above your feelings, opinions, values or what seems to you to be most important or culturally relevant.
Heed these words – Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. 1John4:1

Mathew chapter 24

As I write this we are in the midst of lockdown because of coved 19. Little did we imagine a few months ago what was about to befall the World in the spring of 2020. Many are asking could this be the start of the tribulation? I think Jesus answered this, in Mathew 24 he gave his disciples a list of signs that would happen before his return to planet Earth, he called them the beginning of sorrows NKJ or birth pains NIV Mathew 24:8 I believe that it’s very important to avoid speculation we should constantly remind ourselves that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. If you prayerfully read Mathew 24 and Luke 21 you will see a number of things that will happen shortly before Jesus returns, please take the time to read them for yourselves! Paul wrote we should judge nothing before the time, until the Lord shall come, 1Corinthians 4:5 this verse can be understood in a number of ways but I think it is a word in season. That we have entered a new season I think there can be no doubt that because of lockdown we have been forced to do the work of church differently and there are certainly opportunities to minister in old and new ways, by shopping, delivering food parcels, phoning the lonely “things some were already doing” and the online service which has been forced upon us that is able to reach those who would not ordinarily darken the doors of the church. I don’t think God has brought the virus but I know that he keeps his promise to make all things work together for good towards his children and his purpose Romans 8:28 We could see a season of refreshing even revival I hope we do, but I don’t see in the Bible the sort of mass revival that many are excitedly speaking about! The Bible says there will be a falling away 2 Thessalonians 2:3 and Mathew 24:10-12. Let me finish with the words of Jesus himself So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!