John 9
October Memory Verse: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 (NIV)
Read: John 9
Take time to read John chapter 9. It’s short and it’s one singular story.
For this devotional I want to ask a few personal and text questions. So take time to think and reflect on each question. *And if you would like, you can post one of your questions below in the comments.
1. Why was this man born blind? Jesus said, “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.” Stop and think for a minute about a past or current hard time in your life. How was God’s power seen in or through that situation?
2. After the man’s sight was restored and his life was changed by Jesus, he encountered strong opposition. The Jewish leaders questioned him, ridiculed him, and expelled him from the temple! If we are living for Christ, then we will face similar opposition. What can you do now to be prepared to stand for Christ amidst criticism or persecution?
3. Can you imagine how the man felt after he was expelled from the temple for saying that Jesus was from God? He told the truth and honored God, yet he was rejected by the Jewish leaders. But in that moment, Jesus drew near to him and comforted him. Jesus is with us in our darkest and loneliest times using his Spirit and scripture to comfort us. What is a passage of scripture that Jesus has used to strengthen and encourage you in hard times?
By: Joe Weaver
Read: John 9
Take time to read John chapter 9. It’s short and it’s one singular story.
For this devotional I want to ask a few personal and text questions. So take time to think and reflect on each question. *And if you would like, you can post one of your questions below in the comments.
1. Why was this man born blind? Jesus said, “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.” Stop and think for a minute about a past or current hard time in your life. How was God’s power seen in or through that situation?
2. After the man’s sight was restored and his life was changed by Jesus, he encountered strong opposition. The Jewish leaders questioned him, ridiculed him, and expelled him from the temple! If we are living for Christ, then we will face similar opposition. What can you do now to be prepared to stand for Christ amidst criticism or persecution?
3. Can you imagine how the man felt after he was expelled from the temple for saying that Jesus was from God? He told the truth and honored God, yet he was rejected by the Jewish leaders. But in that moment, Jesus drew near to him and comforted him. Jesus is with us in our darkest and loneliest times using his Spirit and scripture to comfort us. What is a passage of scripture that Jesus has used to strengthen and encourage you in hard times?
By: Joe Weaver
4 Comments
There have been multiple desperate times when the glory and power of God shone through but yet it still is hard not to fear these days. So glad your first question makes me meditate on it. One most powerful was after a couple years of not being blessed with a child we quit our jobs, moved half a country away from any family, we suddenly were expecting! It was scary. I was ill. Calls for prayer went out spreading from neighbors and family across several states and even a church in England (we found out later). It was a moment for sure out of our control and only God had a plan that got us full insurance in time for a baby born at 28 weeks, with heart surgery that first week of life. I was in the hospital for 5 days and Darbi was in the Neo Natal Unit for 7 weeks. When done we came home with a wonderfully perfectly made by God baby. Everything worked out. I tell Darbi to wear her battle scars with pride (has the one on her back where they went in to close a heart valve). SO MANY people we discovered were touched by this event. It is hard to grasp and understand fully. Now she is 18 and awesome. We have experienced that God is in control and we are so not! I lean on Proverbs 3:5-6
3. Psalm 46-
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
Great questions today Joe!
Our first born child turns 30 years old in a few months. We went through three long years of infertility, including the loss of a baby, before God blessed us with a son. It seemed like every young couple we knew was getting pregnant and having babies during that three year period. We were happy for our friends yet it reminded us of our challenges. Looking back over the last three decades we see how God used that painful period in our lives to comfort and support others going through infertility. God will not waste the hurts in our lives if we allow Him to use us.
There are so many verses that have comforted me in difficult times. One of my favorites is John 15:5.
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Branches of a vine, or tree, often get blown around by heavy winds and sometimes break. Other times the gardener will trim or cut branches to spur further growth. All of this can be painful and difficult. However, if we stay connected to the vine we can produce good fruit.
In most of the extreme crises of my life I was not that familiar with scripture, I'm sorry to say. But I loved God, hung on tightly to my shear faith in Him and I watched His hand move so many times. One of my favorite passages now is "The Lord you God is with you, His is might to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love and rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17. Also: "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands." Isaiah 49:16 These are very intimate scriptures that bring me great comfort.