• New Testament Reading: John 4:43-5:25
• Old Testament Passage: Psalm 110
• Points to Ponder

“The Second Miraculous Sign...”

Throughout the remainder of this gospel, John positions accounts of various ones of Jesus’ miracles
as evidence in support of his claims. It may seem, from his response to this royal official’s request,
that Jesus was frustrated by people’s need to witness miracles. “Unless you people see miraculous
signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.” And yet, Jesus did perform a miraculous
sign. It seems to me Jesus thought that other evidence should convince people of his true identity
and nature without the need for the miraculous. The result of his second miraculous sign proved his
point: “So he and all his household believed.”
Read More...

• New Testament Readings: John 4:1-42
• Old Testament Passage: Psalm 69
• Points to Ponder

“The Savior of the World”

There are so many things for Christians to learn from this incredible story, especially when it comes
to our perspective, conviction and practice of evangelism. But those will have to wait for another
study. Keeping John’s stated purpose in mind: “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus
is the Christ..”, what could be his purpose for sharing the story of the conversion of a Samaritan
village? Read More...

• New Testament Reading: John 3:1-36
• Old Testament Passage: Psalm 22
• Points to Ponder

“A Man of the Pharisees Named Nicodemus”

One of the arguments employed by those who rejected and opposed Jesus and the early Christians
was that no one of the Jewish leaders believed him. In other words, the only people Jesus was able to
scam were those who were unschooled and ordinary. Those with education and knowledge of the
scriptures saw through the lies and cheap tricks. So, John introduces us to Nicodemus, “a man of the
Pharisees...a member of the Jewish ruling council, who at this point may not have been convinced
but was certainly interested enough to check him out. We will meet Nicodemus later when he is
obviously no longer hiding in the shadows of the night. Read More...

• New Testament Reading: John 2:1-25
• Old Testament Passage: Psalm 16
• Points to Ponder

“The First of His Miraculous Signs”

John introduces a new kind of evidence - Jesus’ miracles. Although the first one in Cana seemed to
be reluctantly performed, it was none the less a miracle and fulfilled its purpose in the hearts of his
disciples. This miracle, like every one to follow “revealed his glory” (cf. John 1:14, “we have seen his
glory”) with the result that “his disciples put their faith in him.” Jesus didn’t come to heal every
disease or to provide the best wine for every wedding. His miracles, while certainly acts of service,
were designed to “reveal his glory” and instill faith in those who were seeking God. Read More...

• New Testament Reading: John 1:19-51
• Old Testament Passage: Psalm 8
• Points to Ponder

“Look, the Lamb of God”

The first evidence John brings before the jury is testimony of John the Baptist, and a few of his
followers. Human testimony is powerful, if it can be established that those testifying are trustworthy.
We send people to jail for the rest of their lives based solely on credible human testimony! Read More...

• New Testament Reading: John 1:1-18
• Old Testament Passage: Psalm 2
• Points to Ponder

“The Word Became Flesh”

Welcome to the gospel of John. John makes his purpose for writing clear
near the end of his work - John 20:30-31. Please turn there and read it. This
is very different gospel, because John has a very specific purpose - to
convince people (Jew or Gentile) that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
He’s not concerned about filling us in on Jesus’ life, nor even on his
teachings per se. He pieces together teachings, miracles and personal interactions from Jesus’
ministry and masterfully arranges them in the best way to prove his premise. Read More...

“Hears These Words & Put Them Into Practice”

Here are some of the passages in the three gospels we have already read, where Jesus teaches on
money and warns of greed, materialism and the impossibility of serving both God and money. If you
are a disciple of Jesus, these teachings cannot be trifled with or excused away. Read More...

• New Testament Readings: Luke 18:18-25; 21:1-4
• Old Testament Passage: Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
• Points to Ponder

“Out of Her Poverty”

Did you ever notice that many of the examples of sacrificial giving in the New Testament involve
impoverished people. The widow’s offering, Mary’s perfume, the Macedonian churches, all gave out
of their poverty. In terms of dollars, they didn’t give as much as others, but in terms of what they
had, they gave more than others. And they did so joyfully and willingly and Jesus (and Paul) noticed
and used them as examples of true giving. Read More...

• New Testament Readings: Luke 16:1-15
• Old Testament Passage: Ecclesiastes 12:1-8
• Points to Ponder

“God Knows Your Hearts”

Today is my 52nd birthday. I have been incredibly blessed, materially, but especially spiritually! I am
a rich man in the things that matter the most. As far as North American society goes, I have also
lived in poverty and been without any physical resources other than what was really needed: a roof
over my head, clothes on my back and food in my stomach. They haven’t always been the most
comfortable dwellings, or the latest fashions or gourmet foods, but I can honestly say, I’ve always had
what I’ve needed -- even when I really thought I needed more. Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Luke 12:13-21
• Old Testament Passage: Ecclesiastes 5:8-15
• Points to Ponder

“Build Bigger Barns”

To me that one phrase describes the focus of our society -- build bigger barns! Some other wise
person once said that when you have too much you are possessed by your possessions. Bigger is
better. More is beautiful. New is improved. We can’t live in 1000 square foot homes anymore
because we’ve got too much stuff and no place to put it. Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Matthew 13:18-23 (cf. Mark 4:18-19; Luke 8:14)
• Old Testament Passage: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
• Points to Ponder

“Choked”

It is really important to compare the statements recorded Matthew with Mark’s and Luke’s account.
The slightly different words Jesus used on various occasions gives a fullness to his teaching on the
subject. So please, if you’ve not already done so, read all the NT passages listed above. Read More...

• New Testament Reading: Matthew 6:25-34
• Old Testament Passage: Ecclesiastes 2:17-26
• Points to Ponder

“And Why Do You Worry?”

Someone once said that you can tell a lot about a person by knowing what they worry about the
most. Maybe I said that, because in my sinful nature I am a worrier. And when I worry, I am playing
the “what if” scenarios over and over again in my mind. I have no problem seeing the problems even
when they haven’t even happened, yet. I can imagine what the problems will be. Read More...