Bible League: Living His Word Jesus replied, "There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world."— John 11:9 NLT If you're a Christian, then you can expect to receive a calling from God. Maybe you'll be called to be a mother or father. Maybe you'll be called to go into business, or academia, or the ministry. It could be anything. The Lord has need of servants in every area of life, and He calls us, as it were, to fill in the slots He has open. The calls God gives to His people are not limited to the religious professions. Ministry and service can happen in any area of life. When you receive a call from God, you have to get busy doing it while the time is right. In our verse for today, Jesus used the analogy of daylight to explain this. Just as people can safely go about their business during the daylight, so people with a call of God on their lives can fulfill the call in the time God provides. This was true for Jesus. His disciples were worried that He might be killed if He went to Judea. He had just been there a few days before and the people tried to stone Him (John 11:8). He replied with the words of our verse. Jesus was not worried about being killed because He knew there were still a lot of things He needed to do to fulfill His call from God. It was still daylight, to use His analogy, so He could safely go to Judea. He could go there and demonstrate the power of the Kingdom of God by raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:40-44). There may be some things that seemingly stand in the way of the calls of God on your life, as well. If you let them, they could stop you dead in your tracks. Jesus' message to you today is to not let that happen. After all, it's the right time. There's still some daylight. So, you need to get to work and not let any fears you might have stop you. Bible in a Year Old Testament Reading2 Kings 6, 7, 8 2 Kings 6 -- Elisha Causes the Axhead to Float; Arameans Blinded; Samaria Besieged NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 2 Kings 7 -- Elisha Promises Plenty in Samaria; Siege Lifted NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 2 Kings 8 -- The Shunammite's Land; Hazael Kills Ben-Hadad; Jehoram and Ahaziah Kings of Judah NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading John 4:31-54 John 4 -- Jesus Testifies to the Samaritan Woman and Townspeople, Heals an Official's Son NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion “I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb.Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” Insight God knew you, as he knew Jeremiah, long before you were born or even conceived. He thought about you and planned for you. Challenge When you feel discouraged or inadequate, remember that God has always thought of you as valuable and that he has a purpose in mind for you. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Psalm 30:5 Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.Christian! If thou art in a night of trial, think of the morrow; cheer up thy heart with the thought of the coming of thy Lord. Be patient, for "Lo! He comes with clouds descending." Be patient! The Husbandman waits until he reaps his harvest. Be patient; for you know who has said, "Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give to every man according as his work shall be." If you are never so wretched now, remember "A few more rolling suns, at most, Will land thee on fair Canaan's coast." Thy head may be crowned with thorny troubles now, but it shall wear a starry crown ere long; thy hand may be filled with cares--it shall sweep the strings of the harp of heaven soon. Thy garments may be soiled with dust now; they shall be white by-and-by. Wait a little longer. Ah! how despicable our troubles and trials will seem when we look back upon them! Looking at them here in the prospect, they seem immense; but when we get to heaven we shall then "With transporting joys recount, The labors of our feet." Our trials will then seem light and momentary afflictions. Let us go on boldly; if the night be never so dark, the morning cometh, which is more than they can say who are shut up in the darkness of hell. Do you know what it is thus to live on the future--to live on expectation--to antedate heaven? Happy believer, to have so sure, so comforting a hope. It may be all dark now, but it will soon be light; it may be all trial now, but it will soon be all happiness. What matters it though "weeping may endure for a night," when "joy cometh in the morning?" Daily Light on the Daily Path 1 Timothy 2:8 Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.John 4:23,24 "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. • "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." Isaiah 58:9 "Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; You will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' If you remove the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, Mark 11:25 "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. James 1:6,7 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. • For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, Psalm 66:18 If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear; 1 John 2:1,2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; • and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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