Apicontent

Today’s Reading: John 20:16-23

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you…As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you’… And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.’”

* * * * *

Jesus suddenly appeared to his disciples. They were hiding behind locked doors—fearful that they might be arrested and crucified as he had been.

He said to them, “Peace be with you.” In fact, he said it twice. He wanted them to know that those who really believed that he had risen from the dead had no reason to fear anything. He wanted to give his followers a peace that conquers all fear. It’s a peace that surpasses all understanding.²⁸

Jesus also gave them a commission to go into the world. In doing so, he used the example of his own incarnation. In the same way the Father had sent him into the world, he was now sending his followers into the world.

Jesus does not want us to be removed from the world, being so heavenly minded that we are of no earthly good. Nor are we to be standing against the world, harshly judging all its sin from a distance.

Rather, we are to be in the world, lovingly influencing people so they can be transformed for God’s glory. We are to be lights on a hill, loving the world with many good works. These good works will give the world reason to praise the heavenly Father.²⁹

Jesus then breathed on his disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Because the cross and the resurrection were now complete, the disciples could receive the gift of forgiveness. That was the reason Jesus had been sent from heaven to earth: for the forgiveness of sins.

Unless sins are forgiven, no human can see the face of God and live. The Father’s highest priority was a personal relationship with his creation. But this relationship could not occur without the forgiveness of sins. If you want to spend eternity with the Father, you must first receive the forgiveness of your sins.

Jesus then gave all his followers this commission: Preach the gospel of forgiveness to the world. As the gospel is proclaimed and people believe it, they will be forgiven. But if the gospel is withheld, people will not hear about the opportunity to be forgiven.

As you share the gospel, keep these things in mind:

First, you have Jesus’ presence with you, which also gives you his peace. This peace is not as the world gives it. The world’s peace is merely the absence of conflict. Jesus gives you his personal presence, which grants you his perfect peace no matter what you are facing.

Second, Jesus sends you into the world. You are to live among the lost and do good works. Make the world a different and better place because you are living for Jesus in its midst.

Third, Jesus wants you to share the message about the forgiveness of sins with whomever you can. If you don’t, how can people know about it? This commission is of eternal significance.

As the Father sent the Son into the world, now Jesus sends you into the world.

Your words and deeds will help transform it for his glory.

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]

Today’s Reading: John 20:24-31

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“He said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands, and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’”

* * * * *

This is Jesus’ second resurrection appearance in John’s Gospel. During the first one, Thomas was not present. The disciples told him of the first appearance. Thomas was incredulous and said that unless he placed his finger into the mark of the nails in Jesus’ hands, and in the place of the wound in his side, he would never believe.

So when Jesus appeared the second time, he invited Thomas to place his finger in his hands and side. He then lovingly exhorted Thomas not to doubt, but to believe. He wanted Thomas’s unbelief to be destroyed and his faith to be strong.

Thomas responded simply, “My Lord and my God!” He chose faith. He chose to worship Jesus.

Thomas’s response is a statement about Christ’s deity. He proclaimed Jesus Lord and his personal God. He worshiped him. And Jesus accepted that worship. Thomas’s conclusion was accurate. Jesus was his Lord and God. He was worthy of his worship.

Some people who try to disprove Jesus’ claims to deity have suggested that Thomas’s exclamation was simply one of astonishment. How unthinkable! If that were the case, then that means Thomas, a faithful Jew who knew the Ten Commandments, was using the Lord’s name in vain.

Moreover, that suggestion is inconsistent with the flow of the story. Thomas’s words were spoken to Jesus as a confession of faith in him as his resurrected Lord and personal God.

Jesus then adjured Thomas to walk by faith and not by sight. Faith is the evidence of things not seen. Indeed, Jesus’ earthly followers who saw him alive and believed in him had a distinct advantage over those who have never seen, yet still believe. Because you believe without having seen Jesus, you are more blessed than they are. You understand fully what it means to walk by faith.

Walk by faith and not by sight. Trust that Jesus is who he says he is. Believe that his words do hold the key to eternal life.

Believe that Jesus is not only Lord and God over the universe, but he is also your personal Lord and God. He is closer than a brother. He is your intimate life companion.

His resurrection proves that he truly does rule over everything in the universe. Nothing is outside his dominion, power, and authority. All authority in heaven and on earth has been granted to him. Nothing happens to you that he doesn’t oversee.

That means you don’t need to worry about anything. The world is in his hands. Your day is in his hands. Don’t be concerned about tomorrow. It has enough worries of its own.

Jesus is the resurrected Lord and God of all—including you!

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]

Today’s Reading: John 21:1-3

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’ They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.”

* * * * *

John wrote about Jesus’ third resurrection appearance in his Gospel. There were many others, but the three John presented were the ones he chose to emphasize.

The disciples had returned to Galilee, where, as Mark noted, Jesus had commanded them to go and wait for him. Jesus had promised that he would go before them. If you are his disciple, that should be encouraging news for you. There is no place to where you go that he is not already there waiting for you.

The disciples waited patiently to see if Jesus would appear to them again. Peter was especially discouraged. He was dealing with his guilt, grief, and shame over having denied Jesus three times. He was in great need of the Lord’s grace.

While the disciples waited, they started fishing again. That was natural for them to do. When someone is feeling uncertain about something in life, he often returns to what he knows he can do well. For some of the disciples, this meant their fishing business. That’s what they had devoted their lives to when Jesus called them to follow him.

The disciples went out in a boat at night, which was the preferred time to fish. It was cooler, so the fish weren’t swimming along the bottom. Also, when fish were caught at night, they could be sold quickly and easily in the market the next morning while still fresh. The disciples were skilled fishermen, and they knew what they were doing.

But this night, the disciples caught nothing. They repeatedly threw their nets over one side of the boat, then the other, but without success. They were completely shut out. Nothing worked for them.

At the time, the disciples didn’t realize this truth: Jesus oversees all “nothings.” This was all part of his perfect plan to help them receive his love and mission for them—especially Peter. As they saw Jesus make their nothing into something, their faith in him would increase.

In just a little bit, it would all make sense to them.

When nothing seems to be working for you, you need to trust that Jesus is the Lord of your nothings. When nothing seems to be happening in your life, trust him. It’s not a surprise to him. He oversees all— even when nothing seems to be happening.

Jesus is using your nothings for a larger purpose. Sometimes he wants to exhaust you of all your human strength so you’ll depend solely on him. Other times he doesn’t want you to depend on what you do really well, but depend completely on him.

If it seems like nothing is working for you right now, rejoice! Trust him. He knows what he is doing. Faith continues to trust God when nothing seems to be happening.

He is the Lord of your nothings.

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]

Today’s Reading: John 21:4-6

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Jesus said to them, ‘Children, do you have any fish?’ They answered him, ‘No.’ He said to them, ‘Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.”

* * * * *

The disciples were skilled fishermen. They had spent the entire night fishing, yet to no avail. They had caught nothing.

Jesus stood on the shore. It was early morning. As the sun peeked over the horizon, he called to them. They didn’t recognize him at first. He called out to them, “Children.” It was a term of endearment. His affection for all of them ran deep.

He then asked them if they had caught any fish. He knew they had caught nothing. That was part of the plan. He had willed for them to not catch anything. He had sovereignly decreed for all the fish to evade their nets.

He had a larger and better plan.

Jesus’ disciples answered him and said that they hadn’t caught anything. He told them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat.

The disciples wondered why they should obey some unknown figure instructing them from the shore. But they were tired. They knew they had nothing to lose. So they cast their nets on the other side of their boat.

When they did, they hauled in a large number of fish—too many for them to bring into the boat.

Do you see the purpose of all that happened here? This was similar to when Jesus fed the 5000.³⁰ With only five loaves and two fish, he fed them all—with 12 basketfuls of food left over. The disciples had been fishing all night and had caught nothing. But with one word, Jesus was able to supply a net so full of fish that they couldn’t even bring them all on board the boat.

Do you understand? He is not a God of paucity, but of abundance. He wants to give exceedingly and abundantly beyond what you could ever hope or imagine. How great is his goodness stored up for those who fear him!

The Lord is not a miser, nor is he stingy. He is a giver. He enjoys blessing his children. When you delight in him, he loves to grant you your heart’s desires. The Father so loved the world that he gave his only Son to die for you and give you eternal life. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. He gives hope to those who feel nothing good is going to happen.

Your faith increases when you know what kind of God he really is. He is not trying to deny you life’s enjoyment. He withholds no good thing from those who do what’s right.

Don’t give up. Keep persevering. Defeat happens only when you quit trying. Do what he says. Go to the other side of the boat and try again.

And experience the abundant blessings he has waiting for you there.

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]

Today’s Reading: John 21:15-19

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Peter was grieved because he said to him a third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and he said to him, ‘Lord you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’”

* * * * *

Jesus was doing spiritual heart surgery on Peter. He wanted Peter to know of his forgiveness for his denials. He desired for Peter to know that his love conquers all sin. He hungered for Peter’s heart to believe he still had a great plan for his life.

Three times, Jesus asked Peter if he loved him. Three times, Peter responded in the affirmative. But the third time that Jesus asked this question, Peter showed great angst. Exasperated, he said, “Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus smiled inwardly, for Peter’s heart was now prepared to receive Jesus’ purpose for his life..

How did Jesus know Peter was ready? He knew because Peter had not only admitted his love for the Lord, but he also realized that Jesus knew everything. Peter trusted Jesus with all his being. That was essential— and the Lord knew Peter’s heart belonged totally to him.

Jesus then commissioned Peter again to feed his sheep. He knew Peter would. He knew this disciple would take the message of forgiveness and faith that he had personally experienced and faithfully impart it to others.

That was Jesus’ plan for Peter. In the upper room, Satan had asked permission to sift Peter like wheat.³¹ As with Job, the Lord granted permission. There is nothing Satan can do to any of his followers unless God permits it. He may be the devil, but he is God’s devil. He is on a leash. He is not all-powerful.

Though this sifting would be exceedingly painful for Peter, it was Jesus’ will for him. The pain would burn away his arrogance and impetuousness. It would prepare him for the plan Jesus had for him to be a primary pillar in the church.

It would also give Peter insights into essential eternal truths. His two New Testament letters were written primarily to a persecuted people. Because he had gone through his own deep pain, suffering, and disappointment, he could express the power of God’s grace to those who needed great comfort and encouragement. The words he wrote would be life-giving words based on his own personal experience.

And the readers of his letters would have their faith profoundly encouraged.

There is purpose in your pain as well. The Lord keeps track of all your sorrows. He collects your tears in a bottle and records each one.³² No tear that you shed is ever useless. No sigh in your soul goes unheeded.

How might God be using your troubles? The comfort you have received from him, you’ll be able to give to others who are walking through a similar experience.³³ Like Peter, you’ll be able to give to them the grace that you yourself received.

God causes all things to work together for good—even your painful problems.

If you don’t believe that’s true, read what Peter wrote in his two New Testament letters.

He will assure you there that it is true.

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]

Today’s Reading: John 21:7-14

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn.”

* * * * *

When Peter recognized Jesus on the shore, he swam to him. After he arrived, Jesus asked the disciples to bring him some fish. He wanted to fix breakfast for them and care for their every need.

Peter then went back to the boat and helped haul ashore the net full of fish. It should have torn, but did not. And these were not small fish, but large, healthy, and meaty ones.

How the Lord loves to lavish good gifts on his children. His steadfast grace gives unbroken nets and large fish. It knows no bounds. It never ceases and is new every morning. It is limitless for every day of life. Great is his faithfulness.

The disciples counted the huge haul. There were 153 fish in all. As fishermen, they always counted the number of fish caught before going to market. It was a way of comparing one day’s work to the next, a way of computing success over weeks and months.

Some scholars have suggested that 153 also corresponds to the known number of different people groups at that point in human history. They wonder if this was Jesus’ way of reminding his disciples of their calling to be fishers of men and to take the gospel to every people group in the world. To fish for people’s souls was their primary calling.

There are two specific faces of grace we should note here.

First, Jesus wants to lavish his grace on you personally. It is an amazing grace. It is not only sufficient for everything you face in life, but is also given to you abundantly. He wants to give you unbroken nets of grace, full of large blessings.

Second, you are to be a messenger of his grace. You are a fisher of men. Jesus wants you to have a heart for the entire world to know him as Lord and Savior. He wants everyone, everywhere, to know about his abundant grace. Be local and global when you think about telling others of his love.

As you go, don’t despair about anything. The Lord will supply your every need according to his heavenly riches. Your nets will not break. They are strong enough for your every need. And his fish aren’t tiny, but large. How he enjoys giving you his good gifts!

Find ways to give his grace away to those around you and throughout the world. Just as you need his abundant grace, so do they. Don’t get tired of doing what is good. When you persevere, at just the right time, you will reap a harvest of blessing. Don’t give up.

When you fish for men, you are fulfilling one of the major reasons God created you. There is great joy in knowing you have helped introduce someone to Jesus and changed their eternal trajectory.

The angels in heaven rejoice when even one sinner comes home. Experience their joy as well as you obey Jesus’ call to be his witness and make disciples of all the nations.

You are his ambassador to a dying world that needs his grace.

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]

Today’s Reading: John 20:1-5

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.”

* * * * *

Mary Magdalene went to Jesus’ tomb early on Sunday morning. It was the first day of the week. Soon thereafter, Jesus’ followers started worshiping him on this day. It was to honor the day of his resurrection from the dead.

That Christ is worshiped on Sunday is another proof he was raised from the dead. Think about it. For more than a millennium, Jews had faithfully worshiped God on Saturday. Yet in a brief period of time, Christians changed this sacred worship day. Plus, they worshiped Jesus on this day. There is one major reason: They had seen him alive. It was a way to honor the importance of the resurrection.

The resurrection proves not only that Jesus is God, but that he is also worthy of worship.

The other Gospel accounts share that Mary Magdalene was not alone at the tomb. There were other women with her. You always want to make sure you read these accounts alongside one another so you will have the most complete picture of what happened. Good detectives always talk to multiple witnesses so they can put together the full story of what happened. Their gathering of independent accounts can help prove there was no corroboration.

When the women arrived, they saw that the large stone that had been placed in front of the tomb had been rolled away. And they couldn’t find Jesus’ body.

Mary Magdalene pondered a very significant question: Who moved the stone? It’s a question of great importance. Your answer determines your eternal destination.

Not knowing what had happened, Mary Magdalene concluded the Roman authorities had moved the stone. That’s one option. But why would they? They were clearly instructed by Pilate to guard the tomb and make sure no one moved the stone and stole Jesus’ body. Plus, if the body had been stolen, they would have to suffer the penalty of the person whose body was gone. That means they would have been crucified themselves. They were highly motivated to keep Jesus’ body in the tomb.

Others since have suggested the Jewish authorities had moved the stone and stolen the body. But the question asked about the Roman authorities must similarly be asked here: Why would they? They wanted all resurrection rumors squelched. They had nothing to gain by stealing Jesus’ body.

Still others say the disciples rolled away the stone and stole Jesus’ body. But was this possible? How could a ragtag group of forlorn, discouraged men elude crack Roman guards, move the huge stone, and steal the body? It makes no rational sense. Also, they were hiding for their lives. They thought persecution and death would come to them as it had for their Master. Why would they make themselves readily available to potential arrest and crucifixion?

There is really only one remaining option for who moved the stone: God did. And he moved the stone not to let Jesus out, but to let you in. He wanted everyone, for all time, to see that the tomb was empty.

Jesus was no longer there. The tomb was empty. He is alive!

And now you know this good news: Because of Jesus’ resurrection, when you place your faith in him, your sins are forever forgiven.

Your heart can rest in this hope—today and every day you will ever face.

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]

Today’s Reading: John 18:19-24

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, ‘Is that how you answer the high priest?’ Jesus answered him, ‘If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?’ Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas.”

* * * * *

Annas was the former high priest—back when Jesus had cleansed the Temple three years earlier. That had embarrassed Annas, so he despised Jesus. He had wanted to exact some revenge, though he didn’t have any authority to do so at that time.

Annas asked Jesus about his teaching. Jesus told him to talk with those who had listened to him in the synagogues and Temple. That led one of the nearby guards to strike Jesus. He thought Jesus was being insolent and disrespectful.

The guard’s blow was another way Jesus took your punishment for sin upon himself. He endured great injustice because of his great love for you.

But there’s another truth here that the Lord wants you to ponder.

There are times when you should not try to defend yourself. Some hours later, when Jesus was before Herod, he refused to respond to him and defend himself. He knew it was useless for him to say anything to Herod.

But with Annas, Jesus did the opposite. There are times when it’s necessary to defend yourself—especially when the accusations aren’t truthful. The guard thought Jesus to be insolent. But Jesus knew that he’d spoken nothing but the truth. As God’s law says in Exodus 22:28: “You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.” Jesus had not cursed Annas, nor had he reviled God. He was perfectly within his rights to defend himself.

Truthful self-defense is not sinful. If someone is maliciously spreading lies about you, it is perfectly acceptable for you to defend yourself. You can set the record straight. If you don’t, who will?

People will revile you because you love Jesus. Lies will be spread about you. The father of lies will work behind the scenes to slander your name. But don’t despair. Though they can kill the body, they can’t touch your soul. Speak the truth in love. Stand courageously for the Lord. He will give you the words to speak when you need them.

He will do that because his love for you is so great.

Annas then sent Jesus to Caiaphas, who despised him as well. The plot to kill Jesus was inching forward. The plan to make salvation available to the world was advancing as well.

None of the Father’s plans can be thwarted. This is true for everything in the world. All human history is God’s story.

It’s true in your personal life as well. He knew you while you were being formed in your mother’s womb. He knew you by name before the world was ever created.

God’s purpose for your life is perfect.

No weapon formed against you will prosper.

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]

Today’s Reading: John 18:25-27

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Peter again denied it, and at once the rooster crowed.”

* * * * *

Back when Jesus had washed Peter’s feet, he predicted that Peter would deny him three times before the rooster finished crowing. It would be a moment of intense shame for Peter.

That prediction came true. As Peter stood in the high priest’s courtyard, he denied knowing the Lord—three times. The final denial was spoken to one of Malchus’s relatives. (Malchus was the one whose ear Peter had cut off in the garden of Gethsemane.) Then the rooster crowed.

There were times when Peter was impetuously courageous. For example, when Jesus called Peter to become a follower, he immediately dropped his nets and did so. Later, during a storm, he was the only disciple to jump out of the boat and walk on water toward Jesus. And the night before the Lord went to the cross, Peter boastfully proclaimed he’d be willing to die for him.

But Peter also had times of embarrassing cowardice. When he faced his own crucible in the courtyard, he denied he knew Jesus. In the Lord’s hour of greatest need, Peter failed him.

In fact, Peter did exactly what Judas had done. He betrayed Jesus. But Peter returned to Jesus. He experienced Jesus’ gracious forgiveness. He repented and was restored to fellowship and friendship with Jesus.

Godly sorrow always leads to repentance. That was not the case for Judas. He felt sorrow, but was too proud to ask for forgiveness. Jesus would have immediately given it to him. Even at the last supper, the Lord purposely seated Judas to his left—the position of honor. Up till the last moment, Jesus yearned for him to repent. But Judas stubbornly refused.

The Savior will not force repentance on anyone. Not even the city of Jerusalem, which he had wanted to gather under his wings as a mother hen does her brood. But she refused.

Godly sorrow leads to repentance. That is the deep feeling of regret that wants to change the behavior that initially broke the Father’s heart. It changes life’s trajectory and moves in a direction away from sin. It receives grace that restores a life broken by sin. It rescues those with a crushed spirit.

Jesus will never reject a contrite and repentant heart. He entered this world to save sinners. He is gracious and merciful. If you return to him, you will live. He will never turn his face from you if you return to him.

Jesus loves to give second chances. Just look at Peter.

Jesus restored Peter with his grace and made him a rock in his kingdom.

Let him do so with you as well.

[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]