Apicontent

Today’s Reading: John 11:5-10

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”

* * * * *

Jesus warned his disciples that soon they’d have to return to Jerusalem. They objected. They knew the Jewish officials desired to kill Jesus because of his repeated claims to deity.

Jesus used their objections to teach a significant truth about following him.

He had already explained, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). When he invades your heart, his light enters you, and you become a light to the world. As his holy, eternal truth indwells your heart, his light shines through you.

Jesus will guide your paths with his light—no matter what the hour of the day may be. In the daytime, when there is light, it is easy to know where to walk. It’s not difficult to walk when it’s light. But when it’s dark, you are more prone to stumble and fall.

When Jesus’ light invades you, you can walk anywhere, at any hour of the day, and his light will guide you. That’s what happens when you are in intimate fellowship with him. You are united together. He is in you, and you are in him. You hear his voice leading you. He shows you the next step. You obey what he tells you to do.

It’s different for the person who is walking apart from Jesus. He is in the dark. He does not know the Lord’s inward guidance. He doesn’t seek his light, so truth doesn’t indwell his heart. He has no desire to know Jesus. He does whatever he wants, whenever he wants. Because he walks in darkness, he will inevitably fall.

When Jesus walked to Jerusalem, he was walking from the light into darkness. He was following the Father’s perfect plan. He was heading toward betrayal, arrest, torture, persecution, and eventual death on the cross. That was the Father’s will, which Jesus desired to obey.

Does Jesus’ light indwell you? Do you walk in his truth? Is your greatest desire to let him lead you to wherever he wants you to go? Is your most fervent desire to please him above all else?

If not, you are probably walking in darkness. You are most likely very far from him. Most assuredly, you will one day fall.

That is not the place where Jesus wants you to be. He is the light of the world. As his follower, he wants you to be a light on a hill, shining brightly for him. When others see your good works done for his glory, they will be moved to praise the Father in heaven.

Walk in Jesus’ light at all times, in all places.

And as you follow him, his light that leads to life will lead you— every step of the way.

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

Today’s Reading: John 9:24-34

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”

* * * * *

Jesus healed a man born blind. The man then defended Jesus against the Jewish officials. He didn’t exaggerate in his assessment of the Lord. Since the world had been formed, no one had ever heard of anyone opening the eyes of a man born blind. He said correctly that this miracle could not have happened if Jesus was not sent from his Father in heaven.

Then the man made an extraordinarily insightful statement. If Jesus was not sent from God, he could do nothing. Unless his life was securely connected to the life of the Father in heaven, he had no authority. He could perform no miracles. He could not cast out demons. He could not preach the power of the kingdom of God.

Jesus, the Son, is in the Father. The Father is in him.

You cannot bear fruit in your own strength. Human strength cannot accomplish divine work. Apart from Jesus, no work possesses eternal value.

You need to abide in him. You must have a close, personal, living, dynamic, and vibrant relationship with him. You must remain connected to him throughout your day.

That’s why prayer at all times is so important. It allows you to constantly communicate with Jesus and he with you. In prayer, you lean on him—totally dependent in all areas of your life. As you spend time in his Word, it will come to dwell richly in you. Worship will spontaneously happen whenever a thought about him crosses your mind. Obedience to his will becomes a joy as you serve the one you dearly love.

The very power that raised Jesus from the dead now lives in you. You have an eternal relationship with him. All your strength comes from being connected to him, the sovereign Lord of the universe. He makes you as sure-footed as a deer climbing to new heights. He gives power to the weak and makes them strong.

Have you ever wondered why he gives you so many blessings? There is a simple answer. He wants to bless you so that you can be a blessing to others.

Jesus wants to use you to give food to the hungry. He wants you to provide water to the thirsty. He wants you to be his presence to prisoners and the shut-ins. He would like for you to help those caught in human trafficking to be free. He desires you to be a funnel of hope to the hopeless. He wants you to be a vessel of love to the unloved.

Apart from him, these things can’t be accomplished. But when you are connected to him, you can do anything.

Believe it’s true.

God’s strength becomes your strength.

Then act in his strength.

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

Today’s Reading: John 8:21-30

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Jesus said to them, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.’ As he was saying these things, man believed in him.”

* * * * *

This teaching from Jesus is of great importance. Many listeners at the time didn’t understand what he said because they were earthly minded. But when they “lifted up the Son of Man,” when they crucified him, some came to realize who he was—the Son of the Living God and the Lamb of God who takes away all the world’s sins.

When they saw the cross, the Holy Spirit revealed Jesus’ identity to them. They came to believe in him. And they trusted him with their lives and eternity.

Jesus did nothing on his own authority. He purposefully chose to leave his equality with the Father when he put on human flesh and died on a cross for the forgiveness of your sins. While on earth, he spoke only what the Father said to him. The Father and the Son are inextricably and eternally connected. They are of the same nature and mind. They are one.

Because of the Father’s abiding presence in Jesus, he wanted only what was pleasing to him. His will was to do the Father’s will alone— to perfectly obey all that the Father commanded him to do. He did. All his good works were in obedience to the Father’s will—including his death on the cross. Everything Jesus did was meant to glorify the Father.

Do you believe in Jesus? Do you love him? If so, there is one thing that proves you do. As you are unquestioningly connected to him, the Father’s authority will reign over you as it did in Jesus. As the Son intentionally lived to do the Father’s will, so will you live to seek first his kingdom and to do his will.

All authority in heaven and on earth has been granted to Jesus. That means that as he lives in you, he will speak to you and guide your life. He will share with you how you are to obey him every day.

Your greatest desire will then become the doing of the Father’s will in your life—in the same way as Jesus desired only to do his Father’s will. As he was under the Father’s authority, so you are under the Son’s authority.

Please do whatever Jesus tells you to do. Perform all the good works that you know he desires for you to do. Labor enthusiastically for him. Nothing you do for him is useless. Remember that the Lord will reward each person for the good he does.

When you do these good works, you will bring glory to him. People who do not love Jesus will respect the way you live and be drawn toward your Father in heaven. The way you live can help render a good opinion of him. Living so that the Lord is glorified should be your life’s aim in everything you do.

Believe in Jesus. Be totally yielded to his authority over your life. Make the doing of his will your master passion.

When you do, you will prove your love for him.

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

Today’s Reading: John 8:31-38

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you abide in my words, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free…Everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.’”

* * * * *

Jesus didn’t call people to merely make decisions about him. He called them to be his disciples. A decision is merely a starting point. A disciple is one who is constantly learning from him.

A true disciple is one who abides in the Lord’s words. To abide means to let his life continually live in and through you. You are his disciple when you walk with him daily. There is a continual conversation between you two. There is a developing trust in and obedience to him.

One major benefit of abiding in Jesus’ word is that you will know the truth. As he indwells you, he will guide you into all truth.

And when you know his truth, you will be set free. This is a promise for all his disciples.

Jesus came to earth to set all captives free from the power of sin and death. He wants to remove all the chains that hinder you from being the person he intended you to be. He came to give you abundant life, not imprisonment. Everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. Whenever you give in to sin, you increasingly become a slave to that sin. You can’t enjoy life as Jesus intended when you are enslaved to sin.

How does he set you free? By giving you a new identity. You are adopted into his family. You are no longer a slave, but a son or daughter of the King of the universe. A slave cannot live permanently in the master’s house. After working in the house, he must leave and return to his slave quarters. A slave also finds his identity solely in the chores he does daily for the master.

It’s different with you! When you come to Jesus, you are not only forgiven, but also adopted into his family. You become a permanent member of and resident in the Father’s house. You are forever a part of his family. You share his name. You’re an heir of all he owns. There are no fears of expulsion from his house—ever!

In addition, your identity is no longer defined by what you do, but by who you are because of your adoption. You don’t live in fear of the master’s punishment. Your spirit now hears daily from the Holy Spirit that you are an adopted, beloved child of the King of kings. You are free from all condemnation.

Please learn this truth: To be free from sin, you must love something more than the sin. When you know the Father’s love, you know your new identity as a son or daughter. Then you will live according to your new identity.

You behave like you believe.

This truth will set you free from being a slave to sin and guilt. That’s not who you are in Christ. You are a son or daughter of the King of the universe.

Now be free—indeed!

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

Today’s Reading: John 8:39-47

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.”

* * * * *

All through Jesus’ earthly ministry, many people did not understand his teachings. Their minds had been captured by his archenemy, the devil.

The same is true today. People refuse to listen to Jesus’ teachings because their minds are under the authority of the enemy. They were born that way—the devil’s evil wiles, schemes, and lies were hardwired in the human heart at the moment of conception.

The devil has been a murderer since the beginning of time. He was the one who incited Cain to kill his brother Abel. His job description is to kill, steal, and destroy anything the Father in heaven creates and wills.

The evil one is allergic to the truth. He is the father of lies. Lying began with him. He told Eve to doubt the Father’s word as true. He contradicts God’s character in every way. He can only operate out of his own lying nature. Every lie in creation is rooted in him. When he acts, he does so out of the core of his being.

What lies has the devil spoken to you? Has he nudged you toward feeling worthless? Has he hinted that you are hopeless? Has he suggested you can never change? Has he told you your circumstances are unalterable? Has he made you feel as though your life has no meaning?

Don’t believe him. Believe Jesus. His character is rooted in eternal truth. He is the truth. It is who he is. It is what he speaks. It is his eternal nature. One of the major reasons he came to earth was to teach you this truth. He wants you set free from the tyranny of the father of lies. He wants you forever released from the one who desires to destroy you.

Know the devil’s schemes. He studies you. He knows where you’re weak. He tempts you so you will fall.

Believe today the truth that Jesus wants your health, happiness, and wholeness. He wants to give you abundant life. He is the strength of your heart and you belong to him forever. His mercies never cease. They are new every morning. He directs your steps and delights in every detail of your life.

And remember that all the pieces of the armor of God begin with the belt of truth. That must be the starting point. Without truth, the other pieces of the armor can’t do much. Truth is the starting point and foundation for standing against the devil’s schemes.

Reject all moral relativism. Embrace absolute truth. God authored it. And remember: Don’t break his moral laws. When you disobey them, they break you.

The Lord’s truth overcomes the father of lies. Find his truth. Live by it.

And you will be set free.

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

Today’s Reading: John 8:48-59

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“‘Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.’ So the Jews said to him, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.’ So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.”

* * * * *

These words are among the most significant Jesus ever spoke. He told the Jews that Abraham rejoiced to see his day. The Father had promised Abraham that, through his son Isaac, all the nations would be blessed. Abraham had a joyful confidence that promise would come true.

Christ’s death and resurrection unleashed the blessing of salvation upon all the nations, thus fulfilling the promise. During his life, Abraham looked forward to the day when this promise would be fulfilled. In heaven, he finally saw it fully realized.

The Jews still didn’t understand. They objected loudly to this teaching, saying Jesus was not yet fifty years old and Abraham had lived a thousand-plus years earlier. How could Jesus have known him?

That’s when Jesus made his clear claim to deity. There was no mistake about what he was saying. He claimed to have lived before Abraham. He existed in eternity before Abraham was ever conceived. He claimed transcendence over time—something only God could claim.

In Exodus 3:14, God gave Moses his name: “I am who I am.” By saying, “Before Abraham existed, I am,” Jesus was claiming not only to be eternal, but the very God who appeared to Moses and told him his name.

The Jews had no doubt about what Jesus was saying. They “picked up stones” to kill him for blasphemy—the prescribed Old Testament punishment for false teaching. But he escaped, for his time for death had not yet come.

How will you respond to Jesus’ claim to deity? The Jews understood his claim and wanted him eliminated. Is this your response? Not to make a decision about him is to make a decision. You are either on his side or against him. There is no neutrality when it comes to following him.

When you believe in Jesus and decide to follow him, you acknowledge he is the great I am. He is not the great I was. Your past has been forgiven. He is not the great I will be—though he perfectly oversees your future. He is the great I am.

Whatever you are facing today is where he will be. He is your present help in all times of trouble. He is your sufficiency this moment. He is with you today—and all days. He asks that you have faith in him for today’s worries alone. Tomorrow has enough worries of its own. He knows the price of five sparrows—two copper coins. Yet he doesn’t forget a single one of them when they fall to the ground. You are more valuable than sparrows. He knows the number of hairs on your head. He knows you intimately as well.

Believe it’s true.

Because it is.

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

Today’s Reading: John 9:1-7

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.’”

* * * * *

As Jesus and his disciples passed by a man born blind, they asked the Lord a question based on a popular assumption of that day. They wondered if the man was blind because of his sin or his parents’ sin. They believed wrongly that all human suffering is somehow connected to a person’s sin.

Their question was well-intentioned. They didn’t want to connect the Father with being the source of evil. They wanted to blame human suffering on sin, not the Father in heaven.

But Jesus needed to correct their thinking. His life is an example that shows that not all suffering is connected to sin. He was perfect and sinless in every way, yet he experienced excruciating pain, rejection, grief, and agony during his life on earth and on the cross.

Jesus told the disciples this man wasn’t born blind because of his sin or his parents’ sin. Rather, the Father in heaven had permitted this so his power and glory might be displayed through him.

What does this mean? Sometimes, God, in his mysterious providence, permits suffering that has no relation to sin. He does this so people can experience and see the Father’s extraordinary grace, mercy, and power delivering them from evil.

Yes, some suffering is caused by your sin. You may be paying the consequences for some bad choices you’ve made. Perhaps you broke the Father’s moral law. There are consequences when we live life against his will.

Or perhaps someone else hurt you by no fault of your own. We live connected to one another. There is a necessary interdependence in this world. Consequently, someone else’s bad choices can hurt us. Or maybe you just made a foolish mistake and are paying for it.

Whatever you may be going through today, trust Jesus. Know that he is a deliverer. He loves to show his power to people who are weak. He enjoys giving strength to weak hands and buckling knees. He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. He has compassion on your suffering. He comforts you in all your troubles. There’s purpose in the pain.

If you believe this, you have the privilege of seeing him use evil for good. It gives you an opportunity to glorify him with greater gusto and zeal.

Jesus promised that he will share in your sufferings. His humanity allowed him to know what you are experiencing, feel what you are feeling. He mourns and cries with you. As you hurt, he hurts.

But he will never forsake you. His death and resurrection conquered all sin, suffering, and death.

Draw near to him today. He promises he will draw near to you.

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

Today’s Reading: John 9:8-12

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“He answered, ‘The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, “Go to Siloam and wash.” So I went and washed and received my sight.’”

* * * * *

After Jesus gave sight to the blind man, the man’s neighbors didn’t recognize him. Some said it was the blind man, now with sight. Others said it looked like him, but it was not him. But the blind man said repeatedly, “I am the man.”

They asked, “Then how were your eyes opened?” He told his story. He shared how Jesus made mud and anointed his eyes. Then Jesus told him to go to the pool at Siloam and wash his eyes, and his sight would be restored. He did what he had been told to do, and his eyes were opened.

The blind man’s testimony spoke loudly. Jesus came to change lives. All he asks is that you go share your changed life with others. They may want to argue doctrine, orthodoxy, or trivial Bible perspectives. But they cannot argue your testimony or your changed life. The blind man now saw. He shared this truth. That’s all Jesus asks of you as well. Just share what happened to you. It’s your best witness for him.

Please note as well that there is great power in simple obedience. The blind man obeyed what Jesus asked him to do, and the Lord used him mightily. It’s a profound part of faithfully following him. You don’t have to understand every fine point of theology to obey him. Just do what he tells you to do. Simply obey him—in all things great and small. And incredible results can follow when you do so.

Jesus’ heart yearns for you to know his supernatural, unconditional, and healing love. He longs for you to know his life-changing eternal grace, mercy, and compassion. When you know these things inside you, there is no problem or obstacle you can’t face in your life.

If you love the Lord, you will desire to obey all that he has commanded you to do.

There may be some days you don’t feel like it. Obey him anyway. There may be some times your circumstances are daunting and you’re tempted to take the easy way out. Obey him anyway. There may be times when peer pressure tempts you to follow the crowd and not him. Obey him anyway.

Simple obedience. It will tell others how he has changed your life. Don’t be ashamed of what he has done for you. Do every small thing he asks you to do—even if it seems as silly as putting mud in your eyes and washing it off in a pool. Faith and obedience are undeniably connected.

And remember that the Lord withholds no good thing from those who do what is right. Joyful are those who obey his will and search for him with all their hearts. Desire that your actions consistently reflect God’s will. There should be no shame when you compare your life with his commands.

If you want to increase your faith, obey Jesus. When you do, your faith will grow. Miracles will increase.

And he will be glorified.

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

Today’s Reading: John 9:13-17

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.’”

* * * * *

The blind man Jesus had healed was taken to the Pharisees. They were the leaders and watchdogs over Jewish propriety regarding the Law. They were exceedingly upset that Jesus had given sight to him on the Sabbath.

When the Lord used saliva to make the mud to put on the blind man’s eyes, the Jewish leaders made an association with one of their 39 classes of work forbidden on the Sabbath. This was in accordance with the Mishnah—what the Jewish leaders used to interpret the Law. They continued to carefully quiz the man—looking for any reason to condemn Jesus.

Why do people try to reduce God’s love and compassion to rules and regulations? The Father in heaven’s relationship with the Israelites began in intimacy with their deliverance from Egyptian slavery. The Law, given at Mount Sinai, was given after the relationship with him was established. Grace came first. Then came the Law.

But instead of the Law being a means to an end, it became the end itself. Making sure no work was done on the Sabbath became more important than giving sight to a man born blind. The Jewish leaders failed to understand that the Sabbath was made for man—to help him worship God and rest—not man for the Sabbath. It was a gift from the Father.

How easy it is for this to happen to Jesus’ followers! He desires to enter into a personal, living, and dynamic relationship with you. He wants you to know him intimately and experience his great grace. Obedience to his Law flows from this relationship.

But some people continue to reduce his grace to rules and regulations. They form a spiritual checklist—Bible study, prayer, fasting, service, church attendance—check, check, check, check, check. Then they think they’ve been faithful.

How sad! A living relationship is reduced to a list of do’s and don’ts. Eventually your heart will harden. Your love will vanish like a vapor before the morning sun. A scowl will replace a smile. Your shoulders will become heavy and your heart weary. You will always wonder if you are ever doing enough to please the Lord.

Come to him today. Know how much he cares for you. Believe that his most important priority is a personal relationship with you. He is your friend. Know how much he loves you. In response, love him with all your heart, soul, mind, and might. Then love your neighbor as you love yourself.

Loving God and your neighbor is the encapsulation of all the Law. As you do these two things, you’ll discover a lifetime’s worth of work to do.

And your life will have meaning like never before.

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

Today’s Reading: John 9:18-23

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man and asked them, ‘Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?’”

* * * * *

Why is it so difficult for people to believe in Jesus? Why do they try to find every possible excuse to deny he can accomplish the impossible? Why do they keep seeking human reasons to explain away his miraculous power?

That’s what happened here after he healed the man born blind. The Jewish leaders wouldn’t accept the miracle. They went to the parents of the man to find out if he really had been born blind. They couldn’t accept that Jesus had given sight to a man born blind, a man who possessed a simple and obedient faith. That’s because they had no faith.

What is faith?

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. By faith, people believe that the Father in heaven created the world with a word. He made it from things not visible. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Whoever wants to have a deep faith must not only believe that he exists, but that he rewards those who diligently seek him.

Faith never looks at the size of the mountain in one’s path, but the size of the God who rules over all. And it’s not the size of your faith that’s important. If you have faith even the size of a mustard seed, you can say to a mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move.

Faith believes that all things are possible with God. It believes that the God who miraculously created the world can still do the miraculous to achieve his divine purposes.

Faith believes that the Father in heaven can create a dry path through a large sea, make the sun stand still, feed thousands with five loaves and two fish, calm a storm with a word, heal the blind and the lame, and raise someone from the dead.

Do you have this kind of faith? Diligently seek the Father in heaven. Believe in him. Believe also in Jesus.

Believe that the Father wants to give you good gifts. If earthly fathers, who are inherently evil, love to give good gifts to their children, how much more does the heavenly Father love to give good gifts to his children who totally trust him?

Speak to the mountains that hinder you about the greatness of your God. Tell them to dissolve into the heart of the sea. Stop permitting the size of life’s mountains to determine your life’s destination. Dismiss destructive doubt. Trust in the Lord’s miraculous power and realize that life’s most beautiful vistas are found at the top of the highest mountains.

He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in him, all those whose thoughts are fixed on him.¹

Today, believe that Jesus is able to do more than you could ever think or imagine.

All things are possible with God.

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