Apicontent

Today’s Reading: John 7:1-9

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Now the Feast of Booths was at hand. So his brothers said to him, ‘Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.’ For not even his brothers believed in him. Jesus said to them, ‘My time has not yet come, your time is always here.’”

* * * * *

Jesus had earthly brothers and sisters. He was the firstborn in his family. His brothers and sisters grew up with him. They knew him. But they did not understand his mission on earth and why his Father sent him here.

The Feast of Booths in Jerusalem was a time of year when thousands of faithful Jews would come to Jerusalem to celebrate God’s faithfulness while they were wandering in the wilderness. Jesus’ brothers saw this time as an opportunity to increase his popularity and gain an even larger following. “You need a brand, a platform, to increase your followers,” they were saying.

That’s how the world thinks. It wants celebrities. But Jesus came to serve. His path is one of a suffering servant. His way to change the world is not through you being a celebrity, but a servant. It’s when you are humble that the Father lifts you up.

Jesus steadfastly refused to think in the way his brothers did. That’s why he said, “My time has not yet come.” He would not be manipulated by their worldly thinking. He reminded them that the time to die on the cross had not yet arrived. That time was solely in the hands of his Father in heaven. It was not yet the Father’s will for him to publicly go to Jerusalem.

Please understand this truth: When you give your life to Jesus, everything is under the sovereign timing of the Father. There is a time, season, and purpose for everything under the sun. God is the unseen Seer. He oversees all. Nothing is beyond his control—especially your life.

Are you waiting patiently for something today? Is there a promise you feel you’ve received from the Father that hasn’t yet happened? Don’t give up. Continue to wait patiently for the answer at God’s appointed time. Strength arises within you when you wait on the Father’s perfect timing.

As you wait, feel the Father lift you up like the wind under an eagle’s wings. Feel him lifting you higher and higher—to the heavens before his throne. You will run and not become weary. You will walk and not faint.

Don’t give up your dreams. Keep persevering. If the Father has given it to you, he cannot lie. Therefore, your dreams cannot die.

There is purpose in the waiting. There is a plan. There is a time and season for your promise to be fulfilled.

Wait patiently in faith.

Your answer could be just a short time away!

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

Today’s Reading: John 7:10-24

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.”

* * * * *

If your will is to absolutely do the Father’s will, you will know who Jesus is. You will know that his teachings are true. You will know that he doesn’t speak on his own authority, but by the authority of the one who sent him.

Or do you seek your own glory in life? Do you speak with your own authoritative opinions—ones ensnarled in nothing but your own perspectives? If so, you will never know that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. You will never know the glory of the Father revealed in him.

The Father alone is worthy of all praise. Through him alone you live and move and have your being. He will not share his glory with any frail, fallen, and feeble human being.

If you believe in Jesus, you will desire to obey him. If you love him, you will obey his commandments. In your head and heart, you will know that he is God’s Son who came to forgive the sins of the world— and your personal sins. Obedience to his teachings will be the proof of your love for and commitment to him.

Obey the Lord today. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. But also remember: All your life choices greatly affect who you are and the person you will become.

Why do you make certain choices? Are they motivated by your feelings? Or by your circumstances? These things are fleeting and transitory. They change by the moment. If your feelings or circumstances determine your choices, you are most likely seeking your own glory and not the Father’s.

Or is culture influencing your decisions? Don’t rely on it. It is always changing as well. It shifts with the whims and fancies of the masses. It’s nuanced by negativism. It’s driven by the cult of personality. It focuses on self-fulfillment.

Rather, trust the immutable Father of the universe. He never changes. Obey based on who Jesus is and what he says. His authority comes from heaven. What he commands you to do is rooted in the changeless principles of a changeless God.

When you obey Jesus’ commands, you are doing his will. It proves you believe he is the truth. It proves you love him. It shows you have wholeheartedly made him Lord of your life.

Follow all that Jesus teaches you. When you do, it proves you belong to him.

It also gives the Father in heaven all the honor, glory, and praise— from this day forth and for all eternity.

Glorify him. Enjoy him forever.

This is your chief reason for living.

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

Today’s Reading: John 7:25-31

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, ‘You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.’”

* * * * *

People often assume they know more about Jesus than they do. They’ve never taken the time to explore what he has actually claimed. Subsequently, they make wild, audacious statements about him that are far from true.

As Jesus taught in the Temple, some Jews did the same thing. They thought they knew his identity—especially the specifics about where he was from. They concluded the Messiah could not have Jesus’ background.

They failed to realize Jesus’ true home. He was sent from heaven. He didn’t come on his own accord. He was asked by his Father to leave the splendor of heaven and come to the squalor of this world.

Do you know why Jesus was sent? He became a baby in a manger to live the righteous life you can’t live because of your sin. He was sent to die a hideous death you should have died. He took your shame upon himself and gave you his righteousness—all a gift by grace through faith—rooted in the Father’s love for you.

Jesus knows the Father. He came from him. The Father alone sent the Son.

And Jesus gladly obeyed—so that you could be forgiven of your sins and have an intimate, personal, and dynamic relationship with him forever. It was for love—for you—that he came.

Do you know the extent of Jesus’ abiding love for you? If you feel any condemnation, it’s not from him. How could he die for you and then condemn you? How could he justify you, declaring you not guilty before the Father, and make accusation against you? How could he offer incessant intercession for you and prosecute you at the same time? It’s implausible and makes no sense.

If you feel condemnation, it’s from the enemy. He is the accuser of those who believe in Jesus. He wants to paralyze you with guilt. He desires to put you on the sidelines of life with a spiritual ACL injury. He hopes to paralyze your Christian walk.

There is no condemnation for those who know Jesus’ love. None. Don’t listen to those voices of accusation in your mind. They are not from Jesus. He is for you—on your side!

No shadow of shame ever darkens the face of God’s people. Those who look to him are free from guilt and are radiant with joy. God forgives wickedness and never again remembers sin.

God loves you. You are his. Nothing can ever separate you from his love. It is secure.

He said so.

And God speaks nothing but the truth.

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

Today’s Reading: John 7:32-36

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Jesus then said, ‘I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. You will see me, and you will not find me. Where I am you cannot come.’”

* * * * *

There is an old saying: “If you don’t like the message, kill the messenger.” That was the position of the chief priests and Pharisees— those who represented the ruling body of the Jews, called the Sanhedrin. After hearing Jesus’ teachings, they desired to arrest and kill him.

Jesus knew what would happen next. The Temple guard would attempt to arrest him. But they would not find him. His time to be arrested and die on the cross had not yet come.

When Jesus said, “Where I am you cannot come,” he was alluding to his future ascension. After his death and resurrection, he would return to his Father in heaven. He would sit at the Father’s right hand— having been given all power and authority to rule over the universe. From this position of power, Jesus will one day return to judge the living and the dead. He will give eternal life to some, and eternal condemnation to others.

Jesus was saying that when he ascended to heaven, he was going to a place where the chief priests couldn’t follow him. They didn’t believe in him. They wanted to kill him! How could people who wanted to kill him inherit the gift of eternal life? They couldn’t.

If you believe in Jesus, you have eternal life. It’s a free gift guaranteed to you—by grace through faith alone. Good works cannot earn this gift. You can never do enough good works to please the Father. That’s why Jesus needed to take the excruciating punishment of your sins upon himself and give you his righteousness.

Some call this “the great exchange.” You received the much better end of the deal. Jesus received your guilt, blame, shame, and punishment. You then received his forgiveness, grace, mercy, and kindness. He never remembers your sin. You also get to go to heaven. All this is given to you as a free gift. It is undeserved and unmerited.

Why would Jesus do this for you? Because of his love for you, and because he wants you to live in the power of his grace. When you receive his unconditional love, your life is forever changed. You start desiring to live how he wants you to live. Your life starts to reflect Jesus’ in and through you. You begin to be conformed to his image.

Live in that love today. Be consumed by his unconditional grace. Grab hold of it tenaciously. Make his grace your heart’s lifeline.

And know the truth that if you believe in him, you will go to the place where he is. Heaven will be your home.

If it weren’t so, Jesus wouldn’t have promised it to you.

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

Today’s Reading: John 7:37-39

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Jesus stood up and cried out, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”’ Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”

* * * * *

Jesus is the source of all life, and he is the one who continues to give you a meaningful life.

Once he has placed his Spirit in you, you will never thirst again. Anyone who believes in him receives the gift of his inward presence through the Spirit. When you come and drink from him, he will forever satisfy every one of your longings.

This belief is not mere intellectual assent. Rather, it is an inextricable, life-giving, eternal reality—an eternal connection between you and Jesus. He lives in you. You live in him. He is your source of life and hope. Daily, you drink from him and his grace, love, mercy, and kindness. Whatever is happening to you, you first come to him and drink from his life. And he will satisfy the deepest longings of your eternal soul.

That’s why you need a daily time with him. It is essential for your health.

The living water from which you drink is inexhaustible. It flows from deep within your heart. Please note it “flows.” It’s not a trickle or a little stream. It gushes forth with grace. It’s a flood of God’s favor. It’s living water—not stagnant or brackish. It is pure, fresh, and flowing. No germs or parasites can live in it. When you drink of it, you receive abundant life.

If you feel heavy-laden by any burdens today, give them all to Jesus—all of them. Drink from him. Don’t continue to hold on to even one problem or concern.

Make sure you are connected to the Spirit, who lives in you. He is your life source—living deep inside you. He connects you to Jesus. As you remain in him, fruitfulness flows from your life. Your character is changed. God’s righteousness is evident. Your transformed life glorifies the Father in heaven.

Let the Spirit’s inward water give life to your dry soul. Let him bring comfort when you face discouragement. Have hope in your heart. He promises his presence.

Then his love will replace apathy. Forgiveness will replace bitterness. Patience will replace anger. Kindness will replace criticism. Gentleness will replace pride. Joy will replace discouragement. Courage will replace timidity. Faith will replace fear. Hope will replace despair. Peace will replace anxiety. Self-control will replace self-indulgence. Collaboration will replace strife. Your focus will be on others, not yourself.

And the Lord’s streams of living water will forever flow in you. He will give you moral excellence, which will lead to knowledge. This knowledge will produce self-control, which will lead to patient endurance. This patient endurance gives godliness, and godliness leads to brotherly affection. And brotherly affection produces love for everyone.

Jesus’ living water produces all these wonderful qualities. And he is calling you to give his living water to a dying, parched world that desperately needs it.

That’s one of the key reasons the Lord created you.

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

Today’s Reading: John 7:40-52

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, ‘Why did you not bring him?’ The officers answered, ‘No one ever spoke like this man.’”

* * * * *

The Temple police had been deployed by the chief priests and Pharisees to arrest Jesus. Upon their return, they were questioned why they had not arrested him.

Their response is telling and profound: “No one ever spoke like this man!”

What they said was true. No human had ever taught like Jesus did. They can’t. No other person in history has been fully divine and fully human at the same time. Because Jesus was divine, when he spoke, he did so with the authority of his Father in heaven. He was giving insights from him. He spoke with perfect truth and wisdom.

That was what the officers heard. That’s why they were confounded and couldn’t arrest him. His teachings pointed to his true identity. Deep inside, they knew they couldn’t arrest God in human flesh.

As you take time to carefully read Jesus’ teachings, they will become indelibly etched in your soul. You will sense God’s authority speaking to you. You will experience his goodness. Similarly, you will feel your total depravity—how much you’ve hurt God’s heart. Recognize the cry of your soul: “I need a Savior.” Jesus is that Savior.

See yourself as a lost sheep who has wandered away from the rest of the herd. Yet you are still precious to Jesus. He would have left heaven and died for you even if you were the only person on earth.

See yourself as the rebellious son wallowing in a pigsty. You’ve made a mess of your life. See yourself as being awakened to your hideous condition and wanting to go home. See yourself as one being welcomed home by an unconditionally loving Father in heaven—with a smile on his face and his arms opened wide toward you.

See yourself as the pearl of great price being purchased by a merchant no matter what the cost. You are that pearl. See yourself as a hidden treasure covered in a field. Jesus has found you. Now he gives everything, even his life, to own you. Jesus was willing to go to any extreme to purchase your freedom from sin. In fact, he died on a cross to own you! That’s the extent of his love for you.

Jesus’ love for you could not be greater. He rescued you from the kingdom of darkness and transferred you into his kingdom of light. He purchased your freedom and forgave your sins. You now stand before him blameless, without a single fault. His teachings should overwhelm your heart with how much he cares for you.

No one has ever taught like Jesus.

That’s because there has never been one like Jesus.

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

Today’s Reading: John 6:35-40

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.’”

* * * * *

Every faithful Jew would know the significance of Jesus’ “I am” statements. When Moses was called by God to deliver the Israelites from the bondage of Egyptian slavery, he asked God to give him his name so he could tell the Egyptians who was sending him. God responded, “I am who I am.” It was God’s holy name that all Jews sacredly honored for centuries. It was considered so holy that faithful Jews didn’t think it should be uttered.

When Jesus used the “I am” phrase, it was a clear reference to his identity. More specifically, when he said, “I am the bread of life,” he was saying that he alone is the one who can fill the hunger of the human heart.

Jesus nourishes people spiritually. When literal bread is eaten, eventually your hunger returns. But when you ingest Jesus and invite him to live in and with you, he offers a spiritual sustenance that satisfies your soul forever. You will never hunger again. You are eternally satisfied when you hunger and thirst for righteousness.

How do you receive this spiritual food? By believing in him. Believe he is who he says he is. What are your options? Was he a liar? That’s impossible. He is perfect truth. Was he crazy? There is nothing crazy about anything Jesus teaches. His words give sanity to the despairing.

If Jesus is not lying or crazy, what other option is there? He is who he says he is. He is the bread of life. He is God in human flesh. If you partake of his life in you, you are forever satisfied. Your soul will be nourished forever.

God’s Word is true. It gives wise advice for everyday living. It should comfort you. It gives light so that even the simple can understand it. It is more desirable than fine gold, even the finest gold. It is sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. It warns us of potential danger. There is great reward for those who obey it.

Don’t live solely by the bread of this world. It is transient. It won’t last. Rather, live by every word that proceeds from the Lord’s mouth.

Then you’ll experience life as he intended it to be lived. You will know the depth, width, and height of his grace for you. You will experience his inexpressible joy inside your heart. His peace that passes all understanding will be yours. The pressures of life will be moderated. His kindness will consume you. Your decisions that you make throughout the day will be his decisions.

Feast upon Jesus today.

He is your personal bread of life—today and forever.

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

Today’s Reading: John 6:25-34

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“Jesus answered him, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’”

* * * * *

Jesus had just told his listeners that they should not labor for food that doesn’t last. Their life’s focus should not be on things that are temporary and have no eternal value. Their eyes should be fixed on heaven, not on the things of this world.

But they completely misunderstood what he was saying. They wanted him to show them certain works that they could do so they could possess eternal life. That’s called self-righteousness. Humans desire to know and obey laws that make them righteous in the Father’s eyes.

Jesus told them this eternal truth: The one work that the Father requires for people to be declared righteous is to believe in him. You are to believe that he died on the cross for the forgiveness of your sin. The one work required to enter heaven is to trust in his completed work on the cross. That’s all that is needed.

But your faith in the cross is a very hard work to do. Why? You have never seen Jesus, yet you are still called to believe in him. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Without faith, it is tacitly impossible to please him.

This kind of faith is especially challenging when life makes no sense. It’s very difficult to continue to believe in the Lord when pain increases and you can’t see your next step. It’s hard when you feel betrayed, unloved, and deserted and you want to give up on life. It’s hard to believe when life gets challenging.

But that’s what Jesus calls you to do. He asks you to follow him by faith, not sight. He asks you to love him though you’ve never seen him. He asks you to trust that he is with you always, even when the next step cannot be seen.

Real faith demands you lean on him in complete dependence no matter what. It believes he will lift you out of the pit of despair.

Jesus loves great faith. It pleases him when you believe he can do the impossible. He loves when you trust him in everything that’s happening— especially when it’s difficult.

Jesus knows you face some days when you feel as if you are drowning. He realizes there are times when you want to give up. When that happens, trust him. Fight the fight of faith. He will help you to keep moving forward. His power works best in your weakness. Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or discouraged. He will be with you wherever you go.

Yes, it’s a very broken world in which you live. Jesus suffered in it as well. But rejoice! He has overcome the world. He is your strength and shield. Yield your life to him alone. Let him be your life’s desire. Believe that the more you suffer, the more he showers his comfort on you. Choose to worship him in the tough times.

Work hard to believe in him, even when it’s difficult to do so.

It’s the only work necessary to inherit eternal life.

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

Today’s Reading: John 5:25-36

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.”

* * * * *

Reflect on this truth today: Jesus can do nothing on his own. He is totally dependent on the Father and his strength.

Think about this reality. Jesus was completely connected to his Father and daily needed his strength as he lived on earth. So do you as you are connected to Jesus on a daily basis. Apart from him, you can do nothing. Connected to him, you can do all things.

The Father has given the Son full authority over all humanity. It is Jesus’ responsibility to judge all humans. He alone holds the power to give eternal life and death. His judgment is perfect in every way. This is because he seeks first and solely the will of his Father in heaven. He was the one who sent him. He and the Father are one.

God is your source of life. In him, you live and move and have your being. He has guaranteed to you the gift of eternal life.

Today, be still and know that Jesus is your God. He is the one who created you. You are his, the sheep of his pasture. Remain totally in him. Rest completely in him. Don’t find your life’s meaning or strength in anything or anyone else. From him alone you will find your strength and hope.

Don’t seek your own will. Seek first his kingdom. Desire his will— with all your heart, soul, mind, and might. Trust him with all the secondary and tertiary issues in your life.

They are not unimportant to him. He knows your needs. Just seek him first. Your needs will be met.

Listen to the Lord’s voice today. He will guide you. Go to where he tells you to go. Feel his promptings to touch another person in your sphere of influence with his love. Go find a hurt and heal it. Go find a need and fill it.

Walk in his grace. Be his hands and feet today. Let his life flow through you to others—as his Father’s life flowed through him to you and others who believe in him.

Don’t you see? This is Jesus’ will for your life each day. He wants you to be an instrument of his healing and peace to the world. He wants you to help him advance his kingdom on earth.

Will you let him lead you? To those who are faithful to what he gives them, he will give even more responsibility.

Through him, you will find the strength to do all things.

That’s because nothing is impossible for those who believe in him and are totally connected to him.

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

Today’s Reading: John 5:37-47

Hearing God’s Voice for Today:

“If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote of me.”

* * * * *

The Jews of Jesus’ day believed that Moses wrote the Law. From Genesis to Deuteronomy, they trusted that Moses faithfully wrote the words of God. One would assume that if they believed Moses’ words, they would have eagerly received Jesus’ words—since his words come from the Father as well.

But they did not. Therefore, they must not have believed Moses’ words to be from God. Otherwise, they would have believed Jesus’ words.

Moses wrote over and over again about Jesus. When he pointed to the coming great prophet, he was referring to Jesus (Deuteronomy 18:15). He is that great prophet. Moses wrote about the high priest alone having access to the Father on behalf of the Jews (Leviticus 8–10). Jesus is that high priest for humanity. Moses wrote about the perfect lamb sacrificed to take away Israel’s sins (Leviticus 9:1-10). Jesus is that perfect Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Moses served as the one mediator between God and the children of Israel (Exodus 33:12-15). Jesus is now the one true Mediator who stands between the Father and the sins of humanity.

In one of his resurrection appearances, Jesus walked with two forlorn disciples on the road to Emmaus. During this long walk, he took them through the entire Old Testament and showed them all the passages that pointed to himself—including Moses’ writings. Their eyes were opened. Their hearts were strangely stirred. They realized it was Jesus who was walking with them.

Today, please read the Old Testament. It is the Word of God. You will find Jesus all through its pages.

As you read, you will see the Father’s plan for salvation unfold over the course of history. He oversaw every single second of Israel’s history. He was controlling every event for his purposes. There was an obvious and perfect plan being worked out. This plan finds its fulfillment in Jesus.

If you love Jesus, you are a part of salvation history as well. The Father oversees everything that is happening in your story. Your story is a part of his story.

There is no cosmic chaos. There is omniscient oversight. God is in control. He loves you. He has a perfect plan. You are a part of that plan. He has chosen you to do something only you can do. That’s your purpose in life.

Read Jesus’ Word every chance you get. It will be a lamp to your feet and a light for your path. It will give you wise counsel. Your eyes will be opened to new instruction.

See Jesus in the pages of the Bible. It all points to him. He is the hero of the Bible.

He wants to be your hero. Let him lead your life.

And you will see your story being lived out in God’s greater story.

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