John 3:10-16

Unless we are born again in the Spirit of God we cannot enter heaven. From the time that we first believed in the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the sins of mankind and in His resurrection from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit we are born anew. We are no longer slaves to sin but love slaves of our risen Savior.

Christ in us the hope of glory!

Jesus can attest to both worldly and heavenly truths, but Nicodemus needs to be willing to accept His witness.This verse presents a concise summary of the gospel message, tying the events of Jesus’ death to God’s love for the world He created. The statement is remarkable in its depiction of divine care for the entire world—not just His chosen people, Israel. Faithlife Bible.

Nicodemus, referring to the new birth, asks, “How can these things be?” Here Jesus answers the question. New birth is by the Son, by the Cross, and by faith. When a person trusts Christ, he or she is born again and receives eternal and spiritual life, God’s kind of life.

God’s love is not restricted to any one nation or to any spiritual elite. NKJ Bible.

John 3:10–16 (NKJV)

¹⁰ Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? ¹¹ Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. ¹² If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? ¹³ No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. ¹⁴ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵ that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Numbers 21:9 (NKJV)

⁹ So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.

Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)

⁶ For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Matthew 11:27 (NKJV)

²⁷ All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

Matthew 26:12-18

Each created being comes to earth for a purpose. 

We are created in His image to bring the light of Christ to this world. As our truth is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit it is to be shared so that those whom we come into contact with have the opportunity to hear the truth. God wants no one to perish but all to be given the chance to spend eternity with Him. He loves us so!

Like a stubborn animal attempting to fight the sticks used as prods, Paul cannot succeed in fighting against God. Faithlife Bible.

In Rom. 12:2, Paul speaks of the “renewing of your mind.” We do what we think is best, what makes sense to us. Paul was killing Christians because he thought it was the correct course of action. Christ’s revelation changed his thoughts, but his preaching of the Good News was visible proof that he had repented of his former ways. Genuine repentance is evidenced by changed behavior. NKJ Bible.

Acts 26:12–18 (NKJV)

¹² “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, ¹³ at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. ¹⁴ And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ ¹⁵ So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. ¹⁶ But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. ¹⁷ I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, ¹⁸ to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

Isaiah 42:16 (NKJV)

¹⁶ I will bring the blind by a way they did not know;

I will lead them in paths they have not known.

I will make darkness light before them,

And crooked places straight.

These things I will do for them,

And not forsake them.

Luke 1:77 (NKJV)

⁷⁷ To give knowledge of salvation to His people

By the remission of their sins,

Luke 1:79 (NKJV)

⁷⁹ To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,

To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Matthew 18:32-35

“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

No matter the depth of our sins by asking for His forgiveness and in forgiving those who caused us pain there is hope. Jesus died for all of our sins. His sinless life given in exchange for ours enables us to change, precept by precept, into the one God created us to be. Change is not easy but a renewed mind and a new heart…those are the gifts He gives to those who choose to believe in Him. 

We can do nothing to earn His salvation but the blood of the Lamb will change us. He will not leave us as He found us. 

To God be all the glory!

Since God has lavishly forgiven Jesus’ disciples, they should continuously extend that same forgiveness. Faithlife Bible.

This verse is a warning about the penalty for not forgiving others. All of a Christian’s sins are forgiven and forgotten forever. But this parable illustrates the Christian duty to forgive others. If our forgiveness should be in direct proportion to the incredible amount that we have been forgiven, then we must always be willing to forgive. NKJ Bible.

Matthew 18:32–35 (NKJV)

³² Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. ³³ Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ ³⁴ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

³⁵ “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

Luke 7:42 (NKJV)

⁴² And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?”

Luke 10:29-37

Love God above EVERYTHING and care for your neighbor as much as you do yourself. Luke 10:27 provides the blueprint for our way of life here on earth. It is the hardest lesson we will learn!

We need to relearn the way of peace!

Jesus’ parable prompts the lawyer to consider what it means to be a neighbor to someone rather than how to identify who is to be considered a neighbor. This exchange is similar to Jesus’ earlier conversation with Simon the Pharisee. Jesus’ response implies that all people are to be treated as neighbors—with mercy and compassion. Faithlife Bible.

This question was an attempt to limit the demands of the Law by suggesting that some people are neighbors while others are not. The lawyer was looking for minimal obedience while Jesus was looking for absolute obedience.

The central issue is not determining who one’s neighbor is, but being a good neighbor to all.

Luke 10:29–37 (NKJV)

²⁹ But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

³⁰ Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. ³¹ Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. ³² Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. ³³ But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. ³⁴ So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. ³⁵ On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ ³⁶ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”

³⁷ And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Proverbs 14:21 (NKJV)

²¹ He who despises his neighbor sins;

But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.

Acts 13:42-48

Just B.E.L.I.E.V.E. and let the Holy Spirit of the living God heal you in giving you a new heart and a renewed mind.

Faith alone pleases the Father!

Paul acknowledges that because the Jews were chosen by Yahweh and had unique promises from Him, they had to be presented the gospel first. Faithlife Bible.

When Luke refers to the Jews, he is not speaking of all Jews. The Jews mentioned who were urging Paul and Barnabas “to continue in the grace of God,” honestly wanted to know the truth. The Jews in this verse were the Jewish leaders, those in the positions of religious authority. When the Jewish leaders saw the crowds following Paul, they changed their minds about Paul and became filled with jealousy, especially since many of the people who had gathered were Jews. 

 A person who convinces himself that he does not need forgiveness from the Holy One has already condemned himself. NKJ Bible.

Acts 13:42–48 (NKJV)

⁴² So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. ⁴³ Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

⁴⁴ On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. ⁴⁵ But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. ⁴⁶ Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷ For so the Lord has commanded us:

‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,

That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

⁴⁸ Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

Isaiah 42:6 (NKJV)

⁶ “I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness,

And will hold Your hand;

I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people,

As a light to the Gentiles,

Isaiah 49:6 (NKJV)

⁶ Indeed He says,

‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant

To raise up the tribes of Jacob,

And to restore the preserved ones of Israel;

I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles,

That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

Matthew 24:45-51

Love God with everything within you and bless His holy name by showing His love and caring to all His creation…love others as He has loved you!!!

Help me to do what is right in Your eyes not mine!

People living in the tribulation must be alert. They should prepare for the return of Christ. The faithful and wise servant will be given more responsibilities in the Lord’s kingdom. NKJ Bible.

Matthew 24:45–51 (NKJV)

⁴⁵ “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? ⁴⁶ Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. ⁴⁷ Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. ⁴⁸ But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ ⁴⁹ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, ⁵⁰ the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, ⁵¹ and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 25:23 (NKJV)

²³ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

Hosea 2:14-20

God is always good, merciful and kind. He is faithful when we are not and will draw us to Him even when we stray far from Him. We are safe…loved and protected!

I love you!

The Hebrew text, my husband, can literally be rendered “my man.” In Hebrew, a woman’s husband can be described as her man. The verse contrasts this term with the Hebrew word ba’al, meaning “lord” or “master,” which also can refer to a woman’s husband. Faithlife Bible.

Having separated Israel from her lovers, the Lord would seek to win her back by making romantic overtures and wooing her with tender words of love.

Israel would call the Lord her Husband, not her Master, because the latter title might have reminded the people of their former devotion to Baal. The word Baal can mean “Master.” The Lord emphasized that the new marriage between Himself and Israel would be permanent. Israel would respond positively to the Lord’s love and acknowledge that He is her husband and benefactor.

Hosea 2:14-20

God’s Mercy on His People

¹⁴ “Therefore, behold, I will allure her,

Will bring her into the wilderness,

And speak comfort to her.

¹⁵ I will give her her vineyards from there,

And the Valley of Achor as a door of hope;

She shall sing there,

As in the days of her youth,

As in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt.

¹⁶ “And it shall be, in that day,”

Says the Lord,

“That you will call Me ‘My Husband,’

And no longer call Me ‘My Master,’

¹⁷ For I will take from her mouth the names of the Baals,

And they shall be remembered by their name no more.

¹⁸ In that day I will make a covenant for them

With the beasts of the field,

With the birds of the air,

And with the creeping things of the ground.

Bow and sword of battle I will shatter from the earth,

To make them lie down safely.

¹⁹ “I will betroth you to Me forever;

Yes, I will betroth you to Me

In righteousness and justice,

In lovingkindness and mercy;

²⁰ I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness,

And you shall know the Lord.

Jeremiah 23:6 (NKJV)

⁶ In His days Judah will be saved,

And Israel will dwell safely;

Now this is His name by which He will be called:

THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS

Ezekiel 34:25 (NKJV)

²⁵ “I will make a covenant of peace with them, and cause wild beasts to cease from the land; and they will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.

Ezekiel 9:9-11

In God’s timing evil will be done away with permanently. We are living in a period of grace. God wants no man to perish. We live in evil times where innocent blood is being shed.

We need to spread the good news of the love of God in the person of Jesus Christ in the time that is left.

The guilt of the house of Israel and Judah God can no longer delay punishment for Israel. His justice requires judgment. Faithlife Bible.

Three reasons are given as to why the nation deserved this terrible outpouring of God’s wrath—serious and undeniable (1) iniquity, or guilt of sinful offenses; (2) bloodshed, or violence; and (3) perversity, or more precisely injustice. 

The people and especially rich rulers willfully chose to believe that God did not see or care what injustices went on. NKJ Bible.

Ezekiel 9:9–11 (NKJV)

⁹ Then He said to me, “The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great, and the land is full of bloodshed, and the city full of perversity; for they say, ‘The Lord has forsaken the land, and the Lord does not see!’ ¹⁰ And as for Me also, My eye will neither spare, nor will I have pity, but I will recompense their deeds on their own head.”

¹¹ Just then, the man clothed with linen, who had the inkhorn at his side, reported back and said, “I have done as You commanded me.”

2 Kings 21:16 (NKJV)

¹⁶ Moreover Manasseh shed very much innocent blood, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another, besides his sin by which he made Judah sin, in doing evil in the sight of the Lord.

Isaiah 29:15 (NKJV)

¹⁵ Woe to those who seek deep to hide their counsel far from the Lord,

And their works are in the dark;

They say, “Who sees us?” and, “Who knows us?”

Romans11:36

In Christ and in the unity of the Holy Spirit our minds are renewed and we are being made whole in His image.

We are refections of His glory.

The creatures must remain dependent on the Creator. They have no right to assume His role as Creator or judge; they do not even have anything to offer God that He might need. In light of His greatness, all humanity must recognize His mercy, which He demonstrated by offering Christ so that all who believe may be saved. Faithlife Bible.

God is the source, means, and end of all things. He is the Creator, Sustainer, and the goal of everything. Therefore He should be praised and glorified forever. NKJ Bible.

Romans 11:36 (NKJV)

³⁶ For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

1 Corinthians 8:6 (NKJV)

⁶ yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

Hebrews 13:21 (NKJV)

²¹ make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

1 Corinthians 11:12 (NKJV)

¹² For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God.

Colossians 1:16 (NKJV)

¹⁶ For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

Acts 27:13-26

In the midst of our trials and temptations is our God. He is there to guide us into His will in any situation…we only need to invite Him into it! In Him we find peace! 

In Him all things will work out for our good and the good of His Body, the Church!

Paul had said the conditions could result in the loss of life, but God has now revealed to him that no one will die. Faithlife Bible.

Paul had been given absolute assurance by the all-powerful and all-knowing God that no one would be lost on the ship. Yet Paul warned that if the sailors were successful in escaping from the ship, the Roman soldiers would lose their lives. Because of Paul’s comments, the soldiers stopped the sailors from leaving the ship and everyone made it ashore alive. God fulfilled His purpose and promise through the warnings of Paul and the choices of the soldiers. NKJ Bible.

Acts 27:13–26 (NKJV)

¹³ When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. ¹⁴ But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon. ¹⁵ So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. ¹⁶ And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. ¹⁷ When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven. ¹⁸ And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. ¹⁹ On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands. ²⁰ Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.

²¹ But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. ²² And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. ²³ For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, ²⁴ saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ ²⁵ Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. ²⁶ However, we must run aground on a certain island.”

Jonah 1:5 (NKJV)

⁵ Then the mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, and threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep.