Not to think visually

"Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to met him" John 12:18

As I was reading about how Jesus entered Jerusalem after he had risen Nazareth from the tomb, this verse suddenly disturbed me. In our everyday life today, we continuously hear how faith is about believing in something without seeing that it is there. This is a very difficult concept for many people to understand in this time and age due to the ability for us to research, and understand multiple concepts, from simple things like gravity to the miracle of birth. 

This was interesting to me because it shows me that the people in the past also had the same difficulty. Even though God was literally in front of their eyes, they still needed the visual of seeing the miracles for themselves in order to believe in Jesus. Even after all his miracles. This makes me think that in the same way, Jesus and God is always there in front of us performing miracles to others and our friends, yet we still find it difficult to believe. Therefore, we just need to open our eyes, and understand that faith is not full of visual proof but the sole belief that he is living and within us as of right now. We need to know that God is alive and that he is helping us through the difficult times and we just need to reach out and accept him in our lives. 

Trusting

"Neither this man nor his parents sinned, said Jesus, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." John 9:3

This verse really spoke to me because I related it directly to my eye surgery. This verse was the same idea that popped into my head when I was going through the long and gruesome recovery period. I was able to get through that surgery because I thought God was using it as an opportunity to show me his power and it really did appear. This surgery really taught me that I'm not alone. I have God, my friends, and family. I rely on them to help me do things so i won't injury myself. I rely on them to give me strength. As I recovered I never realized how difficult it was to rely on others especially because I'm always trying my best to help others.  I need to realize how to take people's offers and their help without over judging and boosting about myself and how correct I am. 

God please help me remember that I'm not always right and that my knowledge solely comes from you and your gift to me. I need to know that I can't rely on myself and need to begin relying on others to help me complete my tasks and many other obstacles that I face. Help me start this by trusting others with their work and how they will contribute especially if it is a group project. 

Throw If You Dare

"If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." John 8:7

God is once again reminding us that we should not be fast to judge but to love one another as we love ourselves as well as to think before acting. Jesus says this statement in a way to get everyone around him to examine themselves and what they've done. We all know that no one is perfect and we all have sins within us. Therefore, what power do we have to judge another sinner as a sinner ourselves, to be worse? 

God indicates that all sin is equal and all and instead of judging another sinner, we should be helping our brothers and sisters stay away from sin and work together to prevail from sin and continue to strive towards God by building up our relationship with him. 

Hidden things already seen.

Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him" John 6:64

For Jesus already knew who was believing him and who was there just for free food, or to see him do miracles for them. This shows a characteristic of Jesus and of God. How they only want believers because the non-believers just walk away or attempt to take the most out of him. God knows when you believe and does not want useless arguments to people who do not believe that Jesus was the son of man. 

Eternal Bread

"you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the son of Man will give you." John 6:26-27

God explains here in an analogy that you shouldn't do things for worldly possessions or material items. He talks about how they spoil because they will never fully satisfy you or what you need such as happiness or any other hole you're trying to fill with these "foods" that you're purchasing. God explains that all you need to be satisfied is to go to him and to feast on him. This can be done by working for food that doesn't spoil. Meaning working for him. Working for him will provide eternal life that Jesus gives you. 

Grades are not Everything

"How did this man get such learning without having studied? Jesus answered, My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own." John 7:15-17

Even though this wasn't right after what I read yesterday, I actually thought I was reading accordingly to schedule. However, once I read this, I knew God was speaking to me.

By having trouble in making decisions in school. I've complained about my knowledge and how I don't study. This is exactly stated towards Jesus by a random person amazed by his knowledge. In the same way, I feel like people look at me as being smart. As pointed out by my friend, this is actually a gift from God and I didn't believe her words until I read this verse. 

I need to remember that everything I've learned, the ability to learn quickly and to have all this knowledge is because God has provided it to me. God gave me this brain and my body to give back to him. I need to remember that everything that comes from him is perfect and I should not worry about what my marks are and the outcome of them all. 

Play Of The Year

"Jesus knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself." John 6:15

As I continue reading through John, this verse stuck out to me when I was reading the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand. Jesus isn't afraid of showing his power given to him by God and to help people to the best of his ability. He showed off this amazing miracle to a wide audience of five thousand men not including the children, or women. 

I think the major reason that this verse stuck out to me was because after being the producer of such an amazing thing with a bunch of spectators, he did not want to boost, show off, or prove his power. He just isolated himself to humble himself and to give glory to God in anyway he can. I think that in the same way, I should apply this to my daily life of studies and sports. I always dream of doing amazing on tests, by sounding smart, helping others. I also dream of catching the last goal or doing major highlight reels during sport games. However, I need to remember and realize that all this is for God and its through God that I'm capable of such actions. Next time I have success, I need to isolate myself pray and give glory to God.