September 16 - The Significance of Jesus at Cana
#LifeOfChrist
“On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding” (John 2:1–2).
A wedding was a major social event in first-century Palestine, and the ensuing celebration could last as long as a week. It marked the culmination of the betrothal period, which often lasted for several months. The couple was considered legally man and wife during their betrothal period. They did not, however, live together or consummate the marriage during that time (cf. Matt. 1:18). On the night of the ceremony, the groom and his friends would go to the bride’s house. They would then escort her and her attendants to the groom’s house, where the ceremony and banquet would be held.
John states that a particular wedding was held in Cana. That both Jesus and His mother attended suggests the wedding involved relatives or friends of the family.
By attending this wedding and performing His first miracle there, Jesus sanctified both the institution of marriage and the ceremony itself. Marriage is the sacred union of a man and a woman whereby they become one in the sight of God. The ceremony is an essential element of that union, because that’s when the couple publicly vow to remain faithful to each other.
That Jesus attended the celebration also reveals the marked difference between His ministry and that of John the Baptist. Instead of being a voice in the wilderness, Jesus had the more difficult task of mingling with the crowds and ministering to them in their daily existence.
Ask Yourself
Does your faith travel with you into social settings like this? When your time is your own, when the conversation is light, when you feel a long way from the workweek or the usual pressures of life, are you still looking for opportunities to be used of God and helpful to others?
#LifeOfChrist
“On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding” (John 2:1–2).
A wedding was a major social event in first-century Palestine, and the ensuing celebration could last as long as a week. It marked the culmination of the betrothal period, which often lasted for several months. The couple was considered legally man and wife during their betrothal period. They did not, however, live together or consummate the marriage during that time (cf. Matt. 1:18). On the night of the ceremony, the groom and his friends would go to the bride’s house. They would then escort her and her attendants to the groom’s house, where the ceremony and banquet would be held.
John states that a particular wedding was held in Cana. That both Jesus and His mother attended suggests the wedding involved relatives or friends of the family.
By attending this wedding and performing His first miracle there, Jesus sanctified both the institution of marriage and the ceremony itself. Marriage is the sacred union of a man and a woman whereby they become one in the sight of God. The ceremony is an essential element of that union, because that’s when the couple publicly vow to remain faithful to each other.
That Jesus attended the celebration also reveals the marked difference between His ministry and that of John the Baptist. Instead of being a voice in the wilderness, Jesus had the more difficult task of mingling with the crowds and ministering to them in their daily existence.
Ask Yourself
Does your faith travel with you into social settings like this? When your time is your own, when the conversation is light, when you feel a long way from the workweek or the usual pressures of life, are you still looking for opportunities to be used of God and helpful to others?
“When the Lord has finished all his work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, he will punish the speech of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria and the boastful look in his eyes.” Isaiah 10:12
The Lord hates arrogance.
Democrat and Republican.
Conservative and liberal.
Rich and poor.
The Lord hates arrogance.
Democrat and Republican.
Conservative and liberal.
Rich and poor.
❤3
The rapture of the church is a coming reality, and before the antichrist steps onto the stage.
❤4😁1🎄1
“We are God’s house, if indeed we hold fast the confidence and boast of our hope.” Hebrews 3:6
Future faithfulness confirms present reality.
“We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” Hebrews 3:14
Future faithfulness confirms present reality.
“We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” Hebrews 3:14
❤7🥰1
If you have scripture in your social media profile, but you also list your "preferred pronouns"... It makes it appear that you don’t actually believe Scripture, but cave to cultural pressure.
You don't have "preferred pronouns". You are who God says, not what you "prefer".
For witness sake... Time to remove them. No one is playing the silly pronoun game anymore.
You don't have "preferred pronouns". You are who God says, not what you "prefer".
For witness sake... Time to remove them. No one is playing the silly pronoun game anymore.
❤3
September 16 (Wednesday)
Dear Daughter,
Love, joy, peace, patience — the fruit does not grow one at a time on separate branches. One Spirit, one harvest, many flavors.
If patience is growing in your marriage, watch — kindness and gentleness are usually not far behind. Fruit clusters.
Growth in one area often unlocks another.
'The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…' (Gal 5:22-23).
Which fruit is growing in your marriage right now that you hadn't noticed?
#DearDaughter #FruitClusters #StrongMarriage
Dear Daughter,
Love, joy, peace, patience — the fruit does not grow one at a time on separate branches. One Spirit, one harvest, many flavors.
If patience is growing in your marriage, watch — kindness and gentleness are usually not far behind. Fruit clusters.
Growth in one area often unlocks another.
'The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…' (Gal 5:22-23).
Which fruit is growing in your marriage right now that you hadn't noticed?
#DearDaughter #FruitClusters #StrongMarriage
❤2
For the life of the flesh, is in the blood.
Leviticus 17:11
Blood is connected to life, thank You Lord, for the atonement at the Cross.
Leviticus 17:11
Blood is connected to life, thank You Lord, for the atonement at the Cross.
❤2
Sep 16 (Wed)
Serve like Christ served! 🧺❤️ Wash a metaphorical foot today — do the small, humble thing! John 13:14-15 🌿
What can you do quietly today? #StrongMarriage #September
Serve like Christ served! 🧺❤️ Wash a metaphorical foot today — do the small, humble thing! John 13:14-15 🌿
What can you do quietly today? #StrongMarriage #September
❤4
Christ died, for the ungodly.
Romans 5:6
Jesus took the horrors of the Cross, so that you and I, wouldn't have to take the horrors of hell.
Romans 5:6
Jesus took the horrors of the Cross, so that you and I, wouldn't have to take the horrors of hell.
❤3
6 Lies Satan Wants You to Believe About Your Sin:
1. "It's not that serious."
2. "You can stop whenever you want."
3. "Nobody will ever know."
4. "God will forgive you anyway."
5. "Everyone else does it."
6. "This will finally satisfy you."
Sin always promises more than it can deliver and costs more than you expected to pay.
Kill it. Don't negotiate with it.
1. "It's not that serious."
2. "You can stop whenever you want."
3. "Nobody will ever know."
4. "God will forgive you anyway."
5. "Everyone else does it."
6. "This will finally satisfy you."
Sin always promises more than it can deliver and costs more than you expected to pay.
Kill it. Don't negotiate with it.
❤3🥰1
Christians, do not use the grace of God as an excuse to keep sinning. True grace changes your desires and makes you hate your old life. Holiness is the mark of a true believer.
❤4
No matter what the world says,
the Bible still teaches:
- truth is absolute
- all life is valuable
- Jesus is the only way
- Heaven & Hell is real
- marriage is between a man
and a woman
- life begins at conception
- God determines sex & gender
the Bible still teaches:
- truth is absolute
- all life is valuable
- Jesus is the only way
- Heaven & Hell is real
- marriage is between a man
and a woman
- life begins at conception
- God determines sex & gender
❤4
Atheists say "There is no God"
Agnostics say “There might be a God"
Humanists say “Let's remove God"
Pornography says “Sex is God"
Greed says “Money is God"
Government says “Power is God"
Pride says “l am God"
The Bible says “Jesus is God"
Stick to the Bible. It is truth.
Agnostics say “There might be a God"
Humanists say “Let's remove God"
Pornography says “Sex is God"
Greed says “Money is God"
Government says “Power is God"
Pride says “l am God"
The Bible says “Jesus is God"
Stick to the Bible. It is truth.
❤5👍2💯2
“The Bible doesn’t say, ‘Do what’s easiest for your children,’ but rather, ‘My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.’”
❤4
Your bank account and your worldly success will mean nothing on the day of judgment.
The only thing that will matter is whether you belong to Jesus Christ.
The only thing that will matter is whether you belong to Jesus Christ.
❤6
September 17: What Shall Be Done?
#Devotional
Micah 7:1–20; Acts 15:22–16:5; Job 24:1–11
How should we respond when those around us seem to be not only falling short of the glory of God, but actually abandoning God’s work? What should we do when we witness neighbors or friends tolerating or even justifying acts of injustice, oppression, greed, or idolatry? We live in such a time. So did the prophet Micah:
“Woe is me! For I have become like the gatherings of summer, like the gleanings of the grape harvest, when there is no cluster of grapes to eat or early ripened fruit that my soul desires. The faithful person has perished from the land, and there is none who is upright among humankind. All of them lie in wait; each hunts his brother with a net. Their hands are upon evil, to do it well; the official and the judge ask for the bribe, and the great man utters the evil desire of his soul; and they weave it together” (Mic 7:1–3).
Micah did what should be done—he spoke up; he told the truth. When we find ourselves in evil times among evil people, we must do the same. God may be calling us to be a voice crying in the wilderness (John 1:19–25; compare Isa 40:3). By boldly proclaiming the truth, we may make a way for others to come back to God.
Much of the world is corrupt, and it is our job as Christians to fight such corruption, to stand above it, and to help others find the better way—God’s way. The brokenness of our world is not simple. How many people are led astray unconsciously? How often does money or power trump the rights of the vulnerable? Do we recognize injustice when we see it? Do we have the courage to speak up, even when it hurts?
Micah provides an example here, too. Although he spoke vividly about God’s coming judgment on Samaria, he also told us where we would find the Savior who would heal our brokenness once and for all—in Bethlehem.
How are you standing against the evils of our age?
#Devotional
Micah 7:1–20; Acts 15:22–16:5; Job 24:1–11
How should we respond when those around us seem to be not only falling short of the glory of God, but actually abandoning God’s work? What should we do when we witness neighbors or friends tolerating or even justifying acts of injustice, oppression, greed, or idolatry? We live in such a time. So did the prophet Micah:
“Woe is me! For I have become like the gatherings of summer, like the gleanings of the grape harvest, when there is no cluster of grapes to eat or early ripened fruit that my soul desires. The faithful person has perished from the land, and there is none who is upright among humankind. All of them lie in wait; each hunts his brother with a net. Their hands are upon evil, to do it well; the official and the judge ask for the bribe, and the great man utters the evil desire of his soul; and they weave it together” (Mic 7:1–3).
Micah did what should be done—he spoke up; he told the truth. When we find ourselves in evil times among evil people, we must do the same. God may be calling us to be a voice crying in the wilderness (John 1:19–25; compare Isa 40:3). By boldly proclaiming the truth, we may make a way for others to come back to God.
Much of the world is corrupt, and it is our job as Christians to fight such corruption, to stand above it, and to help others find the better way—God’s way. The brokenness of our world is not simple. How many people are led astray unconsciously? How often does money or power trump the rights of the vulnerable? Do we recognize injustice when we see it? Do we have the courage to speak up, even when it hurts?
Micah provides an example here, too. Although he spoke vividly about God’s coming judgment on Samaria, he also told us where we would find the Savior who would heal our brokenness once and for all—in Bethlehem.
How are you standing against the evils of our age?
September 17 - A New Relationship Between Jesus and Mary
#LifeOfChrist
“When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Whatever He says to you, do it’” (John 2:3–5).
Returning to the wedding at Cana we come across a major crisis—the wine ran out because the supply was insufficient. This potential embarrassment for the couple and their families could have stigmatized them for the rest of their lives. Mary was apparently helping to oversee the catering of the celebration and became aware of this serious problem. She anxiously said to Jesus, “They have no wine.”
Jesus’ abrupt reply, “Woman, what does that have to do with us?” signaled a major change in their relationship. It was an idiomatic expression that asks rhetorically what the two parties in question have in common, and has the effect of distancing them. By calling Mary “Woman” (a polite, but not intimate, form of address) instead of “Mother,” Jesus politely but firmly informed her that their relationship was no longer to be what it had been while He was growing up. His public ministry had begun, and earthly relationships would not direct His actions. Mary was to relate to Him no longer as her son but as her Messiah, the Son of God, her Savior.
Undeterred by the mild rebuke, and aware that He was not saying no to the request, Mary said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” Mary shows us how we should respond to the Lord.
Ask Yourself
Is your relationship with Jesus such that you can receive His rebuke without taking offense or crawling into a corner? Can you respond to His truth—even a hard truth—by adjusting your life to His right way of thinking and then continuing to serve Him as faithfully as before?
#LifeOfChrist
“When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, ‘They have no wine.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Whatever He says to you, do it’” (John 2:3–5).
Returning to the wedding at Cana we come across a major crisis—the wine ran out because the supply was insufficient. This potential embarrassment for the couple and their families could have stigmatized them for the rest of their lives. Mary was apparently helping to oversee the catering of the celebration and became aware of this serious problem. She anxiously said to Jesus, “They have no wine.”
Jesus’ abrupt reply, “Woman, what does that have to do with us?” signaled a major change in their relationship. It was an idiomatic expression that asks rhetorically what the two parties in question have in common, and has the effect of distancing them. By calling Mary “Woman” (a polite, but not intimate, form of address) instead of “Mother,” Jesus politely but firmly informed her that their relationship was no longer to be what it had been while He was growing up. His public ministry had begun, and earthly relationships would not direct His actions. Mary was to relate to Him no longer as her son but as her Messiah, the Son of God, her Savior.
Undeterred by the mild rebuke, and aware that He was not saying no to the request, Mary said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” Mary shows us how we should respond to the Lord.
Ask Yourself
Is your relationship with Jesus such that you can receive His rebuke without taking offense or crawling into a corner? Can you respond to His truth—even a hard truth—by adjusting your life to His right way of thinking and then continuing to serve Him as faithfully as before?