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Engaged in God's Work

Let's look at John 2:1-11.

"On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; ² and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. ³ When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” ⁴ And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.” ⁵ His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” ⁶ Now there were six stone water pots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each. ⁷ Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim. ⁸ And He said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it to him. ⁹ When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom, ¹⁰ and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” ¹¹ This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him."

I want to focus on the fact that Jesus included the servants in this miracle.  He certainly did not need to do that.  Check out the following passages:

• John 4:46-54 - Jesus healed the nobleman's son without seeing the boy.
• John 5:1-9 - Jesus healed a man who had been lame for 38 years.
• John 6:1-14 - Jesus fed the 5,000 men (plus women and children).
• John 6:16-21 - Jesus walked on water.
• John 9:1-9 - Jesus healed the man born blind.
• John 11:1-46 - Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

It is fascinating that Jesus brought the servants into the miracle process at all given His power over space, disease, nature and death.  The John 2:1-11 passage shows us that God allows us the privilege of being part of a miracle.

1. We can write a note to someone who might be a bit discouraged.
2. We can buy a pizza dinner for a single mom who had a rough day.
3. We can pay a stranger's toll and leave them wondering if that was a gift from God.
4. We can buy breakfast for our neighbor who is living on a fixed income.
5. We can offer to study with classmate who is struggling.

You never know what God has in store for those praying for a miracle.  He may have you and me in mind to participate just as He allowed the servants to get involved with the water-to-wine miracle.

There's so many ways that we can help out our friends, family, co-workers, classmates and strangers.  God is giving us an opportunity to perhaps be part of the miracle.  How will you be engaged in His work today?

God bless.

Ted Whitney

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Pointing Others to Jesus

Are you pointing your family, friends and others to Christ? 

Look what Phillip did in John 1:43-49:

⁴³ The next day He purposed to go into Galilee, and He *found Philip. And Jesus *said to him, “Follow Me.” ⁴⁴ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. ⁴⁵ Philip *found Nathanael and *said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” ⁴⁶ Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip *said to him, “Come and see.” ⁴⁷ Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and *said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” ⁴⁸ Nathanael *said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” ⁴⁹ Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.”

Take a closer look:

• Phillip made an effort to locate his friend.
• Phillip spoke up.
• Phillip spoke the truth.
• Phillip did not argue with his friend; instead he invited Nathanael to "come and see" for himself.

There are four challenges here for all of us to be more engaged in our walk with Christ.  As Christians, we cannot argue our family and friends to Jesus.  The change in us will be the greatest tool for showing others who Jesus is and what He has accomplished in our lives.

Challenge 1: We need to make an effort. 

Challenge 2: We need to speak up. 

Challenge 3: We need to speak the truth.

Challenge 4: We need to show others the Gospel message.

I challenge you to read through the passage and pray about what God would have you do today.

God bless.

Ted Whitney

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Let's Rejoice in Jesus

During this Commencement season, we consider the achievements of our graduates.  Let's take a moment to deliberately thank the Lord for this period of training.

Perhaps you have been an online student for several years and you have finished your final exam.  Rejoice!

Perhaps you have lived on campus for the past four years and you are graduating as well.  Rejoice!

All of our graduates deserve to be congratulated and deserve to celebrate. 

• You did not quit.
• You fought hard.
• Perhaps you cried a few times, but you finished.
• Now, you can celebrate with your friends and family. 

Take a deep breath and relax.

We have many people to thank for our accomplishments including family, friends, professors, and others.  Let's be sure to rejoice in Jesus during this season of celebration.

Philippians 4:4-8 says, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things."

We rejoice with you and your family.

Congratuatlions to all of our graduates.

God bless.

Ted Whitney

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The Search is Over

What have you been looking for?

Are you searching for happiness, but can't seem to find it?  Do you long for a friendship that is not based on your performance?  Are you trying to fill a need, but it won't be satisfied?

I challenge you to read these verses with me.

• To the seekers, Jesus offers answers.   See John 14:6.
• To the spiritually hungry, Jesus offers the Bread of Life.   See John 6:35.
• To the condemned, Jesus offers mercy.  See Romans 8:1
• To the lost, Jesus offers eternal life.  See John 3:16
• To the Believer, Jesus offers peace with God.  See Philippians 4:6-7
• To the lonely, Jesus offers friendship.  See Mark 2:13-17
• To the tempted, Jesus offers a way of escape.  See 1 Corinthians 10:13
• To the slave of sin, Jesus offers freedom.  See Galatians 5:1
• To the dirty, Jesus offers to make you clean.  See 1 John 1:9
• To the helpless, Jesus offers Himself.  Psalm 34:17
• To the discouraged, Jesus offers hope.  See 1 Peter 1:3-4
• To the worried, Jesus offers direction and guidance.  See Proverbs 3:5-6
• To the overwhelmed, Jesus offers contentment.  See Philippians 4:11-12
• To the one who has suffered, Jesus offers strength.  See 1 Peter 5:10
• To the desperate, Jesus offers deliverance.  See Psalm 34:4
• To the sad, Jesus offers joy.  See John 15:11                                      

John 1:35-39 reads,

³⁵ The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. ³⁶ When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

³⁷ When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. ³⁸ Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”  They said, Teacher, “where are you staying?”

³⁹ “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”  So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

Friends, Jesus is asking you personally the same question: "What do you want?"  Take a moment and listen to Him speak to your heart.  The search is over.  Let's choose to follow Jesus today.

God bless.

Ted Whitney

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Engaged in Joy

Are you engaged in joy?

What hinders you from engaging in joyfulness?  Are we deliberately not choosing joy?

Here are three excuses for not engaging:

1. It's not my personality type: I've actually heard people say they are not naturally joyful people; therefore, God does not expect it from them.  Galatians 5:22-23 reads, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law." 

This is saying that an evidence of Christ's work in your life is joy.

2. "You don't understand my circumstances."  James 1:2-4 reads, ". . count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing this that the trying of your faith works patience."

The next time you are overwhelmed by pressures and timelines, pray and ask God to give you His joy.  He's growing and maturing you.

3. Many Christians dwell on their past and have not forgiven themselves even though Jesus has paid the price for their sins completely.

Philippians 3:12-14 reads, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me Heavenward in Christ Jesus."

I get to choose

What is really exciting, is the choice is on me:

• I can choose to rejoice in Jesus' love for me today.  Romans 5:8 reads, "But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
• I can choose joy when I pray for my friends and family.  Philippians 1:4 reads, "In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy."
• I can choose joy as Jesus' name is exalted and the Gospel is preached.  Philippians 1:18 reads, "The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached.  And because of this I rejoice."
• I can choose joy even when life is difficult.  Romans 8:28 reads, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

Let's deliberately choose to be engaged in joy today.

God bless.

Ted Whitney

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