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(Courtesy of Voice of Prophecy)
Family Problems
/in Pastors BlogFamily Problems
Keep The Party Going
/in Pastors BlogKeep The Party Going
9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 10 And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”
John 2:9-10
Jesus seems to have been the life of the party. People liked to be around him and he wasn’t one to refuse a party request. That sounds strange to say when I think of Jesus because growing up I was always shown a picture of a quiet, gentle and reserved person. But when I think about how the kids loved to be around him, I really do begin to wonder what kind of a life Jesus led. He must have been happy and friendly. He must have had a spirit that made you excited to be close.
At this wedding feast, I can only imagine what people must have said once the news began to spread that Jesus had made or brought such good wine. The party would have been over if not for Jesus. When you think about it, it is a strange way to begin your ministry but even Jesus himself said it was not yet his time. Mary seemed to push this outcome.
Jesus- the one who kept the party going. I don’t think many evangelists today would want that moniker as their beginning but maybe I’m wrong. No one was healed on that day. The lame did not walk. The blind did not see. Fish and bread were not multiplied. No one walked on water. No. People had wine (for grape juice for those annoyed that I keep saying wine) so that they could continue to celebrate a wedding.
God can use many different situations for his glory. Even a party can be the scene for spreading the love and truth of salvation to the world. Jesus’ other miracles were probably much more impactful to many people but I’m sure someone carried something in their hearts from that first miracle.
God is waiting to use us as well in whatever situation we find ourselves in. We too can be used by God for his glory. When we least expect it or in the strangest of situations, God is ready. The question of course is- are we ready?
Blessings
Pr. Steven Couto
Everything Has A Start
/in Pastors BlogEverything Has A Start
11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. 12 After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.
John 2:3-8
Jesus waited about thirty years before beginning his ministry. We see this in the gospel of Luke 3:23:
23 Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli,
Why did he wait that long and what exactly did Jesus do during those thirty years? We will probably never have difinitive answers to these two questions until we can ask him ourselves in heaven. But it made me think about our own lives. What was my goal in life when I was thrity? For those who haven’t reached thirty yet, what will be your goals when you reach it?
Cana of course is when Jesus began to show his glory as expressed in the text. His ministry began a little before when he was baptised, fasted in the desert and then began to ask people to follow him.
According to John, after these few events, we are introduced to the first Passover during his ministry in Jerusalem. It is here that things go into full motion.
13 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
John 2:13
As we’ll see next week, things turn quickly into chaos at the Temple but we’ll not spoil that story here just yet.
Instead I would like for us to ponder or compare our life’s journey and Jesus’. At thirty years old, his path was set and he went in 100%. He didn’t deviate or try different roads. He knew his mission and went all in.
That should bring up two big questions for us. Do we know our own individual missions and are we putting our entire effort into it. Think about that this week and see what God tells you.
Pr. Steven Couto
Whatever He Says
/in Pastors BlogCan I Have Fun?
/in Pastors BlogI Saw You
/in Pastors Blog47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom 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 and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
John 1:47-48
This small story in the Bible opens up so many questions as to how Jesus, the Son of God who became fully human, lived on this earth. We know that Jesus never used his own power. Everything that was done was done through the Spirit- the same Spirit that we have access to today. We also know that as a human, many things were kept from him such as the date of the Second Coming. Yet here we see that Jesus was shown Nathanael sitting under a fig tree.
What we assume is that the Spirit showed this to Jesus knowing that he would later meet Nathanael in person. Nathanael needed this miracle to believe in Jesus and God allowed it to happen. Think about how God cares about the little things such as this. We usually focus on the big miracles. We think about raising the dead, healing the lepers, walking on water and multiplying the food. Yet I am more amazed by these little miracles that show just how intricate God can be in guiding and shaping our lives.
What little miracles has God done in our lives? Do we even realize the miracles when they happen? Do we understand how much God loves us, guides and shapes our lives through little miracles like these? I find it amazing that a God who is busy keeping the whole universe spinning, while also tackling this sin problem and Satan can still be so individualistic with his approach to us. Think about it, Nathanael isn’t even one of the ‘important’ or ‘big’ disciples of Jesus. He’s barely mentioned again and yet God made sure to show Jesus him under that tree.
Finally, do we daily recognize the fact that God sees us in our life? Sometimes it’s easy to feel alone and invisible and yet the most powerful being in the universe always has an eye on us. That should be a humbling and fearful realization to us. When we sin, we never do in secret. God sees us. But God also sees us when we need him. He is ever present and that truth should shape our lives.
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto
Evangelism Chain
/in Pastors BlogEvangelism Chain
43 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, 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 And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
John 1:43-46
How strange it must have been to be in a crowd listening to this interesting man and then having him single you out from the whole crowd to say ‘Follow Me.’ But that’s exactly what happened to Philip. This was the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and so he was still very much unknown but his words were already heart stirring and it must have been a shock to Philip to hear those words. It appears that Philip didn’t even have to think about it but heartedly joined this new preacher. Even more than that, Philip couldn’t help but tell another, Nathanael.
And so it begins, the chain of evangelism. Jesus called one man who went and called another. Both of those two would call others who in turn would call others. And that is how the church grew into a worldwide movement.
The times have changed. Technology has increased and the world has gotten smaller in terms of communication but this chain is still the greatest tool that God uses. God uses people to get people. He could send out angels or make the rocks speak and although he’d maybe get a bigger response, most would be followers of fear and not of relationship. That’s why he uses us.
Has Jesus asked you to Follow Him? Are you perhaps one of the people God is looking for to start a new chain? Or perhaps your already part of a chain. Perhaps someone called you before already and God is simply asking you to continue the chain. Either way, you have an important role to play. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Do you want to be that weakest link?
As we go along our days, bumping into and working with people, realize that God is creating opportunities in your life to create a new link. Not everyone will accept. Not everyone followed Jesus either, but some will. In fact you can be used to make many new links if you only allow God to work through you.
I pray that you all can have your spiritual eyes open to the doors that Jesus is opening around you. May you be mightily used by God in many different ways this week and in the weeks to come.
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto