July 1
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15 So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone.16 Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, 17 and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. 19 Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened. 20 But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 So they were willing to receive Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. – John 6:15-21
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In this account of John, we hear and get a deeper understanding of how Jesus is. In verse 16, we see his omniscience, knowing already what people were going to do after feeding over the five thousand men plus women and children. We see how He values time to withdraw from the crowd and be by Himself alone. Do we do this as followers of Jesus? Do we come out of the world and spend time alone with the Father. I am sure, Jesus wanted to have time with His heavenly Father and be renewed. After all, he was in a human form. A lot of people don’t even know how to be still and recharge after a long day of work. We don’t prepare ourselves to change our busy lives and learn to rest in the Lord.
The next scene was night. The disciples got into the boat to cross the sea to Capernaum. The wind began blowing and getting stronger. Four miles later, they saw Jesus walking on water but they didn’t recognize who it was so they were afraid. Isn’t this very true of us as well, we get fearful when we do not recognize what we are seeing? Why do you think Jesus showed them that He was walking on water? What was the lesson he was teaching him here?
In verse 20, we also see another angle of Jesus’ assurance of his love, he made sure that they knew who he was. So, they calmed down and let him into the boat and another miracle happened, they reached the boat faster than they could have gotten there. They witness miracle after miracle this day and yet, they didn’t see it at that time. There are times that a blessing or a favor was given to us and sometimes we fail to praise the Lord.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to be still and recharge as Jesus did here in this account?
Monthly Archives: June 2020
MULTIPLICATION MIRACLE ILMA’S VLOG
June 30
________________________________________MULTIPLICATION MIRACLE
After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias). 2 A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick. 3 Then Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat down with His disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near. 5 Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?” 6 This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do. 7 Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little.” 8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, 9 “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So, the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise, also of the fish as much as they wanted. 12 When they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. 14 Therefore when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”– John 6:1-14
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In this wonderful miracle that Jesus did to a massive number of people, we become witnesses to God’s power and provision. We see how Jesus tested his disciples what to do and how to solve the problem of feeding the multitude of people who had been following Jesus for a miracle in their lives. Philip laid the financial side of the problem while Andrew couldn’t fathom how five barley loaves and two fish can suffice for the many hungry mouths. There were five thousand men but I am sure, there were also women that came along with these men, so let’s presume that we double or triple the size. It must have been ten to twenty thousand people present to witness and be recipients of Jesus multiplication of two fishes and five barley loaves. This is massive and probably one of the miracles that many were witnesses and recipients of the bread and fish. This greatly shows Jesus’ divinity and provision.
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REFLECTION
• How can some people miss the miracles of Jesus even though they are recipients?
YOU DO NOT HAVE THE LOVE OF GOD IN YOU ILMA’S VLOG
________________________________________YOU DO NOT HAVE THE LOVE OF GOD IN YOU
39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; 40 and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from men; 42 but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. 43 I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”
– John 5:39-47
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In this account of John, we hear Jesus reveals the heart of the Jews. He exposes the condition of their hearts. In verse 39 he narrates how they have searched to gain eternal life in Scriptures but don’t believe Him who is the actual subject of the whole Scriptures. In verse 40, Jesus identifies the reason why they continue to live in darkness. In verse 41, Jesus separates himself from the nature of humans, he is not concerned about what they say about Him and in verse 42, He gets to the reason why they haven’t accepted Him; they do not have the love of God in them. This explains the reason why their hearts are hardened and they cannot see revelations that He had been speaking to them. In verse 43-44, Jesus further expounds on the reason why they keep on rejecting Him even though He claims that He is sent by the Father; they are only after getting credit for what they do instead of bringing glory from the One true God. Jesus gives a true sketch of their character; they are only concerned with power and accolades for themselves so they can be looked up to by others. They do things for showing off humbling themselves and loving God and others. They idolize themselves too much for them to believe God. This was a warning to all those who have unbelief. One of the reasons why we may not be able to get revelations is because we are so busy prioritizing our own selfish nature. We are so concerned with our own achievements and reputation that we fail to bring glory to the only One who deserves it all, God himself. 2 Corinthians 4:4 reiterates the same thing Jesus was talking about where the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers who fail to see the true image of God.
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REFLECTION
• Who are those people who do not have the love of God in themselves?
DIVINE TESTIMONY ILMA’S VLOG
June 28
________________________________________DIVINE TESTIMONY
36 But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me.37 And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form. 38 You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent.– John 5:36-38
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In these very words of Jesus, we become witness to the superiority of Divine testimony against any human testament. Jesus talks about how much greater his own testimony is which is manifested in obeying the work that the Father wanted Him to finish. Verse 36 reveals to us that the actual work Christ is doing for the Father who sent him is in itself the proof that He is the Son of God, sent to save mankind. Both the Son of God is a divine testimony to humankind to witness and God the Father also gives his own endorsement of his witness to His Son’s obedience and completing His work. Verse 38 warns us that unless we believe in the Son of God, His word will not live in you. The faith is a pre-requisite for us to have revelations from God’s word. Without believing in Jesus Christ, we will not be able to live the truth that comes from the word of God. It is when we accept Christ as our Lord and Master that we receive the Holy Spirit in our hearts. Only then can the Spirit of God live inside us and empower us with the truth from Scriptures.
Studying the word of God without believing in Jesus Christ does nothing for the reader who may just be curious about what they can get from it. Although it may pierce the reader’s heart as they read, it is a divine choice that makes them accept Jesus as their Savior. John 15:16 says “you did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you.” When we get invited to his kingdom, he also gives us the ability to receive it. Nothing is from our own choice. The only choice we have is if we accepted him, we must choose to follow and obey Him and give up our lives for Him. When we live holy lives for Jesus, we become a testimony for Him and we will surely get a testament from the Father Himself for doing so. Wouldn’t you want to hear how God will give a testimony of how you have stayed loyal in fulfilling his requirements to receive eternal life? Faith is essential in getting revelations from the Holy Spirit himself. It is like we get downloaded with all the truths that once was kept from us when we were still living a life without Jesus.
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REFLECTION
• Why should a believer not be so concerned about what other people say about them? Why should they be more concerned about Divine testimony?
TWO RESURRECTIONS ILMA’S VLOG
June 26
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TWO RESURRECTIONS
24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. 25 Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; 27 and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, 29 and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.– John 5:24-29
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In this account, we hear Jesus continue to reveal what God has in store for those who hears His word and believes Him who has sent Him. He talks about two resurrections in this exposition to the Jewish leaders who have been constantly hounding him when He healed a man on a Sabbath day. He emphasizes the importance of believing the Father who has sent Him so mankind will have eternal life. In verse 25, He explains that even those who have physically died will come to life if they have believed in the Son of God, in other words, they will be resurrected just like Jesus is going to be resurrected. Jesus was speaking of things to come to these Jewish leaders who cannot comprehend any of these truths He was speaking about. Their unbelief hinders them from understanding truth. They were stuck in their obsession to persecute this man who claims that he is equal with God. Jesus further expounds at more revelations in verse 28-29 where he presents the two resurrections, one will be for those who did good deeds and another one for those who did evil. He talks here of consequences of believing and following Him and the aftermath of continued evil deeds. In other words, Jesus talks about hell and heaven here.
I do not know of any other religion who has a god who became human in order to save mankind from their sinful nature and won over death by coming back to life after he was crucified. In my quest for God, I tried many other religions in my youth and nothing can ever compare to what Jesus Christ offers. No other religion offers eternal life by believing that God came in human form to cleanse those who believe him from sin and re-unite with their creator.
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REFLECTION
• What happens when people deny the existence of hell?
RELIGION HINDERS TRUTH AND FAITH ILMA’S VLOG
June 25
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RELIGION HINDERS TRUTH AND FAITH
17 But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.”18 For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.19 Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. 20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. 22 For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. – John 5:17-23
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After Jesus healed a man who couldn’t walk for 38 years on a Sabbath, the Jewish leaders couldn’t stop looking for reasons to convict the man who healed on a prohibited day. So, as soon as they learned that it was Jesus, they didn’t waste time but to interrogate him. What really irked these legalistic leaders more was Jesus’ reply that He is the Son of God and that he can do anything that the Father can. They couldn’t believe that a man would claim equality with the God they knew who was all about following the law. It is sad to watch people bound by religion and laws. They couldn’t see beyond the law. They lost sight of what is truth and became prisoners of following rules. Jesus’ calm reply made them go berserk at nailing down this man and adding more reasons to convict the Lord. Interesting how Jesus showed them that his work was to follow what the Father does and also claimed that God has given him the same power as Him. The religious couldn’t see how it is possible that this uneducated man who has no position of high esteem can be the Son of God. Isn’t this story telling us how religion and legalism can actually keep us from salvation? Many people have gone off course in their Christian walk. Religion destroys our relationship with God and others. When the law comes first than your obedience and faith, it hinders you from living a free life.
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REFLECTION
• How does religion contribute to growing one’s faith in God?
• Why do many people think that relationship with God is done through religion?
SIN NO MORE ILMA’S VLOG
June 24
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SIN NO MORE
Now it was the Sabbath on that day. 10 So the Jews were saying to the man who was cured, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet.” 11 But he answered them, “He who made me well was the one who said to me, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk’?” 13 But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.” 15 The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. 16 For this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath.
– John 5:10-16
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In this miracle, the man who suffered for 38 years was able to walk because Jesus healed him. A bunch of Jewish leaders were concerned about who healed this man for it is not permissible in the Jewish law to heal on the Sabbath. Interestingly, they were grilling him to tell them who didn’t follow the law not to work on the Sabbath. They interrogated the healed man and didn’t stop until they found out who did the healing on the day that wasn’t allowed. They didn’t even care if the healing relieved that man from his 38 years of suffering because they were more concerned with following the law and ensuring that other Jews do so. Jesus had slipped away from the crowd so the man couldn’t remember who healed him. Later, Jesus found the man in the temple and reminded him that since he had been healed, he should not sin anymore so that he will be spared from the worst. This was a warning for that man. In those days, illness or sickness was a result of sin. Jesus reminds him that God’s wrath may come upon him if he continues to sin. Long suffering is nothing compared to the consequence of continued and habitual sin. Jesus is referring to the eternal punishment of those who continue to walk in darkness.
Our sin nature automatically comes out in us, but in the Spirit, we can let Jesus rule over our minds and hearts and soul. This is the miracle that he brought to this man who couldn’t walk for 38 years. It is symbolic of salvation for his entire soul even though it manifested physically by his inability to walk. We need to remember that hell is far worst than any affliction or suffering we will encounter if we don’t give up sin.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it easy for those who are saved to forget the gift and miracle of salvatio
THE HEALING AT BETHESDA ILMA’S VLOG
June 23
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THE HEALING AT BETHESDA
After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. 3 In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [waiting for the moving of the waters; 4 for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.] 5 A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?” 7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” 9 Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk.– John 5:1-9
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The Easton bible dictionary says that Bethesda means a house of mercy, a reservoir or “a swimming bath” with five porches, close to the sheep-gate or market mentioned in Nehemiah 3:1 as well as John 5:2. Eusebius the historian (A.D. 330) calls it “the sheep-pool.” It is interesting that there were a multitude of sick people here waiting for the moving of the waters for them to get healed.
There was a man lying there who had been ill for 38 years according to verse 5. Why do you think Jesus picked this man among those many ill and sick people? The man was very vulnerable. He wasn’t able to get near the water and no one is helping him. Doesn’t it remind us of how many of us can be spiritually ill and have been many years unsaved, helpless to overcome our sins? Jesus asked the man if he wished to get well? Why did he have to ask that question when he knew very well the answer to that? We see that the desire to be healed was important for the miracle to happen otherwise, Jesus didn’t have to ask such question. If we are willing to rise up from our helplessness and follow the invitation of Jesus to be healed, we will receive a miracle. Acknowledging our helplessness is an act of humility. When Jesus asked the man to get up and walk, he followed and he was able to get healed. Three factors are important for miracles to happen. Faith that you will receive it, humility in your helplessness without God, and obedience to what He says.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think faith, humility and obedience are important in order for God to bring about miracles?
HEALING OF THE OFFICIAL’S SON AT CAPERNAUM ILMA’S VLOG
June 22 I
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HEALING OF THE OFFICIAL’S SON AT CAPERNAUM
46 Therefore He came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and was imploring Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. 48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.” 49 The royal official said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off. 51 As he was now going down, his slaves met him, saying that his son was living. 52 So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. Then they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives”; and he himself believed and his whole household. 54 This is again a second sign that Jesus performed when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.
– John 4:46-54
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After Jesus came from the city of Sychar, in Samaria where he stayed there two days, he headed for Galilee and while he was by Cana, a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum which was 16 miles from Cana, where he met Jesus, begging him to heal his son. In verse 48, Jesus commented that unless they see signs and wonders, they will not believe. It is interesting that this royal official still humbled himself to come to the Lord for healing of his son. It just goes to show that no position, titles or wealth can protect us from diseases or calamities. This father was diligent to track down Jesus’ whereabouts. It was 16 miles and yet he had the faith that Jesus will heal his son. There was no distance needed for Jesus to heal that boy. The father’s faith was enough for Jesus to do that miracle. His obedience to go home and his trust in Jesus’ words “Go, your son lives”, were key ingredients in the miracle. Trust and obey the Lord seems to be the formula for miracles he had done. Faith is essential in order for God to move into the situation. It didn’t indicate that the official was still worried after he talked to Jesus nor did it say that he rushed home to make sure he got his miracle. He seemed calm enough and sure that his son was healed and knew it was at that seventh hour when Jesus told him so. What confidence! Do we have this faith that brings about miracles?
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think trusting and obedience are key to bringing about miracles?
A PROPHET’S HONOR ILMA’S VLOG
June 21
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A PROPHET’S HONOR
43 After the two days He went forth from there into Galilee. 44 For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. 45 So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things that He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves also went to the feast. – John 4:43-45
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Bibleref.com explains the context of this statement of Jesus about prophets not honored in his own country. In John 4:3-5 we hear that Jesus left Judea to go into Galilee and had to pass through Samaria in a city called Sychar. In John 4:40, we learn that Jesus stayed in Sychar for two days. In verse 43 which is the beginning of this study, he leaves this place to go back to Galilee. Verse 45 says He was welcomed. When Jesus has His next confrontation, it will be with the Pharisees in Jerusalem as recorded in John chapter 4. All of this raises the question of what John means by this remark, and why he included it in this place in his gospel. Scholars offer several ideas. The most reasonable is that Jesus is returning to the region of Galilee, but not to His local hometown of Nazareth. The ensuing verse 46 says that Jesus returned to the town of Cana, where He had performed His first miracle (John 2:11). Nazareth, however is closer to Sychar than Cana – Jesus would have passed right by it. Once Jesus arrived in Cana, He was there long enough for a local official to hear about His arrival and make a journey to see Him (John 4:47). Cana and Capernaum are about 25 miles apart, so this wasn’t a short time. This would put John’s remark about a prophet’s honor in context. Jesus is going to Galilee, the region, but bypasses His hometown of Nazareth, since the people there have no particular interest in His message.
From this scholars’ source, we get to understand the context of Jesus’ statement about prophets not being honored in their own town. It is an irony how someone gifted with prophecy is looked down upon those who actually know that prophet. Isn’t this so similar when our own family do not recognize some of our spiritual gifts and reject them? It is interesting how Jesus skipped going to his hometown since they aren’t interested in His message. How often do some Christians force evangelizing those who are not interested in salvation? Jesus never chased people to listen to His message. So, why do we make a mission field of those who reject His gift of salvation?
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REFLECTION
• Why is it harder to evangelize to those closest to us like friends and family?