Day: September 11, 2022

A Visitor In The Night – John 3

John 3

Nicodemus was a Pharisee who belonged to the exclusive Jewish ruling council known as the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was the most prominent religious group in Israel who ruled the religious life of the Jewish people. As a Pharisee, Nicodemus’ focus was strictly on obeying all of the traditions and laws of the Old Testament. He was educated, wealthy, and was a highly respected teacher. Nicodemus lived a life of privilege and enjoyed the esteem given to him by the people. And in John chapter 3, we find him risking everything by searching through the night for Jesus. The same man his fellow Pharisees were plotting to kill. …

September 11th – 1Corinthians 16:13

1 Corinthians 16:13

I love the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien. One of my favorite quotes comes from his book “The Lord of the Rings.” The hobbit Bilbo Baggins tells his young cousin, “It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.” That’s how it is living in a fallen world. Scary things can be found all around us. And if we aren’t careful, we can find ourselves getting swept away in fear. We become focused on all there is to be afraid of. We feel overwhelmed by things out of our control, unable to enjoy God’s very best. Max Lucado once said, “The presence of fear does not mean you have no faith. Fear visits everyone. But make your fear a visitor and not a resident.” When fear comes we need to put our faith and trust in the Lord, keeping our feet firmly planted on the path He provides and our eyes on Him. So when fear comes to call we can keep it a visitor and not a permanent resident.