Who do you say He is?

Do you believe in the inerrancy of the Bible? Do you believe that the Bible is God breathed? Do you believe that the Bible is true? Do you believe that the Bible is food for the soul? Do you believe that heaven and earth won’t pass away until everything in the Bible comes true? Do you believe that the Bible helps to set us apart for something special? Do you believe that the all of the Bible is inspired by God? Do you believe that the Bible is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living? Do you believe that the Bible helps people who serve God to be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed? What you believe makes a difference!

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Today’s reading starts with the following…

Is He the Messiah?

25Some of the people of Jerusalem said, “Isn’t this the man the authorities are trying to kill? 26Look! He is talking in public, and they say nothing against him! Can it be that they really know that he is the Messiah? 27But when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from. And we all know where this man comes from.” 28As Jesus taught in the Temple, he said in a loud voice, “Do you really know me and know where I am from? I have not come on my own authority. He who sent me, however, is truthful. You do not know him, 29but I know him, because I come from him and he sent me.” 30Then they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. 31But many in the crowd believed in him and said, “When the Messiah comes, will he perform more miracles than this man has?”

Guards Are Sent to Arrest Jesus

32The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering these things about Jesus, so they and the chief priests sent some guards to arrest him. 33Jesus said, “I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I shall go away to him who sent me. 34You will look for me, but you will not find me, because you cannot go where I will be.” 35The Jewish authorities said among themselves, “Where is he about to go so that we shall not find him? Will he go to the Greek cities where our people live, and teach the Greeks? 36He says that we will look for him but will not find him, and that we cannot go where he will be. What does he mean?”

–from John 7

Where do you turn to for help? Where do you find hope, peace, comfort? Do you know where to turn?

8Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9Be firm in your faith and resist him, because you know that other believers in all the world are going through the same kind of sufferings. 10But after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who calls you to share his eternal glory in union with Christ, will himself perfect you and give you firmness, strength, and a sure foundation. 11To him be the power forever! Amen.

Final Greetings

12I write you this brief letter with the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful Christian. I want to encourage you and give my testimony that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.
13Your sister church in Babylon, also chosen by God, sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14Greet one another with the kiss of Christian love. May peace be with all of you who belong to Christ.

–from 1 Peter 5

Let’s put our hope and trust in Jesus! Let’s walk in close relationship to Him! Let’s make a difference in the world we live! Let’s be part of the “Acts 2.0” church!

Today’s reading concludes in the Songs of Song…

The Woman’s Brothers

8We have a young sister, and her breasts are still small. What will we do for her when a young man comes courting? 9If she is a wall, we will build her a silver tower. But if she is a gate, we will protect her with panels of cedar.

The Woman

10I am a wall, and my breasts are its towers. My lover knows that with him I find contentment and peace.

The Man

11Solomon has a vineyard in a place called Baal Hamon. There are farmers who rent it from him; each one pays a thousand silver coins. 12Solomon is welcome to his thousand coins, and the farmers to two hundred as their share; I have a vineyard of my own! 13Let me hear your voice from the garden, my love; my companions are waiting to hear you speak.

The Woman

14Come to me, my lover, like a gazelle, like a young stag on the mountains where spices grow.

–from Songs of Song 8