Sorry for the posting delays. With vacation, work, and the connecting with the needs of my mom since her stroke, my blog has bogged down. But I'm turning over a new leaf!

WHAT WE LEARN ABOUT OURSELVES FROM JOHN 9 …

FIRST, WE HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PAIN AND SUFFERING WE SEE IN OUR OWN LIVES AND IN THE WORLD.

This is natural. If we didn’t have these questions then we’d be living life with our eyes closed and our minds shut down.

Disease and all the other results of the fact that sin entered the world in the Garden of Eden … these things are experienced by everyone. Those who aren’t in relationship and fellowship with God, and those who are. All of us have sinned and live under the curse of sin. In MATTHEW 5:45 Jesus taught this lesson clearly when He said that the rain falls equally on the crops of the righteous and the unrighteous.

At times Jesus removes certain aspects of sin's curse – like in this story in JOHN 9 … the man was born blind, but God restored his sight. But even this man’s healing doesn’t automatically remove him from all the physical aspects of the curse in a fallen world as it relates to aging, susceptibility to sickness etc … but what it does give in this life is restoration of fellowship with God in the Spirit. And that’s priceless!

SECOND, GOD WILL GIVE US OPPORTUNITIES TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT HIM, ABOUT WHAT HE’S DOING IN OUR LIVES (THE INSTRUCTION, THE HEALING, AND THE DIRECTION HE’S GIVING US). WE NEED TO BE WILLING TO WALK THROUGH THESE DOORS GOD OPENS UP FOR US.

vv. 13-34 … We don’t need to be afraid of this, even if we don’t have all the answers. We just need to be willing to offer the testimony of our mouths (our "story") concerning what Jesus has done and is doing in our lives. Here's a simple outline to use as you think about how to share your story ...

1. My life before Jesus … what was missing?
2. How I met Jesus … what He brought to me and filled up the missing places of my life with.
3. How my life has changed and is changing since coming into a relationship with Jesus Christ … what I’m learning.

THIRD, IT CAN BE EASY TO TRY TO TAKE GLORY FROM GOD. WE’VE GOT TO STAY AWAY FROM THIS TRAP.

vv. 24-34 … Gang, God doesn’t share His glory with anyone.

FOURTH, WISDOM WILL COME TO THOSE WHO GIVE GOD THE GLORY FOR WHAT HE IS DOING IN THEIR LIVES.

vv. 30-34 … Wisdom isn’t the “possession” of those with great “knowledge.” No way. Rather, wisdom is the gift of God to those with great humility, who exhibit great surrender, and who are willing to share the life of faith they have with God with the people God brings across their paths.

FIFTH, GREAT BELIEF IN GOD LEADS TO GREAT WORSHIP OF GOD.

v. 38 … God has hard-wired us to be in communion with Him. Rich Mullin’s wrote a song called “Screen Door” that talks about this. The main line says, “Faith without works is like a screen door on a submarine. Faith without works. It just ain’t happening!”

SIXTH, AS HUMAN BEINGS, WE’RE PRONE TO PRIDE AND ARROGANCE … AND BLINDNESS IS THE FRUIT OF BOTH OF THESE SINS.

vv. 39-41 … Getting to know Jesus, touching Jesus, obeying Jesus, and believing into Jesus this is where healing and the answers to our questions will be found.

Godspeed.

read.think.pray.live.

Gregg