Personal commentaries, prayers and reflections.

Links are to be found either coloured in pink or underlined or with a click here signpost

 

 

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Numbers from the Gospel of John

 

Some may find these helpful:

 

21 chapters

 

Eleven chapters: Jesus says His time has not come (e.g John 2: 4; John 7: 6)

The "seven signs" are completed in chapter 11.

 

Chapter 12 Jesus is anointed at Bethany, the Triumphal entry to Jerusalem, and Jesus says His time has come (John 12: 23)

Chapters 12 to 21, nine chapters, Jesus has set his eyes on Jerusalem, his crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, and appearances. 

 

Jesus took about 30 years before he "started his ministry", approximately a three year ministry, then his time came - Holy week, forty days of appearances, and his ascension. 

 

Some commentators suggest the resurrection is an 8th sign. 

 

John says in chapter 20: 30-31 (repeated in 21: 25): [The Purpose of This Book], John 20:30  Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 

John 20:31  but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

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Hymn shared by Sean:

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Lord, who throughout these forty days

for us didst fast and pray,

teach us with thee to mourn our sins,

and close by thee to stay.

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As thou with Satan didst contend

and didst the victory win,

O give us strength in thee to fight,

in thee to conquer sin.

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As thou didst hunger bear, and thirst,

so teach us, gracious Lord,

to die to self, and chiefly live

by thy most holy word.

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And through these days of penitence,

and through thy Passiontide,

yea, evermore in life and death,

Jesus, with us abide.

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Abide with us, that so, this life

of suffering overpast,

an Easter of unending joy

we may attain at last.

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Shared by Sean --- Abp Oscar Romero:  "To each one of us Christ is saying:  If you want your life and mission to be fruitful like mine, do as I.  Be converted into a seed that lets itself be buried.  Let yourself be killed.  Do not be afraid.  Those who shun suffering will remain alone.  No one is more alone than the selfish.  But if you give your life out of love for others, as I give mine for all, you will reap a great harvest.  You will have the deepest satisfactions.  Do not fear death or threats; the Lord goes with you”

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Corporate Worship in the Local Church --- on Sunday Sean introduced many of us to the Getty family. In this eight-minute interview (click here for the video), musician and composer Keith Getty talks with Matt Merker, a worship pastor and author (click here for link to this book), about how pastors and church leaders can encourage God-glorifying worship in the local church. They refer to a song which can be heard at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=936BapRFHaQ

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God's Plan for Corporate Worship (Matt Merker) --- those who found the above video showing the conversation between Keith Getty and Matt Merker interesting, may find the 40 minute podcast at the following link to be challenging - recommended by Margaret and Jim (two Lakesiders) --- God's Plan for Corporate Worship (Matt Merker) --- click here

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Seven Signs from St John's Gospel

*  John 2:1-11 ---  Water turned to wine 
*  John 4:43-54 --- Healing of the Nobleman’s son near death 
*  John 5:1-18 --- Healing of the lame man at the pool 
*  John 6:1-15 --- Feeding of the five thousand 

*  John 6:16-21 --- Walking on the water
*  John 9:1-41 --- Healing of the man born blind 
*  John 11:1-46 --- Raising of Lazarus from the dead 

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From Pastor Sean:

"When you pray" - Jesus

"Prayer is to call back the souls of the dead from the very journey into death, to give strength to the weak, to heal the sick, to exorcise the possessed, to open prison cells, to free the innocent from their chains. Prayer cleanses from sin, drives away temptations, stamps out persecutions, comforts the fainthearted, gives new strength to the courageous, brings travellers safely home, calms the waves, confounds robbers, feeds the poor, overrules the rich, lifts up the fallen, supports those who are falling, sustains those who stand firm." -Tertullian (c.155-c.240)

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From Wendy C:

Be inspired by the Courage and Commitment of this Mother and Son. Work hard, have faith, don't give up, your gifts and talents are NEEDED by the human race, you are unique whatever your struggles in life. If anyone has told you that you are a loser, you'll never make it: DON'T BELIEVE THE father of  LIES, BELIEVE WHAT THE THE FATHER OF LOVE SAYS ABOUT YOU.

https://youtu.be/xP8S2eVKGQ4

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The signpost of Naaman (2 Kings chapter 5) to Jesus --- some links:

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• Naaman was well thought of by the world --- verse 1

• The present world is well thought of by itself!

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• Elisha was a humble prophet working out of Samaria --- verse 3

• Jesus revealed himself to a Samaritan woman at the well --- John 4: 1-26

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• Elisha’s name means “God is salvation” and “God saves”

• Jesus came to save mankind

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• Naaman was told to wash seven times in the Jordan River to be healed --- verse 10

• Jesus was baptised in the Jordan River --- Matthew 3: 13-17 --- so those of the world who wish to can be healed

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• Naaman offered gifts to Elisha once he was healed --- verse 15

• Judas accepted gifts (30 pieces of sliver) to betray Jesus --- Matthew 26: 14-16

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• Elisha’s servant Gehazi accepted the gift but was punished for doing so --- verses 20-27

• Judas killed himself having returned this blood money --- Matthew 27: 3-5

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From Pastor Sean:

"Letting go of possessions has not been easy for me. Sometimes I imagine a child thrilled with a sweater I knitted and returned – loving it! Makes me smile. Makes me happy. I imagine a woman wearing a favourite skirt or dress or coat. I watch her admiring herself in a mirror, feeling good about herself. Not only did she need it for warmth, but for her self -esteem. Now I do feel sad – how long have I had her coat? All this time she has needed it. I loved that coat!" - Creighton University Joan Blandin Howard

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From Mahesh (a member of Lakeside)

The passage is Mark 12: 28-33.

In all that we do our focus and efforts need to centred on God. To love Him, involves every part of us working in tandem (strengthen & understanding). There are no half measures. If we can try to do this, then it will go a long way to taking up our cross as it will not be easy and will take a lot out of us personally. Focusing on today, loving God with all of ourselves, will mean that whatever we do, our energies are heading in the right direction and for the right purposes. It is about Him and not to impress or for the sake of others. 

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A Song of Penitence     Kyrie Pantokrator

 

  Prayer of Manasseh 1-2, 4, 6-7, 11-15

 

Especially suitable in Lent, and on other penitential occasions

 

O Lord and Ruler of the hosts of heaven, 

   God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,

   and of all their righteous offspring: 

You made the heavens and the earth, 

   with all their vast array. 

All things quake with fear at your presence; 

   they tremble because of your power. 

But your merciful promise is beyond all measure; 

   it surpasses all that our minds can fathom. 

O Lord, you are full of compassion, 

   long-suffering, and abounding in mercy. 

You hold back your hand; 

   you do not punish as we deserve. 

In your great goodness, Lord,

you have promised forgiveness to sinners, 

   that they may repent of their sin and be saved. 

And now, O Lord, I bend the knee of my heart, 

   and make my appeal, sure of your gracious goodness. 

I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, 

   and I know my wickedness only too well. 

Therefore I make this prayer to you: 

   Forgive me, Lord, forgive me. 

Do not let me perish in my sin, 

   nor condemn me to the depths of the earth. 

For you, O Lord, are the God of those who repent, 

   and in me you will show forth your goodness. 

Unworthy as I am, you will save me,

in accordance with your great mercy, 

   and I will praise you without ceasing all the days of my life. 

For all the powers of heaven sing your praises, 

   and yours is the glory to ages of ages. 

Amen. 

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