Grief

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Sometimes the news comes quick. Sometimes the news comes slow. No matter how or when it comes, grief travels in the wake of the news. Grief is heavy, weighty, a burden, especially when it involves someone deeply loved. Grief is not meant to be carried alone. It’s too heavy and may last a while—and that’s ok. That’s what family and friends are for, to share the load. Jesus stood outside the tomb of his friend and wept but He did not weep alone. It was a deep, human moment. “ Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted ” (Matt 5:4). If anyone knows how we feel in grief, it’s Him. But His grief did not linger long, as at the mention of his name, Lazarus came forth. We are not meant to dwell in grief, but should leave room enough for it. Let it run its course. Like the song says, “ Every Storm Runs Out Of Rain .” Another song says, “ The storm We will dance as it breaks The storm It will give as it takes And all of our pain is washed away Don't cry or be afraid Some things...

chapelblog: Jn. 2:1-17; Isa. 6:3

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[President's Chapel]

Songs:
“Joy to the world.“
“Come thou long Expected Jesus.“
“O little town.”
“Emmanuel.”
“Thou didst leave thy throne.”

Text: John 2:1-17; Isa. 6:3

All divine repetition is essential to emphasize the purity and perfection of our Triune God.

God is seen 6:1,5. And we pray “Open the eyes of our hearts that we may see you.” Are we ready to see what Isaiah saw? [I've been saying that for a long time!] The God Isaiah saw and the God John wrote of are the same—they both record their experience with the joy-giver and temple-cleanser.

Who did Isaiah see? God the Son, a Theophany. A physical manifestation of God, also seen in the Angel of the LORD in other passages.

John 12:37-41 Unbelief in Jesus as God Incarnate is a fulfillment of prophecy. Isaiah saw Jesus and he was afraid. This is who the seraphim saw and covered themselves.

Is there a significant difference between the God of the OT and the God of the NT? Deut 4:24, 31. The same God! Heb 4:16

I AM the Lord and I change not!

Is there a significant difference between Father and Son? All God is, the Father and Son is. God the Son is in the OT, and to see Him is to see one's sinfulness. Just ask Isaiah. Just ask John (Rev 1:17 ).

When was the last time you had this experience with Jesus? Who do you plan to meet in prayer and Bible study? Go back and renew those Christmas songs and notice how many of their talk about being prepared?

Song:

"Into my heart;
Into my heart;
Come into my heart, LORD Jesus;
Come in today, Come in to stay;
Come in to my heart, LORD Jesus."

John 2 contains two different stories about Jesus. Someone summarized this chapter with no more than 3 words: "Drinking and Driving."

Why do both accounts appear so close together? We find both joy and anger here, showing Jesus As He really is! 20:30-31

Jesus used footwashing water to bring Joy through the first demonstration of deity. Wine is symbol of joy, thus using it to symbolize His blood, not because it was red. Jesus is no joy killer, but a giver of 150 gallons of joy!

The person at the wedding is the same who walked into the temple. Greed had supplanted convenient provision. Jesus cast out as He would demons! He was consumed with passion. He is passionate for the purity of His temple.

When we sins those Christmas Songs, are you aware He is the one who makes whips to drive out what does not belong and is displeasing?

How do we bridge our texts and these concepts? Like this: Jesus wants us to be filled with joy and free from sin.

Ask yourself: What's the one thing that can destroy joy in the life of the believer?

Ps 32:1

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