You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.

 John 7:1-9

You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come. John 7:8

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 7:1-9, where Jesus continues to remain in Galilee - having just taught at the synagogue in Capernaum.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Once again we see Jesus focused squarely on His plan - He will not be deterred by the prompting of the disciples to go to Judea - vv3-5.  Jesus will not leave Galilee and go into Judea as He knows the "Jews were seeking to kill him" (v1).  In response to the prompting to go to Judea where the Jews were celebrating the Feast of Booths, Jesus shares that His "time has not come yet, but your time is always here" (v6).  He repeats that His time has not come yet once again in v8.  Jesus also shares in v7 that world hates Jesus because "[He] testif[ies] about it that its works are evil."      
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The disciples believe they have a better plan than that of Jesus - see vv3-5 where their argument to Him to go to Judea is that Jesus' works must be more visible for people to believe in Him.  Yet what the disciples don't know is that the greatest work of all time - the raising of Jesus from the grave - is on the way.  And....Jesus has more work to do both with the disciples and with His ministry.  
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid seeking not our own will but that of God.  Follow Jesus' example to focus on the Father’s will and not be deterred.   

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Jesus, what an awesome God You are that You followed the Father's will to be delivered to death only to be raised in three days....You stuck to this plan and would not be deterred to follow others' will for Your life.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of what You did...for me personally and for all of humanity.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air

1 Corinthians 9

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. v25

God has a plan...we know that...and God wants You to have a plan...one grounded in God's guidance for You (through the word, wise counsel, prayer, confirming circumstances, etc.).  We are to be intentional in our lives to live out what we believe is God's plan for us.

See also the following link:

"For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Once we understand God's will for our lives we are to be intentional...instead of running aimlessly.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, just and merciful.  I don't know why things happen but I know that You have a plan and it is not for harm, but to prosper Lisa and myself.  Thank You Jesus so much for being the great God that You are...to me personally.  I am not deserving of a great God yet You are there...and You always have been and always will be.  I am selfish, my thoughts are often evil and sinful...please forgive me for such sin Jesus and help me turn from such sin.  Help me turn towards You instead and help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  Help me lead my household and Lisa through this difficult journey.