Daily Bible Study – Immanuel experience…

LEARN and PRACTICE the WORD of GOD

Stress – Reasons and solutions

2. Misplaced Affections

The problem with some Christians is their expectation is more negative than positive.  It seems they’re always expecting the worst-case scenario.  It’s almost like they’re giving a prophetic word about their lack of success.

Here’s what I know. . .through the Word. . .and traveling with it. . .through adversity.

When truth is revealed to us, there are only two possible reactions to it: It can be received, or it can be rejected. People receive the truth when they see it for what it is: Truth!

Don’t worry about things you can’t change. . .don’t fret about today or tomorrow. . .don’t play Worst Case Scenario or give any thought to negative things that might happen. . .and even if things should go south. . don’t sink with them. . .rise up in your faith. . .because you have the assurance. . .the promise of the highest God.  Your heavenly Father not only loves you. . .He’s got your back.

People misplace the affections or reject the truth for many reasons. Here are just a few:

Some people misunderstand it

The people misunderstand the truth and, as a result, they rejected it. (John 6: 61). Just as Nicodemus thought Jesus was talking about gynecology, when He was actually speaking of the new birth. The woman at the well thought Jesus was talking about plumbing, when He was actually talking about Himself, the Water of Life. The man at the pool of Bethesda thought Jesus was talking about a rescue mission, when He was actually talking placing faith in Him. Sadly though this trend continues today!

Some people are opposed to it

As Jesus revealed Himself and His demands in this passage, the Jews were in constant and increasing opposition, back in (John 41-42; 52) and here in (John 6:60). The Jews were not able to accept His Deity, His impending Death or His claims of Lordship. They opposed Him at every turn and every opportunity! So it is today in and outside the church. Many are opposed to the truths of the Bible and the claims of the Lord Jesus Christ. His call to commitment goes against their desire to live for self, and as a result, they find themselves in opposition to the Lord. We need to remember the claims of the Gospel, the cross and the blood of Jesus are designed to be offensive! Jesus warned us about this! “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Matt 10:34. In John 15:18-19 Jesus explains what’s going to happen if we continue to follow Him “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

Some people are blind to it

We can find John 6:60-71 that the Jews had this approach to Jesus: “Show us and we will believe.” They had already seen Him feed five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish previously. They had already assumed that He had somehow, miraculously, crossed the lake, (v22-25) yet they were still blind to Who He was and what He was doing. When Jesus made His claims and issued His call to commitment as the Bread of Life, they were unable to see the truth because they were blind! The sad fact of the matter is this: All men are blind to the truth until their eyes are supernaturally opened by the intervention of God. (John 6:44) “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” Again we read “And he said “therefore I have said to you that no can come to me unless it has been granted to him by my Father.” (John 6:66). Paul penned these words! “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Cor 4:4. That is why so many people reject the truth and embrace the lie then and more so today, they are simply blinded to the truth! Why? The gospel is an offence to the natural man and without the prompting of Holy Spirit man will remained blind. (John 6:63)

Some people want the experience but not the expectation

These people were following Jesus because He had satisfied their fleshly appetites, John 6:1-15. They wanted more of this blessing (John 6:34). In fact, they wanted Jesus to prove that He was greater than Moses, (John 6:22-31). They were looking for something that satisfied their flesh and that made them feel good about themselves. They wanted an experience! They wanted to be following the next king. They wanted the miracles and the sensational. But, when Jesus began to talk about His expectations and issued a call for commitment, they turned away from Him and walked away. They want excitement without the commitment that comes along with the proclamation of the truth.

“Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” Luke 19:41-44. God’s heart is grieved when people make a superficial commitment to Him. This means, not everyone can handle the truth! Sometimes, the truth is tough! Sometimes the truth makes demands upon our lives. Sometimes the truth is brutal and seems unfeeling. But, the truth is always true! Remember God’s word is always right and it is always perfect.

First Lesson

we learned is that there will be temporary disciples in the Christian church. We will see a decline in the things of God in the church and in our homes. The revolving door will continue to open and close as people will be either receptive or hostile towards the truth. They walked with Him no more! (John 6:66)

Second Lesson

We learned was that true disciples will be tested as to their loyalty to Jesus. Again hard truths call for drastic measures and drastic changes! Are you up for the change? As Jesus asked His disciples if they would also leave Him. (John 6:67). Are you committed to Christ as Him being you’re Saviour or as ATM machine and you only need Him when you’re desperate?

Third Lesson

This incident is that true disciples often cannot discern the presence of a false disciple. As Judas walked and ministered with then during the 3 years with Jesus (John 6:70). He mentions Judas as a “devil” which means here in the text “slander of false accuser” This passage could be better rendered “one of you is the devil” Again we see an opportunity to respond to the truth! An opportunity for Judas to come clean and say “help me Lord, I’m the one. I’ve lost confidence in you and seeds of resentment have settled into my heart, and I’m afraid where this will this will lead me. Save me Lord.” But like the others that walked away his silence was evidence to his own misplaced affections.

Fourth Lesson 

This incident would have taught the disciples that Jesus does not need a large crowd in order to fulfill his intentions. The only ones, who remained after the thousands upon thousands left, were 12 and one of them was of the devil. (John 6:67-69). Just as it was for Sodom, only 3 remained. Just as it was when the Ark was built, only 8 entered in. Just as it is here in this passage! Jesus doesn’t need a large crowd in order to fulfil his intentions. Again remember what Jesus said “narrow is the way and few find it” There is a world of people that do not know what the church has, for the church has the Word and the means by which God gives forgiveness and eternal life to poor miserable sinners…….Through the gospel that saves!

Prayer: Abba Father, I pray that You would teach me to yield myself to Your Spirit. Holy Spirit, teach me to trust You as a living person who leads my life and my prayers. Help me to understand Your ministry and power. Help me to understand You as my Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, and Strengthener. I thank you that You indwell, seal, sanctify, and empower me. You guide me, teach me, and pray through me. Help me to partner with You in everything I do. Transform my life completely with Your power. Make me sensitive to Your promptings, and teach me to partner with You in prayer in a deeper way.  Empower me to overcome all wrong and negative thoughts. I believe positive, which is the cross of Jesus. I believe that Jesus died for me and rose for me and let Him help me to bear the good fruit. I pray by the name of Jesus. Amen