August 31st

August 31st -- John 12:37-50

Please go read the passage!

I'm 99% sure I've talked about people not believing in Jesus before... but just in case, basically the Lord can harden hearts against Him. He did so with Pharoah, for example. I love the way my pastor put it at church a few weeks ago. If we turn to God and over and over again say "God, I don't want you I want _______ (insert drugs, alcohol, money, sex, porn, too much food, lots of stuff, or any other thing we sinfully desire)! I am going to push you away! I don't want you!" over and over again, God will eventually say "Okay! Then I will not come after you! Have it forever, then!" (that's all paraphrased, obviously). Sometimes, we are so forceful about pushing God away, He finally lets us walk away, since that's what we so clearly ask for. So be careful. Don't push Him away assuming He's always going to pull you back. Sometimes we have to come back on our own. Do not let your heart be hardened against Him.

Also, obviously, trust in Jesus. Jesus is God, so when you trust one, you should be trusting the other. As Jesus said, also, those who don't obey won't be judged by Jesus. They will, however, be judged on the day of judgement. Interestingly one of the biggest problems people have with Jesus is when he says stuff like this. They get all "Who is he to self-proclaim all these things?" So just remember Jesus' reminder here - he speaks not with his own authority, but with God's. So don't question Jesus, or by questioning Jesus you question God.

Just some stuff to think on! God bless! Shalom!