2.7- New: Inside and Out

-

 2.7-


New: Inside and Out John 3:1-8, 13-16 Dave Branon

A few years ago a publisher made a big mistake. A book had been on the market for several years, so it was time for a makeover. The author rewrote the book to bring it up to date. But when the revision was published, there was a problem. The publisher gave the book a new cover but printed the old book inside.

The exterior was fresh and new, but the interior was old and out of date. This “reprint” was not really new at all.

Sometimes that kind of thing happens with people. They realize a change needs to be made in life. Things are heading in the wrong direction. So they may put on a new exterior without making a vital change in their heart. They may change a behavior on the outside but may not realize that it is only God who can change us on the inside.

In John 3, Nicodemus sensed that because Jesus came “from God” (John 1:2). He offered something very different. What Jesus told Nicodemus made him realize that He offered nothing short of a rebirth (John 1:4). He needed to be “born again,” to be made totally new (John 1:7).

That change comes only through faith in Jesus Christ. That’s when “the old has gone, the new is here” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Do you need a change? Put your faith in Jesus. He’s the one who changes your heart and makes all things new.

O

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

9.4- Broken eggs.

-
Image
9.4- Broken eggs. I had been warned Don't try to carry too much in from the grocery store at once. Learn the hard way or the easy way. Why does the only thing that falls off is the most fragile? The carton was crushed. Several eggs were broken. I have learned to keep looking when a little frustration comes to stay alert. Some good can come out of something bad. Getting laid off from the wrong job can lead to the right job. Getting bumped from the wrong flight to get the right flight, five minutes later plus a free flight. Now I watch for the turn and learn from frustrating little things. Broken eggs. Scrambled eggs. Romans 12 14  Bless those who persecute  [ q ] you; bless and do not curse.   15  Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.   16  Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be  [ r ] haughty in mind, but  [ s ] associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.   17  Never repay evil for evil to anyone.  [ t ] Respect what is right
Read more

9.2- There was this grasshopper who appeared to be very old and very wounded.

-
 9.2- There was this grasshopper who appeared to be very old and very wounded. He drug himself along. Where he was amazed me. On the ground level at the gas station near Gordon Texas was dirt and oil and the danger of feet and tires. As I pumped 39.30 worth of fuel I wondered how did he get out of the dirt and danger to the safety of the top of the gas pump? As I get older I sometimes feel I am dragging along like a grasshopper. My spirit is fueled by seeing how my life includes my maker providing safety for me by the help of family, friends and strangers. Two such are my nephew, Lynn And Sheri Luttrell. He is a prof. at ACU and she the owner and leader of stepping Stones school. Got to spent two days of fun, 42 and homemade ice cream last week. Ecclesiastes 12. 12  Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years approach when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;   2  before the sun and the light, the moon and the stars are darkened
Read more

9.3- I have been given a bed to go to sleep in where a window is high and laying on my back I can see

-
 9.3- I have been given a bed to go to sleep in where a window is high and laying on my back I can see the moon at times. Flat of my back I can choose to think of the maker of the moon. A space craft from India landed there yesterday near the south pole of the moon where they think there may be water. Once the greatest human who ever lived faced his hardest days. He spoke words of steady trust and submission to his loving heavenly Father, maker of heaven and earth. "If possible may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Matthew 26. 39  And He went a little beyond  them , and fell on His face and prayed, saying,  “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You  will .”   40  And He *came to the disciples and *found them sleeping, and He *said to Peter,  “So, you  men  could not keep watch with Me for one hour?   41  Keep watching and praying, so that you do not come into temptation; the spirit is  [ p ] willing,
Read more