Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days in the Book of John
Day 15 | THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

John 7:37-39
“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”

This event took place during the annual seven-day Feast of Booths (aka “Tabernacles”) which occurred in October as the Jews celebrated and gave thanks for the harvest.   The Pharisees were already plotting to have Jesus arrested (for making himself equal with God), and thus the passage reads: “On the last day.”

If you were being sought by a group who wanted you arrested and killed, would you have shown up where they were and shouted out to the crowd as Jesus did?

Well, Jesus did… and said: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.”

These three words – thirst, come and drink – summarize the Gospel invitation. The thirsty soul feels a need, then comes to the Savior and drinks.

Then Jesus goes on to say – as he did with the woman at the well – that belief in Him would provide “living water” for one’s soul. No one fully understood the depth of Jesus’ comments at this time, but Jesus was talking about the promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit at the Day of Pentecost, which we read about in Acts chapter 2.

Today, we followers of Jesus have the Holy Spirit – the living water – within us. We need never thirst for the Lord as He is with us always.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for this marvelous promise – to meet the thirsty needs of our souls. You have provided a way for all of us thirsty people to come and drink, and you have provided Living Water, the Holy Spirit, who resides with us forever. Thank You, Amen.
 

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days in the Book of John
Day 14 | JESUS – THE BREAD OF LIFE

JESUS – THE BREAD OF LIFE

John 6:35,37
“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the Bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me, I will never drive away.’”

Compared to us in the 21st century, the people living in Jesus’ time were simple. Therefore, talks about bread, hunger, and thirst would immediately relate to those folks.

Even though we’re not living in an agrarian society, can you see the picture that Jesus is painting with his words?

Of Biblical import is that this is the first of the seven “I Am” statements of Jesus recorded in the book of John.  Jesus is talking very plainly about WHO He is.   (A side note: When asked His name by Moses, God answered: “I Am.”  Jesus is purposely using that term too.)

Bread – especially back then – was essential for life. This is much like when Jesus offered the woman at the well “Living Water.” Jesus is here telling His listeners that HE is THE essential element for life. Then He says: “Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Note the two terms: “come” and “believe.”  We must COME to Jesus and BELIEVE in Jesus. Even back in John 3:16, we read, “whosoever believes in Him shall never perish.“ Believing in His Name, His forgiveness, grace, love, and cleansing is part 1. But the verb COME indicates a need to DO something too… to act, move, and in some way follow Jesus as Lord.

Then we have the promise: “ALL those the Father gives me will come to me; whoever comes to me, I will never drive away.”

I find this a very reassuring statement from our Lord. He says that our relationship with Him is solid and permanent and will last into eternity.

Prayer: LORD, thank You for being the Bread that we all need. Thank You for the relationship we can have in You – that will last eternally. Amen.
 

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days in the Book of John
Day 13 | JESUS FEEDS THE FIVE-THOUSAND

JESUS FEEDS THE FIVE-THOUSAND

John 6:5-14
“Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, ‘Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?’ He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.
Philip replied,’ Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!’  Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. ‘There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?’  
‘Tell everyone to sit down,’ Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted.
After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, ‘Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.’ So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.  
When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, ‘Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!’”   (NLT)

This fourth sign recorded in John – and the only miracle recorded in all four Gospels – was told by John to demonstrate that Jesus was the Messiah and the Son of God. This miracle demonstrated the creativity and power of Jesus, and I find the abundance of the bread serves as an excellent prelude to John’s following message from Jesus: “I am the bread of life.”

Prayer: LORD, thank You for this miracle. It is incredible, but then so are You – the Messiah and the Son of the Living God. Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days in the Book of John
Day 12 | ETERNAL LIFE

ETERNAL LIFE

John 5:21-24
“For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.  Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”

Yesterday we talked about Jesus’ healing of the lame man by the pool of Bethesda, which made the Jewish leaders angry. They didn’t care about the man, just their man-made rules.

So, Jesus continues to agitate them by pointing out their hypocrisy and then making it clear that He is the Son of God and thus equal with the Father. Further, that He (the Son) has been given the power to judge others.

Many struggle with the theological concept of “the Trinity,” where God is one (yes, He is), but also that He is three persons – Father, Son, and Spirit. In this fifth chapter of John verses 11-47, Jesus Christ declares His deity in five incredible statements.

Jesus Christ says – and then explains – that He is equal with God:
1) In His person (vv. 17-18)
2) In His works (vv. 19-20)
3) In His power and sovereignty (v. 21)
4) In His judgments (v. 22)
5) In His honor (v. 23)

In verse 24, Jesus again explains His desire for all to have eternal life. “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”

Prayer: Lord, YOU are God. You came in the flesh, but You are God, and I believe in You – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days in the Book of John
Day 11 | THE LAME MAN

THE LAME MAN

John 5:5-6
“Now a man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. Jesus, upon seeing this man lying there and knowing that he had already been in that condition for a long time, said to him, ‘Do you want to get well?’”  (NASB)

Are you facing a problem? Have you been waiting for an answer for a LONG time?
Well, this story is about a man who had a problem for 38 years. When Jesus sees the man, he asks him a simple Yes or No question: “Do you want to get well?” And the man answers by telling him ALL the reasons he couldn’t get well.

Sometimes we too are like this man. We have a problem. We would like to see things in our lives changed, but we have essentially given up for one reason or the other. Perhaps the problem seems insurmountable. Maybe we tried a time or two or five but haven’t seen results and give up.
 
We live today in an “instant” culture. We can text someone in two seconds and often expect a reply in less than ten. We have microwave ovens, instant-on TVs, and on and on.

But sometimes – I’ve learned – that even after I take something to the LORD that I would like to see changed… waiting is involved.  (And that waiting is challenging and counter-cultural.)

Jesus, who loved this man, didn’t want to see him hurting any longer, so He miraculously heals him. (Now, the religious folks were all upset because Jesus healed on the Sabbath… but that was their problem!)  

Our LORD wants to meet your needs too. But we have to make our requests to Him humbly, base them on Scriptural promises, and then wait for His perfect timing.
 
Prayer: Lord, help me pray sincerely about my needs and then learn to wait for your perfect timing. You know the Big Picture better than me, and I trust you. Amen.

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40 Days in the Book of John
Day 10 | JESUS HEALS A ROYAL OFFICIAL'S SON

JESUS HEALS A ROYAL OFFICIAL'S SON

John 4:46-47
“Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.” (NLT)

Jesus' reputation as a miracle worker was spreading.

This desperate official makes a long trip (over a day's journey) to come and see Jesus. Once there, the official implores him to heal his son, who is at the point of death. He is begging Jesus for a miracle.

What would you do if your child was at the point of death? I'm sure this official had access to the best remedies of the time, but obviously nothing has worked thus far.

On the one hand, it must have been difficult for this Roman official to have to humble himself and reach out to Jesus – this traveling Jewish Rabbi – but he didn't care how it looked. He was frantic about his son.

"‘Go,’ Jesus replied, ‘your son will live.’ The man took Jesus at his word and departed.” (Verse 50, NLT)

The official's servants met him as he was traveling home and confirmed that his son had been healed.

“Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, ‘Your son will live.’ So he and his whole household believed.” (Verse 53, NLT)

For readers of the Scriptures in the 21st century, keep in mind that Jesus – God in the flesh – is the same today, tomorrow, and forever. His power has not decreased, and ultimately, the LORD wants us all to believe and be saved.

PRAYER: LORD, thank You that I can have my sins forgiven, become a child of God, and have a real relationship with You that will last an eternity.   Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days in the Book of John
Day 09 | LIVING WATER AND CHANGED LIVES

LIVING WATER AND CHANGED LIVES

John 4:10
“Jesus replied, ‘If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.’” (NLT)

The story is this… as Jesus and his disciples were going to Galilee, they passed through Samaria.  And Jews and Samaritans did NOT co-mingle.  Jesus is sitting by the water well as his disciples have gone to town to buy food.  A Samaritan woman comes to the well to draw water, and Jesus asks: “Please give me a drink” (V7).  Not a big deal to us, but for a Jew to talk to a Samaritan… it was!

Jesus explains: (v14) – “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never be thirsty, but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.”

They talk some more and then Jesus – being God in the flesh – tells her things about herself that He should not have known. She is intrigued, and asks for this “living water.”

Then the Samaritan woman leaves her waterpot, goes back to town, and says: (vs. 29) – “‘Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?’ So the people came streaming from the village to see him.”

“Now from that city, many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, ‘He told me all the things that I have done.’”  (Verse 39)

This story is about a simple meeting, a believing woman who excitedly shares with others, and many lives changed as they believe in Jesus the Promised Messiah.
 
Prayer: LORD, many around me do not believe in You. Help me to know when to speak about You and what to say. Everyone needs You and I know that You are not wanting anyone to perish but all come to know You as Savior and Lord. Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days in the Book of John
Day 08 | WHY JESUS CAME

WHY JESUS CAME

John 3:17-18
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (NKJV)

Here we are, 2000 years after Jesus walked the earth, and some are still debating WHO He was and why He came and wondering if it matters.

Many push away from God because of all the “thou shalt nots” that they perceive churches talk about incessantly. Those same folks shy away from anything having to do with Jesus, too, though most will admit he seemed to be a good teacher.
 
No one likes to be condemned and told he is wrong about anything. (To say nothing of using the word “sin” in a sentence.)
 
But Jesus clearly did NOT come to condemn: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world.”
 
Why? Because the world and everyone on it have already been condemned. We have ALL sinned and missed the perfection mark, which our perfect God requires.

You see, God is perfect, and our sins (which we all have) have no place in heaven with a perfect God. Thus, God had a Plan B. 2 Peter 3:9 teaches us: “God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

The choice is clear: Either we believe in the Son of God or choose not to.

“Whoever believes in him (the Son of God) is not condemned.” Those who don’t… are.

And what’s the price for being condemned? Eternal separation from God.

Prayer: God, thank You for Your love and Your amazing plan through Your Son Jesus that I might have life eternal with YOU.  

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days in the Book of John
Day 07 | FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD

John 3:14-16
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (NKJV)

Continuing from yesterday’s discussion between Nicodemus and Jesus… Jesus takes Nicodemus back to the Old Testament and Moses in the wilderness and saves the people from deadly snake bites (by doing what God told him). Then, Jesus makes the parallel as to why HE came to earth.

The explicit promise here in verse 15 is: “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”  Then to make sure we all understand, it is repeated in the familiar John 3:16 verse: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
 
Books have been written on just this one verse. Father God loved us – the world He made – SO MUCH that he could not bear to see us unforgiven, without hope, and perishing. So, He sends His one and only Son – Jesus – to earth on a mission to provide what we need to receive everlasting life.

Verse 14 again… “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.”
 
Jesus is talking here about when Moses lifted up a symbol of the serpent upon a pole and when those Israelites who the deadly snakes had bitten looked upon it, they would be healed. Jesus, too, is eventually lifted up on a pole (crucified), and “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Prayer: LORD, thank You again for sending Your one and only Son to earth for our benefit. We don’t deserve it, but I am grateful that I can have everlasting life through believing in Him.  Amen.

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40 Days in the Book of John
Day 06 | BEING BORN AGAIN

BEING BORN AGAIN

John 3:1-3
“There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.’  Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” (NKJV)

Although the Pharisees as a group did not believe Jesus was the Messiah – and eventually got him crucified – Nicodemus (and another Pharisee… Joseph of Arimathea) were intrigued and seriously considering Jesus’ claims about his identity. So here, Nicodemus comes to Jesus (secretly at night so as not to be seen by the other Pharisees the night) and makes a statement to Jesus about “these signs that you do.”  Jesus though – being God in the flesh – sees through that statement to the REAL intent of Nicodemus’ visit.

Jesus answers him directly saying “…unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

This statement by Jesus raises all kinds of questions for Nicodemus, including the obvious: “How can a man be born when he is old?” (Verse 4)

The concept of being “born again” is an odd concept for all of us; but Jesus goes on to tell him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water (that’s our natural physical birth) AND the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (Verses 6-7)

This statement gets to the heart of what we are as human beings. The short answer is that we are a spirit, have a soul, and live in a body. Nicodemus’ spirit needed to be “born again,” as do ours.

Prayer: LORD, thank You for providing a way for me to enter the Kingdom of God. I am so thankful for all that you did to accomplish that. Amen.

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40 Days in the Book of John
Day 05 | JESUS CLEARS THE TEMPLE

JESUS CLEARS THE TEMPLE
 
John 2:14-16
“And within the temple grounds He found those who were selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and the money-changers seated at their tables. And He made a whip of cords, and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables; and to those who were selling the doves He said, ‘Take these things away from here; stop making My Father’s house a place of business!’” (NAS)
 
I remember growing up and going to Sunday School as a little kid. I remember learning about Jesus and how kind, loving, patient, and good He was. I don’t remember the Sunday School lady telling us much about Jesus getting angry.

But Jesus got really ANGRY here with all the salesmen who were profiting off of the Jews… those who were going to the Temple (aka his “Father’s House”) to seek forgiveness from the Lord God. If the worshippers didn’t arrive with the required sacrifice (ox, sheep, or doves) they were made available to BUY for only a “slight” profit (Slight, yeah right). (By the way, this was the first of two times recorded in the Gospels that Jesus cleared the temple of the profiteers.)

Jesus was passionate about treating people with kindness and consideration.  And He was also passionate about the Temple and the Jews who worshipped their Lord God there. It was a holy place and the grounds needed to be revered and treated with respect. Thus, the selling and profiting from the sale of necessary items for worship and forgiveness was heresy to Him… and rightly so. We should feel as Jesus did.

PRAYER: Lord, may my worship of you be as pure and blameless as that which Jesus was trying to affect when He was walking the earth. May I have the same mindset that He did when I “come boldly before the throne of grace” and pray and talk with You. Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days in the Book of John
Day 04 | THE WATER TURNED INTO WINE

THE WATER TURNED INTO WINE

John 2:7-8
“Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the water-pots with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, ‘Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.’ And they took it.”

This is the first recorded miracle that Jesus performed. The story is this: A wedding was taking place, Jesus and the disciples were invited, and those wedding parties often lasted a week or more! The groom bore the cost of the party and to run out of wine was such a faux pas that – beyond the embarrassment – the bride’s family could file a lawsuit.

In that context, Jesus’ mother, Mary, went to Jesus about the problem. And although Jesus informs her that his “time had not yet come,” she instructs the servants, “Do whatever He says.”

Then we read verses 7 and 8 as quoted here… and a miracle has happened! The “water-pots” Jesus told them to fill typically held 20-30 gallons, and they ALL became first-class wine! (According to the “master of the feast,” who after he had tasted the new wine, told the groom: “You have kept the good wine until now!”)

What can we learn from this miracle of Jesus? There are a variety of lessons here. But for one, consider this: John records this as Jesus’ first miracle and it was in response to a request from His mother, Mary.

Jesus loved His earthly mother Mary, and although we don’t know for sure, it’s possible that Joseph – who was older than Mary – had passed by the time Jesus entered His ministry at about age 30.

Thus, Jesus was taking care of her and trying to meet her needs. The fulfillment of this request was just one way of showing respect for her.

Prayer: LORD, thank You for this first of many miracles recorded in Scripture. Thank You too, for demonstrating Your care for Your mother and Your mother’s close friends here at a wedding party, and for proving once again that YOU are God, and that YOU care about us. Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days in the Book of John
Day 03 | ARE YOU ROYALTY?

ARE YOU ROYALTY?

John 1:11-13
“He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.”  (NLT)

Have you ever thought about what it might be like to be royalty? Someone born into a “royal family” who receives special recognition and all the privileges that come with being a Royal.

This year, there are 44 monarchies and royal families worldwide, including England, which is probably the most familiar to us in America.

Now to the Scripture.
 
John is explaining that the Jews – Jesus’ “own people” – didn’t immediately rush to crown Him as the Messiah when He came to earth. Some eventually did, but not at first.

Then John shares something VERY personal for you and me… “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.”
 
That can include anyone on Earth — including you and me.

Consider that you can become a “child of God” and thus be royalty! But unlike human princes or princesses, we become God’s children “not with a physical birth ... but a birth that comes from God.”

What’s our role? To BELIEVE in Jesus as God’s Son and accept Him as our Savior and LORD of our lives.

This is the reason why Jesus, Immanuel, God in the flesh, came to earth; so that we might become children of God.

Prayer: LORD, it is beyond my understanding that the reason you came to earth was to give me (and everyone) an opportunity to become YOUR CHILD. I do BELIEVE in You and I ACCEPT YOU as my Lord, my Savior, my Redeemer, and my God. Amen.

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40 Days in the Book of John
Day 02 | GOD BECOMES A MAN – CALLED JESUS

GOD BECOMES A MAN – CALLED JESUS

John 1:14
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (NKJV)

In a most fantastic display of love ever, God becomes a man… “And the Word became flesh.”  This is more profound than the average Christmas carol captures, because it indicates that the Infinite became finite. God allowed His Son to become bound by time and space. The Son, who was in heaven, came to earth where He became a visible and powerless little child. He went from being in heaven “in the beginning” to being a baby needing a mother to meet all his needs. This event is the incarnation – the Son of God becoming a human baby.

“Dwelt” leads us to imagine a tent, or as those in the Old Testament might say, a “tabernacle.”  Here, it refers to God dwelling in a human body (or tent), so He could be close to His people. In those Old Testament tabernacles, once set up, they would be full of God’s “Shekinah” glory.
 
When Jesus was born, though incompressible to us, he was both man and God. He brought His glory with him – though most saw only the human side.   And yet God’s qualities, attributes, and characteristics were on display for all to see. His grace, goodness, mercy, wisdom, truth, power, and love.
 
Christmas is an important holiday that most enjoy celebrating… even if they have forgotten the true reason for the holiday. Yet here, in John 1, we are reminded of the inconceivable love that caused the Son of God to leave his heavenly throne voluntarily; to come to earth and live among us.

Prayer: LORD, all I can do is thank You for all you have done. To have given up your throne to come to earth and live among us – so that we might have an eternal relationship with You. It’s beyond words, so let me say, Thank You. Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days in the Book of John
Day 01 | THE WORD

THE WORD

John 1:1-2
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.” (NASB)

It’s noteworthy that this was the LAST Gospel written in the New Testament.  Matthew, Mark, and Luke were already in circulation when John sat down to pen this volume.  And John starts his book with the bold declaration of WHO Jesus really was… from the beginning.    He doesn’t retell the story of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and angels, and all of that, but he does give us a theology lesson regarding WHO Jesus was.  And he is teaching that Jesus was the Word, was God, and existed from the beginning.

We know John is talking about Jesus when he explains later, saying, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14).  That “flesh” was Jesus!

Of note to me is how this first verse of John mimics the first verse in Genesis: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

And John should know… He was one of the twelve who lived and walked with Jesus during his 3+ year ministry.  John was also one of the inner-circle of three (Peter, James, and John).  Further, John calls himself, “The disciple that Jesus loved.” And… he might be correct.  (Consider that Jesus gave the care of his mother, Mary, to John when he was dying on the cross.  That takes closeness and trust.)

It’s mind-boggling to contemplate eternity past.  Yet, when the “in the beginning” of Genesis 1:1 happened – that time when time started and matter came into being – Jesus was there along with the Father and the Holy Spirit.  (See Genesis 1:1-2)

John takes a majestic look at Jesus and recognizes him for who He is, God in the flesh.

Prayer: LORD, thank You for leaving Your throne in heaven and coming to earth as a helpless baby.  YOU are the Word.  And as I listen to the Word, I’m listening to You.  Amen.

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40 Days with Jesus  (Red Letter Edition)
Day 40 | FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD

John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  (NKJV)

Jesus said these words to Nicodemus the Pharisee during their nighttime conversation, when Nic came to ask Jesus how to get to heaven.

So why did God the Father send His Son, Jesus, to earth as Immanuel… God in the flesh? Because: “God so loved the world…”
 
Many people are familiar with John 3:16 and it is a KEY verse in the Bible and one that – by itself – can show someone how to get in right with God.

But today, many don’t attend church or read the Bible because it seems so negative and condemning to them and no one likes to be condemned for their behavior.

But Jesus says in John 3:17 – “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
 
The plan of salvation – simply put – is this: Everybody has a big problem… SIN. We ALL have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, and we can’t fix ourselves by doing enough good works. So, because “God so loved the world,” He sent Jesus, His one and only Son, to earth to live a perfect life, tell us about the Father, pay the price on the cross for the sins of EVERYBODY, and then – to prove everything He said was true – He rose on the third day just as He said He would. The price has been paid. All we need to do is receive Him.

If you haven’t yet, you might pray this:
Dear Lord, please forgive me of my sins, cleanse me, and make me one of your children. I believe in You, believe You rose from the dead, and I want to be in heaven for eternity. I receive You now as my Savior and Lord. Amen. 

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40 Days with Jesus  (Red Letter Edition)
Day 39 | ALPHA AND OMEGA

ALPHA AND OMEGA

Revelation 1:8
“‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’”

Isaiah 44:6
“I am the first and the last.”

Colossians 1:15
"Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over ALL creation"

What these and many other scriptures are saying is that Jesus Christ is the beginning, the end, and everything in between. As God, He knows it all, controls it all, and has created it all.

We read in John 8:58 – “Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I Am.’” Jesus was clearly claiming to be God, which is why the Jewish leaders wanted to stone him. It was not blasphemy for Jesus to claim to be God because He truly is.

And in Revelation 22:13 – “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

Alpha and Omega are from the Greek alphabet, just as our A and Z come from our alphabet. And both are the first and last letters of their respective alphabets. All the words that can be made (or spoken) come from letters of their alphabets.
 
Colossians 1:17 tells us – “He existed before anything else, and he holds ALL creation together.”

 Sometimes, when we Christians think about Jesus, all we see is what He did on the cross and His resurrection. We see and appreciate all HE accomplished to pay our sin debt and offer us everlasting life in Heaven.

But… Jesus was much more: He was – as I wrote yesterday – Immanuel: God with us. He is “the Alpha and the Omega” – the beginning and the end; He existed before Genesis 1:1 and will continue after Revelation 22 and throughout eternity.

Prayer: LORD Jesus, I love and appreciate You more and more as the years go by. Thank You for being the Alpha and Omega for us all.  Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days with Jesus  (Red Letter Edition)
Day 38 | KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS

From Revelation 19
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True … on his head are many crowns …  He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.  The armies of heaven were following him …  On his robe and on his thigh, he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

One of the KEY questions that Jesus asked His disciples was: “Who do you say that I am?”  (Matthew 16:15)

Matthew 16:16-17 reads – “Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’  Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.’”

Kingship is unfamiliar to Americans. We have a President whom we elect every 4 years, but never a king. In fact, the Revolutionary War was about NOT allowing the King of England to rule us as a new nation.

But Jesus was “God with us” – Immanuel – as we discussed yesterday. Furthermore, He is the “Alpha and Omega” – as we will see tomorrow.  But He is – as Revelation shows us – the “King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.”

Billy Graham said: “If I had only one sermon to preach, it would be on the Lordship of Christ. When we get right on that point, we are right all the way through. God honors the exaltation of His Son.”

The Lord’s prayer says: “… Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done.”

Jesus is our Savior – YES!  But He is also the "King of Kings and the Lord of Lords."
 
Prayer: LORD Jesus, YOU are my Savior, my Shepherd and the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days with Jesus  (Red Letter Edition)
Day 37 | JESUS IS IMMANUEL

JESUS IS IMMANUEL

John 14:9
“Have I been with you for so long a time, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father.”

Immanuel (from Greek) or Emmanuel (from Hebrew) means: God with us.

Isaiah, the prophet, had much to say about the coming Messiah.

Isaiah 7:14 – “Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Emmanuel.”

Isaiah 9:6 – “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders.  And he shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”

Paul also told us this about Jesus:

Colossians 1:15-16 – “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”

Colossians 1:19 – “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,”

And in Matthew 1:22-23 we read, “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’”  (which means, God with us).

I once read a pastor who said: “Jesus is God’s Selfie.”  ☺
 
It’s important for us to remember that Jesus on earth was fully God while also being fully man.

As we read Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” – we need to remember: JESUS was there.  He is God, was God and will always be God.  He’s part of the Trinity.  Immanuel… God with us.

Prayer: LORD Jesus, You are God. Thank You for salvation so that I may have a personal relationship with You.  Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days with Jesus  (Red Letter Edition)
Day 36 | HUMILITY

HUMILITY
 
Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit.” 

The Sermon on the Mount is probably the most well-known of all the sermons or teachings that Jesus delivered. It’s recorded in Matthew chapters 5-7. I find it interesting that the first phrase Matthew records from that lengthy message is: “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (KJV)

In the modern NLT – “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”

This is a good example of how reading a verse in more than one translation can help clarify what the verse is trying to teach us.

Think about how many people today – here and around the world – are, as the common phrase goes, “full of themselves,” which is the opposite of being “poor in spirit.”

The Amplified Bible says it this way: “Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever]."

Jesus was speaking out against the arrogance of the Jewish leaders who were full of themselves and looked down on anyone not a Pharisee or Sadducee like they were.

Jesus taught that the path to heavenly blessedness and happiness is the opposite of the worldly way most people follow… both then and now.

Being “poor in spirit" contrasts with the attitude of “self-sufficiency," which is very common today. That mindset is what prevents many from bowing at the feet of Jesus and trusting in Him alone for their forgiveness, salvation, and redemption. Becoming a Christian is simple, but for many, it’s not easy.  

Prayer: LORD, thank You for providing a way for me and everyone else to be born again and enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days with Jesus  (Red Letter Edition)
Day 35 | CHILD LIKE

CHILD LIKE

Matthew 18:3
“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Throughout the Bible, God often refers to us as children. In this passage, Jesus (Immanuel, "God with us”) responds to the question of who will be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Like many people today, the disciples could be self-centered and competitive. Three of them – Peter, James, and John – had already experienced Jesus' favor when they were invited to the mountain to witness the supernatural appearance and transformation of Moses and Elijah, as well as their conversation with Jesus.

Imagine being part of THAT!

Jesus’ response likely caught them off guard, but He was emphasizing that to be saved, we must become like little children.

There is no value – either then or now – of presenting all our achievements to the Lord and tell Him how “great” we are. Adults often cling to possessions and achievements – because our society does – but Jesus was teaching that these hold no value in heaven.

For example, I have earned several college, seminary, and university degrees. If I were not a follower of Jesus and showed Him all those diplomas, He might respond with, "So what?” Because, from the perspective of entering the Kingdom of God, those are of no value.  
 
Here, Jesus was explaining to the disciples that young children, who usually lack experience in self-promotion or competitiveness, should serve as an example. As we grow older, we tend to become more focused on self-promotion and accomplishments, but Jesus emphasizes that that attitude is NOT the way to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Prayer: LORD, I thank You for loving me just as I am. I am grateful to be Your child.  You are all that matters.  Amen.  

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days with Jesus  (Red Letter Edition)
Day 34 | NEED FOR MORE WORKERS

NEED FOR MORE WORKERS

Matthew 20:35-38
“Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  He said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.’”

Almanacs estimate the current global population at about 8 billion, with roughly one-third identifying as “Christian.” For comparison, during Jesus’ time on earth, the world’s population was approximately 300 million.

Years ago, I heard someone say that “God doesn’t have any grandchildren,” which I didn’t fully understand as a teen. Now, I see the truth in that statement: when we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we become a "child of God.” However, everyone must come to Him personally. No matter how eager some are to be "saved” for their children, grandchildren, or friends, salvation requires a personal decision.

Jesus is essentially telling His followers that the needs of the unsaved world were great during His time… and they are great today as well. We need both ministers and ordinary church members to share the Gospel with those who need the LORD.

Jesus said, “Ask Him to send more workers into the field.”

Current surveys indicate today a growing demand for more pastors in America to spread the Good News. Seminaries are not full, hundreds of churches are seeking pastors or closing, and many pastors are retiring. We need to pray as Jesus suggested here.
 
Prayer: LORD, lead more people into the ministry and help equip all who follow You to be capable of sharing the Gospel.  Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days with Jesus  (Red Letter Edition)
Day 33 | THE VINE

THE VINE

John 15:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him—this one bears much fruit, for apart from me you are not able to do anything.”

Jesus, like modern preachers, used familiar objects to illustrate his message and help people understand the principle he was teaching.

Vineyards were widespread during Jesus’ era, and He was instructing His followers on how they could bear fruit, but He was referring to the spiritual variety.
 
Jesus emphasized the importance of His followers remaining connected to Him, much like branches on a grapevine, which are essential for producing “fruit." They understood that a grapevine branch would not bear any fruit if it had been cut off or detached from the vine. Similarly, the disciples needed to stay connected to Jesus to produce spiritual fruit.

Imagine an electrical wall socket and a vacuum cleaner. If you want to clean but forget to plug the vacuum into the wall socket, nothing will happen after you press CLICK to turn it on. The power source is the wall socket, not the vacuum itself; the vacuum must be properly connected to work.

The same principle applies to us: to bear good fruit and experience the “Abundant Life” Jesus promised in John 10:10, we must maintain a daily connection to Jesus. This requires consistent effort through prayer, engaging with Bible-based devotionals like this one, studying the Bible independently, attending church, joining a Bible study—you get the idea.  

Prayer: LORD, help me remember each day to stay connected to You. Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days with Jesus  (Red Letter Edition)
Day 32 | THE LIGHT

THE LIGHT

John 8:12
“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

As you read, watch, or listen to the news, do you feel a lot of “darkness” everywhere? People doing wrong, bad things; people arguing, killing, disrupting, condemning, threatening ... and so on. Nations against nations (see Matthew 24) and more. Everywhere there seems to be darkness. Fading hopes and dreams for a world filled with love, joy, peace and all the other FRUIT of the Spirit.

Today is, surprisingly, very similar to 2000 years ago when Jesus walked on the earth. Except for the technological difference, behaviors are pretty much the same today as they were then.

Back then, Jesus made this statement, “I am the light of the world.” And aside from the time difference, the sentiment and application are the SAME for us today.

Jesus is the LIGHT.

Have you ever—whether as a kid or an adult—heard a loud noise at night that woke you up? What did you do? For me, at my house, I want to turn on the light and/or grab my powerful flashlight and take a look around. I want to SEE and then deal with what I find.

Now consider what Jesus is saying here: “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

The world today is dark in many ways, and I don’t need to list them all here. But Jesus wants to be our LIGHT. He desires to help us SEE clearly, act wisely, and trust in HIM.

Psalm 119:105 tells us… “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” If you’re not turning to Jesus and the Word of God for LIGHT, you’re missing out.

Prayer: LORD, thank You for being my light, as I don’t want to walk in darkness. Amen.

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days with Jesus  (Red Letter Edition)
Day 31 | I KNOW MY SHEEP AND MY SHEEP KNOW ME

I KNOW MY SHEEP AND MY SHEEP KNOW ME

John 10:14-16
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father … I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”

Continuing with Jesus’ teaching about us using the analogy of sheep, it seems that Jesus was also clearly saying that He knows His sheep and His sheep know Him. Back in the day, the shepherd of a flock would talk to and maybe even sing to his sheep. They would get used to his voice and it was comforting. Whether they were walking, grazing, or gathering to sleep at night, the sheep heard the shepherd and felt safe and secure.

Consider a baby or young child. That little one recognizes his mother’s voice (and probably dad’s too), and during times of pain or fear, mom’s voice can be comforting, soothing, and even healing. That child feels safe and secure and – even if sick or injured – they can calm down and get the rest they need.
 
I’m not sure the disciples fully understood what Jesus was saying here, but Jesus was also pointing out that there were others—besides the twelve—who needed to be brought into His fold as well. It was an early teaching that Jesus mentioned at the end of the book of Matthew: "Go into all the world and make disciples."
 
How about you? Do you recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd? We believe that He speaks to us today through His Word and His Spirit and that He wants to guide us, love us, comfort us, and be our Shepherd.

Prayer: LORD, I hear Your voice in the Scripture and when I am still, and I know that You are God. Thank You for Your care for me. Amen.