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A Digging Deeper EXTRA ... Digging into the Gospel of John

Today in Digging Deeper we started a new two-week study on the Gospel of John. For this first day, I wanted to give you an idea of the things you 're looking for as you read. Below is what I came up with. Don't worry if I came up with something you didn't, or vice versa. I also didn't include any applications below since that is so personal to you.

Miracles

• Turned water into wine to reveal His glory and so the disciples would put their faith in Him 2:1-11
• Many miraculous signs so that people would believe 2:23

Names

• the Word 1:1
• the Light 1:5, 7-9
• the One and Only 1:14
• Jesus Christ 1:17
• God the One and Only 1:18
• the Christ 1:20, 25, 41
• Jesus 1:29, 36-38, 40, 42-43, 47-48, 50; 2:1-4, 7, 11, 13, 19, 22, 24
• the Lamb of God 1:29, 36
• the Son of God 1:34, 49
• Rabbi 1:38, 49
• Teacher 1:38
• Messiah 1:41
• the one Moses wrote about in the Law 1:45
• Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph 1:45
• the King of Israel 1:49
• the Son of Man 1:51

Deity

• The Word was God and was with God in the beginning 1:1-2
• The Word was the Creator of life in the beginning of time 1:3-4, 10
• He has given the right to become children of God 1:12
• Jesus reveals God the Father 1:18
• John the Baptist calls Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world 1:29 (also 1:36)
• John the Baptist testifies that Jesus is the Son of God 1:34
• Andrew testifies to his brother Simon Peter that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ 1:41
• Nathanael testifies that Jesus is the Son of God and the King of Israel 1:49

Commands

• To Andrew & the other disciple’s question (where are you staying?): Come and you will see 1:39
• To Philip: Follow me 1:43
• To the servants: Fill the jars with water 2:7
• To the servants: Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet 1:8
• To those who sold doves: Get these out of here! 2:16

Promises

• If I receive Christ and believe in His name, I have the right to become a child of God 1:12
• To Nathanael: You shall see greater things than that 1:50
• To Nathanael: You shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man 1:51
• To the Jews: The temple (Christ’s body) would be destroyed and raised again in three days 2:18-22

What about you? What are you learning from John?

A Digging Deeper EXTRA ... We done brought it

Today in Digging Deeper we did our last devotion on the book of James in the Bring It series. Here's a great summary of the book from the Life Application Bible NT Commentary:

The letter of James is Christianity with its sleeves rolled up. It is the working person’s practical guide to living the Christian faith. It spells out what it means to follow Jesus day by day. James emphasizes faith in action. Theories are for theologians, but James is interested in life! Right living is the evidence and result of faith. The church must serve with compassion, speak lovingly and truthfully, live in obedience to God’s commands, and love one another. The body of believers ought to be an example of heaven’s principles applied on earth, drawing people to Christ through love for God and one another. If we truly believe God’s Word, we will live it day by day. God’s Word is not merely something we read or think about, but something we do.

Hope you enjoyed the book of James! Tomorrow we start a two-week tour through the Gospel of John.

A Digging Deeper EXTRA ... More on restoring others

Today in Digging Deeper we looked at James' final words in his letter (5:19-20) as he talked about restoring fellow believers. Here are some additional Scriptures on restoring others, plus a bonus quote at the end of this post.

Ezekiel 3:18-21 (NIV):

When I say to a wicked man, "You will surely die," and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. [19] But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself.

[20] Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. Since you did not warn him, he will die for his sin. The righteous things he did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. [21] But if you do warn the righteous man not to sin and he does not sin, he will surely live because he took warning, and you will have saved yourself.

Ezekiel 33:9 (NIV):

But if you do warn the wicked man to turn from his ways and he does not do so, he will die for his sin, but you will have saved yourself.

Galatians 6:1-2 (NIV):

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. [2] Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

1 Timothy 4:16 (NIV):

Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

The John Phillips Commentary has this warning against backsliding:

A famous violinist was asked how long he practiced every day. He replied that he spent ten to twelve hours a day with his instrument. "What would happen if you slacked off?" he was asked.

"After one day," he said, "I would know it. After two days, the conductor would know it. After three days, the orchestra would know it. After that, everybody would know it."

That is how backsliding works too. Only the backslider, if he is careful, can deceive people for much longer than that. However, he does not deceive himself or the Lord.

A Digging Deeper EXTRA ... More on prayer

Yesterday and today in Digging Deeper we've been looking at the topic of prayer in James 5:13-18. Here are some additional Bible passages on prayer and a bonus at the end of this post.

Psalm 6:9 (NIV):

The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; 
the LORD accepts my prayer.

Proverbs 15:8 (NIV):

The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, 
but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

Proverbs 15:29 (NIV):

The LORD is far from the wicked 
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

Matthew 21:22 (NIV):

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV):

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 4:2 (NIV):

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

1 Peter 3:12 (NIV):

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous 
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

Alfred Lord Tennyson:

More things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice
Rise like a fountain for me night and day.
For what are men better than sheep or goats
That nourish a blind life within the brain,
If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer
Both for themselves and those who call them friend?
For so the whole round earth is every way
Bound by gold chains about the feet of God.

A Digging Deeper EXTRA ... More on praying in good times and bad

Today in Digging Deeper we looked at praying as a response to facing trouble and also as a response to happiness (James 5:13).

Here are some more Scriptures on praying in the face of trouble:

Psalm 18:6

Psalm 30

Psalm 50:15

Psalm 91:15

The Life Application Bible NT Commentary has this to say about why people don't pray when faced with trouble:

There are three main reasons for not praying when we realize we are in trouble: ignorance, arrogance, and shame. If we do not know that God wants us to pray when we are in trouble, we are simply ignorant of Scripture. If we do not pray when we are in trouble because we are trusting in our own resources to get ourselves out, we are being arrogant. And sometimes we may want to pray but are ashamed because the trouble we are in is our own fault. James gives permission and encouragement to those who are ignorant. He urges submission to those who are arrogant. And he reminds those who are ashamed that God is full of compassion and mercy (5:11). To all of us he commends prayer.

And finally today, here are some more Scriptures on singing songs of praise as a response to happiness:

1 Corinthians 14:15

Ephesians 5:19

Colossians 3:16

A Digging Deeper EXTRA ... More on perseverance

Today in Digging Deeper we looked at what James said about perseverance in James 5:10-11. Here are some additional verses on the topic:

Romans 2:7 (NIV):

To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

Romans 5:3-4 (NIV):

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; [4] perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Romans 8:24-25 (NIV):

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? [25] But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

1 Timothy 4:16 (NIV):

Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Hebrews 10:36 (NIV):

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

Hebrews 12:1 (NIV):

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

James 1:12 (NIV):

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

2 Peter 1:5-9 (NIV):

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; [6] and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; [7] and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. [8] For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.