It Is Not For You to Know

"It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:7-8)

Often, we want to know all the details about what God is going to do in our lives, at what time, when, etcetera, etcetera. But the Bible says "It is not for you to know...but WHEN". Brethren, we can be assured that God will surely come through for us by that statement "but when". We don't know when. But it will surely come to pass. Have faith!

"For the vision is yet for an appointed time;

But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.

Though it tarries, wait for it;

Because it will surely come,

It will not tarry." 

(Habakkuk 2:3)

Lessons From John

It's been a while but I'm back to share some lessons I've learnt from the Book of John. 

John 1

v.12-13: "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." 

What I got from these verses is that until we believe, then we are not in line with God's will. It seems obvious to a Christian but it was emphasised just that little bit more when I read these verses. When we believe, our existence becomes solely for the will of God - we're not an accident or here because our parents wanted children but we are born of God; born of His will. No one is an accident. But this can only be realized and appreciated when we BELIEVE. Believe what? Believe in Jesus as Lord. Verse 12 says 'we have the right to become...' It's like, now we have the right to fulfill our purpose and destiny because now we are in His will as children of God.

John 2

v.4: "Woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My hour has not yet come." 

John constantly says that Jesus left where He was, or where there were certain crowds because His hour had not yet come. He was sensitive to times and seasons and to His time and His season. Ecclessiastes 3:11 says "He has made everything beautiful in its time." It shows that it's so important to be sensitive to the time and season you are in. Key lesson!

v.16 "To those who sold doves He said, 'Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father's house into a market!' " 

My study Bible summarises the explanation for this verse quite nicely:  
'God's temple was being misused by people who had turned it into a marketplace. They had forgotten, didn't care, that God's house is a place of worship, not a place for making profit. Our attitude toward church is wrong if we see it as a place for personal contacts or business advantage. Make sure you attend church to worship God.'  

John 3

v.34 "For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit."

So no matter how much of the Holy Spirit we ask for, there's always more of Him to be given to us! Glory!

John 6

v.26-27 "Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

People were looking for Jesus not because of the miracles He performed but simply because the miracle brought food which they ate, enjoyed and were full. They were pursuing Jesus for that temporary pleasure. They wanted to have their stomachs filled and that was all. We shouldn't just seek God for temporary things. Seek Him for what will last, like more of His Spirit, like desiring the gifts of the Spirit...

John 9 

v.2 "His disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' "

This shows that some illness, diseases or health conditions are caused by sin.

v. 11 "...He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see."

So it was after his obedience that he received his sight. His miracle was predicated on his obedience! Disobedience can delay our miracle!

TO BE CONTINUED...