John 2-4 – October 5

John 2:15-16 says, “He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!"” 
The Temple service had become a “business” and Jesus drove them out by force. He made a whip, so He was ready to whip any of the merchandiser's who would not leave; He poured out their money to the ground. Jesus didn't gently ask them to leave; He had authority and He used it to bring judgment within the Temple that day. We need to have a full picture of who Jesus Christ is. He is the One who is coming again “in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-10).
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When John the Baptist said “He (Jesus Christ) must increase, but I must decrease” in John 3:30, he was referring to his ministry. He recognized his ministry was to prepare the way and bring others to Jesus. It’s still true today; church ministry should lead people into a real and living relationship with Jesus Christ so He increases in their life.
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Jesus said in John 4:10, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water."

• Do you know the “gift of God” and do you know the One who offers it to you? How many today still don't know the gift of God and really know who Jesus Christ is? 
  

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In John 4:32-34, Jesus tells His disciples that His food (what motivates Him) is to do and finish the work the Father had for Him to do. Then in the very next verse (verse 35), He tells them to lift up their eyes and see that the fields are ready for harvest. What is your “food;” what motivates you? Let it be to see the Father’s work accomplished; He has a plan to bring in the huge harvest of souls from every tongue, tribe and nation. I pray our heart beats for souls to come into His kingdom.