John 3:16

God loved the people of the world so much that he was wiling to sacrifice his only Son. His love was so great that it compelled him to send Jesus to die upon the cross in our place for our sin. The cross is where we see the fullness of God's love; a demonstration of his love. Out of love God gave his greatest gift. The second half of the verse is the benefit for those who believe: should not perish but have eternal life. Those who do not believe continue in their sin into eternal suffering, but for those who believe, God rescues from eternal death and gives them eternal life.

This is probably the most well known verse in the Bible and as a result it is often used out of context as a means to win converts. Have you really considered what John said before and after this verse. Have you really considered the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus in verse 1 through 21? Do you realize that the demons believe but do not have eternal life and that Jesus explains, in Matthew 7:21-23, that many people say they believe but do not have eternal life. Many have used John 3:16 to convince people to believe and pray the sinners prayer only to deceive them into thinking they are saved. Please be careful how you use this verse. Salvation is a work of God in the heart; it is not from a convincing argument.

Micah 6:8

What is it that God has told us that in his view is good and what are his requirements for us? He list three things: Do justice, Love kindness, Walk humbly with God.

Do justice: doing that which is just; behaving to what is morally right and fair; treating people in a way that is considered morally right, reasonable or proper.

Love kindness: being kind; having or showing a friendly, generous, sympathetic, or warm-hearted nature; showing a tender, considerate, and helpful nature.

Walk humbly with God: the act of being humble; having or showing a modest or low estimate of one's importance; our value and importance is rooted in God who we walk with.

Who can we look to as a role mode;? As I write and post Bible studies from the Gospel of John, I find Jesus to be the one we are to become like.

Revelation 13:8

When I read this verse I had to stop and think and ask who are the ones who worship the beast? Those who names were not written in the book of life. When are names written in the book of life? They are written in the book before the foundation of the world. What is the significance of the names written in the book of life? Paul tells us in Ephesians 1:4 that before the foundation of the world, God the Father chose us in [Christ]. It appears that the names in the book of life are the ones the Father will cause to be born again (1 Peter 1:3). Those are the ones who will not worship the beast and as a result will be overcome by it (Revelation 13:7).

Galatians 2:20

Being crucified with Christ is the process of being broken. It is through this brokenness that Christ lives in me giving me victory over my enemy. It is through this brokenness that I become like Jesus and through this brokenness I can become someone's blessing. As Jesus was broken for me I am to be broken for others. This is so contrary to the pride that rules our lives in the world and results in such bitter conflict.

Hosea 10:12

This verse instructs me to do three things: Sow with a view to righteousness, Reap in accordance with kindness, Break up [my] fallow ground. Notice the relationship between sow and righteousness, reap and kindness, and break up and fallow ground. Why is it important to do this? Because it is time to seek the Lord to enjoy his rain of righteousness. How we live is an important matter for us and God.