Monday Meditation - Hebrews 11:1 - Episode 2

Only the Hungry have the Authority to Become a Child of God

Only the Hungry have the Authority to Become a Child of God Monday Meditations – Episode 6 Originally written September 12, 2011 Today’s Meditation Verse: John 1:9-13 Amplified Bible 9) There it was—the true Light [the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light] which, coming into the world, enlightens everyone.   10) He (Christ) was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.   11) He came to that which was His own [that which belonged to Him—His world, His creation, His possession], and those who were His own [people—the Jewish nation] did not receive and welcome Him.   12) But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name—   13) who were born, not of blood [natural conception], nor of the will of the flesh [physical impulse], nor of the will of man [that of a natural father], but of God [that is, a divine and supernatural birth—they are born of God—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified]. This passage says so much. Jesus is the true light who came into this world, this earth which He had made. And yet the world, those on this earth did not recognize their maker. His Jewish people, did not receive Him. But that is okay because He came so that ANYONE can now receive Him and therefore become a citizen of His kingdom.  And those who were His people that rejected Jesus at that time, brought themselves under judgement. In verse 12 John tells us that anyone who receives Jesus was given by God’s authority the right to become a child of God. The walls were down, no more an exclusive club defined by lineage. Now anyone, regardless of race, vocation, or culture who received Jesus was given permission to become. In verse 13 we learn it isn’t by natural conception (Jewish lineage), not by physical impulse (just because you want to), nor by a natural father or person. Only by God and His divine supernatural birth are you born of God. Good works cannot get you there. Nationality cannot get you there. Force of will cannot get you there. Culture cannot get you there. Becoming a child of God cannot be done by any measure other than receiving Jesus. Once that genuine reception of Jesus happens (we will talk more about that soon in this week's Wednesday Word Study and Friday Finale) then anyone is given permission to become a child of God. Wednesday Word Study – Episode 6 Originally written August 10, 2011 Receive Today I want to discuss the contrast of one word that is used twice in one passage but has very different meanings. The word receive. John 1:9-13  9) There was the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10) He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11) He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12) But as many as received Him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13) who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. This scripture is talking about receiving Jesus as the Christ. In verse 11 it says… ‘His own did not receive Him.” In this instance the word receive.  paralambanó: To take, to receive, to take along, to accept Original Word: παραλαμβάνω  Part of Speech: Verb  Transliteration: paralambanó  Pronunciation: pah-rah-lahm-BAH-no  Phonetic Spelling: (par-al-am-ban'-o)  KJV: receive, take (unto, with)  NASB: took, received, take, taken, receive, took along, took aside  Word Origin: [from G3844 (παρά - than) [https://biblehub.com/greek/3844.htm] and G2983 (λαμβάνω - receive) [https://biblehub.com/greek/2983.htm]]   1. to receive near, i.e. associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation) 2. (by analogy) to assume an office 3. (figuratively) to learn Strong's Exhaustive Concordance receive, take unto, with. From 3844 para [https://biblehub.com/greek/3844.htm] "from close-alongside" and 2983 lambano [https://biblehub.com/greek/2983.htm] "aggressively take"; to receive near, i.e. Associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn -- receive, take (unto), to take (receive) by showing strong personal initiative. I find it interesting that in verse 11 Jesus is talking about ‘His own” meaning the Jews not receiving Him. In the definition of that case of the word receive it says ‘to assume office’. Jesus had come to fulfill the promises made to both Abraham and David per their respective covenants with God. He came as both a Priest (Messiah) and King. He came to assume those offices, but His people did not receive Him as such. Here the word receive is a very passive type of word. It actually means they did not acknowledge Him. As if being in a group and someone walks in and they are ignored and no one notices that they are there. They didn’t acknowledge Him as priest (messiah) or king. The next verse, verse 12, says that as many, meaning anyone — Jew or Gentile who ‘received’ Him were given the right to become children of God. In this verse the word ‘received’ is totally different than the verse before. This word is a very active and even aggressive word. It means to aggressively take hold of something. In our English we have a watered down version of this word in this usage. lambanó: To take, receive, obtain Original Word: λαμβάνω Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: lambanó Pronunciation: lam-BAN-o Phonetic Spelling: (lam-ban'-o)  1. (actively) to take  2. (passively) to receive  3. (objectively) to get hold of (with the hand)  {in very many applications (literally and figuratively); whereas G1209 is rather subjective or passive, to have offered to one; while G138 is more violent, to seize or remove} HELPS Word-studies 2983 lambánō (from the primitive root, lab-, meaning "actively lay hold of to take or receive," see NAS dictionary) – properly, to lay hold by aggressively (actively) accepting what is available (offered). 2983 [https://biblehub.com/greek/2983.htm] /lambánō ("accept with initiative") emphasizes the volition (assertiveness) of the receiver. This is a very good example why to get a good and clear picture of scripture, we need to go to the root to find the genuine meaning of a word. Root words along with historical context will bring a much more acc...

Friday Finale | Feeding The Hungry - Episode 6

Friday Finale – Episode 6 Originally written September 16, 2011  posted here: https://forthhttps://forthesakeofthetruth.com/2011/09/16/feeding-the-hungry/esakeofthetruth.com/2011/09/16/feeding-the-hungry/ [https://forthesakeofthetruth.com/2011/09/16/feeding-the-hungry/] Feeding The Hungry John 1:9-13  9) There was the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10) He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11) He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12) But as many as received Him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13) who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. I know that some may question why lately we are going to such lengths to dig below the surface of a scripture to see what the greek words are and what their meaning is. But the more I dig, the more I find that it does make a difference.  The Greek language is so much more exact than our English language. Love for instance is a word that we casually throw around and yet also use for our dearest devotion. We know that in the Greek Language there is a word for each and every varying kind of love. So when we read the scriptures in our English language it is interesting to see it in the way it was first written. There is an example in the previous passage of one word in the English being use in two varying degrees. That word is received. In verse 11 it talks about Jesus coming to His own, the Jews, and they did not ‘receive’ Him. Here the word receive is a very passive type of word. It actually means they did not acknowledge Him. As if being in a group and someone walks in and they are ignored and no one notices that they are there. The next verse, verse 12, says that as many, meaning anyone — Jew or Gentile who ‘received’ Him were given the right to become children of God. In this verse the word ‘received’ is totally different than the verse before. This word is a very active and even aggressive word. It means to aggressively take hold of something. In our English we have a watered down version of this word in this usage. This study this week has answered many questions that I’ve had for a long time. Questions like why do some people agree to their need for Jesus, say the sinners prayer, and then go on their own way as if nothing ever happened, living that same old lifestyle. Then in others we see an immediate and radical change. I believe one key is here. Let’s take this and move it to something more familiar to get a strong visual on the subject. For a person who eats on a regular basis, sometimes life distracts us and we get busy and for hours we don’t even realize that we are hungry. In fact because we are so well fed on a regular basis our hunger is just a slight reminder. It is one that can easily be ignored when we are engaged in things that we find more interesting and entertaining. But there are so many out there that never eat regularly and are really starving. Eating is their only thought and they long for it and crave it every second of every day. Just a morsel to eat, just a scrap, they will take it eagerly. Many times I’ve cooked for someone and when the food was ready they were engaged in something that they wanted to finish before eating. I would bring them their food and they would acknowledge it and ask me to just set it down and they would get to it when they were done with what they were doing. They received, or acknowledged the food. But their receipt of it was very passive. Let’s contrast that with feeding genuinely hungry people. We’ve seen pictures of missionaries who bring food to starving countries in trucks, and as they are coming down the road the people run to them. When the food is passed out they aggressively take it, many times fighting for even a small share of the food. This is much different than the ‘received’ example previously. So, now that we have a visual in our minds let’s move back to the spiritual application of it. Jesus says that those who received (actively take hold of) Him… I believe that the difference in one’s life transformation when receiving Jesus is their degree of hunger. How many people have been pushed by guilt or peer pressure to answer an alter call when they have not yet reached a point of true spiritual hunger? They passively accept Jesus, but have no true hunger for Him. As we see in verse 12, it is those who receive Him aggressively that He gives the authority to transition into the children of God. We know that Jesus is the way and we are hungry still for more of Him. We ‘cook’ a good meal and are eager for everyone to eat. But they are not hungry. So, they receive it by acknowledging it, I believe out of a sense of duty, obligation or pressure, and then set it aside. Then there it sets getting cold and forgotten. By passively accepting it they will not be transformed. To our credit we have experienced the hunger and the satisfaction of being filled spiritually and that experience brings with it an eagerness for others to experience it as well. So we push. We manipulate and we engineer places and times so that they too will accept Jesus. But from what I am seeing here, if that person does not have a true hunger on their own, then it will not transform their life. It will be set aside and in my opinion do more harm than good because it will have no effect on them while they continue to do life their way. Our example can be taken from Jesus Himself when He walked on this earth. He was the bread of life yet he never forced Himself on anyone at anytime. He knew He possessed life eternal and yet He did not force feed anyone. But to those who aggressively sought Him out and actively pursued Him, He fed. Many walked away from Him, but he never ran after them attempting to explain Himself and what it was that He was providing so that they would come back and receive Him. Many might say that passive reception is better than no reception. But, I believe Jesus would disagree. It is to those who hunger and aggressively receive that He gives the authority to become the children of God. If a person passively received Jesus, they may have the belief that they have become a child of God and are good to go, but because they did not aggressively pursue and take hold of Jesus they were not given that right and therefore are deceived into believing a lie. Jesus wants to feed those who are hungry, really hungry for transformation, hungry for Him. He wants to see their ‘life denying hunger’ and then satisfy it. So, as followers of Christ who have experienced this very thing, what are we to do? Well, we are not to push and manipulate others to get them to ‘say the sinners prayer’. We are to create a hunger within them by living a life that is filled with the bread of life. Jesus lived it and loved them and they came! And they came in droves. Since He is our example, why are we trying to improve on His way of doing things? Why are we trying to improve on His design. Because it is easier to do it our way than it is to live it His way. Living it His way just seems to take too long. We are more concerned about quantity than quality. If we eat of the bread of life daily and are loving and kind and giving… If we allow the ...

Wednesday Word Study | Receive - Episode 6

Wednesday Word Study – Episode 6 Originally written August 10, 2011 Receive Today I want to discuss the contrast of one word that is used twice in one passage but has very different meanings. The word receive. John 1:9-13  9) There was the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10) He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11) He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12) But as many as received Him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13) who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. This scripture is talking about receiving Jesus as the Christ. In verse 11 it says… ‘His own did not receive Him.” In this instance the word receive.  paralambanó: To take, to receive, to take along, to accept Original Word: παραλαμβάνω  Part of Speech: Verb  Transliteration: paralambanó  Pronunciation: pah-rah-lahm-BAH-no  Phonetic Spelling: (par-al-am-ban'-o)  KJV: receive, take (unto, with)  NASB: took, received, take, taken, receive, took along, took aside  Word Origin: [from G3844 (παρά - than) [https://biblehub.com/greek/3844.htm] and G2983 (λαμβάνω - receive) [https://biblehub.com/greek/2983.htm]]   1. to receive near, i.e. associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation) 2. (by analogy) to assume an office 3. (figuratively) to learn Strong's Exhaustive Concordance receive, take unto, with. From 3844 para [https://biblehub.com/greek/3844.htm] "from close-alongside" and 2983 lambano [https://biblehub.com/greek/2983.htm] "aggressively take"; to receive near, i.e. Associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn -- receive, take (unto), to take (receive) by showing strong personal initiative. I find it interesting that in verse 11 Jesus is talking about ‘His own” meaning the Jews not receiving Him. In the definition of that case of the word receive it says ‘to assume office’. Jesus had come to fulfill the promises made to both Abraham and David per their respective covenants with God. He came as both a Priest (Messiah) and King. He came to assume those offices, but His people did not receive Him as such. Here the word receive is a very passive type of word. It actually means they did not acknowledge Him. As if being in a group and someone walks in and they are ignored and no one notices that they are there. They didn’t acknowledge Him as priest (messiah) or king. The next verse, verse 12, says that as many, meaning anyone — Jew or Gentile who ‘received’ Him were given the right to become children of God. In this verse the word ‘received’ is totally different than the verse before. This word is a very active and even aggressive word. It means to aggressively take hold of something. In our English we have a watered down version of this word in this usage. lambanó: To take, receive, obtain Original Word: λαμβάνω Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: lambanó Pronunciation: lam-BAN-o Phonetic Spelling: (lam-ban'-o)  1. (actively) to take  2. (passively) to receive  3. (objectively) to get hold of (with the hand)  {in very many applications (literally and figuratively); whereas G1209 is rather subjective or passive, to have offered to one; while G138 is more violent, to seize or remove} HELPS Word-studies 2983 lambánō (from the primitive root, lab-, meaning "actively lay hold of to take or receive," see NAS dictionary) – properly, to lay hold by aggressively (actively) accepting what is available (offered). 2983 [https://biblehub.com/greek/2983.htm] /lambánō ("accept with initiative") emphasizes the volition (assertiveness) of the receiver. This is a very good example why to get a good and clear picture of scripture, we need to go to the root to find the genuine meaning of a word. Root words along with historical context will bring a much more accurate view to the scriptures.  Divisive arguments have been waged to the detriment of the body of Christ and has split the Kingdom into factions. We are called to be united and in order to do so, we need to learn the truth of the words we read.   Each Wednesday I will be posting a Wednesday Word Study to further elaborate on a significant word from the previous Monday’s Meditation episode. On Mondays I focus on one verse to meditate on for the week. On the Wednesday after I drill down to look at one specific word to gain further information and knowledge. Then on the following Friday I will post a teaching pulling it all together. Each week will provide a thorough study into a verse, a word, and then the overall concept.   Shop all versions of my novels here: Shop Here [https://nancyjacksonauthor.com/collections/novels] My Media Website: NancyJacksonPodcast.com [https://nancyjacksonpodcast.com/] Check out my website: NancyJacksonAuthor.com [https://www.nancyjacksonauthor.com/] Follow me here: Substack: https://nancyjackson.substack.com/ [https://nancyjackson.substack.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyJacksonAuthor [https://www.facebook.com/NancyJacksonAuthor] Twitter: https://twitter.com/NAJackson [https://twitter.com/NAJackson] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/najackson/ [https://www.instagram.com/najackson/] Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nancyannjackson [https://www.pinterest.com/nancyannjackson] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NancyJackson [https://www.youtube.com/@NancyJacksonAuthor] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nancyajackson?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@nancyajackson?lang=en]

Monday Meditation | John 1:9-13 - Episode 8

Monday Meditations – Episode 6 Originally written September 12, 2011 Today’s Meditation Verse: John 1:9-13 Amplified Bible 9) There it was—the true Light [the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light] which, coming into the world, enlightens everyone.   10) He (Christ) was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.   11) He came to that which was His own [that which belonged to Him—His world, His creation, His possession], and those who were His own [people—the Jewish nation] did not receive and welcome Him.   12) But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name—   13) who were born, not of blood [natural conception], nor of the will of the flesh [physical impulse], nor of the will of man [that of a natural father], but of God [that is, a divine and supernatural birth—they are born of God—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified]. This passage says so much. Jesus is the true light who came into this world, this earth which He had made. And yet the world, those on this earth did not recognize their maker. His Jewish people, did not receive Him. But that is okay because He came so that ANYONE can now receive Him and therefore become a citizen of His kingdom.  And those who were His people that rejected Jesus at that time, brought themselves under judgement. In verse 12 John tells us that anyone who receives Jesus was given by God’s authority the right to become a child of God. The walls were down, no more an exclusive club defined by lineage. Now anyone, regardless of race, vocation, or culture who received Jesus was given permission to become. In verse 13 we learn it isn’t by natural conception (Jewish lineage), not by physical impulse (just because you want to), nor by a natural father or person. Only by God and His divine supernatural birth are you born of God. Good works cannot get you there. Nationality cannot get you there. Force of will cannot get you there. Culture cannot get you there. Becoming a child of God cannot be done by any measure other than receiving Jesus. Once that genuine reception of Jesus happens (we will talk more about that soon in this week's Wednesday Word Study and Friday Finale) then anyone is given permission to become a child of God.   Each Monday I am going to be having ‘Monday Meditations’. I hope to bring to you each Monday a verse to mediate on for the week. This is not for memorization, but to think about and to dwell on. The word meditate, in the bible, means to mutter. So this week as you go about your life, think about and mutter to yourself the verse for the week and think about how it applies to your life. Meditating on a verse will bind it to your spirit and it will become part of you! The more of the Word you meditate on, the more it will transform you into the image of Christ!   Shop all versions of my novels here: Shop Here [https://nancyjacksonauthor.com/collections/novels] My Media Website: NancyJacksonPodcast.com [https://nancyjacksonpodcast.com/] Check out my website: NancyJacksonAuthor.com [https://www.nancyjacksonauthor.com/] Follow me here: Substack: https://nancyjackson.substack.com/ [https://nancyjackson.substack.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyJacksonAuthor [https://www.facebook.com/NancyJacksonAuthor] Twitter: https://twitter.com/NAJackson [https://twitter.com/NAJackson] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/najackson/ [https://www.instagram.com/najackson/] Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nancyannjackson [https://www.pinterest.com/nancyannjackson] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NancyJackson [https://www.youtube.com/@NancyJacksonAuthor] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nancyajackson?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@nancyajackson?lang=en]

Archive Story | Do Something Different - Episode 18

Archive Story Episode 18 Originally written January 25, 2024 Do Something Different If you’ve ever been on an old country dirt road, you know that through time the ruts just get deeper and deeper and more pronounced. Listen to my professionally narrated audio books and other podcasts here: AUDIO BOOKS & ALL PODCASTS [https://thestorywithnancyjackson.supercast.com/]. I can still see the rutted red dirt roads where I grew up. The road was much lower than the sides where tall, wild grass grew. Often there was also a strip down the very center that was grass. Because once the ruts were cut in, the only path for the tires was on those ruts. Our lives can easily become like those old dirt roads. We can get in a habit of doing something and then, before we know it, we’ve carved out deep ruts in our road. Are You In A Rut I have habits I’ve developed, and they are very good habits. I make my bed the very first thing when I get out of bed each morning. I have additional morning, and then evening routines. These are very good habits, but sometimes I believe we need to jar things loose in our lives and that can only be done by doing something completely out of our norm. People interest me - greatly. I listen to many documentaries on all types of people. I like to know why and how they lived their lives, and how it benefitted them or not. Paul Simon Once I was listening to a documentary on Paul Simon. Someone I believe to be one of the greatest songwriters of all time. His song, ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water [https://youtu.be/VWu760_jIok?si=nha7TYSoluMhghiZ]’, was their biggest hit. Ironically, it was the last recorded song on their last album before parting for solo careers. They did not know at the time that the song would become the hit that it did. I don’t think that would have mattered. It was simply time for them to do a new thing. The interesting thing I’ve heard Paul Simon say in a few different documentaries is that he has no idea where the song came from. He is not a religious person [https://youtu.be/Bi6NFPhsGyM?si=66mZOwcIe0ekXvQ-]. He is certainly not a Christian; he is Jewish and says he doesn’t ascribe to any faith. He Did Something Different However, before he wrote one of his most famous songs, he said he had been on a binge of listening to gospel songs for days on end which was totally out of the norm for him. I’ve never heard him say why he did that, other than he was just compelled to do something different, to listen to different music. After weeks of listening to gospel music, he was lying on his bed one day with his guitar in hand and was just casually strumming. Out of nowhere came the song. To this day, he says he has no idea where it came from. Creative Ideas From Out of Nowhere Have you ever had a creative idea or a thought that just came out of nowhere? I know I have. I’ve also been stuck searching for a creative idea in a sea of nothing. When we are in a sea of nothing or are traveling down the same rutted road, there is no room for change. Trying to bounce out of those ruts is difficult because of the surrounding obstacles. Sometimes, we just stay in those ruts because we are afraid [https://nancyjacksonauthor.com/blogs/inspirational/the-fear-of-change] to do anything different. I believe that doing something different is critical to our growth as a person, our creative flow, and our success. It doesn’t matter if you are a businessperson in corporate America, or an artist with a paintbrush, just do something very different. Expand Your Horizons Go some place you’ve never gone to before. Listen to music you’ve never listened to before. Talk to people you’ve never talked to before. Get involved in a new group. Learn something new. Expand your horizons. I have a lot of retired friends who are doing well. I have friends who are looking forward to retiring too. However, I have also seen friends and family who have literally withered up and died just a few years after retirement. Life Is Meant to be Lived If you are of retirement age, embrace this as an opportunity to do something completely different. Don’t let age or your surroundings stop you. If you are young and have just graduated high school, don’t cling to the old friends. Love them, keep them dear to your heart, but embrace new people of all ages and nationalities. Go to places you’ve never been in your life. Embrace variety. If you are approaching middle age and have harbored a dream in your heart for far too many years, move forward. Develop a plan and do something different that will help you achieve that dream. In fact, no matter your age, dream and plan to achieve that dream. Even I Have to do Something Different I love to write and I have so many novels and even non-fiction books in my heart and on my list to write. But, sometimes I just need to do something different. In the spring of 2023, I began to water paint. Both writing and painting are creative endeavors, but very different in thought and skill. When I feel bogged down, I just stop and do something different. On days that I have planned to write, but know I need to jar myself, I paint instead. Habits, good habits are crucial to living a good life. But sometimes we just have to intentionally break out and do something different. Shop all versions of my novels here: Shop Here [https://nancyjacksonauthor.com/collections/novels] Check out my website:  NancyJacksonAuthor.com [https://www.nancyjacksonauthor.com/] Follow me here: Substack: https://nancyjackson.substack.com/ [https://nancyjackson.substack.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyJacksonAuthor [https://www.facebook.com/NancyJacksonAuthor] Twitter: https://twitter.com/NAJackson [https://twitter.com/NAJackson] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/najackson/ [https://www.instagram.com/najackson/] Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nancyannjackson [https://www.pinterest.com/nancyannjackson] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyajackson/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyajackson/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NancyJackson [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBawU_f3R6wfeNv2vytrfmA] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nancyajackson?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@nancyajackson?lang=en]