Words of Life

Gospel Day 10 That Whosoever

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Read His Words Before Ours!

John 3:16-18
John 4:7-38
Luke 23:39-43

Gospel Day, 10

Confession: I can recite John 3:16 in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, but I am pretty sure I could not share from memory any other verse in that version. The other verses I have memorized and catalogued in my brain are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) version.

I grew up learning verses and the practice of memorizing the Word has proven it’s worth to me over and over and over again throughout my life. Verses tucked into the recesses of my mind have been breathed upon by the Holy Spirit at just the moment when I needed to hear His voice of truth. They have been guideposts, brought conviction, given hope, and provided solid lifelines. It is in the midst of these sweet reflections of the value of memorizing I am also challenged to remember to interact with the memorized verses and not just be able to recite them.
These are the words of life,
not simply a set of words attached to a place in the Bible.

As I slow down and ponder the words of John 3:16, I’m reading it in different versions as well. Today I’m focusing on the word “whosoever.” I don’t know about you, but since I am not in the legal field or one who uses the KJV routinely, “whosoever” has become more of a transition word between the beginning and end of the verse rather than a key component of the verse. However, reading the different versions have reminded me of the significance of “whosoever.”

Christian Standard Bible (CSB): everyone
The Message (MSG): anyone
NASB: whoever
The Amplified Classic (AMPC): whoever
New International Version (NIV): whoever
The promise found in John 3:16 is for everyone, anyone, and whoever.

While the other translations of the Bible help me grasp a better awareness of who is included, the KJV caused me to think of the entire verse from a legal perspective, and the covenantal love found in John 3:16 came to life: the covenant between God the Father and whosoever. He gives His son, Jesus, and eternal life through Him to whosoever believes in Him.

Many have stepped into this covenant with the Lord and been rescued from the consequences of sin, which is eternal death and separation from God. And just in case someone reading this might be disqualifying herself as a “whosoever” due to her history, let’s review a few noted individuals in Scripture.

The Woman at the Well
Are you a “whosoever” actively avoiding life currently?
So was she.
This woman went to the well during the heat of midday just to avoid interacting with others. She wore the identity of outcast based on her sordid past. Her history may well have been caused by her own choices, yet the Lord offered His relentless, covenant love. She willingly believed, surrendered her will to His, and joined the ranks of the “whosoever.”

Thief on the Cross
Are you a “whosoever” currently feeling like she is beyond redemption?
The thief on the cross literally had moments to live after living a life that led him to death by crucifixion. Yet, despite a lifetime of guilt and shame, there he encountered the Savior. After that brief interaction, he received the promise of living in Paradise with Christ on that very day!

Saul
Are you a “whosoever” battling the need to earn your relationship with the Lord?
Maybe you feel “not good enough”. Maybe you wonder if you’ll ever be enough. Maybe the burden of trying is becoming too heavy?
Saul, not yet Paul, lived a life that earned him rank and prestige among the religious leaders of the day. He had the upbringing and connections that enabled him to walk with power and impact. He met the mark for being a member of the religious community. However, it was not until his encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus that he truly experienced a relationship with Him and discovered that it’s not about doing for the Lord but being with Him.

These are just three examples of people found in the Word who chose to believe in the Lord. “Whosoevers” who made a decision forever changing their lives and their eternities.

Where do you find yourself today?
What is your whosoever story?

I encourage you to boldly acknowledge where you are today and ask the Lord to meet you there. He has proven faithful to His covenant with us over and over and over again through Scripture.
He will extend that faithful love to any whosoever who believes in Him.

I know “this whosoever” (raising my hand) writing today needed this reminder of His faithfulness to all those who came before me as I talk to God about my current whosoever status.

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

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Awaken Day 13 Awake My Soul

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 91:1-4
Psalm 94:16-19
Romans 8:31-39
Hebrews 4:14-16

Awaken, Day 13

Her back against the wall of the dark corner, she slid to her knees. Forehead met floor as she clenched her arms tighter around her waist, trying desperately to muffle her cries. Despite her efforts, the roiling within couldn’t–wouldn’t–be contained, and her keening echoed in the emptiness around her.

Barely able to string words into thought, she flung a desperate plea to the heavens.

“I can’t do it anymore.
It’s too big, too hard, hurts too much.
I can’t.”

Never had the Throne of Mercy seemed more distant. The disappointment He must surely feel thundered in the silence, its weight crushing.

Exhausted, her sobs spent, one final whisper escaped her lips:
“ . . . help . . .”

Into the void, He spoke.

“My sweet girl,
I
am
here.”

She felt a hand on her back, and instantly her frenetic shaking ceased. Lifting her head, squinting through her tears, she saw Him. There. In her dark corner, His other hand reaching out to smooth damp hair from her face. He was there.

He pulled her into His lap, encircling her in the strongest, most gentle embrace.
Peace began to creep into her soul . . . until she remembered.

Remembered what had driven her to this place of desolation.

Overwhelming troubles.
Mountains she had tried again and again to scale, only to fail and fall and crumble.

Or perhaps rejection.
Barbed reminders that she didn’t belong, wasn’t good enough,
and therefore was destined to be alone,
piercing her soul until she was too wounded to stand.

Or injustice might have flung her into this pit,
blindsided and bleeding.

Whatever the root cause, its oppression began to close in again.
Hopeless, she cried out, “I don’t know what to do!”

“Beloved,” He murmured, shattering the encroaching darkness, “it’s time to worship.”

“Worship?” she echoed in confusion . . .

Dear sister, perhaps her puzzlement reflects our own?

Surely heartfelt hymns of praise spring from mountaintop moments,
not deepest, darkest valleys.

And yet, His Word shows us
life and hope and peace
in the midst of
death and hurt and despair
are found in the place of worship.

Praise . . . when it hurts.
Speaking truth we know and believe . . . when we don’t feel it.

When the giants of OVERWHELMED and FEAR and FAILURE loom large before us,
He reminds us:

He is the One Who created our universe (Psalm 95:1-5).
Whose dominion is absolute and glory is all-surpassing (Psalm 97:2-6).
Who performs wonders on behalf of His beloved (Psalm 99:1-3).

He is bigger, stronger, and victorious over
the obstacles we are powerless to surmount on our own.

When the bitter seeds of rejection begin to wither our spirits,
He uproots their lies with His hope-full truth:

We are intimately known by and called to belong to the flock of our Maker (Psalm 95:6-7).
We are deeply loved and faithfully cared for (Psalm 98:3).
We are His (Psalm 100:3-5).

We are never alone: we are the little sheep of His pasture,
created for and belonging to Him, always.

And when the devious cruelty of another leaves us
suffering, despairing, and crying out for vindication,
He is our justice:

He alone is Judge, and His faithfully righteous words speak joy into our aching souls (Psalm 96:10-13).
He sees the truth and will judge fairly (Psalm 98:9).
He loves justice (Psalm 99:4).

He promises to end our story with justice,
turning the wicked intentions of man against us to good,
for the glory of His name.

Truth begets life.
When we are helpless and hopeless in the place of deepest pain,
speaking the truth about our God revives our dying spirits.

Because the truth is, He is still worthy of our praise.
When we are overwhelmed, alone, wronged,
He is still God.
He is still good.
He is still for us.
And if God is for us, what can stand against us?

Remember that thing, that ugly hurt that drove us to our dark corners?
The truth we access in worship is because of who He is, because of His crazy love for us, He’s got that thing covered.

Drawing in a deep breath, she paused for a moment, biting her lower lip.
In a barely audible whisper, she began, “You are my God. You made me, and I. Am. Yours.” Words of life spoken in her own voice built her courage.

Stronger, now. “I come to You with thanksgiving and praise. Thank you for all that You are, and for being here with me now.

“You are my way through. You are my Good Shepherd and I belong to You.
You are my justice and my vindication.
You are good, and Your faithful love endures, forever.”

The mountains still rose before her.
The pain of brokenness with man remained.
But her Guide was at her side.
His very presence was salve to her wounds.

Slipping her fingers into His, she stepped forward, her soul awakened to deep life.

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Awaken Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Awaken!