Quiet Time Notes

QT 10/30/2026 John 4:11–20, Responding to the skeptics

2026-10-30T09:50:11.936-05:00

John 4:11–20 (ESV) —

11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” 13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.”

NOTE: I have been in a number of these faith conversations. This is fairly typical. The women's first response seems cynical -- Jesus is talking about living water and she points out that he nothing to draw living water. I'm pretty sure she knew he was not talking about the well. Next, Jesus is even clearer about his living water becoming eternal life. But, she sees this living water as an issue of comfort and not having to draw water again. Next, Jesus tells her to call her husband, but her response is cryptic, "I have no husband." Jesus graciously calls her truthful, and then says you have had 5 husbands and the guy you are living with now is not your husband. Now her sin has been exposed, and I've seen this over and over again when the truth gets too close, she tries to change the subject. She will try that again, before taking action.

Sometimes I will respond to the change of subject with a "you are not really interested in the answer to your question. People say they are interested but then, as the question is being answered, keep adding a new question, hoping to stump the Christian. All the answers are out there, and if you were really interested in a true answer, you could just ask AI, 'what is the Christian apologist's answer to blah-blah-blah question." Never ask the AI the question directly, it will only give you the social media majority opinion, which is almost always the non-Christian answer. Ask for the Christian apologist's answer if you are truly interested in the Christian response. Otherwise, you will only get what confirms your own biases.

I built AI models. I led the enterprise data science office for a fortune 100 company. I can tell you clearly, they do not think. They are only matrix algebra formulations of a lot of data, mostly social media.

PONDER:

Am I really interested in answers or just in quieting the answers I don't want to hear?
Am I prepared to give an answer to anyone who calls me to account for the hope that I have in me?

PRAYER: Father, help me to be gracious as Jesus was with the Samaritan women. I too can be critical of those who ask faith questions, but maybe, someday those answers might make a difference in their lives.

QT 10/29/2026 John 4:1–10, Does not getting what we want in life cause emotional rage?

2026-10-29T11:16:03.692-05:00

John 4:1–10 (ESV) —

1 Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), 3 he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. 4 And he had to pass through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.

7 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”

NOTE: I had not noticed how John had placed this story up against the previous story of Nicodemus. The previous story concerned an important man, with reputation, who met Jesus in the night and whose first question is "how." This next story is a story of extremes, a Samaritan women (later we would find multiple divorces), getting water in the middle of the day (to avoid the eyes of other women), and also asking "how." She was a picture of a "nobody" with also a sarcastic attitude, probably because life had not worked for her. Tenney describes her response to Jesus (in today's language) as:

“There was a trace of sarcasm in the woman’s reply, as if she meant, ‘We Samaritans are the dirt under your feet until you want something; then we are good enough!”

From one end of the "importance" spectrum to the "bottom," Jesus shows that all mankind is equal in God's eyes. She was not a person to be avoided, but a lost soul, chewed up and spit out by the evil system of sin.

Today, these same souls go looking for a cause to exhaust their rage at life. They look for same-sex relationships, they look for perceived injustice, they look for someone to be angry at. This Samaritan woman would have done the same I think if life was not so much harder to survive. She had to get water from a hill some distance from the village. They were no poverty programs or government handouts. Staying alive was her cause.

When I look at the women emotionally exhausted by life, and raging out their anger, I need to remember Jesus' compassion for their plight. I don't have the best attitude for these souls. I admit that is sin on my part.

PONDER:

What is it you really want in life?
Are you an angry person -- what is it you want but cannot get? Most anger is because a person wants something but it is not happening.

PRAYER: Father, forgive me for disregarding these women in my society. I'm the sarcastic one who finds amusement in their foolishness and rage. That is wrong. I confess my sin. My applications, at least a first step, is to pray for the person every time I see another example of a person consumed by hatred.

QT 10/28/2026 John 3:31–36, Unbelief is a sin not covered by the cross

2026-10-28T10:37:24.965-05:00

John 3:31–36 (ESV) —

31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

NOTE: The bible says that Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world. But there is still one sin that Jesus did not die for, the sin of unbelief in the Son of God. For those who do not believe, the wrath of God remains on them. This is a strong statement against those who might believe in universalism (the belief that all human beings are ultimately saved and reconciled to God). I don't see how one can ignore this verse. It is wishful thinking that God will save everyone despite their lack of belief in Jesus. Over and over again in this gospel and in John's three letters, John makes it clear that only those who believe in Jesus will experience salvation.

I would only add that intellectual assent in the existence of God or Jesus is not belief. The Greek word carries a strong sense of commitment. John's writings argue that obedience is an essential quality of a truly-saved individual.

PONDER:

Do I believe or do I only give lip service to God?
Has Jesus changed my life? Is there any evidence that I am a new creature because of my faith?

PRAYER: Father, I know that works cannot save me, but I also know that my works is evidence that you saved me. I don't think I have arrived in any sense, but I do see the changes you have cause and the changes you are still working in my life.

QT 10/27/2026 John 3:27–30, Being okay with not being seen

2026-10-27T11:10:07.859-05:00

John 3:27–30 (ESV) —

27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

NOTE: John clearly understood his place in the kingdom and his role. He supported the bridegroom and he was the friend of the bridegroom (in this case, quite an honor). His joy was in seeing his friend succeed. He had no aspirations for fame or honor or prestige or notoriety. He was THANKFUL for the role God had given him. He knew that he was not deserving to be the messenger for the Messiah, but by grace, God had called him to that ministry. He was 100 percent behind God's leadership choice. He was just glad to be a part of God's plan.

I wish we could all have John's attitude of humility and willing service to whatever God called him. Jesus said of him, no one greater has ever been born.

PONDER:

Am I okay with being second fiddle, even when it seems like I started something that grew large and another was applauded?
Am I okay with not being noticed at events?
I hope the answer to the above two questions is, absolutely!

PRAYER: Father, this is something I will be working on for the rest of my life, less of me, more of others and God. Give me grace to be humble like John the Baptist and also like Moses.

QT 10/26/2026 John 3:22–26, The truth is out there

2026-10-26T09:28:23.486-05:00

John 3:22–26 (ESV) —

22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison).

25 Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.”

NOTE: There is some debate regarding the sequence of events here in John's gospel. John follows a typical Jewish philosophy of organizing events to make a point, even if they are not chronological. This is common in "eastern" cultures. Most of the "west" follows a Greek formula that is chronological. And John makes it clear, that he understood the chronology, even by his parenthetical insert of the note on John's imprisonment. In fact, one of the arguments for historicity is that stories are not exactly similar among the gospels. The leaders did not sit down and discuss how the story would be made up, because it was real. The same thing happens today when eyewitnesses give what appear to be conflicting stories of a particular event, like a car accident. An investigator once told me that when stories match exactly, it means they are lying.

Despite John the Baptist's testimony already regarding Jesus, John (the Apostle) brings him back into the story a second time. And we see some jealousy among his disciples because more people are following Jesus now. This sounds very much like what most hate about religion, when people are trying to build their numbers or create fame in a preacher's name. But because, this is about the real Son of God, John the Baptist will very clear state that Jesus must become more and he must become less.

PONDER:

Do you still question the validity of the scriptures?
Do you still try to convince yourself that the stories in the bible cannot be true?

PRAYER: Father, we actually use quite absurd arguments in denying truth because we don't want to hear truth. If we opened our heart to the truth we would need to repent and call you our Lord and God. But we like being our own gods too much. Open our eyes and our heart, help us to see truth.

QT 10/23/2026 John 3:16–21, Religiosity is not belief

2026-10-23T15:53:29.971-05:00

John 3:16–21 (ESV) —

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

NOTE: This opening verse is so familiar that sometimes I separate it from the context of the discussion with Nicodemus about the need to be born again and why that is similar to the unseen wind blowing the leaves. As John, the disciple, makes very clear in this book and in his letters, belief in Jesus is what causes the new birth. Major changes occur upon belief, one is a promise of eternal life, the second is no condemnation for the person who believes. Coming into the light exposes our sin, so that we can see what we never in full what the darkness tries to hide. This new birth is life-changing.

What about the person who never experienced the life changing effect of a new birth? What about the person who "all his life" has been a Christian. I tend to doubt the "all the life" Christian, since it does not fit with the new birth Jesus described. But what if the new birth occurred at a very young age? There is a way to make sure. Make it an adult decision, not a decision your parents made for you. What about the person who had a gradual conversion? I don't know, but I also wonder if the person has truly experienced the new birth. What about Nicodemus, religious, a rabbi, and only late in life meeting Jesus? If you are counting on good works or religiosity as your argument for your belief, I would seriously reevaluate life.

PONDER:

Have I been born again?
Have I experienced a new birth?
Is my relationship with God a twice a week thing or an everyday commitment to his word?

PRAYER: Father, thank you for rescuing me from a life of religion and revealing the new life to me. I never knew you and I didn't even know it. Today I see so much more clearly truth. I pray to make a positive impact on those around me.

QT 10/22/2026 John 3:9-15, Born again is the path to true spirituality

2026-10-23T15:52:13.691-05:00

Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

(John 3:9–15, ESV)

QT 10/21/2026 John 3:1–8, Jesus puzzles the religious seekers

2026-10-21T11:49:26.193-05:00

John 3:1–8 (ESV) —

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

NOTE: To me, the most interesting aspect of Nicodemus is that he came at night. Already, the religious leaders were not accepting Jesus, probably because of what happened at the temple. But, some rabbis and Pharisees probably recognized the corrupt practices, even though they weren't willing to stand up against it. Your career and opportunity for higher position was probably dependent upon holding the party line.

Jesus didn't make it easy on Nicodemus. Rather than giving a defense of his actions, he puzzles him with a statement of the need to be born again. If he had said Gentiles must be born again, Nicodemus might have understood. But to say a person needs to be born again to enter God's kingdom throws Jews in the bucket of people outside God's kingdom.

Additionally, Jesus describes the new birth with a metaphor of wind. You see the change caused by the wind, but you don't see the wind or where it came from, so it is with spiritual rebirth. You see a change in the person's life, but you don't see the Holy Spirit who is making those changes.

PONDER:

Has your life been changed by a rebirth?
Are you on the outside or inside the kingdom?

PRAYER: Father, I know what Jesus meant because I have experienced that change long before I even knew there was a phrase, born again. I saw my life change after I put my trust in you. I saw that desire for you word grow in my heart. I saw everything change because of faith in you.

QT 10/20/2026 John 2:12–25, Understanding our desperate need

2026-10-20T11:04:23.111-05:00

John 2:12–25 (ESV) —

12 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.

13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. 15 And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

18 So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. 24 But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people 25 and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.

NOTE: The passage is not the most flattering description of humanity. The first part of the story has scoundrels (most likely the priests) selling and making a profit off of religious items. The second part has the religious leaders questioning why he would disrupt these business. In essence they were defending this sham. What is even more interesting is what western readers never notice, they were actually using the court of the Gentiles in the temple to sell their goods. The court was a place of prayer for all people, but now it was a noisy marketplace for people to be ripped off. Yes, Jesus knew what was in man: deceit, greed, selfishness, and a total disregard for God's holiness.

There are people today who don't seem themselves that way. They are deluded. They think they are good because they can always find someone worse. But the bible is clear on this point.

Romans 3:10–12 (ESV) —

10 as it is written:

“None is righteous, no, not one;

11 no one understands;

no one seeks for God.

12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;

no one does good,

not even one.”

Other verses are Ps 14:1-3; Ps 53:1-3; Eccl 7:20; Rom 3:23; Isa 64:6; and Gen 6:5 to name only a few.

It only takes one sin to fall short of the glory of God.

PONDER:

Do I recognize my real sin nature?
Do I understand my need for a savior?

PRAYER: Father, I need no convincing to realize how far short I fall of your standard. As I age, I appreciate with each passing the year the forgiveness that is found only in Jesus Christ's death on the cross for me. Thank you. Forgive my weakness which surfaces too often.

QT 10/19/2026 John 2:1–11, Convictions versus biblical teaching

2026-10-19T10:30:22.379-05:00

John 2:1–11 (ESV) —

1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

NOTE: Some commentators have tried to argue that the word for drink is non-alcoholic grape juice. That of course is reading into scripture to fit your own prejudices (or opinion). It is clear from the Master of the feast that it was wine, alcoholic wine. It was a very good quality, and it would have been more natural to use that wine first and then use the cheaper version later when people might care less. Alcohol is clearly the underlying thought in these verses. Jesus created alcohol at the feast, but he did not create it to be abused. God created a beautiful world and he did not create it to be abused.

In my mind, alcohol is not evil. Drinking to excess is sin as drunkenness is specifically named in other parts of scripture. My point is that we must not read into scripture our own ideas but accept scripture as it reads. One can still have a conviction not to drink any alcohol, but one cannot teach others to have the same conviction. There is great wisdom in staying away from alcohol, because it can go too far without a person realizing. I remember a time having not eaten all day, when I had a drink that came before the meal. I was only halfway through the drink and I felt funny and lightheaded. I have very specific rules to avoid ever getting drunk -- my father was an alcoholic. But this was the first time, one glass of a drink, on an empty stomach, clearly impacted my body in a negative way.

So we must be careful with alcohol, but denying alcohol is a conviction, not a teaching of scripture.

PONDER:

What are your convictions on alcohol, and how do you protect your body from abusing alcohol?

PRAYER: Father, It is amazing that Jesus could create a beautiful wine out of water almost instantaneously. And it is interesting that Jesus cared enough about the wedding celebration that he involved himself in the couple's time of great joy. Jesus is so different from our versions of a religious person. Thank you for joy and caring for other people's joy.

QT 10/16/2026 John 1:43–51, What is our response to the Gospel? Or do we have a response?

2026-10-16T10:46:07.625-05:00

John 1:43–51 (ESV) —

43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

NOTE: There is a lot of finding and being found expressed in these verses. But the real question is, who really finds who? God is the one who ultimately finds us, and then it is up to us to believe and receive Jesus. For some reason, it is very popular today to take a strong Calvinistic approach to life (i.e., God is completely sovereign). Possibly, at least in America, it is a backlash against our strong individual freedom culture, which I agree is very dangerous. But, I think the pendulum has swung too far. God does choose us, but we also respond in belief. The gospel clearly says both. In fact, this discussion of finding and arguing what we see (in Nathaniel's interaction with Jesus), has no place in a strong Calvinistic approach to scripture. Why do we care what Jesus saw beforehand or why Jesus questions Nathaniel, "do you believe?" It really is a meaningless story unless we believe in God's sovereignty and man's free will. From our understanding in our puny little brains, it might not make sense (sovereignty and free will), but whoever argued that we should completely understand God's infinite mind?

PONDER:

The real question, however worded, is, have you found Jesus yet? All of life hinges on the answer.

PRAYER: Father, years ago, I came to faith through the "I found it" campaign. Maybe today, people would say "God found me." But you Lord, never lost me. You have been there from the beginning working in my life so that I could hear and respond to the good news. If it was all predestined, hearing doesn't seem very important. I heard the gospel in a Catholic church and did not respond. But I saw it in a man who said that he knew God in the same way I knew my girlfriend, and it was at that moment that I realized I wanted what he had, a relationship with Jesus.

QT 10/15/2026 John 1:35–42, Jesus is the goal of our discipleship

2026-10-15T10:39:21.483-05:00

John 1:35–42 (ESV) —

35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).

NOTE: There is a lot in this passage that could be discussed. I think what stands out to me is how John (the Baptist) pointed his followers (his disciples) to Jesus. He was trying to build a personal empire, or grow his "Sunday School class." The most important thing is not that people follow me, but that they follow Jesus. My greatest desire for my own 'disciples' is that they are in the word regularly, every day, and that they see Jesus changing their life from one degree of glory to another. I appreciate the love and support of many of those I have discipled, but Jesus is the key. If they are not rabid followers of Jesus, I feel like I have failed. I know it is not my job to be their obedience, but I ache that they might know the fantastic fulfillment found in following the Savior (not sure where the alliteration came from).

PONDER:

Who am I following? A man or Jesus, my savior.
How do I feel when people leave my class? What is my goal for those I teach, and those I disciple? (note that I see a difference in teach and disciple).

PRAYER: Father, may I hold with an open hand the men you have given me to train up as disciples. May they find their place in the kingdom. May you bless all that they do. May they always serve you first.

QT 10/14/2026 John 1:29–34, The world is attacking our faith

2026-10-14T11:30:34.093-05:00

John 1:29–34 (ESV) —

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

NOTE: Very clearly, John the Baptist tells us that Jesus was different. John already knows that he is the lamb of God, and unlike the sacrifices, he does not cover sin, Jesus takes away the sin of the world. That is a huge difference. John also states that Jesus was before him even though John is older by 3-6 months. Jesus is older, because Jesus is eternal. Later Jesus would say, "before Abraham was born, I am." Jesus is the eternal God, as John the author has already argued. Lastly, John the Baptist states that Jesus was the Son of God. Later in his life, as he had been sitting in prison, he would begin to doubt, but clearly God the father has revealed to him the mission of Jesus.

What does it mean for us? I think my side comment of John doubting later in life is good to remember. The world pounds away at us, and our sure faith can be a doubting faith at times. We need to reestablish ourselves in the basics and repeat for ourselves the truths of the gospel. The days are coming to a close. Our enthusiasm should be higher every day.

PONDER:

Do I struggle with doubts at times, like John the Baptist? Confess it, repent, and move on. The enemy is working mightily to destroy our faith.

PRAYER: Father, when I say the enemy, I mean all of his minions. I doubt the enemy knows my name, but some demons do. And the world system works for the enemy as it tries to destroy the faith of millions by proclaiming falsities that pretend to be truth. It is an incredibly evil system that destroys so many in its attempts to spread the enemy's lies. Father, open our eyes to real truth.

QT 10/13/2026 John 1:19-28, Elijah prepares the way

2026-10-13T08:14:34.767-05:00

John 1:19–28 (ESV) —

19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

NOTE: John the Baptist answered the question as to whether he was Elijah negatively. It is a true statement that he was not Elijah raised from the dead. Constable says "His dress, diet, lifestyle, and ministry, however, were very similar to Elijah’s." In Luke's gospel, he says that John came in the spirit and power of Elijah. Jesus says two things in the same statement: He says that John the Baptist was Elijah, but he also says that Elijah does come and Elijah has come. I think Jesus was hinting at the two comings. John the Baptist performed the ministry of Elijah the first time, but there is still another ministry of Elijah before Jesus comes a second time to judge the earth.

The scripture is not only true, fulfills prophecy, but is intricately complex. There are mysteries hidden within the word and mostly revealed in the New Testament. The Jews at the time, 30 AD, understood there to be two messiahs, one patterned on Joseph and one patterned on David. What they didn't understand was that it was the same person coming two times. The first time to suffer and die for our sins (Isa 53) as a lamb, and the second time to judge the earth as a lion.

The days are coming to a close. The prophecies will be fulfilled just as they were in Jesus' time. Are you ready? Do you know Jesus?

PONDER:

Are you ready for Jesus' return?
Do you know Jesus or are you just religious?

PRAYER: Father, there is so much evil in our day. There is so much hatred. There is so much rebellion from your word. I pray for repentance and healing. We are so foolish. Have mercy on us.

QT 10/12/2026 John 1:14–18, Words cannot capture God's Grace toward us

2026-10-12T15:05:08.523-05:00

John 1:14–18 (ESV) —

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; God the only Son, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

NOTE: The word (verse 1), the creator (vers3 3), life (verse 4), and the light (verse 5) became flesh and lived among us. He was God and also God's son, and he made God known to us. We see God when we look at Jesus. The writer of Hebrews puts it this way:

Hebrews 1:1–3a (ESV) —

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, …

The amazing thing happened, God (who fills the whole universe), came to our planet and lived as a man. And then he died for us so that we might live eternally. He didn't do it because we were good people. The bible says that we are all enemies of God. He did it because he loved us first.

The Old Testament (OT) brought law, but Jesus brought grace -- unmerited favor from God. I don't really have words to say what I just wrote. They seem so shallow and empty against the truth of what God did. The best I can say is nothing … because anything would feel cheap compared to what God did for us.

PONDER:

Do we truly appreciate what God did to save man?

PRAYER: Father, thank you. I don't know what to say but thank you. I know I need to live for you, not to earn anything, only to express my gratitude for my salvation.

QT 10/10/2026 John 1:6–13, Truly believing

2026-10-10T11:00:26.708-05:00

John 1:6–13 (ESV) —

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

NOTE: John writes that the true light, Jesus, came into the world. He was here. He made this world, and the world did not recognize him. His own people, chosen by grace, did not recognize him. But those who did, those who received him, those who believed in Him, He gave the right to become children of God. The people of the world are not God's children. John in his letter, said the same. Referring to those who believed, he says:

1 John 5:19 (ESV) — We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

Those in the world are not God's children. They are his creation but are not his children. They lie in the power of the evil one, whether they choose it or not. But they can change their camp as John makes very clear.

1 John 5:11–13 (ESV) — 11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

Jesus is not only the light but as John just said in the preceding verses of his gospel record, Jesus is the life.

John 1:4 (ESV) — In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

So where do we stand, have we received and believed, or are we in the other camp which lies in the power of the evil one? There is still time to believe.

PONDER:

To which camp do I belong, the camp of God or the camp that lies in the power of the evil one?

PRAYER: Father, thank you that years ago I heard your word and believed. In High School I was religious and probably a moralist, and not a Christian. But in college, someone shared these words to me and talked about knowing you personally. And then I truly gave my life to you and experienced a changed life, a born again experience. I can say without any doubt, I know you and I have eternal life now.

QT 10/8/2026 John 1:1–5, True Christianity versus churchianity

2026-10-08T10:39:48.509-05:00

John 1:1–5 (ESV) —

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

NOTE: This is really the answer to all of our problems. The Word was God, he was with God, and he is God. Everything was made through the word. In him (the word, same as Jesus) was life. The life is our light. The light was shown in our dark world and the darkness is not able to overcome it.

This is still true today. If we are defeated, it is because we have left the word of God behind. It we are struggling, it is because we are ignoring and have ignored the word. The answers are there, in Jesus, in the word, but most people will never crack the covers of their bible.

I see people try to live the Christian life in the power of their own strength. Most sporadically read the word. They are more faithful to have a meal than they are to read the word. They believe in their physical existence but doubt their spiritual. Well does Jesus describe those who pretend to carry the name of Christian:

Revelation 3:15–20 (ESV) — 15 “ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing,” not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

These "christians-by-their-choice-of-name-only" are not spiritually rich (no inheritance in heaven), do not have the covering of white garments (Jesus' righteousness), and they are still blind because they do not know God. They need to stop playing spiritual games.

PONDER:

Are you religious and moral, or do you truly know the savior? Only one question matters and it is not the first.

PRAYER: Father, I pray for the gospel to go forth even in our so-called churches. Satan has blinded the mind of unbelievers so that they even sit in the pews, and are lukewarm. I pray that people would wake up to truth.

QT 10/7/2026 Eph 6:21-24, God's word is for our good

2026-10-07T11:17:49.190-05:00

Ephesians 6:21–24 (ESV) —

21 So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.

23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

NOTE: Paul could have written how he and his companions ('we') were doing. Instead, he give Tychicus that responsibility. I don't think Paul saw himself as a person writing what would become much of the New Testament. But God knew how he was going to use these writings. While some books do carry a lot of detail (such as the end of Romans), everything is as it is for a purpose. The focus of Ephesians is the body of Christ and transformation by putting on and putting off. Too much additional information would have taken away from the main points.

It appears that Tychicus was given the same responsibility to the Colossian church (relating how Paul was doing). There are a lot of similarities in the two letters, and yet they are unique to the particular issues of the church. Together, Paul's letters map out the theology of the Christian faith. Yes, it is Jewish in its foundation, but it removes the barrier, the law, that was intended to show the Jewish people their need for a savior. Paul's letters help Gentiles to understand how the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob pursued Gentiles and saved them.

PONDER:

Do I know the scriptures, really know the scriptures? They are the key to walking with God

PRAYER: Father, thank you for the New Testament writers. Thank you for how you put together a completely coherent picture of faith and salvation. I pray we would be faithful to dig in your word every day.

QT 10/6/2026 Eph 6:19-20, Ambassadors in every situation

2026-10-06T08:18:08.345-05:00

Ephesians 6:19–20 (ESV) —

19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

NOTE: Two things stand out. One is the emphasis on praying for boldness as a good prayer. This prayer is repeated regularly in scripture. Someone once said that there are prayers for boldness, but never for opportunities in scripture. Actually, that isn't true. In Paul's letter to the Corinthians, he prays for an open door to share the gospel -- that sounds like he is praying for opportunity. But the idea is not without merit. We really do have the opportunities to share the gospel, we need the boldness. The second thought I had builds upon this. Paul calls himself an ambassador in chains. In his letter to the Corinthians, he called all believers ambassadors for God. His point that despite his changed circumstances, i.e., in prison, he was still an ambassador. We are all ambassadors for Jesus despite our circumstances, lot in life, or current situation. We are never not ambassadors. We are not to live a life of recluse. We have an obligation to share Christ or live Christ to anyone who might happen to see us.

PONDER:

How am I doing sharing Christ and living out Christ in my daily life?

PRAYER: Father, give me boldness to share my faith. Thank you for the recent opportunity to share to my former classmates. I pray for boldness to follow up on those conversations in a bold and yet gracious manner.

QT 10/5/2026 Eph 6:14-18, The armor of God's key component is God's word of truth

2026-10-05T09:53:18.953-05:00

Ephesians 6:14–18 (ESV) —

14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

NOTE: The preceding verses discussed the schemes of the devil. The armor of God is our response to the schemes of the devil. The armor of God allows us to defend ourselves as well as to fight back. The key is the word of God. It starts with the belt of truth to hold everything together. In the breastplate of righteousness it gives us the information on how to behave. The shield of faith is strengthened by our knowledge of what God has said about us in his word. The helmet of salvation uses the word of God to protect our minds. The gospel of peace that are our shoes require the message of truth in the word. And finally, the sword is an offensive weapon when we use the truth of God's word to fight the enemy. Even prayers requires the word of God to be able to pray the will of God for our lives.

The word of God is the key to the armor of God and to our standing up and withstanding the schemes of the evil one.

PONDER:

Are we really serious about getting into the word of God daily?

PRAYER: Father, thank you for your word. Thank you for the change you have wrought in my life through the word of God. Continue to change me and use me these days.

QT 10/2/2026 Eph 6:10–13, Why we must have the armor of God

2026-10-02T08:25:19.824-05:00

Ephesians 6:10–13 (ESV) —

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

NOTE: I think sometimes we focus too much on ourselves or our relational abilities in living life for God, not realizing we have two classes of enemies. The physical / seen enemies to our spiritual growth are identifiable. They are evil people, corrupt politicians, media personalities, and a worldview created by those who hate God. But we are in danger if we rely only on what we see to fight our battles. The second class of enemies is an unseen group (not flesh and blood), but spiritual forces divided into rulers and authorities and just pure evil beings. The weapons have to be different and of a spiritual (unseen) nature. Paul calls this special group of tools, the armor of God. We can't limit ourselves to battles in the flesh, but we must be ready to battle in the spiritual nature as well, otherwise we are going to fall short and fail.

This is why we cannot win spiritual battles with new laws or voter registration or the right leaders or even apologetic arguments. It is only part of the problem. You have to prepare yourself to fight spiritual battles. In the next verses, Paul will lay out the armor of God and how to use it.

PONDER:

Are you fighting spiritual battles only on the physical plane?
Do you know how to fight spiritual battles in the spiritual plane as well?

PRAYER: Father, I pray even now for spiritual battles that are upcoming, specifically tomorrow night. I pray for a shield of faith, a wise use of the word of God, and a lifestyle that expresses the gentleness and kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ.

QT 10/1/2026 Eph 6:9, Leadership, badly understood in the world

2026-10-01T07:59:47.919-05:00

Ephesians 6:9 (ESV) —

9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

NOTE: Employers are to follow the same instructions as the employee. In other words, each is working to please God, not to make a show for others. I have noticed this in young managers (young enlisted supervisors), the power goes to their head and they treat those under them with contempt, trying to show that they are above them. It is a High School game and it is very toxic. I don't like people promoted too young, it seldom is a good thing, unless they have a very good boss who presents a good example. People also talk about servant leadership, but few who use the phrase actually live out the life.

When I was a commander, nearly 17 years into my military career, I had my first true opportunity to exercise these concepts. I had very good bosses. I was absolutely ready to be a squadron commander. I immediately started praying for each person in the squadron, getting there early in the morning and closing my office door to pray. I met with everyone in my squadron, not just my direct reports, and learned about them and the goals for their career. I walked around the office multiple times each day as I got coffee to chit chat with people. I traveled out to operating locations and detachments, spending significant time to get to know people. I put them in front of General officers to give presentations that I probably could have done a little better. I cared for each one of them like a father and a mother. And I saw the results, we were recognized as a top performing squadron with an "outstanding" score during inspections. I know these concepts work. They are not mine, but what God says in verse 9.

PONDER:

What am I learning about leadership?
What am I displaying to others about leadership?

PRAYER: Father, you have been very gracious to me in my career. It is hard to believe it is over, I enjoyed it too much. I may be retired, but I know you will continue to use me in other volunteer ventures. Thank you.

QT 9/30/2026 Eph 6:5-8, Work is an opportunity from God

2026-09-30T07:25:48.635-05:00

Ephesians 6:5–8 (ESV) —

5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.

NOTE: I think we don't understand the ramifications of work. It was part of the original creation that God said was good. But after the fall, it was cursed by God with the result that work would be frustrating (weeds). But work can still be fulfilling and work can be life-giving. There are studies that show a higher percentage of people die sooner than those who continue working. The evidence is not conclusive because of many different factors, such as health and other underlying conditions. Additionally, some "retired" people volunteer to work in social / religious opportunities. But it would seem, that if you are working, you should be giving it your energy. To me, that means lifelong learning needs to be foundational. Never stop learning how to do your job better. But don't do it to please people, do it to please God. I think there is great blessing in doing your job well. Of course you can overdo it as well. Those who are workaholics and don't take care of the families spiritually can do more harm than good to themselves and their families.

The bottom line is that God call us to do our job well. I believe that includes learning how to do your job better. No matter what your job is, every job, no matter how menial, can be done better.

PONDER:

How do I view my job, as drudgery or as opportunity?

PRAYER: Father, thank you for work. You continue to give me opportunities to work even in my retirement. Thank you for the two toddlers I watch all day, 5 days a week. They are a joy. Protect my health. Help me to make right choices.

QT 9/29/2026 Eph 6:4, Giving focus and attention to your child

2026-09-29T08:09:16.017-05:00

Ephesians 6:4 (ESV) —

4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

NOTE: Some versions (NIV84) use the word "exasperate" instead of "provoke." I like that because I know the feeling of being exasperated and then to answer harshly, further exasperating the situation. So, part of the solution, is that I need be careful how I am first affected by the situation. When I am exasperated, it is usually because there is something I need (want) to do and I am being interrupted, so that I can't focus. The problem then is twofold, focus and attention. Yes, I need to be focused on one thing and it needs to get the attention. But when my child interrupts and demands my attention, or even an employee, I need to turn and give the person my full attention and focus. Answering a child (or an employee) while I am writing out an email is a lose-lose proposition. One, the child (or employee) doesn't feel valued because he does not have my attention, and two, I do a poor job with both the email and the answer to the person.

I worked for a company that had a slogan, "be there now." The slogan meant that when I was interrupted by someone at my desk, I needed to stop what I was doing and focus on the individual. I needed to give the person my full attention. There are exceptions to the rule (as in all rules), but I have always felt it was a great idea. It helps me not to be exasperated as well as to not answer in a way that exasperates the individual.

Our children are the most important persons in our lives (God and our spouse are more important). They deserve our attention.

PONDER:

Do I give my children my full attention, or only half?

PRAYER: Father, I pray that even when my children call that I would give them my full attention. Help me to see when I am not doing that.

QT 9/28/2026 Eph 6:1-3, Honoring difficult parents

2026-09-28T07:46:40.936-05:00

Ephesians 6:1–3 (ESV) —

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

NOTE: My Dad passed some time ago. I do have spiritual mentors and I do visit them on occasion. I'm visiting my mother in the next few days. It is hard to honor her because I feel I disagree with her on so many things. I guess I'm not much different from today's generation that has totally disengaged from their family. I am visiting because I should. I am listening and talking but not with much depth less something be misconstrued. I feel I am barely meeting the requirements of honor. I know she appreciates it. But it has been almost two years since I have seen her. And she has yet to meet the two grandchildren. I suppose I will offer to fly her and my sister down again. And I think that is part of what it means to honor her -- what can I do. I do call, but irregularly.

Each of us need to step back and ask these questions. What does it mean to honor your parents? You can disagree on many points, but you can still be civil and talk.

PONDER:

What can I do to honor my parent?
What should I do to honor my parent?

PRAYER: God, I pray for wisdom for what I can do to honor my Mom. I think time together is good, but I struggle to do anything beyond two days. I like to take her out to eat and walk with her in her stores, but is there anything else I can do for her? Give me wisdom.