To Believe or Not To Believe...

In John 7 we learn some things:

- Jesus' brothers didn't believe in Him, even after He'd done several miracles. They related to Him with sarcasm.

- If His own brothers had this attitude towards Him, why do you act surprised when people around you ridicule you and make fun of you for doing right and standing for what's right?

- His brothers' attitude didn't faze Him though. Rather He didn't hang about with them, telling them to go on ahead without Him, to the feast. Soon as they'd left He then set out on the same trip.

- Whether it's your blood brother or not, you should not hang about with people who undermine you and your vision, dream or purpose. They're dangerous. Reminds me of the time when Jesus was going to raise the dead girl up back to life. He only allowed people who had faith in Him and what God was going to do, into the room. All doubters were left outside so that the room in which the miracle took place, was filled with faith.

- Take a hint and surround yourself with people who are positive, faith-filled, big-thinking folks.

- The people believed Him because of the miracles He'd done. Would you believe in Him even if He'd not done any miracles? Would you take His word for it?


Living Water...

• "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."
  
  
• Jesus said this referring to His Spirit, whom He was going to give to those who'd believe in Him. Interesting He should liken His Spirit to water...water is absolutely vital to life in the natural. Likewise God's Spirit is absolutely vital to life in the spiritual realm.
  
  
• Notice that the Spirit is given to those who believe - it's up to the believer to receive this gift. Don't complicate things, don't go all weird about the gift of God's Spirit: if you wish to really live, believe on Him, repent and receive the Spirit of God into your heart and life. That's all there is to it, no fanfare, no hocus pocus, no nonsense. Keep it simple. Keep it true. Keep it real. More on this later.

Division Because of Him

• "So there was a division among the people because of him. " Was true then, is true now. When presented with the evidence about Jesus Christ, every man and woman has a decision to make: do you believe Him or not? Same evidence, decision is entirely up to you.