I've had an Epiphany!

John 3:1–17 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these miraculous signs you are doing unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “Amen, Amen, I tell you: Unless someone is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Amen, Amen, I tell you: Unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God! 6 Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh. Whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be surprised when I tell you that you must be born from above. 8 The wind blows where it pleases. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” ...

The Disciples Eat Wheat on the Sabbath Artist: James Tissot Worship Theme: Sadly, in Jesus’ day religious Jewish men (Pharisees) managed to turn even God’s day of rest, Saturday, into a “work day.” Today too, made-up rules and distractions keep Christians from their proper focus. God’s main message to us sinners is not about us or rituals to which we must conform, it is about Christ himself. Relying on what Christ did in our place instead of our own good works empowers our service to God. Old Testament: 1 Samuel 21:1-6    David came to Ahimelek the priest at Nob. When he came to meet David, Ahimelek was trembling with fear, and he said to David, “Why are you alone? Why isn’t there anyone with you?” 2 David said to Ahimelek the priest, “The king sent me on a mission and told me, ‘Don’t let anyone know anything abo ut where I am sending you or about your orders.’ I have instructed the young men to wait for me at a certain place. 3 So what do you have on hand?...

Ezekiel 37:1-14 The hand of the Lord was upon me. He brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley, which was full of bones. 2 He had me pass through them and go all over among them. There were very many on the valley floor, and they were very dry. 3 He said to me, “Son of man, can these dry bones live?” I answered, “ Lord God, you know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord .’” 5 This is what the Lord God says to these bones. I am about to make breath enter you so that you will live. 6 I will attach tendons to you. I will put flesh back on you. I will cover you with skin and put breath in you, and you will live. Then you will know that I am the Lord . 7 So I prophesied as I had been commanded, and as I was prophesying there was a noise, a rattling, as the bones came together, one bone connecting to another. 8 As I watched, tendons were attached to them, then flesh grew ove...

Nicodemus Visiting Jesus Henry Ossawa Tanner Worship Theme: On this Sunday we celebrate the mystery of God being three-in-one, a mystery he reveals both for his glory and on our behalf. Isaiah rightly trembled at God’s holiness. But to Nicodemus Jesus reveals something even more profound about the Trinity. The Father sent the Son to die in our place; whoever trusts in the Son, by the new birth the Spirit gives, has life with the Trinity forever. Old Testament: Isaiah 6:1-8 In the year t hat King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each one had six wings. With two they covered their faces. With two they covered their feet. With two they flew. 3 One called to another and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of Armies! The whole earth is full of his glory! 4 The foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of the one who called, and the temple was fille...

Luke 8:19-21 19  Jesus’ mother and brothers came to him, but they could not get near him because of the crowd.  20  Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” 21  But he answered them, “My mother and brothers are those who are hearing and doing the word of God.” “ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort ” (2 Corinthians 1:3, EHV) A recent study, conducted by Welch’s juice company , revealed that the average daily start time for a mom is 6:23 am – much earlier than when most people start their working day. Whether she works a full-time job or is a full-time stay-at-home mom, she ends her work day at 8:31 pm. There aren’t too many jobs that require a 14-hour work day – and most moms do this every day of the week. In total, that makes a mother working a monumental 98 hours a week – or 2 ½ times the average job. No wonder moms are tired! Being a mo...