Forwarded from Filling Our Cups With Hope
Clean on the Outside, Empty on the Inside...
Studying John 3, it confronts one of the most uncomfortable truths of the spiritual life: it is possible to be close to God in activity, yet far from Him in intimacy.
Nicodemus did not come to Jesus as a rebel or a skeptic. He came as a leader, a teacher of the Law, a man whose life looked disciplined and devout. He knew the Scriptures. He guarded the commandments. He carried spiritual authority. If anyone looked “right” before God, it was him.
Yet Jesus did not applaud his obedience. He did not commend his morality. He did not affirm his religious résumé.
Instead, Jesus spoke words that cut through every layer of performance: “You must be born again.”
In other words: what you have is not enough.
This is where John 3 becomes unsettling. Because it reveals that we can polish our behavior and still possess an untouched heart. We can clean the outside while the inside remains empty, untouched by the life of God.
Religion excels at managing appearances.
It teaches us how to act holy, sound spiritual, and look transformed. But only the Spirit can make us alive.
You can remove visible sins and still carry hidden pride. You can discipline your body and still resist surrender. You can pray, fast, serve, and still be living off yesterday’s encounters instead of today’s dependence.
Nicodemus needed more than information, he needed regeneration. More than correction, he needed resurrection.
Jesus was not offering Nicodemus a better version of his old life. He was calling him to an entirely new one.
To be “born again” is not self-improvement. It is not spiritual effort. It is not moral adjustment. It is the death of self-rule and the birth of God-rule.
John 3 reminds us that the gospel is not about becoming better people, but about becoming new creations. The Spirit does not come to assist our old nature, He comes to replace it.
Clean hands without a transformed heart still leave us spiritually dry. A controlled life without surrender still lacks power. A faith built on effort instead of intimacy will eventually collapse.
Jesus’ words to Nicodemus echo to us today: Do not settle for outward change when heaven is offering inward life.
The question John 3 leaves us with is deeply personal: Are we protecting our reputation, or surrendering our hearts? Are we practicing religion, or experiencing rebirth? Are we clean on the outside, but still empty within?
Because in the kingdom of God, cleanliness without newness is not salvation. Only those made alive by the Spirit will truly live ☕️
Studying John 3, it confronts one of the most uncomfortable truths of the spiritual life: it is possible to be close to God in activity, yet far from Him in intimacy.
Nicodemus did not come to Jesus as a rebel or a skeptic. He came as a leader, a teacher of the Law, a man whose life looked disciplined and devout. He knew the Scriptures. He guarded the commandments. He carried spiritual authority. If anyone looked “right” before God, it was him.
Yet Jesus did not applaud his obedience. He did not commend his morality. He did not affirm his religious résumé.
Instead, Jesus spoke words that cut through every layer of performance: “You must be born again.”
In other words: what you have is not enough.
This is where John 3 becomes unsettling. Because it reveals that we can polish our behavior and still possess an untouched heart. We can clean the outside while the inside remains empty, untouched by the life of God.
Religion excels at managing appearances.
It teaches us how to act holy, sound spiritual, and look transformed. But only the Spirit can make us alive.
You can remove visible sins and still carry hidden pride. You can discipline your body and still resist surrender. You can pray, fast, serve, and still be living off yesterday’s encounters instead of today’s dependence.
Nicodemus needed more than information, he needed regeneration. More than correction, he needed resurrection.
Jesus was not offering Nicodemus a better version of his old life. He was calling him to an entirely new one.
To be “born again” is not self-improvement. It is not spiritual effort. It is not moral adjustment. It is the death of self-rule and the birth of God-rule.
John 3 reminds us that the gospel is not about becoming better people, but about becoming new creations. The Spirit does not come to assist our old nature, He comes to replace it.
Clean hands without a transformed heart still leave us spiritually dry. A controlled life without surrender still lacks power. A faith built on effort instead of intimacy will eventually collapse.
Jesus’ words to Nicodemus echo to us today: Do not settle for outward change when heaven is offering inward life.
The question John 3 leaves us with is deeply personal: Are we protecting our reputation, or surrendering our hearts? Are we practicing religion, or experiencing rebirth? Are we clean on the outside, but still empty within?
Because in the kingdom of God, cleanliness without newness is not salvation. Only those made alive by the Spirit will truly live ☕️
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Forwarded from Steph Z
Good morning, fam! I’d love to cover everyone in the path of this winter storm 🙏🏼
Heavenly Father, I come to you today praying for everyone that’s in the path of this storm. I pray that people would prepare with wisdom, not fear. That You would give clarity, discernment, and peace as they make decisions. I ask that homes, families, and first responders be protected,
that resources would be sufficient, and that no one would be caught unaware. Let preparation be rooted in stewardship, not anxiety,
and let Your peace guard hearts and minds. Father
God, We lift up those who are vulnerable during this storm — especially those without shelter. We ask that doors would open, resources would be made available, and that no one would be left unseen or uncared for. Cover them with Your protection and guide them to warmth and safety. We pray for families, children, and the elderly — that homes would be secure and hearts would remain calm and grounded in You. We also ask You to protect our pets and animals, both in homes and outdoors, that they would be kept safe, warm, and provided for. Let Your peace go before us, Your wisdom guide us, and Your presence surround us. We trust You, and we love you Lord. Amen 🙏🏼 🤍
Heavenly Father, I come to you today praying for everyone that’s in the path of this storm. I pray that people would prepare with wisdom, not fear. That You would give clarity, discernment, and peace as they make decisions. I ask that homes, families, and first responders be protected,
that resources would be sufficient, and that no one would be caught unaware. Let preparation be rooted in stewardship, not anxiety,
and let Your peace guard hearts and minds. Father
God, We lift up those who are vulnerable during this storm — especially those without shelter. We ask that doors would open, resources would be made available, and that no one would be left unseen or uncared for. Cover them with Your protection and guide them to warmth and safety. We pray for families, children, and the elderly — that homes would be secure and hearts would remain calm and grounded in You. We also ask You to protect our pets and animals, both in homes and outdoors, that they would be kept safe, warm, and provided for. Let Your peace go before us, Your wisdom guide us, and Your presence surround us. We trust You, and we love you Lord. Amen 🙏🏼 🤍
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Forwarded from Police frequency
SNOW TRAGEDY: A community is in mourning after a retired NYPD officer died while shoveling snow at Our Lady of Victory church in Floral Park during the snowstorm.
Roger McGovern was 60 years old and no cause of death has been given.
https://bit.ly/49QQEQ1
Rest Easy Brother. Prayers for his family of blue and blood.🙏🏻
@police_frequency
Roger McGovern was 60 years old and no cause of death has been given.
https://bit.ly/49QQEQ1
Rest Easy Brother. Prayers for his family of blue and blood.🙏🏻
@police_frequency
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Testimony Tuesday
For today’s testimony I am sharing a very powerful example of sacrificial love.
Love is costly, love is sacrificial. To love as Christ loved is a model we should never take for granted.
It is the foundation from which we build from. Christ is our example.
Hear this powerful story of one man’s experience when he was a selfish teenager as he witnessed this within his own family and the impact it made on him. Get your tissue ready.
For today’s testimony I am sharing a very powerful example of sacrificial love.
Love is costly, love is sacrificial. To love as Christ loved is a model we should never take for granted.
It is the foundation from which we build from. Christ is our example.
Hear this powerful story of one man’s experience when he was a selfish teenager as he witnessed this within his own family and the impact it made on him. Get your tissue ready.
This second video is a snippet from The Intentional Parents podcast. “Digital Thorns: Minimizing Proximity to Phones” (full YouTube video and Podcast link below)
Guest Joey Odom of Reclaimwell shares a short testimony of an encounter he had at the Atlanta airport. As you see in the video he explains he was on his phone and not paying attention to his surroundings. His distraction leads to a heated exchange with another traveler.
I listened to the entire podcast in which Joey shares his biblical approach to why we need to be more present in our surroundings lives. He stresses the importance of how our children, especially young children need their parents to be present and not constantly scrolling on their phones.
The podcast discusses the effect of allowing our phones to become distractions and interfering in our lives . Kids today are growing among these “thorns” which choke out the seeds of every good thing we want in our lives. Joey covers solutions to limit digital devices and have more intimacy with family members.
Guest Joey Odom of Reclaimwell shares a short testimony of an encounter he had at the Atlanta airport. As you see in the video he explains he was on his phone and not paying attention to his surroundings. His distraction leads to a heated exchange with another traveler.
I listened to the entire podcast in which Joey shares his biblical approach to why we need to be more present in our surroundings lives. He stresses the importance of how our children, especially young children need their parents to be present and not constantly scrolling on their phones.
The podcast discusses the effect of allowing our phones to become distractions and interfering in our lives . Kids today are growing among these “thorns” which choke out the seeds of every good thing we want in our lives. Joey covers solutions to limit digital devices and have more intimacy with family members.
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Media is too big
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
Why do we ever doubt God? We fret and play ‘what if’ scenarios in our minds. When has God ever dropped the ball on you? It may seem like he did, but what if instead we say; “Father, I don’t understand how this is going to all work out but I am going to choose to let you lead in this situation, and lay my concerns before you.”
In the meantime let’s not throw away our confidence, which has a great reward. For we have need of endurance, so that when we have done the will of God we may receive what is promised.
In the meantime let’s not throw away our confidence, which has a great reward. For we have need of endurance, so that when we have done the will of God we may receive what is promised.
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Forwarded from Lord, What Do You Want Me To Know Today?
Me: “Lord, what do You want me to know today?”
God: “There is nothing in your life that is worth fretting over. When the temptation to worry begins to overtake you, talk to Me immediately. I will gladly relieve you of your burdens if you will trust Me enough to let Me carry them for you. I've created you with special gifts and talents to use for My glory in your lifetime--worrying isn't one of them. Don't waste any more time trying to control things that are Mine alone to handle."
Matt. 6:34 (NIV) ~ "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
God: “There is nothing in your life that is worth fretting over. When the temptation to worry begins to overtake you, talk to Me immediately. I will gladly relieve you of your burdens if you will trust Me enough to let Me carry them for you. I've created you with special gifts and talents to use for My glory in your lifetime--worrying isn't one of them. Don't waste any more time trying to control things that are Mine alone to handle."
Matt. 6:34 (NIV) ~ "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
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