I'll bet this would surprise a lot of people!

 There seem to be a lot of people that think since Jesus is love and loves everyone, He must pray for everyone as well.  In other words He treats everyone equally.   

 

I'll bet they would be really surprised that Jesus disagrees.  Here is what Jesus said. 

 

John17:8- 9  For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me. 

9 “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.  

 

Jesus tells them flat out that Jesus is only praying for those who believe in Him.  

 

Interesting isn't it?    

Pruning

 Pruning is the word that caught my eye in today's reading.  

People through the years have asked a variation on this question, "why does God let bad things happen to good people.?".  John 15:2 answers that question.   

 

In short, because it is necessary doe growth.  I Googled the following question, "why do they prune fruit trees?'.  Here is what I got. 

 

"The general purpose of pruning fruit trees and berry plants is to regulate growth, increase yields, improve fruit size and quality, and maintain plant health and vigor. Most pruning is done during the dormant season, preferably just before active growth begins in the spring.Feb 13, 2018  

 

It is a necessary process in the development of the tree or vine. 

 

Now let me relate that to the verse for today.  Take a look. 
 
John 15:2  Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He [a]takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.   

 

Isn't it interesting that Jesus uses pretty much the same reason regarding people.  It is necessary for our development. 

 

Doesn't mean we have to like or enjoy it.  Just means we can have faith that we will come out the other side stronger and more product as we continue our life long quest to do God's will in our lives.   

My How Times Have Changed

 Let me set the stage.  This King is having a great feast.  Towards the end of the feast he somones the Queen so he can show her off.  She refuses to come.  Here is the discussion after the fact. 

 

Esther 1:  Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times (for this was the king’s manner toward all who knew law and justice, 14 those closest to him being Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who had access to the king’s presence, and who [g]ranked highest in the kingdom): 15 “What shall we do to Queen Vashti, according to law, because she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus brought to her by the eunuchs?” 

16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes: “Queen Vashti has not only wronged the king, but also all the princes, and all the people who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. 17 For the queen’s behavior will become known to all women, so that they will despise their husbands in their eyes, when they report, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought in before him, but she did not come.’ 18 This very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media will say to all the king’s officials that they have heard of the behavior of the queen. Thus there will be excessive contempt and wrath.  

 

Man talk about male chauvinism!  LOL!  Got to punish those women and keep them in their place before they get uppity.  😊 

 

Now let me be clear.  I am not suggesting that we go back to that.  I just find some of the stuff like this in the OT to be funny.  It just shows how society as a whole has changed over the centuries.   

 

After 50+ years of studying the Bible I still don't get this!

Over the years I have read the Bible all the way through more times than I can remember.  One of the things I still don't get is the listing of who was at certain events in such intricate detail.  I have to admit that when I get to stuff like this my eyes glaze over.    

Nehemiah 12: 31 So I brought the leaders of Judah up on the wall, and appointed two large thanksgiving choirs. One went to the right hand on the wall toward the Refuse Gate. 32 After them went Hoshaiah and half of the leaders of Judah, 33 and Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, 34 Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, Jeremiah, 35 and some of the priests’ sons with trumpets—Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph, 36 and his brethren, Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God. And Ezra the scribe went before them. 37 By the Fountain Gate, in front of them, they went up the stairs of the City of David, on the stairway of the wall, beyond the house of David, as far as the Water Gate eastward. 

38 The other thanksgiving choir went the opposite way, and I was behind them with half of the people on the wall, going past the Tower of the Ovens as far as the Broad Wall, 39 and above the Gate of Ephraim, above the Old Gate, above the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel, the Tower of [r]the Hundred, as far as the Sheep Gate; and they stopped by the Gate of the Prison. 

40 So the two thanksgiving choirs stood in the house of God, likewise I and the half of the rulers with me; 41 and the priests, Eliakim, Maaseiah, [s]Minjamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets; 42 also Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam, and Ezer. The singers [t]sang loudly with Jezrahiah the director. 
 
Oh well, just another one of those mysteries of life to ponder. 

 

I hope you all have a blessed day!