Missing the Forest for the Trees • John 5

But Jesus defended Himself. "My Father is working 

straight through, even on the Sabbath. So am I."
 

John 5:17

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So Jesus explained Himself at length.

"I'm telling you this straight.

The Son can't independently do a thing,

only what He sees the Father doing.

What the Father does, the Son does.

The Father loves the Son and includes

Him in everything He is doing.

John 5:19-20

•

The Son gives life to anyone He chooses. Neither He nor the Father shuts anyone out.

John 5:21

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"It's urgent that you listen carefully to this:

Anyone here who believes what I am saying right now

and aligns himself with the Father,

who has in fact put me in charge,

has at this very moment the real, lasting life

and is no longer condemned to be an outsider.

This person has taken a giant step from

the world of the dead to the world of the living."

John 5:24

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"You have your head in your Bibles constantly

because you think you'll find eternal life there.

But you miss the forest for the trees.

These Scriptures are all about Me!

And here I am, standing right before you,

and you aren't willing to receive from me

the life you say you want."

John 5:39-40

Oh Jesus! How often do I miss seeing You?

How many times do I get caught up

on the tiny and the mundane only to miss out on

the fullness and joy that is only found in You?

Please help me to see through new eyes.

Help me to understand with a new mind

what this world, what my life is really all about. 

Please help me not to take what you intended for good

and for freedom and turn it into a tool for enslavement. 

Help me to keep my eyes fixed on You and what You are doing.

Hold out Your hand, Jesus. Let me grasp Your fingers and 

go where You go. I want to do only what I see You doing,

instead of what people think I should. 

I choose to receive the life You have for me.