“Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”- John 21:25 (NIV)
This scripture seems funny to me in some ways now. Maybe Jesus didn’t know about Steve Jobs and Bill Gates and others that placed this iPad in my hand. The worldwide web is the whole world. I’m just sitting with my imagination running away with book thought of the many other things Jesus did.
Where have I seen God’s small miracles daily working in my life and the lives of others? I think I missed part B of my study verse, “for the books that would be written.”
I’m seeing our lives are so precious in His sight that we are a book in writing. Hey, would you like to read your own book? 📔📕📗📚
thedailylily.com 
I have so mentally, emotionally, and verbally enjoyed my meditative dialogue with myself and others on thinking of all these books that have yet be written. As John writes, ‘books that would be written.”
I am one that believes without a doubt we all have a story. Maybe we are not able to verbalize or write our own stories. But, when we meet a hearer of the heart ❤️ and they have great love ❤️ as demonstrated by Jesus Himself in drawing stories from within a soul our stories might implode.
One story we might think of where such a story became book worthy is found in John 1:48, where Jesus found a way to get Nathaniel to enter a book. “”How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Nathanael story; vs 47) When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, He said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit.” 48) “How do You know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “Before Philip called you, I saw you” under the fig tree. 49) “Rabbi,” Nathanael answered, “You are the Son of God! You are King of Israel!”… And, guess what the story surely didn’t start this way. We read that Nathaniel’s heart and words were not complimentary to Jesus at all. …45) Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, the One whom the prophets foretold—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46) “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. 47) When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, He said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit.”…What a story? What a book? Ended well!
“What a story? What a book? Ended well!”
This story, Sara, and you thoughts and writings sure provide a lot to think on.
As I was thinking on your question, “Hey, would you like to read your own book?”, one thought came to mind. I really desire to read about myself in one book in particular. The name of that book is The Lamb’s Book of Life (described with qualifications in Rev. 21:27 and Rev 20:15) and when it is read I would like to hear/see that my name is there.
Debi, how does one’s name qualified for the book you speak of?
“Debi, how does one’s name qualified for the book you speak of?”
From my limited understanding, some of the primary qualifiers are “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16); and “If you love me, you will keep my commandments”. (John 14:15) as well as “He who overcomes shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be My son.(Rev 21:7)
“But I am sure reading a lot of ways to be disqualified from having your name in The Book in Rev 21:8… “But the cowardly, unbelieving,abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” and in vs 27: “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie”.
Debi, looks like the list to have your name disqualified from the book is longer than the list to have your name there ? Any thoughts?
Yes, Debi, any thoughts? Tammy, that’s a sobering thought!
It sure is!
Tammy, this scripture came to my thought regarding your question:
Matt. 7:13,14: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
It seems that there are lots of opportunities to make choices that will disqualify because it the choices may be easier or satisfy self.
The short list to get on heaven’s roll call is not about self/me. It’s struggle and work and perseverance. And the apostle Paul called it a race and a fight.
These are just a couple of thoughts.
Debi, thanks for your input and study here. The footnotes, from the NLT Bible, for the above verses in Matthew 7 says: “The gate that leads to eternal life (John 10: 7-9) is called ‘narrow’. This does not mean that it is difficult to become a Christian but that there is only one way to eternal life with God and that only a few decide to walk that road. Believing in Jesus is the only way to heaven, because he alone died for our sins and made us right before God. Living his way may not be popular, but it is true and right. Thank God there is one way!”
And look at the footnotes for Revelation 21: 7,8. “The ‘cowards’ are the fearful ones who abandon Christ at the threats of the beast. They fear persecution so badly that they choose temporary safety over eternal life. They are put on the same list as the unbelieving, the corrupt, the murderers, the immoral, the idolaters, the liars, and those practicing magic arts. By contrast, people who are victorious ‘endure to the end’ (Mark 13:13). They will receive the blessings that God promised: To follow Christ requires boldness and bravery to stand for him when oppression occurs. Pray for courage to do what is right not matter what pressure you face. Those who can endure the testing of evil and remain faithful will be rewarded by God. The lake is explained in the notes on 19:20 and 20:14. The second death is spiritual death, meaning either case, it is permanent separation from God.”
Let me reiterate this last part……”THE SECOND DEATH….. THE LAKE……..IT IS PERMANENT SEPARATION FROM GOD.”
Oh, heavenly Father, please give us courage , boldness, and bravery to run the race, work, persevere, stay true to You and Your Word, as we face the pressures and opposition of this world. In Your precious Holy Name, Amen.
Debi, I believe Sara has it right in her comment below…”if one chooses”. Seemingly, the bottom line here is………………………”our choices”?
I may be in a different stream with my thoughts on the ingress and its reasons for not being allowed entrance. When one is allowed into the gate (Mt 7) one’s being is being immersed into Christ Jesus Himself. I’v understood the expression of baptism to be a part of this mystery.
The list of opposites above is not part of Christ Jesus. Therefore, if one chooses to be in love with that list of character traits there is a door of entrance for them as well. It’s hard for my mind to think like this but the long list seems to be just me without the immersion.
Just thinking out loud. What say you?
Sara, I think what you wrote makes it clearer to me and really simplifies things. I especially liked ” if one chooses to be in love with that list of character traits there is a door of entrance for them as well.”
Tammy thank you for sharing those footnotes. Seems one common theme between them is ‘do right’….’Living his way may not be popular, but it is true and right.”and “Pray for courage to do what is right not matter what pressure you face.”
I would like to also agree with and say amen to your prayer.