Friday, March 27

Psalm 107
Jeremiah 23:1-8
Romans 8:28-39

John 6:51-59

51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
52 Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"
53 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever." 59 He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

Lenten reflection March 24

Have you ever felt disappointed with yourself, doing what you intended not to do? Like, I did it again!
I think all of us, if we are honest with ourselves, will recognize that we are far from perfect and that there is a continuous struggle to do what we consider to be right.
We all have relationships or areas in life where we continually fail to do what we know we should do, and do what we know not to do.
The apostle Paul is writing about a similar experience in today’s scripture.
In verse 21 he says; so I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

It is one the miracles of Easter: You have victory over sin and death in Jesus. When He died and was raised from the dead, he gave you the possibility for a new life. And with that new life He gave you the power to overcome the daily struggle with your own weakness.

Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
When you ask Jesus in to your life, He gives you the hope of eternal life, but He also has given you the hope and strength of coping with the daily challenges of your own limitations and shortcomings. He even promises to forgive and restore you when you fail!

So enter into this season of Easter with joy!

Pastor Terje
Gardermoen Kristne Fellesskap


Romans 7:13-25
13Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.
14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[a] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.


John 6:16-27
Psalms 94 - 99*
Jeremiah 17:19-27

I am the good Shepherd

Monday, March 23

Psalm 89:1-18
Jeremiah 16:10-21
Romans 7:1-12

John 10: 1-21

It is interesting to drive throughout the countryside in Norway where I live during the summer.

The landscape is dotted with sheep with their lambs. When driving in a car, one can encounter silly sheep basking on the side of asphalt roads in the summer sun with their lambs. Norwegian sheep farmers are unusual, in that they do not actually shepherd their sheep. Instead, they set them out in nature to fend for themselves and hope for the best. Needless to say, there are considerably fewer sheep when they are to be gathered in. Many sheep and lambs become victims of wild animals and traffic because they have no-one to protect them. The sheep of Norway lack true shepherds that are willing to care and protect them. They merely seek to profit from what remains of them at the end of the summer. In some ways that is what Jesus is saying about the spiritual shepherds of Israel.

The image of the good Shepherd was familiar to all the Jews. We read in Psalm 23 that, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want". The same is said of God almighty in Psalm 80.

The Jews were waiting for a messianic shepherd to lead the people Israel. If one reads Ezekiel 34 we see that the leaders of Israel are judged by God for their failure to serve, protect and care for their people. Because of their neglect and exploitation of the flock the Lord speaks through his prophet saying:

Ez. 34:11

" 'For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. 12 As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. 13 I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land. 14 I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD. 16 I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice.

Jesus pronounces the same judgment of the leaders of Israel in making a contrast between himself, the true shepherd and the thief and wolf (the evil one) or the hired help (the Pharisees).

Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd who is willing to lay his life down on behalf of the sheep. He contrasts himself with those who merely want to exploit the flock, and those who have no true interest in caring for it and leave it open to the attacks of vicious predators.

Jesus describes himself as the gate as well - He is the only way into the safety and shelter of the fold.

The flock recognizes the voice of the true Shepherd, who will lead them into safety and rich pasture. In Him is the only true source of life in all its fullness.

Jesus speaks of those who were not considered part of the flock of Israel - that he would gather them into the fold in order to create one people. Were are part of that group of sheep that he has sought out and drawn in under his saving care.

He is our good Shepherd. In him we find the source of abundant life. Life in its fullness.

Pastor Linda

The Shepherd and His Flock
1"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."
19At these words the Jews were again divided. 20 Many of them said, "He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?"
21 But others said, "These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"

If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!

Friday, March 20

Psalm 88*
Jeremiah 11: 1-8, 14-20
Romans 6:1-11

John 8:33-47

31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

33 They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?"

34 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are ready to kill me, because you have no room for my word. 38I am telling you what I have seen in the Father's presence, and you do what you have heard from your father."

39 "Abraham is our father," they answered.

"If you were Abraham's children," said Jesus, "then you would do the things Abraham did. 40 As it is, you are determined to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. 41 You are doing the things your own father does."
"We are not illegitimate children," they protested. "The only Father we have is God himself."

The Children of the Devil
42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me? 47 He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."

Before Abraham was born I am!

Thursday, March 19

Psalm 87
Jeremiah 13:1-11*
Romans 6:1-23

John 8:48-59

The Jews hurled accusations against Jesus -
You are a Samaritan! Demon posessed! Deranged! Blasphemer!

When we really think about it, we have to agree that the things that Jesus claimed concerning himself would have probably received the same type of reaction today. We would think that anyone claiming to be the Son of God, existing from before all time, and the source of eternal life,
was either a heinous liar, or at best, deranged. Unfortunately, many people never pause to actually consider what he said, what he meant, and what that should mean for their lives. The claims of Jesus are met with the shrug of ambivalent blasé shoulders and the obnoxious reply "And??"
However, if we think of the consquences of actually believing what he said about himself, our lives would be changed forever.
Jesus' claims concerning himself should provoke a reaction. The patronizing undertones communicated by people who pat believers on the shoulders and assure us that they think it is great that we have found something that gives us comfort and meaning, should indicate to us that they haven't fully grasped the magnitude of what Jesus actually said and meant concerning himself. Fully grasping the magnitude of what He said must evoke a reaction.
The claims Jesus made should have enormous consequences for those who understand, believe, and receive what he said as truth. This would imply that he is in fact our Lord and God!
The glory that Jesus receives from his Father should be the glory that we ascribe to Him. It is the only logical consequence of our confession of faith in Him as our Savior.
This implies that we keep His word, because it is our actual obedience to the truth that reveals our belief.
Let His claims amaze you! Let them challenge you! Let them transform you! Let them lead you to the true source of Life and truth - Jesus the Son of God!


Pastor Linda


John 8:48-59
48The Jews answered him, "Aren't we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?"
49 "I am not possessed by a demon," said Jesus, "but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. 50 I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death."
52 At this the Jews exclaimed, "Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that if anyone keeps your word, he will never taste death. 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?"
54 Jesus replied, "If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. 55 Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad."
57 "You are not yet fifty years old," the Jews said to him, "and you have seen Abraham!"

58" I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"

59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

I am the Light of the World

Wednesday, March 18

Psalm 81
Jeremiah 8:18-9:6
Romans 5:1-11

The Feast of Tabernacles was the high point of the Jewish festival calender. It was a feast of rejoicing and was celebrated at the end of the harvest. It was a celebration of the provision, protection and care of God for the people of Israel in their time of wandering in the desert. The celebration was marked by a week long celebration where the Israelites were commanded to gather branches or boughs to wave before the Lord, and to build leafy"booths" in which to dwell for seven days. Meals were to be eaten in these booths, and it was to be a time of rest without any labour.
The Jewish people were required to go to Jerusalem every year for the Feast of Tabernacles (or Sukkot).
On each day of the feast there was a ceremony of water drawing which was related to the celebraton of the harvest, where rain was an important indication of the blessings of God.
The Levitical priest would draw water from the pool of Siloam in a special golden pitcher. He would be joined by a crowd of people who would return with him in joyful procession to the Temple - through the water gate.
As the priest arrived - shofars would sound and he would pour the water on the great altar accompanied by the shouts of celebration and waving of boughs of the people.
The ceremony of the water-drawing held a significance much deeper than the agricultural implications. The water drawing pointed to that day, when according to the prophet Joel, that the Lord would pour out His Spirit on Israel (Joel 2:28). This ceremony took on an even greater meaning when Jesus attended the feast in (John 7:37-39) and proclaimed that He would quench the thirsting of the soul.
At the end of the first day of the feast, the priests and Levites went down to the Court of the Women. Four golden candlesticks were set up in the court with four golden bowls placed on them - and would be lit. The light emanating from the candlesticks was so bright that the Mishna says; "There was no courtyard in Jerusalem that was not lit up with the light" (Sukkah 5:3). The mood was very festive, people would dance well into the night holding torches and singing songs of praise to the Lord. The meaning of the lights was to symbolize the Shkhinah Glory of God that had once filled the Temple. Again this whole ceremony took on a new and greater meaning when Jesus stood in the Temple (John 8:12) and declared that He was the Light of the world, for in Him dwelt all the fullness of the glory of God (Col 1:19). In Jesus we see the fulfillment of the feast of Tabernacles (John 1:14). Jesus is God dwelling (tabernacling) among men. It is interesting to note that the word "dwelt" implies a temporary dwelling - a sukkah booth.

Jesus uses the "I am" statements throughout the gospel of John to indicate that he was the Messiah - the One that was to come, - the One that was sent. Each one of the I AM ‘s represents a particular relationship of Jesus to the spiritual needs of men and women
This is linked to the story of Moses in the desert where God revealed himself to him in the burning bush, and he was commissioned to lead the Jews out of slavery in Egypt into the promised land. When Moses asked who he was to say had sent him, God replied,"I am who I am". (Exodus 3:14)

1. I am the bread of Life which came down from heaven (6:35,41,51)
2. I am the light of the world (8:12; 9:5)
3. I am the door of the sheep (10:7,9)
4. I am the good shepherd (10:11,14)
5. I am the son of God (10:36)
6. I am the resurrection and the life (11:25)
7. I am the way, the truth, and the life (14:6)
8. I am the (true) vine (15:1,5)

God ordained a number of feasts that the Israelites were commanded to celebrate each year. They were celebrations of commemoration - in order to remember and to give thatnks for what God had done and continued to do. They were also prophetic in that they all pointed to their ultimate fulfillment in the One that was yet to come. Jesus arrived as a fullfillment of the promises inherent in the celebration of the Feast. His proclamation of Himself caused an outcry with the Pharisees,, but as we read in 8:30, many put their faith in Him because of His testimony and the testimony of His Father.
He extends the same invitation to us today - to walk with Him in the light of His presence and His truth and grace. If we follow Him we will never agin walk in darkness. He will be with us lighting the way.

Pastor Linda


John 8:12-20*

The Validity of Jesus' Testimony

12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

13 The Pharisees challenged him, "Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid."

14 Jesus answered, "Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. 17In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. 18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me."

19 Then they asked him, "Where is your father?"

"You do not know me or my Father," Jesus replied. "If you knew me, you would know my Father also." 20 He spoke these words while teaching in the temple area near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his time had not yet come.

If anyone is thirsty let him come to me and drink!

Tuesday, March 17

Psalm 78:1-39
Jeremiah 7:21-34*
Romans 4:13-25

John 7:37-52

A billion dollar industry has developed in the last couple of decades in the western world. Consumers purchasing this product can be very particular about its quality, flavour, composition and origin. It comes in an endless variety of bottles, and advertisers for this product promise refreshment, longevity, youthful beauty, increased concentration and health with regular consumption. What am I talking about?
Water.
Bottled water.
Yes, it is flavoured, mineral, glacier water perhaps, but it is still water.
People tote their water bottles with them everywhere, seeking to gain its healthful benefits. Corporate businessmen, conference speakers, marathon runners, models and students alike guzzle down this precious liquid from designer bottles. Mothers encourage toddlers to drink it frequently from sippy cups and others carry their bottles everywhere in backpacks to be sipped at regular intervals throughout the day.
We believe the promises of health, refreshment and beauty that we read of in our magazines and see on TV commercials. We know that we need water for the essentials of life. We are willing to pay exorbitant prices for this source of life and happiness - the fountain of youth.
But what about our true source of life and happiness which Jesus promises to all who will receive it without cost.
"If anyone is thirsty let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
Think if we could demonstrate the same dedication to drinking from the fountain of eternal life - drinking of the Spirit of Jesus. He gives it freely and generously to all who ask of Him. We can start the day with a huge tumbler of crystal clear refreshment. We can pause at intervals throughout the day to drink a cup or two. As we work at our desks we can sip it regularly throughout the working day. It is the purest, most delicious, refreshing drink imaginable. We need only to turn to the source of life, our Lord Jesus. What is also remarkable is that it then becomes not only a source of refreshment for ourselves. It becomes a source of refreshment for those that we meet and serve throughout the day.
Water is essential for our physical life and health.
The water of the Spirit is essential for our spiritual life and health.
Drink deeply. Drink regularly. Find refreshment and renewed strength. Find Jesus.

The Lord, the fountain of living waters. (Jeremiah 17:13)

I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen. (Isaiah 43:20)

And the Lord shall guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and make your bones fat : and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. (Isaiah 58:11)

John 7:37-52
37On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38Whoever believes in me, as[c] the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

40On hearing his words, some of the people said, "Surely this man is the Prophet."

41Others said, "He is the Christ."

Still others asked, "How can the Christ come from Galilee? 42Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David's family[d] and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?" 43Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. 44Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.

Unbelief of the Jewish Leaders
45Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why didn't you bring him in?"

46"No one ever spoke the way this man does," the guards declared.

47"You mean he has deceived you also?" the Pharisees retorted. 48"Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? 49No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them."

50Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, 51"Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?"

52They replied, "Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet[e] does not come out of Galilee."