HAPPY NEW YEAR!Today's Readings:
New Testament -
John 1:1-18
2 Corinthians 1:1-11
Old Testament -
Psalms 95
1 Samuel 1-2
Click on Text Links to Read Online
Focus Verses: John 1:9-12
9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God...
Insight:
Jesus is the human manifestation of God's creative word--"all things came into being by him." Jesus is the incarnation of God's word of wisdom--"the true light that enlightens all mankind." Jesus is the embodiment of God's saving word--"in him was life." Jesus is the human face of God's regenerating word--"to those who received him, who believed in his Name, he gave to the power to become the children of God."
Response & Action:
I believe that Jesus is God made flesh. I believe that the gifts of God's grace and truth are found in him. I believe that Jesus is Lord and Savior. I receive him, embrace him, surrender myself to him, and look to him in faith. I look to Jesus to understand and take hold of God's truth and wisdom. I look to him for salvation and regeneration.
O God, thank you for sending your son, Jesus, into the world. Thank you for showing yourself through him. Thank you for the grace and truth we receive through him. Give me the wisdom and the will to love and follow Jesus with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. It is in his saving Name that I pray. Amen.
Spiritual Formation Verses: 1 John 1:1-3
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
Resources:
Jesus according to Scripture: Restoring the Portrait from the Gospels
See Part 3, Chapter 12, p. 409 for a fantastic explanation of John 1.
by Darrell Bock
