1) Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 minutes)
2) Scripture Reading: John 3: 16-21 (click to listen)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”
2) Scripture Reading: John 3: 16-21 (click to listen)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”
3) Devotional
This past weekend Harold Camping predicted that the world would end. All over the country could be seen signs that said, "May 21 Judgment Day." It came and went and we are all still here today. It is true that Jesus will return, though we don't know the time or the date (Matthew 24:44). Yet, making predictions of judgment and destruction is not in line with what Jesus spoke about in this passage. God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn the world, to "point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was." Rather, he came to help this broken world that we are in. To bring wholeness and healing and make everything right again through His death and Resurrection when we place our trust in Him. Knowing that Jesus came to love and forgive will hopefully motivate us to love this world and share Christ with folks in humility rather than judge and condemn them. I hope that we can all strive to look more like Jesus today and everyday.
This past weekend Harold Camping predicted that the world would end. All over the country could be seen signs that said, "May 21 Judgment Day." It came and went and we are all still here today. It is true that Jesus will return, though we don't know the time or the date (Matthew 24:44). Yet, making predictions of judgment and destruction is not in line with what Jesus spoke about in this passage. God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn the world, to "point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was." Rather, he came to help this broken world that we are in. To bring wholeness and healing and make everything right again through His death and Resurrection when we place our trust in Him. Knowing that Jesus came to love and forgive will hopefully motivate us to love this world and share Christ with folks in humility rather than judge and condemn them. I hope that we can all strive to look more like Jesus today and everyday.
4) Questions to Consider
"In every encounter we either give life or drain it (Brennan Manning)." As you encounter people today, will you give them life or take it away? How can you give life to people you encounter?
"In every encounter we either give life or drain it (Brennan Manning)." As you encounter people today, will you give them life or take it away? How can you give life to people you encounter?
5) Prayer
Father, you sent your son into the world to offer us a chance for hope and healing. And while we can still call today, today. And while you take your time in coming back, we still have the chance to receive healing. Help us to become more like you and love others in Jesus' mighty and awesome name. Amen.
Father, you sent your son into the world to offer us a chance for hope and healing. And while we can still call today, today. And while you take your time in coming back, we still have the chance to receive healing. Help us to become more like you and love others in Jesus' mighty and awesome name. Amen.
Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)
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