) Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 minutes)
2) Scripture Reading: John 1:12-13
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
3) Devotional
When we receive the reconciliation Christ gave us on the Cross, it re-establishes our relationship with God the Father and John tells us that we are given “the right to become children of God.”
When we receive the reconciliation Christ gave us on the Cross, it re-establishes our relationship with God the Father and John tells us that we are given “the right to become children of God.”
Think about that! 93 times in Scripture, the same Greek word “exousia”, translated here as “right”, is used. Most often, that Greek word is translated into English as “authority”.
We have the authority to be children of God the perfect Heavenly Father! ... Seriously?!
I don’t know about you but I feel completely unworthy of such a relationship … and I am… except for the fact that God’s word says that I have been given the authority to have it!
Simply by receiving His gift of reconciliation, forgiveness and salvation purchased for me by Christ Jesus on the Cross I can have the right to become God's child.
4) Questions to Consider
Have you received God’s free gift of reconciliation and forgiveness in Jesus, including the right to become God's child?
Have you received God’s free gift of reconciliation and forgiveness in Jesus, including the right to become God's child?
Do you understand the fullness of the authority that you’ve been given to be God’s child?
How can you spend time reflecting on that promise and living like it were real?
What messages of others, or the world, do you need to stop listening to (or stop repeating to yourself) in order to hear the truth of God’s word to you today?
5) Prayer
Lord God, what an awesome gift of love you have given me in Christ Jesus, your only Son. He died for me so that I might live forever with you as your child. Forgive me for the times when I have forgotten or ignored your gift. Thank you for your unconditional love that did not let me stay separated from you. Change me to be who you want me to be. In Christ’s name, amen.
Lord God, what an awesome gift of love you have given me in Christ Jesus, your only Son. He died for me so that I might live forever with you as your child. Forgive me for the times when I have forgotten or ignored your gift. Thank you for your unconditional love that did not let me stay separated from you. Change me to be who you want me to be. In Christ’s name, amen.
Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)
