1) Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 minutes) 2) Scripture Reading—John 1:14-18 3) Devotional When I read this passage, I think of incarnational living. In the Message, John 1:14 reads, “God became a man and moved into the neighborhood.” John the Baptist was sent by God to bear witness to Jesus. Even though Jesus came into the world physically after John, John testifies that Jesus was before Him. The living Word of God existed before all eternity. Because of who we are as Christians, the living Word, lives in us – the Holy Spirit makes a dwelling within us – so that we may bear witness to those around us, so that they may see Jesus….incarnational living. This is the model of Alliance missions, our missionaries live among the people they serve, building relationships of trust, learning their language and culture. This is a hard concept for me to translate as I think about where I live. I’m not being very intentional about serving my neighbors. It’s been a process of developing a relationship of trust with my neighbors. Ever wonder why you live where you live? Or maybe why you need to make a move? God has gone before you, before you ever came to the place you live or where you work. Take a walk in your neighborhood today or through your workplace. Pray as you walk and see if God has any opportunities for you to shine His light in someone else’s darkness. 4) Question to Consider Are you living incarnationally? Are you living in a way where people witness Jesus? 5) Prayer “Thank You, Father God, for revealing Yourself to people through Your Son, Jesus. Help me also to be a faithful witness of Jesus. Help me to share the life that I have through Him with others that I come into contact with. Let people see Jesus in me, and also give me the words to share Him with others. I ask this in the precious Name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen!” Conclude with Silence (2 minutes) |
Thursday, May 5, 2011
John 1:14-18
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
John 1:3-8
1) Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 minutes)
2) Scripture Reading: John 1:3-8
All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4In him was life,and the life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
2) Scripture Reading: John 1:3-8
All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4In him was life,and the life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
3) Devotional
All I heard was the word, "CURB!" but it was already too late! I had driven my 1983 Dodge Mirada onto the sidewalk, hitting the curb and nearly missing the jogger that had jumped into the bushes to escape my beast of a car. Both of the tires on my right side were completely damaged. I was commuting to my college with my roomate when this whole incident occurred. It was the morning and as we went down the street the sun glare was so strong I couldn't see the curb jutting out, and the damage was already done. Light can be a good thing, but it can also be a damaging thing depending on who you are. When you or I are in sin, hiding from God, the last thing in the world that we want is to have the light shine on us. But if we are in utter darkness wandering and looking for hope, light is the very answer to the question we have been seeking. As Christians, we are called to simply bear witness to the light. For some it will be a glare that they will want nothing to do with, but for others it will be a source of joy and peace. We can't change how the light will be received, but simply let the light of Christ shine through our lives in every day and situation.
All I heard was the word, "CURB!" but it was already too late! I had driven my 1983 Dodge Mirada onto the sidewalk, hitting the curb and nearly missing the jogger that had jumped into the bushes to escape my beast of a car. Both of the tires on my right side were completely damaged. I was commuting to my college with my roomate when this whole incident occurred. It was the morning and as we went down the street the sun glare was so strong I couldn't see the curb jutting out, and the damage was already done. Light can be a good thing, but it can also be a damaging thing depending on who you are. When you or I are in sin, hiding from God, the last thing in the world that we want is to have the light shine on us. But if we are in utter darkness wandering and looking for hope, light is the very answer to the question we have been seeking. As Christians, we are called to simply bear witness to the light. For some it will be a glare that they will want nothing to do with, but for others it will be a source of joy and peace. We can't change how the light will be received, but simply let the light of Christ shine through our lives in every day and situation.
4) Questions to Consider
Is being in the light a source of hope and joy, or of shame and despair? What would it look like for you to be in the light? What steps would you need to take today to get there?
Is being in the light a source of hope and joy, or of shame and despair? What would it look like for you to be in the light? What steps would you need to take today to get there?
5) Prayer
Lord Jesus, I desire to be in the light. Search me and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts, see if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way that lasts forever.
Lord Jesus, I desire to be in the light. Search me and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts, see if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way that lasts forever.
Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)