Month: December 2020

Our scripture this week is John 1:1-14, taken today from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind. And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it. A man came, one sent from God, and his name was John. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. This was the true Light that, coming into the world, enlightens every person. He was in the world, and the world came into being through Him, and yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not accept Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name,who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

What does it mean to have the presence of God in our lives? If you’re like me, it comes as a surprise that God would want to be in my life, that the Creator of all things wants to spend time with me. How amazing and wonderful!

Humans seem to have this feeling that we are either the most important thing in the universe or that we are utterly worthless. I’ll let you in on a secret – it’s not what we think that counts! To God, each and every one of His beloved children is the most important thing in the universe, and He calls us to see and treat each other as such.

However, God reaches out to us; He doesn’t force His way into our lives and monopolize every conversation. He wants us to choose Him, to intentionally include Him in what we do every day. God has chosen you personally, called you by name. Call on His name, and make His love part of your life.

Gracious God, we are grateful for Your love shown to us in many ways. Help us to share that love with people everywhere that they may know our joy in You. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 1:1-14, taken today from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB).

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was created through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name,who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

What a blessing that the Word came to be among us! God was so concerned about His children that He came to be with us and teach us in person. After He did what was required, He left it up to us to carry it out but He didn’t leave us alone.

God came down to show us how good it can be and how good we can be. As a human example, He was like us in every way. Some say “well, it was easy for Him, He knew how it would turn out” but the truth is we do too!

God made the promise of love and life to all of us. He told us that we can all be saved by faith. No one is beyond the reach of His care or the gift of salvation.

Loving Lord, thank You for a love so great You were willing to come in human form. Lead us in Your ways to reach Your children everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 1:1-14, taken today from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). [my apologies, apparently I slipped back to last week’s reading yesterday, this is the correct gospel passage for this week]

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

We hear many descriptions and titles for Jesus during the season of Advent. The prophet Isaiah calls Him “Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). We hear from the angel’s testimony to Joseph “He will be called Emmanuel, God with us” (Matthew 1:23). Here in John 1 we find the beautiful description “the true light” (v. 9).

Jesus came to be light and truth in a dark and deceitful world. He showed us the way to live in obedience to God and to care for one another. Through His love we can be saved and share that promise with all the world.

The psalmist sings “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:106). Jesus is the Word and the Light, teaching and leading us in the way of life. He brings us the gift of salvation, given to all who will accept it and follow Him.

Gracious God, we are grateful for Your many gifts, none more important than our savior, Jesus Christ. We rejoice in His coming, and go to share the Good News with the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is Mark 1:1-8, taken today from the Common English Bible (CEB).

The beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, God’s Son, happened just as it was written about in the prophecy of Isaiah: Look, I am sending my messenger before you. He will prepare your way, a voice shouting in the wilderness: “Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight.” John the Baptist was in the wilderness calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins. Everyone in Judea and all the people of Jerusalem went out to the Jordan River and were being baptized by John as they confessed their sins. John wore clothes made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. He announced, “One stronger than I am is coming after me. I’m not even worthy to bend over and loosen the strap of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

John calls the people to “prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight” (v. 2), a quote from the prophet Isaiah. What does it mean to prepare a way for Jesus? We must understand that our call to do His work is the same now as it was then.

John told the people that the Lord was coming. We know that He is coming again. While we may not know when, we know why – to judge humanity according to their faith and obedience.

Are we ready for His return? Have we prepared not just ourselves but a way for all to know Christ? He has called us to be partners in His ministry, sharing the Good News of God’s love and salvation with everyone. May we be prepared to welcome Him when He appears.

Loving Lord, in Your mercy You sent Jesus to save us, to teach us the way to live and to tell everyone the joy of our connection to You. Help us to await His return patiently and eagerly, following the lessons He taught. Amen.

Our scripture this week is John 1:1-14, taken today from the New International Version (NIV).

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive 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. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jesus, the very Word of God, “became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (v. 14). This passage tells us He came to be part of the world He created that we might know Him and receive the gift of salvation. What an awesome blessing!

God has reached out to us from the very beginning, walking in the garden with us until our sin caused the consequence of separation. His love for us continued and He found new ways to reach us, through inspired people who followed His commandments and taught them to others. In Jesus we were able to know Him personally and be called to carry on His ministry to all the world.

We must hear the Word, know the Word and spread the Word to everyone. God’s love for us is eternal and by working through us, all may learn of Him. Be aware of the opportunity God gives for You to share His love today.

Gracious God, we are so glad to have Your presence with us through the Word. Help us to share the love You offer us with others that they may know the joy of a relationship with You. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Mark 1:1-8, taken today from the English Standard Version (ESV).

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus teaches us about the Holy Spirit that we may know His presence with us always. In John 14:16 we hear “I will ask the Father and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever”. When He appears to the disciples after the resurrection He tells them “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:5).

Jesus wanted them (and us) to know the joy of God’s eternal presence living in us and working through us. When we receive this gift of being together, one with the Father, we are energized and empowered by the Holy Spirit to go in His name to spread the Good News. Jesus taught us this that we might continue His ministry and share His love with everyone.

Even in the difficult situation we face this Christmas, there are still ways to reach out with His love. Make sure to stay in touch with those who need the joy of relationship most. While we distance ourselves physically to protect each other, we can and must continue to be connected, allowing the Holy Spirit to be active in our lives and our world.

Loving Lord, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, a guide and friend in our daily lives. Help us to know Your presence always and give Your love to the world. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Mark 1:1-8, taken today from the New King James Version (NKJV).

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the Prophets: “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.” “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’ ” John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

The baptism John offered was for the forgiveness of sins, what is sometimes called “an outward sign of an inward change”. While only God can forgive us, it is we that must change our lives. Having been forgiven, we enter a new relationship with Him, no longer burdened by past sin and confident of His love for us.

John taught that this was only the beginning, that the One who comes after him “will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (v. 8). Jesus comes not only to show us God’s love but to teach us to use the gifts we have been given to share that love with the world. This is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, God’s presence with us always.

Jesus has caused a change in us and we are called to help others experience that change. As we celebrate His coming this Christmas, ask Him to show you new ways to serve, new means of reaching out to those who need His love. This is the miracle of Christmas, that all are called to see Him among us and go tell that Good News to the world.

Loving Lord, we are humbled that You would come to us as a child that needed love and care. Show us how to love and care for Your people that all may know the joy of a connection with You. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Mark 1:1-8, taken today from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, just as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I am sending My messenger before You, Who will prepare Your way; The voice of one calling out in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord , Make His paths straight!’” John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey. And he was preaching, saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to bend down and untie the straps of His sandals. I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

John was not your average theological scholar. He was dedicated to God before his birth and grew up in a believing home, but his ministry took him into the wilderness where he lived, ate and dressed much differently than other religious leaders. Many people of that time compared him to the prophet Elijah of old.

John had a sharp message for the people: “Prepare the way of the Lord”, calling them to repentance and a new life. He taught that turning away from sin and turning to God was the only way to be saved. He promised that “After me One is coming who is mightier than I” (v. 7), making them ready for the ministry of Jesus.

We are called to be ready for Christ’s coming in our own lives and then go help others be prepared as well. God loves us so much that He was willing to come to be with us as one of us, showing us the way to salvation. May we be ready to accept the gift He brings.

Gracious God, we don’t deserve the blessings You have given, but You call us to be part of Your kingdom work just the same. Help us to be the servants You intend, ready to share the Good News with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Mark 1:1-8, taken today from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB).

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight! John came baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. John wore a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “One who is more powerful than I am is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

John the Baptist is humble and truthful about his role in the kingdom, saying “I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of His sandals” (v. 8). None of us are worthy on our own, only because we are loved by God does any of this happen. God made us in His image to be in relationship with Him, in the coming of Jesus He makes a way for us to reconnect.

It isn’t possible without God’s initiative, but we are called to accept this offer of love and be an important part of His work in the world. As He did from the very beginning, God wants us to be involved in His creation, not just exist in it. God wants to work in us and through us to reach all His children everywhere.

Accepting this call and understanding how to live it out is our task. God has given us gifts to be used for the work and promised to be with us always. During this season of anticipation, let Him renew your sense of wonder and your desire to be part of the kingdom that is coming.

Heavenly Father, help us in the weariness that we feel dealing with the issues around us. Spark our energy, show us Your way and send us with new zeal to be Your people and do Your will. Amen.

Our scripture this week is Mark 1:1-8, taken today from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

John the Baptist was different than most prophets that had come before. He stayed outside the populated areas and people had to come to him. They had to make a conscious decision to go into the wilderness to seek him. This tells us how it will be with Jesus as well.

While He came to seek the last, the least and the lost, we must make a personal choice to accept Christ in our lives. When we repent, we begin changing our hearts and lives. Jesus calls us to be part of His work here, sharing the love of God with all the world.

Jesus shows us the way, but it is up to us to follow Him. He leads, but He doesn’t force us. Only through Christ can we be saved, but only our own confession that He is Lord will bring that blessing.

Gracious God, thank You for prophets who prepared the way for the coming of Jesus. Help us to share that Good News with everyone, that they may know Your love. Amen.