Today's Verse - John 1:12

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God...

—John 1:12

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Isn't it incredible that we are called children of God!? But that is precisely who we are (1 John 3:1-3): God's children! Our Father created the universe with its billions and billions of stars and planets. Our Father paints a new sunset every evening and chases away the darkness every single morning. Our Father not only loves us; he also claims us as his own and will bring us to his eternal home. Why? Because we heard God's message to us in Jesus. Because we received God's grace offered to us in his Son. Because we trust that God's grace is received and made real to us through our faith in Jesus. Incredible! Glorious! Grace! Adoption!

My Prayer...

Abba Father, thank you for claiming me as one of your children because of your grace and through my faith in Christ Jesus. I praise and thank you in his name. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - John 1:11

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

—John 1:11

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus came to his own things - the world he had created and the land God had promised his people - and his very own people didn't receive him. Sometimes we are misled by OUR desires and OUR dreams for what Jesus will do for us that we miss what God wants for us and from us. Let's not let the following be true in our lives. "Jesus came to me, but I wasn't ready to receive him. I had other things I wanted to do and other things I wanted to experience before I fully surrendered my heart to him."
Each time we put off surrendering our will to Jesus, each time we push him away as LORD, we allow our hearts to harden, and it becomes easier and easier to push him away. Now, while our hearts are still attentive to his grace, let's renew our commitment to him, wholly and afresh, offering Jesus our hearts and lives to be used for his glory and grace. Let's not put it off. It may be too late for us if we do!

My Prayer...

Holy God, I surrender my heart to your will. Precious Jesus, now more than ever, I recognize you as my LORD. I want to serve you and honor you in all areas of my life. Please forgive me for resisting your guidance or turning away from your commands. I know you left everything and gave up everything to save me. So now, dear LORD, please mold me into the person you want me to be and use me in ways that bless others and bring you glory. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - John 1:18

No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only [Son], who is at the Father's side, has made him known.

—John 1:18

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus IS God's greatest message. He not only proclaims and declares God's love, mercy, and grace, but he has also made them known to us. Only Jesus can display God to us fully, for he is one with the Father. When we "see" Jesus ministering in the Gospels, we "see" God ministering. If we want to know how God feels about us, all we have to do is look at how Jesus ministers to others. If we want to know what God would do for us, we can notice what Jesus does to bless others. Jesus is our window to the Father's heart. So, as this year winds down, and as you stand in the afterglow of Christmas, why not make a commitment to get to know Jesus better in this coming year by spending more time with him in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). If you read one chapter a day, you can go through all four gospels four times in the coming year - and have a day or two left over. When you do, you will not only better know Jesus, but the Holy Spirit will also help you better know the heart of the Father!

My Prayer...

Thank you, Father, for giving me a window to your heart through the life and ministry of Jesus. Please bless me as I seek to know you better by knowing, understanding, and following Jesus more passionately. O Father, please make me more JESUShaped* as I seek to know him more completely. I pray in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, my LORD and Savior. Amen.

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* JESUShaped is being transformed by the Holy Spirit to more closely resemble Jesus in word, thought, and deeds (Luke 6:40; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 1:28-29).All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.