Page 24 - Livin Light Issue 81

Monday June 26 - The final episode
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
John 1:11
If you follow a TV drama series you’ll know how each episode begins with a ‘flashback’ reminding you of key past events, helping you see the ‘bigger picture’. John’s gospel begins with a flashback to Genesis, reminding us that Jesus was there at the birth of the stars, was intimately involved in the creation process, and is in fact both man and God!
This ‘bigger-picture truth’ about Jesus runs right through the Bible and is key to putting our trust in him. We are left in no doubt about Jesus’ power – to forgive our past, strengthen us in our present struggles, and be trusted with our future. Jesus loves us, is for us, chooses to live in our hearts by his Spirit, and is powerfully at work transforming our lives and hearts... to be like his.
You and I may feel weak and rejected by the world... but we see in Jesus that we are beloved by the One who created the universe; who willingly suffered rejection from those he loved, and became weak... to bring us into his kingdom.
Every Christmas we prepare to celebrate Jesus' first coming, but every day we must prepare our hearts for his second coming: Jesus says, “Yes, I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:20).
The last episode will be spectacular... and it will never end!
Father God, you love me deeply, and your power is at work in my weakness. I receive your love afresh today, and praise you. Amen.
Tuesday June 27 - Our birthright
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
Nowadays we hear lots about our ‘rights’ – human rights, consumer rights, and more! We can feel crushed and broken when something that’s ‘rightfully ours’ is taken away.
But, praise God, the right that is ours in Jesus can never be taken away: the right to become God’s child, with all the spiritual benefits and protections of heaven! This is more precious than any ‘right’ the world can offer.
What an incredible difference it makes in daily life when we remember we belong to Jesus. He willingly gave up his rights, to guarantee our heavenly birthright – and he loves us more than we can humanly understand. He suffered an excruciating death to bring us into his kingdom. Jesus said, “You must be born again” (John 3:7), and when we are spiritually re-born, he will not let us go!
Jesus is the only one qualified to save us from sin’s death-grip, and through his death on the cross he gives us this brand new start, and new life-purpose. This is a right to shout about, and to share! ‘You are a chosen people... God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light’ (1 Peter 2:9).
Let’s pray for opportunities to point others to our beautiful Lord Jesus.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
22
Dear Lord, ‘Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever’ (Psalm 23:6). I thank and praise you! Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY