Category: Among Us

John 1:9-13 NIV
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

John 8:12 NIV
12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Jesus is the light of the world. Praise be to God that as followers of Jesus, we have the  light of life. However, many of us have family, friends, coworkers, and classmates who do not yet know Jesus. May we live incarnationally bringing Christ’s truth and love, praying that they would receive him, believe in his name, be rescued, and become followers of Christ.

Prayer: Lord, we believe that you have saved us and are sending us out to bring your truth and love to others who do not yet know you. We pray specifically for the names you have put on our hearts; may they become followers of Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship to the song “Miracles” by Jesus Culture.

-MR

John 1:14, 16-17 NIV
14 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… 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

“The phrase ‘made his dwelling among us’… in the Greek, literally ‘tabernacled among us.’ This pictures the Old Testament Shekinah, the glory of God dwelling among his people in the Tabernacle and temple…In Jesus as the Word, the Shekinah walked planet Earth; he was a walking holy of holies. I guarantee John was weeping with joy as he wrote this!” (Grant Osborne, John: Verse by Verse)

Each day, we all face various challenges and difficulties. What an encouragement and great comfort, that God is with us. May we come to him today, the one who became like us in every way to redeem us and ask for help in the face of life’s difficulties.

Prayer: Lord, we praise you, for you have revealed yourself to us! We have seen your glory! We turn to you today and ask for your help and intervention in our lives and those we are praying for. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship to the song “Echo Holy” by Red Rocks Worship (click here).

-MR

Ephesians 4:32-5:2 NIV
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

1 John 3:2 NIV
2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

“Christian community means through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together and Prayerbook of the Bible, 31)

The word community today is a popular buzzword that means you have something in common. People get together for common interests or passions. However, as Christians, community is different. How amazing it is that in Christ, we have become children of God, dearly loved children! The Spirit is now living in us, and we are being transformed to be more like Jesus. It is truly a privilege to have brothers and sisters in Christ who seek to live the Word in the context of daily life and follow God’s example.

Prayer: Father, we are grateful for your forgiveness, for calling us dearly loved children. We pray that you would strengthen us, fill us with the Spirit today, that we may walk in your ways. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship to the song “More like Jesus” by Passion (click here).

-MR

Let’s read aloud together this passage, confession, and prayer together.

Hebrews 1:1-3 (NIV)
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.

The Cape Town Commitment: We love God the Son
“God commanded Israel to love the LORD God with exclusive loyalty. Likewise for us, loving the Lord Jesus Christ means that we steadfastly affirm that he alone is Saviour, Lord and God. The Bible teaches that Jesus performs the same sovereign actions as God alone. Christ is Creator of the universe, Ruler of history, Judge of all nations and Saviour of all who turn to God. He shares the identity of God in the divine equality and unity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Just as God called Israel to love him in covenantal faith, obedience and servant-witness, we affirm our love for Jesus Christ by trusting in him, obeying him, and making him known.”

Prayer: Jesus, we confess that you alone are Savior, Lord, and God. We humbly ask you to help us affirm our love for you today, hour by hour, by trusting you, obeying you, and going out into our cities with your compassion. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship to the song “Upon Him” by Matt Redman (click here).

-MR

John 1:1-3 (NIV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

“Think for a moment what it means. The One who inhabits eternity dwells in space and time, without ceasing to be eternal. The Creator comes to us as a creature in the world he has made, while remaining the creator and sustainer of all things. The Source of all human beings becomes a particular human being, while continuing to be the divine being. God the Son became human without ceasing to be divine.” (Stephen Seamands, Give Them Christ, Kindle 271-274)

It is simply impossible for us to fully comprehend the incarnation of Jesus Christ with our limited understanding and finite minds. The way in which Jesus is both fully God and fully man is a mystery. However, because God has chosen to reveal himself to us, we can sufficiently understand the incarnation to welcome its truth with faith and joy.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I stand in awe and adoration of you today, the one who became human while remaining the eternal Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship to the song “Because He Lives” by Matt Maher (click here).

-MR