Christianity Oasis Forum

[Lani]

John 1:1-17
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.


To all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God. John 1:12 (NRSV)



A former student of mine walked into my office. I first met Jeff when he was a sixth-grader at a school where I was an assistant principal. He was not 18 and preparing to graduate from high school. As Jeff and I talked, I noticed that he kept glancing at my bookshelf. Curious, I asked if he was looking at a particular book. He said that he had noticed my copy of a classic novel. “I’ve always wanted to read tat book,” Jeff said. I removed the book from the shelf, handed it to Jeff, and told him he could keep it.

He looked surprised and shook his head. “No, I can’t take it,” he said. Since I had a second copy of the book at home, I assured Jeff that he could take the book with him. As he was about to refuse my offer again, I asked him to accept the book as an early graduation gift. Jeff smiled, took the book and thanked me.

Sometimes accepting gifts is hard for us – even the gift of life God gives us in Christ. But Christ offers us the gift of eternal life. On the cross he paid the debt for our sins, and now with open arms, our Lord waits quietly for us to receive this gift. By faith, we can accept the invitation to follow him.


Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of salvation. Amen

Prayer Focus of Day: Those who have not accepted Christ

Thought for the Day: Christmas is the opportunity to accept anew the gift of salvation that God offers in Christ.

Story shared by: J. Hendrix (IN)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional:11/28/11