God Becomes a Human
(John 1:1-5; 9-14; 16-19)

In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. He was in the beginning with God. He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn’t make. Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone. The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it… The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was going to come into the world. But although the world was made through him, the world didn’t recognize him when he came… Even his own land and among his own people, he was not accepted. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan- this rebirth comes from God. So the Word become human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son… We have all benefitted from the rich blessings he brought to us- one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But his only Son, who himself is God, is near to the Father’s heart; he has told us about him.

Jesus tells a Christian: “I always have been and I always will be.”

The Christian asks, “What do you mean?” And Jesus replies, “God was looking at His creation and saw that you needed to be saved not only from each other but from yourselves, sin and darkness. Since Our Father created the darkness, He can’t be overcome by it so you don’t have to be afraid of “the dark” or nightmares. Our Father gave the law through Moses, but they were too many and became legalistic, overwhelming, and impossible to live by. That’s where I come in. Our Father knew you needed a Savior to guide you, to teach you the Way to live, and to have eternal life. No one’s ever seen God or Him other than the prophets so they didn’t recognize Him or Me: the living, breathing, accessible human form of God. Our Father wants to have a close and personal relationship with you but He can’t because He is up there and you are down here. I tell you this: by getting to know and spending time with Me, you’re getting to know the Father, who loves and adores you; this makes Him happy. I get to show you how to have and enjoy an abundant life. If you believe I am the one and only Son of God, that is the beginning of your salvation and your journey to eternal life. So, I ask you, in what ways is salvation being manifested in your life today?”

Salvation

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:2-3 NIV

Salvation: the only way to be saved is by faith in Jesus.

When I sit back and meditate on these verses, I am brought to awe struck tears. As I begin to unpack each word, each line, I feel the intensity of their meaning in my heart, mind, and soul. In these verses are my Life Force. Growing up, I was raised in the church and believed God existed. I went to church every Sunday, but talk about God and His place in our lives was not discussed. I went to a parochial school but due to being a different denomination, was not allowed to participate in any of the church activities or worship. These experiences combined set the stage that God was to be revered from a distance versus Him in pursuit of me to have an intimate and personal relationship. It wasn’t until three decades later that by faith alone, I discovered I no longer had to traverse this life alone, defending and living this life in my own strength. I finally had a Protector to whom I could trust my heart and upon whom I could rely to be my Soft Place to land.

Let’s give thanks and praise daily to God who guides us daily in our faith walks and as we carry out our personal ministries.

Jesus tells a Christian how to enter God’s Kingdom

The Christian asks, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” Matthew 19:16 NIV

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Romans 10:9-10 NIV

Jesus replies, “You think you’re not good enough and there’s no way Our Father will accept you into His family. Well, I’m here to tell you differently. All you need to do is believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that I AM your Savior. You struggle with this and think that simply by being good, you will be saved. You need to acknowledge Me in all your ways and integrate The Word into your daily life and we are on the Right Path. You think, “Well if I do enough good works I will be able to get me into heaven.” Wrong again. It is only by the gifts of my grace, forgiveness, and mercy that you are saved. Humble obedience shows me you acknowledge and receive my gifts so be on the lookout today for how you can humbly obey Me.

Remember: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:36

Jesus tells a Christian, “I continuously petition Our Father on your behalf.”

John 17:13–23 (The Message) 
Now I’m returning to you. I’m saying these things in the world’s hearing So my people can experience My joy completed in them. I gave them your word; The godless world hated them because of it, Because they didn’t join the world’s ways, Just as I didn’t join the world’s ways. I’m not asking that you take them out of the world But that you guard them from the Evil One. They are no more defined by the world Than I am defined by the world. Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth; Your word is consecrating truth. In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world. I’m consecrating myself for their sakes So they’ll be truth-consecrated in their mission. I’m praying not only for them But also for those who will believe in me Because of them and their witness about me. The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind— Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, So they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me. The same glory you gave me, I gave them, So they’ll be as unified and together as we are— I in them and you in me. Then they’ll be mature in this one-ness, And give the godless world evidence That you’ve sent me and loved them In the same way you’ve loved me.

This prayer and mission of gathering God’s sheep and unifying them are one that should take hold in our hearts and be demonstrated in our lives. Read it again hearing Jesus pray for you and follow your heart to join in the conversation with your Heavenly Father.