Friday Reading: John 3 7-15
Key Verse: John 3 12
12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how shall you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
Devotion:
Birth is an amazing event. I think everyone should be allowed to be close to a birth at some stage in their life – I know a lot of people will not be able to put up with the messy parts, but seeing a new-born child breath their first breaths is just amazing! Many of us will get to see something close to that on TV nowadays because of the amount of information that is spread through that media, but it is not the same as being there. At that moment we put aside the pains that we have witnessed during labour, we put aside the pains of the country and the possible pains of what may be to come in the future and focus on that single, pure event.
When we talk about being born again it is an event that you yourself can witness because you are there! It is an event that is pure and one that allows you to focus on the now and not the past or future. The wonderful difference is that the future suddenly becomes secure... That moment when you tell God that you want Him in your life and that you admit to being the sinner that you are, God is just and faithful to bring you into His fold; a fold that you will never have to leave.
I am pretty sure that Jesus’ birth would have been something extra special for His parents, but there was a far greater need for His birth that we too often forget or put aside. Our bibles give us all the details about just how special His birth was, but unless we read about it and take it to heart, we will not be able to accept that gift that God gave us. It may be hard for us to accept some of the wonders of this world unless we see them or read about them; God’s world is not different – we have to learn about it too. He will give us the understanding that we seek and He will guide us through the Holy Spirit. Reading about Christ’s birth and remembering it (even if it is only once or twice a year) will strengthen us and will remind us that through Him we do have everlasting life!
Points to Ponder:
What parts of the bible do you find hard to believe?
How can you believe it unless you read about it?
Key Verse: John 3 12
12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how shall you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
Devotion:
Birth is an amazing event. I think everyone should be allowed to be close to a birth at some stage in their life – I know a lot of people will not be able to put up with the messy parts, but seeing a new-born child breath their first breaths is just amazing! Many of us will get to see something close to that on TV nowadays because of the amount of information that is spread through that media, but it is not the same as being there. At that moment we put aside the pains that we have witnessed during labour, we put aside the pains of the country and the possible pains of what may be to come in the future and focus on that single, pure event.
When we talk about being born again it is an event that you yourself can witness because you are there! It is an event that is pure and one that allows you to focus on the now and not the past or future. The wonderful difference is that the future suddenly becomes secure... That moment when you tell God that you want Him in your life and that you admit to being the sinner that you are, God is just and faithful to bring you into His fold; a fold that you will never have to leave.
I am pretty sure that Jesus’ birth would have been something extra special for His parents, but there was a far greater need for His birth that we too often forget or put aside. Our bibles give us all the details about just how special His birth was, but unless we read about it and take it to heart, we will not be able to accept that gift that God gave us. It may be hard for us to accept some of the wonders of this world unless we see them or read about them; God’s world is not different – we have to learn about it too. He will give us the understanding that we seek and He will guide us through the Holy Spirit. Reading about Christ’s birth and remembering it (even if it is only once or twice a year) will strengthen us and will remind us that through Him we do have everlasting life!
Points to Ponder:
What parts of the bible do you find hard to believe?
How can you believe it unless you read about it?