THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2011
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” John 3:16-17
READ
This is arguably the most famous of all verses in the Bible. In this chapter, Jesus is answering an important question, ‘how can one enter the kingdom of heaven.’
Jesus has just finished describing how He is going to die by saying that He must be ‘lifted up,’ literally meaning being lifted up on the cross. And with that context this verse begins with the word ‘for.’ The reason Christ will die in this way is due to the fact that God so loved the world. Jesus then describes how God is providing to the world, through the sacrifice of His one and only Son, the opportunity for eternal life. Jesus’ motivation was love, and His offer is for everyone, and the gift He promises to all who believe is one that lasts forever.
This verse reminds us of a fundamental truth of the Christian gospel. The requirements for entering the kingdom of heaven are not our strength or good works, but by the love and actions of Jesus on our behalf. It is through faith alone.
PREPARE
- Praise God for who He is
- Confess your sinfulness and need for cleansing
- Allow His Spirit to draw you near
- Listen as He speaks to you
PRAY
- Pray that God helps us to understand His love for us
- Pray that God helps us to live out our lives in thanksgiving for this love
TRUST
- Thank God for hearing you
- Trust that God is at work to accomplish His will
FOLLOW
What’s happening around us?
ROOF (Reaching Our Outdoor Friends) is committed to providing for the safety, support, and overall well-being of homeless youth and youth-at-risk, age 12-25, in the Waterloo region.
ROOF’s objective is to maintain the health and safety of street youth, by providing niche marketing agency resources & services that will allow them to make positive choices to end the cycle of homelessness. You can help by donating clothing and toiletries for the youth, contributing furniture or cleaning supplies for the building, or volunteering directly with the youth.
http://roof-agency.net