Bible League: Living His Word Yes, God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him would not be lost but have eternal life.— John 3:16 ERV The essence of God's boundless love for humanity can be found in this one verse. John 3:16 serves as a powerful reminder of God's selfless love and His desire for a lasting relationship with every one of us. God loved the world so much that He sacrificed Jesus Christ, His one and only Son, as the ultimate gift to guarantee our salvation. Can you fathom the extent and depth of this love? It is an unconditional love that transcends all human understanding. Think about how far God was willing to go to show His love. The Creator humbled Himself by stepping down from His majestic seat to live among His creation as a baby named Jesus. He had a spotless life, but in the end, He eagerly went through the anguish and disgrace of the cross to atone for our sins. John 3:16 is not just a verse; it is the heart of the Gospel. It shows God's divine plan for salvation, in which the Son's selfless offering made the undeserving worthy. It demonstrates that God's love and grace are sufficient to redeem us and give us eternal life despite how lost, damaged, or undeserving we may feel. This verse also emphasizes what faith is all about. It promises that "whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." God desires us to believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior and that He is the way, the truth, and the life. By faith, we can have our sins forgiven, a new beginning in Him, and the transforming power of His love. We must never undervalue God's love. It's an unfathomable love that may change people's lives, heal broken hearts, and provide hope to those who have lost all hope. We ought to be overflowing with gratitude for this unwavering love, ready to give our lives to Christ, and eager to share the Good News with everyone we meet. Allow the depth of God's love for you to become clear as you think about John 3:16. Surrender yourself over to His love, letting it change your outlook and motivate you to live a life that pleases Him. Remember that God wants to lead you on an eternal journey with Him because you are priceless recipients of His ultimate act of love. Prayer: Father God, words cannot express how much your love is. We are in awe at the offering of eternal life that you made through your Son, Jesus Christ. I am deeply thankful for your endless love, forgiveness, and grace. Guide us in expressing our gratitude for your love, giving our life to you, and showing others this amazing love. In Jesus' name, Amen. By Romi Barcena, Bible League International staff, the Philippines Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingJudges 15, 16, 17 Judges 15 -- Samson Burns the Philistine Crops NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Judges 16 -- Samson and Delilah; Samson's Capture and Death NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Judges 17 -- Micah's Idolatry NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Luke 10:1-24 Luke 10 -- Jesus Sends out the Seventy-two; Good Samaritan; Martha and Mary's House NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Insight Love and kindness are important character qualities. Both involve actions as well as attitudes. A loving person not only feels love; he or she also acts loyally and responsibly. A kind person works for justice for others. Challenge Thoughts and words are not enough—our lives reveal whether we are truly loving and kind. Do your actions measure up to your attitudes? Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Luke 23:26 On him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.We see in Simon's carrying the cross a picture of the work of the Church throughout all generations; she is the cross-bearer after Jesus. Mark then, Christian, Jesus does not suffer so as to exclude your suffering. He bears a cross, not that you may escape it, but that you may endure it. Christ exempts you from sin, but not from sorrow. Remember that, and expect to suffer. But let us comfort ourselves with this thought, that in our case, as in Simon's, it is not our cross, but Christ's cross which we carry. When you are molested for your piety; when your religion brings the trial of cruel mockings upon you, then remember it is not your cross, it is Christ's cross; and how delightful is it to carry the cross of our Lord Jesus! You carry the cross after him. You have blessed company; your path is marked with the footprints of your Lord. The mark of his blood-red shoulder is upon that heavy burden. 'Tis his cross, and he goes before you as a shepherd goes before his sheep. Take up your cross daily, and follow him. Do not forget, also, that you bear this cross in partnership. It is the opinion of some that Simon only carried one end of the cross, and not the whole of it. That is very possible; Christ may have carried the heavier part, against the transverse beam, and Simon may have borne the lighter end. Certainly it is so with you; you do but carry the light end of the cross, Christ bore the heavier end. And remember, though Simon had to bear the cross for a very little while, it gave him lasting honor. Even so the cross we carry is only for a little while at most, and then we shall receive the crown, the glory. Surely we should love the cross, and, instead of shrinking from it, count it very dear, when it works out for us "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." Daily Light on the Daily Path Genesis 32:26 Then he said, "Let me go, for the dawn is breaking." But he said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."Isaiah 27:5 "Or let him rely on My protection, Let him make peace with Me, Let him make peace with Me." Matthew 15:28 Then Jesus said to her, "O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed at once. Matthew 9:29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, "It shall be done to you according to your faith." James 1:6,7 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. • For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, Luke 24:28,29,31,32 And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther. • But they urged Him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over." So He went in to stay with them. • Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. • They said to one another, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?" Exodus 33:13 "Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight. Consider too, that this nation is Your people." Exodus 33:14 And He said, "My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest." New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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