Day 296 | Saturday, 9 January 2021

Day 296 - Audio Version

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Day 296 | Saturday, 9 January 2021

We need to continue to pray for our country and the leaders who are working so hard to help us heal from the events of Wednesday.  The division is wide.  The evil is dangerous.  “O God our help in  ages past and our hope for days to come.” 

1 John 3:1-6
3 See what kind of love the Father has given to us in that we should be called God’s children, and that is what we are! Because the world didn’t recognize him, it doesn’t recognize us.
2 Dear friends, now we are God’s children, and it hasn’t yet appeared what we will be. We know that when he appears we will be like him because we’ll see him as he is.
3 And all who have this hope in him purify themselves even as he is pure.
4 Every person who practices sin commits an act of rebellion, and sin is rebellion.
5 You know that he appeared to take away sins, and there is no sin in him.
6 Every person who remains in relationship to him does not sin. Any person who sins has not seen him or known him.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1”

Today's Scripture & Insight:
From Our Daily Bread By:  Elisa Morgan

 “Three-year-old Dylan McCoy had just learned to swim when he fell through a rotted plywood covering into a forty-foot deep, stone-walled well in his grandfather’s backyard. Dylan managed to stay afloat in ten feet of water until his father went down to rescue him. Firefighters brought ropes to raise the boy, but the father was so worried about his son that he’d already climbed down the slippery rocks to make sure he was safe.”

“Oh, the love of a parent! Oh, the lengths (and depths) we will go for our children!”

“When the apostle John writes to believers in the early church who were struggling to find footing for their faith as false teaching swirled about them, he extends these words like a life-preserver: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1). Naming believers in Jesus as “children” of God was an intimate and legal labeling that brought validity to all who trust in Him.”

“Oh, the lengths and depths God will go for His children!”  

“There are actions a parent will take only for their child—like Dylan’s dad descending into a well to save his son. And like the ultimate act of our heavenly Father, who sent His only Son to gather us close to His heart and restore us to life with Him (vv. 5–6).”

Reflect & Pray
“When has God rescued you from a dark well of need?
How have you seen Him bring you to a place of hope?”

“Oh, heavenly Father, thank You for reaching into the well of my need to rescue me and bring me back to You!”

Gracious and Loving God, our parent, we thank you for the ways in which you love us as your children.  We are so thankful that you reach out to grab us when we fall.  Your love was displayed for the world to see when you gave us your Son.  As we turn the pages of tis new year, help us to be loving parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, neighbors and guide us to witness to your love.  Hear our prayers.  Amen
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Today:  Children who may not be blessed with loving parents.