Bible Pathway - Nov. 1, 2009
Highlights In Today's Reading:
The Divine, personal God, who is Jesus Christ in His Deity, the Living Word, the Word of God, the only Virgin born Son of God (1:1-5,14,34,48-51; 2:1-11) and The Way (14:6) for anyone to get to Heaven (3:1-18).
Jesus is introduced as the Creator as well as the prophesied Messiah (Savior). All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was Life; and the Life was the Light of men (1:3-4). The Word of God not only provides Light on the true character and value of things but calls us to accountability. We never see what our lives are really like until we see them in the Light of His Word. Jesus is also the Revealer of Himself as the Only Way of salvation, reconciliation with God, and Eternal Life.
We are to desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye (all believers) may grow thereby (I Pet. 2:2). Since Jesus is the sinless Son of God, it is only by His atoning sacrifice upon the cross that our sins are forgiven. As such, it is through the Word of God that we understand right from wrong.
Our Creator led King David to write: Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy Name (Ps. 138:2). The Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle Paul to record: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for . . . all good works (II Tim. 3:16-17). Therefore, Christians need to magnify the written Word of God to learn more about the One True Source of Spiritual Life. Because He is also the Bread of Life (John 6:35,48), He satisfies and fills the hungry soul with the spiritual and eternal life that only He can provide.
All the inspired Scriptures, from Genesis through Revelation, are essential to reveal all the will of God for our lives. There is no equal to or subsitute for reading the Word of God exactly as He led the original translation to be arranged. Because of pride and rebellion, many people reject submission to God and His revealed biblical truths and purpose for living.
Of utmost importance, the Gospel of John was written for the purpose of leading us to the knowledge of conversion and reveals how we can be sure that heaven will be our eternal home. Our religious background might be Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Protestant, Jewish, or Catholic, and we may be very sincere and very religious; yet, until we receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of our lives, we are eternally lost.
These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His Name (John 20:31).
Thought for Today:
For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness (Ps. 107.9).
Word Studies:
1:5 the darkness comprehended it not =b> did not appropriate it; the unbelieving world cannot see its need for a Savior; 1:39 tenth hour =b> 4 p.m. by Jewish time, two hours before evening.
Cross References:
For John 1:23: See Is. 40:3; Mal. 3:1. John 2:17: See Ps. 69:9.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for our Military worldwide • International Broadcasts for the month of November sponsored by Mary Hoffmeyer • Government Officials: Rep. Darrell Issa (CA) and Rep. John Spratt, Jr. (SC) • Country: Italy (58 million) in southern Europe • Major languages: Italian and German • Religious freedom • 81% Roman Catholic; .4% Protestant; .1% Eastern Orthodox • Prayer Suggestion: Lift up your prayers with a spirit of thankfulness and praise to the Lord (Ps. 79:13).
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 16:24
