Today’s Podcast
Today’s Scriptures
Today’s Bible reading plans include:
Ready -John 1:1-28
Set – Isaiah 62; John 1
Go! – Isaiah 60-62; John 1
John 1:1-28
1Before time itself was measured, the Voice was speaking.
The Voice was and is God.
2 This celestial Word remained ever present with the Creator;
3 His speech shaped the entire cosmos.
Immersed in the practice of creating,
all things that exist were birthed in Him.
4 His breath filled all things
with a living, breathing light—
5 A light that thrives in the depths of darkness,
blazes through murky bottoms.
It cannot and will not be quenched.
6 A man named John, who was sent by God, was the first to clearly articulate the source of this Light. 7 This baptizer put in plain words the elusive mystery of the Divine Light so all might believe through him. Some wondered whether he might be the Light, 8 but John was not the Light. He merely pointed to the Light. 9 The true Light, who shines upon the heart of everyone, was coming into the cosmos.
10 He entered our world, a world He made; yet the world did not recognize Him. 11 Even though He came to His own people, they refused to listen and receive Him. 12 But for all who did receive and trust in Him, He gave them the right to be reborn as children of God; 13 He bestowed this birthright not by human power or initiative but by God’s will.
14 The Voice took on flesh and became human and chose to live alongside us. We have seen Him, enveloped in undeniable splendor—the one true Son of the Father—evidenced in the perfect balance of grace and truth. 15 John the Baptist testified about Him and shouted, “This is the one I’ve been telling you is coming. He is much greater than I am because He existed long before me.” 16 Through this man we all receive gifts of grace beyond our imagination. 17 You see, Moses gave us rules to live by, but Jesus the Anointed offered us gifts of grace and truth. 18 God, unseen until now, is revealed in the Voice, God’s only Son, straight from the Father’s heart.
19 The reputation of John was growing; and many had questions, including Jewish religious leaders from Jerusalem. 28 So some priests and Levites approached John in Bethany just beyond the Jordan River while he was baptizing and bombarded him with questions:
Religious Leaders: Who are you?
John the Baptist: 20 I’m not the Anointed One, if that is what you are asking.
Religious Leaders: 21 Your words sound familiar, like a prophet’s. Is that how we should address you? Are you the Prophet Elijah?
John the Baptist: No, I am not Elijah.
Religious Leaders: Are you the Prophet Moses told us would come?
John the Baptist: No.
Religious Leaders: 22 Then tell us who you are and what you are about because everyone is asking us, especially the Pharisees, and we must prepare an answer.
23 John replied with the words of Isaiah the prophet:
John the Baptist: Listen! I am a voice calling out in the wilderness.
Straighten out the road for the Lord. He’s on His way.
24-25 Then some of those sent by the Pharisees questioned him again.
Religious Leaders: How can you travel the countryside baptizing people if you are not the Anointed One or Elijah or the Prophet?
John the Baptist: 26 Baptizing with water is what I do; but the One whom I speak of, whom we all await, is standing among you; and you have no idea who He is. 27 Though He comes after me, I am not even worthy to unlace His sandals.
Today’s Devotional
From today’s background scripture God might say:
Many are familiar with the description of My Son John gives in the opening verses of his gospel. It’s good to hear it every once in a while, though, and just be reminded of what He did for you in coming to live among you. I know it’s difficult to understand how I can exist as three persons in one godhead, but I do, Father, Son, and Spirit. Here since the beginning of time and I will exist as a triune godhead throughout eternity.
For you I gave up the splendor of the heavenly realms and wrapped myself in human flesh to live alongside you. I wanted you to see Me and know Me. I wanted you to experience My grace and gifts first hand from hands of flesh and blood. I had tried to let you experience those gifts from My godly presence, but you rejected Me. I hoped by living among you, I would be accepted by you. Few of you did. Few of you do today.
Many today still baptize with water. I still baptize with My spirit and will fill you to the full if you will let Me. I haven’t changed. I remain the same from before time began until time finally comes to an end. For a short time I took on a physical body so I could share your pain and suffering in physical form. I am both your savior and your judge.
I still want to give you My grace and My gifts. You must accept them, though. An unaccepted gift just sits, useless, unopened, given but of no value to the receiver. You must accept the gift and with it My Spirit that guides you through your days. I will lead you where you should go if you will let Me.
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved. In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.