Forest Lake Talks

Text: John 1:1-13

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

Devotional: For the past month, we have spent a lot of time talking about John 1:5: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it." It's a comforting verse, for sure, but what if we keep reading?

Before Bethlehem, John tells us that Jesus was unknown by "the world." Well, the birth at Bethlehem has happened, and we do know the Jesus that is described in the holy Scriptures. Yet, are we testifying to this light?

It's 2022 now, and while it certainly feels like 2021 (and most of 2020), it is another chance to start anew. Let's all strive to fully receive the instructions, teachings, and hope offered to us by through the light of Jesus Christ, thereby giving us the power to show the rest of the world we are children of God.

Prayer: God, fill us with your Spirit this day and beyond so we can be your light in this hurting world. Amen.