DAY 1 – February 1, 2010

TITLE: “YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: I John 1:1-7

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: I John 1:1

KEY VERSE: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched-this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.” I John 1:1

Today, if your day is like mine, you will probably say lot of things to a lot of people. The subjects you talk about and the knowledge you have about those subjects may vary tremendously. Some of the things you may talk about will probably be based upon first hand knowledge. In other words, your comments will be about things you have seen, heard, or touched for yourselves. At the same time, some of the things you talk about today may be based on secondary knowledge. Things you have read or heard from others, but have never really seen, heard, or touched yourself. John is writing about that which they have seen with their own eyes and touched with their own hands. He is speaking out of the experience he and others had with Jesus, the word of life.

T.H. Huxley, a well-known agnostic, was with a group of men at a weekend house party some years ago. On Sunday morning, while most of them were preparing to go to church, he approached a man known for his Christian character and said, "Suppose you stay at home and tell my why you are a Christian." The man, knowing he couldn't match wits with Huxley, hesitated. But the agnostic said gently, "I don't want to argue with you. I just want you to tell me simply what this Christ means to you." The man did, and when he finished, there were tears in Huxley's eyes as he said, "I would give my right hand if only I could believe that!"

A first hand personal experience with Jesus, the word of life, gives you something to talk about. When a person has experienced the saving grace of Jesus Christ, they can talk about the saving grace of Jesus from a personal experience. If you have experienced the comfort the Lord gives in times of loss or sorrow, you can give personal testimony to the comfort you have received. When you experience the peace that only Jesus gives, you can give testimony to the peace Jesus gives from your personal first hand experience. John was proclaiming Jesus, the word of life, to others from his own personal experience. Will you make yourself available to share your personal experiences of Jesus, the word of life, with others today?

“I’ll tell the world, that I’m a Christian, I’m not ashamed, His name to bear;
I’ll tell the world, that I’m a Christian, I’ll take Him with me anywhere.
I’ll tell the world, how Jesus saved me, and how He gave me a life brand new;
And I know that if you trust Him, that all He gave me, He’ll give to you.

Oh, tell the world, that you’re a Christian, Be not ashamed, His name to bear;
Oh tell the world, that you’re a Christian, And take Him with you anywhere.”

DAY 2 – February 2, 2010

TITLE: “LIFE”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: I John 1:1-7

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: I John 1:2

KEY VERSE: “The Life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.” I John 1:2

What comes to mind when you think of the word “life?” Some of us may think of Life cereal and for some older folks, even the commercial with Mikee that was used to write it on our thoughts. Others of us may think of the Life Board Game by Milton Bradley Hasbro that has been a family classic for over 40 years.

Through the years much has been said and written on life. Flip Wilson said, “If I had my whole life to live over again, I don't think I'd have the strength.” Robert Balzer said, “Life is what happens to you while you are making other plans.” Richard L. Evans said, “The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it.” Florence Nightingale said, “Life is a hard fight, a struggle, a wrestling with the principle of evil, hand to hand, foot to foot. Every inch of the way is disputed. The night is given us to take breath, to pray, to drink deep at the fountain of power. The day, to use the strength which has been given us, to go forth to work with it till the evening.” William James said, “The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.”

For the Christian, the word life, has great significance and meaning. Jesus is the life and the source of life. John 1:4 speaking of Jesus said, “In him was life, and that life was the light of men.” John 10:10 states, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Jesus said of Himself in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.” John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except though me.’” I John 5:12 said, “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

John writes that the life has appeared. Life has been manifested to us in Jesus Christ. John writes to proclaim life to others and give testimony that they have experienced life in and through Jesus Christ. The message for us today is that life is available to us in and through Jesus Christ. John makes it clear that this life is eternal. Faith in Jesus Christ as the life is the necessary step to experience life to it fullest. Samuel Shoemaker said, “Eternal life does not begin with death; it begins with faith.” Will you experience and live life to its fullest today?

DAY 3 – February 3, 2010

TITLE: “FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: I John 1:1-7

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: I John 1:3

KEY VERSE: “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” I John 1:3

As I reflect back on my childhood, I am thankful for the fellowship and relationship I had with my father. My dad worked for Kaiser Steel Factory in Fontana, California. I remember him coming home from work dirty and filthy. To help financially, my dad also worked some side jobs doing electrical work and fixing electric appliances and motors.

Among the memories that I hold were several times where dad made it a priority to spend time with me. Dad would work rotating shifts which included working through the night. I remember times when he would go without sleep just so we could go outside and play ball or do something together. As much as I wanted to spend time with my father, I realized that my dad wanted to spend time with me. My dad wanted to have a meaningful and fulfilling relationship with me.

As I reflect on God our Father, I am reminded how much more He wants to have a relationship with us, His children. He loves us. He loves you and wants to have a relationship with you. I John says, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God... I John 3:1. Through Jesus Christ, you and I can have fellowship with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Author Tim Hansel wrote, “One day, while my son Zac and I were out in the country, climbing around in some cliffs, I heard a voice from above me yell, "Hey dad! Catch me!" I turned around to see Zac joyfully jumping off a rock straight at me. He had jumped and then yelled, "Hey dad!" I became an instant circus act, catching him. We both fell to the ground. For a moment after I caught him I could hardly talk. When I found my voice again I gasped in exasperation: "Zac! Can you give me one good reason why you did that???" He responded with remarkable calmness, "Sure...because you're my dad."

His whole assurance was based on the fact that his father was trustworthy. You and I can trust our Heavenly Father because of the relationship we have with Him through Jesus Christ. Enjoy the great fellowship you can have with the Lord today as you lean on Him.

“What a fellowship, what a joy divine, Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, Leaning on the everlasting arms;
Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day, Leaning on the everlasting arms.”

Elisha Hoffman

DAY 4 – February 4, 2010

TITLE: “JOY”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: I John 1:1-7

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: I John 1:4

KEY VERSE: “We write this to make our joy complete.” I John 1:4

The little word joy is something that many people desperately yearn to find. People have pursued joy in every avenue imaginable. Some people have successfully found joy, while others have not. Joy can be described with words like gladness, ecstasy, delight, happiness, glee, cheerfulness, bliss, pleasure, and merriment. Webster says, joy is the emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good. It is also described as that which causes happiness. Joy is the opposite of sorrow, displeasure, distress, heartache, gloom, unhappiness, despair, sadness, and misery. Joy can be found in a variety of settings and situations. Someone has listed some areas where joy cannot be found.

Not in Unbelief -- Voltaire was an infidel of the most pronounced type. He wrote, "I wish I had never been born."
Not in Pleasure -- Lord Byron lived a life of pleasure if anyone did. He wrote, "The worm, the canker, and grief are mine alone."
Not in Money -- Jay Gould, the American millionaire, had plenty of that. When dying, he said, "I suppose I am the most miserable man on earth."
Not in Position and Fame -- Lord Beaconsfield enjoyed more than his share of both. He wrote, "Youth is a mistake; manhood a struggle; old age a regret."
Not in Military Glory -- Alexander the Great conquered the known world in his day. Having done so, he wept in his tent, before he said, "There are no more worlds to conquer."

Where then is real joy found? The Apostle Paul while in prison wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again; Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4. He discovered that joy is found in Jesus and not in circumstances or possessions. Jesus said, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11

With the heart of a pastor, John the writer found joy when those he ministered to experienced the full blessings of the gospel. His joy will be complete when his readers heed his words and continue in fellowship with him and with God. John describes joy as a gift of God, which comes from the knowledge and experience of the life that God gives. The Psalmist said, “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:11. Let the joy of the Lord be your strength today.

DAY 5 – February 5, 2010

TITLE: “THE BLOOD OF JESUS”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: I John 1:1-7

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: I John 1:5-7

KEY VERSE: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” I John 1:7

Some years ago, Sharon and I had the privilege of visiting the museum in Springfield, Illinois, to view some of the belongings of Abraham Lincoln. In the museum there is a little piece of silk that probably could not be bought for any amount of money. This silk is stained with blood and in most cases would simply be a discarded piece of cloth with no value. However, it is valuable because it is of a dress worn by a girl, who sat by Abraham Lincoln and laid his head in her lap when he was shot. The State of Illinois purchased that dress, and cut out the piece of silk covered with the blood of the great statesman and president.

As I reflect on that, I cannot help but think about the priceless and precious blood of Jesus which purifies us from all sin. Peter wrote, “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” I Peter 1:18-19. The Apostle Paul wrote, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Ephesians 1:7. Take a few moments to think about what the blood of Jesus means to you as you read and mediate on words of the following song by Robert Lowry. Give Him thanks for His precious blood that purifies you from all sin.

“What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my pardon this I see: nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my cleansing this my plea: nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Nothing can for sin atone: nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Naught of good that I have done: nothing but the blood of Jesus.

This is all my hope and peace: nothing but the blood of Jesus.

This is all my righteousness: nothing but the blood of Jesus.

O precious is the flow that makes me white as snow;

no other fount I know; nothing but the blood of Jesus.” Robert Lowry