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Monday
John 1:1-9; John 8:12-18
John declares that Jesus is the true light: “The true light that gives light to everyone” (1:9). Jesus affirms this by boldly declaring, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (8:12). The Pharisees challenged Jesus’ statement by saying that He had no witnesses to back His testimony. Jesus answered that His witness was the Father who sent Him.
On another occasion Jesus was challenged by the Pharisees to show them some miraculous sign. Jesus answered by saying that this generation will be given the sign of Jonah. “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:38-40). Jesus was referring to His resurrection from the dead as the ultimate proof of His claim to divinity.
Paul also used the resurrection of Jesus as proof that Jesus is God: “and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 1:4). The resurrection of Jesus is the decisive evidence for His claim to divinity.
The biblical records give clear testimony to the resurrection of Jesus. The tomb was empty. The disciples testified that they had seen the risen Christ, spoke with Him, touched Him, and ate with Him. The changed lives of the disciples, unbelievers, and even the enemies of Jesus can only be explained by the resurrection.
Jesus is the true light. He is God. He is our anchor and sure foundation. Therefore, we can earnestly follow Him with all our hearts and boldly speak of Him to others.
Questions
How does the fact that Jesus is God affect you?
Prayers for Trinity Church in Chinle, AZ
Lord, we pray that you would work in your amazing way at Trinity Church in Chinle, Arizona, on the Navajo Reservation to bring in more people, which will enlarge their congregation. Use the people there who know your Word to minister to unbelievers and share their testimonies. We pray, Lord, that they will find competent help to make the necessary and much needed repairs to Fellowship Hall and to the Manse in a short amount of time.
Tuesday
John 8:12; 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (8:12). As the light of the world, Jesus reveals God to us. Jesus is the very light of God come among men. All who trust in Jesus would know the very character and glory of God. Jesus made many claims to be equal to the Father: “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). “That you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father” (John 10:38). When we see Jesus, we see God.
Jesus is also “the light of men.” John 1:4 states, “In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.” Not only does Jesus reveal God to us, but He also is the light by which humankind can be reconciled to God. People would no longer be in darkness for they would have the gift of life made available to them through Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross
God’s love for us demonstrated by the Cross shows the depths of His love for us. His love is so powerful that it compels us to want to love Him and live for Him. “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again” (2 Corinthians 5:14, 15).
God’s love for us is the driving force for Christians to give their lives completely over to Him. No longer do we live for ourselves but for Him who died for us. We want to do this because we love Him so much!
Questions
Is God’s love the driving force in your life? Why or why not?
Prayers for Trinity Church in Chinle, AZ
Lord, we pray for the women who attended the women’s Bible Study group each year led by Glenkirk mission partners. May they remember what they learned. Bring this knowledge to the forefront of their minds so that they can be an example of your grace, strength, and love to all. We pray that these women would be able to guide and lead their families and friends in your love and feel the peace of God through the struggles they experience each day.
Wednesday
John 1:1-9; 3:19-21
“The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it” (1:5). Sinful man has not accepted the light and even resists the light. But the light prevails. The darkness has never extinguished the light. The light is everywhere, but men are walking in darkness, not obedient to that light.
“Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed” (3:20). Jesus is the light which shines into the darkness. It reveals sin. It illuminates the inner lives of men. It strips away disguises. It shows things in all their nakedness, in their true character. When we see ourselves through the eyes of Jesus, our sins are exposed.
I was once part of a church that had a boys’ club. One time the club members decided to silkscreen their club emblem on their t-shirts. The sponsor of the club asked me whether I would want to have one of my t-shirts printed as well. I took a clean t-shirt and gave it to him. Later, I went to watch the silk-screening process. I saw the t-shirts stacked neatly in a pile. Immediately, I could spot my own t-shirt in the pile. All the boys brought brand new t-shirts that were sparkling white. My t-shirt had been washed multiple times and had a tinge of gray in comparison to the new ones in the pile. I was slightly embarrassed. My clean t-shirt looked dingy next to the pile of new ones.
This is a picture of how we see ourselves. We think we are good people. But, when we place ourselves next to the sinless Christ, our sin becomes obvious. Jesus is the light that reveals our sin.
Questions
Can you pray, “Lord, shine your light into my heart so that I can see what you see”?
Prayers for Trinity Church in Chinle, AZ
We also pray, Lord, for the children who attended Vacation Bible School during our 26 years there. We pray that they will be reminded of what they learned and will especially remember that You love them. Some of those children now are adults with their own children, so help them teach these truths to their little ones so that they can make good decisions. We pray they know that their worth comes from You alone, not their surroundings. We pray, Father, that they are protected and safe in their very challenging world.
Thursday
Matthew 5:14-16
Jesus said to the multitudes, “You are the light of the world … let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (5:14, 16). We as individuals and as a church are to be shining lights to our families, in our communities, at our places of employment, and wherever we are.
We are to be lights within our families, to our siblings, our children, our grandchildren, and others. I find this convicting because I do not take advantage of every opportunity to live out and verbalize my faith in front of them. I tend to be a bit passive and take for granted that they are doing okay as believers. I need to take a more active role in encouraging them and verbalizing the reasons for my actions.
We are to be like a lighthouse in our neighborhoods. Here is an inspiring example: Pastor Corey Brooks’ church was in the middle of the gang-infested area of Woodlawn, Chicago. Shootings and killings were everyday occurrences. Across the street was a dilapidated motel used by prostitutes and drug dealers. The church people picketed the motel until it was closed by the city. Pastor Brooks determined that their church was going to be a light in the darkness of their community. He was moved to sleep in a tent on the roof of the motel to draw attention to the need for funds to buy the property to construct a community center. For ninety-four days during the bitter Chicago winter, he slept on the roof. His efforts paid off in raising enough funds to purchase the property. Now, the next step was to raise funds for construction of the community center. His church is a light shining in the darkness. (Chicago Tribune 2/24/12)
Questions
What might the Lord be calling you to do to be a better light to your family and community?
Prayers for Trinity Church in Chinle, AZ
Lord, we pray for the elderly residents in the Guy Gorman Senior Care facility, that they don’t feel alone, especially during the Covid restrictions regarding visitors. We pray that they feel comforted as they rest in your arms, Lord. We pray for the caregivers so that they can be your hands and feet as they love and provide for the elderly grandparents. Bless each one of them, especially as they begin this new year.
Friday
Ephesians 5:8-21; 1 John 1:5-7
In contrast to the world, we are to be “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky” (Philippians 2:15). Loving others is characteristic of living in the light. “Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble” (1 John 2:10).
Jesus is the light that has shone upon us. Since we have received the light, now we must live it out. “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). We are to “walk in the light, as He is in the light” (1 John 1:7). Jesus is our source of light. As we walk in the light of Jesus, we will be “like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers” (Psalms 1:3).
I have a fruit tree in my backyard that bears fruit on only one side. The branches on the other side bear no fruit because they are shaded by an adjacent tree. The potential blossoms on the shaded side never see the sunlight and thus do not attain their beauty and fruitfulness.
In the same way our lives can never flower with the grace and beauty they ought to have until they are irradiated with the light of the presence of Jesus. Jesus is the light of God that shines on us so that we can reach the potential fruitfulness that God intended for us. When we have been reconciled to God through Jesus, we are filled with the Spirit who in turn brings forth His fruit in our lives as we continue to trust Him.
Questions
What can help you walk more effectively in the light?
Prayers for Trinity Church in Chinle, AZ
We pray, Lord, for love and hope for the entire Navajo Reservation as it is easy to feel so isolated and discouraged under some of their circumstances. We pray they would feel Your presence, especially through the cold winter months; provide them with shelter and safety, Lord. We especially pray for the teenagers who do not know you. Bring someone in their lives to guide them down the right path to prevent the many suicides their families endure.
Sources
Pastor Corey Brooks’ story can be found at https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/chi-pastor-to-end-rooftop-vigil-after-donation-from-tyler-perry-20120224-story.html
