MY LIFE-LIGHT STILL BLAZES

    Chad, my pastor at Mission Abilene, challenged the church to "21/21"--21 chapters in 21 days in the Book of John. If someone who has never read the Bible wonders where to start, John is a great beginning. John, the author, was one of Jesus' disciples and best buddies. He is often called the "beloved disciple." He walked and talked with Jesus and shared first-hand account of significant events and happenings from his heart, not just his head. We find the story of Jesus in all four of the gospels--each one from a different perspective. John takes us beyond a history book into the heart of who Jesus was and is. He was more than a rebel of His day, more than a leader of a new faith, more than just a man. He was--He is--God Himself. But He's so much more than the big God "somewhere out there"--He's the God who walks with us and talks with us and knows our every need and even our every thought before we think it. He is Jesus, Lover of our Souls.
     The Book of John begins with one of my favorite verses because John was able to put who Jesus is all in one short sentence better than any of us could:   "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning." Jesus is the eternal God come down to man--He's the walking, talking, breathing God. He traversed time and space to show us who He is--to help us understand His great love for us...for EACH one of us individually, not just the collective. Just as John was His beloved, you are too.
      To gain a deeper insight into Scripture, I love to read other translations of Scripture--each one is still the living Word of God related by different people so that we can understand more. I especially love the beginning of John in The Message. The Word makes my heart pump a little harder and a little faster knowing that this Jesus John speaks of is Someone I want to know more. He's so much more than just a story--He is my Life-Light. And with Him, I will never be alone...I will never walk in darkness again.

     "The Word was first, the Word present to God, God present to the Word.
The Word was God, in readiness for God from day one.
     Everything was created through Him; nothing—not one thing!— came into being without Him.
      What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by.  The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn't put it out. "  

John 1:1-5 The Message

     So, at Mission Abilene, we are 7 chapters in with 14 more to go. We are into the heart of Jesus' story. Challenge yourself to read--not just for the sake of fulfilling a commitment but to truly know who Jesus is to us but most importantly and intimately to you. So how's it going? Let us know--share your thoughts on what you've read....I'd love to hear from you. Who is Jesus to you?
     Be blessed in your reading. Don't give up if you fall a little behind...Keep going! The Word of God isn't going anywhere--His Word is eternal. Pick up where you left off and catch up. If you haven't started, begin today! It isn't too late. His Word is for YOU--to bring light into your life. Enjoy the journey!
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sheri