Monday, January 6, 2025
Do you have a goal to read more Scripture in 2025? If so, that’s fantastic! Spending regular time in God’s word not only provides encouragement and reminds us of his incredible love for us, but it also allows us to see how Jesus lived, so we can model our lives after him. The Bible is a key way that God communicates with his followers.
This year, alongside the LivingItOut Devotional below, we will be reading through one chapter of the New Testament each Monday-Friday and hope you’ll join us. If you are new to the journey, perhaps set a goal to just read one of the Gospels. The book of John which we are starting with today, is a great place to start. If you have been journeying longer, then challenge yourself to more.
If you start and then lose momentum, just pick up wherever you left off, and remember you can always use the weekends to catch up if you’d like (or not).
Whatever you are able to do will help you draw closer to God and know him better. Let’s get started!
New Testament Reading Plan: John 1
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Have you ever wondered how a Roman torture device became the all-encompassing symbol of the Christian faith? We’re so accustomed to seeing crosses of all shapes, sizes, and materials, that we seldom think about their meaning.
We just celebrated the birth of Jesus. What an amazing thing for the King of the universe to enter our world as a defenseless baby and live among us for 30 some years. His life had a singular focus that pointed to a cross, where he would become the perfect sacrifice for our sin. He is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). As odd as it may seem to use a symbol of violent death to represent our devotion to Jesus, it is for that very reason that we come to the cross.
Reflecting on his sacrifice helps us realize how much we need him—because I for one have not always lived a good and godly life. Far from it! We must all come to the cross and surrender our unsuccessful attempts to do life on our own.
Colossians 2:13-15
13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.
This was me—dead in my sin and my sinful nature! But God made me alive with Christ and forgave all my sins. He nailed the record of my sin to the cross, shamed my accusers, and cleared my record—all from the cross.
And he did the same for you!
I believe that Christians wear and carry the cross as a reminder of what it cost our Savior to restore our relationship with our Heavenly Father. We can give him our messes, mistakes, angry words, and anxious thoughts and leave them at his cross. Because he loved us enough to give his life for us, we can trust that he will hear us and respond according to his will.
We can trust that he is good.
Questions:
Do you have a burden that you are carrying? Do you have a sin, or maybe more than one to confess? Can you trust God with it?
Next Steps:
If there’s a burden you are carrying, write it down, leave it at the cross, and know that God’s got it. Jesus went to the cross for you, so you can be courageous and trust him!
21 Days of Prayer
Day 1—Listening
Today’s Prayer Focus: Listening for and Hearing from God (Psalm 25:4-5)
Today's Prayer:
Lord, I want to draw closer to you this year. I invite you to align my life with your path and plan for me. Please open my heart to the love you so freely offer through the gift of your son, Jesus. Open my eyes to your truths, and teach me your ways. Help me to put my hope in you each day. Amen.
This post was written by Lauri White, an Oregon campus attendee, and a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.