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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for December 2020
January 1, 2021
John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word, and Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Thought: John’s opening verse is a treasure chest of divine truths. First, there was a beginning. Second, “the Word” existed prior to the beginning. Third, “the Word” informs us that Jesus is the exact expression of the Father. Fourth, the Word is distinct from God. He was with God.” Fifth, the Word is deity, the essence and nature of God. “The Word was God.” Jesus is equal with God. Jesus is intimate with God. Jesus is the expression of the mind, thought, and purpose of God.
Hebrews 1:2-3
January 2, 2021
John 1:2 – The same was in the beginning with God.
Thought: The Word, who is God, was there in the beginning. Yes, the Universe had a beginning. It has not existed eternally as the evolutionist would have us to believe. Only one is eternal. That is God. The Word was at the beginning “with God.” This indicates that two beings were there. God is not just one being. He is three in one: God the Father, God the Word, and God the Holy Spirit. The concept is difficult for the human mind. Think of them as a musical chord, three notes combined as one.
Proverbs 8:22-24
January 3, 2021
John 1:3 – All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Thought: The Word was the active agent in the creation of all things. The ability to create is the function of deity alone. In other words, only God can create. John says: “All things were made by him.” He also declares: “…and without him was not any thing made that was made.” If these two statements are true, and if Jesus is a created being, it means that He created Himself. This is an impossibility. Jesus did not create Himself. He is God, an eternal being. As God, He created all things.
Colossians 1:15-17
January 4, 2021
John 1:4 – In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Thought: Not only did the Word create the world and all things therein, it was He who instilled life into His creation. The Greek word for life is “zoe.” It involves the very principle or essence of life. Only the Word could give life to His creation. Life did not evolve from non-life. Life can only come from life. Life comes from God. This life not only animates; it also has the power to give light to man. This light is inner illumination. This light guides him through a dark world of sin, evil, and violence.
Genesis 2:7
January 5, 2021
John 1:5 – And the light shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not.
Thought: Jesus came into the world to bring life and light. However, the world was dark. When the light shined in the darkness, “the darkness comprehended it not.” The word “comprehended” means “to sieze, to lay hold of, to possess.” The darkness did not appreciate the light that shined. Therefore, the darkness refused it. When the darkness rejected the light, it also rejected the life that was offered. One cannot have one without the other.
John 12:36-37
January 6, 2021
John 1:6, 7 – There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
Thought: The coming of Jesus was so important that God wanted Him announced to the Jewish nation. The man selected to do this was John. He was “sent from God.” He came to be a witness. He would bear witness to “the Light.” He had one purpose in mind. It was not to draw attention to himself. It was to convince men to believe in Jesus Christ. John was a unique man. His mission involved a time of popularity, then he was to decrease as Jesus increased. He did his work responsibly and humbly.
Malachi 3:1
January 7, 2021
John 1:8, 9 – He was not the Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
Thought: John the Baptist was a great minister. He carried out his ministry with faithfulness. During his brief ministry, he had a tremendous following. John, therefore, reminds his readers that John “was not the Light.” There is only one true Light. He, and He alone, should be honored and exalted. Only He can light every man that cometh into the world. John the Baptist was well aware of this. He pointed men to the Light and was willing to decrease when it was His time to do so.
John 12:46
January 8, 2021
John 1:10 – He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
Thought: The Word of God came into the world that He had created. One would think that the pot would recognize the potter, but such was not the case. John writes: “…and the world knew him not.” It was not that they could not recognize Him. It was because they refused to do so. His life confirmed who is was. His character, His power, and His love all provided evidence that He was the true Light and the light of men. The word rejected the evidence in order to continue in sin. Some do this today.
I John 3:1
January 9, 2021
John 1:11 – He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
Thought: The Creator came into a world He created and was not known. Jesus came to His own people, the Jews, “and his own received him not.” This was a people who had been prepared for the coming of the Messiah for 1,500 years. The Law of Moses predicted His coming. The Old was filled with types that described Him. Even so, His own received Him not. Was it intentional? Was it out of ignorance? Was it out of envy? Whatever the reason was, they rejected their Savior.
Luke 20:13-15
January 10, 2021
John 1:12 – But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
Thought: The majority of the world and of the Jews rejected Jesus. There were some, on the other hand, who received Him. They believed His words. The accepted Him as the Messiah. These individuals believed on His name. His name encompasses all there is about Him. They believed His claims and acknowledged His works. Having believed, these individuals had the power to become the sons of God. Faith alone does not save, but it empowers one to do God’s will. This is what saves.
John 1:40-41
January 11, 2021
John 1:13 – Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Thought: Those who receive Jesus Christ and believe in Him with their hearts have the power to become the sons of God. In order to do this, they must be born again. This must be done in the manner authorized by God. One is not born into the family of God by means of a physical birth. One is not born in God’s family through his own will. A person is not born into the family of God by the will of men. A person must be born again in the manner God has set forth in His Word.
I Peter 1:22-23
January 12, 2021
John 1:14 – And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Thought: This is a power-packed verse. The Word, God, was made flesh. Deity was made in the likeness of man. He also dwelled among men. The word “dwelt” means “tabernacled.” He actually lived among man and experienced the world as we do with both, the good, the bad, and the ugly. While here, men beheld His glory. Some believe John was referring to the transfiguration. He was special in that He was the only begotten of the Father. He was a man full of grace and truth.
I Timothy 3:16
January 13, 2021
John 1:15 – John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me; for he was before me.
Thought: John was sent to prepare the way for Jesus. His responsibility was to lift up the Christ before the masses. In this verse, we learn of two things he said about Him. First, he proclaimed: “He that cometh after me is preferred before me.” John always understood that it was not he, but Jesus, who was to shine. John also said that Jesus “was before me.” This is interesting since John was conceived and born before Jesus. He understood Jesus’ eternal nature. Here, he referred to His preexistence.
John 17:5
January 14, 2021
John 1:16 – And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
Thought: Jesus was full of grace and truth. This fullness He gave to His apostles and to all of His disciples. Grace and truth are the two sides of salvation. Grace is God’s divine favor or merciful help for men who are in sin. Truth reveals the means whereby His grace may be appropriated. Jesus held nothing back. He gave both in their fullness. The words “grace for grace” hold many meanings for commentators. Most view it as meaning “grace upon grace,” that is, He brought abundant grace.
Ephesians 3:19
January 15, 2021
John 1:17 – For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Thought: Those who read the Bible quickly learn that there is an Old Testament and a New Testament. However, most do not really understand the significance of the two covenants. John reveals one major difference in this verse. The law was given by Moses. He received it at Mount Sinai and delivered it to the twelve tribes of Israel. The New Testament, also called “truth,” came by Jesus Christ. Moses was a mere man. Jesus was both God and man. Within the truth given by Jesus was amazing grace.
Hebrews 3:1-6
January 16, 2021
John 1:18 – No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
Thought: There are leaders within different religious groups who claim to have seen God. Those who make such a claim are false teachers. John plainly declares: “No man hath seen God at any time.” No man means exactly that NO man. However, He has been “declared” by His only begotten Son. Jesus, the only child of God, born of a virgin, has revealed the Father to us. Jesus unfolds the personality, the qualities, and the demeanor of the Father. If you have seen Jesus, you have seen the Father.
Hebrews 1:3
January 17, 2021
John 1:19, 20 – And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not, I am not the Christ.
Thought: John introduces us to some of the Jewish leaders of the day, the priests and Levites. They were the teachers of the Law. When John came on the scene declaring the coming of the Messiah, they were intrigued. Even though the prophets had predicted a forerunner, these priests seemed to be caught by surprise. They asked John: “Who art thou?” Rather than taking the spotlight, John confessed: “I am not the Christ.” John knew his role and was willing to fulfill the task God gave him.
John 3:28-30
January 18, 2021
John 1:21, 22 – And they asked him, What then, Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that Prophet? And he answered, No. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
Thought: The Jewish leaders did not like the attention John was garnering. This envoy was sent to find out exactly who he was. It had been predicted Elijah would return, but John was not Elijah. A Prophet like unto Moses had been predicted, but John was not that prophet. Who, then, was he? These men should have known. They knew about the other prophecies of the Old Testament. Surely, they should have been familiar with what had been foretold of John, but their minds were blinded.
Deuteronomy 18:18-19
January 19, 2021
John 1:23 – He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
Thought: John was well aware of his mission. He was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. It was John’s responsibility to cry out in the wilderness and announce the imminent coming of the Messiah. His work would make the Christ’s work easier. The Jewish nation would be ready to accept the one for whom they had been waiting for so long. John was a herald. He did his work well. Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region round about Judah went out to hear him. He was a faithful man of God.
Isaiah 40:3-5
January 20, 2021
John 1:24 – And they that were sent were of the Pharisees.
Thought: John introduces us to another sect of Jewish religious leaders. They taught others to follow the Law of Moses strictly. However, they did not always keep the Law themselves. They made great displays of their religious practices. And, they did not like others “stealing the show.” When John came upon the scene, he was very popular. Immediately, the Pharisees sent out a team to investigate. “Who are you?” They asked. It is dangerous when the presence of another causes us to be threatened.
Matthew 23:1-4
January 21, 2021
John 1:25 – And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that Prophet?
Thought: The Pharisees knew the prophecies found in the Law. They were looking for the Messiah, Elijah, or the one Moses called “the Prophet.” When John denied being either of these, they wondered about his mission. Thus, they asked: “Why baptizest thou then?” John had already answered that question. He was the voice crying in the wilderness. This answer should have reminded them of Isaiah’s prophecy. Rather than trying to understand, they just kept questioning John.
Ephesians 5:17
January 22, 2021
John 1:26, 27 – John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; he it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
Thought: In John’s answer to the Pharisees, he fulfills his mission by pointing these individuals to Jesus Christ. He describes Christ in four ways. First, He was a present reality. “There standeth one among you.” Second, He was not yet known by these religious leaders. “Whom ye know not.” Third, He was preferred before John. John was an important figure, but he was not as important as Jesus. Fourth, He was a majestic being. Not even John was worthy of unloosing His sandals.
John 8:17-19
January 23, 2021
John 1:28 – These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Thought: John was baptizing in Bethabara “beyond Jordan.” This means that Bethabara was on the east side of the Jordan River. One living in Judea would have to cross the Jordan River in order to get there. John’s baptism was preparatory in nature. It was preparing them for the coming Christ who would also baptize. John was diligently doing his work to make the Lord’s way straight. His faithfulness to his mission along with his humble demeanor made John a great prophet of God.
John 10:40
January 24, 2021
John 1:29 – The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!
Thought: Two Johns introduce us to “the Lamb of God,” John the Baptist and John the apostle. This Lamb would take away the sins of the world by sacrificing Himself upon the cross of Calvary. He would shed His blood for the remission of sins of all men. He was a divine sacrifice. He was a human sacrifice. He was a sinless sacrifice. He was the only sacrifice that could adequately pay the penalty for sin. John’s heart must have swelled with awe as he saw the Lamb of God approaching him.
I Corinthians 5:7
January 25, 2021
John 1:30, 31 – This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me; for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
Thought: After seeing the Christ, John continues to exalt him. “This is he,” John proclaimed. Again, John does not attempt to exalt himself. He carries out his mission to manifest Jesus to Israel. John’s did this through his work of baptizing with water. His baptism was for the remission of sins. This was definitely the work that Jesus was coming to accomplish. What a message! Forgiveness is near. This should have been a welcomed message by the Jews whose sins were remembered every year.
Hebrews 10:1-4
January 26, 2021
John 1:32, 33 - And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
Thought: Even though John the Baptist was kin to Jesus, he did not know that he was the Messiah until God revealed the sign that would reveal him to John. The Holy Spirit would descend upon Him and John would then know that ‘this is He.” This happened when Jesus came to John to be baptized of him in the river Jordan. Jesus’ mission would involve more than just water baptism. It would also be He who would baptize with the Holy Spirit. This, however, would not happen until after His death.
Matthew 3:16-17
January 27, 2021
John 1:34 – And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
Thought: Upon seeing the dove descending upon the Christ, John bare record, saying: “This is the Son of God.” There is no greater confession that anyone can make. It is this confession that will be part of the salvation process. It is this confession that will allow Jesus to confess one before the Father. Sadly, many will never acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. They will deny to their own detriment.
Matthew 10:32-33
January 28, 2021
John 1:35, 36 – Again the next day after, John stood, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
Thought: John did what all Christians should do. He pointed others to Jesus, the Lamb of God. Remember, this Lamb takes away the sins of the world. It is interesting that John said these words to “two of his disciples.” He was not afraid of losing them to the Christ. He knew what his position was. He accepted that. He was humble enough to direct individuals, including those close to him, to the one who really mattered. As he said: “After me cometh a man which is preferred before me.”
I Peter 1:18-20
January 29, 2021
John 1:37 – And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
Thought: John lost two of his disciples to Jesus, but this is what he wanted to happen. John could not remove his followers’ sins, but Jesus could. Those who proclaim the divine message today should have the desire for all who hear them to follow Jesus. It is not about the messenger. It is about the Master. It is not about having a following. It is about getting others to follow Jesus. The responsibility of all messengers is to point men to the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world!
I Corinthians 3:5
January 30, 2021
John 1:38 – Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
Thought: It is often difficult for a person to enter into another’s circle. John’s disciples wanted to join Jesus, but would He allow them to do so. Yes. Jesus gently opened the door with the question: “What seek ye?” Basically, He asked: “What are you wanting?” They replied with respect as they addressed Him as “Rabbi,” being interpreted Master. They affirmed He was a very skilled teacher. They had one desire and that was to abide with Jesus. This should be the desire of all disciples both now and forever.
John 16:16-18
January 31, 2021
John 1:39, 40 – He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
Thought: Jesus did not have His own residence in which to live. It would be interesting to know the exact location to which He took them. It was about four in the afternoon. One who was present was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He sat and listened to this Rabbi to which his former instructor had directed him. What was said, we do not know. We will learn that what Andrew heard impressed him deeply. My friends, it is an honor to sit at the feet of Jesus. There are no words like His words.
Matthew 7:28-29
Read devotionals for February 2021