SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE

1 John 1:1-3a

ย โ€œIs the Bible relevant today?โ€ This can sometimes be a question we ask ourselves when reading the Bible. So, we compiled Scripture meditations like this one to help see reasons why the Bible is relevant, and to help us connect with God.

 

God Became Human

The physical presence of God on earth is a big deal. More than thatโ€”the presence of God in a HUMAN body is a big deal. The Creator becomes one of the created. ๐Ÿคฏ

Itโ€™s easy to feel disconnected from the spiritual realm until you remember that the physical realm is part of it. Jesus, the God-man, ate, drank, got blisters, belly-laughed, and probably had bad hair days. He became tired after a long day’s work and concerned about his mom. He experienced our physical highs and lows, as well as our spiritual highs and lows.ย 

So, on the days when weโ€™re feeling alone or misunderstoodโ€“ we can remember that our bodies connect us to God. Just being here, being alive, being human, connects us with God. And somehow, being present in our bodies is part of how God meets us where we are.ย 

1 John 1:1-3a

โ€œ1 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 touchedโ€”this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 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. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us.โ€ย 

Observations from the Text

  • God became man to be with us (v. 1)
  • Jesus had a physical body and physical ministry (v. 1)
  • Jesus has always been and always will be (v. 2)
  • Weโ€™re invited into relationship with Christ and fellow believers (v. 3)

Prayers of Response

Word of Life, give me faith to believe you know what itโ€™s like to be me.

God, itโ€™s hard to see it right now, but I trust youโ€™re present and at work in my life.

Prayer Requests

Lord of limbs and ligaments, I ask for your strength and closeness as I ache from _________.ย 

Immanuel, God with us, let _______ feel your presence with them today.

Prayers of Readiness

Jesus, while I struggle to accept _______, I trust that Iโ€™m fearfully and wonderfully made.

Eternal Father, show me opportunities to proclaim how Iโ€™ve seen and heard you in my own life.

 

Turning to Scripture in times of hardship or when youโ€™re in need of guidance is a great way to connect with God in the ordinary, extraordinary, everyday moments of life. Visit this page for more Scripture meditations.

 

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Versionยฎ, NIVยฎ. Copyright ยฉ 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.โ„ข Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The โ€œNIVโ€ and โ€œNew International Versionโ€ are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.โ„ข