Key Thought

Not everyone rejected Jesus. In fact, everyone who believed in him and accepted him was given an incredible gift: they were made children of God! This special gift is something that God alone could achieve for us. It is also something about which Jesus and John will both have more to say.
Today, however, think about what it means to be God's child! Our Father painted the sunrise and will display his artistry once again at sunset. He set the boundaries of the universe, which we cannot begin to see. He is the greatest Father anyone could ever have and he chose us to be his children!
Our adoption into the Father's family is something God did for us to include us in his family. We couldn't accomplish this any more than a baby can accomplish his or her birth or his or her adoption. We are God's children because of his love and grace and Jesus' sacrifice. In fact, Jesus came as the Father's Message of grace; we can be children of God, born from above!

Today's Prayer

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Expand my heart, O God, so that I can better show my love and appreciation to you for adopting me into your family. Open my mind, dear Father, so that I can understand more of your grace and mercy given me through Jesus. I praise you and thank you for making me your child! In the name of my brother and Savior, Jesus Christ my Lord, I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

Before the world began, the Word was there. The Word was there with God. The Word was God. He was there with God in the beginning. All things were made through him (the Word). Nothing was made without him. In him there was life. That life was light (understanding, goodness) for the people of the world. The Light shines in the darkness. The darkness has not defeated the Light. There was a man named John. He was sent by God. John came to tell people about the Light (Christ). Through John all people could {hear about the Light and} believe. John was not the Light. But John came to tell people about the Light. The true Light was coming into the world. This is the true Light that gives light to all people. The Word was already in the world. The world was made through him. But the world (people) did not know him. He came to the world that was his own. But his own people did not accept him. Some people did accept him. They believed in him. He gave something to those people who believed. He gave them the right to become children of God. These children were not born like little babies are born. They were not born from the wish or plan of a {mother and} father. These children were born from God. The Word became a man and lived among us. We saw his glory--the glory that belongs to the only Son of the Father. The Word was full of grace (kindness) and truth. John told people about him. John said, "This is the One I was talking about. I said, 'The One who comes after me is more important than I am. He was living before me.'" The Word (Christ) was full of grace and truth. From him we all received more and more blessings. The law was given through Moses. But grace and {the way of} truth came through Jesus Christ. No man has ever seen God. But the only Son (Jesus) is God. He is very close to the Father (God). And the Son has shown us what God is like.

— John 1:1-18 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.