What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life – 1 John 1:1 HCSB
Almost eight years ago I began a journey of writing daily email devotions based on the Scriptures used in the Explore The Bible literature produced by Lifeway Christian Resources. I called these devotions First Things First because it is important to begin each day with our minds focused on Jesus Christ; placing Christ in a position of importance in our lives and making Him the Lord or “First Thing”. Many of you have been on this journey with me. I appreciate those who have faithfully read the devotions each day. I hope they have been a benefit to you and you have grown spiritually as a result of what you have read. My wife, Debbie, has been faithful to be my editor and to read each devotion to make sure everything is correct before I send it out. At the end of this quarter I will have written devotions on every book in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.
Just as First Things First had a beginning, John reminds us that from the “beginning” of creation Jesus existed. When John wrote his gospel he began by saying, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) In this verse to the people in the early church John was reminding his readers that Jesus has always existed and deserves to be in a place of honor and importance in our lives. He alone deserves our praise and honor.
Challenge: When did you begin your journey with Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? If you have not begun your journey with Christ, then take time to pray and ask Jesus to come into your life and be the Lord over everything you say and do. Thank God that He came into this world as a human to suffer and die on the cross for your sins.