DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
READ: 1 John 3 (Focus vs.18-24)
MEMORY VERSE
“If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.” 1 John 3:20
BACKGROUND
One of my favorite books of optical illusions always astounds me as the pictures deceive my eyes—like one with two lines of the same length appearing to be different sizes, or the famous “impossible staircase” in which four flights of stairs seem to link in a continuous loop.
It can also be a little disconcerting to realize we don’t always see things as they truly are.
But it’s not only our eyes that deceive us. We can sometimes believe illusions about our identity as God’s children when we’re bombarded daily with the world’s deceptive claims.
Author Henri Nouwen wrote, “Jesus came to announce to us that an identity based on success, popularity and power is a false identity—an illusion!”
Our true identity, possible because of God’s lavish love, is that when we receive Jesus as our Savior we become “children of God” (1 John 3:1).
As the apostle John recognized, sometimes “our hearts condemn us” (v. 20), and we begin to doubt God’s love or even question if we truly belong to Him. However, “God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything” (v. 20).
Instead of being deceived by damaging illusions, we can believe the truth that we are God’s beloved children.
Whatever illusions you may encounter about your identity today, hold fast to the truth that you’re God’s beloved child.
Lisa M. Samra
INSIGHT
When we believe in Jesus as our Savior, we become “children of God” (John 1:12). The Holy Spirit “testifies [confirms] with our spirit” that this is true (Romans 8:16; see 1 John 3:24). Our sonship is a gift of God “through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). We can’t earn it.
As God’s beloved children, He “has lavished” love on us (1 John 3:1), which includes a personal relationship with Him, eternal life, and guidance by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14)—and we’re considered “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (v. 17).
He provides all we need in this life—comfort, hope, joy, strength—to live for and serve Him. As God’s children, nothing—“neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future” (v. 38)—can separate us from His great love (v. 39).
Alyson Kieda
APPLICATION
What illusions about your identity have you encountered? How does the truth that you are God’s child encourage you?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
““Jesus came to announce to us that an identity based on success, popularity and power is a false identity—an illusion!” Our true identity, (made) possible because of God’s lavish love, is that when we receive Jesus as our Savior we become children of God” Henri Nouwen/Lisa M. Samra
PR’s TAKE
“But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God…” John 1:12 esv
God’s children are God’s children anywhere and everywhere and shall be even unto the end. Nothing can sever that sacred tie or divide us from His heart.” Charles Spurgeon
PRAYER
“Heavenly Father, even when I can’t see or feel it, please help me remember the truth of Your love for me.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“CHILDREN OF GOD”
Praise to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
Our God and our King, to Him we will sing
In His great mercy He has given us life
Now we can be called the children of God
Great is the love that the Father has given us
He has delivered us
He has delivered us
Children of God, sing your song and rejoice
For the love that He has given us all
Oh, oh
Children of God, by the blood of His Son
We have been redeemed and we can be called
Children of God
Children of God
A mystery is revealed to the universe
The Father above has proven His love
Now we are free from the judgment that we deserve
And so we are called the children of God
Great is the love that the Father has given us
He has delivered us
He has delivered us
Children of God, sing your song and rejoice
For the love that He has given us all
Oh, oh
Children of God, by the blood of His Son
We have been redeemed and we can be called
Children of God
Children of God
We are the saints
We are the children
We’ve been redeemed
We’ve been forgiven
We are the sons and daughters of our God
We are the saints
We are the children
We’ve been redeemed
We’ve been forgiven
We are the sons and daughters of our God…
