ERCC DEVOTIONAL (TEKAN) DAILY SPIRITUAL DIET TUESDAY 15TH AUGUST, 2023
TEXT: JOHN 1: 14-28
SPIRITUAL FOCUS: JESUS KNOWS OUR SECRETS.
We have heard that the WORD was from the beginning, and that Jesus gives a good testimony about Him to his hearers as to the coming of the Word of God to the world, that is, because of the salvation of sinners (Matt. 1:21).
Unfortunately, people did not understand it, so they refused to accept it. When the people began to search for Him, John was not ashamed to say openly, "I am not the Christ" (vs. 20). Brethren, let us always speak the truth as John did.
Unfortunately, today there are followers who have a tendency to puff up and therefore respond to a name or position that is not their own. All those who take these names or positions do so in order to defraud people for their own gain. Every true follower of Christ will never allow himself to be pressured into doing something that would dishonor or degrade the name of Jesus. But he always speaks the truth in whatever situation he encounters.
This is what the Lord wants so that it will bring him glory, and he will be seen with dignity. As followers of Christ, we must not allow the world and its lusts to deceive us and separate us from God.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Speaking the truth brings blessings.
PRAYER: Lord God, teach me to pray, to know, and to speak the truth in the name of Jesus, Amen.
JOHN 1: 14-28 (AMP).
14 And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth.
15 John testified about Him and cried out, This was He of Whom I said, He Who comes after me has priority over me, for He was before me. [He takes rank above me, for He existed before I did. He has advanced before me, because He is my Chief.]
16 For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift.
17 For while the Law was given through Moses, grace (unearned, undeserved favor and spiritual blessing) and truth came through Jesus Christ.
18 No man has ever seen God at any time; the only unique Son, or the only begotten God, Who is in the bosom [in the intimate presence] of the Father, He has declared Him [He has revealed Him and brought Him out where He can be seen; He has interpreted Him and He has made Him known].
19 And this is the testimony of John when the Jews sent priests and Levites to him from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you?
20 He confessed (admitted the truth) and did not try to conceal it, but acknowledged, I am not the Christ!
21 They asked him, What then? Are you Elijah? And he said, I am not! Are you the Prophet? And he answered, No!
22 Then they said to him, Who are you? Tell us, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?
23 He said, I am the voice of one crying aloud in the wilderness [the voice of one shouting in the desert], Prepare the way of the Lord [level, straighten out, the path of the Lord], as the prophet Isaiah said.
24 The messengers had been sent from the Pharisees.
25 And they asked him, Why then are you baptizing if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?
26 John answered them, I [only] baptize in (with) water. Among you there stands One Whom you do not recognize and with Whom you are not acquainted and of Whom you know nothing.
27 It is He Who, coming after me, is preferred before me, the string of Whose sandal I am not worthy to unloose.
28These things occurred in Bethany (Bethabara) across the Jordan [at the Jordan crossing], where John was then baptizing.
