Time for some reflection. As you are reading the devotionals about Jesus, what thoughts and feelings are you having?
If necessary, go back and read anything you received this past week that you want to reconsider … or that you missed!
Quick Links
Jesus Shares the Secret of Life with a Pharisee
How Much Mercy?
The Blessing of Jesus
One Thing
Jesus Has It All under Control
The Mark of Humility
Reflection
The lesson this week was on Jesus’ interaction with a Pharisee named Nicodemus. In the passage of scripture that gives us this story is contained the words of this verse, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Why is it important for us to understand that God’s love is at the center of what He has done for us?
In what ways have you experienced God’s love?
Which of the devotionals this week was most meaningful to you?
In “One Thing,” Beth Yoe included this quote by Ellen G. White: “The gift of Christ reveals the Father’s heart. It testifies that the thoughts of God toward us are ‘thoughts of peace and not of evil’ (Jeremiah 29:11). It declares that while God’s hatred of sin is as strong as death, His love for the sinner is stronger than death. Having undertaken our redemption, He will spare nothing, however dear, which is necessary to the completion of His work. No truth essential to our salvation is withheld, no miracle of mercy is neglected, no divine agency is left unemployed. Favor is heaped upon favor, gift upon gift. The whole treasury of heaven is open to those He seeks to save. Having collected the riches of the universe, and laid open the resources of infinite power, He gives them all into the hands of Christ, and says, “All these are for man. Use these gifts to convince him that there is no love greater than Mine in earth or heaven. His greatest happiness will be found in loving Me.”
What do we learn about God’s love from Ellen White?
In what ways have your experienced God’s love in this way? In what ways is this kind of love new to you?
Ask your heavenly Father to help you experience His love in a new way.
In “Jesus Has It All under Control,” Beth wrote: “God’s mighty strength sustains us, supports us, and holds us steady, lifting us high above the fears and concerns that drag us down. His hand has us firmly and lovingly in its grasp. This is the hand of the One who cherishes us, the One who died for us.”
In what ways are you experiencing “God’s mighty strength”?
In what way is God supporting you?
In what ways is God holding you steady?
In what ways is God lifting you above your fears and concerns.
Are there steps you need to take to experience God’s love and care?
How can you remember to let your heavenly Father be your source of security?
Go a Step Beyond
Take few minutes to watch the following video. Pastor Jim Cymbala talks about what our lives will look like when they are characterized by the love of Jesus. A Life Characterized by Love
Write It on Your Heart
Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” —Colossians 3:12