Birthday Verse 1:1

Today’s verses are for readers who were born on New Year’s Day–and for those who are the first-born of their parents.

Before the world was created, the Word already existed; he was with God, and he was the same as God.

John 1:1

The bible is like a library; it’s a collection of books. Each book tells us something about the most important questions in life: Who made us? Why? What is going on in the rest of the universe? The bible begins with the creation of the world. It ends with the “big reveal”–when the answers to those questions are made known. Yet each book of the bible tells us something more of God. The Old Testament, or Hebrew Scriptures, tell us we began in the Garden in Eden and predicts that a Savior will come to lead us back into the Garden. The New Testament tells us about Jesus who fulfilled all those predictions.

We write to you about the Word of life, which has existed from the very beginning. We have heard it, and we have seen it with our eyes; yes, we have seen it, and our hands have touched it.

1 John 1:1

Sometimes, we need to remind ourselves that there were actual eye-witnesses to Jesus’ miracles, his teachings, his death, and most importantly, his resurrection. The apostles, Mary, Mary Magdalene, all the other disciples were real people . Take a few minutes to put yourself with Jesus in the Gospel. What do you see? What’s happening? How do you feel?

In the past God spoke to our ancestors many times and in many ways through the prophets

Hebrews 1:1

We know this in our heads; but we need to take time to think about it to put it in our hearts. Remember: God walked around the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve and spoke freely with them. But when they were expelled from the Garden, communicating with Him became harder; sin and fallen world made it more difficult to believe in a “loving God.” That is why God could only reach people through the holy prophets. When that didn’t work, He sent His son! There could be no one higher than God himself living among us. That is why there will be no more prophets, no more visits from God among us until the end. Thank heavens that God allows Mary and the saints to appear to people of our generation so we, too, know people who have communicated with heaven, just as we communicate with God in prayer.

Take time to think about these verses and talk to God about them.

Thanks for praying with us.