Gospel Rooted | Day by Day

 

MONDAY

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Who is God? God is light.

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12 

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. – John 1:9

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. – 1 John 1:5

Our God is light. He is pure, perfect, powerful, and penetrating light. Sin, Satan, death, darkness, and lies cannot hold Him back. Jesus is the light of life – He shows the way to live. He is the true light and in Jesus, there is not even one ounce, not even one atom or molecule or drop of evil or darkness – He is LIGHT!!

Reflect:

Take ten minutes or longer to let this truth settle into your heart. Pray and adore a Being who has zero dark thoughts, actions, or behaviors for all of eternity past or eternity future. What might God be trying to teach you by reminding you that He is light and in Him is no darkness at all? 

Respond:

How does this truth transform your relationship with God? Write down in a journal all that you are hearing and learning from the Lord, and some next steps for how to live it out.

 

TUESDAY

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What has He done? Light has overcome darkness.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. – John 1:1-5

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.

Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.

Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.” – Matthew 28:1-7

Yesterday, we let our hearts listen to the truth that God is light and in Him, there is no darkness. Today, we remember the glorious truth that the light of the world took on all the darkness of sin, Satan, and even death. Jesus was mocked, beaten, crucified, and buried dead in a tomb. But the light shines in the darkness and darkness has not overcome it. Jesus is that light. After three days in the tomb, He came bursting forth, overcoming all of our sin and the grip of death and darkness held over us by rising again to new life. Jesus is alive! The eternal light shines brightly and beckons us to a new life in the light with Christ! Come, Lord Jesus, Amen!

Reflect:

Take ten minutes or longer to let this truth settle into your heart. What might God be trying to teach you by reminding you that Jesus has defeated sin, Satan, and death?

Respond:

Rejoice that Jesus is alive. Write down in a journal all that you are hearing and learning from the Lord, and some next steps for how to live it out.

 

WEDNESDAY

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Who are we? We are light!

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 5:14-16

This week we have been learning that Jesus is the light and that He has defeated even the darkness of death in His life, death, and resurrection! Today, we rejoice that in Christ we are the light. He has freed us to live in the light as He is in the light, and has made us a people that are a shining light to the world around them. We are a city on a hill, sent to reflect the light of Jesus by pointing to Him in our good works and pointing to our need of Him in our failures. We have been transferred from darkness to light. The Church is to be a light that gives glory to God the Father! We don’t deserve this, but it is an incredible gift!

Reflect:

Take ten minutes or longer to let this truth settle into your heart. What might God be trying to teach you by reminding you that are a part of a community of light?

Respond:

How could you grow in living like a bright and shining light that points to Jesus? Write down in a journal all that you are hearing and learning from the Lord, and some next steps for how to live it out.

 

THURSDAY

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How do we live? We walk in the light.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. – 1 John 1:5-10

This week we have meditated on the truth that God is light and has made us, His Church, a community of light. Today, we respond by learning how to walk in the light and have deep fellowship with one another. We live in a world where many have replaced true friendships with superficial social media acquaintances. We all wear masks, pretending we have it all together or avoiding people when we can’t fake it. The people of God are a counterculture. We get to know and be known by God who is light and by one another. Instead of hiding who we are, we walk in transparency, vulnerability, and practice confession – sharing our joys, fears, sins, triumphs, and failures. We get to be a community where it is safe to be known – a community of light. There is no judgment or reason to hide. The truth is that we are not our sin or brokenness, but we are who Jesus has redeemed us to be: we are loved; we are a part of a heavenly family; we are forgiven; we are saints; we are the light of the world. We don’t hide this truth, but we share it with the world. A shadow cannot be swept under a rug; only light can drive shadows away. We openly confess our shadows and the love and light of Christ drives them away! This is a good news community!

Reflect:

Take ten minutes or longer to let this truth settle into your heart. Imagine what a community that embraced this identity of being the light of the world might look like. What would change in your life? How might your relationship with God and others change if you embraced these truths?

Respond:

Are there any parts of your life that remain hidden? Jesus invites you to share those. His light can heal the pain of sins we have committed and sins that have been committed against us. Pray for courage and opportunity to share any hidden parts of your life with a pastor, friend, or someone in your community.

 

FRIDAY

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True Gratitude: Rejoice in the Lord!

Memorization:

Once again, we will focus on the passage below as we grow in practicing thanksgiving, contentment, and celebration. It is a beautiful passage and this is a great opportunity to practice memorization.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. – Philippians 4:4-9

Today we rejoice in all the truth and promises we learned, received, heard, and saw in Jesus this week! We give thanks for the truth of God, the gospel, our new identity, and the freedom to trust and obey the One who gives life.

Thanksgiving & Adoration:

Take time today to think of all you have to thank God for and thank Him for it. Write these in your journal, pray them out loud, and praise Him for the truths that have transformed you even this week!