You've Got Mail
1 John 1:1-4 and 2:12-14 (NRSV)
We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life -- this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us -- we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven on account of his name. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young people, because you have conquered the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young people, because you are strong and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
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John wrote, "I am writing this to you so that you may know that you have eternal life -- you that believe in the Son of God."
-- 1 John 5:13 (TEV)
THE mail van is outside. Will there be something special for me - a letter from a friend, an invitation? Something to make me feel valued, to encourage me, to bring good news? I hear the letter carrier come closer, and the letterbox clanks. I walk into the hall and stoop to pick up two brown envelopes -- a bill and an advertisement for an unwanted product. How disappointing.
I have been hoping for a letter. But then I realize that God has written wonderful letters to all of us, letters so joyful and helpful that we can read them again and again. God's letters challenge, inform, and encourage us; they are full of marvelous stories and images. We can find them not on the doormat or in the mailbox but in the Bible.
God's letters come in many different forms -- actual letters, poetry, stories, and history. There is so much that we can read something different every day! The Bible expresses God's love for us and God's desire to communicate with us.
Prayer: Thank you, God, for writing to us and for us. May we be so excited as we read and apply your messages in our life that others will want to read your words too. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
God's message is expressed powerfully in Jesus, the Word. Have you read God's message to you today?
PRAYER FOCUS:
Bible translators
By Pam Pointer (Wiltshire, England)
