John 3:16

Many non-believers today, especially those in the entertainment industry, have no qualms about openly mocking God and Christians. Although witnessing such actions may feel disheartening and grieve our spirits, it should come as no surprise to believers. The Bible warns that there will be mockers and scoffers in the last days (Jude 1:18; 2 Peter 3:3). In 2 Peter 3:4, the Bible also forewarned that scoffers will challenge the truth of Christ’s return by saying, “Where is this ‘coming’ He promised?” 

Second Peter 3:9 goes on to declare that “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 

Christ can choose to return at any time, but His desire is for all to come to repentance. He wishes for none to perish, but for all to have eternal life by believing in Him (John 3:16). What might seem like a delay in Jesus’ return is actually an incredible display of mercy and patience towards those who don’t believe, and even those who openly mock God. 

Here’s something to keep in mind, though…”the day of the Lord will come like a thief” (2 Peter 3:10). Although the Lord is patient with the lost, He will come. Just as Christ’s first coming was prophesied and fulfilled, we can rest assured that the prophecies about His second coming will be fulfilled as well. 

Lord, we thank You that You are patient, NOT WISHING FOR ANY TO PERISH. Although You are merciful and long-suffering, we never want to take that for granted. We know that Your Word is true and that You will soon return. Help us to live each day in light of that promise.

We can’t take material possessions with us when we pass into eternity. The only thing that will go with us is other people. Store up treasures in heaven by helping us spread the Word and love of Jesus. Here are some ways you can help. 

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How old were you when you first heard John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life”? It’s an incredible invitation to every person in the world. Think about it!

• God so loves the world that He took action to save us.
• God sacrificed His Only Begotten Son on our behalf.
• God invites everyone to believe and be saved.
• God promises the gift of eternal life to those who believe in Jesus.

Pray fervently for any unsaved person you know to respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and be saved. Pray for eyes to see the opportunities God is giving you to share Him with others.

Heavenly Father, thank You for your ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, Jesus Christ. Stir us to draw closer to You and to share You with others. We love You and thank You for the incredible gift of the forgiveness of our sins and salvation in Christ. 

Would you like to deepen your relationship with God? Discover the many resources on our website that can help you grow in your walk with the Lord. We offer several free resources, including podcasts, video teachings, listening guides, and more!

Some time ago, a person sent me a video titled, “How Big is the Milky Way?” Watching it prompted me to realize that I need to think bigger about God.

The word, “God,” first used in Genesis 1:1, is the Hebrew word ‘ĕlōhîm, a generic word for deity. It means “strong one, mighty leader, supreme Deity.” It is a plural noun but singular in meaning; consistent with the teaching of the Trinity throughout the Bible.

Isaiah 54:5 personalizes the God of Israel saying, “For your husband is your Maker, whose name is the Lord of hosts; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, who is called the God of all the earth.”

Yes, God is the God of Israel, but think bigger. God is the God of all the earth as John 3:16 affirms. “For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

We still need to think bigger. Jeremiah 31:35 helps us do that, writing, “Thus says the LORD, Who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; The Lord of hosts is His name.”

Yes, the video, “How Big is the Milky Way?” prompted me to once again be amazed and worship the God of the universe and beyond. What prompts you to be amazed and worship Him?

Lord GOD, forgive us when we think too small of You and take You for granted. Open our eyes to Your grandeur and our hearts to worship You more reverently.

Today, in the Texas Hill Country, we will get to see God’s spectacular handiwork and glory on display as we observe a total solar eclipse. As you watch this rare event, I encourage you to reflect on the greatness of God. He is bigger than we can ever imagine! 

Would you also please take a moment to share this post, below? 

Have you ever considered that the Heavenly Father delights in Jesus? Yes, Jesus is God’s delight, as Isaiah 42:1 points out: “Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights.”

In a world full of evil, what a blessing it must be for the Heavenly Father to look at Jesus and say, “My soul delights in You.”

Reading that our Heavenly Father delights in Jesus stirs in me a longing for Him to delight in me, but I can’t imagine that being the case due to the fact I still sin.

Then again, could our Heavenly Father delight in us while not delighting in our sins? Yes. Proverbs 3:12 says, “For whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.”

Our Heavenly Father has set His affection on us. He loved us before we were saved (John 3:16). Now that we are saved, He corrects us like a loving father corrects his children.

So while celebrating God’s pure delight in Jesus, we can also mindfully learn what is pleasing to our Heavenly Father.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus, in whom Your soul DELIGHTS. Help us be more mindful of how we can live so that You delight in us.

Have you noticed that hate between people seems to be in the news more than love is in the news? That’s what makes God the Father and Jesus’ love for us so jaw dropping.

Think about it for a minute. Jesus, at age 12, described the temple as the house of His Heavenly Father and in so doing claimed familial intimacy with God. At Jesus’ baptism, His Heavenly Father claimed intimacy with Him, saying, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased,” Matthew 3:17.

“Beloved Son” is a term that means esteemed, dear, favorite Son.

Yes, believers are sons and daughters of God. Yet when we ponder the magnitude of our Heavenly Father’s sacrifice in sending His favorite only begotten Son to die for our sins (John 3:16), and when we think of the magnitude of Jesus’ sacrifice when He left His Heavenly Father to come to earth to die for us, we can’t help but have profound gratitude and wonder at their love.

Heavenly Father and BELOVED SON, we praise You for Your magnanimous love, grace, and sacrifice. Thank You! We love You.

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Some time ago my son sent me a video, “How big is the Milky Way?” Watching it was an incredible reminder that I often make God too little. He’s Christ for believers. He’s the Jew’s long-awaited Messiah. But Isaiah 54:5,  explains that it’s important to think bigger about who Christ is.  “For your husband is your Maker, whose name is the Lord of hosts; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, who is called the God of all the earth.” God of ALL the EARTH.  “For God so loved the WORLD, He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life,” John 3:16. As we celebrate the Risen One’s sacrifice and what it means for our life, would you join me in prayerful consideration of how faithful we are in spreading His message to our world?  One way you can do that is by sharing this 365 Days of Praise on  Facebook, Instagram, or by emailing it. We never know who may see, read, and believe. 

Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus, forgive us when we think too small and only of our family and friends. Quicken our hearts to take seriously Your words to make disciples of all the nations. Quicken us with ways to do our part. 

Have you ever considered that the Heavenly Father delights in Jesus? Yes, Jesus is God’s DELIGHT as Isaiah 42:1 points out. “Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul DELIGHTS.” In a world full of evil, what a blessing it must be for the Heavenly Father to look at Jesus and say, “My soul delights in You.” Reading His words stirs in me a longing for our Heavenly Father to delight in me, but I’m so mindful of my sin I can’t imagine that being the case. Then again, could our Heavenly Father delight in us, while not delighting in our sin? Yes.  Proverbs 3:12 says, “For whom the LORD loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.” Our Heavenly Father has set His affection on us. He loved us even before we were saved. (John 3:16) Now that we are saved, He loves and corrects us like we love and correct our children. So while celebrating God’s pure delight in Jesus, we learn what is pleasing to our Heavenly Father and how to walk by His Spirit so we can increasingly give Him reason to delight in us.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus, in whom Your soul finds pure delight. Thank You for delighting in us while we learn to walk in Your ways. 

Have you noticed that hate between people seems to be in the news more than love? That’s what makes God the Father and Jesus’s love for us so jaw dropping. Think about it for a minute. Jesus, at age 12, described the temple as the house of His Heavenly Father and in doing so claimed familial intimacy with God. At Jesus’s baptism, His Heavenly Father claimed intimacy with Him, saying,

This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased,” Matthew 3:17.  

“Beloved Son” is a term that means esteemed, dear, favorite Son. Yes, we are sons and daughters of God. Yet when we ponder the magnitude of our Heavenly Father’s sacrifice when He sent His favorite Son to die for our sins (John 3:16), and when we think of the magnitude of Jesus’s sacrifice when He left His Heavenly Father to come to earth to die for us, we can’t help but have profound gratitude and wonder at their love for us.

Heavenly Father and Beloved Son, we praise You for Your magnanimous love, grace, and sacrifice so we can live with You in eternal glory. Thank You! Thank You! We love You.