Get the appKerry And Chris Shook: Be The Message DevotionalSample
“BE SERVICE”
In Genesis 1, God speaks things into being. He calls for light, and there’s light. This is, no doubt, the creative power that John was referring to here. The spoken word was indeed “with God” during creation, but when John talked about “the Word,” he meant more than a collection of sounds or syllables. The Greek word logos can mean a spoken word, but it can also be translated “idea” or “reason.” It was a favorite of some Greek philosophers, who saw the whole universe operating according to some superspiritual principle. They would have loved what John was saying . . . until verse 14. They would have found it shocking that the overarching logos that ran the universe would take on flesh and blood, but that’s exactly the point. Sometimes Christianity is treated as merely a philosophy, an idea, a set of guidelines for behavior. And maybe it can be those things, but at its core is this stunning miracle: the logos became flesh. It is the divine power of the Creator becoming human, entering His creation, and living among us.
Here’s a thought: instead of merely mulling over these ideas mentally, why not get your body involved? The Word became physical, so perhaps that calls for a physical response. Take a walk, do a dance, raise your hands, kneel. Let your body honor the incarnate Lord.
Our culture worships physicality. So some Christians ignore the physical, focusing only on feelings, thoughts, and spiritual experiences. But Scripture keeps guiding us into an incarnational faith. As Jesus was the Word made flesh, we, too, can put our words into action. Praying for people is good, but we’re also told to care for their tangible needs. We don’t just hear God’s Word; we put it into practice. We need to ask God to develop an incarnational instinct in us.
Jesus helped people physically as well as spiritually. We know that people need to know Him, but they also need food, clothing, shelter, and healing. Ask God to open your eyes to some physical need in the world around you. What can you do to help? Sometimes the easiest way to meet the need God brings to your attention is to send money to a worthy organization, but we encourage you to consider a different approach as well. In what ways can you use your flesh and blood to help someone in need?
In Genesis 1, God speaks things into being. He calls for light, and there’s light. This is, no doubt, the creative power that John was referring to here. The spoken word was indeed “with God” during creation, but when John talked about “the Word,” he meant more than a collection of sounds or syllables. The Greek word logos can mean a spoken word, but it can also be translated “idea” or “reason.” It was a favorite of some Greek philosophers, who saw the whole universe operating according to some superspiritual principle. They would have loved what John was saying . . . until verse 14. They would have found it shocking that the overarching logos that ran the universe would take on flesh and blood, but that’s exactly the point. Sometimes Christianity is treated as merely a philosophy, an idea, a set of guidelines for behavior. And maybe it can be those things, but at its core is this stunning miracle: the logos became flesh. It is the divine power of the Creator becoming human, entering His creation, and living among us.
Here’s a thought: instead of merely mulling over these ideas mentally, why not get your body involved? The Word became physical, so perhaps that calls for a physical response. Take a walk, do a dance, raise your hands, kneel. Let your body honor the incarnate Lord.
Our culture worships physicality. So some Christians ignore the physical, focusing only on feelings, thoughts, and spiritual experiences. But Scripture keeps guiding us into an incarnational faith. As Jesus was the Word made flesh, we, too, can put our words into action. Praying for people is good, but we’re also told to care for their tangible needs. We don’t just hear God’s Word; we put it into practice. We need to ask God to develop an incarnational instinct in us.
Jesus helped people physically as well as spiritually. We know that people need to know Him, but they also need food, clothing, shelter, and healing. Ask God to open your eyes to some physical need in the world around you. What can you do to help? Sometimes the easiest way to meet the need God brings to your attention is to send money to a worthy organization, but we encourage you to consider a different approach as well. In what ways can you use your flesh and blood to help someone in need?
About this Plan
What if the gospel was proclaimed more loudly by our lives, actions and choices than by the words we speak or sermons we share? This reading plan from Kerry and Chris Shook, authors of Be the Message, leads you towards a dynamic experience of living out the gospel in your life and the lives of others.
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