Daily Devotional
By Pastor Jerry Teboe
MIRACLES IN 2025
The Truth about Love
John 3:16-21
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
I imagine Nicodemus was almost overwhelmed with the message that Jesus had for him that night. So, the way to help him understand this new way to God was to share God’s love with him. Only God’s amazing love could justify the change that had to take place in Nicodemus’ mind and heart. Therefore, when Jesus stated, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life, the truth must have begun to take hold. Only God could love this way. Only God would make a plan of salvation in which His own Son would provide the ultimate sacrifice so that men could be saved.
In order to explain man’s lost condition to this educated Pharisee, Jesus then continued by explaining that He did not come to condemn men, but that His coming was the means of salvation. He shared that men are lost and separated from God by their own choice. They could believe what God was doing, or deny it and be eternally lost. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Christ final explanation gave the reason that men were not saved. They had the truth but would not accept it. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. Men were separated from God because they chose to be. God gave the light, and it was sufficient for all men to be saved; but they loved darkness rather than light because of their evil hearts.
Praise the Lord the truth did not end there. Jesus showed Nicodemus that some would believe, and when they did, they would have eternal life. But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. This was the decision that Nicodemus finally made. He saw the light, and the light convinced him of his need. Then he believed on Jesus as God’s Son, and His life was changed. This change is available for all who will accept it and turn from a life of sin to the truth of God’s love. If they do so, they can rejoice for the old way is passed away and all things become new. Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Bible Reading for the Year
March 7th, 1 Timothy 1-3
Prayer Needs
Please pray for Jennifer Teboe Buchamer. She will return to Duke Cancer Center tomorrow to see her doctor concerning possible surgery. Please pray for her complete healing.
Praise the Lord! Phil Corey is home.
Please pray for Mr. John Brewer who is now in MacGregor Downs.
Pray also for Mrs. Viola Hart, Tonya Brewer’s mother, whose health is declining. She lives in Sanford, NC.
Please pray for Vickie Dalton who had surgery recently for pancreatic cancer. Pray for her healing. She will have her first chemo treatment on March 12th.
Pray for Bubba Skinner as he has been approved by the VA, but the surgery has not been scheduled yet.
Pray for Israel and pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
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Pray for our Missionaries!
Sue Singleton and the mission in Cambodia.
Dr. Joe Jordan and the CBM (Cross and Bible Ministries.)
Travis and Caroline Fennessy – IBM missionaries to Southeast Asia.