CrossPoint

10/29/2026

From "Back to the Bible"
Make Way For The King - October 29

Read John 1:9-13 (ESV)
The true Light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His Name, Hhe gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.



Reflect
Why do you think some people reject Jesus?



In the insect world, there are bugs that are drawn to light and bugs that flee from light. On dark summer nights, dozens of insects swarm underneath our porch light. They are attracted to the light quite literally “like a moth to a flame.” Remember that scene in A Bug’s Life when a fly is drawn into the bug zapper? “Harry, don’t look at the light!” But even to his own detriment, Harry is irresistibly drawn to light: “I can’t help it. It’s so beautiful.” Zap!



Other insects, like cockroaches, scatter the second a light is flicked on. They don’t want to be exposed by the light. They want the cover of the darkness.



You know, people are like that with Jesus. Some of us are irresistibly drawn to Him. Others can’t retreat to the darkness quick enough. But all of us have seen His light. John wrote that Jesus is the “true Light, which gives light to everyone.” Jesus is God in the flesh. He set aside His glory in heaven, humbled Himself, and came to earth. He came into the very world that He created. And yet, many of the very people He created rejected Him. Later, in John 3:19, John wrote: “the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light because their works were evil.” Like the cockroaches, they don’t want to be exposed by the light. They know their deeds are evil, but they love their sin more than they love God. So they flee from the Light and choose to remain in the dark.



But there is good news for those who love Jesus, the True Light of the world. They find His Light to be irresistible, so they are drawn to Him. They turn from the darkness of their sins and run towards His light. They believe Him, they receive Him, and when they do, they aren’t zapped for their sins, even though that is what they deserve! When they come into the Light of Christ, they become children of God.



We can’t claim the right to be children of God because of our birth — we were born into sin. We can’t work hard enough to earn the right; there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation. The right to become children of God is an incredible gift from God. Romans 6:23 says that the wages of sin is death. We deserve the bug zapper. But we find so much hope in Romans 5:17: “For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the One Man Jesus Christ.”



Jesus’ light shines in this dark world for all to see. It is an open invitation. So don’t try to resist His Light — run toward it. Put your trust in Christ, and you will find mercy and grace. You will become a child of God who lives and reigns with Him forever and ever. Amen!



Respond
Jesus, thank You for Your light that shines in the darkness. Your Light drew me in, but in You, I didn’t find the punishment of death that I deserved because of my sin. Lord, I praise You for Your grace, mercy, and for giving me the right to be called a child of God. Amen.



Reveal
Who have you recently drawn toward Jesus? Reach out this week to someone new or to an old friend you’ve drifted from. Share a short testimony of how His light changed you, and invite them to explore John 1:9-13 together — witnessing that all can become children of God.

10/29/2026

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
—Romans 1:20 (ESV)

10/29/2026

// verse of the day //⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.

- Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)

10/29/2026

10/29/2026

Take comfort in knowing that God is infinite and ever-present, with a love for you that has no end.
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/our-infinite-god

10/29/2026

Connect with God through today’s devotional! https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/hope-in-a-hero

📖 Read: 1 Chronicles 16:12-27

🙏 Receive: "Heavenly Father, I’ve heard of Your great faithfulness to keep Your promises through many generations. I trust You to do it again."

❓Respond: What situation in our world seems hopeless? How do you see that God is still working?

10/29/2026

From "Today's Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah"

Strength and Courage
October 29, 2026

Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the Law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.
(Joshua 1:7)

{Recommended Reading: Psalm 1:1-3}

Joshua became a strong and fearless leader as he led Israel into the Promised Land. At first he might have been timid, given the enormity of the task ahead of him. Six times when Joshua was being prepared to lead Israel, he was exhorted to be strong and courageous (Deuteronomy 31:7, 23; Joshua 1:6-7, 9, 18, NIV). And it seems Joshua got the message, as we find him telling the people to be “strong and courageous” (Joshua 10:25, NIV).

But Joshua’s strength and courage were to be tied to his observance of the laws of God. In other words, his courage and strength were not to be found in himself but in trusting in the promises of God to make him prosperous as he walked in God’s ways. It was the same principle later repeated by the psalmist who said that the man who meditates on God’s Word will be prosperous in whatever he does (Psalm 1:2-3).

Strength and courage come from trusting in promises that will never fail.

Let God’s promises shine on your problems.
(Corrie ten Boom)

10/27/2026

Connect with God through today’s devotional! https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/a-rich-life-of-gratitude

📖 Read: 2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-10

🙏 Receive: "Gracious God, thank You for all You are."

❓Respond: In what ways have you experienced others’ care? How has gratitude changed you?

10/27/2026

From "Back to the Bible"
Proudly Presenting: The Savior of the World - October 27

Read John 1:6-8 (ESV)
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the Light, that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but came to bear witness about the Light.

Reflect
How did you first hear that Jesus is the Messiah? Who witnessed to you?

Have you ever had the honor of introducing someone important to others? Maybe you were extremely proud to introduce your future spouse to your family for the first time. Or maybe you proudly introduce your kids or grandkids to everyone you meet. Perhaps you’ve been an actual M.C. and as “Master of Ceremonies,” you had the distinct privilege to introduce someone truly famous to a waiting crowd.

But regardless of the relative status or fame of your most noteworthy introduction, I think we can all agree that John the Baptist had the highest honor given to man. John the Baptist was given the special role and distinct privilege of introducing the Savior of the world.

John’s mother, Elizabeth, and Jesus’ mother, Mary, were cousins. John was born about 6 months before Jesus. His birth was miraculous, too. We read about it in Luke 1:5-25, 57-80. His parents Zechariah and Elizabeth were barren, and their childbearing years had passed them by. Zechariah was a priest serving in the temple when the angel Gabriel appeared to announce that his wife would soon give birth to a son they would name John. Zechariah requested a sign so that he could know the angel’s words were true, especially because he and his wife, Elizabeth, were so old. Gabriel told him that because he didn’t believe his words, Zechariah wouldn’t be able to speak until his son was born.

Gabriel told Zechariah that his son would “be great before the Lord. And he must not drink w**e or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared” (Luke 1:15-17).

John the Baptist was the one Isaiah had prophesied would come before the Messiah. “A voice cries: In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God” (Isaiah 40:3). Over 700 years before John and Jesus were born, Isaiah prophesied that they both would come. The Messiah was coming, but a forerunner would come first in order to prepare the way.

You see, John didn’t just have the honor and privilege of telling people that the Messiah was coming. He had a responsibility. For about 400 years, God hadn’t spoken through any prophet. God used John the Baptist to break the silence. As the apostle John wrote, John the Baptist wasn’t the Light of the World. He wasn’t the Messiah. It was his job to proclaim that the Light of the World was coming. He bore witness to Jesus Christ. But his message wasn’t always well received. He was persecuted and thrown into prison for faithfully bearing witness to the Light. So while John was given an amazing privilege of introducing the world to its Savior, his life was far from easy.

All of us have been called to bear witness to the Light of the World. Like John, we are also called to proclaim that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior of the World. As Christians, it is an incredible honor to bear His great name and represent Him to the world. But being His witnesses isn’t always easy. Sharing His message with others won’t always be well received. Even so, may we faithfully bear witness to the Light so that all might come to believe in Him.

Respond
Jesus, You are the Light of the World, and You are my Lord and Savior. Equip me and give me the courage to faithfully bear witness to You even if my message isn’t well received. It is an incredible honor and privilege to be able to introduce others to the Savior of the world. Amen.

Reveal
This week, bear witness beyond your circle: invite a new neighbor to hear how Jesus changed you, or reconnect with an old friend to share the Savior's light. Step out in courage, and let your story illuminate another heart.