After reading John chapter 1, my “watch word” was receive. I thought of how many times, just in my memory, I can recall this word dealing with different situations and all that we receive from God.

In John, the word receives in vs 11-12 is in reference to our choice about receiving Christ… “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” NIV

I know that as I grow in my faith and in my teaching, it can be easy to get bogged down in language and complicate things… when really the only thing required of us to receive. We can also get so caught up in “earning” or “being good enough” for our salvation. To become children of God, all we need to do is to become a container for and to open our hearts and mind to the Holy Spirit and to rest in our assurance of our faith and to receive the grace that is lavished upon us as we our covered by the blood of Christ.

16 “From his abundance we have all received on gracious blessing after another” NLT

In a world where we are constantly judged by our ability to measure up, this reminder of truth brings peace and rest to my soul.