Pactolus Baptist Church

Daily Devotional

By Pastor Jerry Teboe

A Closer Walk with Christ in 2026

THE CREATOR

1 John 1:1

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life. 

          Today, we begin a new study in the book of 1 John.  The Apostle John is the author.  He was on the Isle of Patmos when he wrote this small but very important book to focus on the Lord Jesus Christ, the only One who can bring hope to our lives today.

          John begins with his time spent with the Lord Jesus when He was in the physical presence of the apostles.  He identifies Jesus as the Creator, who was from the beginning, That which was from the beginning.  Then he proceeds to the things that he, John, and the other apostles had heard and had seen. which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life.  They saw Jesus in a very real way, even being able to touch Him, who was and is the Word of Life. 

          What would it have been like to be with the Lord, in His physical presence?  Can you imagine what it would have been to sit around the campfire at night in the presence of the Lord and to walk with Him day in and day out? They heard the everyday communication, the happy interchanges, and experienced the friendship that came from that closeness with Jesus. 

John called himself the disciple whom Jesus loved (John 19:26).          We can all apply that title to ourselves, because truly Jesus loves us all.  He died for us and wants us to have fellowship with Him. 

          We cannot have the same kind of close, personal relationship with Christ today that the apostles had, but we can fellowship with Him, our Creator, and experience that friendship and love with Him that they had.  Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Because of this, He is always ready to have that close fellowship with everyone who wants to seek Him. 

Bible Reading for the Year

Prayer Needs

Please continue to pray for Faye Smith, Jack Gargis’ sister.  She is back in the hospital and being treated for internal problems.   She is getting weaker and really needs our prayers.    The family greatly appreciates your prayers.

Thank you for praying for Dr. Joe Jordan.  He had an appointment with his primary care doctor Friday who is waiting on the results of upcoming tests to make a diagnosis.  He sees his cardiologist today, has an MRI Tuesday, and a Fibro scan on Wednesday.  Please continue to pray for him.

Linda Franks’ surgery has been rescheduled for August 31^st.  Pray that she will stay well in order to have the surgery.

Please pray Beth Buchta.  On September 9^th, she has an appointment with her orthopedist about the ongoing pain in her leg.

Please be praying for Liz Atkinson.  She has been very sick with a stomach virus.

Please continue to pray for Shirley Deans.  She is at home and getting stronger.  She was able to have the chemo treatment.  Pray that all will go well after it.  The doctor said that she needs to rest to build up her body for future treatments.

Continue to pray for Jennifer Teboe Buchamer.   Please keep praying for complete healing.  She is still having side effects from the cancer.   She had a Keytruda  treatment and is also taking an inhibiter pill.  Pray there will not be any bad side effects from the pill and that the treatment will be effective against the cancer. 

Please continue to pray for Vickie Dalton.  Pray for God’s healing.  She had some issues last week, but seems some better today. 

Please continue to pray for Marvin Silverthorne for his eyesight to improve.  The doctors just discovered some spots on his pancreas. Pray for him please.

Please continue to pray for Peggy Warren.  She is facing some difficult challenges, but seems to be getting better. 

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