Tag Archives: Jesus Christ

A Study Through the Bible: 1 John 2: 7-11

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Did you see my post on 1 John 2:3-6?

Hi! Let’s get these devotions back up and going! God is moving in our lives, and we are amazed everyday and that things He is doing in and through us. We thought we were heading in one direction, but God has pointed us in another for the time being. I am excited to see where it will lead me and my family. I am so blessed!

Opening Prayer

God, thank You! Thank You that even when we make our own plans, You step in to guide us the way we should be going. Thank You that You are faithful and providing for us everyday!

Thank You for sending our church a new Pastor!!!! Thank You for leading us through a tough several months, and never giving up on us. Thank You for the amazing things You have in store for our church and this community!

Speak to me today. Use Your Word to confirm the plan You have for each and every one of us! Amen.

Scripture

1 John 2:7-11

7 Dear friends,   I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning.   This old command is the message you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new command;  its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing  and the true light  is already shining.

9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister  is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sisterlives in the light,   and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister  is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness.  They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them. (NIV)

Application

What a strong command! Obviously one we struggle with often or it would not have to be emphasized over and over again. Love, love, love! If we ever get overwhelmed with the Bible and all of the commands, just love. How can we go wrong if we love?

I don’t mean love the sin. Some argue we should allow things to happen, or it’s ok for people to do this or that because it’s all out of love. “God won’t condemn people for who the love.” and such. This is simply not true. God will still judge those according to their sins, even if it is done in “love.” This scripture speaks to us about loving one another and showing God’s love. God loves all of us, but that does not mean He encourages acts of sin.

Moving on, because that is not the point. So what is the point? We oftentimes hold onto anger, bitterness, resentment. We forget to forgive and show love. Christ loves us and we need to show that same love. People will learn about Christ and His love by how we represent Him. We must be in the light as He is. We must love and forgive as He does. It is so easy to say this, but so difficult to do at times, especially when we are hurt deeply.

I struggled with forgiveness several years ago. I found myself angry at a close loved one and unable to truly love them. I had to pray and pray and pray that God would help me to forgive and learn to love them again. It took a long time to get past the hurt and deep scars, but with God as my strength, I was able to love again and truly forgive.

We must watch carefully for the small acts of hatred we show too. We can see the big ways people hurt us, and we know we need help to forgive, but sometimes it’s the little things we let slide into our hearts. We begin to slowly hate someone without even realize what we are doing, or with simple justifications. I am so thankful that this Word reminds me to love and to live in the light. And, that I serve a God who helps me show the love that may not always be easy for me.

Closing Prayer

God, thank You for the reminder that I need to love. You have shown me so much love even when I didn’t deserve it. Who I am if I do not show that same love in return? Help me show that same love and forgiveness. I love you! Amen.

A Study Through the Bible: 1 John 2: 3-6

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Did you see my post on 1 John 2:1-2?

I have missed my blog!!! And my wonderful readers!! We are getting our house ready to sell: boxing up, taping walls, painting, yard work, and about to put in hardwood floors. Whew! In addition, my husband and I decided I would accept an offer on part time job that allows me to bring my kids. This has been quite a change for us this week, and we are learning to adjust. Thanks for your patience on this journey!

Opening Prayer

God, wow what a week! A lot of changes and unexpected things coming my way. I am so thankful that no matter what I am faced with You are with me and I am living in Your Will. Speak to me and give me the strength I need to face what is still to come.  Amen.

Scripture

1 John 2:3-6

3 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4 The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him.This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. (NIV)

Application

Wow! This is EXACTLY what I needed to be reminded of right now. It amazes me how God knows exactly what we need to hear especially when we are feeling discouraged.

We must obey His commands. He commands us to love Him first. He commands us to love one another. His Word is filled with commands that help us lead happy, fulfilling lives, that share His light. He wants us to be honest and trustworthy people. He wants us to live our lives following His Word.

We may fall short, but, as His Word told us in the previous verses, He forgives us those sins. He wants us to walk in His light. He wants us to read and listen to His Word and what He tells us in our prayer time with Him. We may not always understand why things happen, but we must trust that if we are living as Jesus lived, we cannot go wrong.

We must obey Him to show that we love Him! I believe this is how others will also know we are living with Christ. We can look to see if they are obeying the Word. We can check their actions with the Bible. I am not talking about judgement, but common sense. In order to know who to trust and who to listen to (as in our pastors and teachers), we must first look to see that they are obeying the Word. It is our rule book and teaches us how to live. If people claim to be living for Him, but do not follow His example, we need to be mindful.

This is also how we know how to live our own lives. We shouldn’t just use the Bible to check other people’s motives, we should use it to check our own motives. We should use His Word as a guide. How wonderful that not only did He send His son to die for us, so that He can forgive us our sins, but He also sent His Son to set an example for how we should live our lives. There is no better example!

Closing Prayer

Lord, You are so amazing and Your Word always leaves me to think and check my actions. I need to make sure I am living just as Your son lived. I need to walk in Your light and share Your love. I need to live by the commands You gave me, and as long as I do that then I know I am living and doing just as I should be. Thank You for this confirmation. I love You! Amen.

A Study Through the Bible: 1 John 2: 1-2

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Did you see my post on 1 John: 5-10?

Opening Prayer

God, You have amazing ways of opening and closing doors. We do not always understand why things happen the way they do, but I know I am living in Your Will and I am at peace. Show me through Your Word what I need to hear today. Amen.

Scripture

1 John 2:1-2

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense —Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also forthe sins of the whole world.  (NIV)

Application

This passage continues his statement from chapter 1. We have all sinned. Even as believers we are still sinners and are in need of Jesus’ defense. How amazing that He loves us enough to defend us even when we have wronged Him.

The Bible is clear, do not sin, but if you do, Jesus Christ has already sacrificed for those sins! Wow! Before I was born He knew I would fall short, and He took care of me even then.

Maybe the last part is even more important, for us as believers, to pay close attention to. Yes He died for us, and that is wonderful, but He died for the WHOLE WORLD! It is so easy to feel happy and content. Yippie… I am going to Heaven! I don’t need to worry anymore!

What about those around us? Our friends and family? What about those in other countries where churches cannot be found every 100 yards or so? What am I doing for them?

I can pray more. I can share more with those around me. I can give more to the missionaries that go where I cannot. Oh how we, as Christians, need to focus so much less on us and more on others. I know I get caught up in my world: me and my cute little family! I need to see and remember that Christ didn’t just die for me, but for EVERYONE! Let’s agree not to be selfish with our God!

*Apparently God really wants me to hear this. Our Youth Pastor, Wade, preached about sharing Christ with others this last Sunday. It was a wonderful message he left us with on his last Sunday at our Church.

Closing Prayer

God, wow! You sent Your son to die for me, but also for EVERYONE else. This is not an exclusive group. You didn’t just select a few. You want everyone! Thank You for loving us that much! Remind me always, to live a life that is a testimony to You, but also to share You with everyone! Amen.

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A Study Through the Bible: 1 John 1: 5-10

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Did you see my post on 1 John 1: 1-4?

Opening Prayer

God, I need this time, more than ever, this morning. Please show me what I need to hear! Give me peace and open my eyes to the things I need right now. Amen.

Scripture

1 John 1: 5-10

5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[b] sin.

8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. (NIV)

Application

Am I the only one who reads God’s Word and ends up with a ton of Christian songs stuck in my head?!? I just think it’s funny!

Anyways… what a strong message today. Let’s take the Word and read it literally. What does it mean if something is in the light? It means it can be seen. There is nothing hiding. What about the dark? Things are unknown, unseen. You don’t know what to expect.

God is light. He shines on us and nothing is hidden. We cannot be with Him, since He is light, and still be in darkness. If I walk outside and the sun is shining on me, I cannot make myself and my area dark, without putting up a wall. God is our light, we have to live by the truth otherwise we have created this wall. I want to live in the light! I want to be seen and I want to live a life worthy of that light.

No one is perfect. We all sin and fall short, but He forgives our sin. This passage talks about not living in darkness, but yet we all sin. Just because we sin does not mean we are living in darkness. Darkness happens when we shut out God. When we build up the wall to create darkness despite the light.

We need to be honest people. We cannot tell the world become a Christian, stop being sinners. We are all sinners, but we have One who restores us and makes us new each and everyday. The point is that in the light the sin is revealed. It can be seen and taken care of. The light allows us to recognize the sin and confess it to God and seek forgiveness.

Closing Prayer

God, what a wonderful message. You are our light and reveal the things we need to fix. Thank You that even though I am not perfect, You still forgive and want me to live in Your light! I pray You continue to reveal in me the things that I need to work on, and give me wisdom to know how to best serve You. Amen.

A Study Through the Bible: 1 John 1: 1-4

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Well, for those who have been following my Bible Study, I am sorry it has taken me so long to get 1 John started. I have been researching and trying to find a good site to use. I did not find a super great one, but did find one that gave me some information on the book. You can see it here.

So I have decided to jump in and go for it on my own. Please bear with me, I am not a Reverend like my husband ;-), and he doesn’t always have time to read over my stuff to make sure I am correct, but God created the Word for His everyday people and I believe we can all read it and take from it. Having said that, here we go!!

Opening Prayer

God, I am so very excited to study with You through one of my favorite books in the Bible. Show me and speak to me. Use me to share Your Word and read it for what it says! I love You and look forward to Your Words always. Amen.

Scripture

1 John 1: 1-4

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched —this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete. (NIV)

Application

I love this opening. You can sense John’s compassion for Christ and for these believers. He comes to remind them what they have seen and heard. He reminds them that they have a true testimony. John comes to tell what he has learned and that he is learning from God and His son.

We should never listen to teachers or pastors who are not in fellowship with God and His son, Christ. We can tell this by the fruit they bear. John has a heart for the people and he wants to share with them the things he has learned. I love this and love that believers continue to learn from his powerful words! I wonder if they knew then the power their words would have this many years later. Amazing!

Closing Prayer

Lord, You put a special calling on the lives of those who wrote Your word. Thank You for speaking to them and using them so that I can learn from them over 1900 years later! How amazing! I am in awe of You. I love You and look forward to reading through this passage more. Amen.