2008 02 February

Walking in Darkness

Optional Scripture Reading-- 1 John 4: 7-21

Most often, when we think of walking in darkness, we think of things like drunkenness, drug abuse, immorality, murder, stealing, lying, and things like these. There ought be little question that those who engage in such activities are walking in darkness.

And yet, I would like for us to think a little deeper today. In 1 John we have seen a lot about love and joy another godly virtues. So it is that we can walk in darkness and never commit any of these outward acts of lawlessness. Indeed, as we have found, if we don't love our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are walking in darkness. We need to think about our experience in life. If it is characterized by such things as fear, doubt, pain, sorrow, heavy burdens and difficult yokes, we are walking in darkness. Sadly, just as it was in the days of Jesus Christ, many of God's people-- though outwardly clean-- are really walking in darkness. But, thank God, He has a better way for us. He would have us confident of the path we take. He would have us confident in His will and not full of doubts and fears. God has not given us a sprit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7).

He would also have us rejoice even though we could also be experiencing the greatest sorrow and pain because of our immediate circumstances in life. Yet, armed with faith, love, and hope, we can also greatly rejoice. God would bless us greatly but only as we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. If we take some time and look a bit deeper, I wonder are we really walking in the light?

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2nd

A Sin Unto Death

Optional Scripture Reading--Acts 5: 1-11

In 1 John 5: 16-17 we read If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. Over the years, many debates have occurred concerning the question of what is the sin unto death. But, before we get into this let us first ask what kind of death are we talking about? This word "death" is referring to a physical death from the body and not a spiritual death from the Lord. So what the Lord is saying is: there is a sin which a person can commit and God may take your life. Annals and Sapphira give us a pretty good example of what that sin could be. After these two had sold some land they kept back some of the profit for themselves, but told Peter that they had given all the profit to him. The Bible tells us that not only did these two lie to the people but to the Holy Ghost and therefore tempted. God. We all know the final results: God killed them on the spot. They had committed a sin unto death.

In the book of Proverbs we find several verses that tell us obedience to God brings long life but the wicked die early. Take some time today to see what they have to say: Proverbs 11:19, 13:14, 19:16.

Proverbs 10:27 The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened..

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3rd

Confession vs. Forgiveness

Optional Scripture Reading: Psalm 51: 1-14

1 John 1: 9-10 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Note in the above there is a sequence of events. Two personalities are involved, the sinner must confess before there can be forgiveness. After the believers confession, God is honor bound, by His word to forgive, because of what the Holy Spirit led John to record earlier in his Gospel of John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

The whole of Scripture teaches that only by the shedding of blood is there forgiveness of sin and sins. Adam learned this in the garden, Abel also knew this and died for his faith. Abel was the first martyr! Isaac was very close to being a martyr, because of his father's faith, but there was a substitute for him in the form of a ram caught in the thicket. The tabernacle and temple worship taught the shedding of blood as the only way for sin to be covered, this was called the atonement. On the Day of Atonement the blood was shed for the High Priest and then another sacrifice was for the congregation. But in the New Testament we find, one new and only one sacrifice for sin. The Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission (of sin).

Not only was our redemption purchased at Calvary, but also the sins of the whole wide world were nailed to His cross. However, we must appropriate this by humble confession and forsaking our sins.

090301rjs

4th

An Evidence of Salvation

Optional Scripture Reading 1 John 2: 1-6

The Gospel of John was written That ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His Name. John 20:31. In the first Epistle of John we find 14 evidences or proofs of one's salvation. It is with some of these that I will deal in our devotional for this month.

In 1 John 2: 3-4 we read: And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in Him. How can we be assured that Christ is our Propitiation, our Advocate, as described in 2: 1-2? John says this comes about by the observance of His commandments. "We do know" is ginosko, to know by experience. This knowledge that we know Him is gained by the experience of keeping His commandments. (Wuest). "The verb we know Him refers to a past completed act having present results. That is, if we are keeping His commandments, we know that we have in the past come to know Him with the present result that that state of knowing Him is true of us in the present time." (Wuest).

If we say we know Christ, are saved, and do not keep His commandments, we are lying and the truth is not in us. 2:4. "This person is an unsaved person, for a believer as a habit of life obeys the Word of God." (Wuest). One proof we are saved is if we keep--"Attend to carefully, guard, observe His commandments." (Wuest)

Thought: To reduce spiritually, simply close your Bible." (The Lifeline)

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5th

Doing Right

Optional Scripture Reading: 1 John 5: 1-5

When we act in a way that is contrary to the principles of God's Word, we transgress God's law. When we miss God's best for our lives as believers, we sin or come short or the glory of God. I like the song the choir sings about it being a grand thing to be a Christian.

Sometimes I fear that God's people don't feel that way. Sometimes, as we have noted, God's people are lacking in joy and the motivation to do right. Indeed, living as we ought can become a great burden instead of a great blessing. If this is the case, something is terribly wrong with our spiritual life. In 1 John 5:3 we read, For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. The word "grievous" is translated "burdensome" in the NASV and means heavy. It is the same word we find used in reference to the Pharisees in Matthew 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. This is important. If faith becomes a heavy burden to bear, our faith is corrupted. No doubt these burdens were not heavy for the Pharisees because they were receiving many rewards from the people they were impressing. Their faith was only a tool for money, power, and perks. Theirs is not the character of genuine faith. The right path is a much different path. Jesus said, Come unto me all ye who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;...For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11: 28-30.

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6th

Guidelines for Prayer

Optional Scripture Reading: Matthew 6: 5-15

Often times people have the idea that when they pray to God their prayer should be granted. But the Bible has much to say about prayer, and today we will look at a few guidelines the God has for us. 1 John 5: 14-15 says And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us; And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. In the first part of this verse we can praise the Lord that we can place our confidence in Him. In fact, this is one of the guidelines that God requires for answered prayer. Jesus said in Matthew 21:22 And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. We must believe that God hears us an have confidence in Him. The second part of that verse says our request must be according to his will. We must realize that God has a specific plan and purpose for each one of us. Our request must not be for our own will but for His. Many of us pray selfishly and therefore our prayers are not answered in the way we asked. James 4:3 tells us Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Let us ask ourselves when we pray, do we have confidence that God hears us and do we pray that His will be done and not our own? These guidelines are only two among many. Could it be that one of these two is the reason why your prayers go unanswered?

Psalm 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.

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7th

Hatred Blinds the Eyes

Optional Scripture Reading: John 17: 12-20

The following text admonishes us to be transparent:

1 John 2: 9-11 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

This love referred to in vs. 10 is the Greek word "agape" or love like unto the love with which our God and Father loves us. This type of love is a self-sacrificing love. It gives of itself not expecting something in return. We all know people who only give with the expectancy of getting something in return. If your only reason for giving is like the above, then you are a little person before the Lord and your fellow men. You are a selfish person and only seeking to better your own circumstances. God must surely pity you!

If we claim to be followers of Jesus and practice the above we are a stumbling stone to young Christians who see through our deceit and lose faith because we older ones in the Lord are not setting an example for the younger to follow. Remember, if your walk and talk do not agree you're transparent before your fellow men and they know you are a phony.

090701rjs

8th

Walking in the Light

Optional Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5: 1-17

In 1 John 2: 9-10 we read: He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. "Men fall into two classes, those who are in fellowship with God, and therefore walk in light and love, and those who are not in fellowship with God, and therefore walk in darkness and hatred." (Wuest).

In 2: 9-11 we see the test of love applied. There is a 3-fold division an v. 9. First we see the claim-- He that saith he is in the light. Secondly we see the test--and hateth his brother. And then thirdly we see the result--is in darkness even until now. To be in the light is practically synonymous with walking in the light, for both refer to a life lived in the sphere of truth and holiness." (Donald Burdick). "If a person habitually hates God's people (Greek, present tense), this is an indication that he is in darkness, which for John is to be separated from God Who is Light. 1:5. The individual says he is in the light (a Christian) and yet hates his fellow man is in darkness even until now. This is the same as saying that he has always been in darkness and has never entered the light. Such a person cannot claim to be in fellowship with God. 1:6. (Burdick).

The habitual practice of loving fellow believers is proof that the one loving abideth in the light. V. 10. His claim to dwell in the light is confirmed by his relationships with his associates in the faith, and this in trun, demonstrates that he is in fellowship with God. Assurance in this case is based not upon feeling or mere profession but upon love for the people of God." (Burdick).

"The one whose habitual attitude toward his fellow believer is one of hatred is really not one of God's redeemed." (Burdick). such a person only has a profession and is not really saved. The question is "Are we walking in the light?"

Thought: If you are a Christian, remember that men judge your Lord by you. --The Lifeline

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9th

The Liar

Optional Scripture Reading: 1 John 2: 18-23

To lie is to bear false witness. In the ten commandments, this is used in reference to speaking falsely about others. We might think of this as slander. It may have even had a more specific meaning of bearing witness in some legal proceeding. And yet, all of us know that this command goes beyond the court room to life itself.

If we are not careful, we can respect unbelief. I have heard people say that since faith in God is a matter of faith, we cannot fault those who do not believe. That is not what we find here in the book of 1 John. I John 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. The biggest lie that any of us could ever tell is the lie that Jesus is not the Christ. And it is a lie because all know the truth. In John 1:9 we read that Jesus Christ is the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. In other words, we need to realize that God has revealed the truth of Jesus Christ to the heart of every person on this earth. Thus the one who does not confess this truth is not just ignorant or blind, they lie. God says so in this epistle of 1 John.

This has important implications for us spiritually. If we miss God's will and direction in our life, it is not a matter of ignorance or blindness, it is a matter of apostasy. We need to realize the importance of knowing god and His will for our lives. Morality is not just what we do, but it is knowing God, His will-- and obeying it.

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10th

Freedom From Sin

Optional Scripture Reading: Romans 6

In these final verses of the book of 1 John we get a brief overview of what has just been stated in the previous chapters. In this review it is interesting that John reminds them of what they should already know. In 1 John 5:18 John says We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. Here he is reminding us that those who have trusted in Christ should sin no more. Also at the end of the verse he encourages us by the fact that the wicked one cannot even touch His children without His permission. In verse 19 John reminds us of something else, And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. As Christians we know that we need to keep ourselves separate from the wickedness of the world. In verse 20 John gives a final reminder: And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Now that we no longer find life in ourselves but in Jesus our eyes have been opened. Now we walk in truth and our eyes can see through the darkness of the world. Now after reminding us of the things we should know, John leaves us with a simple command from God: 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. Idols have been defined as anything that takes the place of God. God wants to be first in our lives. So let us end by asking ourselves after all that we know of God: Does He still take first priority in our hearts and lives?

091001jdl

11th

Jesus Christ is God

Optional Scripture Reading: Hebrews 9: 1-14

1 John 2: 1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world. In the above there are several words which need to be enlarged upon:

Advocate, one who stands along side of, one who defends us before the bar of God's justice. This is the only time this particular word is used in the Bible, but there are many other references along the same line of this subject.

Propitiation, in the Old Testament the mercy Seat where the blood was applied and sins were forgiven. In the New Testament we have a personal Propitiator, the Lord Jesus Christ, who stands at the bar of justice and pleads our case to the Father. He says, "Father I shed my blood for the sins of this person, my blood purchased his or her redemption, and it also cleanses from every sin.

Hebrews 9: 22-26 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Only God can forgive sins, therefore, Jesus is God! In each of His many offices as Savior, Redeemer, Advocate, Propitiator, Mediator and coming King of Kings we see Jesus is very God. What a great God and Savior we have!

091101rjs

12th

The Indwelling Spirit

Optional Scripture Reading: John 16: 1-14

It the epistle of 1 John the whither, John, gives a number of tests whereby we can determine whether or not we are truly children of God. In our devotional for today we want to look at one such test. It is found in 4:13: Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit. Evidence that a person is saved is the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Paul wrote in Romans 8:9: Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. God gave us a witness of His presence in our lives, and that witness is the Holy Spirit Who indwells every believer. He is God Whom we cannot see, but has given each believer the testimony of His presence in us. 4: 12.

We know that we dwell in God and He dwells within us by His witness within. To know is ginosko, to "know by experience. That is, the saint experiences the work of the Holy Spirit in him (or her), and from that experience, he (or she) deduces the fact that the Holy Spirit is in him (or her), as a gift of God. This experiential knowledge confirms the fact that the saint dwells in God and God in him." (Wuest). "Dwell is meno, used often in the Gospel narratives of one person dwelling in the home of another. The word speaks of fellowship between two or more individuals. It is literally He (God) Himself in us." (Wuest) "Hath given is perfect tense in the Greek. The Spirit was given the saints as a permanent gift. He is in us to stay." He has taken up His permanent residence in us." (Wuest)

Of His Spirit is literally out of His Spirit. (Wuest) "John does not mean to infer that the individual saint receives only part of the Holy Spirit, for the Person cannot be divided and parceled out in parts. Each saint receives the Holy Spirit Himself in His entirety." (Wuest) Each believer receives spiritual gifts, and the presence of these gifts in him, shown by their outworking in the life is also evidence of the Spirit in him, and is a proof that God dwells in the saint and the saint dwells in God.

So the question is: "Does the Holy Spirit dwell in our lives Is there evidence of His Presence?"

Thought: Anyone can go door to door, but only you can witness where God has placed you. (The Lifeline)

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13th

Our Teacher

Optional Scripture Reading: 1 John 2: 20-27

False religion tells people that they cannot understand God's word apart from the help of some great religious leader or organization. In other words, false religion tries to subtly move people from the direct, perfect leadership of God through the Holy Spirit to that of fallen corrupt humanity.

There is a sense in which those who minister the word of God are our teachers. Yet, we need to be very careful. We need to learn to recognize the voice of God in our own hearts through the word of God, It is important that our trust is in God and not the teacher regardless of how many degrees he may have or his position. In this sense, our human teachers are only guides. In other words, it is one thing for someone to tell us where a text is and otherwise help guide us, and another thing for us to trust in their understanding of the teaching of the bible. All true believers ought to know what it means to be taught of the Holy Spirit. In 1 John 2:27 we read, the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you:....

Heretics claiming some special knowledge tried to seduce God's people (1John 2:26). so it is, if God's people would simply follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in their lives, these false teachers would be ineffective The word anointing is from the Greek word which means gift and it is the word from which we get our word Charismatic. The Bible does not teach that the gift of tongues is for all believers, but it does teach that all believers need to follow the teaching of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

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14th

God is Light

Optional Scripture Reading: Matthew 5: 13-16

How amazing it is to take scripture verses and tie them together to make a wonderful connection. Follow along!

When we look around at creation, the hand of God is evident. But, when we look for God in a physical form we will not see Him. God is in Heaven and His son is with Him sitting at His right hand. So, as we live in this world, where will we find the light to see through the darkness? Remember that the word is a lamp and a light to all who believe. God is light and He reveals that light through His Word. As we read His Word and obey it we will be walking in the light.

Psalm 119: 105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

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15th

Living the Victorious Life

Optional Scripture Reading: Romans 7: 12-23

1 John 5: 4-5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? God's commandments are not burdensome, because it is God who enables us to overcome the world. The work "born" in the Greek is in the present tense, which means a past completed act with a present result, we are partakers of the divine nature. What a blessed statement that is! The Greek word "overcometh" means there was and is a battle, but we are the victors, because the Blood of Jesus has defeated the world (this present world system), the flesh (our sinful nature), and the devil (his insidious seeds of doubt) in our lives.

If, we are walking moment -by-moment in the Spirit we shall have victories. Also, remember these victories are successive, we cannot have one victory and then think all is well and we will never have need of another victory. But rather, it is a continuous battle and when we are trusting in Jesus to fight our battles, we will always have the victory. Romans 7: 24-25 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord... Yes, Paul understood this battle and he knew that our only victory was in Jesus Christ, therefore, if it was good enough for him, will it not also be good enough for us? another translation of verse 5: Who is he who is constantly coming off victorious over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Christ.

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16th

Overcoming the World

Optional Scripture Reading: John 16: 23-33

The individual who is a truly born again child of God will be an overcomer. 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world . This is the person who believes that Jesus is the Christ. V. 1. "The Corinthian Gnostics denied the identity of Jesus and the Christ. That is, they denied that the individual whom the Christian church knew by the name Jesus was also the Christ. The word Christ is the English spelling of the Greek work Christos which means the anointed One. But the predicted Anointed One was to be God-Incarnate, virgin-born into the human race. Thus the Incarnation is in view here." (Wuest). "John is not talking here about merely assenting intellectually to the fact of the incarnation, but to a hear acceptance of all that is implied in its purpose, the substitutionary death of the Incarnate One for sinners, thus making a way of salvation possible." (Wuest) John says the person who believes this truth has been born of God, and is a child of God.

"And this individual who has been born of God overcomes the world. 5:4. "Whatsoever is neuter in gender, and refers to persons, those persons born of God. Born is perfect in tense, referring to a past completed act of regeneration with the present result that the regenerated individual has been mad a partaker of the divine nature and as such is a child of God. 2 Peter 1:4, John 1:12." (Wuest).

"such a person is an overcomer. Overcometh is nikao, to carry off the victory, come off victorious." (Wuest). A battle is implied. " The forces of the world-system, with which the saint is surrounded, are all engaged in a battle against the saint, carrying on an incessant warfare, the purpose of which is to ruin his Christian life and testimony." (Wuest). But the born -again child of God "is constantly overcoming the world." (Wuest). How is it done? This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. The question: Am I an overcomer?

Thought: Blessed is the person who is too busy to worry in the daytime and too sleepy to worry at night. (The Lifeline)

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17th

Fulness of Joy

Optional Scripture Reading: Psalm 16

In John's letters, he talks about our joy being made full and being complete. In today's optional scripture reading we find, Psalm 16:11...in thy presence is fulness of joy;...John talks a lot in his epistles about fellowship with God. So the one who finds Himself in the presence of God finds the fullness of joy.

Joy in the heart and life is a much an evidence of genuine faith as love. Sadly, there are those who profess faith who seem to have little if any joy in this life. They view the Christian life as hard and following God's commands as extremely difficult. They see the path of righteousness as only a path of suffering and trials, and the path of sin as easy. The Bible teaches no such doctrine. In Proverbs 13:15 we read that the way of transgressors is hard. It is not the path of righteousness but sin that is hard. When it comes to the things people desire in this life Jesus said, ...Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33. Could it be any clearer that the path of joy and blessing is also the path of faith and fellowship with God?

I wonder about your faith today. Is coming to church, giving, and spending time in God's Word a b burden or a blessing? If these things are a burden, could it be that you have a religion of sorts, but have not really found what it means to be in the very presence of God? All those who come to know the very presence of God experience the fullness of joy. Without God, the things that believers do become a terrible burden to carry through life.

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18th

Practice Makes Permanent

Optional Scripture Reading: Galatians 6: 6-10

There is a saying that most likely every one had heard at some point in their lifetime, and that is that practice makes perfect. In many aspects that saying should be said practice makes permanent. If you practice the wrong thing the wrong way then how does it become perfect? It doesn't, but it does become permanent. Old habits are hard to break. We must practice the right things and do them the right way. This thinking is true in sports, the workplace, the home, and in our spiritual walk with the Lord.

In 1 John 3: 6-7 we read that Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. This passage is all about practice. Here we are talking about practicing sin or practicing righteousness. A person who is trusting in Christ and has given his life over to Him will no more practice sin, but righteousness.

We may find it interesting to take note of the things we do throughout the day, and then ask ourselves which do we practice more. On one hand we may find that we practice prayer three times a day and devotions in the morning, and on the other we're angry just as much as we read our Bibles, or gossip about others just as many times as we pray to God. What about the rest of our day? Many decide to live their lives the way they want and in doing so they chose to live independent of God. Choosing self is practicing sin. Choosing God is practicing righteousness. Which are you practicing?

Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

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19th

Showing the Love of God

Optional Scripture Reading: Mark 12: 29-34

1 John 4: 16-21 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

My first inclination is to preach a sermon on the following verses, but please stop and meditate on them for a few minutes and seek to digest what the Holy Spirit has for you. The manifestation of God's love is seen in Paul's prayer for us: For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Ephesians 3: 14-19.

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20th

Life in the Son

Optional Scripture Reading: John 10: 22-30

Today we will look at I John 5: 11-12 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. "The concept of eternal life dominates the thought of 1 John. The Epistle both begins and ends with references to it (1:2, 5:20). The stated purpose of the author was to give believers assurance of possessing it." (Vaughan) So the central theme of 1 John is eternal life.

We do not have in the Bible a formal definition of eternal life. "Eternal speaks of that which has neither beginning nor end, and is not subject to change of decay. Eternal life is nothing less than the life of God Himself." (Vaughan). It is not just endless life, "it is a certain kind of life that is possessed only by those who have been united to God through faith in Jesus Christ." (Vaughan). "It is a free gift which God gives to those who believe in His Son. Eternal life is in His son (Jesus Christ) and may be found nowhere else." (Stott).

We find three very important truths about eternal life taught in this passage in 1 John 5: 11-12. First, it is not a prize we can earn, but is an undeserved gift. God gives us eternal life. "The tense of the verb gave implies a point in time when something was given once for all." (Westcott). Second, eternal life is found in Christ. And this life is in His Son. If a person does not have Jesus Christ, then he does not have eternal life. Third, the gift of life in Christ is a present possession. He that hath the Son, hath life. (Vaughan). The person who does not have Jesus Christ does not have life. "He or she may by human standards be a good person, a good neighbor, a good parent, a good citizen, but by Biblical standards, he has no saving union with Christ. He does not have eternal life and is not a Christian." (Vaughan).

How does one receive eternal life? John 1:12 is the answer. John assures us we can know we have eternal life. I John 5:13. The question is: Have you received Jesus Christ as your Savior? If you have, you have eternal life. If not, you do not have eternal life.

Thought: When there is no faith in the present, there is no hope for the future. (The Lifeline)

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21st

Trying the Spirits

Optional Scripture Reading: 1 John 4: 7-21

We walk by faith and not sight. Learning to hear and follow the voice of God through the Holy spirit is an important part of our faith. Even when it comes to the Word of God itself, we have found that it is important that the Holy Spirit be our teacher.

We find in the Bible that the message of false prophets can flow from the forces of darkness or even the heart of the prophet himself. We can find it a challenge to discern the difference between the Holy Spirit, our own spirit and seducing spirits. This is where we see no substitute for long term experience of walking with God. In today's scripture reading we read, Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world...I John 4:1. We also read about antichrist. The Greek prefix anti can mean either against or in place of Christ. The Antichrist will claim to be Christ, and as such he would be best understood as someone who comes in place of Christ.

In other words, just as the devil will one day seek to lead people to trust the leadership of Antichrist as that of Christ, so too he will seek to lead you and me astray. What can we do? We need to test the spirits. How can we do this? First, we need to compare our leading with the principles of the Word of God. The Spirit of God will never lead us contrary to the Word. Second, we need to seek counsel from our pastor and those who have greater experience in following the leading of God. And last, we need to keep in tune with the church. God's leading in our lives should be consistent with His direction in the church. Are you learning to try the spirits?

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22nd

The Power to Overcome

Optional Scripture Reading: Romans 8: 31-39

The Bible tells us in 1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. In the previous verses we are encouraged to test the spirits to see if they be of God or of the world. The Bible tells us that there will be and that there already are many spirits that have come into the world to blind us from the truth of god's Word.

Here in 1 John 4:4 we are given a wonderful reassurance. Who is it that lives inside us? for the believer, 1 Corinthians 6:19 tells us that our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you. Who is it that is in the world? The Bible tells us in John 12:31 that Satan is the prince of this world. In 2 Corinthians 4:4 he is called the god of this world. And, in Ephesians 2:2 he is called the prince and the power of the air. What a blessing to know that the power of the Holy Spirit which is in us is stronger than Satan and his forces in this world.

One of the discouraging facts is though we have the power to overcome Satan and the world, many neglect to use it. Satan has a way of making the world look so enticing that many are finding great pleasure in sin. Don't be fooled. The Bible tells us that the pleasures of sin are only for a little while and then we must face the consequence for that sin. For those who feel trapped in their sin, take comfort in what 1 John 4:4 says Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

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23rd

Being a Child of God

Optional Scripture Reading: John 1: 11-13

1 John 3; 1-3 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

In verse 1, we find the word "bestowed" which means to give a gift. This is a permanent gift; He ill never ask us to return it. Every now and then, I hear of a couple who have been going together and they decide to call it quits. The man wants the ring back, and the woman may or may not return it. It's up to her, if she wants nothing that will remind her of him, she will return it. God never asks us to return His gifts of Grace and Mercy.

In verse 2, we are the sons of God, but we don't look or act like we are at times. However, god is in the process of making or conforming us to the image of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Think on this! Jesus said in John 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. This means we are aliens in this world. Since that is the case, why are we all planning to live in this world as long as we can? I meet Christians who are gathering material things and accumulating riches as though they were going to be here forever. How Foolish we mortals are! The world hated Jesus and they hate us too. The New Agers have already prepared an explanation for the rapture. When we disappear they will claim we were kidnapped by aliens from outer space. How true that is, Jesus and the angels are from another realm, Heaven!

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24th

Saved? Love the Brethren!

Optional Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 13

In 1 John 3:14-15 we have another evidence or proof as to whether one is saved or not. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Verse 4 teaches that the real evidence of our new life is not in the hostility of the world toward us, but in our love to the brethren. Just because the world hates someone does not prove that such a person is a child of god. What really proves that one is a child of God is whether or not that one loves others.

The word know is the translation of oida which means "to know intuitively, to know with positive certitude." (Vaughan). We know this as a fact. "The verb is in the perfect tense, speaking of a past completed act having permanent results." (Wuest) "We have passed out off death into life, and life is now our permanent and abiding state." (Vaughan) Paul wrote to the Ephesian Christians: And you hath He quickened (made alive) who were dead in trespasses and sins. Ephesians 2:1. Outside of Christ one is spiritually dead.

We know without the shadow of a doubt that we have passed from being spiritually dead to being spiritually alive because we love the brethren. The love spoken of here is "that divine love produced in the heart of the yielded believer." (Stott).This kink of love is described for us in 1 Corinthians 13 and John 3:16. Love is the surest test of having life. (Stott).

"Evidence of a saved condition is that the person is habitually loving Christians with a love that impels him to deny himself for the benefit of the fellow Christian." (Wuest). "Love is declared to be the test by which it can be determined whether or not a person is saved." (Donald Burdick).

The question is not "does the world hate us?" but "do we love the brethren?" the fellow Christian?

Thought: The only people with whom you should try to get even are those who have helped you. The Lifeline

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25th

God is Love

Optional Scripture Reading: 1 John 4:7-14

In our text we read the statement that God is love. Some would try and pervert this by saying that love is God. That is not what this text is saying. What is being said here is that love is intrinsic to the character and nature of God...1

The English work for love is a much broader term than the love used here. The word for love here is the Greek word which is a love which enjoys the happiness and blessing of a one loved for no other reason than it delights to do so. It is unconditional and selfless love . It is a love which lacks any selfish desire.

We find in this book of 1 John that this love defines the character of God, and it is the charcterof all who have been born of the Spirit of God. It is simply not possible to be born of the Spirit and not have this loving heart.

We need to understand that just as there are false Christs, false gospels and false teachers, there are also false professions of faith. All of these are the work of the wicked one. But, as we see in this epistle, a false faith lacks love. Think about many of the things we do as believers. Do we pray because we love God and fellowship with Him or do we pray only in order to get something for self? Make no mistake those who have false faith know nothing of the heart of God. But the very love of God will flow through all who have been born of the Spirit.

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28th

Love God or the World

Optional Scripture Reading: Matthew 4: 1-11

We know 1 John was written primarily to Christians. John talks about fellowship with the Father, and with His son Jesus Christ. 1:3. In this book John speaks about things that will be true of believers. Such as the statement in 2: 15-17. The child of God will not Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. v 15. And the reason is given: If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

The word world here is kosmos which is "the sum total of human life in the ordered world, considered apart from, alienated from and hostile to God, and of earthly things that seduce from God." (Vincent). "It refers to the ordered system of which Satan is the head, his fallen angels and demons are his emissaries, and the unsaved of the human race are his subjects, together with their purposes, pursuits, pleasures, practices, and places where God is not wanted...It is anti-God and anti-Christ." (Wuest).

"Here agapao (Love) is used merely in its classical meaning. That of a love called out of one's heart by the preciousness of the object loved. The word used here refers to a fondness, and affection for an object because of its value. The word John uses always stresses continuous habitual action." "Thus this hypothetical person is one who loves the world as a habit off life to the exclusion of any love for God. This is an unsaved person." (Wuest).

...The love of the Father is not in him. "In this person the love of the Father does not exist, rather, that the love of God does not dwell in him as the ruling principle of his life." (Vincent). "It is impossible for love to the world to exist with love to God, as it is impossible for light and darkness to coexist."(Westcott).

So the question needs to be asked: "Do I love this evil world system, or do I love God?"

Thought: People are judged not only by the company they keep, but also by that which they don't. (The Lifeline)

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29th

The Standard of Love

Optional Scripture Reading: 1 John 4: 7-21

What does God expect of us as believers? I think we tend to focus on things like our personal walk with God and the ministry of the church. And these thins are very important, but by themselves can be very shallow next to what we find in our text. 1 John 4:10-11 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

Clearly, we are to love other Christians as much as Jesus loved us. When I watch the way Christians in the same Church and between churches treat each other, I wonder--just as many evangelists have noted--if even half of those in the best churches are really born of the Spirit.

God, help us to remember that we need to love that difficult brother or sister in Christ, that difficult sister church, or even that brother or sister in a corrupt church, with the love of Christ. This is an awesome responsibility. If rightly understood this teaching ought to drive all of us to our knees in great humility of heart. Like the old spiritual we ought to see clearly that it's not my brother not my sister, but it's me O Lord, standin in the need of prayer.

Sadly, taking his standard, the majority of the best preachers are not even doing right by each other. And yet, this love is an important mark of our salvation and spiritual health. 1 John 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

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