Author: Good Life Church

Scripture –
Romans 1:25 – because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen

Observation-
Paul tells us that people know the truth and they can see it in creation, yet they suppress the truth. Once truth is gone the lie of the enemy takes hold. Then creation or creature becomes the object of worship rather then God who is the author and Creator of life and everything in it. He alone is worthy of endless praise. Amen.

Application-
In verse 18 Paul tells us that the wrath of God will be poured out on those who suppress and exchange the truth. This gives a sense of urgency to convey the gospel to people who are lost, hurting have believed the lies of the enemy and are living against God. We are getting a clearer picture of this in our world on an almost daily basis and the separation from the Word and the world is growing. The truth of God as the Creator of life and His natural order is under attack. This a Spiritual battle and the ruler of this world has people deceived and is approving of ideology that is opposed to God. We can pray for minds to be opened, hearts to be softened to meet people where they are share love and truth to let the Spirit move and convict people to know God. As our moral culture continues to deteriorate people are fearful and hungry. We need to be there with the hope of Jesus Christ for repentance, reconciliation, true restoration and healing in the name of Jesus.

Prayer-

Father,
Thank you for the truth in your word and your love to see all come to know and have a relationship with you. Let the Spirit guide me to follow you, share your gospel with those who are fearful and hurting to extend your glory!

Scripture – 

John 21:18-19 – “Truly, truly, I say to you when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted , but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands , and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.”  (This he said to show what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Observation – 

Jesus asks Peter 3 times if  he loves Jesus. Jesus then tells Peter to tend and care for His sheep.  Jesus is telling Peter if you love me you will care for my people.  Right after Jesus restores Peter, he foretells the type of death Peter will experience for his faith.  Then Jesus commands Peter, “Follow Me.” If you were writing this to get people to join you think the order would be reversed where Jesus tells Peter to follow Him then shares the cost.

Application – 

Jesus loves me so much that He gave His life for me so I can be brought from death to life through faith in Christ.  Jesus loved me first and when I was his enemy, he paid the full price for all my sin past, present and future.

The gospel is my greatest need and what I need to remember every day.  

I am to follow Jesus just as He commanded Peter.  I don’t know how or when I will die or if I see the Lord return but I do know I can choose to follow Jesus and make Him known.  An as he taught Peter in the next verse, how Jesus chooses for someone else to pass can’t be a hangup for me I have be steadfast and follow Jesus faithfully.

Prayer – 

Father,

Thank you for sending Jesus to redeem and restore me so can follow you and make you know to bring you glory.  

Scripture – 

John 14: 6-7 – Jesus said to him, “ I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Observation – 

This is Jesus answer to Thomas question about where he is going and the way to get there.  Jesus is going to heaven to prepare and place for all who believe in His name.  Jesus tells Thomas that He is the  exclusive way to heaven not now of many ways.  Jesus is the living Word incarnate and he is therefore truth.  Jesus is life and He overcomes death with His resurrection.  Jesus could not state it any clear or with certainty that he is the only way to the Father.

Application – 

I must understand and be obedient to Jesus explanation to Thomas and the disciples.  Jesus’ explanation, clearly stated,  gives me confidence that He  is the only bridge to a holy God.  There are not countless ways to God nor do all paths lead to heaven. Jesus’ completed work on the cross and resurrection paid a debt I never could and by God’s grace gives me the opportunity to have a relationship with the Father.  Jesus is the Word and thereby truth which is both objective and moral. Jesus is the author and creator of all life including humans who He created in His image.  When you place your faith and trust in Jesus, you become and adopted child of the Father and have life everlasting  with Him.

Prayer – 

Father,

Thank you for you steadfast love, grace and truth in your Word which you sent to be with us so we can know you and make you known.  I pray for minds to opened and hearts softened  for people to see the truth in your resurrection

Scripture

 

Vs 2 … his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

VS 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.

 

VS 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “(Jesus) is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.”

 

Vs 25 (The beggar) answered, “Whether (Jesus) is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”

VS 26 They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”

VS 27 He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen.

 

VS 28 And they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.

VS 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.”

VS 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners …

 

VS 35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”^[c]

Vs 36 He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”

VS 37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.”

VS 38 He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

 

Observation

 

This is one of the more fascinating stories in the gospels.

So many contrasts between human nature and the supernatural.

False presumptions … false certainties … false knowledge …

 

The disciples presume a “defect” (blindness) is a result of someone’s “sin”.

The Pharisees know “Jesus is not from God”.

The Pharisees “know that God does not listen to sinners”

 

A lot of “We know” happening in this story … false “truths”.

 

Perhaps, the most honest statement comes from the previously blind man … “I do not know”.

And ultimately … “Lord, I believe”.

 

Application

 

Two big thoughts come to mind this morning for me …

 

1. Knowing “WHO Jesus is” is infinitely more important than knowing “HOW Jesus works”.

And …

1. The self-righteous are rarely self-aware.

 

I love that the beggar in this story is so brutally honest …

“I do not know” how this happened.

“One thing I do now” … I was blind, now I see.

 

I also love that the disciples were willing to ask Jesus a question about their “belief system”.

“Who sinned that this man is blind?”

 

The blind man didn’t know “how” Jesus works.

The disciples didn’t know “how” much of anything works. (sin & consequence, cause & effect)

 

The Pharisees were convinced of WHAT they know … “we know that” … “we know that” …

The Disciples were convinced of WHO they know …. “Rabbi”!

And the beggar was ultimately convinced of WHO he knows … “Lord”!

 

They both know Jesus was Who He said He was. …. And this made all the difference.

They knew Who to bring their questions to.

They knew Who to bring their “presumptions” and “certainties” to.

 

And a beautiful thing about Jesus is … He ACCEPTS THEM!

“Them” being individuals.  (“cast him out”, but Jesus “found him”)

What a beautiful statement of Who Jesus is! … and this is MY story, too!

And “them” being their “questions”.

(“not that the man sinned … but that the works of God might be displayed in him”)

Another beautiful statement of who Jesus is! … and this is MY story, too!

 

Prayer

 

Thank You, God, for your Word

May I trust it more than myself

May it help clarify WHO you are

More than the WHAT I want to know

Where I am blind, help me see Holy Spirit

In Jesus name

Amen

Scripture –

 

John 7:37-38 – On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “if anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

 

Observation –

 

Jesus stood up on the last and great day of the Feast of Booths and boldly proclaims that those who are thirsty come to Him for water.  When we believe in Jesus, our hearts will be filled with the Spirit of Living Water bubbling up inside of us.  Jesus is referencing the water he gives is from God for salvation.

 

Application –

 

Jesus is our creator, redeemer and sustainer and the source from which the only water that will truly quench our thirst comes.  I must be thirsty for the living water of Jesus and confess with my mouth and believe in my heart that He is my risen savior and Lord.  The Living Water of the Holy Spirit gives me strength, courage and power to do things for the Kingdom that I cannot do on my own.

This all starts when I submit and have a repentant loving heart for God and others.

 

Prayer –

 

Father,

 

Thank you for your love in sending Jesus so I can repent to have a relationship to know you and make you known.  Thank you for the living water of the Holy Spirit within to guide me to do and say things in love to extend your glory.

 

 

Journal John 5 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation and notes are mine. Please investigate and determine if my assertions are aligned with the Bible on your own.)

 

Scripture: [At the Sheep Gate, near the pool called Bethesda] One man was there who had been an invalid for 38 years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?”

 

The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up and while I am going, another steps down before me.”

 

Jesus said to him, “Get up, take your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.

 

[later, the local Jewish leaders approached] They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk?’”

 

Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See? You are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” John 5:5-9 and 12-14

 

Observation: See? Ministry in secret rules!

 

Application: Is this a lesson in the “fame in ministry” category? Should public recognition be a factor in declaring Jesus to the world?

 

It appears that Jesus didn’t think so. It looks like it wasn’t so much as “Jesus, the secret agent for the Kingdom” as it was “Jesus, let me do what is right for the Kingdom and not bring attention to myself.”

 

I picture this: Jesus was walking in the vicinity of the Sheep Gate, noticing all the folk gathered hopeful for a miracle, their motivations perhaps focused on ‘if only I can get well…’ Many people today are just like that.

 

Randomly (or as random as Jesus gets), he stops by a particular man and asks, “Do you want to be healed?” The text doesn’t indicate that Jesus made a big pronouncement, called out in a sonorous, loud, and deep voice, “Do you want to be healed?”, but maybe in something louder than a whisper but still on the quiet and intimate side, “Old man, do you want to be healed?”

 

Instead of, “Yes!! Yes, I do…” the old man (being old is important—it isn’t just the young who need Jesus—a continuous mistake in ministry application) replies, making an excuse. Jesus healed him anyway…and then fades into the crowd.

 

This is so unlike me. I probably would want to stand there and admire the result, like I just hit a towering homerun. Not Jesus. And should this be the example that I ought to follow? Of course, it is.

 

But what gets in the way? Pride of life? How about fear of not being relevant? What about the desire of fame, like Simon the magician (Acts 8:9-24) who wanted to be famous, even as a Christian?

 

I struggle with the fame and recognition part. Always have. Don’t know why because I know better, the example of Simon the magician hangs in front of my mind continually.

 

I also struggle with fear and depression, resulting in what I think is a need (or more precisely, want) of encouragement. Heb 3:12-13 says, “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God…but exhort one another every day (as long as it is called today) that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness (dishonesty) of sin…”

 

Therefore, considering the topic scripture selection for today, what should I do? Plug along in the shadows, not looking for fame and glory, but doing the will of Him who sent me…just like my Lord did, and all the saints that have come before me; fight the sin that dwells within me, put it to death (like I heard from Romans 8)…

 

Now, if I could only conjure up the joy in surrender…today is an understanding of the “sacrifice of praise…”

 

Prayer: Lord God, forgive me of my trespasses, my wayward thoughts. Even now, as I type the truthful facts of the scriptures, I feel my struggles within my heart.

 

I wish I knew what drives satisfaction.

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Scripture

 

Vs 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples.

Vs 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”

Vs 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”

Vs 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

 

VS 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.

VS 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So, they took it.

Vs 9 … the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from

(Though the servants who had drawn the water knew)

 

Vs 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory.

And his disciples believed in him.

 

Vs 22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this,

and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

 

Observation

 

What stands out to me immediately this morning is the absolute humanity of Jesus.

He and his friends were invited to a wedding.

He had friends! … not just disciples.

Jesus was a social guy … not just a “teacher”, or even “Lord”!

 

What also stands out is the issue at the party was brought to Jesus.

He was a “guest”, not “in charge”.

Why bring it to Jesus?

 

What stands out still is the reaction of the “servants” … they actually followed the “guests” instruction.

“Fill the jars” … and …” take it to the master of the feast”

This was some “work” … and a “risk” … but they did it!

 

Finally, what stands out is the result in the disciples …

They “believed in Him”.

And ultimately, when Jesus was raised from the dead …

They “believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken”.

 

Application

 

Would I invite Jesus to a wedding I was hosting?

Jesus is my Lord … is He my friend?

I want Jesus around in “holy spaces” … do I want Jesus around in “social places”?

I hope so … He calls me His friend … I should return the favor.

 

Do I bring my details to Jesus?

What is my version of “They have no wine”.

“I’m running behind on this project” … “I don’t know how to handle this client” …

“I messed up with this friend” … “Why am I anxious today?”

I can’t think Jesus is Lord of the “big stuff”, without acknowledging He is Lord of “all”.

I must have to humility to say to Jesus, “I’m all out of …”

 

Do I follow His instruction without hesitation?

He’s not only friend … He is, indeed, Lord!

And not just Lord of salvation and forgiveness …

He is Lord of my days and relationships and problems and details.

Do I trust His guidance by responding with obedience?

 

Finally, trusting His words lead to trusting The Word.

The more I come to believe in Jesus as the Lord of every detail of my life,

I come to see the Scripture as alive, as well.

 

Prayer

 

Thank you, God, for Your Word

Help me invite you into every space

Help me have the humility to bring you details

Help me have the obedience to follow you in them

Help me have the belief in Your Scripture

In Jesus name

Amen

Scripture –

Psalm 55:22 – Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved

Observation –

The psalmist is experiencing distress after a former companion turns on him.  The people who torment the psalmist do not fear God and talk with flattery. The psalmist turns to God and gives all his trouble over to God to sustain him.  God is steadfast and will protect those who are in Him.

Application –

There are going to be times when we feel isolated and maybe even attacked by someone we know.  This is what Jesus experienced in his betrayal by Judas who did not know or fear God.  My response when facing a spiritual attack needs be to like that of the psalmist to cast my burden at the foot of the cross.  Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:30, “ For my Yoke is easy, and my burden in light.” Jesus is my creator, redeemer and sustainer in which I place all my faith and trust for him to hold me and not be shaken.

Prayer –

Father,

Thank you for sending Jesus to take on all my sin so I can repent and be reconciled to you.  Let then Spirit guide me to give all my trouble over to you and know you will keep me in your love.  Use me to live this out for others to see your glory.  

Scripture

 

Vs 4 Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust,

VS 5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.

 

Vs 6 In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,
but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.

VS 8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.

VS 9 I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation;
behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.
VS 10 I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;

Vs 11 As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me;
your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!
Vs 12 For evils have encompassed me beyond number;
my iniquities have overtaken me,
they are more than the hairs of my head;
my heart fails me.

 

VS 13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me!

 

Observation

 

David alternates between describing himself and describing God.

 

His descriptions of God are consistent … consistently good:

“your wondrous deeds”

“you give me an open ear”

“you will not restrain mercy”

“your faithfulness and your salvation”

“your steadfast love will ever preserve me”

 

David’s descriptions of himself are mixed … good and bad:

“Blessed”

“I delight”

“law within my heart”

“deliverance within my heart”

Yet …

“evils encompass me beyond number”

“my iniquity have overtaken me”

“my heart fails me”

 

Application

 

Life is a mixed bag … God is not!

In a sinful, “fallen” world, I can’t expect “consistently good”.

This is true of both my external circumstances and my internal heart condition.

 

What can I do when I feel “encompassed” and “overtaken” by

“the world’s evil” or “my iniquity”?

If I try to “do something” myself … I will “fail”.

“my heart will fail”.

 

There is only one thing I can do … Cry out to God!

“Deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me!”

 

David makes an important clarification in his actions …

And in what God actually desires or wants from me.

God wants me to cry out for Him,

NOT perform religious activities for Him!

 

“You have NOT delighted” … in sacrifices.

“You have NOT required” …  sin offerings.

 

This is so significant.

Sacrifices and offerings are what pagan gods require! … Not God!

What does God delight in? … What “pleases” Him? … To “deliver” me!

 

And what shall I then “delight” in? … “to do your will”!

Why? … Because “your law is within my heart”!

 

Then, through all the “ups and downs” in this world,

I can consider myself “blessed”, because “the Lord” is “my trust” … not the world.

 

Prayer

 

Thank You, God, for Your Word

Help me to see you in the midst of tumultuous times

Help me to “delight” to ”do your will”

And Help me Holy Spirit know when to proclaim it

In Jesus name

Amen

Scripture – 

3 John 3-4 – For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth.  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Observation – 

John is very glad to hear that the Church near Ephesus are believing the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  They are standing firm in the faith and not being led astray by false teachers.  John refers to the believers as my children and it brings him the most Jost to see them following the truth of Jesus Christ.

Application – 

There is importance in recognizing the truth of the gospel of Jesus. I need to remember Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only truth in which I place my faith and trust.  With that, I must follow Jesus unapologetically to live and love like Jesus.  When I am walking in truth, Jesus is with me and I can have joy even in tribulation.

Prayer – 

Father,

Thank you for the truth in the living Word of God, Jesus.  Let me realize that and walk in truth to glorify your name.  

Journal 1 John 5 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation and notes are mine. Please investigate and determine if my assertions are aligned with the Bible on your own.)

 

Scripture: (John speaking) I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

And this is the confidence that we have toward him: That if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

(And further)…if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask (my note as reminder: according to his will), we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” 1 John 5:13-15

Observation: This is a good opportunity to extract principles and precepts, so that I can apply these throughout my studies.

Application: The easiest and earliest memory of learning principles that are universal application is in arithmetic and mathematics. The commutative and associative properties govern basic rules for understanding how to present and solve equations.

This applies to word problems (like in logic) and, in this case, Biblical principles.

Asking “according to His will” is an absolute modifier that applies to requesting God’s intervention in prayer. The “according to His will” thus becomes a principle that should govern understanding of prayer.

But it is not the only principle to glean from this section. “He hears us” is a statement that I can take to the bank. It is a principle of understanding the effects and outcomes of prayer and of the absolute omniscience of the God we serve.

In contrast, if I do not ask according to his will, does he hear me? Yep, because “…he hears us.” Will he answer my prayer? I think: Yes, No, Maybe—but he is not necessarily inclined to answer any prayer of mine in what I would consider aligning with MY desires…because I am not asking in accordance with his will.

What is a precept? According to Microsoft Dictionary it is, “…a general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought.” Synonyms are Principle, rule, doctrine, law, ordinance, command, instruction, and others.

According to the Psalmist in Ps 119, I am to love, yearn for, diligently seek God and his word by loving his precepts and principles.

• I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. Ps 119:4
• This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept your precepts. Ps 119:56
• Through your precepts I get understanding…Ps 119:104a.
• Consider how I love your precepts! Ps 119:159a

Therefore, as I look through the scriptures in daily devotions, study, journaling assignments, or whatever, if I am to grow in maturity, I should look not only for specific memorization targets or verses that get an “aha” from me, but I should also look for the over-arching precepts, principles, and doctrine that God wants me to have AND understand.

This is what reading in 1 John 5 got me today—not only the specific understanding about prayer but also the principles of God’s hand in action.

Prayer: Lord, speaking of prayer, considering what I was involved with this morning, I feel like my prayers are thudding to the ground. I am setting my jaw writing this post. I am confident that it is right, but at the same time without power.

Help me, O Lord. I need my countenance lifted. My sorrows are more…I feel like a fraud.

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal 1 John 4 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation and notes are mine)

 

Scripture: Beloved, do not believe every spirit…but test the spirits to see whether they are from God…for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

 

By this you know the Spirit of God:

• Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and
• Every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist (which you heard was coming and now is in the world already). (1 John 4:1-4)

 

Observation: Not being trained in biblical orthodoxy, lack of discernment is a weakness and liability. If I am not fundamentally solid in Biblical doctrines, precepts, and principles, then I can be led astray by folks who have other agendas that are not of Christ.

 

I do not have to be a church professional for this; in fact, I am required to be growing in this every day, whether church professional or not.

 

Application: Ok, thinking out loud, I need to be harshly blunt with myself—avoid being flowery and wordy, peel back my heart with a butter knife. Here goes…

 

Don’t believe every spirit. Test every spirit…

 

Why is the Holy Spirit saying this through John?

 

John plainly says with the confirming test: “Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God…” So, why would I even ask the question? What are the circumstances that the interrogation of testing ANY spirit would be necessary?

 

I would think that most Christians would spot an obvious deviation from the Truth, from the Bible. But what about a “not so obvious” deviation?

 

Jesus warns, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing (Christian camouflage—they look like believers, sound like believers, act like believers—maybe even smell like believers) but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Matt 7:15) Jesus says that wolves will be around (Luke 10:3), and Paul says they will be ruthless towards the flock (Acts 20:29).

 

What, then, is a clue? One clue would be “who does this benefit?” Is it about me and somehow celebrates me, or does it celebrate God? Does my world revolve around my desire to surrender my life at the Cross or am I being tempted to walk another path that looks vaguely like Christianity…but isn’t?

 

It is that “vagueness” that is dangerous.

 

At this point in my life, I am like the Supreme Court Justice, Potter Stewart, on the definition of pornography, “I can’t define it, but I know it when I see it…” When “something” is said, I might cock my head over and say to myself, “There is something wrong here…That doesn’t seem right.” The more I get into the Bible and do things like Journal writing, I might do it more often.

 

Is this being unnecessarily harsh, snobby, judgmental (in a condemning way). I don’t think so because if we read John’s warning (as well as our Lord Jesus and Paul’s admonitions), there is always a starting point. Even the Bereans were thought noble to check on the validities of assertions (Acts 17) even as they were excited and eager to hear.

 

Earlier I referenced Matt 7:15. The verse immediately before that, Jesus admonishes the disciples:

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.

 

For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matt 7:13-14)

 

And then Jesus says, “Beware the false prophets…”

 

Why? If there might be someone who is relaxing the Word to make it more palatable to the masses—especially because of so-called Love—they are not embracing the factual Gospel.

 

Prayer: Lord God, I wait upon you. Fill my mind, heart, and life with your Fruit. Many questions are facing me tomorrow…and I hope I can answer them with kindness, gentleness, and persuasion and not mean spirited, angry contention. Proverbs says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath.” Please help me to have that kind of tongue in my mouth.

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal 1 John 3 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation and notes are mine)

 

Scripture: And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness (sin is lawlessness).

 

• You know that he appeared in order to take away sins and in him there is no sin.
• No one who abides in him keeps on sinning.
• No one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.

 

Little children: let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. (1 John 3:3-8)

 

Observation: John’s letters can be difficult to disseminate, to break down. I think I cannot take his statements directly without understanding and leaning hard into the Gospel foundations.

 

Application: In an earlier post, I said that I frequently reconfigure the text in an attempt to make it read coherently. I did that in this reference, and…I am not sure my attempt was successful.

 

This part is clear: People who hope in His Salvation make it their aim in life to–

• Purify themselves.
• Resist sinning or the practice of sin.
• If I want to abide in Jesus, then I should stop sinning.

 

John is clear about the following:

• If I practice sin, I am practicing lawlessness.
• If I keep on sinning, I haven’t seen Jesus or know Jesus.
• If I make a practice of sinning, I am of (or directly related to) the devil.

 

Therefore, it is a binary issue: In Jesus, no sin. If sin, then not in Jesus.

 

I notice there is nothing theoretical about John’s statements here. All his statements are measurable and observable—they have to do with how I act.

 

Tough stuff to digest—and while I embrace what John is saying, I want to respond, “Yeah, but…”

 

Where is forgiveness? Where is grace? Where is understanding my weaknesses? These statements are so…condemning and judgmental. If I sin and do not have “victory” over my sin; If I relax in the arms of His forgiving Grace and don’t address my sin, I am not “in Him?” I am in “the devil?”

 

What should I think of this?

 

I remember basic things about the Gospel:

1. Salvation and “saving Grace” is all of the Triune God’s doing and decision: I have nothing to contribute, nothing to add—even my exercising of “will” to say “I believe” could not have come out of my mouth without God prompting me to do so: I could not have chosen Him if He did not choose me first. This is God’s Sovereignty in action.
2. Being a disciple is surrendering my will to Him; I am actively choosing (in parallel with the Holy Spirit enabling me) to follow Christ. If I am a student of Christ, then it follows that I am a student of the Living Word.

 

So, if I am following Christ, what is the immediate output of my life? John wrote earlier, “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 cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)

 

I choose to read this verse (and the subsequent verses in 1 John 3) not as metaphorical as if just because I said, “Save me, Jesus; I believe,” and I am automagically “in the light.” No, this verse reads that I must expend effort and intent to “walk in the light.”

 

Paul alludes to the same idea to the church at Corinth: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.” (1 Cor (9:24)

 

Or the writer of Hebrews: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…(Heb 12:1)

 

Prayer: Father, I want to walk in the light. Therefore, help me, Holy Spirit, to resist the sin that, even now, so easily entangles me. I want to walk worthy of the Gospel and learn every day what that means.

 

AMEN.

Ricky Two Shoes

Scripture

 

VS 1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.

 

VS 8 … the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.

VS 9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.

 

VS 10 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

 

VS 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

VS 18 Children, it is the last hour …

 

VS 25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.

VS 28 … when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.

 

Observation

 

John makes several definitive statements about the current state of being …

 

Some for the bad: “darkness is passing away” … “the world is passing away” … “it is the last hour”

Some for the good: “the true light is already shining: … “this is the promise – eternal life” … “we may have confidence”

 

If you trust Jesus about these descriptions … then live like it!

 

Application

 

The world is a tumultuous place … that’s putting it mildly. Anxiety and depression run rampant.

The awful phrase “deaths of despair” has even been coined to describe the phenomenon.

But it doesn’t have to be this way …

 

It’s only this way if I trust “the world” to be the only truth I see and experience.

 

But I can know better … I can know a greater reality … “true light is already shining.

In this reality, even when I can’t see it, or experience it, I can have hope in the midst of turmoil.

 

John is rather plain in his descriptions … there is dark … and there is light.

I shouldn’t overcomplicate it. Not everything is nuanced.

Don’t play nuance games with the dark. Flee from it. … “do not sin”.

 

I must “have confidence” even when I can’t see it …

The bad is fading … the good is rising … LIVE LIKE IT NOW!!

 

Prayer

 

Thank you God, for you word!

Help me Holy Spirit to have confidence in the promises in it.

Help me live that confidence today

In Jesus name,

Amen

Scripture – 

2 Peter 3: 17-18 – You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.  But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Observation – 

Peter is writing this second letter with a word of warning to the church.

In the last days there are going to be scoffers and those who twist and distort the Word of God.  Because we know this, we are to be careful and make sure the we take caution not be deceived even by those claiming to come in His name. Don’t be led astray but grow which is a verb to move forward or spring up or increase. We are to increase in both knowledge and grace of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  We are to glorify His name today to the day of eternity.  

Application- 

I must be on guard against heretical teaching and resist the prevailing culture by holding firm to a Biblical worldview.  Without God in the equation and taking the Bible in its entirety as the inspired word of God, there is no objective morality. Jesus is the way, the truth and the Life.   God’s love is steadfast and unchanging and he is patient as he doesn’t want anyone to perish.  I need to be in the word and with groups to be accountable so I am growing in Him towards sanctification. Now is not the time to be complacent in my walk or standing still. When in grow in my walk I also increase in understanding of His grace.  The reason I know Jesus and enjoy HIs grace is to extend His glory from now, until I pass or He returns.

Prayer –  

Father,

Thank you for the truth in this word of warning from Peter to stand firm in the face of deception and plant my feet on the solid ground of Christ.  Let the Spirit guide me to grow in  grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ from now to eternity to extend your glory.