Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Revelation 21-22
As I read this last portion of scripture for the year, I underlined many verses. Quite a few stood out, here's a few that I highlighted,
Revelation 21: 6-7
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. [7] Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children
A good reminder as we fight our daily battles, that if we choose to remain true to God we will be victorious and inherit everlasting life with Him. It's good sometimes to remind ourselves of the end result, and how good it will be, then press on.
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Revelation 22: 5
There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
This is hard to imagine, how we won't need any electrical or street lights etc, when we're in Heaven. This is one of those things that we as humans cannot fully understand now, but will later. God is so far above us (mentally and spiritually) we cannot understand His ways, but need to trust.
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Revelation 22: 18&19
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. [19] And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.
I good reminder, and command, for us to not add or subtract from the word of God. What's in the bible stays, and isn't for us to add or subtract from, we can't pick and chose what we want to obey and what we don't. We're just people, some of us are very knowledgeable and intelligent, but are far from matching God in either one of these. He is in charge of this book (bible) and offers it to us to help follow and understand, it's all we need.
I have enjoyed reading through the Bible and studying it this year, it has shown me that there is alot I don't know, I realize by studying it I can grow in my knowledge but at the same time see that I need to learn more. I hope most of you will be back in 2017 to walk through this again, have a Happy New Year!!
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Tuesday, December 27th: Revelation 19-20 ~ Danae
Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Revelation 19-20
However much we are able to interpret the book of Revelation, we are left with no doubt as to Who will be victorious in the end. God will reign victorious & satan will be defeated.
Revelation 20:14-15 -
Then death & Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Not only that, but verse 15 is clear that for anyone who by faith has not identified with Christ, confessing him as Lord, there will be no hope, no second chance, no other appeal.
Who is coming to defeat satan? “Faithful & True”, “Word of God”, “King of Kings & Lord of Lords”. I love these descriptions of Jesus & yet, according to 19:12, there are no names that can do him justice. “His eyes are like blazing fire, & on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.”
Jesus loves us & extends to all his mercy & forgiveness, but the time is coming when his wrath will be displayed on those who refuse to believe. We need to spread God's love to those around us, but we can't ignore his wrath.
While some may wonder how a God of love can really love if he would ever truly condemn someone, however to me, this makes him all the greater. He won't be walked over, he won't be mocked; He will have his way.
We need to make sure to tell others about God's love with urgency, recognizing that his wrath is real & is coming, at which time there will be no second chances.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Revelation 21-22
However much we are able to interpret the book of Revelation, we are left with no doubt as to Who will be victorious in the end. God will reign victorious & satan will be defeated.
Revelation 20:14-15 -
Then death & Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Not only that, but verse 15 is clear that for anyone who by faith has not identified with Christ, confessing him as Lord, there will be no hope, no second chance, no other appeal.
Who is coming to defeat satan? “Faithful & True”, “Word of God”, “King of Kings & Lord of Lords”. I love these descriptions of Jesus & yet, according to 19:12, there are no names that can do him justice. “His eyes are like blazing fire, & on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.”
Jesus loves us & extends to all his mercy & forgiveness, but the time is coming when his wrath will be displayed on those who refuse to believe. We need to spread God's love to those around us, but we can't ignore his wrath.
While some may wonder how a God of love can really love if he would ever truly condemn someone, however to me, this makes him all the greater. He won't be walked over, he won't be mocked; He will have his way.
We need to make sure to tell others about God's love with urgency, recognizing that his wrath is real & is coming, at which time there will be no second chances.
Monday, December 26, 2016
Monday, December 26th: Revelation 16-18 ~ Tammy
Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Revelation 16-18
I'm not what people who believe in universalism (that everyone goes to heaven) do with Revelation! God's judgment is clear.
Sin is so deceptive. I found this passage about the judgment of Babylon so ironic.....
18:18 They will cry out as they watch the smoke ascend, and they will say, "Where is there another city as great as this?"
The New Jerusalem will be far greater! Their sin had so blinded them that the destruction of that evil city of Babylon was met with mourning and distress. They had put their hope in something that could not save them.
It is still incredible to me, that Jesus willingly left the glory of heaven and eternity past, that He clothed Himself in humanity, grew from a baby into manhood, lived sinlessly, in order that He might be the Perfect Sacrifice, to die in our place so that we wouldn't have to, and rise again conquering death and sin forever! He did this for you, He did this for me. What a gift! No wonder we celebrate Christmas.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Revelation 19-20
I'm not what people who believe in universalism (that everyone goes to heaven) do with Revelation! God's judgment is clear.
Sin is so deceptive. I found this passage about the judgment of Babylon so ironic.....
18:18 They will cry out as they watch the smoke ascend, and they will say, "Where is there another city as great as this?"
The New Jerusalem will be far greater! Their sin had so blinded them that the destruction of that evil city of Babylon was met with mourning and distress. They had put their hope in something that could not save them.
It is still incredible to me, that Jesus willingly left the glory of heaven and eternity past, that He clothed Himself in humanity, grew from a baby into manhood, lived sinlessly, in order that He might be the Perfect Sacrifice, to die in our place so that we wouldn't have to, and rise again conquering death and sin forever! He did this for you, He did this for me. What a gift! No wonder we celebrate Christmas.
Friday, December 23, 2016
Friday, December 23rd: Revelations 13-15 ~ Conrad
Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Revelation 13-15
He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.” Revelation 14:7
Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, “Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested. Revelation 14:15-16
As it has been mentioned on previous postings, I too find the book of Revelation to be hard to understand. As I was reading the passage, the verses I noted above seemed to say the same thing, but in different tones (if I understood them correctly).
The first verse gave me the perspective and tone of fearing God because of what He has done. He created the heavens. He created the earth. He created the bodies of water. It lead me to ponder on other awesome and great things He has done; He leads, He directs, He loves, He heals, He forgives, He provides, He is merciful, He listens, and the list goes on and on. This perspective gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling inside that makes me want to do right for God because of how awesome He has been to me. It is the same sort of relationship that me and Pamela have in the sense that I feel that Pamela always displays love and kindness to me, so my desire is to reciprocate or even exceed those actions back towards her.
The second verse quoted above comes off as very authoritative, or forceful, or maybe even ruthless. Both passages indicate that the time has come, but this passage has a more descriptive and possibly a more accurate image of reality. God is loving, but He's also powerful and one day we will all see both sides of Him. We're no farmers in our family, but we have planted a garden; and when the end of the growing season has come, everything comes out. Fruits or vegetables that are ripe, ones that should have been picked before, and also the vegetables that are not ready for harvest. Everything comes out of the ground. We did not leave the vegetables behind that had not ripened to give them more time, they were tossed to the side. This memory and thought is what this passage brought to my mind. The time had come to harvest, and the whole earth was harvested. There was no 5 minute warning before going home, and no alarm clock to wake us up.
Two different ways of saying the same thing in a passage that is only separated by a number of verses. Must be important. Whether we choose to obey God because of His loving approach or His more powerful, authoritative approach, the time for harvest will come and we will all be held powerless to Him.
Will we be ripe and ready for the harvest, or will we be tossed to the side and not worthy to enter His Kingdom?
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Revelation 16-18
He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.” Revelation 14:7
Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, “Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested. Revelation 14:15-16
As it has been mentioned on previous postings, I too find the book of Revelation to be hard to understand. As I was reading the passage, the verses I noted above seemed to say the same thing, but in different tones (if I understood them correctly).
The first verse gave me the perspective and tone of fearing God because of what He has done. He created the heavens. He created the earth. He created the bodies of water. It lead me to ponder on other awesome and great things He has done; He leads, He directs, He loves, He heals, He forgives, He provides, He is merciful, He listens, and the list goes on and on. This perspective gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling inside that makes me want to do right for God because of how awesome He has been to me. It is the same sort of relationship that me and Pamela have in the sense that I feel that Pamela always displays love and kindness to me, so my desire is to reciprocate or even exceed those actions back towards her.
The second verse quoted above comes off as very authoritative, or forceful, or maybe even ruthless. Both passages indicate that the time has come, but this passage has a more descriptive and possibly a more accurate image of reality. God is loving, but He's also powerful and one day we will all see both sides of Him. We're no farmers in our family, but we have planted a garden; and when the end of the growing season has come, everything comes out. Fruits or vegetables that are ripe, ones that should have been picked before, and also the vegetables that are not ready for harvest. Everything comes out of the ground. We did not leave the vegetables behind that had not ripened to give them more time, they were tossed to the side. This memory and thought is what this passage brought to my mind. The time had come to harvest, and the whole earth was harvested. There was no 5 minute warning before going home, and no alarm clock to wake us up.
Two different ways of saying the same thing in a passage that is only separated by a number of verses. Must be important. Whether we choose to obey God because of His loving approach or His more powerful, authoritative approach, the time for harvest will come and we will all be held powerless to Him.
Will we be ripe and ready for the harvest, or will we be tossed to the side and not worthy to enter His Kingdom?
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Thursday, December 22: Revelations 10-12 ~ Cameron
Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Revelations 10-12
The most interesting part of this passage is what isn't written down. What was said between the angel and the seven thunders at the end of verse 3? I suspect that later in life, John would sit back and ponder what he heard, and wonder when God would see fit to reveal those words.
A little digging into some commentaries and it seems that speculation of what John heard is less important than the description that he was writing things down as they happened in his vision, rather than years afterward. This adds credibility to the accuracy of what is recorded. Also, by that same premise, that means John is "live tweeting" the event 2000 years before Twitter.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Revelations 13-15
The most interesting part of this passage is what isn't written down. What was said between the angel and the seven thunders at the end of verse 3? I suspect that later in life, John would sit back and ponder what he heard, and wonder when God would see fit to reveal those words.
A little digging into some commentaries and it seems that speculation of what John heard is less important than the description that he was writing things down as they happened in his vision, rather than years afterward. This adds credibility to the accuracy of what is recorded. Also, by that same premise, that means John is "live tweeting" the event 2000 years before Twitter.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Wednesday, December 21st: Revelation 7 - 9 ~ Nathan
Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Revelation 7-9
I've read the book of Revelation many times, but have always had a hard time understanding it. Parts of it I find easier to understand than the rest. Revelation often talks about the end times. Because I've felt that it's hard to understand everything that is explained in Revelation, it is best to have trust and faith in God about this.
One portion of today's reading that stood out for me was Revelation 7:14 - 17,
I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. [15] Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. [16] 'Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,' nor any scorching heat. [17] 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water .’ b ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes
These verses talk about a people who have gone through a great trial, and have come out of it victorious.
We all go through different types of trials, do we panic and look for any temporary help we can find? Or do we go to God, asking Him for wisdom and guidance to get us through?
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Revelation 10-12
I've read the book of Revelation many times, but have always had a hard time understanding it. Parts of it I find easier to understand than the rest. Revelation often talks about the end times. Because I've felt that it's hard to understand everything that is explained in Revelation, it is best to have trust and faith in God about this.
One portion of today's reading that stood out for me was Revelation 7:14 - 17,
I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. [15] Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. [16] 'Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,' nor any scorching heat. [17] 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water .’ b ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes
These verses talk about a people who have gone through a great trial, and have come out of it victorious.
We all go through different types of trials, do we panic and look for any temporary help we can find? Or do we go to God, asking Him for wisdom and guidance to get us through?
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Revelation 10-12
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Tuesday, December 20th: Revelation 4-6 ~ Danae
Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Revelation 4-6
To read Revelation & understand everything that is described is not easy, even impossible but what is very clear is the glory of God. A time will come where “every knee will bow.”
Rev 4:11-
You are worthy, our Lord & God, to receive glory & honor & power, for you created all things, & by your will they were created & have their being.
In chapter 4 verses 2-8 we read of God sitting on his throne, the glory of his throne & the creatures surrounding him. These creatures spend their time worshipping him.
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, & is, & is to come” (vs 8)
In fact, the verse says “day & night they never stop saying: Holy, holy, holy…”. They recognized God's greatness & all that is left is to worship.
How often do we go a “day & night” without stopping to even think about God. So wrapped up in our lives & busyness we don't have time to reflect on God's glory & who he is. But when we stop to consider who God is & what he did for us, how can we not?
Chapter 5 continues with, “the voices of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, & ten thousand times ten thousand, encircling the throne” (vs 11). If we can even begin to imagine this, think of the awesomeness of it.
This is what our God is worthy of, a lifetime of worship & honor. Not just a quick, tired thought at the end of the day.
As we approach Christmas, what a great time to be reminded of this. While God is so great that he has armies of angels worshipping him, he came down to earth to meet us. To make a way that we too can know him & worship. Let's not get so wrapped up in the celebration that we forget Who we are celebrating. From the big answers of prayer to the small intricacies of a snowflake’s design, let's recognize God in everything & glorify him.
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty!”
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Revelation 7-9
To read Revelation & understand everything that is described is not easy, even impossible but what is very clear is the glory of God. A time will come where “every knee will bow.”
Rev 4:11-
You are worthy, our Lord & God, to receive glory & honor & power, for you created all things, & by your will they were created & have their being.
In chapter 4 verses 2-8 we read of God sitting on his throne, the glory of his throne & the creatures surrounding him. These creatures spend their time worshipping him.
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, & is, & is to come” (vs 8)
In fact, the verse says “day & night they never stop saying: Holy, holy, holy…”. They recognized God's greatness & all that is left is to worship.
How often do we go a “day & night” without stopping to even think about God. So wrapped up in our lives & busyness we don't have time to reflect on God's glory & who he is. But when we stop to consider who God is & what he did for us, how can we not?
Chapter 5 continues with, “the voices of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, & ten thousand times ten thousand, encircling the throne” (vs 11). If we can even begin to imagine this, think of the awesomeness of it.
This is what our God is worthy of, a lifetime of worship & honor. Not just a quick, tired thought at the end of the day.
As we approach Christmas, what a great time to be reminded of this. While God is so great that he has armies of angels worshipping him, he came down to earth to meet us. To make a way that we too can know him & worship. Let's not get so wrapped up in the celebration that we forget Who we are celebrating. From the big answers of prayer to the small intricacies of a snowflake’s design, let's recognize God in everything & glorify him.
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty!”
Monday, December 19, 2016
Monday, December 19: Revelation 1-3 by Pamela
oops I missed my day by a whole week! (Thank goodness for back posting ;)
Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Revelation 1-3
The first thing that stood out for me was verse 3:
3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
For the time is near. It's been about 2000 years ago that Jesus came and yet we are STILL waiting. How can John say the time is near and yet it has been so long? I think it's kind of like what happens when we are looking forward to something....we wait and we wait and we wait and then when it finally happens the wait for it seems to just fade away. Conrad and I were engaged for a year and a half at the time it seemed like FOREVER as we waited to be married. Now that I look back it doesn't seem like that long. I was in university for 5 years (+ the two right after high school) and it seemed to take FOREVER to finish my schooling to become a teacher and now here I am in my 8th year of teaching. Our kids seemed like they would be helpless and dependent FOREVER and now our oldest is a few weeks from turning 20, she's lived abroad, bought a car, and is making plans for what she wants to do next. I am certain that when Christ returns and we look back then it won't seem long at all.
It's hard to wrap your head around this:
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
He always was, He is now, and He is to come. When we live in a disposable world, it's hard to imagine something that lasts indefinitely. What a comfort it is to know that God was there, He is near, and He already knows the future.
The warnings and advice to the 7 churches can be just as applicable now as they were then:
To Ephesus:
4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first...."
Don't just start off strong, but finish strong.
To Smyrna:
10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life."
You will face suffering. You will be confined in difficult places. Don't give up; the reward is worth it.
To Pergamum:
16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.
Turn from sin and be redeemed.
To Thyatira:
20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
Beware of false teachers who will lead you away from Biblical teaching.
To Sardis:
2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.
We don't know when Christ will return so we need to be ready and faultless through forgiveness.
To Philadelphia:
1 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
He is returning soon and will reward the faithful.
To Loadicea:
15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth....
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
There is a black and white and it is not grey. There is an absolute truth.
Salvation is an offered gift that still needs to be accepted.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Revelation 4-6
Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Revelation 1-3
The first thing that stood out for me was verse 3:
3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
It's hard to wrap your head around this:
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
He always was, He is now, and He is to come. When we live in a disposable world, it's hard to imagine something that lasts indefinitely. What a comfort it is to know that God was there, He is near, and He already knows the future.
The warnings and advice to the 7 churches can be just as applicable now as they were then:
To Ephesus:
4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first...."
Don't just start off strong, but finish strong.
To Smyrna:
10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life."
You will face suffering. You will be confined in difficult places. Don't give up; the reward is worth it.
To Pergamum:
16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.
Turn from sin and be redeemed.
To Thyatira:
20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
Beware of false teachers who will lead you away from Biblical teaching.
To Sardis:
2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.
We don't know when Christ will return so we need to be ready and faultless through forgiveness.
To Philadelphia:
1 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
He is returning soon and will reward the faithful.
To Loadicea:
15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth....
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
There is a black and white and it is not grey. There is an absolute truth.
Salvation is an offered gift that still needs to be accepted.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Revelation 4-6
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Sunday, December 18th: 2John 1, 3 John 1 ~ Jay
Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: 2 John 1, 3 John 1
The two main themes of today's passage revolve around Truth and Love, and how Love is reflected in how we treat others.
I found vs 2 of chapter 1 John 1 interesting relative to truth. 2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: We often think of truth as an inanimate or factual verbalization, yet we are reminded that truth is a living breathing thing which lives in us and should manifest itself in our everyday lives. Christ and his spirit are living and breathing within us and as a result our lives should manifest this.
The commands about love are present in the old testament where we are told to "love our neighbor as ourselves..", Here John is writing to the body of believers and makes specific mention that they love one another. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. Do we truly love our fellow believers, or do we smile when we see them, yet hold a grudge for something that was once said or a wrong we felt was done against us? It is a command- Walk in Love. To be effective for Christ and be considered "walking in the truth", love for our fellow believers in critical.
The challenge for me from 3 John was with respect to love and support for those who have given up their own lives to spread the gospel (aka missionaries). 5 Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters,[a] even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. 7 It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. 8 We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth. We are challenged to show hospitality (and support) as we are partners with them in their work. The personal challenge for me over the holidays is to connect somehow with one of our church missionaries and help meet a need they might have.
Truth and love are two words that we hear frequently tossed about in today's world, yet if truth and love do not originate in Christ...they are merely words.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Revelation 1-3
The two main themes of today's passage revolve around Truth and Love, and how Love is reflected in how we treat others.
I found vs 2 of chapter 1 John 1 interesting relative to truth. 2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: We often think of truth as an inanimate or factual verbalization, yet we are reminded that truth is a living breathing thing which lives in us and should manifest itself in our everyday lives. Christ and his spirit are living and breathing within us and as a result our lives should manifest this.
The commands about love are present in the old testament where we are told to "love our neighbor as ourselves..", Here John is writing to the body of believers and makes specific mention that they love one another. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. Do we truly love our fellow believers, or do we smile when we see them, yet hold a grudge for something that was once said or a wrong we felt was done against us? It is a command- Walk in Love. To be effective for Christ and be considered "walking in the truth", love for our fellow believers in critical.
The challenge for me from 3 John was with respect to love and support for those who have given up their own lives to spread the gospel (aka missionaries). 5 Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters,[a] even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. 7 It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. 8 We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth. We are challenged to show hospitality (and support) as we are partners with them in their work. The personal challenge for me over the holidays is to connect somehow with one of our church missionaries and help meet a need they might have.
Truth and love are two words that we hear frequently tossed about in today's world, yet if truth and love do not originate in Christ...they are merely words.
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Saturday, December 17th: 1 John 1-5 ~ Tammy
Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 John 1-5
In our passage today John points out several things that will be true of genuine believers.
Genuine believers call sin sin.
Genuine believers know that Jesus is the Son of God and the only Way.
Genuine believers live lives that reflect their professed beliefs. Though they will still sin, their lives should not a pattern of unrepentant sin.
Genuine believers confess their sin, not to ensure they won't lose their salvation, but rather to continue to enjoy complete fellowship and joy with God.
Genuine believers have a love for God and for one another.
Believers can be confident of their salvation!
I appreciated some of the things my Life Application Bible said about this book.....
By the time John wrote this letter, Christianity had been around for more than a generation. It had faced and survived severe persecution. The main problem confronting the church at this time was declining commitment: Many believers were conforming to the world's standards, failing to stand up for Christ, and compromising their faith. False teachers were plentiful, and they were accelerating the church's downward slide away from the Christian faith.
John wrote this letter to put believers back on track, to show the difference between light and darkness (truth and error), and to encourage the church to grow in genuine love for God and for one another. He also wrote to assure true believers that they possessed eternal life and to help them know that their faith was genuine - so they could enjoy all the benefits of being God's children.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 2 John 1, 3 John 1
In our passage today John points out several things that will be true of genuine believers.
Genuine believers call sin sin.
Genuine believers know that Jesus is the Son of God and the only Way.
Genuine believers live lives that reflect their professed beliefs. Though they will still sin, their lives should not a pattern of unrepentant sin.
Genuine believers confess their sin, not to ensure they won't lose their salvation, but rather to continue to enjoy complete fellowship and joy with God.
Genuine believers have a love for God and for one another.
Believers can be confident of their salvation!
I appreciated some of the things my Life Application Bible said about this book.....
By the time John wrote this letter, Christianity had been around for more than a generation. It had faced and survived severe persecution. The main problem confronting the church at this time was declining commitment: Many believers were conforming to the world's standards, failing to stand up for Christ, and compromising their faith. False teachers were plentiful, and they were accelerating the church's downward slide away from the Christian faith.
John wrote this letter to put believers back on track, to show the difference between light and darkness (truth and error), and to encourage the church to grow in genuine love for God and for one another. He also wrote to assure true believers that they possessed eternal life and to help them know that their faith was genuine - so they could enjoy all the benefits of being God's children.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: 2 John 1, 3 John 1
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