Tag Archives: book of 1 John

December 27
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Uncategorized Aside

“See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.” (1 John 3:1, NASB)

The scriptures tell us that a pupil is not above his or her teacher. If the teacher suffers the slings and arrows of ignorant people, the pupil should expect nothing less.

Jesus is God in human flesh, blood, and bone. He came because God loved the world; but the world did not return His love. The world preferred its ways to God’s ways. The world preferred its gods to the one true, living, God.

The evidence of God’s love is the gift to us of His own name. As His children, we are His heirs; and as His heirs, all that came to Jesus has also been set-aside for you and me.

With this in mind, always live a life worthy of the Name you’ve been given. Our heavenly Father’s good name may not always be honored on this earth, but the mere whisper of it anywhere in the universe makes available to us every blessing and gift from heaven! – Luther

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December 21
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“For everything in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — comes not from the Father but from the world.” (1 John 2:16, NIV)

There you have it in a nutshell! The world’s attraction is what feels good (lust of the flesh), what looks good (lust of the eyes), and what lives large (the pride of life) — all ahead of its time.

This is not to say that God doesn’t want His children to feel good, look good, and enjoy all of the joys of this life: He does, more than we usually realize. However, His gifts arrive only when they will give us pleasure; not cause us pain.

To lust is to want it all now; and the intoxication of pride lasts only for a short while. Viewed from this perspective, is it easy to see the difference between the offerings of the world, and the gifts of our heavenly Father?  – Luther

REMINDER: Daily Encouragement will be on break on Sunday.  Have a great day in worship as the Advent season draws to its glorious conclusion. Lord willing, see you again on Monday!

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December 20
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“We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.” (1 John 2:3-4, NIV)

Jesus requires only two simple things of any who would follow Him: (a) Love God with all of our being and; (b) love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

Generally speaking, we love ourselves. . . a lot. God does not begrudge our high opinion of ourselves so long as we are willing to hold the same opinion of all others.

To love God with all our being is to love God not only with all that we are but with all that we have. It is the nature of love to give.

To love our heavenly Father is to do as He requires.  – Luther

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