Throughout the New Testament, Christians are told they are in a war. We read this, but far too often do not heed this. Let these words in 1 John be a reminder that you are at war. The side you’re fighting on is visible by the fruit of your life.
If you love God, it is manifested in your obedience to His commands. If you love the world, it is manifested in your denial of God’s existence. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 1 John 5:1-5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands.And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. Today’s Reading: 1 John 5
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The word “love,” used throughout the book of 1 John, is the word “agape.” This is a “heart” love. The type of love that makes sacrifices for anyone. It is the love we see displayed at the cross.
On our own, we do not have the capacity to love in this manner. However, as we walk with Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to love how God has called us to love. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 1 John 4:7-12 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. Today’s Reading: 1 John 4 I love how 1 John 3:16 is similar to John 3:16. Since the numbering system came way later, I am certain that John did not purposefully do this. However, with God nothing is a coincidence. Here's today's Bible verse. Enjoy.
1 John 3:16 16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. Today's Reading: 1 John 3:11-24 This is a “thick” passage. People get confused about living in sin apart from Christ and sinning while pursuing Christ. There is a distinct difference, DESIRE.
A Christian does not desire to sin. They fall short in their pursuit of the Kingdom and His righteousness. But sin is not their goal. When a child of God is faced with their sin, they repent immediately. We see this when Nathan confronts King David. We see this when Jesus looks at Peter after he denied Jesus three times and the rooster crowed. Luke records that Peter went out and wept “bitterly.” In contrast, a non-believer lives a life in pursuit of sin. They have no desire to pursue Christ, which is an affront to God. There is no plan for them to repent because, from their perspective, they are doing no wrong. This passage helps us understand these contrasting lifestyles. Are you fully pursuing Christ? Or have you convinced yourself that a little sin from time to time is okay, “God knows your heart?” If the latter is you, I encourage you to stop kidding yourself. God does know your heart, however, you may be the one being fooled by it. Seek God first in all you do. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 1 John 3:7-10 7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. 10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister. Today’s Reading: 1 John 3:1-10 Living for Christ must be your top priority. One of my friends, Pastor Andy Baker, once said, “Living for God is not a side hustle.” This is critical to understand.
In the US, with all of our freedoms, it is easy to blur the lines of the freedom we have as a US citizen and the free-will we have in Christ. In Christ, we are free to choose Him. He has given us the option. However, not choosing Him comes with undesired consequences. This can be what some people experience as they choose the world, but “say” they love the Lord. As we read throughout the New Testament, we cannot love the Lord and the world simultaneously. What choice have you made? It’s not what you say, it’s how you live. Others should know your choice by how you live. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 1 John 2:15-17 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 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. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. Today’s Reading: 1 John 2:15-29 Living for Christ is both simple and challenging. Because we must choose Christ daily, living for Him will feel exhausting at times. This “fatigue” is not from Christ. It is from our fleshly desires and the schemes of the devil.
The good news is, if we will spend quality time with God daily, we will better overcome this “exhaustion.” Develop a daily appointment to spend time alone with God. It will positively impact your life for the better. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 1 John 2:9-11 9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them. Today’s Reading: 1 John 2:1-14 Walking with Jesus is simple. We live a life that focuses on obedience to Him. How do we do that? Love God and love His people. Jesus tells us, as recorded in John 14, that the people who obey His commands are the ones who love Him. That begs the question, what were His commands. Jesus tells us that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength. He said the second one is to love our neighbor as ourself.
If we do that, we will be walking in the light. If we fall short of that, we are walking in the darkness. Which are you walking in? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 1 John 1:5-7 5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness,we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. Today’s Reading: 1 John 1 Second Peter chapter three is a comforting end to Peter’s second letter. He empowers the believer to continue to grow in Christ. He opens our eyes to the possible pitfalls that may come if we do not live a life pleasing to God.
I love how this chapter ends. Peter gives clear direction of how we should live. I encourage you to seek God and live for Him, daily. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 2 Peter 3:17-18 17 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawlessand fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. Today’s Reading: 2 Peter 3 This is a tough, but important passage to read and heed. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.
2 Peter 2:4-9 4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;5 if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; 6 if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 7 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless 8 (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— 9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. Today’s Reading: 2 Peter 2 In his second letter, Peter acknowledges that he is an eyewitness of Jesus’ acts while on earth. One such moment was when he, John, and James joined Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. His mentioning of this in his second letter is significant. It provides us proof of the authenticity of the gospel.
As a follower of Christ, you are going to need to be able to effectively share, and sometimes defend, the gospel. Use passages like this, in context, to help skeptics better understand that Jesus is who we believe He is. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 2 Peter 1:16-18 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. Today’s Reading: 2 Peter 1:12-21 Have you ever wondered how to live an effective and productive life for Christ? If so, the answer is found in this passage. I encourage you to meditate on these words, then put them into practice.
As you live a life focused in Christ, you will live a life that is effective and productive. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 2 Peter 1:5-8 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control;and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Today’s Reading: 2 Peter 1:1-11 We are very convincing. We convince ourselves that we are the only ones going through a particular problem. Yes, we realize that others are going through SOME of the same things we are going through, BUT this ONE thing is unique to us and no one understands it, so we “suffer” alone.
This passage reminds us that thinking in this way is wrong. God has not given any of us a singular, unique problem that we are the only one on earth who has to deal with it, or worse, can deal with it. A part of humbling yourself is accepting that God has placed people in your life to help you through EVERY situation. You NEVER have an issue that He cannot provide you support to guide you. When you accept that truth, then you will be casting your anxiety onto Jesus. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 1 Peter 5:6-9 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. Today’s Reading: 1 Peter 5 Clear, Biblical instruction, who does not want that? The question is, when we receive it do we heed it.
This passage gives us understandable direction. I encourage you to meditate on these words, then do what they say. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 1 Peter 4:7-11 7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. Today’s Reading: 1 Peter 4 Imagine your life if you lived out this passage. The US societal norms seem to pull us away from this type of living. We are told to look out for “number one.” We are told to give how you have received. If someone hurts you, you have every right to hurt them back without consequence.
In Christ, that could not be farther from the truth. As Peter teaches in this passage, we must be compassionate towards one another. We must be willing to extend the same grace to others that we, ourselves, want extended to us. Be encouraged to live out 1 Peter 3:8-9. Don’t focus on how you are treated by people. Be reminded of how you have been treated by God. He sent His Son to take on your sin and die in your place so you may have eternal life with Him. Isn’t that more than enough to inspire you to live how He has called you to live? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 1 Peter 3:8-9 8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. Today’s Reading: 1 Peter 3:8-22 In 2002, while on a cruise, the Lord woke me up around 4:00 am and took me to this passage. He told me that this is the way I must live with my wife. Since that day, I have endeavored to remain obedient to this calling. My wife makes it easy, but the enemy and my flesh certainly provide plenty of challenges and obstacles.
As you continue to read your Bible daily, allow God to place in your heart His desire for your life. Empty yourself of what you want. Focus on Him and what He wants. When His desires become your desires, He will always give you the desires of your heart. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. Today’s Reading: 1 Peter 3:1-7 *Side Note: If you are a wife or husband or plan to be, commit “today’s reading” to memory; if not word for word, definitely the lesson/command. Today’s reading is a podcast idea; episode coming soon!
Although Peter is being literal in verses 11 and 12, we can also view this passage from a spiritual perspective. We are “foreigners” in this world. Our residency is in heaven. Therefore, we must live by our “re-birth” culture, not by our earthly culture. Our lives must be such that people see how we live and are inspired to want a life in Christ. It starts with love. God’s love for us and our love for Him and His creation. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. 1 Peter 2:11-12 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. Today’s Reading: 1 Peter 2:11-25 As you read this passage, let it sink in. This is who you are in Christ. There is no need to worry or fear any outcome. Put your trust in the Lord. Seek Him and His righteousness. When you do, you give God space in your life to do the things that you would never ask because you could never think of it apart from the urging of the Holy Spirit. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.
1 Peter 2:9-10 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Today’s Reading: 1 Peter 2:1-10 *The last two days I put parts of 1 Peter 3 as our verse/reading. Each of those were from chapter one, not chapter three. Thank you for your patience.🥰 I love reading passages like this one. There is no way to confuse how we must live. Are you living a life for Christ? I encourage you to choose Him. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.
1 Peter 3:13-15 13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conformto the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do. Today’s Reading: 1 Peter 3:13-25 When your name is positively connected to Jesus Christ, you’re on the right track. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.
1 Peter1:7 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Today’s Reading: 1 Peter 3:1-12 *Quick Testimony*
In the early hours of a 2001 day, the Lord woke me up. I did not respond well. I said a quick prayer and went right back to sleep. So the Lord woke me up again, but this time I knew I BETTER get out of my room and pray in earnest! That early morning was an important day in my walk with Christ. God told me two things: 1. I am called to help believers in Christ who need to strengthen their walk with Christ or have fallen away. 2. I must know the book of James. After I finished praying, I read the entire book of James. The last two verses shook me. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. James 5:19-20 19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. Today’s Reading: James 5 |
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AuthorDr. Gregg Mays shares his daily devotion. Archives
May 2024
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