by lighthouse | Mar 27, 2023 | Uncategorized
I John 3:1a “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God!” When children are raised by loving parents they live in a beautiful world. Security, love, discipline and a very bright future are gifts which are wonderful—never seen, always felt.When we are raised by our Heavenly Father all the above happen in perfect form. In addition, the one important item also included in the above are the gifts of inheritance. The most important gift: however, which only our God can give is the gift of eternal life. How wonderful it is to be children of our Heavenly Father. You and I can never thank Him enough.
by lighthouse | Mar 24, 2023 | Uncategorized
I John 2:25 “And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.” None of us need to doubt that Jesus is coming a second time. Christians can appear berfore Him with all the confidence anyone can have. Never look at yourself as being unworthy—if you do, you do not understand the entire purpose of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Jesus has made you and me worthy. He has redeemed us. He has made us perfect. That is very hard for our human nature to believe. Reread our passage for today—-God’s Word is absolute truth. You are beyond alright— God sees you as perfect. Believe and Praise God. Have a great weekend.
by lighthouse | Mar 23, 2023 | Uncategorized
I John 2:26 “I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.” There is no such thing as absolute truth. Everyone has a right to their own opinion. Who are you to insist your opinion is correct? These are three thoughts which dominate the world’s thinking and if you don’t accept God’s authority they seem to be logical conclusions. However, as soon as one accepts God’s authority as absolute authority these statements become incorrect and meaningless. Now the question becomes very personal–Are you swayed by the conclusions of the world or do you look to our God as absolute authority? As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
by lighthouse | Mar 22, 2023 | Uncategorized
I John 2:22a “Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ…” The importance of knowing Jesus is beyond obvious. Much of the world denies Jesus, His magnificence and His redemptive work. John is telling us that it is impossible to enjoy life on this earth and eternally without knowing Jesus. That makes Jesus of ultra importance. Not only do Christians know Jesus, we also have a relationship with Him which provides each of us with the security and joy found nowhere else. We never want to deny our Dear Savior.
by lighthouse | Mar 21, 2023 | Uncategorized
I John 2:18a “Dear children…” John exposed his warm and loving heart to all of us. He knew the truth. He had a deep desire for all of us to know Jesus, our Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit–The Trinity–The true God. He could have begun this verse with—listen everyone, but he rather opened the verse with the soft, loving words a loving, caring earthly father would have for his dear children. We cannot read John’s letter without gaining his deep love for his Savior as well as his deep concern for those he is teaching. How blessed we are to know John.
by lighthouse | Mar 20, 2023 | Uncategorized
I John 2:17 “The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” Man’s greatest fear is death. Everyone wants health and life saving medicine and a painless life. Getting old is not what one desires because next comes the inevitable–death. If the preceeding thoughts are true why wouldn’t we all want to do the will of God? The promise is eternal life. No need for medicine, no pain, no fear of death, no problems which come with age—all we have to do is the will of our God. Sounds like a simple solution to our problems doesn’t it?
by lighthouse | Mar 16, 2023 | Uncategorized
I John 2:15 ” Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” Enjoy all of God’s creation. Live a life of abundance. Rejoice in all the blessings you have been given. Be always careful; however, not to fall for life which ignores the will of our God in your life. When life contradicts God’s will, run as fast as you can in the opposite direction. It is very easy to fall for and become in love with life’s plesures which last only seconds while ignoring God principles which last an eternity. Love–but be very careful.
by lighthouse | Mar 15, 2023 | Uncategorized
I John 1:6 “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” My guess is most of us reading these devotional thoughts have a string desire to live a Christian life. We understand we are not perfect and are very appreciative of Jesus being our advocate before our Heavenly Father who demands perfection. Jesus does remind us to step it up a notch–walk as Jesus walked. Even though you and I are not perfect–yet we have a responsibility to follow our Savior and never live, think or walk as the world does. He lives in each of us and we live in Him. What a privilege it is to be called a Child of God.
by lighthouse | Mar 14, 2023 | Uncategorized
I John 1:8 “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” It is impossible for a Christian to be haughty. It is impossible for a Christian not to be proud. Every Christian recognizes they are in desperate need of a Savior, yet at the same time recognize they have a Savior and stand as white as the purest snow before their Heavenly Father. Each of us left to our own desires are in desperate need of help. Each of us, because of the magnificent help from our Savior do not live in desperation. Isn’t it GREAT to be a loved Child of God!!
by lighthouse | Mar 13, 2023 | Uncategorized
I John 1:7 “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.” Blood and life are synonymous. Light and Jesus are synonymous. You and Child of God are synonymous. Walking in Light and having a tight relationship with God are synonymous. You being sinless before your Heavenly Father and Jesus being your Advocate are synonymous. Isn’t walking in Light a wonderful way to live synonymously with your Savior!!!
by lighthouse | Mar 10, 2023 | Uncategorized
I John 1:5b “…God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” To know God is to study His Word. People can imagine God. People can form their own conception of God. People can persuade people about their version of God. The world is full of religious gobbledygook nonsense. Visible and invisible worshipped idols are everywhere. Opinions without foundation abound. The only result of all the preceding is darkness. It all is meaningless. The world is searching for Light. God has so generously gifted Light to you and me. It is our responsibility to read and study His Word for therein is Light. Very simple truth— isn’t it? Angela asks that we pray for Matthew as he is having major heart surgery. Let’s talk to God about Matthew. Have a great weekend.
by lighthouse | Mar 9, 2023 | Uncategorized
John 21:25 “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” Jesus lived on this earth for 30 some years. His life was full of meaningful activity. Are 1% of these activities recorded? None of us really know. What we are absolutely positive of is this: Jesus came to this earth only because of His love for you and me. His Book records His life, death and resurrection. Even though that truth could have been recorded by one author one time, the truths are recorded multiple times by multiple authors with zero contradictions–that is remarkable. What a wonderful Savior we enjoy walking by our side. Thank you, with all our heart, Jesus.
