Happy Sunday Y’all! My family and I are down in Florida to celebrate our son’s birthday with our amazing family and friends. We were so busy the last two days that I was unable to post. I’ll share below all the devotionals you missed and share some stories from this weekend tomorrow. God Bless you all. Have an amazing Sunday! Praise the Lord!
November 6
15Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16For 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. 17The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17)
The lust of the flesh is easy to understand. But what is the lust of the eyes? This is a new one, and the first time in the Bible an author has referenced this sin. So what is lust of the eyes? Well, to me, it’s that endless pursuit to buy the biggest, shiniest, and brightest. It’s seeking to appeal to others through our looks and our face value. It’s seeing only what the eyes can perceive. So yes, when you seek acceptance by how you look, by the clothes you wear, by the stature of your automobile, you have lust of the eyes. To John, this is no better than lusts of the flesh and prideful arrogance. All of which separates us from God.
November 7
20But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 21I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 22Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist-denying the Father and the Son. 23No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. (1 John 2:20-23)
As John writes here, the same truth pertains to you. You know the truth, and hopefully as you are nearing the completion of reading the Bible, the truth has set you free. So we need to go after those who do not realize Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and the Savior of the world. But in that pursuit be careful of those who the devil has a strong hold of. For those who are difficult to bring into the light, you can do your best, but leave them with prayer. They are ultimately responsible for their own accord.
November 8
26I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 27As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit-just as it has taught you, remain in him.
28And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.
29If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him. (1 John 2:26-29)
As we complete this journey through the Bible, I hope that you have experienced some form of anointing during this year. Your challenge is to always cling to that moment and hold to it. Live for that moment, because the world will do all it can to try to separate you from Jesus. But we do not want to stray from His love, His teaching, His closeness. To remain in that anointing, to live with confidence and hold no shame for your life is a challenge, but it is simple. Always do the right thing. Always help those around you every way you can. Always pray for the afflicted. Always stand up for the weak. Always seek the good out of people. Always build bridges, not walls. And above all, simply love. Love God, love people.
Reading plan: 1 John 2: 15-29
Deeper reading plan: Micah 1-3
Prayer and meditation: Today we thank God for the periodic table, for all the elements God created to allow us to create so much in this world. Pray for America. Pray for peace and for love to conquer all. Pray the revival in your heart overflows to all those around you.
Fitness challenge: Rest
Worship: Spend today in prayer and worship. Get to church or get to a computer and watch church. America needs a revival like never before.
Common Sense Reborn 