2014 Day 166 – Father’s Day

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Happy Father’s Day to all you dads out there. Dove has made some great videos this past year. In honor of Father’s Day, once again, they did not disappoint.

 

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2014 Day 165 – 1 John 4

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The verse that stood out to me today is 1 John 4:13, This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. God presence in our lives is proof that we really belong to Him. 

2014 Day 164 – 1 John 3

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On of my favorite verses in the Bible is 1 John 3:1, See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. God’s love is lavishly given to us. So much so that He calls us His children. When people do not understand the change in our lives because of God, it’s because they lack the knowledge and relationship with Him necessary to understand it. We should always be satisfied with our own relationship with God and know it is enough.

2014 Day 163 – 1 John 2

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When in doubt, follow what Jesus did. 1 John 2:5-6 says, But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. To live as Jesus did we must obey His teaching and follow His example of obedience to God and serving people with love and kindness. When in doubt, follow what Jesus did. 

2014 Day 162 – 1 John 1

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Confession of sin is meant to free us to enjoy fellowship with Christ. It is meant to clear our conscience and lighten our heart. But sometimes it is difficult to let go of guilt associated with sin and the affects it has on us. 1 John 1:9 says, If we confess out sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. When we ask for forgiveness we must also learn to let go of the affects it has on our lives. We must learn and use the experience to remind us to never go back to the sin, but it should no longer have control over us to paralyze us through a guilty conscience.

2014 Day 161 – Jude

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Today we read the single chapter book of Jude, who was the brother of Jesus and James. The book was written to remind the early church to stay vigilant in the faith and to oppose heresy. Jude’s message was meant to urge them to stay faithful in the truth. The key verse for this book is Jude 1:3, Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. Jude wanted to emphasize the connection between true doctrine and and the importance of faith. As a believer, one can not live without the other.

2014 Day 160 – 2 Peter 3

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We live in a time where instant gratification is almost a requirement. When we want something (food, drink, clothes, information) we want it immediately and, if possible, at the click of a button. So, when we ask God for something, it can almost seem like God is slow to act on our behalf. Just because God does not operate on our timetable does not mean He is slow. 2 Peter 3:8-9 says, But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. God was patient for us and He continues to be patient enough to wait on others to come to Him. At the same time, we are not supposed to wait around for Him to act, we are to move in a direction and be willing to be redirected along the way.

2014 Day 159 – Reflection On Romans 2:1

Romans 2:1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

2014 Day 158 – 2 Peter 2

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There are some very harsh words in today’s reading. Peter is saying there will be a day when all will be made right. All the evil in this world, that seems to have control, will one day face condemnation. As believers, we have a responsibility to move forward and not backwards in our pursuit of righteousness. We all lose our way from time to time, but it is important that we not slide back into life without Christ. 2 Peter 2:20 says, If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. Ultimately, God wants us to grow in relationship with Him. If we focus our efforts on growing in closeness with God, there is little room for anything else.

2014 Day 157 – 2 Peter 1

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Today we begin the second letter of Peter to the early Christian church. The intent of this letter was to warn Christians about false teachers and to encourage growth in their faith and knowledge of Christ. The key verse in today’s passages is 2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. This verse was meant to tell early believers, and now us, that we have all we need in this life through the power and love of our Lord Jesus Christ. We do not and cannot grow more powerful because the power already exists through God. He has given us the privilege to participate in His divine nature and to have the strength through Him to help us live for the fulfillment His perfect will and plan. We must count it as a privilege.