1 John 1
Scripture
1 John 1:8-10 NIV-
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.”
Observation-What does it say?
John writes in this epistle (aka letter or message), that light and darkness do not mix. We cannot claim to live in Christ, while still living in the darkness. But then, he goes on to say that those who claim to be without sin have deceived themselves. Living in the light is impossible without dependence and surrender to the One who gives light, and that is Jesus Christ our Savior.
Understanding-What does it mean?
A self righteous attitude leads us away from Christ, rather than towards Him.
I like to let God's Word speak for itself. I am reminded of 2 passages to support the above understanding. The first one is in Luke 18:9-14. To paraphrase, Jesus was addressing the crowd, specifically those who were confident of their own righteousness and looking down on everyone else. It is about a Pharisee and a tax collector. The first one was self righteous, thanking God that he was not like the other sinners over there, because he fasted twice a week and gave a tenth of his wages. The other man beat his breast and would not even look to heaven, asking God for mercy because he was a sinner. Scripture says the one who was justified before God in this situation was the tax collector.
The second passage I am reminded of is Matthew 19:16-26, where a man felt that it was his good works that would get him to heaven, and even told Jesus that He has kept all the commandments, and asked Him what he lacked. Jesus knew the man's heart and told him to sell his possessions and give to the poor. The man ended up leaving sad because that was a sacrifice he couldn't make. But then I love what Jesus told his disciples afterwards, when they asked him, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Life Application
The only way to stand firm in our faith; to stand firm in our calling and stand firm when the devil attacks is to remain in the One who is unchanging and stands firm forever. Jesus Christ our Savior.
I woke up one morning and the Lord gave me 2 words: STAND FIRM. I started doing a study in His Word looking for all the verses and passages where the word "stand" or "stand firm" is mentioned in Scripture. He was speaking to me personally to stand firm in the faith, stand firm when attacked by the enemy, stand firm in His Word, and stand firm in His work. After a day (or less) of feeling good about myself and trying to stand firm in my own strength, I admit that I started getting discouraged, telling the Lord that I was not strong enough and too weak to do what He was calling me to do. Then He brought me to this Scripture to remind me that it is only He who is able to stand firm. It is only His word that endures forever and as long as I stay connected, humbled and surrendered to Him and His Word, I will be able to stand firm. It is impossible without Him.
“A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures (STANDS) forever.”” Isaiah 40:6-8 NIV
Dear Lord, I pray that we would all stand firm in being humbled and surrendered to You. May You take away all traces of self righteous pride and arrogance in our hearts and may we be fully dependent on Your strength and righteousness alone. Teach us to live in the light as You are in the light and when darkness tries to overtake us or trap us, may we run to You for refuge. Purify our hearts Jesus and help us to repent and turn from our wicked ways for Your glory alone, so men, women and children would see our good deeds and glorify You (Matt. 5:16, 1 Peter 2:12). Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
Psalm 13
Scripture: Psalms 13:1-6
Observation:
Verse 1 - How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide Your face from me? David had been anointed as the next King of Israel. But years had passed, and it seemed the promise would never come to fruition. After years of banishment and persecution, he felt like God had turned away from him. In Psalm 13, David cries out to God his pain and disillusionment. In verse 2 he continues: How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? In verse 3, he begs God to listen to him and answer. But as he continues to pour his heart out to God, there is a change; he moves from disillusionment to faith. Verses 5-6: But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise for He has been good to me.
Understanding:
Has God been good to you? Do you truly believe that He has a plan for you and is fully in control?
I’ve heard it said that the purpose of prayer is not to change God’s heart, but to change ours. We go to God and beg Him to change our circumstances. And when the circumstances don’t change, we think God isn’t listening or doesn’t truly love us. God doesn’t want us to stuff our feelings down or downplay our problems, He wants us to come to Him and pour out our hearts. Matthew 11:28-30: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. He doesn’t say, “I will answer every request in your timing or in the way you think I should.” But He does say you will find rest for your souls. That rest comes through trust and faith. He says come to me - learn from me - let me give you peace.
Life Application:
God, help me to remember to run to You with my troubles. Help me to learn to lay them at Your feet and know that You want the best for me. Help me to remember to praise You in the hard times as well as the good. And help me to allow my heart to be changed.
-Debbie Dunn
Psalm 12
Scripture
Psalms 12:5
“The Lord replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do.””
Observation-What does it say?
In this psalm, David cries out to God for help. David is living in a time where it seems the godly are far and few between. The wicked are filled with lies and are only out for themselves. The poor and helpless are being oppressed, while the evil are strutting around being praised for their wickedness. But David knows of God’s faithfulness. He knows God’s promises are pure (verse 6). David knows God will protect the oppressed and rescue them from their oppressors. God is faithful and just!
Understanding-What does it mean?
Evil will not go unpunished.
Have you ever felt like David? You look around you, you see the wicked flourishing and the godly being oppressed? Do you ever feel like asking God, “When will justice come our way?” But may I encourage you that God sees all and knows all. Be like David. Call out to God for help. Take heart knowing we serve a God who is just and faithful to His people. He sees the wicked and will not let them get away with their evil for long. He will punish them for their sinfulness while He rescues His children. Just like the way He rescued Noah from the flood, or the way He rescued Lot from Sodom and Gomorrah. God is always faithful to His people! Just trust in Him and His sovereignty.
“Evil people will surely be punished, but the children of the godly will go free.” -Proverbs 11:21
“So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment.” -2 Peter 2:9
Life Application
Be patient and leave it in God’s Hands.
As tempting as it is to take matters in my own hands, (and risk sinning from my own anger and frustration), I choose to trust in God, and I will wait upon the Lord for His swift justice. I will meditate on His Word and bring Him my worship in ALL seasons of my life. So let me leave you all today with this verse to meditate on whenever you may feel like David does in this passage. I pray we take it to heart and apply it in our lives.
“Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”-Romans 12:19-21
-Moses Gaddi