1 John 5 - 6.5.26

Scripture: 1 John 5:2 - 3

“This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,”

Observation

Jesus’ statement in Matthew 22 help simplify things for us when question by religious leaders in Matthew 22:34-40. Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

God does not make commands burdensome; why would he want to burden us?

Years ago I was a stage manager for our old church's Christmas and Easter production. Lorna, my director, and I both wanted to please our Father in heaven by giving our best in our productions. I knew my job was to carry out the vision she had for these productions. After a few years of working together, it got to the point where I could see her certain look and without words, change the scenery or adjust the placement of the actors the way she envisioned it. I loved Lorna my director. Carrying out her vision was not a burden but was joyful.

Carrying out God's command out of Love gives us Joy.

Application

Love God, Love People.

In our everyday lives when we look at people, or scroll through our phones, do we see ourselves reflected in these 2 verses in Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."  In the past few weeks leading up to the election, I did not see much of the Fruit of the Spirit. I can see why the Lord says to pray continually. It will guard our hearts.

A command is an action word. It is meant for us to act. 

James 1:22-25: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”

1 John 3:18: “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

One way to put Love into action is to serve at church. It is one of our core values. Jesus served us first and provided the greatest example of how to serve.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, you loved us so much you gave us Jesus. (John 3:16) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life". Jesus let my love toward others be of action and not just words. Thank you for your Holy word. Let the fruit of the Spirit flow from me. Let me follow your commands with my Love for you Jesus. Forgive me when my anger turns into hate. I long to see the day when there is no more hate, only the love you have for the ones you call your own Lord Jesus. I am looking forward to the day you crack the sky and take me home. Thank you in Jesus name Amen.

- Robert Oberg

1 John 4 - 6.4.26

SCRIPTURE - 1 John 4:11 - 16

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.  And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.  If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.  And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.”

OBSERVATION

John, the author, is writing to a church (not specified) but around the city of Ephesus, and Jesus is telling the (disciples) them/US: no one has even seen God But –IF we love one another, God LIVES IN US and HIS love is made complete.  WOW!

Every time I read HIS word I see something new that has meaning to me. AND WE LIVE IN God!   WOW!  WHY?  BECAUSE He first loved us and He lives in us through the Holy Spirit.

WE KNOW HIS love is made complete in us, when we acknowledge/testify our belief that Jesus is the son of God and because of all he did on earth and died for us that God lives in us and us in Him.  His love is made complete when we love one another and WE KNOW and can FOREVER RELY on HIS love.  

APPLICATION

These words are the truth of the gospel!  God’s love is “made complete” in us.  When we “acknowledge that “Jesus is the Son of God”, HE lives in us and us in Him.  When we show love for one another, we can rely on the love God has for us. I cherish His words, THAT HE LIVES IN US!  AND WE LIVE IN HIM!

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for your words of love in the truth of the gospel of John.  I cherish these words, “you live in us and us in You”.  Jesus, I desire to hear your words.  You are my strength, my joy, and my hope.  I cherish all your words you’ve given to those you love, the disciples, in person; and are written in our Holy Bible.  God IS LOVE!  Dear Lord, as I go into my day, I want to be an “observer” and show love to others who need encouraged and pray with/for them. And speak to you all the day long.  Lord, for all you’ve done for the world, let me and my family never forget the true meaning of love.  True love is shown when Jesus came to earth and walked with those you loved and loved you and He died for us so that we have eternal life with you; today and forever.  AND it is with a humble heart; I claim that I belong to you and I recognize your voice as you speak to me in your word and in my heart.  Words fail to tell you of all you did for me/us and let me remember your words of hope, peace and joy, as I go throughout my day(s).  YOU ARE my hope and the hope of all those who love you.  LORD, call all my family and my friends to walk with you.

I cherish these scriptures.  Thank you! 

AMEN

John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” 

- Charleen Zakarian

Psalm 103 - 6.3.26

Scripture

Psalm 103:1-2

Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—

Observation

When people follow God’s instructions, they reap the blessings that come with those directives. I believe that God’s promises and principles are true and they apply to everyone. And I have observed that even if people don’t know Him, when they follow His principles (giving to the poor, serving others, placing others above themselves, honoring their father and mother, and many more), they receive blessings.

Application

Practicing gratitude is popular in our culture right now. And there is scientific evidence of the physiological benefits of setting aside time to focus on the things you are grateful for, including reduced anxiety, stress, blood pressure and heart rate, better immunity, and improved sleep. (I love when science supports God’s word!)

Practicing gratitude is not a new idea. It is a principle that God designed for us from the beginning of time – to give thanks to our Father. Throughout scripture we are encouraged to bring our praise and worship to God. We are instructed to start our day and end our day with thanksgiving, and to worship in all we do. When we pray, we are taking our needs and wants to God, but ultimately, we are acknowledging His lordship and aligning our hearts with His will. Likewise, when we worship God and thank Him for everything He has done for us, we are refocusing our hearts and minds, aligning our hearts with Him, bolstering our faith by remembering and naming the things He has done and the promises He has made, and accepting His lordship. And in response we come away changed - He fills us with joy, peace, and love.

Prayer

Lord, may I not forget your benefits. May I start and end each day with a song of praise. Thank you for forgiving my sins, for not repaying me as I deserve, thank you for your healing power, thank you for your love and compassion, thank you for giving me good things.

The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
    and his kingdom rules over all.

Praise the Lord, you his angels,
    you mighty ones who do his bidding,
    who obey his word.
Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,
    you his servants who do his will.
Praise the Lord, all his works
    everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, my soul.

- Debbie Dunn