A week from this Wednesday we will begin 1 John with Paige. Therefore this week, and the beginning of next week, we will prepare our hearts.
While the gospel of John can bring us to faith, the first letter of John shows us how to have confidence we truly are in the faith, and to increase the power of God in our lives.
We can overcome the fear that we might be one to whom He says, “Depart from me, I never knew you.” I have found this letter immensely helpful in overcoming the idols that keep me from being in the arms of Jesus, and giving me a sense of His presence. It is significant that this letter ends with:
Whenever we fail to walk in the light,
whenever we fail to walk in love,
whenever we fail to walk in truth,
identifying the idol beneath and
replacing it with trust & obedience to our God will set us free!
If we trying to overcome our flesh in with the flesh, we’d try to just stop it like this old skit:
A common sin for me is anxiety — about my kids, about money, about pickleball, about almost everything. When I fail to trust God, my idol is trying to fix it myself, trying to control things myself and not surrendering and trusting God. Idols cannot be removed, only replaced.
It doesn’t work to stay STOP IT! That’s restrained mechanical obedience in contrast to powerful organic obedience. What works is to abide in Him which helps me trust Him, remember His faithfulness, and replace my anxiety with faith in His love and promise to do all things well in His time.
Sunday:
- How have you experienced the presence or power of God this week?
Monday:Walking in the Light
2. What does 1 John 1:5 tell us about God?
3. Therefore, according to verse 5, what happens to our fellowship with God when we choose to walk in darkness? Why?
4. God gives every person a conscience, but man tends to suppress the truth about God so he can go his own way. Christians, however, are given the Holy Spirit when they are born again. Yet our flesh wars against the Spirit. Give an example of a war that you fight often with your flesh. Using 1 John 1:6-8, how might you talk to your soul the next time this happens?
5. When we give into our flesh, whether it is unforgiveness, or “epithumia” of a good thing like food, friendship, or exercise — there is an idol underneath. Instead of trusting and obeying God you are taking things into your own hands. How might you “keep yourself from an idol” that calls to you? Be specific.
Tuesday:Walking in Love
6. Read 1 John 1:7-8. What does it say?
7. The Old Testament tells us to love our neighbor, so why now is this commandment new according to verse 8?
8. What warning is given in 1 John 1:9. And what promise in 1 John 1:10?
9. Let’s say you have been hurt by a brother or sister in Christ. How would your flesh have you handle it? How would the Spirit have you handle it?
10. If you are reacting in the flesh, what idol is beneath and how could you keep yourself from it, other than saying STOP IT!
Wednesday:Walking in Truth
11. Read 1 John 1:24-27
A. What does John tell his readers to do?
B. I believe at least half of our churches have run ahead believing there is a new and improved teaching the progresses beyond sin, beyond the cross, beyond the blood. According to John, why is this dangerous?
C. What is the core truth we must cling to according to 1 John 1:22-23?
D. Think of some ways that the gospel has been distorted that you must spot and protect yourself from.
E. When Alyssa Childer’s pastor tried to lead her astray, he was successful with most of the members of his “class.” What idol do you think caused their fall?
Thursday: Practice, Practice, Practice
John tells us the more we walk in love, the more love we will have. The more we walk in the light, the more light we will have. The more we walk in truth, the more truth we will have. Once we learn how to speak to our soul and to trust God instead of an idol, we must practice, practice, practice the habit until we have VICTORY.
12. What is the secret, according to 1 John 3:6 of stopping sin in your life?
13. Look back at your life ten, twenty years ago. Where do you see genuine progress of overcoming a habitual sin? What led to the victory?
Friday: Pray the Truth into Your Heart
14. Take the following verses and personalize them with prayer:
A. 1 John 1:5-6
B. 1 John 1:7-8
C. 1 John 1:24-27
D. 1 John 3:7-8
Saturday:
15. Share your God Shot and your take-a-way!
17 comments
1. How have you experienced the presence or power of God this week?
He blessed me in going back to work. It was smooth and not too worrisome. It was a good start. Thank You Lord!
Laura, I am so happy for you. I pray that you have a wonderful year teaching. May God give you His peace, guidance and comfort each day. You are a light for Jesus in your school and community.
That’s such good news, Laura!
Agree with Patti and Dee and pray for a good school year Laura.
Oh Laura that is hood to hear. 💕
Laura, good to hear you had a good start to the school year!
Sunday:
1. How have you experienced the presence or power of God this week?
I have experienced His healing power. Halfway through our vacation I came down with a cold/sore throat & flu but being on a schedule I couldn’t slow down. By the time we got back home I thought I was getting better and then had a relapse. My body was telling me to slow down and take care of it. After a week of fevers, rest and medication I can truly say I’m on the mend! It feels good to be among the living again.
I have missed being here and Lord willing be able to participate more. I do enjoy Paige and 1 John is such a good book.
Sunday:
How have you experienced the presence or power of God this week?
—This weekend has been a real treat for me spiritually as my youngest daughter flew in from Montana on Friday and my oldest daughter and her daughter drove down and we all attended a Jen Wilkens Conference at my church here in Lincoln. Having them stay with us and enjoying some good quality time in my home has been a blessing. Jen’s teaching was on the Lord’s Prayer. Spiritually it was very refreshing and the Lord’s presence was sweet among us. Sandra McCracken led the worship music which was also very well done. It was not a concert feel at all and included a good variety of songs. After the teaching on Friday evening she led a hymn sing with hymns old and new. Sandra played the piano or her guitar and she had a double base player and a drummer for accompaniment. It was easy to enter into and sing with. Even though 1,200 women attended no big screens were used and it had a more intimate feel. Jen Wilkens makes it known up front that she is not a motivational or inspirational speaker. She is first a Bible teacher. It was a very grounded and well done conference. My daughter in-law and her friend commented they like the fact it wasn’t about chocolate and hormones. 😊
And by the way during our packing and moving for relaxation and from the recommendation by Dee and Patti here on the blogs I took time to read “Theo of Golden”. That was a great book and a very enjoyable read. I read very few novels but loved it. 💕
Bev, so good to hear about your first weeks with your daughters and granddaughter in Lincoln! I almost registered for Jen Wilken’s conference. But time got away, and I did not make it.
Bev, what a wonderful blessing to spend time with your daughters. I am still in the process of reading Theo Of Golden and am really enjoying it.
Sunday:
How have you experienced the presence or power of God this week?
Last Wednesday, 5 of us (2 men and 3 women) gathered to pray for our church and community. I have prepared a guide for us to use, not knowing who would show up and how comfortable they would be praying out loud and with one another. If there is one thing our church, I believe, needs guidance in, it is the area of prayer. I, for one, desperately need to learn how to pray effectively and fervently with others.
I introduced the group to praying using Scriptures, and just as expected, the group was not used to it. Here is where and when I felt God’s presence and power as the five of us navigated through some awkwardness, each believing that God is listening to our prayers no matter how simple or awkward they might be. Being a small church, it was not hard to plug in everybody’s name on a perpetual calendar. And we were able to mention each one’s name as we moved along our prayer sheet and calendar.
I want to thank God for leading the way in this very important ministry of the church. There are some significant things that are coming into view for our church, and I believe the 5 of us became more aware of the importance of prayer. I am also thankful for this blog who, by your example, has given me courage to do things in faith and to trust God to guide, protect, and preserve us.
Oh Bing, God will honor your obedient heart.
Sunday:
How have you experienced the presence or power of God this week?
Last Wednesday, 5 of us (2 men and 3 women) gathered to pray for our church and community. I prepared a guide for us to use, not knowing who would show up or how comfortable they would be praying out loud and with one another. If there is one thing our church needs guidance in, I believe it is prayer. I, for one, desperately need to learn how to pray effectively and fervently with others.
I introduced the group to praying using Scripture, and just as expected, the group was not used to it. Here is where and when I felt God’s presence and power as the five of us navigated through some awkwardness, each believing that God is listening to our prayers no matter how simple or awkward they might be. Being a small church, it was not hard to plug in everybody’s name on a perpetual calendar. And we were able to mention each one’s name as we moved along our prayer sheet and calendar.
I want to thank God for leading the way in this very important ministry of the church. There are some significant things that are coming into view for our church, and I believe the 5 of us became more aware of the importance of prayer. I am also thankful for this blog who, by your example, has given me courage to do things in faith and to trust God to guide, protect, and preserve us.
Hi everyone, I was quite sick last and now my laptop is sick, lol. I won’t be posting (one finger tapping is HARD), but I will be following and reading your comments.
I’m so thankful to be well again and able to play the organ today at church. We celebrated three baptisms today, in the creek. Three young adults, excited about stepping out publicly for their Lord and Savior, Jesus.
Yay, Cheryl! Thankful you are well and that your church was able to celebrate three baptisms.
So glad you are feeling better Cheryl!
Ugh! I doubled up again on my submission! Sorry, folks.