Be Still… – Relevant Reflections to Let God's Word Back Into Your Hands and Heart

1 John 2:28-3:24 – How We Act

John welcomes us into his community of believers, calling us “dear” on several occasions. As you read the qualifications of being a child of God, are you a 100% onboard, or do you feel like a “work in progress”? Either way, you have chosen to know more about God and draw closer to Jesus. John’s words give us the assurance we need to know how.

If you’ve ever felt like an outcast in this world, you are not alone. It can be lonely when we find our devotion to Jesus creates a wedge between a friend or loved one. Each day is a day closer to forever with Jesus, and I continue to choose Jesus over any of the shiny objects the world offers. Life can be a slippery slope of temptations. Continue reading “1 John 2:28-3:24 – How We Act”

1 John 2:7-27 – Who to Love

Read 1 John 2:7-27

Think of John as a close friend, sharing this wisdom with you over a hot beverage. He opens today’s passage with “Dear friends,” after all. John gets right to the point by telling us to love one another, a commandment that has been around for generations. John was privileged to see love lived out before his eyes in the person of Jesus. John encourages us to love like that when we let the light of Christ dispel the darkness in our lives.

The darkness of this world will always scream for our attention. When I speak of the “world,” don’t think I’m referring to the beautiful earth and stars that God created, or the people God loves so much. The “world” refers to the attitudes and distractions that pull us away from Jesus, and a sinful humanity, enticing us to ignore and rebel against God. Continue reading “1 John 2:7-27 – Who to Love”

1 John 1:1-2:6 – Who is Jesus?

Read 1 John 1:1-2:6

The book of 1 John starts out in a similar fashion as John’s gospel, identifying Jesus as having been present at creation as well as calling out his identity as the Word. John also masterfully testifies on behalf of himself and others as to having personally seen and touched Jesus. To me, that fact alone is mind-boggling. This author hung out with Jesus and knew Him well.

How else does John describe Jesus to his audience? Jesus is: (1) “life itself,” (2) “the one who is eternal life,” (3) “with the Father,” and we can fellowship with Jesus and the Father, just like John and the others. John hopes that by knowing and experiencing Jesus, we can know and experience the same joy. It’s true what we’ve heard that there is joy in the Lord. Even Nehemiah proclaimed, “For the joy of the Lord is your strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10) Continue reading “1 John 1:1-2:6 – Who is Jesus?”

Jude 1-25 – A Message to Believers Everywhere

Read Jude 1-25

The short book of Jude comes right before Revelation, containing only one chapter, but how convicting! Who is Jude, you may be asking? Would you believe he was the half-brother of Jesus? Jude, short for Judas, was indeed related to Jesus, and yet he humbly introduces himself here as Jesus’ slave. Following Jesus’ resurrection, Jude began his own ministry to believers.

Jude’s message may be hard for us to hear. We are called, sanctified, and preserved. That part is quite comforting. And I’m going to cling to Jude’s prayer for us that “God give you more and more mercy, peace, and love.” The hard part is that even our holiest places may not be completely sacred if infested by false teachers and misguided friends. Continue reading “Jude 1-25 – A Message to Believers Everywhere”

John 21:1-25 – Feed My Lambs

Read John 21:1-25

John adds an “epilogue” to his gospel as one last story, closing the narrative of Jesus’ life while setting up the future for his disciples. Jesus appears again “later” to these seven disciples who appear to have been trying to get back to their “normal” lives as fishermen. Jesus shares yet another lesson with them while at the same time blessing them with an abundant catch of fish.

Peter’s eagerness to see Jesus is unmistakable. This is a man who has seen Jesus on a couple of occasions since he was put to death, but each time may be the last. Peter is also quite aware that just days ago, he had denied he even knew Jesus to some people in the High Priest’s courtyard. Peter’s emotions would have been heightened. I can just picture Peter fording his way through the water as he made his way to shore. Continue reading “John 21:1-25 – Feed My Lambs”

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