The Daily Dose

Look at yourselves

Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.  2 John 1:8

This is good advice and something we each should be doing daily.  A self-examination.  Looking inside your heart each day to make sure you are on the course that has been plotted out for you. 

Today’s scripture is an admonishing to look out that you don’t lose the things you have worked for.  This is not your salvation, because there are no works great enough to obtain salvation.  Eternal salvation is only through the sacrificial blood of Jesus.  Salvation is the starting ground and we all start at the same place when we become a new believer.  (After that,)Now the choice is ours to move forward in our walk with Him or stop there and never grow up in the things of God.  This is why we need to look at our spiritual walk continually.  Are we spending time each day with Him and learning more about Him each day?  Do you talk with Him and focus on Him and His plan for your life or are you distracted with the things that you want to accomplish each day?

The scripture says that our eternal rewards are based on how we have lived here in this world and the works we have done that will stand through fire and judgement.  So, what are these works?   They are our works of love toward others.  The previous book of 1 John is all about our love walk.  The way we love others is truly what God is looking at.  He has been our example in the life of Jesus and desires for us to follow that pattern.  Truly loving others from the heart is what brings completeness into our life.  Giving words and act of kindness/goodness from a sincere heart without ulterior motive or grudgingly is what will last forever.  Galatians 6 tells us that we will reap what we have sown.  Sow the love of God today to ensure you receive your full reward.

Today I want to encourage you to look inside your heart and motives for doing things.  Don’t lose the things you have worked for by being puffed up with pride. Humbly ask God today where and how to show His love to others.  As you go through your day, busy with what needs to be done, watch for those people that come along who need an encouraging word or kind gesture.  Walk in the love of God each day and you will, without a doubt receive your full reward.

Today’s scripture reading: John 2

The great conspiracy

We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.  1 John 5:19

This is a disturbing phrase.  It reminds me of movies where only a few people know what is actually going on in the world and the rest of the people are oblivious.  It is actually true.  The whole world is in oblivion to the deception of the wicked one, Satan.  Whether it’s by fame, fortune or fun, the people around us are completely wrapped up in living for the now. Blinded by this short life and living only for the short pleasures this world can offer.  The only future they consider is to accumulate enough money, so they don’t have to go to a job every day, their “retirement” plan.  It is beyond me that even though we see people die everyday somewhere in the world, there never seems to be any preparation for what is after this life.  It’s like people don’t even believe there is an afterlife, life.

Thank goodness for the first part of today’s verse that says: We know we belong to God.  There are a few people in the world that know the truth.  The truth that Christ Jesus came into the world to set us free from the power of sin and darkness.  That we have been bought back from the sway of the evil one, and now we are God’s secret agents.  We are the ones that go back out there to take the blind people aside and show them the light.  We are the ones that our Heavenly Father has called on to help those who have no hope and are lost in hopelessness and despair.  We are the ones that are on a secret mission to lead all those deceived ones to the unconditional love of God so they can experience it in their everyday life.

That is our mission, purpose and reason we get up each day, to help other prepare for their future, their eternal future.  To tell of the good news that there is something more.  Something beyond this world and this short life.  When you finish here in this world, you don’t just go to sleep and never exist again. No, you will live for all eternity in one of two places.  With your Heavenly Father who gives life, peace and comfort or in a place separated from God in a dark eternal pit of torment.  The choice seems pretty obvious.

Today I want to encourage you to be “of God”.  Become His secret agent and get your mission to rescue the perishing.  Get your assignment and let God deploy you into the field of your training and expertise.  Start by spending quiet time with God each morning.  Talk to Him about the plans He has for you today.  Ask Him to make plain and clear the lives you are to expose the darkness in and be ready to be called upon at a moments notice.  Then put aside the attitude of “I don’t want to do that” anytime you sense a nudging or idea in a certain direction of a person. Be willing to take the step of faith to change a life forever.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 7:13-23

Keep yourself from sin

We know that whoever is born of God does not continue in sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.  1 John 5:18

Wow!  What a great promise!  When you keep yourself from continual sin, the wicked one cannot touch you.  That doesn’t mean he will never try.  Storms are inevitable and even Jesus said that because you are in this sinful world, you will have troubles (John 16:33).  Thank goodness He didn’t stop there.  He said we are to be glad about it because He overcame the world and gave us the victory.  Just like we read back in verse 4 of this same chapter in 1 John, anyone born of God overcomes this world and we do it  with our faith!  Glory to God! 

Let’s stop and talk a minute about storms.  Have you ever been in a storm?  I’m talking about a physical rain, snow or some other kind of weather storm.  Even though there are various kinds of inclement weather that we may encounter in a lifetime, there is one thing that all storms have in common. . . they all come to an end.  Think about it, every storm that ever came on the face of the earth has ended.  There is no eternal weather storm going on in this world.  Even the great flood that Noah went through had an end to it.  It is the same way with our life’s storms.  Whatever kind of struggle, turmoil or trouble the evil one brings your way, it will come to an end.  According to this scripture, it can always be a good end.  It does come back to your faith, however.  It is not an automatic thing.  Faith is the victory that overcomes this world (1 John 5:4).

Today I want to encourage you if you are going through a storm, it will have an end.  Take this time to press into your Heavenly Father by faith and follow Him to the other side.  Whatever you are going through, your Father is bigger and will get you through.  Believe Him, trust Him and follow the direction He gives until the struggle is over.  If you are not in a storm right now, prepare for coming storms by learning to hear and follow the inner voice of God’s Holy Spirit.  Then stay close to your Heavenly Father as you walk through each day.  Then when trouble does come, you will be close and can call on Him for direction.  In this world there will always be trouble, but be of good cheer!  He has overcome it all!

Today’s scripture reading: 1 John 5:18-21

            Prayer changes things

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 1 John 5:14&15

So, a few weeks ago, I had a dream.  It wasn’t a good dream either.  It was a dream about many of the most important people in my life.  In my dream each person’s life was very different than in reality.  Bad circumstances, bad surroundings and bad behavior.  When I woke up, I felt sick and saddened until the realization came that it was only a dream.  My next thoughts were maybe something bad was going to happen in the future, but then a sense of knowing hit me.  As if to say, “Prayer changes things.”  It was like instantly I could see that the people I have been praying for would have gone some different direction if I hadn’t been lifting them up and trusting their lives to God each day.  It completely impacted me and even “woke me up” to the fact, that prayer does indeed change things.  If you are a praying person, you really have no idea just how much your prayers are impacting those around you, but rest assured, they are making a world of difference.

I think most of us know and believe this, but if that is the case, why don’t we do more of it?  I’m talking about spending more time interceding, not only for our loved ones, but even those we work with and events happening around the world.  Do we really believe our prayers are that effective?  Today’s key verse is proof that we can know that we have the petitions we bring before God.  The things that He lays on our heart to pray for are the things He wants to accomplish through your prayers.  They are His will to be done as we pray them out of the heavenly realm into this earth.

Jesus taught us this in His instruction for prayer.  He told us to pray for God’s will to be done in this world just like it is in heaven.  If it was going to happen without us praying for it, why would He tell us we need to pray this way and in this manner.  In essence, Jesus taught us that when we pray God’s plans to be done here in this world, we are opening up the doorway from heaven to release His plan into this world.  Otherwise, He wouldn’t need us to pray for it.  The fact is that praying does change things.  I know it and I’ve seen it.  Now I want to live by it.  I hope you will too.  God knows it and that’s the way He set things up.  Calling on God opens the door to bring His will from heaven to earth.

Today I want to encourage you to consider if you really do believe that prayer changes things.  Next, consider how much time do you actually spend praying God’s plans into this world.  Whether it’s for your family, your friends or missions around the world, take inventory of your prayer life today.  Lastly, consider cutting out some unimportant activity each day that can be replaced with additional time interceding for those you love and God’s plans to come.  I would also ask that you pray for our country and the election coming up.  Tune into God’s agenda and let His will be done on earth just like it is in heaven.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 John 5:14-17

            Know you have eternal life

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.  1 John 5:13

Do you have a salvation verse?  It’s a verse that you have selected to remind yourself that your salvation in Christ Jesus is steadfast and eternal.  1 John 5:13 is mine.  It is a passage that my father taught me when I was a young believer.  He especially pointed out the word know in this scripture.  He wanted me to understand that God wants us to know that our eternity is secure in the salvation plan that He offers.  He doesn’t want us to receive Jesus into our lives one day and then the next day wonder if He is still there? 

It was a good lesson to learn for sure!  One that I want to share with others.  Especially if you are a new believer, the enemy often brings questions that can cause us to wonder if something really did happen when we received salvation.  The fact is, because salvation is an act of faith, it can actually take some time for it to feel like a reality in your life.  However, as you begin to turn your habits and activities toward God’s way, you will soon feel secure in His love for you.  That doesn’t mean doubts will never come again.  Inevitably, you will make a mistake and miss it from time to time.  That’s when you will need to remember your salvation scripture.  It doesn’t have to be this particular scripture, you can choose whatever speaks to your heart.  You can even ask the LORD to direct you to just the perfect scripture for you to solidify your salvation in.  He will, then you can learn it and review it often.  Then when the enemy comes along and tries to throw some doubt and unbelief your way, you can pull that passage out and throw it right back at him.

Today I want to encourage you to start looking for and asking for a salvation assurance verse.  If you already have one, review it often and remember that great love that your Heavenly Father has for you.  Your salvation in the LORD Jesus is eternal, and He wants to be sure that you know it and never forget it!

Today’s scripture reading: 1 John 5:9-13

Overcome the world

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”  1 John 5:4

This is a great promise from God and so important to understand.  He promises in 1 John that anything born of God can overcome the world.  However, it is not automatic, so He tells us how . . . it’s by faith!  Any other way just doesn’t work.  Overcoming power doesn’t come by wishing, it doesn’t come by hoping, and it doesn’t even come by praying, it only comes by faith.

This is a guarantee in life.  When things come into your life that get in the way or stop kingdom progress, they need to be overcome!  If overcoming isn’t happening, and you find yourself in the same predicament day after month after year, don’t give up, but reevaluate your faith.  God is the faithful one, so if it looks like someone is missing it, then it probably isn’t God.

Let’s look at some examples of faith and see the pattern that faith follows.  Abraham obeyed God when God told him to leave his homeland and go to the place God would show him.  He didn’t know where he was going, but his obedience was his faith in action.  God told Abraham to sacrifice his promised son, Isaac.  Abraham didn’t know how God would make him the father of many nations without a son, but scripture tells us that he believed God would raise him up if necessary. (Heb. 11:19)  Once again, his obedience was a step of faith.  Moses acted in faith when he obeyed God by going back to Egypt and confronting pharaoh.  He didn’t know if it was going to work, in fact, it didn’t look like it was working at all.  It took ten plagues and then pharaoh changed his mind, anyway.  Yet Moses obeyed God by faith.  The fact is that all through the scriptures God spoke and then people obeyed giving us a clear example of how faith works.

On the other extreme there are examples where people acted when God gave a promise, but they didn’t wait for the direction.  Sara just took the promise God gave and ran with it. The result was an Ishmael.  God didn’t promise an Ishmael.  This is a clear example of why it is so important to get the direction from God and not try to make it happen in your own strength.

The point is, we cannot pray and pray and pray and then wonder why it looks like God isn’t doing something.  The reason we are praying about our dilemma is to get God’s direction and our next step, not for Him to fix it all in a moment. It would be wonderful if it did work that way and sometimes it looks like it does. However, God wants to lead us through our obstacles step by step so He has connection with us. It is all about our relationship. His desire is to take our hand and walk us through every part of our life.

  Now we’re back to the question, “how do we hear from God?”  It has to be on purpose.  Get alone with Him.  Set time aside to talk with Him and take time to listen to Him.  Ask Him for scripture to back up what you think you hear him saying. (Don’t’ be surprised if God’s direction doesn’t make sense to you.  God’s ways are higher and much different than ours.)  This may take a little practice, so my suggestion would be to learn to hear from God in little things first.  Get to know the sound of His voice on the inside of you by talking to Him about things you already know the answers to or simply by telling Him you love Him and then listen with your spirit for His response.  Ask Him to show you scripture meanings as you are reading them.  Here’s a thought, how about asking Him to teach you how to hear His voice and direction.

Today I want to encourage you to walk by faith.  Obey the next steps God is showing you to take to get the answer you need and are longing for.  Make it a priority each day to listen and hear direction from God and remember, faith without works (obedience) is dead. (James 2:26)  See an overcoming victory today by taking steps of faith in your obedience to your Heavenly Father’s direction.  Then you will be guaranteed to see a victory!

Today’s scripture reading: 1 John 5:4-8

Show your love for Him

This we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, And His commandments are not burdensome.  1 John 5:2 & 3

This is where we show our true expression of our love for our Heavenly Father.  By loving His children (all believers) and keeping His commandments.  I have often struggled with the keeping His commandments part in this scripture.  Not because I didn’t’ want to, but because other new testament scriptures say that in Christ Jesus we have been make free for the “old testament law”.  However, Jesus gave us a new commandment and that was to love each other.  Now I realized that keeping His commandments is the result of loving Him.  It’s all about my relationship with Him not a set of rules.  Jesus wants to have a love relationship with us, He wants to be our best friend.  He is saying, “if you love me like you love your best friends, it will result in you keeping my Word (commandments)!”  Not only that, it will not be burdensome to you.  It isn’t about works because it isn’t work when you’re in love. 

Since then I heard it explained as a marriage relationship in that a husband and wife are faithful to each other because of the love they share for one another.  It’s not because they are keeping an agreement they made when they got married.  Although they made that agreement, they want to keep it because they treasure, value, and love each other more than all others and have a close relationship with one another.  When my husband asks me to do something for him, I may not always enjoy the task so much, but I enjoy doing it for him because he is so precious to me.  I’m not all about “what am I getting out of it”.  Because of the love we share, I look forward to the things I get to do for him because it is helpful or just makes him happy and he does the same for me.

Here are some practical things you can do to grow and protect your personal relationship with your Lord Jesus.

•               Nurture and protect your relationship with the Lord like a most valuable treasure.  Just like you do with all your other close relationships, you watch over them, not trying to control them but making sure nothing comes against them.  Don’t let anything stand in the way of the time you spend with Him and the direction He is sending you.

•               Worship!  Spending time in worship and adoration is such a strengthener of your love.  Letting Him know how thankful you are for your salvation, the things He has brought you out of, and the things He’s yet to do in your life.  Taking time to sit quietly so you can hear Him say how precious you are to Him.

•               Take Him with you all day long.  You can have a running conversation with Him throughout your day.  Whatever you are doing or facing, He is right there beside you and wants to help guide and comfort you.

Nothing is more important to God than His relationship with you!  He proved it by sending His only Son to die and pay your sin debt.  He desired you above the most valuable thing He had. We know this is true because God wouldn’t have given His greatest treasure for someone unimportant.

  Today I encourage you to spend some time focusing on your relationship with God.  Make it a priority.  Talk to Him like He is your best friend and confidant.  Take time to listen to the things He is saying to your heart and the words of encouragement He has for you.  Fall in love with Him and watch as your desire for Him changes into such a deep love that you want to spend even more time with Him . . . Not to check it off your daily to do list, but because you get to and not because you have to.  He has made Himself available to you 24/7, do the same for Him!

Today’s scripture reading: 1 John 5:1-3 

He loved first

“We love Him because He first loved us.”  1 John 4:19

This is one of the first verses I learned as a small child. Of course, I couldn’t begin to understand it.  Since then, my understanding has been opened some and I’d like to share that with you.  I will start by reversing the two thoughts so I can focus on the “He loved me” part first.  He loved me first, that’s why I love Him.  Here’s the thing . . . God made creation (heaven and earth), then He made people.  As beautiful as all of creation was, He didn’t “love” it.  Even though creation came out of the heart of God the only part of it that He loves is people.  It is a connection that could only be experienced with someone created in His own image.  He loved people from the very beginning.  They are His greatest creation.  Every time He looks at one of us, He remembers the love He had when He first created people and that continues to flow down through the generations until it reaches to me and you. 

That is why He made a way for us to get back to Him after the first people (Adam and Eve) became separated from Him.  He wanted to get us all back but couldn’t just rush in and take us because He created us to be free.  It had to be our choice, otherwise He would be taking many prisoners.

The first part of the verse says, “We love Him”.  It really seems to fall short.  Yes, we love Him, but do we really know what it means and how to let Him know?  Of course, when we accept Jesus and give our life to Him, we make ourselves available to connect heaven to earth in our prayers.  However, do we really love, worship and adore Him?  Do we spend time pressing in and letting Him know He is the most important part of our lives?  Do we give Him a special place in each day?  Are we willing to surrender every area of our heart completely to give Him top priority?  Because He is God and we are not, our love will always pale compared to His, but we still have the ability to love Him with everything within us.  That’s where we need to start!

Today I want to encourage you to meditate on the thought of “Do I really love God?”  Then continue by asking the question, “How do I show Him I love Him?”  Then after a brief examination of your heart toward God, just start by telling Him.  “I love you, my Father in heaven, because you loved me first with such a great and wonderful love!  You are such a good God and Father!”  Today, allow your heart to become filled up with all the fullness of His goodness! (Eph. 3:19)

Today’s scripture reading: 1 John 4:17-21

God’s perfect love

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect (complete) in love.”  1 John 4:18

Here is where we need to focus in these times of uncertainty.  The unchanging love of God! This scripture in 1 John says that God’s perfect love casts out or chases fear away. Glory to God!  Yesterday we talked about verse 17 that says when God’s love has been perfected or made complete in us, we will have boldness in the day of crisis.  The rest of this chapter goes on to say that we are to imitate His love in this world with that boldness, so those around us can be made complete by His love also. 

Below is the passage in 1 Corinthians 13 that shows us just what the God kind of love looks like.  I want to take that scripture now and replace the word love with God your Heavenly Father instead, because 1 John 4:8 says God is (=) love. By changing the word love into God, we can see how to imitate/show this great love to others.

God, my Father (love) is long-suffering and He is kind.

God, my Father (love) does not envy and He does not parade Himself around in pride

God, my Father (love) is not puffed up and does not behave rudely.

God, my Father (love) does not seek His own (glory) and is not provoked to do evil.

God, my Father (love) thinks no evil.

God, my Father (love) does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth of His Word.

God, my Father (love) bears all things and believes all things.

God, my Father (love) hopes all things and endures all things.

God, my Father (love) never fails

Today I want to encourage you to cast out fear by turning all your heart toward God’s unconditional love.  Get to know Him more personally by spending time with Him and filling your life up with the knowledge of His great love for you. Get rid of every “weight” that tries to hold you back from receiving all the love He has for you. Know that God has a purpose for your life in this time.  Then reach out to others and help them get rid of their fear, too.  Become more patient and kind, don’t be envious and boastful or prideful.  Get rid of rude behavior and stop seeking your own glory.  Don’t be provoked or stirred up by evil thinking.  Quit rejoicing in iniquity (the world’s view) and start rejoicing in the truth of God’s Word.  Be strengthened to bear, believe, hope and endure all things and take on a love for others that never fails.  Lastly, make an impact in the lives of those around you by loving them with this great love that God has given you to share!

Today’s Scripture reading:  1 Corinthians 13:4-8

In this world?

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.  1 John 4:17

I struggle with this verse.  We have boldness on judgement day because as He is, so are we.  I’m ok with that.  One day when I stand before God, Jesus will step in and be my advocate/representative.  Wait a minute.  He’s my advocate now, right?  We read back in 1 John 2:1 that Jesus is our advocate before the Father right now.  So again, I can totally believe this.  My issue comes with the last part that says. . . so are we in this world.  I’m not like Him in this world.  I’m not perfect, I’m not sinless and I’m not glorified.  Yet, His love was perfected in me at the point of my salvation.  Also, according to Ephesians 5:5 & 6 I was raised up together with Him and sit together with Him in heavenly places.  So, why is it so hard for me to grasp that I am like Him in this world?  I have the same Holy Spirit living on the inside of me.  I have the same Heavenly Father that He has.

I guess it comes down to the fact that I still don’t see me the way He sees me.  I still look at all my inadequacies.  I still see all my imperfections and I still know all my selfish ways.  But that’s not what my Father sees.  He sees me redeemed, He sees me loved and He sees me made new.  If one of us has the wrong view, I’m pretty sure it’s me. 

Here’s my solution.  I am learning to look at myself from my Heavenly Father’s perspective.  First of all, when my Heavenly Father looks at me, He sees someone that He gave His only Son to die for.  That makes me precious in His eyes.  Next, He sees me as someone raised up with Christ Jesus as a brand new creation. That means I’m seated next to Him in heavenly places. Then He sees me as His own dear child that He protects and nurtures.  Therefore, He doesn’t let anyone say or think anything evil of me.  The bottom line?  I guess it is true, as Jesus is a precious, raised up and sitting in heavenly places child of God, so am I.  Even in this world!

Today I want to encourage you to take time to look at yourself the way God does.  Begin to renew your mind to who you have become now that you are in Christ Jesus.  Look for scriptures on who you are now that you are in the body of Christ and ask your Heavenly Father to show you something new each day about who you are to Him personally.  He is not some far away Father that has gone off on a long business trip.  He is here every day with you, and He wants you to know just how precious you really are to Him.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 John 4:17-19