The Daily Dose

Love not the world

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15

This is a straightforward direction from the Apostle John.  He says don’t love the world or the things in it.  Sounds pretty simple and self explanatory, but what does it really mean to “love” the world?  Obviously it not a physical love but it is a love for physical things. 

When I read this verse, it makes me think of Lot’s wife when they were being rushed out of the city of Sodom before it was destroyed.  She had such a love for that place that she couldn’t stop looking at it.  Even after being warned not to look back, she could not resist because that is where her heart was. (Genesis 19)

It is the same way with us today.  If the things of the world are what hold our heart, that is where our love will be also.  Verse 16 actually tells us what the love for the world is.  It says the lust of the flesh (wanting your own way), the lust of the eyes (wanting everything you see) and the pride of life (wanting to be or appear to be important).  What it all boils down to is if we go through this life preoccupied with selfishness, we are only thinking about what the world has to offer “me” instead of what I have to offer the world. That is a Savior.

Today I want to encourage you to examine your heart and the intentions of it.  Are you living only to satisfy the desires of your heart?  Or are you seeking first the Kingdom of God and those He desires for you to help in this life.  If you have in the past thought that life was all about hanging on and getting through the best you can, the good news is that can change today.  Have a change of heart right now and turn your desires over to God and ask Him for a fresh start.  Begin to commit each day to Him and ask Him to bring people into your life that you can help and encourage in some way.  Then when people do come your way, don’t walk by them, stop and offer God’s love and a helping hand.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 John 2:12-17

Let them have the best of us

Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment—to love one another—is the same message you heard before.  1 John 2:7

Love one another.  Sounds simple right?  Though walking in love can be one of the most difficult things about life.  Since God is love, walking in His love is how we show God to the world and to other believers for that matter. 

Today’s scripture says that loving one another is a command not a suggestion.  Jesus gave the command to love one another in John chapter 15 when He was giving His final message to the disciples before He went to the cross.  He told them to love each other the way He loved them.  In this way they were different than the rest of the world.  Because God is love, love is how the world sees God in us and sees that we are different from everyone else in the world.

Today’s world is so far from love.  Everywhere you go you find attitude and stress.  Everyone is so angry and determined to have things their own way.  The world seems preoccupied with not letting anyone get the “best” of them, literally.  People are so set on getting their own way, they don’t care who they have to step on to get it.  Take a look around the next time you are in a public place, you can see and hear the hearts far from love.

Love is our calling.  We are the example of love to the world.  We are the ones who go out of our way to let someone know we care about them.  In showing our love for them, we show God’s love for them.  Love is our greatest witness with the best results.  Simply a kind word or gesture can be all it takes for someone to turn their attention in the direction of God’s goodness.  It can be as simple as that. 

Today I want to encourage us all to put away our bent toward self and look for others to bless.  Ask God to put someone on your heart that needs love and encouragement today and then reach out to them in some way.  Ask the LORD to help you recognize when someone crosses your path that may need a word of kindness or even some help in a financial way.  Determine to make your life count for others by setting a goal to touch at least one life a day in some way for the kingdom of Heaven.  You will feel a sense of purpose and fulfillment in your life that you have never had before.  Let’s let the world have the “best” of us in the love of God today.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 John 2:7-11

Walk like Jesus

He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.  1 John 2:6

Walk like Jesus?  Is that even possible?  Jesus set the example for us, and although He set the bar high, it doesn’t mean that we see it as an unattainable goal.  It is not a goal to walk through life perfect and without flaw, it is to keep His word and have the love of God perfected in us.

I like how this passage says that we know Him if we keep His commandments, but then it goes on to say in verse 5 that we keep His word.  This is possible to accomplish because the word of God has made provision for our failures and short comings.  For example, as we talked about a couple of days ago, when we confess our sin to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)  The word of God/scripture does not demand perfection from us, it simply allows us to line up with it continuously.  When we fall down, we look back to Jesus and our salvation and He picks us up and leads us back to the place of right standing with God in Him.

Keeping His word is part of our personal relationship with Him.  In keeping His word, we must first know it or be able to hear His voice on the inside reminding us of it.  It also guides us closer to Him as we know more of it.  Imagine a relationship you have in this world with a close friend.  The closeness of that relationship is based on the words you share with each other.  If you never talk to one another, you do not have a close relationship.  Think about a close relationship you had in the past but have lost contact with that person.  You no longer have a close friendship because you do not speak to one another anymore.

It’s the same way with our relationship with Jesus.  By talking to and spending time with Him, we become closer to Him each time we focus on that relationship.  This is what today’s verse is referring to when it says abide in Him.  It means to hang out there often or live there.  If you live with Jesus, you are going to live like Jesus.

Today I want to encourage you to live with Jesus.  Set quiet time aside with Him each day and get to know His ways and His word better.  Take Him with you all day long and remember He is there when you need help.  Then walk His ways out in your daily life and draw others to Him through your walk of love and compassion.  Jesus is the answer to any problem and in if we walk our life the way He walked His, we can be too.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 John 2:3-6

Know Him personally

And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.  1 John 2:2

Propitiation!  It means to satisfy a debt.  In this case it means God pour out His wrath on Jesus in our place to satisfy the debt of our sin.  It’s a very sobering thought.  Jesus took our punishment and I am so thankful He did.  I can’t even make myself imagine that I would have had to pay this debt and take this punishment had I not accepted Jesus sacrifice to take it for me.  However, He didn’t do it just for me and you, this scripture says He did it for the whole world.  How does that work?  If He did it for the whole world, does that mean the whole world is automatically saved?  No, it is a personal choice. If fact verse 1 says that John is writing this letter so that the readers will not sin, but if they do, Jesus will stand in on their behalf in front of God to represent them. He does this through His own sacrifice.  In other words, Jesus is standing between us and God the father as a reminder that He paid our sin debt . . . past, present and even the sin we haven’t done yet.  Then in verse three it says that keeping His commandments is evidence that we know Him personally.

So that’s the key!  Even though Jesus died for the sin of the whole world as verse 2 says, the rest of the passage says that we have to know Him personally in order for Him to be our advocate (means He stands in our place or pleads our case for us)  Jesus Himself said in Matthew 7:23 – And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’  Those who said they did good things in Jesus name, He says He never knew them (personally). 

Knowing Jesus personally is the most important relationship you have in life.  It makes sense that you spend time cultivating and growing that relationship.  It is not just by going to church and doing good works although those are important.  It is spending time talking with Him, Listening to His leading and quiet voice inside your heart.  Reading His Word and getting to know His character and His way of living life.  This is where your focus and time should be directed.  We should run to Jesus every opportunity we get and press into Him as if our eternity depends on it, because it does.

Today I want to encourage you to know Christ Jesus personally.  If you have never received Him as you personal Lord and Savior who paid the penalty for your sin, do it today.  Then focus on developing a close relationship with Him by spending time reading the Word and talking with Him.  Take time to listen if He is speaking to your heart about anything and ask for clear direction if there is anything you need to be doing to promote Kingdom of Heaven progress here in the world.  The truth is, you can be as close to Him as you want to be just by spending more time getting to know Him.  Make Him the priority instead of your other pass times.  Choose to acknowledge Him in all your ways, then He will begin to direct you in every decision you make.

Pray a prayer like this to receive Jesus as your Lord today: God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive me for my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new.  I know you Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him form the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  Thank you, Jesus for Your grace that has saved me from my sin and has given me eternal life.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father. I also ask for Your Holy Spirit to guide and empower me to do the things that You have planned for my life in Jesus name, Amen

Today’s scripture reading: 1 John 2:1-2

He cleanses us

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9

I blew it again.  How many times am I going to mess this thing up?  Just when I think I really got a handle on things; I go and do something stupid or have a rotten attitude.  I really want to honor God in all I say and do, but inevitably something comes along to knock me off track and I get caught up in some selfish behavior.  The biggest dilemma of all this is now it’s too late to give God my first and best response.  Or is it?

Have you ever felt this way?  Have you ever been disappointed in yourself and your attitudes?  The fact is that none of us are perfect and because we live in this fallen world, at some time or another we are always going to blow it in some way.  However, it doesn’t mean that we cannot still give God our first and best response.  Let me explain what I mean.  I said to God, “Heavenly Father, I know I have blown it again.  I know my attitude is wrong and I repent and change my words and thoughts now to come in line with You.  But now it is too late to give you my first and best response to this issue.”  Then the Lord showed me that my repentant heart gives me a clean slate.  I have confessed that I did wrong and then turned away from that direction of a bad attitude and selfishness and turned back in the direction of God’s way and His grace.  Now I have a new chance to give God the first and best response to my circumstance because He has cleansed me from all unrighteousness.  It’s a fresh start, a do-over!  Glory to God!  He is so wonderful and gracious!

Now my response is, “Lord, this is not the ideal situation, I had something totally different in mind for today, but I give these circumstances to you and trust that you will work them altogether for good and keep me on track for the day just as you have so many times before.  You, Father, are so faithful, and I know I can trust you with everything that comes my way.”  His answer . . . A resounding “Yes!”  My first and best attitude and response along with trusting Him to handle my concern has given Him an entrance into the issue and now He turns it all around for good!  Thank You Father!

Today I want to encourage you to give God your first and best response in everything that comes your way.  When an unexpected situation comes along, turn it over immediately to your Heavenly Father and trust Him to handle it.  Let Him know you trust Him and believe that it will all work out.  Even when you forget and start stressing and having a bad attitude, know that you are just one step away from getting your “do over”.  Simply repent, turn back to God, He will cleanse you from all that unrighteousness, and now you can give Him your first and best!!

Today’s scripture reading:  1 John 1:5-10

Filled up with joy

And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.  1 John 1:4

This is a good word.  I have read over this passage several times because I want to capture the heart of John and the joy he is expressing in this passage.  Because of the translation of this passage, it may not be evident at first how excited the apostle John is to give this news.  He repeats the idea twice to stress how amazing it is that God came to earth in human form.  To be see, heard and handled by John, the other disciples and many others who were around at the time.  It’s almost as if he is trying to convince himself again that it actually happened.  John is writing this book in his later years in life and he is writing to the Christians and it is believed that they would circulate his letters to as many different cities as possible so all the believers could be encouraged by his words.  He wants them to recognize that the fact that Jesus, who was here in the world and bridged the gap to God the Father in heaven, is still good news.  He says that he is writing this reminder to them so that they can be filled up with joy.  He doesn’t want them to be worried, sad or anxious, he wants them to be full of joy, like a celebration.  He has a message for them, but he is starting this message with a preface to rejoice and get ready to be encouraged because he is going to be sharing more good news with them.

Throughout 1 John, he warns of false teachers and also gives us solid evidence as assurance of their salvation.  The message is still circulating today.  God has protected this message over the years so we too could be encouraged.  We can rejoice that we have fellowship with Christ Jesus and God our Heavenly Father because of the Word of life that came to this world in God’s only begotten Son.  What an amazing gift!  Not only did He bring salvation through the payment for our debt of sin, He brought fellowship/communion for us to be able to come into the presence of God, our heavenly Father.  This is definitely something to be full of joy about and yet how often we let the thought of it slip right by with never a “thank you” or worshiping Him because of this great gift.

Today, I want to encourage you to rejoice at the fact that the Word of life came in the flesh to deliver, save and fellowship with us.  He desires that all would come to the Father through Him.  Take time today to be thankful and worshipful.  Honor our Heavenly Father because of our LORD Jesus Christ who became the first born of many brethren.  That’s us!

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

Make a plan

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Ephesians 5:15-16

Putting it all together:  Below is the list of the 5 points to optimize life in this world.  These are a starting point for how to plan to make your life count.  As discussed, we only have a short time here in this world and if we make a plan and stick to it, we can maximize our effectiveness and our enjoyment of the entire process.  Even if you are later in life as I am, start today.  God can still make your life matter for eternity and everything you have gone through so far has equipped you for what is to come.

1. Enjoy each day
2. Be led by the Spirit of God
3. Put a plan in place to turn bad/low energy days around
4. Ask others for help (bear one another’s burdens)
5. Invite others to walk through life with you

Today I want to encourage you by saying, you may not always have time or think of these items in your daily routine but do your best to make time.  Start today to incorporate them into you schedule and live each day on purpose.  Become intentional in your life walk and make the most of every moment.  Begin to recognize the time that you can use more productively and pray for the energy and desire to do so.  You are not alone in this, you have the deposit of God on the inside of you in the Holy Spirit. You also have other encouraging believers that will propel you into all that God has for you in this world as you open up your life to them.

Today’s scripture reading: Ephesians 5:8-21

Give an invitation

Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?”  They said to Him, “Rabbi, where are You staying?”  He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day. John 1:38-39

Point #5                                  Invite others into your life

Jesus is our greatest example of inviting others to walk through life with Him.  He started out with just a few, but His ministry grew to where He had hundreds of people walking with Him each day.  They all didn’t work in His ministry, but He never turned anyone away.  We can learn a great deal from His leadership model, but the biggest thing is that He invited others to walk through life with Him.

Life looks quite a bit different today than it did in Jesus day.  However, we can still invite others into our lives.  I’m not talking about social media or some kind of internet connection, I’m talking about inviting others to walk through life with you.  We get so caught up in our own little world with work and family, that we don’t make time for connecting with others that may not have the support of family and friends.

One of the easiest ways to make connections with other Christians is in small groups.  Whether It’s a spiritual study or a fun activity, small groups are an excellent way to invite others into your life.  This is exactly what Jesus did.  He started with a small group of believers that He met with regularly and they brought others with them to meet Him.  In doing this, the outreach is endless.

You can also invite others into your life by bringing them to church with you or even taking them to a concert or other activity that you have going on in life.  The bottom line is, keep an eye out for those who don’t have anyone or who are looking to connect with a group or others for support and friendship.  Then invite them to join your life and be there for them when they need encouragement or a helping hand.

Today I want to encourage you to invite others into your life.  The truth is that God designed us to be an outreach to those who are alone and disconnected.  We are in one of the greatest times of disconnect the world has ever seen.  Invite someone to connect with you this week.  Make it a practice to invite someone new into your life each week or month.  It doesn’t matter how often, but ask God to bring those your way that may be searching.  Even if they don’t know it, you could be the one that saves them from destruction.

Today’s scripture reading: John 1:35-51

Humble yourself

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

Point #4                                  Ask for help

This is something I’m not good at, asking for help.  I like to think I can handle everything on my own.  Do you know anyone like that, or maybe you are someone like that?  I often think I can bear down and ride out the storm and no one needs to be the wiser.  I don’t want to bother anyone with my problems, people have enough trouble of their own without having to take on my issues too.  Sometimes I avoid asking for help because I don’t want to admit that I’m struggling.  I want everyone to think I’ve got it all together, but the truth is, my pride is in full swing, and I am about to crash and burn.  Sure, I go to God for help.  It isn’t difficult to admit I’m loosing to God, He already knows everything.  However, I am learning that going to God alone isn’t all that He has planned.

The truth is that needing others to get through life has always been a part of God’s plan.  From the very beginning He said, “It’s not good for man/people to be alone.”  First, He set up families, then governments and now the church.  These organisms are the divine plan for creation and ultimately God’s will for all His people.  In God’s perfect world all of His family works together and walks through life together, helping each other through.

Today’s verse is about bearing each other’s burdens.  In isolating yourself and trying to carry your trouble alone, you are opening yourself up to a fall.  Whether great or small, it is a path to stay far from.  Even if you do not fall into sin, you are headed for failure and disappointment.  Moses faced this battle in the wilderness.  After he led God’s people out of Egypt, he let the burden of leading the people fall completely on him.  Soon he found out he could not keep up on his own.  Instead of being prideful and not wanting to look like he couldn’t handle his mission in life, his father-in-law helped him to see that all the people around him could help with the mission because it was God’s mission (Exodus 18) 

In reality, asking others for help ends up blessing them.  In Moses’ case, the people felt included and became part of the solution.  In your case, it may be different, but the results will be that people will want to help, provided you are not pulling on them constantly to take care of life for you.  No, this is a balance.  Make every effort to be there for others as much if not more than you are looking to others for help.  We all help each other out, everyone doing their part in that way every piece will fit into one body, the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-31)

Today I want to encourage you to ask others for help.  Humble yourself and submit your concerns to others for advice, wisdom and comfort.  Not all the time, but when you are in a struggle, reach out to others and at minimum ask for prayer.  Then look for opportunities to bear others burdens when they are weak and unable to handle life’s pressure.  Be an encouragement and always look for ways that you can bless others.  In doing so, you will be blessed, and others will want to be there when you need a helping hand.

Today’s scripture reading: Exodus 18

August 2, 2020                                     Make a plan

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?  Hope in God;  For I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.  Psalms 43:5

Point #3                                                 Plan for bad days

As I was preparing to write today’s dose, ironically, I had a bad day.  Even though I knew that bad days come sometimes, I didn’t have a plan in place.  Oh, nothing bad happened, but I was having an internal struggle.  Have you ever had days like that?  Days when your energy level was so low and your motivation to move forward was zero?  Days when there was nothing wrong, but you still felt uneasy and uninspired?  These days will inevitably come, so the best way to combat them is to have a plan ahead of time.

I actually googled planning for a bad day and came up with some good suggestions.  It seems that even the world recognizes that you can plan for “bad” days.  The suggestion were such things as: Start the day by eating something great because food is a huge part of who you are and how you feel.  Listen to your best “pump me up” music.  Make a plan to do something you love.  Do something to make progress, however small. Over-share gratitude. 

While these are good suggestions, and certainly you can use these in your plan, I believe the best way is in today’s scripture.  The psalmist says when you are feeling down and uneasy the first thing to do is hope in the God.  Psalms 46:1 says God is our refuge and strength and a very present help in time of trouble.  God is the first place to go on a bad day.  The truth is, God should be the first place we go every day and may avert many bad days if this is daily planned into your schedule.  Set aside a time each morning before you are immersed into your day to sit quietly with God to rejuvenate and generate inspiration for the day. 

The next thing today’s verse says to do is praise God.  Whether its in the form of a song or in being thankful, offer to God the sacrifice of praise.  The sacrifice is in the offering when you are not quite feeling it, but by faith, you are thankful and recognize the help and protection God has given you in the past and present time. Hebrews 13:15 & 16 says Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual the sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.  The sacrifice of praise and doing good for others. These “sacrifices” take your focus off of you and whatever is troubling you at the time.  This is good advice. 

Lastly, the psalmist says that God is the help of our countenance.  It means He lifts us up.  This is when it is good to have a list of “God” confessions for make over yourself.  Remind yourself of how God sees you in Christ Jesus.  Things like:

I am more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37)

He always causes me to triumph (2 Corinthians 2:14) 

I am filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) 

I have been adopted and now have the relationship with God as His child (Romans 8:17) 

God hears my prayers and answers them (John 5:15)   

He will never leave me or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5) 

Jesus loves me in spite of my failures and sins (John 3:16) 

God will meet every need I have according to the extent of His riches (Philippians 4:19)      

The list is endless and you can make your own declarations that are appropriate for what you are feeling that day.  The point is, see yourself as God sees you not as the world does.

Today I want to encourage you to make a plan for the days you are feeling down.  Writing down the things you want to accomplish the night before is a good way to start.  Make a list of goals for the next day, and then pray God’s strength and inspirations over that list.  Then, each day when you get up, have that quiet time with God to: Hope in God, praise God and confess the good things of God over yourself and your day.  Then take a scripture or confession with you throughout the day and speak it out loud every time those feelings of doubt and discouragement come.  Let God and His Word be the help of your countenance. Having a plan will shorten and eliminate bad days from coming at all.

Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 43