Category: Bible Reading & Meditation
“And this is how we know that He remains in us: from the Spirit that He gave us.” –1 John 3:24 At the Christmas season, we celebrate not only Immanuel, “God with us” but also God within us. “Those who keep His commandments remain in Him and He in them” (1 Jn 3:24; see also 1 Jn 4:16; 5:20; Jn 14:20; 6:56; 17:23). Christ in us is our “hope of glory” (Col 1:27). However, “perhaps you yourselves do not realize that Christ Jesus is in you” (2 Cor 13:5). “This is how we know that He remains in us: from...
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“Rise up in splendor! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you.” –Isaiah 60:1 On every Epiphany, the Lord commands us to “rise up in splendor,” to put the light of our lives in Christ on the lampstand to give light to all in darkness (see Lk 8:16). We must let our “little light shine” and let the world know the true message of Christmas – that Jesus became a human being, was born, died on a cross, and rose from the dead to save us. Before we rise up, we must see two things. First,...
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“I have written you these things about those who try to deceive you.” –1 John 2:26 “Who is the liar?” (1 Jn 2:22) Satan is “the father of lies…the truth is not in him” (Jn 8:44). Our secular culture believes the lies Satan is constantly feeding them: You won’t go to hell; there is no hell. In fact there is no sin. If it feels good, do it. Sexual acts outside of marriage are not a sin; everyone does them. Marriage is not just between one man and one woman and “same-sex” marriage is legal, therefore, it’s not sinful and...
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“When the designated time had come, God sent forth His Son born of a woman, born under the law, to deliver from the law those who were subjected to it, so that we might receive our status as adopted sons.” –Galatians 4:4-5 We began the Christmas season celebrating Jesus’ birth. On this eighth day of Christmas, we celebrate His conception, that is, the conception of God. To express the reality of His conception, God’s Incarnation, we speak of Mary as the mother of God. This states that God really and permanently became a human being. He did not merely inhabit...
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“Children, it is the final hour.” –1 John 2:18 On this last day of the year, the Church declares that God the Father is warning His children that “it is the final hour.” Many antichrists have appeared and are appearing (1 Jn 2:18). The ultimate Antichrist may even be alive and close to his temporary takeover of the world (see 2 Thes 2:3ff). As deceptive and powerful as these antichrists are, we who have given our lives to Jesus have no reason to be afraid. We “have the anointing that comes from the Holy One, so that all knowledge is”...
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