In 1 John 5:14 the apostle writes: “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.”This verse is about prayer. I invite you to notice four words: “according to his will.” John is providing a direct instruction about prayer. He is telling … Continue reading If we ask anything according to his will
The Up Devo
Following it helps, neglecting it hurts
Let’s say you take some illegal drugs (I hope you don’t be the way, but just hear me out). Let’s say you take some illegal drugs and then ask God to bless your experience. Would you then think that God was bad or negligent if he didn’t bless it? Of course not. After all, you’re … Continue reading Following it helps, neglecting it hurts
Your three enemies and overcoming the world
“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5)In these verses, John introduces the idea of “overcoming the world.” What … Continue reading Your three enemies and overcoming the world
And his commandments are not burdensome
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3).Did the apostle John just say that keeping God’s commandments are “not burdensome”? Some of them, sure. But all of them?Friends, hear this: The closer you get to God, the less burdensome his commandments become.Something … Continue reading And his commandments are not burdensome
When following God’s commands feels difficult
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments” (1 John 5:3).What if I told you that you had to climb a steep mountain. It would be difficult and take several hours. You probably wouldn’t want to do it.But what if I then told you that when you got to the top … Continue reading When following God’s commands feels difficult
The virtue nobody wants
John Ortberg writes: “Obedience has become the virtue that nobody wants.”*What does he mean?The apostle Peter says that to “make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue” (2 Peter 1:5). Patience is a virtue, as we often hear. So is kindness. So is loyalty. But many people find obedience a tougher pill to swallow.Perhaps … Continue reading The virtue nobody wants
Loving people when you don’t “feel” very loving
We’ve been spending some time thinking about love. Makes sense. After all, it comes up in the Bible—a lot.Truth is critical. So is doctrine. Related to these is love. It is an outward expression of the faith that God has given to us.Today I want to share a word of encouragement to those who don’t … Continue reading Loving people when you don’t “feel” very loving
Even if I could multiply myself a thousand times
“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him” (1 John 4:9).Autumn is a time of gratitude. The leaves on the trees are beautiful. We sing “Great is thy faithfulness” and remind ourselves about the good people … Continue reading Even if I could multiply myself a thousand times
God is love?
“Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8).This is a famous verse. It’s inspiring. It’s also a verse that is frequently abused. Some people use it to justify any behaviour they want, including ideas or actions which directly contradict God’s own teachings. To them, “God is love” means … Continue reading God is love?
Prioritizing what Jesus prioritizes
In the previous devotional we talked about “distracted living.” Just how someone can become a “distracted driver” when behind the wheel, we can lose our focus about what and who matters most in life.As the people of God, it can be helpful to think deliberately about this with the following question: Am I prioritizing what … Continue reading Prioritizing what Jesus prioritizes
