Before you begin today’s reading and reflection, take a few minutes to create or find a “sacred space”. If you’re in your room, make yourself a small space with as few distractions as possible. Put aside any books, music, magazines; turn off your phone; get away from your email/facebook; turn off your music; etc.

Now, pull out your Bible, and as you take some deep breaths, pray this short prayer: “Lord, help me be still and listen to your voice now and throughout this day and the next. Amen.”

(You can choose to read the whole chapter, or just the passage that is shown)

 

¹² I am writing to you, little children,
because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake.
¹³ I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, children,
because you know the Father.
¹⁴ I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God abides in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.

¹⁵Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. ¹⁷The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

 

Reflection

1. Chapter at a Glance: John wrote to encourage them not to sin. When anyone does sin they have Jesus as a go-between for them and the Father. They have known the truth from the beginning as they became Christians and the false teachers are not of the truth. Love is a motivating force for Christians. There is a common source for their temptations and it is worldly and of their flesh.
2. The “world” in this passage refers to the value system and perceptions expressed in the culture of a sinful world.  John pointed out the roots of every human society are in the selfish cravings of man, in the tendency to greedily desire the materialistic things he sees, and in man’s drive for self-importance.  Each of these is antagonistic to God.
3. It is easy to become self-centered and drawn away from God by the glamour of sensuality, status, and riches that will not last.  Those who remain faithful with God will live forever.  The author reminds us that we must choose; we can have only one master.
4. Use this hymn to express your desire for the Lord.  Look into the Lord’s eyes, sing slowly.  Pause at every sentence.  Listen to the Lord’s question: “Is this really your desire”?  Will you answer Him, “Lord, you know, this is indeed my desire, though shallow, feeble, but it’s true”.

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I’d rather be His than have riches untold;

I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands, I’d rather be led by His nail pierced hand.

Than to be a king of a vast domain Or be held in sin’s dread sway,
I’d rather have Jesus than anything This world affords today.

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause; I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than world-wide fame, I’d rather be true to His holy name.

                                                                                                    (by Rhea F. Miller)

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the  “Spiritual Journal” book.

 

Proverbs for Today 29:9-12

⁹ If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
    the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.
¹⁰ Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless
    and seek the life of the upright.
¹¹ A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
    but a wise man quietly holds it back.
¹² If a ruler listens to falsehood,
    all his officials will be wicked.