What is it about our nature that resists being told what to do? Sovereignty dictates autonomy, however ignorance manifests disaster. Yet, we still have a bent toward doing whatever we would like to do rather than have someone else tell us how we must be. But what if we are commanded by God? Are we still as resistant to one who is superior in knowledge and wisdom? Do we have trouble relying upon perfection when it comes to knowing what is best? Today John the apostle continues his thoughts upon the truth, and in his statement he references a directive by God the Father. He wrote in Second John verse four:

I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

There are those within the world who desire to marginalize the directives of God, and they think that their submission will somehow eradicate the commandments of God. They are not successful, nor are their arguments. John the apostle perceived sharing the truth as a commandment from God, and why not? Leading someone in error would prohibit the very core of John’s teaching which is that God loves us and desires to have a relationship with us.

Notice too that John “received” this “commandment”. It was not a suggestion, but a “commandment”. John was to share the truth with anyone he encountered, and particularly this “elect lady” and her children. When Jesus sent His disciples which included John out two by two when He was on the Earth, and He commanded their behavior as recorded in the book of Mark in chapter six and verses seven thru thirteen:

And he called [unto him] the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; And commanded them that they should take nothing for [their] journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in [their] purse: But [be] shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed [them].

Jesus knew people’s needs then, and He knows them now. God knows we are people who need the truth, who are challenged with alternative ways of thought, and that we must know the difference between that which is true and that which is false. For John to share any other way with this “elect lady” would not only prohibit she and her children from having fellowship with God but us as well.

When we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we abandon our proclivity toward sovereignty, and we align ourselves with the omniscience of the Almighty God whose commandments and commanding way are meant for our advancement and not our demise. Paul the apostle wrote it this way in the book of First Corinthians in chapter six and verse twenty:

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Next time we shall take a look at what John has to say to the elect lady about what to do with love, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

There are so many sorrows in the world today. Parents often watch their children involve themselves in activities that they never thought they would. Some are so saddened by the way their children talk, relate and the places they go. As we look at today’s verse found in Second John, we can almost hear the joy in his voice that there are children who rather than get themselves in trouble, they walk in truth. John says in verse four:

I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

John has been writing to this “elect lady” because of his concern that there are those among her who are not walking in truth. His concern is that other venues will present themselves in opposition to the gospel of Jesus Christ which is that God the Father sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins, and there is no way that we can earn salvation. Our salvation was not free. Jesus paid the price for us, and now the only thing left is that we receive this wonderful gift.

In John’s day and in ours, there are those who present other ways to God. There is no other way. Peter the apostle said it this way as recorded in the book of Acts in chapter four and verses ten thru twelve:

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, [even] by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

There is so much error being espoused today, and there are many children who are following after these who present other ways to God. When we as parents watch our children walking in truth, there is no greater joy, and we like John will rejoice greatly at the sight of it.

Today if we have children who are walking away from God and living lives that seem without God, we must come together in prayer and place our children before the Heavenly Father who has given us encouragement through his apostle John that there may be a time of rejoicing about them. May all who read these words be able to join with John in saying my “children walk in truth.”

Next time we will take a look at what John has to say about how truth was a commandment given to him by God, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Gifts are wonderful to receive and many times just as pleasurable to give. However, the manner in which gifts are given can have greater significance than the gift itself. If someone gives us a gift begrudgingly and with and aggravated attitude, the reliability of their sincerity might be in question. When someone gives us a gift with joy and love and their only intention is our pleasure, the measure in which they give the gift it is often remembered far beyond the gift itself. John the apostle shares the manner in which God the Father and His Son Jesus provide three great gifts of which we studied yesterday – Grace, Mercy and Peace. He wrote these words in Second John in verse three:

Grace be with you, mercy, [and] peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

Grace – the unmerited favor of God; Mercy – not getting what we deserve, clemency, and Peace – Peace with God and the Peace of God are mentioned in John’s words to the elect lady and to us. These gifts are freely given by God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, and we can see the manner in which they are given – “in truth and love”. John’s theme of this tiny book is “truth”, so over and over again we shall see him make reference to the truth. There was so much that was false in John’s world, and we can relate because there is so much that is false today. Many people believe they can work themselves into Heaven, and grace refutes that idea. Some think there will be some kind of Divine Scale that measures the good and evil that we have done, but mercy puts all scales aside. Others are never at peace because they wonder constantly whether they will make it into Heaven at all, so they worry and work themselves or obligate themselves to every work that will add “good karma” to their lives. John says, grace, mercy and peace are from God the Father, and no amount of worry or work will ever be able to obtain these gifts that are available for all who will simply receive them.

Notice too that John includes “and love” in this verse. John the apostle is known as the apostle of love. He shares about love in his books over and over again, and now he relates grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ as being given in love. God loves us, and He loves everyone. He desires that everyone receive His gifts, and John knows that there are those around who would divert people from simply receiving grace, mercy and peace. There are people who tell them they must earn these gifts, and if they are “good little boys and girls” they will earn the favor of God. God the Father’s favor is already extended. Oh sure, there are works to do, but they come in response to the wonderful gifts that God has given. Out of realizing and accepting these gifts, we now desire to work, not to earn grace, mercy and peace, but to respond in gratitude for blessings we have received.

As a final example of a response to a gift from Jesus, let us look at the book of the gospel of Luke in chapter seventeen and verses seventeen thru nineteen where Jesus has just cleansed ten lepers from their leprosy:

And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where [are] the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

Let us all take note today of this one leper who showed gratitude for the gift that Jesus gave him. We should simply receive grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ for they are indeed given to us in truth and love.

Next time we will take a look at what John has to say about walking in the truth, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

In the Second book of John, John the apostle has been emphasizing the truth. Error was rampant in his day as it is today, so there was a great need for this aged apostle to address the issues. Truth comes by Jesus Christ, God’s Son, who is the way, the truth and the life. Today in verse three of this tiny book John gives us three benefits to having the truth in his greeting to the elect lady: He wrote:

Grace be with you, mercy, [and] peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

Grace, mercy and peace – what a great combination of attributes John gives us. First, there is grace. The Greek word for grace is “charis” which means “unmerited favor”. “Unmerited favor” comes from God the Father in Jesus Christ. There is no amount of work, efforts, ways or being that can merit the love and favor of God. He freely gives it to all who will receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Paul the apostle wrote about grace in Ephesians chapter two and verses eight and nine. He wrote:

For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

This is what separates Christianity from all the other religions of the world. Other religions have people work for their salvation, and Christianity says, “not of works”, and why? Because people then could boast about their accomplishments, their accolades and their disciplines. John greets the elect lady with “grace be to you” as the beginning of establishing the difference between those who declare that work must be done in order to establish salvation, and Christianity says the work has been done. Jesus said on the cross, “It is finished,” and now those who believe that He finished the work are appropriated “unmerited favor” from God.

Secondly, John greets the elect lady with “mercy”. The Greek word used here is “eleos” which means “clemency”. In other words, not getting what we deserve. There is a penalty for sin – death – and we who have sinned deserve death, however, Jesus Christ came and paid the price for our sins upon the cross. He died in our place, and now when we stand before God, God issues “clemency” for we who deserve to die. We do not get what we deserve when we give our lives to Jesus Christ to be our Savior and Lord. If we have not believed in Jesus, then there is no sacrifice for our sins and judgment will be our fate.

Finally, John greets the elect lady with peace. Peace with God and the peace of God are two of the greatest characteristics we may obtain when we know Jesus. Peace with God insures that our salvation is secure, and when we stand before Him someday the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus will appropriate grace and mercy to us and thereby give us Peace with God. The Peace of God is when we live our lives in a manner of peace. The Greek word “eirene” is used by John and it means “a state of natural tranquility”. No matter what comes along in our lives, we can be at peace within knowing that God has everything under control.

For the life of me, I do not understand why anyone would reject grace, mercy and peace that comes from God the Father thru Jesus Christ. For us, it is the only way to live, and for that matter, it is the only way to die. May all who read these words consider greatly the benefits of knowing Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Next time we shall continue in this verse with thoughts about how these three attributes emanate from God the Father in love and truth, so meditate upon these ideas again, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

When it comes to truth and error, there is as much need to determine which is which today as there was in the time of the disciples. People everywhere were espousing this as being fact or that as being fact, and when Jesus came on the scene there was another way of thought that was introduced. John the apostle is well aware that for every truth there is a counterfeit, and as we study together through the book of Second John, we shall be drawn to what he has to say about truth. He declared a reason for why he was writing about truth in verse two of Second John:

For the truth’s sake, which dwells in us, and shall be with us for ever.

John gives us the reason he is writing to the elect lady and her children, “the truth’s sake”.When our eternal lives are concerned, we would be well advised to be concerned about the truth. What if we were on the wrong path? What if there were other ways of which we were unaware that would lead to fellowship with God? John’s emphasis upon “the truth’s sake” should make us all pay attention. John was one of the closest disciples to Jesus. Even as Jesus was dying upon the cross He entrusted his mother to John. Look at Jesus’ words recorded in the gospel of John in chapter nineteen and verses twenty-six and twenty-seven:

When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own [home].

John knew the truth, and now his purpose is to refute all false doctrine and declare Jesus as being the truth. Jesus Himself declared in the gospel of John in chapter fourteen and verse six:

I am the way, the truth and the life, and no man comes to the Father but by me.

John’s next words in Second John verse two show his belief in this: “which dwells in us”. When a person receives Jesus as their Savior and Lord, He comes to dwell inside of them. Paul the apostle wrote to the church of Colosse in chapter one and verse twenty-seven:

To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Jesus told Nicodemus in the gospel of John in chapter three verse three: “You must be born again.” Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a leader, a religious man, one highly esteemed, and yet Jesus told him the truth “You must be born again.” Jesus says the same words to us today, “you must be born again.” Once we receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord, a rebirth occurs within our spirits, and Christ comes to live inside of us and as John wrote in our verse for today, “and shall be with us for ever.” This is the truth, and John is purposed to be sure those who read his words know it.

The truth that John espouses is that Jesus Christ is come into the world to save sinners. When we who have violated the laws of God receive Jesus into our lives, we have the truth, know the truth, dwell with the truth and have the promise of the truth living within us forever and evermore.

Next time we shall take a look at three attributes of the truth in a welcoming greeting shared by John, so read ahead and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

Just what is the truth? People usually define it by what they perceive truth to be, and only sometimes later find out what they thought was truth, was not. It’s not a lot different today than it was in the days when the Bible was written. The church was in its beginning, and there were itinerant prophets who would go from city to city sharing “truth” with congregations. There was one problem, some of these prophets who “heard a word from the Lord” were false prophets. How were the congregations to know? Was there a way to determine whether a prophet was a false prophet or true one? Today we begin a new book named Second John, and John the apostle helps us to find the answers to these questions and discover ways to reveal false prophets. We read in Second John in verse one:

The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

Notice first that John calls himself “the elder”. Once again John is writing this book somewhere around the time he is ninety years old. He has experience. He knows the different schemes and lies that roaming at this time, and now he addresses “the elect lady and her children.” It is not really known as to who this “elect lady” is. Some think it could have been someone John knew personally. Others believe it is a direct reference to Jerusalem or the church, but whomever it may be we can put ourselves in her place and listen to what John has to say.

John emphasizes his love to the one addressed and attaches “in the truth” to his love, and therefore we begin our theme for this book. Then John reenforces his words with other witnesses. John says “not only I but also all they that have known the truth;” The Bible is very clear about having two or three witnesses whenever something is proclaimed. In Jesus’ discourse on the subject of forgiveness he said in the book of Matthew in chapter eighteen and verse sixteen:

But if he will not hear [you, then] take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

John uses this idea to present the truth to “the elect lady and her children.” Notice with me as we begin this book once again: John establishes his credentials; John addresses this woman and her children; John expresses his love in truth for her; and John shares that there are witnesses who also have known the truth that he will discuss with her.

For us today, we might with anticipation be closely observing just what John the apostle has to say to us about truth. With the variety of religions and ways of thought available today, it is important that we know how to distinguish truth from error. There is one proverb that comes to mind as we study this book together. It is found in the book of Proverbs in chapter fourteen and verse twelve:

There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.

That which is offered to us today may “seem” right, but could be leading to “the ways of death”. May we learn from John the apostle the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth as we study his words.

Next time we shall take a look at why we should know the truth, so read ahead and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

For months now we have been studying together through the book of First John. John the apostle has been sharing with us how much God the Heavenly Father loves us. He has shared about the sacrifice that God has made by sending His Son Jesus to pay the price for our sins by dying on the cross, and He has shown us the provision for fellowship with Him that He has made for us because of this sacrifice. John has given us a charge to love one another and how to be overcomers in the world. Now John brings us to the final words in His wonderful love letter to us which are found in First John chapter five and verse twenty-one. He wrote:

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen

Upon first glance we notice once again how this endearing disciple of Jesus named John is using the title of “Little children” for his readers. If you will recall, John is some ninety years old when he wrote this book, and to him almost everyone is like a little child. We see once again his compassion as a spiritual father to give instruction to his young ones, and his instruction seems to come from out of left field, a different line of thinking, or from somewhere out of the blue. Yet, upon much thought, John’s final words align perfectly with the rest of his book.

“Keep yourselves from idols.” Why would John end his book by saying, “Keep yourselves from idols”? The answer may be found in defining what an idol is: An idol is anything, let me repeat, anything that we place in front of, give allegiance to, or devote ourselves to more than God. Anytime we have anything in our lives that takes precedent over our fellowship and relationship with God, we in effect have an idol. Oh today there are not very many in America that have small images made of metals or wood to which they bow down, but there may be activities or relationships which occupy our time, require our money and expect our mental and emotional energy. Some of these relationships or activities may be sinful, however, some of these may be good in and of themselves but have replaced God in our lives. For example, spending time with one’s family is very important, however, if family activities have taken precedent over spending time with God, this may become an idol. Idols replace God in our lives, and we must keep ourselves from idols in order to keep ourselves in fellowship with God. No wonder John ended this fascinating book with the idea of keeping ourselves from idols. All through his book John has been emphasizing how much God desires fellowship with us, and if we have anything that becomes a barrier to that fellowship, we should keep ourselves from it or them.

The natural tendency within all of us is to find activities and relationships that draw us away from our time with God. Maybe we should take some time to examine ourselves in this area. Let’s start with a few questions, and maybe there will be others that may be asked. “What relationships are in our lives right now that occupy much of our time?” “Are there activities to which we find ourselves so involved that we cannot find time to spend with God in prayer or Bible reading?” “Do we find time for reading this periodical or that book, but find little space for worshiping God or meditating on His word?” “How much time do we spend watching television shows or going to activities other than church?” “When we awake in the morning and all through the day, what is the primary topic upon our minds?” That should be enough to get us started, and certainly there is enough to think about with those questions alone.

John wrote, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols”, and then ended with “amen” which is “So Be It”. May we all meditate upon John’s final charge and find ourselves so in love with our Heavenly Father and Jesus that nothing takes precedent over spending time with them.

Next time we shall begin a new book, Second John, and we will take a look at what John says about “truth”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

They stood over his bed watching as one by one each breath was more and more difficult to take. With a rising chest and a gargling noise in his throat, it seemed as if life just hung on and hung on. When would he take his last? When would be the final moment when the disease would win? When would his pain be over and his body finally be at rest? And then, the ultimate question, will he continue to live? Is there life eternal, and if there is, how do we know it? John the apostle has been helping us with these last few questions in his words written in First John chapter five and verse twenty: He wrote:

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, [even] in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

Yesterday we learned that those who receive Jesus as Lord and Savior have been given an understanding that Jesus Christ is God and in Him is Eternal Life. Let’s look even further into this idea of eternal life and John’s concern for us knowing about it. Jesus said in the gospel of John chapter seventeen and verse three:

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

If we desire eternal life, we must know the only true God and Jesus Christ. John as a caring spiritual father who was so close to Jesus that he was entrusted with His mother has a purpose in writing this book. He desires that we all come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ and that we all obtain eternal life through Him. If it hasn’t been clear enough throughout the first four chapters and nineteen verses of chapter five of John’s book, this verse makes it very clear. Eternal life is found by having a relationship and fellowship with God who is Jesus Christ the one true God.

Death was defeated by Jesus Christ, and because He rose from the grave, now everyone who believes in Him has the promise that they too shall have eternal life. Some day those who care for us may watch us breathe our last, and some may declare, “Well, that’s the end of him or her”. When that time comes, for those of us who know Jesus, we will answer, “Oh no it isn’t. Oh no it isn’t. I’m alive forevermore to be with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Next time we shall take a look at the last verse of this wonderful book and see how John finishes his words, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

There are so many offerings for religion available today. Some say this one, and some say that one. Some declare this way, and others declare that way. How are we to know? Is it a feeling, a revelation or vision? Is it some book or group of ideas that make logical sense? As we close in on John the apostle’s final two verses in his book named First John, John makes it very clear how we can know that we have the true God and who that God is. He wrote in chapter five and verse twenty:

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, [even] in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

From the beginning of this wonderful book, John has been sharing about the first hand knowledge that he has of Jesus. He walked with Him, talked with Him, and knew what it was like to have Him close to his side. Now John ends his book with his knowledge: “we know that the Son of God is come”, and it was for a reason “has given us understanding”. Why? “to know him that is true, and we are in him that is true.” And without exception John declares that this truth is “even in his Son Jesus Christ.”

Let us look at this once more. “given understanding…that we may know him that is true,…and this truth is even in his Son Jesus Christ.” If that isn’t clear enough John adds “This is the true God, and eternal life.” There are no other God’s mentioned. There are no other ways mentioned. Jesus as John quoted Jesus before in the gospel of John in chapter fourteen and verse six:

“I am the way, the truth and the life, and no man comes to the Father but by me.”

Jesus declared there is no other way, truth or life, and John echos it in today’s verse. He wants it clear that the only way to have this understanding is for it to be given by God. In other words, once we acknowledge that Jesus came and receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are given the understanding that Jesus is the truth. John has written this book for this purpose: that all who read his words would come to the truth and accept Jesus for who He is – God.

Next time we shall look further into these last words of John, so continue to read, and we will share together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore

As we draw closer and closer to the end of the apostle’s John’s book named First John, we notice his attention to the idea of wickedness and sin. John draws a distinct difference between those who are of God and those who are of the world. Over and over again John has shared with us that God desires to have fellowship with all who will, but that’s just it, there are many who refuse His invitation. Without receiving the Heavenly Father’s provision of Jesus who paid the price for our sins, we are left to ourselves, and those who reject righteousness will be prone to greater and greater wickedness. John declares this truth in today’s verse found in First John chapter five and verse nineteen. He wrote:

[And] we know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in wickedness.

The immediate question that should come to our minds when we look at this verse is, “Do we know that we are of God?” If our answer is “yes”, what makes us think so? Is it that we are “good” most of the time? Is there some sort of scale on which we measure our deeds to determine whether they are righteous or not? Paul answered these questions for us in the book of Romans in chapter three and verse ten. He wrote:

There is none righteous, no not one.

On our own, at best we will obtain “self-righteousness”, and this righteousness is incomplete. It falls short and is lacking. We must be “of God” having “God’s righteousness” and not that of our own. John says “we know that we are of God”, and the assurance of being His keeps us from the natural bent of sin.

The world, however, John says “lies in wickedness”. If you’re like me, we wonder, “Can this world get any more wicked?” John says, “yes”, it “lies” in wickedness. It is prone to wickedness, and in opposition to the righteousness of God, the world’s natural bent is to grow more and more wicked every day.

The key for us, and for any who may read this, is that we are born of God. Jesus said, “You must be born again.” The rebirth of our spirit that naturally gravitates toward sin must be altared to move toward righteousness. For all who receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord, this rebirth is available. For all who reject Jesus, wickedness lies all around and the natural way will be as Paul wrote in Second Timothy chapter three and verse thirteen:

But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

May we all read these ominous words and take heed to insure our alignment with the provision of being born of God that is available to “whosoever will.”

Next time we shall take a look at what John has to say about the benefit of Jesus coming into the world, so read ahead, and we will join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore