LIFE WITH FATHER:
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
FROM 1JOHN FOR MAY
1st Life
With Father (1 John 1:1-4) — Do
we sometimes wonder at the differences we notice in our experiences with
professing Christians? What is a key difference between relationship and
fellowship?
2nd Ignoring
The Light (1 John 1:3-7) — In
what ways is it possible to be a Christian and yet walk in the darkness? Are we
being exposed to God's Word and are we willingly examining ourselves in His
light?
3rd The
Person Who Denies Sin (1 John 1:8-9) — Even
though we can be freed from sin, we cannot claim to be without sin. What is the
difference between asking forgiveness and confessing our sin?
4th The
Person Who Rationalizes Sin (1 John 1:10-2:2) — When
we sin, what happens when we justify our actions or make excuses for our
disobedience? Do we have God's forgiveness for our past, present, and future
sins?
5th How
To Walk As He Walked (1 John 2:3-6) — What
does it mean to have the life of Christ in us? Have we grasped this abiding
reality that Jesus demonstrated to us as the way for us to walk with God?
6th Visible
Christianity (1 John 2:7-11) — True
Christians are marked by the ability to forgive anyone despite how they feel. Do
we need our eyes opened so we can willingly escape the grip of unforgiveness?
7th The
Maturing Process (1 John 2:12-14) — What
joy is experienced when deliberate Bible study moves from a 'have to' to a 'want
to!' How is our desire for, time with, and practice of God's living Word
growing?
8th The
Enemy Around (1 John 2:15-17) — What
are three areas in which we are engaged in battle against our lusts and pride?
How does this evidence itself in how we spend our time and our money?
9th On
Heresy (1 John 2:18-19) — Heresy
results from failure to study and accept the whole of Scripture. What effect
does the powerful Word of God have on those who see through its revelation?
10th No
Gray Areas (1 John 2:20-21) — Excuses
we make can merely echo the lies of the world. Have we found the absolute truth
as it is in Christ or do our excuses reveal gray areas where none should exist?
11th No
Son, No Father (1 John 2:22-23) — The
tri-unity of God is a profound mystery. The three persons, eternally One, are a
love-giving unity. Are we allowing Christ in us to continue His ministry of
love?
12th The
Living Word (1 John 2:24-25) — What
is the daily adventure of experiencing God's solution to every problem instead
of our own called? Are we willingly letting the living Word possess us each day?
13th The
Teaching Spirit (1 John 2:26-27) — The
Holy Spirit is our personal teacher as we spend time in the Word of God. Are we
open to listening to the Spirit of Christ in our brothers and sisters also?
14th The
Most Astonishing Thing (1 John 2:28-3:1) — God
is the Creator of all mankind, but not the Father of all mankind. We are only
children of God by faith in Jesus Christ! How has this truth astonished &
affected us?
15th Becoming
Pure (1 John 3:2-3) — Thank
God for simple soap that helps wash us clean when we are stinky, greasy or
muddy! What is God's provision for purifying ourselves after we fall into the
pit of sin?
16th Taking
Away Sins (1 John 3:4-5) — What
was the purpose of Jesus Christ being born in our world? How does the giving of
His life affect the recurring death, darkness, and hatred that exists today?
17th Abide
In Him (1 John 3:6-8) — Christ's
righteousness literally and radically revolutionizes lives. The power of His
indwelling Presence is life-changing. Have we in faith accepted the abiding
Truth?
18th One
Or The Other (1 John 3:9-10) — How
piercing, stunning, and incredible is today's passage of Scripture that is
presented to us! What is the whole thrust behind God's gospel message to the
world?
19th The
Path Of Love (1 John 3:11-14) — Is
one of our prerequisites for loving others that they love us first? Apart from
having a new Life within we cannot at all evidence the love God commanded us to
show.
20th The
Murderer Within (1 John 3:15-18) — In
our season here on earth everyone will have times filled with hate for another;
and suppression just increases it. How do we return control to the One who is
Love?
21st The
Christian's Tranquilizer (1 John 3:19-20) — When
we suffer loneliness, a guilty conscience, or our hearts feel pressured with
condemnation, how do we avail ourselves the joy & healing power of His Presence?
22nd Power
In Prayer (1 John 3:21-24) — Nothing
is quite so boring as Christianity without Christ. An intimate relationship is
immersed in communication. Is our daily prayer free & flowing or merely
formulated?
23rd When
Unbelief Is Right (1 John 4:1-3) — No
one will dispute the fact of the existence of chaos and anarchy in the world.
Have we in our intellectual pride rejected the existence of evil spirits as
irrelevant fantasy?
24th God
Is Greater (1 John 4:4-6) — Theological
debates can be enlightening sources of learning, yet also wellsprings of pride.
Have we first drunk deeply of the life of Christ in us?
25th God
Is Love (1 John 4:7-10) — God
showed His love by sending His Son that we might live through Him. Have we
learned to recognize the true nature of Love as evidenced in all of God's
actions?
26th The
Debt Of Love (1 John 4:11-16) — Unless
we have the life of God, we cannot love one another. Have we grasped and
exercised the power of His Presence so as not to find this a surprising truth?
27th Confidence
At The Judgment (1 John 4:17-21) — What
happens when we die? Where do we find the knowledge to confidently answer this
question? Are we making ourselves available to Him who loves through us?
28th We
Shall Overcome (1 John 5:1-5) — How
are we handling the pressures of life? Are we white-knuckling it, trying to
overcome our difficulties, or are we with growing faith resting in Christ at
work in us?
29th Does
God Lie? (1 John 5:6-13) — Do
we find it easy to believe a trusted friend, or even a stranger or the daily
media, but doubt what God says in His Word? Are we making God out to be a liar?
30th Praying
Boldly (1 John 5:14-17) — Prayer
is designed only to obtain that which is within the will of God. After we pray,
are we left in the worry that perhaps prompted us or do we have confidence? Why?
31st Guard
Yourself (1 John 5:18-21) — Many
think idols are religious things of the past. But today in the present, what is
it that makes us enthusiastic? What is it that we regard as supremely important?
