05/01 1 John 3:1
See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.
CHILDREN
We are children of God. Think about how we respond to our children. We listen to them and strive to meet their needs. God really knows what all of our needs are and He loves us. Our Father is willing to meet all of our needs and He knows what those needs are.
05/02 1 John 3:2
Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.
CHANGE
There is a great change that takes place when we become a member of God’s family. On that day when we go to be with the Father we can only imagine the magnitude of the change that will take place in a fraction of a second. We will see God. We will know Him. We will be like Him. Wow what a day we are looking forward too.
05/03 1 John 3:3
And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.
CHANGE
We have the spirit of God with us and are able to comprehend spiritual things. This knowledge will lead us to become more like Jesus. As we grow in knowledge of the Father we will become more aware of His holiness and purity. This should cause us to strive to be more like Jesus. This will encourage us to let the Lord have control of our life and lead us into a life like the Father’s, one of holiness and purity.
05/04 1 John 3:4-5
Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him.
SIN
We must be sensitive to our sin. Too many people are sensitive to other peoples sin and excuse their own. Do not excuse sin. Ask the Lord to make you sensitive to your sin, confess it and turn from it. Let Jesus cleanse you from your sin.
05/05 1 John 3:6
Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is.
SIN
We cannot stand in the presence of God and continue in sin. Our sin is an obstacle between us and the Father. Jesus died for our sin and He is the one who forgives our sin. Christ is looking for us to rely on Him for everything we need in life and one of those key elements of a Christ like life is forgiveness. Ask Jesus and He will forgive you. We must get serious about dealing with sin in our life.
05/06 1 John 3:7-8
Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.
SIN
We cannot destroy sin. Try as we might, as hard as we might and we will not eradicate sin. But when we turn to Jesus and let Him have control of us He will lead us in the way we should go. Jesus will remove the stain of sin from us and give us the wisdom we need so that we will not sin. His righteousness is given to us. He forgives our sin.
05/07 1 John 3:9
Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.
SIN
If I am serious about Christ I will let Him have control of me. I will let Him give me the strength to deal with sin in my life. Jesus will change me from the inside out and all of those things that I did do I will no longer do. Holiness comes from a position of humility under the tutelage of Jesus.
05/08 1 John 3:10
So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.
OWNERSHIP
When we accept Jesus as Lord we are members of the family of God. We have a new heart and have His righteousness. Therefore we will deal with people like Jesus would deal with them. Even though they mistreated Him He still loved them.
05/09 1 John 3:11
This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.
LOVE
Love is an action. It isn’t a thought, a dream, something we will do one day, love is the way that we treat some one right now. If I love you I will value you. If I don’t love you I will mistreat you. How we treat others tells us whether we love them or not.
05/10 1 John 3:12
We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous.
ACTIONS
Our actions tell us who we love and express the way we love. If you do not love someone we will ignore them, treat them harshly or in a multitude of other ways communicate that we don’t think much of them. This is wrong and when we do things this way we are wrong. We are to confess our sin and He will be faithful and righteous to forgive us of our sin.
05/11 1 John 3:13
So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.
WORLD
The world is in bondage to sin. It will react against you in a negative way when you are committed to living for Jesus. The world hates Jesus and will do whatever it costs to express that hate. The world will let you talk about Supreme Being, Heavenly Father and on and on but the world hates Jesus.
05/12 1 John 3:14
If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead.
CHANGE
When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior it changes us. We are no longer in bondage to sin. Satan does not have a claim against us. When we continue in bondage to sin we have not accepted Jesus.
05/13 1 John 3:15
Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.
ACTIONS
Look at your life. How are you living? Is Jesus the center of your life? Is God in control of you? If you’re actions are unchanged then you have not given yourself to Jesus. The Christian life is not a cafeteria line. We serve God or the Evil One-our choice.
05/14 1 John 3:16
We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.
SACRIFICE
Jesus gave His life for us. He died on the cross. His example calls us to give Him our priorities. Everything we do is subject to His direction. Spend time with Jesus. Ask Him what He would have you do.
05/15 1 John 3:17
If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?
LOVE
Love is a requirement when you are a member of God’s family. We are called to love the unlovely. His example is meant for us-He died on the cross for those who killed Him as though they were His friends. He died for you and for me when we didn’t know Him. His example for us is a call to live our life caring for the needy and being a friend to the friendless.
05/16 1 John 3:18-20
Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.
ACTIONS
In our society we are focused on talk. We talk about what we do, what someone else will do or what we should do. In fact we talk so much that we have forgotten that talk is simply that, talk. Until we actually do it our talk is meaningless. The road to perdition is paved with good intentions.
05/17 1 John 3:21-22
Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence. And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him.
BE
We are called to BE doers of the Word and not hearers only. Do what the Lord tells you to do. Do it with joy. Do it now. Do it to the best of your ability. Then your conscience will be clear, your heart will be devoted and your reward in heaven will be great.
05/18 1 John 3:23
And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us.
BELIEF
Our belief is in a man, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not a trust we put in someone that has come along with a new idea. Jesus, fully God and fully man, came to pay the price of our sin. He died on the cross for us and was raised from the dead by the power of God. He was with God and is God and He walked among us. He knows our pain and sorrows. He calls us to believe in Him and receive eternal life.
05/19 1 John 3:24
Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.
HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit of God indwells the heart and mind of those that name Jesus as their Lord and Savior. He convicts us of our sin. He guides us in the way we should go. He quickens our mind when we face an obstacle so that we will know the right thing to do.
05/20 Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.
JESUS
Jesus the Messiah has come to us so that we might have pardon for our sin and new life in the family of God. Jesus is alive and He lives in us. Jesus gives us right standing with the Father. He has provided our pardon.
05/21 Isaiah 61:2
He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.
SALVATION
Salvation is available to anyone willing to ask Jesus to forgive them of their sin and believe that Jesus is Lord. Whosoever will may come. That is a promise from the Father to us. There is new life in Jesus Christ and it is available to you.
05/22 Isaiah 61:3
To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.
VICTORY
Jesus has won the victory. Whatever the circumstances of our life might be we are living in victory if we have asked Jesus to be our Lord and Savior. The world, the flesh and the devil seek to trip us up but we belong to Him and in Him we are living in victory. Jesus is Lord and He is alive and well in us.
05/23 Isaiah 61:4-5
They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many generations. Foreigners will be your servants. They will feed your flocks and plow your fields and tend your vineyards.
VICTORY
Do not fear. Jesus Christ is Lord and He is Lord of all things. If we call upon Him and let Him have our hearts we will have eternal life that begins right now and will never end. Don’t let the world dissuade you for you are victors in Christ. Jesus is God’s everything and He brings everything we need to live a victorious life.
05/24 Isaiah 61:6
You will be called priests of the Lord, ministers of our God. You will feed on the treasures of the nations and boast in their riches. Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.
VICTORY
Do not despair for Christ has won the fight. Our life is blessed and protected by the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is our king and we will participate with Him the victory He has won. This present travail will soon be done and our reward received for the victory has already been won.
05/25 Isaiah 61:8-9
“For I, the Lord, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants will be recognized and honored among the nations. Everyone will realize that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”
BLESSED
We are blessed with every good thing from God in Jesus Christ. He is our salvation and righteousness. In Him we live a life free from fear and slavery. Jesus is Lord of all things and He is our Lord.
05/26 Isaiah 61:10-11
I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels. The Sovereign Lord will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up everywhere.
JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is everything to us. He is our strength and salvation. Our bright morning star that creates in us everything that is of beauty. His light has come into our lives and we radiate His beauty, His perfection because He lives in us. He is the Lord of everything including us.
05/27 Philippians 4:4
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice!
REJOICE
The people of God rejoice. The people of God can rejoice. Do not let this world get you down. Know that the end of this life is simply a beginning of real life for then we will stand face to face and see Jesus in all of His radiance and glory. He will fill us to overflowing with His beauty. We will see Him as He really is and we will know that every promise that He has given us is true and correct. Rejoice in the Lord for He is indeed Lord of all things.
05/28 Philippians 4:5
Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
RETURN
Live as if your life would end this very hour. Keep short accounts for forgiveness for we do not know the day or the hour when we will go to be with the Lord and we want to be found faithful. Jesus is coming back.
05/29 Philippians 4:6-7
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
WORRY
Worry will try to rob you of your joy. Worry will seek to grab your freedom in Christ. Develop and attitude of gratitude to Jesus and He will keep you in perfect peace. Ask Him for His peace every time you sense worry rearing its head. Lord forgive me for my unbelief and fill me with your peace. His peace is the appropriate foundation for joy. Rejoice in the Lord for He is our peace.
05/30 Philippians 4:8
And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
FOCUS
Keep your eyes on Jesus. Read His Word, spend time in prayer and get busy living a life that is totally controlled by Jesus. When you sense obstacles arising against your focus, stop where you are, ask the Lord to deal with whatever it is that is troubling you and He will equip you to walk that very moment in His joy and peace.
05/31 Philippians 4:9
Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.
COPY
Paul says to do what He is doing and you will be doing the things that the Lord is calling you to do. Paul is a great role model for us. Keep your eyes on Jesus and do what He calls you to do. Do the next right thing and you will never go astray.
