Passage of the Day:
We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God[a] is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. 7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. 9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister[b] is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister[c] lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them, 1 John 2:3-11.
Reflection:
Speaking from experience of allowing darkness to enter my heart, God has used a series of dreams over the past forty years to alert me to dangers of the current path that I am on. While dreams can be bizarre, and others may not make any sense at all, there have been a few that woke me up in the middle of the night leaving me to ponder, “what the hell was that about?” Whether its thoughts of compromise, rebellion or temptation, my heart and mind race to find some sort of meaning. As human beings, tired and worn down, you may make poor decisions like deciding not to go to church, open the Bible or pray. This one step choice to take a break from God may lead to weeks, months and even years of living in darkness. Like trying to eat healthy and exercise daily, once you stop, it’s hard to make this part of your regular routine again.
Prayerful Action:
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly[a] with your God, Micah 6:8.
Restoring Your Heart:
Just prior to his farewell address as the spiritual leader of Israel, Moses simplifies want it means to humbly walk with God in the light in Deuteronomy 28:1-2. “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.” From a New Testament perspective, habitually walking with God isn’t about checking off a box on a to do list. John is talking about having a personal relationship with Jesus. The closer you become to Jesus, the greater this spiritual light will become.
Song of the Day:
Final Thoughts:
The attached song was played at my wedding with Leanne. As our mothers were lighting the unity candle, my good friend Phil sang All the Darkness. May the lyrics of this Steve Wiggins song inspire you today to walk in the light with Jesus.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 