Continuing 1 John and This Week's Reading Plan (Blogging Through the Bible)

Welcome to another week of Blogging Through the Bible! Here is our reading plan for this week:

As you can see, we will be finishing up 1 John through 3 John this week as well as Jude before we head into the Psalms! I am so excited and look forward to your comments!

Here are my S.O.A.P.s for the reading since I last posted:

Saturday, September 20, 2014

1 John 3

Scripture: 1 John 3:18-24 ¹⁸ My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. ¹⁹ And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. ²⁰ For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. ²¹ Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. ²² And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. ²³ And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. ²⁴ Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

Observations: How do we know that we are children of God?

“by this”

-love for one another that is a sacrificial kind of love (v. 16)

-we believe in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ

-having an active conscience (The ability to recognize what is going on inside me; like a warning system. Romans 2:15)

-boldness in prayer

-obedience to God and doing what is pleasing to Him

-the presence of the Holy Spirit that has been given to us

Application: As a true Christian, I am commanded to love others and live a life of obedience to God.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I’m thankful for Your Word that instructs me in how to live as Your child. Help me to hide Your truths deep within my heart so that I will be led and guided by Your Holy Spirit living within me. Help me to examine my love for others and to love them unselfishly as Jesus loved me. It’s in His loving name I pray. Amen!

Sunday, September 21, 2014

1 John 4

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-6 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ² By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, ³ and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

⁴ You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. ⁵ They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. ⁶ We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Observations: There is a spiritual battle going on between the truth of God and the lies of Satan. It is absolutely critical that we as children of God are able to discern between truth that comes from the Spirit of God and the lies that come from Satan. We are plainly told in verses two and three how to discern the Spirit of God – whoever confesses Jesus Christ came in the flesh to save us from our sins. He lived the perfect, sinless life and died in our place so that our broken relationship with God could be restored as we receive forgiveness of our sins through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Application: Salvation is dependent on what we believe to be true. For this reason, we have to recognize the Spirit of Truth from the spirit of Antichrist who is opposed to Jesus Christ and is out to spread lies. As children of God, we have the Holy Spirit living inside us to help us discern the truth of God. The only way to test everything is against the truth of the God’s Holy Word – the Bible. We must know what God says in His Word so we are not deceived by the lies of Satan.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Your Word as our guide and by which we can know the truth and be set free from the lies of Satan. Help us to hunger and thirst for Your truth that can only be found in the Bible. Holy Spirit, please help me to understand what I read in the Bible and plant the truth of God deep within my heart. I pray that I would not be deceived by the lies of Satan. Thank You, Jesus, for coming in human flesh and fulfilling all the requirements of the Law that none of us could fulfill. Thank You for being the perfect sacrifice required for the forgiveness of sins and for willingly laying down Your life so that my sins could be forgiven and my relationship with God could be restored. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen!

***It's your turn...I would love to read your thoughts about 1 John Chapters 3 and 4 in the comments section below! I'll see you back here on Wednesday!

To read all of my posts in this #BloggingThroughtheBible series, please click on the image below.

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie

1 John Chapters 1 and 2 (Blogging Through the Bible)

Friends, we have all we need in Jesus! Do not let anyone else try to deceive you with anything other than JESUS. Because of Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us Who will lead us into the truth of God found in His Word.

This is what our time so far in 1 John has spoken to my heart. Here are my S.O.A.P.s for our reading so far in 1 John. Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below of what the Holy Spirit has shown you during Your time in the Word.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

1 John 1

Scripture: 1 John 1:2-3 ² The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. ³ We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

Observations: Salvation through Jesus Christ brings eternal life and fellowship with God the Father and Jesus the Son of God. This is the message the apostles proclaimed to everyone.

Application: God loved us so much that He provided salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. It is through our salvation that our fellowship with God and with Jesus is restored from its broken state. As believers, we need to make this message known to others who are not in fellowship with the family of God.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much that You sent Your Son, Jesus, to die for our sins so that our relationship with You can be restored. Thank You for the sweet gift of fellowship that is ours as Your children. Help us to proclaim the Good News of salvation that is available to everyone. I pray that those who have yet to come into fellowship with You will call on the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins. In the saving name of Jesus I pray. Amen!

Friday, September 19, 2014

1 John 2

Scripture: 1 John 2:20, 26-27  But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.  ²⁶ I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. ²⁷ As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.

Observations: John is speaking to Christians in an attempt to encourage them from being led astray by false teachers who had infiltrated the church.

As Christians, we received an anointing from the Holy One (Jesus Christ). This anointing is the Holy Spirit (the third person of the Trinity). It is the Holy Spirit that teaches us the truth of God.

This anointing of the Holy Spirit remains in us as we remain in Jesus Christ. We are commanded to “remain in Him” – do not abandon the Truth of God for the lies of those from Satan/antichrist/false prophets who will try to lead us astray.

Application: The Bible is my final authority on all matters. The Holy Spirit is my teacher. The truth of God is revealed to me through the Holy Spirit living inside of me. I must call on the Holy Spirit through prayer before reading the Word of God asking Him to open my understanding to the Word of God so He can teach me and I can learn the truth and be set free from any lies that Satan or other deceivers in this world would try to lead me astray with.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the truth of Your Word that is revealed to me through the Holy Spirit that lives inside of me. Thank You for the truth of Your Word that sets me free from the lies of the enemy. I pray that I will never forget the importance of being in Your Word for myself and for calling upon the power of the Holy Spirit to open my eyes to Your truth that sets me free. There is no other way to prevent being led astray from the lies of the devil. I pray that my hunger and thirst for the truth of Your Word would never diminish. I pray for others who are not getting into the Word of God for themselves and that You would help them to see the importance of spending time daily in the Word so that they can protect themselves from the enemy who wants nothing more than to lead them astray with his lies. Oh God, give us all an urgency to be in Your Word in these last days. I pray and ask this all in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen!

***It's your turn...please share your thoughts about 1 John Chapters 1 and 2 in the comments section below!

To read all of my posts in this #BloggingThroughtheBible series, please click on the image below.

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie

It's Friday, so that mean's it's time to link-up this #bloggingthroughthebible post with Courtney Joseph at Women Living Well home of Good Morning Girls! Please click on the image below to read others posts for Blogging Through the Bible.

U is for Unbelieving Wife (Women of the Bible)

U is for Unbelieving Wife.

Scripture Reference:

1 Corinthians 7:12, 14

¹² To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.

¹⁴ For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. 

1 Peter 3:7

Husbands, in the same way (in the previous verses he was referring to women with unbelieving husbands) be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

No specific name is given because Paul and Peter are referring to an unbelieving wife of any Christian husband.

Interesting Facts about an Unbelieving Wife:

• Paul gives explicit instructions to the unbelieving wife's husband to stay married to them if the unbelieving wife consents to staying married.
• An unbelieving wife is made holy (shares in the blessings of God) through her believing husband as he is blessed of God.
• She is under the influence of God's work by the witness (and Godly love) of her husband's life.

What We Can Learn to Reach an Unbelieving Wife:

• Don't ever give up praying for the salvation of a friend who is an unbelieving wife.
• Be a godly influence in the life of an unbelieving wife.
• Encourage the marriage relationship where there is an unbelieving wife.

I'll note my observations of three attitudes Peter references in verse 7 that husbands are to have toward their unbelieving wife:

1. Consideration (Be considerate with your wife...be sensitive to her needs and feelings which includes her intimate desires.)
2. Chivalry (Being physically weaker than man, protect her as the stronger vessel. Provide for her.)
3. Companionship (The unbelieving wife is an heir of the gracious gift of marriage ordained by God. This calls for friendship and fellowship in the marriage relationship.)

When a believing husband of an unbelieving wife lives by these three attitudes, his prayers will not be hindered. I would also suggest that loving her in such a way could definitely lead to her salvation.


It's hard to believe this #abcblogging challenge from my friend, Marcy at Ben and Me is almost at an end. Thanks for taking the journey with me! Find all of my posts in this series on my Women of the Bible page.

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie

Click on the image below to read more posts from others who are Blogging through the Alphabet!

Goodbye 1 Peter! Hello 2 Peter and 1 John (Blogging Through the Bible)

Wow, we are moving right along, aren't we?! Hang on tight for the next several days as we make our way through 2 Peter and 1 John!

Hooray, we finished reading in 1 Peter on Sunday with chapter 5! Here is my S.O.A.P. for chapter 5 of 1 Peter:

Sunday, September 14, 2014

1 Peter

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5-7 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” ⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. ⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

¹² With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.

¹⁴ Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Observations: In these verses Peter speaks of 7 attitudes we should have as Christians:

1.     An attitude of submission (v. 5)

2.     An attitude of humility (verses 5 and 6)

3.     An attitude of trust (v. 7)

4.     An attitude of vigilance (v. 8)

5.     An attitude of self-control (verses 8 and 9)

6.     An attitude of faithfulness (v. 12)

7.     An attitude of affection (v. 14)

Application: It is only as the truth of God is poured into us every day as we sit at His feet in His Word and as we attend church to learn and grow there too, that our character and our attitudes will begin to change into these 7 attitudes I’ve observed in 1 Peter 5. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You so much for the truth of Your Word. Help me to understand the importance of being in your Word daily and sitting under the teaching of my Pastor at church. I pray that You would mold and shape my character with these attitudes I’ve found in your Word so that Your glory may be seen in me and draw other Christians into a deeper relationship with You. I want to be a vessel for Your honor and glory. In the wonderful name of Jesus I pray. Amen!

Moving on to 2 Peter

Monday we began reading in 2 Peter, and we are finishing it today since it's only 3 chapters! *smile* 

I would love to read your thoughts on what you've been reading this week in 2 Peter. Please be sure to leave your comments below and let's grow in the Word of God together!

Here are my S.O.A.P.s for the reading we've done in 2 Peter:

Monday, September 15, 2014

2 Peter 1

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:1-4 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: ² Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. ³ His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Observations: Grace, God’s divine power, has been imparted through the Holy Spirit to all believers so that we can live out a godly life while here in this world. This is what we have been called as believers to do and God has equipped us with His Holy Spirit – His empowering presence – enabling us to live as He is calling us to live. We have been called to live as new creations and have the glory and goodness of Jesus Christ’s life as our example in how we should live. We can have His grace and peace in abundance as we choose to surrender to His power at work within us.

Application: God will not ask us to do anything that He will not equip us to do. As we grow in our knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ by spending time daily in His Word, we learn more of how He is calling us to live as believers. We learn more of the power of His divine grace that lives within us that equips us with His power to overcome in such an ungodly world. We can walk in a peace that surpasses understanding as we surrender to His power at work within us.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your empowering presence in my life as a believer. I surrender my heart and life to Your power at work within me. Help me to be who You created me to be and to do all that You have called me to do. Thank You, Jesus, for Your example in the life You lived while here on this earth. I pray that as I spend time in Your Word daily, that Your truth would continue to transform my heart and my life for Your glory. I love You and thank You for giving me everything I need for living a godly life in such an ungodly world. I pray that my life would be a witness to others who have yet to call on the name of Jesus and would give them the desire to do so. All glory and honor and praises to Jesus alone! In His life-changing name I pray. Amen!

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

2 Peter 2

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

Observations: False prophets have always been around. In the previous chapter, Peter was speaking about the men that were inspired by God to write His truths. Here he is telling us that there were false prophets as well during his time and warning us that they will be among us today too. These false prophets are from the devil sent to spread destructive heresies – beliefs or opinions contrary to the true Word of God; they deny the sovereign Lord who gave His life for all who would believe; and they bring their own destruction upon themselves because of their denial and the destructive heresies they spread.

Application: It’s so sad to see how false prophets have perverted the Word of God. It’s rampant in our world! The Bible is our final authority. We must hold everything up to the light of the true and inspired Word of God. I must be in His Word every single day – reading it and studying it – so that I am not deceived by the lies of today’s false prophets who are led by the devil in their deception and mishandling of God’s Holy Word.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You have given us the truth of Your Word that we can hide in our hearts so that we might not sin against You. Thank You for giving us the sword of the Spirit, Your very spoken Words, to fight off the lies of the devil. I pray that I would continue to hunger and thirst for Your Word every day and not let anything get in my way for time spent in Your truth. Open up our minds so that we can comprehend Your Scriptures as Jesus did with His disciples. Help us not to be deceived by the devil or his false prophets. In the powerful name of Jesus I pray. Amen!

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

2 Peter 3

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-2 Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. ² I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

2 Peter 3:8, 10 ⁸ But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. ¹⁰But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

2 Peter 3:17-18 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. ¹⁸ But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Observations: This is Peter’s second letter to persecuted Christians. Scoffers who follow their own evil desires are mocking believers because Jesus hadn’t returned yet. We still wait for His return today because our time is not God’s time as we see in verse 8. We are told in verse 10 how God will destroy everything by fire.

Peter wrote this letter to encourage the persecuted Christians of his time and it is our encouragement for today as we too are living in a world that is filled with scoffers who follow their own evil desires. There is truly “nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 4:9). We are to find comfort and WHOLESOME THINKING in the Word of God given to the holy prophets and by the apostles who share with us the commands given by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Our timing is not God’s timing. We can be certain that the Day of the Lord is coming when He will destroy everything with fire.

We have been “forewarned” through the Word of God what is going to happen in the day of the Lord. Knowing this, we are to be on our guard against the errant twisting of God’s Word by false prophets and by the scoffers who deny the return of Christ. The only way that we can guard ourselves in these matters is to be growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. We do this by spending time reading and studying the Word of God.

Application: I find in the Holy Scriptures of God the way to wholesome thinking needed to live in such an ungodly and evil world. The only way I can “recall” any information gleaned from the Word of God, to “grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ” as Peter encourages us to do, is to actually BE IN THE WORD OF GOD FOR MYSELF.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Scriptures. Thank You for the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ that is found in Your Word that helps me guard against the lies of false prophets and scoffers. You desire wholesome thinking as we live in this evil and ungodly world and have provided us with everything we need in Your Word. Give us a hunger and a thirst for more of You and Your Word I pray. In the powerful name of Jesus I pray. Amen!

Well, friends, I'll see you back here at Grace-Filled-Moments on Friday where we will be discussing our reading of 1 John!

***It's your turn...please share your thoughts about 2 Peter in the comments section below!

To read all of my posts in this #BloggingThroughtheBible series, please click on the image below.

Walking in His Grace, 

Laurie