Thank You, Father, for enabling me to get through so much yesterday for Sunday’s services, even with all the distractions. Help me to align myself with You today and to be faithful in all I say and do that it would be pleasing in Your sight. Amen.
1 John 5:4-5 (<<click here)
“For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.”
This portion of yesterday’s scripture also spoke to me, Lord. What stuck out was that “every child of God defeats this evil world.” The world we see about us is surely daunting for evil is rampant! But a child defeats it…if that child is Your child. We, Your children, can be victorious over this evil world only if we place our faith in You and that “believe that [You are] the Son of God.”
Once again, Lord, You have set things in place that help to flesh out Your word. Part of my daily routine is to read the Our Daily Bread devotional. For years I read the paperback version but for quite some time I have used the app on my phone. It is a great asset to my day. Anyway, today’s devotional providentially fits quite well with this passage, too. (Here’s the link if you’d like to read the whole thing yourself: Prepare the Child)
The author noted a “phrase [found] on many parenting websites…, “Prepare the child for the road, not the road for the child.” Instead of trying to remove all obstacles and pave the way for the children in our life, we should instead equip them to deal with the difficulties they encounter on the road ahead.”
As we grow and mature, obstacles provide us with…well, with opportunities to grow and mature. You use literally everything in our lives to work together for our good. Romans 8:28 (<< link))
Lord, help me to focus on You today. May my faith be placed squarely on You and nothing else. May all of my life’s experiences –all the good parts and the struggles and failings – enable me to “defeat this evil world.” May my strength and power be found in my faith in You so that I may “achieve this victory.” Amen.
May 19th, Fri, 5:07 am
