What a wonderful day, Father! It was so for many reasons but most of all I praise You for Your word. I loved the word given to me for this morning’s worship services. May it take root in the hearts and minds of those who heard it! Amen. (Here’s a link for today’s sermon – Speak Sweeter)
1 John 5:4-5 (<<click here to read the passage)

“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.” vs4-5

This portion of my last post’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, that is. We, Your children, can be victorious over this evil world only if we place our faith in You and “believe that [You are] the Son of God.”
Once again, Lord, You have set things in place that help to flesh out Your word. I make a point of trying to read (or more recently listen to) 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 really helps my day get off on the right foot. Anyway, the devotional I read on that day providentially fit quite well with this passage. (Here’s the link if you’d like to read the whole thing yourself: Prepare the Child)
The Our Daily Bread 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. Lord Jesus, use literally everything in our lives to work together for our good. Romans 8:28 (<<click here to read the passage)
Lord, help me to focus on You today. May my faith be placed squarely on You and nothing else. May all 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, 2017, Fri, 5:07 am)
June 4th, 2023, Sun, 8:07 pm