"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE LOVE OF GOD"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE LOVE OF GOD"

2nd John 6 “This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.”

Taken from todays reading in "The One Year Bible”.

1. We are told what love is.

2nd John 6 “This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.”

John describes God's love for us.

The Love of God means that we walk in His commandments. 

It's really quite that simple.

Love and obedience to God are one and the same

They go hand in hand. 

When we obey God we are loving Him.

2. We are called by God to walk in His love.

2nd John 6 “This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.”

Not only does John describe God's love for us, but he adds something very important. 

Love is a commandment from God. 

Right from the start of Jesus's ministry He spoke and taught and exampled God's love.

Jesus commanded the church to love God and to love one another.

So, our wonderful God has given us this commandment.

That we would love one another.

Put another way, it means we do no harm but good to one another.

Questions:

1. Aren't there many statements made by people about love?

2. Haven't we heard the word love from our earliest age?

3. Hopefully your parents told you they loved you.

4. Can you remember the very first time you truly realized that God loves You?

5. And, can you remember when it began to dawn on you that God was commanding you to share His love with others?

6. Doesn't your life go so much better when you love others the way the Lord wants you to?

A Prayer:

Father, You are love. And You have shown us that love at the cross. Your only Son took our sins and paid for them, so that we would not have to perish, but could be saved and go to heaven. Your love has brought forgiveness into our lives. 

May we be bright and shinning examples of Your love to this dark world around us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THREE TRUTHS IN THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THREE TRUTHS IN THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN"

1st John 5:18 “We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

We know that those who have become part of God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot get his hands on them.

1. Whoever is born of God does not live a life of sin like they used to.

1st John 5:18 “We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.”

When a person turns away from their sin, and places their faith in Jesus Christ, they become born of God.

They are a new creature.

They become God's child.

They are now saved.

One of the major changes that takes place in their life has to do with sin.

God's children are not sinless.

But God's children start sinning less and less.

That's what the first part of this verse is telling us.

In other words the person who is born of God no longer makes sin a practice in their life like they used to.

They are changed.

2.Whoever is born of God keeps themselves.

1st John 5:18 “We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.”

The idea here of keeping themselves is that of God keeping them, and them keeping themselves in the Lord.

He keeps us and we keep ourselves.

Parents know and keep their children.

Children know and stay with their parents.

That's what happens to the person born of God. 

God is holding you.

In fact, no one can take you out of His hand.

3. Whoever is born of God is not able to be touched by the wicked one.

1st John 5:18 “We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.”

This does not mean that satan does not attack you.

Of course he does.

But it means that he has limits set on him by God

He cannot destroy you. 

Though he will try.

He can hurt you, but not take you away from God. 

You have a savior who loves You and promises to keep You.

A Prayer:

Father, thank You for the truths contained in these verses.

We can feast on what is said here for a whole day and beyond. Thank you for first of all making us born of God.

And thank You that we no longer live the way we used to. How dreadful it was, and how delightful it is now.

Thank you for defeating satan at the cross. His future is as certain as ours. We will one day separate from him forever as he is cast into the lake of fire, and we are welcomed into heaven. Hallelujah.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE LOVE OF GOD"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE LOVE OF GOD"

1st John 4:7 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”

1st John 4:8 “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

1st John 4:9 “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.”

1st John 4:10 “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

1st John 4:11 “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

John was writing in part to warn his readers and keep them safe against false teaching that was prevalent then, and is today as well. One of the main things you gain from reading through this letter is a list of those characteristics that are found in the life of a true christian. Love is the main characteristic. Let's enjoy what God teaches us through these few wonderful verses about how to live the christian life.

1. We are called to love one another because love is God.

1st John 4:7 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”

John makes it clear that this is the call we have from God.

The reason for this call to love, is that God is love.

Love (Agape Love, the kind that is sacrificial, is of God).

And everyone who loves is born of God, and knows God

So you can see how love is very important in defining what a Christian is.

It's the hallmark of the true Christian.

2. All who love are born of God and know God.

1st John 4:7 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”

If a person loves the Bible, that says two things about them.

They are born of God.

And they know God. 

Isn't that wonderfully simple and encouraging to read?

This is one of the main ways we can know if we know the Lord or not.

3. The person who does not love God, does not know God, for God is love.

1st John 4:8 “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

On the other hand. 

If a person does not love, they do not know God.

The reason put forth is "For God is love”.

As His children we have and take on His characteristics

God is love.

His children act like him. 

The person who does not act like Him does not know God.

4. God's love was shown to us by His sending Jesus to die for our sins, so that we could live through Him.

1st John 4:9 “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.”

God's love is not sentimental.

God's love is sacrificial.

God demonstrated His love for us by sending Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins.

As a result of believing in Jesus, we now live.

God has given us eternal life.

5. Since God has loved us this way, we ought also to love one another.

1st John 4:11 “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

Wrapping up this thought now.

If God has so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

God has set the example for us.

God has come to live inside of us.

God produces this fruit of love in us.

We ought to love one another.

Some Questions:

1. Do you ever wonder if you are truly saved?

2. If you do, I'd encourage you for read through these 5 chapters, they will help you find your answer.

3. Do you see the love of God in your life?

4. Can you say with certainty, I know I'm saved?

5. If you can, will you pause for just a moment to give Him thanks?

A Prayer:

Father in heaven, where we will one day be, we want to say “we love You”. And to say “thank You for sending Jesus to save us from our sins and give us life with You”. No one else has, or could, do this for us. But You have done it. And forever and ever we will rejoice with You in glory. 

Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE DANGER OF A HARDENED HEART"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE DANGER OF A HARDENED HEART"

Proverbs 29:1 “He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

Proverbs is known as God's book of wisdom for mankind.

In it, God teaches us about life in a very detailed way. Describing for us the paths that lead to blessing and the paths and choices that lead to destruction. This verse is one that explains the danger of being stubborn.

1. We have a choice to make when listening to loving criticism.

Proverbs 29:1 “He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”

God has given man the freedom to choose, or as we like to call it a free will.

Even the christian, of course, has a free will.

We can exercise our will, and do in the choices we make.

We are not sinless as Christians.

We are not without making mistakes.

We are most likely going to have loving criticism come our way.

It's important to make the right choice in these situations.

It's the wise thing to do.

It's a foolish thing to not be open to loving criticism

2. If we refuse to accept loving criticism we will suffer a great consequence.

Proverbs 29:1 “He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”

Here we have the results, or the consequences, of being stubborn.

We can stubbornly refuse to accept criticism.

If we do, we are certain to experience a severe consequence.

In fact this verse says destruction can come and we would be beyond repair, or beyond remedy.

So, our wills are very important. 

And our choice to be humble is very important and valuable.

3. On the other hand, if we choose to humble ourselves, then God is able to help us by His grace and mercy.

Here are three verses that encourage us to be humble, and they explain how God deals with the humble person.

Proverbs 3:34 “Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:6 “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.””

1st Peter 5:5 “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.””

Please notice the phrase gives grace.

That is so much better than being broken beyond repair.

Some Questions:

1. Can you remember the last time you were stubborn and would not listen to wise counsel?

2. Can you remember how much internal turmoil is accompanied by being stubborn?

3. Can you remember the peace that came into your heart when you humbled yourself?

4. Is someone trying to help you at this very time, and are you being humble or stubborn?

A Prayer:

Father, You have nothing but good that You want to bring into our lives. Yet You do require that we trust You and trust demands humility. You bless the man or woman who trusts You. You are unable to bring that grace to us when we are prideful and stubborn. We are prone to sin, Lord. Please help us to grow in humility and to attempt to maintain humility as a part of our character and life. How happy it must make You, Lord, when You are able to pour Your grace into our lives. 

Thank You for being so gracious and forgiving. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT ABIDING"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT ABIDING"

1st John 2:24 “Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.”

1st John 2:25 “And this is the promise that He has promised us--eternal life.”

Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible.

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

The apostle John was writing to help encourage and protect God's people. He wanted them to know the truth of who Jesus was, and how one can know that they are themselves truly saved. This short epistle, when read prayerfully and carefully, can bring one great assurance of their salvation, or show them that they need to be saved.

1. We are called to let what we have heard from God abide in us.

1st John 2:24 “Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.”

God has spoken to us through His Son.

We have received His Son, and His Word.

God calls us to let the Son and let the Word abide in us.

In other words, just simply keep on believing.

Don't be pulled away by anything that contradicts the Word of God.

2. We are promised that if we let God's Word abide in us, than we will also abide in the Son and in the Father.

1st John 2:24 “Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.”

We are told here what happens to those who let God's Word abide in them.

It's quite simple.

You will wind up abiding, or remaining, in the Lord.

And You will wind up remaining in the Father. 

This is the consequence and blessing promised to us.

3. We are told of the promise that God has promised us.

1st John 2:25 “And this is the promise that He has promised us--eternal life.”

This is the great promise of God.

God cannot lie.

He has promised us the promise of eternal life.

Eternal life means that you have become united with God.

Eternal life means that you are in communion with God. 

Eternal life means that you now know God.

Questions:

1. Do you find or are you experiencing anything that is seeking to draw you away from Christ?

2. Do you know that God will hep you to simply stay with Him, and not be drawn away?

3. Do you know that in your weakness His strength is made perfect?

4. Will you pray right now if you are in some sort of battle or struggle in your faith?

A Prayer:

Father, thank You for all that You do for us. Thank You for giving us Jesus. Thank You for giving us Your wonderful Word.

Thank You for the many, many promises that You have given us.

Thank You for the promise that if we let Your Word abide in us, that we will abide in You.

Is there any better place, or person, to abide in than God? No Father, there is no one like You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S PROVISION FOR OUR SINS"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S PROVISION FOR OUR SINS"

1st John 2:1 “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

Some background, application, questions and a prayer:

The apostle John wrote this short little 5 chapter letter to help believers have the Joy of the Lord, and to help them come to the place of having the assurance of their salvation. He was also combatting false doctrine concerning sin. Many false teachers were saying it's okay to sin, it's just your body, and the body means nothing to God, so go ahead and sin all you like. Well, that's simply not true. 

But, what about sin? What does the Lord do when we sin? And how does He help us?

1. We as christians are God's children.

1st John 2:1 “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

Saved people are God's children.

He adopts us upon our coming to faith in Christ.

We are born again, and placed into His family as His children.

So, if you are saved, You are His child.

He is your Father. 

And He provides for your needs.

He especially wants to help you with sin.

2. God helps us not to sin.

1st John 2:1 “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

Every Christian will sin until they go to heaven.

But, God wants us to sin less and less.

But what about when we do sin?

That's dealt with under the next point.

But, look at the verse, and see what it says.

God gave us this epistle to help us not to sin.

You may want to take the time and read through the 5 chapters.

It will be a tremendous help with respect to the problem of sin. 

You will find that though you can't stop sinning, you will find that you will sin less and less.

3. But when we do sin, He has provided an advocate for us.

1st John 2:1 “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

Here is what God has provide for us when we do sin. 

He is our Advocate, our Representative before the Father.

When we do sin, we have Jesus to help us.

It's kind of like having to go to court with the help of a lawyer.

We are not alone down here.

We have the Lord Jesus to represent us before God.

He is the one who has died for our sins.

Questions:

1. Sin is a real problem in our lives, isn't it?

2. Sin is something that we cannot deal with on our own.

3. What do you do when you sin?

4. Do you know that You can simply ask Jesus to help you, to cleanse you, and to advocate for you?

5. Do you know that God loves you so much that He wants to bless you and help you?

A Prayer:

Father, You are so wonderful. In fact, there is no one as wonderful as You. You are God and there is none like You, Lord.

One day we will no longer deal with sin. How glorious that will be. Thank You for Jesus our Advocate, our helper. 

He is the sin bearer and sin helper. 

We love You, Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia