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... the Spirit, the water, and the blood — and these three are in agreement. - 1 John 5:8 When I was a little boy, my brother and I would sometimes get caught lying because our stories didn't agree. Since we weren't of one mind, we didn't think together and since we didn't think together, we weren't believable. That is the problem with lying, remembering which lie you just told, and keeping your stories straight. It is better to just tell the truth. Right? John said that Jes

I open my mouth and pant because I long for Your commands. - Psalm 119:131 If you have never heard of "Cat and Dog Theology," then I highly recommend you pick up this book Cat and Dog by my good friend, Gerald Robison. While the analogy certainly has its limits, Gerald stresses the difference between a "cat-Christian" (one who believes that this life is all about them (and a "dog-Christian" (one who believes that this life is all about Him (God). When I came upon the verse a

For there are three that testify.... - 1 John 5:7 If I had ever told my friends and family that prior to October 18, 2009, I would preach in Africa (in French), they would have laughed and said (along with me), "I don't think so, Dave." However, that is just what I did. Yes, even I found it hard to believe at the time, but the claim that I actually did it comes from two facts: 1) those who were actually present that can testify to the actual event, and 2) how many were pre

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. I have solemnly sworn to keep Your righteous judgments. - Psalm 119:105-106 I was once in the shower, in a bathroom with no windows, when the lights went out. By God's grace, I didn't break my neck trying to get some light. Let's just say that it's difficult to navigate in total darkness. Do you have any idea where your life is headed? It seems like sometimes I know, but then again at other times I don't have a clue. The

Jesus Christ — He is the One who came by water and blood; not by water only, but by water and by blood. And the Spirit is the One who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. - 1 John 5:6 The first time that I saw a sign advertising rubber stamps in Francophone Africa, I was pretty surprised. I mean, they seemed to be everywhere ! You see, the French word for a rubber stamp is "tampon." They really like their rubber stamps in French-speaking Africa and therefore, there ar

Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep Your word. – Psalms 119:67 Affliction is not something that we seek or particularly like to experience. In fact, I would say that it ranks right up there with illness, trial, and disaster. Who would ever want to be “afflicted?” How could we ever see such things in a positive light? The Scriptures clearly teach that God’s purposes are often accomplished through difficult circumstances. Hardship, in its various forms, is of

And who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? - 1 John 5:5 John previously wrote that we have victory because of our faith but, of course, faith in what ? People believe in a lot of things. Some believe that God is everywhere, inhabiting all the material world. Others believe that one person can have several lives, even seven or more. There are even those who do not believe God exists at all. Many people continue to believe

What shall I give to Yahweh in return for all His bountiful dealings with me? - Psalm 116:12     Good question, huh?   If it is true that, by His grace, the Lord has saved you from a Christ-less eternity, has given you a new and abundant life, has in-dwelt you personally, and has blessed you with spiritual gifts and ministry; if all these things are true , then how can you repay Him?   The answer is very simple. You can't.   But you can live for Him. You can let your life ref

This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith. - 1 John 5:4 We live in a world at war. Though there have been years when our own nation has not been involved in an armed conflict, there has never been a time in my own life when every corner of the earth was at peace. In fact, the relatively new war with terrorism has virtually assured us (as Americans) that we will never know peace again. Now, I am certainly no "dove," but I am convinced that true peace cannot b

He will never be shaken. The righteous will be remembered forever. - Psalm 112:6 Are you someone who is easily "shaken?" Are you easily upset by what sometimes seem to be "little" things? Maybe it is because your life is dedicated to something other than God and His plan. For example, if your life is dedicated to your spouse and they are less than you expect or desire, then you will be "shaken" when they aren't able to meet your need. Or, if your life is dedicated to your car

... because whatever has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith. - 1 John 5:4 According to God's Word, we are victorious (as believers), because of our faith. But have you ever wondered why such faith makes us victorious? Perhaps, we can begin to understand the answer by solving another question, "How exactly does this world defeat us?" It seems that this world often defeats us through despair, discouragement, and lo

He gave them what they asked for but sent a wasting disease among them. - Psalm 106:15 When the people of Israel grew hungry and complained about it, God gave them manna from heaven. After a while, they got tired of manna and begged God to give them something else to eat. So God "gave them what they asked for, but" also "sent a wasting disease among them." They asked for a blessing but got a whuppin' on the side. Have you ever wanted something very badly and begged God to giv

For this is what love for God is: to keep His commands. Now His commands are not a burden.... - 1 John 5:3 Living overseas, I was always amazed by what many of the locals could carry on their head. Fifty pounds of rice? No problem. A ten foot long 2 X 10 board? Piece of cake. I don't know when mankind first began to utilize this method of portage, and yes, it allows your hands to be free to drive a motorcycle, but it seems that nothing is too heavy or burdensome as long as a

Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. – Isaiah 7:14 Both a question and a statement. A name and a declaration. But what does it mean? How has it changed our lives? What difference does it really make? God … with … us. He was with Adam and Eve, you know. In the garden. Everything provided. If you needed it, they had it, but it all changed. God with us, truth with joy before the

They soon forgot His works and would not wait for His counsel. They were seized with craving in the wilderness and tested God in the desert. He gave them what they asked for but sent a wasting disease among them. - Psalm 106:13-15 Has anyone ever warned you to be careful what you ask for, because you might just get it? Did you, like many of us, go ahead and ask anyway? David's psalm above points to a time in Israel's past when they asked God to meet a particular need, which H

This is how we know that we love God's children when we love God and obey His commands. - 1 John 5:2 I have a good, long-time friend who used to say (as I messed with him), "Feelin' the love." Well, he gave as good as he got and so I would often repeat this phrase back to him! We were and still are very good friends and some healthy ribbing was (and still is) a part of our relationship. How about you? Are you "feelin' the love today?" One problem with feelings is that they

He allowed no one to oppress them; He rebuked kings on their behalf: "Do not touch My anointed ones or harm My prophets." - Psalm 105:14-15 Sometimes God seems to be in "protection-mode" and yet sometimes He doesn't. Sometimes He appears to be blessing, and yet at other times, not-so-much. For example, while the Israelites were a small tribe roaming around in Canaan, God "allowed no one to oppress them; He rebuked kings on their behalf." However, after they moved on down to E

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the One who gives new birth loves also the one who has been born of Him. - 1 John 5:1     Before we moved to Africa back in '09, we purchased a small plaque and hung it in our house that read, "Grandchildren are the reward for not killing your teenagers." Don't get me wrong, we love our kids. In fact, we are  very  proud of them. They are both responsible adults and great parents. Besi

Give thanks to Yahweh, call on His name; proclaim His deeds among the peoples. - Psalm 105:1 In Psalm 105, the writer notes all the deeds of Yahweh (The I AM and covenant-keeping God of all creation) among His people, Israel. He didn't want them to forget a single thing that God had done over the centuries. Why was it necessary to remind them? Israel, it seems, had often thought or focused on what they did not have, rather than all the good things they had received from the

And we have this command from Him: the one who loves God must also love his brother. - 1 John 4:21 If you love God you must also love your brother. Ok, got it, but I have two questions: How do I know if I really love God? Who is my "brother?" In previous posts we looked at what it means to love God and learned that it begins with acceptance of God's love in Christ Jesus, meaning that we can only love, because He first loved us. Assuming, then, that I love God (because I have