JMD Devotional 139 1 John 4:15-19 Ignorant Beginnings
Vs 18 There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection].
I have been in the presence of a stranger and noticed he was carrying a concealed weapon, which sent a shiver of fear and dread up my spine. I had no idea of what kind of person he was, or his intentions, in the absence of knowing these things my mind raced. At another time I was sitting at the counter of a donut shop, and an officer sat on a stool next to me with his side arm conspicuously between us. Even though I had not robbed a bank, I felt so intimidated by the uniform and the weapon, its power and proximity made me feel very insecure even though I knew this person’s office was to maintain the peace; maybe because he didn’t know me. But then there is my friend David, who I have known for years, who is a police officer, and carries a gun that doesn’t intimidate me. I know him as a good, moral person, and as a friend who I would entrust my life and security to. The only difference between these three men is my relationship to them.
Vs 15 Anyone who confesses (acknowledges, owns) that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides (lives, makes His home) in him and he [abides, lives, makes his home] in God.
Vs 16 And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us. God is love, and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues in God, and God dwells and continues in him.
Vs 17 In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world.
Vs 19 We love Him, because He first loved us.
Dear God,
When I was very young, I confessed my faith in You not knowing You very well. Your authority and power frightened me; your awareness of every detail made me want to hide my transgressions. I was afraid that in your righteousness and holiness You would have no compassion for my shortcomings and weakness. I am so glad that your work in my life did not end there; but You continued to reveal yourself, and to build a relationship with me based on love. Over the years, your mercy and grace have won my heart; your goodness has provoked a deeper repentance in me than what I had from fearing You. The better I know You, the more I want to cooperate with your will and work in my life. Thank You for showing me that ‘the fear of Lord’ is the beginning, but not the end, of wisdom.
Amen
All (but*) quotes are from The Amplified Bible, published by
the Lockman Foundation. (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
*New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
**Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. (Eugene Peterson's easy-to-read, contemporary Scripture translation)
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I have been in the presence of a stranger and noticed he was carrying a concealed weapon, which sent a shiver of fear and dread up my spine. I had no idea of what kind of person he was, or his intentions, in the absence of knowing these things my mind raced. At another time I was sitting at the counter of a donut shop, and an officer sat on a stool next to me with his side arm conspicuously between us. Even though I had not robbed a bank, I felt so intimidated by the uniform and the weapon, its power and proximity made me feel very insecure even though I knew this person’s office was to maintain the peace; maybe because he didn’t know me. But then there is my friend David, who I have known for years, who is a police officer, and carries a gun that doesn’t intimidate me. I know him as a good, moral person, and as a friend who I would entrust my life and security to. The only difference between these three men is my relationship to them.
Vs 15 Anyone who confesses (acknowledges, owns) that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides (lives, makes His home) in him and he [abides, lives, makes his home] in God.
Vs 16 And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us. God is love, and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues in God, and God dwells and continues in him.
Vs 17 In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world.
Vs 19 We love Him, because He first loved us.
Dear God,
When I was very young, I confessed my faith in You not knowing You very well. Your authority and power frightened me; your awareness of every detail made me want to hide my transgressions. I was afraid that in your righteousness and holiness You would have no compassion for my shortcomings and weakness. I am so glad that your work in my life did not end there; but You continued to reveal yourself, and to build a relationship with me based on love. Over the years, your mercy and grace have won my heart; your goodness has provoked a deeper repentance in me than what I had from fearing You. The better I know You, the more I want to cooperate with your will and work in my life. Thank You for showing me that ‘the fear of Lord’ is the beginning, but not the end, of wisdom.
Amen
All (but*) quotes are from The Amplified Bible, published by
the Lockman Foundation. (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
*New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
**Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. (Eugene Peterson's easy-to-read, contemporary Scripture translation)
If you know of someone who would like to subscribe to
my daily devotional, please forward.
jamesdinsmore_32907@yahoo.com
Short, concise, thought-provoking.
More features:
http://SaintJamesPoetry.blogspot.com
http://recoverydevotional.blogspot.com/
http://jamesezadventures.blogspot.com/
posted by James M. Dinsmore at 4:52 AM
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