Truth Takeaways of 1 John 1

Last night's family devotion was such a big improvement. E and F were more participative. In fact, they were the ones who shared their thoughts more and my husband and I.

Before we started our devotion, I wrote down some truths that were mentioned in 1 John 1, the chapter that we discussed on our first night. I thought, I can read it to everyone for a refresher of what we learned the night before. Instead of me just reading it, it became a conversation. Our girls shared what they thought of those truths. Both of them were kind of competing who goes first in sharing. My heart was full. We spent more that fifteen minutes talking and reading the chapter and Psalm for the day,

Right after our session, E told me that she felt like she's close to God again. It was like when she went to a three day church youth camp where she experienced and filled the presence and love of God. My heart is elated. She had been depressed lately, told her Dad one night with tears running down that she felt empty. I am so grateful that I listened and obeyed the Holy Spirit when He prompted me to this family Bible devotion. I already see the impact of it on her countenance.

Listed are the truths we gathered from the chapter (NLT):

• Jesus is the Word of life
• Jesus is life itself
• Jesus is eternal life
• God is Light, there is no darkness in Him
• We don't practice the truth if we continue living in spiritual darkness
• The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin
• Jesus is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanses us from it when we confess our sins to Him
• We call God a liar if we clain we have not sinned

The Chosen Devotional Day 1: Before

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.-" Isaiah 43:1

I want to honor my friend Susan who gave me this 40 days with Jesus book of "The Chosen" series. My prayer is that I will be able to diligently do this without missing a day. It's been a struggle of mine. I cannot do this with my own strength, but with God, who is my strength and fortress, all things are possible. I believe.

• What parts of your "before" has God redeemed, and which are you most grateful for?
  

There are too many to mention, actually. I used to get angry easily. I did not know how to control my emotions. I just burst when my feelings told me to. Because of that, some of my relationships, 

suffered. I also had this kind of attitude where I'd think to myself that if someone doesn't like, I don't like them either. Selfish thinking.

There are many more of my "before" that my Father God redeemed, but the one I am most grateful for is "repentance" which is the changing of my thinking about who and what He is. I used to think God as a big guy up in heavens just watching all people in the planet doing their thing, punished them when they do something He doesn't approve of. He was so patient walking with me to understand His very nature as my Father God.

• How does "I have called you by name, you are mine" impact you today?

This statement from the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving God impacts the way I look at myself significantly. It's a deep, personal statement which gives me assurance and sense of belongingness, passionately love, and jealously protected. Him calling me by my name gives my life direction and purpose. It means that my birth was not random nor luck. It means my life here on earth is needed for a good purpose that He planned long before I was created.

• What do you fear? How does Isaiah 43:1—this declaration made by God to His chosen ones —affect your fear?

What do I fear? My ultimate fear is me and my loved ones well-being. I do not want to die at the early stage of my life, leaving young children without the care of their mother. I do not want my kids, my husband die before me. Death stinks. I believe it's a universal thing that people fear most of all. But thanks be to God who tells me and promises me not to fear.  I have hope that me nor my loved ones will not leave this earth until our purpose is completed. Thanks to the sacrifice of my Savior Jesus Christ, death is behind me, us. I have eternal life. 

From time to time I need a reminder of what He says in Isaiah 43:1. It gives me assurance. It gives me confidence that my all-powerful God watches me and takes care of me and the people I love.

The Reason of the Gospel

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek."
Romans 1:16 (NKJV)

Image by rawpixel from Pixabay

What is the Gospel? What is in the Good News that the souls of the lost world desperately cry for it?

The Father's love and the gift of salvation tied with it is the Gospel. The unconditional love of the Father God is easily accessed to each and every child of His.' And you, dear friend, is His child. You are not exempted, you are not excluded. 

The famous Bible verse, John 3:16 sums it all—"Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life." (ERV)

One doesn't have to be perfect to be accepted by His Creator. To become perfect is totally impossible! If you wait for that time to come, you will leave this world in despair. The way to eternal life is easy. In fact, it's too good to be true that many people doubt it. Why? Because you don't have to do anything but only believe and accept. Believe in your heart that Jesus is the Son of God sent by Him to redeem you from sin and receive Him as your Lord and Savior. That's all you need. You do not have to do good things first and then present yourself to God so He will approve of you. You don't have to cleanse yourself from bad habits, attitude, character, or addiction beforehand so you can enter into His presence. God's love is not limited by what you do. It does not depend on whether you do good or bad. You were already loved even before the foundation of the earth. And that love was decided to have no condition attached to it. It's fixed and therefore cannot be changed. Whether you live your life in darkness or in the light, the love of your Father God hasn't changed a thing. It is the kind of love that the finite mind cannot fully understand.

Come as you are into His loving arms. Be bold in doing so for you are His beloved child after all. He has been patiently waiting for your homecoming. Cannot you feel it? Cannot you see it? See and feel it in your heart, then you will know. His arms wide outstretched, longing to wrap you in it. You are loved. You are treasured by the Creator of the universe who happens to be your Abba, Father. Once you were lost, but now you're found. Once you were blind, but now you see. You are a new creation. Rejoice child of God! The kingdom of God is at hand, freely given, all because of His enduring love for you!

Following New Blue Prints Devotional: Day 3 - I Choose to Trust God

Theme: I choose to trust God amidst opposition.

Study Book: Nehemiah 2:11-20

Personal Reflection

Nehemiah went to inspect the places affected by the destruction by himself. Seeing Jerusalem in total ruin encouraged him more, to move forward with what he intended to do—rebuild his beloved hometown. Nothing was going to stop him. When he came face to face with his brethren, he gave a speech that motivated their spirit to do the work. Nehemiah ensured his people of God's goodness and how God approved of their desire to rebuild Jerusalem. He also told them about how the king supports them all the way.

However, bullies came and downgraded their plan. They were right on their faces, throwing all the negative words they can say. Yet, Nehemiah was not threatened. He knew whom he stood for. He had so much confidence in his God, his detractors' words mean nothing.

Camp Application

When I told family and friends about my plan to volunteer for RFKC this summer, I do not know if there were people who thought in secret that it's a ridiculous idea. For someone who doesn't know these kids in distress, and what could happen during camp, some people may think  it's a "suicide." But like Nehemiah, I do not care what they think. What I care is the whisper of God in my heart. When He put that passion in my heart for it, I took steps to walk in the journey that He wanted my feet to tread. What I care is this exciting moment of my life that God opened for me. What I care is the love and the hope I can give to the kids God handpicked for me to have an impact on. God already prepared the way for me and these kids. Everything is ready for all of us. The oppositions' words and thinking have been silenced. Like Nehemiah and his people, we win. Our God made it so.

"Following New Blue Prints Devotional is created for RFK Camp volunteers in preparation for RFKC 2018. Images used in this blog is a personal choice."

Following New Blue Prints Devotional: Day 2 - I Choose to Trust God

Theme: I choose to trust God.
Study Book: Nehemiah 2:1-10

Personal Reflection

Nehemiah must have been looking depressed for months (from the time he heard the news) while serving the king, that one day the king asked his cupbearer the reason behind his dejected face. The king couldn't take it any longer. The happy Nehemiah doesn't look like the Nehemiah he knows. This sad face has been going on for months. The king sensed that his servant is going through a deep emotional struggle.

I love how Nehemiah responded. He didn't have any reservations. He did not let his fear stop him from telling the king the very truth behind his sorrow. Because of his boldness, the door to work out an answer to his concern was opened. However, his audacity was coupled with trust in his God through prayer. He didn't just thoughtlessly give the king a long list of what he needs, he started it all with a prayer. He is fully aware that anything he plans to do, will not be successful without involving God and putting Him first above everything.

Nehemiah is a man of great faith. The Holy Spirit included the story of Nehemiah's unwavering faith in God as a vivid illustration of what it is like when I put all my trust in Him. God never disappointed Nehemiah in his talk with the king. The king gave all that he requested. He even sent captains of his army and horsemen to accompany Nehemiah, to ensure the safety of his journey. He gave him a great success in all his endeavors because, in everything he did, he put God first. When I follow Nehemiah's example, God will surely do the same for me.

Camp Application

I've never been to RFK Camp before. I have a few pictures in my mind of what it will be like, but these are nothing compared to the actual scenario. I need the grace of God to remind me to put Him first in everything that I do or say. Doing this will bless all the people that I will be with especially the kids that I will be serving. I should not depend on my human efforts for they will bound to fail. But with God, I am bound to succeed in blessing the lives of the children and the volunteers.

"Following New Blue Prints Devotional is created for RFK Camp volunteers in preparation for RFKC 2018. Images used in this blog is a personal choice."