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Daily Thoughts
And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another.
– 2 John 1:5
Many Bible teachers, including myself, believe that John’s reference to “the elect lady” in 2 John is a coded reference referring to the Church. Therefore, John here pleads with the church both 2,000 years ago, and now, to keep the ancient command of God to love one another.
Love is the summary of all of God’s law. As Paul wrote to the Galatians…
“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
– Galatians 5:14
And as Jesus spoke in Matthew 22:37-40…
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ “This is the first and great commandment. “And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
It would be difficult to keep all of God’s written law exactingly. But thankfully everything can be concisely summed up in one word. Love.
Today’s goal
Love God and one another.
Helpful Resources
Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik
Read the Scriptures at Bible.com
Download the YouVersion Bible App
Additional Daily Devotionals
My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers
Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon
Revelation 5
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Devotional
Revelation 5 pictures a scene in heaven that is believe by many (including myself) to be yet future. But I find verse 5 to be applicable at so many times and in so many ways.
In looking at the world around us and experiencing the trials and difficulties of life in a fallen world, there are many times in which we are tempted to weep. But the word of the elder in Revelation 5:5 is a glorious exhortation and reminder.
There are horrible things that happen in this fallen world. But we need not despair or weep. Jesus has prevailed!
Today’s goal
Set you mind and heart upon the risen and victorious Jesus.
Helpful Resources
Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik
Read the Scriptures at Bible.com
Download the YouVersion Bible App
Additional Daily Devotionals
My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers
Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon
Books on Revelation
If you’re interested in further materials on Revelation and Eschatology, check out the following:
Revelation 4
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Devotional
The Book of Revelation is the revelation of Jesus Christ, and here in chapter 4 He is revealed in awesome wonder. He is majestic, glorious, mighty, everlasting and worthy of constant and continual worship. Around His throne are four living creatures, and they do not rest day or night in their worship of Him saying, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”
Today’s goal
Take a few minutes and remember the greatness of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then spend a few more minutes in quite worship of Him. He is worthy!
Helpful Resources
Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik
Read the Scriptures at Bible.com
Download the YouVersion Bible App
Additional Daily Devotionals
My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers
Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon
Books on Revelation
If you’re interested in further materials on Revelation and Eschatology, check out the following:
Revelation 3
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Devotional
Of the 7 letters of Jesus written to the Churches of Asia, only two are without rebuke. This short letter to the Church at Philadelphia is one of those two.
Every church (corporately) and Christian (individually) wants to have the testimony of Philadelphia. They, in the midst of a lost culture, maintained strength; albeit little. In that strength they kept God’s word and held the line, refusing to deny His name.
The Philadelphian church is a beautiful reminder to every Christian. You don’t have to be super saint. You just need to have a little strength, to keep His word.
Today’s goal
Strengthen yourself in God. Hold fast to His word.
Helpful Resources
Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik
Read the Scriptures at Bible.com
Download the YouVersion Bible App
My Teachings on the 7 Churches of Revelation
Additional Daily Devotionals
My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers
Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon
Books on Revelation
If you’re interested in further materials on Revelation and Eschatology, check out the following:
Revelation 2
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Devotional
Six heavy words: “Nevertheless I have this against you.” Not the kind of words you ever want to hear form Jesus. I’d much rather hear “Well done good and faithful servant.” Thankfully the Scriptures also say, “Whom the Lord loves, He chastens” (Hebrews 12:6). You can be certain, these letters from Jesus to the 7 churches of Asia were written from a loving heart, seeking to bring correction.
It is important for followers of Jesus to always allow God’s Word to bring the (sometimes) necessary rebuke into our lives. For as Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.”
Today’s goal
Be honest about your life before God. Let His Word have it’s perfecting work in your life.
Helpful Resources
Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik
Read the Scriptures at Bible.com
Download the YouVersion Bible App
My Teachings on the 7 Churches of Revelation
Additional Daily Devotionals
My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers
Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon
Books on Revelation
If you’re interested in further materials on Revelation and Eschatology, check out the following:
Revelation 1
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Devotional
The Revelation of Jesus Christ. It’s one of the most studied and yet misunderstood books of the Bible. In all that we’ll see over the next 22 chapters it’s important to look for and not miss Jesus. This book is the Revelation of Him. It’s not the revelation of the anti-christ, or the timing of the second coming, though those things may be referenced in it’s poetic prophecies. It is the revelation of Christ, so be on lookout for His glory, majesty and grace.
Today’s goal
God desires to reveal His glory in all things. Seek to see Jesus in the happenings of your day.
Helpful Resources
Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik
Read the Scriptures at Bible.com
Download the YouVersion Bible App
Additional Daily Devotionals
My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers
Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon
Books on Revelation
If you’re interested in further materials on Revelation and Eschatology, check out the following:
Jude 1
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Devotional
I don’t know if there is a more jam-packed book in the whole Bible. Perhaps that’s because this one is only 25 verses in 1 chapter.
Jude was a half-brother of Jesus, though he doesn’t mention that in his writing. He wasn’t a name-dropper, I think there’s a lesson there. But Jude was also not a believer or disciple until after his half-brother, Jesus rose from the dead. Sometimes people need to spend a lot of time around Jesus before they are convinced of who He really is.
There are a lot of challenging words and ideas in this short letter, and some strange references too. But the challenge given by Jude 2,000 years ago is still amazingly relevant today.
Today’s goal
Let your non-believing friends and family spend time seeing Jesus in your life.
Helpful Resources
Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik
Read the Scriptures at Bible.com
Download the YouVersion Bible App
Additional Daily Devotionals
My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers
Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon
3 John 1
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Daily Thoughts
I was 16 years old the first time I went to a church youth camp. Twenty years later I can say with confidence that it was a turning point in my life. I’ll never forget that camp. The theme was “In Christ” and the focus of the teaching was the Book of Ephesians.
The opening day of the camp a balding, nearly 70 year old heavyset Pastor taught all three sessions on Ephesians 1. When he stepped up to the pulpit for the first session there was a sense among many of the nearly 400 high school students in attendance that this ‘old guy’ wouldn’t have anything to share with a bunch of kids. We were wrong.
By the end of the day a seed had been planted in my mind and heart by the old man. A seed of a desire to serve God with the rest of my life. As he walked to his car after the final evening session I caught him for a moment and asked, “Will you please sign my Bible?” Looking back it was one of those odd, youthful requests, but I do remember what he wrote…
“III John 4.
Chuck Smith”
Today’s goal
Make the heart of your pastor happy. Walk in the truth.
Helpful Resources
Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik
Read the Scriptures at Bible.com
Download the YouVersion Bible App
Additional Daily Devotionals
My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers
Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon
2 John 1
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Daily Thoughts
Many Bible teachers, including myself, believe that John’s reference to “the elect lady” in 2 John is a coded reference referring to the Church. Therefore, John here pleads with the church both 2,000 years ago, and now, to keep the ancient command of God to love one another.
Love is the summary of all of God’s law. As Paul wrote to the Galatians…
And as Jesus spoke in Matthew 22:37-40…
It would be difficult to keep all of God’s written law exactingly. But thankfully everything can be concisely summed up in one word. Love.
Today’s goal
Love God and one another.
Helpful Resources
Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik
Read the Scriptures at Bible.com
Download the YouVersion Bible App
Additional Daily Devotionals
My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers
Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon
1 John 5
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Daily Thoughts
The Apostle Paul writes in the Book of Romans that Christians are “more than conquerors through Him (Jesus) who loved us” (Romans 8:37). The word “overcomes” in 1 John 5 and “conquerors” in Romans 8 are the same root words in the original Greek. Through faith in Christ we become conquerors, overcoming the sin and death of this fallen world.
Take heart when faced with difficulties and trials in this world. This world is not all that there is, and in Christ we have an absolutely certain hope of a life beyond this.
Today’s goal
Give thanks to God for all that He has given us in Christ. Happy Thanksgiving!
Helpful Resources
Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik
Read the Scriptures at Bible.com
Download the YouVersion Bible App
Additional Daily Devotionals
My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers
Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon
1 John 4
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Daily Thoughts
Many refer to 1 Corinthians 13 as “The Love Chapter” in the Bible. First John 4 has to hold a close second in the love competition category. The word love is found 27 times in the 21 verses of this chapter. Here John, the beloved apostle, reveals this great truth; “God is love.”
There are many words that can be used to describe God; holy, just, good, gracious, merciful, powerful, creative, etc. But no list would be complete without “love” near the very top. Without the love of God there’d be no plan for the redemption of lost humanity. Jesus (our Redeemer) is the tangible expression of the love of God. In Him we see the Father’s love demonstrated, and through Him we experience the goodness of God’s love both now and forever.
Today’s goal
Seek to experience and express God’s love in a tangible way today.
Helpful Resources
Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik
Read the Scriptures at Bible.com
Download the YouVersion Bible App
Additional Daily Devotionals
My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers
Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon