Good morning beautiful ladies in the Lord :)
We are already on Week 5 of our 1 John study! I can't believe how the first month flew! I realize that I slipped a bit as the weeks went on in my commitment (which is 1/2 the reason we use this blog!) so I am taking today, and this week to prayerfully re-commit to my goal of early morning quiet times. Every time I fulfill that goal, it reminds me why I love it so much. And it makes me think of Jesus, who often arose early to go to a quiet place and be with his Father. Hardly anyone makes a phone call before 7am, my husband is either off to work or still sleeping, and the sun is hardly up = perfect circumstances for time to freely have my heart opened before God. It's a sacrifice not to stay snuggled up under the covers, like it's so nice to do as the fall rolls over into winter, but coffee and comfy PJ's makes it easier. :)
Anyway, our verses for today! What a reminder that we are in the last days, and to watch vigilantly for anyone, anything that might pull us from our salvation and convictions in faith. There is obviously THE ANTICHRIST, whom I am still unsure that actually is...any thoughts on that? (I've heard a lot about the Pope in regards to this, but I don't know...?)
Secondly, there's the easier-to-understand and see in the world around us, people we call antichrists. These are the folks that were in the church, believing alongside us, and then decided to forsake Christ and take along with them deceptive philosophies, claiming up and down to have truth, except it's a truth of their own. They are wolves dressed in sheep's clothing.
I cannot on my own recognize a "bad sheep" from a "good sheep"- I need the Lord's eyes and the strength of faith he gives through his Word to see what to allow in my life and what to flee far from.
I have a prayer request for you gals, regarding a cousin of mine who has turned from the faith (years ago, now) but who is moving closer to our family due to a job and marriage change. He is 4 years older than me, this is his second marriage, and he was close friends with my older brother up until their teenage years. Since then, he has persisted in unbelieving behavior and professed that he cares nothing for this "God stuff" even though he was baptized and grew up with knowledge of saving faith. What occurred to me, is that in a sense, he is the type of antichrist our verse 19 refers to. He needs the Law approach, and urgently. The rest of my extended family on that particular side feels that we just need to pray. Only pray and God will bring him back in His time. We shouldn't preach to him, they say. Needless to say, there are some familial disagreements lately. It's hard and a sad thing to experience, but the truth of God's word needs to guide us, and so I'm asking all of you to pray for this situation, that all my family would put aside their emotions and let God's Word tell them the right thing to do. My cousin knew the truth and deliberately chose to turn from it - this is a serious issue. Your prayers are much appreciated, as well as any Scriptural advice! Thank you! :)
God bless all of you today - bask in the sunshine and His love for you today!
~Cait
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I'm glad to hear that you are emboldened to speak the truth in love to your cousin. Sometimes this means the law. Your zeal is an encouragement to me, because many of the people in my life right now emphasize simply loving others, and letting God work in their heart in his time, and through your actions. While this important, I believe that God means it in his Word that the unrepentant need the law to work on their hearts. If this is what is necessary, then this is the best means of loving. I'll be praying for you as you approach this person. Keep in mind that, even though people may be obviously living in sin, we all deal with it in our own ways, whether seen or unseen. God may be working on him, though he seems quite lost. Keep praying for his soul. God has him on his heart, and he can revive what is not living.
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to look up verses on the antichrist. I hope to do this today. This section doesn't reveal too many details. Makes me curious to browse other parts in my Bible. Love you!
ReplyDeleteYes thank you, to your first comment! My cousin is not moving near Pete and I at all - he'll be moving closer to more like my folks and grandparents, aunts and uncles. So far it is only my folks that understand the need for Law right now. I don't know when the right time is for any of us to talk to him about this, but we'll be praying for the best case scenario, because it surely is never a comfortable conversation! Or maybe it might happen over a series of conversations...I don't know. Right now, it's more like we're preparing to do what's God wants us to do when he presents the opportunity. I'll have to talk to you in greater depth later, because this could otherwise turn into a book! haha But yes, thanks for the prayers! Love you!
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