This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

1 John 1:5-10

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 1 John 1:5-6

In preparation for leading Sunday school 15SEP, this entire week my focus is on our course of study which is 1 John.  This Sunday, in particular, using DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book video series for 1 John, we explore 1 John 1:5-10 which is covered in two parts.  Excerpts from Part 1, entitled Fake Christians Walk in Darkness:   

• This video explores vv5-6
• V5 describes how God is light, in Him there is no darkness at all; if you have fellowship with God you are in light and cannot have darkness
• V6 describes how if say we have fellowship with God while walking in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth
  
• See also 1 John 4:7-8 which describes a similar message, and Piper shares how we can exchange light for love because God is both attributes; people are originally darkened, then upon election and justification, they have fellowship with God and walk in light see also 1 John 1:1-4, John 8:12 
• See John 12:36, John 1:14, and 1 John 2:8-11; Piper uses these texts to describe how this light produces light and life and it is given in connection with Jesus; you see and become, then shine this light; Piper describes how you can exchange Word for light, and glory for light when you see the light.
  
• God is light - He sends Christ as the light of life, then as we have light, we shine with light and love others; when you come into relationship with Christ, You are given life and light that shines and this is love.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are so good - Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and You enable me to walk in obedience to You.  Thank You Jesus.  Yet I know I continue to stumble as my sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards Your.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes 1

I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind. v14

Solomon refers to earthly existence as empty and devoid of meaning - this is true apart from God.

God is in everything and apart from Him we have no good things.

 

 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17

 

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” Psalm 16:2

 

My Prayer:  Heavenly Father - You are a great God who has made the Heavens and the Earth and You made me in Your image, and You provided for all of my needs and You are always with me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I am often harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.

Proverbs 14

The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death. v27

We all want to lead a good life but the the world defines a good life in a way that leads to the snares of death.

Fear of the Lord starts with humility, recognition that we all need a savior, and a desire for Jesus.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:3-6

We must lose ourselves, seek an identity in Christ, and serve Him and others for His glory.

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

Jesus also comes to free us from the sting of sin and death and to provide life "to the full":

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 

My Prayer:  Lord, what a great God You are - You suffered and died on the cross then rose again and came to save me from the sting of sin and death to provide life to the full!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such efforts and love.  I am impatient, lazy, etc. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.

Psalm 36

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. v9

God promises, not just here but throughout the Bible, that He is life, and that we need to be aware of the lies of this world that promise life through things, jobs, health, people, etc.  

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

In John 10:10, Jesus warns of Satan's influences for He is the Prince of This World and seeks to entice us with an earthly focus and with concerns of this world.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and I have experienced the abundance and fullness of life You promise.  Thank You Jesus!  But I am not worth such blessings, mercies, etc.  I continue to worry and focus on this world.  Please forgive me and help me turn from and overcome such sin! Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin, and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.