Tuesday June 27, 2023

Today is Tuesday, June 27 and we are studying what the Bible says about security.

I begin a new day prioritizing what is most important – my relationship with God. I quiet my mind and center myself in the presence of the One who loves me – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, guide my steps on this pilgrim journey. Teach me how to make progress in the life of Christian maturity, persevering in the faith and growing in holiness of heart and life. Amen.

As I begin today’s pilgrim journey, I turn to God my Strength with the ancient words of Psalm 18.

For who is God except the Lord? And who is a rock besides our God? The God who has girded me with strength and made my way safe. Psalm 18:31-32

Pause and Pray

In addition to his Gospel, the Apostle John wrote three additional letters. John wrote his letters to believers who were surrounded by a culture of doubt and false teaching to encourage them to believe in the Son of God as the means to eternal life. John wrote this letter to believers who wanted more. Christians who wanted more life, more faith, more understanding, more holiness, more love, more joy, more peace, and more assurance. What John explains in chapter five, is that God promises them more of all these things. God offers life that is both in the here and now as well as eternal and everlasting.

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:11-15

The way John talks about eternal life is more than what first appears on the surface. Eternal life is found in the person of Jesus Christ (1 John 1:1-2). Jesus is life. Life that begins right now in my earthly existence. John describes something that is not just for later, after I die. It is for now. Eternal life is in the future but also begins in my present relationship with Jesus. It is in my life in Christ that I experience his deep abiding presence – daily companionship, joy and fellowship with Jesus. I am living in it and living into it. John offers me assurance beyond any doubt that my salvation is secure.
Ask: Do I have assurance of my salvation? Am I daily living in the joyful fellowship and companionship of Jesus Christ?

Pause and Pray

Thank you, Blessed and Holy Lord, for loving me and offering me eternal life in your Son Jesus. I have life that is eternal in the heavens and life that is abundant here and now on this earth. I have confidence to approach you in prayer, asking for whatever I need knowing that you hear me and will supply me in your wisdom. I read the words from 1 John again and listen for the message you have for me.

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:11-15

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

John’s testimony inspires confidence. Do I have confidence in God? Do I trust him, really trust him? If I could measure my level of confidence on a scale from one to ten, with ten being the most confident and one being the least confident, how would I rate the following? I am confident of my eternal salvation. I am confident I have life in Christ. I am confident in the companionship of Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I am confident life begins here and now. I am confident I can approach God with any request. I am confident God hears my prayers. I am confident that if my prayer aligns with his will, God will give me what I ask of him.

Pause and Pray

Come, Blessed Lord, reveal the places where I lack confidence. Give me assurance that I can fully surrender my life to you and completely trust you with everything. Give me knowledge of your will so that I can lift my prayers to you in confidence, asking for what you already want to provide. Amen.

I am glad I can have complete confidence in you. 2 Corinthians 7:16

I leave this time of prayer, confident of God’s love, mercy, grace and power. I go to serve the world in the name of Jesus.

Amen