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The Confidence of the Christian Life
June 15 - Lesson 3
Printed Text: 1 John 2:1-11
Central Truth: The Christian can live confidently in a sin-saturated world.
- The Christian’s Advocate (1 John 2:1, 2)
- The Christian’s Obedience (1 John 2:3-6)
- The Christian’s Walk (1 John 2:7-11)
The Fellowship of the Christian Life
June 8 - Lesson 2
Printed Text: 1 John 1:1-10
Central Truth: The Christian enjoys the fellowship of God’s family.
- The Joy of Fellowship (1 John 1:1-4)
- Requirements For Fellowship (1 John 1:5-7)
- Hindrances to Fellowship (1 John 1:8-10)
Chosen for Fellowship
Read Exodus 25:10-22
“And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel” (v. 22).
There are many reasons why people choose us to be their friends. Some choose us because of a good deed we have done for them. Some choose those that have a great deal of this world’s goods and they think that by choosing them they may benefit by having the wealthy to be their friend.
I am so grateful for those who have chosen to let me be their friend and to have fellowship with them. They have not made that choice because I am wealthy so they can benefit financially. Neither have they chosen my friendship because of good deeds I might do for them, for I am limited in what I can do. They chose my friendship and fellowship because they love God and He has commanded us to love one another.
God told Moses that He would meet with him and commune with him from above the mercy seat. We should be grateful that we are not limited to meeting and communing with God in a certain church or in a particular place within the church, but He will meet and commune with us in the place of obedience. As God told Saul through Samuel, He expects obedience and not sacrifice in order to have fellowship with Him. (Larry DeOrnellis)
Jesus said He would never leave or forsake us, and He is available for fellowship with us wherever we come to Him.
This week’s featured devotional is the Thursday, June 5, 2014 entry of Opening the Word. Order your copy!
Photo credit: "<3" by James Kim used under CC BY-SA 2.0 / Resized and cropped.
God’s Word Enlightens
Read Psalm 19:7-11
“The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes” (v. 8).
What an amazing book!
The Bible begins with God, “In the beginning God” and ends with man, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” The Bible is a message from God to man, to bring man to God. The first recorded words of man are, “I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid . . . and I hid myself,” and some of the last words are, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
The Bible answers three important questions: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going?
Paul, in 2 Timothy 3:16, tells us that the Bible is inspired by God, and “is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness.” God’s specific purpose for the scriptures is that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished for all good works.
Doctrines are actually principles to live by. Solomon considered these principles to be so important that he gave four ways we can respond to them in Proverbs 4:20, 21: (1) “Attend to my words.” (2) “Incline thine ear unto my sayings.” (3) “Let them not depart from thine eyes.” (4) “Keep them in the midst of thine heart.” (Calvin Bennett)
Let God breathe inspiration into your life through His Word.
This week’s featured devotional is the Monday, May 26, 2014 entry of Opening the Word. Order your copy!
Photo credit: "IMG_6255" by Jeremy Nicholson used under CC BY 2.0 / Resized and cropped.
The Purpose of God's Word
June 1 - Lesson 1
Printed Text: John 20:24-31
Central Truth: God’s Word inspires faith in Christ.
Lesson Outline:
- The Doubt (John 20:24, 25)
- The Proof (John 20:26-29)
- The Testimony (John 20:30, 31)
Effective Gospel Outreach
May 25, 2014 - Lesson 13
Printed Text: Acts 28:17-24, 30, 31
Central Truth: The man who is moving in the will of God has inner victory despite all outward circumstances.
Lesson Outline:
- Ministry through Miracles (Acts 28:1-10)
- Ministry through Fellowship (Acts 28:11-23)
- Ministry through Teaching (Acts 28:24-31)