Good Raisin'

Daily Reading: 1 John 1-2

Scripture Focus: My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (1 John 2.1)

Devotional Thought: "Who raised you?" I was asked that by a 9 or 10 year old boy once. I was visiting with his grandmother, and he was there, sitting at the table while we talked over a cup of coffee. I didn't know what to say, so I waited for him to explain himself. As young boys do, he very quickly obliged: "You sure got some good raisin'. I can tell by how you're behavin' now."

That little boy taught me something that day. People can tell a lot about us by the way we behave. And, our behavior speaks clearly about who raised us!

I think the Apostle John would have liked my little friend, for he said basically the same thing in today's verse. Consider the simplicity of what John is saying in this verse:

· We are God's children. "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1.12-13).

· God wants us to behave as his children. What parent wouldn't? And, God has given us his written Word to instruct us. That's "good raisin'."

· Sometimes, we fail to behave as God's children. It's not that we mean to or plan to. Anathema! But sometimes, in our weakness, we are surprised and unprepared, and end up doing what we do not want to do.

· Jesus, the righteous One, is our Advocate with the Father. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1.9).

Who raised you? How are you behavin'?

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, that you are my Advocate with the Father. I do not wish to sin. God forbid! But if I do, show me and help me to confess and be cleansed. You alone are my righteousness! Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 128.1-6

1 Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways! 2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. 4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.

5 The Lord bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life! 6 May you see your children's children! Peace be upon Israel!