Daily Reading: 1 John 1-2
Scripture Focus: And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. (1 John 2.28)
Devotional Thought: I still remember the feeling I had many years ago (many, many years ago!), when I was taking biology as a “directed study” course in high school. The biology teacher was kind enough to agree to oversee me and to loan me some of his materials, in particular some scientific periodicals. As time passed in my senior year, I found it increasingly difficult to apply myself to this directed study course. There were just too many other things a 17-year-old boy was interested in! I fell further and further behind and eventually “dropped” the course, since I didn’t need it for graduation.
What I remember most vividly about this whole thing was my attitude toward the biology teacher. At first, I was always happy to see him and even went out of my way to talk to him. As I fell behind, however, I started to stay away from his classroom and to avoid him in the halls. I was hiding from him! One day, I was in another class and the biology teacher came in. Seeing me in the back (trying to avoid eye contact!), he said to no one in particular, “Some student has my periodicals.” That struck fear in my 17-year-old soul! That night, I retrieved the magazines (unread) and dropped them off to him the next day. He was a great guy and wanted me to succeed, so he dropped the whole thing. We went right back to the relationship we had enjoyed before I took the course. I no longer dreaded his appearing in the hallways of my high school. I no longer avoided him. It was wonderful! I was a student again and not a fugitive!
Are you abiding in Jesus? Or, are you a fugitive?
Prayer: "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Amen. (Psalm 139.23-24)
Psalm of the Day: 6 Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! 7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! 8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. (Psalms 124:6-8)
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