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TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE

Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.

(676) 8 November : Proverbs 30v1 / 1 John 1v1-3v9 / Psalm 138v6-8

BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."

Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world.

Wisdom to chew on
Proverbs 30:1

Understanding to grow in
Late in the first century, John proclaims a message he has seen and touched - that is the truth that is Jesus. And the message is that if someone walks in his light, they are forgiven and purified from their sin, and enjoy not just fellowship with God's people but with God himself. Such a person is not perfect (1v8), but they can be said to no longer keep on sinning (3v6) in the sense that they no longer desire it or are dominated by it. So the obedience that stems from faith really matters. But this is an inner as well as outer obedience, and so is seen in love for fellow Christians - the great theme of the letter. Such love and living overcomes the evil one and is possible because the word lives within the believer. They are therefore marked by loving the Father rather than the world and its ways, and accepting that Jesus is the Christ rather than following those who deny that. And all this is possible, because they have "an anointing from the Holy One" - they have been born again by the Holy Spirit through the seed of the gospel, and so have become children of God. What grace. What priviledge. As you read note why the true Christian should be godly.

Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.

Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.