Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Advance at God’s Pace” – Saturday, 24 May 2014 - Scripture: 1 John 2:3-17

Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Advance at God’s Pace” – Saturday, 24 May 2014 - Scripture: 1 John 2:3 This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments. 4 One who says, “I know him,” and doesn’t keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn’t in him. 5 But whoever keeps his word, God’s love has most certainly been perfected in him. This is how we know that we are in him: 6 he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.

7 Brothers, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. 8 Again, I write a new commandment to you, which is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shines. 9 He who says he is in the light and hates his brother, is in the darkness even until now. 10 He who loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no occasion for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and doesn’t know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

12 I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.

13 I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.

I write to you, little children, because you know the Father.

14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.

I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God remains in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

15 Don’t love the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love isn’t in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s. 17 The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God’s will remains forever.

“Advance at God’s Pace” by Susan Crook

Willie, our one-year-old shih tzu, follows me throughout the house. If I’m working at my desk, he’s at my feet. If I walk upstairs to the kitchen, he walks upstairs, too. If I exercise, he lifts weights (Okay, naps!). If only he could operate a vacuum. Willie desires to walk with me everywhere I go.

The apostle John teaches us to walk in God’s love, to follow His ways. Jesus is our perfect example. If we truly seek to walk with God, we will desire to be obedient to Him. Sin breaks our fellowship with God, creating sorrow and disappointment. When we walk as Jesus walked, we welcome God’s transforming power to become more like Christ every step of the way.

Walking with God means to advance at God’s pace. It starts with our first step. Sometimes we preceed slowly, sometimes we run, and sometimes we wait or "stay" in 

willie's terms.

The secret to enjoying an abundant life is obedience. Willie continues to work on the obedience part. He’s not there, yet. Then again, none of us are. Fortunately, our wonderful master advances patiently as we learn to follow His steps. He, too, continually stays by our side everywhere we go.

Hymn for Today:

“Trust and Obey” by John H. Sammis

1.  When we walk with the Lord

in the light of his word,

what a glory he sheds on our way!

While we do his good will,

he abides with us still,

and with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain:

Trust and obey, for there's no other way

to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

2.  Not a burden we bear,

not a sorrow we share,

but our toil he doth richly repay;

not a grief or a loss,

not a frown or a cross,

but is blest if we trust and obey.

Refrain:

Trust and obey, for there's no other way

to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

3.  But we never can prove

the delights of his love

until all on the altar we lay;

for the favor he shows,

for the joy he bestows,

are for them who will trust and obey.

Refrain:

Trust and obey, for there's no other way

to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

4. Then in fellowship sweet

we will sit at his feet,

or we'll walk by his side in the way;

what he says we will do,

where he sends we will go;

never fear, only trust and obey.

Refrain:

Trust and obey, for there's no other way

to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Thought for Today:

“We obey, not in slavish fear but in loving emulation.”

Prayer Needs:

Pray for these ministering in media to communicate the Gospel in South America!

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