The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States Daily Guide grow. pray. study. for Thursday, 1 January 2015 “Perfect love drives out fear”

The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States Daily Guide grow. pray. study. for Thursday, 1 January 2015 “Perfect love drives out fear”
Daily Scripture: 1 John 4:13-16 This is how we know we’re living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He’s given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Also, we’ve seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God’s Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we’ve embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God.
To Love, to Be Loved
17-18 God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.
19 We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.
Reflection Questions:
Welcome to 2015! Some of us look forward to good things this New Year; some of us just hope things don’t get worse, and some of us fear that illness, poverty, loneliness or even death will define the year for us. No matter what our circumstances here, John urged us to remember (not just on New Year’s, but every day) that our ultimate destiny rests in the hands of our God, who “is love.” And perfect love, God’s love, John wrote, casts out fear.
• John’s words are so familiar that it may be hard for us to catch the depth of what he was saying. What difference do you see between “God loves” and “God IS love” (which John said in verse 16)? In her book Many Waters, Madeleine l’Engle wrote of a “vast, patiently waiting love” at the heart of the universe. How does it shift your view of life’s meaning and purpose to believe in that, rather than just a cold, empty universe?
• John particularly related his teaching that God is love to a human fear of punishment. To what extent did your upbringing, or your adult experiences with church, teach you to see God as angry, nit picking, eager to punish you? What is helping you to change that inner picture, so that you can live 2015 in the light of God’s love, rather than in fear of punishment?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that your love is a fixed point I can depend on in an everchanging world. Keep me steady, stable and loving every day of this New Year. Amen.

Insight from Mike Wilhoit

Mike Wilhoit serves at The Church of the Resurrection as Local Missions Director.

Since boyhood, I’ve been an Olympic worrier. I can quickly make a mole hill into Mt. Everest until finding relief in conversation with others or the Lord. I’ve recently found added perspective in God’s presence by remembering that God is with me, that He lives in me. One of the most comforting ways to remember God’s promises is to meditate upon them. One of my recent meditations went like this: “You are with me. You live in me. You will strengthen and lead me.”

Find a quiet place and calm your spirit by meditating upon God’s promises while breathing deeply and slowly. Try it for 20 minutes. You can find classical meditations online or have fun making up your own.

When facing fear, it does come down to the company we keep and the messages they bring. The next time you are afraid, consider seeking peace with the God of all comfort by meditating upon His promises.

Happy 2015!

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