18 Children, this is the Last Hour. You have heard that an Anti-Messiah is coming; and in fact, many anti-Messiahs have arisen now — which is how we know that this is the Last Hour. 19 They went out from us, but they weren’t part of us; for had they been part of us, they would have remained with us.
20 But you have received the Messiah’s anointing from HaKadosh, and you know all this. 21 It is not because you don’t know the truth that I have written to you, but because you do know it, and because no lie has its origin in the truth. 22 Who is a liar at all, if not the person who denies that Yeshua is the Messiah? Such a person is an anti-Messiah — he is denying the Father and the Son. 23 Everyone who denies the Son is also without the Father, but the person who acknowledges the Son has the Father as well. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, you will also remain in union with both the Son and the Father. 25 And this is what he has promised us: eternal life.
26 I have written you these things about the people who are trying to deceive you. 27 As for you, the Messianic anointing you received from the Father remains in you, so that you have no need for anyone to teach you. On the contrary, as his Messianic anointing continues to teach you about all things, and is true, not a counterfeit, so, just as he taught you, remain united with him.
28 And now, children, remain united with him; so that when he appears, we may have confidence and not shrink back from him in shame at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you should also know that he is the Father of everyone who does what is right.
"Remain Faithful Together" by Author: Doug MannThere are so many voices these days. With the proliferation of the internet, everyone seems to have the ability to voice their own opinions about any and every subject. Suddenly, there is so much noise, it is difficult to filter out the voices (false prophets) that lead people astray.
Obviously, we need to use Scripture as our key filter. In other words, if there is a voice that disagrees or misuses Scripture, that is a voice that isn’t worth listening to. However, we also need to use an under-utilized help in this arena. There is strength, wisdom, and discernment in the body of Christ. Not only do we need to look to leadership for guidance, but the discipleship process through covenant relationship helps keep us on the path of the straight and narrow.
I reflect on some of the conversations I’ve had in the past, where my friends have said, “All I need is God. I don’t need the church.” Any of us who are serious about discipleship recognize that we need the church because we need each other. We walk this journey as disciples of Jesus and we encourage each other along the way.
Hymn for Today: "Thou sweet, beloved will of God" by Gerhardt Tersteegen (1697-1769); Translated by Jean Sophia Pigott (1845-1882)
1.
Thou sweet, beloved will of God,
My anchor ground, my fortress hill,
My spirit’s silent, fair abode,
In Thee I hide me and am still.
2. O Will, that willest good alone,
Lead Thou the way, Thou guidest best;
A little child, I follow on,
And, trusting, lean upon Thy breast.
3. God’s will doth make the bitter sweet,
And all is well when it is done;
Unless His will doth hallow it,
The glory of all joy is gone.
4. Thy beautiful sweet will, my God,
Holds fast in its sublime embrace
My captive will, a gladsome bird,
Prisoned in such a realm of grace.
5. Within this place of certain good
Love evermore expands her wings,
Or nestling in Thy perfect choice,
Abides content with what it brings.
6. Oh, lightest burden, sweetest yoke;
It lifts, it bears my happy soul,
It giveth wings to this poor heart;
My freedom is Thy grand control.
7. Upon God’s will I lay me down,
As child upon its mother’s breast;
No silken couch, nor softest bed,
Could ever give me such deep rest.
8. Thy wonderful grand will, my God,
With triumph now I make it mine;
And faith shall cry a joyous Yes
To every dear command of Thine.
Thought for Today:
"If you know that he is righteous, you should also know that he is the Father of everyone who does what is right." 1 John 2:29.
Please pray:
For the faith people to stand up for righteousness no matter what their faith is without violence of any kind.
---------------------
---------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment