I’m going to be sharing my Bible Study notes on 1 John on my blog. I’m using the SOAP method which is to write out the Scripture, write one to two Observations, make Application, and then write a Prayer. Some days I may not share if it is too personal. I hope this is encouraging to you. And if you want to join in just go to http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/

I am way behind on my Bible Study and will be catching up tonight hopefully.  I will also try to get a post out about why this week has been so nuts for me so stay tuned.  Here is the rest of Week 5 and then I’ll do Week 6 in a separate post.

Week 5, Day 3

I John 2:24-27 – “Let what you heard from the beginning abide in You.  If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.  And this is the promise that He made to us-eternal life.  I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.  But the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you.  But as His anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie – just as it has taught you, abide in Him.”

Observation
When the Word of god abides in you, then you abide in the Son and the Father.  Abiding means to stay, remain, live in.  It is an active verb.  It takes effort on our part to remain in the Word.

God has anointed us as believers.  His Holy Spirit teaches us what we need to know. This does not mean we don’t learn from Bible teachers, it just means we check it with the Word and the Holy Spirit will help us discern.

Application
We have to work at remaining in the Word and having it live in us.  We can’t abide in the Word if we only hear it on Sunday.  We can’t have the Word abide in us if we are not in it on a daily basis and meditating upon it throughout the day.  It should be like the very air we breath.  One of the best ways to meditate on Scripture is to memorize it throughout the day.  Hang it up in your home where it will constantly be before your eyes.  There are even ways you can decorate with it.

Prayer
Dear Lord, Please help me to abide in Your Word.  Forgive me for the times I have not abided in Your Word.  Help me to ever have the Word at the forefront of my mind and bring it up continually with my kids.  This is my hearts desire, to raise children who love Your Word. Please help me to do this. In Jesus name, Amen.

Week 5, Day4

1 John 2:28-29 – “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.  If you know that He is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him.”

Observation
Abiding in Christ not only means that we remain in His Word and His Word in us, but we also strive to obey it and live it out.  Abiding in Christ is also living a life of prayer and joy in Him.

We know that Christ is righteous, so those we see practicing righteousness we know are born of Him.  This gives us a way to discern who is of God and who isn’t.

Application
We need to abide in Christ so that we are not ashamed when He comes.  We should live in such a way as to make us confident at His return.  We do this through a lifestyle of being in His Word, obedience, prayer, and joy in Christ.

Prayer
Dear Lord, help me to live in such a way that I rejoice in Your coming and am not ashamed.  I need Your help to live a life that glorifies You.  This is my desire.  In Jesus name, Amen

I hope these posts are encouraging for you.  If you have been reading them would you please leave me a comment letting me know.  It’s encouraging to know when others are reading what you have written.  Thanks for your time.  God bless you as you see to know Him more.

I’m going to be sharing my Bible Study notes on 1 John on my blog. I’m using the SOAP method which is to write out the Scripture, write one to two Observations, make Application, and then write a Prayer. Some days I may not share if it is too personal. I hope this is encouraging to you. And if you want to join in just go to http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/

I actually did this reading on Tuesday I’m just a bit late on posting.  I didn’t however do my devotions yesterday.    I’m hoping to get some time in today when the kiddos are asleep. We’ve been sick around our house so our schedule has gone out the window in favor of more rest.

1 John 2:20-23- “But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you have all knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.  Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?  This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.  No one who denies the Son has the Father, whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.

Observation
Being anointed by the Holy One probably means being regenerated by the Holy Spirit according to the ESV Study Bible. This is the same anointed all believers have, not just them.  John once again confirms that he knows they are of the truth.

We also see a good way to pick out false teachers and gospels, if they deny the Father or the Son.  You must believe and confess the Son to have the Father.

Application
You can examine a ministry or religion by what they believe about Jesus.  Many organizations would have you think they believe in Jesus, but what Jesus?  The Jesus of the Bible who is fully God and fully man or a good teacher. Make sure to examine the things around you.  Practice discernment.

Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for Your Word and that we can examine the truth or falsehood of teachings or ministries by holding them up to the light of Your Word.  Help us to practice discernment more.  In Jesus name, Amen

I’m going to be sharing my Bible Study notes on 1 John on my blog. I’m using the SOAP method which is to write out the Scripture, write one to two Observations, make Application, and then write a Prayer. Some days I may not share if it is too personal. I hope this is encouraging to you. And if you want to join in just go to http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/

1 John 2:18-19- “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come.  Therefore we know that it is the last hour.  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.  But they went out, that it might become plain that they are all not of us.”

Observation
An antichrist is someone who is against Christ. They have set their hearts against God and do the devils’ bidding instead of God’s will.  We see many of these in our world today.  The Antichrist is a person to come.

They had recently had some people leave their church.  John is reassuring them that there was a purpose.  If someone truly is a Christian they will be one forever as they are sustained by God’s grace. So the fact that these had left shows plainly that they were never part of the body.

Application
We should not be confused when we see someone leave the fellowship.  It just shows they were never a part to begin with. It also shouldn’t cause us to be worried about losing our own faith. If we are truly saved and walking with Christ He will preserve us by His grace.

Prayer
Dear Lord, Thank you for your grace that sustains.  Thank you for choosing me before the foundations of the world and preserving me in Your grace. In Jesus name, Amen

I’m going to be sharing my Bible Study notes on 1 John on my blog. I’m using the SOAP method which is to write out the Scripture, write one to two Observations, make Application, and then write a Prayer. Some days I may not share if it is too personal. I hope this is encouraging to you. And if you want to join in just go to http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/
I missed my morning Bible time yesterday. It was just one of those days.  I know you have all had them.  The good thing is that I am getting into the habit and when I don’t get my morning devotional time I miss it terribly.  This did not used to be the case.  God is truly fostering a love for His Word in me and I am so thankful.

Day 3

1 John 2:14- “I write to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning.  I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the Word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.”

Observation
There is a lot of repetition in this verse from the previous verses. John was obviously trying to drive home the point that he was confident of their salvation.

There is only one who is from the beginning and that is God. He is definitely the one to know and to focus on knowing better.

The young men are strong and the Word of God abides in them.  I wish this could be said of more young men and women in our culture.

Application
We need to know Him who is from the beginning and abide in His Word.  Not just occasionally read a verse but abide or live in His Word.  It needs to be on our minds continually. A great way to do this is to memorize Scripture.  Another good way is to listen to an audio Bible throughout your day.

Prayer
Dear Lord, help me to be one who knows Him who is from the beginning. Help me to grow in my knowledge of You.  I desire to abide in Your Word and have it permeate all parts of my life, especially my interactions with others and specifically with my children.  Show me how to share more of Your Word with them and foster a lifelong love of Your Word in them. In Jesus name, Amen

Day 4

1 John 2:15-17- “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world- the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions- is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away long with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

Observation
Ouch! Can you feel the conviction? The world is summed up in desires of the flesh, desires of the eyes, and pride in possessions, every sin can find its root in one of these three.  All of it is fleeting. It will not bring us true joy, peace or contentment, only the love of the Father can. Our soul can only be satisfied in Him.

Application
Turn from the world and the things of the world.  Be more picky with what you allow your eyes to see- movies, tv shows, pictures, ect. Don’t give into the desires of the flesh- laziness, poor eating, ect.  Don’t find your worth in your possessions- clothes, home, car, ect.  Run to Jesus.  Abide in Him and His Word.

Prayer
Dear Lord, Forgive me for my love of the world. Help me to not give int o what my flesh wants but to seek to know Your will and do Your will. In Jesus name, Amen

Women around the world are IN THE WORD! (yeah I know it’s Thursday but oh well, better a day late than not at all)

I’m going to be sharing my Bible Study notes on 1 John on my blog. I’m using the SOAP method which is to write out the Scripture, write one to two Observations, make Application, and then write a Prayer. Some days I may not share if it is too personal. I hope this is encouraging to you. And if you want to join in just go to http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/

Today is a short one.  I pray it is still beneficial.

1 John 2:13- “I am writing to you, fathers, because you now him who is from the beginning.  I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.  I write to you, children, because you know the Father.”

Observation
The more spiritually mature you are the more you will know the Father.  The better you know the Father and grow in spiritual maturity the better equipped you are to overcome the evil one

Application
As Christians we need to grow in our knowledge of God as we become more spiritually mature. The way to grow in spiritual maturity is through spiritual disciplines such as prayer, reading the Word, studying the Word, and memorizing the Word.

Prayer
Dear Lord, Please help me to continue to grow in the knowledge of You through Your Word.  Holy Spirit please guide me in all truth.  In Jesus name, Amen

I’m going to be sharing my Bible Study notes on 1 John on my blog. I’m using the SOAP method which is to write out the Scripture, write one to two Observations, make Application, and then write a Prayer. Some days I may not share if it is too personal. I hope this is encouraging to you. And if you want to join in just go to http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/

1 John 2:12- “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for His name’s sake.”

Observation
John, in these next few verses, is emphasizing the confidence he has that he is writing to God’s people.  He is determined to bring assurance to God’s people.

The ESV Study Bible and other scholars say that “little children”, “fathers”, and “young men” refer to the stages of spiritual maturity.  This makes sense with today’s passage. Someone new in the faith may not know much more than that his sin’s are forgiven.

Our sins are forgiven for Jesus names sake. If He died and we were left unforgiven that would not bring Him glory. We are forgiven to bring Him glory. It’s not anything we have done, but it is all from Him and for Him.

Application
We can be confident in our salvation.  John is going to get into some heavy, convicting stuff but he wants us to be sure of our faith and standing in Christ.

Also, we need to live our life’s in such away as to bring Him glory. Our salvation is all for His glory and our life should be as well.  We need to put aside all pride and humbly realize it is all about Him.

Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for salvation.  I pray I would remember that it is all about You and bringing You glory, which can only happen as I rely on You.  I confess my inability today and fully rely on You and Your grace. Help me to love my kids and run my home today in such a way as to bring glory to Your name. In Jesus name, Amen

I’m going to be sharing my Bible Study notes on 1 John on my blog. I’m using the SOAP method which is to write out the Scripture, write one to two Observations, make Application, and then write a Prayer. Some days I may not share if it is too personal. I hope this is encouraging to you. And if you want to join in just go to http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/

I got behind this week.  I know, what’s new. It’s the story of my life. But I figure sharing with you all that I’m not perfect yet and I’m still working on consitency in my life will help you.  At least that’s what I keep telling myself.  LOL  So here are days 3 and 4.  Enjoy!!  And if you are studying the Scripture on a daily basis feel free to leave a comment telling me about it. I’d love for you to share. Or if you just have something to share please do.  I love reading your comments!

Day 3

1 John 2:7-8- “Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning.  The old commandment is the word that you have heard.  At the same time, it is a new commandments that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.”

Observation
John is sharing a commandment that is old and not new but from the beginning. It is one we have seen from the Old Testament all the way through.  He also says it is a new commandment.  At first I was confused by this, how could something be old and not new, but new at the same time.  The ESV Study Bible notes say it’s talking about the commandment being renewed in Jesus and Him talking and teaching about it.

Application
We need to not take the Old Testament for granted. What it says is true and expanded upon in the new.  Many will say all we need is in the New Testament but this simply isn’t true.  Jesus said He came to fulfill the law not abolish it.

Prayer
Lord, help me to not take the Old Testament for granted and remember it too was written for believers. In Jesus name, Amen

Day 4

1 John 2:9-11- “Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.  Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.  But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”

Observation
If we hate our brother, meaning fellow believer, we are in the dark.  But if we love we are in the light.  Being in the light refers to abiding in Christ.  When we hate our brother and walk in darkness we stumble and can’t see where we are going.  The ESV Study Bible says “darkness” and “blindness” often represent rejecting God’s truth and persisting in sin.

Application
Hate has no place in a believers life. When we hate and walk in darkness we can’t see where we are going. We live a confused life stumbling about.  But when we love others we walk in the light and can see what to do next because we are in the light or Christ.

Prayer
Dear Lord, Help me to love others the way you would have me to. Forgive me for the times I have hated others.  Give me your heart I pray.  In Jesus name, Amen

I’m going to be sharing my Bible Study notes on 1 John on my blog. I’m using the SOAP method which is to write out the Scripture, write one to two Observations, make Application, and then write a Prayer. Some days I may not share if it is too personal. I hope this is encouraging to you. And if you want to join in just go to http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/

1 John 2:3-6- “And by this we know that we have come to now him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says, ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word in him truly the love of God is perfect.  By this we may know that we are in him; whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”

Observation
This verse flies int eh face of those who tell you it’s “all about love” and to “walk in liberty”.  While it is true that you can sum up the commandments in loving God and loving others, and it’s also true we can walk in liberty, if we are truly in Christ we will strive to live a lifestyle of obedience. You can’t just read something in the Scripture and decide to “walk in liberty” instead of following it. Or completely ignore a fellow brother or sister in Christ when they are walking outside of God’s will and just call it love.  Or not call sin sin just because you think we need to love and not judge.  We can’t be justified by following the commandments but it is a part of sanctification.

Application
When we read the Bible we need to be thinking how to pattern our lives after it.  Instead of thinking of what the world or the church says a Christian it to look like, we need to look to the Word and its commands.  You will get persecuted for this even by those in the church, but we live to please God.  Choose to follow ALL God commands.

Prayer
Dear Lord, Give me the courage to follow ALL your commands.  Please give me the grace to do so as well.  Help me to stand firm in the face of adversity, standing on Your Word.  In Jesus name, Amen

I’m going to be sharing my Bible Study notes on 1 John on my blog. I’m using the SOAP method which is to write out the Scripture, write one to two Observations, make Application, and then write a Prayer. Some days I may not share if it is too personal. I hope this is encouraging to you. And if you want to join in just go to http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/

This week was not a great week as far getting up in the morning and getting in the Word.  I failed miserably.  At least I was trying though and that is more than what has happened in the past.  Tonight I read a great blog post by Inspired to Action on about failing.  If you are struggling with getting down on yourself for failing than please take the time to go and read this post.

I spent tonight getting caught up with the GMG study on 1 John and I am so glad I did.  Let me share with you my notes from week 2 of the study of 1 John.

Day 1

1 John 1:5- “This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.”

Observation
John is passing on what he heard from Jesus.  This is an eyewitness account. Not only is he passing it on, but proclaiming it without a shadow of a doubt.

We see a stark contrast between God who is light and humans who are full of darkness and depravity.  There isn’t a big of darkness in God.

Application
To be able to abide in Christ we can have no darkness.  On our own we can not get rid of our darkness.  It is only through the blood of Jesus that we can abide in Him.

Prayer
Dear Lord, Thank you for providing a way for me to abide in You. In Jesus name, Amen

Day 2

1 John1:6-7- “If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Observation
Since God is light, those who walk in darkness are not of God no matter what they say. You can not walk in darkness, i.e. sin, and have fellowship with Him.

Walking in the light means to reflect God’s perfection which is twofold: correct doctrine and moral purity.  We can only know correct doctrine as we are faithful students of His Word.  His Word is also where we learn about moral purity.

Application
We need to be in the Word so we can walk in the light.  When we walk in the light and reflect God’s holiness we will shine on dark places in those around us.  We may ind the world begins to hate us, but take heart Christ has overcome the world.

Prayer
Dear Lord, Give me the courage to continue to walk int he light.  Help me to live the life you have called us to as Christians.  Please give me friends who are doing the same to encourage me along the way. In Jesus name, Amen

Day 3

1 John 1:8-9- “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Observation
I have always known verse nine but never really read it together with verse eight.  What a contrast we see! If we deny we have any sin and try to act righteous we have no truth in us.  But if we own up to our sin and realize we are depraved, confessing it to God, He is faithful to cleans us.

Application
Confess your sin.  Own up to what depraved humans we are.  You will find peace in Christ. He will cleanse you.  We are dependent on Him.  We can’t do it alone.

Prayer
Dear Lord, Thank you for cleansing me from my sin when I confess it. Help me to own up to my own wretchedness and declare my full reliance on You.  In Jesus name, Amen

Day 4

1 John 1:10- “If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

Observation
You cannot be a Christian and not realize what a wretched , depraved sinner you are.

Application
Humble yourself before God and remember what drew you out of.  Compare yourself to His holiness and throw yourself at His feet.

Prayer
Dear Lord, I am a wretched depraved sinner who must continue to come to you for forgiveness.  Thank you for your grace and mercy.  Help me to never take it for granted.  In Jesus name, Amen