Scripture:
1 John 2:7-17
Tue, 18 January 2022

Who and What Do We Love?

Observation:

Who and what are Christians to love?

Deeper Reflection
THE APOSTLE JOHN EMPHASISES THE LORD’S COMMAND for Christians to love one another; it is an old commandment renewed and highlighted with intensity (vv.7-11). This is because Jesus Christ has already come to bring light into the world and those who believe in Him must walk in His light and love (vv.8, 10). Otherwise, they show their spiritual blindness and lack of understanding of the truth regarding their new identity as children of God (vv.9-11). Those who walk in darkness are, notwithstanding their professions of faith in Christ, people who are ignorant of the truth and live in ways that are incongruent with true belief in the Lord. If we are brothers and sisters in the Lord, then there must be mutual love, respect and honour among us and between the generations.47Christians are to love God. They must not love the world or the things of the world (v.15a). It is so easy for believers who stray from the Lord to be enticed, enamoured and entangled by the things of the world. No one can love the world and at the same time love God (v.15b). The “desires of the flesh” are sensual. The “desires of the eyes” are covetous. “Pride in possessions” is the boastful arrogance arising from material wealth and security. The desires for the things of the world are not from the Father (v.16). They are temporal and are passing away together with the world itself (v.17a). Contrasted with the temporal are people who love God, desire the things of God and do His will; they will not pass away but remain forever (v.17b).
47 All believers, whether older or younger, need assurance and encouragement in the Lord (vv.12-14).
Application:

What wrong and unworthy loves must I turn away from and how can I continually guard myself against them?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for pastors and staff: To keep close to God, love one another, desire the things of God and do His will
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 5:7-17
Wed, 31 May 2023

Answering God’s Call in Vocation

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about Daniel?

Deeper Reflection
Daniel did not choose to serve Babylonian kings in Babylon. It was circumstances – a national crisis of his country – that compelled Daniel to be where he was and doing what he was doing. Daniel did not have the privilege, opportunity or freedom to pursue a career of his own desire. However, it was out of these adverse circumstances, that Daniel discovered God’s call for him: To serve God through serving Babylonian kings. And God gave him the specific competency to fulfil God’s call (Dan 1:17). After Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar about his dream and the interpretation, he was “promoted” to be “ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon” (Dan 2:48).When Belshazzar gathered his wise men to interpret for him the inscription on the wall, Daniel was not among them. Daniel was not unknown to Belshazzar.59 He knew him as “one of the exiles from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah” and “appointed him chief ” over all the wise men of Babylon (vv.11-12). It was only when the queen mentioned Daniel to him, that Belshazzar called for him (vv.10-11). Belshazzar “deliberately ignored Daniel”60 . Daniel was sidelined. How do you respond to being sidelined? For Daniel, he felt secure. Daniel was secure because he had no ambition to climb the corporate ladder. He had no interest in rewards and promotion. Daniel said to Belshazzar, “Keep your gifts for yourself or give your rewards to someone else” (vv.16-17). But Daniel interpreted the inscription for Belshazzar. Daniel was answering God’s call for him.
59 Ernest C. Lucas, 131 60 Ernest C. Lucas, 131
Application:

What positive attitudes do I need to cultivate in my workplace?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for the Generations: To view their vocation as answering God’s call for their lives
  • Pray for self
 

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