Thursday, June 4th
John says that if we hate a brother or sister, then we’re not really walking in the light. I imagine you think you don’t hate anyone; I hope that’s true. But I think we set too high a bar for what qualifies as hatred. I would say hatred is when we automatically think negatively of someone, regardless of why they come to mind. It may be automatically responding in anger, even if they haven’t done anything new to us. We need to examine our feelings towards others, in order to make sure we’re not walking in darkness, while thinking we’re in the light.
Wednesday, June 3rd
In the midst of all the sadness and heartache in this world, it can sometimes be hard to believe in the goodness of God. This question – about evil existing in this world if God is good – is called theodicy, and all manner of questions like this have always been around. And yet it can be so important, when we do struggle with where God is in the midst of tragedy, to hold on to the truth of this verse: that the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. We must seek that light, that we may reflect it, and all manner of darkness may continue to fade away.
Tuesday, June 2nd
Every parent knows the embarrassment of their child misbehaving out in public at some point, and all those judging eyes staring at you. Hopefully, every parent also knows the pride that comes from your child behaving well, and it being a positive reflection on you. In our lesson today, John says that the way to show that we know God is that we obey him. Basically, we behave well to be a positive reflection to others on the “raising” of the God we love so much.
Monday, June 1st
Jesus is our advocate with God the Father. He’s our champion; the one who fights for us. I’m reminded of 1 Samuel 8, in which the people ask Samuel to appoint a king for them, so that they could have someone who would fight their battles for them. We’ve all longed to have someone who stands up for us, who advocates for us. Jesus is that rightful king, that rightful advocate in our lives, and he stood in for us, accepting the death for our sins that we deserved, and he advocates for us with God still. Here is a link to the song, “Champion,” by Bryan & Katie Torwalt, that I mentioned in the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0ftRChUkgI
Sunday, May 31st
I, like many, am in mourning over the unrighteous death of George Floyd. On this Pentecost Sunday, when we think about how the Spirit did a new thing, we need to be willing to let the Spirit do a new thing in us as well, to awaken us to the racial inequalities still present in this country, and to let change begin with us. To that end, I encourage you to participate in Myers Park Presbyterian Church’s 21 Day Race Equity Challenge, found here: https://myersparkpres.org/project/better-when-were-back-together/
I also encourage you to read this tribute to George Floyd and his ministry in his hometown: https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/may/george-floyd-ministry-houston-third-ward-church.html
Saturday, May 30th
If we come to God with our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. This promise is amazing, and in many ways, it’s the cornerstone of the gospel. Let us be bold in coming to God with our sins, in confessing and repenting, that we may experience the grace of God’s forgiveness.
Friday, May 29th
John says that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. Have you ever met someone who acted like they could never be wrong? Or nothing was ever their fault? While such a person may never proclaim themselves to be perfect, this hard-hearted attitude acts as if they are. In order to be in the truth though, we need to be able to admit fault, to admit sin, and turn these things over to God.
Thursday, May 28th
John says we can’t walk in darkness but act as if we were walking in the light. I think we may do this sometimes because we want people to think better of us, or to think we’re a certain way when, in reality, we’re not. If we have moments of clarity to realize the truth about our behavior or conduct, we need to take those things to God and ask God to help us walk only in paths of light.
Wednesday, May 27th
John says that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. This reminds me of that quote from CS Lewis that says “I believe in the sun, not because I see it, but because by it, I see everything else.” So it is with God’s light, vs our darkness. Even the smallest amount of light cast out darkness, and in God, there is no darkness at all.
Tuesday, May 26th
John starts his letter by saying that he’s just going to tell it like he saw it, when it comes to Jesus. And he does this so that others may know and may be a part of their fellowship, and then joy will be complete. God is likewise doing things in our lives, not just for our benefit, but for the benefit of others, that we may share these things with those with whom we have relationships. In fact, if we’re not sharing with others what God has done in our lives, then in many ways, we’re robbing them of joy that they may experience by growing in their own faith. So let us share what God is doing and be faithful in that.
Monday, May 25th
Today is Memorial Day; it’s a day in which we remember those who gave their lives for our country and for our freedom. It’s also a time for us to think about what that freedom means. Freedom isn’t about being able to do whatever we want; often, freedom may mean doing something we’d rather not do in order that others may benefit. Just as those who gave their lives would rather have lived, but they were willing to take that limitation on their freedom for our greater freedom, we too are called to lay down our lives for the sake of our friends and for all humanity.
Sunday, May 24th
How do we as Christians engage in conflict? Do we turn the other cheek, seemingly taking abuse, or do we engage and turn over the tables of the money changers, as Jesus did? Both are Jesus’ examples, so how do we faithfully handle conflict as followers of Jesus?
Saturday, May 23rd
Have you seen those old movies in which it seems like all hope is lost for our hero but then in comes the cavalry to save the day? That’s almost the image I get from today’s verse, as Peter talks about God himself coming to bring consolation and comfort to us in the midst of our suffering. So hold on; realize God himself will bandage your wounds and heal you, in one form or another.
Friday, May 22nd
Peter tells the people to discipline themselves and stay alert because our adversary, the devil, prowls like a roaring lion, seeking whom he will devour. I wonder if Peter remembered how Jesus, in the garden of Gethsemane, had told him to stay alert, but that he’d failed to do so and in the process had failed Jesus in Jesus’ greatest hour of need. I wonder if he pledged then always to be alert and disciplined, so that such could never happen to him again. Likewise, we are called to stay alert and be disciplined, so that we can lean on God’s strength in the appropriate times.