Calvary Church: 1 John 1

I am trying a new method of time with God. Lord I pray this would be guided by the life Jesus set before us and scripture. Help me to take your words and actively respond to them and build my life around them growing and building my life brick by brick.

There are three components of this new method.

1 Listen for The Lord and what he is speaking to me.

2 respond actively in confession, repentance, mission, service etc.

3 debrief and let others interpret what God is doing so that I grow in The Lord.

Today at church I heard the Word of The Lord as spoken by our pastor from the living Word of God

In 1 John 1

God guide me even now.

1 The Word of The Lord I heard

What stuck out to me most at church was:

Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. (1 John 2:6 NIV)

But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. 

This is how we know we are in him: Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.

 (1 John 2:5, 9 NIV)

Really it's about what a life of faith is defined by: knowledge or by a changed life transformed by Christ at once and daily. 

At my core I believe a life of faith is knowing God and repentance which brings Gods transformation in my heart and actions. Yet much of my life is too segmented: I either have time with God meaning bible study which is separate from action and mission. To little has my personal scripture study resulted in action such as repentance. Even the name bible study is knowledge focused and not active and life changing. And too often the acts of mission I take are out of obligation or seeking success and not in response to Gods word and calling. 

2 active response

God I confess this to you. I see you have been bringing this up in a variety of ways.

Father I want knowledge of you not knowledge that puffs. Understanding and emotions that lead me to you in repentance and praise. God change my life and my time with you. Help me to follow the example set for us by Jesus. Help me to know and obey your words and truth. Let my life flow out of knowing you and hearing from you every day and in the little moments. Build my life and my ministry on you and your Word God.

Amen

3 I need help debriefing and letting others interpret what you are doing in and through me God.

Father help me find and invite others into this: even as you are already doing as I step into this.  Grow me in you and in how I spend time with you in a new and I pray more fruitful way.

Amen