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Today is Sunday December 20, 2009 and we are beginning our studies in the book of I John, please read chapters 1-3 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. You can also copy & paste this URL to your browser http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-december-20

Today's Message: You Shine
When you truly have Jesus in your heart, you shine so bright that God no longer sees sins of the past, but sees righteousness.

The book of I John is the 23rd book of the New Testament, 62nd book of the Bible, and contains 5 chapters. The author of the book is John (the same John who wrote the Gospel of John as well as Revelation) and it was written to Christians who were falling into satanic deception which was breaking their fellowship with God and other believers. The purpose of the letter was to explain the standards of true fellowship in Jesus Christ. What we are to learn from the letter is that true fellowship with God and fellow believers is based on the standards of God's Word and maintained by the principle of confession of sin.

As Christmas Day arrives in less than 5 days even we Christian's can get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday too in that we forget the true meaning of Christmas. Jesus could have come to earth in any way He wanted, but He chose to come just as we did, to be born as a child and live as we would. Why do you think He did that? He did it to be an example for all of us to follow. Jesus suffered with the same obstacles that we do, He had to deal with the devil, He faced temptations, He was called a liar, He was betrayed by loved ones, He was persecuted, and He even died and was buried in a grave. However, He endured every bit of the pain and suffering to prevail and give us the greatest gift that we would ever receive in our lifetime, including the one in heaven. That gift is none other than His Blood. The blood that He shed not only saved us from having to spend the rest of our lives in hell, but it also cleansed us from all the bad things that we ever did in the past and even the things we are going to do in the future. Of course we are going to sin again, but guess what? This time we learn and grow from them and little by little we stop doing the things that we use to do. In this letter, John addresses those whom have truly accepted Jesus Christ into their lives. “And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that 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. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” - I John 4-10. Did you ever notice all the lights around Christmas time? People really go out of the way to illuminate their homes and businesses. While they are beautiful to look at, they also provide light and sometimes we can see the entire block just from one house. Well, just as the lights shine and illuminate we do too. We are cleansed from all of our sins and we have a light in us that shines really bright, so bright that others, even those whom do not know God can see.

There are some who say they have a relationship with Christ, but still walk in darkness. The darkness of the natural mind is always more concerned about one's self, one's well-being, and one's successes over anything else, including family and friends. However, the spiritually minded who walk in the light, are first and foremost concerned that all of their actions and thoughts be Christ minded, meaning they think before they act. “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” - I John 3:18-24. When Jesus is truly in us we slowly turn away from the things we use to do as the Holy Spirit guides us and teaches us right from wrong. We no longer walk in darkness, but in the light. Praise God!

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and Merry Christmas.
God Bless You,
Christina

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