Winds Of Love
Test the Spirits
1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
God's Love and Ours
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Tommy's Thoughts:
My friend’s brother is getting married in the coming month. They went to see a pastor to arrange their ceremony at the church and etc. They were shocked and puzzled over the request of the pastor to ask them live separately before the marriage. Their parents, who are Christians themselves, think the church is too strict and even worried their teaching is cultish!
There are ideas and values today that becoming more and more acceptable and popular in our society. They are normally things people like and want to hear, but are hidden with traps and many unseen consequences. Even some Christians were not aware of how much harm and damage these norms are to themselves and their close ones.
Fortunately, we have the Word of God to shed light and verify the many wrong teachings in the world today. We can find so much wisdom, head and heart knowledge in the Bible to guide our every action. If we come to God daily, humbly seeking His words, we will see with our eyes many things are wrong in the world today.
Dear Lord, thank You for teaching me not to conform with the wrongs in the world today. Guide me always to follow the examples of Jesus when dealing with issues in my life; revealing the love of God through my own actions wherever I go. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Bee's Thoughts:
We are to love one another with the love that comes from God, not with the counterfeit of love which is frequently practiced in the world today. The amount of our love does determine how much we really know God (v8). So when we claim that we are "born of God" (i.e. Christians) and know God, then love should follows.
God's love is different from that of the world. God's love can wait, it doesn't rush; it grows slowly, not overnight; it grows stronger, not give up half way; it thinks of "you", not think of "I"; it never fails...
Dear Lord,
Thank You for tonight's devotion and the article I read. They explained and reinforced my concept of love. Yes, love is patient in waiting, not rushing. You have never rushed me into loving You. You drew me with Your unfailing love and I ran after You. Thank You for Your love. Let me love with Your love too.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
