THE DAILY

Confidence in Prayer, by Eileen [ 1 John 5:13-15 ]

13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. – (ESV)

John was living in Patmos, as an outcast and aged, when he wrote this letter. Yet the words speak of such confidence in telling us that if we know the Lord, we are to believe and behave like Christians.
What does this mean? Dwight Moody once wrote: “We talk cream and live skim milk.” Do we rightly live out the truth of our beliefs?
John uses the word know more than forty times in this epistle, because he walked, talked, and was fully in the presence of Jesus throughout his ministry, death, and resurrection.
Therefore, John is confident that when we ask anything according to His will, he hears us. The outcome is our Lord’s, but we know that God hears us. Why? John finishes this passage by explaining that if we know the truth, we must live out the truth in our daily lives.
Let us run daily to act, in all our dealings, as the daughter and son of the King - and live out John’s words, with confidence.

-Eileen Dowd

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn? (write in your journal or discuss in your group break-outs or share with a friend over coffee)

+ What is the key truth or take away from these three short passages?
Ask yourself: Do I live in such a way that people ask me why I am so
nice…patient…kind… (you fill in the blank)?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to a personal step of action/obedience fueled by the gospel? (write in your journal or discuss in your group break-outs or share with a friend over coffee)

+ Living out our faith as Christians is a daily reminder that we were bought with a price. Question to ponder: Do I act like I am “set-apart” when told an off-color joke, or a coworker gossip? Do you consider these interactions as ground zero to shine the light by your quiet action(s)?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus and what is my next step? (e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join Go! www.estuarygo.org)

+ Today would be a great day to invite that coworker that we talked about and share a cup of coffee and explain why you responded the way you did to the gossip, off-color joke, etc. If we do this with gentleness and in love, God will give us the words to say. Try it! God is infinitely up to the task!

When a Brother Sins, by Jacob [ 1 John 5:16–17 ]

16 If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.

These two verses challenge my understanding of sin. I’m a curious person by nature, so it’s hard for me to read these verses without immediately wondering: what are the sins that lead to death? Are they standard, or are they different for each individual based on their intent and feelings toward God? Perhaps more surprising, what are the sins that don’t lead to death? Aren’t the wages of sin death?

Scholars have debated exactly how to read these passages- and for a layman like myself, I have to accept that there is some mystery here. John is likely talking about spiritual death, though there are examples of people being physically killed for their sins in the Bible. John clarifies his position with a negative example (“I’m not saying…”), but he does not state that we should not or cannot pray for others lost in sin that leads to death.

What do we take away from the passage, then? Pray to God for brothers and sisters struggling with sin. God may be able to distinguish between our sins, or see when people have turned away from Him with finality, but we see only the outward appearance of people. Furthermore, when you sin, repent sincerely, for we know our Heavenly Father is merciful and gracious whenever you approach Him with earnest reverence.

- Jacob Garrett

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn? (write in your journal or discuss in your group break-outs)

+ When you pray for those wrestling with sin, what will God give to them?

+ Is there any wrongdoing that is not sin?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to a personal step of action/obedience fueled by the gospel? (write in your journal or discuss in your group break-outs)

+ Have we made our full effort to leave our sins behind? Have we asked for help and prayer from a supporting Godly community?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus and what is my next step? (e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join Go! www.estuarygo.org)

+ Who can I pray for that God would give them life? How can I help make praying for others to overcome sin a habit in my life?

Kept by God, by Brandon [1 John 5:18–19]

18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

There are four things these verses want us to know: 

1. We are born of God

2. God keeps us safe

3. The evil one cannot harm us

4. The evil one rules the world

I hated thunderstorms as a child, especially at night. The lightning illuminated my entire room, and the thunder would shake our house. You couldn’t possibly sleep in those conditions. 

And when the storms got really bad, I would run into my parents' room and nestle between them under the covers. Ahh, safety. Sure, the few square feet between my room and theirs wouldn’t make a difference for the tall tree outside, should it fall. But I didn’t care. I felt safe. I could sleep. 

Now, as an adult (and father), thunderstorms are the least of my worries. There’s sickness, death, murder, stealing, lust, greed, and hundreds of other storms we battle every day. 

But these verses remind us that God is in control. We can’t always change the world around us. But we can change who we put in control of it. Rest in God’s promise that though the Evil One rules the world, He doesn’t rule our hearts. 

– Brandon Beylo

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn? (write in your journal or discuss in your group break-outs)

+ The world is scary and ruled by the Evil One. But if you have Christ in your heart, you have nothing to fear. 

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to a personal step of action/obedience fueled by the gospel? (write in your journal or discuss in your group break-outs)

+ What storms in our life are we not giving to God in complete surrender? 

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus and what is my next step? (e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join Go! www.estuarygo.org) 

+ What is my next step?

The True God and Eternal Life, by Zach [1 John 5.20-21]

20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

John closes his letter with a final exhortation; keep yourselves from idols. Idols had been the downfall of humanity since Adam and Eve. The worshipping of the created over the creator only leads to brokenness and death. Idols promise us things they can never give, all their promises are lies. 

In Jesus though we find truth. We are able to know and worship the Creator, the only thing worthy of worship. Instead of brokenness and death, we find peace and eternal life. 

— Zach Sarver

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn? (write in your journal or discuss in your group break-outs)

+ What does it mean for us to be in Christ?

+ How has Jesus given us understanding so we may know him who is true? 

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to a personal step of action/obedience fueled by the gospel? (write in your journal or discuss in your group break-outs)

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ What are the idols in my life? What are the things that are at risk of me turning them into idols?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus and what is my next step? (e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join Go! www.estuarygo.org)

+ What is my next step?

The Call to Intercede, by Chris [ James 5:16-18 ]

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.[b] 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

 Prayer has always been a bit of a mystery to me, especially when it’s in the form of making a request of God, either for myself or in intercession, on the behalf of others.  Do my prayers really matter?  Do my prayers actually spur God into action?  I can’t see this being the case as God is sovereign over all.  However, this quote from R.C. Sproul has somewhat helped clarify this mystery to me.

 Obviously, God is omniscient; God is all wise. God is eternal in His perspective and in His full knowledge of everything. So we don’t change God’s mind. But prayer changes things. It changes us. And there are times in which God waits for us to ask for things because His plan is that we work with Him in the glorious process of bringing His will to pass here on earth.

-Chris Adomanis

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that I/we learn ? (Write in your journal or discuss in your group breakouts)

+  What two things does James implore followers of Jesus to do in verse 16?  To what end?  Is there a correlation between confessing sin and healing?  Is this correlation 100% true 100% of the time?  Why or why not?  Why can’t we just confess our sins and pray to God?  Can you see any good coming from confessing sins to one another? 
 +  In the English Standard Version, the second part of verse 16 reads the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.  Read other translations and discuss in your community how you would convey this Biblical truth to those outside the Faith?  HINT:  Knowing definitions of key words IN CONTEXT like effective, fervent, righteous, and avails much will be very helpful!!!
+  Why does James use Elijah as an example of prayer in verse 17?

[HOW] is the Lord calling me to a personal step of action/obedience fueled by the gospel?  (Write in your journal or discuss in your group breakouts)
+ Meditating on this verse has been very convicting to me.  First, my pride sometimes keeps me from confessing my sins and shortcomings to others.  Secondly, my pride sometimes keeps me from caring enough about others to offer FERVENT prayers of intercession on their behalf.  I think I have found the problem, and it’s ME!!!  Lord Jesus, forgive me for putting my wants and desires before you first and foremost and those who surround me at home, in my neighborhood and at my vocation.  Have mercy and fill me with your Spirit to live according to your commands.  In Jesus name, amen!!! 

[WHO] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus and what is my next step?  (For example, your family around the dinner table, co-worker or neighbor; for help, join Go! www.estuarygo.org)
+ Who in your circles of influence needs your prayers of intercession right now?