“We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. And we know that we are of God, and the world lieth in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols, Amen.” 1 John 5:18-21
Today’s Christian daily devotional
The hour was late. The horrific news of the school shooting rampage has caused every family within the rings of it’s catastrophic radius to have trouble settling down for the night.
Little Gavin’s door was half ajar; Peggy paused and peeked inside. In his typical nightly fashion, Gavin calmly suckled on his two front fingers. One of his socks dangled loosely from his foot, the other was strewn across his precious Lego truck. Gavin slept with the peace of a child—as he should.
Peggy’s heart ached as she thought about how quickly her little tot had grown. In a year, she would be dropping him off at kindergarten. How long would Gavin get to enjoy the innocence of his youth? How long would it be before the cold reality of the cruel world would also wrench Gavin’s gut with fear, stealing his sleep?
Peggy gripped the doorway. The nightlight glowed on little Gavin’s rosy cheek in a way that made her wish this moment could last forever.
Never in a million years did she imagine that the pain of motherhood would come from a love so deep. Even the word ‘love’ didn’t begin to describe the depths of her emotions.
As a parent, Peggy was expected to eventually let go of her baby, giving him room to grow. Thence, allowing the world a chance to teach him the hard and painful lessons every person learns at some point. It wasn’t reasonable for her to expect that that she could protect Gavin forever.
On top of all her typical ‘mommy’ concerns, Peggy’s anxious mind now added another worry to her growing list: The reality that many maniacs lived in the same world and were breathing the same air as her precious son. Today, one of them shot and killed twenty-six sons and daughters who were just getting started on life.
Peggy’s knees buckled as fear gripped her heart. Melting into the rug, she wept softly.
In 1 John 5:18-21 the apostle of love gives some very clear points for preserving your family from the harm that entrenches this wicked world.
When your children experience the blessing of asking Jesus into their hearts, the spirit of God leads them into greater wisdom. Under the New Covenant (Jesus dying for our sins on the cross) God promised that those who are children of God would have the laws of God supernaturally written upon their hearts.
What does this mean, exactly? It means that the children of God will desire to fulfill God’s law; not because they are chained to it, but because they are free to make the choices that will bring even further freedom and blessing. Your children will naturally be drawn towards the blessed life. No one can totally escape the effects of the wickedness of this evil world. But, the greatest assurance against evil is allowing God to keep your soul. Are you ready to be blessed in a real way today?
“Dear Heavenly Father,
This world gives no assurance of blessing or peace. But, when I read in 1 John 5:18-21, I see that you do.
You promised in your word that when we ask Jesus to forgive us of our sins and if we repent and turn from them that you would heal our lives.
I need a miracle today. I need salvation for myself. I want to lead my family in the kind of wisdom that will ensure a long and enriched inheritance.
I see that if this is my heart’s desire, that for that kind of blessing in my home, it starts with me; the head of the home.
Lord, I repent of my sins. Help me turn from them. I ask Jesus into my heart. I know His perfect sin-free life is the payment for my personal wickedness.
Lord, I accept that payment. I accept that right now you are washing me clean from all my sins with the shed blood of your dear Son.
Help me to walk in your Son’s ways. I know that I’m not capable of doing this on my own; but I also know with God anything is possible. Baptize me in the Holy Ghost so that I can have the power I need in these perilous days.
Change me, set me free so I can lead a home that follows you. Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses: 1 John 5:18-21
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan
*A special prayer for the families that have suffered great loss at the hands of evil in the merciless school shootings of Newtown, Connecticut and the community of Sandy Hook.