1 John 5:1–5
1 "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

As we contemplate what a true believer is, we also note that true believers love the Father.  Confess your love for the Father today.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• George & Pam Goodall
• Max & Rebecca Haney

1 John 5:1–5
1 "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

In the final chapter John is making sure we are clear on what a true believer actually is.  First we learn that a true believer is one who believes in the right person.  They believe that Jesus is the Christ.  Confess your belief in Jesus today.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Charlena Fitzgerald (Gage)
• Benny & Cathy Fitzgerald

Mark 16:1–8
1 "When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large. 5 Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. 7 “But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’ ” 8 They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid."

Thank You Jesus!

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• David & Toni Crawford
• Bonnie Edwards

1 John 4:19–21
19 "We love, because He first loved us. 20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also."

In one sense love is a matter of observation.  "We love, because He first loved us."  But in another sense it is a matter of opportunity.  You cannot "see" God today.  That is to say, you will not have the opportunity to do a specific act of love directly for God.  (i.e. you won't be able to take Him a meal, or help Him change a tire).  But you do see your brother and you do have opportunity to love him.  Ask God to help you seize your opportunity to love today.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Les & Tammy Fincher (Tyler, Ramey, Seth, Chase)
• Joe & Paula Fincher

John 19:17–30 
117 "They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha. 18 There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus in between. 19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It was written, “JESUS THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” 20 Therefore many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin and in Greek. 21 So the chief priests of the Jews were saying to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews’; but that He said, ‘I am King of the Jews.’ ” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” 23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer garments and made four parts, a part to every soldier and also the tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece. 24 So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, to decide whose it shall be”; this was to fulfill the Scripture: “They divided My outer garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.” 25 Therefore the soldiers did these things. But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household. 28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth. 30 Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit."

Thank You Jesus!

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Phil & Paula Driggers
• Neta Driggers

1 John 4:19–21
19 "We love, because He first loved us. 20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also."

What is the motive of love?  "We love, because He first loved us."  Focus on God's love to save you even when you didn't deserve it and let it motivate you to love your brother.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Leo & Joan Day
• Steve & Janet Bridges

1 John 4:19–21
19 "We love, because He first loved us. 20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also."

We already determined that we should love God because atonement deserves it and assurance depends on it.  Now we learn that authenticity demands it.  You cannot claim to be one who loves God if you hate your brother.  Ask God to help you prove your salvation by loving your brother.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Ronnie & Marcella Bilberry
• Derek & Cheyenne Bilberry (Gentry, Cooper, Kutter)

1 John 4:17–18
17 "By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love."

John says that "perfect loves casts out fear".  When you love like Jesus loved it will totally eradicate your fear of judgment.  If you lack assurance or confidence regarding the day of judgment, work on your love life.  Ask God to help you.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• The Lost of Spur
• That God would grant you opportunities to share the gospel

1 John 4:17–18
17 "By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love."

Again we learn that love is the means of assurance.  When we love others we are living like Christ lived in the world and this gives us confidence regarding the day of judgment.  We know we lived like Christ when we love like Christ.  Ask God to continue to cultivate that love in you.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Chris & Meegan Weaver (Aydin, Calin, Maggie)
• Texas Girls & Boys Ranch

1 John 4:13–16
13 "By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."

Have you ever contemplated why you testify that Jesus is the Son of God?  It is because you confessed that Jesus is the Son of God and God's Spirit abides in you.  Do you wonder why you confessed Jesus?  It is because you believed the love God has for you.  Do you know why you believed?  It is because the Spirit of God caused you to.  This is why testifying to Jesus is a great source of assurance.  Those who know Him testify of Him. Thank God for the Holy Spirit who caused you to believe, confess, and testify of Jesus.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Ronnie & Janet Overby
• Taylor & Tanya Phillips (Tyler, Timberlyn)

1 John 4:13–16 
13 "By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."

Clearly in verse 13 the theme is assurance, "By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us".  And the chief evidence is that, "He has given us of His Spirit".  But how do we know we have the Holy Spirit?  John gives 3 very important words by which we evaluate this reality.  Three effects of having the Holy Spirit.  Verse 14, "testify"; verse 15 "confesses"; verse 16 "believed".  They are actually in reverse order chronologically, but have you believed in Jesus?  Have you confessed Him as Lord? Do you testify of His saving work?  Those are Holy Spirit induced behaviors.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Don & Judy Kaneski
• Ole & Doreen Olson

1 John 4:12–14
12 "No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world."

So showing God's love is a Christian obligation, it is also the means of Christian assurance. And in verse 14 we are reminded that it is the greatest testimony we can give to the saving love of Christ in our lives.  How do we show the world that Jesus Christ is the true Savior of the World?  We testify to this when we walk in love, thus proving we have been saved from our sinful flesh.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Cody Lee
• Brendon Walker

1 John 4:12–14
12 "No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world."

In verse 13 we find that not only is love the expectation of the believer's life, but it is also the bedrock for the believer's assurance.  When we show the love of God to our brothers and even enemies it is the indication that His Spirit abides in us and thus proves our salvation. The command to love others is not a burden, it is a gift!  Continue to ask God to cultivate His love in your heart.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Gracie Hadding
• Cindy Wampler

1 John 4:11–12
11 "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us."

We live in a world that debates the very existence of God.  They can't see Him and thus they reject Him.  And yet it was by God's design that no one would see His form.  What God has determined is that men would see His love and that they would see that through us. Ask God to show His love through you today.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Vicki Diggs
• Cindy Glass
• Liam & Riannon Horn

1 John 4:9–11
9 "By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."

In verse 11 we find the Christian obligation.  "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."  That is to say that if God could love us when we were enemies; and if God could pay our debt when we were enemies; and if God could desire our life and forgiveness when we were enemies...Can we not do the same for those who are our brothers?  Ask God to help you love the church more.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Ken Brendle
• Doug & Carissa Clark (Elsie, Rivers, Murphy, Hezekiah, Judah)

1 John 4:9–11
9 "By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."

We also find in this passage another of God's purposes in loving His enemies.  Not only did He send His Son so that we might have life, but we also find that He "sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."  This means that God determined to love and forgive His enemies even though it was extremely costly to do so.  He not only emotionally forgave, He actually paid our debt.  Marvel in the glorious love of God this morning.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Kermit & Kathy Woolley
• Kolbey Adams
• Eoin Horn

1 John 4:9–11
9 "By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."

In verse 10 we are reminded of another wonderful characteristic of God's love and that is that it was purely volitional on God's part.  He loved us without first being loved by us.  God's love was in fact a love for those who were at enmity with Him.  Ask God to help you love your enemies today.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Ronald & Kim Todd
• Norman & Brenda Hill

1 John 4:9
9 "By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him."

Not only was God's love visible to us through the sending of His Son, but God's love also has a definite purpose, "that we might live through Him."  Many today only offer love out of selfish reasons in order to receive something in return.  God loved for our benefit.  Pursue that same selfless love in your life.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Cathy Spencer
• Tommy & Peggy Swaringen

1 John 4:9
9 "By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him."

God's love is visible and measurable.  His love was made know to us through the sending of His Son into the world.  Thank God specifically for this act of love and seek to love accordingly in the world.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• John & Shannon Parum
• Martha Pickens

1 John 4:9
9 "By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him."

Praise God for His unfailing love.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Rory & Carrie Mosley (Abigail)
• Willie & Margaret Neufeld (Marissa, Cassie, Tyler, Aubrey, Ruby)

1 John 4:7–8
7 "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love."

John says that the person without love cannot make a claim on loving God, for love is God's most basic and descriptive attribute.  God is love personified.  Ask Him to help you love like He loves and thus show yourself to be His child.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Charlie & Fronye Morris
• Tommie McCormick-Davis

1 John 4:7–8
7 "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love."

The chief characteristic of godliness is love.  True believers love God and love their brothers in Christ.  Ask God to examine your heart today by these important criteria.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• George & Evelyn Matthewson
• Woody & Linda McArthur

1 John 4:4–6
4 "You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 5 They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error."

One of the ways we know that the apostles and the Scriptures they wrote are from God is by the godliness of those who follow them.  We spot who is true and who is false simply by seeing the type of followers they attract.  Continue to ask God to give you discernment in such areas.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Lee & Alice Kidd
• Nell Martin

1 John 4:4–6 
4 "You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 5 They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error."

One of the ways we recognize false prophets is by their followers.  "they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them."  Ask God to help you spot worldly heresies by the worldly people who believe them.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Michael &Amber Kermick (Emma, Jacob)
• Gary & Elaine Key

1 John 4:4–6
4 "You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 5 They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error."

Still referring to the false prophets and deceptive spirits, John says that you have already overcome them.  You have overcome them because the Spirit of God in you is greater than the spirit of deception in them.  The point is this.  You believed in spite of their lies.  The Spirit of God overcame in your life.  Praise God for leading you to the truth in spite of the worlds deceptions.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Ruby Karr
• Keith Karr
• Louise Huffman
• David Karr