Righteousness: 1 John: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 1st John 3:11-12: " For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; not as Cain, who was of the evil one, and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother's were righteous." 

Righteousness

Lord, please keep our hearts open to Your words and purpose and truth and actions.

Only through Your righteousness can we become able to love one another as You see each of us.

And choose to live into honesty from our hearts with grace and kindness.

Each day--each week--each year may our hearts grow into Your integrity.

Only see others through the guidance as led by Your Spirit.

Your thoughts,

Seeds: 1 John 3: Prayers and Poetry

                Seeds

                Sin so deep

                an ongoing thread

                often not even recognized

                yet ongoingly rules our days.

                Seeds of righteousness

                embedded in our hearts removed

                when we accept Holy protection

                through born new forgiveness.

                Sin can be dissolved

                turned into grateful

                light abiding daily

                through heart and mind and choices.

                Seeds of love and redemption.

Psalm 107:10: "There were those who dwelt in darkness and in the shadow of death, Prisoners in misery and chains."

                

                

Reflection: Sinfulness: 1 John: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

        1. Is it a surprise to hear that when we are born of God we will no longer practice sin? Why or why not?

        2. And that He will continue to teach us to let the sons go--even the deep embedded ones within us. Are we willing to learn even when we are under attack?

        3. What is your definition of His righteousness within us?

Share: What forgiveness and patience from sin has He given you that surprised you and changed your attitude towards yourself and to others?

Sinfulness: 1 John: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 1st John 3:9-10: "No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: any one who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother."

Sinfulness

Takes hold into our deepest soul.

Twists our hearts and thoughts and actions into lies. Into emptiness.

Tightens failures.

By His grace and mercy God restores. Teaches us how to sin no more. By His grace and love redeems us with honest righteousness. Day by day.

Turns our deepest souls into His seeds of eternal life.

Teaches us to recognize deceit and to refuse its lure.

Truth overcomes powerful lies and failures, offers a new path.

By His forgiveness and compassion and love shows us sin can be broken. Guides us into His blessings of virtue and Holy choices.

Your thoughts,

Deceives: 1st John: Prayers and Poetry

                Deceives 

                Sin often so

                Subtle that we do not

                See the deceit

                Sowing destroying consistently

                Seeds to bury within us.

                Our Lord ready to protect

                Ongoing attacks ready to

                Offer wholeness through

                Opens words and strength to

                Obey His choices as we listen.

Psalm 107:9: "For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good."

                

Reflection: Destroys: 1 John: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

        1. When has a tiny act of sinfulness pulled you away into a deep circumstance? 

        2. Has something like that destroyed your ability to trust, or cause you to walk in fear?

        3. What word of truth broke those chains?

Share: How do you recognize, or protect yourself, against sin attacking you--even when it seems minor?

Destroys: 1 John: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 1st John 3:7-8: "Little children, let no one deceive you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the work of the devil."

Destroys

Thank you, always now and forever, Lord, for Your ongoing protection to keep each one of us away from sin.

And the ongoing removing of the sin that is still inside us.

Please keep us listening and obeying Your words. Your choices. Your heart.

And through Your light may we grow up into wholeness as You heal.

Your thoughts,