Freedom Church

Freedom Church Freedom Church is a church in Greenville, SC that exists to see lives radically transformed.

𝐊𝐧𝐚𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐡𝐚 𝐇𝐞 𝐈𝐬, 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧⁣𝘌𝘹𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘎 3:13-22 𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘖𝘯𝘬𝘊𝘯⁣⁣ℝ𝔌𝕍𝕀𝔌𝕎 ⁣⁣Jesus put mud on one man’s eyes and His finge...
06/07/2026

𝐊𝐧𝐚𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐡𝐚 𝐇𝐞 𝐈𝐬, 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧⁣
𝘌𝘹𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘎 3:13-22 𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘖𝘯𝘬𝘊𝘯⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕍𝕀𝔌𝕎 ⁣
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Jesus put mud on one man’s eyes and His fingers into another man’s ears. Yet these were not the only ways He healed. We learn something important from these stories: God often works in unique ways, but we should not assume that He will work in exactly the same way every time.⁣
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Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush is similar. Through that experience we gain insight into God’s character, but we do not need our own burning bush moment in order to know Him. Biblical narratives reveal who God is and how He relates to people; they are not necessarily patterns that every believer will experience in the same way. When reading a narrative, it is important to ask not only, “What happened?” but also, “What does this reveal about God?”⁣
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As the conversation at the burning bush continues, two themes emerge:⁣
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Who God is⁣
What He intends⁣
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When Moses asks whom he should say has sent him, God reveals His name: “I AM.” In many English Bibles, God’s covenant name, Yahweh, is represented by “LORD” in capital letters because of the reverence with which His name was treated. Remarkably, God’s name appears nearly 6,900 times in the Old Testament, yet many believers spend little time considering its significance. In the same way, we can overlook the meaning of the name Yeshua—Jesus—which means “Yahweh saves.” Names in Scripture are often rich with meaning, and God’s self-revelation to Moses is no exception.⁣
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In His conversation with Moses, God shows that He wants His people to:⁣
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Know Him by name⁣
Relate to Him personally⁣
Remember His faithfulness throughout their history⁣
Trust that His purposes are for their good and His glory⁣
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God identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, reminding Moses that His promises extend across generations. The God who was faithful in the past remains faithful in the present.⁣
God gave Moses a glimpse of what was ahead, but He did not reveal every detail. He explained what He intended to do, but not every step of how it would unfold. Instead, He called Moses to trust Him. The God who is “I AM”—the eternal, self-existent, unchanging foundation of all things—loves and cares for His people. His purposes are good even when His plans are not fully explained.⁣
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We do not need to seek our own burning bush experience in order to know and trust the God who made the bush burn. The same God who revealed Himself to Moses has revealed Himself through His Word, His faithfulness, and ultimately through Jesus Christ. Our confidence rests not in having extraordinary experiences, but in knowing the extraordinary God who calls us to trust Him.⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕄𝔌𝕄𝔹𝔌ℝ⁣
We don’t have to seek our own burning bush moment but we can know the God who made the bush burn.⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝔜𝕃𝔌ℂ𝕋 ⁣
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How does understanding God as “I AM” influence the way you trust Him when you do not know all the details of what lies ahead?⁣
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The summary emphasizes knowing God personally rather than seeking extraordinary experiences. In what ways can you grow in your relationship with God through His Word and faithfulness in everyday life?⁣
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If you know this God, what would it mean to walk with Him today?⁣
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Word of the week: Know⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕊ℙ𝕆ℕ𝔻⁣
𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥, 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘊 𝘵𝘩𝘊 𝘚𝘳𝘊𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘈𝘔.⁣
𝘞𝘩𝘊𝘯 𝘐 𝘀𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘎𝘊𝘊 𝘵𝘩𝘊 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘩𝘊𝘢𝘥,⁣
𝘩𝘊𝘭𝘱 𝘮𝘊 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘎𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘊 𝘖𝘯𝘊 𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘥𝘰𝘊𝘎.⁣
𝘞𝘩𝘊𝘯 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘳𝘊𝘷𝘊𝘢𝘭 𝘊𝘷𝘊𝘳𝘺 𝘥𝘊𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘭,⁣
𝘳𝘊𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘊 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘎 𝘢𝘳𝘊 𝘚𝘰𝘰𝘥.⁣
𝘎𝘪𝘷𝘊 𝘮𝘊 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘞,⁣
𝘱𝘊𝘢𝘀𝘊 𝘵𝘰 𝘞𝘢𝘪𝘵,⁣
𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘀𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘊𝘯𝘀𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘊𝘎𝘊𝘯𝘀𝘊.⁣
𝘈𝘮𝘊𝘯.⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕃𝔞𝕋𝔌⁣
Avoid expecting everyone’s journey to look like your own. Just as God worked differently in the lives of Moses and others, people may experience growth, challenges, and faith in unique ways. Listen to others with humility, respect their experiences, and encourage them without assuming that what worked for you must work for them. This approach fosters understanding, patience, and stronger relationships. ⁣
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ℝ𝔌ℍ𝔌𝔞ℝ𝕊𝔌⁣
𝘎𝘖𝘋 𝘚𝘈𝘐𝘋 𝘛𝘖 𝘔𝘖𝘚𝘌𝘚, 𝘐 𝘈𝘔 𝘞𝘏𝘖 𝘐 𝘈𝘔.⁣
𝘌𝘹𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘎 3:14𝘢⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝔞𝔻⁣
Revisit: Exodus 3:13-22⁣
Read ahead: Exodus 4⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕁𝕆𝕀ℂ𝔌⁣
Your Grace is Enough⁣
At Your Name⁣
Promises⁣

𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐌𝐞𝐭 𝐆𝐚𝐝⁣𝘌𝘹𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘎 3:1-12⁣⁣ℝ𝔌𝕍𝕀𝔌𝕎⁣⁣Imagine enrolling in a calculus class when the only math you've co...
05/31/2026

𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐌𝐞𝐭 𝐆𝐚𝐝⁣
𝘌𝘹𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘎 3:1-12⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕍𝕀𝔌𝕎⁣
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Imagine enrolling in a calculus class when the only math you've completed is basic arithmetic. You might not understand every formula or calculation, but you can still see that the work is leading somewhere. God's plan can feel much the same. We often want simple answers, yet God is doing far more than we can see. When we pay attention, we begin to catch glimpses of His work and discover opportunities to join Him in it.⁣
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That is what happened when God appeared to Moses in the burning bush.⁣
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Exodus 1 and 2 cover the first eighty years of Moses' life—forty years in the privilege of Pharaoh's household and forty years in the obscurity of Midian. What may have seemed like detours were actually years of preparation. The rest of Exodus focuses on a single year in which God would work powerfully through him.⁣
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At the burning bush, Moses encountered the holiness of God and hid his face in fear and awe. God then revealed that He had seen the suffering of His people, heard their cries, and knew their pain. Though Israel may have felt forgotten, God had been attentive all along. In fact, He had foretold to Abraham centuries earlier that His people would spend generations in a foreign land before being delivered (Genesis 15:13-16).⁣
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God also revealed that Moses would help lead that deliverance. Moses had always been drawn to justice and rescue, but Acts 7:25 reminds us that his earlier attempt came before God's timing. Now humbled by forty years in the wilderness, Moses questioned whether he was the right person for the task.⁣
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God's answer was simple: "I will be with you."⁣
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The mission would not depend on Moses' abilities but on God's presence.⁣
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𝘛𝘢𝘬𝘊𝘢𝘞𝘢𝘺𝘎 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘜𝘎⁣
God is always attentive and at work, even when we cannot see it. Paying attention to His presence is often the first step toward recognizing what He is doing around us.⁣
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When God calls, He equips. He never asks us to rely solely on our own resources. The same God who prepared Moses and promised His presence still provides what His people need today.⁣
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The God who sees, calls, and equips is still at work today. ⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕄𝔌𝕄𝔹𝔌ℝ⁣
Pay attention: The God who sees, calls, and equips is still at work today. ⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝔜𝕃𝔌ℂ𝕋 ⁣
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Where have you been tempted to assume God is absent or inactive, and what evidence of His faithfulness can you identify when you look more closely?⁣
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How does Moses' response of fear, awe, and humility before God challenge the way you approach Him? Is there an area of your life where you need a greater reverence for God's holiness or a deeper dependence on His strength rather than your own?⁣
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What simple moments—opportunities, convictions, conversations, or circumstances—might God be using to get your attention, and how is He inviting you to trust His presence and follow His leading⁣
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Word of the week: Attentiveness⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕊ℙ𝕆ℕ𝔻⁣
𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘎𝘰𝘥,⁣
𝘓𝘪𝘬𝘊 𝘔𝘰𝘎𝘊𝘎 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘊 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘚 𝘣𝘶𝘎𝘩,⁣
𝘩𝘊𝘭𝘱 𝘮𝘊 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘊𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘊𝘎𝘊𝘯𝘀𝘊.⁣
𝘛𝘊𝘢𝘀𝘩 𝘮𝘊 𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘊𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘊𝘢𝘥𝘎 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺,⁣
𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘎𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘎𝘩𝘪𝘱.⁣
𝘞𝘩𝘊𝘯 𝘐 𝘀𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘎𝘊𝘊 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘊 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘚,⁣
𝘳𝘊𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘊 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘊 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘊𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘊 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘬.⁣
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘞𝘩𝘊𝘯 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘀𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘊 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘞𝘢𝘳𝘥,⁣
𝘩𝘊𝘭𝘱 𝘮𝘊 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘎𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘞𝘯 𝘎𝘵𝘳𝘊𝘯𝘚𝘵𝘩,⁣
𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘎𝘊 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘊 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘊.⁣
𝘈𝘮𝘊𝘯.⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕃𝔞𝕋𝔌⁣
This week, help someone else notice God's presence. As you talk with members of your church family, listen for signs of God's faithfulness, provision, growth, or guidance in their lives. Then gently point it out and encourage them. Sometimes one of the greatest gifts we can give each other is helping one another recognize that God has been at work all along. ⁣
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ℝ𝔌ℍ𝔌𝔞ℝ𝕊𝔌⁣
𝘏𝘌 𝘚𝘈𝘐𝘋, 𝘉𝘜𝘛 𝘐 𝘞𝘐𝘓𝘓 𝘉𝘌 𝘞𝘐𝘛𝘏 𝘠𝘖𝘜 𝘈𝘕𝘋 𝘛𝘏𝘐𝘚 𝘚𝘏𝘈𝘓𝘓 𝘉𝘌 𝘛𝘏𝘌 𝘚𝘐𝘎𝘕 𝘍𝘖𝘙 𝘠𝘖𝘜 𝘛𝘏𝘈𝘛 𝘐 𝘏𝘈𝘝𝘌 𝘚𝘌𝘕𝘛 𝘠𝘖𝘜; 𝘞𝘏𝘌𝘕 𝘠𝘖𝘜 𝘏𝘈𝘝𝘌 𝘉𝘙𝘖𝘜𝘎𝘏𝘛 𝘛𝘏𝘌 𝘗𝘌𝘖𝘗𝘓𝘌 𝘖𝘜𝘛 𝘖𝘍 𝘌𝘎𝘠𝘗𝘛 𝘠𝘖𝘜 𝘚𝘏𝘈𝘓𝘓 𝘚𝘌𝘙𝘝𝘌 𝘎𝘖𝘋 𝘖𝘕 𝘛𝘏𝘐𝘚 𝘔𝘖𝘜𝘕𝘛𝘈𝘐𝘕.⁣
Exodus 3:12 ESV⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝔞𝔻⁣
Revisit: Exodus 3:1-12⁣
Read ahead: Exodus 3:13-22⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕁𝕆𝕀ℂ𝔌⁣
Unstoppable God⁣
Promises⁣
Psalm 90 (Satisfy Us with Your Love)⁣
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𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐫 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐚𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐲⁣⁣Exodus 2 - Russ Muse⁣⁣⁣⁣ℝ𝔌𝕍𝕀𝔌𝕎⁣⁣The musical Annie famously says,...
05/24/2026

𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐫 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐚𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐲⁣⁣
Exodus 2 - Russ Muse⁣⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕍𝕀𝔌𝕎⁣⁣
The musical Annie famously says, “It’s a hard knock life.” And everyone experiences hard in life. Sometimes it’s not just hard—it becomes ugly, nasty, dirty, exhausting, and overwhelming.⁣⁣
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Exodus 2 is full of tension, yet because many of us know the story of Moses so well, we are tempted to rush past it. But slow down and consider what is happening: a mother afraid for her newborn son, carefully crafting a basket—really a tiny ark—to protect him from danger. A sister watching her family navigate fear and uncertainty. A mother nursing her child for a season, then surrendering him to a completely different culture and way of life. Moses learning his story and identity. Moses stepping in with a strong sense of justice, only to discover it is not always welcomed. Moses then spending years in exile among the Midianites.⁣⁣
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None of it looked easy, clean, or predictable. Yet God was still at work in every part of it.⁣⁣
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The hard places were not outside of God’s plan; they were part of His ongoing story to rescue His people, shape Moses into the leader he would become, bring about a greater good through a deeper relationship with God, and ultimately bring Him glory.⁣⁣
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Life is hard for us too. Maybe not in these exact ways, but we all walk through difficult paths—relationships, health struggles, finances, work situations, losses, disappointments, or seasons that simply feel heavy.⁣⁣
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So how do we navigate the hard?⁣⁣
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• Don’t assume all hardship is punishment or failure. Some of the hard we experience is part of God’s design and authoring of our story.⁣⁣
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• Remember that God often develops us in difficult seasons. Moses’ exile looked like a setback, but God was preparing leadership, endurance, humility, and dependence in him.⁣⁣
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• Stop demanding a ten-step plan. God often works in the rhythm of daily abiding. Instead of trying to figure everything out at once, ask: ⁣⁣
“What is the next most sensible step I can take with God’s guidance?”⁣⁣
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Exodus 2 reminds us that God is still present in the tension, still working in the waiting, and still faithful in the middle of the hard.⁣⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕄𝔌𝕄𝔹𝔌ℝ⁣⁣
Hard times are often the means for us to bring glory to God and experience the greater good of a deepening relationship with him.⁣⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝔜𝕃𝔌ℂ𝕋 ⁣⁣
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Where might I be viewing a difficult season only as punishment, frustration, or interruption instead of considering that God could be authoring something deeper in my story?⁣⁣
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How could God be using this hard season to develop my character, dependence on Him, or prepare me for what is ahead?⁣⁣
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Instead of demanding a full plan from God, what is the next most sensible step of faithfulness and abiding He may be asking me to take today?⁣⁣
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Word of the week: Abide⁣⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕊ℙ𝕆ℕ𝔻⁣⁣
𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥,⁣⁣
𝘮𝘊𝘊𝘵 𝘮𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘊 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥—⁣⁣
𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘊 𝘶𝘚𝘭𝘺, 𝘯𝘢𝘎𝘵𝘺, 𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘺, 𝘰𝘷𝘊𝘳𝘞𝘩𝘊𝘭𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘚 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘀𝘊𝘎⁣⁣
𝘞𝘩𝘊𝘳𝘊 𝘐 𝘧𝘊𝘊𝘭 𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘊𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘎𝘶𝘳𝘊.⁣⁣
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𝘛𝘊𝘢𝘀𝘩 𝘮𝘊 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘥𝘊 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘊𝘳𝘊.⁣⁣
𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘊 𝘮𝘺 𝘎𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘚𝘩 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘊 𝘞𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘚 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘊 𝘞𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘚.⁣⁣
𝘎𝘪𝘷𝘊 𝘮𝘊 𝘀𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘚𝘊 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘊 𝘯𝘊𝘹𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘎𝘵 𝘎𝘊𝘯𝘎𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘊 𝘎𝘵𝘊𝘱,⁣⁣
𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘎𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘊 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘚 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘚𝘳𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘊𝘳 𝘚𝘰𝘰𝘥,⁣⁣
𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘊 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘚𝘎 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘚𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘺.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
𝘈𝘮𝘊𝘯.⁣⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕃𝔞𝕋𝔌⁣⁣
This week, resist the urge to quickly “fix” someone else’s hard season. Instead, slow down, listen well, pray with them, and help them discern the next most sensible step rather than overwhelming them with advice or long-term solutions. ⁣⁣
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ℝ𝔌ℍ𝔌𝔞ℝ𝕊𝔌⁣⁣
𝘈𝘕𝘋 𝘎𝘖𝘋 𝘏𝘌𝘈𝘙𝘋 𝘛𝘏𝘌𝘐𝘙 𝘎𝘙𝘖𝘈𝘕𝘐𝘕𝘎, 𝘈𝘕𝘋 𝘎𝘖𝘋 𝘙𝘌𝘔𝘌𝘔𝘉𝘌𝘙𝘌𝘋 𝘏𝘐𝘚 𝘊𝘖𝘝𝘌𝘕𝘈𝘕𝘛 𝘞𝘐𝘛𝘏 𝘈𝘉𝘙𝘈𝘏𝘈𝘔, 𝘞𝘐𝘛𝘏 𝘐𝘚𝘈𝘈𝘊 𝘈𝘕𝘋 𝘞𝘐𝘛𝘏 𝘑𝘈𝘊𝘖𝘉.⁣⁣
Exodus 2:24 ESV⁣⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝔞𝔻⁣⁣
Revisit: Exodus 2⁣⁣
Read ahead: Exodus 3:1-12⁣⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕁𝕆𝕀ℂ𝔌⁣⁣
Be Glad⁣⁣
Bless God⁣⁣
10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Shane and Shane Psalm 23⁣⁣
Shane and Shane Psalm 91⁣⁣

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐀𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐟 𝐆𝐚𝐝’𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 - 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐬 𝟏 ⁣⁣ℝ𝔌𝕍𝕀𝔌𝕎⁣⁣The book of Exodus tells God’s story unfolding through real people and ...
05/17/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐀𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐟 𝐆𝐚𝐝’𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 - 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐬 𝟏 ⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕍𝕀𝔌𝕎⁣
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The book of Exodus tells God’s story unfolding through real people and real history. Many scholars believe Moses wrote it, recording how God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Throughout the story, we see markers of His design—small and large reminders that God is never absent, even when generations pass before His promises are fulfilled.⁣
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Genesis 15:12–17 is an important marker of promise. God “cut covenant” with Abraham, promising that his descendants would inherit a land of their own. Nearly 600 years passed before the Exodus began. That is a long wait, yet generations lived by faith, trusting God would fulfill His word even if they never saw it personally. Joshua later reflected on this in Joshua 24, reminding the people how faithfully God acted in Egypt.⁣
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𝘝. 1–7 — 𝘈 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘊𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘞𝘵𝘩⁣
Exodus opens with the names of Israel’s sons and the flourishing of their descendants. Under Joseph’s leadership—and even after his death—the Israelites multiplied greatly, likely reaching into the millions. What once seemed like survival during famine became preparation for a much greater story. Egypt’s rising prominence only set the stage for God’s power to be displayed more clearly.⁣
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𝘝. 8–11 — 𝘈 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘊𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘊𝘯 𝘗𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘎𝘊⁣
A new king arose who did not remember Joseph and harshly oppressed the Israelites. Pharaoh believed he was strengthening Egypt by forcing them to build store cities, yet God’s design was greater. The riches stored there would one day benefit the Israelites as they departed Egypt. Pharaoh thought he was acting strategically, but God’s purposes were already moving underneath the surface.⁣
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𝘝. 12–14 — 𝘈 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘊𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘊𝘯𝘚𝘵𝘩 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘚𝘩 𝘚𝘶𝘧𝘧𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘚⁣
The more the Israelites were oppressed, the more they multiplied. Hardship did not destroy them; it strengthened them. Often God grows endurance, unity, and faith most deeply in difficult seasons.⁣
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𝘝. 15–19 — 𝘈 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘊𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘪𝘎 𝘈𝘀𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘞𝘭𝘊𝘥𝘚𝘊𝘮𝘊𝘯𝘵⁣
Pharaoh ordered the Hebrew baby boys to be killed, but the midwives feared God and protected them. Two otherwise unknown women are named in Scripture while powerful rulers fade into the background. God’s attention to these faithful women reminds us that no act of obedience is insignificant to Him.⁣
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𝘝. 20–22 — 𝘈 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘊𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘪𝘎 𝘗𝘳𝘊𝘎𝘊𝘯𝘀𝘊⁣
Even as darkness increased, God continued providing for His people and preparing them for what was ahead. Exodus reminds us that God leaves markers throughout our lives—signs of His love, presence, and control. Difficult seasons do not always mean we are in the wrong place. Sometimes they are part of the story God is faithfully unfolding.⁣
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Watch for God’s markers, especially in the harder seasons of life, because even there He is reminding us that He is present, faithful, and still guiding the story.⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕄𝔌𝕄𝔹𝔌ℝ⁣
Just because something is hard doesn’t mean we’re in the wrong place—watch for God’s markers of His presence, love and faithfulness in it. ⁣
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Word of the Week: Markers⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝔜𝕃𝔌ℂ𝕋 ⁣
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Where might I be assuming that difficulty means I’ve stepped outside of God’s will, instead of asking what He might be forming in me there?⁣
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In this season, where do I see—even faintly—signs of God’s presence, and am I humble enough to notice them?⁣
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Who in my life might God be using as a “hidden” marker of His care, and am I willing to value them the way He does?⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕊ℙ𝕆ℕ𝔻⁣
𝘎𝘰𝘥,⁣
𝘞𝘩𝘊𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘊 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘥 𝘧𝘊𝘊𝘭𝘎 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘀𝘊𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯,⁣
𝘎𝘵𝘊𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘠𝘰𝘶.⁣
𝘒𝘊𝘊𝘱 𝘮𝘊 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘎𝘎𝘶𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘚 𝘎𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘚𝘚𝘭𝘊 𝘮𝘊𝘢𝘯𝘎 𝘢𝘣𝘎𝘊𝘯𝘀𝘊,⁣
𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘀𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘺 𝘮𝘊𝘢𝘯𝘎 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘊 𝘞𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘊𝘳𝘊𝘥.⁣
𝘎𝘪𝘷𝘊 𝘮𝘊 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘊 𝘊𝘺𝘊𝘎⁣
𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘀𝘊 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘊𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘊𝘳𝘎—⁣
𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘊𝘎𝘊𝘯𝘀𝘊 𝘞𝘰𝘷𝘊𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘚𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘊 𝘊𝘷𝘊𝘳𝘺𝘥𝘢𝘺.⁣
𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘊 𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘧𝘶𝘭, 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘊𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘊 𝘎𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵,⁣
𝘳𝘊𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘎𝘊𝘊 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘊 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘚⁣
𝘊𝘷𝘊𝘯 𝘞𝘩𝘊𝘯 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘺𝘊𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘊𝘳𝘎𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥.⁣
𝘈𝘮𝘊𝘯.⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕃𝔞𝕋𝔌⁣
Practice becoming someone who names the markers for others. In your church family and community, don’t assume people already see God at work in their lives—speak it out. A simple word of encouragement, a text, a prayer spoken over someone in passing, or pointing out evidence of God’s faithfulness in their story can help them notice what they might otherwise miss.⁣
At the same time, choose humility by receiving that same encouragement when it comes your way. Let others help you see God’s markers in your life, especially in seasons that feel heavy or unclear.⁣
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ℝ𝔌ℍ𝔌𝔞ℝ𝕊𝔌⁣
So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and few very strong. Exodus 1:20⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝔞𝔻⁣
Revisit: Exodus 1 and other mentioned passages⁣
Read ahead: Exodus 2⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕁𝕆𝕀ℂ𝔌⁣
Love Goes On⁣
Forever Reign⁣
Yet Not I But Christ in Me⁣
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𝐏.𝐒. 𝐀 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐚 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐀 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 ⁣3 John - ⁣⁣⁣ℝ𝔌𝕍𝕀𝔌𝕎⁣Across the three epistles of John, a clear theme em...
05/03/2026

𝐏.𝐒. 𝐀 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐚 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐀 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 ⁣
3 John - ⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕍𝕀𝔌𝕎⁣
Across the three epistles of John, a clear theme emerges: love and truth held together. First John forms the body, while Second and Third John read like a pastoral “PS,” reinforcing and applying those same truths.⁣
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In 3 John, John writes to a specific believer, Gaius, and mentions two others—Diotrephes and Demetrius. Each life highlights what it looks like (or doesn’t) to walk in love and truth.⁣
The early church wasn’t institutionalized; believers met in homes, and traveling teachers relied on local hospitality. Gaius is commended for “walking in the truth” and for faithfully supporting these teachers. His generosity reflects God’s own character.⁣
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In contrast, Diotrephes rejects authority, refuses hospitality, slanders others, and even pushes out those who seek to do what is right. His life shows how truth without love—or self-interest disguised as truth—distorts the church.⁣
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John closes with Demetrius, a man with a good reputation among all—a quiet but powerful picture of a life aligned with both love and truth.⁣
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Why name these individuals? Because John’s teaching is not theoretical. Throughout his letters, he calls believers to walk in both love and truth in real situations—especially when someone is in need (1 John 3:17) or drifting into sin (1 John 5:16). In both cases, the starting point is prayer: seeking God’s provision, restoration, and guidance. From there, we remain open to being used by Him—moving not impulsively, but in step with His leading.⁣
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This still speaks today. Many carry wounds from the church. There are still “Diotrephes” among us, along with false teaching and harsh, premature judgment. John’s call remains: walk in both love and truth, reflecting the fullness of God’s character with humility toward Him and one another.⁣
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“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕄𝔌𝕄𝔹𝔌ℝ⁣
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The clearest picture of our faith isn’t what we say, but how we walk in love and truth. ⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝔜𝕃𝔌ℂ𝕋 ⁣
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Where do I tend to separate love from truth—leaning toward one while neglecting the other—and how might God be inviting me to hold both together more faithfully?⁣
When I become aware of someone in need or drifting spiritually, is my first response prayerful dependence on God, or quick action and judgment? What would it look like to pause and follow His lead?⁣
Which example do I most resemble right now—Gaius (faithful and generous), Diotrephes (self-focused and resistant), or Demetrius (consistently well-regarded)? What is one step I can take to more fully reflect Christ in my relationships?⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕊ℙ𝕆ℕ𝔻⁣
𝘍𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘊𝘳,⁣
𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘎𝘊𝘊 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘎 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘊⁣
𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘎 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘺𝘊𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘊𝘥.⁣
𝘛𝘊𝘢𝘀𝘩 𝘮𝘊 𝘵𝘰 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘊 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘰𝘚𝘊𝘵𝘩𝘊𝘳.⁣
𝘚𝘭𝘰𝘞 𝘮𝘺 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘎𝘊 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘊𝘢𝘀𝘵—𝘭𝘊𝘢𝘥 𝘮𝘊 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘎𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘊𝘳.⁣
𝘎𝘪𝘷𝘊 𝘮𝘊 𝘢 𝘩𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘊𝘧𝘭𝘊𝘀𝘵𝘎 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘎:⁣
𝘰𝘱𝘊𝘯, 𝘎𝘵𝘊𝘢𝘥𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘊𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘞 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘊𝘢𝘥.⁣
𝘈𝘮𝘊𝘯.⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕃𝔞𝕋𝔌⁣
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Try this simple rhythm this week: Pause, Pray, then Act⁣
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When you notice someone in need or someone drifting, resist the urge to immediately fix or judge. Instead, take a moment to pray—ask God what’s really needed and how He might want to use you.⁣
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Then, stay attentive. If an opportunity opens, take one small, tangible step—send an encouraging message, meet a practical need, or have a gentle, honest conversation.⁣
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The goal isn’t to do everything—it’s to respond in a way that reflects both love and truth, led by God rather than impulse.⁣
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ℝ𝔌ℍ𝔌𝔞ℝ𝕊𝔌⁣
𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘊 𝘯𝘰 𝘚𝘳𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘊𝘳 𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘊𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘀𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘊𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘊 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘚 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘊 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩. 3 John 4⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝔞𝔻⁣
Revisit: 3 John⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕁𝕆𝕀ℂ𝔌⁣
Praise Him⁣
Christ Be Magnified⁣
Psalm 90 (Satisfy Us with Your Love)⁣
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𝐋𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐭⁣2 𝘑𝘰𝘩𝘯 𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘖𝘯𝘬𝘊𝘯⁣⁣ℝ𝔌𝕍𝕀𝔌𝕎⁣⁣To learn how to spot counterfeit bills, treasury professionals study...
04/26/2026

𝐋𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐭⁣
2 𝘑𝘰𝘩𝘯 𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘖𝘯𝘬𝘊𝘯⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕍𝕀𝔌𝕎⁣
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To learn how to spot counterfeit bills, treasury professionals study the real thing. Rather than memorizing every fake, knowing authentic currency well helps them recognize what is false.⁣
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Second John is a brief but powerful letter, likely written to one congregation, yet relevant for every church today. John emphasizes that love and truth must stay together. We often focus only on being loving, but it is not loving to ignore whether someone holds to the essential truths of the gospel.⁣
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𝘝𝘊𝘳𝘎𝘊𝘎 1–6: 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘚 𝘪𝘯 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘊 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩⁣
John repeatedly connects love with truth. We are called to walk in love, but love must be anchored in what God has revealed. Genuine love does not drift from truth.⁣
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𝘝𝘊𝘳𝘎𝘊𝘎 7–9: 𝘈𝘭𝘊𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘋𝘊𝘀𝘊𝘪𝘷𝘊𝘳𝘎⁣
John warns that some moving among churches do not believe in the true Jesus of the gospel. “Christian” teaching can become watered down or even heretical, so believers must be discerning. His doctrinal summary in verse 7 centers on denying that Jesus Christ came in the flesh.⁣
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The more familiar we are with truth, the easier it becomes to recognize counterfeits.⁣
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𝘝𝘊𝘳𝘎𝘊𝘎 10–11: 𝘏𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘉𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘊𝘎⁣
John warns that those promoting a false view of Jesus should not be treated as if they share true fellowship in Christ. This does not mean being harsh or unkind, nor does every secondary disagreement require division. But love includes honesty, and truth requires wise boundaries.⁣
⁣
We can treat all people with kindness while recognizing that fellowship with those who trust the true gospel is different from fellowship with those who reject it.⁣
⁣
Be careful what you pass along. Many books, podcasts, videos, memes, and messages may sound spiritual because they mention God or Christ, yet do not align with the gospel.⁣
⁣
Become increasingly familiar with the truth. Speak truth to one another. Stay rooted in Christ so deception loses its appeal.⁣
When love is guided by truth and truth is carried with love, the church is protected, believers are strengthened, and Christ is honored.⁣
⁣
ℝ𝔌𝕄𝔌𝕄𝔹𝔌ℝ⁣
⁣
Not every voice that sounds spiritual speaks the truth of Christ. ⁣
⁣
ℝ𝔌𝔜𝕃𝔌ℂ𝕋⁣
Am I growing in spiritual maturity so that I can recognize truth from error, or am I easily influenced by voices that sound convincing? Consider Ephesians 4 and Hebrews 6, which call believers to move beyond immaturity into discernment and stability.⁣
⁣
Do I hold truth and love together in my relationships with other believers, speaking honestly with grace, patience, and humility? Reflect on Ephesians 4:15, Colossians 3, and First Peter, where believers are called to put on compassion, love deeply, and speak truth in love.⁣
⁣
Am I careful about what teaching I receive, repeat, and recommend to others, or have I grown casual with the gospel? Think about Galatians and First Timothy 1, where false teaching is confronted and the purity of the gospel is guarded.⁣
⁣
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ℝ𝔌𝕊ℙ𝕆ℕ𝔻⁣
𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥, 𝘬𝘊𝘊𝘱 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘎 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘞𝘢𝘳𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘞𝘪𝘎𝘊.⁣
𝘔𝘢𝘬𝘊 𝘶𝘎 𝘚𝘊𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘊, 𝘎𝘵𝘊𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩.⁣
𝘎𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘶𝘎 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘀𝘊𝘎 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘶𝘎 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘎𝘵,⁣
𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘵 𝘶𝘎 𝘥𝘊𝘊𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘥.⁣
𝘛𝘊𝘢𝘀𝘩 𝘶𝘎 𝘵𝘰 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘚𝘳𝘢𝘀𝘊 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘪𝘎𝘀𝘊𝘳𝘯𝘮𝘊𝘯𝘵,⁣
𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘊 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘊𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘊 𝘞𝘊𝘭𝘭,⁣
𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘠𝘰𝘶⁣
𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘊𝘎 𝘢𝘯𝘀𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘊𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘎 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘊.⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
ℝ𝔌𝕃𝔞𝕋𝔌⁣
This week, be intentional to show kindness, patience, and genuine care to everyone you interact with, whether they share your faith or not. At the same time, invest more deeply in fellowship with believers who are pursuing Christ—pray together, speak truth to one another, encourage growth, and share life at a deeper level. Welcome others warmly, but recognize that spiritual unity in Christ creates a unique depth of relationship meant to strengthen and mature us. ⁣
⁣
⁣
ℝ𝔌ℍ𝔌𝔞ℝ𝕊𝔌⁣
⁣
𝘞𝘈𝘛𝘊𝘏 𝘠𝘖𝘜𝘙𝘚𝘌𝘓𝘝𝘌𝘚, 𝘛𝘏𝘈𝘛 𝘠𝘖𝘜 𝘋𝘖 𝘕𝘖𝘛 𝘓𝘖𝘚𝘌 𝘞𝘏𝘈𝘛 𝘞𝘌 𝘏𝘈𝘝𝘌 𝘈𝘊𝘊𝘖𝘔𝘗𝘓𝘐𝘚𝘏𝘌𝘋, 𝘉𝘜𝘛 𝘛𝘏𝘈𝘛 𝘠𝘖𝘜 𝘔𝘈𝘠 𝘙𝘌𝘊𝘌𝘐𝘝𝘌 𝘈 𝘍𝘜𝘓𝘓 𝘙𝘌𝘞𝘈𝘙𝘋. ⁣
2 𝘑𝘖𝘏𝘕 8⁣
⁣
⁣
ℝ𝔌𝔞𝔻⁣
Revisit: 2 John⁣
Read Ahead: 3 John ⁣
⁣
ℝ𝔌𝕁𝕆𝕀ℂ𝔌⁣
⁣
Do What You Want To⁣
Goodness of God⁣
At Your Name

𝐀𝐛𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞: 𝐀 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐚𝐚𝐀 𝐚𝐭 𝟏 𝐉𝐚𝐡𝐧⁣1 𝘑𝘰𝘩𝘯 5:13-21 @𝘬𝘊𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘻𝘪𝘊⁣⁣ℝ𝔌𝕍𝕀𝔌𝕎⁣John closes this letter by reminding believers...
04/19/2026

𝐀𝐛𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞: 𝐀 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐚𝐚𝐀 𝐚𝐭 𝟏 𝐉𝐚𝐡𝐧⁣
1 𝘑𝘰𝘩𝘯 5:13-21 @𝘬𝘊𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘻𝘪𝘊⁣
⁣
ℝ𝔌𝕍𝕀𝔌𝕎⁣
John closes this letter by reminding believers of life with the Father: love, joy, discernment, prayer, and eternal life. These truths are meant to shape everyday living. John’s desire is that his readers would know and enjoy a real relationship with the Father like Jesus did.⁣
⁣
Believers are already living eternal life. Though we do not yet know its fullness and still face suffering, we already share in life and fellowship with the Father. Our eternal journey has begun and can be joyful now.⁣
⁣
𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘊𝘳 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘗𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘎𝘊 (𝘷.13–15)⁣
God is not a cosmic vending machine. Because we belong to Him, we can approach Him with confidence. Prayer is not only requests, but listening for His heart and joining His work.⁣
⁣
His will never contradict Scripture. As we grow with Him, prayer becomes relational, not transactional.⁣
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𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘚 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘗𝘊𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘊 (𝘷.16–17)⁣
⁣
John speaks of praying for someone caught in sin. His focus is not categories, but lovingly interceding for believers who are drifting.⁣
Sin damages life and fellowship with God. John teaches us to pray that the Father would give life to the person committing sin.⁣
⁣
𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘊𝘀𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘗𝘊𝘢𝘀𝘊 (𝘷.18–19)⁣
⁣
John reassures believers that God keeps His people. The evil one may tempt and accuse, but he does not hold final authority. God does.⁣
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The world is affected by sin, so do not be naïve or fearful. We belong to the One who has overcome.⁣
⁣
𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘊 𝘛𝘳𝘊𝘢𝘎𝘶𝘳𝘊 (𝘷.20–21)⁣
⁣
John ends by saying the Father is true, then warns, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”⁣
⁣
Idols are anything we trust for comfort, identity, security, or meaning apart from God.⁣
⁣
John wanted them—and us—to enjoy fellowship with the Father, not just know about Him.⁣
⁣
What is competing with the Father for the trust or affection that belongs to Him?⁣
⁣
ℝ𝔌𝕄𝔌𝕄𝔹𝔌ℝ⁣
⁣
Believers are already living eternal life. Though we do not yet know its fullness and still face suffering, we already share in the life of God. Our eternal journey has begun and can be joyful now.⁣
⁣
⁣
ℝ𝔌𝔜𝕃𝔌ℂ𝕋⁣
Read all of I John again this week. Ask the Father to show you places in your life that are more central than Him using these questions as a guide.⁣
⁣
What do I fear losing most, and how do I respond when it is threatened?⁣
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What do I trust to give me peace when I feel insecure or afraid?⁣
⁣
What dominates my thoughts and conversations?⁣
⁣
How do I make decisions, and where does the Father’s will fit?⁣
⁣
What is shaping how I think—Father things, Jesus things, Spirit things?⁣
⁣
ℝ𝔌𝕊ℙ𝕆ℕ𝔻⁣
⁣
𝘍𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘊𝘳,⁣
𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘊 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘊 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘧𝘶𝘭, 𝘎𝘵𝘊𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘞𝘩𝘊𝘯 𝘞𝘊 𝘢𝘳𝘊 𝘯𝘰𝘵.⁣
𝘛𝘊𝘢𝘀𝘩 𝘶𝘎 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘀𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘊𝘯𝘀𝘊,⁣
𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘎 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘎𝘊 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘚 𝘵𝘰 𝘀𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘀𝘊 𝘠𝘰𝘶,⁣
𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘎 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘎𝘊 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘊𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘩𝘊𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘠𝘰𝘶.⁣
𝘒𝘊𝘊𝘱 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘎 𝘎𝘰𝘧𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘞𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘊𝘳𝘎,⁣
𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘀𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘊, 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘀𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘊𝘳𝘀𝘊𝘥𝘊,⁣
𝘎𝘭𝘰𝘞 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘊𝘯.⁣
𝘎𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘶𝘎 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘊 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘀𝘊𝘎 𝘞𝘊 𝘧𝘊𝘊𝘭 𝘞𝘊𝘢𝘬,⁣
𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘎𝘵𝘊𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘶𝘎 𝘞𝘩𝘊𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘊 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘧𝘊𝘊𝘭𝘎 𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥.⁣
𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘱 𝘢𝘞𝘢𝘺 𝘊𝘷𝘊𝘳𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘎𝘊 𝘀𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵⁣
𝘞𝘊 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘊 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘀𝘊𝘥 𝘣𝘊𝘎𝘪𝘥𝘊 𝘠𝘰𝘶,⁣
𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘞 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘊𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘣𝘢𝘀𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘎 𝘳𝘊𝘢𝘭.⁣
𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘶𝘎 𝘀𝘭𝘰𝘎𝘊 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘊 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘎 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘊.⁣
⁣
ℝ𝔌𝕃𝔞𝕋𝔌⁣
⁣
This week, practice praying before reacting.⁣
⁣
When someone frustrates or concerns you, pause and pray for them specifically—asking God to draw them closer to Him and shape their heart.⁣
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Then, if appropriate, follow it with one simple act of kindness or encouragement.⁣
⁣
ℝ𝔌𝔞𝔻⁣
Revisit: 1 John 5:1-12 and all of 1 John⁣
Read Ahead: 1 John 5:13-21⁣
⁣
ℝ𝔌𝕁𝕆𝕀ℂ𝔌⁣
Be Glad⁣
Look to the Lamb⁣
Another Like You⁣
⁣
⁣

𝐍𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐘𝐚𝐮 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐓𝐚, 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐘𝐚𝐮 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐓𝐚⁣1 John 5:1-12 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘊 𝘔𝘶𝘎𝘊⁣⁣ℝ𝔌𝕍𝕀𝔌𝕎⁣⁣The story is told of Disney employees quiet...
04/12/2026

𝐍𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐘𝐚𝐮 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐓𝐚, 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐘𝐚𝐮 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐓𝐚⁣
1 John 5:1-12 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘊 𝘔𝘶𝘎𝘊⁣
⁣
ℝ𝔌𝕍𝕀𝔌𝕎⁣
⁣
The story is told of Disney employees quietly taking railroad ties from the property to use at Fort Wilderness—only to later be told those ties had already been purchased and set aside for them. What they were trying to take was already theirs.⁣
⁣
How often do we live the same way with God? Trying to earn, striving to secure, unaware of what’s already been given.⁣
⁣
We live into what we know. If we are unaware of what’s ours in Christ, we will never live as though it is.⁣
⁣
John 1:12 reminds us that to all who receive Him, He gives the right to become children of God. This isn’t earned—it’s given.⁣
John shows us two realities: what we believe and what testifies to what we believe.⁣
⁣
What we believe: Not just facts about Jesus, but full trust in Him—being born of God. Jesus is not only truth to affirm (John 14:6), but the way into life with God, and the promise of life with Him (John 14:3).⁣
⁣
What testifies to it: A transformed life marked by love. 1 Corinthians 13 tells us that action without love is nothing, while 1 John 2:15 warns that misplaced love reveals a divided heart. But when we are born of God, love for the Father and others begins to flow.⁣
Jesus didn’t obey to earn love—He obeyed from it. And now, so do we.⁣
⁣
Romans 8:15–16 says we’ve received the Spirit of adoption. We don’t live for approval, but from it. We are His.⁣
⁣
1 John 4:9–10 shows us love begins with God. Our obedience is a response, not a requirement.⁣
⁣
John also points to the evidence: the Spirit, the water, and the blood.⁣
⁣
At His baptism, the water and the Spirit testify together—“This is my beloved Son” (Matthew 3:16–17).⁣
⁣
At the cross, the blood testifies—“Truly this was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54).⁣
⁣
And this same Spirit now bears witness in us. 1 John 3:24 reminds us that we know He abides in us by His Spirit.⁣
⁣
Our faith in the Son brings us into the same abiding life Jesus has with the Father.⁣
⁣
We share in a victory that reaches deeper than our greatest pain and rises higher than our greatest success.⁣
⁣
Our experience with Him leads us into certainty of Him.⁣
⁣
Not because we have to—⁣
but because we get to live in what is already true.⁣
⁣
ℝ𝔌𝕄𝔌𝕄𝔹𝔌ℝ⁣
⁣
We live into what we know. If we are unaware of what’s ours in Christ, we will never live as though it is.⁣
⁣
⁣
ℝ𝔌𝔜𝕃𝔌ℂ𝕋⁣
Think about your relationship with God—where do you see yourself right now?⁣
⁣
I have not / don’t think I’ve fully surrendered to God.⁣
⁣
I have life with God but want to experience more.⁣
⁣
I experience life with God but want to have more confidence in my experiences with Him.⁣
⁣
In what areas of your life are you still living for approval instead of from the approval you already have as God’s child (Romans 8:15–16)?⁣
⁣
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What is one practical way you can walk in love this week—toward God or others—that reflects the life of Christ already at work in you (1 Corinthians 13)?⁣
⁣
How much does God love you?⁣
⁣
⁣
ℝ𝔌𝕊ℙ𝕆ℕ𝔻⁣
𝘍𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘊𝘳,⁣
𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘊 𝘚𝘪𝘷𝘊𝘯 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘬𝘊𝘊𝘱 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘚 𝘵𝘰 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘯.⁣
𝘛𝘊𝘢𝘀𝘩 𝘮𝘊 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘊𝘀𝘊𝘪𝘷𝘊 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘎 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘊𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘎𝘵—⁣
𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘊 𝘢𝘎 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘀𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘎𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘚 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘭, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘳𝘊𝘎𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘚 𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘵.⁣
𝘑𝘊𝘎𝘶𝘎,⁣
𝘐 𝘊𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘎𝘵 𝘮𝘺𝘎𝘊𝘭𝘧 𝘵𝘰 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘚𝘢𝘪𝘯.⁣
𝘓𝘊𝘵 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘊 𝘎𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘊 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘊—⁣
𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘊 𝘞𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘞 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘮𝘊, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘎 𝘊𝘧𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘎 𝘊𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘊𝘯𝘀𝘊 𝘰𝘧 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯.⁣
𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵,⁣
𝘣𝘊𝘢𝘳 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘯𝘊𝘎𝘎 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘊.⁣
𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘞 𝘮𝘺 𝘀𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘊𝘯𝘀𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘊𝘎𝘊𝘯𝘀𝘊,⁣
𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘊𝘢𝘥 𝘮𝘊 𝘥𝘊𝘊𝘱𝘊𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘊 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘊 𝘐 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘊𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘎𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘊 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘠𝘰𝘶.⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
ℝ𝔌𝕃𝔞𝕋𝔌⁣
Move toward one person intentionally—from love, not obligation.⁣
⁣
Pick one person in your church or everyday circles and:⁣
⁣
Initiate instead of waiting (text, call, sit with them, invite them in)⁣
⁣
Listen to understand, not just respond⁣
⁣
Carry something with them—encourage, pray with them, or meet a tangible need⁣
⁣
As you do, pay attention to your motive. When you feel the pull to perform, impress, or be noticed, pause and remind yourself: I’m already loved and accepted—I get to love from that place.⁣
⁣
Then let your action be simple and genuine, not impressive.⁣
This is what it looks like for love to become evidence—not just intention.⁣
⁣
ℝ𝔌𝔞𝔻⁣
Revisit: 1 John 5:1-12⁣
Read Ahead: 1 John 5:13-21⁣
⁣
ℝ𝔌𝕁𝕆𝕀ℂ𝔌⁣
Look to the Son⁣
His Glory and My Good⁣
Great Is Thy Faithfulness⁣
⁣

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304 East Butler Road
Mauldin, SC
29662

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