Daily Bread 1/18/2023

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    Daily Bread – January 18, 2023 (The Fourth Day – Genesis 1:14-19) 1 John 4:17 – In this the love is perfected within us that we may have confidence in the day of judgment because as He is so are we in this world. As He Is, So Are We If you want any dimension of the things of the Spirit to grow and mature in your life, then you must continually give yourself to doing them. If we give ourselves to continually dwelling in the love of God, and thereby allowing the most glorious thing in the world to be expressed through our lives, then our love will grow and mature and will be perfected. So it is also with every dimension of the attributes and nature of God. If we will give all attendance and diligence to the Holy Spirit, Who has come to teach us to walk in the majesty of God’s ways, then we will add unto our faith, purity; and to purity knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. By doing this, we will find ourselves moving into the full display of the divine nature we received when we were born again and made a new creation (2 Peter 1:3-11; 2 Corinthians 5:17). What greater confidence could the child of God have on the Day of Judgment than to be fully developed in His love – both receiving it and expressing it. Knowing that we belong to God and that God belongs to us removes all concerns – for He is our life and joy. The abiding union with God and the absolute assurance of God’s love for us brings great confidence and boldness to our hearts. Knowing we are His purchased possession and His dwelling place removes all condemnation and fear. Being thrilled to walk with Him each day and empowered to live out the abundant life establishes an ever increasing relationship of the deepest and lasting bond of love. We are able both now and on that day to draw near with a true heart in the full assurance of faith having all boldness! Being on God’s side rejoicing in the abundant life He has provided and being so honored to live the life of Jesus makes all the difference. To think for a moment it’s some terrible yoke to live the life of Jesus and be even as He is in this world is to miss the joy and freedom of the relationship all together (1 John 3:22; Titus 2:11-13). Blessings,  Pastor Mark Spitsbergen