Today’s study is hard hitting. Pious platitudes don’t work if I’m going to truly demonstrate God’s love. If it’s my own reputation of caring, it’s probably not reflecting what the apostle John is talking about. The author of the devotional emphasizes commitment that makes a difference. It must cost time and resources. At times I can lament about compassion fatigue with so many that are hurting. But I cannot hide behind any facade of trite quotes and my pious promotion of self righteousness.
“The most extensive and insidious problem in developing identity and character is that character skills require attachment and direct, in-person practice time. Attachments without time together are shallow at best. Older people with relational skills have less and less face-to-face practice with infants, children, and adolescents. The average child spends several hours a day in front of a screen. Although a child may have hundreds of social-media “friends,” none of those count for developing character. The fast track of the brain is not activated by screens. Screens run too slowly for the fast track.” - Excerpt, Renovated by Jim Wilder
“One of the tests of maturing love is our personal attitude toward the Bible, because in the Bible we find God’s will for our lives revealed. An unsaved man considers the Bible an impossible book, mainly because he does not understand its spiritual message (1 Cor. 2:14). An immature Christian considers the demands of the Bible to be burdensome. He is somewhat like a little child who is learning to obey, and who asks, “Why do I have to do that?” or “Wouldn’t it be better to do this?”
“D. L. Moody often said, “Every Bible should be bound in shoe leather.” We show our love to God not by empty words but by willing works. We are not slaves obeying a master; we are children obeying a Father. And our sin is a family affair.” - Excerpt, Be Real (1 John) by Warren W. Wiersbe
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