Good morning! There is warmth within our hearts when we feel like we belong. However, in today’s verses we will discover the difference of belonging to God versus belonging to the world. Where do you belong?

Bible Verse – 1 John 4:1-6 NLT

“¹ Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. ² This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God: If a person claiming to be a prophet^[a] acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God. ³ But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here.

⁴ But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. ⁵ Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them. ⁶ But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception.”

Reflection

• do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit

• if you belong to God, you have already won a victory over those people who are of the world, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for another sunrise. Thank you for blessing us with another opportunity to serve you, love you, and love others. Lord, thank you for sending your son Jesus Christ to save us and further demonstrate your love for us. Lord, there is no greater love than the love that you give freely and without fail.

Lord, it has become so easy to follow the world and its direction or advice, but Lord we want to follow you, your word, and your truth. Lord, we believe and belong to you. We accept that we have already won a victory over those people who do not belong to the world, because the Spirit who lives in us is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. Lord, give us the courage, discernment, and wisdom to live our lives aligned to Your truth. Lord, continue to let your Spirit overflow within us and pour out into relationships we have with others.

Lord, continue to heal those who are sick. Continue to open doors of employment for those who have lost their jobs and are not certain when, where, or how the next opportunity will come. Lord, bless them with a good leader, a good work culture, and work life balance. Lord, we pray for our churches and ask that you continue to be with the pastors. Help them to teach the truth of your word without reservation. Lord, strengthen them and give them peace. Lord, be with our readers and help them to find a good church home with leaders and pastors who preach from your word and in truth. Lord, equip us all with your word and truth so that we know the difference. Guide us in all our ways and interactions today.

Lord, be with those who are struggling financially, mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Lord, you know exactly what is needed.

Lord, keep working in us. Keep transforming us to be who you called us to be. In Jesus name, amen.

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