"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth"  3 John 4

I suppose the true impact of this verse is not fully realized until the time in a person's life when he or she looks back over the course of their life to examine the fruit of their labors.   At least that's how it's been with me in seeing that done for Christ in the harvest fields of ministry. While I look forward to many more years of continuing opportunity and service, should the Lord tarry, God has blessed me so richly in recent days with the knowledge of my children in the faith.  

The principles of this passage are obviously true with regard to physical children, as well as spiritual ones,  Since I do not have physical children, my meditation on this truth relates to those spiritual children for whom God has given me privilege and responsibility.  Some of those children are ones with whom I've had the joy of sharing the Scriptures that God has used to draw them to Christ, as Savior.  The wonderful miracle of spiritual birth never loses its wonder and awe to me.  The fact that God draws one to Himself, and upon repentance and faith, accomplishes the work of regeneration in their life is the greatest miracle in the world!  What a blessing to see God progressively transform thoughts, deeds, and words into the conformity of His Son is a continuation of that miracle.  Praise the Lord!

Some of them are ones who have demonstrated such a desire before the Lord to learn, change and grow in their faith.  It is a sobering thought to understand that the work of God is done by the Word of God to the glory of  God. That gives such freedom and confidence in simply proclaiming the Word of God and praying faithfully and fervently for each "child".

Other children of which I am thinking are those ministry disciples that God has placed under my parental watch care over these past years of traveling across the country to teach ladies how to communicate biblical hope to those in human crisis through HOPE IN CRISIS (R) seminars. Hearing and seeing them continue to walk in truth brings such joy, as they evangelize, exhort and encourage those whom God places in their sphere of influence.

Its true, I never fully realized the impact of 1 John 4 until more recently,  However, the take away that I want to leave with you today is, that God brought me to a serious realization of its importance many years ago.  It was because God had burdened my heart in these matters that I asked for wisdom and guidance in doing what He called me to do, and He has so richly blessed!

Praise the Lord for the privilege if being in His service, by His grace, for His sake, to His glory!

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Since fear was the very first emotion described following the Fall, I have to ask myself  "What was the circumstance that seemed to precipitate it?"  There are several action words listed in that passage so it will be important to define which actions preceded the emotion of fear and which actions followed the emotion of fear.

Prior to the fall, I see that Eve LOOKED on the tree.  She SAW that it was good for food, pleasant to the eyes, and able to make one wise.  Subsequently she TOOK of it, ATE of it, and GAVE it to her husband.  He likewise TOOK and ATE, as well.

It is only after these 7 action words that I see the resultant behavior accomplished (and reported by Adam) in that he HEARD the voice of God, COVERED, HID, and FEARED, BLAMING other than himself.

What separates the first set of actions from the second?  I need not look very long at all to define that answer as one more action word, DISOBEDIENCE. 

As an unbeliever, it is easily understood that disbelief separates me from a relationship with the God of Heaven, Who created me in His image and for His pleasure.  Only the substitutinonary blood of Christ has atoned for my sin, and hearing the voice of God, I will experience the fear of death until that atonement has been received by faith, destroying the power of death and delivering me from the fear of daeth.  Hebrews 2:14-15 clearly teaches me that "forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage."

Additionally, as a believer, disobedience in any shape or form always separates me from fellowship with my God. I am so aware that, according to 2 Timothy 1:7, fear is not of God, but rather, He has given me power, love and a sound mind.  Thus, just as in Genesis 2, only disobedience at some level will precipitate fear.  It may, in fact, simply be the disobedience of ceasing to keep my mind stayed on Him, where Isaiah promises perfect peace  in 26:3 if I will do so.  Or it might be violating 2 Corinthians 10:5 in allowing my thoughts to be controlled by my human problem-oriented circumstances, rather than God's divine solution-oriented promises.

When I think about the fear of death, I must quickly bring my thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ / Word of God, and remind myself that Jesus said " he that liveth and believeth in me shall never die" in John 11:25-26.  So, knowing that " to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord",  as I know from 2 Corinthians 5:8, replaces fear with anticipatory hope of that 1 John 3:2 awakening in His likeness, seeing Him as He is. What a blessed victory...praise the Lord!!

                              (C)  1998, 2014 N. A. Collins         
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"HOW do I trust The Lord?" I can't think of any one question that has been more frequently asked over the years than that one. When I look at Psalm 37, the psalmist brings clarity to the question, as he looks at several components of trust.
In looking at the action words used in verses 3-8, there's are five clear aspects of what it means to trust. I have taken those action words, and alphabetically spelled the word TRUST.

  1.  To trust the Lord, I must first TAKE THE GIFT OF SALVATION.

  2.  To delight in The Lord, I must REJOICE IN JESUS ALONE.

  3.  To commit my way into The Lord, I must UNLEASH MY LIFE.

  4.  To rest in the Lord, I must SACRIFICIALLY SUBMIT myself to Him in obedience and SACRIFICIALLY SERVE others.

  5. Only then, can I truly wait on The Lord, placing the TOTAL RESPONSIBILITY UPON HIM FOR THE RESULTS OF MY OBEDIENCE.

What a privilege to trust in The Lord with all my heart, leaning not to my own understanding. In all my ways acknowledging Him, knowing that He will, according to Proverbs 3:5-6, direct my paths.

                                          (C) 1990 NA Collins
                     Limited copy permission for 1 personal file copy