Love's Walk - 1 John 2:6

   Once a year I take about a week to go to a pastor's conference at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.  It is a long drive but I have always found the expense and accompanying hassles of being away for it to be worth it.  Moody also happens to be the school that I graduated from so a pilgrimage there brings back a lot of great memories and even some old habits.
   I find when I hit the concrete streets and pathways around the school, I kick into kind of an overdrive when I walk. Back in my college days, I was often in somewhat of a hurry as I made my way between classes and other campus functions. When I am walking along with friends, I tend to leave them in the dust on occasion if I am not paying attention. I have to force myself to slow down or spend some lonely and somewhat embarrassing time way out in front of my fellows.
   The Bible uses the walking metaphor on several occasions in describing the Christian life.  In 1 John 2:6, John writes, "the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked."  The pronoun "He" is referring to Jesus Christ. The true believer should be striving to imitate the life walk of Jesus.
   A one time catchy popular marketed abbreviation - WWJD? - illustrates the idea, "What Would Jesus Do?"  If Jesus were in your shoes, what would He do? What would He say? How would He walk?
   To know the answer to those questions you must know Jesus as more than just Savior. That takes time in the Word of God and fellowship with the Lord. You have to make an effort to know how Jesus would walk.
   If you Love Him you should strive to walk in His way today. This is Love's true walk.
The Circuit ‘Riter, Michael Ullrich

Love's Demonstration - John 13:1-17

   Whether it be occupy Wall Street or the “Arab Spring”, recent times have seen a resurgence of the demonstration. People, many with nothing else to take up their time because of a lack of jobs, have taken their concerns and arguments to the public arena by carrying a sign, handing out literature, or in extreme cases, throwing bombs.

   Personally I am not attracted to demonstrations as a way to express an opinion. Generally my interest in a cause diminishes when I see one. It would not be my style to be involved in such activity. But true passion or love or concern needs to be demonstrated in some way or it is not believable. In other words, don’t say you care about me and then ignore my needs.

   In the last hours before Jesus’ death on the Cross John tells us he ‘showed them (His disciples) the full extent of His love.’ Was it by giving them some great gift, or doing some miracle? No, Jesus washed their feet (John 13:1-17)!

   At the end of the passage Jesus explains the message of the action. You and I need to serve if we are to show true love. We can’t push ourselves to the forefront and ask to be honored if we are going to be like Jesus.

   Read the passage and ponder these things and decide where you need to “wash feet” this week.

The Circuit ‘Riter, Michael Ullrich

Love's Consistency - 1 John 2:6

   Many years ago we put on a garage sale that taught me a simple lesson other than I don't like putting on garage sales. We had to borrow tables and do a lot of figuring to make everything work in as efficient a manner as you might think a garage sale could.  We even figured out a way to provide a little refreshment. Our youngest children, Ben and Daniel, had their own little pop shop right outside the front door. We supplied the product and told them to ask people going out if they wanted to buy any pop (soft drinks for those of you not from the Midwest). They were hard to resist, those two cute little guys doing what turned out to be a profitable adventure!
    The starting time was set for 8 a.m., but someone was outside at 6:30 a.m. wanting to buy early. We explained that we were going to be consistent and not start till 8. He argued that he was going to buy something and we shouldn't turn him away. Finally, he left and didn't return.
    Consistency has a price. If you are going to be fair to all in garage sales you have to stick to the time advertised!  In your walk as a Christian, you also show your love for the Lord by being consistent. 1 John 2:6 says that "we ought to walk in the same manner " Jesus walked. We shouldn't say we are going to do one thing and then do another. We shouldn't tell the Gospel and live like atheists. We should practice our abiding.
    Since John is exhorting us to this, realize that it does take effort.  As you go through this day, will you make an effort to be lovingly consistent in your walk with Christ ?  It may cost you something, but it is the right thing to do!
The Circuit ‘Riter, Michael Ullrich

Love's Lawyer - 1 John 2:1-2

Much to our great concern, Bonita and I ran across a grades note the one day from one of our children’s teachers. Reviewing the list of apparent "F's" got us rather stirred up to say the least. We decided it was time to go to the teacher and figure out what was going on. Without doing that we could only see grounding the kid from sports and other extracurricular activities (possibly for life!). Fortunately he had an advocate.
    The advocate ended up being the teacher. Seems there was a little misunderstanding as to the meaning of the grades. When the situation was known and the grades properly interpreted we found him to be in much more acceptable shape academically. Without his teacher stepping in as his "lawyer", everyone would have been very upset.
    In part, 1 John 2:1+2 reads, "And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins."
    We would not be able to maintain the relationship we have with the Father if the Son didn't lovingly step in as our Lawyer. In a sense, Jesus stands before the Father representing us and saying something like, "yes, he has sinned, but here is the document written in My Blood that shows that sin has been forgiven!"
    Have you thanked God recently that He lovingly appointed an attorney for you in Jesus Christ? You are represented well!
The Circuit ‘Riter, Michael Ullrich

Love's Forgiveness - 1 John 1 9

Few things in life probably bothered me more than accidentally hurting one of my children. On several different occasions over those years when the kids were little I was roughhousing with them when they did something I didn't expect like running into my leg or elbow, causing them a small "owie." When they are bigger I may say, "you need to be more careful." But with a small child I tend to feel really bad. Now it is time to start paying attention to the grand-kids on those limited occasions when we can play with them.
            To make matters harder on me when I was an offending parent, while I am holding and patting my little boy, he might be snuggling and patting me! The thought crossed my mind, "who's comforting who here?"
              I am thankful that my children are a forgiving bunch. Hopefully as they’ve grown up and looked back at the mistakes I have made as a parent, they will continue to be forgiving!
            I like what the Bible says about God's loving forgiveness. In 1 John 1:9 it says, that in confessing our sins to God "He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us... " The role is reversed. I am the offending one and God is comforting me by saying, "I forgive you."
            As a child of God, my sin interferes with my relationship with Him much as my children or grandchildren and I might have something come between us. They remain my offspring throughout. The relationship is mended by confession and asking forgiveness. The same is true in our relationship with the Heavenly Father.
            You can experience His loving forgiveness right now  by admitting your sin to Him and accepting His forgiveness.
The Circuit ‘Riter, Michael Ullrich

Love's Light - 1 John 1:5

    In order for me to get to the office in the church I have to go through some interior passageways. Through one door it is a simple walk down a few stairs, a ninety-degree turn and a few steps. However, that entrance requires a longer walk outside and a few more steps.  If I want to get in quickly and have a light at least for the lock, I take a different door.
    I have an almost fanatical interest in turning the lights off when I am not using an area. My preferred passage doesn't have the luxury of switches on each end of the room. And, rather than run the electricity when I wouldn't be there, I will walk through that area in the dark. Problem is, it sometimes contains unexpected additions. And you never know what they might have moved around!  I have tried, to no avail, to shut the lights off and run to the other end of the room before it got dark!    As physical light is important to a safe walk in a room, Spiritual light  is necessary for a spiritual walk. 1 John 1:5 says, "that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all." Satan brings spiritual darkness and hidden obstacles, which cause us to stumble.
    You can make use of God's light by reading the Scriptures and walking dependent on God's Holy Spirit. A blessing results in that we can better fellowship with one another (v. 7).
    Are you seeking the light today or just walking in darkness? Why not take advantage of God's light.
The Circuit 'Riter, Michael Ullrich