Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide from the sermon on 11/16: Postcards 4 - Walk in Truth and Love.
Day 1: Embracing Eternal Truth
Reading: 2 John 1-4; Psalm 119:105
Devotional: Truth isn't relative—it's eternal. In a world that constantly shifts what it calls "truth," God's Word remains unchanged from the beginning and will never change. The question isn't whether truth exists, but which authority we'll submit to: our own reasoning, tradition, feelings, or God's revelation. John reminds us that truth "abides in us and will be with us forever." This isn't just information to know; it's a path to walk daily. When you face decisions today, ask yourself: "Am I submitting to God's truth or my own understanding?" The truth that sets us free isn't found in ourselves but in the unchanging character of God revealed through Scripture.
Reflection: What authority are you submitting to in your most difficult decisions right now?
Reading: 2 John 1-4; Psalm 119:105
Devotional: Truth isn't relative—it's eternal. In a world that constantly shifts what it calls "truth," God's Word remains unchanged from the beginning and will never change. The question isn't whether truth exists, but which authority we'll submit to: our own reasoning, tradition, feelings, or God's revelation. John reminds us that truth "abides in us and will be with us forever." This isn't just information to know; it's a path to walk daily. When you face decisions today, ask yourself: "Am I submitting to God's truth or my own understanding?" The truth that sets us free isn't found in ourselves but in the unchanging character of God revealed through Scripture.
Reflection: What authority are you submitting to in your most difficult decisions right now?
Day 2: Love in Action
Reading: 1 John 3:16-18; John 13:34-35
Devotional: Love isn't just a feeling—it's a commandment with action. Jesus demonstrated the ultimate example: selfless, sacrificial love that respects the person while addressing the sin. Consider the woman at the well: Jesus didn't condemn her, but He also didn't excuse her lifestyle. He loved her enough to tell her the truth. Walking in love means more than being nice; it means caring enough about others to point them toward Christ. Today, you'll encounter people who disagree with you, people living in ways contrary to Scripture. Can you love them without excusing sin? Can you respect them while standing firm in truth? That's the balance Christ calls us to—loving well while walking in truth.
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience Christ's love through you today, even if they disagree with you?
Reading: 1 John 3:16-18; John 13:34-35
Devotional: Love isn't just a feeling—it's a commandment with action. Jesus demonstrated the ultimate example: selfless, sacrificial love that respects the person while addressing the sin. Consider the woman at the well: Jesus didn't condemn her, but He also didn't excuse her lifestyle. He loved her enough to tell her the truth. Walking in love means more than being nice; it means caring enough about others to point them toward Christ. Today, you'll encounter people who disagree with you, people living in ways contrary to Scripture. Can you love them without excusing sin? Can you respect them while standing firm in truth? That's the balance Christ calls us to—loving well while walking in truth.
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience Christ's love through you today, even if they disagree with you?
Day 3: Guarding Against Deception
Reading: Acts 20:28-31; Matthew 7:15-20
Devotional: Satan's primary weapon has always been deception, and his attacks are often subtle rather than spectacular. False teachers don't arrive announcing their falsehood; they come in sheep's clothing, sounding reasonable and looking the part. The test of any teaching is simple: What does it say about Jesus and God's Word? In our digital age, we consume content constantly—podcasts, social media, books, sermons. Are you fact-checking everything against Scripture, or simply accepting what sounds good? Spiritual warfare isn't always dramatic; it's the slow erosion of truth through daily compromise. Guard your heart, your home, and your church by testing everything. Stay alert. The enemy doesn't care how messy the destruction is—he just wants to keep you from Jesus.
Reflection: What content are you consuming regularly? Have you tested it against God's Word?
Reading: Acts 20:28-31; Matthew 7:15-20
Devotional: Satan's primary weapon has always been deception, and his attacks are often subtle rather than spectacular. False teachers don't arrive announcing their falsehood; they come in sheep's clothing, sounding reasonable and looking the part. The test of any teaching is simple: What does it say about Jesus and God's Word? In our digital age, we consume content constantly—podcasts, social media, books, sermons. Are you fact-checking everything against Scripture, or simply accepting what sounds good? Spiritual warfare isn't always dramatic; it's the slow erosion of truth through daily compromise. Guard your heart, your home, and your church by testing everything. Stay alert. The enemy doesn't care how messy the destruction is—he just wants to keep you from Jesus.
Reflection: What content are you consuming regularly? Have you tested it against God's Word?
Day 4: The Mirror of Self-Examination
Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:5; Lamentations 3:40
Devotional: "Watch yourselves," John warns. The Christian life requires constant self-examination because spiritual complacency leads to compromise. It's easy to focus on others' errors while ignoring our own hearts. But a true relationship with Christ is marked by obedience—not perfection, but a life pattern of following God's commands. Are you walking in truth daily, or have you become comfortable with small compromises? Satan doesn't need to destroy you with one massive blow; he's content to distort truth in your life little by little, day by day, until you're far from where you started. Take inventory today: Is your life characterized by obedience to God's Word? Are you actively walking with Him, or passively drifting?
Reflection: What small compromise has crept into your life that you've been ignoring?
Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:5; Lamentations 3:40
Devotional: "Watch yourselves," John warns. The Christian life requires constant self-examination because spiritual complacency leads to compromise. It's easy to focus on others' errors while ignoring our own hearts. But a true relationship with Christ is marked by obedience—not perfection, but a life pattern of following God's commands. Are you walking in truth daily, or have you become comfortable with small compromises? Satan doesn't need to destroy you with one massive blow; he's content to distort truth in your life little by little, day by day, until you're far from where you started. Take inventory today: Is your life characterized by obedience to God's Word? Are you actively walking with Him, or passively drifting?
Reflection: What small compromise has crept into your life that you've been ignoring?
Day 5: Obedience Over Comfort
Reading: James 1:22-25; Luke 6:46-49
Devotional: The Christian life isn't passive—it's active, daily obedience. It's not enough to sit in church, take notes, and return to life unchanged. Walking in truth and love requires purposeful action in the places God has positioned you. Maybe you're in a job for 30 years to be a light in that workplace. Maybe you're in a school hallway where kids desperately need someone to love them. Perhaps God is calling you to something new, and you're hesitating. Don't waste a year wrestling with what you already know God is asking. Take that step of faith today. When you wake tomorrow morning, ask: "God, what does obedience look like for me today?" Your willingness to be obedient—even in what seems small—creates an impact far beyond what you can see.
Reflection: What is God asking you to do that you've been putting off? What's your first step of obedience?
Reading: James 1:22-25; Luke 6:46-49
Devotional: The Christian life isn't passive—it's active, daily obedience. It's not enough to sit in church, take notes, and return to life unchanged. Walking in truth and love requires purposeful action in the places God has positioned you. Maybe you're in a job for 30 years to be a light in that workplace. Maybe you're in a school hallway where kids desperately need someone to love them. Perhaps God is calling you to something new, and you're hesitating. Don't waste a year wrestling with what you already know God is asking. Take that step of faith today. When you wake tomorrow morning, ask: "God, what does obedience look like for me today?" Your willingness to be obedient—even in what seems small—creates an impact far beyond what you can see.
Reflection: What is God asking you to do that you've been putting off? What's your first step of obedience?
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