God's ordinary means of grace ordinarily produce extraordinary people. 1 John 4:11-17 (NIV) 11  Dear

Scripture is the sufficient source for knowing and testing what is true. 1 John 4:1–6 (NIV) Dear friends the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. 4  Just by how it acted like when it was about to stall, we knew something was not working correctly. Today: Acts 24

Hebrews 1:1–4 (ESV) 1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become

In this light, murder is not just an act that takes a person's physical life, but it's anything that

John's poetic style defines God's love and grace. 1 John 4:7-10 (NIV) 7 Dear friends, let us love one

Jesus gives the deepest theological insights to people just like you. Listen to passage & devotional: Belgic Confession of Faith, Article 1 We all believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that there is a single and simple spiritual being, whom we call God— eternal, incomprehensible, invisible, unchangeable, infinite, almighty; completely wise, just, and good, and the overflowing source of all good. Summary One of the beefiest books I have on my shelf is called Systematic Theology, by Louis Berkhof. It weighs in at nearly 1,100 pages of very small type, and as its title implies, it explains in significant detail what the Bible says about God. Yet, when it comes right down to it, Berkhof is forced to admit that "the Bible does not give us a definition of God." The Bible certainly explains quite a bit about God's attributes, character and the things He's done, but nowhere does it provide a stand alone description of exactly what God is. So when Jesus says in v24 that "God is spirit," it ought to get your attention. This is the fullest definition you'll find for God anywhere. Notice here exactly what Jesus said and what He didn't say. He didn't say that God is a spirit, He just said that God is spirit. This makes sense in light of the name God gave Himself: I AM. Just like He does with His other attributes, God defines that which He is. Dig Deeper The format in which Jesus explains what God is adds to our understanding. Jesus doesn't give a speech at a theological conference attended by religious elites, or package His explanation in an 1,100 page book, or even post a series of binge-worthy podcasts. It's not that those formats aren't good and even necessary things, it's just that the context of this conversation deepens the meaning of the one word definition Jesus gives of God. Jesus speaks these invaluable words to a fallen, broken, outcast woman - a Samaritan woman at that! And He does so right after calling her out for her sin and deception. Do you see what this means? It means that knowing God is not just a lofty ideal, attainable only by self righteous monks who climb the religious mountain, so to speak. Theology - knowing what God is and what He has done and is doing - is for common, ordinary, sinful folks; people just like you and me. Nor is theology an optional thing for Christians. You can't just hold onto the Bible's warm fuzzies like love, joy and peace without a firm grasp of the Bible's dogmatic claims. In fact, the very next thing that Jesus says here is that those who worship God must worship Him in spirit and truth. The Christ has come - the one which this sinful woman knew would be able to explain everything to us (v25). He's given us His Word, that we might fully know Him and worship Him in that truth. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father God, who is spirit; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Thank God for giving us the truth in His Word, and pray that you would know it well so you can fulfill your purpose of worshipping Him; ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Mark 5

said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, 4  

John 4:39-42 (NIV) CONTEXT: Jesus has just finished His famous encounter with the Samaritan woman at from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40   So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41  And because of his words many more became believers. 42  They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just

Psalm 90:1–4 (ESV) A prayer of Moses the man of God. 1  Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all 4  For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night As you begin preparing for another Lord's Day, let your momentary troubles (2 Corinthians 4:17) fade

Summary As is his habit, Satan shows up at Jesus' weakest moment, after He's been alone and fasting for 40 You must certainly trust the Lord, but: do not put the Lord your God to the test (Matt. 4:7, Deut 6:16 as Jesus did; ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - 1 John 4