A Lenten devotion by Pastor Randy Hunter.

How would you complete the phrase above? Would your answer change if the phrase was, "Stop loving . . ."? God turns our hearts toward himself as the apostle John, a grandpa who is concerned for his kids and grandkids, shares a powerful message of hope and life for those who are caught up in desires and loss which consume and destroy. God has a better life for us, and he uses John to help us see what it can be. 

To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 2:15-17 this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

When we baptize babies at St. Andrew, we often sing "Borning Cry." The hymn tracks God's view of and love for a child from baptism through youth, middle age, and into old age. It's not only an accurate reflection of God's grace, but it reminds us how the Christian life goes, too: in stages. We all hope for growth. In this weekend's section of 1 John, the author demonstrates how the Christian life isn't stagnant. We all hope for growth. And you’ve come to the right place for it: God’s Word among God’s people.

To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 2:12-14 this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

In a press conference 19 years ago, then Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said, "There are known knowns: things we know that we know. There are known unknowns: things that we know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns: things we don't know we don't know." The Holy Spirit wants you to know you know God. But how? Hear his inspired word in 1 John 2:3-11 and evaluate your own knowledge of God. After all, that’s knowing him is why we’re here.

To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 2:3-11 this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

Listen to a reporter catch a coach on the way back onto the field after halftime: "Coach, what's your plan for the second half?" "Well, they scored more than we did until now, but if we can catch up and then score more than them in the second half, we'll be okay." It's always some variant of, "Here's the problem, and here's the solution." That formula frames our lives from "What shall we have for lunch?" to your current ailment. And even bigger things. Let the Spirit speak to you today in his inspired Word of 1 John 1:8 – 2:2 and answer the questions, "What's the problem? What's the solution?" 

To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 1:8 – 2:2 this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

The greatest teachers are those who take deep, hard to understand truths and put them in simple, understandable language and examples we can understand. This is a gift God gave to the Apostle John. He uses the contrast of walking in the light and walking in the darkness, two concepts that are easy to understand, especially at this time of year. The example is easy to understand, but the truth behind it is going to challenge us and confront some truths and mistruths in our own lives.

To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 1:5-7 this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

John's letters teach us about Jesus’ love so that we can love Jesus and one another. John reminds us what truly matters—that we know who Jesus is and what he has done for us, that we embrace Jesus’ love for us, and that we share that love with others. The word fellowship sums it all up and describes what we are about as God’s family. Every verse of these short books is packed full of truth about love, life, and God. Some of it is hard truth and some of it is easy truth, but it's all true. May the Spirit bless as he speaks to you through the letters of John.

To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 1:1-4, the introduction to John’s letters, this week,
Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

Until this year, most of us associated 2020 with excellent vision. But no one envisioned that 2020 would unravel as it did. That's the way it is with the future. "What's next?" This year that question prompts fewer vision statements and much less certainty than it did a year ago. That's not a bad thing. Uncertain times have a way of helping us appreciate what is certain. What is certain is God's Word and promise. We’re glad you’ve gathered around them with us today.

Let God the Spirit show you your future. Because of Jesus: it’s a good thing.

To receive 250-word devotions on Daniel 7:13-14, the heavenly courtroom, this week,
Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.