adminis among that subscriber base.
Just like other complementary sources on the word of God, the Berean: Daily Verse and Comment gives subscribers the desire to read the Bible, reflect on the word and to have a better and wider understanding of its applicability. Ihave been a subscriber for more than two years now, and have kept all the devotions. I refer to them when necessary. This is a case of using the Internet to best advantage.
This week, I use the August 11 devotional as an example for readers who would want to be part of it and/or start devotionals for their congregants and believers across denominations.
Although it is online, it is designed like printed devotionals we are used to where there is the scripture for the day, and the interpretation.
It is an excerpt from John W Ritenbaugh’s The Offerings of Leviticus. The scripture from this devotional is from 1 John 4:15-17: “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. (17) Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.” (NKJV)
Ritenbaugh says, “In 1 John 4, John makes a rather startling statement regarding our union with Christ. It is puzzling in that its practical application is vague to us because we are unfamiliar with the possibilities.
“Readers usually take a glimpse of it then move on, wondering about its meaning. The words themselves are simple enough, but their very simplicity adds to its confounding nature because, if it truly means what it appears to say, it is too good to be true!
“Lacking biblical evidence and a logical explanation for reaching such a wonderful conclusion, we pass on.
“1 John 4:15 says, ‘Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.’ The context is obviously our union with God, as the words ‘abide’ and ‘in’ confirm.
“Verse 16 continues the thought: ‘And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.’ Abide means ‘to live,’ ‘to continue with,’ or ‘to go on with.’ By substituting these synonyms, the last phrase reads, ‘He who continues or lives in love, continues or lives in God, and God in him.’
“The verse emphasises an on-going, unbroken, intimate relationship. Nothing can be closer than for one to be in another! Since John defines love in 1 John 5:3 as keeping the commandments, the word ‘love’ in this verse indicates that it is being reciprocated between God and us, and it is what facilitates the continuance of the union and relationship. These verses in fact confirm what Jesus said on the eve of His crucifixion:
“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever. The Spirit of truth, which the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. (John 14:15-17
“In verse 23, Jesus drops the term ‘helper,’ showing more specifically who would be living in us: ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.’ ‘Keep’ indicates that the love of which Jesus speaks is not merely an affection, as keep means ‘to maintain, continue or carry on.’ It is therefore active and dynamic.
“Has that wondrous promise actually taken place? Are we so united with God, so at one with Him, that Jesus Christ, our Creator, Savior, Redeemer, and High Priest has made us the place of His abode? If so, do our lives reflect that He is there? Are we giving evidence of His presence?”
“The subject here is not another human being but the Deity, and John is saying we can be bold because we share a commonality with Him. What did He accomplish? Where does He stand in relation to God and to us? How did He live His life? Jesus Christ lived His life confidently and boldly. The apostle is essentially saying that, when God looks at us, He sees us as though we were Jesus Christ!
Has anybody ever lived life closer to God than Jesus?” – <http://www.theberean.org/
Forthcoming events
Event: Healing, Miracle and Deliverance Crusade
Theme: John 11:40
Dates: August 11-13
Venue: Dutch Reformed Church, Samora Machel Avenue
Time: 5:30-8pm
Speakers: Apostle C Mahovo, Heal the World Ministries International
Contact: 0772976530
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Event: Annual General Conference 2011 – Ambassadors for Christ Ministries International
Dates: August 11-4
Theme: “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich” (Proverbs 10:22)
Venue: Kutama Day School, Zvimba
Hosts: Apostle Dr Abel and Amai Elizabeth Sande
Contact: 0772405023/0772938880/0772378529
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Event: Jabula International Conference and Covenant Business Expo
Date: August 10 – 14
Venue: Harare International Conference Centre
Speakers: Dr Mensa Otabil (Ghana); Bishop Richard Heard (USA); Apostle Adeyemi Adefarasin (Nigeria)
Hosts: Bishop Tudor and Pastor Chichi Bismark, New Life Covenant Church
Contact: 04-7000/2
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Event: Mabasa Ezviratidzo – Musangano weMatumba (Last meeting of the year)
Date: August 12-21
Venue: Kasanze Videc Hall, Murombedzi, Zvimba
Theme: Thanksgiving
Speaker: Bishop C Mutasa
Contacts: 0772958814/0733230868/ 05-568280
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Event: Catch the Fire Conference – Supernatural Overflow
Date: August 15-21
Venue: National Sports Stadium
Speakers: Apostle Robert Kayanja (Uganda); Prophet E Makandiwa
Hosts: Apostle T Vutabwashe, Heartfelt International Ministries
Contact: 04-785906/8
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Event: Catch the Fire Conference – Crusade
Date: September 19-24
Venue: Masvingo
Theme: We Welcome You Father
Hosts: Apostle T Vutabwashe, Heartfelt International Ministries
Contact: 04-785906/8
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Event: Celebrating 120 Years of Evangelism in Zimbabwe
Date: August 18-21
Venue: Zimbabwe International Fair Grounds, Bulawayo
Theme: Part 1: Ebenezer (Thus far the Lord has taken us)
Hosts: Methodist Church in Zimbabwe
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Event: Business Prayer Luncheon – Intercessors for Zimbabwe
Theme: “Building Prayer Altars at the Market Place”
Dates: August 27
Venue: Crowne Plaza Monomotapa
Time: 12:30-3pm
Speakers: TBA
Contact: 0733685636/0772319325
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Event: Zimbabwe Great Awakening 2011 – Days of Glory
Date: August 28-31
Venue: The Big Fields, Harare Children’s Home, 2 Daventry Rd, Eastlea
Time: 9am – 9pm
Speakers: Drs Rodney and Adonica Howard-Browne
Contact: 0772433042/0773975830/0774079016
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Event: Zimbabwe Kingdom Prosperity Summit 2011
Date: September 1-3
Venue: The Big Fields, Harare Children’s Home
Theme: How to set up a church-based kingdom business; How to build and manage ministry funds in excellence; Kingdom principles for supernatural prosperity
Speakers: Pastors Andre and Jenny Roebert (RSA); Dr Allan and Pastor Janine Bagg
Contact: 0772433042/0773975830/0774079016
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3, KJV)
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