They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us, for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us, but they’re going showed that none of them belonged to us. So, we can see that we’re rubbing up against the apocalyptic worldview that we talked about when we were going through Peter’s letters. We can see this eminent need to stay together, to stay true to the message that was taught. But we can also see unmet expectations there. Why he did some of these early believers leave the faith and become antichrist, when it seemed like the end was near. Unmet expectations. Coming to faith, expecting the imminent arrival of Jesus, and that there on the ground floor opportunity in the kingdom of God, but instead what they got was ridicule and persecution and marginalization. They were expecting some kind of timeline that they could understand, and they abandoned the faith when suffering came and endurance became part of the story. Like John said, they were never really a part of us. They left and they were never really with us. And in all of this, the earliest of early church times, many teachings were being developed about Jesus. His message, His ministry, what He represented, what His true nature was, was He a human being, was He a God? Was He both? All of these things were being explored and all kinds of skewed versions of the original teachings. They were everywhere. So, confusion and doubt and conflicting teachings crept into the church full of people who were already marginalized and they’re getting pressed in on. John stepping into all that swirl and saying wait. The deepest, most essential truths of our faith, has not changed at all. John says, who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist, denying the Father and the Son. No one denies the Son, has the Father. Whoever acknowledges the Son, has the Father also. So, John’s not saying hey, don’t ask questions of your faith. Hey, don’t grow in your understanding and grow in your faith in Jesus. It’s the completely the opposite. He was simply reminding them that hey, the truth you heard from the beginning, is still the truth, regardless of all the swirling things that you’re hearing and all the new teachings that you’re hearing. You can ask your questions but the central truth of who Jesus is, isn’t going to change. And then John told us why he’s bringing this all up, and reminded us of what is available and that will always guide us in the ways of truth. And he said, as for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning, remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what He promised us, eternal life. I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about all things, and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit, just as it has taught you, remain in Him. That is amazing advice. Remain in Him. That is for all of us who believe, especially when we’re going through resetting our expectations. When we’re dealing with doubt. Let’s remember that God doesn’t owe us anything. He doesn’t have to do anything. We owe Him our very existence. Let’s embrace the counsel of John and remain in Him, which means to stay faithful, to be true. Remain true to Him. Stay faithful to Him. Don’t cheat on Him. Stay true to what you were taught from the beginning. And then when we’re faced with doubt, we have this place to return to. Coming back to the place of why we believe what we do, and invite the Holy Spirit to guide us.
Prayer:
And so, Holy Spirit, we invite You into that right now. All the swirling things that lead us into doubt, all of our unmet expectations, not knowing who to believe. Not knowing what is true anymore. You are the only one. And so, we come to You and we open ourselves to You and invite You to first, shine the light of truth in our own lives. We so often just want You to shine the truth out in front of us, so we can see where we’re going, and we could be in control of everything. But shine the light of truth into our lives, first. So that we can see ourselves for who we truly are. We find repentance and righteousness. Then we might be able to see where we’re going. Come, Holy Spirit, show us how to remain in Him. We pray in Jesus name. Amen.
Announcements:
dailyaudiobible.com is home base, that is the website and where you find out what’s going on around here. It’s Christmas time around here. So, couple of things. Our Daily Audio Bible Annual Family Christmas party is coming up. That’s a virtual party. It kind of shows up as a extra episode and it’s, it’s beautiful. It’s lengthy usually, but it’s just all of the voices from all of the community, all around the Global Campfire. Just all getting together to hear each other’s voices and wish each other a Merry Christmas. So, you can participate in that. You can use the Hotline button, it’s in the app. The little red button up at the top, or you can dial 877-942-4253 and call in your holiday greeting. Those things might seem familiar because they’re the prayer request and encouragement line. And that’s what they’re for. And so, if you have a prayer request or encouragement, you can hit the Hotline button in the app or you can dial 877-942-4253 as well. Just don’t combine a holiday greeting and a prayer request in the same call. That won’t work. Make them separate and then we can work with them. So, yup, about a week and a half and we’ll close that down and start preparing for our party. So, make sure you don’t wait.
The other thing for Christmas this year is that we’re moving into some new territory in 2024. Brand-new infrastructure, brand-new app. A lot of work. It’s been two years from literally the ground up, building and we will land it sometime next year. We will, it’ll be our new home for the Global Campfire. We pressed up all of the music that is underneath the Daily Audio Bible onto five different vinyl albums. The Sleep album. The Promised Land album. The Heart album, I’m listening to that music from Heart, underneath the music right now. Then there are two holiday titles: Family Christmas, which is a beautifully orchestrated, that’s the kind of record you want to put on when you have a cup of hot cocoa and you got your Christmas lights on and all the other lights off. And you’re just kind of trying to take in the moment, this is for that. And then Christmas Time, by my son Maxwell which released last year. And that is a fantastic project and it’s part of our listening for the Christmas season as well. So, all of those are available. And when you pick up one of these or all of these, we will send you the Christmas ornament for 2023. The Daily Audio Bible 2023 ornament with the word “expand” on it. So, check those out, they’re in the Daily Audio Bible Shop. Look for Christmas, the Christmas Section and you’ll find them there. And thank you, thank you very much for your partnership.
And if you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible here at the end of the year, you can do that at dailyaudiobible.com. There is a link on the homepage or if you’re using the app, you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner, or the mailing address is P.O. Box 1996 Springhill, Tennessee 37174.
And as always, if ever prayer request or encouragement, you can hit the Hotline button in the app or you dial 877-942-4253. I’ve said that number a bunch of times. But that’s what you do for the holiday greeting or prayer request or encouragement.
And that’s it for today, I’m Brian, I love you and I will be waiting for you here tomorrow.
Prayer and Encouragements:
Good morning everyone, it’s Susan from Canada, God’s Yellow Flower calling in for Doctor John and his family. Especially his dad. I know how difficult it is. I think sometimes watching people suffer is worse than when they’re gone. I’m sure many will agree with me. So, Lord God, we come before Your Holy throne with Doctor John’s father on our hearts. And we ask that the peace that surpasses all understanding would be his and his families and his loved ones, Lord God. As he waits for You to take him home, Lord, we ask that the passing of his dad would be restful, peaceful and quick. We pray for Your peace to be with the families and that Your hand would touch their hearts and fill them with everything You have to offer, to bring joy in their life. Knowing that his mom and his dad would be together again for eternity with You physically in the midst. Oh Jesus, I can hardly wait for the day, wait for the day. What a glorious day that will be. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Good morning everyone, it’s Susan from Canada, God’s Yellow Flower calling. And I want to pray for Shari and all the other ones that are suffering. I know Adrian has MS and I’m not sure who else. But I just lift you up before the Lord and ask You dear God to give them healing in Your wings, that they may soar with You and just leave their cares and worries behind. We pray over their stamina as they go through this awful disease. I know the feeling of being able to do something one day and not the next because of my deterioration of my eyesight. But I know that physically it’s really hard on you, emotionally and probably spiritually as well. So, I pray Your strength, Lord God, upon each and every one. Not only those with MS but with ALS or any other debilitating disease, and I pray healing in Your wings and strength from Jesus. Amen.
Hello my DAB family, this is Jamie in New Jersey, Standing on the Word of God. I humbly ask you, please pray with me. Dear Father in Heaven, we are praying today for Your comfort in the lives of those who need it the most. You know the circumstances we all face. And You understand our hurts and our need for peace and comfort. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit and to turn their sorrow into joy. Let each person feel Your presence in amazing ways. Help them to be patient with themselves and to cling tightly to Your hand daily. May Your promises fill their hearts with hope for the future and peace in their spirits. When we can’t find words to pray, take over Holy Spirit. Intercede for us. And pray through us as we offer our prayer up for comfort to others. Help us to be instruments of hope to others, as we share the comfort You have already given to us. We pray in Jesus name. Amen. Thank you for praying along with me my brothers and sisters. I lift each and every one of you up to our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. May He answer all our prayers. I love you all. Have a good night.
Hey fam, it’s your boy Spark. The 26th, I wanted to call in though. Offer some prayer for some people. Salt and Light, I wanted to let you know that I’ll be praying for your friends daughter, on her healing. That will be continuous. Walking in the Light in Tennessee, always love hearing from you. I’ll be praying for your healing with your body and hope that the Lord reaches out and touches. Jamie in New Jersey man, I don’t get to say it very often but you’re a pillar. You’re a pillar. And thank you for the beautiful thanksgiving prayer. Eyes of a Dove, sorry, I wanted to let you know that I’ll be praying for your healing and keep your husband calm and let God do His thing. Prisoner of Hope, I’ve been thinking about you a lot. I know you’ve had that loss in your family and loss of your father, I believe. And I wanted to let you know that you are being prayed for. And I wanted to say guys, like, I can feel horrible of not getting on here and mentioning but I want to assure you, every prayer that is heard, even though it may not be mentioned, you’re getting prayed for. I had all these, felt like I had so many mothers when I got on here that, Susan, I mean, I could go down the list. God’s Life Speaker, there’s just so many people. And you’re being prayed for. And you’re loved and cared for. Amazing friends. I just tend to call if I have experience with something. Other than that, I leave it up to God. I love ya’ll.