Reading for December 3rd is 1 John 3... My thoughts on this reading... I love how Chapter 3 begins... we what kind of love the Father has given us that we should be called children of God. It really is remarkable isn't it that we are God's children. It changes our understanding of who we are and what value we have before the Lord. I also like how it says what we will be like has not yet appeared... but we will be like Him. Won't that be wonderful. And when we think to ourselves that the Lord is finished with us, He says no, you are still a work in progress, wait until you see what I have in store for you! We then get some discussion about making a habit of sinning, which of course I must admit is humbling, because I don't want to do so, and yet I know I do. I'm guessing you are probably feeling the same way. I am so grateful for God's grace and forgiveness and have to daily wage the battle to fight against the sin in my life, because I am wanting to make sure that my actions portray who my Father is... and not that I am a child of the devil. That's why we are to love one another John says, and as we love others, we should not be surprised that the world does not like it. Can't help but love verse 16... by this we know love, that He laid down His life for us. You want to know what love is? Look to Jesus who loved us with an everlasting love and proved it by dying for us! So we are called to love, not just in words, but in our actions. Here we again get some focus on the importance of truth, and the need to abide and keep the commandments, not out of a desire to save ourselves or by obligation, but rather in response to the love He has shown us, so we are to love and keep His commands. The chapter closes with the encouraging words that He abides in us, by the Spirit He has given us!