Monday, August 18, 2025
New Testament Reading Plan: Mark 11
Are we in the last days? It sure seems like it. Wars, political turmoil, natural disasters, and the loss of civil discourse surround us. As Ben said, “We’re one day closer than we were yesterday!” In a noisy world, it’s more important than ever to know the truth and cling to it!
1 John 2:18,20-21
18 Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come.
20 But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth. 21 So I am writing to you not because you don’t know the truth but because you know the difference between truth and lies.
I’ve been a Christian for over 30 years, and have watched Christian influencers come and go. While they perhaps weren’t antichrists, many did misrepresent scriptural truths and cause division in their church. Our founding pastor, Lee Powell, told us to choose carefully who we follow, as sound doctrine is not always popular. But this is a key reason for a strong church body! We need other believers who can help us discern and follow the truth, otherwise known as the doctrine, set up by the church founders.
Sometimes we don’t realize how flawed an idea is until we share it with trusted believers who can lovingly point us back to God’s Word. Whether regarding relationships, decisions, or personal struggles, having people willing to speak truth to us is a gift. Proverbs 27:17 tells us, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” Attending church and hearing the message is one step in learning the truth, but you must also nourish yourself. Time spent in Scripture, reading, meditating, journaling, and praying helps you to know God and his Word. The simple truths we first embraced when we came to Christ are the ones we must return to. Exploring new perspectives is fine, but the foundation remains: Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
Theologian Karl Barth famously said, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” Amid disasters, political fights, and cultural noise, that truth still brings me unshakable joy.
Questions:
Do you regard the Bible as the source of all truth in your life? Why or why not?
Next Steps:
If you answered “yes,” to the question above, let that truth shine through your words and actions so others can see it. If you answered “no,” take this as an invitation to spend time exploring what your source of truth is—and to discover if it’s truly trustworthy.
Prayer: 21 Days of Prayer - Day 15
Dear God, your heart and love for us shine through your deeds. You love us so much that you didn’t abandon us when we wandered away. Instead, you chased after us. You gave your Son, Jesus, to save us. Today, we pray that you increase our love for others and ignite our passion for reaching out to those who are lost. Help us see the chances we have to share who you are with the people you have put in our lives. Amen.
Series Theme Verse:
Psalm 16:11
You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever.
This post was written by Lauri White, an Oregon attendee, and a regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.