Daily Devotional
By Pastor Jerry Teboe
A Closer Walk with Christ in 2026
1 John 2:15-17
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 1Jn 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
John had given a new commandment in verse nine which said that we should love one another. We know that the commandment to love God is the first of all the commandments, but the portion today deals with a kind of love that is not right for a believer. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
There is always conflict between love for the Father and love for the world. By the “world”, John means everything in this life which is opposed to Christ. This is Satan’s system, a society opposed to God and taking the place of God. If we love the world, it breaks our fellowship with the Father, and we cease to do His will. Anything in our lives that dulls our love for spiritual things, or that makes it easy for us to sin is worldly and must be put away. John mentions three specific problems: the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, … the pride of life. Isn’t that what the people of the world live for? But living for the world means losing everything, because the world is passing away. In Genesis, we see that Lot suffered such a loss. However, if we live for God, we will abide forever.
As believers, our love should be wholly centered on God and not the world (Colossians 3:1-3). In Jesus Christ, everything has been done to provide a permanent relationship with Him, and because of that, we can have His fellowship. But if we allow the world to have our affection, then we lose our fellowship with Him. Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 22:37 …Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Let’s make sure our focus stays on maintaining our fellowship with the Lord. We will be greatly blessed if we do so!
Bible Reading for the Year
August 28th, Psalms 142-144; 1 Corinthians 10:14-33
Prayer Needs
Linda Franks’ surgery has been rescheduled for August 31st. Pray that she will stay well in order to have the surgery.
Thank you for praying for Dr. Joe Jordan. He had an appointment with his primary care doctor last Friday who is waiting on the results of several tests to make a diagnosis. He isn’t doing well. Please continue to pray for him.
Please continue to pray for Shirley Deans. She had a bone density scan Tuesday and sees her cancer doctor Friday for labs. She may have another chemo treatment a week from this Friday.
Please continue to pray for Marvin Silverthorne for his eyesight to improve. The doctors just discovered cancer in his pancreas. Pray for him please.
Please continue to pray for Faye Smith, Jack Gargis’ sister. She is back in the hospital and being treated for internal problems. She is weak but is some better. The family greatly appreciates your prayers.
Continue to pray for Jennifer Teboe Buchamer. Please keep praying for complete healing. She is still having side effects from the cancer. She is taking Keytruda treatments and is also taking an inhibiter pill. Pray there will not be any bad side effects from the pill and that the treatments will be effective against the cancer.
Please pray Beth Buchta. On September 9th, she has an appointment with her orthopedist about the ongoing pain in her leg.
Please continue to pray for Vickie Dalton. Pray for God’s healing. She had some issues last week, but seems some better now.
Please be praying for Liz Atkinson. She has been very sick with a stomach virus but is some better now.
Please continue to pray for Peggy Warren. She is facing some difficult challenges, but seems to be getting better.
Please continue to pray for Robbie Harvey who has MAC lung disease. The doctor has prescribed a new medication, but he is not tolerating it well.
Pray for our Missionaries!
Sue Singleton and the mission in Cambodia
Dr. Joe Jordan and the CBM (Cross and Bible Ministries)
Travis and Caroline Fennessy – IBM missionaries to Southeast Asia