Daily Devotional
By Pastor Jerry Teboe
A Closer Walk with Christ in 2026
1 John 2:18-19
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 1Jn 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
The Apostle John is still teaching his congregation about truth and error. He used the term “antichrists” for the false teachers and unbelievers of that day who had entered the church with the plan of disrupting or spreading false doctrine. He gave a test to prove that they were false teachers in the following verses.
Here he uses the test of presence to determine whether they were true believers or not. The test is,” Did they remain in the church to continue to learn and grow, or did they leave to pursue their false teaching?” He states it this way, They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
We can’t say that everyone who leaves the church is a false believer, but it gives us an idea that the Word of God was not precious to them and that they left because of their own selfish desires. In order to see if they really are false believers, there will be other signs also, such as the ones we see in the following copied portion.
(1) they have left the fellowship of the truth, 1John_2:19;
(2) they deny that Jesus Christ is the Son of God come in the flesh, 1John_2:22;
(3) they try to seduce believers, 1John_2:26.
(4) John agrees with what Peter describes (2Peter_2:1-22): that these false teachers once were in the church but then departed from the truth they professed to believe.
We need to be careful that we maintain our walk with the Lord and not allow the world, the flesh, or the devil to cause us to stumble and depart from the fellowship of the church and the Lord.
It is a dangerous thing to depart from the fellowship of the church. Hebrews 10:23-25 states, Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Since we are living in the “last days” as John says, we need to encourage each other to stay faithful and not forsake our church attendance. We should also try to encourage those who were once faithful, but have stopped coming for some reason, to return and restore their fellowship with other believers. Remember that the church is your family and is the place where you can find encouragement and help in all of life’s ups and downs.
Bible Reading for the Year
August 29th, Psalms 145-147; 1 Corinthians 11:1-15
August 30th, Psalms 148-150; 1 Corinthians 11:16-34
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 saw 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