March 18, 2025

1 John 2:1-6
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you don't sin. But if you do sin, we have an advocate with the father. Jesus Christ, the righteous one. He is God's way of dealing with our sins, not only ours, but the sins of the whole world.

This is how we know that we know him if we keep his commandments. The one who claims I know him while not keeping his commandments is a liar. And the truth is not in this person. But the love of God is truly perfected in whoever keeps his word. This is how we know we are in him. The one who claims to remain in him ought to live in the same way as he lived.

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Gracious God,
thank you for your son,
our wonderful, wonderful Savior.

Thank you that when we mess up,
and we do,
we have an Advocate:
we have someone who is for us when we fall.

Thank you for this strength to rise,
Dust ourselves off,
and stay on the journey.

Because Jesus,
the Advocate who is righteous and holy and good,
is for us,
and he holds us securely in his arms.

As a mother hen hatches her chicks under her wings,
so am I hidden in you!

Thank you for being my covering,
now and always.

Amen.