“For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.” (I John 3:20 KJV)
Consider the lilies of the field… Matt 6:28
Consider the lilies of the field… Matt 6:28
“For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.” (I John 3:20 KJV)
thedailylily.com 
The footnotes for verses 19 and 20 in 1John says: (NLT) “Many are afraid that they don’t love others as they should. They feel guilty because they think they are not doing enough to show proper love to Christ. Their consciences bother them. John has these people in mind in this letter. How do we escape the gnawing accusations of our consciences? Not by ignoring them or rationalizing our behavior but by setting our heart on God‘s love. When we feel guilty, we should remind ourselves that God knows our motives as well as our actions. His voice of assurance is stronger than the accusing voice of our conscience. If we are in Christ, he will not condemn us (Romans 8:1; Hebrews 9:14,15). So if you are living for the Lord but feeling that you are not good enough, remind yourself that God is greater than your conscience.” Sara, I don’t believe this gift will be wrapped under the tree with a great big RED bow on it? 🎄 🤔
Tammy, as always so appreciate the footnotes. So often the footnotes shine as a spotlight on the gift that otherwise might be missed.
And, yes all to often the greatest gift the season has to offer remains stored in a throw away dusty box or damaged ornament rather than placed under our trees with the biggest bow for our most loved ones.
This season I was reminded of a Christmas song written by Chip Davis of Alabama that takes this verse and wraps in a package more beautiful than eyes can behold. Listen to the words of this song. No video to see just heart words to receive.
https://www.google.com/search?q=lurics+bethlehem+to+calvary&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:908be48b,vid:BbXkm0RsqD0,st:0
Tammy, I keep reading your footnotes and having conversation with others about them as part of my morning meditation for advent.
I just realized after talking with another that your point, “I don’t believe this gift will be wrapped under the tree with a great big RED bow on it?” just might be truth.
I’m so over the top with how God sees our heart and knows everything that I didn’t stop to think oooopppps maybe there are some that prefers He not see. They might prefer that He “would turn a blind eye” or frankly stay out of their business.
Maybe this is an example of a two edged sword?
Sara, I apologize that my comment above, “Sara, I don’t believe this gift will be wrapped under the tree with a great big RED bow on it? 🎄 🤔” may have left readers wondering what I meant? I was trying to say that the gift of knowing Christ (whom is greater then our conscience) is not anything we can go out and buy, wrap up in a Christmas box 🎁 with a red bow and put under the tree. 🎄 I hope I haven’t confused things?🥺🙏🙏🙏
Amen Tammy….🎶He walks with us and talks with us and tells us we are His🎶He gifts us with grace, mercy and love. 💝 His story is big and it goes on and on🎶🎶🎶🎶
“What a beautiful song, Sara….just like the words you used to describe it.
Some of the song lyrics like, ““Where do you run when you’re trying to hide….”
really seem to answer and affirm one of the questions in Tammy’s footnotes, “
“How do we escape the gnawing accusations of our consciences? “
The song answers…
“Jesus Christ is still the only Way”… “If you’ll only let Him in….”