1 John 5 (résumé): Faith in the Son of God

Now John concludes his epistle saying: "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God... this is love for God, to obey his commands... and his commands are not burdensome... and our faith is the victory that has overcome the world... for the overcomer is he who believes in Jesus... who came by water and blood... and the Spirit testifies because the Spirit is truth... and three testify... the Spirit, the water and the blood... and God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his son... and he that has the Son has life... and everything we ask in his name he hears... but if anyone see his brother commit sin that doesn't lead to death he should pray for God to give him life... but there is sin which leads to death and I'm not asking you to pray about that... anyone born of God doesn't continue in sin... and the Son of God has come and given us understanding that we may know him who is true... he is the true God and eternal life... so keep yourself from idols". 

1 John 4 (résumé): Test the Spirits

Now John alerts Christians: "Don't believe every spirit but test the spirits to see if they're from God... because there are lots of false prophets about... and every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God... but he who doesn't acknowledge this is the spirit of antichrist... but you have overcome because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world... we are from God and whoever knows God listens to us... and let's love one another because love comes from God... for God is love... and he sent his son into the world so that we could be saved... so we should love one another, he lives in us, and his love is made complete in us... and we know that we live in him because he has given us his spirit... so whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him... and there is no fear in love... because perfect love drives out fear... and we love because God first loved us".

1 John 3 (résumé): Love one another

 John now starts chapter 3 exclaiming: "How great is the love the Father has lavished upon us, that we should be called children of God... and when he appears we shall be like him... and no-one who lives in him keeps on sinning... so don't let anyone lead you astray... for he who does what is sinful is of the devil... and Jesus came to destroy his work... and no-one born of God will continue to sin... for anyone who doesn't do what is right is not a child of God... and we should love one another... and don't be like Cain who murdered his brother... we know we've passed from death unto life because we love our brothers... Christ laid down his life for us and we should lay down our lives for our brothers... if you don't pity someone who is poor where is the love of God?... so let's not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth... and if our hearts don't condemn us we have confidence before God... so believe in Jesus and love one another".

1 John 2 (résumé): I write so that you will not sin

 John starts chapter 2: "I write this to you so that you won't sin... but if we sin we have Jesus to intercede with the Father for us... for he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins... and we know we know him if we obey him... and if we obey his word his love is truly made complete in us... for whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did... this is an old command... but I am writing you a new command because darkness is passing... so if you claim to be in the light but hate your brother you are still in the dark... and the darkness has blinded you...and I write to you because your sins have been forgiven... I write to you fathers because you have known him... to you young men because you have overcome... and you are strong and the word of God lives in you... don't love the world because the world brings cravings, lust and boasting... for the world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever... and this is the last hour and many antichrists have come... they went out from us but didn't really belong to us... but you have an anointing and know the truth... but he who denies Christ is antichrist... but remain in the Son and in the Father and have eternal life... for you have the anointing and that anointing is real so remain in him... so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed".

1 John 1 (résumé): Walking in the Light

1 John was written to encourage Christians to remain faithful to Jesus Christ and to recognize false teachings. John, who is traditionally thought to be the author, emphasizes that God is light and love, and true believers demonstrate their faith through righteous living and love for one another. John teaches that salvation is found in Christ and that Christians should always confess their sins.

In chapter 1 John starts: "What we have seen and heard we proclaim concerning the Word of life... eternal life that was with the Father and has appeared to us... we proclaim this so that you may have fellowship with us... to make our joy complete... for God is light... and we lie about fellowship with him if we walk in the darkness... but if we walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus purifies us from sin... and if we deny sin we deceive ourselves... but if we confess our sins he will forgive us".

Identity Card

Everyone in Brazil has an identity card and also has a tax card number. Now a new identity card is being issued joining the two so that the tax number becomes your identity card number which makes sense. Yesterday I went to fill in the forms for this change for the second time as they wrote my father's name incorrectly the first time. I hope they get it all right this time round. On top of this I have my driving license number and my voting card number. Lots of numbers!

QPR beat Derby 4 x 1 at home yesterday and are now 5th in the Championship firmly in the play-off section.

Please pray for the election run-off for president of Brazil 10 days from today. President Lula has improved in the opinion polls but is still slightly behind Trump's friend Flávio Bolsonaro. 

2 Peter 3 (résumé): The Day of the Lord

In his final chapter Peter warns that "in the last days scoffers will come following their own evil desires... and asking where is this 'coming'?... when everything goes on the same since creation they say... but don't forget that with the Lord a day is like a thousand years... the Lord is not slow in keeping his promises... for he is patient not wanting anyone to perish but for everyone to come to repentance... for the Day of the Lord will come like a thief... the heavens will disappear and the elements will be destroyed by fire... so live holy and godly lives... there will be destruction by fire but we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth... so make every effort to be found spotless... and be on your guard that you are not carried away by the error of lawless men... grow in the grace of the Lord Jesus and to him be the glory now and forever. Amen".