1 John 2:15-17; Psalm 17

1 John 2:15-17
If we truly love our heavenly Father, we are not supposed to love this world or the things it offers.
v. 16 talks about the things the world has to offer. The New King James Version translates v. 16 this way. "For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of they eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world."  When we look at this verse in the New Living Translation we see that these worldly traits are not just actions, but they are desires that begin in our hearts. In other words, we can be obsessed with these things even if we don't have any or don't experience them. We see all around us that worldly people crave physical and sensual pleasures. And then materialism is huge. We may be tempted to always want more and better "stuff," and to want what others have. Another worldly temptation is to be proud of our possessions and accomplishments when in fact, it is out of God's abundant goodness that we ever have or accomplish anything! These temptations are not from God, but from the world. "And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave." v. 17 One day we will leave this world, and we can take nothing with us. Not only that, in a few short years any accomplishments we may have achieved will be long forgotten. We must place value on the same things that God values--those that count for eternity.

Psalm 17
This psalm teaches us some things about God.

• He will listen to us and hear our prayers. vv. 1, 6
• He sees our actions. v. 2
• He knows what's in our thoughts. v. 3
• He can keep us on the right path. vv. 4-5
• He will answer our prayers. v. 6
• He will show us His unfailing love in wonderful ways. v. 7
• He will rescue us from our enemies. v. 7
• He will guard and protect us. vv. 8-9
• He will destroy His enemies. vv. 10-14
• He will satisfy the hunger of His children even taking care of our children! v. 14
• He promises heaven for our future when we will see His face. v. 15