I'm still here, Melissa. Thank you for your faithfulness. I do not know how to start a post and in the last few times have not known what to do. Blessings, sister for your steadfastness.
In verse 19,
"And by this we know..."
seems to a continuation of verse 18 where we are
"not to love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth."
My translation in 19 says that
"by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him."
I took this to mean that because we are walking in deed and in truth that we can be confident in coming before Him, not being afraid because we have no relationship with Him.
If, in verse 20, we realize that we are not in deed and in truth and our hearts condemn us, we can also rest in the knowledge that God is greater and can cleanse us and bring us back into the light.
In verse 21, if we do not have known sin, we can come confidently into His presence knowing that what we ask we will receive if we ask in Him will.
I love verse 22 because as a mother, I love to reward my children when they do right. Even if it is just with a smile or an encouraging word. How much more does the Lord want to bless His children when they obey Him and love His creations.
Ladies,
Would you mind coming to my blog today or whenever you get a chance and read about what is happening in my life right now. I could really use your prayers!
Blessings to you all,
RobinM
http://hasanyoneseenmypurse.blogspot.com