TWO SHORT LETTERS
Today’s Reading: 2 – 3 John
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The ruins of Ephesus. The top of the ancient Celsus Library can be seen lit by the sun just beyond the pillars. John’s two letters, today’s reading, were probably written from here. Ephesus spawned many religious cults. John writes, “Many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh” (2 John 1:7).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: 2 John 1:5, 3 John 1:5-6
And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another…
Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well.
John’s primary message in his Gospel and in his three letters is about God’s love and “that we love one another.” Second John teaches how to behave as Christians, and how to recognize any teaching which diminishes the Person of Jesus Christ by teaching that He was an angelic spirit who was not 100% human as well as 100% God! Let’s not forget that while John was a most loving person, he was also referred to by Jesus as one of the “sons of thunder” (“Boanerges” in Greek – Mark 3:17). Because he loved God and people, John was able to thunder out his message of uncompromising truth, particularly the truth about the One with whom he spent over three years.
In his third letter, John refers to a previous letter which he had written, perhaps First or Second John, which had been rejected by “Diotrephes,” a leader in one of the churches. Religious cult founders are much like this man who “loved the preeminence,” who “spoke malicious words,” and who exalts himself into a place of egotistical religious authority. Gaius and Demetrius are two generous and humble men. We would do well to follow their examples.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I did not have the glorious opportunity that John had. He spent all that time with You during Your ministry in the Galilee and Jerusalem, and he was there at the cross when You died. He even fished with You, Lord, along with his brother James, Peter and Andrew, when You caused great catches of fish, and he was there when You miraculously fed the 4,000 and the 5,000. Realizing that John knew You better than I ever could, I pray for the grace to accept and believe John’s words about You. In Your Name I ask this. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I find it hard to imagine how inflated are the opinions some have of themselves, that they think they know better than the Prophets and Apostles, who gave us the historical record of God interacting with His human family. The wanderings of the imaginations of some who teach false doctrines, like Diotrephes, are with us in books, lectures in universities, media appearances, etc. Now, 2,000 years later, there are still some who are getting attention who think they know the facts better than those who were actually there when the events they describe happened. In order to deceive people, the devil even comes as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:12-15). There are false doctrines brought to our doors. The founder of one of these says he got his information from an angel (Mormonism), and another founder was an independent minister in Brooklyn, NY, who was bitter against other Pastors in his area. He claimed to know the Greek language in which the New Testament was written, but in the records of a court of law in which he appeared, he could not name the letters of the Greek alphabet. He resurrected the false doctrines which John thundered against. Then it was called “Arianism;” today it’s “The Watchtower Society” or “Jehovah’s Witnesses.”
Yours for “Truth,” John’s message, and for living out that truth as did “the elect lady and her children.” Also for learning from the godliness and generosity of Gaius, and for following the example of the one who “has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself,” Demetrius!!
David
P.S. If readers have the time, I suggest going back into the blogs and reviewing all three of John’s letters. Tomorrow, God willing, we’ll be in the book of Obadiah.
“To…whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth—because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever”
Struck by John’s intro to both letters. The truth of Jesus, as the light and life of our Christ, lives in us and will be with us FOREVER. Just let that sink into our bones. Amen?
For the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Job 33:4 NLT
Isn’t He (This Jesus) [feat. Natalie Grant] // The Belonging Co
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjEKkwBZaio
Praying dear Lord, for the healing, physically and emotionally, of the 14 individuals injured in the Humboldt bus crash, this past week-end. To Ryan, who broke his back and had surgery yesterday, I believe you will walk again. Breaking a back does not mean permanent paralysis, as I personally know, having broken my back almost forty years ago, and five back surgeries later—I am still walking. You are a brave young lad and will regain your strength with physical therapy. Strength and healing to the athletic therapist Dayna Brons, also injured in the crash. To all those injured, hold close to the cross of Jesus and love of your family friends team and community. Know that hundreds of thousands of people around the world are praying for you and your families.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Isaiah 40:29 NIV
Yes, Beverlee! Praying for all who have been affected by this tragedy. May they feel the love that is being poured to them from near and far. Above all, may they feel God’s love as He wraps His loving arms around them to comfort them.
May our God bring beauty out of these ashes, as only He can do,
“Weeping may last for the night but joy comes in the morning”. I pray that these precious people will be filled with the joy of the Lord. Such joy does not come from circumstances and is possible even in the midst of heartache .
Blessings on you, dear fellow bloggers!
Beverly,both of your posts are worthy of thought and prayer.Thank you and thank You,Lord.
Amen Beverlee, agreeing in prayer with you; for the Lord’s Highest and Best both for the families and those needing healing. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen!
Yes. Thinking & praying for the families & the town folk where this happened. Very anointed worship this morning. Thank you, Beverlee
Agreeing with you in prayer Doreen.
May good come from this tragedy, in Jesus’ Holy Name
I pray, Amen!
my prayers are with all their families, and friends.
Lianne Hogg
So great that God will hear all these prayers for the Humbolt victims and their loved ones. Thank you all dear saints. Before we all get up off our knees I ask that we ask God to stop Mr. Assad from treating his own people so horribly. Mr. Assad needs our prayers. I find it difficult to pray for such a man but know that God treasures us all. Another man who needs urgent prayer is Mr. Putin. Totally untrustworthy but God loves him so who am I not to. Praise the Lord for the peace He brings to our lives in such tumultuous times.
Replied to your comment in yesterday’s blog Mr. Marshall. Peace be with you all.
Amen Lynda!
I saw the vigil
on tv last night.
Those thoughts are also deep concerns of mine too,Lynda.Thank you.They all need our prayers even if it is difficult to pray for them.We must all remember to trust God,He sees the big picture.Blessings
In my younger years (I knew little of Jesus then.),I used to wonder how one could be both God and man.The answer came one day when still quite young and was very simple.The human body of Jesus was 100 % human,mortal and His soul has always been 100% God,immortal.What could be more simple?
I cannot in any way say “I know how they feel” as I never had to experience such a tradjedy….but I can and will pray for any and all affected in any way by this tradjedy as we have an awesome GOD and HE still performs MIRACLES!!!
Watched 100Huntley Street this morning and was glad to hear and blessed with the Tribute they gave to the Tragedy in Hombolt. Praise God for 100Huntley Street ministry!!
Praise God for all who prayed for God’s intervention in this sad Tradgedy; and yes, Luisa, God gives us beauty for ashes!
Yes I join all of you fellow bloggers in prayer for this terrible tradegy and loss. Shed tears along with those I viewed on TV. I can’t imagine the grief but the Lord is receiving the glory as I heard one man say that it made one think about what was important in life. May they experience the love of God and the comfort of the Holy Spirit through it all and many will turn to the Lord in Humboldt. My prayers are with them.
Amen Ger!
Amen, Ger !
TY Beverlee Kay and William for the phone numbers and e mail addresses….God bless you both amen