Summary and Postcards

648.  "Summary and Postcards"
November 12, 2012
Summary of 3 John-Part 6   


LET IT GLOW

Here we are at the end of John's writings of the three short letters, postcards, full of love, faith, hospitality, and warnings. I couldn't leave until next week, but I had to wrap it up. John spoke of three characters in this third letter: 
     

1. Gaius was faithful and hospitable.
2. Diotrephes was rebuked for being prideful, disruptive, inhospitable, and coercive. 
3. Demetrius was praised for his good testimony. 

I wonder which one I am most like. How about you?

LET IT GROW

Maybe I can send you a postcard from the Dominican Republic. If we have internet service where we are going, I can post updates.  There is a team of eight that are going to preach, teach, and witness for our Lord Jesus, sharing the gospel in remote areas of the D.R.
I covet your prayers.  Especially, on Tuesday and Wednesday, the team will be giving testimonies in a high school.

Thank you so much for your faithfulness, friends. We return on the 16th, so check back off and on this week. Have a wonderful week!

Sharing the love, mercy, and grace of Jesus throughout the world.
Linda

       

Testimony

647.  "Testimony"  November 9, 2012
3 John-Part 5    (verses 12-14)
Demetrius hat good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record, and ye know that our record is true. 3 John 1:12 

LET IT GLOW

Yesterday, I went to the local library to turn in some books I had checked out. To my surprise, one of our church members was volunteering at the desk. I visited a few minutes with her and the other lady I had known for years. While I was walking down the isle toward the back door, I could hear the two
ladies talking. I supposed they were talking about me, since one said I was her pastor's wife. I wish I could have been a little library mouse that day and heard their discussion. I wonder what kind of testimony I had.
John is talking about the testimony of a man named Demetrius. This is the only place in the Bible that he is mentioned. He probably delivered this short letter to Gaius.

What do we know about Demetrius' testimony?

1. He received a good testimony universally from everyone, a good report. Good report, martyreo in Greek, is the same word that is used for preaching, or testifying to the truth of the gospel.
2. He received a good testimony from the truth itself. His life lined up with its teaching and practice.
3. He received a good testimony from the apostle and his close circle of friends-and we also bear witness. John gives his word, report, concerning the genuine Christian character of Demetrius.

[Resource: New Testament Postcards, a Bible Study Guide by Charles Swindoll, Liberty Bible Commentary]

Do people know that I am a Christian by my speech and actions? Is my life lined up with the Word of God? Am I practicing what I teach? Do others see my faith and feel my love?

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:35)

* I am flying to the Dominican Republic today, along with 7 others on a mission trip. Please pray for us as we witness, preach, and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ in remote areas. Sunday, I will be teaching about Zacheus to a children's Sunday School class at a church. Monday's post gives more details of the plans. Keep checking back with me. If possible, I will update on the Lord's workings.

LET IT GROW

In the final two verses, what do I hear?

• John is eager to visit these believers to whom he is writing.
• He wishes them peace.
• He sent greetings from other friends.

I am sad to come to the close of John's writings of these three small letters. However, there is one more book which he did write, left for us to study-Revelation. We are studying it on Wednesday nights in my church. so stay tuned, friends.

LET IT GO

In her devotional book Jesus Calling, Sarah Young writes as if Jesus were speaking:

Worship Me in the beauty of holiness. All true beauty reflects some of who I AM. I am working My ways in you: the divine Artist creating loveliness with your being. My main work is to clear out debris and clutter, making room for My Spirit to take full possession. Collaborate with Me in this effort by being willing to let go of anything I choose to take away. I know what you need, and I have promised to provide all of that-abundantly!
I am training you to depend on Me alone. Learn to release and receive.
 

I will close with Sarah's use of scriptures. Am I willing to let go of anything?

Follow the Leader

646.  "Follow the Leader"
November 8, 2012
3 John-Part 4    (Verses 11)
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. he that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.  3 John 11


LET IT GLOW

As a child, I used to play Follow the Leader with my friends. We would walk behind the leader and imitate what she did. We copied her mannerisms as well as where she went.If she waved her hands like a flying bird, we all did the same. After a while, another girl would be the leader and we mimiced her.
John gives similiar instructions. I am to follow that which is good.
Follow means to imitate, according to Thayer's Lexicon. Imitate means to copy in manner or action; mimic, according to Webster's Dictionary.

So far, in this letter, John has spoken about a good example, Gaius, and a bad example, Diotrephes. What a contrast-Gaius was faithful and hospitable while Diotrephes was prideful and inhospitable. Gaius was a joy maker for others, but Diotrephes was a trouble maker. Gaius had a servant's heart, however, Diotrephes wanted to be served.

Am I imitating that which is good? Although Jesus was the only one who was good, we can still do as others do when they are a follower of God.
What can I do?

• Give a blessing.
• Do acts of kindness and beneficence.
• Be merciful and gracious.
• Show love in Jesus' name.
• Minister to the saints.
• Encourage others to be faithful to Jesus.
• Confess my sins. 

LET IT GROW

To contrast, what should I not do?

• Put me first instead of others.
• Have a hard heart.
• Be prideful.
• Show inhospitality to the saints.
• Maintain evil thoughts.
• Don't give mercy and grace.
• Live in sin.

Sounds like some do's and don'ts, doesn't it? Which character do I want to follow?

LET IT GO

Leave the me mentality, and serve others.

Show grace and mercy.

Stay in the Truth.

Practice goodness.

Rotten Tators

645.  "Rotten Tators"
November 7, 2012
3 John-Part 3         (verses 9-
I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.  3 John 9

LET IT GLOW

Have you ever gone to the cabinet and pulled out a rotten tator (potato)from the bag of potatoes? I have. It is mushy, yucky, stinky, and turned bad. Sometimes it had worms crawling on it, too. I noticed there usually wasn't just one rotten tator, but several were in the bag. Often, few could be kept, thus the whole bag had to be thrown away, usually. Does this happen in churches, I wonder. Can one rebellious person bring down others into their bag of sin?

Today's study seems to focus on a rotten tator, so to speak, known as Diotrephes. John is warning this church about him. In verse 9, John starts out saying that he had written to this church previously.

Exactly what was written, we have no way of knowing, since the letter must have been destroyed by Diotrephes or otherwise lost. Diotrephes measures up as a false teacher, an impostor, (John must have been some kind of supervisor of the churches and local bishops.) (Liberty Bible Commentary)

John publicly and in the eternal Word of God, rebukes a man named Diotrephes by name. the apostle of love isn't acting outside of love. He's following the clear command of the scriptures (Rom. 16:17) and the example of other apostles (2Tim. 4:14-15). Any such public rebuke must be made only when necessary, and we must be careful to not judge a brother against any standard that we ourselves would not be judged. (Matt. 7:1-2)  (Guzik)

Do I stay alert as to a bad influence around me? am I turning to Jesus for discernment?


LET IT GROW

What was Diotrephes' problem?

• Pride was the main sin in this man. He loved to be first, which is what preeminence means(KJV uses). He wouldn't receive the words of the apostles and John. Pride was Satan's problem when he got kicked out of heaven (Is. 14:14). He wanted to be like God. This is the opposite nature of Jesus, who came in the form of a servant. (Boice)
• Gossiping, scoffing, mocking, criticising, were things this man did. Prating (KJV uses) means to talk nonsense. Diotrephes showed what kind of man he really was.
• Discontentment is another characteristic of this man. He refused to receive, welcome, and care for the missionaries himself, and prevented other of doing so. He wasn't happy in what he was doing.
• He kicked out those that would not support his ways from the church.

What a bad example! What a rotten leader! Am I taking notes on this so I won't be like him?

LET IT GO

Watch out for pride. Throw it out when it comes to the door of my heart.

Stay in the Word of God and surrendered to the Holy Spirit.

Be alert to deceivers.

Missionaries

644.  "Missionaries"                   November 6, 2012
3 John-Part 2
Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. 3 John 5

LET IT GLOW

Since I am missions director at my church, I have many ways that I support our denominational missionaries. I pray, give money, lead others to give, educate others about their work and needs, and volunteer as a missionary sharing Jesus at home and abroad. Several missionaries have come to my church sharing about their work for Jesus.

Gaius, the one to whom John wrote this letter, was an indirect missionary. Verse 5 says he was faithful in what he was doing. I am reminded of Colossians 3:23, and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men.
In Matthew 25:40b, Jesus said, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Our works do not go unnoticed by God.

[Be sure to vote today, friends.]

LET IT GROW

Gaius was a good example to other believers by:

• faithfully showing hospitality to brethren and strangers (verse 5); missionaries were sent out without support nor places to stay and he provided for them;
• loving, a proof of genuine Christianity (verse 6);
• supporting God's representatives on their journey (verse 6);
• supplying food, supplies, and money for the missionaries, being a fellow-helper (verse 8).

I will be leaving Friday, November 9 with a missions team to the Dominican Republic and will return on the 16. We covet your prayers. We will be teaching and preaching in territory which is not served by a missionary in my denomination. A door has opened for us to give testimonies in a high school. We are praying for all these people to receive the truth of Jesus Christ.

LET IT GO

Be a missionary wherever I am, sharing the gospel of Jesus.

Support missionaries who give of themselves.

Encouragment

643.  "Encouragment"           November 5, 2012
3 John-Part 1
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.  3 John 2

LET IT GLOW

Encouragment-who doesn't need a little now and then?
This week I went to the wrong nail place to get my eyebrows trimmed. They wouldn't honor my gift certificate, so I had to pay for it. My car got backed into at a local store. (only scratches) My suitcase is busted and now we have an unexpected expense to purchase one. Pigeons are pooping on my porch. This morning I was eating my homemade biscuit with blackberry jelly (last jar), which stuck to the napkin, causing the purple jellied biscuit to fall down the front of my gray sweats, as I was taking the jar to the frig. An email I sent didn't get there, so I have to retype my lesson for my mission trip. It took 2 hours to write. (No Word on laptop since it costs over $100.) And then there is my right ey, which keeps making tears due to allergies.Well, it is a bright, sunny day today.

Yes, I could use a cup of encouragment about now. How about you? (I should be thankful that I have a dry, warm, watered and well lit house, which some northeasterners don't have.)
John seems to have some encouragment for us. Ready?

3 John is written to a guy named Gaius, a leader of the church to whom John wrote his second letter. We don't know any background on this guy, but John says Gaius:

• is a dear friend (well-beloved); (verse 1)
• is  one whom John loves in truth; (verse 1)
• may prosper, get along well; (verse 2)
• may be in health, in as good health physically as he is spiritually; (verse 2)
• had a good witness by brethren of being in the truth; (verse 3)
• walks in the truth, lives according to the apostles' message; (verse 3)
• gives John joy. (verse 4)

Am I a dear friend? What do others say about me? Am I walking in the truth, applying God's Word in my life? Give others joy?

LET IT GROW

How is Gaius a good example for us to follow?

• walking in truth
• exhibits hospitality to God's children (Heb. 13:1-2)
• was a good friend of John's who prays for him in verses 1-4.

LET IT GO

Stay in the Truth.

Love others.

Show hospitality to believers.

Encourage others.

Post Cards

642.  "Post Cards"               November 2, 2012
2 John Summary
And this is love, that we walk after his commandments.  2 John 6a

LET IT GLOW

Post cards are fun to get, don't you think? Usually, I receive one whenever our kids are on vacation and they let us know they are fine and having fun. A picture of where they are is usually on the front. A postcard is brief and to the point of what a person wants to say. John is sending a postcard to a church as he wrote 2 John. He was brief and to the point. Shall we reveiw what he said to them?

• John was walking in truth and love. (verse 3
• He was sending grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Jesus the Son. (verse 3)
• The church was walking in truth (verse 4)
• John reminds them to love one another. (verse 5)
• He bids them to walk in God's commandments. (verse 6)
• He warns the church about deceivers in the world who don't confess Jesus. (verse 7)
• John tells these believers to abide in the doctrine of Christ. (verse 9)
• Don't allow deceivers, false teachers, into their house, nor bid them God speed. (verse 10)
• John had other things to say to them, but would do so when they were face to face. (verse 12)
• He wants their joy to be made full. (verse 12)
• He sent greetings from other believers in a sister church. (verse 13)

Is God telling me to walk in truth and love balancing them?
Do I know enough truth to recognize error when I hear it?
Do I stand against error?

LET IT GROW

In his study guide, New Testament Post Cards, Charles Swindoll says:

The following fundamentals form a good checklist with which to examine the teachers that knowk on your door or come into your home through the television or radio:

-Inerrancy of Scripture (2Tim.3:16, 2Peter 1:21)

-Virgin birth and deity of Christ (Isa. 7:14,Matt. 1:18-25, John 1:1,14, 8:53-58)

-Sinless nature and life of Christ (Heb. 4:15)

-Substitutionary death of the Savior (Rom. 5:6-8, 2 Cor. 5:21)

-Effectiveness of Christ's blood to cleanse sin (Acts 20:28, Heb. 9:22, 1John 1:7)

-Bodily resurrection of Christ from the grave (1Cor.15:1-11)

-Ascension of Christ and His present ministry to the believer (Eph. 4:7-10, 1Thess. 4:13-18)

-Literal, future return of Christ to the earth (John 14:1-3, 1Thess. 4:13-18)
 

I think I will copy this list and carry it in my Bible. Jesus is our faoundation for our beliefs, the corner stone. (Eph. 2:20)

Here are some questions Swindoll challenges us to ask ourselves:

How would you rate your consistency in telling the truth?
How about your ability to  demonstrate love?
How about your use of discernment and discretion?

LET IT GO

Don't misplace hospitality.

Keep a balance of truth and love; walk in in truth and love.

Maintain discernment and discretion; watch out for wolves.

Face to Face

641.  "Face to Face"               November 1, 2012
2 John-Part 4   (verses 12-13)
Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.  2 John 12 KJV

LET IT GLOW

Happy birthday, Jen. She's the most wonderful daughter inlaw I could ever have!
I am so blessed! I get to see my son, his wife, and daughter several times a week.

You know, there's nothing like speaking to a family member or friend in person, close-up, personal, face-to-face. It's been almost 16 months since I have hugged my four grandchildren, daughter, and son inlaw. We have Skyped once,talk on the phone often, but that isn't the same as being there in person. My how the children grown in a year's time. It's 19 days and counting down unto that day comes again. Yipee! We are headin' north this month! My joy will be full, as John put it in our key verse.

I can hear the warmth and love in John's heart as he concludes this second letter. it was a brief one. he wanted to speak with his fellow believers face to face.

God spoke to a man face to face. Do you know who it was? Moses. (Numbers 12:8)

God spoke to Moses "mouth to mouth."
John wanted to speak to this church in the same way, to restore them to spiritual life in Christ. (Falwell)

Face to face is a figure of speech, telling of great and unhindered intimacy. The form of the Lord is what Moses had actually seen with his physical eyes, because he couldn't see the Lord and live. (Guzik)

A heart full of love pours itself out more freely face to face than by a letter. (Jamieson, Fausset, Brown)

Pen and ink were a means of strengthening and comforting others. (Matthew Henry)

How do I speak to a holy God? Does His Spirit speak to me often? Am I listening whenever He does?

LET IT GROW

That our joy may be full.

The blessing of hospitality is full joy. John uses this same wording in 1 John 1:4. When believers uphold the biblical standards for fellowship, the result is genuine joy among believers because the truths of the Word are maintained.  (MacArthur Bible Commentary)

How is my Christian hospitality? Is it shown with love, unity, truth? Am I filled with joy each Sunday and Wednesday as my church meets for worship and Bible study together? Am I glad to see these brothers and sisters in between those times? Do I share joy with them?

LET IT GO

Forgive and let go of hurts so my joy may be full when I see my brothers and sisters in the faith, in my church, other believers.

Show the love of Christ when I speak face to face with others.

I'm praying for our eastern friends since Sandy arrived.

Gaylene, sweet friend, keep us informed of your situation.

Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

640.   "Wolf in Sheep's Clothing"
October 31, 2012
2 John-Part 3   (verses 7-11)
Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.  2 John 8 KJV

LET IT GLOW

Not all things are as they seem. This has become a philosophy, a saying, of mine. Something or someone may appear to be kind, loving, concerned, right, but in their heart they are not, or it is evil in disguise. They are wolves in sheep's clothing. They can turn on you to devour you. Turn on a dime is the saying. So I need to always be watching what I say and do, inspecting fruit, too. John is still warning us in this small book of only 13 verses.

Liberty Bible Commentary says:

John is giving us a warning in regard to false teachers. It should probably read "Watch out! That you do not lose what we have accomplished." It is the apostles who have preached and thus fulfilled the Commisssion and made great gain (salvation) possible for the believers; the apostles will not lose anything themselves, but the believers stand to lose all the blessings of Chrisitianity if they listen to the false teachers. It is the believers also who will receive the reward, which is not a reward for something done, but the gift of salvation by grace.
 

A false prophet may have pulled the wool over the lady's (church's) eyes.

John is giving us biblical guidelines for Christian hospitality in this letter:

• its basis (1-3)
• its behavior (4-6
• its bounds (7-11)
• its blessings (12-13) (MacArthur Bible Commentary)

Do I watch who I take under my roof and let sit at my table? Do I let anyone holding a black book into my house? If I do, then I am participating in his evil deeds, according to verse 11.

Love is the hinge on which hospitality turns to open its door. But just as a door has hinges, it also has a lock. And love never opens a locked door to a wolf-even if it is dressed in sheep's clothing.
(Swindoll's New Testament Postcards, a Bible Study Guide)

LET IT GROW

Deceivers are misleading, leading into error, a corrupter. (Thayer's Lexicon)

Satan comes as an angel of light (2Cor.11:13-15), believers musst be on guard against error by having an intimate acquaintance with the truth. Deceivers deny the deity and humanity of Christ. False religions, heresies, and cults deny the true nature of Jesus Christ. (MacArthur)

Deceivers are not faithful to the fundamental, sound doctrines of the faith, which shows they have never been born again.

Don't show hospitality or even greet these deceivers. If we help them spread their heresy, then we are sharing in their evil deeds.

Am I loyal to God and His Word alone?

Verse 9 uses the word transgresseth, proago in Greek, should be translated "Whoever goes too far and refuses to live by the teaching." The standard by which the false teachers are to be tested is called the "teaching."  (Liberty Bible Commentary)

On the other hand, if we do abaide in the doctrine of Christ, we have the Father and the Son. (verse 9)

LET IT GO

Inspect the wool.

Let these wolves pass me by.

Know what I believe and believe the truth in the Bible.

Don't be hospitable to deceivers.

Lift up Jesus as Savior and the Word of God as Truth.

What Brings You Joy?

639.  " What Brings You Joy?"
October 30, 2012
2 John-Part 2    (verses 4-6)
It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
2 John 4-6 NIV

LET IT GLOW

What brings me joy? Being with my children and grandchildren brings me joy. Talking with them, listening to them talk about their life, playing with the kids.It also gives me joy to see my children in church and serving the Lord. I wonder if my heavenly Father feels the same way. Does it bring Him joy when I ask for help, ask for things, want His will, ask for forgiveness, thank Him for all His provisions, stand in awe at the beauty of His creations?

How about you friend, what brings you joy?

Zephaniah 3:17 says, The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Verse 4 in the King James Version, begins, I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth...

I looked up the word rejoiced, which means to derive joy from one, in the Thayer's Lexicon.

I wonder, if someone came to my community looking for me, would what they found cause them to rejoice? Would I be rejoicing over members of my church or grumbling about them?
Better yet, if Jesus came looking for me, would He rejoice in what He found?
How is my walk of faith going? Where is it leading me?


LET IT GROW

Looking at our key verses, John is talking to a church, the chosen lady, and her members, her children. What gives John great joy? To see them walking in:

•  truth (verse 4);
•  love (verse 6);
•  obedience to His commands (verse 6).

How am I walking? Walking refers to the state in which one is living or the virtue or vice to which he is given.

Is the state in which I live, not Arkansas, but the manner in which I live that of truth, love, and obedience to God and His Word?

LET IT GO

Cling to truth and The Truth.

Stop walking around grumbling and love others.

Obey God's commands.

Road Maps

638.  "Road Maps"            October 29, 2012
2 John-Part 1    
The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, shall be with us for ever. Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.   2 John 1-3

LET IT GLOW

A month ago, my granddaughter's schedule changed. She is now going to preschool three mornings a week and speech therapy two mornings. I drive her 30 miles on Tuesdays. The first time I took her, I held a road map with dirctions in my hand while I drove. There were so many rights and lefts that I didn't want to miss a one and get lost. I am happy to say, I drove right to the place, and with ten minutes to spare.
In John 14:6, he quoted Jesus saying, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to Father except through Me.
Jesus has taught us the way to live, the way to go, given us the road map for the Christian life. He gives the Holy Spirit to guide us step by step to do God's will. If I am listening, I will be driving right to and through God's will for my life. I certainly won't get lost or on the wrong road.

Background:
The apostle John is writing a second letter. He pastored a church in Ephesus many years, with the interruptions of being exiled to the island of Patmus, where John wrote Revelation. This was a time when false teachers and the beginning of Gnosticism threatened the church. Several commentaries agree that John is writing to a local church and her members to warn them of such deceivers. Probably, 2 John was written around A.D. 90-95.

MacArthur says that the theme of this letter is biblical guidelines for hospitality.

Falwell said the purpose for the letter was to warn believers not to give indiscriminate hospitality to strangers or traveling evangelist-teachers.  Those who did not meet the sure test of sound doctrine were to be refused hastily. Since inns in the first century were notoriously flea-infested, where could a Christian stay while traveling?

If the authorities intercepted this letter and they knew to whom it was written, it could have meant death for those people. David Guzik says that is why John does not identify the lady and her children.

John uses the term truth five times in the first four verses.
Thayer's Lexicon says truth, as taught in the Christian religion, respecting God and the execution of His purposes through Christ, and respecting the duties of man, opposed alike to the superstitions of the Gentiles and inventions of the Jews, and to corrupt opinions and precepts of false teachers even among Christians.
John uses truth 37 times in his writings in the New Testament.

Truth refers to the basics or fundamentals of the faith that John has discussed in 1 John (sound belief in Christ, obedience, love), as well as the truths expressed in 2 John. Truth is the necessary condition of unity and, as a result, the basis of hospitality. (MacArthur)

Can I truthfully say that truth refers to the gospel of Jesus Christ, His teachings and His Word?

LET IT GROW

If I am a real believer in Jesus, what will I be doing?

•  I will love other believers because the indwelling truth, which is the Holy Spirit of Truth.
•  I will be showing grace, mercy, and peace, which I receive from God the Father and Jesus, the Son of God.

LET IT GO

Stay in God's Word for the road map of life.

Listen to the Holy Spirit as He leads my steps.

Obey Jesus' directions.

Keep the Truth ever before me.

* FYI-In 11 days I will be traveling on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic for a week of team teaching the Truth. Please pray for us while we are there and salvation of souls. So I probably will not be posting Nov. 12-16. If I take my laptop and there is internet service, I will update what is happening.

Water

637.  " Water"             October 26, 2012
1 John Summary


LET IT GLOW

What, no work shirts clean? But I had no water in which to wash them and besides, I was gone visiting at the hospital last night with you. When did I have time and water? (hubby was only kidding me)
When we got home from church Wednesday night, I turned on the kitchen faucet and discovered we had no water flowing, zilch, not a drop. I was not prepared for this. I figured it would have happened earlier, in the summer, when we had a month of no rain and over 100 degree temp. At least I had bought a case of water earlier in the day. The next morning, I went to our son's house for a shower and brought home 2 gallons. Laundry was all caught up. I wasn't reacting to the situation with anger. God will provide, I knew in my heart.
When we got back from the hospital visit Thursday night, the man who works on pumps and wells was there-a good sign. He and our son got me water, after an unexpected purchase of a new pump. He was kind to install it instead of going home after dark.
That man also said that we must have a river under us, for it was only 30-50 feet down to the water. What a blessing! Others have to go down 1,500 feet. Parrellel to my country road is a stream that never runs dry.
God is good, all the time! So the cows got water to drink after a dry day and I got to flush!

I know of another well, one that never runs dry because it flows from the throne of God-His stream of love, mercy, and grace.

Pardon me if that has nothing to do with a summary of 1 John. It was on my heart.

LET IT GROW

John pastored in Ephesus. He may have written these 3 letters from the Isle of Patmos, where he was exiled because of his faith in Jesus.

Remember the outline from Liberty Bible Commentary:

• Walking in the light, in sin, with the advocate, under commandment, in love, with apostates.
• Concerning believers-identifying them, living with them, warning them, loving them.
• Assurance of victory, eternal life, and answered prayer.

When these 3 (sound faith, obedience, love) operate in concert together, they resulted in happiness, holiness, and assurance. They constitute the evidence, the litmus test, of a true Christian.
(MacArthur Bible Commentary)

How should  I be walking?

• in joy (1:4)
• in light (1:6)
• in confession (1:9)
• in truth (1:10)
• keeping His Word (2:5)
• in the love of God (2:5)
• as Jesus walked (2:6)
• loving my brethren (2:10,3:11)
• not in the world, the flesh, lust, pride (2:16)
• in the will of God (2:17)
• as a son, child of God (3:1)
• in hope (3:3)
• in righteousness (3:10)
• laying down my life for the brethren (3:16)
• praying (3:22)
• pleasing God (3:22)
• abiding in the Spirit (3:24)
• not in fear (4:18)
• in victory (5:4)
• in confidence (5:14)
• with understanding (5:20)

LET IT GO

Check my walk.

Continue to love others.

Live in victory with eternity in mind.

My Pincher

636.  " My Pincher"        October 25, 2012
1 John 5-Part 6   (verses 18-21)
We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and the wicked one toucheth him not. And we know we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. 1 John 5:18-21 KJV


LET IT GLOW

Other moms gave their children the eye, but not I. When my son was a boy, talking in church instead of listening, I had a way of telling him to be quiet with just my touch. I called it my pincher, pronounced peencher. I didn't have to say a word, just pinch his shoulder. He got the message, sharp, loud and clear. When the pincher was touching him, I had control. He obeyed.

It is good to know that Satan can't touch, grasp, lay hold of, nor control my soul. God is protecting me. Toucheth means assail (which means attack).

The word suggests "to lay hold of" or "to grasp" in order to harm. Because the believer belongs to God, Satan must operate within God's sovereignty and cannot function beyond what God allows, as in the example of Job (2:5). While Satan may persecute, tempt, test, and accuse the believer, God protects His children and places definite limits on Satan's influence or power. (MacArthur)

People's New Testament says Satan can't lay hands on him, so as to hold him. (him is the Christian)

It means to lay hold of or grasp rather than a mere superficial touch. (Robertson)

Satan has nothing to fasten his deadly temptations on; nothing to grasp hold of because my soul is free in Jesus; his pincher can't pinch, so to speak, therefore he can't have my soul. He can only tempt me to sin.
Jesus is the one who holds my soul, who touches me.

What are some certainties a Christian has?

• victory over sin and Satan (verse 18)
• belonging to God (verse 19)
• Christ being the true God (verse 20)

Sometimes I need God to use His pincher on me, so I stop doing what I'm doing wrong and obey Him.

LET IT GROW

What is the last thing John tells us in this letter?
Keep yourselves from idols.

The MacArthur Bible Commentary says:

John contrasts the term idol with "the true God" of verse 20. He has reference here to the false teachers who withdrew from the brotherhood with which they had been formerly associated (2:19). Their false beliefs and practices are the idos from which the readers are commanded to protect themselves. The false teachers upheld the world's philosophy as superior to God's revelation as demonstrated in their perversion of basic Christian teaching (faith, love, and obedience).
 

Idols refers to a false god; to guard one's self from all manner of fellowship with heathen worship.

Do I seperate myself from heathen worship? I used to participate in Halloween. Was that a heathen practice? It certainly isn't honoring God.

LET IT GO

Allow God to touch me.

Turn from the ways of the world.

Watch out for false teachings.

Straying Cows

635.  "Straying Cows"                     October 24, 2012
1John 5-Part 5   (verses 16-17)
If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.  1 John 5:16-17


LET IT GLOW

Whenever the cows or calves break through the fence, we had to go get them. Sometimes it happens where they go next door at the neighbors, sometimes it happens on the back side of our farm and they stray into another's field, and sometimes it happens in my own yard. (They seem to like to graze in unforbidden territory.)  No matter where they got out, these straying ones had to be rounded up and brought back home, to their own fields. So it is with straying believers. When a brother or sister in the faith gets outside of the boundaries that God has established, they must be rounded up, brought back into the fences established in God's Word.

Since John has been talking about prayer, I assume the first thing I should do for the straying, wandering, back-sliding Christian living in sin is to pray for them. When I pray, I seek God's direction as to when and how to approach them. It may only be a "Missed you Sunday" as a hint or it may be a visit to discuss the seriousness of the situation. However God leads, I should pray for that stray and God's convicting them.

God disciplnes His children. (Heb. 12:6) I can pray for His mercy, interceeding for them. Sometimes the sins are not unto death, unintentional, accidental, light and trivial.
Do I have my spiritual eyes open to the needs of others?

LET IT GROW

John does say that there is a sin unto death. Of course, there are many opinions on this subject. Most of the commentaries say that it is blaspheming against the Holy Spirit, not believing in God. The result is spiritual death, seperatioon from God for eternity.

God is the God of life; He gives it when and to whom He pleases, and takes it away either by His constitution or providence, or both, as He thinks meet. (Matthew Henry)

John tells us to not pray for this one. After all, God knows all things and can look into the heart.
Romans 6:23 says, For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Concerning these verses, Liberty Bible Commentary has this to say:

Sin unto death would be rejection of God's truth to the point that one died in unbelief. Therefore, a living person need never fear that he has already committed the sin unto death, since he is still alive. Only total rejection and rebellion against God, and rebellion to God's laws, may cause one to sin unto death.
 

I am responsible for sharing the Gospel, not predetermining who will accept or reject it.

Romans 3:10 states, There is none righteous, no, not one.

Romans 3:23 ssays, For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

Romans 10:13 instructs us, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved.

Friends, I must ask if you have confessed your sins to God, believed in Jesus' dying for you, and asked Him to forgive you of your sins, come into your heart and be your Savior? If not, won't you stop right now and do so?

LET IT GO

Confess my sins to the Lord and ask His forgiveness.

Pray for the straying.

Pray for the lost.






 

Tire Alignments and Prayer

634.  "Tire Alignments and Prayer"                   
 October 23, 2012
1John 5-Part 5     (verses 14-15)
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoecver we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.  1 John 5:14-15 KJV

LET IT GLOW

My husband and I bought a tire shop several years ago. One of the services we offer is alignments. I have learned that tires need to be in line with each other so they function at their best. Otherwise, if they are not aligned correctly, it will effect the way the automobile travels, the wear on the tires, as well as the gas mileage. I sure want my car running the best that it can. So it is spiritually speaking. Am I aligned with God's will?
God has appointed us to work with Him and that brings our will into alignment with His will. He wants us to care about the things He cares about, enough to pray passionately about them. (Guzik)

How can I have the certainty of answered prayer?
We Christians can know with absolute confidence that God answers prayer when we approach the throne of grace, according to Hebrews 4:16, Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Here's what I have learned concerning these our key verses:

• God wants us to ask in prayer. He is a loving God and a generous giver.
• We should pray about everything. (1 Thess. 5:17-18) God cares about our whole life. Nothing is too small or too big to pray about.
• God wants us to ask according to His will. He wants us to see and discern His will through His Word and to pray His will into action.
• When we ask according to God's will, praying His promises, we can know we have the petitions we have asked of Him.
• If God's will is our will and we are abiding in faith, our prayers will be accepted.
• To pray according to God's will is to pray in accord with what He would want, not what we would desire or insist that He do for us (John 14:13,14).
• John specified that answered prayer also depends on obedience to God's commandments and avoidance of sin (3:21). Genuine believers know God's Word and practice those things that are pleasing to Him, they never insist on their own will, but supremely seek God's desire (Matt. 27:39-42). He asnswers so the Father may be glorified in the Son.
• God always hears the prayers of His children (Ps. 34:15-17), but not always in the manner they are presented.
• We have confidence with God at the throne of grace.

[Resources: The MacArthur Bible Commentary, David Guzik's Bible Commentary]

LET IT GROW

What am I to do so God answers my prayers?
Obey His commands, avoid sin, seek His will, then ask according to His will, not mine.
Ask.Seek. Knock. (Matt. 7:7-8)
Ask in faith, nothing wavering like the winds of the sea tossed. (James 1:6)
Ask in faith, believing, and with confidence, when it is in accordance with His will.
In everything give thanks, no matter the answer-yes,, no, wait.

LET IT GO

My desires and will must be let go of and seek, ask, then do God's will.

Ask God to place His desires in my heart.

Thank my heavenly Father for His answer and give Him the glory.




  

Flat Biscuits

633.  "Flat Biscuits"                       October 22, 2012
1 John 5-Part 4     (verses 11-12)
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.  1 John 5:11-12


LET IT GLOW

Saturday morning, I wanted some hot, fluffy, biscuits for breakfast. So I opened up a can of storebought jumbo ones to bake. I got out the last jar of yummy, sweet, homemade blackberry jelly to put on the biscuit when it was done. My mouth was watering as I awaited the delicious taste. Okay, I suspected something was wrong whenever the can wouldn't pop open. Then the biscuits were wierd looking, with each layer coming apart, like they had gobs of shortening. (Four days were left on the expiration dated.) But I wanted a hot biscuit with jelly so much that I was hopeful that it would bake up all right. Fifteen minutes later, my expectations were shattered. They were as flat coming out of the oven as going into the oven. Yeah, flat biscuits. No, that was not my reaction. Did I throw them away? No, of course not. Instead of eating one fluffy, hot biscuit with sweet blackberry jelly, I ate three crispy, flat bottoms of a poor imitation of a biscuit with my sweet jelly. Worse of all, I forgot to give thanks for my breakfast. What a way to start a day! Thank You Lord for flat biscuits and Your teaching me life lessons. Sometimes life seems flat, unexciting, doesn't it? I know it shouldn't, since I have heaven as my journey's end.

How are my expectations of eternal life? Am I expecting heaven?

Record refers to a testimony; through the Holy Spirit, in the Christian's blessed consciousness of eternal life and of reconciliation with God, obtained by baptism and the expiatory(atonement) death of Christ. (Thayer's Lexicon)

Thayer's Lexicon has this to say about life: life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last forever.

What is God telling me through John?

• God has given me eternal life. I can expect to spend eternity with Him. It's His gift to me.
• Since I have His Son Jesus in my heart, I have life.

Am I showing that I am happy about going to heaven? Do I tell others? Is my life active and vigorous? Is it devoted to God? When I am blessed, do I share it with others? Am I showing others that my life is in Jesus?

LET IT GROW

Did you catch the last part of verse 12? He that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
It is plain, right there is black and white.

In John 14:6, Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

It's either Jesus or nothing; eternal life with Jesus or without Jesus; whole hog or zilch.

(My conclusion about the biscuits is that the baking powder was either not put in, or they were left out of refrigeration too long and it died.)

LET IT GO

Thank God for eternal life in heaven.

Thank Jesus for enduring the cross so I could have eternal life and a way to the Father.

Live an active, vigorous life, devoted to God.

Loosen the chains of sin that bind me to this earth.
 

Witnesses

632.  "Witnesses"          October 19, 2012
1 John 5-Part 3     (verses 6-10)
And Jesus Christ was revealed as God's Son by his baptism in water and by shedding his blood on the cross-not by water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit, who is truth, confirms it with his testimony. so we have these three witnesses-the Spirit, the water, and the blood-and all three agree.  NLT 1 John 5:6-8


LET IT GLOW

I have shared it before, that I served on a jury one time. They had witnesses which testified about the accused. The jury believed the young man broke the law, and sentenced him. I listened very carefully to the witnesses, even took notes. I wanted to make sure I understood the truth as it was told.  John was a witness that Jesus was real. Who else did John say was a witness? Shall we check it out?

WHO IS JESUS?

You know I had to look up  witness in Thayer's Lexicon, which said:
Witness means to give testimony; through the expiation (atonement) wrought by the baptism and the death of Christ, and the Holy Spirit giving souls assurance of this expiation. Jesus was sent by God, is said thoughout the Scriptures. the Scriptures testify that.

The testimony of two or three witnesses establish the truth of a particular matter, according to Deut. 17:6.

The truth is, Jesus is deity. He is part of the Trinity-Father, Son, Holy Spirit. John writes to show that God has given testimony to the deity of Jesus through both His baptism and death.

Who is a witness of Jesus' Deity and Messiahship in heaven: the Father, the Word, the Holy Spirit.
What was a witness on earth: water at His baptism, blood on the cross, the Spirit. (Matt. 3:16-17)

The Father's testimony can count as three witnesses' testimony-His, Son, Holy Spirit.

(David Guzik gives us four views of what John means in these verses, but I won't go into them.)

The important thing is, do I agree in who Jesus is said to be? Yes indeed. Do you?

LET IT GROW

If I can receive the witness of men, apostles and Paul, shouldn't I accept the witness of God's Word, His Spirit, and His Son?(verse 9)

I, a believer, have the witness of the Holy Spirit within me. (verse 10)
Therefore, I can be a witness of Jesus Christ, also. Am I a witness? Do I share the Truth?


LET IT GO


Keep a strong faith in Jesus Christ forever.

Share His love and Word, what He has done for me on the cross.

I'm Cheering You On

631.  "I'm Cheering You On"                  October 18, 2012
1 John 5-Part 2    (verses 4-5)
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?   1 John 5:4-5


LET IT GLOW

I was a cheerleader  my freshman year of high school. It was fun to cheer my football and basketball teams on to victory. We would encourage them no matter how things were going. We even encouraged our fans to encourage them. We wanted them to overcome any obstacle, opposing team, mistakes, injuries, and keep on keepin' on. It must have been effective because we cheered them on to victory as district champions in  football that year. My team was an overcomer. We cheereleaders were encouragers. And so it is in the spiritual realm. John tells us that we  can overcome the world. Shall we see how?

Overcometh (nikao in Greek), means to gain the victory. (Thayer's Lexicon)

John uses the word overcometh four times in these two verses. Its first occurrance gives the sense that the true believer is always victorious over the world. Victory is normal and natural, and that is why His commandments are not difficult. Our faith is the key to victory over the world. (Liberty Bible Commentary)

Three characteristics of an overcomer are:

1. Faith-believes in God and Jesus is the Son of God;
2. Love-has love for both God and fellow believers; proof of faith is love;
3. Obedience-proof of love for God is obeying Him.

[Resource: The MacArthur Bible Commentary]

Faith denotes a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God. (Thayer's Lexicon)

This faith, saving faith, is what makes us true children of God, which in turn assures us of victory over the world. (Falwell)

Faith is the cause of victory, the means, the instrument, the spiritual armor by which we overcome.
We must all, after Christ's example, overcome the world, or it will overcome us to our ruin.  (Matthew Henry)

Am I encouraging others to be overcomers? Do I help their faith grow? Will I share my overcomings to encourage them? Am I a spiritual cheerleader? You go, girl. You can overcome through Jesus.


LET IT GROW

What do we believers in Jesus overcome? The world is what we overcome, conquer, have superiority over, have conquering power over because we get it from Jesus, the omnipotent God.

Satan's world wide system of deception and wickedness is the world. (emphasis mine) Through Christ and His provision of salvation, the believer is a victor over the invisible system of demonic and human evil that Satan operates to capture people's souls for hell. Faith in Jesus Christ and dedication of one's life to Him make a person an overcomer. (The MacArthur Bible Commentary)

Am I the overcomer that Jesus wants me to be? How strong is my faith?
How about you, friends?

LET IT GO

Turn away from the world and turn to Jesus.

Seek Jesus' strength so I can overcome temptations and worldliness.

Be victorious! Be an overcomer!

Keep the faith.

Burdens

630.  "Burdens"                   October 17, 2012
1John 5-Part 1
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.  1 John 5:1-3  KJV 

LET IT GLOW

Last March, my husband and I flew to Puerto Rico for a business trip. I decided to take my laptop so I could continue writing for this Bible study while there. Also, I didn't want to get behind in my other  studies of the Bible. I thought I was being wise when I put the laptop inside a backpack to carry it instead of a rolling carry-on. Boy, was that a wrong decision. We had to walk a long way in the Chicago airport for our connecting flight. This precious instrument quickly became a heavy burden for me to carry. When my wonderful husband, who thought it was needless that I take the computer, offered to carry it, I gladly let him. I learned a valuable lesson that day.
I said all of that to show that things can be a burden, of which John is speaking.

In verse 3, grievous (barys in Greek), means burdensome, according to Thayer's Lexicon, and causeing mental or physical pain, according to Webster's Dictionary. 

What is it that John says is not grievious? God's commandments.
They are not difficult  to fulfill because we are truly "born of God" and have therefore easy victory.
(Liberty Bible Commentary)

Are God's commands burdensome for me to keep?

Just as my husband carried my burden of the heavy laptop, Jesus carries or is the fulfillment of God's Commandments. (Matt. 5:17)

LET IT GROW

How can I know a person is a Christian?

• They believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the annointed of God.(verse 1)
• They are born of God, not just an intellectual knowledge, but a spiritual New Birth. (verse 1)
• They received Jesus as Savior, trusted in Him for the remissions of their sins, which have been confessed.
• They love God as His child in return for His love and those who are His children. (verses 1-2)
• They keep God's commandments. (verse 3)
• They love other believers. (1 John 4:21)

If we say we love God, yet walk in a lifestyle of conscius disobedience, we are like the believer who says they walk in fellowship with God, yet walks in darkness-they are lying. (1 John 1:6)

Looking at those qualities listed above, can others confirm that I am a Christian?  Do I show and tell those things?

LET IT GO

Love God, love Jesus; love Jesus, love God.

Love God's Commandments.

Love other believers.

Obey God's Word.

Do You Fear Judgment Day?

628.  "Do You Fear Judgment Day?"
October 15, 2012
1 John 4-Part 7  (verses 17-18)
Herein is our love made perfect that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  1 John 4:17-18


LET IT GLOW

Don't we all have fears of something? I fear snakes, deep water, storms. How about you? However, there is no reason for me to fear the day I stand before my Maker. I am clothed in the blood of Jesus, wearing His robe of righteousness. Therefore, I do not fear that day.
Let's look at these two verses talking about fear and love, shall we?

Falwell in Liberty Bible Commentary says, "The original does not say, our love, but "love with us." It is because God is love, and because He lives in us, that love can be truly accomplished with us. God is love, so in a sense, we are love (we are all the world will ever see of love). The whole point is that We love... because He first loved us.  (verse 19)

Perfect, in verse 17, means accomplish, finish, breing to an end; one has been made perfect in love, his love lacks nothing.
Boldness refers to free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, assurance before the judge.
(Thayer's Lexicon)

The only way we can have boldness in the  Day of Judgment is to receive, and walk in, the transforming love of God today. (Guzik)

The love with us is perfectly perfect, completely complete.(Guzik)
Therefore, we can have assurance in the now and in the future when we stand on the Day of Judgment before God, our Judge. How is this possible? It is His love shown when Jesus died on the cross for me a sinner.

As He is, so are we. How is Jesus now? He is glorified, justified, forever righteous and bold, sitting at the right hand of God the Father. Spiritually, we can have that same standing now, while we are in the world, because as He is, so are we in the world. (Guzik)

 I am justified and righteous due to Jesus' blood sacrifice for me. He saved me from my sins. His spirit lives within me. His love presides in my heart. How can I but love Him?

Are people of the world seeing God's love in me and experiencing it through me?

LET IT GROW

Looking at some of the words and their meanings in verse 18:
Fear means  dread, terror; love refers to affection, good-will, benevolence; perfect means it is brought to its end, finished, wanting nothing necessary to completeness; torment means corrected, punishment, penalty.  (Thayer's Lexicon)

What did I learn about fear and love?

• There is no fear, dread, nor terror in God's love.
• Perfect love casts out fear. Both love and fear cannot reside in the same place at the same time.
• Fear concerns punishment, as unbelieving sinners and demons will experience one day.
• This fear is not made perfect in love. Those who don't have Jesus as Savior, fear Him, understandably so, and are not made complete in His love.

So there are those who have God's love and no fear because heaven is our eternal destiny. Then there are those who don't have God's love and fear, at least should fear now, their eternal destiny, seperation from the love of God forever.

Am I sharing God's love and salvation with others so they do not need to fear the future?
Have you been made perfect, complete in His love? How about family and friends?

LET IT GO

Thank You Father for Your love.

Thank You that I don't have fear of my eternal destiny and standing before You.

Help me to share the good news of Jesus Christ.