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.