Eternal Family

Eternal Family

Jude 1: ¹ From Jude, servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James—

To those who have been called by God, who live in the love of God the Father and the protection of Jesus Christ:

 

² May mercy, peace, and love be yours in full measure.

 

============

 

Seeing the family as chess pieces, I wondered where I fit. I was the youngest and my siblings had moved on by the time I had questions about life. Was I on the side “for” or “against” the family? Was I a pawn or a rook? Please excuse the chess terms.

 

• I wondered where I fit in the family?
• I wondered if I was part of something or if I needed to fight what was established.
• I wondered if other families had it “better” than mine.

 

Jude, brother of JESUS, begins his letter in a somewhat awkward way. He recognized James as his brother and that he was a servant of JESUS. He did not mention his other two brothers, Joses and Simon. James wrote an epistle and so did Jude. Both recognized JESUS as the Savior and saw a different perspective of family.

 

My Observations:

• Families can be messy, BUT GOD welcomes all into HIS loving family.
• Families can have rivalries, fights and divisions, BUT GOD’s family includes love, peace and harmony.
• Families can have hurt, pain and poor affirmation management, BUT GOD showed HIS love to the extreme by allowing JESUS to die for us and being raised from the dead.

 

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends, and that’s what JESUS did for you and me. HE became the solution to the biggest problem, namely all humans were lost. HE wanted us back in HIS family so HE did something about the problem. HE became a human and took all the blame humans can dish out.

 

HE then allowed HIMSELF to be murdered and was raised from the dead. HE now invites anyone to believe HE did all of this out of love. Unfortunately, many twist HIS actions and fall prey to the Enemy who wants people to remain blind to true love. I gladly accept HIS love and HIS invitation to join an eternal family.

 

Challenge

• Who does the writer address the letter to?
• Have you ever questioned where you fit within your own family?
• Will you join GOD’s eternal family that is filled with love and appreciation for you just as you are today?

Friendships

Friendships

3 John 1: ¹³ I have so much to tell you, but I do not want to do it with pen and ink. ¹⁴ I hope to see you soon, and then we will talk personally.

¹⁵ Peace be with you.

All your friends send greetings. Greet all our friends personally.

 

============

 

After spending all day with a friend, I got home and heard a song playing on the radio. I immediately picked up the phone and called my friend. “Weren’t you two together all day? What more do you have to say?” were the questions asked to me.

 

I couldn’t explain my excitement.

I enjoyed people who would share in my excitement, and I theirs.

It felt good to be understood.

 

John closes his letter with a burst of friendship. He seemed eager to have a conversation rather than trying to contain all of his thoughts in a letter. He wanted to listen to his friend as well as tell what is going on in his world.

 

My Observations:

• Friendships based on GOD’s love help others to endure life’s pain.
• Solutions from friends who know the LORD enable me to be corrected as well as encouraged.
• Excitement about what GOD is doing can be heard from friends who seek JESUS as the Savior.

 

Work friends and organization friends are different. I mean, I have kept in touch with people who I met because we were forced together by the job or the group. These “friendships” enable me to have conversations that are safe. BUT GOD provides friends who can talk about HIM in meaningful ways.

 

Purpose driven people need encouragement, shared excitement and the bonds of going through the fire together. Those who place their purpose in the world may not be able to share in the understanding of the importance of having purpose in CHRIST. When you and I find people who are willing to pray for us, encourage us and share joy with us, our bonds grow stronger. I am grateful for my friends who call JESUS our LORD and Savior.

 

Challenge

• Can you feel the excitement from the writer?
• Have you ever had friends who could encourage you and share in your dreams the way GOD gave it to you?
• Will you be a friend to someone who needs encouragement, GOD’s way, and help those who seek HIM by sharing in joy today?

Unstuck on Titles

Unstuck on Titles

3 John 1: ⁹ I wrote a short letter to the church; but Diotrephes, who likes to be their leader, will not pay any attention to what I say. ¹⁰ When I come, then, I will bring up everything he has done: the terrible things he says about us and the lies he tells! But that is not enough for him; he will not receive the Christians when they come, and even stops those who want to receive them and tries to drive them out of the church!

 

¹¹ My dear friend, do not imitate what is bad, but imitate what is good. Whoever does good belongs to God; whoever does what is bad has not seen God.

 

¹² Everyone speaks well of Demetrius; truth itself speaks well of him. And we add our testimony, and you know that what we say is true.

 

============

 

“Do you believe in JESUS?” someone laughingly asked me. “I am the head of the deacons and the chairman of the Trustees” I replied. “Yes, but do you believe in JESUS?” was the follow up question that I could have simply said “Yes” to.

 

• I was seeking a title in church without knowing it.
• I wanted to be known for “my” accomplishments.
• I wanted a resume versus GOD’s kingdom to grow.

 

John addressed church pride. He provided two opposing examples, namely Diotrephes and Demetrius. The first was the example of arrogance while the latter was the example of truth. One liked church titles, power and to be “heard” while the other built a reputation of serving people with the truth.

 

My Observations:

• Having  a title in church is okay as long as I use the title to help organize who does what.
• Recognizing JESUS as the only one who is the head of the church, makes me less prone to desire what should be HIS.
• My motive for serving in church should be based on the truth that JESUS rose from the dead and wants everyone to believe in HIS saving power.

 

Sometimes titles can trip me up. I mean, whether it is corporate or public or church, titles can make me think I am more special than others. If the title gets to my head, then my actions and words begin to leave GOD out and the focus becomes more on “my” title or the brand of the church. BUT GOD wants to be known.

 

HE wants my words to point to HIM constantly. The whole purpose of gathering together in the first place is to recognize JESUS as the Savior while addressing barriers to this belief. We sing, pray and acknowledge JESUS while not turning into the world. I gladly give up titles to be known for speaking GOD’s truth.

 

Challenge

• Who does the writer warn not to imitate?
• Have you ever wanted a title or wanted to be recognized as a public figure?
• Will you point your life to CHRIST whether you have a title or not so HE can draw many people to HIMSELF through you today?

Help Along the Trip

Help Along the Trip

3 John 1: ⁵ My dear friend, you are so faithful in the work you do for other Christians, even when they are strangers. ⁶ They have spoken to the church here about your love. Please help them to continue their trip in a way that will please God. ⁷ For they set out on their trip in the service of Christ without accepting any help from unbelievers. ⁸ We Christians, then, must help these people, so that we may share in their work for the truth.

 

============

 

Riding on a bus / van in another country, my expectations were minimal. We were not there as tourists, rather to work as missionaries. The bus broke down in a populated area. So this was an opportunity to get out and street-witness. We spoke to the people about CHRIST and some prayed to believe in HIM. Meanwhile, other people helped fix the bus for us.

 

• I did not know what to expect.
• Staying focused on doing what GOD wanted me to do helped me not focus on the broken down bus.
• We received help along the trip several other times.

 

John praises Gaius for his faithfulness. Gaius had created a good reputation that was known throughout the area. John encouraged Gaius to seek other believers who need help in their “trip” so all would share in the work for the truth.

 

My Observations:

• My life is a journey that could include GOD or not.
• The more I seek the world, the less I seek GOD.
• At some point in my life, I had to see that GOD wanted more out of HIS relationship with me.

 

Realizing that I am a creation that was made for GOD’s purpose was a surprise to me. I mean, at one point, I thought life was either a random collection of events or that life was a pleasure cruise and GOD was the waiter. In both cases I was wrong. GOD created you and me to be with HIM in a loving relationship.

 

HIS love is not tainted with sin, but yours and mine is. We can sometimes see GOD as a problem to our pleasure and want to get out of life’s tumultuous ocean and back on the pleasure cruise set up by the enemy. Meanwhile, GOD blesses those who remain in the ocean with boats of safety to help along this trip called life. I am glad GOD has plenty of people who believe and are eager to serve!

 

Challenge

• How does the writer hear about the reputation?
• Do you have a reputation that is associated helping believers in CHRIST to serve others?
• Will you give more of your life over to GOD so HE can help people believe in HIS SON as the answers to their struggles today?

Live In

Live In

3 John 1: ¹ From the Elder—

To my dear Gaius, whom I truly love.

² My dear friend, I pray that everything may go well with you and that you may be in good health—as I know you are well in spirit. ³ I was so happy when some Christians arrived and told me how faithful you are to the truth—just as you always live in the truth. ⁴ Nothing makes me happier than to hear that my children live in the truth.

 

============

 

“You have to eat specific foods” said the personal trainer at the gym. I wanted to get into heavy weightlifting and found myself unable to get beyond where I was at. People surrounded me and had me start over with technique, food and rest advice.

 

• I knew what to do, but it was up to me to actually do something about it.
• I had to change my lifestyle to be part of this new world to me.
• I had to be presented with what to do so I could make the change.

 

John starts off his third letter with a greeting to Gaius. He had heard about the faith Gaius was showing. Gaius was living in “the truth.” John may have talked to him about CHRIST and heard word that Gaius was “living in the truth.”

 

My Observations:

• JESUS is the Way “the Truth” and the Life, in which I can receive eternal life.
• GOD wants me to love my neighbors versus complaining about them and HE wants me to love HIM more than anything I have.
• Living in CHRIST provides me with all the protection that I need.

 

Knowing versus doing is a quandary we all face. I mean, GOD placed right from wrong inside all of us by writing HIS law on every heart, yet we choose not to follow HIS ways. BUT HE made a way back to HIM through JESUS.

 

By accepting CHRIST as my personal Savior, I can follow HIS ways without questioning them or fighting them. HE provides the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside my heart and to guide me  HE provides boundaries for me to live in and I am freed from the pressures of the world and can simply “be.” I gladly abide in what GOD has for me.

 

Challenge

• Do you sense the love from the writer?
• Have you ever known what was right to do, yet you did not or could not bring yourself to do it?
• Will you seek JESUS by asking HIM, “How do YOU want me to live? And let the HOLY SPIRIT guide you to “live in” HIS ways today?

 

Joy May Be Full

Joy May Be Full

2 John 1: ¹² Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

¹³ The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.

 

============

 

Going through life’s trials, I wondered when I could have some peace. It seemed like everything was crashing around me. Something inside me said “Go to church”, but I ignored it. A neighbor who rarely spoke to me asked me if I had been to the church on Anthony street. “Why did she ask me that question?” I asked myself. I went and felt joy!

 

• My problems were still there, but I felt better.
• I felt all alone at first, but for a moment, I felt I was part of a family.
• I had a lot to learn about how to fill the empty space in my heart.

 

John concludes his second letter with anticipation. He expressed excitement by saying he has a lot to talk about, but he would rather do it face to face. He knew that by meeting together, he would bring good news and so would they. Joy would be made full.

 

My Observations:

• Joy is far greater than happiness, because it can be present when problems are there.
• Gathering with people who seek GOD’s SON can bring me joy, and I can bring joy to them.
• GOD enjoys when I seek HIS kingdom and HE fills my heart with joy.

 

Joy keeps my hope strong. I mean, when life deals out its vicious, poisonous blows, I can withstand them with joy. But where does joy come from? GOD! HE is the owner of joy and is ready to hand it out in plentiful portions. HE knows you and I have an adversary who wants to steal our joy and turn against GOD and one another. BUT GOD has an answer.

 

JESUS sent the HOLY SPIRIT to be the Comforter who resides in me. HE puts out the fire that I am facing with joy. HE leads me to calm places, similar to still waters and HE restores my emotional state so I can have clarity to not blame GOD and to love those around me who may be struggling too. I am glad GOD owns joy and is read to give it to you and me in full.

 

Challenge

• What do you think the writer is excited about?
• Have you ever felt better even though your problems remained?
• Will you ask GOD for joy over happiness so you can face many difficult situations life may throw at you today?

No Additives Needed

No Additives Needed

2 John 1: ⁹ Anyone who does not stay with the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God. Whoever does stay with the teaching has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ So then, if some come to you who do not bring this teaching, do not welcome them in your homes; do not even say, “Peace be with you.” ¹¹ For anyone who wishes them peace becomes their partner in the evil things they do.

 

============

 

Seeing the ink stain on the shirt I asked what I should do. “Soak it in soapy water” was the suggestion. I followed the instructions and noticed the ink was dissipating, but not fast enough. I added some bleach to the mixture to speed things up. The shirt was ruined.

 

• I thought that by adding something, it would work better.
• I added something to what was already working.
• My impatience made me not be able to wait for the solution to work.

 

John gives a stern warning about people who add more to the teaching of CHRIST. He may have heard about people who wanted to sound special, but were making things up about GOD in order to make themselves look “deep.” He makes it plain that the teaching of CHRIST should stand alone without embellishments.

 

My Observations:

• GOD’s Word is simple, but humans want to make it complicated.
• JESUS became a human to die for the sins of all humans and was raised from the dead and HE does not need us to embellish on these actions.
• GOD made me special, so I do not have to twist HIS words to be seen as special.

 

Trying to make the Bible say something that makes “me” special or to manipulate people to get “my” way is dangerous. I mean, when the Bible clearly says one thing, but I add something I am thinking of so people will notice “me” more, I am the one who will be in trouble. BUT GOD has a solution.

 

HE gives me ways to check if what I am saying about HIM is true. HE provided many writers to reveal HIS SON and the great thing HE did for you and me. If my words point more toward “my” actions versus HIS, then they are leaning towards being false. JESUS paid it all. All to HIM I owe. Sin has left a crimson stain. HE washed it white as snow. I am glad JESUS is the Way, the Truth and the Life!

 

Challenge:

• Why does the writer give this warning?
• Have you ever thought GOD’s message needed “your” help?
• Will you accept HIS simple message of “believing in JESUS as your Savior” and “loving one another” today?