Thursday, November 14, 2019

Greet Your Friends


Thankful for your friends? I am.
Think about this…and meditate on it today.
Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. 3 John 1:2

This epistle was written by John to a young Christian named Gaius. Paul, Peter and John, usually address their letters to their friends or particular churches expressing their love and respect for them. Different translations give us Dear friend…beloved…my little children....

Three John ends as it began…addressing friends—passing on greetings.
Peace be with you. Your friends here send you their greetings. Please give my personal greetings to each of our friends there. 3 John 1:15

Self portrait by Amelia..
Greet your friends with a smile.

Friends greeting friends. It was important then…and it is just as important now to greet fellow Christians. Warm greetings make a person feel welcome and even loved. Love is a basic human emotion that is life giving. Once again I think of the study done for several months with new born infants—some of whom were carried around continually and others that were left untouched in their cribs. The untouched ones failed to strive and even to survive. Touch is important…as is personal recognition. Greet the friends by name. 3 John 1:14. People like to hear their name—like to be addressed personally. Using a person’s name tells them that you remember them, care about them and show respect for them. Just think how you feel when someone doesn’t remember your name…or even worse, calls you by the wrong name! My mother used to call my sister and I by each other’s name…and then Mom would use her sister’s name when she was really frustrated. Has that ever happened to you? I had a friend years ago who had seven children—four boys and three girls. She had the girls trained to do whatever chore she asked when she said, “Mary, would you please….” They all answered to “Mary” which was a wonderful thing for my friend…and whichever girl was in the room…or closest would respond to the request.

Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. 3 John 1:2
Dear friend—as you read this I do hope and trust that everything is going well for you—that you and your family are healthy. Good health…being healthy…is so important for success in our jobs and relationships. Being spiritual healthy is essential in maintaining a good relationship with God…and with your neighbor. How is your spiritual health?

Prayer ~ Heavenly Father, we praise You for Your glorious plan of redemption and salvation. We look forward to our resurrection…to be like Jesus. Thank You for calling each of us by our names.

Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 28; Mark 16
Happy Birthday, Lucy!

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - https://www.blb.org 
Follow And Like "Banquet With The King" on Facebook. 👍

No comments: