Meditate.
Dear friend,
don't let this bad example (see 3 John 1:9 – church leader
Diotrephes) influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who
do good prove that they are God's children, and those who do evil prove that
they do not know God. 3 John 1:11
John is encouraging Christians around the world…in his time and in ours…to follow good not evil examples. What example do you follow in your life? Are you modeling your life after a fine Christian mentor or after a good buddy at the local bar? Is good or evil dominating your life? Are you making your choices based on God’s word and guidance of the Holy Spirit…or the desires of your own heart? I pray every day for my children and grandchildren to make good decisions. Do they have faith and keep asking God for guidance?
Then the Lord said, "Learn a
lesson from this unjust judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So
don't you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out
to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant
justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find
on the earth who have faith?" Luke 18:6-8
I was recently reminded that salvation is a gift from God. Yes—we can’t earn it no matter how hard we work…but faith in God is our own part. How much faith we have depends on our own desires and decisions. Remember…
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| Hope A world protected by a promise. |
Still, faith is
something within us…and we control it. We believe or not.
So let us stop going over the basic
teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature
in our understanding. Surely we don't need to start again with the fundamental
importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don't
need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the
resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And so, God willing, we will
move forward to further understanding. - Hebrews 6:1-3
Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep
your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their
consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. 1 Timothy 1:19
Don’t go back. Look forward in faith to tomorrow…to a deeper understanding and relationship with the Lord…and to Christ’s return. Christ is the ultimate example for us to follow.
Prayer ~ A prayer of David. Bend down, O LORD, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help. Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God. Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly. Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you. O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. Listen closely to my prayer, O LORD; hear my urgent cry. I will call to you whenever I'm in trouble, and you will answer me. No pagan god is like you, O Lord. None can do what you do! All the nations you made will come and bow before you, Lord; they will praise your holy name. For you are great and perform wonderful deeds. You alone are God. Psalm 86:1-10. Like David…I ask You to hear my prayer.
Verses of
Salvation ~ For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a
God like you, who works for those who wait for him! You welcome those who
gladly do good, who follow godly ways. But you have been very angry with us,
for we are not godly. We are constant sinners; how can people like us be saved?
Isaiah 64:4-5
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