Daily Prayer_December 6, 2012

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 29:12 (HCSB)
¹² If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 126:5-6 (KJV)
⁵ They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
⁶ He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

The Word of God for encouragement:

3 John 1:1-4 (HCSB)
¹ The Elder: To my dear friend Gaius: I love you in the truth.
² Dear friend, I pray that you may prosper in every way and be in good health physically just as you are spiritually.
³ For I was very glad when some brothers came and testified to your [faithfulness] to the truth—how you are walking in the truth.
⁴ I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
3 John 1:9-12 (HCSB)
⁹ I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have first place among them, does not receive us.
¹⁰ This is why, if I come, I will remind him of the works he is doing, slandering us with malicious words. And he is not satisfied with that! He not only refuses to welcome the brothers himself, but he even stops those who want to do so and expels them from the church.
¹¹ Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
¹² Demetrius has a [good] testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. And we also testify for him, and you know that our testimony is true.

My observation:

John writes this letter to a friend by the name of Gaius. This brother had to deal with some difficult people in the church. This is another letter in which the Apostle emphasizes the topic of truth, and making it a practical and practicing part of our daily life.

As you look around your circumstances you will find people like Diotrephes; these are people who do evil, and tear apart God's people and God's work. On the other hand, you will find people like Demetrius; these are people who have a testimony of doing good, and building up the people of God, and the work of God.

The key thought to take away from this letter is this. Encourage someone who is in a difficult circumstance with this truth.

3 John 1:11 (HCSB)
¹¹ Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the grace of God that enables and empowers your people to walk in truth. In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Psalm 130:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His word.
⁶ I ⌊wait⌋ for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning— more than watchmen for the morning.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/