Aiding God's Missionaries

3 John 3-8

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

The overall theme of this epistle is commending faithful servants who provided support to missionaries as they deliver God's Word. Two such persons in today's scripture is Gaius and Demetrius while Diotrephes is an example of a person who failed to help missionaries. The principal of providing support for our missionaries began in the early church and is carried on today.

What is so important about these two men is that they themselves were faithful servants in that they provided whatever they could to support the missionaries as missionaries and other ministers of the gospel is worthy of our support. It must be noted that whatever we give to support missionaries and ministers of the gospel must be done to please God (v.6). This is because what we do unto others we do unto God. Also, we are blessed to be a blessing. It has been discussed in an earlier writing that the more we give the more God give back to us. This brings into focus yesterday's discussion "Prosperity Through Christ."

The characters highlighted in our text highlights the faithful individuals and the church as they saw the good works of missionaries as these persons are instrumental in carrying the gospel of Christ the world over while the unfaithful fails to see the good work of missionaries and ministers. In Matthew 10:41 Jesus Christ Himself sanctioned supporting missionaries as many have left family and friends and sometime the entire family is serving as missionaries.

Missionaries and ministers are worthy of our support as they proclaim the gospel of Christ.

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Prosperity Through Christ

3 John 2

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

What message is John conveying? John is encouraging all to be in good health as we go about our daily lives both physically and spiritually as believers travel this faith journey. It is noteworthy to say that it is God's will that all live healthy lives as He has made provisions for every aspect of our lives this includes work, family, ministry, purpose, and plan. When believers live according to God's plan, then believers are recipients of His blessings. These blessings include meeting both physical and spiritual needs as promised in Philippians 4:19. Also, in God's provisional care He made provision for all believers to have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10).

Trusting God to supply our needs requires faith in Him; although He sometimes allows suffering to build our trust in Him. This is to further develop our faith and spiritual endurance as this Christian journey is one of endurance (Romans 8:35-39; 2 Corinthians 4:7-12; 6:4-10; 12:7-10; 1 Peter 1:6-7).

To further expound on our topic is that Matthew 6:33 tells us to first seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness and everything else will be added which coincide with Matthew 6:10 which encourages us to let God's will be done which is to say His will should be given first priority.

Let me close by saying that God's physical blessings can be attributed to our spiritual lives as they aligns with His will and a commitment to live holy lives unto Him.

Spiritual prosperity resonates physically.

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white3285@sbcglobal.net      

http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

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Dwell In Zion

Isaiah 28:16

Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste.

Who is the foundation stone being referenced in our scripture text? The foundation stone is the Lord Himself as He is not just any stone but the precious corner stone for all who believe in Him is assured of salvation. As Isaiah was prophesying about the coming Messiah-Jesus Christ the fulfillment of this prophecy is recorded in New Testament scriptures Romans 9:33; 1 Corinthians  3:11; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:4-6.

It is noteworthy to say that if any man tries to build his or her salvation on anything other than Christ is like building on quick sand. Jesus Christ is the corner stone chosen by God the Father from the foundation of the world to be the Savior of the world and throughout the generations many have disowned Christ for who He is, but those will not dwell in Zion with our Savior.

The question now becomes, Where is Zion? For our discussion Zion is heaven or the city of God as referenced in our study text. Revelation 14:1 alludes to the fact that Zion is heaven or being where God is. When the writer John describes what he saw were the many disciples who traveled with Jesus everywhere He went as they were coming out of Zion. Will you dwell in Zion with Him?

Dwell in Zion; that's where God is.

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white3285@sbcglobal.net

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Transformed

Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good; and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

Based on our lesson text we can determine that the term transformed means a change which can and will occur inwardly and outwardly, which all begins with a change of heart/mind as this is the center of all thoughts and actions.

Paul in our discussion text is encouraging all believers to not be consumed by this world and its value systems as they are contrary to the way and will of God. There is enormous pressure to conform to this world's values because they are popular and is looked upon as the norm, but be mindful they are abnormal to God's and His laws. We must be mindful that this present world is under Satan's rules and God's people are being attacked with humanistic philosophy and beliefs, which is to say whatever appears right is what is acceptable. Also, a non-transformed mind places its values in unbiblical views.

The question now becomes, What must believers do to live a transformed life? Believers must remain connected to Christ through His word, daily reading and meditation on the word and yielding to the indwelling Holy Spirit. Believers must remain Christ-centered and focused simply because all believers are a called out people and are no longer of this world even though we remain in this world until we reach heaven.

A transformed mind is one that has embraced God's holy law.

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Favor

Esther 2:15; Luke 1:30; 2:52

Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.

The story of Esther's courage and kindness she was able to save her people from destruction as the king had issued a decree that all Jews be destroyed. It can also be determined that Esther possessed a humble spirit one where she had respect for God, self and others and in doing so she found favor in the eyes of the king and God as He used her as His instrument of deliverance.

Esther like Mary the mother of Jesus our Lord found favor in the eyesight of God because of her humble spirit and godly lifestyle (Luke 1:28, 30). What does this say for all believers both then and now? This makes a profound statement regarding godliness and a humbleness of heart as there is a commitment to do things God's way and live according to His laws. With that being said, favor can be determined as goodness, approval, which is God's grace. We know that God grants favor each day we rise to the dawning of a new day and all through the day God's favor is upon us.

Thank God for favor.

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Comforter

John 14:16, 18

…. I will pray to the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you.

Who is the Comforter? The Comforter is the Holy Spirit who was to come and abide with all believers after Christ's return to heaven. Jesus was speaking to His disciples as He was preparing them for His departure and was making provisions so that there would be someone there to provide the help that would be needed as they proclaimed the gospel message. The help was the Holy Spirit who Jesus called another comforter, because He was the comforter then.

The principle of needing a comforter is true for all believers today as we sojourn this life as there will be times when we will need a listening ear, a shoulder to lean on, and a present help in the time of trouble. Verse 18 drives home the point of Jesus' love for His people, which states "I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you". He will and does every time. What a mighty God!

Isn't it comforting to know we can call on the Lord anytime day or night and He is there providing the comfort and cheer that is needed? God promised to provide for all our needs both physical and spiritual. A promise made, a promise kept.

The Comforter-the Holy Spirit is always present.

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white3285@sbcglobal.net

http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

www.shepherdministries.info.

Believer's Inheritance

Matthew 25:34

Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

The scene of today's topical discussion is judgment when there will be a separation by Christ Himself of the righteous believer and the non-believer. Picture the King of glory sitting on His throne with all the heavenly angels and gathered there are all nations. Goats are depicted as the non-believer while the believers is pictured as sheep and Christ will begin His separation process by reading the service record of each as it will be based on the outward works, love and kindness shown to others believers in need (v. 32).

Non-believers will the cast into the lake of fire that was "prepared for the devil and his angels" (v. 41), while believers will be told to "come" as they are called blessed of Christ's Father to a place that was prepared for God's people from the foundation of the world.  This is because in God's infinite wisdom knew who would believe and be saved and who would reject salvation. Believer's inheritance is the kingdom of God which He Himself prepared. Inheriting the kingdom of God is unimaginable for the human mind; only through a spiritual mind can one conceive such honor. What better inheritance than a place prepared by God our creator where all believers will spend eternity with Him?

The rich inheritance for believers is encompassed by salvation; believe and receive your inheritance.

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white3285@sbcglobal.net

http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

www.shepherdministries.info