Read 3 John
Most people would agree that life is a painful mixture of good and bad. It is true in marriage, friendship, family, work and church. Yet we are surprised and disappointed when self-centeredness takes the stage within a fellowship of those who seek to worship and claim Christ together.
When the apostle John wrote to his friend Gaius, he commended the truthful living and generous hospitality of those in his church (vs 3-8). In the same fellowship, however, Diotrephes, “who wants to be had of everything” (vs 9) had created an atmosphere of hostility.
John promised to deal personally with Diotrephes on his next visit to the church. In the meantime, he urges the congregation: “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.” (v 11) John’s words echo the instructions of Paul to the Christians in Rome: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
In a heated conflict, we may be tempted to “fight fire with fire”. Yet John urges us to turn away from what is bad and follow what is good. This is the pathway that honours our Saviour.
Prayer:
Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
Pray that all your paths would bring honour and glory to the Lord, especially the paths you take when frustrated, angry or overwhelmed. Pray this for 20 other people in your congregation.
Pray that your Session and Committee of Management would be wise in the decisions they make and that they would bring glory to God through these decisions. Pray that your church would be growing through conversions.
My Additional Prayer Points.
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