Build Up the Community - 3 John 1-13

Don't you find it wonderful to know you have so many friends at church?  When I would assist during service on Sunday with announcements, I wasn't nervous because I knew the folks in front of me liked me and wanted only what was best for me.  If I did flub something, they would laugh right along with me, never at me.  That is Building up the Community, one person at a time.

"It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it." (3 John 3)

John is writing to a good friend, Gaius and acknowledging his faithfulness to the truth, speaking highly of Gaius' actions.  John's words are building Gaius up for the community. We all need the proverbial 'pat on the back' once in a while.  Who have you encouraged recently?  Is there a new believer who could use a kind word, a faithful worker who moves in the back ground silently but faithfully?  Build up the Community of Believers one person at at time.

"Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God." (3 John 11)

Read the 3 John 1-13 text here.

Faith in the Son - 1 John 5:1-12

Do you know your Baptism date?  The pastor at a church I once attended encouraged his congregation to make a big deal of this date.  He went so far as to say this date was more important to celebrate than our birthday.  At the time I thought this an interesting idea, but never totally bought into it.  

As I get older (maybe wiser too), I recognize the value of this practice for certainly the day we become truly alive - alive in Christ - is a day to party.  Yesterday was my daughter Katie and husband Dave's baptism day.  As I was journaling that point I was struck by the fact that were it not for Dave's baptism I would not have the hope and joy in the knowledge we will be together again.

"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." (1 John 5:11-12)

Who are you rejoicing about today?  Who do you know that has gone to be with Jesus and you will see again?  Is there someone in your life now who needs this gift?  Let's Build Up God's Community by sharing Jesus' story and His love.

Read the 1 John 5:1-12 text here.

Love God and Each Other - 1 John 4:7-21

"No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." (1 John 4:12)

Have you ever felt like you needed to have 'Jesus with skin on'?  This is a phrase we have probably heard a time or two, and have more than likely experienced this need a time or two as well.  For me, verse 12 above is the epitome of this saying.  To me people who are a vital and active part of the Body of Believers can be counted on to be just what we need during times of great need.

The love we Christians share with each other is a result of the love God has freely given us.  I know that if I did not feel the affection God has for me I would not be able to love people He puts in my path.  Until God's love was a reality, something I truly believed and therefore experienced firsthand, I was unable to care about anyone else.  The way a Christian cares is so much different from the world.

Many of you reading were a part of caring for my family last winter.  You brought food, you called to check up on us, you wrote cards of encouragement,  you visited, you sent message on Facebook and via email.  And most importantly you prayed.  You made such an impact on us at a time when we could have felt so alone.  I can say, I have not seen God, but the love you bestowed on us during Dave's illness illustrates how God lives in you and His love was made complete.  

This is what I call, "Building Up Our Communities".  It is all about love.

Read the 1 John 4:7-21 text here.