Fitness of Soul

(3Jn 1:1-3)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Nurture your soul and so prosper in faith and life (3Jn 1:1-3). #SoulFitLifeFit #FaithFitLifeFit

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

John writes this short epistle to his beloved friend Gaius. He is commended for living his life according to the truth. John wishes Gaius to be well and to prosper. But not at the expense of his soul.

The soul is placed in the primary position; that as the soul (immaterial part of man) prospers, so may the man (NLT gets it right). This is not about material prosperity. It’s about abounding in fruitfulness; maturing in a walk of faith. It is not a case for “prosperity gospel.”

Lord, may my walk in the truth of God yield a most prosperous walk of life, according to your will and way.

“DEEP WATER FRIENDS”*

(2Jn 1:12,13)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Seek ways to encourage “deep water, friends“ (2Jn 1:12,13). #DeepWaterFriends #EcourageOneAnother

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Here is a gracious complementary closing to a very friendly letter. Of course, there is the admonition to be cautious of false teachers that were wandering about. But this epistle is as encouraging as it is anything else.

John also sends a greeting from the children (nieces/nephews) of our “elect lady’s” sister. Some consider this to be a greeting from another church and its members. I take it in the more personal way, considering the letter as a whole. [It’s encouraging either way]

Notes and letters to friends in the faith are powerful medicine. Lord, I want all my “deep water friends“ to know how deeply I appreciate them.

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* “Deep water friends” is a term I learned from my daughter-in-law. In a recent conversation we were talking about close friendships that go deep in shared experiences; those who hang with you in the hard times. Thanks Staci.

Dismiss Deniers & Deceivers

(2Jn 1:9-11)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Be always alert to and faithful to the truth (2Jn 1:9-11). #KnowTheTruth #BeFaithfulToTheTruth

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

False teachers, professed deniers and deceivers, those who do not teach the truth about Christ, have no relationship with Christ. But those who remain faithful to the teachings of Christ, they know the father and the son.

Dismiss those deniers and deceivers. Don’t even invite them into your meetings or encourage them in any way. To do so is to establish them further and to take part in their evil work. Any such purveyor of false teaching is a danger to the body of Christ.

Lord, may I always be alert to truth and faithful to the truth.

Not Blue/Not Red – Righteous!

Dear Heavenly Father, heading into this current election cycle, I call upon you to point our nation in the direction of justice and righteousness. May there be a repudiation of all that is unjust and unrighteous wherever it may lurk.

I bow praying in this election cycle. It is not a Blue prayer, a Red prayer or anything in between. I am simply claiming the prayer of Amos 5:24, “May justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

God desires more than lip service. He desires more than anything, lives that reflect His character.

Knowing & Doing

(2Jn 1:8)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Be discerning of beliefs; be diligent to act on those beliefs (2Jn 1:8). #KnowYourFaith #ActOnYourFaith

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

John is calling for careful self-examination and diligence to the truths of Scripture. Self-examination refers to the honest assessment and appraisal of what one believes and how it is applied to life. To ignore this is to lose what one has learned.

Diligence applies not only to one’s words, but to one’s deeds. That is, to work out in godly actions what God has worked into one’s life. All of this will assure the certainty of the believer’s rewards (note 1Co 3:12-14).

These things enable the believer to avoid falling into error and heresy. Lord, may I honestly assess what I am hearing and believing and boldly carry out the commands of Scripture.

“Shields Up!”

(2Jn 1:7)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Know God’s truth; live it out daily (2Jn 1:7). #KnowGod’sTruth #LiveTheTruth #DeflectDeception

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

“I say this because…“ points back to verses 4 & 5. Walking in the truth of Scripture and carrying out God‘s commands (out of our love for Christ) is a safeguard against error or heresy in our faith.

[There are plenty of imposters who corrupt God‘s word: 1Ti 4:1 calls them “deceptive spirits”; 1Jn 2:18,19 calls them “antichrist”]

The implication is that Christians who are in tune with the truth of God‘s word and carry out God‘s commands are far less likely to drift from the faith. Father, may I be steeped in your truth and out of love, obey your commands daily.

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Lost Favor & Unity

(Zec 11:15-17)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May we turn and follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd (Zec 11:15-17). #FollowTheGoodShepherd #ChooseFavorAndUnity

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

HEAR THE PROPHET ZECHARIAH, when he draws a contrast between two shepherds (leaders): the good shepherd who bestows favor and unity upon and between his sheep (vv7–9).

The other is a worthless shepherd that looks like a shepherd, is equipped like one, but he cares little about the sheep (vv15-17).

When a person or nation ignores or point blank rejects the good shepherd-leader, they lose favor and unity (vv10,14). What the people get instead is what they ask for: selfish, greedy and careless shepherds to lead them. The sheep suffer and the worthless shepherds will be sorely judged.

Lord, may I (we in America and in the nations of the world) open our eyes to the lost favor and the disunity among people today. May we turn and follow the Good Shepherd, God our Father, and regain his favor and our unity.

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Love Out Loud

(2Jn 1:5,6)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Show Christ’s love towards others (2Jn 1:5,6). #LoveOutLoud #ServingOthers #DeedsMoreThanWords #PutOthersFirst

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

John returns to a recurring theme in his writings. Believers should be the best at expressing love towards others (Jhn 3:16; 13:34; 1Jn 2:7; 3:18). We could use a lot of that in these days of political unrest and violence. Believers ought to “Love Out Loud,” shining this love light on prejudice, discrimination, and harsh judgment.

Love will listen, accept others (not the sin but the people). Believers ought to give and serve sacrificially. The “chosen lady“ in verses one through four give us a picture of that. [In fact, that’s how I remember my sweet bride of 53 years] I aspire to that. Lord, may your kind of agapé (Gk) love shine out loud in me.

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No One Excluded

Living, Loving, Serving

(2Jn 1:1-4)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Live to please God and serve others (2Jn 1:1-4). #Legacy #PleasingGod #ServingOthers

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

It’s hard to move on from John’s introduction without a summary of the godly virtues that describe the “chosen lady“ (Kyria). What distinguishes this woman ought to inspire me to live my best life for Christ.

1) She had her house in order.

2) She was gracious and hospitable.

3) She was committed to the faith.

4) She gave her family a legacy of faith and service.

5) She was loved and admired by all who knew her.

That’s the kind of man I wish to be. Lord, may my life be pleasing to you and a witness to others of your love and grace.

Living to Leave a Legacy

(2Jn 1:4)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May you live to leave a living testimony, (2Jn 1:4). #Legacy #LiveToLeaveALegacy

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

John makes one further note of the fidelity of this “distinguished lady.“ He mentioned his joy at having met some of her children. They are likely now adults. John says they are living their lives according to the truths of God and following the commands of the Father.

Are these her biological children or spiritual children? likely they are her own children. Either way, this beautiful matriarch of the faith has invested her life in the next generation. She has left the mark of Christ on those coming behind her.

Lord, may I be so fortunate and intentional as to leave such a legacy.

Grace, Mercy & Peace

(2Jn 1:3)

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Express the grace, mercy, and peace of Christ to others (2Jn 1:3). #ShowRespect #EarnRespect

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Three attributes are mentioned that should be distinctly Christian: “grace, mercy, and peace.“ These are characteristics of God our Father and his Son, Jesus. These characteristics were seen in the “chosen lady“ (Kyria) and her children.

These attributes should be seen in all those who follow Christ. It begs the question, “Does my life express God‘s grace (acceptance), mercy (compassion) and peace (contentment)? Lord, may my influence in life be full of the grace, mercy and peace of God.