Reflecting God ~ Embrace Holy Living ~ Saturday, 2 November 2013 ~ ”Stewards of Truth” ~ 3 John 1 The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth.
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly, when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth. 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear about my children walking in truth.
5 Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers. 6 They have testified about your love before the assembly. You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a way worthy of God, 7 because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
9 I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say. 10 Therefore if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words. Not content with this, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly. 11 Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t seen God. 12 Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself; yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.
13 I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen; 14 but I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.(Messianic WEB)
”Stewards of Truth” by Kenneth E. Crow
Perhaps the greatest treasure of which I am a steward is my religious heritage. I was richly blessed to have Christian parents who together with an exceptional pastor, a loving congregation, and some mentors taught me the truths of the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. These were not high profile, widely recognized authorities and teachers. They were still learning and overcoming failures as they were maturing in their walk with God. Still, as good stewards, they faithfully passed on to me what they had received. More than that, they demonstrated to me the possibility of living these doctrines by the example of their lives. They put in practice the instructions of Deuteronomy 6:4-25 to teach their children the importance of religious truth in their everyday relationships, by symbols and practices and by telling the stories of God’s faithfulness.
We have a rich tradition to transmit. We value our Wesleyan~Holiness heritage. We value the belief that God offers to all people forgiveness of sins. We like Wesley, that God can do more than forgive sin, that God can and will break the power of sin and deliver the person from bondage. Our stewardship includes faithfully teaching and living these truths.
Hymn for Today:
”I Love to Tell the Story” by Katherine Hankey
1. I love to tell the story
of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory,
of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story,
because I know 'tis true;
it satisfies my longings
as nothing else can do.
Refrain:
I love to tell the story,
'twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.
2. I love to tell the story;
more wonderful it seems
than all the golden fancies
of all our golden dreams.
I love to tell the story,
it did so much for me;
and that is just the reason
I tell it now to thee.
Refrain:
I love to tell the story,
'twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.
3. I love to tell the story;
'tis pleasant to repeat
what seems, each time I tell it,
more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story,
for some have never heard
the message of salvation
from God's own holy Word.
Refrain:
I love to tell the story,
'twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.
4. I love to tell the story,
for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting
to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory,
I sing the new, new song,
'twill be the old, old story
that I have loved so long.
Refrain:
I love to tell the story,
'twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.
Thought for Today:
“Each of us you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms”(1 Peter 4:10).
Prayer Needs:
Developing Christian leaders in Suriname.
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Nazarene Publishing House
2923 Troost Avenue
Kansas City , MO 64109-1593
Nazarene Publishing House
PO Box 843336
Kansas City , MO 64184-3336
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