3 John 4-6
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God.
John mentioned here that brothers and sisters should support each other with love, which actually is a most precious property in our faith. Christians shouldn't just take good care of themselves. The Lord already set for us a good example of supporting one another. He also wants us to support each other. When the Lord was living on earth, He turned water into wine in the wedding at Cana and fed five thousand men with five loaves and two fish. He also fed four thousand men with seven loaves. He even sacrificed His own life so that we can get new one. 2 Corinthians 8:9 says: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." Since we already received the grace of the Lord, we should also follow his example and support one another.
The early churches also set the example of supporting one another. The church in Jerusalem was enjoying the spiritual wealth, so they sent out workers to preach gospel to the Gentiles. Later on there was a famine in Jerusalem, other churches also made offerings to help with the crisis of the church in Jerusalem. This set the example of supporting one another in Christ. John mentioned here how the church supported strange brothers and sisters. We should also pray for the Spirit to lead us. Every time we pray, we ask God to show us the needs of the brothers and sisters around us. When you feel the Spirit is leading you, or you have special burden for someone, just start interceding. On the other hand, you should also ask for the Spirit to help you find out how to support those brothers and sisters. The Lord not only knows about everyone's need, but also knows how to help him and through whom to help him. When the Spirit is leading us, may the Lord give us a heart of obedience to follow Jesus Christ's example and support one another, so all the needy can get help and support.
Pray with Pastor Tong Liu
Lord, we thank you, for you have set the best example for us. Give us a sensitive heart to be really aware of the needs of the brothers and sisters. Also give us an obedient and joyful spirit, so that we can help others with the love of Christ. We thank you and we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!
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