
*Prayer starter by Criswell Freeman, “Prayers to Start Your Day” – SmithFreeman Publishing

*Prayer starter by Criswell Freeman, “Prayers to Start Your Day” – SmithFreeman Publishing
For me this was another perfect starter for the days we are living through. Does anyone remember the song from the 70s called “Pass it on”? “It only takes a spark to get a fire 🔥 going and soon all those around will warm up to its glowing – that’s how it is with Gods love – once you’ve experienced it … you want to pass it on…” can you imagine what would happen if we lived these words of Paul?! How we would be affected and how we would affect the world (believers and non-believers) around us? 🙌 praying for our batteries to be recharged and sparks to fly 🙏😁
Prayer starter by Criswell Freeman – Smith freeman publishing (Prayers to Start Your Day)
Question of the day: Obviously, as believers, we are to imitate what is good, but how do we know the difference between good and evil? Check out Hebrews 5:14 for the answer. To encourage others and help us grow in our faith and understanding please be sure to read and/or share your comments about today’s question or passage in the reply bar at the bottom of the page. Let’s spur one another on to love and good deeds.

Today’s Scripture: 3 John 9-15 (S.O.A.P. 11)
9 I wrote something to the church but Diotrephes who loves to be first among them, does not acknowledge us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to the deeds he is doing—the bringing of unjustified charges against us with evil words! And not being content with that, he not only refuses to welcome the brothers himself, but hinders the people who want to do so and throws them out of the church! 11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is bad but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does what is bad has not seen God.
12 Demetrius has been testified to by all, even by the truth itself. We also testify to him, and you know that our testimony is true.
13 I have many things to write to you, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink. 14 But I hope to see you right away, and we will speak face to face. 15 Peace be with you. The friends here greet you. Greet the friends there by name.
Question of the day: How can we support, or become co-workers in, the spreading of the Gospel? To encourage others and help us grow in our faith and understanding please be sure to read and/or share your comments about today’s question or passage in the reply bar at the bottom of the page. Let’s spur one another on to love and good deeds.

Today’s Scripture: 3 John 5-8 (S.O.A.P. vs 8)
5 Dear friend, you demonstrate faithfulness by whatever you do for the brothers (even though they are strangers). 6 They have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they have gone forth on behalf of “The Name,” accepting nothing from the pagans. 8 Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we become coworkers in cooperation with the truth.
Question of the day: Where do you find your greatest joy? To encourage others and help us grow in our faith and understanding please be sure to read and/or share your comments about today’s question or passage in the reply bar at the bottom of the page. Let’s spur one another on to love and good deeds.

Today’s Scripture: 3 John 1-4 (S.O.A.P. 3 John 4)
1 From the elder, to Gaius my dear brother, whom I love in truth 2 Dear friend, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, just as you are living according to the truth.
4 I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are living according to the truth.
The Following Prayer Starter is shared from “Prayers to Start Your Day” by Criswell Freeman, Smith Freeman Publishing.
Good morning ☀️ for the sake of peace I almost skipped this particular prayer starter – but seeing how it feeds so perfectly into our current “Know Love” study I am trusting it is meant to be shared. I am praying for openness as you read and an understanding that this is not meant to bash “the media” – not to focus our attention in the media but rather to remind us where our true focus is to be. I believe that media can be, and is often, used for good. However, there is no denying the truth of the statement that it can distort the truth and draw our mind to focus on the world. In this “2020 culture” may our prayer daily echo this mornings starter: “Lord, help us to focus not on the world’s [message], but on the message of Your Son.”

Question for thought and for reply: Why do you think John would rather have visited them than write to them? To encourage others and help us grow in our faith and understanding please be sure to read and/or share your comments about today’s passage or the above question in the reply bar at the bottom of the page. Let’s spur one another on to love and good deeds.

Today’s Scripture: 2 John 9-13 (S.O.A.P. 2 John 12)
9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not remain in the teaching of Christ does not have God. The one who remains in this teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house and do not give him any greeting, 11 because the person who gives him a greeting shares in his evil deeds.
Conclusion 12 Though I have many other things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink, but I hope to come visit you and speak face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
13 The children of your elect sister greet you.
To encourage others and help us grow in our faith and understanding please be sure to read and/or share your comments about today’s passage in the reply bar at the bottom of the page. Let’s spur one another on to love and good deeds.



Today’s Scripture: 2 John 1:5-8 (S.O.A.P. 2 John 1:6)
Warning Against False Teachers 5 But now I ask you, lady (not as if I were writing a new commandment to you, but the one we have had from the beginning), that we love one another. 6 (Now this is love: that we walk according to His commandments.) This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning; thus you should walk in it. 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, people who do not confess Jesus as Christ coming in the flesh. This person is the deceiver and the antichrist! 8 Watch out, so that you do not lose the things we have worked for, but receive a full reward.
NEW: Prayer Focus for this week – Spend time praying for your church.
Be sure to check back here tomorrow for our weekly video discussion.

To encourage others please be sure to read and/or share your answers in the reply bar at the bottom of the page.
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
According to verse 4, why did John rejoice greatly? Share your answer or a comment on today’s reading in the reply box at the bottom of the page. Or, simply let me know you’re participating in the study so that I can rejoice over you and encourage you along the way.

Today’s Scripture: 2 John 1-4 (S.O.A.P. 4)
Introduction and Thanksgiving 1 From the elder, to an elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth (and not I alone, but also all those who know the truth), 2 because of the truth that resides in us and will be with us forever. 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4 I rejoiced greatly because I have found some of your children living according to the truth just as the Father commanded us.