Reflection: Witness: 3 John: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

        1. Are His words of prayer your foundation in all circumstances, or only in difficulties? Why or why not? 

        2. Do you pray for insight on choices and direction as ongoing conversations? Why or why not?

        3. Do you immediately seek insight, whether in silence or conversations, to ask Him for words to pray?

Share: How do you recognize the nudges to pause and pray, especially when unexpected?

Witness: 3 John: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 3rd John :5-6: "Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; and they bear witness to you love before the church; and you will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God." 

Witness

Lord, please forgive us for too often becoming self-centered of 'other centered' when you nudge us.

We ask for insights as to when to speak and when to be silent in conversation, but in both to Your Spirit's Words what to pray.

And to continue to pray when You lead. May Your words be at the foundation and center of all our connections--in thoughts--in quiet--in conversation--in prayer.

Your thoughts,

Sincerity: 3 John: Prayers and Poetry

                Sincerity

                Walking in truth an

                ongoing gift of mercy

                given by our Holy Spirit

                when we listen--really listen.

                Become immersed in truth

                as He leads moment

                by moment within our thoughts

                blessings unto relationships.

                His voice our strength

                as He prays for each of us

                committed to guide and protect as

                His walk a personal love.

Psalm 107:36: "And there He makes the hungry to dwell, So that they may establish an inhabited city."

                

Reflection: Immerse: 3 John: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

        1. In what ways do you recognize the witness to His truth? Which one is clearest to you? 

        2. When has the Spirit's truth immersed you to guide you from a difficult situation?

        3. Who has the Lord placed on your heart to pray for continually? Children? Family? Friends? And...?

Share: "How are you walking in truth? How does the Lord lead you?"

Immerse: 3 John: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 3rd John:3-4: "For I was very glad when brethren came and bore witness to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth."

Immerse

Lord, we can only walk in Your truth by the guidance of Your words and the Holy Spirit. Too often we forget and jump in without confirming with You.

Please keep us listening so that we are completely immersed in Your truth only and as You lead. To pray as You remind us for children, family, friends, strangers and....as You nudge us.

Anyone else You place into our thoughts or relationships.

We are still so far away from being a committed pray-er.

Please keep teaching and leading us to hear Your Spirit's voice--Your truth only. And to anyone else may we be dissolved or will be deaf to.

Your thoughts,

Praying: 3 John: Prayers and Poetry

                Praying

                Silent words

                Prayer words

                Sharing words

                Purpose words

                Sound words

                Powerful words

                Spirit's words our light and foundation.

Psalm 107:35: "He changes a wilderness into a pool of water, And a dry land into springs of water." 

Reflection: Words: 3 John: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

        1. In what ways have fellow believers given love in truth when needed?

        2. How have gifts of prayers from others, when in deep difficulties, carried you through with peace?

        3. When has the Spirit given you words of grace to walk alongside someone in need?

Share: What gift of truth through prayer brought a deeper insight into your praying to become an ongoing walk?

Words: 3 John: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 3rd John:1-2: "The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers."

Words

Thank-you for Your prayers Lord--to give to us and so teach us and to understand this blessing.

To nudge us to pray for others and to feel their prayers for us.

To listen to Your words and pray for others as You lead us.

To give us silent words, compassion words, share words. Spirit words guiding through to us for whatever the situation or the purpose is.

Please keep teaching us to pray only Your truth.

Your thoughts,

Voice: 2 John: Prayers and Poetry

                Voice

                When lies attack

                we have truth and support

                with guidance and prayer so the

                weakening can be silenced.

                Words from His voice will be

                written into our hearts and souls and

                with an honest foundation given

                we chose His strength

                when we trust His words first.

                Our strong obedience to Him alone.

Psalm 107: 34: "A fruitful land into a salt waste, Because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it?

Reflection: Speaking: 2 John: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

        1. Have you faltered into lies because of twisted words? How did you turn away? 

        2. When have you experienced a silent attack of lies? How did you resist or restore?

        3. How do you now first listen for His voice and words to be your foundation?

Share: What warnings can you give to another when you see them being lied to?

Speaking: 2 John: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 2nd John:11-13: "for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds. Having many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that your joy may be made full. The children of your chosen sister greet you." 

Speaking

Too often we still falter as to when to say yes or no--even when we pray.

Perhaps we are not aware of a silent attack, or our mind is weak to grasp the ideas. And so we turn from Your voice.

Please teach us how to hear only Your voice and words: spoken or written. To be our only foundation so that we participate only as You lead.

We ask to become strong in obedience to You alone.

Your thoughts,

Cornerstone: 2 John: Prayers and Poetry

                Cornerstone 

                His teaching

                our foundation

                to protect from

                false copycats

                seeking to feed lies.

                But cannot enter into

                our hearts and thoughts

                when we daily hold

                to His Spirit's words

                to listen and walk.

                Into blessed relationships

                abiding truth always.

Psalm 107:33: "He changes rivers into a wilderness, And springs of water into a thirsty ground."

Reflection: Foundation: 2 John: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

        1. Do you consider yourself abiding daily in Christ's teaching? Why or why not? 

        2. What teaching foundation from God keeps you listening to His words and walking in relationship with Him?

        3. How do you hold fast to His foundation and words and truth in ALL circumstances to recognize false teachings from others?

Share: "Let me speak a word of peace that Jesus brings in me." How would you share this with another person seeking His truth?