Walking in truth
Day 694, Monday, July 6
3 John (all)
You’ve probably never heard 3 John referred to in a sermon. It’s the shortest book in the Bible by word count and doesn’t have any unique theological teachings. It also has the odd distinction of being the only book in the New Testament that does not include the names “Jesus” or “Christ.” (Though “the Name” in verse 7 clearly refers to Jesus).
It is a personal letter to a Christian leader named Gaius. It thanks him for his hospitality toward traveling Christian preachers and encourages him to continue in it. It also warns against dissension being caused by a man named Diotrephes.
It seems that Gaius came into the Christian faith through John’s discipling. “It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Monday meditation

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.
Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool.
When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.

Prayer focus
Make us fruitful in spreading your word, and grant us the blessing of seeing that word be further spread to others.