SOAP Devotional 2014-07-08

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SOAP Devotional 2014-07-08

Scripture – Observation – Application – Prayer

Scripture:

Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God. For they are traveling for the Lord, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers. So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth. (3 John 1:5-8 NLT)

Observation:

John thanks the churches for taking good care of the traveling missionaries as they came through even though they were strangers to them. He asks them to continue to do so in a manner that pleases God because these teachers do not accept support from those they are trying to reach. So we, as believers, are the ones who should support and partner with them as they do their work.

Application:

The entire one chapter book of 3rd John deals with this one subject. He praises those who support these missionaries and encourages them to continue. Plus he goes on to rebuke the man who does not help and tries to get others to follow his example. I taught on this back when I was a pastor. We, as believers, must be the ones that support our missionaries on the field. They have no sure source of income to take care of their expense or their families without our support. They do not do what they do for the money. As a missionary, I can tell you that they sacrifice financial stability to follow God’s will for their lives. God decided to dedicate one book of the bible just to instruct us to do this. It was that important to Him.

Prayer:

Father, although is rely on you to move on the hearts of others to keep me doing what you sent me to do, help me to be diligent in my support of other missionaries. Their work is important to you and your kingdom. Keep me aware that you are the one who sent them and it is my obligation to partner with them.

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