3 John 5-8

5Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though
they are strangers to you. 6They have told the church about your love. You will
do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7It was for the
sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. 8We
ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together
for the truth.

Meditation
1. Read the passage carefully as if John is writing specifically to me.
2. What opportunity have I had recently to show someone hospitality? Or in
some way help someone who is trying to do good? How did I respond to
that opportunity? What do I notice about the motives and priorities behind
my action (or non-action)?
3. Think about some gifts I can offer to others (such as cooking, listening ear,
words of encouragement.) Write them down and go through the list with
God. Determine which gifts I am glad to share, and which ones I’m hesitant.
Now think of a specific person who would be helped by my hospitality. Ask
God what he would have me offer to this person. Be open to take this small
step toward hospitality, and see how God may change my heart as I do it.

Personal Note:
I am going on a few visits today to encourage some brothers in Christ.  I pray that may my visit encourage them to rejoice in God.

1 John 1:6-10

6If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do
not live by the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have
fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all
sin.  8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If
we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify
us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out
to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

Meditation:
1. Confession: Sharing our deepest weaknesses and failures with God and
trusted others, so that we may enter into God’s grace and mercy and
experience His ready forgiveness and healing.
2. God is light. In order to be in fellowship with God and fellow believers, we
need to enter into God’s light and to live accordingly. Those who had left the
fellowship claim they are without sin, but not the faithful. We must admit
that we do sin and need Jesus to forgive and cleanse us from sin so that we
may continue walking in the light “as he himself is in the light”.
3. Pray: Am I struggling with some sin? What deeper bondage is still not
released? Does my guilt hold me back from Jesus? Talk to him about this.
Now sit silently, listen for Jesus’ response. What is his desire for me?

Personal Note:
At the retreat, through the messages and activities and prayer with brothers and sisters, I am being revealed of the sins and darkness that needs to be released through the light of God.  The main message I received was that I am to dwell in my identity as God's beloved son before getting on with doing ministry, planning, teaching, etc. I pray for all brothers and sisters to have the courage to take up the commitment made at the retreat starting today and throughout the week.