(2Jn 1:1) “The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;”  I believe “elect lady” is an euphemism for a church. It is absolute reality that when a person is a child of God they love the brethren, rather in their own church or other churches. It is a wonderful thing, that a saved person can go into a Bible teaching saved membership church and immediately find brothers and sisters to love.

(3Jn 1:3) “For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.”  There is nothing that blesses the soul more, than to hear of a brother or sister who lives the Christian life they profess to possess! Live for the glory of God! Give Him public praise for all things!

(Jude 1:3) “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Notice it is referred to as “common”. The doesn’t mean “common” as in everybody possesses it, but “common” as in “the same way”. Salvation is only through the blood of Jesus, repentance in faith, and the gift of everlasting bestowed that changed the person’s nature. It is not our place to add something in requirement; nor is it our place to take anything away from that which God requires.

(Rev 1:3) “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”  The reality is that this truth applies to the reading of all the Word of God. We are blessed when we do three things: read it; hear it; and keep it. It is not enough to read it; you will just gain knowledge. It is not enough to both read and hear it – really hear it. You will now be held responsible by the Lord for you what you know. You MUST keep it; do it; obey it.

(Mal 1:1) “The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.”  Take away the prepositions and the sentence is “The burden”. “Of the Lord” tells me it is a burden the Lord is bearing. If you continue to read this book, you will find that Israel’s attitude of sin is the burden the Lord was bearing. It makes me wonder to what degree my own mental state and attitude burden my precious, holy, Lord.

(Zec 1:3) “Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.” This is speaking of repentance, which means a turning away from sin (it offends Him) with the desire of heart to do what is right: (Zec 1:4) “Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings…” One cannot come to Christ and be saved without this heart action of repentance. Have you come this way?

Oh the blessed peace of heart one receives from spending time talking with God the Father!

(Nah 1:2) “God is jealous,……”  How is jealousy not sin? There are things that belong only to God – no one or no thing else. That thing is worship – devotion. To give that which belongs to someone else IS sin! Example: my wife is mine. I am hers. IF I should give my affection to another, she would have every right to be jealous. Such jealousy would not be sin on her part. Give God that which He deserves. Put Him first in everything. That is the word, “Lord” – boss over me. I am His. I belong to Him!

(Micah 3:11) “The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.”  What has happened? They have bought into their own lie and have made the Lord a product of their imagination (He will bless me anyway), rather than the God that has said, (Deu 7:12) “Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers: (13)  And he will love thee, and bless thee” Friend, it still works like that today. Obey God’s Word, and you will be blessed. Live in disobedience – then don’t expect it.

(Jonah 1:1) “Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai,…” Jonah’s dad’s name means “veracious” – to speak the truth. That’s all the Lord wanted from Jonah: “Be the son of your father and speak My truth”. Jonah didn’t want to. He didn’t like the folks he was being sent unto. Did you know the Lord can give you a heart to love the folks you now dislike? And guess what? He only desires for you to speak His truth.