(3 John 1:9-10 NASB) - Another Diotrephes

(3 John 1:9-10 NASB) "I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church."

I used to seek out compliments as a child..............mainly because I sometimes felt inadequate, and those compliments helped me feel a sense of self worth. For awhile, the kind words and praise did as it was intended. I felt good about myself............I felt that I mattered.

But too often back then I never knew when I was losing focus..........I began to dwell more in the ideal realm........where others claimed they saw me to be than in the real realm............where I actually was. There are even times when I would go out of my way to try to sustain that image of the "ideal" me. And it was at that point that my focus became blurred by ego and self-satisfaction.

When I came to the Lord, I'd like to say all of that ended, but it didn't. The enemy just used a different set of circumstances, but the result was always the same............I began to believe that I was better than I actually was. I began to believe that what was done was the result of *my* efforts...............the Lord had nothing to do with it.

That's a dangerous place for me to be.................taking my sight off the Lord. He is the One who makes it all possible for me. What is good that is in me or comes from me is not from me at all but through the efforts of a loving God who has used this plain earthen vessel of flesh for something good.

I'm always leery of praise for me.............not because I feel that it is being delivered insincerely by the other person, but because I know what the worldly side of me will do with it when it gets any opportunity.

Jesus Christ is the sole proprietor of any good that someone sees in me. I claim nothing of it because it is from Him that I know it comes. Any praise is praise given to Him. I just don't have the capacity to handle praise in the right way. He does. I don't want to become another Diotrephes............to be so full of himself that he has no more room for God.

Love in Jesus,

Jim

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"But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired." (1 Corinthians 12:18 NASB)

"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, Copyright 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission."

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This devotional was originally posted on CCI-Devo - Daily Group Devotionals on September 16, 2004 in post #649. It was written by Jim Ross, a former United Pentecostal Church member, who attends Christian Challenge International, the sponsor of the devotional group. The devotional is the copyright of Jim Ross and is reprinted on this site by permission.

Page added July 30, 2005

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