Pray the words of this Lazaroo aloud, with a welcoming heart:

“Diotrophes, who loves to be first…refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.”
(3 John 1:9-10)

This guy sounds like a control freak, Jesus.

He doesn’t want new people coming into his church, because he’s afraid some of them might earn a little of the spotlight.

For Diotrophes, it’s not about winning people to You.
It’s about making sure everyone remains focused on him.

When I see that kind of behavior in others, it’s obvious – and detestable.

But do I have anything like that going on in me?

When someone new comes along and I’m slow to welcome them…

is it because I have good reason not to trust them?
or is it because I’m afraid their presence
might negatively affect my status?

O God!

May I never be the reason someone new
doesn’t find You.

_________
Matthew 18:10-20; Romans 12:10; Romans 14:1-4; Romans 14:9-13; Romans 15:7; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 1 Corinthians 9:22; 1 Corinthians 16:10-11; 2 Corinthians 6:3

What is Lazaroo?

Take Me Deeper

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.