When was the last time you received a personal note from a friend or family member you haven't heard from in a while? Typically, it is around Christmas when cards, letters, and family photos are sent and news is shared. Communication in the first century was even more sporadic, but we have a few such personal letters that have been preserved for us. This weekend we will take a look at the two shortest books in the Bible and receive insight from the apostle John on his pastoral relationship with those around him as well as with us today.

To receive 250-word devotions on 2 & 3 John this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

“If there is one thing you remember of me . . .” John is closing out his letter to his family. He could have gotten maudlin and reminisced about the glory days or memories he's had with them, but he closes out his letter pointing them to Jesus. His whole ministry among them was to point them to Jesus, and he closes this letter with things we know and with his ultimate purpose in ministry and writing.

To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 5:16-21 this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

The apostle John reiterates and reinforces a message we know: God hears and answers our requests. The almighty God of the universe who created all things with his spoken word gives you eternal life and hears and answers your prayers, even when it seems as though he isn't listening or answering.

To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 5:13-15 this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

Over the next few weeks, we'll conclude our study of John's epistles. Ever since January, John has taught us how to live in fellowship with God and with his people: obeying, knowing, remaining, testing, loving, testifying and overcoming. Ever-consistent, John will use the conclusion of his letter to bring us back to those familiar doctrines to teach us how to live in this fellowship. Today: the sweet reasonableness of his promises in Christ. We’re glad you’re here to enjoy them.

To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 5:6-13 this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.

Your mission is . . .How would you complete that sentence? It sounds lofty and hard to think about when you're consumed by just doing what needs to be done. But it's worth thinking about. Jesus not only gives us all we need for our daily lives to do what needs to be done, but he lifts our eyes to see something beyond, something bigger, like our mission. Last week, Jesus' good friend John began to teach us about God's love for us and our love for each other. Today, he continues with the same themes in 1 John 4:17 – 5:5 to help us answer to the question, "What's my mission?"

To receive 250-word devotions on 1 John 4:17-5:5 this week, Monday – Friday, go to st-andrew-online.org/devotions.