Hi Newport Church Family,
We pray that you are in good health and that you are prospering in all things, just as your soul prospers.
The Path that Leads to Real Success
In his third letter, the Apostle John writes to Gaius, who was an otherwise unknown member of a local church, commending him for his hospitality and generosity.
John opens his letter with these words:
“The Elder,
To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
John’s greeting and prayer highlight the powerful truth that when our soul is prospering, we prosper!
The Greek word that John uses for “prosper” is euodóō, and is derived from two words; eú, meaning "well or good" and hodós, meaning “a way, road, journey or path.”
The literal meaning of the word is: to go on a prosperous journey; (figuratively) to be on the right (profitable) path, i.e. leading to real success (good fortune) where someone truly "prospers, is prospered"
What John is saying is, that when our soul is prospering, it sets us on a path and journey that leads to true prosperity in every area of our lives.
Our soul is the key to setting us on that path and journey of prosperity.
This is why God’s word has so much to say about guarding our hearts, about setting our minds on those things that are above and about focusing on those things that will cause God’s presence and peace to fill our soul.
Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. Philippians 4:8 Amp
When we guard our heart and mind and fill them with God’s word, our soul will prosper and we will journey on a road of blessing and true prosperity.
This truth is expressed in Psalm 84:5:
“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.”
Let’s never forget that it’s what’s happening in us rather than around us that is most important. As our soul prospers and we set our hearts on God we are on the path to true health and prosperity.
We will prosper even as our soul prospers!
Hospitality and Generosity make our Faith Visible
In his letter John not only commends Gaius for his hospitality and generosity, but he also encourages him to continue to support the work of the Lord.
Dear friend, when you extend hospitality to Christian brothers and sisters, even when they are strangers, you make the faith visible. They’ve made a full report back to the church here, a message about your love. It’s good work you’re doing, helping these travelers on their way, hospitality worthy of God himself! They set out under the banner of the Name, and get no help from unbelievers. So they deserve any support we can give them. In providing meals and a bed, we become their companions in spreading the Truth. 3 John 5-8 Message
John reminds and encourages us that our hospitality and generosity is not only a “good work”, but that through it we “become companions in spreading the truth.”
We have the privilege of partnering with God in building His church and His Kingdom.
John wrote that hospitality and generosity “make the faith visible.”
Thank you for making our faith visible through your hospitality and generosity, without it we would not be able to be a visible hub of hope and faith to our community and beyond.
If you would like to partner with us in making our faith visible through your giving you can do so now by clicking here.
May our hospitality and generosity be keys to a healthy flourishing soul and a healthy thriving church, where our faith is visible for all to see!
Kingdom Builders and Vision Partners Breakfast Next Saturday May 1st at 9am
We are very excited to be holding our first Kingdom Builders and Vision Partners breakfast for 2021 next Saturday May 1st.
Our Kingdom Builders and Vision Partners are people who understand the power of generosity and have a desire to lead the way in resourcing the church through their giving.
We meet for breakfast several times a year to encourage, inspire and connect with people who are passionate about building the church.
If you would like to find out how you can partner with us in resourcing the church through your giving and generosity we would love to have you join us for breakfast next Saturday.
May is a month when we focus on Miracles and what a great way to start the month, believing for financial miracles!
You can find out more information by clicking here or by coming to our connect desk at church this Sunday.
If you would like to attend please RSVP by emailing our Generosity Pastors Michael and Polly Ellmann, at michael.ellmann@newportchurch.com
The one who sows from a generous spirit will reap an abundant harvest. Let giving flow from your heart, not from a sense of religious duty. Let it spring up freely from the joy of giving.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 TPT
We Look Forward to Seeing you Tomorrow!
We are believing for a great day in church tomorrow and a powerful sense of God’s presence in our time of Worship and the Word.
We very much look forward to seeing you in person or on YouTube if you are watching online!
Never forget that our presence makes all the difference!
We love and appreciate you all greatly
With love and blessings,
Jonathan and Dianne Wilson
Senior Pastors