Purpose! Newsletter - August 2026

PJ Flores
Aug 5
5 min read

Third John – One Chapter

Though a short letter it has much to say about Truth. As they say in the courthouse, The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

Truth is mentioned six times in five verses by John in this epistle. And then there is the word true, used one time. Me thinks God and John were trying to get a point across. Don’t be a liar, don’t be fake, and don’t be a phony.

Let us consider the passages of scripture and elucidate on them briefly.

1. Verse 1: John doesn’t wait too long to introduce the subject matter.

¹The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

In his later years John became the apostle of love. In his first epistle he refers to love 33 times in 23 verses. Here he teaches by example that love must be a truth love.

Man to man love today is missing much mostly because of the degenerating society that equates man to man love only in illegitimate relationships. But the true Christlike love among male saints is a strong bond that makes for a mighty weapon against those who would emasculate and weaken true manhood.

Men, don’t be ashamed to tell a brother in Christ you love him. I remember being part of a church with an Italian Pastor who practiced the hug, kiss, and I love you greeting with his male parishioners. No man ever left that church feeling alone or unloved. The true love of Christ was manifested in truth. As a matter of fact, even presently, I am in fellowship with a Spanish Pastor who practices the same. Every time I see him I am assured of a strong Christian kinship and know that I have a true friend in the man of God. Like Mr. Rogers used to say, It’s a good feeling, such a good feeling….. So let us love in the truth. No feigned affection, no obligatory or artificial expressions, but love in the truth. The truth of the Christian faith. Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

1 Thess. 5:26 (Rom. 16:16, 1 Cor. 16:20, 2 Cor. 13:12!)

2. Verse 3,4. ³For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

⁴I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

John loved in the truth, Gaius walked in the truth. How refreshing it is to a Pastor to get a report concerning someone they haven’t seen for a while, and the report is, The truth is in him, and he is still in the truth. Today many are departing from, turning from, even rejecting the truth they once walked in. I recall a man who had gotten saved and his biggest challenge was to quit smoking a cigar. He was a Cuban man and he loved his cigars. He did quit though, and I knew him to be faithful for many years. I moved and didn’t see him for a long time. Then at a funeral of one of his relatives I saw him again and was very happy to see him. We talked and discussed the great Christian this relative had been. He said yes, I couldn’t do it so I finally quit. When I questioned him he reached inside his suit coat and pulled out a cigar. I like my cigars too much, he said, so I just quit the whole church thing. I did not rejoice greatly to hear he had made such a foolish decision. He would not be convinced otherwise.

My friend, let the truth be in you and stay in the truth. Do not be swayed by the false teachers to accept some other walk outside of Jesus. Do not be persuaded by the enemy of your soul to reject the truth you have known for so long. May it be that others will testify of your continued walk in the truth. Amen.

To be continued next month.

Last month we celebrated Emily’s birthday! One of the presents she received was to visit the Florida Aquarium in Tampa, FL. The goal of the day was to see the very famous axolotls. We saw them and so much more. It was a Happy Birthday for Emily!

The axolotl is a species of mole salamander. While wild axolotls have been driven to near extinction, there currently exists a large captive population of axolotls, with specimens used extensively in scientific research because of their unusual ability to regenerate body parts, including limbs, gills and parts of their eyes and brains.

The species is also used as a model organism. As aquarium technology has developed, axolotls have become a common exhibit in zoos and public aquariums, as well as an occasional pet in home aquariums. The axolotl is a popular subject in contemporary culture, inspiring a number of works and characters in the media. It is truly one of God’s amazing little creatures.

And now a word from Pastor Shirley…

A recent letter from one of the ministries we support.

It is the Reaching the Unreached Ministries located in Tenali, India. (Excerpts)

Dear Brother Apostle P.J. Flores and Pastor Shirley Flores,

Greetings to you in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your generous gift toward the ministry.

Thank you for continuing to remember us and stand with us. Your love and faithfulness

have always been a great encouragement to our team, and we thank God for your lives.

As you know, you have faithfully supported this ministry for many years.

We are grateful to share that the ministry continues. Our children are attending school regularly, the widows are doing well, and our pastors are faithfully serving in their communities, sharing the love of Christ and caring for those in need. Financially, however, we are still facing significant challenges. We continue praying for the Lord to provide a sustainable way forward.

Because of your recent gift, we were able to purchase books, stationery, and uniforms for the children. They were so happy, and they asked us to convey their heartfelt greetings and sincere thanks to both of you. Your generosity has been a blessing to them in very practical ways.

Thank you again for your faithful love, your prayers, and your investment in the Kingdom. We pray that the Lord richly blesses you, strengthens you, and continues to use you to impact many lives for His glory.

With much love and gratitude,

Pastor Baburao.