Jude 1-25
We started off the week with me asking you to read all 25 verses of Jude in one sitting. Well, guess what? That's how we're ending the week as well. So would you, one more time, read Jude from start to finish? Now if you're thinking this sounds a bit redundant, then ask God to show you something you haven't yet noticed as you read. Now I love to do this because God always answers. Plus it's a good reminder for me that there is just so much of God's Word that I have yet to discover and ponder and put into practice.
So what did you take away from Jude today? What are you going to do with it? Tami W.
Tami, this isn't redundant at all. Reading a whole letter, taking time to look at the verses, and then going back out again to the whole letter is an amazing way to understand what God is communicating. It helps protect us from errors of interpretration and if we are open to God it will uplift our hearts. It's a wonderful idea.
What did I take away from Jude today?
Well, I'd say the thing that resounds in my own heart is that God is the Great "Keeper." Verse 1, 21, 24 highlight ways that God has offered to keep me close in relationship with Him. I find this incredibly refreshing and encouraging because he is "able" (vs 24) to the task. He is protecting me and watching over my soul and my life.
So much in this life seems to have the power to erode my oneness with God but truthfully nothing can. Jude talks a lot about the dangers in the world throughout his little letter. All these dangers are real for my life as well and being prepared for them and helping others encounter them is a real need.
This is why it is important for me to "contend for the faith" (vs 3). If God is "keeping" me, then what I am to do with this truth and reality is share it with others and contend for the faith. I am to actively pursue a life that lives on the basis of the "holy faith" Jude is contending for and encourage others to do the same.
This is not only a way to thank God for his "keeping" but to participate in his "keeping" of others. It is how we can be the hands of feet of Jesus for others.
The way that I live this out is in my calling. I am called to minister to young people (children and youth) and there are several ways that I can practically "contend for the faith" in what I do. The central area that I can help the most is in the area of genuine doubts and providing resources that help answer those doubts.
Jude has been an amazing letter to read over this past week. What a journey.
We only need to know God as a child and He will provide Grace for understanding. Jesus completed it I can do nothing. His Love will bring me to eternal life. Like the thief on the cross I sometimes feel everyday is my last chance. I just want to know others I love and even those I don't know are there. God help me be bold and loving.
Where ever we turn in the Bible the instructions are to serve and believe in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who died for oue sins. So Jude just reinforces that we must serve God in Spirit and in Truth not looking to the cares of the Word but keeping our hearts and minds on our Saviour, walking in the path He has made especially for each one of us. Thank You Lord Jesus for Your love, Your grace, Your mercy, Your compassion and Your forgiveness. We know we have not done anything to earn them. We praise Your Holy name. Thank You.
These are some things that were on my mind yesterday, and I see the same thoughts in verses 17-23.
We are servants of our Lord Jesus Christ, here to serve Him, not ourselves. This means to put others needs first! (I am continually finding myself in a self-serving mental-state). We need to share the truth with the lost. Spread the gospel. Shine the Light. And also what I'm taking away from this passage is that the believers we know in our lives, are where they are at in their lives. The are not complete in the Lord, they are still going through difficulties and trials and temptations and life in general. And so am I. I think I often expect other believers to be 'all-together' in their walk with the Lord. Like, my instant thought is wow, how could they do that? Or, that is such a compromise, they shouldn't be doing that or whatever. But what I need to do is just encourage people upward and onward toward Christ. We are all living out our faith. We are on a victory march!! Hallelujah.
Jude is a short book but, packed with insight and information relevant to us! I especially liked the ending where he admonishes us to "keep ourselves in the love of God". It's an encouraging and challenging book! God will "keep" His children, but we also have the responsibility to "keep ourselves in His love".
Keep going and growing in faith, and bring as many along as you can. Be wary, too. Be assured - God has the victory already. That is what I take from Jude.
I've read this book several times, but this morning I saw a few words there that I can't remember seeing before.. maybe I just didn't pay attention to it.... its verse 22 (NIV)Be merciful to those who doubt. Of course the doubters may vary, but for me, I take that to mean where ever a person is in his faith/walk.. sometimes we tend to believe that everyone should have the same the same understanding as we do, and at the same time. I'm guilty of this as well. If they are unbelievers, then we really need to contend even more, snatching them out of the fire; and if they are believers who are still unsure of this man called Jesus, perhaps because they've been scarred by things done to them in the past, we should show mercy, mixed with fear.
This really spoke to me because I have co-workers who seem to be travelling on the wide path, but I need should not judge them. rather, I should come alongside them with mercy and compassion, in order to bring them closer to Christ.