"Keep yourselves in God's love"

"Dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life" (Jude 17-21)

I am amazed at the lack of critical thought displayed today. Folks just seem to believe just about anything. In a day when anything goes folks go where they are lead...

"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit." (Romans 8:5)

The battle lines are drawn. A thin line that seperates good from evil. A line that some straddle. A line that signifys our alignment. An alignment of heart and spirit, faith and hope, and loving trust in our Savior.

We are not justified by the church we attend. We are not justified by the faithfulness of our Bible reading, prayer, or attendance. We are justified by a mighty God who made himself frail and broken and crushed on our behalf.

It is not about us. We are not the significant character in this story. The sacrificial love of our Heavenly Father is the story. A story of his love, his mercy and his grace.

'Father, keep us in your love and grace until the return of your son, Jesus Christ. Give us ears to hear what your Spirit is saying today. Open our eyes to the wonders of your love and mercy and through your grace change us today. We look to you with hope and place our trust ever in you.'

Distractions & God's Word

Hear then the parable of the sower.

"When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.

"The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away.

"And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

"And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty."

Matthew 13:18-23

Many are the distractions from God’s Word. Our lives become crazy busy with things to do and things undone. All around us it seems as if the world has gone a little crazy also and this only adds to our daily stress.

Yet, Christ encourages us in this passage to hear his Word, wrap our hearts around it and safeguard it. We are warned that “the worry of this world” and the “deceitfulness of wealth” choke the word”. This seems to apply to just about everyone. We worry about this world and high gasoline prices or a flimsily economy. We worry about our health or a loved ones health. We worry about paying the bills or losing our investments. We worry and our faith becomes “unfruitful”.

What’s the cure? Redevelop a love for God’s Word. Make his Word apart of your everyday life. Listen to tapes in the car. Read a devotional. Read a chapter or two during a lunch break. Or wake up a little early for some quiet time just between you and the Lord. Like exercise, it accumulates and gets easier and soon becomes addictive. Become additive to God’s Word and gain greater peace, calmness, wisdom, and strengthened hope and faith in Him.

‘Lord Jesus, help us and protect us from the deceitfulness of this world. We are your children and as children we need your guidance every day of our lives. Renew in our hearts a first-love for your Word and prayer time with you. Surround us with fellowship and help us grow in you. While we learn from you show us those in this world you want us to speak to and encourage and may your Spirit draw us and them ever closer to you.’