"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.'