Eternal Family

Eternal Family

Jude 1: ¹ From Jude, servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James—

To those who have been called by God, who live in the love of God the Father and the protection of Jesus Christ:

 

² May mercy, peace, and love be yours in full measure.

 

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Seeing the family as chess pieces, I wondered where I fit. I was the youngest and my siblings had moved on by the time I had questions about life. Was I on the side “for” or “against” the family? Was I a pawn or a rook? Please excuse the chess terms.

 

• I wondered where I fit in the family?
• I wondered if I was part of something or if I needed to fight what was established.
• I wondered if other families had it “better” than mine.

 

Jude, brother of JESUS, begins his letter in a somewhat awkward way. He recognized James as his brother and that he was a servant of JESUS. He did not mention his other two brothers, Joses and Simon. James wrote an epistle and so did Jude. Both recognized JESUS as the Savior and saw a different perspective of family.

 

My Observations:

• Families can be messy, BUT GOD welcomes all into HIS loving family.
• Families can have rivalries, fights and divisions, BUT GOD’s family includes love, peace and harmony.
• Families can have hurt, pain and poor affirmation management, BUT GOD showed HIS love to the extreme by allowing JESUS to die for us and being raised from the dead.

 

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends, and that’s what JESUS did for you and me. HE became the solution to the biggest problem, namely all humans were lost. HE wanted us back in HIS family so HE did something about the problem. HE became a human and took all the blame humans can dish out.

 

HE then allowed HIMSELF to be murdered and was raised from the dead. HE now invites anyone to believe HE did all of this out of love. Unfortunately, many twist HIS actions and fall prey to the Enemy who wants people to remain blind to true love. I gladly accept HIS love and HIS invitation to join an eternal family.

 

Challenge

• Who does the writer address the letter to?
• Have you ever questioned where you fit within your own family?
• Will you join GOD’s eternal family that is filled with love and appreciation for you just as you are today?

Stayed With

Stayed With

1John 2: ¹⁸ My children, the end is near! You were told that the Enemy of Christ would come; and now many enemies of Christ have already appeared, and so we know that the end is near. ¹⁹ These people really did not belong to our fellowship, and that is why they left us; if they had belonged to our fellowship, they would have stayed with us. But they left so that it might be clear that none of them really belonged to us.

 

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Frustrated at the world around me, I wanted “everything” to change. I decided to explore the things I was told I should not do. When the world did not explode, I tried more and more. Soon, I stopped going to church and labeled “them” as hypocrites.

 

• I could easily leave church without being missed.
• I was gathering in a church for my own reason.
• I wanted to be part of a group, but wanted to have “fun” so  I went to another group.

 

John reminds everyone about the teachings about the Enemy of CHRIST. He then stated that many enemies of CHRIST have appeared. This set of enemies pretended to love JESUS by saying HIS name, yet when persecution arose, the fake people left.

 

My Observations:

• GOD knows that people who follow JESUS will be persecuted by those who do not believe.
• Staying with GOD means I will do it through easy times and difficult times.
• Facing difficulties with servants of GOD means I “belong” to HIM.

 

Saying “The end is near” to people who do not believe in CHRIST, sounds ridiculous. I mean, weren’t these words written thousands of years ago? Yes! The return of CHRIST has remained imminent since HIS resurrection. GOD took the focus off of the date of the return by not providing it.

 

HE wants us to “remain” in HIM and “abide” in HIS ways. Staying with GOD means I will not try to leave HIM when difficulties or persecution arise. It also means I will not leave other people who serve the LORD and are going through tough times too. I am glad GOD never leaves us.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer mentions “the end is near?”
• When times are difficult, do you want to leave GOD to find some relief somewhere else?
• Will you stay with GOD and remain focused on HIS love, even when times are difficult?

As For Us

As For Us

Hebrews 12: As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us. So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us. ² Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now seated at the right side of God's throne.

 

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Joining a gym, I wanted to gain some muscle. I struggled by myself as I guessed at what I should do. After a while, someone at the gym asked me if I would like to join them in their routine. They started me off with embarrassingly light weight and gradually added heavier weight. When I came in with a candy bar, they said “We don’t eat those anymore.” They suggested food that would help me build muscle.

 

• I was part of a group.
• I chose to cut out some things that were not “good” for me.
• I saw results when I stuck with their suggestions.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, pauses to give a word of motivation. He had just provided a list of examples where faith was shown in different forms. He then turned to the present to provide actions associated with faith.

 

My Observations:

• Faith in what JESUS did, helps me to turn away from things that HE died for.
• Understanding that some things may not be good for me, makes me seek what is pleasing to the LORD.
• Fortitude is given to me when I mimic the determination JESUS had for dying just for me.

 

“As for us” is a statement of being in a new family. I mean, my old family included “friends” who had me doing things that were not good for them or me. In fact, when I nervously joined in, I noticed the “fun” did not solve any problem I was going through, rather it magnified them. I needed a real solution.

 

GOD answered my prayer and provided me with a path to see life clearer. HE guided me away from certain things and gave me something more important to focus on, namely JESUS. I am glad GOD cares enough to guide me back to HIM.

 

Challenge

• Who is the “us” the writer mentions?
• Have you ever been part of a group that had your best interest in mind?
• Will you accept being part of GOD’s family and examine your life to see if there are things you say or do that could hold you back from experiencing a great relationship with JESUS today?

Decision Making

Decision Making

2 Corinthians 6: ¹⁴ Do not try to work together as equals with unbelievers, for it cannot be done. How can right and wrong be partners? How can light and darkness live together? ¹⁵ How can Christ and the Devil agree? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ How can God's temple come to terms with pagan idols? For we are the temple of the living God! As God himself has said,

 

“I will make my home with my people
    and live among them;
I will be their God,
    and they shall be my people.”
¹⁷ And so the Lord says,
“You must leave them
    and separate yourselves from them.
Have nothing to do with what is unclean,
    and I will accept you.
¹⁸ I will be your father,
    and you shall be my sons and daughters,
    says the Lord Almighty.”

 

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Seeking advice from my colleagues seemed to be the right thing to do. When I asked them questions about how to live life, they had some great answers, or so I thought. Once, they suggested I sneak away from work to get drunk. Other times they would say, “just lie” or “borrow it from the store.” “Okay” was my reply. But something had to change.

 

• I was headed down a dark path.
• I was tired of trying to follow rules that did not seem to get me “ahead” in life.
• I stepped away from following GOD so I could do what “I” wanted to do.

 

Paul says something quite harsh. He warns the believers of JESUS not to be influenced by those who do not seek HIM as their Savior. He is not saying believers are perfect, rather their decision making goes through a different filter.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to make decisions with the best information I have, namely HIS word.
• GOD wants me to test my decisions by asking believers for prayer, guidance and inspiration.
• GOD wants me to believe in JESUS and live for HIM so I can make decisions based on a life that inspires others to do the same.

 

Political thieves and power hungry people have sought to steal the precious name of JESUS. I mean, there are many complaints of the use of the word “Christian” because it is coupled with intolerance, impatience, ignorance and insulting behavior. Yes, I have done all the above. BUT GOD still wants me to speak on HIS behalf by learning about HIS love and aligning the message to HIM.

 

HE uses imperfect people to speak about JESUS, who was and is perfection. We cannot separate ourselves out of the world. Huddling around a bunch of people who look and act the same seems dangerous. GOD wants me to be in the world but not influenced by it. HE provides others who seek HIS face to encourage me and guide me. I am glad HE has many who follow HIM in all walks of life.

 

Challenge

• What do you notice about the urgency of the writers words?
• What suggestions do you have for someone who is trying to make decisions?
• Will you seek a group of imperfect people who believe in JESUS as their Savior, to help you in your decision making or to help others live for HIM today? 

Serve the Overlooked Well

 

Serve the Overlooked Well

Romans 11: ¹³ I am speaking now to you Gentiles: As long as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I will take pride in my work. ¹⁴ Perhaps I can make the people of my own race jealous, and so be able to save some of them. ¹⁵ For when they were rejected, all other people were changed from God's enemies into his friends. What will it be, then, when they are accepted? It will be life for the dead!

 

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When I got the promotion, I thought I would be given a team. “Make your own team” was the strange directive given to me and no one else. I met with people who were overlooked in the company and formed a team of volunteers. They worked out so well that the team got noticed and those in “power” asked how we did it.

 

• There were times when rejection seemed like a problem to me.
• There were times when being overlooked felt degrading to me.
• There were times when unfairness was the norm towards me.

 

Paul spoke about the Jewish leaders who rejected JESUS as the Messiah. He became a preacher to the Gentiles because of their rejection. He wanted to serve the Gentiles, who had been overlooked by his race, well. He still hoped his race would be saved.

 

• GOD wants me to take pride in my work as I serve the group HE sends me to.
• GOD wants me to pay attention to the overlooked.
• GOD wants me to see those who have been rejected as HIS friends.

 

Speaking about JESUS has to be done. It cannot be bottled up inside once a person sees what JESUS did. Unfortunately, there will be those who too stuck on the pleasures of life to hear about the abundance GOD speaks about.

 

So GOD sends me to those who can hear about JESUS. HE does not have time to waste, so HE takes me and those ready to speak about JESUS, to HIS harvest. I am grateful GOD is no longer my enemy but calls me a friend.

 

• Are you overlooking people?
• Are you seeking the pleasures of the world without speaking about the greatness of JESUS?
• Will you take the responsibility of speaking about JESUS seriously and take the message to those GOD sends you to today?

New Life Start

New Life Start

Acts 9: ²⁰ Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

²¹ Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”

²² But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

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Wanting to start over, I stopped doing the things that made me popular. I gave up a bunch of sins and started learning about GOD. With this being fresh and new, some friends invited me to participate in the old habits. “Should I try to convert them?”  I thought. I didn’t know what to say. I was scared.

• When I started over I was not bold with the words of CHRIST.
• When I started over I wanted to learn first before I spoke to anyone about JESUS.
• When I started over I felt compelled to tell others but felt too embarrassed at my old actions.

Saul was healed of blindness and filled with the HOLY SPIRIT. He was so excited about what happened, that everything he learned about the prophecies made sense. He replaced the word GOD with JESUS and could speak with fervor. But there were many who were confused by the sudden change.

• GOD understands when I immediately follow HIM.
• GOD loves when I obey HIM immediately.
• GOD enjoys my immediate belief, trust and faith in HIM.

Starting a new life in GOD can be difficult. I mean, the old friends and colleagues remember what was done last week, or maybe even last night. Family members may question “Why the sudden change?”

BUT GOD loves it. HE gives strength to those who put their hope in HIM. No shame or embarrassment comes from GOD. HE delights when I say “L love YOU LORD.” I am grateful for HIS acceptance.

• Are you new to believing in GOD?
• Are your old friends trying to keep you doing things that you know is wrong and harmful?
• Will you let go of the old ways and allow GOD to direct you to where HE wants you to go, giving your life an everlasting purpose?

Leaving Home

Luke 18: ²¹ ‘All these I have kept since I was a boy,’ he said.

²² When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’

²³ When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. ²⁴ Jesus looked at him and said, ‘How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’

²⁶ Those who heard this asked, ‘Who then can be saved?’

²⁷ Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with man is possible with God.’

²⁸ Peter said to him, ‘We have left all we had to follow you!’

²⁹ ‘Truly I tell you,’ Jesus said to them, ‘no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God ³⁰ will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.’

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Arriving on campus gave me no clues that I would not be returning home. I could now stay out as long as I wanted and do what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it. I was free! The first night I began my party life and became “known” on campus.

• I remember living life with no purpose.
• I recall fulfilling the few lusts that I had.
• I reminisce on my life when I was simply wandering and living only for me.

JESUS saw the rich man’s heart and says to him “sell everything” for HE knew the rich man had a lust for money. Those around HIM heard this and may have known they too had this same lust, only they were poor. “Who then can be saved?” they asked.

• GOD says to me “It is impossible to save yourself, BUT what is impossible with man is possible with GOD.”
• GOD says to me “Leave your life and accept MY life that has purpose.”
• GOD says to me “Do not worry about what you will eat or the clothes you will wear, for I will take care of you.”

After yet another party I still felt empty. I wondered if there was more to life. GOD guided me to be by myself with HIM and I slowly let go of my friends and family to begin following HIM. Later in life GOD gave them back to me with abundance. HE is my purpose.

• What are you holding onto?
• Is money, job, or a relationship holding you back from truly following GOD?
• Will you stop chasing what you think is your purpose and allow GOD to give you purpose in your life today?