Priorities Addressed

Priorities Addressed

Jude 1: ³ My dear friends, I was doing my best to write to you about the salvation we share in common, when I felt the need of writing at once to encourage you to fight on for the faith which once and for all God has given to his people. ⁴ For some godless people have slipped in unnoticed among us, persons who distort the message about the grace of our God in order to excuse their immoral ways, and who reject Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord. Long ago the Scriptures predicted the condemnation they have received.

 

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After planning and making several trips back and forth to the hardware store, I finished installing my sprinkler / irrigation system. I was excited and as I began to program watering times, clouds gathered. These clouds were darker than usual. Suddenly, tornado sirens sounded! But instead of rushing into the house, I finished setting my sprinkler system. The tornado touched down two blocks over. I should have gone inside.

 

• Another priority came up that needed to be addressed immediately, but I ignored it.
• A danger that threatened life arose and I did not take heed.
• A warning was clearly given for me to take action, and I kept doing what I was doing.

 

Jude, human brother of JESUS, begins his letter with a strong warning. At first he was going to write about salvation. This topic, while extremely important, was put aside to address a more immediate problem, namely false teaching. He was aware of what people were saying about JESUS by those who pretended to be part of HIM but were not.

 

My Observations:

• Many people mention the name of JESUS who do not believe the HE is GOD who became a human to die for the sins of humanity and was raised from the dead.
• Those who do not believe, provide solutions that keeps him or her doing things that do not please GOD, trying to justify their actions using GOD’s name.
• GOD sees my heart and wants me to fight for my faith to make sure I am not influenced by those who oppose HIM.

 

False teachers look like real teachers. I mean, when half truths are told and omissions take place, its hard to tell false teachers from real teachers. BUT GOD knows and HE is ready to point them out.

 

GOD sees the heart and know who is for HIM or against HIM.HE knew liars would talk about HIS SON in a negative way, yet HE allowed HIM to die on the cross for you and me. False teachers do not want to surrender their lives to this teaching, instead he or she add philosophies that may oppose CHRIST. I am glad GOD protects you and me form those who pretend to love GOD.

 

Challenge:

• Why does the writer change the topic?
• Have you ever heard something that sounded true enough to be credible, like commercials, yet were false?
• Will you seek a relationship with JESUS by reading the Bible, HIS Word, today?

Keeping It Real

Keeping It Real

2 Corinthians 11: ¹² I will go on doing what I am doing now, in order to keep those other “apostles” from having any reason for boasting and saying that they work in the same way that we do. ¹³ Those men are not true apostles—they are false apostles, who lie about their work and disguise themselves to look like real apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ Well, no wonder! Even Satan can disguise himself to look like an angel of light! ¹⁵ So it is no great thing if his servants disguise themselves to look like servants of righteousness. In the end they will get exactly what their actions deserve.

 

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Looking at the “mistakes” my peers made in other departments gave me a way to mention how “good” my department was doing. Competition was fierce over getting budget and I felt the pressure to survive. One day an issue did arise in my area. Suddenly, I was being scrutinized instead of praised.

 

• I was busy looking at someone else’s problems.
• I was focused on what other people were doing and not paying attention to what I was supposed to do.
• I was insecure about me so I took attention off of me and put it on someone else.

 

Paul said a mouthful when he wrote the words “I will go on doing what I am doing.” Instead of spending time telling people about every detail of how the false apostles were disguising themselves to look like angels of light, he had to do what GOD called him to do so he would not fall.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to focus my attention on my relationship with HIM.
• GOD wants me to see that I am the one who needs salvation, direction and encouragement.
• GOD wants me to be true to HIS word.

 

Keeping it real with GOD is important. I mean, HE does not want to hear “but he” or “but she” from me. HE may ask me “How did you respond in the situation?” or “Did you use the weapons of love and patience I gave you?” The only response I can say to HIM is “No.”

 

BUT HE gives me many other chances to grow up and try out HIS valuable weapons. He also wants me prepared for daily attacks from the enemy’s attacks. HE gives me truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation and the HIS word as my daily protection. I am glad JESUS forgives my mistakes and gives me another chance each day.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer say about the war between “good” and “evil” in this passage?
• Do you think you are responsible for fighting false messages said by others?
• Have you ever messed up and needed grace?
• Will you seek a solid relationship with JESUS and make HIM LORD of your life so you can have a “real” abundant life today?

Seven steps to peace

Philippians: ⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

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“Why is the sky so grey” and “why is there so much snow” and “why is that person driving so fast” and “who is this salesperson calling me” and “what is this slop they are serving for lunch.” This wintery day came to mind because I remember I had a lot of complaints. 

It seemed like everyone who was going crazy was aimed at me. In fact I think I had a problem with the way GOD was handling the situation that day.

• When I complain I can’t find peace.
• When I see everything that is wrong without seeing what is right I can’t find peace.
• When I set a selfish expectation of GOD I can’t find peace especially when HE acts like HE doesn’t hear me.

My idea of “peace” is a utopia that I dreamed up. It includes all my desires being filled without any consequence for my actions. BUT GOD doesn’t define “getting my way” as peace. In fact it seems quite the opposite.

• When I am falsely accused I can find peace in holding onto the truth.
• When I am tempted to use my gutter mouth I can find peace in using noble language.
• When I see an opportunity to get away with something I can find peace in doing what is right instead.
• When I have foul thought flash in my mind I can find peace in focusing on the pure.
• When I see someone acting ugly I can have peace seeing the person as lovely as GOD sees them.
• When I want to complain I can find peace when I look at what is admirable.
• When I feel like delivering something that isn’t “up to snuff” I can find peace when I am nudged to do it with excellence rather than cutting corners.

GOD is the holder of peace. HE leads me and guides me to much better places when my thinking is on HIM. I can truly find rest.

• What are you fighting about?
• Have you lost your peace?
• Can you stop thinking about negative things for a moment?
• Will you seek peace by thinking positively.