Devotion Jude 5 Thankful, Remembering, Thankful, Remembering
Jude 5 – Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe.
Jude refers back to when God supernaturally rescued Israel from Egypt. There was no doubt that it was God who provided the miraculous that saved them. It sent notice to the world that the God of Israel was the one true God, or at least they understood that He was the most powerful God. (Exodus 3-14)
Jude reminded them of what they already know. Family, it is extremely important that we acknowledge and thank God for His blessings to us as much as we can. Not for His benefit, but for ours. Being thankful builds faith. As our faith builds we are increasingly able to withstand future trials. Please don’t let anyone discount experience such as when we pray and the Lord answers the prayer. The next time we pray, we remember that God, as He knows best, has answered our prayers. Experience (as understood through the Word of God), as we remember and thank God, builds our faith and so encourages and edifies us. And not only builds our faith, but the faith of our children and grandchildren. We share with them our experience of God answering prayer, of Him meeting our need, of His love, faithfulness, healing hand, goodness, provision and kindness with our children and they learn that God will also always love and be good to them. When times are really hard, severely hard, and the Lord works a miracle for our benefit we must not only ourselves thank Him, but we must gather our family, recount the blessing and everyone thank Him. That is a way, and of course through the Word, that we build our children. So don’t shield kids from family trials (using discretion), but include them in praying to God and when the answer comes, they will rejoice that God not only answered their parents prayers, but also theirs. This is a way that God uses to build their faith.
Family God uses experience, again understood through His Word and by His Spirit, to build our faith and make us stronger to fight the good fight of faith in even more intensive battles. So we acknowledge God for the blessing, then we thank God for it, and we remember it. We recount the faithfulness of God to our children and they to their children. So a legacy of experience is built of the love and goodness of God. It settles in the mind and heart that God is faithful and dependable, even when we don’t understand. When the answer doesn’t come for one prayer in the way we expect, we, and our children, still know that He is good and loves us because we have a vast supply of remembered answered prayers. Praise God! He is good and He loves us. He has proved it through Jesus, He illustrates it in His Word and daily He pours His blessings on us. The blessings, the blessed experiences that God gives us are fuel for the engine of faith. So we are thankful, we remember and we tell others of God’s goodness. Praise God! Yes, praise God! He is so very good to us! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
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Needy Soul
Lord God, oh tender,
And mighty Savior,
I am a needy soul,
Self-sufficiency is lie,
From the enemy who,
Doesn’t care what we believe,
Or whom we believe in,
As long as it is not You,
And Your Gospel,
Prods me to depend,
On self,
Yet I refuse for I know,
Self-sufficiency is an illusion,
You, oh wondrous Lord,
Have poured Yourself into me,
Because of Your great love,
Therefore, I cannot,
Settle for less.
When I opposed You,
You loved me.
As I ran from You,
You ran backward,
In front of my every step,
So that I would see,
The love in Your eyes,
So that I could see,
That You see me,
And understand me,
And that,
You know me.
From eternity past,
You have loved me.
How great are your ways,
So far beyond mine!
Even in my limited knowledge,
Of Your infinite being,
I cannot fully describe the
Splendor and glory
Of Your love and,
Who You are.
I can receive You,
Deep into my spirit,
And yet my tongue,
Cannot explain,
The knowledge that You,
Have poured into me.
I indeed am a needy soul,
Needy for You!
In this confession,
Freedom lifts me,
Up into the wonders,
Of Your heavenly universe,
And beyond,
Into Your glorious presence.
When with You,
I am not longer terrestrial,
But in Your hand,
I become, by Your hand,
Celestial,
For I am Yours.
I release myself,
All that I am,
That I might receive,
More of You.
Beyond the grasp
Of the mind,
My spirit receives
And holds onto
You.
I am a needy soul.
Needy for You!
In that is bliss and
Steadfast peace.
I am needy for Your Lord,
You are all I need,
I need You!
Thank You!
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Devotion Jude 4 Pure Truth And Honest Heart
Jude 4 – For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
Remembering that in V3 Jude had intended to write a letter to encourage and uplift the saints, but instead, the Lord directed him to write a letter of correction against heretical lies against the doctrines of our faith. So Jude, desiring to please God above pleasing men, followed where the Spirit led.
He writes about certain people who long ago, since before time and creation, were known by God as those who would come to desecrate the grace of God through Jesus our Lord. God knew these people would come then, as they had before, and as they do now. Hasn’t the Lord always known of those who would reject or pervert the grace He so freely gives to those who will come? And hasn’t God always known who will come? (Romans 8:29, 11:12, 1 Peter 1:2) Throughout history God has known those who are used by the enemy to introduce heresies and He has never been surprised by these people, and He has never already had the condemnation of them not already prepared. God is always ready as He has had men such as Jude prepared to give His response for lies that always arise like weeds among the vegetables.
The condemnation that Jude writes of is something that comes after a deed. It is judgement for deeds done. As the Lord gives rewards for those who do His good will, so He likewise judges those who do evil and gives them the due consequences of their actions. (Galatians 6:7-8) God had declared that those who violate, who desecrate His ways, will be those who will be condemned. It is not as if these men hadn’t and haven’t been warned, it is not as if they hadn’t had a choice. Instead, these men were warned, as Adam was warned, that consequences follow disobedience. They purposely disobeyed and therefore had chosen their future. All who purposely sin know that punishment follows. Law breakers know the risk, sinners know the risk. So the promise of punishment for doing evil follows their choice to do so. Only by knowing Jesus as both Savior and Lord can the punishment for sin be taken away. Obedience to God manifests the love of God and of being a member of the family of God. Those who disdain His grace, those who purposely dishonor it, are no recipients of it.
Today, as during all times since Jesus ascended, selfish people who wish only themselves well at the harm of the fold, have snuck in amongst us. Many call themselves pastors or other lofty titles while they are indeed wolves in among the sheep. (Matthew 7:15) Jesus has called to be aware and discerning.
Jude does not mix his words. He knows the truth and stands strongly upon it. Those who alter, take away from or add to the Word of God are headed on a path to hell. (Revelation 22:18-19, Proverbs 30-5-6, Deuteronomy 12:32) These are those who come and disgrace the work of Christ by saying that obedience is not necessary because grace through Jesus has paid the full price (antinomianism). They ignore that Jesus said that those who love Him will obey Him (John 14:15). The Apostle Paul wrote “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.” (Hebrews 10:26-27) It certainly is true that Christ died for all of our sins. It is also true that those who don’t appreciate the sacrifice of Jesus and so willfully reject His holy ways, His way of holiness and love, do not love Him and so do not belong to Him (1 John 4:19-21).
If we love Jesus, we obey Him. If we obey Him, it is because He lives within us and His love is what determines all our actions, words and attitudes. More of Jesus means more of love and less of sin. Less of Jesus means less love and more sin. It is what is in our hearts that shows who we belong to. If the world rules, than our lives will reflect that. If the Lord shines through, then it is Jesus who sits on the throne within us. So let us cling to the pure truth of the Word of God as led by the Spirit. It is in God alone we trust and whom we follow. Our reward is sure, and Family, our reward is increasingly soon. Stay strong and always praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
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Devotion Matthew 28:18-20 Eternal Love, Compassion And
Matthew 28:18-20 – Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Psalm 147:3 – He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
This is always what is most important. Love, compassion and kindness outweigh any other “benevolent” other actions. But not kindness for the sake of being kind, but being kind because kindness lives within because Jesus lives within in. Love, compassion and kindness by themselves have no eternal value. True and pure love, compassion and kindness leads those who don’t personally know Jesus to Him. That is the kindest act one person can do for another. Nothing higher, nothing more noble. The Answer is always Jesus. Jesus, lover of our souls. Be practically kind. More importantly give kindness of eternal value. Lift up Jesus, He is what we all need. For me, more of Jesus, every day, more of Jesus.
— with Floyd Jr Blackwell.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
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Devotion John 10:1-5 Hearing God Speak
John 10:1-5 – Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”
In the above V4 Jesus said that the sheep of His flock will know His voice. He said it again in John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Knowing His voice is not only a sign that we belong to God, it is not only a promise to us, but is a protection for us. We must remember the oneness of God. What one knows, they all know. They are not only one in essence, as in what they are, they are also absolutely one in their thoughts. How the Father loves us, so does the Son, and also so does the Holy Spirit. Jesus told Phillip that anyone who has seen Him has seen the Father. God is one. So if the Father speaks from a cloud, or Jesus spoke while here on earth, or the Holy speaks to us as He guides and teaches us, it is all God, the one God speaking to us. It is important to hold onto that. There is no division, there is no separation, there never was and there never will be. When one of the personages of God speaks, they all speak. They are one.
What is the importance of knowing God’s voice? Obviously for instruction, but also for protection. In the above V5 Jesus clues us into an immense reason to know His voice. If we know His voice, then we know when the enemy speaks that it is not God’s voice and we won’t listen to it, we won’t heed it, and we won’t obey it. However if we don’t know the voice of our Lord, how will we know the difference? And not only between the enemy and God, but how will we know the difference between our own inner voice and the voice of God. After all, we know that we can have errant thoughts, and can even deceive ourselves. (Galatians 6:3, 1 Corinthians 3:18, 1 John 3:20) So we see the importance of knowing the voice of God so that we are not misled, or deceived.
Can we know the voice of God? The prophet Elijah did. (1 Kings 19:11-13) And He was man just like us. (James 5:17) Hebrews 3:15 speaks of the ability to hear God’s voice. And of course Jesus said that we would know His voice. Okay, but what about today? Please know that multitudes of Christians today know the voice of God, and I am one of the many. If some know, then all who are His can. And God made this so for our benefit. For many reasons, and one great reason is for our protection and also for Him to speak directly to us as He wills.
So, for all who know Jesus as Savior and Lord, then God should be being heard. Maybe you didn’t know that. Now you should know. Get alone with God. Read his Word. Listen for His voice. He will give eternal insight. Receive in the Spirit. There is much that God has to say to us that our Spirit will receive, but our finite brain cannot receive. How? I don’t know, God knows. Concerning truths about God it is more important to know that they are then how they are. We know we can know His voice because God has said so, so it is so. So have a little talk with Jesus. He really wants us all to know His voice and what a blessing that is. Praise God who blesses us! He truly loves us! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
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Devotion Jude 3 Compelled By God To Contend
Jude 3 – Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.
Jude intended to write about “the salvation we share.” He was instead directed by the Holy Spirit to write to “contend” for the faith by which we receive the gift of salvation. So, it seems that though Jude wanted to joyfully encourage those in the faith, he was instead directed to work to defend it. It would have been more pleasant to write a nice letter speaking of the faith. Contemporary pastors of the Word, will agree that it is easy to give a sermon on the love of God. They will get plenty of pats on the back. But to talk about the righteousness of God, well, the reactions can be very different. Both are necessary to understand what it is to be a believer in Christ, yet to speak the whole biblical truth is not what many want to hear. When speaking on living a righteous life that is the result of truly being transformed by God, well, pastors are obedient to speak the word but they brace themselves for the backlash of some in the congregation. Praise God for pastors who honor God by presenting the entire Gospel.
God led Jude to write about the error that had crept into the church. Speaking of error does not make one popular. But the disciple of Jesus first seeks to please God. In love to God and of others the Truth is spoken. The Apostle Paul needed to correct error and so he wrote extremely strong against the error, and concluded in Galatians 1:10 “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Recently I listened to a strong sermon by a beloved pastor who spoke the truth. Many supported him but I wonder how many did not appreciate it? Nevertheless, he spoke the truth. Praise God! Praise God for all pastors who share the unmitigated and unadulterated Word. They are those who release the Word itself because it is more powerful and effective than anything man can say. They are the one who truly love the flock. If a message from the Word stings, we most likely ought not to blame the messenger. We need to do some self-examination and pray to God that, if necessary, He will change and lead us. We must apologize to our God who gladly receives our repentance. If we are convicted by God that is good and will bring healing. It is for our good. If a messenger is speaking condemnation that drives one away, that is not from God. God draws us to Himself. Still we need to be sure that our hearts are right and we are open to hearing Truth. The difference between whether we think something convicting or condemning most often is reflective of our own heart and not a problem with the message. Let us desire, even crave correction from God. (Hebrews 12:6) Of course, obedience is the goal so that correction isn’t necessary. Obedience is both an outward response of an inner change happening. What pleases God is living as God calls us to as something that flows from a heart changed by God the Holy Spirit. Not an outward act but evidence of the state of one’s soul. God works from the inside out. The Lord will lead and help us. Praise God! In all things and at all times, with all actions and words, and with a loving and thankful heart, let us thank and praise God. To God be the glory!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
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Devotion Hebrews 4:15 He Understands, It Will All Be Worth It
Going through it? The Lord understands. He’s been through it too. In fact, before time began, He knew that those who would be His brothers would forsake and leave Him to the wolves. The very people He came to save are the ones who considered Him nothing of value and they despised Him.
Isaiah 53:3 – He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces He was despised, and we held Him in low esteem.
Feeling like “No good deed goes unpunished?” Jesus knows the feeling.
Isaiah 53:4-5 – Surely He took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered Him punished by God, stricken by Him, and afflicted. 5 But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Have the ammo to blast away but instead are lead to withhold. Jesus can relate.
Isaiah 53:7 – He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open his mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did not open his mouth.
Feeling like the trial isn’t deserved or fair. Jesus understands, and to our benefit.
Isaiah 53:10 – Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush Him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes His life an offering for sin, He will see His offspring and prolong His days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
Can’t see the light from a dark place? Wondering the worth of it? God remembers. God Himself is our reward and our rewarder.
Isaiah 53:12 – Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
When in the smelting pot, hold fast, our Lord did. When the reward for trying to do good is a kick in the pants, keep to what the calling, Jesus did. When a terrific defense is in your quiver, but called not to draw the bow, hold fast, Jesus did. When the flesh or the enemy tempts to doubt the reason or cause, remember that God has a perfect reason, Jesus did. When the place seems so dark that light is a distant memory, know that the light is ahead, Jesus did. Jesus held fast to the knowledge of the Father and so he did not doubt. Doubt is not faith and faith is what we are called to. Let us not doubt. (Matthew 14:31) Be at peace with all people as much as it depends on oneself. (Romans 12:18) Let not faith waiver, God is in control, find rest in God. (Psalm 62:1, 5-8) Under the worst circumstances, God is storing up our rewards for us. (Ephesians 6:8, Galatians 3:23-24, Revelation 22:12) Keep focused, the Lord is coming and He is pleased with those who endure, don’t give up doing right! (2 Thessalonians 3:13) He loves us, praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
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7-19-20 A Different Kind Of Devotion Gabriel and Charlie, an ongoing story. Part 2
Gabriel woke up to the bright sunlight flooding through the bedroom window and filling the room. He had that fleeting “where-am I” thought that one has when waking in an unfamiliar place. But the years of Gabriel sleeping in different states and different cities had dulled any great alarm that he would have had if he had lived in a home for many years. His experiences had changed his alarm reflexes. Waking up to the sun was much better that waking up to a kick.
He paused to enjoy the soft bed and the clean sheet and blankets. It was pure luxury to Gabriel. It had been many years since he had slept in a bedroom by himself. He had slept in some mission beds, and he had been thankful for those. But the rooms were filled with many other men, many who groaned, sobbed and even shrieked in the night. To wake up in this spacious bed, instead of a cot, with the sun coming through a large window, being alone in the room, and sleeping without noises and smells from other men, was a special treat. After enjoying the bed, and the warmth, and the calm quiet of the room Gabriel rose and stretched. He looked out the window and surmised, by the position of the sun, that it was midmorning. Gabriel had been talking to no-one in the room. He went to the bed, and using it as a support he kneeled beside it to use it as a support. He continued his conversation with His always present friend Jesus Christ.
Upon his knees the first thing he did was chuckle a chuckle that grew into very robust laughing. As he was laughing he managed to get out “Oh My Lord, You are so good to me! Look at this beautiful place that You gave me to sleep in. Always, my Friend and Lord, You have been faithful to me.” For a moment Gabriel thought of how he could, today, pray in quiet solitude with his friend Jesus. If Gabriel spoke to Jesus aloud when in the street, some people would walk by him and mutter something like “Poor crazy soul. He is talking to someone who is not there!” They didn’t know that He was talking to was a friend who was always there, always listening, always talking to him. People often thought that Gabriel was a derelict who had “fried his brain.” Some would yell at him to “shut up and die.” At first Gabriel would be bothered by the shouts, stop praying, and walk to somewhere he could have a private conversation with his Jesus. (Gabriel always referred to Jesus as “My Jesus.” He was certain that was an accurate name for Him. Sure Gabriel knew that Jesus came to save all people, but Gabriel also knew that Jesus had also come solely for him.) The hateful language hurled at him hurt him. But, his Jesus would always speak to Gabriel to listen to him. To tune out the hate and focus on the love from God. Gabriel got good a blocking out the hate and focusing on the love. So good at it, that if the hate reached his conscious mind, he would simply pray that the person who said it would receive God’s great love through Jesus and then Gabriel would continue his conversation with his Jesus.
“And My Jesus” Gabriel continued with his prayer, “I want to thank you for bringing Charlie to me. I am so grateful for him being so kind to me and I will be sure to let him know that I am. I pray that you bless Him for His kindness to me. But My Jesus, it is you I am most thankful to. I know that all of my blessings come from You, and Father and Dear Spirit.” Gabriel began to sob “My Jesus, why you have been my friend, my brother and my ever-present companion amazes me. I am humbled and live by your love that has faithfully surrounded me all the days of my life. My Jesus, I don’t deserve your love. Today, My Jesus, may I share the love that you so bountifully give me with all that I am able. May I, in gratitude to You, honor you with obedience in sharing your message with others. May I do it because of the love you pour into me for them.”
Gabriel then rose, and as his father had taught him when he was a child, made the bed. He went into the “Jack and Jill” bathroom attached to the bedroom and shaved. Afterward he looked at himself in the mirror, in clean clothes, freshly shaven, still standing with the good posture that his mother had impressed on him. He smiled and said “My Jesus, not looking too shabby, though I could use a haircut, not that I’m complaining. Thank you!” Then he opened the door and walked to the kitchen where breakfast and hot coffee has just been prepared for him by Charlie. Charlie turned to see him and said “Looking good Gabriel! Hey, I was wondering if you today would like to see my barber for a fresh haircut?” Charlie smiled, looked up and said under his breath “Oh My Jesus, You know my thoughts and desires before I do!”
Note: Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)
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Devotion Jude 2 Multiplied Blessings
Jude 2 – Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.
This epistle was written by the Lord’s brother and in V1b we observe that Jude is writing to believers. In V2 Jude is greeting his fellow saints and is praying a blessing on them. This letter is meant for all the church.
Abundance here brings to mind a filling to the brim, even an overfilling. Think of a cup under an open faucet with water pouring from the faucet into the cup. Soon the cup will be filled to the top and overflowing. The abundance Jude wishes upon us is not only a one time filling, but is a continuous overflowing filling. This kind of abundance fills up and overflows so that there is never a time when the vessel is not filled. This allows us to, without worry, give to others the blessings that we receive because we will never run out of what God has given us. So we “pass-forward” the blessings we receive from our God.
“Mercy unto you,” God’s mercy. Jude is noting that those who are in Christ have received the mercy of God that is a free gift from the Father to those who love His Son. (John 14:21)
“Mercy onto you.” First we received, through Jesus, mercy from the Father. The benefit is that we are moved from being mere creations of God to children of God. From the mercy of God comes not only peace with God, but the awareness of God’s love for us. Through His never-ending mercy we receive His never-ending peace. The blood of Jesus not only cleansed us, but cleanses us. Because we always have mercy we always have the peace that comes from the sure knowledge of His mercy.
Since God’s mercy to us is endless, then we know that He endlessly loves us, because His mercy finds its origin in His love. Knowing those two things, His peace also is always with us. God has called us, kept us and loved us so His mercy and His peace eternally remain with us.
God who knows all things truly has “…given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3) Amen! Thank you Lord for your eternal and overabundant love, mercy and peace! Thank you Lord! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
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Devotion Proverbs 3:5-6 Out With The Old, In With The New!
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and He will make your paths straight.
Family and friends, we must submit to God! We must abandon all that we think we know of eternal matters and cast it aside to carry on without the burden of the ubiquitous and ever demanding “me.” We do that not to our detriment but to our eternal benefit. We cling to the wisdom and knowledge that we are liberally given by His Spirit and by His Word. Simple? Yes. But it is more than that, there is more to that.
There is infinitely more of God’s knowledge and wisdom than the natural man can imagine or conceive. When we cling to God, we supernaturally gain knowledge and wisdom from Him. Are we born to God by our own effort? Since we are not we understand that His knowledge and wisdom are received in like manner. The riches of God are our inheritance, but we must have walked away from all hope of self-achievement. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights…” (James 1:17) If we rely on ourselves to know God and His ways, then we learn nothing of lasting value from Proverbs 3:5-6. Instead we are deceived and proud and in that state, we will never know all that God desires to give us. 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 reveals that it is God who reveals God’s Word. If understanding is not from God, than understanding of it is weak and we rob ourselves of the purpose God has meant for it in our lives. If we don’t learn from God, then we cannot have what He desires for us to know. (Matthew 16:17) Family and friends why struggle and strain to gain what is freely given by our God? (James 1:5) God has put His tender nature within us to teach and instruct us. (John 14:26)
Know God by loving God high above any other person or thing and by doing so, learn the supernatural ways of God. Family, even the love of God is supernatural. When we know God, when we have known His embrace, and when we have listened to Him speaking softly into our lives, we are touched and kept in His love. Nothing compares to being in the presence of God and drinking in His love. He loves us and wants us to grow in His wisdom and love. Don’t pour new wine into an old container that cannot hold it. Matthew 9:17) God makes us new, so let’s not mix the weak and impure thoughts of the flesh and world with the beauty of God’s life giving knowledge and wisdom. No, throw away the old and receive the new into new. And be thankful to God. Always be thankful to God and let praises to Him flow from our eternal gratitude.
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
by Bob withWarning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /homepages/4/d182552187/htdocs/b4g/wp-includes/class-wp-comment-query.php on line 399
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