Beyond the Gospels: Jude

Today's Reading: Jude 1-16
(We'll spend two days on this powerful little book. You might want to grab your Bible and a highlighter as we read this book.)

The last verse of our reading today caught my attention.

These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.

Webster's describes grumble as "to complain quietly about something." Have you considered how often you complain? grumble? It is so easy to fall into the trap of negative thinking and words. Grumbling, complaining is a habit Believers should avoid. Jude's words describe it as ungodly.

What about malcontent? A malcontent is a person who is always or often angry or upset about something. I've been there. It took the words of a special friend to reveal this side of me. I took a good, long look at myself and realized she was right. I was easily angered about situations and circumstances in my life, and I often shared it with others. 

Grumbling, complaining, being upset all the time does not build up His Kingdom in us or in others. Consider you words today... the times you get angry. Are you a grumbler? malcontent? Ask God to transform your complaining into praise... you anger into joy.

Oh Lord, reveal and remove my sinful desires!

Open my own ears to my grumbling and self-righteous anger.

Bring my desires in line with Yours. Teach me to be a Kingdom builder.

Beyond the Gospels: 3 John

Today's Verses: 3 John 5-15
(Click on the link to read today's scripture.)

Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good.

3 John 11

We are called to imitate good... do good. Let's wander through a few of God's words on doing good.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10 (emphasis added)

We were created in Christ to do good.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 (emphasis added)

The good we do shines like a light pointing others to the One who is good.

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?  If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,  and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?  So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

James 2: 14-17 (emphasis added)

Faith apart from good work is no faith at all... it's dead in fact. 

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap,
if we do not give up. 
Galatians 6:9

All this good can wear us out apart from God. We must learn to lean on Him as we imitate His goodness in our lives. Don't give up! Keep doing His good work! For in His time and His way, we will reap the good we sow in our own lives and in the lives of others.

Father God, in the world today it's sometimes hard to distinguish
what's good and what's evil. What's right and what's wrong.
I do know You alone are Right and Good. Teach me to follow You,
Your way, according to Your Word. I want to do the good You
created me for and never be an example of evil.

Beyond the Gospels: 3 John

Today's Scripture: (No link needed today. Read the verses below.)

This letter is from John, the elder. I am writing to Gaius, my dear friend, whom I love in the truth. Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.  Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth.  I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.

3 John 1:1-4 NLT 

The church staff often goes to lunch together and as we were gathering one Monday there stood Patrick, Cassie, and me (Stacy). Di walks out of her office and says, "Look at you guys... my kids. Serving God in this way. It makes me proud." We smiled and walked on but these words in 3 John are a lot like hers. What greater joy is there than seeing someone you've mentored, loved, and encouraged become faithful followers of Jesus? How happy it makes us when someone we've prayed for continues to serve God and live out their calling!

Take a moment today and consider those who've mentored you along your faith journey. Give thanks for them. Now think of those you have encouraged and loved in the faith. Praise God for using you in their lives!

Lord, may I know the greater joy of knowing my children,

both biological and spiritual, are walking with You

and following the Truth.

Beyond the Gospels: 2 John

Today's Reading: 2 John
(Click on the link to read the verses.)

Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.

2 John 6

A few months ago I had this discussion with a loved one. One who says they love, says they respect, says they listen to wisdom. I believe their heart is in the right place. I believe they believe this, but the actions don't match the words. Without actions words mean nothing... they're just words. You've heard it said, "Don't just talk the talk, walk the walk." If actions do not align with words, there is no truth in it. 

John's message is similar. Obedience is the action of love. When we love God, we will make obedience a priority in our life. It doesn't mean we'll get it right every time. It means we want to get it right, our hearts yearn to obey the One we love.

I'm sure most of us would answer "Yes!" if I asked, "Do you love God?" What would the answer be if asked, "Does your obedience reflect your love for Him?" Something to ponder as we go about our day. 

Lord, I want to love You. Teach me to walk in Your way.
Obedient and faithful to Your Word.

Beyond the Gospels: 1 John

Today's Reading: 1 John 5:13-21
(Click on the link to read today's Scripture. You might notice a different version. This month the links will be from the New Living Translation.)

Dear children, keep away from anything that might

take God's place in your hearts.

1 John 5:21

If I wrote these words to you, I would say, 

Dear children, friend, spouse, hairdresser...

Dear sister, brother, grandparent, businessman...

Dear officer, widow, mom, or dad...

Keep away, don't go near, run from, turn away anything

... your phone, television, romance novel

... your career, money, possessions

... your games, hobbies, music

... your hurt, resentment, bitterness

if it has some chance, some possibility of taking God's place in your hearts. Throw. It. Out! Let it go! Don't give it another thought!

Why? because these things don't happen over night and if you give an inch it will take a mile. And nobody wants to give up miles or years to something that has no power to transform... no power to heal... no power to redeem. God seeks to rule and reign in our hearts. Is there something in His place? some reigning power sucking your time, energy, joy? Today is the day to put God back on the throne of your heart.

Father God, show me what's taking Your place in my life.

Bless me with the humility to come into agreement with You.

Bless me with the faith to let it go and throw it out!