In the message "Never Let Them Forget" we were challenged to continually share God's miraculous gift with those He places in our path. We considered this mainly from the aspect of sharing what God has done in our life and continues to do as we walk with Him. But we are also responsible to share the absolute truth about God and His unchanging plan of forgiveness, grace, faith and love.
Jude wrote only one short letter (25 verses) of the Bible. He began the letter with a desire to encourage believers with the joy of Salvation; but as he sat down to write, he realized God was directing him to write a different message.
Jude 3
"Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints."
There is great joy in our Salvation - a joy which must be shared - but we have been entrusted with the truth of the gospel message, and this truth is often under attack!
As we draw closer to God and begin to understand His perfect holiness, we are also made aware of the utter sinfulness of man and our hopelessness without Jesus. Each of us are born with a sin nature, and if left to ourselves we would become "filled with every kind of wickedness" (Romans 1:29). It's not surprising how much evil abounds in the world. To a large degree, the world has rejected the Light of Christ and is living in an empty and confusing darkness.
The church is definitely not immune to the darkness of the world. We are attacked from those who are openly outside the church; but we are also under attack from those who have "secretly slipped in among you" (Jude 4a). These are people who claim to be called by God, but live an immoral life and "deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord" (Jude 4b). They seek to cause division and "follow their own ungodly desires" (Jude 18). We are told to fight this form of attack by strengthening our faith; "build yourself up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit" (Jude 20).
Yes, we must know the truth, protect the truth, and share the truth. If we are to become a light which leads others to the saving grace of Jesus, we must not allow the gospel which has been entrusted into our care to become distorted for personal gain or diluted for greater acceptance. We can personally fight this battle on a daily basis by drawing closer to the presence of God and knowing Him better through study and prayer. And we can fight as groups of believers as we encourage one another to live without compromise. Let's test all teaching against His Word. Let's share the absolute truth of our Lord and Savior and be prepared to stand as we contend for the faith.
Have a Christ Centered Day!
Monday, November 8, 2010
TIME TIME TIME
Let us be conscious of the expiring nature of time, be aware of the time of life you are living in and also appreciate the value of time and live life wisely for God wants us to use time wisely.
Your time is personal. Live life on purpose IE what you do with the 24 hours determines our future. Be jealous of your time and don't waste it. A man who kills time is killing his chances in life. The devil steals our time so that we do not focus on the serious matters in life.
This are some ways you can redeem time;
1. Order your time ie manage your time effectively. Order increases productivity.
2. Start somewhere to do something great. You can never do great things unless you do small things greatly. Plan to start.
3. Be bold and take a risk. The desire for safety stands against the great. If you dare nothing, you get nothing. Reach for something beyond yourself.
4. Start where you are. If you get a chance, utilize it to the maximum. Every exit is an entrance somewhere.
5. Stop at nothing and don't let criticism bring you down.
6. Do not be envious. If you celebrate others, God will ensure you are also celebrated.
7. Be thankful to God. No duty is more urgent than that of giving back.
8. Trust in God.
Also remember that the way you apportion your day says allot about you.
This is how you can do it;
1. Create quality time everyday to be with God. When you put God first everything in your life adds up.
2. Create quality time to be with your family.
3. Create quality time on your earthly assignment. Greatness begins by beginning something that does not end with you. Prov. 10:7
4. Create quality time for personal growth. Luke 2:40.
5. Create time for quality personal development. Prov 13:3
6. Create quality time for your recreation.
Here are some power points to live by;
* Your day is a miniature of your life.
* Your days define your life. Live one day at a time.
* Today is the future you were once talking about. Spend it wisely.
Your time is personal. Live life on purpose IE what you do with the 24 hours determines our future. Be jealous of your time and don't waste it. A man who kills time is killing his chances in life. The devil steals our time so that we do not focus on the serious matters in life.
This are some ways you can redeem time;
1. Order your time ie manage your time effectively. Order increases productivity.
2. Start somewhere to do something great. You can never do great things unless you do small things greatly. Plan to start.
3. Be bold and take a risk. The desire for safety stands against the great. If you dare nothing, you get nothing. Reach for something beyond yourself.
4. Start where you are. If you get a chance, utilize it to the maximum. Every exit is an entrance somewhere.
5. Stop at nothing and don't let criticism bring you down.
6. Do not be envious. If you celebrate others, God will ensure you are also celebrated.
7. Be thankful to God. No duty is more urgent than that of giving back.
8. Trust in God.
Also remember that the way you apportion your day says allot about you.
This is how you can do it;
1. Create quality time everyday to be with God. When you put God first everything in your life adds up.
2. Create quality time to be with your family.
3. Create quality time on your earthly assignment. Greatness begins by beginning something that does not end with you. Prov. 10:7
4. Create quality time for personal growth. Luke 2:40.
5. Create time for quality personal development. Prov 13:3
6. Create quality time for your recreation.
Here are some power points to live by;
* Your day is a miniature of your life.
* Your days define your life. Live one day at a time.
* Today is the future you were once talking about. Spend it wisely.
Have goals
Have as your goal to do your best and to make a difference.
We are in the world to make a difference,
and everything we do changes the world."
"The greatest thing in the world is not so much where we are,
but in what direction we are moving."
"Once the mind has been stretched by a new idea,
it will never again return to its original size."
We are in the world to make a difference,
and everything we do changes the world."
"The greatest thing in the world is not so much where we are,
but in what direction we are moving."
"Once the mind has been stretched by a new idea,
it will never again return to its original size."
TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS
I did not know His love before, the way I know it now.
I could not see my need for Him, my pride would not allow.
I had it all, without a care, the "Self-sufficient" lie.
My path was smooth, my sea was still, not a cloud was in my sky.
I thought I knew His love for me, I thought I'd seen His grace,
I thought I did not need to grow, I thought I'd found my place.
But then the way grew rough and dark, the storm clouds quickly rolled;
The waves began to rock my ship, I found I had no hold.
The ship that I had built myself was made of foolish pride.
It fell apart and left me bare, with nowhere else to hide.
I had no strength or faith to face the trials that lay ahead,
And so I simply spoke His name and bowed my weary head.
His loving arms enveloped me, and then He helped me stand.
He said, "You still must face this storm, but I will hold your hand.
" So through the dark and lonely night He guided me through pain.
I could not see the light of day or when I'd smile again.
Yet through the pain and endless tears, my faith began to grow.
I could not see it at the time, but my light began to glow.
I saw God's love in brand new light, His grace and mercy, too.
For only when all self was gone could Jesus' love shine through.
It was not easy in the storm, I sometimes wondered why.
At times I thought, "I can't go on." I'd hurt, and doubt, and cry.
But Jesus never left my side He guided me each day.
Through pain and strife, through fire and flood, He helped me all the way.
And now I see as never before how great His love can be.
How in my weakness He is strong, how Jesus cares for me!
He worked it all out for my good, although the way was rough.
He only sent what I could bear, and then He said, "Enough!"
He raised His hand and said, "Be still!" He made the storm clouds cease.
He opened up the gates of joy and flooded me with peace.
I saw His face now clearer still, I felt His presence strong,
I found anew His faithfulness, He never did me wrong.
And now I know more storms will come, but only for my good,
For pain and tears have helped me grow as nothing ever could.
I still have so much more to learn as Jesus works in me;
If in the storm I'll love Him more, that's where I want to be!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James_1:2-4_NIV
22 Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassion's never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
I could not see my need for Him, my pride would not allow.
I had it all, without a care, the "Self-sufficient" lie.
My path was smooth, my sea was still, not a cloud was in my sky.
I thought I knew His love for me, I thought I'd seen His grace,
I thought I did not need to grow, I thought I'd found my place.
But then the way grew rough and dark, the storm clouds quickly rolled;
The waves began to rock my ship, I found I had no hold.
The ship that I had built myself was made of foolish pride.
It fell apart and left me bare, with nowhere else to hide.
I had no strength or faith to face the trials that lay ahead,
And so I simply spoke His name and bowed my weary head.
His loving arms enveloped me, and then He helped me stand.
He said, "You still must face this storm, but I will hold your hand.
" So through the dark and lonely night He guided me through pain.
I could not see the light of day or when I'd smile again.
Yet through the pain and endless tears, my faith began to grow.
I could not see it at the time, but my light began to glow.
I saw God's love in brand new light, His grace and mercy, too.
For only when all self was gone could Jesus' love shine through.
It was not easy in the storm, I sometimes wondered why.
At times I thought, "I can't go on." I'd hurt, and doubt, and cry.
But Jesus never left my side He guided me each day.
Through pain and strife, through fire and flood, He helped me all the way.
And now I see as never before how great His love can be.
How in my weakness He is strong, how Jesus cares for me!
He worked it all out for my good, although the way was rough.
He only sent what I could bear, and then He said, "Enough!"
He raised His hand and said, "Be still!" He made the storm clouds cease.
He opened up the gates of joy and flooded me with peace.
I saw His face now clearer still, I felt His presence strong,
I found anew His faithfulness, He never did me wrong.
And now I know more storms will come, but only for my good,
For pain and tears have helped me grow as nothing ever could.
I still have so much more to learn as Jesus works in me;
If in the storm I'll love Him more, that's where I want to be!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James_1:2-4_NIV
22 Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassion's never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
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