08/07          Jude 1:7-9 

And don’t forget Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns, which were filled with immorality and every kind of sexual perversion. Those cities were destroyed by fire and serve as a warning of the eternal fire of God’s judgment. 8 In the same way, these people—who claim authority from their dreams—live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings.  9 But even Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels, did not dare accuse the devil of blasphemy, but simply said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (This took place when Michael was arguing with the devil about Moses’ body.) 

IMPORTANT

Jesus is important. We focus our faith on Him and Him alone.  Christ is all and in all and there is no other way to the Father but Jesus.  Jesus is who we live our life with and who we live for and there is no other.  Jesus Christ alone is our cornerstone.  

08/06          Jude 1:3-6 

Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people. 4 I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. 5 So I want to remind you, though you already know these things, that Jesus first rescued the nation of Israel from Egypt, but later he destroyed those who did not remain faithful.  6 And I remind you of the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them but left the place where they belonged. God has kept them securely chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the great day of judgment. 

REMEMBER

Remember two things that the Lord said are important: First-Love the Lord with all your heart and second-love thy neighbor.  

08/05          Jude 1:1-2 

This letter is from Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and a brother of James. I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ. 2 May God give you more and more mercy, peace, and love. 

NEED

We need the Lord.  We need Him now and every moment.  His mercy, peace and love are more than we need but we are overwhelmed with His grace and receptive to His overwhelming mercy, peace and love.  

08/04          3 John 1:10-15

When I come, I will report some of the things he is doing and the evil accusations he is making against us. Not only does he refuse to welcome the traveling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, he puts them out of the church. 11 Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.  12 Everyone speaks highly of Demetrius, as does the truth itself. We ourselves can say the same for him, and you know we speak the truth. 13 I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to write it with pen and ink. 14 For I hope to see you soon, and then we will talk face to face. 15 Peace be with you. Your friends here send you their greetings. Please give my personal greetings to each of our friends there.

PERSONAL

God’s Word to us in personal.  He speaks to our heart and to our situation.  The Lord never forgets where you are, what you need and what you are doing.  He is intimately involved in your life whether you are intimately involved with Him or not.  Serve the Lord with gladness and rejoice in Jesus.  

08/03          3 John 1:8-9 

So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth.9 I wrote to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, refuses to have anything to do with us. 

REACH

Reach out to others in need especially those in ministry positions.  Help the needy.  Be frugal and do not be greedy.  Be a cheerful and faithful giver.  People count. 

08/02          3 John 1:5-7 

Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God. 7 For they are traveling for the Lord, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers. 

PEOPLE

People count with the Lord.  We are His servants and are about His work here on Earth.  Care for one another especially strangers.  Jesus is Lord.  

08/01          3 John 1:1-4 

This letter is from John, the elder. I am writing to Gaius, my dear friend, whom I love in the truth. 2 Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. 3 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. 4 I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth. 

TRUTH

The Word of God is truth.  We need to read it, remember it and follow what it says to do.  God’s Word isn’t a suggestion it is the truth.  

07/31          Psalm 40:14-17

May those who try to destroy me be humiliated and put to shame. May those who take delight in my trouble be turned back in disgrace. 15Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!” 16 But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The LORD is great!” 17 As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior. O my God, do not delay.

NOW

We want everything now.  Time is too short.  But the Lord God is on our side and He will bring those things we must do and things we need at the exact right time in our life.  Do not fear.  God is here.  Our God is a mighty God and is able to do that which we need in our life.  Jesus is Lord.  

07/30          Psalm 40:11-13 

LORD, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.  12 For troubles surround me— too many to count! My sins pile up so high I can’t see my way out. They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost all courage. 13 Please, LORD, rescue me! Come quickly, LORD, and help me. 

HELP

Our situation is difficult at best and without the Lord’s help we are on the outside looking in.  Everybody needs Jesus.  We cannot fix our sinful self and only Jesus can fix us.  Jesus is the way the truth and the life.  He is the only way to the Father.  IN Him we have forgiveness of our sin, healing for our lostness and restoration of our membership in the family of God.  Once we were lost now we are found.  Jesus is Lord.  Turn to Him. 

07/29          Psalm 40:9-10 

I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O LORD, well know. 10 I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.

SPEAK

Speak Lord and I will listen.  Everyone knows about your greatness.  I cannot hide your almighty power in my heart.  I will speak of all that you have told me Lord and all that I have seen and experienced.  Great are you Lord.