A Study of Jude

Jude is an epistle (letter) written by Jude, brother of James written between 70 and 90 AD.  It is believed by most scholars that this Jude is not the Apostle Jude (son of James), but rather the half brother of Jesus.  Matthew 13:55 records Jesus’ brothers’ names as James and Judas, but english translations change the name to Jude, possibly for the same reason that today no one would name their child Judas.  This letter was written to Christians.

Daniel was a young man living in Judah when they were attacked by the king of Babylon.  Many people were enslaved and taken away to live there as a result.  Daniel was not only a prophet, but a true example of how our relationship with God should be.  He walked with Him with unwavering faith.  As a result, God blessed him throughout his captivity, even to the point where he was over the entire city during multiple regimes.  

You’re going to go through a lot of storms and valleys throughout your life. Whether they’re a simple job layoff period or bad news from a doctor, God is there to walk with you every step of the way.

One of my favorite new songs is Build 429’s “Fear No More”. It is a powerful reminder that sometimes the path we’re giving isn’t our choice, but with God’s mercy, we don’t need to fear it.

Here’s the chorus’ lyrics:

This isn’t what I’d choose
But it’s where I’m finding you
When I’m broken and undone
Your mercy’s just begun
You overcome my doubt
Your hands are reaching out
You hold me through the storm
And I will fear no more

And here’s the song:

I hope you’re enjoying the weekend as much as I am!

-Dan

Israel’s Rejection of Christ

Romans 9:1-5, I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, 4 who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; 5 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.

Paul’s Overall Message

Paul is pouring out his heart to the Romans about Israel’s rejection of Christ.  He comes with a message of truth in Christ of something that is laying a great deal of continual sorrow in his heart.  The message is that he wishes he could be accursed from Christ for his countrymen. The people of Rome, of which Paul was a citizen.  

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The Christian Playbook

In this third and final piece of Romans 12 (NKJV), I am going to take you verse by verse of Romans 12:9-21. This is what I’m calling “The Christian Playbook”. Some bible’s headings have “Behave Like a Christian”. Today we’re going to learn how to behave like a Christian by examining the Christian Playbook.

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Serving God with Your Spiritual Gifts

Romans 12:3-8 (NKJV), 3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

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God’s Will For Your Life

The million dollar question for Christians is always “God, what do you want me to do for you?” We sit around asking this question over and over waiting for a specific time, date, and location to drop out of the sky. We think there’s some magic formula for God’s will for our lives, and are constantly trying to crack that formula.

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