Blameless Before God

20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
22 And have mercy on those who doubt;
23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,
25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 1:20-25

I love these verses they cut straight to the point. The scripture is so accurate and precise it blows my mind. The word of God is designed to pierce our hearts, convict us of our sin, and set us on a course of being blameless before God.

Can you imagine standing blameless before God? This will not be because of our own righteousness or good deeds. It is the blood of Jesus alone that will present us blameless and without deceit before the eternal God.

Therefore beloved:
1. Build yourself up in the most Holy Faith (20)
2. Pray in the holy spirit (20)
3. Keep yourselves in the love of God(21)
4. Have mercy on those who doubt(22)
5. Save others by snatching them out of the fire(23)
6. To others show mercy with fear(23)

May we press on to know God and make Him known. Be blessed.

Create

Today's post will be a bit different in nature. I am going to brag on my wife a bit and show some of her art work. My wife is an amazing artist and I am blessed by her work.

The desire to create is in all of us to different degrees. Even the person who is not artistic has the ability to create. It is a God given talent and desire. Whether you are creating with your hands or with your mind, be it in business or the Arts. The Creator is the originator of creativity, and therefore we must know His heart and desire for us as His kids to create.

Everlasting Kingdom

13 "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.
14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. Daniel 7:13-14

I was just having a conversation yesterday with someone who was very disappointed with the outcome of the elections. I began to share about a kingdom that is everlasting and perfect in every way, unlike the flawed minor kingdom of this world. Isn't this the whole goal to living here on earth? Do we not await a better kingdom, one whose king will rule and reign forever in absolute truth, love, justice and mercy? Yes, I was excited to share with him how someone can find this kingdom and how to secure a place in this kingdom.

Therefore put your hope in the kingdom of heaven and of God. The kingdom of America will fade in all of its glory and power. This kingdom is manipulated and controlled by worldly hands. Pray for your nation and for those who rule it. We are in a desperate hour no doubt. As the church we need to be a salt and light, a city on a hill that cannot be hidden. We have the keys to this kingdom. We have the answers that will lead people to never hunger or thirst again.

Lesser gods

They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone. Daniel 5:4

We are living in a day where people praise the lesser gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone. What does this really mean? It means that many are consumed with idolatry and idol worship. Oh really? It might look different than in Africa or India, but be not deceived. A tree will be known by its fruit. We pursue that which we worship. Where your treasure is there your heart will be also.

The God of all creation, Yahweh, Elohim, Jehovah...He will be enthroned forever and ever. It cannot be reversed. He is the Great King who will govern with true justice, righteousness, and love. We do not look to man to bring what only God can give. He is not flawed in any way. Take courage friends today.

Fire walkers

He answered and said, "But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods."

When was the last time you had walked through a 'fire' unhurt? Do you realize that if your heart is pure like Daniels was in the midst of testing, the Lord will deliver you?

The only thing we have to fear is denying our God in the hour of testing. We can be confident that even if we are faithless, He will remain faithful. If we deny Him, He will deny us the scriptures say. We have an obligation as sons and daughters of the King, to honor and follow Him even through the fire. I believe that we will walk through the fire and not be burned. Be confident today that God is on your side if you are willing no matter what the cost to honor and follow Him. We will go through storms, we will go through fire, we will go through hardship and trial. Be encouraged friends, He is with us.

Undo the oppressing bundles

"Is not this rather the fast that I have chosen? Loose the bands of wickedness, undo the bundles that oppress, let them that are broken go free, and break asunder every burden. Deal thy bread to the hungry, and bring the needy and the harbourless into thy house; when thou shalt see one naked, cover him, and despise not thy own flesh. Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health shall speedily arise, and thy justice shall go before thy face, and the glory of the lord shall gather thee up." Isaias 58:6-8I have chosen a rather unique and rare version for this mornings scripture focus.  I like the way this version is written.  I am reminded today that our Christianity boils down to two things: loving Jesus, and loving our neighbor.  We know who Jesus is and we try to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.

Who is our neighbor?  Is it the one who lives next door to your house who you occasionally say a quick hello to? Is  it also the ones that you see who are in need and lack the very essential components of food, shelter, and clothing?  Is it the one who is oppressed by demons, and strung high and dry on every form of drug or alcohol?  Is it the old lady that you see everyday in the grocery store who graciously checks you out, knowing that if it was not for her minimum wage job she would go hungry?  Yes, and yes.  It is all of the above to only name a few.  

As Christ followers and Christ-(likers) we are called to faith and action.  We love not with our words, but with our hands and our feet.  We love by caring for, helping those, reaching out to, and embracing all who are lonely and void of love and hope.  Today I am challenged by this reality once again.  All life boils down to how well we love and how loud we love.  Love wins in the end, so love like never before.  Maybe you will entertain angels unaware?