HEY JUDE

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Had the rare opportunity to share a Sunday with our THRIVE kids yesterday (1^st through 5^th graders).  My wife Beth had the reins on the lesson, my daughter Sam the “games” and I in a frantic cobbling together of resources, the technology.  All in all after a shaky start, we had a wonderful time.  

There is nothing like seeing Christ through the eyes of a kid.

And the lesson was a wrap up to a series the kids had been doing for some time.  It was taking them creatively through the Bible and yesterday’s little lesson was on the “general Epistles”.  They learned that 1 Peter was often referred to as the “Epistle of Courage” that James was the “Proverbs of the New Testament” to some and that no one knows for sure who wrote Hebrews.  The kids all locked in.  They did great in the Q and A that followed.  All in all it was a good day of learning for me too.  I didn’t know that about 1 Peter.

But as the little puppets and the music were telling the kids about Jude, I got intrigued. Jude sometimes gets overlooked.  We don’t quote much from Jude.  He doesn’t get quite the run that Paul does. But there is some great teaching in this little one chapter letter. Teaching we can use as we wade into today.  

Teaching like this:

Jude 1:20

Dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith. Let the Holy Spirit guide and help you when you pray…As you wait for his mercy, remain in God’s love.

Good stuff!  Simple.  Let the Holy Spirit guide your prayers and remain in the LOVE OF GOD.  Who can’t benefit from that wisdom?

Try this one…

Jude 1:22-23

Go easy on those who hesitate in the faith. Go after those who take the wrong way. Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin. The sin itself stinks to high heaven.

Who couldn’t store that little nugget away for future guidance and application?  Help folks find their faith.  Love the sinner but hate the "stinky" sin.  

Awesome stuff!

So yesterday I learned a little.  Yesterday I took the time to go and give JUDE a read because a puppet pirate and two Australian pilots told me to.  

And I am glad I did.

And today I will leave you with the last little snippet from our overlooked morsel of truth, Jude.  It is a beautiful way to “lift our LORD” this morning; to let Him know HOW awesome and mighty and amazing He truly is.  Why don’t you give an “aloud read”.  Let’s let Jude lead us in a little worship this morning.  

What do you say?

Jude 1:24-25

24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!

Amen.

HEY JUDE!

Thanks for a awesome start to the day!

Have a blessed day!

I love you all!

Freedom Church

 

Pastor GDelaney