Through the Bible - 1 Kings 11-12, Luke 24:13-35
Good morning,
As we've seen in the past week of devotions, people and nations in the Old Testament through the current day have gone through times of falling away from God. In a few days the New Testament reading will be moving into the book of John. Some of the themes of the book revolve around Jesus as the Word incarnate, the Messiah, and the Son of God.
In preparation for going into the gospel of John I thought we'd take a look at the last few verses of the book of Jude that point us to where we should turn, where we can find the hope and strength to stand in faith. The verses prior to this benediction carry the heading "A Call to Remain Faithful".
Jude 24 To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. NIV
The power of Christ would sustain the true believer from "drifting" (Hebrews 2:1), falling or turning away from Him.
In the book of John we'll get a look at Jesus the Saviour through the eyes of John who spent three years in close fellowship with Him and recorded the book that we might see that "There's a light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free!"
Why don't you take some time to read through the book in the coming month. Whether you are reading it for first time or for the first time in a long time, read it to receive a blessing that you may be a blessing to others because of it.
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
No light in the darkness you see?
There's a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Refrain
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion-
For more than conquerors we are!
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion-
For more than conquerors we are!
Refrain
His Word shall not fail you-He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
In Christ,
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
In Christ,
Mike
Jude 17-25
A Call to Remain Faithful
17 But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said. 18 They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. 19 These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God's Spirit in them.
20 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, 21 and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God's love.
22 And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. 23 Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.
A Prayer of Praise
24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. 25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.
NLT
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