Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.
Jude 1:1-2 NIV
Even if you're not a fisherman, almost everyone knows what a keeper is when it comes to fishing or friendship. It's one you don't throw away.
Jesus promised that He would make us fishers of men. In John 10, Jesus makes the declaration that no one can remove all the people God has given to Him. Christ understands catching and keeping. The only catch and release He does is raising up the ones He's caught and releasing them to go get others who need to be caught and kept.
There are times when following Christ is difficult. Scripture tells us that those who endure till the end will inherit the Kingdom of God. We fight against what seems to be restrictions, but in reality, are opportunities to put ourselves into submission to His will for us.
Jesus promised that He would make us fishers of men. In John 10, Jesus makes the declaration that no one can remove all the people God has given to Him. Christ understands catching and keeping. The only catch and release He does is raising up the ones He's caught and releasing them to go get others who need to be caught and kept.
There are times when following Christ is difficult. Scripture tells us that those who endure till the end will inherit the Kingdom of God. We fight against what seems to be restrictions, but in reality, are opportunities to put ourselves into submission to His will for us.
He didn't ask us to complete it on our own - under our own ability - in fact, we can't. He holds you in the palm of His hand and no one - NO ONE can pluck you out.
We get tired and we want to give up. Don't. Don't flop around in the net, either. Jesus will keep you. His Word assures us...
If we finish Jude's letter, it reads,
We get tired and we want to give up. Don't. Don't flop around in the net, either. Jesus will keep you. His Word assures us...
If we finish Jude's letter, it reads,
Remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
Remember this is not catch and release, unless it's to catch others.
And finally - To him who is able to keep you from falling 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.
Remember this is not catch and release, unless it's to catch others.
And finally - To him who is able to keep you from falling 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.
To him who is able to keep you... Yes! God our Savior thinks you're a keeper.
Prayer:
Father,
Thank You for loving us and keeping us from falling. We look forward to being in Your presence - without fault and with great joy - because of Your great mercy and provision toward us. Keep us close to You, Father, In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
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