Jude 1 - 6.21.2024
Scripture - Pick one verse that stood out to you.
Jude 1:22-23
Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
Observation - What about this verse stands out to you?
Be merciful to those who doubt?
Half-check mark.
Save others by snatching them from the fire?
Quarter-checkmark.
To others show mercy mixed with fear?
No-check mark.
Verses 22 to 23 of Jude 1 is guidance, given by Jude, for believers on how to deal with non-believers. What stood out to me was this request to show “mercy mixed with fear”.
Application - How will you apply this to your life?
I am hoping that today I will be given an opportunity or several to show God’s mercy to others. I am not sure what situations may present itself but my hope is that in showing a form of mercy to others I will learn a little more about this concept of mercy-mixed-with-fear from God.
Prayer - Write out a prayer.
What a powerful thing the concept of God’s mercy appears to be. I think I could spend an entire lifetime mining the depths, and the wisdom of that one concept alone. Thank you for sharing Your wisdom with me this morning, Lord. It is so amazing to me that as you showed me a glimpse of how to deal with others, showed me how to deal with the non-others. Be merciful. Be compassionate. Be against sin.
Thank you Holy Spirit for what you have imparted to me. Thank you Father for your revelation. Thank you Jesus, my Savior, my Lord.
In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.
-kenneth lee
3 John - 6.20.24
3 John 5-6
S - 5 Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God.
O – At the writing of this, Jesus’ final epistle, John, was nearing the end of his life. He was writing this personal letter to Gaius who lived a life of hospitality, to affirm and thank him for his Christian lifestyle, and to encourage him in his faith. There are 3 men talked about in this chapter, Gaius, the example of one who follows Christ and loves others, Diotrephes, the self-proclaimed church leader who does not reflect God’s values, and Demetrius who also follows the truth.
A – We could, and should, take a lesson from Gaius’ life and generously give to others and by opening up our homes to them. This is one way in which we actively can show the love of God. At DSC people are our priority. Showing hospitality to others—particularly strangers—requires a level of trust and acceptance that is not necessarily required of us in our everyday lives. It forces us to rely on a common bond in Jesus Christ, rather than a particular blood relationship or shared experience. It forces us out of our comfort zones and into a territory where we must place our trust in God. Although in the church’s early days it was common for traveling prophets and teachers to be helped along the way by people like Gaius who housed and fed them, it is even more important today to open our homes and show people we care. There are a lot of hurting people. As a church we still come across missionaries, speakers, or other Christian families visiting our city that may need a meal or a place to stay and we have an opportunity to partner with God in providing that. We also can do this on any ordinary day. We live in a very self-centered world with many lonely people who go through life wondering if anyone would even notice if they lived or died. We have many lonely people in our churches. Why not invite one of them into your home for a meal? I know this doesn’t come easy for everyone, but it is God’s will for us to use the blessings He gave us to bless and refresh others. That may mean getting out of our comfort zones and opening our homes to someone(s) we may not normally invite in.
P – Lord, help us as a church to really SEE the needs of others and DO something about it. Help us to live out making people our priority and put aside any self-centeredness that may dwell in our hearts. Help us want to open the doors of our comfortable homes to others who might not have what we have. Help us not take for granted that what we have is ALL because of You! Help us to see the lonely and bring joy and love to them by letting them into our lives. Even though hospitality always costs us something - whether it be time, energy (cleaning and cooking), or finances, help us remember the cost it cost YOU to give us Your son, and to see people as the unique creations of a loving God and not as objects or inconveniences. Help us to welcome people into our lives as you have welcomed us into your family! AMEN
- Crystal Flory
Proverbs 16 - 6.19.24
Scripture: Proverbs 16:2-3
All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
but motives are weighed by the Lord.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.
Observation
We must guard against doing what is right in our eyes and seek God’s direction in every area of our lives.
Application
Humans are skilled at justifying their behavior. It starts very early. I hit my sister because she called me a name – she deserved it. I took a cookie after mom told me not to because I was STARVING. And it continues throughout our life, justifying why we speed, fudge on our taxes, and on and on. We want to decide in our own minds what is right. And sometimes we make our own plan, even with the best intentions, without seeking God’s direction.
“The conclusion of the matter is that we deceive ourselves so easily and therefore cannot fully evaluate ourselves. God, by his Spirit and through his Word, provides the penetrating evaluation.” (Ross)
In Hebrew, the word commit is to roll – roll your burdens, your to-do list, your concerns, your plans onto God. Lay it all before Him in prayer. Everyday. And then leave it there. Submit to Him and HE will establish your plans.
“The wisdom of the world is foolishness to God, but the wisdom of God is life and health to those that obey Him.”
Prayer
Why do I choose to shoulder the burden of plans and decisions on my own? And then run to you when I have problems? Why would I not choose to roll them over to you and stand free and unburdened in the middle of your will? Help me to battle my foolishness and arrogance, thinking I have things under control, and choose to submit daily to your guidance and direction.
- Debbie Dunn