Jd

Jude urges us to "contend for the faith" in the midst of a godless culture. He also speaks boldly to the fact that much of that contention will be within the "gathered community".

Often the most destructive things in a believing community are not the attacks from the outside, but rather, the factions that emerge from within. Jude believed that not all those on the inside are truly on the "inside". These are the ones we should guard most vigilantly against.

Jude's solution was to continue to build ourselves up in faith, to pray that the Holy Spirit will keep us loving God and each other, and to expect the mercy of Jesus to be on our lives.

These are strong words.

3Jn

Happy Thanksgiving. Be careful to follow only what is good. These are wise words from the apostle John.

We all are followers! We don't choose to be followers, we only choose "who and what" we will follow.

Making sure that the leadership in our lives is excellent should be one of our highest priorities.

2jn2

"This is my command: Love one another!" It is not a new command, just a very hard one.

It is this command that matters most. When we drift from love, we are drifting from God.

Don't let life stop you from loving each other. Give yourself to loving others. In this way we fulfill God's desires for us.

1Jn3

If faith is measured in the way that we love others, how great is our faith?

Loving God is expressed in loving others. Loving others is the greatest evidence that we truly love God.

Live in love today.

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1Jn2

Do not love the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world the love of the father is not in him.

These are strong words! Clearly John was saying the world and God's desires are in conflict.

Consider these things today. What does it mean for us?

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1Jn1

There is no fellowship with God or others apart from confession!
Being honest about our sin is step one in our relationship with God. Being willing to share our sins with others is step one in our fellowship with one another.
Living in a relationship with one another is living with the reality that we all sin.
Confess your sins. It is a freeing thing to do!

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2Pt3

What kind of people are we to be? Peter knew the Lord's promises were true. He also knew that it would be difficult to wait for His return. And difficult to live for Christ in culture. Yet, his encouragement was that it would be worth it. Eternity will be blessed for those who live in light of Jesus' return.