A Faith Foundation for the Last Days (Jude 1:17-20

Jude 1:17 (NLT) But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ told you, 18 that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to enjoy themselves in every evil way imaginable. 19 Now they are here, and they are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They live by natural instinct because they do not have God's Spirit living in them. 20 But you, dear friends, must continue to build your lives on the foundation of your holy faith. And continue to pray as you are directed by the Holy Spirit.

There is often something providential in daily devotional readings. On one hand, we encounter these pre-selected Bible readings by chance. On the other hand, God's Word is always relevant to our lives, whenever we encounter it.

My devotional reading today (9/30/09) from the book of Jude, reminds me that changing times do not change human nature. This ancient text reads like current events. Interestingly, Jude seemed to think of his day as the "last times." If Jude was living in the "last times," we must be living in the "last minutes." The wording of the New Living Translation offers some fresh insights.

Jude paints a grim picture, "...There would be scoffers [both in the world and in the church] whose purpose in life is to enjoy themselves in every evil way imaginable." The definition of scoff is, "To mock at or treat with derision." These last days and minutes are certainly characterized by mocking and deriding people, presidents, preachers, churches and more. The world witnessed a member of Congress call his president a liar during an internationally televised speech. We've witnessed countless instances of God's church and His servants being mocked by the media. Other examples abound.

While this text provides many descriptive statements of the problem, there are also prescriptive statements of hope and direction for believers.

One powerful descriptive statement of the problem is,

"They live by natural instinct because they do not have God's Spirit living in them."

Living by "natural instinct" accounts for 99% of what's wrong with ourselves and our world. Perceiving and deciding based on raw feelings, appetites and emotions cannot lead people to a fruitful and godly place in life. When people do not have the Holy Spirit in them, or (as believers) do not follow the leading of the Spirit of God, all that is left are instincts such as survival, self-preservation, territorialism or worse.

However, Jude's prescriptive statement of hope and direction is far more powerful!

"... Continue to build your lives on the foundation of your holy faith. And continue to pray as you are directed by the Holy Spirit."

Building our lives on a faith foundation is the answer to 90% of our problems. (The final 10%–or more–is the mercy of God!) Add to this, praying "as you are directed by the Holy Spirit" keeps your heart full of hope and sustains your faith walk.

Today and everyday, do not allow our natural instincts to become a greater force in our lives than our faith and prayers. Amen!

Touching Our Generation

People need to be touched, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Touching is fundamental in our culture. We touch people that we love and are concerned about.

We teach children that there is both a good and bad touch. There is a holy and an unholy touch. There are touches for benefit and touches born of deceit.

Effective evangelism begins with touching people. Before we can get them saved, we need to first "win" them. The win people is to gain their attention in a positive way. People want to know that we care about them.

This type of touch begins with making contact with people in many ways:

1. Greeting them in Jesus' name

2. Inviting them to Sunday Worship & Word Encounter

3. Sharing literature such as our Sunday School brochure. Be mindful of what your give people. Don't confuse them.

4. Offering to pray for people: Pray the correct prayer in a suitable setting. Put yourself in their shoes

Some examples of how Jesus touched people:

Touch to reassure and remove fear

Matthew 17:6-8 (New International Version)

5While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"6When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid." 8When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

People need to be touched, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Touching is fundamental in our culture. We touch people that we love and are concerned about.

There is both a good and bad touch. There is a holy and an unholy touch. There are touches for benefit and touches born of deceit.

Effective evangelism begins with touching people. Before we can get them saved, we need to first "win" them. The win people is to gain their attention in a positive way. Rather than preparing to do "spiritual battle" with people, let's just touch them with God's love first.

This type of touch begins with making contact with people in many ways:

1. Greeting them in Jesus' name

2. Inviting them to Sunday Worship & Word Encounter

3. Sharing literature such as our Sunday School brochure. Be mindful of what your give people. Don't confuse them.

4. Offering to pray for people: Pray the correct prayer in a suitable setting. Put yourself in their shoes

Touch for healing

Mark 7:32-34 (New International Version)

32There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man. 33After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spit and touched the man's tongue. 34He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, "Ephphatha!" (which means, "Be opened!" ).

Another touch for healing

Mark 8:21-23 (New International Version)

21He said to them, "Do you still not understand?" 22They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?"

Touching children to show God's personal love and compassion

Luke 18:14-16 (New International Version)

14"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." 15People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.16But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these

Healing touch to undo something wrong that was done

Luke 22:50-52 (New International Version)

50And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. 51But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched the man's ear and healed him. 52Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs?Touch People

Touch of provision at a wedding

John 2 (New International Version)

1On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, 2and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine." 4"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come." 5His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." 6Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. 8Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, 9and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."

Returning to a place once touched with greater credibility

John 4:46 (New International Version) 46Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum.

Go touch someone today with the love of Jesus!

Come Celebrate With Us!

An Encouraging Word for You!

What a blessing it is to be a part of God's family! It is a joy to serve in God's house!

This scripture mightily blessed me this morning during my devotional time! I wanted to share it with you.

Psalms 84:10 (NIV), A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked. 11 For the LORD God is our light and protector. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will the LORD withhold from those who do what is right. 12 O LORD Almighty, happy are those who trust in you.

We who live in our Father's House always live better than those who have the so-called "good life" in wicked places. Quality of life is not measured by how much stuff one has, but by our connection to the Lord. Because we are connected to God, we have access to all His stuff! As the text says, "No good thing will he withhold from those who do what is right."

Have a Fruitful Day!

The president's speech banned in many PUBLIC schools! Rebellion and disrespect are always wrong!

This should not be about politics, race or anything else. I would take the same position if President Bush had been denied the right to speak to school children.

It is wrong for adults to encourage a spirit of rebellion in children by banning them from hearing his speech about education. When our president speaks, WHOEVER he is, we should at least listen!

Politely ask if your public school is showing the president's education speech today. If not, ask why.

Here's the full text of his speech:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResources/PreparedSchoolRemarks/

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