March 22 – LOVE TAKES RISKS

 Risk yourselves in showing mercy – rushing in to the fire of their torment to save them, but recognize and flee from the sin that entangles their lives. (Jude 23)

                Which people do you love enough to make you put yourself at risk? Would you risk death for your family – maybe even your closest friends? Would you risk “being burned” by investing in someone who doesn’t deserve your help? It may take your money, your time, your personal attention, or an opportunity to work with you. You may even have to go to the place where they are – even a terrible, dangerous place.

 Rescuing someone from a fire is such a good illustration of the tremendous danger that a tormented person, living life without God must face every day. It also makes you think of the risk that you will face when you love that person enough to rush into their fire to save them. That kind of reckless investment even puts you at risk of the consequences of the sin that has them in its bondage, as you draw near and become intimately related with these people.

                For whom will you take this great risk every day? Let your answer be, “everyone the Lord gives me to love.” Let your love for other people take the risks that it takes to rescue them.

March 21 – UNITY

 Be kind and show compassion for people who struggle and doubt and hesitate to commit. Have mercy on them with discernment. (Jude 22)

               How do you deal with the people you lead who are stragglers? Are you tempted to push them to the side, or even drive them out? Those who don’t buy in; who aren’t true believers, will be a source of endless problems. They must be dealt with. But, how do you deal with them the right way?

               This instruction clearly gives you the correct attitude to have, but you may struggle with how to have mercy; how to show compassion to these people who are struggling. Paul also gave some insight in his letter to the Galatians (6:1-2), “Carry each other’s problems, and you’ll be doing what Jesus said to do.” Jesus wanted this mercy for each other, so that His people would find unity. “Let them (the ones who believe in me) be completely unified, so the world will know that the Father sent me and loves them (John 17:23).” Jesus talked in family terms. You become brothers and sisters in God’s family when you follow Him. The unity Jesus spoke about is so complete that you and He are like one person, and through that love you can also be united with other believers. Unity is a high priority of Jesus, and it must be a very high priority for you, if you would lead as God wants you to lead.

Look for your people who struggle today and show them the compassion and mercy that brings this unity.

March 20 – HUMILITY

 But you, my friends that I love, build yourselves on your faith in Jesus; praying in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love for you as you look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you through into life eternal. (Romans 13:9)

               What is humility? You may most easily define this word using its opposites. Humility is not arrogance or pride. Many would say it is good to be humble, but most seem to choose not to do it. This world is about asserting your rights, self-esteem, and bragging. Our culture even has a phrase that recognizes people struggle with what they know to do versus what they do, “humble brag.” So, are you humble?

                Try this definition for humility. Humility is to understand your proper role, and to live in that role honestly every day. To do this, you’ll need a firm foundation. Trusting Jesus, that he can “bring you through,” is that stable base. Then, trusting the Holy Spirit to know what you need and to pray with and for you (Romans 8:26-27), you can be consistent and live with integrity. It is God’s love for you that makes this happen. It is not whether you are good or bad. It is whether you love, and give your life to the One who loves you.

            Humility is to know that you cannot succeed apart from your relationship with God. Be humble.

March 19 – JUST LOVE

 For these, commandments not to commit adultery, not to kill nor steal, crave to have other peoples’ things, and all the other commands – they all add up to this, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” (Romans 13:9)

               If you have heard any words from the Bible, it is likely that you have heard this challenge to obey one little commandment, “Love your neighbor!” However, two important questions face you if you want to follow Paul’s advice; “Who is your neighbor?” and “How do you love this neighbor as you love yourself?”

               The word neighbor is an interesting choice. It generally means, “someone close by” or “touching.” If you quickly run through a mental list of people you have at times seen face-to-face, talked to, or written to, each of those would seem to qualify. Paul’s intended definition may have been even broader, including people he had not yet met. Maybe “everyone” could be a good working definition. But, how do you love everyone? Considering the level of attention that most give to themselves, the list of tasks could be long. You must have an interest in how they are doing, understand enough of their story to know why, and work for their interest in a way that accepts the person’s perceptions and feelings. Further, you must appreciate and value them as God’s created people, and both pray and work to help them to find and follow God’s will for their lives.     

Only one little commandment. Just love.

March 18 – MERCY AND JUDGMENT

 And now, as you consider this choice, a reminder that the Lord God, after providing His people a way to escape from Egypt, also later destroyed those who chose not to believe in, act upon, and follow His will and His way. (Jude 5)

                God is love. He does extraordinary things to show that love. He wants the very best for each person whom He has created. God also holds men and women accountable for the choices they make.

                One of the most clear, decisive stories of God’s judgment is found in Daniel 5. King Belshazzar holds a banquet where he uses the sacred temple vessels as common household items during his party. Suddenly, a human hand appeared and wrote upon the wall, “mene, mene, tekel, upharsin” on the wall. The frightened king called for Daniel, who explained that the words meant God has numbered, weighed, and found Belshazzar wanting, and that his kingdom would be taken from him and divided. Belshazzar was murdered that very night.

                Clearly, God’s word tells about His love, but it also clearly teaches there is a great penalty for those who choose a life of selfish rebellion. Choose today to believe in, act upon, and follow the Lord’s way.

March 17 – WHOSE TRUTH?

 Dear friends, I must write to you and ask – even beg – of you to fight and hold on to the faith we share as it has been shared with you. There are some, who are not from God, but who have crept in. They want to make the truth of God’s grace and mercy into a lie that says who you are, and what you do don’t matter to God. That makes the whole story of Jesus Christ into a lie. (Jude 3-4)

               From where do you get truth? Do you choose to believe God’s revealed truth, or simply listen to other people and their opinions? There are values that form “the faith.” Your beliefs; these values, shape who you are and what you do. Your values – your truth matters.

               Jude talks about “the faith” here. The faith he pleads with his readers to hold onto is one that is focused on Jesus Christ. This faith leads men and women to embrace the right attitudes and actions He taught this faith, while being grateful for God’s love that makes relationship possible. The people who have sneaked into their group argue, like many people today, that there is no truth. They believe in personal freedom to do anything you choose.  They may also say God loves everyone, and He lets you live without any responsibility. This is the exact opposite of His truth. The Lord loves you so very much that, at great cost – Jesus’ life – He made a way to again be a part of your life,

               Choose well. Get your truth from God and listen for His word to you.

March 16 – ALL THE BEST

From Jude to you who are called by God, your Father, who loves you and preserves and keeps you for Jesus Christ. Let the mercy, peace, and love of our Lord be multiplied in your life! (Jude 1&2)

                Does your life serve as evidence that you are called by God? Do people who know you see, hear, and feel evidence that God loves you – and them? It is by living with every thought consumed by the call of Jesus on your life, and every action controlled by the Holy Spirit, that you find real life; good life; meaningful life.

                Jude explains this dynamic as simply as you can. The Lord is full of mercy, peace, and love. So, if Jesus lives in and through you, you will reflect His mercy in dealing with other people. The peace of a life that is complete will be yours, and you will optimistically and courageously show God’s love to those around you. Your complete focus will be on loving other people, as you lead and influence them to live life on God’s terms.

                As you lead in this way, you will also find freedom. God’s call reaches others in a way that calls each of them to this same relationship with Him. They won’t be called to follow you, with you responsible for their outcome. Rather they will join you as you both follow Jesus.