CONTEND
Today’s Reading: Jude
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
From En Gedi, Israel, looking north along the shore of the Dead Sea, the waves, heavy with minerals, roll slowly toward the shore. Today’s reading tells about people who are like “waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame.”
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Jude 24-25
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.
This short but powerful letter gives us a huge challenge, as well as great encouragement. After praying that “mercy, peace and love” would be multiplied, Jude then challenges us to “Contend earnestly for the faith!” The word “contend” means “to assert,” “to affirm,” “to grapple with,” and “to go head to head”! Just think! Jude uses that word “contend” again in describing the confrontation of Michael, the Archangel, with Satan! (verse 9). This gives us some idea as to how we are to engage in the battle for Truth! Jude says that we can do this by (1) Building yourselves up, (2) Praying in the Holy Spirit, (3) Keeping yourselves in the love of God, and (4) Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Let’s read two or three times verses 22 & 23 and decide firmly to “contend” with “compassion!” Finally Jude gives us a most beautiful and powerful benediction, our key verse. Amen!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Yes! I pray Jude’s benediction. Lord God, keep me from “stumbling,” and may I be filled with “exceeding joy!” In the Name of Jesus, “God, our Saviour!” Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
When I was 12 years of age, my mother died. I was angry at God but loved my minister Dad who, at that time, had taken on two country churches in the Ottawa Valley. I listened to sermons and knew that he truly practiced what he preached. But it was not until after he had left for his mission to Egypt when I was 15 that I came to “grapple” with whether to believe in God or not. It was when I was 16 that the owner of the Chrysler dealership, where I worked part time, took me on, not just as an employee, but as a lost soul who needed Jesus. Syd Healey truly contended for my salvation by incessantly quoting Scripture, arranging for me to drive his 1952 Chrysler New Yorker to church (what 16-year-old could resist that!), and the result was that I made a lifetime decision to believe in Jesus Christ and follow Him forever.
By the time I was 18, I was a public school teacher in the village of Chalk River, Ontario. I remember clearly struggling with the challenge of conducting myself as a follower of Jesus should. I memorized Jude 24 & 25 and would quote it often. Later in my life as a Pastor, I would often say those words as the benediction at the close of a Sunday service. To this day, those words fill me with joy and confidence!
Yours for the wisdom that comes from “God our Saviour, Who alone is wise!”
David
Oh, the beauty of the wisdom of our Lord on high–now and forever. Amen. Such uplifting scripture, message and prayer, today, when so many of us face this terrible ice storm and continued rain. Thank You, Lord God, for Your words of wisdom, love and mercy. In Jude’s benediction, we find strength to face the day. Wishing all saints safety and blessings.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!
Psalm 57:5 ESV
Good Good Father – Chris Tomlin – with Lyrics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06ZN4wC-ono
Thank you Beverlee for the song!
The Lord be with you all, Beverlee. We have not received it here in Western NB yet but expect it today or tomorrow. Good message from David today and always like to read his salvation testimony. Please continue to pray for me today and tomorrow. Am trusting God for my wellbeing. Thank you Lord that you can keep us from falling and present us faultless before our Lord Jesus Christ. Keep safe everyone. Amen!
Great scripture, so uplifting and I too always enjoy Pastor David’s Testimony. We are housebound here outside of Toronto. The plow completely blocked the driveway hoping we can get out tomorrow as I go for my physio.
Dear Father I pray in the Name of Jesus that you would touch Ger and heal her. You said in James 5:15 The prayer of faith will save the sick. And The Lord will raise him (her) up. Amen.
Amen Eleanor M. agreeing prayer with you for Ger!
Agreeing in prayer with Eleanor for you, sister Ger. May God’s loving hands wrap you lovingly, protect you, and bring you peace.
May God bless you Eleanor, with safety in your home, today, and physio, tomorrow.
Thank you Beverlee.
..I feel totally encouraged to memorizing today’s Word! …having come through a weekend of bumbling&stumbling, this word has lifted me soul & spirit. upon entering this I was in a weakened state from a back(wrong-move)injury. I had 5 previous days moving so cautiously slow, I found myself so assisted, encouraged&loved by the presence of Holy Spirit Himself. I was given energy & ideas to move about. I didn’t want it to end. this is what I’ve been wanting for so long, a lot of prayer & gratitude just for that resulted…..then enter weekend of spontaneous decisions W/O Jesus…Thankyou in the memory of David of the continued blessing of this blog…which God’s Kindness, Courage & Love flow endlessly. I am forever quoting your beloved husband and dad’s love and care for God’s people. Forever grateful, Bonnie
All For Your Glory
“How I realize my failings in the misery of this day,
When I’ve not pardoned others, nor humbled myself to pray.
As a Christian, how I love Thee—oh my Saviour, oh my Lord,
Yet I fall short of Your glory, not abiding in Your Word.
On my knees, I’m in repentance, and wail for You to hear,
My tears are ever flowing—how I need You to be near.
When I am full of prideful ego, and unwilling to forgive,
Bitterness will hold its grip, as the devil seeks to win.
But My Lord, You are my Saviour, and the answer to my pain,
On my knees, I plea for mercy, and humbly fall, again.
To my brothers and my sisters, who I have failed to embrace,
May God bless you and keep you—in the presence of His grace.
For I realize the very secret, of the pattern I have lived,
I have failed to forgive myself, for the weakness of my sins.
But You, God, exonerate me—that is the shield I shall wear,
Your Blood, oh Lord, redeems me, as Your promises, I bear.
To You, my Risen Saviour, all my thanks and ever praise,
From the bottom of my heart, as I strive to live each day.
My weight is lifted from me, as You carry my shame away,
All for Your glory, oh God—Your love on earth, forever reigns.
Beverlee Kay
© April, 2018
end quote “
That is a beautiful poem of humble repentance and forgiveness! Thank you.
May we ALL realize that We fall short of His Perfect Mark. May we be washed clean, each day, of the pride that quietly ensues and entangles each of us.
Prayers for health for each of you.
Prayers for the ‘Son’ to shine across Canada, in all ways! ☀️✝️????
Agreeing with you in prayer Laurie and
Beverlee Kay. In Jesus’ Precious Name I pray, Amen!
Thank you, Laurie! It has been stirring in my heart of late. God’s blessings on you and Joy.
Beautiful, Beverlee…God Bless!
Thanks, sister Irene! Blessings to you!
Beverlee you are a fine example for all of us. Thank you for sharing.
Ahhh. Thank you, Eleanor.
Beautiful. God bless you and all His people throughout this world. In Jesus’s name, amen
Thankyou Beverly, …more humbling and tender encouragement…just what the Great Physician ordered,…a prescription from heaven. Be blessed in His Word and bathed in Peace this day. Bonnie
Thank you, Bonnie.
So sorry for all whose wether is windy and snowy.. We have had off anon sunny and rainy days but mild and no snow here Van. Island I PTL for that ..
Am praying for you all including my son and my daughter down East… r…..
Sorry for the miss takes Of spelling of my words … Ididn’t learn to type
when I was young and at 86 it,hard to type a few words it takes
me ages to get a few word together lve and peace to all Rose….
God’s blessings on you, Rosemarie–thank you so much for posting your loving words. Bless your son and daughter-in-law.
Amen Beverlee agreeing in prayer for Rosemarie!
So good to be able to join together in prayer and scripture reading in this blog…thank you Ron and Anne for posting in each morning…God Bless you!!
Yes Irene amen to that.
Today does not
look like Spring.
My Apt is alright.
Thank you Eleanor, Irene and Beverlee for your prayers and your poem is also so meaningful and timely Beverlee. Thanks to all for your postings. Expecting the ice storm here tonight and tomorrow.
Angels hovering over you, Ger.
prayers PLEASE! hill is coming down behind my wall;
Need $$$$$ to fix; need engineers from City Hall to help fix this problem;pray they are understanding and helpful;
TY and Praise the Lord! 23 years smoke & alcohol free! TY Lord, I pray Lord You will thousands upon thousands of others to quit these bad habits; give them swimming or some exercise like You did for me Lord, You gave me swimming! TY Lord
Thank you Beverlee, dear sister in Christ!