For those of you who have been graciously reading my posts each week, I have to warn you right up front, this will NOT be like all the others. The Lord began speaking to me weeks ago about His plans for next year and He used the Book of Jude to do it! NOW, I finally get to share what He has shared with me!!
Jude was also diverted from what he had originally planned to write on. Notice, “Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else...” (Jude 3a) So what’s so important!? I’m so glad you asked!
First God offers a warning:
“[I’m writing instead] urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to His holy people. I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives.” (Jude 3b-4)
We already know girls, that this world is increasing growing away from God and His ways. My former pastor used to say, “It’s growing gloriously dark.” Darker, in order for our light to shine brighter is what he meant by that, but unfortunately, often times God’s universal church has remained quiet, and worse, some have even adopted ideas contrary to God’s Word, for fewer people today are actually reading His Word for themselves!
I can promise that, that will never be the case on Women in the Word! The Lord began this ministry six year ago so that like-minded women could find a safe-haven to come to, and find the support, and all they would need to go back out into the world and minister to those around them! And the Lord once more is calling us to “defend the faith” in 2018!
He begins by warning us to be on the lookout for those who might try to come among us; pretending to be one of us, but being used to actually weaken our faith. God gives us five characteristics to be on the lookout for; four found in verse 16, and the fifth in verse 19:
- These people are grumblers and complainers.
- Living only to satisfy their desires.
- They brag loudly about themselves.
- They flatter others to get what they want.
- These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.
He then Exhorts Us to Focus on Five Areas Next Year:
- Build one another up in your most holy faith
- Pray in the Spirit
- Keep busy serving one another through God’s love as you wait on The Lord Jesus
- Show mercy to, and help those whose faith is wavering.
- Save others by snatching them from the fire. (Bring salvation to other)
Isn’t this exciting!!? (I love when God speaks a personal message to us!!
Are you set and ready to join us? Great! But here’s the best part!
It’s all for His glory!!
Now all glory to God, Who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to Him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are His before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen. (Jude 24-25 emphasis mine)
O goodness! I can’t wait until our study begins next year, for He promises to be there too; and will keep us from stumbling, while building us up, and bringing us right into His presence with “great joy”! It promises to be an incredible year and if you haven’t had a chance to join us yet, we sure hope you will! Simply, click on this link. There will always be someone there to welcome you!
Also, if you're still curious about what we'll be studying next year, here's a link that will provide a bit more information for you.
Blessings,
sue
Also, if you're still curious about what we'll be studying next year, here's a link that will provide a bit more information for you.
Blessings,
sue
