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Tuesday... He gives us great words of advice.


Tuesday... He gives us great words of advice. 

Jude, a brother of James and also an earthly brother of Jesus in his short, one chapter letter starts it off with some great advice. I love the Bible. No matter where you are in it you find something that will make a major difference in our day and in the way we live.

So let me ask you, how are you doing today? Are you facing some insurmountable problem? This Covid is and has been a problem. Russia invading the Ukraine is a problem. Maybe work is a problem or family relationships. Maybe your health. 

Jude wrote this letter to some Christians who were facing some real problems. He starts off in verse 1 (MSG) by saying, "I, Jude, am a slave to Jesus Christ and brother to James, writing to those loved by God the Father, called and kept safe by Jesus Christ." Now we can't say we are a brother of James who was also an earthly brother of Jesus but we can say that we are loved and kept safe by Jesus Christ if we have given our lives over to Him. And if we have, the truth is, we are also a part of His family. 

He goes on. Verse 2 says, "Relax, everything's going to be all right; rest, everything's coming together; open your hearts, love is on the way." Relax, rest, open your hearts. Rest, relax, open your hearts. 

I was going through a time back when I was a young single, youth pastor that was a difficult time. Somewhere I had heard this phrase that seemed to be God speaking directly to me. The phrase was, relax, let me do it. Relax, let me do it. Well I wrote that phrase on paper and put it all over my small apartment so I could see it no matter what room I was in. Relax, let me do it. And that is what Jude is saying here.  "Relax, everything's going to be all right; rest, everything's coming together; open up your hearts, love is on the way."

The NLT says it this way, "I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more mercy, peace and love." And may that be so in your life today.

And he ends this short letter by saying this, verses 24-25 (MSB), "And now to him who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in his bright presence, fresh and celebrating - to our one God, our only Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Master, be glory, majesty, strength. and rule before all time, and now, and to the end of all times." Yes, yes! #todaysbeginning

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