Posted in Christian Service, Leadership, Life Inspiration

Empty Bellied Sheep on the Road to Heaven

Written by talk2shari Published February 12, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

Matthew 9:37

King James Version (KJV)

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

Our church over the past few months have taken on discipling like we’d not in a very long time. It was indeed discipling that made the difference in my life as a new convert by having two or three people who took an interest in my life and encouraged me daily in my walk with Christ. They walked along beside me encouraging me daily; not necessarily by saying or doing, but simply “being.”

Being available

Every day someone would swing by my office just to say hello, or call to find out how I liked the church or how life was going. I’m sure they had other things they could have been doing. But one thing was certain, I felt loved! They made themselves a part of my life and in so doing I learned servitude.

Being approachable

If I’m not the queen of dumb questions, I’m at least the princess. Getting saved puts a burning desire down within to read the Word of God and with reading comes wondering. While the Holy Spirit certainly poured an understanding into me that I had never known, I still didn’t understand many of the cultural aspects and theological terms. It was wonderful having people that I could unashamedly ask the “dumb” questions and who were grounded in the Word enough to know the answers and in so doing I learned study.

Being abased

Much of the time an outspoken church has a reputation of being haughty or holier than thou. Their focus is on appearance rather than attitude and the result is those around them feeling less, or so it was with me. A perfectly dressed saint did not inspire me so much as a saint (who though he or she may have been dressed to the nines or in jeans and a flannel) would make me feel as though I had just had my feet washed by the King. I cannot count the times my new friends not only took care of my spiritual needs but my physical needs as well – and in so doing I learned humility.

Our primary responsibility is leading souls to the saving grace of Jesus Christ, but that’s only the beginning; the actual work for the cause of Christ has just begun. If I had not had wonderful people encouraging me along my new found path, I’d have been back to the old path in no time flat. Our church had gotten away from that and was doing a great injustice to the service of the Lord. His sheep were walking around with empty bellies.

In John 21:15-17 the Lord asks Peter three time “Lovest thou me?” and Peter (to paraphrase) said – “You know I do Lord!” Christ answered once to feed the lambs, and twice to feed the sheep. The lambs (new converts, the sheep (those who are stable and unstable in church) ~ We all need fed, we all need encouragement. Some days the road to Heaven is long…

Call and encourage one of your peeps today!

Posted in Christian Service, Church Unity, Leadership, Life Inspiration, salvation

The Power of the Pig

Written by talk2shari Published February 11, 2014February 11, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

When Jesus Christ walked the earth, He healed the sick, delivered the demon possessed, gave sight to the blind, raised the dead, turned water to wine… goodness gracious! The list goes on and on through ages past to eternity. And as sure as His miracles happened so did the Devil have his day.

As Jesus was coming into the country of Gergesenes he met two men possessed of demons; men who terrorized people by blocking the road so that no man could pass; likely struck terror in the hearts of children and adults alike, menaces to society… until the day that Jesus passed by. He healed the two men and cast out their demons and the nightmare on the road to Gergesenes was over. But the nightmare in the city lived on. The problem wasn’t only the possession of people it was power of Satan’s persuasion.

Matthew 8:31-34

So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils. And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.

They asked Jesus to leave! He Who had just saved their city from terror was asked to leave. Does this strike you as odd as it did me? I have been in scary situations before and when someone showed up to rescue me I was grateful they were around, I certainly wasn’t asking them to leave but rather holding on with all my might. I’m sure the people from the city were “happy” for the two men who were delivered from the demons… but doggone it, did Christ have to take their pigs?

The pig farmers sold Christ out. They went into town and rather than sharing the good news of salvation they complained to the city that Christ has killed their pigs. Unfortunately it’s still present in the church today. We want people saved, but not at the expense of our comfort. The fact of the matter is new converts can bring new issues and costs but I fully believe that had the pig farmers rejoiced in the salvation of the two men, Christ would have replaced the pigs the devil destroyed, probably with something greater!

Don’t let Satan rob you of a blessing by taking your focus off the ministry and on to the mayhem that can come with new ministries in a church. Our purpose is not in the pigs… its in the people and seeing souls saved!

Posted in Christian Service, Life Inspiration

Second Generation Awesome

Written by talk2shari Published January 16, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

I met the first generation awesome as a new convert in the 1990’s. She was a frail looking little lady with a heart the size of the State of West Virginia. She was your typical grandmotherly looking woman with a pocket book dangling from her arm. She didn’t wear any bling that I can recall; she just arrived, listened and left. You’d barely notice her at all were it not for the way she pushed people outside their comfort zone with her obedience. The Pastor would at various times make mention of something the church or someone in the community needed. He’d say it in passing, not to act upon it at that time, but that this was something we were going to do. Before he would finish his sentence you’d see a rustling in back right hand corner of the church, and out she’d step with pocket book in tow, fumbling with the clasp. And then you’d hear those awe inspiring words, “Preacher, I’d like to give the first twenty.” If she did it once she did it one hundred times and it would catch the whole congregation off guard! Because she lived in income based housing I knew she wasn’t rich, but she gave in abundance to the needs of others.

She came to mind this morning because I had a meeting with second generation awesome last night. She probably wouldn’t like it if I called her by name but God and I know who she is. Like her mother she would go un-noticed by most, but not because of her style, because she’s got it goin’ on there. But because she’s a gentle soul and a soft spirit. She’s seldom out front but always the first to step up and do something; whatever it is that the Lord lays on her heart. Like her mother she probably pushes people out of their comfort zone because obedience is not a strong suit for most of us. If God tells us to give twenty dollars, we’re counting the bills to makes sure we have enough to spare, maybe only giving fifteen for fear we’ll need lunch money. But the truth is if God tells you to give twenty, you can’t afford not to, and you might want to consider giving thirty just to let God know you’re serious.

Luke 6:38

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

“Second Generation Awesome” took the example her mother set before her and applied it not only to finances but to life, and every day she lives with a dangling pocket book in her heart, ready to step out and say “I’d like to give the first twenty.” It may be twenty dollars or twenty minutes but she’s ready to offer herself up for the service of the Lord. Her life is not perfect, she’s not without heartache or concerns, but I believe that because of her gift of generosity God has blessed her.

I didn’t write this today to make you or I feel less than adequate in the giving department. I wrote it because I think we all need a reminder that God’s storehouse doesn’t sit empty. It sits full of things we could give and do for the Lord, but don’t for any number of excuses. And because of that we’re missing out on the blessings of being a new generation of awesome. What’s in your pocketbook?

Posted in Christian Service, Life Inspiration

They didn’t know his name, but they knew his God

Written by talk2shari Published January 15, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

1 Samuel 16:16-18 ~ Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well. And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him.

When Saul fell out of fellowship with God, God allowed an evil spirit to trouble him;I believe it is still the case today when someone who once served God stops serving Him, and begins serving the world again, that God will allow their to be trouble in their soul, an un-rest where there was once rest and peace. He’ll also allow a peace to be felt in the presence of other Christians in their lives to bring to remembrance the peace God once afforded them.

David had obviously made quite the impression on the community as a harpist (the original bluegrasser’s ya know), but not enough to make his name a household word. He was still referred to as “the son of Jesse.” He was known for his music, his mastery in war and life’s circumstances and he was quite the looker. All of that is in those verses, just not with the same adjectives I used to describe him, but its there. And last but not least they say “and the Lord is with him.” It was his secular talent that got him noticed, but it was obvious to everyone he was blessed by God.

What we do outside the church is important, and it’s important that we do it well. If we profess we are Christians, how awesome would it be that when someone described our character and abilities that they followed it with “and the Lord is with them.” They probably won’t. But you better believe that a Christian who does not do their job well will often be referred to as “and they say their a Christian…”

David was first noticed for his abilities, but they also knew that God’s hand was upon him. And who knows how many souls were saved because he drew attention to himself through his talents, but glorified God in the process. So… what are you doing with your talents today? Are you a person who desires God’s heart?

The world may not know your name, but what’s more important is that they know your God.

Posted in Christian Service, Leadership, Life Inspiration

The Very First Ministry Created on Earth… are you a part of it?

Written by talk2shari Published January 11, 2014January 11, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

Genesis 2:15

And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

The first ministry on earth. Adam was placed in a location and given the job of taking care of what God had created; and so it continues in the year of our Lord 2014. It seems pretty simplistic, and yet for many it is nowhere on their list of priorities, or if it is, it falls just shy of taking out the trash. They do it because it’s necessary, but not enjoyable.

I don’t for two seconds believe that’s how God intended it. I believe that as Adam tended to creation he did so with joy in his heart and a desire to serve and please the Creator. It should be the same today, but the world gets in the way and we lose focus of His design. We were created to take care of the created… each other.

As a child in the hills of Braxton County, West Virginia, on my Great Grandmother Duffield’s property, we had what we dubbed “The Moss House” in the woods. It was a moss covered piece of ground in the thick woods where we would gather and make “rooms” by moving the moss into different locations. I thought it was an exclusive idea of my group of cousins, only to discover in a conversation with my older sister years later, that they thought it was their idea. Truth be told my mother probably played the same game. Ministry is much the same. We all think we’re creating something new, but the truth of the matter is we’re just tending to what God created. But it’s fun to be creative with it!

So as our ministry team at Victory Baptist Church begins to refocus on “that place in which the Lord placed us in 2014, my desire is to motivate and then move out of the way by meeting with our youth leadership team and ask them

What Did God create us to do in this place in which He placed us?

Below is a 7 point outline using the acronym C.R.E.A.T.E.D. to sum up our role and motivate one another as leaders in the church:

Challenge ~ There’s two ways to look at a challenge. It’s a task– The challenge of how far can we go with this ministry, and it’s a trial – There are challenges that we face in the youth ministry, the greater the challenge, the greater God will be glorified. What’s the challenge?
Results ~ There nothing like one great accomplishment to give you the desire for another. It’s how we’re made. But in order to have accomplishments there has to be goals set. What are our ministry goals?
Enthusiasm ~ If we’re excited about what’s happening, it’s bound to rub off on the rest of the church. What is something you’d get excited about doing? Let’s do it!
Attitude ~ It’s your attitude not your aptitude that determines your altitude as someone so cleverly said. What attitudes are helping, and what attitudes are hindering?
- Attitudes we deal with in the ministry –
  - Fear (I’m afraid if I do this… this might happen.)
  - Pride (I don’t want to fail in front of people)
  - Doubt (of ability or agility on both ends of the age spectrum) Think Joash who became King at Seven, and Moses who didn’t get called until he was 80. Age is not an excuse for not serving.
Transformation – When things get stale, throw a little change in the mix, and we have new motivation. Our church as has had a major game changer this year. We are Pastorless… not leaderless. There have been some great transformations in leadership simply because change happened. What can we do different?
Endangered – Telling someone that a critter has become endangered will create a flurry of people coming to that critters rescue. Well, churches are becoming endangered… or at least solid, Bible teaching and preaching churches with leadership with a backbone. Please… come to our rescue and join the fight.
Dreams – Leaders are visionaries. Wanting to accomplish something bigger. If you could dream of anything at all, the wildest craziest dream ever for your ministry. What would it be? Let’s do it.

We were created in the image of God with a design by God for our work; we weren’t created to sit idle. So I have to ask the question… What part of the garden did God give you a desire to tend and what ideas did He plant inside of you about it?

Posted in Christian Service, Church attendance, Leadership, Life Inspiration

The Blossom Gang

Written by talk2shari Published January 10, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

I love beginnings! And I “mostly” only like endings because I know once something is completed, something new is beginning. It’s the part in the middle that I have issues with. Genesis 1:11 ~ And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.

And so it was that the summer of 1996 a sapling sprung up in the depth of my soul that I believe God planted long before the baby known as Shari was born to Gene and Violet Hardway in Braxton County, West Virginia. Jeremiah 1:5 says “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” So I believe that God sowed a seed in eternity past that He knew would take root, and I believe the same is true with every human on the face of the planet, although every seed sown does not take root. The anomaly (inconsistency) that some get saved (accept Christ as their Savior) has nothing to do with the seed, or the Sower, but the soil for which it was planted. We are still free willed, God won’t force Himself upon us, at least at this point. There will come a day that everyone shall see Him as He is and know that He is indeed Truth and light. But for now, if men and women choose to stay in a state of denial, it’s their choice, and truthfully their loss.

But that fruit after its kind mentioned in Genesis 1:11 has captured my thoughts this morning. When God formed man He created him in the likeness of Himself (Genesis 1:26), and each child born, generation to generation is born from the same seed sown at Creation. Our lineage began with Adam and progressed over the years, or digressed over the years into a generation of people who many consider themselves independent of God; but whether they confess Him as Lord or not they cannot get rid of that seed in their soul that continues to try to take root, even in stoney soil. As Jesus described in the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:5-6 “Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.”

But it’s not always a soil issue entirely. Sometimes it’s the lack of growth in those little saplings. There are some trees in the orchard that have beautiful bloom but that’s where it stops. They go to church (on Sunday morning and other “special services” and they look “churchy” when the go. They have a Christian fish on their car and if anyone asks they’re more than happy to tell them they’re a Christian and that everyone should have a home church. But… they are far too busy to make Sunday evening and Wednesday a priority, and sharing the gospel runs the risk of offending “good people” or even worse offending “bad people.” Then there’s the whole issue of church and state and the state they’re in… but they look pretty. I think I’ll start calling them the blossom gang, all flower… no fruit.

God planted the seed within us and if we allow He will continue to fertilize the crop with the expectation that the fruit He’s already given root to and nurtures Himself will be fruit bearing also – in His likeness.

So my question to myself and you as well is are you a member of the blossom gang, or the Alpha and Omega Orchard? There’s a beginning and an end to everyone’s story…

Posted in Christian Service, Leadership, Life Inspiration

You can’t get there from where you are

Written by talk2shari Published January 6, 2014January 6, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

Joshua 3:4 ~ Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.

The children of Israel were departing the wilderness. A whole new generation of God’s chosen, their parents and grandparents had murmered against the leadership, questioned God’s design and ended up dying along the way. Now this generation was about to embark on a journey for which they had “not passed this way before.” There’s something both exciting and un-nerving about going to where we’ve never been. It’s like being the Captain of the Starship Enterprise (only without the strange aliens, although strange church members may make up for that). Israel had great leadership in Moses, and were left in the more than capable hands of Joshua. God’s presence was going before them about a ½ mile, possibly that far ahead as to be seen by all who followed and they were about to get what had only been a dream before. But, it was going to take someone stepping outside their comfort zone, and someone willing to follow. That’s what I believe it takes to have a thriving church.

It seems obvious that to get to where you’ve never been, you’d have to travel where you’ve never gone. And yet church folks don’t like to move out of their section of pews, so to ask them to move outside of the church into the community is really pushing buttons that will cause the breaks to squeal. But if we never move outside the church, how will they see Jesus? Jesus’ comfort zone wasn’t inside the building it was going the less traveled way.

He met the woman at the well in a location that Jews did not travel, in the heat of the day when it was not comfortable, and He didn’t take His ministry team along. When they finally arrived at the well, they marveled that Jesus spoke to the Samarian woman, but they dare not ask it aloud. When they asked Jesus if He wanted something to eat He replied in John 4:34 ~ “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”

The disciples still didn’t get it. So Jesus put it in garden terms “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.”

So I have to ask myself this question. Am I on Jesus’ ministry team? Would I have been at the well, or would I have been at the grocery store? Would I have been gathering fruit for the Kingdom, or grub for the King? My stomach just rolled over. I fear I’ve spent much of my ministry in the checkout aisle, while God was waiting for me in the community. God went out before the children of Israel into the Promised Land from the wilderness. Now He was taking them back into the wilderness, so to speak. Not asking them to be a part of it, but to go there to bring new children into the Promised Land.

What are we waiting for? We can’t get “there” from “where you are”. Go!

Posted in Christian Service, Life Inspiration

Is your Love Feast spotted?

Written by talk2shari Published December 31, 2013 Discussion Leave a Comment

Jude 1:12

These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

The feasts of Love (Agape) were held when food was in short supply in the community and richer members would bring food and drink to the church. Following a service and communion everyone would gather together for a potluck dinner of sorts in the name and character of Jesus, by showing love to one another through their provisions. It sounds very much like what occurs in our churches today, although today they are more for fellowship than providing food, the theory behind it is the same… we want people to know we care. Jude wasn’t so much concerned about the dinner as he was with the shenanigans going on with the creeps in the church who used this blessed event to further false teaching.

A meal that was meant to refresh poor saints had been turned into a social event where, rather than feeding the poor, Judaizing Christians were observing them in imitation of the Passover, excluding the poor and inviting unseemly guests into the church to take communion thus corrupting the works of God. It was no longer about seeing souls saved but once again was running the risk of turning into dead religion.

At a recent church training for disciple making, Dr. Sebby Volpe asked the simple question, “When is the last time you’ve invited a member of the church to dinner (outside your normal click)?” It’s an occurrence of days gone by that church fellowship extends past the noon hour on Sunday. We get into the grooves of life and it takes a bill of congress to get us out. Church dinners are an excellent opportunity to fellowship as a whole, but they run the risk of just being an opportunity to nourish the body and not the soul, which was the original church’s intent. We provide a turkey or two to poor families in the community at Christmas and think we’ve done our good deed for the year, after all the season of giving is over.

Good grief! That is so true.

We leave the feeding of the poor to local agencies (that are mostly non church related) while the church sits idle and the name of Jesus unglorified. January, February and March are hard months. Many families have overspent (which is wrong, but reality), and other didn’t have the option of spending at all and food is now in short supply. Most of us cannot identify and we assume the Department of Human Services (Welfare) takes care of the underprivileged which is far from the truth; there is nothing well or fair about it. Many don’t qualify or are too proud to ask. Before the days of the Welfare Department it was the church who took care of the widows and the children who lacked the necessities of life, for which they earned the right to be called Christian (meaning Christ like).

A missionary friend to Tanzania illustrated this to me in a great way yesterday. He had been visiting a person at the hospital and it was time to go. He told them he’d be back, but as a college student he had other obligations. On his way back to school he found 2000 Tanzania shiling, the equivalency of one U.S. dollar. He could have used that dollar for himself, but instead he buys 20 bananas and takes them back to the hospital to share with the patients… That’s Jesus’ love feast at its finest.

Another day of being parked in the book of Jude that God uses His word to illustrate modern life.

Christmas is over, the need is not. What can we do today to lend a hand and let someone see Jesus?

Posted in Christian Service, Leadership, Life Inspiration

Three Issues with the Church

Written by talk2shari Published December 29, 2013 Discussion Leave a Comment

Consider yourself warned

“God never promised to save by miracles those that would not save themselves by means.”

This statement from the commentary of Matthew Henry set off an alarm inside my mind this morning. My third day of studying the book of Jude and I didn’t make it two verses without a “Wow!”

Verses 10-11

But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

Yesterday’s blog was on strife in the church due to debating the sin of homosexuality. The sin was as much in the debate as the act, for it took the message away from the life and death of Jesus Christ and put it onto the depravity of man, which is why Jesus came – to save them. A debate is only healthy so long as it points back to the cross and not on to the opinions of man which is where we go astray. There are always two sides to a debate, and if a public forum is taken you never know how many people you’ve allowed to be swayed by the other argument. That thought just ran a shiver down my spine, because there is always much debate.

But in verses 10-11 Jude reminds them of three Old Testament acts of treason in the church:

Cain’s jealousy.
Balaam’s greed
Korah’s (Core’s) false teaching.

There are always those who think their way is better than God’s way, but when the matter is searched out there is always an underlying reason, a reward that they believe will be greater than the grace of God. For Cain, his Brother Abel’s obedience with an acceptable sacrifice made him look bad, so “Let’s just get rid of the brother, then I’ll be the favorite…problem solved.” No, the problems had only begun. Now Cain was exiled from family and friends. Judgment came, it always does. There’s always an easier sacrifice in the church, but never a better one than the one God requested.

Balaam’s greed caused him to go against God’s original Word. God’s first answer is His final answer. We need not take the same question back to the Lord when it was answered the first time in hopes of a different answer; nor do we need to “check it out” a little further. What that does is put you closer to rebellion and further away from God. Something King David noted of his own life in Psalm 73:1-3 ~ Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Korah’s rebellion against God in trying to attract Israel away from the leadership of Moses left him being swallowed up in death by the ground. God takes serious those who He has put into positions of authority. He has given them the anointed ability to lead His people and a rebellion against that will be costly.

Those are three very real issues in the church today in the spoiled nation of America. We want God’s blessing but without sacrifice. We want God’s advice, so long as it’s beneficial and we want church leaders, so long as they don’t actually have expectations that we should live right. Whew! That’ll preach! and Preachers, if you’re inclined to use it in your sermon this morning feel free to blame me. But I figure if you’re gutsy enough to preach it, you’ve got shoulders broad enough to bear the load of your congregations.

It appears that Jude was quite the meddler in church affairs, but he learned from the best – his Brother and Lord! God’s given us the Word, it’s up to us to follow it through.

Posted in Christian Service, Church attendance, Life Inspiration

I want to be a Contender!

Written by talk2shari Published December 27, 2013 Discussion 2 Comments

As I get ready to embark on 2014 it is going to be a New Year in a great many ways I hope. I always love the New Year, a clean sheet of paper in a new notebook mentality where anything is possible! At years end I always desire to be, though I seldom feel that I am, closer to the Lord and more determined to live out His will for my life. I desire to not only read His Word, but to Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15). God has so generously given me this platform, I really don’t desire to fall off of it, I’ll graciously step down should that be His will. A platform is not meant to be viewed as a pedestal, but more so an individual given the opportunity to elevate Christ. I should never be “lifted up” but rather I should be lifting up Christ. Some have that wrong. Jude had it right.

Jude 1-3~ Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Jude, not only a servant of Christ, although he held that in the highest esteem, and a brother to James (showing piety to family), but he too was a brother to Christ. He grew up in the same house with the same Momma and no doubt grew up witnessing his Brother’s miracles first hand. I have to wonder if at times there wouldn’t have been contention between them seeing that Mary worshipped Jesus, knowing Who He was. What must His brothers have thought? Or maybe they too knew in their hearts very young that Jesus was not just an ordinary child, we’re not given that insight, only speculation which can be wrong, and so I digress. But here in this place we find Jude all grown up. There is no animosity toward his Brother, only reverence.

He is Called

Just as those of us who are saved and redeemed by the blood of Jesus have been; each of us are called to a purpose. Contrary to popular belief you were not called to take up space in a pew. Sunday morning from 11 a.m. to 12 noon is not service, it’s worship; or it should be. And you should be desirous of that time for all Christ does for you the rest of the week. The service to which you are called is the rest of the week, on the job or in the home, on vacation or on the internet you are called to be a servant of Jesus Christ as was Jude. What you’re doing should in some way be pointing back to Him and lived out in humility. Jude was proud of his family, he loved his career, but He served Christ.

He is Concerned

He desired mercy, peace and love for his brothers and sisters in Christ for which he considered them an equal (common salvation). Every one of us get saved in the same manner. We may have traveled a different path to get there but the final journey to salvation is the same. We admit we’re a sinner and deserve Hell, we believe He was born of a virgin and died upon the cross to pay for our sins, and we confess He is Lord and the only worthy sacrifice. It is at that point, with Him living in us, that our servant’s heart should be concerned for our brothers and sisters wellbeing, praying mercy, peace and love be multiplied. Are you praying for your fellow servants?

He is a Contender

I didn’t watch the movie “On the Waterfront” but most of us know Marlon Brando’s quote “I could have been a contender…” and we even know the manner of which he said it. Jude was a contender and so he advises us to be as well. It’s going to be a fight, we know this from past experience. Any time we step out and make a decision I’m going to do more for the Lord, Satan counterattacks, it’s a given. I don’t want to say “I could have been a contender in 2014.” I want to be a contender for the faith, I want to do more! Will you join me?

Please begin by praying for this ministry, that the Lord open doors and I go through only those He opens. Thank you! in advance.