1 CORINTHIANS - Pay Attention!

I wonder what Paul would think about the world we live in.

Would he be on Facebook? Would he have a Twitter account?

Oh, I'd like to hope not.

Paul was single-minded in his pursuit of God, and I'm not thinking that he would tolerate the way social media turns us all away from what's truly important. How technology makes it all too easy to ignore eternity…

Today's "Bible Pick 'Ems" are his very words:

"I want you to be free from the concerns of this life…I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible."

(1 Corinthians 7:32, 35)

Can't you just hear Paul saying the same thing today?

Now I'm not slamming social media per se. I'm just echoing what Paul is saying here. People, we need to THINK about what we're doing with our time.

We live in a busy world. It's full of enticing entertainment, and clever gadgets, and a multitude of ways to pursue gratification, or amusement, or escape. In short, it's a world full of distractions.

And, as believers, we cannot afford to be distracted.

Why not?

Because time is short. Because the message of the Good News is desperately needed. Because we have been given a commission.

"And then he told them, 'Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.'" (Matthew 16:15)

Paul took that commission very seriously. He actually travelled to distant corners to preach the Gospel. Because he knew personally what it was like to be awakened by the Light of the World. He knew the power of salvation. He knew how crucial eternal matters are.

Do we?

The enemy has a thousand (a million? bazillion?) ways to sidetrack us. He's very, very good at it. He does NOT want us to serve the Lord. He wants us to worship the world. He wants us unfocused and diverted…

But Paul urges us to let go.

To live as unhindered by the cares of this world as we can. To be as free as possible from anything that might keep us from doing God's work.

Yes, it's important to be responsible to our jobs, our homes, and our families.

But oh, we must love and serve God first. Above all else. With no distractions.

So, let's take today and re-evaluate our lives, and think about how we spend our time.

Let's ask some tough questions.

Are we allowing ourselves to be consumed by the things of the world? Have we gotten sucked into the social media web? Do we spend too much time on our computers –watching TV – playing with *apps* or texting on our phones?

Are we wasting time?

Paul admonishes us, warns us.

If he was here today, I think he'd say something like this, "Make the most of the time before Christ's return. Life is short! Don't allow yourself to be preoccupied with the world."

Every person in every generation should have this sense of urgency about telling the Good News to others.

It is the ONLY thing that matters in the long run.

Thanks, Paul – we needed the reminder.

Do you need to take another look at how you spend your time?

(I am linked today with Charlotte at Spiritual Sundays, and Peggy at Soaking On SONday. Please feel free to join me during the week at my other blog, Sharon Sharing God!)

"When in doubt, search God out!"

JUDE - Stand Firm in the Faith

I've got one brother.

I love him dearly.

We were born only three years apart, and growing up we were fast friends. I can remember all the hours we spent together – playing army or detective or shipmates. Or the times we assembled car and plane models – (man, we got loopy on that stupid old glue!) Or when we went on family adventures.

My brother was a lot of fun.

Sure, he teased me unmercifully (what are brothers for?) – but he was always someone very special to me.

Now, what if he had come to me one day and announced that he was the Son of God?

I'm thinking I would have quickly told my parents, whom I'm sure would have gotten him some immediate psychological help…

So, I wonder what it was like for Jude – one of Mary and Joseph's sons, Jesus' half-brother.

Did he think his brother was crazy?

"Who does Jesus think he is?? I mean, evidently he thinks he's the Messiah – but I've never heard of anything so preposterous! Son of God indeed! He's just a poor carpenter's son like all the rest of us. What has gotten into him? I sure hope insanity isn't hereditary."

The Bible makes it clear that Jude and the other brothers of Jesus did not follow Him during His earthly ministry. ("For even his brothers didn’t believe in him." – John 7:5) And I think that makes perfect sense. Would you believe one of your siblings if they came up with this impossible claim?

But, something happened to dramatically change that perspective.

The Resurrection.

One of the reasons that I completely believe in the resurrection of Christ, besides the fact that I completely believe the Word of God, is this transformation of His brothers. Nothing in life could have altered their view of Jesus unless it was a life-altering event.

And an empty tomb is the evidence of that life-changing miracle.

So, when Jude, now a strong believer in Jesus CHRIST (the anointed Messiah, the true Son of God), has something to say – I want to pay close attention.

The book of Jude speaks out against an outbreak of false teaching. In the beginning of the book, he explains the situation that prompted his letter – (incidentally, it's a different letter than he had planned to write). I find it interesting that Jude, who at one time most likely thought his brother was a false teacher, now finds it extremely urgent to fight against those who do not believe the Truth – the truth that God had revealed in His Son, Jesus Christ.

What does Jude tell us about false teachers?

1. They are ungodly.

2. They will worm their way into our churches.

3. They will say that God's grace allows us to live immoral lives.

4. They will claim their own authority.

5. They will defy other forms of authority.

6. They will scoff at supernatural beings.

7. They will do what their natural instincts tell them.

8. They will deceive people for money.

9. They will flatter others to get what they want.

10. They will brag loudly about themselves.

11. They will create divisions.

12. They are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck believers.

13. They are selfish, shameful people who are doomed to destruction.

14. They do not have God's Spirit in them.

WOW…

Today's "Bible Pick 'Ems" is Jude's call to remain faithful:

"But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God's love." (Jude 1:20-21)

Yes, we are called to go into all the world and preach the Gospel, but we must uphold each other while we do it. We must be careful not to fall into the quicksand of compromise. We must be sure that our own footing is safe and secure.

We must remain rooted and grounded in the Lord whom we trust.

Jude knew that his brother, Jesus, was the Way, the Truth, and the Life – that's why I listen to his words of encouragement…

Remain firm in your faith.

Trust in God's promises for your future.

Don't be tempted to give in to sin.

Don't be afraid or give up in despair.

God will keep you from falling.

"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." (Verses 24-25)

Hey, Jude – thanks for the great word today!

How do you remain firm in your faith – and how do you fight against false teaching?

(Linked today with Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays, and Peggy at Soaking On SONday. Please feel free to hop on over to my other blog during the week - Sharon Sharing God)

"When in doubt, search God out!"