December 8, 2008 7:54 AM
Sam wrote:
"HEY, ..." Well, you know the rest....of course, I HAD to introduce this book that way.
This short letter written to Christians everywhere serves as a warning about 'false prophets', people intent on destroying your religion, and sinful living.
The Beatles' song starts off this way: "Hey jude, dont make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better. Remember to let her into your heart, Then you can start to make it better." This book says the same thing, but instead of letting 'her' into your heart, substitute 'God'; and instead of a 'song', substitute your 'life'. Take a sad life, make it better.
This author, Jude, said he was a servant of Christ, but not necessarily an Apostle, as he mentions them later on in verse 17. I am not sure if he saw Jesus at all, or is just writing as a Christian.
We talked briefly about The Beatles the other day; about how they probably were not Christians, yet some of their songs can be considered very religious. "Hey Jude" calls for someone to persevere in a love search for a particular woman. Jude, the next to the last book in the Bible, calls for Christians to persevere in search for God. In so doing, he mentions some of the things we should be doing along the way: be merciful, save others (by sharing the truth), and hate sin. Of these 3 things, which are you most strong in? Which are you most weak in? Talk today, if you want, about how you can do each of these three things better.
"Hey YA'LL, dont be afraid. You were made to go out and LOVE GOD. The minute you let HIM under your skin, Then you begin to make it WITH GOD. Reply to this
December 8, 2008 9:45 AM
Johnbob wrote:
Of the 3 that are mentioned, I am strong in mercy - though I wonder sometimes if I am just a stuffer and don't deal with my true emotions. But being merciful is one of the gifts that Paul speaks about, so maybe that is my gift.
I think we are more in touch with our weaknesses, which is probably opposite of how God wants us to view ourselves. I think I dwell on my weaknesses instead just being aware of them and making decisions accordingly. So my weakness is probably hating sin - I am too soft on myself (and probably others). That is one of the things that bugs me about my past - the things that were so obviously wrong (in hindsight), I (and most others) chose to take a blind eye too. There were many reasons I did, but it is probably my people-pleaser character. If you look at the example of Phinehas in Numbers 25, the Israelites were under a plague until he got up and killed the Israelite and his Midianite wife. This is the reason that God stopped the plague.
So not that I am going to kill anyone, but John and Jude have talked about false teachers and many other epistles and especially Revelation talk about the fact that is up to us to ensure there is no sin in the camp. Reply to this
December 8, 2008 11:23 AM
Sam wrote:
I am probably the strongest in hating sin. Unfortunately, hating it is one matter, avoiding it is another. I HATE being greedy. I HATE being lustful. I HATE being prideful. SEE? I HATE those sins, yet I don't necessarily avoid them. However, that having been said, I DO attempt at keeping them in check. I think I have improved in all of them over the past 12 years...maybe not as much as I should have, but I do think I have improved in them. The weakest I would have to say is showing mercy. Although I have improved in that as well, I still find myself, because of the sins I hate yet don't avoid, not being merciful enough to others. To have mercy is one thing, to SHOW it, another. I DO feel sorry for those who are far less fortunate than I, but I rarely do much about it. Ya know what I mean? I guess I don't do too much 'Phinehas stuff', that is, something FOR God that is out of the ordinary. This blog is about as 'out of the ordinary' as I get. Think God will stop the plague of man's greed if we continue this blog???? Reply to this
December 8, 2008 1:32 PM
rik wrote:
I believe all three are needed to help grow in the others. having mercy is easier if you hate your own sin, but can not seem to stay from it shouldn't you have mercy on others because you know they to are having trouble staying away from there sin, and sharing the 'Good News' with others ties into the other two because the only way to understand them is to know Christ. like the fire triangle, once you have all three you will find it easier to keep them in your life. I love to share the bible with others, which we are doing right now with Dustin Hofmann (pray for him to understand) I feel like I have mercy for others and I do hate sin. I do not say I am good at any of them for we know that only God is good. I just long to do them. these three things also fall under the greatest commandment and the second with is like the first. Reply to this
December 8, 2008 8:58 PM
Rich wrote:
I believe my strongest is perseverance. Though I sometimes wonder if it is perseverance or just stupidity not to leave a situation I am in. I am actually hopeful it is the former. I have hung in with my wife for many years. Now I am reaping a harvest. Having her alert and rebuilding our marriage and friendship is awesome. I love my wife so much. However, though I persevere, I also lose hope and faith much too easy. With my wife, I hung in there, but I was very far from an example anyone else should follow. I wish I had been faithful in prayer and that I had done what I did because I had hope. But neither were the case. I hung in with my wife because it was my duty. That is why I also often hurt here with my selfishness and why I often was not in touch with her needs. I am in many ways ashamed of how little I really loved her through the last years. While she was sick and really needed me, I was often absent - not physically, but absent emotionally and more often than not, spiritually. Now that she is well again and functioning like she did 12 years ago, I am being active in loving her. I want to meet her needs now, emotional and spiritual. I want to put her needs before mine now. But that was not the case while she was sick.
Back to the specific above, I am strongest in mercy buy softest in hating sin. Otherwise I would not love only when I know that I will receive back. Reply to this
December 8, 2008 11:45 PM
Johnbob wrote:
As I have said before, Rich, you are my hero when it comes to persevering in your marriage. Don't sell yourself short. If you had approached it from a worldly point of view, you would have given up long ago.
December 8, 2008 10:30 AM
rik wrote:
We think (as a nation) this is the Godless end of times, but in reality Jude is telling us the same garbage in church was happening back them, false preachers, using grace as a license to be immoral, this is the same things I see in our "Christian" society. Many churches do not preach against such things, they want to keep the money flowing in.
what is unreasoning animals?
twice dead, blackest darkness has been reserved forever; WOW! Not a good place for those who will end up there. All the days of our lives we need to continue to check ourselves. We do not want to have a resemblance of this. We should fight to stay far from self righteousness and give all the credit to God. Reply to this
December 8, 2008 11:34 AM
Sam wrote:
Most animals, according to scientists, can not 'reason'. They do things by instinct. God wants humans, His children, to reason...to think, and not do things in a rote manner. Take blindly following church members who don't question (and research) what they are being taught. Some have ended up in Waco and other 'compounds' where they suffer(ed) much more than God intended. Sheep follow their master blindly, by instinct, and although Jesus refers to Himself as a Shepherd, I know He does not want us to follow blindly, but with eyes wide open and a reasoning mind. As Paul refers to the Bereans as reasoning creatures, he is separating them from the Thessalonians who were NOT checking out the Scriptures everyday. So, to answer you question about unreasoning animals, they are anyone who does not take the oppotunity to reason what God is all about. Reply to this
December 8, 2008 11:43 AM
Tony wrote:
16These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage. How many times have we grumbled and found fault with others or their desires because they are not the same as ours? We are probably best (or worst) at this with our wives and children. I am a grumbler if I don't get things done the way I think they should be done because I am SURE my way is right. Again mostly with my wife, children and sometimes work. 18They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." 19These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. This sounds like church today to a degree, not near as bad as it used to be. Talk about the ungodly, how about todays tv talk shows, but I don't have enough time to go there. This is a crazy world we live in and listener beware to who we listen to. Reply to this
December 8, 2008 12:00 PM
Sam wrote:
"What a Crazy World We Live In" is also a song performed by John Lennon of the Beatles. Maybe they ARE more Christian than I thought! Reply to this
When the night has come And the land is dark And the moon is the only light we see No I wont be afraid No I wont be afraid Just as long as you stand, stand by me
And darling, darling stand by me Oh, now, now, stand by me Stand by me, stand by me
If the sky that we look upon Should tumble and fall And the mountain should crumble to the sea I wont cry, I wont cry No I wont shed a tear Just as long as you stand, stand by me
And darling, darling stand by me Oh, stand by me Stand by me, stand by me, stand by me
Whenever youre in trouble wont you stand by me Oh, now, now, stand by me Oh, stand by me, stand by me, stand by me
Darling, darling stand by me Stand by me Oh stand by me, stand by me, stand by me Reply to this
December 8, 2008 9:01 PM
Rich wrote:
Question: Was James the brother of Jesus? I believe I heard that somewhere before? And if so, then was Jude also a brother of Jesus? Not like we are all brothers, but I mean same mother type of brother. Anyone know? Mac? Reply to this
December 8, 2008 9:25 PM
Sam wrote:
Aye, Jude is reported to be one of Jesus' 'blood' brothers, along with James, Joseph (aka Joses), Simon, and JUDAS. Jude was simply a nickname, a shortened version of Judas. This was probably to divert the stigma of, or at least, as distinction between, the natural brother of Jesus and the apostle Judas Iscariot.
"HEY, ..." Well, you know the rest....of course, I HAD to introduce this book that way.
This short letter written to Christians everywhere serves as a warning about 'false prophets', people intent on destroying your religion, and sinful living.
The Beatles' song starts off this way:
"Hey jude, dont make it bad.
Take a sad song and make it better.
Remember to let her into your heart,
Then you can start to make it better." This book says the same thing, but instead of letting 'her' into your heart, substitute 'God'; and instead of a 'song', substitute your 'life'. Take a sad life, make it better.
This author, Jude, said he was a servant of Christ, but not necessarily an Apostle, as he mentions them later on in verse 17. I am not sure if he saw Jesus at all, or is just writing as a Christian.
We talked briefly about The Beatles the other day; about how they probably were not Christians, yet some of their songs can be considered very religious. "Hey Jude" calls for someone to persevere in a love search for a particular woman. Jude, the next to the last book in the Bible, calls for Christians to persevere in search for God. In so doing, he mentions some of the things we should be doing along the way: be merciful, save others (by sharing the truth), and hate sin.
Of these 3 things, which are you most strong in? Which are you most weak in? Talk today, if you want, about how you can do each of these three things better.
"Hey YA'LL, dont be afraid.
You were made to go out and LOVE GOD.
The minute you let HIM under your skin,
Then you begin to make it WITH GOD.
Reply to this
Of the 3 that are mentioned, I am strong in mercy - though I wonder sometimes if I am just a stuffer and don't deal with my true emotions. But being merciful is one of the gifts that Paul speaks about, so maybe that is my gift.
I think we are more in touch with our weaknesses, which is probably opposite of how God wants us to view ourselves. I think I dwell on my weaknesses instead just being aware of them and making decisions accordingly. So my weakness is probably hating sin - I am too soft on myself (and probably others). That is one of the things that bugs me about my past - the things that were so obviously wrong (in hindsight), I (and most others) chose to take a blind eye too. There were many reasons I did, but it is probably my people-pleaser character. If you look at the example of Phinehas in Numbers 25, the Israelites were under a plague until he got up and killed the Israelite and his Midianite wife. This is the reason that God stopped the plague.
So not that I am going to kill anyone, but John and Jude have talked about false teachers and many other epistles and especially Revelation talk about the fact that is up to us to ensure there is no sin in the camp.
Reply to this
I am probably the strongest in hating sin. Unfortunately, hating it is one matter, avoiding it is another. I HATE being greedy. I HATE being lustful. I HATE being prideful. SEE? I HATE those sins, yet I don't necessarily avoid them. However, that having been said, I DO attempt at keeping them in check. I think I have improved in all of them over the past 12 years...maybe not as much as I should have, but I do think I have improved in them.
The weakest I would have to say is showing mercy. Although I have improved in that as well, I still find myself, because of the sins I hate yet don't avoid, not being merciful enough to others. To have mercy is one thing, to SHOW it, another. I DO feel sorry for those who are far less fortunate than I, but I rarely do much about it. Ya know what I mean? I guess I don't do too much 'Phinehas stuff', that is, something FOR God that is out of the ordinary. This blog is about as 'out of the ordinary' as I get. Think God will stop the plague of man's greed if we continue this blog????
Reply to this
I believe all three are needed to help grow in the others. having mercy is easier if you hate your own sin, but can not seem to stay from it shouldn't you have mercy on others because you know they to are having trouble staying away from there sin, and sharing the 'Good News' with others ties into the other two because the only way to understand them is to know Christ. like the fire triangle, once you have all three you will find it easier to keep them in your life. I love to share the bible with others, which we are doing right now with Dustin Hofmann (pray for him to understand) I feel like I have mercy for others and I do hate sin. I do not say I am good at any of them for we know that only God is good. I just long to do them. these three things also fall under the greatest commandment and the second with is like the first.
Reply to this
I believe my strongest is perseverance. Though I sometimes wonder if it is perseverance or just stupidity not to leave a situation I am in. I am actually hopeful it is the former. I have hung in with my wife for many years. Now I am reaping a harvest. Having her alert and rebuilding our marriage and friendship is awesome. I love my wife so much. However, though I persevere, I also lose hope and faith much too easy. With my wife, I hung in there, but I was very far from an example anyone else should follow. I wish I had been faithful in prayer and that I had done what I did because I had hope. But neither were the case. I hung in with my wife because it was my duty. That is why I also often hurt here with my selfishness and why I often was not in touch with her needs. I am in many ways ashamed of how little I really loved her through the last years. While she was sick and really needed me, I was often absent - not physically, but absent emotionally and more often than not, spiritually. Now that she is well again and functioning like she did 12 years ago, I am being active in loving her. I want to meet her needs now, emotional and spiritual. I want to put her needs before mine now. But that was not the case while she was sick.
Back to the specific above, I am strongest in mercy buy softest in hating sin. Otherwise I would not love only when I know that I will receive back.
Reply to this
As I have said before, Rich, you are my hero when it comes to persevering in your marriage. Don't sell yourself short. If you had approached it from a worldly point of view, you would have given up long ago.
Uda man...
Reply to this
We think (as a nation) this is the Godless end of times, but in reality Jude is telling us the same garbage in church was happening back them, false preachers, using grace as a license to be immoral, this is the same things I see in our "Christian" society. Many churches do not preach against such things, they want to keep the money flowing in.
what is unreasoning animals?
twice dead, blackest darkness has been reserved forever; WOW! Not a good place for those who will end up there.
All the days of our lives we need to continue to check ourselves. We do not want to have a resemblance of this. We should fight to stay far from self righteousness and give all the credit to God.
Reply to this
Most animals, according to scientists, can not 'reason'. They do things by instinct. God wants humans, His children, to reason...to think, and not do things in a rote manner. Take blindly following church members who don't question (and research) what they are being taught. Some have ended up in Waco and other 'compounds' where they suffer(ed) much more than God intended. Sheep follow their master blindly, by instinct, and although Jesus refers to Himself as a Shepherd, I know He does not want us to follow blindly, but with eyes wide open and a reasoning mind. As Paul refers to the Bereans as reasoning creatures, he is separating them from the Thessalonians who were NOT checking out the Scriptures everyday. So, to answer you question about unreasoning animals, they are anyone who does not take the oppotunity to reason what God is all about.
Reply to this
16These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.
How many times have we grumbled and found fault with others or their desires because they are not the same as ours? We are probably best (or worst) at this with our wives and children. I am a grumbler if I don't get things done the way I think they should be done because I am SURE my way is right. Again mostly with my wife, children and sometimes work.
18They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." 19These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
This sounds like church today to a degree, not near as bad as it used to be. Talk about the ungodly, how about todays tv talk shows, but I don't have enough time to go there. This is a crazy world we live in and listener beware to who we listen to.
Reply to this
"What a Crazy World We Live In" is also a song performed by John Lennon of the Beatles. Maybe they ARE more Christian than I thought!
Reply to this
John Lennon wrote these lyrics also
replace darling with Jesus.
When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we see
No I wont be afraid
No I wont be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
And darling, darling stand by me
Oh, now, now, stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me
If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
And the mountain should crumble to the sea
I wont cry, I wont cry
No I wont shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
And darling, darling stand by me
Oh, stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me, stand by me
Whenever youre in trouble wont you stand by me
Oh, now, now, stand by me
Oh, stand by me, stand by me, stand by me
Darling, darling stand by me
Stand by me
Oh stand by me, stand by me, stand by me
Reply to this
Now that's cool!
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These guys had a good mixture very deep and very light songs - i didn't know Lennon wrote that one.
Reply to this
Question: Was James the brother of Jesus? I believe I heard that somewhere before? And if so, then was Jude also a brother of Jesus? Not like we are all brothers, but I mean same mother type of brother. Anyone know? Mac?
Reply to this
Aye,
Jude is reported to be one of Jesus' 'blood' brothers, along with James, Joseph (aka Joses), Simon, and JUDAS. Jude was simply a nickname, a shortened version of Judas. This was probably to divert the stigma of, or at least, as distinction between, the natural brother of Jesus and the apostle Judas Iscariot.
Hope this helps.
Reply to this