Devotion
Divisiveness
Frances Taylor
The letter of Jude doesn't get much attention. It's very short, just one chapter, but it gives an interesting insight into the early church. The person mentioned, Diotrephes, has made himself the sole judge of authentic teaching and rejects even those missionaries sent with letters authorizing them to teach and preach, men who have been declared to be preaching truth. We might think that division in the Christian community is something relatively new, but if we read the letters of the New Testament, we see that there were problems there as well. The introduction to the letters of Jude as well as the third letter of John, talks about Diotrephes as someone who was a leader but who had taken upon himself authority that was not appropriate. He is described as hostile and ambitious and doesn't accept letters or visitors that have the backing of the church leaders. Throughout the centuries, there have been periods of dispute over doctrine and practices, over who has truth behind him or her. I have often thought that it has only been because of the presence of the Holy Spirit that Christianity has survived for two thousand years. If it depended on human leadership, it would have died out a long time ago. Leaders have been both good and bad, saints and sinners and yet Christianity is still flourishing in the world. We are not so different today than in the first century and I, for one, am grateful for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the past, today, and for years to come.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for sending us the Holy Spirit, our Advocate, to guide us and to guide the church. May we always work for the greater good of all, and put ambition aside as we bring your message to others. Amen.
Night Prayer
Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.
Inspiration
Through prayer, we ask for God's assistance through trials and tribulations. We request positive outcomes, mercy, and peace. We can talk with the Lord about all our concerns for ourselves, our world, and the lives of others. He allows us to bare our souls, and He always listens as we come before Him with humble hearts. We will always seek His will before anything else.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we ask You for peace, comfort, and guidance. We desire positive outcomes, miracles, and blessings. When we bare our souls to You, we seek Your will before anything else. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Devotion
Divisiveness
Frances Taylor
The letter of Jude doesn't get much attention. It's very short, just one chapter, but it gives an interesting insight into the early church. The person mentioned, Diotrephes, has made himself the sole judge of authentic teaching and rejects even those missionaries sent with letters authorizing them to teach and preach, men who have been declared to be preaching truth. We might think that division in the Christian community is something relatively new, but if we read the letters of the New Testament, we see that there were problems there as well. The introduction to the letters of Jude as well as the third letter of John, talks about Diotrephes as someone who was a leader but who had taken upon himself authority that was not appropriate. He is described as hostile and ambitious and doesn't accept letters or visitors that have the backing of the church leaders. Throughout the centuries, there have been periods of dispute over doctrine and practices, ...
Morning Prayer
O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.
Inspiration
God corrected his people Israel, but he did not consume them in his wrath. He disciplined that nation, but he did not cease to work among them or cease to call them his people. Christians and the Church more generally can also receive correction and discipline from God, and he does not make a full end of us either but purges away our sins and restores us.
Prayer
O Lord, no discipline seems pleasant at the time, but a father who hates his children refuses to discipline them. You are our loving Heavenly Father, and you discipline and corrrect those you love. You do not let us wander off down our own paths and get hopelessly lost, but you seek your sheep and bring them home on your shoulders in joy. Amen.
