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Without wood, fire goes out; without a gossip, conflict dies down. – Proverbs 26:20 Typically, as organizations go through transitions related to growth, there is a lot of chatter. Most of this is welcomed, important, and vital as everyone works toward helpful solutions; however, some of the talk can be negative and not at all helpful. There will always be challenges, personal and corporate, that accompany growth. Sometimes these challenges will result in differences of

Nevertheless, these dreamers likewise defile their flesh, despise authority, and blaspheme glorious beings. - Jude 8 Most African people groups still possess a respect for authority within their cultures. Youth within them learn from birth to respect their elders. Many times, I have seen a younger brother show respect to an older brother and almost every time I have entered a family compound, I have been given the first chair, because (you guessed it) I was the oldest.

Good news from a distant land is like cold water to a parched throat. - Proverbs 25:25 Social media is no longer an "idea." It is now woven into the very fabric of our culture. Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn, etc., are no longer just a small part of our communication matrix, they have become the primary means by which many prefer to stay in touch. Did you ever imagine that there might be a day when calling someone, on a cell phone, no less, just seemed to be too muc

In the same way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them committed sexual immorality and practiced perversions, just as they did, and serve as an example by undergoing the punishment by eternal fire. - Jude 7 Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, God hates sin. Is God love? Yes. Is He also full of mercy? Absolutely, but He is first of all holy, just, pure, and righteous, and because of these attributes, by definition, sin is offensive to Him, very offensive. It sta

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. – Proverbs 22:1 Sometimes, as believers we find ourselves in situations that might require us to “crucify the flesh.” By this I mean put to death our earthly desires, expectations, and ambitions and act in a way that defies worldly wisdom in order that our Lord Jesus Christ’s life is magnified over our own. For example, you might deserve a pay increase or promotion for all of

... and He has kept, with eternal chains in darkness for the judgment of the great day, angels who did not keep their own position but deserted their proper dwelling. - Jude 6 Here is another example from Jude that the Holy Spirit used to illustrate God's judgment and punishment of willful sin. In this instance, we learn that the angels, created by God, were commanded to do His will, but some "deserted their proper dwelling and did not keep their own position." Given a ch

... God understands the way to wisdom, and he knows its location.... The fear of the Lord -- that is wisdom, and to turn from evil is understanding.... No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will prevail against the Yahweh. - Job 28:23,28; Proverbs 21:30 What is the "way to wisdom" and where can a person find it? The way to wisdom is only found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of God our Father. The Holy Spirit teaches us His truth and makes us t

Now I want to remind you, though you know all these things: the Lord, having first of all saved a people out of Egypt, later destroyed those who did not believe.... - Jude 5 In the early church, there were those who believed that God's grace was a license to sin. They wrongly believed that the blood of Christ protected them from righteous judgment on wilful sin. Many Israelites falsely believed that since God had released them from Egyptian bondage, their idolatrous actio

It is a trap for anyone to dedicate something rashly and later to reconsider his vows. - Proverbs 20:25 Have you ever promised God anything in this life? Have you ever made a vow? Have you kept it? God takes vows very seriously. Do you know why? He takes them seriously because throughout history God, Himself, has made a lot of promises and if He had not kept His word, then we would not be able to trust Him, and if we could not trust Him, then we certainly could not beli

For certain men, who were designated for this judgment long ago, have come in by stealth; they are ungodly, turning the grace of God into promiscuity and denying our only Master and Lord Jesus Christ. - Jude 4 I once wrote about how we should fight for the faith (once delivered to the saints). Now, I would like to give at least one reason why the fight matters . There have always been and there will always be those who twist the message of Christ to accomplish their own

Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you. – Proverbs 20:22 I can think of some occasions in life when I have been "wronged" by another, but I'm sure that I am not alone. Typically, the first reaction when someone treats us unfairly is to be hurt and offended, then this is usually followed by the immediate desire to hurt them back! While I wish I could say I have never "reacted" when offended, it is just not true. There ha

Dear friends, although I was eager to write you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write and exhort you to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all. - Jude 3 How many emails do you get every day? There was a time, not so much anymore, when some would boast about how full their inbox was when they returned from a day off. Of course, that was before "smart" phones allowed us to keep up (even while "vacationing"). While some may

The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid someone with a big mouth. - Proverbs 20:19 How many lives, families, churches, communities, even nations have been destroyed by the simple three-word question, "Have you heard?" "Loose lips sink ships" was used during World War II to stifle the public's desire to reveal information, but loose lips can sink more than ships. In most churches the favorite hymn could be "I Love to Tell A story." It's not that we often

Dear friends, although I was eager to write you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write and exhort you to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all. - Jude 3 What are you fighting for? This is a question that needs to be asked all around the world and, perhaps more than ever, in our own country. Some fight for power, others for money. Some even fight for their liberty from tyranny. Many seem to fight just because they're angry a

Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel. – Proverbs 20:17 As a trained accountant, I have been able to assist some churches, organizations, and networks by performing an informal review (audit) of their books and financial statements. During a much overdue review of one such entity, I discovered a discrepancy of $2,200 between what had been reported by the treasurer and the amount recorded by the bank. Since the treasurer had served

May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. - Jude 2 In the second sentence of his letter, Jude offered three "gifts" to his readers: mercy, peace, and love. Why these three? Mercy of and from God is necessary for personal salvation. Without it a person is condemned forever. Peace from and with God is necessary for the strength and courage to keep going when we find ourselves in the midst of difficulty and strife. Love of and from God is necessary to the sure kn

Desire without knowledge is not good — how much more will hasty feet miss the way! – Proverbs 19:2 It is good to be zealous (passionate), but only if that zeal is rooted in and emerges out of biblical truth. For example, no one is more zealous than an Islamic Jihadist but look at the destruction they produce. Paul the Apostle, who was first Saul the Pharisee, was zealous for the Law of God and it led him to persecute Jesus’ church and stand aside as Stephen was martyred.

Jude, a slave of Christ Jesus, and a brother of James: To those who are the called, loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ. - Jude 1 Jude wrote to his brothers and sisters in Christ and identified them as those who are: Called, Loved by God the Father, and Kept by Jesus Christ. True followers of the Savior are called by God from the darkness of sin to the light of His righteousness. True followers of the Savior are unconditionally and eternally loved by the One

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. - Proverbs 18:22 Thirteen years ago, my wife and I cruised into Glacier Bay, Alaska as part of a seven-day trip "gifted" to us by my gracious mother. Every morning, at every meal, and several times during each day as we viewed God's wonderful creation, we felt very blessed and thankful for the experience. Not just the experience of the trip, but also the experience of a 35-year union. In a month or so

I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. Peace be with you. The friends send you greetings. Greet the friends by name. - 3 John 14 John, in the closing words of his final letter, wished that "peace" would be with his friend. Don't we all wish the same? I wish that there would be peace, but this world is a place where peace is not so easily found. A long time ago, about 2,000 years, a bunch of angels announced to some shepherds on a Judean hillside that true