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TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE

Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.

(681) 13 November : Proverbs 30v5-6 / Jude / Psalm 139v7-10

BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."

Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world.

Wisdom to chew on
Proverbs 30:5-6

Understanding to grow in
Probably writing sometime between 65 and 80AD, Jude may have been Jesus' brother (1v1 with Gal 1v19). His letter is a sort of summary of 2 Peter. It's a call to "contend for the faith" against those promoting error and immorality in the church. He uses the OT and references to religious writings from his day to highight the punishment they will receive, the seriousness of their error, and their spiriritual deadness (v12-13). He ends with a reminder that the apostles always taught such people would arise. Believers are therefore to resist them and keep themselves in God's love by building each other up in faith as they wait for Christ, and helping those who doubt - all in the knowledge that it is by these means that the Lord keeps his own (v24-25). It's a needy affirmation in our day to remain faithful to the truth of the scriptures but also realise we are responsible for helping fellow Christians do so too. As you read note the encouragements to remain in the truth.

Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.

Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.