Lesson 20: Fight for the Lost
Jude 8-16 (ESV) - www.bible.com/bible/59/jud.1

God’s Words:
Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error and perished in Korah's rebellion. These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.

It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.

My words:
Dear Patient Father, I pray for those You have placed into my path today so I can be Your hands and heart of love to them. It doesn’t matter what they have done, simply saying ‘no’ to You is enough that they will suffer eternal separation from You if they do not turn to You to say ‘yes’ to Your offer of forgiveness and eternal life with You.

Open my eyes today to see the person You send to me for encouragement to come to You. Open my heart to love them enough to share You with them. Thank You so much for Your heart which says You don’t want anyone to perish, You want everyone to come to You in repentance, seeking to go Your way rather than our own way which leads only to destruction.

I pray especially for those who call You their Father and yet have gone their own way. Bring them back to Yourself in Your great mercy and love, cleanse them as they turn away from their own ways, help them to become useful citizens of Your kingdom once again. Help us each to stand against the wiles of the devil in Your strength and through Your word. Help us to grow in Your grace, in knowledge of You, and in our faith in You.

I thank You for the privilege of serving You today as You want to use me. I am Yours to use as You will. My desire is to obey You in all things. I love You, dear Father. Amen

*To whom is God asking you to speak to today, to be His hands and heart and voice?