Deborah Shank: A Call to Persevere

The Chocolate and Coffee Bible study was great last evening! We are doing the Beth Moore study, Stepping Up, The Psalms of Ascent. Great discussion and fellowship and awesome desserts! I look forward to that time with the ladies from our church each month.

I was reading from Jude this morning and Jude 17-25 hit me hard. Verse 18 says, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." Oh my goodness! Does that hit home or what????

There is so much confusion and turmoil in the church in this day. Many Christians today only want to follow their own ungodly desires which brings much confusion among others. The scripture goes on to say that these men divide you. Imagine that! Division in the church! Wow!

So many want to wear that "Christian" banner across their chest but their lives certainly do not measure up to the characteristics God expects from His children. My husband and I get busted on continuously because we both speak the truth regarding the Bible and what God requires to live as a Child of God. Sin separates us from our Heavenly Father and sin will not enter the gates of heaven. There is no maybe about that. The bottom line - if you have sin in your life you won't enter heaven. That may sound harsh to you but that is what the Word of God consistently tells us. Read it for yourselves. No where will you find in God's Word that you can live in sin and enter heaven. As Christians, we cannot compromise. We are to put on the characteristics of God daily. We are commanded to live by the ten commandments. They were written for you and I and still apply to our lives today.

I know this isn't popular teaching but I also know we are truly living in the last days. The very elect shall be deceived and it is happening all around us. People who have served the Lord for years, pillars in the church, are turning away from the Lord. The enemy knows his time is short and he is setting traps for each of us. No matter how long you have served Christ beware of the traps. Don't ever think you cannot be fooled. Any one of us can fall if we are not careful.

I encourage you today to read your Bibles and pray earnestly. Judah 20 says, "Build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit." God is our protector, our strength and our security. He loves us and He desires the very best for you and I. Satan hates us and our families. His only mission is to kill, steal and destroy and he is accomplishing that all around us. How many of us know people who are seriously struggling in deep sin? He has a tight grip on their lives and they have no desire to let go.

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy. To the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Judah 24-25.