Family Devotional 8: Week of:
January 3
Reflection
Sunday Text: Jude verses 20-25
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
22 And have mercy on those who doubt;
23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,
25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Discussion
Jude calls on us to keep ourselves in prayer. That is the focus for this week. As we pray, we need to remember that God who saved us hears our prayers and answers them. We can and should pray about anything and all of the time trusting that a God who is all-powerful, ever-present, and all-knowing will work out His will for His people.
Read Luke 11:5-8
We are here introduced to a a friend being asked for help. The friend does not readily help, but because he is pestered long enough he gives in. This is a contrast to help us see the goodness of God to His people. God does not need to be pestered into submission by His people. God, rather, is portrayed next as a good father who is eager to give good gifts to His children.
Read Luke 11:9-13
Verse 9 tells us to
- ____________________
- ____________________
- ____________________
Verse 13 connects the dots. As earthly fathers, we want to give our kids the best we can. How much more does our ____________________ father want to give His children good things?
Connection
How does your earthly father paint a picture of the goodness of God, your heavenly Father?
We ask many things of our fathers on earth. What does that pattern show us of the way we should depend on God for all things?
Beyond the things we ask for of our earthly fathers, they provide many things we hardly notice. How does this reflect the grace of God in our lives?
What has God blessed you with that you have failed to recognize this week?
Expansion
Some big topics were hinted at this week. Consider for further reading:
Perseverance of the Saints: God will never leave you.
John 10:28-29, 1 John 2:19-20, Romans 5:9-10, Romans 8:30, Romans 9:10-16