Judge 1:1
“Judas, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ.”
What of Today’s Verse
The word keeps rings like a refrain throughout this letter. It suggests a power, which originates in the Divine will and operates through the Holy Spirit’s energy within us. Behind our willing and working, our choosing and electing, behind all the influences that are brought to bear upon us, there is a gracious and Divine movement, in virtue of which we are being “kept for Jesus Christ.'” Our spirit is being kept for His Spirit to tenant it; our soul is being kept that His mind may energize it; our heart is being kept as the bowl of a fountain that His love may flow in and out; our imagination and fancy are being kept, that He may utilize them as He did Bunyan and Rutherford; our body is being kept that He may have the use of its members–a vessel meet for the Master’s use! Let us realize how much Christ needs each one of us, and how much we shall miss if we neutralize the very purpose for which we were born and sent into the world.
Do not presume on the Divine keeping power, for there is always the dread possibility of neutralizing it. Keep yourselves therefore in the love of God! Have you the light? Follow the gleam! Are you in mid-current? Do not get turned off into a back eddy! Are you being used by God? Keep under your body and bring it into subjection, lest after having preached to others you may yourself be rejected.
There is One who is able to keep us from stumbling, not only from within, by a garrison, but also from without, by sentries who keep watch, and ward. We are greater than worlds or suns, greater than time or space, greater than the universe in which we are found, as the child is greater than the royal palace, because the Lord hath need of us. We are “‘kept for Jesus Christ”; let us not be unmindful or ungrateful, for, throughout the ages, this prayer never ceases to rise from the heart of our Redeemer: “I pray, not that Thou should take them out of the world, but that Thou should keep them from the evil.”
Let us Pray:
We thank Thee, Heavenly Father, that Thou hast called us into the fellowship of Thy Son. Keep us by Thy mighty power through faith unto Thy salvation and service. Amen.
Words of Wisdom
Loving Actions
Centred in God’s love, I am fulfilled.
The life I live every day is my unique and individual expression of God’s love. My thoughts are formed by my belief that God is all and in all. My words are uplifting and sure. My actions are full of life and energy, and they shine with love. My intention is to be loving and life affirming in all that I think, say, and do. With the life of Jesus as my example, I serve and I love.
Each person is a child of God. Through the lens of this understanding, I see the sacredness of all people. I appreciate their contributions and treat them with compassion.
Centred in God’s love, I give to life through my loving actions, and I am fulfilled. I know that I am right where I am supposed to be, doing what is mine to do.
“You call me Teacher and Lord–and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” –John 13:13-14
