Heavenly Father, I give You glory and praise for all You have done for me and what is yet to come. I praise You for allowing me to attend a funeral of one of Your saints who was known for his prayers. I also praise You for protecting me from evil. Help me today to bridle my tongue, continue to renew my mind, and take command of my day so that all the evil can be shaken from it.
Holy Spirit, You spoke to the prophet Ezekiel long ago, and he wrote about all the bad shepherds of Israel. How they did not attend to the sheep but rather busied themselves with their own desires and wants. He goes on to tell of how the sheep, which really represented the people, were scattered all over the world and lost. He then prophesies that Christ, the good shepherd, would come and begin to bring the sheep in, and the eventually the sheep would all make it back to Israel and would be fed and cared for by Him. In my lifetime time we have seen the children of Israel flock back to Israel and fulfill much of this prophecy. We also know that Christ came to save and redeem us. We know that the Holy.
Spirit now works with us through faith to feed us wisdom and knowledge so that we can apply this understanding to become strong and useful for Your kingdom. Through the blessing of Abraham, we are told by Paul that we are now partakers also in being part of Christ’s flock. We also know that God will hold accountable all those who are placed over the sheep to lead, feed, and protect them. He will deal harshly with those who stray and try to fulfill their own lusts and desires, and leave the people vulnerable to the attacks of Satan.
But, beloved, remember the words that were previously spoken by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last days there will be scoffers who will walk after their own ungodly desires.” These are the men who cause divisions, sensual, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith. Pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of God while you are waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, which leads to eternal life. Some have compassion, using discernment. And others save with
fear while pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with rejoicing, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen. Jude 17-24 (MEV)