Dear Fellow Believers,
Welcome to Operation Faith, where each of us are learning the importance of building ourselves up in the Holy Ghost. As we enter this New Year of our Lord, I felt it necessary to focus on the theme of Faith. Today I want to encourage you, as did Jude, in verse 3 of his book. I too am making every effort to write to you about our common salvation:
3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I was compelled to write to you [urgently] appealing that you fight strenuously for (THE DEFENSE OF THE FAITH) which was once for all handed down to the saints [the faith that is the sum of Christian belief that was given verbally to believers]. Amplified Bible
Jude makes it plane from the introduction THE PURPOSE OF HIS BOOK. Then in verse 20 he writes these endearing words to show us how to become victorious in this fight:
“But ye BELOVED, not just build but BUILDING YOURSELVES UP, IN YOUR MOST HOLY FAITH, PRAYING IN THE HOLY GHOST.”
I want you to notice, it does not say in the most Holy Faith, but it says, “In your Most Holy Faith”. In other words, building yourself up in your personal faith. The results have eternal dividends as you see:
- Keep yourself at the Center of God’s Love
- Looking for the Mercy and Blessed Hope
- Compassion is a direct result of Holy Ghost prayers (Pity with Caution)
- Honoring Him who can Keep you on Your Feet
- And Ultimately Present (us) To Him
- Our Confidence is in the ONLY WISE GOD to whom belongs all Glory, Majesty, Power and Authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! AMEN.
WE ARE TO FIGHT THE “GOOD” FIGHT OF FAITH AND LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE.
I don’t remember when I first began singing:
“When the Battle’s over, We shall wear a crown”
but Jude’s urgent appeal has my attention today and I am sure yours as well when he implores us to strenuously fight for the Defense of Faith. Then he reminds us of some dangerous pitfalls to be avoided.
“Woe to them! For they have traveled in the way of Cain and have given themselves up to the error of Balaam for gain, and have perished in the rebellion of Korah.” (Jude 1:11,)
- The way of Cain - Cain killed his brother, Abel, because God was happy with Abel and not with him. He should have repented so that God would be happy with him as well. These men turn against those who are doing right instead of repenting from their wickedness. Cain offered a bloodless sacrifice, which came from that which God had cursed, the earth.
- The error of Balaam - Balaam wanted money so much that he taught the Moabites how to get the Israelites to sin so that God would curse them. Somehow what these men were doing involved encouraging others to sin. Balaam cursed what God had blessed.
- The rebellion of Korah - Korah rebelled against the leadership of Moses and Aaron. These are men who do not accept that God has placed others in positions of authority and want to be in that position themselves. When men fail to recognize the authority of the elders in the church, they will ultimately fail to recognize the authority of Christ as the head.
I cannot fail to look back at 2023 and recognize the blessings the Lord has placed among us through you and your families. It is always a joy to wake up and hear trumpets in the morning calling me to service and to prayer for the family of God we call Heritage. Thank you for praying for Gaynell and I. She is doing better each day, and we are truly grateful.
You have heard me say, “A pastor has no more ministry to The Lord’s Bride than he has to his own bride.” And during this year we have had challenges that have brought us as a couple closer together. Once again let me say:
We Love You.
We Need You.
We Want You.
We are, Thankful for You, being a Wonderful Part of Our Lives.
Pastor Cleddie Keith