Fifty First Anniversary

Fifty First Anniversary 

Fifty one years of getting to the point where we are more removed from the world’s system and into God’s plan. Our celebration of fifty one years of marriage included the renewing of our vows at WalthallBaptistChurch. We invited those in the congregation who would like to recommit themselves to the sanctity of their marriage to join us. We celebrate the many that did and we ask God’s blessing, grace and mercy upon them.

I am reminded to remember where we have been and where we are heading. I looked at Verse 17 in The 11:45 Call. The word remember and the questions at the end impacted me in a new way as I look back at the fifty-one years and look forward to the time God has allotted.

Verse 17

“But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ:”

 

But you

This is a direct address to the readers of Jude. Jude makes a clear distinction between the ungodly men he has been writing about and his readers. He has been addressing the problem of ungodly men who are apostate concerning the true faith.

Jude has given much attention to describe the characteristics of these certain ungodly men who have crept in among the fellowship of true believers (verse 4). And now twice in four verses, Jude says, “But you …” (verse 17 and 20). There is a clear and distinct contrast between the true and false Christians. We are called to actively pay attention to this difference.

 

Beloved

The Greek word is agapetos (ag-ap-ay-tos). This particular form of the Greek word agapao (ag-ap-ah’-o), esteemed or favorite, often used in the New Testament to describe the kind of love God displays, is found only here in the book of Jude. This is the attitude God has toward us and the attitude we should have toward one another.

 

Remember

This means to look back, recall, and think on. One of the most important things we as Christians will ever do is remember. Christianity is not that complicated. Even though the rules and principles of our faith are really quite simple, we forget them. One of the greatest dangers a Christian faces is forgetfulness. We forget the great lessons God has clearly taught us. We forget the ugliness of sin. And we forget and lose sight of Jesus, our first love. We lose focus and let worldly distractions overtake our vision. We take our eyes off God, and our field of vision becomes distorted.

Forgetting is absentmindedly or purposefully not remembering. It is the opposite of remembering.

Revelation 2:4–5 (Jesus speaking) “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. ⁵Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” 

James 1:23–24 “For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; ²⁴for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.”

This is why we must devote ourselves continually to fellowship and the studying of God’s Word with a true heart in the full assurance of faith as you see the day approaching.

Acts 2:42 “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers,”

Hebrews 10:15–25 “But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, ¹⁶“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” ¹⁷then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” ¹⁸Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. ¹⁹Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, ²¹and having a High Priest over the house of God, ²²let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” 
²⁴And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

 

The words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ

These are spoken before in the New Testament as well as the Old Testament. The words spoken of here are God’s Word to us.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God which also effectively works in you who believed.”

 

Life Application Questions

• ·       Why did Jude address his readers with “but you” at the beginning of this passage?
• ·       What are some things that help us to remember and act upon the things of God?
• ·       What do you need to do to allow the words of God, spoken and written by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, to effectively work in you?

 

May you be blessed as you look back on your own days of significance and recognize God’s sovereignty and providence?

Joel and Brenda Blakely are co authors of The 11:45 Call, An Expository Bible Study of the Book of Jude.

 

An author is-

Called to write

Called to publish

Called to get the book in the hands of those

Called to read it.

To that end I submit this post.

Have a blessed day, Brenda

The 11:45 Call, An Expository Bible Study of the Book of Jude, is for serious Bible students to prepare for the coming midnight hour, when we shall be going home. This study brings a student into personal encounter with the Living Word of God and with in groups encourages reflection and thoughtful, lively discussion. Journaling is suggested for either personal or corporate Bible study.  

 

How will you answer the Call?

 

Are you called to engage in personal Bible Study?

 

Are you called to lead or participate in corporate Bible Study?

 

Do you believe that Jude presents The 11:45 Call for believers to prepare for the coming of the midnight hour?

 

See what  reviewers say-

 

                        Title: The 11:45 Call
By: Joel F. Blakely and Brenda Klutz Blakely
Review Date: August 17, 2012
Review by: CBM Christian Book Marketing
10.0 stars on a scale of 10.0 stars

The 11:45 Call by authors Joel and Brenda Blakely is an urgent message to the Body of Christ, exhorting them to stand firm, to be prepared, “to awaken from sleep” (Rom. 13:11) as the authors note and to stand firm in the fight for the faith and the hope of our salvation, Jesus Christ.

The Book of Jude is God’s call and instruction to living a godly life in a woefully sinful world. This fascinating Bible study prepares one to beware, be ready and to walk in faith and truth while exalting, “…high the cross of Christ.” We are to be ready and prepared by the Word of God, walking and standing upon the truth-for God’s Word is truth and inspired by God (2 Tim. 3:16).

In this way, we will be prepared to stand firm in our faith on the day of testing throughout these perilous times. The Book of Jude issues a warning and heed for all those who believe in the Truth to walk in the light and issues a call to those that are living ungodly lives to come back to the Truth, Jesus Christ, before judgment comes.

The authors have prayerfully put together an expository Bible study of the Book of Jude, therefore interpreting each verse by Scripture and not by man’s thoughts, as all Scripture is inspired by God (2 Tim. 3:16). This urgent message is of monumental importance to todays believers living in perilous times with evil ever increasing in the world. The focus of this Bible study is to encourage the readers to know and live with the instruction of God’s Word, letting them be renewed in their minds to depend on the Word of God as truth. In so doing, the focus of your faith will be strengthened so that you will be prepared and ready to guard against false teachings and doctrines that are now plaguing the church from within. The Word says even the “elect” will be challenged to be deceived. Our command from Jesus is to study and be approved, so that we may stand in the day of testing.

The authors have skillfully and prayerfully gone through each verse of the Book of Jude to reveal the truths, principles and instructions according to the Word of God that give the reader a deeper knowledge of each verse discussed. Study questions are included at the end. This Bible study is highly recommended for personal use and edification or within a small group setting. The reader will be enriched by the use of Scripture throughout the book as this study will aid the reader in maturity and preparing for what is ahead in these last days.

The 11:45 Call by Joel F. Blakely and Brenda Klutz Blakely is available on Amazon

10.0 stars on a scale of 10.0 stars
Review by: CBM Christian Book Marketing

 

Book Review Believers Life, April 2013

 

The 11:45 Call

By Joel F Blakely and Brenda Klutz

The 11:45 Call is an expository Bible study of the book of Jude. Appropriately titled, it highlights the urgency of the times. Co-authors, Joel F. Blakely and Brenda Klutz

Blakely, methodically excavate each verse, urging readers to apply Jude’s call to “contend for the faith”, to their own lives. With probing application questions at the end of each chapter, the Blakely’s help readers to intimately sense the significance of their own lives and the importance of their personal knowledge of the Word of God.

The tiny book of Jude is often overlooked by even the most devoted students of the Bible. Positioned right before the least understood, most controversial book of the Bible, Revelation, and immediately after a trio of potent, little letters by the well-known author, John, the pages of Jude conceal a weighty treasure. Joel and Brenda Blakely’s expository method makes these difficult passages clear and applicable.

 

Expository study is the method of using Scripture to explain Scripture. The Bible is the complete and inherent word of God. Therefore, it can be trusted to contain all the answers, all that we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). While expository study sounds intimidating, particularly to new Christians, The 11:45 Call, is an excellent resource for beginning students of The Word.

 

The format is simple. Each chapter is dedicated to one verse in the short book of Jude. Opening each chapter, the verse in focus is provided in full text. Then the Blakely’s break it down phrase by phrase.

The 11:45 Call, is thorough, so there is no need for numerous additional resources. Full definitions of Greek words are provided where needed and concise explanations are given for individual phrases. Each segment is supported by numerous cross references in full text.

 

There is little room for critique or complaint when authors stick so closely to divine truth. The Blakely’s are faithful not to dilute the impact of God’s Word with opinion or speculation. Instead, this is explanation in its simplest form.

 

While this book is sufficient for personal study, I think that it is much more suitable for group study. Alone, it is too easy to read the text and be scarcely affected because the explanations seem so obvious. However, used in a dynamic group setting, the simplicity of this book will spark rigorous, Christ-centered, life changing conversation.

-Abby Kelly

 

Reviewed by Gary Briden, Executive Director of AIM

 

I have read Joel and Brenda Blakely’s book THE 11:45 CALL and find it to be a practical, thoughtful devotional commentary on the Book of Jude. It is concise and has appropriate cross referencing through out the text and is a good reference for a study on Jude. Joel and Brenda are faithful servants of God and teachers of His Word.

Gary K. Briden

Executive Director of The Association of Independent Methodists President of Southern Methodist College, 2005-2012