March 10th, 2026
by Rachel Mahoney
by Rachel Mahoney
Have you ever been so focused on something far away that you missed what was right in front of you?
It happens more often than we think, spiritually too.
There’s an old saying: “If you lay down with dogs, you’ll come up with fleas.” It’s a colorful way of reminding us that the direction we choose and the influences around us shape who we become.
That’s exactly the concern behind the book of Jude.
This short, one-chapter letter was written to warn believers about something dangerous creeping into the early church. False teachers were twisting God’s grace and leading people away from truth.
Jude’s message is simple but urgent:
Focus Matters
Pastor Tom shared a hunting story this week that illustrates exactly how that happens.
He was calling coyotes with his son and brother. After a while he spotted one far away, about 400 yards out. He studied it carefully, calculated the wind, and lined up the shot. When he fired, his son and brother immediately started shooting too.
Confused, he asked if they could still see the distant coyote. They said, “Tom… did you not see the one standing 50 yards in front of you?”
He had been so focused on the distant target that he completely missed what was right in front of him.
Spiritually, we can do the same thing. We get distracted by debates, social media, and distant concerns while missing what God is doing right in front of us.
Jude warns about people who follow their own desires instead of the Spirit and end up dividing others.
Building a Living Faith
Jude gives believers a simple but powerful instruction:
Faith is not just agreement with ideas, we understand faith as something alive and transforming. God’s grace saves us, but that grace also continues shaping us as we grow in holiness and love.
We participate in that growth by staying connected to God through prayer, Scripture, and community.
As we walk with Christ, the Spirit forms our character and our lives begin to reflect His.
Saved From… and Saved For
The gospel contains two truths that must stay together.
Jesus saves us from sin. Through His grace we are forgiven and made new.
But Jesus also saves us for something. We are called to love others, show mercy, and help people find the same hope we’ve received.
Jude writes:
Showing Mercy to Doubters
Many people carry wounds connected to faith.
Pastor Tom shared about his mom. When some of her friends became Christians in high school, instead of inviting her in, they rejected her. Years later, when Tom began following Christ, she warned him not to become “that kind of Christian.”
Experiences like that leave scars.
I’ve also seen how past church experiences can shape how people respond to faith.
Sometimes when someone seems skeptical or distant from God, it isn’t because they don’t care about faith, it’s because something painful happened along the way.
That’s why Jude tells us to be merciful to those who doubt. People may be wrestling with questions we can’t see.
I know how powerful a healthy church community can be. After walking through some difficult church experiences in the past, finding a place where faith is lived out with authenticity reminded me why the Church matters so much.
How Faith Conversations Actually Happen
One question people often ask is why Christians sometimes seem pushy with their beliefs.
Jesus does call His followers to share the good news. But how we do that matters.
It might sound like this:
Someone asks, “How do you stay calm when things get stressful?”
You might say, “Honestly, prayer helps me a lot. My faith keeps me grounded.”
Or someone asks why you volunteer at church or forgive someone who hurt you. Those questions are invitations.
A simple way to talk about faith is:
1. Share your story.
You don’t need a sermon. Just explain how Jesus has changed your life.
2. Ask questions.
“What has your spiritual journey been like?” opens the door for real conversation.
3. Offer prayer.
If someone shares something hard, you can say, “Would it be okay if I prayed for you?”
4. Explain the hope of the gospel simply.
God loves us. Sin separates us from Him. Jesus died and rose to restore that relationship. Anyone who trusts in Him can begin a new life with God.
Who Is in Your Sphere?
Sometimes the opportunities to talk about faith show up in the most ordinary moments.
A quick conversation in line at the store. A coworker asking how you stay calm when life gets stressful. A neighbor stopping by to chat for a few minutes.
Most of the time, those moments don’t feel like “ministry.” They just feel like life.
But when we’re paying attention, we start to realize that God often works through those small conversations. A kind word, a simple answer, or offering to pray for someone can open doors we never expected.
You don’t need a huge platform or a microphone to share your faith. Most of the time, it starts with simply being present and willing when the moment comes.
The Question
Who in your life needs prayer right now?
God has already placed people in your path- neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends. You may not have all the right words, but you don’t need them. God simply asks for a willing heart.
In a world full of noise and distraction, there is still one Name that saves.
And that Name is Jesus. (https://youtu.be/QXystoIMjwo?t=436)
Reflect
Who is one person you can begin praying for this week?
What might it look like to simply be ready if God opens a door for a conversation?
A Prayer
Lord, help me stay focused on You. Build my faith as I pray and walk with You each day. Give me mercy for those who doubt and courage to share when opportunities come. Use my life to point others toward the hope found in Jesus. Amen.
It happens more often than we think, spiritually too.
There’s an old saying: “If you lay down with dogs, you’ll come up with fleas.” It’s a colorful way of reminding us that the direction we choose and the influences around us shape who we become.
That’s exactly the concern behind the book of Jude.
This short, one-chapter letter was written to warn believers about something dangerous creeping into the early church. False teachers were twisting God’s grace and leading people away from truth.
Jude’s message is simple but urgent:
Pay attention. Stay grounded. Don’t drift off course.
Focus Matters
Pastor Tom shared a hunting story this week that illustrates exactly how that happens.
He was calling coyotes with his son and brother. After a while he spotted one far away, about 400 yards out. He studied it carefully, calculated the wind, and lined up the shot. When he fired, his son and brother immediately started shooting too.
Confused, he asked if they could still see the distant coyote. They said, “Tom… did you not see the one standing 50 yards in front of you?”
He had been so focused on the distant target that he completely missed what was right in front of him.
Spiritually, we can do the same thing. We get distracted by debates, social media, and distant concerns while missing what God is doing right in front of us.
Jude warns about people who follow their own desires instead of the Spirit and end up dividing others.
When we lose focus on Christ, it’s easy to drift without realizing it.
Building a Living Faith
Jude gives believers a simple but powerful instruction:
“Build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.” (Jude 1:20)
Faith is not just agreement with ideas, we understand faith as something alive and transforming. God’s grace saves us, but that grace also continues shaping us as we grow in holiness and love.
We participate in that growth by staying connected to God through prayer, Scripture, and community.
As we walk with Christ, the Spirit forms our character and our lives begin to reflect His.
Saved From… and Saved For
The gospel contains two truths that must stay together.
Jesus saves us from sin. Through His grace we are forgiven and made new.
But Jesus also saves us for something. We are called to love others, show mercy, and help people find the same hope we’ve received.
Jude writes:
“Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire.” (Jude 1:22–23)
Faith isn’t meant to stay private. It naturally moves outward in love.
Showing Mercy to Doubters
Many people carry wounds connected to faith.
Pastor Tom shared about his mom. When some of her friends became Christians in high school, instead of inviting her in, they rejected her. Years later, when Tom began following Christ, she warned him not to become “that kind of Christian.”
Experiences like that leave scars.
I’ve also seen how past church experiences can shape how people respond to faith.
Sometimes when someone seems skeptical or distant from God, it isn’t because they don’t care about faith, it’s because something painful happened along the way.
That’s why Jude tells us to be merciful to those who doubt. People may be wrestling with questions we can’t see.
Mercy opens doors that arguments rarely do.
I know how powerful a healthy church community can be. After walking through some difficult church experiences in the past, finding a place where faith is lived out with authenticity reminded me why the Church matters so much.
How Faith Conversations Actually Happen
One question people often ask is why Christians sometimes seem pushy with their beliefs.
Jesus does call His followers to share the good news. But how we do that matters.
Most faith conversations happen naturally when we live our lives openly and pay attention to moments of curiosity.
It might sound like this:
Someone asks, “How do you stay calm when things get stressful?”
You might say, “Honestly, prayer helps me a lot. My faith keeps me grounded.”
Or someone asks why you volunteer at church or forgive someone who hurt you. Those questions are invitations.
A simple way to talk about faith is:
1. Share your story.
You don’t need a sermon. Just explain how Jesus has changed your life.
2. Ask questions.
“What has your spiritual journey been like?” opens the door for real conversation.
3. Offer prayer.
If someone shares something hard, you can say, “Would it be okay if I prayed for you?”
4. Explain the hope of the gospel simply.
God loves us. Sin separates us from Him. Jesus died and rose to restore that relationship. Anyone who trusts in Him can begin a new life with God.
Often God is already stirring something in a person’s heart before we ever say a word. Our role is simply to notice when the door opens.
Who Is in Your Sphere?
Sometimes the opportunities to talk about faith show up in the most ordinary moments.
A quick conversation in line at the store. A coworker asking how you stay calm when life gets stressful. A neighbor stopping by to chat for a few minutes.
Most of the time, those moments don’t feel like “ministry.” They just feel like life.
But when we’re paying attention, we start to realize that God often works through those small conversations. A kind word, a simple answer, or offering to pray for someone can open doors we never expected.
You don’t need a huge platform or a microphone to share your faith. Most of the time, it starts with simply being present and willing when the moment comes.
The Question
Who in your life needs prayer right now?
God has already placed people in your path- neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends. You may not have all the right words, but you don’t need them. God simply asks for a willing heart.
Jude’s message is still clear: stay grounded in truth, grow in faith, show mercy to others, and share the hope you’ve found in Christ.
In a world full of noise and distraction, there is still one Name that saves.
And that Name is Jesus. (https://youtu.be/QXystoIMjwo?t=436)
Reflect
Who is one person you can begin praying for this week?
What might it look like to simply be ready if God opens a door for a conversation?
A Prayer
Lord, help me stay focused on You. Build my faith as I pray and walk with You each day. Give me mercy for those who doubt and courage to share when opportunities come. Use my life to point others toward the hope found in Jesus. Amen.
Rachel Mahoney
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1 Comment
I was encouraged by you to share my faith even more and I will read the book of Jude. Can’t remember reading but didn’t retain his message. Your right the little moments of opportunity around us always. Just not hesitating. Listen to God’s lead.