TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY JULY 17, 2009
PROMISE
Defined by Webster:
A declaration that something will or will not be done; indication of future excellence or achievement; something promised.
GODS WORD
“Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?” Numbers 23:19b
“For the promise is to you and your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:39.
“And this is the promise that He has promised us --- eternal life.” I John 2:25.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
God made two very significant promises to Noah and to Abraham that affect us today. Through out the Bible God has made promises and when God makes a promise it is never broken.
In Genesis 9:12-15 it reads: And GOD said, “this is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, and for perpetual generations; I set My rainbow in the cloud and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth --- that the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.”
And in Genesis 12: 2-3 it reads: “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; I will bless those that bless you; I will curse those that curse you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
In both of these passages God made a promise that He has kept.
In His promise to Noah He said He would send a rainbow after a storm to remind us that He would never destroy the earth with a flood.
God kept His promise to Abraham by making him a great nation [Israel] and by making his name great.
But the greatest promise ever made was the promise made by God to send His only Son to this earth to pay for the sins of each one of us living on this earth. And all we have to do is to first ask God for forgiveness for our sins and then accept Jesus into our heart and start a personal relationship with Him
In life today so many people make promises that are not kept. Parents promise certain things to children and then do not follow through. Spouses make promises, families make promises, neighbors make promises, bosses make promises and most of them today are not honored.
God set the standard with Noah and Abraham and as Christians, God expects nothing less from us. Each of us should take the time now and think about the promises we have made and not kept and do all we can to honor those promises. But most important, from this day on we need to commit to make promises that we are sure we can honor. Relationships are put in jeopardy when promises are not kept. Marriage vows that were made saying that we are to love and honor and to be faithful as long as we both shall live are not taken seriously today. It is time to right the wrongs and honor your promises.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Give me strength today to remember promises that I have made and help me to be faithful to keep them. Thank you Lord for giving me the fortitude from this day on, to make promises and then to honor them without qualification. Give me the leadership in my family to show by example the importance of honoring promises.
Your Friends,
Ken and Dottie Phillips
July 19, 2009
Problem: July 16, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY JULY 16, 2009
PROBLEM
Defined by Webster:
Any question or matter involving doubt; uncertainty or difficulty; a question proposed for solution.
GODS WORD
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials [problems], knowing that testing of your faith produces patience.” James 1:2-3.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.” Philippians 4:6-7.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
In life today everyone seems to be constantly talking about the problems they are facing. Many just think that the best way to solve a problem is to avoid it. Problems weigh on us even to the extent they can make us ill. Possibly the problems you face today include issues with the economy, your career or you family.
Do you have problems in your life? If you hear someone answer “NO” to that question, you can be certain that they are in denial. Problems are part of living in a sinful world.
The book of First Peter is the letter that Peter wrote to encourage believers who were going through trials. Peter calls problems trials in I Peter 1:6-7 where he says: “So be truly glad, there is a wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.” Trials reveal how genuine and how strong our faith really is. Peter goes on to say that trials test our faith like fire tests and purifies gold, though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. Just as gold is made more valuable when it is put through fire, we are made more valuable to God because we are strengthened by the problems and trials we go through. So when your faith remains strong through trials, it will bring much praise and glory and honor to Jesus Christ.
Also in I Peter 4:12, Peter says: “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening with you.” People often ask: “Why is this happening to me?” when they have a problem. Peter warns us to expect problems or as he calls them trials.
God allows us to have problems to test and refine our faith. Problems come in many forms and each one brings pain, anguish, stress and worry. How we cope with problems depends a great deal on our attitude. Trials are for a little while and Peter reminds us not to let problems rob us of our joy. God is faithful and will reward us with His gift of eternal life. God uses problems to bring us closer to Him. He wants us to bring our problems to Him and then ask Him for help. He will respond.
We need to do several things according to the verse that the Apostle Paul wrote while he was in prison [Philippians 4:6-7 above]. First we need to admit that we have a problem. Then we need to turn that problem into a prayer. We need to face the problem straight on and do not let it linger. When we turn it over to God in prayer, He will go through the problem with us and He will give us strength to endure the problem. He will use the problem to strengthen our faith and to give us peace that is beyond our understanding. Remember problems are not God’s fault and there is no limit as to what God can do in solving your problem, if you turn it over to Him.
We had the privilege of coordinating a convention for over 1000 former Youth for Christ leaders in October of 1988 in Chicago. We took with us two secretaries to assist in all of the convention details. On the first day we had several problems, some that seemed insurmountable. The four of us sat down and agreed that from that moment on we had no problems, just situations. That one conversation changed all of our concerns into solvable situations and we went forward with a smooth running and most successful God honoring convention. What we did was to turn everything over to the Lord and He got us through each situation
In life we also learn that we are to attack problems not people. Every day each of us face problems in life. Unfortunately we somehow divert the problem to a person. We need to learn to let go of our problems and let God take care of them. So many times when we try to solve a problem without thinking it through, we cause greater problems. We have learned to pray every day for God to take care of SITUATIONS that we may face before they become a PROBLEM for us to face.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Help me today to face life with an attitude of wanting to please you in all that I do. Thank you for your promise to never leave me nor forsake me, so that I am assured that as I go through a problem you are going through that problem with me. Use my problems to strengthen my faith so that I can glorify your name in all that I do.
Your Friends,
Ken and Dottie Phillips
PROBLEM
Defined by Webster:
Any question or matter involving doubt; uncertainty or difficulty; a question proposed for solution.
GODS WORD
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials [problems], knowing that testing of your faith produces patience.” James 1:2-3.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.” Philippians 4:6-7.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
In life today everyone seems to be constantly talking about the problems they are facing. Many just think that the best way to solve a problem is to avoid it. Problems weigh on us even to the extent they can make us ill. Possibly the problems you face today include issues with the economy, your career or you family.
Do you have problems in your life? If you hear someone answer “NO” to that question, you can be certain that they are in denial. Problems are part of living in a sinful world.
The book of First Peter is the letter that Peter wrote to encourage believers who were going through trials. Peter calls problems trials in I Peter 1:6-7 where he says: “So be truly glad, there is a wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.” Trials reveal how genuine and how strong our faith really is. Peter goes on to say that trials test our faith like fire tests and purifies gold, though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. Just as gold is made more valuable when it is put through fire, we are made more valuable to God because we are strengthened by the problems and trials we go through. So when your faith remains strong through trials, it will bring much praise and glory and honor to Jesus Christ.
Also in I Peter 4:12, Peter says: “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening with you.” People often ask: “Why is this happening to me?” when they have a problem. Peter warns us to expect problems or as he calls them trials.
God allows us to have problems to test and refine our faith. Problems come in many forms and each one brings pain, anguish, stress and worry. How we cope with problems depends a great deal on our attitude. Trials are for a little while and Peter reminds us not to let problems rob us of our joy. God is faithful and will reward us with His gift of eternal life. God uses problems to bring us closer to Him. He wants us to bring our problems to Him and then ask Him for help. He will respond.
We need to do several things according to the verse that the Apostle Paul wrote while he was in prison [Philippians 4:6-7 above]. First we need to admit that we have a problem. Then we need to turn that problem into a prayer. We need to face the problem straight on and do not let it linger. When we turn it over to God in prayer, He will go through the problem with us and He will give us strength to endure the problem. He will use the problem to strengthen our faith and to give us peace that is beyond our understanding. Remember problems are not God’s fault and there is no limit as to what God can do in solving your problem, if you turn it over to Him.
We had the privilege of coordinating a convention for over 1000 former Youth for Christ leaders in October of 1988 in Chicago. We took with us two secretaries to assist in all of the convention details. On the first day we had several problems, some that seemed insurmountable. The four of us sat down and agreed that from that moment on we had no problems, just situations. That one conversation changed all of our concerns into solvable situations and we went forward with a smooth running and most successful God honoring convention. What we did was to turn everything over to the Lord and He got us through each situation
In life we also learn that we are to attack problems not people. Every day each of us face problems in life. Unfortunately we somehow divert the problem to a person. We need to learn to let go of our problems and let God take care of them. So many times when we try to solve a problem without thinking it through, we cause greater problems. We have learned to pray every day for God to take care of SITUATIONS that we may face before they become a PROBLEM for us to face.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Help me today to face life with an attitude of wanting to please you in all that I do. Thank you for your promise to never leave me nor forsake me, so that I am assured that as I go through a problem you are going through that problem with me. Use my problems to strengthen my faith so that I can glorify your name in all that I do.
Your Friends,
Ken and Dottie Phillips
Change: July 15, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY JULY 15, 2009
CHANGE
Defined by Webster:
To make different in form; to transform; for exchange of another; to become different.
GODS WORD
“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13.
“For I am the Lord, I do not change.” Malachi 3:6
“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind.” Numbers 23:19.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
Yesterday we talked about the word ETERNITY. Today our word is CHANGE. God, who is all wise, all knowing and without sin never changes His mind nor withdraws His promises. He gave Moses the Ten Commandments and they are still valid today. God’s plan for salvation has never changed and His promise for eternal life through Jesus Christ has never changed.
When we see someone make their decision to accept Jesus into their life, we always see a dramatic CHANGE in that life. As a result of Adam’s and Eve’s sin we are born with a sinful nature. God is without sin so our sin separates us from God [Isaiah 59:2]. God can not change who He is so we are the ones that must change if we are to have fellowship with God. Our righteousness must be changed into His righteousness [Romans 3:22]. That change takes place when we come to Christ and receive His righteousness, which is a free gift.
The apostle Paul tells us that when we come to Christ we become a new person and the old person is gone [II Corinthians 5:17]. Paul’s life is evidence that this is true. His life was completely changed when he met Jesus. His old life was persecuting the Christians and his new life was preaching the gospel and being persecuted himself because of his faith in Christ. His life was completely changed. He considered the gift of life offered by God was well worth any persecution that he may have to endure. God does not change but He does change us.
I [Ken] can remember seeing dramatic changes in people’s lives, years ago, when I was in a different church every night for 90 days in a row for three summers showing a Billy Graham Crusade film. Every church was filled to capacity and at the end of the film I would always give the audience a chance to accept Jesus as their Savior. It was remarkable to see individuals of all ages respond night after night and after we prayed with them and answered their questions we literally saw hearts changed after they asked Jesus into their lives.
Over the years, both of us have been part of city wide crusades and we have seen people from all walks of life make a decision for Christ that brought a dramatic change in their life.
I can remember meeting a man who made his decision to follow Jesus in the Los Angeles Billy Graham tent crusade. This man soon became a dear friend of our family and I watched his life change. It was about as a dramatic change as we will ever see in our lifetime. His name was Jim Vaus. He worked with Mickey Cohen who was known as a under ground gangster. Jim was his technician for wiretapping, so he was living what we may call an “evil life.” When he found Jesus as his Savior, his life changed and he left Mickey Cohen because of his new found faith and soon opened up what he called Hells Gate Station in New York. This was a program to reach the teenage criminal element on the streets of New York and to bring them the gospel message. What a change Christ made in his life.
When we think of the word “CHANGE” another thought comes to mind that we want to share with you. Many families today seem to be disintegrating because of many different reasons. Some of these reasons are:
• Preoccupation with an occupation to the exclusion of family needs. This goes beyond work. It can include watching TV, being with associates such as in a club and many other things. Family needs to come first.
• Refusal to face the severity of a child’s action. How many times has a situation come up and possibly you have responded by thinking that it is not that serious or I am too tired to face that today?
• Refusal to respond quickly and thoroughly to the warning of others. This could be a neighbor, a relative or a spouse warning you and you just do not have time to see if it is a problem or you just do not care.
• Rationalizing of a wrong therefore becoming part of the problem.
When things are not going well in one’s life, especially within your family, it is time for change, a change for the better. To change we must want something more than what we have now. What is better than to make a change in how we live our life today and then to spend an eternity in Heaven with our Lord or to just put our problems aside? If you are willing to make a change then God is waiting for you to come to Him and He will change you.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Open my heart today to change. Help me to want to spend my time doing the things that honor and glorify your name. Give me wisdom in my decisions. Give me assurance that I have eternal life. Give me the courage to make changes in the things I do that do not honor You.
CHANGE
Defined by Webster:
To make different in form; to transform; for exchange of another; to become different.
GODS WORD
“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13.
“For I am the Lord, I do not change.” Malachi 3:6
“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind.” Numbers 23:19.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
Yesterday we talked about the word ETERNITY. Today our word is CHANGE. God, who is all wise, all knowing and without sin never changes His mind nor withdraws His promises. He gave Moses the Ten Commandments and they are still valid today. God’s plan for salvation has never changed and His promise for eternal life through Jesus Christ has never changed.
When we see someone make their decision to accept Jesus into their life, we always see a dramatic CHANGE in that life. As a result of Adam’s and Eve’s sin we are born with a sinful nature. God is without sin so our sin separates us from God [Isaiah 59:2]. God can not change who He is so we are the ones that must change if we are to have fellowship with God. Our righteousness must be changed into His righteousness [Romans 3:22]. That change takes place when we come to Christ and receive His righteousness, which is a free gift.
The apostle Paul tells us that when we come to Christ we become a new person and the old person is gone [II Corinthians 5:17]. Paul’s life is evidence that this is true. His life was completely changed when he met Jesus. His old life was persecuting the Christians and his new life was preaching the gospel and being persecuted himself because of his faith in Christ. His life was completely changed. He considered the gift of life offered by God was well worth any persecution that he may have to endure. God does not change but He does change us.
I [Ken] can remember seeing dramatic changes in people’s lives, years ago, when I was in a different church every night for 90 days in a row for three summers showing a Billy Graham Crusade film. Every church was filled to capacity and at the end of the film I would always give the audience a chance to accept Jesus as their Savior. It was remarkable to see individuals of all ages respond night after night and after we prayed with them and answered their questions we literally saw hearts changed after they asked Jesus into their lives.
Over the years, both of us have been part of city wide crusades and we have seen people from all walks of life make a decision for Christ that brought a dramatic change in their life.
I can remember meeting a man who made his decision to follow Jesus in the Los Angeles Billy Graham tent crusade. This man soon became a dear friend of our family and I watched his life change. It was about as a dramatic change as we will ever see in our lifetime. His name was Jim Vaus. He worked with Mickey Cohen who was known as a under ground gangster. Jim was his technician for wiretapping, so he was living what we may call an “evil life.” When he found Jesus as his Savior, his life changed and he left Mickey Cohen because of his new found faith and soon opened up what he called Hells Gate Station in New York. This was a program to reach the teenage criminal element on the streets of New York and to bring them the gospel message. What a change Christ made in his life.
When we think of the word “CHANGE” another thought comes to mind that we want to share with you. Many families today seem to be disintegrating because of many different reasons. Some of these reasons are:
• Preoccupation with an occupation to the exclusion of family needs. This goes beyond work. It can include watching TV, being with associates such as in a club and many other things. Family needs to come first.
• Refusal to face the severity of a child’s action. How many times has a situation come up and possibly you have responded by thinking that it is not that serious or I am too tired to face that today?
• Refusal to respond quickly and thoroughly to the warning of others. This could be a neighbor, a relative or a spouse warning you and you just do not have time to see if it is a problem or you just do not care.
• Rationalizing of a wrong therefore becoming part of the problem.
When things are not going well in one’s life, especially within your family, it is time for change, a change for the better. To change we must want something more than what we have now. What is better than to make a change in how we live our life today and then to spend an eternity in Heaven with our Lord or to just put our problems aside? If you are willing to make a change then God is waiting for you to come to Him and He will change you.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Open my heart today to change. Help me to want to spend my time doing the things that honor and glorify your name. Give me wisdom in my decisions. Give me assurance that I have eternal life. Give me the courage to make changes in the things I do that do not honor You.
Eternity: July 14, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY JULY 14, 2009.
ETERNITY
Defined by Webster:
Infinite time; duration without beginning or end; endless period of time.
GODS WORD
“that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:15.
“For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
Have you ever tried to imagine what eternity is like? It is very difficult for our finite minds to grasp the concept of our life going on with no end. On earth, things have a beginning and an ending. Sometimes when we have to stand in a line we say it seems like an eternity. It may seem long but really it is relatively short and it has an ending. Our life on this earth has a beginning and an ending, but when we leave this earth we have an eternity ahead of us with absolutely no ending. So the question we must ask you is: “Where will you spend your eternity?” This is a question we all have to answer and it is the most important decision you will have to make during your entire lifetime. We both personally answered that question before we were ten years old.
These two verses, written above, really give us all we need to know about eternity. Each one of us has a choice to make. The one choice you have is to accept Jesus as your personal Savior and receive God’s gift of eternal life. God freely offers this choice to you because Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins and now He is in heaven preparing a place for you for eternity.
The second choice you have is to do nothing about Jesus and ignore the issue. Ignoring the issue does not make the issue go away. A non decision about Jesus is still a decision. You then have made your choice to spend an eternity in Hell. We hear it said over and over again --- “I will make that decision later” --- but later may be too late.
And the third choice is to reject Jesus and God. This choice comes with a price, as the verse above says --- “the wages of sin is death” --- so without that personal relationship with God you will spend an eternity in Hell. It is that simple and clear, so the decision is yours.
You do not hear many sermons in Church today about Hell. We think this is true because it is not a popular subject to talk about and pastors do not seem to want to stir up their congregations and scare people away. People just do not want to face the fact that their unforgiven sins will bring condemnation to them. But many pastors do preach on Heaven and Hell and their Churches are growing because the message of Heaven or Hell stirs people to make a decision for Jesus and they then stay in the church so they can grow in Christ.
People are searching for real hope and peace in their lives so this decision of accepting or rejecting Jesus is the most vital decision one can make today. Nothing is more relevant than eternity. Our question to you today is: “Have you made that choice?” Your eternity is at stake. Will you spend eternity with Jesus in Heaven or with the devil in Hell?
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Dear Lord, help me today to be certain where I will spend eternity. May I also be diligent today to share my faith with my family, friends and associates so that they may know that they have a decision to make on where they will spend eternity.
ETERNITY
Defined by Webster:
Infinite time; duration without beginning or end; endless period of time.
GODS WORD
“that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:15.
“For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
Have you ever tried to imagine what eternity is like? It is very difficult for our finite minds to grasp the concept of our life going on with no end. On earth, things have a beginning and an ending. Sometimes when we have to stand in a line we say it seems like an eternity. It may seem long but really it is relatively short and it has an ending. Our life on this earth has a beginning and an ending, but when we leave this earth we have an eternity ahead of us with absolutely no ending. So the question we must ask you is: “Where will you spend your eternity?” This is a question we all have to answer and it is the most important decision you will have to make during your entire lifetime. We both personally answered that question before we were ten years old.
These two verses, written above, really give us all we need to know about eternity. Each one of us has a choice to make. The one choice you have is to accept Jesus as your personal Savior and receive God’s gift of eternal life. God freely offers this choice to you because Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins and now He is in heaven preparing a place for you for eternity.
The second choice you have is to do nothing about Jesus and ignore the issue. Ignoring the issue does not make the issue go away. A non decision about Jesus is still a decision. You then have made your choice to spend an eternity in Hell. We hear it said over and over again --- “I will make that decision later” --- but later may be too late.
And the third choice is to reject Jesus and God. This choice comes with a price, as the verse above says --- “the wages of sin is death” --- so without that personal relationship with God you will spend an eternity in Hell. It is that simple and clear, so the decision is yours.
You do not hear many sermons in Church today about Hell. We think this is true because it is not a popular subject to talk about and pastors do not seem to want to stir up their congregations and scare people away. People just do not want to face the fact that their unforgiven sins will bring condemnation to them. But many pastors do preach on Heaven and Hell and their Churches are growing because the message of Heaven or Hell stirs people to make a decision for Jesus and they then stay in the church so they can grow in Christ.
People are searching for real hope and peace in their lives so this decision of accepting or rejecting Jesus is the most vital decision one can make today. Nothing is more relevant than eternity. Our question to you today is: “Have you made that choice?” Your eternity is at stake. Will you spend eternity with Jesus in Heaven or with the devil in Hell?
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Dear Lord, help me today to be certain where I will spend eternity. May I also be diligent today to share my faith with my family, friends and associates so that they may know that they have a decision to make on where they will spend eternity.
Eternity: July 14, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY JULY 14, 2009.
ETERNITY
Defined by Webster:
Infinite time; duration without beginning or end; endless period of time.
GODS WORD
“that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:15.
“For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
Have you ever tried to imagine what eternity is like? It is very difficult for our finite minds to grasp the concept of our life going on with no end. On earth, things have a beginning and an ending. Sometimes when we have to stand in a line we say it seems like an eternity. It may seem long but really it is relatively short and it has an ending. Our life on this earth has a beginning and an ending, but when we leave this earth we have an eternity ahead of us with absolutely no ending. So the question we must ask you is: “Where will you spend your eternity?” This is a question we all have to answer and it is the most important decision you will have to make during your entire lifetime. We both personally answered that question before we were ten years old.
These two verses, written above, really give us all we need to know about eternity. Each one of us has a choice to make. The one choice you have is to accept Jesus as your personal Savior and receive God’s gift of eternal life. God freely offers this choice to you because Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins and now He is in heaven preparing a place for you for eternity.
The second choice you have is to do nothing about Jesus and ignore the issue. Ignoring the issue does not make the issue go away. A non decision about Jesus is still a decision. You then have made your choice to spend an eternity in Hell. We hear it said over and over again --- “I will make that decision later” --- but later may be too late.
And the third choice is to reject Jesus and God. This choice comes with a price, as the verse above says --- “the wages of sin is death” --- so without that personal relationship with God you will spend an eternity in Hell. It is that simple and clear, so the decision is yours.
You do not hear many sermons in Church today about Hell. We think this is true because it is not a popular subject to talk about and pastors do not seem to want to stir up their congregations and scare people away. People just do not want to face the fact that their unforgiven sins will bring condemnation to them. But many pastors do preach on Heaven and Hell and their Churches are growing because the message of Heaven or Hell stirs people to make a decision for Jesus and they then stay in the church so they can grow in Christ.
People are searching for real hope and peace in their lives so this decision of accepting or rejecting Jesus is the most vital decision one can make today. Nothing is more relevant than eternity. Our question to you today is: “Have you made that choice?” Your eternity is at stake. Will you spend eternity with Jesus in Heaven or with the devil in Hell?
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Dear Lord, help me today to be certain where I will spend eternity. May I also be diligent today to share my faith with my family, friends and associates so that they may know that they have a decision to make on where they will spend eternity.
ETERNITY
Defined by Webster:
Infinite time; duration without beginning or end; endless period of time.
GODS WORD
“that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:15.
“For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
Have you ever tried to imagine what eternity is like? It is very difficult for our finite minds to grasp the concept of our life going on with no end. On earth, things have a beginning and an ending. Sometimes when we have to stand in a line we say it seems like an eternity. It may seem long but really it is relatively short and it has an ending. Our life on this earth has a beginning and an ending, but when we leave this earth we have an eternity ahead of us with absolutely no ending. So the question we must ask you is: “Where will you spend your eternity?” This is a question we all have to answer and it is the most important decision you will have to make during your entire lifetime. We both personally answered that question before we were ten years old.
These two verses, written above, really give us all we need to know about eternity. Each one of us has a choice to make. The one choice you have is to accept Jesus as your personal Savior and receive God’s gift of eternal life. God freely offers this choice to you because Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins and now He is in heaven preparing a place for you for eternity.
The second choice you have is to do nothing about Jesus and ignore the issue. Ignoring the issue does not make the issue go away. A non decision about Jesus is still a decision. You then have made your choice to spend an eternity in Hell. We hear it said over and over again --- “I will make that decision later” --- but later may be too late.
And the third choice is to reject Jesus and God. This choice comes with a price, as the verse above says --- “the wages of sin is death” --- so without that personal relationship with God you will spend an eternity in Hell. It is that simple and clear, so the decision is yours.
You do not hear many sermons in Church today about Hell. We think this is true because it is not a popular subject to talk about and pastors do not seem to want to stir up their congregations and scare people away. People just do not want to face the fact that their unforgiven sins will bring condemnation to them. But many pastors do preach on Heaven and Hell and their Churches are growing because the message of Heaven or Hell stirs people to make a decision for Jesus and they then stay in the church so they can grow in Christ.
People are searching for real hope and peace in their lives so this decision of accepting or rejecting Jesus is the most vital decision one can make today. Nothing is more relevant than eternity. Our question to you today is: “Have you made that choice?” Your eternity is at stake. Will you spend eternity with Jesus in Heaven or with the devil in Hell?
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Dear Lord, help me today to be certain where I will spend eternity. May I also be diligent today to share my faith with my family, friends and associates so that they may know that they have a decision to make on where they will spend eternity.
Compassion: July 13, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY JULY 13, 2009
COMPASSION
Defined by Webster:
A feeling of deep sympathy; sorrow for someone struck by misfortune; a desire to alleviate suffering.
GODS WORD
“For He who has mercy on them will lead them, even by the springs of water He will guide them.” Isaiah 49:10
“But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity.” Psalm 78:38.
“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved to compassion for them.” Matthew 9:36.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
We are living in a world today where very few people have compassion for someone in need. It is a “ME” world where the only one people care about are themselves. You constantly hear of someone leaving the scene of an accident or ignoring the call of a neighbor. Everyone is constantly in a rush and in crowded situations they bump people and never even smile or say I am sorry.
But for Christians it should be different because of the standard our Lord gave to us. When Jesus was on earth He was going from city to city teaching in the synagogues and we are told that when He saw the multitudes of crowds He was moved to compassion. [Matthew 9:36]
True compassion moves us to action. In Mark 2:3 we read that “some men came, bringing Him a paralytic, carried by the four of them.” These men saw their friend’s helpless condition and their compassion moved them to take action. They carried him to Jesus. When Jesus saw the man, He saw more than his physical need. He saw his spiritual need --- for forgiveness of his sins. Jesus had compassion and then said: “Son your sins are forgiven.” Then He healed him and told him to get up and walk.
God’s compassion for us surpasses all human understanding. He knew our need for salvation from the time of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Because of His great compassion for us, He sent His only Son to die on the cross paying the penalty for our sins. Jesus took our sins upon Himself and then gave His life for us. There is no greater compassion than this.
Yes, true compassion leads to action. In Luke chapter 10 we read of the account that we all know as the parable of the Good Samaritan. In verse 33 we read that when the Samaritan came across the man who had been beaten by the thieves and left to die, the Samaritan was moved to compassion and he took action. Unlike the two previous travelers who had come by the beaten man and continued on without helping, the Samaritan acted, came to his aid, and saved his life.
We are reminded that even today there are many people that are in situations where they are often moved to compassion. We have talked to Pastors in Kenya who have told us about the poverty of the people in their church and tears filled their eyes. This shows real compassion. Just take a trip someday and go into a children’s hospital and see just a few of the children who are sick and dying. We can assure you that your heart will be broken with compassion.
These illustrations from life today and from the scripture need to be a reminder to us to live each day with a heart that is sensitive to being compassionate. When you see someone in need, help them. When you see someone hurting with grief, give them a word of encouragement. Work today on the concept of what my father [Ken] told me years ago --- Live a life of JOY --- JOY spelled out one letter at a time says Jesus, then others and lastly you.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Give me today a compassionate heart. May I be alert to others and their needs? Help my family to watch for ways to show their compassion to others. Thank you Lord for the wonderful standard you have set for us to live by. Make this a day where compassion is a norm and not an exception.
COMPASSION
Defined by Webster:
A feeling of deep sympathy; sorrow for someone struck by misfortune; a desire to alleviate suffering.
GODS WORD
“For He who has mercy on them will lead them, even by the springs of water He will guide them.” Isaiah 49:10
“But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity.” Psalm 78:38.
“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved to compassion for them.” Matthew 9:36.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
We are living in a world today where very few people have compassion for someone in need. It is a “ME” world where the only one people care about are themselves. You constantly hear of someone leaving the scene of an accident or ignoring the call of a neighbor. Everyone is constantly in a rush and in crowded situations they bump people and never even smile or say I am sorry.
But for Christians it should be different because of the standard our Lord gave to us. When Jesus was on earth He was going from city to city teaching in the synagogues and we are told that when He saw the multitudes of crowds He was moved to compassion. [Matthew 9:36]
True compassion moves us to action. In Mark 2:3 we read that “some men came, bringing Him a paralytic, carried by the four of them.” These men saw their friend’s helpless condition and their compassion moved them to take action. They carried him to Jesus. When Jesus saw the man, He saw more than his physical need. He saw his spiritual need --- for forgiveness of his sins. Jesus had compassion and then said: “Son your sins are forgiven.” Then He healed him and told him to get up and walk.
God’s compassion for us surpasses all human understanding. He knew our need for salvation from the time of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Because of His great compassion for us, He sent His only Son to die on the cross paying the penalty for our sins. Jesus took our sins upon Himself and then gave His life for us. There is no greater compassion than this.
Yes, true compassion leads to action. In Luke chapter 10 we read of the account that we all know as the parable of the Good Samaritan. In verse 33 we read that when the Samaritan came across the man who had been beaten by the thieves and left to die, the Samaritan was moved to compassion and he took action. Unlike the two previous travelers who had come by the beaten man and continued on without helping, the Samaritan acted, came to his aid, and saved his life.
We are reminded that even today there are many people that are in situations where they are often moved to compassion. We have talked to Pastors in Kenya who have told us about the poverty of the people in their church and tears filled their eyes. This shows real compassion. Just take a trip someday and go into a children’s hospital and see just a few of the children who are sick and dying. We can assure you that your heart will be broken with compassion.
These illustrations from life today and from the scripture need to be a reminder to us to live each day with a heart that is sensitive to being compassionate. When you see someone in need, help them. When you see someone hurting with grief, give them a word of encouragement. Work today on the concept of what my father [Ken] told me years ago --- Live a life of JOY --- JOY spelled out one letter at a time says Jesus, then others and lastly you.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Give me today a compassionate heart. May I be alert to others and their needs? Help my family to watch for ways to show their compassion to others. Thank you Lord for the wonderful standard you have set for us to live by. Make this a day where compassion is a norm and not an exception.
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