TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2009
GOD
Defined by Webster:
The creator and ruler of the universe; supreme being; idol.
GODS WORD
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1
“But without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that he is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
Children have a way of coming up with very challenging and thought provoking questions. No doubt you have been asked some of the same questions asked by our children. What is God? Where does He live? Why can’t we see Him? What does He look like? And many more! These are challenging questions indeed and not easy to answer especially in child-like terms.
The Bible does not give us a concise definition of “God”, but all of God’s attributes can be seen on every page of the Bible. Perhaps the best man-given definition of God is found in the Westminster Catechism. Dottie memorized it as a child when she was active in the Presbyterian Church. This definition consists of what the Bible declares about God. The definition is: “God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth.
When we speak of God we are speaking of the living God of the Bible. The Bible tells us that God is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, yet He is not three deities but one God-head. This is a hard concept for our infinite minds to understand.
The only way that one can come to God is by faith and one must believe that He is God. No one has honestly sought God by faith and failed to find Him.
It needs to be noted that none of the writers of the scriptures or the patriarchs or prophets ever attempted to prove or argue the existence of God. Although the Holy Spirit did not move the writers of the scriptures to argue the existence of God, He did present some clear facts that give evidence that there is a living God.
First there is evidence of the living God in creation: Creation demands a living personal creator. A building must have a builder, an airplane and a car must have a mechanical engineer and a watch must have a watch maker. God is the creator of creation as noted in Psalm 19:1-3: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech nor language where His voice is not heard.” In other words all the universe speaks to us declaring there is a great creator. God is our creator and the creator of the universe.
Secondly there is evidence of the existence of God in the written Word: All scripture is given by inspiration of God (II Timothy 3:16) and in II Peter 1:21 it tells us that God’s Word was written by men who spoke from God as they were led by the Holy Spirit. God’s Word is the inerrant Word of God and is evidence that He does exist.
And thirdly, God is the living Word: In the verse found in John (above), we are told that the Word was with God and the Word was God. The Word is Jesus Christ the Son of God who was in the beginning with God. God sent Jesus to this earth to be our redeemer and because of this Jesus becomes evidence that God exists. Those that lived on earth during Jesus life time witnessed His life, His miracles, His death and His resurrection from the dead. What greater evidence could we have? Yes, there is a living God who always has been and always will be. He is “the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.” Hebrews 13:8-9.
God is a personal being, He is part of the Trinity, He is light, and He is eternal. What an awesome God we have. He is our salvation, our comforter and our hope for life eternal.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
I stand at awe before You today, humbled by all You are and all You have done for me. Thank You for Your creation, Your Word and Your comfort that is available to me every day. Thank You for my salvation and the blessed hope I have for a life eternal with You in Heaven.
November 15, 2009
Repentance: November 12, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2009
REPENTANCE
Defined by Webster:
Deep sorrow; compunction; contrition for a past sin, wrong doing or error.
GODS WORD
“He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:30
“God exalted Him to His own right hand as Prince and Savior that He might give repentance and forgiveness of sin to Israel.” Acts 5:31
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
Webster defines repentance as deep sorrow or contrition for a past sin. It is true, repentance requires being sorry. However, true repentance requires more then just feeling sorry, it requires a complete turning away from sin and a determination not to return to or repeat our sinful acts.
True repentance requires change. Changing the direction of one’s life from sin centerness and self centerness to God centerness. If we are willing to renounce our sin filled way of life and turn to God, he will give us a new direction in life.
We are all born sinners into this world and cannot have God and sin in our life at the same time. The only way we can have God in our life is to be willing to turn from sin and repent. Repentance opens the door to God’s free gift of salvation given by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
True repentance is always coupled with faith. It is impossible to have saving faith and not to repent. Faith without repentance is the ultimate of hypocrisy and repentance without faith is futile.
Repentance is not merely sorrow for something done. It is not penance and it is not a reformation which is a change brought about by our own efforts for self-glorification. Repentance is an intellectual, emotional and spiritual change in ones life. The prodigal son had first a change of mind, then a change of heart and then a change of will --- thus repentance.
We have many examples given us in the scriptures where repentance was preached. John the Baptist preached repentance. Jesus preached repentance. Peter and Paul preached repentance.
Repentance is so important to God that He commands “all men every where to repent.”(Acts 17:30) Jesus said the lost were to repent. Paul said that the back sliders were to repent. In Revelation the local churches are told to repent. Jesus said in Luke 13:3: “But unless you repent you too will perish.” There are severe consequences for those unwilling to repent.
The proof of repentance in your life is threefold: Turning from sin; turning to God and then seeking to do what the Lord leads you to do.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Speak to my heart today that I may repent from my sinful ways. Help me to bring about a change in my life that those that know me and walk and talk with me may see Christ magnified through all that I do. Help me to repent of those things that are in my life that come between me and You, my God. Give me leadership with my family as together we live a God honoring life in all that we do.
REPENTANCE
Defined by Webster:
Deep sorrow; compunction; contrition for a past sin, wrong doing or error.
GODS WORD
“He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:30
“God exalted Him to His own right hand as Prince and Savior that He might give repentance and forgiveness of sin to Israel.” Acts 5:31
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
Webster defines repentance as deep sorrow or contrition for a past sin. It is true, repentance requires being sorry. However, true repentance requires more then just feeling sorry, it requires a complete turning away from sin and a determination not to return to or repeat our sinful acts.
True repentance requires change. Changing the direction of one’s life from sin centerness and self centerness to God centerness. If we are willing to renounce our sin filled way of life and turn to God, he will give us a new direction in life.
We are all born sinners into this world and cannot have God and sin in our life at the same time. The only way we can have God in our life is to be willing to turn from sin and repent. Repentance opens the door to God’s free gift of salvation given by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
True repentance is always coupled with faith. It is impossible to have saving faith and not to repent. Faith without repentance is the ultimate of hypocrisy and repentance without faith is futile.
Repentance is not merely sorrow for something done. It is not penance and it is not a reformation which is a change brought about by our own efforts for self-glorification. Repentance is an intellectual, emotional and spiritual change in ones life. The prodigal son had first a change of mind, then a change of heart and then a change of will --- thus repentance.
We have many examples given us in the scriptures where repentance was preached. John the Baptist preached repentance. Jesus preached repentance. Peter and Paul preached repentance.
Repentance is so important to God that He commands “all men every where to repent.”(Acts 17:30) Jesus said the lost were to repent. Paul said that the back sliders were to repent. In Revelation the local churches are told to repent. Jesus said in Luke 13:3: “But unless you repent you too will perish.” There are severe consequences for those unwilling to repent.
The proof of repentance in your life is threefold: Turning from sin; turning to God and then seeking to do what the Lord leads you to do.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Speak to my heart today that I may repent from my sinful ways. Help me to bring about a change in my life that those that know me and walk and talk with me may see Christ magnified through all that I do. Help me to repent of those things that are in my life that come between me and You, my God. Give me leadership with my family as together we live a God honoring life in all that we do.
Reverence: November 11, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 11, 2009.
REVERENCE
Defined by Webster:
A feeling or attitude of deep respect; tinged with awe; a gesture of deep respect; the state of being revered.
GODS WORD
“God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those around Him.” Psalm 89:7
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” Hebrews 12:28
“Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere Him.” Psalm 33:8
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
On any given day you can hear the word “GOD” spoken. Unfortunately it is most often spoken irrevently rather then with reverence. The third commandment of the Ten Commandments is: “Do not misuse the name of the Lord for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name.” This commandment is broken on a regular basis by many people and when broken they show irreverence to God.
When we understand who God really is, we cannot but be in awe of Him and have reverence for Him. Moses spoke to God and God spoke to Moses face to face but Moses never saw God. Moses asked God to show him His glory (Exodus 33:18) but God told him no man could see His face. It is God’s glory that demands reverence. God’s glory is His very character and nature.
God is Holy, Majestic, Pure, Just, Almighty, Merciful, All-knowing, All-powerful, Ever-present, Eternal and our Creator. Those that comprehend God as He really is cannot help but revere Him with awe and godly fear.
Our sin nature keeps us from seeing God as He really is. That is why He sent His Son Jesus, into the world. In Jesus, God showed us His mercy, His grace, His forgiveness, His justice and His power. Unless we know Jesus we cannot comprehend God.
As believers in Jesus we must worship Him with reverence and in awe, and serve Him with Godly fear and respect. With reverence comes obedience. We must let nothing interfere with our relationship with Jesus and being obedient to His commands. Reverence for God will compel us to live our life with caution, carefully, with discretion and circumspection so that our life honors God. God is to be held in awe because He is Lord. We must serve Him in an acceptable way --- bearing fruit of the Spirit (love, gentleness, joy, faith, goodness, peace, meekness and self control). We also must be active in seeing others find Christ.
We live in a generation where individuals are concerned only about their own activities. They have no belief system of any kind so the act of “REVERANCE” is irrelevant. As Christians we must worship God with REVERENCE! We must serve God with GODLY FEAR! Reverence for God solidifies our relationship with God and controls our actions and keeps us from disobeying God.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Give me the desire and the firmness of conviction to serve You with reverence and Godly fear. Help me to lead my family to revere God through every issue that we face each day.
REVERENCE
Defined by Webster:
A feeling or attitude of deep respect; tinged with awe; a gesture of deep respect; the state of being revered.
GODS WORD
“God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those around Him.” Psalm 89:7
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” Hebrews 12:28
“Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere Him.” Psalm 33:8
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
On any given day you can hear the word “GOD” spoken. Unfortunately it is most often spoken irrevently rather then with reverence. The third commandment of the Ten Commandments is: “Do not misuse the name of the Lord for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name.” This commandment is broken on a regular basis by many people and when broken they show irreverence to God.
When we understand who God really is, we cannot but be in awe of Him and have reverence for Him. Moses spoke to God and God spoke to Moses face to face but Moses never saw God. Moses asked God to show him His glory (Exodus 33:18) but God told him no man could see His face. It is God’s glory that demands reverence. God’s glory is His very character and nature.
God is Holy, Majestic, Pure, Just, Almighty, Merciful, All-knowing, All-powerful, Ever-present, Eternal and our Creator. Those that comprehend God as He really is cannot help but revere Him with awe and godly fear.
Our sin nature keeps us from seeing God as He really is. That is why He sent His Son Jesus, into the world. In Jesus, God showed us His mercy, His grace, His forgiveness, His justice and His power. Unless we know Jesus we cannot comprehend God.
As believers in Jesus we must worship Him with reverence and in awe, and serve Him with Godly fear and respect. With reverence comes obedience. We must let nothing interfere with our relationship with Jesus and being obedient to His commands. Reverence for God will compel us to live our life with caution, carefully, with discretion and circumspection so that our life honors God. God is to be held in awe because He is Lord. We must serve Him in an acceptable way --- bearing fruit of the Spirit (love, gentleness, joy, faith, goodness, peace, meekness and self control). We also must be active in seeing others find Christ.
We live in a generation where individuals are concerned only about their own activities. They have no belief system of any kind so the act of “REVERANCE” is irrelevant. As Christians we must worship God with REVERENCE! We must serve God with GODLY FEAR! Reverence for God solidifies our relationship with God and controls our actions and keeps us from disobeying God.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Give me the desire and the firmness of conviction to serve You with reverence and Godly fear. Help me to lead my family to revere God through every issue that we face each day.
Revival: November 10, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2009
REVIVAL
Defined by Webster:
The act or effect of reviving; restoration; a meeting to promote religious awakening.
GODS WORD
“Will you not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?” Psalm 85:6
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
The sad fact is that most professing Christians today have never experienced a revival, and most likely, most have never even heard of one. Today we need a revival beginning with individual Christians. Here is some history concerning revival.
There are at least 12 revivals referred to in the Old Testament and there are four factors preceding each revival that is in common and vital even for us today. These are:
• A moral and Spiritual decline among the people of God.
• Always preceded by some kind of a righteous judgment from God.
• The raising up of an immensely burdened leader or leaders.
• A common location for a beginning with a common burden.
The Old Testament tells us of revivals under Moses, Samuel, David, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Jehoida, Hezekiah, Joash, Zerubbabel, Ezra and Joel. All of these prophets from God led these revivals by calling the people together and having them pray, fast and confess their sins. In each case God used a leader who was faithful to Him. Moses pointed out to the Israelites that they had rebelled against God. God’s judgment had come upon them for one reason --- they had sinned against God. Then Moses reminded the Israelites of God’s mercy and the many promises God had fulfilled in the past. Their restoration depended on their willingness to repent, follow the Lord and obey His commandments
Our country was founded as a nation under God but today as a people we have rebelled and sinned against God. Today we need a revival to begin with individuals and then to families and finally to churches. It must begin with individuals in our own homes. When we commit to the fact that there is a decline spiritually among individuals in our homes, and that God is beginning to give judgment, then He is looking for leadership in our families to stand up and act.
Our action should be to call our families together and have each one humble themselves before God, pray, seek God’s face, confess their sins and then repent from their wicked ways. Then when the slate is clean, God will begin to do His work. He will forgive their sins and heal their homes and bring them into a right relationship with Him.
REVIVAL is needed today. All the factors are in place to expect a revival in the homes of those that want a revival to begin in their hearts. When God moves into our homes and touches individual family members spiritually then it will expand. God is just waiting for us to HUMBLE ourselves; PRAY; SEEK HIM; turn from our WICKED WAYS, and then we will hear from heaven and when we repent, God will forgive our sins and heal our homes and our land.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Help me to put into perspective my need for a personal revival to begin in my heart. Give me the leadership to expand this “revival” need to my family. It is my prayer that You will work Your miracles in my life so that Your name will be honored and glorified.
REVIVAL
Defined by Webster:
The act or effect of reviving; restoration; a meeting to promote religious awakening.
GODS WORD
“Will you not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?” Psalm 85:6
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
The sad fact is that most professing Christians today have never experienced a revival, and most likely, most have never even heard of one. Today we need a revival beginning with individual Christians. Here is some history concerning revival.
There are at least 12 revivals referred to in the Old Testament and there are four factors preceding each revival that is in common and vital even for us today. These are:
• A moral and Spiritual decline among the people of God.
• Always preceded by some kind of a righteous judgment from God.
• The raising up of an immensely burdened leader or leaders.
• A common location for a beginning with a common burden.
The Old Testament tells us of revivals under Moses, Samuel, David, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Jehoida, Hezekiah, Joash, Zerubbabel, Ezra and Joel. All of these prophets from God led these revivals by calling the people together and having them pray, fast and confess their sins. In each case God used a leader who was faithful to Him. Moses pointed out to the Israelites that they had rebelled against God. God’s judgment had come upon them for one reason --- they had sinned against God. Then Moses reminded the Israelites of God’s mercy and the many promises God had fulfilled in the past. Their restoration depended on their willingness to repent, follow the Lord and obey His commandments
Our country was founded as a nation under God but today as a people we have rebelled and sinned against God. Today we need a revival to begin with individuals and then to families and finally to churches. It must begin with individuals in our own homes. When we commit to the fact that there is a decline spiritually among individuals in our homes, and that God is beginning to give judgment, then He is looking for leadership in our families to stand up and act.
Our action should be to call our families together and have each one humble themselves before God, pray, seek God’s face, confess their sins and then repent from their wicked ways. Then when the slate is clean, God will begin to do His work. He will forgive their sins and heal their homes and bring them into a right relationship with Him.
REVIVAL is needed today. All the factors are in place to expect a revival in the homes of those that want a revival to begin in their hearts. When God moves into our homes and touches individual family members spiritually then it will expand. God is just waiting for us to HUMBLE ourselves; PRAY; SEEK HIM; turn from our WICKED WAYS, and then we will hear from heaven and when we repent, God will forgive our sins and heal our homes and our land.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Help me to put into perspective my need for a personal revival to begin in my heart. Give me the leadership to expand this “revival” need to my family. It is my prayer that You will work Your miracles in my life so that Your name will be honored and glorified.
Possessions: November 9, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2009
POSSESSIONS
Defined by Webster:
The act or fact of possessing; the state of being possessed; ownership; a thing owned.
GODS WORD
“For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them; but it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, because You favored them.” Psalm 44:3
“The earth is full of Your possessions.” Psalm 104:24
“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and all who live in it.” Psalm 24:1
“But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, and he had great possessions.” Mark 10:22
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
We must first realize in life that everything we have on this earth is because of God. He is the “owner” and all that we have is on loan to us. Possessions are “things” that God loans to us and He expects us to use these “things’ to honor Him.
In Psalm 44:3 (listed above), the Psalmist recognizes that the Children of Israel did not gain possession of the “Promised Land” by their own swords and arms or their own strength and might. They gained what God promised them because God favored them and intervened to give them the victory in their conquest of the “Promised Land.”
Most people we talk to do not understand this concept because they feel that their possessions are a result of their own abilities and hard work. Their possessions become a stumbling block in their relationship with the Lord. Possessions were in the way of the rich man that talked to Jesus as recorded in Mark 10:17-23. Jesus asked him to give his possessions to the poor so he could receive his treasure in heaven. He could not part with his possessions to gain the greatest possession of all.
This is a reminder to us today that all that we have in the way of this world’s possessions, we have because God has enabled us. We are to acknowledge that what we have comes from God and then be thankful to Him and give Him the glory.
In our travels we have visited many museums and places where Kings and Queens, from thousands of years ago, had “THEIR MOST VALUABLE POSSESSIONS” buried with them in their tombs. They did this so that they would be comfortable in their future lives. But today these possessions are still near or in their tombs for all to see. It is not in God’s plan for one to take their possessions to their eternity.
Many people work long hours today and spend money foolishly to acquire their goals so that they can realize the “possessions” that they have dreamed for. The result, in most cases, is that they do this at the expense of losing their spouses and family.
Our greatest possession in life today should be our personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus. Our second greatest possession should be our spouses and family. God will bless those that grasp this concept and honor Him in this way.
We remember talking often to a mother who lived in one of the poorest areas in the heart of the inner city of Los Angeles. She had two children. One was mentally disabled and the other was in good health. She loved children and took six other children off the street and raised them in her very small home. Cathy had very few earthly possessions and had to make contact with our mission to receive food and other supplies weekly to feed these children. We were able to provide her needs and because of her dedication and love for these children they grew up loving their “mother” and most important loving their Lord. Cathy had her priorities right. She invested her time and energy to raising her “children.” She had very few earthly possessions but she will receive her reward in heaven.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Thank You dear Lord for the many blessings that You have entrusted me with. Help me to understand that each possession we have as a family has come to us because of Your love for us. Help me to reach out today with a loving heart and caring hands to those I meet.
POSSESSIONS
Defined by Webster:
The act or fact of possessing; the state of being possessed; ownership; a thing owned.
GODS WORD
“For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them; but it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, because You favored them.” Psalm 44:3
“The earth is full of Your possessions.” Psalm 104:24
“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and all who live in it.” Psalm 24:1
“But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, and he had great possessions.” Mark 10:22
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
We must first realize in life that everything we have on this earth is because of God. He is the “owner” and all that we have is on loan to us. Possessions are “things” that God loans to us and He expects us to use these “things’ to honor Him.
In Psalm 44:3 (listed above), the Psalmist recognizes that the Children of Israel did not gain possession of the “Promised Land” by their own swords and arms or their own strength and might. They gained what God promised them because God favored them and intervened to give them the victory in their conquest of the “Promised Land.”
Most people we talk to do not understand this concept because they feel that their possessions are a result of their own abilities and hard work. Their possessions become a stumbling block in their relationship with the Lord. Possessions were in the way of the rich man that talked to Jesus as recorded in Mark 10:17-23. Jesus asked him to give his possessions to the poor so he could receive his treasure in heaven. He could not part with his possessions to gain the greatest possession of all.
This is a reminder to us today that all that we have in the way of this world’s possessions, we have because God has enabled us. We are to acknowledge that what we have comes from God and then be thankful to Him and give Him the glory.
In our travels we have visited many museums and places where Kings and Queens, from thousands of years ago, had “THEIR MOST VALUABLE POSSESSIONS” buried with them in their tombs. They did this so that they would be comfortable in their future lives. But today these possessions are still near or in their tombs for all to see. It is not in God’s plan for one to take their possessions to their eternity.
Many people work long hours today and spend money foolishly to acquire their goals so that they can realize the “possessions” that they have dreamed for. The result, in most cases, is that they do this at the expense of losing their spouses and family.
Our greatest possession in life today should be our personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus. Our second greatest possession should be our spouses and family. God will bless those that grasp this concept and honor Him in this way.
We remember talking often to a mother who lived in one of the poorest areas in the heart of the inner city of Los Angeles. She had two children. One was mentally disabled and the other was in good health. She loved children and took six other children off the street and raised them in her very small home. Cathy had very few earthly possessions and had to make contact with our mission to receive food and other supplies weekly to feed these children. We were able to provide her needs and because of her dedication and love for these children they grew up loving their “mother” and most important loving their Lord. Cathy had her priorities right. She invested her time and energy to raising her “children.” She had very few earthly possessions but she will receive her reward in heaven.
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Thank You dear Lord for the many blessings that You have entrusted me with. Help me to understand that each possession we have as a family has come to us because of Your love for us. Help me to reach out today with a loving heart and caring hands to those I meet.
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