January 29. TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY JANUARY 29, 2010.
EXPERIENCE
DEFINITION:
The process or fact of learning by personally observing, encountering or testing. The knowledge or skill gained by learning.
SCRIPTURE:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all tribulation that we may be able to comfort those who are in trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” II Corinthians 1:3-4.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
The above scripture reminds us why as Christians we do go through trials and tribulations. One of the reasons God allows this, as it reads in the above scripture, is that we can comfort those going through their trial and tribulation because we have learned by experience --- we have been there.
As we look back on our lives, we have had the privilege of going places, meeting people and seeing things that has given us a world of experience. We both also have had the joy of having Christian parents with experience, both spiritually and with life in general, to train us from our very young ages.
And then having God bless us with six children, their spouses and now 20 grandchildren, we have had wonderful experiences that God is now allowing us to share with friends like you.
We are reminded of the story when the famed pianist Paderewski was walking through a small Connecticut town and came upon a house with a sign in the window --- Miss Jones piano lessons- 25 cents an hour. Listening carefully from the outside he could hear someone playing one of Chopin’s nocturnes, but not playing it very well. The great pianist walked up to the door and knocked and the delighted piano player recognized who he was and asked him in. He stayed for about one hour and assisted her by correcting her mistakes and then moved on.
About two months later he walked by the same house and noticed a new sign that read: Miss Jones (Pupil of Paderewski) Piano Lessons --- $1.00 an hour. What a difference a little experience makes.
There is value in experience and we as Christians need to realize that the value of our experience in knowing Christ can help us share the good news of the gospel to all we know. Having made our decisions to accept Jesus before we were teenagers has allowed us to grow spiritually as children, teenagers, as a young married couple and now as seniors so we can understand the mountains and valley’s that one goes through in life. We have been there and as they say done it.
The actions and words of Paul the Apostle in Acts 14 reminds us that Paul was persecuted so he could be an encouragement to others who were or would be persecuted because of their faith.
The Apostle John wrote the book of I John to the believers, so that they may be alerted to and to be able to distinguish between truth and error. In the first four verses he talks about the experiences that the believers have seen, heard and touched concerning the Word of Life. John says to the believers that he reminds us of this so that our joy may be full.
In life today, experience is very important. When one has a job interview one of the first questions asked is about your experience. Asking about experience even goes down to small children. We can remember choosing teams for our little league teams; we looked for children with some experience --- had they played the game before. When it comes to choosing a leader, a pastor or an executive a key ingredient is their experience.
As Christians those of us that have known Jesus for some time need to use the experience that God has given us over the years to proclaim the good news of the gospel to those we touch daily.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse this week is found in Romans 6:23.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PRAYER:
Help me this day to seek Your guidance in making me become more mature in my faith with the added experience I can gain by reading and studying Your Word. Open my eyes so I can see the needs of others so I can share the good news of the gospel with them.
January 31, 2010
Rebillion: January 28, 2010
January 28. TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY JANUARY 28, 2010
REBELLION
DEFINITION:
A spirit of resistance to authority; an armed revolt.
SCRIPTURE:
“An evil man seeks only rebellion.” Proverbs 17:11.
These people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. Jeremiah 5:23.
For I know how rebellious and stiff necked you are. If you have been rebellious against the Lord while I am alive and with you, how much more will you rebel when I die? Deuteronomy 31:27-29.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We are rebellious by nature all the way back to Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve’s downfall was rebellion against God.
Every parent knows about the terrible “two’s.” Two year olds do not like the word “NO.” Just tell a two year old that he cannot do something or that he cannot have something and he will rebel --- guaranteed. None of us like to be told that we cannot have or cannot do something. We are all rebels by nature just like Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve found out quite quickly how God regards rebellion against Him. Today, we all must deal with God’s penalty for Adam and Eve’s rebellion.
The toughest job of Moses’ job in leading the children of Israel was dealing with their rebellion against God. Moses knew the rebellious nature of the Israelites. Just before handing the leadership of the children of Israel over to Joshua he said he knew how stubborn and rebellious they were and he knew they would rebel even more when he was not with them.
In Deuteronomy chapter 32 we read the song of Moses which was his last message to the Israelites. He reminded them of God’s blessings to them and warned them against rebelling against God and then commanded them to love and honor God and obey His commandments.
Rebellion is caused by pride. We think we know better than God and everyone else. It is especially arrogant to think we know better than God. Adam and Eve found that out very quickly.
There was a ship that left the Boston harbor in November 1898 in a blinding storm and never returned. Despite of all the danger signals which were up at the time the ship left and the warning of the government agent at the signal office for it not to depart and to remain in port, it still left the harbor. The owners had commanded the captain not to leave the harbor but the captain rebelled. He had all the answers. He knew better than all the owners and professionals. His rebellion was caused by his pride. He knew that he could be successful and no one has seen him since.
And we all know the story found in Luke 15:11-31 about the prodigal son. He was rebellious and took his share of his inheritance and left home. After he lost everything he had he decided to start for home despite his rebellious nature. His father saw him coming and went out to meet him and gave him all he needed and more including a great welcome home feast.
This is what God wants to do for us if we have been rebellious in our words or deeds. He is waiting with open arms to accept us back and all we have to do is come to Him.
Many parents today are concerned because of the rebellion they are witnessing in their children. If this is a problem that you are facing you need to show them at all times that you love them, but that you will not tolerate their rebellion and then give them a fair and just punishment.
Be consistent in keeping the boundaries and standards you have set for them. No matter how rebellious they are, always keep loving them but be firm. The children of Israel were rebellious against God but He never stopped loving them. But He did punish them and they had to suffer the consequences of their sins and rebellion against God.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 6:23.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PRAYER:
Help me this day to keep my heart tender and open to Your leading so my heart will never harden and put me in to a life of sin. Make my family aware that rebellion is sin. Forgive me of my rebellion and let my life be an example to my family of being obedient to God.
REBELLION
DEFINITION:
A spirit of resistance to authority; an armed revolt.
SCRIPTURE:
“An evil man seeks only rebellion.” Proverbs 17:11.
These people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. Jeremiah 5:23.
For I know how rebellious and stiff necked you are. If you have been rebellious against the Lord while I am alive and with you, how much more will you rebel when I die? Deuteronomy 31:27-29.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We are rebellious by nature all the way back to Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve’s downfall was rebellion against God.
Every parent knows about the terrible “two’s.” Two year olds do not like the word “NO.” Just tell a two year old that he cannot do something or that he cannot have something and he will rebel --- guaranteed. None of us like to be told that we cannot have or cannot do something. We are all rebels by nature just like Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve found out quite quickly how God regards rebellion against Him. Today, we all must deal with God’s penalty for Adam and Eve’s rebellion.
The toughest job of Moses’ job in leading the children of Israel was dealing with their rebellion against God. Moses knew the rebellious nature of the Israelites. Just before handing the leadership of the children of Israel over to Joshua he said he knew how stubborn and rebellious they were and he knew they would rebel even more when he was not with them.
In Deuteronomy chapter 32 we read the song of Moses which was his last message to the Israelites. He reminded them of God’s blessings to them and warned them against rebelling against God and then commanded them to love and honor God and obey His commandments.
Rebellion is caused by pride. We think we know better than God and everyone else. It is especially arrogant to think we know better than God. Adam and Eve found that out very quickly.
There was a ship that left the Boston harbor in November 1898 in a blinding storm and never returned. Despite of all the danger signals which were up at the time the ship left and the warning of the government agent at the signal office for it not to depart and to remain in port, it still left the harbor. The owners had commanded the captain not to leave the harbor but the captain rebelled. He had all the answers. He knew better than all the owners and professionals. His rebellion was caused by his pride. He knew that he could be successful and no one has seen him since.
And we all know the story found in Luke 15:11-31 about the prodigal son. He was rebellious and took his share of his inheritance and left home. After he lost everything he had he decided to start for home despite his rebellious nature. His father saw him coming and went out to meet him and gave him all he needed and more including a great welcome home feast.
This is what God wants to do for us if we have been rebellious in our words or deeds. He is waiting with open arms to accept us back and all we have to do is come to Him.
Many parents today are concerned because of the rebellion they are witnessing in their children. If this is a problem that you are facing you need to show them at all times that you love them, but that you will not tolerate their rebellion and then give them a fair and just punishment.
Be consistent in keeping the boundaries and standards you have set for them. No matter how rebellious they are, always keep loving them but be firm. The children of Israel were rebellious against God but He never stopped loving them. But He did punish them and they had to suffer the consequences of their sins and rebellion against God.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 6:23.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PRAYER:
Help me this day to keep my heart tender and open to Your leading so my heart will never harden and put me in to a life of sin. Make my family aware that rebellion is sin. Forgive me of my rebellion and let my life be an example to my family of being obedient to God.
Indifference: January 27, 2010
January 27. TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY JANUARY 27, 2010.
INDIFFERENCE
DEFINITION:
Feeling no interest or concern; apathetic, not caring.
SCRIPTURE:
“Those who have turned back from following the Lord, and have not sought the Lord, nor inquired of Him.” Zephaniah 1:6.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
This verse in Zephaniah gives us an excellent definition of spiritual indifference. There are many people today that call themselves “Believers” and really have turned back from the Lord. They never seek the Lord through prayer or the reading of the Bible. And when you watch their daily living there is no indication of the person walking with God.
In Mark 14: 32-41 we read about Jesus going into the garden of Gethsemane to pray the night before He was betrayed and arrested. He told the disciples that were with Him to “sit here while I pray.” Jesus was agonizing over the terrible suffering He would endure and needed to spend time alone with His Father in prayer.
When He returned to where He had left the disciples, they were sound asleep. The disciples in this situation showed INDIFFERENCE. Jesus asked the disciples “could you not watch for one hour?” You would think that would be a “wake up call” for the disciples but it was not. Jesus went away again to pray and returned and found the disciples asleep. The scripture tells us that Jesus went a third time and came back and they were asleep again. Jesus responded after the third time “THIS IS ENOUGH.” In Jesus’ darkest hour, His disciples where not there for Him. They were indifferent to His needs.
Another example of indifference that we can learn from is the story of Jonah. When Jonah was running from God and in the storm at sea as recorded in Jonah 1:4-9, the crew was afraid and everyone was working hard to save the ship. But Jonah showed indifference, as it was none of his concern, and went down to the lowest part of the ship and went fast to sleep.
Jonah was a prophet of God and should have been praying for God’s protection from the start. The crew had to wake him up and ask him to help by praying. To Jonah’s credit he admitted that he was the cause of the distress that they were in because he had disobeyed God. He told them to throw him overboard to calm the storm. They did and God calmed the storm and saved Jonah by having him swallowed by a whale.
In many ways today may be called the “Age of Indifference.” Historian Arnold Toynbee has found that nineteen of twenty-one civilizations have died from within and not from outside conquest. Another historian, Dr. Lawrence Gould said that he did not believe that our greatest threat is from bombs and missiles but from our people not caring --- showing indifference.
Edmund Burke said in 1795: “Nothing is so fatal to religion as indifference.” If that was true in 1795 it is certainly truer today.
The problem with indifference or an “I just do not care” attitude is that it leads to inaction. Many people that call themselves Christians are indifferent Christians. Just as Jesus told the disciples and the ship crew told Jonah, we need to wake up from our indifference and take action to make a difference in this world.
Take a few moments right now and evaluate your life and where your interests are and ask yourself if you have an inward desire to really serve your Lord. Has indifference set in and do you need to reevaluate your purpose for living? Are you like the “sleeping disciples” or do you have the “I do not care attitude” like Jonah?
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 6:23.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PRAYER:
Help me today not to be indifferent to God’s leading in my life. May my heart be open to what God is telling me to do. Help me to willingly surrender fully and completely to You. Give me the leadership with my family to instill a new interest in their hearts for You.
INDIFFERENCE
DEFINITION:
Feeling no interest or concern; apathetic, not caring.
SCRIPTURE:
“Those who have turned back from following the Lord, and have not sought the Lord, nor inquired of Him.” Zephaniah 1:6.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
This verse in Zephaniah gives us an excellent definition of spiritual indifference. There are many people today that call themselves “Believers” and really have turned back from the Lord. They never seek the Lord through prayer or the reading of the Bible. And when you watch their daily living there is no indication of the person walking with God.
In Mark 14: 32-41 we read about Jesus going into the garden of Gethsemane to pray the night before He was betrayed and arrested. He told the disciples that were with Him to “sit here while I pray.” Jesus was agonizing over the terrible suffering He would endure and needed to spend time alone with His Father in prayer.
When He returned to where He had left the disciples, they were sound asleep. The disciples in this situation showed INDIFFERENCE. Jesus asked the disciples “could you not watch for one hour?” You would think that would be a “wake up call” for the disciples but it was not. Jesus went away again to pray and returned and found the disciples asleep. The scripture tells us that Jesus went a third time and came back and they were asleep again. Jesus responded after the third time “THIS IS ENOUGH.” In Jesus’ darkest hour, His disciples where not there for Him. They were indifferent to His needs.
Another example of indifference that we can learn from is the story of Jonah. When Jonah was running from God and in the storm at sea as recorded in Jonah 1:4-9, the crew was afraid and everyone was working hard to save the ship. But Jonah showed indifference, as it was none of his concern, and went down to the lowest part of the ship and went fast to sleep.
Jonah was a prophet of God and should have been praying for God’s protection from the start. The crew had to wake him up and ask him to help by praying. To Jonah’s credit he admitted that he was the cause of the distress that they were in because he had disobeyed God. He told them to throw him overboard to calm the storm. They did and God calmed the storm and saved Jonah by having him swallowed by a whale.
In many ways today may be called the “Age of Indifference.” Historian Arnold Toynbee has found that nineteen of twenty-one civilizations have died from within and not from outside conquest. Another historian, Dr. Lawrence Gould said that he did not believe that our greatest threat is from bombs and missiles but from our people not caring --- showing indifference.
Edmund Burke said in 1795: “Nothing is so fatal to religion as indifference.” If that was true in 1795 it is certainly truer today.
The problem with indifference or an “I just do not care” attitude is that it leads to inaction. Many people that call themselves Christians are indifferent Christians. Just as Jesus told the disciples and the ship crew told Jonah, we need to wake up from our indifference and take action to make a difference in this world.
Take a few moments right now and evaluate your life and where your interests are and ask yourself if you have an inward desire to really serve your Lord. Has indifference set in and do you need to reevaluate your purpose for living? Are you like the “sleeping disciples” or do you have the “I do not care attitude” like Jonah?
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 6:23.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PRAYER:
Help me today not to be indifferent to God’s leading in my life. May my heart be open to what God is telling me to do. Help me to willingly surrender fully and completely to You. Give me the leadership with my family to instill a new interest in their hearts for You.
Charcter: January 26, 2010
January 26: TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY JANUARY 26, 2010
CHARACTER
DEFINITION:
The aggregate of properties and qualities that distinguishes one person or thing from another.
SCRIPTURE:
“But we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character, and character, hope.” Romans 5: 3-4
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When we think of character we think of Job. In the book of Job we read about a man that was prosperous and then Satan’s challenge that Job’s faith was related to his prosperity. God allowed Satan to test Job. Then Satan took away all of Job’s flocks, all of his possessions, all of his servants, and even all of his children. When all that did not cause Job to turn against God, Satan afflicted him physically. Even then Job’s faith did not waver.
God commended Job for his character. In Job 1:8 God said to Satan: “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and shuns evil.”
Our character is the sum total of our personal values and qualities. Character is a large factor in determining the life we lead here on earth. In Genesis 49 we find Jacob gathering all of his twelve sons together to give them his blessing before he died. He made a prediction on their future based on the way they had lived and the character they portrayed. Of the twelve only Joseph was described as having a commendable character. Joseph was the only son that Jacob predicted would have God’s blessing in the future.
The Bible also tells us about great men of virtuous and Godly character such as Abraham, Enoch and Noah. All of them were known to walk with God. Only character is highly important in God’s sight.
Our dear friend Warren Wiersbe, former pastor of the famous Moody Bible Church in Chicago tells the story of a pious church member who upon visiting the sixth grade Sunday school class asked the children: “Why do you think people call me a Christian?” There was an embarrassing silence and then a small voice from the back of the class said, “Because they don’t know you.”
This was a humbling statement coming from the voice of a child, yet it could be true of most of us some time or another. The term “Christian” literally means “little Christ.” This term was first given to the believers at Antioch, because of their great moral fortitude and backbone that in all they did they appeared Christ-like. When you tell someone that you are a Christian, do they see you as Christ-like? Do you have a Christ-like character?
Have you ever thought that God would be glorified by your character or would He be ashamed of your character? What a tragedy it is for anyone with an ungodly character to proclaim to be a Christian. Is it time for a character analysis in your life?
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 6:23.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PRAYER:
Lord, enable me to have an upright character and do what is right this day. Help me every moment of this day to be worthy of Your name. May every person that sees me and hears me today feel that I am Christ-like.
CHARACTER
DEFINITION:
The aggregate of properties and qualities that distinguishes one person or thing from another.
SCRIPTURE:
“But we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character, and character, hope.” Romans 5: 3-4
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When we think of character we think of Job. In the book of Job we read about a man that was prosperous and then Satan’s challenge that Job’s faith was related to his prosperity. God allowed Satan to test Job. Then Satan took away all of Job’s flocks, all of his possessions, all of his servants, and even all of his children. When all that did not cause Job to turn against God, Satan afflicted him physically. Even then Job’s faith did not waver.
God commended Job for his character. In Job 1:8 God said to Satan: “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and shuns evil.”
Our character is the sum total of our personal values and qualities. Character is a large factor in determining the life we lead here on earth. In Genesis 49 we find Jacob gathering all of his twelve sons together to give them his blessing before he died. He made a prediction on their future based on the way they had lived and the character they portrayed. Of the twelve only Joseph was described as having a commendable character. Joseph was the only son that Jacob predicted would have God’s blessing in the future.
The Bible also tells us about great men of virtuous and Godly character such as Abraham, Enoch and Noah. All of them were known to walk with God. Only character is highly important in God’s sight.
Our dear friend Warren Wiersbe, former pastor of the famous Moody Bible Church in Chicago tells the story of a pious church member who upon visiting the sixth grade Sunday school class asked the children: “Why do you think people call me a Christian?” There was an embarrassing silence and then a small voice from the back of the class said, “Because they don’t know you.”
This was a humbling statement coming from the voice of a child, yet it could be true of most of us some time or another. The term “Christian” literally means “little Christ.” This term was first given to the believers at Antioch, because of their great moral fortitude and backbone that in all they did they appeared Christ-like. When you tell someone that you are a Christian, do they see you as Christ-like? Do you have a Christ-like character?
Have you ever thought that God would be glorified by your character or would He be ashamed of your character? What a tragedy it is for anyone with an ungodly character to proclaim to be a Christian. Is it time for a character analysis in your life?
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 6:23.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PRAYER:
Lord, enable me to have an upright character and do what is right this day. Help me every moment of this day to be worthy of Your name. May every person that sees me and hears me today feel that I am Christ-like.
Pleasure: January 25, 2010
January 25: TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY JANUARY 25, 2010
PLEASURE
DEFINITION:
A feeling of enjoyment or delight; a cause or source of this feeling; one’s will or desire.
SCRIPTURE:
“Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power.” II Thessalonians 1:11.
There will be terrible times in the last days, people will be --- lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. II Timothy 3:1-4.
“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We are spending ever-increasing amounts of money each year on pleasure. Statistics tell us that Americans give $3.5 billion each year to churches and spend $150 billion on pleasure. That is over 4 times more spent on worldly pleasure than income to churches.
Now we understand that there is nothing evil or wrong with relaxation and recreation, but there is something wrong when the pursuit of pleasure becomes a major obsession. It is so easy to get caught up in the frenzies of this life and forget that heaven will be a place for “pleasures forevermore.”
Henry David Thoreau once said: “The pleasures of the intellect are permanent, the pleasures of the heart are transitory.” But he never considered eternity where our pleasures will be forever with the Lord.
We are reminded of the account recorded in the book of Nehemiah of the building of the wall around the city of Jerusalem. Nehemiah was a common man but he led a comfortable and secure life. He was the cupbearer to the king of Persia. He was in the position where he had opportunity to take advantage of all the pleasures of the world, but that was not his desire. He was a man of God who wanted to be used by God. When he heard from others who had been to Jerusalem, that the wall and gates of the city had been broken, it distressed and saddened him.
Nehemiah was a man of action and vision and when he saw a need he took the responsibility to do something about it. The first thing he did was to go to the Lord in prayer. Then he went to the king and asked for permission to go to Jerusalem so that he could rebuild the walls. With the king’s approval and help he went to Jerusalem. He organized the people and assigned them specific sections of the wall and completed the project in just 52 days.
Nehemiah is known as a man of prayer. Eleven times in this book of Nehemiah, we find Nehemiah praying for direction and guidance. His pleasure was doing the will of God. Nehemiah was a man that was willing to sacrifice and give up his easy life style and forego the pleasures of life to do the pleasures of the Lord.
Nehemiah was also a man that read the “Law of Moses” and as written in chapter 8 verse 8, he had it read and explained to the people. Nehemiah did God’s work and did it God’s way. He was a master builder that clearly followed the plan of “THE MASTER BUILDER.”
Later in Nehemiah 8:9-10 it is written that Nehemiah was governor and Ezra was the priest and scribe of that day. After the people had the scriptures read to them and explained by Ezra they were told to go eat, give portions to those that had nothing prepared and then have pleasure by rejoicing in the Lord. They responded because they understood the words that were declared unto them.
We should learn that when we communicate with God by reading His Word and praying then we should have pleasure in rejoicing in what the Lord is doing through our lives.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 6:23.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PRAYER:
Thank You Lord for all that You have given me that enables me to enjoy the pleasures of this life, but help me to realize that lasting and true pleasure is found in serving You as my Lord.
PLEASURE
DEFINITION:
A feeling of enjoyment or delight; a cause or source of this feeling; one’s will or desire.
SCRIPTURE:
“Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power.” II Thessalonians 1:11.
There will be terrible times in the last days, people will be --- lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. II Timothy 3:1-4.
“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We are spending ever-increasing amounts of money each year on pleasure. Statistics tell us that Americans give $3.5 billion each year to churches and spend $150 billion on pleasure. That is over 4 times more spent on worldly pleasure than income to churches.
Now we understand that there is nothing evil or wrong with relaxation and recreation, but there is something wrong when the pursuit of pleasure becomes a major obsession. It is so easy to get caught up in the frenzies of this life and forget that heaven will be a place for “pleasures forevermore.”
Henry David Thoreau once said: “The pleasures of the intellect are permanent, the pleasures of the heart are transitory.” But he never considered eternity where our pleasures will be forever with the Lord.
We are reminded of the account recorded in the book of Nehemiah of the building of the wall around the city of Jerusalem. Nehemiah was a common man but he led a comfortable and secure life. He was the cupbearer to the king of Persia. He was in the position where he had opportunity to take advantage of all the pleasures of the world, but that was not his desire. He was a man of God who wanted to be used by God. When he heard from others who had been to Jerusalem, that the wall and gates of the city had been broken, it distressed and saddened him.
Nehemiah was a man of action and vision and when he saw a need he took the responsibility to do something about it. The first thing he did was to go to the Lord in prayer. Then he went to the king and asked for permission to go to Jerusalem so that he could rebuild the walls. With the king’s approval and help he went to Jerusalem. He organized the people and assigned them specific sections of the wall and completed the project in just 52 days.
Nehemiah is known as a man of prayer. Eleven times in this book of Nehemiah, we find Nehemiah praying for direction and guidance. His pleasure was doing the will of God. Nehemiah was a man that was willing to sacrifice and give up his easy life style and forego the pleasures of life to do the pleasures of the Lord.
Nehemiah was also a man that read the “Law of Moses” and as written in chapter 8 verse 8, he had it read and explained to the people. Nehemiah did God’s work and did it God’s way. He was a master builder that clearly followed the plan of “THE MASTER BUILDER.”
Later in Nehemiah 8:9-10 it is written that Nehemiah was governor and Ezra was the priest and scribe of that day. After the people had the scriptures read to them and explained by Ezra they were told to go eat, give portions to those that had nothing prepared and then have pleasure by rejoicing in the Lord. They responded because they understood the words that were declared unto them.
We should learn that when we communicate with God by reading His Word and praying then we should have pleasure in rejoicing in what the Lord is doing through our lives.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 6:23.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PRAYER:
Thank You Lord for all that You have given me that enables me to enjoy the pleasures of this life, but help me to realize that lasting and true pleasure is found in serving You as my Lord.
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