Today's Word for Friday July 16, 2010
RUN
DEFINITION
Move swiftly or fast; make haste; rush; flee.
SCRIPTURE
"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it." 11 Corinthians 9:24
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Three days ago we shared with you our thoughts on the word target and the importance for us to have a target that we are aiming for in life. Today we want to share some thoughts with you on running the race of life so that we can get to the target in life that God has waiting for us.
Life is a race that all must run in. And as the verse above infers, even though we all run only one becomes the winner. The apostle Paul tells us in this verse that we all must run our race of life with the goal of winning. This is what God expects of us.
The story is told of the British sprinter who was obsessed to winning. But in a preliminary 100 meter dash leading up to the 1924 Olympics he was soundly beaten by his rival. The loser was in deep despair and when his girlfriend tried to encourage him his response was, "I run to win. If I cannot win, I will not run." His girlfriend responded to him very wisely, "If you do not run, you cannot win."
As we run, life is full of triumphs and reversals. As Christians we are not excluded from disappointments that make us want to give up. Paul challenges us to keep running in the Christian life God has called us into.
We are to run faithfully and we are to run honoring our King. If we falter in our race, if we quit serving God or give into sin because of the difficulties we face, then we risk losing a rich reward at the end of our race. That is why we need to always run our best for our Lord. Remember if you do not run, you cannot win. The goal of our race here on earth is to become more like Christ. At the end of our race here on earth we do not want a medal but we want to hear the Master say, "WELL DONE."
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1 John 1:9.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
PRAYR
Help me to run the race today that I may obtain from You the words, "Well done." Give me the stamina and the endurance to live my life exalting You in all that I do and say. Keep my eyes focused on my goal to become more like You.
July 18, 2010
Hand: July 15, 2010
Today's Word for Thursday July 15, 2010
HAND
DEFINITION
Help; aid; participation; custody.
SCRIPTURE
"Let Your hand become my help, for I have chosen Your precepts." Psalm 119:173
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
I can still remember when our children were trying to learn to walk. They always were reaching out to hold our hand. But soon when they gained confidence in themselves they no longer would reach for our hand. Almost without fail they would fall and sometimes even hurt themselves. Their over-confidence in themselves taught them a lesson that a strong helping hand could have kept them from falling and helped them gain confidence faster.
Many times we are sure that you have been in situations, as we have often been, when we needed to take someone's hand to help us walk on a slippery or treacherous path. As we get older we often welcome having someone's hand to assist us to keep us from slipping or even falling.
We were in Panama this past year and had the opportunity to go to visit a remote Indian tribe. We took a bus to a remote area and then walked down a steep hill to get into a dugout canoe. The mud was very slippery and there was no railing to take hold of. We were not the least bit confident that we could get from the river bank into the canoe safely. There were no steps and the river bank was very uneven, muddy and rocky.
A teenage Indian boy, standing near the canoe with both of his bare feet planted firmly on the ground, reached out with his one hand to grab ours and with his other hand he grabbed our arm. With these helping hands we felt more confident that we could make it into the canoe. We got into the canoe, went down the river, met the tribe and returned knowing that we had a very special day. We also knew that without the helping hands of this teenage Indian boy we may not have made it.
We look back through the years and remember when we were the ones reaching out with the helping hands. We both remember holding the hand of a young child who lived in the slums of Nairobi Africa. And we remember holding the hand of children living on the garbage dump in real filth in Manila Philippians.
Ken remembers holding the hand of a young blind boy in Guatemala helping him to his class at the school our ministry sponsored. He was trying to learn English and spent his time asking questions about America and seemingly not concerned about his blindness. He held my hand tightly knowing that I was leading him in the right direction.
In the verse we have written above the psalmist tells us, "Let Your hand become my help, for I have chosen Your precepts." God is holding out His hand every moment of everyday for us to hold. And when we live by His precepts He has promised to lead us according to His will. When we read this verse we think back to the many times others have held out their hands to help us and the times we have held out our hands to help others.
In life we all have been in difficult situations, both physically and spiritually, where we have overestimated our feeble abilities. Those are the times we reached out for help. The Psalmist tells us (Psalm 139:10) that "Your hand (God's) shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me." In Psalm 89:13 we read, "You have a mighty arm; strong is Your hand and high is Your right hand." You can call out to God and say, "Give me a hand" and He will rush to your side.
We were so grateful for the strong and steady hand of the Indian boy on that river bank in Panama but we are so much more grateful that we have God's hand leading us and supporting us on the slippery slope of life.
When adversity begins to strike you, remember that God is ready to stretch out His hand to support you.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1 John 1:9.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
PRAYER
Thank You for Your strong hand that is always there for me and my family. Help us to put our complete trust in You and not to succumb to the evils of this world. Just as a child needs his father's hand so do I need Your hand to give me daily strength and guidance.
HAND
DEFINITION
Help; aid; participation; custody.
SCRIPTURE
"Let Your hand become my help, for I have chosen Your precepts." Psalm 119:173
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
I can still remember when our children were trying to learn to walk. They always were reaching out to hold our hand. But soon when they gained confidence in themselves they no longer would reach for our hand. Almost without fail they would fall and sometimes even hurt themselves. Their over-confidence in themselves taught them a lesson that a strong helping hand could have kept them from falling and helped them gain confidence faster.
Many times we are sure that you have been in situations, as we have often been, when we needed to take someone's hand to help us walk on a slippery or treacherous path. As we get older we often welcome having someone's hand to assist us to keep us from slipping or even falling.
We were in Panama this past year and had the opportunity to go to visit a remote Indian tribe. We took a bus to a remote area and then walked down a steep hill to get into a dugout canoe. The mud was very slippery and there was no railing to take hold of. We were not the least bit confident that we could get from the river bank into the canoe safely. There were no steps and the river bank was very uneven, muddy and rocky.
A teenage Indian boy, standing near the canoe with both of his bare feet planted firmly on the ground, reached out with his one hand to grab ours and with his other hand he grabbed our arm. With these helping hands we felt more confident that we could make it into the canoe. We got into the canoe, went down the river, met the tribe and returned knowing that we had a very special day. We also knew that without the helping hands of this teenage Indian boy we may not have made it.
We look back through the years and remember when we were the ones reaching out with the helping hands. We both remember holding the hand of a young child who lived in the slums of Nairobi Africa. And we remember holding the hand of children living on the garbage dump in real filth in Manila Philippians.
Ken remembers holding the hand of a young blind boy in Guatemala helping him to his class at the school our ministry sponsored. He was trying to learn English and spent his time asking questions about America and seemingly not concerned about his blindness. He held my hand tightly knowing that I was leading him in the right direction.
In the verse we have written above the psalmist tells us, "Let Your hand become my help, for I have chosen Your precepts." God is holding out His hand every moment of everyday for us to hold. And when we live by His precepts He has promised to lead us according to His will. When we read this verse we think back to the many times others have held out their hands to help us and the times we have held out our hands to help others.
In life we all have been in difficult situations, both physically and spiritually, where we have overestimated our feeble abilities. Those are the times we reached out for help. The Psalmist tells us (Psalm 139:10) that "Your hand (God's) shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me." In Psalm 89:13 we read, "You have a mighty arm; strong is Your hand and high is Your right hand." You can call out to God and say, "Give me a hand" and He will rush to your side.
We were so grateful for the strong and steady hand of the Indian boy on that river bank in Panama but we are so much more grateful that we have God's hand leading us and supporting us on the slippery slope of life.
When adversity begins to strike you, remember that God is ready to stretch out His hand to support you.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1 John 1:9.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
PRAYER
Thank You for Your strong hand that is always there for me and my family. Help us to put our complete trust in You and not to succumb to the evils of this world. Just as a child needs his father's hand so do I need Your hand to give me daily strength and guidance.
Motive: July 14, 2010
Today's Word for Wednesday July 14, 2010
MOTIVE
DEFINITION
Something that causes a person to act in a certain way.
SCRIPTURE
"Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you do ask, you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives." James 4:1-3
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
We remember our children arguing or fighting over a toy that they wanted. The argument usually went: "I had it first." "No you didn't." "I was playing with it before you were." "No you weren't." "Yes I was." Does that sound familiar? When a child fights over a toy we see it as the result of immaturity.
Even if you do not have children and haven't experienced hearing arguing in their childish ways, no doubt as a child you can remember being involved in arguing and fighting with a sibling or a friend.
Fighting and quarreling is not limited to children. Fighting and quarreling is a major problem in our world today. It is causing over half of the marriages today to end up in divorces. Fighting often leads to killing and many are in prison because they carried a quarrel too far. Wars between nations have been going on for centuries and most begin with a quarrel of some sort.
James asks a thought provoking question in the verses we have written above. He asks us what motivates us to fight and quarrel. Then he gives us the answer. James says that quarreling comes from our evil desires that battle within us. We want something but do not get it.
Our sinful nature motivates us to want more than we have. We want more money, more possessions, more power and anything else that we think will elevate our status in life. Unfortunately, there are people in life that when they do not get the things they want they are motivated to fight for them -- even to the point of killing for them.
James does give us a remedy. He tells us that we do not have because we do not ask God and we cannot receive because we ask with the wrong motives. God is the remedy for quarreling and fighting because He is the only one that can help us get rid of our selfish desires. God cannot help us do that until we are willing to submit ourselves to Him and ask Him to change us to conform to what His desires are for us. He desires us to ask Him to forgive our sins, to accept Him as our Savior and to trust Him to give us what we need. Only then can we pray and ask God for what we desire and expect to receive what we ask for.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1 John 1:9.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
PRAYER
Forgive me Lord, for the times I have let my evil desires become the motive for arguing and fighting. Help me to submit my evil desires to You. Help me to trust You for all my needs and keep my motives in life to be for what Your will is for me.
MOTIVE
DEFINITION
Something that causes a person to act in a certain way.
SCRIPTURE
"Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you do ask, you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives." James 4:1-3
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
We remember our children arguing or fighting over a toy that they wanted. The argument usually went: "I had it first." "No you didn't." "I was playing with it before you were." "No you weren't." "Yes I was." Does that sound familiar? When a child fights over a toy we see it as the result of immaturity.
Even if you do not have children and haven't experienced hearing arguing in their childish ways, no doubt as a child you can remember being involved in arguing and fighting with a sibling or a friend.
Fighting and quarreling is not limited to children. Fighting and quarreling is a major problem in our world today. It is causing over half of the marriages today to end up in divorces. Fighting often leads to killing and many are in prison because they carried a quarrel too far. Wars between nations have been going on for centuries and most begin with a quarrel of some sort.
James asks a thought provoking question in the verses we have written above. He asks us what motivates us to fight and quarrel. Then he gives us the answer. James says that quarreling comes from our evil desires that battle within us. We want something but do not get it.
Our sinful nature motivates us to want more than we have. We want more money, more possessions, more power and anything else that we think will elevate our status in life. Unfortunately, there are people in life that when they do not get the things they want they are motivated to fight for them -- even to the point of killing for them.
James does give us a remedy. He tells us that we do not have because we do not ask God and we cannot receive because we ask with the wrong motives. God is the remedy for quarreling and fighting because He is the only one that can help us get rid of our selfish desires. God cannot help us do that until we are willing to submit ourselves to Him and ask Him to change us to conform to what His desires are for us. He desires us to ask Him to forgive our sins, to accept Him as our Savior and to trust Him to give us what we need. Only then can we pray and ask God for what we desire and expect to receive what we ask for.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1 John 1:9.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
PRAYER
Forgive me Lord, for the times I have let my evil desires become the motive for arguing and fighting. Help me to submit my evil desires to You. Help me to trust You for all my needs and keep my motives in life to be for what Your will is for me.
Target: July 13, 2010
Today's Word for Tuesday July 13, 2010
TARGET
DEFINITION
A goal or objective; a design of circles.
SCRIPTURE
"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Our family is very competitive. Our children were always very competitive not only among themselves but also in sports and in their school classes. Now we see the same competitiveness among our grandchildren. As parents we encouraged our children to always do their best in every task they attempt whether it was work or play. A successful life by itself demands some sorts of competitiveness. Being competitive drives a person to always have goals in life and to do all one can to meet that goal and do it in a way to win.
In training our children we also warned them that they may not always win. In fact, many times in our lives we may not win so when we lose we need to lose with graciousness and even humility. This is tough not only to teach but to learn. No one ever wants to lose but at times it will happen. Children today also need to be told that when one is "racing' toward a goal that they have set, that they need to "race" fairly and abide by the rules.
Part of winning is to know your target. In the 2004 Olympics the gold medal winner in rifle shooting was ready to win his second medal in another event. He had a commanding lead and everyone was certain that he would win the second medal that he really wanted. In fact it was his best event and he was highly favored. But something went wrong. He hit the middle of the target but he had aimed at the wrong target. This is an excellent example for all of us to make sure that we are aiming for the right targets in life because it is so easy to get off course and aim for the wrong target.
In Paul's letter to the Philippians (above verse) he expresses the importance of focusing on the right target in our Christian life. Paul uses this word "goal" as the same word used as an athlete running a race. The same word is also used for the object to aim for in archery. In each of these definitions the prospect of winning depends on us being focused on the proper targets. For us as believers we need to be focused on a lifetime pursuit of becoming more like our Savior, Jesus.
Take a moment now and decide what your focus is on in your life. Are you preoccupied with getting ahead in life thus making life more comfortable for you? Are you focused on the target desiring to be more like Jesus? We encourage you today to make God's goals your goals and aim directly at that target. Keep your eyes on your target. If you take your eyes off your target you will be sure to miss it. Success in your Christian life depends on keeping your eyes on Jesus.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1 John 1:9.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
PRAYER
Help me today to focus on targets that honor You. Give me goals today that will make me more like You and will also let others see Christ through me.
TARGET
DEFINITION
A goal or objective; a design of circles.
SCRIPTURE
"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Our family is very competitive. Our children were always very competitive not only among themselves but also in sports and in their school classes. Now we see the same competitiveness among our grandchildren. As parents we encouraged our children to always do their best in every task they attempt whether it was work or play. A successful life by itself demands some sorts of competitiveness. Being competitive drives a person to always have goals in life and to do all one can to meet that goal and do it in a way to win.
In training our children we also warned them that they may not always win. In fact, many times in our lives we may not win so when we lose we need to lose with graciousness and even humility. This is tough not only to teach but to learn. No one ever wants to lose but at times it will happen. Children today also need to be told that when one is "racing' toward a goal that they have set, that they need to "race" fairly and abide by the rules.
Part of winning is to know your target. In the 2004 Olympics the gold medal winner in rifle shooting was ready to win his second medal in another event. He had a commanding lead and everyone was certain that he would win the second medal that he really wanted. In fact it was his best event and he was highly favored. But something went wrong. He hit the middle of the target but he had aimed at the wrong target. This is an excellent example for all of us to make sure that we are aiming for the right targets in life because it is so easy to get off course and aim for the wrong target.
In Paul's letter to the Philippians (above verse) he expresses the importance of focusing on the right target in our Christian life. Paul uses this word "goal" as the same word used as an athlete running a race. The same word is also used for the object to aim for in archery. In each of these definitions the prospect of winning depends on us being focused on the proper targets. For us as believers we need to be focused on a lifetime pursuit of becoming more like our Savior, Jesus.
Take a moment now and decide what your focus is on in your life. Are you preoccupied with getting ahead in life thus making life more comfortable for you? Are you focused on the target desiring to be more like Jesus? We encourage you today to make God's goals your goals and aim directly at that target. Keep your eyes on your target. If you take your eyes off your target you will be sure to miss it. Success in your Christian life depends on keeping your eyes on Jesus.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1 John 1:9.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
PRAYER
Help me today to focus on targets that honor You. Give me goals today that will make me more like You and will also let others see Christ through me.
Allergy: July 12, 2010
Today's Word for Monday July 12, 2010
ALLERGY
DEFINITION
An overreaction of the immune system to a previously encountered ordinarily harmless substance resulting in skin rash, swelling of mucous membranes, sneezing or wheezing. Having an allergy to something; averse.
SCRIPTURE
"Avoid from every form of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:22
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
We have several grandchildren that are allergic to several kinds of foods. Even a small amount of these items are detrimental to their health. For some reason many people today struggle with allergies. For some it is food, for some it is plants and for others it is the air because of the allergens in it. An allergy makes an individual very uncomfortable and normally affects their physical well being; therefore, it is necessary to do all one can to avoid the cause of the allergy.
Each of us as believers in Jesus has dangers that we need to stay away from to maintain our spiritual health. These dangers are spiritual allergies. This scripture that we have put above makes it clear as to what we are "allergic to" spiritually. It says for us to stay away from every form of evil. This should make us think about the choices we make in life.
We need to remember that when we take part of something that is clearly evil it is not good for our spiritual vitality and becomes an allergy that we have to fight daily. Just as everyone with an allergy has to avoid the cause, so Christians must avoid situations that lead them to do things that are evil.
In 11 Timothy 2:23 we are reminded to, "avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife." These are evil and we as believers are allergic to them. In Titus 3:9 we are told to, "Avoid foolish disputes, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless." Some arguments or disputes could have merit when they are made to defend our faith but this takes discernment on our behalf. But for most arguments, they have no spiritual merit thus they only cause dissension. So do your best to stay away from these "allergies."
Are we willing to make an effort daily to steer clear of the things that we are spiritually "allergic to"? To avoid sin in our lives, which are allergies, we need to nip temptations in the bud. Psalm 34:14 tells us to, "turn from evil and do good." When we sin and do evil it is because we choose to do it. It is a conscious choice. God wants us to choose to turn from evil and choose to do good.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1 John 1:9.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
PRAYER
Give me the wisdom to avoid foolish and ignorant disputes as I face life today. Help me to communicate to my family and my friends those foolish arguments and disputes that do not honor You. Make my life shine to day in a way that others may see Christ through me.
ALLERGY
DEFINITION
An overreaction of the immune system to a previously encountered ordinarily harmless substance resulting in skin rash, swelling of mucous membranes, sneezing or wheezing. Having an allergy to something; averse.
SCRIPTURE
"Avoid from every form of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:22
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
We have several grandchildren that are allergic to several kinds of foods. Even a small amount of these items are detrimental to their health. For some reason many people today struggle with allergies. For some it is food, for some it is plants and for others it is the air because of the allergens in it. An allergy makes an individual very uncomfortable and normally affects their physical well being; therefore, it is necessary to do all one can to avoid the cause of the allergy.
Each of us as believers in Jesus has dangers that we need to stay away from to maintain our spiritual health. These dangers are spiritual allergies. This scripture that we have put above makes it clear as to what we are "allergic to" spiritually. It says for us to stay away from every form of evil. This should make us think about the choices we make in life.
We need to remember that when we take part of something that is clearly evil it is not good for our spiritual vitality and becomes an allergy that we have to fight daily. Just as everyone with an allergy has to avoid the cause, so Christians must avoid situations that lead them to do things that are evil.
In 11 Timothy 2:23 we are reminded to, "avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife." These are evil and we as believers are allergic to them. In Titus 3:9 we are told to, "Avoid foolish disputes, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless." Some arguments or disputes could have merit when they are made to defend our faith but this takes discernment on our behalf. But for most arguments, they have no spiritual merit thus they only cause dissension. So do your best to stay away from these "allergies."
Are we willing to make an effort daily to steer clear of the things that we are spiritually "allergic to"? To avoid sin in our lives, which are allergies, we need to nip temptations in the bud. Psalm 34:14 tells us to, "turn from evil and do good." When we sin and do evil it is because we choose to do it. It is a conscious choice. God wants us to choose to turn from evil and choose to do good.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1 John 1:9.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
PRAYER
Give me the wisdom to avoid foolish and ignorant disputes as I face life today. Help me to communicate to my family and my friends those foolish arguments and disputes that do not honor You. Make my life shine to day in a way that others may see Christ through me.
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