Today's Word for Friday July 30, 2010
OBEDIENCE
DEFINITION
Submissive to authority; willing to obey.
SCRIPTURE
"This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments." 1 John 5:3
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
One of the most difficult traits that most parents have to conquer with their children is obedience. They have several problems to face including teaching their children the difference between right and wrong and then teaching their children the importance of being obedient to do the right things and not doing the wrong things.
God created us with a "will" and the freedom to choose. As a result of Adam's fall we are also born with a rebellious nature. Small children look so sweet and innocent that it is a bit startling when that rebellious nature becomes apparent.
It is a fact that learning to be obedient at an early age has an impact on their future life. When children learn obedience they learn and develop good character traits and healthy values.
Oswald Chambers once wrote; "the Lord does not give us rules, but he makes His standard very clear." If my relationship with Him is that of love, I will want to do what He says. If I hesitate it is because I love someone that I have placed in competition with Him - namely myself."
We are our own greatest problem in life. We have the commandments that God has given us. We have the option to receive Jesus as our Savior or reject Him. We have the option to live by our own rules or by the standards that God has stated clearly for us in the Bible.
Obedience requires submission and willingness by Webster's definition. That is why many find it hard to accept Jesus as their Savior. They are not willing to submit their rebellious nature to the Lord and give up their sinful way of living.
In 1 John chapter two we read: "my little children, these things I write unto you, so that you might not sin." God has given us standards, dating back to the Ten Commandments, that He expects us to live our lives by as believers. And in this chapter in 1 John the writer goes on and tells us that if we do fail God has given us an advocate, His Son Jesus, who is the propitiation for our sins and not for us only but for the whole world.
By being obedient we show God that we love Him and have more faith in Him than ourselves. In fact in verse 4 he says that when anyone says they know Jesus and does not keep His commandments that person is a liar. It cannot be made any clearer than this. God requires obedience from us and we need to adhere to His command if we are truly believers.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:3.
Jesus answered and said unto him, "Most assuredly I say unto you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
PRAYER
Help me to be obedient to the commandments that You have so clearly given me. May my family join me in living our lives honoring You in all we do.
August 1, 2010
Retire: July 29, 2010
Today's Word for Thursday July 29, 2010
RETIRE
DEFINITION
Draw back; retreat; withdraw from business or public life; make inactive; relieve of duty.
SCRIPTURE
"They may minister with their brethren - to attend to needs." Numbers 8:26
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
You can see if you read our life history at the end of these devotionals that we are at the age of so called retirement. Quite often now we are asked the question: "When are you going to retire?" We never pause a moment and always respond the same way: "We never plan to retire."
The word "retirement" has never been in our vocabulary and let us share with you the reason why. When we accepted Jesus as our Savior we made a commitment to serve Him until we died. We have never been able to find any reference in the scriptures that lead us to believe that we should retire at age 60, 65, 70, or 75.
But we must explain and we will do that in the words that follow but first let us share with you the true story of the first people that climbed to the top of Mt. Everest, the world's highest mountain. They were Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953. Hillary was only 33 years of age and had accomplished his life goal. His feat had given him fame and wealth and he had already lived a remarkable life. He had no higher mountains to climb so in a sense he could "retire."
Although retired from mountain climbing he didn't sit back and do nothing. He kept on working but with a different purpose. For the next 55 years Hillary put all of his efforts into improving the life styles and welfare of the Nepalese people living near Mt. Everest.
In Numbers 8:25, God through Moses told the Levites to retire from their regular duties at the age of 50. Although God retired the older Levites from doing the heavy work of moving the Tabernacle as the Israelites made their way to the Promised Land, He did not want them to stop helping others. God said that they should "minister with their brethren in the Tabernacle" and assist them in performing the duties of the Tabernacle.
This is a wonderful example for us to share with you. We believe that when one comes to the point in their life that they can retire and retire with the means to live the rest of their life then that is a blessing that one receives from God. Just because we may be retired, God does not want us to quit. God expects us to keep on serving Him and that is work. So many people retire and find out that they have nothing to do so they sit and just seem to waste away. It is far better to do as the Levites and Sir Edmund Hillary did, and focus when we retire, on giving our time to help others.
Paul advises us in Galatians 6:9-10, to not to become weary in doing good and use every opportunity to do good onto others. We are never too old to reap a harvest if we never give up.
Let us assure you that life takes on a whole new meaning when we invest all of our time and effort in representing our Lord and in helping others.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:3.
Jesus answered and said unto him, "Most assuredly I say unto you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
PRAYER
I pray that You will give me the strength and help that I need to serve You today. Help me to serve others with a heart of love and a concern for their well being.
RETIRE
DEFINITION
Draw back; retreat; withdraw from business or public life; make inactive; relieve of duty.
SCRIPTURE
"They may minister with their brethren - to attend to needs." Numbers 8:26
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
You can see if you read our life history at the end of these devotionals that we are at the age of so called retirement. Quite often now we are asked the question: "When are you going to retire?" We never pause a moment and always respond the same way: "We never plan to retire."
The word "retirement" has never been in our vocabulary and let us share with you the reason why. When we accepted Jesus as our Savior we made a commitment to serve Him until we died. We have never been able to find any reference in the scriptures that lead us to believe that we should retire at age 60, 65, 70, or 75.
But we must explain and we will do that in the words that follow but first let us share with you the true story of the first people that climbed to the top of Mt. Everest, the world's highest mountain. They were Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953. Hillary was only 33 years of age and had accomplished his life goal. His feat had given him fame and wealth and he had already lived a remarkable life. He had no higher mountains to climb so in a sense he could "retire."
Although retired from mountain climbing he didn't sit back and do nothing. He kept on working but with a different purpose. For the next 55 years Hillary put all of his efforts into improving the life styles and welfare of the Nepalese people living near Mt. Everest.
In Numbers 8:25, God through Moses told the Levites to retire from their regular duties at the age of 50. Although God retired the older Levites from doing the heavy work of moving the Tabernacle as the Israelites made their way to the Promised Land, He did not want them to stop helping others. God said that they should "minister with their brethren in the Tabernacle" and assist them in performing the duties of the Tabernacle.
This is a wonderful example for us to share with you. We believe that when one comes to the point in their life that they can retire and retire with the means to live the rest of their life then that is a blessing that one receives from God. Just because we may be retired, God does not want us to quit. God expects us to keep on serving Him and that is work. So many people retire and find out that they have nothing to do so they sit and just seem to waste away. It is far better to do as the Levites and Sir Edmund Hillary did, and focus when we retire, on giving our time to help others.
Paul advises us in Galatians 6:9-10, to not to become weary in doing good and use every opportunity to do good onto others. We are never too old to reap a harvest if we never give up.
Let us assure you that life takes on a whole new meaning when we invest all of our time and effort in representing our Lord and in helping others.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:3.
Jesus answered and said unto him, "Most assuredly I say unto you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
PRAYER
I pray that You will give me the strength and help that I need to serve You today. Help me to serve others with a heart of love and a concern for their well being.
Hope: July 28, 2010
Today's Word for Wednesday July 28, 2010
HOPE
DEFINITION
Expect or look forward to with desire and confidence; expectation or something desired; what is hoped for.
SCRIPTURE
"You are my hope, O Lord God; you are my trust from my youth." Psalm 71:5
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Most of us are not aware that the ancient road from Jerusalem to Jericho was a narrow, treacherous path along a deep gorge in the Judean wilderness. Its name was Wadi Kelt but it was known as the valley of the shadow.
This was the location that inspired David to write the 23rd Psalm. The place in itself offers little reason to compose such a Psalm that is known as a hopeful Psalm. The landscape is bleak, barren and dangerously steep. It was well known as a place for thieves to hang out and wait for travelers going by.
When David wrote Psalm 23 verse four, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil," he was in a place where evil was a reality. David refused to give in to fear. David was not expressing hope that God would abolish the evil of that place so that he could pass through safely. He knew that God was going to walk through that valley with him. He was saying that the presence of God was giving him the confidence to pass through difficult places without fear of being deserted by our Lord. And in Psalm 71:5, David says that the Lord is our hope.
As Christians our hope is in the Lord, so that we can have that same assurance that David had, that the Lord is with us. When we have to go through our times of fear and uncertainty God will not desert us.
Many people we talk to in our world talk like they have hope. They will say they have hope that tomorrow will be better. They also might say they have hope that their business will improve. They also often say that they hope their child will mature and get out of his or her evil ways. That kind of hope is more like wishful thinking.
YES, many claim to have hope in this old sinful world that we live in but let us make one thing certain, only those that have their HOPE in Christ can claim it with certainty. Hope does not come from strength, intelligence, hard work, good works or even favorable circumstances but HOPE comes from the Lord and Him alone. He alone has the right to promise hope as he did to David and the power to keep that promise. Where is your hope? Is it in the Lord?
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:3.
Jesus answered and said unto him, "Most assuredly I say unto you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
PRAYER
Thank You dear Lord that I have the certainty in my heart that You are my hope. May I have as David had, the certainty of You being with me through every trial I face. May my life shine brightly with the glory of hope that You have given me.
HOPE
DEFINITION
Expect or look forward to with desire and confidence; expectation or something desired; what is hoped for.
SCRIPTURE
"You are my hope, O Lord God; you are my trust from my youth." Psalm 71:5
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Most of us are not aware that the ancient road from Jerusalem to Jericho was a narrow, treacherous path along a deep gorge in the Judean wilderness. Its name was Wadi Kelt but it was known as the valley of the shadow.
This was the location that inspired David to write the 23rd Psalm. The place in itself offers little reason to compose such a Psalm that is known as a hopeful Psalm. The landscape is bleak, barren and dangerously steep. It was well known as a place for thieves to hang out and wait for travelers going by.
When David wrote Psalm 23 verse four, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil," he was in a place where evil was a reality. David refused to give in to fear. David was not expressing hope that God would abolish the evil of that place so that he could pass through safely. He knew that God was going to walk through that valley with him. He was saying that the presence of God was giving him the confidence to pass through difficult places without fear of being deserted by our Lord. And in Psalm 71:5, David says that the Lord is our hope.
As Christians our hope is in the Lord, so that we can have that same assurance that David had, that the Lord is with us. When we have to go through our times of fear and uncertainty God will not desert us.
Many people we talk to in our world talk like they have hope. They will say they have hope that tomorrow will be better. They also might say they have hope that their business will improve. They also often say that they hope their child will mature and get out of his or her evil ways. That kind of hope is more like wishful thinking.
YES, many claim to have hope in this old sinful world that we live in but let us make one thing certain, only those that have their HOPE in Christ can claim it with certainty. Hope does not come from strength, intelligence, hard work, good works or even favorable circumstances but HOPE comes from the Lord and Him alone. He alone has the right to promise hope as he did to David and the power to keep that promise. Where is your hope? Is it in the Lord?
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:3.
Jesus answered and said unto him, "Most assuredly I say unto you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
PRAYER
Thank You dear Lord that I have the certainty in my heart that You are my hope. May I have as David had, the certainty of You being with me through every trial I face. May my life shine brightly with the glory of hope that You have given me.
Doers: July 27, 2010
Today's Word for Tuesday July 27, 2010
DOERS
DEFINITION
One who does something; one who accomplishes a great deal.
SCRIPTURE
"Be doers of the Word and not hearers only." James 1:22
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
All of us in our homes, in our churches, in our neighborhoods and at our workplaces have seen what we may call doers. When something needs to be done, they are the first to get into the project and work at it until the job is accomplished. In contrast we have all seen the opposite happen. When something comes up that needs to be done, most people just sit where they are and will wait to see if someone else will do it.
We can remember in many of our ministry programs people that always showed up and volunteered when we had a need. We can remember the need before Christmas to wrap several thousand Christmas gifts for inner city children. These children were the poorest of the poor and most would not even have one gift for Christmas. We wanted these children to have a gift. Year after year when we asked for help, many of the same people would return to help. They were the doers.
It was important for us to train our children to be doers if for no other reason it just made them better people. More important it taught them to respond when someone had a need. But the best reward was listening to a person that had reached out and became a doer, how it blessed their heart to help. This is what our Lord wants from us.
The world is a better world because of the doers of this world. Are you one of the doers of this world by always being ready to pitch in, to be involved, and even lead if necessary? Many of the doers of this world are also doers of the WORD. These are the followers of Jesus who have taken the challenge of James to heart: "Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only."
Are you doing all that God wants you to do to further the good news of the gospel? What you do spiritually for the Lord will give you the crown God has for you in heaven. Start now by reading God's Word daily and then put into practice what you learned in your reading. You need to first - hear, and then - do.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:3.
Jesus answered and said unto him, "Most assuredly I say unto you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
PRAYER
Help me to be a doer of Your Word today. Help me to learn each day as I read the scripture what You want me to accomplish for Your names sake. May others see in me a caring and tender heart willing to reach out at all times to help someone in need.
DOERS
DEFINITION
One who does something; one who accomplishes a great deal.
SCRIPTURE
"Be doers of the Word and not hearers only." James 1:22
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
All of us in our homes, in our churches, in our neighborhoods and at our workplaces have seen what we may call doers. When something needs to be done, they are the first to get into the project and work at it until the job is accomplished. In contrast we have all seen the opposite happen. When something comes up that needs to be done, most people just sit where they are and will wait to see if someone else will do it.
We can remember in many of our ministry programs people that always showed up and volunteered when we had a need. We can remember the need before Christmas to wrap several thousand Christmas gifts for inner city children. These children were the poorest of the poor and most would not even have one gift for Christmas. We wanted these children to have a gift. Year after year when we asked for help, many of the same people would return to help. They were the doers.
It was important for us to train our children to be doers if for no other reason it just made them better people. More important it taught them to respond when someone had a need. But the best reward was listening to a person that had reached out and became a doer, how it blessed their heart to help. This is what our Lord wants from us.
The world is a better world because of the doers of this world. Are you one of the doers of this world by always being ready to pitch in, to be involved, and even lead if necessary? Many of the doers of this world are also doers of the WORD. These are the followers of Jesus who have taken the challenge of James to heart: "Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only."
Are you doing all that God wants you to do to further the good news of the gospel? What you do spiritually for the Lord will give you the crown God has for you in heaven. Start now by reading God's Word daily and then put into practice what you learned in your reading. You need to first - hear, and then - do.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:3.
Jesus answered and said unto him, "Most assuredly I say unto you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
PRAYER
Help me to be a doer of Your Word today. Help me to learn each day as I read the scripture what You want me to accomplish for Your names sake. May others see in me a caring and tender heart willing to reach out at all times to help someone in need.
Love: July 26, 2010
Today's Word for Monday July 26, 2010
LOVE
DEFINITION
Profoundly tender; affection for another person; a love affair; the benevolent affection of God.
SCRIPTURE
"Love God, your God, with your whole heart; love Him with all that is in you, love Him with all you've got" Deuteronomy 6:5 [Message translation]
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Today we want to put all of our thoughts toward the importance of loving God. We are living in an evil world and the pressures of evil are on our children and our families as never before. There is only one answer for us to consider if we really want to live a happy life and that is to set our priorities straight with God. God created us because He wanted to be able to show His great love for us and emphasize His priority for us to love Him. We are to love God with all we have.
There is no greater love than God's love for us. The love that we give to God will be given back in abundance from God and He will direct us and be with us every moment of every day. Loving God must be a priority for each of us every day.
From the moment each of our six children was born, we were committed to teach them to first LOVE GOD and then their family and neighbors. LOVE is a basic need in our lives and LOVE is what God wants from us. We endeavored each and every day to be consistent with them showing our love through our words and actions. God honored this commitment by blessing us with children that responded favorably and have chosen to live a life driven by their love for their Lord and Savior.
God has given us a choice. We love God because we have chosen to love Him.
When the disciples asked Jesus what was the most important commandment, He responded that it was to LOVE GOD! [Mark 12: 29-31]. The second greatest commandment given by Jesus is to LOVE our neighbor. We are compelled as Christian parents and grandparents to set standards for our children and grandchildren that always begin with LOVING GOD. Love is what keeps a family together.
Paul prayed this prayer for the Ephesians and it is our prayer for you: I pray that you and all God's holy people will have power to understand the greatness of Christ's love, how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is. Christ's love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Ephesians 4: 18-19 (NEV VERSION).
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:3.
Jesus answered and said unto him, "Most assuredly I say unto you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
PRAYER
Give each one of us in our family a heart that loves You, a spirit that serves You and standards that honor You. We thank You for Your eternal love and Your promise that if we love You that You will never leave us nor forsake us.
LOVE
DEFINITION
Profoundly tender; affection for another person; a love affair; the benevolent affection of God.
SCRIPTURE
"Love God, your God, with your whole heart; love Him with all that is in you, love Him with all you've got" Deuteronomy 6:5 [Message translation]
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Today we want to put all of our thoughts toward the importance of loving God. We are living in an evil world and the pressures of evil are on our children and our families as never before. There is only one answer for us to consider if we really want to live a happy life and that is to set our priorities straight with God. God created us because He wanted to be able to show His great love for us and emphasize His priority for us to love Him. We are to love God with all we have.
There is no greater love than God's love for us. The love that we give to God will be given back in abundance from God and He will direct us and be with us every moment of every day. Loving God must be a priority for each of us every day.
From the moment each of our six children was born, we were committed to teach them to first LOVE GOD and then their family and neighbors. LOVE is a basic need in our lives and LOVE is what God wants from us. We endeavored each and every day to be consistent with them showing our love through our words and actions. God honored this commitment by blessing us with children that responded favorably and have chosen to live a life driven by their love for their Lord and Savior.
God has given us a choice. We love God because we have chosen to love Him.
When the disciples asked Jesus what was the most important commandment, He responded that it was to LOVE GOD! [Mark 12: 29-31]. The second greatest commandment given by Jesus is to LOVE our neighbor. We are compelled as Christian parents and grandparents to set standards for our children and grandchildren that always begin with LOVING GOD. Love is what keeps a family together.
Paul prayed this prayer for the Ephesians and it is our prayer for you: I pray that you and all God's holy people will have power to understand the greatness of Christ's love, how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is. Christ's love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Ephesians 4: 18-19 (NEV VERSION).
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:3.
Jesus answered and said unto him, "Most assuredly I say unto you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
PRAYER
Give each one of us in our family a heart that loves You, a spirit that serves You and standards that honor You. We thank You for Your eternal love and Your promise that if we love You that You will never leave us nor forsake us.
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