Today's Word for Friday August 13, 2010
PERSECUTION
DEFINITION
The act of persecuting; subject to harassing or cruel treatment as a result of religion, race, or beliefs; to annoy or trouble persistently; oppress.
SCRIPTURE
"Bless those that persecute you." Romans 12:14
"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely." Matthew 5:11
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
When we think of persecution we think of one being killed or martyred for the cause of Christ. But there are other issues that some may consider persecution. Some may think that persecution is living in an unstable home situation, being talked to critically by a peer or friend or being hurt by somebody physically or mentally.
Teenagers today feel they are being "persecuted" by peers at their school who do not let them into their "group." Being accepted today is vital to children, youth and even adults. When one is not accepted they feel persecuted.
Even though people say they believe in freedom of religion, the reality is that those who take a strong stand for Christian standards and beliefs are not accepted and are often ridiculed for their faith. Jesus taught that we should consider ourselves blessed when we are persecuted if it is because of our faith. If this is so, we are not alone. Jesus certainly was persecuted and so were His disciples, other prophets and many that we read about in the Old and New Testament. If we are persecuted for our faith it means that we are doing what is right in God's sight and that we are being faithful to our belief in the Lord.
Recently, we read that over 70 million Christians have been martyred in the last 20 centuries because of their Christian faith. But the more startling fact is that more than 50% of these 70 million have been martyred in the last 60 years. Unfortunately, many Christians in many parts of the world are still being persecuted and killed for their faith.
We received an email just last week from a pastor in Pakistan that gets our devotionals daily and he told us of two young men in his church who were just martyred for their faith. That is why this TODAYS WORD DEVOTIONAL is so significant for each of us to read and evaluate as it relates to our life and gives us strength from God's Word to face any and all persecution we may face in our lifetime.
Here in America many feel that we are losing our spiritual emphasis. One of the reasons this is happening is because Christians are silent about their faith. Even though we may risk some persecution from others if we speak up, we need to speak up and be heard. When persecution comes are way, just remember and think about the persecution that Jesus went through for our salvation.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 2:4:
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
PRAYER
Thank you Lord for what You did for me by dying on the cross. Help me to represent You today with a new fervor and determination so that others will have no doubt on what I believe. Help me to challenge my family and Christian friends to join me in standing tall for You.
August 15, 2010
Wisdom: August 12, 2010
Today's Word for Thursday August 12, 2010
WISDOM
DEFINITION
The quality or state of being wise; scholarly knowledge; discernment; insight.
SCRIPTURE
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Listen my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching." Proverbs 1:7-8
"Wisdom is better than strength; words of the wise spoken quietly should be heard. Wisdom is better than weapons of war." Ecclesiastics 9: 16-18
"Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding." Proverbs 3:13
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given him." James 1:5
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
As small children we thought our mother and father knew everything. As we grew older and became more independent we decided that maybe they were not that smart after all. By the time we got to our teenage years we began to think that we had all the answers. But then the cycle changed as we got older and more mature. When we had to face the problems of life on our own we decided that our parents were much smarter and wiser than we ever thought they were.
We have heard it said that one should be willing, as often as possible, to sit down with an older person just to receive some of the wisdom he or she can give from their life experiences. We have realized over the years that experience brings wisdom. As we look back on our lives it was through the tutoring and training of our Christian parents and their peers that we learned so many things that helped us set our standards and even our goals in life. Now we notice that our children and even our grandchildren come to us for advice. Have you considered spending time with someone, who has been through many trials of life, just to be able to learn from the wisdom they have received from the Lord?
Solomon's advice to us in Proverbs 1:8 is to listen to what our father and mother teach us and then not to forget it. We should be open to advice from faithful servants of the Lord who have lived longer and have had so many more life changing experiences then we have had.
In I Kings 3:5 after Solomon became King; God appeared to Solomon in a dream and promised him that He [God] would give him anything he asked for. He could have asked for riches, popularity, success or any thing he wanted, but he asked for WISDOM! [Verse 9]. Solomon was only about 20 years old when he became King. He knew he was young and that his inexperience made him feel inadequate to the task of ruling such a large kingdom. He knew he did not know it all but he did recognize that God was the source of wisdom.
Wisdom is a gift from God. We have learned that the Lord gives wisdom to us if we only ask. In Proverbs 2:6, it reads that "from His mouth came knowledge and understanding." When we read God's Word daily we gain insight and knowledge to develop the wisdom we need to make our day by day decisions. This is because through His Word, His wisdom is revealed to us. Wisdom comes from a process of growth. We need to first have a desire for wisdom, then we must ask for it, and then God will respond - just as He responded to Solomon. Wisdom will allow us to discern what is right, what is wrong, what is just, and what is fair.
Wisdom enables us to make favorable life decisions and then to be able to evaluate the consequences of those decisions. Wisdom knows when to speak your mind and when to mind your speech.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 2:4:
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
PRAYER
Give me the wisdom today to make decisions that honor Your name. Give me the wisdom to communicate wisely and properly to my family, friends and associates. May our family reach out to others so we can learn and even more importantly, reach out to You for guidance and wisdom that only You can give. Make this be a day when I am drawn closer to You.
WISDOM
DEFINITION
The quality or state of being wise; scholarly knowledge; discernment; insight.
SCRIPTURE
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Listen my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching." Proverbs 1:7-8
"Wisdom is better than strength; words of the wise spoken quietly should be heard. Wisdom is better than weapons of war." Ecclesiastics 9: 16-18
"Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding." Proverbs 3:13
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given him." James 1:5
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
As small children we thought our mother and father knew everything. As we grew older and became more independent we decided that maybe they were not that smart after all. By the time we got to our teenage years we began to think that we had all the answers. But then the cycle changed as we got older and more mature. When we had to face the problems of life on our own we decided that our parents were much smarter and wiser than we ever thought they were.
We have heard it said that one should be willing, as often as possible, to sit down with an older person just to receive some of the wisdom he or she can give from their life experiences. We have realized over the years that experience brings wisdom. As we look back on our lives it was through the tutoring and training of our Christian parents and their peers that we learned so many things that helped us set our standards and even our goals in life. Now we notice that our children and even our grandchildren come to us for advice. Have you considered spending time with someone, who has been through many trials of life, just to be able to learn from the wisdom they have received from the Lord?
Solomon's advice to us in Proverbs 1:8 is to listen to what our father and mother teach us and then not to forget it. We should be open to advice from faithful servants of the Lord who have lived longer and have had so many more life changing experiences then we have had.
In I Kings 3:5 after Solomon became King; God appeared to Solomon in a dream and promised him that He [God] would give him anything he asked for. He could have asked for riches, popularity, success or any thing he wanted, but he asked for WISDOM! [Verse 9]. Solomon was only about 20 years old when he became King. He knew he was young and that his inexperience made him feel inadequate to the task of ruling such a large kingdom. He knew he did not know it all but he did recognize that God was the source of wisdom.
Wisdom is a gift from God. We have learned that the Lord gives wisdom to us if we only ask. In Proverbs 2:6, it reads that "from His mouth came knowledge and understanding." When we read God's Word daily we gain insight and knowledge to develop the wisdom we need to make our day by day decisions. This is because through His Word, His wisdom is revealed to us. Wisdom comes from a process of growth. We need to first have a desire for wisdom, then we must ask for it, and then God will respond - just as He responded to Solomon. Wisdom will allow us to discern what is right, what is wrong, what is just, and what is fair.
Wisdom enables us to make favorable life decisions and then to be able to evaluate the consequences of those decisions. Wisdom knows when to speak your mind and when to mind your speech.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 2:4:
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
PRAYER
Give me the wisdom today to make decisions that honor Your name. Give me the wisdom to communicate wisely and properly to my family, friends and associates. May our family reach out to others so we can learn and even more importantly, reach out to You for guidance and wisdom that only You can give. Make this be a day when I am drawn closer to You.
Revenge: August 11, 2010
Today's Word for Wednesday August 11, 2010
REVENGE
DEFINITION
To exact punishment for a wrong; a vindictive spirit; to inflict pain or harm; an opportunity to retaliate.
SCRIPTURE
"My friends do not try to punish others when they wrong you. Wait for God to punish them with his anger." Romans 12:19
"Be sure that no one pays back wrong for wrong. But always try to do what is good for each other." I Thessalonians 5:15
"Do not repay anyone evil for evil." Romans 12:17
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Basic human nature drives most people to want to retaliate when someone does them wrong. This attitude of revenge is not acceptable to God. Every day we have situations that brings out our desire to show some revenge. Your child rebels and breaks rules you have made. A fellow worker blames you for an incident at work. A friend accuses you falsely on some issue. A spouse hurts you deeply with derogatory comments or unloving actions. For all of these issues and many more your natural response is to retaliate.
People in deteriorating relationships have a strong tendency to bring up "ancient history." They feel they have to get payback or revenge. The result is that they can never truly forgive and resolve their anger. They end up suffering even more as the bitterness eats away at them like a cancer. Paul tells us in Romans to let the Lord be our avenger. He will punish with justness and fairness.
We have talked to people who have evidently been wronged years ago and the relationship between the two parties progressively gets worse every year. This is not acceptable in God's sight because he wants us to live a life honoring him in all we do. When such an incident happens God expects you to respond with love and not with revenge. This is hard because it is against human nature. We want to get even and see others suffer for what they have done to us. But if we are to live a life honoring God our words and deeds need to take the initiative and make things right.
God tells us in His Word that it is not our role to retaliate, to punish or to seek revenge. Let God deal with the issue! When we respond with love and a forgiving attitude it will make a lasting impression on the one that wronged you. It is a well known fact that it takes two to fight and when your response is loving and caring it takes "all the air out of the balloon" of the one that wronged you. One day God will right every wrong.
The Bible is consistent in telling us to respond to a wrong by doing good. The Bible makes no exceptions. Next time you are in such a situation do not retaliate but do good and see what happens. You may have to, as the saying goes "Bite your tongue." It is hard to continue a fight when there is only one in the fight.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 2:4:
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
PRAYER
Help me today to respond with an attitude of love and forgiveness to those who treat me wrong. My great desire is to be more like You. May others see Christ in all my words and deeds and may my attitude be an example to my family, friends and neighbors.
REVENGE
DEFINITION
To exact punishment for a wrong; a vindictive spirit; to inflict pain or harm; an opportunity to retaliate.
SCRIPTURE
"My friends do not try to punish others when they wrong you. Wait for God to punish them with his anger." Romans 12:19
"Be sure that no one pays back wrong for wrong. But always try to do what is good for each other." I Thessalonians 5:15
"Do not repay anyone evil for evil." Romans 12:17
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Basic human nature drives most people to want to retaliate when someone does them wrong. This attitude of revenge is not acceptable to God. Every day we have situations that brings out our desire to show some revenge. Your child rebels and breaks rules you have made. A fellow worker blames you for an incident at work. A friend accuses you falsely on some issue. A spouse hurts you deeply with derogatory comments or unloving actions. For all of these issues and many more your natural response is to retaliate.
People in deteriorating relationships have a strong tendency to bring up "ancient history." They feel they have to get payback or revenge. The result is that they can never truly forgive and resolve their anger. They end up suffering even more as the bitterness eats away at them like a cancer. Paul tells us in Romans to let the Lord be our avenger. He will punish with justness and fairness.
We have talked to people who have evidently been wronged years ago and the relationship between the two parties progressively gets worse every year. This is not acceptable in God's sight because he wants us to live a life honoring him in all we do. When such an incident happens God expects you to respond with love and not with revenge. This is hard because it is against human nature. We want to get even and see others suffer for what they have done to us. But if we are to live a life honoring God our words and deeds need to take the initiative and make things right.
God tells us in His Word that it is not our role to retaliate, to punish or to seek revenge. Let God deal with the issue! When we respond with love and a forgiving attitude it will make a lasting impression on the one that wronged you. It is a well known fact that it takes two to fight and when your response is loving and caring it takes "all the air out of the balloon" of the one that wronged you. One day God will right every wrong.
The Bible is consistent in telling us to respond to a wrong by doing good. The Bible makes no exceptions. Next time you are in such a situation do not retaliate but do good and see what happens. You may have to, as the saying goes "Bite your tongue." It is hard to continue a fight when there is only one in the fight.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 2:4:
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
PRAYER
Help me today to respond with an attitude of love and forgiveness to those who treat me wrong. My great desire is to be more like You. May others see Christ in all my words and deeds and may my attitude be an example to my family, friends and neighbors.
Attitude: August 10, 2010
Today's Word for Tuesday August 10, 2010
ATTITUDE
DEFINITION
Manner; disposition; feeling; position with regard to a person or thing; tendency or orientation of the mind; a cheerful attitude.
SCRIPTURE
"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men." Colossians 3:23
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Our attitude in life is a determining factor as to how we are perceived by others. Just take a moment and think about each person you met in the last 24 hours. How many glowed with excitement and hope and had a positive attitude toward life? It is most likely that the ones that stick out in your mind are those that really did not have a good attitude.
In Proverbs 23:7 it reads: "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." Our thought process affects our attitude. Our attitude is what often makes a lasting impression on others. It can become the thing that identifies us. There are all kinds of attitudes. We can be cheerful or grumpy, humble or boastful, short tempered or patient, just to name a few. It is a choice that we have.
Have you thought about your attitude and how it affects others? More importantly have you thought about how your attitude affects your daily life. Attitude motivates us to do what we do and to be the kind of person that we are.
Attitude has a great deal to do with our success or failure in life. Our attitude can affect whether we keep a friend, get a promotion and almost everything else in life. Because our God is great, we need to think with an attitude of confidence, but with humility, recognizing that God is the one who enables us and that our thoughts can NEVER be greater then God's. The Apostle Paul said: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13. We can do all things through Christ if our attitude is right toward our Lord and toward those we are involved with everyday.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 2:4:
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
PRAYER
Help us to honor You this day in all that we do. May Your love shine through us as we meet and talk to our friends and associates. Give us a cheerful attitude and a willing heart to give of our lives to others just as You gave Your life for us.
ATTITUDE
DEFINITION
Manner; disposition; feeling; position with regard to a person or thing; tendency or orientation of the mind; a cheerful attitude.
SCRIPTURE
"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men." Colossians 3:23
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Our attitude in life is a determining factor as to how we are perceived by others. Just take a moment and think about each person you met in the last 24 hours. How many glowed with excitement and hope and had a positive attitude toward life? It is most likely that the ones that stick out in your mind are those that really did not have a good attitude.
In Proverbs 23:7 it reads: "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." Our thought process affects our attitude. Our attitude is what often makes a lasting impression on others. It can become the thing that identifies us. There are all kinds of attitudes. We can be cheerful or grumpy, humble or boastful, short tempered or patient, just to name a few. It is a choice that we have.
Have you thought about your attitude and how it affects others? More importantly have you thought about how your attitude affects your daily life. Attitude motivates us to do what we do and to be the kind of person that we are.
Attitude has a great deal to do with our success or failure in life. Our attitude can affect whether we keep a friend, get a promotion and almost everything else in life. Because our God is great, we need to think with an attitude of confidence, but with humility, recognizing that God is the one who enables us and that our thoughts can NEVER be greater then God's. The Apostle Paul said: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13. We can do all things through Christ if our attitude is right toward our Lord and toward those we are involved with everyday.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 2:4:
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
PRAYER
Help us to honor You this day in all that we do. May Your love shine through us as we meet and talk to our friends and associates. Give us a cheerful attitude and a willing heart to give of our lives to others just as You gave Your life for us.
Forgiveness: August 9, 2010
Today's Word for Monday August 9, 2010
FORGIVENESS
DEFINITION
The act of forgiving or showing forgiveness; offering the chance to recover from mistakes; willingness to forgive.
SCRIPTURE
"Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Colossians 3:13
"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." Psalm 32:1
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
In the Lord's Prayer as written in Matthew 6, Jesus said: "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us." How can we expect to be forgiven when we are unwilling to forgive? This is what forgiveness is all about. When one does wrong it is scripturally required for that person to then ask for forgiveness. Unfortunately that very rarely happens. The reason being is that it is humbling to have to admit we are wrong and have to ask for forgiveness. The end result, if we do not forgive a rift develops in that relationship.
Don't let pride keep you from doing the right thing. How do we feel when we are wronged? Naturally it upsets us and the normal reaction is to want to get even. Most people can give you a score of reasons why they feel they should not forgive someone for a wrong. Excuses are not acceptable to God. God has set the unsurpassable example of forgiveness when He forgave us of our sins by sending His Son to pay the penalty for our sins.
For parents this is a difficult standard to teach children. First of all, most of the time a child does not feel they have done any wrong that requires forgiveness. Therefore, a parent has to begin at an early age to teach the difference between right and wrong.
Secondly, children are very observant. It is difficult to teach our children to be forgiving if they do not see us as parents being forgiving to those who have done some wrong against us. Forgiveness involves both our attitude and our actions. We love to dredge up old grievances to help our ego. If we are going to forgive others as God forgives us we must be willing to forget. When God forgives our sins He completely forgets them. Isaiah tells us in Chapter 43 verse 25 that God not only blots out our transgressions but He remembers them no more.
As we have said so often, our words are heard and our deeds are watched therefore as believers we have a huge responsibility to act and talk as Jesus would want us to in all situations.
In Acts 26:18 it reads: "that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those that are sanctified by faith in Me." What greater inheritance can one have then to spend an eternity with God in heaven? It is up to us, but we have to make the choice and ask God to forgive us from our sins. Do you know today that your sins are forgiven? If not now is the time to ask God for His forgiveness.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 2:4:
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
PRAYER
Today I ask You to forgive me for my sins and for the times I have failed You. Help me to learn afresh to forgive those that sin against me just as You forgave me. Help me to set an example for my family and friends as to what it means to forgive and give my family a spirit of forgiveness to all they meet. Thank You for teaching me to pray as you said: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever." Amen
FORGIVENESS
DEFINITION
The act of forgiving or showing forgiveness; offering the chance to recover from mistakes; willingness to forgive.
SCRIPTURE
"Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Colossians 3:13
"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." Psalm 32:1
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
In the Lord's Prayer as written in Matthew 6, Jesus said: "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us." How can we expect to be forgiven when we are unwilling to forgive? This is what forgiveness is all about. When one does wrong it is scripturally required for that person to then ask for forgiveness. Unfortunately that very rarely happens. The reason being is that it is humbling to have to admit we are wrong and have to ask for forgiveness. The end result, if we do not forgive a rift develops in that relationship.
Don't let pride keep you from doing the right thing. How do we feel when we are wronged? Naturally it upsets us and the normal reaction is to want to get even. Most people can give you a score of reasons why they feel they should not forgive someone for a wrong. Excuses are not acceptable to God. God has set the unsurpassable example of forgiveness when He forgave us of our sins by sending His Son to pay the penalty for our sins.
For parents this is a difficult standard to teach children. First of all, most of the time a child does not feel they have done any wrong that requires forgiveness. Therefore, a parent has to begin at an early age to teach the difference between right and wrong.
Secondly, children are very observant. It is difficult to teach our children to be forgiving if they do not see us as parents being forgiving to those who have done some wrong against us. Forgiveness involves both our attitude and our actions. We love to dredge up old grievances to help our ego. If we are going to forgive others as God forgives us we must be willing to forget. When God forgives our sins He completely forgets them. Isaiah tells us in Chapter 43 verse 25 that God not only blots out our transgressions but He remembers them no more.
As we have said so often, our words are heard and our deeds are watched therefore as believers we have a huge responsibility to act and talk as Jesus would want us to in all situations.
In Acts 26:18 it reads: "that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those that are sanctified by faith in Me." What greater inheritance can one have then to spend an eternity with God in heaven? It is up to us, but we have to make the choice and ask God to forgive us from our sins. Do you know today that your sins are forgiven? If not now is the time to ask God for His forgiveness.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 2:4:
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
PRAYER
Today I ask You to forgive me for my sins and for the times I have failed You. Help me to learn afresh to forgive those that sin against me just as You forgave me. Help me to set an example for my family and friends as to what it means to forgive and give my family a spirit of forgiveness to all they meet. Thank You for teaching me to pray as you said: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever." Amen
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