Today's Word for Friday August 20, 2010
ADVERSITY
DEFINITION
Misfortune; calamity; trouble; a difficult circumstance.
SCRIPTURE
"O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are saying to me, 'God will not deliver him.' But you are a shield around me, O Lord; You bestow glory on me and lift up my head."
Psalm 3:1-3
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Adversity is a fact of life. All of us at some time or another will face difficulties or misfortune in our lives. We often cause our own troubles but many suffer adversity through no fault of their own. As we look at the life of Joseph, he certainly knew what it was to suffer adversity at the hands of others. Joseph was rejected by his brothers and sold into slavery. He was not only cut off from his family, taken to a strange land with a different language and strange customs, but he had lost control of his own destiny. He was at the mercy of others. He had lost everything but he kept his faith in God. It was the one thing he could still control.
We read in Genesis 37:2-4 that Joseph kept his faith and God was with him. "The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household and he entrusted to his care everything he owned."
Joseph did not let the adversities of his dire circumstances keep him from being the godly man that God wanted him to be. It is evident that Joseph did not give up in despair, but rather he worked hard and was diligent even in the lowliest of jobs. As a result of his integrity and faithfulness the Lord was with him and gave him success, which brought him favor and esteem from his master.
Like Joseph, David also knew what it was to face adversity which he wrote about in Psalms 3 (above). Like Joseph, David kept his faith in God in the midst of his adversity and God protected him from all his enemies and lifted him up.
We often think that when we are faced with adversity and misfortune in life that God has forgotten us. He does not forget us, and we must not forget Him in our times of adversity. That is when we need Him the most.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things.
PRAYER
Thank You Lord, that I can know that You are with me in all circumstances, even in times of adversity. Keep my faith strong and help my life to be a testimony of what it means to know You as my Lord and Savior. Help me to teach my children to turn to You when they have difficulties and never to give up in despair when life is tough for them.
August 22, 2010
Retaliate: August 19, 2010
Today's Word for Thursday August 19, 2010
RETALIATE
DEFINITION
To return evil for evil or a wrong for a wrong; to inflict pain or harm to gain satisfaction.
SCRIPTURE
"So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe - the richly ornamented robe he was wearing - and they took him and threw him into the cistern. As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead - Judah said to his brothers, "What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites." Genesis 37:23
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
In Genesis 37 we read about the family of Joseph and we learn that there is no love lost between Joseph and his ten older brothers. Joseph had become a real "thorn in the flesh to them". They resented the fact that he was the favorite son of their father Jacob. After Joseph told them about his to two dreams in which they bowed down to him they hated him all the more for his seemingly arrogant attitude. They were jealous and coveted Joseph's favored position. They no doubt had been wanting to retaliate for a long time. It was probably a good thing that they were away most of the time tending their father's flocks.
One day Jacob decided to send Joseph to check on his brothers. From a far distance they saw Joseph coming and wearing his beautiful coat, the hated symbol of their father's favoritism for Joseph. They began to plot to kill Joseph and throw him into an empty cistern. When Joseph reaches them they strip him of his robe and throw him into a cistern. While Joseph is no doubt pleading from the pit for their mercy the hard hearted brothers sit down to eat their meal. When they see a caravan of Ishmaelites going by they change their plan and decide to sell him rather than kill him. Not only will they be rid of Joseph they will get some money for themselves.
The brothers thought only of the satisfaction that their retaliation against Joseph would bring them. Evil deeds always require a cover-up so the brothers dipped Joseph's robe in the blood of a goat and took it home to their father. Their father was deeply grieved. They had not given any consideration to how their act of retaliation would affect their father. Now they had to live with their guilt for the great sorrow they had caused their father.
There is never any real satisfaction in retaliation. It usually results in an endless cycle of trying to get even. The only means of stopping it is forgiveness. People excuse their desire to retaliate by telling themselves that the person they are retaliating against has it coming.
God, however, has a whole different perspective on retaliation. In Matthew 5:38-39 Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."
Jesus taught that we are not to try to even the score and return evil for evil. We are to forgive and do what is good. This is a hard lesson for us to learn and put into practice. It is a lesson we must also teach our children. Countless times when we had to intervene in a fight between our young children we would hear these words. "He hit me first," and the reply would be, "but you started it." Children always think they have to get even. Our children soon learned there would be equal punishment for the retaliator as well as the instigator of the fight.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things.
PRAYER
Father, take away my desire to retaliate against those who do evil against me and make me willing to be forgiving. Help me to teach my children that no matter who started the fight that it is wrong to retaliate. Help them to desire to show love to their siblings and to care about one another.
RETALIATE
DEFINITION
To return evil for evil or a wrong for a wrong; to inflict pain or harm to gain satisfaction.
SCRIPTURE
"So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe - the richly ornamented robe he was wearing - and they took him and threw him into the cistern. As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead - Judah said to his brothers, "What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites." Genesis 37:23
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
In Genesis 37 we read about the family of Joseph and we learn that there is no love lost between Joseph and his ten older brothers. Joseph had become a real "thorn in the flesh to them". They resented the fact that he was the favorite son of their father Jacob. After Joseph told them about his to two dreams in which they bowed down to him they hated him all the more for his seemingly arrogant attitude. They were jealous and coveted Joseph's favored position. They no doubt had been wanting to retaliate for a long time. It was probably a good thing that they were away most of the time tending their father's flocks.
One day Jacob decided to send Joseph to check on his brothers. From a far distance they saw Joseph coming and wearing his beautiful coat, the hated symbol of their father's favoritism for Joseph. They began to plot to kill Joseph and throw him into an empty cistern. When Joseph reaches them they strip him of his robe and throw him into a cistern. While Joseph is no doubt pleading from the pit for their mercy the hard hearted brothers sit down to eat their meal. When they see a caravan of Ishmaelites going by they change their plan and decide to sell him rather than kill him. Not only will they be rid of Joseph they will get some money for themselves.
The brothers thought only of the satisfaction that their retaliation against Joseph would bring them. Evil deeds always require a cover-up so the brothers dipped Joseph's robe in the blood of a goat and took it home to their father. Their father was deeply grieved. They had not given any consideration to how their act of retaliation would affect their father. Now they had to live with their guilt for the great sorrow they had caused their father.
There is never any real satisfaction in retaliation. It usually results in an endless cycle of trying to get even. The only means of stopping it is forgiveness. People excuse their desire to retaliate by telling themselves that the person they are retaliating against has it coming.
God, however, has a whole different perspective on retaliation. In Matthew 5:38-39 Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."
Jesus taught that we are not to try to even the score and return evil for evil. We are to forgive and do what is good. This is a hard lesson for us to learn and put into practice. It is a lesson we must also teach our children. Countless times when we had to intervene in a fight between our young children we would hear these words. "He hit me first," and the reply would be, "but you started it." Children always think they have to get even. Our children soon learned there would be equal punishment for the retaliator as well as the instigator of the fight.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things.
PRAYER
Father, take away my desire to retaliate against those who do evil against me and make me willing to be forgiving. Help me to teach my children that no matter who started the fight that it is wrong to retaliate. Help them to desire to show love to their siblings and to care about one another.
Sibling Rivalry: August 18, 2010
Today's Word for Wednesday August 18, 2010
SIBLING RIVALRY
DEFINITION
Seeking to achieve the same object or goal as a brother or sister; trying to equal or outdo a brother or a sister.
SCRIPTURE
"Here comes that dreamer!" they said to each other. "Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams." Genesis 37:19-20
"Whoever hates his brother is in darkness and walks around in darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness had blinded him." 1 John 2:10
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Sibling rivalry is very common. Just ask anyone who has been part of a family with two or more children. Sibling rivalry is certainly not new. It began in the family of Adam and Eve with the rivalry between their sons, Cain and Abel. Another Biblical example was the sibling rivalry between Esau and Jacob, the twin sons of Isaac. Apparently they were at it while still in the womb as we read in Genesis 25:22, "The babies jostled each other within her." Later on we read in Genesis of the sibling rivalry between Jacob's son Joseph and his ten older brothers.
By definition, sibling rivalry stems from the desire to out do a brother or sister. In Joseph's family, Joseph was the favored son of Jacob and Jacob had made it very obvious. The ten older brothers saw Joseph as a rival for their father's love and esteem. Adding fuel to the fire of their resentment was what they considered to be Joseph's arrogant attitude. It was because Joseph had two dreams in which the brothers bowed down to Joseph. They became bitterly jealous and coveted Joseph's relationship that he had with their father. That rivalry turned to hate toward their brother.
John tells us in I John 2 that anyone who hates his brother is walking around in darkness and doesn't know where he is going. Hate is in itself a sin because it leads us to greater sin. Hate blinds us and keeps us from the light that is in Christ Jesus.
As a result of their hate for Joseph his brothers were walking around in darkness. They were blind and couldn't judge right from wrong. Apparently, Jacob was unaware of what his favoritism was doing to his family and blind to the feelings of his older sons. He certainly did nothing to take control of the situation.
There will be rivalry between siblings and their parents have a responsibility to be aware of their children's feelings and help them to learn to work out their differences. Children must be taught to care about each other and to be sensitive to one another's feelings. It is hard to mistreat someone you love and care about. Learning to get along with siblings enables children to get along with other children. As we have said before the parents must "set the example" and teach their children.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things.
PRAYER
Help me to be aware of my children's feelings and assure each one that they are loved and valued for who they are. Help me to teach them to love each other and work out their differences. Help each one of us to be forgiving of one another as Jesus has forgiven us.
SIBLING RIVALRY
DEFINITION
Seeking to achieve the same object or goal as a brother or sister; trying to equal or outdo a brother or a sister.
SCRIPTURE
"Here comes that dreamer!" they said to each other. "Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams." Genesis 37:19-20
"Whoever hates his brother is in darkness and walks around in darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness had blinded him." 1 John 2:10
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Sibling rivalry is very common. Just ask anyone who has been part of a family with two or more children. Sibling rivalry is certainly not new. It began in the family of Adam and Eve with the rivalry between their sons, Cain and Abel. Another Biblical example was the sibling rivalry between Esau and Jacob, the twin sons of Isaac. Apparently they were at it while still in the womb as we read in Genesis 25:22, "The babies jostled each other within her." Later on we read in Genesis of the sibling rivalry between Jacob's son Joseph and his ten older brothers.
By definition, sibling rivalry stems from the desire to out do a brother or sister. In Joseph's family, Joseph was the favored son of Jacob and Jacob had made it very obvious. The ten older brothers saw Joseph as a rival for their father's love and esteem. Adding fuel to the fire of their resentment was what they considered to be Joseph's arrogant attitude. It was because Joseph had two dreams in which the brothers bowed down to Joseph. They became bitterly jealous and coveted Joseph's relationship that he had with their father. That rivalry turned to hate toward their brother.
John tells us in I John 2 that anyone who hates his brother is walking around in darkness and doesn't know where he is going. Hate is in itself a sin because it leads us to greater sin. Hate blinds us and keeps us from the light that is in Christ Jesus.
As a result of their hate for Joseph his brothers were walking around in darkness. They were blind and couldn't judge right from wrong. Apparently, Jacob was unaware of what his favoritism was doing to his family and blind to the feelings of his older sons. He certainly did nothing to take control of the situation.
There will be rivalry between siblings and their parents have a responsibility to be aware of their children's feelings and help them to learn to work out their differences. Children must be taught to care about each other and to be sensitive to one another's feelings. It is hard to mistreat someone you love and care about. Learning to get along with siblings enables children to get along with other children. As we have said before the parents must "set the example" and teach their children.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things.
PRAYER
Help me to be aware of my children's feelings and assure each one that they are loved and valued for who they are. Help me to teach them to love each other and work out their differences. Help each one of us to be forgiving of one another as Jesus has forgiven us.
Brag: August 17, 2010
Today's Word for Tuesday August 17, 2010
BRAG
DEFINITION
To declare boastfully; to speak with excessive pride.
SCRIPTURE
"His brothers said to him (Joseph), 'Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?' And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he said." Genesis 37:8
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Joseph was the favorite son of his father, Jacob, and he knew it. Joseph had a dream in which he and brothers were binding sheaves and his brothers' sheaves bowed down to his sheaf. Apparently Joseph couldn't keep from doing a little bragging and couldn't resist telling his brothers his dream. It didn't sit well with his brothers. They were outraged and asked him who he thought he was that he should reign over them.
Then Joseph had a second dream in which the sun, the moon and the stars all bowed to him. When Joseph shared this one, his father rebuked him for having the audacity to think that not only his brothers but that his mother and father would bow down to him. After sharing his dreams, his brothers were even more jealous and hated him even more.
No one likes a braggart. Joseph was young and perhaps no different than most young children who do like to brag. We have heard our children brag about something they thought they were better at than others. The usual response of their siblings was, "Yeah, right. In your dreams!" This is just what Joseph's brothers felt.
We have all known people who like to brag about themselves, and how successful they are, how much money they have, how prestigious they are, how intelligent they are, and on and on. All our abilities, all our knowledge and all that we have comes from God. We should be thankful to God for the abilities and things we have. We should not brag about them. When we brag we give ourselves the glory. God is the one who should receive the praise and the glory for what we have.
When we are tempted to brag we should remember the words of Paul in Romans 11:36. "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever."
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things.
PRAYER
I acknowledge that all that I have and all that I am comes from You. I give You the glory and I thank You for all You have given me. Help me to teach my children to understand that everything they have comes from God and they should never brag about what they have or how much better they think they are than others.
BRAG
DEFINITION
To declare boastfully; to speak with excessive pride.
SCRIPTURE
"His brothers said to him (Joseph), 'Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?' And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he said." Genesis 37:8
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Joseph was the favorite son of his father, Jacob, and he knew it. Joseph had a dream in which he and brothers were binding sheaves and his brothers' sheaves bowed down to his sheaf. Apparently Joseph couldn't keep from doing a little bragging and couldn't resist telling his brothers his dream. It didn't sit well with his brothers. They were outraged and asked him who he thought he was that he should reign over them.
Then Joseph had a second dream in which the sun, the moon and the stars all bowed to him. When Joseph shared this one, his father rebuked him for having the audacity to think that not only his brothers but that his mother and father would bow down to him. After sharing his dreams, his brothers were even more jealous and hated him even more.
No one likes a braggart. Joseph was young and perhaps no different than most young children who do like to brag. We have heard our children brag about something they thought they were better at than others. The usual response of their siblings was, "Yeah, right. In your dreams!" This is just what Joseph's brothers felt.
We have all known people who like to brag about themselves, and how successful they are, how much money they have, how prestigious they are, how intelligent they are, and on and on. All our abilities, all our knowledge and all that we have comes from God. We should be thankful to God for the abilities and things we have. We should not brag about them. When we brag we give ourselves the glory. God is the one who should receive the praise and the glory for what we have.
When we are tempted to brag we should remember the words of Paul in Romans 11:36. "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever."
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things.
PRAYER
I acknowledge that all that I have and all that I am comes from You. I give You the glory and I thank You for all You have given me. Help me to teach my children to understand that everything they have comes from God and they should never brag about what they have or how much better they think they are than others.
Favoritism: August 16, 2010
Today's Word for Monday August 16, 2010
FAVORITISM
DEFINITION
The act of forgiving or showing forgiveness; offering the chance to recover from mistakes; willingness to forgive.
SCRIPTURE
"Now Israel (Jacob) loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was the son of his old age and he made him a coat of many colors. His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers; and so they hated him and could not speak to him on friendly terms." Genesis 37:3-4
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Favoritism in a family is bound to bring discard and division. When a parent favors one child over another the less favored child is going to resent it.
Jacob's favoritism for Joseph caused the older brothers to become extremely jealous of Joseph. As we read in Genesis, in the verses above, the brother's jealousy turned to hate and eventually they grew to hate Joseph so much that they could not even talk to him in a kind way.
Jacob himself, had to deal with favoritism as a young person. His father, Isaac, favored Esau, Jacob's twin brother and the jealousy between the two brothers brought about a complete separation in the family. Jacob had to flee far from his mother and father as Esau wanted to kill him. It would seem that Jacob should have learned from experience.
Instead, Jacob chose not only to love Joseph more than his brothers but to openly show it by bestowing special favors on him. He made a beautiful robe for Joseph which had special significance. It demonstrated that Jacob intended that Joseph would be the future head of the family and therefore receive the larger inheritance. Usually, the oldest son received this honor.
The outcome for Jacob and Joseph was tragic. The older brothers took matters into their own hands and got Joseph out of their lives by selling Joseph into slavery. Once again Jacob's family was torn apart because of favoritism.
All of us who are parents have a responsibility to not show favoritism to one of our children over others. It often happens that one child may be more lovable then another but parents must hold their feelings of favoritism in check. Every child needs to be reassured that he or she is loved and valued for who he or she is on an equal basis.
Have you ever considered how fortunate we are that God does not show favoritism? He sent His son to die for all of us, no matter whom we are or how good or bad we are. He offers His gift of salvation to ALL who believe.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things.
PRAYER
Help me to show each of my children that I love them and not to show favoritism to one over another. Thank You Lord Jesus, that You do not show favoritism. You freely offer Your gift of salvation to everyone that asks. Thank You that You loved me so much that You were willing to die to give me eternal life.
FAVORITISM
DEFINITION
The act of forgiving or showing forgiveness; offering the chance to recover from mistakes; willingness to forgive.
SCRIPTURE
"Now Israel (Jacob) loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was the son of his old age and he made him a coat of many colors. His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers; and so they hated him and could not speak to him on friendly terms." Genesis 37:3-4
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Favoritism in a family is bound to bring discard and division. When a parent favors one child over another the less favored child is going to resent it.
Jacob's favoritism for Joseph caused the older brothers to become extremely jealous of Joseph. As we read in Genesis, in the verses above, the brother's jealousy turned to hate and eventually they grew to hate Joseph so much that they could not even talk to him in a kind way.
Jacob himself, had to deal with favoritism as a young person. His father, Isaac, favored Esau, Jacob's twin brother and the jealousy between the two brothers brought about a complete separation in the family. Jacob had to flee far from his mother and father as Esau wanted to kill him. It would seem that Jacob should have learned from experience.
Instead, Jacob chose not only to love Joseph more than his brothers but to openly show it by bestowing special favors on him. He made a beautiful robe for Joseph which had special significance. It demonstrated that Jacob intended that Joseph would be the future head of the family and therefore receive the larger inheritance. Usually, the oldest son received this honor.
The outcome for Jacob and Joseph was tragic. The older brothers took matters into their own hands and got Joseph out of their lives by selling Joseph into slavery. Once again Jacob's family was torn apart because of favoritism.
All of us who are parents have a responsibility to not show favoritism to one of our children over others. It often happens that one child may be more lovable then another but parents must hold their feelings of favoritism in check. Every child needs to be reassured that he or she is loved and valued for who he or she is on an equal basis.
Have you ever considered how fortunate we are that God does not show favoritism? He sent His son to die for all of us, no matter whom we are or how good or bad we are. He offers His gift of salvation to ALL who believe.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things.
PRAYER
Help me to show each of my children that I love them and not to show favoritism to one over another. Thank You Lord Jesus, that You do not show favoritism. You freely offer Your gift of salvation to everyone that asks. Thank You that You loved me so much that You were willing to die to give me eternal life.
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