Today's Word for Friday September 24, 2010
ENCOURAGEMENT
DEFINITION
The act of encouraging; the state of being encouraged; something that encourages.
SCRIPTURE
"That I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me." Romans 1:12
"That your hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love." Colossians 2:2
"We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith." I Thessalonians 3:2
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
The Apostle Paul on his second missionary journey established a church for new believers in Thessalonica. Paul knew that these Christians would need encouragement so that they would not be drawn away from their faith by the pagan society they lived in. Since he could not return, he sent Timothy to encourage and strengthen them in their faith.
People today continually go through times of discouragement and they need friends like us and friends like you to give them a word of encouragement. Many children today never receive a word of encouragement from their parents. This was verified by a recent study released by UCLA that said that the average father spent FOUR minutes a day talking to his child and FOUR hours a day watching TV. Children who receive no encouragement and affirmation at home will seek it elsewhere. And most likely it will be in the wrong places and from the wrong people. How then can that child feel encouraged in life?
Look at what children are surrounded with today. They live in a POP culture, with drugs and alcohol available to them almost everywhere they go, including on their school campus. They have the trash on the internet available and unless a parent filters what they can see, they see the worst. They are not allowed to read their Bible or pray at school. The Ten Commandments have been banished and now an attempt is being made to take off our money the phrase IN GOD WE TRUST.
Our society is progressively becoming more anti-God and more anti-religion. It is little wonder that children today are becoming involved in all the wrong things like alcohol, drugs and sex. We live in an immoral society and the peer pressure our children face to conform to is tremendous. We must recognize as parents, the importance of our roll in our children's lives. We must encourage our children to stand firm in their faith.
Communication is one of the most important elements of a successful marriage and family. Families today are breaking up because no one gives another family member any word of encouragement. We are so quick to criticize, but so slow to encourage. Stop and think right now -- when was the last time you gave an encouraging word to your spouse, to your children, to your extended family or to your associates.
Paul suffered many incidents of discouragement on his missionary journeys while he was spreading the gospel. He was persecuted, beaten and imprisoned. He thoroughly understood the importance of encouragement. That is why he wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, "encourage one another and build each other up."
No doubt there is someone you know right now who is going through a time of discouragement. What a blessing an encouraging word from you could be to that person.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1 John 4:10.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
PRAYER
Put me in situations today where I can be an encouragement to people. Help me to seize every opportunity possible to show people that someone cares for them. And then may my life, by my words and actions, glorify Your name and bring honor to You.
September 26, 2010
Vision: September 23, 2010
Today's Word for Thursday September 23, 2010
VISION
DEFINITION
The act or power of sensing with the eyes; the act or power of anticipating that which or may come to me; an object of sight
SCRIPTURE
"When your eye is good, your whole body is also filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your body is also full of darkness." Matthew 11:36
"Your old men will dream dreams and your young men shall see visions." Joel 2:2.
"Where there is no vision the people perish." Proverbs 29:18
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
When we think of the word "vision" two things come to mind. First is the "vision" we have when we see things as they are. Secondly, we think of "vision" as it relates to things in the future that we want to accomplish. In life today most people see things only as they are now and cannot, for the most part, see past today.
Someone once said that worse than blindness is living without vision. As we think back on our lives we have seen God do so much through our lives and this has been mainly because God gave us visions in His own time to accomplish what sometimes seemed impossible.
We can remember after our sixth child, a woman Dottie knew, came up to her and asked how were we ever going to get our children through college on the income we were getting from our ministry? Her response was simply that God had always provided for us all that we need and would continue to do so. From the day each child entered Junior High School we continually encouraged them to do their very best so that they could get the financial aid they would need to attend college. Each one responded to our vision and they all went to a private college because they excelled at every level of school so that they were able to receive financial aid and low interest loans.
For us, life would have been lacking in purpose if we did not have a vision for our family and a vision even today for the world around us that needs to know Jesus.
Columbus had a vision to find the new world and he set out on a course that was unknown to man and his vision resulted in finding this new world. We have known a few Christian leaders in our life time that had a vision for the impossible. Then God took over and those visions became a reality.
Where there is no vision the people will perish. Leaders that we have known well include: Dr. Billy Graham, Dr Bob Pierce, Dr. Torrey Johnson, Dr. Bill Bright and Dr. Henrietta Mears. They all had visions that when first talked about were thought to be impossible. But look what God has done because these and others had a vision that God had given them and then they acted upon that vision. We all know about the ministries of Billy Graham. Dr. Pierce founded with my [Ken] father World Vision which today is one of the top five charities in the world. Dr Johnson founded Youth for Christ, a youth organization that made a dramatic impact on teenagers lives for over 40 years. Dr. Bright founded Campus Crusade that started as a college ministry and today is a world wide ministry. And finally Dr. Mears founded Gospel Light Press, the first major publisher of Sunday school material in America. These people all were ordinary people that had a VISION and acted upon it, believing God for the impossible.
We challenge you and your family to ask God for a special vision to further His work here on earth. Whether your vision is large or small it is important to God. We can remember our prayer over 50 years ago. It was simply for God to use us and give us a burden for a world that needed Jesus. Then we watched God open doors and we were ready to march through those doors as God led us. God needs you to think and pray this way today.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1 John 4:10.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
PRAYER
Open my eyes so I can see the world around me with a new vision of how I can reach this world with the message of Your love and free gift of salvation. Enable me to step out in faith believing that I can fulfill that vision because You have promised to be with me and help me. Bless my family and help us to make an impact on the world we live in.
VISION
DEFINITION
The act or power of sensing with the eyes; the act or power of anticipating that which or may come to me; an object of sight
SCRIPTURE
"When your eye is good, your whole body is also filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your body is also full of darkness." Matthew 11:36
"Your old men will dream dreams and your young men shall see visions." Joel 2:2.
"Where there is no vision the people perish." Proverbs 29:18
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
When we think of the word "vision" two things come to mind. First is the "vision" we have when we see things as they are. Secondly, we think of "vision" as it relates to things in the future that we want to accomplish. In life today most people see things only as they are now and cannot, for the most part, see past today.
Someone once said that worse than blindness is living without vision. As we think back on our lives we have seen God do so much through our lives and this has been mainly because God gave us visions in His own time to accomplish what sometimes seemed impossible.
We can remember after our sixth child, a woman Dottie knew, came up to her and asked how were we ever going to get our children through college on the income we were getting from our ministry? Her response was simply that God had always provided for us all that we need and would continue to do so. From the day each child entered Junior High School we continually encouraged them to do their very best so that they could get the financial aid they would need to attend college. Each one responded to our vision and they all went to a private college because they excelled at every level of school so that they were able to receive financial aid and low interest loans.
For us, life would have been lacking in purpose if we did not have a vision for our family and a vision even today for the world around us that needs to know Jesus.
Columbus had a vision to find the new world and he set out on a course that was unknown to man and his vision resulted in finding this new world. We have known a few Christian leaders in our life time that had a vision for the impossible. Then God took over and those visions became a reality.
Where there is no vision the people will perish. Leaders that we have known well include: Dr. Billy Graham, Dr Bob Pierce, Dr. Torrey Johnson, Dr. Bill Bright and Dr. Henrietta Mears. They all had visions that when first talked about were thought to be impossible. But look what God has done because these and others had a vision that God had given them and then they acted upon that vision. We all know about the ministries of Billy Graham. Dr. Pierce founded with my [Ken] father World Vision which today is one of the top five charities in the world. Dr Johnson founded Youth for Christ, a youth organization that made a dramatic impact on teenagers lives for over 40 years. Dr. Bright founded Campus Crusade that started as a college ministry and today is a world wide ministry. And finally Dr. Mears founded Gospel Light Press, the first major publisher of Sunday school material in America. These people all were ordinary people that had a VISION and acted upon it, believing God for the impossible.
We challenge you and your family to ask God for a special vision to further His work here on earth. Whether your vision is large or small it is important to God. We can remember our prayer over 50 years ago. It was simply for God to use us and give us a burden for a world that needed Jesus. Then we watched God open doors and we were ready to march through those doors as God led us. God needs you to think and pray this way today.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1 John 4:10.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
PRAYER
Open my eyes so I can see the world around me with a new vision of how I can reach this world with the message of Your love and free gift of salvation. Enable me to step out in faith believing that I can fulfill that vision because You have promised to be with me and help me. Bless my family and help us to make an impact on the world we live in.
Knowledge: September 22, 2010
Today's Word for Wednesday September 22, 2010
KNOWLEDGE
DEFINITION
The acquaintance with facts, truths or principles; the fact or state of knowing; the sum of what is known.
SCRIPTURE
"Wise people store up knowledge." Proverbs 10:14
"It is not good for a soul to be without knowledge." Proverbs 19:2
"But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of those who possess it." Ecclesiastics 7:12
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Knowledge and wisdom is not the same thing. We have a lot of knowledge in this world, but real wisdom is scarce. Knowledge is knowing the truth, the facts and the principles. Wisdom is discernment and understanding in the use of our knowledge. Both wisdom and knowledge come only to those who seek it.
In the book of Proverbs chapter two and verses three to five it reads: "If you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and the KNOWLEDGE OF GOD." God is the source of knowledge and understanding.
It is interesting to note that when God planted a garden in Eden he included a tree of the knowledge of good and evil [Geneses 2:9]. From the beginning of time, God was the source of knowledge. Before they ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, Adam and Eve knew only good. Satan told Eve that if she ate the fruit from the tree, her eyes would be opened and she would be like God, knowing good and evil. Adam and Eve had the knowledge of good and received the knowledge of evil by doing evil and they suffered the disastrous consequences. The lesson for us is to make sure we pursue the right kind of knowledge.
Knowledge comes to us in various ways. We learn from schooling, reading books, and observing life experiences. Education equips us and helps us gain earthly knowledge. School text-books must continually be changed and updated as more knowledge is obtained. It is more important for us to depend on the knowledge and wisdom that comes from God, through His Word, because it is based on truth and does not change.
We read in the Old Testament about Daniel. After Daniel was taken captive to Babylonia, he was chosen to be taught the Babylonian culture. We read in Daniel 1:17 that God gave him knowledge and understanding in all kinds of literature and wisdom. When the King had a dream and wanted it interpreted, Daniel was chosen to tell the King the meaning. Daniel realized that all of the education that he had been given was not sufficient to respond properly. So Daniel turned to God in prayer and asked God to reveal the meaning of the dream to him. Daniel knew that God was the true source of all knowledge. As a result of his faith, God revealed to Daniel the meaning of the dream.
We can learn from this illustration from the life of Daniel to place our trust in the knowledge and wisdom, which comes from God, and to place our lives into His hands each day. Knowledge without values is like a canoe without oars. In your pursuit of knowledge make sure you look to God for His direction and make sure you develop Biblical values in your understanding.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1 John 4:10.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
PRAYER
Help me dear Lord to pursue knowledge that will not only honor You but that You may use through me to further Your kingdom. Help me to learn Your Word, and as the scripture says, to hide it in my heart so I may not sin against You. Help me to follow Your words to Your disciples when You washed their feet saying: "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them."
KNOWLEDGE
DEFINITION
The acquaintance with facts, truths or principles; the fact or state of knowing; the sum of what is known.
SCRIPTURE
"Wise people store up knowledge." Proverbs 10:14
"It is not good for a soul to be without knowledge." Proverbs 19:2
"But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of those who possess it." Ecclesiastics 7:12
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Knowledge and wisdom is not the same thing. We have a lot of knowledge in this world, but real wisdom is scarce. Knowledge is knowing the truth, the facts and the principles. Wisdom is discernment and understanding in the use of our knowledge. Both wisdom and knowledge come only to those who seek it.
In the book of Proverbs chapter two and verses three to five it reads: "If you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and the KNOWLEDGE OF GOD." God is the source of knowledge and understanding.
It is interesting to note that when God planted a garden in Eden he included a tree of the knowledge of good and evil [Geneses 2:9]. From the beginning of time, God was the source of knowledge. Before they ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, Adam and Eve knew only good. Satan told Eve that if she ate the fruit from the tree, her eyes would be opened and she would be like God, knowing good and evil. Adam and Eve had the knowledge of good and received the knowledge of evil by doing evil and they suffered the disastrous consequences. The lesson for us is to make sure we pursue the right kind of knowledge.
Knowledge comes to us in various ways. We learn from schooling, reading books, and observing life experiences. Education equips us and helps us gain earthly knowledge. School text-books must continually be changed and updated as more knowledge is obtained. It is more important for us to depend on the knowledge and wisdom that comes from God, through His Word, because it is based on truth and does not change.
We read in the Old Testament about Daniel. After Daniel was taken captive to Babylonia, he was chosen to be taught the Babylonian culture. We read in Daniel 1:17 that God gave him knowledge and understanding in all kinds of literature and wisdom. When the King had a dream and wanted it interpreted, Daniel was chosen to tell the King the meaning. Daniel realized that all of the education that he had been given was not sufficient to respond properly. So Daniel turned to God in prayer and asked God to reveal the meaning of the dream to him. Daniel knew that God was the true source of all knowledge. As a result of his faith, God revealed to Daniel the meaning of the dream.
We can learn from this illustration from the life of Daniel to place our trust in the knowledge and wisdom, which comes from God, and to place our lives into His hands each day. Knowledge without values is like a canoe without oars. In your pursuit of knowledge make sure you look to God for His direction and make sure you develop Biblical values in your understanding.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1 John 4:10.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
PRAYER
Help me dear Lord to pursue knowledge that will not only honor You but that You may use through me to further Your kingdom. Help me to learn Your Word, and as the scripture says, to hide it in my heart so I may not sin against You. Help me to follow Your words to Your disciples when You washed their feet saying: "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them."
Fear: September 21, 2010
Today's Word for Tuesday September 21, 2010
FEAR
DEFINITION
A distressing emotion; aroused by impending danger; evil; pain; being afraid; concern or anxiety; something that causes fright.
SCRIPTURE
"The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom and to shun evil is understanding." Job 28:28
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:7
"So we can say with confidence, the Lord is my helper so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?" Hebrews 13:6
"Oh fear the Lord, there is no want to those who fear Him." Psalm 34:9
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
The Bible frequently speaks of the fear of the Lord. Fear of the Lord means to revere and respect God and to be in awe of His power and majesty. Job tells us that the fear of the Lord is wisdom because it wisely brings us to revere and honor God and causes us to want to live in obedience to His Word.
Solomon says fear is the beginning of knowledge and wise men store up knowledge [Proverbs 10:18]. Fear of the Lord, the scripture tells us, should cause us to run to Him and not from Him. In Proverbs 18:10 we are told that the name of the Lord is a strong tower and the righteous should run to it. The awesomeness of the power of God that leads us to fear Him is also what causes us to run to Him. We are to run to God for our salvation and when we are saved we have no reason to fear.
Fear of the Lord is one meaning of the word fear. There is also the fear that many people have in their life today. These fears could be family related such as fear of abuse, job situations, health issues or financial concerns. Many people today are fearful of the uncertainty of the national economy here in America. But the Lord has said in Psalms 27:1 "He is our light and salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?"
These fears arouse a sense of impending danger in our minds that could bring on bodily harm or mental and emotional concerns. In II Timothy 1:7 Paul tells us that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of a sound mind. When we put our trust in God, He gives us the power and courage to face our fears and the sound mind to calm our fears.
We have an awesome God and nothing is too big for Him. We need to put our complete trust in Him and He will take away our fear. But for those who do not put their faith in Jesus, life will be filled with fear. The unbeliever has reason to fear. You have no hope, no peace and no room for any kind of joy in your life. If your life seems hopeless today then study this verse: "So we can say with confidence, the Lord is my helper so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?" Hebrews 13:6.
You have a choice to make if you do not have your trust in the Lord. You can continue living a life controlled by fear, hopelessness, loneliness and the emotional anguish that accompanies fear or you can run to God and put your trust in Him and ask Him to be your helper and take away your every fear. It is your choice to make.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1 John 4:10.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
PRAYER
Thank You Lord for all that You are to me. Help me today to run to You with my fears and concerns. Thank You Lord that I can be confident that You are my helper and always with me so that I need not to be afraid of what other people might say or do to harm me. Guide and bless my family with Your awesomeness today.
FEAR
DEFINITION
A distressing emotion; aroused by impending danger; evil; pain; being afraid; concern or anxiety; something that causes fright.
SCRIPTURE
"The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom and to shun evil is understanding." Job 28:28
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:7
"So we can say with confidence, the Lord is my helper so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?" Hebrews 13:6
"Oh fear the Lord, there is no want to those who fear Him." Psalm 34:9
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
The Bible frequently speaks of the fear of the Lord. Fear of the Lord means to revere and respect God and to be in awe of His power and majesty. Job tells us that the fear of the Lord is wisdom because it wisely brings us to revere and honor God and causes us to want to live in obedience to His Word.
Solomon says fear is the beginning of knowledge and wise men store up knowledge [Proverbs 10:18]. Fear of the Lord, the scripture tells us, should cause us to run to Him and not from Him. In Proverbs 18:10 we are told that the name of the Lord is a strong tower and the righteous should run to it. The awesomeness of the power of God that leads us to fear Him is also what causes us to run to Him. We are to run to God for our salvation and when we are saved we have no reason to fear.
Fear of the Lord is one meaning of the word fear. There is also the fear that many people have in their life today. These fears could be family related such as fear of abuse, job situations, health issues or financial concerns. Many people today are fearful of the uncertainty of the national economy here in America. But the Lord has said in Psalms 27:1 "He is our light and salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?"
These fears arouse a sense of impending danger in our minds that could bring on bodily harm or mental and emotional concerns. In II Timothy 1:7 Paul tells us that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of a sound mind. When we put our trust in God, He gives us the power and courage to face our fears and the sound mind to calm our fears.
We have an awesome God and nothing is too big for Him. We need to put our complete trust in Him and He will take away our fear. But for those who do not put their faith in Jesus, life will be filled with fear. The unbeliever has reason to fear. You have no hope, no peace and no room for any kind of joy in your life. If your life seems hopeless today then study this verse: "So we can say with confidence, the Lord is my helper so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?" Hebrews 13:6.
You have a choice to make if you do not have your trust in the Lord. You can continue living a life controlled by fear, hopelessness, loneliness and the emotional anguish that accompanies fear or you can run to God and put your trust in Him and ask Him to be your helper and take away your every fear. It is your choice to make.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1 John 4:10.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
PRAYER
Thank You Lord for all that You are to me. Help me today to run to You with my fears and concerns. Thank You Lord that I can be confident that You are my helper and always with me so that I need not to be afraid of what other people might say or do to harm me. Guide and bless my family with Your awesomeness today.
Promise: September 20, 2010
Today's Word for Monday September 20, 2010
PROMISE
DEFINITION
A declaration that something will or will not be done; indication of future excellence or achievement; something promised.
SCRIPTURE
"Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?" Numbers 23:19b
"For the promise is to you and your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:39
"And this is the promise that He has promised us -- eternal life." I John 2:25
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
God made two very significant promises to Noah and to Abraham that affect us today. Through out the Bible God has made promises and when God makes a promise it is never broken.
In Genesis 9:12-15 it reads: And GOD said, "this is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, and for perpetual generations; I set My rainbow in the cloud and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth -- that the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh."
And in Genesis 12: 2-3 it reads: "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; I will bless those that bless you; I will curse those that curse you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
In both of these passages God made a promise that He has kept.
In His promise to Noah He said He would send a rainbow after a storm to remind us that He would never destroy the earth with a flood.
God kept His promise to Abraham by making him a great nation [Israel] and by making his name great.
But the greatest promise ever made was the promise made by God to send His only Son to this earth to pay for the sins of each one of us living on this earth. And all we have to do is to first ask God for forgiveness for our sins and then accept Jesus into our heart and start a personal relationship with Him.
In life today so many people make promises that are not kept. Parents promise certain things to children and then do not follow through. Spouses make promises, families make promises, neighbors make promises, politicians make promises and most of them today are not honored.
God set the standard with Noah and Abraham and as Christians, God expects nothing less from us. Each of us should take the time now and think about the promises we have made and not kept and do all we can to honor those promises. But most important, from this day on we need to commit to make promises that we are sure we can honor. Relationships are put in jeopardy when promises are not kept. Marriage vows that were made saying that we are to love and honor and to be faithful as long as we both shall live are not taken seriously today. It is time to right the wrongs and honor your promises.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1 John 4:10.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
PRAYER
Give me strength today to remember promises that I have made and help me to be faithful to keep them. Thank You Lord, that I can know that You are faithful to keep all Your promises and that through the Lord Jesus Christ I have the promise of eternal life with You. Give me the leadership in my family to show by example the importance of honoring promises.
PROMISE
DEFINITION
A declaration that something will or will not be done; indication of future excellence or achievement; something promised.
SCRIPTURE
"Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?" Numbers 23:19b
"For the promise is to you and your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:39
"And this is the promise that He has promised us -- eternal life." I John 2:25
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
God made two very significant promises to Noah and to Abraham that affect us today. Through out the Bible God has made promises and when God makes a promise it is never broken.
In Genesis 9:12-15 it reads: And GOD said, "this is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, and for perpetual generations; I set My rainbow in the cloud and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth -- that the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh."
And in Genesis 12: 2-3 it reads: "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; I will bless those that bless you; I will curse those that curse you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
In both of these passages God made a promise that He has kept.
In His promise to Noah He said He would send a rainbow after a storm to remind us that He would never destroy the earth with a flood.
God kept His promise to Abraham by making him a great nation [Israel] and by making his name great.
But the greatest promise ever made was the promise made by God to send His only Son to this earth to pay for the sins of each one of us living on this earth. And all we have to do is to first ask God for forgiveness for our sins and then accept Jesus into our heart and start a personal relationship with Him.
In life today so many people make promises that are not kept. Parents promise certain things to children and then do not follow through. Spouses make promises, families make promises, neighbors make promises, politicians make promises and most of them today are not honored.
God set the standard with Noah and Abraham and as Christians, God expects nothing less from us. Each of us should take the time now and think about the promises we have made and not kept and do all we can to honor those promises. But most important, from this day on we need to commit to make promises that we are sure we can honor. Relationships are put in jeopardy when promises are not kept. Marriage vows that were made saying that we are to love and honor and to be faithful as long as we both shall live are not taken seriously today. It is time to right the wrongs and honor your promises.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in 1 John 4:10.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
PRAYER
Give me strength today to remember promises that I have made and help me to be faithful to keep them. Thank You Lord, that I can know that You are faithful to keep all Your promises and that through the Lord Jesus Christ I have the promise of eternal life with You. Give me the leadership in my family to show by example the importance of honoring promises.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
