Today's Word for Friday November 19, 2010
ACHIEVEMENT
DEFINITION
Something accomplished, as through great effort; skill; perseverance or courage; the act of achieving; attainment or accomplishment.
SCRIPTURE
"For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits which God appointed us." II Corinthians 10: 12-13.
"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
When people think of achievement, they think of successfully accomplishing a goal in life. It might be achieving a certain level of education, getting a job, becoming famous, obtaining a position of power, finding a marriage partner or owning a new home. From the world's perspective these achievements are more important than from God's perspective. God's goal for each of us is to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, to live for Him and to strive to achieve all that He wants us to be. He wants us to achieve things while we are on this earth to bring honor to Him. We all need to strive daily to achieve the success that God expects of us in our marital, family, work place and friend relationships.
In II Corinthians 10: 12-13 (above), Paul warns that it is not wise to measure ourselves by comparing ourselves to others. It is a real temptation to compare ourselves to others so we can take pride in feeling we have achieved more than someone else. God holds us to a higher standard.
We should never measure success by the world's standard of popularity, fame or fortune. God measures success by His standards of obedience, faithfulness, and righteousness.
There are four steps to achievement noted by William A. Ward. Each of these four steps relate to our achievement in spiritual and physical relationships. We have added some personal thoughts following each of Dr. Ward's four steps.
PLAN PURPOSEFULLY: You have a responsibility to plan for yourself, for your family and for your future. In all of your plans you need to have a purpose to achieve success both spiritually and intellectually.
PREPARE PRAYERFULLY: When you plan you need to pray that God will guide your thinking so that your plans will honor God. You cannot achieve success if God's hand of blessing is not upon you and your plans. Christ must be in the center of all you do if you expect God to give you success. In Proverbs 16:3 we are reminded to "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."
PROCEED POSITIVELY: You need to plan your actions so you can achieve your goals with a positive attitude and also with a program for a positive completion.
PURSUE PERSISTENTLY: You must not become discouraged if you have setbacks. If you do not succeed at first you must try again. When you want to achieve a goal that you have set, you must be persistent in all of your efforts to meet that goal and not give up if your first attempt fails.
As you look at your life you must first evaluate your achievements on what you have accomplished for your Lord. Have you set high spiritual standards to live by each day? Have you led your family so that their first priority in life is their relationship with Jesus? Do others that you meet know without a doubt that you have a relationship with the Lord? Positive responses to these questions are all vital in order for you to achieve your goals spiritually in life. If you are right with the Lord, He will bless you and enable you to achieve success in other areas of your life.
As we trained our children we put strong emphasis on their spiritual achievements but along with that emphasis we wanted each one to understand the importance of achievements in their daily activities. When they made commitments in school, in church, in sports or in any other activities they were encouraged to give 100% at all times, so that they would honor God and have the satisfaction that they had given their best.
In life today many people, children and adults, just do enough to get by. This is not acceptable to God but we see it as the norm every day. God wants us to excel in whatever we attempt so that He can receive the honor and glory.
In Ecclesiastics 4:4 it reads: "For all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor." Achievement in life is admired by society, but the only achievement that counts with God is what we do for our Lord.
What are your spiritual goals in this life? Have you achieved each one yet or, if not are you working to achieve them? Think also about what you want to achieve while God has you on this earth and then compare that to what you have accomplished.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Deuteronomy 33:27
The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.
PRAYER
Help me today dear Lord, to achieve my goals in life both spiritually and physically. Help me to achieve a special relationship with You. Thank You for Your love, Your support, Your guidance and Your direction today in all that I do.
November 21, 2010
Justice: November 18, 2010
Today's Word for Thursday November 18, 2010
JUSTICE
DEFINITION
Conformity to moral principles or law; merited reward or punishment; the administration of law; authority; jurisdiction.
SCRIPTURE
"For He is coming to judge the earth; with righteousness He shall judge the world, and the peoples with equity." Psalm 98:9
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Justice involves doing what is right and just and fair, as we read in Proverbs 1:3. To do what is just requires wisdom and discernment that comes from the Lord. Proverbs 2:6 says, "For the Lord gives wisdom" and "then you will understand what is right and just and fair." (Proverbs 2:9) God gave us the Ten Commandments so that we can know God's standards of what is right and just and fair.
In Psalm 82:3 we read that we have the responsibility to defend the poor and needy and do justice to the offended.
God is the one who has given those in positions of authority the responsibility of administering justice. God says that "By me Kings reign and rulers declare justice." (Proverbs 8:15) Do our rulers and leaders in government realize this today? We do not think they govern with this in mind.
The scriptures have much to say about God and justice. In Isaiah 61:8 it reads: "For I the Lord, love justice, I hate robbery and inequity." And in Isaiah 30: 18 it reads: "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice."
We need to remember that God is not only a just God but a God of compassion. He does not want anyone to perish. He has provided justice to all through His Son, Jesus Christ. The verse above from Psalms 98 reminds us that He will come to judge the world and it will be a just judgment. Therefore it becomes our choice as to how we will be judged following our death and when we face the judgment seat of God.
Through our Web site we hear from Christians in other parts of the world who are suffering all kinds of injustice. Many have had their homes burned. It must be difficult not to wonder if God cares.
"And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? I tell you, He will see that they get justice and quickly." Luke 18:7-8. It does seem like there is so much injustice in this world. It seems, to many, that God is doing nothing about the injustice and certainly not as quick as many may desire. These verses assure us that God is paying attention to those who cry out to Him. God's timing is not our timing but in His perfect timing He will see that those who love Him will get their justice.
And finally concerning the greatest judgment we will ever face, we need to remind you that we are born into this world as sinners. Because of this we will each one be judged by what we do with Jesus. God is a just God and that is why He sent His Son into the world to pay our penalty for our sins. There is no other way for us to escape eternal judgment than through Jesus. The scripture makes it very clear in John 14:6 when Jesus said to Thomas, one of His disciples: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
There are no options. Either we except Jesus as our personal Savior or we reject Him and then face judgment and spend an eternity in Hell. Eternal judgment is terrible and most people do not take it seriously. Some say that God would never send one to hell, and He does not. He gives us the option so it is our choice, not His.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Deuteronomy 33:27
The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.
PRAYER
Thank You God that You sent Your only Son to die on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. Help me to live a life that honors You so that others may see Christ through me and realize the importance of having a relationship with Jesus.
JUSTICE
DEFINITION
Conformity to moral principles or law; merited reward or punishment; the administration of law; authority; jurisdiction.
SCRIPTURE
"For He is coming to judge the earth; with righteousness He shall judge the world, and the peoples with equity." Psalm 98:9
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Justice involves doing what is right and just and fair, as we read in Proverbs 1:3. To do what is just requires wisdom and discernment that comes from the Lord. Proverbs 2:6 says, "For the Lord gives wisdom" and "then you will understand what is right and just and fair." (Proverbs 2:9) God gave us the Ten Commandments so that we can know God's standards of what is right and just and fair.
In Psalm 82:3 we read that we have the responsibility to defend the poor and needy and do justice to the offended.
God is the one who has given those in positions of authority the responsibility of administering justice. God says that "By me Kings reign and rulers declare justice." (Proverbs 8:15) Do our rulers and leaders in government realize this today? We do not think they govern with this in mind.
The scriptures have much to say about God and justice. In Isaiah 61:8 it reads: "For I the Lord, love justice, I hate robbery and inequity." And in Isaiah 30: 18 it reads: "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice."
We need to remember that God is not only a just God but a God of compassion. He does not want anyone to perish. He has provided justice to all through His Son, Jesus Christ. The verse above from Psalms 98 reminds us that He will come to judge the world and it will be a just judgment. Therefore it becomes our choice as to how we will be judged following our death and when we face the judgment seat of God.
Through our Web site we hear from Christians in other parts of the world who are suffering all kinds of injustice. Many have had their homes burned. It must be difficult not to wonder if God cares.
"And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? I tell you, He will see that they get justice and quickly." Luke 18:7-8. It does seem like there is so much injustice in this world. It seems, to many, that God is doing nothing about the injustice and certainly not as quick as many may desire. These verses assure us that God is paying attention to those who cry out to Him. God's timing is not our timing but in His perfect timing He will see that those who love Him will get their justice.
And finally concerning the greatest judgment we will ever face, we need to remind you that we are born into this world as sinners. Because of this we will each one be judged by what we do with Jesus. God is a just God and that is why He sent His Son into the world to pay our penalty for our sins. There is no other way for us to escape eternal judgment than through Jesus. The scripture makes it very clear in John 14:6 when Jesus said to Thomas, one of His disciples: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
There are no options. Either we except Jesus as our personal Savior or we reject Him and then face judgment and spend an eternity in Hell. Eternal judgment is terrible and most people do not take it seriously. Some say that God would never send one to hell, and He does not. He gives us the option so it is our choice, not His.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Deuteronomy 33:27
The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.
PRAYER
Thank You God that You sent Your only Son to die on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. Help me to live a life that honors You so that others may see Christ through me and realize the importance of having a relationship with Jesus.
Wealth: November 17, 2010
Today's Word for Wednesday November 17, 2010
WEALTH
DEFINITION
A great quantity or store of money; plentiful amount; abundance; rich or valuable.
SCRIPTURE
"And you should remember the Lord your God, for it is He that gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant." Deuteronomy 8:18
"As for every man that God has given riches and wealth --- this is the gift of God." Ecclesiastics 5:19
"Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase." Proverbs 3:9
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Wealth can be a wonderful asset or it can be a terrible liability depending on how one uses wealth. Let us share with you three principles concerning wealth:
• All wealth comes from God.
• God releases His wealth to His children.
• God releases His wealth to those who use it for His divine purposes.
We need to understand, as Christians, that all wealth comes from God. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He created the world and all that is in it. He created us and we are blessed according to His will.
We have learned that God really blesses those that practice what Proverbs 3:9 states: "Honor the Lord with your possessions." And there are numerous other verses in the Bible that reminds us that we are to honor the Lord with the first portion of our wealth. When one honors the Lord, no matter how wealthy he or she may be, God in turn multiplies what you give by giving back to you. And God will give you only what He can trust you with. Remember money or wealth is not evil. The scripture says that it is the love of money or wealth that is evil.
The Lord also reminds us in Luke 12:48 that "for everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required." This includes not only our money but our time and talents. For some people their wealth is in talents. If so then God expects much to be done for Him in return for this wealth He has given to you.
In Ecclesiastics 5:10 we are told that money never satisfies. If you take the time to read some of the biographies of some of the wealthiest people in the world, page after page will share experiences of unhappy lives. We read often in the newspaper of people committing suicide who seemed to have it all. They were rich and famous but could not find true satisfaction in their fortune.
Money alone does not satisfy. In I Timothy 6:6-8 we are reminded that we bring nothing into this world and we take nothing out of this world when we die. That fact alone should cause each of us today to honor God with all of our possessions and use all of our wealth --- money, talent and time --- for His glory.
All of us need to reevaluate how we respond to what God has given to us. Are we seeking to please God with our wealth or are we hoarding our wealth and therefore limiting God in what He wants to do through us with our wealth?
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Deuteronomy 33:27
The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.
PRAYER
Thank You dear Lord for what You have given me. I am so wealthy because of the assurance I have of spending an eternity with You. Help me to give back to You a portion of all that You have given and will give to me. Give my family a special touch from You this day and may Christ be glorified by our actions and our words.
WEALTH
DEFINITION
A great quantity or store of money; plentiful amount; abundance; rich or valuable.
SCRIPTURE
"And you should remember the Lord your God, for it is He that gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant." Deuteronomy 8:18
"As for every man that God has given riches and wealth --- this is the gift of God." Ecclesiastics 5:19
"Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase." Proverbs 3:9
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Wealth can be a wonderful asset or it can be a terrible liability depending on how one uses wealth. Let us share with you three principles concerning wealth:
• All wealth comes from God.
• God releases His wealth to His children.
• God releases His wealth to those who use it for His divine purposes.
We need to understand, as Christians, that all wealth comes from God. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He created the world and all that is in it. He created us and we are blessed according to His will.
We have learned that God really blesses those that practice what Proverbs 3:9 states: "Honor the Lord with your possessions." And there are numerous other verses in the Bible that reminds us that we are to honor the Lord with the first portion of our wealth. When one honors the Lord, no matter how wealthy he or she may be, God in turn multiplies what you give by giving back to you. And God will give you only what He can trust you with. Remember money or wealth is not evil. The scripture says that it is the love of money or wealth that is evil.
The Lord also reminds us in Luke 12:48 that "for everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required." This includes not only our money but our time and talents. For some people their wealth is in talents. If so then God expects much to be done for Him in return for this wealth He has given to you.
In Ecclesiastics 5:10 we are told that money never satisfies. If you take the time to read some of the biographies of some of the wealthiest people in the world, page after page will share experiences of unhappy lives. We read often in the newspaper of people committing suicide who seemed to have it all. They were rich and famous but could not find true satisfaction in their fortune.
Money alone does not satisfy. In I Timothy 6:6-8 we are reminded that we bring nothing into this world and we take nothing out of this world when we die. That fact alone should cause each of us today to honor God with all of our possessions and use all of our wealth --- money, talent and time --- for His glory.
All of us need to reevaluate how we respond to what God has given to us. Are we seeking to please God with our wealth or are we hoarding our wealth and therefore limiting God in what He wants to do through us with our wealth?
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Deuteronomy 33:27
The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.
PRAYER
Thank You dear Lord for what You have given me. I am so wealthy because of the assurance I have of spending an eternity with You. Help me to give back to You a portion of all that You have given and will give to me. Give my family a special touch from You this day and may Christ be glorified by our actions and our words.
Ethics: November 16, 2010
Today's Word for Tuesday November 16, 2010
ETHICS
DEFINITION
The body of moral principles or values held by or governing a culture group or individual; a moral principle; a rule of conduct.
SCRIPTURE
"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days says the Lord: I will put my laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." Hebrews 8:10
"You will be accepted if you do what is (ethical) right. But if you refuse to do what is (ethical) right, then watch out. Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you, but you must subdue it and be its master." Genesis 4:7
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Over the years the moral values of our country have steadily declined. Today the Bible cannot be read and the Ten Commandments cannot be displayed in public schools. Laws also have been made that bans the Ten Commandments from public places here in America. We are living in a society that has chosen to put aside God's standards of ethics.
Most people today have rejected God's ethical standards of living, choosing to set their own standards of right and wrong, put their own interests first and then doing as they see fit. Man's sinful nature has not changed with time. In Judges 17:6 we read that not long after the death of Joshua, all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. This is exactly what we are seeing today in America.
God took Moses up on to the mountain top and gave him a code of ethics for us to live by. These are the most complete and important list of ethics that has ever been known to man. We know these as the TEN COMMANDMENTS. These commandments as listed in Exodus chapter 20 cover every detail that one needs in order to live a Christ centered life, even in today's world. They are as relevant today as they were when God gave them to Moses.
In the New Testament Jesus adds to this list two more commandments in Matthew 22:37-38. They are:
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
These commandments from the Old and New Testaments clearly give to us God's standard of ethics and a moral code that He expects us to live by. God expects us to live by these standards of ethics and not by what we think is right. The scripture tells us in Proverbs 14:12 that there is a consequences for doing things our way. "There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death."
From our early childhood days we were taught to obey Gods standards of ethics. One day when I (Dottie) was about 8 years old, I walked to a neighborhood store on an errand for my mother. I met a neighbor girl, a good friend, in the store and we paid for the items we got and walked out together. On the way home she pulled a candy bar out of her pocket. I knew she must have stolen it as she had not paid for it when we checked out of the store together. This troubled me to the extent that I chose not to associate with her very much any more. You see, I had lost trust in her and did not agree with her ethical standards.
When we do not live by God's standards and we are unethical, we not only sin against God but we affect how others see us. Sin, breaking Gods ethical standards, always has consequences.
We urge you today to make a commitment to first read through THE TEN COMMANDMENTS yourself and then with your family. Then follow this with a time of discussion as to where you stand in relation to each commandment. And then finally make a commitment to live daily by this set of ethics that God has given including the two commandments from the New Testament.
One final thought: Take the time to either find a printed version of the Ten Commandments or print it out yourself and place this list in a prominent place in your house where it can be seen daily by all.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Deuteronomy 33:27
The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.
PRAYER
Thank You Lord that You have given us this code of ethics to live by. Help me to know each of these commandments and to do all that I can to live by them today. Strengthen the faith of my family today that we may not be swayed by the immoral and unethical standards of the world. Give each one of us the courage to stand up for what we believe and for the God we believe in.
ETHICS
DEFINITION
The body of moral principles or values held by or governing a culture group or individual; a moral principle; a rule of conduct.
SCRIPTURE
"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days says the Lord: I will put my laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." Hebrews 8:10
"You will be accepted if you do what is (ethical) right. But if you refuse to do what is (ethical) right, then watch out. Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you, but you must subdue it and be its master." Genesis 4:7
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Over the years the moral values of our country have steadily declined. Today the Bible cannot be read and the Ten Commandments cannot be displayed in public schools. Laws also have been made that bans the Ten Commandments from public places here in America. We are living in a society that has chosen to put aside God's standards of ethics.
Most people today have rejected God's ethical standards of living, choosing to set their own standards of right and wrong, put their own interests first and then doing as they see fit. Man's sinful nature has not changed with time. In Judges 17:6 we read that not long after the death of Joshua, all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. This is exactly what we are seeing today in America.
God took Moses up on to the mountain top and gave him a code of ethics for us to live by. These are the most complete and important list of ethics that has ever been known to man. We know these as the TEN COMMANDMENTS. These commandments as listed in Exodus chapter 20 cover every detail that one needs in order to live a Christ centered life, even in today's world. They are as relevant today as they were when God gave them to Moses.
In the New Testament Jesus adds to this list two more commandments in Matthew 22:37-38. They are:
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
These commandments from the Old and New Testaments clearly give to us God's standard of ethics and a moral code that He expects us to live by. God expects us to live by these standards of ethics and not by what we think is right. The scripture tells us in Proverbs 14:12 that there is a consequences for doing things our way. "There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death."
From our early childhood days we were taught to obey Gods standards of ethics. One day when I (Dottie) was about 8 years old, I walked to a neighborhood store on an errand for my mother. I met a neighbor girl, a good friend, in the store and we paid for the items we got and walked out together. On the way home she pulled a candy bar out of her pocket. I knew she must have stolen it as she had not paid for it when we checked out of the store together. This troubled me to the extent that I chose not to associate with her very much any more. You see, I had lost trust in her and did not agree with her ethical standards.
When we do not live by God's standards and we are unethical, we not only sin against God but we affect how others see us. Sin, breaking Gods ethical standards, always has consequences.
We urge you today to make a commitment to first read through THE TEN COMMANDMENTS yourself and then with your family. Then follow this with a time of discussion as to where you stand in relation to each commandment. And then finally make a commitment to live daily by this set of ethics that God has given including the two commandments from the New Testament.
One final thought: Take the time to either find a printed version of the Ten Commandments or print it out yourself and place this list in a prominent place in your house where it can be seen daily by all.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Deuteronomy 33:27
The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.
PRAYER
Thank You Lord that You have given us this code of ethics to live by. Help me to know each of these commandments and to do all that I can to live by them today. Strengthen the faith of my family today that we may not be swayed by the immoral and unethical standards of the world. Give each one of us the courage to stand up for what we believe and for the God we believe in.
Ethics: November 16, 2010
Today's Word for Tuesday November 16, 2010
ETHICS
DEFINITION
The body of moral principles or values held by or governing a culture group or individual; a moral principle; a rule of conduct.
SCRIPTURE
"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days says the Lord: I will put my laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." Hebrews 8:10
"You will be accepted if you do what is (ethical) right. But if you refuse to do what is (ethical) right, then watch out. Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you, but you must subdue it and be its master." Genesis 4:7
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Over the years the moral values of our country have steadily declined. Today the Bible cannot be read and the Ten Commandments cannot be displayed in public schools. Laws also have been made that bans the Ten Commandments from public places here in America. We are living in a society that has chosen to put aside God's standards of ethics.
Most people today have rejected God's ethical standards of living, choosing to set their own standards of right and wrong, put their own interests first and then doing as they see fit. Man's sinful nature has not changed with time. In Judges 17:6 we read that not long after the death of Joshua, all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. This is exactly what we are seeing today in America.
God took Moses up on to the mountain top and gave him a code of ethics for us to live by. These are the most complete and important list of ethics that has ever been known to man. We know these as the TEN COMMANDMENTS. These commandments as listed in Exodus chapter 20 cover every detail that one needs in order to live a Christ centered life, even in today's world. They are as relevant today as they were when God gave them to Moses.
In the New Testament Jesus adds to this list two more commandments in Matthew 22:37-38. They are:
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
These commandments from the Old and New Testaments clearly give to us God's standard of ethics and a moral code that He expects us to live by. God expects us to live by these standards of ethics and not by what we think is right. The scripture tells us in Proverbs 14:12 that there is a consequences for doing things our way. "There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death."
From our early childhood days we were taught to obey Gods standards of ethics. One day when I (Dottie) was about 8 years old, I walked to a neighborhood store on an errand for my mother. I met a neighbor girl, a good friend, in the store and we paid for the items we got and walked out together. On the way home she pulled a candy bar out of her pocket. I knew she must have stolen it as she had not paid for it when we checked out of the store together. This troubled me to the extent that I chose not to associate with her very much any more. You see, I had lost trust in her and did not agree with her ethical standards.
When we do not live by God's standards and we are unethical, we not only sin against God but we affect how others see us. Sin, breaking Gods ethical standards, always has consequences.
We urge you today to make a commitment to first read through THE TEN COMMANDMENTS yourself and then with your family. Then follow this with a time of discussion as to where you stand in relation to each commandment. And then finally make a commitment to live daily by this set of ethics that God has given including the two commandments from the New Testament.
One final thought: Take the time to either find a printed version of the Ten Commandments or print it out yourself and place this list in a prominent place in your house where it can be seen daily by all.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Deuteronomy 33:27
The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.
PRAYER
Thank You Lord that You have given us this code of ethics to live by. Help me to know each of these commandments and to do all that I can to live by them today. Strengthen the faith of my family today that we may not be swayed by the immoral and unethical standards of the world. Give each one of us the courage to stand up for what we believe and for the God we believe in.
ETHICS
DEFINITION
The body of moral principles or values held by or governing a culture group or individual; a moral principle; a rule of conduct.
SCRIPTURE
"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days says the Lord: I will put my laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." Hebrews 8:10
"You will be accepted if you do what is (ethical) right. But if you refuse to do what is (ethical) right, then watch out. Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you, but you must subdue it and be its master." Genesis 4:7
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Over the years the moral values of our country have steadily declined. Today the Bible cannot be read and the Ten Commandments cannot be displayed in public schools. Laws also have been made that bans the Ten Commandments from public places here in America. We are living in a society that has chosen to put aside God's standards of ethics.
Most people today have rejected God's ethical standards of living, choosing to set their own standards of right and wrong, put their own interests first and then doing as they see fit. Man's sinful nature has not changed with time. In Judges 17:6 we read that not long after the death of Joshua, all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. This is exactly what we are seeing today in America.
God took Moses up on to the mountain top and gave him a code of ethics for us to live by. These are the most complete and important list of ethics that has ever been known to man. We know these as the TEN COMMANDMENTS. These commandments as listed in Exodus chapter 20 cover every detail that one needs in order to live a Christ centered life, even in today's world. They are as relevant today as they were when God gave them to Moses.
In the New Testament Jesus adds to this list two more commandments in Matthew 22:37-38. They are:
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
These commandments from the Old and New Testaments clearly give to us God's standard of ethics and a moral code that He expects us to live by. God expects us to live by these standards of ethics and not by what we think is right. The scripture tells us in Proverbs 14:12 that there is a consequences for doing things our way. "There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death."
From our early childhood days we were taught to obey Gods standards of ethics. One day when I (Dottie) was about 8 years old, I walked to a neighborhood store on an errand for my mother. I met a neighbor girl, a good friend, in the store and we paid for the items we got and walked out together. On the way home she pulled a candy bar out of her pocket. I knew she must have stolen it as she had not paid for it when we checked out of the store together. This troubled me to the extent that I chose not to associate with her very much any more. You see, I had lost trust in her and did not agree with her ethical standards.
When we do not live by God's standards and we are unethical, we not only sin against God but we affect how others see us. Sin, breaking Gods ethical standards, always has consequences.
We urge you today to make a commitment to first read through THE TEN COMMANDMENTS yourself and then with your family. Then follow this with a time of discussion as to where you stand in relation to each commandment. And then finally make a commitment to live daily by this set of ethics that God has given including the two commandments from the New Testament.
One final thought: Take the time to either find a printed version of the Ten Commandments or print it out yourself and place this list in a prominent place in your house where it can be seen daily by all.
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Deuteronomy 33:27
The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.
PRAYER
Thank You Lord that You have given us this code of ethics to live by. Help me to know each of these commandments and to do all that I can to live by them today. Strengthen the faith of my family today that we may not be swayed by the immoral and unethical standards of the world. Give each one of us the courage to stand up for what we believe and for the God we believe in.
Supply: November 15, 2010
Today's Word for Monday November 15, 2010
SUPPLY
DEFINITION
To furnish or provide to a person; something that is supplied.
SCRIPTURE
"And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
"Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for loaves, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness. II Corinthians 9:10
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
God has promised to supply our needs. Our "needs" and our "wants" are not the same thing. If we focus only on what we want but do not have, we forget to be grateful for what God has given us and we become dissatisfied. This was the problem that Moses had to face with the children of Israel as recorded in Numbers 11.
God had provided manna to feed them as they went through the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land. Some of the Israelites became dissatisfied with the manna supplied by God and complained to Moses that they wanted meat. They were no longer grateful that God was supplying their needs. Moses took it to the Lord. God answered and sent them quail in abundance and the people gorged themselves on the meat. God was displeased with their greed and their ungratefulness so He punished them by striking them with a severe plaque.
When God supplies our needs and we are not grateful, He is greatly displeased as He was with the Israelites. We are at all times to be grateful for all that he has given us.
This is an interesting word (supply) for Christians. We say this because so many limit God as to all that He wants for us because of our lack of faith. We are reminded in the scriptures of many promises that tell us that God shall supply ALL of our needs. But do we really believe that this is true? Do our actions show that we believe this? God is unlimited in what He can supply. It is our lack of faith and our unwillingness to ask that limits God.
In II Corinthians 9:10 (above) God not only supplies all that we need but also increases the fruits of our righteousness. Whether we have been given much or little, God can use us for His glory if we put our trust in Him and ask Him to "multiply the seed we have sown."
My father [Dottie's] suffered a severe stroke when I was nine years old. My sisters were eight and six and life for us changed dramatically. We were not a rich family but God for years always supplied our every need. My dad was incapacitated so my mother had to work and take care of my dad and provide for us three sisters. Mother was able to get a job from 4:00P.M. until midnight. We had to live on a meager income so we learned what it meant to trust in the Lord to supply all our needs.
The words of Paul in I Timothy 6:17, "to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything," became a reality in our lives. He always supplied just what we needed.
For five years my mother went to work after we came home from school. It was my responsibility, being the oldest, to keep my father and sisters. Those were tough years but looking back on those years, I remember that I never felt discontent. God always supplied every need and the most important thing is that I always felt loved --- by my Lord, my mother and my family.
"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supplies." Hudson Taylor
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Deuteronomy 33:27
The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.
PRAYER
Thank You Lord for the way You continually day by day supply all my needs. Help me to understand that it is because of my lack of faith that I limit You for what You want to do in my life and through my life. Make me a channel for You to bless others today.
SUPPLY
DEFINITION
To furnish or provide to a person; something that is supplied.
SCRIPTURE
"And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
"Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for loaves, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness. II Corinthians 9:10
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
God has promised to supply our needs. Our "needs" and our "wants" are not the same thing. If we focus only on what we want but do not have, we forget to be grateful for what God has given us and we become dissatisfied. This was the problem that Moses had to face with the children of Israel as recorded in Numbers 11.
God had provided manna to feed them as they went through the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land. Some of the Israelites became dissatisfied with the manna supplied by God and complained to Moses that they wanted meat. They were no longer grateful that God was supplying their needs. Moses took it to the Lord. God answered and sent them quail in abundance and the people gorged themselves on the meat. God was displeased with their greed and their ungratefulness so He punished them by striking them with a severe plaque.
When God supplies our needs and we are not grateful, He is greatly displeased as He was with the Israelites. We are at all times to be grateful for all that he has given us.
This is an interesting word (supply) for Christians. We say this because so many limit God as to all that He wants for us because of our lack of faith. We are reminded in the scriptures of many promises that tell us that God shall supply ALL of our needs. But do we really believe that this is true? Do our actions show that we believe this? God is unlimited in what He can supply. It is our lack of faith and our unwillingness to ask that limits God.
In II Corinthians 9:10 (above) God not only supplies all that we need but also increases the fruits of our righteousness. Whether we have been given much or little, God can use us for His glory if we put our trust in Him and ask Him to "multiply the seed we have sown."
My father [Dottie's] suffered a severe stroke when I was nine years old. My sisters were eight and six and life for us changed dramatically. We were not a rich family but God for years always supplied our every need. My dad was incapacitated so my mother had to work and take care of my dad and provide for us three sisters. Mother was able to get a job from 4:00P.M. until midnight. We had to live on a meager income so we learned what it meant to trust in the Lord to supply all our needs.
The words of Paul in I Timothy 6:17, "to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything," became a reality in our lives. He always supplied just what we needed.
For five years my mother went to work after we came home from school. It was my responsibility, being the oldest, to keep my father and sisters. Those were tough years but looking back on those years, I remember that I never felt discontent. God always supplied every need and the most important thing is that I always felt loved --- by my Lord, my mother and my family.
"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supplies." Hudson Taylor
LEARNING
Our memory verse for this week is found in Deuteronomy 33:27
The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.
PRAYER
Thank You Lord for the way You continually day by day supply all my needs. Help me to understand that it is because of my lack of faith that I limit You for what You want to do in my life and through my life. Make me a channel for You to bless others today.
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