December 31. TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 31, 2010
HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE
DEFINITION:
The end of a year; the last day of a calendar year.
SCRIPTURE
“Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Today is New Years Eve. We end an old year that for many has been a most difficult year. We have had literally hundreds of e-mails this year from wonderful Christians living in almost every corner of our world.
Many have been through persecution. Some have had their homes and their church burned down because of their faith in Jesus. Pastors have been martyred, family members have been killed and Christians have been constantly harassed.
Here in America many families have struggled through a bad economy. Some have lost their jobs and others have lost their homes. It is of great concern to us, that many because of the difficulties they are facing have forgotten God. What does one expect when, as Christians, we face a valley in our life and try to conquer it by our self? We cannot win when we leave God out of our lives.
Have you set your goals for 2011? If not stop now and set a few specific goals. You need to begin by setting your first goal. This goal is the most important one you can make in 2011 --- having a daily relationship with God through His Son Jesus. God has promised to be with you through every concern you have if you leave your cares with Him and put your total trust in Him. This is the support we all need as we face the uncertainties of 2011.
Secondly, you need a goal to set your standards high so that all that you do will honor God. You need to claim the scripture verse we have written above and as God honored Joshua for his belief, He will honor you in the same manner. Living a God fearing life guided by God’s standards guarantees you a remarkable 2011.
Thirdly, you need to set firm goals as to your relationship with your family, your spouse and your children. Many parents and spouses do not consider this a priority, at least by their actions. We have learned through the years that God must come first in our lives, and then the relationship between the two of us, and then our family. This is what God expects of us. Other “things” in life cannot come before God and family.
And finally set a goal as to how you reach out to the world around you. As believers God requires us to reach out to the world around us through our words and deeds. When you help someone in need your attitude changes and the person you helped also has an attitude change. Helping someone in need gives you an opportunity to share the love of God with someone.
When you do this God will take care of the rest. He will bless you and reward you in a way that you will not believe.
Both of us wish you nothing but GODS BEST for 2011. Have a most HAPPY NEW YEAR!
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 18:16.
Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
PRAYER:
Thank You Lord for all Your blessings that You have given me and my family this past year. As I look forward to a new year, keep my priorities focused on You. Help me keep my new commitments to You. Give me a desire to reach out to others and share with them the love of Jesus.
January 2, 2011
Sovereignty: December 30, 2010
December 30. TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 30, 2010
SOVEREIGNTY
DEFINITION:
Supreme in power or authority; being above all others in importance, excellent and power.
SCRIPTURE:
“The Lord has established His throne in the heavens and His sovereignty ruled over all” Psalm 103:19 (NAS).
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
The Sovereignty of God is a theological term meaning that our God has absolute authority and right of dominion over all His creation, because He is the self-existent creator. He has the sovereign right to do whatever He pleases. Some times we may think that He is not acting as we think or want, particularly when we look at the evil and corruption in this world we live in and wonder why God allows it. He is all sovereign so we cannot question what He is doing.
God is in absolute control of all things and of all people. The powers of darkness, sin, Satan, demons, and the wickedness of mankind cannot alter the purpose of our sovereign God.
Habakkuk, a prophet of God, questioned God’s inactivity concerning the evil that prevailed in Judah in his day. He cried out to God with all his concerns. He said there is violence and evil deeds everywhere. People love to argue and fight. The wicked far out number the righteous. Justice has become perverted and there is no justice in the courts. He could have been describing the day and age we are living in today. Habakkuk felt God was not seeing or hearing what was going on.
In Habakkuk 1:5-6 God answered and assured Habakkuk that He was already doing something about it. God said: “I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you.” Judah’s day of reckoning was coming. God was raising up the Babylonians who God would use to punish Judah. God is in absolute control of all things and of all people and not obligated to reveal the what or the why of His works.
Even these prophets of old found it hard to understand the sovereignty of God and the same is true of us today. But we do know that God has unlimited authority over all things and that He always creates and molds everything perfectly --- even our lives when we put our trust in Him.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 18:16.
Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
PRAYER:
Thank You that I serve a sovereign God. I stand in awe at Your marvelous works and come to You as my God who is all knowing, all powerful and sovereign. May others see by my actions that I honor You as Lord of my life?
SOVEREIGNTY
DEFINITION:
Supreme in power or authority; being above all others in importance, excellent and power.
SCRIPTURE:
“The Lord has established His throne in the heavens and His sovereignty ruled over all” Psalm 103:19 (NAS).
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
The Sovereignty of God is a theological term meaning that our God has absolute authority and right of dominion over all His creation, because He is the self-existent creator. He has the sovereign right to do whatever He pleases. Some times we may think that He is not acting as we think or want, particularly when we look at the evil and corruption in this world we live in and wonder why God allows it. He is all sovereign so we cannot question what He is doing.
God is in absolute control of all things and of all people. The powers of darkness, sin, Satan, demons, and the wickedness of mankind cannot alter the purpose of our sovereign God.
Habakkuk, a prophet of God, questioned God’s inactivity concerning the evil that prevailed in Judah in his day. He cried out to God with all his concerns. He said there is violence and evil deeds everywhere. People love to argue and fight. The wicked far out number the righteous. Justice has become perverted and there is no justice in the courts. He could have been describing the day and age we are living in today. Habakkuk felt God was not seeing or hearing what was going on.
In Habakkuk 1:5-6 God answered and assured Habakkuk that He was already doing something about it. God said: “I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you.” Judah’s day of reckoning was coming. God was raising up the Babylonians who God would use to punish Judah. God is in absolute control of all things and of all people and not obligated to reveal the what or the why of His works.
Even these prophets of old found it hard to understand the sovereignty of God and the same is true of us today. But we do know that God has unlimited authority over all things and that He always creates and molds everything perfectly --- even our lives when we put our trust in Him.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 18:16.
Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
PRAYER:
Thank You that I serve a sovereign God. I stand in awe at Your marvelous works and come to You as my God who is all knowing, all powerful and sovereign. May others see by my actions that I honor You as Lord of my life?
Uniqueness: December 29, 2010
December 29. TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 29, 2010
UNIQUENESS
DEFINITION:
Existing as the only one or as the sole example; single, solitary in type and characteristics; having no like or equal; incomparable; not typical; unusual.
SCRIPTURE:
“The officers answered, ‘No man ever spoke like this man.’” John 7:46.
“And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.” Luke 2:47.
“And they were astonished at His teachings, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Mark 1:22.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
In life there are many unique people, places and things. All of us have seen people that are unique because they have some unique ability. There are places on this earth that are unique because of the topography, wildlife and climate. We all have seen unique things, but today we want to talk about the most unique person that ever lived.
Jesus came to this earth as a man that possessed moral integrity and divine righteousness that marked Him different from all men. He was unique and set apart from all others. Following are seven ways in which Jesus was unique and set Him apart and above all other possible messianic claimants.
Our friend, Dr. Porter Barrington has outlined some of the characteristics of Jesus that makes Him unique.
HE WAS UNIQUE IN HIS PERSON. The verses in Hebrews 1:1-13 proclaim His uniqueness as the Son of God, the Christ and the God-Man. He spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets (verse 1). He was appointed heir of all things (verse 2). Through Him God made the worlds (verse 2). He is the out-flowing of the glory of God and expresses the perfect character of God (verse 3). He cleansed us from our sins (verse 3). He sat down at the right side of God (verse 3).
HE WAS UNIQUE IN HIS BIRTH. This uniqueness is outlined in Luke 1:26-35. He was born of a virgin. He was the incarnate God (born in flesh). He was born in the city of Bethlehem as prophesied. His birth was announced by Angels. He was born a man, poor, in a stable, cared for in a feeding trough but worshipped by Kings. His birth was signaled by a star. Hosts of angels gave forth praises at His birth.
HE WAS UNIQUE IN HIS MINISTRY. In Mark 1:21-28 and the other gospels, we are told that He preached with absolute authority. He was the greatest teacher that ever lived. He performed the mightiest of miracles. He was the greatest healer. He was absolutely Holy and sinless in His person, actions and standards. He was a friend of sinners always offering them salvation. His ministry fulfilled the Old Testament messianic prophecies.
HE WAS UNIQUE IN HIS DEATH. In John 19:16-30 we are told that, as Messiah, He died for people’s sins. He prophesied that He would be put to death. He died as the Passover Lamb as prophesied. He died voluntarily doing His Father’s will. As He endured the agony on the cross He asked for forgiveness for His enemies.
HE WAS UNIQUE IN HIS RESSURECTION. In John 20: 1-31 we read that He rose according to the Old Testament prophecies. He prophesied His own resurrection. He rose from the dead from a sealed and guarded tomb. He appeared alive first to a woman and then over and over again to His disciples for 40 days.
HE WAS UNIQUE IN HIS ASCENSION. In Acts 1:1-9 we are told how He was taken into heaven just as Enoch and Elijah were. He went to be with the Father. Jesus made a promise at His ascension that the disciples would receive power to witness for Him after the Holy Spirit came. Jesus made a command at His ascension to go into all the world and be witnesses of Him. He went to heaven to take the right seat next to God and to make continual intercession for the believers to God.
HE WILL BE UNIQUE IN HIS SECOND COMING. In Matthew 16:27 we are told that Jesus will return to this earth in power and majesty. He will raise the dead in Christ. He will come as a thief in the night. He will begin the promised millennium Kingdom on this earth and will rescue the tribulation saints
YES --- Jesus is the most UNIQUE person we have ever met. Have you met Him?
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 18:16.
Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
PRAYER:
I give praise to You for Your uniqueness that sets You apart above all others who would claim to be God’s promised Messiah. Help me to be a testimony of Your uniqueness through my words and my actions so Christ will be seen in my life by my family and friends.
UNIQUENESS
DEFINITION:
Existing as the only one or as the sole example; single, solitary in type and characteristics; having no like or equal; incomparable; not typical; unusual.
SCRIPTURE:
“The officers answered, ‘No man ever spoke like this man.’” John 7:46.
“And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.” Luke 2:47.
“And they were astonished at His teachings, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Mark 1:22.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
In life there are many unique people, places and things. All of us have seen people that are unique because they have some unique ability. There are places on this earth that are unique because of the topography, wildlife and climate. We all have seen unique things, but today we want to talk about the most unique person that ever lived.
Jesus came to this earth as a man that possessed moral integrity and divine righteousness that marked Him different from all men. He was unique and set apart from all others. Following are seven ways in which Jesus was unique and set Him apart and above all other possible messianic claimants.
Our friend, Dr. Porter Barrington has outlined some of the characteristics of Jesus that makes Him unique.
HE WAS UNIQUE IN HIS PERSON. The verses in Hebrews 1:1-13 proclaim His uniqueness as the Son of God, the Christ and the God-Man. He spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets (verse 1). He was appointed heir of all things (verse 2). Through Him God made the worlds (verse 2). He is the out-flowing of the glory of God and expresses the perfect character of God (verse 3). He cleansed us from our sins (verse 3). He sat down at the right side of God (verse 3).
HE WAS UNIQUE IN HIS BIRTH. This uniqueness is outlined in Luke 1:26-35. He was born of a virgin. He was the incarnate God (born in flesh). He was born in the city of Bethlehem as prophesied. His birth was announced by Angels. He was born a man, poor, in a stable, cared for in a feeding trough but worshipped by Kings. His birth was signaled by a star. Hosts of angels gave forth praises at His birth.
HE WAS UNIQUE IN HIS MINISTRY. In Mark 1:21-28 and the other gospels, we are told that He preached with absolute authority. He was the greatest teacher that ever lived. He performed the mightiest of miracles. He was the greatest healer. He was absolutely Holy and sinless in His person, actions and standards. He was a friend of sinners always offering them salvation. His ministry fulfilled the Old Testament messianic prophecies.
HE WAS UNIQUE IN HIS DEATH. In John 19:16-30 we are told that, as Messiah, He died for people’s sins. He prophesied that He would be put to death. He died as the Passover Lamb as prophesied. He died voluntarily doing His Father’s will. As He endured the agony on the cross He asked for forgiveness for His enemies.
HE WAS UNIQUE IN HIS RESSURECTION. In John 20: 1-31 we read that He rose according to the Old Testament prophecies. He prophesied His own resurrection. He rose from the dead from a sealed and guarded tomb. He appeared alive first to a woman and then over and over again to His disciples for 40 days.
HE WAS UNIQUE IN HIS ASCENSION. In Acts 1:1-9 we are told how He was taken into heaven just as Enoch and Elijah were. He went to be with the Father. Jesus made a promise at His ascension that the disciples would receive power to witness for Him after the Holy Spirit came. Jesus made a command at His ascension to go into all the world and be witnesses of Him. He went to heaven to take the right seat next to God and to make continual intercession for the believers to God.
HE WILL BE UNIQUE IN HIS SECOND COMING. In Matthew 16:27 we are told that Jesus will return to this earth in power and majesty. He will raise the dead in Christ. He will come as a thief in the night. He will begin the promised millennium Kingdom on this earth and will rescue the tribulation saints
YES --- Jesus is the most UNIQUE person we have ever met. Have you met Him?
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 18:16.
Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
PRAYER:
I give praise to You for Your uniqueness that sets You apart above all others who would claim to be God’s promised Messiah. Help me to be a testimony of Your uniqueness through my words and my actions so Christ will be seen in my life by my family and friends.
Boastfulness: December 28, 2010
December 28. TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY DECEMBER 28, 2010.
BOASTFULNESS
DEFINITION:
To speak with exaggeration and excessive pride especially about oneself; rejoice proudly; to speak up with excessive pride or vanity; bragging.
SCRIPTURE:
“In God we boast all day long, and praise Your name forever.” Psalm 44:8
“This is what the Lord says: Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. For those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know Me and understand that I am the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Most of us have met or know someone who is always boasting about something he or she has attained or accomplished. We have seen the rich flaunt their riches, the powerful brag about their power and the educated boast of their knowledge. Boasting may give a person a boost to their ego but boasting is not a positive trait. Boasting tends to drive a wedge in a relationship.
Occasionally we would hear one of our children boasting that they were better at something than another one of our children. This usually led to an argument about who really was best. We would often respond with something like --- remember pride cometh before the fall.
I (Ken) remember some years ago a young man working in our warehouse at World Opportunities International. Constantly, day after day he was telling those he worked with and those from the inner city that came to our warehouse for food, story after story about some great accomplishment he had done the day before.
It did not take long for his peers and those that talked to him each day to find out that he was just a boaster and needed the attention. Most of the people we know who are boasters have very low self esteem and are very insecure.
The scripture tells us that we should not boast about ourselves. There is only one way that we should boast and that is to boast about our relationship with Jesus. People put a lot of value in riches, power, wisdom, knowledge, social status and appearance and they like to boast about them. These are all “things” that are temporary and can be taken away at any time. God does not value these “things” but what He does value is when we recognize that we know Him and love Him with all of our heart.
The opposite of a boasting person is a person who is humble. A humble person is not boastful about themselves but instead his boasting is in his relationship with Jesus. “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not the one that commends himself, who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” II Corinthians 10:17-18.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 18:16.
Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
PRAYER:
Give me a spirit of humility as I touch the lives of my peers. Help me to take advantage each moment of today of all that I have in Christ. Help me not to boast about anything I have done but to boast only about what Christ has done for me.
BOASTFULNESS
DEFINITION:
To speak with exaggeration and excessive pride especially about oneself; rejoice proudly; to speak up with excessive pride or vanity; bragging.
SCRIPTURE:
“In God we boast all day long, and praise Your name forever.” Psalm 44:8
“This is what the Lord says: Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. For those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know Me and understand that I am the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Most of us have met or know someone who is always boasting about something he or she has attained or accomplished. We have seen the rich flaunt their riches, the powerful brag about their power and the educated boast of their knowledge. Boasting may give a person a boost to their ego but boasting is not a positive trait. Boasting tends to drive a wedge in a relationship.
Occasionally we would hear one of our children boasting that they were better at something than another one of our children. This usually led to an argument about who really was best. We would often respond with something like --- remember pride cometh before the fall.
I (Ken) remember some years ago a young man working in our warehouse at World Opportunities International. Constantly, day after day he was telling those he worked with and those from the inner city that came to our warehouse for food, story after story about some great accomplishment he had done the day before.
It did not take long for his peers and those that talked to him each day to find out that he was just a boaster and needed the attention. Most of the people we know who are boasters have very low self esteem and are very insecure.
The scripture tells us that we should not boast about ourselves. There is only one way that we should boast and that is to boast about our relationship with Jesus. People put a lot of value in riches, power, wisdom, knowledge, social status and appearance and they like to boast about them. These are all “things” that are temporary and can be taken away at any time. God does not value these “things” but what He does value is when we recognize that we know Him and love Him with all of our heart.
The opposite of a boasting person is a person who is humble. A humble person is not boastful about themselves but instead his boasting is in his relationship with Jesus. “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not the one that commends himself, who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” II Corinthians 10:17-18.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 18:16.
Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
PRAYER:
Give me a spirit of humility as I touch the lives of my peers. Help me to take advantage each moment of today of all that I have in Christ. Help me not to boast about anything I have done but to boast only about what Christ has done for me.
Reward: December 27, 2010
December 27. TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY DECEMBER 27, 2010
REWARD
DEFINITION:
Something given or received for services rendered; merit; hardship; compensation for doing good.
SCRIPTURE:
“Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely He is God who judges in the earth.” Psalm 58:11.
“I will punish them for their ways, and reward them for their deeds.” Hosea 4:9
“Rejoice and be exceedingly glad for great is your reward in heaven.” Matthew 5:12
“But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great.” Luke 6:35.
“And each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.” I Corinthians 3:8.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
It seems that it is human nature to respond to rewards. Children will do special projects for a parent when there is a reward involved. Students generally will go the extra mile to complete an assignment when there is a reward involved. In the work place employees always do a job more accurately and with more speed when there is a reward involved.
After the big earthquake we went through in 1971 in Los Angeles, a freeway that was demolished needed to be rebuilt quickly as it was a main traffic route. The city offered a bonus for each day that the construction company finished the rebuilding before the agreed upon completion date. It was amazing to see how fast the job was completed. But the financial reward was great and encouraged hard and efficient work.
In the Bible there are many references to rewards. Almost without exception when the scriptures mention reward it is for those of us who are faithful in serving the Lord here on earth and the reward we will receive in heaven. What an awesome promise. As Christians we should want to do things to help others without the need for a reward, nevertheless God has promised a reward for being obedient to His teachings and the giving of ourselves to serve Him by helping others. (Luke 6:35)
One of the things we strived to teach our children was a good work ethic. We taught them early on that they should always try to do their best in everything they attempted. Colossians 3:23 reads: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for man, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Jesus you are serving.”
We knew that in school and later in the work place our children would see many of their peers doing as little as possible to get by. We wanted them to understand that as Christians they were serving Christ and also representing Him so they needed to fulfill their responsibilities completely and efficiently. We also shared with them that their life might be the only “BIBLE” that their peers would ever read.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 18:16.
Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
PRAYER:
Help me to remember to do the things today that honor Your name. Make me a blessing to those that my life touches. Thank You for the promises that are in Your Word of the rewards that are waiting for me in heaven if I live in obedience to Your Word. Keep me faithful in studying Your Word so that I may live a life that brings glory to Your name and so that others will see Christ in me.
REWARD
DEFINITION:
Something given or received for services rendered; merit; hardship; compensation for doing good.
SCRIPTURE:
“Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely He is God who judges in the earth.” Psalm 58:11.
“I will punish them for their ways, and reward them for their deeds.” Hosea 4:9
“Rejoice and be exceedingly glad for great is your reward in heaven.” Matthew 5:12
“But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great.” Luke 6:35.
“And each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.” I Corinthians 3:8.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
It seems that it is human nature to respond to rewards. Children will do special projects for a parent when there is a reward involved. Students generally will go the extra mile to complete an assignment when there is a reward involved. In the work place employees always do a job more accurately and with more speed when there is a reward involved.
After the big earthquake we went through in 1971 in Los Angeles, a freeway that was demolished needed to be rebuilt quickly as it was a main traffic route. The city offered a bonus for each day that the construction company finished the rebuilding before the agreed upon completion date. It was amazing to see how fast the job was completed. But the financial reward was great and encouraged hard and efficient work.
In the Bible there are many references to rewards. Almost without exception when the scriptures mention reward it is for those of us who are faithful in serving the Lord here on earth and the reward we will receive in heaven. What an awesome promise. As Christians we should want to do things to help others without the need for a reward, nevertheless God has promised a reward for being obedient to His teachings and the giving of ourselves to serve Him by helping others. (Luke 6:35)
One of the things we strived to teach our children was a good work ethic. We taught them early on that they should always try to do their best in everything they attempted. Colossians 3:23 reads: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for man, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Jesus you are serving.”
We knew that in school and later in the work place our children would see many of their peers doing as little as possible to get by. We wanted them to understand that as Christians they were serving Christ and also representing Him so they needed to fulfill their responsibilities completely and efficiently. We also shared with them that their life might be the only “BIBLE” that their peers would ever read.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 18:16.
Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
PRAYER:
Help me to remember to do the things today that honor Your name. Make me a blessing to those that my life touches. Thank You for the promises that are in Your Word of the rewards that are waiting for me in heaven if I live in obedience to Your Word. Keep me faithful in studying Your Word so that I may live a life that brings glory to Your name and so that others will see Christ in me.
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