APRIL 22, 2011: TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2011
MEMORIAL
DEFINITION:
Something designed to preserve the memory of a person or event.
SCRIPTURE:
“In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord. When it (the Ark) crossed the Jordan the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” Joshua 4:6-7.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Our memories tend to be very short. Memorials are a way of preserving and perpetuating the memory of people or of events that were important to us.
Recently Dottie’s sister passed away and one of the things that our family wanted to make sure was done properly was the memorial which was to be placed on the grave. Even though the wording was limited it was important to all that every word had meaning and honored her life.
Memorials are very important to those that lose loved ones and family. Memorials are also very important to remember great events and people in public life. Throughout the Bible we read about memorials that were erected at locations where God had done something special. Those memorials are very important for us to study today because they are reminders of how God worked in the lives of those who loved Him and how He protected and blessed them.
After crossing the Jordan River the first thing that God instructed Joshua to do was to build a memorial. While the priests who were holding the Ark of the Covenant were still standing in the middle of the Jordan River, Joshua, in obedience to God, instructed one man from each of the twelve tribes to take a stone from the Jordan river at the spot where the priests were standing. These twelve men then carried the stones to the place where they were to camp the first night in the Promised Land.
There at Gilgal, Joshua set up a monument as a memorial to remind future generations of the miracle God had done in parting the Jordan River. Children who were born after the crossing of the river would see the stones and ask what the stones meant? Their parents would have the opportunity to tell them the story and teach them about God and what He had done for them.
The memorial served as a reminder to all the people of the earth, past, present and future that the God of Israel is powerful and a God of miracles.
We took our children across America to Washington D.C. to see all the memorials and historical places in our nation’s capital. As we visited the Washington memorial, the Lincoln memorial and others, we had the opportunity to teach our children about who these men were, what they believed and what they had done for our country. We were able to point out to them the impact that God had on their lives and in the forming of America.
Reminders of God are rapidly being banned by our government leaders here in America and this could well bring about the fall of our country. Prayer is no longer allowed in schools. The Ten Commandments cannot be displayed in schools or government office locations. When children and youth go to our nation’s capital and see all the memorials today they do not understand the significant role God had in the founding of our country.
The reason is very clear to us. Parents, teachers and even churches are not teaching our children about why America has been great and the reason it has been great is because God was involved. And children also have not been taught the reasons for memorials and why they are where they are. Frankly, it is up to us as Christian parents and grandparents today to teach our children and grandchildren to trust in God and work to keep America a nation that puts God in the center of all its activities.
Children love to ask questions and as parents we need to be ready to give an answer. Many questions can be answered by referring to our heritage here in America and the memorials that are standing to remind us of that heritage and the role God had in the founding of our country. Of greater concern is the lack of teaching that our children receive about the Biblical memorials. These memorials were built to show how great a God we have, and to show us how much He loves us.
Many parents we talk to are not ready or prepared to answer the questions given by their children because they do not take the time and if it has a spiritual theme they are not in tune with the Lord and therefore are not able to answer because they just do not know the answer. When your children ask you about God, do you take the time to talk to them about who God is and what He has done for you? Do you share with them how God has blessed you and this country and how He has answered your prayers and how He continues to meet your needs? Telling your children about God is one of the keys to having a happy family.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Colossians 3:4.
When Christ who is our life appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory.
PRAYER:
Thank You Lord for all that You have done in my life. Help me to always take time to talk to my children about God so that they can know Him and understand all that He has done for me and know that He will do the same for them.
April 24, 2011
Freedom: April 21, 2011
APRIL 21, 2011: TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY APRIL 21, 2011
FREEDOM
DEFINITION:
The state of being free; personal liberty or national independence.
SCRIPTURE:
“It is to freedom that you have been called, my brothers. Only be careful that freedom does not become a mere opportunity for your lower nature (the flesh). You should be free to serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13. (Phillips translation)
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When God created us He gave us a free will to choose whether or not to serve Him. With that free will comes the freedom to sin. Sin, however, is not free. It comes with a price tag --- death and eternal separation from God.
God sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for our sin. Those who accept God’s free gift of salvation are set free from the penalty of sin. Salvation covers the penalty for all of our sins, but does not take away our freedom to sin. However, just because all of our sins have been forgiven, it does not give us a license to sin. There are consequences to our sinning and God will hold us accountable. In Galatians 5:13 (verse above) Paul warns us, “to be careful that freedom does not become a mere opportunity for your lower nature (the flesh).”
Recently we listened to a testimony on television of a man who had just been released from prison. He talked about his years in prison and the loss of freedom that he experienced. He spent most of each day locked up in a small cell and could not go anywhere or talk to anyone. He lost his freedom to do what he wanted to do and could always do before he committed his crime. This man went on to say how different it was now that he was out of prison. For the first time in his life he has put real value on having freedoms.
Being in prison is not the only time people feel that they have lost their freedom. Issues in life force people to lose certain freedoms that some would say were minor. Freedoms like going where you want to go if you were physically disabled or having some crippling disease or freedom to do certain things if you were living in inescapable poverty, lost your job, or your home. These circumstances affect your freedom to do what you would like to do.
America was founded by those who had lost their freedom to worship God. Today most Americans have no idea what it means to live without freedom to do what we want when we want. As believers we need to take a new look at what it means to have freedom in Christ.
Reading God’s Word, the Bible, each day is a privilege that many people around the world do not have. In the Second World War when the Americans arrived in the Philippines, many political prisoners were freed from prison. Among the “crimes” that these people had committed was that of reading the Bible. They had no freedom.
Soon after his release from prison a man came to a missionary in the Philippians and asked if it were true that he could now read his Bible? The missionary pointed to a nearby American flag and said: “So long as you see that flag flying overhead you can read your Bible on the roof of your house and no one will bother you.” That is a great definition of freedom for us.
In 1942 Franklin D. Roosevelt, then President of the United States of America said:
“We look forward to a world founded on four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom for every person to worship God in his own way. The second is freedom of speech and expression. The third is freedom from want and finally the freedom from fear.”
The Bible has a lot to share with us about the freedom God has given us that love and serve Him. God first dealt in the Bible about freedom in Genesis (13:10-13). Abraham responded to the leading of God and gave Lot the freedom of choice as to the land that would be his. Lot chose the fertile land of the plains of Jordan and left the desert area of Canaan to Abraham. But as the scriptures tell us, the land that Lot chose caused nothing but problems for Lot while God blessed the land left to Abraham. The reason was very clear. Lot with his freedom chose not to honor and serve God with all his heart, mind and soul. Abraham with his freedom of choice chose to serve God.
We are told to proclaim freedom to the poor in Isaiah 61:1. This is why we often communicate to you in these devotionals the importance of helping the poor in their time of trouble. Also we have spent most of our lives dedicated to helping in mission outreaches that care for the poor. We will assure you that God will bless those that reach out to help the poor.
We are promised freedom from our sins in Romans 6:14. The greatest freedom is that given by God when He lifts our burden of sin. In John 8:32-36 we are told that if we continue in God’s Word --- read the Bible; if you are faithful --- to the Lord and if you live according to God’s teaching that He has given to us --- then --- “We shall know the truth and the truth shall make us free”(verse 36). Jesus is the truth and knowing Him as our Savior sets us free from the penalty of death for our sin. That is the freedom God has for us that believe in Him.
Finally in 1 Peter 2:16-17 we are admonished as believers to “Live as free men; not however as though your freedom were there to provide a screen for wrongdoing; but live as servants of God, honoring all men, love your brothers and fear God.”
We encourage you to let Christ control your life for then you have true freedom that will last for a lifetime.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Colossians 3:4.
When Christ who is our life appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory.
PRAYER:
Help me and my family to appreciate the freedoms that we have. Thank You for the continued freedom You give us today to read Your Word and to pray openly as a family
FREEDOM
DEFINITION:
The state of being free; personal liberty or national independence.
SCRIPTURE:
“It is to freedom that you have been called, my brothers. Only be careful that freedom does not become a mere opportunity for your lower nature (the flesh). You should be free to serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13. (Phillips translation)
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When God created us He gave us a free will to choose whether or not to serve Him. With that free will comes the freedom to sin. Sin, however, is not free. It comes with a price tag --- death and eternal separation from God.
God sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for our sin. Those who accept God’s free gift of salvation are set free from the penalty of sin. Salvation covers the penalty for all of our sins, but does not take away our freedom to sin. However, just because all of our sins have been forgiven, it does not give us a license to sin. There are consequences to our sinning and God will hold us accountable. In Galatians 5:13 (verse above) Paul warns us, “to be careful that freedom does not become a mere opportunity for your lower nature (the flesh).”
Recently we listened to a testimony on television of a man who had just been released from prison. He talked about his years in prison and the loss of freedom that he experienced. He spent most of each day locked up in a small cell and could not go anywhere or talk to anyone. He lost his freedom to do what he wanted to do and could always do before he committed his crime. This man went on to say how different it was now that he was out of prison. For the first time in his life he has put real value on having freedoms.
Being in prison is not the only time people feel that they have lost their freedom. Issues in life force people to lose certain freedoms that some would say were minor. Freedoms like going where you want to go if you were physically disabled or having some crippling disease or freedom to do certain things if you were living in inescapable poverty, lost your job, or your home. These circumstances affect your freedom to do what you would like to do.
America was founded by those who had lost their freedom to worship God. Today most Americans have no idea what it means to live without freedom to do what we want when we want. As believers we need to take a new look at what it means to have freedom in Christ.
Reading God’s Word, the Bible, each day is a privilege that many people around the world do not have. In the Second World War when the Americans arrived in the Philippines, many political prisoners were freed from prison. Among the “crimes” that these people had committed was that of reading the Bible. They had no freedom.
Soon after his release from prison a man came to a missionary in the Philippians and asked if it were true that he could now read his Bible? The missionary pointed to a nearby American flag and said: “So long as you see that flag flying overhead you can read your Bible on the roof of your house and no one will bother you.” That is a great definition of freedom for us.
In 1942 Franklin D. Roosevelt, then President of the United States of America said:
“We look forward to a world founded on four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom for every person to worship God in his own way. The second is freedom of speech and expression. The third is freedom from want and finally the freedom from fear.”
The Bible has a lot to share with us about the freedom God has given us that love and serve Him. God first dealt in the Bible about freedom in Genesis (13:10-13). Abraham responded to the leading of God and gave Lot the freedom of choice as to the land that would be his. Lot chose the fertile land of the plains of Jordan and left the desert area of Canaan to Abraham. But as the scriptures tell us, the land that Lot chose caused nothing but problems for Lot while God blessed the land left to Abraham. The reason was very clear. Lot with his freedom chose not to honor and serve God with all his heart, mind and soul. Abraham with his freedom of choice chose to serve God.
We are told to proclaim freedom to the poor in Isaiah 61:1. This is why we often communicate to you in these devotionals the importance of helping the poor in their time of trouble. Also we have spent most of our lives dedicated to helping in mission outreaches that care for the poor. We will assure you that God will bless those that reach out to help the poor.
We are promised freedom from our sins in Romans 6:14. The greatest freedom is that given by God when He lifts our burden of sin. In John 8:32-36 we are told that if we continue in God’s Word --- read the Bible; if you are faithful --- to the Lord and if you live according to God’s teaching that He has given to us --- then --- “We shall know the truth and the truth shall make us free”(verse 36). Jesus is the truth and knowing Him as our Savior sets us free from the penalty of death for our sin. That is the freedom God has for us that believe in Him.
Finally in 1 Peter 2:16-17 we are admonished as believers to “Live as free men; not however as though your freedom were there to provide a screen for wrongdoing; but live as servants of God, honoring all men, love your brothers and fear God.”
We encourage you to let Christ control your life for then you have true freedom that will last for a lifetime.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Colossians 3:4.
When Christ who is our life appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory.
PRAYER:
Help me and my family to appreciate the freedoms that we have. Thank You for the continued freedom You give us today to read Your Word and to pray openly as a family
Loyalty: April 20, 2011
APRIL 20, 2011: TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY APRIL 20, 2011
LOYALTY
DEFINITION:
The state of being loyal, faithful, and constant in devotion.
SCRIPTURE:
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one or love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When we think of loyalty we first think about our loyalty to God. As believers we all know that our loyalty to God, our creator, our Savior and our Lord must be a priority in our life. After being confident that we have complete loyalty to God we need to make sure that we are loyal to our spouses, our children, our parents and even our friends.
Loyalty is a trait we admire in others and look for in a true friend. We all like to think of ourselves as loyal. Unfortunately the reality is that we do not see much true loyalty in our world today. It is easy to be loyal if it doesn’t demand anything of us. It is when loyalty costs us something that our resolve to be loyal crumbles.
Loyalty is difficult to maintain because it often puts us in a position of having to choose sides for whom or what we want to be loyal to. We must carefully evaluate whom or what we give our loyalty to.
Theodore Roosevelt, the former President of the United States, said in 1919: “There can be no divided allegiance here. We have room for one God --- one flag --- one language --- and for one sole loyalty --- and that is to the American people. That is not so true today. Loyalties have become very difficult.
As children in school we were taught to be loyal to our country and our flag. Our parents taught us to be loyal to them and to our siblings. Most importantly, our parents taught us to be loyal and devoted to our Lord.
In the Old Testament Solomon was known for his God-given wisdom and devotion to God. In spite of his wisdom and his love for God he failed to remain completely loyal to God. In I Kings 11:4 we read that Solomon’s loyalty became divided. He allowed pressure from his pagan wives to compromise his devotion to God, “As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God.”
There are many pressures in this world that can cause us to compromise our loyalty to God. In Matthew 6:24 Jesus warned of this danger and compared it to trying to serve two masters. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one or love the other.” Loyalty to the Lord our God requires making a choice. If we choose our Lord, He wants our loyalty without compromise.
Loyalty to the Lord may not be easy. Anyone who has lived under communism knows that devotion to God comes at a heavy cost. Many have paid with their lives because of their faith and loyalty to their Lord.
In America today we are often mocked for our faith. Even though we may be mocked, we must stay strong and loyal to our faith and God will honor us for it.
Dan Crawford was a person that loved to go into new areas of our world and explore. He tells of a native guide that was leading him along a long and new trail. Being uncertain of his direction, he asked the guide just where they were going. “You want to know the way? I am the way!” smiled the native guide, pointing to his head where the knowledge was stored.
Dan Crawford, being a Christian who believed in Jesus, later was able to share with his guide about the One who is the true and living way. What a wonderful example to remind us of the true and only way, being our Lord Jesus Christ. If we do not have loyalty to our Lord, how can we expect to find our way through this life?
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Colossians 3:4.
When Christ who is our life appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory.
PRAYER:
Help me this day to learn a new sense of loyalty for my family, friends and neighbors. Give us this day, dear Lord the courage to fully trust You who made us. Give me strength to walk down the path that You lead me down today. Lead me every moment in my journey through life.
LOYALTY
DEFINITION:
The state of being loyal, faithful, and constant in devotion.
SCRIPTURE:
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one or love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When we think of loyalty we first think about our loyalty to God. As believers we all know that our loyalty to God, our creator, our Savior and our Lord must be a priority in our life. After being confident that we have complete loyalty to God we need to make sure that we are loyal to our spouses, our children, our parents and even our friends.
Loyalty is a trait we admire in others and look for in a true friend. We all like to think of ourselves as loyal. Unfortunately the reality is that we do not see much true loyalty in our world today. It is easy to be loyal if it doesn’t demand anything of us. It is when loyalty costs us something that our resolve to be loyal crumbles.
Loyalty is difficult to maintain because it often puts us in a position of having to choose sides for whom or what we want to be loyal to. We must carefully evaluate whom or what we give our loyalty to.
Theodore Roosevelt, the former President of the United States, said in 1919: “There can be no divided allegiance here. We have room for one God --- one flag --- one language --- and for one sole loyalty --- and that is to the American people. That is not so true today. Loyalties have become very difficult.
As children in school we were taught to be loyal to our country and our flag. Our parents taught us to be loyal to them and to our siblings. Most importantly, our parents taught us to be loyal and devoted to our Lord.
In the Old Testament Solomon was known for his God-given wisdom and devotion to God. In spite of his wisdom and his love for God he failed to remain completely loyal to God. In I Kings 11:4 we read that Solomon’s loyalty became divided. He allowed pressure from his pagan wives to compromise his devotion to God, “As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God.”
There are many pressures in this world that can cause us to compromise our loyalty to God. In Matthew 6:24 Jesus warned of this danger and compared it to trying to serve two masters. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one or love the other.” Loyalty to the Lord our God requires making a choice. If we choose our Lord, He wants our loyalty without compromise.
Loyalty to the Lord may not be easy. Anyone who has lived under communism knows that devotion to God comes at a heavy cost. Many have paid with their lives because of their faith and loyalty to their Lord.
In America today we are often mocked for our faith. Even though we may be mocked, we must stay strong and loyal to our faith and God will honor us for it.
Dan Crawford was a person that loved to go into new areas of our world and explore. He tells of a native guide that was leading him along a long and new trail. Being uncertain of his direction, he asked the guide just where they were going. “You want to know the way? I am the way!” smiled the native guide, pointing to his head where the knowledge was stored.
Dan Crawford, being a Christian who believed in Jesus, later was able to share with his guide about the One who is the true and living way. What a wonderful example to remind us of the true and only way, being our Lord Jesus Christ. If we do not have loyalty to our Lord, how can we expect to find our way through this life?
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Colossians 3:4.
When Christ who is our life appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory.
PRAYER:
Help me this day to learn a new sense of loyalty for my family, friends and neighbors. Give us this day, dear Lord the courage to fully trust You who made us. Give me strength to walk down the path that You lead me down today. Lead me every moment in my journey through life.
Sharing: April 19, 2011
APRIL 19, 2011: TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY APRIL 19, 2011
SHARING
DEFINITION:
Having something jointly, a portion or an allotted part, giving a portion to others.
SCRIPTURE:
“But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Hebrews 13:16.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Many children as well as adults today do not understand what it means to share. More important they have not experienced the joy that one can have in their heart when they learn to share. Children are not being taught to share today in their homes mainly because their parents do not share things with others, including their words (feelings) or deeds.
When a child is not taught properly, when they are young, how do we expect them to be any different when they grow up? The verse above that the author of Hebrews wrote is so clear. It reminds us that sharing is doing good and we need not forget this as we live out our lives each and every day.
We began when our children were very young to teach them to share. We taught them to share their toys, not only with their siblings but with friends who would visit them. We taught them to share their time when someone needed help. We taught them to share their resources (ten percent), which we referred to as tithe with our church. Sharing is tough to learn for children but when you start when they are young and then are consistent and lead by example they will learn. Usually, at the beginning, their response would be something like “that is mine and I want it.”
When we taught our kids to share, we constantly reminded them that sharing was a two way street. It was important for them to understand that if one shared an item with another sibling then the other needed to be willing to share an item with the child that shared with them. When children learn this it becomes a life principle when they become adults.
When we think of the word sharing we need to think about how we share our faith with others that we touch every day. Very few believers today feel comfortable about talking about their faith with a non-believer. This type of sharing is close to non-existent and there are possibly several reasons for this.
It is thought that most people, first of all, do not feel any kind of urgency or burden to share their faith with others. They feel that that should be the responsibility of the pastor, the missionary or the evangelist that comes to town.
A second reason is that they feel unprepared and could not answer the questions that they may be asked. If this is your problem it can be easily solved if that is your desire. You will then want to study the Bible daily and pray daily and God will give you the answers.
And thirdly and sadly, most believers have no desire to stand up for the Lord. They are fearful of being thought of as crazy or not with it. What will you say when you stand before God in heaven when you are asked did you share your faith with all those you saw and met?
In the first chapter of John we read about Andrew who was one of the two first disciples picked by Jesus. Andrew was a humble person, devoted and Christ like. His name means “manliness.” After Jesus chose Andrew to be His disciple and he spent time learning from the Messiah he became a rugged evangelist and he was known for his consistency in sharing Christ personally with all that he came into contact daily. When he first met Jesus he shared with his brother Peter the good news that he had met the Messiah.
Part of sharing is also developing a compassion for others to the extent of being willing to share with them some of your possessions, time, and most important your faith.
In Isaiah 58:7, Isaiah explains what pleases God. It is more than just going to church. “Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him.” It pleases God and we honor Him when we have compassion for others, especially the poor, and willingly share what we have with them.
Sharing should begin with all of us by sharing our faith with our family, friends and neighbors. Secondly. we must be consistent and willing to share with others our time, talents and treasures. And finally we must share with the poor what God has blessed us with. Andrew shared his love for Jesus to everyone he came in contact with as an example to us as to how we are to share by our words and deeds what God has given us.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Colossians 3:4.
When Christ who is our life appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory.
PRAYER:
As we begin this New Year we want to praise You for Your sharing of Your Son by sending Him to this world to pay the penalty for my sins. Give me now the discipline and boldness to share my love for You with those I meet today. May the joy of the Lord shine brightly in all that I do and say.
SHARING
DEFINITION:
Having something jointly, a portion or an allotted part, giving a portion to others.
SCRIPTURE:
“But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Hebrews 13:16.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Many children as well as adults today do not understand what it means to share. More important they have not experienced the joy that one can have in their heart when they learn to share. Children are not being taught to share today in their homes mainly because their parents do not share things with others, including their words (feelings) or deeds.
When a child is not taught properly, when they are young, how do we expect them to be any different when they grow up? The verse above that the author of Hebrews wrote is so clear. It reminds us that sharing is doing good and we need not forget this as we live out our lives each and every day.
We began when our children were very young to teach them to share. We taught them to share their toys, not only with their siblings but with friends who would visit them. We taught them to share their time when someone needed help. We taught them to share their resources (ten percent), which we referred to as tithe with our church. Sharing is tough to learn for children but when you start when they are young and then are consistent and lead by example they will learn. Usually, at the beginning, their response would be something like “that is mine and I want it.”
When we taught our kids to share, we constantly reminded them that sharing was a two way street. It was important for them to understand that if one shared an item with another sibling then the other needed to be willing to share an item with the child that shared with them. When children learn this it becomes a life principle when they become adults.
When we think of the word sharing we need to think about how we share our faith with others that we touch every day. Very few believers today feel comfortable about talking about their faith with a non-believer. This type of sharing is close to non-existent and there are possibly several reasons for this.
It is thought that most people, first of all, do not feel any kind of urgency or burden to share their faith with others. They feel that that should be the responsibility of the pastor, the missionary or the evangelist that comes to town.
A second reason is that they feel unprepared and could not answer the questions that they may be asked. If this is your problem it can be easily solved if that is your desire. You will then want to study the Bible daily and pray daily and God will give you the answers.
And thirdly and sadly, most believers have no desire to stand up for the Lord. They are fearful of being thought of as crazy or not with it. What will you say when you stand before God in heaven when you are asked did you share your faith with all those you saw and met?
In the first chapter of John we read about Andrew who was one of the two first disciples picked by Jesus. Andrew was a humble person, devoted and Christ like. His name means “manliness.” After Jesus chose Andrew to be His disciple and he spent time learning from the Messiah he became a rugged evangelist and he was known for his consistency in sharing Christ personally with all that he came into contact daily. When he first met Jesus he shared with his brother Peter the good news that he had met the Messiah.
Part of sharing is also developing a compassion for others to the extent of being willing to share with them some of your possessions, time, and most important your faith.
In Isaiah 58:7, Isaiah explains what pleases God. It is more than just going to church. “Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him.” It pleases God and we honor Him when we have compassion for others, especially the poor, and willingly share what we have with them.
Sharing should begin with all of us by sharing our faith with our family, friends and neighbors. Secondly. we must be consistent and willing to share with others our time, talents and treasures. And finally we must share with the poor what God has blessed us with. Andrew shared his love for Jesus to everyone he came in contact with as an example to us as to how we are to share by our words and deeds what God has given us.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Colossians 3:4.
When Christ who is our life appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory.
PRAYER:
As we begin this New Year we want to praise You for Your sharing of Your Son by sending Him to this world to pay the penalty for my sins. Give me now the discipline and boldness to share my love for You with those I meet today. May the joy of the Lord shine brightly in all that I do and say.
Anticipation: April 18, 2011
APRIL 18, 2011: Today’s word for Monday April 18, 2011
ANTICIPATION
DEFINITION:
To expect or look forward to; to realize or feel beforehand.
SCRIPTURE:
Joshua told the people: “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” Joshua 3:4
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When you think of times in your life when you anticipated something good or bad how did you react? Anticipation has an emotional effect on us. Excitement wells up within us when we are anticipating something good, such as the birth of a child, a trip, a reunion with someone close to us, etc.
When we are anticipating something bad we are filled with dread and fear. Often we find that after going through something we anticipated with dread, that the anticipation was worse than the actual experience.
When our children were young, we spent our vacation time each summer at the beach on the Pacific Ocean. Each of the children when experiencing the ocean surf for the first time were fearful of the breaking waves. They would stand at the water’s edge and watch the waves come in and go out. As they watched they noticed that when the water receded sand was exposed. After a short time they would get a little daring and run out as the tide went out, chasing the water back to the ocean. They carefully would watch the waves in anticipation so they would have time to run ahead of the incoming wave back to the safety of the beach.
In Joshua chapter three, we find Israel standing on the edge of the Jordan River in anticipation of entering the Promised Land. For forty years God caused the Israelites to wander in the desert as punishment for their sins. Finally, a new generation was ready to enter the Promised Land; however, there was one major obstacle. Between the Israelites and the Promised Land was the Jordan River which was overflowing its banks due to the spring rains. Just think of the anticipation that went through each person’s mind.
God always has a plan for carrying out His promises. God instructed Joshua what to do to solve their problem. The Priests that were carrying the Ark of the Covenant were to stand in the water at the edge of the Jordan River. As soon as the Priests feet touched the water, the waters parted. Then the Priests, carrying the Ark of the Covenant, stood on dry land in the middle of the river until the entire nation of Israel had crossed over into the Promised Land. Have you ever wondered about the anticipation that the Priests had waiting to see what God was going to do?
The anticipation of doing something new or dangerous is often accompanied by an element of fear. We can only imagine the fear the Priests must have felt as they stepped into the raging river; nevertheless, they stepped out in faith in obedience to God’s command.
Think about all of the people and events we read about in the Bible. What was the anticipation of “things and events” like for them? What kind of anticipation did Noah go through building an ark in the desert and then waiting for it to rain? What about the anticipation that David experience when he was walking out to meet the giant Goliath with five stones and a sling shot?
What about the anticipation that the disciples had as they watched Jesus die on the cross? The disciples had been anticipating that Christ had come to set up His kingdom and free Israel from the oppressive rule of the Romans. The crucifixion of Jesus by the Romans dashed all of their hopes. It was not until after Jesus rose from the dead that they understood that Jesus would come again as a conquering King to reign over a new heaven and a new earth.
We all run into obstacles in our life that stand between us and what God wants us to do. In order for God to help us get around the obstacles we must trust Him and do what is right and not be afraid to step out in faith. If fear had kept the Priests from stepping into the river Jordan, they would have allowed the river to be an obstacle that would have kept them from what they had so long anticipated --- entering the Promised Land.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Colossians 3:4.
When Christ who is our life appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory.
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to anticipate receiving God’s blessings in my life. Help me to overcome the obstacles in my life that stand between me and You. Help our family to renew our relationship with You and each other.
ANTICIPATION
DEFINITION:
To expect or look forward to; to realize or feel beforehand.
SCRIPTURE:
Joshua told the people: “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” Joshua 3:4
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When you think of times in your life when you anticipated something good or bad how did you react? Anticipation has an emotional effect on us. Excitement wells up within us when we are anticipating something good, such as the birth of a child, a trip, a reunion with someone close to us, etc.
When we are anticipating something bad we are filled with dread and fear. Often we find that after going through something we anticipated with dread, that the anticipation was worse than the actual experience.
When our children were young, we spent our vacation time each summer at the beach on the Pacific Ocean. Each of the children when experiencing the ocean surf for the first time were fearful of the breaking waves. They would stand at the water’s edge and watch the waves come in and go out. As they watched they noticed that when the water receded sand was exposed. After a short time they would get a little daring and run out as the tide went out, chasing the water back to the ocean. They carefully would watch the waves in anticipation so they would have time to run ahead of the incoming wave back to the safety of the beach.
In Joshua chapter three, we find Israel standing on the edge of the Jordan River in anticipation of entering the Promised Land. For forty years God caused the Israelites to wander in the desert as punishment for their sins. Finally, a new generation was ready to enter the Promised Land; however, there was one major obstacle. Between the Israelites and the Promised Land was the Jordan River which was overflowing its banks due to the spring rains. Just think of the anticipation that went through each person’s mind.
God always has a plan for carrying out His promises. God instructed Joshua what to do to solve their problem. The Priests that were carrying the Ark of the Covenant were to stand in the water at the edge of the Jordan River. As soon as the Priests feet touched the water, the waters parted. Then the Priests, carrying the Ark of the Covenant, stood on dry land in the middle of the river until the entire nation of Israel had crossed over into the Promised Land. Have you ever wondered about the anticipation that the Priests had waiting to see what God was going to do?
The anticipation of doing something new or dangerous is often accompanied by an element of fear. We can only imagine the fear the Priests must have felt as they stepped into the raging river; nevertheless, they stepped out in faith in obedience to God’s command.
Think about all of the people and events we read about in the Bible. What was the anticipation of “things and events” like for them? What kind of anticipation did Noah go through building an ark in the desert and then waiting for it to rain? What about the anticipation that David experience when he was walking out to meet the giant Goliath with five stones and a sling shot?
What about the anticipation that the disciples had as they watched Jesus die on the cross? The disciples had been anticipating that Christ had come to set up His kingdom and free Israel from the oppressive rule of the Romans. The crucifixion of Jesus by the Romans dashed all of their hopes. It was not until after Jesus rose from the dead that they understood that Jesus would come again as a conquering King to reign over a new heaven and a new earth.
We all run into obstacles in our life that stand between us and what God wants us to do. In order for God to help us get around the obstacles we must trust Him and do what is right and not be afraid to step out in faith. If fear had kept the Priests from stepping into the river Jordan, they would have allowed the river to be an obstacle that would have kept them from what they had so long anticipated --- entering the Promised Land.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Colossians 3:4.
When Christ who is our life appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory.
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to anticipate receiving God’s blessings in my life. Help me to overcome the obstacles in my life that stand between me and You. Help our family to renew our relationship with You and each other.
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