OCTOBER 28 2011. TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY OCTOBER 28, 2011.
BELIEF
DEFINITION:
Something believed; opinion; conviction; confidence in the truth or existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof; faith; trust; a religious creed or trust.
SCRIPTURE:
“God from the beginning chose you for salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.” II Thessalonians 2:13, 15.
“He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching.” Titus 1:9
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” John 1:12
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Anyone who says he is a Christian is saying that he has a belief in Jesus Christ and follows His teachings. Webster defines belief as confidence in the truth or existence of something. Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth and the life.” John 14:6. God and Jesus are the source of all truth and that is the basis of our belief. Therefore those that put their belief or trust in Jesus can have confidence in the truth of His teachings.
The message of Salvation that Jesus gave us is trustworthy and we should have a strong, unshakeable and confident belief in what He taught us so we can encourage others.
The book of Titus is a letter that Paul wrote to Titus. Paul had given to Titus the responsibility of appointing leaders for the churches that Paul had been involved in establishing. In Titus 1:5-9, Paul describes to Titus the leadership qualities that leaders in the church should have. All Christians should strive to meet these qualifications in their lives today.
Paul says we must be blameless, not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, and not pursuing dishonest gain. After this list of what we must not do, Paul gives us a list of what we must do. We must be hospitable, love what is good, be self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. The way we live our life is a testimony to our faith in what we believe.
The keys to making belief or believing a reality in our lives are:
• TRUSTING GOD: This comes first no matter what we are facing in life. Our belief is in God and our faith is strengthened by trusting God. We must trust in the Lord with all our heart. (Psalm 37:3 and Proverbs 3:5 are good verses for you to read)
• DO GOOD: Our faith is demonstrated by the good we do whether it is by word or deed. Psalm 37:3 instructs us to trust in the Lord and then do good.
• RELY ON THE LORD: When we have troubles we are to “Cast all our cares on Him.” I Peter 5:7. Thus, at all times, when we face a situation that is difficult for us, we are instructed to give it to the Lord. We do not have to go it alone. We can rely on the Lord to be a constant help in our troubles.
• COMMIT OUR PLANS TO GOD: Every day when we begin our activities, our belief in God allows us to “Commit to the Lord what ever you do and your plans will succeed.” Our problems usually arise during the day because we have not committed our plans to our Lord in the morning and given Him the opportunity to guide us.
Many people living in today’s world really believe in nothing more than themselves. We do not know how we could make it even through one day without our faith in the Lord. With all the stresses and all the uncertainties of life in today’s world, we are certain that if we did not have our strong belief in God and Jesus, we would be in deep despair. How strong and real is your belief in God?
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Colossians 2:6.
As you therefore have received Jesus Christ the Lord, so walk in Him.
PRAYER:
Thank You Lord that You can give me strength to live every moment of this day for You. Keep my belief in You strong and help me to trust You, to do good, to cast all my concerns upon You and to commit each situation I face to You. Bless me and my family out of the abundance of Your goodness. Make me a blessing to others.
October 30, 2011
Achievement: October 27, 2011
OCTOBER 27 2011. TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY OCTOBER 27, 2011.
ACHIEVEMENT
DEFINITION:
Something accomplished, as through great effort, skill, perseverance or courage; the act of 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, applying for job advancement, 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.
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. It is so important not to forget planning for success spiritually. May we suggest taking time daily to read God’s Word and spending time in prayer, your communication with God? It will not happen if you do not include time for it in your daily schedule.
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 Colossians 2:6.
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.
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.
ACHIEVEMENT
DEFINITION:
Something accomplished, as through great effort, skill, perseverance or courage; the act of 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, applying for job advancement, 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.
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. It is so important not to forget planning for success spiritually. May we suggest taking time daily to read God’s Word and spending time in prayer, your communication with God? It will not happen if you do not include time for it in your daily schedule.
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 Colossians 2:6.
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.
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.
Justice: October 26, 2011
OCTOBER 26 2011. TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 26, 2011.
JUSTICE
DEFINITION:
The quality of being just, true or correct; 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:
In Proverbs 1:3 we are told that we are to receive from God the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment and equity. These standards are very consistent with the Ten Commandments that God gave Moses. In Psalm 82:3 we read that we are to defend the poor and needy and do justice to the offended.
Justice comes from God. God says that “By me Kings reign and rulers declare justice.” (Proverbs 8:15) Do our rulers, 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 a just God. He does not want anyone to perish. He has provided justice to all through His Son, Jesus Christ. Therefore it becomes our choice as to how we will be judged following our death and when we face the judgment seat of God.
“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 desire. These verses assure us that God is paying attention to those who cry out to Him. In His perfect timing He will see that those who love Him will get justice for the injustice done to them.
We must remind you that we are born into this world as sinners. Because of this we will each one be judged by God. We can be thankful that our Lord God is not only a just God but He is a merciful God. How grateful we should be that God, because of His mercy, does not give us what we justly deserve. It is because of God’s mercy that 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 other 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 other options; either we except Jesus as our personal Savior or we reject Him. If we reject Him, then we face judgment and will 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 Colossians 2:6.
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.
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 them having a personal relationship with Jesus.
JUSTICE
DEFINITION:
The quality of being just, true or correct; 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:
In Proverbs 1:3 we are told that we are to receive from God the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment and equity. These standards are very consistent with the Ten Commandments that God gave Moses. In Psalm 82:3 we read that we are to defend the poor and needy and do justice to the offended.
Justice comes from God. God says that “By me Kings reign and rulers declare justice.” (Proverbs 8:15) Do our rulers, 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 a just God. He does not want anyone to perish. He has provided justice to all through His Son, Jesus Christ. Therefore it becomes our choice as to how we will be judged following our death and when we face the judgment seat of God.
“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 desire. These verses assure us that God is paying attention to those who cry out to Him. In His perfect timing He will see that those who love Him will get justice for the injustice done to them.
We must remind you that we are born into this world as sinners. Because of this we will each one be judged by God. We can be thankful that our Lord God is not only a just God but He is a merciful God. How grateful we should be that God, because of His mercy, does not give us what we justly deserve. It is because of God’s mercy that 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 other 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 other options; either we except Jesus as our personal Savior or we reject Him. If we reject Him, then we face judgment and will 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 Colossians 2:6.
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.
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 them having a personal relationship with Jesus.
Wealth: October 25, 2011
OCTOBER 25 2011. TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY OCTOBER 25, 2011.
WEALTH
DEFINITION:
A great quantity or store of money, property or other riches; plentiful amount; abundance; being rich or valuable.
SCRIPTURE:
“Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches, none of them can by any means redeem his brother.” Psalm 49:6-7.
“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 does come 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.” 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 is given in what He gives back to the giver. 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 (time, talent or treasure) 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 Colossians 2:6.
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.
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, property or other riches; plentiful amount; abundance; being rich or valuable.
SCRIPTURE:
“Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches, none of them can by any means redeem his brother.” Psalm 49:6-7.
“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 does come 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.” 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 is given in what He gives back to the giver. 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 (time, talent or treasure) 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 Colossians 2:6.
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.
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: October 24, 2011
OCTOBER 24 2011. TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY OCTOBER 24, 2011
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 past few years the moral values of our country have steadily declined. Unfortunately this is no different today than in other eras of history. Today the Bible cannot be read and the Ten Commandments cannot be displayed in public schools. The Ten Commandments have been banned from display in government offices and public places. We are living in a society that has chosen to put aside Gods standards of ethics.
This has happened because most people today have rejected Gods ethical standards of living (The Ten Commandments), choosing to set their own standards of right and wrong. They put their own interests first and choose to do as they see fit. When we look back in history, even in the Old Testament we see that 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.
Have we forgotten that God gave Moses, to give to us, the Ten Commandments for a reason? Because of our sinful nature man has the ability to devise all sorts of evil. Laws and regulations are necessary to keep man’s evilness in check. God created us and He wants what is best for us. He knows how we should live in order to be content and fulfilled. The Ten Commandments are like a measuring stick to help us be what God wants us to be.
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. These commandments, as listed in Exodus chapter 20, cover every detail that one needs 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 (Matthew 22:37-38) Jesus adds to this list two more commandments. 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.”
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 consequence 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 God’s 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 after that. You see I had lost trust in her and did not agree with her ethical standards as they differed from what I had been taught by my mother and what I had read in the Bible.
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. We also suggest that after you have read through them follow this with a time of discussion with your family as to where you stand in relation to each commandment. Each of us must 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 Colossians 2:6.
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.
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 apply each one to my words and deeds daily. Bless my family today and may they not be swayed by the things of the world that they face. Give each one of us the courage to stand up for what we believe and for the one we serve.
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 past few years the moral values of our country have steadily declined. Unfortunately this is no different today than in other eras of history. Today the Bible cannot be read and the Ten Commandments cannot be displayed in public schools. The Ten Commandments have been banned from display in government offices and public places. We are living in a society that has chosen to put aside Gods standards of ethics.
This has happened because most people today have rejected Gods ethical standards of living (The Ten Commandments), choosing to set their own standards of right and wrong. They put their own interests first and choose to do as they see fit. When we look back in history, even in the Old Testament we see that 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.
Have we forgotten that God gave Moses, to give to us, the Ten Commandments for a reason? Because of our sinful nature man has the ability to devise all sorts of evil. Laws and regulations are necessary to keep man’s evilness in check. God created us and He wants what is best for us. He knows how we should live in order to be content and fulfilled. The Ten Commandments are like a measuring stick to help us be what God wants us to be.
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. These commandments, as listed in Exodus chapter 20, cover every detail that one needs 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 (Matthew 22:37-38) Jesus adds to this list two more commandments. 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.”
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 consequence 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 God’s 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 after that. You see I had lost trust in her and did not agree with her ethical standards as they differed from what I had been taught by my mother and what I had read in the Bible.
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. We also suggest that after you have read through them follow this with a time of discussion with your family as to where you stand in relation to each commandment. Each of us must 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 Colossians 2:6.
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.
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 apply each one to my words and deeds daily. Bless my family today and may they not be swayed by the things of the world that they face. Give each one of us the courage to stand up for what we believe and for the one we serve.
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