GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SATURDAY DECEMBER 29, 2012
PROVERB:
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1
PROMISE:
I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from Me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged Me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things. Isaiah 45: 5-7.
PRAISE:
But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. I will come and proclaim Your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim Your righteousness, Yours alone. Psalm 71: 14-16.
December 30, 2012
Gladness: December 26, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 26, 2012
GLADNESS
DEFINITION:
The feeling of joy or pleasure.
SCRIPTURE:
Serve the Lord with gladness. Psalm 100:2.
You have put gladness in my heart. Psalm 4:7.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Those who serve the Lord with a sad face, because for some reason they are unhappy about something, really are not serving Him at all. These types of people bring to the spiritual table a form of bowing down to God and seemingly worshipping Him, but their words and deeds do not show a love for their Lord in their everyday living with true gladness and service.
Our God is a God of love and He wants no slaves to grace His throne. In God's sight a slave is one who serves God because he or she feels they must and not because he or she has given his or her heart to the Lord and desires to serve Him. Thus, there is no true gladness experienced in their heart each day. These types of people will continually show sadness on their face because they are carrying the heavy burden of reluctant obedience. God has His servants dressed in joy and gladness not with sadness. The angels serve Him with joy not with groans. A murmur or a sigh would be a mutiny in the ranks of the angels. The Lord looks at the heart and He can see that obedience that is forced and not voluntary is really disobedience.
Our service to God coupled with gladness and cheerfulness is true heart service and is what God wants from us. Cheerfulness and gladness is the support God gives us for our faith in the Lord. In the joy of the Lord we are strong. The joy of the Lord in our lives acts as a remover of difficulties. It is like what oil is to the wheels of a railroad car. Without oil the axle gets hot and accidents occur. We need the gladness and cheerfulness of the Lord in our lives. These act to oil our wheels. The man who is cheerful in his service to God shows the people of the world, non-believers, that it is a delight and joy to serve the Lord our God.
Gladness in serving the Lord is what the people of Judah experienced when Hezekiah became King and reopened the temple in Jerusalem for worship. His father Ahaz had shut the temple doors and led the people of Judah into idol worship. In the first month of his reign King Hezekiah opened and repaired the temple doors and brought back the priests to consecrate and purify the temple. When the temple was ready the people came and the “whole assembly bowed in worship. They sang praises with gladness and bowed their heads and worshipped.” II Chronicles 29: 28-30.
We encourage you to worship and serve the Lord with gladness. When you attend church and see someone who seems sad and is missing the gladness of worshipping the Lord, take a moment to pray for them and ask God to give that person a heart of joy and gladness. When you pray for someone, God may give you opportunity to say a word of encouragement to them.
You will often find out as you talk to people the heavy burdens they are carrying. When you show you care, you will experience gladness in serving the Lord.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:14.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
PRAYER:
Fill my heart today with gladness that You alone can give. May others see me as one who serves Jesus with gladness.
GLADNESS
DEFINITION:
The feeling of joy or pleasure.
SCRIPTURE:
Serve the Lord with gladness. Psalm 100:2.
You have put gladness in my heart. Psalm 4:7.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Those who serve the Lord with a sad face, because for some reason they are unhappy about something, really are not serving Him at all. These types of people bring to the spiritual table a form of bowing down to God and seemingly worshipping Him, but their words and deeds do not show a love for their Lord in their everyday living with true gladness and service.
Our God is a God of love and He wants no slaves to grace His throne. In God's sight a slave is one who serves God because he or she feels they must and not because he or she has given his or her heart to the Lord and desires to serve Him. Thus, there is no true gladness experienced in their heart each day. These types of people will continually show sadness on their face because they are carrying the heavy burden of reluctant obedience. God has His servants dressed in joy and gladness not with sadness. The angels serve Him with joy not with groans. A murmur or a sigh would be a mutiny in the ranks of the angels. The Lord looks at the heart and He can see that obedience that is forced and not voluntary is really disobedience.
Our service to God coupled with gladness and cheerfulness is true heart service and is what God wants from us. Cheerfulness and gladness is the support God gives us for our faith in the Lord. In the joy of the Lord we are strong. The joy of the Lord in our lives acts as a remover of difficulties. It is like what oil is to the wheels of a railroad car. Without oil the axle gets hot and accidents occur. We need the gladness and cheerfulness of the Lord in our lives. These act to oil our wheels. The man who is cheerful in his service to God shows the people of the world, non-believers, that it is a delight and joy to serve the Lord our God.
Gladness in serving the Lord is what the people of Judah experienced when Hezekiah became King and reopened the temple in Jerusalem for worship. His father Ahaz had shut the temple doors and led the people of Judah into idol worship. In the first month of his reign King Hezekiah opened and repaired the temple doors and brought back the priests to consecrate and purify the temple. When the temple was ready the people came and the “whole assembly bowed in worship. They sang praises with gladness and bowed their heads and worshipped.” II Chronicles 29: 28-30.
We encourage you to worship and serve the Lord with gladness. When you attend church and see someone who seems sad and is missing the gladness of worshipping the Lord, take a moment to pray for them and ask God to give that person a heart of joy and gladness. When you pray for someone, God may give you opportunity to say a word of encouragement to them.
You will often find out as you talk to people the heavy burdens they are carrying. When you show you care, you will experience gladness in serving the Lord.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:14.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
PRAYER:
Fill my heart today with gladness that You alone can give. May others see me as one who serves Jesus with gladness.
Resurrection: December 28, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 28, 2012.
RESURRECTION
DEFINITION:
The rising of Christ from the dead.
SCRIPTURE:
Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? John 11:25-26.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
These verses we have written above were words given by Jesus to Martha when Jesus went to Bethany to visit Martha four days after Lazarus died. Jesus said that He was the resurrection and the life. Jesus could make this statement because He has power over life and death. Jesus is the life because He is the creator of life. He is the resurrection because He conquered death and He can restore life. Jesus said to Martha that, those who believe in Him, though they die, they will live! He asked her if she believed and Martha responded saying that she did believe that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God.
The resurrection of Christ ties into Christmas. It was on Christmas that Jesus was born and today we want to remind you that about 33 years later it was the resurrection of Jesus after His death on the cross that made it possible for us to have an eternal spiritual life that death cannot conquer. He died for you and for us. He died and was resurrected so that we did not have to pay the penalty for our sins because we are all born as sinners, and if we are to have eternal life in heaven with God we must be free from the penalty for the sins we have committed.
Jesus did die a cruel death on the cross to pay the penalty for all of our sins. Jesus asks us the same question He asked Mary, “Do you believe this?” All we have to do is believe, repent of our sins, ask God for forgiveness, and then accept Jesus as our Savior and live for Him. Then death no longer has power over us and we will spend eternity with Him in heaven.
The resurrection of our Lord is what makes Christianity different from ALL other religions. The bodies of all the other religious leaders down through the centuries remain in their tombs. Jesus left an empty tomb. Jesus did what He said He would. On Easter Sunday He did rise from that grave. He remained on earth 40 days during which time He ate and drank with the disciples and showed them His wounds to provide evidence of His resurrection. Jesus appeared not only to the disciples but more than 500 believers saw Jesus alive after His resurrection. He went back to Heaven and today is preparing a place for us to spend eternity with Him.
If for some reason you do not believe that there was a resurrection then you are saying Jesus is a liar and a hoax. If you believe that Jesus did not rise from the dead then you are believing He has no power over death and thus no power to pay the penalty for your sins, which is death. Paul says in I Corinthians 15: 14 that if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is useless and your faith is also useless. In verse 17 Paul goes on to say that if Christ is not risen that your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
Those who are still in their sins cannot avoid God’s judgment. We are asked in Hebrews 2:3, “How shall we escape if we ignore such a great a salvation?”
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:14.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
PRAYER:
We worship You and rejoice in what You have done for us. We thank You and praise You that You are the resurrected Savior, the giver of our great salvation.
RESURRECTION
DEFINITION:
The rising of Christ from the dead.
SCRIPTURE:
Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? John 11:25-26.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
These verses we have written above were words given by Jesus to Martha when Jesus went to Bethany to visit Martha four days after Lazarus died. Jesus said that He was the resurrection and the life. Jesus could make this statement because He has power over life and death. Jesus is the life because He is the creator of life. He is the resurrection because He conquered death and He can restore life. Jesus said to Martha that, those who believe in Him, though they die, they will live! He asked her if she believed and Martha responded saying that she did believe that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God.
The resurrection of Christ ties into Christmas. It was on Christmas that Jesus was born and today we want to remind you that about 33 years later it was the resurrection of Jesus after His death on the cross that made it possible for us to have an eternal spiritual life that death cannot conquer. He died for you and for us. He died and was resurrected so that we did not have to pay the penalty for our sins because we are all born as sinners, and if we are to have eternal life in heaven with God we must be free from the penalty for the sins we have committed.
Jesus did die a cruel death on the cross to pay the penalty for all of our sins. Jesus asks us the same question He asked Mary, “Do you believe this?” All we have to do is believe, repent of our sins, ask God for forgiveness, and then accept Jesus as our Savior and live for Him. Then death no longer has power over us and we will spend eternity with Him in heaven.
The resurrection of our Lord is what makes Christianity different from ALL other religions. The bodies of all the other religious leaders down through the centuries remain in their tombs. Jesus left an empty tomb. Jesus did what He said He would. On Easter Sunday He did rise from that grave. He remained on earth 40 days during which time He ate and drank with the disciples and showed them His wounds to provide evidence of His resurrection. Jesus appeared not only to the disciples but more than 500 believers saw Jesus alive after His resurrection. He went back to Heaven and today is preparing a place for us to spend eternity with Him.
If for some reason you do not believe that there was a resurrection then you are saying Jesus is a liar and a hoax. If you believe that Jesus did not rise from the dead then you are believing He has no power over death and thus no power to pay the penalty for your sins, which is death. Paul says in I Corinthians 15: 14 that if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is useless and your faith is also useless. In verse 17 Paul goes on to say that if Christ is not risen that your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
Those who are still in their sins cannot avoid God’s judgment. We are asked in Hebrews 2:3, “How shall we escape if we ignore such a great a salvation?”
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:14.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
PRAYER:
We worship You and rejoice in what You have done for us. We thank You and praise You that You are the resurrected Savior, the giver of our great salvation.
Favoritism: December 27, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 27, 2012.
FAVORITISM
DEFINITION:
Showing partiality to one person over another; preference.
SCRIPTURE:
My brothers, as believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. James 2:1.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Genesis 27 contains an ugly portrait of parental favoritism. This kind of favoritism is prevalent in families today. We read in this chapter that Isaac favored Esau and Rebecca, Isaac's wife, favored Jacob. Romans chapter 9 points out to us that even before Jacob and Esau were born, God chose Jacob to carry on the covenant line of Abraham. God had also informed Isaac and Rebecca that "the older will serve the younger." (25:23)
Although Rebecca was well aware of God's promise, she would not refrain from allowing her feelings of favoritism toward Jacob to motivate her to take action. She schemed with Jacob to deceive Isaac, who was nearly blind, by disguising Jacob as Esau so that Isaac would give the blessing, which was to be given to the first-born, to Jacob instead of Esau. Rebecca's scheming to advance Jacob was both foolish and wrong. She was wrong to resort to deceit and make her son, Jacob part of it. She was foolish to think that God needed her help to accomplish His purpose and fulfill His promises. God does not need our help in carrying out His plans.
We ask you this question regarding this Biblical account: Who was at fault, the parents or the children? Rebecca had no reason to lie and cheat to gain what she wanted. In choosing deceit, Rebecca so provoked Esau's hostility that Jacob, her favorite, was forced to flee and leave home. All that her conniving did was to divide the family and deprive her of her son for twenty years. The lesson we can learn from this is that "Ends never justify adopting sinful means."
To complete the story it is recorded in Chapter 27 verse 33 that Isaac realized he had been tricked concerning his inheritance. He favored Esau, but he also knew that God had chosen Jacob. Nevertheless, Isaac tried to meddle with God's promise for Jacob. Isaac intended that Esau should have the blessing. When Isaac knew what had happened he began to shake violently, because he realized that he had tried to change God's plan but God had intervened to prevent it. So Isaac submitted to God's will and bestowed his blessing upon Jacob. Isaac could not change what had been done even though Esau asked for a blessing of his own. It is the parent's responsibility to counsel and guide their children in doing what is right.
As parents we need to treat all of our children equally and as children we need to respond to our parents the same way. Favoritism never works out for the good.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:14.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
PRAYER:
Help me to learn from the Biblical account of Isaac, Rebecca, Esau and Jacob. Help me to treat all of my children equally so that they feel equally loved. Keep me sensitive to other people's feelings as well, so that at all times I treat people equally and fairly.
FAVORITISM
DEFINITION:
Showing partiality to one person over another; preference.
SCRIPTURE:
My brothers, as believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. James 2:1.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Genesis 27 contains an ugly portrait of parental favoritism. This kind of favoritism is prevalent in families today. We read in this chapter that Isaac favored Esau and Rebecca, Isaac's wife, favored Jacob. Romans chapter 9 points out to us that even before Jacob and Esau were born, God chose Jacob to carry on the covenant line of Abraham. God had also informed Isaac and Rebecca that "the older will serve the younger." (25:23)
Although Rebecca was well aware of God's promise, she would not refrain from allowing her feelings of favoritism toward Jacob to motivate her to take action. She schemed with Jacob to deceive Isaac, who was nearly blind, by disguising Jacob as Esau so that Isaac would give the blessing, which was to be given to the first-born, to Jacob instead of Esau. Rebecca's scheming to advance Jacob was both foolish and wrong. She was wrong to resort to deceit and make her son, Jacob part of it. She was foolish to think that God needed her help to accomplish His purpose and fulfill His promises. God does not need our help in carrying out His plans.
We ask you this question regarding this Biblical account: Who was at fault, the parents or the children? Rebecca had no reason to lie and cheat to gain what she wanted. In choosing deceit, Rebecca so provoked Esau's hostility that Jacob, her favorite, was forced to flee and leave home. All that her conniving did was to divide the family and deprive her of her son for twenty years. The lesson we can learn from this is that "Ends never justify adopting sinful means."
To complete the story it is recorded in Chapter 27 verse 33 that Isaac realized he had been tricked concerning his inheritance. He favored Esau, but he also knew that God had chosen Jacob. Nevertheless, Isaac tried to meddle with God's promise for Jacob. Isaac intended that Esau should have the blessing. When Isaac knew what had happened he began to shake violently, because he realized that he had tried to change God's plan but God had intervened to prevent it. So Isaac submitted to God's will and bestowed his blessing upon Jacob. Isaac could not change what had been done even though Esau asked for a blessing of his own. It is the parent's responsibility to counsel and guide their children in doing what is right.
As parents we need to treat all of our children equally and as children we need to respond to our parents the same way. Favoritism never works out for the good.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:14.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
PRAYER:
Help me to learn from the Biblical account of Isaac, Rebecca, Esau and Jacob. Help me to treat all of my children equally so that they feel equally loved. Keep me sensitive to other people's feelings as well, so that at all times I treat people equally and fairly.
Christmas Day: December 25, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY DECEMBER 25, 2012.
CHRISTMAS DAY
DEFINITION:
The celebration of the birth of Jesus.
SCRIPTURE:
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
There were some unusual events that happened in the world when Jesus was born. These events had a dramatic effect on history.
Way back in the book of Genesis Jacob gave us a prophecy of the birth of Jesus. In Genesis 49:10 Jacob said, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh (the Messiah) come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be.”
When Jesus was born this prophecy was being fulfilled. The scepter of rule had departed from Judea and they were now under the rule of Rome with Caesar Augustus reigning as emperor. Cyrenius was governor of Syria and Judea was part of the province of Syria. Herod was now King of Judea. So you see that a foreign, alien power, now ruled over Judea, however God’s scepter of rule had not left Judah. God was still in control and will always be in control of what happens to Judah (Israel).
With the birth of Jesus, the prophecy of The Messiah coming was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was the Messiah (Shiloh) and His coming into the world not only fulfilled prophecy but was surrounded by the most unusual events.
One of these unusual events was the unexpected taxation. It had been prophesied that Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem and this scripture had to be fulfilled. Joseph and Mary lived in Galilee and as the scripture says, “Mary was now great with child.” The taxation happened just at the right time and in the right way. Every one needed to return to the city of his family ancestry to register and pay his taxes. God was controlling these events so that all things worked so that He might fulfill His promise to send the Savior into the world.
Joseph and Mary were both descendants of David so the taxation forced Joseph to take Mary and to go to Bethlehem. The city of Bethlehem was prophesied to be the city of the Messiah’s birth. The taxation led to the fulfillment of Scripture. Without the taxation decree Joseph and Mary would certainly have not had any reason to make such a long difficult journey of more than 70 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem, especially with a baby on the verge of being born.
The Scribes understood where Jesus the Messiah was to be born (Matthew 2:5-6). The common people understood where Jesus was to be born (John 7:42).
Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem because it was prophesied that the Messiah was to be the Son of David. David had been born in Bethlehem therefore it was necessary for Jesus the Son of David to be born there. The “Son of David” was the most common Messianic title used to refer to Jesus in His day. And finally the scripture prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2)
How can we not only be amazed but also have our hearts blessed when we consider how God miraculously worked out His plan of Salvation for us? Caesar Augustus could never have imagined that he played a role in fulfilling prophecy concerning Christ our Messiah.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this Christmas week is found in Luke 2:14.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
PRAYER
Help me today to realize the significance of how God prepared the world for the birth of Jesus. Thank You that I serve a miracle working God. May this Christmas season be a time of rejoicing and celebration of God’s great gift of salvation that I have in Jesus Christ in my life as well as in the lives of my family. Thank You for the miraculous way You work.
CHRISTMAS DAY
DEFINITION:
The celebration of the birth of Jesus.
SCRIPTURE:
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
There were some unusual events that happened in the world when Jesus was born. These events had a dramatic effect on history.
Way back in the book of Genesis Jacob gave us a prophecy of the birth of Jesus. In Genesis 49:10 Jacob said, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh (the Messiah) come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be.”
When Jesus was born this prophecy was being fulfilled. The scepter of rule had departed from Judea and they were now under the rule of Rome with Caesar Augustus reigning as emperor. Cyrenius was governor of Syria and Judea was part of the province of Syria. Herod was now King of Judea. So you see that a foreign, alien power, now ruled over Judea, however God’s scepter of rule had not left Judah. God was still in control and will always be in control of what happens to Judah (Israel).
With the birth of Jesus, the prophecy of The Messiah coming was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was the Messiah (Shiloh) and His coming into the world not only fulfilled prophecy but was surrounded by the most unusual events.
One of these unusual events was the unexpected taxation. It had been prophesied that Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem and this scripture had to be fulfilled. Joseph and Mary lived in Galilee and as the scripture says, “Mary was now great with child.” The taxation happened just at the right time and in the right way. Every one needed to return to the city of his family ancestry to register and pay his taxes. God was controlling these events so that all things worked so that He might fulfill His promise to send the Savior into the world.
Joseph and Mary were both descendants of David so the taxation forced Joseph to take Mary and to go to Bethlehem. The city of Bethlehem was prophesied to be the city of the Messiah’s birth. The taxation led to the fulfillment of Scripture. Without the taxation decree Joseph and Mary would certainly have not had any reason to make such a long difficult journey of more than 70 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem, especially with a baby on the verge of being born.
The Scribes understood where Jesus the Messiah was to be born (Matthew 2:5-6). The common people understood where Jesus was to be born (John 7:42).
Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem because it was prophesied that the Messiah was to be the Son of David. David had been born in Bethlehem therefore it was necessary for Jesus the Son of David to be born there. The “Son of David” was the most common Messianic title used to refer to Jesus in His day. And finally the scripture prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2)
How can we not only be amazed but also have our hearts blessed when we consider how God miraculously worked out His plan of Salvation for us? Caesar Augustus could never have imagined that he played a role in fulfilling prophecy concerning Christ our Messiah.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this Christmas week is found in Luke 2:14.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
PRAYER
Help me today to realize the significance of how God prepared the world for the birth of Jesus. Thank You that I serve a miracle working God. May this Christmas season be a time of rejoicing and celebration of God’s great gift of salvation that I have in Jesus Christ in my life as well as in the lives of my family. Thank You for the miraculous way You work.
Christmas Eve: December 24, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY DECEMBER 24, 2012.
CHRISTMAS EVE
We encourage you today to start preparing for tomorrow. It is our prayer for you that CHRISTMAS DAY 2012 will be one of the most Christ honoring and special days of your life.
Take the time today to read to your family the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-14. For your convenience we are sharing it with you now.
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her first-born, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE TO MEN ON WHOM HIS FAVOR RESTS.”
The story goes on with the shepherds going to find Mary, Joseph and the baby. (Luke 2: 15-20) After you have read this account to your family this Christmas then take time to pray together, thanking God for sending His Son to pay the penalty for your sins.
Make today and tomorrow a real celebration as you celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Have a blessed Christmas and remember that JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!
Your friends;
Ken and Dottie
CHRISTMAS EVE
We encourage you today to start preparing for tomorrow. It is our prayer for you that CHRISTMAS DAY 2012 will be one of the most Christ honoring and special days of your life.
Take the time today to read to your family the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-14. For your convenience we are sharing it with you now.
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her first-born, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE TO MEN ON WHOM HIS FAVOR RESTS.”
The story goes on with the shepherds going to find Mary, Joseph and the baby. (Luke 2: 15-20) After you have read this account to your family this Christmas then take time to pray together, thanking God for sending His Son to pay the penalty for your sins.
Make today and tomorrow a real celebration as you celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Have a blessed Christmas and remember that JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!
Your friends;
Ken and Dottie
December 23, 2012
Gems of Encouragement: December 22, 2012
GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SATURDAY DECEMBER 22, 2012
PROVERB:
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1
PROMISE:
Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O most High. My shield is God most high, who saves the upright in heart. Psalm 7:8b and 7:10
PRAISE:
I will give thanks unto the Lord because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most High. Psalm 7:17
PROVERB:
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1
PROMISE:
Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O most High. My shield is God most high, who saves the upright in heart. Psalm 7:8b and 7:10
PRAISE:
I will give thanks unto the Lord because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most High. Psalm 7:17
Blameless: December 21, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 21, 2012.
BLAMELESS
DEFINITION:
Innocent; without fault; not guilty.
SCRIPTURE:
He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous. Psalm 15:2.
Who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 1:8
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
One of the most difficult things that a person, including one that believes on Jesus, has to learn is to live a blameless life. Our parents taught us, not only by their words but probably more so by their actions, to live a blameless life. We realize that only our Lord is blameless but the scripture is very clear that God expects us to work constantly on living a blameless life.
The Psalmist exhorts us to walk blameless and do what is righteous. So when one talks about being blameless, what they are really saying is that one who lives a righteous life will honor God in all they say and do.
As parents, we knew it was our God-given responsibility to teach our children what it meant to live a blameless life. We taught them to obey God’s Word, to always tell the truth, to be kind to people, to be consistent in their walk and talk and at all times be helpful to someone in need. When a person lives this way they will be respected as they work toward living a blameless life.
What do we need to do to be blameless before our Lord in the evil world we live in today? David specifically wrote in Psalms 15:2 that we must do what is righteous. It is a daily challenge for us to live a Christ-like life and do what is right in each and every situation.
Moses was talking to the children of Israel (Deuteronomy 18: 9-13) telling them when they entered the Promise Land, which the Lord has given them, they were not to live lives like their neighbors. The neighbors they would be living among were pagans and the Israelites would face many temptations to join in their evil ways. The evil ways of the pagan Canaanites were based on the occult. Satan is the origin and the promoter of the occult. Moses told the children of Israel that they must not get involved with these evil practices because they were detestable to the Lord. God would hold them accountable for their actions. Moses challenged the children of Israel to be blameless before the Lord their God.
Today we as Christians also live in a wicked godless society. Parents must be aware that occult practices are very prevalent in our world today. Parents must be alert to what is and who is influencing their children. Kids are fascinated with the Harry Potter books. Teachers lauded these books because they stimulated children to have a desire to read. Yes, the occult is intriguing but it is also very dangerous. Remember Satan is behind the occult.
God did not want the children of Israel to follow the evil ways of their world and God does not want us to follow the evil ways of our world. God expects us to be blameless before the Lord also. We all need to take a look back on our last 48 hours. Have we lived a life that could be considered blameless by God? Where have we missed it or broken down. Was it an action, a word or a deed?
The apostle Paul was praying for the people in the church at Thessalonica (I Thessalonians 3:13) when he prayed, “So that He (Jesus) may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” Yes, God wants us to be blameless when He returns to this earth. He made it possible for us to be blameless through His death on the cross to cleanse us from all our sins.
Peter tells us in II Peter 3:14, referring to the coming again of Christ, that we should be steadfast and strong in our commitment and beliefs. And we are to “look forward and be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.
This is our prayer for you today that you will be strong in the Lord, steadfast in what you believe and be blameless, waiting for the soon coming of Jesus. And let us assure you, He is coming soon!
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 16:3.
Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.
PRAYER:
Help me and my family today to be like Job of old when you said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on this earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and shuns evil.” Keep Your guiding hand on me as I work toward this goal in my life today.
BLAMELESS
DEFINITION:
Innocent; without fault; not guilty.
SCRIPTURE:
He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous. Psalm 15:2.
Who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 1:8
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
One of the most difficult things that a person, including one that believes on Jesus, has to learn is to live a blameless life. Our parents taught us, not only by their words but probably more so by their actions, to live a blameless life. We realize that only our Lord is blameless but the scripture is very clear that God expects us to work constantly on living a blameless life.
The Psalmist exhorts us to walk blameless and do what is righteous. So when one talks about being blameless, what they are really saying is that one who lives a righteous life will honor God in all they say and do.
As parents, we knew it was our God-given responsibility to teach our children what it meant to live a blameless life. We taught them to obey God’s Word, to always tell the truth, to be kind to people, to be consistent in their walk and talk and at all times be helpful to someone in need. When a person lives this way they will be respected as they work toward living a blameless life.
What do we need to do to be blameless before our Lord in the evil world we live in today? David specifically wrote in Psalms 15:2 that we must do what is righteous. It is a daily challenge for us to live a Christ-like life and do what is right in each and every situation.
Moses was talking to the children of Israel (Deuteronomy 18: 9-13) telling them when they entered the Promise Land, which the Lord has given them, they were not to live lives like their neighbors. The neighbors they would be living among were pagans and the Israelites would face many temptations to join in their evil ways. The evil ways of the pagan Canaanites were based on the occult. Satan is the origin and the promoter of the occult. Moses told the children of Israel that they must not get involved with these evil practices because they were detestable to the Lord. God would hold them accountable for their actions. Moses challenged the children of Israel to be blameless before the Lord their God.
Today we as Christians also live in a wicked godless society. Parents must be aware that occult practices are very prevalent in our world today. Parents must be alert to what is and who is influencing their children. Kids are fascinated with the Harry Potter books. Teachers lauded these books because they stimulated children to have a desire to read. Yes, the occult is intriguing but it is also very dangerous. Remember Satan is behind the occult.
God did not want the children of Israel to follow the evil ways of their world and God does not want us to follow the evil ways of our world. God expects us to be blameless before the Lord also. We all need to take a look back on our last 48 hours. Have we lived a life that could be considered blameless by God? Where have we missed it or broken down. Was it an action, a word or a deed?
The apostle Paul was praying for the people in the church at Thessalonica (I Thessalonians 3:13) when he prayed, “So that He (Jesus) may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” Yes, God wants us to be blameless when He returns to this earth. He made it possible for us to be blameless through His death on the cross to cleanse us from all our sins.
Peter tells us in II Peter 3:14, referring to the coming again of Christ, that we should be steadfast and strong in our commitment and beliefs. And we are to “look forward and be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.
This is our prayer for you today that you will be strong in the Lord, steadfast in what you believe and be blameless, waiting for the soon coming of Jesus. And let us assure you, He is coming soon!
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 16:3.
Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.
PRAYER:
Help me and my family today to be like Job of old when you said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on this earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and shuns evil.” Keep Your guiding hand on me as I work toward this goal in my life today.
Storm: December 20, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 20, 2012.
STORM
DEFINITION:
A tumultuous condition; a disturbance of normal atmosphere; a commotion; to rage or complain with violence or fury; to rush angrily; a violent assault or attack.
SCRIPTURE:
He calms the storm so the waves are still. Psalm 107:29.
For you have been strength to the poor and a refuge from the storm. Isaiah 25:4.
KNOWLEDGE AND LEARNING:
Even though we as believers have our trust in the Lord, we all have many storms in our life. We have storms in our personal life, in our marriage, with our children, in our jobs, in our church and with our neighbors.
Recently we have had several close friends have serious storms in their lives, relating to health issues. Sometimes we wonder why God allows this to happen. It is important for us to realize that God does not cause these storms but He allows them for several reasons. Today let us take a few minutes and look at those reasons and apply them to our lives.
First of all God, allows storms to come into our lives to get our attention. We get so busy with the “THINGS” in our lives that we get caught up in just doing what we want to do and forget God. When we act this way and forget God we then rely on our own abilities and think we can handle every situation ourselves. When this happens to believers, God will allow a storm to happen in our lives just to get our attention and help us refocus on what is important.
Secondly, He allows storms to get some sin out of our lives. God wants us to live a pure and clean life and since we are sinners we often fail to meet the standards that God wants from us. Then sin creeps into our lives and we pass it off and do not consider a little sin to be a problem. God will allow a storm to enter our lives to act as a warning. But the longer you hold that sin the stronger the storm will be. God does not want us as believers to live with sin in our lives.
He also allows a storm in your life because He wants you to surrender something. It is so easy in life to let evil and even material things get between our lives and God. For example, one can begin to forget God when your business becomes successful. Success often separates us from God, but more so just “THINGS” can separate us from God. When He wants us to surrender something in our lives, He will make it clear to us and if we do not respond He will allow a storm to come and wake us up to the fact that we are not self-sufficient.
We are not in control, God is. If we are willing to surrender all to God, He will not only go through the storm with us but He will reward us with His blessing. We need to understand that when we do the things that get us through these storms that God always rewards us with something better.
God will allow storms to come into our lives because He wants us to conform to His image. In Romans 12:1-2, Paul tells us God wants us to “present our bodies as a living sacrifice which is Holy and acceptable to God; and that we are not to be conformed to this world but rather we are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind so that we may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God for our lives.” He will allow a storm to come into our life in order to bring us back to doing what His will is for us.
Finally, He will allow a storm to come into our lives in order to equip us to serve Him better. We are prone to refuse to do what God is calling us to do because it is hard and we feel incapable. We use our inadequacy as an excuse to avoid doing what God desires us to do. God can use a storm to make us willing and able to serve Him, just as He did when Jonah refused to serve God as God told him to do.
In the midst of the storm we may think God has lost control and forgotten us. God controls all things and He is in control of what happens to us in the storms of life as well as in the good times.
The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 89:9 that “God rules the mighty seas and calms the stormy waves.” We need to acknowledge that God is the one who is in control and that He has the power to control any storm in our lives. All we need to do is to put our complete trust in Him, call upon Him and then be open to His direction and respond in faith believing.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 16:3.
Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.
PRAYER
Thank You Almighty God for bringing storms into my life to wake me up from my tendency to neglect to serve You as You desire. Give me the spiritual strength and wisdom to lead my family as together we step out in faith to reach our neighbors and friends for You.
STORM
DEFINITION:
A tumultuous condition; a disturbance of normal atmosphere; a commotion; to rage or complain with violence or fury; to rush angrily; a violent assault or attack.
SCRIPTURE:
He calms the storm so the waves are still. Psalm 107:29.
For you have been strength to the poor and a refuge from the storm. Isaiah 25:4.
KNOWLEDGE AND LEARNING:
Even though we as believers have our trust in the Lord, we all have many storms in our life. We have storms in our personal life, in our marriage, with our children, in our jobs, in our church and with our neighbors.
Recently we have had several close friends have serious storms in their lives, relating to health issues. Sometimes we wonder why God allows this to happen. It is important for us to realize that God does not cause these storms but He allows them for several reasons. Today let us take a few minutes and look at those reasons and apply them to our lives.
First of all God, allows storms to come into our lives to get our attention. We get so busy with the “THINGS” in our lives that we get caught up in just doing what we want to do and forget God. When we act this way and forget God we then rely on our own abilities and think we can handle every situation ourselves. When this happens to believers, God will allow a storm to happen in our lives just to get our attention and help us refocus on what is important.
Secondly, He allows storms to get some sin out of our lives. God wants us to live a pure and clean life and since we are sinners we often fail to meet the standards that God wants from us. Then sin creeps into our lives and we pass it off and do not consider a little sin to be a problem. God will allow a storm to enter our lives to act as a warning. But the longer you hold that sin the stronger the storm will be. God does not want us as believers to live with sin in our lives.
He also allows a storm in your life because He wants you to surrender something. It is so easy in life to let evil and even material things get between our lives and God. For example, one can begin to forget God when your business becomes successful. Success often separates us from God, but more so just “THINGS” can separate us from God. When He wants us to surrender something in our lives, He will make it clear to us and if we do not respond He will allow a storm to come and wake us up to the fact that we are not self-sufficient.
We are not in control, God is. If we are willing to surrender all to God, He will not only go through the storm with us but He will reward us with His blessing. We need to understand that when we do the things that get us through these storms that God always rewards us with something better.
God will allow storms to come into our lives because He wants us to conform to His image. In Romans 12:1-2, Paul tells us God wants us to “present our bodies as a living sacrifice which is Holy and acceptable to God; and that we are not to be conformed to this world but rather we are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind so that we may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God for our lives.” He will allow a storm to come into our life in order to bring us back to doing what His will is for us.
Finally, He will allow a storm to come into our lives in order to equip us to serve Him better. We are prone to refuse to do what God is calling us to do because it is hard and we feel incapable. We use our inadequacy as an excuse to avoid doing what God desires us to do. God can use a storm to make us willing and able to serve Him, just as He did when Jonah refused to serve God as God told him to do.
In the midst of the storm we may think God has lost control and forgotten us. God controls all things and He is in control of what happens to us in the storms of life as well as in the good times.
The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 89:9 that “God rules the mighty seas and calms the stormy waves.” We need to acknowledge that God is the one who is in control and that He has the power to control any storm in our lives. All we need to do is to put our complete trust in Him, call upon Him and then be open to His direction and respond in faith believing.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 16:3.
Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.
PRAYER
Thank You Almighty God for bringing storms into my life to wake me up from my tendency to neglect to serve You as You desire. Give me the spiritual strength and wisdom to lead my family as together we step out in faith to reach our neighbors and friends for You.
Foundation: December 19, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2012.
FOUNDATION
DEFINITION:
The basis or groundwork of anything; the base on which a structure rests; an underlying principle; a basis on which something is built.
SCRIPTURE:
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food, for unto now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still worldly. I Corinthians 3:1-3
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid which is Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 3: 10-11.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
The foundation of our faith as believers is Jesus Christ. We must continue to build our faith using high quality materials that meet God’s standards. In the above verses from I Corinthians, Paul is writing to the church he founded in Corinth. Paul says he laid the foundation but they, the people in the church, had not been building their faith properly. The new believers in the church were being undermined by the immorality that prevailed in Corinth.
After Paul left, the believers had grown indifferent to immorality. They found it hard to separate themselves from their old pagan ways. Sexual immorality had become a serious problem in the church and the church had fallen into divisiveness and disorder.
Paul addresses them as babes in Christ because they had not matured in their faith and were still worldly. Paul had carefully laid the right foundation but the believers were not using the right building blocks of sound doctrine that Paul had taught them.
Many sincere professing Christians are spiritually starving, or spiritually ill, because they never have thought seriously about the quality of their Bible study. The study of the Bible is the key building block to build the believer’s faith.
If our physical diet is not in proper balance or if our digestive system is not functioning properly then our bodies will decline in health. Similarly, if we do not or cannot take full advantage of the spiritual food offered us in the Bible, we will become spiritually disabled.
Someone who is starving spiritually and not growing in their Christian way of life must regularly eat nourishing spiritual food, which is the Word of God. All those who accept Jesus as their Savior have the one and only foundation for their faith. As Paul tells us in verse 11 above, there is no other foundation.
As you study God’s Word we recommend these important basics for your spiritual growth:
First, we must know what the Bible says about itself. Psalm 19:7 says that the law of the Lord is perfect. The Bible declares itself to be the Word of God.
Secondly, we must know what God intended the Bible to do for us. The Bible says in Genesis 1:1 --- “In the beginning God” --- and the Bible is the only book from God but also the only book about God. The Bible is given to us from God as our guidebook for living.
Thirdly, the Bible stands above all human opinions. In John 10:4-5 we read about Jesus being our true Shepherd. Jesus cares for us and protects us like the shepherd cares for his sheep. The shepherd will bring out his own sheep and he goes before them to lead them to pasture and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. We must let the Word of God shape our opinions and then we will follow our Lord because we will know His voice.
We should know that the Bible deals in facts. In Colossians 2:8 we read to beware lest anyone cheat you through “philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men or according to the basic principles of the world and not according to the laws of Christ.” We need to have common sense, a serious respect for all the facts of the Bible, a proper interpretation of the Bible and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit as He leads us.
We need, as true believers, to build our faith on the sure and solid foundation of God’s Word. We need to learn instructive methods of Bible study and know how to use Bible helps and commentaries.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 16:3.
Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.
PRAYER:
Thank You Lord for the gift of Your Son Jesus Christ who is the one and only foundation in life. Help me to learn to not only just read the Bible but help me to learn to study and apply what I learn to my every day walk and talk.
FOUNDATION
DEFINITION:
The basis or groundwork of anything; the base on which a structure rests; an underlying principle; a basis on which something is built.
SCRIPTURE:
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food, for unto now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still worldly. I Corinthians 3:1-3
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid which is Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 3: 10-11.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
The foundation of our faith as believers is Jesus Christ. We must continue to build our faith using high quality materials that meet God’s standards. In the above verses from I Corinthians, Paul is writing to the church he founded in Corinth. Paul says he laid the foundation but they, the people in the church, had not been building their faith properly. The new believers in the church were being undermined by the immorality that prevailed in Corinth.
After Paul left, the believers had grown indifferent to immorality. They found it hard to separate themselves from their old pagan ways. Sexual immorality had become a serious problem in the church and the church had fallen into divisiveness and disorder.
Paul addresses them as babes in Christ because they had not matured in their faith and were still worldly. Paul had carefully laid the right foundation but the believers were not using the right building blocks of sound doctrine that Paul had taught them.
Many sincere professing Christians are spiritually starving, or spiritually ill, because they never have thought seriously about the quality of their Bible study. The study of the Bible is the key building block to build the believer’s faith.
If our physical diet is not in proper balance or if our digestive system is not functioning properly then our bodies will decline in health. Similarly, if we do not or cannot take full advantage of the spiritual food offered us in the Bible, we will become spiritually disabled.
Someone who is starving spiritually and not growing in their Christian way of life must regularly eat nourishing spiritual food, which is the Word of God. All those who accept Jesus as their Savior have the one and only foundation for their faith. As Paul tells us in verse 11 above, there is no other foundation.
As you study God’s Word we recommend these important basics for your spiritual growth:
First, we must know what the Bible says about itself. Psalm 19:7 says that the law of the Lord is perfect. The Bible declares itself to be the Word of God.
Secondly, we must know what God intended the Bible to do for us. The Bible says in Genesis 1:1 --- “In the beginning God” --- and the Bible is the only book from God but also the only book about God. The Bible is given to us from God as our guidebook for living.
Thirdly, the Bible stands above all human opinions. In John 10:4-5 we read about Jesus being our true Shepherd. Jesus cares for us and protects us like the shepherd cares for his sheep. The shepherd will bring out his own sheep and he goes before them to lead them to pasture and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. We must let the Word of God shape our opinions and then we will follow our Lord because we will know His voice.
We should know that the Bible deals in facts. In Colossians 2:8 we read to beware lest anyone cheat you through “philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men or according to the basic principles of the world and not according to the laws of Christ.” We need to have common sense, a serious respect for all the facts of the Bible, a proper interpretation of the Bible and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit as He leads us.
We need, as true believers, to build our faith on the sure and solid foundation of God’s Word. We need to learn instructive methods of Bible study and know how to use Bible helps and commentaries.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 16:3.
Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.
PRAYER:
Thank You Lord for the gift of Your Son Jesus Christ who is the one and only foundation in life. Help me to learn to not only just read the Bible but help me to learn to study and apply what I learn to my every day walk and talk.
False Teachers: December 18, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY DECEMBER 18, 2012.
FALSE TEACHERS
DEFINITION:
Persons who misrepresent themselves as speaking for God; speaking not according to the fact; untrue; not telling the truth.
SCRIPTURE:
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers. Philippians 3:2.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
False teachers were a constant threat to the churches Paul had established in the pagan countries of the Roman Empire. Paul had to write letters to the churches to defend the gospel and refute the false teaching of the false teachers.
Paul continues to warn the believers in the church at Philippi, just as he is warning us, to guard ourselves against false teachers by rejoicing in the Lord and by reading the scriptures daily and living by them. Paul was constantly facing false teachers who were savage in their attacks on him.
First, he tells us to be aware of false teachers who act like dogs. Both Jews and Gentiles of his day called each other dogs as a term of contempt. The word dog was the lowest title possible to convey contempt and ridicule. Dog refers to wild dogs of that day that roamed the streets day and night. They were scavengers and filthy creatures that could be vicious and dangerous.
Paul refers to false teachers as wild dogs because they were evil. They seek out all who will listen and consume them with their false teachings. When one responds to them to defend their true belief in God they will snarl and become vicious and do all they can to destroy one’s belief in the truth. In Matthew 7:15, Jesus tells us to beware of false teachers that come to us in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ferocious wolves.
These false teachers are not what they seem to be. They teach a false message using words that sound religious and claim their message is from God. They may sound and look good but they are evil.
Secondly, Paul tells us to beware of false teachers who are evil workers. There were some in the churches at that time that were teaching that the Gentiles had to be circumcised and keep the Jewish laws as part of salvation. These are people who hold to and teach high standards of righteousness, morality and religion. They are absolutely sure that their righteousness and good deeds are what makes them acceptable to God. They think that there is no way God would reject them.
Paul called them evil workers because they taught that it was by what we do through our own works that we come to God instead of by God’s saving grace. There are those who teach that today. Jesus died on the cross to offer His free gift of salvation. Any teaching that adds to God’s plan of salvation by grace through faith is false teaching.
Paul in this verse also is referring to those who live and teach evil by the way they live and talk about morality, righteousness and religion. These types live immoral, indulgent and extravagant lives and do all they can to mix both a religious and indulgent lifestyle.
False teachers always oppose the Lord Jesus Christ and His salvation by grace alone. It is evident by their actions they do not accept God’s Son, Jesus as Lord and Savior. They accept what they choose of His teaching but deny or ignore salvation by His blood. False teachers are referred to by Paul as evil workers because they minimize Jesus and exalt themselves and seek to gain money, fame and power.
The Congress here in America has taken God out of the public schools. Children are not being taught about God but they are being taught to be anti-God. Immorality, violence, sex, drugs, you name it, is prevalent on school campuses today. Every parent must make it a priority to know what their children are being taught. You must teach your children to beware of false teachings and the evil doers on the school campuses. Parents must make it their business to know who their children are spending time with and what they are doing.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 16:3.
Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.
PRAYER:
Thank You for the apostle Paul’s God given message to beware of evil and false teachers affecting our lives. We ask You to give our family wisdom and direction how we can put You first place in our lives. Keep us alert to guarding our faith and to take a stand against false teachers that try to lead us astray. Keep us reading Your Word and communicating daily with You through prayer.
FALSE TEACHERS
DEFINITION:
Persons who misrepresent themselves as speaking for God; speaking not according to the fact; untrue; not telling the truth.
SCRIPTURE:
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers. Philippians 3:2.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
False teachers were a constant threat to the churches Paul had established in the pagan countries of the Roman Empire. Paul had to write letters to the churches to defend the gospel and refute the false teaching of the false teachers.
Paul continues to warn the believers in the church at Philippi, just as he is warning us, to guard ourselves against false teachers by rejoicing in the Lord and by reading the scriptures daily and living by them. Paul was constantly facing false teachers who were savage in their attacks on him.
First, he tells us to be aware of false teachers who act like dogs. Both Jews and Gentiles of his day called each other dogs as a term of contempt. The word dog was the lowest title possible to convey contempt and ridicule. Dog refers to wild dogs of that day that roamed the streets day and night. They were scavengers and filthy creatures that could be vicious and dangerous.
Paul refers to false teachers as wild dogs because they were evil. They seek out all who will listen and consume them with their false teachings. When one responds to them to defend their true belief in God they will snarl and become vicious and do all they can to destroy one’s belief in the truth. In Matthew 7:15, Jesus tells us to beware of false teachers that come to us in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ferocious wolves.
These false teachers are not what they seem to be. They teach a false message using words that sound religious and claim their message is from God. They may sound and look good but they are evil.
Secondly, Paul tells us to beware of false teachers who are evil workers. There were some in the churches at that time that were teaching that the Gentiles had to be circumcised and keep the Jewish laws as part of salvation. These are people who hold to and teach high standards of righteousness, morality and religion. They are absolutely sure that their righteousness and good deeds are what makes them acceptable to God. They think that there is no way God would reject them.
Paul called them evil workers because they taught that it was by what we do through our own works that we come to God instead of by God’s saving grace. There are those who teach that today. Jesus died on the cross to offer His free gift of salvation. Any teaching that adds to God’s plan of salvation by grace through faith is false teaching.
Paul in this verse also is referring to those who live and teach evil by the way they live and talk about morality, righteousness and religion. These types live immoral, indulgent and extravagant lives and do all they can to mix both a religious and indulgent lifestyle.
False teachers always oppose the Lord Jesus Christ and His salvation by grace alone. It is evident by their actions they do not accept God’s Son, Jesus as Lord and Savior. They accept what they choose of His teaching but deny or ignore salvation by His blood. False teachers are referred to by Paul as evil workers because they minimize Jesus and exalt themselves and seek to gain money, fame and power.
The Congress here in America has taken God out of the public schools. Children are not being taught about God but they are being taught to be anti-God. Immorality, violence, sex, drugs, you name it, is prevalent on school campuses today. Every parent must make it a priority to know what their children are being taught. You must teach your children to beware of false teachings and the evil doers on the school campuses. Parents must make it their business to know who their children are spending time with and what they are doing.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 16:3.
Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.
PRAYER:
Thank You for the apostle Paul’s God given message to beware of evil and false teachers affecting our lives. We ask You to give our family wisdom and direction how we can put You first place in our lives. Keep us alert to guarding our faith and to take a stand against false teachers that try to lead us astray. Keep us reading Your Word and communicating daily with You through prayer.
Suffering: December 17, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY DECEMBER 17, 2012.
SUFFERING
DEFINITION:
Feeling pain or hardship; experiencing loss; undergoing something painful or unpleasant whether physical or emotional.
SCRIPTURE:
For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. Philippians 1:29.
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing Psalms. James 5:13.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We receive emails from across our world, as well as from here in America, telling us about the suffering that people are facing today. Many are suffering because they are Christians and they are standing firm in their faith. God is honoring these dear people and we pray for them daily.
We receive reports of churches being bombed, pastors being martyred, families being tortured, all because of their stand for their Lord.
We also hear from families who are suffering for their faith in God right here in America. They are being ridiculed at their workplace because of their faith. Some even are losing jobs because they live by Godly standards and will not compromise their Christian values in order to keep their job.
Children are being mocked and made fun of for their faith at their schools. It is heart breaking that a child going to a school has to suffer because he or she has biblical standards to live by and is told they cannot share their faith. Praying and reading the Bible is forbidden today in primary schools. Teaching in our colleges and universities is anti-God.
There is much suffering around our world and the scripture has much to say to help us understand and to cope with suffering.
The author of the book of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 2:10 that, “For it was fitting for Him (God), for whom are all things and by whom all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain (Jesus) of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” Jesus was mocked, spit upon, beaten and killed (Mark 10:34). Jesus suffered so that we can have eternal life. He suffered for us by dying on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Jesus, in His suffering, set an example for us to live by when we are faced with suffering for Him while we are on this earth preparing to spend an eternity with Him.
What we suffer does not compare with the suffering Jesus went through for us. Jesus can comfort us in our suffering because He experienced all the same suffering we have. Jesus comforts us by giving us strength, encouragement and hope to endure.
Having to suffer is not easy. The author of Hebrews understands this. He is writing to believers whom he knew had endured suffering and would most likely have to continue to endure suffering for their faith. He encourages these believers in Hebrews 10:32 to persevere by telling them to think about how their faith had enabled them to endure in times of suffering in the past. The author of Hebrews says in Hebrews 10:32 to those that had suffered for Jesus: “But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated (accepted Jesus as Savior), you endured a great struggle with sufferings.” For centuries some have faced a great struggle as they suffered for the cause of Christ and Christians will continue to suffer until Christ returns. We must persevere for the cause of Christ in spite of suffering.
In the verse from Philippians we have printed above under SCRIPTURE, Paul reminds us that as believers in Christ we will share in Christ’s sufferings. James tells us how we should respond when we are suffering --- we are to pray. When we pray, God will give us the strength to get through each and every trial and He will comfort and encourage our hearts. No matter what our suffering there is joy in the Lord that brings cheer to our lives. James also tells us that when we are cheerful, when we are suffering or not, we are to sing praises to God.
In every situation that we face today, God wants us to be cheerful and sing unto Him. He will give us the strength to get through what we are facing. He cares for you, He loves you and He will be with you in your times of suffering.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 16:3.
Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.
PRAYER:
It is my prayer today that You would lead me through any suffering I may face because of my faith in You. Also give me a new burden and a tender heart to pray for those who are suffering for Your sake. Put a song of praise in my heart for all that You have done for me.
SUFFERING
DEFINITION:
Feeling pain or hardship; experiencing loss; undergoing something painful or unpleasant whether physical or emotional.
SCRIPTURE:
For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. Philippians 1:29.
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing Psalms. James 5:13.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We receive emails from across our world, as well as from here in America, telling us about the suffering that people are facing today. Many are suffering because they are Christians and they are standing firm in their faith. God is honoring these dear people and we pray for them daily.
We receive reports of churches being bombed, pastors being martyred, families being tortured, all because of their stand for their Lord.
We also hear from families who are suffering for their faith in God right here in America. They are being ridiculed at their workplace because of their faith. Some even are losing jobs because they live by Godly standards and will not compromise their Christian values in order to keep their job.
Children are being mocked and made fun of for their faith at their schools. It is heart breaking that a child going to a school has to suffer because he or she has biblical standards to live by and is told they cannot share their faith. Praying and reading the Bible is forbidden today in primary schools. Teaching in our colleges and universities is anti-God.
There is much suffering around our world and the scripture has much to say to help us understand and to cope with suffering.
The author of the book of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 2:10 that, “For it was fitting for Him (God), for whom are all things and by whom all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain (Jesus) of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” Jesus was mocked, spit upon, beaten and killed (Mark 10:34). Jesus suffered so that we can have eternal life. He suffered for us by dying on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Jesus, in His suffering, set an example for us to live by when we are faced with suffering for Him while we are on this earth preparing to spend an eternity with Him.
What we suffer does not compare with the suffering Jesus went through for us. Jesus can comfort us in our suffering because He experienced all the same suffering we have. Jesus comforts us by giving us strength, encouragement and hope to endure.
Having to suffer is not easy. The author of Hebrews understands this. He is writing to believers whom he knew had endured suffering and would most likely have to continue to endure suffering for their faith. He encourages these believers in Hebrews 10:32 to persevere by telling them to think about how their faith had enabled them to endure in times of suffering in the past. The author of Hebrews says in Hebrews 10:32 to those that had suffered for Jesus: “But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated (accepted Jesus as Savior), you endured a great struggle with sufferings.” For centuries some have faced a great struggle as they suffered for the cause of Christ and Christians will continue to suffer until Christ returns. We must persevere for the cause of Christ in spite of suffering.
In the verse from Philippians we have printed above under SCRIPTURE, Paul reminds us that as believers in Christ we will share in Christ’s sufferings. James tells us how we should respond when we are suffering --- we are to pray. When we pray, God will give us the strength to get through each and every trial and He will comfort and encourage our hearts. No matter what our suffering there is joy in the Lord that brings cheer to our lives. James also tells us that when we are cheerful, when we are suffering or not, we are to sing praises to God.
In every situation that we face today, God wants us to be cheerful and sing unto Him. He will give us the strength to get through what we are facing. He cares for you, He loves you and He will be with you in your times of suffering.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 16:3.
Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.
PRAYER:
It is my prayer today that You would lead me through any suffering I may face because of my faith in You. Also give me a new burden and a tender heart to pray for those who are suffering for Your sake. Put a song of praise in my heart for all that You have done for me.
December 16, 2012
Gems of Encouragement: December 15, 2012
GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SATURDAY DECEMBER 15, 2012
PROVERB:
A gentile answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1
PROMISE:
Consider the blameless, observe the upright, there is a future for the man of peace. But all sinners will be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cutoff. Psalm 37:37-38
PRAISE:
For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulder. And He will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. Isaiah 9:6-7
PROVERB:
A gentile answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1
PROMISE:
Consider the blameless, observe the upright, there is a future for the man of peace. But all sinners will be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cutoff. Psalm 37:37-38
PRAISE:
For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulder. And He will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. Isaiah 9:6-7
Experience: December 14, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 14, 2012.
EXPERIENCE
DEFINITION:
The process or fact of learning by personally observing, encountering or testing. The knowledge or skill gained by learning.
SCRIPTURE:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all tribulation that we may be able to comfort those who are in trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. II Corinthians 1:3-4.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
The above scripture reminds us why as Christians we do go through trials and tribulations. One of the reasons God allows this, as it reads in the above scripture, is that we can comfort those going through their trial and tribulation because we have learned by experience --- we have been there.
As we look back on our lives, we have had the privilege of going places, meeting people and seeing things that has given us a world of experience. We both also have had the joy of having Christian parents with experience, both spiritually and with life in general, to train us from our very young ages.
And then having God bless us with six children, their spouses and now 20 grandchildren, we have had wonderful experiences that God is now allowing us to share with friends like you.
We are reminded of the story when the famed pianist Paderewski was walking through a small Connecticut town and came upon a house with a sign in the window --- Miss Jones piano lessons- 25 cents an hour. Listening carefully from the outside he could hear someone playing one of Chopin’s nocturnes, but not playing it very well. The great pianist walked up to the door and knocked and the delighted piano player recognized who he was and asked him in. He stayed for about one hour and assisted her by correcting her mistakes and then moved on.
About two months later he walked by the same house and noticed a new sign that read: Miss Jones (Pupil of Paderewski) Piano Lessons --- $1.00 an hour. What a difference a little experience makes.
There is value in experience and we as Christians need to realize that the value of our experience in knowing Christ can help us share the good news of the gospel to all we know. Having made our decisions to accept Jesus before we were teenagers has allowed us to grow spiritually as children, teenagers, as a young married couple and now as seniors so we can understand the mountains and valley’s that one goes through in life. We have been there and as they say done it.
The actions and words of Paul the Apostle in Acts 14 reminds us that Paul was persecuted so he could be an encouragement to others who were or would be persecuted because of their faith.
The Apostle John wrote the book of I John to the believers, so that they may be alerted to and to be able to distinguish between truth and error. In the first four verses he talks about the experiences that the believers have seen, heard and touched concerning the Word of Life. John says to the believers that he reminds us of this so that our joy may be full.
In life today, experience is very important. When one has a job interview one of the first questions asked is about your experience. Asking about experience even goes down to small children. We can remember choosing players for our little league teams. We looked for children with some experience who had played the game before. When it comes to choosing a leader, a pastor or an executive a key qualification is their experience.
As Christians those of us that have known Jesus for some time need to use the experience that God has given us over the years to proclaim the good news of the gospel to those we touch daily.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse this week is found in Isaiah 53:6.
All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
PRAYER:
Help me this day to seek Your guidance in making me become more mature in my faith with the added experience I can gain by reading and studying Your Word. Open my eyes so I can see the needs of others so I can share the good news of the gospel with them.
EXPERIENCE
DEFINITION:
The process or fact of learning by personally observing, encountering or testing. The knowledge or skill gained by learning.
SCRIPTURE:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all tribulation that we may be able to comfort those who are in trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. II Corinthians 1:3-4.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
The above scripture reminds us why as Christians we do go through trials and tribulations. One of the reasons God allows this, as it reads in the above scripture, is that we can comfort those going through their trial and tribulation because we have learned by experience --- we have been there.
As we look back on our lives, we have had the privilege of going places, meeting people and seeing things that has given us a world of experience. We both also have had the joy of having Christian parents with experience, both spiritually and with life in general, to train us from our very young ages.
And then having God bless us with six children, their spouses and now 20 grandchildren, we have had wonderful experiences that God is now allowing us to share with friends like you.
We are reminded of the story when the famed pianist Paderewski was walking through a small Connecticut town and came upon a house with a sign in the window --- Miss Jones piano lessons- 25 cents an hour. Listening carefully from the outside he could hear someone playing one of Chopin’s nocturnes, but not playing it very well. The great pianist walked up to the door and knocked and the delighted piano player recognized who he was and asked him in. He stayed for about one hour and assisted her by correcting her mistakes and then moved on.
About two months later he walked by the same house and noticed a new sign that read: Miss Jones (Pupil of Paderewski) Piano Lessons --- $1.00 an hour. What a difference a little experience makes.
There is value in experience and we as Christians need to realize that the value of our experience in knowing Christ can help us share the good news of the gospel to all we know. Having made our decisions to accept Jesus before we were teenagers has allowed us to grow spiritually as children, teenagers, as a young married couple and now as seniors so we can understand the mountains and valley’s that one goes through in life. We have been there and as they say done it.
The actions and words of Paul the Apostle in Acts 14 reminds us that Paul was persecuted so he could be an encouragement to others who were or would be persecuted because of their faith.
The Apostle John wrote the book of I John to the believers, so that they may be alerted to and to be able to distinguish between truth and error. In the first four verses he talks about the experiences that the believers have seen, heard and touched concerning the Word of Life. John says to the believers that he reminds us of this so that our joy may be full.
In life today, experience is very important. When one has a job interview one of the first questions asked is about your experience. Asking about experience even goes down to small children. We can remember choosing players for our little league teams. We looked for children with some experience who had played the game before. When it comes to choosing a leader, a pastor or an executive a key qualification is their experience.
As Christians those of us that have known Jesus for some time need to use the experience that God has given us over the years to proclaim the good news of the gospel to those we touch daily.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse this week is found in Isaiah 53:6.
All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
PRAYER:
Help me this day to seek Your guidance in making me become more mature in my faith with the added experience I can gain by reading and studying Your Word. Open my eyes so I can see the needs of others so I can share the good news of the gospel with them.
Oaths: December 13, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 13, 2012.
OATHS
DEFINITION:
A solemn statement with God as the witness.
SCRIPTURE:
Keep the king’s commandment for the sake of your oath to God. Ecclesiastics 8:2
You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord. Matthew 5:33.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
An oath is not to be made lightly. As Webster defines an oath, it is a solemn statement with God as the witness. It is a sad commentary on our times that oaths are so often broken. It does not seem important to most people that God is the witness when one makes an oath.
We see this happening with marriage vows today, more than at any time in history. In America the oath of marriage is broken more than 50% of the time. The marriage oath is two people making their vows to one another. This is a sacred promise to be honored for a lifetime. We read in Matthew 5:33 (above) that God condemns taking oaths and then breaking them.
Even though oaths are meant to be kept, every day oaths are made with no expectation by one or both parties to keep the oath. People break their oaths because they have a change of heart or something better comes along. Most often that “something better’ never becomes a reality. There is an old adage that says: “The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence.”
Oaths are promises made that are considered unchangeable. Probably one of the saddest oaths recorded in the scripture was when Peter was asked if he knew Jesus when Jesus was arrested and taken to trial. In Matthew 26:72 it reads: “But again he denied with an oath, ‘I do not know the man.”’ And in the following verses, Peter denied that he knew Jesus three times and then Peter remembered the words that Jesus said to him (verse 75), “Before the rooster crows, (in other words, before morning), you will deny Me three times.” Earlier that night Peter had promised Jesus that he would never disown Him even if he had to die for Him. Peter broke this oath and swore with another oath that he did not know Jesus. Not only did he break his first oath but he lied in his second oath. Peter then went and wept bitterly because he was truly repentant for what he had done. We know Peter’s repentance was genuine because he went on to do great things for the Lord.
In Matthew 23 when Jesus was talking to the Scribes and Pharisees, He said “Woe to you” several times because of their hypocrisy in their swearing of oaths along with other “things” they were doing that were against God’s teachings. In Hebrews 7:21, the author quotes from Psalm 110:4: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind.” Unlike us, when God makes an oath He keeps His word.
Oaths are to be made with a commitment to keep them. God is a witness to our oaths and God will honor those that keep their oaths.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Isaiah 53:6.
All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned, every one, to his own way, and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquities of us all.
PRAYER:
Thank You God for the promises You have made to me. For the salvation that I have because I have accepted into my heart the promise of eternal life given me through Your Son, Jesus. Help me to honor the oaths/promises that I have made. Bless my family and keep us strong in our commitment to You that we made when we accepted You as our Savior.
OATHS
DEFINITION:
A solemn statement with God as the witness.
SCRIPTURE:
Keep the king’s commandment for the sake of your oath to God. Ecclesiastics 8:2
You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord. Matthew 5:33.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
An oath is not to be made lightly. As Webster defines an oath, it is a solemn statement with God as the witness. It is a sad commentary on our times that oaths are so often broken. It does not seem important to most people that God is the witness when one makes an oath.
We see this happening with marriage vows today, more than at any time in history. In America the oath of marriage is broken more than 50% of the time. The marriage oath is two people making their vows to one another. This is a sacred promise to be honored for a lifetime. We read in Matthew 5:33 (above) that God condemns taking oaths and then breaking them.
Even though oaths are meant to be kept, every day oaths are made with no expectation by one or both parties to keep the oath. People break their oaths because they have a change of heart or something better comes along. Most often that “something better’ never becomes a reality. There is an old adage that says: “The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence.”
Oaths are promises made that are considered unchangeable. Probably one of the saddest oaths recorded in the scripture was when Peter was asked if he knew Jesus when Jesus was arrested and taken to trial. In Matthew 26:72 it reads: “But again he denied with an oath, ‘I do not know the man.”’ And in the following verses, Peter denied that he knew Jesus three times and then Peter remembered the words that Jesus said to him (verse 75), “Before the rooster crows, (in other words, before morning), you will deny Me three times.” Earlier that night Peter had promised Jesus that he would never disown Him even if he had to die for Him. Peter broke this oath and swore with another oath that he did not know Jesus. Not only did he break his first oath but he lied in his second oath. Peter then went and wept bitterly because he was truly repentant for what he had done. We know Peter’s repentance was genuine because he went on to do great things for the Lord.
In Matthew 23 when Jesus was talking to the Scribes and Pharisees, He said “Woe to you” several times because of their hypocrisy in their swearing of oaths along with other “things” they were doing that were against God’s teachings. In Hebrews 7:21, the author quotes from Psalm 110:4: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind.” Unlike us, when God makes an oath He keeps His word.
Oaths are to be made with a commitment to keep them. God is a witness to our oaths and God will honor those that keep their oaths.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Isaiah 53:6.
All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned, every one, to his own way, and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquities of us all.
PRAYER:
Thank You God for the promises You have made to me. For the salvation that I have because I have accepted into my heart the promise of eternal life given me through Your Son, Jesus. Help me to honor the oaths/promises that I have made. Bless my family and keep us strong in our commitment to You that we made when we accepted You as our Savior.
Indifference: December 12, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 12, 2012.
INDIFFERENCE
DEFINITION:
Feeling no interest or concern; apathetic, not caring.
SCRIPTURE:
Those who have turned back from following the Lord, and have not sought the Lord, nor inquired of Him. Zephaniah 1:6.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
This verse in Zephaniah gives us an excellent definition of spiritual indifference. There are many people today that call themselves “Believers” and really have turned back from the Lord. They never seek the Lord through prayer or the reading of the Bible. And when you watch their daily living there is no indication of the person walking with God.
In Mark 14: 32-41 we read about Jesus going into the garden of Gethsemane to pray the night before He was betrayed and arrested. He told the disciples that were with Him to “sit here while I pray.” Jesus was agonizing over the terrible suffering He would endure and needed to spend time alone with His Father in prayer.
When He returned to where He had left the disciples, they were sound asleep. The disciples in this situation showed INDIFFERENCE. Jesus asked the disciples “could you not watch for one hour?” You would think that would be a “wake up call” for the disciples but it was not. Jesus went away again to pray and returned and found the disciples asleep. The scripture tells us that Jesus went a third time and came back and they were asleep again. Jesus responded after the third time “THIS IS ENOUGH.” In Jesus’ darkest hour, His disciples where not there for Him. They were indifferent to His needs.
Another example of indifference that we can learn from is the story of Jonah. When Jonah was running from God and in the storm at sea, as recorded in Jonah 1:4-9, the crew was afraid and everyone was working hard to save the ship. But Jonah showed indifference, as it was none of his concern, and went down to the lowest part of the ship and went fast to sleep.
Jonah was a prophet of God and should have been praying for God’s protection from the start. The crew had to wake him up and ask him to help by praying. To Jonah’s credit he admitted that he was the cause of the distress that they were in because he had disobeyed God. He told them to throw him overboard to calm the storm. They did and God calmed the storm and saved Jonah by having him swallowed by a whale.
In many ways today may be called the “Age of Indifference.” Historian Arnold Toynbee has found that nineteen of twenty-one civilizations have died from within and not from outside conquest. Another historian, Dr. Lawrence Gould said that he did not believe that our greatest threat is from bombs and missiles but from our people not caring --- showing indifference.
Edmund Burke said in 1795: “Nothing is so fatal to religion as indifference.” If that was true in 1795 it is certainly truer today.
The problem with indifference or an “I just do not care” attitude is that it leads to inaction. Many people that call themselves Christians are indifferent Christians. Just as Jesus told the disciples and the ship crew told Jonah, we need to wake up from our indifference and take action to make a difference in this world.
Take a few moments right now and evaluate your life and where your interests are and ask yourself if you have an inward desire to really serve your Lord. Has indifference set in and do you need to reevaluate your purpose for living? Are you like the “sleeping disciples”? Do you have the “I do not care attitude” like Jonah?
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Isaiah 53:6.
All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned, every one, to his own way, and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
PRAYER:
Help me today not to be indifferent to God’s leading in my life. May my heart be open to what God is telling me to do. Help me to willingly surrender fully and completely to You. Give me the leadership with my family to instill a new interest in their hearts for You.
INDIFFERENCE
DEFINITION:
Feeling no interest or concern; apathetic, not caring.
SCRIPTURE:
Those who have turned back from following the Lord, and have not sought the Lord, nor inquired of Him. Zephaniah 1:6.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
This verse in Zephaniah gives us an excellent definition of spiritual indifference. There are many people today that call themselves “Believers” and really have turned back from the Lord. They never seek the Lord through prayer or the reading of the Bible. And when you watch their daily living there is no indication of the person walking with God.
In Mark 14: 32-41 we read about Jesus going into the garden of Gethsemane to pray the night before He was betrayed and arrested. He told the disciples that were with Him to “sit here while I pray.” Jesus was agonizing over the terrible suffering He would endure and needed to spend time alone with His Father in prayer.
When He returned to where He had left the disciples, they were sound asleep. The disciples in this situation showed INDIFFERENCE. Jesus asked the disciples “could you not watch for one hour?” You would think that would be a “wake up call” for the disciples but it was not. Jesus went away again to pray and returned and found the disciples asleep. The scripture tells us that Jesus went a third time and came back and they were asleep again. Jesus responded after the third time “THIS IS ENOUGH.” In Jesus’ darkest hour, His disciples where not there for Him. They were indifferent to His needs.
Another example of indifference that we can learn from is the story of Jonah. When Jonah was running from God and in the storm at sea, as recorded in Jonah 1:4-9, the crew was afraid and everyone was working hard to save the ship. But Jonah showed indifference, as it was none of his concern, and went down to the lowest part of the ship and went fast to sleep.
Jonah was a prophet of God and should have been praying for God’s protection from the start. The crew had to wake him up and ask him to help by praying. To Jonah’s credit he admitted that he was the cause of the distress that they were in because he had disobeyed God. He told them to throw him overboard to calm the storm. They did and God calmed the storm and saved Jonah by having him swallowed by a whale.
In many ways today may be called the “Age of Indifference.” Historian Arnold Toynbee has found that nineteen of twenty-one civilizations have died from within and not from outside conquest. Another historian, Dr. Lawrence Gould said that he did not believe that our greatest threat is from bombs and missiles but from our people not caring --- showing indifference.
Edmund Burke said in 1795: “Nothing is so fatal to religion as indifference.” If that was true in 1795 it is certainly truer today.
The problem with indifference or an “I just do not care” attitude is that it leads to inaction. Many people that call themselves Christians are indifferent Christians. Just as Jesus told the disciples and the ship crew told Jonah, we need to wake up from our indifference and take action to make a difference in this world.
Take a few moments right now and evaluate your life and where your interests are and ask yourself if you have an inward desire to really serve your Lord. Has indifference set in and do you need to reevaluate your purpose for living? Are you like the “sleeping disciples”? Do you have the “I do not care attitude” like Jonah?
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Isaiah 53:6.
All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned, every one, to his own way, and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
PRAYER:
Help me today not to be indifferent to God’s leading in my life. May my heart be open to what God is telling me to do. Help me to willingly surrender fully and completely to You. Give me the leadership with my family to instill a new interest in their hearts for You.
Blood: December 11, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY DECEMBER 11, 2012
BLOOD
DEFINITION:
The fluid that circulates in the arteries and veins and sustains life.
SCRIPTURE:
For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is blood that makes atonement for the soul. Leviticus 17: 11.
The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7b
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
There is the old hymn that we sang often in church years ago. The words of the song began with, “What can wash away my sins, nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again, nothing but the blood of Jesus?”
Just as the life we have in the flesh is in the blood we carry in our bodies, so the life of Christianity is in the atoning, life-giving blood of Jesus Christ. If the atoning blood of Jesus is rejected and the rejecter willfully rejects accepting eternal life through the blood of Jesus, there no longer remains a sacrifice for his or her sins.
The words of the old hymn above are the key to what has happened to one, who first of all, recognizes that he or she is a sinner and then confesses that sin and asks Jesus to forgive them and come into one’s heart. The reason that we can have that privilege is because of the blood of Jesus.
God sent His Son to this earth to be born as a babe in a manger, to teach us His plan of salvation and then die on the cross, and after three days, rise again. He is now in heaven preparing a place for us. It was His death on the cross and the shedding of His blood that paid the penalty for our sins once and for all.
Today, unfortunately, you do not hear many sermons in our churches about the shed blood of Jesus and why it is important for our salvation. Pastors seem to be fearful to preach this kind of sermon, but again as the old hymn stated: “Nothing but the blood of Jesus can wash away our sins.
The Hebrew word for blood, “dam”, is found 360 times in the Old Testament. Most of these references concern animal bloodshed in making a sacrifice for a person’s sins. A few of these references concern the violent shedding of blood in war or a crime. In the Old Testament one needed to make a sacrifice of an animal for forgiveness of their sin. This was God’s temporary provision since He had not yet sent His Son to die for our sins. The shedding of the blood of the lamb (animal) represented the giving of one life for another. Jesus gave His life for ours.
In Deuteronomy 12:23 it reads that, “Only be sure that you do not eat the blood, for the blood is the life; you may not eat the life with the meat.” This verse makes it clear that blood is a sacred fluid. It represents life itself. On the altar, shed blood pictures a substitute making the offerer right with God.
As we stated above, when Christ came and died on the cross, He paid the penalty for our sins through the sacrifice of His blood. There is a crimson thread that begins in the Old Testament and runs through the New Testament. The New Testament focuses our attention on the “blood of Christ,” and does so in the context of Christ’s crucifixion at Calvary. The sacrifices of ancient time foreshadowed Christ’s self-sacrifice.
One of the happiest times in our lives was when our children, and now our grandchildren, made their personal decisions to ask Jesus into their hearts. This is the most significant life changing decision and experience that one can make in life. Now is the time for you to make that decision, if you have not already. Remember: “What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” There is no other way!
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Isaiah 53:6.
All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned, every one, to his own way, and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
PRAYER:
Thank You dear God for sending Your Son to this world to pay the penalty of my sins through His shed blood. May my life be an example to those that do not know You and may my words and deeds exemplify Your love for them.
BLOOD
DEFINITION:
The fluid that circulates in the arteries and veins and sustains life.
SCRIPTURE:
For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is blood that makes atonement for the soul. Leviticus 17: 11.
The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7b
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
There is the old hymn that we sang often in church years ago. The words of the song began with, “What can wash away my sins, nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again, nothing but the blood of Jesus?”
Just as the life we have in the flesh is in the blood we carry in our bodies, so the life of Christianity is in the atoning, life-giving blood of Jesus Christ. If the atoning blood of Jesus is rejected and the rejecter willfully rejects accepting eternal life through the blood of Jesus, there no longer remains a sacrifice for his or her sins.
The words of the old hymn above are the key to what has happened to one, who first of all, recognizes that he or she is a sinner and then confesses that sin and asks Jesus to forgive them and come into one’s heart. The reason that we can have that privilege is because of the blood of Jesus.
God sent His Son to this earth to be born as a babe in a manger, to teach us His plan of salvation and then die on the cross, and after three days, rise again. He is now in heaven preparing a place for us. It was His death on the cross and the shedding of His blood that paid the penalty for our sins once and for all.
Today, unfortunately, you do not hear many sermons in our churches about the shed blood of Jesus and why it is important for our salvation. Pastors seem to be fearful to preach this kind of sermon, but again as the old hymn stated: “Nothing but the blood of Jesus can wash away our sins.
The Hebrew word for blood, “dam”, is found 360 times in the Old Testament. Most of these references concern animal bloodshed in making a sacrifice for a person’s sins. A few of these references concern the violent shedding of blood in war or a crime. In the Old Testament one needed to make a sacrifice of an animal for forgiveness of their sin. This was God’s temporary provision since He had not yet sent His Son to die for our sins. The shedding of the blood of the lamb (animal) represented the giving of one life for another. Jesus gave His life for ours.
In Deuteronomy 12:23 it reads that, “Only be sure that you do not eat the blood, for the blood is the life; you may not eat the life with the meat.” This verse makes it clear that blood is a sacred fluid. It represents life itself. On the altar, shed blood pictures a substitute making the offerer right with God.
As we stated above, when Christ came and died on the cross, He paid the penalty for our sins through the sacrifice of His blood. There is a crimson thread that begins in the Old Testament and runs through the New Testament. The New Testament focuses our attention on the “blood of Christ,” and does so in the context of Christ’s crucifixion at Calvary. The sacrifices of ancient time foreshadowed Christ’s self-sacrifice.
One of the happiest times in our lives was when our children, and now our grandchildren, made their personal decisions to ask Jesus into their hearts. This is the most significant life changing decision and experience that one can make in life. Now is the time for you to make that decision, if you have not already. Remember: “What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” There is no other way!
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Isaiah 53:6.
All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned, every one, to his own way, and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
PRAYER:
Thank You dear God for sending Your Son to this world to pay the penalty of my sins through His shed blood. May my life be an example to those that do not know You and may my words and deeds exemplify Your love for them.
Grief: December 10, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY DECEMBER 10, 2012
GRIEF
DEFINITION:
Deep mental anguish; deep sorrow; painful regret.
SCRIPTURE:
My soul weeps because of grief; strengthen me according to Your word. Psalm 119:28.
Sorrow is better than laughter, for by a sad countenance the heart is made better. Ecclesiastes 7:3.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
One of the most difficult experiences that one faces in life is the death of a family member or a close friend or acquaintance. We have experienced this several times in our immediate family losing dearly loved family members including our parents, a daughter-in-law and a nephew. The cause of the sorrow that comes with death is grief. We have experienced that the grief for one who has died knowing Jesus is entirely different from one who does not know Jesus.
As a minister we have witnessed, first hand, both situations. When a Christian is grieving for a person who never knew Jesus, the grief includes personal feelings as to whether you did all you could to see that that person knew the Lord and therefore will spend an eternity separated from God. When a believer dies, we as believers have the assurance that they are in a far better place. They are with their Lord and Savior in their heavenly home and we have the blessed hope of spending an eternity in heaven with them.
Job lost all his children and in his time of deepest grief he saw his Lord as never before. In Job 42:5 Job said “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes see You.” In first reading the verse above from Ecclesiastes it is hard to understand how the writer could say, “Sorrow is better than laughter.” There is a lot for us to learn that sometimes we only learn through grief. The writer of Ecclesiastes teaches us that sorrow does a work in one’s heart that will make one a better person in the Lord. It is in times of grief that we need Jesus the most.
Isaiah describes Jesus as “a man of sorrows intimately acquainted with grief. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows” (Isaiah 53:4). Jesus was perfect and without sin, yet He came to bear the consequences of the sins of all mankind and to bear all of our griefs and sorrows. How blessed every believer is to have such a wonderful Savior.
We have traveled to many areas of our world and have seen suffering and grief that has moved us to tears but what we have learned through these many experiences is that God used sorrow and grief to soften our hearts so that we would be more sensitive to the needs of the suffering. It taught us to pray for those living in sorrow and made us aware of a hurting world that Jesus died for. God wants each of us to remember that in times of grief and sorrow He is in control and our comforter and He wants us to be available to comfort others in their time of need.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in ISAIAH 53:6.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
PRAYER:
Help me today to be an encouragement to anyone that is facing grief and sorrow. Give me an opportunity to remind them that when all seems to be lost that they have not lost You. Help me to remember that I can learn more from sorrow than from laughter.
GRIEF
DEFINITION:
Deep mental anguish; deep sorrow; painful regret.
SCRIPTURE:
My soul weeps because of grief; strengthen me according to Your word. Psalm 119:28.
Sorrow is better than laughter, for by a sad countenance the heart is made better. Ecclesiastes 7:3.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
One of the most difficult experiences that one faces in life is the death of a family member or a close friend or acquaintance. We have experienced this several times in our immediate family losing dearly loved family members including our parents, a daughter-in-law and a nephew. The cause of the sorrow that comes with death is grief. We have experienced that the grief for one who has died knowing Jesus is entirely different from one who does not know Jesus.
As a minister we have witnessed, first hand, both situations. When a Christian is grieving for a person who never knew Jesus, the grief includes personal feelings as to whether you did all you could to see that that person knew the Lord and therefore will spend an eternity separated from God. When a believer dies, we as believers have the assurance that they are in a far better place. They are with their Lord and Savior in their heavenly home and we have the blessed hope of spending an eternity in heaven with them.
Job lost all his children and in his time of deepest grief he saw his Lord as never before. In Job 42:5 Job said “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes see You.” In first reading the verse above from Ecclesiastes it is hard to understand how the writer could say, “Sorrow is better than laughter.” There is a lot for us to learn that sometimes we only learn through grief. The writer of Ecclesiastes teaches us that sorrow does a work in one’s heart that will make one a better person in the Lord. It is in times of grief that we need Jesus the most.
Isaiah describes Jesus as “a man of sorrows intimately acquainted with grief. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows” (Isaiah 53:4). Jesus was perfect and without sin, yet He came to bear the consequences of the sins of all mankind and to bear all of our griefs and sorrows. How blessed every believer is to have such a wonderful Savior.
We have traveled to many areas of our world and have seen suffering and grief that has moved us to tears but what we have learned through these many experiences is that God used sorrow and grief to soften our hearts so that we would be more sensitive to the needs of the suffering. It taught us to pray for those living in sorrow and made us aware of a hurting world that Jesus died for. God wants each of us to remember that in times of grief and sorrow He is in control and our comforter and He wants us to be available to comfort others in their time of need.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in ISAIAH 53:6.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
PRAYER:
Help me today to be an encouragement to anyone that is facing grief and sorrow. Give me an opportunity to remind them that when all seems to be lost that they have not lost You. Help me to remember that I can learn more from sorrow than from laughter.
December 9, 2012
Gems of Encouragement: December 8, 2012
GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SATURDAY DECEMBER 8, 2012
PROVERB:
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. Proverbs 12:18-19
PROMISE:
You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the Lord abhors. Psalm 5:6
PRAISE:
I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites; I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked. I wash my hands in innocence and go about Your altar, O Lord, proclaiming aloud Your praise and telling of all Your wonderful deeds. Psalm 26:4-7
PROVERB:
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. Proverbs 12:18-19
PROMISE:
You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the Lord abhors. Psalm 5:6
PRAISE:
I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites; I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked. I wash my hands in innocence and go about Your altar, O Lord, proclaiming aloud Your praise and telling of all Your wonderful deeds. Psalm 26:4-7
Bless: December 7, 2012
DECEMBER 7. TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 7 2012.
BLESS
DEFINITION:
Consecrate by a religious rite; invoke God’s favor upon; make happy; to make fortunate or prosperous; praise.
SCRIPTURE:
Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His only name! Psalm 103:1.
Bless those that curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. Luke 6:28
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When we think of the word “bless,” we think of probably one of the most significant verses in the Old Testament. Let us explain. In Genesis Chapter 12, God made this promise to Abraham. “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.” God fulfilled His promise to Abraham. Abraham fathered a great nation and God did make his name great. There are not many who do not know about Abraham.
And God goes on to promise: “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you.” This nation Abraham fathered is Israel, and God is promising us as individuals that He will bless each one of us that bless Israel. In Acts 3:25 Peter preaches to the people, quoting Moses, “And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Have you thought about how all the world has been blessed through Abraham? First of all, God chose him and his descendants to represent God to the world. God’s Word, the Bible was given through Abraham to the children of Israel. And the greatest blessing the world has ever received is Jesus Christ who was given to us through the lineage of Abraham. The first chapter of Matthew lists the ancestors of Jesus. The list starts with Abraham.
In Psalm 115:13, the Psalmist says that God will bless those who fear the Lord. Our daily strength comes from God and we can expect His blessing upon our lives when we fear the Lord. God does not give us a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7), but expects us to be obedient to His Word. When God promised to bless Abraham, He put a requirement on receiving the blessing. Abraham had to leave his homeland and go where the Lord led him. He obeyed God and therefore was blessed by God.
The instruction in Luke 6:28 is to bless those who treat you badly and this is very tough to do. Jesus wants us to follow His example and love our enemies. It takes a conscious effort on our part to want to bless those who spitefully use us and to pray for them. A kind word softens anger and prayer does change things. If we can bring ourselves to pray for an enemy our attitude toward them will change. Prayer works because it brings God into the situation and God can change the hardest of hearts.
Our Lord is a God of love and He loves to bless us. In Mark 10: 13 to 16 is the account of Jesus taking the children into His arms, laying His hands on them and blessing them. The disciples had tried to keep the children away from Jesus and when Jesus saw it He invited the children to come to Him. When He blessed the children He demonstrated that His blessings are freely given and all are invited to come to Him and He will bless them freely. God “richly blesses all who call upon Him.” (Romans 10:12)
A group of doctors, dentists and nurses donated their time and paid their own expenses to go for two weeks into the jungles of the Amazon to operate a medical/dental clinic for one of my ministry clients. They were promised difficulty, hardship and discomfort and they were told it would not be a vacation experience.
Upon her return, one of the nurses said that she had never known that life was anything more than what one could get out of it. She went on to say: “Now I know that the real blessing in life lies in seeing how much I can put into someone else’s life. Never have I experienced such a blessing.”
Our friend, Dr. Vernon Grounds said: “Put yourself into the lives of others for Jesus sake. You will then experience a fulfillment and a blessing from God beyond compare.”
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:52.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
PRAYER:
Help me to bless people today. Thank You for the abundant blessings You give to me and my family which are more than I could ask or even imagine. May my life be an instrument that You can use to give a special blessing to someone in need today.
BLESS
DEFINITION:
Consecrate by a religious rite; invoke God’s favor upon; make happy; to make fortunate or prosperous; praise.
SCRIPTURE:
Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His only name! Psalm 103:1.
Bless those that curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. Luke 6:28
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When we think of the word “bless,” we think of probably one of the most significant verses in the Old Testament. Let us explain. In Genesis Chapter 12, God made this promise to Abraham. “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.” God fulfilled His promise to Abraham. Abraham fathered a great nation and God did make his name great. There are not many who do not know about Abraham.
And God goes on to promise: “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you.” This nation Abraham fathered is Israel, and God is promising us as individuals that He will bless each one of us that bless Israel. In Acts 3:25 Peter preaches to the people, quoting Moses, “And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Have you thought about how all the world has been blessed through Abraham? First of all, God chose him and his descendants to represent God to the world. God’s Word, the Bible was given through Abraham to the children of Israel. And the greatest blessing the world has ever received is Jesus Christ who was given to us through the lineage of Abraham. The first chapter of Matthew lists the ancestors of Jesus. The list starts with Abraham.
In Psalm 115:13, the Psalmist says that God will bless those who fear the Lord. Our daily strength comes from God and we can expect His blessing upon our lives when we fear the Lord. God does not give us a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7), but expects us to be obedient to His Word. When God promised to bless Abraham, He put a requirement on receiving the blessing. Abraham had to leave his homeland and go where the Lord led him. He obeyed God and therefore was blessed by God.
The instruction in Luke 6:28 is to bless those who treat you badly and this is very tough to do. Jesus wants us to follow His example and love our enemies. It takes a conscious effort on our part to want to bless those who spitefully use us and to pray for them. A kind word softens anger and prayer does change things. If we can bring ourselves to pray for an enemy our attitude toward them will change. Prayer works because it brings God into the situation and God can change the hardest of hearts.
Our Lord is a God of love and He loves to bless us. In Mark 10: 13 to 16 is the account of Jesus taking the children into His arms, laying His hands on them and blessing them. The disciples had tried to keep the children away from Jesus and when Jesus saw it He invited the children to come to Him. When He blessed the children He demonstrated that His blessings are freely given and all are invited to come to Him and He will bless them freely. God “richly blesses all who call upon Him.” (Romans 10:12)
A group of doctors, dentists and nurses donated their time and paid their own expenses to go for two weeks into the jungles of the Amazon to operate a medical/dental clinic for one of my ministry clients. They were promised difficulty, hardship and discomfort and they were told it would not be a vacation experience.
Upon her return, one of the nurses said that she had never known that life was anything more than what one could get out of it. She went on to say: “Now I know that the real blessing in life lies in seeing how much I can put into someone else’s life. Never have I experienced such a blessing.”
Our friend, Dr. Vernon Grounds said: “Put yourself into the lives of others for Jesus sake. You will then experience a fulfillment and a blessing from God beyond compare.”
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:52.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
PRAYER:
Help me to bless people today. Thank You for the abundant blessings You give to me and my family which are more than I could ask or even imagine. May my life be an instrument that You can use to give a special blessing to someone in need today.
Time: December 6, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 6, 2012.
TIME
DEFINITION:
A continuous duration as that in which events succeed one another; a limited period or interval as between two events; a particular period.
SCRIPTURE:
To everything there is a season, a time for every person under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but TIME and CHANCE happen to them all. Ecclesiastes 9:11
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Near the end of his life Solomon reflected back on his life and wrote down his analysis of his life in the book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon is known as the wisest man who ever lived. He not only had wisdom but he had fame and fortune. However, he recognized that there was one thing that he had no more of than anyone and that is “TIME.” In Ecclesiastes he wrote, “Time and chance happen to them all.” (Second verse above)
God has given time to us on this earth so that we can come to know Him and then to be a witness of Him to a world that needs to know Jesus. Time to God is different than time to us. In Psalm 90:4, the Psalmist says that “For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it is past, and like a watch in the night.” (A “watch” was four hours long.) One day on God’s calendar is like a thousand years on ours.
With all the evil present in our world today it is no wonder that people wonder why God withholds His judgment. There is a reason. God wants everyone to have TIME to repent and be saved. God’s time table is not our time table.
After analyzing his life, Solomon came to his conclusion as to what is the most important priority of life for him, and not only for him, but for all of us as well. Solomon said, “Here is the conclusion of the matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13
One of the major reasons we made a decision early in our ministry to work with children was because we felt that reaching a child for Jesus at an early age gave that child a lifetime of opportunity to serve the Lord.
The question for us as Christians: “How do we spend our time when we know the Lord?” One of the great failings of Christians today is not making adequate time to give to God. In order for us to be in tune with God it demands time on our part. Specifically, it demands that we spend time daily reading God’s Word, the Bible. This is how God communicates to us and how we learn how God wants us to live.
Secondly, God desires us to communicate with Him through prayer. Most Christians do not take the time to pray each day. Oh yes, some will say that they pray before each meal and before they go to bed each night. God wants more than that from us. He wants us to give Him time with our prayers so we can make known to Him our requests and our needs. And more importantly, He wants us to thank Him and give Him our praise for all that He has done for us.
Time is a valuable asset to each of us every day. How we spend our time depends on our priorities and we all have different priorities. Choosing how we use our time becomes a moral and spiritual issue. We always find time to give to what is important to us.
One of the major reasons for the breakdown of family unity is because parents and children do not spend time together. Time needs to be spent together talking, praying, and reading God’s Word. Time also is needed for a family to play and relax together. We urge all parents to reevaluate today how you spend your time.
We are reminded of the life of George Mueller. He was used of God in a very special way, establishing orphanages for children. He spent at least six hours each morning in prayer asking God for His leading and direction for the day. Some might say that spending six hours in prayer was a waste of time. George Mueller saw it differently. He saw prayer as preparation of his heart for God to use and bless him and to give him strength and wisdom to go and knock on doors asking for assistance for his orphanage. George knew that he could not do it alone. Through prayer God not only prepared his heart but the hearts of those he would visit. As a result of George Mueller’s faithful prayers God blessed him and supplied what he needed to establish and maintain the orphanages.
We encourage you to make communication with God a priority. Make time to pray to God and read the Bible daily so God can respond to you through His Word. If you do this you will be surprised at how God will change you and work in your life.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:52.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
PRAYER:
Thank You for the time You have given me to live on this earth. Help me today to reevaluate how I spend my time. Give me the will and dedication to spend more time with You. Help me to take time daily to study Your Word and to communicate to You through prayer. Honor our family with Your blessing and help us to rededicate our time to better serve You.
TIME
DEFINITION:
A continuous duration as that in which events succeed one another; a limited period or interval as between two events; a particular period.
SCRIPTURE:
To everything there is a season, a time for every person under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but TIME and CHANCE happen to them all. Ecclesiastes 9:11
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Near the end of his life Solomon reflected back on his life and wrote down his analysis of his life in the book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon is known as the wisest man who ever lived. He not only had wisdom but he had fame and fortune. However, he recognized that there was one thing that he had no more of than anyone and that is “TIME.” In Ecclesiastes he wrote, “Time and chance happen to them all.” (Second verse above)
God has given time to us on this earth so that we can come to know Him and then to be a witness of Him to a world that needs to know Jesus. Time to God is different than time to us. In Psalm 90:4, the Psalmist says that “For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it is past, and like a watch in the night.” (A “watch” was four hours long.) One day on God’s calendar is like a thousand years on ours.
With all the evil present in our world today it is no wonder that people wonder why God withholds His judgment. There is a reason. God wants everyone to have TIME to repent and be saved. God’s time table is not our time table.
After analyzing his life, Solomon came to his conclusion as to what is the most important priority of life for him, and not only for him, but for all of us as well. Solomon said, “Here is the conclusion of the matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13
One of the major reasons we made a decision early in our ministry to work with children was because we felt that reaching a child for Jesus at an early age gave that child a lifetime of opportunity to serve the Lord.
The question for us as Christians: “How do we spend our time when we know the Lord?” One of the great failings of Christians today is not making adequate time to give to God. In order for us to be in tune with God it demands time on our part. Specifically, it demands that we spend time daily reading God’s Word, the Bible. This is how God communicates to us and how we learn how God wants us to live.
Secondly, God desires us to communicate with Him through prayer. Most Christians do not take the time to pray each day. Oh yes, some will say that they pray before each meal and before they go to bed each night. God wants more than that from us. He wants us to give Him time with our prayers so we can make known to Him our requests and our needs. And more importantly, He wants us to thank Him and give Him our praise for all that He has done for us.
Time is a valuable asset to each of us every day. How we spend our time depends on our priorities and we all have different priorities. Choosing how we use our time becomes a moral and spiritual issue. We always find time to give to what is important to us.
One of the major reasons for the breakdown of family unity is because parents and children do not spend time together. Time needs to be spent together talking, praying, and reading God’s Word. Time also is needed for a family to play and relax together. We urge all parents to reevaluate today how you spend your time.
We are reminded of the life of George Mueller. He was used of God in a very special way, establishing orphanages for children. He spent at least six hours each morning in prayer asking God for His leading and direction for the day. Some might say that spending six hours in prayer was a waste of time. George Mueller saw it differently. He saw prayer as preparation of his heart for God to use and bless him and to give him strength and wisdom to go and knock on doors asking for assistance for his orphanage. George knew that he could not do it alone. Through prayer God not only prepared his heart but the hearts of those he would visit. As a result of George Mueller’s faithful prayers God blessed him and supplied what he needed to establish and maintain the orphanages.
We encourage you to make communication with God a priority. Make time to pray to God and read the Bible daily so God can respond to you through His Word. If you do this you will be surprised at how God will change you and work in your life.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:52.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
PRAYER:
Thank You for the time You have given me to live on this earth. Help me today to reevaluate how I spend my time. Give me the will and dedication to spend more time with You. Help me to take time daily to study Your Word and to communicate to You through prayer. Honor our family with Your blessing and help us to rededicate our time to better serve You.
Rebellion: December 5, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 5, 2012
REBELLION
DEFINITION:
Defiance; a spirit of resistance to authority; revolt.
SCRIPTURE:
An evil man seeks only rebellion. Proverbs 17:11.
These people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. Jeremiah 5:23.
For I know how rebellious and stiff necked you are. If you have been rebellious against the Lord while I am alive and with you, how much more will you rebel when I die? Deuteronomy 31:27-29.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We are rebellious by nature all the way back to Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve’s downfall was rebellion against God.
Every parent knows about the terrible “two’s.” Two year olds do not like the word “NO.” Just tell a two year old that he cannot do something or that he cannot have something and he will rebel -- guaranteed. None of us like to be told that we cannot have or cannot do something. We are all rebels by nature just like Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve found out quite quickly how God regards rebellion against Him. Today, we all must deal with God’s penalty for Adam and Eve’s rebellion.
The toughest job of Moses’ job in leading the children of Israel was dealing with their rebellion against God. Moses knew the rebellious nature of the Israelites. Just before handing the leadership of the children of Israel over to Joshua he said he knew how stubborn and rebellious they were and he knew they would rebel even more when he was not with them.
In Deuteronomy chapter 32, we read the song of Moses which was his last message to the Israelites. He reminded them of God’s blessings to them and warned them against rebelling against God and then commanded them to love and honor God and obey His commandments.
Rebellion is caused by pride. We think we know better than God and everyone else. It is especially arrogant to think we know better than God. Adam and Eve found that out the minute they sinned and rebelled against God’s authority.
There was a ship that left the Boston harbor in November 1898 in a blinding storm and never returned. Despite of all the danger signals which were up at the time the ship left and the warning of the government agent at the signal office for it not to depart and to remain in port, it still left the harbor. The owners had commanded the captain not to leave the harbor but the captain rebelled. He had all the answers. He knew better than all the owners and professionals. His rebellion was caused by his pride. He knew that he could be successful and no one has seen him since.
And we all know the story found in Luke 15:11-31 about the prodigal son. He was rebellious and took his share of his inheritance and left home. After he lost everything he had, he recognized the folly of his rebellious nature and headed home. His father saw him coming and went out to meet him and gave him all he needed and more, including a great welcome home feast.
This is what God wants to do for us if we have been rebellious in our words or deeds. He is waiting with open arms to accept us back and all we have to do is come to Him.
Many parents today are concerned because of the rebellion they are witnessing in their children. If this is a problem that you are facing you need to show them at all times that you love them, but that you will not tolerate their rebellion and then give them a fair and just punishment.
Be consistent in keeping the boundaries and standards you have set for them. No matter how rebellious they are, always love them but be firm. The children of Israel were rebellious against God but He never stopped loving them. But He did punish them and they had to suffer the consequences of their sins and rebellion against God.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:52.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
PRAYER:
Help me this day to keep my heart tender and open to Your leading so my heart will never harden and lead me into a life of sin. Make my family aware that rebellion is sin. Forgive me of my rebellion and let my life be an example to my family of being obedient to God.
REBELLION
DEFINITION:
Defiance; a spirit of resistance to authority; revolt.
SCRIPTURE:
An evil man seeks only rebellion. Proverbs 17:11.
These people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. Jeremiah 5:23.
For I know how rebellious and stiff necked you are. If you have been rebellious against the Lord while I am alive and with you, how much more will you rebel when I die? Deuteronomy 31:27-29.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We are rebellious by nature all the way back to Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve’s downfall was rebellion against God.
Every parent knows about the terrible “two’s.” Two year olds do not like the word “NO.” Just tell a two year old that he cannot do something or that he cannot have something and he will rebel -- guaranteed. None of us like to be told that we cannot have or cannot do something. We are all rebels by nature just like Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve found out quite quickly how God regards rebellion against Him. Today, we all must deal with God’s penalty for Adam and Eve’s rebellion.
The toughest job of Moses’ job in leading the children of Israel was dealing with their rebellion against God. Moses knew the rebellious nature of the Israelites. Just before handing the leadership of the children of Israel over to Joshua he said he knew how stubborn and rebellious they were and he knew they would rebel even more when he was not with them.
In Deuteronomy chapter 32, we read the song of Moses which was his last message to the Israelites. He reminded them of God’s blessings to them and warned them against rebelling against God and then commanded them to love and honor God and obey His commandments.
Rebellion is caused by pride. We think we know better than God and everyone else. It is especially arrogant to think we know better than God. Adam and Eve found that out the minute they sinned and rebelled against God’s authority.
There was a ship that left the Boston harbor in November 1898 in a blinding storm and never returned. Despite of all the danger signals which were up at the time the ship left and the warning of the government agent at the signal office for it not to depart and to remain in port, it still left the harbor. The owners had commanded the captain not to leave the harbor but the captain rebelled. He had all the answers. He knew better than all the owners and professionals. His rebellion was caused by his pride. He knew that he could be successful and no one has seen him since.
And we all know the story found in Luke 15:11-31 about the prodigal son. He was rebellious and took his share of his inheritance and left home. After he lost everything he had, he recognized the folly of his rebellious nature and headed home. His father saw him coming and went out to meet him and gave him all he needed and more, including a great welcome home feast.
This is what God wants to do for us if we have been rebellious in our words or deeds. He is waiting with open arms to accept us back and all we have to do is come to Him.
Many parents today are concerned because of the rebellion they are witnessing in their children. If this is a problem that you are facing you need to show them at all times that you love them, but that you will not tolerate their rebellion and then give them a fair and just punishment.
Be consistent in keeping the boundaries and standards you have set for them. No matter how rebellious they are, always love them but be firm. The children of Israel were rebellious against God but He never stopped loving them. But He did punish them and they had to suffer the consequences of their sins and rebellion against God.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:52.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
PRAYER:
Help me this day to keep my heart tender and open to Your leading so my heart will never harden and lead me into a life of sin. Make my family aware that rebellion is sin. Forgive me of my rebellion and let my life be an example to my family of being obedient to God.
Compaion: December 4, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY DECEMBER 4, 2012.
COMPANION
DEFINITION:
An associate; a person who frequently associates with or accompanies another; a comrade; a close friend.
SCRIPTURE:
I am a companion of all who fear You, and of those who keep Your precepts. Psalm 119:63.
And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel. Philippians 4:3.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
For the most part we are living in a very lonely world. When we talk to people we find out that many do not have family or friends that they can count on in their time of loneliness or concern. In today’s world with all the conveniences of modern transportation we have been privileged to meet many people across our world. Truly the world has shrunk and this has allowed us so many more opportunities to gain friends, acquaintances and even companions. For this we are so grateful.
Most of you that read these daily devotionals have acquaintances, a few friends but very few companions. Acquaintances are those we meet but possibly do not know very well. Friends are those we know well and have a favorable relationship with. Companions are those we have a close relationship with and spend the most time with. Teenagers say today that these are the ones that we “hang” with. Companions have the same interests and values that you have and this gives you a common bond. A true companion will stand by you and can be counted on for support in times of need.
No matter how self sufficient someone feels, we all have a need for a companion. This is why God instituted marriage because He saw that man needed a companion. Marriages that put Christ first in their relationships are marriages that have spouses that share a common bond and a companionship based on God’s love. This provides a solid foundation for their family. When God is in the marriage the spouses will be true companions.
Our choice of companions has a great influence on our life. That is why the writer of Psalms 119:63 said, “I am a companion of all who fear you and of those who keep your precepts (God’s law).” The Psalmist desired to be obedient to God and faithful to keep God’s commandments. He saw the importance of choosing the right companions who shared his same desires to love and obey the Lord. The danger for believers who choose close companions who are not believers is that they will be drawn away from their fellowship with the Lord and be enticed to disobey God’s commandments. The scripture clearly tells us that we cannot serve two masters.
Children today look for companions. Parents have the responsibility to lead their children to choose the right companions. When our children went anywhere without one of us, we made sure that we knew where they were going and with whom they were going. We always encouraged them to go with a trustworthy friend, a companion that would always be there for them. This also gave us assurance as parents that our child would not be alone. The choices of companions can affect ones lifestyle and standards for a lifetime, so this is a vital challenge for parents with their children, especially in the world we live in today.
Jesus wants to be our companion every day in all of our activities. He does not want us to be alone. With the Lord as our companion He gives us the confidence and boldness to live a life honoring the Lord.
In Philippians 4:3 Paul uses the term “true companion.” In another translation it reads “loyal yokefellow.” These words describe the close relationship Paul had with the believers in the church at Philippi, and for that reason Paul could call on them. Paul was concerned for the women who had labored with him when he was with them. Now he is hearing that they were having problems so he wanted to alert his true companions in the church to share his concern for these women and help them on Paul’s behalf.
Through out the scriptures we have many illustrations where Jesus and His disciples required believers, as true companions, to help those in need. This included the widows, the orphans, the homeless, the sick and the needy.
Being a companion is more than just being a daily friend to another person. It is the giving of yourself to meet their needs. As believers we need to be companions to others to show them through our words and actions that Jesus is our companion and will be their COMPANION who is always available to them if they know Him personally.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:52.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
PRAYER:
Thank You for being my companion throughout this day. Give me the confidence to walk the walk and talk the talk honoring You every moment of the day. I ask for Your direction as I lead my children. May they put their total trust in You and rely on You as their true companion to guide them in their daily lives.
COMPANION
DEFINITION:
An associate; a person who frequently associates with or accompanies another; a comrade; a close friend.
SCRIPTURE:
I am a companion of all who fear You, and of those who keep Your precepts. Psalm 119:63.
And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel. Philippians 4:3.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
For the most part we are living in a very lonely world. When we talk to people we find out that many do not have family or friends that they can count on in their time of loneliness or concern. In today’s world with all the conveniences of modern transportation we have been privileged to meet many people across our world. Truly the world has shrunk and this has allowed us so many more opportunities to gain friends, acquaintances and even companions. For this we are so grateful.
Most of you that read these daily devotionals have acquaintances, a few friends but very few companions. Acquaintances are those we meet but possibly do not know very well. Friends are those we know well and have a favorable relationship with. Companions are those we have a close relationship with and spend the most time with. Teenagers say today that these are the ones that we “hang” with. Companions have the same interests and values that you have and this gives you a common bond. A true companion will stand by you and can be counted on for support in times of need.
No matter how self sufficient someone feels, we all have a need for a companion. This is why God instituted marriage because He saw that man needed a companion. Marriages that put Christ first in their relationships are marriages that have spouses that share a common bond and a companionship based on God’s love. This provides a solid foundation for their family. When God is in the marriage the spouses will be true companions.
Our choice of companions has a great influence on our life. That is why the writer of Psalms 119:63 said, “I am a companion of all who fear you and of those who keep your precepts (God’s law).” The Psalmist desired to be obedient to God and faithful to keep God’s commandments. He saw the importance of choosing the right companions who shared his same desires to love and obey the Lord. The danger for believers who choose close companions who are not believers is that they will be drawn away from their fellowship with the Lord and be enticed to disobey God’s commandments. The scripture clearly tells us that we cannot serve two masters.
Children today look for companions. Parents have the responsibility to lead their children to choose the right companions. When our children went anywhere without one of us, we made sure that we knew where they were going and with whom they were going. We always encouraged them to go with a trustworthy friend, a companion that would always be there for them. This also gave us assurance as parents that our child would not be alone. The choices of companions can affect ones lifestyle and standards for a lifetime, so this is a vital challenge for parents with their children, especially in the world we live in today.
Jesus wants to be our companion every day in all of our activities. He does not want us to be alone. With the Lord as our companion He gives us the confidence and boldness to live a life honoring the Lord.
In Philippians 4:3 Paul uses the term “true companion.” In another translation it reads “loyal yokefellow.” These words describe the close relationship Paul had with the believers in the church at Philippi, and for that reason Paul could call on them. Paul was concerned for the women who had labored with him when he was with them. Now he is hearing that they were having problems so he wanted to alert his true companions in the church to share his concern for these women and help them on Paul’s behalf.
Through out the scriptures we have many illustrations where Jesus and His disciples required believers, as true companions, to help those in need. This included the widows, the orphans, the homeless, the sick and the needy.
Being a companion is more than just being a daily friend to another person. It is the giving of yourself to meet their needs. As believers we need to be companions to others to show them through our words and actions that Jesus is our companion and will be their COMPANION who is always available to them if they know Him personally.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:52.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
PRAYER:
Thank You for being my companion throughout this day. Give me the confidence to walk the walk and talk the talk honoring You every moment of the day. I ask for Your direction as I lead my children. May they put their total trust in You and rely on You as their true companion to guide them in their daily lives.
Blame: December 3, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY DECEMBER 3, 2012
BLAME
DEFINITION:
To hold responsible; to find fault with; censure; to place the responsibility of.
SCRIPTURE:
Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. Ephesians 1:4.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When we do something wrong we all are inclined to want to blame something or someone else. When our children were young and we caught them doing something wrong they often blamed one of their brothers or sisters. How often we heard, “it was his (or her) fault or he (or she) started it”. It is very easy to pass blame to someone to cover a wrong behavior or a lie in order to avoid the consequences.
The “blame game” started long ago after God created Adam and Eve. God put Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis chapter 2-3) and told them not to do only one thing. “Do not eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil” (verse 17). But they did and by doing so they sinned against God and the BLAME GAME began. In Genesis 3:7-13, we read that they first tried to avoid having to take responsibility for their actions and attempted to hide from God. When they were discovered Adam first blamed Eve as to why he ate of the tree (verse 12) and even blamed God because God had given him Eve. Then Eve blamed the serpent (verse 13).
The result is that sin came into the world because Adam and Eve were told one thing not to do and they did it. Rather than admitting what they had done they blamed someone else. To avoid taking responsibility for their own actions, people seem to constantly look for someone to blame.
In Mark 3:2 we read about Jesus and His disciples being in the temple with the Pharisees on the Sabbath. The Pharisees felt that the popularity of Jesus was a threat to them and they wanted to find something that they could blame Jesus for. They were watching Jesus carefully with the intent of criticizing Him for doing something on the Sabbath.
A man with a shriveled hand was in the temple and as the scripture reads: “They watched Jesus closely whether He would heal a man on the Sabbath, so that they may accuse (blame) him.” Jesus was grieved by the hardness of the Pharisees hearts and looked at them with anger and said to the man that needed healing to “Stretch out your hands.” The man obeyed and was healed. The Pharisees immediately left the temple to begin to plot how they might kill Him by blaming Him for healing the man on the Sabbath, thus breaking the Jewish law.
Every parent that has raised children has had to live with the “BLAME GAME.” Some of the time a parent has to be the judge as to who is really telling the truth. The scripture gives us a guideline as to how we should handle blame as it happens with our children. It begins with training. In Proverbs 22:6 it reads: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Children must be taught to accept responsibility for their actions and when they do wrong they should confess it and ask for forgiveness. Blaming someone else is not an option.
God always knows our every action and He always knows who is the blame. We might be able to fool others, but we cannot fool God as Adam and Eve found out very quickly. The opportunity to blame others will constantly pop up in our lives. Satan loves to tempt us in this way. The only way to resist the temptation is to seek the Lord’s help by reading His Word and praying and asking Him to give us the desire and the strength to do what is right. The right thing to do when we sin against God is always admit our sin and repent of it and ask for God’s forgiveness.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:52.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
PRAYER:
Help me today to do all that I can, with Your help, not to blame people for an issue that I have caused. Give me wisdom and the grace that only You can give to live a Christ honoring life in all that I do. Convict me of my sin when I do wrong and help me to do the right thing and seek your forgiveness.
BLAME
DEFINITION:
To hold responsible; to find fault with; censure; to place the responsibility of.
SCRIPTURE:
Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. Ephesians 1:4.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When we do something wrong we all are inclined to want to blame something or someone else. When our children were young and we caught them doing something wrong they often blamed one of their brothers or sisters. How often we heard, “it was his (or her) fault or he (or she) started it”. It is very easy to pass blame to someone to cover a wrong behavior or a lie in order to avoid the consequences.
The “blame game” started long ago after God created Adam and Eve. God put Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis chapter 2-3) and told them not to do only one thing. “Do not eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil” (verse 17). But they did and by doing so they sinned against God and the BLAME GAME began. In Genesis 3:7-13, we read that they first tried to avoid having to take responsibility for their actions and attempted to hide from God. When they were discovered Adam first blamed Eve as to why he ate of the tree (verse 12) and even blamed God because God had given him Eve. Then Eve blamed the serpent (verse 13).
The result is that sin came into the world because Adam and Eve were told one thing not to do and they did it. Rather than admitting what they had done they blamed someone else. To avoid taking responsibility for their own actions, people seem to constantly look for someone to blame.
In Mark 3:2 we read about Jesus and His disciples being in the temple with the Pharisees on the Sabbath. The Pharisees felt that the popularity of Jesus was a threat to them and they wanted to find something that they could blame Jesus for. They were watching Jesus carefully with the intent of criticizing Him for doing something on the Sabbath.
A man with a shriveled hand was in the temple and as the scripture reads: “They watched Jesus closely whether He would heal a man on the Sabbath, so that they may accuse (blame) him.” Jesus was grieved by the hardness of the Pharisees hearts and looked at them with anger and said to the man that needed healing to “Stretch out your hands.” The man obeyed and was healed. The Pharisees immediately left the temple to begin to plot how they might kill Him by blaming Him for healing the man on the Sabbath, thus breaking the Jewish law.
Every parent that has raised children has had to live with the “BLAME GAME.” Some of the time a parent has to be the judge as to who is really telling the truth. The scripture gives us a guideline as to how we should handle blame as it happens with our children. It begins with training. In Proverbs 22:6 it reads: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Children must be taught to accept responsibility for their actions and when they do wrong they should confess it and ask for forgiveness. Blaming someone else is not an option.
God always knows our every action and He always knows who is the blame. We might be able to fool others, but we cannot fool God as Adam and Eve found out very quickly. The opportunity to blame others will constantly pop up in our lives. Satan loves to tempt us in this way. The only way to resist the temptation is to seek the Lord’s help by reading His Word and praying and asking Him to give us the desire and the strength to do what is right. The right thing to do when we sin against God is always admit our sin and repent of it and ask for God’s forgiveness.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:52.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
PRAYER:
Help me today to do all that I can, with Your help, not to blame people for an issue that I have caused. Give me wisdom and the grace that only You can give to live a Christ honoring life in all that I do. Convict me of my sin when I do wrong and help me to do the right thing and seek your forgiveness.
December 2, 2012
Gems of Encouragement: December 1, 2012
GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SATURDAY DECEMBER 1, 2012.
PROVERB.
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18.
PROMISE.
I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. Isaiah 13:11.
PRAISE.
Love the Lord, all His saints! The Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud He pays back in full. Psalm 31:23.
PROVERB.
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18.
PROMISE.
I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. Isaiah 13:11.
PRAISE.
Love the Lord, all His saints! The Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud He pays back in full. Psalm 31:23.
Gracious: November 30, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY NOVEMBER 30, 2012.
GRACIOUS
DEFINITION:
Merciful; compassionate; kindly; courteous.
SCRIPTURE:
For you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 1 Peter 2:3 RSV Translation.
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool shall swallow him up. Ecclesiastes 10:12.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Recently we were talking to some friends concerning what we feel is a lack of civility in our world. It is even harder to find graciousness. Do you know many people today that are consistently gracious? To be gracious in the evil world that we live in is most difficult. People and situations can irritate and upset us but this is no reason to be uncivil and ungracious. Being gracious is much more than just being civil.
God has given us the standard of His graciousness. Let us look at a few scriptures. In Exodus 34:6 God was speaking to Moses preparing Moses to lead the Children of Israel to honor and serve Him (God) by obeying His commandments. God gave Moses the difficult assignment to teach the Children of Israel to worship and honor Him with obedience and to show love and graciousness to each other. When Moses asked to see the Glory of God, the scripture says that the Lord passed before him and proclaimed “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.” Graciousness is one of the attributes of God.
The same attribute of graciousness is in Jesus. In Luke 4:22 we read about when Jesus returned to Nazareth, the place where He grew up as a carpenter’s son. They all knew Jesus as a boy and did not know Him as their Messiah. Jesus read Isaiah 61:1-2 to them. He told them His coming was to fulfill this scripture but that He was being rejected by many in the very place that He grew up. After Jesus had spoken: “all that bore witness to Him marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth.” And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” Although they did not recognize Him as their Messiah, they recognized that he was gracious.
Despite being rejected, misunderstood or even persecuted Jesus set a standard for us as believers to be gracious in spite of how we are treated. As parents we need to begin with ourselves and learn to be gracious to all we meet, whether it is family or complete strangers. Probably the most difficult task that we have is teaching our children to be gracious. This is difficult because they will have to deal with peers who are not gracious. When a young child is mistreated by another child they are quick to retaliate.
In Ephesians 4:32 Paul tells us how to be gracious: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave us.” In Ephesians 5:1-2 Paul tells us to be imitators of God and live a life of love just as Christ loved us.
One of our daughters came home from junior high school one day, totally upset. Someone had taken her brand new blazer jacket out of her gym locker during gym class. Although she was well aware that most all of her peers in the school were more well-to-do than our family, we tried to comfort her with the thought that perhaps the girl needed it more than she did. In addition, we told her to think of the guilt the girl would feel whenever she would wear the blazer. Regardless of our words of consolation, she wasn’t feeling very gracious toward the unknown thief.
No, it is not easy to always be gracious even when we know we should be. We must ask the Lord to enable us to do what we find difficult to do.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 1:1.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
PRAYER:
Help me to respond to the examples You have given me in Your Word to be gracious to everyone I meet today despite how they may treat me. Keep me mindful that others are watching me and I must make sure my attitude and my actions do not bring dishonor to You.
GRACIOUS
DEFINITION:
Merciful; compassionate; kindly; courteous.
SCRIPTURE:
For you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 1 Peter 2:3 RSV Translation.
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool shall swallow him up. Ecclesiastes 10:12.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Recently we were talking to some friends concerning what we feel is a lack of civility in our world. It is even harder to find graciousness. Do you know many people today that are consistently gracious? To be gracious in the evil world that we live in is most difficult. People and situations can irritate and upset us but this is no reason to be uncivil and ungracious. Being gracious is much more than just being civil.
God has given us the standard of His graciousness. Let us look at a few scriptures. In Exodus 34:6 God was speaking to Moses preparing Moses to lead the Children of Israel to honor and serve Him (God) by obeying His commandments. God gave Moses the difficult assignment to teach the Children of Israel to worship and honor Him with obedience and to show love and graciousness to each other. When Moses asked to see the Glory of God, the scripture says that the Lord passed before him and proclaimed “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.” Graciousness is one of the attributes of God.
The same attribute of graciousness is in Jesus. In Luke 4:22 we read about when Jesus returned to Nazareth, the place where He grew up as a carpenter’s son. They all knew Jesus as a boy and did not know Him as their Messiah. Jesus read Isaiah 61:1-2 to them. He told them His coming was to fulfill this scripture but that He was being rejected by many in the very place that He grew up. After Jesus had spoken: “all that bore witness to Him marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth.” And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” Although they did not recognize Him as their Messiah, they recognized that he was gracious.
Despite being rejected, misunderstood or even persecuted Jesus set a standard for us as believers to be gracious in spite of how we are treated. As parents we need to begin with ourselves and learn to be gracious to all we meet, whether it is family or complete strangers. Probably the most difficult task that we have is teaching our children to be gracious. This is difficult because they will have to deal with peers who are not gracious. When a young child is mistreated by another child they are quick to retaliate.
In Ephesians 4:32 Paul tells us how to be gracious: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave us.” In Ephesians 5:1-2 Paul tells us to be imitators of God and live a life of love just as Christ loved us.
One of our daughters came home from junior high school one day, totally upset. Someone had taken her brand new blazer jacket out of her gym locker during gym class. Although she was well aware that most all of her peers in the school were more well-to-do than our family, we tried to comfort her with the thought that perhaps the girl needed it more than she did. In addition, we told her to think of the guilt the girl would feel whenever she would wear the blazer. Regardless of our words of consolation, she wasn’t feeling very gracious toward the unknown thief.
No, it is not easy to always be gracious even when we know we should be. We must ask the Lord to enable us to do what we find difficult to do.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 1:1.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
PRAYER:
Help me to respond to the examples You have given me in Your Word to be gracious to everyone I meet today despite how they may treat me. Keep me mindful that others are watching me and I must make sure my attitude and my actions do not bring dishonor to You.
Criticism: November 29, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2012.
CRITICISM
DEFINITION:
An act of passing judgment as to the merits of anything; an act of passing judgment; censure; an unfavorable comment.
SCRIPTURE:
For the Lord will judge His people and have compassion on His servants. Deuteronomy 32:36
Judge not that you be not judged. Matthew 7:1
You judge according to the flesh, I judge no one. John 8:15
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
How many times recently can you remember being criticized? It was not easy to take, was it? But turn that thought around and think how many times recently you have criticized someone. Criticism is easy to give but hard to take. Some criticism is justified and other criticism is not acceptable. Criticism is useful only if it is constructive and lovingly given.
We can remember being with people in past years that have been very critical of people, places and things. It seemed that no one could do anything right in their sight. In the world we live in there are many people that just by their nature need to be critical in their evaluation of others. These people are always negative in their thinking and do not seem to enjoy any of the blessings they have.
In real life if you continually associate with one who is critical, you soon will become just as critical yourself. Life is full of choices and we need to choose people that we associate with daily who are kind, considerate and look at what is good in others rather than looking for something to criticize. People criticize others because they are trying to boost their own egos.
Jesus was critical of criticism. When we criticize someone or something we become a judge and we are passing our judgment on to another person’s actions. None of us are perfect so we have no right to criticize others. We do not know all the circumstances and our criticism of others comes from not knowing all the facts. In John 8:15 (above), Jesus was defending himself to the Pharisees who were critical of Him for claiming that He was the Son of God. At this point in time they did not believe Jesus was who He said He was. Jesus responded to them by saying they judged according to the flesh (human standards) but He judged no one. This is a lesson for us today to examine our motives when we are tempted to criticize someone. Jesus did not criticize others for their weaknesses. He showed them compassion and forgiveness.
As parents we taught our children to respect others no matter who they were or even though they might not agree with that person or with what they did. We often explained that criticism hurt and hurting people was not of God. We also discussed the negatives that happen when you judge people. We tried to encourage our children never to judge a person and to always let God take care of the situation. Everyone must answer to God for their own actions. Only God has the right to judge. This is a difficult concept for one of any age to comprehend and practice. But we have learned, many times the hard way, to let go and let God take over. Try it, it works!
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 1:1.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
PRAYER:
Help me today not to criticize others but to try to see the good in everyone. Help me to be an encourager and not a critic. May others see in me a compassionate person that glorifies You in all that I do and say. Give me a tender heart and a new love for every person I touch with my life.
CRITICISM
DEFINITION:
An act of passing judgment as to the merits of anything; an act of passing judgment; censure; an unfavorable comment.
SCRIPTURE:
For the Lord will judge His people and have compassion on His servants. Deuteronomy 32:36
Judge not that you be not judged. Matthew 7:1
You judge according to the flesh, I judge no one. John 8:15
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
How many times recently can you remember being criticized? It was not easy to take, was it? But turn that thought around and think how many times recently you have criticized someone. Criticism is easy to give but hard to take. Some criticism is justified and other criticism is not acceptable. Criticism is useful only if it is constructive and lovingly given.
We can remember being with people in past years that have been very critical of people, places and things. It seemed that no one could do anything right in their sight. In the world we live in there are many people that just by their nature need to be critical in their evaluation of others. These people are always negative in their thinking and do not seem to enjoy any of the blessings they have.
In real life if you continually associate with one who is critical, you soon will become just as critical yourself. Life is full of choices and we need to choose people that we associate with daily who are kind, considerate and look at what is good in others rather than looking for something to criticize. People criticize others because they are trying to boost their own egos.
Jesus was critical of criticism. When we criticize someone or something we become a judge and we are passing our judgment on to another person’s actions. None of us are perfect so we have no right to criticize others. We do not know all the circumstances and our criticism of others comes from not knowing all the facts. In John 8:15 (above), Jesus was defending himself to the Pharisees who were critical of Him for claiming that He was the Son of God. At this point in time they did not believe Jesus was who He said He was. Jesus responded to them by saying they judged according to the flesh (human standards) but He judged no one. This is a lesson for us today to examine our motives when we are tempted to criticize someone. Jesus did not criticize others for their weaknesses. He showed them compassion and forgiveness.
As parents we taught our children to respect others no matter who they were or even though they might not agree with that person or with what they did. We often explained that criticism hurt and hurting people was not of God. We also discussed the negatives that happen when you judge people. We tried to encourage our children never to judge a person and to always let God take care of the situation. Everyone must answer to God for their own actions. Only God has the right to judge. This is a difficult concept for one of any age to comprehend and practice. But we have learned, many times the hard way, to let go and let God take over. Try it, it works!
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 1:1.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
PRAYER:
Help me today not to criticize others but to try to see the good in everyone. Help me to be an encourager and not a critic. May others see in me a compassionate person that glorifies You in all that I do and say. Give me a tender heart and a new love for every person I touch with my life.
Evangelism: November 28, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 28, 2012.
EVANGELISM
DEFINITION:
The preaching or promulgation of the Christian gospel; the work of an evangelist.
SCRIPTURE:
But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. II Timothy 4:5.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Jesus’ last words of instruction to His disciples were that they were to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28: 19-20.
This is known as the Great Commission. Soon after this Jesus ascended to heaven because His work on earth was done. He gave His disciples the responsibility of carrying on His ministry and He commissioned them to be His evangelists. The disciples, long ago, completed their work on earth and their commission of evangelism has been passed on to each one of us who are believers in Jesus.
In this verse (above) from II Timothy we are told by Paul to “do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
The word “ministry” here does not refer to any special group or class of people like pastors, teachers, or those that call themselves evangelists. The word “ministry” means “service” and all believers are called to be active in a service of some kind as it says in Ephesians 4:11-12, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” YES, part of the believer’s ministry is to “do the work of an evangelist.”
Evangelism, New Testament style, is personal evangelism. Jesus set an example for us when He talked to individuals who came to Him or when He met an individual and “ministered” to him or her one on one.
In Luke 19 we find Jesus ministering one on one to Zacchaeus. He had climbed up in a Sycamore tree to see Jesus over the crowd. Jesus saw him in the tree and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for tonight I must stay at your house.” Zacchaeus welcomed Him gladly into his home and then into his life. Jesus said to him: “Today salvation has come to this house.” And Zacchaeus gave clear indications of his new found life in Christ. He welcomed Jesus joyfully; he determined to give half of his wealth to the poor and then promised to return four-fold all the taxes that he had collected dishonestly. Zacchaeus found Jesus and accepted Him as Savior in a one to one situation.
We think of evangelism as being the work of only those who are good at speaking. Jesus wants all of us that believe in Him to be His evangelists. The way we live our life before others speaks volumes, when we are living as Christ wants us to live. We can all minister one to one with those we meet daily.
Jesus was the master soul winner. One by one He witnessed to John and Andrew and they accepted Jesus as their Savior. He witnessed to Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman. Jesus gives us this call: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
There is no more of an important place to be an evangelist than in your home. We taught our children about our commitment to Jesus by our example, first, and then by our words. We consistently encouraged our children to share their faith by their actions and their words.
There is nothing more rewarding for us as Christian parents than to see our children put into practice in their own lives the Biblical principles we tried to instill in them. Remembering back to those years when we had the challenge of raising teenagers, one of our children received an invitation to a birthday party. Other than the day the invitation came, nothing was said about the party. The day of the party came and we asked if he was planning to go. He said “NO” without any explanation. Being curious about this decision we asked, “Why?” His answer was, “I don’t think it will be the kind of party I should go to.” We were so thankful that he saw the necessity of keeping his commitment to Christ as well as keeping his standards high by not only what he said but by what he did.
Often we do not think our children hear a word we say, but more gets through to them than what we think at the time it is said. We just have to keep on keeping on teaching them with consistency God’s commandments by our words and deeds and clearly show them their responsibility to obey them.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 1:1.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
PRAYER:
Help me, dear Lord, to determine this very day to be an “evangelist’ to my own family and then one by one to those I meet. Keep me faithful in living according to the teaching of Your Word so that my life is an example to my family and my walk is consistent with my talk. Work in the hearts of my family to make them receptive to Your Word so they can be an evangelist to their friends.
EVANGELISM
DEFINITION:
The preaching or promulgation of the Christian gospel; the work of an evangelist.
SCRIPTURE:
But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. II Timothy 4:5.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Jesus’ last words of instruction to His disciples were that they were to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28: 19-20.
This is known as the Great Commission. Soon after this Jesus ascended to heaven because His work on earth was done. He gave His disciples the responsibility of carrying on His ministry and He commissioned them to be His evangelists. The disciples, long ago, completed their work on earth and their commission of evangelism has been passed on to each one of us who are believers in Jesus.
In this verse (above) from II Timothy we are told by Paul to “do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
The word “ministry” here does not refer to any special group or class of people like pastors, teachers, or those that call themselves evangelists. The word “ministry” means “service” and all believers are called to be active in a service of some kind as it says in Ephesians 4:11-12, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” YES, part of the believer’s ministry is to “do the work of an evangelist.”
Evangelism, New Testament style, is personal evangelism. Jesus set an example for us when He talked to individuals who came to Him or when He met an individual and “ministered” to him or her one on one.
In Luke 19 we find Jesus ministering one on one to Zacchaeus. He had climbed up in a Sycamore tree to see Jesus over the crowd. Jesus saw him in the tree and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for tonight I must stay at your house.” Zacchaeus welcomed Him gladly into his home and then into his life. Jesus said to him: “Today salvation has come to this house.” And Zacchaeus gave clear indications of his new found life in Christ. He welcomed Jesus joyfully; he determined to give half of his wealth to the poor and then promised to return four-fold all the taxes that he had collected dishonestly. Zacchaeus found Jesus and accepted Him as Savior in a one to one situation.
We think of evangelism as being the work of only those who are good at speaking. Jesus wants all of us that believe in Him to be His evangelists. The way we live our life before others speaks volumes, when we are living as Christ wants us to live. We can all minister one to one with those we meet daily.
Jesus was the master soul winner. One by one He witnessed to John and Andrew and they accepted Jesus as their Savior. He witnessed to Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman. Jesus gives us this call: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
There is no more of an important place to be an evangelist than in your home. We taught our children about our commitment to Jesus by our example, first, and then by our words. We consistently encouraged our children to share their faith by their actions and their words.
There is nothing more rewarding for us as Christian parents than to see our children put into practice in their own lives the Biblical principles we tried to instill in them. Remembering back to those years when we had the challenge of raising teenagers, one of our children received an invitation to a birthday party. Other than the day the invitation came, nothing was said about the party. The day of the party came and we asked if he was planning to go. He said “NO” without any explanation. Being curious about this decision we asked, “Why?” His answer was, “I don’t think it will be the kind of party I should go to.” We were so thankful that he saw the necessity of keeping his commitment to Christ as well as keeping his standards high by not only what he said but by what he did.
Often we do not think our children hear a word we say, but more gets through to them than what we think at the time it is said. We just have to keep on keeping on teaching them with consistency God’s commandments by our words and deeds and clearly show them their responsibility to obey them.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 1:1.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
PRAYER:
Help me, dear Lord, to determine this very day to be an “evangelist’ to my own family and then one by one to those I meet. Keep me faithful in living according to the teaching of Your Word so that my life is an example to my family and my walk is consistent with my talk. Work in the hearts of my family to make them receptive to Your Word so they can be an evangelist to their friends.
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