TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY FEBRUARY 10, 2012
INTERRUPTIONS
DEFINITION:
Make a gap in; bring to a pause or stop; intrude upon the action or speech of.
SCRIPTURE:
The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the people of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. Psalm 33:10-11.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
If your life is anything like ours, it is pretty well planned out. We have a calendar we keep that reminds us of appointments, meetings and even “to do” items. But often interruptions change our planned activities for the day. This indeed can be frustrating but it can also be very productive.
The psalmist in the above verse reminds us that the Lord can make “the plans of the peoples of no effect.” Yet most of the time we respond to interruptions in our well planned lives with attitudes like frustration, irritation, fear and doubt.
But when we let God have complete control of our lives we need to understand that maybe God is going to use an interruption that comes our way for His glory. The interruptions that come our way may be a surprise from God giving us a new opportunity to serve Him. We need to welcome interruptions as a new item on our“to do” list from Him.
Some of the great advances in God’s plans have come through interruptions to the normal routine of a person. For example look what happened to Mary. An angel interrupted her life with the announcement that she would have a Son named Jesus. Since she was a virgin and engaged to be married this news was shocking and deeply troubling. But God used this interruption to bring His Son into our world so we could have our sins paid for and have an eternity with God.
Look at Saul and the interruption he had in his life. He was a Jewish zealot who persecuted Christians like no other person in his day. He was walking on his way to Damascus to arrest more followers of Christ when he was blinded by Jesus. This life-changing interruption for Paul not only changed his life but had huge implications for the future of Christianity.
We encourage you to look for God’s purpose in the next interruption you face. You will be amazed what will happen if you just stop and ask God, “What do you have for me to do now?” We can be confident that God’s plans are always better than our plans.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in James 1:12.
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
PRAYER:
Lord, if I am feeling rushed today and trying to honor my schedule, I need Your eyes to help me see and your leading to help me walk so that when an interruption comes my way that I might realize that it could be an opportunity from you.
February 12, 2012
Longing: February 9, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2012
LONGING
DEFINITION:
Prolonged earnest desire.
SCRIPTURE:
I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Philippians 1:23
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Paul is sharing with the Church at Philippi in this verse his struggle in his mind as to where he would rather be at that moment. He is relating that he has equal pressure that is being exerted from both sides. Here he is speaking of his personal desires and not necessarily that which the Lord would desire. He makes it clear that his personal will is to be swallowed up in the sweet and perfect will of God.
At the time he wrote Philippians Paul was in prison. It was not where he longed to be. Paul is longing to be with Christ but he knows that his mission on earth is not complete. The centerpiece of this entire dialog from Paul is Christ. In verse 21 Paul says simply and concisely, “For to me to live is Christ.” As long as the Lord had a purpose for him to live, even if it was in prison, he would accept that.
There are many examples in life today where children and adults face longings in their lives. How many children have you heard about that went on their first overnight camping experience and in the middle of the night they had a longing for mother and father at home?
There were times in our lives before we were married living 2000 miles apart that we faced a longing to see one another. We needed to look beyond that longing anxiously waiting the day we knew we would see one another again. We long to be with those that we love.
Many times we have talked to or heard about friends who were fighting sickness, economic struggles or strained relationships and they had a longing to call it quits and go to heaven and leave their troubles behind.
It is easy for us as believers to think longingly about being with Jesus, just as Paul did. As God’s children we know that this world will never truly be home to us. Paul loved serving Christ as we do but a part of him longed to be with the Savior as we do. It is comforting to know that being with Jesus in our eternal home will be far better than being here on earth.
We, as believers, can be confident that when we face those moments of longing to be free of life’s struggles we have strength that comes from our Lord. He will give us all we need to step up and live above our worldly longings. As Paul said, for him to live was Christ and was all he needed and longed for. This is what the Lord wants to be our reason for living. When we put our trust in Jesus, He will take our worldly longings away. What do you long for? Do you long to be with Jesus who loves you so much that He was willing to die for you?
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in James 1:12.
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
PRAYER:
Help me to live above any worldly longings that I face today. Thank You for the longing that I do have to spend an eternity with You. Until that day comes give me the strength daily to serve and love You with all my heart.
LONGING
DEFINITION:
Prolonged earnest desire.
SCRIPTURE:
I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Philippians 1:23
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Paul is sharing with the Church at Philippi in this verse his struggle in his mind as to where he would rather be at that moment. He is relating that he has equal pressure that is being exerted from both sides. Here he is speaking of his personal desires and not necessarily that which the Lord would desire. He makes it clear that his personal will is to be swallowed up in the sweet and perfect will of God.
At the time he wrote Philippians Paul was in prison. It was not where he longed to be. Paul is longing to be with Christ but he knows that his mission on earth is not complete. The centerpiece of this entire dialog from Paul is Christ. In verse 21 Paul says simply and concisely, “For to me to live is Christ.” As long as the Lord had a purpose for him to live, even if it was in prison, he would accept that.
There are many examples in life today where children and adults face longings in their lives. How many children have you heard about that went on their first overnight camping experience and in the middle of the night they had a longing for mother and father at home?
There were times in our lives before we were married living 2000 miles apart that we faced a longing to see one another. We needed to look beyond that longing anxiously waiting the day we knew we would see one another again. We long to be with those that we love.
Many times we have talked to or heard about friends who were fighting sickness, economic struggles or strained relationships and they had a longing to call it quits and go to heaven and leave their troubles behind.
It is easy for us as believers to think longingly about being with Jesus, just as Paul did. As God’s children we know that this world will never truly be home to us. Paul loved serving Christ as we do but a part of him longed to be with the Savior as we do. It is comforting to know that being with Jesus in our eternal home will be far better than being here on earth.
We, as believers, can be confident that when we face those moments of longing to be free of life’s struggles we have strength that comes from our Lord. He will give us all we need to step up and live above our worldly longings. As Paul said, for him to live was Christ and was all he needed and longed for. This is what the Lord wants to be our reason for living. When we put our trust in Jesus, He will take our worldly longings away. What do you long for? Do you long to be with Jesus who loves you so much that He was willing to die for you?
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in James 1:12.
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
PRAYER:
Help me to live above any worldly longings that I face today. Thank You for the longing that I do have to spend an eternity with You. Until that day comes give me the strength daily to serve and love You with all my heart.
Future: February 8, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2012.
FUTURE
DEFINITION:
Yet to come or happen; relating to a later time.
SCRIPTURE:
If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that. James 4:15.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Jeremiah was a prophet chosen by God to bring a gloomy message to Judah of the coming destruction of Jerusalem, in the very near future, unless they repented of their sins. Judah rejected Jeremiah’s warning and Jerusalem was destroyed and the people were taken captive to Babylon. The exiles had no hope for the future. The 29th chapter of Jeremiah is a text of Jeremiah’s letter he sent to the captives. It was a word of hope from God assuring them of a future because God controls the future and He has plans to bring them back from captivity. (Jeremiah 29:14)
TIME magazine in a 1992 issue had an article titled BEYOND THE YEAR 2000. This article was sharing with their readers what to expect in the future --- the new millennium. In this article they wrote: “The first rule of forecasting should be that the unforeseen keeps making the future unforeseeable.”
James reminds us though as believers in Jesus that any view of the future that omits God is foolish and proud. TIME magazine’s article acknowledges that no one knows what the future will bring and that man has no control over the future. No one can foresee the future, but we can know the one who not only foresees the future but controls the future.
Many people begin a statement that they may make about the future with --- “The Lord willing.” This is a clear and concise message acknowledging that God’s overruling hand controls the future. James tells us that we should daily say that “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” As we look ahead to the future as believers in Jesus we need to keep God firmly in view. We can face the future with confidence when we include Him in our plans. Our plans will disappoint us if we leave God out of them.
Those of us who know Jesus Christ as our Savior can face the future with complete joy. The future of the human race is in God’s hands. We have a choice. We can confidently place our own hands in the outstretched hands of God or we can run from Him and turn our backs on Him.
Even if we choose to flee from Him now, we never will be able to escape His hand. At a future time, His hand will hold the gavel of judgment. If we place our hand in His now in trust and faith we will never fear that gavel of judgment.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in James 1:12.
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
PRAYER:
Help me to learn daily as I read the inspiring words written by James, filled with wisdom to help me navigate my way through life effectively. May the practical words of wisdom that I read in James be accepted by my family as we grow together in our love and service for You.
FUTURE
DEFINITION:
Yet to come or happen; relating to a later time.
SCRIPTURE:
If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that. James 4:15.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Jeremiah was a prophet chosen by God to bring a gloomy message to Judah of the coming destruction of Jerusalem, in the very near future, unless they repented of their sins. Judah rejected Jeremiah’s warning and Jerusalem was destroyed and the people were taken captive to Babylon. The exiles had no hope for the future. The 29th chapter of Jeremiah is a text of Jeremiah’s letter he sent to the captives. It was a word of hope from God assuring them of a future because God controls the future and He has plans to bring them back from captivity. (Jeremiah 29:14)
TIME magazine in a 1992 issue had an article titled BEYOND THE YEAR 2000. This article was sharing with their readers what to expect in the future --- the new millennium. In this article they wrote: “The first rule of forecasting should be that the unforeseen keeps making the future unforeseeable.”
James reminds us though as believers in Jesus that any view of the future that omits God is foolish and proud. TIME magazine’s article acknowledges that no one knows what the future will bring and that man has no control over the future. No one can foresee the future, but we can know the one who not only foresees the future but controls the future.
Many people begin a statement that they may make about the future with --- “The Lord willing.” This is a clear and concise message acknowledging that God’s overruling hand controls the future. James tells us that we should daily say that “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” As we look ahead to the future as believers in Jesus we need to keep God firmly in view. We can face the future with confidence when we include Him in our plans. Our plans will disappoint us if we leave God out of them.
Those of us who know Jesus Christ as our Savior can face the future with complete joy. The future of the human race is in God’s hands. We have a choice. We can confidently place our own hands in the outstretched hands of God or we can run from Him and turn our backs on Him.
Even if we choose to flee from Him now, we never will be able to escape His hand. At a future time, His hand will hold the gavel of judgment. If we place our hand in His now in trust and faith we will never fear that gavel of judgment.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in James 1:12.
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
PRAYER:
Help me to learn daily as I read the inspiring words written by James, filled with wisdom to help me navigate my way through life effectively. May the practical words of wisdom that I read in James be accepted by my family as we grow together in our love and service for You.
Wisdom: February 7, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2012.
WISDOM
DEFINITION:
Understanding what is true, right or lasting. The ability of forming a sound judgment; discernment.
SCRIPTURE:
Seek wisdom as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures. Proverbs 2:4.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Solomon, in about the 10th century before Christ, recommended having a serious commitment when pursuing wisdom. In the definition of wisdom that we put above, understanding what is true, right, or lasting, is critical if we want a life that glorifies our Holy God.
In Proverbs 2, Solomon mentions several ways to describe our needed efforts to gain wisdom. He said, “Incline your ear,” “apply your heart,” “cry out,” “lift up your voice,” “seek her,” and “search for her.” If we put the same effort into seeking wisdom as many do in seeking silver and hidden treasures, God will assure us that our quest will not be fruitless.
Seeking wisdom takes effort. Many scholars take years of schooling to get wisdom. Wisdom does not come from schooling or books. In Proverbs 2:6-7, Solomon tells us: “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.” The Lord stores up sound wisdom for the upright. The upright are true believers who desire to obey the Lord. If we seek God’s wisdom He will give it to us as He has promised.
Solomon who was the author of most of the sayings recorded in Proverbs was not only worldly wise but also personally insightful. As Solomon was preparing to ascend to the throne of Israel, God offered him anything he desired. He asked God for a wise and understanding heart to lead the people of God. This request revealed deep personal wisdom but wisdom alone would prove fruitless unless it was permeated by the wisdom of God, which He gave to Solomon in unusual measure.
The book of Proverbs approaches life for us from the position that God has all the answers. He is all-wise and all-knowing. Nothing is hidden from His knowledge. He understands all of the mysteries of life and has every answer to the riddles of life we each face from day to day. Therefore the beginning of wisdom for us is to revere and fear God. (Proverbs 1:7)
We are to remember to seek God with all of our heart because He is the source of all wisdom for our lives. You can acquire much knowledge in life but true wisdom only comes from God.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in James 1:12.
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
PRAYER:
Help me to seek Your wisdom with all my heart so that I will not rely on worldly knowledge but on the true wisdom that only You can give.
WISDOM
DEFINITION:
Understanding what is true, right or lasting. The ability of forming a sound judgment; discernment.
SCRIPTURE:
Seek wisdom as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures. Proverbs 2:4.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Solomon, in about the 10th century before Christ, recommended having a serious commitment when pursuing wisdom. In the definition of wisdom that we put above, understanding what is true, right, or lasting, is critical if we want a life that glorifies our Holy God.
In Proverbs 2, Solomon mentions several ways to describe our needed efforts to gain wisdom. He said, “Incline your ear,” “apply your heart,” “cry out,” “lift up your voice,” “seek her,” and “search for her.” If we put the same effort into seeking wisdom as many do in seeking silver and hidden treasures, God will assure us that our quest will not be fruitless.
Seeking wisdom takes effort. Many scholars take years of schooling to get wisdom. Wisdom does not come from schooling or books. In Proverbs 2:6-7, Solomon tells us: “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.” The Lord stores up sound wisdom for the upright. The upright are true believers who desire to obey the Lord. If we seek God’s wisdom He will give it to us as He has promised.
Solomon who was the author of most of the sayings recorded in Proverbs was not only worldly wise but also personally insightful. As Solomon was preparing to ascend to the throne of Israel, God offered him anything he desired. He asked God for a wise and understanding heart to lead the people of God. This request revealed deep personal wisdom but wisdom alone would prove fruitless unless it was permeated by the wisdom of God, which He gave to Solomon in unusual measure.
The book of Proverbs approaches life for us from the position that God has all the answers. He is all-wise and all-knowing. Nothing is hidden from His knowledge. He understands all of the mysteries of life and has every answer to the riddles of life we each face from day to day. Therefore the beginning of wisdom for us is to revere and fear God. (Proverbs 1:7)
We are to remember to seek God with all of our heart because He is the source of all wisdom for our lives. You can acquire much knowledge in life but true wisdom only comes from God.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in James 1:12.
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
PRAYER:
Help me to seek Your wisdom with all my heart so that I will not rely on worldly knowledge but on the true wisdom that only You can give.
Enemy: February 6, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2012
ENEMY
DEFINITION:
One who opposes or seeks to inflict injury upon another; foe; one who is against another.
SCRIPTURE:
Love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return. Luke 6:35.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Jesus in Luke 6:27-36 gives us a long detailed expose on how we are to deal with enemies as believers in Jesus Christ. Jesus starts His comments by saying. “But I say to you who hear.” He states it this way because He knows that many believers do not want to hear how He expects us to deal with our enemies. No one likes to hear anything that requires something difficult for him to do.
Jesus begins by telling us to love our enemies and to do good to them that hate you. Jesus is initiating here the most revolutionary lifestyle ever known in the history of mankind. No religion in the world can remotely compare with this. If you study other religions including Buddhism and Islam, they have absolutely no principles even close to this.
In verse 31, Jesus gives us what we know today is the golden rule. He says just as you want men to do to you, you also do to him likewise. Jesus was restating for the believers today what the law taught as recorded in Leviticus 19:18: You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The natural reaction today is to return good for good and evil for evil. Think of how you have reacted at times when someone does something evil that has hurt you. You immediately want to do something, maybe hurtful, to get back at that person.
It is natural to think that evil would not be returned for good, but often evil is returned for good, especially to anyone who is perceived to be an enemy. In Genesis 16:6 we read about Hagar and Sarah. Hager was a good and obedient servant to her mistress, Sarah, but they became enemies and Sarah treated Hager so harshly that Hager had to flee from Sarah.
David also did good serving King Saul, bringing victory to King Saul over the Philistines. It would be expected that Saul would feel grateful to David. Instead Saul felt jealous of David and considered him an enemy and plotted to kill him.
In Luke 6:32 Jesus says it is no credit to us if we love those who love us. Even sinners do that. Jesus wants us as believers in Him (verse 33) to do the hard thing and love our enemies. Jesus goes on to say that when we give good we should give it with an attitude of not expecting anything in return. The Lord will repay us as is written in Proverbs 19:17: He who has pity on the poor lends unto the Lord; and that which he has given will HE (God) repay him again.
God has been merciful to us, we are in return, to be merciful to others; everything we do needs to be based on what He has done for us.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in James 1:12.
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
PRAYER:
Help me and my family to always do good in return for any hate that may come our way. Help us by Your grace to love those that hate us always praying that they will soon return to You.
ENEMY
DEFINITION:
One who opposes or seeks to inflict injury upon another; foe; one who is against another.
SCRIPTURE:
Love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return. Luke 6:35.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Jesus in Luke 6:27-36 gives us a long detailed expose on how we are to deal with enemies as believers in Jesus Christ. Jesus starts His comments by saying. “But I say to you who hear.” He states it this way because He knows that many believers do not want to hear how He expects us to deal with our enemies. No one likes to hear anything that requires something difficult for him to do.
Jesus begins by telling us to love our enemies and to do good to them that hate you. Jesus is initiating here the most revolutionary lifestyle ever known in the history of mankind. No religion in the world can remotely compare with this. If you study other religions including Buddhism and Islam, they have absolutely no principles even close to this.
In verse 31, Jesus gives us what we know today is the golden rule. He says just as you want men to do to you, you also do to him likewise. Jesus was restating for the believers today what the law taught as recorded in Leviticus 19:18: You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The natural reaction today is to return good for good and evil for evil. Think of how you have reacted at times when someone does something evil that has hurt you. You immediately want to do something, maybe hurtful, to get back at that person.
It is natural to think that evil would not be returned for good, but often evil is returned for good, especially to anyone who is perceived to be an enemy. In Genesis 16:6 we read about Hagar and Sarah. Hager was a good and obedient servant to her mistress, Sarah, but they became enemies and Sarah treated Hager so harshly that Hager had to flee from Sarah.
David also did good serving King Saul, bringing victory to King Saul over the Philistines. It would be expected that Saul would feel grateful to David. Instead Saul felt jealous of David and considered him an enemy and plotted to kill him.
In Luke 6:32 Jesus says it is no credit to us if we love those who love us. Even sinners do that. Jesus wants us as believers in Him (verse 33) to do the hard thing and love our enemies. Jesus goes on to say that when we give good we should give it with an attitude of not expecting anything in return. The Lord will repay us as is written in Proverbs 19:17: He who has pity on the poor lends unto the Lord; and that which he has given will HE (God) repay him again.
God has been merciful to us, we are in return, to be merciful to others; everything we do needs to be based on what He has done for us.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in James 1:12.
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
PRAYER:
Help me and my family to always do good in return for any hate that may come our way. Help us by Your grace to love those that hate us always praying that they will soon return to You.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
