Gems of Encouragement: June 23, 2012

GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SATURDAY JUNE 23, 2012.

PROVERB:

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12

PROMISE:

He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths. Isaiah 2:3b

PRAISE:

Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; You display Your power among the peoples. Psalm 77:13-14

Supply: June 22, 2012

TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY JUNE 22, 2012.

SUPPLY

DEFINITION:

To furnish or provide what is lacking or is needed.

SCRIPTURE:

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Paul wrote the book of Philippians to the church at Philippi from prison. Paul was often in great need and the church had generously and sacrificially sent support to Paul. In Philippians 4:19 (above) Paul is assuring the church that God will supply all of their material needs. There material means had no doubt been depleted because they had given so heavily to the church.

When Paul says, “God will supply all your need according to His riches” he is assuring the church that God would give increase to them in proportion to His infinite resources, not just a small amount out of His riches. God will supply not just what we need materially, but what we need physically (strength), emotionally (encouragement) and spiritually (faith).

Everything that we have is because God has supplied these to us. Children must be taught that everything belongs to God. Children often see things they want as something they need. Children find it hard to see the difference between “wants” and “needs.” The fact of the matter is that many, many adults do not discern between what is a “need” and what is merely a “want.”

Fortunately, we have a wise and discerning heavenly Father who knows what is best for us. Jesus said that our Father in heaven knows what we need before we even ask. (Matthew 6:8)

When times are tough, when economies are hurting and when concerns seem to flood people’s minds that is the time when many people start to complain about things. Complaining will get you nowhere. God does not want us to complain but He does want us to present our needs to Him and He has promised to supply all of our needs if we put our complete trust in Him.

That word “IF” is the key word for those of us that believe in Jesus. God will supply our needs but we must honor His commandments and honor Him. That is the “IF” that most people miss.

Look at what God has supplied for us. He sent His only Son to pay the penalty for our sins. He sent His Holy Spirit to comfort us as we serve Him. He supplies us with health, talents and abilities to serve Him. And he provides us with the certainty of spending eternity with Him in heaven.

God has blessed us with several key verses in His Word that relate to God’s promise to supply all of our needs and we need to memorize and apply these verses to our daily lives. In Luke 6:38 it reads, “Give and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.” In Matthew 21:22, “What ever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” In Luke 11:9 it reads, “Ask and it will be given you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.”

Look at the key words that Jesus gives us in these verses. Each word demands action on our part and if we act as He suggests just think what God will do in supplying all our needs: GIVE, ASK IN PRAYER, BELIEVING, SEEK and KNOCK.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in John 10:11.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

PRAYER:

Our family is so grateful for all of the blessings that You have supplied for us. Help each one of us in our family to have the discernment to see the difference between what we need and what we want.

Trials: June 21, 2012

TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY JUNE 21, 2012.

TRIALS

DEFINITION:

Being tried or tested; subject to suffering, grief, distress, affliction or trouble; a test of faith, patience, or stamina through subjection to suffering or temptation.

SCRIPTURE:

Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James1:2.

 Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering as though something strange were happening to you. I Peter 4:12.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

You will notice in the verse above found in James 2:1 that it does not say “if” you face trials. He says “when” you face trials. Peter warns us in I Peter 4:12 (above) not to be surprised when we suffer trials. Both James and Peter suffered persecution as leaders of the early Christian church. Being a Christian will not exempt us from trials. None of us should be surprised when a trial comes into our life.

James says to consider our trials “pure joy.” How is that possible you may ask? Trials are troubles that disturb our sense of well being and they break our daily pattern of comfort, joy and happiness. James is not telling us that we must be happy about our trials. There is a difference between joy and happiness. When James tells us to consider a trial with real joy he means for us to evaluate our trial with a positive attitude.

God allows trials to come into our life because we can profit and learn from them. The testing of our faith serves to strengthen our faith and draw us into a closer relationship with the Lord. As James says, the testing of our faith as we go through trials develops our perseverance. As Peter tells us, trials are painful and cause suffering.

Those who are walking with the Lord will know that the Lord is right there with them as they go through the testing of a trial. When we successfully persevere through the test we will experience the “pure joy’ of victory in the midst of our trial.

Peter wrote to warn the believers as to what they will be facing after the burning of Rome and the beginning of about 200 years of Christian persecution to come. Peter speaks from experience, as he suffered much persecution and many trials for his faith. In the fourth chapter of I Peter, Peter tells us that there are four attitudes necessary for us to be triumphant in persecution. We are to expect it, rejoice in it, evaluate its cause, and entrust it to God.

Perhaps your world has collapsed. It may be a deep personal loss, a tragedy in your family, a loss of a job, a financial setback or even a family spat. Jesus is bigger than any crisis you may face. He can rebuild your life and at the same time turn any trial into an opportunity. All you have to do is to acknowledge that you cannot conquer the crisis you are facing by yourself. Turn your trials over to God, and humbly allow Him to guide you and then watch Him work in your life.

Possibly you say that you have tried to turn your trial over to God but it just does not work. There is a key. First, make sure you have accepted Jesus as your Savior and asked Him to forgive you of your sins. Then read the Bible each day and study what you have read. God’s Word helps us to recognize what needs to be changed in our life. Then spend time praying to your Lord and tell Him your needs. Make a commitment to put God first place in all you do in life. This may be a radical life changing experience for you but if you want God to be with you in your trials you will need this kind of a relationship with Him.

No trial is too large for God to intervene and no person is too small or to wicked that God does not care for them. When we put all of our concerns in the hands of our Lord, God will work within us to do something wonderful in our lives.

Happiness keeps you sweet, trials keep you strong, sorrows keep you human, failures keep you humble, success keeps you glowing, but only God keeps you going.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in John 10:11.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

PRAYER:

Thank You that Your Word gives me the assurance that You are with me through every trial I face. Help me not to be fearful when a trial comes my way but encourage me to give that trial completely to You.

Unity: June 20, 2012

TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY JUNE 20, 2012.

UNITY

DEFINITION:

The state of being united; harmony among individuals; agreement; oneness.

SCRIPTURE:

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. Psalm 133:1.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Psalm 133 is David’s Psalm of praise for brotherly unity. As King of God’s chosen people, the Israelites, David desired that his people live in unity as true children of God. David recognized and praised unity as being good and pleasant. While David may have used the Psalm to call for national unity, that unity must have a foundation of spiritual unity.

In John 10:30 John quotes Jesus in saying, “I and My father are one.” In this verse Jesus is emphasizing that while He was here on earth He had unity with God, the Father. The great desire that Jesus had for His disciples was that they would become one, like the Father and the Son are one, so that through their unity they would be a powerful witness of God’s love. In Jesus’ prayer for His disciples, He prayed for all future believers that, “all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me, that they also may be in us, so the world may believe You sent me.” John 17:21

The whole world is in turmoil and division. The same is true for the most part in our homes and we need to recognize that this is not of God. He is not the author of turmoil and confusion. This is Satan doing his work in our homes, our communities and our countries. It is God’s desire that we dwell together in unity.

Bringing unity into our homes is a real challenge to parents today because of all of the outside corrupt influences. Parents must stand united and bring an atmosphere of unity in their home. Unity begins with love. This love must be Christ-like so a family must put the Lord first in their individual lives and in the family or unity cannot be attained. No one can fight and win over the evils of the world and Satan without God.  Many individuals and families try but without God they fail.

The love that is needed in a home to build unity must be Christ-like so that there is an inward unity of heart. In order to live in harmony with one another there must be a God-given desire to work together for common goals.

There is no room for the selfishness that is evident in what we call this “ME” generation if there is to be a spirit of oneness in the family. The philosophy of one living with a “ME” attitude is that it is all about “ME” and what “ME” wants. This is the exact opposite of Christ’s example and teaching.

The apostle Paul in Philippians chapter 2 challenges those who love Him to be of the same mind, show the same love, be united in spirit and show humility in all they do. This is a formula that works if you are truly seeking to restore unity in your home.  Take time to evaluate your priorities. Do you esteem others better than yourself or do you look out for your own interests first?

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in John 10:11.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

PRAYER:

Help me to be the leader in my family, my workplace, my community and my church to encourage others to live a life of unity governed by humility.

Victory: June 19, 2012

TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY JUNE 19, 2012

VICTORY

DEFINITION:

The winning of a contest or battle; any successful performance; triumph over an enemy.

SCRIPTURE:

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15:57.

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. I John 5:4.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

In the verse above from I John, John clearly defines who the ones are that overcome the world. They are all that are believers in the Lord. The Greek word for “overcomer” means to conquer and to have victory. Because of our union with Christ as believers we have continual victory over the evils of the world we live in.

God first spoke of victory in Genesis 4:6-7, when He was talking to Cain. Cain was very angry at his brother Abel because God accepted Abel’s offering and rejected Cain’s. God said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you must rule over it (have victory over it).

Cain did not celebrate victory because he could not handle failure. He allowed anger to rule in his heart which led him to kill his brother Abel. Cain lost the victory. Every day we have the challenge in our lives of being victorious over sin or losing the battle to Satan. When we sin, Satan wins and he then has victory over us.

Victory over Satan’s temptations to sin is what we as believers must continually strive for. As Paul reminded us in I Corinthians 15:57, we can be thankful that we do not fight the battle alone and that through our Lord Jesus Christ we have victory over Satan.

As we look at the state of our world today it would seem that Satan is winning the battle. Through Christ and His gift of salvation, we as believers, have the power to overcome the world by our faith in Him. (I John 5:4) On the cross Jesus defeated Satan and his power. Jesus is the victorious Lord and ultimate ruler of this world. Satan has only temporary rule of those who choose to follow him.

All six of our children played several sports while in school. They and their teammates always strived for victory in their games. We tried as often as possible to be at their games. In fact we, both coached several of our children when they were younger. When we coached we shared with the children and their parents how easy it was to celebrate victory and how difficult it was to accept defeat.

We taught the children that we had the privilege of coaching that just as in sports, in real life there are winners and losers. A victory in our spiritual life is far more important than a victory in sports. All of us need to learn to lose graciously because it will help us get through the disappointments and failures that we will have in life. No one ever wins all the time. Whether in victory or defeat we should reflect the love of Jesus in our lives.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in John 10:11.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

PRAYER:

Thank You Lord for the victories You continue to give me in my life. Give me courage and foresight to claim victory over sin and the evil that I face in this world daily.

Word: June 18, 2012

TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY JUNE 18, 2012.

WORD

DEFINITION:

The Word of God; the Bible; a specific revelation of God; speech; a graphic expressing an idea; a unit of language.

SCRIPTURE:

So then faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Romans 10:17.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Word is a term for the sounds that comes from one’s mouth. It also is used as a term for what we know as the Bible and is used to refer to Jesus. The Bible is called the Word of God because it is God’s written Word to us. In II Timothy 3:16 it reads.” All scripture is God-breathed.” This means that it was written by believers as God revealed His person and His plan to them. The Bible is not a collection of stories or myths of human ideas about God. It is the Word of God.

God gave us His Word, the Bible, to teach us, correct us, rebuke us, and to train us in righteousness. We can be sure it is true because it is the Word of God. Proverbs 30:5 says that God’s Word is pure and flawless. John 17:17 says that God’s Word is truth. If these are not true then God is a liar and is not truth.

Jesus is also called the “Word.” In Revelation 17:13, John writes concerning Jesus that, “His name is the Word of God.” John 1:1 reads. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God and the Word was with God in the beginning.”

There are also words that come from our mouths. Sometimes these words are good and at other times they are considered bad. Words do speak volumes about the person that says them. Thus, it is so important for parents especially to watch what words they use in their conversations because their children are watching.

In James 3:2-8 we are reminded that the tongue is a wicked weapon. James says in verse 10, “out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.” One of the 10 commandments is to not take the name of the Lord in vain. When children hear their parents using foul language and disrespecting the name of God, they will feel it is acceptable for them to do the same. The tongue can also serve a very useful purpose. We can use our words to praise our Lord and Savior and our Father in heaven. This is what children need to hear from their parents.

In Ephesians 4:29, the apostle Paul advises us to let no corrupt word proceed out of our mouth but to only use the words that would be helpful for building others up according to their needs.

There are just four letters in “WORD” but so much significance. We encourage you to “let the WORD OF CHRIST dwell in you richly. (Colossians 3:16) “And let the WORDS of your mouth be pleasing to God.” (Psalm 19:14)

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in John 10:11.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

PRAYER:

Help me to choose the right words in all of my conversations. May the words that come from my mouth always exalt Your name. May the words that I speak be words of encouragement for my spouse, my children, my family and my friends and that they will build them up and exemplify that the Word of Christ dwells within me.