GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SATURDAY JULY 7, 2012.
PROVERB
He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. Proverbs 21:21
PROMISE
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Psalm 37:5-6
PRAISE
Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in Him. Let all the upright in heart praise Him! Psalm 64:10
July 8, 2012
Friendship: July 6, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY JULY 6, 2012.
FRIENDSHIP
DEFINITION:
A state of attachment to someone by affection or esteem; close association; companionship; supportive or well wishing; without hostility.
SCRIPTURE:
A friend loves at all times. Proverbs 17:17.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24.
He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Psalm 13:20
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
In the book of proverbs Solomon gives us wise words of advice to teach us how to live a godly life. Solomon gives us words of wisdom on three aspects of friendship: the foundation of a true friendship in Proverbs 17:17; the necessity of choosing friends wisely in Proverbs 18:24; and the influence friends have on a person’s life in Proverbs 13:20.
In Proverbs 17:17 he notes the foundation of a friendship is love. A true friend is a constant source of love. To love at all times requires loyalty. Friends may not always agree but loyal friends will continue to love each other. Loyal friends will be there for each other in the good times and in the bad times.
Many people base their friendship on what they can get out of it. These kinds of friends do not last and either you will leave them or they will leave you as soon as one sees that they cannot benefit in some way with the friendship.
Genuine friendship means being available to help in times of trouble and distress. We must consider what kind of friend we are and develop friends as the scriptures encourage us to do.
In Proverbs 18:24, the writer Solomon is telling us that the person who makes friends too easily and indiscriminately does so to his own destruction. On the other hand a friend chosen wisely is more loyal than a brother. The word “friend” here is a strong word meaning one who loves. Friendship was used in II Chronicles 20:7 to describe Abraham’s close relationship with God.
The type of friends we choose as close friends speaks volumes about us. Friends that we spend a lot of time with have a significant effect and influence on our life. Proverbs 13:20 admonishes us that, “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffer harm.” We must choose our friends wisely.
It is of utmost importance that parents get to know who their children’s friends are and to make sure that they are the right kind of friends. Friendships are important to everyone, but especially to teenagers. Christian parents have a responsibility to get their children involved in church and with groups that uphold Biblical values so that their children can choose wholesome friendships.
The story is told by Edgar Guest of a rich man who was almost friendless. His life had been one long series of bickering and lawsuits. Friendship meant nothing to this man as he was making his fortune. Late in his life he met a man with whom he had a bitter quarrel with many years prior. The wealthy man asked the other man, “I do not understand it. Why do you have hundreds of friends and I really have none to whom I can turn?”
The old acquaintance replied, “SIR, I WAS BUSY MAKING FRIENDS YEARS AGO, WHILE YOU WERE BUSY MAKING MONEY.”
Friendship is based on love. As Christians, Christ told us to love our neighbors as ourselves. We need to be friends to our neighbors especially when their needs are the greatest.
Abraham Lincoln said that the better part of one’s life consists of building and keeping friendships. Mark Twain once said that friendship is only purchased with friendship.
True friendship begins with the certainty that you must have in your heart that you are a friend of God. Do you communicate with Him daily? He alone can help us to be a friend that loves at all times.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 15:14.
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
PRAYER:
Guide me in my choice of friends that I will choose wisely. Give me a spirit of love and concern for all those around me that need a friend. Help me to be the right kind of friend, a friend that loves at all times, that is loyal, and that influences friends to walk with God.
FRIENDSHIP
DEFINITION:
A state of attachment to someone by affection or esteem; close association; companionship; supportive or well wishing; without hostility.
SCRIPTURE:
A friend loves at all times. Proverbs 17:17.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24.
He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Psalm 13:20
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
In the book of proverbs Solomon gives us wise words of advice to teach us how to live a godly life. Solomon gives us words of wisdom on three aspects of friendship: the foundation of a true friendship in Proverbs 17:17; the necessity of choosing friends wisely in Proverbs 18:24; and the influence friends have on a person’s life in Proverbs 13:20.
In Proverbs 17:17 he notes the foundation of a friendship is love. A true friend is a constant source of love. To love at all times requires loyalty. Friends may not always agree but loyal friends will continue to love each other. Loyal friends will be there for each other in the good times and in the bad times.
Many people base their friendship on what they can get out of it. These kinds of friends do not last and either you will leave them or they will leave you as soon as one sees that they cannot benefit in some way with the friendship.
Genuine friendship means being available to help in times of trouble and distress. We must consider what kind of friend we are and develop friends as the scriptures encourage us to do.
In Proverbs 18:24, the writer Solomon is telling us that the person who makes friends too easily and indiscriminately does so to his own destruction. On the other hand a friend chosen wisely is more loyal than a brother. The word “friend” here is a strong word meaning one who loves. Friendship was used in II Chronicles 20:7 to describe Abraham’s close relationship with God.
The type of friends we choose as close friends speaks volumes about us. Friends that we spend a lot of time with have a significant effect and influence on our life. Proverbs 13:20 admonishes us that, “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffer harm.” We must choose our friends wisely.
It is of utmost importance that parents get to know who their children’s friends are and to make sure that they are the right kind of friends. Friendships are important to everyone, but especially to teenagers. Christian parents have a responsibility to get their children involved in church and with groups that uphold Biblical values so that their children can choose wholesome friendships.
The story is told by Edgar Guest of a rich man who was almost friendless. His life had been one long series of bickering and lawsuits. Friendship meant nothing to this man as he was making his fortune. Late in his life he met a man with whom he had a bitter quarrel with many years prior. The wealthy man asked the other man, “I do not understand it. Why do you have hundreds of friends and I really have none to whom I can turn?”
The old acquaintance replied, “SIR, I WAS BUSY MAKING FRIENDS YEARS AGO, WHILE YOU WERE BUSY MAKING MONEY.”
Friendship is based on love. As Christians, Christ told us to love our neighbors as ourselves. We need to be friends to our neighbors especially when their needs are the greatest.
Abraham Lincoln said that the better part of one’s life consists of building and keeping friendships. Mark Twain once said that friendship is only purchased with friendship.
True friendship begins with the certainty that you must have in your heart that you are a friend of God. Do you communicate with Him daily? He alone can help us to be a friend that loves at all times.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 15:14.
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
PRAYER:
Guide me in my choice of friends that I will choose wisely. Give me a spirit of love and concern for all those around me that need a friend. Help me to be the right kind of friend, a friend that loves at all times, that is loyal, and that influences friends to walk with God.
Guard: July 5, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY JULY 5, 2012.
GUARD
DEFINITION:
Protect; keep safe; be cautious; a means of defense; watch over; look out.
SCRIPTURE:
For false christ’s and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect, if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. Mark 13:23.
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again and it is a safeguard for you. Philippians 3:1.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Our parents regularly reminded us to be alert and guard ourselves from things in life that could be harmful to us. We did the same to our children. Spiritually, children and adults need to guard themselves against false teachings concerning the scriptures and the evil temptations that they face in life.
This third chapter of Philippians is noted as one of the great chapters in the Bible. In it Paul gives his personal testimony and speaks of the principles that governed his life. His desire was always to grow in the Lord and to become more Christ-like. That should be our goal as well.
In this chapter Paul emphasizes that a believer must guard his faith against false teaching and gives us practical advice to safeguard our faith.
During trials in life we can be vulnerable to Satan’s attempts to destroy our faith. We can guard our faith during the trials of life by rejoicing in the Lord. When we focus on rejoicing in the Lord the trial becomes insignificant. As we walk our daily walk we face physical and spiritual challenges and we must face them straight on. It is important not to allow these trials take our eyes off Jesus, because Satan will use them to destroy our faith.
Satan loves to have his evil-minded followers belittle our Lord and our faith in Him by making us feel that the Lord has forgotten us because He allows us, as believers, to suffer trials.
Peter also warns us in I Peter 5:8 to be on guard and watch for the devil and false teachers because they are our enemies and are on the prowl to destroy us. Satan seizes every opportunity to captivate us by enticing temptations, so we can never let our guard down allowing Satan any kind of an open door into our lives. So always be on guard and watch out!
The greatest thing that “rejoicing in the Lord” does for the believer is that it places and keeps a person in the presence of Christ. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35-39). We will face trials in this sinful world but there is no trial so big that it can separate us from our Lord.
Paul faced so many trials in his life including being stoned, beaten, was homeless without food and water, and imprisoned but always continued to rejoice in the Lord.
Rejoicing in the Lord according to the apostle Paul is the sure way to guard your faith in the midst of the trials of life that you will face. In Philippians 4:4 he said it twice, “Rejoice always in the Lord.”
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 15:14.
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
PRAYER:
Keep me alert today to guard my faith against Satan’s temptations and to watch out for false teachings that will lead me astray. Keep me rejoicing in You always.
GUARD
DEFINITION:
Protect; keep safe; be cautious; a means of defense; watch over; look out.
SCRIPTURE:
For false christ’s and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect, if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. Mark 13:23.
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again and it is a safeguard for you. Philippians 3:1.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Our parents regularly reminded us to be alert and guard ourselves from things in life that could be harmful to us. We did the same to our children. Spiritually, children and adults need to guard themselves against false teachings concerning the scriptures and the evil temptations that they face in life.
This third chapter of Philippians is noted as one of the great chapters in the Bible. In it Paul gives his personal testimony and speaks of the principles that governed his life. His desire was always to grow in the Lord and to become more Christ-like. That should be our goal as well.
In this chapter Paul emphasizes that a believer must guard his faith against false teaching and gives us practical advice to safeguard our faith.
During trials in life we can be vulnerable to Satan’s attempts to destroy our faith. We can guard our faith during the trials of life by rejoicing in the Lord. When we focus on rejoicing in the Lord the trial becomes insignificant. As we walk our daily walk we face physical and spiritual challenges and we must face them straight on. It is important not to allow these trials take our eyes off Jesus, because Satan will use them to destroy our faith.
Satan loves to have his evil-minded followers belittle our Lord and our faith in Him by making us feel that the Lord has forgotten us because He allows us, as believers, to suffer trials.
Peter also warns us in I Peter 5:8 to be on guard and watch for the devil and false teachers because they are our enemies and are on the prowl to destroy us. Satan seizes every opportunity to captivate us by enticing temptations, so we can never let our guard down allowing Satan any kind of an open door into our lives. So always be on guard and watch out!
The greatest thing that “rejoicing in the Lord” does for the believer is that it places and keeps a person in the presence of Christ. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35-39). We will face trials in this sinful world but there is no trial so big that it can separate us from our Lord.
Paul faced so many trials in his life including being stoned, beaten, was homeless without food and water, and imprisoned but always continued to rejoice in the Lord.
Rejoicing in the Lord according to the apostle Paul is the sure way to guard your faith in the midst of the trials of life that you will face. In Philippians 4:4 he said it twice, “Rejoice always in the Lord.”
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 15:14.
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
PRAYER:
Keep me alert today to guard my faith against Satan’s temptations and to watch out for false teachings that will lead me astray. Keep me rejoicing in You always.
Hope: July 4, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY JULY 4, 2012.
HOPE
DEFINITION:
The feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out well; the hope of winning.
SCRIPTURE:
Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Psalm 31 is David’s prayer to God. In it he speaks of his problems and his afflictions, his need for God’s mercy, his complete trust in God, and praises God for His goodness. He closes in verse 24 by reminding us to be strong and take courage. These same words were spoken by Moses to Joshua in Joshua 1:7. Courage is used 20 different times in the Old Testament and always in anticipation of a battle.
David experienced many battles in life. He was a giant killer, a victorious warrior, and a great King. In his personal life he did make serious mistakes, but he always sought God’s forgiveness. It is neither his failures nor his greatness that David is remembered for. He is respected and remembered for his faithfulness to God. David put his complete trust and all of his hope in the Lord.
We as believers today can take this Psalm and apply it to our lives. When we anticipate facing a battle in our lives, large or small, we need to read this verse and remember to be strong in the Lord and to be of good courage.
There is a necessary key factor that cannot be ignored, which David points out in the last few words of this verse: “all you who hope in the Lord.” Our hope must be in the Lord who is the one who gives us strength and courage. When our hope is in the Lord, we can have confidence that God will be with us in the battle we face.
We all have seen or been in situations in life where things seem hopeless. David knew what it was to be in great despair because he had often felt he was in a hopeless situation. In life we are all in need of hope. Hope is what keeps us going.
The reason David encourages us to be of great courage is because in God he found his hope and we can do the same. God will give us strength, just as he gave David, to get through our times of hopelessness. Only a person that believes in Jesus can have this hope and that is why we continually in these devotionals remind you that you need to know Jesus as your Savior.
When you commit to living your life honoring God, He will be faithful to you and will always hear your cry for help in your time of distress and hopelessness. For those that do not know Jesus, they do not have that hope available to them. Their hope is in themselves and in their own strength. Therefore they are doomed to a life of discouragement and hopelessness because in troubled times they will have no one to turn to.
Paul tells us in Titus 2:12-13 that we should live godly lives in this present age, looking for the blessed hope. Paul refers here to the second coming of Christ to this world and the blessed hope we have as believers to return with Him to an eternity with God.
In Romans 5:5 we are reminded that our hope in God does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit to reassure us of our salvation. Keep your hope strong in the Lord and each day He will bless you and not disappoint you. He is our hope.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 15:14.
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
PRAYER:
How thrilled I am to have the hope of eternal life in my heart. I am grateful that my hope in You does not disappoint. Keep me strong and courageous as I face the struggles and concerns in my life.
HOPE
DEFINITION:
The feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out well; the hope of winning.
SCRIPTURE:
Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Psalm 31 is David’s prayer to God. In it he speaks of his problems and his afflictions, his need for God’s mercy, his complete trust in God, and praises God for His goodness. He closes in verse 24 by reminding us to be strong and take courage. These same words were spoken by Moses to Joshua in Joshua 1:7. Courage is used 20 different times in the Old Testament and always in anticipation of a battle.
David experienced many battles in life. He was a giant killer, a victorious warrior, and a great King. In his personal life he did make serious mistakes, but he always sought God’s forgiveness. It is neither his failures nor his greatness that David is remembered for. He is respected and remembered for his faithfulness to God. David put his complete trust and all of his hope in the Lord.
We as believers today can take this Psalm and apply it to our lives. When we anticipate facing a battle in our lives, large or small, we need to read this verse and remember to be strong in the Lord and to be of good courage.
There is a necessary key factor that cannot be ignored, which David points out in the last few words of this verse: “all you who hope in the Lord.” Our hope must be in the Lord who is the one who gives us strength and courage. When our hope is in the Lord, we can have confidence that God will be with us in the battle we face.
We all have seen or been in situations in life where things seem hopeless. David knew what it was to be in great despair because he had often felt he was in a hopeless situation. In life we are all in need of hope. Hope is what keeps us going.
The reason David encourages us to be of great courage is because in God he found his hope and we can do the same. God will give us strength, just as he gave David, to get through our times of hopelessness. Only a person that believes in Jesus can have this hope and that is why we continually in these devotionals remind you that you need to know Jesus as your Savior.
When you commit to living your life honoring God, He will be faithful to you and will always hear your cry for help in your time of distress and hopelessness. For those that do not know Jesus, they do not have that hope available to them. Their hope is in themselves and in their own strength. Therefore they are doomed to a life of discouragement and hopelessness because in troubled times they will have no one to turn to.
Paul tells us in Titus 2:12-13 that we should live godly lives in this present age, looking for the blessed hope. Paul refers here to the second coming of Christ to this world and the blessed hope we have as believers to return with Him to an eternity with God.
In Romans 5:5 we are reminded that our hope in God does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit to reassure us of our salvation. Keep your hope strong in the Lord and each day He will bless you and not disappoint you. He is our hope.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 15:14.
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
PRAYER:
How thrilled I am to have the hope of eternal life in my heart. I am grateful that my hope in You does not disappoint. Keep me strong and courageous as I face the struggles and concerns in my life.
Inquired: July 3, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY JULY 3, 2012.
INQUIRED
DEFINITION:
A searching for direction or knowledge; ask about or investigate.
SCRIPTURE:
And David inquired of the Lord, and He answered. II Samuel 5:23.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When David made this inquiry of the Lord for advice, he had already achieved great victories. He had killed the giant Goliath with a sling shot and a stone. He had defeated the Amalekites and the great hosts of Philistines. The people were singing praises to David for his great victories. But David continually gave God the credit saying this all happened because God led David and went ahead of him to protect him. David knew these were all the Lord’s victories.
The Philistines now came the second time and David would not go out to fight without inquiring to the Lord first (verse above). Once David had been so victorious in his battles one would think that he would just go out and fight feeling confident that he would be victorious once again. David would not venture out based on past victories but wanted to ask the Lord first for the same assurance that the Lord had given him before.
He asked very simply, “Shall I go up against them again?” He then waited until God gave him an answer. He did not move ahead of God. David did as the Lord commanded him (verse 25). We need to learn from this. David asked, listened, and obeyed. As we walk down our path of life, we need to allow God to be our compass.
God promises us that He will instruct us and teach us in the ways we should go. The words of a Puritan some years ago were, “As sure as ever a Christian carves for himself, he will cut his own fingers.” Another Puritan said, “He that goes before the cloud of God’s providence goes on a fool’s errand.” When we trust in ourselves alone we are sure to fail.
As believers in God we need to learn to inquire of Him in all we do. It is so easy for us to rely on our own strength feeling we are invincible. The times of failure will come your way often unless you make it a practice to begin each day inquiring of God. Our confidence must be in the Lord, not in ourselves. Every believer needs to ask God daily to give him wisdom, to give him direction and to open and close doors according to His will for his life. Ask God daily what you should do, how you should do it and then march out every day to face your battles as David did. Walk with confidence that God is with you and leading you.
We learn from David to acknowledge that God is the one who gives us victory. David said in Psalm 60:12, “With God we will gain victory.” When you have victory remember that it is God who made you victorious and give God the glory.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 15:14.
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
PRAYER:
Thank You for the example You have given us in Your Word from the life of David. Keep me faithful to inquire of You for wisdom and direction in the battles of life’s daily problems. Help me to listen and obey and then to move forward with confidence when I know that I have received proper direction from You.
INQUIRED
DEFINITION:
A searching for direction or knowledge; ask about or investigate.
SCRIPTURE:
And David inquired of the Lord, and He answered. II Samuel 5:23.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When David made this inquiry of the Lord for advice, he had already achieved great victories. He had killed the giant Goliath with a sling shot and a stone. He had defeated the Amalekites and the great hosts of Philistines. The people were singing praises to David for his great victories. But David continually gave God the credit saying this all happened because God led David and went ahead of him to protect him. David knew these were all the Lord’s victories.
The Philistines now came the second time and David would not go out to fight without inquiring to the Lord first (verse above). Once David had been so victorious in his battles one would think that he would just go out and fight feeling confident that he would be victorious once again. David would not venture out based on past victories but wanted to ask the Lord first for the same assurance that the Lord had given him before.
He asked very simply, “Shall I go up against them again?” He then waited until God gave him an answer. He did not move ahead of God. David did as the Lord commanded him (verse 25). We need to learn from this. David asked, listened, and obeyed. As we walk down our path of life, we need to allow God to be our compass.
God promises us that He will instruct us and teach us in the ways we should go. The words of a Puritan some years ago were, “As sure as ever a Christian carves for himself, he will cut his own fingers.” Another Puritan said, “He that goes before the cloud of God’s providence goes on a fool’s errand.” When we trust in ourselves alone we are sure to fail.
As believers in God we need to learn to inquire of Him in all we do. It is so easy for us to rely on our own strength feeling we are invincible. The times of failure will come your way often unless you make it a practice to begin each day inquiring of God. Our confidence must be in the Lord, not in ourselves. Every believer needs to ask God daily to give him wisdom, to give him direction and to open and close doors according to His will for his life. Ask God daily what you should do, how you should do it and then march out every day to face your battles as David did. Walk with confidence that God is with you and leading you.
We learn from David to acknowledge that God is the one who gives us victory. David said in Psalm 60:12, “With God we will gain victory.” When you have victory remember that it is God who made you victorious and give God the glory.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 15:14.
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
PRAYER:
Thank You for the example You have given us in Your Word from the life of David. Keep me faithful to inquire of You for wisdom and direction in the battles of life’s daily problems. Help me to listen and obey and then to move forward with confidence when I know that I have received proper direction from You.
Lonely: July 2, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY JULY 2, 2012.
LONELY
DEFINITION:
A depressing feeling about being alone; destitute of sympathetic or friendly companionship; without company; isolated.
SCRIPTURE:
No one stood with me, but all forsook me. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me. II Timothy 4: 16-17.
Look to the right and see; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life. I cry to You O Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of living.” Psalm 142:4.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
How many times in life have you really felt lonely? When David wrote Psalm 142 he was hiding in a cave to escape from Saul’s men who were seeking to capture him. He felt that he was totally abandoned by everyone and that no one was even concerned whether he lived or died. He was truly alone. Saul had been chasing him for years and was seeking to kill him so that he would not become King of Israel.
David had to live on the run, fleeing from one place to another. There was no one he could trust or confide in for fear they would betray him. He had every reason to feel extremely lonely.
David knew there was someone he could trust and confide in. He was confident that God loved him and cared for him and that he could call on him at his time of need wherever he was. Regardless of his circumstances he knew that God was there with him and that God heard his prayers. David trusted God to keep him safe and to protect him. God had chosen David to be the next king after Saul. David trusted that God would fulfill His plan for his life.
The verses from II Timothy were from the letter that Paul wrote while he was in prison and feeling lonely. In the Roman legal system of the day a person had two hearings. The first hearing established the charge and would rule if there was evidence enough for a trial. This is when Paul told Timothy that no one came to stand with him and testify for him. This was a very lonely time for Paul because he needed support from his friends and they were not there.
Paul’s friends had deserted him, but in verse 17 Paul says that the Lord was there with him. The Lord fulfilled his promise, given in Joshua 1:5, when He said that he would never leave or forsake those who belong to Him. That promise is good for us today and in our moments of loneliness we must remember, as Paul did, that our Lord will never leave us or forsake us if we are His child and our complete trust is in Him.
The loneliest people in the world are those that do not know the Lord. Where is their hope? Who can they rely on in their time of need?
There are many situations in life that bring on loneliness both to the believer and the non-believer such as the separation from a spouse or a problem with a child. When these moments come people look to money, watching TV, playing games or visiting with a friend. They do this to keep their mind off of the problem. This will not get rid of the loneliness because these are mere distractions, not solutions.
In our travels we have seen so many lonely and hurting people. But one thing we have noticed is the contrast between the lonely that know Jesus and the lonely that do not know Jesus. Think about the lonely time that Jesus had in the Garden of Gethsemane just hours before His death on the cross. On the cross Jesus cried out to God, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken Me.” He understood that he alone would pay the penalty of sin so that all humanity could have the blessed hope of spending an eternity with God. So He knew how it is to feel lonely and He has compassion for us when we feel lonely.
If you are feeling alone and feel that no one is near, talk to God. He is waiting for you to come to Him and He will never leave you nor forsake you if you put your trust in Him.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 15:14.
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
PRAYER:
Help me to be an encouragement today to someone that is lonely. Help me to be faithful to pray for a world that is lonely and needs You as their Savior.
LONELY
DEFINITION:
A depressing feeling about being alone; destitute of sympathetic or friendly companionship; without company; isolated.
SCRIPTURE:
No one stood with me, but all forsook me. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me. II Timothy 4: 16-17.
Look to the right and see; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life. I cry to You O Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of living.” Psalm 142:4.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
How many times in life have you really felt lonely? When David wrote Psalm 142 he was hiding in a cave to escape from Saul’s men who were seeking to capture him. He felt that he was totally abandoned by everyone and that no one was even concerned whether he lived or died. He was truly alone. Saul had been chasing him for years and was seeking to kill him so that he would not become King of Israel.
David had to live on the run, fleeing from one place to another. There was no one he could trust or confide in for fear they would betray him. He had every reason to feel extremely lonely.
David knew there was someone he could trust and confide in. He was confident that God loved him and cared for him and that he could call on him at his time of need wherever he was. Regardless of his circumstances he knew that God was there with him and that God heard his prayers. David trusted God to keep him safe and to protect him. God had chosen David to be the next king after Saul. David trusted that God would fulfill His plan for his life.
The verses from II Timothy were from the letter that Paul wrote while he was in prison and feeling lonely. In the Roman legal system of the day a person had two hearings. The first hearing established the charge and would rule if there was evidence enough for a trial. This is when Paul told Timothy that no one came to stand with him and testify for him. This was a very lonely time for Paul because he needed support from his friends and they were not there.
Paul’s friends had deserted him, but in verse 17 Paul says that the Lord was there with him. The Lord fulfilled his promise, given in Joshua 1:5, when He said that he would never leave or forsake those who belong to Him. That promise is good for us today and in our moments of loneliness we must remember, as Paul did, that our Lord will never leave us or forsake us if we are His child and our complete trust is in Him.
The loneliest people in the world are those that do not know the Lord. Where is their hope? Who can they rely on in their time of need?
There are many situations in life that bring on loneliness both to the believer and the non-believer such as the separation from a spouse or a problem with a child. When these moments come people look to money, watching TV, playing games or visiting with a friend. They do this to keep their mind off of the problem. This will not get rid of the loneliness because these are mere distractions, not solutions.
In our travels we have seen so many lonely and hurting people. But one thing we have noticed is the contrast between the lonely that know Jesus and the lonely that do not know Jesus. Think about the lonely time that Jesus had in the Garden of Gethsemane just hours before His death on the cross. On the cross Jesus cried out to God, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken Me.” He understood that he alone would pay the penalty of sin so that all humanity could have the blessed hope of spending an eternity with God. So He knew how it is to feel lonely and He has compassion for us when we feel lonely.
If you are feeling alone and feel that no one is near, talk to God. He is waiting for you to come to Him and He will never leave you nor forsake you if you put your trust in Him.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 15:14.
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
PRAYER:
Help me to be an encouragement today to someone that is lonely. Help me to be faithful to pray for a world that is lonely and needs You as their Savior.
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