GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2012.
PROVERB
He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment. Proverbs 12:11.
PROMISE
God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him. Hebrews 6:10.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9.
PRAISE
One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done. Psalm 62:11, 12.
I will sing of Your strength, in the morning I will sing of Your love. Psalm 59:16.
September 16, 2012
Servant: September 14, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2012.
SERVANT
DEFINITION:
One who performs tasks for another.
SCRIPTURE:
When He was in the house, He asked them,”What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." Mark 9:35-36.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
There is a natural desire within us to be great. People desire greatness because others look up to those who achieve something great.
The disciples were just ordinary people and they had egos. Each desired to be greater than the others. One day as they were walking to Capernaum they began to argue about who was the greatest. When Jesus asked what they were arguing about the disciples were too embarrassed to answer. Jesus did not need the disciples to answer because He knows all of our thoughts.
We can only imagine the look on their faces and how they must have felt when Jesus said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last and the servant of all.” Their egos must have been crushed. This was a far cry from the disciples’ idea of greatness.
Those who would be great in the kingdom must humbly serve others. Jesus lived by example and by what He taught.
When Jesus left His home in heaven to come to this earth, He came to serve. As His disciples we have been left on this earth to serve a lost and hurting world. The story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-9 gives us several Christ-like qualities that we need to develop in our lives if we are to serve as Jesus did.
First, we must be aware of what is happening around us and who might need our help. Zacchaeus was perched in a tree and even though there was a crowd around Jesus, Jesus stopped and took notice of this man because He knew he had a need. Zacchaeus was a tax collector and very rich. The people literally hated him but Jesus still was aware of his need.
Secondly, we must be available. Jesus was headed to Jerusalem to fulfill the most important act in human history, our redemption, but He still took the time to have dinner with a spiritually needy man.
Finally, we need to show the quality of acceptance. Jesus did not say to Zacchaeus to clean up your act and then I will come to your house. We are called not to fix people but to share the transforming gospel of Christ.
When we are called to serve, by our Lord, it means that we need to first die to our selfish attitudes and motives. Only then can we live to glorify Christ. Jesus told us, as recorded in Matthew 27:37-39, that the greatest commandment is to love God wholeheartedly and then to love others as ourselves. Ironically, it is only when we humbly serve others that we experience God’s fullness in our lives.
In Revelation 22:12 we are told that we will receive a reward for serving Him, every man according to what he has done. All service, large or small, done in His name will be blessed. Some rewards will be given in Heaven; other blessings can be experienced now on this earth. We know great joy in our hearts when we allow God to bless others through us and we should have great satisfaction in realizing that we are pleasing Christ.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.
PRAYER:
Give me a servant’s heart with a desire to serve others. Open my spiritual eyes to see all the needy people around me. May I be attentive to Your voice so that I do not miss opportunities to serve others today.
SERVANT
DEFINITION:
One who performs tasks for another.
SCRIPTURE:
When He was in the house, He asked them,”What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." Mark 9:35-36.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
There is a natural desire within us to be great. People desire greatness because others look up to those who achieve something great.
The disciples were just ordinary people and they had egos. Each desired to be greater than the others. One day as they were walking to Capernaum they began to argue about who was the greatest. When Jesus asked what they were arguing about the disciples were too embarrassed to answer. Jesus did not need the disciples to answer because He knows all of our thoughts.
We can only imagine the look on their faces and how they must have felt when Jesus said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last and the servant of all.” Their egos must have been crushed. This was a far cry from the disciples’ idea of greatness.
Those who would be great in the kingdom must humbly serve others. Jesus lived by example and by what He taught.
When Jesus left His home in heaven to come to this earth, He came to serve. As His disciples we have been left on this earth to serve a lost and hurting world. The story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-9 gives us several Christ-like qualities that we need to develop in our lives if we are to serve as Jesus did.
First, we must be aware of what is happening around us and who might need our help. Zacchaeus was perched in a tree and even though there was a crowd around Jesus, Jesus stopped and took notice of this man because He knew he had a need. Zacchaeus was a tax collector and very rich. The people literally hated him but Jesus still was aware of his need.
Secondly, we must be available. Jesus was headed to Jerusalem to fulfill the most important act in human history, our redemption, but He still took the time to have dinner with a spiritually needy man.
Finally, we need to show the quality of acceptance. Jesus did not say to Zacchaeus to clean up your act and then I will come to your house. We are called not to fix people but to share the transforming gospel of Christ.
When we are called to serve, by our Lord, it means that we need to first die to our selfish attitudes and motives. Only then can we live to glorify Christ. Jesus told us, as recorded in Matthew 27:37-39, that the greatest commandment is to love God wholeheartedly and then to love others as ourselves. Ironically, it is only when we humbly serve others that we experience God’s fullness in our lives.
In Revelation 22:12 we are told that we will receive a reward for serving Him, every man according to what he has done. All service, large or small, done in His name will be blessed. Some rewards will be given in Heaven; other blessings can be experienced now on this earth. We know great joy in our hearts when we allow God to bless others through us and we should have great satisfaction in realizing that we are pleasing Christ.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.
PRAYER:
Give me a servant’s heart with a desire to serve others. Open my spiritual eyes to see all the needy people around me. May I be attentive to Your voice so that I do not miss opportunities to serve others today.
Fellowship: September 13, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2012.
FELLOWSHIP
DEFINITION:
Sharing together; companionship; association of persons having similar interests.
SCRIPTURE:
God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ, is faithful. I Corinthians 1:9
Finally, all of you be in one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, and be courteous. I Peter 3:8.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
God's purpose in creating Adam was so He could have fellowship with him. God saw that it was not good for Adam to be alone (Genesis 2:18) so He created Eve to be his helpmate so that they would have each other to fellowship with as well as have fellowship with God. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God their sin separated them from fellowship with God.
There are just too many "pressures" we face in today's world to live without friends, communication and fellowship. Fellowship is the sharing together of our time, our talents and our treasures with others. It also includes the sharing together of our thoughts, our concerns and our joys.
In the age of the computer, the cell phone, IPods, and the internet, many people live as “loners.” It is just them and their electronic devises. People do not seem to know what it is to have true fellowship. Fellowship has become texting, twittering and writing on face book. In restaurants we watch people, seemingly unable to get through a meal without using their cell phone, let alone say a word to anyone they are eating with. The technology of these makes it possible to be in contact with others, but it is a poor substitute for real fellowship.
We especially need fellowship with our family. This includes daily communication with our spouses, our children and our parents. For many today time for fellowship is difficult to schedule in our homes. We use the word schedule but fellowship should be desired and come naturally to a healthy and functional family.
As believers the scripture tells us that we should fellowship with other believers. This is why we need churches, Sunday schools, Bible classes and small group studies. These all provide places and programs to not only grow in our faith but to give opportunity to have fellowship with other believers.
Christian fellowship combines social and spiritual interaction. Fellowship among Christians is unique because it is made possible only through a true relationship with Jesus Christ. Believers by their faith in Jesus have a common bond. We are all His children.
But most important we need to have daily fellowship with God. As Paul tells us in I Corinthians 1:9, God has called us into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Sin broke the fellowship Adam and Eve had with God. Our sins keep us from fellowship with God. To have fellowship with God takes a commitment that includes reading His Word daily and communicating to Him through prayer daily.
God's Word makes us aware of our sins so we can repent and confess our sin to the Lord in prayer. The 133rd Psalm is only three verses long but David wrote clearly in this Psalm for us that fellowship should be our purpose in life. He says, “How good and pleasant it is for believers to dwell together in unity.”
Peter writes in I Peter (above) that as believers we are to be all of one mind. This involves an agreement in doctrine -- what we believe -- but also in our practical aims in life. This is the opposite of the way the world thinks. We are not to render evil for evil but have compassion for one another, love one another and be courteous.
In Galatians 2:9 we read the account of when James and John, who were pillars in the church of Galatia, heard that Paul and Barnabas were leaving to minister to the Gentiles (known as the heathen) they gave them the right hand of fellowship. In other words they gave them their blessing and assurance of their prayers and support. As believers we need to extend our hand of fellowship to those who are ministering for the Lord by praying for them and giving them support.
Fellowship is important for believers and their families. It holds a family together. Make sure you also are having fellowship daily with your Lord and Savior. That is the source for our strength and our direction to live a Christ honoring life.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.
PRAYER:
Thank You, heavenly Father, for making it possible for me to have fellowship with You because of the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help each one in my family to make it the priority to have fellowship with You every day, and to have fellowship with each other.
FELLOWSHIP
DEFINITION:
Sharing together; companionship; association of persons having similar interests.
SCRIPTURE:
God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ, is faithful. I Corinthians 1:9
Finally, all of you be in one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, and be courteous. I Peter 3:8.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
God's purpose in creating Adam was so He could have fellowship with him. God saw that it was not good for Adam to be alone (Genesis 2:18) so He created Eve to be his helpmate so that they would have each other to fellowship with as well as have fellowship with God. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God their sin separated them from fellowship with God.
There are just too many "pressures" we face in today's world to live without friends, communication and fellowship. Fellowship is the sharing together of our time, our talents and our treasures with others. It also includes the sharing together of our thoughts, our concerns and our joys.
In the age of the computer, the cell phone, IPods, and the internet, many people live as “loners.” It is just them and their electronic devises. People do not seem to know what it is to have true fellowship. Fellowship has become texting, twittering and writing on face book. In restaurants we watch people, seemingly unable to get through a meal without using their cell phone, let alone say a word to anyone they are eating with. The technology of these makes it possible to be in contact with others, but it is a poor substitute for real fellowship.
We especially need fellowship with our family. This includes daily communication with our spouses, our children and our parents. For many today time for fellowship is difficult to schedule in our homes. We use the word schedule but fellowship should be desired and come naturally to a healthy and functional family.
As believers the scripture tells us that we should fellowship with other believers. This is why we need churches, Sunday schools, Bible classes and small group studies. These all provide places and programs to not only grow in our faith but to give opportunity to have fellowship with other believers.
Christian fellowship combines social and spiritual interaction. Fellowship among Christians is unique because it is made possible only through a true relationship with Jesus Christ. Believers by their faith in Jesus have a common bond. We are all His children.
But most important we need to have daily fellowship with God. As Paul tells us in I Corinthians 1:9, God has called us into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Sin broke the fellowship Adam and Eve had with God. Our sins keep us from fellowship with God. To have fellowship with God takes a commitment that includes reading His Word daily and communicating to Him through prayer daily.
God's Word makes us aware of our sins so we can repent and confess our sin to the Lord in prayer. The 133rd Psalm is only three verses long but David wrote clearly in this Psalm for us that fellowship should be our purpose in life. He says, “How good and pleasant it is for believers to dwell together in unity.”
Peter writes in I Peter (above) that as believers we are to be all of one mind. This involves an agreement in doctrine -- what we believe -- but also in our practical aims in life. This is the opposite of the way the world thinks. We are not to render evil for evil but have compassion for one another, love one another and be courteous.
In Galatians 2:9 we read the account of when James and John, who were pillars in the church of Galatia, heard that Paul and Barnabas were leaving to minister to the Gentiles (known as the heathen) they gave them the right hand of fellowship. In other words they gave them their blessing and assurance of their prayers and support. As believers we need to extend our hand of fellowship to those who are ministering for the Lord by praying for them and giving them support.
Fellowship is important for believers and their families. It holds a family together. Make sure you also are having fellowship daily with your Lord and Savior. That is the source for our strength and our direction to live a Christ honoring life.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.
PRAYER:
Thank You, heavenly Father, for making it possible for me to have fellowship with You because of the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help each one in my family to make it the priority to have fellowship with You every day, and to have fellowship with each other.
Confession: September 12, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2012.
CONFESSION
DEFINITION:
Admission or disclosure of sin; a formal profession of religious belief.
SCRIPTURE:
"For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." Romans 10:10.
"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold of eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." I Timothy 6:12.
Confess your faults (sins) one to another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. James 5:16.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When we worked with Billy Graham years ago we witnessed at every church meeting where we showed a Billy Graham film and at every crusade meeting where Billy Graham preached, an invitation at the conclusion of his message for one to accept Jesus as their Savior. When one was ready to make that decision they were invited to come to the front of the stadium or building to confess their sins and make their decision to receive Jesus into their heart in front of witnesses. This is what Paul is saying to Timothy in I Timothy 6:12 (above). God wants us to tell the world about our confession of being a sinner and our new found faith in Him and we begin by making a formal decision in front of witnesses.
The Christian faith requires action on our part. Jesus has made it possible to have forgiveness of sins and He offers us the gift of eternal life. Paul says to take hold of eternal life. To become part of God’s kingdom, we cannot sit passively on the sideline expecting God to act. God has given us a choice.
The scripture is very clear that in order for us to have a relationship with Jesus there are two requirements. We must believe in our heart that Jesus is Lord and Savior and then confess to Him that we are a sinner and ask for forgiveness. God's response is immediate -- we are saved! (Romans 10:10).
Our response must be to confess before men our decision to follow Christ. In Matthew 10:32 it reads, “whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.” This is why we encourage you to get involved in a Christ honoring, Bible believing church that gives people the opportunity to accept Jesus as their Savior and to confess this before those in the church.
Confession is also important in family life. All of us, parents and children, need to be willing to confess and apologize to family members when we do them wrong. Confession is hard and many people struggle to admit guilt or any wrong.
For us as parents we are so very thankful that we had the blessed experience of hearing each of our children make their confession of faith and ask the Lord to forgive them of their sins and to come into their heart. Although, we have not been with our grandchildren at the moment they made their decision to accept Christ we can't begin to tell you how thrilled we have been to get their telephone call saying: "Grandma and Grandpa, I asked Jesus into my heart today."
Nothing heals better then confession. Often situations would arise with our children when an argument developed between two or three of them. When we got involved in the process of helping to solve the argument, blaming one another was very common. After we sorted out the problem we encouraged the guilty one to confess and say "I am sorry." Confession is good for the heart and allows both parties to get on with life and they will usually not carry a grudge. As Christians, when we need to confess a wrong doing it is important that we do not procrastinate. Get on with your confession and apology today.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for Your Holy Spirit who convicted my heart and worked in me to accept You as my Savior. Thank You that I can come to You freely to confess my sins and that in turn know that I am forgiven. Keep my faith strong and help me to boldly confess with my mouth what I believe so that others will know what You have done for me and will do for them.
CONFESSION
DEFINITION:
Admission or disclosure of sin; a formal profession of religious belief.
SCRIPTURE:
"For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." Romans 10:10.
"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold of eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." I Timothy 6:12.
Confess your faults (sins) one to another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. James 5:16.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When we worked with Billy Graham years ago we witnessed at every church meeting where we showed a Billy Graham film and at every crusade meeting where Billy Graham preached, an invitation at the conclusion of his message for one to accept Jesus as their Savior. When one was ready to make that decision they were invited to come to the front of the stadium or building to confess their sins and make their decision to receive Jesus into their heart in front of witnesses. This is what Paul is saying to Timothy in I Timothy 6:12 (above). God wants us to tell the world about our confession of being a sinner and our new found faith in Him and we begin by making a formal decision in front of witnesses.
The Christian faith requires action on our part. Jesus has made it possible to have forgiveness of sins and He offers us the gift of eternal life. Paul says to take hold of eternal life. To become part of God’s kingdom, we cannot sit passively on the sideline expecting God to act. God has given us a choice.
The scripture is very clear that in order for us to have a relationship with Jesus there are two requirements. We must believe in our heart that Jesus is Lord and Savior and then confess to Him that we are a sinner and ask for forgiveness. God's response is immediate -- we are saved! (Romans 10:10).
Our response must be to confess before men our decision to follow Christ. In Matthew 10:32 it reads, “whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.” This is why we encourage you to get involved in a Christ honoring, Bible believing church that gives people the opportunity to accept Jesus as their Savior and to confess this before those in the church.
Confession is also important in family life. All of us, parents and children, need to be willing to confess and apologize to family members when we do them wrong. Confession is hard and many people struggle to admit guilt or any wrong.
For us as parents we are so very thankful that we had the blessed experience of hearing each of our children make their confession of faith and ask the Lord to forgive them of their sins and to come into their heart. Although, we have not been with our grandchildren at the moment they made their decision to accept Christ we can't begin to tell you how thrilled we have been to get their telephone call saying: "Grandma and Grandpa, I asked Jesus into my heart today."
Nothing heals better then confession. Often situations would arise with our children when an argument developed between two or three of them. When we got involved in the process of helping to solve the argument, blaming one another was very common. After we sorted out the problem we encouraged the guilty one to confess and say "I am sorry." Confession is good for the heart and allows both parties to get on with life and they will usually not carry a grudge. As Christians, when we need to confess a wrong doing it is important that we do not procrastinate. Get on with your confession and apology today.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for Your Holy Spirit who convicted my heart and worked in me to accept You as my Savior. Thank You that I can come to You freely to confess my sins and that in turn know that I am forgiven. Keep my faith strong and help me to boldly confess with my mouth what I believe so that others will know what You have done for me and will do for them.
Riches: September 11, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2012
RICHES
DEFINITION:
Abundant and valuable possessions; wealth.
SCRIPTURE:
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. I Timothy 6:17.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We began early in the lives of our children to teach them to be responsible with their money. We are grateful to our Lord that He provided just enough riches to us to provide our children what they needed. But we were not always able to provide the "wants" they would have liked to have. It was an important lesson for them to learn that having everything we want is not what is important in life.
We also taught our children that 10% of all money earned or received as a gift belonged to the Lord. God has proven to all of our family over these years that He will bless us if we honor this commitment to Him. We encouraged our children to spend their money on their "wants" after they gave their tithe to the Lord.
Although our budget was at times tight, we tried to show our children, by example, the importance of sharing with others a portion of what God blessed us with.
Money in itself is not evil. It becomes evil when the desire for it becomes all consuming and the driving force in one’s life. In I Timothy 6:10, Paul describes the “love of money as the root of all evil,” and he warns that the love of money causes people to wander from their faith. Riches and money are powerful forces in the world we live in today. Despite the evidence that money cannot buy happiness most people still believe it will so they put their trust in money, rather than God who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
Trusting in wealth and using it to gain power clogs our spiritual arteries and spiritual development. We are told in Deuteronomy 8:17 and 18, "You may say in your heart, my power and the might of my hand has gotten me this wealth. But you shall remember the Lord your God, it is He who has given you power to get wealth." Our hope is not to be found in riches but in the Lord.
The apostle Paul tells us in I Timothy 6:17 (above) that those who are rich in this world should not be conceited about their wealth because worldly riches are temporary and cannot be taken with us when we die. Paul also tells us not to put our trust in uncertain riches. He infers in this verse that it is very hard to have riches in this world without having to put some measure of trust in those riches, therefore it is important for us to remember that riches can be quickly lost.
With riches comes responsibility. God expects us to use wisely what He blessed us with. In verse 18, Paul tells us that if God does bless us with riches that we should be ready to give and willing to share. When you use your riches, God wants you to use them to do good. By doing this you will be laying up treasures in heaven (verses18-19).
God wants us not to put riches first in our lives nor put our trust in riches. We are to recognize that all riches come from God and we should be thankful for what we have. It is He who will supply all of our needs. Riches are a blessing only to those who make them a blessing to others.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
PRAYER:
Give me the right attitude about riches. Help me not to be jealous of those that have riches. Help me to be the steward of any riches You give me in a way that honors Your name.
RICHES
DEFINITION:
Abundant and valuable possessions; wealth.
SCRIPTURE:
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. I Timothy 6:17.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We began early in the lives of our children to teach them to be responsible with their money. We are grateful to our Lord that He provided just enough riches to us to provide our children what they needed. But we were not always able to provide the "wants" they would have liked to have. It was an important lesson for them to learn that having everything we want is not what is important in life.
We also taught our children that 10% of all money earned or received as a gift belonged to the Lord. God has proven to all of our family over these years that He will bless us if we honor this commitment to Him. We encouraged our children to spend their money on their "wants" after they gave their tithe to the Lord.
Although our budget was at times tight, we tried to show our children, by example, the importance of sharing with others a portion of what God blessed us with.
Money in itself is not evil. It becomes evil when the desire for it becomes all consuming and the driving force in one’s life. In I Timothy 6:10, Paul describes the “love of money as the root of all evil,” and he warns that the love of money causes people to wander from their faith. Riches and money are powerful forces in the world we live in today. Despite the evidence that money cannot buy happiness most people still believe it will so they put their trust in money, rather than God who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
Trusting in wealth and using it to gain power clogs our spiritual arteries and spiritual development. We are told in Deuteronomy 8:17 and 18, "You may say in your heart, my power and the might of my hand has gotten me this wealth. But you shall remember the Lord your God, it is He who has given you power to get wealth." Our hope is not to be found in riches but in the Lord.
The apostle Paul tells us in I Timothy 6:17 (above) that those who are rich in this world should not be conceited about their wealth because worldly riches are temporary and cannot be taken with us when we die. Paul also tells us not to put our trust in uncertain riches. He infers in this verse that it is very hard to have riches in this world without having to put some measure of trust in those riches, therefore it is important for us to remember that riches can be quickly lost.
With riches comes responsibility. God expects us to use wisely what He blessed us with. In verse 18, Paul tells us that if God does bless us with riches that we should be ready to give and willing to share. When you use your riches, God wants you to use them to do good. By doing this you will be laying up treasures in heaven (verses18-19).
God wants us not to put riches first in our lives nor put our trust in riches. We are to recognize that all riches come from God and we should be thankful for what we have. It is He who will supply all of our needs. Riches are a blessing only to those who make them a blessing to others.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
PRAYER:
Give me the right attitude about riches. Help me not to be jealous of those that have riches. Help me to be the steward of any riches You give me in a way that honors Your name.
Serve: September 10, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 2012
SERVE
DEFINITION:
Attend or wait upon; work for; to meet the needs of and subject one’s will to that of another.
SCRIPTURE:
You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. I Samuel 12:20
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
How many times have you said to yourself or to others and even prayed to God, saying that you wanted to serve God and asked for His guidance? And then a few hours later you were off on your own and doing things your way and not serving God. This was the case of the Israelites.
The Israelites repeatedly turned away from God and did things their way. God’s way was for Israel to be governed and led by a judge chosen by God. The people rejected God’s plan for them and insisted on a king to rule them. Despite the warnings from Samuel of the hardships they would endure under a king and despite his reminder that the Lord God was their King they demanded a king (I Samuel 12:12).
God allowed them to have their own way. But when they realized the evil thing they had done, by their choice, they asked for Samuel's help and prayers (I Samuel 12:19). Samuel gave the following response to the Children of Israel, "Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart" (I Samuel 12:20, above). Even when we do the wrong thing God does not give up on us. He wants us to return to following Him and to serve Him.
What a wonderful example for us today. When we fail to serve God, as we know we should, we cannot undo what we did yesterday, or the day before, but we can act today. Samuel in verse 24 urged the Children of Israel to, "Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your hearts; for consider what great things He has done for you."
When we fail to serve the Lord we need to humbly ask for His forgiveness and acknowledge His faithfulness to us. God wants us to serve Him today and we cannot let yesterdays failures bankrupt tomorrow's victories.
We can remember the great anticipation we experienced right after we were married arriving in Seoul Korea for our new responsibilities with World Vision. We arrived with some fear but totally dedicated to serving Jesus with all of our hearts, minds and souls. Arriving to a war torn country, to new customs, to a new place to live, unable to speak the language and far away from family and friends quickly served to remind us that we could not do this on our own. We needed to totally rely on Him. If we are willing to serve the Lord with our whole heart, He will not reject us. He will give us the victory.
The certainty of the return of Christ is probably the greatest reason we need to serve the Lord daily. The anticipation we have of this great event should really overwhelm our hearts with excitement and give us a new desire and a sense of urgency to serve our Lord.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
PRAYER:
Thank You for the great anticipation You have given to us in expecting Your soon return to take us as believers to spend eternity in heaven with You. Keep us faithful in following You and allowing You to lead us to serve You in the way You desire us to serve.
SERVE
DEFINITION:
Attend or wait upon; work for; to meet the needs of and subject one’s will to that of another.
SCRIPTURE:
You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. I Samuel 12:20
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
How many times have you said to yourself or to others and even prayed to God, saying that you wanted to serve God and asked for His guidance? And then a few hours later you were off on your own and doing things your way and not serving God. This was the case of the Israelites.
The Israelites repeatedly turned away from God and did things their way. God’s way was for Israel to be governed and led by a judge chosen by God. The people rejected God’s plan for them and insisted on a king to rule them. Despite the warnings from Samuel of the hardships they would endure under a king and despite his reminder that the Lord God was their King they demanded a king (I Samuel 12:12).
God allowed them to have their own way. But when they realized the evil thing they had done, by their choice, they asked for Samuel's help and prayers (I Samuel 12:19). Samuel gave the following response to the Children of Israel, "Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart" (I Samuel 12:20, above). Even when we do the wrong thing God does not give up on us. He wants us to return to following Him and to serve Him.
What a wonderful example for us today. When we fail to serve God, as we know we should, we cannot undo what we did yesterday, or the day before, but we can act today. Samuel in verse 24 urged the Children of Israel to, "Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your hearts; for consider what great things He has done for you."
When we fail to serve the Lord we need to humbly ask for His forgiveness and acknowledge His faithfulness to us. God wants us to serve Him today and we cannot let yesterdays failures bankrupt tomorrow's victories.
We can remember the great anticipation we experienced right after we were married arriving in Seoul Korea for our new responsibilities with World Vision. We arrived with some fear but totally dedicated to serving Jesus with all of our hearts, minds and souls. Arriving to a war torn country, to new customs, to a new place to live, unable to speak the language and far away from family and friends quickly served to remind us that we could not do this on our own. We needed to totally rely on Him. If we are willing to serve the Lord with our whole heart, He will not reject us. He will give us the victory.
The certainty of the return of Christ is probably the greatest reason we need to serve the Lord daily. The anticipation we have of this great event should really overwhelm our hearts with excitement and give us a new desire and a sense of urgency to serve our Lord.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
PRAYER:
Thank You for the great anticipation You have given to us in expecting Your soon return to take us as believers to spend eternity in heaven with You. Keep us faithful in following You and allowing You to lead us to serve You in the way You desire us to serve.
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