GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SATURDAY DECEMBER 22, 2012
PROVERB:
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1
PROMISE:
Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O most High. My shield is God most high, who saves the upright in heart. Psalm 7:8b and 7:10
PRAISE:
I will give thanks unto the Lord because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most High. Psalm 7:17
December 23, 2012
Blameless: December 21, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 21, 2012.
BLAMELESS
DEFINITION:
Innocent; without fault; not guilty.
SCRIPTURE:
He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous. Psalm 15:2.
Who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 1:8
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
One of the most difficult things that a person, including one that believes on Jesus, has to learn is to live a blameless life. Our parents taught us, not only by their words but probably more so by their actions, to live a blameless life. We realize that only our Lord is blameless but the scripture is very clear that God expects us to work constantly on living a blameless life.
The Psalmist exhorts us to walk blameless and do what is righteous. So when one talks about being blameless, what they are really saying is that one who lives a righteous life will honor God in all they say and do.
As parents, we knew it was our God-given responsibility to teach our children what it meant to live a blameless life. We taught them to obey God’s Word, to always tell the truth, to be kind to people, to be consistent in their walk and talk and at all times be helpful to someone in need. When a person lives this way they will be respected as they work toward living a blameless life.
What do we need to do to be blameless before our Lord in the evil world we live in today? David specifically wrote in Psalms 15:2 that we must do what is righteous. It is a daily challenge for us to live a Christ-like life and do what is right in each and every situation.
Moses was talking to the children of Israel (Deuteronomy 18: 9-13) telling them when they entered the Promise Land, which the Lord has given them, they were not to live lives like their neighbors. The neighbors they would be living among were pagans and the Israelites would face many temptations to join in their evil ways. The evil ways of the pagan Canaanites were based on the occult. Satan is the origin and the promoter of the occult. Moses told the children of Israel that they must not get involved with these evil practices because they were detestable to the Lord. God would hold them accountable for their actions. Moses challenged the children of Israel to be blameless before the Lord their God.
Today we as Christians also live in a wicked godless society. Parents must be aware that occult practices are very prevalent in our world today. Parents must be alert to what is and who is influencing their children. Kids are fascinated with the Harry Potter books. Teachers lauded these books because they stimulated children to have a desire to read. Yes, the occult is intriguing but it is also very dangerous. Remember Satan is behind the occult.
God did not want the children of Israel to follow the evil ways of their world and God does not want us to follow the evil ways of our world. God expects us to be blameless before the Lord also. We all need to take a look back on our last 48 hours. Have we lived a life that could be considered blameless by God? Where have we missed it or broken down. Was it an action, a word or a deed?
The apostle Paul was praying for the people in the church at Thessalonica (I Thessalonians 3:13) when he prayed, “So that He (Jesus) may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” Yes, God wants us to be blameless when He returns to this earth. He made it possible for us to be blameless through His death on the cross to cleanse us from all our sins.
Peter tells us in II Peter 3:14, referring to the coming again of Christ, that we should be steadfast and strong in our commitment and beliefs. And we are to “look forward and be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.
This is our prayer for you today that you will be strong in the Lord, steadfast in what you believe and be blameless, waiting for the soon coming of Jesus. And let us assure you, He is coming soon!
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 16:3.
Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.
PRAYER:
Help me and my family today to be like Job of old when you said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on this earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and shuns evil.” Keep Your guiding hand on me as I work toward this goal in my life today.
BLAMELESS
DEFINITION:
Innocent; without fault; not guilty.
SCRIPTURE:
He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous. Psalm 15:2.
Who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 1:8
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
One of the most difficult things that a person, including one that believes on Jesus, has to learn is to live a blameless life. Our parents taught us, not only by their words but probably more so by their actions, to live a blameless life. We realize that only our Lord is blameless but the scripture is very clear that God expects us to work constantly on living a blameless life.
The Psalmist exhorts us to walk blameless and do what is righteous. So when one talks about being blameless, what they are really saying is that one who lives a righteous life will honor God in all they say and do.
As parents, we knew it was our God-given responsibility to teach our children what it meant to live a blameless life. We taught them to obey God’s Word, to always tell the truth, to be kind to people, to be consistent in their walk and talk and at all times be helpful to someone in need. When a person lives this way they will be respected as they work toward living a blameless life.
What do we need to do to be blameless before our Lord in the evil world we live in today? David specifically wrote in Psalms 15:2 that we must do what is righteous. It is a daily challenge for us to live a Christ-like life and do what is right in each and every situation.
Moses was talking to the children of Israel (Deuteronomy 18: 9-13) telling them when they entered the Promise Land, which the Lord has given them, they were not to live lives like their neighbors. The neighbors they would be living among were pagans and the Israelites would face many temptations to join in their evil ways. The evil ways of the pagan Canaanites were based on the occult. Satan is the origin and the promoter of the occult. Moses told the children of Israel that they must not get involved with these evil practices because they were detestable to the Lord. God would hold them accountable for their actions. Moses challenged the children of Israel to be blameless before the Lord their God.
Today we as Christians also live in a wicked godless society. Parents must be aware that occult practices are very prevalent in our world today. Parents must be alert to what is and who is influencing their children. Kids are fascinated with the Harry Potter books. Teachers lauded these books because they stimulated children to have a desire to read. Yes, the occult is intriguing but it is also very dangerous. Remember Satan is behind the occult.
God did not want the children of Israel to follow the evil ways of their world and God does not want us to follow the evil ways of our world. God expects us to be blameless before the Lord also. We all need to take a look back on our last 48 hours. Have we lived a life that could be considered blameless by God? Where have we missed it or broken down. Was it an action, a word or a deed?
The apostle Paul was praying for the people in the church at Thessalonica (I Thessalonians 3:13) when he prayed, “So that He (Jesus) may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” Yes, God wants us to be blameless when He returns to this earth. He made it possible for us to be blameless through His death on the cross to cleanse us from all our sins.
Peter tells us in II Peter 3:14, referring to the coming again of Christ, that we should be steadfast and strong in our commitment and beliefs. And we are to “look forward and be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.
This is our prayer for you today that you will be strong in the Lord, steadfast in what you believe and be blameless, waiting for the soon coming of Jesus. And let us assure you, He is coming soon!
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 16:3.
Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.
PRAYER:
Help me and my family today to be like Job of old when you said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on this earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and shuns evil.” Keep Your guiding hand on me as I work toward this goal in my life today.
Storm: December 20, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 20, 2012.
STORM
DEFINITION:
A tumultuous condition; a disturbance of normal atmosphere; a commotion; to rage or complain with violence or fury; to rush angrily; a violent assault or attack.
SCRIPTURE:
He calms the storm so the waves are still. Psalm 107:29.
For you have been strength to the poor and a refuge from the storm. Isaiah 25:4.
KNOWLEDGE AND LEARNING:
Even though we as believers have our trust in the Lord, we all have many storms in our life. We have storms in our personal life, in our marriage, with our children, in our jobs, in our church and with our neighbors.
Recently we have had several close friends have serious storms in their lives, relating to health issues. Sometimes we wonder why God allows this to happen. It is important for us to realize that God does not cause these storms but He allows them for several reasons. Today let us take a few minutes and look at those reasons and apply them to our lives.
First of all God, allows storms to come into our lives to get our attention. We get so busy with the “THINGS” in our lives that we get caught up in just doing what we want to do and forget God. When we act this way and forget God we then rely on our own abilities and think we can handle every situation ourselves. When this happens to believers, God will allow a storm to happen in our lives just to get our attention and help us refocus on what is important.
Secondly, He allows storms to get some sin out of our lives. God wants us to live a pure and clean life and since we are sinners we often fail to meet the standards that God wants from us. Then sin creeps into our lives and we pass it off and do not consider a little sin to be a problem. God will allow a storm to enter our lives to act as a warning. But the longer you hold that sin the stronger the storm will be. God does not want us as believers to live with sin in our lives.
He also allows a storm in your life because He wants you to surrender something. It is so easy in life to let evil and even material things get between our lives and God. For example, one can begin to forget God when your business becomes successful. Success often separates us from God, but more so just “THINGS” can separate us from God. When He wants us to surrender something in our lives, He will make it clear to us and if we do not respond He will allow a storm to come and wake us up to the fact that we are not self-sufficient.
We are not in control, God is. If we are willing to surrender all to God, He will not only go through the storm with us but He will reward us with His blessing. We need to understand that when we do the things that get us through these storms that God always rewards us with something better.
God will allow storms to come into our lives because He wants us to conform to His image. In Romans 12:1-2, Paul tells us God wants us to “present our bodies as a living sacrifice which is Holy and acceptable to God; and that we are not to be conformed to this world but rather we are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind so that we may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God for our lives.” He will allow a storm to come into our life in order to bring us back to doing what His will is for us.
Finally, He will allow a storm to come into our lives in order to equip us to serve Him better. We are prone to refuse to do what God is calling us to do because it is hard and we feel incapable. We use our inadequacy as an excuse to avoid doing what God desires us to do. God can use a storm to make us willing and able to serve Him, just as He did when Jonah refused to serve God as God told him to do.
In the midst of the storm we may think God has lost control and forgotten us. God controls all things and He is in control of what happens to us in the storms of life as well as in the good times.
The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 89:9 that “God rules the mighty seas and calms the stormy waves.” We need to acknowledge that God is the one who is in control and that He has the power to control any storm in our lives. All we need to do is to put our complete trust in Him, call upon Him and then be open to His direction and respond in faith believing.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 16:3.
Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.
PRAYER
Thank You Almighty God for bringing storms into my life to wake me up from my tendency to neglect to serve You as You desire. Give me the spiritual strength and wisdom to lead my family as together we step out in faith to reach our neighbors and friends for You.
STORM
DEFINITION:
A tumultuous condition; a disturbance of normal atmosphere; a commotion; to rage or complain with violence or fury; to rush angrily; a violent assault or attack.
SCRIPTURE:
He calms the storm so the waves are still. Psalm 107:29.
For you have been strength to the poor and a refuge from the storm. Isaiah 25:4.
KNOWLEDGE AND LEARNING:
Even though we as believers have our trust in the Lord, we all have many storms in our life. We have storms in our personal life, in our marriage, with our children, in our jobs, in our church and with our neighbors.
Recently we have had several close friends have serious storms in their lives, relating to health issues. Sometimes we wonder why God allows this to happen. It is important for us to realize that God does not cause these storms but He allows them for several reasons. Today let us take a few minutes and look at those reasons and apply them to our lives.
First of all God, allows storms to come into our lives to get our attention. We get so busy with the “THINGS” in our lives that we get caught up in just doing what we want to do and forget God. When we act this way and forget God we then rely on our own abilities and think we can handle every situation ourselves. When this happens to believers, God will allow a storm to happen in our lives just to get our attention and help us refocus on what is important.
Secondly, He allows storms to get some sin out of our lives. God wants us to live a pure and clean life and since we are sinners we often fail to meet the standards that God wants from us. Then sin creeps into our lives and we pass it off and do not consider a little sin to be a problem. God will allow a storm to enter our lives to act as a warning. But the longer you hold that sin the stronger the storm will be. God does not want us as believers to live with sin in our lives.
He also allows a storm in your life because He wants you to surrender something. It is so easy in life to let evil and even material things get between our lives and God. For example, one can begin to forget God when your business becomes successful. Success often separates us from God, but more so just “THINGS” can separate us from God. When He wants us to surrender something in our lives, He will make it clear to us and if we do not respond He will allow a storm to come and wake us up to the fact that we are not self-sufficient.
We are not in control, God is. If we are willing to surrender all to God, He will not only go through the storm with us but He will reward us with His blessing. We need to understand that when we do the things that get us through these storms that God always rewards us with something better.
God will allow storms to come into our lives because He wants us to conform to His image. In Romans 12:1-2, Paul tells us God wants us to “present our bodies as a living sacrifice which is Holy and acceptable to God; and that we are not to be conformed to this world but rather we are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind so that we may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God for our lives.” He will allow a storm to come into our life in order to bring us back to doing what His will is for us.
Finally, He will allow a storm to come into our lives in order to equip us to serve Him better. We are prone to refuse to do what God is calling us to do because it is hard and we feel incapable. We use our inadequacy as an excuse to avoid doing what God desires us to do. God can use a storm to make us willing and able to serve Him, just as He did when Jonah refused to serve God as God told him to do.
In the midst of the storm we may think God has lost control and forgotten us. God controls all things and He is in control of what happens to us in the storms of life as well as in the good times.
The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 89:9 that “God rules the mighty seas and calms the stormy waves.” We need to acknowledge that God is the one who is in control and that He has the power to control any storm in our lives. All we need to do is to put our complete trust in Him, call upon Him and then be open to His direction and respond in faith believing.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 16:3.
Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.
PRAYER
Thank You Almighty God for bringing storms into my life to wake me up from my tendency to neglect to serve You as You desire. Give me the spiritual strength and wisdom to lead my family as together we step out in faith to reach our neighbors and friends for You.
Foundation: December 19, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2012.
FOUNDATION
DEFINITION:
The basis or groundwork of anything; the base on which a structure rests; an underlying principle; a basis on which something is built.
SCRIPTURE:
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food, for unto now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still worldly. I Corinthians 3:1-3
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid which is Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 3: 10-11.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
The foundation of our faith as believers is Jesus Christ. We must continue to build our faith using high quality materials that meet God’s standards. In the above verses from I Corinthians, Paul is writing to the church he founded in Corinth. Paul says he laid the foundation but they, the people in the church, had not been building their faith properly. The new believers in the church were being undermined by the immorality that prevailed in Corinth.
After Paul left, the believers had grown indifferent to immorality. They found it hard to separate themselves from their old pagan ways. Sexual immorality had become a serious problem in the church and the church had fallen into divisiveness and disorder.
Paul addresses them as babes in Christ because they had not matured in their faith and were still worldly. Paul had carefully laid the right foundation but the believers were not using the right building blocks of sound doctrine that Paul had taught them.
Many sincere professing Christians are spiritually starving, or spiritually ill, because they never have thought seriously about the quality of their Bible study. The study of the Bible is the key building block to build the believer’s faith.
If our physical diet is not in proper balance or if our digestive system is not functioning properly then our bodies will decline in health. Similarly, if we do not or cannot take full advantage of the spiritual food offered us in the Bible, we will become spiritually disabled.
Someone who is starving spiritually and not growing in their Christian way of life must regularly eat nourishing spiritual food, which is the Word of God. All those who accept Jesus as their Savior have the one and only foundation for their faith. As Paul tells us in verse 11 above, there is no other foundation.
As you study God’s Word we recommend these important basics for your spiritual growth:
First, we must know what the Bible says about itself. Psalm 19:7 says that the law of the Lord is perfect. The Bible declares itself to be the Word of God.
Secondly, we must know what God intended the Bible to do for us. The Bible says in Genesis 1:1 --- “In the beginning God” --- and the Bible is the only book from God but also the only book about God. The Bible is given to us from God as our guidebook for living.
Thirdly, the Bible stands above all human opinions. In John 10:4-5 we read about Jesus being our true Shepherd. Jesus cares for us and protects us like the shepherd cares for his sheep. The shepherd will bring out his own sheep and he goes before them to lead them to pasture and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. We must let the Word of God shape our opinions and then we will follow our Lord because we will know His voice.
We should know that the Bible deals in facts. In Colossians 2:8 we read to beware lest anyone cheat you through “philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men or according to the basic principles of the world and not according to the laws of Christ.” We need to have common sense, a serious respect for all the facts of the Bible, a proper interpretation of the Bible and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit as He leads us.
We need, as true believers, to build our faith on the sure and solid foundation of God’s Word. We need to learn instructive methods of Bible study and know how to use Bible helps and commentaries.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 16:3.
Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.
PRAYER:
Thank You Lord for the gift of Your Son Jesus Christ who is the one and only foundation in life. Help me to learn to not only just read the Bible but help me to learn to study and apply what I learn to my every day walk and talk.
FOUNDATION
DEFINITION:
The basis or groundwork of anything; the base on which a structure rests; an underlying principle; a basis on which something is built.
SCRIPTURE:
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food, for unto now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still worldly. I Corinthians 3:1-3
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid which is Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 3: 10-11.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
The foundation of our faith as believers is Jesus Christ. We must continue to build our faith using high quality materials that meet God’s standards. In the above verses from I Corinthians, Paul is writing to the church he founded in Corinth. Paul says he laid the foundation but they, the people in the church, had not been building their faith properly. The new believers in the church were being undermined by the immorality that prevailed in Corinth.
After Paul left, the believers had grown indifferent to immorality. They found it hard to separate themselves from their old pagan ways. Sexual immorality had become a serious problem in the church and the church had fallen into divisiveness and disorder.
Paul addresses them as babes in Christ because they had not matured in their faith and were still worldly. Paul had carefully laid the right foundation but the believers were not using the right building blocks of sound doctrine that Paul had taught them.
Many sincere professing Christians are spiritually starving, or spiritually ill, because they never have thought seriously about the quality of their Bible study. The study of the Bible is the key building block to build the believer’s faith.
If our physical diet is not in proper balance or if our digestive system is not functioning properly then our bodies will decline in health. Similarly, if we do not or cannot take full advantage of the spiritual food offered us in the Bible, we will become spiritually disabled.
Someone who is starving spiritually and not growing in their Christian way of life must regularly eat nourishing spiritual food, which is the Word of God. All those who accept Jesus as their Savior have the one and only foundation for their faith. As Paul tells us in verse 11 above, there is no other foundation.
As you study God’s Word we recommend these important basics for your spiritual growth:
First, we must know what the Bible says about itself. Psalm 19:7 says that the law of the Lord is perfect. The Bible declares itself to be the Word of God.
Secondly, we must know what God intended the Bible to do for us. The Bible says in Genesis 1:1 --- “In the beginning God” --- and the Bible is the only book from God but also the only book about God. The Bible is given to us from God as our guidebook for living.
Thirdly, the Bible stands above all human opinions. In John 10:4-5 we read about Jesus being our true Shepherd. Jesus cares for us and protects us like the shepherd cares for his sheep. The shepherd will bring out his own sheep and he goes before them to lead them to pasture and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. We must let the Word of God shape our opinions and then we will follow our Lord because we will know His voice.
We should know that the Bible deals in facts. In Colossians 2:8 we read to beware lest anyone cheat you through “philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men or according to the basic principles of the world and not according to the laws of Christ.” We need to have common sense, a serious respect for all the facts of the Bible, a proper interpretation of the Bible and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit as He leads us.
We need, as true believers, to build our faith on the sure and solid foundation of God’s Word. We need to learn instructive methods of Bible study and know how to use Bible helps and commentaries.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 16:3.
Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.
PRAYER:
Thank You Lord for the gift of Your Son Jesus Christ who is the one and only foundation in life. Help me to learn to not only just read the Bible but help me to learn to study and apply what I learn to my every day walk and talk.
False Teachers: December 18, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY DECEMBER 18, 2012.
FALSE TEACHERS
DEFINITION:
Persons who misrepresent themselves as speaking for God; speaking not according to the fact; untrue; not telling the truth.
SCRIPTURE:
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers. Philippians 3:2.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
False teachers were a constant threat to the churches Paul had established in the pagan countries of the Roman Empire. Paul had to write letters to the churches to defend the gospel and refute the false teaching of the false teachers.
Paul continues to warn the believers in the church at Philippi, just as he is warning us, to guard ourselves against false teachers by rejoicing in the Lord and by reading the scriptures daily and living by them. Paul was constantly facing false teachers who were savage in their attacks on him.
First, he tells us to be aware of false teachers who act like dogs. Both Jews and Gentiles of his day called each other dogs as a term of contempt. The word dog was the lowest title possible to convey contempt and ridicule. Dog refers to wild dogs of that day that roamed the streets day and night. They were scavengers and filthy creatures that could be vicious and dangerous.
Paul refers to false teachers as wild dogs because they were evil. They seek out all who will listen and consume them with their false teachings. When one responds to them to defend their true belief in God they will snarl and become vicious and do all they can to destroy one’s belief in the truth. In Matthew 7:15, Jesus tells us to beware of false teachers that come to us in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ferocious wolves.
These false teachers are not what they seem to be. They teach a false message using words that sound religious and claim their message is from God. They may sound and look good but they are evil.
Secondly, Paul tells us to beware of false teachers who are evil workers. There were some in the churches at that time that were teaching that the Gentiles had to be circumcised and keep the Jewish laws as part of salvation. These are people who hold to and teach high standards of righteousness, morality and religion. They are absolutely sure that their righteousness and good deeds are what makes them acceptable to God. They think that there is no way God would reject them.
Paul called them evil workers because they taught that it was by what we do through our own works that we come to God instead of by God’s saving grace. There are those who teach that today. Jesus died on the cross to offer His free gift of salvation. Any teaching that adds to God’s plan of salvation by grace through faith is false teaching.
Paul in this verse also is referring to those who live and teach evil by the way they live and talk about morality, righteousness and religion. These types live immoral, indulgent and extravagant lives and do all they can to mix both a religious and indulgent lifestyle.
False teachers always oppose the Lord Jesus Christ and His salvation by grace alone. It is evident by their actions they do not accept God’s Son, Jesus as Lord and Savior. They accept what they choose of His teaching but deny or ignore salvation by His blood. False teachers are referred to by Paul as evil workers because they minimize Jesus and exalt themselves and seek to gain money, fame and power.
The Congress here in America has taken God out of the public schools. Children are not being taught about God but they are being taught to be anti-God. Immorality, violence, sex, drugs, you name it, is prevalent on school campuses today. Every parent must make it a priority to know what their children are being taught. You must teach your children to beware of false teachings and the evil doers on the school campuses. Parents must make it their business to know who their children are spending time with and what they are doing.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 16:3.
Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.
PRAYER:
Thank You for the apostle Paul’s God given message to beware of evil and false teachers affecting our lives. We ask You to give our family wisdom and direction how we can put You first place in our lives. Keep us alert to guarding our faith and to take a stand against false teachers that try to lead us astray. Keep us reading Your Word and communicating daily with You through prayer.
FALSE TEACHERS
DEFINITION:
Persons who misrepresent themselves as speaking for God; speaking not according to the fact; untrue; not telling the truth.
SCRIPTURE:
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers. Philippians 3:2.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
False teachers were a constant threat to the churches Paul had established in the pagan countries of the Roman Empire. Paul had to write letters to the churches to defend the gospel and refute the false teaching of the false teachers.
Paul continues to warn the believers in the church at Philippi, just as he is warning us, to guard ourselves against false teachers by rejoicing in the Lord and by reading the scriptures daily and living by them. Paul was constantly facing false teachers who were savage in their attacks on him.
First, he tells us to be aware of false teachers who act like dogs. Both Jews and Gentiles of his day called each other dogs as a term of contempt. The word dog was the lowest title possible to convey contempt and ridicule. Dog refers to wild dogs of that day that roamed the streets day and night. They were scavengers and filthy creatures that could be vicious and dangerous.
Paul refers to false teachers as wild dogs because they were evil. They seek out all who will listen and consume them with their false teachings. When one responds to them to defend their true belief in God they will snarl and become vicious and do all they can to destroy one’s belief in the truth. In Matthew 7:15, Jesus tells us to beware of false teachers that come to us in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ferocious wolves.
These false teachers are not what they seem to be. They teach a false message using words that sound religious and claim their message is from God. They may sound and look good but they are evil.
Secondly, Paul tells us to beware of false teachers who are evil workers. There were some in the churches at that time that were teaching that the Gentiles had to be circumcised and keep the Jewish laws as part of salvation. These are people who hold to and teach high standards of righteousness, morality and religion. They are absolutely sure that their righteousness and good deeds are what makes them acceptable to God. They think that there is no way God would reject them.
Paul called them evil workers because they taught that it was by what we do through our own works that we come to God instead of by God’s saving grace. There are those who teach that today. Jesus died on the cross to offer His free gift of salvation. Any teaching that adds to God’s plan of salvation by grace through faith is false teaching.
Paul in this verse also is referring to those who live and teach evil by the way they live and talk about morality, righteousness and religion. These types live immoral, indulgent and extravagant lives and do all they can to mix both a religious and indulgent lifestyle.
False teachers always oppose the Lord Jesus Christ and His salvation by grace alone. It is evident by their actions they do not accept God’s Son, Jesus as Lord and Savior. They accept what they choose of His teaching but deny or ignore salvation by His blood. False teachers are referred to by Paul as evil workers because they minimize Jesus and exalt themselves and seek to gain money, fame and power.
The Congress here in America has taken God out of the public schools. Children are not being taught about God but they are being taught to be anti-God. Immorality, violence, sex, drugs, you name it, is prevalent on school campuses today. Every parent must make it a priority to know what their children are being taught. You must teach your children to beware of false teachings and the evil doers on the school campuses. Parents must make it their business to know who their children are spending time with and what they are doing.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 16:3.
Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.
PRAYER:
Thank You for the apostle Paul’s God given message to beware of evil and false teachers affecting our lives. We ask You to give our family wisdom and direction how we can put You first place in our lives. Keep us alert to guarding our faith and to take a stand against false teachers that try to lead us astray. Keep us reading Your Word and communicating daily with You through prayer.
Suffering: December 17, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY DECEMBER 17, 2012.
SUFFERING
DEFINITION:
Feeling pain or hardship; experiencing loss; undergoing something painful or unpleasant whether physical or emotional.
SCRIPTURE:
For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. Philippians 1:29.
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing Psalms. James 5:13.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We receive emails from across our world, as well as from here in America, telling us about the suffering that people are facing today. Many are suffering because they are Christians and they are standing firm in their faith. God is honoring these dear people and we pray for them daily.
We receive reports of churches being bombed, pastors being martyred, families being tortured, all because of their stand for their Lord.
We also hear from families who are suffering for their faith in God right here in America. They are being ridiculed at their workplace because of their faith. Some even are losing jobs because they live by Godly standards and will not compromise their Christian values in order to keep their job.
Children are being mocked and made fun of for their faith at their schools. It is heart breaking that a child going to a school has to suffer because he or she has biblical standards to live by and is told they cannot share their faith. Praying and reading the Bible is forbidden today in primary schools. Teaching in our colleges and universities is anti-God.
There is much suffering around our world and the scripture has much to say to help us understand and to cope with suffering.
The author of the book of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 2:10 that, “For it was fitting for Him (God), for whom are all things and by whom all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain (Jesus) of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” Jesus was mocked, spit upon, beaten and killed (Mark 10:34). Jesus suffered so that we can have eternal life. He suffered for us by dying on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Jesus, in His suffering, set an example for us to live by when we are faced with suffering for Him while we are on this earth preparing to spend an eternity with Him.
What we suffer does not compare with the suffering Jesus went through for us. Jesus can comfort us in our suffering because He experienced all the same suffering we have. Jesus comforts us by giving us strength, encouragement and hope to endure.
Having to suffer is not easy. The author of Hebrews understands this. He is writing to believers whom he knew had endured suffering and would most likely have to continue to endure suffering for their faith. He encourages these believers in Hebrews 10:32 to persevere by telling them to think about how their faith had enabled them to endure in times of suffering in the past. The author of Hebrews says in Hebrews 10:32 to those that had suffered for Jesus: “But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated (accepted Jesus as Savior), you endured a great struggle with sufferings.” For centuries some have faced a great struggle as they suffered for the cause of Christ and Christians will continue to suffer until Christ returns. We must persevere for the cause of Christ in spite of suffering.
In the verse from Philippians we have printed above under SCRIPTURE, Paul reminds us that as believers in Christ we will share in Christ’s sufferings. James tells us how we should respond when we are suffering --- we are to pray. When we pray, God will give us the strength to get through each and every trial and He will comfort and encourage our hearts. No matter what our suffering there is joy in the Lord that brings cheer to our lives. James also tells us that when we are cheerful, when we are suffering or not, we are to sing praises to God.
In every situation that we face today, God wants us to be cheerful and sing unto Him. He will give us the strength to get through what we are facing. He cares for you, He loves you and He will be with you in your times of suffering.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 16:3.
Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.
PRAYER:
It is my prayer today that You would lead me through any suffering I may face because of my faith in You. Also give me a new burden and a tender heart to pray for those who are suffering for Your sake. Put a song of praise in my heart for all that You have done for me.
SUFFERING
DEFINITION:
Feeling pain or hardship; experiencing loss; undergoing something painful or unpleasant whether physical or emotional.
SCRIPTURE:
For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. Philippians 1:29.
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing Psalms. James 5:13.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We receive emails from across our world, as well as from here in America, telling us about the suffering that people are facing today. Many are suffering because they are Christians and they are standing firm in their faith. God is honoring these dear people and we pray for them daily.
We receive reports of churches being bombed, pastors being martyred, families being tortured, all because of their stand for their Lord.
We also hear from families who are suffering for their faith in God right here in America. They are being ridiculed at their workplace because of their faith. Some even are losing jobs because they live by Godly standards and will not compromise their Christian values in order to keep their job.
Children are being mocked and made fun of for their faith at their schools. It is heart breaking that a child going to a school has to suffer because he or she has biblical standards to live by and is told they cannot share their faith. Praying and reading the Bible is forbidden today in primary schools. Teaching in our colleges and universities is anti-God.
There is much suffering around our world and the scripture has much to say to help us understand and to cope with suffering.
The author of the book of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 2:10 that, “For it was fitting for Him (God), for whom are all things and by whom all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain (Jesus) of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” Jesus was mocked, spit upon, beaten and killed (Mark 10:34). Jesus suffered so that we can have eternal life. He suffered for us by dying on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Jesus, in His suffering, set an example for us to live by when we are faced with suffering for Him while we are on this earth preparing to spend an eternity with Him.
What we suffer does not compare with the suffering Jesus went through for us. Jesus can comfort us in our suffering because He experienced all the same suffering we have. Jesus comforts us by giving us strength, encouragement and hope to endure.
Having to suffer is not easy. The author of Hebrews understands this. He is writing to believers whom he knew had endured suffering and would most likely have to continue to endure suffering for their faith. He encourages these believers in Hebrews 10:32 to persevere by telling them to think about how their faith had enabled them to endure in times of suffering in the past. The author of Hebrews says in Hebrews 10:32 to those that had suffered for Jesus: “But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated (accepted Jesus as Savior), you endured a great struggle with sufferings.” For centuries some have faced a great struggle as they suffered for the cause of Christ and Christians will continue to suffer until Christ returns. We must persevere for the cause of Christ in spite of suffering.
In the verse from Philippians we have printed above under SCRIPTURE, Paul reminds us that as believers in Christ we will share in Christ’s sufferings. James tells us how we should respond when we are suffering --- we are to pray. When we pray, God will give us the strength to get through each and every trial and He will comfort and encourage our hearts. No matter what our suffering there is joy in the Lord that brings cheer to our lives. James also tells us that when we are cheerful, when we are suffering or not, we are to sing praises to God.
In every situation that we face today, God wants us to be cheerful and sing unto Him. He will give us the strength to get through what we are facing. He cares for you, He loves you and He will be with you in your times of suffering.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Proverbs 16:3.
Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.
PRAYER:
It is my prayer today that You would lead me through any suffering I may face because of my faith in You. Also give me a new burden and a tender heart to pray for those who are suffering for Your sake. Put a song of praise in my heart for all that You have done for me.
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