GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SATURDAY DECEMBER 28, 2013.
PROVERB:
A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9
PROMISE:
A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25
PRAISE:
I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34: 1-3.
December 29, 2013
Christmas Day: December 25, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 25, 2013.
CHRISTMAS DAY
DEFINITION:
The celebration day for the birth of Jesus.
SCRIPTURE:
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
There were numerous unusual events that proceeded and happened in the world when Jesus was born. In Genesis 49:10 Jacob gave us a prophecy of the birth of Jesus when he said, The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between His feet, until the Messiah comes and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be.
When Jesus was born this prophecy was fulfilled. First, the scepter of rule departed from Judea and they were now under the rule of Rome with Caesar Augustus reigning as emperor. Judea was then part of Syria and Cyrenius was governor and Herod was King. So a foreign, alien power ruled over Judea, however God’s scepter of rule had not left Judah. God was still in control and will always be in control of what happens to Judah which is now known as Israel.
It was prophesized that Jesus, the Messiah, was to be born in Bethlehem and His birth fulfilled this prophecy. The taxation happened just at the right time to bring Joseph and Mary to the right location to fulfill this prophecy. God controlled these events for sure.
The birth of Jesus and all the events that surrounded His birth should be more than enough to convince us to consider how God miraculously worked out His plan of salvation for us to have the penalty for our sins paid for by this babe in a manger. Our hearts are so blessed, as we hope yours is, on Christmas day. What an awesome God we serve.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalms 100:1.
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.
PRAYER:
Thank You for the miracle of Christmas day and the birth of our Savior, Jesus. May my family be reminded as I am that we serve an awesome, miracle working God! Help us to celebrate with thanksgiving the miracle of Christmas.
CHRISTMAS DAY
DEFINITION:
The celebration day for the birth of Jesus.
SCRIPTURE:
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
There were numerous unusual events that proceeded and happened in the world when Jesus was born. In Genesis 49:10 Jacob gave us a prophecy of the birth of Jesus when he said, The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between His feet, until the Messiah comes and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be.
When Jesus was born this prophecy was fulfilled. First, the scepter of rule departed from Judea and they were now under the rule of Rome with Caesar Augustus reigning as emperor. Judea was then part of Syria and Cyrenius was governor and Herod was King. So a foreign, alien power ruled over Judea, however God’s scepter of rule had not left Judah. God was still in control and will always be in control of what happens to Judah which is now known as Israel.
It was prophesized that Jesus, the Messiah, was to be born in Bethlehem and His birth fulfilled this prophecy. The taxation happened just at the right time to bring Joseph and Mary to the right location to fulfill this prophecy. God controlled these events for sure.
The birth of Jesus and all the events that surrounded His birth should be more than enough to convince us to consider how God miraculously worked out His plan of salvation for us to have the penalty for our sins paid for by this babe in a manger. Our hearts are so blessed, as we hope yours is, on Christmas day. What an awesome God we serve.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalms 100:1.
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.
PRAYER:
Thank You for the miracle of Christmas day and the birth of our Savior, Jesus. May my family be reminded as I am that we serve an awesome, miracle working God! Help us to celebrate with thanksgiving the miracle of Christmas.
Misunderstood: December 27, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 27, 2013.
MISUNDERSTOOD
DEFINITION:
To understand or interpret incorrectly; attach a wrong meaning to; unappreciated; misjudged.
SCRIPTURE:
And being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously. I Peter 2:23
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
It hurts to be misunderstood. When our motives are right and our actions are above reproach, we want to be accepted and appreciated and it hurts when our purpose is misunderstood and we are rejected.
Jesus understands our anguish and pain when we are misunderstood. Christians are mocked and made fun of for their faith in Jesus and their Christian values but no one has been misunderstood and mocked more than Jesus.
Judas was one of Jesus’ own disciples but he had no understanding of Jesus’ purpose and mission. Judas thought Jesus would overthrow the Romans and set up a new government.
Even the religious leaders misunderstood who Jesus was. They knew the scriptures and should have been the ones to understand that Jesus was their Messiah. They saw Jesus as a threat to their positions and power because of His popularity. The Scribes and Pharisees could not accept that Jesus was the Son of God. They thought He was from Satan (Matthew 12:24).
Those from Jesus hometown of Nazareth misunderstood Jesus. They saw Him only as the carpenters son and they took offense at Him (Matthew 13:55-58).
King Herod misunderstood who Jesus was also. When he heard the reports about Jesus and His miraculous works, Herod thought Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead.
We read what Peter said about our Lord, above. Jesus was reviled (abused or maligned) with abusive and vile language. His response was to never retaliate with vicious words or threats. He always responded in love.
To be misunderstood and treated badly when your motives were right and your actions were above reproach, as in the case of our Lord, usually brings frustration and bitterness. But this is not how Jesus responded and we can learn from this.
The temptation that most of us have when we face misunderstanding is to withdraw, sulk, or immerse ourselves in self pity and then grieve. But these reactions are wrong and are not how our Lord responded.
Criticism and misunderstandings will teach something we need to know about ourselves. Romans 8:28 tells us that all things work for good to them that love the Lord. The enemy uses being misunderstood for evil but God can and will use circumstances of misunderstanding for good in a believer’s life. But we must be willing to let Him do it and we show our willingness by the depth of our trust in Him.
When we have suffered because of misunderstanding we can be sure God understands our pain. When we turn it over to God, then by Gods grace, He will turn the situation around and bring us into a new and stronger relationship with the Lord. This could be one of the most rewarding experiences of one’s life.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 100:1.
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.
PRAYER:
Help me, dear Father, to allow You to use the hurtful misunderstandings in my life for good. Give me a spirit of forgiveness and a sensitive heart towards those who wrong me.
MISUNDERSTOOD
DEFINITION:
To understand or interpret incorrectly; attach a wrong meaning to; unappreciated; misjudged.
SCRIPTURE:
And being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously. I Peter 2:23
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
It hurts to be misunderstood. When our motives are right and our actions are above reproach, we want to be accepted and appreciated and it hurts when our purpose is misunderstood and we are rejected.
Jesus understands our anguish and pain when we are misunderstood. Christians are mocked and made fun of for their faith in Jesus and their Christian values but no one has been misunderstood and mocked more than Jesus.
Judas was one of Jesus’ own disciples but he had no understanding of Jesus’ purpose and mission. Judas thought Jesus would overthrow the Romans and set up a new government.
Even the religious leaders misunderstood who Jesus was. They knew the scriptures and should have been the ones to understand that Jesus was their Messiah. They saw Jesus as a threat to their positions and power because of His popularity. The Scribes and Pharisees could not accept that Jesus was the Son of God. They thought He was from Satan (Matthew 12:24).
Those from Jesus hometown of Nazareth misunderstood Jesus. They saw Him only as the carpenters son and they took offense at Him (Matthew 13:55-58).
King Herod misunderstood who Jesus was also. When he heard the reports about Jesus and His miraculous works, Herod thought Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead.
We read what Peter said about our Lord, above. Jesus was reviled (abused or maligned) with abusive and vile language. His response was to never retaliate with vicious words or threats. He always responded in love.
To be misunderstood and treated badly when your motives were right and your actions were above reproach, as in the case of our Lord, usually brings frustration and bitterness. But this is not how Jesus responded and we can learn from this.
The temptation that most of us have when we face misunderstanding is to withdraw, sulk, or immerse ourselves in self pity and then grieve. But these reactions are wrong and are not how our Lord responded.
Criticism and misunderstandings will teach something we need to know about ourselves. Romans 8:28 tells us that all things work for good to them that love the Lord. The enemy uses being misunderstood for evil but God can and will use circumstances of misunderstanding for good in a believer’s life. But we must be willing to let Him do it and we show our willingness by the depth of our trust in Him.
When we have suffered because of misunderstanding we can be sure God understands our pain. When we turn it over to God, then by Gods grace, He will turn the situation around and bring us into a new and stronger relationship with the Lord. This could be one of the most rewarding experiences of one’s life.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 100:1.
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.
PRAYER:
Help me, dear Father, to allow You to use the hurtful misunderstandings in my life for good. Give me a spirit of forgiveness and a sensitive heart towards those who wrong me.
Serve: December 26, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 26, 2013.
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 and then prayed saying that you wanted to serve God? And then a few hours later your sincere intentions are forgotten and you are doing things your way and really not doing anything to serve God.
When you read about the Israelites you will see that repeatedly, they turned away from God and did things their way. After the death of Joshua, God provided judges to rule over them. For over 350 years the Israelites went through cycles of rebelling against God and were overrun by enemy nations. When they were in danger of total destruction they would turn back to God and God would then provide a God-fearing judge to deliver them. The Israelites rebelled over and over and God would save them over and over under these judges.
God’s way for them was to be governed and led by a judge chosen by God. The people rejected God’s plan and insisted on a King. Despite the warnings from Samuel of the hardships they would have to endure under a King they continued to insist that they wanted a King. They forgot that the Lord their God was their King. (I Samuel 12:12)
God allowed them to have their way but when they soon realized what they had done they asked Samuel for help and his prayers. We can read Samuel’s response in the verse above. Samuel saw they were afraid. He began by saying, “Do not fear” and then he called on them to turn from their wickedness and serve the Lord. Even though we do the wrong thing, God does not give up on us. He wants us to repent of our disobedience and return to serving Him.
When we fail to serve God, as we know we should, we need to realize that we cannot undo what we did yesterday, but we can act beginning today. We need to learn to humbly ask God for His forgiveness for our disobedience and acknowledge His faithfulness to us. God wants us to serve Him today and we cannot let yesterdays failures bankrupt tomorrow’s victories.
Serving the Lord has a direct tie to obedience. The Israelites had to become obedient to God’s will before they could serve Him.
Our children came into this world to be served. When they were hungry they wanted to be served their milk immediately. As they grew it was necessary to teach them to serve but we couldn’t teach them to serve until we taught them to obey. When they were old enough our children were given responsibilities of service in our home whether they liked it or not. Yes, there was often grumbling. We would hear things like, “Why me?” or “Why do I have to do everything?” In spite of their complaints they did their responsibilities because we taught them that God commands, “Children obey your parents.”
When children are taught to obey God they will desire to serve Him. What children are taught as a child will carry over to adulthood. What we see in each of our children today is a servant heart which we thank the Lord for.
With certainty we look forward to with the soon return of Christ which is by far the most important reason we need to serve the Lord daily now. The anticipation of this great event should 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 Psalm 100:1.
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.
PRAYER:
Thank You for the great anticipation You have given us in expecting Your soon return to take us to spend an eternity with You in heaven Keep us faithful and willing to serve You in our walk and in our talk, moment by moment. As parents guide us as we teach our children to live for You and obey You and desire to serve You and others.
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 and then prayed saying that you wanted to serve God? And then a few hours later your sincere intentions are forgotten and you are doing things your way and really not doing anything to serve God.
When you read about the Israelites you will see that repeatedly, they turned away from God and did things their way. After the death of Joshua, God provided judges to rule over them. For over 350 years the Israelites went through cycles of rebelling against God and were overrun by enemy nations. When they were in danger of total destruction they would turn back to God and God would then provide a God-fearing judge to deliver them. The Israelites rebelled over and over and God would save them over and over under these judges.
God’s way for them was to be governed and led by a judge chosen by God. The people rejected God’s plan and insisted on a King. Despite the warnings from Samuel of the hardships they would have to endure under a King they continued to insist that they wanted a King. They forgot that the Lord their God was their King. (I Samuel 12:12)
God allowed them to have their way but when they soon realized what they had done they asked Samuel for help and his prayers. We can read Samuel’s response in the verse above. Samuel saw they were afraid. He began by saying, “Do not fear” and then he called on them to turn from their wickedness and serve the Lord. Even though we do the wrong thing, God does not give up on us. He wants us to repent of our disobedience and return to serving Him.
When we fail to serve God, as we know we should, we need to realize that we cannot undo what we did yesterday, but we can act beginning today. We need to learn to humbly ask God for His forgiveness for our disobedience and acknowledge His faithfulness to us. God wants us to serve Him today and we cannot let yesterdays failures bankrupt tomorrow’s victories.
Serving the Lord has a direct tie to obedience. The Israelites had to become obedient to God’s will before they could serve Him.
Our children came into this world to be served. When they were hungry they wanted to be served their milk immediately. As they grew it was necessary to teach them to serve but we couldn’t teach them to serve until we taught them to obey. When they were old enough our children were given responsibilities of service in our home whether they liked it or not. Yes, there was often grumbling. We would hear things like, “Why me?” or “Why do I have to do everything?” In spite of their complaints they did their responsibilities because we taught them that God commands, “Children obey your parents.”
When children are taught to obey God they will desire to serve Him. What children are taught as a child will carry over to adulthood. What we see in each of our children today is a servant heart which we thank the Lord for.
With certainty we look forward to with the soon return of Christ which is by far the most important reason we need to serve the Lord daily now. The anticipation of this great event should 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 Psalm 100:1.
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.
PRAYER:
Thank You for the great anticipation You have given us in expecting Your soon return to take us to spend an eternity with You in heaven Keep us faithful and willing to serve You in our walk and in our talk, moment by moment. As parents guide us as we teach our children to live for You and obey You and desire to serve You and others.
Christmas Eve: December 24, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY DECEMBER 24, 2013
CHRISTMAS EVE
We want you to join our family in celebrating the birth of Jesus. Every Christmas eve we get together as a family and celebrate Christmas. Our family includes our six children, their spouses, our 20 grandchildren, the husband of one of our grandchildren and several of our children’s spouses’ parents.
The younger children have costumes that Dottie made years ago and they act out the events as we know them from the scripture of that Christmas morning in Bethlehem. We have the stable, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, shepherds, angels and the wise men.
At the end of the celebration we all say together the following and urge you to join us in reading these words from Luke 2: 1-14.
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirnius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
So it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tiding of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOODWILL TOWARD MEN!”
Have a blessed Christmas and remember to give glory to God in the highest for the great gift of His Son, Jesus --- the babe born in the manger. Jesus is the reason for the season.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 100:1
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.
PRAYER:
Glory to God, our Heavenly Father! We thank You and praise You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus. We thank You that He came to save us and to bring peace and goodwill to a lost and sinful world.
CHRISTMAS EVE
We want you to join our family in celebrating the birth of Jesus. Every Christmas eve we get together as a family and celebrate Christmas. Our family includes our six children, their spouses, our 20 grandchildren, the husband of one of our grandchildren and several of our children’s spouses’ parents.
The younger children have costumes that Dottie made years ago and they act out the events as we know them from the scripture of that Christmas morning in Bethlehem. We have the stable, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, shepherds, angels and the wise men.
At the end of the celebration we all say together the following and urge you to join us in reading these words from Luke 2: 1-14.
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirnius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
So it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tiding of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOODWILL TOWARD MEN!”
Have a blessed Christmas and remember to give glory to God in the highest for the great gift of His Son, Jesus --- the babe born in the manger. Jesus is the reason for the season.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 100:1
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.
PRAYER:
Glory to God, our Heavenly Father! We thank You and praise You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus. We thank You that He came to save us and to bring peace and goodwill to a lost and sinful world.
Holy Spirit: December 23, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY DECEMBER 23, 2013.
HOLY SPIRIT
DEFINITION:
The third person of the trinity; also called the Holy Ghost.
SCRIPTURE:
Do you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? I Corinthians 6:19
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever. The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
One of the gifts that God gave us with the birth of His Son Jesus was given to believer’s years later after Jesus was resurrected back into Heaven to be with His father. The verse above from John gives us the words that Jesus gave to His disciples and believers just prior to His resurrection.
Most people have a pretty good understanding of who God, the Father and God the Son (Jesus) are. But there are three persons that make up the Godhead known as the Trinity. The third person is the Holy Spirit.
When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, God sends the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. The Holy Spirit within the believer is what sets apart believer’s from the rest of the world.
When you accept Jesus as your Savior, your body becomes a temple where the Holy Spirit, received from God, will live. At this Christmas season we need to be reminded of this gift that God has given us. Possibly you may be asking about the power of the Holy Spirit and how He works in our lives. There are seven specific things He does for us.
1. THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVICTS: It is the convicting power of the Holy Spirit that brings us to repent of our sins. (John 16:8)
2. THE HOLY SPIRIT CONTROLS OUR MIND: The Holy Spirit keeps our mind set on pleasing God and keeping His commandments rather than pleasing our sinful desires. The mind that is controlled by the Holy Spirit leads to peace and life. (Romans 8:5)
3.THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDES: The Holy Spirit works within us to enable us to determine truth from false doctrine. He guides us in an understanding of all truth. (John 16:13)
4.THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES US ASSURANCE: He gives us the assurance that we have been redeemed and we are the children of God and have an inheritance of life eternal in heaven with our Lord and Savior. (Romans 8:16)
5.THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US IN OUR WEAKNESS: God knows our weaknesses and that is why He sent the Holy Spirit so that we do not have to rely on our own strength. (Romans 8:26)
6.THE HOLY SPIRIT PRAYS FOR US: Every believer has the comfort of knowing that someone (The Holy Spirit) who is wiser than they are is interceding before God for them. (Romans 8:26b)
7.THE HOLY SPIRIT SANCTIFIES US: He sanctifies us, blesses and purifies us, by working in us to make us desire to become more like Christ and to live pure and holy lives. (II Thessalonians 2:13)
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 100:1
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.
PRAYER:
Thank You Almighty God that You have given me the Holy Spirit to convict me of my sins, to guide me into truth and to keep my mind focused on pleasing You. Help me to rely on Your Holy Spirit daily and hourly on every step I take.
HOLY SPIRIT
DEFINITION:
The third person of the trinity; also called the Holy Ghost.
SCRIPTURE:
Do you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? I Corinthians 6:19
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever. The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
One of the gifts that God gave us with the birth of His Son Jesus was given to believer’s years later after Jesus was resurrected back into Heaven to be with His father. The verse above from John gives us the words that Jesus gave to His disciples and believers just prior to His resurrection.
Most people have a pretty good understanding of who God, the Father and God the Son (Jesus) are. But there are three persons that make up the Godhead known as the Trinity. The third person is the Holy Spirit.
When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, God sends the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. The Holy Spirit within the believer is what sets apart believer’s from the rest of the world.
When you accept Jesus as your Savior, your body becomes a temple where the Holy Spirit, received from God, will live. At this Christmas season we need to be reminded of this gift that God has given us. Possibly you may be asking about the power of the Holy Spirit and how He works in our lives. There are seven specific things He does for us.
1. THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVICTS: It is the convicting power of the Holy Spirit that brings us to repent of our sins. (John 16:8)
2. THE HOLY SPIRIT CONTROLS OUR MIND: The Holy Spirit keeps our mind set on pleasing God and keeping His commandments rather than pleasing our sinful desires. The mind that is controlled by the Holy Spirit leads to peace and life. (Romans 8:5)
3.THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDES: The Holy Spirit works within us to enable us to determine truth from false doctrine. He guides us in an understanding of all truth. (John 16:13)
4.THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES US ASSURANCE: He gives us the assurance that we have been redeemed and we are the children of God and have an inheritance of life eternal in heaven with our Lord and Savior. (Romans 8:16)
5.THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US IN OUR WEAKNESS: God knows our weaknesses and that is why He sent the Holy Spirit so that we do not have to rely on our own strength. (Romans 8:26)
6.THE HOLY SPIRIT PRAYS FOR US: Every believer has the comfort of knowing that someone (The Holy Spirit) who is wiser than they are is interceding before God for them. (Romans 8:26b)
7.THE HOLY SPIRIT SANCTIFIES US: He sanctifies us, blesses and purifies us, by working in us to make us desire to become more like Christ and to live pure and holy lives. (II Thessalonians 2:13)
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 100:1
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.
PRAYER:
Thank You Almighty God that You have given me the Holy Spirit to convict me of my sins, to guide me into truth and to keep my mind focused on pleasing You. Help me to rely on Your Holy Spirit daily and hourly on every step I take.
December 22, 2013
Gems of Encouragement: December 21, 2013
GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SATURDAY DECEMBER 21, 2013.
PROVERB:
Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Proverbs 4:26.
PROMISE:
He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His names sake. Psalm 23:3.
PRAISE:
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him; and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. Psalm 28:7
PROVERB:
Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Proverbs 4:26.
PROMISE:
He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His names sake. Psalm 23:3.
PRAISE:
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him; and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. Psalm 28:7
Intercession: December 20, 2013
DECEMBER 20 2013. TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 20, 2013.
INTERCESSION
DEFINITION:
Prayer offered on behalf of others; to plead or meditate on behalf of someone.
SCRIPTURE:
Christ Jesus, who died, more than that, who was raised to life, is at the right hand of God, and is also interceding for us. Romans 8:34
This is the way you should bless the children of Israel. Say to them: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:23-26.
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayers of the faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.
James 5: 14-15.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We will today look at a third gift that God gave us through the birth of Jesus some 2000 years ago, Intercession. Jesus came to be the mediator between God and man. It is only through the shed bold of Jesus that we can come before the throne of God with our petitions. After Jesus rose from the dead He ascended to heaven and is there at God’s right hand interceding for us. Our prayers do not fall on deaf ears. Jesus pleads our case before God.
In Hebrews 4:15-16 we have two assurances about Jesus as our intercessor. First, Jesus is able to sympathize with our weakness because He was tempted in every way as we are. Secondly, we can pray in confidence that we will find mercy and grace in our time of need. Jesus is always available to hear our prayer. We can pray at any time and at any place. Be assured prayer changes things. We are to pray not only for ourselves but for others.
We raised six children and one of the things we both learned from our parents and our study of the Bible was to pray daily for each of our children. In a simple way we felt we were the bridge between our children and our Lord, teaching them to know God and praying for that reality. Prayer is intercession and so important for all parents to understand.
The scriptures give us several purposes that we should adhere to when we pray not only for our children, our families but also others. We are to seek intercession for healing for people, to avert judgment, for deliverance from an evil situation, to give blessings to them, to obtain restoration and to encourage repentance. Yes, intercession (prayer) for others is not only a gift and a privilege given to us but is expected of us from our Lord.
Moses often had to intercede for the Children of Israel on their long hard journey through the wilderness. The people did not make it easy on Moses because when they had a discouraging moment they would complain. Their complaints were not only about the hardships in the wilderness, and the leadership of Moses but even about God. They questioned why God was allowing situations that they faced. Can you relate to this in your life?
In Numbers 21, God brought punishment in the form of fiery serpents to the Children of Israel because of their rebellion and sinful ways. When the serpent bit a person that person would die. Therefore, the people came to Moses and said that they had sinned because they had spoken against God and against you (Moses). They asked Moses to pray and intercede for them before God and ask Him to take away the snakes. Moses did pray and God responded by sparing the children of Israel from the serpents because of the intercession of Moses.
God gave Moses and the priests a prayer that they should pray to bless the Children of Israel. This is the verse we have put above under scripture from the book of Numbers. Have you thought about just praying and asking God to bless someone?
We are to intercede for others and when we pray we are told to plead on their behalf and be specific as to the needs we are praying for. We are to pray earnestly in faith believing we have the victory.
The uniqueness of our relationship with Jesus is that, as believers, we have Jesus as our intercessor between us and God. That is why when we pray we close our prayer in Jesus name. In James 5:16 we read that, “The prayer of the righteous man is powerful and effective.” Is there someone who needs you to pray for them and make intercession for?
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 15:8.
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
PRAYER:
Thank You for Your wonderful gift of prayer. Thank You that You are my intercessor so that I can talk to God. Help me to understand through prayer and Bible reading how to be the intercessor You want me to be for others who need You in their time of trouble.
INTERCESSION
DEFINITION:
Prayer offered on behalf of others; to plead or meditate on behalf of someone.
SCRIPTURE:
Christ Jesus, who died, more than that, who was raised to life, is at the right hand of God, and is also interceding for us. Romans 8:34
This is the way you should bless the children of Israel. Say to them: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:23-26.
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayers of the faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.
James 5: 14-15.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We will today look at a third gift that God gave us through the birth of Jesus some 2000 years ago, Intercession. Jesus came to be the mediator between God and man. It is only through the shed bold of Jesus that we can come before the throne of God with our petitions. After Jesus rose from the dead He ascended to heaven and is there at God’s right hand interceding for us. Our prayers do not fall on deaf ears. Jesus pleads our case before God.
In Hebrews 4:15-16 we have two assurances about Jesus as our intercessor. First, Jesus is able to sympathize with our weakness because He was tempted in every way as we are. Secondly, we can pray in confidence that we will find mercy and grace in our time of need. Jesus is always available to hear our prayer. We can pray at any time and at any place. Be assured prayer changes things. We are to pray not only for ourselves but for others.
We raised six children and one of the things we both learned from our parents and our study of the Bible was to pray daily for each of our children. In a simple way we felt we were the bridge between our children and our Lord, teaching them to know God and praying for that reality. Prayer is intercession and so important for all parents to understand.
The scriptures give us several purposes that we should adhere to when we pray not only for our children, our families but also others. We are to seek intercession for healing for people, to avert judgment, for deliverance from an evil situation, to give blessings to them, to obtain restoration and to encourage repentance. Yes, intercession (prayer) for others is not only a gift and a privilege given to us but is expected of us from our Lord.
Moses often had to intercede for the Children of Israel on their long hard journey through the wilderness. The people did not make it easy on Moses because when they had a discouraging moment they would complain. Their complaints were not only about the hardships in the wilderness, and the leadership of Moses but even about God. They questioned why God was allowing situations that they faced. Can you relate to this in your life?
In Numbers 21, God brought punishment in the form of fiery serpents to the Children of Israel because of their rebellion and sinful ways. When the serpent bit a person that person would die. Therefore, the people came to Moses and said that they had sinned because they had spoken against God and against you (Moses). They asked Moses to pray and intercede for them before God and ask Him to take away the snakes. Moses did pray and God responded by sparing the children of Israel from the serpents because of the intercession of Moses.
God gave Moses and the priests a prayer that they should pray to bless the Children of Israel. This is the verse we have put above under scripture from the book of Numbers. Have you thought about just praying and asking God to bless someone?
We are to intercede for others and when we pray we are told to plead on their behalf and be specific as to the needs we are praying for. We are to pray earnestly in faith believing we have the victory.
The uniqueness of our relationship with Jesus is that, as believers, we have Jesus as our intercessor between us and God. That is why when we pray we close our prayer in Jesus name. In James 5:16 we read that, “The prayer of the righteous man is powerful and effective.” Is there someone who needs you to pray for them and make intercession for?
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 15:8.
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
PRAYER:
Thank You for Your wonderful gift of prayer. Thank You that You are my intercessor so that I can talk to God. Help me to understand through prayer and Bible reading how to be the intercessor You want me to be for others who need You in their time of trouble.
Eternity: December 19, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 19, 2013.
ETERNITY
DEFINITION:
Infinite time; duration without beginning or ending; endless period of time.
SCRIPTURE:
That whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:15
For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
For a few days before Christmas we are looking at several of the gifts that God gave us as believers with the birth of Jesus. Yesterday we talked about the gift of salvation. Today we will talk about eternity.
Have you ever tried to imagine what eternity is like? It is very difficult for our finite minds to grasp the concept of life going on and on with absolutely no end. This is because here on earth life has a beginning and an ending. We have heard people say, and we have said ourselves, when standing in a line, that it seems like an eternity waiting to be helped. It may seem long but it is relatively short and there is an ending. Eternity is forever and ever.
In the two verses above, John and the writer of Romans both talk about the gift God has made available to us for us to have eternal life. This gift is obtained when one believes in Jesus as Savior and Lord. So we ask you the question, “Where will you spend eternity?”
It is a fact that we all will spend an eternity either with God in heaven or with Satan in hell. There is no other choice or option. We need to remind you that in order to spend eternity with Jesus you must ask Him for forgiveness of your sins and accept Him as your Savior. The other option is to ignore the issue, but ignoring the issue does not make the issue go away. Hell is automatic if you do not believe in Jesus; therefore each one of us has a choice to make. Our choices are first to accept Jesus as Savior and spend eternity with Him in heaven. Our second choice is to do nothing and go on living life as you are now and spend an eternity in hell. And finally our third choice is to reject Jesus and God and spend eternity in hell.
Many people today just do not want to face the fact that their un-forgiven sins will bring condemnation to them. People, for the most part, are searching for real hope and peace in their lives. The only real peace and joy one can experience in life is to know where you will spend eternity. Have you made that choice? Will you spend eternity with Jesus in heaven by accepting His gift to you or will you spend your eternity with the devil in hell?
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 15:4.
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
PRAYER:
Thank You, Lord, that I can be certain where I will spend eternity. Thank You for sending Your Son to be born in this world so that we can ask for forgiveness of our sins and accept Your Son as our Savior and be assured we will spend eternity with You. I pray for those who do not know You that they might see that they need to be saved and that they will accept You as their Savior.
ETERNITY
DEFINITION:
Infinite time; duration without beginning or ending; endless period of time.
SCRIPTURE:
That whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:15
For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
For a few days before Christmas we are looking at several of the gifts that God gave us as believers with the birth of Jesus. Yesterday we talked about the gift of salvation. Today we will talk about eternity.
Have you ever tried to imagine what eternity is like? It is very difficult for our finite minds to grasp the concept of life going on and on with absolutely no end. This is because here on earth life has a beginning and an ending. We have heard people say, and we have said ourselves, when standing in a line, that it seems like an eternity waiting to be helped. It may seem long but it is relatively short and there is an ending. Eternity is forever and ever.
In the two verses above, John and the writer of Romans both talk about the gift God has made available to us for us to have eternal life. This gift is obtained when one believes in Jesus as Savior and Lord. So we ask you the question, “Where will you spend eternity?”
It is a fact that we all will spend an eternity either with God in heaven or with Satan in hell. There is no other choice or option. We need to remind you that in order to spend eternity with Jesus you must ask Him for forgiveness of your sins and accept Him as your Savior. The other option is to ignore the issue, but ignoring the issue does not make the issue go away. Hell is automatic if you do not believe in Jesus; therefore each one of us has a choice to make. Our choices are first to accept Jesus as Savior and spend eternity with Him in heaven. Our second choice is to do nothing and go on living life as you are now and spend an eternity in hell. And finally our third choice is to reject Jesus and God and spend eternity in hell.
Many people today just do not want to face the fact that their un-forgiven sins will bring condemnation to them. People, for the most part, are searching for real hope and peace in their lives. The only real peace and joy one can experience in life is to know where you will spend eternity. Have you made that choice? Will you spend eternity with Jesus in heaven by accepting His gift to you or will you spend your eternity with the devil in hell?
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 15:4.
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
PRAYER:
Thank You, Lord, that I can be certain where I will spend eternity. Thank You for sending Your Son to be born in this world so that we can ask for forgiveness of our sins and accept Your Son as our Savior and be assured we will spend eternity with You. I pray for those who do not know You that they might see that they need to be saved and that they will accept You as their Savior.
Salvation: December 18, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 18, 2013.
SALVATION
DEFINITION:
Deliverance from the power and the penalty of sin; redemption; deliverance from danger or a difficulty.
SCRIPTURE:
How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? Hebrews 2:3
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Acts 16:3.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
As we prepare for Christmas just one week from today we are beginning today a short series on four gifts given to us because Jesus came to this earth as a babe in Bethlehem’s manger. These gifts are: Salvation; Eternity (eternal life); Intercession (a mediator between God and man); Holy Spirit.
Many non-believers do not understand us when we mention the word salvation. Have you asked someone if they are saved? Many times the answer will be, from what? Also when life is going well for an unbeliever they see no reason to “be saved.”
What many unbelievers do not understand is that without “being saved” they face eternal separation from God because of their sin. The believer understands what he is being saved from. The believer knows that he has sinned. The Bible says, “For all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23. The believer also understands that there is a penalty for sin which is death. Romans 6:33 states that “the wages of sin is death.”
Salvation is a gift that only God can give. He has given this gift to us through His Son Jesus Christ. This salvation is for everyone but for several generations now, here in America, many just do not feel a need for God and the salvation He offers. Many have decided they have no need for God in their lives because they are getting along on their own. God has been taken out of our schools, in the decision making of our government and judicial systems.
For several generations now in our family we have believed that receiving salvation (accepting Jesus as our Savior) is the most important decision one can make in life. Our parents and grandparents made this a priority in our lives and we have made it a priority to our children and grandchildren.
Jesus began His ministry on earth by first preaching the marvelous message, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17) He never gave us an option. His message was simple, clear and concise --- REPENT! There is no other way to heaven. We must repent of our sins and accept Jesus as our Savior.
What a gift God gave us in salvation. It is more than great. The scripture says that it is so great because:
1. It was from God and through Jesus Christ, His Son. It was the giving of His one and only Son to pay the penalty for our sins. John 3:16.
2. It came at a great cost. Jesus gave His life for us.
3. It is complete and for all time. I Peter 3:18 reads that “Jesus died for our sins once and for all.”
4. And finally, it is the only way to God and eternity. John 14:6 tells us that Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through Me.”
What a wonderful gift God gave us. Take the time this Christmas season to meditate and think on all the gifts that God has given you.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 15:4.
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
PRAYER:
Our family, at this Christmas season, is so grateful for the gift of salvation that You have given us. Thank You for the price You paid for us by dying on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. May we never forget that we celebrate Christmas to remember and honor Your birth. Thank You for coming into this world to give us Your precious gift of salvation.
SALVATION
DEFINITION:
Deliverance from the power and the penalty of sin; redemption; deliverance from danger or a difficulty.
SCRIPTURE:
How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? Hebrews 2:3
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Acts 16:3.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
As we prepare for Christmas just one week from today we are beginning today a short series on four gifts given to us because Jesus came to this earth as a babe in Bethlehem’s manger. These gifts are: Salvation; Eternity (eternal life); Intercession (a mediator between God and man); Holy Spirit.
Many non-believers do not understand us when we mention the word salvation. Have you asked someone if they are saved? Many times the answer will be, from what? Also when life is going well for an unbeliever they see no reason to “be saved.”
What many unbelievers do not understand is that without “being saved” they face eternal separation from God because of their sin. The believer understands what he is being saved from. The believer knows that he has sinned. The Bible says, “For all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23. The believer also understands that there is a penalty for sin which is death. Romans 6:33 states that “the wages of sin is death.”
Salvation is a gift that only God can give. He has given this gift to us through His Son Jesus Christ. This salvation is for everyone but for several generations now, here in America, many just do not feel a need for God and the salvation He offers. Many have decided they have no need for God in their lives because they are getting along on their own. God has been taken out of our schools, in the decision making of our government and judicial systems.
For several generations now in our family we have believed that receiving salvation (accepting Jesus as our Savior) is the most important decision one can make in life. Our parents and grandparents made this a priority in our lives and we have made it a priority to our children and grandchildren.
Jesus began His ministry on earth by first preaching the marvelous message, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17) He never gave us an option. His message was simple, clear and concise --- REPENT! There is no other way to heaven. We must repent of our sins and accept Jesus as our Savior.
What a gift God gave us in salvation. It is more than great. The scripture says that it is so great because:
1. It was from God and through Jesus Christ, His Son. It was the giving of His one and only Son to pay the penalty for our sins. John 3:16.
2. It came at a great cost. Jesus gave His life for us.
3. It is complete and for all time. I Peter 3:18 reads that “Jesus died for our sins once and for all.”
4. And finally, it is the only way to God and eternity. John 14:6 tells us that Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through Me.”
What a wonderful gift God gave us. Take the time this Christmas season to meditate and think on all the gifts that God has given you.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 15:4.
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
PRAYER:
Our family, at this Christmas season, is so grateful for the gift of salvation that You have given us. Thank You for the price You paid for us by dying on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. May we never forget that we celebrate Christmas to remember and honor Your birth. Thank You for coming into this world to give us Your precious gift of salvation.
Grace: December 17, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY DECEMBER 17, 2013.
GRACE
DEFINITION:
Mercy, clemency, pardon, the influence or spirit of God operating in humans; the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.
SCRIPTURE:
Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. II Peter 3:18.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Grace is the freely given unmerited favor and love of God. It is solely by God’s grace that we are saved. Grace is part of God’s divine nature along with love, patience, kindness, righteousness and justice that caused God to give His only Son to die on the cross for us and to save us from our sins. If our faith is real we cannot remain complacent. We will want a closer relationship with our Lord, and this is also what God wants from us.
God wants us as individuals and as families to grow daily in grace. Today we will share together three attributes of grace from the scripture. These are faith, love and humility.
First, we need to grow in faith. We need to believe the promises of God that He gives us with more diligence and apply them to our life each day. Our faith must increase with consistency and with simplicity. We limit what God can do through us because of our lack of faith. He wants us to step out with great faith and let God do His will in us and through us to bring honor and glory to His Holy name.
We also must grow daily in love. Our love needs to extend beyond what and who we love today. We need to be more Christ-like as we share our love with others. We need to be forgiving, more purposeful in what and who we love, and our love should be reflected through every thought, word and deed that comes from us. We are to love the lovely and also the unlovely. We are to love the believer and the unbeliever. At times this will be very difficult, especially to love an unlovely person or an unbeliever who stands strongly against what you believe. But God wants us to grow in the grace of love.
Finally, for today, we need to grow in the grace of humility. For many people this is most difficult. People want to be thought of highly when they accomplish something but that is not what God wants from us. We need to be humble in our speech and our actions. We must recognize that in and of ourselves we are nothing without God. As we grow downward, in other words increase our humility, we will grow upward in our approach to God. This will happen in our prayer life and as we read the Bible. Our fellowship with Jesus will become more intimate.
In Genesis 6:8 we read that Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Noah was a righteous man who loved God, had faith in God, and obeyed God in humility. It must have seemed like a crazy idea to build an Ark in the desert. Noah did not argue with God. He built the Ark just as God commanded him to do. By God’s grace Noah and all his family were saved while everyone else perished. It is only by God’s grace that we are saved.
In Psalm 84:11 the psalmist tells us that the Lord will give us grace and glory and no good thing will be withheld from those who walk uprightly. The more we grow in grace, the more God can work in our lives. The key for us is to want to love and to know God and to choose to walk with Him daily.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 15:4.
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
PRAYER:
Help me to teach my family to love God, have faith in Him and to be humble so that we may find grace in Your sight just as Noah did so many years ago. Help me to listen to what You say and then may Your Holy Spirit give me the conviction and courage to obey and walk with You in the direction You lead me.
GRACE
DEFINITION:
Mercy, clemency, pardon, the influence or spirit of God operating in humans; the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.
SCRIPTURE:
Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. II Peter 3:18.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Grace is the freely given unmerited favor and love of God. It is solely by God’s grace that we are saved. Grace is part of God’s divine nature along with love, patience, kindness, righteousness and justice that caused God to give His only Son to die on the cross for us and to save us from our sins. If our faith is real we cannot remain complacent. We will want a closer relationship with our Lord, and this is also what God wants from us.
God wants us as individuals and as families to grow daily in grace. Today we will share together three attributes of grace from the scripture. These are faith, love and humility.
First, we need to grow in faith. We need to believe the promises of God that He gives us with more diligence and apply them to our life each day. Our faith must increase with consistency and with simplicity. We limit what God can do through us because of our lack of faith. He wants us to step out with great faith and let God do His will in us and through us to bring honor and glory to His Holy name.
We also must grow daily in love. Our love needs to extend beyond what and who we love today. We need to be more Christ-like as we share our love with others. We need to be forgiving, more purposeful in what and who we love, and our love should be reflected through every thought, word and deed that comes from us. We are to love the lovely and also the unlovely. We are to love the believer and the unbeliever. At times this will be very difficult, especially to love an unlovely person or an unbeliever who stands strongly against what you believe. But God wants us to grow in the grace of love.
Finally, for today, we need to grow in the grace of humility. For many people this is most difficult. People want to be thought of highly when they accomplish something but that is not what God wants from us. We need to be humble in our speech and our actions. We must recognize that in and of ourselves we are nothing without God. As we grow downward, in other words increase our humility, we will grow upward in our approach to God. This will happen in our prayer life and as we read the Bible. Our fellowship with Jesus will become more intimate.
In Genesis 6:8 we read that Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Noah was a righteous man who loved God, had faith in God, and obeyed God in humility. It must have seemed like a crazy idea to build an Ark in the desert. Noah did not argue with God. He built the Ark just as God commanded him to do. By God’s grace Noah and all his family were saved while everyone else perished. It is only by God’s grace that we are saved.
In Psalm 84:11 the psalmist tells us that the Lord will give us grace and glory and no good thing will be withheld from those who walk uprightly. The more we grow in grace, the more God can work in our lives. The key for us is to want to love and to know God and to choose to walk with Him daily.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 15:4.
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
PRAYER:
Help me to teach my family to love God, have faith in Him and to be humble so that we may find grace in Your sight just as Noah did so many years ago. Help me to listen to what You say and then may Your Holy Spirit give me the conviction and courage to obey and walk with You in the direction You lead me.
Adoption: December 16, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY DECEMBER 16, 2013,
ADOPTION
DEFINITION:
Take or receive as one’s own, such as a child; to take another’s child into one’s own family.
SCRIPTURE:
Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. Ephesians 1:5.
To redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Galatians 4:5.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Here in America most people know of families that have adopted a child. For some parents it is because they are unable to have a child and for others it is their desire to help raise a hurting child.
In ancient Rome, adoption was occasionally used by the emperors to pass on succession to competent heirs. For example, Augustus Caesar was adopted by his great uncle Julius Caesar. Other notable adoptees included the emperors Tiberius and Hadrian. All of these mentioned proved to be strong rulers because each one was raised and trained to live like a child of his adoptive father. Under Roman law adopted children had all the rights and privileges of a biological child. An adopted child received his father’s inheritance.
Every Christian, one who has accepted Jesus as his or her Savior, is an adopted child of the King of Kings. Our adoption comes at a great cost. God made it possible to be brought into His family through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus on the cross. Our adoption is completed when we asked Him for forgiveness for our sins and accept Him as our Savior. Romans 8:17 tells us that God has made us not only adopted children but joint heirs with Christ. What a privilege and what a blessing.
We should feel great indebtedness to God for all that He has done for us. There is no way to repay Him in for the cost He paid to adopt us into His family. The adopted Roman child gained not only the rights of a legitimate child in his new family but also the responsibilities. He was expected to study and train to be a worthy member of the family. God wants us to live in a way that a child of God is expected to live, honoring our heavenly Father. Our instruction and training is given to us in God’s Word.
In Colossians 3:5 we are told by the apostle Paul what we are to get rid of in our lives when we have been adopted by God. He tells us to, “Put to death the sinful ways of our old life; sexual immorality; impurity; lust; evil desires; greed and idolatry.” We are children of God and we should act like it.
Our old way of life is to be replaced by activities and desires that show that we belong to the family of God. Paul tells us in Colossians 3:12 that we are to “Put on compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and longsuffering.” These are the characteristics of Jesus. Jesus said, “I and the Father are one” John 10:30. Jesus did the will of the Father. As adopted children how could we desire to do anything but do the will of our Father?
In Romans 8:15 Paul tells the people in the church at Rome, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.” We need to be led daily by the Spirit of God in order to do the will of God our Father and to become more like Christ.
God is waiting to adopt all that do not know Him as their Savior. All you have to do is recognize that you are a sinner, ask God for forgiveness and then ask Him to come into your heart. He will then adopt you as one of His children. John 1:12 reads, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.”
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 15:4.
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
PRAYER:
Thank You that You have adopted me as one of Your children. Give me the strength and determination to live for You every moment of this day. May all that I meet know that by my words and deeds that I am an adopted son of God.
ADOPTION
DEFINITION:
Take or receive as one’s own, such as a child; to take another’s child into one’s own family.
SCRIPTURE:
Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. Ephesians 1:5.
To redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Galatians 4:5.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Here in America most people know of families that have adopted a child. For some parents it is because they are unable to have a child and for others it is their desire to help raise a hurting child.
In ancient Rome, adoption was occasionally used by the emperors to pass on succession to competent heirs. For example, Augustus Caesar was adopted by his great uncle Julius Caesar. Other notable adoptees included the emperors Tiberius and Hadrian. All of these mentioned proved to be strong rulers because each one was raised and trained to live like a child of his adoptive father. Under Roman law adopted children had all the rights and privileges of a biological child. An adopted child received his father’s inheritance.
Every Christian, one who has accepted Jesus as his or her Savior, is an adopted child of the King of Kings. Our adoption comes at a great cost. God made it possible to be brought into His family through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus on the cross. Our adoption is completed when we asked Him for forgiveness for our sins and accept Him as our Savior. Romans 8:17 tells us that God has made us not only adopted children but joint heirs with Christ. What a privilege and what a blessing.
We should feel great indebtedness to God for all that He has done for us. There is no way to repay Him in for the cost He paid to adopt us into His family. The adopted Roman child gained not only the rights of a legitimate child in his new family but also the responsibilities. He was expected to study and train to be a worthy member of the family. God wants us to live in a way that a child of God is expected to live, honoring our heavenly Father. Our instruction and training is given to us in God’s Word.
In Colossians 3:5 we are told by the apostle Paul what we are to get rid of in our lives when we have been adopted by God. He tells us to, “Put to death the sinful ways of our old life; sexual immorality; impurity; lust; evil desires; greed and idolatry.” We are children of God and we should act like it.
Our old way of life is to be replaced by activities and desires that show that we belong to the family of God. Paul tells us in Colossians 3:12 that we are to “Put on compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and longsuffering.” These are the characteristics of Jesus. Jesus said, “I and the Father are one” John 10:30. Jesus did the will of the Father. As adopted children how could we desire to do anything but do the will of our Father?
In Romans 8:15 Paul tells the people in the church at Rome, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.” We need to be led daily by the Spirit of God in order to do the will of God our Father and to become more like Christ.
God is waiting to adopt all that do not know Him as their Savior. All you have to do is recognize that you are a sinner, ask God for forgiveness and then ask Him to come into your heart. He will then adopt you as one of His children. John 1:12 reads, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.”
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 15:4.
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
PRAYER:
Thank You that You have adopted me as one of Your children. Give me the strength and determination to live for You every moment of this day. May all that I meet know that by my words and deeds that I am an adopted son of God.
December 15, 2013
Gem of Encouragement: December 14, 2013
GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR
SATURDAY DECEMBER 14, 2013.
PROVERB:
He who conceals
his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds
mercy. Proverbs 28:13.
PROMISE:
Blessed are the
merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7.
PRAISE:
Praise be to the
Lord, for He has heard my cry for mercy. Psalm 28:6
Faith: December 13, 2013
TODAY”S WORD FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 13, 2013.
FAITH
DEFINITION:
Trust; reliance; belief; creed; expectation.
SCRIPTURE:
If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. Mark 9:23.
Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Ephesians 6:16
Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:17
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
The theme of faith permeated Christ’s ministry here on earth. Jesus highly esteemed the great faith that Abraham had in God. Abraham’s faith withstood severe testing. First God asked him to leave his home and move his family to a place he knew nothing about. By faith Abraham obeyed. God then asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, a real step of faith. Abraham was willing and prepared but God stopped him and provided for him the animal to sacrifice. Abraham passed God’s test. Not many of us have such strong faith. Most people falter when the testing begins.
Jesus spent much time urging those with weak convictions to believe and not waver in their faith. Today we want to share some thoughts to those who struggle with their faith and have concerns about their belief in Jesus.
Jesus understands the weakness of our human nature and knows how vulnerable we are in our faith. We may think we have strong faith but it often does not take much to shake it.
In the book of Matthew, Jesus cited five examples of little faith. First, He speaks of the worry we all experience concerning the everyday resources and necessities of life we need (Matthew 6:30). When we go through tough times it tests our faith and our faith can falter. Many question if God really cares. Jesus says we are not to worry. Our heavenly father knows what we need and He never stops caring for us (Matthew 7:25-34).
The disciples had the faith to leave everything they had to follow Jesus so it would seem they had to be men of great faith but even they at times showed weakness in their faith. In Matthew 8:23-26 we are told about the terrible storm that Jesus slept through on the boat on the Sea of Galilee. But the disciples, the scripture says, were so afraid that they were going to drown they woke Jesus to ask Him to save them. Jesus calmed the storm knowing the weakness of their faith. Jesus pointed out that constant fear shows lack of trust and therefore a lack of faith. Do you face constant fear?
Peter allowed doubt to take over his thinking when Jesus gave Peter a command to walk on the water toward Him. In Matthew 14:31 we are told that Jesus called Peter to come to Him. Peter stepped out in faith but when he experienced the wind he started to sink because he doubted he was safe. When we take our eyes off Jesus, as Peter did, our faith will waver.
The fourth reference to weak faith in Matthew is found in Matthew 16: 5-12. The disciples failed to reach a correct conclusion about Jesus’ teachings and actions. They were not on the same wave link that Jesus was on. Jesus was warning the disciples to beware of the wrong teaching and the hypocrisy of the Sadducees and Pharisees. Jesus told the disciples they did not need the bread the Sadducees and Pharisees offered. In their weakness of faith they thought Jesus was talking about physical bread because they had not brought bread with them.
The fifth example is when the disciples, who had been given authority to do healing, were brought a man with seizures caused by a demon. The disciples could not heal the man so the man was brought to Jesus and he healed him. Later the disciples asked Jesus in private why they were unable to heal the man with seizures. Jesus answered by saying to them, “because you have so little faith.”
In order to grow stronger spiritually, we must take our eyes off of our circumstances and look to Jesus. By trusting in His character and believing in His promises, we can overcome anxiety and develop greater faith.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in I John 3:23.
This is His commandment that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
PRAYER:
Keep me from worry and doubt that will weaken my faith. Keep me faithful in reading Your Word so that I will know the truth and the promises in Your Word that will make my faith strong. Also help me not to sit back rejoicing in my faith but help me to work daily to share with others my faith and help those who are in need both physically and spiritually.
FAITH
DEFINITION:
Trust; reliance; belief; creed; expectation.
SCRIPTURE:
If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. Mark 9:23.
Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Ephesians 6:16
Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:17
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
The theme of faith permeated Christ’s ministry here on earth. Jesus highly esteemed the great faith that Abraham had in God. Abraham’s faith withstood severe testing. First God asked him to leave his home and move his family to a place he knew nothing about. By faith Abraham obeyed. God then asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, a real step of faith. Abraham was willing and prepared but God stopped him and provided for him the animal to sacrifice. Abraham passed God’s test. Not many of us have such strong faith. Most people falter when the testing begins.
Jesus spent much time urging those with weak convictions to believe and not waver in their faith. Today we want to share some thoughts to those who struggle with their faith and have concerns about their belief in Jesus.
Jesus understands the weakness of our human nature and knows how vulnerable we are in our faith. We may think we have strong faith but it often does not take much to shake it.
In the book of Matthew, Jesus cited five examples of little faith. First, He speaks of the worry we all experience concerning the everyday resources and necessities of life we need (Matthew 6:30). When we go through tough times it tests our faith and our faith can falter. Many question if God really cares. Jesus says we are not to worry. Our heavenly father knows what we need and He never stops caring for us (Matthew 7:25-34).
The disciples had the faith to leave everything they had to follow Jesus so it would seem they had to be men of great faith but even they at times showed weakness in their faith. In Matthew 8:23-26 we are told about the terrible storm that Jesus slept through on the boat on the Sea of Galilee. But the disciples, the scripture says, were so afraid that they were going to drown they woke Jesus to ask Him to save them. Jesus calmed the storm knowing the weakness of their faith. Jesus pointed out that constant fear shows lack of trust and therefore a lack of faith. Do you face constant fear?
Peter allowed doubt to take over his thinking when Jesus gave Peter a command to walk on the water toward Him. In Matthew 14:31 we are told that Jesus called Peter to come to Him. Peter stepped out in faith but when he experienced the wind he started to sink because he doubted he was safe. When we take our eyes off Jesus, as Peter did, our faith will waver.
The fourth reference to weak faith in Matthew is found in Matthew 16: 5-12. The disciples failed to reach a correct conclusion about Jesus’ teachings and actions. They were not on the same wave link that Jesus was on. Jesus was warning the disciples to beware of the wrong teaching and the hypocrisy of the Sadducees and Pharisees. Jesus told the disciples they did not need the bread the Sadducees and Pharisees offered. In their weakness of faith they thought Jesus was talking about physical bread because they had not brought bread with them.
The fifth example is when the disciples, who had been given authority to do healing, were brought a man with seizures caused by a demon. The disciples could not heal the man so the man was brought to Jesus and he healed him. Later the disciples asked Jesus in private why they were unable to heal the man with seizures. Jesus answered by saying to them, “because you have so little faith.”
In order to grow stronger spiritually, we must take our eyes off of our circumstances and look to Jesus. By trusting in His character and believing in His promises, we can overcome anxiety and develop greater faith.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in I John 3:23.
This is His commandment that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
PRAYER:
Keep me from worry and doubt that will weaken my faith. Keep me faithful in reading Your Word so that I will know the truth and the promises in Your Word that will make my faith strong. Also help me not to sit back rejoicing in my faith but help me to work daily to share with others my faith and help those who are in need both physically and spiritually.
Inadequacy: December 12, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 12. 2013.
INADEQUACY
DEFINITION:
Below par; wanting; deficient; lacking.
SCRIPTURE:
For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? II Corinthians 2:15-16.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Most of us assume that having feelings of inadequacy are enemies that we need to subdue rather than a friend to live with. In some cases these enemies of inadequacy are feelings that can prepare us for great accomplishments.
The Apostle Paul had great feelings of inadequacy when he began to preach the gospel. God allowed Paul to feel inadequate for a reason. No one is adequate without God’s help to preach God’s message of salvation. In spite of his great learning and varied gifts, he acknowledged that he was not sufficient in himself to minister for the Lord. By taking this attitude, which he truly felt, he was able to step out and preach beyond his own personal limits. He was able to tap into the supernatural power that God offered.
Consider what God accomplished through Paul when Paul allowed God to have all that he was. Paul spread the gospel throughout the Roman world. His letters, preserved for us in the New Testament, continue to impact lives for Jesus Christ today. We never know what God can do with us until we allow Him to have all that we are.
Many times we let opportunities pass by because we so easily surrender to our inadequacies. We use our limitations as an excuse for not taking on difficult assignments when faced with God’s call to serve. Our excuses are unacceptable because the Holy Spirit will empower us for any task the Lord assigns us.
Unless we claim God’s supernatural power, we run the risk of multiplied failures. We miss out on the joy, peace, and contentment derived from stepping out in faith to answer the call of our Lord that we thought was “impossible.” In addition, our hesitation may deprive other people of the benefits of our service.
Perhaps you feel you do not have a lot to offer, but remember if you are a child of God, He has equipped you with all that you need to serve Him. Never underestimate the impact of one person who has learned how to depend on the adequacy of Almighty God.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in I John 3:23.
This is His commandment that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
PRAYER:
Help me to live beyond my inadequacies by turning my weaknesses over to You. Use me to fulfill Your direction for my life as I endeavor to accomplish great things for You
INADEQUACY
DEFINITION:
Below par; wanting; deficient; lacking.
SCRIPTURE:
For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? II Corinthians 2:15-16.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Most of us assume that having feelings of inadequacy are enemies that we need to subdue rather than a friend to live with. In some cases these enemies of inadequacy are feelings that can prepare us for great accomplishments.
The Apostle Paul had great feelings of inadequacy when he began to preach the gospel. God allowed Paul to feel inadequate for a reason. No one is adequate without God’s help to preach God’s message of salvation. In spite of his great learning and varied gifts, he acknowledged that he was not sufficient in himself to minister for the Lord. By taking this attitude, which he truly felt, he was able to step out and preach beyond his own personal limits. He was able to tap into the supernatural power that God offered.
Consider what God accomplished through Paul when Paul allowed God to have all that he was. Paul spread the gospel throughout the Roman world. His letters, preserved for us in the New Testament, continue to impact lives for Jesus Christ today. We never know what God can do with us until we allow Him to have all that we are.
Many times we let opportunities pass by because we so easily surrender to our inadequacies. We use our limitations as an excuse for not taking on difficult assignments when faced with God’s call to serve. Our excuses are unacceptable because the Holy Spirit will empower us for any task the Lord assigns us.
Unless we claim God’s supernatural power, we run the risk of multiplied failures. We miss out on the joy, peace, and contentment derived from stepping out in faith to answer the call of our Lord that we thought was “impossible.” In addition, our hesitation may deprive other people of the benefits of our service.
Perhaps you feel you do not have a lot to offer, but remember if you are a child of God, He has equipped you with all that you need to serve Him. Never underestimate the impact of one person who has learned how to depend on the adequacy of Almighty God.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in I John 3:23.
This is His commandment that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
PRAYER:
Help me to live beyond my inadequacies by turning my weaknesses over to You. Use me to fulfill Your direction for my life as I endeavor to accomplish great things for You
Sin: December 11, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 11, 2013.
SIN
DEFINITION:
Transgression; wickedness; impurity; iniquity; falling short of God’s perfect standard.
SCRIPTURE:
Your Word have I treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You. Psalm 119:11.
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
You do not hear as many sermons in churches today about sin and hell. Some ministers feel that they do not want to make their congregation uncomfortable. This is a good example as to what is wrong with our world today. I heard several people talking on the television several weeks ago about not being honest in their dealings. This is sin according to God’s Word. They discussed the question that if what they were talking about was sin could they get away with it?
If you planted several apple seeds in your front yard, what would grow? Your answer would be, apples, of course. It would be foolish to plant apple seeds but then expect to reap a crop of oranges, wouldn’t it?
Now let me ask you another similar question. If you planted seeds of sin in your life what would grow? Sadly, the result is just as logical as the consequences of sowing apple seeds.
For some it is very obvious when we talk about planting fruit but so elusive when we talk about sin in our lives. It is true that many people who freely engage in wrong activities are shocked and dismayed to discover the disastrous results that follow.
This type of person is surprised because they never think that the activities they are involved in as planting seeds of sin. They see themselves as simply having fun or having a good time and being part of the crowd. This is a trademark maneuver of Satan. He is the master of deception. With temptation Satan always offers us one thing but delivers something very different. The good time you think you are involved in turns sour very quickly. In most cases people find themselves feeling miserable the next day. Satan cannot offer one lasting joy, only lies and destruction.
We cannot sow disobedience to God and expect to reap His blessing on our life. Take a moment now and ask yourself what you are planting in your life --- seeds of flesh or seeds of the Spirit. Read Galatians 5: 19-25 and you will clearly see the difference. There is absolutely no comparison between the two options you have. The answer we asked above can be answered --- You cannot get away with sin. You will reap what you sow.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in I John 3:23.
This is His commandment that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
PRAYER:
Help my family to understand that doing wrong is sin. Give us standards that honor the commandments that You have given us in Your word. May we make it clear to those we live with and associate with that as believers we do not surrender to the desires of the sinful nature because we live by the Spirit.
SIN
DEFINITION:
Transgression; wickedness; impurity; iniquity; falling short of God’s perfect standard.
SCRIPTURE:
Your Word have I treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You. Psalm 119:11.
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
You do not hear as many sermons in churches today about sin and hell. Some ministers feel that they do not want to make their congregation uncomfortable. This is a good example as to what is wrong with our world today. I heard several people talking on the television several weeks ago about not being honest in their dealings. This is sin according to God’s Word. They discussed the question that if what they were talking about was sin could they get away with it?
If you planted several apple seeds in your front yard, what would grow? Your answer would be, apples, of course. It would be foolish to plant apple seeds but then expect to reap a crop of oranges, wouldn’t it?
Now let me ask you another similar question. If you planted seeds of sin in your life what would grow? Sadly, the result is just as logical as the consequences of sowing apple seeds.
For some it is very obvious when we talk about planting fruit but so elusive when we talk about sin in our lives. It is true that many people who freely engage in wrong activities are shocked and dismayed to discover the disastrous results that follow.
This type of person is surprised because they never think that the activities they are involved in as planting seeds of sin. They see themselves as simply having fun or having a good time and being part of the crowd. This is a trademark maneuver of Satan. He is the master of deception. With temptation Satan always offers us one thing but delivers something very different. The good time you think you are involved in turns sour very quickly. In most cases people find themselves feeling miserable the next day. Satan cannot offer one lasting joy, only lies and destruction.
We cannot sow disobedience to God and expect to reap His blessing on our life. Take a moment now and ask yourself what you are planting in your life --- seeds of flesh or seeds of the Spirit. Read Galatians 5: 19-25 and you will clearly see the difference. There is absolutely no comparison between the two options you have. The answer we asked above can be answered --- You cannot get away with sin. You will reap what you sow.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in I John 3:23.
This is His commandment that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
PRAYER:
Help my family to understand that doing wrong is sin. Give us standards that honor the commandments that You have given us in Your word. May we make it clear to those we live with and associate with that as believers we do not surrender to the desires of the sinful nature because we live by the Spirit.
Anxiety: December 10, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY DECEMBER 10, 2013
ANXIETY
DEFINITION:
Concern; fear; worry; mental distress or uneasiness because of fear of danger or misfortune.
SCRIPTURE:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6.
KNOWLEEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Many people today fight anxiety in their daily living. People worry about many things, relationships with other people, project deadlines, family issues, job security, finances, health to name a few and the list goes on and on. It is unlikely that anyone doesn’t have some anxiety in their life today. There are just so many pressures to deal with in this world.
I (Ken) despite no real reason constantly fight anxiety. Therefore, I understand somewhat how people struggle with this issue. So the question for today is, “How is one to handle anxiety in their life?”
We want to take you to the life of Gideon in the Old Testament. Gideon was a man who experienced great anxiety. Gideon lived at the time when Israel was invaded and oppressed by the Midianites. They destroyed their crops, their sheep and their cattle. The Midianites had made it almost impossible for the Israelites to grow and gather and prepare food. The difficulty of providing for his family caused great distress and anxiety for Gideon and for all Israel.
Gideon had to thresh grain in a wine press to keep it hidden from his enemies, the Midianites. Gideon truly believed God had abandoned Israel and he felt helpless because he believed his family was one of the weakest and he considered himself one of the least of men. Imagine how it must have surprised Gideon when an angel of God appeared and announced that God called on Gideon to lead the fight against the Midianites. Imagine the stress and anxiety he faced because he truly believed he was one of the weakest of all the Israelite men and inadequate for such an impossible task.
Gideon had a lengthy discussion with the Angel of the Lord, the scriptures say, about why God had abandoned them and allowed them to fall into the hands of the Midianites. Gideon also spent time talking to God trying to resolve his doubts. Gideon questioned how he could be adequate to do what God asked him to do. God’s answer was simply, “I will be with you.” Through prayer, Gideon communicated with God. He received answers to all of his questions and God gave him complete instructions on how to defeat the Midianites.
Gideon obeyed and answered God’s call. He gathered his men together only to have God send most of them home before the battle. This turn of events really stressed Gideon but he proceeded as God commanded. Israel was victorious because it was the Lord that won the battle. In the process of this battle Gideon learned just how powerful and personal his God was. (Judges 6-7)
Gideon discovered that knowing God intimately is one of the keys in dealing with worry and anxiety. By studying this account of Gideon you will soon realize that those that handle anxiety both inward and outwardly know the Lord in a personal way. When you walk with the Lord, as Gideon learned to do, you will calmly proceed through every issue in life while others around you drown in stress.
How do we handle stress and anxiety in our lives? We read the Word, pray and trust God. Trusting in God is a way of life rather than a method. That way of life is centered in Jesus and the spending of time learning to know Him in His fullness.
We all need to learn that man’s method for handling anxiety serve only to distract or numb us from stress. God’s way is to reveal who He is through the teaching of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In the process we replace our fretfulness with His peace. It is time for you to sit down and become intimate with God.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in I John 3:23.
This is His commandment that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
PRAYER:
Thank You Lord, for Your promise to be with us just as You promised Gideon. It is my prayer today that you will work in my heart to trust more and worry less about the anxieties that I face in life. Help me to develop a new conversation with You so that I give all my stress, worry and anxiety to You.
ANXIETY
DEFINITION:
Concern; fear; worry; mental distress or uneasiness because of fear of danger or misfortune.
SCRIPTURE:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6.
KNOWLEEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Many people today fight anxiety in their daily living. People worry about many things, relationships with other people, project deadlines, family issues, job security, finances, health to name a few and the list goes on and on. It is unlikely that anyone doesn’t have some anxiety in their life today. There are just so many pressures to deal with in this world.
I (Ken) despite no real reason constantly fight anxiety. Therefore, I understand somewhat how people struggle with this issue. So the question for today is, “How is one to handle anxiety in their life?”
We want to take you to the life of Gideon in the Old Testament. Gideon was a man who experienced great anxiety. Gideon lived at the time when Israel was invaded and oppressed by the Midianites. They destroyed their crops, their sheep and their cattle. The Midianites had made it almost impossible for the Israelites to grow and gather and prepare food. The difficulty of providing for his family caused great distress and anxiety for Gideon and for all Israel.
Gideon had to thresh grain in a wine press to keep it hidden from his enemies, the Midianites. Gideon truly believed God had abandoned Israel and he felt helpless because he believed his family was one of the weakest and he considered himself one of the least of men. Imagine how it must have surprised Gideon when an angel of God appeared and announced that God called on Gideon to lead the fight against the Midianites. Imagine the stress and anxiety he faced because he truly believed he was one of the weakest of all the Israelite men and inadequate for such an impossible task.
Gideon had a lengthy discussion with the Angel of the Lord, the scriptures say, about why God had abandoned them and allowed them to fall into the hands of the Midianites. Gideon also spent time talking to God trying to resolve his doubts. Gideon questioned how he could be adequate to do what God asked him to do. God’s answer was simply, “I will be with you.” Through prayer, Gideon communicated with God. He received answers to all of his questions and God gave him complete instructions on how to defeat the Midianites.
Gideon obeyed and answered God’s call. He gathered his men together only to have God send most of them home before the battle. This turn of events really stressed Gideon but he proceeded as God commanded. Israel was victorious because it was the Lord that won the battle. In the process of this battle Gideon learned just how powerful and personal his God was. (Judges 6-7)
Gideon discovered that knowing God intimately is one of the keys in dealing with worry and anxiety. By studying this account of Gideon you will soon realize that those that handle anxiety both inward and outwardly know the Lord in a personal way. When you walk with the Lord, as Gideon learned to do, you will calmly proceed through every issue in life while others around you drown in stress.
How do we handle stress and anxiety in our lives? We read the Word, pray and trust God. Trusting in God is a way of life rather than a method. That way of life is centered in Jesus and the spending of time learning to know Him in His fullness.
We all need to learn that man’s method for handling anxiety serve only to distract or numb us from stress. God’s way is to reveal who He is through the teaching of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In the process we replace our fretfulness with His peace. It is time for you to sit down and become intimate with God.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in I John 3:23.
This is His commandment that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
PRAYER:
Thank You Lord, for Your promise to be with us just as You promised Gideon. It is my prayer today that you will work in my heart to trust more and worry less about the anxieties that I face in life. Help me to develop a new conversation with You so that I give all my stress, worry and anxiety to You.
Repentance: December 9 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY DECEMBER 9, 2013
REPENTANCE
DEFINITION:
Be contrite; be penitent; to experience sorrow for and seek to change wrong behavior.
SCRIPTURE:
Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, we have Abraham for our father, for I say to you from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. Luke 3:8.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Repentance means to change one’s mind and start moving the other way. In today’s society just as in years past people will admit they have sinned and say they have remorse but are not willing to change their behavior. Repentance is not merely regretting or being remorseful for one’s sin but it necessitates a complete turning away from sin and turning to God.
One of the greatest preachers of repentance in the Bible was John the Baptist. In message after message he called those that were listening to him to perform a complete “about face.”
John insisted that it was not sufficient to exhibit only superficial contrition. Genuine repentance means to “bear fruits in keeping with repentance,” Luke 3:8 above. Repentance must be followed by action to be real. When his listeners asked what he meant by that, they were told to share their food and clothing, to be fair in their business practices, and to be content with their wages. In other words, they were to change their ways and leave their old practices of sinful behavior behind.
But repentance includes something else according to the Word of God. There must be a willingness to make restitution to anyone that was wronged. An illustration is found in Luke 19 when Zaccheus, the tax collector, received Jesus and repented by saying to Jesus, “If I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.”
If you have ever watched soldiers do their drills on a parade field, you will have noticed that when the leader calls out,” to the rear, March” in unison they all reverse their direction and march the other way. This is what repentance means for those who desire to be saved. God is saying, “To the rear, March,” and one needs to reverse directions to follow Jesus. This is the result of real repentance.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in I John 3:23.
This is His commandment that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
PRAYER:
Help us, as a family, to understand what repentance means. Help us to turn away from our sinful ways and live our lives in a way that others may see Your love in us and see their need to repent of their sins and be saved.
REPENTANCE
DEFINITION:
Be contrite; be penitent; to experience sorrow for and seek to change wrong behavior.
SCRIPTURE:
Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, we have Abraham for our father, for I say to you from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. Luke 3:8.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Repentance means to change one’s mind and start moving the other way. In today’s society just as in years past people will admit they have sinned and say they have remorse but are not willing to change their behavior. Repentance is not merely regretting or being remorseful for one’s sin but it necessitates a complete turning away from sin and turning to God.
One of the greatest preachers of repentance in the Bible was John the Baptist. In message after message he called those that were listening to him to perform a complete “about face.”
John insisted that it was not sufficient to exhibit only superficial contrition. Genuine repentance means to “bear fruits in keeping with repentance,” Luke 3:8 above. Repentance must be followed by action to be real. When his listeners asked what he meant by that, they were told to share their food and clothing, to be fair in their business practices, and to be content with their wages. In other words, they were to change their ways and leave their old practices of sinful behavior behind.
But repentance includes something else according to the Word of God. There must be a willingness to make restitution to anyone that was wronged. An illustration is found in Luke 19 when Zaccheus, the tax collector, received Jesus and repented by saying to Jesus, “If I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.”
If you have ever watched soldiers do their drills on a parade field, you will have noticed that when the leader calls out,” to the rear, March” in unison they all reverse their direction and march the other way. This is what repentance means for those who desire to be saved. God is saying, “To the rear, March,” and one needs to reverse directions to follow Jesus. This is the result of real repentance.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in I John 3:23.
This is His commandment that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
PRAYER:
Help us, as a family, to understand what repentance means. Help us to turn away from our sinful ways and live our lives in a way that others may see Your love in us and see their need to repent of their sins and be saved.
December 8, 2013
Gems of Encouragement: December 7, 2013
GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SATURDAY DECEMBER 7, 2013
PROVERB:
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3.
PROMISE:
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16.
PRAISE:
Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love to me. Psalm 66:20
PROVERB:
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3.
PROMISE:
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16.
PRAISE:
Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love to me. Psalm 66:20
Favor: December 6, 2013
TODAY”S WORD FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 6, 2013
FAVOR
DEFINITION:
To regard with approval; Goodwill; esteem; backing; kindness.
SCRIPTURE:
But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Genesis 6:8
And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. Luke 2:52.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Once we have accepted Jesus as our Savior we have favor with God. We ask you the question, does it matter then how we act to keep that favor? The Bible responds with an emphatic YES and gives us numerous examples of godly lives to comsider. Today we want to look at four of those godly people from the scriptures.
In the verse we have put above we read about Noah having favor with God. Noah was not perfect but he pleased God because he loved God and was obedient to God. The scripture tells us that Noah responded to God by walking with Him daily. God responds positively to us when we walk closely with Him, live by His Word, and listen carefully to His Holy Spirit. This means that we as believers need to make the scripture a major part of our life but also learn who God is and what He is like.
Moses, despite initial protests, chose to obey the divine call from God and live life God’s way. The Lord favors followers who choose His preferences over their own. God expects us to think about our lives in terms of pleasing Him. This requires being able to submit our will to His perfect will for life, as Moses did.
The apostle Paul, after his conversion, lived with the single-minded focus of serving Jesus. He sought to do his best by means of inward and outward obedience. We learn from Paul that the Lord favors those whose hearts are bent toward Him and willing to serve Him no matter what the cost. Paul willingly gave up all he had to serve the Lord and preach the gospel.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, responded with trust and did not doubt when the angels announced that she would give birth to the Messiah. God blesses those who choose to believe even when the circumstances make it difficult to believe. God looks with favor on those who look to Him in unwavering faith.
We find favor with our heavenly Father through believing minds, responsive hearts, and obedient spirits.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in II Corinthians 9:8.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything; you may have abundance for every good deed.
PRAYER:
Help us to serve You in faith so that we may receive Your favor in all that we do. We ask that Your Holy Spirit may guide us daily to do what is Your will for us and not our own. Thank You that by faith in You we are saved and not by our own works. Thank You for Your many blessings that you favor us with each and every day.
FAVOR
DEFINITION:
To regard with approval; Goodwill; esteem; backing; kindness.
SCRIPTURE:
But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Genesis 6:8
And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. Luke 2:52.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Once we have accepted Jesus as our Savior we have favor with God. We ask you the question, does it matter then how we act to keep that favor? The Bible responds with an emphatic YES and gives us numerous examples of godly lives to comsider. Today we want to look at four of those godly people from the scriptures.
In the verse we have put above we read about Noah having favor with God. Noah was not perfect but he pleased God because he loved God and was obedient to God. The scripture tells us that Noah responded to God by walking with Him daily. God responds positively to us when we walk closely with Him, live by His Word, and listen carefully to His Holy Spirit. This means that we as believers need to make the scripture a major part of our life but also learn who God is and what He is like.
Moses, despite initial protests, chose to obey the divine call from God and live life God’s way. The Lord favors followers who choose His preferences over their own. God expects us to think about our lives in terms of pleasing Him. This requires being able to submit our will to His perfect will for life, as Moses did.
The apostle Paul, after his conversion, lived with the single-minded focus of serving Jesus. He sought to do his best by means of inward and outward obedience. We learn from Paul that the Lord favors those whose hearts are bent toward Him and willing to serve Him no matter what the cost. Paul willingly gave up all he had to serve the Lord and preach the gospel.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, responded with trust and did not doubt when the angels announced that she would give birth to the Messiah. God blesses those who choose to believe even when the circumstances make it difficult to believe. God looks with favor on those who look to Him in unwavering faith.
We find favor with our heavenly Father through believing minds, responsive hearts, and obedient spirits.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in II Corinthians 9:8.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything; you may have abundance for every good deed.
PRAYER:
Help us to serve You in faith so that we may receive Your favor in all that we do. We ask that Your Holy Spirit may guide us daily to do what is Your will for us and not our own. Thank You that by faith in You we are saved and not by our own works. Thank You for Your many blessings that you favor us with each and every day.
Bitterness: December 5, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 5, 2013.
BITTERNESS
DEFINITION:
Resentment; hatred; anger; vengefulness; vindictiveness; jealousy.
SCRIPTURE:
Then Saul became very angry (and bitter), for this saying: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” Saul was displeased and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands and to me they have ascribed thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom.” I Samuel 18:8-9.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
King Saul had it all: God’s anointing on him as ruler; the prophet Samuel to guide him; the power and wealth of the kingdom of Israel; and the applause of the people. Yet he died a bitter man. There are several issues that led to his downfall that we as believers need to watch out for in our lives.
There was anger. When Goliath was defeated, the crowds praised Saul as a killer of thousands but David as a slayer of tens of thousands. Instead of rejoicing that God had raised up someone to slay the giant, Saul grew angry with David for receiving more praise than he did.
Saul also had wrong thinking about events around him. Saul’s flaring temper affected his mind and he became suspicious of David’s every move. He started thinking that since the Lord was with David and blessing him that the young man would want to take over the kingdom right away.
Saul became fearful and it led to plotting against David attempting to kill him by throwing spears at him. Saul sent David away from his presence. This showed his rejection of David.
Saul’s fear grew stronger with David’s military success and the people’s growing love for the younger man. Twice Saul used deceitful plots trying to manipulate David by offering one of his daughters to him for marriage in an attempt to get David killed by the Philistines. Each attempt failed. Saul responded to these failures by making David his enemy for the rest of his days. From this point on bitterness ruled Saul and reigned in his heart and destroyed his peace of mind.
Our lives are different then Saul’s but the steps to bitterness are the same. When we face unresolved anger in our lives and we allow it to fester, bitterness sets in. Do you avoid people, friends and family, because of ill will? Bitterness is never a proper response for a child of God. Bitterness poisons the mind, emotions and peace of mind.
Be sure you react differently than Saul did. Take your disappointments and anger immediately to the Lord. Do not wait and procrastinate. Ask the Lord to help you get through them and to help you let go. Your spiritual health depends on this.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in II Corinthians 9:8.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything; you may have abundance for every good deed.
PRAYER:
Help my family to be willing to forgive so that we can avoid the pain and danger of bitterness in our lives. Help us never to be satisfied for less than Your best for our lives. Help us to be willing to put our lives in Your hands knowing You will lead us in the right path and keep us from sinning.
BITTERNESS
DEFINITION:
Resentment; hatred; anger; vengefulness; vindictiveness; jealousy.
SCRIPTURE:
Then Saul became very angry (and bitter), for this saying: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” Saul was displeased and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands and to me they have ascribed thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom.” I Samuel 18:8-9.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
King Saul had it all: God’s anointing on him as ruler; the prophet Samuel to guide him; the power and wealth of the kingdom of Israel; and the applause of the people. Yet he died a bitter man. There are several issues that led to his downfall that we as believers need to watch out for in our lives.
There was anger. When Goliath was defeated, the crowds praised Saul as a killer of thousands but David as a slayer of tens of thousands. Instead of rejoicing that God had raised up someone to slay the giant, Saul grew angry with David for receiving more praise than he did.
Saul also had wrong thinking about events around him. Saul’s flaring temper affected his mind and he became suspicious of David’s every move. He started thinking that since the Lord was with David and blessing him that the young man would want to take over the kingdom right away.
Saul became fearful and it led to plotting against David attempting to kill him by throwing spears at him. Saul sent David away from his presence. This showed his rejection of David.
Saul’s fear grew stronger with David’s military success and the people’s growing love for the younger man. Twice Saul used deceitful plots trying to manipulate David by offering one of his daughters to him for marriage in an attempt to get David killed by the Philistines. Each attempt failed. Saul responded to these failures by making David his enemy for the rest of his days. From this point on bitterness ruled Saul and reigned in his heart and destroyed his peace of mind.
Our lives are different then Saul’s but the steps to bitterness are the same. When we face unresolved anger in our lives and we allow it to fester, bitterness sets in. Do you avoid people, friends and family, because of ill will? Bitterness is never a proper response for a child of God. Bitterness poisons the mind, emotions and peace of mind.
Be sure you react differently than Saul did. Take your disappointments and anger immediately to the Lord. Do not wait and procrastinate. Ask the Lord to help you get through them and to help you let go. Your spiritual health depends on this.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in II Corinthians 9:8.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything; you may have abundance for every good deed.
PRAYER:
Help my family to be willing to forgive so that we can avoid the pain and danger of bitterness in our lives. Help us never to be satisfied for less than Your best for our lives. Help us to be willing to put our lives in Your hands knowing You will lead us in the right path and keep us from sinning.
Compromise: December 4, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 4, 2013
COMPROMISE
DEFINITION:
Mediate; arbitrate; reconcile; give-and-take; accommodation; a settlement of differences by mutual adjustment or modification of opposing principles.
SCRIPTURE:
For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. I Kings 11:4.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We are living today in a society that believes that compromise and tolerance are the only reasonable world view to have. This is a popular misconception and ultimately will lead one to destruction.
Compromise means giving up something in order to obtain an objective. Compromise can be beneficial in some instances. In personal relationships there is a needed element of give and take. One person cannot have it his or her way all the time. However, compromise that leads to sacrificing one’s moral values and Godly standards of righteousness will have disastrous results. Sadly, this is what we learn from the life of Solomon. Solomon’s life shows that compromise was a destructive choice in his life.
In the early years of Solomon’s reign as King, he was committed to doing right. But later in life when he saw the opportunity to promote himself politically, he ignored the command in scripture forbidding marriage to pagans. You can read about this in the Old Testament books: Deuteronomy 7:1-3 and I Kings 3:1. Though Solomon viewed this union as an insignificant deviation, Satan used it in his strategy to convince him to compromise small portions of God’s Word at a time. And this was the beginning of that compromise for Solomon.
Stepping away from the truth of God’s Word and breaking His commandments always begins with what seems to be of no great significance.
Solomon admired women of other nationalities, but instead of marrying just one and finding ways to avoid the temptation of other women, he married many, became involved in their religions and soon was trapped in sin and his heart turned from God.
Solomon’s temptations may be different than what we face daily but accepting compromise in our lives can trap us as well. Unchecked admiration for something or someone beyond God’s will for our life can convince us to pursue it. Even though we know intellectually and spiritually our choice is wrong it is very easy to be trapped by Satan and to harden our heart against God even with the warnings we may get from the Holy Spirit.
As believers in Jesus we must guard against a preoccupation of a person, object, or activity that holds a place in our life with a greater priority than our Lord’s. If we allow this to happen we lose our freedom in Jesus and become caught in a prison of sin. The cost of compromise is the corruption of our soul.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in II Corinthians 9:8.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything; you may have abundance for every good deed.
PRAYER:
Help our family, dear Lord, not to compromise on what we believe. May our faith in You be strong in every situation we face in life. May others see in us a consistency that honors Your name.
COMPROMISE
DEFINITION:
Mediate; arbitrate; reconcile; give-and-take; accommodation; a settlement of differences by mutual adjustment or modification of opposing principles.
SCRIPTURE:
For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. I Kings 11:4.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We are living today in a society that believes that compromise and tolerance are the only reasonable world view to have. This is a popular misconception and ultimately will lead one to destruction.
Compromise means giving up something in order to obtain an objective. Compromise can be beneficial in some instances. In personal relationships there is a needed element of give and take. One person cannot have it his or her way all the time. However, compromise that leads to sacrificing one’s moral values and Godly standards of righteousness will have disastrous results. Sadly, this is what we learn from the life of Solomon. Solomon’s life shows that compromise was a destructive choice in his life.
In the early years of Solomon’s reign as King, he was committed to doing right. But later in life when he saw the opportunity to promote himself politically, he ignored the command in scripture forbidding marriage to pagans. You can read about this in the Old Testament books: Deuteronomy 7:1-3 and I Kings 3:1. Though Solomon viewed this union as an insignificant deviation, Satan used it in his strategy to convince him to compromise small portions of God’s Word at a time. And this was the beginning of that compromise for Solomon.
Stepping away from the truth of God’s Word and breaking His commandments always begins with what seems to be of no great significance.
Solomon admired women of other nationalities, but instead of marrying just one and finding ways to avoid the temptation of other women, he married many, became involved in their religions and soon was trapped in sin and his heart turned from God.
Solomon’s temptations may be different than what we face daily but accepting compromise in our lives can trap us as well. Unchecked admiration for something or someone beyond God’s will for our life can convince us to pursue it. Even though we know intellectually and spiritually our choice is wrong it is very easy to be trapped by Satan and to harden our heart against God even with the warnings we may get from the Holy Spirit.
As believers in Jesus we must guard against a preoccupation of a person, object, or activity that holds a place in our life with a greater priority than our Lord’s. If we allow this to happen we lose our freedom in Jesus and become caught in a prison of sin. The cost of compromise is the corruption of our soul.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in II Corinthians 9:8.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything; you may have abundance for every good deed.
PRAYER:
Help our family, dear Lord, not to compromise on what we believe. May our faith in You be strong in every situation we face in life. May others see in us a consistency that honors Your name.
Worthless: December 3, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY DECEMBER 3, 2013.
WORTHLESS
DEFINITION:
No good; valueless; of no use; of no purpose.
SCRIPTURE:
A worthless man digs up evil, while his words are like scorching fire. Proverbs 16:27
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. I Corinthians 15:17.
KNOWLEDGE:
It seems that when things begin to go wrong in life, people begin to feel worthless and to think negatively. Feeling worthless drives a person to accomplish nothing. There is a lack of drive to accomplish even the smallest of tasks. There is no desire to go places, see people, or to do things.
In the verse we have written above from Proverbs it reads that a worthless man digs up trouble. He goes on to say that a worthless man’s words are like a scorching fire.
There are scriptures that remind us that worthless people have trouble with their tongue. Their words are abusive and unkind. In Proverbs 6:12 we read that a worthless person is a wicked person who walks around with a perverse mouth. In James 1:26 we are told that if anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless. May we remind you that purity of heart is often revealed by a controlled tongue with proper speech.
Those who feel worthless feel useless and become easy prey for Satan’s temptations to do evil. Without a purpose in life they have nothing to live for and they become reckless and do not care what happens to themselves or what others think. Under Satan’s control they will say and do all kinds of evil things.
In God’s sight no one is worthless. Genesis 1:27 reads, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” God certainly wouldn’t create something worthless in His likeness. God created man from a worthless bit of clay. Knowing that we are made in God’s image we can be assured we have worth in His sight. When God finished His creation He looked at it and said it was good. How can anyone dare to say what God has created is worthless?
We further know God considers us to have worth because He loves us and loves us so much that He gave His only Son to die a cruel death to pay the penalty for all our sins. Jesus died but He was raised from the dead conquering death so we could have eternal life.
And in the verse above from I Corinthians, Paul warns the people in the church of Corinth and all who question the resurrection of Christ that if Christ had not risen from the dead that their faith is worthless and they are still living in sin.
Those of us that believe in Jesus as our Savior should never have a reason to feel worthless. Knowing that God created us in His image and feels we are worth dying for should bring us to our knees in humble gratitude and filled with a desire to love Him and live for Him.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in II Corinthians 9:8.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything; you may have abundance for every good deed.
PRAYER:
Thank You, dear Lord that You loved us so much that You were willing to die for us. Thank You that because You love us we should not ever feel worthless. Give us a victorious attitude in all that we do knowing you created us and are with us guiding us over every mountain and through every valley.
WORTHLESS
DEFINITION:
No good; valueless; of no use; of no purpose.
SCRIPTURE:
A worthless man digs up evil, while his words are like scorching fire. Proverbs 16:27
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. I Corinthians 15:17.
KNOWLEDGE:
It seems that when things begin to go wrong in life, people begin to feel worthless and to think negatively. Feeling worthless drives a person to accomplish nothing. There is a lack of drive to accomplish even the smallest of tasks. There is no desire to go places, see people, or to do things.
In the verse we have written above from Proverbs it reads that a worthless man digs up trouble. He goes on to say that a worthless man’s words are like a scorching fire.
There are scriptures that remind us that worthless people have trouble with their tongue. Their words are abusive and unkind. In Proverbs 6:12 we read that a worthless person is a wicked person who walks around with a perverse mouth. In James 1:26 we are told that if anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless. May we remind you that purity of heart is often revealed by a controlled tongue with proper speech.
Those who feel worthless feel useless and become easy prey for Satan’s temptations to do evil. Without a purpose in life they have nothing to live for and they become reckless and do not care what happens to themselves or what others think. Under Satan’s control they will say and do all kinds of evil things.
In God’s sight no one is worthless. Genesis 1:27 reads, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” God certainly wouldn’t create something worthless in His likeness. God created man from a worthless bit of clay. Knowing that we are made in God’s image we can be assured we have worth in His sight. When God finished His creation He looked at it and said it was good. How can anyone dare to say what God has created is worthless?
We further know God considers us to have worth because He loves us and loves us so much that He gave His only Son to die a cruel death to pay the penalty for all our sins. Jesus died but He was raised from the dead conquering death so we could have eternal life.
And in the verse above from I Corinthians, Paul warns the people in the church of Corinth and all who question the resurrection of Christ that if Christ had not risen from the dead that their faith is worthless and they are still living in sin.
Those of us that believe in Jesus as our Savior should never have a reason to feel worthless. Knowing that God created us in His image and feels we are worth dying for should bring us to our knees in humble gratitude and filled with a desire to love Him and live for Him.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in II Corinthians 9:8.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything; you may have abundance for every good deed.
PRAYER:
Thank You, dear Lord that You loved us so much that You were willing to die for us. Thank You that because You love us we should not ever feel worthless. Give us a victorious attitude in all that we do knowing you created us and are with us guiding us over every mountain and through every valley.
Warfare: December 2, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY DECEMBER 2, 2013.
WARFARE
DEFINITION:
State of war; fighting; combat; battlefield; armed conflict between two factions.
SCRIPTURE:
Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:11
Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, which is the devil. Hebrews 2:14.
KNOWLEDGE:
To say and believe that there is no spiritual warfare in life today is to believe the lie that Satan and evil do not exist. The truth is that we were born into an ongoing war that is already won. It is a war between God and Satan. Jesus has defeated Satan and sin and death forevermore, as we read in Hebrews 2:14 above, and in so many books of both the Old testament and the New Testament including Ezekiel, Daniel, Isaiah, John and Revelation.
However, Satan has not surrendered and it is important to note that battles of temptation continue to happen every moment of everyday because of the power of sin and the enticing activities of Satan. That is why Paul says in the verse we have put above that we as believers need to put on the armor he has outlined in Ephesians 6 as permanent life-long attire. These battles will continue to persist until Jesus returns and the last battle against Satan is fought and won.
Many people today seem to believe that spiritual warfare only affects some people. But the Apostle Paul, talking to the people at the church of Ephesus, as recorded in Ephesians 6:13 said, “so that when the day of evil comes.” Paul never said to some but declared the day of evil will come to everyone and spiritual warfare will be faced by all believers.
Satan is constantly at war with all who are following Jesus. Satan’s goal is to defeat Christ’s Church. Satan and his army of demons will use every conceivable device and scheme to turn us away from following the Lord and lead us back into a life of sin and destruction. Satan is the great deceiver. His methods of deception encompass every sin, immoral practice, false theology, false religion, and worldly enticement that is known.
Paul, in Ephesians 6, wants us to understand that spiritual warfare is real and no one is exempt from its effects. Since this is so what are we to do about fighting it? God provides us some answers for this question through Paul in five verses from Ephesians (6:14-18).
Paul says we must be prepared and we are to put on the whole armor of God. We are to stand firm girding our loins with truth and with His righteousness. When Paul referred to girding it was an illustration taken from the way soldiers prepared for battle by tightening their robes with a belt so their robe would not get in the way. The belt is the truth of the gospel that we need to tighten for battle against Satan’s untruth.
Paul uses the example of a soldier who shods his feet --- wears boots with nails in them to grip the ground in combat. We need to be grounded in the Word so that we are prepared to share the good news of the gospel.
We are to take up a shield of faith to protect us from the flaming arrows of Satan just as the shield protected the soldiers in Paul’s day. Satan’s flaming arrows are the temptations he attacks us with.
Paul closes out these verses by reminding us with illustrations from the armor of his day to wear the helmet of Salvation. This was a protection for the head. Satan will do all he can to destroy what is in the mind, head, of a believer. The head is the major target in battle. Satan tries to destroy the believer’s assurance of Salvation by attacking our minds with doubt.
We are to carry the sword of the Spirit and then pray at all times, in the Spirit, for leadership and help as we face each battle in life. The sword of the Spirit is God’s Word. It is more powerful than any of Satan’s weapons.
All the resources that we need to fight our battles, and to be able to stand firm in warfare, flow out of our relationship with Jesus.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in II Corinthians 9:8.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything; you may have abundance for every good deed.
PRAYER:
Prepare our hearts today for the battles we will need to face against evil and Satan. Equip us with the armor needed to fight so that we know that you are with us and protecting us.
WARFARE
DEFINITION:
State of war; fighting; combat; battlefield; armed conflict between two factions.
SCRIPTURE:
Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:11
Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, which is the devil. Hebrews 2:14.
KNOWLEDGE:
To say and believe that there is no spiritual warfare in life today is to believe the lie that Satan and evil do not exist. The truth is that we were born into an ongoing war that is already won. It is a war between God and Satan. Jesus has defeated Satan and sin and death forevermore, as we read in Hebrews 2:14 above, and in so many books of both the Old testament and the New Testament including Ezekiel, Daniel, Isaiah, John and Revelation.
However, Satan has not surrendered and it is important to note that battles of temptation continue to happen every moment of everyday because of the power of sin and the enticing activities of Satan. That is why Paul says in the verse we have put above that we as believers need to put on the armor he has outlined in Ephesians 6 as permanent life-long attire. These battles will continue to persist until Jesus returns and the last battle against Satan is fought and won.
Many people today seem to believe that spiritual warfare only affects some people. But the Apostle Paul, talking to the people at the church of Ephesus, as recorded in Ephesians 6:13 said, “so that when the day of evil comes.” Paul never said to some but declared the day of evil will come to everyone and spiritual warfare will be faced by all believers.
Satan is constantly at war with all who are following Jesus. Satan’s goal is to defeat Christ’s Church. Satan and his army of demons will use every conceivable device and scheme to turn us away from following the Lord and lead us back into a life of sin and destruction. Satan is the great deceiver. His methods of deception encompass every sin, immoral practice, false theology, false religion, and worldly enticement that is known.
Paul, in Ephesians 6, wants us to understand that spiritual warfare is real and no one is exempt from its effects. Since this is so what are we to do about fighting it? God provides us some answers for this question through Paul in five verses from Ephesians (6:14-18).
Paul says we must be prepared and we are to put on the whole armor of God. We are to stand firm girding our loins with truth and with His righteousness. When Paul referred to girding it was an illustration taken from the way soldiers prepared for battle by tightening their robes with a belt so their robe would not get in the way. The belt is the truth of the gospel that we need to tighten for battle against Satan’s untruth.
Paul uses the example of a soldier who shods his feet --- wears boots with nails in them to grip the ground in combat. We need to be grounded in the Word so that we are prepared to share the good news of the gospel.
We are to take up a shield of faith to protect us from the flaming arrows of Satan just as the shield protected the soldiers in Paul’s day. Satan’s flaming arrows are the temptations he attacks us with.
Paul closes out these verses by reminding us with illustrations from the armor of his day to wear the helmet of Salvation. This was a protection for the head. Satan will do all he can to destroy what is in the mind, head, of a believer. The head is the major target in battle. Satan tries to destroy the believer’s assurance of Salvation by attacking our minds with doubt.
We are to carry the sword of the Spirit and then pray at all times, in the Spirit, for leadership and help as we face each battle in life. The sword of the Spirit is God’s Word. It is more powerful than any of Satan’s weapons.
All the resources that we need to fight our battles, and to be able to stand firm in warfare, flow out of our relationship with Jesus.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in II Corinthians 9:8.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything; you may have abundance for every good deed.
PRAYER:
Prepare our hearts today for the battles we will need to face against evil and Satan. Equip us with the armor needed to fight so that we know that you are with us and protecting us.
December 1, 2013
Gems of Encouragement: November 30, 2013
GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SATURDAY NOVEMBER 30, 2013
PROVERB:
Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs. Proverbs 10:12
PROMISE:
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16.
PRAISE:
I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make Your faithfulness known through all generations. Psalm 89:1.
PROVERB:
Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs. Proverbs 10:12
PROMISE:
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16.
PRAISE:
I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make Your faithfulness known through all generations. Psalm 89:1.
Temptation: November 29, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2013.
TEMPTATION
DEFINITION:
An inducement; enticement to do something often regarded as unwise, wrong, or immoral.
SCRIPTURE:
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. I Corinthians 10:13.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Temptation is a lot like an unexpected storm that sweeps in and causes damage to those who are caught unaware. A believer in Jesus must be alert to seeing the approach of a temptation and be prepared to ride it out. None of us, as believers, will reach a spiritual level of maturity at which we will no longer battle sinful enticements. The closer we walk with the Lord the less enticing the sinful temptations and ways of the world will be to us.
Understanding our own weaknesses is an important part of being prepared for temptation. It is usually a multitude of little sins that land most people in trouble and we need to watch for them and know where we are most vulnerable.
God has given us His guidelines in His Word for living a godly life that is pleasing to Him. The Bible clearly defines what sin is. We do not have the right to draw the line between what is sin and what is not. That is God's right.
God has given us a line and as believers we must not go over that line. Take one step over the line and soon there is an inducement to take one more step and soon you find yourself totally estranged from the Lord and overwhelmed with guilt and shame.
To build a defense against temptation we must understand how it works. Every sin (temptation) originates as a thought. If you hold onto that thought it becomes a fantasy. Fantasies can become entangled with one's emotions and then it becomes a desire.
At that point one will need to make a choice. This process is quite dangerous because the progression from a thought to a choice can be almost instantaneous. Wise believers determine ahead of time to resist a temptation as soon as it enters their consciousness.
The verse we have written above gives us two assurances that God has provided in our battle against temptation. First, is that God is faithful and we have a commitment as believers to obey God. Secondly, that we have the assurance that He is in control and has limited what Satan can do against us, and provides a way to escape.
When temptation comes your way take your focus away from the temptation and look at the bigger picture. Ask yourself the questions: Is this choice I make a violation of God's Word? What are the consequences? Am I prepared to pay the price?
Any temptation can be resisted if you really desire to resist. God will help you resist any temptation and will provide for us a way to escape from it completely.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalms 95:1.
O come, let us sing for joy to the Lord, let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.
PRAYER:
Help me to learn to spend more time daily in reading Your Word and praying so that I clearly understand what is sin and so that I have a strong defense against the temptation to do sinful things. May my family learn that they need to have this strong defense to protect them. Help me to build my faith daily by meditating in Your Word and praying.
TEMPTATION
DEFINITION:
An inducement; enticement to do something often regarded as unwise, wrong, or immoral.
SCRIPTURE:
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. I Corinthians 10:13.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Temptation is a lot like an unexpected storm that sweeps in and causes damage to those who are caught unaware. A believer in Jesus must be alert to seeing the approach of a temptation and be prepared to ride it out. None of us, as believers, will reach a spiritual level of maturity at which we will no longer battle sinful enticements. The closer we walk with the Lord the less enticing the sinful temptations and ways of the world will be to us.
Understanding our own weaknesses is an important part of being prepared for temptation. It is usually a multitude of little sins that land most people in trouble and we need to watch for them and know where we are most vulnerable.
God has given us His guidelines in His Word for living a godly life that is pleasing to Him. The Bible clearly defines what sin is. We do not have the right to draw the line between what is sin and what is not. That is God's right.
God has given us a line and as believers we must not go over that line. Take one step over the line and soon there is an inducement to take one more step and soon you find yourself totally estranged from the Lord and overwhelmed with guilt and shame.
To build a defense against temptation we must understand how it works. Every sin (temptation) originates as a thought. If you hold onto that thought it becomes a fantasy. Fantasies can become entangled with one's emotions and then it becomes a desire.
At that point one will need to make a choice. This process is quite dangerous because the progression from a thought to a choice can be almost instantaneous. Wise believers determine ahead of time to resist a temptation as soon as it enters their consciousness.
The verse we have written above gives us two assurances that God has provided in our battle against temptation. First, is that God is faithful and we have a commitment as believers to obey God. Secondly, that we have the assurance that He is in control and has limited what Satan can do against us, and provides a way to escape.
When temptation comes your way take your focus away from the temptation and look at the bigger picture. Ask yourself the questions: Is this choice I make a violation of God's Word? What are the consequences? Am I prepared to pay the price?
Any temptation can be resisted if you really desire to resist. God will help you resist any temptation and will provide for us a way to escape from it completely.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalms 95:1.
O come, let us sing for joy to the Lord, let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.
PRAYER:
Help me to learn to spend more time daily in reading Your Word and praying so that I clearly understand what is sin and so that I have a strong defense against the temptation to do sinful things. May my family learn that they need to have this strong defense to protect them. Help me to build my faith daily by meditating in Your Word and praying.
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