GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SATURDAY MARCH 30, 2013
PROVERB:
The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath. Proverbs 11:23
PROMISE:
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you. He will never let the righteous fall. But you, O God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of corruption; bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in You. Psalm 55:22-23.
PRAISE:
Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him all you peoples. For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord. Psalm 117: 1-2.
March 30, 2013
March 24, 2013
Ask: March 21, 2013
TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY MARCH 21, 2013.
ASK
DEFINITION:
Put a question to; interrogate; seek to obtain; request; invite; inquire about.
SCRIPTURE:
And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive. Matthew 21:22
So I say to you, ask, and it will be given you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Luke 11:9-10.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
In the verse above (Luke 11:9) we are taught to ask and seek. In the next verse (10) we are told that everyone who asks receives. Why does God want us to ask when He already knows what we want and what we need? Many people ask this question. God wants each of us to ask because He wants us to ask and seek Him so that we will recognize that He is the one who provides for us and that He alone hears and answers our prayers.
Many people just do not want to ask someone, let alone God, for anything because of pride. Unfortunately, many want to feel self-sufficient and do not believe they need any help from God. We should not let pride keep us from seeking God’s help. Remember, Jesus says: “ask and it will be given you; seek and you will find.”
Today one of the most important lessons we can learn from the scripture is that God expects us to ask Him for help when we are in need.
People often feel that God does not answer their prayers. In John 14:14, Jesus says we may ask for anything in my name and He will do it. So then why doesn’t God answer every prayer? We must consider the qualifications that Jesus says must accompany our prayers. We must make our request in His name. This means that what we ask God for must not be contrary to God’s nature and righteousness. God will not answer prayers that are not according to His will and that will not bring honor and glory to God. Another qualification to receive answered prayer is that we must believe we will receive what we ask for.
Jesus own words to us are, “whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” Matthew 21:22. Can it be said any clearer? In James 1:5 and 6, we are told that if we lack wisdom let us ask of God. Then it says we are to ask in faith with no doubting.
There is no request so big or so small that we cannot bring it to God. The Lord wants us to pray about everything. Paul assures us of this in Philippians 4:6 when he says: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Our problem today is that we limit God in what He will do for us. We rely on our own wisdom and so often fail. When we ask in prayer, ask believing and ask in faith with no doubting, then we will receive God’s answer according to God’s perfect will.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 4:35.
Do not say there are still four months and then comes the harvest. Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for the harvest.
PRAYER:
Open my eyes today to the reality that all I have to do is ask. You desire to meet all my needs. Help me to ask not only for the large issues I may face but for the small ones as well. Give me wisdom in all that I do. May I proceed today by faith that only You can give me.
ASK
DEFINITION:
Put a question to; interrogate; seek to obtain; request; invite; inquire about.
SCRIPTURE:
And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive. Matthew 21:22
So I say to you, ask, and it will be given you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Luke 11:9-10.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
In the verse above (Luke 11:9) we are taught to ask and seek. In the next verse (10) we are told that everyone who asks receives. Why does God want us to ask when He already knows what we want and what we need? Many people ask this question. God wants each of us to ask because He wants us to ask and seek Him so that we will recognize that He is the one who provides for us and that He alone hears and answers our prayers.
Many people just do not want to ask someone, let alone God, for anything because of pride. Unfortunately, many want to feel self-sufficient and do not believe they need any help from God. We should not let pride keep us from seeking God’s help. Remember, Jesus says: “ask and it will be given you; seek and you will find.”
Today one of the most important lessons we can learn from the scripture is that God expects us to ask Him for help when we are in need.
People often feel that God does not answer their prayers. In John 14:14, Jesus says we may ask for anything in my name and He will do it. So then why doesn’t God answer every prayer? We must consider the qualifications that Jesus says must accompany our prayers. We must make our request in His name. This means that what we ask God for must not be contrary to God’s nature and righteousness. God will not answer prayers that are not according to His will and that will not bring honor and glory to God. Another qualification to receive answered prayer is that we must believe we will receive what we ask for.
Jesus own words to us are, “whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” Matthew 21:22. Can it be said any clearer? In James 1:5 and 6, we are told that if we lack wisdom let us ask of God. Then it says we are to ask in faith with no doubting.
There is no request so big or so small that we cannot bring it to God. The Lord wants us to pray about everything. Paul assures us of this in Philippians 4:6 when he says: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Our problem today is that we limit God in what He will do for us. We rely on our own wisdom and so often fail. When we ask in prayer, ask believing and ask in faith with no doubting, then we will receive God’s answer according to God’s perfect will.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 4:35.
Do not say there are still four months and then comes the harvest. Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for the harvest.
PRAYER:
Open my eyes today to the reality that all I have to do is ask. You desire to meet all my needs. Help me to ask not only for the large issues I may face but for the small ones as well. Give me wisdom in all that I do. May I proceed today by faith that only You can give me.
Gems of Encouragement: March 23, 2013
GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SATURDAY MARCH 23, 2013.
PROVERB:
A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. Proverbs 29:11
PROMISE:
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. For a man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19-20.
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.
PROVERB:
A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. Proverbs 29:11
PROMISE:
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. For a man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19-20.
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.
Belief: March 22, 2013
TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2013.
BELIEF
DEFINITION:
Something believed; opinion; conviction; confidence in the truth or existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof; confidence; faith; trust; a religious creed or trust.
SCRIPTURE:
God from the beginning chose you for salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. II Thessalonians 2:13, 15.
He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching. Titus 1:9
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. John 1:12
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Anyone who says he is a Christian is saying that he has a belief in Jesus Christ and follows His teachings. The dictionary defines belief as confidence in the truth or existence of something. Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth and the life.” John 14:6. God and Jesus are the source of all truth and that is the basis of our belief. Therefore, those that put their belief or trust in Jesus can have confidence in the truth of His teachings.
God’s message of Salvation that we have in Jesus is trustworthy and we should have a strong, unshakeable and confident belief in what Jesus taught us so we can encourage others to believe in Him and receive the gift of eternal life.
The book of Titus is a letter that Paul wrote to Titus. Paul had given to Titus the responsibility of appointing leaders for the churches that Paul had been involved in establishing. In Titus 1:5-9, Paul describes to Titus the leadership qualities that leaders in the church should have. All who believe and have received Jesus are children of God and should strive to meet these qualifications in their lives today.
Paul says we must be blameless, not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, and not pursuing dishonest gain. After this list of what we must not do, Paul gives us a list of what we must do. We must be hospitable, love what is good, be self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. The way we live our life is a testimony to our faith in what we believe.
The keys to making belief or believing a reality in our lives are:
• TRUSTING GOD: This comes first, no matter what we are facing in life. Our belief is in God and our faith is strengthened by trusting God. We must trust in the Lord with all our heart. (Psalm 37:3 and Proverbs 3:5 are good verses for you to read)
• DO GOOD: Our faith is demonstrated by the good we do whether it is by word or deed. Psalm 37:3 instructs us to trust in the Lord and then do good.
• RELY ON THE LORD: When we have troubles we are to “Cast all our cares on Him.” I Peter 5:7. Thus, at all times, when we face a situation that is difficult for us, we are instructed to give it to the Lord. We do not have to go it alone. We can rely on the Lord to be a constant help in our troubles.
• COMMIT OUR PLANS TO GOD: Every day when we begin our activities, our belief in God allows us to “Commit to the Lord what ever you do and your plans will succeed.” Our problems usually arise during the day because we have not committed our plans to our Lord in the morning and given Him the opportunity to guide us.
Many people living in today’s world have no belief in God. We do not know how we could make it even through one day without our faith in the Lord. With all the stresses and all the uncertainties of life in today’s world, we are certain that if we did not have our strong belief in God and Jesus, we would be in deep despair. How strong and real is your belief in God?
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 4:35.
Do not say there are still four months and then comes the harvest. Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest.
PRAYER:
Thank You Lord that You can give me strength to live every moment of this day for You. Keep my belief in You strong and help me to trust You, to do good, to cast all my concerns upon You and to commit each situation I face to You. Bless me, my family out of the abundance of Your goodness. Make me a blessing to others.
BELIEF
DEFINITION:
Something believed; opinion; conviction; confidence in the truth or existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof; confidence; faith; trust; a religious creed or trust.
SCRIPTURE:
God from the beginning chose you for salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. II Thessalonians 2:13, 15.
He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching. Titus 1:9
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. John 1:12
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Anyone who says he is a Christian is saying that he has a belief in Jesus Christ and follows His teachings. The dictionary defines belief as confidence in the truth or existence of something. Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth and the life.” John 14:6. God and Jesus are the source of all truth and that is the basis of our belief. Therefore, those that put their belief or trust in Jesus can have confidence in the truth of His teachings.
God’s message of Salvation that we have in Jesus is trustworthy and we should have a strong, unshakeable and confident belief in what Jesus taught us so we can encourage others to believe in Him and receive the gift of eternal life.
The book of Titus is a letter that Paul wrote to Titus. Paul had given to Titus the responsibility of appointing leaders for the churches that Paul had been involved in establishing. In Titus 1:5-9, Paul describes to Titus the leadership qualities that leaders in the church should have. All who believe and have received Jesus are children of God and should strive to meet these qualifications in their lives today.
Paul says we must be blameless, not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, and not pursuing dishonest gain. After this list of what we must not do, Paul gives us a list of what we must do. We must be hospitable, love what is good, be self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. The way we live our life is a testimony to our faith in what we believe.
The keys to making belief or believing a reality in our lives are:
• TRUSTING GOD: This comes first, no matter what we are facing in life. Our belief is in God and our faith is strengthened by trusting God. We must trust in the Lord with all our heart. (Psalm 37:3 and Proverbs 3:5 are good verses for you to read)
• DO GOOD: Our faith is demonstrated by the good we do whether it is by word or deed. Psalm 37:3 instructs us to trust in the Lord and then do good.
• RELY ON THE LORD: When we have troubles we are to “Cast all our cares on Him.” I Peter 5:7. Thus, at all times, when we face a situation that is difficult for us, we are instructed to give it to the Lord. We do not have to go it alone. We can rely on the Lord to be a constant help in our troubles.
• COMMIT OUR PLANS TO GOD: Every day when we begin our activities, our belief in God allows us to “Commit to the Lord what ever you do and your plans will succeed.” Our problems usually arise during the day because we have not committed our plans to our Lord in the morning and given Him the opportunity to guide us.
Many people living in today’s world have no belief in God. We do not know how we could make it even through one day without our faith in the Lord. With all the stresses and all the uncertainties of life in today’s world, we are certain that if we did not have our strong belief in God and Jesus, we would be in deep despair. How strong and real is your belief in God?
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 4:35.
Do not say there are still four months and then comes the harvest. Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest.
PRAYER:
Thank You Lord that You can give me strength to live every moment of this day for You. Keep my belief in You strong and help me to trust You, to do good, to cast all my concerns upon You and to commit each situation I face to You. Bless me, my family out of the abundance of Your goodness. Make me a blessing to others.
Focus: March 20, 2013
TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY MARCH 20, 2013.
FOCUS
DEFINITION:
A center of interest and activity; bring into focus a clear vision.
SCRIPTURE:
But you, a man of God, flee from all of this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I Timothy 6:11-12.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
So many people today are focused on the wrong things. More are self-centered and focused on themselves and getting what will make them happy. They have their own agenda.
In chapter 9 of Acts, we are given the account of the Apostle Paul’s conversion. Paul had his own agenda. Before Paul was converted to Christianity, his focus had been on the persecuting of Christians. His focus was driven by his inward desire to fulfill the law as he understood it. God confronted Paul on the road to Damascus to change his focus. God temporarily blinded Paul physically so that he could see spiritually. Paul was like an out of focus camera. Before a camera is properly focused the true picture cannot be seen clearly.
When Paul met Jesus he had a clear vision of his out-of focus life. From that point in his life, Paul changed his focus and his agenda. He focused on Jesus alone and on spreading the message of Jesus’ love and forgiveness that brings salvation to all who believe. He fled from his old desires and pursued righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. He had a new agenda --- to fight the good fight of faith and to take hold of eternal life.
Despite times of great physical discomfort and emotional trials he was consistently focused on the fact that he was under God’s sovereign hand. His focus on the Lord kept him from being resentful and walking away from his faith despite persecution. He faithfully continued throughout his life to be focused on the Lord and preaching the gospel.
Paul learned early in his walk with the Lord to focus on God’s sovereignty rather than his own will. When our focus is not on the Lord and we start thinking that our enemies and difficulties are in control of our circumstances we are defeated.
In Psalm 103:19, the Psalmist tells us that, “God has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all.” He is in absolute control and our focus in life needs to be on Him at all times. We may not understand His reasons for permitting hardship or pain in our lives, but His plan is always for our good and His glory.
We can learn, as believers, from Paul. He was focused on his godly purpose rather than on his personal desires and earthly gain. Pain, whether in the body or the heart, often absorbs all of our attention. Paul’s words and life style reminds us that there is no victory to be had when we dwell on our hurts. For example, Paul rejoiced when the guards that were guarding him while he was in jail found Christ. Paul focused on loving his enemies and winning them to the Lord even in the midst of his own personal tribulations.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 4:35.
Do not say there are still four months and then comes the harvest. Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest.
PRAYER:
Help me and my family to focus today on our heavenly Father, and Your love and Your goodness. Keep us from allowing trials and suffering to defeat us and cause us to lose our focus on Jesus and His message of love and salvation.
FOCUS
DEFINITION:
A center of interest and activity; bring into focus a clear vision.
SCRIPTURE:
But you, a man of God, flee from all of this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I Timothy 6:11-12.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
So many people today are focused on the wrong things. More are self-centered and focused on themselves and getting what will make them happy. They have their own agenda.
In chapter 9 of Acts, we are given the account of the Apostle Paul’s conversion. Paul had his own agenda. Before Paul was converted to Christianity, his focus had been on the persecuting of Christians. His focus was driven by his inward desire to fulfill the law as he understood it. God confronted Paul on the road to Damascus to change his focus. God temporarily blinded Paul physically so that he could see spiritually. Paul was like an out of focus camera. Before a camera is properly focused the true picture cannot be seen clearly.
When Paul met Jesus he had a clear vision of his out-of focus life. From that point in his life, Paul changed his focus and his agenda. He focused on Jesus alone and on spreading the message of Jesus’ love and forgiveness that brings salvation to all who believe. He fled from his old desires and pursued righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. He had a new agenda --- to fight the good fight of faith and to take hold of eternal life.
Despite times of great physical discomfort and emotional trials he was consistently focused on the fact that he was under God’s sovereign hand. His focus on the Lord kept him from being resentful and walking away from his faith despite persecution. He faithfully continued throughout his life to be focused on the Lord and preaching the gospel.
Paul learned early in his walk with the Lord to focus on God’s sovereignty rather than his own will. When our focus is not on the Lord and we start thinking that our enemies and difficulties are in control of our circumstances we are defeated.
In Psalm 103:19, the Psalmist tells us that, “God has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all.” He is in absolute control and our focus in life needs to be on Him at all times. We may not understand His reasons for permitting hardship or pain in our lives, but His plan is always for our good and His glory.
We can learn, as believers, from Paul. He was focused on his godly purpose rather than on his personal desires and earthly gain. Pain, whether in the body or the heart, often absorbs all of our attention. Paul’s words and life style reminds us that there is no victory to be had when we dwell on our hurts. For example, Paul rejoiced when the guards that were guarding him while he was in jail found Christ. Paul focused on loving his enemies and winning them to the Lord even in the midst of his own personal tribulations.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 4:35.
Do not say there are still four months and then comes the harvest. Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest.
PRAYER:
Help me and my family to focus today on our heavenly Father, and Your love and Your goodness. Keep us from allowing trials and suffering to defeat us and cause us to lose our focus on Jesus and His message of love and salvation.
Comfort: March 19, 2013
TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY MARCH 19, 2013.
COMFORT
DEFINITION:
To sooth, console or reassure; to encourage, help, and strengthen; to comfort someone after a loss; relief in affliction; consolation; a feeling of relief.
SCRIPTURE:
If you have any encouragement from being unified with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit accord and purpose. Philippians 2:1-2
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those who are in trouble, with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. II Corinthians 1:3-4.
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Many of our friends today need comfort. We receive hundreds of emails each month from friends who read TODAY’S WORD who are in need of comfort because of sad or difficult situations they have to deal with. Unfortunately, most people rely on themselves, family, or friends for this comfort and it just does not meet the need that one is facing.
None of us go through life without being in need of comfort. We all experience sad and hurtful times in our life when we are in need of comfort and reassurance. In those times in our life we need to have someone who is there for us, someone we can turn to and receive love and compassion and support.
As we mentioned above we have had communication from many new and old friends that are looking for comfort because of the trial they are going through. We have responded by assuring them of our prayers and sharing with them scripture that relates to their specific need. Many that we hear from are suffering from persecution because of their faith in Christ. Others are facing deep family concerns such as a loss of a loved one, loss of a home, all sorts of economic concerns, illness, a troubled marriage, concern for their children, and much more.
Even though we can give comforting words to those we hear from daily, the only real comfort comes from our Lord. The verses that we have written above give us the assurance that God our Father will comfort us in all of our troubles. This is an assurance that we all have every day, if we are believers and children of God.
In the three verses we have listed above, we look at the word comfort from two different perspectives. First, and most important, the comfort we receive as believers from Christ. And secondly, the comfort that God gives us so we can comfort each other.
We will have times of trouble in our life that causes pain and sorrow. God in His love for us does not want us to be without comfort in our times of distress. God, our heavenly Father, is the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. He alone is the true source of our comfort.
God has His purposes for allowing suffering and sorrow in our lives. It is only in our times of needing comfort that we can experience God’s compassionate comfort. God’s comfort does not make our troubles and sorrows go away. His comfort gives us strength, encouragement, and hope to endure and carry on.
God expects us, as believers, to comfort others in their time of need. We must have experienced God’s comfort in order to be equipped to comfort others. We have the responsibility of comforting others in their time of need, reminding them of the comfort God can give them when they turn their lives over to Him. We are also to comfort others by reminding them of God’s saving grace and the soon coming again to this earth by Jesus. Where can one receive more comfort than with this assurance even in ones worst time of tribulation?
Children, when they are growing up rely heavily on the comfort they can receive from a parent, sibling or grandparent. We can remember many times when one of our children would get hurt. They fell down and skinned an elbow or a knee and came into the house crying like they had broken every bone in their body but just sitting on mom’s or dad’s lap healed that hurt in about five minutes.
Our children found comfort in our caring and reassurance that we were there for them and that all would soon be well. Young people often look for comfort from their peers but it is not always the right kind of comfort. As parents we must be aware of our children’s hurts no matter what age they are, and then be there for them to offer uplifting words of comfort and support.
Spouses must be a source of comfort to one another in their times of suffering and sorrow. Many spouses and even children have only friends that they can turn to for comfort and there are not many true friends.
As believers we have the responsibility and privilege to comfort others by sharing the comfort that God has given us. We need comfort from others, but God who is the God of all Comfort gives us a comfort that is beyond any comfort anyone else can give. The Comfort that God gives is sufficient for every situation and need in our life.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 4:35.
Do not say there are still four months and then comes the harvest. Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest.
PRAYER:
I look to You today as I do every day for the comfort that only You can give to get me through the tough times in my life and the hurtful things I may encounter today. Give me a new spirit of comfort so that I can comfort those that I meet today that need reassurance and direction in their lives. Bless my family and draw us closer to You each day that we live.
COMFORT
DEFINITION:
To sooth, console or reassure; to encourage, help, and strengthen; to comfort someone after a loss; relief in affliction; consolation; a feeling of relief.
SCRIPTURE:
If you have any encouragement from being unified with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit accord and purpose. Philippians 2:1-2
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those who are in trouble, with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. II Corinthians 1:3-4.
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Many of our friends today need comfort. We receive hundreds of emails each month from friends who read TODAY’S WORD who are in need of comfort because of sad or difficult situations they have to deal with. Unfortunately, most people rely on themselves, family, or friends for this comfort and it just does not meet the need that one is facing.
None of us go through life without being in need of comfort. We all experience sad and hurtful times in our life when we are in need of comfort and reassurance. In those times in our life we need to have someone who is there for us, someone we can turn to and receive love and compassion and support.
As we mentioned above we have had communication from many new and old friends that are looking for comfort because of the trial they are going through. We have responded by assuring them of our prayers and sharing with them scripture that relates to their specific need. Many that we hear from are suffering from persecution because of their faith in Christ. Others are facing deep family concerns such as a loss of a loved one, loss of a home, all sorts of economic concerns, illness, a troubled marriage, concern for their children, and much more.
Even though we can give comforting words to those we hear from daily, the only real comfort comes from our Lord. The verses that we have written above give us the assurance that God our Father will comfort us in all of our troubles. This is an assurance that we all have every day, if we are believers and children of God.
In the three verses we have listed above, we look at the word comfort from two different perspectives. First, and most important, the comfort we receive as believers from Christ. And secondly, the comfort that God gives us so we can comfort each other.
We will have times of trouble in our life that causes pain and sorrow. God in His love for us does not want us to be without comfort in our times of distress. God, our heavenly Father, is the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. He alone is the true source of our comfort.
God has His purposes for allowing suffering and sorrow in our lives. It is only in our times of needing comfort that we can experience God’s compassionate comfort. God’s comfort does not make our troubles and sorrows go away. His comfort gives us strength, encouragement, and hope to endure and carry on.
God expects us, as believers, to comfort others in their time of need. We must have experienced God’s comfort in order to be equipped to comfort others. We have the responsibility of comforting others in their time of need, reminding them of the comfort God can give them when they turn their lives over to Him. We are also to comfort others by reminding them of God’s saving grace and the soon coming again to this earth by Jesus. Where can one receive more comfort than with this assurance even in ones worst time of tribulation?
Children, when they are growing up rely heavily on the comfort they can receive from a parent, sibling or grandparent. We can remember many times when one of our children would get hurt. They fell down and skinned an elbow or a knee and came into the house crying like they had broken every bone in their body but just sitting on mom’s or dad’s lap healed that hurt in about five minutes.
Our children found comfort in our caring and reassurance that we were there for them and that all would soon be well. Young people often look for comfort from their peers but it is not always the right kind of comfort. As parents we must be aware of our children’s hurts no matter what age they are, and then be there for them to offer uplifting words of comfort and support.
Spouses must be a source of comfort to one another in their times of suffering and sorrow. Many spouses and even children have only friends that they can turn to for comfort and there are not many true friends.
As believers we have the responsibility and privilege to comfort others by sharing the comfort that God has given us. We need comfort from others, but God who is the God of all Comfort gives us a comfort that is beyond any comfort anyone else can give. The Comfort that God gives is sufficient for every situation and need in our life.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 4:35.
Do not say there are still four months and then comes the harvest. Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest.
PRAYER:
I look to You today as I do every day for the comfort that only You can give to get me through the tough times in my life and the hurtful things I may encounter today. Give me a new spirit of comfort so that I can comfort those that I meet today that need reassurance and direction in their lives. Bless my family and draw us closer to You each day that we live.
Build: March 18, 2013
TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY MARCH 18, 2013.
BUILD
DEFINITION:
Construct; increase and strengthen; erect; shape; to form or construct a plan.
SCRIPTURE:
Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain that build it. Psalm 127:1
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is the rock eternal. Isaiah 26:4
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We can remember the Sunday school song that we sang when we were kids about the man who built his house on the sand and it did not stand firm. The song went on to tell about the wise man that built his house on the rock and it stood firm in the storm.
The inspiration for this song came from the portion of the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus preached to the multitudes when He was on this earth. (Matthew 7: 24-27) Jesus had just warned them, “to watch out for false prophets.” We must evaluate what people teach by the way they live their lives. False teachers exalt and glorify themselves in their teaching and diminish the significance of Jesus Christ. The truth of who they are will be seen in their walk.
Jesus proceeded to give a warning to those who profess to belong to God but have not built a relationship with Him. In this passage of scripture, He used the illustration of the wise man and the foolish man. The wise man built his house on a foundation of rock. The foolish man built his house on a foundation of sand.
Jesus says that whoever hears His words and does them will be like the wise man who built his house on the rock. The rock is Christ Jesus. Just as the house that was built on a solid foundation of rock was able to stand firm when the storms came and the winds beat against it, so will the man who builds his life on the solid foundation of Christ be able to stand through the storms of life. When the rain comes down, the pressures of this world we live in, and the floods and winds come our way the house (our lives) will not fall apart because our foundation is built on the solid rock, Christ Jesus.
He then goes on to say that anyone who hears what He says and does not put into practice what He says is likened to the foolish man who builds his house on sand. When the rain, floods and winds of life come and beat on the house it will fall. And He says: “AND GREAT WAS THE FALL.” In the NIV translation it reads, “It fell with a great crash.”
On what are you building your life? Are you building on the “things” of this world or are you building on the commandments that God gave us years ago through Moses His servant? Are you like the wise man and listening to the words of Jesus and putting them into practice and building your life on the solid foundation, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who is the rock eternal?
A building is only as strong as its foundation. If the foundation is solid it will be able to stand in the midst of a storm. In order to withstand the storms of life we must have faith that is built on a strong foundation and that foundation is Jesus Christ. Faith in anyone or anything else leads to destruction. Faith in Jesus Christ leads to life that endures forever.
In Psalms 127:1, the Psalmist warns us that unless we allow the Lord to build our house (our life) we are laboring in vain. If we leave God out our efforts will be futile because the lives we try to build will crumble and come down with a crash from the evil that corrupts us from within. No matter how hard we work to accomplish great things, only what is done for the Lord will last.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 4:35.
Do not say there are still four months and then comes the harvest. Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest.
PRAYER:
Thank You Jesus that You are my rock eternal. Encourage my heart today to build my house on the precepts and commandments that You have given us in Your Word. Help me to be a doer of Your Word and not a hearer only. Help me to lead my family in the way of righteousness and that together we will build our house, our lives, on You, the rock.
BUILD
DEFINITION:
Construct; increase and strengthen; erect; shape; to form or construct a plan.
SCRIPTURE:
Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain that build it. Psalm 127:1
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is the rock eternal. Isaiah 26:4
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We can remember the Sunday school song that we sang when we were kids about the man who built his house on the sand and it did not stand firm. The song went on to tell about the wise man that built his house on the rock and it stood firm in the storm.
The inspiration for this song came from the portion of the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus preached to the multitudes when He was on this earth. (Matthew 7: 24-27) Jesus had just warned them, “to watch out for false prophets.” We must evaluate what people teach by the way they live their lives. False teachers exalt and glorify themselves in their teaching and diminish the significance of Jesus Christ. The truth of who they are will be seen in their walk.
Jesus proceeded to give a warning to those who profess to belong to God but have not built a relationship with Him. In this passage of scripture, He used the illustration of the wise man and the foolish man. The wise man built his house on a foundation of rock. The foolish man built his house on a foundation of sand.
Jesus says that whoever hears His words and does them will be like the wise man who built his house on the rock. The rock is Christ Jesus. Just as the house that was built on a solid foundation of rock was able to stand firm when the storms came and the winds beat against it, so will the man who builds his life on the solid foundation of Christ be able to stand through the storms of life. When the rain comes down, the pressures of this world we live in, and the floods and winds come our way the house (our lives) will not fall apart because our foundation is built on the solid rock, Christ Jesus.
He then goes on to say that anyone who hears what He says and does not put into practice what He says is likened to the foolish man who builds his house on sand. When the rain, floods and winds of life come and beat on the house it will fall. And He says: “AND GREAT WAS THE FALL.” In the NIV translation it reads, “It fell with a great crash.”
On what are you building your life? Are you building on the “things” of this world or are you building on the commandments that God gave us years ago through Moses His servant? Are you like the wise man and listening to the words of Jesus and putting them into practice and building your life on the solid foundation, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who is the rock eternal?
A building is only as strong as its foundation. If the foundation is solid it will be able to stand in the midst of a storm. In order to withstand the storms of life we must have faith that is built on a strong foundation and that foundation is Jesus Christ. Faith in anyone or anything else leads to destruction. Faith in Jesus Christ leads to life that endures forever.
In Psalms 127:1, the Psalmist warns us that unless we allow the Lord to build our house (our life) we are laboring in vain. If we leave God out our efforts will be futile because the lives we try to build will crumble and come down with a crash from the evil that corrupts us from within. No matter how hard we work to accomplish great things, only what is done for the Lord will last.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 4:35.
Do not say there are still four months and then comes the harvest. Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest.
PRAYER:
Thank You Jesus that You are my rock eternal. Encourage my heart today to build my house on the precepts and commandments that You have given us in Your Word. Help me to be a doer of Your Word and not a hearer only. Help me to lead my family in the way of righteousness and that together we will build our house, our lives, on You, the rock.
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