TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY MAY 7, 2013.
GRUMBLING
DEFINITION:
A discontented mutter; a growl; complain.
SCRIPTURE:
Do all things without complaining and disputing. Philippians 2:14.
These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to get advantage. Jude 16.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Children often grumble. We experienced it often when we gave our children a job to do that they were not happy about. They would often reply with words like, “but why me?” As they reluctantly went on their way to do as they were told (we did not give them an option) they would grumble under their breath saying that they didn’t understand why they had to do everything and none of their siblings had to do it. Of course, none of the siblings would agree as they had their equal share of jobs to do. In fact, they were also equally guilty of grumbling.
It is hard not to observe that grumbling is contagious. When one person starts grumbling or complaining it can stir up a whole group.
I (Ken) can remember in high school a teacher telling our class that he would not tolerate griping in his class room. Grumbling and complaining cause’s dissension and can undermine the spiritual and emotional health of an entire group. This teacher knew this and did not want discord in his classroom which would be disruptive to the learning environment.
Grumbling of course is not limited to children. We all grumble at times and grumbling is nothing new. Moses heard grumbling and griping among God’s people just three days after he led them from slavery into freedom. The people complained against Moses saying, “What shall we drink.” Exodus 15:24. As a result of their grumbling they forgot the joy of their new God given freedom from slavery and they lost their trust in God to provide for them.
Centuries later, Samuel felt the weight of grumbling people as he sought to represent God to his generation. The elders came to Samuel (I Samuel 8:4-9) telling him he was old and his sons did not walk in His ways honoring God so they wanted a King appointed so they could be like all the other nations. Their grumbling led them to reject God’s plan for them. God gave them their way and the result was the eventual destruction of Israel.
In the verse from Jude (above) written by Jude the brother of James, who were both the brothers of Jesus, Jude describes the apostate members of the body of believers in the early church. He tells us that they were grumblers and complainers and had the ability to express themselves in “great swelling words” to impress and deceive people. In verse 19, Jude says, “These are the men who divide you …” There can be no doubt that grumbling is divisive and harmful. This is why Paul admonished us to, “Do all things without complaining and disputing.” In addition to being grumblers, they desired to follow their own evil ways. Believers who grumble are not a positive testimony for the Lord. Jude says those who grumble follow their natural instincts and are devoid of the Spirit. (Jude 19)
We need to avoid a grumbling and complaining because we belong to God and we are serving Christ. Instead, we are to rejoice and thank God for all that He has done for us. When you feel like grumbling or griping start counting your blessings and see what God has done for you and what He can do through you.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 1:6.
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
PRAYER:
Help me to be willing to serve others today with an attitude that praises Your name. When I face the evils of life or events that just do not go my way, help me not to grumble. May I have a humble and loving spirit that shines out loud and clear to those that do not know You as Savior.
May 3, 2013
April 28, 2013
Gem of Encouragement: April 27, 2013
GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT APRIL 27, 2013.
PROVERB:
If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength. Proverbs 24:10.
PROMISE:
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10.
PRAISE:
O my strength, I sing praise to You. You, O God, are my fortress, my loving God. Psalm 59:17.
PROVERB:
If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength. Proverbs 24:10.
PROMISE:
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10.
PRAISE:
O my strength, I sing praise to You. You, O God, are my fortress, my loving God. Psalm 59:17.
Change: April 26, 2013
Today's Word for Friday APRIL 26, 2013
CHANGE
DEFINITION:
To make different in form; to transform; to make a difference in the state or conditions of a thing.
SCRIPTURE:
For I am the Lord, I do not change. Malachi 3:6
God is not a man, that He should lie nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Numbers 23:19.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
God, who is all wise, all knowing and without sin never changes His mind nor withdraws His promises. He gave Moses the Ten Commandments and they are still valid today. God's plan for salvation has never changed and His promise for eternal life through Jesus Christ has never changed.
When we see someone make their decision to accept Jesus into their life, most of the time we see a dramatic CHANGE in that life. As a result of Adam's and Eve's sin we are born with a sinful nature. God is without sin so our sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2). God cannot change who He is so we are the ones that must change if we are to have fellowship with God. Our unrighteousness must be changed into His righteousness (Romans 3:22). That change takes place when we come to Christ and receive His righteousness, which is a free gift.
The apostle Paul tells us that when we come to Christ we become a new person and the old person is gone (II Corinthians 5:17). Paul's life is evidence that this is true. His life was completely changed when he met Jesus. His old life was persecuting the Christians and his new life was preaching the gospel and being persecuted himself because of his faith in Christ. His life was completely changed. He considered the gift of life offered by God to be well worth any persecution that he might have to endure. God does not change but He does change us.
I [Ken] can remember seeing dramatic changes in people's lives, years ago, when I was in a different church every night for 90 days in a row for three summers showing a Billy Graham Crusade film. Every church was filled to capacity and at the end of the film I would always give the audience a chance to accept Jesus as their Savior. It was remarkable to see individuals of all ages respond night after night. They responded because God spoke to their hearts making them realize their need to change from their sinful ways and accept God's grace and forgiveness.
Over the years, both of us have been part of city-wide crusades and we have seen people from all walks of life make a decision for Christ that brought a dramatic change in their life.
I can remember meeting a man who made his decision to follow Jesus in the Los Angeles Billy Graham tent crusade. This man soon became a dear friend of our family and I watched his life change. It was about as a dramatic change as we will ever see in our lifetime. His name was Jim Vaus. He worked with Mickey Cohen who was known as an under-ground gangster. Jim was his technician for wiretapping, so he was living what we would call an "evil life." When he found Jesus as his Savior, his life changed and he left Mickey Cohen because of his new found faith and soon opened up what he called Hells Gate Station in New York. This was a program to reach the teenage criminal element on the streets of New York and to bring them the gospel message. What a change Christ made in his life.
When we think of the word "CHANGE" another thought comes to mind that we want to share with you. Many families today seem to be disintegrating because of many different reasons. Some of these reasons are:
• Preoccupation with an occupation to the exclusion of family needs. This goes beyond work. It can include watching TV, being with associates such as in a club, and many other activities. Family needs to come first.
• Refusal to face the severity of a child's action. How many times has a situation come up and possibly you have responded by thinking that it is not that serious, or I am too tired to deal with that today?
• Refusal to respond quickly and thoroughly to the warning of others. This could be a neighbor, a relative or a spouse warning you and you just do not have time to see if it is a problem or you just do not care.
• Rationalizing of a wrong, therefore becoming part of the problem.
When things are not going well in your life, especially within your family, it is time for change, a change for the better. To change we must want something more than what we have now. We must be willing to give up our sinful ways. What is better than to make a change in how we live our life today and have assurance that we will spend eternity in Heaven with our Lord? If you are willing to make a change then God is waiting for you to come to Him and He will change you.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:3.
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.
PRAYER
Open my heart today to allow You to change me to be what You want me to be. Help me to want to spend my time doing the things that honor and glorify Your name. Give me wisdom in my decisions. Give me assurance that I have eternal life. Give me the courage to make changes in the things I do that do not honor You.
CHANGE
DEFINITION:
To make different in form; to transform; to make a difference in the state or conditions of a thing.
SCRIPTURE:
For I am the Lord, I do not change. Malachi 3:6
God is not a man, that He should lie nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Numbers 23:19.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
God, who is all wise, all knowing and without sin never changes His mind nor withdraws His promises. He gave Moses the Ten Commandments and they are still valid today. God's plan for salvation has never changed and His promise for eternal life through Jesus Christ has never changed.
When we see someone make their decision to accept Jesus into their life, most of the time we see a dramatic CHANGE in that life. As a result of Adam's and Eve's sin we are born with a sinful nature. God is without sin so our sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2). God cannot change who He is so we are the ones that must change if we are to have fellowship with God. Our unrighteousness must be changed into His righteousness (Romans 3:22). That change takes place when we come to Christ and receive His righteousness, which is a free gift.
The apostle Paul tells us that when we come to Christ we become a new person and the old person is gone (II Corinthians 5:17). Paul's life is evidence that this is true. His life was completely changed when he met Jesus. His old life was persecuting the Christians and his new life was preaching the gospel and being persecuted himself because of his faith in Christ. His life was completely changed. He considered the gift of life offered by God to be well worth any persecution that he might have to endure. God does not change but He does change us.
I [Ken] can remember seeing dramatic changes in people's lives, years ago, when I was in a different church every night for 90 days in a row for three summers showing a Billy Graham Crusade film. Every church was filled to capacity and at the end of the film I would always give the audience a chance to accept Jesus as their Savior. It was remarkable to see individuals of all ages respond night after night. They responded because God spoke to their hearts making them realize their need to change from their sinful ways and accept God's grace and forgiveness.
Over the years, both of us have been part of city-wide crusades and we have seen people from all walks of life make a decision for Christ that brought a dramatic change in their life.
I can remember meeting a man who made his decision to follow Jesus in the Los Angeles Billy Graham tent crusade. This man soon became a dear friend of our family and I watched his life change. It was about as a dramatic change as we will ever see in our lifetime. His name was Jim Vaus. He worked with Mickey Cohen who was known as an under-ground gangster. Jim was his technician for wiretapping, so he was living what we would call an "evil life." When he found Jesus as his Savior, his life changed and he left Mickey Cohen because of his new found faith and soon opened up what he called Hells Gate Station in New York. This was a program to reach the teenage criminal element on the streets of New York and to bring them the gospel message. What a change Christ made in his life.
When we think of the word "CHANGE" another thought comes to mind that we want to share with you. Many families today seem to be disintegrating because of many different reasons. Some of these reasons are:
• Preoccupation with an occupation to the exclusion of family needs. This goes beyond work. It can include watching TV, being with associates such as in a club, and many other activities. Family needs to come first.
• Refusal to face the severity of a child's action. How many times has a situation come up and possibly you have responded by thinking that it is not that serious, or I am too tired to deal with that today?
• Refusal to respond quickly and thoroughly to the warning of others. This could be a neighbor, a relative or a spouse warning you and you just do not have time to see if it is a problem or you just do not care.
• Rationalizing of a wrong, therefore becoming part of the problem.
When things are not going well in your life, especially within your family, it is time for change, a change for the better. To change we must want something more than what we have now. We must be willing to give up our sinful ways. What is better than to make a change in how we live our life today and have assurance that we will spend eternity in Heaven with our Lord? If you are willing to make a change then God is waiting for you to come to Him and He will change you.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:3.
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.
PRAYER
Open my heart today to allow You to change me to be what You want me to be. Help me to want to spend my time doing the things that honor and glorify Your name. Give me wisdom in my decisions. Give me assurance that I have eternal life. Give me the courage to make changes in the things I do that do not honor You.
Cares: April 25, 2013
TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY APRIL 25, 2013.
CARES
DEFINITION:
To show affection; to show due concerns and interest; heed; solicitude; anxiety; a cause of worry; concerned.
SCRIPTURE:
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. I Peter 5:7.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Do you ever have the feeling that nobody cares? We have talked to many children and adults that really feel that nobody cares for them. In many cases we understood why they felt that way.
There was the young girl about nine years old, that we met, living in a lean-to shanty house on a garbage dump in the Philippians. She sat alone wondering if someone would come and help her family. Did anyone really care?
There was the mother, we saw, crying for help in a hospital in Honduras. All she wanted was some medicine for her baby son who had cancer. He was so sick and the doctors said that without medicine there was no hope. Did anyone care?
And right here in America we talked to a man about 50 years old who came to accept Jesus as his Savior but said he was not sure why, because he had nothing to live for. He lived on the street and did not have a family or a friend.
We are sure that there have been moments, maybe not quite as dramatic, when you felt nobody cared for you. When you have your lonely moments and wonder if anyone cares, where do you turn to? The scripture that we have written above tells us to put all of our cares in the hands of Jesus, because He cares for us.
Let us remind you of the story you know well from the fifteenth chapter of Luke concerning the father and his prodigal son. The son had left home with all his riches and spent it all. Once his money was gone everyone deserted him. He was hungry and alone and felt no one cared for him.
The son knew his father was a caring man who treated his hired help well. He decided to return to his father and admit he had been wrong and did not deserve to be called a son. He determined he would ask his father to make him one of his hired men. When the father saw his son returning he ran to meet him and welcomed him home. The father prepared a feast to celebrate his son’s return.
Jesus used this parable to illustrate how much our heavenly Father cares about us. There is great celebration in heaven for every sinner who comes to God in repentance.
Jesus cares about every need in our life. He cares when we are hungry, when we are sick and when we are in sorrow. In Matthew 15:32 we see Jesus caring for the hungry when He fed the 4,000. Jesus said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry.”
In Matthew 14:14 we read that Jesus had compassion for the sick and healed them. When Lazarus died, Mary went to find Jesus and tell Him about his death. Jesus saw her weeping in sorrow and He was moved with compassion. John 11:35 tells us that “Jesus wept.”
The Bible is also very clear for us that as Children of God, when God blesses us with time, talent and treasure He expects us to use what he has given us to care for others.
In Luke 12:48 Jesus said, “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much, much more has been committed, of him they will ask more.”
There are many references in the Bible that reminds us to be available to help and care for the poor. In Luke 14:13-14, Jesus said, “But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
Just as God cares for you in your time of need, He wants all of His children to care for those around them in their time of need.
When you feel that no one cares for you take a moment to read the verse we put above from I Peter. YES, if you give all of your cares to Jesus, He will care for you. We can be assured that Jesus cares for us and that when we come to Him, He will welcome us just as the father welcomed the prodigal son when he returned. Your friends, family and neighbors may let you down but your Lord never will.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:3.
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.
PRAYER:
Thank You for the promise that You have given me that if I cast all my cares upon You that You will care for me. May I learn this principle in my life so that I can share with others how much You care for them?
CARES
DEFINITION:
To show affection; to show due concerns and interest; heed; solicitude; anxiety; a cause of worry; concerned.
SCRIPTURE:
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. I Peter 5:7.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Do you ever have the feeling that nobody cares? We have talked to many children and adults that really feel that nobody cares for them. In many cases we understood why they felt that way.
There was the young girl about nine years old, that we met, living in a lean-to shanty house on a garbage dump in the Philippians. She sat alone wondering if someone would come and help her family. Did anyone really care?
There was the mother, we saw, crying for help in a hospital in Honduras. All she wanted was some medicine for her baby son who had cancer. He was so sick and the doctors said that without medicine there was no hope. Did anyone care?
And right here in America we talked to a man about 50 years old who came to accept Jesus as his Savior but said he was not sure why, because he had nothing to live for. He lived on the street and did not have a family or a friend.
We are sure that there have been moments, maybe not quite as dramatic, when you felt nobody cared for you. When you have your lonely moments and wonder if anyone cares, where do you turn to? The scripture that we have written above tells us to put all of our cares in the hands of Jesus, because He cares for us.
Let us remind you of the story you know well from the fifteenth chapter of Luke concerning the father and his prodigal son. The son had left home with all his riches and spent it all. Once his money was gone everyone deserted him. He was hungry and alone and felt no one cared for him.
The son knew his father was a caring man who treated his hired help well. He decided to return to his father and admit he had been wrong and did not deserve to be called a son. He determined he would ask his father to make him one of his hired men. When the father saw his son returning he ran to meet him and welcomed him home. The father prepared a feast to celebrate his son’s return.
Jesus used this parable to illustrate how much our heavenly Father cares about us. There is great celebration in heaven for every sinner who comes to God in repentance.
Jesus cares about every need in our life. He cares when we are hungry, when we are sick and when we are in sorrow. In Matthew 15:32 we see Jesus caring for the hungry when He fed the 4,000. Jesus said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry.”
In Matthew 14:14 we read that Jesus had compassion for the sick and healed them. When Lazarus died, Mary went to find Jesus and tell Him about his death. Jesus saw her weeping in sorrow and He was moved with compassion. John 11:35 tells us that “Jesus wept.”
The Bible is also very clear for us that as Children of God, when God blesses us with time, talent and treasure He expects us to use what he has given us to care for others.
In Luke 12:48 Jesus said, “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much, much more has been committed, of him they will ask more.”
There are many references in the Bible that reminds us to be available to help and care for the poor. In Luke 14:13-14, Jesus said, “But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
Just as God cares for you in your time of need, He wants all of His children to care for those around them in their time of need.
When you feel that no one cares for you take a moment to read the verse we put above from I Peter. YES, if you give all of your cares to Jesus, He will care for you. We can be assured that Jesus cares for us and that when we come to Him, He will welcome us just as the father welcomed the prodigal son when he returned. Your friends, family and neighbors may let you down but your Lord never will.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:3.
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.
PRAYER:
Thank You for the promise that You have given me that if I cast all my cares upon You that You will care for me. May I learn this principle in my life so that I can share with others how much You care for them?
Anticipation: April 24, 2013
Today's Word for Wednesday April 24, 2013
ANTICIPATION
DEFINITION:
To expect or look forward to; to realize or feel beforehand.
SCRIPTURE:
Joshua told the people: Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you. Joshua 3:4
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When you think of times in your life when you anticipated something good or bad how did you react? Anticipation has an emotional effect on us. Excitement wells up within us when we are anticipating something good, such as the birth of a child, a trip, a reunion with someone close to us, etc.
When we are anticipating something bad we are filled with dread and fear. Often we find that after going through something we anticipated with dread, that the anticipation was worse than the actual experience.
When our children were young, we spent our vacation time each summer at the beach on the Pacific Ocean. Each of the children when experiencing the ocean surf for the first time showed fear of the breaking waves. They would stand at the water's edge and watch the waves come in and go out. As they watched they noticed that when the water receded sand was exposed. After a short time they would get a little daring and run out as the tide went out, chasing the water back to the ocean. They carefully would watch the waves in anticipation so they would have time to run ahead of the incoming wave back to the safety of the beach.
In Joshua chapter three, we find Israel standing on the edge of the Jordan River in anticipation of entering the Promised Land. For forty years God caused the Israelites to wander in the desert as punishment for their sins. Finally, a new generation was ready to enter the Promised Land; however, there was one major obstacle. Between the Israelites and the Promised Land was the Jordan River which was overflowing its banks due to the spring rains. Just think of the mixed emotions that went through each person's mind in anticipation of what was to come.
God always has a plan for carrying out His promises. God instructed Joshua what to do to solve their problem. The Priests that were carrying the Ark of the Covenant were to stand in the water at the edge of the Jordan River. As soon as the Priests feet touched the water, the waters parted. Then the Priests, carrying the Ark of the Covenant, stood on dry land in the middle of the river until the entire nation of Israel had crossed over into the Promised Land. Have you ever wondered about the anticipation that the Priests had waiting to see what God was going to do?
The anticipation of doing something new or dangerous is often accompanied by an element of fear. We can only imagine the fear the Priests must have felt as they stepped out into the raging river; nevertheless, they stepped in faith in obedience to God's command.
Think about all of the people and events we read about in the Bible. What was the anticipation of "things and events" like for them? What kind of anticipation did Noah go through building an ark in the desert and then waiting for it to rain? What about the anticipation that David experience when he was walking out to meet the giant Goliath with five stones and a sling shot?
What about the anticipation that the disciples had as they watched Jesus die on the cross? The disciples had been anticipating that Christ had come to set up His kingdom and free Israel from the oppressive rule of the Romans. The crucifixion of Jesus by the Romans dashed all of their hopes. It was not until after Jesus rose from the dead that they understood that Jesus would come again as a conquering King to rein over a new heaven and a new earth.
We all run into obstacles in our life that stand between us and what God wants us to do. In order for God to help us get around the obstacles we must trust Him and do what is right and not be afraid to step out in faith. If fear had kept the Priests from stepping into the river Jordan, they would have allowed the river to be an obstacle that would have kept them from what they had so long anticipated --- entering the Promised Land.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:3.
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to anticipate receiving God's blessings in my life. Help me to overcome the obstacles in my life that stand between me and You by trusting in You and being obedient to Your will for my life. Help our family to renew our relationship with You and each other.
ANTICIPATION
DEFINITION:
To expect or look forward to; to realize or feel beforehand.
SCRIPTURE:
Joshua told the people: Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you. Joshua 3:4
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When you think of times in your life when you anticipated something good or bad how did you react? Anticipation has an emotional effect on us. Excitement wells up within us when we are anticipating something good, such as the birth of a child, a trip, a reunion with someone close to us, etc.
When we are anticipating something bad we are filled with dread and fear. Often we find that after going through something we anticipated with dread, that the anticipation was worse than the actual experience.
When our children were young, we spent our vacation time each summer at the beach on the Pacific Ocean. Each of the children when experiencing the ocean surf for the first time showed fear of the breaking waves. They would stand at the water's edge and watch the waves come in and go out. As they watched they noticed that when the water receded sand was exposed. After a short time they would get a little daring and run out as the tide went out, chasing the water back to the ocean. They carefully would watch the waves in anticipation so they would have time to run ahead of the incoming wave back to the safety of the beach.
In Joshua chapter three, we find Israel standing on the edge of the Jordan River in anticipation of entering the Promised Land. For forty years God caused the Israelites to wander in the desert as punishment for their sins. Finally, a new generation was ready to enter the Promised Land; however, there was one major obstacle. Between the Israelites and the Promised Land was the Jordan River which was overflowing its banks due to the spring rains. Just think of the mixed emotions that went through each person's mind in anticipation of what was to come.
God always has a plan for carrying out His promises. God instructed Joshua what to do to solve their problem. The Priests that were carrying the Ark of the Covenant were to stand in the water at the edge of the Jordan River. As soon as the Priests feet touched the water, the waters parted. Then the Priests, carrying the Ark of the Covenant, stood on dry land in the middle of the river until the entire nation of Israel had crossed over into the Promised Land. Have you ever wondered about the anticipation that the Priests had waiting to see what God was going to do?
The anticipation of doing something new or dangerous is often accompanied by an element of fear. We can only imagine the fear the Priests must have felt as they stepped out into the raging river; nevertheless, they stepped in faith in obedience to God's command.
Think about all of the people and events we read about in the Bible. What was the anticipation of "things and events" like for them? What kind of anticipation did Noah go through building an ark in the desert and then waiting for it to rain? What about the anticipation that David experience when he was walking out to meet the giant Goliath with five stones and a sling shot?
What about the anticipation that the disciples had as they watched Jesus die on the cross? The disciples had been anticipating that Christ had come to set up His kingdom and free Israel from the oppressive rule of the Romans. The crucifixion of Jesus by the Romans dashed all of their hopes. It was not until after Jesus rose from the dead that they understood that Jesus would come again as a conquering King to rein over a new heaven and a new earth.
We all run into obstacles in our life that stand between us and what God wants us to do. In order for God to help us get around the obstacles we must trust Him and do what is right and not be afraid to step out in faith. If fear had kept the Priests from stepping into the river Jordan, they would have allowed the river to be an obstacle that would have kept them from what they had so long anticipated --- entering the Promised Land.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:3.
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to anticipate receiving God's blessings in my life. Help me to overcome the obstacles in my life that stand between me and You by trusting in You and being obedient to Your will for my life. Help our family to renew our relationship with You and each other.
Affection: April 23, 2013
Today's Word for Tuesday APRIL 23, 2013.
AFFECTION
DEFINITION:
Fond attachment; devotion or love; emotion; feeling; the emotional realm of love.
SCRIPTURE:
Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other. Romans 12:10.
For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:8
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Philippians 2:1-2.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Genuine affection is demonstrated by selfless kindness that causes a person to put aside their own interests for the good of another.
When we think of "genuine affection" we think of the relationship between David and Jonathan. In I Samuel 18:1, we are told that when they met each other an immediate bond developed between them. The scripture says that Jonathan loved David as himself. Jonathan showed his affection for David by giving him his robe, his tunic, his sword and his bow and belt.
Jonathan was Saul's son and David was his son-in-law. Saul became jealous of David's rise to fame because of his successes in battle and he wanted to kill him. Jonathan interceded because of his brotherly affection for David. Jonathan remained loyal to David and helped him escape Saul's many attempts to kill him.
Jonathan and David made fast their bond of affection to each other with a covenant. Jonathan, on his part, would keep David informed of Saul's plots to kill him. David promised to always treat Jonathan's family well after he became King. Why would Jonathan's affection for David be stronger than his affection for his own father? Jonathan saw David's faith in the Lord and saw that David tried to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord.
Jonathan did not allow his affection for his father blind him to the fact that his father's desire to kill David was wrong. Sometimes in order to stand for what is right we have to make difficult choices. Both Jonathan and David understood the meaning of the genuine affection that Paul spoke of later in the New Testament in Romans 12:10 (above). They took delight in honoring one another.
In Psalms 136, the Psalmist expressed that affection that God has for us endures forever. In Jeremiah 31:3 we are reminded of the Lord's affection to us when it is written that God has loved us with an everlasting love. It is because of this love for us that He reached out to us with loving kindness to save us from our sins. God's goodness to us flows from His deep and genuine affection for us.
God wants us to have that same genuine affection for others that He has for us. He wants us to exemplify the mutual love and commitment of true affection in our relationships with our family and our Christian friends. True affection among we who are believers will cause us to be like-minded and of one accord.
We can think back about 56 years ago when we first met each other as college students at Wheaton College. At first we shared an interest in each other but as we got to know each other we developed a deep affection for each other.
After about six months of dating we were separated for a year as Dottie finished at Wheaton and Ken went to Fuller Seminary, about 2000 miles apart.
Distance did not diminish the bond of affection between us even though communication was limited to mostly letters, as long distance phone calls were expensive. The bond of affection between us was strengthened by our shared love for the Lord and desire to honor Him and serve Him.
Our marriage has lasted because of our deep affection for each other and deep love for our Lord. We are committed to one another, we care for one another and when we disagree we seek to put aside our own interests in deference to the need of the other. We delight in honoring God and each other. Marriages fail when they are based only on physical affection and not on spiritual affection as well.
Paul describes his affection for the Christians in Philippi as being like the affection of Jesus Christ. Paul used the Greek word for affection in Philippians 1:8 because it best expressed compassionate love. Christ Jesus affection for us is most certainly compassionate love. When we truly love the Lord we will, like Paul, be able to love with the affection of Jesus.
The scripture in 1 Peter 4:8-9 gives us Peter's description of genuine affection: "Above all things have a fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling." It is only when we have a true affection for our Lord that we can really understand what it is to have true affection for one another.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:3.
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.
PRAYER:
Thank You Lord, for Your genuine affection for me. Thank You that Your compassionate love for me will endure forever. Help me to show always my family, my friends and those I meet genuine Christ honoring affection. Help me be an example through my walk and my talk that it is the love of Jesus that gives direction to my life.
AFFECTION
DEFINITION:
Fond attachment; devotion or love; emotion; feeling; the emotional realm of love.
SCRIPTURE:
Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other. Romans 12:10.
For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:8
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Philippians 2:1-2.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Genuine affection is demonstrated by selfless kindness that causes a person to put aside their own interests for the good of another.
When we think of "genuine affection" we think of the relationship between David and Jonathan. In I Samuel 18:1, we are told that when they met each other an immediate bond developed between them. The scripture says that Jonathan loved David as himself. Jonathan showed his affection for David by giving him his robe, his tunic, his sword and his bow and belt.
Jonathan was Saul's son and David was his son-in-law. Saul became jealous of David's rise to fame because of his successes in battle and he wanted to kill him. Jonathan interceded because of his brotherly affection for David. Jonathan remained loyal to David and helped him escape Saul's many attempts to kill him.
Jonathan and David made fast their bond of affection to each other with a covenant. Jonathan, on his part, would keep David informed of Saul's plots to kill him. David promised to always treat Jonathan's family well after he became King. Why would Jonathan's affection for David be stronger than his affection for his own father? Jonathan saw David's faith in the Lord and saw that David tried to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord.
Jonathan did not allow his affection for his father blind him to the fact that his father's desire to kill David was wrong. Sometimes in order to stand for what is right we have to make difficult choices. Both Jonathan and David understood the meaning of the genuine affection that Paul spoke of later in the New Testament in Romans 12:10 (above). They took delight in honoring one another.
In Psalms 136, the Psalmist expressed that affection that God has for us endures forever. In Jeremiah 31:3 we are reminded of the Lord's affection to us when it is written that God has loved us with an everlasting love. It is because of this love for us that He reached out to us with loving kindness to save us from our sins. God's goodness to us flows from His deep and genuine affection for us.
God wants us to have that same genuine affection for others that He has for us. He wants us to exemplify the mutual love and commitment of true affection in our relationships with our family and our Christian friends. True affection among we who are believers will cause us to be like-minded and of one accord.
We can think back about 56 years ago when we first met each other as college students at Wheaton College. At first we shared an interest in each other but as we got to know each other we developed a deep affection for each other.
After about six months of dating we were separated for a year as Dottie finished at Wheaton and Ken went to Fuller Seminary, about 2000 miles apart.
Distance did not diminish the bond of affection between us even though communication was limited to mostly letters, as long distance phone calls were expensive. The bond of affection between us was strengthened by our shared love for the Lord and desire to honor Him and serve Him.
Our marriage has lasted because of our deep affection for each other and deep love for our Lord. We are committed to one another, we care for one another and when we disagree we seek to put aside our own interests in deference to the need of the other. We delight in honoring God and each other. Marriages fail when they are based only on physical affection and not on spiritual affection as well.
Paul describes his affection for the Christians in Philippi as being like the affection of Jesus Christ. Paul used the Greek word for affection in Philippians 1:8 because it best expressed compassionate love. Christ Jesus affection for us is most certainly compassionate love. When we truly love the Lord we will, like Paul, be able to love with the affection of Jesus.
The scripture in 1 Peter 4:8-9 gives us Peter's description of genuine affection: "Above all things have a fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling." It is only when we have a true affection for our Lord that we can really understand what it is to have true affection for one another.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:3.
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.
PRAYER:
Thank You Lord, for Your genuine affection for me. Thank You that Your compassionate love for me will endure forever. Help me to show always my family, my friends and those I meet genuine Christ honoring affection. Help me be an example through my walk and my talk that it is the love of Jesus that gives direction to my life.
Patience: April 22, 2013
Today's Word for Monday APRIL 22, 2013.
PATIENCE
DEFINITION:
The power or capacity to endure without complaint something difficult or disagreeable; longsuffering; ability or willingness to suppress restlessness; quiet; steady; even tempered.
SCRIPTURE:
Make haste to help me O Lord. Psalm 70:1.
But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31.
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
In the first verse above, David showed his lack of patience but in the second verse Isaiah relates to us that we need to develop patience and learn to wait upon the Lord. But like David we do not like to wait. We dislike long lines at the super market, traffic jams, waiting to eat at a restaurant and even waiting for a friend or family member.
We live in a day when everyone wants instant gratification. We want everything now. When we pray and ask God for something and if it does not happen right away, we are like David. We say, "Hurry up Lord and answer my prayer." We must remember that patience requires perseverance and endurance.
Having the patience to wait on the Lord allows God to work in our lives so we can grow in faith. Waiting is a time of learning. What happens within us in the process is often more important than the attainment of what we are waiting for. Waiting on the Lord takes trust and obedience.
In James 1:2 to 4, James tells us to consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops patience. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Waiting for God to answer a prayer can cause us to doubt. Is God really listening? Does He hear our prayers? We can be assured that God does answer our prayers. His timetable is not the same as ours, but His timing is always perfect. Waiting may test our faith, but learning to have patience is part of becoming a mature Christian and being what God wants us to be.
In our family it is a known fact that I [Ken] do not like to wait and basically I am very impatient. It is my nature to want to have things done yesterday. Fortunately my wife, Dottie, is a perfect balance to me because she is always very patient. As I have grown older I have worked hard in trying to be more patient. Through this exercise I have realized the importance of balancing my tendency to be impatient with what God wants me to do spiritually --- wait upon Him.
Several times we have been amused when we think of a statement that the great preacher of years ago said in a sermon on patience. His illustration was completed when he said: By perseverance the snail reached the ark. Now that is patience.
Patience leads to success. Success is largely a matter of holding on after all others have let go. You need patience to make that happen.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:3.
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, give me patience today and help me to wait upon You to renew my strength. Help me to be patient with those who try to make my life difficult. Help our family to be patient with one another. Give our family today the patient endurance that will enable us to run and not be weary and to walk and not be faint.
PATIENCE
DEFINITION:
The power or capacity to endure without complaint something difficult or disagreeable; longsuffering; ability or willingness to suppress restlessness; quiet; steady; even tempered.
SCRIPTURE:
Make haste to help me O Lord. Psalm 70:1.
But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31.
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
In the first verse above, David showed his lack of patience but in the second verse Isaiah relates to us that we need to develop patience and learn to wait upon the Lord. But like David we do not like to wait. We dislike long lines at the super market, traffic jams, waiting to eat at a restaurant and even waiting for a friend or family member.
We live in a day when everyone wants instant gratification. We want everything now. When we pray and ask God for something and if it does not happen right away, we are like David. We say, "Hurry up Lord and answer my prayer." We must remember that patience requires perseverance and endurance.
Having the patience to wait on the Lord allows God to work in our lives so we can grow in faith. Waiting is a time of learning. What happens within us in the process is often more important than the attainment of what we are waiting for. Waiting on the Lord takes trust and obedience.
In James 1:2 to 4, James tells us to consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops patience. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Waiting for God to answer a prayer can cause us to doubt. Is God really listening? Does He hear our prayers? We can be assured that God does answer our prayers. His timetable is not the same as ours, but His timing is always perfect. Waiting may test our faith, but learning to have patience is part of becoming a mature Christian and being what God wants us to be.
In our family it is a known fact that I [Ken] do not like to wait and basically I am very impatient. It is my nature to want to have things done yesterday. Fortunately my wife, Dottie, is a perfect balance to me because she is always very patient. As I have grown older I have worked hard in trying to be more patient. Through this exercise I have realized the importance of balancing my tendency to be impatient with what God wants me to do spiritually --- wait upon Him.
Several times we have been amused when we think of a statement that the great preacher of years ago said in a sermon on patience. His illustration was completed when he said: By perseverance the snail reached the ark. Now that is patience.
Patience leads to success. Success is largely a matter of holding on after all others have let go. You need patience to make that happen.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:3.
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, give me patience today and help me to wait upon You to renew my strength. Help me to be patient with those who try to make my life difficult. Help our family to be patient with one another. Give our family today the patient endurance that will enable us to run and not be weary and to walk and not be faint.
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