GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SATURDAY JUNE 15, 2013.
PROVERB:
Starting a quarrel is like breaking a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. Proverbs 17:14.
PROMISE:
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14.
PRAISE:
I will praise You with the harp for Your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to You with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You, I, whom You have redeemed. My tongue will tell of Your righteous acts all day long, for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion. Psalm 71: 22-24
June 16, 2013
Patriotism: June 14, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY JUNE 14, 2013.
PATRIOTISM
DEFINITION:
Devoted, love, support and defense of one's country.
SCRIPTURE:
But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:16.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Our forefathers, who were the signers of the Declaration of Independence, were patriots who were willing to give their lives in the fight to obtain freedom from the British. They had a cause, they were united and they were willing to sacrifice to be successful.
Soon after the founding of America it was decided to have a flag that clearly showed the makeup of America. It began with 13 stars, each star representing one of the 13 American colonies. When America became a nation each star on our flag represented a state. Today we have 50 states thus 50 stars in our flag. The 13 stripes represented the 13 colonies as well.
Congress set aside one day a year for Americans to honor the flag. That day is June 14. That is why today is known as flag day. Many homes across America will hang a flag in front of their home on flag day serving as a reminder of the freedom we have in America.
The freedom we enjoy here in America came at a heavy cost. The courage and patriotism of all those who have put their lives on the line for all of us, both in the past and in the present, should inspire patriotic loyalty to our country.
The heart of the foundation of America was the faith our founding fathers had in God. They built this country on Judeo-Christian principles and God honored them for their faith.
Over these years there have been great changes in America, especially over the last few years. It could be said that America is no longer a nation that honors God. What has happened to prayer in the schools and in government? What has happened to the standards and beliefs of our leaders? What has happened to honesty and integrity in our government? They are things of the past.
Our country is a free nation although far from perfect, but fortunately, for believers, this world is only our temporary home. We have a better country to look forward to (read the above verse from Hebrews). God paid a heavy cost to give us our heavenly home. He sent His only Son to die on the cross to give us freedom from eternal death so that we could spend eternity with Him in the heavenly country He is preparing for us.
It is our challenge today, no matter what country we live in, to be loyal and courageous in our faith toward our "Heavenly Country" and our Lord. We are not to be ashamed of our faith knowing that our God is preparing a city, with a home for us, in our heavenly country.
Patriotism may come and go in this world. Events and situations will affect the patriotism of many people but our patriotism to our Lord and heavenly country should never waver. Our trust and patriotism will grow in the Lord as we put our complete trust in Him. Our foundation for our belief in God, our saving faith, is the infallible Word of God.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:14:
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
PRAYER:
We thank You for the freedom we have to worship You in spirit and in truth. May our patriotism to our country and, more importantly, to our Lord be strengthened daily. May we be courageous and bold in defending our faith to all that we walk with and talk with today.
PATRIOTISM
DEFINITION:
Devoted, love, support and defense of one's country.
SCRIPTURE:
But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:16.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Our forefathers, who were the signers of the Declaration of Independence, were patriots who were willing to give their lives in the fight to obtain freedom from the British. They had a cause, they were united and they were willing to sacrifice to be successful.
Soon after the founding of America it was decided to have a flag that clearly showed the makeup of America. It began with 13 stars, each star representing one of the 13 American colonies. When America became a nation each star on our flag represented a state. Today we have 50 states thus 50 stars in our flag. The 13 stripes represented the 13 colonies as well.
Congress set aside one day a year for Americans to honor the flag. That day is June 14. That is why today is known as flag day. Many homes across America will hang a flag in front of their home on flag day serving as a reminder of the freedom we have in America.
The freedom we enjoy here in America came at a heavy cost. The courage and patriotism of all those who have put their lives on the line for all of us, both in the past and in the present, should inspire patriotic loyalty to our country.
The heart of the foundation of America was the faith our founding fathers had in God. They built this country on Judeo-Christian principles and God honored them for their faith.
Over these years there have been great changes in America, especially over the last few years. It could be said that America is no longer a nation that honors God. What has happened to prayer in the schools and in government? What has happened to the standards and beliefs of our leaders? What has happened to honesty and integrity in our government? They are things of the past.
Our country is a free nation although far from perfect, but fortunately, for believers, this world is only our temporary home. We have a better country to look forward to (read the above verse from Hebrews). God paid a heavy cost to give us our heavenly home. He sent His only Son to die on the cross to give us freedom from eternal death so that we could spend eternity with Him in the heavenly country He is preparing for us.
It is our challenge today, no matter what country we live in, to be loyal and courageous in our faith toward our "Heavenly Country" and our Lord. We are not to be ashamed of our faith knowing that our God is preparing a city, with a home for us, in our heavenly country.
Patriotism may come and go in this world. Events and situations will affect the patriotism of many people but our patriotism to our Lord and heavenly country should never waver. Our trust and patriotism will grow in the Lord as we put our complete trust in Him. Our foundation for our belief in God, our saving faith, is the infallible Word of God.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:14:
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
PRAYER:
We thank You for the freedom we have to worship You in spirit and in truth. May our patriotism to our country and, more importantly, to our Lord be strengthened daily. May we be courageous and bold in defending our faith to all that we walk with and talk with today.
Conscience: June 13, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY JUNE 13, 2013.
CONSCIENCE
DEFINITION:
One's moral sense of right or wrong; the ethical and moral principles that control or inhibit the thoughts or actions of an individual.
SCRIPTURE:
This charge I commit to you - having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. I Timothy 1:18-20.
Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith. I Timothy 1: 5
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
God gave everyone a conscience. It is an inner sense which is like a radar system meant to send warnings when a behavior or decision might be harmful. This alarm system that God has given us allows people to clearly distinguish what is morally right and morally wrong, especially as it applies to one's own life.
Any action that is morally wrong will prick our conscience and produce an inner feeling of guilt and shame. If one ignores his or her conscience he or she does it at their own peril. Continually ignoring one's conscience hardens a person's heart and they become numb to guilt or shame. Many non-believers just say, "let your conscience be your guide" but can they really trust their conscience?
In a believer the conscience is a tool of the Holy Spirit. He programs our conscience with principles from God's Word so we can respond quickly. It is important to note that this alarm system we have serves as just a warning. How we respond is up to us. Either we ignore the warning or we stop to hear what the Holy Spirit has to say about the situation we are facing. The Holy Spirit reminds us of God's principles so we can make wise decisions about the warning bell that is ringing in our conscience.
The apostle Paul tells us in his letter to Timothy (I Timothy 1:19) that, "having faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck." Paul was very concerned about some in the church who had rejected their good conscience and as a result they had shipwrecked their lives. A good conscience steers us through the rocks and reefs of sin and error and keeps us on the right course. Hymanaeus and Alexander were two of those who had rejected their good consciences and as a result not only shipwrecked their own faith but were teaching false doctrine leading others on the wrong course.
Paul had to remove them from the fellowship of the church because they were being led by Satan. This is a danger we must all keep alert to daily. When our conscience warns us that we are doing wrong we must reject our sinful actions and let our God-given conscience steer us back on course. In other words when something appears on the radar system of a believer that speaks of disobedience toward God, we have to reject that action. If we do not the detection system becomes impaired and will not work right. If we do not listen and respond by doing what we know is right in God's sight, soon the alarm in our life will go completely silent.
Each time we deliberately ignore our conscience we harden our heart toward God and become callous to sin. Paul describes this process in Ephesians 4:18-19: “They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.”
Our conscience is our moral rudder. If we reject it we lose all moral direction and we are headed for a shipwreck of our faith just like Hymenaeus and Alexander.
It is important for believers to remember that God has given us the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and offer guidance to us as we make decisions. But we must be careful not to harbor sin in our lives because sin will interfere with the way our morality sensor functions. A trustworthy conscience is programmed with scriptural teaching so when sinful thoughts or choices come our way it will deliver a sharp warning.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:14.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
PRAYER
Help me to be alert so that when my spiritual alarm goes off that I will be quick to draw back and reject any unwise choices that I face. Help me to realize that my conscience is not designed to be my guide but it is a tool of the Holy Spirit working within me. Help me to be submissive to the Holy Spirit so I can conform to the likeness of Christ.
CONSCIENCE
DEFINITION:
One's moral sense of right or wrong; the ethical and moral principles that control or inhibit the thoughts or actions of an individual.
SCRIPTURE:
This charge I commit to you - having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. I Timothy 1:18-20.
Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith. I Timothy 1: 5
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
God gave everyone a conscience. It is an inner sense which is like a radar system meant to send warnings when a behavior or decision might be harmful. This alarm system that God has given us allows people to clearly distinguish what is morally right and morally wrong, especially as it applies to one's own life.
Any action that is morally wrong will prick our conscience and produce an inner feeling of guilt and shame. If one ignores his or her conscience he or she does it at their own peril. Continually ignoring one's conscience hardens a person's heart and they become numb to guilt or shame. Many non-believers just say, "let your conscience be your guide" but can they really trust their conscience?
In a believer the conscience is a tool of the Holy Spirit. He programs our conscience with principles from God's Word so we can respond quickly. It is important to note that this alarm system we have serves as just a warning. How we respond is up to us. Either we ignore the warning or we stop to hear what the Holy Spirit has to say about the situation we are facing. The Holy Spirit reminds us of God's principles so we can make wise decisions about the warning bell that is ringing in our conscience.
The apostle Paul tells us in his letter to Timothy (I Timothy 1:19) that, "having faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck." Paul was very concerned about some in the church who had rejected their good conscience and as a result they had shipwrecked their lives. A good conscience steers us through the rocks and reefs of sin and error and keeps us on the right course. Hymanaeus and Alexander were two of those who had rejected their good consciences and as a result not only shipwrecked their own faith but were teaching false doctrine leading others on the wrong course.
Paul had to remove them from the fellowship of the church because they were being led by Satan. This is a danger we must all keep alert to daily. When our conscience warns us that we are doing wrong we must reject our sinful actions and let our God-given conscience steer us back on course. In other words when something appears on the radar system of a believer that speaks of disobedience toward God, we have to reject that action. If we do not the detection system becomes impaired and will not work right. If we do not listen and respond by doing what we know is right in God's sight, soon the alarm in our life will go completely silent.
Each time we deliberately ignore our conscience we harden our heart toward God and become callous to sin. Paul describes this process in Ephesians 4:18-19: “They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.”
Our conscience is our moral rudder. If we reject it we lose all moral direction and we are headed for a shipwreck of our faith just like Hymenaeus and Alexander.
It is important for believers to remember that God has given us the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and offer guidance to us as we make decisions. But we must be careful not to harbor sin in our lives because sin will interfere with the way our morality sensor functions. A trustworthy conscience is programmed with scriptural teaching so when sinful thoughts or choices come our way it will deliver a sharp warning.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:14.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
PRAYER
Help me to be alert so that when my spiritual alarm goes off that I will be quick to draw back and reject any unwise choices that I face. Help me to realize that my conscience is not designed to be my guide but it is a tool of the Holy Spirit working within me. Help me to be submissive to the Holy Spirit so I can conform to the likeness of Christ.
Despair: June 12, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY JUNE 12, 2013.
DESPAIR
DEFINITION:
Loss of hope; hopelessness; a state of mind caused by circumstances that seem too much to cope with; a sense of futility.
SCRIPTURE:
For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great in His unfailing love. Lamentations 3:31-32.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Most of us at some time in our life will experience despair --- that state of mind caused by circumstances that seem too much to cope with. Despair is what is felt by those who are so poor they do not know when they will eat again. The loss of a job for one or both parents brings despair to a family. Single moms often experience the feeling of despair as they are left to be mother and father to their child or children. With the feeling of despair comes the feeling that God no longer cares.
In the book of Ruth we read about a mother, named Naomi, who was in deep despair and with good reason. Naomi had lost not only her husband but two sons as well.
It is recorded in the book of Ruth that Naomi and Elimeleck and her two sons had to leave their home in Bethlehem, Judah, and move to Moab because of a famine in Judah. Elimeleck died in Moab and Naomi was left with her two sons. Her two sons soon married Moabite women. Soon after, her two sons died and this left Naomi a widow with two widowed daughter-in-laws. In those days widows without family were destined to a life of poverty.
In the ten years since Naomi had left her home in Bethlehem she had suffered great loss and terrible hardship. She had lost everything. Who could blame her for feeling despair and hopelessness? Naomi decided to return to her homeland and Ruth (one of her widowed daughter-in-laws) went with her.
Naomi felt like many single moms feel. She felt she had more than she could cope with. She could see no hope in her future and she had become bitter.
Upon her return to Bethlehem when those who knew Naomi greeted her by her name, her despair and bitterness welled up in her and she let it all out: "Don't call me Naomi," (which means pleasant) she told them. "Call me Mara," (which means bitter). I went away full, but the Lord brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me."
Although Naomi had faith in God it is evident by Naomi's words that despair has over-whelmed her. She lashes out at God and blames God for allowing what has happened to her. This is typical of people who have allowed circumstances to make them bitter. They look to blame someone and if they can't blame someone they will blame God.
Naomi couldn't see the future and she lost hope in the one that holds the future. Naomi's sad story does have a happy ending. God in His divine providence had a purpose and a plan. Through Naomi's daughter-in-law Ruth, God brought hope not only to Naomi but to all of us today.
As the story unfolds in the book of Ruth, Boaz, who is a relative of Naomi, marries Ruth and they have a son that they name Obed. Boaz and Ruth become the great-grandparents of David, Israel's greatest King. More importantly, God chose to bring His Son Jesus into the world through the line of descendants of David, Obed and Boaz. Their names are listed in the genealogy of Jesus found in Ruth 4:18-22 and Matthew 1:1-16.
When we are in the depths of despair we must remember that although God allows grief to enter our life, He has compassion on us because of His great and unfailing love for us. He hears us when we call on Him and rescues us from all of our troubles. (Above verses)
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:14.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
PRAYER:
Thank You for Your great compassion and unfailing love. Help me to remember that when I feel despair that I can call on You and that I will know that You hear me. Thank You that I can trust You to not only hear me, but deliver me from what troubles me.
DESPAIR
DEFINITION:
Loss of hope; hopelessness; a state of mind caused by circumstances that seem too much to cope with; a sense of futility.
SCRIPTURE:
For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great in His unfailing love. Lamentations 3:31-32.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Most of us at some time in our life will experience despair --- that state of mind caused by circumstances that seem too much to cope with. Despair is what is felt by those who are so poor they do not know when they will eat again. The loss of a job for one or both parents brings despair to a family. Single moms often experience the feeling of despair as they are left to be mother and father to their child or children. With the feeling of despair comes the feeling that God no longer cares.
In the book of Ruth we read about a mother, named Naomi, who was in deep despair and with good reason. Naomi had lost not only her husband but two sons as well.
It is recorded in the book of Ruth that Naomi and Elimeleck and her two sons had to leave their home in Bethlehem, Judah, and move to Moab because of a famine in Judah. Elimeleck died in Moab and Naomi was left with her two sons. Her two sons soon married Moabite women. Soon after, her two sons died and this left Naomi a widow with two widowed daughter-in-laws. In those days widows without family were destined to a life of poverty.
In the ten years since Naomi had left her home in Bethlehem she had suffered great loss and terrible hardship. She had lost everything. Who could blame her for feeling despair and hopelessness? Naomi decided to return to her homeland and Ruth (one of her widowed daughter-in-laws) went with her.
Naomi felt like many single moms feel. She felt she had more than she could cope with. She could see no hope in her future and she had become bitter.
Upon her return to Bethlehem when those who knew Naomi greeted her by her name, her despair and bitterness welled up in her and she let it all out: "Don't call me Naomi," (which means pleasant) she told them. "Call me Mara," (which means bitter). I went away full, but the Lord brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me."
Although Naomi had faith in God it is evident by Naomi's words that despair has over-whelmed her. She lashes out at God and blames God for allowing what has happened to her. This is typical of people who have allowed circumstances to make them bitter. They look to blame someone and if they can't blame someone they will blame God.
Naomi couldn't see the future and she lost hope in the one that holds the future. Naomi's sad story does have a happy ending. God in His divine providence had a purpose and a plan. Through Naomi's daughter-in-law Ruth, God brought hope not only to Naomi but to all of us today.
As the story unfolds in the book of Ruth, Boaz, who is a relative of Naomi, marries Ruth and they have a son that they name Obed. Boaz and Ruth become the great-grandparents of David, Israel's greatest King. More importantly, God chose to bring His Son Jesus into the world through the line of descendants of David, Obed and Boaz. Their names are listed in the genealogy of Jesus found in Ruth 4:18-22 and Matthew 1:1-16.
When we are in the depths of despair we must remember that although God allows grief to enter our life, He has compassion on us because of His great and unfailing love for us. He hears us when we call on Him and rescues us from all of our troubles. (Above verses)
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:14.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
PRAYER:
Thank You for Your great compassion and unfailing love. Help me to remember that when I feel despair that I can call on You and that I will know that You hear me. Thank You that I can trust You to not only hear me, but deliver me from what troubles me.
Ashamed: June 11, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY JUNE 11, 2013.
ASHAMED
DEFINITION:
Feeling shame, distress or embarrassment by feelings of guilt; unwilling or restrained because of fear of shame, ridicule or disapproval.
SCRIPTURE:
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes. Romans 1:16.
Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God. I Peter 4:16.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Recently, we have noticed a fear among believers who know the Lord concerning their desire to communicate to others about their faith. As a result of the influence of the liberal media and the pressure of being "politically correct" there is a moving away from the Judeo-Christian principles that our country was founded on and many Christians are drawing themselves into a so called "shell."
They do this because they do not want to cause conflict and be ridiculed for their faith and beliefs. It seems they are ashamed to let others know that they are a Christian. Being ashamed of our faith is not of God and dishonors Him.
Peter instructs us not to be ashamed of our faith and if any of us do suffer as a result of our faith we can give glory to God through that suffering. In Romans, Paul tells us that it is important for believers to understand that the reason we are not to be ashamed of the gospel message of our faith in Christ is because it is, "the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes (Romans 1:16, above). It is through us that God brings His message of salvation to others.
More than at any time in history God is expecting us, as Christians, to stand up for what we believe. God has not promised us that it would be easy and that we would not run into those who disagreed with what we believed, some even violently.
All we have to do is look at the life of Paul and the apostles in the book of Acts to see that this is true. God has promised that if we stay true to Him and keep, as we say, "PRAYED UP," then He will lead and guide us through every situation.
Anytime we, as a believer, are in a situation where we are outnumbered it is hard not to feel inadequate. We learn in Paul’s letter to Timothy, Paul’s young associate, that he was concerned that Timothy would weaken under pressure and not be able to stand strong against false teachers in the church at Ephesus. Paul had sent Timothy there as his representative and to be their pastor.
Paul wrote Timothy, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity” II Timothy 4:12.
There is no better way to show that we are not ashamed of the gospel message than make it evident by example. Paul lists five areas in which we are to set an example:
• Speech
• Conduct (righteous living)
• Love (sacrificial service to others)
• Faith (commitment)
• Purity
Do not be ashamed of your faith. Glorify God by living an exemplary life and let others see Christ in you.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:14.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
PRAYER:
Help me not to be ashamed of what You have given me. Thank You for the assurance of eternal life and the assurance that You will be with me every moment of this day. Encourage my family, my friends and my neighbors who know You to stand up for what they believe. Give each one of us today many opportunities to share with others what You have given to us.
ASHAMED
DEFINITION:
Feeling shame, distress or embarrassment by feelings of guilt; unwilling or restrained because of fear of shame, ridicule or disapproval.
SCRIPTURE:
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes. Romans 1:16.
Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God. I Peter 4:16.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Recently, we have noticed a fear among believers who know the Lord concerning their desire to communicate to others about their faith. As a result of the influence of the liberal media and the pressure of being "politically correct" there is a moving away from the Judeo-Christian principles that our country was founded on and many Christians are drawing themselves into a so called "shell."
They do this because they do not want to cause conflict and be ridiculed for their faith and beliefs. It seems they are ashamed to let others know that they are a Christian. Being ashamed of our faith is not of God and dishonors Him.
Peter instructs us not to be ashamed of our faith and if any of us do suffer as a result of our faith we can give glory to God through that suffering. In Romans, Paul tells us that it is important for believers to understand that the reason we are not to be ashamed of the gospel message of our faith in Christ is because it is, "the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes (Romans 1:16, above). It is through us that God brings His message of salvation to others.
More than at any time in history God is expecting us, as Christians, to stand up for what we believe. God has not promised us that it would be easy and that we would not run into those who disagreed with what we believed, some even violently.
All we have to do is look at the life of Paul and the apostles in the book of Acts to see that this is true. God has promised that if we stay true to Him and keep, as we say, "PRAYED UP," then He will lead and guide us through every situation.
Anytime we, as a believer, are in a situation where we are outnumbered it is hard not to feel inadequate. We learn in Paul’s letter to Timothy, Paul’s young associate, that he was concerned that Timothy would weaken under pressure and not be able to stand strong against false teachers in the church at Ephesus. Paul had sent Timothy there as his representative and to be their pastor.
Paul wrote Timothy, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity” II Timothy 4:12.
There is no better way to show that we are not ashamed of the gospel message than make it evident by example. Paul lists five areas in which we are to set an example:
• Speech
• Conduct (righteous living)
• Love (sacrificial service to others)
• Faith (commitment)
• Purity
Do not be ashamed of your faith. Glorify God by living an exemplary life and let others see Christ in you.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:14.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
PRAYER:
Help me not to be ashamed of what You have given me. Thank You for the assurance of eternal life and the assurance that You will be with me every moment of this day. Encourage my family, my friends and my neighbors who know You to stand up for what they believe. Give each one of us today many opportunities to share with others what You have given to us.
Destiny: June 10, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY JUNE 10, 2013.
DESTINY
DEFINITION:
That which is to happen or has happened to a particular person or thing; the predetermined usually inevitable or irresistible course of events.
SCRIPTURE:
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. Ephesians 1:5
Beloved, now we are children of God. I John 3:2
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Many people are asking the questions: What is my destiny? Who am I? Why am I here? How did I get to where I am? Where am I going?
Some years ago we heard the story of a young child who had been told how God created Adam from the dust of the earth and that after death we return to dust. Not long after being told this story the child excitedly called for his mother to come to his room because there was some dust under his bed and he could not tell if this person was coming or going.
People are continually coming into this world and continually going. It is the destiny of all of us. We are born; we live out our life span; and then we die. We all have questions concerning our destiny. These are all crucial questions and need to be answered.
Are you perplexed by these same questions? We want you to know that at an earlier time in our lives we faced these questions. The good news is that the Bible, God's Word, had answers for us and He has the same for you.
God created each one of us and He created us for a purpose and with a destiny. Long before He created the world, God, because of His love for us, planned that our destiny was to be adopted as one of His children through Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:5)
In I John 3, the writer, John, calls those who are believers "children of God." The first question that may come to your mind is, "How do I become a child of God?" The scripture tells us in John 1:12 that we become His children by receiving Jesus as our Savior. To receive Jesus as our Savior is not complicated. We must first acknowledge that we are sinners. There is a penalty we must pay. But the good news is that Jesus paid the penalty for all of our sins by dying on the cross. We must admit we are a sinner, ask Him to forgive us of our sins and receive Him as our Savior. At an early age we had that question answered in our lives when we accepted Jesus as our Savior.
Now, you may ask the question, that if we are a child of God, where are we going. In John 14:1-6 we are told in the words of Jesus Himself that one day He will receive us into a home that He is now preparing for us in heaven.
The story is told about a philosopher named Arthur Schopenhauer who lived in the 1800's in Berlin Germany, and day after day he walked through the museum constantly asking himself questions about his origin and destiny. He continued to look for answers in the museum but never could find an answer for any of his questions.
One day a park keeper walked up to him after daily seeing him dressed shabbily, looking depressed and lost. He asked the philosopher, who are you? Where are you going? With a pained expression the philosopher responded by saying, "I do not know. I wish somebody would help me." Philosophy has never been able to answer those questions.
Our maker is not only the author of science and history but He writes the story of every member of Adam's family since the beginning of time. This includes the philosopher, you and me.
We have no control over our coming into this world. Where and when we are born is in God's hands. However, we are in control of where we are going. God has given us a free will. We choose our final destiny. The choice is heaven or hell. If we choose to spend eternity in heaven, all we have to do is accept Jesus as the Savior that paid the penalty for our sins. The philosopher was searching but no one helped him find his way to saving grace through Jesus Christ.
When you know Jesus, you know who you are and where you are going. Do not continue to search in the wrong places. Today is the day to determine your destiny.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:14.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
PRAYER:
My prayer today is that You may open my ears that I may hear Your voice of truth. Thank You for the assurance that I have that as a child of God I know my sins are forgiven and that You are preparing a home for me in heaven. Help my words and actions today to show others the hope that I have because I know that I am a child of God.
DESTINY
DEFINITION:
That which is to happen or has happened to a particular person or thing; the predetermined usually inevitable or irresistible course of events.
SCRIPTURE:
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. Ephesians 1:5
Beloved, now we are children of God. I John 3:2
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Many people are asking the questions: What is my destiny? Who am I? Why am I here? How did I get to where I am? Where am I going?
Some years ago we heard the story of a young child who had been told how God created Adam from the dust of the earth and that after death we return to dust. Not long after being told this story the child excitedly called for his mother to come to his room because there was some dust under his bed and he could not tell if this person was coming or going.
People are continually coming into this world and continually going. It is the destiny of all of us. We are born; we live out our life span; and then we die. We all have questions concerning our destiny. These are all crucial questions and need to be answered.
Are you perplexed by these same questions? We want you to know that at an earlier time in our lives we faced these questions. The good news is that the Bible, God's Word, had answers for us and He has the same for you.
God created each one of us and He created us for a purpose and with a destiny. Long before He created the world, God, because of His love for us, planned that our destiny was to be adopted as one of His children through Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:5)
In I John 3, the writer, John, calls those who are believers "children of God." The first question that may come to your mind is, "How do I become a child of God?" The scripture tells us in John 1:12 that we become His children by receiving Jesus as our Savior. To receive Jesus as our Savior is not complicated. We must first acknowledge that we are sinners. There is a penalty we must pay. But the good news is that Jesus paid the penalty for all of our sins by dying on the cross. We must admit we are a sinner, ask Him to forgive us of our sins and receive Him as our Savior. At an early age we had that question answered in our lives when we accepted Jesus as our Savior.
Now, you may ask the question, that if we are a child of God, where are we going. In John 14:1-6 we are told in the words of Jesus Himself that one day He will receive us into a home that He is now preparing for us in heaven.
The story is told about a philosopher named Arthur Schopenhauer who lived in the 1800's in Berlin Germany, and day after day he walked through the museum constantly asking himself questions about his origin and destiny. He continued to look for answers in the museum but never could find an answer for any of his questions.
One day a park keeper walked up to him after daily seeing him dressed shabbily, looking depressed and lost. He asked the philosopher, who are you? Where are you going? With a pained expression the philosopher responded by saying, "I do not know. I wish somebody would help me." Philosophy has never been able to answer those questions.
Our maker is not only the author of science and history but He writes the story of every member of Adam's family since the beginning of time. This includes the philosopher, you and me.
We have no control over our coming into this world. Where and when we are born is in God's hands. However, we are in control of where we are going. God has given us a free will. We choose our final destiny. The choice is heaven or hell. If we choose to spend eternity in heaven, all we have to do is accept Jesus as the Savior that paid the penalty for our sins. The philosopher was searching but no one helped him find his way to saving grace through Jesus Christ.
When you know Jesus, you know who you are and where you are going. Do not continue to search in the wrong places. Today is the day to determine your destiny.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:14.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
PRAYER:
My prayer today is that You may open my ears that I may hear Your voice of truth. Thank You for the assurance that I have that as a child of God I know my sins are forgiven and that You are preparing a home for me in heaven. Help my words and actions today to show others the hope that I have because I know that I am a child of God.
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