GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2013.
PROVERB:
Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble. Proverbs 25:19
PROMISE:
Because he loves me, says the Lord, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. Psalm 91: 14-15.
PRAISE:
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Exodus 15:2
September 15, 2013
Reward: September 13, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2013
REWARD
DEFINITION:
Something given or received for services rendered; merit; hardship; compensation for doing good.
SCRIPTURE:
Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely He is God who judges in the earth. Psalm 58:11.
I will punish them for their ways, and reward them for their deeds. Hosea 4:9
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad for great is your reward in heaven. Matthew 5:12
But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great. Luke 6:35.
And each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
I Corinthians 3:8.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
It seems that it is human nature to respond to rewards. Children will do special projects for a parent when there is a reward involved. Students generally will go the extra mile to complete an assignment when there is a reward involved. In the work place employees always do a job more accurately and with more speed when there is a reward involved.
After the big earthquake we went through in 1971 in Los Angeles, a freeway that was demolished needed to be rebuilt quickly as it was a main traffic route. The city offered a bonus for each day that the construction company finished the rebuilding before the agreed upon completion date. It was amazing to see how fast the job was completed. But the financial reward was great and encouraged hard and efficient work.
In the Bible there are many references to rewards. Almost without exception when the scriptures mention reward it is for those of us who are faithful in serving the Lord here on earth and the reward we will receive in heaven. What an awesome promise. As Christians we should want to do things to help others without the need for a reward, nevertheless God has promised a reward for being obedient to His teachings and the giving of ourselves to serve Him by helping others. (Luke 6:35)
One of the things we strived to teach our children was a good work ethic. We taught them early on that they should always try to do their best in everything they attempted. Colossians 3:23 reads: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for man, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Jesus you are serving.”
We knew that in school and later in the work place our children would see many of their peers doing as little as possible to get by. We wanted them to understand that as Christians they were serving Christ and also representing Him so they needed to fulfill their responsibilities completely and efficiently. We also shared with them that their life might be the only “BIBLE” that their peers would ever read.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:7.
Do not be amazed that I said unto you, you must be born again.
PRAYER:
Help me to remember to do the things today that honor Your name. Make me a blessing to those that my life touches. Thank You for the promises that are in Your Word of the rewards that are waiting for me in heaven if I live in obedience to Your Word. Keep me faithful in studying Your Word so that I may live a life that brings glory to Your name and so that others will see Christ in me.
REWARD
DEFINITION:
Something given or received for services rendered; merit; hardship; compensation for doing good.
SCRIPTURE:
Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely He is God who judges in the earth. Psalm 58:11.
I will punish them for their ways, and reward them for their deeds. Hosea 4:9
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad for great is your reward in heaven. Matthew 5:12
But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great. Luke 6:35.
And each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
I Corinthians 3:8.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
It seems that it is human nature to respond to rewards. Children will do special projects for a parent when there is a reward involved. Students generally will go the extra mile to complete an assignment when there is a reward involved. In the work place employees always do a job more accurately and with more speed when there is a reward involved.
After the big earthquake we went through in 1971 in Los Angeles, a freeway that was demolished needed to be rebuilt quickly as it was a main traffic route. The city offered a bonus for each day that the construction company finished the rebuilding before the agreed upon completion date. It was amazing to see how fast the job was completed. But the financial reward was great and encouraged hard and efficient work.
In the Bible there are many references to rewards. Almost without exception when the scriptures mention reward it is for those of us who are faithful in serving the Lord here on earth and the reward we will receive in heaven. What an awesome promise. As Christians we should want to do things to help others without the need for a reward, nevertheless God has promised a reward for being obedient to His teachings and the giving of ourselves to serve Him by helping others. (Luke 6:35)
One of the things we strived to teach our children was a good work ethic. We taught them early on that they should always try to do their best in everything they attempted. Colossians 3:23 reads: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for man, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Jesus you are serving.”
We knew that in school and later in the work place our children would see many of their peers doing as little as possible to get by. We wanted them to understand that as Christians they were serving Christ and also representing Him so they needed to fulfill their responsibilities completely and efficiently. We also shared with them that their life might be the only “BIBLE” that their peers would ever read.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:7.
Do not be amazed that I said unto you, you must be born again.
PRAYER:
Help me to remember to do the things today that honor Your name. Make me a blessing to those that my life touches. Thank You for the promises that are in Your Word of the rewards that are waiting for me in heaven if I live in obedience to Your Word. Keep me faithful in studying Your Word so that I may live a life that brings glory to Your name and so that others will see Christ in me.
Inerrancy: September 12, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2013.
INERRANCY
DEFINITION:
Inerrancy as it relates to God’s Word (the Bible) means free of mistakes. In this context the Bible is also infallible and inspired.
SCRIPTURE:
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
II Timothy 3:16
The law of the Lord is perfect, the testimony of the Lord is sure, the precepts of the Lord are right, the commandment of the Lord is pure. Psalm 19:7-8.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
For over eighteen centuries the vast majority of people in the Christian world have accepted the Scriptures as THE HOLY BIBLE and believed it to be God’s revealed message to all mankind. People believed that the Bible was free of mistakes, that it could not be wrong on any subject, and that its words came direct from God through chosen prophets. In regard to the Old Testament scriptures the Jewish believers held this view centuries before Christians did and Orthodox Jews hold this same position today.
Evangelical Christians today believe that God spoke to men through the Holy Spirit as II Peter 1:20-21 says: “no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” Thus the Bible is accepted as verbally written words, not merely thoughts. The Psalmist declares (in the verse above) that God’s Word is perfect, sure, right and pure. God’s Word thus is inerrant, infallible and inspired as they were originally written.
During the last two centuries men and women have risen up and have attacked the inerrancy of the Bible. They have rejected the creation account, the miracles of Jesus, the deity of Jesus and many other great and eternal truths. This began in graduate institutions of learning and today has permeated our public education system.
The New Testament was written by eyewitnesses who knew Jesus personally or by those who knew those that had known Jesus. Do we believe someone who was actually there or someone of more recent date who is many years removed from the time of Christ being on this earth. People have their opinions but opinions are not necessarily based on facts.
We have been taught by our parents and teachers in school and church that the scriptures are inerrant, infallible and inspired. We in turn have taught our children the same and now our grandchildren are being taught this as well. Each year there are more pressures put on children, youth and adults to question the inerrancy of the Bible. The fact is that GODS WORD NEVER CHANGES BUT PEOPLE DO CHANGE! People are fallible and their opinions are easily influenced.
Very often we talk to people that question the inerrancy of the Bible. And when we take the time to sit down and watch TV we are overwhelmed by the conscious and unconscious attacks on truths we learned and now live by from the Bible. People say to us such things as “Do you really think that Jonah was swallowed by that whale, or there is no way the story of Noah and the flood ever happened?”
People have a hard time accepting what seems to be impossible, but we must remember that with God all things are possible. We cannot limit God and we should not want to believe in a God who has limited power.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:7.
Do not be amazed that I said unto you, you must be born again,
PRAYER:
Thank you, Lord, for giving me the Holy Bible to read each day. May I never question the accuracy of the scriptures and may I allow the power of Your infallible Word correct me and instruct me in righteousness.
INERRANCY
DEFINITION:
Inerrancy as it relates to God’s Word (the Bible) means free of mistakes. In this context the Bible is also infallible and inspired.
SCRIPTURE:
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
II Timothy 3:16
The law of the Lord is perfect, the testimony of the Lord is sure, the precepts of the Lord are right, the commandment of the Lord is pure. Psalm 19:7-8.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
For over eighteen centuries the vast majority of people in the Christian world have accepted the Scriptures as THE HOLY BIBLE and believed it to be God’s revealed message to all mankind. People believed that the Bible was free of mistakes, that it could not be wrong on any subject, and that its words came direct from God through chosen prophets. In regard to the Old Testament scriptures the Jewish believers held this view centuries before Christians did and Orthodox Jews hold this same position today.
Evangelical Christians today believe that God spoke to men through the Holy Spirit as II Peter 1:20-21 says: “no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” Thus the Bible is accepted as verbally written words, not merely thoughts. The Psalmist declares (in the verse above) that God’s Word is perfect, sure, right and pure. God’s Word thus is inerrant, infallible and inspired as they were originally written.
During the last two centuries men and women have risen up and have attacked the inerrancy of the Bible. They have rejected the creation account, the miracles of Jesus, the deity of Jesus and many other great and eternal truths. This began in graduate institutions of learning and today has permeated our public education system.
The New Testament was written by eyewitnesses who knew Jesus personally or by those who knew those that had known Jesus. Do we believe someone who was actually there or someone of more recent date who is many years removed from the time of Christ being on this earth. People have their opinions but opinions are not necessarily based on facts.
We have been taught by our parents and teachers in school and church that the scriptures are inerrant, infallible and inspired. We in turn have taught our children the same and now our grandchildren are being taught this as well. Each year there are more pressures put on children, youth and adults to question the inerrancy of the Bible. The fact is that GODS WORD NEVER CHANGES BUT PEOPLE DO CHANGE! People are fallible and their opinions are easily influenced.
Very often we talk to people that question the inerrancy of the Bible. And when we take the time to sit down and watch TV we are overwhelmed by the conscious and unconscious attacks on truths we learned and now live by from the Bible. People say to us such things as “Do you really think that Jonah was swallowed by that whale, or there is no way the story of Noah and the flood ever happened?”
People have a hard time accepting what seems to be impossible, but we must remember that with God all things are possible. We cannot limit God and we should not want to believe in a God who has limited power.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:7.
Do not be amazed that I said unto you, you must be born again,
PRAYER:
Thank you, Lord, for giving me the Holy Bible to read each day. May I never question the accuracy of the scriptures and may I allow the power of Your infallible Word correct me and instruct me in righteousness.
Steadfastness: September 11, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2013.
STEADFASTNESS
DEFINITION:
Firm and resolute in purpose, faith, adherence etc; unwavering.
SCRIPTURE:
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
I Corinthians 15:58.
For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
Colossians 2:5
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
One of our many concerns when we were raising our children was that we would be consistent in encouraging them to be steadfast (firm) in their faith in God. We alerted them often that their steadfastness would be expressed in their obedience to God’s Word which would govern the way they live. It is steadfastness of our faith in Christ that gets us through times of uncertainty.
Steadfastness is a difficult assignment in our world today. For young people there are many outside pressures and influences on them continually. Most of them are negative and if they are not resisted it is difficult for young people to remain steadfast in their Christian standards.
This is also true for parents and adults without children. Negative influences that many people dismiss as the norm because everyone is doing those things can tempt one to waver from their steadfastness in their beliefs.
In the first verse above, the apostle Paul was talking to the believers of Jesus in the church at Corinth. His words to them should be seriously taken by us today. He challenged them to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. If we live according to this challenge we will be a shining light in a dark world to all who know us. Paul closes out this verse by reminding them and us that when we are steadfast in our faith that our labor will not be in vain.
Although at times we may not see the results of our labor for the Lord, we should remain steadfast in our faith and not be discouraged because anything done for the Lord is never useless. God will reward us, you can be sure, and the reward we receive in heaven will be greater than anything we could obtain on this earth.
In the second verse above Paul is speaking to the believers in the church at Colossi. He hears that they are walking with the Lord and daily working on establishing their faith. So he is congratulating them for their steadfastness in remaining strong in their faith. Their unwavering faith caused the apostle Paul to rejoice.
Our desire as a believer should be to stay steadfast and strong in our faith so that we are a cause for our Lord to rejoice.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:7.
Do not be amazed that I said to you, you must be born again.
PRAYER:
Help me and my family to grow daily in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. May we be steadfast, firm and resolute in our stand for our Lord. We praise you for our salvation and the assurance we have, as one of your children, that we will spend eternity with You.
STEADFASTNESS
DEFINITION:
Firm and resolute in purpose, faith, adherence etc; unwavering.
SCRIPTURE:
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
I Corinthians 15:58.
For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
Colossians 2:5
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
One of our many concerns when we were raising our children was that we would be consistent in encouraging them to be steadfast (firm) in their faith in God. We alerted them often that their steadfastness would be expressed in their obedience to God’s Word which would govern the way they live. It is steadfastness of our faith in Christ that gets us through times of uncertainty.
Steadfastness is a difficult assignment in our world today. For young people there are many outside pressures and influences on them continually. Most of them are negative and if they are not resisted it is difficult for young people to remain steadfast in their Christian standards.
This is also true for parents and adults without children. Negative influences that many people dismiss as the norm because everyone is doing those things can tempt one to waver from their steadfastness in their beliefs.
In the first verse above, the apostle Paul was talking to the believers of Jesus in the church at Corinth. His words to them should be seriously taken by us today. He challenged them to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. If we live according to this challenge we will be a shining light in a dark world to all who know us. Paul closes out this verse by reminding them and us that when we are steadfast in our faith that our labor will not be in vain.
Although at times we may not see the results of our labor for the Lord, we should remain steadfast in our faith and not be discouraged because anything done for the Lord is never useless. God will reward us, you can be sure, and the reward we receive in heaven will be greater than anything we could obtain on this earth.
In the second verse above Paul is speaking to the believers in the church at Colossi. He hears that they are walking with the Lord and daily working on establishing their faith. So he is congratulating them for their steadfastness in remaining strong in their faith. Their unwavering faith caused the apostle Paul to rejoice.
Our desire as a believer should be to stay steadfast and strong in our faith so that we are a cause for our Lord to rejoice.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:7.
Do not be amazed that I said to you, you must be born again.
PRAYER:
Help me and my family to grow daily in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. May we be steadfast, firm and resolute in our stand for our Lord. We praise you for our salvation and the assurance we have, as one of your children, that we will spend eternity with You.
Possessions: September 10, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 2013.
POSSESSIONS
DEFINITION:
Property or wealth; ownership; a thing owned.
SCRIPTURE:
For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them; but it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, because You favored them. Psalm 44:3
The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world and all who live in it. Psalm 24:1
But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Mark 10:22
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We must first realize in life that everything we have on this earth is because of God. He is the "owner" and all that we have is on loan to us. Possessions are "things" that God loans to us and He expects us to use these "things” to honor Him.
In Psalm 44:3 (listed above), the Psalmist recognizes that the Children of Israel did not gain possession of the "Promised Land" by their own swords and arms or their own strength and might. They gained what God promised them because God favored them and intervened to give them the victory in their conquest of the "Promised Land."
Most people we talk to do not understand this concept because they feel that their possessions are a result of their own abilities and hard work. Their possessions become a stumbling block in their relationship with the Lord. Possessions were in the way of the rich man that talked to Jesus, as recorded, in Mark 10:17-23. Jesus asked him to give his possessions to the poor so he could receive his treasure in heaven. He could not part with his possessions to gain the greatest possession of all, eternal life.
This is a reminder to us today that all that we have, in the way of this world's possessions; we have because God has enabled us. We are to acknowledge that what we have comes from God and then be thankful to Him and give Him the glory.
In our travels we have visited many places where Kings and Queens, from thousands of years ago, had "THEIR MOST VALUABLE POSSESSIONS" buried with them in their tombs. They did this so that they would be comfortable in their future lives. But today these possessions are still in their tombs, or museums nearby, for all to see. It is not in God's plan for one to take their possessions to their eternity.
Many people work long hours today and spend money foolishly to acquire their goals so that they can realize the "possessions" that they have dreamed for. The result, in most cases, is that they do this at the expense of losing their spouses and family. How many people do you know that are captivated by their desire to have more and better possessions? Do you think they are really happy with what they have and will be happier with more?
Our greatest possession in life today should be our personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus. Our second greatest possession should be our spouses and family. God will bless those that grasp this concept and honor Him in this way.
We remember talking often to a mother who lived in one of the poorest areas in the heart of the inner city of Los Angeles. She had two children. One was mentally disabled and the other was in good health. She loved children and took six other children off the street and raised them in her very small home. Cathy had very few earthly possessions and had to make contact with our mission to receive food and other supplies weekly to feed these children. We were able to provide her needs and because of her dedication and love for these children they grew up loving their "mother" and most important loving their Lord. Cathy had her priorities right. She invested her time and energy to raising her "children" to love the Lord. She had very few earthly possessions because they were not important for her. She will receive her reward in heaven.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:7.
Do not be amazed that I said to you, you must be born again.
PRAYER:
Thank You dear Lord for the many blessings and the possessions that You have entrusted me with. Help me to understand that each possession we have as a family has come to us because of Your love for us. Help me to reach out today with a loving heart and caring hands to those I meet.
POSSESSIONS
DEFINITION:
Property or wealth; ownership; a thing owned.
SCRIPTURE:
For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them; but it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, because You favored them. Psalm 44:3
The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world and all who live in it. Psalm 24:1
But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Mark 10:22
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We must first realize in life that everything we have on this earth is because of God. He is the "owner" and all that we have is on loan to us. Possessions are "things" that God loans to us and He expects us to use these "things” to honor Him.
In Psalm 44:3 (listed above), the Psalmist recognizes that the Children of Israel did not gain possession of the "Promised Land" by their own swords and arms or their own strength and might. They gained what God promised them because God favored them and intervened to give them the victory in their conquest of the "Promised Land."
Most people we talk to do not understand this concept because they feel that their possessions are a result of their own abilities and hard work. Their possessions become a stumbling block in their relationship with the Lord. Possessions were in the way of the rich man that talked to Jesus, as recorded, in Mark 10:17-23. Jesus asked him to give his possessions to the poor so he could receive his treasure in heaven. He could not part with his possessions to gain the greatest possession of all, eternal life.
This is a reminder to us today that all that we have, in the way of this world's possessions; we have because God has enabled us. We are to acknowledge that what we have comes from God and then be thankful to Him and give Him the glory.
In our travels we have visited many places where Kings and Queens, from thousands of years ago, had "THEIR MOST VALUABLE POSSESSIONS" buried with them in their tombs. They did this so that they would be comfortable in their future lives. But today these possessions are still in their tombs, or museums nearby, for all to see. It is not in God's plan for one to take their possessions to their eternity.
Many people work long hours today and spend money foolishly to acquire their goals so that they can realize the "possessions" that they have dreamed for. The result, in most cases, is that they do this at the expense of losing their spouses and family. How many people do you know that are captivated by their desire to have more and better possessions? Do you think they are really happy with what they have and will be happier with more?
Our greatest possession in life today should be our personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus. Our second greatest possession should be our spouses and family. God will bless those that grasp this concept and honor Him in this way.
We remember talking often to a mother who lived in one of the poorest areas in the heart of the inner city of Los Angeles. She had two children. One was mentally disabled and the other was in good health. She loved children and took six other children off the street and raised them in her very small home. Cathy had very few earthly possessions and had to make contact with our mission to receive food and other supplies weekly to feed these children. We were able to provide her needs and because of her dedication and love for these children they grew up loving their "mother" and most important loving their Lord. Cathy had her priorities right. She invested her time and energy to raising her "children" to love the Lord. She had very few earthly possessions because they were not important for her. She will receive her reward in heaven.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:7.
Do not be amazed that I said to you, you must be born again.
PRAYER:
Thank You dear Lord for the many blessings and the possessions that You have entrusted me with. Help me to understand that each possession we have as a family has come to us because of Your love for us. Help me to reach out today with a loving heart and caring hands to those I meet.
Necessity: September 9, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2013.
NECESSITY
DEFINITION:
A requirement or need for something; something essential to existence; the state or fact of being inevitable; compulsion; something necessary or indispensible.
SCRIPTURE:
Yes, you know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. Acts 20:34.
For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Philippians 4:16.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
In life we often feel that we have need for many things that we consider necessities. But there are really only two necessities for our physical life and those are water and food. We say this because one of the definitions of necessities is something that is essential to existence. We all feel, though, that we have many other necessities in life. Some of these “things” include a place to live, clothes, money and even a vehicle and a job.
One of the things we had to teach our children was the difference between what they needed and what they wanted. Whenever a new toy came on the market that was popular with their peers and a big seller our children would want one as well. Some of these toys even back then were not cheap. We were raising our six children on a tight budget and couldn’t always get the toy that our children thought they just had to have.
We taught our children through these experiences that in life from time to time we had to make decisions based on needs and not on our wants. So our children learned to adjust their desires to obtain what was really needed but we still always did our best to get each child what they wanted within in the guidelines of being fair and putting needs first.
When our oldest son went from junior high school to senior high school he regularly wore jeans purchased out of the Sears catalogue because they were cheaper then Levis. A few weeks into the school year Dottie heard one of our son’s friends ask him why he did not wear Levi jeans like everyone else wore. It is important to note that our son never complained but it made us aware that deep down he no doubt desired to have Levi jeans. We were so moved by his accepting attitude and pleased that he saw the difference between desire and necessity that we made sure his next pair of jeans were Levi jeans.
In John 6:1-14 we read about the feeding of the 5000. Large crowds followed Jesus wherever He went and Jesus knew the spiritual needs of these people and He spent time talking to them and giving them His message of love and redemption.
It was nearly time for the feast of the Passover and Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with His disciples and the crowd followed. Jesus looked at the crowd of over five thousand men and the women and children. He saw the necessity of food for the people as they had not eaten for some time.
Jesus asked Philip, “Where can we buy bread to feed these people?” Jesus already knew what He was going to do to meet this necessity but He wanted to stretch Philip’s faith. It made Philip realize the impossibility of getting food for so many. You know the rest of the story. Jesus took five barley loaves of bread and two fish that a young boy had with him and fed all the people all they needed and still had twelve large baskets with leftovers. No one had to tell Jesus the people needed food. He knows our every need and He is ready, willing and more than able to meet our every need.
The apostle Paul never wanted to be dependent on anyone and no matter where he traveled he worked to provide for his own necessities as we read about in Acts 20:34. Paul did have times when he was in need of help. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:16, while he was in prison in Rome, to thank the church for the gifts they had sent to meet his necessities. Paul knew the Philippians were not wealthy and that they had given sacrificially to help him. God had used them to supply his needs.
In 11 Corinthians 9:7, Paul reminds us of the importance of giving back to God a portion of what He gives to us. “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” In this verse Paul says we are not to give out of necessity (feeling we have to) but because we genuinely want to give cheerfully from our heart. God uses us to supply the needs of others.
Our Lord has promised to supply all of our needs. He will meet every necessity in our lives and we then should want to give back to Him a portion of what He has given to us cheerfully and with a thankful heart.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:7.
Do not be amazed that I said to you, you must be born again.
PRAYER:
Thank You dear Lord, for providing for me and my family all the necessities of life. You have blessed us far and beyond our needs and we are so grateful for Your blessings. Help our family to share with others the gift of life that You have for them to meet their “necessity” to be saved from their sins.
NECESSITY
DEFINITION:
A requirement or need for something; something essential to existence; the state or fact of being inevitable; compulsion; something necessary or indispensible.
SCRIPTURE:
Yes, you know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. Acts 20:34.
For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Philippians 4:16.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
In life we often feel that we have need for many things that we consider necessities. But there are really only two necessities for our physical life and those are water and food. We say this because one of the definitions of necessities is something that is essential to existence. We all feel, though, that we have many other necessities in life. Some of these “things” include a place to live, clothes, money and even a vehicle and a job.
One of the things we had to teach our children was the difference between what they needed and what they wanted. Whenever a new toy came on the market that was popular with their peers and a big seller our children would want one as well. Some of these toys even back then were not cheap. We were raising our six children on a tight budget and couldn’t always get the toy that our children thought they just had to have.
We taught our children through these experiences that in life from time to time we had to make decisions based on needs and not on our wants. So our children learned to adjust their desires to obtain what was really needed but we still always did our best to get each child what they wanted within in the guidelines of being fair and putting needs first.
When our oldest son went from junior high school to senior high school he regularly wore jeans purchased out of the Sears catalogue because they were cheaper then Levis. A few weeks into the school year Dottie heard one of our son’s friends ask him why he did not wear Levi jeans like everyone else wore. It is important to note that our son never complained but it made us aware that deep down he no doubt desired to have Levi jeans. We were so moved by his accepting attitude and pleased that he saw the difference between desire and necessity that we made sure his next pair of jeans were Levi jeans.
In John 6:1-14 we read about the feeding of the 5000. Large crowds followed Jesus wherever He went and Jesus knew the spiritual needs of these people and He spent time talking to them and giving them His message of love and redemption.
It was nearly time for the feast of the Passover and Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with His disciples and the crowd followed. Jesus looked at the crowd of over five thousand men and the women and children. He saw the necessity of food for the people as they had not eaten for some time.
Jesus asked Philip, “Where can we buy bread to feed these people?” Jesus already knew what He was going to do to meet this necessity but He wanted to stretch Philip’s faith. It made Philip realize the impossibility of getting food for so many. You know the rest of the story. Jesus took five barley loaves of bread and two fish that a young boy had with him and fed all the people all they needed and still had twelve large baskets with leftovers. No one had to tell Jesus the people needed food. He knows our every need and He is ready, willing and more than able to meet our every need.
The apostle Paul never wanted to be dependent on anyone and no matter where he traveled he worked to provide for his own necessities as we read about in Acts 20:34. Paul did have times when he was in need of help. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:16, while he was in prison in Rome, to thank the church for the gifts they had sent to meet his necessities. Paul knew the Philippians were not wealthy and that they had given sacrificially to help him. God had used them to supply his needs.
In 11 Corinthians 9:7, Paul reminds us of the importance of giving back to God a portion of what He gives to us. “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” In this verse Paul says we are not to give out of necessity (feeling we have to) but because we genuinely want to give cheerfully from our heart. God uses us to supply the needs of others.
Our Lord has promised to supply all of our needs. He will meet every necessity in our lives and we then should want to give back to Him a portion of what He has given to us cheerfully and with a thankful heart.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in John 3:7.
Do not be amazed that I said to you, you must be born again.
PRAYER:
Thank You dear Lord, for providing for me and my family all the necessities of life. You have blessed us far and beyond our needs and we are so grateful for Your blessings. Help our family to share with others the gift of life that You have for them to meet their “necessity” to be saved from their sins.
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