TODAY’S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2013.
RESOLUTION
DEFINITION:
A formal statement of intention and determination upon a course of action.
SCRIPTURE:
Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him. Psalm 37:5
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
It seems to us that people talk constantly about resolutions. We all desire to improve ourselves in whatever way we can. The most common resolution we seem to hear talked about is to lose weight. We all know how quickly that resolution is usually broken. The beginning of a New Year is always a time when many people make what is known as New Year’s resolutions. But unfortunately only a small percentage of these resolutions are ever fulfilled. It would seem that most resolutions are made to be broken.
An unknown author wrote, “A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one year and out the next.” People do usually end up making the same resolutions year after year. The reason that most people make resolutions is to be able to improve how they appear to others.
There are two problems with resolutions. One is that most people do not realize that it is not the outward appearance that counts. “The Lord does not look at the things that man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
The second problem with resolutions is that most people do not understand that resolutions cannot change us. Only God can change us. God not only looks at our heart, but He can change the desires of our heart.
As you think about setting some resolutions, to make changes in your life style both physically and spiritually, we challenge you to set a goal to seek a closer relationship with the Lord. As you draw near to God, He will draw near to you. (James 4:8) If you are reading God’s Word and spending time in prayer then He can work in you to change you. “For it is God who works in you both to will and to act according to His good purpose.” Philippians 2:13.
The Psalmist tells us to “commit your way to the Lord and to trust in Him.” In order to commit our way to the Lord we must submit all that we have, our life, our family, our possessions, our career, all to God’s control and direction. God can do what we can’t do. We can trust Him to work out what is best for us.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 27:5.
For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; he will lift me up on a rock.
PRAYER:
I want to commit to seeking a closer relationship with You by putting all that I have in Your hands. I want Your direction in my life and the life of each of my family. Help me to be faithful to pray and to study Your Word.
September 29, 2013
Gems of Encouragement: September 28, 2013
GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2013
PROVERB:
Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all. Proverbs: 22:2
PROMISE:
God will give to each person according to what he has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good. For God does not show favoritism. Romans 2:6-11.
PRAISE:
Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; He seats them with princes, with the princes of their people. Praise the Lord. Psalm 113: 5-8.
PROVERB:
Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all. Proverbs: 22:2
PROMISE:
God will give to each person according to what he has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good. For God does not show favoritism. Romans 2:6-11.
PRAISE:
Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; He seats them with princes, with the princes of their people. Praise the Lord. Psalm 113: 5-8.
Promises: September 27, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013.
PROMISES
DEFINITION:
One's pledge to another that one will or will not do something; commit to do or give; give one's word to.
SCRIPTURE:
And this is the promise that He has promised us, eternal life. I John 2:25.
May the Lord God of your father's make you a thousand times more numerous than you are, and bless you as He has promised you. Deuteronomy 1:11
The Lord is faithful to all His promises. Psalm 145:13.
He keeps every promise forever. Psalm 146:6
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
God has given us hundreds of promises in His Word and none of them have been broken. In II Peter 1:4, Peter describes promises as "exceeding great and precious promises." When we become a believer in Jesus these promises are ours but we must claim them and act on them. In order to claim them we must be spiritually right with the Lord. We cannot be pursuing sinful ways and disobeying God's will and expect to receive these promises. God's promises usually require action on our part.
When Joshua was old and he knew his life was about over, he gave a farewell speech to the children of Israel. He said in part: "You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled: not one has failed." (Joshua 23:14)
The passages from Psalms we have listed above, affirm that God keeps His promises and keeps them forever. Take time to read each one and hide these words in your heart.
Before Jesus ascended into heaven He assured the disciples that they were not going to be left alone. Jesus promised them that He would send them a Counselor (John 14:16). In Luke 24:49 and in Acts 1:4, Jesus tells them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the promise of His father that He had told them about. The promise of the father that Jesus was talking about was for the disciples to expect the gift of the Holy Spirit. In the second chapter of Acts we read of the fulfillment of this promise when the Holy Spirit descended on them at Pentecost.
As parents we make promises every day but unfortunately many of these promises are not kept. It is important as parents that as we raise our children that we make sure before a promise is made that it can be honored. Many parents do not realize the positive impact that is made on a child's mind when promises are made and kept. And when promises are made and not kept the negative impact is severe over the long term. When children see that promises are made and not honored, their minds are structured so as not to take promises seriously. When they become adults their promises will be made to be broken.
The same can be said about spouses making promises to one another and adults making promises to friends and associates. When you keep promises you are considered reliable and trustworthy. When you do not keep your promises you are considered unreliable and many would call you a "flake." It is important to remember that keeping one's promises affects the attitude of the one you make a promise too.
For the most part, when you make a promise, you really know if you are going to keep it or break it. Most people that make promises and do not keep them actually break the promise when they make the promise. They make promises to get them through the situation they are in knowing that they will not fulfill what they promise.
Are you the kind of person that keeps your promises? Those that love the Lord should at all times strive to keep promises. We can remember a promise that we made to each other and to our children. We promised that we would always have dinner together as a family. We made this promise for two very important reasons. First, it gave us a regular time to read God's Word and to pray together as a family. Secondly, it gave us a daily time to communicate with one another. As parents we regarded this as a time to listen. Our children would share their events of the day, their concerns and their blessings. There were many times that this promise was hard to keep but even at a cost to us we did all we could to always keep this promise.
Our Lord kept His promises and in so doing He set a standard for us to live by daily. We must strive to keep our promises to God and by doing this we honor and glorify our Lord.
The greatest promise God has given us is the promise that He would send His Son to be our Savior and that through Him we would receive forgiveness for all of our sins and the gift of eternal life. God has fulfilled that promise. We have accepted it, have you?
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 27:5.
For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; he will lift me up on a rock.
PRAYER:
Thank You for sending Your Son to this earth to pay the penalty for my sins. Thank You for now preparing a place for me to spend eternity with You. Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to be my comforter in all that I do. May my family do all we can to make promises to honor You and then to keep promises so that others will see our word is trustworthy.
PROMISES
DEFINITION:
One's pledge to another that one will or will not do something; commit to do or give; give one's word to.
SCRIPTURE:
And this is the promise that He has promised us, eternal life. I John 2:25.
May the Lord God of your father's make you a thousand times more numerous than you are, and bless you as He has promised you. Deuteronomy 1:11
The Lord is faithful to all His promises. Psalm 145:13.
He keeps every promise forever. Psalm 146:6
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
God has given us hundreds of promises in His Word and none of them have been broken. In II Peter 1:4, Peter describes promises as "exceeding great and precious promises." When we become a believer in Jesus these promises are ours but we must claim them and act on them. In order to claim them we must be spiritually right with the Lord. We cannot be pursuing sinful ways and disobeying God's will and expect to receive these promises. God's promises usually require action on our part.
When Joshua was old and he knew his life was about over, he gave a farewell speech to the children of Israel. He said in part: "You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled: not one has failed." (Joshua 23:14)
The passages from Psalms we have listed above, affirm that God keeps His promises and keeps them forever. Take time to read each one and hide these words in your heart.
Before Jesus ascended into heaven He assured the disciples that they were not going to be left alone. Jesus promised them that He would send them a Counselor (John 14:16). In Luke 24:49 and in Acts 1:4, Jesus tells them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the promise of His father that He had told them about. The promise of the father that Jesus was talking about was for the disciples to expect the gift of the Holy Spirit. In the second chapter of Acts we read of the fulfillment of this promise when the Holy Spirit descended on them at Pentecost.
As parents we make promises every day but unfortunately many of these promises are not kept. It is important as parents that as we raise our children that we make sure before a promise is made that it can be honored. Many parents do not realize the positive impact that is made on a child's mind when promises are made and kept. And when promises are made and not kept the negative impact is severe over the long term. When children see that promises are made and not honored, their minds are structured so as not to take promises seriously. When they become adults their promises will be made to be broken.
The same can be said about spouses making promises to one another and adults making promises to friends and associates. When you keep promises you are considered reliable and trustworthy. When you do not keep your promises you are considered unreliable and many would call you a "flake." It is important to remember that keeping one's promises affects the attitude of the one you make a promise too.
For the most part, when you make a promise, you really know if you are going to keep it or break it. Most people that make promises and do not keep them actually break the promise when they make the promise. They make promises to get them through the situation they are in knowing that they will not fulfill what they promise.
Are you the kind of person that keeps your promises? Those that love the Lord should at all times strive to keep promises. We can remember a promise that we made to each other and to our children. We promised that we would always have dinner together as a family. We made this promise for two very important reasons. First, it gave us a regular time to read God's Word and to pray together as a family. Secondly, it gave us a daily time to communicate with one another. As parents we regarded this as a time to listen. Our children would share their events of the day, their concerns and their blessings. There were many times that this promise was hard to keep but even at a cost to us we did all we could to always keep this promise.
Our Lord kept His promises and in so doing He set a standard for us to live by daily. We must strive to keep our promises to God and by doing this we honor and glorify our Lord.
The greatest promise God has given us is the promise that He would send His Son to be our Savior and that through Him we would receive forgiveness for all of our sins and the gift of eternal life. God has fulfilled that promise. We have accepted it, have you?
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 27:5.
For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; he will lift me up on a rock.
PRAYER:
Thank You for sending Your Son to this earth to pay the penalty for my sins. Thank You for now preparing a place for me to spend eternity with You. Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to be my comforter in all that I do. May my family do all we can to make promises to honor You and then to keep promises so that others will see our word is trustworthy.
Praise: September 26, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2013.
PRAISE
DEFINITION:
Commend warmly; glorify the attributes of God; to worship; give honor to.
SCRIPTURE:
Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and Hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16.
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise. Psalm 145:3
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
What better way to begin a day then to talk about praise. The apostle Paul tells us in this verse above found in Colossians to admonish one another in Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord.
These words remind us about our visit to Kenya for a two day conference with the Pastors, church leaders, choirs and people from the some 75 churches we established there through our mission.
Some of these people, who were the poorest of the poor, walked for literally days to attend this conference. But what we remember more than their poverty was the way they sang their praises to God. These people had very little of earth's treasures and they put us to shame in the way they praised God.
We have been in many places in our world where we visited programs we were assisting through our mission and ministry. So many times we would here an individual humming a song. This was their way to praise God. They sang and worshipped God even though they had so little.
We also remember visiting our ministry in which we were helping to establish churches for the deaf in the Philippians. You will never be the same when you sit in one of their churches and see these dear deaf people singing praises to God in sign language. They did not let their physical handicap keep them from praising God.
We learned that no matter how you are feeling, you can lift your spirits if you cultivate an attitude of praise.
When we think of God's goodness to us and consider all He has done for us how can we not praise Him? And remember when we are praising God we won't be complaining about our problems. Think about what an impact and testimony it is to others when they see the joy we have in the Lord.
When our children were young we often sang children's songs of praise that they learned in Sunday school, as we were driving places in the car. Whether it is through song or conversation, let your joy for the Lord reverberate to others. You will be surprised as to how many you will encourage just by praising the Lord.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 27:5
For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; he will lift me up on a rock.
PRAYER:
Help me to praise You today in all that I do. May my praising You even by humming a song or encouraging a neighbor honor You and bless Your name. Lord, I praise You today for Your goodness to me. You are a great God and worthy of all praise. Help me to lead my children in praising You each day.
PRAISE
DEFINITION:
Commend warmly; glorify the attributes of God; to worship; give honor to.
SCRIPTURE:
Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and Hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16.
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise. Psalm 145:3
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
What better way to begin a day then to talk about praise. The apostle Paul tells us in this verse above found in Colossians to admonish one another in Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord.
These words remind us about our visit to Kenya for a two day conference with the Pastors, church leaders, choirs and people from the some 75 churches we established there through our mission.
Some of these people, who were the poorest of the poor, walked for literally days to attend this conference. But what we remember more than their poverty was the way they sang their praises to God. These people had very little of earth's treasures and they put us to shame in the way they praised God.
We have been in many places in our world where we visited programs we were assisting through our mission and ministry. So many times we would here an individual humming a song. This was their way to praise God. They sang and worshipped God even though they had so little.
We also remember visiting our ministry in which we were helping to establish churches for the deaf in the Philippians. You will never be the same when you sit in one of their churches and see these dear deaf people singing praises to God in sign language. They did not let their physical handicap keep them from praising God.
We learned that no matter how you are feeling, you can lift your spirits if you cultivate an attitude of praise.
When we think of God's goodness to us and consider all He has done for us how can we not praise Him? And remember when we are praising God we won't be complaining about our problems. Think about what an impact and testimony it is to others when they see the joy we have in the Lord.
When our children were young we often sang children's songs of praise that they learned in Sunday school, as we were driving places in the car. Whether it is through song or conversation, let your joy for the Lord reverberate to others. You will be surprised as to how many you will encourage just by praising the Lord.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 27:5
For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; he will lift me up on a rock.
PRAYER:
Help me to praise You today in all that I do. May my praising You even by humming a song or encouraging a neighbor honor You and bless Your name. Lord, I praise You today for Your goodness to me. You are a great God and worthy of all praise. Help me to lead my children in praising You each day.
Agape: September 24, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2013.
AGAPE
DEFINITION:
Love; as of God for humankind or of humankind for God.
SCRIPTURE:
Whoever does not love does not know God, because GOD IS LOVE. This is how God showed His love among us; He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. John 4:8-10
Jesus said: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. Matthew 22: 37-38
Love must be sincere, be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:9-10
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
AGAPE is true and genuine love. AGAPE love is not sexual love as between a man and a woman. AGAPE is a Greek word used by Christians to express the unconditional love of God. Love is the very nature of God. God’s love is selfless and unconditional. The ultimate expression of AGAPE LOVE is God giving His only son to die on the cross for our sins. This kind of love comes to us by God through His Son Jesus Christ. We have AGAPE love in our hearts as a result of knowing that God loves us with no strings attached and that His love for us never changes. We show our love for God by the commitment of our heart, soul and mind to our Lord. This is TRUE AND GENUINE LOVE!
How many times in life do we find ourselves in a position of just needing someone to love us? This is when we need AGAPE love because we need the caring and comforting love that only the Lord can give. Remember, He gave His life for you. What greater love is there then this?
AGAPE love means that God first loved us and we are to love God first and then to love others. It is the love from Christ that compels us to act, on Christ's behalf to share Christ's love to someone (II Corinthians 5:14). It is a love that never fails (I Corinthians 13:8). It is a love that made Jesus say to Peter in John 21:17, "If you love me, feed my sheep." AGAPE love is not just saying we love the Lord. AGAPE love is being willing to serve the Lord and obey His commandments. In Romans 12:9-10 (above verse), Paul defines AGAPE love as being sincere and being devoted to one another in brotherly love. Sincere love is not selfish. When we have AGAPE love we will honor others above ourselves. AGAPE love motivates us to action.
This AGAPE love can only be felt by one that has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If you want to experience AGAPE love then make that decision today.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 27:5.
For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent he will hide me; he will lift me up on a rock.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, help us as a family today to experience the AGAPE love that only You can give. We commit our hearts, our souls and our minds to You today. Give us today a broken heart that has a concern for those that are hurting. Give us a soul today that loves You with all we have and give us a mind today that is dedicated to learn more about You and Your love for us and for a world.
AGAPE
DEFINITION:
Love; as of God for humankind or of humankind for God.
SCRIPTURE:
Whoever does not love does not know God, because GOD IS LOVE. This is how God showed His love among us; He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. John 4:8-10
Jesus said: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. Matthew 22: 37-38
Love must be sincere, be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:9-10
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
AGAPE is true and genuine love. AGAPE love is not sexual love as between a man and a woman. AGAPE is a Greek word used by Christians to express the unconditional love of God. Love is the very nature of God. God’s love is selfless and unconditional. The ultimate expression of AGAPE LOVE is God giving His only son to die on the cross for our sins. This kind of love comes to us by God through His Son Jesus Christ. We have AGAPE love in our hearts as a result of knowing that God loves us with no strings attached and that His love for us never changes. We show our love for God by the commitment of our heart, soul and mind to our Lord. This is TRUE AND GENUINE LOVE!
How many times in life do we find ourselves in a position of just needing someone to love us? This is when we need AGAPE love because we need the caring and comforting love that only the Lord can give. Remember, He gave His life for you. What greater love is there then this?
AGAPE love means that God first loved us and we are to love God first and then to love others. It is the love from Christ that compels us to act, on Christ's behalf to share Christ's love to someone (II Corinthians 5:14). It is a love that never fails (I Corinthians 13:8). It is a love that made Jesus say to Peter in John 21:17, "If you love me, feed my sheep." AGAPE love is not just saying we love the Lord. AGAPE love is being willing to serve the Lord and obey His commandments. In Romans 12:9-10 (above verse), Paul defines AGAPE love as being sincere and being devoted to one another in brotherly love. Sincere love is not selfish. When we have AGAPE love we will honor others above ourselves. AGAPE love motivates us to action.
This AGAPE love can only be felt by one that has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If you want to experience AGAPE love then make that decision today.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 27:5.
For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent he will hide me; he will lift me up on a rock.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, help us as a family today to experience the AGAPE love that only You can give. We commit our hearts, our souls and our minds to You today. Give us today a broken heart that has a concern for those that are hurting. Give us a soul today that loves You with all we have and give us a mind today that is dedicated to learn more about You and Your love for us and for a world.
Burden: September 23, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2013.
BURDEN
DEFINITION:
That which is borne, physically or spiritually; that which is carried with difficulty; load; trouble; weight; stress; strain; responsibility; guilt.
SCRIPTURE:
Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you. He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Mathew 11:30.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
I (Ken) was born in China but left with my parents when I was only six months old. Several years ago we were privileged to go back to China and we saw where I was born and what life was like today in that country. Although they have become quite modernized we saw things you would never see in the United States.
One of the things that stood out to us was the heavy physical burdens that men and women would carry on their backs or on their bikes. It amazed us to still see men and women riding bicycles burdened down with heavy loads just as they lived years ago. We saw items stacked dangerously high on their bikes as they pedaled down the road. We couldn’t help but wonder if they would make it to their destination. We saw women caring their young child in a sling as they rode a loaded bicycle to their destination.
Over the years we have seen many times in many other areas of the world people carrying heavy loads on their heads, on their backs or in hand pulled carts. This has given us a real understanding of the word "burden."
We can usually find a way to carry or move heavy physical loads from one place to another, but there are burdens that are hard to find a way to carry. They are the ones that affect us emotionally, mentally or spiritually. It may be a spousal concern, a parent/child problem, a family issue, a problem at work, financial stresses or much more. These are burdens that basically are too heavy for one to carry alone. Today we describe a person dealing with these types of burdens as a person that is "carrying a lot of baggage."
Most people who are believers in Jesus today are carrying heavy spiritual burdens because they have not learned to put their burden in the hands of the Lord. All those who have not accepted the Lord as their Savior are carrying the heavy burden of their sin. Jesus does not want us to bear the burden of our sins so He took our burden of sin upon Himself and carried them to the cross. In Jesus time on earth he experienced all the hardships and burdens of life that we experience so He understands our struggles in life and knows how heavy our burdens are. Not only does Jesus care about our burden of sin but He cares about our burden of hardships in life.
A person that does not know Jesus has no one to help carry his or her burden. But the person that knows Jesus can give "ALL" that burden to Him. The verse we have listed above says it all. The Lord says to "Cast your burden on the Lord, and he shall sustain you." "Sustain" means to support or bear the weight of or keep from giving way. What a comfort to know that God wants to bear the weight of our burdens and keep us from giving way under the heavy load of a burden.
Jesus knew from experience that it would be tough for believers in this sin filled world. He knew that believers needed to support one another. Jesus taught that we are to carry the burdens of others. Paul wrote in Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” The law of Christ is to love one another (John 13:34). There is no greater way to show love to another than by carrying his or her burden.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 27:5
For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.
PRAYER:
Help me today to give the burdens I carry to You. Give me the insight to see others that are carrying burdens so that I can show them the way to You. Thank You for the assurance I have that You are with me every moment of every day waiting to carry my burdens if I am willing to cast them on You.
BURDEN
DEFINITION:
That which is borne, physically or spiritually; that which is carried with difficulty; load; trouble; weight; stress; strain; responsibility; guilt.
SCRIPTURE:
Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you. He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Mathew 11:30.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
I (Ken) was born in China but left with my parents when I was only six months old. Several years ago we were privileged to go back to China and we saw where I was born and what life was like today in that country. Although they have become quite modernized we saw things you would never see in the United States.
One of the things that stood out to us was the heavy physical burdens that men and women would carry on their backs or on their bikes. It amazed us to still see men and women riding bicycles burdened down with heavy loads just as they lived years ago. We saw items stacked dangerously high on their bikes as they pedaled down the road. We couldn’t help but wonder if they would make it to their destination. We saw women caring their young child in a sling as they rode a loaded bicycle to their destination.
Over the years we have seen many times in many other areas of the world people carrying heavy loads on their heads, on their backs or in hand pulled carts. This has given us a real understanding of the word "burden."
We can usually find a way to carry or move heavy physical loads from one place to another, but there are burdens that are hard to find a way to carry. They are the ones that affect us emotionally, mentally or spiritually. It may be a spousal concern, a parent/child problem, a family issue, a problem at work, financial stresses or much more. These are burdens that basically are too heavy for one to carry alone. Today we describe a person dealing with these types of burdens as a person that is "carrying a lot of baggage."
Most people who are believers in Jesus today are carrying heavy spiritual burdens because they have not learned to put their burden in the hands of the Lord. All those who have not accepted the Lord as their Savior are carrying the heavy burden of their sin. Jesus does not want us to bear the burden of our sins so He took our burden of sin upon Himself and carried them to the cross. In Jesus time on earth he experienced all the hardships and burdens of life that we experience so He understands our struggles in life and knows how heavy our burdens are. Not only does Jesus care about our burden of sin but He cares about our burden of hardships in life.
A person that does not know Jesus has no one to help carry his or her burden. But the person that knows Jesus can give "ALL" that burden to Him. The verse we have listed above says it all. The Lord says to "Cast your burden on the Lord, and he shall sustain you." "Sustain" means to support or bear the weight of or keep from giving way. What a comfort to know that God wants to bear the weight of our burdens and keep us from giving way under the heavy load of a burden.
Jesus knew from experience that it would be tough for believers in this sin filled world. He knew that believers needed to support one another. Jesus taught that we are to carry the burdens of others. Paul wrote in Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” The law of Christ is to love one another (John 13:34). There is no greater way to show love to another than by carrying his or her burden.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 27:5
For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.
PRAYER:
Help me today to give the burdens I carry to You. Give me the insight to see others that are carrying burdens so that I can show them the way to You. Thank You for the assurance I have that You are with me every moment of every day waiting to carry my burdens if I am willing to cast them on You.
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