Relationships: November 15, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2013.

RELATIONSHIPS

DEFINITION:

Kinship; the connection between man and God.

SCRIPTURE:

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him: Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him" Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again; he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:1-3.

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE. John 3:16

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

People often confuse RELIGION with having a "RELATIONSHIP" with God. We cannot have a RELATIONSHIP with God through Jesus Christ by what we do. Keeping certain rituals that one feels is RELIGION, such as doing good, being kind, helping a neighbor, feeding the poor, going to church will not give a person a RELATIONSHIP with God here on earth or eternal life in heaven.

Jesus said to Nicodemus that unless one is "BORN AGAIN" he cannot see the kingdom of God. Being "BORN AGAIN" begins a RELATIONSHIP with God through His Son Jesus. We are born again when we acknowledge we are sinners and receive Jesus Christ into our heart as our Savior. Beyond a doubt we believe that this is the most important decision one can make in life.

The source of our salvation is Jesus. It is written in Ephesians 2:8-9 that we are saved (born again) by faith and that not of ourselves. We are told that it is the gift of God, NOT OF WORKS, less any man should boast. Those who are saved have not just a relationship with God but a family relationship with Him. John 1:12 states that ALL who receive Jesus become children of God. Thus it is clear that those who accept Jesus as their Savior --- because He paid our penalty for our sins --- have a RELATIONSHIP with God which is much different than being RELIGIOUS.

The Bible does make it very clear that whoever believes in Jesus will not perish but will have everlasting life (John 3:16 above). This RELATIONSHIP with God is guaranteed to all who accept and believe in Jesus, God's Son. Being RELIGIOUS or not being RELIGIOUS makes no difference in where one spends eternity. Our choice is simple --- accept Jesus and have a RELATIONSHIP with God and spend an eternity in Heaven or being just RELIGIOUS without a RELATIONSHIP and spend an eternity in Hell.

We urge you today to accept Jesus as your Savior by simply praying and asking Him to forgive your sins and come into your heart just as Jesus explained to Nicodemus some 2000 years ago. It is the same message today as it was when Jesus talked to Nicodemus. It is just that simple! Then you will have a RELATIONSHIP with God through Jesus Christ which will last for eternity.

I had the privilege for three summers while going to college to work for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Film Association. This film ministry became a time of learning for me to show people of all ages how to have a personal RELATIONSHIP with God. During these three summers in over 270 different Church meetings night after night I was introducing hundreds of children, youth and adults to a new RELATIONSHIP with God through Jesus Christ.

At the end of each film showing an invitation was extended to all who were attending, just as Billy Graham always gave in his crusades, to accept Jesus as Savior. Then I would sit down with the many that responded to the invitation each night and lead them one at a time to this new RELATIONSHIP with God through Jesus Christ. This was an experience that changed my life and because of this opportunity and several other experiences, God led us into the ministry life which we have enjoyed together now for 54 years.

LEARNING: 

Our memory verse for this week is found in II Corinthians 2:9a.

My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, help me to recognize those things in my life that are hindering my relationship with You. Forgive me of my sins and make today the day that I solidify my relationship with God. Help my family to realize that there is no more important relationship in life than our relationship with God.

Gems of Encouragement: November 16, 2013

GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SATURDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2013.

PROVERB:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6.

PROMISE:

For this God is our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end. Psalm 48:14

PRAISE:

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 107:1

Reconciliation: November 14, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2013.

RECONCILIATION

DEFINITION:

Restore to union and friendship after estrangement; adjust; settle; bring to agreement; to bring to harmony those between whom there exists a state of enmity and hostility.

SCRIPTURE:

First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:24.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

In Judaism, the holiest day of the year is YOM KIPPER, the Day of Atonement. On that day the Jewish people seek God's forgiveness for their sins both personal and national. The day before is called EREV YOM KIPPER and is the last opportunity to seek forgiveness from other people before Yom Kipper begins. This is important because in the Jewish tradition you must seek forgiveness from other people before you can seek the forgiveness of God. 

If we have wronged someone so that there is a broken relationship it can hinder our relationship with the Lord. If you wonder why this is so, it is because issues that are left unresolved fester and grow which often leads to bitterness and escalating acts of retaliation. This is sin in God's eyes. Sin separates us from God. Jesus pointed out that in order to worship Him with all of our heart, and a pure heart, we first need to resolve matters with others. Jesus states this clearly in Matthew 5:24 (above).

Our ability to truly worship God is hindered by our broken relationships with others. As believers we need to understand and practice reconciliation in our lives. Broken relationships are caused by wrong actions, bad attitudes and destructive words and these are all issues that God expects us to make right before we should come to Him. If we do not, how can God bless us?

It is tough, and for some tougher than for others, to get up the courage necessary to go to a person we have wronged and admit that we were wrong and ask forgiveness, which is part of the process of reconciliation. The process of reconciliation is not an easy one. We always like to think we are right and others are wrong. Reconciliation comes when God changes the hearts of people. Only God can change the attitude of our hearts. As believers we have no choice, if we want to be obedient to God and used of God, but to act and act swiftly and completely to seek reconciliation with those we have wronged.

Are you concerned enough that your worship with God will be pleasing and acceptable to Him to take the necessary action to reconcile the issues in your life with those who have been affected by your actions? Remember what someone once said: An offense against your neighbor is a fence between you and God.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in II Corinthians 2:9a

My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.

PRAYER:

Give me the strength today if I have hurt a friend or relative to go at once and make things right. Help me to learn to be able to ask forgiveness knowing that these words bring delight to Your heart.

Uniqueness: November 13, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2013.

UNIQUENESS

DEFINITION:

Existing as the only one or as the sole example; single, solitary in type and characteristics; having no like or equal; incomparable; not typical; unusual.

SCRIPTURE:

The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this man.” John 7:46.

And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. Luke 2:47.

And they were astonished at His teachings, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Mark 1:22.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

In life there are many unique people, places and things.  All of us have seen people that are unique because they have some unique ability. There are places on this earth that are unique because of the topography, wildlife and climate. We all have seen unique things, but today we want to talk about the most unique person that ever lived.

Jesus came to this earth as a man that possessed moral integrity and divine righteousness that marked Him different from all men. He was unique and set apart from all others. Following are seven ways in which Jesus was unique and set Him apart and above all other possible messianic claimants.

HE WAS UNIQUE IN HIS PERSON. The verses in Hebrews 1:1-13 proclaim His uniqueness as the Son of God, the Christ and the God-Man. He spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets (verse 1). He was appointed heir of all things (verse 2). Through Him God made the worlds (verse 2). He is the out-flowing of the glory of God and expresses the perfect character of God (verse 3). He cleansed us from our sins (verse 3).  He sat down at the right side of God (verse 3).

HE WAS UNIQUE IN HIS BIRTH.  This uniqueness is outlined in Luke 1:26-35. He was born of a virgin. He was the incarnate God (born in flesh). He was born in the city of Bethlehem as prophesied.  His birth was announced by Angels. He was born a man, poor, in a stable, cared for in a feeding trough but worshipped by Kings. His birth was signaled by a star. Hosts of angels gave forth praises at His birth.

HE WAS UNIQUE IN HIS MINISTRY. In Mark 1:21-28 and the other gospels, we are told that He preached with absolute authority. He was the greatest teacher that ever lived.  He performed the mightiest of miracles. He was the greatest healer. He was absolutely Holy and sinless in His person, actions and standards. He was a friend of sinners always offering them salvation. His ministry fulfilled the Old Testament messianic prophecies.

HE WAS UNIQUE IN HIS DEATH. In John 19:16-30 we are told that, as Messiah, He died for people’s sins. He prophesied that He would be put to death. He died as the Passover Lamb as prophesied. He died voluntarily doing His Father’s will. As He endured the agony on the cross He asked for forgiveness for His enemies.

HE WAS UNIQUE IN HIS RESURECTION. In John 20: 1-31 we read that He rose according to the Old Testament prophecies. He prophesied His own resurrection. He rose from the dead from a sealed and guarded tomb. He appeared alive first to a woman and then over and over again to His disciples for 40 days. He also appeared to more than five hundred of His followers at once. (I Corinthians 15:6)

HE WAS UNIQUE IN HIS ASCENSION. In Acts 1:1-9 we are told how He was taken into heaven just as Enoch and Elijah were. He went to be with the Father. Jesus made a promise at His ascension that the disciples would receive power to witness for Him after the Holy Spirit came. Jesus made a command at His ascension to go into all the world and be witnesses of Him.  He went to heaven to take the right seat next to God and to make continual intercession for the believers to God.

HE WILL BE UNIQUE IN HIS SECOND COMING. In Matthew 16:27 we are told that Jesus will return to this earth in power and majesty. He will raise the dead in Christ. He will come as a thief in the night. He will begin the promised millennium Kingdom on this earth and will rescue the tribulation saints

YES -- Jesus is the most UNIQUE person we have ever met. Have you met Him? Not only have we met Him but we know Him as our Lord and Savior. Do you know Him?

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in II Corinthians 2:9a.

My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.

PRAYER:

I give praise to You for Your uniqueness that sets You apart above all others who would claim to be God’s promised Messiah. Help me to be a testimony of Your uniqueness through my words and my actions so Christ will be seen in my life by my family and friends.

Impossible: November 12, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2013.

IMPOSSIBLE

DEFINITION:

Unable to be performed or affected; sure not to happen; can’t be done; utterly impracticable.

SCRIPTURE:

For with God nothing will be impossible. Luke 1:37

But without faith it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:6

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

How many times have you faced situations that you felt it was impossible to conquer? What is your first reaction when you encounter a difficult circumstance that looks impossible? Some people start searching for an answer or a way out of the circumstance; others curl up in defeat and try to avoid the circumstance totally by ignoring it.

As believers we need to remember that if we face circumstances that we feel are humanly impossible to conquer we need to ask the right question:

We may ask, "O Lord what am I going to do?" Is this the right question to ask? The problem with asking this question is that even though we are seeking the Lord's guidance, the focus is on our actions. Therefore we limit our response to our abilities, resources and understanding. All too often if we do this our minds will start to devise plans and soon we will resort to manipulation and maneuvering to fix the problem.

We should ask, "God, what are you going to do?" Do you see the difference? Now you have changed the focus to the omniscience and omnipotence of Almighty God. God blows out the sides of any box that confines us, He untangles any situation that baffles us and He has the power to carry out HIS PLAN which is perfect and will bring Him the Glory.

God's Word is a treasure available to us because it is practical and contains answers for any and every concern we may encounter. Impossible situations for us are opportunities for the Lord to teach us valuable lessons that we would never have learned any other way.

Remember: God' supremacy trumps all human resources. And also remember that God often requires our participation to achieve His purpose. In John 6 we read where Jesus asked Philip to get bread to feed the multitude. From a human perspective it was an impossible situation. Jesus knew where the bread was and He knew how the multitude would be fed.

Jesus called on Philip to do what Jesus knew Philip would think to be impossible. Right away Philip began calculating the cost. Philip concluded it would take over eight months of wages to pay for enough bread and therefore what Jesus asked of him was, in his mind, impossible. Philip assumed what is or what is not possible based on his limited resources. Limited resources are more than sufficient when given to Jesus. Jesus took five small barley loaves and two fish and provided more food than was needed to feed everyone.

When God asks us to do what seems impossible we must not let our estimate of our own resources hold us back from doing what God wants us to do. We must remember that "with God nothing will be impossible." It takes faith to believe that with God all things are possible and without faith it is impossible to please God.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in II Corinthians 2:9a.

My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.

PRAYER:

Help me today to surrender all my plans into Your hands so when impossibility comes my way I can ask, "What are You going to do, Lord?" I am grateful that You can solve all the impossibilities I face in life and if You need me to help, I am ready and willing.

Inheritance: November 11, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY NOVEMBER 11, 2013.

INHERITANCE

DEFINITION:

Acquire by gift or succession, something such as property, a title, or a right received as an heir.

SCRIPTURE:

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will. Ephesians 1:11

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Did you know that you are an heir to unimaginable wealth that will never go away? If you believe in Jesus Christ and have accepted Jesus as your Savior you are known as a child of God. God has for His children an inheritance reserved for us in heaven.

Do you need to be reminded that here on this earth He owns the cattle on a thousand hills (as the old song says). And He has in heaven reserved for us an inheritance far beyond what our minds can comprehend here on earth.

Our divine inheritance is so certain, according to the scriptures (above), that it is as if we have already received it. It is certain because it was determined (predestined) by God's will and guaranteed by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the will of God that every one of us, no matter how vile a sinner we may have been, that we were made righteous by believing in Christ and therefore receive the inheritance God has prepared for us.

In I Peter 1:4, Peter tells us that if we belong to Christ, we are one of His children and our inheritance is incorruptible and undefiled and does not fade away and is reserved and waiting for us in heaven. No one can take our inheritance from us because God has guaranteed it by sealing us with His Holy Spirit of promise.

Naturally, we all want to know what we are going to inherit. Much of our inheritance is far beyond our human comprehension but the scripture gives us a few hints. Part of our inheritance will be the transformation of our body and soul. We will be conformed to the likeness of His Son (Romans 8:29 and I John 3:2). Our weak perishable bodies will be changed into strong, glorious ones that are free from sin and death. Not only will we live forever and forever, but we will live in the glorious presence of our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In Ephesians 2:7 we are told that God will show us "the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." As we live our days on this earth let us show love and gratitude to our Father for such amazing goodness. Let us devote each day of our lives to living for Him.

Making these words of Colossians 3:23-24 a part of your daily life: “Whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto man; knowing that of the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance. For you serve the Lord."

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in II Corinthians 12:9a.

My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.

PRAYER:

Thank You Lord for the inheritance You have stored up for me in heaven. Help me to daily show my love and gratitude to You for Your amazing goodness to me.