Gems of Encouragement: February 22, 2014

Gems of Encouragement For Saturday February 22, 2014

Proverb:

He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. Proverbs 21:21

Promise:

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.  Psalm 37:5-6

Praise:

Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in Him; let all the upright in heart praise Him. Psalm 64:10

Creation: February 21, 2014

Today's Word for Friday February 21, 2014

CREATION

DEFINITION     

Invention; the act of creating, an original product.

SCRIPTURE

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
II Corinthians 5:17

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

It is important that we consider several things when we read the first verse in the Bible. First, the Bible is not only a book about God but it is the book from God. Secondly, in the beginning refers to the beginning of creation. Remember that God was unformed, unmade, uncreated and had no beginning. He always was, always is, and always shall be. And finally God created the heavens and the earth, in other words, the entire universe.

God is also our creator since the Word says he created man. Along with being our creator He is our sustainer, our judge and our hope in this world and for eternity. What an awesome series of events to understand. The six days of creation, as outlined in the book of Genesis, clearly tells us that we are here and what we have here is all because of God and His love for us. God loves us so much that He not only created the world for us, but He created us in His image.

The apostle Paul talks about creation in II Corinthians 5:17. He is referring here to the creation of a new life when someone rejects the evils of this world and seeks Jesus and accepts Him as his or her Savior. Believers are brand new people on the inside. The Holy Spirit indwells them and changes them. He doesn't just reform them he recreates them.

When we accept Jesus as our Savior we are not merely turning over a new leaf we are beginning a whole new life. Old things are passed away. These are the things that ran our life before our salvation. He then tells us that all things become new. As a new creation of our Lord the things that dominated our lives before we found Jesus are now history and no longer important. We have a whole new purpose, to serve Jesus and Him alone.

Yes, God is our creator. We can be assured that the God who had power to create us has the power to redeem us and recreate us. He created the world we live in and He created our new life when we found Jesus as our Savior. What an awesome God he is.

LEARNING

Our memory verse for this week is found in I Peter 2:2-3.

As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

PRAYER

What a privilege that we have knowing that You are our creator. Thank You for the salvation you provided for all those you created and for the assurance we, as believers, now have of spending an eternity in heaven with You, our creator, our redeemer and our Lord

Music: February 18, 2014

Today's Word for Tuesday February 18, 2014

MUSIC

DEFINITION     

The combining of sounds and tones as a form of artistic expression; to tell about or praise someone or something in verse or song.

SCRIPTURE

Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Psalm 100:2

Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Ephesians 5:18-19. 

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

We have often said and have heard many people say over the years that when we get to heaven we will be able to sing so much better than we try to now. Have you thought how thrilling it will be just to join with the angels, and sing psalms and hymns of praise most likely with words and music like we have never heard before.

Both of us love music, especially wonderful choir music sung in churches. Many churches today do not have choirs and we miss the music that they once sang.

We have mentioned several times in prior devotionals the experiences we had in Kenya. Each year the 75 churches that we helped to sponsor had a three day conference somewhere in the middle of where their churches were located. We will never forget the singing that we heard at these conferences.

The church choirs would come and everyone would join them in singing songs and praising God through music. It was an experience that we will never forget and we commented at the time that this experience might be somewhat like the singing we anticipated in heaven.

But when we get to heaven John tells us in Revelation 5:11 that there will be thousands upon thousands singing praises of honor and glory to the Lord. In the verses we have put above we see in Psalms that we are to come before our Lord singing as we enter into His presence. Can you imagine the thrill of that happening for an eternity?

In Ephesians (above) the apostle Paul reminds us that while we are here on this earth waiting for our Lord's return we are to speak to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Our Lord wants us to honor and glorify His name through music. Songs of praise to the Lord ministers to our hearts and lifts us up.

When we think of music we often think of hearing the Halleluiah Chorus sung by a mass choir of hundreds. What a thrilling experience that is. We all have heard wonderful singing honoring God in our churches and at Christian concerts. Yes, over the years music has changed but we personally have our hearts moved when we hear the old songs that were sung years ago.

It is important that we make music part of our daily lives. We need to listen to music that honors God. We need to sing songs that honor God, even if we really cannot sing. God listens to the heart knowing that when we are with him we will all have wonderful new voices.

LEARNING

Our memory verse for this week is found in I Peter 2:2-3.

As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

PRAYER

May my heart be filled with music that honors and glorifies Your name today.

Content: February 20, 2014

Today's Word for Thursday February 20, 2014

CONTENT

DEFINITION     

Satisfied; easy in mind; happy.

SCRIPTURE

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. Philippians 4:11.

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
I Timothy 6:6-7.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

The apostle Paul wrote the two verses above, one to the church at Philippi and one to Timothy to help them understand the true meaning of contentment and how to find it. Paul was well educated and held an esteemed position as a Pharisee, yet he willingly gave it all up to serve his Lord and Savior and to preach the message of salvation to the multitudes. As a result he lived a hard life traveling from place to place, with no home and often without food, and suffering great persecution.

So why was he able to write that he could be content in all circumstances? It was because he had learned to rely on God for his contentment. As believers we need to rely on the Lord for contentment as Paul did. When God is blessing us with abundance we are to be content in Him. When we are in a state of crises we are to be content in Him. This is a difficult principle to learn but this is what God wants of us as believers and children of God. It is always easy to be content when all is going well but most difficult in a time of crisis

We see people all around us today looking to find contentment. Many people spend every moment of their free time sitting in a chair, eating food and watching the television or surfing the web on the computer. For them this is contentment. When the cable or the computer goes out they quickly get frustrated and there goes there contentment.

There are others that are content only when they are working and making money. For others contentment is going places or doing "fun" things. These things are very temporal and do not bring contentment that satisfies for very long.

We all know people that are never content. They seem to constantly be complaining. They seem to be lonely and unfulfilled and searching for happiness. They always want more but when they get it they are still not happy. They are basically a "pain in the neck" to their families and friends. The word contentment does not seem to be in their vocabulary, because they have never learned to trust in the Lord and not on "things."

As believers in Jesus we need to realize that the verse above from I Timothy is so very true. We brought nothing into this world and it is certain that we will carry nothing out. Whatever we have has been given to us from God. When we are thankful for what we have we will be content in whatever state we are in.

We have no control over crises that we may face like earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, civil wars or other disasters. God has a reason that He allows us to go through these situations. We may find ourselves in circumstances we are not content to be in but, God will protect us and bless us if we stay true to Him.

One final thought concerning contentment. We have talked above about being content in whatever situation we are in spiritually. But we would like to look at the word contentment from a different perspective. Most believers in Jesus today are content in what they have and where they are. God does not want us to get so content that we become complacent and neglect doing what he has called us to do. What is it that God has called us to do? "Go ye into the world and preach the good news to all creation" Mark 16:15. What is the good news? God loves us so much He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for our sins that all those who believe can be forgiven and live eternally with God. (John 3:16)

The Ten Commandments give us ten standards to live by daily. As believers we need to stand on these commandments and defend them when others discredit them and break them by their words and deeds. In other words --- Why do believers today not stand up for what they believe. Have we become too content in what we are doing and where we are?

LEARNING

Our memory verse for this week is found in I Peter 2:2-3.

As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

PRAYER

It is my prayer today that I be content no matter what I face today knowing that You are my Savior and Lord and that You are with me in all circumstances. May I be a leader of my family showing them how to be content in You through every situation, good or bad, that we may face. May I learn to stand up for what the scriptures have taught me and be a shining light honoring You

Ability: February 19, 2014

Today's Word for Wednesday February 19, 2014

ABILITY

DEFINITION     

Having the means or power to be or to act; intelligence; competence; skill; giftedness.

SCRIPTURE

And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability. Matthew 25:15

If anyone speaks he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves he should do it as with the strength which God provides so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. I Peter 4:11.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

It is a great concern to us today that we see so many young people with great abilities that basically seem to be lazy and not doing anything to use their God given abilities. The same is happening with older people. Where is the drive that so many people had in the past to succeed?

When we think of the word ability we are reminded of three distinct types of people we have known and worked with over the years. 

There was a person that comes to mind that worked with us in the ministry God had blessed us with. This person was not doing the job that was expected of him and other people in the ministry thought, as we did, that he could do much better. But after several conversations with him and additional training that we offered him, he never improved.

The reason he did not improve became very clear to us. He was happy in his comfort zone coming to work every day and doing just enough to get by and then going home. He had great ability but never seemed to have the desire to take advantage of the abilities God gave him. Do you know people like this?

We have known others that seemed to us to have limited ability. They worked hard at every task given them and made sure that what they did was done beyond what was expected despite of their limited ability. These people were a joy to work with because they always gave 100% and did their very best.

And we have also worked with people that always had the attitude that they could do anything and do it better than others. Many times they overestimated their ability and could not produce what they said they could. These people never would agree that they did not produce what was expected of them. In their mind they had excelled.

We have shared with you three types of people. Those that have great ability and do not use what God has given them. Those who may have great ability or little ability but they always work over and above what was expected of them and excelled in what they accomplished. And finally you have the person who talks the talk, saying nothing is impossible for him to accomplish, but cannot walk his talk. Those who talk big often accomplish little.

In the verse we have put above from Matthew we read part of the parable that Jesus preached about talents. It was very evident, as you read this parable, that Jesus knew that there were those that had more ability than others. In this parable Jesus makes it clear that He expects us to use wisely whatever talents He has given us to the best of our ability. What counts with God is not how much we have to offer Him but about how well we serve Him with what we have.

In his writing to the church at Corinth (II Corinthians 8:3) Paul commended the church at Macedonia for their sacrificial giving in spite of their deep poverty. They did not have much but they gave according to their ability and YES, they gave beyond their ability. We learn from this that it is pleasing to God when we give back to Him beyond our ability.

Some people say they have no abilities or special talents that the Lord could use. This is not true. Everyone has some ability. In I Peter 4:6-11 Peter lists things that everyone has the ability to do. We all can show love to one another, be hospitable to one another, serve one another and speak the Words of God.

LEARNING

Our memory verse for this week is found in I Peter 2:2-3.

As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

PRAYER

Thank you for the abilities You have given me and help me to be faithful in using them to show love to others on Your behalf. Help me to be able to train my children to love You and use their abilities in serving You.

Emptiness: February 17, 2014

Today's Word for Monday February 17, 2014

EMPTINESS

DEFINITION     

Containing nothing; lacking in value; meaningless.

SCRIPTURE

He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. Luke 1:53

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Ephesians 5:6.

And to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:19.

Surely God will not listen to empty talk, nor will the Almighty regard it. Job 35:13.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

We talk to so many people that have emptiness in their lives. They feel alone and many just feel rejected. They have very few friends and very little to talk about. The life style that many people live today initiates the emptiness that so many feel. Where there is no hope in life the natural opposite is an emptiness that seemingly cannot be filled.

We received an email several days ago from a friend who reads our devotionals daily. This person asked what needed to be done for their family to feel wanted. This person went on to share with us that they had very few friends, even their children wanted friends. After exchanging several emails where we encouraged them to read the Bible and pray together daily asking God to send people to them.

They soon wrote and said that people began to come to them asking for guidance. These were people they knew but had never developed a relationship with God. God will hear our prayers and he will fill the emptiness in our lives if we communicate with Him.

Recently a friend of two of our grandsons moved to a very large home on a hilltop with a panoramic view. It had a large pool and a nice playroom with seemingly everything a child might want. When our grandsons said to him that he must feel fortunate to have such a great home, the boy responded by saying he did not like living there because it was too far from his friends. Yes, even children who have everything can feel empty.

Justin Bieber was still just a child in his early teens when he became a pop-star sensation. By the age of 15 he was one of the biggest names in the music industry and was at the top of the list of richest teen stars. He has fame and fortune. He can buy anything he wants. In spite of his great success it is apparent there is emptiness within. He is now only 19 and has had several run-ins with the law. He has been arrested for reckless driving, for suspected DUI and for drug possession.

When a life is empty it is an opportunity for Satan to move in with his evil temptations. Unfortunately, teen-age stars like Justin Bieber become idols for children. Parents today have to make themselves aware of who their children look up to and idolize.

Alcohol and drugs will not fill the emptiness in a child's life or an adult's. If Justin Bieber continues on the path he is on he is headed for destruction. Satan loves to see others follow him on that path. It is vitally important that Christian parents pray faithfully for their children and teach them to know and love God.

The Bible has an answer for those who want to get rid of their emptiness. In the verse above from Luke the writer refers to those that feel emptiness in their lives as being hungry. And if you are one that is hungry you are searching for righteousness. This verse assures us that if we come to God empty and searching for righteousness He will fill our lives with good things. He contrasts this with the rich that have everything and put their trust in "things" and feel no need for God. Those who see that they need God and are fully devoted to Him will experience the fullness of God in their lives.

We will know His love and His majesty, His wisdom and His mercy and we will feel His power at work in our lives. When we surrender ourselves completely to God, the fullness of God fills our emptiness completely. When God fills us He fills us not with just good things, but the best things and they are abundantly satisfying. 

The verse above from Ephesians reminds us that in this world we face many temptations and evil pressures. Paul refers to these as "empty words." False teachers use empty words to deceive us and pull us away from the cross which is the truth of our salvation we were given by Jesus on the cross of Calvary.  It is the cross alone that stops the wrath of God against sin in the lives of those who believe in Jesus.

In the Old Testament we read about Job (above) and all of the temptations and frustrations that God allowed him to go through to prove to Satan that he (Job) was a righteous man. In this verse Job was accused of being empty and vain in his belief. This accusation was false, of course, but is an example for us today. Satan daily is going to tempt us making us think that our relationship with God is empty. When this happens how do you respond?

Emptiness is a tool that Satan uses with one who believes in God to cause us to doubt God when we face difficult situations in our lives. Put your total faith in the Lord, your Father, and he will turn your emptiness into a life full of joy and hope.

LEARNING

Our memory verse for this week is found in I Peter 2:2-3.

As newborn babies, desire the pure milk of the Word that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

PRAYER

My prayer is that You will not let anyone or anything deceive me with empty words. Help me to live above the frustrations of everyday life putting all of my trust and hope in You. Help me to lead my family through any emptiness that they may be facing in their lives.