GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SATURDAY MARCH 8, 2014
PROVERB:
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2.
PROMISE:
God will bring down their pride despite the cleverness of their hands. Isaiah 25:11b
PRAISE:
May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great. Though the Lord is on high, He looks upon the lowly, but the proud He knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve my life; You stretch out Your hand against the anger of my foes, with Your right hand You save me. Psalm 138: 5-7.
March 9, 2014
Seeking: March 7, 2014
TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY MARCH 7, 2014.
SEEKING
DEFINITION:
To look for; go in search or quest of; to try to obtain.
SCRIPTURE:
For the Son of man came to seek and to save those that were lost. Luke 19:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We will talk today about two kinds of seeking. The children of Israel began seeking to have a king like the pagan nations around them, so God allowed the Children of Israel to choose a king who would make their decisions for them. They were in the process of taking their eyes off of God. They choose Saul and it turned out to be one of the great tragedies in the Bible because Saul continually made his decisions seeking to obtain human favor for himself.
God told Saul to kill all of the Amalekites, but he chose to save the life of their king because he felt it would gain him favor in the eyes of his people. Saul had a divided allegiance. He was quite content to serve God as long as it pleased those around them. The failure in the life of Saul was his continual hunger for the approval of people around him. As King of God’s chosen people, he should have been seeking God’s approval. If he had been willing to seek he could have found it. Do you know people like that today that are associated with you? We all do.
In contrast to Saul who was seeking to obtain something for himself we have Jesus who came into the world seeking nothing for Himself. God created the world and all that is in it and all the world already belongs to Jesus. Jesus tells us in Luke 19:10 that He came seeking what was lost. All those who are without Christ are the lost. Because Jesus does not need anything there is only one thing we can give Him --- OUR HEART!
In Revelation 3:20 John tells us how Jesus is seeking us. First, He is pictured as standing at the door of our heart. Jesus takes the initiative and is willing to seek us even when we have erected a barrier.
Secondly, He is pictured knocking at the door. Jesus is knocking to get our attention and it may be through circumstances we may be facing, such as financial problems, painful hurts, broken relationships, illness or death of a loved one.
When someone witnesses to someone and asks him or her to accept Jesus they can be sure God is knocking loudly.
Thirdly, Jesus invites us to open the door. The door knob is on our side. We alone can open it. Jesus seeks us and He is omnipotent but never pushes His way into a relationship with us. We are the one that chooses, not Jesus.
Fourthly, Jesus enters through the door. If we open the door to Him He will come in. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our lives we will actually partake of Christ’s divine nature and be transformed into His image.
Finally, Jesus will dine with us inside the door. When we allow the seeking Jesus to come into our heart nothing stands between us and Jesus. It is then we can begin to enjoy all the benefits of an intimate relationship with Jesus and be nourished by His Word.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in James 1:12.
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
PRAYER:
I am so grateful that You were seeking me out and continued to do so until I opened the door of my heart to let You in. Use me today to show to others that You are their seeking Savior, patiently waiting for them to open the door of their hearts.
SEEKING
DEFINITION:
To look for; go in search or quest of; to try to obtain.
SCRIPTURE:
For the Son of man came to seek and to save those that were lost. Luke 19:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We will talk today about two kinds of seeking. The children of Israel began seeking to have a king like the pagan nations around them, so God allowed the Children of Israel to choose a king who would make their decisions for them. They were in the process of taking their eyes off of God. They choose Saul and it turned out to be one of the great tragedies in the Bible because Saul continually made his decisions seeking to obtain human favor for himself.
God told Saul to kill all of the Amalekites, but he chose to save the life of their king because he felt it would gain him favor in the eyes of his people. Saul had a divided allegiance. He was quite content to serve God as long as it pleased those around them. The failure in the life of Saul was his continual hunger for the approval of people around him. As King of God’s chosen people, he should have been seeking God’s approval. If he had been willing to seek he could have found it. Do you know people like that today that are associated with you? We all do.
In contrast to Saul who was seeking to obtain something for himself we have Jesus who came into the world seeking nothing for Himself. God created the world and all that is in it and all the world already belongs to Jesus. Jesus tells us in Luke 19:10 that He came seeking what was lost. All those who are without Christ are the lost. Because Jesus does not need anything there is only one thing we can give Him --- OUR HEART!
In Revelation 3:20 John tells us how Jesus is seeking us. First, He is pictured as standing at the door of our heart. Jesus takes the initiative and is willing to seek us even when we have erected a barrier.
Secondly, He is pictured knocking at the door. Jesus is knocking to get our attention and it may be through circumstances we may be facing, such as financial problems, painful hurts, broken relationships, illness or death of a loved one.
When someone witnesses to someone and asks him or her to accept Jesus they can be sure God is knocking loudly.
Thirdly, Jesus invites us to open the door. The door knob is on our side. We alone can open it. Jesus seeks us and He is omnipotent but never pushes His way into a relationship with us. We are the one that chooses, not Jesus.
Fourthly, Jesus enters through the door. If we open the door to Him He will come in. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our lives we will actually partake of Christ’s divine nature and be transformed into His image.
Finally, Jesus will dine with us inside the door. When we allow the seeking Jesus to come into our heart nothing stands between us and Jesus. It is then we can begin to enjoy all the benefits of an intimate relationship with Jesus and be nourished by His Word.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in James 1:12.
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
PRAYER:
I am so grateful that You were seeking me out and continued to do so until I opened the door of my heart to let You in. Use me today to show to others that You are their seeking Savior, patiently waiting for them to open the door of their hearts.
Purge: March 6, 2014
TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY MARCH 6, 2014.
PURGE
DEFINITION:
To rid of impurities, to cleanse or purify;
SCRIPTURE:
As for our transgressions, thou shall purge them away. Psalm 65:3.
Purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover was sacrificed for us. I Corinthians 5:7
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Many Chinese families several days before their New Year give their home a thorough cleaning. They practice this tradition because they believe the cleaning sweeps away the bad luck of the preceding year and make their homes ready for good luck.
In the verse above from I Corinthians the Apostle Paul was writing to the church at Corinth asking them to give their lives a thorough cleansing, not for good luck but to please God. He told them to purge out the old leaven. Paul in this verse used the Jewish feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12) as a backdrop for this statement. Leaven (yeast) was a symbol of sin and corruption and was to be removed from the Jewish homes in preparation for celebrating these festivals.
When Paul says to be a new lump he is saying for us to start acting like what we are --- a new creation in Jesus. As a new creation we have a new standing with God and we can have victory over all sin because of the cross and our relationship with Christ.
Jesus is our Passover Lamb who cleanses us from sin and corruption which separates us from God. The blood of the Passover Lamb saved the Israelites from the plague of death sent by God to cause the Egyptians to free the Israelites from slavery. Jesus became our Passover Lamb when He shed His blood on the cross to free us from slavery to sin and save us from death which is the penalty for sin.
The Corinthian church had acknowledged that Jesus was their Passover Lamb, but they had not gotten rid of their old sinful ways. Paul wrote them and admonished them that they must purge out (get rid of) the old leaven (sin).
The Corinthian’s were to scour their hearts and remove all evil and sexual immorality, malice, and wickedness from their lives in order to separate from their old life. Out of gratitude to Jesus for His sacrifice, let us separate from our old life and purge out the sin in our lives and celebrate the holiness that comes from God when we accept Jesus as our Passover Lamb.
The NIV translation of Psalms 65:3 reads, “When we were overwhelmed by sins, You forgave our transgressions.” David, the writer of this Psalm acknowledged he was a sinner and knew where to go when sin overwhelmed him. He knew that no matter how great our sin, there is no sin God will not forgive and enable us to purge from our life.
By faith, David looks forward for the purging of his sin at Calvary. Our faith now looks back to Calvary where we were purged of our sin and iniquities.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in James 1:12.
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
PRAYER:
I pray that You will give me a heart that is pure from within, purged from sin and evil. Help me to understand that sin’s contamination in my life requires Your cleansing.
PURGE
DEFINITION:
To rid of impurities, to cleanse or purify;
SCRIPTURE:
As for our transgressions, thou shall purge them away. Psalm 65:3.
Purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover was sacrificed for us. I Corinthians 5:7
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Many Chinese families several days before their New Year give their home a thorough cleaning. They practice this tradition because they believe the cleaning sweeps away the bad luck of the preceding year and make their homes ready for good luck.
In the verse above from I Corinthians the Apostle Paul was writing to the church at Corinth asking them to give their lives a thorough cleansing, not for good luck but to please God. He told them to purge out the old leaven. Paul in this verse used the Jewish feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12) as a backdrop for this statement. Leaven (yeast) was a symbol of sin and corruption and was to be removed from the Jewish homes in preparation for celebrating these festivals.
When Paul says to be a new lump he is saying for us to start acting like what we are --- a new creation in Jesus. As a new creation we have a new standing with God and we can have victory over all sin because of the cross and our relationship with Christ.
Jesus is our Passover Lamb who cleanses us from sin and corruption which separates us from God. The blood of the Passover Lamb saved the Israelites from the plague of death sent by God to cause the Egyptians to free the Israelites from slavery. Jesus became our Passover Lamb when He shed His blood on the cross to free us from slavery to sin and save us from death which is the penalty for sin.
The Corinthian church had acknowledged that Jesus was their Passover Lamb, but they had not gotten rid of their old sinful ways. Paul wrote them and admonished them that they must purge out (get rid of) the old leaven (sin).
The Corinthian’s were to scour their hearts and remove all evil and sexual immorality, malice, and wickedness from their lives in order to separate from their old life. Out of gratitude to Jesus for His sacrifice, let us separate from our old life and purge out the sin in our lives and celebrate the holiness that comes from God when we accept Jesus as our Passover Lamb.
The NIV translation of Psalms 65:3 reads, “When we were overwhelmed by sins, You forgave our transgressions.” David, the writer of this Psalm acknowledged he was a sinner and knew where to go when sin overwhelmed him. He knew that no matter how great our sin, there is no sin God will not forgive and enable us to purge from our life.
By faith, David looks forward for the purging of his sin at Calvary. Our faith now looks back to Calvary where we were purged of our sin and iniquities.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in James 1:12.
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
PRAYER:
I pray that You will give me a heart that is pure from within, purged from sin and evil. Help me to understand that sin’s contamination in my life requires Your cleansing.
Guide: March 5, 2014
TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY MARCH 5, 2014.
GUIDE
DEFINITION:
Show the way to; escort; direct.
SCRIPTURE:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Life is like an untraveled trail with complex twists and turns. Have you ever gone hiking on a trail in the mountains? There are always signs that clearly mark the trails and signs that remind you to stay on the trail. If you make the mistake of leaving the marked trail you become lost and may never reach your destination.
There are many examples in life where one needs a guide. How many times have you been driving on a road and run into a construction crew making the road impassible? Many times you will see guides at the beginning of the construction zone to help you through. We have guides when we travel in unknown territory. We need guides in many situations. We have guides that direct us in hospitals. Without signs it would be hard to find what we want in large malls and stores.
In our daily life we run into appealing activities that if we take our eyes off of our guide, Jesus, we can easily be detoured to the quicksand of sin. We may at times have to journey over some hard terrain or deep valleys. The only way to be sure we are on the right path is to follow a guide who knows the way perfectly.
We remember seeing years ago a large picture on an office wall. An artist painted a picture of the Lord Jesus standing behind a young man whose eyes were focused in the direction that the Master was pointing. Jesus’ hand was on the man’s shoulder, and you could imagine He is saying, “This is the way we are going. I will get you to your destination.”
There are two paths in life we can take and the choice is ours. One is wide and the way is easy and many choose to follow it. The other is narrow and the way is hard and very few find it. The one we choose to follow determines our destiny. In Matthew 7:13 Jesus tells us that the wide and easy road leads to destruction. And He tells us that the narrow road is not easy and few choose it but it is the right road because it leads to life eternal. To get to our destination of eternal life we need to follow Jesus and go the direction he is pointing us to go.
If you are honest with yourself you will admit that you are ill-equipped to go through life alone. God created us knowing that we would need His guidance. In our own knowledge and reasoning power we are simply not able to figure out how to consistently make wise decisions. Some people feel they are wise enough to make their decisions on their own but sooner or later they fail.
The assuring hand of our Lord on our shoulder will always lead us down the right path to good choices if we put our total trust in Him as our guide. We urge you to choose to follow the lead of Jesus by reading His Word and then by applying biblical principles to your walk in life. Also learn to pray for any large or small decisions that may put you on the wrong path and seek the narrow path that leads you to eternal life.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in James 1:12.
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
PRAYER:
Keep me from yielding to temptation to take the broad and easy path of life. Help me to keep my eyes totally on You even though I may not see clearly the path you have for me. Thank You for walking beside me as my guide in life to keep me on the narrow road that leads to eternal life.
GUIDE
DEFINITION:
Show the way to; escort; direct.
SCRIPTURE:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Life is like an untraveled trail with complex twists and turns. Have you ever gone hiking on a trail in the mountains? There are always signs that clearly mark the trails and signs that remind you to stay on the trail. If you make the mistake of leaving the marked trail you become lost and may never reach your destination.
There are many examples in life where one needs a guide. How many times have you been driving on a road and run into a construction crew making the road impassible? Many times you will see guides at the beginning of the construction zone to help you through. We have guides when we travel in unknown territory. We need guides in many situations. We have guides that direct us in hospitals. Without signs it would be hard to find what we want in large malls and stores.
In our daily life we run into appealing activities that if we take our eyes off of our guide, Jesus, we can easily be detoured to the quicksand of sin. We may at times have to journey over some hard terrain or deep valleys. The only way to be sure we are on the right path is to follow a guide who knows the way perfectly.
We remember seeing years ago a large picture on an office wall. An artist painted a picture of the Lord Jesus standing behind a young man whose eyes were focused in the direction that the Master was pointing. Jesus’ hand was on the man’s shoulder, and you could imagine He is saying, “This is the way we are going. I will get you to your destination.”
There are two paths in life we can take and the choice is ours. One is wide and the way is easy and many choose to follow it. The other is narrow and the way is hard and very few find it. The one we choose to follow determines our destiny. In Matthew 7:13 Jesus tells us that the wide and easy road leads to destruction. And He tells us that the narrow road is not easy and few choose it but it is the right road because it leads to life eternal. To get to our destination of eternal life we need to follow Jesus and go the direction he is pointing us to go.
If you are honest with yourself you will admit that you are ill-equipped to go through life alone. God created us knowing that we would need His guidance. In our own knowledge and reasoning power we are simply not able to figure out how to consistently make wise decisions. Some people feel they are wise enough to make their decisions on their own but sooner or later they fail.
The assuring hand of our Lord on our shoulder will always lead us down the right path to good choices if we put our total trust in Him as our guide. We urge you to choose to follow the lead of Jesus by reading His Word and then by applying biblical principles to your walk in life. Also learn to pray for any large or small decisions that may put you on the wrong path and seek the narrow path that leads you to eternal life.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in James 1:12.
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
PRAYER:
Keep me from yielding to temptation to take the broad and easy path of life. Help me to keep my eyes totally on You even though I may not see clearly the path you have for me. Thank You for walking beside me as my guide in life to keep me on the narrow road that leads to eternal life.
Counsel: March 4, 2014
TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY MARCH 4, 2014.
COUNSEL
DEFINITION:
An interchange of opinion; consultation; advice.
SCRIPTURE:
So Moses heeded the voice (counsel) of his father-in-law and did all that he said. Exodus 18:24.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Because of the busy lives that many of us have it is not hard to recognize ourselves in an over-extended situation such as Moses was in as recorded in Exodus 18. As God’s chosen leader of the Israelites, Moses had a huge responsibility. He had to teach them God’s laws and show them how to live lives that were pleasing to God. Moses was also the sole judge for all of the children of Israel (about 2 million) and he was surrounded, “from morning until evening” (verse 13) by people who needed his help and counsel.
When Jethro came to visit Moses, his son-in-law, he saw that he had more work than he could handle alone (verse 17). He counseled Moses to appoint trustworthy men to handle simple cases and to bring only difficult cases to Moses. This would give Moses more time to do what was more important which was teaching God’s decrees and laws to the people.
We must be willing to let go of things of lesser importance in life to do what is the most important. When we take council it is important to consider the source of that council. Moses was willing to take Jethro’s counselling because Jethro was trustworthy and wise. Moses knew Jethro to be a man who was God-fearing and honored God in all things.
We have talked to many people over the years, particularly parents that identify with Moses. They are overburdened and stressed out because they have too much on their plate. It seems that we need to learn two life skills for survival in today’s world. We need to have an eagerness to listen to wise counsel as Moses did to his father-in-law in the verse we wrote above and willing to accept it. Secondly, we need to develop a willingness to accept the help of quality people as Moses did. In verse 25 we read that Moses chose able men to assist him and made them heads over people.
Many are not willing to listen to others and they do not want to accept help. This is mostly because of pride. But sometimes it is only because life is moving so swiftly for us and making so many demands on us that we barely have time to react, let alone to contemplate or go to someone for advice.
Many people would rather do something themselves to make sure it is done the way they want it to be done. Others say that it is easier to do it themselves rather than take the time to train someone else. But the scripture is very clear when it tells us to surround ourselves with trustworthy counselors who will offer their wisdom and experience even when we are too busy to ask for it.
Moses recognized that wise counsel comes from God and includes God. His father-in-law Jethro, told Moses that if he followed his advice he must do it only if God commanded him to do it (Exodus 18:23). Jethro also advised Moses that those men that Moses chose to help him must be men who feared God and are trustworthy.
We can all learn from Moses and his father-in-law. Do not put yourself in the position of being overwhelmed. Instead, seek godly counsel and then follow through on what you are told. God will go before you and lead you in His steps. Also remember that he who will not be counseled will not be helped.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in James 1:12.
Blessed is the man who endures temptations; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
PRAYER:
Lord, give me the ears to hear advice from not only You but loved ones, friends and family who obey You and are wise and humble. When I face challenges in my life that are overwhelming don’t let my pride keep me from accepting help from others.
COUNSEL
DEFINITION:
An interchange of opinion; consultation; advice.
SCRIPTURE:
So Moses heeded the voice (counsel) of his father-in-law and did all that he said. Exodus 18:24.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Because of the busy lives that many of us have it is not hard to recognize ourselves in an over-extended situation such as Moses was in as recorded in Exodus 18. As God’s chosen leader of the Israelites, Moses had a huge responsibility. He had to teach them God’s laws and show them how to live lives that were pleasing to God. Moses was also the sole judge for all of the children of Israel (about 2 million) and he was surrounded, “from morning until evening” (verse 13) by people who needed his help and counsel.
When Jethro came to visit Moses, his son-in-law, he saw that he had more work than he could handle alone (verse 17). He counseled Moses to appoint trustworthy men to handle simple cases and to bring only difficult cases to Moses. This would give Moses more time to do what was more important which was teaching God’s decrees and laws to the people.
We must be willing to let go of things of lesser importance in life to do what is the most important. When we take council it is important to consider the source of that council. Moses was willing to take Jethro’s counselling because Jethro was trustworthy and wise. Moses knew Jethro to be a man who was God-fearing and honored God in all things.
We have talked to many people over the years, particularly parents that identify with Moses. They are overburdened and stressed out because they have too much on their plate. It seems that we need to learn two life skills for survival in today’s world. We need to have an eagerness to listen to wise counsel as Moses did to his father-in-law in the verse we wrote above and willing to accept it. Secondly, we need to develop a willingness to accept the help of quality people as Moses did. In verse 25 we read that Moses chose able men to assist him and made them heads over people.
Many are not willing to listen to others and they do not want to accept help. This is mostly because of pride. But sometimes it is only because life is moving so swiftly for us and making so many demands on us that we barely have time to react, let alone to contemplate or go to someone for advice.
Many people would rather do something themselves to make sure it is done the way they want it to be done. Others say that it is easier to do it themselves rather than take the time to train someone else. But the scripture is very clear when it tells us to surround ourselves with trustworthy counselors who will offer their wisdom and experience even when we are too busy to ask for it.
Moses recognized that wise counsel comes from God and includes God. His father-in-law Jethro, told Moses that if he followed his advice he must do it only if God commanded him to do it (Exodus 18:23). Jethro also advised Moses that those men that Moses chose to help him must be men who feared God and are trustworthy.
We can all learn from Moses and his father-in-law. Do not put yourself in the position of being overwhelmed. Instead, seek godly counsel and then follow through on what you are told. God will go before you and lead you in His steps. Also remember that he who will not be counseled will not be helped.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in James 1:12.
Blessed is the man who endures temptations; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
PRAYER:
Lord, give me the ears to hear advice from not only You but loved ones, friends and family who obey You and are wise and humble. When I face challenges in my life that are overwhelming don’t let my pride keep me from accepting help from others.
Interruptions: March 3, 2014
TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY MARCH 3, 2014
INTERRUPTIONS
DEFINITION:
To cause or make a break in the continuity or uniformity of a course; process or condition; bring to a pause or stop; intrude upon the action or speech of.
SCRIPTURE:
The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the people of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. Psalm 33:10-11.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
If your life is anything like ours, it is pretty well planned out. We have a calendar we keep that reminds us of appointments, meetings and even “to do” items. But often interruptions change our planned activities for the day. Most of the time we respond to interruptions, in our well planned lives, with attitudes like frustration, irritation, fear and doubt.
The psalmist in the above verse reminds us that the Lord can make “the plans of the peoples of no effect.” When our plans do not fit into God’s plan or purpose God can interrupt them and make them of no effect. God is consistent and does not change nor does He change the plans of His heart for us.
God often uses interruptions in our life for productive change in us and our lives to accomplish His purpose. The interruptions that come our way may be a surprise from God giving us a new opportunity to serve Him. We need to welcome interruptions as a new “to do” list from Him.
Some of the great advances in God’s plans have come through interruptions to the normal routine of a person. For example look what happened to Mary. An angel interrupted her life with the announcement that she would have a Son named Jesus. Since she was a virgin and engaged to be married this news was shocking and deeply troubling. But God used this interruption to bring His Son into our world so we could have our sins paid for and have an eternity with God.
Look at Saul and the interruption he had in his life. He was a Jewish zealot who persecuted Christians like no other person in his day. He was walking on his way to Damascus to arrest more followers of Christ when he was blinded by Jesus. This life-changing interruption for Saul not only changed his life but had huge implications for the future of Christianity.
We encourage you to look for God’s purpose in the next interruption you face. You will be amazed what will happen if you just stop and ask God, “What are You saying to me and what do you have for me to do now?” We can be confident that God’s plans are always better than our plans. It may be difficult to see God’s purpose at the time a major eruption occurs. It is when we look back that we see God working out His perfect plan and become aware of His blessings in our life.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in James 1:12.
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
PRAYER:
Lord, if I am feeling rushed today and trying to honor my schedule, I need Your eyes to help me see and Your leading to help me respond to an interruption as an opportunity from You. Make me pliable so that I will respond to Your plans and purposes for me.
INTERRUPTIONS
DEFINITION:
To cause or make a break in the continuity or uniformity of a course; process or condition; bring to a pause or stop; intrude upon the action or speech of.
SCRIPTURE:
The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the people of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. Psalm 33:10-11.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
If your life is anything like ours, it is pretty well planned out. We have a calendar we keep that reminds us of appointments, meetings and even “to do” items. But often interruptions change our planned activities for the day. Most of the time we respond to interruptions, in our well planned lives, with attitudes like frustration, irritation, fear and doubt.
The psalmist in the above verse reminds us that the Lord can make “the plans of the peoples of no effect.” When our plans do not fit into God’s plan or purpose God can interrupt them and make them of no effect. God is consistent and does not change nor does He change the plans of His heart for us.
God often uses interruptions in our life for productive change in us and our lives to accomplish His purpose. The interruptions that come our way may be a surprise from God giving us a new opportunity to serve Him. We need to welcome interruptions as a new “to do” list from Him.
Some of the great advances in God’s plans have come through interruptions to the normal routine of a person. For example look what happened to Mary. An angel interrupted her life with the announcement that she would have a Son named Jesus. Since she was a virgin and engaged to be married this news was shocking and deeply troubling. But God used this interruption to bring His Son into our world so we could have our sins paid for and have an eternity with God.
Look at Saul and the interruption he had in his life. He was a Jewish zealot who persecuted Christians like no other person in his day. He was walking on his way to Damascus to arrest more followers of Christ when he was blinded by Jesus. This life-changing interruption for Saul not only changed his life but had huge implications for the future of Christianity.
We encourage you to look for God’s purpose in the next interruption you face. You will be amazed what will happen if you just stop and ask God, “What are You saying to me and what do you have for me to do now?” We can be confident that God’s plans are always better than our plans. It may be difficult to see God’s purpose at the time a major eruption occurs. It is when we look back that we see God working out His perfect plan and become aware of His blessings in our life.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in James 1:12.
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
PRAYER:
Lord, if I am feeling rushed today and trying to honor my schedule, I need Your eyes to help me see and Your leading to help me respond to an interruption as an opportunity from You. Make me pliable so that I will respond to Your plans and purposes for me.
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