TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2014.
BURDENS
DEFINITION:
That which is borne with difficulty.
SCRIPTURE:
Thus says the Lord, stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, we will not walk in it. Jeremiah 6:16.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Jeremiah in the verse above is writing about the image of travelers who are lost, stopping to inquire about the right way they once knew before they wandered to far off of it.
We are all travelers just passing through this world and we each must choose the path we will follow. The right path for living is God’s path. Although it is ancient it is the good way. We each must decide for our self whether to go our own new way or to follow God’s old but true way. We all have to deal with problems as we make our way in this world. Some may be of our own making and others not.
When problems become heavy and weigh us down the world seems a colder place. The sun may be shining but our heads are bowed so low we don’t notice.
What weighs us down? Our ears are filled with the cries of our heart so we hear nothing good. We put distance between us and others as our problems absorb our time and efforts. Sin is most often the cause of our heaviness of heart so we feel we are crushed and burdened with a heavy weight.
Jeremiah, the prophet offers us timeless wisdom with practical advice on how to handle burdens.
He tells us first to stand at the crossroads and look. In times of turmoil our minds race ahead of where we are and we think only of what could happen in the future. To stand means to turn our mind from its troubling thoughts to focusing on God.
Secondly, we are to ask for the ancient paths, and ask where the good way is. The road of trouble has been well traveled by the saints of faith that traveled before us. Their foot prints have made it to a path of glory to God. Meditate on the prayers of David and others in the Bible and ponder their responses as well as the way they kept their faith and trust in God. Then pray for courage to walk those same paths as Jesus did.
Jeremiah finally reminds us in the verse above to walk in it and you will find rest for your souls. With your eyes firmly fixed on Jesus you need to resolve to walk down this road in a way that is honoring to Him. Seek to be obedient in thought, word and deed. You will soon discover that your burden will be light and you will find rest in Him.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in I Peter 5:7.
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
PRAYER:
When I face a heavy burden help me to focus on You so that I might be comfortable resting on You. Help me to be available to others that have burdens and that You will be able to work through me to walk a person from their burdens into the care of Your out-stretched hands.
September 7, 2014
Obey: September 4, 2014
TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2014.
OBEY
DEFINITION:
To comply with the wishes, instructions or commands of; to follow orders; to submit to authority.
SCRIPTURE:
The people said to Joshua, “We will serve the Lord our God and we will obey His voice.” Joshua 24:24.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When did you last hear a sermon on obedience? It is not often that a minister will speak on this subject because it does not draw large crowds because it sounds too much like following orders or submitting to laws or commandments. People in today’s culture do not want to hear this. Many feel today that Jesus came to set us free from all this obedience stuff.
In Romans 8:2-4 we are told that Jesus came to set us free from the law of sin and death so that the requirement of the law might be filled in us. In other words He set us free from disobedience. Christian liberty frees us to obey our Fathers commandments.
Oswald Chambers in his book “Still higher for His highest,” says true liberty is the ability earned by practice to do the right thing. Doing the right thing is obedience.
The Israelites heard time after time in a thundering way about obedience and they responded so often by rebellion and suffered severe consequences. Through Moses God instructed the Israelites that if they would obey Him, He would bless them.
We read in Deuteronomy 28:1-3 Moses instruction concerning obedience: “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all His commands that I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.”
In verses 4-12 Moses tells of the ways God will bless them. Two things are important to take note of in verse one: The instruction is to fully obey and carefully follow. Obedience that brings blessing takes more than a half-hearted commitment. Israel’s downfall was that they never fully learned their lesson. It is a lesson for every believer today. OBEDIENCE BRINGS GOD’S BLESSINGS!
Jesus had a great deal to say about obedience and His words were powerful because they came from an obedient and sinless life. In John 6:38 He tells us that He came down from heaven to do the will of God, the Father. Jesus admonishes us to be like Him. “Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter (Matthew 7:21).
When we obey our Lord, doors of blessing will open in front of us, and we will have an abundant life as never before.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in I Peter 5:7.
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
PRAYER:
Help me to fully obey You and carefully follow Your laws so that I can have all the blessings You have for me. May my life through my words and deeds exemplify the importance of obedience in one’s life.
OBEY
DEFINITION:
To comply with the wishes, instructions or commands of; to follow orders; to submit to authority.
SCRIPTURE:
The people said to Joshua, “We will serve the Lord our God and we will obey His voice.” Joshua 24:24.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When did you last hear a sermon on obedience? It is not often that a minister will speak on this subject because it does not draw large crowds because it sounds too much like following orders or submitting to laws or commandments. People in today’s culture do not want to hear this. Many feel today that Jesus came to set us free from all this obedience stuff.
In Romans 8:2-4 we are told that Jesus came to set us free from the law of sin and death so that the requirement of the law might be filled in us. In other words He set us free from disobedience. Christian liberty frees us to obey our Fathers commandments.
Oswald Chambers in his book “Still higher for His highest,” says true liberty is the ability earned by practice to do the right thing. Doing the right thing is obedience.
The Israelites heard time after time in a thundering way about obedience and they responded so often by rebellion and suffered severe consequences. Through Moses God instructed the Israelites that if they would obey Him, He would bless them.
We read in Deuteronomy 28:1-3 Moses instruction concerning obedience: “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all His commands that I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.”
In verses 4-12 Moses tells of the ways God will bless them. Two things are important to take note of in verse one: The instruction is to fully obey and carefully follow. Obedience that brings blessing takes more than a half-hearted commitment. Israel’s downfall was that they never fully learned their lesson. It is a lesson for every believer today. OBEDIENCE BRINGS GOD’S BLESSINGS!
Jesus had a great deal to say about obedience and His words were powerful because they came from an obedient and sinless life. In John 6:38 He tells us that He came down from heaven to do the will of God, the Father. Jesus admonishes us to be like Him. “Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter (Matthew 7:21).
When we obey our Lord, doors of blessing will open in front of us, and we will have an abundant life as never before.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in I Peter 5:7.
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
PRAYER:
Help me to fully obey You and carefully follow Your laws so that I can have all the blessings You have for me. May my life through my words and deeds exemplify the importance of obedience in one’s life.
Distracted: September 3, 2014
TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2014
DISTRACTED
DEFINITION:
The state of being unfocused because of something else that takes our attention; mentally distressed.
SCRIPTURE:
But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, “Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me.” Luke 10:40.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Jesus was visiting with Mary and Martha (the verse above) and there was much to do to prepare the meal for “their Master.” The word “distracted” used here was translated --- dragging all around or pulled apart. The expression implies that Martha was in a tumult with all the preparations to be done. She was fussing about the details that for Mary and Jesus were unnecessarily elaborate. Jesus wanted time with both women but Martha was distracted by unnecessary details.
How many times have unnecessary details taken valuable time away from you spending time with the Lord? Do you set a time each day to read the Bible and pray and studying the Word and then situations come up that take you away from this time?
In Nehemiah chapters one and two we read about Nehemiah being troubled about the condition of his city, Jerusalem. He was the cupbearer to the king and with the king’s permission he went out to rebuild the city for his people the Israelites. He encountered obstacles but refused to be distracted from the task. He set an example for all of us today.
First, Nehemiah was in the center of God’s will. When Nehemiah cried out to God for help as to how to rebuild the Lord showed him exactly what to do. God also caused the king to be favorably disposed toward the rebuilding and even provided to Nehemiah all the materials that was needed to accomplish the task.
Secondly, Nehemiah knew that the Lord’s priority for him was to rebuild the city. Nehemiah never wavered from his goal. God has planned for us, just as he planned for Nehemiah, things of great value to Him for us to do. We are not to underestimate our part in what God wants to do through us.
Thirdly, following every crises, Nehemiah returned to accomplish the task he set out to do. He had to deal with opposition and threats of warfare from the enemy of the Jews, and with fear and conflict among his own workers. These were difficult problems but Nehemiah did not let any of them distract Him from what God had called Him to do.
Finally, Nehemiah took time to identify each distraction he faced. When we are interrupted, have our attention diverted, or receive a personal attack it is not of God. Distractions originate outside of ourselves and with our Father’s help we will learn who to heed and who to ignore.
Do not let the distractions of life get you off course. Things like gossip, criticism, personal desires, and praise from others toward us will turn us away from God’s perfect plan for our lives. We need to be single-minded focusing all of our thoughts on our Lord.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in I Peter 5:7.
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
PRAYER:
Help me to recognize daily who to heed and who to ignore in life. Help me to follow Your example, as did Nehemiah, so You can achieve great things in and through me.
DISTRACTED
DEFINITION:
The state of being unfocused because of something else that takes our attention; mentally distressed.
SCRIPTURE:
But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, “Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me.” Luke 10:40.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Jesus was visiting with Mary and Martha (the verse above) and there was much to do to prepare the meal for “their Master.” The word “distracted” used here was translated --- dragging all around or pulled apart. The expression implies that Martha was in a tumult with all the preparations to be done. She was fussing about the details that for Mary and Jesus were unnecessarily elaborate. Jesus wanted time with both women but Martha was distracted by unnecessary details.
How many times have unnecessary details taken valuable time away from you spending time with the Lord? Do you set a time each day to read the Bible and pray and studying the Word and then situations come up that take you away from this time?
In Nehemiah chapters one and two we read about Nehemiah being troubled about the condition of his city, Jerusalem. He was the cupbearer to the king and with the king’s permission he went out to rebuild the city for his people the Israelites. He encountered obstacles but refused to be distracted from the task. He set an example for all of us today.
First, Nehemiah was in the center of God’s will. When Nehemiah cried out to God for help as to how to rebuild the Lord showed him exactly what to do. God also caused the king to be favorably disposed toward the rebuilding and even provided to Nehemiah all the materials that was needed to accomplish the task.
Secondly, Nehemiah knew that the Lord’s priority for him was to rebuild the city. Nehemiah never wavered from his goal. God has planned for us, just as he planned for Nehemiah, things of great value to Him for us to do. We are not to underestimate our part in what God wants to do through us.
Thirdly, following every crises, Nehemiah returned to accomplish the task he set out to do. He had to deal with opposition and threats of warfare from the enemy of the Jews, and with fear and conflict among his own workers. These were difficult problems but Nehemiah did not let any of them distract Him from what God had called Him to do.
Finally, Nehemiah took time to identify each distraction he faced. When we are interrupted, have our attention diverted, or receive a personal attack it is not of God. Distractions originate outside of ourselves and with our Father’s help we will learn who to heed and who to ignore.
Do not let the distractions of life get you off course. Things like gossip, criticism, personal desires, and praise from others toward us will turn us away from God’s perfect plan for our lives. We need to be single-minded focusing all of our thoughts on our Lord.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in I Peter 5:7.
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
PRAYER:
Help me to recognize daily who to heed and who to ignore in life. Help me to follow Your example, as did Nehemiah, so You can achieve great things in and through me.
Burnout: September 2, 2014
TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 21014.
BURNOUT
DEFINITION:
Fatigue, frustration, or apathy resulting from prolonged stress, over work or intense activity.
SCRIPTURE:
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation. He is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62: 1-2
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Many people today can recall times when our bodies and minds have felt tired from manual labor and mental strain. If these conditions become constant or extreme, consciously or unconsciously, it is very easy for one to feel they have become burned out.
But the good news is that the scripture provides us with specific encouraging words for such things including just plain exhaustion.
In Isaiah 40:27-31 reveals for us three reassuring truths about God and His faithfulness in our times of exhaustion and feeling burned out.
In verse 28 we are told that the Lord “does not become weary or tired.” Therefore we can call upon Him who will never run out of power to share with us. His strength has never decreased and will not decrease in the future. In Hebrews 13:8 we are told that, “He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
In verse 29 we find that “He gives strength to the weary” and power to those who are not mighty. Our loving heavenly Father does not frown upon us when we feel we are weak. Instead, He embraces us and lifts us up when we feel are unable to help ourselves.
In verse 31 we are given an incredible promise. It reads, “Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, and they will walk and not become weary.”
The next time you start to feel that a burnout is coming, read these verses. God has put us here on this earth for a reason as believers. Nowhere in scripture can we find that a burnout is acceptable because our God is bigger than any burnout that may come our way.
If we feel that a burnout needs to be dealt with we must first find the time to be still before the Lord and to rest in Him. In Mark 6:31, Jesus told His disciples, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” Resting in God for even a short time renews our souls and quiets our racing minds, enabling us to partake of His strength.
When you feel that you have too much on your plate to accomplish you should ask yourself, Are the activities in my life all necessary and chosen by the Lord? In Psalm 46:10 we are told to, “Cease striving and know that I am God.” There are times in our lives that God wants us to slow down and realize that our lives are in His hands. This is the way we can replace striving with resting and trusting.
Remember our God is faithful to provide for each of us a supply of endless divine strength to carry on what he has called us to do. All we need to do is to trust in God and call upon Him to fulfill His promise to renew His strength within us. God is never to weary or too busy to help us when we call upon Him.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in I Peter 5:7.
Casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you.
PRAYER:
Help me to take time today for a quiet moment to sit before You and listen to what You have for me. Provide for me today the strength and rest I need. Give me exactly what I need for the moment at hand.
BURNOUT
DEFINITION:
Fatigue, frustration, or apathy resulting from prolonged stress, over work or intense activity.
SCRIPTURE:
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation. He is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62: 1-2
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Many people today can recall times when our bodies and minds have felt tired from manual labor and mental strain. If these conditions become constant or extreme, consciously or unconsciously, it is very easy for one to feel they have become burned out.
But the good news is that the scripture provides us with specific encouraging words for such things including just plain exhaustion.
In Isaiah 40:27-31 reveals for us three reassuring truths about God and His faithfulness in our times of exhaustion and feeling burned out.
In verse 28 we are told that the Lord “does not become weary or tired.” Therefore we can call upon Him who will never run out of power to share with us. His strength has never decreased and will not decrease in the future. In Hebrews 13:8 we are told that, “He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
In verse 29 we find that “He gives strength to the weary” and power to those who are not mighty. Our loving heavenly Father does not frown upon us when we feel we are weak. Instead, He embraces us and lifts us up when we feel are unable to help ourselves.
In verse 31 we are given an incredible promise. It reads, “Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, and they will walk and not become weary.”
The next time you start to feel that a burnout is coming, read these verses. God has put us here on this earth for a reason as believers. Nowhere in scripture can we find that a burnout is acceptable because our God is bigger than any burnout that may come our way.
If we feel that a burnout needs to be dealt with we must first find the time to be still before the Lord and to rest in Him. In Mark 6:31, Jesus told His disciples, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” Resting in God for even a short time renews our souls and quiets our racing minds, enabling us to partake of His strength.
When you feel that you have too much on your plate to accomplish you should ask yourself, Are the activities in my life all necessary and chosen by the Lord? In Psalm 46:10 we are told to, “Cease striving and know that I am God.” There are times in our lives that God wants us to slow down and realize that our lives are in His hands. This is the way we can replace striving with resting and trusting.
Remember our God is faithful to provide for each of us a supply of endless divine strength to carry on what he has called us to do. All we need to do is to trust in God and call upon Him to fulfill His promise to renew His strength within us. God is never to weary or too busy to help us when we call upon Him.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in I Peter 5:7.
Casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you.
PRAYER:
Help me to take time today for a quiet moment to sit before You and listen to what You have for me. Provide for me today the strength and rest I need. Give me exactly what I need for the moment at hand.
Sharing: September 1, 2014
TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2014.
SHARING
DEFINITION:
To engage in together, to give a part to; a joint enterprise; to use, participate in or receive jointly.
SCRIPTURE:
But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Hebrews 13:16.
Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share. I Timothy 6:18.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
It goes without saying that we are not born with a natural inclination to share. It becomes very evident to every parent early on that children need to be taught to share.
Unfortunately, as children mature into adults they often do not abide by what they are taught. It is human nature that makes this a reality. The apostle Paul understood this when he was in prison waiting for his execution and was writing I and II Timothy.
He was giving Timothy some final instructions to help him carry on Paul’s ministry. Paul well knew that Timothy would have to deal with Christians who were self-centered and selfish. Like children they would have to be taught to share and to do good. In the New American Standard Bible translation I Timothy 6:18 reads, “Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.”
The inclination to share comes as a result of our relationship with our Lord Jesus. His Holy Spirit works in us to cause us to love and care for others and gives us the desire to share with others. Down through the ages it has been the church, the body of believers, that have been the ones who have fed the hungry and sheltered the poor and encouraged the downtrodden.
Jesus knew that one of our real tests in seeing what our real depth of being yielded to Him is our willingness to share with others. If we have no mercy toward others it is safe to say that we have never experienced God’s mercy.
Emerson must have been reading the gauge of human mercy when he said, “What you are speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say.” Satan does not care how much you theorize about Christianity, or how much you profess to know Christ. What Satan opposes is your dedication to live a Christ-like life.
It is a known fact that when people feel that they are the loneliest people in the world and someone suggests that they find a way to share their religious faith and some material goods they will soon become one of the happiest people in the world. Maybe it is a new neighbor and you take to them a cake or some cookies. The door will open for you to talk to them and a friendship of sharing can begin. Jesus wants us to reach out and share with others. No matter how little we may have in material wealth we can be rich in good deeds. Just an encouraging word or a helping hand can reap rich rewards. Jesus in turn will give you joy and happiness like you never have had before.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in I Peter 5:7.
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
PRAYER:
Help me to understand that there is no greater joy that I can have then when I am sharing Your love with someone. Help me to continually offer up praise to God for all that has been given to me. Use my words and deeds to offer joy and happiness to others just as You have given me.
SHARING
DEFINITION:
To engage in together, to give a part to; a joint enterprise; to use, participate in or receive jointly.
SCRIPTURE:
But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Hebrews 13:16.
Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share. I Timothy 6:18.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
It goes without saying that we are not born with a natural inclination to share. It becomes very evident to every parent early on that children need to be taught to share.
Unfortunately, as children mature into adults they often do not abide by what they are taught. It is human nature that makes this a reality. The apostle Paul understood this when he was in prison waiting for his execution and was writing I and II Timothy.
He was giving Timothy some final instructions to help him carry on Paul’s ministry. Paul well knew that Timothy would have to deal with Christians who were self-centered and selfish. Like children they would have to be taught to share and to do good. In the New American Standard Bible translation I Timothy 6:18 reads, “Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.”
The inclination to share comes as a result of our relationship with our Lord Jesus. His Holy Spirit works in us to cause us to love and care for others and gives us the desire to share with others. Down through the ages it has been the church, the body of believers, that have been the ones who have fed the hungry and sheltered the poor and encouraged the downtrodden.
Jesus knew that one of our real tests in seeing what our real depth of being yielded to Him is our willingness to share with others. If we have no mercy toward others it is safe to say that we have never experienced God’s mercy.
Emerson must have been reading the gauge of human mercy when he said, “What you are speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say.” Satan does not care how much you theorize about Christianity, or how much you profess to know Christ. What Satan opposes is your dedication to live a Christ-like life.
It is a known fact that when people feel that they are the loneliest people in the world and someone suggests that they find a way to share their religious faith and some material goods they will soon become one of the happiest people in the world. Maybe it is a new neighbor and you take to them a cake or some cookies. The door will open for you to talk to them and a friendship of sharing can begin. Jesus wants us to reach out and share with others. No matter how little we may have in material wealth we can be rich in good deeds. Just an encouraging word or a helping hand can reap rich rewards. Jesus in turn will give you joy and happiness like you never have had before.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in I Peter 5:7.
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
PRAYER:
Help me to understand that there is no greater joy that I can have then when I am sharing Your love with someone. Help me to continually offer up praise to God for all that has been given to me. Use my words and deeds to offer joy and happiness to others just as You have given me.
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