Commitment: December 19, 2014

TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 19, 2014.

COMMITMENT

DEFINITION:

The act of consigning, pledging or engaging oneself; a promise; obligation.

SCRIPTURE:

Commit yourselves to the Lord and serve Him only. I Samuel 7:3.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3.

Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave to sin.”
 John 8:34.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

These three scripture verses give us three ways to look at the word commitment. First, we are to commit OURSELVES to the Lord. Secondly, we are to commit ALL THAT WE DO to the Lord daily. Thirdly, there is a reminder to us that when we commit sin we become a SLAVE TO SIN.

There are numerous times every day when a commitment to or for something is necessary. The most important commitment that one can make in a lifetime is a firm commitment to God. This is the first step in living a life that is pleasing to God. Making a commitment to God is more than going to church, reading the Bible or even praying. A commitment to God is having a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. This is what makes Christianity meaningful, unique and different than all other religions. As we develop a closer relationship with God, He will be able to work in and through us because we will want to study His Word and pray and then we can experience God's blessings.

Other commitments that are important to make in life is a commitment to your spouse, your family, your neighbors, your church, your school and your job. These commitments are vital for one to live a rewarding and fulfilled life.

A commitment means more than a promise. A commitment requires action.

Jesus told His disciples in Luke 14 what He meant by true commitment and it would come at a cost. He told them that nothing, even their love for their father or mother could take precedence over loyalty to Him. In order to follow Jesus as one of His disciples it was necessary for them to commit to put Jesus first in their lives above everything else.  To be a faithful and true follower of Jesus today demands this same commitment.

The nation of Israel was the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, "to make him into a great nation." (Genesis 12:2) When God promised Moses that He would deliver the Israelites from slavery under Pharaoh, He reminded Moses that the Israelites were His "own people" (Genesis 6:7) and that He was their God. God's desire was that the Israelites commit themselves to loving and serving Him and keeping His commandments and then He would bring them safely to the "Promised Land." The Old Testament covers the history of Israel and vividly portrays how the times of commitment to God brought God's blessing of protection and victory and how disobedience brought suffering and defeat.

God is faithful and wants to bless us abundantly but we cannot expect Him to bless us when we are not committed to Him. The world offers many distractions that interfere with our commitment to the Lord. It takes conscious effort on our part to be faithful to keep our commitment to the Lord. The Lord deserves our full commitment, not a half-hearted one.

II Chronicles 16:9 tells us, "The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." The Lord knows all about each one of us. We cannot hide anything from God anymore than Adam and Eve could hide their sin from God in the Garden of Eden. As the eyes of the Lord search the world today will He find you committed to Him and serving Him faithfully?

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:14.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, I want to follow You and serve You. Enable me to stay strong in my faith. Shield me from Satan’s temptations so that I will not be drawn away from my commitment to love You and serve You and put You first in my life.

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Deception: December 18, 2014

TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 18, 2014.

DECEPTION

DEFINITION:

An act of fraud, misleading or misrepresentation; deliberate concealment of the truth; dishonesty; to lead astray; to cause to accept as true what is false.

SCRIPTURE:

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. II Corinthians 11:3.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Many people are being deceived today by the evil in this world. Our world is filled with false ideologies that claim to provide a way to God. We want to remind you that Satan is the power in this world and he is actively working to deceive people, especially believers in Jesus. The spiritual warfare that Satan wages against us is based on deceit.

The apostle Paul was comparing, in the verse we put above, the dangers facing the Corinthian church to Eve’s deception by Satan. The danger the believers faced came from false teachers. Paul feared that the believers in Corinth would fall prey to satanic lies that were infiltering the church. Paul warned that the false prophets were Satan’s emissaries, a truth that he stated in verses 13-14: “For such men are false prophets, deceitful workmen, misguiding as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”

Paul wanted the believers to recognize the deception of these false teachers and cautioned them not to allow their false teaching to corrupt their minds and lead them astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

False teachers can be found everywhere and especially in our schools and universities and yes, even in our churches. We, as believers, must not fall for smooth talkers whose words sound convincing and whose message sounds good. The validity of a message can be tested by one standard -- God’s Word. If it contradicts God’s Word in any manner it is false and no believer should listen to it.

In the sixth century BC a Chinese general named Sun Tzu wrote “THE ART OF WAR.” This has been a guide for military thinking for centuries and is still referred to today in our military training programs. He developed in his book just one theme and that was “All warfare is based on deception.” He taught such things as; when you are ready to attack make it seem you are unable.

He went on to teach that when we use our forces we must seem inactive. When we are able to attack we must seem inactive. When we are near we must make the enemy feel that we are far away and when we are far away we must make the enemy feel we are near.

These thoughts on military warfare written over 26 centuries ago can help believers today to understand the tactics of Satan, our spiritual enemy. Satan’s warfare against the truth of God’s message is based on deception. The very first sin was the result of the enemy’s deceit.

Jesus in His own words, describes Satan as a “murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)

What is our defense as believers? There is only one defense and that is to saturate our hearts in the truth of God’s Word. Only the inspired Word of God can protect us from the deceptions of our enemy, the evil one.

God’s truth is not only the best but the only protection for us to fight off the evil actions and lies of Satan.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:14.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.

PRAYER:

Father, we do know that Satan is very clever, deceptive and sly and we do not want to be tricked by him and his lies. Help me and my family to be able to discern his cunning methods and to daily fill our hearts and minds with Your truth.

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Emptiness: December 17, 2014

TODAY’S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 17, 2014.

EMPTINESS

DEFINITION:

Containing nothing; devoid of contents; hollow; meaningless; lost vitality.

SCRIPTURE:

But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness.
II Timothy 2:16.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

The apostle Paul in the verse we have written above is reminding Timothy to teach his workers not to wrangle with words but for them to be diligent in their working for the Lord.

Many parents today cannot recognize emptiness in their children. But the fact is that most young people today are living a frustrated life with no hope. Parents do not recognize this because they do not communicate with their children.

The other day a dean of a large American university was asked by a news reporter, “What is the greatest problem at this university?” He paused for a moment and then told the reporter just one word: “Emptiness.”

His reasoning was that he felt that most of the students he talked to were bored with life, lonely and searching for something. He went on to report that a wealthy father of a girl in the university, who the Dean new well, told him that his daughter came home for Christmas break and said to her father, “I want something in life but I do not know what it is.”

It is our belief that if this father had spent the time daily communicating to his daughter when she was growing up, they would not be in this position. The sad fact is that the father when asked this question by his daughter had no answer.

We learned, through our parents the importance of daily communication with our children. We have mentioned many times in previous devotionals that we always had dinner with all of our family. There were to be no excuses by us as parents or by any of our six children. This was a time around the table that we discussed all the good things that happened that day and the bad things.

We always then read a portion of the scripture, memorized together a verse from the Bible and prayed together. We desired it to be a time of real communication and fellowship, not worldly and idle chatter.

This is a special day for our family -- December 17.

Our six children and 20 grandchildren will be celebrating with Dottie on this her 80th birthday. There are many things we all can say about Dottie and one of them is that she is VERY CARING to all her family and friends. This was my (Ken’s) little salute to Dottie. By the way you may want to send an email to her on this special day.

Now back to the WORD for the day, emptiness. David said concerning emptiness in Psalm 23, “The Lord is my Shepherd,  I shall not want.” He also said in Psalm 34:10, “Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” The Apostle Paul expressed it, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” You do not have to throw up your hands and give up on life. You can have God’s peace, God’s joy, God’s happiness, God’s security, and your life can become the most thrilling life in the world. Say good-by to loneliness, being bored and searching for something.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:14.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.

PRAYER:

Help me to be a person that You can use. Keep me alert to the concerns of my family first and then to my neighbors and friends. Give me the strength and discernment to be that person that honors You to those that need You today.

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Priority: December 16, 2014

TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY DECEMBER 16, 2014.

PRIORITY

DEFINITION:

The state of being earlier in time and occurrence; the right to precede others in order; rank or privilege.

SCRIPTURE:

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:35.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

A priority is something that is considered to be more important than anything else. How many people do you know that set priorities in their lives? Most people today do not set any kind of priorities in their lives. They just seem to move through life doing what they have to and no more.

We are living in a generation where people literally live just from one minute to another with absolutely no direction or any kind of priority of purpose. The saddest thing to see is that people are so focused on themselves that they do not have any concern for others, let alone God. They live totally for self and really show no care for anyone else.

To be a success in business you must have a business plan. This plan will outline the priorities that are necessary to establish and grow that business. Every individual needs a plan for their life. This includes planning the activities for each day in advance. We developed a habit many years ago to always take a moment every night and write down what we want to accomplish tomorrow and we still do this today.

The same is necessary if you want a happy family. You must have a plan, a schedule, a listing of daily priorities and then outline how you will spend your time and schedule your activities as a family. We learned this as well early in our married life mainly because we had 6 children, all having separate activities plus the responsibilities we had as parents. Without a plan outlining priorities nothing would have been accomplished. By the way this must include Spiritual priorities not just day to day activities.

We encourage you today to set goals and priorities in your life. God leaves no doubt as to what our first priority is to be. He states it very clear in Matthew 22:37-38: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the FIRST and GREATEST commandment."

Thus, your first priority must be your relationship with God. Every day you need to set aside time to read and study the Bible and to pray. Along with this you need study tools to help you grow spiritually. If this is not already a priority in your life, you need to be concerned enough to make it a priority.

Your second priority is to your family. Parents have the responsibility of providing not only for their children's physical needs but also for their spiritual needs. This includes involving them in reading the Bible, praying and going to a church. This requires a commitment of your time, and unless you make it a priority, it will not happen. Countless things will come up and become excuses for not having time. Your family must be second to God in your list of priorities.

Many people today put their job or other activities before family. This is not acceptable. The family must come first after God. We must mention this again because it was and is today the single most important priority in our family daily schedule. We always had dinner together as a family. If Ken had job responsibilities they would always be delayed for this time together with the family. The same was expected from every member of the family. Dinner time together was a priority in our family and God blessed this commitment.

We need to live by example because our children watch and listen and follow in our footsteps. Children need positive role models in their lives, beginning with their parents. Parents have a responsibility to help their children do their school work and guide them in their school activities and other responsibilities. Those times of sitting with our children at the kitchen table, helping them with school work were wonderful times of bonding.

Priorities are dreams with a deadline and remember you cannot dream a dream too big for God. You need to set your priorities each day (we did this the night before). Every morning or the night before write down your priorities for the day. Try it and you will be amazed at how much you will accomplish. When you are setting your priorities ask yourself the question: "What must be the focus of my attention today?" Then ask, "Does it control me?" If it is not Christ centered, then change it. The key thought here is "control." The priorities you set will control your life.

The reason many people do not go very far in life is because they side step opportunity and shake hands with procrastination. Every day is a new opportunity to serve the Lord. Do you make that your priority or do you procrastinate?

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:14.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.

PRAYER:

Help me, Lord, to keep my priorities straight. Keep Your hand on me so that I will not stray from putting You first in my life. Guide me to be a godly example for my family and to make it my priority to be there for them.

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Promise: December 15, 2014

TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY DECEMBER 15, 2014.

PROMISE

DEFINITION:

A declaration that something will or will not be done; a pledge; a vow; a covenant.

SCRIPTURE:

And this is the promise that He has promised us -- eternal life. I John 2:25.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Is there anything more disappointing or disheartening than to be promised something by someone you trust and to have that promise broken?

Here in America we are literally shocked to watch and listen to promises made by government leaders and then broken. It makes us wonder who we can trust.

There is someone we can trust and that is our God because He is faithful to keep all His promises. God has given us hundreds of promises in His Word and none of them have been broken. When Joshua was old and knew his life was about over, he gave a farewell speech to the Children of Israel. He said in Joshua 23:14, “You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled and not one has failed.”

God made two very significant promises to Noah and to Abraham that affect us today. Throughout the Bible God has made promises and when God makes a promise it is never broken.

In Genesis 9:12-15, GOD said to Noah, “this is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, and for perpetual generations; I set My rainbow in the cloud and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth -- that the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.”

And in Genesis 12: 2-3 God told Abraham, “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; I will bless those that bless you; I will curse those that curse you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

In both of these passages God made a promise that He has kept. In His promise to Noah He said He would send a rainbow after a storm to remind us that He would never destroy the earth with a flood. God kept His promise to Abraham by making him a great nation [Israel] and making his name great.

But the greatest promise ever made was the promise made by God to send His only Son to this earth to pay the penalty for the sins of everyone who has or will live on this earth so that they might have eternal life. This promise of eternal life is for everyone who is willing to first ask God for forgiveness for their sins and then accept Jesus into their heart and enter into a personal relationship with Him.

In life today so many people make promises that are not kept. Parents promise certain things to children and then do not follow through. Everyday spouses make promises, families make promises, neighbors make promises, bosses make promises and for the most part they disregard the promises as if they were never made.

Many parents do not realize the positive impact that is made on a child’s mind when promises are made and kept. When promise are made and not kept there is a negative impact that can have long term repercussions on a child. When you keep promises you will be considered reliable and trustworthy and looked up to as a person of integrity.

God set the example in keeping His promises with Noah and Abraham and as Christians, God expects nothing less from us. Each of us should take the time now and think about the promises we have made and not kept and do all we can to honor those promises. From this day on we need to commit to make promises that we are sure we can honor. Relationships are put in jeopardy when promises are not kept. Marriage vows are a promise to love, honor and to be faithful as long as both husband and wife shall live. Oh how often that promise is broken. It is time to right the wrongs and honor your promises.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:14.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.

PRAYER:

Thank You that You are a faithful God who keeps all Your promises. Thank You for fulfilling Your promise to send Your only Son to die on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins so that I can know that all my sins are forgiven and that I have received Your promised gift of eternal life. Thank You for Your promise to never leave or forsake those who love You.

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