Accountable: May 29, 2015

TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY MAY 29, 2015.

ACCOUNTABLE

DEFINITION:

The obligation to report or justify something; to be held responsible, answerable; capable of being explained.

SCRIPTURE:

Each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:12.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Often people do all they can to avoid responsibility. It seems that every year gets worse. From the time that Adam ate the forbidden fruit and blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent, men have done all they could to not be accountable for their sins.

In the eleventh chapter of II Samuel we are given the account of David’s adulterous relationship with Bathsheba and David’s attempts to cover up his sin and escape accountability. We read in II Samuel 12: 9, 11 and 12 that God sent Nathan to hold David accountable before God for this sin.

These two incidents from scripture show us how easy and natural it is to want to avoid taking the responsibility for our own actions. We somehow always try to find a way to place the blame on someone else to cover up our guilt. When we fail to take responsibility for our wrong actions it often hurts an innocent person. Most people do not take into consideration that when we do “pass the buck” to someone else we are not fooling God and He holds us accountable. Hebrews 5:7 tells us: “nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight”.

God already knows everything we have done and as we read in Romans 14:12, “Each of us will give an account of himself to God.”

No one likes to admit that they are wrong especially when they know there are consequences. Human nature seems to always drive one to accept accountability when the issue is favorable to us and puts us in a positive light. But we all have a sinful nature and when a situation puts us in a negative light we always look for a way to pass the blame. What we should do is admit our wrongdoing and ask for forgiveness.

God wants us to be accountable for our actions. As one gets older you soon realize that accepting accountability is what demonstrates that you are a person of integrity. Once a person loses that integrity it is very hard to gain it back. Integrity equips you to be a vessel that God can use. Being accountable allows God to bless you in everyday situations.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in I Chronicles 28:20.

And David said to his son Solomon: Be strong and of a good courage and do it; do not fear or be dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.

PRAYER:

Dear God, just as You faced Adam in the garden and David, through Nathan, many years ago to be accountable for their sin, we ask You to keep our family accountable to what You have taught us from Your Word. May we take total responsibility for our actions and repent of our sins and strive to do what is right and pleasing in Your sight.

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Abundance: May 28, 2015

TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY MAY 28, 2015.

ABUNDANCE

DEFINITION:

Plentiful; an over sufficient amount of supply; wealth; overflowing fullness.

SCRIPTURE:

To those who use well what is given them, even more will be given, and they will have abundance. Matthew 25:29.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

It is written in John 10:10 that He (Jesus) came that we may have life and have it more abundantly. As Christians we have in the Lord an abundance of wealth to draw upon each day in order for us to have an abundant life. God has given us the promise that if we live according to His standards and guidelines He will give us an abundant life to live.

The Lord has given us through His Holy Spirit the fruits of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. And we have an abundance of these fruits available to us if we open up our heart to the Lord and let His Holy Spirit direct us daily. There is no limit to what God can do through us because He is a God of abundance.

We have been so very fortunate because we believe that we have lived in the best of times. God has allowed us to have an “ABUNDANCE OF THINGS” in our lifetime, far more than we have deserved. When you stop to compare what our parents and grand-parents had compared to what we have had it is staggering. Our grandparents never had indoor plumbing, running water, air conditioning, automobiles, microwaves, television, or telephones. Then our parents never had computers, cell phones, jet airplanes (until they were older), naming a few.

We were able to accomplish so much more than our parents and grandparents mainly because of all the technology advances. We were given talents just like our parents but because of technology God expects more from us.

We are so much more aware of the needs worldwide than ever before. Television and the internet brings news right into our home as it is happening. The reality of disasters and tragedies that we may never have known about years ago are with us as it happens. Advances in transportation have “shrunk” the world so we are able to get help to those in need in the far corners of the world.

God has blessed so many of us with abundance, but with it He has given us the responsibility to use it well. Jesus said in Luke 12:48, “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required.” The more resources and knowledge we have, the more responsibility we have to use it effectively and wise.

We are thankful for the abundance we enjoy even today. God has blessed us by giving us the mind set to invest our abundance wisely. We have always endeavored to use the talents, time and treasures He has given us wisely. We thank God daily for all that He has blessed us with. We know that every good gift comes from God (James 1:17). We encourage you to take the time daily to thank God for the abundance God has given you.

One great example is the computer you have to read this devotional and receive so many other items. It was not many years ago that this would have been possible.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in I Chronicles 28:20.

And David said to his son Solomon: Be strong and of a good courage and do it; do not fear or be dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.

PRAYER:

It is my prayer today that You would give me an abundance of the fruits of the Spirit that only You can give through Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for all that You have given me. It is my prayer that I might now use wisely what You give me so abundantly so that I may honor You and spread the good news of the gospel to a hurting world.

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Worship: May 27, 2015

TODAY’S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY MAY 27, 2015.

WORSHIP

DEFINITION:

Reverent honor paid to God; adoring reverence or regard; to express praise and devotion to God.

SCRIPTURE:

Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name. Psalm 29:2

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

“Worship at the church of your choice” has become a common invitation here in North America, and believers and unbelievers alike are urged to join in a public service in a specially designed building called a church or a synagogue. But we ask you the question: what “Is this worship”. Can a person who does not believe in Christ join in worship in a church? NO!

If we go to the average church, including the average Bible-believing church, we will normally see a sign, “WORSHIP SERVICE 11:00 A.M.” We will find that the main part of the service is a sermon. But is sermon worship? NO! Listening to a sermon, or even preaching a sermon, is not worship.

But then you might ask the question, “What about prayers?” Most prayers are petitions and are meant to be that. Some prayers are filled with worship and most good prayers include worship, but a prayer itself is not necessarily worship.

We are getting closer to worship when we talk about church music especially when the music is addressed to God in adoration. But music in itself is not worship. All of the above are important for our spiritual nourishment and pleasing to God. So what is worship?

A wonderful example of worship by a former pagan gentile is recorded in the book of Daniel (Daniel 4: 34-37). The words of Nebuchadnezzar, after he came to know God as his God and Savior, were clearly worship. Worship comes from the heart. Nebuchadnezzar expressed to God what he was feeling in his heart. He was not in a church service; it was just God and him.

“I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion and His kingdom is from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing, compared to His greatness; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down”.

This is pure worship. He certainly was not preaching; he was not even praying, but was praising the Most High God in humble adoration. His heart was overflowing, bubbling over with a consciousness of the greatness, love, and goodness of the sovereign God.

The apostle John was the only person who God has given a glimpse of worship in heaven. In Revelation, chapter 4, John describes worship in heaven.

“The twenty-four (they represent the redeemed), fall down before Him (Jesus) who sits on the throne, and worship Him who lives forever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things and by Your will they were created and have their being.” Revelation 4:10-11

Worship exalts God and humbles man; there is no room for pride, arrogance, or hypocrisy in worship. Psalm 95:6-7 reads: “Come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord, our maker, for He is our God.” John 4:24 tells us that, “God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth”.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in I Chronicles 28:20.

And David said to his son Solomon: Be strong and of a good courage and do it; do not fear or be dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.

PRAYER:

I humbly come before You today to worship You with my whole heart. You are the one and only God. You are my maker, the Lord of all, and the rock in whom I take refuge. You are everlasting and all Your words are truth. Thank You that You loved me so much that You sent Jesus, Your only Son, to die for me and save me from all my sin.

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Ability: May 26, 2015

TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY MAY 26, 2025.

ABILITY

DEFINITION:

The power to act or do mentally, physically, legally, morally or financially; competence based on natural skill.

SCRIPTURE:

If anyone speaks, let him speak the utterances of God. If anyone ministers (serves), let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. I Peter 4:11.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

All of us who have had children or who have worked with children will agree that no two children are alike and no two children really have the same abilities. Some children have a lot of natural ability and others have to work hard to accomplish the same. Natural ability is not something that can be taught, it is given to one by God.

As parents of 6 children and grandparents to twenty we can see that for some children things come easy but for others learning is more difficult. We have seen the contrast among our children and grandchildren where one spends several hours studying every school night and another just a few minutes. And what is amazing is the grade results are very similar.

As we have watched children down through the years it was not always the one with the greatest natural ability that was the highest achiever. It was the one that had the greatest desire to accomplish their goal. This is also true for adults.

God has given us all abilities and it is our responsibility to find them and then to accomplish with those abilities what God expects.

When God was instructing Moses on how to construct the Tabernacle tent and where to place the Ark of the Covenant and all the furnishings, He told Moses that He had chosen Bezalel as the head craftsman and Oholiah as his assistant (Exodus 32:3). God gave these two men craft abilities and abilities to teach others to help. These were the helpers that God gave Moses to accomplish the task ahead of him.

In Exodus 35 you can read then that Moses called on all of the Children of Israel that were willing to help to come and learn from these two men. It is important for us to note today that many came and used their God given abilities for God’s work and for His glory and they did it willingly.

God gives us all certain talents and abilities. He gives to us what He believes we can handle. It is then up to us to accomplish what God expects us to accomplish with what He has given us. So many people today have been given so much ability but fail to use it. They do only what is necessary to get by, satisfying their own desires and not God’s.

God expects us to use the abilities He has given us to glorify His name. He gives to some the ability to communicate and then He expects that person to communicate to others the good news of the gospel. Whether He gives you the ability to work with your hands, teach others, or be an encourager or an assistant to others or whatever the ability He has given you. He expects you to do all you can do with the abilities He has given you to glorify His name.

Parents have the responsibility to look for the abilities that God has given their child and then to work with the child to excel in those abilities. If we fail in doing this we limit our children.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in I Chronicles 28:20.

And David said to his son Solomon: Be strong and of a good courage and do it; do not fear or be dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.

PRAYER:

Thank You for the abilities You have given me. Help me to use these abilities first of all to glorify Your name and second to help accomplish what You want to accomplish through me and my family.

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Wisdom: May 25, 2015

TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY MAY 25, 2015.

WISDOM

DEFINITION:

Ability to make good use of knowledge; ability to recognize right from wrong; good judgement.

SCRIPTURE:

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness”. And again, the Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile. I Corinthians 3: 18-20

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

We all make countless decisions during our lifetime, and as a whole, they determine if we live wisely or foolishly. The most important factor, for we as believers, is if we seek the Lord’s guidance in our choices.

Most people today, including all non-believers in Jesus, base their decisions in life, large and small, on their own reasoning, feelings and desires. When they do seek advice, all too often they do not seek it from wise sources.  These people live foolishly because they have ignored the only true source of wisdom and that is almighty God.

Many people today do not take into consideration that choices have consequences. Our culture wants to live in the here and now, without regard to the eventual outcome of their choices.  You can go all the way back to the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve and see how God showed us that there were negative consequences for us following foolish and self-willed decisions.

True wisdom is seeing life from God’s viewpoint and responding on the basis of what He says in His Word. When we belong to God, we are set apart for Him. As we let Jesus live His life through us, He faithfully guides us in every decision. There is no need for us to be anxious and fearful about what could and might happen in our lives. We can sleep soundly each night knowing that the Lord is sovereign over all the events of our lives.

To live wisely we must seek the right counsel. We should never base our decisions on what someone else is doing or telling you. Instead we must find out what God is saying to us. We will never go wrong if we believe and obey Him. This is true wisdom although the world would tell you it is foolishness. The world’s wisdom leads to discord and disorder.

James 3:17 tells us that the wisdom from above is first pure then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. That is the kind of wisdom we want to live by. On what basis do you make your decisions?

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in I Chronicles 28:20.

And David said to his son Solomon: Be strong and of a good courage and do it; do not fear or be dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.

PRAYER:

Help me to understand fully the importance of going to You first as I make the decisions in my life both large and small. May my family understand this, as well as, together we seek to live by the wisdom from above that is pure and trustworthy and brings mercy and good fruits.

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