Regret: March 11, 2016

TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2016.

REGRET

DEFINITION:

To feel sorrow or remorse for an act, fault or failure.

SCRIPTURE:

When Judas had betrayed Jesus and saw that He was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. I have sinned, he said, for I have betrayed innocent blood. Matthew 27:3.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Most people could write a book about all the times that they regretted something they said or did. Most often we regret what we say or do to someone after we have left them, but the damage has already been done. Once an offense has been committed it cannot be undone.

The verse we have written above is one of the best illustrations of regret found in the Bible. When Judas understood what he had done he went to the chief priests and elders and returned the money he had received for taking the officials to Jesus. Judas, by returning the money, wanted to undo what he had done.

Judas hoped his confession and his profession that Jesus was innocent would change the minds of the chief priests and the elders. But it was too late; his thoughtless actions of betrayal had already set in motion the consequences of what he had done.

Every day we make choices and who we are and what we are develops out of the choices we make in life. We choose what we do, where we go, who we talk to, what we read and what we watch. All of our choices have consequences, either positive or negative, on our lives.

Before we make decisions we need to think before we act. It is our nature to want immediate gratification for what we want and if that is our motive we will make bad decisions that we will regret later.

When we make a decision in our life that is in disobedience to God’s laws it will bring consequences that will cause us to regret what we have done. God never makes us do anything. He gives us freedom to choose what we do, but He is always waiting for us to ask for guidance and help to make the right decisions.

Judas regretted his decision to betray Jesus. Regret is never enough. In the situation that Judas was in he went to the wrong people to set things right. Judas should have repented and sought forgiveness from Jesus. Jesus had foreknowledge that Judas would betray Him but Judas acted by his own choosing to lead the representatives of the High Priest to Jesus to arrest Him. God has given us the freedom to choose condemnation for our sins or ask for forgiveness. We can choose the despair of regret and death or we can choose forgiveness and eternal life.

It is never too late to seek forgiveness. The thief on the cross while dying regretted his sins, repented and turned to Jesus and asked Jesus to forgive him. Jesus assured him of his salvation (Luke 23:43).

Judas’s betrayal sent Jesus to the cross to guarantee our forgiveness for every sinful act we regret we ever committed. What do you choose? Do you choose to accept Jesus’ free gift of salvation or do you choose to betray Jesus?

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Hebrews 11:6.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

PRAYER:

Lord, I come to You asking You to lead me and guide me in every decision I need to make today. Help me to evaluate all the consequences of my decisions. Give me wisdom so that I can see what You would want me to do. I regret and confess my sins of disobedience to You and ask for Your forgiveness.

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Reconciliation: March 10, 2016

TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY MARCH 10, 2016.

RECONCILIATION

DEFINITION:

Restore to union and friendship after estrangement; adjust; settle; bring to agreement; to bring to harmony those between whom there exists a state of enmity and hostility.

SCRIPTURE:

First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:24.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

In Judaism, the holiest day of the year is YOM KIPPER, the Day of Atonement. The purpose of Yom Kipper is to bring reconciliation between people and reconciliation between individuals and God. On that day the Jewish people seek God’s forgiveness for their sins both personal and national. The day before is called EREV YOM KIPPER and is the last opportunity to seek forgiveness from other people before YOM KIPPER begins. This is important because in the Jewish tradition you must seek forgiveness from other people and be reconciled before you can seek the forgiveness of God.

If you wronged someone so that there is a broken relationship it can hinder your relationship with the Lord. If you wonder why this is so, it is because issues that are left unresolved fester and grow which often leads to bitterness and the escalating of acts of retaliation. This is sin in God’s sight and sin separates us from God. In the verse we have put above, Jesus pointed out that in order to worship Him with all of our heart, and a pure heart, we first need to resolve matters with others in our life.

Our ability to truly worship God is hindered by our broken relationships with others. As believers we need to understand and practice reconciliation in our lives. Broken relationships are caused by wrong actions, bad attitudes and destructive words. These are all issues that God expects us to make right before we should come to Him. If we do not, how can God bless us?

It is tough to get up the courage necessary to go to a person that we have wronged and admit that we were wrong and ask for forgiveness, which is part of the process of reconciliation. It is hard because we always think we are right and the other person is wrong. It is humbling to admit we are wrong. Reconciliation comes when God changes the hearts of people and only God can change the attitude of our hearts. We, as believers, have no choice. If we want to be obedient to God and used of God we must act quickly and completely to seek reconciliation with those we have wronged. The more we delay to seek forgiveness the harder it gets. Broken relationships affect our relationship with God.

In closing we are reminded that someone once said: “An offense against your neighbor is a fence between you and God.”

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Hebrews 11:6.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

PRAYER:

Give me the strength today to make things right with those people I may have hurt in some way with my words or actions. Help me to learn to be able to ask forgiveness knowing that these words bring delight to Your heart.

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Rapture: March 9, 2016

TODAY’S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY MARCH 9, 2016.

RAPTURE

DEFINITION:

The return of Jesus in the clouds to remove His church (believers) from this world before the battle in which Jesus defeats Satan.

SCRIPTURE:

Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Matthew 24:44.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Today we want to talk about this exciting event that could be coming very soon. We all need to understand that the scripture (above) tells us that the Lord will come at an hour that no one will expect. We tell you this so that you do not get caught up at the many predictions that seem to come from some that say they know the time when the rapture will occur.

The most important question for you today is that if the Lord would come today are you ready to meet Him? Nothing is more important for you than to be certain that you are ready if Jesus would return today. We hear some people say that because of all the good things they have done they are ready. They have been good parents, good workers on their job and good neighbors. These things are good but they are not what will get you into heaven to live eternally with Jesus.

In Matthew chapter 24 we have a lengthy account --- take a moment to read the chapter --- of how Jesus responded to His disciples when they asked about the date of His return. He told His disciples that only God the Father knows the date. In verse 36 He said, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”

Jesus did say that when He returns it will be like it was in the days before the flood. The people carried on in their worldly evil mundane activities every day and were not prepared when God’s judgement struck. They watched Noah for months building an ark and they ignored his warnings of what was coming. No doubt they thought he was crazy but when the rain came it was too late for them to repent.

When Jesus returns it will be sudden and without warning. There will be no last chance to repent. Your choice will have already be made. Make sure today that you have accepted Jesus into your heart, asked for His forgiveness of your sins and then make that all important commitment to serve Him and Him alone. Remember – TOMORROW MAY BE TOO LATE!

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Hebrews 11:6.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

PRAYER:

Help me to be prepared for that great and exciting event of Your return to meet me in the clouds. May my actions always honor You and may others see You through me.

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Race: March 8, 2016

TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY MARCH 8, 2016.

RACE

DEFINITION:

Any contest or competition to achieve superiority.

SCRIPTURE:

Do you know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. I Corinthians 9:24.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Paul’s missionary journeys took him to different countries with varied cultures. When preaching the gospel he often used illustrations that related to the culture of those he was speaking to. In his letter to the Corinthians he knew the Greeks loved athletic competitions. The Olympic Games were begun by the Greeks. The illustration of running a race that Paul used in the verse we have put above and the analogy of running to win was well understood by the Corinthians.

In 1896 when the Olympics were revived in Athens after many years of no Olympics, the first ever marathon was run. Seventeen athletes competed and ran 40 kilometers (24.8 miles). The race was won by a common laborer, but winning was so significant to the Greeks that he was considered a national hero and honored as such by the King. In those days the winners of races were awarded with a crown made of leaves symbolizing victory.

We were privileged several years ago to stand on the exact location where the ending of the first marathon race occurred. Being there and seeing the site for ourselves helped us to picture even more vividly what Paul was talking about centuries before.

In the verse we have put above Paul relates the illustration of running a race to the Christian life. Living the Christian life requires hard work and dedication. As Christians we are not running for an earthly crown of leaves or a gold medal or to be a national hero. We are running for a heavenly reward which we will receive from our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul challenges us not just to run the race but to win the race so that we may obtain an imperishable crown. Paul not only taught this but lived it out.

In II Timothy 4:7 Paul shares with us that, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Paul joyfully anticipated receiving his victory crown from his King in Heaven. The victory crown that that first marathon runner received in the ancient Greek games was perishable. The victory crown that the Christian will receive in heaven will last forever.

Christians need to understand that in order to receive their victory crown they must be willing to run the race of life that God has set before them. In any race there are set rules that must be followed. God has set down rules that we need to honor in order for us to live a victorious life. God’s rules are given to us in God’s Word and the way we can know what the rules are is to read His Word.

It is not good enough just to read the rules but we must train ourselves to follow these rules and live by them. It means that we need to spend time reading God’s Word and most important take the time to study His Word and obediently apply it to our life. We also must take the time to pray to God and to worship Him. This is essential to being victorious in our Christian life. It all requires time and effort and giving up whatever keeps us from being what God wants us to be.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Hebrews 11:6.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

PRAYER:

Help me to run a “race’ that will honor and glorify Your name. Help me to challenge my family, through my words and deeds to run our daily races with the goal of receiving our crown of victory that You will give to those who run a consistent life honoring You.

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Purpose: March 7, 2016

TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY MARCH 7, 2016.

PURPOSE

DEFINITION:

The reason, for which something exists, is done or made; an intended desired result or objective.

SCRIPTURE:

We were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. II Corinthians 1:8

What shall I say, Father save Me from this hour? But for this purpose I came to this hour. John 12:27.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Many people live their life without any real purpose in mind. We are creatures of habit and many believe that if all is going well, why change. Many people have no aspirations other than to meet their daily needs. They ask, “Why am I here?” and have no answer.

Some people do have a purpose in life. This purpose might be to be rich, popular, famous or whatever. But these purposes have no hope for any deep satisfaction or lasting future.

In contrast is one who believes in Jesus as their Savior. Purpose comes from the priorities you have in your life. If you have a daily relationship with Jesus as your Savior, your priority in life will be to live a God honoring life with your main purpose to spread God’s message of salvation that Jesus is the one and only way to heaven.

A believer has the God given purpose of being a witness for Jesus to all those they meet through their words and actions.

In John 6:38 Jesus said, “For I have come down from heaven not to do My will but to do the will of Him who sent Me.” Jesus purpose in coming to this earth was to do the will of His Father and that was to be crucified on the cross taking all of our sins on Himself. It was a moment He did not want to face because He was human as you and I and He knew it would be a horrible death. What He dreaded most was the separation from His father that would come as a result of taking our sins upon Himself. Jesus willingly put aside His desires in order to do the will of His Father. When Jesus laid down His life to die on the cross to save us from our sins He fulfilled the purpose He was sent to earth to accomplish.

The apostle Paul, in the verse we have put above from II Corinthians, tells us that he was willing to suffer to fulfill God’s purpose for his life. He told the church at Corinth (above verse) that his persecution was so intense that he despaired even of life. But he knew that this was God’s purpose for his life at that time. Because he kept his focus on God through his valleys and over his mountains and even on the raging sea he was able to endure his persecution joyfully instead of being overwhelmed.

Paul had such great faith that even in the direst of circumstances he knew that God was at work to accomplish His purpose through him.

God has a purpose for each of us and He wants to fulfill that purpose. Trials in life that we face most likely are part of God’s plan to accomplish His purpose in our lives. Trials make us think and thinking makes us wiser and wisdom helps us see our weaknesses and our need to rely on the Lord. The more we rely on the Lord the more able we will be to fulfill God’s purpose for us.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Hebrews 11:6.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

PRAYER:

Give both me and my family the grace that we need today to trust You when our burdens seem too much to bear. Make our lives purposeful so that we can honor Your name in all we do. Help us to rise above the evils of this world and to be the testimony that others need to see and hear through our words and deeds.

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