Abide: June 3, 2016

TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY JUNE 3, 2016.

ABIDE

DEFINITION:

To endure or withstand without yielding; to accept without opposition; to comply with or submit to; to remain steadfast or faithful.

SCRIPTURE:

Then Jesus said, if you ABIDE in my WORD, you are my disciples. John 8:31.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Sadly families here in America today are abandoning the need to be committed to Judeo/Christian principles that America was founded on by our founding fathers. Those principles were Biblically based and America needs to get back to them. America will not get back to them unless parents teach these principles to their children by using the Bible as their guide book.

Reading the Bible together daily as a family will give each family member a God directed basis that will guide them to make proper and positive choices for their daily walk. Unfortunately, sitting down as a family and reading the Bible together and then discussing what was read is no longer prevalent in our homes. We allow TV, video games, cell phones and all of our electronic devices to consume our time and fill our minds.

The above scripture says that if we ABIDE in the Word of God we will be a disciple of Jesus. Disciples live by the instructions given by their leader. Jesus has given us in His Word principles and standards to live by daily and most of us were taught these when we were young, but if we do not abide in His Word we may yield to opposing views that conflict with the Biblical principles we were taught.

Parents are responsible to lead their children by example setting guidelines and boundaries that honor God. Your child’s future depends on this action on your part. The scripture command us as parents to “train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it” Proverbs 22:6.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Matthew 5:8.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

PRAYER:

Help us dear God, to ABIDE in your WORD today knowing that as we do, we shall know the truth and the truth will set us free. Help our family to learn your Word and to live by the principles so clearly stated in your Word so that we will live committed lives that remain steadfast and faithful to you. Help us as parents to be diligent in teaching our children to know and understand God’s Word. Give our children listening ears and compliant hearts.

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Abandon: June 2, 2016

TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY JUNE 2, 2016.

ABANDON

DEFINITION:

To leave completely; to forsake; to desert; to give up; to discontinue; to relinquish; to withdraw from; to give up hope.

SCRIPTURE:

My loved ones and my friends stand aloof, and my relatives stand a far off. Psalm 38:11.

My God, My God, why have You forsaken me? Psalm 22:1

For He Himself said, I will never leave you nor forsake [abandon] you. Hebrews 13:5.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Some years ago when we were involved in a large feeding program for inner city families in the greater Los Angeles Area, we met a dear woman whose name was Mae Raines. She lived in a very poor area of south Los Angeles. Mae was known as “God’s Angel” to her community. She came to our warehouse center two to three times a week and filled her car to the roof with food. She then distributed this food to the neediest people in her community.

I remember the day she came to our warehouse to pick up food and she had in her arms a little 3 day old baby. This baby was what they called a “druggy” and had been abandoned. Mae could not allow this baby to die so she took him in and began the process of making him well. The baby was constantly shaking as his body was going through withdrawal from the drugs his mother had used during her pregnancy.

Over the years that followed we watched this boy grow. It was the love of a Christian mother, Mae Raines that soon brought him to the place where he could live a normal life. Yes this baby was abandoned but a loving lady, “GOD’S ANGEL,” saw to it that this boy could live and today he is living a normal life.

We can also remember, years ago, watching TV reports of all the babies who were being abandoned in Romania under the dictatorship of their leader at that time. When freedom came their way the terrible situation of these children became international news. Soon many of these abandoned children were adopted and began to live a normal life because someone loved them. There were literally hundreds of stories that then came to everyone’s attention about how love and care changed the course of life for these abandoned babies.

Being abandoned by someone we love and trust is a very painful experience and usually nothing good comes from it. With the increasing break up of the family because of divorce, many feel abandoned. Abandonment wounds deeply and leaves long lasting emotional scars. David, as we read in Psalms 38:1, felt abandoned by family and loved ones and he felt so alone that he wondered if God had also abandoned him Psalm 22:1.

If you have ever felt abandoned perhaps you have experienced the feeling that God has forgotten you also. We can only imagine how abandoned the disciples and the followers of Jesus felt when they saw Jesus crucified and His body laid in a tomb. They had put all of their trust in Jesus and had given their all to follow Him and now their hopes had vanished. In Luke 24:13-19 we read of two followers of Jesus walking and talking on the road to Emmaus. Jesus appeared to them in His resurrected body and they did not recognize Him. Jesus asked them what they were talking about. With saddened faces they explained that they were talking about the crucifixion of Jesus. They said that they had hoped that Jesus was the one who was going to redeem Israel. It seemed He had abandoned them. He had left them but only for a short time and it was for their good.

Jesus then explained to them from the scripture why He had to suffer and die. He explained also all the references in the scripture beginning with Moses and the prophets concerning Himself. And the scripture says that soon their eyes were opened and they saw their Messiah, the Resurrected Christ.

He had left them to fulfill His promise, “I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you.”  By His death on the cross and His resurrection He made it possible for us to be “sons of God” and spend all eternity with Him.

When you feel abandoned and all alone, the Word of God is always the best place to look for comfort and assurance of God’s love. What a wonderful promise we have that Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us. Others may abandon us but Jesus never will. He who gives himself to God will never be abandoned by God.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Matthew 5:8.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

PRAYER:

I come to you today knowing the promise from Your Word that assures me that You will never leave me nor forsake me. Help me today to reach out to someone that feels abandoned and needs Your love. May I share with them the love that You have given me. Bless my family and give each one of us a servant’s attitude as we reach out to show Your love to others.

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Desperation: June 1, 2016

TODAY’S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY JUNE 1, 2016.

DESPERATION

DEFINITION:

The state of hopelessness; having an urgent need; a state of mind caused by circumstances that seem too much to cope with.

SCRIPTURE:

We were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God. II Corinthians 1:8-9.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Have you ever felt as desperate as the above scripture says? Paul had endured many hardships in his life, and although he does not give us a lot of details, he does indicate that he and his companions felt they were going to die. Paul goes on to say that because they were helpless to help themselves they had to rely on God.

Sometimes we have to come to the point of desperation before we realize our need to completely trust in God. We have talked to a lot of desperate people in our lifetime. For some it has been facing a desperate situation in their marriage. For others it has been a desperate situation with a child. Possibly you face a desperate health situation or financial crises?

The desperations that have concerned us the most involving family life is twofold. First, we have seen so many times parents who are facing desperation because of the actions of their children. Parenting is very difficult in today's society. Many times problems with children develop when parents have not developed a lifestyle that honors God in their homes and have not been godly role models for their children to watch as they were growing up. Children must be taught from God's Word how to honor God, and how to honor their parents.

But we also have seen great desperation from what we consider wonderful Christian parents who ask us --- WHY? Their children have made choices in their lives that are the opposite of the way they were raised. They have chosen to rebel against God and their parents. We have only one answer for one facing that situation and that is to pray for that child, continue to love that child and continue to live your consistent Christian life. We must then let go and let God do His thing. And He will do it in his perfect timing.

We have witnessed unbelievable desperation in third world countries. We have seen mothers crying because they have no food, milk or medicine for their dying child that they were holding in their arms. We have seen families with no housing, no food and seemingly no one to help because the father has died or left the home. We have seen children orphaned because both parents have died of AIDS. They ask: What should we do? Where do we go? Who really cares for me? This is desperation.

Henry David Thoreau said: "Most people live today lives of great desperation." The feeling of desperation is often the result of choices one makes in life --- even years earlier. For others desperation comes due to situations that arise because of the location of where they were born and/or the culture they are in, the wars they have to face, poverty, persecution and other serious problems that a child, young person or adult has no control over.

But there is a solution for a person that is facing a desperate situation in life. The scripture says that we are to "cast all of our cares upon the Lord because He cares for you." You might respond by saying or thinking that is easy for us to say. We do not understand how bad the situation is. We may not but there is someone who does. Jesus understands and He cares.

Let us tell you and assure you that no situation is too hard for God to overcome. It is our lack of faith that causes us to doubt what God wants to do for us. When desperate situations get us down, the only way to look is up. As Paul tells, these things happen “that we may not rely on ourselves but on God.” God is waiting for you to bring your desperation to Him. You can rely on Him.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Matthew 5:8.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, thank You for giving me the promise through Your Word that when I am feeling desperate and feel that no one cares for me, you are their waiting for me. All I have to do is to cast my care (desperation) upon You and You will care for me. Help me today to grasp what You say and give me the faith to accept that You are caring for me even when I am feeling total despair.

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Accept: May 31, 2016

TODAY'S WORD FOR TUESDAY MAY 31, 2016.

ACCEPT

DEFINITION:

To receive willingly; to receive with approval or favor; to take or receive something offered.

SCRIPTURE:

Accept one another, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Romans 15:7.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

When Jesus was here on this earth the Jewish people hated the Samaritans and did not accept them. In John 4, Jesus met a Samaritan woman at the well and began to talk with her. When Jesus asked for a drink she was surprised and wanted to know why He was talking to her as He was going against long standing customs. No Jewish man would ever talk to a woman in public.

Not only was she a woman but she was a Samaritan. The Jews hated the Samaritans and regarded them as the worst of the human race. They were looked down upon because they were Jews who intermarried with foreigners and adopted their pagan ways.

Worse yet, this woman was an immoral woman. She had had five husbands and was presently living with a man who was not her husband. Jesus looked beyond what she was and saw her need. She had come for water to meet her physical need but what she needed was the living water that Jesus offered. The living water is eternal life and she believed and accepted His gift of "living water." She went back to her village and led many Samaritans to become believers in Jesus.

The good news is that we can learn from this that Jesus came to this earth for all of us. And He accepts all, just as we are, who will come to Him in faith believing for forgiveness of their sins.

In Romans 15:7 we are told to accept one another just as Christ accepted you in order to bring praise to God. As Christians we are to accept and encourage other Christians. Also we must be willing to accept others who do not know the Lord without condoning what they do, so we can introduce them to Christ. It is important for children to understand the difference between accepting someone and accepting what someone does, when that person is doing things that are against Biblical principles.

Jesus knew that the Samaritan woman was an immoral woman. He did not shun her for her race, social position or her sins. He accepted her as someone who needed His saving grace.

People today are hungry for acceptance. Children in school do everything they can, including lowering their standards, to be accepted by their peers. Adults are much the same. They want to be included in "THE GROUP" just as children do. There are certain groups that it is better that we as Christians are not part of.

As believers we may feel contempt for those who do not believe as we do just as the Jews felt contempt for the Samaritans. Paul tells us in Romans 14:1 "Do not refuse to accept someone who is weak in faith. And do not argue with him about opinions.”

Jesus teaches that we are to accept, listen to, and respect others so that we have opportunity to strengthen their faith and enable them to be drawn into a lasting relationship with Jesus.

We, as Christians, need to make people feel they have value and are needed. This way they will feel accepted and will more than likely be open to hear about Jesus.

Back when we attended school at Wheaton College in Illinois, I (Ken) remember being in an ethics class where we had a discussion about a small group of students who were not living up to the standards set by the college and they were not being accepted by many of our peers. As a class we began praying for this group and about a week later one of the students in the class told us that she had approached one of the people in the group.

The one thing I remember her saying was that they did not feel accepted at the school so why should they change their life style? This small group had all come from home situations where living a much looser life was acceptable. We believe that because of our prayers and the fact that efforts were made to be friendly and show Christian love to them their hearts were softened and God was able to affect change in their lives. Fellow students approached them with love and not with criticism with the result being that they were able to be a positive influence.

This is an example that should remind each of us to do all we can to make people we touch shoulders with feel accepted.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Matthew 5:8.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

PRAYER:

Help me to find people today who need to feel accepted. May these people see Christ through my words and deeds. Help my children to stand up for what they believe and not to be swayed by the crowd. Help me to do what is good and acceptable in Your sight so that I may know beyond any doubt the good and acceptable and perfect will of God for my life.

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Deity: May 30, 2016

TODAY'S WORD FOR MONDAY MAY 30, 2016.

DEITY

DEFINITION:

God; Divine nature.

SCRIPTURE:

For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen. Romans 1:20

Jesus said: Fill the water pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, draw some out now and take it to the master of the feast. John 2:7-8

And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks, He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples distributed to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. John 6:11

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

In the past we have written several devotionals discussing the Deity of Christ. Many wonderful friends have responded to this “WORD” and some of you are searching as to how to be sure that Jesus is God. Many of you are searching just for peace in your life hoping we can help you find peace. We hear from some of you that you are facing a conflict between what your culture has taught you and what the Bible teaches.

It is important that you understand what we are talking about when we refer to Christ's Deity. As you see above, Webster defines deity as divine nature. The world worships many different gods that are referred to as deity, but there is only one Deity that has divine nature: He is the God of the Bible.

God's divine nature is that He is holy and eternal. God Himself declared Jesus to be His beloved Son. In Matthew 3:17 we read that when John the Baptist baptized Christ Jesus, there came a voice from heaven saying, "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." As the Son of God, Christ is deity. If Christ is not deity, He would be powerless to save us. Understanding and acknowledging Jesus' divine nature is the essential foundation for our faith. Please read this last sentence again and make sure you understand its meaning.

Paul gives us one of the best descriptions of Jesus divine nature in Colossians 1:15-16. "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or rulers or authorities, all things were created by Him." He is the exact image of God and not only equal with God, He is God and the creator of all things.

It is important that you read and understand what Paul said, but also that you fully accept it and make it part of your everyday life. When you understand the Deity of Christ and accept Him as your Savior, your life will change. To help you we will give you several more examples from the scripture.

The gospel of John gives us numerous signs or miracles that prove the deity and power of Jesus while He was on this earth. Jesus had the power to CREATE!

Jesus chose a wedding in Cana of Galilee to present and to prove His deity and power to create when He created wine from water. Wine is made from grapes, not water but Jesus used water to prove His Deity. The grapes must be gathered from a vineyard and pressed to extract the juice and then placed into containers and allowed to age and ferment. This is a very lengthy process.

At a marriage feast in Jesus time, it was the custom to serve the best wine at the beginning of the feast and then the poorest of the wine when all the guests were filled. When Jesus turned the water into wine at this marriage feast, the master of the house called the bridegroom and said: "You have kept the good wine until now." The wine that Jesus created was better than the good wine served at the beginning of the feast. Jesus not only created wine but the best and did not take the normal months and years to get the best.

This was Jesus' first miracle and performed at the beginning of His ministry on earth. Jesus never performed a miracle without a purpose. He performed this miracle to show His deity and to show His disciples and you and me that He is God and has power to create. Jesus’ miracles were superhuman events that could only be done by divine power and authority.

The miracle that we call "the feeding of the five thousand" is the only one recorded in all four gospels. This miracle was unique because it was public. Jesus usually performed His miracles just before a few people. It was also unique because the 5000 people not only saw it happening but participated in it.

Jesus did this miracle with what we would call insignificant materials. The fish were small and the bread was barley. Only the poor people ate barley bread. This was also the only recorded time in the scriptures that Jesus asked anyone's advice. He asked Philip where to get the bread. Jesus already knew what Philip would say but He wanted to test his faith. Philip failed the test because he lacked the faith in Jesus' Deity.

As Christians we need to sit back and look with awe at all that God has created. Just look at the beauty of the mountains and valleys. Look at the seashore and even the deserts and you will see the beauty of His handiwork.

In our travels we have seen so much poverty, hunger and despair. But what we have noticed in so many places, God's handiwork can be seen even in the midst of extreme poverty. Whether we are rich or poor, we can enjoy the beauty of His creation. Take time today to thank God for His creations. They bear testimony to His deity and divine nature and His eternal power.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Matthew 5:8.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

PRAYER:

How grateful I am to see every day the miracles of Your creation all around me. I praise You for the things that we seem to take for granted each day. Thank You for the many miracles that we read about in Your Word that testifies that You are God and the creator and giver of all good things and the one and only true deity.

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