Priorities: July 29, 2016

TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY JULY 29, 2016.

PRIORITIES

DEFINITION:

Earlier in time and occurrence; the right to proceed others in order, rank or privilege.

SCRIPTURE:

Here is the conclusion of the matter. Fear God and keep His commandments. Ecclesiastics 12:13.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Very few people today set priorities for their day to day living, let alone for their goals in life. As adults and parents we need to have priorities for our marriage, for our children and for our own personal and family activities. The problem is that when one does not set priorities basically nothing is accomplished and at the end of the day one wonders where the day went and what was accomplished.

The Bible has a lot to say about priorities. In the Old Testament Solomon sums up so well in the last chapter of Ecclesiastics what our priorities should be in life. He says to honor God and obey His commands. This is the most important thing people can do. God knows everything that a person does even the things done in secret. He knows the good and the bad and he will judge everything that a person does.  The things we do are evidence of our priorities. This advice from Solomon in the verse above should remind us that our first priority should be making God’s priorities our priorities.

The dictionary defines priority as the right to precede others in order. God has that right and He should precede all other things and people in our lives. Jesus had much to say about priorities in the sixth chapter of Matthew. He tells us not to lay up treasures upon earth. We need to realize that everything on earth is temporal and if the eyes of the believer are focused on these treasures, the life and character of the believer will be shrouded in moral darkness.

Jesus also told us in verse 21 that “where our treasure is, there will our heart be also.” Again if our priorities are in the temporal things of this world we will be wandering in darkness because we will be spiritually blind to see what God wants us to do. A person’s aim in life, or better, his priorities in life, determines his character and this affects his or her relationship with God.

And in Matthew 6:33 we read one of the most clear cut verses in the Bible as to what our priority in life should be. It reads: “But seek you first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added on to you.” God’s interests (seeking first His Kingdom) are to be first in our lives. So if we “seek God’s righteousness first,” we meet the condition of God’s blessing for our lives. And then the last of this verse gives us the guarantee of God’s provision to us (all these things shall be added on to us).

As you set your priorities in life from a spiritual perspective read Philippians 1:21 and make it your purpose for living: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Leviticus 26:6.

I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid; I will rid the land of evil beasts, and the sword will not go through your land.

PRAYER:

Help me, dear Lord, to set my priorities each day first to honor and serve You. Make me set as a priority the reading of the Bible and the communication I must have with You through prayer. Give me the leadership needed with my family so that together we will put You first in all of our lives both in our words and our deeds.

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Contrast: July 28, 2016

TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY JULY 28, 2016.

CONTRAST

DEFINITION:

To compare in order to show unlikeness or differences; to note the opposite qualities of.

SCRIPTURE:

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Today we want to discuss the contrast between one who is a believer in Jesus and one who is known as an unbeliever. All of us were born in sin and at birth were unbelievers but because God sent His Son into this world it gave all people an opportunity to become a believer simply by trusting in His Son Jesus. In I Peter 1:21 we are told that “Through Him we are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

The scriptures give us the following contrasts between believers and nonbelievers:

•    Believers are redeemed by our Lord and nonbelievers live under the curse of Satan.
•    Believers are “made nigh” as is said in Ephesians 2:13. You who were formerly afar off have been brought near by the blood of Jesus Christ. The unbeliever is continually far off from God.
•    The believer is known as a child of God and the unbeliever is a child of Satan.
•    The believer has God’s favor in their daily walk with Him and the unbeliever constantly is under God’s wrath.
•    As believers we wait for the soon coming of Christ and His glory. An unbeliever waits for death and judgment.
•    And finally the believer is sure of spending an eternity in heaven and the unbeliever is certain to spend an eternity in the fires of hell.

In Texas they tell the story about a man who used to hitch his horse every morning in front of the town’s local saloon. One day the saloonkeeper missed seeing this man and went outside and saw his horse hitched up down the street in front of the Methodist church.

The saloonkeeper waited for the man to come back to his horse and asked him why his horse was hitched in front of the church rather than his saloon. The man answered clearly “Last night I was converted from a nonbeliever to a believer in Jesus in the revival meeting so now I have changed hitching posts.

What he was saying is, “I am no longer tied to my old sinful desires. My life is no longer centered on self-gratification. God is now the center point of my life and my desire is on Jesus and doing what is pleasing to Him.”

That is what happens when you become a believer in Jesus --- you change hitching posts. Paul puts it this way in Romans 12:2. When we accept Jesus we must no longer conform to the pattern of the world but we are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Leviticus 26:6.

I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid; I will rid the land of evil beasts, and the sword will not go through your land.

PRAYER:

Help me to make sure that I am hitched to the right hitching post today and my focus is firmly fixed on you so that I will not stray. May my life shine out as a believer so that nonbelievers may see a contrast in the way that I live my life that sets me apart from those who do not know you as Savior and Lord?

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Light: July 27, 2016

TODAY’S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY JULY 27, 2016.

LIGHT

DEFINITION:

Something that makes things visible or affords illumination; exposure to truth.

SCRIPTURE:

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. Ephesians 5:8.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

There is no doubt that we are living in a dark and sinful world. Darkness is a sign of evil and the world today for the most part is evil. Satan, the evil one, is running free in our world. Many people live today in situations where God is not acknowledged, where a Christian’s faith is mocked and godless living is applauded.

In most religions light is a symbol of God and godliness. The Bible is no exception. In I John 1:5, it reads that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. Not only is God light but He is the giver of light to the world. In James 1:17, James reminds us that God is the “Father of the heavenly lights.” God created the sun, the moon, and the stars to give physical light to the world. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to give spiritual light to the world. In John 8:12 Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” In John 1:9 John the Baptist says Jesus was coming into the world to be the true light for everyone. In Psalms 119:105 it reads that His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Without light there is only darkness.

As believers, Jesus told us in Matthew 5:14 that “We are the light of the world.” After we have accepted Jesus as our Savior, we are no longer in darkness and we are to walk as children of light. God expects us to represent Him in this world. A believer in Christ represents the opposite of evil and darkness and needs to shine as a light in a darkened world. When you as a believer live a life that honors God you are a light in this dark world.

We have been through two major earthquakes. The first one was in 1971 just before the birth of our sixth child. Earthquakes will knock the power out and at night it is really dark after an earthquake. There are many aftershocks following a major earthquake and some of these aftershocks would cause the lights to flicker or sometimes knock the power completely out. Being in total darkness was frightening to our young children. At the first hint of a tremor announcing a new aftershock they would come running and cling on to us for dear life. It was quite some time before they would go to bed unless the light was left on in their room.

Fear of the dark is very natural and common among children and adults. Since we live in an earthquake prone area we now keep flashlights and candles readily available. More importantly we always have a Bible close at hand, even when we are away from home, because we know we are living in the midst of darkness (often when we wake up at night we take the time to read the Bible) and we need the light of God’s Word to direct us on His path in the midst of the darkness of this world day and night.

Darkness and light are completely opposite. They are opposing forces. Darkness blots out the light and depicts evil and light has the power to light up the dark and depicts truth and love. Unfortunately, sinful man loves the darkness because their deeds are evil, and they hate the light of Jesus, because they are afraid it will expose their evil deeds (John 3:20).

Each year, as our children were growing up we spent our vacation at the ocean. We always were awed by how clear and beautiful it was at night. Without the city lights hundreds of stars could be seen which were never visible in the city. This is a vivid contrast --- the light of the stars with the darkness of the sky is breath taking and always reminds us of the awesomeness of God and the light He gives to a dark world.

All of the recent terrorist attacks reveal just how dark and evil this world is. It is frightening to think about. To dispel the darkness of fear remember David’s words, “The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear?” Psalms 27:1.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Leviticus 26:6.

I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid; I will rid the land of evil beasts, and the sword will not go through your land.

PRAYER:

Father, I thank You that You are my light and my salvation. Help me to be a bright light for You, shining in a dark world. Guide me in the teaching of my children that they may understand the difference between the light and the darkness of this world. Help them to know that Jesus is our light and sin is darkness. Help me to teach them to walk as children of light.

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Free: July 26, 2016

TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY JULY 26, 2016.

FREE

DEFINITION:

Enjoying personal rights or liberty that is exempt from external authority or interference; without payment required; not in bondage.

SCRIPTURE:

Jesus replied: I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in a family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

The God of this world, Satan, has blinded the minds of men to the extent that they believe those who sin are free and that the Christian, the believer in Jesus, is the one in bondage. But God says very clearly in His Word that our position before Him, as believers, is the exact opposite.

Sin is always by choice. No one makes us sin but when we allow sin into our life it has a way of taking control and dictating our actions so we become a slave to sin. When sin becomes our master there is only one person that can break sins power over us, and that is Jesus Christ.

One who does not believe in Jesus is in captivity to Satan, to self and to sin. The believer is the one that is free because he has accepted Christ as his or her Savior who has made us free. Jesus defeated the power and penalty of sin when He died for us on the cross.

YES, we are free as believers in Jesus. We are free from present judgment. Romans 8:1 tells us that we have “no condemnation” thus that makes us free from present judgments. Our death sentence for our sins is cancelled immediately at the moment we accept Jesus as our Savior.

We are free from future judgments. Romans 5:9 tells us that we are “saved from wrath” and I Thessalonians 1:10 tells us that we are “delivered from the wrath to come”. The time is coming when Jesus will judge Satan and all who follow him and Jesus will pour out His wrath upon them. Only believers in Jesus will be spared.

As believers we are also free from the bondage of sin (Romans 6:18). We are free from the Law. In Romans 10:4 we are told that “Christ is the end of the law” so when we accepted Christ we were no longer under the law. Our belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior ends our futile efforts to obtain righteousness through our imperfect attempts to obey the law.

As believers we are free from care. I Peter 5:7 tells us to “Cast all of our care upon Him and He will care for us.” And finally we are free from fear. II Timothy 1:7 says that “For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and discipline.

While we were slaves to sin we had no place in the family of God, but because of God’s love and grace He has given to all those who believe and receive Jesus the right to become children of God (John 1:12). He has not only made us a part of His family but a joint heir with Christ (Romans 8:17).

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Leviticus 26:6.

I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid; I will rid the land of evil beasts, and the sword will not go through your land.

PRAYER:

Thank You for freeing me from the bondage and penalty of sin because of my trust and faith in You. May my life be a testimony to others who are searching to find freedom from the bondage of sin in their lives.

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Deception: July 25, 2016

TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY JULY 25, 2016.

DECEPTION

DEFINITION:

An act of fraud, misleading or misrepresentation; deliberate concealment of the truth; dishonesty; to lead astray by a false appearance or statement; 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 infiltrating 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. Many sincerely believe and want everyone to believe that there is more than one way to heaven. We, as believers, must not fall for smooth talkers whose words sound convincing and whose message sounds good.

The belief that there is more than one way to God is refuted by Jesus own words. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6. 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 America’s 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.

When you are near, you must make the enemy feel that you are far away and when you are far away you must make the enemy feel you are near. You want your enemy to feel what is not true is true and what is true is not true so that you have the element of surprise on your side.

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 deception concealed in Satan’s temptations.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Leviticus 26:6.

I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid; I will rid the land of evil beasts, and the sword will not go through your land.

PRAYER:

Father, we do know that Satan is very clever, deceptive and sly and we do not want to be deceived by him and his lies. Help me and my family to be able to discern Satan’s cunning methods. Guard our hearts and minds through the power of the truth of Your Word.

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