Neutral: February 10, 2017

TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY FEBRUARY 10, 2017.

NEUTRAL

DEFINITION:

Not aligned with or supporting any side or position in a controversy.

SCRIPTURE:

He who is not with Me is against Me. Matthew 12:30.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

A group of people were discussing religion, some were believers and some were not. One of them said that there was good in all religions so I believe in them all and therefore I have all my bases covered.

Anyone that believes that there is some good in all religions and that there are many ways to get to heaven may be sincere but they are sincerely wrong. It isn’t a matter of what we want to think is true. It is a matter of what is true.

The God of the Bible is the only true and living God. He is the only God who has provided a way to have eternal life. Jesus, God’s Son, is the only one who has overcome death and come back to life. All other gods are still in their graves. The God of the Bible is the only God who has made it possible to have a personal relationship with Him. God made that possible to all who accept Jesus as their Savior.

Other religions do not make this option possible. Jesus Christ is alive. God sends His Holy Spirit to dwell in every believer and Jesus is the mediator between God and all those who accept Jesus as their Savior. I Timothy 2:5 tells us that, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

Those that say they have all their bases covered have missed the one true base for salvation from their sins and for this life and the assurance of eternal life with God in heaven.

By accepting all religions as having some merit many feel they are remaining neutral. They feel by doing this they are open-minded. God has not given us the option of being neutral or open-minded. No matter how much good one might see in any one religion, Jesus said that there is only one way to heaven.

In John 14 we read about Jesus preparing His disciples for His death. He tried to comfort them by telling them that He was going to His Father’s house and that He would be preparing a place for them there.

Then Thomas spoke up and said to Jesus that they did not know where He was going so how could they know the way. Jesus answer is what all the world needs to hear today. He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through Me.” There is no neutrality in this statement.

Jesus said there is just “one way” to God. He did not say there are many ways through many other religions. There is no neutral ground. Those who think that they can opt not to make a decision and just remain neutral need to realize that by remaining neutral and choosing not to accept Jesus they have chosen to reject Him. There is no middle ground with God. Not to act is to act. A choice has been made. Jesus said, “He who is not with Me is against Me.”

Consider where you stand. Remember there is no neutral ground Are you standing on God’s side or on Satan’s side?

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Galatians 5:22-23.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

PRAYER:

May my life be a testimony to others so that they can see that I am standing on the Lord’s side. Help me to be firm in standing on the truth of God’s Word with those that I meet by letting them know there is no neutral ground concerning where they will spend eternity.

Special Price
Only $10.00
Click Here for More

ONE FINAL SUGGESTION.

If you have not received your FREE BOOKMARK from us, please click on either:

Get your FREE bookmark

or

Write Ken and Dottie a note

And we will send one to you.
It includes 10 golden rules for a happy family.

Opportunity: February 9, 2017

TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2017.

OPPORTUNITY

DEFINITION:

A favorable occasion or time; timely; a situation or condition favorable for attainment of a goal.

SCRIPTURE:

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are the household of faith. Galatians 6:10.

Be very careful how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

The Apostle Paul in his writings (above) to the churches at Galatia and Ephesus emphasizes how the believers need to take advantage of the opportunity of time given to them by God. Paul points out that the believer’s entire life provides the unique privilege by which he can serve others in Christ’s name.

In Ephesians 5:15-16 (above), Paul tells us that we are to make the most of our time in this evil world in fulfilling God’s purposes, seizing every opportunity to tell others about Christ.

In Galatians 6:10 (above), Paul instructs us to do good to all wherever we have the opportunity. He puts emphasis on doing good, not just to the non-believers but also to our fellow believers. Members of the body of Christ must uphold one another. So often, believers are critical of other believers. Jesus taught us that we are to love one another.

By definition the word opportunity suggests that it comes with a time limit. The term “windows of opportunity” is used to denote the period of time available or highly favorable to take action about something. Once the window is closed the opportunity is lost. It is then too late. In Isaiah 55:6-7 we read, “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.”

The Lord can return at any moment and we as believers must be ready. For the unbeliever, the time of opportunity is critical to find Jesus. None of us know what tomorrow will bring. Luke 13:25-28 tells us that the day will come, if we miss our opportunity to find Jesus as our Savior, we will stand before Him and hear Him say, “I tell you I do not know you or where you come from.”  When you find yourself standing at the door of heaven, will Jesus know you?

God does give second chances to listen and accept Him. Jonah refused to do what God asked him to do. (Jonah 1:1-3) God used the big fish (whale) to give Jonah a wakeup call and Jonah responded by going and doing what God wanted him to do.

If God gives you a second chance, your wakeup call may not be as big as the whale, but will you respond? The window of opportunity for all people to accept Jesus as their Savior is open until the moment you draw your last breath.

Paul tells us about the many times that God gave him opportunities to serve Him. Paul always took advantage of the opportunities that God gave him and God blessed him because of his faithfulness to God. Even in times when Paul should have been concerned for his own welfare, his desire was to make it an opportunity to witness. In Acts 21 we find Paul being arrested and Paul asking the guards to allow him to speak to the crowd to give his testimony of how he had come to his faith in the Lord.

How many of us would consider the moments before being carried off to prison an opportunity to give our testimony. Paul did and you can read his testimony in Acts 22:1-21.

Paul always wanted to make the most of every opportunity that God gave him. He was concerned about the shortness of time and wanted to tell everyone he could about the love of Jesus.

Every day we have opportunities but there are very few people that take advantage of the opportunities that God gives to tell someone about the love of God. We must not ignore the opportunities that God gives. There are opportunities all around us to help the hurting and hungry, opportunities to help build relationships, opportunities to help the sick or crippled. Are you making the most of your opportunities to do good to all?

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Galatians 5:22-23.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

PRAYER:

Give me new opportunities today to share my love and the love of Jesus with people that need to know You. Help me to make the most of every opportunity to help those that are hurting, both physically and spiritually. Bless my family and help us to do good to all that we meet today.

Special Price
Only $10.00
Click Here for More

ONE FINAL SUGGESTION.

If you have not received your FREE BOOKMARK from us, please click on either:

Get your FREE bookmark

or

Write Ken and Dottie a note

And we will send one to you.
It includes 10 golden rules for a happy family.

Prosperity: February 8, 2017

TODAY’S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2017.

PROSPERITY

DEFINITION:

A successful, flourishing, or thriving condition; economic well-being.

SCRIPTURE:

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. III John 2.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

After Jesus ascended back to His Father in heaven, He left His disciples the task of tending His sheep (the followers of Jesus). The disciples were faithful to encourage the believers and to uphold them in prayer.

John III is the apostle John’s personal letter of encouragement to Gaius, a fellow believer and faithful worker in the early church for the Lord. John wrote Gaius to commend him for his faithfulness and to let him know he was praying for him. John noted that Gaius spiritual state was so excellent that he was praying that his physical health would match his spiritual vigor.

It was a common practice for one to be asked when being met how his health was. Our physical condition is not something that is always apparent. Our spiritual condition, however, should be very apparent. Our Christian walk and the way we conduct ourselves should give evidence to our spiritual condition. John wrote Gaius that others had testified to him that Gaius was “walking in truth.” By the way Gaius lived his life it was apparent to others that he had his priorities right.

It is only as we have our priorities right and walk in the truth of God’s Word that we can expect God to prosper us.

The world has its priorities wrong. The priority of the world is making money, being popular and gaining power. If that is accomplished one is considered prosperous. On the road to obtaining this prosperity people destroy their physical health with stress, lack of sleep, sexual immorality, alcohol and drugs. People seem to be willing to pay this price for what they consider prosperity.

People that are so called prosperous in the world are fearful that if they come to the Lord they will have to give up their hard fought for rewards of prosperity. They do not understand that God wants to bless and prosper those who love Him and honor Him in their lives.

Jeremiah writes in Jeremiah 29:27 a promise that was given to the nation of Israel. “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Throughout the Old Testament God promised prosperity to the people of Israel as long as they honored Him. When they failed God they not only lost their prosperity but eventually the whole nation was lost and scattered.

God’s first desire for us is that our souls will prosper. Our prosperity in life is dependent on what God blesses us with and as we learn in the Old Testament, we will prosper in life depending on how our soul prospers. It must be our priority to walk in truth so that God can prosper us.

Our family is not what the world would call wealthy but we feel we have been very prosperous. God has blessed us far beyond what we deserve but not in riches or wealth. Our prosperity has been in good health, God given enabling strength, sound minds, loving, God fearing children and unusual ministry opportunities that could have only come from God.

Yes, there have been trials and disappointments but by God’s grace we have felt God’s blessing and see how He prospers us when we are faithful to Him.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Galatians 5:22-23.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

PRAYER:

Thank You that Your plan for me is to prosper me and keep me from harm. Thank You for guiding me to walk in the truth of Your Word. Give me direction, wisdom, and understanding as I learn to serve You so that You can use me to further the good news of the Gospel.

Special Price
Only $10.00
Click Here for More

ONE FINAL SUGGESTION.

If you have not received your FREE BOOKMARK from us, please click on either:

Get your FREE bookmark

or

Write Ken and Dottie a note

And we will send one to you.
It includes 10 golden rules for a happy family.

Run: February 7, 2017

TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2017.

RUN

DEFINITION:

Move swiftly or fast; make haste; rush; flee; race.

SCRIPTURE:

Do you not 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:

The Greeks enjoyed two great athletic events. They were the Olympic Games and the Isthmian games. The Isthmian games were held in Corinth, so the believers in the church at Corinth were quite familiar with this analogy of running to win that Paul spoke to them about. (The verse above)

In athletic competitions, there are short races and there are long races. To be a winner requires dedication and discipline. Winning requires hours of diligent training and preparation. It requires sacrifice. The runner must be willing to give up things he or she would rather do, in order to prepare him or her to be a winner. It requires hard work to strengthen the body and to build up stamina. A short jog a day will not prepare a runner to be a winner.

Life is a race that we all must run and, as Paul says, we must all run with the goal of winning. This is what God expects of us. As we run, life is full of triumphs and reversals and as Christians we are not excluded from disappointments. We are to be faithful and run to honor our King who is Jesus.

The race we run as believers is not a short race. It is a marathon! We cannot hope to run this marathon successfully without preparation. To win the prize requires self-denial, dedication and discipline. It is essential that the believer prepare for the race by studying God’s Word, by prayer, by meditation and by worship. We must learn to deny ourselves of doing what we desire so that we can do what God wants.

An occasional glimpse at the Bible and a quick prayer once in a while and going to church when we feel like going will not be sufficient to win. Believers must prepare themselves to win the race that God has set before them.

If we falter or give into sin because of the difficulties we face in life, we risk losing a rich reward at the end of our race in life. That is why we need to be prepared so that when we run into difficulties in life we know how to face them and win.

The goal of our race here on earth is to become more like Christ. At the end of our race we do not win a medal but we want to hear the Master say, “WELL DONE.”

There was a British sprinter who was obsessed with winning. In a preliminary dash leading up to the 1924 Olympics he was soundly beat by his rival at the time. He was in deep despair and when his girlfriend tried to encourage him he responded by saying, “I run to win. If I cannot win, I will not run.” His girlfriend responded to him very wisely, “If you do not run, you cannot win.”

Paul says that in a race all of the runners run, but only one receives the prize therefore we should run in such a way that we may win it. If we do not run, we cannot win. If we do not run with the goal of winning, all of our time, effort, and sacrifice put into training is wasted.

We must all run the race of life. Our goal should be to please God. The award is only given at the end of the race.

In II Timothy 4:8, Paul tells us what the prize is. “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge, will award to me on that day.”

Only when the struggles and trials of life is over will we receive our crown of righteousness when we have entered into God’s kingdom. Our eternal home.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Galatians 5:22-23.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

PRAYER:

Help me to run the race in life so that I may obtain from You the words, “Well done.” Give me the stamina and the endurance to live my life exalting You even when the running gets tough. Keep my eyes focused on my goal to become more Christ-like.

Special Price
Only $10.00
Click Here for More

ONE FINAL SUGGESTION.

If you have not received your FREE BOOKMARK from us, please click on either:

Get your FREE bookmark

or

Write Ken and Dottie a note

And we will send one to you.
It includes 10 golden rules for a happy family.

Supply: February 6, 2017

TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2017.

SUPPLY

DEFINITION:

To furnish or provide what is lacking or is needed.

SCRIPTURE:

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Paul wrote the book of Philippians to the church at Philippi from prison. Paul was often in great need and the church had generously and sacrificially sent support to Paul. In Philippians 4:19 (above) Paul is assuring the church that God will supply all of their material needs. There material means had no doubt been depleted because of the generous gift they had sent to Paul to meet his needs while in prison.

When Paul says, “God will supply all your need according to His riches” he is assuring the church that God would give increase to them in proportion to His infinite resources, not just a small amount out of His riches. That is why Paul could say with confidence that God would meet all their needs.

We must remember that God’s resources are unlimited. The old song says that He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. God will supply not just what we need materially, but what we need physically (strength), emotionally (encouragement) and spiritually (faith).

Everything that we have is because God has supplied these to us. We want to remind parents today that children must be taught that everything we have and want belongs to God. One of the problems that parents need to face is that children often see things they want as something they need. Children find it hard to see the difference between “wants” and “needs.”

Making this even a bigger concern is that many parents and adults without children do not discern between what is a “need’ and what is merely a “want.”

We have a wise and discerning heavenly Father who knows what is best for us. Jesus said that our Father in heaven knows what we need before we even ask. (Matthew 6:8)

When times are tough, when economies are hurting and when concerns seem to flood people’s minds that is the time when many people start to complain about things. Complaining will get you nowhere. God does not want us to complain but He does want us to present our needs to Him and He has promised to supply all of our needs IF we put our complete trust in Him. Please note that there is a condition God has given us and it is based on the word “IF.”

That word “IF” is the key word for those of us that believe in Jesus. God will supply our needs but we must honor His commandments and honor Him. That is the “IF” that most people miss.

Look at what God has supplied for us. He sent His only Son to pay the penalty for our sins. He sent His Holy Spirit to comfort us as we serve Him. He supplies us with health, talents and abilities to serve Him. And he provides us with the certainty of spending eternity with Him in heaven.

God has blessed us with several key verses in His Word that relate to God’s promise to supply all of our needs and we need to memorize and apply these verses to our daily lives. In Luke 6:38 it reads, “Give and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.” In Matthew 21:22, “What ever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” In Luke 11:9 it reads, “Ask and it will be given you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.”

Look at the key words that Jesus gives us in these verses. Each word demands action on our part and if we act as He suggests just think what God will do in supplying all our needs: GIVE, ASK IN PRAYER, BELIEVING, SEEK and KNOCK.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Galatians 5:22-23.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

PRAYER:

Our family is so grateful for all of the blessings that You have supplied for us. Help each one of us in our family to have the discernment to see the difference between what we need and what we want.

Special Price
Only $10.00
Click Here for More

ONE FINAL SUGGESTION.

If you have not received your FREE BOOKMARK from us, please click on either:

Get your FREE bookmark

or

Write Ken and Dottie a note

And we will send one to you.
It includes 10 golden rules for a happy family.