GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SATURDAY JANUARY 5, 2013
PROVERB:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:7.
PROMISE:
Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord, since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them; and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. Proverbs 1:29-33.
PRAISE:
Sing to the Lord all the earth, proclaim His salvation day after day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all Gods. I Chronicles 16:23-25.
January 6, 2013
Calamity: January 4, 2013
TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY JANUARY 4, 2013.
CALAMITY
DEFINITION:
A great misfortune or cause of distress; disaster.
SCRIPTURE:
For the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things to come hasten upon them. Deuteronomy 32:35.
Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; suddenly he shall become broken without remedy. Proverbs 6:15.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
At some time or the other we all face a calamity in life. Calamities are most often accidents, but we do bring calamities on ourselves. In Proverbs 1:26-27 it reads: “I will laugh at your disaster (calamity); I will mock when calamity overtakes you.” This sounds like a heartless reaction but we have no one to blame but ourselves. Those who foolishly laugh and mock God will one day find that God has the last laugh.
Solomon tells us in verses 24-25 that the reason why calamities overtake us is because we have rejected God, His wisdom and advice. And Solomon goes on to say: “Then they will call on me and I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.”
Once a calamity is upon us it is too late to call on God and ask Him to change it. However, it is never too late to turn back to God, ask His forgiveness for rejecting Him and to ask for His help to get us through the calamity.
God is not the author or the cause of calamities, but He will let us experience calamities because of our pride and arrogant ways, especially when we turn our backs to God and reject Him. When we put our trust in God and listen to Him, He will lead us away from calamity. He wants to protect us from calamities because of His love for us. Proverbs 1:33 says: “Whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
In real life we have calamities. These are normal events that just happen because of circumstances. After all, we are all human.
The calamities we are concerned about today are with the calamities that result from not having a relationship with God. In the Old Testament there were so many illustrations given to us that involved men and women who God was ready to use but because of their rebelliousness they chose not to listen to God and brought calamity on themselves.
The words of Deuteronomy 32:35 (above) were spoken by Moses to the Israelites shortly before He died and turned his leadership over to Joshua who would lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. After leaving Egypt the first generation of Israelites had been rebellious against God and had suffered devastating calamities.
God, who is all knowing, knew that the second generation of Israelites would also forsake Him when they settled in the Promised Land. God told Moses to warn them that if they did forsake God many disasters and difficulties would come (Deuteronomy 31:17). Israel did forsake God and their “day of calamity came.” Whenever we forsake God we can expect “our day of calamity.”
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 5:8.
But God demonstrates His own love to us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
PRAYER:
Thank You Lord for keeping my eyes and heart focused on You. Keep me from being a spiritual calamity. Bless my family and help us together to be shining lights for You in a world filled with calamities.
CALAMITY
DEFINITION:
A great misfortune or cause of distress; disaster.
SCRIPTURE:
For the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things to come hasten upon them. Deuteronomy 32:35.
Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; suddenly he shall become broken without remedy. Proverbs 6:15.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
At some time or the other we all face a calamity in life. Calamities are most often accidents, but we do bring calamities on ourselves. In Proverbs 1:26-27 it reads: “I will laugh at your disaster (calamity); I will mock when calamity overtakes you.” This sounds like a heartless reaction but we have no one to blame but ourselves. Those who foolishly laugh and mock God will one day find that God has the last laugh.
Solomon tells us in verses 24-25 that the reason why calamities overtake us is because we have rejected God, His wisdom and advice. And Solomon goes on to say: “Then they will call on me and I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.”
Once a calamity is upon us it is too late to call on God and ask Him to change it. However, it is never too late to turn back to God, ask His forgiveness for rejecting Him and to ask for His help to get us through the calamity.
God is not the author or the cause of calamities, but He will let us experience calamities because of our pride and arrogant ways, especially when we turn our backs to God and reject Him. When we put our trust in God and listen to Him, He will lead us away from calamity. He wants to protect us from calamities because of His love for us. Proverbs 1:33 says: “Whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
In real life we have calamities. These are normal events that just happen because of circumstances. After all, we are all human.
The calamities we are concerned about today are with the calamities that result from not having a relationship with God. In the Old Testament there were so many illustrations given to us that involved men and women who God was ready to use but because of their rebelliousness they chose not to listen to God and brought calamity on themselves.
The words of Deuteronomy 32:35 (above) were spoken by Moses to the Israelites shortly before He died and turned his leadership over to Joshua who would lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. After leaving Egypt the first generation of Israelites had been rebellious against God and had suffered devastating calamities.
God, who is all knowing, knew that the second generation of Israelites would also forsake Him when they settled in the Promised Land. God told Moses to warn them that if they did forsake God many disasters and difficulties would come (Deuteronomy 31:17). Israel did forsake God and their “day of calamity came.” Whenever we forsake God we can expect “our day of calamity.”
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 5:8.
But God demonstrates His own love to us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
PRAYER:
Thank You Lord for keeping my eyes and heart focused on You. Keep me from being a spiritual calamity. Bless my family and help us together to be shining lights for You in a world filled with calamities.
Walk: January 3, 2013
TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY JANUARY 3, 2013.
WALK
DEFINITION:
To conduct one’s life in a particular manner; one’s usual mode of behavior; to advance by moving one’s feet; to wander about.
SCRIPTURE:
He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. I John 2:6.
Enoch walked with God, and then he was no more, because God took him away. Genesis 5:24.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
How will you live your life today? What will your walk be like? When we refer to your walk we refer to your words and deeds. Does what you do and say honor God and affirm your belief and faith in Him and in the saving grace of Jesus?
We read in the Bible about one man, named Enoch and it is said about him that “he walked with God.” The references to Enoch in the Bible are very brief. His name appears in only four verses.
The brief four word description, “he walked with God,” reveals Enoch to be a man who had an intimate relationship with God. These four words send a very powerful message as to the close relationship the Lord desires believers to have with Him. He desires that we walk with Him continually.
Enoch was very unique, even in his day. The Bible says that for 300 years Enoch put God first in his life. The Lord was preeminent in everything he did, in his thinking, in his ways, and in his walk. God was first in His devotion, first in his service and the only ONE that he worshipped. He was one of only two men who the scriptures say “walked with God.” The other man was Noah.
In the Bible we are given four examples as to how we are to walk with God that is relevant for us today.
First of all, we are told to walk with God consistently. Enoch walked with God consistently and without failing for 365 years and then God took him to heaven without experiencing physical death (Genesis 5:21-22). Elijah was the only other man that God took to heaven without experiencing physical death.
Secondly, we are to walk by faith. Enoch walked by faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:5-6). When we walk by faith we must believe, by faith, that God is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. God rewarded Enoch for his walk by not allowing him to experience death. All those who walk faithfully with God will be rewarded in heaven.
Thirdly, Micah writes that we are to walk humbly. Micah says that what the Lord requires of us is to love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8).
And finally, Amos writes that we are to walk in agreement with God. Amos writes asking the question, “Can two walk together, unless they are in agreement?”(Amos 3:3)
So what we have been reminded of in these verses is that as believers we are required to walk with God without failing, by faith, humbly and in agreement with God.
In our homes today there is very little discussion as to how we should walk with God. Young people, for the most part, have never been taught how to walk with God. Parents have failed and our churches have failed. And of course our schools, businesses, and political leaders will never teach this to our young people.
In order to walk with God, one must begin each day by reading the Bible so God can talk with us. And we must spend time praying. This is our communication with Him. By praying and reading the Bible daily God can teach us how to walk with Him and He will give us the faith we need to walk with Him. We all need to stop just living our daily lives on our own and begin walking with God and allow Him to guide our steps and control our thoughts.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 5:8.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
PRAYER:
Help me today to learn to walk with You just as Enoch walked with You. Give me wisdom to be an example to my family, friends and neighbors by the way I talk and act that You will be glorified through my life.
WALK
DEFINITION:
To conduct one’s life in a particular manner; one’s usual mode of behavior; to advance by moving one’s feet; to wander about.
SCRIPTURE:
He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. I John 2:6.
Enoch walked with God, and then he was no more, because God took him away. Genesis 5:24.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
How will you live your life today? What will your walk be like? When we refer to your walk we refer to your words and deeds. Does what you do and say honor God and affirm your belief and faith in Him and in the saving grace of Jesus?
We read in the Bible about one man, named Enoch and it is said about him that “he walked with God.” The references to Enoch in the Bible are very brief. His name appears in only four verses.
The brief four word description, “he walked with God,” reveals Enoch to be a man who had an intimate relationship with God. These four words send a very powerful message as to the close relationship the Lord desires believers to have with Him. He desires that we walk with Him continually.
Enoch was very unique, even in his day. The Bible says that for 300 years Enoch put God first in his life. The Lord was preeminent in everything he did, in his thinking, in his ways, and in his walk. God was first in His devotion, first in his service and the only ONE that he worshipped. He was one of only two men who the scriptures say “walked with God.” The other man was Noah.
In the Bible we are given four examples as to how we are to walk with God that is relevant for us today.
First of all, we are told to walk with God consistently. Enoch walked with God consistently and without failing for 365 years and then God took him to heaven without experiencing physical death (Genesis 5:21-22). Elijah was the only other man that God took to heaven without experiencing physical death.
Secondly, we are to walk by faith. Enoch walked by faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:5-6). When we walk by faith we must believe, by faith, that God is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. God rewarded Enoch for his walk by not allowing him to experience death. All those who walk faithfully with God will be rewarded in heaven.
Thirdly, Micah writes that we are to walk humbly. Micah says that what the Lord requires of us is to love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8).
And finally, Amos writes that we are to walk in agreement with God. Amos writes asking the question, “Can two walk together, unless they are in agreement?”(Amos 3:3)
So what we have been reminded of in these verses is that as believers we are required to walk with God without failing, by faith, humbly and in agreement with God.
In our homes today there is very little discussion as to how we should walk with God. Young people, for the most part, have never been taught how to walk with God. Parents have failed and our churches have failed. And of course our schools, businesses, and political leaders will never teach this to our young people.
In order to walk with God, one must begin each day by reading the Bible so God can talk with us. And we must spend time praying. This is our communication with Him. By praying and reading the Bible daily God can teach us how to walk with Him and He will give us the faith we need to walk with Him. We all need to stop just living our daily lives on our own and begin walking with God and allow Him to guide our steps and control our thoughts.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 5:8.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
PRAYER:
Help me today to learn to walk with You just as Enoch walked with You. Give me wisdom to be an example to my family, friends and neighbors by the way I talk and act that You will be glorified through my life.
Boastful: January 2, 2013
TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY JANUARY 2, 2013.
BOASTFUL
DEFINITION:
To speak with exaggeration and excessive pride especially about oneself; rejoice proudly; to speak up with excessive pride or vanity; bragging.
SCRIPTURE:
In God we boast all day long, and praise Your name forever. Psalm 44:8
This is what the Lord says: Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. For those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know Me and understand that I am the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Most of us have met or know someone who is always boasting about something he or she has attained or accomplished. We have seen the rich flaunt their riches, the powerful brag about their power and the educated boast of their knowledge. Boasting may give a person a boost to their ego but boasting is not a positive trait. Boasting tends to drive a wedge in a relationship.
Occasionally, we would hear one of our children boasting that they were better at something than another one of our children. This usually led to an argument about who really was best. We would often respond with something like, remember pride cometh before the fall.
I (Ken) remember some years ago a young man working in our warehouse at World Opportunities International. Constantly, day after day he was telling those he worked with and those from the inner city that came to our warehouse for food, story after story about some great accomplishment he had done the day before.
It did not take long for his peers and those that talked to him each day to find out that he was just a boaster and needed the attention. Most of the people we know who are boasters have very low self esteem and are very insecure.
The scripture tells us that we should not boast about ourselves and what we have done. There is only one way that we should boast and that is to boast about our relationship with Jesus and what He has done for us and through us as a result of His enabling power. People put a lot of value in riches, power, wisdom, knowledge, social status and appearance and they like to boast about them. These are all “things” that are temporary and can be taken away at any time. God does not value these “things” but what He does value is when we recognize that we know Him and love Him with all of our heart.
The opposite of a boasting person is a person who is humble. Humble people do not boast about themselves. They recognize that boasting is merely self-commendation. As believers we should seek the Lord’s commendation. It is the Lord’s commendation that matters. “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not the one that commends himself, who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” II Corinthians 10:17-18.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 5:8.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
PRAYER:
Give me a spirit of humility as I touch the lives of my peers. Help me to take advantage each moment of today of all that I have in Christ. Help me not to boast about anything I have done but to boast only about what Christ has done for me.
BOASTFUL
DEFINITION:
To speak with exaggeration and excessive pride especially about oneself; rejoice proudly; to speak up with excessive pride or vanity; bragging.
SCRIPTURE:
In God we boast all day long, and praise Your name forever. Psalm 44:8
This is what the Lord says: Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. For those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know Me and understand that I am the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Most of us have met or know someone who is always boasting about something he or she has attained or accomplished. We have seen the rich flaunt their riches, the powerful brag about their power and the educated boast of their knowledge. Boasting may give a person a boost to their ego but boasting is not a positive trait. Boasting tends to drive a wedge in a relationship.
Occasionally, we would hear one of our children boasting that they were better at something than another one of our children. This usually led to an argument about who really was best. We would often respond with something like, remember pride cometh before the fall.
I (Ken) remember some years ago a young man working in our warehouse at World Opportunities International. Constantly, day after day he was telling those he worked with and those from the inner city that came to our warehouse for food, story after story about some great accomplishment he had done the day before.
It did not take long for his peers and those that talked to him each day to find out that he was just a boaster and needed the attention. Most of the people we know who are boasters have very low self esteem and are very insecure.
The scripture tells us that we should not boast about ourselves and what we have done. There is only one way that we should boast and that is to boast about our relationship with Jesus and what He has done for us and through us as a result of His enabling power. People put a lot of value in riches, power, wisdom, knowledge, social status and appearance and they like to boast about them. These are all “things” that are temporary and can be taken away at any time. God does not value these “things” but what He does value is when we recognize that we know Him and love Him with all of our heart.
The opposite of a boasting person is a person who is humble. Humble people do not boast about themselves. They recognize that boasting is merely self-commendation. As believers we should seek the Lord’s commendation. It is the Lord’s commendation that matters. “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not the one that commends himself, who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” II Corinthians 10:17-18.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 5:8.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
PRAYER:
Give me a spirit of humility as I touch the lives of my peers. Help me to take advantage each moment of today of all that I have in Christ. Help me not to boast about anything I have done but to boast only about what Christ has done for me.
Expectation: January 1, 2013
TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY JANUARY 1, 2013.
EXPECTATION
DEFINITION:
Anticipation of an occurrence or the coming of something; hope for; anticipation.
SCRIPTURE:
My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. Psalms 62:5.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We begin a new year today and we want to begin by asking you, “What are your expectations for this New Year?” “What are you expecting with and from your family?” “What are you expecting spiritually to happen in your life?”
We can remember so many times when we have experienced expectation in our lives. Our first such experience together was the year prior to our wedding. We were busy planning and working and were 2000 miles apart but the expectation of our soon to be wedding grew day by day. Then the expectation of the birth of all six of our children was exciting. We experienced both quick births and long ordeals. In fact, Dottie was in the hospital for 10 days after our first child was born and we both experienced the possibility of even death. But God answered our prayers, as well as the prayers of many others, and the expectation that we anticipated before our son’s birth became a very positive reality.
An excellent example of EXPECTATION in our lives is the expectation we saw again this past Christmas in our children and grandchildren. Christmas has always been looked forward to with great expectation and excitement by our family and it was no different several weeks ago. It is not only the exchanging of gifts, the eating of a wonderful meal but also the annual Christmas pageant of Jesus’ birth that the grand-children presented. It was a wonderful time of being with our family but most important it was a time for us to remember the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ.
There are exciting expectations and sad expectations in life. When you have people around you that you love like spouses, parents, children, grandparents and extended families then almost every day brings on new expectations --- some happy and some sad. As the Psalmist says, in the above verse, the toughest part of expectation is the waiting.
Waiting on the Lord for His answers is very difficult at times. For Ken patience is not one of his great attributes. Together over the years, we have asked God for direction and guidance with the expectation of an immediate answer. But sometimes God made us wait and this was very difficult. Perhaps the Lord saw that He needed to teach us patience or to better prepare our hearts for something. We have had to learn how important it is in God’s sight for us to wait for His perfect timing. For us, waiting has always allowed God to do something better through our lives. The challenges that come with waiting may have been greater but the victories have been wonderful.
It is the believer’s privilege to say that my expectation is from Him (God). When we look to God for the supply of our wants, whether it is temporal or spiritual, our expectation will not be in vain. We can look at our bank in heaven and receive our needs out of the riches of God’s loving kindness. Our bank account with God can never be overdrawn.
Our Lord never fails to answer His promises and when we bring them to His throne through prayer, He never sends them back unanswered. Our problem is that we forget to recognize that when God answers He sometimes says “yes,” sometimes “no,” and sometimes “wait.” Therefore we need to learn to wait at His door and He will open the door according to His will.
Our greatest expectation in life is the expectation that we will spend eternity with our Lord because we believe in Him. When that day comes, do you expect as you approach the heavenly gate to see the door open and hear the welcome invitation to come in to the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world? Do you expect harps of gold and crowns of glory? Yes, one day we will see Him as He is. What are your expectations as we begin a New Year? We are waiting, excited and have great expectations of what God has for us not only here on this earth but in eternity.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 5:8.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
PRAYER:
Thank You for the greatest expectation that You have given us as believers in You, the wonderful and marvelous expectation of spending eternity with You. Help me to honor Your name by doing what You want me to do as we begin this New Year. Help me to learn more about You by reading Your Word and listening to what You say through Your Word. Help me also to communicate with You through prayer with expectation knowing that You will answer my prayers in Your perfect timing.
EXPECTATION
DEFINITION:
Anticipation of an occurrence or the coming of something; hope for; anticipation.
SCRIPTURE:
My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. Psalms 62:5.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We begin a new year today and we want to begin by asking you, “What are your expectations for this New Year?” “What are you expecting with and from your family?” “What are you expecting spiritually to happen in your life?”
We can remember so many times when we have experienced expectation in our lives. Our first such experience together was the year prior to our wedding. We were busy planning and working and were 2000 miles apart but the expectation of our soon to be wedding grew day by day. Then the expectation of the birth of all six of our children was exciting. We experienced both quick births and long ordeals. In fact, Dottie was in the hospital for 10 days after our first child was born and we both experienced the possibility of even death. But God answered our prayers, as well as the prayers of many others, and the expectation that we anticipated before our son’s birth became a very positive reality.
An excellent example of EXPECTATION in our lives is the expectation we saw again this past Christmas in our children and grandchildren. Christmas has always been looked forward to with great expectation and excitement by our family and it was no different several weeks ago. It is not only the exchanging of gifts, the eating of a wonderful meal but also the annual Christmas pageant of Jesus’ birth that the grand-children presented. It was a wonderful time of being with our family but most important it was a time for us to remember the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ.
There are exciting expectations and sad expectations in life. When you have people around you that you love like spouses, parents, children, grandparents and extended families then almost every day brings on new expectations --- some happy and some sad. As the Psalmist says, in the above verse, the toughest part of expectation is the waiting.
Waiting on the Lord for His answers is very difficult at times. For Ken patience is not one of his great attributes. Together over the years, we have asked God for direction and guidance with the expectation of an immediate answer. But sometimes God made us wait and this was very difficult. Perhaps the Lord saw that He needed to teach us patience or to better prepare our hearts for something. We have had to learn how important it is in God’s sight for us to wait for His perfect timing. For us, waiting has always allowed God to do something better through our lives. The challenges that come with waiting may have been greater but the victories have been wonderful.
It is the believer’s privilege to say that my expectation is from Him (God). When we look to God for the supply of our wants, whether it is temporal or spiritual, our expectation will not be in vain. We can look at our bank in heaven and receive our needs out of the riches of God’s loving kindness. Our bank account with God can never be overdrawn.
Our Lord never fails to answer His promises and when we bring them to His throne through prayer, He never sends them back unanswered. Our problem is that we forget to recognize that when God answers He sometimes says “yes,” sometimes “no,” and sometimes “wait.” Therefore we need to learn to wait at His door and He will open the door according to His will.
Our greatest expectation in life is the expectation that we will spend eternity with our Lord because we believe in Him. When that day comes, do you expect as you approach the heavenly gate to see the door open and hear the welcome invitation to come in to the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world? Do you expect harps of gold and crowns of glory? Yes, one day we will see Him as He is. What are your expectations as we begin a New Year? We are waiting, excited and have great expectations of what God has for us not only here on this earth but in eternity.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 5:8.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
PRAYER:
Thank You for the greatest expectation that You have given us as believers in You, the wonderful and marvelous expectation of spending eternity with You. Help me to honor Your name by doing what You want me to do as we begin this New Year. Help me to learn more about You by reading Your Word and listening to what You say through Your Word. Help me also to communicate with You through prayer with expectation knowing that You will answer my prayers in Your perfect timing.
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