Monday, September 3, 2012
Aireonna & Journey Dunbar Slideshow Slideshow
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Monday, May 21, 2012
Anger (A True Story)
Anger. What does it mean? It means a strong feeling of displeasure or hostility. I know all too well about anger. I get angry more than I care to think about. I get angry when my kids don't do their chores, when I have to work 8 days straight, when I don't have enough money for something that I want, and especially when people test my patience. For example, last night while I was at work, a young man wanted to buy some cigarillos. I sold them to him and he was about 6 cents short. He told me that he was going to his car to get the change and that he would be right back. That was fine with me. I wasn't sweating the change. When he comes back to the window, I was helping another customer, so he throws a dime at me. He really threw a dime at me! I was like, "Oh no this nigga didn't just throw a dime at me!" I was ready to go off on him like nobody's business, but instead I kept my mouth shut. It killed me a little inside to do that. I wanted to tear into his behind and just shred him. But I chilled. I started thinking... WWGD? What would God do? He wouldn't go off on someone all kind of ways. That isn't what He does. So, I just continued doing my job. I know some people think that was a punk move on my part. But I am slowly, very slowly, learning that sometimes it's best to keep your mouth shut and keep it moving. God does not want us to be angry with each other or to seek revenge when we feel we have been slighted. We are to leave those matters up to Him. He will do what is right by us if we just trust and believe in Him. It isn't easy though. I have to stop myself every single day from going off on people. I know I have a nasty temper. I am stubborn and I always have to let you know how I feel. Now, I'm not saying to just let people walk all over you. I'm saying that we don't always have to be on the defensive. I have to learn to choose my battles wisely. Some things just aren't as important as we think they are. We need to be slow to speak and slow to anger. Let God deal with our battles. Like I said before, it's not an easy thing to do. But, it is the right thing to do. With God's help and His mercy, I will be able to conquer that weakness. The weakness of always having to give you the business. I know everyone gets angry at some point in their lives, but let God handle things for you. Listening and obeying His word will help rid us of all the unnecessary stress in our lives. Let's all try to lead the kind of life that He wants us to. God bless you all.
(James 1:19-20) My dear brothers and sisters, always be willing to listen and slow to speak. Do not become angry easily, because anger will not help you live the right kind of life God wants.
(Ephesians 4:26-27) When you are angry, do not sin, and be sure to stop being angry before the end of the day. Do not give the devil a way to defeat you.
(Proverbs 12:16) Fools quickly show that they are upset, but the wise ignore insults.
(Romans 12:19) My friends, do not try to punish others when they wrong you, but wait for God to punish them with his anger. It is written: "I will punish those who do wrong; I will repay them," says the Lord.
(Colossians 3:8) But now also put these things out of your life: anger, bad temper, doing or saying things to hurt others, and using evil words when you talk.
(James 1:19-20) My dear brothers and sisters, always be willing to listen and slow to speak. Do not become angry easily, because anger will not help you live the right kind of life God wants.
(Ephesians 4:26-27) When you are angry, do not sin, and be sure to stop being angry before the end of the day. Do not give the devil a way to defeat you.
(Proverbs 12:16) Fools quickly show that they are upset, but the wise ignore insults.
(Romans 12:19) My friends, do not try to punish others when they wrong you, but wait for God to punish them with his anger. It is written: "I will punish those who do wrong; I will repay them," says the Lord.
(Colossians 3:8) But now also put these things out of your life: anger, bad temper, doing or saying things to hurt others, and using evil words when you talk.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
A Discerning Heart
Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 3:5-15
Key Verse: 1 Kings 3:9
I ask that you give me an obedient heart so I can rule the people in the right way and will
know the difference between right and wrong. Otherwise, it is impossible to rule this great
people of yours.
An English theologian tells the story of a young man who went to college. When he had been there a year his father asked him, "What do you know? Do you know more then when you went?" "Oh, yes!" he replied, "I do."
Then he went the second year, and was asked the same question: "Do you know more than when you went?" "Oh, no!" he replied; "I know a great deal less." "Well," said the father, "you're making progress."
Then he went the third year,and was asked, "What do you know now?" "Oh!" he replied, "I don't think I know anything." "That's right," said his father; "you have now learned to profit, since you say you know nothing."
He who is convinced that he knows nothing of himself as he ought to know gives up steering his ship and lets God put his hand on the rudder. He lays aside his own wisdom and cries out, "O God, my little wisdom is cast at Your feet; my little judgement is given to You."
Solomon must have been similar to this young college student, sor he too knew the wisdom of being humble when it came to leading the people he had inherited from his father, King David. In his dream from today's passage, God asked Solomon, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." Solomon in all his youth (about 20 years of age) declared with great wisdom, "Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
What a great declaration to know that by his own power he wasn't qualified to lead and to govern his people! He also wanted to know right from wrong.
Mom and Dad, do you hear the simple humility of such a great man of God? If he didn't feel confident in that task, is it any wonder that sometimes we are dismayed at trying to lead our children properly? If Solomon could so humbly face God and ask Him such a simple request, why should we feel at a loss when we too feel helpless?
As parents we need to be up front when it comes to asking for discernment from God. Notice also that Solomon started his request with this statement about himself: "So give your servant...." We need to approach God as a servant, one who realizes that only through the power and guidance from God can he do anything. We aren't capable under our own strength.
We have a very big God. He is bigger than anything in our past, anything in the future, and bigger than anything in our present. Yes, we indeed serve a very big God.
As long as we are in God's will, He will give us far more than we have asked for in our prayers. Oh, to have that kind of faith! We can be assured that God loves us so much that He will more than meet our every provision!
Key Verse: 1 Kings 3:9
I ask that you give me an obedient heart so I can rule the people in the right way and will
know the difference between right and wrong. Otherwise, it is impossible to rule this great
people of yours.
An English theologian tells the story of a young man who went to college. When he had been there a year his father asked him, "What do you know? Do you know more then when you went?" "Oh, yes!" he replied, "I do."
Then he went the second year, and was asked the same question: "Do you know more than when you went?" "Oh, no!" he replied; "I know a great deal less." "Well," said the father, "you're making progress."
Then he went the third year,and was asked, "What do you know now?" "Oh!" he replied, "I don't think I know anything." "That's right," said his father; "you have now learned to profit, since you say you know nothing."
He who is convinced that he knows nothing of himself as he ought to know gives up steering his ship and lets God put his hand on the rudder. He lays aside his own wisdom and cries out, "O God, my little wisdom is cast at Your feet; my little judgement is given to You."
Solomon must have been similar to this young college student, sor he too knew the wisdom of being humble when it came to leading the people he had inherited from his father, King David. In his dream from today's passage, God asked Solomon, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." Solomon in all his youth (about 20 years of age) declared with great wisdom, "Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
What a great declaration to know that by his own power he wasn't qualified to lead and to govern his people! He also wanted to know right from wrong.
Mom and Dad, do you hear the simple humility of such a great man of God? If he didn't feel confident in that task, is it any wonder that sometimes we are dismayed at trying to lead our children properly? If Solomon could so humbly face God and ask Him such a simple request, why should we feel at a loss when we too feel helpless?
As parents we need to be up front when it comes to asking for discernment from God. Notice also that Solomon started his request with this statement about himself: "So give your servant...." We need to approach God as a servant, one who realizes that only through the power and guidance from God can he do anything. We aren't capable under our own strength.
We have a very big God. He is bigger than anything in our past, anything in the future, and bigger than anything in our present. Yes, we indeed serve a very big God.
As long as we are in God's will, He will give us far more than we have asked for in our prayers. Oh, to have that kind of faith! We can be assured that God loves us so much that He will more than meet our every provision!
Monday, April 16, 2012
Happiness Is...
Scripture Reading: Psalm 1:1-6
Key Verses: Psalm 1:1-3
Happy are those who don't listen to the wicked,
who don't go where sinners go,
who don't do what evil people do.
They love the LORD's teachings,
and they think about those teachings day and night.
They are strong, like a tree planted by a river.
The tree produces fruit in season,
and its leaves don't die.
Everything they do will succeed.
Eight men were once traveling together, and each related his experience in reply to the question "Are you fully happy?" A banker said he had acquired a fortune, which was invested securely; he had a lovely and devoted family, yet the thought that he must leave them all forever cast a funeral pall over the declining years of his life.
A military officer said he had known glory and the intoxication of triumph; but after the battle he passed over the field and found a brother officer dying. He tried to relieve him, but the dying man said, "Thank you, but it's too late. We must all die; think about it, think about it." This scene gripped the officer, and he could find no deliverance from it. So he confessed his unhappiness.
A diplomat spoke of the honors and gratitude showered upon him during a long and successful career, yet confessed an emptiness of the heart, a secret malady which all his honors could not cure.
A poet told of the pleasures he enjoyed with the muses; of the applause of the people; of his fame, which he was assured was immortal. But, dissatisfied, he cried out, "What is such an immortality?" and declared his unsatisfied longing for a higher immortality.
A man of the world said that his effort had been to laugh at everything-to look at the bright side of things and be happy; to find pleasure in the ballroom, theater, and other amusements; yet he confessed that he was sometimes sad, and was far from perfectly happy.
A lawyer said he had health, wealth, reputation, and a good marriage, and that during his career he longed for just what he now possessed; but he did not find the expected enjoyment in it, and contentment was not his heritage. His hours were long and his existence monotonous; he was not fully happy.
A religious professor, a ritualist, professed his strict adherence to the doctrines of the gospel and his punctual performance of religious duties, without being happy at all.
A Christian physician related his vain search for happiness in the world and in his profession; but then he had been led by Scripture to see himself a sinner and to look to Christ as his Savior. Since that time he found peace, contentment, and joy, and had no fear of the end, which to him was only the beginning.
One of the true quests of life is learning how to be happy. Everywhere we look, people are searching for their happiness by the job they have, the homes they live in, the toys they play with, the food they eat, and the vacations they take. At the end of each of these things we are supposed to find this magic thing called happiness. But to our amazement, when we finally arrive at this great destination we often find that happiness has moved and left no forwarding address. A poet once said, "Happiness is much more equally divided than some of us imagine. One man shall possess most of the materials but little of the thing; another man possesses much of the thing but very few of the materials." This tension is one of life's greatest struggles: How do we balance between things and happiness? In today's passage we concentrate on three areas of this profile:
* What to avoid
* What to concentrate on
* What a happy person is like
What to Avoid
David warns us not to take advice from the wrong people. Paul likewise in Romans 3:4 states, "No! God will continue to be true even when every person is false. As the Scriptures say: "So you will be shown to be right when you speak, and you will win your case." The world system is trying to whittle away at our value system and make us conform to the world's way of thinking. Be true to yourself and seek wise counsel. This passage also tells us not to go along with what sinners do or to hang around those who criticize and make fun of others. The bottom line is to have quality friends-friends that have good character qualities and can provide good wisdom in their speech.
What to Concentrate On
Psalm 1:2 says we are to delight in the law of the Lord and to meditate on His law day and night. Concentration is one area of life that we have difficulty accomplishing. We have become so brainwashed by our media that all episodes of life are narrowed to a 30-minute time slot. Our evening news readers give sound bites to the event, usually highlighting those bites to reinforce the political persuasion of the station. Two areas of emphasis are to delight and meditate. Do we find ourselves going to Scripture with delight, and are we able to chew on it all day long? If we would approach Scripture each day in this way we would see wonderful changes take place in our lives. Our families would be changed, along with our churches, communities, and nation.
What a Happy Person is like
David writes in verse three that our lives can become like a tree that is firmly planted in a place where there is a lot of water and that has leaves which stay fresh and green even in the heat and fruit which grows abundantly.
What kind of tree are you today?
* I'm a young tree, growing but not really established.
* My leaves tend to dry up in times of heat and stress.
* I'm a tree with no leaves and no fruit.
* I thought my roots were pretty deep but a recent storm nearly blew me over.
* I'm seeing more and more good fruit appear in my life,
* I wish I had more leaves to protect people from the heat.
* I'm a tree that's just a little too far away from the water, feeling a little dry.
The Christian doctor in the opening story shared that he had been led by Scripture to see himself as a sinner and to look to Christ as his Savior, since that time he has found peace, contentment, and joy, and had no fear of the end, which to him was but the beginning.
Key Verses: Psalm 1:1-3
Happy are those who don't listen to the wicked,
who don't go where sinners go,
who don't do what evil people do.
They love the LORD's teachings,
and they think about those teachings day and night.
They are strong, like a tree planted by a river.
The tree produces fruit in season,
and its leaves don't die.
Everything they do will succeed.
Eight men were once traveling together, and each related his experience in reply to the question "Are you fully happy?" A banker said he had acquired a fortune, which was invested securely; he had a lovely and devoted family, yet the thought that he must leave them all forever cast a funeral pall over the declining years of his life.
A military officer said he had known glory and the intoxication of triumph; but after the battle he passed over the field and found a brother officer dying. He tried to relieve him, but the dying man said, "Thank you, but it's too late. We must all die; think about it, think about it." This scene gripped the officer, and he could find no deliverance from it. So he confessed his unhappiness.
A diplomat spoke of the honors and gratitude showered upon him during a long and successful career, yet confessed an emptiness of the heart, a secret malady which all his honors could not cure.
A poet told of the pleasures he enjoyed with the muses; of the applause of the people; of his fame, which he was assured was immortal. But, dissatisfied, he cried out, "What is such an immortality?" and declared his unsatisfied longing for a higher immortality.
A man of the world said that his effort had been to laugh at everything-to look at the bright side of things and be happy; to find pleasure in the ballroom, theater, and other amusements; yet he confessed that he was sometimes sad, and was far from perfectly happy.
A lawyer said he had health, wealth, reputation, and a good marriage, and that during his career he longed for just what he now possessed; but he did not find the expected enjoyment in it, and contentment was not his heritage. His hours were long and his existence monotonous; he was not fully happy.
A religious professor, a ritualist, professed his strict adherence to the doctrines of the gospel and his punctual performance of religious duties, without being happy at all.
A Christian physician related his vain search for happiness in the world and in his profession; but then he had been led by Scripture to see himself a sinner and to look to Christ as his Savior. Since that time he found peace, contentment, and joy, and had no fear of the end, which to him was only the beginning.
One of the true quests of life is learning how to be happy. Everywhere we look, people are searching for their happiness by the job they have, the homes they live in, the toys they play with, the food they eat, and the vacations they take. At the end of each of these things we are supposed to find this magic thing called happiness. But to our amazement, when we finally arrive at this great destination we often find that happiness has moved and left no forwarding address. A poet once said, "Happiness is much more equally divided than some of us imagine. One man shall possess most of the materials but little of the thing; another man possesses much of the thing but very few of the materials." This tension is one of life's greatest struggles: How do we balance between things and happiness? In today's passage we concentrate on three areas of this profile:
* What to avoid
* What to concentrate on
* What a happy person is like
What to Avoid
David warns us not to take advice from the wrong people. Paul likewise in Romans 3:4 states, "No! God will continue to be true even when every person is false. As the Scriptures say: "So you will be shown to be right when you speak, and you will win your case." The world system is trying to whittle away at our value system and make us conform to the world's way of thinking. Be true to yourself and seek wise counsel. This passage also tells us not to go along with what sinners do or to hang around those who criticize and make fun of others. The bottom line is to have quality friends-friends that have good character qualities and can provide good wisdom in their speech.
What to Concentrate On
Psalm 1:2 says we are to delight in the law of the Lord and to meditate on His law day and night. Concentration is one area of life that we have difficulty accomplishing. We have become so brainwashed by our media that all episodes of life are narrowed to a 30-minute time slot. Our evening news readers give sound bites to the event, usually highlighting those bites to reinforce the political persuasion of the station. Two areas of emphasis are to delight and meditate. Do we find ourselves going to Scripture with delight, and are we able to chew on it all day long? If we would approach Scripture each day in this way we would see wonderful changes take place in our lives. Our families would be changed, along with our churches, communities, and nation.
What a Happy Person is like
David writes in verse three that our lives can become like a tree that is firmly planted in a place where there is a lot of water and that has leaves which stay fresh and green even in the heat and fruit which grows abundantly.
What kind of tree are you today?
* I'm a young tree, growing but not really established.
* My leaves tend to dry up in times of heat and stress.
* I'm a tree with no leaves and no fruit.
* I thought my roots were pretty deep but a recent storm nearly blew me over.
* I'm seeing more and more good fruit appear in my life,
* I wish I had more leaves to protect people from the heat.
* I'm a tree that's just a little too far away from the water, feeling a little dry.
The Christian doctor in the opening story shared that he had been led by Scripture to see himself as a sinner and to look to Christ as his Savior, since that time he has found peace, contentment, and joy, and had no fear of the end, which to him was but the beginning.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Not Yet
Scripture Reading: James 1:2-12
Key Verses: James 1:2-4
My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because
you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. Let your patience show
itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you
need.
There was a couple who used to go to England to shop in the beautiful stores. This was their 25th wedding anniversary. They both liked antiques and pottery and especially teacups. One day in this beautiful shop they saw a beautiful teacup. They said, "May we see that? We've never seen one quite so beautiful." As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke. "You don't understand," it said. "I haven't always been a teacup. There was a time when I was red and I was clay. My master took me and rolled me and patted me over and over and I yelled out, 'Let me alone,' but he only smiled, 'Not yet.' "Then I was placed on a spinning wheel," the teacup said, "and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. "Stop it! I'm getting dizzy!' I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, "Not yet.' "then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I wondered why he wanted to burn me, and I yelled, and I knocked at the door. I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as he shook his head , "Not yet.' "Then suddenly he put me back into the oven, not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried. All the time I could see him through the opening nodding his head, saying, 'Not yet.' "Then I knew there wasn't any hope. I would never make it. I was ready to give up. But then the door opened and he took me out and placed me on the shelf. One hour later he handed me a mirror and said, "Look at yourself.' And I did. I said, 'That's not me; that couldn't be me. It's beautiful. I'm beautiful.' " 'I want you to remember, then, ' he said, 'I know it hurt to be rolled and patted, but if I just left you, you'd have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I know it hurt and it was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked. I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if i hadn't done that, you never would have hardened. You would not have had any color in your life, and if I hadn't put you back in that second oven, you wouldn't survive for very long because the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. You are what I had in mind when I first began with you.' "
As Christians we will face many adversities in life. Trials that will attempt to split up our relationships, separate us from our children, our in-laws, our churches, and even our businesses. That's life! Some of us are in the oven screaming, hollering, kicking on the door, and yelling. Some of us are in the glaze stage and are getting our final paint job. The fumes and stench are bothering us and making our heads go in circles. A few of us are going round and round on the spinning wheel. We are disoriented and just want off. It's got to stop someday, so we figure it might as well be today. Everything is a mess, and God keeps saying, "Not yet, not yet." How much do you trust God with your life? Do you have a big box or a little box for Him?
Reading On: 1 Corinthians 10:13; Romans 8:28; Romans 4:20-21; John 10:10
Key Verses: James 1:2-4
My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because
you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. Let your patience show
itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you
need.
There was a couple who used to go to England to shop in the beautiful stores. This was their 25th wedding anniversary. They both liked antiques and pottery and especially teacups. One day in this beautiful shop they saw a beautiful teacup. They said, "May we see that? We've never seen one quite so beautiful." As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke. "You don't understand," it said. "I haven't always been a teacup. There was a time when I was red and I was clay. My master took me and rolled me and patted me over and over and I yelled out, 'Let me alone,' but he only smiled, 'Not yet.' "Then I was placed on a spinning wheel," the teacup said, "and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. "Stop it! I'm getting dizzy!' I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, "Not yet.' "then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I wondered why he wanted to burn me, and I yelled, and I knocked at the door. I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as he shook his head , "Not yet.' "Then suddenly he put me back into the oven, not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried. All the time I could see him through the opening nodding his head, saying, 'Not yet.' "Then I knew there wasn't any hope. I would never make it. I was ready to give up. But then the door opened and he took me out and placed me on the shelf. One hour later he handed me a mirror and said, "Look at yourself.' And I did. I said, 'That's not me; that couldn't be me. It's beautiful. I'm beautiful.' " 'I want you to remember, then, ' he said, 'I know it hurt to be rolled and patted, but if I just left you, you'd have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I know it hurt and it was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked. I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if i hadn't done that, you never would have hardened. You would not have had any color in your life, and if I hadn't put you back in that second oven, you wouldn't survive for very long because the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. You are what I had in mind when I first began with you.' "
As Christians we will face many adversities in life. Trials that will attempt to split up our relationships, separate us from our children, our in-laws, our churches, and even our businesses. That's life! Some of us are in the oven screaming, hollering, kicking on the door, and yelling. Some of us are in the glaze stage and are getting our final paint job. The fumes and stench are bothering us and making our heads go in circles. A few of us are going round and round on the spinning wheel. We are disoriented and just want off. It's got to stop someday, so we figure it might as well be today. Everything is a mess, and God keeps saying, "Not yet, not yet." How much do you trust God with your life? Do you have a big box or a little box for Him?
Reading On: 1 Corinthians 10:13; Romans 8:28; Romans 4:20-21; John 10:10
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Have You Read The Book
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 3:10-17
Key Verse: 2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is given by God and is useful for teaching, for showing people what is wrong in their
lives, for correcting faults, and for teaching how to live right.
In 1835 Harvard scholar Richard Henry Dana took time off from his studies and went to sea for his health. It almost broke him. From his experiences he wrote Two Years Before the Mast, the first account of life at sea written from the perspective of a common seaman. It was a very hard life, often dangerous, usually uncomfortable, the food unchanging, and human contact sparse. Working the West Coast collecting hides (for shoes in the East), Dana wrote, "Here we were, in a little vessel, with a small crew, on a half-civilized coast, at the ends of the earth...." He was in Santa Barbara, California. To make matters worse, the captain was hard to deal with. Punishing a small infraction with brutal whipping was not beyond him. On ship there was no other law, no redress, no way out. It was these kinds of experiences that caused Dana to vow, were he ever to get back to America (California was still part of Mexico), that he would dedicate himself to lighten the sufferings of this poor class of people, one of which he had become. In fact that is what happened. Dana later took up maritime law and saw through some significant changes. Since then Dana has been pretty much forgotten. There is a town by his name along the California coast, with his statue, a replica of his ship, and curiosities for tourists. But if people haven't read his book then they don't know his story-and most haven't. In a way there's a parallel between what Dana did for seamen and what The Lord did for all of us. He came and identified with the poor, working, suffering, and dedicating himself to the solution of our pains. In the years since then statues have been erected and memorabilia have been sold, but a great many people still don't know much about our Lord. Most have not read His book.
Sometimes we have insurance, credit cards, and membership policies that grant us privileges we know nothing about, because we haven't taken the time to read all the benefits we have through being a member in good standing of a certain organization. That's the way it is with the Bible. We miss out on some great blessings because we haven't taken the time to read the Book.
Here are a few blessings to consider:
* "God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not
be lost, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
* But to all who did accept him and believe in him he gave the right to become children of God.
(John 1:12)
* Being kind to the poor is like lending to the LORD; he will reward you for what you have done.
(Proverbs 19:17)
* He gives strength to those who are tired and more power to those who are weak.
(Isaiah 40:29)
* But the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control. There is no law that says these things are wrong. (Galatians 5:22)
* Whoever respects the LORD will have a long life, but the life of an evil person will be cut short.
(Proverbs 10:27)
Don't let another day go by in your Christian walk without taking the time to discover at least one new promise for the day. A good beginning is reading the books of Psalms and Proverbs. Each verse
Key Verse: 2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is given by God and is useful for teaching, for showing people what is wrong in their
lives, for correcting faults, and for teaching how to live right.
In 1835 Harvard scholar Richard Henry Dana took time off from his studies and went to sea for his health. It almost broke him. From his experiences he wrote Two Years Before the Mast, the first account of life at sea written from the perspective of a common seaman. It was a very hard life, often dangerous, usually uncomfortable, the food unchanging, and human contact sparse. Working the West Coast collecting hides (for shoes in the East), Dana wrote, "Here we were, in a little vessel, with a small crew, on a half-civilized coast, at the ends of the earth...." He was in Santa Barbara, California. To make matters worse, the captain was hard to deal with. Punishing a small infraction with brutal whipping was not beyond him. On ship there was no other law, no redress, no way out. It was these kinds of experiences that caused Dana to vow, were he ever to get back to America (California was still part of Mexico), that he would dedicate himself to lighten the sufferings of this poor class of people, one of which he had become. In fact that is what happened. Dana later took up maritime law and saw through some significant changes. Since then Dana has been pretty much forgotten. There is a town by his name along the California coast, with his statue, a replica of his ship, and curiosities for tourists. But if people haven't read his book then they don't know his story-and most haven't. In a way there's a parallel between what Dana did for seamen and what The Lord did for all of us. He came and identified with the poor, working, suffering, and dedicating himself to the solution of our pains. In the years since then statues have been erected and memorabilia have been sold, but a great many people still don't know much about our Lord. Most have not read His book.
Sometimes we have insurance, credit cards, and membership policies that grant us privileges we know nothing about, because we haven't taken the time to read all the benefits we have through being a member in good standing of a certain organization. That's the way it is with the Bible. We miss out on some great blessings because we haven't taken the time to read the Book.
Here are a few blessings to consider:
* "God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not
be lost, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
* But to all who did accept him and believe in him he gave the right to become children of God.
(John 1:12)
* Being kind to the poor is like lending to the LORD; he will reward you for what you have done.
(Proverbs 19:17)
* He gives strength to those who are tired and more power to those who are weak.
(Isaiah 40:29)
* But the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control. There is no law that says these things are wrong. (Galatians 5:22)
* Whoever respects the LORD will have a long life, but the life of an evil person will be cut short.
(Proverbs 10:27)
Don't let another day go by in your Christian walk without taking the time to discover at least one new promise for the day. A good beginning is reading the books of Psalms and Proverbs. Each verse
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Just Keep On Pedaling
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 3:1-8
Key Verses: Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways
acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like the President. I knew He was out there, but I didn't really know Him. But later on when I recognized God, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that God was in the back helping me to pedal. I don't know when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since. Life without God, that is. God makes life exciting! When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, through rocky places, and at breakneck speeds! It was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, He said, "Pedal!" I was worried and anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer. I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I'd say "I'm scared," He would lean back and touch my hand. He took me to people with gifts that I needed- the gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey- our journey, God's and mine. And we were off again. He said, "Give the gifts away. They're extra baggage, too much weight." So I did, to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light. I did not trust Him in control of my life at first. I thought He would wreck it. But He knows bike secrets. Hahaha. He knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, jump to clear high rocks, fly to shorten scary passages. And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, God. And when I'm sure I just cannot do any more, He smiles and says, "Pedal!"
When some people say, "Oh, life is so boring I don't even want to get up in the morning," we can't comprehend that kind of travel. We find life so exciting that our feet bound out of bed each day anticipating what God has in store for us. Each day is a real adventure. Many days God just says, "Come along and trust me." It would be nice to know every detail, what lies beyond each ridge and what's around each of the corners of life, but God very patiently says, "Just trust me. You do the pedaling and I will do the leading." Our reply is often, "Are you sure that You know the way? What if you make a mistake in my life? But, God, I have never been this way before. What if...." The dialogue can go on for hours,days, months, but eventually we arrive to the point where we say, "God, You lead and I'll keep on pedaling." As the key verse says today, we are to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not on our own understanding. That's so hard to do if we're not used to turning over our lives to Someone who is bigger than us. Just relax and let God be all that He says He is- TRUSTWORTHY.
Key Verses: Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways
acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like the President. I knew He was out there, but I didn't really know Him. But later on when I recognized God, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that God was in the back helping me to pedal. I don't know when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since. Life without God, that is. God makes life exciting! When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, through rocky places, and at breakneck speeds! It was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, He said, "Pedal!" I was worried and anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer. I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I'd say "I'm scared," He would lean back and touch my hand. He took me to people with gifts that I needed- the gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey- our journey, God's and mine. And we were off again. He said, "Give the gifts away. They're extra baggage, too much weight." So I did, to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light. I did not trust Him in control of my life at first. I thought He would wreck it. But He knows bike secrets. Hahaha. He knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, jump to clear high rocks, fly to shorten scary passages. And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, God. And when I'm sure I just cannot do any more, He smiles and says, "Pedal!"
When some people say, "Oh, life is so boring I don't even want to get up in the morning," we can't comprehend that kind of travel. We find life so exciting that our feet bound out of bed each day anticipating what God has in store for us. Each day is a real adventure. Many days God just says, "Come along and trust me." It would be nice to know every detail, what lies beyond each ridge and what's around each of the corners of life, but God very patiently says, "Just trust me. You do the pedaling and I will do the leading." Our reply is often, "Are you sure that You know the way? What if you make a mistake in my life? But, God, I have never been this way before. What if...." The dialogue can go on for hours,days, months, but eventually we arrive to the point where we say, "God, You lead and I'll keep on pedaling." As the key verse says today, we are to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not on our own understanding. That's so hard to do if we're not used to turning over our lives to Someone who is bigger than us. Just relax and let God be all that He says He is- TRUSTWORTHY.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
The Stability of Your Life
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 33:1-12
Key Verse: He will be your safety. He is full of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. Respect for the LORD is the greatest treasure.
At this point in my life I am facing many changes in many respects, and if I didn't know the Lord and if I didn't know that He establishes and directs my steps, I could be shaken by some of what I see happening around me. As I was thanking Him just a few days ago for the fact that I know He is the same yesterday, today, and forever and that although circumstances and relationships may change, He never changes nor forsakes me. He brought a verse to my mind that I have known over the years. Through this verse He also brought comfort to me for these changing times I am in. The verse is Isaiah 33:6: "He will be your safety." Isn't it a comfort to know truths that confirm His faithfulness to us, and then in addition to realize that He is our stability! The word stability means the strength to stand or endure; firmness; the property of a body that causes it, when disturbed from a condition of equilibrium, to develop forces that restore the original condition. What a promise! When we may feel shaken, He is firm and stands and endures for us! He is that which will always restore us to a condition of equilibrium, no matter what! If you are not now in a situation in which changing circumstances are a factor, then you may not fully appreciate what this promise has meant to me these last few days, but you know a time will come when changes will be a factor, and, as I said earlier, then you will want to embrace this truth. It will hold you with hope and confidence in a state of changes! Even though our stability is shaken in the present, He promises that He will always be the same- never wavering. Changes become a factor in all of our lives. If not today, then surely tomorrow or the next day. Isn't it wonderful to know that when changes come we can go to God's Word to find the strength to see us through another situation! Let's not wait for the storm to seek verses that comfort and direct, but let's be prepared when these days appear on the horizon (and they surely will) and have these fantastic truths in our memory bank.
Reading On: Psalm 37:23; Proverbs 16:9; Hebrews 13:8; Psalm 42:11
Key Verse: He will be your safety. He is full of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. Respect for the LORD is the greatest treasure.
At this point in my life I am facing many changes in many respects, and if I didn't know the Lord and if I didn't know that He establishes and directs my steps, I could be shaken by some of what I see happening around me. As I was thanking Him just a few days ago for the fact that I know He is the same yesterday, today, and forever and that although circumstances and relationships may change, He never changes nor forsakes me. He brought a verse to my mind that I have known over the years. Through this verse He also brought comfort to me for these changing times I am in. The verse is Isaiah 33:6: "He will be your safety." Isn't it a comfort to know truths that confirm His faithfulness to us, and then in addition to realize that He is our stability! The word stability means the strength to stand or endure; firmness; the property of a body that causes it, when disturbed from a condition of equilibrium, to develop forces that restore the original condition. What a promise! When we may feel shaken, He is firm and stands and endures for us! He is that which will always restore us to a condition of equilibrium, no matter what! If you are not now in a situation in which changing circumstances are a factor, then you may not fully appreciate what this promise has meant to me these last few days, but you know a time will come when changes will be a factor, and, as I said earlier, then you will want to embrace this truth. It will hold you with hope and confidence in a state of changes! Even though our stability is shaken in the present, He promises that He will always be the same- never wavering. Changes become a factor in all of our lives. If not today, then surely tomorrow or the next day. Isn't it wonderful to know that when changes come we can go to God's Word to find the strength to see us through another situation! Let's not wait for the storm to seek verses that comfort and direct, but let's be prepared when these days appear on the horizon (and they surely will) and have these fantastic truths in our memory bank.
Reading On: Psalm 37:23; Proverbs 16:9; Hebrews 13:8; Psalm 42:11
God's Judgment
This lesson comes from Genesis 18:1-20:18
Situation: God planned to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for their many sins. Abraham pleaded with God for Sodom in order to save Lot's life. God completely punished the city but rescued Lot by sending two angels to escort him away.
Observation: God punishes sin but protects righteousness.God destroyed entire cities because the evil practiced in them was great.
Inspiration: Though God's people often forgot their God, God didn't forget them. He kept his word... He could have given up. He could have turned his back. He could have walked away from the wretched mess, but he didn't. He didn't give up.
Exploration: (Deuteronomy 7:2) The LORD your God will hand these nations over to you, and when you defeat them, you must destroy them completely. Do not make a peace treaty with them or show them any mercy.
(Judges 2:1-3) The angel of the LORD went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, "I brought you up from Egypt and led you to the land I promised to give your ancestors. I said, 'I will never break my agreement with you. But you must not make an agreement with the people who live in this land. You must destroy their altars.' But you did not obey me. How could you do this? Now I tell you, 'I will not force out the people in this land. They will be your enemies, and their gods will be a trap for you.' "
Situation: God planned to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for their many sins. Abraham pleaded with God for Sodom in order to save Lot's life. God completely punished the city but rescued Lot by sending two angels to escort him away.
Observation: God punishes sin but protects righteousness.God destroyed entire cities because the evil practiced in them was great.
Inspiration: Though God's people often forgot their God, God didn't forget them. He kept his word... He could have given up. He could have turned his back. He could have walked away from the wretched mess, but he didn't. He didn't give up.
Exploration: (Deuteronomy 7:2) The LORD your God will hand these nations over to you, and when you defeat them, you must destroy them completely. Do not make a peace treaty with them or show them any mercy.
(Judges 2:1-3) The angel of the LORD went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, "I brought you up from Egypt and led you to the land I promised to give your ancestors. I said, 'I will never break my agreement with you. But you must not make an agreement with the people who live in this land. You must destroy their altars.' But you did not obey me. How could you do this? Now I tell you, 'I will not force out the people in this land. They will be your enemies, and their gods will be a trap for you.' "
Justification by Faith
This lesson comes from Genesis 15:1- 17:27
Situation: God promised descendants and land to the aging traveler, Abram. Despite God's promise to him, nagging doubt caused Abram to waver between shortsighted compromise and obedient faith.
Observation: God keeps his promises and rewards our obedient faith. When God promises to direct our paths, we can be confident he will carefully lead us.
Inspiration: God is our lifeguard.... God's promises are like life preservers. They keep the soul from sinking into the sea of discouragement.... When your perspective becomes distorted and your problems begin to consume your entire field of vision, you need a perspective preserver. When it feels like God has deserted you and you begin to get discouraged, you will find that God's promises will always pull you out and bring you back to safety. God is a promise keeper.
Application: Make a list of seven key promises to you from God's Word and commit them to memory, one a day for a week. Make one promise your motto for the week. Have confidence that God will do what he said. Use the promise to share your faith with someone.
Exploration: Romans 4; Galatians 3; Hebrews 11
Situation: God promised descendants and land to the aging traveler, Abram. Despite God's promise to him, nagging doubt caused Abram to waver between shortsighted compromise and obedient faith.
Observation: God keeps his promises and rewards our obedient faith. When God promises to direct our paths, we can be confident he will carefully lead us.
Inspiration: God is our lifeguard.... God's promises are like life preservers. They keep the soul from sinking into the sea of discouragement.... When your perspective becomes distorted and your problems begin to consume your entire field of vision, you need a perspective preserver. When it feels like God has deserted you and you begin to get discouraged, you will find that God's promises will always pull you out and bring you back to safety. God is a promise keeper.
Application: Make a list of seven key promises to you from God's Word and commit them to memory, one a day for a week. Make one promise your motto for the week. Have confidence that God will do what he said. Use the promise to share your faith with someone.
Exploration: Romans 4; Galatians 3; Hebrews 11
Tests as Part of God's Will
This lesson comes from Genesis 13:1-14:24
Situation: In response to God's promise to give land and descendants, Abram's family traveled from Haran through Canaan and Egypt (Genesis 11:27-12:20). God told them to avoid the land of Sodom, whose name became synonymous with gross sin (Genesis 13:13; 18:16-19:29). God would destroy that city, and Lot would barely escape.
Observation: Our decisions in life bear spiritual consequences. Lot selfishly chose the lush Jordan Valley and got himself in trouble (captured by a gang of marauding kings). Abram was willing to take second choice and God blessed him.
Inspiration: Jim spent eight years in prison for murder. He was a drug dealer. In prison, Jim found a second chance in Christ. Now a minister, Jim often speaks to high school students about the decision to take drugs. "Don't let anyone kid you," he tells them. "Drugs are fun, drugs make you feel good, and getting high is fun. You know the beginning of drugs, and it's fun. But I know the end of drugs...." And then Jim tells them about the decisions that nearly ruined his life forever. While most of us will never self-destruct in the way Jim did, we all face the choice of doing things that look like fun, but which result in a life of pain-divorce, financial disaster, disease, and relationship problems... The big question for most of us: "Is life in the fast lane where God wants me to be?"
Exploration: Exodus 17:1-7; Matthew 4:1-11; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; 2 Timothy 2:14-3:9; Hebrews 4:12-16; James 1
Situation: In response to God's promise to give land and descendants, Abram's family traveled from Haran through Canaan and Egypt (Genesis 11:27-12:20). God told them to avoid the land of Sodom, whose name became synonymous with gross sin (Genesis 13:13; 18:16-19:29). God would destroy that city, and Lot would barely escape.
Observation: Our decisions in life bear spiritual consequences. Lot selfishly chose the lush Jordan Valley and got himself in trouble (captured by a gang of marauding kings). Abram was willing to take second choice and God blessed him.
Inspiration: Jim spent eight years in prison for murder. He was a drug dealer. In prison, Jim found a second chance in Christ. Now a minister, Jim often speaks to high school students about the decision to take drugs. "Don't let anyone kid you," he tells them. "Drugs are fun, drugs make you feel good, and getting high is fun. You know the beginning of drugs, and it's fun. But I know the end of drugs...." And then Jim tells them about the decisions that nearly ruined his life forever. While most of us will never self-destruct in the way Jim did, we all face the choice of doing things that look like fun, but which result in a life of pain-divorce, financial disaster, disease, and relationship problems... The big question for most of us: "Is life in the fast lane where God wants me to be?"
Exploration: Exodus 17:1-7; Matthew 4:1-11; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; 2 Timothy 2:14-3:9; Hebrews 4:12-16; James 1
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Obedient Faith
Scriptural Guide for this lesson is Genesis 12:1-20
God promised Abram that many nations would come from his descendants. Abram believed God and obediently moved to an unknown land. Although old, Abram left his comfortable life in Ur with only the Lord's word as a guide. The life changes that he experienced were undoubtedly difficult, but he persevered through the difficult times.
A man once found a cocoon of an Emperor moth and kept it with the purpose of watching the beautiful creature emerge. Finally the day came and it began to struggle through the small opening at one end of the cocoon. The struggle continued for hours, but the moth could never force its body beyond a certain point. Finally believing that something was wrong and that the opening should have been larger, the man took a pair of scissors and carefully clipped the restraining threads. The moth emerged easily, and crawled out onto the windowsill. Its body was large and swollen, its wings small and shriveled. He supposed that in a few hours the wings would develop into the beautiful objects that he had expected. But it did not happen. The moth that should have been a thing of great beauty free to float and fly, spent its short life dragging around the swollen body and shriveled wings. The constricting threads and the struggle necessary to pass through the tiny opening had been God's method of forcing fluids from the body into the wings. The "merciful" snip of the threads was the most cruel thing possible. Often God lets us struggle rather than stepping in like a big brother to do our fighting for us. No doubt that he could make it all so easy and every moment of life so pleasant. But as we struggle, becoming exhausted almost beyond endurance, changes occur in us which could not happen otherwise: the "fluids" expand our wings, and in time we can fly. Cut the struggles short at some crucial point and we are crippled forever... or until God gives another opportunity for struggle that will do what the first aborted struggle should have been allowed to do.
Are you experiencing a painful restriction on your lifestyle right now: a broken relationship, a betrayal of trust, a budget squeeze, some debilitating illness, jail time or some other discipline from the Lord? Can you see the plan God may have for you, turning evil into good- as he did for Abraham? Face your struggle courageously and patiently; God may be using it to prepare you for his promised land.
Exploration: Genesis 22:2-3; Deuteronomy 26:16; Joshua 1:8; 11:15; 1 Samuel 15:22; John 14:31; Acts 5:29
God promised Abram that many nations would come from his descendants. Abram believed God and obediently moved to an unknown land. Although old, Abram left his comfortable life in Ur with only the Lord's word as a guide. The life changes that he experienced were undoubtedly difficult, but he persevered through the difficult times.
A man once found a cocoon of an Emperor moth and kept it with the purpose of watching the beautiful creature emerge. Finally the day came and it began to struggle through the small opening at one end of the cocoon. The struggle continued for hours, but the moth could never force its body beyond a certain point. Finally believing that something was wrong and that the opening should have been larger, the man took a pair of scissors and carefully clipped the restraining threads. The moth emerged easily, and crawled out onto the windowsill. Its body was large and swollen, its wings small and shriveled. He supposed that in a few hours the wings would develop into the beautiful objects that he had expected. But it did not happen. The moth that should have been a thing of great beauty free to float and fly, spent its short life dragging around the swollen body and shriveled wings. The constricting threads and the struggle necessary to pass through the tiny opening had been God's method of forcing fluids from the body into the wings. The "merciful" snip of the threads was the most cruel thing possible. Often God lets us struggle rather than stepping in like a big brother to do our fighting for us. No doubt that he could make it all so easy and every moment of life so pleasant. But as we struggle, becoming exhausted almost beyond endurance, changes occur in us which could not happen otherwise: the "fluids" expand our wings, and in time we can fly. Cut the struggles short at some crucial point and we are crippled forever... or until God gives another opportunity for struggle that will do what the first aborted struggle should have been allowed to do.
Are you experiencing a painful restriction on your lifestyle right now: a broken relationship, a betrayal of trust, a budget squeeze, some debilitating illness, jail time or some other discipline from the Lord? Can you see the plan God may have for you, turning evil into good- as he did for Abraham? Face your struggle courageously and patiently; God may be using it to prepare you for his promised land.
Exploration: Genesis 22:2-3; Deuteronomy 26:16; Joshua 1:8; 11:15; 1 Samuel 15:22; John 14:31; Acts 5:29
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