II Timothy 3:14-15 "(14) But continue thou in the things thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; (15) And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation which is in Christ Jesus."
It's VBS time here at our church, which is one of my favorite times of the year. Kid's never cease to amaze me. The things they remember. The questions they ask. The excitement and energy they bring into a room. Children are a very important aspect of the ministry.
You hear it said all the time, "Our kids today are the church of tomorrow." I believe that statement to be very true. There are, however, some things about that statement that scare me. Those of us that are still raising children are going to have to realize that we are responsible for the future of children and our children's churches.
The Bible says, "that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures." As parents and grandparents it is our responsibility to teach the Bible to them. Biblical principles are going to have to be established within the homes of Christians, because kids pick up on the smallest aspects of life. If we are going to expect them to be in church 35 years from now, it is of utmost importance that we are giving them what they need today, not just what they want. Now I am not foolish enough to say that just because we teach them right they will always do right. I understand that each person makes their own decisions, and will give an account to God for those decisions. What I am saying, is, as Christian parents our children are going to learn the most about the Bible from us. Let's not take that lightly.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Devotion for Friday, July 10th, 2009 "Tips for having a Daily Quiet Time with God"
Psalm 63:1 - 3 "(1) O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; (2) To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. (3) Because thy loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. "
Finding time is not an easy task. We constantly have something or someone clamouring for our time. I believe that time is our most valuable commodity. It is the only thing that we spend all of what we have. We can't save or manufacture more of it. Any relationship we have in this life requires time. Our relationship with God is not any different. I share some tips that I hope will enhance the time you spend with the Lord each day.
Finding time is not an easy task. We constantly have something or someone clamouring for our time. I believe that time is our most valuable commodity. It is the only thing that we spend all of what we have. We can't save or manufacture more of it. Any relationship we have in this life requires time. Our relationship with God is not any different. I share some tips that I hope will enhance the time you spend with the Lord each day.
How?
- Pray: Praise, Confess, and renew your dedication to the Lord.
- Read: Re-read, mark where you read, memorize a daily verse.
- Act: Think through, live it out, and pass it on.
What?
- Spend time alone with God and His Word everyday.
Who?
- All Christians who want to all God wants them to be.
Why?
- For a daily cleansing of your sin: renewing your dedication to the Lord.
When?
- Do it before you do anything else.
Where?
- A definite, quiet place.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Devotion for Wednesday, July 9th, 2009 - "Pleasing, bearing fruit, and Increasing - It's all in a day's work"
Colossians 1:10 "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God:"
As Christians we must remember that we have a work that needs to be done. And because we have work to do, we must also remember it is important how the work gets done. Here in Colossians 1:10 the Bible says that we should be walking worthy of the Lord, and what we do should not only bear fruit, but it should be fruit that is pleasing to Him. As we bear pleasing fruit we should increase in our knowledge in order to keep on producing that pleasing fruit.
We have all heard the saying, "if it's not broke, don't fix it." You know the same is true in the Christian life. The things that were pleasing to God and bore fruit 75 years ago, are still just as pleasing to Him and still bear just as much fruit.
Increase you knowledge today, and bear some fruit that would be pleasing to the Lord. What worked for you last week will work again. Keep on keepin' on! It's all in a days work.
As Christians we must remember that we have a work that needs to be done. And because we have work to do, we must also remember it is important how the work gets done. Here in Colossians 1:10 the Bible says that we should be walking worthy of the Lord, and what we do should not only bear fruit, but it should be fruit that is pleasing to Him. As we bear pleasing fruit we should increase in our knowledge in order to keep on producing that pleasing fruit.
We have all heard the saying, "if it's not broke, don't fix it." You know the same is true in the Christian life. The things that were pleasing to God and bore fruit 75 years ago, are still just as pleasing to Him and still bear just as much fruit.
Increase you knowledge today, and bear some fruit that would be pleasing to the Lord. What worked for you last week will work again. Keep on keepin' on! It's all in a days work.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Devotion for Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 - "Are you ready to be successful?"
Joshua 1:8 "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
I believe it was Jerry Falwell that said, "Being successful in the Christian life means that one must find God's will, follow God's will, and then finish God's will." Amen to that. True success is not about the size of ones bank account or the number of influential people they may know. The Word of God does not place a heavy emphasis on being successful. As a matter of fact, Joshua 1:8 is the only place in the Bible that it is even mentioned.
With that being said, every believer in Christ can be and should be a successful Christian. To do so, we must first find God's will. God's will is not hidden to us. He has revealed, and preserved it in the Bible. Now that is not say that God does not have a specific will for you as an individual, because He does. People struggle with the difference between the two. That is God's revealed and unrevealed will. Let me try and help here a little bit. God is not obligated to show any of us His unrevealed will for our lives as long as we are not doing His revealed will found in the Bible. It's kind of like having an engine for a car with out having the car. The car would represent God's revealed will, the engine His unrevealed will. We need both in order for us to enjoy the journey God has for us. So finding God's will is important.
Now once we've found it, next we must follow it. This of course is easier said than done. Sometimes we may not like what God's will is for our lives. Doing something that we don't like is part of maturing as a person and a as Christian. If we want to be successful though, we must follow God's will no matter what.
The last thing we must do is finish God's will. God's will does not change. However, there are many times that God may only reveal a portion of what He wants us to do for a particular amount of time. Once completed he reveals another part. The key to being successful is to finish God's will as He reveals it to us.
Everyone wants to be a success in this life, but few are willing to do what it takes to be. Find, follow, and finish God's will. Are you ready to successful?
I believe it was Jerry Falwell that said, "Being successful in the Christian life means that one must find God's will, follow God's will, and then finish God's will." Amen to that. True success is not about the size of ones bank account or the number of influential people they may know. The Word of God does not place a heavy emphasis on being successful. As a matter of fact, Joshua 1:8 is the only place in the Bible that it is even mentioned.
With that being said, every believer in Christ can be and should be a successful Christian. To do so, we must first find God's will. God's will is not hidden to us. He has revealed, and preserved it in the Bible. Now that is not say that God does not have a specific will for you as an individual, because He does. People struggle with the difference between the two. That is God's revealed and unrevealed will. Let me try and help here a little bit. God is not obligated to show any of us His unrevealed will for our lives as long as we are not doing His revealed will found in the Bible. It's kind of like having an engine for a car with out having the car. The car would represent God's revealed will, the engine His unrevealed will. We need both in order for us to enjoy the journey God has for us. So finding God's will is important.
Now once we've found it, next we must follow it. This of course is easier said than done. Sometimes we may not like what God's will is for our lives. Doing something that we don't like is part of maturing as a person and a as Christian. If we want to be successful though, we must follow God's will no matter what.
The last thing we must do is finish God's will. God's will does not change. However, there are many times that God may only reveal a portion of what He wants us to do for a particular amount of time. Once completed he reveals another part. The key to being successful is to finish God's will as He reveals it to us.
Everyone wants to be a success in this life, but few are willing to do what it takes to be. Find, follow, and finish God's will. Are you ready to successful?
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Devotion for Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 "The Necessity of Storms"
Nahum 1:3b "...the Lord hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet."
We all know that we have to have rain. With out the rain, the plant life would wither and die, the wells & water supplies would dry up completely. Rain is a necessary part of our lives. But what about the storms? What makes them necessary? I'm not real sure why storms are necessary in the physical world but I do have some thoughts as to why they are necessary in our lives spiritually.
Think about how when the physical storm arises. It starts out with a color change in the sky. Next the wind may pick up a bit, and then it starts to thunder and lightening. Then the rain begins to pour. During a storm, destruction is possible if the proper shelter is not sought out and found.
When a spiritual storm arises God is often times trying to get our attention. Maybe we are to increase our faith and trust in Him as were His disciples when they were in the boat. Maybe, just maybe, God is stirring up the storm in our lives because there is somthing we are holding on to that we need to let go of. The winds from the storm come and rip it from the clutches of our spiritual hands. Don't be surprised by storms of life, just learn what God is trying to show you in your life.
We all know that we have to have rain. With out the rain, the plant life would wither and die, the wells & water supplies would dry up completely. Rain is a necessary part of our lives. But what about the storms? What makes them necessary? I'm not real sure why storms are necessary in the physical world but I do have some thoughts as to why they are necessary in our lives spiritually.
Think about how when the physical storm arises. It starts out with a color change in the sky. Next the wind may pick up a bit, and then it starts to thunder and lightening. Then the rain begins to pour. During a storm, destruction is possible if the proper shelter is not sought out and found.
When a spiritual storm arises God is often times trying to get our attention. Maybe we are to increase our faith and trust in Him as were His disciples when they were in the boat. Maybe, just maybe, God is stirring up the storm in our lives because there is somthing we are holding on to that we need to let go of. The winds from the storm come and rip it from the clutches of our spiritual hands. Don't be surprised by storms of life, just learn what God is trying to show you in your life.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Devotion for Monday, July 6th, 2009 - "You're almost there"
Galatians 6:9 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not."
Don't you just love traveling with kids in your car? It doesn't matter if you are going 10 minutes or 10 hours the ride always seems to bring the same questions and comments. Are we there yet? I have to go potty. I'm hungry. I'm thirsty. When are we going to be there? She's looking at me! Stop touching me! WOW! - that can be very wearisome.
You know something though? The Christian life can be very similar to taking a trip with kids. The only difference is we are the kids. We are the ones who are constantly complaining to God about how we are not getting what we want out of our trip. We tell him about the people bothering us, and about our physical needs. Now don't get me wrong, it is okay to talk to God about these things, it's just that all of those types of things are what is making us so weary most of the time. Just imagine how much fuller our fellowship with Him would be if we were not so weary with the journey.
Now our verse tells us not to get weary. Because if we get weary and fall asleep, we may miss the harvest. We are going to make it. We must keep going, and don't allow our selves to get discouraged along the way no matter how so and so looks at us or not. Keep going, you're almost there.
Don't you just love traveling with kids in your car? It doesn't matter if you are going 10 minutes or 10 hours the ride always seems to bring the same questions and comments. Are we there yet? I have to go potty. I'm hungry. I'm thirsty. When are we going to be there? She's looking at me! Stop touching me! WOW! - that can be very wearisome.
You know something though? The Christian life can be very similar to taking a trip with kids. The only difference is we are the kids. We are the ones who are constantly complaining to God about how we are not getting what we want out of our trip. We tell him about the people bothering us, and about our physical needs. Now don't get me wrong, it is okay to talk to God about these things, it's just that all of those types of things are what is making us so weary most of the time. Just imagine how much fuller our fellowship with Him would be if we were not so weary with the journey.
Now our verse tells us not to get weary. Because if we get weary and fall asleep, we may miss the harvest. We are going to make it. We must keep going, and don't allow our selves to get discouraged along the way no matter how so and so looks at us or not. Keep going, you're almost there.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Devotion for Sunday, July 5th, 2009 "One Thing I know"
John 9:25 "He answered and said, whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see."
"One thing I know." What a powerful statement! Jesus had just healed this man. This man used to sit at the gates of the city and beg for money, food, clothes, whatever he could get. Then one day Jesus passed by his way and noticed him. He knelt down, made some mud, put it on the blind man's eyes, and told him to go wash it off. As he washed the mud off from his eyes, he received his sight. After much questioning from the the religious leaders of the day about how it happened, and whether or not the Man that did this wonderful thing, was a sinner or not. His response was " One thing I know, whereas I was blind, now I see."
What is the one thing you know today? Is it that Jesus Christ died to save you from the place of hell? Or is it something else. Now I understand that we can know for sure several things today. But the most important thing we can know is that we are saved and on our way to Heaven. This one thing I know, I was lost in the trespasses of sin and when I trusted Jesus as my Savior, by faith, he change my life. This blind man's life was forever changed. How is your life different since you came to know Jesus? "One thing I know" What is it?
"One thing I know." What a powerful statement! Jesus had just healed this man. This man used to sit at the gates of the city and beg for money, food, clothes, whatever he could get. Then one day Jesus passed by his way and noticed him. He knelt down, made some mud, put it on the blind man's eyes, and told him to go wash it off. As he washed the mud off from his eyes, he received his sight. After much questioning from the the religious leaders of the day about how it happened, and whether or not the Man that did this wonderful thing, was a sinner or not. His response was " One thing I know, whereas I was blind, now I see."
What is the one thing you know today? Is it that Jesus Christ died to save you from the place of hell? Or is it something else. Now I understand that we can know for sure several things today. But the most important thing we can know is that we are saved and on our way to Heaven. This one thing I know, I was lost in the trespasses of sin and when I trusted Jesus as my Savior, by faith, he change my life. This blind man's life was forever changed. How is your life different since you came to know Jesus? "One thing I know" What is it?
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