Thursday: Last night's lesson focused on James 1:22-25. In this passage, we are instructed to be "doers" of the Word. That is, we are not just supposed to hear and understand what the Bible says. We are supposed to put our learning into action. Without action, our knowledge does us little good. For example, I could go to the library this afternoon and check out all the available books about golf. I could then research golf on the internet, learning everything about its history, its rules, and the best techniques for playing. However, I'm never going to rival Tiger Woods until I start actually playing. Ask yourself: Am I am putting my knowledge into action? How am I being a doer of the Word? Pray that the Lord will give you opportunities this week to be doers for Him.
Friday: While the James 1:22 makes "doing" the Word seem like a suggestion, it is made clear in the next chapter that good works are required of Christians. James 2:14-26 tells us that faith without works is dead. Even the wicked may believe in God; doesn't Satan and his demons? Our faith must be more than just words; we must enact our faith every single day. What does that mean? It means that we must care for others more than we care for ourselves. To be a Christian is to be called to be a servant; this could mean giving someone food or clothes, this could mean visiting and praying for someone with no one else to depend on, or this could mean being an example of godly living for the people around you. Keep praying for ways to put your faith into action.
Saturday: We must also remember that what we believe in our hearts will, at some point, be evident in our actions. Jesus told His disciples a parable to illustrate this point. A parable is a short story with a meaning besides the obvious one. In Luke 6:43-45, Jesus tells His disciples that good tree can't bear bad fruit; a good tree bears good fruit. Of course, this is true: apple trees can't grow oranges, and orange trees can't grow apples. Likewise, a good man or woman says and does good things, but an evil man or woman says and does evil things. Take a moment to examine all that you've said and done today: are your words and actions reflections of a Christian heart?
Sunday: See you at church!
Monday: In his letter to the Romans, Paul (one of the greatest men in God's service) talks about what our options are as human beings. In Romans 2:6-10, he writes that God will give to us according to what we've done. God will give only two things: eternal life to those who "by persistence in doing good seek honor, glory, and immortality" OR wrath and anger to those "reject the truth and follow evil." This week, keep these options in your heart. Are you seeking honor, glory, and immortality? If not, what are you seeking?
Tuesday: Sometimes being a Christian can be hard. After all, Satan will always tempt us with "fun" things that God forbids: premarital sex, drunkenness, using drugs, mistreating others, and putting ourselves first. But we have a hope that overshadows all those things. We have a Saviour who loves us so much that He suffered a brutal death for us. More importantly, we know that He is the Son of God because of His miraculous resurrection. Someday we will meet Him again when He returns to Earth for His church. Until then, remember 1 Peter 3:15-17: "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil." So embrace your good works knowing that through them you glorify God!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Devotions for Week of 19-25 March: Enemies and Frenemies
Thursday: Like we talked about last week, it's great to have true friends, but true friends are few and far between. More often we must be on the lookout for enemies and frenemies. Enemies try to hurt us, try to make us look bad, and try to sabotage us. But frenemies can be more dangerous. "Frenemies" masquerade as friends but are truly enemies. Frenemies are posers. The greatest enemy and frenemy that we Christians have is Satan. He will do anything to lead us away from God. Sometimes he works as an enemy, attacking us with sickness, past sins, or tough situations. But more often Satan works like a frenemy, wooing us to him with false promises. Satan will make a sinful life in his service seem fun and carefree, but we Christians must recognize this lie. Satan is constantly on the lookout for those of us whom he can attack--either as an enemy or a frenemy. 1 Peter 5:8 compares him to a roaring lion, looking for a victim to devour. This week, pray for vigilance against our enemy/frenemy Satan.
Friday: How can you tell the difference in a true friend and a frenemy? True friends always have your best interests at heart. If they correct you, they do so because they want you to live the best life that you can. Frenemies, on the other hand, aren't concerned about you. They are concerned about how they can benefit from their relationship with you. They may never correct you and instead flatter you with kisses--that is, butter you up. Proverbs 27:6 says that "wounds from a friend can be trusted, but enemies multiply kisses." In other words, listen when a friend points out something that you're doing wrong; he or she just wants you to change your bad habits. But if someone spends all their time kissing your tush, they're probably not really your friend. Today, pray that the Lord will place the true friends that you need in your life.
Saturday: So what kinds of frenemies might you encounter? There are two: users and corruptors. Today we're going to talk about users. Users pretend to be your friend because they want something that you provide. Maybe you're friends with the crowd that they want to join. Maybe they like being able to ride in your car or borrow your cash. Maybe they want you to help them become more popular. Users, however, ultimately don't care about you; all that they care about are themselves. A good example of this is the Cupbearer in the story of Joseph. You can read this story in Genesis 40. Most of us remember that Joseph had eleven brothers, but his father, Jacob, loved him the most. When Jacob gave Joseph a beautiful coat of many colors, his brothers decided that they had had enough, sold him into slavery, and told Jacob that Joseph was dead. Some time later and after being accused of something that he did not do, Joseph ended up in an Egyptian prison. The other inmates included the Pharaoh's Baker and Cupbearer. The Cupbearer had been having strange dreams which Joseph was, with God's help, able to interpret for him. He told the Cupbearer that the Baker would be convicted and hanged but that he (the Cupbearer) would return to his position at the palace. When this came to pass, Joseph asked the Cupbearer to remember him and help him. But the Cupbearer didn't; he forgot Joseph until another opportunity came when he could use him.
Ultimately, God used the Cupbearer to help Joseph, and he was freed from prison and made second in command of all Egypt. But the Cupbearer is still a classic user frenemy: he gets what he wants from Joseph and then discards him. Today, remember that all things work for the good of those who serve the Lord, even bad situations. Pray that God will use your bad situations positively, just like he did Joseph.
Sunday: See you at church!
Monday: The second kind of frenemy is a corruptor. Corruptors are not content to sin alone; they want to take you along for the ride. Proverbs 4:14 warns us to stay away from wicked men and women because they can't sleep until they do something evil and make others do evil, too. In other words, they want you to join them in their evil deeds. Have you had "friends" who tried to involve you in a bad situation? For example, has a "friend" encouraged you to shoplift with them, try drugs or alcohol with them, or vandalize a something with them? If they have, they are not your friend! They are a classic corruptor frenemy. Today, pray that God will help you be strong when resisting corruptor frenemies who try to lead you into unrighteous actions.
Tuesday: So now what? What should you do when you encounter an enemy or frenemy? Jesus's answer might surprise you. In Luke 6:27-36, Jesus tells us to love our enemies. If they curse you, bless them. If they hit you, give them your other cheek to hit, too. If they take your coat, give them your shirt. This kind of action does two things. First, this is an example of killing someone with kindness. The Bible says that if we respond to our enemies this way, it will be like pouring hot coals over their heads; they will be frustrated because we don't respond in anger or hate. Second, this models God's mercy and forgiveness. If your enemies don't know God, you might be the one who leads them to Him. By being merciful, meek, and forgiving, you show them that God is forgiving, too. Today, ask God to help you respond to your enemies the way that He wants you to, the way that Jesus describes.
Wednesday: See you at church!
Friday: How can you tell the difference in a true friend and a frenemy? True friends always have your best interests at heart. If they correct you, they do so because they want you to live the best life that you can. Frenemies, on the other hand, aren't concerned about you. They are concerned about how they can benefit from their relationship with you. They may never correct you and instead flatter you with kisses--that is, butter you up. Proverbs 27:6 says that "wounds from a friend can be trusted, but enemies multiply kisses." In other words, listen when a friend points out something that you're doing wrong; he or she just wants you to change your bad habits. But if someone spends all their time kissing your tush, they're probably not really your friend. Today, pray that the Lord will place the true friends that you need in your life.
Saturday: So what kinds of frenemies might you encounter? There are two: users and corruptors. Today we're going to talk about users. Users pretend to be your friend because they want something that you provide. Maybe you're friends with the crowd that they want to join. Maybe they like being able to ride in your car or borrow your cash. Maybe they want you to help them become more popular. Users, however, ultimately don't care about you; all that they care about are themselves. A good example of this is the Cupbearer in the story of Joseph. You can read this story in Genesis 40. Most of us remember that Joseph had eleven brothers, but his father, Jacob, loved him the most. When Jacob gave Joseph a beautiful coat of many colors, his brothers decided that they had had enough, sold him into slavery, and told Jacob that Joseph was dead. Some time later and after being accused of something that he did not do, Joseph ended up in an Egyptian prison. The other inmates included the Pharaoh's Baker and Cupbearer. The Cupbearer had been having strange dreams which Joseph was, with God's help, able to interpret for him. He told the Cupbearer that the Baker would be convicted and hanged but that he (the Cupbearer) would return to his position at the palace. When this came to pass, Joseph asked the Cupbearer to remember him and help him. But the Cupbearer didn't; he forgot Joseph until another opportunity came when he could use him.
Ultimately, God used the Cupbearer to help Joseph, and he was freed from prison and made second in command of all Egypt. But the Cupbearer is still a classic user frenemy: he gets what he wants from Joseph and then discards him. Today, remember that all things work for the good of those who serve the Lord, even bad situations. Pray that God will use your bad situations positively, just like he did Joseph.
Sunday: See you at church!
Monday: The second kind of frenemy is a corruptor. Corruptors are not content to sin alone; they want to take you along for the ride. Proverbs 4:14 warns us to stay away from wicked men and women because they can't sleep until they do something evil and make others do evil, too. In other words, they want you to join them in their evil deeds. Have you had "friends" who tried to involve you in a bad situation? For example, has a "friend" encouraged you to shoplift with them, try drugs or alcohol with them, or vandalize a something with them? If they have, they are not your friend! They are a classic corruptor frenemy. Today, pray that God will help you be strong when resisting corruptor frenemies who try to lead you into unrighteous actions.
Tuesday: So now what? What should you do when you encounter an enemy or frenemy? Jesus's answer might surprise you. In Luke 6:27-36, Jesus tells us to love our enemies. If they curse you, bless them. If they hit you, give them your other cheek to hit, too. If they take your coat, give them your shirt. This kind of action does two things. First, this is an example of killing someone with kindness. The Bible says that if we respond to our enemies this way, it will be like pouring hot coals over their heads; they will be frustrated because we don't respond in anger or hate. Second, this models God's mercy and forgiveness. If your enemies don't know God, you might be the one who leads them to Him. By being merciful, meek, and forgiving, you show them that God is forgiving, too. Today, ask God to help you respond to your enemies the way that He wants you to, the way that Jesus describes.
Wednesday: See you at church!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Devotions for Week of 12-18 March: Friendship
Thursday: The Bible defines and includes many examples of friendship. In John 15:13-15, Jesus describes what the ultimate friendship is like; according to Him, a man or woman will lay down his life for a friend. Do you have any friends that you would die for? Do you have any friends that would die for you? Guess what--you do: Jesus.
Friday: In the same verses that you read yesterday (John 15:13-15), Jesus reassures us that we are His friends. He says that we are not just servants; servants don't know their master's business. Jesus, in contrast, has told us His Father's business, and we are an integral part of that business: winning souls for Him, sharing the good news that Jesus is here to be our saviour, and leading others to eternal salvation. Are you being a friend to God? Are you participating in His business?
Saturday: Proverbs is full of wisdom on a variety of subjects, and friendship is no exception. According to Proverbs 17:17, a friend is someone who loves you at all times--even when you're messing things up or making he/she angry. Proverbs 18:24 warns us to guard against acquaintances--people we know who seem to be friends but don't actually stick with us in hard times. Have you ever been fooled by an acquaintance and been let down? Have you ever let someone down by not being a friend? Ask their forgiveness, and ask God to help you become a better friend by following His example.
Sunday: See you at church!
Monday: Proverbs 27:17 reads, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." In other words, your friends aren't there just to make you feel good. Sometimes friendship means calling one another on our faults, helping each other see where we are falling short of the ideal life God wants for us. We all fall short, and that's why it is important to pray for your friends and for them to pray for you. Find a friend to pray with this week, and make a committment to pray for one another every day.
Tuesday: One of the best examples of friendship in the Bible is the story of David and Jonathan. David is soon to be king of Israel; the Lord has called him for this position. However, the old, corrupt king Saul does not want to give up his throne and hunts for David, trying to kill him. David's best friend is Jonathan, Saul's son. Despite his father's murderous anger, Jonathan is a true friend to David. You can read about them in 1 Samuel 18-20. It's more reading than usual, but it's an inspiring example of true friendship.
Wednesday: See you at church!
Friday: In the same verses that you read yesterday (John 15:13-15), Jesus reassures us that we are His friends. He says that we are not just servants; servants don't know their master's business. Jesus, in contrast, has told us His Father's business, and we are an integral part of that business: winning souls for Him, sharing the good news that Jesus is here to be our saviour, and leading others to eternal salvation. Are you being a friend to God? Are you participating in His business?
Saturday: Proverbs is full of wisdom on a variety of subjects, and friendship is no exception. According to Proverbs 17:17, a friend is someone who loves you at all times--even when you're messing things up or making he/she angry. Proverbs 18:24 warns us to guard against acquaintances--people we know who seem to be friends but don't actually stick with us in hard times. Have you ever been fooled by an acquaintance and been let down? Have you ever let someone down by not being a friend? Ask their forgiveness, and ask God to help you become a better friend by following His example.
Sunday: See you at church!
Monday: Proverbs 27:17 reads, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." In other words, your friends aren't there just to make you feel good. Sometimes friendship means calling one another on our faults, helping each other see where we are falling short of the ideal life God wants for us. We all fall short, and that's why it is important to pray for your friends and for them to pray for you. Find a friend to pray with this week, and make a committment to pray for one another every day.
Tuesday: One of the best examples of friendship in the Bible is the story of David and Jonathan. David is soon to be king of Israel; the Lord has called him for this position. However, the old, corrupt king Saul does not want to give up his throne and hunts for David, trying to kill him. David's best friend is Jonathan, Saul's son. Despite his father's murderous anger, Jonathan is a true friend to David. You can read about them in 1 Samuel 18-20. It's more reading than usual, but it's an inspiring example of true friendship.
Wednesday: See you at church!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Devotions for Week of 5-12 March: The End?
Thursday: Since you were talking about the end of time last night, this week's devotions will also go with that theme. At church, we often mention "the rapture." Although the Bible doesn't use the word "rapture," this is the name of the event that all Christians are looking for: this is when Jesus, our Lord, will appear in the clouds and come to claim us as His own. In Acts 1:9-11, Jesus (who has already risen from the dead) is taken up to heaven through the clouds. While the apostles watch Him leave, two men in white robes appear and tell them that Jesus will come back the same way that he left. The moment when He returns in the clouds to get His church is "the rapture."
Friday: So what happens once He appears in the clouds? Well, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 tells us that Jesus will appear with a loud noise--the voice of an archangel, the trumpet call of God. When we hear His trumpet, the Christians who have already died will first meet Jesus in the sky and then living Christians will follow them. Does this mean that dead bodies will spring up from the ground and fly into the clouds? Maybe...but since most bodies decay pretty quickly, it will probably be the souls of dead Christians. Either way, I'm sure that it will be an amazing sight! The last verse of this passage (verse 18) says that we should read this verse to encourage each other--in other words, remind fellow Christians to hang on when things seem tough because the Lord is coming back for us!
Saturday: Why is the rapture important? The Bible warns us that when it is almost time for Jesus to return, there will be many false prophets or false messiahs (that is, people pretending to be a prophet or messiah). In Matthew 24, Jesus tells his disciples how to know when He will return. He says that there will be wars, famines, earthquakes, and great wickedness...does this sound a little like the evening news? He warns that people will claim to be the messiah (savior) but that we should NOT believe them. We will KNOW it is Jesus because he will come in the clouds with trumpeting angels. The rapture is our proof that it is the REAL messiah, not a false one.
Sunday: See you at church!
Monday: Since Jesus gave us the signs to look for when it is almost time for His return, does that mean that you can wait until He's almost ready to come back and then get saved? NO! In Matthew 24:36-44, Jesus said that even He doesn't know exactly when God the Father will send Him back to get the church. Only God the Father knows. Jesus warns his disciples (and us) that He will come back like a thief in the night--it will surprise us. Jesus reminds them that a house doesn't get robbed when the owner is watching and protecting it; a house gets robbed when no one is there to guard against intruders. It is our job to watch for Him and be ready when He arrives. In your prayers this week, ask the Lord to help you be always ready to meet Him when He arrives.
Tuesday: Okay, so what does this mean for you? First, this means that Jesus is probably coming back soon; when you read Matthew 24 on Saturday, did you notice how much Jesus's list of signs sounded like things that are happening right now? Second, you have to be ready when He comes; He's calling you now so that you will be able to meet Him in the clouds! So how can you be ready? Confess to God that you have sinned and ask Him for forgiveness, ask Jesus to cover your sins with His blood and be your savior, be baptized, and then go and sin no more. Jesus wants to be your saviour; in fact, He died so that you wouldn't have to be separated from God, forever condemned to Hell. As humans, we are imperfect, unrighteous, and enemies of God. But Romans 5:8-11 says that Jesus died so that we might be reconciled with God; we can be enemies no longer. Instead, we can become His precious children who will someday live with Him forever in heaven. Are you His?
Wednesday: See you at church!
Friday: So what happens once He appears in the clouds? Well, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 tells us that Jesus will appear with a loud noise--the voice of an archangel, the trumpet call of God. When we hear His trumpet, the Christians who have already died will first meet Jesus in the sky and then living Christians will follow them. Does this mean that dead bodies will spring up from the ground and fly into the clouds? Maybe...but since most bodies decay pretty quickly, it will probably be the souls of dead Christians. Either way, I'm sure that it will be an amazing sight! The last verse of this passage (verse 18) says that we should read this verse to encourage each other--in other words, remind fellow Christians to hang on when things seem tough because the Lord is coming back for us!
Saturday: Why is the rapture important? The Bible warns us that when it is almost time for Jesus to return, there will be many false prophets or false messiahs (that is, people pretending to be a prophet or messiah). In Matthew 24, Jesus tells his disciples how to know when He will return. He says that there will be wars, famines, earthquakes, and great wickedness...does this sound a little like the evening news? He warns that people will claim to be the messiah (savior) but that we should NOT believe them. We will KNOW it is Jesus because he will come in the clouds with trumpeting angels. The rapture is our proof that it is the REAL messiah, not a false one.
Sunday: See you at church!
Monday: Since Jesus gave us the signs to look for when it is almost time for His return, does that mean that you can wait until He's almost ready to come back and then get saved? NO! In Matthew 24:36-44, Jesus said that even He doesn't know exactly when God the Father will send Him back to get the church. Only God the Father knows. Jesus warns his disciples (and us) that He will come back like a thief in the night--it will surprise us. Jesus reminds them that a house doesn't get robbed when the owner is watching and protecting it; a house gets robbed when no one is there to guard against intruders. It is our job to watch for Him and be ready when He arrives. In your prayers this week, ask the Lord to help you be always ready to meet Him when He arrives.
Tuesday: Okay, so what does this mean for you? First, this means that Jesus is probably coming back soon; when you read Matthew 24 on Saturday, did you notice how much Jesus's list of signs sounded like things that are happening right now? Second, you have to be ready when He comes; He's calling you now so that you will be able to meet Him in the clouds! So how can you be ready? Confess to God that you have sinned and ask Him for forgiveness, ask Jesus to cover your sins with His blood and be your savior, be baptized, and then go and sin no more. Jesus wants to be your saviour; in fact, He died so that you wouldn't have to be separated from God, forever condemned to Hell. As humans, we are imperfect, unrighteous, and enemies of God. But Romans 5:8-11 says that Jesus died so that we might be reconciled with God; we can be enemies no longer. Instead, we can become His precious children who will someday live with Him forever in heaven. Are you His?
Wednesday: See you at church!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Devotions for Week of 26 Feb.-4 March: Reading the Word
Thursday: Why bother to read the Bible at all? The Bible contains the thoughts of God, recorded for us by different people throughout history (like Moses or Paul). Even though the Bible was recorded by humans, it contain God's unfallible (that means mistake-free), unchanging words. If we want to hear from God, the best way to listen is by reading his Word! Read Matthew 4:4 today. We need the Word to live--just like your body needs food, your spirit needs the Word. Has your spirit ever felt starved? How did you feed it?
Friday: Have you ever had a bad habit? Many sins become bad habits: lying, gossiping, acting selfishly, and other unchristian behaviors. We commit them everyday, and it is very hard to stop. But the Bible can help us change these behaviors. Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17. The Bible is like our instruction manual, alerting us to our missteps and redirecting us. Think about your bad habits: what does the Bible say about them?
Saturday: In Hebrews 4:12-13, God's Word is compared to a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through our excuses and weak defenses. If we read, study, and ask God to help us understand his Word, it will, as Hebrews says, reveal our innermost selves. While reading these verses, ask God to help you understand yourself more clearly, to see your strengths and weaknesses. He will reveal them to you and help you become stronger in Him!
Sunday: See you at church!
Monday: Okay, so you're starting to see that it is important to read the Bible. But how often? According to Joshua 1:8, we should never let the Word of the Lord be out of our minds. This verse refers to the Law that God gave to Moses; when Joshua began leading the people of Israel after Moses died, God told him to mediate on his instructions day and night so that he would be sure to know and obey everything in it. How can we know what God wants for us if we do not read his Book of Instruction and keep its words in our hearts? Begin by memorizing this verse. Then, even when you do not have a Bible to read, you will have God's words to think about.
Tuesday: There are benefits to reading the Word! In Acts 20:32, Paul said that God's Word could make us into what we were meant to be and give us the inheritance that the children of God will have one day. When you read this verse, pray that God will work in your life to make you all that you were meant to be and that He will continue to direct your Bible reading so that you could learn more about and grow closer to Him.
Wednesday: See you at church!
Friday: Have you ever had a bad habit? Many sins become bad habits: lying, gossiping, acting selfishly, and other unchristian behaviors. We commit them everyday, and it is very hard to stop. But the Bible can help us change these behaviors. Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17. The Bible is like our instruction manual, alerting us to our missteps and redirecting us. Think about your bad habits: what does the Bible say about them?
Saturday: In Hebrews 4:12-13, God's Word is compared to a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through our excuses and weak defenses. If we read, study, and ask God to help us understand his Word, it will, as Hebrews says, reveal our innermost selves. While reading these verses, ask God to help you understand yourself more clearly, to see your strengths and weaknesses. He will reveal them to you and help you become stronger in Him!
Sunday: See you at church!
Monday: Okay, so you're starting to see that it is important to read the Bible. But how often? According to Joshua 1:8, we should never let the Word of the Lord be out of our minds. This verse refers to the Law that God gave to Moses; when Joshua began leading the people of Israel after Moses died, God told him to mediate on his instructions day and night so that he would be sure to know and obey everything in it. How can we know what God wants for us if we do not read his Book of Instruction and keep its words in our hearts? Begin by memorizing this verse. Then, even when you do not have a Bible to read, you will have God's words to think about.
Tuesday: There are benefits to reading the Word! In Acts 20:32, Paul said that God's Word could make us into what we were meant to be and give us the inheritance that the children of God will have one day. When you read this verse, pray that God will work in your life to make you all that you were meant to be and that He will continue to direct your Bible reading so that you could learn more about and grow closer to Him.
Wednesday: See you at church!
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