Friday, March 30, 2012

Visiting King

VISITING KING

Matthew 21:9-11

“The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

“Jesus’ disciples brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.” (Matthew 21:7-8). Doesn’t everyone love a parade?

There’s just something about townspeople gathering together to cheer. Parades raise everyone’s spirits. In Bible times, ambassadors (am-BASS-a-doors mean diplomatic representatives) escorted a visiting king into the city.

This was a very big deal. Folks who lived in Jerusalem the day Jesus arrived must have known that something was up. They poured out of their homes, out of the market, to cheer for a prophet from Nazareth named Jesus. Spreading cloaks on the ground was an act of respect that honored royalty. How would you have felt as Jesus’ disciple walking alongside His donkey amid the throng’s praise?

Jesus was visiting His city (city of David). But nobody recognized that on this historic day. Nor did anyone recognize, except Jesus, that this landmark arrival marked the beginning of His Passion Week. In one week, the triumph of Jesus’ victory would be His resurrection from the dead!

Now that is the supreme big deal! But somehow Jesus had to make it through this coming week. He knew what was coming, and He knew how it would end. He just had to connect the dots between adoring mobs through His last supper, arrest, beatings, and crucifixion to arrive at His victory. A VERY LONG week.

We’ve all faced harrowing weeks. Sometimes they come upon us as a total surprise. Other times we welcome the disruption and discomfort to arrive at a better place or situation. Moving one’s entire household into a new and better location is on example. But never has any other human faced a passion week such as what Jesus faced.

Never has any other human had a better week’s end, either! But how can we compare a mere human to God-man?

Take Home Nugget

Easter joy is hard to define to a nonbeliever. Sure, chocolate bunnies and egg hunts have their delight, but they’re nothing compared to 1Thessalonians 4:16-17: “For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

HAPPY PALM SUNDAY

J.D. Griffith




A personal, private lesson experience with our staff


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Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Peace Weave

PEACE WEAVE

John 20:26

“A week later His disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”

“I’m pretty sure about my chances to make the football team again this year.” Brad admitted to his 5th -grade classmate, Jeremy.

“Yeah well, I always felt that we’d both definitely make the team this year, since we made it as rookies last year.” Jeremy said.

“I never took that for granted, Jerm. But after we spent all off-season practicing our skills, I am at peace with tryouts.”

Brad and Jeremy worked hard, and Jeremy even had an attitude adjustment after admitting that he slacked off (see Ten-Hut! devotion). As tryouts for the football team approaches, they’re not panicking about their chances to make the team.

Paying attention, making sure that we’re on the right path (God’s plan), and right attitude are the ingredients that weave peace into our hearts. Clear Guidance, Anchored for Victory, and Active Waiting devotions paved the reader’s road to this devotion about peace. Peace describes harmony and oneness that—woven together—brings calm to a person’s heart.

Jesus’ disciples were scared and nervous after His death. Thomas refused to believe that He had risen until he put a finger where the nails went and placed his hand in the side where Jesus was speared. The locked room didn’t prevent Jesus from standing among His disciples. His message to them was peace. We’re often scared and nervous, too—especially when bad things happen.

Jesus’ message to us today is peace. Believers in Christ confirm that peace is the sign that we’re on the right path. However, a feeling of peace might come from our own satisfaction, rather than assurance that our decisions are aligned with God’s plan for our lives. Jesus’ peace certifies that the decision, or action is united with God’s will.

God molds us day by day into Christ likeness through Bible study. His truths sink deeply into our hearts. This grows us spiritually so we intuitively (in-TOO-i-tiv-lee means natural instinct) know God’s will when we make decisions. Jesus’ peace.

Whose peace are you experiencing? Human understanding, or Jesus’ peace? When Christ rules our hearts, He umpires every thought, shaping our decisions and choices to agree with God’s will. Peace allows God’s kids to make decisions with confidence.

Take Home Nugget

The important thing is Christ’s presence. He’s not only in church. Jesus is everywhere you welcome Him in. Your classroom, your laptop, your bedroom, every “room” in your life is where Jesus reigns. Remember, locked doors cannot keep Him out.

Amidst life’s problems, burdens we bear

Find deep consolation ‘cause Jesus is there.

J.D. Griffith



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Friday, March 23, 2012

Active Waiting

ACTIVE WAITING

Isaiah 64:3-4

The Message: “You did terrible things we never expected, descended and made the mountains shudder at Your presence. Since time began on one has ever imagined, no ear heard, no eye seen, a God like You who works for those who wait for Him.”



“How long until Spring tryouts?” Brad whined to Jeremy.

Jeremy tossed the football to Brad, who ran the play they planned during recess from their 5th-grade classroom. “Just 2 more months, Bro” he said.

Waiting is sometimes the hardest thing for God’s kids to learn. Besides asking for patience, waiting is yet another frustrating trial we emerge from on the way to the victory God promised. While waiting isn’t passive for us, God’s also busy—working behind the scenes—to arrange the circumstances that will deliver our answer to prayer.

Praise God for being infinite (IN-fin-it means never-ending)! After all, God is juggling many balls in the air at once. He’s running the universe—not exactly a no-brainer. He’s active in every individual’s lives—and there are billions of us. When God ordained the Sabbath as a day of rest, He wasn’t tired; He just ended His creative activity. The Sabbath is a day designed for humans to rest. And we need rest from the hectic pace we embrace. We just hate waiting.

While God has a plan for every one of His kids, He rewards each step of obedience we take on that path. When God halts our forward progress, He creates pause. He’s still busy, just unseen. He changes people’s hearts; for example, we decide that our original prayer isn’t what we wanted after all. The pause could be a barrier of protection so that we don’t rush ahead and make hasty decisions that would bring disaster.

Perhaps we’re not ready to receive God’s answer to prayer. Waiting grows our character, obedience, and faith. Waiting also trains us for future responsibilities. When we find ourselves in a holding pattern, let’s deliberately choose to be still. Drum roll, please: Now He’s growing your patience! It won’t be long until God unleashes His mighty power on your behalf.

Soon, God will reveal good things for those who wait...for His timing. And the blessings He’s got stored up for you will exceed all expectations!

Take Home Nugget

Jeremy threw the football right on target, and Brad scored a touchdown in their make-believe recess football game. “That’s what I am talking about!” Brad cheered Jeremy’s successful pass that ended up in a 6 point score across the make-believe goal line. “We will be ready for Spring tryouts!”

Along life pathways I wait

And the way I cannot see.

My excitement does not abate

Eager for the plan God has for me.

J.D. Griffith


A personal, private lesson experience with our staff








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Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Anchored for Victory

ANCHORED FOR VICTORY

Proverbs 3:5-6

The Message: “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track.”


Mr. Robbins opened the fifth-grade Sunday school class with, “Let’s contrast St. Patrick and David both being a shepherd.” (See St. Patrick devotion).

Brad said, “St. Patrick was kidnapped and sold into slavery, David was happy to be his family’s shepherd.”

“Right” Mr. Robbins said. “Imagine St. Patrick’s frustration! His life seemed secure, then suddenly he was hijacked off and sold as a slave. He could easily have gotten off the track of Godly living. But the Scripture on the black board is our anchor for victory. That way—regardless of what trials come—we stay on the right track when God is the conductor of our personal train.”

Mr. Robbins is correct. Staying on track of right living is do-able for God’s kids who dare to try. Staying on track brings rewards for everyone who remains faithful to God. One tool that’s vital for staying on track to victory is to read and meditate on God’s word daily. Some people hear one sermon at church on Sunday, and that’s it for the whole week. Who eats only one meal that’s supposed to last all week?

There are 150,000 miles of rail road track in the USA. Railroads carry goods, as well as people, from coast to coast. If RR cars get on a different track, cargo ends up at the wrong destination. When people get side tracked off the path of right living, they lose time as well as God’s blessings. Clear Guidance devotion shows how to find God’s plan of our lives. We definitely do not want to get off that track!

Obedience is another tool that anchors us for victory. Jesus couples love with obedience in John 14:15: “If you love Me, you will obey what I command.” People become annoyed when something doesn’t happen quickly, or immediately. While every prayer from one of God’s kids receives an answer, “Yes,” “No,” or “Wait” comes only in God’s timing.

Anchored for victory often means that we wait for God to coordinate our best blessing. How we reach victory is anchored on the Holy Spirit’s divine supply. He teaches us, empowers us to do great things, and protects us from harm.

Take Home Nugget

“Remember St. Patrick whenever you get depressed at something” Mr. Robbins said. “Trust God and continue on the right path. As children of Almighty God, be brave. Be bold. Be daring for God! Your victory is in sight!”

Day by Day

The Lord leads me on my way.

J.D. Griffith


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Friday, March 16, 2012

Clear Guidance

CLEAR GUIDANCE

1Samuel 4:1-11

Verse 3: “When the soldiers returned to camp [Israelites fought the Philistines], the elders of Israel asked, ‘Why did the Lord being defeat upon us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Shiloh, so that it may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies.’”

The devotion St. Patrick may have made many kids uncomfortable. Patrick had his future laid out before him, but was rudely hijacked to a foreign land and sold into slavery. Christians are supposed to be protected from these dreadful things, right?

Yes and No. God’s kids are surrounded by angels that keep us safe. But God always has the last word. While Patrick’s 6 years of shepherding kept him hungry and cold, he turned to the Lord. The relationship he built with God carried him through the very trial that prepared him for his ministry. In the end, he chose to return to Ireland. I am sure that Patrick never figured that being Ireland’s patron saint was his life’s plan!

God wants to give His kids clear guidance in our lives. The question is: How do we get this guidance? The first thing is to carry out the trash. Sin is one hurdle that God won’t jump—until we repent of it and clear the pathway to receive His direction. We must also choose to let God’s way trump our way.

The second stumbling block is to wait for Him to open up the path before we race forward. The Bible is clear that waiting isn’t passive. We’re to actively pray and remain alert to hear His voice. During this “marking time” season, He’ll weed out wrong ideas and behavior that confuse our lives.

Prayer and Bible study wrap up guidance issues. The Bible has every answer for every need. It’s the Holy Spirit’s job to point us in the right direction. Prayer is chatting with God about our concerns, plans, and human deadlines that we feel need to be met.

The opening Scripture seems “right on” to achieve Israel’s victory, but even that failed. (See lesson link, below). No matter our resources, the ace hidden up one’s sleeve does NOT guarantee victory. In fact, plans are doomed to fail until we enlist God’s plan.

Take Home Nugget

The Israelites didn’t consult God before battling the Philistines, even with the ark as good luck. In fact, Israel was clobbered a second time! Taking the ark into battle worked with Joshua at Jericho (Joshua 6), but it wasn’t God’s plan this time. Israel failed to pray and receive God’s direction. Good luck doesn’t charm victory, which only comes from God’s plan.

Let prayer be your first plan, not your last.

J.D. Griffith


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Tuesday, March 13, 2012

St. Patrick

SAINT PATRICK

386-460

Psalm 25:12

“Who then, is the man that fears the Lord?  He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.”

Saint Patrick shows people how to find God’s clear guidance. He shows us that living God’s way means that we follow His plan, not ours—even when things get bad. Patrick was born in Britain, when it was part of the Roman Empire. Christianity was the accepted religion, Catholicism its only church. His grandfather was a priest, and his father a deacon in the Roman church. Naturally, Patrick was expected to follow the same path of serving in the church. Surely that was his birthright. Right?

At age 16, Patrick was kidnapped by pirates. He was sold into slavery in Ireland. There he worked as a shepherd for 6 years. Thomas Cahill wrote about Patrick, saying that he was mistreated; his two constant companions were hunger and nakedness. Patrick survived by remaining in prayer. God’s creation awed him. He believed that all the world belonged to God. He found power in nature. Does this remind you of another shepherd named David—who wrote many Psalms?

One night, a mysterious voice told Patrick to leave Ireland. He walked to a seaport, and miraculously found passage away from Ireland. He eventually landed back in Britain. He began studying for the priesthood. His years as a slave prevented him from obtaining formal education, what his classmates received before furthering their instruction in the church. But Patrick’s strength came from knowing God through prayer, and his wonder at God’s creation.

Legend holds that Patrick would take a three-leaf clover and ask, “Is this one leaf or three?”

People would respond, “Both.”

He’d explain, “So it is with the Holy Trinity. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one God. Three persons in one.”



Besides Patrick being a practical teacher, he was also a radically different public figure. His common-sense teaching went beyond the shamrock and Holy Trinity. Patrick’s ability to envision the invisible God all around him enabled him to preach like Apostle Paul. For Patrick surely related to Romans 1:20: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”

Patrick’s unusual background appealed to the poor Irish people, when he returned to Ireland. They were attracted to a man who could teach Godly principles on a down-to-earth level. They related way better to Patrick than someone who couples high speech with philosophical teaching about God.1

Patrick was named Ireland’s patron Saint.



Take Home Nugget

Regardless of people’s plans for their lives, God’s plan yields them the best.

We see in part; God sees the whole.

1 Cahill, Thomas. How the Irish Saved Civilization. New York: Doubleday, 1995.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY!

J.D. Griffith


A personal, private lesson experience with our staff


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Friday, March 9, 2012

Ten-Hut!

TEN-HUT!

Matthew 7:13-14

The Message “Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.”

Brad ran to the end-zone marker during recess from 5th grade. His classmate, Jeremy, threw the football, then sighed, “Sorry, Brad.”

Brad yelled, “Jeremy! What are you doing? My route was to go inside, then to the goal. You threw the ball 10 yards short!”

Jeremy could be having a bad day, or just be slightly“off” right now. No matter his excuse, the devotion, God is the One, showed his attitude of slacking off these recess skill drills because he figured he’d make the team, no sweat. Brad stays focused, admitting that he takes nothing for granted. During tryouts this summer, they both could just as easily be cut from the team, as promoted to starting positions.

The “anything goes” lifestyle leads to ultimate eternal death. Unlimited freedom without restrictions declares that everything is OK. It promises hope, satisfaction, and fulfillment, but always ends in despair. The easy path is where people drift to because it’s a no-brainer—literally! It’s deadly. It descends to darkness rather than ascending to light. It’s a path without God!

Tolerance lectures acceptance for same-sex partners. “Separation of church and state” labels wishing someone a “Merry Christmas” is now politically incorrect. The acceptance path—where most people travel, because everything is OK—challenges Biblical truth. The narrow road is harder because its entrance is guarded by God’s truth.

Jeremy, ten-hut! The harder road of faith leads to a relationship with Jesus, peace and joy. This narrow road is padded with protection (John 17:11). Paying attention to God’s truth is harder than “going with the flow” of how the world pushes freedom, but it’s worth the effort.

“Come on, Jerm” Brad said, throwing his arm around Jeremy’s shoulder. “Are we serious about starting positions on the football team, or not? We gotta get serious, man!”

“You’re right, Brad. I am sorry for slacking off. I promise to be serious from now on.”

That’s the spirit! Let’s all stop slacking off. Ten-hut!

Take Home Nugget

The opening Scripture says that living on purpose is essential for victory. Jesus warns believers to deliberately choose the narrow road of life. If people label you a "narrow-minded Christian” because you disagree with the world’s ways, who cares? It’s time to grow a thick skin so that insults hurled our way don’t bother us. We can choose to take it as a compliment, and respond, “Thanks!”

Those who stop paying attention will fall for anything.

J.D. Griffith


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Tuesday, March 6, 2012

God is the One

GOD IS THE ONE

Deuteronomy 8:7-18

Vv.15-16: “He led you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it may go well with you.”

“Why the big grin?” Jeremy’s 5th-grade classmate, Brad, wondered when running onto the field at recess.

“We played a fantastic season of football, Brad. Surely we’ll make the team next season....I may even try out for a different position!”

Brad spun the football the boys played with at recess in his hands. He positioned it with the laces lining up under his fingers, as though ready to throw it, before answering his friend. “Tell you what, Jerm, I’m not making the team again for granted. I want to work hard until spring-season tryouts. Hopefully, Coach will choose you and me to be on the team again for next season. Wasn't sharpening our skills the whole point about our recess play through this school year?”

The devotion, Dissatisfaction, could leave people wondering what isn’t meaningless. If people’s hope isn’t on Jesus and all God’s promises in the Bible, what has meaning? What brings satisfaction? When people are successful, they tend to take credit for their success. When winning, they think of themselves as winners—apart from God’s authority, and blessing.

Brad has the correct attitude when things are going well: keep trying to improve. When people take for granted their success, popularity, or wealth, pride can quickly bring them down. When things are going well in people’s lives, they often ignore, or forget God altogether. They think that they, alone, are responsible for their victories.

Everything we have comes from God, and it all belongs to Him! Wealth, victory, or success with attaining material things aren't all that is important.  Ask a person newly diagnosed with cancer what his health means. Ask a person whose child died what peace means. Ask someone who was betrayed by a best friend what loyalty and faithfulness means.

Of course Brad realizes that next season tryouts could just as easily cut him from the football squad as promote him to a starting position. He takes nothing for granted. He wants Jeremy to understand this, as they work on improving their football skills. Just as we thank God for every meal, let us thank Him for every blessing. Let’s admit that He’s the One. Not me. Not you.

Take Home Nugget

John 10:10 is Jesus talking to His disciples, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

God, the true Life giver,

Shows us how to live.

More precious than silver,

Jesus—eternal life to give.

J.D. Griffith


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Friday, March 2, 2012

Dissatisfaction

DISSATISFACTION

Ecclesiastes 2:1-23

Verse 3b: “I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.”

Mr. Robbins, Brad and Phillip’s 5th grade Sunday school teacher, asked a question as kids filed inside the classroom. “If you were the richest person in the world, would you be happy? Write your answers on the chalkboard.”

Brad wrote, “Yes!”

Phillip wrote, “Yes!!”

Darby wrote, “Yes!!!”

Elieta wrote, “Yes!!!!”

Melanie wrote, “Yes!!!!!”

“I see that you are all in increasingly excited agreement” Mr. Robbins said. “I don’t have a pot of gold for you today, but I do have something for you to read.”

After the kids read Ecclesiastes 2:1-23 silently, Mr. Robbins said, “King Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived. In fact, “he was greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem” as you read in Ecclesiastes 2:9. Can you sense his desperation in finding something worthwhile in this life?”

Darby said, “He sounds like he wasn’t happy at all!”

“He does sound like he wanted to find one thing that would satisfy him, doesn’t he?” Mr. Robbins said. “You would think that building the awesome temple for the Lord would have been his crowning achievement. But even that didn’t satisfy his longing. He devoted himself to finding one thing—from wine to sex, from pleasing his every whim to hard labor—everything rewarded him with only disappointment in the end. Why do you think this is? What do you think this tells us?”

Phillip said, “He realized that after he died, someone else would take over, without having earned anything.”

Melanie said, “He never appreciated his blessings.”

Elieta said, “He sounds like a spoiled brat to me.”

Brad said, “Solomon was looking for satisfaction in the wrong places.”

“Very good, class! All your answers also tells me a great deal about how you would answer, ‘what this tells us.’ Where do you think we should look for satisfaction, Brad?”

Brad looked back at the Bible passage he just read. “I don’t see where Solomon did anything for someone else; it was all for his pleasure.”

“I think you’re onto something, Brad. Check out chapter12, verse 13. “Now that all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For He will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”

Take Home Nugget

Satisfaction only comes to people who align their lives with God’s will—anything else ends in dissatisfaction, unmet goals.

Surrender to God for guidance from above,

Trusting him for life’s direction.

Depending on His daily leading and love

Gladly accepts His course correction.

J.D. Griffith


A personal, private lesson experience with our staff


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