One Month Vacation

Dear BibleStudyForKids.com devotion and lesson readers and participants,

There are health issues that require my attention right now.

While I miss writing devotions, you are never far from my mind.

Please continue doing lessons for past devotions, and new devotions will post beginning of June, 2012.

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Thank you for your dedication to learning the Bible, and reading God's Word.

In Jesus' love,
your teacher Jolene

He's Coming

HE’S COMING

Revelation 19:7

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and the bride has made herself ready.”

Those who understand the signs that Scripture recognizes as predictive mileposts (see Where Are We? devotion), realize that prophesy has nearly been totally fulfilled!

 More than 300 Biblical Old Testament prophesies (PROF-e-sees means predictions) say that Jesus Christ is coming. Most are fulfilled in the God/person Jesus Christ. The New Testament forecasts Jesus’ coming again 318 times.¹  If Bible prophesy is important to you—where we are in today’s prophetic mileposts—consider the wedding metaphor (MET-a-for is a word that stands for something else).  We’re waiting for Jesus—otherwise known as the Lamb, and the head of His church in Ephesians 5:23—to come as Savior of His bride, (believers who are making herself ready).

Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of marriage as Jesus’ second coming in 2 Corinthians 11:2: “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to Him.” This image was powerful in his time, because people understood that Jewish marriages happen in three parts. The first is the contract, or engagement. Jesus wrote this contract in His blood when He died on the cross BEFORE WE BELIEVED IN HIM.

The second part concludes when we say “Yes” to the marriage proposal—belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives. That instant, we are reborn as new people. His indwelling Holy Spirit seals believers as “belonging to Jesus.” His sanctifying work (SANK-ti-FY-ing means set apart, make holy) continues throughout a believer’s lifetime.

The third part is the wedding celebration itself—what believers and Jesus are longing for. Jesus will come to gather His Church (believers as His Bride), and take us home. (See the Rapture devotion). Jesus, the “He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”” (Revelation 22:20).

Many kids learn about weddings as they grow up watching family members. Older brothers and sisters fall in love, and get married—as younger siblings, and family members witness their vows. The engaged couple eagerly awaits that ceremony, making detailed plans so that their day is perfect. They long to be married, just as Jesus is eager to be your groom!

Take Home Nugget

Boys, just because Jesus is a male doesn’t make this groom metaphor weird. The groom is really Jesus, as head of the church. What’s weird is that His indwelling Holy Spirit is sanctifying you, and that makes you holy and you're now called a saint!

Look long into the eyes of our Savior, and mirrored there is you—His bride! Clothed in pure grace—watch and wait—for He’s coming for you.

J.D. Griffith

¹ David Jeremiah, Turning Points Magazine and Devotional. San Diego, CA, 3/2012, 30.   



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Where Are We?

WHERE ARE WE?


Luke 21:31

“Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.”

3rd grader Shakira said to her 5th-grade cousin, Cassie, during recess at school in Raleigh, North Carolina. “We got lost on Sunday and ended up in another whole state!”

“What happened?” Cassie asked.

“We drove around trying to find my dad’s uncle Raymond after church. We ended up in Virginia—I saw the sign that welcomed us!”

It’s pretty easy to find oneself in a different state while driving in America. Roadside signs announce the names of cities and states, so that people know where they are. No guard stops a car crossing the border into another state, in America. Because the speed limit on Interstate highways is usually over 60 miles per hour, every minute driven is a mile closer toward destinations. Conveniently, the miles are marked at regular intervals on the right side of the highway. But that wasn’t always the case.

In Roman times, stone columns erected by the side of the road indicated the number of miles from one place, and towards another place. This is how the English language got the word milestone. (Today, the word milepost is usually used in America). In1920, a Zero Milestone was erected just south of the White House in Washington, D.C. This was the point from which distances to various places around the nation are measured.

Just as a highway milepost keeps one oriented (OR-e-en-ted means where one is) on a land journey, God established prophetic (pro-FET-ik means predicted) markers that announce where we are through time. We could say that Genesis 3:15 is Zero Prophetic Milepost from Satan’s promised defeat. “And I will put enmity [EN-mit-ee means hostility] between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel.” (Emphasis added). God predicted Satan’s future after Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden.

If Genesis 3:15 is 0 prophetic milepost, our destination to the Holy City—new Jerusalem—is Revelation 21:2. Prophetic mileposts are specific to God’s chosen Jewish people. Jesus’ birth, life, death, and ascension fulfilled most all prophetic mileposts from the Old Testament. Zechariah 8:8 came true in 1948. “I will bring them back to Jerusalem; they will be My people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God.”

Gentiles who believe in Jesus share all Jewish prophetic promises, including eternal destination (Galatians 3:26-29).

Take Home Nugget

New Testament prophetic mileposts signal Jesus’ return. The lesson link, below, highlights some of these mileposts. Just as road signs informed Shakira that she entered Virginia, Christians trust God’s prophetic mileposts that signal our future.

J.D. Griffith

In God, history and prophesy are one and the same.

A. W. Tozer

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Where Are We?

A personal, private lesson experience with our staff

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For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

Righteous Anger

RIGHTEOUS ANGER

Matthew 21:12-17

Verse 13: “‘It is written,’ He said to them, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’”

“You are grounded, Jeremy!” his mom said as he walked through the front door. “Your curfew was ten o’clock—and it’s nearly eleven!” (KUR-few means time restriction).


Jeremy threw his backpack on the living room chair, and tried pleading his case. “We wanted to leave sooner, Mom, but Brad’s dad was late!”

“You should have called me.”

Parents get angry when their kids disobey curfew, or an agreed-upon time limit. And while people become angry when they’re treated unfairly, anger can also come from jealousy or other emotions. But there is different kind of anger: one that’s just and honorable. We call this kind of anger righteous (RITE-chus), because it’s honest and respectable. Jeremy’s mom felt that he deserved being grounded for coming home late.

One time Jesus got very angry, and His displeasure was evident to all who were present. The Court of Gentiles was the only place where non-Jews could enter the temple. This area became an open-air market where Jesus and His disciples had to push their way through the masses of people. People were buying animals to sacrifice, and money was unfairly exchanged.

Jesus probably raised His voice stating the opening Scripture, in order to be heard above the noise. He upended tables, overturned chairs, and drove animals toward the gate through a mob which scrambled for coins scattered on the ground. Mark 11:16 says that He even blocked the way for merchants carrying their products through the temple court.

“Mom” Jeremy wondered, “You didn’t get my text?”

Jeremy’s mom checked and found his text that was sent just after ten o’clock. MOM, BRAD’S DAD LATE PICKING US UP. B HOME SOON! LUVU. Jeremy’s mom hugged him. “I am sorry, hon. You made it home safely—and that’s the whole point of curfews.”

Jesus then healed the blind and lame who approached Him at the temple.

Children noticed the wonderful things Jesus was doing, and shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” Hosanna means “Save,” and us usually shouted as an exclamation. But the teachers of the law who saw all these things, were really offended by the children’s praise. They resented Jesus’ take-charge attitude, stopping the unfair trade business in the temple court.

Take Home Nugget

Jesus’ actions showed people that no one should interfere with those who God calls to be saved. His house (our temples and churches) are not built for buying and selling, ripping people off with dishonest practices. God’s house is a house of prayer, meditation on His Word, and praise.

Lord, give us Your grace to learn

The false things that are revealed.

Give us wisdom to discern

When to keep our lips tightly sealed.

J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Righteous Anger

A personal, private lesson experience with our staff

Written for http://www.biblestudyforkids.com/

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

The Rapture

THE RAPTURE

1 Thessalonians 4:14-17

“We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.

“For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with a 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 in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

Rapture (RAPT-shur), a sense of pure joy, also means delight, bliss, or cloud nine happiness. (See Paradise Today devotion). The opening Scripture explains what people mean when they use the word “Rapture” in conversation. The Lord will come down from heaven, the dead in Him will rise, and we who are still alive will meet Him (and all other believers) in the air. Can you imagine the delight when we realize what's happening?

Rapture can be a proper noun, or as a regular noun that means inexpressible happiness. The Rapture is a “catch phrase” that encourages fellow believers. Hearing this in conversation, draws smiles with shared common faith. Although the word rapture is not found anywhere in the Bible, it describes believer’s eager anticipation. Jesus will unite the spirit bodies from heaven with the flesh bodies that raie into the air from the graves.  Their new bodies will be changed.  Glorified bodies will be recognizable as the person was known on earth. 

Believers-in-Christ who are still alive, will be transformed as we’re “caught up” to meet the Lord in the air. Then we’ll truly understand Resurrection Prize devotion. Our “resurrected” bodies will be remade glorious, immortal, fit for eternal life. Revived, renewed bodies will never wear out, as our mortal bodies do. Resurrected bodies will never die.

We will live forever!

The Rapture, the second coming of Christ guarantees that cemeteries, coffins, mausoleums or ashes scattered about are just temporary places for the dead to chill-out or rest for awhile.

Take Home Nugget

Really, believers expect Jesus’ appearance at any time. Revelation 22:20 is what keeps people expecting, ready, and waiting throughout the years: “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’” And yet, what brings human frustration is what Jesus insisted to His disciples in Matthew 24:36: “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, bur only the Father.”

Verse 42: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know what day your Lord will come.”

J.D. Griffith

“Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone but in every leaf of springtime.”

Martin Luther

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for The Rapture

A personal, private lesson experience with our staff

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For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

May I Have a Word with You?

These next few devotions, The Rapture, Where Are We? And He’s Coming, may rattle readers. If a child or young person were to read a devotion where there is no one around to answer troubling questions, the reader could be shocked, and dismayed. These devotions are being written because the future could very well be totally different from the past. We often take the past for granted because it’s safe. It’s behind us. It’s history.


But today is different than yesterday. We’re one day closer to extraordinary events that the Bible predicts will happen. I want to warn the reader that these devotions are designed to reveal these events, but not to cause anyone distress. As gently as I can say things that may be troubling, I will not sugarcoat the Gospel of Christ.

Rather, I intend to explain things in a way that uplifts and encourages readers. Believers’ security is in being children of God. John 10:28 assures us that our safety is in Jesus Christ, to all who believe: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand.”

J.D. Griffith

Resurrection Prize

RESURRECTION PRIZE

1 Corinthians 15:20-58

Vv. 42-43: “So will it be with the resurrection of the dead [stars differ from another star in splendor]. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.”

Resurrection (res-ur-RECK-shon means bodily reappearance) prize is life after death. Paradise Today devotion showed Jesus promising paradise that same day to one criminal as they hung on their crosses. But they had to die before entering paradise, believer’s heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:44 says how they entered paradise: “It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.”

Jesus and the criminal entered heaven (paradise) the moment they died as spirit beings. Heaven is full of spirit beings who believed in Jesus Christ while they lived. One day—just like Jesus—we will be clothed in new physical bodies, too. That’s why Paradise Today devotion also said, “Earthly life is the test road—our only chance to decide our future by the choices we make when alive.”

The criminal made that fateful choice hours before his death. Jesus promised him paradise that same day! People have until the moment before they die to believe in Jesus as Lord, in order to enter heaven when they die. But the opening Scripture tells us that the difference would be revealed in the splendor of their spirit bodies. Jesus’ spirit body must have radiated brilliant splendor in contrast to the criminal’s dim spirit body.

Everyone knows that funerals are sad times for family and friends after someone dies. While that person will never be seen again on earth, relatives and friends comfort each other the best they can. Jesus’ disciples mourned His death, too. Their despair was so deep that they forgot what Jesus told them in John 16:20: “I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.” Then they saw Him alive!

The funeral for persons who never believed in Jesus during their lifetimes are mourned by family and friends who have no hope to encourage them with! Theirs is the saddest funeral of all.

Take Home Nugget

But funerals for Christians are different. Their mourners share a secret from 1 Corinthians 15:51-53: “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.”

Paradise first—then later—resurrected bodies after we die!

J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Resurrection Prize

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Written for http://www.biblestudyforkids.com/

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Paradise Today

PARADISE TODAY

Luke 23:41-43

“Then he [criminal on a cross next to Jesus] said, ‘We are being punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong!’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into Your kingdom.’

“Jesus answered him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise.’”

Paradise. That word summons up other fun words like thrill, excitement, delight, joy, happiness, bliss, cloud nine. Heaven is our paradise—just like for the criminal who was crucified on a cross next to our Savior. Lucky thing for him that the punished could talk to each other while hanging-on-their-crosses torture. Otherwise, he would not have gone to paradise that dreadful Good Friday almost 2,000 years ago.

Believers in Jesus Christ celebrate Easter every year because Jesus is alive. That fact is our promise that we will also rise from the dead one day. While our paradise may not come today, it’s in sight just because Jesus is alive. Although Jesus suffered torment physically and mentally during His Passion Week, His resurrection accomplished everything that His birth promised. Our Father praised His Son with well-done approval.

Let’s explore some big words that explain what Jesus achieved for humankind’s salvation:

A. Redemption. Jesus paid the full price for our way out of the sin debt we owed. That was—by the way—eternal death. Jesus also set us free from the bondage to sin.

B. Forgiveness. Now those who believe in Jesus as the Son of God can live free from the punishment we deserve.

C. Propitiation. Pro-PIT-che-a-shon is a Greek word that means accepting one thing in exchange for another. Jesus’ death satisfied our Father’s demand for justice, so that now He is willing to forgive our sins.

D. Justification. Jus-tif-i-KA-shon trough Christ is evidence that now we’re innocent of sin. This legal declaration can never be reversed! Although we’ll still sin in this life, we appear blameless before our Father.

D. Reconciliation. Rek-on-SIL-e-a-shon means settled reunion. We may now approach our Father with confidence that He hears and answers prayers.

Lucky thing for us that Jesus came for all people. His free gift of salvation remains open for anyone who claims Jesus as Savior and Lord. Heaven is believers’ paradise which they’ll enter upon physical death.

Take Home Nugget

During our lives, we too will face different kinds of torment, just as Jesus did. Life is not supposed to be easy. Earthly life is the test road—our only chance to decide our future by the choices we make while alive.

Paradise ahead on God’s highway.

Lots of roads end there, many claim.

Don’t listen to what they say!

Only one way to paradise, and Jesus is His name.

J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Paradise Today

A personal, private lesson experience with our staff

Written for http://www.biblestudyforkids.com/

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

Our Only Chance: The Lamb Of God

OUR ONLY CHANCE: THE LAMB OF GOD

Matthew 26:46-27:56

Vv. 26:49-50

“Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed Him. Jesus replied, ‘Friend, do what you came for.’ Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested Him.”

God has always dealt with sin through the blood of sacrifices. While Jesus is known by many different names: Messiah. Lord. Christ. Rabbi. Teacher, for example.  The name that is most unusual—the most confusing—is Lamb of God. Those who don’t come from a Jewish background, find this to be a weird title.

Gentiles just don’t get it. John the Baptist clearly understood what he meant when pointing Jesus out in John 1:29: “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’”

Lambs were for sacrifice.

After Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, God killed an animal and used its coat to cover their nakedness (Genesis 3:21). The first Passover, each household covered the doorway with blood of a sacrificed lamb (Exodus 12:1-7). In Leviticus 16:15, a goat was sacrificed to pay for the sins of an entire nation. Now Jesus’ sacrifice, as the Lamb of God, takes away the sins of the whole world!

Jesus was our only chance for life.

Otherwise, animals would have had to be continually slaughtered to pay for human’s sins. And there would be no Christians—who are named for our Messiah—who died on the cross as payment for our sins. Usually, we honor people who achieve greatness for doing something while they’re alive. But think of what Jesus accomplished through His death!

Just as innocent animals were slaughtered for forgiveness of people’s sins in Old Testament times, Jesus was also innocent. We were the guilty ones. His perfect life trumps our sinful lives. Yet He died as payment for our sins. Isn’t something unbalanced in this equation? We’re not used to condemning the innocent as punishment of the guilty.

Human minds and senses cannot grasp all that the Lamb of God endured to bring us salvation. But we do get it that we owe Jesus our very lives. He took our place on the cross—let’s give Him first place in our hearts!

Take Home Nugget

Titus 2:12-13: “We should live...godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope.” It seems to us that Jesus is our only chance for victory in this fallen world. Nothing will get better until Jesus comes and sets up His kingdom here on earth. It’s our job to await the Savior’s return with prayer, watching, and working. He will not let us down!

With longing hearts we watch and wait

Our hope and praise for Him will not abate!

HONOR JESUS IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE THIS GOOD FRIDAY

J.D Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Our Only Chance: the Lamb of God

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For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

Jesus to the Rescue

JESUS TO THE RESCUE

Romans 3:10-22

Vv. 9-18

“...We already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who is good, not even one. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know. There is no fear of God before their eyes.’”

Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday are two book ends that define Jesus’ Passion Week. (See Visiting King devotion). Both events represent victories, cheered by the masses. Jesus’ victory is our rescue from sin—which is death. Passion Week shows Jesus’ love for God’s children through His suffering and death on the cross. Jesus’ Passion is rescuing us from eternal death.

Maundy Thursday is Jesus’ “Last Supper.” It is fitting that the date overlaps Passover. Passover is when a lamb is prepared for a Jewish family to eat while wearing travel clothes. Whatever is not consumed must be burnt up. No yeast (representing sin) is used in baking the bread. This is their Feast of Unleavened Bread, remembering when God rescued them out of Egypt (Exodus 12:17, Matthew 26:17). The lamb’s blood is smeared on the top and sides of the door, in obedience to God. When the angel of the Lord sees the blood, he passes over the house, and everybody remains safe.

Not so with Pharaoh’s palace in Egypt thousands of years ago. His son died that night because there was no blood on the palace door posts. Jesus arranged this night for His last meal with His disciples before His death. The disciples were confused when Jesus talked about the bread being His body, and the wine being His blood for forgiveness of sins during the meal (Matthew 26:26-29). Later, they understood what it meant. Their Lord died in order that they could have eternal life.

This first Holy Communion—served by Jesus Himself—is a new covenant (KOV-en-ant means contract agreement) between God and His children for forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:27). Holy Communion is repeated for believers to remember Jesus’ rescuing us from eternal death.  1 Corinthians 5:7-8 lays it all out for us:  "Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast--as you really are.  For Christ, our Passover lamb, has beeen sacrificed.  Therefore let us keep the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth."

Take Home Nugget

The Bible is a book of blood rescue. The opening Scripture points out that no one deserves God’s mercy. The Good News of the gospel is that Jesus rescues whoever accepts His gift of salvation.

Thank You, Jesus, for rescuing me from eternal death when I invite you into my life as Lord and Savior. AMEN

J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Jesus to the Rescue

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Written for http://www.biblestudyforkids.com/

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