Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Eternals

ETERNALS                                                        
Seventh of nine devotions in Incarnation Parallel Bible Study series

Micah 5:2, John 1:1-2

Micah 5:2:  “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will rule over Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times.”

            What’s Ephrathah?  Ephrathah is the region in Judah where Bethlehem was located.  1 Samuel 17:12 says, “Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah.” 

            Eternity is a mind-blowing idea.  Don’t human minds demand that there has to be a beginning?  John 1:1-2 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.”  The title of this devotion is Eternals; the “s” includes you!  People were created to live forever.  We choose either to be with God or separated from God eternally.

            The Greek word for “Word” is Logos.  Logos means both the spoken and unspoken word.  The unspoken word is still in one’s mind.  It’s one’s reason, how one thinks.  Yeah, God can “read” minds.  That seems logical, doesn’t it?   God’s Word created all things.  The Word was distinct from the Father. 

            Referring to Jesus as God, John 1:3-4 says, “Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.  In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.”  Life is Jesus’ gift to whomever receives Him as Lord.  In John 14:6, Jesus says plainly, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” 

            No one comes to God the Father, except who’s called to God the Son first (John 6:44).  Jesus is not the way among many.  Jesus is the ONLY way.  In fact, earliest Christians were called followers of “The Way.”

Take Home Nugget

            The prophet Daniel included Jesus in Daniel 7:13-14, the first time, “son of man” is mentioned in the Bible:  “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven.  He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence.  He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshipped Him.  His dominion is everlasting dominion that will never pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” 

            Mark 13:26 parallels with, “At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.”

            Suggested New Year’s resolution: Make sure that your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 21:27).

Jesus, the Word, “hears” even silent prayers. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014!


J.D. Griffith
           
  


            A personal, private lesson experience with our staff



Friday, December 27, 2013

Innocents!

            INNOCENTS!    
                                    
Sixth of nine devotions in Incarnation Parallel Bible Study series

Jeremiah 31:15, Matthew 2:16-18

Matthew 2:16:  “When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and younger, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.”

Matthew 2:17-18 includes the passage from Jeremiah 31:15:  “Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: ‘A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they were no more.’”
           
            Herod killed innocents looking for the Christ child.   Christmas joy of giving reminds us to remember those who’re in need.  They deserve gifts, too!  That’s why “Toys for Tots” and “Mystery Santa” were formed.  Adults know that kids need to open gifts Christmas morning.  Everybody else does.

            Kids don’t control anything, and are dependent on others for everything.  They haven’t done anything wrong (yet).  They certainly don’t deserve to die!  But, life rarely seems fair.  Many times, we simply wring our hands and shrug our shoulders over life’s injustices. 

            When the Magi swept into Jerusalem asking where to find “The King of the Jews,” Herod freaked.  (Matthew 2:2).  Herod was appointed king of Judea by the Roman Senate.  The new baby had to go!  Herod only knew one way to handle competition—by killing it.  But that’s not all.  

            Herod also murdered one wife, three of his own sons, his mother-in-law, his brother-in-law, and many others.  So killing babies was no big deal to Herod.  Surely, the Christ child would be caught in Herod’s snare of killing innocents.  But Matthew 2:13 says that Joseph took Jesus and Mary to Egypt.  They returned after Herod died, in verses 19-20.

            Herod had a problem.  He was insecure.  By now, I’m sure you get how messed up Herod was.

            Fear.  Distrust.  Suspicion.  Obsession.  Paranoia. 

            Pick one noun to label Herod, and you’d be right.  But why stop there?  The world is full of insecure people who also fall under these labels.  But that doesn’t have to label you—or any Christian!  Because Jesus came to earth as our Savior, whoever believes in Jesus has assurance.  We’re confident that we’ll have eternal life (John 3:36, 1 John 5:13).

            Hallelujah!  

Take Home Nugget

            No one wants to be poor.  But Jesus said that “the poor you will always have with you.” (Matthew 26:11).  People are proud, though.  We want to earn our way in life.  But God wants His kids dependent on Him!  Self-sufficiency and independence from God is not Jesus’ way.  God promises to meet every need (Matthew 6:8).

Dependence on God is being independent from worry.
J.D. Griffith
           
  
            A personal, private lesson experience with our staff



Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Immanuel--God with Us

IMMANUEL—GOD WITH US    
                     
Fifth of nine devotions in Incarnation Parallel Bible Study series

Zechariah 2:10-11, John 1:14

Zechariah 2:10-11:  “Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion.  For I am coming, and I will live among you,’ declares the Lord.  ‘Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become My people.  I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent Me to you.’”

John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.  We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (All emphasis mine).

            Prophets prophesy, or foretell the future.  The noun prophecy means prediction.  God spoke through many prophets to encourage His people about their future.  The Hebrew nation of Judah had been exiled to Babylon for one hundred years for breaking God’s covenant.  Their glorious sacred history from Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Samuel and Isaiah was all but forgotten by this once proud people.

            Nahum, Zechariah and fellow prophet, Haggai, were tasked to get God’s temple rebuilt, which lay in ruins. The people’s very identity also laid in ruins.  They had been ridiculed, kicked around, mocked and despised for too long.  God wanted to remind them of their unique, magnificent identity as His chosen people.  Zechariah strengthened Judah with fresh vocabulary of imagery and poetic messages.

            A new vocabulary gave God’s people energy, enthusiasm and credibility that God was still working in their lives.  Zechariah released energy, insight and hope to Judah.  This once discouraged people understood their need for Immanuel—God with us.   We can understand their need for, and anticipation for their promised Messiah.  They so longed to be free from the troubles of this world!   A World that never has a language for God.  A world who still mocks the people of God.  

             Prophet’s words WILL come true, even if they’re not true today.  Isaiah 7:14 says:  “Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and will call Him Immanuel.  Another parallel Scripture is Matthew 1:23:  “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and they will call Him Immanuel—which means ‘God with us.’” 
Take Home Nugget

            Isaiah lived between 740 and 680 B.C.  A “sign” usually came true within a few years.  But Mary wasn’t pregnant with Jesus for over three hundred years after Isaiah’s prophecy.  God works things out in His perfect timing.  History must be fulfilled.  Many Jewish people won’t recognize Jesus as Messiah until they see His return.

Immanuel, God with us!
Thank You Jesus for never leaving us.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
J.D. Griffith
           

            A personal, private lesson experience with our staff 



Friday, December 20, 2013

Star out of Jacob

STAR OUT OF JACOB  
                                  
Fourth of nine devotions in Incarnation Parallel Bible Study series

Numbers 24:17-19, Matthew 1:2

 Numbers 24:17a: “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near.  A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.”

            Scepter is a rod or sword.  The “star” initially was David, rising (or descended from) his ancestor Jacob.  King David was a mighty warrior and ruler.  But Messiah will be the final ruler who will bring victory to His people over their enemies.  “Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.” (Revelation 16:16).  

            Revelation 22:17 says, “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you [John] this testimony for the churches.  I am the Root and offspring of David, and the bright and   Morning Star.”  Jesus makes it clear who He is.  Jacob is the third Patriarch of Judaism and Christianity that we studied, who claim belief in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

            Jacob was the younger twin, who came into the world grasping the heel of his brother Esau.  Their dad and mom, Isaac and Rebekah, chose different twins as the favorite son.

            Dad loved eating the meat Esau brought home from hunting.  Esau was hairy, and was called Edom, because his skin was red.  Mom adored Jacob because he quietly stayed around the tents.  The word Jacob stands for deceiver.  

            One day, Esau was starving.  He begged Jacob for food.  Jacob bribed him out of his birthright in exchange for some stew.  The birthright was a big deal.  The elder son got the bulk of the father’s estate, and ruled the family after his father’s death.  Esau was so hungry that he agreed to Jacob’s deal.  He couldn’t eat a birthright!  “Whatever!” we can hear Esau say, “Just feed me now!"  (Genesis 25:29-34).

            When Isaac was very old, Rebekah overheard him promising Esau his blessing if Esau would bring fresh game home to eat.  Rebekah prepared some food, then got Jacob to pretend to be Esau.  Jacob received the blessing Isaac meant for Esau. (Genesis 27:1-31).  Esau wanted to kill Jacob when he found out!

            God explained the twin’s rowdy behavior during Rebekah’s pregnancy in Genesis 25:22-28:  “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the elder will serve the younger.”  Esau became father of the Edomites; Jacob is father of the Israelites.

Take Home Nugget

            Check out the lesson linked below to see how Jacob tried making up with Esau (after many years of being apart).  AND, how God changed Jacob’s name to Israel.
God uses imperfect people to do perfectly wonderful things.
J.D. Griffith
           

            A personal, private lesson experience with our staff



Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Isaac's Seed

            ISAAC’S SEED 
                                    
Third of nine devotions in Incarnation Parallel Bible Study series

Genesis 17:19, Matthew 1:2

Genesis 17:19: “Then God said, ‘Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.’”

            Abraham had just asked about his son Ishmael before God cut to the chase about Isaac.  “Yes,” God said about Ishmael.  “And as for Ishmael, I have heard you:  I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and greatly increase his numbers.  He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.” (Genesis 17:20).

            Verse 21 continued with Isaac.  “But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear you by this time next year.”  Emphasis mine. Sarah couldn’t wait for her own child.  (She was in her nineties).  So, she wanted to “help” God deliver on His promise.  People still do this today, and make a mess of things.  When Sarah gave her maid Hagar to Abraham, she thought that any child from their union would be hers.  WRONG!  Ishmael was never Sarah’s child.
            Sigh.

            God doesn’t need human help!  God was as clear as He could be.  Yes, He’d bless Ishmael, but His covenant would be with Isaac.  Please remember Hagar the next time you want to help God make good on a promise.   Then get out of God’s way.

            The above paragraphs illustrate how patient God is with His kids.  Abraham wanted God’s best for Ishmael’s future (a child who was NOT in God’s plan).  God was trying to assure Abraham that Ishmael would be okay…but I’m talking to you about Isaac—a son that you’ll have with your wife Sarah!  

            Get with the program Abraham!

            Isaac was always in the line of God’s plan from whom His Son Jesus would arrive.  Isaac is the second in God’s trilogy of Patriarchs.  You also were in God's plan.  You’re mentioned in Genesis 17:7:  “I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you [Abraham] and your descendants after you for generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.”

Take Home Nugget 
                                                                                                         
            Abram became Abraham and Sarai became Sarah in Genesis, chapter seventeen.  The difference between the spellings and pronouncements is the letter “h”.   Just as God breathed life into Adam (Genesis 2:7), He breathed the Holy Spirit into Abraham and Sarah, designated by the letter “h”. 
 
            How else could a couple over ninety years of age become parents?  Remember that it was the Holy Spirit who brought Jesus to Mary (Matthew 1:18).

                               Thank You, God, for my ALWAYS being in Your plan!                               
J.D. Griffith
           

            A personal, private lesson experience with our staff



Saturday, December 14, 2013

Christ-centered eBooks and presentations




$2.99
Linda Shanks (Author)         
Kids love seeing a story.  The Nativity is the most exciting story ever told!  Why not watch the story unfold here?  From Zacharias and Elizabeth to Mary and Joseph, this presentation shows the people for whom the miracles occurred.  We’re drawn into their mystique of angel visits with the most astounding news—EVER!  We watch the most unusual reactions to delivered unbelievable news.  Lives changed on the spot!  Won’t you enjoy riding alongside the characters who delivered King Jesus to the world?


$0.99

A Kindle Book
The Nativity - A King is Born
An Advent Companion

Count down the days of Christmas from December first with even more insight into the Christmas story. From Zacharias to the Wise Men seek the Christ child. Why? People are desperate for the truth. Christ offers truth that people can stand firm upon. Christianity is about a relationship. God wants to have a relationship with you!

Control and click on link below to purchase 
$0.99
              J.D. Griffith
A Kindle Book
Christmas Incarnation - How Will You Put Your Ten Minas to Work?
Ten year old Cassie decided to celebrate Christmas differently this year.  A particular sermon got her attention with Jesus’ words in Matthew 20:28:  “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”  Cassie wanted to serve others, so she could FEEL Christmas this year.


      
$3.99
J.D. Griffith (Author)


Bethlehem Star Guides Wise Men from Afar
A Kindle Book
This Biblical fiction adventure adds detail to the Wise Men’s visit to see Jesus, shortly after His birth. We learn each wise man’s name, discover his starting point, and reason behind each of their journey. There is fun ahead for ten year old Shimei and his new found friend. What each found at the end of their journey was hope. Meeting Jesus does that. Their Epiphany experience opens meeting Jesus to the whole world!
           
  Control and click link to purchase
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006NA1GKO
$3.99
J.D. Griffith (Author)
FIRE!
A Story of Grace
A Kindle Book
Scary times challenge everyone.  Watch how kids and adults behave under extraordinary circumstances.  You’ll see bullying, dares and courage, even red-faced embarrassment.  But one thing’s for sure: everyone learned lessons.  Grace was on dispplay, and  you may be surprised what’s involved, and who’s the shining star.  The last chapter opens up events for discussion, and responses from a teacher’s point of view.
 Control and click link to purchase
$9.89



A Paperback Book 
Our very first publication!!!

A 12 lesson devotional for youngsters.
Lessons are picked from the over 700 devotions J.D. Griffith has written for
"Gems by Jolene." 
Triune Wonder
Father-Initiator
God's Son Jesus, Our Shepherd
Counselor-Energizer
Rock, Paper Scissors
Epiphany
Getting to Know Jesus
More About Jesus
Embracing Jesus
His Face
Alpha and Omega
Kinship
$2.99
In the Garden
What really happened?
A Bible Study for Kids Production by Linda Shanks
$2.99
Creation
See the WOW!
A Bible Study for Kids Production by Linda Shanks