Permanence

PERMANENCE
1John 1:5-9
V. 9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

1John 5:1, 13
The Message: “Every person who believes that Jesus is, in fact, the Messiah, is God-begotten... My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God’s Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality is not an illusion.”

“Want to play 4-Square?” Shakira asked her third-grade classmate, Keith, as they ran outside for recess.

“Nah” Keith said, kicking stones.

Shakira persisted. “Your eyes are red. Is there something wrong?”

Keith looked away, and sniffed.

“Please tell me what's wrong” Shakira said, sitting on the swing.

Keith swallowed hard. Keeping his eyes on the ground, he admitted, “I hit Nina, my little sister.”

“Oh…Is she OK?”

“Yeah… But I hate myself!”

“This is an easy fix, Keith. Just pick Nina up and holding tightly, whisper, ‘I’m sorry’ into her ear.”

“Yeah, I get that. But what does Jesus think of me, now?”

“Same thing as He thinks of me when I mess up, Keith. Can you sense Him waiting for your apology?”

“Is that why my heart’s breaking?”

"There's a fix for that, too. It’s called repentance.” Re-PENT-ans means admitting wrong, with sorrow, then refuse to repeat it. “Jesus will forgive sin after it's repented."

Permanence (PERM-a-nens meaning immovable eternalness) is the best cure for anyone who doubts salvation. Just because the conscience blasts accusations for a wrong, doesn’t mean that anything’s lost. Our salvation is secure—permanently: we're still adopted into God’s family, still co-heirs with Jesus. Unconfessed sin is the problem. Keith’s broken heart is a hollow empty feeling--like he lost something. That’s what separation from the Father feels like. Keith’s thoughts declare him unworthy—and that his place in heaven?—possibly lost forever.

Many people think their eternal security is at risk when they sin. They actually think God changes His mind about their salvation. But that’s impossible! What a shame to lose assurance of salvation over sin. The bad guy is unconfessed sin. Listening to that Liar, (the devil) often causes people to lose salvation assurance. Jesus remains our high priest—at the right hand of the Father in heaven—forever (Hebrews 8:1-2). No one can sin beyond God’s grace!

“Thanks for getting me to tell Jesus that I’m sorry, Shak” Keith said. “I feel better now.

Take Home Nugget

Often God’s discipline, or people’s guilty consciences, charge that we’ve lost our salvation. But the opposite is true! The Father disciplines those He loves, so correction is proof that we’re (still) His children (Hebrews 12:6-7).

Our salvation is secure because God’s Word is sure.

J.D. Griffith

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Boss of the Living and the Dead

BOSS OF THE LIVING AND THE DEAD

(A study of Jesus Part 4 of 4)

Romans 14:7-12

The Message vv. 7-8: “None of us are permitted to insist on our own way in these matters [such as meat over vegetables]. It’s God we are answerable to—all the way from life to death and everything in between—not each other. That’s why Jesus lived and died and lived again: so that He could be our Master across the entire range of life and death, and free us from the petty tyrannies of each other.”

“Is too!” Brad yells.

“No way” Jeremy insists. “The NFC (National Football Conference) is way more talented than the AFC (American Football Conference).”

Cassie stepped in the middle of her fifth-grade classmates before they began duking it out. “Why don’t you use your own talent to settle this between yourselves? Whoever wins a contest—like who can throw the football the farthest—is the winner.”

Cassie’s point makes sense to me. What’re your thoughts?

Apostle Paul had petty arguments like these to settle among the Romans every day. Which day of the week is the most holy? (The church in Rome was a mixture of Gentiles and Jews). Is it better to eat meat over vegetables? Finally, he had to appeal to their common sense. Arguing makes what point? Aren’t we supposed to be united?

Every worker knows what it means to answer to a boss, but their realm (RELM means kingdom) is only the workplace. The word Lord is used most frequently in the New Testament in referring to Jesus Christ. Lord means someone possessing authority, power, and control. Colossians 1:15-18 certifies Jesus as Lord. Jesus’ realm is everything in heaven and on earth. No one—not even they who deny His existence—is free of His rule, or beyond His sphere of influence.

Satan’s gig is to convince us that freedom is found in doing exactly what we want. But true liberty is acquired ONLY through submission to Jesus’ Lordship. Jesus is Lord of the dead, too. No one can escape Him. But the only time people have to decide whether to accept or deny Jesus’ Lordship is while they’re living. After death, everyone will be accountable to Christ’s Lordship, whether they like it or not.

When will you decide that Jesus is your boss? The choice is yours: either voluntarily or involuntarily, everyone will bow the knee to Christ.

Take Home Nugget

Those who experience Christ’s rule over their lives will be the first ones to testify to His loving-kindness, and goodness.

“‘As I live and breathe,’ God says, ‘Every knee will bow before Me; Every tongue will tell the honest truth That I, and only I am God!’” Isaiah 45:23

J.D. Griffith

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Kept Promise--Empty Tomb

KEPT PROMISE—EMPTY TOMB

(A study of Jesus Part 3 of 4)

Matthew 28:1-10 The Message v.9: “Then Jesus met them [Mary Magdalene and the other Mary], stopping them in their tracks. ‘Good morning!’ he said. They fell to their knees, embracing His feet, and worshipped Him.”

Battle’s Won on Knees devotion prefaced Good Friday, when Jesus was crucified. We learned how Jesus pleaded with His Father to skip the crucifixion thing, but the Father insisted that they finish what they’d started. Jesus obeyed, without whining or raising any more objections. He willingly walked to His own death. It’s no wonder that “It is finished” were His last words (John 19:30). We can almost hear Him sigh.

Easter Sunday, a couple grieving women with heavy hearts, trudged to the tomb. They brought spices with which to anoint Jesus’ body (Mark 10:1). They wondered aloud to each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance?” (Mark 10:3). They needn’t have fussed about details. An earthquake, (or was it an angel?) took care of their concern. The women saw someone sitting on the stone. Mark 28:3 says “his appearance was like lightening, and his clothes were white as snow.” He had a message:

“Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.” Can you see the women’s eyes bugging out of their heads? Their mouths wide open? He told them what to do. “Come and see the place where He lay.” You can see his outstretched arm, showing the place? He told them to hurry and give this news to the disciples—then go to Galilee—where they’d see Jesus!

What a morning! First total grief, then confusion, then hearts bursting with joy! All in about a minute. Our Lord of lords, King of kings isn’t here! Just as the two Mary’s didn’t have to wait long to see their risen Lord (see opening Scripture), neither do we. Jesus is right here, with us. Immanuel—God with us (Matthew 1:23). Hallelujah!

Take Home Nugget

God kept every one of His promises and prophecies concerning the Messiah. (See Interactive-Online-Lesson). Jesus conquered death. He’s seated at the Father’s right hand right now, pleading on your behalf. He knows your name, where you live, and what you had for lunch today. The empty tomb is not just another promise kept, the empty tomb is the promise that matters most! What a comfort to know that our Savior is alive and watching over us—just like He said (Hebrews 7:25, 12:2).

Easter brings Christians into blessed fellowship Rejoicing Jesus’ resurrection. We share a common bond of unity Mutual faith in Him is our true connection.

J.D. Griffith

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Jesus' Body and Blood

JESUS’ BODY AND BLOOD

(A study of Jesus Part 2 if 4)

Revelation 5:6-10 V.9: “And they [the 24 elders] sang a new song: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood You purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.’”

Maundy Thursday, or the Thursday before Easter, celebrates “The Last Supper” before Christ died. This Passover meal (Matthew 26:17) also included Holy Communion, is also called the Eucharist, or The Meal. Holy Communion is a sacrament (SAK-ra-ment means holy atonement) that shocked Jesus’ disciples. Listen to Jesus’ words from Matthew 26:26-27: “He took bread, gave thanks and broke it,…saying, ‘Take and eat; this is My body.’ Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’”

These words are found in Mark 14:22-23, Luke 22:17-20, and John gives Jesus’ explanation in chapter 6:53-56. There’s total agreement among the apostles what Jesus said about the bread and the wine being His body and blood. Many people argued sharply about this possibility in John 6:60-69. These folks left Jesus then—simply walked away shaking their heads—because the words sounded like nonsense. They didn’t get it.

What part of Jesus saying, “I am the bread of life” is hard to understand? (Matthew 6:35,48, 51).

Being confident in our beliefs is vital. Recent devotions (Sanctification, Remodeling Keith, and Commitment to Convictions), were preparation for you to embrace this one. Where rubber-meets-the-road is when Jesus faced His own horrible death. This is also where our own faith grasps the seemingly impossible, or dreadful. Jesus gave Himself up to die on the cross for our salvation. His body and blood are the very heart of the matter.

Is this something you can believe?

Jesus’ shed blood redeems (1Peter 1:18-19). This means we’re purchased for eternal life--bought from slavery to sin. Our forgiveness of every wrong—past, present, and future—are totally washed away (Ephesians 1:7-8). Everyone who trusts in Jesus is declared innocent, or justified in the Father’s eyes (Romans 5:8-9). This allows us to be reconciled into a relationship with the Father (Colossians 1:19-22).

These gifts are permanent—and immediate—from the moment a person trusts in Jesus as Savior. The life-long process of sanctification (sank-tif-i-KA-shon) transforms the believer into Christ-likeness, setting him or her apart from everybody else (Hebrews 13:12).

Take Home Nugget

These five words tell the story of our faith. Every believer should understand what they mean so they can explain and share them with others.

I love to tell the story Of Jesus and His glory. For some have never heard The news from God’s holy Word.

J.D. Griffith

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Battle's Won On Knees

BATTLE’S WON ON KNEES

(A study of Jesus Part 1 of 4)

Matthew 26:36-46 V. 38: “Then He said to them [Peter, John, and James], ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.’

Passion Week’s beginning (Palm Sunday) and ending (Easter) are book-ended in celebration. What’s in between the bookends is where rubber-meets-the-road, so to speak. Our study through the most important, most defining, and most traumatic time of Jesus’ human life on earth illustrates why we serve Him. And only Him.

Jesus, as God-man, felt stress to the max. Today’s Scripture shows His feelings as extreme. Can you relate?

Dotted through Jesus’ three-year ministry, was both joy and warfare (trials). The relationships Jesus shared with His disciples, and people like Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42), show great joy. Just as you and I have cherished friendships that are happy, we know all about friendship happiness.

But, just as the journeys you and I share encounter trouble, Jesus shows us how to face battles with determination and courage. He was sure of His victory…and we should be, too. He experienced fear, anxiety, and dread. We can learn from, and copy how Jesus reacted to traumatic events. Satan taunts us that we can’t be like Jesus, because He’s God. (Yes, the devil acknowledges that Jesus is God). But Jesus is God dressed in human flesh, so He experienced the world as we do. Yet, He won every spiritual and life battle we also face.

The secret to His success is seclusion and surrender. He found privacy on a mountain, the Mount of Olives. The garden of Gethsemane (geth-SEM-an-ee) was His favorite place to pray one-to-one with His Father. He stayed on His knees until He was fully surrendered to the Father’s will. We can hear Jesus pleading His case before the Father (verse 47). Three times He prayed the same prayer. Each one ended the same. Jesus prayed the Father’s will be done. In the end, Jesus was taken away a prisoner, but His victory was in sight. Do you ever feel like that?

Although Jesus knew that guaranteed pain lay ahead. He accepted that. His purpose was to die. His human side may have wanted to flee, but He obeyed. Aren’t you glad He didn’t use His God side and take matters into His own hands? Oh, obeying the Father must have been hard!

I know you can relate to that.

Copying Jesus, our own battles are also won on our knees.

Take Home Nugget

Following Jesus seems simple, but it’s not easy. Can you commit to the Father’s will, then leave everything in His almighty hands?

Too many tasks we face each day

Burden and oppress.

Surrendering to God’s way

Brings relief from undue stress.

J.D. Griffith

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Abba's Goal

ABBA’S GOAL
Colossians 2:6-10
The Message vv.6-7: “My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: just go ahead with what you’ve been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live Him. You’re deeply rooted in Him. You’re well constructed upon Him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you’ve been taught. School’s out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spillover into thanksgiving.”

“You realize that you’re my brother now?” Shakira asked Keith, with a smirk on her face.

“No way!” Keith dropped the ball—that he intended to serve for beginning their 4-Square play this recess from 3rd grade—utterly stunned.

“What?” Bethany asked. “Did you receive Jesus as your Savior, Keith?”

Greg looked at his friends, confused. “I feel like I just dropped into another planet.”

Shakira was loving this, and giggled aloud. Bethany looked from Keith to Shakira to Greg, then burst out laughing. “Say it ain’t so, guys!” She cleared her throat to explain. “Greg, if Keith accepted Jesus into his life, he’s my brother, too—my brother in Christ!”

These kids are living their faith right out in the open, and having fun with it, too. Keith’s salvation opened the door to a lifetime of growing up in his faith—something that’s called sanctification. (Sank-tif-i-KA-shon is the process that transforms God’s kids into righteous, holy people). Now Keith’s done it—he’s set apart from the rest of the world! Keith, Shakira, and Bethany are destined to be conformed into the very image of God’s Son, Jesus.

That’s Abba’s goal, kids. The reason why we were created.

Recent devotions, Sanctification, House, and Remodeling Keith were written as a preview for our watching Keith’s reactions to his new life in Christ. Now Shakira’s blown his mind by confirming their relationship as brother and sister. Bethany confirmed and further defined their connection as being one in Christ. Their transformation is day by day, from the inside outwards. This happens by the power of the Holy Spirit, dwelling inside them. He changes character, perspective, attitude, and behavior of the kids who willingly invite Jesus into their lives.

“How, or why did you do this, Keith?” Greg wondered. “What’s the deal?”

The kids will learn that surrendering to Jesus’ Lordship completes the process—and even makes it easier. Waiting to surrender to Jesus stunts their growth, until they finally give up trying to live life on their own terms.

Take Home Nugget

“I do feel like the odd ball out” Greg admitted. “What’s this about?”

“Come to Sunday school with me, Greg” Shakira invited.

Keith rolled his eyes. “I’ll make it easy for you, Greg. Just come with me this Sunday.”

Coming to Christ is transformational, which is Abba’s goal.

J.D. Griffith

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Sure Cure for Hiprocrisy

SURE CURE FOR HIPROCISY

Ephesians 2:1-10

The Message vv. 1-5: “It wasn’t so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn’t know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It’s a wonder God didn’t lose His temper and do away with the whole lot of us. Instead, immense in mercy and with incredible love, He embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ.”

“Do you want to go to Sunday school with me again, Keith?” Shakira asked. (See Remodeling Keith evotion).

A game of 4-Square during recess from their third-grade classroom had become their norm. “You didn’t hear me scream at my little sister, Shak.” Keith admitted. “I feel like such a hypocrite! No way do I want to return to where I’ll be condemned.”

“Not true, Keith. No one will condemn you at my church, or Sunday school. Even Christians mess up. We may be saved, but we’re miles away from perfection.”

Hypocrite (HIP-o-krit is a Greek word that means “play-actor.” It comforts us to know that whenever believers act terribly, we’re not being who we really are. We display something we’re not. We temporarily (tem-por-AIR-i-lee means briefly) forget whose we are. We flash a replay of how we used to be. This happens all the time in the world; but hopefully not how people typically behave in church. “Be on good behavior” is not just something moms say, so our performance doesn’t embarrass her around company. It also prevents us from embarrassing ourselves.

Keith doesn’t realize it, but the Holy Spirit is planting seeds in his heart about Jesus. The sign is that his conscience is in high gear, now. God is love (1John 4:16). The Holy Spirit is God. Sunday school is precisely where Keith needs to be to learn more about Jesus.

“Everyone regrets things, Keith. Please come back at learn more about Jesus.” Shakira said. “We can bring your little sister, too.”

Keith smiled shyly. Then he slammed the ball into the far corner of the 4-Square paint, ending the game. “I’ve got one better. We’ll follow you in our own car this time."

Take Home Nugget

Let’s never forget our accountability to God, and allow our old ways to rule. His power through grace shows our lives to be consistent with being “alive together with Christ” (verse 5). A sure cure for hypocrisy!

The inconsistent Christian helps the devil the most.

J.D. Griffith

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Commitment to Convictions

COMMITMENT TO CONVICTIONS

Daniel 1:1-21

The Message vv. 15-16: “At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.”

Does Shakira realize that her life is on display? Keith is watching her very closely. He wondered what had gotten into him to accept her invitation to attend Sunday school—(see Remodeling Keith devotion)—but he’s glad he did. Believers don’t usually pay attention to how people view us, but others do notice. Whether at home, school, or just out in the world, believers are front-and-center.

Daniel didn’t try to impress anyone, either. But something about him affected everyone with whom he came in contact. He impacted servants, his own friends, or peers, and even kings. What made him stand out? Daniel was different from everybody else because he remained steady, committed to his convictions. He believed that Scripture is real, alive, and true. His request could have gotten him—or his guard killed. Why did Daniel dare to make his request to eat only vegetables and drink only water?

The Israelites were exiled to Babylon, and Daniel found himself surrounded by strangers, in a foreign land. Chosen from a royal family because he had no defects or flaws, and proven to be smart, Daniel was treated very well. But he knew these people worshipped idols. It was weird that a young man would resist the food and wine from the royal table. But since Mosaic Law forbade eating food offered to idols, Daniel wanted to obey. Daniel’s request to be fed only vegetables and drink only water proved commitment to his convictions.

Daniel stood firm on his convictions, regardless of his environment, regardless of the outcome. His behavior paid off very well for him, and for his companions. (See Daniel, chapter 3, for the lion’s den story).

Shakira knows well, as we do, that our world offers many compromises (KOM-pro-MISE-es means give-and take choices) to righteous living. But when believers stand firm on what’s the right thing to do, we obey God—regardless of the results.

“So you took Keith to Sunday school?” a few of Shakira’s classmates teased. “What are you—a Nun?”

“No way” Shakira confessed. “I’m not that cool!”

If Shakira would have denied taking Keith, or got mad about being teased, her witness for Jesus would have been trashed.

Take Home Nugget

Conviction about God’s truth is like an anchor that keeps us steady. Commitment to our convictions prevents our powerful witness of Christ from damage.

Point out to me the souls lost in sin

Help me to love, and bring the wandering in.

J.D. Griffith

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Does Shakira realize that her life is on display? Keith is watching her very closely. He wondered what had gotten into him to accept her invitation to attend Sunday school—(see Remodeling Keith devotion)—but he’s glad he did. Believers don’t usually pay attention to how people view us, but others do notice. Whether at home, school, or just out in the world, believers are front-and-center.

Daniel didn’t try to impress anyone, either. But something about him affected everyone with whom he came in contact. He impacted servants, his own friends, or peers, and even kings. What made him stand out? Daniel was different from everybody else because he remained steady, committed to his convictions. He believed that Scripture is real, alive, and true. His request could have gotten him--or his guard killed--but that was beside the point of doing the right thing.

The Israelites were exiled to Babylon, and Daniel found himself surrounded by strangers, in a foreign land. Chosen from a royal family because he had no defects or flaws, and proven to be smart, he was treated very well. But he knew these people worshipped idols, and begged for fresh vegetables to eat and only water to drink. It was weird that a young man would resist the food and wine from the royal table. But since Mosaic Law forbade eating food offered to idols, Daniel wanted to obey. Knowing that royal food was first offered to idols, his request proved commitment to his convictions.

Daniel stood firm on his convictions, regardless of his environment, regardless of the outcome. His behavior paid off very well for him, and for his companions. (See Daniel, chapter 3, for the lion’s den story).

Shakira knows well, as we do, that our world offers many compromises (KOM-pro-mise-es means give-and-take choices) to righteous living. But when believers stand firm on what’s the right thing to do, we obey God—regardless of the results.

“So you took Keith to Sunday school?” a few of Shakira’s classmates teased. “What are you—a Nun?”

“No way” Shakira confessed. “I’m not that cool!”

If Shakira would have denied taking Keith, or got mad about being teased, her witness for Jesus would have been trashed.

Take Home Nugget

Conviction about God’s truth is like an anchor that keeps us steady. Commitment to our convictions prevents our powerful witness of Christ from damage.

Point out to me the souls lost in sin Help me to love, and bring the wandering in.

J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Commitment to Convictions A personal, private lesson experience with our staff Written for http://www.biblestudyforkids.com/ For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.