2013 Resolution Suggestion

2013 RESOLUTION SUGGESTION

Luke 11:2

“But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.”

Jesus means that because He—the King—is present, His Kingdom comes to whomever accepts Him. Right here, right now. His peace is present, His grace is present, His forgiveness is present, His healing is present. Jesus’ luggage that moves into hearts includes “His kingdom come.” His kingdom change sour world(s) IF we are willing, and invite Him in.

Here’s a resolution that can change 2013 lives into something different from 2012.

Wherever Jesus is welcome, He will enter, and get to work. “What work?” you may wonder. Ephesians 2:1 describes the world’s spirit: “...you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of the world and ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.” (Emphasis added).


“What’s your New Year’s resolution?” Cassie asked her fifth grade classmate, Jeremy.

Jeremy thought for a second. “I don’t think I need one,” he replied with a smile. “I’m perfect!”

When we forget our sins, we cruise life in the comfort zone of the devil’s lie. Really, we are cruising down peer-pressured highways lined with satanically-inspired values and ideas—independent of God.

Oh.

Jesus prayed to the Father in John 17:15, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.”

Worldly influence is nearly impossible for God’s kids to escape. But Jesus gives us His Word to guide us against conforming to the world’s values. His Spirit strengthens us to resist sin. Jesus even gives us kingdom keys in Matthew 16:18-19, that He authorized and entrusted us to use.

Jeremy, please make a new year’s resolution!

“What’s your New Year’s resolution, Cassie?” Jeremy asked.

Cassie was ready to answer, “Ever since I volunteered at the Food Kitchen, I resolve to be grateful for all my blessings.” (See Amazon eBook, Christmas Incarnation How Will You Put Your Ten Minas to Work?). She continued, “I resolve to pray that everyone has a home, and food to eat every day, in Jesus' Name.”

Take Home Nugget

Cassie learned much after volunteering. She embraces the privilege of partnering with Jesus, using the kingdom keys Jesus authorized. Matthew 6:10, the “Lord’s Prayer” says, “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Praying for other’s welfare brings God’s kingdom into their lives. Using keys to the kingdom prayerfully, Jesus authorizes us to bring God’s will to earth!
What’s your New Year’s resolution?

Jesus authorizes God’s kids to bring His will to earth using kingdom keys.

J.D. Griffith


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Meet Infinite Jesus

MEET INFINITE JESUS
Revelation 21:6a

“He said to me: ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.’”
Mr. Robbins stood in front of the sanctuary.

“Good morning.” he began. “Instead of a sermon, Pastor is letting our fifth grade Sunday school students show you to six qualities of Jesus’ personhood today. This will make us all glad that He’s infinite!” He held out the microphone. “Melanie?”

Melanie stood up from the front pew, wearing a long white robe. She walked to Mr. Robbins, took the mic, and faced the congregation. Reading from a card, she said, “Isaiah 55:4 says, ‘See, I have made Him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of the peoples.’” Melanie introduced herself, “I am Melanie, representing Jesus as witness to humankind. Jesus is righteousness in the flesh. He never sinned. He never bragged about being God...but He did challenge the doubtful.”

“In John 14:8-10, Phillip wanted Jesus to show him the Father. Jesus answered: ‘Don’t you know Me, Phillip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in Me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.’” Melanie said, “Jesus rocked as witness! Phillip?”

Phillip, wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants, walked to Melanie. He faced the congregation, and began, “I am Phillip. No, not THAT Phillip.” He said, pointing to Melanie, amid laughter from the congregation. “I represent Jesus as a prophet. God shared the future with Moses when He said in Deuteronomy 18:18: ‘I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in His mouth, and He will tell them everything I command Him.’”

Phillip continued, “Jesus fulfilled this prophecy, and revealed Himself as fully God and fully man. He fulfilled three main functions of a prophet: teacher, seer, and mouthpiece of God’s judgment. Jesus says in John 5:22, ‘Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son.’” Phillip said, “as our eternal prophet, He will be the one who judges the nations in Revelation 22:12.” Phillip handed the mic to Darby, who came forward dressed in a business suit.

“My name is Darby. I represent Jesus as intercessor.” she began, reading from her card. “Guten Tag! Wie geht es dir? If you don’t know German, these words don’t greet you with, ‘Good day, how are you?’ Without an intercessor, we’d be as disconnected from God as we would be with the natives in Germany. Our Translator, Jesus, came speaking the heart of God in our own language. Whoever believes in Jesus has union with the Father. Jesus is the bridge connecting us to eternal life and home in heaven.”

“Jesus takes up for His brothers and sisters.” Darby explained. “Romans 8:33-34 says, ‘Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.’ Brad?”

Brad walked up wearing camouflaged fatigues and claimed the microphone from Darby. He cleared his throat, and read from his card. “My name is Brad. I represent Jesus as a warrior. Saints will fight alongside Jesus, and we’ll win the battle of Armageddon, in Revelation 19:11-22. Jesus healed the ear Peter lopped off a soldier after Judas betrayed Him in Gethsemane, in Matthew 26:51. Don’t be confused—Jesus is our Great Physician and Reconciler—but He’s definitely not a pacifist!”

“Jesus called the Pharisees vipers in Luke 12:49, ‘I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how, I wish it were already kindled!’ Jesus fights the same enemies that we fight: death and the devil. Jesus came to save mankind, while at the same time wages war against sin and death. Jesus shows no mercy on the roaring lion that preys on God’s kids in 1 Peter 5:8: ‘Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.’” Brad held out the mic, which was claimed by a girl who was dressed as a priest.

“My name is Elieta” she announced, looking straight into the congregation. “I represent Jesus as priest. In the beginning only the high priest could enter the ‘holy of holies,’ and had to sacrifice a poor animal regularly to pay for people’s sins. The high priest was the only one allowed in God’s presence. He was required to meet tons of requirements, and purification rites. The high priest had bells sewn on his robe, announcing his coming into God’s presence. A retrieval rope trailed his entrance into the holy of holies—just in case he would have died in God’s presence. ”

Elieta continued, “After Jesus’ sacrifice of dying on a cross, atoning for everybody’s sins—past, present and future—no more animals were sacrificed. Jesus was the final sacrifice, and His priesthood is superior to all previous priests. Jesus ushered in God’s new covenant, with better promises for God’s children. Jesus’ place is at the Father’s right hand right now in heaven. Hebrews 7:17 declares, ‘You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.’”

Sean, dressed in a purple robe and wearing a crown on his head, changed places with Elieta. Sean began, “I am Sean representing Jesus as King of kings.” Sean smiled at the congregation. “You don’t need to schedule an appointment for a private meeting with this King. Jesus invites you to ‘come-as-you-are.’ He longs for every person to come and build a private, intimate relationship with Him. Talk about being infinite! If Jesus were on Facebook, He could have six hundred billion friends--and He wants to have relationships with each one!”

Take Home Nugget

“People were naturally drawn to Jesus. His articulate, intelligent speech drew crowds everywhere He went. His authority was only challenged by the foolish. Luke 4:22 says, ‘All spoke well of Him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from His lips. ‘Isn’t this Joseph’s son?’ they asked.’ Yes. Well, actually, no. Jesus was raised by a carpenter, but was always God!”

Infinite Jesus abandoned His God-deserved glory temporarily for thirty-three years on earth.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

J.D. Griffith

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Meet Simeon

MEET SIMEON

Luke 2:25

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.”

“Sit down, class.” Mr. Robbins said. “Christmas is days away, and we’ve got work to do!”

“Melanie said pulling out a chair at their round table. “What work?”

“I want you to meet someone,” Mr. Robbins said when everyone sat down. “Open your Bibles to Luke chapter two. It’s time to discover what the world was like when Jesus was born, and why the Father chose this time for Jesus’ birth.”

“Check out verses 22-27. Jesus was forty days old, time for Him to be presented to the Lord, as was Jewish custom for first born males. Mary and Joseph ran into Simeon, an aged priest, at the temple. His eyes lit up when he saw the baby, knowing this was answer to his prayers.

“Taking the baby in his arms, he praised God, confirming the baby as 'light to the Gentiles, and glory to Israel.' You see, Simeon had lived long enough to see Israel go through tough times. He was ready for a redeemer. He’d seen Israel divided. The northern tribes betrayed the God of their fathers, and were no longer people set apart for God.

“Meanwhile, the southern kingdom also bought trouble after years of idol worship. They’d been conquered and taken captive by foreign monarchs. (See Star Followers devotion). After the Jewish uprising of Judas Maccabeus in 167 B.C., Israel enjoyed 100 years of independence. Then infighting broke out among her people. This opened the door for Pompey, a Roman general to take control. In 63 B.C., he made Judah—now known by its Greek name, Judea—a tributary of the Roman Empire.

“That ended Israel being ruled by her own, like King David. Israel would be ruled by the Roman government, now. King Herod was the first, appointed in 37 B.C. Enter, Jesus.”

“So Simeon was looking for the Messiah, and he met Jesus!” Brad said. “So why didn’t the Jews embrace Him as the one they’d been waiting for?”

“An age-old question,” Mr. Robbins said. “They will acknowledge Jesus as their Messiah one day, Brad. But not yet.”

Take Home Nugget

Mr. Robbins continued, “Two Jewish religious groups rose to leadership, even while being under Roman control. They were the Sadducees, and the influential Pharisees. Apostle Paul was a Pharisee(Philippians 3:5). The Pharisees wanted to be seen as holy. This is the stage onto which Jesus was born. You know He had lots of interaction with the Sadducees and Pharisees!”

From heaven’s throne Jesus came to earth—a gift from God of priceless worth!

J.D. Griffith

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Old Testament Snapshots

OLD TESTAMENT SNAPSHOTS

Luke 24:25-27

“He said to them, [two men walking], ‘How foolish you are, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?’ And He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.”

The Holy Bible is sort of Jesus’ photo album in words, a scrap book of various snaps of Jesus Christ. As Advent draws to its breathless climax of Jesus’ birth on earth as God-man, let’s browse through some Old Testament snapshots.

Genesis 3:15 snaps God’s subtle hint of Messiah being divine, human, AND born of a woman! God says to Satan, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel.”

Isaiah 7:14 snaps specific nuggets: “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and call Him Immanuel.” Micah 5:2 snaps more clues: “But you, Bethlehem, Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times.” Now we know where, and that He’s ancient!

Bethlehem means “house of bread.” What does Jesus call Himself in John 6:51?

God promised Abraham in Genesis 22:18: “through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed.” Through Isaac, we find Jacob blessing his sons in Genesis 49:10. His words narrow the Anointed One’s roots to descendants of Judah: “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until it comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations are His.”

God gives clues of Jesus to Moses in Deuteronomy 18:18: “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in His mouth, and He will tell them everything I command Him.” Psalm 110:4 (and Hebrews 5:10) tells us that He would be a “priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

God snaps His claim on Christ, in Psalm 2:4: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.” Isaiah 53:2b snaps a portrait of Jesus: “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him.”

Take Home Nugget

Isaiah snaps Jesus’ trial and execution in 53:8: “By oppression and judgment He was taken away. And who can speak of His descendants? For He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people He was stricken.”

Jesus broke into human history to offer us eternal life.

J.D. Griffith

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More About Magi

MORE ABOUT MAGI

Genesis 1:14
“And God said, ‘Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years.’”

Matthew 2:9
“After they [Magi] heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.”

Star Followers devotion showed how the Magi might well have been descendants from Daniel and fellow Hebrews exiled to Babylon from Judah around 600-500 B.C. The Babylonians could easily have learned about the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob from these dislocated Jews. The promised Messiah might have been the Magi’s hope to see fulfilled by following a new star that suddenly appeared.

Light pollution never obstructed the night sky’s glory of stars thousands of years ago. And, people in the Middle East frequently slept on the roofs of houses to escape the summer’s heat in the desert. Looking up at the sky displayed God’s glorious creation spread out like a blanket. It’s easy to see how the stars entertained and delighted them. Each night was a study of stars and constellations. Astrology and astronomy were born from those nightly studies. Surely, some would notice something new.

The Magi discovered a new “star.” They followed where it led, and found Jesus where it stopped. Astronomy details stars in retrograde, which seem to change course, as seen from earth. And during such starry dances, retrograde motions of stars in reverse directions can seem to make stars stop. F.A. Larson researched this “starry dance,” date specific to Christ’s birth, and shares his work in http://www.BethlehemStar.net.

The Magi’s journey following this star from Babylon to Jerusalem took roughly seven months. The first opening Scripture tells that God made lights, as signs to men. The second Scripture tells how the Magi found Jesus. While this may seem incredulous, a star leading and then stopping, God can do all things! Why should it surprise us how God announced the birth of His Son in the sky?

Curious Magi focused on exalting this new king of the Jews.

Take Home Nugget
The Magi’s gifts were appropriate for a king, high priest, and redeemer. Gold was given to show honor and high esteem—befitting a king. The fragrant smoke of frankincense raised to heaven carrying prayers of priests, is appropriate for our High Priest, Jesus (1Timothy 2:5).
Myrrh was an expensive perfume, used mainly in wrapping dead bodies in linen cloth. Nicodemus fulfilled prophesy in John 19:38-40, by wrapping Jesus body using myrrh and aloes.


God’s gift of His Son to the world is life-saving Savior as priest, redeemer, and king.

J.D. Griffith

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Herod in Conflict

HEROD IN CONFLICT

Matthew 2:3-4

“When Herod heard this [Magi asking where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?] he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.”

“Mysterious Magi,” Mr. Robbins said to his fifth grade Sunday school class, “were foreigners arriving to Jerusalem, asked only were to find the one who is born king of the Jews. How do you think king Herod would have reacted?” (See Star Followers devotion). “Brad?”

“I think he was really upset!”

“Why, Brad?”

“Wasn’t Herod the king?”

“Yes, earthly speaking, Herod was king of the Jews.” Mr. Robbins said. “Caesar Octavian appointed Herod king in 37 B.C. The Magi really blew his mind. Herod thought he was in charge of his little Roman kingdom, until foreigners come along, asking where to find the one who they named with his title!”

Brad said, “Right. I would have felt threatened, too!”

“So, what did Herod do about it?” Mr. Robbins asked. “Melanie?”

“Didn’t Herod demand to see the Jewish priests and teachers?”

“Right,” Mr. Robbins confirmed. “And that’s not all. The chief priests and teachers told him exactly where they were expecting their Messiah to be born.” Mr. Robbins pointed to the whiteboard, where the passage from Matthew 2:6 was written. “Where did they tell Herod to find him?”

“But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who shall be the shepherd of my people Israel.”

“Bethlehem!” the class answered.

Mr. Robbins said, “Bethlehem is five miles south of Jerusalem. So, that sounds pretty easy for Herod to go and find Him, right?” The kids all nodded their heads. “So why did Herod over-react to the situation, and have all baby boys two hears old and under killed?”

Philip had an idea. “He was paranoid, Mr. Robbins!”

“He probably was.” Mr. Robbins agreed. “Remember, the Wise Men didn’t report back to Herod after they found the child, because they were warned in a dream to go home a different way.” (Matthew 2:17).

Take Home Nugget

We don’t know the details about the meeting between the Magi and Herod (Matthew 2:7). We can only imagine that the Magi shattered Herod’s world. His throne was being threatened—challenged by a baby—who Herod figured would succeed him as king! Don’t we naturally over react when we feel ourselves losing control over situations?

We think we’ve got it all together,
Then our world is shattered.
Only belief in Jesus makes it all better,
Trusting Him heals the battered.

J.D. Griffith

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Star Followers

STAR FOLLOWERS

Matthew 2:1-2
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?’ We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

“Who are the Magi, really?” Brad asked Mr. Robbins, his fifth grade Sunday school teacher. “Were they magicians?”

“The word ‘Magi’ certainly sounds so close to magic,” Mr. Robbins said. “Magi is a Latin word, plural for Magus. Magus is an old Greek word for ‘magician.’ Fascination for astrology and magic flooded Western Asia/Eastern Mediterranean part of the world in the fourth century before Christ. (Part of the world where Iraq, and Iran is today). Some Magi developed astrology and magic, ways to read the stars and foretell mans’ fate. Astrology is where horoscopes and Tarot Cards originate. Over time, astrology was discredited as a scam in trickery and fraud.

“But the Magi who travelled to Jerusalem following one special star were different. They could have been Zoroastrians, from the area around Babylon—same part of the world. Zoroastrians also learned how to read the stars. But they documented the stars, moons and planets’ repeated patterns in the sky. They founded astronomy—a serious science that studies celestial bodies. God ordained men studying the sky for signs in Genesis 1:14). Although similar to astrology, astronomy doesn’t link man’s fate to the exact time of birth, nor predict the future. Matthew 2:11 confirms three gifts of the Magi. We assume that three men came to Jerusalem following one star leading to Jesus.”

“But, how did they know about ‘king of the Jews?’” Darby asked.

“Great question, Darby!” Mr. Robbins said. Do you remember the Bible story of Daniel and the lion’s den? (Daniel 6). Well, Daniel was exiled from Israel to Babylon!”

“WOW!” Mr. Robbins’ class exclaimed together.

“When Daniel was a teenager, the Babylonians overpowered the nation of Judah. They took Daniel, along with many other Jews to Babylon (Daniel 1:1-6). Daniel grew up there, and along with other Hebrew boys, was trained for service to the king.

“Because the Lord gave Daniel the gift of interpreting dreams, he rose to positions of leadership in Babylon. Throughout Daniel’s whole life, he was honored and respected by rulers AND wise men. Now can you guess how the Magi in Matthew could have learned about a promised ‘King of the Jews?’”

Take Home Nugget

Matthew’s Magi were likely descendants of Daniel’s generation of Jews, forced into Babylon against their will. They probably taught the Babylonians about the God of Israel and the coming Messiah.

Dear Lord, we are WOWED at Your planning for Jesus to come to earth! Hallelujah!

J.D. Griffith

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Jesus' Parents

JESUS’ PARENTS

Matthew 1:18-19

“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ cam about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.”

Ten year old Cassie smiled as she walked downstairs. Her sandy hair was covered in a white and blue head sheet that matched her floor-length dress. Sandaled feet peeked out from the bottom of the dress. “Do I look like Mary?”

“YES!” her Mom said, snapping a picture of her daughter. She yelled, “Dad, let’s go! The Sunday school program will begin soon.”

On the way to church, Cassie’s mom asked, “Do you know your lines?”

“I hope so!” Cassie said. “Why did God chose Mary and Joseph to be Jesus’ parents?”

Let’s check out their values: Joseph was a righteous, kind, unselfish, and self-controlled young man. Mary was an obedient, happy, and smart young lady. They both had great faith in God. They proved this by their obedience to the weird ways God led them through their strange marriage.

Joseph and Mary followed every command God gave them in this supernatural situation. Joseph did not divorce Mary, as he originally intended. Mary accepted an angel’s message of her pregnancy in Luke 1:38. “‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’”

What a challenge to raise God! Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem one time. His parents thought that they’d lost Him! Luke 2:41-50 tells the story that Jesus was with the teachers at the temple when His parents headed home to Nazareth. Mary was frantic, and wondered why He would do this to them? Jesus answered her, “Why were you searching for Me? Didn’t you know I had to be about My Father’s business?”

Naturally, Mary pondered Jesus’ strange words in her heart. Many mothers wonder about their children, but understand that they’re just like one of the parents. Not Mary. Jesus wasn’t like her or Joseph, in many respects!


Take Home Nugget

Mary respected the change in their relationship as Jesus became an adult. Jesus chided Mary when she told Him they were out of wine at a wedding. John 2:3-4:
Jesus said, “Dear woman, why do you involve Me? My time has not yet come.”

As Jesus hung on the cross, their roles reversed. Jesus placed Mary’s care in the hands of John, His beloved disciple.
He said John 19:26-27, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.”

While children may not inherit their parent’s talents, they do absorb their values.

J.D. Griffith

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No Time to Waste

NO TIME TO WASTE

Ephesians 5:14-17

Vv. 15-16: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

Hidden Gears devotion shows how people learn the best way to approach different situations. The ideal is for Christians to grow into a righteous living gear after a youth of foolishness. Sustain Through devotion showed how ten year old Jeremy changed everything by changing gears.

Since the twelve year old guys’ teasing usually ruined ten year old Jeremy’s mood, he tried something different. After praying for Jesus to help him, Jeremy forgave the older boys’ mocking. He smiled and wished them a great day when exiting the bus. The older kids were shocked! That day, Jeremy’s performance changed everything on his world stage.

The next day, Walt, one of the three twelve year old boys, asked Jeremy, “What time is your football game on Saturday?” Perry and Trey looked at Walt like he was crazy.

Jeremy stopped walking. He turned to face the three guys who had made fun of him just yesterday. “One o’clock.” He said. “See you there?”

Time governs our lives. Scripture compares earthly life to “a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:14). Jeremy didn’t waste his time on the school bus by changing his world’s stage. His forgiving the older boys affected them deeply. They saw Jeremy differently after that. Maybe the younger kid wasn’t so bad. Could they all be friends?

God gives us exactly enough time to complete what He’s planned for our lives on earth. How are you spending the time allotted to you? Are you selfishly pursuing personal goals, or is your time invested for eternity?

Investing for eternity is following God’s plan for your life. Peoples’ God-given plan is to glorify our heavenly Father. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Investing for eternity is the same as depositing money in the bank. However God’s kids serve others, we serve Jesus (Matthew 25:40). Serving is like depositing “money in the bank” of eternity. Serving others—good works—grows interest, same as money deposited in a bank. Every service we invest for eternity collects interest—or rewards! Some rewards are realized on earth; others Jesus gives to us personally (Matthew 16:27).

Take Home Nugget

Jesus wasted no time His thirty-three years on earth. He prayed in John 17:4, “I have brought You glory on earth by completing the work You gave Me to do.” His last words, “It is finished” (John 19:30).

Each moment we invest in eternity today collects interest of rewards for tomorrow.

J.D. Griffith

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Hidden Gears

HIDDEN GEARS

Titus 3:1-8

V. 3: “At one time we were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.”

Sustain Through devotion showed Jeremy change gears. Three twelve year old boys stopped making fun of ten year old Jeremy when he wished them a great day. Jeremy forgave them, despite his wanting to deck them for mocking him every day on the school bus. People generally plow through life at one speed. But occasionally, we slow down, and do something different, just like Jeremy did.

Jeremy’s changing gears caused a ripple effect in the lives of those three guys. Trey said, “What do you think Jeremy meant about, ‘Have a great day?’”

Perry commented, “It was way more fun when he insulted us. Who else can we pick on?”

“Doesn’t Jeremy play football? Let’s go see one of his games,” Walt suggested.

Jeremy’s forgiveness changed the attitude of three twelve year old boys towards him. Everything we say and do affects others. Forgiving others changes us—it frees us from the chains of bondage to bitterness.

People’s actions are on display on the world’s stage. Others judge us on our performance. How long does it take to grow out of being foolish, like the opening Scripture describes?

Young people naturally do foolish things. How they respond to criticism influences their next performances. Years of living teach people how to act in varying situations—their performance improves as they learn what works out best.

As a young child, I got a bicycle. It had one speed. I didn’t know the difference, so I pedaled fast everywhere I went. Then I got a three speed bicycle. That changed everything. I could change gears depending on whether the road was up hill or down. It was way more fun. Then I got a ten speed bike.

I could rip through the gears and observe how the pedaling changed. I didn’t use every gear every day. I chose which gear was best for the road I was travelling. The same is true for people’s performances in various life situations. Everyone has hidden gears. Specific circumstances demand performing in different gears.

Life teaches people when to switch gears.

Take Home Nugget

When Jesus died on the cross and offered people forgiveness of sins and eternal life, the world’s stage changed. After accepting Jesus as Lord of their lives, some people pedal at one speed for the rest of their lives. Others grow up in their faith, and change gears that improve their performance. Mature Christians perform in the righteousness gear on the world’s stage.

Keep hidden gears ready to use as God finds work for you.

J.D. Griffith

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Sustain Through

SUSTAIN THROUGH

Psalm 138

V. 8: “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O Lord, endures forever—do not abandon the works of Your hands.”

Ten year old Jeremy had to take the school bus to school every day. Heaviest Burden devotion showed his trouble: three twelve year old kids enjoyed teasing him. Approved of God devotion showed how Jeremy changed everything.

Some times when we pray to God asking for help for a problem, He allows the problem to remain for a bit. Sustain [sus-TANE] means to continue, carry on, keep up. Sustain through shows that Jesus sees us through the problem until it’s solved. God’s kids never walk alone. Although Jeremy wanted to deck the guys after hearing their taunts, Jesus showed him something different.

Jeremy knew that yelling insults back at them didn’t shut them up. So he kept silent when walking to his seat—although his ears flamed red at the boys’ poking fun. Looking out the window, Jeremy prayed, asking for God’s help. Jesus immediately advised him what to do. As Jeremy walked out past them, he smiled at them, and wished them a great day. From then on, they left him alone. What happened?

Jeremy forgave them.

Sustaining through shows Jesus walking alongside Jeremy until the problem was solved. He will do that for you, too. King David was always in trouble. Many Psalms he wrote show his struggles and disappointments. The opening Scripture shows David’s confidence, trust, and dependence on a God Who won’t stop short of achieving His purpose. David’s certain victory was due to:

1) Never doubting God’s purpose. The only sure way we can arrive at victory during trouble is to remain focused on the Lord, Who promises us good things. Sometimes, we must walk through trouble to claim victory—God’s purpose of our lives. It’s in the valleys we grow.

2) Reliance on God’s power. God will deliver us from troubles, but we must trust Him to sustain us through to victory. Jesus walks with us every step of the way.

3) Believing that God keeps promises. The opening Scripture, (and lesson in the link below), show David reminding himself of God’s faithfulness. When people choose one inspirational passage of Scripture that anchors them to God’s promise, it will remind, encourage and sustain them through trouble.

Take Home Nugget

What’s more, God takes full responsibility for accomplishing His purpose through whatever problems we face. Your job is to believe that He will fulfill His purpose in your life. Your job is to trust that God keeps every promise in the Bible.
Biblical truths are our most prized possession. Nothing equals God’s help found in the Bible.

When trouble calls on you, call on God.

J.D. Griffith

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Thanks, Yahweh-Yireh

THANKS, YAHWEH-YIREH

Psalm 36

Vv. 7-8: “How priceless is Your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of Your wings. They feast on the abundance of Your house; You give them drink from Your river of delights.”

The “Horn of Plenty” is the symbol of abundance. Stuffed inside is a bounty of fruit and vegetables. Yahweh-Yireh is a name for God that means, The Lord will provide. “Thanksgiving” is an annual holiday in the United States that celebrates gratitude for God’s abundance.

Over one hundred people, fleeing harsh labor under grueling conditions, landed at Cape Cod, Massachusetts on December 21, 1620. Half of them died that first harsh winter, yet no one boarded the Mayflower for the nine-week return to England.

One Native American named Squanto taught the Pilgrims how to grow corn, stalk deer, and catch fish. The governor of Plymouth, William Bradford, proclaimed a day of thanksgiving to God after their first harvest. They invited their red-skinned friends to their feast. Squanto brought food to share. The people ran races, and challenged each other using bows and arrows and muskets.

Sharing food with people after settling into a new place is a hospitality that survives today as a “getting-to-know-you” tradition. This charitable hospitality inspires friendship (1 Peter 4:9).


Yahweh-Yireh provides gifts every day, which we often overlook. We pray for “daily bread” in “The Lord’s Prayer,” while ignoring the starving multitudes. (Not everyone in the world eats even one meal a day). Living in plenty, people tend to take food for granted—until their food runs out. “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 promise defines Yahweh-Yireh.

But we serve a God of abundance!

Abundance is different than meeting needs. Abundance sings to our hearts. The beauty of a bowl of colorful fruit on a dining room table invites people to sit down and eat. Add flowers. Waft in the smells of a roasting turkey, corn, and pumpkin pie. Bright red cranberry salad sprinkles color. Imagine people occupying chairs lining all sides of the table set with napkins, plates and utensils.

Then light the green candles.

Oh my! Abundance is the generosity of God. Psalm 23:5 says He makes our cup overflow. Ephesians 3:20 says He “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think.” Jude:2 encourages, “To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.”

Take Home Nugget

May we never take Yahweh-Yireh’s provisions for granted. May we thank Him now, and then thank Him for His abundant gifts each day.

Let us keep praising God from whom all blessings flow!

J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Thanks to Yahweh-Yireh

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Approved of God

APPROVED OF GOD

2 Timothy 2:2-14

V. 15: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

“Did you shut the guys up on the school bus today?” Brad asked Jeremy as the ten year old boys jogged to football practice after school.

“Maybe,” Jeremy answered. (See Hope of Relief and Heaviest Burden devotions). “They don’t bother me anymore.”

“Wow! How did that happen?” Brad wondered.

As they began stretching, Jeremy said, “I just asked Jesus to help me, and He did.”

Brad’s eyes grew wide. He asked, “That fast? What did you do?”

“I just told them to have a great day.”

“No way!” Brad insisted. You wanted to deck them last week.”

Jeremy finished his push ups, and spoke softly to Brad, “Some voice said to forgive them. I think that was Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. Because I also heard, ‘I got this, Bro.’”

“You’re crazy, Jerm!” Brad said, shaking his head. “Jesus doesn’t talk to us!”

Chuckling, Jeremy admitted, “It does sound weird, but I know it was God. Didn’t Jesus tell His disciples that He would come to them, not leave them as orphans, before He ascended to heaven?” (John 14:18).

If we believe that God doesn’t speak to us, why would we expect God to answer prayers? Apostle Paul stopped persecuting early Christians—only to preach the gospel of Christ—after Jesus spoke to him (Acts 9:4-6). Prayer isn’t a one-way street; it intends to build a dynamic relationship with God.

Indeed, God answers prayer.

God can deliver His message to us through people. God’s kids represent Him to the world, so we shouldn’t be surprised if some advice comes from God through another. Most times, God speaks to us in the Bible. This is why we must never distort the Bible’s words to support a personal plan.

God’s Spirit gives us understanding and wisdom, interpreting difficult passages for us, when we study the Bible. As God’s kid, Jeremy is His approved worker. Jeremy represents God’s nature to the world.

If we misrepresent His Word, we misrepresent God, Himself!

Take Home Nugget

We should never be ashamed that our words and actions demonstrate Christ to the watching world. When God speaks, people know for sure Who’s speaking. When God “speaks” through His Word, He provides opportunities for us to represent Scripture as mirrors of His heart—one of our greatest privileges!

Holy Father, thank You for giving me Your Word and Spirit to guide my life. I “hear” You directing my life in many ways. May I represent Your Word and character accurately to the world by what I say and do! Amen.

J.D. Griffith

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Heaviest Burden

HEAVIEST BURDEN

Isaiah 53:6

“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each one of us to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him [Jesus] the iniquity of us all.”

As soon as ten year old Jeremy got on the school bus, three twelve year old boys ripped into him.

“What’re you wearing, Jeremy?”

“Can’t you find something better to wear than an old wind-breaker?”

“You look ridiculous, Jeremy!”

Jeremy walked past them, and sat down further in the back. He clamped his mouth shut, determined to ignore their mocking. He looked outside the bus window. Hope of Relief devotion showed Jesus offering His yoke to carry our burdens, so they don’t weigh us down. Life’s burdens are heavy. We rarely can manage them on our own strength. Weary, we often give up. Jesus offers to carry our heavy burdens and replaces worry with peace. Jeremy accepted Jesus’ “yoke.”

Jeremy’s angry. He wants to spit back insults. He wants to hurt them like they hurt him. He knows that his exploding heart is filled with hate. Hating others is sin. So he decided to keep quiet and act cool today. Feeling hopeless, Jeremy prayed, I promised You that I wouldn’t yell back at them today, Lord. Please help me. What can I do?

Jeremy’s heart stilled. He heard, I got this, Bro. Now, forgive them.

Jeremy gulped. Forgive? He thought-asked.

Jeremy’s heart heard plainly, Forgive them as I forgave you, Jeremy!

OK Lord, I forgive them, Jeremy thought.

Of all the problems that weigh us down, sin is the heaviest burden of all.
Holiness and sin cannot survive inside the same body. God’s Holy Spirit provides Jeremy, and us, the strength to resist sin. People have been asking for help to avoid sin since Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:6).

Our heavenly Father knew only one way for us to live at peace when surrounded by sin. He sent His Son Jesus to us as a human/God baby. Jesus grew up the same as we do. He lived without sin, and then He died on the cross as payment for our sins. He understands that sin is the heaviest burden of all.

When people believe in Jesus, the indwelling Holy Spirit strengthens them. The opening Scripture compares us to sheep that wander off in our own ways. Our Shepherd Jesus, willingly paid the price for our sins, and helps us whenever we ask.

Take Home Nugget

Jeremy said to the boys when he exited the school bus, “Have a great day, guys!” Immediately, Jeremy’s heart filled up with peace, and he smiled.

Sin always finds a doorway to enter; God’s Spirit gives us strength to close that door.

J.D. Griffith

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Hope of Relief

HOPE OF RELIEF

Matthew 11:28-30

V. 29: “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

“I just can’t take it anymore!” Jeremy shouted to his classmate, Brad, at recess from fifth grade.

“What’s wrong, Jerm?”

“Every day, I must deal with guys who make fun of me on the school bus.”

Life is hard. We get that. Lots of people face daily challenges. Many fight just to stay in their homes, or keep their jobs. There are people living on the street with little kids. People are hungry. Tons of people have no health care insurance, and remain sick.

And yet, Brad is concerned with his friend’s problem. God is concerned, too. We often attempt living on our own strength, and we grow weary from the stress and strain. Before we exhaust every drop of human strength, why don’t we accept Jesus’ offer? Help is as close as trusting Jesus with our burdens in prayer. Did you know that one definition of “burden” is yoke? No kidding. Hope of relief for trouble is real.

When we lift our troubles up to God, we feel immediate relief. God never intended for His kids to be bogged down by the weight of problems. Jesus knew first-hand how difficult life would be for us. As your Brother and Friend, Jesus wants to help. Remember, He is human, too. The trick is to remember to pray before you collapse from exhaustion. The opening Scripture gives us assurance that relief from burdens is real in Christ.

Yet, how many times do we try everything possible to solve problems before we pray? Whatever seems impossible to solve, trusting God to handle it is always the best choice. It’s easier than we think. We just swallow our pride and acknowledge our trouble to God in prayer. Identify it. Admit that it’s a problem that we cannot fix. Ask God for help. Then leave the problem in His capable hands.

Perfect faith ends the prayer with thanks. Even though we’re tempted to reclaim the trouble, leave it with God! Thank Him for relieving your burden. God’s peace replaces worry when you trust and thank Him.

Take Home Nugget

After we stand up from kneeling in prayer, we may wonder how Jesus is going to handle our troubles. Will He provide us a miracle? Never underestimate the miracle of transforming you or your circumstances, even if the trouble remains awhile longer.
Let it go. God’s got this. That’s real relief! Would the guys on Jeremy’s school bus stop making fun of him if he’d just ignore them—their fun silenced?

Pride hinders faith, but trusting God brings confidence.

J.D. Griffith

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Squandered Blessings

SQUANDERED BLESSINGS

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

V. 6: “Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they [the Israelites, our forefathers] did.”

Our forefathers, the Israelites who were once slaves in Egypt (Exodus 3-12), had to learn how to live victoriously as free people. (They wrote the book on sin). See the lesson, linked below, to see that freedom unleashed them to live exactly as they wanted. Disobedience to God’s commands cost many their lives. Too many never understood how to live victoriously.

But we can. If you want to, you will.

Idolatry, immorality, and grumbling were sins that brought them down. Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “So if you think you’re standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” Six year old Levi thought that he was “all that” and got embarrassed at his school’s Halloween parade. (See Substitution=Disobedience devotion). People often act proud and arrogant when disobeying rules.

It seems that humans have rebellion and defying authority down pat. God called His chosen people (the Israelites), “stiff-necked.” This means that they always wanted things their way. They resisted obeying rules—regardless of the penalty. Moses agreed with God about his people when he prayed in Exodus 34:9, “‘O Lord, if I have found favor in Your eyes,’ he said, ‘then let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us to Your inheritance.’”

Nothing like being called out, tattle-tailed to God about being rebellious, defiant, and unruly! The Israelites turned their backs on God when He was leading them to their Promised Land, and Moses needed God’s help. Who brought them out of slavery?

The online publication, 24/7 Wall St. posted, “The 100 Least Powerful People in the World.” (Fall, 2012). Many once famous or powerful people (corporate executives, politicians, sports figures, celebrities), fell into disgrace. Some were victims, some made poor business decisions, but others failed the moral test.

Does the Israelites’ idolatry, immorality, or grumbling remind you of you?

Is anything more important than God in your life? You’re guilty of idolatry. Is outward looks more important than inner beauty to you? Face your morality issues. Do you easily find fault with stuff? Quit complaining! God wants you to live victoriously.

Take Home Nugget

Share the secret Apostle Paul taught the Corinthians: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide you a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:12-13. Emphasis added.
You’ll never go wrong when following God’s lead.

J.D. Griffith

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Conditional Blessings

CONDITIONAL BLESSINGS

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Vv. 17-18a: “But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed.”

Obedience to God often is the difference between life and death. No joke.

Substitution=Disobedience devotion lesson showed that God ripped Saul’s kingdom away because of his disobedience. To compare, first grader, Levi, was only embarrassed when he tried taking more than one piece of candy from the Halloween treats barrel. His teacher could have demanded more for his disobedience. (Take a note home for a parent’s signature, or write down, “I will not take more than one piece of candy,” one hundred times, for example). But she showed Levi mercy.

Kids understand all about family rules. Some teach: like keeping one’s room straight, mowing the lawn, or washing the dishes. Family rules are for kids’ best welfare. “Come inside as soon as it gets dark” shows a parent’s concern for the child’s safety.

Teenagers learn curfew [KER-fu] is the time kids are to be home. Parents set curfew times to prevent late-night unsupervised temptations, (most sins happen under cover of night). While most family rules aren’t conditional—kids eat food and have clothes to wear even when they’re disobedient, other rules hinge on specific obedience: “You may not drive the car if you don’t pass driver’s education,” for example.

Kids usually complain about the chores parents assign. But they know their obedience makes parents happy, ensuring a peaceful home. When kids grow up, they realize that parent’s rules were pretty easygoing. Obedience was mostly painless. They realize that many rules protected themselves from harm. And, the stricter the family rule, the more it protects children from their own mischief! People realize the extent of parent’s mercy when raising their own kids.

God’s condition of obedience to realize blessings (for the Israelites) was: ”Be careful to obey all these regulations I am giving you, so that it [living in the Promised Land] may go well with you and your children after you.” (Deuteronomy 12:28). Those who think that the Bible contains too many rules, don’t see God’s mercy in His commands—always for our own good.

Whenever we obey, God blesses generously, abundantly. The opening Scripture links obedience to life.

Take Home Nugget

The Bible lists God’s family rules. Book of Instruction Before Leaving Earth is a handy way to remember that the Bible is must-reading for God’s kids to live victoriously now, and through eternity. No joke.

J.D. Griffith

Then let me love my Bible more
And take a fresh delight
By day to read these wonders o’er
And meditate at night.

Watts

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Substitution=Disobedience

SUBSTITUTION=DISOBEDIENCE

1 Samuel 15:1-23

V. 16: “‘Stop!’ Samuel said to Saul. ‘Let me tell you what the Lord said to me last night.’”

“But I was going to put the candy back,” six year old Levi—dressed as a dragon caught in the act of stuffing a handful of candy in his dragon pocket—said to Ms. Busby, his first grade teacher. “I was just playing!” he insisted.

“Keep just one, and return the rest, now.” Ms. Busby ordered.

A clown’s smiling-face barrel, filled with candy, marked the return-to-school point for the elementary school’s Halloween two-block parade. Costumed students waved and laughed, walking the parent-lined street.

The students were so pumped up with showing off their costumes during the parade, that many tried disobeying the rule of taking only one piece of candy. Levi got caught.

While everybody must live with rules, some try substituting their own. Humans want to make deals better—or at least better-suited to their own agenda. Levi just wanted to see if he could get more than one piece of candy. Who would see, who would care? The barrel was full of candy. The candy was the kids’ Halloween treat. It was the kids’ parade, after all!

Levi is like most people. His deal swap sounded pretty good in his head, before he carried out the act of taking more candy. Levi thought, if I may have one piece of candy, why not ten?

Since God created people in His own image (Genesis 1:27), He also knew that His kids would eventually disobey. First Adam and Eve sinned. And every person since then has sinned. God’s always been wise to His kids’ pranks.

Whenever God commands something, our first reaction is usually, “I don’t want to.” People hate commands. “You must” or “you have to” rubs people the wrong way. We wonder, is this a suggestion? Did we hear God correctly? We conveniently “forget,” or deny His call. Some people, like Jonah, run away.

The most subtle [SUT-l means delicately sly] refusal to obey is to “appear to obey.” When we do this, we don’t obey totally. We substitute something, changing the command to something we like better. Usually, we don’t even admit disobedience.

How do you respond to God’s commands?

Take Home Nugget

We just finished Master Class devotion series, where we learned to surrender our individual lives to Jesus’ Lordship. Check out the lesson part of this devotion to see how Saul, God’s anointed king of Israel, disobeyed. God stripped Saul’s kingdom away, and gave it to another. Is our disobedience as obvious?

Help me Lord, when I don’t understand
Where You send me as You lead.
In faith, I grip Your outstretched hand;
Help me to trust you for every need.

J.D. Griffith

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Master Plan for Victory

MASTER PLAN FOR VICTORY

Seventh of seven devotions in Master Class Series

Jeremiah 29:11

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

This Master Class series was designed to show how we can overcome whatever obstacles are hindering our lives from achieving victory. While people usually try to work things out on their own, Christians have a distinct advantage.

Many people know about God’s Son Jesus (head knowledge). It’s common for humans to think that they are captains of their lives, and directors of their own fates. This attitude is wrong, however. While there are many Christians who believe in Jesus—and have received salvation and eternal life—their lives are far from victorious. Victorious Christians make Jesus Master of their lives.

The word, “master,” suggests one thing for those whose ancestors were slaves, and quite another for those who’re apprentices. Apprentice [ap-PREN-tis] means a beginner, someone who is training, or learning something—from another—who is teaching. The teacher is labeled the master. That’s why Jesus’ disciples often referred to Him as “Master,” and rightly so.

Jesus offers gifts of forgiveness of sins, salvation, and eternal life to every person—but these gifts cost Jesus His life. Christians who are serious about living the abundant life Jesus promises in John 10:10, will cost them their (perceived) independence. Victorious Christian lives are surrendered to Christ.

Surrendered Christians enter Jesus’ Master class—a lifetime of learning. Far different from students packed into an auditorium, where the teacher doesn’t know the students, Jesus’ Master class is one-on-one student-to-teacher ratio. This face-to-face personal tutoring allows for give and take, or questions and answers, between master and student (apprentice).

Doctors, lawyers, and other “professionals” start out learning alongside a master. Disciples of Jesus learn from their Master—Jesus of Nazareth. Master class isn’t just for beginners, either. For whoever hungers to grow, Jesus will never stop teaching; Jesus is one master who’ll never be mastered! Master Jesus accepts surrendered students’ hearts, minds, time, and talents. (Everything we are came from Him, anyway).

If this seems radical, it is! The Master of our salvation and commander of our kingdom deserves nothing less than our all.

Take Home Nugget

The Father announced His Master plan of victory for every believer-in-Christ in the opening Scripture. “Plans to prosper you” for “hope and a future” sounds victorious to me. Are you ready to make this radical lifelong learning journey to victory? We’ll never stop learning!

So much pulls at my heart.
But O Lord, help me start;
Help me see where my life’s going,
May I reap victory from endless growing!

J.D. Griffith

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Master Jesus

MASTER JESUS

Sixth of seven devotions in Master Class Series

Luke 8:24-25a

“The disciples went and woke Him, saying, ‘Master, Master, we are going to drown!’
He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. ‘Where is your faith?’ He asked His disciples.”

Jesus’ disciples were so scared that they awoke Him from a sound sleep during a powerful storm. Fright is a created-being emotion. The creator has nothing to be frightened about from His creation. What security we have believing in the One who’s never scared! We’re always safe in Christ, regardless of the squalls that storm our lives.

Even when one storm is named, Labron.

Sometimes Jesus asks someone to help out.

During recess, fifth grader, Jeremy, asked fourth grader, Miguel, “Hey buddy, what’s the problem?” (See Greatest Supernatural Strength devotion).

Miguel’s shame misted his eyes in embarrassment. He looked at Jeremy, and blurted out, “Nothin!”

“So Greg pinned your arms down for ‘Nuthin?’ You wanted to punch someone, didn’t you?”

Jeremy looked around, and suddenly understood. “Am I correct that Labron’s giving you a hard time?”

Miguel and Greg’s fourth grade classmate, Jules, chimed in, “Labron made fun of how Miguel throws the football. He called him ‘pathetic.’ He was so rude!”

“Throwing a football is harder than throwing a baseball,” Jeremy admitted.

Miguel brightened up, “I can throw a baseball, easy!” he said.

“Here, Miguel.” Jeremy said, showing him how he grasps the football. “See how my fingers cross the threads? As I bring it from the back—past my ear—aiming towards a receiver, I release the football feeling those threads.” He handed the football to Miguel. “Your turn.”

Miguel copied how Jeremy held the football, and pointed to Greg. Greg backed up a bit. He looked to Jeremy, who nodded his head. “That’s right, Miguel. Now complete your motion, and let it rip.”


Miguel threw a weak spiral to Greg. The football didn’t flutter back and forth, like it used to. “Yah!” Greg and Jules cheered.

Jules said, “Practice makes perfect!”

Who’s your master? Everyone has one. We serve whoever is our master. While there are “master switches” that operate electrical systems, master keys that unlock every door, and master files that contain all our data, there’s only one master for Christians.
Jeremy’s master is Jesus. All Jesus’ disciples know Him as Master. Jesus’ take-charge of scary, impossible, or weird situations always calms Christians.

Take Home Nugget

Our creator, redeemer and Savior, Master Jesus, has a plan for your eternity. When you trust in Jesus as Lord, everything changes. You’ll have a new life, a new family, and a new future—eternally secured.

When storms rage, let master Jesus master your fears.

J.D. Griffith

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Greater Supernatural Strength

GREATER SUPERNATURAL STRENGTH

Galatians 5:22-23

The fifth of seven devotions in Master Class Series

“But the fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

Those who believe in Jesus Christ, making Him master of their lives, begin a life-long journey of wonder. Words like new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), redemption, forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7), predestined, called, justified, glorified (Romans 8:30), inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14), and sanctified (Romans 14-16) come alive with supernatural meaning.

Sanctification=God in us. What?

Jesus says in John 14:16-17, “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.”

We learned in the previous devotion, Greatest Human Strength, that people need something greater than human power to control ourselves. Human lack of self-control gets us into trouble, usually with suffering. But believers-in-Christ can live successful victorious lives. Our secret is the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Sixth grader Labron pushed every one of fourth grader Miguel’s buttons by ridiculing the way he threw a football at recess. Miguel had heard enough. Fists up, Miguel intended to deck Labron. But Miguel’s classmate, Greg, stopped Miguel, (probably saving him from being suspended from school for fighting). Sanctification—transforming Christians into Christ likeness—is the Holy Spirit’s job.

Miguel needed help to control his anger, and Greg physically stepped in. Since Miguel believes in Jesus, his indwelling Holy Spirit was blaring a warning. But Miguel’s anger roared louder. We all need the Holy Spirit’s supernatural strength, that’s greater than our own, to control ourselves. But we need to “hear” (one’s conscience) Him.

The indwelling Holy Spirit enables believers to live a defended life. He protects us from the powers, like anger, that seek to control us. The opening Scripture lists fruit of the Spirit—of which self-control is one. Our job is to obey—when the Holy Spirit’s empowering us to do what’s right. Let’s avoid grieving Him who seals us for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30).

How do we grieve the Holy Spirit? When we break any of God’s commandments, such as lying, stealing, or cursing in God’s Name, we upset the supernatural Spirit.

Take Home Nugget

Self-control doesn’t come from human intellect, willpower, determination, or resolve. The Holy Spirit’s greater supernatural strength trumps the weaker human greatest strength. Allowing the Holy Spirit to empower us with supernatural strength isn’t luck. It’s believers’ choice to live triumphantly with the Holy Spirit’s power and protection.

My strength overpowers the world’s strength when I allow my inner power to be my supernatural strength.

J.D. Griffith

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Greatest Human Strength

GREATEST HUMAN STRENGTH

Fourth of seven devotions in Master Class Series

2 Peter 1:5-7

“For this very reason, [participate in the divine nature and escape corruption], make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness: and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.”

We’ve been watching five kids throw football, overhearing their banter during recess from fourth and sixth grade school classrooms. (See Masterpiece, Real Deal Christians, and Original Jesus devotions). Let’s turn up the heat.

“You guys don’t deserve to have Jules on your side, she throws a football better than either of you...and can catch it better, too!” Labron yelled.

“We’re just having fun, Labron. Mind your own business!” Greg countered.

“Besides, you can’t get better at stuff if you don’t practice,” Jules said.

“Naw. Miguel’s just pathetic at throwing a football!” Labron picked.

“I’ll show you who’s pathetic!” Miguel growled, walking toward Labron, fists in the air.

“Hold on, Miguel, Labron’s not worth getting in trouble over,” Greg shrieked, running towards Miguel. He threw his arms around Miguel, restraining him from attacking Labron.

Self-control enables people to resist urges. When others mock us, it’s hard to hold our tongue. Wanting to fight is a normal “get even” reaction when someone injures our pride. Egos bruise easily. No one likes feeling less than another person. It’s human nature to want to seize control over situations, especially painful ones.

Most problems happen because people fail to control themselves. Impulsive spending causes financial setback. Scratching the “I want” itch leads to violence, drug abuse, stealing, and every other crime. Poor self-control is responsible for most individual suffering.

Why don’t we develop greater self-control? Clearly, that’s not easy to do. So, who’s controlling us? There are infinite powers at work that seek to control, or at least influence people’s thinking and behavior. TV and written ads tempt us with better toys, ways to look better, even hollow promises trying to get our vote.

Satan tries to control human beings. When he wins, that person is ineffective at testifying for Christ. If it isn’t possible to not be controlled by anyone or anything in life, what’s the secret to self-control? Lack of self-control comes from fallen (sinful) nature. So, it requires something stronger than human power to fix it.

Take Home Nugget

Powerful self-control is the greatest human strength powered by the divine. Every believer-in-Christ has an invisible “Greg,” who restrains us from trouble. The indwelling Holy Spirit provides us divine strength that guards us against our fallen human nature. His power is critical for human victory.

Slow down, don’t go so fast.
Remember whose you are.
Surely, trouble won’t last.
Help isn’t very far.

J.D. Griffith

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ORIGINAL JESUS

ORIGINAL JESUS
Third of seven devotions in Master Class Series
2 Corinthians 11:13-15

“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.”

Sixth graders, Liam and Labron, began throwing a football to each other next to where the three nine year olds began this autumn recess play (see Masterpiece and Real Deal Christians devotions).

“Heah Jules, can you catch this?” Labron teased. He sailed the football as high as he could overtop her head.

“Not funny, Labron. You know I’m not that tall!” Jules shouted.

The kids watched the football land in the corner of the fence that separated the school playground from the street.

“Throw it back to me, Miguel, if you can,” LaBron challenged.

“You threw it. You get it!” Miguel snapped.

There will always be those who throw obstacles in our life’s path. It’s not important what causes life to get hard, but we can be sure that it will. That’s why it’s important that believers keep eyes focused on Jesus in every situation. We know that Jesus is the real-deal original God’s Son.

Jesus will never lie to us or lead us astray. We can trust Jesus. His disciples, (you and me), follow wherever He leads. He’ll never lead us in darkness (John 8:12).

But authentic, genuine, original real deals are copied. That’s why false prophets teach wrong gospel. They cannot successfully imitate the original Jesus. God’s plan of forgiveness of sins and redemption, through faith in Jesus, is the only way to receive eternal life.

While we can usually spot a wise guy, like LaBron, all phonies aren’t so obvious. They pretend to be your friend. Their intent is to bring harm through deception and trickery. Just for fun. Apostle
Paul warns us in the opening Scripture that false prophets, (or everyday people who aren’t really what they appear to be), are untrustworthy. They will lie, cheat, or steal to get ahead in life.

They usually wear nice clothes and a smile, pretending to offer friendship.

Everyone who falls for devils’ lies of unrighteousness isn’t following the original Jesus. Those who follow false doctrines are false Christians!

Take Home Nugget

The original Jesus teaches His disciples God’s truth. Christ followers are signed with His signature, written in His blood. His indwelling Spirit is believer’s deposit forever guaranteeing whose we are (Ephesians 1:14). Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is proof for our inheriting eternal life.

What’s sad is people believing lies. What’s worse is people living lies. How sad for them when Jesus says, “I don’t know you!”

J.D. Griffith

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REAL DEAL CHRISTIANS

REAL DEAL CHRISTIANS

Second of seven devotions in Master Class Series

Jude 1:3

“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.”

A couple sixth graders watched three fourth graders throw football to each other during recess from school. (See Masterpiece devotion).

Labron snickered, mocking them, “Heah Miguel, you throw the football like a girl!”

Liam—bent over in laughter—asked, “Heah Jules, do you want to play quarterback on my team?”

Greg yelled back to the upperclassman, “You wish, Liam! Jules is MY quarterback!”

It’s getting harder to weed out the sleaze from the pure-in-heart. Not everyone’s disrespect is as obvious as these upperclassmen’s. Jesus’ advice for telling apart good from evil dates over 2,000 years ago in Matthew 7:15-16: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from a thornbushes, or figs from thistles?”

Greg shows us how to deal with mockers. Stand firm and embrace what’s true. Sometimes people are fooled by good looks and popularity, but it’s important to identify what’s the real deal. Genuine believers-in-Christ are real deal Christians because Jesus—whom they follow—is the real deal.

We’re the real deal because God created us in His image (Genesis 1:27). Jesus’ blood saved us (Ephesians 1:7). God’s Spirit indwells us (1 Corinthians 6:19), sculpting us into Christ likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18). Heaven awaits us (John 14:2).

Real deal Christians show love for others (John 13:35), marking us as Jesus’ disciples. As soon as real deal Christians sin, we immediately confess it to God. This keeps hearts pure from evil. Proverbs 4:23 advises real deal Christians, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

We guard ourselves against the world’s assault of sinful temptations. Real deal Christians—like Greg claiming Jules as his quarterback—proudly proclaim to the world whose we are.

Take Home Nugget

But many Christians are deceived. Jude’s warning in the opening Scripture uses the word, “contend.” Contend means to challenge, to assert one’s position on the gospel of Christ. Some churches are filled with false prophets who’re teaching wrong gospel. They don’t produce real deal Christians. Test yourself. Is your church’s teaching from the Bible?

Real deal Christians follow the Jesus proclaimed in the Bible.
J.D. Griffith

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Masterpiece

MASTERPIECE

First of seven devotions in Master Class Series

Ephesians 2:10

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Nine year-old Miguel tossed the football to classmate Greg at recess. Then he sighed. “Sorry, Greg,” he said. “I throw baseballs way better.”

Greg laughed at the waffling football floating towards him. He caught it, and replied, “No problem, Miguel. Throwing a perfect-spiral football isn’t easy—unless you’re Warren Moon!”

“Yeah, but I ought to throw it better than a girl!” Miguel confessed, embarrassed.

“Heah, what’s that about a girl?” classmate Jules challenged, joining them. “I can throw a football as well as I can throw a softball!”

“Right. I’m sure you can,” Miguel admitted. “You can throw—and catch—footballs as well as, maybe better, than me!” Miguel handed the football to Jules. She threw a tight perfect spiral to Greg—right on target.

“Don’t feel bad, Miguel,” Greg said. “Jules is one girl who loves playing sports.”

When we do what we love, we have passion is to get it right. And while not everyone can throw a football in a perfect spiral, like the professional quarterbacks can, we’re still a masterpiece in God’s eyes. After all, God created each one of us in His image (Genesis 1:27).

When people fall short in their own eyes, we often forget how valuable we are in God, or to Him. God showed us how valuable we are to Him when—out of love—He sent Jesus. Jesus willingly came to earth as a human baby to demonstrate righteous living, and then die for our salvation (Romans 5:8). We are masterpiece children, so important to God that Jesus died for each one of us!

We’re challenged to recognize how valuable to God is our work as His servants here on earth. The gospel of Christ has been passed down to us from centuries of ancestors: God’s family through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They are rooting for our every victory.

Take Home Nugget

As we read and study the Bible, life-changing power of the Holy Spirit transforms us into Christ’s image. That’s sanctification [sank-tif-i-KA-shon means make holy]. As one of God’s masterpieces, you’re stamped as His, if you’ve accepted Jesus as Lord and Master of your life. Jesus signed you up for an eternal home in heaven with His blood, shed on the cross for your sins.

Time to get to work!

Holy Father in Heaven, thank You for choosing me as Your child. Help me to never forget my worth to You. May I never take for granted my life’s gifts, that give me passion for serving You. May I bring you glory in all my work.

J.D. Griffith

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ABC Christian

ABC Christian

Ephesians 4:11-16

Vv. 11-12a: “It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare the way for God’s people for works of service,”

This devotion hopes to “kick start” stalled Christians into growth. Many believers think that after they invite Jesus into their hearts—as Master of their lives—they’re done. They figure that spiritual growth is the Holy Spirit’s job. After all, Philippians 1:6 says, “...that He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Newly-saved Christians usually carry a blazing torch for Christ. While every Christian starts at the beginning (even adult new Christians), believers’ paths are never the same. Many stall at the beginning, or in the “ABCs” of Christian life. They steadily—and happily—lap up spiritual milk as infant Christians all their lives.

But 1 Peter 2:2 advises, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,..” regretfully, many never do. These believers never taste solid-food maturity in Christ. They’re content with stalled, stagnant faith.

Carnal [KAR-nal means worldly, fleshly] Christians stop growing in their faith, too. Apostle Paul urged the Corinthian church: “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly” (1 Corinthians 3:2-3). Both “ABC” and carnal Christians never advance past infancy.

Unfortunately, infant Christians never grasp the mysteries of Christ. While they do not lose salvation (1 Corinthians 3:15), they do miss out on vibrant living for Jesus. They never reap privileges that vigorous believers enjoy: such as partnering with Christ to bring God’s will from heaven to earth. (See Keys of the Kingdom devotion). They refuse to think biblically. They never mature into righteous living. They usually fall apart when facing life’s trials.

If believers’ torch-for-Christ isn’t stoked—fire stirred and fanned with fresh oxygen (eye-opening truths)—it’ll eventually snuff out. Hearts, once gasping for air, will suffocate. Cold hard hearts don’t naturally serve God. The opening Scripture lists faith mentors. Their job is to encourage Christians to grow up in their faith. (Complete the lesson, linked below, for more on growing up in faith).

Take Home Nugget

Carnal and “ABC” Christian are like stalled cars. Stalled cars only attend church for entertainment. Nothing’s wrong with their cars’ engines. Spiritual lives crave gas (maturing in faith) to grow and thrive.

Growing Christians purposely mature from Biblical milk to solid food, so their faith zooms ahead, instead of stalling out.

J.D. Griffith

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Reign?

REIGN?

Part 7 of 7 in Work of Honor devotional seriesg

Romans 5:17, 21

“For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life, through the one man, Jesus Christ....so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Emphasis mine.

Reign [RAIN means to govern, to rule with power]. Me reign, really? It’s as if Jesus were saying, Yes, I mean for you to reign with Me. Our job, partner, is to break into the earth’s darkness with My light.

Believers-in-Christ have the privilege to break through earth’s darkness with the light of Christ. Jesus says so. He says we may—with His power and gentle Spirit—advance His light into the world. The opening Scripture is prophecy [prof-i-SEE means prediction]. The verb reign is present tense. Right now. Jesus’ obedient sacrifice on the cross defuses, counterbalances, or offsets sin’s limits. Believers may change human circumstances and actions because Jesus defeated sin and death at the cross.

Jesus, as Lord of Life, and King of Glory, invites us to reign in life. As Jesus’ partners, we cannot change the future. But we’re called—in His authority, and with His permission—to impact people and situations here on earth. Jesus gives us the right to make God’s rule happen, (as we’re “co-heirs with Christ” from Romans 8:17).

Our privilege right now is to bring Jesus’ Kingdom power into every situation for which we pray. (This includes bringing all God’s promises into play!) “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32). Kingdom’s doorway opens to those who yield themselves to God’s will. We come humbly, never proud or arrogant. We come with honesty, never hiding evil intent. We speak kindly to others, in love.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says whoever’s “in Christ is a new creation.” We’re “born again” into God’s royal bloodline, to reign alongside brother Jesus! (See Born Again devotion, June 22, 2012). Those who’re serious about this Work of Honor devotional series choose to live as one of Jesus’ flock—reigning through prayer. Are you one whom Jesus invites to “reign in life” today? Jesus says, “Don’t fear. Take the Kingdom keys and use them!”

Take Home Nugget

Cassie led her fifth-grade classmates in prayer one recess, for Missy to keep her home (Kingdom Warriors devotion). Today, Missy passed out cookies to the class. “Daddy refinanced our house. We get to stay!” she announced, all smiles.

Speak kindly in love. Never proud, or with evil intent.

gJack Hayford with Rebecca Hayford Bauer, Penetrating the Darkness (Chosen, Michigan: a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2011), 26-28.

J.D. Griffith

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