WORKING OUT OF REST
Hebrews 4:3
“Now, we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, ‘So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter My rest.’ And yet His work has been finished since the creation of the world.”
Moses led an entire generation of Jewish people out of slavery in Egypt to their promised land—who never arrived (see lesson, linked below). If you check the map, Canaan is about a seven day hard journey by camel from Egypt. And yet, it took forty years! Many who left Egypt died on the way to their promised land. Even Moses wasn’t allowed to step one foot into Canaan! Why? Disobedience.
Hebrews 4:1-2 shows why the unfortunate Jews missed out: “Therefore, since the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard did not combine it with faith.” (Emphasis added).
How sad that they didn’t enter God’s rest while alive...but we can! How can we work out of rest? It’s a gift of grace from God through faith in Jesus Christ. Christians have righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). That’s what God’s “kingdom come,” phrase in the Lord’s Prayer really means.
Whenever believers surrender ourselves to God, it is Christ who lives through us (Galatians 2:20). It’s simple to give our best while living totally at peace. At day’s end, we can be assured that our work is done. And done well. Our rest is the peaceful confidence that our lives are in step with God’s will. We’re not working strictly by human strength. God is our strength. Remember Philippians 4:13: “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”
Consider that many a preacher has had to be content with sermons given where one point was missed. That must be what God intended, when God is their strength. Isn’t surrendering to God and working in peace better than worrying about how you may have messed up?
May I share with you my peace knowing that Jesus lives through me every day I surrender my life to Him? My life is laced with peace and joy, knowing that every task is done well.
Take Home Nugget
It’s also great to know that even when Christians are disobedient, our faith in Christ enables us to enter our promised land. Heaven, eternal life, is Jesus’ gift that’s available to everyone who believes in Him.
Our hardest work done on human strength can’t equal the supernatural work we do while resting in Christ.
HAPPY LABOR DAY, USA!
J.D. Griffith
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Friday, August 30, 2013
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Awareness of God
AWARENESS OF GOD
1 Corinthians 2:12
“We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.”
How do you suppose the young shepherd David had the courage to fight Goliath? Battlefront Israeli soldiers were terrified and distraught at Goliath’s challenge in 1 Samuel 17:10: “This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.”
David’s older brother, Eliab, scolded David in 1 Samuel 17:28: “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”
David could have responded, “Tending sheep isn’t easy. While my soldier brothers learned sword fighting, I was fending off wild animals with my bare hands!”
We imagine Eliab insisting, “Wild animals never attacked you. You were never harmed by wild animals when tending our sheep.”
Then, David might have said, “God was with me when I killed a lion and a bear that attacked the sheep. He always has my back.”
“So, now an invisible God keeps you safe!” Eliab was probably laughing.
David could have defended himself with, “I know God was with me, when He protected me from the lion and the bear,” from 1 Samuel 17:34-37.
Eliab surely doubted David with, “Who witnessed you killing a lion and a bear? I give you credit for having a great imagination. Your stories are only true in David’s world!”
We can figure David retorting with, “Believe whatever you like. I know that God was with me then, and I’m sure that He’ll be with me when I kill Goliath!”
Take Home Nugget
Can you sense David’s full awareness of God? David ate, slept and protected his family’s sheep from predators in the open field. He had no gun. He didn’t own a sword. He mastered the tools God provided—a slingshot and stones—to achieve victory. David was confident that God would be with him in the future because of past victories. David didn’t hesitate to accept Goliath’s challenge—because he was always aware of God.
We too, can always be aware of God. Our invisible God comes to His kids every time we ask for help. The Bible is packed with His promises that we may freely claim. (See the lesson, below). His goodness and faithfulness wrap us in confidence. Anxiety and fear flee. Let’s rise to every challenge, fully aware of God. God is omnipresent; He’s everywhere!
God’s presence is His Spirit, who lives within every Christian. Let us be aware of God and claim all things that He freely gives.
J.D. Griffith
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1 Corinthians 2:12
“We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.”
How do you suppose the young shepherd David had the courage to fight Goliath? Battlefront Israeli soldiers were terrified and distraught at Goliath’s challenge in 1 Samuel 17:10: “This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.”
David’s older brother, Eliab, scolded David in 1 Samuel 17:28: “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”
David could have responded, “Tending sheep isn’t easy. While my soldier brothers learned sword fighting, I was fending off wild animals with my bare hands!”
We imagine Eliab insisting, “Wild animals never attacked you. You were never harmed by wild animals when tending our sheep.”
Then, David might have said, “God was with me when I killed a lion and a bear that attacked the sheep. He always has my back.”
“So, now an invisible God keeps you safe!” Eliab was probably laughing.
David could have defended himself with, “I know God was with me, when He protected me from the lion and the bear,” from 1 Samuel 17:34-37.
Eliab surely doubted David with, “Who witnessed you killing a lion and a bear? I give you credit for having a great imagination. Your stories are only true in David’s world!”
We can figure David retorting with, “Believe whatever you like. I know that God was with me then, and I’m sure that He’ll be with me when I kill Goliath!”
Take Home Nugget
Can you sense David’s full awareness of God? David ate, slept and protected his family’s sheep from predators in the open field. He had no gun. He didn’t own a sword. He mastered the tools God provided—a slingshot and stones—to achieve victory. David was confident that God would be with him in the future because of past victories. David didn’t hesitate to accept Goliath’s challenge—because he was always aware of God.
We too, can always be aware of God. Our invisible God comes to His kids every time we ask for help. The Bible is packed with His promises that we may freely claim. (See the lesson, below). His goodness and faithfulness wrap us in confidence. Anxiety and fear flee. Let’s rise to every challenge, fully aware of God. God is omnipresent; He’s everywhere!
God’s presence is His Spirit, who lives within every Christian. Let us be aware of God and claim all things that He freely gives.
J.D. Griffith
Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Awareness of God
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Friday, August 23, 2013
CLEAN UP
CLEAN UP
Hebrews 9:21-24
“In the same way [covenant blood that God commanded be used], He sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies.
“In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
“It was necessary then, for the copies of the heavenly things be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
“For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; He entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.”
When people have parties—the next day is usually clean up day. This is done to restore everything back to normal. After finishing Bedrock devotion in Deciding How to Approach God series, we learned that Satan appeared before God.
Job 1:6-12: “One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, ‘Where have you come from?’
“Satan answered the Lord, ‘From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.’
“Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant Job [JOBE]? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.’
“‘Does Job fear God for nothing?’ Satan replied. ‘Have You not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out Your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face.’
“The Lord said to Satan, ‘Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.’”
Satan still had access to God’s throne room—the holiest of all places—after Adam sinned (Genesis 3)! The opening Scripture shows that Jesus cleaned up heaven, restoring its holiness after Satan left.
Satan’s been expelled from God’s presence ever since.
This devotion proves that Satan cannot approach God’s throne today. He’ll never attack you, like he did Job! Satan’s banned from God’s presence. Jesus is there, defending God’s kids.
Take Home Nugget
Bedrock devotion’s lesson revealed this truth. But it’s important that God’s kids aren’t scared today about what happened to Job could happen to them. Jesus is at the Father’s right hand now. Jesus blocks Satan, defending those who believe in Him, “This person is covered by My righteousness!”
2 Corinthians 5:21: “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”
J.D. Griffith
Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Clean Up
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Hebrews 9:21-24
“In the same way [covenant blood that God commanded be used], He sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies.
“In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
“It was necessary then, for the copies of the heavenly things be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
“For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; He entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.”
When people have parties—the next day is usually clean up day. This is done to restore everything back to normal. After finishing Bedrock devotion in Deciding How to Approach God series, we learned that Satan appeared before God.
Job 1:6-12: “One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, ‘Where have you come from?’
“Satan answered the Lord, ‘From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.’
“Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant Job [JOBE]? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.’
“‘Does Job fear God for nothing?’ Satan replied. ‘Have You not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out Your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face.’
“The Lord said to Satan, ‘Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.’”
Satan still had access to God’s throne room—the holiest of all places—after Adam sinned (Genesis 3)! The opening Scripture shows that Jesus cleaned up heaven, restoring its holiness after Satan left.
Satan’s been expelled from God’s presence ever since.
This devotion proves that Satan cannot approach God’s throne today. He’ll never attack you, like he did Job! Satan’s banned from God’s presence. Jesus is there, defending God’s kids.
Take Home Nugget
Bedrock devotion’s lesson revealed this truth. But it’s important that God’s kids aren’t scared today about what happened to Job could happen to them. Jesus is at the Father’s right hand now. Jesus blocks Satan, defending those who believe in Him, “This person is covered by My righteousness!”
2 Corinthians 5:21: “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”
J.D. Griffith
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Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Bedrock
BEDROCK
Part three of three in Deciding How to Approach God series
Job 1:1
“In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job” [JOBE]. “This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.”
Every blessings God showers on His kids can easily be removed. “In the midst of deeply hurting life circumstances, our loving God can seem cruel.” That sentence, from Questions God Usually Doesn’t Answer devotion, was purposely not explained. Life will test and stretch believers’ faith in God. When God doesn’t answer right away, chill out. Stand firm. Reflect.
Believers’ bedrock—a firm foundation in Jesus Christ—leads us to victory.
The book of Job details victory through trouble. In Job 1:6-12, God allowed Satan to strip away everything Job loved. No one understood why this happened. But throughout his trouble, Job never cursed God.
Job understood that both receiving and losing blessings are in God’s hands.
Sometimes, what seems cruel is really kind.
A parent’s lack of disciplining a child’s bad behavior is cruel. The child becomes confused about what’s allowed and what’s not. Teaching correct behavior is great kindness—even when the parent’s discipline seems cruel at the time. (Good advice to remember when God corrects us).
Even those who seem to have life all figured out, wonder why things mess up. “What’s the deal, Lord”? they desperately cry. But dreadful circumstances don’t have to destroy believers in Christ. God’s testing our reaction. When do we flee to Him for help? Last? God specializes in raising His kids out of the muck, and onto victory. After Job suffered a little while, God completely restored his life (Job 42:10-15).
Check out the lesson linked below, to see why Satan can’t approach God to mess with you today.
Take Home Nugget
We choose victory WHEN we remember to depend on our bedrock faith in God:
1. God loves His kids. 1 John 4:8 says, “God is love.” He sent His one and only Son to die for your sins! Romans 8:32 says, “He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”
2. God is in complete control. That’s what sovereign [SOV-ren] means. God’s never surprised. His power and authority will achieve everything He desires.
3. We can trust God—no matter what. Romans 8:28 guarantees: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Hear God whisper, “I got this. Watch Me work miracles for you!”
Pray your own words to God. Cling to God. Surrender your whys to God. Let God be God.
J.D. Griffith
Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Bedrock
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Part three of three in Deciding How to Approach God series
Job 1:1
“In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job” [JOBE]. “This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.”
Every blessings God showers on His kids can easily be removed. “In the midst of deeply hurting life circumstances, our loving God can seem cruel.” That sentence, from Questions God Usually Doesn’t Answer devotion, was purposely not explained. Life will test and stretch believers’ faith in God. When God doesn’t answer right away, chill out. Stand firm. Reflect.
Believers’ bedrock—a firm foundation in Jesus Christ—leads us to victory.
The book of Job details victory through trouble. In Job 1:6-12, God allowed Satan to strip away everything Job loved. No one understood why this happened. But throughout his trouble, Job never cursed God.
Job understood that both receiving and losing blessings are in God’s hands.
Sometimes, what seems cruel is really kind.
A parent’s lack of disciplining a child’s bad behavior is cruel. The child becomes confused about what’s allowed and what’s not. Teaching correct behavior is great kindness—even when the parent’s discipline seems cruel at the time. (Good advice to remember when God corrects us).
Even those who seem to have life all figured out, wonder why things mess up. “What’s the deal, Lord”? they desperately cry. But dreadful circumstances don’t have to destroy believers in Christ. God’s testing our reaction. When do we flee to Him for help? Last? God specializes in raising His kids out of the muck, and onto victory. After Job suffered a little while, God completely restored his life (Job 42:10-15).
Check out the lesson linked below, to see why Satan can’t approach God to mess with you today.
Take Home Nugget
We choose victory WHEN we remember to depend on our bedrock faith in God:
1. God loves His kids. 1 John 4:8 says, “God is love.” He sent His one and only Son to die for your sins! Romans 8:32 says, “He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?”
2. God is in complete control. That’s what sovereign [SOV-ren] means. God’s never surprised. His power and authority will achieve everything He desires.
3. We can trust God—no matter what. Romans 8:28 guarantees: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Hear God whisper, “I got this. Watch Me work miracles for you!”
Pray your own words to God. Cling to God. Surrender your whys to God. Let God be God.
J.D. Griffith
Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Bedrock
A personal, private lesson experience with our staff
Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com
For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.
Friday, August 16, 2013
Questions God Usually Doesn't Answer
QUESTIONS GOD USUALLY DOESN’T ANSWER
Part two of three in Deciding How to Approach God series
Job 38-41
Job 38:3-4: “Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me. Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell Me, if you understand.”
This shows God scolding Job [JOBE]. Have you ever been totally talked down like this? This is just the beginning of four chapters of God’s rant.
42:2-3 shows Job’s humiliated reply: “I know that You can do all things; no plan of Yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures My counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.” Poor Job. (Check out the lesson, linked below, for how God ranted, then restored Job).
Remember third grade twins Benjy and Danny? “Boys!” their mom yelled from the back door. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Ending a sand war in their back yard, Danny said, “Benjy wrecked my castle! Make him play somewhere else, Mom.”
“Danny won’t let me build a highway!” Benjy said, holding up his race car. “Why can’t we have separate sand boxes, Mom?”
“Because you need to learn how to play nicely with each other.” their mom replied.
“Why can’t I have my own sand box, Mom?” Danny echoed Benjy’s request.
“Because I said so!” mom said, and closed the back door.
That’s pretty much how our heavenly Father answers His kid’s ‘Why?’ questions, too. We can sometimes sense God walking away, and closing the door on our whining. In the midst of deeply hurting life circumstances, our loving God can seem cruel.
Why should God Almighty explain stuff to His created beings’ “Why?” questions? Don’t earthly parents discipline their kids? Don’t we hate the, “because I said so!” explanation?
It’s natural for humans to wonder why God allows bad things to happen to us. Job asked God “Why?” repeatedly during his terrible trials. Even Jesus asked the Father, “Why have You forsaken Me?” when He was dying on the cross, gasping for breath. (See Intuitively Obvious devotion to learn that we may cry out to God during distress). Why shouldn’t we also cry out the question, “Why?”
Take Home Nugget
Throughout God’s addressing Job, He never answers why questions. Apparently, God doesn’t explain Himself to His kids. But aren’t we grateful for—and actually prefer—that His business is to sustain us? I’ll not trade eternal life for answers to my 'why's this happening?' questions!
Besides, Jesus always consoles us when we don’t get answers from the Father. He really will walk with us through every trouble in life.
Thank You, Jesus, for sustaining me when our Father doesn’t bother explaining to me!
J.D. Griffith
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Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Intuitively Obvious
INTUITIVELY OBVIOUS
Part one of three in Deciding How to Approach God series
Matthew 27:46
“About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani’—which means, My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’”
Jesus knew that He’d be reunited with the Father soon. Yet, He cried out to Him. How would the Father answer? God’s answer is intuitively obvious [in-TU-i-tiv-ly OB-vee-us] means plainly understood. Like instinct. Jesus’ question weeps heartbreak in His followers.
After human sins were dumped onto Jesus, the immediate and total separation from the Father shocked Him. Our sins forced Holy Father to forsake His one and only Son. But Jesus’ sacrificial death bought humans eternal life. Thank you, Jesus!
What agony for Jesus! Not only was Jesus dying on a cross, suddenly He was forsaken! Having never sinned Himself, Jesus didn’t deserve to die for our sins! Jesus cried out the moment He understood hell. Truth: hell is separation from God. Jesus cried out in forsaken torment after one second! He knew that His death was minutes away, and yet, desperately cried out to the Father.
Was this for our benefit? Jesus’ torment shows people the truth about hell—from the only One who should have been able to withstand its horror.
I’m glad that Jesus cried out to the Father. We learn that we’re encouraged to cry out to God in desperate anguish, too. Whenever we feel hopelessly caught in an impossible situation, let’s remember to cry out to God. Feeling sorry for ourselves is a waste of precious time that we could use seeking help. Every second we waste before crying out to God for help is on us, brothers and sisters. God’s kids are more precious to Him than anything in the universe What’s holding you back from crying out to the Lord?
As with His Son, the Father may not answer right away—but His answer will dawn on us when it’s time for us to understand. Assuredly: God HEARS us. He SUFFERS our torment. He FEELS our anger. And, if there’s only one who UNDERSTANDS, it’d be Jesus.
Take Home Nugget
Jesus knew that human sin would separate Him from the Father. Yet, being utterly forsaken, shocked Him. The hell of God’s forsaking faces everyone who rejects Jesus as Lord (John 3:16). Jesus knew instinctively why the separation was necessary, but the reality was torment.
We may question God, anytime. However, He doesn’t have to answer us. Gulp. Every answer from God is embedded in Scripture—when we bother looking. The indwelling Holy Spirit reminds believers truths that we know instinctively—having learned them before. The sin that caused our trouble becomes intuitively obvious.
Thank You, Holy Spirit, for reminding us truths that ought to be intuitively obvious when we question God.
J.D. Griffith
Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Intuitively Obvious
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Part one of three in Deciding How to Approach God series
Matthew 27:46
“About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani’—which means, My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’”
Jesus knew that He’d be reunited with the Father soon. Yet, He cried out to Him. How would the Father answer? God’s answer is intuitively obvious [in-TU-i-tiv-ly OB-vee-us] means plainly understood. Like instinct. Jesus’ question weeps heartbreak in His followers.
After human sins were dumped onto Jesus, the immediate and total separation from the Father shocked Him. Our sins forced Holy Father to forsake His one and only Son. But Jesus’ sacrificial death bought humans eternal life. Thank you, Jesus!
What agony for Jesus! Not only was Jesus dying on a cross, suddenly He was forsaken! Having never sinned Himself, Jesus didn’t deserve to die for our sins! Jesus cried out the moment He understood hell. Truth: hell is separation from God. Jesus cried out in forsaken torment after one second! He knew that His death was minutes away, and yet, desperately cried out to the Father.
Was this for our benefit? Jesus’ torment shows people the truth about hell—from the only One who should have been able to withstand its horror.
I’m glad that Jesus cried out to the Father. We learn that we’re encouraged to cry out to God in desperate anguish, too. Whenever we feel hopelessly caught in an impossible situation, let’s remember to cry out to God. Feeling sorry for ourselves is a waste of precious time that we could use seeking help. Every second we waste before crying out to God for help is on us, brothers and sisters. God’s kids are more precious to Him than anything in the universe What’s holding you back from crying out to the Lord?
As with His Son, the Father may not answer right away—but His answer will dawn on us when it’s time for us to understand. Assuredly: God HEARS us. He SUFFERS our torment. He FEELS our anger. And, if there’s only one who UNDERSTANDS, it’d be Jesus.
Take Home Nugget
Jesus knew that human sin would separate Him from the Father. Yet, being utterly forsaken, shocked Him. The hell of God’s forsaking faces everyone who rejects Jesus as Lord (John 3:16). Jesus knew instinctively why the separation was necessary, but the reality was torment.
We may question God, anytime. However, He doesn’t have to answer us. Gulp. Every answer from God is embedded in Scripture—when we bother looking. The indwelling Holy Spirit reminds believers truths that we know instinctively—having learned them before. The sin that caused our trouble becomes intuitively obvious.
Thank You, Holy Spirit, for reminding us truths that ought to be intuitively obvious when we question God.
J.D. Griffith
Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Intuitively Obvious
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Friday, August 9, 2013
Super Rational
SUPER RATIONAL
Numbers 19:2
“This is a requirement of the law that the Lord has commanded: Tell the Israelites to bring you a red heifer without defect or blemish and that has been under a yoke.”
Usually, God’s commands seem rational, [RASH-on-al] means sane or sensible (to human reason). Sometimes, not.
What if the Israelites disobeyed God’s seemingly-ridiculous command about a red heifer? A red heifer? Seriously? Disobey God at your own risk!
Some directions simply make no sense. Refusing to follow directions that seem silly, even stupid, is never a good idea. Students don’t know more than teachers. Kids don’t know more than parents. And yet, too many human directions or commands aren’t obeyed.
“Build an ark, Noah.” God commanded in Genesis 16:13.
An ark? Noah was six hundred years old! By then, people figure that they know—or at least—have seen everything. God clarified His command with specific instructions in Genesis 6:14. Noah didn’t understand rain, either (Genesis 8:4). Before it began raining, God’s command for an ark housing every animal seemed irrational to Noah. His logic told him that building an ark made no sense—until the floods began.
We learn from Genesis 7:5-6 that Noah did everything God commanded him.
Super Rational defines God’s commands that humans don’t understand. It’s like supernatural: Natural in a way that humans can’t explain. Some things are clearly beyond, or above human understanding. Humans cannot see the whole picture.
Most of God’s Ten Commandments make sense to His kids. Do not kill. Do not steal. “I got that, God!” we say. But other commandments seem like suggestions: Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. “Well, if it’s convenient, I’ll take it easy on Sundays.” some reply to God.
Commandments are not suggestions. Super Rational commands protect humans from our own imperfections and limited minds.
We rarely understand how medications work to heal us. And yet, if we want to get better, we follow label instructions. On purpose.
Take Home Nugget
Let’s follow God’s commands on purpose, as well. Humans want to understand. We’re created us with minds that think, question, and reason. Understanding gives people clarity. Clarity helps us to feel in control.
However, God does not want His kids to be in control. He usually won’t allow us to see clearly where He’s leading. God’s kids grow spiritually when we live by faith instead of sight. When we cannot understand events in our lives, we can choose to trust God to lead us faithfully. Whenever we faithfully follow God, even when it seems irrational to us—we learn that He’s always super-rationally faithful!
Following does not require understanding.
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
J.D. Griffith
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Tuesday, August 6, 2013
I Am a King
I AM A KING
Part seven of seven in I AM devotional series
John 18:33-38
John 18:36-37a: “Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is from another place.’
‘You are a king then!’ said Pilate.
Jesus answered, ‘You are right in saying I am a king.’”
It thrills me to hear Jesus define Himself—especially when He admits His divinity to the clueless. Pilate wasn’t happy. As the Roman governor, Pilate’s job was to keep peace in Israel. And Jewish chief priests and Pharisees were giving him a throbbing headache. The “Jesus issue” wasn’t something Pilate needed today. Jesus committed no crime.
Jesus continued speaking in John 18:37b, “In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me.” (When had teaching truth become a criminal offense)?
“What is the truth?” Pilate asked—clueless—not expecting an answer.
Truth, by definition, is fact. How can anyone decide on issues without knowing the facts? When seeking support for skewed opinions, people spin the facts. The chief priests and Pharisees brought Jesus to Pilate to spin their complaint against Him into a crime. They didn’t want a fair trial. They didn’t want Jesus’ truth. They rejected Jesus. They wanted Jesus dead.
John 18:31b finds the Jews objecting to judging Jesus by their own laws: “But we have no right to execute anyone.” The truth was that they brought Jesus to Pilate to be killed. Maybe Pilate understood that, and resisted declaring the death sentence he knew they wanted. No one likes to be influenced by an angry mob.
John 18:38-40: “With this he [Pilate] went out again to the Jews and said, ‘I find no basis of a charge against Him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release the king of the Jews?'”
“They shouted back, ‘No, not Him! Give us Barabbas!’”
Pilate probably realized that the truth didn’t matter now—sensing that it was Jesus’ truth that brought on his headache—and he caved.
Take Home Nugget
John 18:37b shows us that Jesus knew the truth why He came to earth. He’d be rejected, then sentenced to die as the final Passover lamb. His blood was shed for the sins of humankind, once and for all. That’s truth that gives believers eternal life!
Are you satisfied with how Jesus completed God’s original I AM sentence in this series?
Thank You Jesus for coming to the world to die for me!
J.D. Griffith
Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for I Am a King
A personal, private lesson experience with our staff
Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com
For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.
Part seven of seven in I AM devotional series
John 18:33-38
John 18:36-37a: “Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is from another place.’
‘You are a king then!’ said Pilate.
Jesus answered, ‘You are right in saying I am a king.’”
It thrills me to hear Jesus define Himself—especially when He admits His divinity to the clueless. Pilate wasn’t happy. As the Roman governor, Pilate’s job was to keep peace in Israel. And Jewish chief priests and Pharisees were giving him a throbbing headache. The “Jesus issue” wasn’t something Pilate needed today. Jesus committed no crime.
Jesus continued speaking in John 18:37b, “In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me.” (When had teaching truth become a criminal offense)?
“What is the truth?” Pilate asked—clueless—not expecting an answer.
Truth, by definition, is fact. How can anyone decide on issues without knowing the facts? When seeking support for skewed opinions, people spin the facts. The chief priests and Pharisees brought Jesus to Pilate to spin their complaint against Him into a crime. They didn’t want a fair trial. They didn’t want Jesus’ truth. They rejected Jesus. They wanted Jesus dead.
John 18:31b finds the Jews objecting to judging Jesus by their own laws: “But we have no right to execute anyone.” The truth was that they brought Jesus to Pilate to be killed. Maybe Pilate understood that, and resisted declaring the death sentence he knew they wanted. No one likes to be influenced by an angry mob.
John 18:38-40: “With this he [Pilate] went out again to the Jews and said, ‘I find no basis of a charge against Him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release the king of the Jews?'”
“They shouted back, ‘No, not Him! Give us Barabbas!’”
Pilate probably realized that the truth didn’t matter now—sensing that it was Jesus’ truth that brought on his headache—and he caved.
Take Home Nugget
John 18:37b shows us that Jesus knew the truth why He came to earth. He’d be rejected, then sentenced to die as the final Passover lamb. His blood was shed for the sins of humankind, once and for all. That’s truth that gives believers eternal life!
Are you satisfied with how Jesus completed God’s original I AM sentence in this series?
Thank You Jesus for coming to the world to die for me!
J.D. Griffith
Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for I Am a King
A personal, private lesson experience with our staff
Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com
For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.
Friday, August 2, 2013
I Am the Vine
I AM THE VINE
Part six of seven in I AM devotional series
John 15:1-17
John 15:1: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener.”
Jesus uses plant imagery to describe the relationship among people, our heavenly Father, and Himself. The opening Scripture shows Jesus and the Father’s roles in this imagery.
A plant’s vine draws in nutrients from the ground, and it’s branches drink in those nutrients to grow strong and stable. The branches remain strong as long as they’re connected to the vine. The imagery is complete when people accept that we’re the branches. Believers in Jesus remain stable and secure as long as we’re connected to the vine, Jesus.
Seamstresses know that a single strand of thread is easily broken. To secure a button to a shirt, seamstresses use a double strand of thread. Check out the lesson, linked below, to see the strongest strand, or cord.
Every garden has a gardener who tends the plants. The heavenly Father is our gardener. He plants the seeds, (birthing babies into a family). He created sunshine and water to make the seeds grow (parents shelter, clothe, and feed kids). God nourishes his plants with tender loving care—providing everything needed to grow kids stable, strong and secure.
The people of the world worry about getting stuff they need. Jesus advises His followers in Matthew 6:8: “Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”
Branches have purpose besides growing strong. Their job is to produce fruit. But, branches only produce fruit as long as they’re connected to the vine. And, if branches don’t produce fruit, the gardener cuts them off the vine. These branches wither and die from lack of nourishment. Such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire, and burned (John 15:2, 6).
Only branches that remain connected to the vine produce fruit. It’s impossible to produce fruit apart from Jesus (John 15:4), because whoever remains connected to Jesus hears His Word, and lives it. All God’s kids produce fruit. As long as God’s kids remain in Jesus, they produce much fruit.
Take Home Nugget
The gardener doesn’t rest with mere fruit-producing branches. He prunes them, so that they produce more fruit. Pruning cuts stuff out of Christian lives that don’t belong, shaping us in righteousness. Jesus followers grow more like Him every day.
Producing “fruit” is as simple as flashing your smile. Soon, whoever saw yours, pass smiles onto others. See the ripple of fruit your smile produced?
Heavenly Father, thank You for providing for my every need. Please prune me gently, eliminating wrong behavior from my life. Help me to produce fruit for Your kingdom, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
J.D. Griffith
Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for I Am the Vine
A personal, private lesson experience with our staff
Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com
For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.
Part six of seven in I AM devotional series
John 15:1-17
John 15:1: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener.”
Jesus uses plant imagery to describe the relationship among people, our heavenly Father, and Himself. The opening Scripture shows Jesus and the Father’s roles in this imagery.
A plant’s vine draws in nutrients from the ground, and it’s branches drink in those nutrients to grow strong and stable. The branches remain strong as long as they’re connected to the vine. The imagery is complete when people accept that we’re the branches. Believers in Jesus remain stable and secure as long as we’re connected to the vine, Jesus.
Seamstresses know that a single strand of thread is easily broken. To secure a button to a shirt, seamstresses use a double strand of thread. Check out the lesson, linked below, to see the strongest strand, or cord.
Every garden has a gardener who tends the plants. The heavenly Father is our gardener. He plants the seeds, (birthing babies into a family). He created sunshine and water to make the seeds grow (parents shelter, clothe, and feed kids). God nourishes his plants with tender loving care—providing everything needed to grow kids stable, strong and secure.
The people of the world worry about getting stuff they need. Jesus advises His followers in Matthew 6:8: “Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”
Branches have purpose besides growing strong. Their job is to produce fruit. But, branches only produce fruit as long as they’re connected to the vine. And, if branches don’t produce fruit, the gardener cuts them off the vine. These branches wither and die from lack of nourishment. Such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire, and burned (John 15:2, 6).
Only branches that remain connected to the vine produce fruit. It’s impossible to produce fruit apart from Jesus (John 15:4), because whoever remains connected to Jesus hears His Word, and lives it. All God’s kids produce fruit. As long as God’s kids remain in Jesus, they produce much fruit.
Take Home Nugget
The gardener doesn’t rest with mere fruit-producing branches. He prunes them, so that they produce more fruit. Pruning cuts stuff out of Christian lives that don’t belong, shaping us in righteousness. Jesus followers grow more like Him every day.
Producing “fruit” is as simple as flashing your smile. Soon, whoever saw yours, pass smiles onto others. See the ripple of fruit your smile produced?
Heavenly Father, thank You for providing for my every need. Please prune me gently, eliminating wrong behavior from my life. Help me to produce fruit for Your kingdom, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
J.D. Griffith
Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for I Am the Vine
A personal, private lesson experience with our staff
Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com
For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.
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