Coming Home

COMING HOME

Seventh of seven in Let’s Get Busy Series

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

1 Thessalonians 4:16:   “For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with  the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.”

Take note of hearing, seeing and feeling senses.

            Ding-dong.  Ms. Alana DeTurk answered her door this Halloween.   She teaches fifth grade at the local elementary school, making Halloween her delight.  “Hey guys!” she said opening the door wide.  

            “Trick-or-Treat! the kids screamed all together, scuffling so she could see each of them plainly. 

             “Let’s see,” she pointed to a pirate.  “Are you Brad?” the pirate nodded his head, taking off his mask.

            She named boys and girls one by one.  Their giggling ended with, “Wow!” when she passed a bowl of Snickers bars around for each one to take one.  “Thanks, Ms. D!” rang out as the kids paraded down the street to stop at the next glowing porch light.

            One day, all people will hear a loud command and trumpet call, then see Jesus in the sky—just like Alana DeTurk heard her door bell ring and saw her students when she opened the door. 

            Those believers who are still alive on this day will feel their bodies instantly transform (from mortal to immortal in 1 Corinthians 15:53).  “We who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17a).

            We all won’t be grinning from ear-to-ear because we get Snickers bars, either!

            This is purposely the final devotion in Let’s Get Busy series.  Coming Home is why the Father is eager for His kids to grow in Christ after salvation.  The end result is that “we will be with the Lord forever.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17b). 

            These events are clearly mapped out in God’s Word.  The only secret is when this event, [some call the Rapture], will happen.  See lesson linked below for a deeper study.  There is no reason to be afraid—of living to the end of time on earth, or even dying.  Either way, believers are secure in Jesus’ grasp (John 6:39).

Take Home Nugget   

            If you’re not ready to meet the Lord yet, don’t worry about that.  For no one knows the date or time for our homecoming.  No one can plan for it—EXCEPT to continue building a relationship with Jesus.

            Our confidence is in Jesus.  For He promised to return and take us home for eternity (John 14:2).  

Trying days and fainting hearts

Endure trouble and endless pain.

Saints in Jesus know our parts

Always striving for priceless gain.

MEANWHILE, HAPPPY HALLOWEEN TO THE USA

J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Coming Home

Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

Looking for inexpensive Christian Christmas gifts for children from preschool to seniors?  Click here for a variety of eBooks available from Kindle Store.  PLUS, Available now from Amazon App Store: One new fun animated interactive story for all Kindles and Android devices.

Consecration

CONSECRATION

Sixth of seven in Let’s Get Busy Series

1 Peter 1:13-2:3

1 Peter 1:15-16:   “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”

            We left Simon Peter in Necessary Sift devotion when Jesus allowed his testing.  Sifting prepared Peter for greater service to God’s kingdom.  And today, we’re reading Peter’s words from his own book in the Bible calling us to be holy!  God prepares us for great service for His kingdom, too.    

            What a trip!                                                     

            Consecration [kon-se-KRA-shon] means sanctification.  Thanks.  Sanctification [sank-tif-i-KA-shon] means to make holy.  This series is about God urging His kids to get busy AFTER receiving salvation. 

            Salvation (when people decide to believe in Jesus as Lord) is the starting point of believer’s spiritual journey of growing in Christ.

            Consecration/sanctification takes a lifetime to reach holiness—one day at a time.

            God’s Spirit comes to live in us at salvation.  The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Holy Trinity.  His indwelling is how God’s kids grow more like Jesus every time we cooperate with Him.  (Becoming like Jesus is God’s plan for every one of His kids).

             God’s Spirit brings human will in line with His will.  Slowly, we act like Jesus, talk like Jesus, and eventually our character mirrors Jesus.  It’s not an accident that believers aren’t isolated from worldly onslaughts of evil.  But we are protected.

            “If God is for us, who can be against us?”  (Romans 8:31b).  “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?”  (Romans 8:33a).  “No, in all these things [death, trouble, hardship, persecution, famine…danger] we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.”  (Romans 8:37). 

            Psalm 91:11:  “For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all you ways…”

            Believers in Jesus are set apart from the world.  We’re special.  We represent the living God.  So we must be holy.  Peter is correct!  If we aren’t holy, we misrepresent God.  Remember that ten year old Brad wanted his classmate, Jeremy, to ask his older brother to sneak in beer for them to drink at their football party?  Careful Walk devotion showed that anytime we pursue fun that comes from evil, like lying, we’re not holy. 

Take Home Nugget   

             As Christ’s representatives, we’re the body of Jesus (Romans 12:4-5).  We’re His mind, His mouth, His hands and feet.   We’re called to be holy.  Every thought should be pure, every word that we speak should be loving.  Everything we do should serve others.  

May our thoughts bring words that shower

Others with fragrant incense from You.

May every day in every way we show Your power

From the Spirit within by everything we do.

J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Consecration

   

Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

Looking for inexpensive Christian Christmas gifts for children from preschool to seniors?  Click here for a variety of eBooks available from Kindle Store.  PLUS, Available now from Amazon App Store: One new fun animated interactive story for all Kindles and Android devices.

Necessary Sift

NECESSARY SIFT

Fifth of seven in Let’s Get Busy Series

Luke 22:31-34

Luke 22:31-33:   “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith would not fail.  And after you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

“But he [Simon] replied, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.’”

            Everyone will face at least one time when life seems impossible to endure.  Sometimes it’s something we’ve done to ourselves.  Other times, a problem comes from someone or somewhere else.  These are times when believers in Christ are tested.

            Devotions “Mental Grid” and “Blessings During Trouble,” both posted in June, 2014, are two such examples where a dad lost his job.  When a dad cannot provide for his family, that is a major sifting experience.  Millions of American jobs went overseas beginning around 2001.  Hundreds of millions of people lost their livelihood.  How can adults provide for their family without a paycheck?

            Joblessness is just one example of how people are tested.  There are many other ways to sift people.  Where do the homeless go?  Who feeds those who have no food?  How do parents handle a death of their baby?  Who raises orphaned children?    

            How does one go on after making a terrible mistake?  Jesus informs Simon, “I tell you Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know Me.”  (Luke 22:35).

            Let’s reread the opening scripture.  Jesus knows every test that people face because He allows it!  He prays for us so that our faith will not fail.  And Jesus knows the future.  He shows us how we’re to continue living.

            When times are good, we’re confident—like Simon Peter was. 

            “I’ll go with you to prison, even to death!” he insists. 

             Sifting—or testing—is where people grow.  Read the lesson linked below to see how Simon Peter handled his sifting experience.

            Sifting prepares believers for bigger challenges.  Testing shows us our strengths and weaknesses.  Growing through sifting prepares believers for greater service.  Our faith is strengthened.  Sifting transforms believers into super believers.

Take Home Nugget   

            Why does Jesus allow us to be sifted?  Jesus allowed Simon Peter’s because He counted on Peter to lead His disciples.  But peter wasn’t ready…until after he matured from the sifting process.

            Sifting separates the wheat from the chaff: separating the righteous from the ungodly areas of our lives.  Jesus is counting on us for great things for God’s kingdom, too.  Sifting matures us to learn that we’re always on the job—where God is boss—not us! 

One day, we’ll look back on our lives and see

How God sifted away the bad, and prepared greatness for you and me. 

J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Necessary Sift

Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

Looking for inexpensive Christian Christmas gifts for children from preschool to seniors?  Click here for a variety of eBooks available from Kindle Store.  PLUS, Available now from Amazon App Store: One new fun animated interactive story for all Kindles and Android devices.

Careful Walk

CAREFUL WALK

Fourth of seven in Let’s Get Busy Series

Ephesians 5:1-17

Ephesians 5:1-2:   “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

            Ten year old classmate buddies, Brad and Jeremy, planned a Christmas party for their football team after the season ended.  “My mom said we could use our rec room downstairs.” Jeremy began.

            Brad’s eyes brightened. “My mom said that she’d spring for chili, potato chips, pretzels and root beer,” he added.

            “I’ll bet that my mom would bake cookies, too,” Jeremy offered.

            “Maybe we could get your older brother to sneak in some real beer?” Brad wondered.

            Jeremy thought about that, then responded, “I’ll ask Mike tonight.”

            Beer is alcohol.  The boys knew they were under age to legally drink beer.  But, beer would add another dimension of fun to their party.  They’d feel so grown up.  It never occurred to either of them what might happen if they got their wish.

            When kids get drunk on alcohol, bad things are bound to happen.  Even though none of the boys are old enough to drive, several plan to ride their bikes to the party.  Alcohol makes people feel brave, and decision-making suspicious.  Even risky.  Risk doesn’t carry sufficient weight to stop party people from considering awful possible outcomes to wrong decisions.

            Mike would be found out.  All boys involved would be punished.  It takes a very longtime for kids to regain parents’ trust after they’re caught in deceit.

            Apostle Paul warns in Ephesians 5:15-16: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

            All of life’s dangers are offered to kids on silver platters.  We would be wise to walk carefully.  When something sounds fun, it’s smart to consider whether evil [lying, for example] is behind our desires.

            Unwise decisions cause people to stumble and fall.  Ouch!

            “Be imitators of God” Paul advises.

Take Home Nugget   

            Before bedtime, Jeremy casually asked Mike, “Just say that you might want to drink a beer.  Could you get one?”

            Mike shrugged his shoulders and said, “You know that mom and dad would give me one if I really wanted it.”

            “You’d stay home.  It would be totally safe.” Jeremy said, hopeful.

            “Oh wait, I get it.  I will NOT sneak beer into your football party!” Mike said flatly.  “I’m gonna forget you even mentioned it!”

            Jeremy breathed out a long sigh.  He simply said, “Thanks, Mike.  Root beer will work out fine.”

How much we need to walk a measured pace

When planning to meet Jesus face-to-face!

J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Careful Walk

Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

Looking for inexpensive Christian Christmas gifts for children from preschool to seniors?  Click here for a variety of eBooks available from Kindle Store.  PLUS, Available now from Amazon App Store: One new fun animated interactive story for all Kindles and Android devices.

Kangaroos and Emus

KANGAROOOS & EMUS

Third of seven in Let’s Get Busy Series

Philippians 3:12-17

Philippians 3:13-14:   “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken ahold of it [knowing Christ, power of His resurrection, sharing in His sufferings, becoming like him in death, attaining resurrection from the dead].  But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

            “I messed up!” eight year old Benjy exclaimed to his twin, Danny.  “I got every answer wrong!”

     “The test was hard,” Danny admitted.  “But you knew the answers.  We quizzed each other.” 

     “I skipped #1.  I answered the questions beginning at the wrong number!”

     “You messed up, Benjy!” Danny agreed.

     All Benjy could think of that weekend was the test he blew.  The spectacular autumn sights and smells, even brilliant leaf colors couldn’t bring a smile.  He allowed past mistakes to rob him of happiness today. 

     How can we keep moving forward when the past drags us backwards?

     Consider the kangaroo.  The kangaroo’s shape and the strength of the long tail boosts forward movement. 

     Also, the emu runs fast on strong legs.  But its knee joints make backward movement very hard.

     Both animals are native to Australia—and are pictured on its coat of arms. 

Australia has the right idea:  Continue to move forward.  Make progress.

            Apostle Paul would have agreed with Australia’s motto—it’s slogan—or coat of arms.  He encouraged believers to move forward in faith.  Don’t regret your past.  Don’t just be satisfied with salvation.  Grow in Christ! 

     Paul made mistakes.  (See the lesson, linked below).  But Jesus called him out on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6).  He believed Jesus.  His sins were forgiven.  He refused to dwell on past mistakes.  I’m sure the devil tried convincing Paul that God could never forgive persecuting Christians. 

     But Paul didn’t believe the devil.  He learned from mistakes, then moved forward.  He strained forward with the clear purpose of receiving the prize for which God called him heavenward in Jesus.

     Yesterday is done.  Let’s agree to confess and learn from our mistakes.  Let yesterday go.  Believers’ faith journey through life serves God as we press forward to the prize of heaven with Jesus.

Take Home Nugget   

            Monday at school, Benjy’s teacher pulled him aside.  “What happened?” she asked.  She showed him his test paper.  Red ink marked every answer as wrong.

            “I skipped #1,” Benjy admitted. 

            His teacher looked closely at his answers.  “I see.  Every answer beginning at #2   is correct.”  She graded it an A-.  “Please be more careful next time.” she said.

Let’s pray we’re upward bound,

Planting our feet on higher ground.

Referenced by Kangaroos And Emus. Crowder. RBC Ministries. Michigan. June 1, 2014.

J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Kangaroos & Emus

Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

Looking for inexpensive Christian Christmas gifts for children from preschool to seniors?  Click here for a variety of eBooks available from Kindle Store.  PLUS, Available now from Amazon App Store: One new fun animated interactive story for all Kindles and Android devices.

Baptism Value

BAPTISM VALUE

Second of seven in Let’s Get Busy Series

Matthew 3:13-17, Matthew 28:16-20

            Matthew 3:13:  “Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John”

           

            At thirty years old, Jesus, who never sinned, was ready to begin His ministry.  In Israel two thousand years ago, this was the age when parents give their sons and daughters in marriage.  But Jesus had a different agenda.  He was following His Father’s will.  Not Joseph.  Yahweh. 

            People identify with and copy people whom we admire and respect. Kids identify with superheroes.  Jesus identified with, and obeyed His Father (John 14:31).  (Our Father in heaven).  Christians are wise to identify with and obey Jesus.

            Once Jesus gave this command to His disciples, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (from Matthew 28:19a), baptism is no longer an option for the believer.  The many Christians who don’t believe that baptism is a command—IF they weren’t baptized as babies—fail to obey.  This is rebellion.

            Here’s four reasons to value Jesus’ command of baptism:  A.) Baptism is a public confession of one’s faith.  We claim belief that God is our Father, Jesus is His Son and our Savior.  We acknowledge that the Holy Spirit lives in us.

            B.) Humbling ourselves in obedience to baptism honors God.  This shows the world who is Lord of believers’ lives.  C.) Baptism by immersion symbolizes salvation’s power to transform old natures (buried under water) into new creations (rising out of the water) into newness of life (2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 6:4).

            D.) Public baptism draws a connection with all brothers and sisters in Christ.  We are one body under the authority of the same Lord (Colossians 1:18).

            Baptism is not a requirement for salvation.  Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by grace [that] you have been saved, through faith—and this not from ourselves, it is a gift of God—.”  But in order to obey Jesus’ commands, those who come to Him by faith, make the decision to identify with Jesus by following Him in baptism.  For Jesus identified Himself with sinful man when He obeyed His Father—who sent John the Baptizer ahead of Jesus (Matthew 3:1-3).    

Take Home Nugget   

            New believers are eager to show the world whose they are.  Veteran believers learn that God’s light needs to shine brightly by their words AND actions.  Jesus says in Mathew 5:14 that His disciples are the light of the world.  God’s light is not hidden under a bowl, but shines brightly from a stand.  James 2:17 says that faith not accompanied by action is dead.   

God wants His kids to follow their leader, Jesus.

                                                                                                                                J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Baptism Value

Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

Looking for inexpensive Christian Christmas gifts for children from preschool to seniors?  Click here for a variety of eBooks available from Kindle Store.  PLUS, Available now from Amazon App Store: One new fun animated interactive story for all Kindles and Android devices.

Start Here

START HERE

First of seven in Let’s Get Busy Series

                                                            1 Corinthians 15:22

“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”

            Where to start?  We start at the beginning.  We’re born.  We grow.  We learn.  We develop.  Hopefully, 2 Peter 3:18a happens: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”  Luke 2:52 says:  “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”

            These sound like great goals for people.  Grace.  Knowledge (of Jesus).  Believers who follow Jesus grow in wisdom, stature [physical size and importance], and favor with God and men.  Any parent would be proud of this child.

            But I’m offering a different starting point. 

            Assuming that believers of Jesus are reading this devotion, I say, “Start at Salvation.”  Salvation is not the fulfillment of life’s goals.  Salvation isn’t even the true goal of one’s life.  God the Father isn’t satisfied with His kids just achieving salvation.  Salvation is where people really start over, their spiritual birthday!  Salvation is the beginning of a true adventure.  Are you interested?

            Salvation is life’s only authentic do-over.

            We surely cannot be born again. 

            Or can we?

            That’s what Nicodemus wondered as he talked with Jesus.  Jesus must have been grinning in John 3:3:  “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”  Jesus loved messing with Pharisees—and He especially loved Nicodemus—because He saw a teaching moment.  He knew that this moment would also teach you and me.

            “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and of the Spirit.”  Jesus means in John 3:5 that “born of water and of the Spirit” is baptism.  A person is immersed under the water (symbolizing dying to the old self), then rises from the water as a new creation (where Christ is Lord).  The Holy Spirit enters people the moment they embraces Jesus as Lord.

            That’s the moment of salvation.  “Start here,” the Father says, proud of your decision.  “Now let’s get busy!” He adds. 

Take Home Nugget   

             People become new creations at salvation (2 Corinthians 5:17).  Baptism is believers’ public announcement to follow Christ.  The baptism image of Jesus rising out of the water with a dove alighting on His shoulder as the Holy Spirit is found in Mark 1:10.

            Believers in Christ need to trust that we’re new creations after salvation.  The old nature has gone, and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).  Let’s get busy practicing this new nature with the freedom that Christ offers. 

Only through death to old self are we made alive in Christ as new creations.

J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Start Here

Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

Looking for inexpensive Christian Christmas gifts for children from preschool to seniors?  Click here for a variety of eBooks available from Kindle Store.  PLUS, Available now from Amazon App Store: One new fun animated interactive story for all Kindles and Android devices.