What Do You Have?

WHAT DO YOU HAVE?

Exodus 4:2-3

“Then the Lord said to him [Moses], ‘what is that in your hand?’”

“‘A staff.’ He replied.

“The Lord said, ‘Throw it on the ground.’  Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it.”

(Biblical scholars say God really asked Moses, “What do you have?”)

            Two ten year old boys pass a football.  “You’ve got a great collection of NFL stuff!” Brad comments to Jeremy.

            Jeremy catches the football, and replies, “Thanks!  You’ve got this cool football!”

            Brad responds as he catches the football, “We’re pretty lucky, aren’t we?”

            Luck has nothing to do with it, guys.  Keep reading to learn the only thing people really have.  Complete the lesson linked below that confirm Moses’ answer.

            Moses was wealthy when God asked him this question.  Moses probably wondered the best way to answer God’s question.  Moses considered … 

             How arrogant to reply to God that he had wealth, wisdom and strength! The only thing he had was the staff in his hand.  Then God showed him that the staff could easily turn into something else!  Moses knew that all the “stuff” he amassed wasn’t really his.  God could take all his possessions away—anytime.

            Moses also realized that his wisdom wasn’t from him.  God could confuse him to forget everything in a heartbeat.  Moses had to admit that his health and strength weren’t his, either. 

            Moses didn’t even consider mentioning these things.  (But Moses was speaking to a burning bush.  I’m sure that you would be very careful with how you’d respond to this question, too).  God can zap wealth, wisdom, health and strength in the blink of an eye.

            What does anyone truly have?  Moses considered all that he had, then decided to only mention the staff in his hand.  Obviously, he could turn the staff in any direction and go.  He has the power to choose which direction.

            Bingo!

            All any of us truly has is the power to choose.  (Free will: 1 Corinthians 7:37a).  But the power of choice is all any of us needs!  What we say, what we do, how we act in different situations, and what we believe is all we really have.  The power of choice opens up infinite opportunities.

Take Home Nugget

            All people truly have is the wonderful gift of choice.  In every situation, we can choose life and prosperity, or death and destruction.  The choice is totally ours.  May God enable us to choose wisely—then give us the courage to follow through with His will for our lives.

Praise God for free will so people can choose their destiny.

              

Paraphrased from Eckstein, Rabbi Yechiel.  All That We Have.  9/16/2014.  Holy Land Moments Devotional. Illinois.

J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for What Do You Have?

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Perfect!

PERFECT!

                                                              Hebrews 10:12,14

“But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God... , because by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”  Emphasis mine.          

           

            Wake Like a Lion devotion offers people partnership with God to make themselves and the world better.  Christians can cooperate with God’s Spirit—who lives inside each believer—to transform us into the likeness of Christ.  Together, our mission is to make the world better in any way we can.

            News Bulletin:  Through Jesus’ sacrifice, God sees believers as perfect already!

            Let’s not doubt our perfection in Christ.  Let’s believe that God sees us without spot, flaw or blemish—perfect!  The same offering of Jesus’ body that has made you holy, has also made you perfect forever in God’s eyes! 

            It’s a sign of immature self-indulgence to insist that we’re still sinners.  Spiritually growing believers “draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience.”  (Hebrews 10:22). 

            Jesus’ death split the temple curtain in two.  That means that regular people who have faith in Christ may approach Holy Father the same way that only priests were allowed to before (Luke 23:45).  Mature believers rest in Jesus’ finished work.

            Faith in Jesus reconciles (reunites) believers to God the Father.   You’re seen as perfect, covered in the white robes of His righteousness.  Expect good things, because Proverbs 10:6a says that blessings are poured on the head of the righteous. 

Take Home Nugget

            Do you still disagree with your being perfect?

            You see, every one of your sins has been perfectly purged.  Eliminated.  Removed. Eradicated.  Right now, Jesus sits at the Father’s right hand BECAUSE His work on the cross is finished.  His sacrifice for forgiveness of your sins is complete.  The Father says so.  He’s the one that demanded a perfect sacrifice to forgive people’s sins. 

            He’s satisfied.  Why aren’t you? 

            He sees you as the perfect image of His Son.  Why can’t you?

            You can have a perfect conscience, one that’s free from guilt.  Only the devil condemns you of sin today.  The Bible says that the devil lies.  Believe that.  Call him the “father of lies” (John 8:44) and James 4:7 says that he will flee from you. 

“Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your finished work at the cross. Your perfect work has removed all my sins completely and forever.  Holy Spirit, thank You for convicting me of the righteousness of God that I have through faith in Jesus.  What a gift!  Keep on convicting me, to remind me that when I fail, I am still the righteousness of God in Christ.”

J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Perfect!

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For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

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Wake Like a Lion

 WAKE LIKE A LION

                                                                   Genesis 2:3

“And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had done.”

            God saw that it was good (Genesis 1:3). 

            His purpose was to make the world better by partnering with people …because the original Hebrew passage of Genesis 2:3 is different.  Literally translated, it reads, “And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it, He rested from all the work that God had created for it to continue to make.” 

            What does that mean?

            God’s creating the world was just the beginning.  He really intended for men and women to partner with Him to make it better.   We are supposed to continue to mold the world into a better place together.   This is what the Hebrew verse “the work which God created for it to continue to make” means.

            God laid the foundation—everything necessary for humans to continue the work.  Finishing the work aspartners of God was always what He intended!  Every single day offers humans the mission to partner with God to make the world a better place—in any way we can.

            Making the world a better place also includes every person cooperating with God’s Holy Spirit to transform us into the creation He intended!  May we develop all the hidden potential that is placed within us when God knit us together in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13).  

            In order for us to accomplish this feat, people need to wake like a lion. 

            We need to wake the dawn—not allow the dawn to wake us!  Let’s wake the dawn with enthusiasm (eager passionate zeal) to start our days.  The word “enthusiasm” comes from two Greek words en Theos which means “in God.” 

            Does waking in God inspire you to begin each new day with the clearly-defined purpose to make the world a better place?  How does it make you feel that God Almighty chose you to be His partner?  You are asked to respond by taking part in this most important mission of making yourself and the world a better place to live. 

            Will you accept this challenge?

            Waking like a lion pops the day into sharp clarity of purpose.

Take Home Nugget

            Roar! 

            How people wake to each day is more important than what time we wake.  It’s all about attitude.  Let’s begin each day with passion that chases away the inky darkness of night.  Growl. 

            Won’t you blaze into tomorrow morning and radiate God’s light with gusto?

Waking like a roaring lion orders the morning light to chase the darkness into submission. 

Paraphrased from Eckstein, Rabbi Yechiel.  Wake the Dawn.  10/17/2014.  Holy Land Moments Devotional.  Illinois.

J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Wake Like a Lion

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For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

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Not No; Grow!

NOT NO, GROW!

                                                                   Isaiah 61:11

“For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.”

            “I don’t know how to pray!” Connie wailed aloud.  Hiding her head in her hands, Connie wept.

            “Mom!  What’s wrong?” Connie’s ten year old daughter Cassie asked. 

            Connie sniffed back tears.  Dabbing a tissue to her eyes, she choked out, “Your Uncle Albert left Aunt Marlene.  She’s bitter and very sorrowful.  I just don’t know how to pray for her, honey.  My gut tells me that she’s better off without him.  But she vowed to God ‘until death.’”

            Cassie hugged her mom.  Finally, she said, “Mom, let’s pray that God makes Aunt Marlene’s life sweet.”

            That’s not bad advice, Cassie.  Connie could also pray for Jesus’ peace as He walks Marlene through her suffering.  Marlene is still God’s beloved child.  Her eternal life is intact.  All that’s broken is the relationship with her husband. 

            Believers are often unsure how to pray in different circumstances.  Moses shows us how to cry out to God when the water at Marah was bitter.  (See lesson linked below from Exodus 15).  God can bring sweetness from bitterness in your life just as He made Marah’s water sweet.  When life brings us trouble, let’s cry out to God in our sorrow.  We can ask God to bring sweetness. 

            Our victory is assured by faith in Christ.

            The opening Scripture shows sprouts and blooms come when seeds are buried in dirt.   When humans face trouble, we often feel that we’re buried alive.  But it’s during these times when we cry out to God. 

            He hears our sorrow, feels our suffering.    

            We’re not buried; we’re planted.  

            Suffering is a time for growth.  

            The difference is whether we let the mud and rain keep us down, or choose to learn and grow past the pain.  Suffering is necessary for thriving.  It was through suffering that Jesus learned obedience.

            Matthew 26:39b:  “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me.  Yet not as I will, but as You will.”   

            Let’s see suffering as a blessing.  Let’s grow into something great!

Take Home Nugget

            After all, we’re still saved beloved children of Almighty God.  Problems make us stronger.  The correct approach is to pray that what’s bitter be made sweet.  God only allows enough suffering to bring us to our knees. Prayer and repentance is growth steroid.

            When the mud and rain pound us down, God isn’t saying, “No.”  He’s challenging us to grow!

Thank You, Father, that suffering is a blessing for my growth.  Help me to grow past the pain into a sweet life—in Jesus’ name, Amen.

J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Not No; Grow!

Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

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Want More?

WANT MORE?

                                                                   John 4:3-18

John 4:13-14:  “Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’”

            It seems that no one is satisfied.  This the time of year when we hear kids hint, “The new iPod is on sale at Target.”   Or, “Apple’s Tablet can do things that no other Tablet can do!”  But that’s kids.  Adults know that kids grow and change each day.  

            What about adults, are we satisfied?

            People spend their formative years growing into the adults they’ll be for the rest of their lives.  We aspire to goals.  We get the education needed to reach those goals.  Then we apply to jobs that we’re sure will fulfill our lives. 

            We date people whom we hope to marry.  Then, we have kids of our own.  The cycle is endless.  In this stream are untold number of people who are not satisfied.  They’re not fulfilled.  Their lives feel empty.  Their life purpose is never accomplished.  They want more.

            The Samaritan woman in the opening Scripture text symbolizes people with empty lives.  Even after having been married five times, she hasn’t found love.  She was looking in all the wrong places. 

            Where do you look for fulfillment, satisfaction, love or completion?

            People are created for God.  Genesis 1:27 shows God creating man in His own image.  “Male and female He created them.”  Why else would God create man to resemble Himself, other than to be friends with him?  Why else would God form man from the dust of the earth other than to love him?

            Apostle Paul assures us in Ephesians 3:18 that the love God has for us cannot be measured.  As much as people say they love another, the love of God surpasses human love.  People were created to honor and glorify God.  Until people taste God’s love, no act of adoration—be that for the opposite sex, worldly position or gain, even money—matches the pleasure and fulfillment of God’s love.  Only God satisfies people’s need permanently. 

            The recent Let’s Get Busy series teaches spiritual growth after salvation.  We learned that salvation isn’t the goal, but rather a starting point for recognizing God’s love.  We are urged to cooperate with God’s Spirit to reach our purposed fulfillment.

            The lesson linked below shows God’s claim on having you as His own.

Take Home Nugget   

            The moment a person accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior, God’s Spirit indwells that new believer.  He is the source of the “spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 

Only God can satisfy His kid’s wanting more permanently.

  J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Want More? 

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.

What About Nonbelievers?

            WHAT ABOUT NONBELIEVERS?

                                                              Matthew 25:31-46                 

Matthew 25:31-32:   “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His throne in heavenly glory.  All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.”

            Ten year olds wonder about heaven.  Climbing the stairs to their second floor fifth grade classroom, Missy announced, “I’m going to heaven.”

            Scotty yelled up from the stair bottom, “Yeah, God is good!”

            Brian said, “Everyone’s going to heaven.”

            Missy shook her head, disputing, “I don’t think that’s true.” 

            Brad agreed with Missy, “Yeah, No one who doesn’t believe in Jesus can go to heaven.”  

            Cassie offered, “Everyone I know believes in Jesus.”

            Brian disagreed, “I don’t believe in Jesus.  But I believe that God is too good to allow anyone He created to go to hell—if there is such a place.”

            Missy and Brad said together, “Hell’s for real, Brian!”

            Many people agree with Brian, though.  God is love.  He wants everyone to live in heaven with Him (John 3:16, 1 Timothy 2:4).  But many refuse to turn away from sin.  They reject belief in Jesus and His offer of salvation.  They live without Jesus on earth.  So God gives them what they want: existing apart from Jesus forever. 

            That’s the total expression of free will.  God loves everyone He created.  And He loves us so much that we get to choose whether we love Him—or not.   

            Missy added as thy entered their classroom, “Jesus gets to judge who goes where.”

            Missy is correct (Matthew 28:18).  Everyone will spend eternity somewhere.  And everyone gets to choose where they spend eternity.  There are two choices: heaven or hell.  People’s choices on how to live and in whom to believe usually show others their eternal destination.  

            The “I didn’t get the memo!” excuse won’t work for people entering eternal punishment.  God does everything possible to keep people from hell, EXCEPT violate their free will.  He provides everyone enough time and evidence of His existence for them to decide what to believe while alive.    

Take Home Nugget   

            But there are also believers in Christ who’re not sure they’re really saved.  They remember things they did that they don’t think God will forgive.  Hebrews 8:12 reminds us about God’s new covenant [in Christ]: “For I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more.”  See the lesson linked below for how to have salvation assurance.

Will you take me to heaven if I’m not too bad?

Will you really forgive the awful things I did?

Heavenly Father, Jesus makes me very glad

That He forgave and uncovered each sin I hid!

  J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for What About Nonbelievers?

  

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.

Faith Assures

FAITH ASSURES

Romans 3:21-24

Romans 3:22-24   “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.  There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

            God wants every believer to live absolutely certain of our everlasting relationship with Him through Jesus.  To remind us from the last series, Let’s Get Busy:  people are saved the instant they choose to believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior (John 6:47). 

            This creates a permanent relationship with God the Father through Jesus, God the Son.  Faith gives us this assurance. 

            This ought to give God’s kids peace and joy every minute of every day.  The power of faith doesn’t make sense to human minds.  But faith is the only way that the power of God—in the person of the Holy Spirit—is released in our lives—sealing us into God’s family (John 10:28-29).    

            Faith assures us that our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 13:8).  Faith assures hope of our bodily resurrection, and eternal life with God in heaven.  For 2 Corinthians 5:1-2 says, “Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.  Meanwhile, we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.”                        

            It doesn’t matter how the world labels God’s kids.  Fellow saints (yes, that’s you, if you believe in Jesus) include a schemer, a prostitute, a murderer, former idol-worshipper and even a persecutor of Christians.  Faith assures that God forgives His kids when we confess sin—any sin.  God is faithful to deliver on promise after promise in the Bible.  “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:20a).

            Faith unleashes supernatural transformation through the Holy Spirit into Christ-likeness—the goal God has for all His kids.  Philippians 1:6 says, “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Take Home Nugget   

            Faith assures that what 1 John 5:13 says is true:  “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

            So let’s not be like babies who get scared of falling after learning to walk.  Let’s run the race set before us with faith that assures victory.

Faith assures us that we’re secure in Christ when hard times only assure us of hardship. 

  J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Faith Assures 

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.