Friday, January 30, 2015

 LISTENING TO GOD                            
2 Timothy 4:1-4
2 Timothy 4:4:  “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”
            How people respond to criticism shows how mature (or adult) they’ve grown up so far.  Mental and emotional maturation has little to do with one’s age.  This has nothing to do with physical development either.   Criticism hurts.  No one enjoys being corrected.  But how we accept admonition shows willingness to listen to God.
            One vacation at the seashore, I got into trouble.  Playing too near to the pier that jutted out into the ocean, I got a lifeguard’s attention.  He blew his whistle and yelled at me to get away from the pier.   Me? I’m a good swimmer. I thought, defending myself, and played some more.
            I wasn’t listening.
            The lifeguard’s insistent whistling and yelling came so close that I saw—and felt—his angry eyes boring into me.  Yikes, he Is yelling at me! I finally admitted.  Defending myself wasn’t an option. 
            I almost lost my head—what Apostle Paul warned Timothy against in the opening Scripture.  I didn’t realize the danger I was approaching—all the while defending myself as a good swimmer. 
            This was my first lesson in learning to listen.  It wasn’t my last.
            Two letters Paul wrote to Timothy teach pastors correct behavior.  Paul also understood that regular people don’t react well to criticism.  But how we respond to discipline is a good indication of where we are in our faith.
            Proverbs 15:31-32 advises, “He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.  He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.”  Every time we’re criticized, we decide how to react.  Hopefully, our reaction to criticism grows up too.
            May we never reject good advice—even if it comes from a critic.  May we never close our ears to the truth—even if it’s hard to hear.  May we never defend ourselves when reprimanded…but embrace it as a tool to grow into someone better.  God speaks to His kids many different ways. 
            Let’s be ready to listen.
            God can speak through young and immature believers to make a good point.  Sometimes evil people offer sound advice.  Maybe even an enemy has something valuable to suggest. 
            Let’s not allow our pride to shut out the counsel of God—whatever shape it may take.     
Take Home Nugget
            The lesson linked below shows God speaking through a donkey.  Check it out to see if Balaam finally stopped beating her.
            Let’s be ready to listen to God however, whenever He speaks. 
Listening to Your Spirit, Lord takes concentration.  May I never stop listening to You through another!
J.D. Griffith


                               Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com


Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

EQUIPPED TO SERVE                           
1 Peter 4:10-11
1 Peter 4:10:  “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in all its various forms.”
            Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7:7b, “But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.”  He wasn’t slighting girls.  St. Peter is clear in the opening Scripture that each one (believer-in-Christ) receives a gift.
            The same Peter says in Acts 2:37b, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  So every Christian has one gift that’s identical to all other Christians.
            After learning from Believers’ Calling devotion that the assignment from our Master is to serve, isn’t it great to learn that God equips each person for service?  Let’s pause one moment.  The same Creator of the universe calls on every one of His believers to be His servant—in order to carry out His work on earth!
            This is not only a gigantic, but critical responsibility.  Let’s take it seriously. 
            God needs nothing.  Nothing is impossible for God.  And yet, He calls on us—His children and ambassadors—to draw people to Himself and guide them to spiritual maturity.  As His servants, we help those in need.  
            This requires that believers put ourselves under God’s authority.
            Believers are to listen for God’s commands and obey them.
            On our own, this task is beyond what humans can manage.  Remember   the one gift who is the same for every believer?  The Holy Spirit is the common denominator that provides power and strength. He is God’s mouthpiece. 
            When we obey God, He supplies all that we need.
            This begins with Christ-like character.  Self-serving hearts are transformed into hearts of a servant.   Meeting others’ needs becomes our delight.  So many needs!  God appoints some to be apostles.  Are you Jesus’ disciple?  Some are teachers. 
            Still other people are assigned to perform miracles!  Yes, God is still in the miracle business.
Take Home Nugget
            Let’s be clear: if you believe in God and His Son Jesus, you have an invitation to serve Him. God’s Spirit is in you providing strength and power.  Another gift is also yours.  Do you know what that is?  Are you willing to serve Almighty God?
            The biggest adventure possible is to partner with God in His work here on earth.  He supplies everything.  Let’s use our gifts to influence others for Christ.  What do you say?  Other gifts are listed in the lesson, linked below.
Help me Father, for I’m afraid. Strengthen me, Holy Spirit.  Help me to be willing to do the work for Your kingdom.
J.D. Griffith
   

                               Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com

Posted by at No comments:

Friday, January 23, 2015

Believers' Callling


          BELIEVERS’ CALLING                 

Matthew 20:20-28

Matthew 20:22a:  “‘You don’t know what you are asking,’ Jesus said to them.  ‘Can you drink from the cup I am going to drink?’”

            How sure are people that they want what they’re praying for?  Let’s really listen to our prayers. What’s driving our prayers?  Are we driven to achieve success, popularity and wealth?  Do we ask to be elevated to greatness?  Are we like the devil who wanted God’s glory for himself (Isaiah 14:12-15)?

            Be careful for what you ask.

            Disciples James and John Zebedee (Matthew 4:21) had a mother who wanted them to be great—what most mothers want for her children.  She asked Jesus if her two sons could sit at Jesus’ right and left hand in His kingdom.

            This created a fire storm among the other disciples.  (Matthew 20:21-24).  Everyone wanted to be seen as great by surrounding Jesus in His kingdom.  Don’t chuckle.  Christians still like to surround Jesus and be seen as great today! 

            Being seen by others as great isn’t believers’ calling. 

            Check out how Jesus corrects what is believer’s calling in Matthew 20:26.  “Instead, whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

            Jesus isn’t a baby in the manger anymore.  He’s fully grown.  He lived and died over 2000 years ago.  He ascended to the father as believers’ Savior.  Today, Jesus is believers’ Lord and Master.  We’re to follow His example of service.  He served the Father by caring for people. 

            Believers’ calling is to service other people’s earthly and spiritual needs.  Service is essential for believers’ spiritual growth.  God’s indwelling Spirit works nonstop in believers’ lives to transform us into the image of Master Jesus (Romans 8:29).  

            The biggest hurdle to overcome is people’s selfishness.  

            Lowering ourselves in service to others is how believers accomplish God’s purpose for our lives. 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.”   

            The earlier devotion series, Chosen People, showed that believers are not mistakes.  Forming us in our mother’s wombs, God predestined who would be His (Psalm 139:13-16).  

Take Home Nugget

            Disciples today will also surely drink from the cup that Jesus drank, (from the opening Scripture). But Romans also says in chapter eight, verse 30:  “Those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.”

Believers’ high calling to greatness is only realized by lowering ourselves to being a servant.

J.D. Griffith








                               Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com



Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Casual Sin

CASUAL SIN                                  
Romans 6:1-7
Romans 6:1:   “What shall we do then?  Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?”
            “Just a little bad.  Not a big deal.” ten year old Scotty assured his classmate, Brian.  He smiled, printing a note that said,
“Leave the money here.”
The boys snickered as they tucked the note inside a book, leaving the edge exposed.  Scotty put the book under a rock by the flag pole.
            This was supposed to be a prank on a third grader named Keith.  (Someone has to teach lower-grade kids the ropes—paying one’s way up the ladder to sixth-grade respect).  Keith already had his instructions:  “Do what the note says.”  Scotty and Brian scampered to class, eagerly awaiting recess.
            Everybody recognizes sin by a twinge of guilt.  Conscience is the gift that calls us out—IF it hasn’t already been programmed to ignore sin by persistent wrong-doing. 
            God cares little what the sin is—His Son died for them all.  It is people who grade sin on a sliding scale from little to big.  Not-so-bad to worse.  But there is no such thing as a little sin, or casual sin.
            Christians know that when we confess sin, God is faithful to forgive (1John 1:9).  So, is it okay to sin, so God’s grace can increase, like the opening Scripture asks?  Apostle Paul sets the record on sin straight.  “By no means!“ he exclaims in Romans 6:2.
             Any sin is rebellion against God.  Although different sins damage and chain people in varying ways to bondage, the same sacrifice paid the penalty for all sin.  Whether it is a lie or murder, Jesus had to die for us to be forgiven.
            Remember, we died to sin when we accepted Jesus as Lord.  Our old self was crucified with him. So, how can we sin (with clear conscience) today?  Those who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death.  And just as Christ was raised from the dead, in baptism, we too were raised into new life.  New life comes from unity with Jesus through faith.
            Sin is a product of one man’s sin (Adam).  Life is the product of one man’s obedience (Jesus). While all die from sin—(Trespass, condemnation)—how many more receive grace through Christ the gift of righteousness?  Sin reigned in death.  Grace reigns in righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.   
Take Home Nugget
            Scotty and Brian retrieved Keith’s two dollar bills from the book at recess.  They high-fived each other.  But their smiles soon turned to frowns.   A sixth grader named Labron saw them, and relieved them of the two dollar bills.
            Suddenly, their little sin didn’t feel casual.
Remember what Jesus paid for your eternal life. 
J.D. Griffith


                               Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com


Posted by at No comments:

Friday, January 16, 2015

God's Gaps

GOD’S GAPS                                          
John 11:1-6
John 11:3-4,6:  “So the sisters [Mary and Martha] sent word to Jesus, ‘Lord, the one You love is sick.’
“When He heard this, Jesus said, ‘This sickness will not end in death.  No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.’
“Yet when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days.”
            The New Year began with a four devotion series showing how beloved are God’s kids.  So, why is God sometimes silent?  The opening Scripture adds depth to gap-reasoning.  Jesus purpose to arrive late wasn’t to be hailed as the hero.
            He could just as easily have gone straight to them, and healed Lazarus.   Why the delay, then? Humans wonder why the delay when God is silent.  We’re commanded to pray.  Why does God sometimes delay in answering our prayers?
            What fills in God’s gaps?
            Prayer and trust fills in God’s gaps.
            We understand that prayer is building a relationship with God.  God is not a genie in the bottle we rub and get immediate delight.  He won’t be treated as such. 
            Jesus taught us to pray to our Father, hallowing His name.  His kingdom come, and His will be done.  It’s all about God first, before asking for daily bread, forgiveness and protection.  Let’s allow holy God to be God—before stomping our feet and demanding attention to our problems.    
            Jesus says in Matthew 6:8: “But don’t be like them, [babbling pagans] for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”  Your needs, even the smallest detail of your life, is His concern. Sometimes He needs to prepare us to receive His answers. 
            Rough edges need smoothing.  Relationships need restoring.  Faith needs testing.  God’s gaps build trust and grab our attention.  Jesus wanted that attention.  His delay tested faith.  Martha affirmed hers in John 11:25-27 after Jesus said, “He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies,” he asked Martha, ‘Do you believe this?’”
            “‘Yes Lord,’ she told Him.  ‘I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.’”  Jesus rewarded her trust by raising Lazarus from the dead!
            Certainly, anyone living in rebellion may not receive rewards from a holy God. 
            Did I hear you sigh? 
Take Home Nugget
            God’s silence won’t last forever.  We can fill His gaps with repentance, growing our trust and faith. Let’s keep in mind: Anything other than God’s plan carried out God’s way in God’s timing results in human self-reliance.  Racing ahead of God is not the correct way to fill His gaps. 
Your silence is deafening, O Lord!  Help me grow.  Speak to me through Your Spirit and Your Word. 
J.D. Griffith


                               Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com



Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

God's Own

GOD’S OWN
Fourth of four devotions in Chosen People Series
1 Peter 2:9, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” (Emphasis mine)
1 Corinthians 6:19-20:  “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body.”

             “A people belonging to God” should make you feel even more special than being set apart (from the world) for God.  Belonging to God is position.  It specifies whose you are.  You are worth so much that God purchased your eternal salvation by the death of His one and only Son.
            Nothing about you takes God by surprise.  He is omniscient [om-NEESH-ent].  (All knowing).  He is omnipotent [om-NIP-o-tent].  (All powerful).  He is omnipresent [om-nee-PRES-ent].  (Ever-present, a universal presence).  So, you are never alone.   God hears and sees all.  He’s watching how you represent Him to the world.
            Do you remember this and does your life reflect your God-given position?
            Believers recognize that other people are precious to God, too.  In this light, we ought to honor their positon in God as well.  This means that we don’t make fun of the opposite sex—for any reason. Boys and girls develop at different rates.  And when development becomes apparent, how should we act towards one another?
            Adults remember difficult adolescence.  Awkward moments of insecurity cause inappropriate laughter and crude comments.  These are embarrassing.  But sexual development is normal.  Let’s figure out ways to swim through sexual development without causing rip tides that tear away one’s personal dignity.
            We’ve come to know several ten year old kids through these devotions.  Age ten is unique.  Age ten is where boys and girls stop being kids of like abilities and preferences.  Age ten is when kids become sensitive to whom they’re growing up to become.  The lesson linked below teaches acceptable sexual behavior for God’s kids, and why.  Let’s remember to whom we belong!       
Take Home Nugget
            Jeremy teased Cassie, “Hey Cassie” he croaked, then cleared his throat.  “That’s a nice sweater …have you put on Christmas weight?” he said in a lower voice, looking at Cassie’s chest.
            Cassie blushed.  She knew that he was referring to two bumps that clearly showed under her sweater.  Recovering, she quipped, “Not Christmas weight.  But it seems that you won’t be singing soprano in choir anymore.”
It’s okay to point out our differences, but keep in mind that as we grow, we’re the same people!
J.D. Griffith


                               Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com

Posted by at No comments:

Friday, January 9, 2015

Set Apart

SET APART
Third of four devotions in Chosen People Series
1 Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.”  (Emphasis mine).
             “A holy nation.”  How does this apply to me?  The word holy just means set apart.  Believers in Christ are set apart for God.  The Holy Spirit seals everyone who believes in Jesus as one of God’s kids. Ephesians 4:30 says, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
            That should make you feel very special.  Nothing you do can ever tear you away from being God’s kid.  Sure, sin messes with one’s friendship with God.  But that’s true for every friendship.  Check out how one friendship almost got destroyed, and how that was restored, below:
            Ten year old Scotty threw the ball hard at classmate Brad during dodge ball at recess from fifth grade. 
            “What are you doing, Scotty?” Brad yelled.  “Are you trying to hurt me?”
            “What about it?” Scotty replied.  “Just get out of the way …this IS dodge ball!”
            Kids laughed at that.  The targets always tried to get out of the way!
            After recess, as they climbed the stairs to their classroom, Brad asked Scotty, “No, really, why are you mad at me?”
            “You’re not ‘all that,’ being a football player, Brad.  I can do anything you can do!”
            Being set apart for God is a daily challenge.  Believers often don’t understand why others are angry or hold a grudge at them.  Typical human behavior is to attack back when someone attacks us. That’s called retaliation.  Or revenge.
            God talks about avenging someone for any harm they do to us.  Brad learned in Sunday school what Romans 12:19 says:  “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written [from Deuteronomy 32:35]: ‘It is Mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” 
            So Brad didn’t replay with a nasty comment.  He remembered, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him,” (from Romans 12:20a).
Take Home Nugget
            It’s not easy for people to behave as set apart for God in this world.  Responding with kindness when others are rude is seen as weak today.  But that’s the better way, the set apart way, God’s way.
            Walking to the school bus after school, Scotty caught up with Brad.  He said, “Sorry for how I acted at recess.”
            “Not everyone likes playing football.  You’re a baseball player, right?” Brad asked.    
Let’s shut up when someone attacks.  This leaves room for them to open back up to us again.
J.D. Griffith
           


                               Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com

Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)