Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Universal Church of Individuals

UNIVERSAL CHURCH OF INDIVIDUALS
Ephesians 1:18-23
Vv. 22-23: “And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him [Jesus] to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills everything in every way.”

Saturday: Sunday School Roundup

“Heah watch out!” Greg yelled. Then he ran into Bobby, knocking him to the floor. Circling around, he stopped skating to help Bobby to his feet. “Are you alright, Bobby?”

“Yeah, I’m cool. Sorry for blocking your way, Greg. This is my first time roller skating” Bobby admitted, red-faced.

“You guys really want to stand around talking on the rink’s track? Timmy yelled, slowing to a stop. “What’s wrong?”

“I ran into Bobby” Greg said. “He’s just getting his skating legs back.”

Off the rink’s track, away from the skaters’ whizz, Greg asked Bobby, “What church do you go to?”

“I attend the Kingdom Hall” Bobby said. “We don't do Sunday School, but I see one kid here who’s from Kingdom Hall.”

“No matter” Timmy said. “We’re all part of one body.” (1Corinthians 10:16-17).

Timmy’s right. All believers make up one body. Jesus sets His church apart from the world, because of our relationship with Him. Regardless of people’s religious denominations, individual believers in Jesus Christ make up His Universal Church. This Sunday School Roundup was designed to promote kids meeting each other from the various local churches.

But what’s the deal with Jesus’ Universal Church?

The three-part message of Christ’s Universal Church is simple. 1) Man is sinful and cannot save himself. 2) Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for man’s sin. He was buried, rose to life, and ascended to heaven, where He sits at the Father’s right hand. 3) One day, everyone will stand before God to give account of his or her life. Believers will take responsibility for what they did, (whether good or bad), with the truth they knew. Unbelievers will answer for every day they rejected Jesus as Lord.

Matthew 28:19 is known as the Great Commission, and should be every believer’s personal mission. (“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.”) Jesus’ assignment to every one of His followers is accomplished by living examples, and sharing our experiences with God.

This body of believers’ motive is to exalt (ex-ALT means to praise, cheer, applaud) the Lord Jesus Christ, bringing glory to God the Father.


Take Home Nugget


Church is not where believers hide from the world. We’re to go out and live openly in our faith. Regardless of how the world reacts to us, we stand united, as one body.

The signature of God is seen in His kids.
J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Universal Church Of Individuals
A personal, private lesson experience with our staff
Written for http://www.biblestudyforkids.com/
For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.
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Friday, February 11, 2011

Jesus on Facebook

JESUS ON FACEBOOK
John 15:9-17
V. 16: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in My Name.”

Facebook.com was originally launched in 2004 as a social network Web site for college students to remain connected with each other. Today, with over 400 million users, people of all ages can post their picture for the world’s casual viewers to see, for free. But home pages, complete with details and personal information, are viewed by invitation only.

Do you see Valentine’s messages posted around this time of the year? Many people jump from just being friends to love quickly, (some only for romantic reasons). But Jesus begins with love initially, and permanently. He considers us friends on condition (John 15:14). Check out Jesus’ friends in the Bible (John 15). Can you see yourself there? His invitation is posted for you to accept Him as friend in John 15:13-15. His command to us, as His disciples, is to love one another (John 15:17).

Unselfishness, like-minded purpose, and confident trust characterize true friendship. This is especially true in relationship with Jesus! He’s been pro-active in coming more than halfway to be friends with His kids. By His death, He purchased forgiveness of sins and life everlasting for anyone who accepts His gift. Now He’s waiting for you to accept Him as your friend, too.

Trusting Him as Lord begins building a relationship with Jesus, and we grow more like Him every day. Others may like us better, because we don’t pick fights. We stop cursing. We tend to put others ahead of ourselves. After a little while, you may wonder, Who is this person? remembering how you used to act.

Yes, choosing Jesus as your friend, changes everything.
But, aren’t you a tiny bit pleased to read confirmation in the Bible that Jesus thinks of you as His friend? Who’re your friends on your Facebook home page?

Take Home Nugget


As a plus, Jesus’ invitation to be His friend comes with a guarantee: see opening Scripture. People tend to tack on, “in Jesus’ Name” to the end of every request, when they pray to our Father. Do they realize that praying to the Father in Jesus’ Name means that they are also praying that His will be done? For sure, the Father will not give His kids anything that’s not in His will to do so. We trust in Him, assured that He always knows what’s best.

Friends are those who bear
Other’s lives, as burdens of care.
Befriended souls are those that show
The Spirit of Jesus ,where ‘ere we go.
J.D. Griffith
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Tuesday, February 8, 2011

My Utmost For His Highest

MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST

By Oswald Chambers 7/24/1874-11/15/1917

Ephesians 2:1-10
V. 10: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Oswald Chambers’ influence lives on, long after his death. God uses his book to speak to people’s hearts, pointing out errant ways, even today. His book is still relevant (REL-e-vant means important) because he elevated things of eternal value to a higher priority (pri-OR-i-tee means main concern) than worldly issues.

Unfortunately, many people choose an existence with no eternal significance. Just as we learned in a previous devotion, Anchored-Living: Hope, many people chase after worldly fame and fortune. Pleasing oneself by making as much money as possible stores up riches here on earth. But this is the opposite of what believers are taught to do. Matthew 6:19 says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.”

Hold on to your seat, kids. As weird as this sounds, meaningful living is all about making ourselves available to God, to use us in any way He sees fit. Folks like Oswald Chambers, cast foot-prints in cement here on earth—that extend way past their spheres of influence—by passionately serving the Lord. Seeking ways to express our love and devotion to Him is how we sow our influence beyond our tiny space on earth.

Remember, believers have a dual citizenship, both here on Earth and up in Heaven. (See Parallel Citizenship devotion). “Servant of Almighty God” is part of our identity. Did you take previous devotions, Joint Venture, Higher Reality, and Belief & Action seriously? Are you ready to follow Jesus for the long haul?
If you’re determined, God will assign tasks to you that have eternal value, of heavenly significance for His kingdom. Your inheritance, stored in heaven for you, will never perish, spoil, or fade (1Peter 1:4).

Question: How can we sow broad influence, just as Oswald Chambers did? Answer: By being sensitive to others, especially for those in need—we offer help—even if it’s just listening. When we share our faith, especially to those who hurt, Jesus guides them to love and healing. Regardless of where we are, and what we’re involved with, we can tell others what God’s doing in our lives.

Take Home Nugget


God’s calling you to serve right where you are. Jesus gave us jobs as teachers and evangelists in Matthew 28:19. Yes, His Great Commission is targeted for you and me!

Lord, use us as instruments
Of truth, love, peace, and care.
May we sow encouragement, inspiration,
And love to all with whom we share.
J.D. Griffith


Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for My Utmost For His Highest
A personal, private lesson experience with our staff
Written for http://www.biblestudyforkids.com/
For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.
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Friday, February 4, 2011

Anchored-Living: Hope

ANCHORED-LIVING: HOPE
1Peter 1:3-9
V.8: “Though you have not seen Him [Jesus] now, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

At the 4-Square game on the school’s playground, Cassie and Missy challenged Jesse and Trevor, all fifth-grade classmates. Cassie’s face lit up when Missy affirmed their anchor-friendship—no matter what (See Soul-Anchored Hope devotion). All God’s kids have the same assurance from Jesus. He’s our best friend through every problem—no matter what!

Many people go through life aspiring to wealth and health, thinking that’s the goal of living. Their security is in stuff. But 1Timothy 6:9 warns, “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.” Their dreams either go unfulfilled, or fail to satisfy.

Believers anchor their hope in the solid rock of Jesus Christ. His Word is always true, and He’s faithful to keep every promise. Just because we sometimes argue that God comes up short on a promise, doesn’t mean that He didn’t answer prayer. Keep in mind: 1) God knows what’s best, and will always provide the best for His kids (Isaiah 48:17), 2) Your request may not be in line with His will for you at this time, or 3) He chooses to bless you in a different way—that’s even better! (Isaiah 64:4).

The Lord never disappoints anyone who’s seeking His will. He never reneges (re-NIGS means break His word) on a Biblical promise. When one door slams shut in your face, always remember that another door will open to you.

The Lord cannot be outdone!

The best way for God’s kids to remain anchored in living hope is to tether (TETH-er means to join) our hearts to King Jesus. When we welcome whatever is His will for our lives—and reject whatever is not—circumstances shift, and that changes everything. After a short time, we forget what we originally asked for, already embracing what’s received.

Is this magic? No, it’s Jesus!

Take Home Nugget


Cassie slammed the ball into Trevor’s box corner, ending the game of 4-Square as the recess-ending bell sounded. Missy high-fived Cassie as the guys challenged them to a game for tomorrow’s recess. Best friends—no matter what (BFF) is text lingo for “best friends forever” and is what Jesus promises His siblings.

However, people who are without Christ have no anchored-living hope.
My friendship with Jesus
Is fellowship divine;
What blessed, sweet bond—
Jesus, an anchor-friend of mine!


Dedicated to my cuz-friend, Beth Nicholson, who snatched victory from the jaws of imminent defeat.

J.D. Griffith
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Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Soul-Anchored Hope

SOUL-ANCHORED HOPE
Hebrews 6:13-20
V. 18: “God did this [confirmed that His nature remains unchanged with an oath] so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.”

Cassie, a fifth-grader with sandy hair and blue eyes, sat alone on the sing set during recess. Missy sat on the swing next to Cassie. “Want to play 4-Square, Cass?” Missy wondered.

Digging in her feet to spur her higher, Cassie didn’t respond. Suddenly, she put her feet down on the upswing and on the downswing to slow her swing to a stop. “You don’t want me to play with you anymore, Missy.”

“That’s not true!” Missy challenged.

“I overheard you tell Tiffany that your best friend was Brenda.”

Missy thought a moment. “Oh that! I get it, now. Cassie, I wanted to make Tiff jealous. Brenda was in tears because Tiffany didn’t want to come over to her house anymore, so I told Tiff that Brenda and I were best friends.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Honest! You’re really my best friend, and have been since third grade.”

“That’s what I thought.”

“It worked, too! Tiff called Brenda to see if they could get together that same day.”
Cassie stopped her swing and looked at Missy. “Oh. Are you and I still anchor friends—no matter what?”

Can you see Cassie’s face break out in a hopeful smile? Hopelessness is a terrible condition. It’s overwhelming and depressing. When God’s kids face something that they think can never be changed or resolved, life looks long and dark. They’re stranded, stuck where they don’t want to be—a place called despair. Their future is nowhere.

Emotional, mental, and sometimes physical illness can haunt someone who feels trapped in despair. But I want to tell you, my friend, that as long as there’s a God, nothing is hopeless. In Him we have a promise: Desire fulfilled is a tree of life (Proverbs 13:12).

Believers have hope that anchors the soul. Our relationship with Jesus brings us close to the very throne of heaven. There, we can cast all our burdens before an all-powerful God. He provides us strength (Philippians 4:13), peace (John 14:27, Philippians 4:7, 2Thessalonians 3:16), and comfort (Psalm 119:76) for grieving hearts. He lights up and shortens our dark tunnel, gently guiding us past despair.

Take Home Nugget


“Of course, we’re still anchor-friends, Cassie!” Missy exclaimed. “No matter what!”
“Is the 4-Square still open for play, before recess ends?”

When trouble robs your very breath,
And tragedy steals away your days,
Remember that Jesus endured the sting of death:
Giving us hope that merits joy and praise.

J.D. Griffith
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