Friday, March 25, 2011

Sanctification

SANCTIFICATION
Ezekiel 36:25-27
The Message: “I’ll pour pure water over you and scrub you clean. I’ll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I’ll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that’s God-willed, not self-willed. I’ll put My Spirit in you and make it possible for you to do what I tell you and live by My commands.”

We’ve skated around the word, sanctification (sank-tif-i-KA-shon means dedication). We used it to describe how a believer is transformed into Christ-likeness. We stressed that it’s a life-long process. The best example that shows what it means is metamorphosis (met-a-MORF-o-sis means change, alteration). Check out: a slimy, spiky bug disappears into a cocoon (ka-KOON means insulated wrap), spun from its own body. Soon after, it emerges as a delicate, graceful, magnificent butterfly. Our change from the instant of salvation (accepting Jesus as Lord) is just as radical.

Remember Glue devotion? Keith found new third-grade friends on his school’s playground. The next day, recess found him bounding outside with Shakira and Bethany. “What do you want to do?”

“I say 4-Square” Shakira answered, claiming a spot on the painted blacktop.

“OK, I’ll get a ball” Keith volunteered.

When he returned, Bethany and Greg had claimed their squares. “Ready?” Keith challenged.


Today, Keith appears different to the kids—and indeed, he is. He no longer finds fault with everything. He’s pleasant, and helpful. Just as finding kids who want to be friends gave Keith a new outlook on life, God’s kids also have a new spirit dwelling inside them. The Holy Spirit makes Himself comfy and starts working immediately (1Corinthians 6:1). No time to waste making us Christ-like. No wonder it takes a lifetime to get us right!
God plucks out our death-bound, sinful, wicked heart and creates a new person. The new person is forgiven, honest, respectable. But our new self wrestles with the old-self. The “new creature”, or person, describes our new position in Christ—exactly. But, despite our being eternally secure as children of God, our flesh bodies continue to battle evil as long as we’re on earth. Sanctification will eventually win the war, but the battle rages on.

The Holy Spirit helps us oppose sin, and teaches us how to live—one day, one battle at a time. Our yielding to His urgings helps smooth our ascent to righteousness. Won’t you help by not resisting His efforts?

Take Home Nugget

The bell rang, signaling end of recess. Greg grabbed the ball. “I’ll return it, Keith” he said with a smile. “For the first time, I enjoyed playing a game with you.”

Lord, won’t You please lead me safely
With footsteps through this day?
Help my understanding so carefully
Weaving my path for future way.

J.D. Griffith
Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Glue

GLUE
Isaiah 41:9-13
The Message v.13: “That’s right. Because, I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go. I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic. I’m right here to help you.’”



We’re children of the Most High! Regardless of circumstances, whether good or bad, we’re called to stick close to our Awesome God. During times of smooth sailing, we forget how dependent we truly are on Him.


Keith shook his head, speechless. “Do you really want to be my friend, Shak?” (See Jesus’ Ambassadors of Peace and Out-of-Box Vision devotions). The third-graders were grouped outside for recess, and Shakira decided to befriend Keith

“Of course. You can’t have too many friends!” She turned to her girlfriend, Bethany. “Do you want to be friends with Keith?”

“We both live in the same neighborhood, and it would be nice to have a buddy close-by. What do you do for fun, Keith?”

Keith’s face blushed red. Looking at Bethany he said, “Ride bike, climb trees, throw ball…stuff like that.”

“That’s way better than playing doll house or school, Keith. Too bad we didn’t hook up sooner.”

Just like having friends close by, we need to keep God close, too. He’s fun, full of goodness, and has an incredible sense of humor. But, we also desperately need His direction, and care. When our lives are too easy, it’s natural for humans to settle into a self-sufficient attitude. Many people think: God’s there when I’m in trouble—but I can do things for myself—and not bother Him. He’s got the whole world depending on Him. He may be glad that I can take care of myself.

But when trouble strikes, they often feel too far away from their protector. They’ve forgotten to maintain a close relationship with God, and hesitate to “bother Him” in bad times. Remember: Jesus is your brother. He’s God, and even He didn’t feel self-sufficient to live apart from His Father for even a day. Jesus stuck to our Father like glue.

Painful situations trigger panic in our hearts. This ought to drive God’s kids straight back into His loving arms. Do we remember then how dependent we truly are on Him? He promises to deliver us from doubt, depression, anger, and everything we need to endure difficulty.

Remember Bethany and Keith when you’ve drifted away from your God. He’s in your neighborhood, close by, and wants to be your friend—on good days, and bad. Remember Him in your relationships with friends. Never forget to stick close, like glue, to your best friend, Jesus.

Take Home Nugget


Awesome Savior, keep me humble,
Without You, I’m sure to stumble.
Keep me close to You like glue,
Without you, I wouldn’t have a clue.


J.D. Griffith

Posted by at No comments:

Friday, March 18, 2011

Out-Of-Box Vision

OUT-OF-BOX VISION
Matthew 28:16-20
The Message vv. 16-17: “…eleven disciples were on their way back to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw Him, they worshipped Him. Some, though held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally.”

“Why do you always put someone, or something down?” Shakira asked Keith. (See Jesus’ Ambassadors of Peace devotion).

“I don’t!” Keith defended himself.

“Yes you do. If you were confident, I don’t think you’d always criticize everything.” Shakira insisted.

Keith’s brown eyes bore into Shakira’s green eyes. “I don’t have many friends, like you do, Shak.”

“I’ll be your friend, Keith.”

Jesus’ vision about the whole world receiving His offer of salvation still freaks people out. Most believers hold back—just as some disciples did. Why do you think Jesus’ command is called “the Great Commission?" When someone first hears it, they’re overwhelmed. But when we let go—and let Jesus steer our lives—we’re surprised at how do-able His command is.

People hide in boxes that they erect to protect themselves. Just as a few disciples wouldn’t worship Jesus in the opening Scripture, His kids hold back today—remaining safe in their comfort zones—their boxes. But their vision is blocked inside these boxes.

One side of the box is Fear. What will family and friends react to my going “all Jesus” on them? Although most of us won’t evangelize in foreign lands as missionaries, we worry about what others think about us at home.

Pride walls another side. People don’t want to surrender to another, even if it’s to God, Himself. No way! I want to control my own life. Isn’t that what free will is all about? they rationalize. Not true. The ONLY thing people have any control over is to either accept or reject Jesus Christ as Lord. All other actions spring from that decision—except perhaps what foods to eat, and other minor decisions. Truly, most things are out of our control.

Conditional obedience erects our box’s third side. Inconvenience (in-kon-VEN-i-ens means hassle, bother) is often what prohibits total obedience. How lame is that? (I suppose any excuse will do, when people disobey God). Feeling Unworthy for the God’s task is the fourth wall in the box. How convenient!

These self-made prisons inside our comfort box block our vision. But when we’re brave enough to kick down just one wall of our box, we’re amazed at how God can equip us to do the extraordinary!

Take Home Nugget


God’s love encircles and penetrates the whole world. Through His kids, everyone in the whole can hear about Jesus, if we just climb out of our own jail-house boxes.

We don’t need to see where we’re going, if we trust the One Who’s leading.

J.D. Griffith
Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Jesus' Ambassadors of Peace

JESUS’ AMBASSADORS OF PEACE
Romans 15:4-13
The Message vv. 4-6: “God wants the combination of His steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever He will do next. May our dependently steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you, so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we’ll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus!”

Shakira announced, “And here’s where I upload movies!” showing off her new iPod to her third-grade classmates at recess.

Violet gushed, “Ahhh, that’s soooo cool, Shak!”

Keith laughed from behind Bethany. Snickering, he said, “Big deal. Anyway, yours is an inferior brand.”

Keith is someone who gets a kick out of upsetting another’s apple cart. He enjoys condemning things and people. Speaking nasty, he enjoys watching people’s reactions.

Despite our best efforts, the world is full of Keiths. We long for peace, but it’s forever just beyond our grasp. Every new year find people hoping for a better life, and a better world. Each new generation emerges bright and shiny, sure theirs will be the generation of peace and prosperity. But here’s the thing: Our world won’t be made right until Christ returns and makes everything right.

Until then, believers—Jesus’ Ambassadors of Peace—stand in for making things right, right where we are. Our goal is to give light where there is darkness. But we’re not always as bright and shiny as we ought to be. We’re often quick-tempered, and impatient. Living in harmony is not easy, and we have trouble letting go of attitudes that hurt others. Jesus understands. That’s why He gave us the Holy Spirit, Who transforms us—one day at a time—into Christ-likenesses.

The Spirit instructs us to apply Jesus’ Words to our lives, empowering us to live godly. Our once “me-centered” attitudes are replaced with “Christ-centered” thinking. This paradigm (par-a-DIME means standard, or typical) expression changes our “Me” to “Christ” thinking—painlessly. AND, it produces much fruit (love, joy, peace) in our lives. With Jesus by our side, we actually represent ambassadors of peace, reconciling others to God!

When our hearts are ruled by His peace, our relationships characterize a spirit of oneness with the world and God. That’s reconciliation (rek-on-SIL-i-a-shon means reunion, bringing together).

Are you as WOWED as I am?

Take Home Nugget


Shakira asked Keith, in front of their classmates, “Didn’t Brad stop Ronnie from hitting you yesterday?" (See Knee-Jerk Reactions devotion). "Couldn’t you allow us to enjoy a fun recess without the buzz-kill?”

Jesus’ Ambassadors of Peace love like God.
J.D. Griffith
Posted by at No comments:

Friday, March 11, 2011

Snap Lion's Mouth Shut

SNAP LION’S MOUTH SHUT
1Peter 5:2-10
The Message 1Peter 1:3-4: “What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have Him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand new life and have everything to live for, including a future in Heaven—and the future starts now!”

The last several devotions, (Passionate Zeal, Brain Vs. Feet & Mouths, Every Believer’s Calling, and Knee-Jerk Reactions), can freak a person out. Their intent is not to cause worry. They were written so you’d get how high a value God places on His kids’ contribution to His kingdom. He created us for a purpose, (and that isn’t so we could play our lives away).

It’s vital to God that His kids live like His Son did: perfect, emitting His fragrance throughout the world. But when Jesus commanded His disciples to go out into the world, baptizing people, teaching them everything He taught (Matthew 28-19-20), He didn’t mean to stress us out. As Knee-Jerk Reactions devotion showed—no preaching is necessary—just doing the right thing shows the world whose we are.

Never believe that Jesus brings us trouble.

It’s bad enough that Satan prowls the earth, causing God’s kids concern (1Peter 5:8). The roaring lion, looking for someone to devour, is used as a metaphor (MET-a-for means symbol) for anxiety, or worry. People who fret over things often feel like they’re being stalked by a hungry, wild animal. They’re not sure if they’ll make it through their trouble alive. The devil enjoys their distress, loving every moment they resist turning to God for help.

Apostle Paul, in 1Peter 5:9, urges us to stand firm in our faith. Our prayers of help admit dependence on God, and He relieves us of every burden. Our submission displays confidence that God’s power will make everything turn out for our good (Romans 8:28). Nothing challenges His power! When we realize this fact, our trust in God builds. Maybe the next time worry stalks us—we’ll hand it off to Jesus—instead of stressing ourselves into a frazzle.

The moment a believer gives problems to the Lord, we’re instructed to wad up that paper and throw it away. Just because the problem may still exist, doesn’t mean it isn’t already defeated, your victory won. God doesn’t mess around—especially with His kids’ welfare!

Take Home Nugget


Our job is to resist the devil, stand firm in faith, and obey God. Cast every worry on the Lord. Then burn that paper and walk away in perfect peace.

Take my worry far away from me
Lord. Erase my pain, I humbly pray.
Set me totally, blissfully free
From all concerns, beginning today.

J.D. Griffith
Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Snap Lion’s Mouth Shut
A personal, private lesson experience with our staff
Written for http://www.biblestudyforkids.com/
For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)