Through God's Eyes

THROUGH GOD’S EYES

Psalm 119:97-98

“Oh how I love Your law!  I meditate on it all day long.  Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me.”

           

            “I’m not sure if it’s God’s will,” fourteen year old Michael explained to his ten year old brother Jeremy.  “But I’m going to pray for it anyway.”

            Jeremy thought about that.  Then he said, “I think that God wants you to get a college scholarship to play football.  And attending football camp will definitely teach you skills to play better in high school.”  He nodded his head, convinced.  “So I think it’d be okay for you to pray that mom and dad send you to football camp next summer.” 

            People often wonder the same thing that concerns Michael.  How can we know what’s God’s will when we see things through human eyes?   We often support prayer with probable outcomes like Jeremy figured, don’t we?  We often struggle deciding what is wrong, compared to what is right.  Which is a better choice…what is the best choice?  Other things to consider before we pray requests to God:  Is the request selfish?  Would the request harm another? 

            We are urged to ask God only for what is aligned with His will when we pray.  How can we know what is God’s will?  Enter Holy Spirit.  Jesus says in John 16:13-15, “He will guide you in all truth.  He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears [from the Father and Jesus]…and make it known to you.”

            God wants His kids to know His will.  That’s why He gave us His Word. 

            As we mature in God’s knowledge and wisdom, we will be able to pray with confidence.  We will be able to sense, or realize God’s will by how we see Him work and speak in the Bible.  It is the Holy Spirit’s job to help us discern [dis-SERN] means to determine and understand God’s Word. 

            This takes time, though.  We must stick to reading the Bible daily.  Soon, we’ll be ready to follow what we’ve learned about God’s will—and pray with confidence.

Take Home Nugget

            “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 is an often-quoted Scripture when people want something from God. This passage is clear that we’re to delight in the Lord BEFORE He gives us the desires of our heart.  Delighting-in-the-Lord thoughts and behavior is as the opening Scripture outlines.

            What does God love?  What does He hate? Check out Psalms 5:5, 45:7 and 97:10 for starters.  God’s will becomes clear when we form a relationship with Jesus.

Help us to align our thoughts and behavior to your will, Lord. 

            J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Through God’s Eyes

Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com

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Intentional Reality

INTENTIONAL REALITY

1 John 4:4

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them [spirits that don’t acknowledge that Jesus Christ who came in the flesh is from God], because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

 

            Daily distractions veer us away from our focused routine.  Let’s explore how God’s kids can choose a better reality.

            Consider a circus performer holding a whip in one hand, and pointing a stool with its legs toward a lion in the other hand.  The lion trainer distracts the lion with a simple stool and the crack of a whip.  The lion is immobilized, frozen by that intriguing stool and continued snap of a whip.  He forgets his natural instinct to maul the trainer.

            Think of the trainer as the devil.  He knows the Lion of Judah (Jesus—Revelation 5:5) is inside believers—as the Holy Spirit.  The devil tries to distract God’s kids from daily focus of Bible reading and prayer. 

            Ten year old Jeremy awoke with a pain in his side.  It hurt so much that Jeremy  snapped his Bible shut before finishing his devotions.  He complained to his mom, who gave him Tylenol with his breakfast.

            “Are you feeling better?” Jeremy’s mom asked after he showered. 

            “No.” Jeremy replied, rubbing his side.  “It may actually be worse.” 

            “Get dressed and I’ll take you to Urgent Care,” Jeremy’s mom said.  “I don’t like this—and you certainly can’t go to school like this!”  They signed in at Urgent Care and waited to be seen.  Jeremy rubbed his side for two hours before being called into an examining room.

            “When did this start?” the doctor asked, feeling Jeremy’s side.  His brow wrinkled in concentration.  He decided, “Let’s take an x-ray.”  

            The doctor studied the x-ray, then concluded, “I can’t see anything, Jeremy.  Why don’t you go home and find something to do.  If this pain persists tomorrow, or gets worse, call me.”  He handed Jeremy’s mom his business card.  “I’ll meet you at the hospital where I’ll do exploratory surgery to find the problem.”

            Jeremy’s mom thanked the doctor and drove them home.

Take Home Nugget

            Jeremy tossed a football to himself in the back yard.  He missed school.  I would have been throwing football with Brad right now at recess!  I don’t want to miss school tomorrow.  Exploratory surgery?  Jeremy thought, scrunching up his face.  That’s not for me! he decided, now angry.  

            Suddenly, Jeremy had an idea.  “Get behind me, Satan!” he demanded aloud (from Matthew 16:23).  At once, the pain in his side left his body.  “Thank you, God!” Jeremy shouted.  He laughed out loud, praising God.

When distracted away from God, distract the distractor with God’s Word. 

            J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Intentional Reality

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Rest-Out-Of-Work Today

REST-OUT-OF-WORK TODAY

Hebrews 4:3

“Now we who have believed entered that rest, just as God has said, ‘So I declare on oath in My anger, They never enter My rest.’  And yet His work has been finished since the creation of the world.”

            Believers long for rest.  Good news:  We can rest out of work TODAY.  This is centered on faith in God.  Apostle Paul writes, “For we also have heard the gospel preached to us, just as they [Israelites] did; but the message they heard was of no use to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.”  (Hebrews 4:2 emphasis added).

             Paul charges believers in Hebrews 4:1: “Therefore, since the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.” 

            It’s all about faith.  It’s all about belief.   

            Spiritual and eternal rest will ultimately be fulfilled in the new creation of a new heaven and a new earth.  (See lesson, linked below).  Just as Israelite’s promised physical rest to enter Canaan, salvation-rest is a promise ONLY achieved by faith.

            God’s rest is a reality to believers of Christ.  The rest God calls us to enter is not our rest—but HIS rest—which we’re invited to share.  For rest, like salvation, is attained through faith in Christ, not through works.

            When we die to self, Jesus can live through us.  Then we bear fruit for the kingdom of God.  Not by human effort.  We rest in the finished work of Christ.  We don’t worry.  W never freak out.  We’re cool, calm and collected.

            “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”

            “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”  (Revelation 14:13).

            Believer’s salvation-rest by faith contrasts the Israelites’ bad example of disbelief.  They never made it to their physical rest in Canaan!    

            What about the many people struggling to get back on their feet today?  They see no end to their struggles.  No rest.  They need a miracle.   

Take Home Nugget

            God can turn situations around for our good through prayer.  Work-out-of-rest means to prepare well, then trust Him.  We trust that God’s working our miracle behind the scenes.   That’s rest for believers. 

            Hebrews 4:9-11 says, “There remains therefore a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.  Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disbelief.” 

Holy Father, strengthen my belief so I can enter your rest-out-of-work today, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Happy Labor Day to U.S.A. on September first. 

J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Rest-Out-Of-Work Today

Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com

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Supernaturally Effortless

SUPERNATURALLY EFFORTLESS

Hebrews 8:10

“This is the covenant I will make with house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord.   I will put My laws in their minds, and write them on their hearts.  I will be their God and they will be My people.”

 

            Old Testament Hebrews wanted to obey God, but failed miserably.  So God decided to plant His laws inside us so that we’d know right from wrong instinctively. Covenant is an agreement, a contract or a promise between God and His kids.

            God put His laws in our minds, and wrote them on our hearts.  Welcome to life under God’s new Covenant that Jesus ushered in!  What’s the difference between God’s old and new Covenants?   

            The Ten Commandments were the laws of the old covenant.  The new covenant             laws that God puts in our minds and writes on our hearts are A) the royal law of love from Matthew 22:37-40, B) the perfect law of liberty from James 1:25, and C) the law of faith from Romans 3:27.

            Jesus gives us the royal law of love in Matthew 22:37-40:  “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.   And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 

            We love because He first loved us.  (1 John 4:19).

            James gives us the perfect law of liberty, “But the man who looks intently at the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.” 

             James 1:21-22 explains:  “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.  Do not   merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.” 

            Supernatural Instinct identifies right and wrong behavior effortlessly.  We discover wanting to do the right thing at precisely the right time.  That’s liberty!

Take Home Nugget

            Apostle Paul teaches the law of faith: “Where, then, is boasting?  It is excluded.  On what principle?  On that of observing the law?  No, but on that of faith.”  God allowed the sins committed before Jesus’ atoning death to go unpunished; afterwards, God redeems whoever has faith in Jesus—through His shed blood.  “He did it to demonstrate His justice at the present time, so as to be just and the One who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.”  (Romans 3:26).

            Perfectly accepted, believers have confidence to come boldly into God’s presence.  Soon, we discover that we want what He desires for us. 

Believers are synced with God, living victoriously from the inside out!

J.D. Griffith

 

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Supernaturally Effortless

Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

Angerr Zone

ANGER ZONE

Numbers 31:14

“Moses was angry with the officers of the army—the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds—who returned from the battle.”

 

            The flip side of Naturally Joyful is anger.  Eight year old Shakira returned to being happy after getting a splinter removed.  But when her friend Violet chose someone else to play with at the swimming pool, Shakira became angry.

            Her face grew red as she stamped off to the concession stand.  Pushing her way to the front of the counter, she had no idea what she wanted!   “May I help you?” the waiter asked.

            Shakira stammered, “Uh, uh.  May I please have a pop-cycle?”  Then she fumbled getting out her money.

            What made Moses angry? 

            Midian women tempted the Israelite men into idolatry.  So God commanded Israel to go to war with Midian, and kill them.  But many were left alive. 

            Moses was angry because the Israelite army disobeyed God’s command.  But he was so furious, that he couldn’t think straight.  Just because we might think that Moses’ anger was reasonable, it wasn’t okay with God.   God punished Moses because he let his anger get the upper hand, and lost his cool.  Anger threatened Moses’ ability to function well.  God needed Moses at his best to lead the Israelites.

            Abraham Lincoln once noted, “You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry.”  While God may have appreciated Moses’ anger, He certainly didn’t appreciate Moses’ weakened ability to function well. 

            Put another way, Proverbs 29:11 says, “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.”  When people get angry, our minds get clouded, and we don’t function well.  That’s when we do silly things that we regret later. 

            The word danger has a “d” in front of the word “anger.”  Let’s think of that “d” to mean “dumb.”  Never allow that “d” destroy what you love.  That would be dumb!  So the next time, you’re angry, stop.  Do nothing.  Breathe slowly.  Feel your calm return.  Allow your anger to fade BEFORE you destroy something or someone you love.   Those few moments might save you from a ton of regret.

Take Home Nugget

            Shakira tossed her pop cycle stick away and ran into Violet.  “Where did you go?” Violet asked.

            “I figured you were mad when you didn’t want to throw Frisbee with me.” Shakira said.

            Violet explained, “My mom said to be nice to my next-door neighbor.  So I asked her to throw Frisbee.  I was never angry with you.  I can’t stay mad at you, Shak!”   

            “Oh.” Shakira said.  “I was silly.  Sorry, Vi.  What do you want to do now?”

When we lose our cool, we’re entering the anger zone. 

J.D. Griffith

 

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Anger Zone

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For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

Naturally Joyful

NATURALLY JOYFUL

Psalm 28:7

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.”

 

            Eight year old Shakira got a splinter in her hand at the swimming pool.  It hurt.  She cried, “Owww!  Can anyone help me?”  Shakira wrung her hands.  She wore a scowl.  She just wanted to go home. 

            A woman sitting on a blanket in the grass, her baby by her side, heard Shakira’s cry.  “Come here, honey,” she called.   “Show me what’s wrong.” 

            Shakira walked over and showed the lady her splinter.  “I just got it.  It hurts!  Can you help me?” Shakira asked.

            The woman saw the splinter in Shakira’s palm.  She asked, “Can you see the direction it entered?”  Then she pressed the tip backwards, and the end popped out of Shakira’s skin.  She grabbed the splinter end and drew it out.

            “Eh, thank you!” Shakira shouted, overjoyed.

            The baby squealed happily.

            The woman picked up her baby and cheered, “Corrie, you’re happy too!”

            Shakira wondered, “Why is Corrie happy?  She didn’t just get rid of pain.”

            The woman smiled at Shakira and her daughter.  “Corrie’s always happy.  Aren’t you, Corrie?”

            Corrie shows us all how to be joyful—naturally.  Corrie doesn’t worry about anything.  She doesn’t care about what others think about her.  She doesn’t worry what she’ll eat, or where she’ll sleep.  Corrie trusts that all her needs will be met.  Corrie’s happy all the time—eager to see what fun comes next.   She expects happy.

            God wants His kids to be joyful—expecting happy, too.  But most of us link joy with immediate circumstances.  If David, who wrote many of the Psalms in the Bible, was only joyful when things were perfect, we wouldn’t know…

            How many times he fled for his life, how sorry he was for his sins, or grief over a lost son, he wrote about God being the source of his joy.  God was the source for David’s strength.  His Psalm 100:1-2 says, “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.”

                Joy is human’s natural state.  How often do we link joy with circumstance?  The two are not connected at all.  Those who belong to God have His Spirit, redemption and eternal life.  Why allow worry to impair your natural joyful state?

Take Home Nugget

            If we pour out our sorrows to God in prayer, the rest of the day will be content and peaceful.  Check out the lesson, below, for God’s faithful care promises. 

We can have baby’s natural joy when we allow God to take care of His baby. 

J.D. Griffith

 

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Naturally Joyful

Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

Accountable

ACCOUNTABLE

Psalm 2, Luke 18

Psalm 2:11:  “Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling.” (Awe and reverence)

Luke 18:7-8:  “And will God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night?  Will He keep putting them off?  I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly.  However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?"

 

            Most Important devotion showed Jesus teaching prayer.  Prayer was His one-on-one communication with the Father.  Prayer refreshed, strengthened and led Jesus in His ministry.  Prayer is more powerful than simply talking to God.

            Believers have power to pray in line with our covenantal rights—[KOV-en-an-tal] is promised, rights are privileges—that believers in Jesus receive by faith. 

            Jesus’ last question in the opening Scripture bothers me.  Will He find faith on the earth?  “Here I am!” I scream, jumping to my feet.  Will you join me?  You see, we have a job to do.  God holds believers accountable to bring His “will to earth as it is in heaven.” (Remember the Lord’s Prayer)?

            Through prayer, believers intercede, [in-ter-SEED] means to speak to God about whatever others need.  That’s believers’ job.  We’re promised authorization to involve heaven in people’s lives on earth!  This permission is granted because of believers’ covenantal rights—based on our position in Christ.

            But accountability works two ways.

            Bible study reveals believer’s covenantal rights.  It’s wise to learn these privileges.  For instance, you might cuss frequently, or be sick from a virus.  Search Scripture for examples of righteousness and/or health.  A Bible’s Concordance helps in the search.  Then cry out to God for deliverance—based on your covenantal right through faith in Jesus. 

            You might pray, “Heavenly Father, 1 Peter 2:24 says, ‘He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds we are healed.’  Thank You, Jesus for this healing!  Amen.” 

            This prayer is a legal meeting where you and God agree on the same covenantal privilege.  You’re holding God accountable to honor His convent rights.   

            God always holds Himself accountable to His Word!

Take Home Nugget  

            Covenantal privileges are a very big deal!   Believers can hold the creator of the universe accountable to His promises.  Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:6:  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;” (King James Version of the Bible).

            “Supplication” does not mean to pray harder.  What Paul means about “supplication” is to pray back to God His Words from the Bible in your prayer request.

God empowers believers to hold Him accountable through covenantal prayer privileges.

 

J.D. Griffith

Click here for Interactive-Online-Lesson for Accountable

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