Two Katalumas

TWO KATALUMAS

Kingdom Kids yield personal will to Yahweh in this Lenten series

Luke 22:7-13

Luke 22:11-12:  “and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’  He will show you a large upper room, all furnished.  Make preparations there.”  Emphasis added.

            When Jesus was born, all the inns were full.  Mary and Joseph used a stable and rested Him in a manger, or a feeding trough (Luke 2:7).  The Greek word for inn is kataluma [kat-a-LU-ma].  In the opening Scripture, Jesus used the same Greek word kataluma for “guest room”, and upper room.  Luke uses the Greek word kataluma only twice in His Gospel book.  Both times, kataluma is borrowed space.

            What a contrast of the two katalumas!  The Bethlehem kataluma holds the helpless infant Lord Jesus.  The Passover Supper shows adult King Jesus taking charge as our host.  He “poured out His soul to death” (Isaiah 53:12b).  He “poured out [His blood] for you” as a “new covenant” (Luke 22:20). 

            Mark 14:14 reports that Jesus uses the Greek word, kataluma, to describe the upper room a bit differently.  Jesus uses kataluma as personal space here, not borrowed space.  “Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is My guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’”  Emphasis added. 

            See the difference? 

            In every celebration of Holy Communion—people kneeling to receive the “Lord’s Supper”—Jesus is our host.  He welcomes all His dear disciples into His kataluma.  He serves us His body and blood, willingly sacrificed.  Because of His awesome love for His creation, Jesus mimics our heavenly Father’s love for us.   

                  

            Depending on how people view Jesus, John 1:11-13 explains the difference between borrowed space and a place where Jesus takes possession: “He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him.  Yet to all who receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—children not born of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”  

Take Home Nugget

            Handing us gifts “to go,” Jesus also offers His disciples forgiveness of sins, resurrection hope, and everlasting life.

            Check out the Psalm lesson linked below to see how King Jesus might have directed His Spirit to inspire King David’s writing.  Their anguish was similar.  Saul pursued David to kill him (1 Samuel 18:1-11), and Jesus was targeted for death by Jewish Pharisees (Matthew 12:13, Mark 14:1).   

Holiest LORD Y’shua, thank You for being such a gracious host, taking possession of me and my spiritual brothers and sisters to feed us Your precious body and blood.  Amen.

Adapted from “The Kataluma”, a devotion by Rev. Erik J. Rottmann.  March 9, 2018.  Portals of Prayer devotional magazine.  Missouri.

J.D. Griffith

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Twelve-year-old Jeremy befriends “Aunt” Rita when lured up her front steps after football practice one fall day.  Her piano music isn’t the only thing that makes Rita especially different.  She is intrigued by Jeremy.  God uses Aunt Rita to transform Jeremy into a true follower of Christ. 

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Green Plant

GREEN PLANT

Kingdom Kids yield personal will to Yahweh in this Lenten series

,

Luke 13:8-9:  “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.  If it bears fruit next year, fine!  If not, cut it down.’”

            “I won’t be a sheep!” twelve-year-old Jeremy whined to his classmate, Cassie.  “Sign me up as a plant!”

            Cassie marched to the Plant Sign Up sheet and wrote “Jeremy.”  Biting the pen’s cap, she commented, “You know that someone has to play sheep!”

            The seventh graders were volunteering for parts in a play where everyone was involved.

            While people are compared to sheep in God-speak, that comparison isn’t flattering.  Sheep aren’t smart.  Sheep follow and don’t lead.  Sheep wander off (from the flock).  Sheep tend to fall into holes.  Sheep are food for wild animals.

            But, plants are compared to people in the Bible, too.  Jesus says that He’s the vine and we are the branches in John 15.  Our Father is the vinedresser.  This devotion is interactive between the writer and the audience.  Please complete the lesson from Isaiah, chapter five, that’s linked below.  The lesson provides background for the rest of this devotion.  

            Drum roll, please, until we resume…

            Isaiah finishes chapter five by allowing that vineyard to become a wasteland where green plants aren’t cultivated [KUL-ti-va-ted].  Gardeners—in this case, vinedressers—nurture plants so that they grow strong and produce fruit.  But briars and thorns overtook this vineyard.  No rain fell, either. 

            That particular vineyard (Jerusalem) was God’s delight.   He planted justice, yet received bloodshed.  God sowed righteousness, yet reaped cries of distress. 

            You are God’s green plant.  You are God’s delight.  Our heavenly Father is the gardener who sows justice and righteousness in you.  Consider that everyday trials are God’s digging around your roots.  Consider that troubles are His trimming back your stock so that you produce more fruit (inspiring others to believe God).  Watch out for the manure that Papa spreads around in order to enhance your yield significantly! 

            Measure the “fruit” you yield today compared to a month or year ago.  Christians who’re growing spiritually consistently yield crops that produce a superior harvest for God’s kingdom. 

Take Home Nugget  

            Everyone who doesn’t grow spiritually is one who doesn't cooperate with God’s indwelling Spirit and mature into Christlikeness.  For many Christians, it takes a lifetime to yield our will to God’s Spirit.

            Like the opening Scripture, though, whoever doesn’t produce “fruit” will eventually be cut down.  John 15:6 says that “such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”

Continue Your good work in me, LORD, until I produce the fruit that You sow in me.  I pray this in the name of My vine Jesus, Amen.  

Adapted from “The Planting of the Lord”, a devotion by Rev. Erik J. Rottmann.  March 4, 2018.  Portals of Prayer devotional magazine.  Missouri.

J.D. Griffith

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Latest Christmas eBook by J.D. Griffith: 

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 This eBook shows Mary’s adventure traveling to Bethlehem right before Jesus’ birth.   This Biblical fantasy weaves supernatural delight into facts surrounding His birth. 

Here’s another eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

Twelve-year-old Jeremy befriends “Aunt” Rita when lured up her front steps after football practice one fall day.  Her piano music isn’t the only thing that makes Rita especially different.  She is intrigued by Jeremy.  God uses Aunt Rita to transform Jeremy into a true follower of Christ. 

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Righteousness Established

RIGHTEOUSNESS ESTABLISHED

Kingdom Kids devotions endorse Jesus’ LORDship over our lives.

Isaiah 54:14, 17:  “‘In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you have nothing to fear.  Terror will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear.

“no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.  This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from Me’, declares the LORD.”

            Tyranny [TYR-ann-ee] means living under oppression.  Vindication [vin-di-KA-shon] means approval. 

            Our heavenly Father encourages us with the opening Scripture.  Everyone who lives by Matthew 6:33: “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things (food, drink, and clothes) will be given to you as well,” serves Almighty God.  This confirms who is a servant and may expect God’s heritage. 

            God’s opening Scripture promise is true for each person who is established in righteousness.  That condition isn’t hard to meet.  See the lesson linked below that confirms how Kingdom Kids ALREADY possess the righteousness of God through faith.  Belief in Jesus means serving a King.  We align ourselves under His rule. 

            Established means that our base for security comes from something sure.  God is sure.  Our heavenly Father always was and always will be.  His Son Jesus came to show us that God is love.  John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

            Because we’re secure in His righteousness (not our own) by Jesus’ blood on the cross, we never have anything to fear.  God wants His kids to be sure and grow in the realization that we are made righteous by Jesus’ blood, His perfect sacrifice on the cross. 

            And so, not a single weapon targeted at God’s kids will find its mark. 

            When anyone is tossed from side to side in a storm, instead of giving in to fear--stressing what’s going to happen—we can remember who we are in Jesus.  Then we can confess, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ.”   

                       

Take Home Nugget 

            Terror is in the news every day.  Looking out from the devil’s eyes, we watch him party every time someone blows up themselves that causes many to die. 

            Our heavenly Father never wants His kids to be afraid.  His goal is for all His kids to be secure in His righteousness.  Then, God’s kids never need to be afraid, because terror will be far away.  Our Father will release miraculous provision, divine protection, and blessings into our lives!

Heavenly Father, Remind me whose righteousness I possess because I believe in Your Son Jesus, in whose name I pray, Amen.  

Adapted from “Be Established in God’s Righteousness”, a devotion by Joseph Prince.  March 6, 2018.  Check out www.josephprince.org.

J.D. Griffith

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Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com

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Latest Christmas eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

To purchase "Star Watchers" for only $0.99 USD, click here  

 This eBook shows Mary’s adventure traveling to Bethlehem right before Jesus’ birth.   This Biblical fantasy weaves supernatural delight into facts surrounding His birth. 

Here’s another eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

Twelve-year-old Jeremy befriends “Aunt” Rita when lured up her front steps after football practice one fall day.  Her piano music isn’t the only thing that makes Rita especially different.  She is intrigued by Jeremy.  God uses Aunt Rita to transform Jeremy into a true follower of Christ. 

Click here to purchase "Your Salvation is Jesus' Passion"     Only $2.99

   

     Click here for inexpensive Christian eBook and app offers

God's Economy

GOD’S ECONOMY

Kingdom Kids devotions endorse Jesus’ LORDship over our lives.

2 Peter 3:10-11: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.  The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 

“Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people are you to be?  You ought to live holy and godly lives…”

            Economy [e-KON-i-mee] is a financial system.  Contrasting economies here shows the difference between how God’s system works to how people handle—or steward—money.  Steward [STU-ward] means to manage, oversee, or supervise.  When all money is spent, it’s gone.  Wise people invest or save a portion of their money so that they have some available to use later. 

            Since our future is unpredictable, saving some money comes in handy when bad things happen.  (Cars break down, windows get smashed, or appliances stop working).  

            Saving money is not worshipping money.  Money is NOT our god.  Since USA prints “In God we trust” on bills, some say that proves that USA names money its god. 

            Believers-in-Christ trust only God. 

            Saving for retirement adds investing in something that guarantees interest.  “The poor you have with you always” is a truth that Jesus taught in Matthew 26:11.  What if your friend needed to borrow money from you to live on?  Could you afford to lend him some?  Or, what if you went broke?  Where would you turn?  

            Banks do not lend people money who can’t repay.

            See the lesson linked below for why Luke 16 shows a master praising a wicked steward who demonstrated his creativity. 

    

             Kingdom Kids are future-oriented.  We trust that our Father will provide for our needs.  The last devotion showed why Jesus advised us to begin each new day from Matthew 6:33: “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things (food, drink, and clothes) will be given to you as well.”   

                                                          

Take Home Nugget  

            Our heavenly Father commands His kids to wisely steward something else that has eternal value—especially to Him—people.  How we use our time and talents are also to be invested in others’ eternal destiny.  Christians strive to be wise stewards of ALL God’s blessings.

            Luke 6:38 shows the supernatural awesomeness of God’s economy.  “Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Holy Father, Reign over all the gifts that You bless me with so that they don’t reign over me!  Empower me, in Christ’s name, to wisely steward my time, talents, and treasures to invest in others’ eternal destiny. Amen.  

  

Adapted from “Investing in People”, a devotion by Dr. Tony Evans.  February 20, 2018.  Check out Alternative at www.LightSource.com

J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for God’s Economy

 For a personal, private lesson experience with our staff

  

Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

Latest Christmas eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

To purchase "Star Watchers" for only $0.99 USD, click here   

This eBook shows Mary’s adventure traveling to Bethlehem right before Jesus’ birth.   This Biblical fantasy weaves supernatural delight into facts surrounding His birth. 

Here’s another eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

Twelve-year-old Jeremy befriends “Aunt” Rita when lured up her front steps after football practice one fall day.  Her piano music isn’t the only thing that makes Rita especially different.  She is intrigued by Jeremy.  God uses Aunt Rita to transform Jeremy into a true follower of Christ. 

Click here to purchase "Your Salvation is Jesus' Passion"     Only $2.99

   

     Click here for inexpensive Christian eBook and app offers

Centerpiece

CENTERPIECE

Kingdom Kids devotions endorse Jesus’ LORDship over our lives.

Psalm 25:4-5: “Show me Your ways, O LORD, teach me Your paths;

”guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.”

            “Priorities!  What’s first in your life, Jeremy?” twelve-year-old Cassie wondered.

            Jeremy tossed the football to his left hand.  His wrinkled forehead smoothed when he answered his classmate during recess from seventh grade.  “Spring football.”

             Jesus talked about top priorities [pri-OR-i-tees] meaning one’s first concern.  What’s yours?  Could you explain to God if He were second?  Third? 

            Sermons in a church can last a long time.  Jesus’ longest was His “Sermon on the Mount”.  Matthew 5-7 fills three chapters to record it.  Check out the lesson linked below for some sermon specifics.

            Jesus taught His disciples about His kingdom.  After the last devotion entitled, “The Way”, Believers were called out IF God isn’t our top priority.  This devotion also emphasizes who is the centerpiece of Christian lives—of utmost importance—because whatever is top priority affects everything else we do.  While not always bragging about God, Jesus ought to be the One we copy in speech and actions. 

            Jesus’ centerpiece during the Sermon on the Mount appears close to the middle of Matthew’s three chapters.  (How did disciples remember Jesus’ words to write down His Gospel?)  

            Jesus promised in John 14:16-17a, 26: “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth … But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you.”

            God’s Spirit reminded Matthew to record Jesus’ centerpiece of his sermon in Matthew 6:33.  “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things [food, drink, clothes] will be given to you as well.”  Emphasis added.

            Did you catch Jesus’ word FIRST?  That’s making God your top priority!

Take Home Nugget  

            This devotion might remind readers of a previous message posted February 13, 2018, (#1067, It’s That Simple).  You’re correct.  This devotion ought to be every Believer’s centerpiece of faith.

            The Way devotion reminded us why we need to prioritize “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” every day.  Christian Believers are set apart from the world to serve God.  (All our earthly needs will be met).  There should never be any doubt whose we are.  God and His kingdom must be first.  God is never to be one of many.  He is our top priority!

You are first, LORD: where You deserve to be in my life.  Forgive me when my top priority is not You!  Amen. 

Adapted from a devotion by Dr. Tony Evans.  January 30, 2018.  Check out Alternative at www.LightSource.com

J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Centerpiece

 For a personal, private lesson experience with our staff

Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

Latest Christmas eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

To purchase "Star Watchers" for only $0.99 USD, click here 

  This eBook shows Mary’s adventure traveling to Bethlehem right before Jesus’ birth.   This Biblical fantasy weaves supernatural delight into facts surrounding His birth. 

Here’s another eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

Twelve-year-old Jeremy befriends “Aunt” Rita when lured up her front steps after football practice one fall day.  Her piano music isn’t the only thing that makes Rita especially different.  She is intrigued by Jeremy.  God uses Aunt Rita to transform Jeremy into a true follower of Christ. 

Click here to purchase "Your Salvation is Jesus' Passion"     Only $2.99

   

     Click here for inexpensive Christian eBook and app offers

The Way

THE WAY

Twelfth of Kingdom Kids devotion series explaining Jesus’ LORDship over our lives.

Acts 19:9-10: “But some of them [those who Paul argued with in the synagogue about the Kingdom of God] became obstinate; they refused to believe and publically maligned the Way.  So Paul left them.  He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.

“This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.”

            Early disciples were well known as people of “the Way.”  The difference was obvious.  Believers-in-Christ chose to walk a different path from all others.  They chose to identify themselves totally with Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God.  They had a single purpose.  Their purpose was to live for God’s kingdom. 

             “Obstinate” [OB-stin-it] means stubborn.  Used in the opening Scripture, obstinate means that people argued against believing in God’s kingdom and spoke badly about it.  They never changed their minds.   Check out the lesson linked below for Jesus appearing in Acts.

 

            We still see two opposing attitudes that contrast how people deal with God’s kingdom.  Let us who are serious about following Jesus—serious enough to become disciples are kingdom kids.  Like the earliest Christians who were identified as following “the Way”, may modern Christians also be identified as different from all others. 

            Sadly, many of today’s Christians lost our true identity.  Who are genuine Believers?  Is faith simply another bullet listed after one’s name, title, position, possessions, and friends?

            How do you answer someone who asks, “Who are you?”  If God or Christ isn’t your top identifier, you’re confused.  What’s your bottom line?  As a member of God’s family, our identifier should be Christ.  There should be no way that we can discuss who we are without being clear about whose we are.

            “Christian” isn’t a title, like Mr., Ms., or Doctor.  Christian is an identifier that labels to whom we belong.   It shall never be that we talk about ourselves without including what Jesus did for us and what He means to us.  Being a disciple of Christ is the very essence of who we are! 

Take Home Nugget  

            Understanding and agreeing with this devotion creates a “kingdom” mentality.  Frequently, we need to be reminded of our kingdom outlook on life.   No worries. Spiritual growth is a lifelong process. 

            Salvation is purposefully worked out with “fear and trembling”.  Sanctification, or cooperating with God’s indwelling Spirit becoming more like Jesus, transforms us day-to-day.  A kingdom mindset is also part of our character that develops over time. 

Holy Father, May others never be confused that I follow Your Son.  Thank You for strengthening my walk and Spiritual development.  Amen.

 

Adapted from a devotion by Dr. Tony Evans.  February 15, 2018.  Check out Alternative at www.LightSource.com

J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for The Way

 For a personal, private lesson experience with our staff

Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.

Latest Christmas eBook by J.D. Griffith:  

To purchase "Star Watchers" for only $0.99 USD, click here  

 This eBook shows Mary’s adventure traveling to Bethlehem right before Jesus’ birth.   This Biblical fantasy weaves supernatural delight into facts surrounding His birth. 

Here’s another eBook by J.D. Griffith:   

Twelve-year-old Jeremy befriends “Aunt” Rita when lured up her front steps after football practice one fall day.  Her piano music isn’t the only thing that makes Rita especially different.  She is intrigued by Jeremy.  God uses Aunt Rita to transform Jeremy into a true follower of Christ. 

Click here to purchase "Your Salvation is Jesus' Passion"     Only $2.99

   

     Click here for inexpensive Christian eBook and app offers