Covenant Guarantee

COVENANT GUARANTEE  

Kingdom Kids devotions authorize Jesus’ LORDship over our lives.

Psalm 89:34:  “I will not violate My covenant or alter what My lips have uttered.” 

            “Anger with God” devotion showed the value of listening quickly but speaking and getting angry slowly.  Some commands that our heavenly Father says in the Bible are hard to swallow.  We wonder why we must obey.  We find it hard to believe words.  The Bible is chocked full of stories that some people reduce to mere fairy tales.  Some stories are simply not believable by human standards.

 

            Noah really crammed ALL animals on an ark?  (Genesis 5-8).  Comeon man!

            God operates way above human understanding.  I’m fine with not being to explain God.  I’d better not be able to explain the God I worship!  

            How about you?

            Our Father understands that people need proof to believe that His promises will come true.  How can God persuade People to obey His commands when they don’t seem valid? 

            Where can we find truth if we cannot believe God’s authority in the Bible? 

            Covenants are God’s invention that proves to humans that His word cannot help but come true.  Naturally, God’s guarantee would involve spilled blood.  See the lesson linked below to envision for yourself how God seals His covenants.  God’s covenants ensure that what He says WILL happen.  (Romans 4:20-21).

            Covenants are way better than the “Cross my heart and hope to die!” guarantee that people say to promise truth.

            Abraham doubted that God’s promises would come true and asked for a guarantee.  Abraham doubted when God promised, “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. … and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”  (Genesis 12: 2, 3b). 

            Of course Abraham’s human mind would doubt God’s promise, above.  Abraham didn’t have even one child!  How could he sire a nation?  How could all peoples on earth be blessed from Abraham?  Peoples means more than one race. 

Take Home Nugget

            Abraham was originally named Abram.  Sarah was originally named Sarai.  God changed their names in Genesis 17:5 and 17:15 after He commanded the covenant of circumcision for all Hebrew male descendants.  The added “H” into their names infused His Holy Spirit into their bodies. 

            It was this Spirit Who allowed Sarah to become pregnant well past the age of fertility.  It was this Spirit Who provided Abraham the energy to become a dad. 

            God’s Spirit lives inside each Christian who believes that we live under a supernatural covenant of grace bought by Jesus’ shed blood. 

Holy Father, Thank You for enabling us to believe and obey You—even when Your promises are unbelievable by human standards!  Amen. 

  

Adapted from “How You Know You Will Inherit It” by Rev. Joseph Prince.  April 11, 2018.   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

     

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Argue with God

ARGUE WITH GOD  

Kingdom Kids devotions authorize Jesus’ LORDship over our lives.

1 Peter 2:2:  “Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.”  Emphasis mine.

            “Whenever I try being still, like God says to ‘Be still and know that I am God,’” twelve-year-old Cassie admits, “my mind races from one thing to another.”  (Psalm 46:10). 

            Apostle Peter understood deep layers of God’s Word.   Starting with pure milk, Peter admits that every person is on a different path and at different levels of growing in salvation.  Peter’s goal, like Jesus’ goal and our Father’s,  is for us to grow spiritually in the salvation that Jesus died to provide us.  

            “Grow spiritually in salvation” means to cooperate with God’s indwelling Spirit and be transformed closer to the likeness of Jesus.  Being saved only starts the journey of sanctification [SANK-tif-i-ka-shon].  Growing into Christ-likeness ought to be Christians’ goal, too.  

            Apostle Paul also urges God’s kids to continue the sanctification process after being saved for eternal life.  He warns that we’re to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling.”  (Philippians 2:12). 

                                                 

            See the lesson linked below for more truths plucked from layers deep inside the Bible.

            When we’re told not to think of something, human instinct is to think of nothing else.  So when God wants us to be still so He can wash us in love or ‘speak through His Spirit’—our bodies might rest—but our minds race.  No human likes being ordered around; we tend to argue.

            Cassie needs to yield her will to God.  

  

            She must “let go” and “let God” in order to be still.  

            That’s why being “quick to listen and slow to speak” from James 1:19 raises arguments.  When someone in authority speaks, we listen up.  We don’t question what’s said when we trust that authority.  But if we don’t like what’s said—despite authority—we argue. 

            Then we speak.  We often speak before we think.  We speak loudly when arguing.  “Slow to speak” never enters our minds during an argument.  We’re busy listening to ourselves quarreling points, ignoring from what authority they come.   

Take Home Nugget

            The Bible instructs God’s kids how to live.  He mostly commands, never suggesting action.  His wisdom guards us against confronting and losing to evil.   God’s Word is all the authority we need to trust that everything in the Bible is true.  

            When we don’t like what’s written, we decide to not believe that point.  Then when things mess up, we argue with God.   Chances are sure that we’ll lose that argument.

            What do you think?

Holy Father, Help me to believe and obey You without adding my own perspective to Your commands.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Adapted from “Slow to Speak” by Dr. Tony Evans.  April 9, 2018.  Check out Alternative at www.LightSource.com  

J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Argue with God

 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

Whatever Is Needed

WHATEVER IS NEEDED  

Kingdom Kids devotions authorize Jesus’ LORDship over our lives.

Exodus 3:14: “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.’”  

2 Corinthians 3:17:  “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

            Merging the two opening Scripture passages shows that God’s kids possess the freedom to find in Him whatever we need. 

            Christians receive God’s Spirit when we believe in Jesus and accept His sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.  This Spirit, Jesus, and the Father are one.  This Spirit transforms God’s kids into the image of Christ—one day at a time—in a process called sanctification [SANK-tif-i-ka-shon]. 

            Jesus told His disciples that He will not “leave you as orphans; I will come to you. … I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.” (John 14:18, 20). 

            Jesus lives inside Christians as God’s Spirit.  The Counselor that Jesus promised His disciples, the Spirit of Truth, is Jesus’ Spirit living inside each Believer forever (John 14:16).

            Meditating on this truth spiritually transforms human minds and hearts to Christ’s. 

 

            God the Father began a sentence by informing Moses that He is called, “I AM.” (Exodus 3:14).

            God the Son completes that sentence naming specific human needs where Jesus is the source.  What do you need today?  Our God is infinite [IN-fin-it] meaning that He never ends.  He is omnipotent [om-NIP-o-tent], or, God is all powerful. 

  

            If you need healing, God told Moses in Exodus 15:26, “I am the LORD who heals you.”

            If you need direction, Jesus supplies that need in John 8:12 saying, “I am the light of the world.”

            When needing to escape an awful situation, Psalm 18:2 says, “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer.”

            Psalm 23:2-3a offers peace to whomever is sick and tired of being sick and tired.  “He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.”  

            Check out the lesson linked below to find answers to human needs such as discovering the purpose of life, deciding which option to follow, and being scared. 

            Recognize that you’re never abandoned.  King Jesus is as close as the Spirit who lives within.  He is your Comforter.  He is your Counselor. 

Take Home Nugget

            1 Corinthians 1:30 says, “It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.”  Emphasis added to scream the wonders of the Great I AM!

Heavenly Father, thank You for making life easier to navigate by gifting me Jesus’ Spirit.  Amen.

Adapted from “The Agent of Transformation” by Dr. Tony Evans.  April 4, 2018.  Check out Alternative at www.LightSource.com  

And

“I Am Who I Am” by Rev. Joseph Prince.  April 4, 2018.  www.josephprince.com

J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Whatever

 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

Baptism Grasp

BAPTISM GRASP  

Kingdom Kids devotions authorize Jesus’ LORDship over our lives.

1 Corinthians 15:3-10

John 10:28:  “I give them [Jesus’ sheep] eternal life, and they shall never perish, no one can snatch them out of My hand.”

            Some people follow rules.  Others never follow rules.  Jesus followed all of His Father’s rules—down to fulfilling every word that Old Testament prophets foretold about Him.  That’s why Jesus never sinned!  He knew why He came to earth as a human.  He never denied His humanity, but DID lay aside His divinity (Godhood) when necessary.

            Otherwise, Jesus (as 100% God and 100% human), could NEVER have been nailed to a wooden cross. 

            Like “Hancock”, whose skin snapped a nurse’s needle—if Jesus hadn’t put aside His Godhood—the nails anchoring Him to a cross would have snapped.  “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!”

            That Philippians 2:8 verse in Scripture reminds us of Jesus’ perfect obedience when we don’t want to obey what God calls us to do.  Apostle Paul, like Hancock, is an outlier.  Paul didn’t fit the “typical apostle mold” (tax collector, physician, and fishermen).  Paul was a trained Pharisee!  Originally named Saul, Paul delighted in hauling Christians to jail or persecuting them to death (Acts 9:1-2, 11).

            But God has a plan that no one can snuff out—and His plan includes you! 

            You are probably an outlier, too, and do not fit the “typical apostle mold.”   

            Chosen while being created in mom’s womb, each is grasped from the world and into God’s kingdom at baptism.  Each of God-commanded missions is unique, different from all others.  He trains each of His kids for these missions, molding each for the work that’s assigned.  Each serves Christ.  Each shares Christ.  Each gains bold confidence working for Christ in a hostile world.

 

            Yet, being human raises doubt.   

            

Take Home Nugget

            Certainly, the apostles doubted.  The disciples doubted that they could feed 5,000 with only 2 loaves of bread and 5 fish.  Peter doubted that he could walk on water.  They ALL doubted that Christ would rise to life after being dead.  Being human, Christ Himself questioned the Father about finishing His mission.  Check out the lesson linked below for Scripture references about doubters and Christ’s own admitted reluctance.

            Sigh. 

    

            Nothing can snuff out God’s plan.  Jesus forgives our doubt.  Instead of embarrassing doubters, Jesus offers us grace and hope.  His Spirit offers us power to fulfill our mission for God’s kingdom. 

Holy Father, empower me with Your grace and hope to fulfill the mission for which You seized me into Your kingdom at my baptism.  I pray this in the precious name of Your Son, my Lord Yeshua.  Amen.  

Adapted from “Grace On Us” by Rev. E. Engel.  April 4, 2018.

and

“Snatched Away for Christ” by Rev. E. Engel.  April 5, 2018. Missouri. Portals of Prayer Devotional Magazine.  

J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Baptism Grasp

 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

Have You Heard the Buzz?

HAVE YOU HARD THE BUZZ?

Kingdom Kids devotions authorize Jesus’ LORDship over our lives.

Luke 24:13-35

Luke 24:13:  “Now that same day [after some visited Jesus’ tomb] two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.”

            “The tomb was really empty?” one asked the other, totally surprised.

            “Yep.  E-M-P-T-Y!” the other confirmed.

            Scoffing, the first admitted, “Yeah, Jesus said something about meeting after His rising back to life. … But who does that?  Tell me exactly what you saw.”

            “For the third time, Jesus wasn’t there!  I only saw His burial cloth neatly folded and a man wearing dazzling white.  He asked, “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?  He is not here.  He has risen.”

            “Neatly folded?” the first mused. … “That’s code.  Neatly folded signals that Jesus expects to return!”

            “Hey guys, what’s up?” a third arrived and fell into step with them.  (He was Jesus, but disguised well).

            “We were just rehashing what happened this morning,” one replied.

            “What’s special about this morning?” the newbie wondered.

            Are you new to planet earth? the second man named Cleopas wondered to himself.  “Didn’t you catch the buzz about Jesus of Nazareth?”

            “What about Him?” the newcomer asked.

            “Jesus was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all of us,” Cleopas filled in the blanks.  “Powerful priests and teachers of the law convinced the people to demand that He be crucified.  He died on Friday.  But we wondered if Jesus would restore Israel to her glory now.”

            The other man added, “Women went to His tomb early to prepare His body with spices, but couldn’t find Jesus’ body!”

            Cleopas said, “The women saw a vision of angels who said that Jesus is alive!  We don’t know what to believe.”

            Jesus inwardly smiled.  He said, “How silly!  Can anyone believe everything the prophets say?  Didn’t Christ Himself admit that He had to suffer and die before entering His glory?  Allow Me to show you…Moses taught the Israelites … ” Jesus walked them through Scripture.

            They arrived at their destination and Jesus said, “Nice chatting with you!”

            “Please dine with us tonight?” Cleopas asked.

            “Thanks.  It IS getting late!”

            They entered a house and Jesus sat with them to eat.  When he broke the bread and thanked God for their provision, Cleopas knew that he was Jesus!

            Then Jesus disappeared before their eyes!

Take Home Nugget

            Cleopas and his friend said to the apostles assembled together in Jerusalem,  “We saw Jesus!”

            “Yes, the LORD has risen Jesus from the dead!  Simon saw Him, too!”

            “We recognized Him when He broke bread. … Then He disappeared!” 

Thank You, Father, for the delightful buzz Jesus created when He rose back to life!

Adapted from “The Case for the Resurrection” by Rev. Thomas E. Engel.  April 3, 2018. Missouri. Portals of Prayer Devotional Magazine.

J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for HaveYou Heard the Buzz?

 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