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

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Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com

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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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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

Not Just a Man

NOT JUST A MAN

Kingdom Kids yield personal will to Yahweh in this Lenten series

Luke 23:1-46

            Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor. Herod Antipas was the Roman-appointed ruler of Galilee.  Jesus was a Galilean teacher and miracle-worker.

Luke 23:11-16, 20-21:  “Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him.  Dressing Him [Jesus] in an elegant robe, they sent Him back to Pilate. 

            “That day Herod and Pilate became good friends—before this they had been enemies.

“Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people,

“and said to them, ‘You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion.  I have examined Him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against Him.’

 “Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; as you can see, He has done nothing to deserve death.

“Therefore I will punish Him then release Him.”

…

“Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again.  But they kept shouting, ‘Crucify Him!  Crucify Him!’”

            Only the Roman governor could condemn someone to death.  Pontius Pilate was warned by his wife, “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of Him,” (Matthew 27:19).  She was highly educated and wealthy.  Pontius welcomed her insight. 

            Jerusalem was wild during Passover.  Something triggered the Sanhedrin’s fury.

            Pilate asked Jesus, “Are You the king of the Jews?”

            “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.

            Pilate figured that Jesus’ trouble with the Sanhedrin was blasphemy [BLAS-fem-ee].  No person = God!   Ahhh, Pilate reasoned that Sanhedrin were jealous of Jesus!

            Jesus comes from Galilee!  Pilate happily realized.  I’ll send Him to Herod to decide what to do!  

            Herod was delighted, hoping to witness a miracle.  But Jesus hardly spoke to Herod.  Enraged, Herod returned Jesus to Pilate.  Jesus was the common prisoner that made Pilate and Herod friends.

Take Home Nugget

            Pilate ignored his wife’s advice AND that Jesus was not just a man. 

            Pilate didn’t understand that Jewish guilt that was transferred to a Scapegoat.  This once-in-eternity Passover, the Father piled all of human sin onto His Son.  This Passover would end the ritual of animal sacrifices to atone for people’s sin.  This Passover found Jesus bearing Israel’s sin as well as sin that I committed and you, too! 

            See the lesson linked below. 

            This unique Passover fulfilled Isaiah’s prophesy, too.  “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds [stripes of blood] we are healed.”

Thank You, Jesus, that You endured all human illnesses and diseases so that we can be whole!  By Your precious name, Amen.  

HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY

Adapted from “Look Again, Pilate!” a devotion by Rev. Erik J. Rottmann.  March 30, 2018.  Portals of Prayer devotional magazine.  Missouri.

J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for NotJust a Man

 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

Monsters and Celebration

MONSTERS AND CELEBRATION

Kingdom Kids yield personal will to Yahweh in this Lenten series

John 11:25-26:  “Jesus said to her [Martha], ‘I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will NEVER die.  Do you believe this?’”  Emphasis added.

             

            “Do you want to walk up with me to say ‘Good-Bye’ to Midge?”

            My four year old looked at me, biting her lip.  Her wrinkled-forehead showed stress that pressured her to whisper, “No.”

            Coffins, as sanctuary centerpieces, do resemble monsters!

            Midge was dead.  Her great-granddaughter didn’t know her very well, as we lived far away.  But I enjoyed a close relationship with her when I grew up.  Midge was a staple all my life. 

            Halloween was when our extended family enjoyed a parade in which most kids participated marching past Midge’s house.  Her upstairs bay window and folding chairs on the curb pictured parents cheering for kids marching in formation with other members belonging to various extra-curricular activities.  In Halloween dress or marching-unit uniforms, we’d cram inside to chomp on Midge’s homemade cinnamon buns afterward.  

            But four-year-olds don’t understand death.  Parents try to shield kids from that monster.  I didn’t insist that my daughter accompany me to face Midge’s monster.

            I didn’t blame her.  I never liked death, either.

            God never intended for death to invade the perfect utopia He created.  Papa planted the tree of life in the center of His Garden.  That tree’s fruit maintains people’s youth and vitality (Genesis 2:9).  But now, Cherubim flashing flaming swords prevent people from entering that Garden to eat from its life-preserving tree (Genesis 3:24).  

            My daughter and I felt death’s monster at Midge’s funeral.  Mourners aren’t alone when weeping after someone dies.  Jesus cried for Lazarus outside his tomb (John 11:25).

            But the same devil who tempted Adam and Eve to eat fruit from God’s one forbidden tree celebrates when people die (Genesis 2:17).

            Our heavenly Father knew the perfect time to stop the devil’s celebrations and sent His Son into the world.  Jesus showed people that the Father is love.  Jesus demonstrated that love to whoever would come to Him.  He healed untold numbers, cast out demons, spoke miraculous wonders like calming a raging sea, and He even washed His disciple’s feet (John 13:5-12).  He allowed Himself to die a horrible death on a cross. 

            The devil celebrated three days when Jesus died.

            But his party ended when Jesus was resurrected! 

Take Home Nugget

            Death was the LAST enemy (monster) that Christ destroyed—see lesson linked below.  His followers are waiting for their turn to also rise to life.

            Our celebration will last forever!

Hallelujah to the Lamb of God!

HAPPY EASTER!

Adapted from “Look Again, Pilate!” a devotion by Rev. Erik J. Rottmann.  March 30, 2018. 

And

“The Monster of Death is Swallowed Up” by Rev. Thomas E. Engel.  April 1, 2018.  Portals of Prayer devotional magazine.  Missouri.

J.D. Griffith

Host Servant

HOST SERVANT

Kingdom Kids yield personal will to Yahweh in this Lenten series

Mark 14:12-48, 15, 16

Mark 14:14:  “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?’”

            The owner of the house never questioned Whose guest room? 

      

            Depending on different people’s hearts, John 1:11-13 explains the difference between borrowed space and 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.”

            Jesus took possession of the kataluma (Greek for “inn”, “guest, or inner room”) in Mark’s Gospel.

            Jesus proved that He’s the Son of God by predicting the future.  He admitted that He’d be betrayed, arrested, deserted by His disciples, interrogated, sentenced to death, tortured, nailed to a cross, die, be buried, and raised back to life.  

    

            Let’s watch His transformation from host to servant.  Jesus became the host for the Passover Supper.  He said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray Me—one who is eating with Me.” 

            Jesus showcased the betrayer:  “It is one of the Twelve,” He replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with Me.”

            Then Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to His disciples saying, “Take it; this is My body.”

            Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, declaring, “This is My blood of the [new] covenant, which is poured out for many.”  They all drank.  

            After singing a hymn together, Jesus led them to the Mount of Olives.  “You will all fall away,” Jesus said.  “But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 

            Peter insisted that he’d NEVER disown Jesus.  Jesus objected.  Peter would disown Him—three times—before the rooster crows.  Then Jesus took Peter, James, and John along to Gethsemane.   

Take Home Nugget

            From this point, Jesus flipped the switch and became a servant.  He became the Father’s obedient Son who’d fulfill every prophesy recorded about Him in the Bible’s Old Testament.  Jesus laid aside His Godhead and allowed Himself to be tortured and die a criminal’s death. 

            Read what happened at Gethsemane in Mark 14:32-15:46 and complete the lesson linked below.  

   

            Jesus ushered in a new covenant when He rose from death and ascended to the Father in heaven.  (Jesus’ words and history are referenced in Mark 14:18,20, 22, 24, 28, 48, Mark 15:2-15, 21-47, Mark 16:1-14, 19).

Hallelujah to the Lamb of God!

Adapted from “The True Servant”, a devotion by Rev. Erik J. Rottmann.  March 16, 2018.  Portals of Prayer devotional magazine.  Missouri.

J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Host Servant

 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