Submit Yourselves To God

James 4:1,2,3. Conflicts and disputes among believers are always harmful. James explains that theses quarrels result from evil desires battling within us. We want more possessions, more money, higher status, more recognition. When we want badly enough to fulfill these desires, we fight in order to do so. Instead of aggressively grabbing what we want, we should submit ourselves to God, ask God to help us get rid of our selfish desires, and trust him to give us what we really need. James mentions the most common problems in prayer : not asking, asking for the wrong things, asking for the wrong reasons. Do you talk to God at all ? when you do, what do you talk about ? Do you only ask to satisfy your desires ? Do you seek God’s approval for what you already plan to do? Your prayers will become powerful when you allow God to change your desires so that they perfectly correspond to his will for you.
James 4: 4,6. There is nothing wrong with wanting a pleasurable life, God gives us good gifts that he wants us to enjoy. But having friendship with the world involves seeking pleasure at others expense or at the expense of obeying God. Pleasure that keeps us from pleasing God is sinful, pleasure from God’s rich bounty is good. The cure for evil desires in humility. Pride makes us self-centered and leads us to conclude that we deserve all we can see, touch or imagine. It creates greedy appetites for far more than we need. We can be released from our self-centered desires by humbling ourselves before God, realizing that all we really need is his approval. When the Holy Spirit fills us, we see that this world’s seductive attractions are only cheap substitutes for what God has to offer.
James 4:7. Although God and the devil are at war, we don’t have to wait until the end to see who will win. God has already defeated Satan and when Christ returns, the devil and all he stands for will be eliminated forever. Satan is here now, however, and he is trying to win us over to his evil cause. With the Holy Spirit’s power, we can resist the devil, and he will flee from us.
James 4: 10. Humbling ourselves means recognizing that our worth comes from God alone. To be humble involves working with his power according to his guidance, not with our own independent effort. Although we do not deserve God’s favor, he reaches out to us in love and gives us worth and dignity, despite our human shortcomings.
James 4: 13. It is good to have goals, but goals can disappoint us if we leave God out of them. There is no point in making plans as though God does not exist because the future is in his hands. The beginning of good planning is to ask: ‘’ What would I like to be doing ten years from now? One year from now? Tomorrow? How will I react if God steps in and rearranges my plans? We can plan ahead, but we must hold on to our plans loosely. If we put God’s desires at the center of our planning, he will never disappoint us.

Be merciful to others, as God is merciful to you.


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GZ

Jesus is born in Bethlehum

Luke 2: 1,2,3,4,5,6. A Roman census was taken to aid military conscription or tax collection. The Jews weren’t required to serve in the Roman army, but they could not avoid paying taxes. Augustus’s decree went out in God’s perfect timing and according to God s perfect plan to bring his Son into the world.
The Romans ruled the civilized world at this time. By contrast, Joseph controlled very little. Against his better judgment and political convictions, he complied with the Roman order to make a long trip just to pay his taxes. His fiancée, who had to go with him , was about to give birth. The Romans were in control insofar as human authority can get it’s way by exerting human power. But the Romans did not recognize their limitations. In reality, God controls the world. In all times and places, he works his will. By the decree of Emperor Augustus, Jesus was born in the very town prophesied for his birth (Micah 5:2) even though his parents did not live there. Joseph and Mary were both descendants of David. The Old Testament is filled with prophecies that the Messiah would be born in David’s royal line. Rome made the decree , just as God intended.
Sometimes we think to ourselves, I’m being obedient, so why aren’t things going better? We face discomfort or inconvenience and immediately think either that we have misread God’s will or that God has made a mistake. But watch that quiet couple as they head toward Bethlehem. God did not soften Joseph’s bumpy road, but strengthened him. God did not provide a luxurious inn for Joseph and Mary, but brought his son into the world in a humble surroundings. When we do God’s will , we are not guaranteed comfort and convenience. But we are promised that everything, even discomfort and inconvenience, has meaning in God’s plan. He will guide you and provide all you need. Like Joseph, live each day by Faith, trusting that God is in charge.
Luke 2:7. Bands of cloths were used to keep a baby warm and give it a sense of security. These cloths were believed to protect its internal organs. The custom of wrapping infants this way is still practiced in many Mid-eastern countries. This mention of a manger is the basis for the traditional belief that Jesus was born in a stable. Stables were often caves with feeding troughs carved into the rock walls. Despite popular Christmas card pictures, the surroundings were dark and dirty. This was not the atmosphere the Jews expected as the birth place of the Messiah King. They thought their promised Messiah would be born in royal surroundings. We should not limit God by our expectations. He is at work wherever he is needed in our sin-darkened and dirty world.
Although our first picture of Jesus is as a baby in a manger, it must not be our last. The Christ child in the manger is the subject of a beautiful Christmas scene, but we must not leave him there. This tiny, helpless baby lived an amazing life, died for us, ascended to heaven, and will return to earth as King of kings. Christ will rule the world and judge all people according to their decisions about him. Do you still picture Jesus as a baby in a manger, or is he your Lord? Make sure you don’t underestimate Jesus. Let him grow up in your life.


Jesus is more than a good teacher, he cares for you. because of his deep love, he can satisfy your needs.

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GZ.

Salt and Light

Matthew 5:13 If a seasoning has no flavor, it has no value. If Christians make no effort to affect the world around them, they are of little value to God. If we are to much like the world, we are worthless. Christians should not blend in with everyone else. Instead, we should affect others positively, just as seasoning brings out the best flavor in food.
Matthew 5: 14-16. Can you hide a city that is setting on top of a hill? It’s light at night can be seen for miles. If we live for Christ, we will glow like lights, showing others what Christ is like. we hide our light by 1. Being quite when we should speak. 2. Going along with the crowd. 3. Letting sin dim our light. 4. Not explaining our light to others. 5. Ignoring the needs of others. Be a beacon of truth. Don’t shut your light off from the rest of the world.

Sin always cost more than we are willing to pay!!!!!!!!!


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GZ

Jesus Teaches About Prayer

Matthew 6:5,6. Some people, especially the religious leaders, wanted to be seen as ‘’holy’’, and public prayer was one way to get attention. Jesus saw through their self-righteous acts, however, and taught that the essence of prayer is not public style but private communication with God. There is a place for public prayer, but to pray only where others will notice you indicates that your real audience is not God. Some have concluded that Jesus’ directions about private prayer call into question all public prayer. Jesus’ own practice indicates this wasn’t his intention. The Gospels record Jesus at prayer both privately and publicly. Again, Jesus was drawing attention to the motives behind actions. The point really wasn’t a choice between public and private prayer but between heartfelt and hypocritical prayer. When asked to pray in public, focus on addressing God, not on how you’re coming across to others.
Matthew 6:7,8. Repeating the same words over and over like a magic incantation is no way to ensure that God will hear your prayer. It’s not wrong to come to God many times with the same requests, Jesus encourages persistent prayer. But he condemns the shallow repetition of words that are offered with a sincere heart. We can never pray to much if our prayers are honest and sincere. Before you start to pray, make sure you mean what you say.
Matthew 6: 9. This is often called the Lord’s Prayer because Jesus gave it to the disciples as a model for them (and us) to keep in mind as we pray. Jesus provided a pattern to be imitated as well as duplicated. We should praise God, pray for his work in the world, pray for our daily needs, and pray for help in our daily struggles. To what extent do you use the items in the Lord’s Prayer to guide your own prayer times?
The phrase ‘’Our Father in heaven’’ indicates that God is not only majestic and holy, but also personal and loving. The first line of this model prayer is a statement of praise and a commitment to hallow or honor, God’s holy name. We can honor God’s name by being careful to use it respectfully. IF WE USE God’s name lightly, we aren’t remembering God’s holiness.
Matthew 6:10,11. The phrase ’’Your Kingdom Come’’ is a reference to God’s spiritual reign, not Israel’s freedom from Rome. God’s kingdom was announced in the covenant with Abraham, is present in Christ’s reign in believer’s heart and will be complete when all evil is destroyed and God establishes the new heaven and earth. ( Revelation 21:1 ).
When we pray ‘’Your Will Be Done’’, we are not resigning ourselves to fate, but praying that God’s perfect purpose will be accomplished in this world as well as in the next. And how does God accomplish his will on earth? He does it largely thru people willing to obey him. this part of the prayer allows us to offer ourselves as doers of God’s will, asking him to guide, lead and give us the means to accomplish his purpose.
Matthew 6: 11,13. When we pray ‘’Give us today our daily bread’’ we are acknowledging that God is our sustainer and provider. It is a misconception to think that we provide for our needs ourselves. We must trust God daily to provide what he knows we need. God doesn’t lead us into temptations, but sometimes he allows us to be tested by them. As disciples, we should pray to be delivered from these trying times and for deliverance from Satan and his deceit. All Christians struggle with temptation. Sometimes it is so subtle that we don’t even realize what is happening to us. God has promised that he wont allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear ( 1 Corinthians 10:13 ). Ask God to help you recognize temptation and to give you strength to overcome it and choose God’s way instead.
Matthew 6: 14,15. Jesus gives a startling warning about forgiveness, if we refuse to forgive others, God will refuse to forgive us. Why? Because when we don’t forgive others, we are denying our common ground as sinners in need of God’s forgiveness. God ‘s forgiveness of sin is not the direct result of our forgiving others, but it is based on our realizing what forgiveness means. It is easy to ask God for forgiveness, but difficult to grant it to others. Whenever we ask God to forgive us for sin, we should ask ourselves, ‘’Have I forgiven the people who have wronged me?


Forgiveness is giving up the right to punish another person…………

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GZ

Nehemiah Returns To Jerusalem

Nehemiah 1: 1. Nehemiah wasn’t the first of the exiles to return to Jerusalem. Zerubbabel had led the first group back in 538 B.C., more than 90 years earlier. Ezra followed with a second group in 458 B.C., and here Nehemiah was ready to lead the third major return to Jerusalem. When he arrived after a three month journey, he saw the completed temple and became acquainted with others who had returned to their homeland.
But Nehemiah also found a disorganized group of people and a defenseless city with no walls to protect it. Before the exile , Israel had its own language , king, army, and identity. At this time it had none of these. What the Jews lacked most was Leadership, there was no one to show them where to start and what direction to take as they tried to rebuild their city. As soon as he arrived he began a back to basics program. He helped care for the peoples physical needs by setting a fair system of government and rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall’s. He also cared for their spiritual needs by rebuilding broken lives. Nehemiah is a model of committed, God-honoring leadership and this book contains many useful lessons for today.
Nehemiah 1: 2. Nehemiah was concerned about Jerusalem because it was the Jews’ holy city. As Judah’s capital city, it represented Jewish national identity, and it was blessed with God’s special presence in the temple. Nehemiah loved his homeland even though he had lived his whole life in Babylon. He wanted to return to Jerusalem to reunite the Jews and to remove the shame of Jerusalem’s broken down walls. This would bring glory to God and restore the reality and power of God’s presence among his people.
Nehemiah 1:4. Nehemiah broke down and wept when he heard that Jerusalem’s wall’s still had not been rebuilt. Why did this upset him? Wall’s mean little in most present day cities, but in Nehemiah’s day they were as essential as we would consider electrical power or a police force. They offered safety from raids and symbolized strength and peace. Nehemiah also mourned for his people , the Jews, who had been stifled by a previous edict that had kept them from rebuilding their walls. Nehemiah put all his resources of knowledge, experience, and organization into determining what should be done. When tragic news comes to you, first pray. Then seek ways to move beyond grief to specific action that helps those who need it
Nehemiah 1:5. Nehemiah fasted and prayed for several days , expressing his sorrow for Israel’s sin and his desire that Jerusalem would again come alive with the worship of the one true God. Nehemiah demonstrated the elements of effective prayer, praise, thanksgiving, repentance, specific request and commitment. When God’s people pray , difficult decisions fall into proper perspective , and appropriate actions follow.
Nehemiah 1: 11. Nehemiah was in the unique position to speak to the King. He was the trusted cupbearer who ensured the safety and quality of the King’s food and drink. Nehemiah was concerned, prayful and prepared as he looked for the right opportunity to tell the King about God’s people. Each of us is unique and capable of serving no matter what our position. Just as Nehemiah used his place as the King’s trusted servant to intercede for his people, we can use our present positions to serve God. Nehemiah prayed for success in this venture, not just for the strength to cope with his problems. Yet the success he prayed was not for personal advantage, position or acclaim. He requested success for God’s work. When God’s purposes are at work , don’t hesitate to ask for success.


How often do you ask God for help when under pressure?


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GZ

The Fall Of Man

Genesis 3: 1-6. Disguised as a crafty serpent, Satan came to tempt Eve. At one time , Satan had been a glorious angel. But in pride, he rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven. As a created being, Satan has definite limitations. Although he is trying to tempt everyone from God, he will not be the final victor. God promises that Satan will be crushed by one of the women’s offspring, the Messiah..
Why does Satan tempt us? Temptation is Satan’s invitation to give in to his kind of life and give up on God’s kind of life. Satan tempted Eve and succeeded in getting her to sin. Ever since then, he’s been busy getting people to sin. He even tempted Jesus (Matthew 4:11) But Jesus did not sin. The serpent, Satan, tempted Eve by getting her to doubt God’s goodness. He implied that God was strict, stingy, and selfish for not wanting Eve to share his knowledge of good and evil. Satan made Eve forget all that God had given her and, instead, focus on what God had forbidden. We fall into trouble, too, when we dwell on what God forbids rather than on the countless blessings and promises he has given us. The next time you are feeling sorry for yourself and what you don’t have, consider all you do have and thank God. Then your doubts won't lead you into sin.
Genesis 3: 7-8-9. Notice what Eve did: She looked, she took, she ate, and she gave. The battle is often lost at the first look. Temptation often begins by simply seeing something you want. Are you struggling with temptation because you have not learned that looking is the first step toward sin. You would win over temptation more often if you followed Paul’s advice to run from those things that produce evil thoughts. When we do something wrong, often we try to relieve our guilt by involving someone else. Like toxic waste spilled in a river, sin swiftly spreads. Recognize and confess your sin to God before you are tempted to pollute those around you. A guilty conscience is a warning signal God placed inside you that goes off when you’ve done wrong. The worst step you could take is to eliminate the guilty feeling without eliminating the cause. That would be like using a pain killer without treating the disease. Be glad those guilty feelings are there. They make you aware of your sin.
The thought of two humans covered with fig leaves trying to hide from the all-seeing, all knowing God is humorous. How could they be so silly as to think they could actually hide? Yet we do the same, acting as though God doesn’t know what were doing.
Genesis 3: 11-13. Adam and Eve failed to heed God’s warning recorded in 2: 16-17. They did not understand the reasons for his command, so they chose to act in another way that looked better to them. When God asked Adam about his sin, Adam blamed Eve. Then Eve blamed the serpent. How easy it is to excuse our sins by blaming someone else.
Genesis 3:17-19. Adam and Eve’s disobedience and fall from God’s gracious presence affected all creation, including the environment. Years ago people thought nothing of polluting streams with chemical waste and garbage. This seemed so insignificant, so small. Now we know that just two or three parts per million of certain chemicals can damage human health. Sin in our lives is similar to pollution in streams. Even small amounts are deadly.
Genesis 3:22. Life in the Garden of Eden was like living in Heaven. Everything was perfect, and if Adam and Eve had obeyed God, they could have lived there forever. Like Adam and Eve, all of us have sinned and are separated from fellowship with God. We do not have to stay separated, however. God is preparing a new earth as an eternal paradise for his people. (Revelation 22)


When people obey God, they find peace with him, with others, and with themselves.


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GZ

Daniel In The Lions Den

Daniel 6:1,3. At this time, Daniel was over 80 years old and one of Darius’s top three administrators. Daniel was working with those who did believe in God, but he worked more efficiently and capable than all the rest. Thus, he attracted the attention of the pagan king and earned a place of respect. One of the best ways to influence non-Christian employers is to work diligently and responsibly. How well do you represent God to your employer?
Daniel made enemies at work by doing a good job. Perhaps you have had a similar experience. When you begin to excel, you will find that coworkers may look for ways to hold you back and tear you down. How should you deal with those who would cheer at your downfall and even try to hasten it. Conduct your whole life above reproach. Then, you will have nothing to hide, and your enemies will have a difficult time finding legitimate charges against you. Of course, this will not always save you from attacks and, like Daniel, you will have to rely on God for protection.
Daniel 6:4,5. The jealous officials couldn’t find anything about Daniel’s life to criticize, so they attacked his religion. If you face jealous critics because of your Faith, be glad they’re criticizing that part of your life, perhaps they had to focus on your religion as a last resort. Respond by continuing to believe and live as you should. Then remember that God is in control, fighting this battle for you.
Daniel 6:8,9. In Babylon, the king’s word was the law. In the Medo-Persian empire, however, when a law was made , even the King couldn’t change it . Darius was an effective government administrator, but he had a fatal flaw –pride. By appealing to his vanity, the men talked Darius into signing a law effectively making himself a God for 30 days. This law could not be broken, not even by an important official like Daniel. Another example of the irrevocable nature of the laws of the Medos and Persians appears in Esther 8:8.
Daniel 6:10. Daniel stood alone. Although he knew about the law against praying to everyone except the king, he continued to pray three times a day as he always had. Daniel had a disciplined prayer life. Our prayers are usually interrupted not by threats, but simply by the pressures of our schedules. Don’t let threats or pressures cut into your prayer time. Pray regularly, no matter what , for prayer is your life line to God. Daniel made no attempt to hide his daily prayer routine from his enemies in government, even though he knew he would be disobeying the new law. Hiding his daily prayers would have been futile because surely the conspirators would have caught him at something else during the month. Daniel continued to pray because he could not look to the king for the guidance and strength that he needed during this difficult time. Only God could provide what he really needed.
Daniel 6:16 . lions roamed the countryside and forest in Mesopotamia, and the people feared them and greatly respected their power. Some kings hunted lions for sport. The Persians captured lions, keeping them in large parks where they were fed and attended. Lions were also used for executing people. But God has ways of delivering his people that none of us can imagine. It is always premature to give up and give in to the pressures of unbelievers because God has power they know nothing about. God can even shut the lions’ mouths. Even unbelievers witnessed to Daniels consistency. By his continual service, Daniel had demonstrated his faithful devotion to God, what can unbelievers determine about your life?
Daniel 6: 21-23-24. The person who trusts in God and obeys his will is untouchable until God takes him or her. To trust God is to have immeasurable peace. God, who delivered Daniel, will deliver you. Do you trust him with your life? In accordance with Persian custom, this cruel punishment was transferred to those who had conspired against the king by provoking him into an unjust action. The kings great anger resulted in the execution of the evil officials and their families. Evil deeds often backfire on those who plan cruelty.
Daniel 6:25-26. Nebuchadnezzar had come to believe that Israel’s God was real because of the faithfulness of Daniel and his friends. Here Darius was also convinced of God’s power because Daniel was faithful and God rescued him. although Daniel was captive in a strange land, his devotion to God was a testimony to powerful rulers. If you find yourself in a new surroundings, take the opportunity to testify about God’s power in your life. Be faithful to God so he can use you to make an impact on others.


We can trust God to be with us through any trial.
Because he has been faithful to us, we should remain faithful to him.

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GZ/KZ