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!!!!!!!!!


image reference:faithlisten.blogspot.com


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

Dead to sin, Alive in Christ.

Romans 6:1,2. This section deals with the sanctification, the change God makes in our lives as we grow in the faith. If God loves to forgive, why not give him more to forgive? If forgiveness is guaranteed, do we have the freedom to sin as much as we want? Paul’s forceful answer is By no means! Such an attitude, deciding ahead of time to take advantage of God, shows that a person does not understand the seriousness of sin. God’s forgiveness does not make sin less serious, his son’s death for sin shows us the dreadful seriousness of sin. Jesus paid with his life so we could be forgiven. The availability of God’s mercy must not become an excuse for careless living and moral laxness.
Romans 6: 5. We can enjoy our new life in Christ because we are united with him in his death and resurrection. Our evil desires, our bondage to sin, and our love of sin died with him. Now united by Faith with him in his resurrection life, we have unbroken fellowship with God and freedom from sin’s hold on us.
Romans 6: 6. The power and penalty of sin died with Christ on the cross. Our ‘’old self’’, our sinful nature, died once and for all, so we are freed from it’s power. The ‘’body of sin’’ is not the human body, but our rebellious sin-loving nature inherited from Adam. Though our body willingly cooperates with our sinful nature, we must not regard the body as evil. It is the sin in us that is evil. And it is this power of sin at work in our body that is defeated. Paul has already stated that through Faith in Christ we stand acquitted, ‘’not guilty’’ before God. God does not take us out of the world or make us robots, we will still feel like sinning, and sometimes we will sin. The difference is that before we were saved we were slaves to our sinful nature, but now we can choose to live for Christ.
Romans 6:12. How can we keep this command to not let sin reign over us, to not give in to it’s desires? We can take the following steps: 1. Identify our personal weakness. 2. Recognize the things that tempt us. 3. Stay away from sources of temptation. 4. Practice self restraint. 5. Consciously invest our time in good habits and service. 6. Lean on God’s strength and grace.
Romans 6:13. The phrase ‘’instruments of wickedness’’ referred to a tool or a weapon. Our skills, capabilities, and bodies can serve many purposes, good or bad. In sin, every part of our bodies are vulnerable. In Christ, every part can be an instrument for service. It is the one to whom we offer our service that makes the difference. We are like lasers that can burn destructive holes in steel places or do delicate cataract surgery. Will you give yourself completely to God, asking him to put you to good use for his glory?


Prayer is more than something we do with our hands folded and our eyes closed.

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GZ/KZ

The Journey

A writing that is off of the regular beaten path……………

Each and every day we all take some sort of journey. Where do we all go? We are all on the move, in a hurry and getting in each others way. Some people go all out, sparing no expense on far away vacations, traveling the world. Me, my idea of a vacation is not getting over three hours from home. That way if I don’t like where I’m at I can get home fairy quickly. The journey I’m talking about is very different. It is the shortest and hardest journey we all take each day.
God has saved my life three times that I know of. Once when I was around eight or nine years old. Once when I was in my late teens and once when I was in my thirties. God plans for everything. My mother went in the hospital when I was two years old and she passed away when I was nine years old. My dad passed away when I was 19 years old. So, God had a journey for me. But as he always does, he plans for everything. He sent me my soul mate whom I met when she was thirteen years old and I was nineteen years old and we married when she was 18 and I was 21. She’s still by my side and will be until the end. What God puts together, no one can take apart. He knew that on the long hard journey I was going to encounter, I would need a strong soul mate to stand by me with all of the things that the long twisted journey would take. Without her I would have never made it very far down the road of life. I won’t go into all of that right now, maybe in another writing.
We all go through things in life and we all go down a rocky twisted road. God will get us through it if we let him and ask him. What is the busiest most traveled road you have ever been on in your life? Well, I don’t know your answer, but you are wrong!!! We all share this road and we all have the same problems making the short trip. It can be very difficult at times, maneuvering through all of the road blocks that are on this well traveled road. This road can be filled with happiness, pain, envy, greed. Any emotion you can imagine is parked on the feeder road. The Journey I am talking about is only 18 inches long and we all make the trip thousands of times everyday. The Journey from the Mind to the Heart is only 18 inches long, so what makes this short Journey so hard to take. We get all messed up along the way. Why is that? Our Heart wants to do one thing but our mind is telling us something else. Somehow we manage to meet somewhere in the middle and decide what path to take. Is it always the right path? No!! We are human and we make mistakes and we will continue to do so. Sometimes while traveling down this short road, our Faith gets tested until we are about ready to break. There are and will be times in all of our lives that will require us to have Deep Water Faith while standing in the shallow end of the pool. We have all been there, and we are still on this short 18 inch Journey.

It's only 18 inches from the mind to the heart.
So why do we struggle so much with the short Journey?
GZ

Freedom In Christ.

Galatians 5:1,2.Christ died to set us free from sin and from a long list of rules and regulations. Christ came to set us free, not free to do whatever we want because that would lead us back into slavery to our selfish desires. Rather, thanks to Christ, we are now free and able to do what was impossible before, to live unselfishly. Those who appeal to their freedom so they can have their own way or indulge their own desires are falling back into sin. But it is also wrong to put a burden of law keeping Christian's. We must stand against those who would enslave us with rules, methods or special conditions for being saved or growing in Christ.
Galatians 5:3,4. Trying to be saved by keeping the law and being saved by grace are two entirely different approaches. ‘'Christ will be of no value to you at all,’’means that Christ’s provision for our salvation will not help us if we are trying to save ourselves. Obeying the law does not make it any easier for God to save us. All we can do is accept his gracious gift through faith. Our deeds of service must never be used to try to earn God’s love or favor.
Galatians 5:6. We are saved by Faith, not by deeds. But love for others and for God is the response of those whom God has forgiven. God’s forgiveness is complete and Jesus said that those who are forgiven, must love. Because Faith expresses itself through love, you can check your love for others as a way to monitor your faith.
Galatians 5:14,15.When we believers lose the motivation of love, we become critical of others. We stop looking for good in them and see only their faults. Soon we lose our unity. Have you focused on others shortcomings instead of their strengths? Remind yourself of Jesus’ command to love others as you love yourself. When you begin to feel critical of someone, make a list of that person’s positive qualities. When problems need to be addressed, confront in love rather than gossip!!
Galatians 5:19-21. We all have evil desires, and we can’t ignore them. In order for us to follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we must deal with them decisively. These desires include obvious sins such as sexual immorality and witchcraft. They also include less obvious sins such as selfish ambition, hatred, and jealousy. Those who ignore such sins or refuse to deal with them reveal that they have not received the gift of the Spirit that leads to a transformed life.
Galatians 5: 25,26. God is interested in ever part of our lives, not just the spiritual part. As we live by the Holy Spirits power, we need to submit every aspect of our lives to God, emotional, physical, social. The Holy Spirit is the source of your new life, so keep in step with his leading. Don’t let anything or anyone else determine your values and standards in any area of your life. Everyone needs a certain amount of approval from others. But those who go out of their way to secure honors or to win popularity become conceited and show they are not following the Holy Spirit’s leading. Seek to please God and the approval of others won’t seem so important.


A little yeast can cause a whole lump of dough to rise and it only takes one wrong person to infect all the others.

Image reference: allaboutgod.net

G.Z. K.Z.

Psalm 103 God's Great Love For Us

Psalm 103:1-6. David’s praise focused on the good things God was doing for him. It is easy to complain about life, but David’s list gives us plenty for which to praise God. He forgives our sins, heals our diseases, redeems us from death, crowns us with love and compassion, satisfies our desires, and gives righteousness and justice. We receive all of these without deserving any of them. No matter how difficult your life’s journey, you can always count your blessings, past, present and future. When you feel as though you have nothing for which to praise God, read David’s list !!
Psalm 103:7-11. God’s law was given first to Moses and the people of Israel. God’s law presents a clear picture of God’s character and his will for his people. It was God’s training manual to prepare his people to serve him and to follow his ways. Review the Ten Commandments and the history of how they were given, asking God to show you his will and his ways through them.
Psalm 103: 12,13. East and west can never meet. This is a symbolic portrait of God’s forgiveness, when he forgives our sin, he separates it from us and doesn’t even remember it. We need never wallow in the past, for God forgives and forgets. We tend to dredge up the ugly past, but God has wiped our record clean. If we are to follow God, we must model his forgiveness. When we forgive another, we must also forget the sin. Otherwise, we have not truly forgiven. God is like a father, tender and compassionate. Not every child has a tender and compassionate father. Too often, sadly, the cycles of abuse and dysfunction rob children of loving Fathers. If that is your situation, God offers himself to you to be the father you never had or perhaps felt you never needed. Of course, you can’t go fishing with God or be held physically by him, but you can receive his love in your heart by means of his Holy Spirit. God can tenderly heal your deep lose.
Psalm 103:14. We are fragile, but God’s care is eternal. Too often we focus on God as Judge and Lawgiver, ignoring his compassion and concern for us. When God examines our lives, he remembers our human condition. Our weakness should never be used as a justification for sin. His mercy takes everything into account. God will deal with you compassionately. Trust him.
Psalm 103:20-22. Everything everywhere is to praise the Lord, all angels, mighty ones and heavenly host, and all his works !!! Praising God means remembering all he has done for us, fearing him and obeying his commands and doing his will. Does your life Praise the Lord???

God doesn’t want your IQ, he wants you I WILL!!!!!


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GZ/KZ

Parents and Children

Ephesians 6:1,2,3. There is a difference between obeying and honoring. To obey means to do as one is told, to honor means to respect and love. Children are not commanded to disobey God in obeying their parents. Adult children are not asked to be subservient to domineering parents. Children are to obey while under their parents care, but the responsibility to honor parents is for life. Some societies honor their elders. They respect their wisdom, defer to their authority, and pay attention to their comfort and happiness. This is how Christians should act. Where elders are respected, long life is a blessing, not a burden to them.
Ephesians 6:4. If our Faith in Christ is real, it will usually prove itself at home, in our relationships with those who know us best. Children and parents have a responsibility to each other. Children should honor their parents, even if the parents are demanding and unfair. Parents should care gently for their children, even if the children are disobedient and unpleasant. Ideally, of course, Christian parents and Christian children will relate to each other with thoughtfulness and love. This will happen if both parents and children put the others’ interests above their own-that is , if they submit to one another.
The purpose of parental discipline is to help children grow, not to exasperate and provoke them to anger or discouragement. Parenting is not easy, it takes lots of patience to raise children in a loving, Christ honoring manner. But frustration and anger should not be causes for discipline. Instead, parents should act in love , treating their children as Jesus treats the people he loves. This is vital to children’s development and to their understanding of what Christ is like.
Ephesians 6:5. Slaves played a significant part in this society. There were several million of them in the Roman empire at this time. Because many slaves and owners had become Christians, the early church had to deal straightforwardly with the question of master/slave relations. Paul’s statement neither condemns nor condones slavery. Instead, it tells masters and slaves how to live together in Christian households. In Paul’s day, women, children, and slaves had few rights. In the church, however , they had freedoms that society denied them. Paul tells husbands, parents, and masters to be caring.
Ephesians 6: 6,8. Christians employees should do their jobs as if Jesus Christ were their supervisor. And Christian employers should treat their employees fairly and with respect. Can you be trusted to do your best, even when the boss is not around. Do you work hard and with enthusiasm? Do you treat your employees as people and not machines? Remember that no matter who you work for , and no matter who works for you, the One you ultimately should want to please is your Father in heaven.
Ephesians 6: 9. Although Christians may be at different levels in earthly society, we are all equal before God. He does not play favorites: no one is more important than anyone else. Paul’s letter to Philemon stresses the same point: Philemon, the master, and Onesimus, his slave, were brothers in Christ.

Only a friend can betray a friend, because a stranger has nothing to gain……….

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Instructions To Timothy

Timothy 4:1,2. The ‘’later times’’ began with Christ’s resurrection and will continue until his return when he will set up his kingdom and judge all humanity. False teachers were and are still a threat to the church. Jesus and the apostles repeatedly warned against them. It is not enough that a teacher appears to know what he is talking about, is disciplined and moral, or says that he is speaking for God. If his words contradict the Bible, his teaching is false. Like Timothy, we must guard against any teaching that causes believers to dilute or reject any aspect of their faith. Such false teaching can be very direct or extremely subtle. Believers ought to respond quickly when they sense false teaching being promoted. The truth does not mind honest questions. Sometimes the source may prove to be ignorant of the error and appreciate the correction. But a firm warning may at least keep potential victims from the disastrous results of apostasy that Paul described.
1 Timothy 4: 4,5. Paul said the false teachers were hypocritical liars who encouraged people to follow deceiving spirits. The false teachers refused to believe that the God of creation was good, because his very contact with the physical world would have soiled him. Though these Greek- influenced church members honored Jesus, they could not believe he was truly human. Paul knew that their teachings, if left unchecked would greatly distort Christian truth. Satan deceives people by offering a clever imitation of the real thing. we must not be unduly impressed by a teacher’s style or credentials , we must look to his teachings about Jesus Christ. His conclusions about Christ show the source of his message. In opposition to the false teachers, Paul affirmed that everything God created is good. We should ask for God’s blessing on his created gifts that give us pleasure and thank him for them. This doesn’t mean that we should abuse what God has made. We should enjoy these gifts by using them to serve and honor God. Have you thanked God for the gifts he has given? Are you using the gifts in ways pleasing to you and God?
1 Timothy 4:7,10. Are you in shape both physically and spiritually? In our society, much emphasis is placed on physical fitness, but spiritual health is even more important. Our physical health is susceptible to disease and injury, but faith can sustain us through any tragedy. To train ourselves to be Godly, we must develop our faith by using our God-given abilities in the service of the church. Christ is the savior for all, but his salivation becomes effective only for those who trust him.,
1 Timothy 4:12. Timothy was a young pastor. It would have been easy for older Christians to look down on him because of his youth. He had to earn the respect of his elders by setting an example in his speech, life, love, faith and purity. Regardless of your age, God can use you. Everyday we have many opportunities to support and inspire family members, fellow workers and even total strangers. People need help and affirmation along the way.
1 Timothy 4: 14. Highly skilled and talented athletes lose their abilities if their muscles aren’t toned by constant use. Likewise, we will lose our spiritual gifts if we don’t put them to work. Our talents are improved by exercise, but failing to use them causes them to waste away from lack of practice.
1 Timothy 4:16. We must be on constant guard against falling into sin that can so easily destroy us. Yet we must watch what we believe just as closely. We must keep a close eye, staying true to faith.


It’s only an 18’’ journey from the mind to the heart.
So why do we struggle so much with the short trip?


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Jonah Flees From The Lord

Jonah 1:1,2. Jonah is mentioned in 2 Kings 14:15. He prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam II, the king of Israel from 793-753 B.C. He may have been a member of the company of prophets mentioned in connection with Elisha’s ministry (2 Kings2:3). God told Jonah to preach to Nineveh, the most important city in Assyria, the rising world power of Jonah’s day. Within 50 years, Nineveh would become the capitol of the vast Assyrian empire. Jonah doesn’t say much about Nineveh’s wickedness, but the prophet Nahum gives us more insight. Nahum says that Nineveh was guilty of evil plots against God, exploitation of the helpless, cruelty in war, idolatry, prostitution and witchcraft. God told Jonah to go to Nineveh, about 500 miles northeast of Israel, to warn of judgment and to declare that the people could receive mercy and forgiveness if they repented.
Jonah 1:3. Nineveh was a powerful and wicked city. Jonah had grown up hating the Assyrians and fearing their atrocities. His hatred was so strong that he didn’t want them to receive God’s mercy. Jonah was actually afraid the people would repent. Jonah’s attitude is representative of Israel’s rejuctance to share God’s love and mercy with others, even though this was their God given mission. They, like Jonah ,did not want non-Jews to obtain God’s favor. Jonah knew that God had a specific job for him, but he didn’t want to do it. Tarshish could be one on any number of Phoenicia’s western ports. Nineveh was toward the east. Jonah decided to go as far west as he could. When God gives us direction through his Word, sometimes we run in fear or in stubbornness, claiming that God is asking to much. It may have been fear, or anger at the wilderness of God’s mercy, that made Jonah run. But running got him into worse trouble. In the end Jonah understood that it is best to do what God asks in the first place. But by then he had paid a costly price for running. It is far better to obey from the start.
Jonah 1: 4,5. While the storm raged, Jonah was sound asleep below deck. Even as he ran from God, Jonah’s actions apparently didn’t bother his conscience. But the absence of guilt isn’t always a barometer of whether we are doing right. Because we can deny reality, we cannot measure obedience by our feelings. Instead , we must compare what we do with God’s standard's for living.
Jonah 1:7. The crew cast lots to find the guilty person, relying on their superstitions give them the answer. Their system worked but only because God intervened to let Jonah that he couldn’t run away.
Jonah 1:9,12. You cannot seek God’s love and run from him at the same time. Jonah soon realized that no matter where he went he couldn’t get away from God. But before Jonah could return to God , he first had to stop going in the opposite direction. What has God told you to do? If you want more of God’s love and power, you must be willing to carry out the responsibilities he gives you. Jonah knew that he had disobeyed and that the storm was his fault, but he didn’t say anything until the crew had cast lots and the lot fell on him. Then Jonah was willing to give his life to save the sailors, although he had refused to do the same for the people of Nineveh. Jonahs hatred for the Assyrians had affected his perspective.
Jonah 1: 13,16. By trying to save Jonah’s life the pagan sailors showed more compassion than Jonah, because Jonah did not want to warn the Ninevites of the coming judgment of God. Believers should be ashamed when unbelievers show more concern and compassion than they do. God wants us to be concerned for all of his people, lost and saved. Jonah has disobeyed God. While he was running away, he stopped and submitted to God. Then the ships crew began to worship God because they saw the storm quite down. God is able to use even our mistakes to help others come to know him.

If you don’t believe it , you will never achieve it.

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The Birth of Moses

Exodus 2:1,2. Although a name is not mentioned yet, the baby in the story was Moses. Moses’ mother and father were named Jochebed and Amram. His brother was Aaron and his sister, Miriam.
Exodus 2:3. This tiny boat made of papyrus reeds was fashioned by a women who knew what she was doing. Egyptian river boats were made with the same reeds and waterproofed with tar. The reeds, which grew as tall as sixteen feet, could be gathered in swampy areas along the Nile. Thus a small basket hidden among the reeds would be well insulated from the weather and difficult to see. Moses’ mother knew how wrong it would be to destroy her child. But there was little she could do to change Pharaoh’s new law. Her only alternative was to hide the child and later place him in a tiny papyrus basket on the river. God used her courageous act to place her son, the Hebrew of his choice, in the house of Pharaoh. Do you sometimes feel surrounded by evil and frustrated by how little you can do about it? When faced when evil, look for ways to act against it. Then trust God to use your effort, however small it seems, in his war against evil.
Exodus 2:5. Who was Pharaoh’s daughter? There are two popular explanations, 1. Some think that Hatshepsut was the woman who pulled Moses from the river. Her husband was Pharaoh Thutmose apparently Hatshepsut could not have children, so Thutmose had a son by another woman, and this son became heir to the throne. Hatshepsut would have considered Moses a gift from the Gods because now she hade her own son who would be the legal heir to the throne. 2. Some think the princess who rescued the baby Moses was the daughter of Rameses II, an especially cruel Pharaoh who would have made life miserable for the Hebrew slaves.
Exodus 2:7,8. Miriam , the baby’s sister, saw that Pharaoh’s daughter had discovered Moses. Quickly she took the initiative to suggest a nurse who might care for the baby. The Bible doesn’t say if Miriam was afraid to approach the Egyptian princess, or if the princess was suspicious of the Hebrew girl. But Miriam did approach her, and the princess bought the services of Miriam and her Mother. Their family was reunited. Special opportunities may come our way unexpectedly. Don’t let the fear of what might happen cause you to miss an opportunity. Be alert for the opportunities God gives you, and take full advantage of them.
Exodus 2:9. Moses’ mother was reunited with her baby!! God used her courageous act of saving and hiding her baby to begin his plan to rescue his people from Egypt. God doesn’t need much from us to accomplish his plan for our lives. Focusing on our human predicament may paralyze us because the situation may appear humanely impossible. But concentrating on God and his power will help us see the way out. Right now you may feel unable to see through your troubles. Focus instead on God, and trust him for the way out. That is all he needs to begin his work in you.
Exodus 2:12-14. Moses tried to make sure no one was watching before he killed the Egyptian. But as it turned out , someone did see, and Moses had to flee the country. Sometimes we mistakenly think we can get away with doing wrong if no one sees or catches us. Sooner or later , however, doing wrong will catch up with us as it did with Moses. Even if we are not caught in this life, we will still have to face God and his evaluation of our actions.
Exodus 2: 15. To escape punishment for killing the Egyptian , Moses ran to Midian. He became a stranger in a strange land, separated from his home and family. It took many years after this incident for Moses to be ready to serve God. But he trusted God instead of fearing the king. We may feel abandoned or isolated because of something we have done. But though we feel afraid and separated, we should not give up. Moses didn’t. He trusted God to deliver him, no matter how dark his past or bleak his future.
Exodus 2:23-25. God’s rescue doesn’t always come the moment we want it. God had promised to bring the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt. The people had waited a long time for that promise to be kept, but God rescued them when he knew the right time had come. God knows the best time to act. When you feel that God has forgotten you in your troubles, remember that God has a time schedule we can’t see.

Giving in to temptation is like drinking muddy water from the Nile.

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Taming The Tongue

James 3:1. Teaching was a highly valued and respected profession in Jewish culture, and many Jews who embraced Christianity wanted to become teachers. James warned that although it is good to aspire to teach, the teachers” responsibility is great because their words and example affect others” spiritual lives. If you are in a teaching or leadership role, how are you affecting those you lead?
James 3: 2,3. What you say and what you don’t say are both important. Proper speech is not only saying the right words at the right time, but it is also controlling your desire to say what you shouldn’t. Examples of an untamed tongue include gossiping, putting others down, bragging, manipulating, false teachings, exaggerating, complaining, flattering, and lying. Before you speak, ask ,’’ Is what I want to say true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?
James 3:6 James compares the damage the tongue can do to a raging fire- the tongue’s wickedness has its source in hell itself. The uncontrolled tongue can do terrible damage. Satan uses the tongue to divide people and pit them against one another. Idle and hateful words are damaging because they spread destruction quickly, and no one can stop the results once they are spoken. We dare not be careless with what we say, thinking we can apologize later, because even if we do, the scars remain. A few words spoken in anger can destroy a relationship that took years to build. Before you speak, remember that words are like fire, you can neither control nor reverse the damage they can do.
James 3: 8. If no human being can control the tongue, why bother trying? Even if we may not achieve perfect control of our tongues, we can still learn enough control to reduce the damage our words can do. It is better to fight a fire than go around setting new ones. Remember that we are not fighting the tongues fire in our own strength. The Holy Spirit will give us increasing power to monitor and control what we say, so that when we are offended, the Spirit will remind us of God’s love , and we won’t react in a hateful manner. When we are criticized, the Spirit will heal the hurt, and we won't lash out.
James 3: 9,12. Our contradictory speech often puzzles us. At times our words are right and pleasing to God, but at other times they are violent and destructive. Which of these two speech patterns reflects our true identity? The tongue gives us a picture of our basic human sin. God works to change us from the inside out. When the Holy Spirit purifies a heart, he gives self-control so that the person will speak words that please God.
James 3:13-18. Have you ever known anyone who claimed to be wise but who acted foolishly? True wisdom can be measured by the depth of a person’s character. Just as you can identify a tree by the type of fruit it produces, you can evaluate your wisdom by the way you act. Foolishness leads to disorder , but wisdom leads to peace and goodness.
James 3:14,15. Bitter envy and selfish ambition are inspired by the devil. It is easy for us to be drawn into wrong desires by the pressures of society and sometimes and even sometimes even by well –meaning Christians. By listening to the advice; Assert yourself, go for it, set high goals, we can be drawn into greed and destructive competitiveness. Seeking God’s wisdom delivers us from the need to compare ourselves to others and to want what they have.

When you pray and your problems get smaller and smaller, it means that God is getting bigger and bigger.

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Life Through The Spirit

Romans 8: 1. ‘’Not guilty, let him go free’’. What would those words mean to you if you were on death row? The fact is that the whole human race is on death row, justly condemned for repeatedly breaking God’s law. Without Jesus we would have no hope at all. But thank God !!! He has declared us not guilty and has offered us freedom from sin and power to do his will.
Romans 8:2. This spirit of life is the Holy Spirit. He was present at the creation of the world, and he is the power of the rebirth of every Christian. He gives us the power we need to live the Christian life.
Romans 8:3. Jesus gave himself as a sacrifice for our sins. In old testament times, animal sacrifices were continually offered at the temple. The sacrifices showed the Israelites the seriousness of sin, blood had to be shed before sins could be pardoned. But animal blood could not really remove sins. The sacrifices could only point to Jesus’ sacrifice, which paid the penalty for all sins.
Romans 8:5,6. Paul divides people into two categories, those who are dominated by their sinful nature, and those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit. All of us would be in the first category if Jesus hadn’t offered us a way out. Once we have said yes to Jesus, we will want to continue following him, because his way brings life and peace.
Romans 8:9 Have you ever worried whether or not you really are a Christian? A Christian is anyone who has the Spirit of God living in him or her. If you have sincerely trusted Christ for your salvation and acknowledged him as Lord, then the Holy Spirit has come into your life,and you are a Christian.
Romans 8:11. The Holy Spirit is God’s promise or guarantee of eternal life for those who believe in him. The spirit is in us now by Faith, and by Faith we are certain to live in Christ forever.
Romans 8:13. ‘’Put to death the misdeeds of the body’’ means to regard as dead the power of sin in your body. When we regard sin’s appeal as dead and lifeless, we can ignore temptation when it comes.
Romans 8:17. We are no longer cringing and fearful slaves, instead , we are the masters children. What a privilege!! Because we are God’s children, we share in great treasures as coheirs. God has already given us his best gifts: his son, his Holy Spirit, forgiveness, and eternal life, and he encourages us to ask him for whatever we need. There is a price to be paid for being identified with Jesus. Along with being ‘’heirs of God’’, Paul also mentions the suffering that Christians must face. What kinds of suffering are we to endure? For first century believers, there was economic and social persecution, and some even faced death. We too must pay a price for following Jesus. In many parts of today’s world, Christians face pressures just as severe as those faced by Christ’s first followers. Even in countries where Christianity is tolerated or encouraged, Christians must not become complacent. To live as Jesus did, serving others, giving up one’s own right’s , resisting pressures to conform to the world, always exacts a price. Nothing we suffer, however, can compare to the great price that Jesus paid to save us.

I don’t want to hang out in the barn yard with the turkeys, when God has called me to soar with the Eagles.


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Everything is Meaningless

Ecclesiastes 1:1. The author, Solomon referred to himself as the Teacher, or leader of the assembly. He was both assembling people to hear a message and gathering wise sayings. Solomon, one person in the Bible, who had everything (wisdom, power, riches, honor, reputation God’s favor) is the one who discussed the ultimate emptiness of all that this world has to offer. His purpose in this book is to make people realize that their confidence in their own efforts, abilities and righteousness was meaningless . Instead their commitment to God is the only reason for living. Solomon had a purpose for writing skeptically and pessimistically. Near the end of his life, looking back on everything he had done, he saw that most of it seemed meaningless. A common belief was that good people prospered and the wicked suffered, but that hadn’t proven true in Solomon’s experience. Solomon wrote this book after he had tried everything and achieved much, only to find that nothing apart from God made him happy. He wanted his readers to avoid these same senseless pursuits. If we try to find meaning in our accomplishments rather than God, we will never be satisfied, and everything we pursue will become wearisome.
Ecclesiastes 1:2. Solomon’s kingdom, Israel, was in it’s golden age, but Solomon wanted the people to understand that success and prosperity don’t last long. All human accomplishments will one day disappear ,we must keep this in mind in order to live wisely. If we don’t we will become either proud and self-sufficient when we succeed or sorely disappointed when we fail. Solomon’s goal was to show that earthly possessions and accomplishments are ultimately meaningless. Only the pursuit of God brings real satisfaction. We should honor God in all we say, think ,and do.
Ecclesiastes 1:8,11. Many people feel restless and dissatisfied. They wonder: 1. If I am in God’s will. Why am I so tired and unfulfilled? 2. What is the meaning of life? 3. When I look back on it all, will I be happy with my accomplishments? 4. Why do I feel burned out? 5. What is to become of me? Solomon test our faith, challenging us to have true and lasting meaning in God alone. As you take a hard look at your life, as Solomon did his, you will see how important serving God is over all other options. Perhaps God is asking you to rethink your purpose and direction in life.
Ecclesiastes 1:16,18. The more you understand, the more pain and difficulty you experience. For example, the more you know , the more imperfection you see around you, and the more you observe the more evil becomes evident. As you set out with Solomon to find the meaning of life, you must be ready to feel more, think more, question more, hurt more, and do more. Are you ready to pay the price for wisdom???

I am who I am, when I am. I am the same wherever I go.
I don’t change just to please a few, I stay the same to please God.

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The End Times

Daniel 12:1,2. Great suffering is in store for God’s people throughout the years ahead. This way of describing the future is also used by Jeremiah 30:7 and Jesus in Matthew 24:21. Yet the great suffering is tempered by a great promise of hope for true believers. This is a clear reference to the resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked, although the eternal fates of each will be quite different. Up to this point in time, teaching about the resurrection was not common, although every Israelite believed that one day he or she would be included in the restoration of the new kingdom. This reference to a bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost was a sharp departure from common belief.
Daniel 12:3,4. Many people try to be stars in the world of entertainment, only to find their stardom temporary. God tells us how we can be eternal stars, by being wise and leading many to God’s righteousness. If we share our Lord with others, we can be true stars, radiantly beautiful in God’s sight. Closing up and sealing the words of the scroll meant that it was to be kept safe and preserved. This was to be done so that believers of all times could look back on God’s work in history and find hope. Daniel did not understand the exact meaning of the times and events in his vision. We can see events as they unfold, for we are in the end times. The whole book will not be understood until the climax of earth’s history.
Daniel 12:7. Time, times and half a time, may add up to 3 and a half years, and may be taken as either literal or figurative. The power of the holy people seems to be crushed again and again throughout history. God’s recurring purpose in this is to break the pride and self sufficiency of his rebellious people and to bring them to accept him as their Lord.
Daniel 12:10,11. Trials and persecutions make very little sense to us when we experience them, but they can purify us if we are willing to learn from them. After you survive a difficult time , seek to learn from it so that it can help you in the future. ‘’The Abomination’’ set up in the temple refers to the alter of Zens, where Antiochus IV sacrificed a pig. Some think it will have another fulfillment in the antichrist and one of his horrible acts of evil. However, this and the predictions at the early part of the chapter may refer specifically to Antiochus IV, and the rest of the prophecy may refer to the end times.
Daniel 12:12,13. Either these are further calculations related to the persecution of the Jews under Antiochuv IV, or they refer to the end times. The abolishing of the daily sacrifices means the removal of worship of the true God, as well as oppression of believers. There is much speculation about these numbers in verses 11 and 12. The point is that this time of persecution has an end. God is in control of it, and he will be victorious over evil.
The promise of resurrection was reaffirmed to Daniel. He would one day see the fulfillment of his words, but he was not to spend the rest of his life wondering what his visions might mean. Instead, he was to rest in comfort of God’s sovereignty and look forward to the time when he would rise to receive and share eternal life with God. God does not reveal everything to us in this life. We must be content with the partial picture until ne wants us to see more. He will tell us all we need to know. Daniel stands tall in the gallery of God’s remarkable servants. Born of royal heritage, yet taken into captivity when only a teenager, Daniel determined to remain faithful to God in the land of his captivity. Even at great personal cost , Daniel spent his entire life advising his captors with unusual wisdom. God chose him as his servant to record some of the events concerning the future. As an old man, having been faithful to God throughout his years, Daniel was assured by God that he would rise from the dead and receive his portion in God’s eternal kingdom. Faithfulness to God has a rich reward, not necessarily in this life, but most certainly in the life to come.

When you go out as a light, you overcome the darkness !!!!!

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Psalm 23

Psalm 23:.1 In describing the Lord as a shepherd, David wrote out his own experience because he had spent his early years caring for sheep. Sheep are completely dependent on the shepherd for provision, guidance and protection. The New Testament calls Jesus the good Shepherd. As the Lord is the good Shepherd, so we are his sheep, not frightened, passive animals, but obedient followers, wise enough to follow one who will lead us in the right places and in the right ways. This psalm does not focus on the animal-like qualities of sheep, but on the discipleship qualities of those who follow. When you recognize the good Shepherd, follow him.
Psalm 23:2,3. When we allow God our Shepherd to guide us, we have contentment. When we choose to sin, however, we go our own way and cannot God for the environment we create for ourselves. Our Shepherd knows the green pastures and quite waters that will restore us. We will reach these places only by following him obediently. Rebelling against the Shepherd’s leadership is actually rebelling against our own best interests. We must remember this the next time we are tempted to go our own way rather than the Shepherd’s way.
Psalm 23:4. Death cast a frightening shadow over us because we are entirely helpless in its presence. We can struggle with other enemies, pain, suffering, disease, injury- but strength and courage cannot overcome death. It has the final word. Only one person can walk us through death’s dark valley and bring us safely to the other side, the God of life, our shepherd. Because life is uncertain, we should follow this shepherd who offers us eternal comfort.
Psalm 23:5,6. In ancient Near Eastern culture, at a banquet it was customary to anoint a person with fragrant oil. Host were also expected to protect their guest at all cost. God offers the protection of a host even when enemies surround us. In the final scene of this psalm, we see that believers will dwell with the Lord. God , the perfect shepherd and host, promises to guide and protect us through life to bring us into his house forever.

Life must be lived forward, but it can only be understood backwards !!!

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Establishment of the Church

Acts 1:1. In the book of Acts, Luke continues the story he began in his gospel, covering the 30 years after Jesus was taken up into Heaven. During that short time the church was established, and the gospel of salvation was spread throughout the world, even to the capitol of the Roman empire. Those preaching the gospel, though ordinary people with human frailties and limitations, were empowered by the Holy Spirit to take the good news all over the world. In the book of Acts we learn about the nature of the church and how we, like these early believers, can turn our world upside down.
Act 1: 3. Luke says that the disciples were eyewitnesses to all that had happen to Jesus Christ, his life before his crucifixion, and the 40 years after his resurrection as he taught them more about the Kingdom of God. Today people still doubt Jesus’ resurrection. But Jesus appeared to the disciples on many occasions after his resurrection, proving that he was alive. Consider the change the resurrection made in the disciples lives. At Jesus’ death, they had scattered , were disillusioned, and feared for their lives. After seeing the resurrected Christ, they became fearless and risked everything to spread the Good News about him around the world. They faced imprisonment, beatings, rejection, yet they never compromised their mission. They knew Jesus was alive, and the early church was fired with their enthusiasm to tell others. Twenty centuries later we can still be confident that our Faith is based on fact.
Acts 1: 4,5. The Trinity is the description of the unique relationship of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. If Jesus would have stayed on earth, his physical presence would have limited the spread of the Gospel, because physically he could only be only in one place at a time. After Christ was taken up into Heaven, he would be spiritually present everywhere through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was sent so that God would be with and within his followers after Christ returned to Heaven.
Acts 1:6. During the years of Jesus’ ministry on earth, the disciples continually wondered about his Kingdom. When would it come? What would be their role? In the traditional view, the Messiah would be an earthly conqueror who would free Israel from Rome. But the Kingdom Jesus spoke about was, first of all a spiritual kingdom established in the hearts and lives of believers. God’s presence and power dwell in believers in the person of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:8. Jesus had instructed his disciples to witness to people of all nations about him ,but they were told to wait first for the Holy Spirit. God has important work for you to do for him, but you must do it by the power of the Holy Spirit. We often like to get along with he job, even if it means running ahead of God. But waiting is sometimes part of God’s plan. Are you waiting and listening on God’s complete instructions, or are you running ahead of his plans. We need God’s timing and power to be truly effective. God’s gospel has not reached it’s final destination if someone in your family, your workplace , your school, or your community hasn’t heard the Good news about Jesus Christ.
Acts 1:13,14. When you face a difficult task, an important decision, or a baffling dilemma, don’t rush into the work and just hope it comes out the way it should. Instead, make your first step prayer for the Holy Spirit’s power and guidance.

Waiting for God to work does not mean sitting around doing nothing. We must do what we can, while we can, as long as we don’t run ahead of God.

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The day of the Locust

Joel 1:1. Joel was a prophet to the nation of Judah, also known as the southern kingdom. Although the 12 tribes of Israel had been united under David and Solomon, after David’s death, the kingdom had been divided into two parts. Two of the tribes, Judah and Benjamin, stayed loyal to David’s line and accepted Solomon’s son Rehoboam as king. They became the southern kingdom, also called Judah. The other ten tribes followed Jeroboam, set up a new kingdom with a new capitol at Samaria, and called themselves Israel or the northern kingdom. The book does not mention when Joel lived, but many believe that he prophesied during the reign of King Joash. But the date of Joel’s book is not nearly as important as its timeless message:sin brings God’s judgment, yet with God’s justice there is also great mercy.
Joel 1:3. God urged parents to pass their history down to their children, telling over and over the important lessons they learned. One of the greatest gifts you can give younger people is your life’s story to help them repeat your successes and to avoid your mistakes.
Joel 1:4. A locust plague can be as devastating as an invading army. Locusts gather in swarms too great to number and fly several feet above the ground, seeming to darken the sun as they pass by. When they land they devour almost every piece of vegetation, covering and entering everything in their path. Joel’s detailed description has caused many to believe that he was referring to an actual locust plague that had come or was about to come upon the land. Another view is that the locust symbolize an invading enemy army. Both may be foreseen. The locusts represent devastation, and Joel’s point was that God would punish the people because of their sin. Joel calls this judgment the ‘’ day of the Lord’’.
Joel 1:5. The people’s physical and moral senses were dulled, making them oblivious to sin. Joel called them to awaken from their complacency and admit their sins before it was to late. Otherwise , everything would be destroyed , even the grapes that caused their drunkenness. Our times of peace and prosperity can lull us to sleep. We must never let material abundance hinder our spiritual readiness.
Joel 1:15. The ‘’ Day Of The Lord’’ is a common phrase in the Old Testament and in the book of Joel. It always refers to some extraordinary happening, weather a present event, like a locust plague, an event in the near future, like the destruction of Jerusalem or the defeat of enemy nations, or the final period of history when God will defeat all the forces of evil.
Joel 1: 15-19. Without God, destruction is sure. Those who have not personally accepted God’s love and forgiveness will stand before him with no appeal. Be sure to call on God’s love and mercy while you have the opportunity.

God judges all people for their sins, but he is merciful to those who turn to him and offers them equal salvation.

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The Book Of the Law Found

2 Kings 22:1,2. In reading the Biblical list of kings, it is rare to find one who obeyed God completely. Josiah was such a person, and he was only eight years old when he began to reign. For 18 years Josiah reigned obediently, then when he was 26, he began the reforms based on God’s laws. Children are the future leaders of our churches and our world. A person’s major work for God may have to wait until he or she is an adult, but no one is ever too young to take God seriously and obey him. Josiah’s early years laid the base for his later task of reforming Judah. God can use you regardless of your age.
2 Kings 22:4. The doorkeepers controlled who entered the temple and supervised the collection of the money.
2 Kings 22:8. This book may have been the entire Pentateuch or just the book of Deuteronomy. Because of the long line of evil kings, the record of God’s laws had been lost. Josiah , who was about 26 years old at this time, wanted religious reform throughout the nation. When God’s Word was found, drastic changes had to be made to bring the kingdom in line with God’s commands. Today you have God’s word at your fingertips. How much change must you make in order to bring your life into line with God’s word.
2 Kings 22:11,14. When Josiah heard the law, he tore his robes in despair. He immediately instituted reforms. With just one reading of God’s law, he changed the course of the nation. Today many people own Bibles, bur few are affected by the truths found in God’s Word. The Word of God should cause us , like Josiah, to take action immediately to reform our lives and bring them into harmony with God’s will. God freely selects his servants to carry out his will, rich or poor, male or female, king or slave.
2 Kings:19. The hardest part of repentance is changing the attitudes that originally produced the sinful behavior.

The easiest thing about telling the truth is that it is never questioned !!!!

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Ruth and Naomi

Ruth 1:1. The story of Ruth takes place sometime during the period of the rule of the Judges. These were dark days for Israel, when everyone did as he saw fit. But during those dark and evil times, there were still some who followed God. Naomi and Ruth are beautiful examples of loyalty, friendship and commitment to God and to each other.
Ruth 1:2. Moab was the land east of the Dead sea. It was one of the nations that opposed Israel during the period of the Judges, so there was hostility between the two nations. The famine must have been quite severe in Israel for Elimelech to move his family here. They were called Ephrathites because Ephrath was an earlier name for Bethlehem. Even if Israel had already defeated Moab, there still would have been tensions between them.
Ruth 1:4,5. Friendly relations with the Moabites were discouraged, but probably not forbidden since the Moabites lived outside the promised land. Marrying a Canaanite and all those living within the borders of the promised land, however, was against Gods law. Moabites were not allowed to worship at the tabernacle because they had not let the Israelites pass through their land during the exodus from Egypt. As God’s chosen nation, Israel should have set the standards of high moral living for the other nations. Ironically it was Ruth, a Moabitess, whom God used as an example of genuine spiritual character. This shows just how bleak life had become in Israel during those days.
Ruth 1:8,9. There was almost nothing worse than being a widow in the ancient world. Widows were taken advantage of or ignored. They were almost always poverty stricken. God’s law, therefore provided that the nearest relative of the dead husband should care for the widow, but Naomi had no relatives in Moab, and she did not know if any of her relatives were alive in Israel. Even in her desperate situation, Naomi had a selfless attitude. Although she had decided to return to Israel, she encouraged Ruth and Orpah to stay in Moab and start their lives over, even though this would mean hardship for her. Like Naomi, we must consider the needs of others and not just our own, as Naomi discovered , when you act selflessly, others are encouraged to follow your example.
Ruth 1:16 Ruth was a Moabitess, but that didn’t stop her from worshiping the true God, nor did it stop God from accepting her worship and blessing her greatly. The Jews were not the only people God loved. God chose the Jews to be the people through whom the rest of the world would come to know him. This was fulfilled when Jesus was born as a Jew. Through him, the entire world can come to know God. God accepts all who worship him. he works through people regardless of their race, sex, or nationality. The book of Ruth is a perfect example of God’s impartiality. Although Ruth belonged to a race often despised by Israel, she was blessed because of her faithfulness.
Ruth 1:20-21, Naomi had experienced severe hardships. She had left Israel married and secure, she returned widowed and poor. Naomi changed her name to express the bitterness and pain she felt. When you face bitter times, God welcomes your honest prayers, but be careful not to overlook the love, strength and resources that he provides in your present relationships. And don’t let bitterness and disappointment to blind you in your opportunities.


When I am praying for you, what you don’t believe in is not important. What I believe in is!!!
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Love

Romans 12:9. Most of us have learned how to pretend to love others, how to speak kindly, avoid hurting their feelings, and appear to take an interest in them. We may even be skilled in pretending to feel moved with compassion when we hear of other’s needs, or to become indignant when we learn of injustice. But God calls us to real and sincere love that goes far beyond pretense and politeness. Sincere love requires concentration and effort. It means helping others become better people. It demands our time, money and personal involvement. No individual has the capacity to express love to a whole community, but the body of Christ in your town does. Look for people who need your love, and look for ways that you and your fellow believers can love your community for Christ.
Romans 12:10. We can honor others in one of two ways. One involves ulterior motives. We honor our bosses so they will reward us, our employees so they will work harder, the wealthy so they will donate to our cause, the powerful so they will use there power for us and not against us. God’s other way involves love. As Christians, we honor people because they have been created in God’s image, because they are our brothers and sisters in Christ, and because they have a unique contribution to make to Christ’s church. Does God’s way of honoring others sound to difficult for your competitive nature? Why not try to outdo one another in showing honor? Put others first !!
Romans 12:13. Christian hospitality differs from social entertaining. Entertaining focuses on the host, the home must be spotless, the food must be very well prepared and abundant, the host must appear relaxed and good natured. Hospitality, by contrast, focuses on the guest. Their needs, whether for a place to stay, nourishing food, a listening ear, or acceptance, are the primary concern. Hospitality can happen in a messy home, it can happen around a dinner table where the main dish is a can of soup. It can even happen while the host and guest are doing chores together. Don’t hesitate to offer hospitality just because you are to tired, too busy, or not wealthy enough to entertain.
Romans 12:16 Many people use their contacts and relationships for self ambition. They select those people who will help them climb the social ladder. Christ demonstrated and taught that we should treat all people with respect, those of a different race, the handicapped, young and old, male and female. We must never consider others as being beneath us. Paul says we need to live in harmony with others and not be to proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. Are you able to do humble task with others? Do you welcome conversation with unattractive, non-prestigious people? Are you willing to welcome newcomers and entry level people? Or do you only relate to those who will help you get ahead?
Romans 12: 17. These verses summarize the core of Christian living. If we love someone the way Christ loves us, we will be willing to forgive. If we experienced God’s grace, we will want to pass it on to others. And remember, Grace is undeserved favor. By giving an enemy a drink, we’re excusing his misdeeds. We’re recognizing him, forgiving him, and loving him in spite of his sins, just as Christ did for us.
Romans12:19-21. Forgiveness involves both attitudes and actions. If you find it difficult to feel forgiveness toward someone who has hurt you, try responding with kind actions. Lend a helping hand. Send him or her a gift. Smile at him or her. Many times you will discover that right actions lead to right feelings.

When we fight all of our battles down on our knees, we win every time.

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Wisdom Is Supreme

Proverbs 4:3,4. One of the greatest responsibilities of parents is to encourage their children to become wise. Here Solomon tells how his Father, David, encouraged him to seek wisdom when he was young. This encouragement may have prompted Solomon to ask God for a discerning heart above everything else. Wisdom can be passed on from parents to children, from generation to generation. Ultimately ,of course, all wisdom comes from God; parents can only urge their children to turn to him. If your parents never taught you in this way, God’s word can function as a loving and compassionate mother or father to you. You can learn from the scriptures and then create a legacy of wisdom as you teach your own children.
Proverbs 4:5-7. If you want wisdom, you must decide to go after it. This will take resolve, a determination not to abandon the search once you begin no matter how difficult the road may become. This is not a once in a lifetime step, but a process of choosing between two paths, the wicked and the righteous. Nothing else is more important or valuable.
David taught Solomon as a young boy that seeking God’s wisdom was the most important choice he could make. Solomon learned the lesson well. When God appeared to Solomon to fulfill any request, Solomon chose wisdom above all else. We should also make God’s wisdom our first choice. We don’t have to wait for God to appear to us. We can boldly ask him for wisdom today through prayer. James 1:5 assures us that God will grant our request.
Proverbs 4:13-17. Even friends can make you fall. It is difficult for people to accept the fact that friends and acquaintances might be luring them to do wrong. Young people who want to be accepted would never want to confront or criticize for wrong plans or actions. Many other people can’t even see how their friend’s actions could lead to trouble. While we should be accepting of others, we need a healthily skepticism about human behavior. When you feel yourself being heavily influenced, proceed with caution. Don’t let your friends fall into sin.
Proverbs 4:23-27. Our heart , our feelings of love and desire, dictates to a great extent how we live because we always find time to do what we enjoy. Solomon tells us to guard our hearts above all else, making sure we concentrate on those desires that will keep us on the right path. Make sure your affections push you in the right direction. Put boundaries on your desires, don’t go after everything you see. Look straight ahead, keep your eyes fixed on your goal, and don’t get sidetracked on detours that lead to sin.

Forgiveness is giving up the right to punish another person.



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