How to Help Our Kids Love God’s Word

DR. DAVID JEREMIAH

 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.“ Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NKJV)

She was late.

We had agreed to meet at 6:30 and it was almost 7 when I finally saw my teenage daughter strolling through the mall toward where I sat, waiting. Now I’d be late to my board meeting.

In my frustration, I did what many of us parents have done -- I reacted and jumped to a wrong conclusion.

When we got home, the truth came out that her watch was broken. She thought she had indeed arrived on time. Gulp.

I penitently made my way to her bedroom where I heard her sniffling and knocked.

“May I come in?”

“Yes,” she said.

“Honey, I am sorry,” I began. “I blew it. I didn’t even ask you. Can you ever forgive me?”

She looked up at me through her tears and said, “Sure Dad, everyone makes mistakes.” We held each other for a few minutes, and I went on to my meeting.

My children are grown now. All four of our children are married and have families of their own, but I have to admit there were some days I wasn’t sure we would get here. Donna and I made some mistakes along the way. My children know all my faults. But I learned one of the best things I could do was be honest with my kids and apologize for my mistakes.

Our biggest failures as parents can become the greatest opportunities to illustrate genuine faith to our kids. When we admit our wrongs and allow our kids to see our humanity, to see how we mess up just like anyone else, it catches their attention. It allows us to set a biblical example of humility, love and forgiveness for them to follow.

My own dad taught me how to admit my mistakes, ask for forgiveness and have the humility to reveal my human weaknesses to my kids. His willingness to admit his wrongs impressed me when I was young. I realized he had faults just like me. And he let me see him seeking God and praying through those weaknesses. It impacted me for life.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 offers a roadmap for how we are to live out our faith in front of our children. What we believe must make its way into our daily attitudes, conversations and routines.

The old adage is true about parenting: More is caught than taught.

We can teach our kids what the Bible says, but if we want them to live according to its truth, we need to live it. If we want our kids to have a growing faith and love God’s Word, we need to demonstrate its importance in our lives. A “Do as I say, not as I do” approach to parenting will fall flat.

We can’t fake it as parents. If we don’t model a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ, there is little chance our children will grow up to possess what we lack. Even if we didn’t get it right when our kids were young, we can start now. How?

Begin by seeking the Lord today. Read His Word daily. Connect with your church. Make God’s Word a necessary part of your daily life and watch Him renew a hunger and thirst for Him today. Allow your kids to be a part of that process. Allow them to see the importance and joy of God’s Word in your life. By the grace of God, may they learn to lean on God and develop a growing love for Him and His Word.

Lord, help me embrace Your Word. But most of all, help me to live it. Help me be the kind of parent who will inspire my children to please You, because that’s what they see being lived out in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY: Proverbs 24:3-4 “Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.” (NKJV)

Is it Ever Okay to Cut a Person Out of Your Life?

by Laura Polk

We’ve all been there. We come to a crossroads with someone in our lives and realize that we can’t move forward with them for some reason. We worry. We fret. We feel tremendous guilt. And quite frankly, we wonder if it goes against our faith to simply remove them from our lives. Is it ever okay to cut a person out of your life? In short, yes. But, before you take a knife to the chopping block, there are things to consider:

Am I taking it too far?
Disagreeing with someone in your life is not the same as being harmed by them. There are a great many ways for differing opinions to divide people. But we must remember that someone disagreeing with our opinion is not the same as someone being against us. As believers, we should be able to have disagreements while still understanding (and respecting) the other person’s viewpoint. You never know the faith-value you may add to a difficult person’s life, and should consider whether or not God has placed you in their lives for a reason, or them in yours.

Have they proven themselves untrustworthy?
Relationships are built on trust. For some, this is a hard concept to grasp and they will continually allow an untrustworthy person to remain in their lives for fear that they are being unfair. But, once you determine that someone in your life cannot be trusted, is it really to your advantage to keep them close? If someone has taken actions that prove themselves untrustworthy, believe them. People will show you who they are. Remove them before the harm becomes irreparable. 

Am I being manipulated?
People, who are in your life with only themselves in mind, truly don’t want to be in it for the right reason. Don’t allow yourself to be taken advantage of. Relationships are a give and take. And while I truly believe that people are placed in our lives for specific reasons, it doesn’t mean that we have to allow them access to us if they clearly don’t have our best interests at heart. If you are always giving because there’s nothing left to take, you are being taken advantage of. It’s time to break away.

Am I in harm’s way?
This should go without saying. But, the same guilt that holds you in a disrespectful relationship with someone holds others in abusive relationships. It is extremely hard to remove someone from our lives, especially if we care deeply for them. But, if there is abuse of any kind: physical, mental, or emotional, you have every right to remove yourself from that situation by removing that person from your life. We are called to live in peace with others and to forgive—yes—but we are not called to live in harm. The truth is that even other believers can harm us in this way, and we are called to remove them (1 Corinthians 5:13). If someone’s behavior is harming you and their actions indicate that this will continue, cut them out. 
We are allowed (and smart) to place boundaries around ourselves that protect our well-being. If we don’t—let’s face it—no one else will. Showing love and respect to others does not mean forgoing loving and respecting ourselves. God wants us to live in freedom so that we can positively impact the lives of others for Him. Make yourself as effective in that role as you can be, by freeing your life from people that would hold you back from doing so. 

Laura Polk is a writer, speaker, and textile designer residing in North Carolina with her three children. Since becoming a single mom, her passion to minister to this group has led her to encourage successful single mom living through The Christian Single Mom on Facebook. Read her latest novel Confessions of a Crispy Mom, follow her journey through her blog or get a glimpse into her quirky thoughts and inspirations for design and writing on Pinterest.

TRUE LIBERTY

by C. R. Stam

As true Americans celebrate their liberty, true Christians should rejoice in the even greater liberty which they have in Christ.

Our Lord said: "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" and "If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:32,36). Likewise St. Paul declares that believers in Christ have been made "free from sin" and have become "servants to God," who deals with us in grace (Rom. 6:22).

It is strange that so many sincere religious people actually wish to be in bondage to the Mosaic Law, which can only judge and condemn them for their sins. Peter called the law: "a yoke... which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear" (Acts 15:10). Paul called it "the handwriting of decrees, that was against us, which was contrary to us" (Col. 2:14). He called it "the ministration of death" and "the ministration of condemnation" (II Cor. 3:7,9).

He challenged those who "desired" to be under the law:

"Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?" (Gal. 4:21).

"For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written. Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them" (Gal. 3:10).

Thank God, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us" (Gal. 3:13). Man always responds better to grace than to law. The law was "added because of transgressions" (Gal. 3:19). "By the law is the knowledge of sin" (Rom. 3:20). But Christ died for our sins and now true believers serve God from gratitude and love. Hence Rom. 6:14 says: "Sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law but under grace." Since Christ has redeemed us from the law (Gal. 4:5) God says to every true believer:

"Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage" (Gal. 5:1).

Be Not Ignorant

By Charles Wages
The apostle Paul uses the expression "I would not have you ignorant" six times in addressing four cities—Rome, Corinth, Colosse, and Thessalonica.

The word "ignorant" simply means "without knowledge" and doesn't necessarily mean that a person is unlearned or retarded in normal knowledge. It does mean, though, that we all stand in need of instruction from God's word, and it is not God's will for us to be without knowledge.

In 2 Corinthians 1:8, Paul states, "For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure above strength insomuch that we despaired even of life." In reading and studying 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, we find that death and resurrection stand out clearly. We are told that we have "the sentence of death in ourselves" that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the dead.

This "sentence of death" was the direct result of sin. Romans 5:12 states: "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Certainly, we should know that this sentence of judgment is beyond our control, therefore we should "not trust in ourselves" to save our own selves or to keep ourselves saved.

God would have everyone know that He has delivered His creation from the "sentence of death" through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. He lets us know that there is a continuous deliverance from this death. In 2 Corinthians 1:10, we are instructed that deliverance is threefold: past, present, and future. It is stated that "God delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver."

It would be wonderful if everyone was fully aware of the fact that they are sinners by nature and that they are "dead" in trespasses and sins, but that through Christ's death on the cross of Calvary they could be delivered from this death into a newness of life.

We must continue to give forth God's Word that men will "not be ignorant" of their lost condition and then inform them how they may be saved.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13, the apostle introduces the great truth about the Lord's coming for His Church, by saying, "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren."

Again the fact of death and resurrection stands out clearly. This great theme is given that we should "sorrow not as others who have no hope" and that we should "comfort one another with these words."

The majority of people in the world, even the religious world, are ignorant of our Lord's appearing to gather His own unto Himself. No wonder there is so much sorrow—no wonder there is so little comfort. If people would only know and believe that "the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

The widespread ignorance of believing people concerning the "blessed hope" of the Church is causing despair and a sense of "giving up." Many of God's saints are "without knowledge" when it comes to His plans for His Church and for their individual lives. I am sure we are all ignorant of many things, but God is willing to reveal the wonders of His Word to us as we are willing to yield to Him and learn.

Dear God of faithfulness, how delightful to realize that my persistence of faith in You hinges on Your faithfulness toward me. I see that I can continue to depend upon You, because you are fully faithful to me. What expectation this gives me as I consider Your great promises! You will be faithful to fulfill every one of them, as I place my trust in You!

Why Jesus Came

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. (Hebrews 2:14–15)
Hebrews 2:14–15 is worth more than two minutes in an Advent devotional. These verses connect the beginning and the end of Jesus’s earthly life. They make clear why he came. They would be great to use with an unbelieving friend or family member to take them step by step through your Christian view of Christmas. It might go something like this:
“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood . . . ”
The term “children” is taken from the previous verse and refers to the spiritual offspring of Christ, the Messiah (see Isaiah 8:18; 53:10). These are also the “children of God” (John 1:12). In other words, in sending Christ, God has the salvation of his “children” specially in view. It is true that “God so loved the world, that he gave [Jesus]” (John 3:16). But it is also true that God was especially gathering “the children of God who are scattered abroad” (John 11:52). God’s design was to offer Christ to the world, and to effect the salvation of his “children” (see 1 Timothy 4:10). You may experience adoption by receiving Christ (John 1:12).
“ . . . he himself likewise partook of the same things [flesh and blood] . . . ”
Christ existed before the incarnation. He was spirit. He was the eternal Word. He was with God and was God (John 1:1; Colossians 2:9). But he took on flesh and blood and clothed his deity with humanity. He became fully man and remained fully God. It is a great mystery in many ways. But it is at the heart of our faith — and what the Bible teaches.
“ . . . that through death . . . ”
The reason he became man was to die. As God, he could not die for sinners. But as man he could. His aim was to die. Therefore he had to be born human. He was born to die. Good Friday is the reason for Christmas. This is what needs to be said today about the meaning of Christmas.
“ . . . he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil . . . ”
In dying, Christ de-fanged the devil. How? By covering all our sin. This means that Satan has no legitimate grounds to accuse us before God. “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies” (Romans 8:33) — on what grounds does he justify? Through the blood of Jesus (Romans 5:9).
Satan’s ultimate weapon against us is our own sin. If the death of Jesus takes it away, the chief weapon of the devil is taken out of his hand. He cannot make a case for our death penalty, because the Judge has acquitted us by the death of his Son!
“ . . . and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”
So, we are free from the fear of death. God has justified us. Satan cannot overturn that decree. And God means for our ultimate safety to have an immediate effect on our lives. He means for the happy ending to take away the slavery and fear of the Now.
If we do not need to fear our last and greatest enemy, death, then we do not need to fear anything. We can be free. Free for joy. Free for others.
What a great Christmas present from God to us! And from us to the world!
From “Born to Die for Freedom”

SUCCESS WITHOUT GOD

“And he said unto him, ‘If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.’”—Exodus 33:15
It is possible to experience success and yet be void of God’s presence. If success is what is important to you, you may be tempted to choose accomplishments over your relationship with God. God offered to send an angel with the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land to ensure their success in every venture. No army could withstand them. No city wall could stop them. The wealth of the land lay before them. Everything they had ever dreamed of appeared to be theirs for the taking. The only thing missing would be the presence of God. God said they were an obstinate (stubborn) people, and He would not go with them when their hearts were far from Him.

The Israelites’ experience reveals that victory and great accomplishments are not necessarily a sign of God’s presence. Do not assume that your good health, your profitable business, or the growth of your ministry is due to the presence of God. It may be that you have inadvertently chosen success over your walk with the Lord. Moses wisely concluded that success, no matter how great, is not a substitute for fellowship with God. Moses knew how quickly worldly achievements could disappear. His security came from his relationship with God. Success in the world’s eyes is not a sign of God’s blessing. It may, in fact, indicate that you have chosen a substitute for intimate fellowship with God. Would you be satisfied to have power, success, and wealth, but no relationship with God? Do you value God’s presence in your life more than the greatest achievements you could experience in the world?
{Experiencing God Day by Day}

The Change of Salvation - 2 Corinthians 5:17

2 Corinthians 5:17

INTRODUCTION

Man does not change in order to be saved, but true salvation always brings about an evident change in the life of the new believer. Perhaps the change is less noticeable in some new believers and more noticeable in others; however, no change means no salvation. The change is not always an immediate outward change because it involves a change of the inward nature. A person who trusts Christ for salvation becomes a new creature (Galatians 6:15
). It might be best to consider how this could be likened to a dog (Matthew 15:26-27 ) becoming a sheep (John 10:16
). A new man now dwells within the new Christian to help combat and defeat the old sinful nature (Ephesians 4:22-24 ). Salvation is not merely the turning over of a new leaf; it is a new birth (John 3:3
) where one is passed from spiritual death to spiritual life (John 5:24
).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): The Bible tells of people who changed after they met the Lord. A wicked woman became a witness (John 4:15-26 , 28-29). Saul the persecutor of Christians became Paul the persecuted Christian (Acts 9:1-2 ; Acts 21:13
  ). Zacchaeus became a cheerful giver (Luke 19:8
  ).
• (For everyone): Have you been born again by the grace of God? What can you point to in your life as obvious changes that occurred since you believed on the Lord?
• Are you concerned about your salvation? Are you willing to examine yourself (2 Corinthians 13:5
  )? Read The First Epistle General of John. Do you find these proofs of salvation in your life?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to give you light concerning your salvation.
• Ask God to continue to change you for His glory.

HYMN

AMAZING GRACE!

BIBLE VERSE FOR THE DAY

“When you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:13-14 NKJV).

******************
QUOTE FOR THE DAY
The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much. It is whether we provide enough for those who have little. - Franklin D. Roosevelt
********************
PRAYER/ACTION FOR THE DAY
Pray that you will consciously add value to the lives of the less privileged around you by your actions.

The Responsibility of Salvation - 2 Corinthians 5:18

2 Corinthians 5:18

INTRODUCTION

Man is not saved by works; however, through the new birth, he is “created in Christ Jesus unto” (Ephesians 2:10
) and should be “zealous of” (Titus 2:14
) good works. The Lord could easily save a man and immediately take him to heaven, but He chooses to leave man here on this earth to do a work for Him. Though the Lord’s work on this earth is made up of many details, it always includes “the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18
). Similar to the responsibility to tell others about a known cure for a dreaded disease, every Christian has the responsibility to express to others their knowledge of the cure for the coming judgment of God and how to be reconciled to God.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): God is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9
  ). Salvation comes by hearing and believing the word of God (Romans 10:17
  ). Some will never read the Bible and we must tell them the good news (Mark 16:15
  ; Acts 1:8
  ).
• (For everyone): How did the apostle Paul work to fulfil his calling to tell others about Christ? What resources did he use to help him in this endeavor?
• Who have you told about the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ? When is the last time you told somebody about Christ? Are you ashamed of the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16
  )?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to give you boldness to witness.
• Ask the Lord to give you His burden for lost souls.

What Is Sobriety? - 2 Corinthians 5:13

INTRODUCTION Most people unfortunately limit the meaning of sobriety to the absence of alcohol, but scripturally speaking, the meaning involves a much broader scope. Sobriety is the opposite of being beside oneself (2 Corinthians 5:13
) or mad (Acts 26:25
) and is akin to being alert (1 Thessalonians 5:6
). The word sober is used in conjunction with the words grave (1 Timothy 3:11
; Titus 2:2
) and temperate (Titus 1:8
; Titus 2:2
) indicating that it is accomplished when one is in control, down to earth, and finds the proper balance in his thoughts and actions. One who is sober is humble (Romans 12:3
), not drunken (1 Thessalonians 5:7-8 ), and well aware of the circumstances surrounding him at all times (1 Thessalonians 5:6
, 8; 1 Peter 5:8
).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): No matter what we are doing, God should be in our thoughts. Situations will come up in which we need to pay attention to doing the correct thing (2 Corinthians 10:5
  b; Exodus 23:13
  a). How could you be sober when playing with a selfish child; with a sibling who wants to keep playing when you are told it is bedtime?
• (For everyone): Why is it important to understand that sobriety is broader than the mere absence of alcohol? Is it possible for someone who has never had any alcohol to have a problem with sobriety?
• How would you define sobriety? Do you consider yourself to be a sober individual? In what areas of life do you find that the Devil attacks your sobriety?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to help you find sobriety in every aspect of life.
• Ask God to teach you scriptural sobriety.

HYMN

TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY

“Behold, he prayeth” – Acts 9:11

Prayers are instantly noticed in heaven. The moment Saul began to pray, the Lord heard him. Here is comfort for the distressed but praying soul. Often a poor, brokenhearted one bends his knew but can only utter his wailing in the language of sighs and tears. Yet, the groan has made all the harps of heaven thrill with music. That tear has been caught by God and treasured in heaven. The suppliant whose fears prevent his words will be well understood by the Most High. He may only look up with misty eyes. Tears are the diamonds of heaven, and sighs are part of the music of Jehovah’s court. They are numbered with the sublimest strains that reach the Majesty on high. Do not think that your prayer, however weak or trembling, will be unregarded. Jacob’s ladder is lofty, but our prayer will climb its starry rounds.

Our God not only hears prayer but also loves to hear it. “He forgetteth not the cry of the humble” (Psalm 9:12). True, He does not regard high looks and lofty words. He does not care for the pomp and pageantry of kings. He does not listen to the swell of martial music. He does not regard the triumph and pride of man; but wherever there is a heart big with sorrow, a lip quivering with agony, a deep groan or a penitential sigh, the heart of Jehovah is open. He marks it down in the registry of His memory. He puts our prayers, like leaves, between the pages of His book of remembrance, and when the volume is opened at last, there will be a precious fragrance springing up from it.
– Morning by Morning

Guided By Closed Doors

Rejoice even when we are lovingly guided by closed doors.

As we continue our search for God's direction - patiently waiting and actively seeking His presence - we ought to rejoice with every single step He reveals. As we draw closer to Jesus, we will desire, more and more, to only take steps which are aligned with His will. Therefore, ANY direction from God, no matter which way He leads and no matter what method He uses to direct, should be a reason to rejoice.

During his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, Paul received specific direction from Jesus; "get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do" (Acts 9:6). A few years later, the Holy Spirit specifically directed Paul to begin his first missionary journey; "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul {Paul} for the work to which I have called them" (Acts 13:2).
Midway through his second journey, God directed Paul with peace and assurance: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you" (Acts 18:9-10). And at the end of his third journey, Paul once again received specific direction; "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem" (Acts 20:22).

God often leads us by opening doors and lighting a path for us to follow. But there are also many times when God directs by simply telling us where NOT to go. Acts 16:6-7

"Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to."

Paul was still walking with God - still being directed by His Spirit - but now God's direction was in the form of closed doors. Paul never appeared to get discouraged when God closed a door, he simply allowed himself to be redirected toward whatever door God opened.

So much of our Christian growth is a process of relinquishing control and trusting God to completely direct our life. He alone is in control of the doors; "What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open" (Revelation 3:7). It is a mixture of pride and foolishness that causes us to continually push on doors which God has closed.

Our Heavenly Father is constantly guiding and calling us to trust Him more. He opens doors which require us to step through in faith, and closes doors which require us to patiently wait. His guiding hand is always a reason to rejoice, even when we are lovingly guided by closed doors.
Have a Christ Centered Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries

The Eternal Benefits of Salvation - John 14:1-3

John 14:1-3

INTRODUCTION

When a lost man leaves this world, he finds himself in the midst of the inconceivable judgment of hell (Luke 16:19-31 ). Yet, when a saved person leaves this world, he finds himself in the glorious presence of the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8
) and in the midst of inconceivable joys (Psalm 16:11
). Most Christians have heard about the many mansions in the Father’s house (John 14:2
), but the Bible also speaks of the absence of tears, death, sorrow, and pain because “the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4
). Not only is eternal life going to be great for the believer because of the absence of these things, but even more so because of the presence of the One who died so that believers might have that life.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): God promises eternal life to those who believe, and God cannot lie (Titus 1:2
  ; 1 John 2:25
  ; 1 John 5:11-13 ). We will be with Him forever (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 ), and we will never sin again (1 Corinthians 15:51-53 ; Philippians 3:21
  ; 1 John 3:2
  ).
• (For everyone): What are you most looking forward to about heaven? What are some other benefits not mentioned above that you are longing to enjoy?
• Do you have some loved ones already with the Lord? Do you look forward to meeting some of the characters you read about in God’s word? Are you looking forward to worshipping the Lord without any sin to hinder you?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank the Lord for the life you will enjoy in eternity.
• If lost, ask the Lord to save you so you can enjoy these benefits.

YOU CAN BE USEFUL!

"Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry" (2 Timothy 4:11 NKJV).

John Mark was a failure to Barnabas and Paul during their first missionary journey. He was initially their helper (Acts 13:5), but later abandoned them (Acts 13:13). His action irritated Paul so much that when Paul and Barnabas were preparing for the second missionary journey, Paul did not think it wise to take him, but Barnabas thought otherwise. The disagreement on this matter was so sharp that Paul and Barnabas parted company. Barnabas took Mark and went in one direction while Paul took another person, Silas, and went in another direction (see Acts 15:36-41). However, the seemingly unwanted Mark became useful for Paul in the latter days of his ministry to the extent that Paul had to write Timothy to bring Mark to him "for he is useful to me for ministry" (2 Timothy 4:11 NKJV).

There have been cases of disappointment in part of some people that have made us to write them off. We have seen such people as a failure, and have thought that nothing good can come out of them. We may even, like Paul, refuse to give them a second chance, and be ready to quarrel with anyone that is ready to bring out the goodness in them. This ought not to be so. No one is a write-off. Even, if the person has failed several times. The person can still be useful later. Be an encourager like Barnabas, and help that person to become useful.

Probably, you are the seeming failure. You have given up on yourself because you have disappointed people and yourself when you ought to deliver. Do not give up. You can still be useful. If no one believes in you or encourages you, believe in yourself that you can make it and be useful to yourself and to others around you. Encourage yourself. Like it happened to John Mark, somebody, even that person that has lost hope in you, will look for your help one day. You can be useful!
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Prayer Point: Pray that you will not look down on anybody, but always look for the usefulness in the lives of others.

How foolish!​

"Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is." Hebrews 11:6.

Nothing you do can please God apart from faith.

Throughout history, people have tried everything imaginable to gain favour with God. 

Most turn to religion, but religion apart from Christ is merely a satanic counterfeit of the truth.

Many trust in their own good works-

- not realizing that even their best efforts are offensive to God.sa. 64:6; Phillipians. 3:8. 

And the more we try to justify ourselves, the more we offend God, because "by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight." Romans. 3:20.

Some trust in their family heritage or nationality. 

The Jewish people thought they were pleasing to God simply because they were descendants of Abraham. 

But John the Baptist warned them, saying, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bring forth fruit in keeping with repentance; and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father'; for I say to you, that God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham." Matthew. 3:7-9.

Apart from faith, man cannot please God. 

And the first step of faith is simply believing God exists. 

That isn't enough to save a person—even the demons have that level of faith (James 2:19)—but it's a start, and by God's grace can blossom into full saving faith.

God has given ample evidence of His existence. 

Romans 1:20 says, "Since the creation of the world [God's] invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made." 

David said, "The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands." Psalm. 19:1.

Creation itself proclaims the existence, power, and glory of God, yet most people "suppress the truth in unrighteousness" (Romans. 1:18) by rejecting the Creator and denying their accountability to Him. 

Rather than bowing to the true God, they pay homage to "Mother Nature" or evolution. 

How foolish!​

No Detour from Calvary

John Piper

And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6–7)

Now you would think that if God so rules the world as to use an empire-wide census to bring Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, he surely could have seen to it that a room was available in the inn.

Yes, he could have. And Jesus could have been born into a wealthy family. He could have turned stone into bread in the wilderness. He could have called 10,000 angels to his aid in Gethsemane. He could have come down from the cross and saved himself. The question is not what God could do, but what he willed to do.

God’s will was that though Christ was rich, yet for your sake he became poor. The “No Vacancy” signs over all the motels in Bethlehem were for your sake. “For your sake he became poor” ( 2 Corinthians 8:9).

God rules all things — even motel capacities — for the sake of his children. The Calvary road begins with a “No Vacancy” sign in Bethlehem and ends with the spitting and scoffing of the cross in Jerusalem.

And we must not forget that he said, “He who would come after me must deny himself and take up his cross.”

We join him on the Calvary road and hear him say, “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you” ( John 15:20).

To the one who calls out enthusiastically, “I will follow you wherever you go!” Jesus responds, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

Yes, God could have seen to it that Jesus have a room at his birth. But that would have been a detour off the Calvary road.

1 Corinthians 2 (KJV)

“And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.” 1 Corinthians 2 (KJV)

Hello everyone.  In this simple scripture we see that we do not necessarily have to possess the gift of pretty words to share the gospel.  We simply need to have the desire to seek God out and to want to share His word.

As I lay in bed to take a nap before work today I started to become very anxious, so I began to pray.  As I prayed, I started to notice how fluid my prayers were in my head.  How pretty the words sounded and how well laid out they came.  I found myself thinking, “gosh, I wish I could pray out loud as clear as I do in my head when I am around others.”  But then the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, “you’re focusing on the wrong thing.”  Praise God, when I tell you that made me feel better, you best believe it did!  He brought back the verses of eloquence to my remembrance and showed me that many in the Bible that were sent by God were not “pretty” in their words.  The Lord showed Himself through actions, not just words.

I am thankful for a God what leads us, who has sent His Holy Spirit to guide, teach, and comfort us in our moments of doubt and discouragement.

God Bless;

Anna Green

Bridging the Stress

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Stress is nothing new. Noah had it when he was building the ark with no rain in sight. Martha had it when she was preparing a meal for our Lord. Stress is the gap between the demands placed on us and the strength we have in meeting those demands. It is not a sin to be stressed, nor a sin to be weary. It is a sin, though, not to seek a lessening of that stress which tears down the temple of the Holy Spirit, your body. Where is your answer? In waiting upon the Lord — waiting in the midst of demands. When you learn to wait on Him, God steps in to bridge the stress gap with His mighty strength.

ACTION POINT:
Ask God to equip you to be a stress-buster today. Perhaps it will be your boss or your spouse that is “stressed out.” Rejoice in the opportunity you have to share God’s love.

Devotions taken from the messages of Adrian Rogers.

The Will Of God

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is My brother, and My sister, and mother.” Mark 3:35

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Major Ian Thomas, English author and founder of a worldwide missionary fellowship, once wrote, “Which of these things in the life of Jesus is more spiritual?

 

When Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount? When He raised Lazarus from the dead? When He washed His disciples’ feet? Or when He spat on the ground and made clay to anoint the blind man’s eyes? None was more spiritual than the other. Jesus did not divide His life up into little segments of spirituality.

 

He was simply available to do whatever His Father willed.” The will of God is not a road map. It is a relationship! You just simply set yourself apart to do the will of God.

ACTION POINT:

Are you segregating your life into activities that are more spiritual than others? Surrender all you are to Him and make yourself available for whatever He calls you to do today.

Devotions taken from the messages of Adrian Rogers.