The Best Gift
Christmas is less than a week away! As we do our last minute shopping WITH the peace of God Pastor Bernard taught us about, may we also remember that the best gift we can give to others is the Word of God. Jesus really is the reason for the season. Whether you buy expensive gifts or inexpensive gifts, these gifts will only last for a little while. People will not find eternal satisfaction in the gifts we give. The only satisfying gift is Jesus, the Word. Let's remember to give the gift of Jesus this Christmas season. Whether it is inviting someone to our Christmas stadium services, loving on the homeless with a prayer and a meal, showing God's love to our family members through patience and self-control, reading the Christmas story with the kids, teaching the Word to the children in your classes, or whatever else the Spirit might lead us to do, let us remember to make Christ the center of it all. Jesus, the Word of God is what will last forever.
Isaiah 9:6-7 states, "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."
Let us also meditate on Isaiah 55:11 which states, "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall
accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."
We can only be giving the BEST gift of all when we give Jesus and the Word of God to all those we come into contact with.
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The Bible
Psalm 119:92 states, "Unless your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction."
Psalm 119:165 states, "Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble."
There are days when we do not make the Word of God our priority. I was blessed today by my daughter (whom just turned 6 years old) who decided to create her first little Bible story book. She brought the cover in to me which read... "The Bible is the Wrd uv God." This made my heart smile to see the understanding she already has that the Bible is something extra special. Truly the Bible is extraordinary, so why do we sometimes put it on the back burner?
Although we all have our excuses, when we realize ALL that we have to gain from making it a priority, it is truthfully absurd to ignore it.
As I was reading through the longest chapter in the Bible (Psalm 119), I was reminded of many of the benefits that NO OTHER BOOK can offer on a daily basis. We learn from this one chapter that the Word of God:
· helps us to be unashamed (verse 6)
· cleanses us (verse 9)
· helps us not to sin (verse 11)
· counsels us (verse 24)
· revives us (verse 25)
· strengthens us (verse 28)
· gives us life (verse 50)
· gives us comfort (verse 50)
· gives us hope (verse 81)
· makes us wiser than our enemies (verse 98)
· gives us understanding (verses 104 and 130)
· guides us (verses 105 and 133)
· gives us joy (verse 111)
· gives us peace (verse165)
We all want these benefits, right? Well, if we are lacking in joy, peace, understanding, strength, and hope, let us be reminded to come back to the basics and make the Word of God a priority in our life. Psalm 119:1-2 states, "Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the Law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart!" "Blessed" means "happy." We will find happiness each and every day we seek God with our whole heart!
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The Christian’s Hope
Psalm 62:5-8 states, "My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour our your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us."
As we wait for God's timing, God's plan, God's answer, let us not be moved. In the original Hebrew, "moved" is translated "to waver, to slip, shake, or fall." Let us not waver, slip, shake, or fall from the hope our God gives to each of us.
So, what is hope? One definition says hope is the "grounds for believing something good may happen." Our grounds on which to believe is none other than God's Holy Word. What kind of hope does He give us in His Word? The hope of an abundant life here on this earth, the hope of a perfect plan for each of us, the hope of being used for His glory, the hope of direction in each of our lives, and, of course, the wonderful hope of heaven.
May each of us continue to pour our hearts out before the Lord so that we may continue to find strength as we wait on the Lord.
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The God Who Sees
This week may we meditate on one of the verses we recently read together (if you are reading through the Bible with us in one year). Genesis 16:13 (NLT) states, "Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, "You are the God who sees me..."
Remember Hagar was the servant of Sarai, Abrams wife. Because Sarai was beyond the days of childbearing, she gave Hagar to Abram so that she could claim a child. Hagar became pregnant and Sarai thought Hagar began to treat her as worthless. So, after this Sarai started treating Hagar badly. As Hagar was fleeing away from the mistreatment of Sarai, God SAW her. He saw Hagar's affliction and told her to return to it and submit to it! God promised to multiply her seed if she would obey.
The thought we need to meditate on is that God sees each one of us. Whatever circumstances we are in, whatever hurt we feel, whatever doubts we may have, God sees. He also has so many promises for us in His Word if we would persevere and obey Him. Let us end by clinging on to Jesus' own words... "Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse, because it is built on rock." (Matthew 7:24-25 NLT)
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The Greatest of These
Most of us have read and heard many messages on 1Corinthians 13. This is where we are reminded that the greatest of all gifts is LOVE. The Word of God states that if we have various gifts without exercising this most important gift of love, then these other gifts will profit us nothing.
In the very next chapter of 1Corinthians, Paul's first 2 words again command us to "pursue love." This means we should follow after love. Although this IS the most important and greatest gift that Christ has called us to show to others, let us concentrate on another command Paul gives to us in chapter 14 today. Most of us are doing our best to exemplify to others the love of God, but are most of us desiring other spiritual gifts? Let's meditate for a moment on 1Corinthians 14:1,3. These verses state, "Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men."
Why does Paul ESPECIALLY want us to desire the gift of prophecy? The answer is found in verse 3..."But he who prophesies speaks EDIFICATION and EXHORTATION and COMFORT to men." The word "prophecy" in the original Greek not only means "to foretell events," but also means "to speak under inspiration." Our inspiration comes from the Holy Spirit. This is why it is so important to be filled with the Spirit each and every day. Without Him, we cannot be inspired to edify, exhort, or comfort His people.
So, how exactly does this gift of prophecy benefit the body of Christ? Let's take a look at the 3 ways given in the above verses...
One way it benefits others is by bringing others EDIFICATION. In the original Greek, edification includes "confirmation" and "building." The dictionary definition is "the instruction or improvement of a person morally or intellectually." Practically speaking... when we are filled with God's Spirit and sense the need to share a verse with someone, this could be a way that God wants to use us to confirm His will in the life of another. This is edification to a brother/sister in Christ. It is an encouraging word that confirms God's will or presence and builds another up in the name of the Lord.
Another way this gift benefits the body is through EXHORTATION. In the original Greek, exhortation means "imploration." The dictionary definition is "an address or communication emphatically urging someone to do something." This is what Pastor Bob does each week that he teaches us the Word of God. By God's Spirit, he urges us to walk in the truth being taught. Those of us that truly benefit from his exhortations each week are those that actually practice what he implores us to do. We can benefit individuals in the body when we implore them to do right...as long as we are being led by the Spirit (and not ourselves).
The last way from the above verses that this gift of prophecy benefits others is by COMFORT. In the original Greek, comfort means "consolation." The dictionary definition is " to soothe in grief, to help feel at ease, to reassure." Again, we can see this take place when we offer to pray for someone else. I know that
I find comfort and reassurance just knowing that people are praying for me. This is one reason we keep a prayer list every week. We want you all to know that you have people WILLING and READY to pray with you and/or for you.
When we take the time to consider and look to the needs of others, then the gift of prophecy is truly beneficial in every way. If we would all team together and pray for the opportunity daily to use the gift of prophecy for the glory of God, then we will be drawing others ever nearer to our precious Savior. So again, this is the reason that Paul would rather us desire the gift of prophecy...because it is a gift that profits others...which is a gift all about LOVE...the greatest gift of all!!!!
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The Lord is With Us
1 Kings 8:57-58 states, "May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us or abandon us. May he give us the desire to do his will in everything and to obey all the commands, decrees, and regulations that he gave our ancestors."
The Lord is with us and will never leave us. Humans will forsake you, disappoint you, and wrong you. God will NEVER leave us. He is going to finish what He started in us. He is the ONLY ONE who will carry us through until we see our precious Savior's face.
Let us also remember that He is using us each and every week to begin or continue the work He has started in each one of the children that come into our Sunday school class. These kids may get to be 30 and 40 years old and remember YOU, their teacher, that said something that directed them toward Jesus. WOW!!! What an honor! Thanks to each of you for making a difference in the lives of those God places in your path!
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The Word of God
Hebrews 4:12 states, "For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
Some different things came to our mind after reading the above verse. Some of us thought, "I've heard that verse many times. Powerful verse, but it's not going to do anything for me today. It must be for someone else." Others may
have thought, "Amen. Great verse! That is definitely the truth!" Even others may have thought, "Not interested, will you just end this devotional thought so I can get back to what I'm doing?" A few might have stopped to meditate on this
verse and thought, "Wow! I look forward to experiencing this verse next time I get into the Word."
Whatever the case, I pray that we would all improve our attitude each and every time we are approaching God's holy Word. All of us are probably guilty of having the wrong attitude at times when we read, hear, or study God's Word. This one verse says that God's Word is:
1. LIVING- quick; alive
2. POWERFUL- active; operative; effectual
3. SHARPER - it cuts
4. PIERCING- to reach through; to penetrate.
Whether we are listening to Christian radio, listening to Pastor Bob's teachings, reading the weekly devotional from the Children's ministry, reading the Bible on our own, or reading this devotional even now, God's Word is EVERYTHING this verse says it is. Don't miss the opportunity for His Word to be everything it says it is at ANY MOMENT you read or hear it. God's Word is ALWAYS for you, just like it is ALWAYS for each of us. Let us remember to always have a humble heart so that His Word will penetrate our hearts each and every day. Amen.
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Think Before You Speak
In James, we are reminded and warned to be careful with our words. James 3:2 states, "For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body." This verse is powerful! It claims that if anyone doesn't sin in WORD, he is PERFECT!!!!! This suggests... since NONE of us are perfect... that EVERY ONE of us needs to improve in the way we COMMUNICATE.
James goes on to say in verses 5-6, "Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell."
Just a reminder to all of us to THINK before we SPEAK! Our words can hurt deeply or give great encouragement. Remember we all fail with our tongue. How has your speech been? How is your sarcasm? How are you doing in the area of gossip? Are you speaking the truth in love? When was the last time you said something nice to someone? The Bible says to encourage one another daily! Let's do our best to LESSEN those fires we are so likely to start by asking God... by His amazing grace to speak through us for His glory!
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True Worship
In John 4:23, Jesus states, "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him." The word for worship in the original Greek includes adoration. The dictionary definition for adore is to "love and respect (someone) deeply. God is looking for people that have an attitude of adoration toward Him. Let us adore Him in song, adore Him when we wake up, adore Him in the car, adore Him at work, adore Him through prayer and Bible study, the list goes on. As a believer, I want God to find me to be a "true worshiper." May our motivation behind all we do be to bring God glory. This is one way we can do that EVERY DAY!
Jesus said in the same chapter, verse 34, "...My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work." Make no mistake, there was no more true worshiper than Jesus. He brought God glory each day and found satisfaction in doing so. It was Jesus' food to do God's will. I have found this to work in my own life. The more I worship/adore the Lord daily, the more satisfied I am at the end of the day. May each of us live as true worshipers today and always.
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Trust…Dwell…Feed…Delight…Commit
Have you ever had a burning desire in your heart to do something or have something that you consider a godly desire, but God has not allowed your desire to come to pass as of yet? Maybe you desire marriage, kids, a different job, or even a close godly friend. Whatever it is, let us be encouraged by God's Word to be patient and wait on God's perfect timing.
Psalm 37:3-5 states, "Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."
What God wants us to do is trust, dwell, feed, delight, and commit. Let's take a little closer look at how these words are used and what they mean in the original Hebrew. "TRUST" means to be confident or sure. The Lord wants us to be confident and sure that He will give us our desires. He also wants us to "DWELL in the land and FEED on His faithfulness." How do we do that? By staying in the Word and abiding in Him. "Dwell" means to reside or permanently stay. Don't doubt for one moment God's amazing plan for your life. God also wants us to "DELIGHT" in Him. This word in the original means to be soft or pliable. Delight yourself in Him by being willing to change into all that He wants you to be. Finally, God wants us to "COMMIT" our "way" to Him. In other words, give Him your life daily. Seek Him for the course of your life. If we do all these things, His Word declares He will give us the desires of our heart. Be patient and "He shall bring it to pass."