Seven Churches

Portion for reading - Revelation 2 and 3

Question: "What do the seven churches in Revelation stand for?"

Answer: The seven churches described in Revelation 2-3 are seven literal churches at the time that John the apostle was writing Revelation. Though they were literal churches in that time, there is also spiritual significance for churches and believers today. The first purpose is to write to the literal churches and meet their needs at that time. The second purpose is to reveal seven different types of individuals/churches throughout history and instruct them in God's truth.

A possible third purpose is using the seven churches to represent seven different periods in the history of the Church. The problem with this view is that each of the seven churches describes issues that could fit the Church in any time in its history. So although there may be some truth to the seven churches representing seven eras of the Church, too many people go into far too much speculation in order to determine which church fits which era. Instead, our focus should be on what message God is giving to us through the seven churches. The seven churches are:

(1) Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) - the church that had forsaken its first love (2:4).

(2) Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) - the church that would suffer persecution (2:10).

(3) Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17) - the church that needed to repent (2:16).

(4) Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) - the church that had a false prophetess (2:20).

(5) Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) - the church that had fallen asleep (3:2).

(6) Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) - the church that had endured patiently (3:10).

(7) Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) - the church with the lukewarm faith (3:16).

Activity - Crossword Puzzle

source: gotquestions.org / activity : calvary chapel / pic : p-q . c o m

Book Of Revelation

Portion for the day - Revelation 1

Author: Revelation 1:1,4,9 and 22:8 specifically identify the author of the Book of Revelation as the Apostle John.

Date of Writing: The Book of Revelation was likely written between 90 and 95 A.D.

Purpose of Writing: The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave John to show his servants what must soon take place. This book is filled with mysteries and things to come. It is the final warning that the world will surely end and judgment will be certain. It gives us a tiny glimpse of Heaven and all of the glories awaiting we who keep our robes white. Revelation takes us through the great tribulation with all the woes and the final fire that all unbelievers will face for eternity. The book reiterates the fall of Satan and the doom he and his angels are bound for. We are shown the duties of all creatures and angels of heaven and the promises of the saints that will live forever and ever with Jesus in the New Jerusalem. I, like John, cannot find the words to describe what I read in the book of Revelation.

Key Verses: Revelation 1:19, "Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later."

Revelation 13:16-17, "He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name."

Revelation 19:11, "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war."

Revelation 20:11, "Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them."

Revelation 21:1, "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea."

Brief Summary: The Revelation is lavish in colorful descriptions of the visions which proclaim for us the Last Days before Christ’s return and the ushering in of the new Heaven and new earth. The Revelation reveals the series of devastations poured out upon the earth; the mark of the beast, “666”; the climatic battle of Armageddon; the binding of Satan; the reign of the Lord; the Great White Throne Judgment; and the nature of the eternal city of God. Prophecies concerning Jesus Christ are fulfilled and a concluding call to His Lordship assures us that He will soon return.

Practical Application: Have you accepted Christ as your Savior? If so, you have nothing to fear from God’s judgment of the world in the Book of Revelation. The judge is on our side. Before the final judgment begins, witness to friends and neighbors about God’s offer of eternal life in Christ. These events in this book are real. Live your life like you believe it and so that others will notice your joy about your future and want to join you in that new and glorious city.

ACTIVITY - Decoder Puzzle

source: gotquestions.org / pic : cemivision.com

PURE

Portion for the day - Titus 1

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

a. To the pure, all things are pure: With their attraction to Jewish legalism, the difficult people Titus had to confront seemed to believe that nothing is pure. They denied Christians basic and godly pleasures that were not sin.

i. Timothy had to deal with the same kind of people. Paul warned Timothy about those forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth (1 Timothy 4:3). Paul knew that if a Christian walked in the purity of the Lord, these things were pure to him. But to those of a legalistic mind (those who are defiled and unbelieving), they seemed to believe nothing is pure. The problem was with their defiled and unbelieving minds and consciences, not with the things themselves.

ii. All things are pure: Of course, Paul does not mean that obviously sinful things (pornography, illicit drugs, and the like) are pure. Paul has in mind those things which are permitted by Scripture, but forbidden by legalists in a mistaken attempt to earn favor with God.

iii. “Paul was refuting the false teaching of these legalists with reference to foods. They were teaching that Jewish dietary laws still applied to Christian believers.” (Wiersbe)

iv. “The ‘all things’ refers to everything which is non-moral; such as appetite and food, desire and marriage, exchange and commerce, weariness and recreation, and so on through all the varied realm of life. To the pure all these things are pure, and they will be maintained in purity. To the impure, every one of them may be made the vehicle and occasion of impurity.” (Morgan)
b. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him: These difficult people Titus had to deal with were all the more difficult because they talked like Christians. Their profession was all in order, but in works they deny Him. We can’t just go by what a person says. We have to also look at how they live.

i. “They acted as if this Supreme Being was a mere metaphysical abstraction, out of all moral relation to human life, as if He were neither Saviour nor Judge.” (J.H. Bernard, cited in White)

c. Being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work: These are strong words, but Paul means it. These difficult people probably pretended to have a higher spirituality than Titus or other godly leaders. But Paul saw right through their spiritual façade and wanted Titus - and all the Christians on Crete - to see through it also.

i. The word abominable has the idea of polluted by idolatry.

ii. Disqualified: The ancient Greek word is adokimos, and was used in many different ways:

•It was used to describe a counterfeit coin.
•It was used to describe a cowardly soldier who failed in battle.
•It was used of a candidate rejected for elected office.
•It was used of stone rejected by builders. If a stone had a bad enough flaw, it was marked with a capital A (for adokimos) and set aside as unfit.

Activity - Cube Buster

Source: David Guzik Commentary, enduringword.com / picture from : csprinceton . o r g / game: calvary william sport . com

Spirit Of Power and Love

2 Timothy 1

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

a. Paul sees the timidity that is in Timothy; Timothy knows the fear he sometimes feels. God wants Timothy to know that this fear isn’t from the Lord; God has not given us a spirit of fear.

i. We all face situations where we feel timid and afraid; for some, speaking in front of others makes them fear; others are afraid of confrontation, others of being made to look foolish, others are afraid of rejection. We all deal with fear.

ii. The first step in dealing with such fears is to understand that they are not from God! To be able to say, “This isn’t God making me feel like this! God hasn’t given me this!” Perhaps it is from your personality, perhaps a weakness of the flesh, perhaps a demonic attack - but it isn’t from God.

b. The second step in dealing with such fears is understanding what God has given us: a spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind.

i. God has given us a spirit of power: When we are doing His work, proclaiming His word, representing His kingdom, we have all His power backing us. We are safe in His hands.

ii. God has given us a spirit of love: This tells us a lot about the power He has given us. Many think of power in terms of how much we can control others; but Jesus’ power is expressed in how much we can love and serve others. Remember Jesus, on the night before the cross, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands - what did He do with all that power? He humbly washed His disciples’ feet! (John 13:1-11)

iii. God has given us a sound mind: The Greek word here has the idea of a calm, self-controlled mind, in contrast to the panic and confusion that rushes in on us when we are in a fearful situation.

c. We don’t need to accept what God has not given us (a spirit of fear), and we need to humbly receive and walk in what He has given us (a spirit . . . of power and of love and of a sound mind).

d. Boldness matters; without it, we can’t fulfill God’s purpose for our lives. God’s purpose for you is more than making money, being entertained, and being comfortable; it is for you to use the gifts He has given you to touch His people and help a needy world.

e. Fear and timidity will keep you from using the gifts God has given you to touch His people and a needy world. God wants you to take His power, His love, and His calm thinking and overcome fear to be used of Him with all the gifts He has given you.

Activity - Do You Know Your Words

Source: David Guzik Commentary, enduringword.com / picture taken from : / game: calvary william sport . com

The folly of the greedy heart

Portion for reading 1 Timothy 6

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

a. Those who desire to be rich: Significantly, the desire for riches is far more dangerous than the riches themselves - and it isn’t only the poor who desire to be rich, it is the rich who want more riches.

i. Poor does not mean godly and rich ungodly; nor is it true the other way around. There were many remarkably godly men in the Bible who were almost unbelievably rich, such as Abraham, David, and Solomon.

ii. But the godly rich have the heart like the Psalmist in Psalm 62:10: If riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

b. Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare: This desire for riches tempts our heart away from eternal riches, and ensnares us in a trap few can escape - always dreaming of riches, and always setting one’s heart on them.

i. The desire to be rich can really only be satisfied in Jesus Christ, and satisfied with spiritual riches rather than material ones. Everything else falls short.

c. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: The love of money can motivate any evil on this earth. There is no sin that cannot be committed for the sake of money.

d. Pierced themselves through with many sorrows: This is the fate of those who live in the love of money. They are not satisfied. We sometimes want the opportunity to find out if riches can satisfy, but we should trust the Word of God and the experience of many.

i. “So do these strangle, drown, poison their precious souls with profits, pleasures, and preferments, and many times meet with perdition and destruction, that is, with a double destruction, temporal and eternal, as some expound it.” (Trapp)

Activity - Lets Tic Tac Toe

Source: David Guzik Commentary, enduringword.com / picture taken from : srichinmoypoetry . c o m / game: calvary william sport . com

Keep Yourself Pure

Be careful about approving the ministry of another person.

Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure. 1Timothy 5

a. Lay hands on anyone: This is used in the sense of ordination. Paul cautioned Timothy to let a man prove himself before he was recognized in ministry. There should not be a rush; time must season a man and his ministry.

i. Some think the admonition do not lay hands on anyone hastily has to do with receiving repentant people back into the fellowship of the church. It seems that in some early church circles, those who had fallen into scandalous sin had to be received back into the church with the laying on of hands and prayer by church leaders. If so, Paul is saying, “Don’t go too fast. Let them demonstrate their repentance first.”

b. Lay hands on: Since ordination simply recognizes God’s calling, it is all the more reason to not be in a hurry - time should be given to allow those gifts and callings to demonstrate themselves.

i. It isn’t uncommon for a young man in the ministry to be a bit impatient; he wants to do great things for the Lord, and is anxious for pastors and elders to lay hands on them in recognition of God’s work in them.

ii. Yet, there is danger if anyone waits to give themselves fully to serving the Lord until they are recognized with a title or the laying on of hands. This means they are more concerned with image (how it appears to others) than with substance (what they can really be doing for the Lord right now).

c. Keep yourself pure: This connects to an important idea. If Timothy was called to observe and assess the lives of others, it was important that he pay even more attention to his own life.

i. “The intention of the warning would be that Timothy would best avoid clerical scandals by being cautious at the outset as to the character of those whom he ordains.” (White)

ii. Nor share in other people’s sins: We all have enough sin of our own; we do not need to add to it by partaking in the sins of others. There are many ways we can do this.

•We can share in the sins of others by setting a bad example before them.
•We can share in the sins of others by approving of them or ignoring them.
•We can share in the sins of others by joining a church that is spreading dangerous teachings.

Activity - Puzzle

Source: David Guzik Commentary, enduringword.com / picture taken from : bible.ca/ game: calvary william sport . com

Let no one despise your youth

Portion for reading 1 Timothy 4

These things command and teach. Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:11-12

a. These things command: This has the note of authority. Timothy was not to enter the pulpit with speculations and opinions and theories of men. He was to fearlessly bring God’s Word before God’s people and let the chips fall where they may.

b. Let no one despise your youth: Because Timothy was young, he was vulnerable to the errors of youth which bring the often justified criticism of those older. To address this, Paul called him to live a life so that was so godly that no one could despise his youth.

i. The word youth in the ancient Greek was “Used of grown-up military age, extending to the 40th year” (Lock, cited in Earle). It seems that Timothy was about 30 years old at this time; but Paul was around 70, so youth is a relative thing.

ii. “St. Paul shows Timothy ‘a more excellent way’ than self-assertion for the keeping up of his dignity: Give no one any ground by any fault of character for despising thy youth.” (White)

c. Be an example to the believers: The King James Version has be thou an example of the believers. “The rendering of the King James, an example of believers is better.” (Hiebert)

i. Be an example by what you say (word), what you do (conduct), in love, in attitude (spirit), in faith (in the sense of faithfulness), and in purity.

ii. These are the criteria by which to assess a pastor. If he is smart, if he is funny, if he is cool, if he dresses sharp, if he is popular, or if he is any number of other things matter little. You must look for a pastor who is an example in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

iii. “Thus we learn how foolish and ridiculous it is for people to complain that they receive no honour, when in fact there is nothing about them that is worth honouring, but rather they expose themselves to contempt by their ignorance, the example of their impure lives, their light mindedness and other faults. The only way to win respect is by outstanding virtues which will protect us against contempt.” (Calvin)

Activity - SIMON SAYS

Source: David Guzik Commentary, enduringword.com / picture taken from : livingwordabc . c o m / game: calvary william sport . com

A Faithful Saying

Portion for the day - 1 Timothy

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 1:15

a. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance: This unusual phrase introduces a statement of special importance. Paul used this phrase 5 times – all in the Pastoral Epistles.

b. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners: Jesus came to save sinners, not those living under the illusion of their own righteousness. It is the sick who need a physician (Mark 2:17).

Since Jesus came into the world to save sinners, this is the first necessary qualification for being a child of God - being a sinner. Sinners are not disqualified from coming to God, because Jesus came to save them. We also see the great danger in taking the terms sin and sinner out of our vocabulary. Many preachers deliberately do this today, because they don’t want to offend anyone from the pulpit. But if Jesus came to save sinners, shouldn’t we identify who those sinners are? How else will they come to salvation? “Even those who recognize that Christ’s work is to save admit that it is more difficult to believe that this salvation belongs to sinners. Our mind is always prone to dwell on our own worthiness and, as soon as our unworthiness becomes apparent, our confidence fails. Thus the more a man feels the burden of his sins, he ought with greater courage to betake himself to Christ, relying on what is here taught, that He came to bring salvation not to the righteous but to sinners.” (Calvin)

b. Of whom I am chief: Paul’s claim to be the chief of sinners was not an expression of some super-pious false humility. He genuinely felt his sins made him more accountable before God than others.

Aren’t we all equally sinners? No; “All men are truly sinners, but all men are not equally sinners. They are all in the mire; but they have not all sunk to an equal depth in it.” (Spurgeon) Paul felt - rightly so - his sins were worse because he was responsible for the death, imprisonment, and suffering of Christians, whom he persecuted before his life was changed by Jesus (Acts 8:3; 9:1-2, 1 Corinthians 15:9, Galatians 1:13, Philippians 3:6). In Acts 26:11, Paul explained to Agrippa what might have been his worst sin: And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities. He compelled others to blaspheme Jesus. “This, indeed, was a very horrible part of Saul’s sinfulness. To destroy their bodies was bad enough, but to destroy their souls too-to compel them to blaspheme, to speak evil of that name which they confessed to be their joy and their hope, surely that was the worst form that even persecution could assume. He forced them under torture to abjure the Christ whom their hearts loved. As it were he was not content to kill them, but he must damn them too.” (Spurgeon)

There are worse kinds of sin; sins that harm God’s people are especially bad in God’s eyes. We must soberly consider if we are guilty, now or in the past, of harming God’s people. “[God] remembers jests and scoffs leveled at his little ones, and he bids those who indulge in them to take heed. You had better offend a king than one of the Lord’s little ones.” (Spurgeon) “Despair’s head is cut off and stuck on a pole by the salvation of ‘the chief of sinners.’ No man can now say that he is too great a sinner to be saved, because the chief of sinners was saved eighteen hundred years ago. If the ringleader, the chief of the gang, has been washed in the precious blood, and is now in heaven, why not I? Why not you?” (Spurgeon)

Activity – Dots

Source: David Guzik Commentary, enduringword.com / picture taken from : scottbyersdesign . c o m / game: calvary william sport . com

Guidance for Body Life

Portion for the day - 2 Thessalonians 3

For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. Verses 11-13

a. There are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner: The idleness of some had become a source of sin. It was not only because of the work that they didn’t do, but also because of the harm they did do with their idle time (but are busybodies).

i. There is a play on words between the ancient Greek phrasing in the lines not working at all and but are busybodies. The idea is something like “busybodies who do no business.”
ii. Perhaps these busybodies thought that if Jesus was coming soon, it made no sense to work. It would then be easy for them to intrude into the lives of others and take advantage of Christian generosity.
iii. “It is the inactive drones whom Paul is berating – those who live by the sweat of others while they themselves do nothing for the common good to help the human race, such as our monks and priests who acquire ample dimensions by their inactivity.” (Calvin)

b. Now those who are such we command: With authority, through our Lord Jesus, Paul commanded these busybodies to work, to get out of the business of others (in quietness) and to provide for their own needs (eat their own bread) instead of expecting other Christians to provide for them.

i. The early church did provide for the truly needy among them, but only after being certain that they were truly needy and after putting them to work for the church (1 Timothy 5:3-16).
ii. “Paul forbids the Thessalonians to encourage their laziness by indulging it, and teaches that it is those who proved themselves with the necessities of life by honourable and useful work that lead a life of holiness.” (Calvin)

c. Do not grow weary in doing good: This was a proper encouragement for those who were working as they should. Few things are more wearying than seeing others take advantage of Christian generosity. But we should never let the manipulations of some discourage us from doing good to the truly needy.

i. The older King James Version has this, be not weary in well doing. There is plenty of well-wishing in the world, well-resolving, well-suggesting, and well-criticizing are also found in plenty. Many people are good at well-talking, but there is not enough of simple well doing.
ii. “But well doing consists in taking down the shutters and selling your goods; tucking up your shirt sleeves and doing a good day’s work; sweeping the carpets and dusting the chairs, if you happen to be a domestic servant. Well doing is attending to the duties that arise out of our relationships in life – attending carefully to them, and seeing that in nothing we are eye-servers and men-pleasers, but in everything are seeking to serve God.” (Spurgeon)
iii. There are many excuses one might make to allowing weariness in doing good, but they should all be rejected.

·“It takes so much effort to keep doing good” – but you will extend effort towards the things of the world.
·“It takes so much self-denial to keep doing good” – but it is worth it when we consider the reward.
·“It just brings me persecution to do good” – but your persecutions are nothing compared to that which others have suffered.
·“People don’t respond and there are little results when I do good” – but remember how slow you were to respond to Jesus Christ. “It doesn’t earn much gratitude when I do good” – but God sends many blessings even to those who do not thank or appreciate Him.

Activity - The Day Of The Lord

Source: David Guzik Commentary, enduringword.com / picture taken from : hicterphoto . c o m

The inner life of prayer and the outer life of witness

Portion for reading - Colossians 4

1. The inner life of prayer.

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. (Verses 2-4)

a. Continue earnestly in prayer: Paul supported the Colossian church through His prayers for them (Colossians 1:3-8). Their life and ministry would continue to prosper through continued vigilance in prayer, including prayer on their part.

i. The ancient Greek word translated continue is “Built on a root meaning ‘to be strong,’ it always connotes earnest adherence to a person or thing. In this passage it implies persistence and fervor.” (Vaughan)

ii. This sort of earnest prayer is important, but does not come easy. Earnestly in prayer speaks of great effort steadily applied. “Heaven’s gate is not to be stormed by one weapon but by many. Spare no arrows, Christian. Watch and see that none of the arms in thy armoury are rusty. Besiege the throne of God with a hundred hands, and look at the promise with a hundred eyes. You have a great work on hand for you have to move the arm that moves the world; watch, then, for every means of moving that arm. See to it that you ply every promise; that you use every argument; that you wrestle with all might.” (Spurgeon)

b. Being vigilant in it with thanksgiving: We are to be vigilant in prayer, but always praying with thanksgiving for the great things God has done.

i. Barclay on vigilant: “Literally the Greek means to be wakeful. The phrase could well mean that Paul is telling them not to go to sleep when they pray.” Sometimes, because of the tiredness of our body or mind, we struggle against sleep when we pray. Other times we pray as if we were asleep, and our prayers simply sound and feel tired and sleepy.

ii. “Prayer should be mingled with praise. I have heard that in New England after the Puritans had settled there a long while, they used to have very often a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer, till they had so many days of fasting, humiliation, and prayer, that at last a good senator proposed that they should change it for once, and have a day of thanksgiving.” (Spurgeon)

iii. “The connection here with thanksgiving may suggest the threefold rhythm: intercession, ‘watching’ for answers to prayer, and thanksgiving when answers appear.” (Wright)

c. Meanwhile praying also for us: Paul seemed to say, “As long as we are on the subject of prayer, please pray for us!” But Paul didn’t ask for prayer for his personal needs (which were many), but that God would open to us a door for the word.

i. The same word picture of an open door as an open opportunity for the gospel is seen in passages such as Acts 14:27, 1 Corinthians 16:9, and 2 Corinthians 2:12.

d. As I ought to speak: Even though Paul was in chains for his faithfulness to the gospel, he knew that he ought to speak it in a way that would make it manifest (clearly evident). Paul wanted prayer that he would continue to make the gospel clear and evident, even if it meant more chains.

2. The outer life of witness.

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. (Verses 5-6)

source: enduringword

Activity For The Day - Scramble

Vision and Communion

“Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.” Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the Lord. (Genesis 13:17-18)

a. Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you: As a token of Abram’s reception of the land by faith, God wants Abram to explore the land of promise, to walk through it as if it were his, though he does not have “title deed” to it yet.

i. In the same way, God wants us to explore our “land of promise,” His Word, where God has given to us exceedingly great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:4), where He has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). He wants us to walk through this “land,” possessing it by faith.

b. Dwelt by the terbinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron: The name Mamre means, “vision.”; Hebron means “communion.” Abram is once again walking in the Lord’s vision for him and in communion with the Lord.

Right or left, Abram knew he could trust God. He did it because he learned God would provide for his needs, and he did not have to worry about being too generous. Abram knew whatever Lot chose God would make sure Abram came out all right. Now, he is wiser and is willing to let God look out for his interests. Right or left, it didn’t matter to Abram, because God would be there. Because he trusted in God, Abram did not have to be obsessed with his own “rights” and neither do we. The only right we truly have is the right to go to hell. Everything else is the free gift of God and has nothing to do with our “rights.”

Source : Enduringword

This Is Love

"This is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love." 2 John 1:6

We don't often think of love in terms of obedience and yet obedience was so much a part of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on our behalf. It was through obedience to the Father's will that He proved his undying love for Him, as well as each of us. He was willing to walk the road of shame, ignominy and pain to prove his love for both His Father and for every human being on this earth. It was through obedience to the Father's plan that he proved his love. So it is with each of us. If we are to be made into the image of our risen Savior, we must walk in obedience to the commands of the Father. By obedience to His will in our lives, we show Him how much we love Him. We prove that our love for Him will take us anywhere and sacrifice anything for Him. If we take this a step further; our love for our families, our brothers and sisters in Christ, and even our enemies will sometimes take us where we would not normally wish to go. Ultimately, love is obedience to the will of the Father. It means sacrifice for the good of others, it means laying down our lives, it means doing whatever is asked of us. Jesus held back nothing to prove his love for us; let us follow in his footsteps and walk in love. We have the opportunity to make an impact for Christ by expressing our love to others through sacrifice. May we never lose that opportunity, but remain obedient to the Father's will.

Activity - "What Is Love?"

Source : sermons4kids

What Manner of Love

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." 1 John 3:1 KJV

Love: what manner of love is this, a father’s love? It is a love that watches and waits and never gives up on a wayward son. It is a love that chooses the most worthless children and makes them sons and daughters of the King. It is a love that gives that which is dearest to Him, His Son, that He might call us His children. This is a love that we can now taste, a love beyond anything we have ever known or experienced on this earth. It is unmatched; priceless; and it is ours!

Precious Father, how in awe we are of you and your love for us! You have everything, and yet you desired that we would become your children. You left no stone unturned to gain us as your children and you spared no expense, even though it cost you the life of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. You adopted us because you wanted to and for no other reason. Thank you, Father, for letting us experience this kind of love, a love without condition. Oh, that we might be worthy of such a Father as you! All we can do is to bow in adoration at your feet and say, "Thank you for loving us so." Amen.

Activity - Word Search

Source : qwchristiandevotions

Walk As Jesus Did

Passage : 1 John 2

"Whoever claims to live in him, must walk as Jesus did." 1 John 2:6

Whoever claims Jesus Christ as Lord, whoever professes that they have life in Jesus, must walk in His footsteps. This is a BIG task. His are enormous footsteps to follow, but we are not alone. Christ has promised to live within us. Col. 1:27, "Christ in you, the hope of glory!" The only way to have Christ live within us is for us to open up our hearts to him, and to become one with him. We can only do that if we know him in an intimate way. The obvious question then is, "How did Jesus walk?" Jesus gave us four gospel accounts that shed light on how he walked. It is only by studying these accounts and by spending time with him in prayer that we will begin to understand what his walk was about. Jesus Christ walked in obedience to his Father's will. He never wavered from that course. The Scriptures tell us that he delighted to do the will of his Father, even though it led him to the cross. We will see that Jesus spent many hours in prayer and fellowship with his Father: this was how he maintained his focus. He surrounded himself with godly men, who loved his Father and wished to serve Him. He reached out to a hurting world and gave of himself entirely. He was selfless: sacrificing his own needs for those of others. He laid down his life not only for his friends, but also for his enemies. Indeed this is a big challenge, but with God all things are possible! We have claimed the name of Jesus, which is only the first step; now we must follow in his footsteps.

Source : qwchristiandevotions

The Light

Passage : 1 John 1

"This is the message we have heard from him and declare from you: God is light; in him there is not darkness at all." 1 John 1:5

Light represents what is good and true and holy. Indeed light personifies GOD. In His presence there is no darkness, not even a shadow for He is light! (qwcd). If we are sitting in a dark room we wont be able to see the dust and dirt in that room. But when we turn on a bright light we will start to see all the dust and dirt in the room. And we will start to clean it because we cant live in a room that is filled with dirt and filth. When we go into the presence of the LORD, His light does its work in our lives, it exposes our sins. Thank goodness it does not end there, for once our sins have been exposed, we can confess them and Jesus' blood can be applied on our behalf. And once we have been cleansed and when we kneel in the presence of God and all that His light exposes is the beautiful robe of Christ's righteousness that covers us and our sins. How grateful we should be for His light in our lives! It is a light that brings life! (qwcd).

God is a light of righteousness and when we ask his light to shine in our lives every passing second of our lives. His light will shine so bright that no sin can dwell in us. God is a good and true and holy God. We should ask God everyday to expose to us our sins so that we might confess then and be forgiven and right in relationship with God. Jesus Christ blood that was shed for us and our sins is very powerful. It brings life to all who come to Christ Jesus. Ask and Allow Gods light to shine in your lives and let the Blood of Christ wash you clean and protect it.

By : Ss

Resources : qwchristiandevotions

Patient Toward You

"The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you" 2 Peter 3:9

Whether we are worried about God fulfilling a promise to us personally, or are looking toward the promise of His kingdom being fully established, God is not slow to fulfill these promises. We must remember that the LORD has everything planned out and in His due time, all will be fulfilled. Remember, it took thousands of years before Jesus came to this earth to redeem mankind. Yet the redemption of mankind took place at exactly the time that God planned it, not a minute sooner or later. He may seem slow to us humans, but He is working things out according to His plan, not ours. As we look back over our finite lives, we cannot help but reflect upon His perfect timing. God's timing would rarely be our timing; we like things done now and are not patient like our Father is toward us. We do not always see the need for patience, because we lack God's wisdom and vision. A day with the LORD is as a thousand years: that is far more than a lifetime to you and me! Let us rest in Him, knowing He will fulfill his promises to us and the entire world in due time. Let us learn patience from the God of all patience. He patiently waited for us that we might find salvation. Imagine how different things would be had God fulfilled all his promises quickly! None of us would be here! If He were to give us what we ask immediately, how would we grow? God has promised that He has a plan, not only for the world, but also for each of us. Our job is to patiently wait and watch as He fulfills that plan for our lives in His own due time.

Source : qwchristiandevotions

The Lord Will Rescue

Passage : 2 Peter 2

"...the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials..." 2 Peter 2:9

There need be no question in our minds that God can rescue godly men from their trials. Peter states plainly that God will do it. The question is, "How will the rescue take place?" God is surely at no loss for the means by which to rescue his people. We only need to look in scripture to see Him, time and again, rescuing His people from trials in a variety of ways. There many other scriptures which plainly state that He will make a way of escape for His children. We need only stand back and watch God work. Let us be careful that in doing so, we listen to His voice and obey. This passage in Peter is telling the story of Lot and the circumstances that surrounded his escape from Sodom and Gormorrah. The Lord commanded Lot and his family to flee to the mountains, but he hesitated. The Lord had made a way of escape, but for whatever reasons, known only to Lot, he did not follow the Lord’s instruction. He hesitated. Fear may have immobilized him: the passage does not say. Regardless of the reason, the angels of the Lord stepped in and moved Lot and his family out of a deadly situation. The angels literally took their hands and pulled them out of the city to their deliverance. Like Lot, and all godly men, we will find ourselves in trials. The Lord’s children are not preserved from trials and temptations, but the Lord will preserve them in those experiences and He will deliver His children out of them. That is the promise given here. Let us take hope in this promise! The deliverer of our souls is in charge and He will rescue us. We can rest assured He will not abandon us in our time of need.

Activity - Bunch It Up

Source : qwchristiandevotions

Faithful Creator

Passage : 1 Peter 4

“Wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well-doing, as unto a Faithful Creator.” 1 Peter 4:19

God is a faithful Creator. Do we wonder if the sun will rise each morning? Do we worry that the earth will spin out of orbit? Do we have to know why the stars do not fall to the earth? No, we have come to take all these things for granted. Stop and ponder your faithful Creator. He provides for the tiniest sparrow; surely He will take care of you and me. We need but commit ourselves to God, the faithful Creator. Surely He will complete the work in us He began. Nothing He does is half-hearted. Surely it is all good, very good, and so it will be with you and me. He is faithful and we can trust Him. Your entire being is safe in His care. He will do what is good in His sight. He will be just as faithful to us as He is to the sun and the earth and the sparrow. His mercies are new every morning; His faithfulness encompasses the entire universe. There is nothing to fear; just trust Him. He is not only a faithful creator, but He is your Father. He will work out all for our eternal good and His glory.

Source : qwchristiandevotions

In His Steps

Passage : 1 Peter 2

"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow IN HIS STEPS." 1 Peter 2:21

We’ve all heard the ever popular phrase, "What Would Jesus Do?" and this passage gives us the very key to finding the answers to that question. Jesus Christ was empowered to do the things he did on this earth because he learned obedience by the things he suffered. That is the key to following in his steps. We all suffer, but have we learned obedience and submission to the Father through that suffering? If not, we are not following in Jesus' steps. He left us an example and the gospels are filled with stories of how Jesus sacrificed his own desires for those around him. He was the very epitome of submission to the Father’s will. No matter what the cost, no matter what the sacrifice; if it was the Father’s will, he delighted to do it. May we ever look to the author and finisher of our faith and use him as our guide through life. May we always be willing to lay down our lives as he did. May we reach out to others in love and compassion, even when we are burned out. Let us study our Saviour. Let us take in his every action as we read about him in the Word, and may we reflect him to the dying world in which we live. May we empty ourselves so that He can shine through us, and be a light in this dark place. He did indeed leave us an example; let us follow IN HIS STEPS daily.

Source : qwchristiandevotions

Living Hope

Passage: 1 Peter 1

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3

Before Jesus' death, his followers had a great hope that he was the Messiah. They were excited and sure that he was the one who would deliver them from the Romans. When Jesus was put to death on the cross, their hope died with him. When Jesus was laid to rest in the grave, their hope was buried with him. Peter lived through that time, and he remembers going back to his fishing boat, saddened that Jesus' death had brought an end to his hope for the future. He remembered how his hope had died and was buried in Christ. Peter is contrasting that experience with what he feels now. His Savior is alive and so is his hope for eternal life. His hope was once dead, but now is alive because Jesus is alive and all the hope that rested on him is alive with him, brought to life again through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The resurrection is the foundation of the hope we have for the future. All that Jesus had said to Peter, all that he had promised for the future, is alive. We can count on every word to come true. Hope for eternal life is real! Hope that the world of mankind will come to know and love God is sure! Hope that one day Jesus will take us home is a reality because Jesus lives!

Source : qwchristiandevotions

Sing Songs of Praise

Passage : James 5

"Is any of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise..." James 5:13

What is our reaction when the storm clouds begin to gather and we find ourselves in trouble? James tells us we should pray. Prayer has a two-fold work in our lives. It is communion with our Father and tells him what is happening to us and lets Him know how He can help us, but it also changes our hearts. And that is the reason prayer is so vital to us as Christians. Prayer changes us. When we are in trouble and we kneel down to pray, when we give the problem over to the LORD to handle and leave it in His hands, we will experience peace, a peace that passeth all understanding. Prayer is vital for the Christian and in a mature Christian it is the first reaction to adversity. What is our reaction to happiness or joy that comes into our lives? It should be to lift our hearts in praise and adoration to God, the giver of every good and perfect gift! He is the source of all joy in our lives and when we praise him in song our very being is lifted into the heavenlies. Oh, that we might dwell there always! Someday that will be possible, but while we walk on this earth, the only way to get there is through praise! So let us give ourselves to praise daily, hourly, that we might dwell with Him in the heavenlies today.

Resource : qwchristiandevotions

MERCY

Passage : James 2

"Mercy triumphs over Judgment." James 2:13

What a statement, but one indeed that is true! When Jesus came to earth and died for each of us and our sins, mercy indeed triumphed over judgment! We have experienced this mercy; we have lived in its blessing. We were doomed to judgment and death, but God's mercy has freed us. Let us go forth today with this knowledge and live a life of mercy, reaching out to others not in the judgment that they deserve, but in mercy. We deserve judgment, but have been given grace; and in turn we, of all people, should be given to mercy. Mercy gave us freedom: freedom from the debt we owed, freedom from judgment. Let us bestow this same freedom on others, freeing them from the debts they owe us and in turn giving them mercy. There is no better way to live a life of Christ than to do so. Let our lives shine forth with Christ's mercy and grace that all might know and taste of His goodness and mercy.

ACTIVITY – 3-D Maze ( Use Your Arrow Keys To Move)

Resource : qwchristiandevotions / activity : calvary william sports

The Giver Of Perfect Gift

Passage : James 1

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights..." James 1:17

At this time of giving let us reflect on the giver of "every good and perfect gift," our Father in heaven, the Father of the heavenly lights. I like that phrase "the Father of the heavenly lights"...as I look about me at all the beautiful Christmas lights that are displayed on homes I can’t help but look up and remember that my Father has set his lights in heaven for all to see, not at this season only, but all through the year. He set one special star in heaven to show to all that His Son had been given to us as the best gift of all. He loved us enough to give us the most perfect of all gifts, His Son, Jesus Christ, who through death brought us salvation and life everlasting. We have much to be thankful for as we reflect upon all the gifts that the Father has showered upon us.

Everything that is good in our lives is a gift from Him to us, his children, especially the gift of adoption. The trials that we have in our lives are gifts from Him also, for it is through these experiences that He draws us to Himself and makes us realize how much we need Him. As we go about giving gifts to those we love this season, let’s not forget to stop and give our Father in heaven the gift of praise for all He has done for us throughout the year. He is indeed the giver of "every good and perfect gift." Let us take time to thank our Father in heaven, for giving us the gifts we so often take for granted...the gift of fellowship, family, homes and work, all things necessary to sustain us both spiritually and physically. For he is a good Fathers and we are so blessed and privileged to be called his sons and daughters.

Thank You, Father, for the gifts You have given me. Thank You for the gift of Jesus; a gift for which I can never stop being grateful. Thank You for the gift of suffering and the way it changes me for the better. Help me to see the many gifts that You give to me each day. I am often oblivious to them; forgive me for that. As I give gifts to others at this season, may it remind me of the precious Father I have who is always giving so freely to me. Amen

Resource : qwchristiandevotion

Sacrifice of Praise

Passage : Hebrews 13

"Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God." Hebrews 13:15

Have you ever stopped to think about praise as a sacrifice? A sacrifice is usually something that costs us. Praise is generally a result of a thankful heart and just flows; it doesn't really cost us anything. But what about the times when we are not feeling so thankful: the hard times, the dark times? Paul is calling us to cultivate a thankful heart, a heart of praise even in those difficult times. It is our privilege to offer this sacrifice of praise even when things are not looking so good to our mortal eyes. Even in the saddest of times, there is something to turn our sorrow into singing, but we need to be searching for it. If we belong to Christ, it is our duty to cultivate a thankful heart; this is what sets us apart from the rest of the world. This is what Christianity is all about: sacrifice, a grateful heart and a trust in God in all aspects of our lives, even those we do not understand. We are called upon to offer up the sacrifice of praise, not only because it pleases God, but also because joy and gladness are a source of strength to the soul. When life is dark, that is when we need strength more than any other time in our life. So take a lesson from the Apostle Paul, when things are not going your way, when life has gotten you down, step back and offer God the sacrifice of praise. Praise Him for knowing better than you do. Praise Him for what He has done for you in the past. Praise Him for what he is accomplishing in your heart right now, this very minute and as you begin to feel the joy of the Lord taking the place of the darkness in your life, praise Him again. Praise Him for the miracle of sacrifice: you may think it costs you something, but the return is so much more than you could ever hope. That is the mystery of the sacrifice of praise to God!

Resource : qwchristiandevotions

By Faith

Passage : Hebrews 11

"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going." Hebrews 11:8

Abraham's faith in God led him to the unknown and by his obedience he received the promise. Obedience isn't obedience just because you agree with what you've been told to do. There is no obedience until there is action! Abraham is a great example to each of us of not only what faith is, but also what obedience is all about. It is venturing into the unknown because we are told to do so; it is obeying without question. Is there some area in your life where the Heavenly Father has been telling you what to do, either through His Word, or through the inner tugging of the Holy Spirit? You know it is right and you intend to listen, but you find yourself still sitting where you were when you first heard. Remember there can be no obedience until there is action. We need to be moving on it! This may mean we may have to leave our comfort zone; Abraham was called on to do so. He left his family, his security and followed God's orders, as sketchy as they were. He went forth and did what he was told without knowing for sure what the future held. Whatever it is that God has asked of you, great or small, do not put off obeying for a minute longer. Take action; move ahead and obey, not because you know where or how, but because you know who is it that asked it of you. Our Father would never steer us wrong.

Source: qwchristiandevotions.

A New and Living Way

Passage : Hebrews 10

"Therefore brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is his body. . . let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed in pure water. . ." Hebrews 10:19-22

Unlike worshipers of old we no longer have to depend on sacrifices and priests to enter into worship with God. When Christ died to redeem mankind the veil of the temple was rent in two. No longer was there a veil separating the worshiper from his God. This rending of the veil opened the way for every worshiper to come by a new and living way straight into the divine Presence of God. No longer were there any restrictions placed on the worshiper. Christ has cleansed us from all unrighteousness, he has removed what once separated us from God. He has opened the door, let us enter in, let us draw near to Him and dwell in His presence. God wills that we should push on into His presence and live our whole lives there.

Father, thank You for making a way for us to enter into Your presence. You provided Jesus to pay the price that we might have the opportunity to live in Your presence always. The world wishes to pull us away from You, Lord; help us to live in Your presence for all eternity. Amen

Source: qwchristiandevotions.

CHRIST THE MEDIATOR

Passage : Hebrews 9

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. (Hebrews 9:15)

Christ, through his death, mediates a new covenant. This doesn’t mean that he mediates in the way we commonly think of mediation, working a compromise between two parties. Rather, the term mediator points to Christ’s function as the one who works out a new relationship between God and humankind, who have become estranged under the old covenant.

We see in chapter 8 of Hebrews that this estrangement comes because there was a problem with the old covenant, or, more specifically, the people under the covenant had a problem keeping it. As we saw in our look at Galatians 3:13-14, the old covenant included a promise of blessing to the people under the covenant if they kept the terms of the covenant, and a curse to the people if they broke the terms of the covenant. It would have served as a way to bring God and his people together if the people had kept their side of it, but they didn’t. Covenant breaking was a universal problem, causing the covenant to serve as a barrier between the people and God instead of a way for them to stay in relationship to Him.

So God established a new covenant, a covenant cut by the blood of Christ, in which those who have been called “receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.” Those who are called can receive their inheritance because Christ’s death redeems them from the curse that results from their lawbreaking under the old covenant.

Another purpose for Christ’s death is so that those who are called will receive the promised eternal inheritance.

Resources: Copyright©2007,RebeccaStark.Allrightsreserved.

Bear Right Fruits

Passage : Hebrews 6

For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and briars, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. (Hebrews 6: 7-8)

a. For the earth which drinks in the rain . . . and bears herbs useful . . . receives blessing from God: When the earth receives rain, and then bears useful plants, it then fulfills its purpose and justifies the blessing of rain sent upon it. The writer to the Hebrews applies the point: “You’ve been blessed. But where’s the fruit?” God is looking for what grows in us after He blesses us, especially what grows in terms of maturity.

b. But if it bears thorns and briars, it is rejected: If ground that is blessed by rain refuses to bear fruit, then who can blame the farmer for burning it? God the good farmer is always looking to find good fruits from us.

c. The picture presented reminds us that growth and bearing fruit is important to keep from falling away. When we really bear fruit, we abide in Jesus (John 15:5) and in no danger of falling away.

Jesus when speaking about the vine and the branches said “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” (John 15:4). So let us abide in Jesus Christ and continue to examine our lives and daily paths to see if we are bearing the right fruits in our lives that God can use for his kingdom.

By Ss

Resources : Enduring Word

The Word Of God

Hebrews 4

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

1. God’s word brings true health, fruitfulness, prosperity and success to the things we do. (Psalm 1:3)

2. The word of God has healing power; it has the power to deliver us from oppression. (Psalm 107:20, Matthew 8:8, Matthew 8:16)

3. God’s word is cleansing - if we take heed according to God’s word, our way will be cleansed. (Psalm 119:9, John 15:3, Ephesians 5:26)

4. The word of God, hidden in our hearts, keeps us from sin. (Psalm 119:11)

5. God’s word is our counselor; as we delight in God’s word, it becomes a rich source of counsel and guidance for us. (Psalm 119:24)

6. God’s word is a source of strength. (Psalm 119:28)

7. God’s word imparts life to us. It is a continual source of life for us. (Psalm 119:93, Matthew 4:4)

8. God’s word is a source of illumination and guidance to us. When God’s word comes in, so does light; it makes the simple wise and understanding. (Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:130)

9. God’s word gives peace to those who love it; they are secure, standing in a safe place. (Psalm 119:165)

10. When the word of God is heard and understood, it bears fruit. (Matthew 13:23)

11. The word of God has inherent power and authority against demonic powers. (Luke 4:36)

12. Jesus Himself - His eternal person - is described as the Word. When we are into the Word of God, we are into Jesus. (John 1:1)

13. Hearing God’s Word is essential to eternal life - you cannot pass from death into life unless you have heard the Word of God. (John 5:24, James 1:21, 1 Peter 1:23)

14. Abiding - living in - God’s Word is evidence of true discipleship. (John 8:31)

15. God’s Word is the means to sanctification. (John 17:17)

16. God can do dramatic works with the Holy Spirit as His Word is being preached. (Acts 10:44)
17. Hearing God’s Word builds faith in us. (Romans 10:17)

18. Holding fast to the Word of God can give us present assurance of salvation. (1 Corinthians 15:2)

19. The faithful handling of the Word of God gives the ministers of the Word a clear conscience - they know that they have done all they can before God. (2 Corinthians 4:2, Philippians 2:16)

20. The Word of God is our sword of the Spirit - it is our equipment for spiritual battle, especially in the idea of an offensive weapon. (Ephesians 6:17)

21. The Word of God comes with the power of the Holy Spirit - with “much assurance” - and critical aspect of the ministry of the Word. (1 Thessalonians 1:5)

22. The Word of God works effectively in those who believe. (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

23. The word of God sanctifies the very food we eat! (1 Timothy 4:5)

24. The word of God is not dead; it is living and active and sharper than any two edged sword. The word of God can probe us like a surgeon’s expert scalpel, cutting away what needs to be cut and keeping what needs to be kept. (Hebrews 4:12)

25. The word of God is our source of growth. (1 Peter 2:2, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5)

Activity - CrossWord Puzzle

Source : David Guzik Commentary, EnduringWord

JESUS GREATER THAN MOSES

READ: Hebrews 3:1-6
Have you and your friends ever argued over who the best player on a team was? For example, is Brett Farve or was Reggie White the best player on the Packers? Well, that’s what was happening during the time the book of Hebrews was written. People were questioning Jesus’ authority and were arguing if He was greater than Moses.

The Bible writes about this topic saying that Jesus is greater than Moses because He is God’s Son and Moses was just a faithful servant of God, not His only Son.

Then it talks about how the builder of the house is worthy of greater honor than the house itself and how every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. This is saying that Jesus, who is God, is the maker of everyone which includes Moses, for he was just a mere man. This is very important, for if Jesus was not greater than Moses, then our hope and faith in Him is futile and we are not bound for heaven. However, Jesus IS our Savior and our Builder.

So, in conclusion, Jesus is greater than Moses as it says in Hebrews 3:3, “Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself.”

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: Why does Jesus have to be greater than Moses? In what ways is Jesus greater? Why is it important to believe that Jesus is the Son of God?

PRAYER SUGGESTIONS: Pray that God helps you with your faith in His Son. Thank Him for being our Builder and our Savior. Ask Him to help you fix your thoughts on Christ.

Activity - Meet Tux

source activity - calvarywilliam sport .com

Three-dimensional faith - Living by the Word

Hebrews 2:10-18
WHILE VACATIONING in Orlando, Florida, my wife and I visited the "Passion for Christ Show". We entered the studio and received special 3-D glasses. When we peered through the glasses, the length and width of the images on the movie screen were deepened and our experience enhanced.

The glasses created the illusion that every action in the film was directed toward us. By adding another dimension, our experience seemed richer and more complete. After all, a 3-D picture is more comprehensive than a two-dimensional one. In fact, we often use the idiom "3-D" to refer to experiences whose effects are more far-reaching than usual.

Despite all of the technological wonders, however, the Universal picture was still artificial. By contrast, Paul declares that the revelation of Christ makes a real difference in at least three different dimensions: the personal, the communal and the cosmic.

Christ effects a phenomenal personal transformation in Paul himself. Even when he is imprisoned, Paul celebrates God's free gift poured upon him in his commission to be an apostle. Using key words such as "mystery," "revelation" and "servant," he alludes to a life-changing encounter with Christ that provides him a new, "three-dimensional" identity (Eph. 3:13). His captivity in a jail is actually part of his calling card, for Paul is not just any prisoner. He is a prisoner of and for Christ!

Paul's imprisonment has great symbolic significance. As a special envoy of Christ, he recognizes that, just as Jesus suffered on behalf of others, so too the apostle suffers for the salvific benefit of the gentile converts.

Paul considers his suffering to be a badge of honor and a means of achieving solidarity with the sufferings of Christ. Paul may desire parole from his physical imprisonment, yet even if he walks out of jail as a "free man," he is still bound in obedient servitude to Christ. Because of his personal transformation, Paul serves a lifetime sentence as a "prisoner of Christ."
The second dimension that Christ has transformed is communal existence. God brings all of God's children to glory. In Hebrews 2:12, Jesus responds to this with, "I will proclaim your [God's] name to my brothers and sisters."

Since Christianity is now predominantly a "gentile movement," we often forget that Christianity began as a Jewish "messianic reform movement." The issue of whether and how to include gentiles as "brothers and sisters" was a matter of sizable debate, and there was hostility between the two groups.

But Paul declares gentile believers in Christ to be full and equal members of God's people: "The gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body and sharers in the promise ..." (Eph. 3:6). He uses Greek words that contain some form of the preposition meaning "together with." The gentiles are "together with" the Jews as heirs, persons together in the same body, and those receiving the promises. The hostility and stereotypes that drove chasms between these ethnic groups are to be relinquished in favor of ecclesial unity.

Finally, Paul asserts that God's work in Christ even alters the power dynamics in the cosmic realm. Paul declares that the church's responsibility is to make the wisdom of God known "to the rulers and authorities in heavenly places." To contemporary sensibilities, such language may seem fanciful. Yet for many first-century Mediterranean people, the boundaries between the visible and invisible worlds were porous. Some even believed that visible realities, including political rulers and world regimes, were simply manifestations or emanations of power sources that existed in the invisible, cosmic realm. According to Helmut Koester, "the mastery of life [in the ancient world] ... depended on whether one could secure the favor of those otherworldly powers and share in their benefits. The belief in the [cosmic] power was primary."

Paul's word of hope is that Christians no longer have to fear the cosmic powers opposing them because those forces have received the news of God's eternal plan--news announcing the sovereignty of God and the eventual elimination of the evil impact of these rulers and authorities.

Rather than view Paul's words as "ancient mythology," the Christian can use Paul's cosmic language to discuss the considerable "forces" that impinge upon and despoil human community. Our contemporary "rulers and authorities in heavenly places" may not simply be "demons" but instead corporate and political practices that result in a profoundly unfair distribution of the world's resources.

In recent months, Americans have realized that evil is a parasitic cosmic force that needs human conduits to implement its dastardly deeds. But although the negative cosmic forces sometimes appear to have succeeded, God's action in Christ allows us to confidently believe that the loving, peaceful and just purposes of God will triumph.

Activity - Arrange It

Source:The Christian Century Foundation

The Lord Stood at My Side

Passage : 2 Timothy 4

"No one came to my support, but everyone deserted me...But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength." 2 Timothy 4:16, 17

Paul here lets us in on a precious truth, that when we are at our lowest, when it seems that no one is there for us, when loneliness overwhelms us, it is then that our precious Lord will stand by our side and give us strength. Many of the greatest meetings with the Lord took place when his people were lonely and at their lowest point. When we are in a pit, like Daniel, alone and surrounded by lions, the Lord will be there to protect us. When we find ourselves in the fiery furnaces of life, He will stand with us. When we like Hagar, are cast off, alone, without hope, the Lord will meet with us. When we are in deep despair like Job, God will speak to us from the whirlwind. No matter where we are or what the circumstances, the Lord will lift up our downtrodden spirits by his presence. Isn’t it just like our precious Lord to stand with us when all others let us down, giving us the strength to go on. So next time you are all alone and despair is overtaking you, look for the Lord, He will be there, standing by your side and then you, like Paul, will find strength in Him and can go forth to bring Him glory and honor.

Father, thank You for the reassurance that though the entire world may desert me You will never leave me nor forsake me. You are always there at my side and from You I can always derive the strength I need to see me through. Help me to never lose sight of Your presence with me and to always reach out to You and live in Your strength. Amen

Activity - Arrange It

Resources: qwchristiandevotions

Empty or Full

Passage : 2 Timoty 3

"Mark this: People will have a form of godliness but denying its power." 2 Timothy 3:5

There are those who look good on the outside, but they lack power. These are people with impressive exteriors, but there is emptiness inside. They have religion, but Christ has not taken hold of them. Solomon spoke about this very thing in Ecclesiastes 1:14 when he said that life was "meaningless, a chasing after the wind. " Behind all his exterior wealth, he was spiritually bankrupt! There are many people out there that know this feeling. They wear their masks to church and appear as if all is well with them, when inside they are dead and they know it! I have been there myself and had no idea what to do about it. Then, one day, I cried out to God in despair and asked for him to deliver me from a life of hypocrisy and to give me meaning. He gave me Christ. That hole in my heart that I couldn't seem to fill was suddenly no longer there, for it was filled with Jesus Christ. Along with Jesus comes true godliness and the power that godliness brings. If you are tired of improving your exterior, why not open the door of your heart and let Jesus fill that emptiness inside? His beauty will shine through and suddenly you will not need to put on a show, it will be the real thing: true godliness. Or, maybe you know what I am speaking about; you have been there. Look around you and you are sure to find someone who is "chasing after the wind." Reach out to them with Christ and help them to fill that hole in their hearts. We are afraid to let ourselves become vulnerable, but it is only when we do, that Christ can come into our hearts. May true godliness take hold of our lives because of Christ and may His power work through us.

Activity - Faith Without Works

Resources : qwchristiandevotions