Thursday, September 30, 2010

Come into the light!

VERSE:

John 3:20-21

20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

LESSON:

This verse compares evil to darkness...and Godly living to light. Those who do evil....fear the light (God's light) as their evil deeds may have "light shown on them", or in other words, their deeds would be exposed to others to see. An interesting side lesson on the choice of the word "Light" in this verse is that in other Bible verses...Jesus is described as "...the light of the world".

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Do you have the Spirit?

VERSE:

1 Corinthians 2:12-14

12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

LESSON:

This verse tells us that there is a difference between worldly things...and spiritual things that are from God. The most important "truths" for Christians are the "...spiritual truths in spiritual words...". Why does the world not understand and accept "spiritual truths" that are from God? (As stated in the Bible). Because the earthy person who is without "the spirit of God within them"...just can't understand Godly things. For them...these things are "...foolishness...". But for the Christian...they are eternal truths that are "spiritually discerned...".

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Face to Face?

VERSE:

Matthew 15:12

12 Now all we can see of God is like a cloudy picture in a mirror. Later we will see him face to face. We don't know everything, but then we will, just as God completely understands us.

LESSON:

This verse tells us that for now..."God is like a cloudy picture in a mirror". It promises, however, that "Later we will see him face to face". It also promises that although we "don't know everything, but then we will". For me, the most comforting part of this verse is the statement "...just as God completely understands us...". What a comfort to know that although we don't completely understand God now...he already completely understands us!!!

Monday, September 27, 2010

Should you listen to just any teacher?

VERSE:

Matthew 15:13-14

13 Jesus answered, "Every plant that my Father in heaven did not plant will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Stay away from those Pharisees! They are like blind people leading other blind people, and all of them will fall into a ditch."

LESSON:

This verse tells us to be cautious about who we choose as our Bible teachers. Some Bible teachers are from God...some are not. This verse compares those "false teachers" and those who follow them...to a blind person leading the blind. If you don't know where you are heading (are blind), and you following one who is not from God (also blind), you will both become lost (fall into a ditch).

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Are you planting "weeds"?

VERSE:

Galatians 6:7-8

7-8 Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.

LESSON:

This verse compares how we respond to God, demonstrated by what we do in life...with planting. If we are selfish, ignoring others, and only thinking of ourselves...this verse tells us that we will receive "weeds" as our crop at harvest time. But, if we properly respond to God's call, and allow our spirit and our "works" to grow, we will receive the crop of "eternal life". Some translations say this another way. "What a person plants, he will harvest".

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Have you ever "messed up"?

VERSE:

1 John 2:1

1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

LESSON:

You should not have to think too long about this question in order to honestly admit..."Yes...I have messed up". All is not lost. The Bible says that we have all sinned ("messed up"). But thankfully, that is NOT the end of the story. Through the Grace of God...we have Jesus "...who speaks to the Father in our defense...". What a wonderful assurance! Jesus loves us so much that he is our defender...even when we have "messed up". Our goal for today...try our best not to "mess up" again today. Just take it one day at a time, and do your best.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Hey, you want a Beer?

VERSE:

Proverbs 20:1

1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

LESSON:

You would be surprised to learn about all of the good advice that you can find in the Bible. You just need to look for it. There are two ways to learn about the good and bad things in life, learning the hard way on your own, or learning from the wise experiences of others. This verse warns us that many people choose the unwise path of allowing wine and beer to be their entertainment...only to find that they are "...led astray by them...". What does this verse say about that type of person? "...not wise...". So, the next time someone asks you..."Hey, you want a Beer"? You may want to think about it and ask yourself...should I make a "wise" choice?

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Do you feel clean today?

VERSE:

Psalm 51:2

2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

LESSON:

If you read the Bible, you will quickly learn that we all have sinned, and we need to be washed clean. Only God/Jesus can "clean" away our sins. Jesus therefore is the original "Soul Sanitizer".

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Neither a borrower nor a lender be?

VERSE:

Proverbs 22:7

7 The poor are ruled by the rich, and those who borrow are slaves of moneylenders.

LESSON:

This verse is not condemning the rich, nor the poor. It is simply stating a fact. If you borrow money...you may make someone else rich, and by doing so, you also allow them to have power/control over a part of your life (what you do with a majority of your pay-check each month). If you have ever heard of "Payday Lenders" or "Car Title Loans" you will better understand the truth of what this verse means by saying "...those who borrow are slaves of moneylenders...". This is not a new problem. It is as old as the Old Testament of the Bible. Before you borrow...think about this Bible verse and lesson.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

What do you want to be like when you grow up?

VERSE:

Galatians 5:22-23

22 God's Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, 23 gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways.

LESSON:

This is what I want to be like "when I grow up". Unfortunately, most of us grow up in age, and in height (and most of us in weight), but we don't fully grow up "in Spirit". This verse calls us to allow "God's Spirit..." to make us into the type of person that God wants us to be. What type of person? Loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. Boy...I would like to be able to demonstrate just a few of these qualities on any given day. How about you? What do you want to be like when you grow up?

Monday, September 20, 2010

And you thought that you had it bad!

VERSE:

1 Corinthians 4:9-12

9-13 It seems to me that God has put us who bear his Message on stage in a theater in which no one wants to buy a ticket. We're something everyone stands around and stares at, like an accident in the street. We're the Messiah's misfits. You might be sure of yourselves, but we live in the midst of frailties and uncertainties. You might be well-thought-of by others, but we're mostly kicked around. Much of the time we don't have enough to eat, we wear patched and threadbare clothes, we get doors slammed in our faces, and we pick up odd jobs anywhere we can to eke out a living. When they call us names, we say, "God bless you." When they spread rumors about us, we put in a good word for them. We're treated like garbage, potato peelings from the culture's kitchen. And it's not getting any better.

LESSON:

This verse gives us a glimpse into the average day in the life of 1st century Christians. Were they looked up to by the people around them? Not quite. Do you think that this treatment of Christians only took place during the 1st generation after Jesus' resurrected? Unfortunately, this kind of treatment is actually increasing in the world...and yes, even in the good old U.S. of A. The writer is not complaining about their treatment...he is merely stating a fact about their treatment and their life conditions. The real point that I get out of this verse is that if we are truly Christians...we will have to learn to expect such treatment. It comes with the territory.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Watch that mouth!

VERSE:

Ephesians 4:29

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

LESSON:

Did you ever hear your Mom or Dad say "Watch that mouth"? They were telling you to watch what you say...as you were saying something inappropriate. This verse also talks about the same subject. It tells us what to not say...and what to say. Don't say = "...any unwholesome talk...". Do say = "...what is helpful for building other up...". We should all think before we allow words to come out of our mouth. Are we ready to say a "don't" sentence...or a "Do" sentence.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Are you multi-lingual...or just a noisy gong/cymbal?

VERSE:

1 Corinthians 13:1

1 What if I could speak all languages of humans and of angels? If I did not love others, I would be nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

LESSON:

This verse speaks to us about the difference between "talking the talk", and "walking the walk". It speaks about the differences between saying what you believe, and showing other what you believe by putting your words into action. Those who love others, do things for others. They show their love...by doing. This verse calls us to do more than talk...it calls us to action. It says that if all we do is talk, then we are nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal".

Friday, September 17, 2010

Are you a "wise guy/wise girl"?

VERSE:

James 3:13

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

LESSON:

I am not talking about being a smart-alecky person. I am talking about having Godly wisdom. This verse tells us that we demonstrate our wisdom/understanding...by the way we live our lives. We demonstrate wisdom by the deeds we do...but also in the humility that we will display if we really have wisdom.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Love your Brother/Sister!

VERSE:

1 John 4:19-21

19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

LESSON:

This verse could equally have said, my cousin, my neighbor, my co-worker or my classmate instead of the word "brother". The point is that because God loved us first...we can learn to truly love others. We can even learn to love those who we would initially think are just simply "unlovable". The crabby person. The complaining person. The tattle-tale. The person who borrows and never returns, or worse yet, the person who cheated us or stole from us. Is loving others "voluntary"? This verse tells us that if you are a Christian...we have been given a "command" to love others. Try today to love just one other person that yesterday you would have thought was impossible to even consider.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Obey your parents?

VERSE:

Colossians 3:20

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

LESSON:

We live in a society where everyone rebels against someone or something, and no one seems to want to obey the rules. Employees don't want to listen to their supervisors. Drivers don't want to follow the rules of the road. Corporations don't think that laws really apply to them. Parents want special treatment for their kid, from their sports team coaches, when it comes to applying the rules. No one really wants to "obey". Sometimes even kids don't want to listen to the advice or directions of their parents. This verse singles out that act of failing to "obey", and calls us to "...obey your parents in everything". Read that sentence again...it says the word "everything". Why should you do this? Because, this verse tells us, "...this pleases the Lord...".

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Do you ever feel down?

VERSE:

Psalm 42:11

11 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

LESSON:

We all have good days and bad days in life. Handling the goods days in life is rather easy. It is how we handle the bad days in life that should set us Christians apart from the rest of society. In this verse the writer is obviously having a bad day. What is important, is how the writer responds to the situation. Sometimes you need to ask yourself...why am I feeling down? Why do I feel the way I do today? In this verse the writer gives us a response pattern that we should try to emulate. In spite of feeling down, the writer calls us to "...Put your hope in God...", to "praise him..." and to have faith that God will always be your "Savior".

Monday, September 13, 2010

Rejoice you say?

VERSE:

Philippians 4:4 (New International Version translation)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

LESSON:

This verse calls us to "Rejoice in the Lord always". Some days, this may be a very hard thing to do. We are all busy, we all have challenges in life, and some of us may have heavy burdens (physically, emotionally or spiritually). This verse tells us a 2nd time..."Rejoice". Find a way to "Rejoice" each and every day.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Should I "exercise" my faith?

VERSE:

1 Timothy 4:6-10 (Contemporary "The Message" translation)

6-10 You've been raised on the Message of the faith and have followed sound teaching. Now pass on this counsel to the followers of Jesus there, and you'll be a good servant of Jesus. Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion. Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we've thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We're banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers.

LESSON:

This verse calls us to "exercise our faith", even more so than we should exercise our bodies (like at the Gym). It reminds us that being physically fit is great "for today"...but that being spiritually fit...is even more useful...as you are preparing your soul for "the forever". [eternity].

Saturday, September 11, 2010

What does God want from me?

VERSE:

Micah 6:8

8 But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what God is looking for in men and women.
It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don't take yourself too seriously—
take God seriously.

LESSON:

If you read the Bible, it will quickly become clear to you what God expects (wants) from each of us. This verse summarizes some of those traits very clearly. We are to 1) be fair and just. 2) be compassionate, 3) be loyal in love, 4) Don't take yourself very seriously...but take God very seriously.

Friday, September 10, 2010

"Will Work for Food!"

VERSE:

John 6:27-29

27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

28 Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" 29 Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

LESSON:

Have you ever seen someone on the street holding a sign saying "Will Work for Food"? This verse is about people who are similar to that...as it starts out (verse 22-25) talking about the crowds that followed Jesus, the crowds that Jesus had fed as a multitude of followers sitting and hearing him preach. They followed him more for the food that he had given out...than they did follow to hear him speak. This verse finds Jesus instructing the crowd that they should be more interested in the "Food" that endures to eternal life, rather than food that spoils. Spiritual food, rather than physical food. Jesus is the "Bread of Life"...and he instructs them (and us) that the "work of God" is to believe in the person that God has sent to us (Jesus). Have you "worked for food" lately?

Thursday, September 9, 2010

"Thy will be done"?

VERSE:

Psalm 143:1

10 Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.

LESSON:

Do you remember the words to "The Lords Prayer"? It contains the words "...thy will be done...". This verse is about asking God to teach us his will. If we do God's will...then we will please him. This verse also offers a prayer that God's spirit would "...lead me on level ground...". I have read a number of translations that seem to indicate that this prayer is asking God to lead us to a place where we will be safe...and to live "upright", or in accordance with God's commandments. The writer is telling us that when we walk in God's will, we live in a way that is pleasing to God.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

What do you mean..."Never on Sunday"?

VERSE:

Deuteronomy 5:13-14

13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor the alien within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest, as you do.

LESSON:

This verse is about when to work...and when not to work. God gave us 6 days to work...but on the 7th day (Sunday)...we are to rest. This is not one of the "10 Suggestions". This is one of the "10 Commandments". It could not be any more clear about who should not work on Sundays. You, your family, your servants, your pets, your farm animals, and even "aliens". I guess God really means what he said..."Never on Sunday"!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

How do we show our love for Jesus (God)?

VERSE:

John 14:21 and 14:23-24

21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

AND

23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

LESSON:

Talk is cheap. Action is priceless. This verse calls us to do something that should be easy, but in the world that we live in, it actually may be the hardest thing that you are asked to do. Jesus calls us to be people that have (know) his "...commands and obeys them...". He also calls us to be people whom "...will obey my teachings". What do we get from Jesus (God) in return? We will be loved...and they will continue to be with us always.

Monday, September 6, 2010

A new Commandment?

VERSE:

John 13:34-35

34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

LESSON:

You know what "Commandments" are don't you? Yes...there are 10 of them in the Bible. In this verse, Jesus tells us that he has given us a new Commandment. Is it number 11? Not really. Jesus is really just summing up the essence behind ALL of the original 10 Commandments that we were already given. From the beginning...God has loved us. When Jesus arrived on earth...he both told and showed those that he came in contact with that He (and God) love us. If you ever feel "unloved", remember that God loves us (and you individually). If you want to know what you are supposed to do with all of the love that God/Jesus has shown to you...just share it.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

A new Commission?

VERSE:

Matthew 28:18-20

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

LESSON:

First of all, what is a "Commission"? The dictionary says that it is "...an order, a charge, a direction, or granting authority...". What is Jesus telling us here? That through "his authority", granted to him by God...he is giving us an "order" that should constitute our "Life's work". Wherever we find ourselves in life, our role as Christians is to "...go and make disciples of all nations...", "...baptizing them...", "...teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you...". Wow. Talk about a "tall order" or a "Big Job". Well, we may sometimes feel "small"...but nothing is too large for God.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Watch that tongue!!!

VERSE:

James 3:7-10

7 People can tame every kind of wild animal, bird, reptile, and fish, and they have tamed them,8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is wild and evil and full of deadly poison.9 We use our tongues to praise our Lord and Father, but then we curse people, whom God made like himself.10 Praises and curses come from the same mouth! My brothers and sisters, this should not happen.

LESSON:

James 3 is all about controlling the things that we say. This series of verses (7-10) explains how relatively easy it is to "tame" many other things in the natural world...but how hard it is for us to "tame" (control) our own tongues. It further reminds us that the same tongue that praises the Lord...should not also be heard saying things that God would not want us to say. Pray for the Lord's guidance before you say anything that can have a negative impact on others.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Don't be foolish!!!

VERSE:

Proverbs 26:4

4 Don't answer fools when they speak foolishly,
or you will be just like them.

LESSON:

This lesson is not intended to be used to insult anyone. Future lessons will discuss how we are accountable for what we may say about others. This verse encourages us to demonstrate restraint and to learn the wisdom of silence...when not talking is actually the best course of action. First, you need the wisdom to notice that someone else is speaking foolishly. Secondly, you must have the restraint to hold your tongue (more about that tongue tomorrow). If we foolishly and directly answer back someone who speaks to us foolishly...then we become just like them.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

My ways....or Thy Ways oh Lord?

VERSE:

Psalm 119:57-60

57 You are my portion, O LORD;
I have promised to obey your words.

58 I have sought your face with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.

59 I have considered my ways
and have turned my steps to your statutes.

60 I will hasten and not delay
to obey your commands.

LESSON:

Have you ever heard the famous and popular late 60s song that has the lyrics "...I did it my way.."? (in 1968 Frank Sinatra sang it...and Paul Anka wrote it). Well, this verse is encouraging us to be different than the rest of the world...and to try to do things "God's way". In simple English, this verse reminds us of a few universal truths. 1) GOD is all that we really need, 2) We should promise to obey God's Law (The Bible), 3) We should seek God with our time, our energy, our hearts, and our intellect, 4) We should look at how we think/speak/act...and see if we can change our behavior to be more like God's "statutes" (The Bible) tells us to be, 5) We should change our lives now, and not delay, in trying to obey God's Commandments. Would it not be great if we could honestly sing to others...."I did it His way"!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

So, what do you have to be happy about?

VERSE:

Psalm 68:3

3 But let your people be happy and celebrate because of you.

LESSON:

This verse tells us that regardless of our circumstances in life...if you are one of "Gods People", then you have much to be happy about, and you should want to celebrate. God is good...God is great. He loves us, provides for us...and watches over us. These things alone are enough to make me happy...and to make me want to celebrate!!!