Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Looking for Heaven in 2011
Monday, October 18, 2010
Faith
HOW DOES YOUR
FAITH HOLD UP?--FAITH
Scripture Reading--Hebrews 10:35-39
Just wondering--did you you happen to check the strength of the chair you're sitting on right now? Did it cross your mind to see if the chair could handle the weight of your body? You may think it's ridiculous to ask such a silly thing. After all, you just sat down. In fact, if you're a teen, you probably either "flopped yourself" down or "collapsed yourself" into the seat. No big deal, right? We do it all the time.
Finding a seat is no big deal as long as the chair holds you up. Sitting down is simple until you find yourself on your back in a pile of splintered lumber! Like sitting, faith is also a simple matter. The part of faith that is so critical, however, isn't the "sitting" part but the choosing the "seat" part.
The seat part of your faith is what you're trusting. Your faith will be as strong as the seat on which you choose to sit. A strong faith comes from trusting something or someone who is strong enough to hold you. A weak faith is the result of trusting something or someone who will fail you.
What are you trusting in? In other words, what are you depending on to hold you? It's a great blessing to have faith in God because you're placing your trust in Someone who cannot and will not fail you. You can trust Him for salvation, for protection, for direction, and for everything else you may need in your life.
Faith in God is a great foundation on which to build your life. Depending on God is the key to providing stability and strength in your life. Your confidence is not in yourself but in a God who will not let you down
( like the chair that wasn't made for someone your size ).
DISCUSSION: What are several things we could depend on that would fail us?
--Tom Palmer--
Treasure
VALUABLE TREASURE FOUND
IN AN UNLIKELY PLACE
In 1988, during a clearance sale of unclaimed property, a man bought a painting for $1,000. Though the painting was in poor condition, he thought it might be worth as much as $1,500. Securing the painting to the roof of his van, he drove it to Christie's Auction House in New York City, where collectibles are sold. He told an attendant there that he would accept a little as $1,500 for his find.
When the resident expert saw the painting, he realized with surprise that is was one of the better Italian Renaissance paintings. Commissioned and painted around 1530, the painting had disappeared during the 19th century. But now it was found.
The painting went to auction on January 11, 1989. Though sellers expected to sell the painting for $600,000 to $800,000, a London dealer bought it for $4 million! Later, the Paul Getty Museum purchased the painting, though it was in need of repair. One leg of the male figure had been punctured in several places, and the painting was so damaged and dirty that many of its details were lost.
The painting's restoration was a three-year project, including an extensive study. The restorer said, "It was a slow, tedious process--really mindboggling." But her work paid off. The original warm gray background that emerged lends to the picture a haunting, atmoshperic tone.
She repaired holes, filled in cracks, restored losses of paint, and gave the painting a coat of varnish. The result is dramatic, but museum visitors see only the impact of the finished work.
God's work is a "salvage business." Through grace, He saves, sets apart, and uses saved sinners to rescue those who are perishing. Our witness can result in the salvation of those who will bring many to Christ.
THOUGHT: Everyone will spend eternity either in heaven or in hell. What could be more valuable than an eternal soul?
--Harold Vaughan--
Saturday, October 16, 2010
WE KNOW WHO
HOLDS THE FUTURE
Scripture Reading--Psalms 78:1-8
Earlier this week, we read, "We may not know what the future holds, but we know who hold the future." What a wonderful encouragement that truth is! In Psalm 78:7, we discover that one of the most important values we will ever pass on to our children and grandchildren is "that they might set their hope in God." If we can successfully teach them to hope in God, we have given them something priceless. We've given them what they need to face the future.
Some years ago, Stuart Hamblen wrote a great song about facing the future. The chorus goes like this:
Known only to Him, are the great hidden secrets;
I'll fear not the darkness when my flame shall die;
I know not what the future holds, but I know who holds the future,
It's a secret known only to Him.
Yes, the future holds many secrets we cannot know until we get there. But we need not fear the darkness. Remember what Adoniram Judson said. "Our future is as bright as the promises of God!" Don't get caught sitting on the premises or leaning over the precipice when you should be standing on the promises!
The best way to communicate confidence in God to the next generation is to live it before them every day. No one watches us more closely than our family members. They want to see if we will face life's uncertainties with confidence. If they see us in despair, their hope will be diminished. But if they observe that our hope is in God, they'll know where to find hope for their future.
The greatest test of our confidence is when we've exhausted every human resource. That's when God's at His best. Remember, He's not our last hope; He's our only hope!
ASSIGNMENT: Choose Bible verses that give hope to your family as they face the future.
--Jack Palmer--
OUR CONFIDENCE
FOR THE FUTURE
Scripture Reading--Psalms 42-43
So many face life without hope. No wonder most suicides occur among teens and young adults. As they consider life with all of its uncertainties, they conclude that there's no reason to go on. This hopelessness is not limited to the unsaved. Many professing Christians struggle, too. What a sad commentary on life!
As you read Psalm 42 and 43, your hear the cry of one who is desperate for God. There is no better place to be than in desperation for God. Many in humanly hopeless and helpless situations have discovered their only hope in God. Romans 15:13 describes Him as the "God of hope." Apart from God, there is no hope. That's why the psalmist wrote, "Hope...in God" ( Ps. 42:5,11; 43:5 ). Don't look for hope in government, in the judicial system, in education, in money, in military strength, or in any of man's solutions. You won't find it.
In 1982, I was asked to preach my dear mother's funeral service. My mother had been a godly woman who served the Lord at my father's side for many years. As I pondered her life and asked the Lord what I should preach, He directed me to 1 Corinthians 13, the great love chapter. I was especially drawn to verse 13--"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity" ( emphasis added ).
I concluded my message by saying, "It was faith that gave Mother courage, it was hope that gave Mother confidence, and it was love that made Mother complete." Events like burying three of her children could have caused her to conclude that life was hopeless. But her confidence didn't rest in the unpredictable circumstances of life; it rested in her God. Therefore, she was able to face the future confidently for more than 81 years. She was an inspiration to all of us.
DISCUSSION: As a family, talk about seemingly hopeless difficulties you may face. Reaffirm your confidence in God as you face the future.
--Jack Palmer--
Friday, October 1, 2010
The Future
GREAT CONCENTRATION
ON FACING THE FUTURE
Scripture Reading--Acts 2:46-47
"And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking
bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and single-
ness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people. And
the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved"
( emphasis added )..
He who aims at nothing will certainly hit it! Many challenges in life require great concentration. That's especially true in the sports world--hitting a golf ball straight down the middle of the fairway, shooting a jump shot into the basket at 20 feet, kicking a field goal through the uprights at 35 yards.
A colony of ants lived in a golf course sand trap. A golfer hit a ball into the trap. When he tried to hit the ball out of the sand, he missed several tries and destroyed many ants in the process. One ant said to another, "If we're going to get out of here alive, we better get on the ball!" That fellow didn't know much about concentration.
Concentration requires intense focus. The early church had that kind of focus and did everything with "singleness of heart" ( v. 46 ). Christian families need that kind of focus to face the futures uncertainties.
Peter lost his concentration. In Matthew 14, we read that Jesus invited Peter to walk on the water with Him. Peter was doing great until he took his eyes off the Lord and focused on the storm. Immediately, he began to sink. "Lord, save me!" he cried. Jesus rescued him but also rebuked him for his lack of faith ( v. 31 ).
As you face future unknowns, you must maintain an intense focus on the Lord, on His Word, and on prayer. If you take your eyes off Him, your faith will falter; and you, too, will sink under the "waves" that threaten to wash over you.
APPLICATION: What potential "storms" do you anticipate facing in your future? How can you prepare so you will not lose your concentration? What can you do to maintain you focus?
--Jack Palmer--
The Future
FACING THE FUTURE
WITH GREAT CONVICTION
Scripture Reading--2 Timothy 1:12
"For the which cause I also suffer these things:
nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed,
and am persuaded that he is able
to keep that which I have committed
unto him against that day"
( emphasis added ).
The apostle Paul faced an uncertain future. He was a prisoner of Rome because he had faithfully preached the Gospel ( 2 Tim. 1:8 ). He had suffered much for the sake of Christ, and apparently death was inevitable. In Acts 20:22-24, he spoke confidently about his future, knowing that in human terms the worst awaited him. "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy" ( v. 24a ). How could he, not knowing what was ahead of him, be so courageous? He was a man of great conviction.
Sure of his salvation, he knew God had called him to preach the Gospel. He knew he was in the center of God's will. He knew that no matter what happened to him, God was in control. He knew nothing could touch him without God's permission. He knew he was on his way to heaven when he died, and he based everything on his convictions.
Conviction is what we believe based on God's Word. A conviction is something we are willing to live or to die for. It's knowing what we believe and why we believe it. When we believe right, we will live right. Convictions are the anchor of our souls against the storms of life. Someone once said, "He who stands for nothing will usually fall for anything."
Preferences change, but, but convictions don't. Patrick Henry said, "Give me liberty or give me death." When you have the kind of conviction he had, you can face the future victoriously. Build strong convictions because everything in your life will stand upon them.
ACTION POINT: Talk together about your family convictions. Be sure you are basing them on Scripture.
--Jack Palmer--
Thursday, September 30, 2010
The Future
FACING THE FUTURE
DEMANDS GREAT COMMITMENT
Scripture Reading--Colossians 3:23-24
"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ" ( emphasis added ).
One of the most important qualities of a Christian is commitment. Commitment is the measure of our determination. It's our refusal to be distracted, discouraged, or defeated. It's knowing that everything I do must be done "heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men" ( Col. 3:23 ). But many of God's people seem to know little or nothing about real commitment.
In the spring of 1821, when the city of Indianapolis, Indiana, was in its infancy, Jeremiah Johnson fell in love with a local maiden named Rachel Reagin. Since there was no legal organization in the city, Jeremiah realized that a trip of 60 miles to Connersville, Indiana, was necessary to secure a marriage license. His father couldn't spare him a horse from the plow team, but so great was Jeremiah's love for Rachel that he traveled 120 miles round-trip through the unbroken wilderness barefoot.
Poor Jeremiah's delays weren't over. He waited six more weeks for a minister to arrive in Indianapolis to perform the city's first wedding. In his countrified English, he related, "I determined from the moment seed her, to have her, or to die a-trying!" Isn't it amazing the sacrifice someone will make for the sake of love? Jeremiah's English might not have been the best, but he sure knew something about commitment.
Commitment is the test of true love, whether commitment to God, to His Word, to godly living, or to just plain faithfulness. Sure, the future is uncertain, but commitment can carry you forward with confidence, knowing you are following the course God has planned for you. A lack of commitment results in insecurity. As you face the future, be committed!
APPLICATION: Discuss your family's commitment to God, to His Word, and to each other.
--Jack Palmer--
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
The Future
FACING THE FUTURE
REQUIRES GREAT COURAGE
Scripture Reading--James 4:13-15
One thing we cannot do is stop the hands of time. Time continually moves forward. Do you ever wish you could freeze time right where it is? Have you ever wished to capture a special event so you could hold on to it? That's why people take pictures and make home videos. We don't want certain events or experiences to get away from us. We'd rather not move on to the uncertainties of tomorrow.
The fact is, there's a future we all must face. For some, the future may be longer than others. When facing the future, we must be mindful of the will of God.
Facing the future requires great courage. The future can be overwhelming and frightening because we don't know what's out there. But where do we find the courage? In Isaiah 41:10, we read, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Within this wonderful verse, God lists three blessings we can claim when we need courage.
1. The Presence of God.
2. The Person of God.
3. The Promises of God.
"Fear thou not" is a command based on the fact that God is with us--"for I am with thee." "Be not dismayed" means don't become discouraged at the prospect of trouble. The reason? "For I am thy God."
When God is personally involved in our future, we know our future is in the best of hands. God promises to give us strength and to help us as He holds us up with His strong right hand. Nothing is so big that God cannot carry it. When we claim His presence, His person, His promises, we find all the courage we need to face anything the future brings our way.
DISCUSSION: From today's Scripture reading, what is the most valuable lesson you've learned about the future? Share your thoughts with each other.
--Jack Palmer--
The Future
FACING
THE FUTURE
Scripture Reading--Proverbs 27:
"Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth" ( emphasis added ).
Also read Matthew 6:25-34.
There's a lot about the future we cannot know, but we do know that the future is unpredictable. We may not know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future. If God knows the future and if we're trusting Him, we can face tomorrow courageously. Missionary William Carey correctly said, "The future is as bright as the promises of God." If we can count on anything, we can count on God's promises. They will not fail us! My sister-in-law used to say, "The future is looking gloriously dark." Remember, life has to get worse before it gets better; and for Christians, the best is yet to come.
In Matthew 6:25-34, in His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addressed worry. Many things people worry about spring from uncertainties about the future. When Jesus says, "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself" ( v. 34a ), He doesn't imply that we shouldn't think seriously about important matters. He simply tells us not to be overcome by worry or anxiety about the future. We cannot change anything about tomorrow by worrying about it, but worrying will change us.
If God takes care of birds ( v. 26 ) and flowers ( v. 28 ), surely He will take care of us. Food and clothing, the material things of life, are what the unsaved are concerned about. As Christians, we must look beyond the temporal and focus on the eternal through our relationship with God. If we concentrate on kingdom issues and on living godly lives, God will take care of our needs ( v.33 ). Our future is secure because we're secure in Him.
MEDITATION: As you consider your future as a Christian family, what concerns could worry you? What can you do to prevent anxiety about those concerns?
--Jack Palmer--
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Wisdom
TIME TO WISE UP!
Scripture Reading--Proverbs 2:4
"If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her
as for hid treasures."
Treasure hunters have my full admiration. They trek through jungles unlocking the secrets of ancient maps, searching for sunken treasure, and unearthing past civilizations one grain of sand at a time. I think it's clearly evident that all of us have some treasure hunting naturally built into us. We all like to find money on the sidewalk, and we all enjoy finding a good deal at our favorite store. Many of us hunt for houses, cars, jobs, and freebies regularly. Of course, everyone takes his treasure-hunting hobby to varying levels; but let's face it: all of us enjoy treasure hunting to some degree.
Every day people look for that long-forgotten heirloom or search for a one-of-a-kind trinket from an out-of-the-way antique shop. Some treasures are found in obvious places like attics or safety deposit boxes. But some people find surprises hidden between walls, tucked in secret compartments, or buried under 100-year old trees. You never know where you'll find treasure!
To be successful treasure hunters, we must possess certain qualities. We must have unusual stamina, plenty of perspiration, and unbridled enthusiasm. The art of treasure hunting has little to do with luck but everything to do with preparation and patience.
The same is true for spiritual treasure. If we want spiritual maturity, we must search "for her as for hid treasures" ( Prov. 2:4 ). We must take the time to hunt for those truths that make our lives "approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed" ( 2 Tim. 2:15 ). The heavenly treasure of wisdom is just a shovel throw away from the one who earnestly searches for it. Are you looking for heavenly treasure? Are you studying the Bible? Some men are fortunate enough to find gold, but God said that all who search diligently can find wisdom. Hurry up! There's enough treasure for you, too!
GO TO THE WORD: Read Proverbs 2 and discover the spiritual treasure it contains for you.
--Jeff Kahl--
Praise
WITNESSING THROUGH PRAISE
Scripture Reading--Psalm 107:2a
"Let the redeemed of the Lord say so."
When we speak in church and tell how God is working in our lives, we call this "sharing a testimony." If we said the same thing to lost people, we would call it "witnessing." Our testimony is a powerful, evangelistic tool. Not everyone can preach a sermon, but everyone can share a testimony. One of the most powerful weapons in our evangelistic arsenal is our personal testimony.
We can use our testimony to gain a hearing for the Gospel. Jesus told the woman at the well to return home and to tell the people what had happened to her. She told the townspeople to come and see the man who told her everything she had done. Everybody came to hear Jesus because of her testimony.
In Mark 5, we read about a man dwelling in the tombs. He was so fierce and full of evil spirits that people were afraid of him. Jesus cast the demons out of this man, and he wanted to follow the Lord. But Jesus said to him, "Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee" ( v. 19b ). People marveled when they heard this man's testimony.
Praise is simply bragging about what we appreciate. Robert Murray M'Cheyne said, "Give unlimited credit to God." I was preaching in a church where the pastor told me about a 92-year old man who went downtown every week to pass out Gospel tracts. If God has done something for us, we should broadcast it.
C.T. Studd was a wealthy man who sold everything he had so he could be a missionary to China, India, and Africa. He once said, "Some wish to live within the sound of a church or chapel bell. I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell." God can use our praise to shine the light on the path of unsaved people.
SPEAK UP FOR GOD: Seize every opportunity to brag on Jesus and on what He has done for you!
--Harold Vaughan--
Monday, September 27, 2010
Praise
WHOLEHEARTED PRAISE
Scripture Reading--Psalm 9:1a
Praise calls for full concentration of all our faculties. David determined to praise the Lord with his whole heart.
Acceptable praise is more than just mouthing words. True praise comes from the depths of our souls. It's something that involves our entire being, our whole heart. Halfheartedness has no place in the Christian life. Ecclesiastes says, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might" ( 9:10a ). In other words, when we do something, we should put all of our energies in it. We should be enthusiastic! If our faces look like a reprint of the Book of Lamentations, we need a facelift. Going through the emotions isn't enough. We need to put our strength, mind, and soul into it. We should praise the Lord with our whole heart.
The Bible says much about the heart of man. It describes a hard heart, a fainting heart, a stirred heart, a merry heart, a trembling heart, a tender heart, and a perfect heart. Our heart is the seat of our affections. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" ( Matt. 6:21 ). We become preoccupied with things that are valuable to us and invest in them. We meditate about concerns that are important to us. Whatever we treasure is precious to us.
Worship is good because it interrupts our preoccupation with self! god desires full-blown praise from the depths of our souls.
Songs and hymns of praise are joyful celebrations of God's righteousness.
Fanny Crosby wrote the following hymn of praise:
Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Sing, O earth, His wonderful love proclaim!
Hail Him! hail Him! highest archangels in glory;
Strength and honor give to His holy name!
Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children,
In His arms He carries them all day long.
SONG TIME: Sing this great hymn of praise to the Lord with all your heart.
--Harold Vaughan--
Praise
PRAISING:
THE SECRET OF VICTORY
Scripture Reading--Acts 16:20-34
Paul and Silas were severely beaten and cast in prison for preaching the Gospel. How did they respond? "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them"
( Acts 16:25 ). Amazing, isn't it? Rather than complaining, they were praising the Lord in jail!
The secret of victory is not praying but praising. Those who praise are people who believe God. They look beyond what they can see on a human level and look to the divine level. Circumstances may be difficult in the short run, but praising can lift us out of our pit. God sent an earthquake and opened the prison doors for Paul and Silas. The bands holding them were loosed. The prison keeper and his entire household came to the Lord that night.
Paul and Silas knew God had their situation under control. Second Peter 1:3 says God "according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue." That means God has already provided everything we need in this life. There are no accidents in the Christian journey. Praise is never out of season! In fact, praising is the way God has designed for us to confront difficulties. When we praise the Lord in adversity, we demonstrate that we actively believe God. Perhaps we know that powerful little chorus:
It's amazing what praising can do, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
It's amazing what praising can do. Hallelujah!
I don't worry when things go wrong; Jesus fills my heart with a song.
It's amazing what praising can do, Hallelujah!
The key to triumphant living is learning to live a life of praise. Don't underestimate this valuable resource. Psalm 7:17 says, "I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high."
SONG TIME: Sing a couple of your favorite choruses or songs of praise.
--Harold Vaughan--
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Praise
PRAISE THERAPY
Scripture Reading--Psalm 150:1-6
Those with physical injuries need physical therapy. Those who have other problems are sometimes treated with "color therapy" or "aromatherapy." But God's Word offers another kind of therapy--"praise therapy."
Because God made us, we owe our existence to Him. We should praise the Lord because He is worthy of our praise; He is God! One of the Puritans said, "In prayer we sound like men, but in praise we sound like angels." The entire angelic host is continually praising the Lamb in the midst of the throne. Praise is the language of heaven.
Praise is not so much therapy as it is our obligation and privilege. Appropriate praise, however, brings great benefits. Praise is for God, but it brings great blessing to our hearts. Sometimes we need to put on "the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness" ( Isa. 61:3 ). When we feel down in the dumps, we should rehearse and praise the Lord for His goodness, mercy, holiness, love, longsuffering, and kindness. We should express our appreciation to the Lord in verbal praise. We will find that praise not only exalts God but also elevates the praiser.
We should praise God every time we feel like it. Other times, we should praise God until we do feel like it. We shouldn't let our emotions control us. Character means we do right whether we feel like it or not. We should do right because it is right until doing right becomes a natural part of our lives. As we do our duty, our feelings will eventually catch up. "Every thing that hath breath [ should ] praise the Lord" ( Ps. 150:6 ),
and that includes you and me!
APPLICATION: According to Psalm 150, for how many things should we praise the Lord? Do you remember which instruments this psalm said should be used in praise?
--Harold Vaughan--
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