JANUARY 31, 2010

NO TURNING

BACK!

Scripture Reading--Psalm 78:9-11, 40-42, 56-58

"The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back

in the day of battle. They kept not the covenant of God,

and refused to walk in his law" ( vv. 9-10 ).

Did you hear the story of the general? As his troops were preparing to go to battle, he gave them the order never to retreat. They encountered the enemy, the battle began, and immediately one platoon turned and ran for the hills. After the battle and the regathering of troops, the general reprimanded the lieutenant for retreating. The lieutenant replied, "We didn't retreat. I just ordered them to about-face and charge!"

That may be a humorous story, but one of the most serious offenses a soldier can commit is running from the battle and abandoning his comrades. A soldier who is guilty of this offense will be severely punished.

In today's Scripture, we read three times that God's people, Israel, "turned back." Psalm 78 is an historical account of God's blessing upon His people. Over and over, we read of how good God was to them; but repeatedly, they turned their backs on Him. Lest we become too hard on Israel, we must not forget that we, too, can be guilty of the same sins.

When I was a teen, I remember singing, "I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back." It's easy to make promises, commitments, and vows to God and not keep them. We may be sincere in what we promise; but for some reason, we don't follow through. We turn back! In the Christian life, this behavior is a serious offense. In Ecclesiastes 5:4-5, God says we are better not to make a promise than to make it and not follow through. Turning back grieves God's heart and results in serious consequences for us. Don't be guilty of turning back!

EXERCISE: Have you made promises, commitments, or vows to God but have since turned your back on them? If so, ask God for forgiveness and recommit yourself to faithfulness.

--Jack Palmer--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Exodus 11-13

JANUARY 30, 2010

PASS

IT ON!

Scripture Reading--Psalm 78:1-8

One of the most exciting events in track and field is the relay race. Not only exciting, the sport requires a great deal of teamwork and precise timing. Four runners are on each relay team, and the race begins with one of the fastest. Hopefully, he will give his team a good start. The middle runners are usually not the strongest, but the last one is the real speedster.

Each team member runs a certain distance and stays within defined boundaries. The key to a successful relay is the baton handoff from one runner to the next. Runners spend many hours perfecting the handoff, and every split second counts. The handoff must be done with great precision because it has won or lost many a relay.

Today's Scripture passage describes the passing on of faith from one generation to another. In fact, it makes reference to four succeeding generations: "our fathers" ( v. 3 ), our generation ( v. 4 ), our children ( v. 5 ), and "their children" ( v. 6 ). The progression is like a spiritual relay. Our generation is responsible to pass on the faith to the next generation so when we finish our part of the race, they are prepared to carry on for God.

God's purpose for your family is to raise up the next godly generation. the only way to be successful is to faithfully communicate God's Word to family members each day. Verse 7 describes three results of this education: ( 1 ) They will see God as their only hope, even in a hopeless world. ( 2 ) They will be unable to forget all that God has done. ( 3 ) They will learn the value of obedience to Him.

As you run your "race" for God, endeavor to be faithful in passing on a vital, living faith to those following behind you. Remember, they must carry the torch to the next generation.

ACTION POINT: Share with your family your spiritual goals for passing on the faith and for raising up the next godly generation.

--Jack Palmer--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Exodus cc. 8-10

JANUARY 29, 20210

WHO MAKES

THE FINAL CALL

Scripture Reading--Colossians 3:15

"And let the peace of God

rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called

in one body; and be ye thankful."

The crowd is on its feet. Millions of people around the world are glued to their TVs. It's game seven of the World Series. With the score tied and two outs, the runner takes his lead off second base. The pitch is delivered. Crack! It's a hit into center field. As the center fielder rushes to pick up the bouncing ball, the runner rounds third base and heads for home. The throw comes home. The runner slides into a cloud of dust. The catcher makes the tag. And who does everybody look at?

Anyone who knows anything about baseball knows that at that moment, everybody is looking at the umpire. Why? Because this one man must make the call. His call of "safe" or "out" may determine who will be world champions.

The word rule means to be like an umpire. In other words, we must allow the "peace of God" to make the final call when we're determining His will. When God has given clear leading through His Word, through godly counsel, and through circumstances, the peace of God is still what must seal the decision. If God's peace is there, we should do it! If God's peace isn't there, we shouldn't dare!

Often in my life God gave His peace as confirmation of His leading. It was such a blessing to rest assured that I was doing God's will. Though I may not have understood what God was doing--or even how He would do it--I knew I could trust the Lord's leading.

Chaos and confusion never accompany God's leading. God doesn't play "hard to get" or tease us with His will. When He's leading, He will make His wishes clear and will give the peaceful assurance that we are doing His will.

DO THIS NOW: Take turns giving "six words or less" definitions of "peace."

--Tom Palmer--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Exodus cc. 5-7

JANUARY 28, 2010

DON'T PICK

THE LOCK

Scripture Reading--Psalm 37:23

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord:

and he delighteth in his way."

My dad was trying to finish a paint job. If he could get it done, he hoped to go away that weekend. Suddenly a gust of wind blew the ladder over, causing the paint to spill all over the porch. Was the event just a coincidence?

My brother was considering going back to his college for an alumni basketball game. He prayed about whether to go. The week before the game, he was playing pickup basketball when he tore his Achilles tendon. Was his injury just an accident?

Some people, even Christians, assume life "just happens." Resting on fate or chance, they wait to see what will happen. To children of God who are walking with God, however, the events of life are not coincidences accidents. God is in control of everything. You see, not only are the "steps of a good man...ordered by the Lord." God orders the stops, too. He uses divinely directed circumstances to lead His children.

God opens and closes doors by directing or permitting certain events to occur. My father and brother came to know what God wanted them to do because of circumstances God allowed to impact their lives.

One word of caution is essential. Circumstances aren't always the Lord's leading. They are God's leading only when they are blended with the leading of God's Word and godly counsel.

Sometimes God creates a situation and uses it to open a new door of opportunity. When God leads this way, we can rejoice that He's at work to order our steps. Someone once said, "Try the doorknob. Just don't pick the lock." If the door of circumstance opens, step through it; but don't force a situation God doesn't allow to develop.

APPLICATION: Read Acts 16:6-10. See how God closed two doors to open another one.

--Tom Palmer--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Exodus cc. 1-4

JANUARY 27, 2010

WHEN THE BIBLE

IS YOUR LIGHT

Scripture Reading--Psalm 119:105

"Thy word is a lamp

unto my feet, and a light

unto my path."

Imagine living in the days before electricity. Imagine no streetlights, headlights, floodlights, or flashlights. When the sky grew dark at night, it became pitch black. Unless the sky glowed with moonlight, no one had a way of knowing where he was going.

The only way to see the path was with a lamp, which one carried or strapped to his ankle. This lamp became the light that made the path visible. What's so interesting is that the light usually shined for only a short distance. The bearer of the light couldn't see a mile or even 100 yards ahead; he saw only a few steps. Yet if he allowed the lamp to lighten his path, he could get where he wanted to go.

The Bible describes itself as a "lamp unto my feet." In other words, God's Word is one of the ways God guides us to follow His will. By the way, God's Word is His will; the will of God will never contradict His Word. Some folks speak of knowing God's will, but what they say contradicts God's Word. Mark it down. If what you assume to be God's will is in violation of His truth, it isn't God's will.

In the Bible, we find principles, examples, illustrations, and direct commands that clearly show us what God desires. A careful study of God's Word is a great blessing in knowing God's will. The Bible becomes like a directional arrow and like a stop sign warning us of danger.

When you are facing a decision, go to the Word of God and allow God to "instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go" ( Ps. 32:8 ). Even in our modern day of electricity, we need a good light to show us the path.

ASSIGNMENT: List several Bible principles that are helpful when you need to make a decision.

--Tom Palmer--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Job cc. 38-42

JANUARY 26, 2010

WHO'S IN THE

DRIVER'S SEAT?

Scripture Reading--Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own

understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths."

We had finished lunch in the camp dining room and were going back to the trailer where we were staying. As we climbed into the van, I asked my toddler-age son, Andrew, if he would like to drive. He quickly agreed and climbed onto my lap.

As we headed down the gravel road through the woods, I took my hands off the steering wheel, and he took the wheel with his little hands. In a moment, we were in a crisis! Ahead was the ditch, the hedgerow, and even a tree.

Andrew couldn't stay on the road for anything. To make things more exciting, I stepped on the accelerator, and the van lunged forward. I hit the brakes just before we had a collision. Andrew laughed, screamed, and threw his hands into the air.

I put the van into reverse and backed up. Meanwhile, my wife and daughter were laughing uncontrollably in the backseats.

Each time we almost had another collision, I included a fun "lecture" about good driving. After the third incident, Andrew took his hands off the steering wheel and blurred, "I can't do it. You'll have to drive." A moment later, we were safely home.

What does "acknowledge him" mean? In toddler language, it means, "I can't do it. You'll have to drive." It's the acknowledgment that I can't get where I'm supposed to go by myself. I must have God's hand guiding me.

Could it be that many times we've gotten on the wrong half of Proverbs 3:6? We try so hard to direct our own paths when all God wants is for us to simply acknowledge Him. He just wants us to stay on our half of the verse.

EXERCISE: Blindfold one of your children and see how well he can follow directions without seeing where he's going. Discuss "trusting."

--Tom Palmer--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Job cc.35-37

JANUARY 25, 2010

OUR EXAMPLE

IS JESUS

Scripture Reading--Philippians 2:5-8

When we consider living a life according to God's will, we have no greater example than the Lord Jesus Christ. He was God, yet as a man He humbly submitted Himself to the will of the Father. His example teaches us the following important truths:

1. God's will means DOING--After the woman at the well brought the city to see and to hear Jesus, He said, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work" ( John 4:34b ). The pursuit of God's will requires obedience. We can never accomplish God's will without action.

2. God's will means SEEKING--Jesus said, "I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me" ( John 5:30b ). He was able to know the Father's will because He desired to know what it was. You will never know God's will for your life until you truly want to know what it is.

3. God's will means YIELDING--When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, He expressed His attitude with the following statement to His Father: "Not as I will, but as thou wilt" ( Matt. 26:39b ). Surrender enabled Jesus to do God's will with no strings attached. You cannot know God's will until you first have no will of your own.

4. God's will means FINISHING--In John 17:4b, Jesus said, "I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." When Jesus cried out from the cross, His final words were, "It is finished"! You cannot experience God's fullest blessing until you're willing to go all the way to do God's will.

No one in history has touched the world like Jesus did. He made His impact because the will of His Father reigned supreme. Nothing else mattered to Him. Likewise, nothing should be more important to us.

READ AND DISCUSS: See what 1 John 2:6 says about our walk. Whom should we imitate?

--Tom Palmer--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Job cc. 32-34

JANUARY 24, 2010

GOD'S WILL

FOR ME

Scripture Reading--Ephesians 5:17

"Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding

what the will of the Lord is."

We may describe God's will for an individual's life as three-dimensional. We can illustrate this relationship by drawing a circle and writing your name inside. Now we draw three more circles around the original circle.

The outer circle represents God's universal will for everyone. God's will for every human who will ever live on planet Earth is that he would be saved. God is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" ( 2 Pet. 3:9 ). He "will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" ( 1 Tim. 2:4 ). God has no greater desire in His heart than that sinners would be saved from their sin.

The second circle represents God's general will for every Christian. This will is based on God's revealed will in His Word. Christians should live by the basic biblical principles of holiness, godliness, and practical Christian living ( for examples, see 1 Thes. 4:3, 5:18 ).

Finally, the inner ring represents God's personal will for each Christian. Here His will is specific and custom-fits each believer, expressing God's desire for the individual's life. In Psalm 143:10a, David prayed, "Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God." In this prayer, he asked God to make His will clear as it applied to David's life. God has a perfect plan--or an agenda, we might say--for each of His children. It's crucial for each believer to know and to follow that plan for his life.

To be out of God's will or to miss His will for your life is tragic. God's will must determine your direction in this life and your destination in eternity. God's will is best.

ASSIGNMENT: From Scripture, make a list of five qualities God desires for every Christian. Determine whether you're living according to God's will.

--Tom Palmer--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Job cc. 28-31

JANUARY 23, 2010

THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISION

Scripture Reading--Romans 12:2

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing

of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable,

and perfect, will of God."

"Okay, class. Let's begin today's lesson with a quiz. This quiz is to help us determine the most important decision you will make in life, other than the decision to be saved. On your paper are listed six important decisions you will make as you grow up. You should put them in order of importance, listing which is most important and which is least important."

After receiving the quiz paper, you see the following:

A. Where you will go to college

B. What your occupation will be

C. Where you will live

D. Whom you will marry

E. What kind of car you will drive

F. What you will name your dog

"All right, family. You are the students in the classroom. Take your quiz. You may discuss your answers with each other before giving your final decision. Are you finished? Good, let's see how you did."

Though this quiz may seem simple, I'm going to surprise you with your grade. You see, if you chose any of the decisions as the most important, you missed all six and failed the quiz. Yes, it was a trick quiz, but I'm making a point.

At least five choices were major decisions ( the dog's name is no big deal ). However, there's a greater decision you must make, and you must make it before the others. You can't properly make decisions as a person or as a family until you've first decided that you will know and do God's will no matter what. This decision is called surrender. It's a decision to yield my will to God's will so His will is the most important priority in my life. Until that's settled, nothing else is going to be important.

ACTION POINT: Ask each family member to define "God's will" in his own words.

--Tom Palmer--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Job cc. 25-27

JANUARY 22, 2010

THE VIRTUE OF VIRTUES

Scripture Reading--Judges 8:22-23

"Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou,

and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the

hand of Midian. And Gideon said unto them,

I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you:

the Lord shall rule over you."

God used Gideon to deliver the nation. Afterwards, his countrymen wanted to make him king. They were ready to declare Gideon and his descendants the royal family, but Gideon remembered where he'd been when the Lord called him--threshing wheat by the winepress. He was hiding because he was afraid his wheat would be stolen. He recognized that God's hand had brought them the victory. Without hesitation, Gideon declined the offer to rule. He remained meek and gave God the glory.

John Bunyan penned the following words:

He that is down, need fear no fall;

He that is low no pride;

He that is humble ever shall

Have God to be his guide.

Humility is a foundational virtue, a platform from which other good qualities may be built. A humble man receives the desire and power to do right--"[ God ] giveth grace to the humble" ( 1 Pet. 5:5b ). As a small seed is capable of producing much fruit, humility is the beginning point for countless graces. Psalm 34:18 says, "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit [ lowly attitude ]." The gateway to spiritual prosperity is a humble spirit.

In addition to giving birth to other virtues, humility is a shield to vice. The humble heart is protected from many snares. "Nothing sets a person so much out of the devil's reach as humility," Jonathan Edwards said. Pride is the oldest, deadliest sin in the world.

POINTS TO PONDER: How many Bible verses about humility can you list? What do these verses teach us about humility?

--Harold Vaughan--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Job cc. 22-24

JANUARY 21, 2010

SURRENDER TO CHRIST

Scripture Reading--Judges 6:25

"And it came to pass the same night, that the Lord said unto him, Take

thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and

throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath,

and cut down the grove that is by it."

God called Gideon to full consecration on the night after he had a face-to-face encounter with Christ. Gideon came from a family of idol worshipers. The Lord told him to tear down the altar of Baal. This instruction was quite a challenge for a man who was afraid the Midianites might steal his wheat! But God's calling is accompanied by His enabling. God enables us for the task He calls us to fulfill. Gideon obeyed and threw down the altar of Baal. He had to make a clean break with false religion.

The idols Gideon smashed were statues or images representing false gods. "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." ( Ex. 20:3 ) was God's command through Moses.

Unearthing ruins in Mexico, archeologists found idols of every size, shape, and description. They were made of glass, gold, silver, and bronze. This ancient civilization was totally given over to idolatry, prompting archeologists to name the site "The City of the Gods."

We who live in western culture are prone to think idolatry is confined to pagan religion and primitive cultures. An idol, however, can be any object of excessive attachment--anything that takes God's place, including a person, a habit, or a job. God deserves full allegiance from His creation, and whatever comes between us and God is our god. Spurgeon said, "Idolatry is the greatest insult the creature can offer the Creator." Nothing could be worse than putting something or someone in God's place.

Gideon dedicated himself fully to the Lord. The best day in our lives is when we run up the white flag of surrender to the Lordship of Christ. He alone is worthy of our devotion.

INVITATION: "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus" is a great song. Read through the verses, discuss them, and sing the song.

--Harold Vaughan--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Job cc. 18-21

JANUARY 20, 2010

FINISH THE TASK

Scripture Reading--Judges 7:7-22

"So Gideon, and the hundred men...blew the trumpets,

and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.

And the companies...cried,

The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon" ( vv. 19-20 ).

Gideon defeated Israel's enemy with 300 soldiers and an unusual plan. God instructed Gideon and his band to take trumpets and lamps and to surround the Midianites, who were camping in the valley. As darkness fell, Israel surrounded the camp. When Gideon blew his trumpet, his companions blew their trumpets. Gideon lit his lamp, and the others did likewise. When the Midianites heard 300 trumpets and saw 300 lights, they thought they were surrounded by a huge army. God's hand turned against the Midianites, and they started killing each other. Gideon and his men blew the trumpets and held up the lamps. God took care of the rest.

A handful of Midianites managed to escape from the field of slaughter. "And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them" ( Judg. 8:4 ). By following God's plan, Gideon didn't lose a single man! The Lord gave Gideon a job, and he was determined to complete it. Though he and his men were exhausted, they chased the few remaining Midianites. These loyal men were "faint" yet still pursuing.

Persistence is a key ingredient to success. We measure a man's character not by wealth or achievement but by what discourages him. Those who make strides in life are the ones who persevere. Hurdles don't stop them; hindrances don't dishearten them. Regardless of circumstances they press on! The Book of Proverbs says if we "faint in the day of adversity...[ our ] strength is small" ( 23:10). It's important to see the job through to the end.

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not: ( Gal. 6:9 ).

CITE BIBLE EXAMPLES: List Bible characters whom God rewarded because they persevered. What obstacles did they overcome?

--Harold Vaughan--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Job 14-17

JANUARY 19, 2010

CAN GOD USE SOMEONE LIKE ME?

Scripture Reading--Judges 6:1-13

Because of their sins, the Israelites were oppressed by the Midianites. In their bondage, the Israelites cried out to the Lord for deliverance. God put His hand on Gideon, whom He chose to liberate His covenant people. Gideon was an unlikely man who did extraordinary things.

The Lord met Gideon while he was threshing wheat by the winepress. Why was Gideon at the winepress with his wheat? Because he feared the Midianites were going to steal his crop. Do you get the picture? God chose one who lacked the qualities of greatness that normally accompany mighty exploits. The Lord specializes in using weak things to confound the powerful ( 1 Cor. 1:27 ).

God chose Gideon. The angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon. Bible scholars tell us the "angel of the Lord" refers to Christ. Here we find an appearance of Jesus in the Old Testament. When God selects weak vessels to perform mighty deeds, He is guaranteed to get the credit! God uncovered His plan by selecting one who was hiding his wheat.

God called Gideon. "And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midinites: have not I sent thee?" ( Judg.6:14 ) Upon hearing these words, Gideon made excuses. "Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house" ( v. 15b ). Because his family was insignificant and because he was insecure, Gideon reasoned, surely he was not the man for the job.

God confirmed Gideon. "And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man" ( v. 16 ). Gideon needed assurance, so God verified His call by speaking directly to Gideon and by giving him a vision of victory.

PRINCIPLES TO CONSIDER: God uses unlikely people to do extraordinary things. You are here for a special purpose. Background, lack of finances, and inexperience are not hindrances to fulfilling your mission. What mission has the Lord laid on your heart?

--Harold Vaughan--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Job cc. 11-13

SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST: The Ron Taylor Family celebrates his graduation into the Glory land today...please be much in prayer for the family!

JANUARAY 18, 2010

BOLD WITNESSES

Scripture Reading--Judges 7:2-3

"And the Lord said unto Gideon,

The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites

into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying,

Mine own hand hath saved me.

Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying,

Whosoever is fearful and afraid,

let him return and depart early from mount Gilead.

And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there

remained ten thousand."

Boldness is a key ingredient for success in the Christian life. When the Lord decided to whittle down Gideon's band, He did it by eliminating the fearful. Gideon announced that anyone who was fearful could leave. Instantly 22,000 men walked off the field. Two-thirds of the soldiers left. We must overcome timidity, shyness, and cowardice in order to serve the Lord effectively.

"The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion" ( Prov. 28:1 ). The lion is the king of the jungle because he's fearless. God wants His people to be courageous. Boldness is a byproduct of the Holy Spirit. In the Book of Acts, the disciples spoke the word of God with boldness after they were filled with the Holy Spirit. These same disciples had denied the Lord at the crucifixion, but now they bravely and powerfully preached the Gospel. An unworldly power had possessed these men and transformed them into mighty witnesses.

Unsaved men, women, boys, and girls are headed for eternal destruction. It's our job to give them the good news. God calls every Christian to be a missionary wherever he lives. R.A. Torrey said, "It's impossible to witness to the wrong person." Are you bold in your witness for Christ?

EXERCISE: Take a breath and hold it. Now exhale. Take another breath and hold it. Exhale. That didn't take long; but in those brief seconds, 10 people passed into eternity, unprepared to meet God. Ask God to fill you with His Spirit and to make you fearless in your witness.

--Harold Vaughan--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Job cc. 8-10

JANUARY 17, 2010

ALERTNESS TO SATAN'S DEVICES

Scripture Reading--Judges 7:4-7

"And the Lord said unto Gideon,

The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water,

and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be,

that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee,

the same shall go with thee" ( v. 4a ).

God called Gideon to deliver Israel from the Midianites. Twenty-two thousand fearful soldiers had already retreated, and only 10,000 remained. But God told Gideon he still had too many men and gave him a plan to thin the ranks. Gideon led the men to a stream for a drink. Those who knelt on all fours and put their lips to the water "as a dog lapeth" ( v. 5 ) were separated on one side. Gideon grouped those who cupped water in their hands, pulling it to their mouths, on the other side.

This was a test. Those who cupped water in their hands were cautious and aware of their surroundings. No doubt they looked around to see if there was a trap. God wanted Gideon to have men who were both watchful and courageous.

Satan is a deceiver. "Be not deceived" is a phrase the New Testament repeats many times. A liar, Satan tempts us to believe lies

Satan is a discourager. He tries to intimidate us with fear. Fear, in turn, robs us of courage. When we become discouraged, we lose our drive.

Satan is a divider. We must guard against his tactic of sowing discord among family members and friends. I believe Winston Churchill said, "If the current generation goes to war with the previous generation, we are sure to lose the future generation." Division and discord are satanic strategies that cause huge problems.

Only 300 men passed God's test. God would use these few to conquer a huge army. We must be alert to satanic devices.

DISCUSSION: Talk about satanic schemes we must guard against.

--Harold Vaughan--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Job cc. 5-7

JANUARY 16,2010

THE VALUE OF TIME

Scripture Reading--Ephesians 5:15-16

"See then that ye walk circumspectly,

not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time,

because the days are evil."

At the end of your life, you will answer the question, "What will you leave your children?" What should your children expect from their parents as an inheritance? Will they treasure things that rust and depreciate more than the memory of a long-practiced family tradition? Will they embrace money and property more than the tribute of family character?

Right now, decide what you value most in life. If it's gold and silver, all you will leave your children is gold and silver. If it's family, character, and example, then you will leave something that is prized far above earthly riches--something no one can value in dollars and in cents.

Statistics reveal that many families spend to little time together. While they devote much time to retirement portfolios and to life's ambitions, they fail to develop a memory portfolio that highlights the importance of family.

It is important that Christian families spend time together at church, time in the Word, and time at home working on special projects together. Time together is something we all need to make time for. When we measure the value of all things, we will treasure the gift of time more than anything else.

At the end of our lives, we will value time most of all! Is your family spending time together? Or is work, friends, hobbies, and other pursuits stealing God's precious gift of time? Life is too short not to prioritize how we spend it.

Many have argued about whether families should spend quantity time or quality time together. Friend, most of measure quality of time in terms of quantity. It's about time we start thinking about how we spend it.

APPLICATION: Do something special today. Spend time playing a game or reading a book. Look through a photo album and remember the good times you spent together as a family.

--Jeff Kahl--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Genesis cc. Job 1-4

JANUARY 15, 2010

MOTHER

APPRECIATION DAY

Scripture Reading--Proverbs 31:28

"Her children arise up,

and call her blessed; her husband also,

and he praiseth her."

We did it as a total surprise. The children and I planned a special day for Mom just to let her know how thankful we were for her. We prepared special decorations and "thank you" signs and secretly arranged them for Mom. I got her up and took her for a walk to get coffee while the children decorated and got everything ready. I even got flowers to put on the table. We'd prepared special gift bags and planned to share them each hour throughout the day. Each one contained something special that my wife enjoyed like a candle or a snack.

Our meal that day was all for her. We chose the menu with her favorites, and we fixed the meal, served it, and cleaned up while she relaxed and enjoyed the food. It was one of those special family times when we enjoyed sharing love and appreciation with someone special to us.

Mothers have a thankless job. In a given year, they prepare more than 1,000 meals, wash hundreds of loads of laundry, and clean a house they didn't get dirty. They give dozens of rides to lessons, practices, and activities; and it seems like they do a million other things nobody notices, all to make home a special place.

Dads and kids need to show their appreciation. That's why Mother Appreciation Day is so important. Those gifts, smiles, hugs, and acts of kindness are more meaningful to Mom than a check for $100,000. Unfortunately, most families are inclined to think that Mom is just doing her job. Yes, she is, but we dare not take her for granted. A spirit of gratitude is one of the best ways to rekindle your love for each other as a family.

SECRET ASSIGNMENT: Okay, Dad, you and your kids should begin planning her special day. Keep the day a secret and let her know she's the greatest. By the way, kids, Dad would enjoy his special day sometime, too.

--Tom Palmer--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Genesis cc. 47-50

JANUARY 14, 2010

A DATE FOR ALMOST NOTHING

Scripture Reading--Proverbs 5:18

"Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth."

Most married couples enjoyed going on dates before they were married. Time and money seemed to be of no concern whatsoever. Then they got married. Now time and money are two reasons special outings together are a thing of the past. Once my wife and I tried something that cost us almost nothing but a couple of hours. Here's what we did:

`` We put on comfortable shoes and went to a mall so we could walk together.

` In a clothing store, we each picked a shirt for the other person. The person put the shirt on

and modeled it.

` In a card shop, we split up, and each picked a "mushy" card. We exchanged cards, read

them, put them back, and left the store.

` We walked through the food court and tried all the free samples. We turned around and

went through the food court again, taking more of the free samples.

` We found a photo booth and had hilarious portraits taken just for a few dollars.

` We took Gospel tracts and shared them with several people we say sitting in the mall.

` Each time we saw a man wearing a ball hat backwards, we paused to give each other a kiss.

About two hours later, we left the mall and went home. During our time, we hardly spent any money. We exercised together, laughed a lot, witnessed to others, and even added a romantic touch. While returning home, we remembered a basic principle about marriage relationships. A little time and money have a wonderful way of providing one of the greatest ingredients of a strong marriage relationship--togetherness. You don't need a week-long cruise or a $200 dinner outing to spend time together. A little creativity works fine, and you'll love it.

HUSBAND'S ACTION POINT: Now, Sir Hubby, get with it and plan the next date with your sweetie!

--Tom Palmer--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Genesis cc.43-46

JANUARY 13, 2010

SAYING "I LOVE YOU"

Scripture Reading

Proverbs 19:26--"He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his

mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach."

John 13:34--"A new commandment I give unto you,

That ye love one another; as I have loved you,

that ye also love one another."

Few words in the English language have greater impact than the phrase, "I love you." To say "I love you" is to say, "You are special, and you mean the world to me." These words are especially meaningful when parents and children share them with each other. This verbal expression of love has the unique ability of drawing a family together and of keeping a family together with incredible strength.

Years ago, I was driving home late at night from a preaching engagement. It was necessary for me to travel through a town where my parents were attending a week of meetings. I knew the motel where they were staying and pulled into the parking lot. Not knowing their room number, I drove around until I found their van. Their room was dark, so I knew they had already gone to bed. Parking, I wrote a note that said, "I am thankful for you, and I love you." After signing my name, I placed the note under one of their van's windshield wipers. As I drove away, I was grateful for another opportunity to tell my parents how much they mean to me.

I dread the thought of causing shame and bringing reproach to my parents. For that reason, I will never be too old or too big to give them a hug and to say, "I love you." As a father, I now understand what a blessing it is when my children tell me that they love me. Someone has said that talk is cheap; however, when someone speaks the words "I love you" from a genuine heart of love, they are priceless. Nobody ever gets too far away who continues to say, "I love you."

ASSIGNMENT: Whether you are an adult or a child, look for a way to say "I love you" to your parents A.S.A.P.

--Tom Palmer--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Genesis cc. 40-42

JANUARY 12, 2010

LOVING LIKE

A BROTHER

Scripture Reading

1 Thessalonians 4:9--"But as touching brotherly love

ye need not that I write unto you:

for ye yourselves are taught of God

to love one another."

Hebrews 13:1--"Let brotherly love

continue."

My brothers and I always had a dream. For years, we talked about maybe getting together for a big game hunt out west. Finally, our opportunity came, and we met for a week in Wyoming to hunt antelope. We each took a nice antelope buck, we hiked in a canyon, we rode horses, we rounded up cattle on a ranch, and we stayed in a log cabin in the mountains. We also ate like kings, laughed like clowns, and spent a lot of time sharing about our families and ministries. It was hard to say goodbye. Even as my brothers pulled out of the ranch and headed back to Arkansas, I knew we would never have an experience like the one we had just shared.

Not long after Brad and Scott left, I had a talk with my own boys. I told them about the unique blessing of sharing my life with my brothers and offered them the following challenge: Live your lives together as brothers so 15 or 20 years from now, you will be able to enjoy an experience together like my brothers and I did.

It's so sad when brothers and sisters grow up with resentment and bitterness toward each other. I know that children in the same family have their occasional squabbles. However, if they are willing to resolve conflicts and to show genuine love, they will develop a relationship that will be a great blessing. Brothers and sisters can be not only part of the same family but also best friends for life. That's what "let brotherly love continue" means.

DO THIS NOW: Let your brothers and sisters know you're thankful for them. Your note or phone call would be special.

--Tom Palmer--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Genesis cc.37-39

JANUARY 11, 2010

HANDING OUT HIGH-FIVES

Scripture Reading

Proverbs 13:12--"Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life."

Proverbs 13:19--"The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is

abomination to fools to depart from evil."

It was a pleasant fall evening in archery season as I settled into my tree stand on the edge of a soybean field. It wasn't long before the deer started moving in abundance as they made their way to feed. Clutching my bow, I watched two large bucks in particular as they began feeding.

Suddenly, I heard a sound in the brush behind me. Turning, I saw my 13-year-old son Andrew making his way toward me. My first thought was, Now what does he want?

I signaled him to be quiet as he approached my tree. "I think I got one," he said before he updated me on the events of the last 15 minutes.

Gathering my gear, I joined him on the ground. Moments later, we were on the trail and soon we found what we were looking for--his deer. Without a word, I turned and raised my right hand. He did the same, and we shared a super high-five.

Over the years, high-fives have become a way for me and my son to say, "We did it!" without using words. When the two of us beat a five-man team of junior high boys in basketball, we did a high-five. When we rappelled to the bottom of a large, stone cliff, we did another high-five. After a thrilling horse ride or a challenging canoe trip, a high-five seemed like the right thing to do.

Dads and their sons need high-fives often. They need to face challenges, to solve problems, and to experience thrills together. High-fives have a way of keeping fathers and sons close. No, I don't just mean closeness with their hands but with their hearts.

ASSIGNMENT: It's your turn, Dad. Plan a "High-Five Event" for you and your boy.

--Tom Palmer--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR": Genesis cc. 33-36

JANUARY 10, 2010

WITH MINE OWN HAND

Scripture Reading--2 Thessalonians 3:16-18

"Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means.

The Lord be with you all. The salutation of Paul with mine own hand,

which is the token in every epistle: so I write.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Amen."

The apostle Paul was a letter writer. A large portion of the New Testament is comprised of letters Paul wrote either to churches or to individuals. These letters represent Paul's heart to the ones he loved intensely in the Lord. Sometimes he warned them and offered correction. On other occasions, he instructed them and offered counsel. He used other times to encourage and to express appreciation. In each letter, Paul shared a part of himself with pen and paper.

As a father, I've enjoyed writing letters to my children. When Julie turned 16, I started writing "Dearest Daughter" letters. I wrote some letters on special occasions like her graduation from high school or her departure to college. I've written letters when I knew she was struggling and needed encouragement.

In some of my letters, I've dealt with topics like modesty, money, jobs, and friendships. In each, I've shared my heart along with the truths of God's Word in a way she could apply to her heart and life. I've also provided a keepsake I trust will be a lifelong treasure after I, as her father, am gone. I have put my counsel and experience down on paper for one of my children to cherish for a lifetime.

By the way, I also enjoy getting letters from my children. In my office is a wooden box with the word "Dad" at the top. Within is a collection of notes and letters from my children. I will keep these treasures for a lifetime.

ASSIGNMENT: Give each family member a piece of paper and an envelope. Exchange names and ask each family member to write a note to another family member during the next week.

--Tom Palmer--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Genesis cc. 30-32

JANUARY 9, 2010

THE LEATHER POUCH

Scripture Reading-- Proverbs 4:20-27

Several years ago, I found a small leather pouch on my desk with a note that said, "Give this to me when I kill my first deer." It was signed by my son Tim who was not old enough to go hunting.

I put the pouch away, making a mental note to have it with me during Tim's first deer season. That season came in 2004. As we headed out on opening day, I secretly hung the pouch around my neck under my hunting clothes.

That was a tough deer season. In fact, we hunted in cold and rain. Over a period of several days, Tim and I sat approximately 18 hours together in a tree stand with no results. On the final day of the season, we went to our stand, knowing that we had to head home by 11 to go to a meeting where I was going to preach. I told Tim we would get down at 10:50.

Our morning was uneventful; we never saw hide or hoof of a deer. I kept quietly asking God to give Tim a chance. Does God answer prayers about deer hunting? Of course, He does. At 10:40, Tim whispered, "Dad, there's a deer."

I positioned Tim with my rifle, and he carefully took aim. The rifle cracked, and the deer leaped into the air and started to run. Moments later, we stood over the beautiful whitetail doe Tim had taken, just 10 minutes before our season ended.

As father and son, we paused to enjoy this thrilling moment. I unzipped my coat and unbuttoned my shirt. Tim was pleasantly surprised when I took off his leather pouch and hung it around his neck. Later, he put the casing from the bullet he shot inside the pouch. The casing was not only a personal treasure but also a reminder of a special experience a 12-year-old boy shared with his dad.

EXERCISE: Ask each family member to share a favorite memory of an experience with one of the parents.

--Tom Palmer--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Genesis cc. 27-29

JANUARY 8, 2010

THE DEVIL IS STILL A DEFEATED ENEMY!

Scripture Reading--James 4:7

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee

from you" ( emphasis added ).

Today, we consider one more reason there's hope for the family. If anyone wants our families to fail, it's Satan. He hates to see Christian families successfully living for the Lord. He hates to see husbands and wives content and happy in their relationship. He hates to see Christian parents training their children for God. He hates to observe children being respectful and obedient to their parents. He hates witnessing family worship and Christian service. Is it any wonder he attacks Christian families so hard?

There's one fact Satan doesn't want us to know--that he's still a defeated enemy. In scripture, Satan lost every encounter he had with God or Christ. First John 4:4 says, "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" ( emphasis added ). Satan knows that God is greater than him, but he doesn't want us to believe that. Romans 8: 37 reminds us that "we are more than conquerors through him that loved us" ( emphasis added ). Satan gets the victory in Christian homes because we permit him to. Because Christ is in us and because we're more than conquerors, we can claim victory over Satan, too.

When Satan confronted Jesus in the wilderness ( Luke 4:1-13 ), Jesus was victorious over him three times because He used the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" ( Eph. 6:17 ). He countered each attack with the words "it is written" or "it is said" ( Luke 4:4, 8, 12 ). If we know and believe God's Word, we can stand our ground against Satan, counter his attack, and experience victory.

We should rejoice that Satan is still a defeated enemy because that means there's still hope for the family.

DISCUSSION: Share ways you as a family can be better prepared to "withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" ( Eph. 6:13 ).

--Jack Palmer--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Genesis cc. 23-26

JANUARY 7, 2010

OBEDIENCE STILL BRINGS BLESSINGS!

Scripture Reading-- Isaiah 1:19-20

"If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if

ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of

the Lord hath spoken it" ( emphasis added ).

Willing obedience always produces blessing. In Deuteronomy 6, while preparing His people to enter the Promised Land, God commanded them to obey His Word if they wanted His blessing. In verse 3a, He says, "Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee" ( emphasis added ). At the close of the chapter, the parents told their children why obeying God's Word was so important. "And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our God, as he hath commanded us" ( vv. 24-25, emphasis added ).

A father taught his son the value of instant obedience. One day, while they were hiking in the mountains, the father said with urgency, "Son, drop to the ground immediately!" The youngster didn't understand his dad's command but obeyed. Instantly, the father shot a rattlesnake coiled on a rock behind the boy's head. Had the boy delayed, the dangerous snake may have bitten him. because the boy obeyed, his life was spared.

Obedience is doing what we're told immediately with the right heart attitude. When God tells a family what to do and they obey without question, even if the obedience is hard or if they don't understand, God will bless. The problem is that many families know what to do but don't do it. Then they wonder why God isn't blessing. Because God still blesses obedience, there's hope for the family.

DO THIS NOW: Read Jeremiah 29:17-19. Discuss what God says about the danger of not hearing and obeying what He says.

--Jack Palmer--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Genesis cc. 20-22