FEBRUARY 27, 2010

STRENGTH THROUGH

THE CROSS

Scripture Reading-1 Corinthians 1:18

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness;

but unto us which are saved

it is the power of God."

Alexander Solzhenitsyn, the Russian dissident, worked 12 hours a day at hard labor. He had lost his family, and doctors in the gulag told him he was dying of cancer. One day he thought, There is no use going on. I'm soon going to die anyway. Ignoring the guards, he dropped his shovel, sat down, and rested his head in his hands.

Sensing a presence beside him, he glanced up and saw an old man he'd never seen before and would never see again. The man took a stick and drew a cross in the sand. The simple act reminded Solzhenitsyn that there is a Power in the world greater than any empire or government, a Power that could bring new life to his situation. Picking up his shovel, he went back to work. A year later, Solzhenitsyn was unexpectedly released from prison.

Solzhenitsyn found strength and hope through the Christ of Calvary. With renewed vision, he overcame terrible circumstances, including cancer.

To believers, the preaching of the Cross is the power of God. The word power comes from the Greek word from which we get our word dynamite. The power of God is powerful! Jesus told His disciples, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me" ( Acts 1:8a, emphasis added ). God gives "dynamite power" to His Spirit-filled witnesses so the Gospel can explode in the hearts of men. The preaching of the cross is powerful because by it men find forgiveness of sins, inspiration to preserve, and purpose in life. Of all people who have ever lived, Jesus Christ has had the greatest impact. His life and death have transformed more lives than all others put together.

CELEBRATE: Sing all the stanzas of that great hymn "There is Power in the Blood."

--Harold Vaughan--

FEBRUARY 7, 2010

THE MOST FAMOUS VERSE

Scripture Reading--John 3:14-18

Probably the most famous Bible verse is John 3:16. This verse is an excellent explanation of God's love for the world. Within it we find an in-depth look at the heart of God for mankind and note three truths about the love of God.

The Expression of God's Love--God didn't just say to the world, "I love you." He proved His love when "he gave his only begotten Son" as evidence of His love. Someone wisely said that you can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving. Genuine love has something to give to those who are loved. God granted His love gift in the Person of his Son. Jesus came into the world "that we might live through him" ( 1 John 4:9 ).

The Extent of God's Love--God's love is an unconditional love that has a far-reaching impact. The word whosoever is an all-inclusive word that means "everybody" and "anybody." No boundary confines God's love to a certain geographical location or to a certain race. God does not limit His love to those who are lovable or lovely. He extends the same love to a murderer on death row that he extends to a newborn in a nursery.

The Experience of God's Love--When someone chooses to believe in Him, Jesus Christ, he receives "the gift of God [ that ] is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" ( Rom. 6:23 ). This gift means that a soul will not perish in eternal hell but will have everlasting life in heaven. The love of God makes spiritual life a living reality, both in this life and throughout eternity.

John 3:16 is more than a famous verse; it's the Gospel contained in single package. Don't just memorize it; make sure you experience it.

ACTION POINT: Ask each family member to write a "love letter" to God, thanking Him for His love. Read your letters to God.

--Tom Palmer--

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

FEBRUARY 6, 2010

THE LORD IS

MY SHEPHERD

Scripture Reading--Psalm 23

Psalm 23 offers some of the most comforting verses in Scripture. This psalm is the testimony of a shepherd who truly knew the Great Shepherd. Having cared for sheep, David saw himself as a sheep who needed God's care and concern. For David, knowing the Lord as his own Shepherd was a great comfort in times of need.

Listen to the story of a young shepherd boy. One day someone shared the Gospel with him, using Psalm 23:1 as a key verse. That person instructed him to remember the verse by using the five fingers on one hand. Starting with his thumb, he learned to say the verse while pointing to each finger. When he came to the ring finger and the word my, he was told to grasp the ring finger with his other hand, holding it securely. As a result of learning the verse, the lad trusted Christ as his Savior and Shepherd.

Later while caring for his sheep, the shepherd boy became trapped in a blizzard. Unable to find shelter, the boy was left to the mercy of the bitter cold and the snow. When he didn't return, a search party discovered his lifeless body.

Those who found him noticed that one of the boy's frozen hands tightly gripped the ring finger of his other hand. The blessing came when they realized that even in "the valley of the shadow of death" the Lord had truly been with him. This simple thought from Psalm 23 had comforted the boy during his final moments.

Do you and your family know the Great Shepherd? Can each member of your family truly say, "The Lord is my shepherd"? If not, come to Him as a lost sheep and let Him take you into His care. Then you, like David, will be able to say, "I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

ACTION POINT: Read John 10:27-28. Note what the Good Shepherd gives.

--Tom Palmer--

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

FEBRUARY 5, 2010

GOD IS FAITHFUL

Scripture Reading--Psalm 78:42-55, 65-72

The 72 verses of Psalm 78 remind us of Israel's unfaithfulness. they turned their backs on God and refused to walk in His ways. They repeatedly forgot what God had done for them. They sinned against Him, defied Him, and even spoke against Him. They doubted Him. They lusted. They lied to Him. They provoked and grieved Him. There wasn't much more they could have done to break God's heart. In Deuteronomy 7:6, God said, "For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth" ( emphasis added ). Israel held a special place in God's heart, buy they were unfaithful.

Of course, they paid a price for their rebellion and sin. But through all of their unfaithfulness, God was faithful. Was God good to them because they deserved it? Of course not. He was good to them because He is God! In His mercy, He did not give them what they deserved. And in His grace, He gave them what they could never have deserved.

Are you always faithful to God? Remember, if you are a born-again Christian, you, too, are special to God. You have every reason to be faithful as you consider all God has done for you. But if you are like most Christians, you struggle with being faithful. God expects you to be faithful. "Moreover is is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful" ( 1 Cor. 4:2, emphasis added ).

What if you aren't faithful? Will your faithfulness change God? Not at all! Second Timothy 2:13 says, "If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself" ( emphasis added ). One of God's wonderful attributes is His faithfulness. He cannot change. Just because God remains faithful is no excuse for you to be unfaithful. Be faithful, God is counting on you.

TALK IT OVER: Discuss ways God has been faithful to your family.

--Jack Palmer--

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

JANUARY 4, 2010

A DECEITFUL

BOW

Scripture Reading--Psalm 78:56-64

Several years ago, I went on a bow hunt with men from my church at a wildlife refuge near our home in New York. While getting our equipment ready, I carelessly laid my bow down in a razor-sharp broadhead and heard a sickening twang. The string on my recurve had been cut. I saw my great day going up in smoke until I remembered that I had a spare string in my pack. We didn't get any deer, but we had a great time.

While reading Psalm 78, I noticed that verse 57 describes "a deceitful bow." In studying the verse more closely, I discovered that the word deceitful means unstrung or no string. The term means "a slack bow." I thought about the many years I have bow-hunted and of the many lessons God has taught me. I've learned that a bow with no string gives ( 1 ) no pleasure. What fun would it be to go to the woods with a bow minus a string? ( 2 ) It has no purpose. What can you do with a stringless bow? Maybe you could use it to stake up your tomatoes. ( 3 ) It has no power. The string transfers power of the bow to the arrow. And ( 4 ) it gets no prize. A hunter with no string on his bow will never bring home the venison.

It's interesting that God describes Israel as "a deceitful bow." Because of the problems described in today's text, the Israelites experienced no pleasure, no purpose, no power, and no prize. God was unhappy and withdrew his blessing from them. As a result, they suffered severe consequences.

When we get out of fellowship with God, we, too, are much like Israel. God will take no pleasure in us. He will not be able to use us for His purpose, we will lose His power, and we will receive no prize. May God enable you and your family to learn the lesson of the "deceitful bow."

ACTION POINT: As a family, share some problems that can make you like a "deceitful bow."

--Jack Palmer--

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

JANUARY 3, 2010

ALL SMOKE AND NO FIRE

Scripture Reading--Psalm 78:36-37

"Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto

him with their tongues. For their heart was not right with him, neither

were they stedfast in his covenant" ( emphasis added ).

Talk is cheap! It's easy to say the right and live the wrong way. We can compliment a person to his face but tear him apart behind his back. We can be sweet to our spouse in public but be as mean as a snake at home. We can praise God during church service but take His name in vain at work. James 3:10 says, "Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be." It's to easy to be "all smoke and no fire!"

In Mark 7:6b, Jesus said, "This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me." Try to imagine the pain Jesus felt when He spoke those words. He knew the people were saying all the right things, but their lives didn't match their words. That's hypocrisy!

An actor is trained to act like someone he isn't. He dresses and talks like the character. But when he steps off the stage, he's someone else. Some Christians act the same way. When they are around other believers, they play their roles to perfection. But when they live in the world, no one would suspect they know the Lord.

When professing Christians talk big but live little, they are all smoke and no fire! God requires us to live up to our profession. When we do, God is pleased; and others see a clear testimony of a genuine Christian. Let's not be guilty of grieving the Lord and confusing others.

APPLICATION: What activities in your life make God unhappy and hurt your testimony for Him? Be willing to let Him change those areas so you will be consistent.

--Jack Palmer--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Exodus cc. 21-24

FEBRUARY 2, 2010

BREAD FROM HEAVEN

Scripture Reading--Exodus 15:14-22; Psalm 78:23-25

Bread is one of the most common elements of a well-balanced diet. Throughout the centuries, bread has been called "the staff of life." Even when people had little to eat, they usually had bead of some kind. In the olden days, housewives usually set aside a day each week to make bread. And was it good! A warm piece of homemade bread, spread with fresh-churned butter and jelly--why, it doesn't get any better than that! Bread not only tastes good but is also good for us.

When the Israelites were in the wilderness, they complained to God about their food supply. God graciously provided "bread from heaven," which they called "manna" ( Ex. 16:15; John 6:31 ). In manna was everything they needed to sustain their lives. God told them to take only enough for each day. For the Sabbath day, they gathered twice as much ad the day before. If they failed to believe God and took more than they needed, the manna spoiled ( Ex. 16:20 ).

In Psalm 78: 19b, the Israelites asked, "Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?" What they were really asking was whether God could take care of them. Of course, He could; and they lacked nothing.

We often ask the same question. Philippians 4:19 assures us that God will "supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" ( emphasis added ). What needs are your family members concerned about? Remember, no need is too small or too big for God to meet. When He says "all your need, " that's exactly what He means. Your extremity is merely God's opportunity. God is at His best when things are at their worst. If He provided "bread from heaven" to care for the children of Israel, surely He will take care of you.

ASSIGNMENT: Make a list of needs your family members are trusting God to meet. Commit yourselves to trust Him to meet those needs.

--Jack Palmer--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Exodus cc. 18-20

FEBRUARY 1, 2010

LEST WE FORGET

Scripture Reading--Psalm 78:10-11

"They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;

And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them"

( emphasis added )

I enjoy deer hunting. During my recent archery season, the weather had been warm until a cold front caused the temperature to drop significantly. I knew I needed to wear warmer clothes to withstand the cold.

One of the most important requirements for deer hunting in our state is to properly display a legal hunting license on the back of one's coat. In my haste to get to the woods, I forgot to change my license from one coat to another. I didn't realize my mistake until I returned home hours later. A sick feeling washed over me when I imagined meeting the game warden. His first question would have been, "Where's your hunting license?"

Psalm 106:13-15 says, "They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul" ( emphasis added ). Israel had a bad memory. So quickly they forgot God's goodness to them. Their forgetfulness was the first step toward spiritual poverty.

Forgetting my hunting license is minor compared to forgetting what God has done for us. How gracious and good He is to us each day! His greatest blessing is our salvation--and that's only the beginning. He has given us health and strength, food and clothing, a home, family and friends, a church, the Bible, prayer--and the list is endless. You'd think we would never forget, but we do. And each time we forget, we take a dangerous step toward spiritual poverty. The answer is to live in a constant spirit of gratitude and to praise God for who He is and for all He has done for us.

DO THIS NOW: With your family, make a list of great things God has done for you that you never want to forget.

--Jack Palmer--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR: Exodus cc. 14-17