Saving Us From Ourselves
~Lot~
Scripture: Genesis 19:12
Then the men said to Lot, "Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city--take them out of this place!
Lesson Objective: To understand that we make mistakes, but God can still take care of us.
We can be so much like Lot. Lot had the opportunity to choose any parcel of land and he chose to live near Sodom and Gomorrah. Even though Sodom was a very evil place, he chose to live there because it looked good. We do the same thing today. We make choices by how good things may look even though we know that it may not be good for us. God chose to save Lot because Lot still believed and served God even though he made a mistake in where he chose to live.
Let It Go!
~Lot’s Wife~
Thought for today: How many times have we made choices based upon our earthly eyes rather than a spiritual heart?
God is Trust
Scripture: Genesis 19: 26
But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
Lesson Objective: To understand that we have to be able to leave bad habits behind us.
I sometimes look at myself in the mirror and wonder with amazement how far I have come in my life. I find myself thinking of some of the bad decisions that I have made and through it all, God has continued to bless me. Then I remember that God is not interested in where I was or even where I am presently, but God is most interested in where I am going. I can spend time thinking about the past or I can spend time developing my heart and mind for what God has in store for me. I should never forget the past and where he has brought me, but nor should I concentrate so much on the past that I am unable to see where I am headed for I cannot look backward and forward at the same time. If I take my eyes off of Jesus there is no telling where I may wonder.
Thought for today: We must keep our eyes on the prize and the prize is eternal life with Jesus Christ.
The Great Supporter
~Luke~
God Is Our Salvation
Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:11
Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.
Lesson Objective: To understand the importance of those who are behind the scene.
We know very little about the person Luke. Luke wrote the books of Luke and Acts and neither book gives us much information on the person Luke. He describes the life of Christ in the book of Luke and the book of Acts gives us much detail on the early Church with emphasis on the Apostle Paul. However without the details reflected in the book of Acts we would be without certain important details that affect the Church today. It is in Acts that we learn of the Holy Spirit and the power that Christ left here on earth. It is also in Acts that we learn of the conversion of Paul and how he became the great missionary to the Gentiles. We know little except that Luke was a Gentile who converted and traveled with Paul. Luke taught that salvation is for everyone.
Thought for today: I really like the saying that it is remarkable how much can be accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit.
A Vessel For God
~Malachi~
God’s House
Scripture: Malachi 1:1
An oracle: The word of the Lord to Israel through Malachi.
Lesson Objective: To understand that God had and has messengers of his word.
I had a conversation with someone relative to whether there are those who now have visions or hear from God just as individuals heard from God, especially as documented in the Old Testament and to a somewhat lesser degree in the New Testament. The answer is a resounding YES. The God of Abraham, Moses and David is the same God that exists now and just as he spoke to those who listened then; he will speak to those who listen now. While we may be skeptical when someone says that they have a Word from God, do not immediately dismiss them as the Bible says that old men will have visions and young men will dream. Just do as 1 John 4:1 prescribes, which is test the spirit and you test the spirit by assuring that what is being said is consistent with the Word of God in the Bible.
Thought for today: God allows each of us to have a two way conversation with him daily.
Disagree But Not Disagreeable
~Mark~
Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:11
Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.
Lesson Objective: To understand that God’s people can disagree and still stay Godly.
I am always concerned when two Christians disagreement becomes so hateful that they stop talking to each other or sometimes even worse. Many believe that Mark wrote the book of Mark from a historical perspective from his following Peter. Mark is also the relative of Barnabas and traveled with Paul and Barnabas and he is the same John Mark that resulted in Paul and Barnabas not continuing their travels together because Paul did not want to take John Mark. However this disagreement was not disagreeable in that Paul called for John Mark in the scripture noted because he recognized that Mark could aid him. This should teach us that we can disagree but not be so disagreeable that we cannot work together.
Thought for today: Can you agree to disagree and still stay connected?
Distracted With Much Serving
~Martha~
Scripture: Luke 10:40
But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me."
Lesson Objective: To understand that we can be so busy that we miss out on actually seeing God.
There are some in the Church who are constantly working hard to make the Church what it should be. They are members of every auxiliary; they volunteer for every special event committee; and feel like the Church would not exist without them. They are the same individuals who constantly complain that others are not working in the Church. They have been so consumed by their work that they forget why they are doing what they do. They spend little time actually worshipping Christ and all their time working. We must be careful that we do not put so much energy into working that we forget for whom and why we do what we do.
Thought for today: Working for Christ should be a labor of love and never one of complaints.