|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2005 10:31 am
Thirteen Ways to Say, "I Love You" Bible Reading: John 14:18-21 There Are Many, many different ways to tell someone, "I love you." You can: *say, "I love you!" *sing a song; *mouth the words "I love you"; *give him or her a hug; *send flowers; *send a card or valentine; *write his or her name in the snow; *bake him or her a dozen cookies; *read him or her a story; *scatter tiny construction paper-hearts in his or her lunch box or lunch bag; *throw a kiss; *clean his or her room; *give that person a command. Bet that last one surprised you, didn't it? After all, who tells someone else "I love you" by giving that person a command? A lot of people do. Your parents probably do it all the time. They say "Don't skateboard in the street"; "Fasten your seat belt"; and "Don't strap a giant firecracker to your back and try to shoot yourself to the moon." They don't give you such commands because they hate you. They don't tell you those things because they've got nothing better to do. They give you those commands because they love you. For example, they tell you not to skateboard in the street because they don't want you to get run over by a truck. Their "commands" are ways of saying "I love you." God does the same thing. He has given us commands like "Don't lie," "Don't cheat," and "Flee sexual immorality" because He loves us. He wants to protect us and provide good things for us. For example, His commands to keep ourselves pure in thought, word, and deed protect us from all kinds of addictions and diseases and other bad things. His commands are ways of saying, "I love you." And do you know how we can say, "I love you" back? Jesus said, " He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me sad John 14:21a) If we obey His commands, we're showing Jesus that we love him. So do as much as you can today to say, "I love you, Jesus." ~Reflect~ 1.Can you think of any of God's commands that arent loving? Why not? 2. Are God's command the only way He expresses His love to us? What are some other ways? 3. Is obeying His commands the only way you can express your love to God? What are some other ways? 4. How can you tell Jesus you love him today? Please post your comments about the above questions so then it will give others ideas on how to show different ways of showing love.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2005 9:38 am
"The Smartest Kid in the World" Bible Reading: Proverbs 9:9-12 THREE PEOPLE- a minister and two kids- once went on a short sight-seeing flight in a small, four-passenger plane. One of the kids had just been honored in a national newsmagazine as "the smartest kid in the world." Suddenly, the pilot shouted to his passengers over the roar of the engine. "We've got a big problem!" he said. "Our gas tank has a leadk in it, and we're going to run out of gas in just a couple minutes. We're going to have to jump!" "That's not so bad," the minister said, forcing a nervous smile. "I've always wanted to learn to skydive!" The pilot shook his head. "We only have three parachutes. One of us isnt going to make it! I've got a family. I can't leave them alone without a father." "Well, I'm the smartest kid in the world," said the one kid. "I may be the only person who can discover a cure for cancer or AIDS or something like that! You two will have to fight this out between you." And with that, the kid grabbed one of the parachutes and jumped. The minister turned to the other kid and the pilot. "You take the other two parachutes," he told them. "I'm not afraid to die." "Thanks," the other kid said. "But we've got nothing to worry about. The smartest kid in the world just jumped out of the plane with my backpack!" The "smartest kid in the world" wasnt so smart, was he? He made a foolish decision-not just because he took a backpack instead of a parachute, but also because he made a selfish decision. And he paid for his choice! You may not be as fooolish or as selfish as that kid, but you may discover (if you haven't already) that wrong choices often have a high price. Lying may get you into more trouble. Cheating in school may bet you suspended or expelled. Trying to hurt other people mayb hurt you more than them. The Bible says, "If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.( Proverbs 9:12). In other words, godly wisdom and right choices pay off-maybe not right away or maybe not for a long time. But if you make a habit of making right choices, you will benefit in many lasting ways. If you don't....well, just don't go jumping out of any airplanes. Reflect:*Who do you think has more fun: those who are always getting into trouble or those who follow the rules? *Have you ever been sorry you made a wrong choice? *Have you ever enjoyed any rewards for making right choices? *Which are you: a person who is becoming wise or a person who scorns wisdom?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 10:20 am
Guessing Game Bible Reading: Isaiah 46:3-10 IN THE MOOD for a quick guessing game? Let's try it.
You already know a that pattern is a form or a model that's imitated in making something else. For example, you may use a pattern to make a dress. You may use a cookie cutter to make cookies in a certain "pattern." Right? Well, let's play a guessing game about different kinds of pattern s. Post the answers you think are correct. 1. The pattern for the shape of an airplane is
a. the shape of an ocean vessel.
b. the human body.
c. the body of a bird.
2. The pattern for a duck hunter's decoy is
a. Donald Duck.
b. Daffy Duck.
c. a real duck
3. The pattern for everything that is "good" and "right" is
a. individual opinion.
b. human tradition.
c. the nature and character of God. You probably don't have to be told that the shape of an airplane is patterned mostly after the body of a bird, and that the pattern for a duck hunter's decoy is the shape and coloring of a real duck. Similarly, the pattern for everything that is "good" and "right" is nature and character of God. In other words, we should not compare our behavior to what our friends do to figure out whether we're doing right or wrong. We shouldn't compare our actions to what our government says is OK. God is the only true pattern for what's right and what's wrong. He is the one we should compare our beliefs and behavior to because his goodness and righteousness show us what is good and right. It's simple. If a thing's like God, it's right. If it's not like God, it's wrong. As long as God is your pattern for right and wrong,you can't go wrong. Right? Right. Reflect:*Have you ever tried to figure out right from wrong by using some pattern besides God? *Have you ever tried to measure your behaviour by your feelings? or by what "everyone else" is doing? or by what your friends or teachers say? or by something else? *How do those "patterns" measure up when compared to God?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2005 9:21 am
"Mister, Are You God?" Bible Reading: Psalm 145:8-13 CHRISTIAN YOUTH SPEAKER and author Doug Fields has shared a story of an event that happened after World War II. At the end of that devastating war, much of Europe lay in ruins. Buildings had been bombed and burned out, streets lay under dust and rubble, and many orphaned children wandered the streets, picking among the ruins for clothes and food. Early on morning an American soldier was driving his jeep through the war-torn streets of London. As he turned a corner, he spied a little boy, dressed in rags. The boy stood with his nose pressed against the steamed window of a pastry shop. Inside, the cook was working a large lump of dough for a fresh batch of doughnuts. The soldier pulled his jeep to the curb and stopped. He got out, strode into the little shop, and bought a dozen doughnuts. Then he left the store and offered the bag of fresh doughnuts to the boy. "Here," he said. "I bought these for you." The boy looked at the soldier with wide eyes and took the bag. But as the soldier started to return to his jeep, he felt a hearty tug on his coat. He turned back and faced the boy. "Mister," the boy asked, his eyes still wide, "are you God?" What made that boy ask such a question? What could have made him think that an American soldier driving a jeep could be God? That's easy. Something in that soldier's actions reminded the little boy of God. That "something" was love. That soldier did something very good, something right, when he bought those doughnuts for that boy. It was a loving act, a caring act. And it was right for one reason: It was something God might have done. That boy mistook that soldier for God because love comes from God. That's why love is right (and hatred is wrong)-because God is loving. The Bible says, "The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger and of great mercy." (Psalm 145:8 ). When you are loving, you are doing right, because love is like God. Reflect*Have you treated someone else lovingly today? *Have you treated someone else hatefully today? *Which is right and which is wrong? *Why? *Do you need to change the way you've been treating anyone?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 9:53 am
Jukebox Way Bible Reading: James 1:19-25 YOU'RE ON VACATION with your parents. You wanted to go on a two-week tour of the best amusement parks in the world, but your mom and dad overruled you. You're going to the International Jukebox Museum instead. You've been in the car with your parents and your little sister for four days, and if she sings "If You're Happy and You Know It" one more time, you'll knock yourself unconscious against the window. Your dad has stopped the car only once in those four days, announcing as you poured yourself out of the car, "We leave in three minutes." Lately, however, you've noticed that the scenery seems to be repeating itself. "Are we lost?" you asked.
"No," Dad says in a voice of exasperation, "We're almost there."
"Daddy, I have to go to the bathroom," your little sister says.
"Why don't you just ask for directions?" your mom suggests.
"I don't need directions. I know where I'm going."
"That must explain," your mom says, pointing out the window, "why we've passed that little park four times now."
"All right, all right," your dad finally says. He jerks the car into the gas station and asks the attendant for directions to the International Jukebox Museum.
"Right at the light," the man answers, popping his chewing gum in his cheek. "Two miles, hang a left at the bottling company. The next left is Jukebox Way." Your dad thanks the man, pulls out of the service station, and turns left at the next light.
"Dear," your mom says, "the man said to turn right at the light."
"I know."
"But you turned left. "You're going the wrong way," Mom says.
"No," your dad answers, "I'll still get there. I'll just go my own way."
You slump back in your seat. Your sister starts singing again. You eye the window, wondering how hard you'd have to hit your head to knock yourself unconscious. That's pretty unrealistic, isn't it? No one would get directions from someone who knows the way and then choose to ignore them. But we do that all the time. God has given us directions-lots of them! He has told us, point blank, how to live holy and joyful life. Yet we often choose to go our own way rather than follow directions from someone who knows the way. It's not enough to know right from wrong; you must also choose right or your knowledge is useless. Reflect*When was the last time you knew that right thing but did the wrong thing anyway? *What made you choose wrong? *How can you choose differently the next time?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 10:28 am
hmmm that sounds familiar. xp
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 12:09 am
wow thanks for these devotions are really good!! 3nodding thanks for these great stories and reflections some of these soung like parables that jesus would tell
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 10:02 am
sixfatppl wow thanks for these devotions are really good!! 3nodding thanks for these great stories and reflections some of these soung like parables that jesus would tell youre welcome glad to hear that you're enjoying them as well as i am..
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 10:26 am
Bob's Secret Bible Reading: Psalm 44:1-8 THE MOVIE What about Bob? starred Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss in an odd comedy about a psychologist and one of his patients, a man afraid of almost everything. Bob, the patient, follows the psychologist to his vacation home. The psychologist is angry at Bob, but the doctor's family thinks Bob is fun. In fact, they even take Bob sailing-his first time- and tie him to the mast so he won't chicken out! When Bob arrives back at the dock, he sees his psychiatrist and begins yelling excitedly, "I sailed! I sailed! I'm a sailor! I actually went sailing!" Later, a calmer Bob explains to the doctor's son (who has a few fears of his own), "I just let the boat do all the work....That's my secret." Bob's "secret" is actually a lot wiser than it may sound. You see, a lot of people-people who love God and want to obey him-think it's their job to do good things and avoid doing bad things. They imagine that making right choices requires a "grit-your-teeth" struggle against temptation and sin, a struggle in which only the strong survive. They need to learn Bob's "secret." Trying to make right choices and live a godly life in your own strength is like trying to sail a boat by blowing into the sails. You don't have the strength to do right all by yourself any more than you have enough wind in your lungs to power a sailboat. The only way you can make right choices, time after time, is not by trying but by trusting. After all, it's "'..Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6) that you can live a godly life. Your job is to pray and to stay as close to God as you can. God's job (through his Holy Spirit) is to help you obey his commands (see Ezekiel 36:26-27). You can make right choices time after time if you let the Holy Spirit be the wind in your sails. Reflect:*According to Psalm 44:1-3, who did all the work of conquering the Promised Land for the Israelites? *According to Psalm 44:4-8, who "gives us victory?" *If your "job" in making right choices is to pray, stay as close to God as you can, and trust him to help you to obey hi commands, is there anything you should be doing now that you haven't been doing? *Is there anything you have been trying to do that you shouldn't be trying to do? *How can you trust God more and more every day? *Can you trust God without being willing to do right? Why or why not?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 8:00 pm
i got one
the master and his servents
once there was a master and his servants the master gave them the first servant 4 pieces of gold he gave 2 pices of gold to his second servant and 1 to his third....then he left the first servant invested in it and got 4 more gold the 2nd did the same the 3rd dug a hole and put his gold in there....the next year the master came back the first sercvant said look master i got 4 more gold the 2nd said the same the 3rd servant said he dug it in a hole....the master was furrous!!
the master is god and the gold is his word...the 1st and second servant took his word and invested in it but the 3rd servant did nothing with god'd word
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 9:32 am
Two Towers of Strength Bible Reading: Jude verses 20-24 THE GOLDEN GATE Bridge stretches across San Francisco Bay in California. This bridge, perhaps the most famous bridge in the world, was completed in 1937. It's one of the longest suspension bridge in the world, stretching for 8,891 feet (or one and three-quarter miles-that's almost thirty football fields long!). Now, the Golden Gate Bridge spans a channel where very strong winds blow. That area has been hit by many earthquakes, some of them strong enough to topple buildings and collapse expressways. Yet the Golden Gate Bridge has withstood those earthquakes and is strong today as when it was built. You want to know how the Golden Gate can stand while many other structures all around it have cracked or crumbled? Part of the secret is in the foundation. You see, the builders of the Golden Gate Bridge knew that the area was subject to earthquakes. (A really bad earthquake destroyed much of San Francisco in 1906, only thirty-one years before the bridge was built.) So they sank two great towers of the bridge deep into two massive concrete blocks, which had been reinforced with strong steel beams. One of these great blocks, larger than a city block, weighs over 90 million pounds! With that kind of foundation, the Golden Gate Bridge can withstand even severe attacks. The same is true of you. You may not have to go through any earthquakes, but you may have friends trying to get you to smoke or try drugs. You may sometimes be tempted to lie to your parents or teachers. You will face a lot of temptations to do wrong and may find it hard sometimes to make right choices. That's why you need to do what the builders of the Golden Gate Bridge did. You need to build a strong foundation for making right choices in your heart and mind. You need to sink two great "towers" of strength into your heart that will help you to make right choices even when your friends try to talk you into wrong choices. What are those two strong towers? Prayer and Bible reading.You've probably heard it before, but if you pray faithfully and read your Bible carefully every day, you'll be drilling those two towers deeper and deeper into your heart and mind. So that the next time a really big temptation comes, you'll be ready- to stand strong. Reflect:*Do you have trouble making right choices? *Do you think spending time with God every day (through prayer and Bible reading) could help you to make right choices? Why or why not? *Are you building your faith through prayer and Bible reading? *Do you need help to become faithful in prayer and Bible reading?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2005 10:34 am
Steer Clear Bible Reading: Proverbs 4:14-15 A WEALTHY MAN was once searching for a chauffeur to drive his limousine. Many people applied for the job, but the millionaire picked only a few to take a driving test. The millionaire sat comfortably in the back of the limousine and told the first applicant to the begin driving. As they drove along a narrow mountain road, the millionaire called to the driver, "See how close you can steer us to the edge of the cliff without falling off." The driver, eager to show his skill, steered the expensive car within a few feet of the dangerous bluff. When they returned to the mansion, the millionaire said, "Thank you. We'll let you know." The second driver then slipped behind the steering wheel. Again, the millionaire said, "See how close you can steer us to the edge of the cliff without falling off." The driver, who was determined to outdo the first applicant, steered the long limousine within inches of the cliff! When they returned to the mansion, the millionaire told the second driver, "Thank you. We'll let you know." Another driver then took the second driver's place and was given the same instructions. But the third driver answered, "No way! I wouldnt go near that edge of the that cliff no matter how much money you paid me!" The millionaire smiled and answered, "You're hired!" The millionaire's request was not intended to test the driver's skill; it was intended to test each man's wisdom. When he found a man who would steer clear of danger even if it meant losing a potential job, he knew he had found a safe driver. God is looking for young men and women who will steer clear of danger, too, because he knows that making right choices begins with avoiding temptations. He doesn't want his children to see how close they can get to sin without giving in. He wants you and me to look at temptation and say,"No way! I'm not getting near that!" Many wrong choices can be avoided if we just steer clear of temptation. The Bible says: But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.(1 Timothy 6:11) If you're tempted to steal cookies, stay out of the kitchen! If your friends are trying to get you to try cigarettes, get some new friends! In other words, if you avoid the temptation before you're tempted, you're less likely to be tempted. And that will make it easier for you to make the right choice. Reflect*Do you usually steer close to temptation or do you tend to steer clear of temptation? *Think of your three strongest temptation. How can you steer clear of them?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 9:26 am
The Disguise of Darkness Bible Reading: John 3:16-21 WHEN DO YOU suppose most violent crimes are committed: during daylight hours or at night? When do you think burglars do their work: during daylight hours or at night? When do you imagine most vandalism (breaking windows, damaging property, and so on) happens: during daylight hours or at night? When do you think most arsonists (people who set fire to things on purpose) do their work: during daylight hours or at night? If you answered "at night" to all those questions, you're correct. But why is that? Why do so many murders or muggings take place at night? Why do people wait until after dark to break windows or set fire? Because it's dark, of course! People who don't want to be caught doing something wrong will wait until it's dark, so the darkness will disguise their deeds. That's what Jesus meant when he said that people "loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. They hate the light because they want to sin in the darkness. They stay away from the light for fear their sins will be exposed and they will be punished." ( Read John 3:19-20). Understanding the truth of Jesus' words can help you to make right choices. If you're doing something that you don't want your parents to know about, guess what- it's probably wrong (unless you're planning a surprise anniversary party for them!). If you have to hide what you're doing, that's a bad sign, because people "want to sin in the darkness.....But those who do what is right come to the light gladly, so everyone can see that they are doing what God wants" ( Read John 3:20-21). So remember-if you have to hide what you're doing, you probably shouldn't do it. Instead, do everything as if God were looking over your shoulder- because He is!Reflect*Have you ever done something you didn't want people to see or know about? *If so what? *What should have helped you realize that you might have been doing wrong? *If you're doing what God wants, would you probably try to hide it or not try to hide it?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 9:35 am
Now or Later? Bible Reading: Hebrews 10:32-36 YOU CAN GET a lot of things instantly these days: instant coffee, instant oatmeal, even "instant winner" lottery tickets. But there are still things that take time. You can't get a high school diploma overnight. You can't grow a sunflower in thirty minutes or less. You can't lose weight instantly (no matter what the informercials say!). You can't even make instant Jell-O instantly: you have to put in the refrigerator and let it gel. The problem is, all those things we can get instantly make it harder for us to wait for other things. We're so used to "fast food" that we can't stand to wait more than a few minutes for dinner in a restaurant (and if we do, we complain about the service!). We're so used to "quick fixes" that we moan and groan when we unwrap a Christmas present that says, "Some assembly required." We're so used to getting things we want now, we have trouble saving or planning or waiting for the things we want. And the devil, our enemy, knows how to use our desires for "instant winners" and fast rewards to get us to make wrong choices. He knows that most of us are used to getting what we want when we want it. So he tempts us to do wrong by promising that the wrong choice will bring instant gratification. "I know you don't have enough money to see a movie," he'll say, "but all your friends are seeing that new movie today. Just take the money from your mom's purse; she'll never miss it." Or, "Go ahead, make fun of your friend; everybody at your lunch table will laugh and think you're cool now. You can always apologize later." One of the keys to making right choices is learning to say no to the sometimes instant rewards of wrong choices in favor of the greater and more enduring rewards of right choices. In other words, many temptations to do wrong are like a choice between eating a slice of devil's food cake now and owning your own bakery later. If you can say no now, you can enjoy much greater rewards later. It's often as simple as now or later. Reflect: *Think over recent choices you've made. *Did a desire for "Instant" gratification cause you to make the wrong choice in any of those instances? *If so, how can you make the right choice next time?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 8:52 am
Shine Bible Reading: Philippians 2:12-15 A WEALTHY BUSINESSMAN in India was preparing to retire. He called his two sons into his office and told them of his plans. "Now you are both good sons and capable young men, "he said, "I can't decide who I should put in charge of my business and all my property. So, I have chosen a test for you. "He gave a coin to each son and said, "Take this coin and buy something that will fill this house." Now, the coin he had given each of his sons was of little value and his house was large with money rooms. Each son knew the task would be difficult. The older son wasted no time. He hurried to the marketplace and began pricing all sorts of bulky materials. He soon decided that the cheapest and bulkiest thing he could buy was straw. So he bought as much straw as his coin would buy and carried great bundles of it into the house. But the straw barely covered half the floors in the house. The younger son stopped to think about his father's test. He knew that only a most unusual purchase would pass his father's test. When the younger son returned, he carried only a small package. His brother laughed, "You expect to fill this house with that?" he said, pointing to the package. The younger son said nothing. He opened his little package and took out an assortment of candles. He place on candle in each room. When he had lighted them all, the entire house was filled....with light! Every day you face the same choice those brothers faced. Every morning a new day stands open before you. You can fill it with wrong choices, selfish choices, choices that bring only darkness and disappointment. Or you can fill your day with right choices with good and decent actions that will shine like a light to everyone around you. Make it your goal today- every day- to fill your day with right choices, and let your life shine like a light in a dark world. Reflect: *What did you fill your day with yesterday-light or darkness? *Right choices or wrong choices? *What do you think will happen as people see you making right choices? *How can you "shine" like a light to everyone around you today?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
