This morning we are looking at how to leave our “simple” ways and do right. Proverbs 9:1-6 is where it’s at.
“Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city. “Let all who are simple come in here!” she says to those who lack judgment. “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
Stephanie never did too well in her class. She was always disorganized, and was always out with her friends. Jill, though, did really well in her classes, as organized, and only went out with her friends when her work was done.
Stephanie always wondered why she did so poorly. Jill told her one day that if she would start to work more on her homework and become more organized, she would do a lot better. Stephanie tried it, and her grades went up, plus she still had time for her friends.
God tells us in Proverbs 9:6 “leave your simple ways…” (Here in Proverbs “simple means foolish). Like Stephanie, we could leave our simple ways in so many more areas than school. It’s not too late to make New Year’s resolutions! God also tells us to be organized, and to do things in the order they are supposed to be done. This is done by the wise. With wisdom comes understanding. But those without understanding are sinners. God tells us that whoever handles a matter wisely will find good.
So if we all leave our simple ways, and find understanding, we will live in the way of the Lord.
Points To Ponder: Do you “walk in the way of understanding?” What has God done to help you live that way? List three changes God would like you to make in your life.
Prayer Possibilities: Thank God for clear examples in His Word. Ask God to help you stay in the way of understanding. Pray for others to live in the way of the Lord.
Read 1 John 5:1-6 this morning to find out how we can overcome the world.
“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.”
Have you ever had a bad day where absolutely nothing is going your way? When you have so many things on your mind that it seems like you’re never going to finish a thing or you are going to forget half of your list that had been imprinted on your mind for so long? Well, I certainly have, and it is definitely not fun, as you can well imagine. However, it is great to know that Jesus is always there beside you. With the help of God, you can overcome anything. In I John 5:5 it says, “Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”
I other words, us! Isn’t that amazing how much our faith plays a part in our lives? Everything we do should be done because of our love for our Savior, Jesus Christ. Faith is the most important part of your life, and you should never forget that. You should always remember that Jesus is there for you all of the time and will help you overcome everything in the world and even the world itself in time. Of course, this is not easy because of our sinful nature, but reminding each other and ourselves day after day will help.
Believe in Jesus as your Savior and you can overcome the world!
Points To Ponder: Do you believe that we will overcome the world with the help of Jesus? How can we show our love to God because of what He’s done for us?
Prayer Possibilities: Ask God to strengthen your faith and for help in difficult situations. Thank and praise Him for the gift of faith and eternal life through the death of Jesus, His dear Son.
Today we are looking into the book of Daniel for some inspiration on why today is great! Read Daniel 7:13-14.
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”
“Another great Monday!” Sheila sarcastically remarks as her alarm clock forecasts five more inches of snow. As she gets ready, she thinks to herself about the Spanish and Math tests she has to take today. “I can’t wait to get out of school. I’m sick of everyone and everything.”
Think for a minute about what kind of day Sheila might have. Now take a look back at Daniel 7:13-14.
Sometimes we fail to realize the power of God. It doesn’t take a whole lot of effort to think of some great things He has done for us. It’s important that we have a positive attitude in order to thank God for everything He has done for us. Our problems are so minute compared to the power of the Lord.
This passage is kind of incredible to me. Everyday we wake up and wonder what the rest of the day is going to be like. Sometimes the attitude that we adopt in the morning determines how the rest of the day is going to go. But in reality, if we realize the control God has over our lives everyday; everyday should be a great day. “…His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” For the rest of our lives we can live each day to it’s fullest because God isn’t going anywhere without us. Imagine the power of our Lord. In Daniel’s vision, he sees the almighty Lord. He is coming within the clouds. We know He is God. Let’s love and trust Him to give us great days everyday.
Points To Ponder: Who really has control of our lives? What makes us have bad days? Why is our God so great to believe in?
Prayer Possibilities: Thank God for being behind you at all times. Ask for confidence in your Lord so that everyday is a great day.
Today we are looking in Mark 11:1-10 to see how people reacted to Jesus just days before He was killed. People are fickle. They cheered Him into town, and then a week later they killed Him. Below are verses 7-10.
“When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”
“Hosanna in the highest!”
Whenever a king is pictured entering a town, he has a triumphant entry. People stand in the streets just to get a glimpse of him, as he is carried down the street with all his majesty. People on the streets shout and cheer him on. He receives all of this out of respect and honor. This is exactly what happened to Jesus during His triumphant entry as recorded in Mark. Jesus asked His disciples to help prepare the way for Him for His entry into Jerusalem. He told them to get a colt for Him to ride on, and faithfully, they followed His instructions.
As Jesus rode down the street, the people “spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields…” The people pointed out the path for Jesus. This path eventually led to His suffering and death. As Jesus rode by, the people shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” The people shouted and cheered for Him just as they would any other king.
We are told throughout the Bible to praise Jesus. We can do this exactly how these people did. In everything we do, we have the opportunity to praise Him. Our lives reflect how much and how often we praise Him. Even though we can’t see Jesus walking down the road, we can still praise Him. We should feel confident that He will always be there to listen.
Points To Ponder: Is my heart ready to receive Jesus as King? Does my life show praise to God? How?
Prayer Possibilities: Ask for help in leading a life of praise to God. Thank God for someone else’s great accomplishment.
Today we are looking at the best insurance available. It doesn’t have to be renewed and is good for life. Take a look at Hebrews 10:11-18.
“Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.”
A man goes and buys a life insurance policy from a company. It is pretty normal except that what he doesn’t notice is that it is only good for one day. So he has to keep going back day after day to buy a new one. Another man goes to get an insurance policy from a different company, and he is good for life. He will never have to get a new one. He is covered forever.
This story is similar to what God tells us in Hebrews 10:11-18 in which it says, “every other priest stands and serves day after day, over and over again bringing the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But He made one sacrifice for our sins, which is good forever.” The company that sole the first policy which was good for only one day represents someone who is trying to get into heaven through good works. The company which sold the everlasting policy is Christ, and the policy which He gave us was the forgiveness of sins and our price was free, but the price He had to pay was His life.
Do you think you can save yourself through good works? Or do you think that you can believe on your own without the help of the Holy Spirit? If so, you do not have the policy of eternal life in heaven, but rather the promise of eternal damnation. But when the Holy Spirit works in your heart, you have the promise of eternal life in heaven.
Points To Ponder: Why did Jesus die for our sins? Can we ever repay Christ for what He did for us?
Prayer Posibilities: Thank God for paying such a high price to save us. Pray that we do not abuse the forgiveness which God gives us.
