A Christmas Poem

This is a re-post of my original Christmas poem.

It’s the Christmas season

and we all know what that means.

Shopping, pageants and parties

with stress in between.

It’s the time of the year,

when we think more about our fellow man.

We show our love by giving gifts

to the less fortunate when we can. 

But, why be so nice

just at this time of the year?

Could it be the first Christmas

that we remember so dear?

When a long time ago a man Joseph

and his wife Mary,

Traveled a long way on a donkey,

the unborn Christ child she carried.

Back to the city from where Joseph

had once belonged,

To be counted for the census

they journeyed, the two of them alone.

When they arrived in Bethlehem

the city was filled within,

With fisherman, tailors and merchants

                        and all their next of kin.      

            Mary was tired and weary

                        with her time drawing near,

            To give birth

                        to a Heavenly Child so dear. 

No room in the inn

            and no warm bed,

They found shelter with dry hay

            in a barn instead. 

That night the long awaited babe was born,

            a gift greater than gold.

Fulfilling a prophecy the ancient saints

            had long ago foretold. 

With awe and love in her heart

            Mary wrapped Him in swaddling cloths,

And placed Him gently

            in the cattle’s troth. 

Angels worshipped and sang and

            there shone a great heavenly light,

out in the fields as the shepherds

            watched their flocks by night. 

“Go to Bethlehem

            and worship the newborn King,

for God has sent us a Savior”

                        the angels did sing.           

            What a joy and fulfillment

                        that first Christmas to tell.

            What great love God gave us

                        in Christ Jesus, our Emmanuel.           

            Why can’t we show love toward others

                        the rest of the year,

            And not just at Christmas time

                       should we care?           

            So don’t let your heart be a busy inn

                        and no room for thee.

            May it a cradle for the Living Christ

                        and His nativity.           

            Be thankful to God

                        in all He has done,

            Loving one another, for in His

                        power we have won.          

            With all our hearts and souls

                        we must ask Him to be our own

            and He will always comfort us.

                        We will never be alone.           

            To those who choose to follow Him

                        He will take away all our sin.

            Praise to God and may peace on earth

                        bring good will year long to all men.

 

                                    --- Linda Vittitow

How To Raise Kids In Today's X-Rated World

To raise children we need love, patience and wisdom.  The Bible has a great deal to say about the way we can successfully raise our children to be men and women of God.  We must first teach them the truth about God’s Word.  Biblical truth should be the foundation of our home.  They learn a lot through direct teaching, but they learn much more by watching us.  It is important to involve them in the church family when they are young.  We should set an example of going to church and making it a priority each week.  Allow them to see you studying the Word.

Prov. 24:3 – “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established.”  There are no perfect mothers, fathers or children.  So don’t expect your children to be perfect.  Just simply prepare your kids for life and trust God to do the rest.  Luke 2:52 – “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”  We need to raise PG kids in an X-rated world.  The world is a mess!  How do you raise kids in a world like that?  We need to build spiritual filters to filter out all the junk in the world.

A parent’s job description – Deu. 6:7 – “Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”  Wisdom starts with God.  We’re teaching all the time whether we realize it or not.  We need to teach them about Jesus and who He is.  This is your job not the church or Sunday the school teacher.  This goes for grandparents, too.

There are 3 things you learn from your family:
 

1.       Relationships – how to handle situations.  They need to learn to forgive and how to resolve conflicts.  Your happiness is determined by your relationships.  Your children need to learn to choose their friends wisely.  They will be influenced by their friends.

2.      Character – is what you are when you think no one is watching.  Good habits develop good character.

3.      Values – is what is important to you.  Teach your children right from wrong so they won’t be blindsided when they are away from you and go out into the world.

Protect your kids in the storms of life – make the home a safe place, a place of protection. Prov. 14:26 – “He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.”  They need a safe and loving place to retreat when storms come.

There are 3 types of storms in life: 

1. Change – The world is constantly changing.  Our lives are constantly changing – our health, our jobs, our friends.  Teach them that Jesus doesn’t change.  He is the same today, yesterday, and tomorrow.
2. Failure – Failure is a part of life.  Teach them no one wins all the time.
3. Rejection – Rejection is a part of life and parents need to help them learn how to deal with setbacks.  Have you ever been the last chosen on the team when you were on the playground?  It hurts.

There are 4 ways to protect your family during these storms:

1.       Hear them– Listen to your children and to your spouse.  The media sure listens to them.  They call it marketing.

2.      Hug them –Express affection and let them know you love them.

3.      Give them Hope – Build them up and let them know things will get better.  Prov. 13:12 – “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”

4.      Get Help – Do not be afraid to get help from a Christian counselor, if you need it.

Play with your kids for fun.  God has a sense of humor.  Next time you go to the mall just look at those around you.  1 out of 3 people are considered abnormal.  We need to laugh at ourselves sometimes.  God wants us to have fun.  Christians don’t need to be so serious and up tight.  Lighten up!  You have heard that the family that prays together stays together.  The family that plays together stays together.  “Children are a gift from the Lord.” – Ps. 127:3.  Gifts are meant to be enjoyed.

Point your kids to Jesus Christ.  Eph. 6:4 – “Father, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”  God loves your children more than you do.  God has given us the responsibilities to teach very important lessons - to teach our children about Him and to have faith.  Role modeling is the best way.  They need to see us trusting Christ in all situations.  They need to see that you have a personal relationship with Christ.

What will your kids say is the most important thing to you?  Does your check book and your calendar reveal who you really are?  Parents, it’s not too late to change.  First commit yourself to the Lord and kids will imitate you.  You have heard it said that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Time is the best gift you can give your kids.  The most important lesson that we teach our kids is to know God and love God with all their heart!  Phil. 3:8 – “What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.  I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ.” 

How are you doing teaching your kids?  The best thing for you to do is have a relationship with Christ.  Some say “I want my kids to decide for themselves what they believe.”  There is a French word for that – Bologna!  As parents we teach our children many things that matter in life, like how to have good health, safety, education, etc.  So we should teach them the most important thing which is who God is and to worship Him.  “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” – Prov. 22:6.

The Bible is our instruction book on how to be good parents.  It tells us how to teach, train and discipline them.  Here are a few scriptures on parenting.

“Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.” – Col. 3:21

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” – Eph. 6:4

“Pleasant words promote instruction.” – Prov. 16:21

“A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.” – Prov. 16:23

“To show partiality in judging is not good.” – Prov. 24:23

“He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.” – Prov, 14:26

“Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.” – Prov. 22:15

“He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.” – Prov. 13:24

“The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.” – Prov. 29:15

“Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.” – Prov. 19:18

“Discipline your son, and he will give you peace, he will bring delight to your soul.” – Prov. 29:17

“Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.  Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.” – Prov. 23:13-14

“Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.” – Ps.127:3

“The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him.” – Prov. 23:24

“Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.  Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.” – Ps. 27:4-5

“May the LORD make you increase, both you and your children.  May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” – Ps. 115:14-15

 
How are you doing in your parenting?
Do you pray for wisdom?
Do you pray for your kids?
Is your family fun?
Are you too busy to play with your kids?
What will your kids say is the most important thing to you? 

Let your life be found in this verse.  “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” - Jos. 24:15
 

(This was taken from a message given by Mike James)

Letter From God

Let me say from the beginning this is not original.  I did not write this, but I read this somewhere and wanted to share it with you. 

Have you ever looked at yourself and feel that you don’t measure up?  Do you ever compare yourself with others and feel inadequate?  After reading this Letter From God I know your outlook and attitude will change before you finish. 

Dear Woman, 

When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being. Then I created man, formed him and breathed life into his nostrils.  But you, woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man.  Because your nostrils are too delicate, I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you.  Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity.  From one bone, I fashioned you.  I chose the bone that protects man’s life. 

I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do.  Around this one bone, I shaped you… I modeled you. 

I created you perfectly and beautifully.  Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile.  You provide protection for the most delicate organ in man, his heart.  His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of life.  The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart.  Support man as the rib cage supports the body.  You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken from this head, to be above him.  You were taken from this side, to stand beside him and be held close to his side. 

You are my perfect angel……You are my beautiful little girl.  You have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence, and my eyes fill when I see the virtues in your heart.  Your eyes…..don’t change them.  Your lips…..how lovely when they part in prayer.  Your nose….. so perfect in form.  Your hands….. so gentle to touch.  I’ve caressed you face in your deepest sleep.  I’ve held you heart close to mine.  Of all that lives and breathes, you are most like me. 

Adam walked with me in the cool of the day, yet he was lonely.  He could not see me or touch me.  He could only feel me.  So everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with me, I fashioned in you; my holiness, my strength, my purity, my love, my protection and my support.  You are special, because you are an extension of me.  Man represents my image, woman my emotions.  Together, you represent the totality of God.

Love,

God

 

Prayer

What is prayer? 

Prayer is spiritual communion with God as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, or confession.  We can pray anywhere and anytime.  There is no specific way to pray and no specific times we should pray.  All we need to do is speak to God from our heart.  We can pray silently or audibly.  We can pray alone or with a group.  We can pray while driving to work, school or to the grocery.  We pray over our food, when we lie down to sleep, when we awake each morning.  We pray when we are troubled and when we are happy.  We are to pray without ceasing.

The Bible has a lot to say about prayer.  There is no certain posture for prayer.  Your prayers don’t need to be wordy or have impressive speech.  "When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again." – Matthew 6:7.  “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God.  God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few”. – Ecclesiastes 5:2.

Why should we pray?

Prayer develops our relationship with God.  Prayer is communicating with God.  It helps us grow closer and more intimate with Him.  God instructed us to pray and when we pray we are obedient to Him.  “Keep alert and pray.  Otherwise temptation will overpower you.  For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak!” – Matthew 26:41. 

 

Have you been praying and praying about something and it seem He doesn't hear you or is not answering?  Jesus tells us to be persistent in our prayer in His parable about the persistent widow.  “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” – Luke 18:1. 

We pray so we will know what God’s will is for our lives.  We pray to seek direction and wisdom.  Praying demonstrates our faith in God.  We pray for forgiveness of sins.  We pray for those who don’t know Jesus.  We pray for God’s provision.  We pray thanking God and praising Him for who He is and for what He has done.

If you don’t know how to pray, the Holy Spirit will help you.  “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” – Romans 8:26-27.

The Bible says we are to pray with a humble heart and if we seek Him with all our hearts, we will find Him – Jeremiah 29:13.  We are to have faith when we pray. – Mark 11:24.  We are to be sure we have confessed our sins, because “… The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” –  James 5:16.

God hears our prayers and always answers them.  It may not be the answer we want, but He answers with, yes, no, or not now.  Remember God knows and wants what is best for us.  God wants us to pray with other believers and also to pray alone and in secret. 

How should we pray?

The “ACTS” Prayer is a good example of how pray.

A – Adoration – Praise God for who He is – holy, perfect merciful, loving, powerful, etc.
C – Confession – Confession allows us to clear away things which are displeasing to God by seeking His forgiveness.
T – Thanksgiving – We should thank God for the blessings He gives to us and for what He will give us.
S – Supplication – Now we can ask God for our needs and the needs of others.

God wants a relationship with us.  For our relationship with Him to develop we must talk with Him regularly.

How does prayer affect our lives?

When we face trying circumstances, it pays to pray.  Prayer relieves stress.  If we truly trust God, there is no need to be anxious or worry about the future.  Prayer does work.  There are numerous accounts in the Bible of answered prayers plus we all know stories of answered prayer from those around us.  God wants us to seek His help for our needs and desires.  When we pray, it draws us closer to God.

 

The Lord’s Prayer

Jesus is a prime example of living a life of prayer.  He prayed for God’s guidance and leading.  He prayed prayers of thanksgiving, prayers for healing, prayers for His disciples and prayers for believers both present and in the future.  In Matthew 6:9-13 Jesus teaches how to pray.  We do not need to use these actual words, but use them as a model.

“Our Father in heaven,” - He is the creator and the Great Parent of us all. “hallowed be your name,” – God is essentially holy.  We are to acknowledge the supremacy of God and His relationship to us. 
“your kingdom come,” – This is a wanting God to reign everywhere and that His laws be obeyed till the world is filled with His glory.  
”your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” – God’s will is that men should obey His law and live holy lives.
“Give us this day our daily bread.” – He tells us to pray for both our physical as well as our spiritual needs.
“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  – We are to have an attitude of forgiveness.  If we forgive others, then God will forgive us.
“And do not lead us into temptation,” – We are to trust God for deliverance over temptation (anything that tests our virtue) and sin.
“but deliver us from the evil one.” – The evil one is Satan.  Deliver us from his power, snares, temptations.
“For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.” – God has control and power over everything and with Him all things are possible; and not our honor, but His be displayed through all the earth.

When do you pray? 

Do you only pray before the Thanksgiving meal or when you need something?
Do you find it hard to make time to pray?
We can take an hour out to exercise, watch TV, etc. so why not give time each day to God?
Do you offer praise and thanks to God for all He has done in our life?
Do you trust God will hear and answer your prayers?
 
Talk to God now.  He is waiting to hear from you.

Who is your Master?

These are notes taken from a sermon given by my pastor, Randy Nation as few months ago.  These are mostly his words with some of my own added.  His message was entitled “Debt or Freedom”.  I call it “Who is your Master?”

Our Mistake:

Have you ever bought something you wished you had never bought?  As most of us do at times we buy because get talked into things we think we need or should have.  That happened to us a few years ago when we went on a vacation get-away for only $69.  It sounded like a good deal.  We went to beautiful Sedona.  It was breath-taking.  When we arrived, we were told we had to sit through a short sales pitch with no obligation to buy.  Right!  We left with a Time Share.  They made us think this was something we must have and we were convinced.  Bad mistake! 

Yes, we used the time share points each year and had great family vacations.  However, every time we arrived at our vacation resort we had to sit through another boring time consuming “update to our time share account”.  Each time they tried to talk us into upgrading to a bigger and better time share.  Of course we would say no thank you but received a free dinner coupon for our trouble.  Also we received numerous sales calls at home – at least 3 a week wanting to rent our points, give us another free vacation because we were an owner, buy our time share, or something.  This was very aggravating and they would not stop!  I think our time share people put our names on a list and all these calls were from others who wanted to benefit from a sucker like us.  Also, did I mention we had yearly maintenance fees that went up every year?  My advice is NEVER BUY A TIME SHARE!!

Several times we tried to sell it, but all the companies seem to be a scam.  They all wanted money to try to sell it for us.  Finally, we did sell it and took a huge lose.  I guess we learn by our mistakes. 

What is debt?

Debt is not a tool – People say it’s a way to use other people’s money.

Debt can be an idol – An idol is where we spend our energy.  Our credit card can be our idol.
Debt plays to our weaknesses – We don’t have self-control.  We are a slave to our Master Card.
Debt is our master – we can’t say “no”.

The world says we are who we hang out with, where we live, what kind of car we drive, etc.  We want to keep up a good appearance so we buy what we want when we want it.  Proverbs 22:7 – “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” 

There are 2 kinds of slavery: (1) Imposed – we didn’t volunteer; (2) Selective – we volunteered to be under someone.  This is what we’ve done.  We sacrifice our family for debt by arguing about money, worrying about money, and working more to pay on the debt.  Instead of saying, “Do I need this or how much does it cost?” we say, “Can I afford the payments?”  Debt is a cruel master. 

Do you serve God or Money?  The Bible says we cannot serve two masters.  1 Timothy 6:10 – “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.  Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”  There is freedom in Christ.  Which master do you serve?  Credit cards are deceptive.  When you make a purchase, they don’t remind you will get a bill at the end of the month.  It’s liked being chained up.  It controls you like a weight around your neck.  Believe me there is grief when there is debt.

There are 4 aspects of debt:  (1) Mentally it says I will never be free.  (2) Physically says I desire it.  (3) Emotionally says it will make me happy. (4) Spiritually it says God isn’t taking good care of me.  People want to give more generously to others, but there are tied up financially and mentally.

We need to wait on God if we can’t afford something.  The average family debt is $8,000 – $15,000.  After paying the interest, you’ve paid it back 3 times over.  Americans have an average of 3 ½ credit cards.  The divorce rate is 52% and divorce in the first 7 years of marriage is 90%, because of money. 

What can you do?

Romans 13:7-8 says “Give everyone what you owe him: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect then respect; if honor, then honor.  Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.”  So bankruptcy is not the answer.  One debt you won’t have to pay is the debt you owe Christ.  What happened to that?  The debt of sin had to be paid and Jesus paid it for you.  You can’t pay that debt, because God is good! 

We could be victorious and do something about it.  1 John 4:4 – “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”  We have freedom in Christ.  He paid our debt and will help us manage our finances, if we will let Him.  Just say “I will do something about this” and ask God to help you.  How can you fail?  He will give you strength and wisdom.  Why is it important?  You can give to people in need and spend your money on whatever you want.  We own him our allegiance.  Allow God’s Holy Spirit to control us.  That’s the master we want.

There is also Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University which is usually is offered in churches for a small fee.  Dave also has many books on the subject of debt and how to get out of it.  He teaches you exactly what debt is, how to get out of it, how to make a budget, how to save money and how to build wealth.

We need to be content with what we have.  Contentment is real financial freedom.  “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have…” – Hebrews 13:5.  Jesus talked more about money that He did heaven or hell.  There are over 700 verses that talk about money in the Bible.  Financial freedom is found as you apply the biblical principle of work, investing, budgeting and avoiding debt in your life.  Every financial decision is a spiritual decision and obedience in giving to God helps us remember to keep God first in our finances.  It’s not our money; it all belongs to God.  Make Him your master.

Who Is God?

By ourselves we can never discover God.  We could never know Him unless He revealed Himself.  Has God revealed Himself?  The Bible says yes!  From cover to cover, the Scriptures are filled with insights into His character.

God exists as three Persons – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  God exists everywhere.  He knows everything.  He has all power and authority.  He is just, loving, truthful, holy, compassionate, merciful, and shows us grace.  God judges sin, but also offers forgiveness.

God created the universe and everything in it.  He is executing His eternal plan that involves the redemption of man from the curse of sin and death by drawing people to Christ.  God in the person of the Son, Jesus Christ became human and bridged the gap between God and man.  It is through the Son that we can have forgiveness of sins and be reconciled with God.  Jesus offers us eternal salvation and all we have to do is believe and trust Him.  Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” – John 4:3.  Jesus also said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6.

What is God like?

Some of the names for God recorded in Scriptures are:

“God Almighty” - Genesis 17:1; “the Lord our Maker’ - Psalm 95:6; “Father” - Luke 11:2; “Ruler”, King of kings and Lord of lords” - 1 Timothy 6:15

Read Isaiah 45:18-24 for a list of truths about God.  We also discover more about Him in Isaiah 40:28 – “The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power to the weak.”  John 4:24 – “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

God is all-powerful (omnipotent) – Rev. 19:6

God is all-Knowing (omniscient) – Heb. 4:12-13
God is everywhere (omnipresent) – Ps. 139:7-12
God is eternal – Ps. 90:1-2, Deu. 33:27
God never changes (immutable) – Mal 3:6, Heb. 13:8
Deuteronomy 7:9 – Know that He is God and is faithful and keep his promises.
Psalm 119:37 – He is righteous and His laws are right.
Psalm 130:3-4 – He keeps no records of our sins.
1 Peter 1:15-16 – He is holy.
1 John 1:5 – He is light.
1 John 4:15 – If we acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God, He lives in us.

Psalm 90:2 – “Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.  Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”

Jeremiah 32:17 – “You have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm.  Nothing is too hard for you.”
James 1:17 – “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
1 John 3:20 – “For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.”

One of the most comforting truths in Scripture is the sovereignty of God.  He is in control of everything.  These verses affirm the sovereignty of God:  Proverbs 21:1, Isaiah 14:27, Acts 4:26-28.

What does God do?

God knows what is going on in the world today.  2 chronicles 16:9 – “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

God is the ultimate judge.  Psalm 75:6-7 – “No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt a man.  But it is God who judges:  He brings one down, he exalts another.”

God loves us.  Jeremiah 31:3 – “I have loved you with an everlasting love…..”.  Ephesians 3:19, and John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

God is there to help us.  Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

What does God expect from you?

Where do you turn for help when in trouble?
Do you turn to God first or as the last resort?

What does God expect from us?

Psalm 46:10 – “Be still and know that I am God;”

Psalm 95:6 – “Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.”
Luke 10:27 – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and, love your neighbor as yourself.”
Acts 5:29 – “We must obey God rather than men!”
Romans 2:13 – “For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.”
John 14:15 – “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”
John 15:10 – “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”
1 John 3:14 – “Those who obey his commands live in him and he in them.  And this is how we know that he lives us:  We know it by the spirit he gave us.”
1 John 5:2 – “This is love for God:  to obey his commands.”
Matthew 28:19-20 – “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

Do you believe that God is the Creator?

Do you love God?
Do you find it hard to obey God’s commands?
Do you ask Him to help you to obey?

Why should we know God?

The following references explain some of the essentials in knowing God.

 

Deuteronomy 10:12 - "And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your."

Psalm 100:4 - "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."

Hebrews 11:6 – “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who come to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

What was David’s counsel to his son?  1 Chronicles 28:9 – “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understand every motive behind the thoughts.  If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.”

Do you teach your children to serve Him?

Do you live as an example for them?

God is our Guide

Ex. 33:13-15 – God is always present with His people.

2 Sam. 22:29 – God is our lamp who turns darkness into light.
Ps. 5:8 – God leads in His righteousness.
Ps. 23:2-3 – God leads to places of quiet rest and righteousness.
Ps. 25:5, 9 – God guides the humble according to His truth and way.
Ps. 27:11 – God leads in a straight path.
Ps. 31:3 – God’s guidance is for the sake of His name.
Ps. 48:14; Is. 58:11 – God always guides His people, even to the end.
Ps. 61:2 – God guides us beyond ourselves to Him.
Ps. 139:24 – God helps us identify sin and leads us to repentance.
Is. 40:11 – God guides those who have young.
Is. 42:16 – God guides through unknown, unfamiliar, dark, and rough places.
Is. 57:18 – God comforts as He guides.
Luke 1:79 – God guides us into the path of peace.
John 10:3-4 – God goes before His people to show the way.
John 16:13 – God guides into all truth.

Do you read your Bible daily? 

Do you look to God as your guide?
Do you pray and if so, How often?

How can I get to know God and how can I apply the Bible to my life?

You can’t apply it, if you don’t read it.  The goal in reading is to get to know God and learn His ways and understand His purposes for you and the world.  When reading the Bible, you can see what a Christian life should look like.  Not only do you need to read the Bible, but you need to study it.  How do you study it?  To study it means to prayerfully devote time and attention to acquiring knowledge on a particular person, subject or passage in the Bible.  Psalm 1:2 says anyone who meditates on God’s Word is blessed – “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”  Rev. 1:3 – “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”

 
There are many helpful study guides available as well as many Bible studies.  One of my favorites is attending Bible Study Fellowship International.  BSF is an in-depth, interdenominational Bible study with classes in 38 countries with people of all ages and cultures.  BSF walks you through a book of the Bible, verse by verse and gives you application questions to think about.  This study draws you closer to God and gives you a better understanding of God and His love.  To find out more about BSF, just look on the internet - https://www.bsfinternational.org/ for more info on a study near you.