Week June 26
Monday June 26
Pride is a problem
Lesson Objective: To consider how pride can be the detriment of each of us
Scripture: Amos 6:7-8
(7) Therefore they shall now go captive as the first of the captives,
And those who recline at banquets shall be removed.
(8) The Lord GOD has sworn by Himself,
The LORD God of hosts says:
” I abhor the pride of Jacob,
And hate his palaces;
Therefore I will deliver up the city
And all that is in it.”
The Bible teaches us that we should be confident in what God can do in his infinite wisdom. We can accomplish much if we place our total confidence in God. However sometimes confidence can change from confidence in God to pride. The major problem with pride is that for most people it comes naturally. We are praised when we do something well with the intent of encouraging us to continue doing well. The problem is that we are praised as if we are responsible rather than offering praise to God for his blessings. It is so easy to fall prey to pride. One example is when others are being praised, we sometimes may feel a little rejected or jealous but when someone says something good about us, our chest fills out and we begin to smile. We feel good about ourselves. We must be careful when it comes to pride and our ego. Remembering that ego can mean edging God out.
Thought for the day: Try to make it a habit to praise God first whenever we are praised.
Tuesday June 27
Are you a work in process
Lesson Objective: To identify those characteristics that brings us closer to God
Scripture; Colossians 3:12
(12) Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
When I look at the Bible I think we can agree that the Old Testament was dominated by specific laws that one should keep or not break. I also think that the Old Testament was more individual driven. While the New Testament was not law driven but how to live a life like Christ. There is a lot of emphasis on developing a positive lifestyle. So we find several scriptures concerning how we must fashion our life to interact with others around us. This is reflected in the general theme of love and carrying for others. We find this in 1 Corinthians chapter 13 ( love chapter) and in the writings of Paul where he discusses Fruit of Spirit and similar verses. These traits are mentioned throughout the New Testament and we are taught that something that is said more than once is probably important and we should pay special attention, The characteristics mentioned in the scripture noted above reflect how we must interact with others in love. There is no love if these characteristics are missing.
Thought for the day: The world will know if we are the elect by our actions.
Wednesday, June 28
Why do you do what you do?
Lesson Objective: To discuss what motivates us
Scripture: Colossians 3:22-25 (22) Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. (23) And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, (24) knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
Companies have and continue to spend millions of dollars trying to determine the best way to motivate workers. They have come up with bonus plans, salary enhancements, and other incentives but the reality is that these are only short-term solutions. What business has come to realize is that the first question that is asked after receiving a pay increase is when do I get another? (smile). So what can be used to motivate employees? Also, from time to time you will hear people say that they really do not like what they are doing and would rather do something different. In both cases I think that the problem is that no one has taken the time to really understand why they are doing what they do. If we stop look at our jobs as a money maker and see it ass a way to please God in our actions, life would be so much rewarding. As a friend of mine often said if you do not like where you are, you most certainly will not like where you are going.
Thought for the day: You are where you are because God has an assignment for you where you are. He may be preparing you for the next step in this journey called life. Work as if you must turn your time card into God for payment.
Thursday. June 29
We are at war
Lesson Objective: Understanding the battle that rages inside us
Scripture: Romans 7:19-23
(19) For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. (20) Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. (21) I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. (22) For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.
Each day presents a myriad of challenges that we must overcome. These challenges cannot be overcome on our own. We must engage with the full faith of God. We must pray without ceasing and we must surround ourselves with like spirited comrades in this war. It is easy to say what we will or will not do, until we are faced with the ultimate test. I do know that we must prepare for the battle because there is a battle and only the prepared will be victorious. We must be like the man who built his house on a firm foundation to be able to weather the storms of life.
Thought for the day: Face each challenge with a heart of humility always depending on God. Depending on oneself will never work.
Friday, June 30
Can you live without hope
Lesson objective: Discuss what is hope and why do we have hope
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:13
(13) And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
We are taught the importance of hope as a young child. For those who received Christmas presents, we always hoped for the best present ever even if we only played with it for a short period of time before going back to the old toys. The question for many is why hope? Where does hope come from? The dictionary defines hope as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. 1 John 3 2-3 says Beloved, dnow we are children of God; and eit has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, fwe shall be like Him, for gwe shall see Him as He is. 3 hAnd everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. We must not have a blind hope but this hope brings an expectation. This expectation comes from knowing what God has done and what he is able to do. Life would be unlivable if we tried to live without hope.
Thought for the day: We have hope because we believe and have faith in God. We have faith because we know that God loves us because we can see what he has done and is doing in our lives. God is GOOD!!