DO MAN LIVE

SCRIPTURE: John 4:34

VERSE FOR TODAY: Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work."

HYMN FOR TODAY: "Here I am to worship"

THROUGHOUT JESUS' MINISTRY, We see a marked difference between his priorities and the concerns of His disciples. The disciple were often preoccupied with how to meet their physical needs (Matthew 14:15-17; John 4:8; Luke 18:38). Jesus repeatedly assured them that the Father knew their needs and would provide (Luke 11:11-13). Jesus stressed that their priority was to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" the necessities of daily life would be provided (Matt.6:33).

When spoke to the woman at well, His disciples had gone into a nearby town to get food. While His disciples were seeking earthly nourishment, Jesus was giving this woman "living water" that would satisfy her soul for eternity. When ther returned, the disciples urged Jesus to eat. . He replied that His "food" was to do the will of His Father. Since their attention was on earthly matters, His disciples misunderstood His reply. Jesus' very life came from obeying His Father. Because of Jesus' obedience that day, the woman received eternal life. In here excitement, she brought many others to Jesus to hear for themselves, and many believed that He was indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world (John4:39-42).1

The apostle Paul understood what Jesus had been teaching His disciples. When Paul wrote to the believer in Rome, he stressed that "the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men" (Roman 14:17-18).

When Satan tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread, Jesus quoted the Scriptures, summarizing the focus of His life and ministry: "know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord" (Deut.8:3).

PARTICIPANTS OR POINTER

SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 28: 1-7 

VERSE FOR TODAY: He keeps the law is a discerning son, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father (Proverb 28:7, New International Version).

HYMN FOR TODAY: " Trust and Obey"

A boy was asked, " Where did you learn to trust and obey God?  The boy said  he didn't know; but after a moment of reflection he added, "I guess believing in God just runs in my family."

There is a great truth in the boy's words. Trusting and obeying God usually in a believing home. A child learns to obey when parents become participants in matters of obedience, not just pointers. In parenting, it is much easier to say, "Let me tell you what to do" instead of "Let me show you what to do."

Are you a participant with people, or do you point and tell them what to do? God not only told us what to do,but also sent Jesus to participate with us and show us how to live. So Peter points out that we can participate with Him: " He has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4, New International Version,).

Choose to participate with someone you love today. Share the good news about how you learned to trust and obey God  Show your children how to live by your Christian example.

PRAYER THOUGHTS: Father, it is too easy to point and tell people what to do. Today we ask for Your strength to be participants in Your divine plan. We pray for heavenly guidance to be good examples. Amen.

UNITED IN PRAISE

SCRIPTURE:133:1-134:3

VERSE FOR TODAY: How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity (Psalm 133:1, New International Version).

HYMN FOR TODAY; "Hark the Herald"

If we read only our "verse today," we may get the impression that the primary benefit of our attempts to dwell together in unity is to receive blessings from God for ourselves. While it is true God blesses us when we live in harmony with others, we see only part of the picture here.

When we read on, we note that our primary purpose in life is to offer praise to our heavenly Father. If we, His people, are divided and misunderstanding, God receive very little praise. When we follow his leading and live together with hearts filled with love for each other, our praise to God is magnified. Our adoration will probably also be much more frequent and from sincere hearts. God is truly praised when all His people are together, united in the service and worship.

When we, His people, are united in our praise to God , He is pleased. And the Lord look down from heaven. Because we are in harmony with His spirit and much more aware of the but blessed us . He inhabited the praises of His own people. And miracle happen.. in His presence, in His holy presence the weary can find perfect rest the broken are restored..

PRAYER THOUGHTS: When we think of You, our Father, truly our minds are filled with praise for Your greatness and Your goodness, Your might and Your mercy. Help us today to copy those qualities we praise, so that we may not only please You, but also live in joyful harmony with those about us. We pray this prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. 

TREE OF LIFE

SCRIPTURE: Proverb 3:11-20

VERSE FOR TODAY: She [Wisdom] is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her (Proverb ,3;18).

HYMN FOR TODAY:"Wonderful Words of  Life"

In Shell Silverstein's popular children's  book, The Giving Tree, The Boy/man who loves his tree depends on that tree for food (apples), fun (a swing), travel (a boat), whether (a frame house), and retirement (a stump to rest his tired, old body). In  a sense, the tree is a tree of life to the Boy.

In reality, of course, no single tree can produce all these things. But even if there were such a fabulous tree, it could not keep the Boy from growing into an old man. The fictional tree gave and gave, but it could not ultimately give life. Both the Boy and his tree are facing extinction at the end of the popular children's story book.

Wisdom and understanding are Gid's tree of life. (See verse 18). Not only will such a tree sustain a happy children hood, a peaceful adolescence, and a secure adulthood; it also will give life beyond death. No stumpy remnant for bones at restt life--youthful, zestful life! Fly-about, sing-out-loud life! Everlasting life. For God is life. He is the Tree that will give and give and give. Happy is everyone who takes wisdom from Him, the Tree of Life

PRAYER THOUGHTS: We do lack wisdom, I God if wisdom. So we come to ask it of You. From Your Word and Your Spirit, let wisdom be our tree of life. . .now forever. In the name of Your Son, and our Savior and Lord, we pray. Amen.

THE WISDOM OF SPIRITUAL CHECKING

SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:52 NIV

VERSE FOR TODAY: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

HYMN FOR TODAY: "Emmanuel"

Redefine Happines

SCRIPTURE: Roman 5:2-4

VERSE FOR TODAY: "And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice  in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produce perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." 

HYMN FOR TODAY: "JOY TO THE WORLD"

Moments of peace are precious. When we find them. We hold on tight and pray that they last. But there's a peace that goes beyond our understanding- beyond the pain and fear we face today. If you've been Missing Peace, then ask your shall I offer at this moment as the Lord leads..

SOME PEOPLE ARE NEVER GOING TO BE HAPPY. I'm  not being cynical, because the very folks about whom I'm  speaking would agree. They would be the first to say that they are in a dead-end relationship, that they see no end to be constant irritation of their at there work, that they will never lose those ugly routine watching, go and sleep your best life. to them, seems to be never-ending, take joy as your peace.

Are you this way? Does happines, like s butterfly, almost flutter within reach

 You must define joy and happined. But just when you think you have grapsed it

.. it's gone? But the joy... Sayed it the joy of our Lord is my strrenght or perhaps you feel marriage is okey, and your job is acceptable. Yet you feel as thought something's  missing. Perhap you think this is real happiness.

Well, life is hard. For some, it is downright hard. Unhappiness seems to be here to stay. But it doesn't Havel to be this way because the answer is not to get rid of unhappiness but to find a new definitions for it. We redefine happiness as duty and honor, sacrifice and faithfulness, commitment and service. Happiness is fleeting and elusive, but the joy is an overflow of the perseverance and hope that comes from demonstrating faithful sacrifice and committed service read (Roman 12:1)." 

Lord of joy, will You help me redefine happiness in my life? You promises joy in the midst of our suffering, so please let me know You're Joy today as I persevere in faithful service and as I demonstrate true commitment in your tasks. Give me Your smile, let me feel Your peace dancing in my heart. That for me , will be true joy.

 

FOR THOSE WHO SEARCH

SCRIPTURE: Proverb 25:2

VERSE FOR TODAY: "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter."

Mysteries have a way of enticing us at the same time as they frustrate us. Take these paradoxes of Scripture. We have a free wil yet we're predestined. We're positionally perfect but experientially imperfect. We work out own salvation, yet it is God works His will within us. Even Jesus was a paradox-- one hundred percent God and one hundred percent man.

Sometime in us has to make enigmas understandable and puzzles comprehensible. True many things in Scripture we never be able to understand; we accept them by faith. But it is God's nature to hide things.He delights in concealing secret treasure so that we might be drawn to search and enjoy the discovery of finding those treasures. For ",The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them" (Psalm 25:14).

To those who draw closest to the Lord, to those who desire His intimate company, Jesus says, "The secret of the kingdom of lolo God has been given to you" (Mark4:11). If you sit at His feet full of awe and wonder, He will draw you into His confidence, unraveling His innermost thoughts and heartfelt hopes, voicing His desires for you and for the rest of those who search.

The Lord Jesus is the treasure you seek, the precious gem you must mine. And Jeremiah 29:13 assured, "You will seek me  and find me when you seek me with all your heart,," You have everything you need to equip you for the search. You have His World, the key to heaven's hieroglyphics. You have been initiated into the fellowship of things above. You have the mind if Christ. Now you must find His heart! This Christmas what offer you can do the King of king and the Lord of Lord.I want to love You, Jesus, with all my heart soul, mind, and strength, for us I do, wi believe You will reveal to Your heart!