Jesus Christ

Moments With God – May 27th

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Out of the Trap

Read 1 Timothy 6:6-10

“I have learned the secret of being content.” (Philippians 4:12)

The Venus flytrap was first discovered in a small area of sandy wetlands in North Carolina. These plants are fascinating to watch because they’re carnivorous.

Venus flytraps release a sweet smelling nectar into colorful traps that resemble open flowers. When an insect crawls inside, sensors along the outer rim are triggered and the trap clamps shut in less than a second-capturing its victim. The trap then closes further and emits enzymes that consume its prey over time, giving the plant nutrients not provided by the sandy soil.

God’s Word tells of another trap that can capture unexpectedly. The apostle Paul warned his protege Timothy: “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” And “some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:9-10).

Money and material things may promise happiness, but when they take first place in our lives, we walk on dangerous ground. We avoid this trap by living with thankful, humble hearts focused on God’s goodness to us through Jesus: “godliness with contentment is great gain.”

The temporary things of this world never satisfy like God can. True lasting contentment is found only through our relationship with Him.

LIFE MOMENT

What has been the most helpful information you’ve received regarding money? What’s been the worst?

GOD MOMENT

How do you know how God wants you to spend money? When you contemplate making a substantial purchase, is prayer part of the deciding process?

“Money and material things may promise happiness, but when they take first place in our lives, we walk on dangerous ground.”

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Moments With God – May 25th

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Giving in to Jesus

Read James 4:6-10

“In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11)

They call it “The Devil’s Footprint.” It’s a foot-shaped impression in the granite on a hill beside a church in Ipswich, Massachusetts. According to local legend, the “footprint” happened one fall day in 1740 when the evangelist George Whitefield preached so powerfully that the devil leaped from the church steeple, landing on the rock on his way out of town.

Though it’s only a legend, this fanciful story calls to mind an encouraging truth from God’s Word. James 4:7 reminds us, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

God has given us the strength we need to stand against our adversary and the temptations in our lives. The Bible tells us that “sin shall no longer be your master” (Romans 6:14) because of God’s loving grace to us through Jesus Christ. As we run to Jesus Christ. As we run to Jesus when temptation comes, He enables us to stand in His strength. Nothing we face in this life can overcome Him, because He has “overcome the world” (John 16:33).

As we submit ourselves to our Savior, yielding our wills to Him in the moment and walking in obedience to God’s Word, He is helping us. When we give in to Him instead of giving in to temptation, He is able to fight our battles. In Him we can overcome.

LIFE MOMENT

What is your favorite legend?

GOD MOMENT

What do you think it means that God has “overcome the world” in light of all the problems we see around us? What do you need Jesus to overcome in your life?

“God has given us the strength we need to stand against our adversary and the temptations in our lives.

 

Moments With God – May 24th

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Surprised by Grace

Read Acts 9:1-19

A woman from Grand Rapids, Michigan, fell asleep on the couch after her husband had gone to bed. An intruder sneaked in through the sliding door, which the couple had forgotten to lock, and crept through the house. He entered the bedroom where the husband was sleeping and picked up the television set. The sleeping man woke up, saw a figure standing there, and whispered, “Honey, come to bed.” The burglar panicked, put down the TV, grabbed a stack of money from the dresser, and ran out.

The thief was in for a big surprise! The money turned out to be a stack of Christian pamphlets with a likeness of a twenty-dollar bill on one side and an explanation of the love and forgiveness God offers to people on the other side. Instead of the cash he expected, the intruder got the story of God’s love for him.

We have to wonder what Saul expected when he realized it was Jesus appearing to him on the road to Damascus, since he had been persecuting and even killing Jesus’s followers (Acts 9:1-9). Saul later called Paul, must have been surprised by God’s grace toward him, which he called “a gift”: “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power” (Ephesians 3:7).

have you been surprised by God’s gift of grace in your life as He shows you His love and forgiveness?

MOMENTS FOR REFLECTION

  • So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, ha sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. (Acts 9:17-18)
  • God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. (Ephesians 2:8)
  • Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy is everlasting. (Psalm 106:1)

MOMENTS FOR RENEWAL

Jesus, thank you for the gift of grace: a gift that cost you everything so that I might live.

 

 

Moments With God – May 23rd

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The Jesus Label

Read Colossians 3:12-17

“Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Colossians 3:17)

“Son, I don’t have much to give you. But I do have a good name, so don’t mess it up.” Those wise, weighty words were uttered by Johnnie Bettis as his son Jerome left home for college. Jerome quoted his father in his Pro Football Hall of Fame acceptance speech. These sage words that Jerome has carried with him throughout his life have been so influential that he closed his riveting speech with similar words to his own son. “Son, there’s not much that I can give you that’s more important than our good name.”

A good name is vital for believers in Jesus. Paul’s words in Colossians 3:12-17 remind us about what we represent. Character is like the clothing that we wear; and this passage puts the “Jesus label” of clothing on display. “As God’s chosen people…clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another…And over all these virtues put on love.” These aren’t just our “Sunday clothes.” We’re to wear them everywhere, all the time, as God works in us to reflect Him. When our lives are characterized by these qualities, we demonstrate that we have His name.

In prayer and with care, let’s represent well the name of Jesus.

LIFE MOMENT

What is the best advice you ever got from your dad or another significant male?

GOD MOMENT

What do people outside of the church think of the name of Jesus? How can you help change bad perceptions people you know have about Him?

“A good name is vital for believers in Jesus.”