Vol 3 No 30 THEO'S DEVOS
Psalm 17:17 A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.
I feel so blessed to have been able to serve God as a pastor for over thirty years. Among the reasons for my blessings is the fact that I have been able to develop so many friends all over the world and they have enriched my life in ways that cannot be fully explained. These friends have not been simple acquaintances but true friends, people who have prayed for me and encouraged me and allowed me to to the same for them. How can you distinguish between real friends and mere acquaintances? The Psalmist says that friends love at all times. Not just in the good times but in the bad times also.
Someone has said that to have friends it simply requires us to be a friend. There is one friend that I have that really needs to have a capitol F as in Friend. I have never seen Him in the flesh but I know that He is with me and I talk to Him every day. It is His attitude and action toward me that helps me to understand what kind of attitude and action I should have toward those I call friends. Over the years I have discovered something that I have not gotten excellent at, but have tried to get better at. It is that bringing joy to my friends brings joy to me. I truly believe that my best friend, Jesus, gets joy by bringing me joy. I believe that when I smile, He smiles. I know that when I see a friend smile, it makes me smile.
When I was younger I am afraid that I focused more on my needs and what I wanted out of life more than what my friends wanted or needed. In those days I was very self-centered. Now please don't think that I am saying I am not self-centered today, only that I think I am less so. My problem was that I was doing what I thought was expected of me. Let me explain.
As a young man I was, as I mentioned, self-centered. After a brief time in college the first time I went, I had to drop out and, due to the Viet Nam war, was going to be drafted into the Army. Wanting to be in control of my destiny, I joined the Army Security Agency for four years. After basic training I was sent to Fort Devens in MA for advanced training where I was given a top secret, cryptographic clearance and trained with Special Forces or Green Berets at the time. During those years I was expected to develop an attitude conducive with staying alive in combat. Most of my training was in individual fighting and learning escape and evasion. I was good at that. They taught me to kill in several different ways and although I found it abhorrent at first, I actually felt that I was getting ripped off when, by the time I got out of the Army I hadn't gotten to actually kill anyone.
After leaving the military I got a job as a bricklayer in Philly. I worked on houses and high rises. I worked on the courthouse at 5th and Market Street in Philadelphia, a 28 story high rise. I remember laying brick on the 18th floor, on a swinging scaffold that would swing out from the side of the building allowing you to look straight down 18 stories. In those days I couldn't have cared less what you thought of me. Between that attitude and the one trained into me by the military, I was able to fit in and had a successful time as a construction worker. What I am saying here is that I knew exactly how to take care of myself without too much concern about anyone else and those I worked for seemed to love it.
Then an interesting thing happened. God called me into the ministry! I will describe that in detail at another time. I mention it here because it seemed to me that I was the least qualified person I could conceive of for that calling. Learning how God wanted me to treat others was both the most difficult thing I have ever experienced and the most wonderful. Realizing how important others were to God was a revelation to me. It actually became so fantastic that it enlivened me. It felt like a breath of fresh air. Learning about people, studying them, helping them has enriched my life so much that explaining it completely just will not go into words.
Please think about those people that you call friends. Consider your attitude toward them. Think about how Jesus feels about you. Think about what He has done for you. He laid down His life for you. Perhaps one of the things that causes us the most pain is our expectations from our friends. If we reduce those expectations and think more about what we can do for them, maybe we will feel better about our lives and realize more of what it is like to be Jesus.
I am not very good at this but I know that I am much better at it than I was all those years ago and feel much better off because of the lessons that God has taught me in this area. May He bless you today as you consider blessing your friends.
Theo
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Dear Small Group Leader (or soon to be Facilitator)
Please allow everyone in your group to answer the Quick Question. It will get things started on the right foot, encouraging quieter ones to open up. Please do not require everyone to answer every question. They may not be ready to share yet. Also please allow at least 5-10 minutes at the end of your study so as many as would like to can respond to the REFLECTION question. This may be the most important time in your small group study. Thank You
SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY
Please Read: Psalm 17:1-15
QUICK QUESTION: Why is it so hard to follow through on resolutions?
1.What did David think of himself?
2.What caused David to trust in God?
3.How does God display His love towards us?
4.How does God provide for us?
5.What does God do for us?
REFLECTION: What can you do to insure that you will stand before God, happy with yourself?
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
THE WORD OF GOD
Vol 3 No 29 THEO'S DEVOS
Genesis 3:1-5 1Now the serpent was the shrewdest of all the creatures the LORD God had made. “Really?” he asked the woman. “Did God really say you must not eat any of the fruit in the garden?”
2“Of course we may eat it,” the woman told him. 3“It’s only the fruit from the tree at the center of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God says we must not eat it or even touch it, or we will die.”
4“You won’t die!” the serpent hissed. 5“God knows that your eyes will be opened when you eat it. You will become just like God, knowing everything, both good and evil.”
Someone has said that the more things change, the more they stay the same. For many years the Bible, the Word of God has been under attack. How important is that? I know that, for the Christian we would be quick to state that the Bible is the one book that we can count as a way to live and a way to God.
It is also important to know that strategy of one's enemy is important to know. It is easy to lose in a battle if you don't know the strategy of your opponent. We know that Satan is our enemy. We know that he is at war with God in the battle for souls. What is his strategy? Where does he make his attacks and how can he be overcome?
The verses for today hold that key to these questions and it is interesting to note that his strategy has not changed since the beginning of time. Satan knows that the key to a relationship with God is His Word. He also knows that the scriptures hold the guidelines for living the Christian life and defeating his attacks. So what was his strategy back there in the garden?
Satan makes takes three shots at God's Word and Eve falls for them all as do many modern day Christians. The first thing that Satan does is to question God's Word. “Did God really say...?” The answer is obvious and Satan knows that but to begin an attack by asking questions is deadly. Many a Christian has virtually lost his/her faith simply because they were asked questions that they did not know how to answer. Please be careful here. Just because you do not know an answer to a question about the Bible does not mean that there is no answer. I could ask you a question about nuclear physics and, if you couldn't answer them does not mean that nuclear physics is faulty.
The result of Satan's simple question is that Eve adds to the Word of God. Her answer is “God says we must not eat of it or even touch it, or we will die.” There is no indication in all of scripture that God said they couldn't touch it. Eve, apparently, made that up. It reminds me of pastors in the church who seem to think that just about everything is sin. In many churches there are so many things considered sin that the people fear doing just about anything for fear of being in trouble.
Satan's next strategy is to simply deny the Word of God. “You won’t die!” Now that is so easy to do. Simply say that whatever the Bible says is wrong. The problem is that the person making the accusation doesn't feel as though he or she has to back it up. I have had many an occasion to have a college student tell me that there are many mistakes in the Bible. When pressed to produce them it becomes obvious that the student had never read the Bible and is simply parroting an accusation he had heard somewhere. If more Christians would read the Bible, and study it, they would be much more prepared to stand up against the pitiful attacks of Satan and those blinded by him.
These verses have much more to consider than we can go into here. We will revisit them in the future but, for now, suffice it to say that those who would go against God's Word are using the same tactics used by the devil so many years ago. The fact is that you can believe what God has said in His Word. It holds the key to life and life everlasting. Please do not fall for the strategy of Satan whenever it lifts its head.
May God bless you today. I am praying for you.
Ted
Eph 4 :11-13
Genesis 3:1-5 1Now the serpent was the shrewdest of all the creatures the LORD God had made. “Really?” he asked the woman. “Did God really say you must not eat any of the fruit in the garden?”
2“Of course we may eat it,” the woman told him. 3“It’s only the fruit from the tree at the center of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God says we must not eat it or even touch it, or we will die.”
4“You won’t die!” the serpent hissed. 5“God knows that your eyes will be opened when you eat it. You will become just like God, knowing everything, both good and evil.”
Someone has said that the more things change, the more they stay the same. For many years the Bible, the Word of God has been under attack. How important is that? I know that, for the Christian we would be quick to state that the Bible is the one book that we can count as a way to live and a way to God.
It is also important to know that strategy of one's enemy is important to know. It is easy to lose in a battle if you don't know the strategy of your opponent. We know that Satan is our enemy. We know that he is at war with God in the battle for souls. What is his strategy? Where does he make his attacks and how can he be overcome?
The verses for today hold that key to these questions and it is interesting to note that his strategy has not changed since the beginning of time. Satan knows that the key to a relationship with God is His Word. He also knows that the scriptures hold the guidelines for living the Christian life and defeating his attacks. So what was his strategy back there in the garden?
Satan makes takes three shots at God's Word and Eve falls for them all as do many modern day Christians. The first thing that Satan does is to question God's Word. “Did God really say...?” The answer is obvious and Satan knows that but to begin an attack by asking questions is deadly. Many a Christian has virtually lost his/her faith simply because they were asked questions that they did not know how to answer. Please be careful here. Just because you do not know an answer to a question about the Bible does not mean that there is no answer. I could ask you a question about nuclear physics and, if you couldn't answer them does not mean that nuclear physics is faulty.
The result of Satan's simple question is that Eve adds to the Word of God. Her answer is “God says we must not eat of it or even touch it, or we will die.” There is no indication in all of scripture that God said they couldn't touch it. Eve, apparently, made that up. It reminds me of pastors in the church who seem to think that just about everything is sin. In many churches there are so many things considered sin that the people fear doing just about anything for fear of being in trouble.
Satan's next strategy is to simply deny the Word of God. “You won’t die!” Now that is so easy to do. Simply say that whatever the Bible says is wrong. The problem is that the person making the accusation doesn't feel as though he or she has to back it up. I have had many an occasion to have a college student tell me that there are many mistakes in the Bible. When pressed to produce them it becomes obvious that the student had never read the Bible and is simply parroting an accusation he had heard somewhere. If more Christians would read the Bible, and study it, they would be much more prepared to stand up against the pitiful attacks of Satan and those blinded by him.
These verses have much more to consider than we can go into here. We will revisit them in the future but, for now, suffice it to say that those who would go against God's Word are using the same tactics used by the devil so many years ago. The fact is that you can believe what God has said in His Word. It holds the key to life and life everlasting. Please do not fall for the strategy of Satan whenever it lifts its head.
May God bless you today. I am praying for you.
Ted
Eph 4 :11-13
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Every Spiritual Blessing
Vol 3 No 28 THEO'S DEVOS
Eph 1:3-4 How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ.
Our verses today are hard to grasp. I have seen Christians who earnestly seek the blessings of God. Some refer to a special grant called the Second Blessing. I must confess that I have been saddened to see the church divided over this kind of thought but I fully understand the desire to have something special from God. The problem is that, according to Paul, we already have everything coming to us. He tells us that we have been blessed with 'every spiritual blessing.' How can that be? I have needs just as you do. Things don't always go the way I want them to and I have prayed to God for things and God has said 'No' or 'Wait' many times.
I can't take a long time to delve into the mystery of this verse here but I do know what it says and have to try and understand. What it comes down to is not that we need another blessing but that we need to know how to access those blessing already given to us. How is that done? Firstly we must acknowledge that God is not holding out on us as many Christians seem to feel. We must believe that God loves us and will always do what is best for us as it fits into His plan. Next we must ask God for understanding concerning our present condition. Good or bad, as we see it, we are where God wants us to be. After we have bowed to the sovereignty of God we can begin to rest in our state and seek that inner confidence that God will pour out on us.
This falls back on the devotional on answered prayer. We can know that God sees us and loves us. But we must also know that His plan, ultimately, is more important than our temporary pleasure. I have often said that 30 seconds after we die and enter heaven,all this life will seem like a split second and none of the suffering that we have had to endure will matter. God will have eternity to help you understand what was happening in this life and how your part was crucial to His effort.
No Christian suffers in vain unless they refuse to acknowledge God's will and do not give Him the glory for whatever happens. This is a lot harder to do than to say, I fully understand but according to Paul those blessing in the heavenly realms are there for the taking. We just need to reach out in faith and they can be ours. God is not holding out on you. There are no first and second class Christians. There are only those who exercise faith and those who do not. Please, today, ask God to help you be a person of faith. It is what He has been looking for all along.
Here is an extra blessing given to us by one of our readers. Thanks Debbie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtrnB4FZ-yc
Theo
Dear Small Group Leader (or soon to be Facilitator)
Please allow everyone in your group to answer the Quick Question. It will get things started on the right foot, encouraging quieter ones to open up. Please do not require everyone to answer every question. They may not be ready to share yet. Also please allow at least 5-10 minutes at the end of your study so as many as would like to can respond to the REFLECTION question. This may be the most important time in your small group study. Thank You
SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY
Please Read: Ephesians 1:1-14
QUICK QUESTION: Share some blessing with the others in your group.
1.In what ways has God blessed us?
2.What is the meaning of 'redemption'?
3.What does the Holy Spirit do in our lives?
4.What are 'spiritual blessings'?
5.Why did God give us these blessings?
REFLECTION: How can others around you benefit from your blessings?
Eph 1:3-4 How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ.
Our verses today are hard to grasp. I have seen Christians who earnestly seek the blessings of God. Some refer to a special grant called the Second Blessing. I must confess that I have been saddened to see the church divided over this kind of thought but I fully understand the desire to have something special from God. The problem is that, according to Paul, we already have everything coming to us. He tells us that we have been blessed with 'every spiritual blessing.' How can that be? I have needs just as you do. Things don't always go the way I want them to and I have prayed to God for things and God has said 'No' or 'Wait' many times.
I can't take a long time to delve into the mystery of this verse here but I do know what it says and have to try and understand. What it comes down to is not that we need another blessing but that we need to know how to access those blessing already given to us. How is that done? Firstly we must acknowledge that God is not holding out on us as many Christians seem to feel. We must believe that God loves us and will always do what is best for us as it fits into His plan. Next we must ask God for understanding concerning our present condition. Good or bad, as we see it, we are where God wants us to be. After we have bowed to the sovereignty of God we can begin to rest in our state and seek that inner confidence that God will pour out on us.
This falls back on the devotional on answered prayer. We can know that God sees us and loves us. But we must also know that His plan, ultimately, is more important than our temporary pleasure. I have often said that 30 seconds after we die and enter heaven,all this life will seem like a split second and none of the suffering that we have had to endure will matter. God will have eternity to help you understand what was happening in this life and how your part was crucial to His effort.
No Christian suffers in vain unless they refuse to acknowledge God's will and do not give Him the glory for whatever happens. This is a lot harder to do than to say, I fully understand but according to Paul those blessing in the heavenly realms are there for the taking. We just need to reach out in faith and they can be ours. God is not holding out on you. There are no first and second class Christians. There are only those who exercise faith and those who do not. Please, today, ask God to help you be a person of faith. It is what He has been looking for all along.
Here is an extra blessing given to us by one of our readers. Thanks Debbie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtrnB4FZ-yc
Theo
Dear Small Group Leader (or soon to be Facilitator)
Please allow everyone in your group to answer the Quick Question. It will get things started on the right foot, encouraging quieter ones to open up. Please do not require everyone to answer every question. They may not be ready to share yet. Also please allow at least 5-10 minutes at the end of your study so as many as would like to can respond to the REFLECTION question. This may be the most important time in your small group study. Thank You
SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY
Please Read: Ephesians 1:1-14
QUICK QUESTION: Share some blessing with the others in your group.
1.In what ways has God blessed us?
2.What is the meaning of 'redemption'?
3.What does the Holy Spirit do in our lives?
4.What are 'spiritual blessings'?
5.Why did God give us these blessings?
REFLECTION: How can others around you benefit from your blessings?
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Because of Their Unbelief
Vol 3 No 27 THEO'S DEVOS
Mark 6:4-6 Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” 5And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any mighty miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Scattered through Theo's Devos is the thought that all you sense is not all there is. There is an unseen world behind what we think of as existence. A spiritual world, in which, our world finds its meaning. Not everyone believes this and, because of this unbelief, there are serious consequences. In our verses for today it appears that Jesus did not perform many of the works He would have liked to due to the unbelief of the people. They were stymied by their limited vision. They believed what they could see and what they saw was a human being, a carpenter's son. Maybe he built some of their houses or maybe he built an addition to their house and they had given him lunch while he worked.
Whatever they thought, it did not lead them to accept who Jesus really was and what he could do. Their limited belief was tragic. Jesus, we are told healed a few of them but, in his heart was 'amazed at their unbelief.”
Now it is very easy to put our finger of criticism on those people and think that they should have known better. Didn't they see the miracles or at least hear about them? What was it about Jesus that caused them to limit their faith? You would have expected them to have been discussing this unusual man quite often. I am sure that they did but it was the content of the conversations that may have led them to look down on Jesus rather then look up to him.
In any event it doesn't matter much today what they thought or what happened in their town. What is critical is what do we think? Can we look at verses like this and examine our own belief structure? Where is you faith today? How much are you willing to risk in your service of God? Churches are made up of large numbers of people. What that local church can accomplish will be in line with the collective faith of the members. A single pastor can't overcome the lack of faith of his congregation and those full of faith can be greatly discouraged, as was Jesus, when those of limited faith voice that limitation in board meetings and public gatherings.
There was a church that was considering a needed change in government. In a crucial meeting one of the older members said that he didn't believe in fixing something that wasn't broke. It was his way of saying that the church should maintain the status quo. With that, a young man (who reads Theo's Devos) stood up and told the congregation that his father had bought a new tractor for their farm. The old tractor worked great. It didn't need to be fixed. It just didn't do what needed to be done on this modern farm. It had been purchased years before when tractors did little more than pull things. The wisdom of this young man carried the day and the church was filled with the faith it needed to take the necessary steps toward church government much more suitable for the society in which it existed.
So how about your faith? Have you been stretched lately? Or are you still doing the same things for the Lord that you have been doing for some time? Maybe it is time for a change in your life. Maybe Jesus would like to perform something nearly miraculous through you but, like the people in our verses, your unbelief is hindering him. Before you run off and start making changes, or do nothing at all, maybe you should talk to a spiritual advisor that you respect and prayerfully determine if a change is due. Checkups like this are helpful every once in a while. Just don't put it off. Don't miss the kinds of exciting things that the people of our verses missed. Life is way to short for that.
May God bless you.
Theo
Dear Small Group Leader (or soon to be Facilitator)
Please allow everyone in your group to answer the Quick Question. It will get things started on the right foot, encouraging quieter ones to open up. Please do not require everyone to answer every question. They may not be ready to share yet. Also please allow at least 5-10 minutes at the end of your study so as many as would like to can respond to the REFLECTION question. This may be the most important time in your small group study. Thank You
SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY
Please Read: Mark 6:1-6
QUICK QUESTION: If you had the chance to witness, would you prefer it to be a friend, family member or total stranger and why?
1.Why did these people reject Jesus message?
2.What was Jesus reaction?
3.What hindered Jesus from doing some of the things He wanted to?
4.What amazed Jesus?
5.What hinders us from listening to people we know well?
6.What can we do about our response to question 5?
REFLECTION: When do you think it is necessary to seek the advice of a family member, if ever?
Mark 6:4-6 Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” 5And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any mighty miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6And he was amazed at their unbelief.
Scattered through Theo's Devos is the thought that all you sense is not all there is. There is an unseen world behind what we think of as existence. A spiritual world, in which, our world finds its meaning. Not everyone believes this and, because of this unbelief, there are serious consequences. In our verses for today it appears that Jesus did not perform many of the works He would have liked to due to the unbelief of the people. They were stymied by their limited vision. They believed what they could see and what they saw was a human being, a carpenter's son. Maybe he built some of their houses or maybe he built an addition to their house and they had given him lunch while he worked.
Whatever they thought, it did not lead them to accept who Jesus really was and what he could do. Their limited belief was tragic. Jesus, we are told healed a few of them but, in his heart was 'amazed at their unbelief.”
Now it is very easy to put our finger of criticism on those people and think that they should have known better. Didn't they see the miracles or at least hear about them? What was it about Jesus that caused them to limit their faith? You would have expected them to have been discussing this unusual man quite often. I am sure that they did but it was the content of the conversations that may have led them to look down on Jesus rather then look up to him.
In any event it doesn't matter much today what they thought or what happened in their town. What is critical is what do we think? Can we look at verses like this and examine our own belief structure? Where is you faith today? How much are you willing to risk in your service of God? Churches are made up of large numbers of people. What that local church can accomplish will be in line with the collective faith of the members. A single pastor can't overcome the lack of faith of his congregation and those full of faith can be greatly discouraged, as was Jesus, when those of limited faith voice that limitation in board meetings and public gatherings.
There was a church that was considering a needed change in government. In a crucial meeting one of the older members said that he didn't believe in fixing something that wasn't broke. It was his way of saying that the church should maintain the status quo. With that, a young man (who reads Theo's Devos) stood up and told the congregation that his father had bought a new tractor for their farm. The old tractor worked great. It didn't need to be fixed. It just didn't do what needed to be done on this modern farm. It had been purchased years before when tractors did little more than pull things. The wisdom of this young man carried the day and the church was filled with the faith it needed to take the necessary steps toward church government much more suitable for the society in which it existed.
So how about your faith? Have you been stretched lately? Or are you still doing the same things for the Lord that you have been doing for some time? Maybe it is time for a change in your life. Maybe Jesus would like to perform something nearly miraculous through you but, like the people in our verses, your unbelief is hindering him. Before you run off and start making changes, or do nothing at all, maybe you should talk to a spiritual advisor that you respect and prayerfully determine if a change is due. Checkups like this are helpful every once in a while. Just don't put it off. Don't miss the kinds of exciting things that the people of our verses missed. Life is way to short for that.
May God bless you.
Theo
Dear Small Group Leader (or soon to be Facilitator)
Please allow everyone in your group to answer the Quick Question. It will get things started on the right foot, encouraging quieter ones to open up. Please do not require everyone to answer every question. They may not be ready to share yet. Also please allow at least 5-10 minutes at the end of your study so as many as would like to can respond to the REFLECTION question. This may be the most important time in your small group study. Thank You
SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY
Please Read: Mark 6:1-6
QUICK QUESTION: If you had the chance to witness, would you prefer it to be a friend, family member or total stranger and why?
1.Why did these people reject Jesus message?
2.What was Jesus reaction?
3.What hindered Jesus from doing some of the things He wanted to?
4.What amazed Jesus?
5.What hinders us from listening to people we know well?
6.What can we do about our response to question 5?
REFLECTION: When do you think it is necessary to seek the advice of a family member, if ever?
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Faint Not
Vol 3 No 26 THEO'S DEVOS
Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Today's text is one of those incredible promises that almost seems to good to be true and many of us have seen it to be true and it sure can help all of us through some tough spots. I remember a TV preacher speaking on the topic “Tough times don't last, tough people do.” The problem lies in that we, often do not feel like a tough person and yet, with the indwelling Holy Spirit we are.
The first part of this verse, however, almost appears out of place. Paul is writing, not to those who are hurting but to those who are doing well and may be getting weary anyway. Have you ever been there? Things are going well but, in order for that to have happened, you have been working extra hard and don't think you are going to make it. I find it interesting to note that most inmates who escape from jail have less than 6 months to serve. It is hard to imagine why someone would risk the added punishment that comes with escaping when you have a short time left to serve.
In any event, there may be some of you who, right now, are experiencing weariness. Whether things have been going good or bad, you just wish you could hang it up and walk away. Well the Bible says that it is at that point that you need to build your trust in the Lord and keep going. You will reap. You will see the end and when it comes you will be glad that you stuck with it.
I think it was Franklin D Roosevelt who when asked to speak at a commencement service gave, perhaps the sho0rtest commencement address ever. He said: “Never give up. Never give up, Never give up.” And then he sat down. This was the advice, in a secular setting, of what it takes to succeed. If that is the case, and it is, how much more for the child of God who has the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit to enable and empower if we will allow Him to.
My prayers are with you who are struggling right now. No one may know what you are up against but God does and He is the one working behind the scenes on you behalf. Faint not. Not now, not tomorrow, not ever and watch what God will reap.
May He bless you richly. You are in my prayers.
Theo
Dear Small Group Leader (or soon to be Facilitator)
Please allow everyone in your group to answer the Quick Question. It will get things started on the right foot, encouraging quieter ones to open up. Please do not require everyone to answer every question. They may not be ready to share yet. Also please allow at least 5-10 minutes at the end of your study so as many as would like to can respond to the REFLECTION question. This may be the most important time in your small group study. Thank You
SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY
Please Read: Galatians 6:1-10
QUICK QUESTION: What is the hardest thing about serving other people?
1.How can you and the others in your group help each other?
2.How can you keep yourself from being fooled?
3.What is your responsibility toward your elders?
4.What responsibilities do you have toward each other?
5.If a Christian brother or sister is caught in sin, what is your responsibility?
REFLECTION: If someone is your group is hurting this week, how can the group help?
Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Today's text is one of those incredible promises that almost seems to good to be true and many of us have seen it to be true and it sure can help all of us through some tough spots. I remember a TV preacher speaking on the topic “Tough times don't last, tough people do.” The problem lies in that we, often do not feel like a tough person and yet, with the indwelling Holy Spirit we are.
The first part of this verse, however, almost appears out of place. Paul is writing, not to those who are hurting but to those who are doing well and may be getting weary anyway. Have you ever been there? Things are going well but, in order for that to have happened, you have been working extra hard and don't think you are going to make it. I find it interesting to note that most inmates who escape from jail have less than 6 months to serve. It is hard to imagine why someone would risk the added punishment that comes with escaping when you have a short time left to serve.
In any event, there may be some of you who, right now, are experiencing weariness. Whether things have been going good or bad, you just wish you could hang it up and walk away. Well the Bible says that it is at that point that you need to build your trust in the Lord and keep going. You will reap. You will see the end and when it comes you will be glad that you stuck with it.
I think it was Franklin D Roosevelt who when asked to speak at a commencement service gave, perhaps the sho0rtest commencement address ever. He said: “Never give up. Never give up, Never give up.” And then he sat down. This was the advice, in a secular setting, of what it takes to succeed. If that is the case, and it is, how much more for the child of God who has the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit to enable and empower if we will allow Him to.
My prayers are with you who are struggling right now. No one may know what you are up against but God does and He is the one working behind the scenes on you behalf. Faint not. Not now, not tomorrow, not ever and watch what God will reap.
May He bless you richly. You are in my prayers.
Theo
Dear Small Group Leader (or soon to be Facilitator)
Please allow everyone in your group to answer the Quick Question. It will get things started on the right foot, encouraging quieter ones to open up. Please do not require everyone to answer every question. They may not be ready to share yet. Also please allow at least 5-10 minutes at the end of your study so as many as would like to can respond to the REFLECTION question. This may be the most important time in your small group study. Thank You
SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY
Please Read: Galatians 6:1-10
QUICK QUESTION: What is the hardest thing about serving other people?
1.How can you and the others in your group help each other?
2.How can you keep yourself from being fooled?
3.What is your responsibility toward your elders?
4.What responsibilities do you have toward each other?
5.If a Christian brother or sister is caught in sin, what is your responsibility?
REFLECTION: If someone is your group is hurting this week, how can the group help?
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