30 Jun, 2008
Stop fighting!
Student fights posted on web site
Last year, modern technology got four South Jersey students in big trouble.
Four children, ages 11 to 13, were charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly videotaping a fight and then posting it on a popular Internet site.
The video showed two children viciously kicking and punching each other and a group of other kids cheering them on. Another video showed two other kids doing the same thing.
The video was placed on the Web site MySpace.com, a site for teens where they place their pictures and personal information.
Police said the kids in one video were seventh-graders at Lumberton Middle School. The two others were in the same age range at other area schools. They all appeared to be willing participants.
Police said a parent of a Lumberton student got wind of the video and told a school official, who then told police.
None of the kids in the video were seriously injured. Officials at Lumberton School district said that they have and will continue to foster Internet safety for children and parents.
photo courtesy images.google.com & story nbc10.com/news, 6/28/07
James 4:1-3 (NLT)
Warning Against Worldliness
1 What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? 2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. 3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about the reason for quarrels and fights?
Perhaps James should have logged on to MySpace with the kids who posted their fight online.
James is writing today's scripture to followers of Christ. He makes it real simple. Quarrels between believers are always harmful and come from the evil desires within us.
There were lots of evil desires being expressed by the kids who went wild and displayed their quarreling on MySpace.
We often let our self-centered passions go wild, don't we? When we focus on worldly values like possessions, money, status, power and popularity, we develop an attitude that is anything but Christ-like.
Then we drag these attitudes into our friendships, families and churches. When we don't get our way, we quarrel and fight. Even if we don't throw punches, we often throw hurtful comments and display actions that are just as crazy!
So what do we do? James says we need to pray with the right motives. Rather than selfishly reaching for what we want, we must reach out to each other with Godly attitudes and actions. This will happen when we surrender our way to God's way and trust Him to give us what we really need.
Abiding in Christ means we focus on Him, face to face. This will result in a passion for Jesus and compassion for others.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Talk to God right now. Confess any part you have had in a quarrel or conflict with another person. Ask God to give you the humility and courage you need to go to that person and ask for forgiveness. Ask God to help you surrender your passions to His desires for you. Thank Him for empowering you to do your part to get along with His family and encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ.
- Pray every day for God to help you focus on His plan for you rather than your plan for pleasures. Then YourSpace will give way to Jesus.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?
- If you've been "fighting" with someone in your youth group, church, school, work place, or family - take the first step to make the relationship right again. Remember that it's better to do this face to face rather than online.
- Send an email of encouragement to a friend or family member who needs Jesus.
18 Jun, 2008
There's light in their story
"We're Christian guys in a rock 'n' roll band."
Jonases get a good view from the top
At the center of this mass hysteria are three young men: Kevin, Joe and Nick. Known internationally as the Jonas Brothers, they are on top of the world — or 42 stories, to be exact. From the rooftop deck, the brothers take in a spectacular view of Central Park.
The platinum-certified recording artists have been traveling in Europe with rocker Avril Lavigne and will launch their North American headline tour July 4 in Toronto. Three shows at Madison Square Garden sold out in record time. Their Disney reality series, Living the Dream, premiered this spring.
'A reminder of values'
Part of the brothers' appeal is their old-fashioned, Osmond-like innocence. Their parents, Kevin Sr., 43, and Denise, 41, married when he was 21 and she was 20. Kevin Jr. hopes to follow in their footsteps.
"What happened to the idea of getting married young?" he asks. "I don't understand why people are so afraid of getting married. I think when you find true love, you should go out there and get it."
All three brothers wear purity rings as symbols of their commitment to remain virgins until marriage. It's a topic they clearly would prefer to keep private.
"The boys made a decision when they turned 12 years old to put those rings on their fingers," their father says. "We didn't give them these rings as a pledge of perfection, but as a reminder of values. Our hope is that they'll always know that there's a good, right way to treat the opposite sex."
An ordained minister, Kevin Sr. strives to block off time on the road for the family to worship and give thanks for their blessings. "It's not so much about a specific time, it's about a lifestyle," Nick says.
Says Joe: "Even songs we write today, if you really listen to the lyrics, it can be about love songs, but it's also about our relationship with God. It's simple. We're Christian guys in a rock 'n' roll band."
photo & story courtesy usatoday.com, 6/12/08
Matthew 5:14-16
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (ESV)
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about being Christ's light?
Light is very interesting. It is noticed and it shows the way. This is true of a big building full of lights that sits on a hill or of a small candle on a table.
From reading today's story about the Jonas Brothers, it's obvious that these young followers of Christ are shining out Christ's light through the story of their lives. How many teenagers today are willing to take a stand of saving sex for marriage? Their songs have a message about meaningful relationships...including the one they have with God.
Different Christians have different expectations for other believers. Some would want the Jonas Brothers to sing only Christian songs while others don't think it's a big deal. Some would prefer that the Jonas Brothers be a bright light on a hill while others think they can impact our secular culture by letting God use them to be a small candle on a table.
What does Jesus want the Jonas Brothers to do?
Regardless of impact, light is something that Jesus said should characterize our lives.
Sometimes we hide our light by not speaking up when we should, by going along with the crowd when we shouldn't, by letting sin dim our light, or perhaps by ignoring opportunities to meet the needs of others.
We don't have to be a spotlight. Sometimes yes...but often, just being a candle of God's Truth will be noticed by someone and show them the way.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Ask yourself if there anything in your life that is hiding Christ's light?
- Let Jesus help you see any need for His forgiveness before He replaces it with His light.
- Ask Jesus to help you be faithful to the little opportunities He gives you to be a light. Thank Jesus for always being the light to show you your next step in life as you serve Him.
- Using a Bible study guide (usually in the back), look up ten verses that use light as an analogy for living for Christ and following Him.
- For one month, write down every opportunity that Jesus gives you to be a light to someone. At the end of the month, evaluate what you have learned and make any needed lighting adjustments.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to the lives of others?
- Pray every day for Jesus to show you one opportunity to bring His light into some one's life. It might be as simple as a friendly smile at school, in your neighborhood, or at work... to someone who is lonely.
- Pray for the Jonas Brothers to simply be faithful to Jesus and let God use them to bring some light into this dark world.
- Write a note of appreciation to another follower of Christ who has been "lighting it up".
17 Jun, 2008
Don't be confused by our culture!
It's more than abnormal...God's Word says it is wrong.
When Father's Day is a double celebration
Gay couple's adoption of 3 brothers is part of a growing trend.
SEATTLE - They don’t greet you so much as they burst upon you, these three little guys with impish grins that punctuate their beautiful dark features. Here they come, a rumbling, tumbling, laughing, yelling, skipping, crying pack of naughty and nice, snips and snails and puppy dog tails and everything else that is American boyhood.
Meet the Brothers Z: 4-year-old twins Zach and Zayn, and their younger sibling Zeth, fast approaching 3. In many ways, they are typical denizens of the hilly suburban neighborhood where they have lived most of their lives. They spend their days in preschool while their parents both work in the telecom industry. The family owns an SUV and a pickup. They shop at Costco and go to church on Sundays. They work in the yard. They watch Disney movies on their big-screen TV.
But Father’s Day will be a double celebration at their house because the brothers have two daddies — Geoffery and Devin, foster parents for the boys for three years before adopting them.
While the adoption was facilitated by the state and lauded by the legal system in Western Washington, it divides Americans along political and religious lines and would have been prohibited by law in some other states simply because Devin and Geoffery are gay.
Devin and Geoffery, both 44, can celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday secure in the knowledge that their ranks are growing. Gay, lesbian and bisexual people across the nation are pushing for parental rights and increasingly are seen as a valuable resource by the child welfare system in dealing with the tens of thousands of American children who need foster and adoptive homes. And while they are nagged by recurring attempts by political and religious interests to rally followers around anti-gay issues, they are generally too busy juggling juice boxes and car seats to notice.
“We are just like you, other than that it’s two men instead of a man and a woman,” said Geoffery...
photo courtesy images.google.com & story msnbc.msn.com, 6/13/08
Romans 1:22-28 (NLT)
22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.
24 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. 26 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. 27 And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.
28 Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done.
What does God's Story scripture teach us about God's view on homosexuality?
Paul was led by God's Spirit to write down God's views on homosexuality. It was debated in Paul's day as it is in our world today.
In plain words - God says it is sin.
Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes explain:
1:26-27 God is willing to receive anyone who comes to him in faith, and Christians should love and accept others no matter what their background. Yet, homosexuality is strictly forbidden in Scripture (Leviticus 18:22). Homosexuality is considered an acceptable practice by many in our world today - even by some churches. But society does not set the standard for God's law. Homosexuals believe that their desires are normal and that they have a right to express them. But God does not encourage us to fulfill all our desires (even normal ones). Those desires that violate his laws must be controlled.
If you have these desires, you can and must resist acting upon them....Remember, God can and will forgive sexual sins just as he forgives other sins. Surrender yourself to God, asking him to show you the way out of sin and into the light of his freedom and his love.
I did a DAILYBIDE on the gay marriage issue a month ago, but I'm addressing this again because so many followers of Christ are confused by what's happening in our society.
Today's story about gay couples adopting children and wanting others to view it as normal (and the court system encouraging this) illustrates how our secular culture is disregarding the Truth of God's Word.
But don't be swayed by what is "politically correct". Remember that even though culture says times have changed and that there is no absolute truth, God's Word never changes and it is the Truth.
Don't be confused by churches that embrace the immoral practices of homosexuality. More and more churches are rebelling against the teachings of Scripture because of cultural pressure. Many Christians don't understand that our God's grace and love go hand in hand with His holiness and justice.
Our challenge as followers of Christ is to humbly admit our many sins as we try to lovingly help those struggling with homosexuality to let Jesus rescue them from this trap.
- Thank God for being very clear in His Word about what is right and wrong sexually. Ask God to help you live out your sexuality (which means purity before marriage between a man and a woman and then only in marriage) to honor Him. If you are sinning in a sexual way, confess it now and receive the forgiveness made possible because of what Christ did on the cross. If you know someone who is struggling with homosexuality, pray for him or her and ask God to help you demonstrate Christ's grace and compassion toward this person.
- Pray that you and other Christians around the world will act like Jesus toward those who struggle with homosexuality.
- Pray for followers of Christ and churches that condone homosexuality to come to grips with the Truth of Scripture.
- If you struggle with this issue (or know someone else who does), contact a pastor or youth leader of a church that recognizes that God's Story clearly teaches that engaging in homosexuality is sin.
How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to others?
- Use today's story about gay couples adopting children in conversation with others to find out their story as it relates to their views on homosexuality and tolerance.
- Talk with other students about what you might do to take a Biblical stand for morality in our culture with an attitude of love rather than condemnation. Look for ways you can demonstrate grace and compassion to those who are struggling with homosexuality.
- Talk to your youth leader or pastor about what your church can do to be like Jesus toward those who are struggling with homosexuality.
16 Jun, 2008
An Incredible Dad
What My Father Means To Me
My name is Richard E. Hoyt Jr., and I have cerebral palsy. I cannot speak or walk. To write this story, I'm using a computer with special software. When I move my head slightly, the cursor moves across an alphabet. When it gets to the letter I want, I press a switch at the side of my head.
I am half of Team Hoyt. We are a father-and-son team, and we compete in marathons and triathlons around the world. Our goal is to educate people about how the disabled can lead normal lives. We started racing in 1979. My high school was having a road race to raise money for a lacrosse player who was paralyzed in an accident. I wanted to show this athlete that life can go on, so I asked my dad if he would push me. My wheelchair was not built for racing, but Dad managed to push me the entire 5 miles. We came in next to last, but in the photos of us crossing the finish line, I was smiling from ear to ear!
When we got home, I used my computer to tell Dad, "When I'm running, I feel like my disability disappears!" So we joined a running club, had a special running chair built, and entered our first official race. Many of the athletes didn't want us to participate, but the executive director of the event gave us permission. Soon we were running three races a weekend, and we even did our first double event a 3-mile run and a half-mile swim.
Dad held me by the back of the neck and did the sidestroke for the entire swim. We wanted to run in the Boston Marathon, but we were not allowed to enter because we had not done a qualifying run. So in late 1980, we competed in the Marine Corps Marathon, in Washington, D.C., finishing in 2 hours, 45 minutes. That qualified us for Boston!
A few years later, after a road race in Falmouth, Massachusetts, a man came up to my dad and said, "You are quite an athlete. You should consider a triathlon." Dad said, "Sure, as long as I can do it with Rick." The man just walked away. The next year, the same man said the same thing. Again, Dad said he'd do it, but only with me. This time the man said, "Okay, let's figure out what special equipment you'll need."
So on Father's Day in 1985, we competed in our first triathlon. It included a 10-mile run, during which Dad pushed me; a 1-mile swim, during which Dad pulled me in a life raft with a rope tied around his chest; and a 50-mile bike ride, during which he towed me in a cart behind him. We finished next to last, but we both loved it. Soon after, we did our first Ironman Triathlon. We've now competed in more than 950 races, including 25 Boston Marathons and six Ironmans. During every event, I feel like my disability has disappeared.
People often ask me, "What would you do if you were not disabled?" When I was first asked, I said I'd probably play baseball or hockey. But when I thought about it some more, I realized that I'd tell my father to sit down in my wheelchair so I could push him. If it weren't for him, I'd probably be living in a home for people with disabilities. He is not just my arms and legs. He's my inspiration, the person who allows me to live my life to the fullest and inspire others to do the same.
Happy Father's Day, Dad. And thank you.
(To learn more about Team Hoyt, visit their web site.)
photo & story courtesy msn.com, 6/18/07
Proverbs 23:22-25 (NLT)
22 Listen to your father, who gave you life,
and don’t despise your mother when she is old.
23 Get the truth and never sell it;
also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.
24 The father of godly children has cause for joy.
What a pleasure to have children who are wise.
25 So give your father and mother joy!
May she who gave you birth be happy.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about bringing joy to our earthly fathers?
You don't have to think very hard to understand these verses in Proverbs. Look at the characteristics of children who bring pleasure and joy to a father:
- they listen
- they hang on to truth and live it
- they are wise, disciplined, and make good choices
- they are godly
If your daily purpose in life is to be godly and glorify the Heavenly Father, you will bring joy to your earthy father.
Now here's a connecting point to today's story about Team Hoyt - you may have a good relationship with your earthly father or you may feel almost "disabled" in how you get along. You may have a great dad like Mr. Hoyt who is very encouraging to you, or you may have a dad who discourages you or one who is absent from your life.
No matter what your situation might be, God wants you to do your part by being godly. It's God's way for you to bring pleasure and joy to your father and mother.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Thank God right now for your dad, even though he's not or was not perfect. Thank God for your dad, whether you know him well or never knew him at all. If you're adopted, thank God for both of your dads. Confess any way you have not been bringing pleasure and joy to your dad, the way God's Word teaches. Ask God's Spirit to enable you to honor your dad in the ways presented in today's scripture.
- Whether you have a great father, a non-caring father, a missing father, or a step-father, pray for him every day. Ask God to work in his life spiritually. Ask God to help you be the son or daughter He wants you to be.
- If your dad is no longer living, or you don't live with your dad, or you don't know who your dad is, write a note to your Heavenly Father to express your heart and experience His heart for you.
- Ask God to help you learn from your experience with your dad to help you be a great Christian parent some day.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?
- Share today's DAILYBIDE with some friends as a way to encourage them in their relationships with their fathers.
- Use today's story about Team Hoyt as a conversation starter with friends who need Jesus. Ask them about their relationship with their dad. Listen carefully. This may be a great opportunity for you to share how the Heavenly Father has changed your life story.
13 Jun, 2008
Do You Honor Your Father?
Real fathers fail to measure up to televised versions
Many young people blame constant work demands — seldom portrayed on TV — for draining their fathers' energy and time from parenting, says Janice Kelly, a communications researcher at Marymount Manhattan College in New York.
She showed episodes from eight comedies to 108 college students. The programs were as diverse as The George Lopez Show, The Simpsons, My Wife and Kids and Everyone Loves Raymond. She asked the students to rate TV fathers and their own on such qualities as support, guidance, acceptance of other family members and oppositional behavior (for example, ridiculing children). On every measure, TV fathers were rated significantly better than the students' own dads.
Several studies confirm that fathers are spending more time than ever on child care, says Vincent DiCaro of the non-profit National Fatherhood Initiative. It's unknown whether Gen X and Y fathers — born between 1965 and 1994 — will be seen as more nurturing than baby-boom fathers, DiCaro says. There's very little research on the parenting of earlier generations of men, he says.
"It's disturbing to think that kids might judge their dad as worse than Homer Simpson," he says. "Ward Cleaver was one thing — nobody could measure up — but sitcom dads today are flawed at best."
photo & story courtesy usatoday.com, 6/14/07
Ephesians 6:1-3
Children and Parents
6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” (ESV)
Paul is quoting the Ten Commandments in this passage. Obviously, God has made it very clear that we must obey and honor our parents.
There is a difference between obeying and honoring our parents. To obey our dads, means that we do as we are told. To honor our fathers, means to love and respect them. Obeying is something that children do while living under their parents' care, but honoring parents is a responsibility for the rest of our lives.
We are never commanded to disobey God by obeying our parents to do something that is wrong. But we honor God when we honor our parents.
The word "honor" means to show respect, to revere, even to hold in awe.
It's not important to measure your dad to TV dads, because your father is real. Perhaps your father has failed you big time. Each of us have have failed our fathers many times. So whatever the mistakes have been, whether they are incredible fathers or not, we are to honor our dads.
How will you honor your dad this Father's Day weekend?
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Thank God that He is the perfect, incredible Heavenly Father. Thank Him for being your Creator and spiritual Abba (daddy)! Thank Him for your earthly father. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you obey and honor your dad, not just this weekend, but consistently. Spend a couple of minutes just praying for your dad's needs - spiritual, emotional, physical....
- Pray for your dad every day. Ask him regularly how you can pray for him?
- Honor your dad by making it a priority to regularly talk with him and listen to him with an attitude of learning from him.
- If your dad is no longer living, or you don't live with your dad, or you don't know who your dad is, write a note to your Heavenly Father to express your heart and experience His heart.
- Tell your dad "I love you" not only this weekend, but every week.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?
- Share today's DAILYBIDE with some friends as a way to encourage them in their relationships with their fathers.
- Use today's story about the TV dad study as a conversation starter with friends who need Jesus. Have some fun with this and ask them to compare their dad to a television father. Ask them about their relationship with their dad. Listen carefully. This may be a great opportunity for you to share how the Heavenly Father has changed your life story.
12 Jun, 2008
The hero returns!
Movie Review: INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL
Rated: PG-13
Run time: 2 hrs 4 mins
Theatrical Release: May 22, 2008 Wide
Synopsis: When we last saw Indiana Jones on screen, it was 1938, and the world stood on the brink of war as Dr. Jones chased down evildoers to find the Holy Grail. Nineteen years later, he’s cracking his whip again, and many things have changed ... but some have remained the same. Again, the world is at a... When we last saw Indiana Jones on screen, it was 1938, and the world stood on the brink of war as Dr. Jones chased down evildoers to find the Holy Grail. Nineteen years later, he’s cracking his whip again, and many things have changed ... but some have remained the same. Again, the world is at a precipice, this time caused by the specter of nuclear annihilation, and Indy’s struggle is once again to ensure that a precious, mysterious object remains safe from those bent on destroying humanity. --© Paramount Pictures
Starring: Harrison Ford, Shia LaBeouf, Cate Blanchett, Karen Allen
photo & story courtesy rottentomatoes.com, 6/7/08
Hebrews 11:1
By Faith
11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:32-40
32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. (ESV)
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about the main quality of a Godly hero?
Hebrews 11 has often been called the Bible's "Hall Of Fame". The names listed have one quality in common - FAITH IN GOD! These heroes were not great in their own right, but only because they trusted the supernatural God to lead them and empower them!
Basically they were ordinary people doing extraordinary acts because their faith pointed to the Almighty God! Our world today is looking for heroes. It needs to see ordinary people letting God do something extraordinary through them.
If you have seen the new Indiana Jones movie or you go see it, you will notice that even heroes have a dark side.
It's the same way with us. We have a dark side because of the sin in our lives. But when we humble ourselves before our loving forgiving Father, He does the extraordinary through us even though we are ordinary.
If someone did a "review" of your life, would your faith get a "two thumbs up"?
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
According to Hebrews 11, it starts with faith. Within ourselves, we don't have what it takes. We must ask God to give us the faith we need to be able to believe Him for Who He is and what He wants to do in our lives and through our lives. You don't have to be a hero. Just let God do His thing in you. And you can apply God's Story by:
- Reading Hebrews 11:1-31 for more stories of God's "heroes".
- Praying every day for God to help you live by faith.
- Looking for a weekly opportunity to be a "hero" in someone's life by helping them in some way that seems very ordinary to you. Your faith in God may seem quite extraordinary to them!
Spend a couple of minutes in prayer.... Thank God for the stories of faith He has provided in His Word. Ask Him to use these examples to show you how to live by faith. Thank Him and praise Him for the extraordinary ways He has worked in your life. Let Him know that you're willing to honor Him by serving Him even in the "ordinary" details of life.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story and our story to others?
This whole 3Story way of living will become more and more natural for us as we consistently make ourselves available to our extraordinary God. He will lead us into opportunities to build relationships with people who need to know Jesus. Focus on knowing Jesus and you'll get to know their stories.
One idea would be for you to get some friends together to go see the new Indiana Jones movie and then hang out and talk about it.
Talk about the movie...do your own reviews...ask your friends why they think our culture likes heroes? Ask them if they have a hero? Talk about yours...if they seem interested in spiritual topics, talk about the heroes in God's Story in today's scripture...
11 Jun, 2008
Do you have any "dark secrets"?
Those terrible tabloids!
How about us? We often try to hide "dark" secrets don't we? It might be about starting a rumor about someone we don't like. How about a sexual relationship or hiding a certain magazine in the bedroom or a certain web site? Maybe it involves lying to parents about a party? Could it be cheating on a test or hiring someone to write your term paper? Stealing an item that's worth only a buck is no big deal right? Then why do little "dark" secrets bother us?
Psalm 51:5-12 (NLT)
5 For I was born a sinner—
yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
6 But you desire honesty from the womb,
teaching me wisdom even there.
7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Oh, give me back my joy again;
you have broken me—
now let me rejoice.
9 Don’t keep looking at my sins.
Remove the stain of my guilt.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.
11 Do not banish me from your presence,
and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.
According to today's God's Story scripture, what is the connection between covering up sin and having joy?
Even if we have never murdered someone or committed adultery, we all have something in common with King David. Unconfessed sin will chase joy out of our lives.
David wrote this psalm after being confronted about having an affair with Bathsheba and murdering her husband. His guilt had driven a wedge between God and himself. He cried out for God to forgive him and restore the joy of their relationship.
Attempting to cover up our sins is useless. Even if others don't discover our "secrets", God knows everything about us all the time. If you are a believer (someone who has trusted Jesus to be your Savior), the guilt of unconfessed sin will gut your joy faster than anything else in life. It makes intimacy with God impossible. Here's the good news! The loving Heavenly Father will forgive us and make us pure again. We still have to face some earthly consequences, but God will bring back our joy!
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Confess our sins to God...all of them...every one that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Thank God that according to 1st John 1:9, He will cleanse you and make your relationship perfect again. Thank Him for restoring your joy just as He did with King David. Remember that David continued to be "a man after God's own heart" according to God's Word. Ask Jesus to help you desire His heart every day.
- For the next two weeks, do a daily evaluation with God to see if there's anything in your life that needs to be confessed. Enjoy His joy!
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?
- Follow through on the challenge above (for two weeks, do a daily evaluation with God to see if there's anything in your life that needs to be confessed. Enjoy His joy!) One of the results may be that you want to make things right with others and tell them about the joy you've received from God.
- Talk "tabloids" with one of your friends or family members who need Jesus. Ask him or her if they believe all the "secrets" about famous people in the news? Use this as an opportunity to talk about your story. Share how Jesus is helping you uncover your "secrets" and forgiving you. Spread His joy!
10 Jun, 2008
Thirst quencher
What kind of water do you drink?
photos courtesy images.google.com
John 4:10
10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
John 7:37-39
Rivers of Living Water
37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (ESV)
What do you think Jesus means when He talks about "living water" in today's God's Story scripture?
In His conversation with the woman at the well in John 4:10, Jesus is referring to eternal life when He offers living water. In John 7:37-39, Jesus is referring to the Holy Spirit. Eternal life and the Holy Spirit go hand in hand.
Jesus' invitation to drink of His living water means that He is claiming to be the Messiah, the only One Who can forgive sins and promise eternal life in Heaven. Everyone who drinks His living water (receives His gift of salvation) receives the Holy Spirit into their lives to lead and guide them as His followers.
It doesn't matter if you prefer to drink tap water or bottled water to quench your physical thirst, but it does matter how you quench your spiritual thirst.
How about you? Have you drank of Christ's living water? Are you helping others find His well? Is there a river overflowing from your life?
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Talk to God right now. Praise Him for giving His Son as the "living water" you need to live. Thank Him for His forgiveness and the power of His Holy Spirit at work within you. Confess any way in which you have been ignoring Jesus' living water to quench your thirst. Pray that Jesus will fill you up so much that His overflow will be a river of life that meets the spiritual thirst of others in your life.
- Memorize today's scripture - it will remind you to drink plenty of "water" every day.
- For two weeks, keep a written record of how you spend your time. It may help you realize why you get so "thirsty". Let God help you make the needed changes.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story and our story to others?
- During the rest of this week, whenever you drink water, pray for God to quench your spiritual thirst and to show you someone who is "thirsty".
- Encourage other followers of Christ to use drinking fountains as a 3Story connecting place during the next month. This could be at a public park in your neighborhood, at your work place, at the mall, or at your church. Be ready to silently pray for someone else getting a drink; be ready to learn the story of someone who is getting a drink; be ready to share part of your story and how Jesus takes care of your "thirst".
9 Jun, 2008
Are you tasting the good life?
How about eating these sourdough bread ingredients?
What's wrong? Not your taste?
photo courtesy images.google.com
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
John 6:35
35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
Isaiah 48:10
10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;
I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.
Psalm 34:8
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! (ESV)
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about tasting the "good" life?
It's sort of like a recipe for constantly eating "The Bread of Life":
1) Take all the ingredients in your life and realize that God promises to use all of them, (the sweet, the sour, the tough times, the unexplainable...) and make them into something good - becoming more like Jesus Christ!
2) Go to Jesus, Who is the "Bread of Life" and rest in His love as He mixes His plan and power with your circumstances.
3) Trust God as He uses the heat of life's suffering to conform you to be like Jesus.
4) Taste the Lord's goodness every day. He will provide joy in your life no matter what, if you trust Him and obey Him.
Now, how about another taste test?
photo courtesy images.google.com
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Thank God for promising to use everything in your life to accomplish His "good" plan for you. Ask God's Spirit to give you the faith you need to trust God when life is hard and you feel like you're being refined. Take a couple of minutes to just imagine yourself sitting down with Jesus to share a fresh loaf of bread right out of the oven. Tell the "Bread of Life" what's on your heart. Listen to Him and you will taste His goodness....
- Memorize one or all of today's verses. It will be helpful to have this "recipe" available at all times.
- Write down the different "ingredients" in your life that are hard to swallow right now. Bring them to Jesus every day in prayer and wait for God to make something "good" out of them.
- Whenever you eat bread this next week, let it remind you to "taste" the Lord's goodness every day by trusting Him completely.
How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to others?
- Send this DAILYBIDE to friends and family members who are followers of Christ - to encourage them.
- The next time you are eating any kind of bread with a friend or family member who is not yet a Christ-follower, try asking these questions: What's your favorite kind of bread? Did I tell you about my favorite? I'm trying to eat more every day....it's always available, fresh and tastes great...not necessarily right away....but eventually it does...and the cost was out of this world, although I get it free!
6 Jun, 2008
I want to die!
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed sees himself as a martyr.
Alleged 9/11 mastermind requests death penalty
GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba - Khalid Sheikh Mohammed said Thursday that he would welcome the death penalty for his confessed role as mastermind of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
“Yes, this is what I wish, to be a martyr for a long time,” Mohammed told a military judge who warned that he faces execution if convicted of organizing the attacks on America. “I will, God willing, have this, by you.”
The former No. 3 leader of al-Qaida and four alleged co-conspirators were being arraigned Thursday in their long-awaited first appearance before a war-crimes tribunal. All five face death if convicted of war crimes including murder, conspiracy, attacking civilians and terrorism in the 2001 attacks, which killed 2,973 people.
photo & story courtesy msnbc.msn.com, 6/5/08
Proverbs 10:24 (NLT)
24 The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled;
the hopes of the godly will be granted.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about the fear of death?
Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes provide this insight:
10:24 The wicked person dreads death. Those who do not believe in God usually fear death, and with good reason. By contrast, believers desire eternal life and God's salvation - their hopes will be rewarded. This verse offers a choice: You can have either your fears or your hopes come true. You make that choice by rejecting God and living your own way or by accepting God and following Him.
Do you believe that Mohammed is not afraid to die? There is no doubt that his heart is hard because he has believed the lies of Satan, concerning "Allah". I believe that deep down in his soul, this terrorist is wondering about his eternal destination.
How about you? Do you fear death or do you have peace, knowing that in Christ, your eternal destination is secure?
How can you connect today's scripture verse, which is part of God's Story, to your life?
- Praise God for the peace He provides you in facing death. Thank Him that because Christ died for your sins and rose from the dead, you can know that your eternal hope in heaven is a promise that your loving Heavenly Father will keep.
- Remember today's verse as you continue to watch world events unfold.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?
- Pray for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to turn to the living God and receive Christ as his Savior before he is executed. Yes, God's grace is big enough to save him and change the final outcome of his eternal story. (Imagine the impact on our world, which is caught up in Jihad, if Mohammed became a follower of Jesus before justice is carried out.)
Use this DAILYBIDE as a conversation starter to encourage someone else in your storysphere. You could email it to him or her and ask them what they think?
5 Jun, 2008
Need a snack?
Pringles can designer is buried in his own work
Cincinnati... The man who designed the Pringles potato crisp tube was so proud of his accomplishment that some of his ashes have been buried in one of the iconic tall, circular cans. Fredric J. Baur died at Vitas Hospice in Cincinnati, on May 4. He was 89. A portion of his ashes was also placed in an urn and buried in his grave alongside the can. The rest of the ashes were put in another urn and given to his grandson. (AP)
photo & story courtesy timesonline.co.uk, 6/3/08
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT)
11 Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 3:17-22 (NLT)
17 I said to myself, “In due season God will judge everyone, both good and bad, for all their deeds.”
18 I also thought about the human condition—how God proves to people that they are like animals. 19 For people and animals share the same fate—both breathe and both must die. So people have no real advantage over the animals. How meaningless! 20 Both go to the same place—they came from dust and they return to dust. 21 For who can prove that the human spirit goes up and the spirit of animals goes down into the earth? 22 So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is why we are here! No one will bring us back from death to enjoy life after we die.
In today's God's Story scripture, what do Solomon's thoughts about life after death teach us?
The study notes from Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE help us understand the answer:
3:19-22 Our bodies can't live forever in their present state. In that sense, humans and animals are alike. But Solomon acknowledged that God has given people the hope of eternity and that we will undergo judgment in the next life (3:17; 12:7, 14) - making us different from animals. Because we have eternity planted in our heart, we have a unique purpose in God's overall plan. Yet we cannot discover God's purpose for our life by our own efforts - only through building a relationship with Him and seeking His guidance. Are you now living as God wants? Do you see life as a gift from Him?
Sadly, many people around us view life after death as sort of a casual topic for conversation that you would have while snacking on Pringles. I don't know anything about Mr. Baur's spiritual beliefs, but he clearly understood the spiritual truth of God the day he died. His soul found it's eternal home in either heaven or hell, even though his remains will last on planet Earth in that Pringles can for awhile.
How about you? Are you ready for where your soul will remain after your earthly remains are disposed of? Are you helping others understand how to get ready for eternity?
- Thank God for the gift of life. Praise Him that you are His unique creation, with a soul that will live forever! If you know Christ as your Savior, worship Him right now...thank Him for His promise to bring you to His Heavenly home for eternity. If you don't know Christ and have not received His forgiveness for your sins, which only He can provide, ask Him to be your Savior right now....He will come into your life and He promises that what remains for you after death is life with all of God's family in Heaven forever!
- Memorize Ecclesiastes 3:11 as a reminder that God's love for everyone is a pursuing love. He has "planted eternity in the human heart".
- Whenever you see or eat Pringles, let this remind you that people around you need to know what remains for eternity after their earthly remains are gone.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story and our story to others?
- Pray every day for God to prepare you to help someone near you understand this "eternity" that God has placed in our hearts.
- The next time you are hanging out and snacking with a friend or family member who needs Jesus, talk about the Pringles guy being buried in one of his snack cans. Ask your friend if her or she ever thinks about what happens to us after we die? Your most important role here is to LISTEN.
4 Jun, 2008
Buried Treasure?
How are you investing in your future?
Man unearths box filled with Depression-era cash
MILWAUKEE — Dan Deming had heard the rumors about the buried treasure on his central Wisconsin farm.
At first, he made some halfhearted attempts to find it, and then searched in earnest for two or three years after receiving a metal detector for his birthday.
"I don't know what I thought, if I thought it was really there or not," he said.
The mystery ended recently while Deming was tearing down a 100-year-old shed on his property, which is near Briggsville in Adams County. A rusted box tumbled from the rubble and wads of currency dating back to the Depression spilled on the ground.
"I couldn't believe it. I started running to the house with it," Deming, 34, said Sunday. "My wife thought I broke my arm because I was just hooting and hollering."
The bills were so deteriorated that it was hard to count the money. But the box also contained scraps of newspaper with dollar amounts written on them, a possible tally of the loot.
Deming briefly considered selling the bills to collectors, but the money was in poor condition. Instead, he turned it over to the U.S. Treasury's Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which redeems mutilated currency for face value, he said.
"I'm hoping it'll be for $1,700 because that's what the paper said," Deming said. "It's hard to say, though. It's really difficult to tell what was in there."
The legend of the buried treasure dates back more than 40 years.
"I heard from my grandfather that a man who lived here during the '30s and '40s was eccentric and might have stashed money," Deming said.
When he first saw the bills, he thought they were play money. Then he saw the words "silver certificate" across the top of a $1 bill and realized it was real. He also noticed the bills were dated between 1928 and 1934.
Deming says he'll use whatever money he gets from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to build a replacement shed.
He also plans to tear down a rickety old barn on his land, and wondered for a fleeting moment whether there might be more money stashed there.
"I'm hoping maybe there's something there — but I doubt it," he said. "I mean, $1,700 during the Depression was probably this guy's life savings."
photo & story courtesy twincities.com, 6/2/08
Matthew 25:14-30 (NLT)
The Parable of the Talents
14"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
19"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'
21"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
22"The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.'
23"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
24"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'
26"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28" 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about using what we have been given by God?
Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes explain:
25:15 The master divided the money among his servants according to their abilities. No one received more or less than he could handle. If he failed in his assignment, his excuse could not be that he was overwhelmed. Failure would indicate only laziness or hatred toward the master. The bags of silver represent any kind of resource we are given. God gives us time, gifts, and other resources according to our abilities, and he expects us to invest them wisely until he returns. We are responsible to use well what God has given us. The issue is not how much we have but how well we use what we have.
25:24-30 This last man was thinking only of himself. He hoped to play it safe and protect himself from his hard master, but he was judged for his self-centeredness. We must not make excuses to avoid doing what God calls us to do. If God truly is our Master, we must obey willingly. Our time, abilities, and money aren't ours in the first place - we are caretakers, not owners. When we ignore, squander, or abuse what we are given, we are rebellious and deserve to be punished.
In today's story, the man who buried $1700 in the ground during the Depression proved that "you can't take it with you". His life "savings" did nothing for him in life or death.
None of us can take our time, abilities or money with us beyond this earthly life...why not invest them for our loving Master to use now and forever!
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our story?
- Make a written list of how much time you invest in serving God through serving others every week....how you are using your abilities to serve God every week....how much of your money you are giving directly to God's work every week. Let God's Spirit help you evaluate whether or not you are being obedient to God's instruction for you to invest in His Kingdom rather than yourself. Let Jesus help you make the necessary changes.
- Bury a dollar bill in the ground near where you live. Every time you go near the spot, let God's Spirit remind you to give Him your treasure rather than squandering it.
How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to others?
- Think of someone in your storysphere who is interested in your story and or God's Story. Show, tell, or send him or her today's story about the guy finding money buried since the Depression. Talk about some possible motives for the man who buried the $1700. Ask your friend how he or she feels they are investing their "treasures"? Share how you plan to invest yours in God's economy.
- Use this DAILYBIDE as a topic for study and discussion with your small group or youth group.
2 Jun, 2008
Fork in the road?
How will you handle your next one?
What will you do? Today? Tomorrow? In the future?
picture courtesy images.google.com
Proverbs 3:6 (NLT)
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
According to Solomon's words in today's God's Story scripture, what is the key to making a good decision when facing that "fork in the road"?
Today, we look at the next verse in the passage most often used at graduation time or for anyone who is trying to make plans for the future.
Solomon wrote that we must seek God's will in all we do in order to receive His guidance. This means that everything we do, in every detail, must be turned over to His control. Let's look at what some of the words in this verse mean:
- Seek - this is the desire to trust someone completely. It comes from a word in the Old Testament Hebrew language that was used to describe intimacy developed through personal experience. This is very cool - it means that when we are learning to know who God is, we will grow in our love for Him, which results in a desire to let Him lead us completely!
- Show - this means to guide with intensity and focus. God loves us so much that He will do anything and everything to lead us in the best way for us. This does not mean that our path will be easy, but it does mean that He will enable us to go through difficulties to get us to our final destination.
To get to our future destination, we must make sure we're on the right road. To make good choices when facing that "fork in the road", we must follow the ONE who lovingly desires to give direction to our life.
- Thank God that He has a perfect plan for your life. Ask for His help in understanding more of who He really is, according to His Holy Word. Invite His Spirit to deepen your intimacy with God. Ask Him to remind you every day to seek His will for your decisions. Thank Jesus that even when the path is hard, He promises to go with you.
- Commit yourself to a greater level of intimacy with God in the next month. He will honor your desire.
- Whenever you pick up a fork this week, thank God for helping you to seek His will in your decision making.
How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to others?
When you're eating with friends or family this week, take your fork and use it to share what you learned in today's DAILYBIDE.
