Saturday, November 29, 2008

Keys of the Kingdom: Day Thirty Nine

Keys of the Kingdom: Contentment

Yesterday I heard two stories on the news that REALLY bothered me. You probably heard them as well.

The day after Thanksgiving in the USA is often seen as the busiest day of the year for Christmas shopping. Many stores have sales on to encourage people to come and shop. Now I like to get a good deal, just like everyone else. I’m sure you do too. However look at this headline:

Three violent deaths in two stores marred the opening of the Christmas shopping season Friday.

In the first, a temporary Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death in a rush of thousands of early morning shoppers as he and other employees tried to unlock the doors of a Long Island, New York, store at 5 a.m., police said.



In the second violent incident on what is historically one of the year’s busiest shopping days, two men were shot dead in a Toys “R” Us in Palm Desert, California, after they argued over a toy in the store, police said.

Do you believe it?

What does the Bible say about greed like this?


Hebrews 13:5 (The Message) Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have.



O.K. This is a pretty far out expression of greed but think about how you have seen greed your self? What about when you reach out for a piece of cake do you look for the BIGGEST piece. Come on now, I know I have. What else can you think of?
How can we respond in the opposite spirit to the greed that we can see so often?

IDEA NUMBER ONE: The opposite of greed is…contentment and thankfulness right?

Think back on your day and remember all the things you can be thankful for. Now really think and go past being thankful for your house and family and clothes and food. What about being thankful for all the little things too…Like: the thoughtfulness of your mom as she poured you a glass of orange juice, the smile that your teacher gave you as you walked into the class, the warmth of your dog as he snuggled beside you, your feet that you can run…

NOW your turn!


Ask Jesus to open your eyes to the wonder of the world, the juicy raisins in your muffin, the wind on your face…make an adventure of it and as you do make it an act of worship.

IDEA NUMBER TWO : Maybe just try for CHRISTMAS to have no gifts or cut down on gifts and the money you would have spent on ourself give away. There are lots of different ways you can help those that are not as well of as yourself. A goat for a poor family in Africa for example. Look up World vision or, Samaritan’s purse, Or leprosy mission, or Be a Hero. LOTS to choose from!
How about this holiday season really just enjoy the company of family and friends, have a nice simple meal (which is really a luxury anyways, globally speaking)…maybe take up a new hobby if you have some time off, or re-start an old hobby that you seem to never have time for because life is busy…..Use the time you WOULD have spent shopping on drawing! Playing an instrument! Reading! Or thinking creatively for yourself! Invent YOUR OWN TOYS in your head…. LOTS of possible ideas

MEMORIZE:
But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1Timothy 6:6

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Thursday, November 27, 2008

The Heavens Declare

Thanksgiving sky: Jupiter, Venus, moon together


By SETH BORENSTEIN, AP Science Writer Seth Borenstein, Ap Science Writer –

In a rare alignment, the crescent moon, and the planets Venus, center, and Jupiter shine above a farmhouse in the eastern pre-dawn sky

WASHINGTON – It’s not just families that are getting together this Thanksgiving week. The three brightest objects in the night sky — Venus, Jupiter and a crescent moon — will crowd around each other for an unusual group shot.

Starting Thanksgiving evening, November 27th, Jupiter and Venus will begin moving closer so that by Sunday and Monday, they will appear 2 degrees apart, which is about a finger width held out at arm’s length, said Alan MacRobert, senior editor at Sky and Telescope magazine. Then on Monday night, they will be joined by a crescent moon right next to them, he said.

Look in the southwestern sky around twilight — no telescope or binoculars needed. The show will even be visible in cities if it’s a clear night.

“It’ll be a head-turner,” MacRobert said. “This certainly is an unusual coincidence for the crescent moon to be right there in the days when they are going to be closest together.”

The moon is the brightest, closest and smallest of the three and is 252,000 miles away. Venus, the second brightest, closest and smallest, is 94 million miles away. And big Jupiter is 540 million miles away.

The three celestial objects come together from time to time, but often they are too close to the sun or unite at a time when they aren’t so visible. The next time the three will be as close and visible as this week will be Nov. 18, 2052, according to Jack Horkheimer, director of the Miami Space Transit Planetarium.

The Bible tells us in Psalm 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

A little while ago I was reading a book that talked all about what it was that the Magi or Wise Men saw in the sky when Jesus was born. It was in a novel by Brock and Bodie Thoene called Sixth Covenant. It was amazing what they had discovered. The Bethlehem star was not just one BIG beautiful star but really three stars that had come in alignment and had shone as one Big star. In unity, together as one. In the book they shared the meaning of the names of the stars involved and the significance of where they were in the sky constellations. I guess if God made the stars He could align them anyway He wanted to say what He wanted. In Romans it talks about how His truth is seen in creation! (Rom 1:20)

Anyways after reading the book I wondered “Is God saying anything in the heavens today?” This is not looking at your horoscope or anything like that as it is not something we should be doing because it is fortune telling. That is one of the ways that the enemy would try to deceive you and to listen to his lies.

But think of this week. In the USA it is Thanksgiving week a time when families come together. Grand parents, parents and kids… or any combination of family. It is a time of celebration remembering the things we can be thankful for. God has a heart to bring healing between people so that they can walk as one, ‘in conjunction’ as they say when stars line up. Lets have a look to see if the stars are perhaps saying something

From their research the Thoene’s in their book mention that Venus is also called Nogah or SPLENDOR and refers to Messiah the morning star. The moon always represents the Holy Spirit. Jupiter according to the Hitchcock’s Bible Dictionary means “the Father who helps”. It is also the Royal Star. So here we have in the sky the stars representing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit lining up. Any time something out-of-the-ordinary happens, it is a reminder to pay attention! The Lord is saying something important!

Go outside and have a look ! What is God trying to say?


Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are. John 17:11


Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. “He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers. Malachi 4:5-6


Why not share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Also if you happen to get a good picture of these stars why not e-mail them to me and I will post it. Send in a jpg file to kkarise @shaw.ca
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Wednesday, November 26, 2008

answers to test

1) The fellowship test 1John 1:7
2) The sin test 1 John 1:10
3) The obedience test John 2:4
4) The light test 1 John 2:10-11
5) The worldly love test 1John 2: 15
6) The test of confessing Jesus as Messiah 1John 2:23
7) The test of doing right 1John 2:29
8) The love test 1John 4:19
9) The giving test 1John 3: 17
10) The test of listening to the truth 1John 4:6
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Sunday, November 23, 2008

Kingdom Curriculum

Did you know that there is actually a WHOLE book in the Bible that gives us all sorts of tests that we can take to see if we are really Christian? The book also outlines some very important truths about our faith to make sure we stay like the yellow crosses that Jesse spoke about and not like the Grey ones. (See the post on November 10.)

The theme of the book is found in
1 John 2:26-27

“I‘ve written to warn you about those who are trying to deceive or trick you. But they’re no match for what is embedded deeply within you—Christ’s anointing, no less! …Christ’s anointing teaches you the truth on everything you need to know about yourself and him, uncontaminated by a single lie. Live deeply in what you were taught.” The Message

See God isn’t keen on having you be tricked and confused! The best way to keep yourself from being led down the wrong path is to FILL your heart with the truth. WAY UP! O.K. I have a challenge for you. Read the WHOLE book of
1 John over the next week. Man you GOT to be kidding you say…
Check it out. It’s not too long and is an easy read…The Message is a really good translation to help you get the feel of the book.
When you’re done match the tests to the verses by drawing a line from one to the other. I will post the answers on Tuesday.

Test Reference

The sin test

1 John 3: 17

The obedience test

1John 2:10-11

The light test

1John 4:19

The worldly love test

1John 2:4

The test of confessing Jesus as Messiah

1John 1:7

The test of doing right

1John 1:10

The love test

1John 2:29

The giving test

1John 4:6

The test of listening to the truth

1John 2: 15
The fellowship test

1 John 2:23

This is really a wonderful book. Read it over and over to let these truths go deep into your heart.

A final promise is in Chapter 5 vs.18

“We know that anyone born of God…ie sons and daughters of the KING!, does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God…ie Jesus,… keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. “

As a follower of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, helps you to walk in His ways. It just becomes a part of who you are as a Christian. You don’t have to try REALLY HARD to“Be good’ as it will just come naturally the more time you let the truth fill your heart. Jesus just sort of flows out of you to those around you.

Sounds good hey
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Tuesday, November 18, 2008

He Reigns

Psalm 8:2 From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise… to silence the foe and the avenger.


A week or so ago we spoke about the power of speaking out God’s truth, and declaring His praises. At about that time a number of kids and leaders went to the National House of Prayer in Ottawa to pray for our nation and whatever else God put on their hearts. One morning we asked some of the kids to plan and lead worship. They didn’t know what we had felt was God’s direction, but the first song that they chose was He Reigns by the Newsboys. This totally reflected what was on our hearts.

Why not join them today and declare His praises from wherever you are on the earth!

Its all God’s children singing
Glory Glory Hallelujah
He reigns

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Saturday, November 15, 2008

New Generation Prayer

A New Generation

“In an age that is more selfish than ever there is a need for a generation headed in another direction. A generation who’s first question isn’t “what’s in it for me?” but “how can I help someone else?” A generation who will go from living a fairly self centered life to one that is outreach oriented. “This world needs holy youth who will go into their world with God on the inside and a godly lifestyle on the outside.” The world needs youth who want to be salt and light and who want their Lord to be visible and noticed in their land and generation. “The God of the Bible calls youth, talks to youth and uses youth time and time again! (JOSHUA,GIDEON, RUTH, SAMUEL, DAVID, JEREMIAH, MARY.)“

1COR. 1:28-29 NLT “God chose things despised by the world, …to bring to nothing what the world considers important, so that no one can ever boast in the presence of God.”

When God gets hold of a young persons heart , and starts to use that young person, God and nobody else gets the glory!God’s word to youth today is the same as it has been down through the ages:

“But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say I am only a child,’ ‘you must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them ,for I am with you and I will rescue you, declares the Lord. ”Jer. 1:6-7NIV

God is the one who touches hearts and encourages, challenges and sends us to be heroes for His kingdom. God’s power is available for anyone who wants to stand up and take action. But He needs an initiative to bless. A step of faith that God can back up. Then things can really begin to happen. God loves your classmates, friends, sports teams community and nation. He wants to touch people and do things in your world; but He needs an initiative. He needs somebody who does what is right instead of what is easy, somebody who’s prepared to start with the small things without waiting for the big things, somebody who uses what he or she has. Even though what you offer to God might seem fragile and imperfect, the truth is God always used fragile and imperfect people. Nothing is too big for God! Nothing is too hard for God! Absolutely anything can happen when you pray. God answers when somebody prays, He takes action when somebody prays and He comes because somebody prays.

MY SCHOOL-MY RESPONSIBILITY!
MY COMMUNITY-MY RESPONSIBILITY!
MY NATION-MY RESPONSIBILITY!…includes everything from the prevention of bullying, to helping people nobody cares about, taking action against smoking and drugs, praying and loads of other things.

The people of today must see genuine Christians in their generation. Often things have been started by just ONE person who chose not to sit and wait for a better time but instead just decided to get going right where he or she was. Your life isn’t about you, but about all the youth that Jesus wants to touch through you. You need to be an open channel for their sake and be encouraged you have a God who backs up His promises to help you reach out to them. With this in mind keep your focus on the right things all of the time: firstly on Jesus- our best role model and then on others who each and everyone in God’s eyes are reason enough to fight, pray and faithfully persevere until all is finished. Here are some additional prayer activities:

Praying in your city council chambers,
Prayer walking your city streets,
Praying at your city’s Remembrance Day service,
Visiting your local MPor MLA taking a gift and praying for them,
Praying for our Troops and e-mailing them,
Praying at the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast.
God will lead you to many more.

As for info on New Generation their website is www.newgeneration.ca

Submitted by: Elaine Baillie
(Sentences in italics taken from A NEW GENERATION’ By JOAKIM LUNDQUIST)

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Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Devotions by Kids for Kids

Jesse age 11
British Columbia

While we were praying over a map of Canada at the National House of Prayer, I saw a vision. I saw a whole bunch of crosses all over and each cross represented someone. A bunch of the crosses could move, but some could not. Out of the ones that could move, some were gray (like the ones that couldn’t move) and some were bright yellow and shone brightly. The gray ones that could move, started to go over to the yellow ones and tried to beat them up. Whenever they got close to the yellow ones though, it was like they got pushed back.

We felt that the yellow crosses were Christians. They had the light. The gray crosses were very deceptive because, although they were in the same cross shape as the others, and pretended to be “Christians’ were not. The gray ones that moved represented false teachers and people that were trying to deceive the Christians. The gray ones were also trying to tell others that they were Christians, but really they weren’t. When the gray ones were trying to attack the yellow ones, it represented deception and even persecution that many believers are going through. But as hard as the gray crosses tried, God still protected the yellow ones.

Here is a picture that Jesse drew on the computer trying to capture what he saw.
Pretty good hey!

Wheat or Tares
Tares or Wheat

Matthew 13:24-30
Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away. But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also “The slaves of the landowner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ And he said to them, ‘An enemy has done this!’ The slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?’“But he said, ‘No; for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them.‘Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn.”

Just like in the picture that Jesse had Jesus warns us in this scripture that there are will be people who will in many ways look like and act like Christians but are actually not. We need to be careful to stay close to the Light of God’s word so that we will not be tricked into believing something other than the truth. Just like Satan tricked Eve to believe a lie he will try to trick you as well.

Jesus on the other hand when Satan was trying to trick and tempt Him, replied by quoting Bible verses. He Knew the Truth.

Look up Mathew 4: 1-11
Some people think that because Jesus didn’t give in to what was offered, the temptation must not have been real. But that won’t do, the Bible tells us that these were very real temptations that really tempted Him. After all he was VERY hungry after not eating for 40 days! The good news is that because He was tempted He is also able to help you when you are tempted and the enemy tries to trick you. (Hebrews 2:18) He completely understands what you are going through and how to do what is right anyways.

Stay on the side of the LIGHT! and don’t get burned!

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Monday, November 3, 2008

Daniel Prayer Group

As My mouth you shall be:

This was the phrase that headed up a teaching that was sent out a few weeks ago. It got me to thinking.
What does the Bible say about kids and what they say? Are there instances where words were important. As I thought these scriptures came to mind. Look over them carefully

Psalm 8:2 From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise… to silence the foe and the avenger.

John 14:6 Jesus answered “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life”

Jeremiah 1:4-5 The word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Jeremiah 1:6-8 “Ah, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.”
But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 1:9-10 Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

Malachi 4:5-6 “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.”

1 Kings 18:39 And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, “The LORD—he is God! Yes, the LORD is God!”

1 Samuel 17:45-46 David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the LORD will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel!

Jeremiah. 15:19 If you take out the precious from the vile, you will be as my mouth.

John 8:44 the devil…He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

DO THIS CROSSWORD PUZZLE TO HELP YOU LOOK OVER THE VERSES CAREFULLY:

ACROSS
3 What Jeremiah said he couldn’t do.
4 What God put into Jeremiah’s mouth.
6 How Goliath addressed God.
8 God knew you before your were where?.
10 What did God do to Jeremiah’s mouth?
12 Jesus said he was this.
13 God turn fathers to children in the days of_____.
14 Who did Goliath speak about?
15 What would turn.
17 What God has ordained to come out of children’s mouths.
19 We are supposed to separate the precious from the______
DOWN
1 What kind of spirit do we pray in to confront evil.
2 One of the things God told Jeremiah he would do.
5 What God touched.
7 When did David say he would kill Goliath.
9 What God made Jeremiah’s mouth to be.
11 How we speak truth.
16 How did the people say the “Lord he is God?”
18 The devil is the Father of_____.

Now in these verses God is speaking to Jeremiah and David is speaking and Elijah. O.K. God doesn’t touch each of our mouths the same way? We aren’t all called to be prophets, but we are all called to speak truth. We have talked before how Jesus only did what he saw Father God doing, and He said in the same way he was sending us if we are to be His followers.

ASK: What is in common with all the verses… They all have something to do with what is said.
What is God saying about your mouth?
What importance does God put in the words that we speak?

What does Jesus say about Himself? He is the Truth. The devil is the exact opposite the Father of lies.

How was the world formed? He spoke and the world came into being. (Genesis 1)
What did Jesus often do when He healed people? He spoke…

David addressed Goliath with a confident statement of the Lord’s control and greatness.
ASK: What did he say?
It was this confidence that released the power for the smooth stone to hit its mark.

Malachi 4: 5 speaks about how the Lord will send the prophet Elijah before the second coming of the Lord …and the hearts of the Father’s will be turned to the children,

ASK: What did Elijah declare that encouraged this turning?…” Elijah declared with the people “The Lord He is God” . When God power is seen in a nation and declared, things are in the right order or aligned. Draw a line on the ground. Imagine God at the top of the line and everyone lined up behind him. Have you ever played the game “electricity?” One person squeezes the hand of the next person, who squeezes the hand of the person after them and so on. Try it.You can get a pulse going pretty quickly! But it all stops when someone decides not to pass on the “squeeze”.

When we are God’s ambassadors how will we be able to most be like him?…in how we speak…
That is huge.
SAY: Now close your eyes as you listen to these thoughts.

Speak this over the kids:
The Lord has called You from the womb, from the body of your mother He has named you. He has made your mouth like a sharp arrow and kept you in the shadow of His hand and made you a polished arrow. The Lord put forth His hand and touched your mouth, and has put His words in your mouth…so that you can sing His praises and speak truth.

Let the words sink into the hearts of the children.

ASK: Can you think of some worship songs that speak truth? Have the kids choose some worship songs that speak out the character of God.
Lets take some time now to use out mouths to speak truth and worship…
These are the days of Elijah DECLARING THE WORD of the Lord.

If you take out the precious from the vile, you will be as my mouth. Jeremiah. 15:19
WOW! God says we would be like His mouth when we take only what is good and precious, from the bad or yucky stuff we hear and see. Our words have power and we can declare the truth as David did, when faced with giants and refuse to believe the lies from the enemy. “You can’t make a difference. look at you, you are a woos!” UH UH NO WAY Man!
When we are faced with problems we can speak out the truth, in the opposite spirit “planting” words of truth, honesty, life and light. Can you imagine. What you say can change things!

SAY: God calls you to be a light right where you live at home, school, your sports team, drama etc. Now put on your KINGDOM goggles and look at these places with His eyes. Ask Him to to highlight someone among the kids that you see every day.

Brainstorm. What kind of words of truth need to be spoken to that person? How can you show Gods’ EXTRAVAGANT love to that person.

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