Month: March 2007

God’s Goodness – Day 5 – Trees

On By KateIn Various3 Comments

We can get a glimpse of the Creator’s imagination and eye for beauty when we look at the various types of trees He created. I’m no arborist, by any stretch of the imagination. But as I look at trees, I see each one as having three parts: the roots, the trunk and the branches. I see God through these three parts, don’t you? I see our Heavenly Father as the roots. He is our stronghold and the basis of all that is Good. I see the Son as the trunk, receiving from the Father and giving to the branches. I see the branches as the Holy Spirit, feeding what He receives from the Son to conform us, the Christian, to His likeness.

The Heavenly Father is the Provider of all things. He is Jehovah-jireh. The roots provide the tree and branches with everything needed. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen. (Gen 22:14) God provided Abraham with a lamb to use (Gen. 22:8 ).

The tree trunk (or the vine) is symbolic of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (Joh 15:5) The branches represent the Holy Spirit, who lives within all of those who are born again. Although there are many different types of trees, all have roots, trunks and branches.

The branches are symbolic of the Holy Spirit, who resides within every born again believer. Each branch varies from species to species and even within the same species – some blossom and bear fruit, some have leaves that change colors, etc. I see the born-again Christian from all of time reflected in this. Many bear fruit, many don’t. Many only “produce or getting going for the Lord” when they have been through fiery trials (changes in their spiritual lives like changes in the leaves’ color). Some who are weathered, break due to pressures from the elements. Many spiritual comparisons could be made at this point between the branches and the Christian. But that could be a whole other post for another day!

The tree cannot have branches without the trunk. The Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus Christ – He brings glory to Jesus Christ. Those who are in Christ will bear fruit and will be growing in Christ through the convictions of the Holy Spirit. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: (Joh 15:26) Without the Spirit, we cannot do anything. Without relinquishing our will to His, we can bear no fruit. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. (Mat 21:19)

The trunk also receives its nutrients from the roots. The Son receives all things from His Heavenly Father. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. (Mat 11:27) I find it interesting that the branches cannot know the root unless they are “in the trunk.” Doesn’t that make you want to whoop and holler? The branches cannot get to the roots on their own. They have to be attached to the trunk in order to receive the benefit of the roots and its nutrition. Neither can we come to the Father unless we go through His Son! Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (Joh 14:6)

The branches receive their nourishment from the trunk, which in turn receives it from the roots. Our Saviour recognized that He was nothing without the Father. The trunk is nothing without the roots. And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. (Mar 10:18 ) Both the Holy Spirit and Christ cannot be set apart from the Father any more than the branches and trunk be set apart from the roots.

As the tree grows and bears fruit, it matures into a beautiful piece of art work from God. The believer grows in Christ by yielding himself to the Holy Spirit who molds us into His image. We mature as believers and grow. The age of a tree can be measured by the rings found in its trunk – measured from the bark to the center of the trunk. Some trees are so old that they become hollow in the center as the dead heartwood rots away. Oh what a beautiful picture this was to me. As we grow in Christ and become one with Him, our old flesh will become dead heartwood and it will rot away. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Rom 8:29)

All parts of the tree form the tree – none can exist without the other. The Trinity is One. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. (1 Jo 5:7) All creation speaks of this. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Rom 1:20)Thank You, Lord, for these blessings this morning!

Dear God…
My heart is overwhelmed today
At what Thou hast given me
The beauty all around doth speak
Of the magnificence found in Thee

God’s Goodness – Day 4 – The Stars

On By KateIn VariousLeave a comment

One of the topics of discussion at Fundamental Baptist Forum is that of God’s creation. This is what prompted this series I’m currently writing. One of our administrators, Pastor John, shared some things on the stars that had such an impact on me! I wanted to spread the blessing with you today.


One of my favorite creations of God is the stars. There are more then 300 references to astronomical objects found in the Bible. Last June, I taught an adult class in VBS on this subject.

The Bible is clear that all creation can teach us of God. The Psalmist teaches that the stars teach that they were created by the Almighty One: Psalms 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” The stars also tell us of our Creator’s character. Psalms 97:6, “The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.” Because of the stars telling the story of their Creator, Paul was able to write: Romans 1:20, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”

The Bible has much to say about the constellations. The people of biblical days only knew of 48 constellations. Aratus gives the earliest description of these constellations in his poem Phaenomina, 270 B.C. This is the poem that Paul quotes in his sermon on Mars Hill in Acts 17:27, 28, “That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.”

The Greek writer Homer referred to the constellations as early as 1000 B.C. Speaking of his hero Odysseus observing the starry sky as he sets sail,

There viewed the Pleiades and the Northern Team,
And great Orion’s more refulgent beam.
To which around the axel of the sky

Notice the words of Job 9:9, “Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.”


Another interesting constellation is Virgo. The Hebrew word for this constellation is Bethulah, which means virgin. The brightest star in Virgo is Spica, which the Jews call Tsemach, which means branch. This Hebrew word is used in the Old Testament to refer to the Messiah. Jeremiah 23:5, “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.”

The fact that the Branch is found inside the Virgin is no accident. We know that the Messiah, Jesus Christ was born of a virgin. Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

Just beside Virgo is Leo the Lion. This should cause our minds to go to Revelation 5:5, “And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.”

Below Leo is Hydra, the Great Serpent.

Here, again, we should be brought to the book of Revelation 12:9-13, “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.” The fact that Leo is above Hydra alludes to the fact that Jesus is the victor over Satan. Revelation 20:2, “And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,”

The Fool Loses His Belt

In the Bible, the writers mention many of the constellations that are seen in winter. The prophet Amos points our attention to two in particular. “Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name.” (Amos 5:8 ).

The constellation Orion is easy to spot because of the star that marks the left foot, Rigel. Rigel is one of the brightest stars in the night sky. This star is actually 21,000 times brighter than our sun, but because of its distance from us, it appears as a dot in the sky.

In the center there are three stars that seem very close together, they are called The Belt of Orion. The star to the right is Alnitak, an Arabic word meaning “the belt.” The star in the center is Alnilam, “the string of pearls.” The star on the left is Mintaka, an Arabic synonym for “belt” or “girdle.”

In ancient times Orion was known to be a giant, a mighty man, or a great hunter. We know that the Greeks knew Orion as a great hunter because that is what Homer called him in The Odyssey. The Arabs thought of Orion as a giant, calling him Al Jabbar, “the giant.”

In the Old Testament, Orion is referred to four times in an astronomical sense. The Jews call him “lesil,” which means fool. This Hebrew word is interesting in that it does not refer to someone who is mentally deficient, but to someone who is ungodly, someone who is rebellious to God. In the book of Proverbs, the fool is referred to as someone who rejects God. Proverbs 14:1, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.”

In the book of Job, God asks an interesting question, “Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?” (Job 38:31). There are two possible interpretations for the question “or loose the bands of Orion”:

1) This may refer to Orion as being bound in his place in the sky, as a rebellious person is bound in his sins.

2) Or, it could refer to the belt of Orion. The people of that day wore cords as belts. I am amazed that modern astronomers have discovered that the three stars that compose the belt of Orion are moving in such a way as to appear as if the belt has been loosed and is falling off (see diagram). This is a proof to us of the wisdom and power of God.

Thank you, Pastor John, for this wonderful blessing! We just touched upon a few stars and constellations. The universe is vast – endless. Can you just imagine what is in store for us as we seek God in His creation? This is one way to encourage your spirit when you are down.

Dear God…
How wonderous are the stars You’ve made
Your Word revealed in all
A golden nugget we receive
Gazing on them as night falls

Mini-Manna for Little Lambs – Day 14 – Review

On By KateIn Devotionals, Toddlers2 Comments


Review

Let’s review what we have learned so far, OK? Do you remember what we learned Monday and Tuesday? (wait to see if they will answer – if they answer correctly, clap your hands and say, “Yeh! That’s right! Good job!) We learned about minding our own business and having a good attitude, didn’t we!

Do you remember our Bible verses? Let’s go over them together:

Bible Verses

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; (1 Thess 4:11)

What does it mean to mind your own business? Do you remember the story about Joey going to the kitchen and listening when Mommy was scolding Billy? Was Joey minding his business when he did this? (shake head no and frown) No, Joey was not minding his business at all. Would you like it if your sister (or brother) came to listen when I was scolding you? (shake your head no) No, you would be embarrassed, wouldn’t you?

Are you minding your business if Mommy and Daddy are talking about something and you ask them what they are talking about? (shake your head no) No, you are not minding your own business. When people are not talking to you, you must mind your own business and not say anything. Being quiet is minding your business and that is being a good girl (or boy)!! Yeh!! (clap your hands and smile)

Mind Your Business Song
(sung to London Bridge)

Mind your business everyone
Everyone
Everyone
Mind your business everyone
God’s Word says so

If it does not concern me
Concern me
Concern me
If it does not concern me
I won’t listen

Good job!! I’m so glad that you remember what we learned! You are doing such a great job! Mommy and Daddy are very proud of you! (clap your hands)

What else did we learn? (wait to see if they remember then clap your hands if they do!) We learned about having a good attitude, didn’t we? Does whining show you have a good attitude? (shake your head no and frown) Does complaining show you have a good attitude? (shake your head no and frown) What does show that you have a good attitude? (wait for examples) Yes, helping Mommy do chores shows you have a great attitude! (clap your hands and smile) Playing with your little sister (or brother) so Mommy can fix dinner is showing that you have a great attitude! (clap your hands and smile) Letting baby have your favorite toy so she can stop crying is showing that you have a good attitude! (clap your hands and smile) Mommy thinks you’re doing a great job and she loves your good attitude! (clap your hands again)

Good Attitude Song
(sung to Bah Bah Black Sheep)

When everything went wrong
What did Ruth do?
She followed Naomi
And God too

She didn’t cry
She didn’t pout
No bad attitude
She always smiled
Because she knew
God would give her food

God saw Ruth smiling
So her heart He healed
He gave her food
From Boaz’s field

Mommy and Daddy are so happy that you have a good attitude! (clap your hands and smile) You are just like Ruth! Good job!! (clap your hands again)

Dear God…
I want to have a good attitude just like Ruth. Thank You for helping me to learn how to mind my own business.
Amen!

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God’s Goodness – Day 3 – The Beaver

On By KateIn Various2 Comments

Having grown up in Northern Maine, seeing beavers was quite common for me. My father owned land which had a beaver’s dam on it. He and I would sit for hours watching them at work. As I meditated on these memories, I noticed a few things about them that blessed me.

A beaver is hard-working and diligent. They do not stop working to build their dam until the job is finished. As Christians, we should not grow weary in well doing but continue on in our work for the Lord. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Gal 6:9) and But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. (2 Th 3:13)

The beavers use this same process to build their lodge. They don’t quit until their home is built. The mud gets packed so tightly with the wood that when it freezes, no predators can get through. I thought about our “temple.” The Christian’s foundation must be solid and impenetrable. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 3:11) With Christ as our foundation, the enemy cannot and will not prevail. As I meditate on the mud-packed lodge, I’m impressed that our spiritual lives should be so “packed” with the Word of God that ole slew foot can’t step in. When we are equipped with the Word of God, the devil cannot penetrate us because God is our strong hold and protector. The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. (Nah 1:7)

I also noticed that the beaver is quite tenacious. My father would purposely go remove a few pieces of wood from the dam. This caused the water to start flowing out. The next thing I saw was a little head come popping above the water and he would cautiously swim toward the break in the dam. He would make sure that there wasn’t a predator lurking about. A few minutes later, a few more beavers would show up to give a helping hand. By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through. (Ecc 10:18 ) Dad and I would sit for hours watching them patch the dam. They didn’t dilly dally either, nor did they wait until night fall. If they did, the water level would get so low that their lodges would be exposed to predators. We should be so tenacious as we “build” our temples with the reading of the Word, our study habits and serving the Lord. Working at our spiritual lives is not easy but it produces great results. It keeps us close to the Source and protected. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2Ti 2:15)

And lastly, I noticed that beavers have poor eye sight so they rely on their other senses. When one hears an enemy lurking about, he slaps his tail on the water. The sound is very similar to when you hit the top of the water with your hand. This signals their family members to be on the alert and to swim back to their lodge. Christians who are in tune with God will be able to hear warnings from the Holy Spirit. When danger lurks, we should run back to our Lodge (the Word of God). Our Stronghold awaits there to protect us. It also reminds me of our church – the Pastor slaps the water by preaching a warning from the Water of Life (our Bible) and warns us of danger lurking. We band together and stay strong as a body and church. The Pastor exhorts us to righteous living. He feeds our spirit so we can leave the church house and go into the mission field. And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. (Jer 3:15)

I have the most wonderful memories watching these beautiful creatures with my father. I am awed at how God reveals Himself through His creation. It’s such a blessing to be able to pick out certain characteristics and apply biblical principles to them. I look forward to each of the mornings ahead as I search for God’s Goodness in His creation. I look forward to not only look at animals, but to also look at the beauty of our heavens and our earth!

Dear God…
I pray that I learn from this creature
To be fervently seeking Your way
Quick to see when danger is lurking
And by Your side walking each day

Mini-Manna for Little Lambs – Day 13 – Good Attitudes

On By KateIn Devotionals, ToddlersLeave a comment

Coloring/Teaching
Let’s color a picture of Ruth. Ruth left her home to follow Naomi. She loved Naomi and wanted to follow Naomi’s God. Ruth loved God and this made her happy. See how Ruth is smiling? Ruth had a good attitude. Even though Ruth had lost everything, she still had a good attitude and God blessed her.

Good Attitude Song
(sung to Bah Bah Black Sheep)

When everything went wrong
What did Ruth do?
She followed Naomi
And God too

She didn’t cry
She didn’t pout
No bad attitude
She always smiled
Because she knew
God would give her food

God saw Ruth smiling
So her heart He healed
He gave her food
From Boaz’s field

Bible Time

yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.(Psa 144:15b)

Story

Bobby liked it when Mommy and Daddy paid attention to him. Since Mary was born, Mommy and Daddy didn’t pay as much attention to him. (make a sad face) Bobby started whining so Mommy would look at him. After a while, Mommy did not listen to his whining but she ignored him.

When Mary cried, Mommy would go see her right away. So, Bobby pretended to cry so Mommy would come she him. Mommy came to see if he was hurt but she could tell that he was only prentending. After a while, Mommy stopped going to see if Bobby was O.K. (make a sad face)

When Daddy came home from work, Bobby told Daddy that Mommy did not love him because she would not come to see him when he cried. Daddy picked Bobby up and sat him in his lap. “Bobby,” said Daddy, “when you whine and cry for no reason, it is because you have a bad attitude. When you start to have a good attitude, Mommy will pay more attention to you.”

“How can I have a good attitude, Daddy?” asked Bobby. “Well, Bobby,” said Daddy, “ask Mommy if you can help her with Mary. Ask her if there is a chore she needs you to do. Smile at Mommy and give her hugs. Everyone likes to be around someone who smiles a lot and is a helper, too! People like being around those who have a good attitude.”

After supper, Bobby smiled at Mommy and asked her if he could help her with the dishes. Then he gave Mommy a BIG hug (hug yourself and smile)! Mommy said, “Oh, Bobby! I am so glad to have a helper like you! Thank you!” Bobby had a good attitude, didn’t he?

Dear God…
Help me to always have a good attitude. I know Jesus had a good attitude because He died for me. Thank You, Jesus!
Amen!

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God’s Goodness – Day 2 – Lions

On By KateIn Various4 Comments

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. (Psa 91:13)

Today’s Goodness from God revolves around the lion. What a majestic animal this is! What beauty this animal possesses. The Word has so much to say about the lion. As I read the verses, many compared the lion to the devil. The devil’s tactics to prey upon the believer are very much like the lion’s tactics as it preys on the weak and defenseless.

Let’s look at some of the lion’s characteristics today and be blessed. The Lion is the King of the Jungle. My Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Juda: And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. (Rev 5:5) My Lion is the ultimate of lions.

The female lions hunt at night or before sunrise and they hunt in packs. This reminded me of the darkness of sin and that Satan abides there. He and his minions do not cut any slack but come and attack in packs. Lions also steal food from other predators. Isn’t that just like Satan? He doesn’t play fair. He will take whatever he can get no matter what the expense. At times, lions prey on the younger of the species and the infirmed. The devil gets believers when they are at their weakest. He can attack a full grown spiritual adult but he cannot succeed because the Christian has the Shepherd watching out for him. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Pet 5:8 )

Lions can reach speeds of about 37 mph! However, they cannot run for long distances because they don’t have the endurance. Therefore, they have to get really close to their prey before they can attack. The other lions circle around the prey to prevent escape. Doesn’t that just sound like the believer’s life under attack from the devil? We are attacked in spurts, from all around at times – never for the long haul, however, because our Father wouldn’t allow that. Our Precious Father allows a way of escape for us – oh His wondrous love for us! There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1Co 10:13)

The Book of Psalms uses lion(s) eleven times to depict the behavior of the lion and how it relates to the believer’s life. Yes, we have our bouts with ole slew foot, but the Lord has the victory over him! Each verse shows the desperation felt – placing the lion here as an example truly depicts where we are at times!

Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver. (Psa 7:2)

He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. (Psa 10:9)

Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places. (Psa 17:12)

They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. (Psa 22:13)

Save me from the lion’s mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns. (Psa 22:21)

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. (Psa 91:13)

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. (Psa 34:10)

Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions. (Psa 35:17)

My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. (Psa 57:4)

Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD. (Psa 58:6)

The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. (Psa 104:21)

We may not have the enemies David had but we do fight against the flesh, evil and the devil. Everyone’s battle may be different but they are battles nonetheless. We should not underestimate the devil’s power. He is not compared to the lion for nothing. The devil waits to devour us – he waits until we are weak and never, ever plays fair.

In the end, however, the lion will be brought down from being a predator to being a big cat. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD. (Isa 65:25) He will no longer devour flesh but will eat straw! The devil will be brought down by the King of Kings, the Lion of the Tribe of Juda and He will defeat sin once and for all.

Dear God…
Your creation amazes me
I stand in wondrous awe
Each creature You designed
For enjoyment one and all

God’s Goodness – Day 1 – Wolves

On By KateIn Uncategorized1 Comment

I thought it would be a blessing to spend the next thirty days looking at God’s Goodness through His creation. The Lord loves stories and analogies – He used so many when teaching His disciples. One of those heard often is Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (Mat 7:15) Can you just imagine an actual wolf dressed up like a sheep and what the impact is? What can we learn from this? What can we learn from the characteristics of a species? God’s Goodness is revealed through all of His creation. So for the first in our series of God’s Goodness, let’s take a look at the wolf.

As we observe the wolf’s habits, we can apply teachings and warnings to our own Christian lives. Wolves live in packs with the alpha male and female leading the way. Where they go, the pack follows. As the Pastor leads the church he has been called to under shepherd, the church follows, as long as his leading is scriptural. Does this mean that a church can follow a female pastor (the alpha female)? The Word says that a pastor is the husband of one wife (1 Tim 3:2). No where is it recorded that she is the wife of one husband.

The wolf pack follows the alphas by instinct. If Christians followed by instinct, we would be easily deceived. However, Christians have the Holy Spirit to guide us. We are warned to beware of false prophets who come in sheep’s clothing but are ravenous wolves. Whatever this wolf in sheep’s clothing is saying, it can be compared to what the Word of God says – the Word is Truth. Jesus is the Word and is there to guide us – to be our Shepherd. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. (Joh 10:14) We that are His, hear His Spirit guiding us and He keeps us safe from these wolves.

An interesting trait of the wolf is his hunting habit. The hunting habits revolve around the chase. They are able to run for long periods of time before giving up on their prey. There are two ways we could look at this characteristic. The Christian should learn from this wonderful trait and be long suffering as they work toward winning the lost to Christ – not giving up quickly. But on the flip side, the devil is relentless in his attacks. He will attack (run) for long periods of time before he gives up on the Christian. He will keep after us until he sinks his teeth into us. The more prepared and vigilant the believer is, the better prepared he is to see ole slew foot’s attacks coming!

As I searched the Scriptures for the words “wolf” and “wolves,” I discovered there were twelve verses dealing with this species – ten that dealt with that of devouring the weaker animals. There were, however, two encouraging verses in Isaiah depicting the millennium period:

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. (Isa 11:6) and The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD. (Isa 65:25)

Isn’t this exciting? I love the fact that although this animal was depicted in a negative way in the Word, the Lord portrays the wolf in a peaceful way when Christ’s reign here on earth brings peace, even to nature. Once again like in the Garden of Eden, carnivores will become herbivores and will no longer be a threat. It will be a joy to walk up to the wolf and be able to pet him, won’t it?

I’m looking forward to focusing the next thirty days on the Lord’s creation and how He speaks to us through it! I hope it will be a blessing to you as well.

Dear God…
All creation has a story
Where we learn a truth
Each one unique in his own way
Each pointing toward You

Mini-Manna for Little Lambs – Day 12 – Mind Your Business

On By KateIn Devotionals, ToddlersLeave a comment

Coloring/Teaching

Let’s color a picture of Joey. Joey seems happy, doesn’t he? (Nod your head Yes and smile) I think Joey is happy because he made his Mommy happy. Mommy is teaching Joey to mind his own business and Joey did a great job today! Mommy gave Joey a red ribbon because he learned so quickly! Yeah, Joey! (smile and clap your hands)

Mind Your Business Song
(sung to London Bridge)

Mind your business everyone
Everyone
Everyone
Mind your business everyone
God’s Word says so

If it does not concern me
Concern me
Concern me
If it does not concern me
I won’t listen

Bible Time

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; (1 Thess 4:11)

Story

Joey and Amy were playing with their toys on the floor. Mommy was in the kitchen scolding Billy for being naughty. Joey wanted to hear what Mommy was saying so he went to the kitchen. Mommy said, “Joey, this does not concern you. It is none of your business so please go and play with Amy.” Joey obeyed Mommy right away (smile and clap your hands) and went to play with Amy.

After lunch, Amy got up from the table but did not put her dirty dishes on the counter. Mommy said, “Amy, please go back and pick up your dirty dishes.” Joey said, “But Mommy, Amy just forgot.” Mommy said, “Joey, this is none of your business. I was speaking to Amy, not to you. So please go play now.”

When it was time for bed, Mommy was helping Joey put his pajamas on. Mommy said, “Joey, Mommy wants you to learn when it is OK for you to speak and when it is not OK for you to speak. When I was scolding Billy this morning, it had nothing to do with you. The Bible says to do your own business. Was Billy’s scolding your own business? (shake your No and frown) No, it wasn’t your business, was it?” Joey said, “No, Mommy.”

“And Joey,” asked Mommy, “when I asked Amy to pick up her dirty dishes at lunch time and you told me she forgot – was that doing your own business?” Joey said, “No, Mommy, it wasn’t.” Good, Joey! (smiled and nod your head Yes) I am glad you understand what God says is not your business. When Mommy and Daddy talk to you or ask you to do something, would that be your business?” asked Mommy. Joey said, “Yes ma’am, that would be my business.”

Good job, Joey! Joey learned how to mind his own business today! (smile and clap your hands)

Dear God…
Help me to mind my own business. I want to obey the Bible and my Mommy and Daddy.
Amen!

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Mini-Manna for Little Lambs – Day 11 – Review

On By KateIn Devotionals, ToddlersLeave a comment


Review

Let’s review what we have learned so far, OK? Do you remember what we learned Thursday and Friday? (wait to see if they will answer – if they answer correctly, clap your hands and say, “Yeh! That’s right! Good job!) We learned about biting and helping, didn’t we?

Do you remember our Bible verses? Let’s go over them together:

Bible Verses

Be ye kind one to another. (Eph 4:32a)

And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them:(Psa 37:40a)

Is biting a kind thing to do? (shake head No and frown) No, biting someone is not kind at all. Is biting sweet? (shake head No and frown) No, biting someone is not sweet at all. What do we use our teeth for? (wait for an answer) Yes, that’s right! Good job! We use our teeth to chew our food! Let’s sing The Biting Song. Do you remember it?

The Biting Song
(sung to Bah Bah Black Sheep)

Biting someone isn’t very nice
God says everyone be kind
Never bite just to get our way
We must be nice every day
Biting someone isn’t very nice
God says everyone be kind

Good job!! I’m so glad that you remember what we learned! You are doing such a great job! Mommy and Daddy are very proud of you! (clap your hands)

What else did we learn? We learned about helping Mommy and Daddy, didn’t we? (nod your head yes and smile) Do you think it makes Jesus happy when you help me? (nod your head yes and clap) Oh yes, Jesus is very happy when you help. Why? Because God helps us, just like our Bible verse says. God wants us to be just like Him. He wants us to help others the same way He helps us! Thank You God for teaching us to help each other! (clap your hands) Let’s sing The Helping Song!

The Helping Song
(sung to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star)

I help Mommy I must say
To pick up toys and make my bed
Folding towels and socks too
Washing dishes, forks and spoons
I help Mommy I must say
Obeying Jesus every day

Mommy and Daddy are so happy that you love to help! (clap your hands and smile) You are a helper just like Jesus is a helper! Good job!! (clap your hands again)

Dear God…
I am glad that I do not bite any more. I know that made You sad.
I always want to help my Mommy and Daddy because it makes You happy.
Amen!

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Mini-Manna for Little Lambs – Day 10 – Helping

On By KateIn Devotionals, ToddlersLeave a comment

Coloring/Teaching

Let’s color a picture of the hat. See the letter h? H sounds like (sound out h). Another word that has the letter h is “help”! Let’s use the word help in a sentence. I help Mommy to fold laundry.

The Helping Song
(sung to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star)

I help Mommy I must say
To pick up toys and make my bed
Folding towels and socks too
Washing dishes, forks and spoons
I help Mommy I must say
Obeying Jesus every day

Bible Time

Let’s open the Bible and learn what God says about helping.

And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them:(Psa 37:40a)

Story

Bobby likes to help Mommy. Mommy makes helping fun! (smile and nod your head yes) Mommy puts Bobby’s favorite Children’s Songs CD and they listen to music while they do the dishes. Sometimes Mommy makes folding laundry fun, too! Mommy gives Bobby all the socks and Bobby has to match them before his favorite song finishes. When Bobby finishes in time, Mommy gives Bobby some gummy bears!

Bobby likes to help Daddy in the garage, too. Daddy gives him a rag and Bobby cleans Daddy’s tools. “Bobby is a big boy! Good job, Bobby! Thank you for helping me!” says Daddy. “Would you help me rake the leaves, please?” asked Daddy. Bobby knew that if he helped Daddy, it would make Daddy very happy. “OK, Daddy, I will help you!” said Bobby. Good job, Bobby! (clap hands and smile)

Teaching Throughout the Day

Throughout the day, each time your child helps, clap your hands and tell them thank you! Remind them that when they are helping they are not only being a helper but they are being kind and they are doing the same thing God does. Repeat the memory verse to show them that they are being a helper just like God helps us.

Dear God…
I like helping Mommy and Daddy.
Please show me how I can help them more.
Amen!

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