Be An Olive Branch By Warren Wiersbe

Read Psalm 52:8-9

If you compared yourself to something in nature, what would you choose? Would you say you are like a mountain, or a hill or perhaps a lake? David wrote, "But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever" (v. 8). David compared himself to something permanent, in contrast to the wicked, who will be uprooted from the land of the living (v. 5).

David's permanent position was also a privileged position because he was planted in the house of the Lord. The most important part of a tree is the root system, for it absorbs nourishment. In addition, it provides stability and strength in the storm. We can discern what kind of root system people have when the winds of life blow harder. Some people are like tumbleweeds; they just rootlessly blow from one place to another.

David was also productive. He was like a green olive tree in the house of God, bearing fruit for His glory. Fruitfulness is one of the great joys in the Christian life. Jesus used the image of a vine to tell believers that we should produce a lot of fruit (John 15:1-8).

Look at these symbols. A green tree symbolizes freshness and power. Olives contain oil, which is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. No wonder David ended this psalm by praising the Lord! "I will praise You forever, because You have done it; and in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good" (Ps. 52:9).

An olive tree in the house of God is an accurate picture of the believer's position. You are permanent, privileged and productive. You bear fruit for God's glory only when you are yielded to Him and allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life. Can you describe yourself as an olive tree in the house of God?

 Teaching Your Daughter Modesty

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:9-10

God gives us clear instructions for the biblical standard of dress. 1 Timothy 2:9-10 says, "I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God."

In modern language, this verse could also read, "I want women to dress in an orderly, well-arranged, decent manner that expresses the self-controlled inner character within her which is lived out in her outward appearance."

What Does God Say?

Write out 1 Timothy 2:9-10 in your own words.

The manner of dress is an indication of what is in the heart. The Bible shows that the inner character of a woman is seen in the way she dresses. "Propriety" is modesty that shows a woman has self-control in reining in her passions and desires.

The Bible tells us that a woman is not to be merely dressed with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, for this is just the outward appearance. The heart of modesty is to be complemented by the good deeds that a woman of God performs. Her work is evidence of a godly spirit.

My Thoughts

Which of the following do you think are types of clothes that a modest woman would choose?

• clothing that reflects an inner beauty
• clothing that draws attention to private parts of the body
• clothing that distracts from a woman's testimony
• clothing that reveals the passions of a woman's heart
• clothing that she would wear if Jesus were coming to visit

What should a parent do to help their teenage daughters follow biblical standards for a Christian? (See 1 Samuel 26:23; Jeremiah 32:19.)

Spend time with your daughter, helping her to evaluate each piece of her clothing by God's standards; teach her to have a heart of submission to the ways of God; help her see the value of living a counter-cultural life that is pleasing to Christ; and lastly, teach her the reward of dressing modestly.

My Part

Are you tempted to give in and keep peace instead of setting the standard? Don't waver because of the culture and the pressure to conform. Keep a firm commitment to follow God's Word and His leading. Be a good example before your daughter.

Which of the following characteristics do you think indicate an immodest heart?

• ignorance of God's Word
• indifference to biblical standards
• desire to draw attention to one's self
• rebellion to authority
• resistance to guidance for proper dressing
• unconcerned about the effect on Christian guys
• rationalizing that style is more important than character

Ask God today to give you a heart for walking in obedience with all your heart in every aspect of your life. Remember Proverbs 31:30: "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

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By loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days,............ Deuteronomy 30:20

Title: A Covenant With Your Eyes

Topic(s): Sex/Sexuality

Scripture: Matthew 5:28, Job 31:1, Proverbs 23:7

A few years ago a soft drink commercial showed a group of young ladies crowded around an upper window in an office building watching a handsome, shirtless construction worker take a break and enjoy a cool drink. Maybe you have felt eyes staring as you strolled down the street or made your way to a table in a restaurant. And, let's be honest, maybe you've done your share of staring too.

The common term for this is "ogling." The younger generation calls it "scoping out." But what does the Bible call it?

What Does God Say?

Jesus says in Matthew 5:28, "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (NKJV).

What does Jesus call "ogling"?

Why do you think Jesus seems to take such an extreme stand? List at least two reasons.

In your opinion, is this primarily a "male-gender" sin? Why or why not?

The Old Testament character Job knew the danger of ogling. In Job 31:1, he declares, "I have made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I look upon a young woman?" (NKJV).

What does the word "covenant" mean? (If you're not sure, look it up in a dictionary.)

What age group would you guess Job might be a part of?

Is age a factor in this sin?

My Thoughts

If you're a female, share how ogling makes you feel. If you're a male, indicate how you think this makes a woman feel and then ask your wife or, if you're not married, another woman how accurately your thoughts reflect their feelings.

My Part

The eyes are an important key to a pure heart. What comes in through the eyes typically is lodged in our minds and becomes a part of our thought life. The writer of Proverbs says, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7, NKJV). Write a covenant that will guide you in the way that you look at someone of the opposite sex. List at least two specific steps that will keep you from the sin of ogling. Set a date to implement the covenant you created.

Additional Scripture to read: 1 John 2:16, James 1:14-15, Proverbs 4:25

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Fear Without Fear

Scripture: 1 John 4:18, Proverbs 1:7, 1 Samuel 12:24, Proverbs 14:27, Deuteronomy 10:12-14

You've probably seen guys and girls in T-shirts displaying the motto that screams, "NO FEAR!"

Well, that might be a cool attitude to show off if you are a football player or a member of the wrestling team, but it's a dangerous mindset to depend on when it comes to dealing with God. In fact, the Bible tells us, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7, ESV).

What does it mean to "fear" the Lord? Let's see what the Bible has to say about it.

What Does God Say?

The Old Testament prophet Samuel told the people of Israel, "Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you" (1 Samuel 12:24, ESV). Later, King Solomon said, "The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death" (Proverbs 14:27, ESV).

If you are rejecting God or His Word, the fear of the Lord may involve a haunting dread of death, judgment for your sins and eternal punishment to follow. It is the fear of meeting a holy God after an ungodly lifetime. It is the fear that comes from what Proverbs 14:27 calls the "snares of death."

But if you have trusted Christ as your Savior, then the fear of the Lord means reverence for God and a healthy respect for His awesome Person. It's fear relieved by God's love for you and by your confident response of love for Him.

Take a careful look at what Moses told the people of Israel in Deuteronomy 10:12-14, 20-21:"And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good? Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it....You shall fear the LORD your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear. He is your praise. He is your God, who has done for you these great and terrifying things that your eyes have seen" (ESV).

Do you see the requirements God gave to Israel--fear God, walk with Him, love Him, serve Him, obey Him, hold fast to Him? His requirements for Christians today are no different. You aren't bound by the Laws of Israel, but by the law of love--and 1 John 4:18 tells you, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love" (ESV).

My Thoughts

God promises great blessings and benefits when you fear Him. Here are a few verses that you may look up, then jot down the benefits you discover in the verses.

Deuteronomy 5:29
Psalm 31:19
Psalm 33:18
Psalm 34:9
Psalm 40:3
Psalm 115:13

What benefits of fearing God that you saw in the above verses are most encouraging to you?

My Part

Think about the awesomeness of God. Do you see areas of your life where you should show more reverence and respect for Him? Consider what things you would like to change so that your life better reflects your love and fear of God (for example, your talk at school or in the workplace or your thought life).

If your fear of the Lord is a dread of seeing Him face-to-face someday, you can turn to Christ for forgiveness of your sins, accept His offer of the free gift of salvation and experience His perfect love, the love that casts out fear (1 John 4:18).

  

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The Highest Occupation

 by Dr. Warren Wiersbe

Read Psalm 100:1-5

The next time you sing the doxology in a worship service, remember that you are singing Scripture, a version of Psalm 100. This psalm is a digest of instructions on how to worship the Lord.

Who should worship the Lord? "Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!" (v. 1). God wants the whole world to worship and give thanks to Him. Why are we to go into all the world and preach the Gospel? So that all the world will one day be able to make a joyful shout to the Lord.

How should we worship the Lord? First, by serving. "Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing" (v. 2). We are to serve the Lord with gladness because there's joy in our hearts and because the joy of the Lord gives strength.

Second, we worship Him by singing. "Come before His presence with singing." I fear that too often in our services, singing becomes routine. We hold the hymnal and sing the songs that we know so well, but our minds and hearts are a million miles away. Think about and rejoice in the words you sing.

We also worship the Lord by submitting to Him. "Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture" (v. 3). Submit to Him. Follow Him. Obey Him.

Finally, we worship the Lord by sacrificing. "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise" (v. 4). You don't need to sacrifice animals on an altar, but you can give your time, money and skills.

Why should we worship the Lord? "For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations" (v. 5).

* * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** 

The highest occupation of the Christian life is worshiping the Lord. 

Never allow your worship to become routine or artificial.

 Worship Him with a joyful and thankful heart by serving, singing, submitting and sacrificing.

Million Dollar Q   Movies--Right or Wrong?

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:5-9, Philippians 1:9-10, Philippians 4:8

Going to the movies can be a lot of fun but it's also a minefield, littered with "stuff" we're not sure we want our kids taking in. God also wants us to be wise with our time, our money and what we put into our minds. So, it makes sense to check reviews, pay attention to what others say and set your own family guidelines for what you will and will not see. Helping your children understand why you set standards is key; you're responsible before God for teaching them and helping them grow to maturity.

What Does God Say?

Read Deuteronomy 6:5-9. List the times and places we are to instruct our children.

One goal in teaching is to help them develop discernment. Philippians 1:9-10 says, "And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what it excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ."

God provides a good filter in Philippians 4:8 for what we take in to our hearts and minds, no matter how old we are or the entertainment we prefer: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

My Thoughts

What are some areas where your children need to learn discernment?

List the definitions of "true," "honorable," "just," "pure," "lovely," "commendable," "excellent" and "worthy of praise." Then draw up a chart with those definitions and have your children help you evaluate a video or film accordingly.

My Part

Consider these ideas to help you and your kids become discerning. However, it will take some of your time too. You might even have to sit through their movie. Remember, this can also apply to television, DVDs, music, books, magazines, etc.

Ask your children questions about what they saw. What did they like? What didn't they like? Why or why not? What did it say about good and evil, about God? What did it say about how we treat people or ourselves, about success or failure, about violence, sexuality, etc.?

Discuss it. Don't turn it into an argument, but talk about these issues. This allows you and your kids to sort through the messages and views in a film.

Look into God's Word. Always take your children back to what God says about these things.

If God was on the earth will HE see sit with you and see Movie. Did God save us to see Movie ? Will God be happy to see us there during HIS second coming comes to take us.

 The Christ in Christian

Scripture: John 14:1-14

There's a phrase that gets used during the Christmas season, "Keep the 'Christ' in Christmas." It's a call to remember what the season is all about--the birth of Christ, our Savior.

Here's another phrase that's just as important: "Keep the 'Christ' in Christian."

Receive

On the final night before His Crucifixion, Jesus shared with His disciples many things. Among them is this memorable verse: "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.'

"Philip said to him, 'Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.' Jesus said to him, 'Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father'" (John 14:6-9, ESV).

Jesus is essential for our salvation. Who He is and what He has done for us provide the pathway to a relationship with God. He is the reason we are called Christians--followers of Christ.

There are people today who say, like Philip, "Show us God, and that's enough." But if we don't appreciate Jesus' person, and we don't appreciate Jesus' words and we don't appreciate the works of God done through Jesus, we can say we're Christians, but are we?

Let's keep the Christ in Christian. Let's not be content with having obtained salvation; let's live like Jesus lived. Let's take that message of love and forgiveness to a world that needs to hear it. And let's model those principles in our own lives. Let's be "Christ"ians.

Reflect

Read John 1:1-14 and think about the following questions:

1. How might Jesus respond to someone who says he can know God apart from Christ?

2. How has Jesus promised to help those who follow His example?

3. How do you keep the "Christ" in Christian? How do you take the message of love and forgiveness to those around you?

Respond

What does it mean to you to be a Christian? Is it just another label or does it define your life? Spend some time today and write out a "mission statement." What do you want your life to be about as a Christian? What are your goals as a Christian? Keep your statement in your Bible or somewhere you'll see it often.