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Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts

Sunday, July 14, 2024

Put On the Whole Armour of God












Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Sunday, June 9, 2024

Building Yourselves Up In Faith - Legos





Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Friday, December 15, 2023

Have Faith - Poster and Coloring Page







Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Sunday, August 20, 2023

Without a Shadow of Doubt



Without a Shadow of Doubt

Without a shadow of doubt

Without a shadow of doubt

God is great, God is Good:

God is great, God is Good:

And He’s not misunderstood.

He deserves our attention.

He’s our greatest ambition.

Praise his name,

praise his name,

praise his name.

---------------

 Without a shadow of doubt

Without a shadow of doubt

God is love, God is love:

God is love, God is love:

And His love is more than enough

God is great, God is great:

God is good, God is good,

Praise his name,

praise his name,

praise his name.

 

Chorus:

Susan Y Nikitenko

August 20, 2023©



 


 


Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Sunday, June 5, 2022

In Everything You Are







 Jeremiah 29:11 
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end





Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Thursday, March 24, 2022

Growing In Faith - A Guide #3


 

Growing In Faith - A Guide

The bible teaches us that without faith it is impossible to please God. Without faith, it is impossible to be saved.  Without faith, it’s impossible to have your prayer answered.  Without faith, there are no righteous miracles.  God says if we do not have faith not to expect anything from him. 

It is through faith that we grow by obedience, faith will cause you to obey because you truly have faith in what the bible teaches.  Rebellion to God’s word and to what God wants us to do has shown that you have chosen not to believe God. 

If we truly believe something we act upon it.  If you believe you believe something is going to hit you in the head, you will move out of its way.  Your moving is evidence that you believe.  If you believe what God says then there will be evidence of that belief.

Romans 10: 10 

[10] For with the heart, man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. 

When you truly believe you will have righteous actions that come along with that belief. 

God teaches us that just a little faith can cause great things to happen. 

Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 

For us to live of faith we must first accept Christ into our heart and life by faith.  By faith you will seek, you will knock and you will ask.  Once you have trusted Christ, Christ lives within you and will help guide you in every choice you make.   

Sometimes it will be hard to do what’s right and by faith, you will do what God wants you to do and God will get you through. 

Life is not easy and your faith will be tried and because you have the comforter, you can communicate to God your struggle, your grief, and any doubt that you may have.  By faith, you will stay faithful to him through both good and bad.  Good and bad have happened to every person, but a person of faith will continue to trust God and obey him, through it all.  You grow by continuing by faith, to learn of God, to obey God, to praise God, and to depend on God.

By faith resist what is wrong and cling to our God our King.  Do not go back to the slavery of Egypt.  You are his child and you will never have peace in your sin.   Egypt is a picture of sin, slavery, and hell.  God has no pleasure in those who turn back in their unbelief.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  If you have already turned in the wrong direction run back to God and repent. It may feel he’s far away, but he has never left you.  You left him.  By faith, return to God and he will hold you to his heart.  Just as a mother or father forgives their little one.   Faith brings actions of faith; it is through or successes and our failures that we grow in faith.  God shows us mercy as we believe and trust him.   I’m still learning every day.  Our problems change and through each problem, there is a new learning time.  Continue trusting God and obeying him.  Confess your doubts, your fears, and keep your hand in the hand of God.  Just as a small child wants to go off on his own, is in danger, so are we when we let go of God the Father’s hand to go do whatever we will.   God will chasten us because we belong to him. We need to fear him and turn back to him.  God says in…..

Revelations 3:19 - As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Read your bible, grow in the truth and knowledge of the Lord.  Stay close to your church family, go to church, continue in prayer and resist the devil.  Confess your sin on a daily basis, pray for each other.  We are all in a spiritual battle.  There is an old song that says, “Keep your hand in the hand of the man that calms the sea.”  If you continue by faith in the things of God, you will know peace and you will know joy. 

Susan Y Nikitenko

March 24th, 2022


Matthew 25:23 
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
 Matthew 11:29 
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 



Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Sunday, August 15, 2021

Faith To Try - Part 1 and Part Two Completed



Part 1:  Faith To Try

Amber wanted to volunteer for the August Arts Festival Program.  The homeschool was putting a Christian presentation together for grades K-6th.  Amber was in 3rd grade.   She was selected to recite Psalms 100.  The theme of the festival was “The American Indian theme, combined with a Christian perspective.”   Amber felt afraid right away.  She was afraid to make a mistake and did not want to recite the verses.  Other kids from the 3rd grade class refused in fear of messing up as well.  None of them wanted to volunteer for reciting Psalms 100.

In response, the teacher selected a lesson about faith.  The lesson was about Peter walking on the water.

Amber listened intently because her teacher was very good at telling stories.  Especially real stories from the Bible.  Amber could almost see herself walking on the water, then becoming fearful of the winds and the storm.

Their teacher told the story so well that all the children sat in suspense and they all became calm as the storm was calmed by Jesus.

The teacher asked, which one in our story today made the biggest mistake?  One of the other children named “Matty, quickly responded.  “Peter”.   “Why do you believe that it was Peter who made the biggest mistake?  Asked their teacher.  Then Patty answered shyly, “Because he was afraid?”” He lost trust in Jesus!”  Joey spoke loudly. 

Their teacher cleverly answered, “Actually Peter did have faith.  The ones that didn’t even try, they showed no faith.  They wanted to stay in the boat but Peter wanted to do great things like walk on the water.  One of the greatest mistakes any of us can ever make is letting fear keep us from even trying.

Sometimes people can harshly criticize others for making mistakes and those watching will never try.  They become fearful of being treated the same way.  We should try our best but if we mess up.  We should be happy in knowing we had faith to try.  

Susan Y Nikitenko August 15th, 2021 ©  Story Lesson

 Part 2: Do Not Let Fear Outdo Your Faith.

After a few days passed, Amber’s mother talked to her about being willing to recite Psalms 100 for the festival activity.  Her mother talked to her about great people in history.  People who wanted to do great things.  Some of them failed many times, but they did not give up.  Great things were discovered because they wouldn’t let discouragement stop them.  We wouldn’t have the light bulb today.  We wouldn’t have some of the cures we have today.  We would not have many of the conveniences we enjoy today if there were no people who were willing to fail in order to learn.  We must have the faith to try.  Amber and her mother prayed. 

Amber called Mrs. Hall who was in charge and agreed to recite Psalms 100.  She studied and prepared.  Then the time came to stand before an audience of strangers.  She began to pray in her heart, “Father in heaven please help me.”   She took a deep breath and walked up to the microphone.  With confidence in her voice, Amber recited her lines. Her teacher only had to prompt her one time.  Here is what she recited:  


Psalms 100:1-5 KJV


Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture

 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

 

Mrs. Hall smiled and Amber’s mother was as happy as she could be.  Even though Amber made a mistake, she felt joyful that she did not let fear keep her from trying. 

 

 Amber will probably know Psalms 100 for the rest of her life and will remember not to let her fear outdo her faith.  She will probably always remember Peter walking on the water and how he looked away from Jesus.  He could not walk on water without Jesus, He cried for help and Jesus stretched out his hand.  He stretched out his hand, just as he does to all of his children who call for his help. 

 

He saves those who want to be saved.  His hand is reached out to you.  Will you take his hand.   If you would like to know Jesus as your personal Saviors today.  Would you raise your hand so I know to pray for you? 

 

Susan Y Nikitenko ©

August 22nd 2021

Story Lesson

 

 



Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Sunday, August 30, 2020

God Is All Powerful and All Knowing

God Is All-Powerful

Idea For A Hard To Control Class With Differing Ages And Abilities
.Work, one on one - while others and helper play in the toy area.  
.Rotate until all of them get their craft completed.
.Teach as you do the craft.

Preschool Lesson: - Can be adjusted for older children.

Toddlers are a joy to teach but somedays it becomes stressful.  Expessailly if they are having a bad day.   Teaching toddlers can be a difficult task because they have a short attention span.  If you get one idea into their brain, you're doing good.  Moving quickly from one activity to another helps keep their attention.  If they come in tired, unrested or hungry, it’s harder to teach them.  I try to keep things as positive as possible. 

Review question games are essential in there learning.  They love stickers as a reward or a small prize. Snacks are important because if one of them gets hungry they may cry the whole time. 

Following a Schedule keeps the class moving along.     

Some of the children will do better than others.  You’ll have some children who are being mean, fighting over toys, or looking how to get into anything else other than what you want them to.  Then you may have one who is constantly wanting his mommy or daddy. There Is never a dull moment with them.  They keep you and your helpers busy the whole time. The room may look like a tornado hit it after it’s all over.  

Teach as these things happen, the whole class learns when you correct the child who's being mean or the one who's getting into things.  Teach cooperation and obedience.   

Clean up time can be fun if you plan ahead, but if the church service takes longer to dismiss you may be cleaning up after class.  

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

I have an age range from 1- 6  Two that has a learning disability.
(working on this section)

To try is Important.

( Try to keep the schedule
If it's not working just do the best you can.)

1 Quiet Seat Award  - End of Class.
A quiet seat can only be won two weeks in a row by the same child.
The attention span for each child is different. So give other children a chance.
2nd place awards.  
Put their things in a lunch bag and tell them not to open it until they get home.
This keeps fighting over things from happening.

Schedule 
( Toy Corner - Playtime) ( helper here) Younger Children - Spend more time here.

1rst option 
  Prayer:   
Snack:
Craft:
Game:
Songs:
Stories:
Game Review: 
Playtime:
Cleanup:

2nd option
Prayer:
Snack:
Personal Story:
Chickens - Online Video  Book
Bible Lesson:
4 Minute Playtime:
1 minute clean up:
Get craft ready.
Craft:
Memory Verse
Matching Game:
( Use Only Four Pairs)
Review Questions - Stickers:
Sing Songs:
Ending: Clean Up Time:
Line Up:
Pray- Give out papers and prizes:
Play ring around the rosies:
Duck duck goose:
Run In A Circle Together:


God Is All-Powerful


The Children Choose Which Picture They Want
To Paste On Their Memory Verse. 
For Younger Children Teach The First
Part Of The Verse, For More Advanced, Teach The Whole Verse

God is not pretend...

There are many Super Hero stories that are make-believe.  
They are not real they are pretend.
But God is real. 
He is mightier than the mighty.


Psalms 147:5 
Great is our Lord, and of 
great power: his understanding is infinite.

To explain the verse we could say:
God knows everything.  He understands and has power over all things.
God has given us choices and consequences in life.  When we ask Him and trust Him he guides our lives.

The song "Trust and Obey" is an excellent Hymn to teach children. 

Kids Songs

God Knows About Everything




"What A Mighty God We Serve" 
"Our God Is So Big." 
"Greater than He That is In Me"


Matching Game of Fish

Turn The Small Pics
Face Down,  Have The Kids Choose 
Which Tile To Turn Over To Find Matches.
The One With The Most Matching Pictures Gets A  Sticker Or A Prize.

 Take the time to
make comments on some of the pictures as you play.  
Bringing them back to the thought that God is powerful.


Memory Verse

Great is our Lord, and of 
great power:
 
(Hand Motions) 
2 fists and point up
Reach arms up, then bring them around.
Hands both open, extended and
fingers spread out.
Psalms 147:5a

-  Explained
He is all-powerful and 
He understands and knows everything.

Teacher Prepares Game
>Shrink pictures down.
>Place pictures, all together
on a couple pieces of cardstock.
>Cut Them 2 and 1/2 square or thereabouts.


Free Use Coloring Pages

Pinterest Best Coloring Pages

 Pinterest Just Color.net

Daisies Bunny Crayola



Videos

Book On Video

My personal story 

One of the reasons I chose chicken's as an 
example of understanding God and how powerful He is...
 
When I was a young girl I remember our dad bringing
my sister and myself to the feed store, which was in 
another small town very close to ours.
I saw for the first time an incubator that 
looked more like a fish tank.
It had a lightbulb in the upper right corner.
The baby chicks were hatching out of their eggs.
While I watched them, my understanding was 
opened to the thought of God watching over us.
I compared in my heart that the lightbulb was like the Sun.
I was looking over them with love.  They were so cute.
I said to myself,  That's how God looks over us, with love.
The bible says God thinks about us and wants what's best for us.
-----
Another Time:

I was out walking along with my grandmother. 
 I saw how beautiful and wide the sky looked. Maybe my grandmother pointed it out to me.  (I do not remember that part.)  Though I had looked at the sky
before, it was the first time I thought of God on my own.  
I said to myself.  There must be a God because no person can make that.
God revealed to me as a small child, that He was powerful.  
God shows himself powerful through
nature and our atmosphere.  Even to young children like each one of you.






Preparing Your Craft


>Make copies of the memory verse craft papers. (all enough for your class)
>Make a few copies of the grouped small pictures on a regular paper.
>Cut the pictures out ahead of time. 2 and 1/2 square

Supplies
glue
stickers
crayons
---------

Ask them what reminds them that God is powerful.
You might hear answers like:
(God made everything)
Have each child choose one of the pictures to paste onto their craft.
Color and decorate with stickers 
My goal is to prepare video clips of animals and space to help them remember
how powerful God really is.

God shows himself great through nature, His Word, prayer 
and His dealings with people. 


Bible Story: Jesus Calms The Storm

Something great was about to happen.  Thousands and thousands of people
wanted to hear Jesus preach.
Wow! There were so many people there, a huge multitude gathered together.  Have you ever seen a huge crowd of people? (Wait for an answer.)  I have seen them at ball games.  I’ve seen them gather together for special events.  They all gathered to hear Jesus speak, but the crowd grew so large that Jesus got on board the ship that was just off the shore.  Jesus taught many things. I'm sure He spoke to them for a long period of time.  When He finished teaching them. Jesus said, "  Let us pass over unto the other side."  There were other small ships with him.  They all had people on them.  They all went to pass over to the other side. 
Jesus became very tired.  Jesus had to speak very loudly for the huge crowd to hear him.
They didn't have microphones or amplifiers like they do today.  It probably looked as though he were yelling.   While they were moving to the other side, Jesus became tired.  He found a pillow and laid down to take a nap.  
While Jesus was sleeping, a storm started stirring.  The winds were whipping and slamming into the sides of the ships.  Fear filled the heart of people and the boat was filled with water.  They thought they were going to die.  Jesus was still sleeping.  "They found him and awoke him.  They couldn't believe he was sleeping. " How could you be sleeping do you not care that we could die? " they tearfully asked.
 
Then Jesus did an amazing thing.  He stood up and commanded the wind to stop.  He spoke to the waves to be peaceful.  He called out. Peace, Be still!  Both the wind and the waves heard his voice. Guess What? They obeyed Him.  
Then Jesus looked at the people and asked them.  " Why are you afraid?"  Where is your faith?
The people became fearful because they witnessed the great power of God.  
They feared to know that the wind and the sea could hear and obey Jesus.  No one can do that. Only Jesus has that kind of power.

Boys and Girls, we need to obey the Lord Jesus and believe that He can be a helper in all our storms. 
Life is sometimes hard, sometimes it's sad, sometimes it's scary.  Jesus is our helper, it may seem that sometimes, He's not there, it may seem like He's sleeping.  
Jesus wants you to trust Him.  He wants you to believe and trust Him with your life.

Jesus loves you very much.  He knows everything about you.  He knows everything about all of us. 
He wants you to think about Him and wants you to love Him. 


Mark 4:35 - 41 
And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Review Game:   

Prepare Questions

1. Why was Jesus on the ship?

2.  What happened when they were out in the sea?

3.  Fill in the blank - God knows about __________.

4.  Did Jesus use a microphone when He spoke to a huge crowd?

5.  Is God greater and more powerful than superheroes?

6.  In our Bible story what obeyed Jesus?

7.  God made all _________.

8.  Great is our Lord and of great ____________.

9.  Name one song that we sang today. 

10.  Name one thing that was in the incubator.  (egg hatching, chicks, lightbulb)


8 - 9 Weeks Of Lessons 

>God shows himself powerful through love and sacrifice. 

 Salvation and through our actions of love through him. The Good Samaritan,  

>God shows himself powerful through his mercy.  Forgiveness – Joseph

>God shows himself powerful through his wrath, Moses, Egypt, Jonah, Sin

>God shows himself powerful through creation.  Weather, The talking donkey – Like the ant or the spider

>God shows himself powerful through answered prayer.  Elijah – Daniel. 

>God shows himself powerful throughout our lives.  As we trust him…through the Blood

>God shows himself powerful through our circumstances.  The storm, problems

>God shows Himself powerful through his Word.  The Christmas Story


Susan Nikitenko Toddlers to age adaptable. 


Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Thursday, March 28, 2019

Walking On The Water - Activities



Cut And Chart


Hebrews 11:1 
Now faith is the substance of things 
hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Make a smaller copy of your coloring page:
color it:
cut it out:
paste it with your clue stick.


Shrink Down The Coloring Pages 











Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Saturday, January 19, 2019

Believe In God's Forgiveness - Coloring and Poster Page

Believe In God's Forgiveness -  Coloring Page




Poster


I made this poster from the GIF I made.


1 John 1:4 - 10 
And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.



Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name,Working Link,  And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Jesus And You Make Two

 Matthew 6:6 
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.


Okay, I have to tell you.  I do not claim to be a great singer but I can prove to you that this is a song. 
I can help those who play by ear to be able to figure it out on their instrument.  It gives a beginning for arranging it
and enhancing it.  To make it sound it's best.  I do not have the equipment nor the help I need to
make these songs happen.  

Jesus and you make two is a saying I learned years ago..when I was a teenager.  It wasn't a poem or a song, but a saying.  I wrote this because the saying has helped me throughout my life as a teenager and also now (as who I am now.) 

I'm not going to be too prideful to let you hear me sing this ..even if it's not perfect.  

Jesus And You Make Two

soon





Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Lesson: The Hurt Heart




Prayer:
Song: 
Scripture Verse:

 Matthew 18:32-33
Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him,
 O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because
thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion
 on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

The Hurt Heart

    Let us start our class today by saying the pledge to the bible.  When we say the pledge we are making a promise to make (God's Word) what guides us in life through not only the best times of our lives but also the  darkest times in our lives.
    In life we have many hurts.  It could be a hurt that is temporary or a hurt that lasts a lifetime.  The hurts that last a lifetime are the ones that get to the heart.  In the pledge we promise to hide God's Word in our heart.  We do this by memorizing and understanding scripture.  The reason we hide God's Word in our heart is because it is through the heart our choices are made.  Our choices are made by either how we feel, our circumstances or what we want.   If we are right with God,  they will be made by prayer and what we  are taught in scripture first.  God knows that the devil wants our heart. 
     The devil will tempt us at the times we our most vulnerable, the times our heart has been hurt, at one of the very darkest points of grief or discouragement.  In these times we must follow what we know is true.  in a time of confusion, we can decipher  the truth from the fiction of what we are feeling and also from other people around us.
    
A couple weeks ago I surprised our church family by entering the room wearing a sheriff's badge.  They all called me Sheriff Susan.   They were all curious about it, but nobody asked.  Then we dismissed to Sunday School.  I told them  a story I heard a long time ago.  I heard about a police officer that was shot at while he was on duty.  Something kept him from being killed, something unusual.  The bullet hit his badge.  The badge kept the bullet from hitting his heart.  So I told the kids the true story of how the officer was saved by his badge.  The bible tells us to wear a shield, it is not a police badge, but is the shield of faith. 
     We are saved by faith, by taking God at His word.  Being saved by faith is our protection from belonging to the devil. While living by faith and hiding God's Word in our hearts is our shield against the fiery darts of the devil.

Now Today:
     I mentioned to them about the police officers that were killed checking out a 911 hang-up call.  They were shot and killed suddenly.  My husband knew one of them.  They grew up together, played football together and he attended our very small wedding 31 years ago.

    We heard of another shooting which Pastor prayed over this morning.  A deadly school shooting in Florida where many died.  I think about the coach that blocked the bullets from killing some of the students.  I'm sure He was a really big guy - most coaches are.  These violent killings happened because of hate, because of anger, because someones heart was being managed by the devil himself.  The young men who killed these valiant men and many other innocent people - had something messed up in their hearts.  When it's young people doing the shooting, we must talk about it.

    In sunday school,  I held my bible up over my heart and said..."Kids, the devil wants your heart and he wants it wounded. I'm not talking about your physical heart. I'm talking about your soul the very being of who you are.   He wants you to be bitter.  He wants you to stay angry. People will disappoint us, people could turn there backs on us, people you thought would always be there. but Jesus will never leave you nor forsake you.  There may not be anyone to cry to, no one to listen, but Jesus is your comforter, your shield your help in times of trouble.  The only defense we have as people against the fiery darts of satan is a Really Big shield.  I held the bible up over my heart and I pounded my hand on the Bible that covered my heart.  The Word Of God in our hearts mingled in faith blocks the fiery darts of the devil.  It won't allow Him to get to your heart.

Make Jesus the Biggest Valentine in your heart.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart.

     The devil wants us miserable , unhappy and defeated as Christians, but Jesus tells us we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.  Jesus is in every heart that has accepted Him by faith.
God promises to be there for us through our troubles, through our tears.

One of the biggest temptations in time of hurt is to become vengeful, unforgiving and bitter.  It is through these troubled dark times we must not allow these things to destroy  our faith.  It is through these things we must apply the scripture to our heartbreak and let it heal us by faith.
God teaches us that we have no choice but to forgive because we ourselves have never once deserved forgiveness.  Now there are some things that just cannot go without circumstances, but God does not want your heart remaining angry, or bitter.  His desire is that you overcome, by faith, trusting Him through what could be your hardest moments of life.

Jesus gives us a parable in scripture to teach us why we must forgive:

Read The Memory Verse Again  - Underline the Parts They Need To Memorize
Matthew 18: 21-35

Talk about it as you read it.  

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. 
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.  And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.  But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.  The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.  Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 
But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. {pence: the Roman penny is the eighth part of an ounce, which after five shillings the ounce is seven pence halfpenny; about fourteen cents}  
 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.  And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.  So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.   
Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me;  Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?  And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 

 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from the heart forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Father God,  I ask in the name of your Son, Christ Jesus that you heal  our broken hearts this morning, that we may renew our strength  and continue in faith, which we need to protect our hearts from the fiery darts of Satan.  If there are any here rebellious, unbelieving, wounded or doubting-  work the work of faith in their hearts today  and renew a right spirit within us.  That we may continue to obey you in faith ... heal the hurting.  Praise your name for what you will do in our hearts as we trust you. If there is anyone here that has not trusted Christ as there personal Saviour.  Jesus will not refuse anyone who genuinely wants Him to be the Lord of their lives. Christ Jesus died for your sins and arose victorious that you may be forgiven and become his child.  

Quiz:  Question And Answer Time About The Parable, About Forgiveness


Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Saturday, January 6, 2018

We Are Not Perfect

















  We Are Not Perfect

   Today I've been thinking about all the things I didn't finish writing yet.  Even though it's no longer the fall and we are headed into a New Year.  I decided to write about the wood pumpkins I made a couple years ago.  I  didn't sand them at the time and said I liked them that way for a reason.  It would give me an opportunity in the future  like this moment to let you know that God takes us just as we are but through difficulties, love  and His Word He sands down all the rough edges.  Now those pumpkins really had no choice but to be sanded down.  I did finally sand them down and completed them.  However God is still working on us each day as we yield to Him and to His purpose for our lives.  Sometimes that purpose is not quite clear but still the same we wait upon His purpose.  God loves us just as we are but is
working on us as we trust Him to make us what he wants us to be.  When a person gets saved it does not mean that that person is perfect, it means they are willing to let God make the changes.  God does not reject anyone who humbly comes to Him with a genuine heart of faith. 

   Recently I was asked to have a book reading club, I agreed to a bible reading.  I chose the book of Luke and talked about Mary because the Christmas season was upon us.  The topic was " Why did God choose Mary?"  It was during that lesson God spoke to me, while I was teaching.            

2 Chronicles  16:9
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

The word perfect is the word that stands out to me here:
The truth of the matter is that none of us our perfect and we will never be perfect until we as children of God enter heaven's gate.
Mary, though most favored above other women, was not perfect but was seen as perfect because of her hearts willingness, purity and faith. Mary herself called Jesus her Saviour.   Joseph was also favored because of His fear and faith.
God also chose Noah because of His fear and faith of God.  He too was favored above all living during that time. He was the only believing man of faith, leading His family into righteous living.

Mary was not perfect, but was seen as perfect because of her faith in the coming Messiah.  She was raised to love God and fear Him.  She was taught about the Messiah.  She was faithful and believing before God chose her.

Colossians 1:28
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: - Every man - (means mankind)

Our goal as Christians should be-  to keep our goals, our thoughts, our motives, and our actions where they need to be while seeking God's blessing and looking for God's guidance through life.    This is what we find to be true, when we become children of God.  If our first goal is to please God, we will do the right things because we love Him and believe Him.
We will be seen as perfect in our Heavenly Father's sight.  We must be willing to have those rough edges sanded, submitting ourselves to the Father God's will.
It is a fascinating thought to know that God is searching for people whose heart is perfect towards Him.
People who have made Him the most important part of their lives.  People whose greatest desire is to please the Lord and live a life of faith.  They were not perfect people but were seen as perfect because of Christ and His shed blood and their desire to  please God.

In Hebrews God recognizes men and women who did things because of through faith
and it was counted unto them as righteousness... It was in those actions God worked through them.

Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayersthat ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

God's still working on me and He is still working on you too. 
We just have to keep on going forward, keep our hearts right, resist the devil and
be willing to change.  If that's what God wants that's what matters.

Who does God see as perfect?, all those trusting Christ who love Him more than anything else.
Those who want to please Him more than anything else and keep themselves pure in an evil day.
Those under the soul saving blood of the Lamb.  

We must pray for each other, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Let Us Pray

Father God, I pray that you will speak to those seeking your will today, those who are discourage, those who are hurting and those that are questioning, 
Lead them back to you, restore their faith show them the direction you would have them take.
I pray that each one will make a new commitment to you for this coming new year.
In Christ Name I Pray This - Amen

Jesus will take anyone willing to come to Him by faith, accepting you as one of His beloved.
Christ died for your sins and raised from the dead - making salvation available for all.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
 Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:


John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Susan Nikitenko
December 30th, 2017
Devotional



Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

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