Thursday, December 31, 2009

Devotions: Relating to the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is mentioned twice in the Old Testament.

1) Psalm 51:10-12
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right, persevering and steadfast spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Your presence, and
take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and
uphold me with a willing spirit.
The Holy Spirit is associated with
repentant lives. His presence brings a
new attitude clothed in joy.

2) The Holy Spirit can be grieved at our
rebellion. Isaiah 63:10.
He is associated with powerful signs and special direction.1 Isaiah 63:11-14

Teaching for your Sunday School, Devotions and Bible Study class.

Learn more in the Kids Pages. Download Discovering God's Gifts: Holy Spirit's Activities Described for free.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Bible Study: The Spirit in the Old Testament


Many examples of the Spirit’s activity are found in the Old Testament.
He is described in a series of unusual images which help us begin to grasp his character and appreciate his activities.

Water
Ezekiel 47:1-12 Water flowing from the heart of God’s temple (as flow of God’s blessing)
Be deeper and deeper in it.
Jeremiah 2:13 & 17:13 John 7:37-39
God is a ‘fountain of living water’
Ezekiel 36:25-28 As water cleanses and
maintains life, so does the Spirit.

Fire
Exodus 3:2; Deut 4:11-12, 24; Isaiah 4:2-6
Fire purifies and refines. We are to be cleansed by the Spirit’s fire to become holy.

Oil
1 Samuel 10:1-9; 16:13; Isaiah 61:1-3
As oil anoints people for service, so God’s Spirit equips us for His service.

Dove
The dove (Genesis 8: 1-12) announced a new creation. A sacrifice for sins of the poor. (Leviticus 5:7-10). Jesus brought new life and was a sacrifice for us.

Teaching for Sunday School, Devotions and Bible Study.


Learn more in the Kids Pages. Download Discovering God's Gifts:Holy Spirit's Activities Described for free.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Bible Study: Spirit Expressions

Many examples of the Spirit’s activity are found in the Old Testament.
He is described in a series of unusual images which help us begin to grasp his character and appreciate his activities.


Wind
Genesis 8:1; Exodus 10:13; Job 21:18;
Ps. 35:5; Ezekiel 37:9; Amos 4:13
The Spirit is a hurricane whom we cannot
control or predict. He is an invading force who transforms wherever he blows.
He is God’s power in action.

Breath
Ezekiel 37:1-14
The Spirit is the breath without which men and women are spiritually dead.

Share this with your students in bible Study, Devotions and Sunday School.

Learn more in the Kids Pages. Download Discovering God's' Gifts: Holy Spirit's Activities Described for free.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Devotions: God's Gifts

Jesus lives and acts and heals today through His body on earth.

The Holy Spirit has been poured onto the church to enable Christians to share
Jesus’ power and authority.

The Spirit’s presence makes a dynamic difference to people around us.

The Spirit of God is mentioned throughout the Bible.

The Holy Spirit is a person who is dynamically alive.

He existed with God and Jesus from the beginning
Genesis 1: 2 “and God’s spirit moved over the face of the water”.

Teaching for your Sunday School, Bible Study and Devotions group.

Learn more in the Prayer Pages. Download Discovering God's gifts: Holy Spirit's Activities Described for free.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Bible Study: God's Word Does It

God’s word defeats the
devil Matthew 4:1-11
…….produces a hundred
fold. Mark 4:20
…….is the power of God
Romans 1:16
…….upholds all things
Hebrews 1:3

Practice the authority God has given you—speak His words,believe them and live them.
God will be “as good as His word” and will honour those who honour Him.

Share this in Devotions, Sunday School and Bible Study.

Learn more in the Prayer Pages. Download the big Picture: Jesus the Word for free.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Bible Study: Impossible?

Your God is a god of the impossible.
Expect God’s best.


Hold to your faith in Him and speak His words in your prayer with faith.
This releases his energies and power.
Hebrews 1:3
God upholds all things by the word of his power.

To practice in Sunday School, Devotions and Bible Study.


Learn more in the Kids Pages. Download The big Picture: Jesus the Word for free.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Devotions: A Winter Harvest





Notice the broken dam in the drought and the repaired ,full dam.

The small African village of Rungai was thirsty, in the grip of a severe drought. It’s tall grasses grew dustier with every passing day
The reservoir lay empty and dry.

The brook that once filled it had only a trickle towards the high stone wall dam. Two years earlier it had been damaged by a flash flood-and with little rain since the people had left it a broken down reminder of better days.
While the villagers turned to witchcraft a young farmer turned preacher gathered a group of Bible believers to study and pray.

As the drought persisted so did their faith.
Cuthbert Farai decided to apply his faith by repairing the dam.
The drought showed no sign of ending but they put their faith in God’s promises and continued their work
When the work was completed unseasonal rains fell right into the newly repaired reservoir
As the planting season arrived all the villagers were given a 30 by 20 ft plot to cultivate.
The plots were seeded and the yields a welcome relief.

As the dry winter season approached the crops of the unbelievers died off as normal.
But the crops of those Christians who had believed in God’s word continued to produce.

There was no natural explanation.
Until the time for planting came again these people willingly shared their faith and their crops with their neighbours.
The winter harvest of 1985 was a result of people hearing and applying God’s word.


God is still turning droughts of every kind into downpours of blessing.
He still does the impossible.

from Believers Voice of Victory 1990

Share this faith message with your class at Sunday School, Devotions and Bible Study.

Learn more in the Kids Pages.
Download The Biog Picture: Jesus the Word for free.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Devotions: Glory!

We beheld His glory full of grace and truth

Arise, shine
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you,
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;

But the Lord will arise upon you,
And His glory will be seen upon you,
The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.
Share these Texts with your Devotions, Bible Study and Sunday School groups.

Learn more in the Kids Pages.Download The Big Picture: Jesus the Word for free.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Sunday School: Cornelius Acts 10

He should have missed out!
but instead he came into the realm of God’s blessings


Cornelius was a wealthy Roman centurion who was appreciated by God for his prayers and generous gifts.

God sent an angel to tell him to ask Peter to visit.

God also told Peter in a dream that people of all nationalities are welcome
to receive God‘s blessings.

When Peter came to give the message of Jesus, to Cornelius and his family the anointing of the Holy Spirit fell upon all of them.

The gospel for "non-Jews"!
This same offer is for us today.
Move into the realm of God's blessings.


Share this with your Sunday School, Devotions and Bible Study group.

Learn more in the Kids Pages. Download The Big Picture: Jesus the Word for free.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Devotions:: Rahab's blessings

They should have missed out!
but instead they came into the realm of God’s blessings

Rahab Joshua 2,6
Joshua was entering the promised land and ready to kill all the people.

Rahab the Canaanite prostitute recognized the supremacy of Joshua’s God when he and his men were spies in her town. She saved their lives by hiding them under flax during a search.

Rahab trusted the spies and their God and as a result she and her family were saved from death when Joshua invaded.

Later marrying a Jew, her son Boaz married Ruth and their grandson Jesse
became the father of King David, the ancestor of Jesus.

Teaching for your Devotions, Sunday School and Bible Study group.


Learn more in the Kids Pages. Download The Big Picture: Jesus the Word for free.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Bible Study: Live by the Word




Man does not llive by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4

Give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
Do not let them depart from your eyes;
Keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to all their flesh.
Proverbs 4:20

Teaching for your Sunday school, Devotions and Bible Study.


Learn more in the Kids Pages. Download The Big Picture:Jesus the Word for free.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Sunday School: We Bring Christ Here

Into this world we bring Christ here. His life His words in us.

We speak His words in faith to release His ministry
“The word is near you in your mouth and in your heart (that is the word of
faith which we preach)” Romans 10:8

Jesus the anointed of God has a ministry to the total man.

He speaks only God’s words
His words are alive and
active, resisting evil,
releasing life,
bringing change.
This message for your Bible Study, Devotions and Sunday School.

Learn more in the Kids Pages. Download The Big Picture: Jesus the Word for free.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Sunday School: So Jesus Came

So Jesus came..
the Word expressed
in human form
that we might see
the way, the walk
before our eyes;
and we might know
that God is real.

So knowing him within
an atmosphere of love
we can be like him
to speak his words
and so extend His cause,
His work, His kingdom,
His love within the circle of our experience.

For your Sunday School,Devotions and Bible study.


Learn more in the Kids Pages. Download The Prayer Pages Jesus the Word for free.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Bible Study: The Word Among Us


In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God….

In him was life and that life was the light of men.

The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it….

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
John 1:1-14

An important text for your Sunday School, Bible study and Devotions group.

Learn more in the Kids Pages. Download The Big Picture:Jesus the Word for free.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Devotions:Who's the Boss


Body or Spirit? who is boss?

Our body contacts the world

Our spirit contacts God and
releases God’s power into our life.

Let God empower your life.

A message for your Devotions, Sunday School and Bible Study.


Learn more in the Kids Pages
. Download The Big Picture: The Word Alive for free.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Bible Study: The Word Works


As the rain and snow come down from heaven and stay upon the ground to water the earth, and cause the grain to grow and to produce seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry,

So also is my Word.
I send it out and it always produces fruit.
It shall accomplish all I want it to, and prosper everywhere I send it.
Isaiah 55:10-11
Living Bible

Sunday School, Devotions and Bible Study teaching for your class.

Learn more in the Kids Pages
. Download The Big Picture: the word alive for free.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Sunday School: The Crisis

A Nursing Sister’s Crisis
Janet Cohen
My son Matthew was bitten by a white tail spider during his visit to Hobart in January 1998.
With my medical background, I knew what was going to happen as over the years I have seen amputated limbs and even death resulting from these spider bites.
The absolute horror of it all hit me when the physician looking after Matthew told me to stay away as my concern could cause panic and he could lose his arm within two weeks if the treatment he was proposing failed.
The flesh eating wound had grown to 5 cms diameter in 4 days and was growing at the rate of 1 cm per day. He was 13 at the time.
Never before had the physicians at the Royal Hobart Hospital had the opportunity to treat a spider bite so early and without the surgeons having a go at cutting it out first.

I had one option,- to pray.
My prayers are basic but I knew that they would be good enough as they were from the heart. As an added bonus, I had the entire congregation praying with me.
The fear left my heart and after 6 long sessions in the hyperbaric chamber, Matthew’s arm started to heal.
There’s power in prayer. Miracles still happen. I know.

True inspiring story for your Sunday Schol,Bible Study and Devotions group.

Learn more in the Kids Pages Download The big Picture: The Word's Alive for free.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Sunday School:The Word: an indispensable weapon


The Word: an indispensable weapon

…...the weapons...are mighty... for the destruction of strongholds.
Inasmuch as we refute
arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself against the knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Jesus Christ the Messiah, the Anointed One.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5

Teaching for your Devotions, Sunday School and Bible Study class.

Learn more in the Kids Pages. Download The Big Picture: The Word Alive for free.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Bible Study: End Temptation


The sword or Word of God is an aggressive spiritual force.

Hebrews 4:12 says God’s word is alive and active sharper than any two edged sword.

We can speak the word as Jesus did to resist Satan.
We fight off Satan and end temptation with a statement of faith in God’s word.

The Holy Spirit fulfils God’s desires that we have set in motion by speaking God’s words.

Teaching for your Sunday school, Devotions and Bible Study group.

Learn more in the Kids Pagers. Download The Big Picture: The word Alive for free.

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Devotions: Fighting Evil


God has given us the
ability to fight evil in the world.


We do not fight people but evil. The weapon God gives us is His word.

The word is called a sword and is the only offensive part of the Christian soldier’s
armour.

The helmet and shield (salvation-faith) protect and defend the soldier

Teaching for your Sunday School, Devotions and bible Study group.

Learn more in the Kids Pages. Download The Big Picture: The Word Alive for free.

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Sunday School: What to do about the Devil

James 4:7

So then…submit to God




resist the Devil


and he will flee from you.
Teaching principle for your Sunday School, Bible Study and Devotions group.

Learn more in the Kids Pages. Download The Prayer Page:The Word alive for free.

Monday, December 07, 2009

Devotions: Ganster for Christ

Jim Vaus was a new Christian.
Before his conversion he had been a wire tapper for the underworld gang in Los Angeles.
He was converted at a Billy Graham Crusade.


The next morning his story was newspaper headlines –
Gangster for Christ.

Jim Vaus was concerned.
What would the gangsters do?
They would consider him a traitor and arrange a speedy execution
As he lay the morning paper down, two of the most ruthless gangsters
arrived in a large car.
Twenty four hours earlier Jim would have fled but now he didn’t run.
When he had opened his bible that morning God had strengthened him with a verse from Proverbs 16:7
When a man‘s ways please the Lord he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him


So Jim opened the door and the gunmen gave him a wiretapping job in St Louis.
Jim told them that the Lord had changed his heart.
He couldn’t do this job.
At first his visitors looked bewildered and then ... without further comment they turned and left.

Saved!.
Jim knew that God had been true to His word.

Encourage your students in Sunday School, Devotions and Bible Study class.

Learn more in the Kids Pages. Download The Prayer Page:The Word Alive for free.

Sunday, December 06, 2009

Sunday School: Alive and Active

God’s word is our spiritual food planned by God to make us
spiritually strong.

We wonder at our spiritual ineffectiveness while
all the time we are spiritually starved.


God’s Word is alive and active
Hebrews 4:12

My word.…
that goes forth from my mouth ...shall not return to me void but will accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which
I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11

Teaching for your Devotions, Bible Study and Sunday School class.
Learn more int the Kids Pages. Download The Prayer page: The Word Alive for free.

Saturday, December 05, 2009

Bible Study: What Jesus Says

God’s word really is alive and active to bring about results.

Jesus quoted the O. T. scripture 64 times
During the terrible 40 day temptation or battle with Satan in the wilderness
Jesus quoted scripture to defeat Satan.
(Luke 4:3)

He settled the issue and resisted three times
Satan’s persuasion:
-
To test God’s protection and jump from the
pinnacle of the temple

(Deut. 6:16)
To receive the kingdoms of the world as a gift from Satan in return for
worshipping him.

(Deut. 6:13 10;20)
To turn the stones of the wilderness into bread to which Jesus replied, Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
(Deut 8:3)

Teach this in your Sunday School, Devotions and Bible study classes.

Learn more in the Kids pages. Download The Prayer Page:The Word Alive for free.)