What’s In A Name?

DECEMBER 06, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 124:8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

    What’s in a name? Does it make or change what or whom a person is? Can it really make a difference? In some people, the idea of what their name portrays makes such a huge difference that they will go out and change it to something else.

    A name does convey identity. My first name was taken from my mother’s adopted father. My middle name was taken from my father’s dad. They had enough respect for their parents to want to continue their names by giving them to someone else. My father received his last name from his father and so passed down my last name to me. In this town, our last name is usually thought of as good. Why, because my father did those things that were right and kept our family name clean. I made some terrible choices in the beginning of my life, yet God saw fit to save me and change my life. Now our family name is once again thought of as decent and good. I can only pray that my children will respect our family name as they also pass it down to their children and their children’s children.

    I also carry the name Christian. This name means Christ like. This name was also given to me, but by my Heavenly Father. He has done everything to keep this name clean for all His children, but now He is depending upon me to be able to pass down that heritage. The name of the Lord meant a lot to the children of Israel. He was called the self-existent or eternal Lord. Jehovah. There actually is a lot in a name.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    As people see you, what do they think about the name of Christ? Do they think friendly, kind, loving, and compassionate? Or do their thoughts go toward angry, spiteful, deceiving, and cruel? You might be the only Jesus people see today. Hold up His name as a banner of honor. There is a lot to be said for that name.

GOD TALKING TO ME: DECEMBER 01, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Ezekiel 46 – 48     /     Psalm 124     /     Proverbs 6     /     1 Timothy 1 – 4

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Daniel 5-6           /      1 John 1-2

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

What’s My Excuse? 

DECEMBER 4 & 5, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Philemon 10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

    How often have we thought, “I cannot witness for Christ now because __________” (You fill in the blank. I know I have, with many excuses). It seems there is always a reason not to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

    However, does it ever work the other way. You are just sitting around and think, “I sure wish there was someone around to tell about Jesus right about now.” If you ever thought this and meant it, probably someone showed up. God intends for us always to be willing, ready, and able to share the good news of our salvation.

    Paul led a runaway slave by the name of Onesimus to the Lord while in jail. Paul could have said I am too preoccupied trying to think of how to get out of jail to think about someone else right now. Sadly, this is what many of us do all too often. What could happen if we all decided that in the year to come, we would be more like Paul whenever possible? In our worst times let’s think of others. We might be surprised, it might make what we thought was our worst time, not so bad after all.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    As you go through your day today, start to think, whom can I share Christ with, and how will I do it. Then, JUST DO IT! It will surprise them and you. It will also make your day a lot more exciting.

GOD TALKING TO ME: DECEMBER 4, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Ezekiel 43 – 45    /      Psalm 122-123     /     Proverbs 4-5     /     Philemon

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Daniel 3-4           /    2 Peter 3

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

I Want It Now!

DECEMBER 03, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 3:29-30 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

    Blood boils, tempers flare when someone else gets a promotion you have waited for and believe so much you deserve. You work, you try, you plan someday to have this job, then someone else just marches in from nowhere and takes it. For some reason we are just as mad at the person who got the promotion as we are at the one who made what we see as a bad decision to put them there. Mad because someone else got ahead before we did. It may be possible, and even probable, the person was not trying to hurt you. They were simply trying to get ahead in life the same as you. However, this does not seem to matter now, right? You say to yourself, “I am going to be mad at this person anyway.” We get the attitude “I will just stay mad at them and that will teach them to take my job!”

    Sound silly? It is. However, it happens all the time. Getting angry with someone and not knowing why, is wrong. Yet many people find themselves with pent-up anger at someone who had no control of a situation. It may also be someone they really do not know. Why do people get this way? There answer most likely will be something like, “I do not know, I just FEEL that way.” Makes a lot of sense doesn’t it.

    The Bible tells us not to be this way toward others, nor plan to hurt someone without cause. It is not right. It is not Biblical. It is not godly. Not to mention most other people do not like people with this type of attitude. The fact is others look at people who act this way as small, petty, self-centered, and negative. Sadly, they find themselves alone, unpopular, and often passed up for future advancements because of their bad attitude.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    When God opens the door for another, (especially a brother or a sister in the Lord), do not reject them. Instead, rejoice with them, help, and encourage them. Who knows, they might be your leader some day and be able to help promote you to where God really wanted you to be. Even if that never happens, you receive a blessing just obeying God’s word. He is your leader, and He will be promoting you someday.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  DECEMBER 03, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Ezekiel 41, 42     /     Psalm 121     /     Proverbs 3     /     Titus

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Daniel 1-2           /      2 Peter 2

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

They Sometimes Will Lie! 

DECEMBER 02, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 120:2 Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

  Life is hard enough on its own without someone adding to our troubles. We have the day-to-day task of living in a world filled with sin and trying to stay pure for the Lord. It appears almost impossible at times with everything around us. On top of that, we get someone who tells stories about us or slanders our character with comments that are not true. It seems at times almost too much to bear. This sounds like what the Psalmist is saying in our verse today. Oh Lord, deliver me from those who lie and tell deceitful untrue stories about me. Nevertheless, how can you protect yourself from it? Some people are just going to talk. Well, here are a couple of suggestions.

• First, do as the Psalmist does here and pray for protection from these types of people. Ask God to protect your character from these types of attacks.

• Second, have a character that is above reproach. Live your life daily so if someone might say something, no one would believe him or her. Their accusations just make them look silly.

• Finally, pray for them. Do not just pray for God to keep them from you. Pray He might also change their heart. They could be your next best friend.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    Malicious gossip does not help anyone. No one ever looks bigger by ridiculing or making someone else look smaller. It only breaks up relationships, and the Bible says God hates it. Remember the Bible does not say God hates the person, just the sin. If we do our part to live a godly life, lovingly pray for those who might tell tales, and turn it all over to the Lord, He will see us through.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  DECEMBER 01, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Ezekiel 40     /     Psalm 120     /     Proverbs 2     /     Hebrews 12, 13

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Ezekiel 46-48            /       2 Peter 1

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Bad Weather – Good News 

DECEMBER 01, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Ezekiel 38:22-23 And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

  Winter seems to be just around the corner. In fact, for some it seems to be here now. The winds are blowing, and snow starts falling. The days go by so fast, as night comes earlier, and the morning sun sleeps in just a little longer. To some folks this seems like a time of year that is dreary and sad. It is said more suicides occur during the winter months than any other time of the year. People let the elements affect their attitude.

    However, we as Christians can look at it another way if we will. God so often uses the weather and the elements to show His awesome power and control. The wind, rain, hail, fire, waters and yes, even the snow is mentioned in the Bible several times. God has used them often to make sure people know He is God, and he controls all things, including nature. In fact, He is the only one who can control nature. He is the only one to direct the wind in the heavens above us. He is the only one to decide how much rain will fall and where. He controls the sun and moon and the amount of light we get each day. He is totally in control. Let this time of year just be a reminder in our life that if He can control the weather, He can also control the situations in our life.  

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

  So, as you look out the window and see the wind blowing… See God. As you witness the snow falling… See God. As the daylight comes to an end… See God. Now thank Him for the evidence that He is still there and still in control of everything. Let the elements control your attitude. Let them bring peace to your heart knowing He is still there and still around to love you too.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  DECEMBER 01, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Ezekiel 38 – 39     /     Psalm 119:161-176     /     Proverbs 1     /     Hebrews 11

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Ezekiel 42-45           /       1 Peter 4-5

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12