Labcoat Bible Lessons

[Blue_Tiger]

I don't know if this area of the board and forum is for a Bible lesson series, but I wanted to do this, if it is okay with the Administration (if it isn't, please feel free to delete).

I am a teacher at a Christian Junior College here in Japan, and I love to teach, especially about the Bible.

These "Labcoat Bible Lessons" (they're called this because of my habit of teaching in a labcoat, and that's because I go a bit crazy with the chalk on the board, and don't want a chalkdust mess all over my clothes) are for anyone to reply to, post in or on, disagree or agree with, debate, and discuss, and if anyone else has a Bible Lesson they'd like to post, please do! I will try to post one or two lessons a week, more or less depending on my school vacation times. Please feel free to reply and post, and if this isn't something that is desirable by the administration, feel free to delete this, or move it if it is in the wrong area...

Edited by mod to remove light blue that was impossible for some of us to read...

Also moving to the Bible Study Forum for better treatment - thanks

[Blue_Tiger]

Truth Decay and the Slide of Society

Key Scripture:
Hosea 6.1-11 – Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the latter rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? For your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away. Therefore I have hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth. For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice.; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me. Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood. And as troops wait for a man, so the company of priests by consent: for they commit lewdness. I have seen an horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is the *****dom of Ephraim, Israel is defiled. Also, Judah, he hath set an harvest for thee, when I return the captivity of my people.

Romans 1.18-32 – For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them: for God hath shewed it to them. For the invisible things of him from creation are clearly seen. Being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful: but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever, Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of women, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves the recompence that of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Opening Questions:
When you look at society today, what do you see? How do you feel about the direction that the people of Japan are going? Will the future be bright and good or dark and dangerous? How are things different now than they were 20, 30, 40, or 50 years ago?

The recent news stories of the terrible murders in the USA at Virginia Tech, the killing of the Mayor of Nagasaki, and the story of the young boy that killed his mother have caused the questions above to go through my mind. How are we doing as a Japanese Society and as a world society? Why are these bad things happening?

Point #1 – First, the Good News:
How do you feel when you hear good news? We usually get excited when we hear a good story, or find out that a bad situation went good, right? First, I want everyone today to know that there is hope for you. Jesus Christ offers this hope! The first three verses of our scripture tell us about Jesus Christ. Hosea lived some 700 to 800 years before Jesus Christ was born on Earth. His words here give hope to us, because they are true. There is always, always hope in Jesus Christ. Society may slide into terrible levels; people may commit horrible crimes and do awful things to other people, but Jesus Christ is the same. He never changes. He offers hope to anyone who will receive him. That’s the Good news! In fact, that’s the Gospel Message: Good News, for Jesus Christ has come and offers all who will receive salvation, full and free. Now, the bad news…

Point #2 – When a Society Rejects Jesus Christ, Terrible Times Will come:
This chapter from Hosea, the last eight verses, tells us about the judgment that will come upon Israel. Israel time and time again turned away from God. Because of this, Hosea describes the situation in Israel. A similar story can be found about the Roman Empire in the book of Romans. Chapter 1 tells us how the people of that day had turned from God, and because of that, had become more and more terrible in their daily lives. Just like Hosea’s Israel and Paul’s Rome, today’s society is sliding very fast into terrible times. Why? Most of the world now rejects the truth of Jesus Christ. It’s because of this that we see a story about a high school student killing his own mother. It’s also because of this that hear about a college student shooting 30 of his classmates and teachers. In the United States, there are things happening that just 30 years ago were unthinkable! This slide in society has happened because Jesus Christ is rejected as God. When society rejects God, rejects His Truth, and Rejects His Son, terrible times always come…

Point #3 – There Will Come a Day When God’s Patience Runs Out:
God is without limit in his love for us. He is without limit in his grace and in his mercy. Many people today make the mistake of thinking that God is limitless in his patience. The truth is, he is not. Hosea 6.11 says this:Also, O Judah, he hath set an harvest for thee, when I returned the captivity of my people. Also, Romans 1.18 says this:For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.God’s patience runs out when a society gets so far away from him that evil is the only thing people are thinking about. Genesis 18 speaks of God losing his patience with Sodom and Gomorrah. The result was that these two wicked cities were destroyed. Many people today think that the United States is in the eye of God’s judgment. Many others think that the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001, was God’s judgment on the USA. I think that the 9-11-01 terror strikes in the USA were just he beginning. If society in the USA doesn’t return to God, the USA will see far worse than what we saw on 9/11. God passed his judgment and sentence on Israel, on Rome, and on every other civilization that has rejected him. This world will also feel his full judgment so long as we turn away from Jesus Christ.

Point #4 – Before His Judgment Comes, God Will Send Warning:
Before God sends his judgment on a society, he will always send a message of warning. In Old Testament times, this was done usually through a prophet. Many prophets came to Israel, warning them of God’s wrath and judgment, but many of these men and women were treated terribly. Some of them were killed. We see the same thing in the world today. God is still sending out his messengers to warn the world of his soon-coming judgment, but people today still choose to turn away. In many places, God’s messengers are still being killed. In spite of this, God is still trying to get people to listen. The slide of society and the falling of morals is the result of Jesus Christ being rejected. So long as this continues, God will continue to warn people of judgment. This is true on a general level and on a personal level. God will warn individual people, too, that judgment is coming, and that salvation is near. Have you accepted that message? Are you listening to God? He will speak to you if you listen.

Conclusion: Truth Decay is Always Seen in the Slide of Society, and God will Judge Those Countries and Those People who turn away from Him.
This is the truth, plain and simple. When we as people individually choose to please ourselves, choose to turn away from God, and choose to reject Jesus Christ, we are living in mortal and eternal danger. Countries that reject the truth of the Bible, of God, and of Jesus Christ run the risk of imminent destruction. Rome – possibly the most advanced civilization of the ancient world – has been reduced to ashes and dust, her history preserved now in museums and books. While Israel has returned as a nation, her splendor from the time of Kings David and Solomon is gone. The same can be said for Greece, Ancient China, Egypt, and e very other civilization that has rejected God. What about you? Have you accepted or rejected Jesus Christ? We will all stand before Jesus Christ in judgment. Hebrews 9.27 says that every person has an appointment with death, and then judgment before God. Have you rejected Jesus Christ? Have you turned from him, deciding to live your own way? If you have, my friend you are living in great danger. To die without Jesus Christ is to enter an eternity of torment and pain. Do you want Jesus Christ in your life? You can receive him today, if you but ask him. Let’s pray…

Prayer:
Father in heaven, we thank you for this day. I thank you for your letting me speak to these good people today. We pray for our society, Lord, that we would get our eyes back on you. We pray, Lord, that you would help us to see that we as a nation and as individual people, need you in our lives. Help us today, Lord Jesus, to get to know you, and to receive you as Savior and Lord. Help us to live your way, and help our world society to do the same. We love you today, Father, and we ask all of these things in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Verse to Remember:
Come, and let us return to the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the latter rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
—Hosea 6.1-3

[Blue_Tiger]

Single Mothers: The New “Heroes”

Scripture References:
Matthew 18.6-7 – But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe I me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of offences!

Matthew 19.4-5 – Have ye not read, that he that made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh”?

I Corinthians 7.9 – But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

Introduction – Single mothers are quickly becoming the Icons of the civilized world. They are the Heroes of the Technologically Advanced nations. Each year, more and more of them are championed by Women’s Rights Groups, more and more are defended by a public which has become more and more morally directionless. Even Christian Institutions are being pressured into accepting single motherhood as the norm. What does the Bible say about single motherhood? What is God’s opinion of the choice of being a single mother? This lesson will deal with the choice of Single Motherhood specifically. This writer realizes that there are instances where single parenthood is unavoidable. Let us look and see what the Bible says about the choice of single parenthood.

Point #1 – Sex Apart from Marriage is sin:
As sex is the starting point for single motherhood, this is also where this lesson will start, as well. Sex outside of marriage – God’s design – is sin. This is stated clearly in the scripture references today, and has been spoken towards in previous lessons. Sex outside of the design for which God created it – as with anything else – is sin. It is sin against God, and sin against the body, as Paul speaks of in I Corinthians. Despite modern media’s attempts to downplay the consequences and wrongness of sex before and outside of marriage, it is still sin, and statistics – though covered up – prove that marriage relationships are healthier when both partners wait for sex. Same is said for children born to a husband and wife, as opposed to a single mother.

Point #2 – Having a Baby as a Single Parent…
This next statement will be controversial, but it must be said: Anyone choosing to have and raise a child without being married is also committing a sin, especially when considering the odds against the child growing up to have a healthy life. The Bible states clearly that the best design for a family, for a child, is for that child to be born and grow up in a husband-wife household. Statistics overwhelmingly show that children who grow up in a single-parent family are more likely to become involved in crime, more likely to develop serious social problems, are less likely to develop in commitment, and, particularly with girls, are more likely to end up single parents themselves. In light of the statistics, how can it be correct for a woman to choose to have a baby as a single mother? Matthew 18.6, one of our scripture references makes it clear that children are precious in God’s sight, and that to cause one of them to sin is a heinous crime and a terrible sin! If a woman or a man willingly chooses to have a child as a single parent, regardless of the odds against that child having a life that is healthy and productive, how can it be anything less than a sin? Please understand, this in no way is supportive of abortion, despite what media stories relate, and what the more liberally minded might believe. At the same time, choosing to raise a child when in the face of the odds against that child developing correctly is not right, and as I John 5 states, anything that is not righteous is sin. God’s design for raising a child is still the right way. Any deviation from God’s perfect will and way is sinful, and this includes choosing to become a single parent, especially knowing the odds are against you and the child.

Point #3 – Single Mothers are now the New Champions:
Look at any media outlet today, and you will soon see that single motherhood is being championed more and more often. Just a generation or two ago, single motherhood was viewed as an unfavorable situation, and though statistics prove that such is still the case for both mother and child, mainstream media continue to portray single mothers as “courageous”, “strong”, and “sacrificial”. As in the case of two US teachers who were fired from their Christian Schools, single mothers are also seen as victims by the media. The two female teachers in question both chose to engage in sex, despite the fact that they were single. Subsequently, both became pregnant, and, when school authorities on both cases found out, both of these teachers were fired: one from a Catholic School n New York, the other from a Protestant School in Alabama. The New York Teacher in question, in an ABC News interview, described herself as a “victim”, relating how the Catholic School that fired her was “persecuting” her, and alleging that she had “suffered”. A further case in North Carolina is being investigated where a tutor to fifth graders has accused her former employer of firing her because of immoral behavior, she being unwed and pregnant. In all three of these cases, these women are being heralded as victims, despite the fact that their contracts and codes of conduct with their schools forbade sexual activity outside of marriage. Television and other major media outlets continually produce stories of single mothers who are portrayed as champions and heroines. Case in point is Former U.S. Army Private Jessica Lynch. Miss Lynch, the former POW in Iraq, whose rescue riveted the world, was declared heroic when it was announced that she was pregnant by her fiancé. The delivery of her baby was also praised as further proof of her recovery from her war trauma As of this writing, Miss Lynch still has yet to marry her fiancé. Other celebrities, such as supermodel Nikki Taylor, singer Madonna, comedienne Rosie O’Donnell, and actress Jodie Foster, have also been trumpeted by the press and TV as heroines, facing their world courageously while raising their children alone. Here in Japan, this past Spring, NHK ran a story and special about a young, single mother who was striving to do her best to hold down a job in a tool and dye, all the while trying to raise her son. The story portrayed the young woman as heroic, dedicated, and courageous. Never once was there mention of the need for her young, one-year-old son’s need for a father. The story ended with members of a panel weeping at this young lady’s plight, applauding her for her strength and courage to carry through, all but dubbing her a champion of sorts for other women out there, and a role model for the younger generations. The story didn’t mention the overwhelming odds against both the woman and her son having a truly good future. A further example of media championing single motherhood is a recent BBC Documentary detailing the lives of 40 women who all made the choice to become single mothers. Despite the facts, media continues to pump up, prop up, and make champions out of single mothers.

Point #4 – If You Want Children, Get Married First!!!
Though Paul in our Scriptures from I Corinthians is speaking directly towards sex, it can be applied to having children. Are you a man, and want children? Are there any single ladies who want to have a baby? The answer is simple: get married. Find a man (if you are a woman) or a woman (if you are a man) that you think will make a great father or mother, and also a great husband or wife, settle down, and get married. This is not a pat answer, and this writer knows that finding someone to love and marry can be extremely difficult in many cases. But the simple answer to someone or anyone wanting a baby and children is to do it the old fashioned way: get married. If you place your trust and hope in Jesus Christ, he will bring the right person for your life, and there will be no mistake about it.

Conclusion – Despite the Media’s Views to the Contrary, Single Motherhood is still not the best way, nor even a good way, and, as the Bible portrays, is sin:
It has been written in this lesson once, and it is written here again: Anyone who makes the conscious choice to become a single parent, knowing the odds against the child and themselves, are committing sin. Just as with abortion, homosexuality, and sexual promiscuity aside from marriage, single parenthood as a choice is nothing more than the height of selfishness. It is a sin against God, the single parent him/herself, and against the child, as they are not giving the best they should give to the child. But as with all sin, God is merciful, and he will forgive. If you have made the choice to become a single parent, God will forgive you and he will help you if you come to him. He will help you raise your child, and will provide you a way to serve him and live for him.

Prayer – Heavenly Father, in these Modern days, help us to have wisdom – your wisdom. LORD, we know that there are many, many single mothers and single parents out there. For those who have made this choice, regardless of the consequences, please help them and us to see that your way is the best way. Maybe, LORD, there are those out there who made this choice, and are in trouble. We pray, LORD, that you will help them to come to you and see that the help that they need is right with you all along. Bless us all this week and this day, we pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Verse to Remember:
But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
–I Corinthians 7.9

[icebear]

[B].

These "Labcoat Bible Lessons" (they're called this because of my habit of teaching in a labcoat, and that's because I go a bit crazy with the chalk on the board, and don't want a chalkdust mess all over my clothes)


i love this, its got some sort of benign mad scientist charm to it.... :heh
:hug

i have a major sinus infection right now, so i'm sticking to short and sweet threads today, sparing my itchy eyes and sinus-compressed brain...BUT i have subscribed to this thread so that when i come down off my decongestants i may read your Lessons thoroughly.

I appreciate your sharing, they look very interesting, but i'm typing through a marshmallow right now, don't mistake it for disinterest :heythere

[HehasmagnifiedHisWord]

Thanks for sharing in your special way a Bible study. I hope to read more from your study of the Bible!!

[Blue_Tiger]

Wait for It

Key Scripture:
Galatians 6.7~10 – Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

I Thessalonians 5.24 – Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

II Thessalonians 3.13 – But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

Are you a patient person? Does anyone like to wait? If you are in a long, long line, do you have fun while waiting, or is waiting troublesome for you? How do you feel when, after waiting for a long, long time, something disappointing happens? The Bible has a lot to say about waiting. Quite often, we have to wait a long time for something to happen. Also quite often, what we want to see happen doesn’t happen at all. I would like to talk about some points dealing with waiting and patience…

Point #1 – God doesn’t always call in his debts in October:
There is a story of an atheist who wrote to the Editor of his town’s newspaper. This atheist was a farmer. In his letter, he told of how he planted his crops on Sunday, how he harvested those crops on Sunday, and how he took his harvested crops to the barn on Sunday. He told the Newspaper Editor that he was able to bring in a greater harvest that particular October than his Christian neighbors. The next week, his letter was in the newspaper. The Editor had also responded to this Atheist Farmer. His words were simple and to-the-point: God doesn’t always call in his debts in October.

The bad news for anyone who does not believe in Jesus Christ is this: Do not be deceived; God is not mocked: what a person does to please his or her flesh will bring forth a crop of terrible consequences later. We have a saying in the US: What goes around comes around. What that means is that sooner or later, whatever you do will come back. This is especially so for anyone who is living to please himself or herself. Sin brings terrible consequences to a person, and many times those consequences show up much, much later in life. Take Smoking for example. The Bible says nothing about smoking specifically. But this verse in Galatians fits with smoking because people who smoke for years and years usually end up developing lung cancer. It is the same with any kind of sin. Sooner or later, the consequences of sin will catch up with a person. Numbers 32.23 says, “Be sure your sin will find you out.” If you don’t have Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior, the consequences of living without him will come to pass.

Point #2 – Good Things Come to Those Who Wait:
This is an old saying in the English Speaking world. This saying means that if you are patient and wait, good things will come. This is especially so with doing the work of the LORD. Galatians 6.9 says that we will reap if we stay at work. When you think of living for Jesus Christ, what do you think of? What kind of race is the Christian life? Is following Jesus like a sprint or is it more like a marathon? When you watch a long-distance race, how do the runners run? Do they go all-out, as fast as they can right away? Do they set a good pace, giving them good breathing and strength to finish? In the same way, the Bible says when we live life following Jesus Christ, we need to run as if it is a marathon. And just as marathon and other long distance runners train daily in preparation for their races, we need to do the same thing. The training is long. The race is long. In the end, though, the reward and prize will be worth it. Patience will pay off in the end. It is when we get impatient and try to go faster than God wants that we run into trouble. God promised Abraham and Sarah a son. Things were okay until they grew impatient, and Sarah gave Abraham her maidservant, Hagar. Though God blessed Ishmael, he was not the son of promise for Abraham and Sarah. Because of their impatience, we now have the fighting and strife in the Middle East between Arab and Jew. Remember that patience pays off in God’s eyes! When we go faster than he wants, or go in a different way, trouble will always come…

Point #3 – What If I get Tired?
In any race there is always someone who gets very tired. Sometimes the racers in a marathon don’t finish. In the Annual New York Marathon, there are tens of thousands of runners who start the race. By the end of the New York Marathon, very few of the tens of thousands finish. In following Jesus, we too get tired. Our spirits get tired. Our bodies get tired. Our minds get tired. We need to remember that when we are tired, Jesus Christ is with us. He wants us to put our worries, our fatigue, and our tired selves in his hands. Many people who follow Jesus try to follow him on their own. They try to follow Jesus but don’t give him the fatigue that naturally comes. The Bible says in Matthew 11 that we need to give our tiredness to Jesus. When we are tired, he will help us. II Thessalonians 3.13 says, “Be not weary in well-doing.” Galatians 6.9 says the same thing. How can we “be not weary?” We can only be strong through Jesus Christ.

Point #4 – The Enemy Also Runs Beside Us:
Just as Christ runs with us, so does the devil. The devil runs with us, though, for a far different reason that Jesus does: the devil runs beside us to discourage us, to cause fear, and to tempt us to quit. Have you ever had someone tell you, “You can’t do it!”? Have you ever told someone a dream or an idea, only to hear that person say “Nope, it can’t be done!”? This is what the devil does to us as we run the race and do the work that Jesus has set for us to do. He will slither up beside us and whisper discouragement in our ears. He will bring storms and fears and tragedies to try to get us to slow down and even quit before the finish. We need to understand that the devil is limited in his power. There is no fight, no comparison between Jesus and the devil. When the enemy comes up and discourages us, we must remember to call out to Jesus and ask for his help. Many of Ancient Israel’s kings did just that when they went to battle against enemies who were stronger on the field. David, time and time again, asked God for his help when facing the enemies of Israel. Just as David and countless others called for and received God’s help against the devil, we can do the same. However, if you don’t have Jesus as your Savior; if he doesn’t live in your heart, you need to know that God will not help you in times of trouble. Just as Godly kings of Israel received God’s help, ungodly kings who did not have God in their hearts and did not live for him suffered terrible defeat. Anyone in here who does not have Jesus in his or her heart belongs to the devil. The devil can do as he pleases with a non-Christian because everyone who does not have Jesus is under the control of the devil. When a person receives Jesus into his or her heart and life as LORD and Savior, the devil loses that control.

Conclusion – Faithful Is He!!!!
I Thessalonians 5.24 says this: “Faithful is he who calls you, who also will do it.” What is the “it” that God will do? That “it” is God’s will for whatever you are waiting and praying for. Are you praying for the Salvation of a loved one? Remember that God hears your prayers and he cares! Is there a sick friend or family member that you pray for day and night? Keep on praying! Are you working somewhere for the Lord and are not seeing any kind of results for His Kingdom? Stay at it and be encouraged! Think of Abraham. Abraham was promised a son by way of Sarah. He and Sarah waited 25 years for a son. God kept his promise to them, and gave them Isaac. It is the same for us, too! We may have to wait a long, long time for the promise of God. You may pray for someone for years, and God may not move. I have been praying for a non-Christian friend for nine years. I’ve been praying for this friend ever since I first came to Japan. He still hasn’t given his heart to Jesus Christ. After nine years, should I quit? Quitting is what the devil wants! Don’t quit, don’t give up! Keep doing what God wants you to do. Finally, if you don’t know Jesus as Savior, and you want his help in your race, remember he is waiting for you. He will help you in your race if you ask him for help.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, sometimes we get tired in the race. Sometimes as we run, as we walk, as we do the things you ask of us, we get tempted to quit. We pray, Lord Jesus, that you would help us in this race, in this work that you have called us to do. We may not see results Lord, but we know that you do. Bless each person this week. Please come near to those who are burdened and need a special boost of your Holy Spirit. Give us all a good, good week this week we pray, in Jesus name, Amen.

[Blue_Tiger]

Peace and Trouble

Key Scripture:
John 16-32~33 – Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, they ye should be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet, I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Merry Christmas!! When you think of Christmas and New Years, what do you think about? How do you feel about the coming holidays and all the preparations, work, and fixings that are required? Do you approach the Christmas Season with thoughts of Joy, dreams of Good Will, and hopes of Peace to all? Do you come into the holiday season with a sense of unhappiness, dread and fear? Studies in the USA have shown that Christmas is the most troubling, depressing and distressing time of the year. These studies showed that the reason for the distress and trouble has to do with the stress and pressure people put themselves under to buy that perfect gift for each and every member on the Christmas gift list. People literally have gone mad looking for and shopping to get gifts for their friends, family, and loved ones. Having a large and friend-and-family-filled Christmas Dinner or Christmas party also adds to the stress levels at this time of the year. Getting the perfect turkey and that too-hard-to-find cake can really take the sanity out of a person, especially as Christmas Day approaches, and no turkey in the freezer. There is also work-related stress at this time of the year, as well, as many employees go to great lengths to impress their employers. The studies that showed this high rise in these all-bad areas showed, too, that suicide rates rise during what Americans call the holiday season (this holiday season starts with Thanksgiving and doesn’t really end until after New Year’s Day), and in Winter. When you add in the normal, day-to-day stress and trouble that people normally have during non-holiday seasons, life can be pretty depressing and/or stressful. What is your life like? When you think of Christmas, what do you think about? Do you have peace? Do you have a calm heart, even in the midst of a turbulent, stormy time of life?

Point #1 – EVERYBODY has trouble:
Our Scripture Verse for today speaks clearly to this truth. Jesus Christ is very plain here: everyone will have trouble. Jesus says, “In the world you will have tribulation…” (John 16.3), and he is right. You don’t have to look very far to see that this world is a truly troublesome place. In the news, we hear much about Iraq and Afghanistan, and how these seem to be the most trouble-filled places. However, if we look at Japan by herself, we can easily see that Japan, too, is a very trouble-filled place. I came to Japan almost ten years ago. Every year, for those nearly-ten years, violent crime among young people has risen. Every year, since I came to Japan, government corruption continues to be a plague in Tokyo. Every year since 1998, more and more families are breaking up, more and more people are killing themselves, and more and more people are giving in to fear about the future. I do not say these things to say that Japan is a bad place. Japan is a wonderful place. But the facts show that Japan – as good a country as she is – is a very, VERY trouble-filled place. This is true for the USA, as well, and for every other country on the face of the earth. Trouble abounds everywhere. Anyplace a person would go trouble for him or her is still going to crop up. People still get sick, people still die, children still get hurt, and old people still have pension problems. Crime will always abound, and criminals will sometimes get away, running with the money they’ve taken (even if movies show that the bad guys get it in the end). Ladies and gentlemen, this is the world we live in. It is troubling, trouble-filled, and it is only getting worse. Everyone has trouble of some kind or another. That’s the bad news.

Point #2 – Everybody CAN have Peace….but Not Everybody Takes it:
Here is the good news: you can have peace if you want it. Even if everything around you is in terrible, horrible turmoil, you can still have peace. Is your life full of trouble? Do you want peace? Who doesn’t? Peace – real, true, lasting, unspeakably joyful peace – is waiting for you if you want it. Just recently in the USA, a professional football player was killed by a burglar in his own home. This young man was only 24 years old. He and his wife have a baby girl who’s 18 months old. On Thursday, I was reading and I also listened to an interview with this young football player’s Dad. People were asking him how he and the family were doing. He replied that God was keeping them. His words were very profound. Here this father had just lost his young, talented, athletic son. He died at a very young age. His death was senseless. Yet, this Dad stood with a look and with words of peace on his face and in his heart. Though he was deeply saddened, deeply hurt, probably devastated by his son’s death, this father only spoke words of praise, words of faith in Jesus Christ. I saw another interview on TV concerning a father who’d lost his mother and his two daughters. The contrast between the man who’d lost his daughters and the man who’d lost his son was very different. The father who’d lost the daughters and his mother spoke only words of grief, words of hopelessness. His sadness and his hopelessness were terribly grieving. The man, however, who’d lost his football-player son, however, had words of hope, words of faith, words of encouragement. Yes, he, too, was sad – terribly sad. But his words, his attitude, his heart had nothing but peace.

Reader, do you understand what I am writing here? This comparison showed the stark difference between a man who had placed his trust in Jesus Christ, and a man who’d placed his hope and his trust in nothing. This is the peace that you can have. Jesus said “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16.33) And Jesus says this to us so that we, too, by him, can also overcome the world. Do you have that peace? Do you have Jesus Christ? You can have him today, if you want him! You can have the kind of peace that can help you through life’s hardest storms if you want it!

The reason why many of us have depression, have overbearing stress, and get cranky and upset at Christmas is because many of us have lost sight of what Christmas is all about. We get so wrapped up in doing, going, cooking, shopping, preparing, and hosting that we lose sight of Jesus Christ. The reason why Jesus came is so that people can and will have peace. Suicide rates are so high at Christmas because people have lost the hope that Christmas is all about. People have deep depression at this time of year because we have forgotten the joy of Christmas that only Jesus Christ can bring. People get bent out of shape so much at this great time of year because we have taken Jesus out of the manger and put the almighty yen (or dollar) there. When we put Jesus Christ back as the centre of Christmas, we will have peace – the peace that words cannot express…

Point #3 – “Joyful People Make me SICK!”
Do you know someone who is so full of joy, so at peace with life, and seems to have everything under control that it makes you angry? Do you know a person who never gets ruffled, no matter the circumstances? My Dad is like this. I have seen and heard people say to my Dad that he makes them angry because he always seems to walk around with a song in his heart and a smile on his face. My brother is the same. When we were both university students, some of the guys we worked with at our part-time jobs would be so upset with my brother because he always whistled while he worked. Do you know someone like this? A better question is, do you want to be a person like that? Ladies and Gentlemen, the best Christmas gift you could ever receive is Jesus Christ. The most wonderful peace and joy can be yours if you know Jesus Christ. If you already have Jesus, but you seem to have lost that peace, remember that Jesus is waiting to give you his peace again! If you don’t have Jesus, understand that you will never really, truly know what peace is all about. The Bible says in Matthew and Luke that, without Jesus, your life will always be like a sand castle when the storms of life come. Your life will begin to crumble, and eventually will fall, but if you have Jesus, then your life will be like a REAL castle during a military siege: no matter what comes against you, with Jesus, you will have peace, and victory is assured. You can have the peace that Jesus gives, and you can be a joyful person if you choose Jesus Christ today. This can be the best Christmas of your life, if you want it to be. Lets pray…

Prayer – Father, thank you for this day. Thank you for these good people who have come. Help us, Lord, to remember that while we will always have trouble in the world, we can also have peace. Help us to know, Lord Jesus, that you are waiting for each of us to come, and trust in you. Help us, Lord, to know that your peace is the kind of peace that will never fail, and will never die. Help us all to have a great week. Help us all to have a great Christmas! Please bless all who read this, today, Father. We pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen…

[A Berean]

Blue Tiger- I just found this tucked away in Bible Study. It's my bedtime, so I will read in the morning! Looks good- thank you:thumb.

[Blue_Tiger]

Where Is He that is Born King of the Jews?

Key Scripture:
Matthew 2.1~12: 1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2saying, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” 3When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5And they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6‘And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.’” 7Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star had appeared. 8And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return unto Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Where is he that is born King of the Jews? What do you think about this question from the wise men? How can you and how does anyone else answer this question? Is this an important question, or unimportant? Is this a question only for Christmas, or can we ask such a question at all times during the year? Many people have many different things to say concerning Jesus of Nazareth. What about you? Where is he that is born King of the Jews?

Point #1 – Christ is Being Ushered OUT of Christmas…
It doesn’t take long for people to see that Jesus is being “x”-ed out of Christmas. I’m not very much of a fan of “Xmas”. I know that there is a reason for the “X” being in front of the “-mas”, but from what I have seen over the years, “Xmas” is just another way to remove Christ from “Christmas”. This, friends, is where the trouble begins. When “Christ” is taken out of “Christmas”, then all sorts of problems begin to shape up. When you think of Christmas, what do you think of? This is something that I preached on last week here in the Japanese Service. Where do your thoughts go when you think of Christmas, this time of the year? Do you have thoughts of joy, peace, and the desire to thank the Lord Jesus Christ for coming to earth, or do you think about everybody on your Christmas Shopping list, the parties you must attend, and the people you must please at this time of the year? Most people think of the latter, if they take the time to think of Christmas at all. Did you know that in the United states that suicide rates, depression, and gloominess rise starting right about this time of the year? More people in the United States have mental, psychological, and emotional problems at this time of the year than at any other! How about you? There are many and varied explanations for this rise in depression, this rise in nervous breakdowns, but really, there is only one reason: most people have taken Christ right out of Christmas. When I was in school just a few years ago, the vacation time for schools was called “Christmas Vacation”; now it is called “Winter Break” or “Winter Vacation”. In the past – especially if you worked in a government or public office – one could say “Merry Christmas” without fear of retribution; now, if you say something other than “Happy Holidays”, a person could find himself or herself in front of a judge. It used to be that a person at work or a student at school could display a Christmas Decoration at the office or in the classroom; in modern times, such decorations are room for dismissal from work or suspension from school. Christ is being taken out of “Christmas”, to the worse of modern culture.

Point #2 – Wise Men STILL Seek Him!!!
The wise men that we read about were actively looking for Jesus Christ. Where do you think that these wise men came from? What country from which, do you suppose, did these Christ-seeking scholars start out? There are many who believe that these wise men (and the number of these men is uncertain; many think it is three because of tradition and because there were three gifts given. The Bible doesn’t say how many, but the number was likely very large) came from Persia. The reason for this is possibly because of the high position that the Prophet Daniel had in the Persian Kingdom and Empire, and while Daniel had been dead for centuries, his writings about the messiah were liekyl still around. The point of this is to say that these wise men were actively seeking, actively looking for Jesus Christ! The Bible does not say, but these men very likely traveled for at least a year-and-a-half to find Jesus. Think about these facts:
Jesus is not called “a baby” as he is in Luke, but “a young child”…
Mary and Joseph were living in a house when the Wise Men came, not the stable where Jesus was born, as we see in Luke…
The Wise Men were following a Star, which probably meant that they could only travel at night, and then, only when the night was clear.
Joseph seems to have not been home when the Wise Men came at first, as he is not mentioned until after the Wise Men have already left, possibly meaning that he had work or a job and didn’t come home until evening, meaning that he and Mary, with Jesus had decided to settle down in Bethlehem.
In Verse 16 of this chapter, we see that Herod, in his anger at being tricked by the Wise Men, ordered the execution of all the children in Bethlehem and the surrounding area that were two years old and younger.
As you can see by these interesting facts, these Wise Men spent a long and possibly hard time seeking Jesus Christ. It is the same for many of us! I asked Jesus to come into my heart when I was 7 years old. Over the last almost-29 years, however, there have been many hard, difficult times in getting to know him. The road that I have traveled with Jesus hasn’t been easy, but, just like these Wise Men who have traveled, the times that I have “seen” Jesus in my life have been times of great reward, great rejoicing, and awesome peace! It’s the same as with these Wise Men! When they saw the star, and knew their travel to see Jesus was almost finished, they rejoiced!! When they came to the house where Jesus lived with Mary and Joseph, they rejoiced even more greatly, and worshipped him! I truly wonder what their homeward journey was like! Maybe their trip home was similar to the shepherds, who rejoiced as they left the stable where Jesus had been born (see Luke 2). It is the same for anyone else! If you seek Jesus, you will find him! Even if the road to find him has been long, hard, and full of trouble (just like my road), if you diligently find Jesus, you will find him, and your rejoicing will be grand!!!! Wise Men still seek Jesus!

Point #3 – What Herod and Everybody Else Missed…
Now maybe you are wondering about Herod. How could the King of Israel have missed – or almost missed – Jesus Christ’s birth? How could the Chief Priests, the Scribes, and the Religious Scholars of Israel have missed the birth of the Messiah? Why were these leaders and “all of Jerusalem” troubled at the news of the birth of Jesus Christ? The answer is really quite simple: They weren’t looking for him. That is the reason why King Herod had to ask his Chief Priests in the first place: he wasn’t even looking for Jesus Christ. In fact, the King of Israel at this time wasn’t even Jewish. He was a foreigner to whom the throne of Israel had been given because he had allied himself with Caesar Augustus in Caesar’s Civil War against Marc Antony. In reality, the reigning “King of the Jews” (Herod) was really a pretender to the throne. So when one thinks about his ignorance concerning the birth of Jesus Christ, it would seem that Herod had been quite foolish. You see, King Herod was not only not looking for Jesus, when Jesus came, he wasn’t ready; neither, really, were the Scribes and Priests; neither were the people of Jerusalem. None of them had trusted God for his promise of the Messiah. The last mention anywhere of Christ’s birth had been almost 500 years before, so the people, the king, even the religious experts had grown complacent: it had been nearly 500 years, so why should the Promised Messiah come now? The Israelites, along with their religious and political leaders, had waited for such a long time that the promise of Jesus Christ’s Coming had become more like a fable or a traditional folk tale, rather than a prophesied, coming event. Why even bother keeping watch anymore? Further, times were peaceful for the first time in centuries, and though Rome was in control of the known world, times weren’t terrible. What need did Israel have, really, of a Messiah? This is the reason that everyone in Jerusalem was troubled when Jesus was born…

It’s the same for today, if one really thinks about it. After all, Jesus did say he was coming again, right? But how long ago was that? Was it fifteen hundred years ago? Was it two thousand years ago? You see? Even in today’s world, people are not looking for Jesus Christ. At Christmas time, people think more about shopping, more about Christmas Parties and Christmas Bonuses, even more about visiting with family and friends and loved ones more than we think about Jesus Christ! This is so especially among Christians and Christian or Christ-influenced nations!! What if it were announced – just as the Wise Men did in Jerusalem when Jesus was born – that Jesus Christ was on his way back to earth? How would we react? Would we – like Herod the king – be troubled, and everyone around us also? Would we run to a pastor or priest and demand to know to where and when Jesus said he was coming back? Would we shake with fear at his return? Friends, this is where Herod, the Priests and Scribes, and the population of Jerusalem missed it!!! They missed Jesus Christ when he came because they weren’t looking for Him! The King of Israel – with all his power and might, his army and his chariots – and the population of Jerusalem missed the Messiah; but lowly, field-dwelling Shepherds saw Jesus and very likely held Him in their arms! The Priests and Scribes of the temple – with their education and wisdom – missed the birth of Jesus Christ by two years, and were a mere 30 kilometers away; yet foreign scribes, Wise Men, who lived some 2000 kilometers away, took time out of their lives, faced danger and separation from home, and traveled for those two years to find him! The reason why the king, the priests and religious leaders, and the people of Jerusalem missed Jesus is because they were not looking for him.

Conclusion – What about you? Where is he that is born King of the Jews?
Is Jesus Christ in your heart and life? Is The King of the Jews your Lord and Saviour? Have you asked Jesus Christ into your life, to take away your sins and give you a fresh, new start? Let me ask the question that the Wise Men asked, one more time: Where is he that is born King of the Jews? Friends, this question is the most important question that you will ever face!!! What better time of the year to answer the question is there than Christmas? If you cannot give a sure, 100% certain answer to this question, then to tell you the truth, you need the Saviour! If you ask Jesus to come into your life, to rescue you from your sins and to clean them away, he will come! Don’t you want to give a positive, sure answer to this question? Do you want to be troubled by this question, as Herod the king and his people, were? Trust Jesus today! In closing, I leave you with this question once again: Where is he that is born King of the Jews? Let’s pray…

Prayer – Heavenly Father, we bless you, we thank you, and we praise you for the gift of Jesus Christ! We thank you for Christmas! The world, Lord, is troubled when the question that the Wise Men asked 2,000 years ago is asked today: “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” We pray, Father, that you would help those who would be troubled by such a question to come to know you as Saviour, Lord, and Master of their lives! We Pray, Father, that this Christmas Season, they would accept the free gift you have ready to give to all mankind! We pray that you would help us all, Lord, to put Jesus Christ back in Christmas, and that we would remember to thank you and praise you for the salvation you give! Bless all, Lord, who see these words, who read them, and give them an extra added blessing of your grace, conviction, and power, we pray, in Jesus precious name, Amen!

Verse to Remember - …behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
--- Matthew 2.1-2

[Blue_Tiger]

In All Things, Give Thanks

Key Scripture Verses:
I Thessalonians 5:18 – In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

I Peter 4:16 – Yet, if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

What are some things that you give thanks for? When you think about your life, in what areas of your life are you grateful? What do you think you should give thanks for? Should you give thanks for the good things of life only, or should you also give thanks for the bad? The Bible has a lot to say when it comes to giving thanks.

Point #1 – The Easy Answer:
Of course, we should always be thankful for the blessings and good things that come into our lives. Every book in the Bible speaks of the need for giving thanks to God for the good times, for the blessings, and for the good things we receive. The Book of James states that every good and perfect gift is from above, from God the Father (James 1:17). We all probably know someone who is an ingrate? Do you know that word, ingrate? An ingrate is someone – no matter what he or she receives, be it good or bad – who does not say “Thank you” and is basically ungrateful, unthankful for anything and everything. If you look at many of today’s celebrities, many of them are truly ingrates. They think that everything is theirs to enjoy, and even when someone gives them something, they never say thank you. God. However, instructs his followers to behave differently. His Word speaks that we should give thanks for every good thing we receive. This shows that we are truly grateful.

This should be especially so when we think of the price that Jesus Christ paid on the cross. For you who are a Christian, how often do you say “Thank you!” to Jesus Christ for the forgiveness he has given you? Do you truly understand what Jesus Christ did, what he gave up, so that you and I could be saved from a fiery eternity? When we think of Jesus Christ, when we think of the price He paid on the cross for our sins, and if we have received Jesus into our hearts and lives, we must be thankful. We can never repay him for what he has done for us. The best way to be grateful is to give yourself to Jesus, and to live for him completely.. It’s also good to thank him for his gift of eternal life when we pray. We need to give thanks for the good things, and for the ultimate gift of eternal life.

Point #2 – Thank You for Punching Me!
We know that we ought to be thankful for the good things we receive, but how about the bad times? Should we be thankful in hard, bad times? If you have some terrible thing happen, do you say thank you to God for it? If someone steals your money, or you are hit by the driver of another car, are you grateful? Maybe you think that these words are crazy, but consider today’s verse from I Thessalonians 5:18. God says through Paul to be thankful in all things. How is this possible? How can we be thankful in all things? Think about Job. Do you know this person? Have you read the book of Job? Besides Jesus Christ, nobody in the Bible suffered worse than Job. He lost all his goods, lost his family, his home, and even his health. His wife turned against him, and his children were killed. Even his friends, when they came to comfort and help him ended up criticizing him. But in spite of all of this, job praised the Lord, and even thanked him for the hard times. Listen to his words to his wife; Job’s wife told him to “curse God and die”, but Job, instead, said this:Shall we receive Good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?
--Job 2:10In another part of the book, Job also said this:The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
--Job 1:21How is this possible? How can someone, who had his home, his life, his possessions, his health, and everything else taken away say these things? How can a father and husband who saw his children killed, and watched his wife walk away from him lift his head and his hands and praise the Lord for it all? When bad times, hard times happen to people around you, what are other peoples’ attitudes? When tragedy or hardships strike you, what kind of spirit do you have? It is hard to have a grateful heart in hard times, and yes, it is also hard to have a positive attitude when tragedy strikes, but this is what God says. Consider the words of Job and the words of Jesus Christ. When Jesus was crucified, he did not complain. Instead, he said “Father, forgive…” It is important to give thanks when we go through hard times as well as blessings.

Point #3 – What Doesn’t Kill a Person Makes Him or Her Stronger:
One of the reasons that we should give thanks even in the hard times is because strength comes from the hard times. Think about a sport that you enjoy. My favorite sport is weight lifting. My coaches in weight lifting always taught that the muscles of the human body grow stronger when they are broken down. This breaking down comes through the hard, tough training of lifting. It’s the same for any sport, or for any study, for that matter. Hard work, hard training, and hard study produce great results later. It is the same with the formation of a diamond. What is a diamond? How is it made? Do you know what a diamond really is? A diamond is really just a lump of coal. The difference, though, between a diamond and coal is that the diamond has gone through long, hard, hot, and intense pressure. A diamond is formed by way of pressure, heat, and time. Some scientists say that it takes 1,000 or more years for a diamond to form. During that time, it is going through intense heat, pressure, and difficulty.

In the same way, God tests us. Job was tested by God. In the end, with God’s help, Job proved himself faithful, and Job was doubly rewarded in the end. In the same way, we, too, will grow stronger, and receive a great reward from God if we hiold true to him, and are thankful for the hard times. One of the greatest rewards is being identified with Jesus Christ, and when we suffer, all the while being thankful, we are taking Christ’s attitude, and people will see it! Later, we will be able to help others because of the strength that God gave us because of the hard times. The hard times we go through make us stronger.

Point #4 – Praise God and Give the Devil a Black Eye!
The last reason we need ot be thankful for hard tiems is because of the enemy. Though God allows hard times to come, it is the devil that brings thiose hard times. Job chapters 1 and 2 show clearly that the devil brings hard times upon everyone, especially followers of Jesus Christ. The reason God allows the hard times is to make us stronger, but the devil brings the hard times so that we will “curse (God) to (his) face.” (Job 1:11, Job 2:5). The devil wants us to turn away from God, grumble, complain, whine, and eventually turn against him. Have you ever heard someone say “Why is God doing this to me?” or “Where is God in my trouble?” This is why the devil brings trouble. Think about the children of Israel when Moses led them out of Egypt. How often in the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy do the Children of Israel grumble and complain about the hardships of their travel to the Promised Land? How often did they accuse Moses and God of “brining us to the desert to die”? What happened to these ungrateful Children of Israel? Instead of taking a trip that was about a year or two at most, the grumbling and complaining of the Children of Israel resulted in them wandering in the desert for 40 years. This is what the devil wants from us! He wants us to turn from God, to complain, to “curse (God) to (hid) face” and die! But when we praise God in the face of hard times, we do something to the devil that is like punching him in the eye. The devil wants us to complain, but when we praise God for the hard times, instead of curse him, we stop the devil in his tracks. Praising God in the hard times instead of cursing him proves the devil a liar. In the hard times, Praise God (don’t curse him), because it helps to defeat the devil.

Conclusion – Are You Going Through Hard Times?
Are you having a tough time right now? If you are, what kind of attitude do you have? Is it a good attitude, one of thanks and praise to God, or are you ungrateful, cursing and complaining to God, blaming him, and ignoring the test? It is hard to go through tough times and have a good attitude. We can do it if we go on the strength of the LORD. Alone, we will become bitter, hard, ungrateful, and, in the end, in a place where God doesn’t want us to be. Let’s pray…

Prayer – We pray, today, O LORD, for anyone who is reading this who is going through some hard times. For those who know you not, Father, we pray that they will come to know you, in spite of the hard times, and that they will see this as the day in which they came to know you. We pray for the believer, Father, the brother and sister who may be going through a hard spot or a tough time. We pray, LORD, that you will comfort them in the hard time, and strengthen them, helping them to rejoice despite the pain, and praise You, in the face of the hurt! We pray all of this in the Saving Name of Jesus Christ, Amen…

Verse to Remember - …the LORD gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
---Job 1:21