Verse of the Day -- 2 Corinthians 2:14

Today is September 8, 2011

Thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

In Jesus we have the sweet smell of success.

MINI BIBLE STUDY FOR THE DAY

In Paul's day, when Roman generals returned from war in victory, they were usually honored with a large parade. In the parade, the generals would show off their captured loot and conquered captives. After the parade, a victory feast would be prepared and the entire city would celebrate. For the victors, the air was filled with the sweet smell of success. But for the captives, the rich smells were a stinging reminder of defeat.
In 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, Paul used this analogy to describe our success when we fully trust Jesus for salvation. When Jesus removes the stain of sin, we become the "fragrance of Christ." But to non-Christians, the smell of our Christian walk is nauseating.

We are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. —2 Corinthians 2:15-16

QUESTION FOR THE DAY

Dear Compass,
You have stated that the father is responsible for the spiritual training of the child and you also say that the wife should generally not be working outside the home, so naturally she will be spending much more time with the children than the father. Thus, my question is, cannot much of the spiritual teaching be delegated to the wife, especially if she is gifted in this area? (Understanding the father is still ultimately accountable).

ANSWER:

Deuteronomy 4:10 says "They" (parents) should teach their children, and Deuteronomy 6:4-6, which could be instructions to the fathers (see preceding verses and Deuteronomy 5:29), is also best applied to the parents. There are other OT verses that specifically give the responsibility to the dad.

He commanded our fathers, that they should teach them to their children . . . That they may arise and tell them to their children . . . that they should put their confidence in God, and . . . keep His commandments . . . and not be . . . rebellious. —Psalm 78:5-8

In the NT, the husband has the specific overall responsibility for the children's spiritual teaching as leader of the family.

For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. —Ephesians 5:23

Since the child's future relationship with the Lord is more important than all else in life, the father should not only be responsible, but actively involved. All the NT verses that relate to teaching children have the dads in active teaching roles, not the moms:

Fathers, do not exasperate your children . . . —Colossians 3:21 Fathers do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. —Ephesians 6:4
Let deacons be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their households. —1 Timothy 3:12
. . . keeping his children under control with all dignity. —1 Timothy 3:4
. . . we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each of you as a father would his own children . . . —1 Thessalonians 2:11

A wife can, and should, supplement and complement this spiritual teaching. She can, of course, under her husband's instruction, substitute in his absence or in the event of sickness. And since moms often spend more time with the children, as you pointed out, it certainly makes sense that they will be actively involved in the ongoing spiritual training of the children. But in God's order, we think it is very important that her teaching be under the leadership and guidance of the dad. The spiritual training of their children is ultimately his responsibility.

Fishers of Men...

The Good Fisherman

by Sir Nike

The story began like most stories do,
A long time ago by a small sea of blue.
Two brothers were fishing their nets scattered round
Not knowing that they’d turn the world upside-down.
Jesus walked by and their fishing did end,
And they became Christ’s first Fishers of Men.

A group would be formed and when Christ was done,
These two became twelve and they followed God’s Son,
He taught them through stories of water and seeds
To tend to their brothers before their own needs.
He said love your God with all of your heart
And all of my ways you should never part.

They traded the boats and the nets they were casting
For grace and forgiveness and life everlasting.
They traded the Law and all that they knew
For the truth of a man and a life made anew.
They traded this world and all that was in it
For the promise of heaven and the race that would win it.

Two thousand years later the story’s the same,
Those who want Heaven, not fortune or fame.
People who are willing to face daily strife
Sharing the message of eternal life.
The message that God wants the whole world to hear,
These folks proclaim Jesus without any fear.

Because of your calling, I now know the story.
I accepted the gift in all of its glory.
A room in the mansion is furnished for me
Because of your sharing I know I am free.
My life is now changed, I will never go back
I am running the race, I’m ahead of the pack.

I can’t thank you enough for all that you gave me,
The story of Christ and how he could save me.
By giving your time and completing your mission,
You heeded the call of Christ’s great Commission.
I’m so very happy that you are my friends
And that you chose to be Fishers of Men.

This piece was written in tribute to all the people in the world and go out and gently share the word of Jesus. It takes a special person to share the message of salvation with total strangers.

Praise!

Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:8

I will praise Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and will glorify Thy name for evermore. Psalm 86:12

By Him, therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15

Praises to the Saviour give, He who died that we might live, For His love, so great, so free, Praise His Name eternally. When our hearts were steeped in sin, Vile and wretched were within, Jesus left the throne above, Came to show the Father's love. Oh how wondrous was His grace! He who took the sinner's place, Jesus offered "Lo, I come," All to bear the sinner home. Jesus died on Calv'ry's tree, There to set the sinner free, All who on His Name believe, Everlasting life receive. What a debt to Him we owe! Gladly may our praises flow, Let our cheerful voices raise, Loud thanksgivings, songs of praise. Praise the Father and the Son, That redemption's work is done, Magnify that precious Name, Christ, the Lamb of God, who came. Worthy is the Lamb once slain, Praise and magnify His Name, Laud and honour may we bring, To our Saviour, Priest and King. Glory unto Jesus be, He who died to set us free, Let us worship and adore, Praise His Name forevermore.

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised. Psalm 113:3

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Rev. 5:12

~The Difference That Prayer Makes~

 

I got up early one morning
And rushed right into the day.
I had so much to accomplish
That I didn't have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me
And heavier came each task.
Why doesn't God help me? I wondered.
He answered, "You didn't ask."

I wanted to see joy and beauty,
But the day toiled on, gray and bleak
I wondered why God didn't show me.
He said, "But you didn't seek."

I tried to come into God's presence,
I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided,
"My child, you didn't knock."

I woke up early this morning,
And paused before entering the day;
I had so much to accomplish
That I had to take time to pray !

Grace L. Naessens

"My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O LORD;
In the morning will I direct my prayer onto Thee."
Psalm 5:3

~Faith Is Everything~



Michael is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. He even has scripture memorized! When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would have already been raptured!"

He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Michael was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation. And give him a bible verse.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Michael and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?" Michael replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, Mike, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood. Then I memorize a bible verse.

Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I always choose the positive side of life. And then I give them a bible verse.

"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested. "Yes, it is," Michael, said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. And you choose whether God is a part of your life or not. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live life." I reflected on what Michael said.

Soon thereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it. And then I memorized a bible verse.

Several years later, I heard that Michael was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Michael was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back.

I saw Michael about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied. "If I were any better, I would have already been raptured! Wanna see my scars?" And he recited a bible verse.

I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place. "The first thing that went through my mind was the well being of my soon to be born daughter," Michael replied. "Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or I could choose to die. I chose to live. Then all these bible verses came to mind and comforted me.

"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked. Michael continued, "...the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man.' I knew I needed to take action." "What did you do?" I asked. It was then I recited the Lord's Prayer out loud for all to hear.

"Well, then there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Michael. She asked if I was allergic to anything. "Yes, I replied." The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, "Gravity." Over their laughter, I told them, "I am choosing to live and my guardian angels are all around. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead".

Michael lived thanks to God, the angels, skill of his doctors and also because of his determination and amazing faith. I learned from him that every day we have the choice how we live.

Faith, after all, is everything!

"He is my loving ally and my fortress, my tower of safety, my deliverer.
He stands before me as a shield, and I take refuge in him."
Psalm 144:2a (NLT)

Does It Hurt Bad Enough?

A man has a guest over and as
they sit on the front porch,

the guest notices the old
hound dog moaning a bit. ....
the guest asks 'why the
dog is moaning?"...
the owner says "he's laying on
a nail that is sticking up" ...
the guest asks
"why doesn't he move?"
owner says "He's too lazy to get up"

Moral of the story?

If something in your life isnt quite the way it should be, make it right.
don't be complacent and "settle" for less than the blessings
Jesus has in store for you. Overbearing boss, seek a new Job.
A friend or loved one hurting or abusing you? Time to walk away.
If your church is not feeding your spirit, find one that will.

How much can you take before you will stand up and make a change? You are a child of the King of King's! You are chosen to spread His word! Are you equiped to do that from where you are?
Are you waiting for a "sign"? Well here it is! Do what God has insructed you to do. Even if it seems small and silly. Don't ever fail to listen to the last time God spoke to you. Obedience is better than sacrifice. Sometimes we don't "want" to do what God wants us to do, usually what we want is the total opposite of His will for us.  I don't think some things are meant to be a choice, you can't argue with God, He WILL have His way. Remember He used a burning bush to speak to Moses and a Whale to get through to Jonah. You don't want a rock to cry out in your place!!
He will use you if you are a willing
and humble servent, with a teachable
Spirit. He has used much less...
Five loaves of bread and two
fish fed a multitude of 5000 in Luke 9:12-17, with twelve baskets of leftovers!! Imagine a childs lunch! Jesus tells us in John 14:12 that we will do greater works than He because He is going unto His Father. It is hard to believe that we are capable of such things, but Jesus Himself spoke it so we cannot refute it, we need only to believe and it will be done.

“Complacency is a blight that saps energy, dulls attitudes, and causes a drain on the brain. The first symptom is satisfaction with things as they are. The second is rejection of things as they might be. ‘Good enough’ becomes today’s watchword and tomorrow’s standard. Complacency makes people fear the unknown, mistrust the untried, and abhor the new. Like water, complacent people follow the easiest course — downhill. They draw false strength from looking back.”