Teaching Notes

This big tree sat inside of a beautiful pot.  What would happen if this pot were cracked or not shaped correctly? It would not be useful for this large plant.  The container needs to be useful.  That is the same with us, we need to be shaped so that our vessels are useful to carry whatever the weight is we must carry.

In the Potter's Hand

Jeremiah 18:5-10 (The Message)

5-10 Then God's Message came to me: "Can't I do just as this potter does, people of Israel?" God's Decree! "Watch this potter. In the same way that this potter works his clay, I work on you, people of Israel. At any moment I may decide to pull up a people or a country by the roots and get rid of them. But if they repent of their wicked lives, I will think twice and start over with them. At another time I might decide to plant a people or country, but if they don't cooperate and won't listen to me, I will think again and give up on the plans I had for them.

Jeremiah was a prophet of God. He gave the people of God the messages God sent him to give, even though they did not want to hear them. This chapter begins with one such message. God sends Jeremiah to the potter’s house and there he will show him a message through the working of the potter (verse 2). Jeremiah, being the obedient prophet, goes to the potter’s house to receive the message of the Lord. Once he is there he sees the potter forming a vessel on the wheel. As the potter is forming the vessel, it becomes marred (verse 4). What marred the vessel is not revealed, but it was something unwanted by the potter, so he formed it into a different vessel. The Lord spoke to Jeremiah and said cannot I do with you as this potter (verse 6)?


The first fact Jeremiah is confronted with is that the vessel was marred. What marred the vessel? It could have been a small stone or pebble that made the clay no longer smooth. It could have gotten hard from the air and was no longer easy to mold. It could simply not be shaping up to what the potter had envisioned for it. Whatever it was, the potter did not like what was forming, so he made it into something new.

God was showing Jeremiah a message about the people. The people were marred. They had hardened their hearts and allowed sin to come in and they where no longer easy to mold. But the potter has control of the clay. He can do what he wished to it, to get it to comply with his wishes.

This is the message Jeremiah was to tell the people. God wanted the people to know He is sovereign and has complete control. He can mold nations and kingdoms to do as he wishes. God’s sovereign power would be seen when God used the Babylonian’s to past judgment on his people.

There is another message in the potter’s wheel. The potter had a plan for the vessel but he changed his mind and made it into something else. God spoke to Jeremiah in verse 8, and told him to tell the people if they turn from their evil, I will change my mind on the destruction that I have for you. I will change the vessel. God’s purposes for the vessel was to be one of destruction, but God would change it again into a vessel of honor.

This wonderful God is always seeking to bring his children into a right relationship. We see him give this message again to the children. In Ezekiel 18:21 it reads, “But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statues, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.” Also in Ezekiel 33:11 it reads “Say unto them, as I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways, for why will ye die, O house of Israel?”

God seeks restoration with the people. He takes no pleasure in destroying people. He would rather we turn to him, and He is ready to forgive us. So in verse 11, He sends Jeremiah to the people to give the message of repentance. God tells them he has framed evil against them, but he tells them to turn back to doing right.

The message for people today is that God is sovereign and all are under his power. All have a chance to turn willingly in God’s hand, or choose facing the consequences of disobedience. God was sending the message to his people that if they did not turn, they would face destruction. The potter had control over the vessel. It is true today. God calls his people to be pliable in his hand so that he can mold them into what he plans. All have the choice to repent of their sins and be molded into a vessel of honor by God or refuse and suffer under the mighty hand of God.

Questions to ponder this week

1. What does it mean to be marred?
2. What can "mar" the vessel (pot)?  What then can "mar" us?
3. Who had control of the vessel?
4. Who has control of our vessels?
5. Do we want to be hard clay or soft clay?

Prayer: Lord this week, help me to learn more about myself.  Help me to see if I am moldable in your hands or if I am hard and stubborn.  Help me to be just as you want me to be.  Shape me and mold me to be more in your image.

Teaching Notes

Go be the light to a dark world.  God is seeking who will be willing to light the paths for others?  Will you?  Will you be the light to help someone else see their need for the true light and light giver?

I Will Follow

Matthew 4:18-20 (The Message)

18-20 Walking along the beach of Lake Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew. They were fishing, throwing their nets into the lake. It was their regular work. Jesus said to them, "Come with me. I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass." They didn't ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed.

Note: This is Jesus calling his disciples to come with him.  He addresses Peter and Andrew in this scripture.

Question: Why do you think they followed Jesus?

Answer: We do not know the presence that must have be evident in Jesus, but there was something in him that made them want to go with him.  He called them to come and they left everything to do it. They dropped their nets, which was their livelihood to follow Jesus.  How easily do you think it would be to drop everything that is important to you to follow Jesus?

I can tell you it is not easy.  Yet, that is just what we are all called to do.  We are to drop everything and follow Jesus.  He is waiting to see who will come at his asking. Will you?

Prayer: Lord if you are asking who will come and follow you, today I want to say, I will.  If you say who will go for us, I want to say send me.  Lord help me today to be a true follower of Christ.

Teaching Notes

I saw these three vases of flowers sitting on a table in the hallway of the hotel.  I am not sure how many people saw them and took time to admire their beauty.  Many were probably to busy trying to get to their destinations to take time to notice.  However, I believe some saw and maybe even commented on their beauty.  Others may not have commented, but was able to enjoy the area simply because the flowers presence added to the charm.  That is you.  Sometimes people will notice you standing there comment on what you add.  Some may not say anything, but surely if you were not there, you presence would be missed.  Others, well they simply are moving to fast to notice the beautiful flower of you standing there, but keep standing because some one needs to smell your fragrance, it will make their day better.

I Will Follow

Numbers 27:21-23 (The Message)

18-21 God said to Moses, "Take Joshua the son of Nun—the Spirit is in him!— and place your hand on him. Stand him before Eleazar the priest in front of the entire congregation and commission him with everyone watching. Pass your magisterial authority over to him so that the whole congregation of the People of Israel will listen obediently to him. He is to consult with Eleazar the priest who, using the oracle-Urim, will prayerfully advise him in the presence of God. He will command the People of Israel, the entire community, in all their comings and goings."


22-23 Moses followed God's orders. He took Joshua and stood him before Eleazar the priest in front of the entire community. He laid his hands on him and commissioned him, following the procedures God had given Moses.

Notes: It is now time for Moses to turn over the leadership of the Israelites into the hand of Joshua. Joshua has followed Moses' leadership and he is now ready for the new job.

Question: How do we know Joshua is ready for leadership?

Answer: The scripture says that the Spirit of God is in Joshua. The instruction given to Moses is present Joshua before the people and give him your approval as the new leader.  If this happens, the scriptures says others will follow him.  If you want to be a great leader in your life you first have to be like Joshua, willing to follow someone else.  Then you must also be like Moses.  You must be willing to pass on your authority or influence and power to someone behind you.  You must follow, accept and then pass on (and repeat the process) throughout your life. 

The first place to start is with God.  follow him, then accept the positions he has for you.  He will present himself in you amongst the people and then pass on what God has planted in you, to someone else.  And the continue to repeat the process.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be a true follower (disciple) of Christ today.  If there are any areas where I do not follow as I should, help me to turn away from what keeps me away from you.  Help me to turn to you and do as you desire.

Teaching Notes

This is a large chandelier that hangs in the hotel I was recently in.  There were a few of these large lights and they were quite brite.  However, they hung by themselves.  They were not right next to each other.  As I look at this, I think about us.  Sometimes you may be the only "light" in an area but if the many facets of God are evident in you, you will be bright enough to light up the area.  You can be one great light, with many beautiful smaller "lights" sparkling.  Each of those talents and gifts in you add to show us you.

I Will Follow

Numbers 14:23-24 (The Message)

20-23 God said, "I forgive them, honoring your words. But as I live and as the Glory of God fills the whole Earth—not a single person of those who saw my Glory, saw the miracle signs I did in Egypt and the wilderness, and who have tested me over and over and over again, turning a deaf ear to me—not one of them will set eyes on the land I so solemnly promised to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with such repeated contempt will see it.

24 "But my servant Caleb—this is a different story. He has a different spirit; he follows me passionately. I'll bring him into the land that he scouted and his children will inherit it.

Notes: The children of Israel had to wonder in the wilderness for 40 years because of their constant complaining.  They had made it from slavery, but they would never reach the fulfillment because they refused to be obedient to God.  Caleb was different, he would be allowed to see the promise land.

Question: Why was Caleb able to do this?

Answer: He was different, he obeyed God passionately.  This scripture says he follows me passionately.  Did you know that when you follow God with great joy and passion, you will be able to reach those things promised to you?  It is when you mumble, complain and disobey that you may be forgiven, but never truly reach all the potentional of what you could become?  Don't you want to have the fullness of what God has for you?  In order to do that you must make up in your mind like Caleb, no matter if everyone else disobey God around me, I will follow him with my whole heart and reach my God appointed assignments and purpose.

Prayer: God, today we say help us to be like Caleb, sure and passionate about your truth.  Help us to be on fire for your works and your way.  Strengthen us so that we can obey you.

Teaching Notes

This is my mentor, Rev. Cynthia Thomas.  God has appointed her to help me.   She has gone in ways that I have not yet ventured and it is with a humble heart I must listen to her wise counsel.  If you want to follow God and keep his commandments, it is wise to find a good mentor in the Lord that can walk with you and then you must humble yourself to hear what they speak.

I Will Follow

Numbers 9:1-3 (The Message)

1-3 God spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai in the first month of the second year after leaving Egypt: "Have the People of Israel celebrate Passover at the set time. Celebrate it on schedule, on the evening of the fourteenth day of this month, following all the rules and procedures."

Notes: The Lord gives Moses instructions to the people regarding the Passover celebration.  The people have been free from Egypt and God wants them to honor what he has done for them.

Question: What did the people need to do?

Answer: The people were to celebrate the Passover on a scheduled time and they were to also follow all the rules and procedures.  While we do not have them listed here, it is clear that none of them could be changed because it says all must be followed.

What this teaches us is this, when God delivers you from slavery (sin) you must honor him by keeping his commandments as he instrusts.  You cannot keep some and do not do others.  He expects you to keep them all.  Not by your own works, but because he has equipped you through his Spirit to be able to do it.

Prayer: Lord help us follow you with our whole hearts.  You have saved us from slavery, so help us to do as you have instructed us to do, which is to follow your commandments.

Teaching Notes

Would you willing walk into those trees?  Most of us would say no, we do not know where it leads.  That is how it feels to us when God ask us to follow him, it feels like he is leading us into some thick trees and that can be quite scary.

I Will Follow

Genesis 24:60-62 (The Message)

61 Rebekah and her young maids mounted the camels and followed the man. The servant took Rebekah and set off for home.

Notes: Abraham sent his servant to get a wife for his son Issac.  The servant is now taking Rebekah to met her new husband.

Question: Why do you think Rebekah followed?

Answer: We do not have the complete picture, but in essence Rebekah went because it was evident that she should follow this servant.  She was going to a place she had never been before, to a people she had never seen before, but she was to trust the one leading her to that place.

It is just like us today.  Sometimes some strange things happen that require you to trust God in.  He will ask you to do somethings, go some places they you have never seen before or done before.  It will take you to some places and people you do not know.  It will require you to trust in the one leading you. 

The one leading you today, is God's Spirit.  If you trust in him, he will lead you into all trust.  Won't you let him?

Prayer: Lord, help me today to follow you willingly even in those areas that are strange and seem unfamiliar to me.  Help me to trust you even if I do not have any idea where we are going.  I will trust you, because you will never lead me wrong.

Teaching Notes

(Picture depicting the wall of Jericho)

                                                                                                                              Joshua: God's Servant Leader

Joshua 1:1-9

                                                                                                                               

1-9 After the death of Moses the servant of God, God spoke to Joshua, Moses' assistant: "Moses my servant is dead. Get going. Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people. Cross to the country I'm giving to the People of Israel. I'm giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on—just as I promised Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon east to the Great River, the Euphrates River—all the Hittite country—and then west to the Great Sea. It's all yours. All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I was with Moses, I'll be with you. I won't give up on you; I won't leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going. And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed. Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take."

                                                                                                                       

Notes: Yesterday we talked about the requirements that Joshua had to meet as God's servant leader.  We finish off with that list and God's final remarks to Joshua in this section of scripture.

                                                                                                                       

Question: What was the final things God instructed Joshua to do?

                                                                                                                          

Answer: God tells Joshua, if he keeps God's commandments, it will help him to get where he is going and to be successful.  This is important for us to understand.  God's standard of success is different than what the world says.  We think of success as "gaining something".  God see success as us releasing something.  When we release ourselves into his hands and follow all that he commands, we are successful.  God's final message to Joshua is to be encouraged. He tells him not to be afraid and to know that he (God) would be with him every step of the way.  God started his message to Joshua to be encouraged and he ended it with the same message.  This was not an accident, God wanted Joshua to know he was with him and he was encouraging him for the journey ahead.  You and I can be encourage along our journey because we know that God is with us.  He will speak words to us that will help us to reach our destination.  Don't you want God to fulfill his purpose in you?

                                                                                                                          

Prayer: Lord, today we are thankful that you will encourage us on our journey.  We do not have to be afraid of what is before us because you will walk with us every step of the way.  You promise to lead us and guide us.

Teaching Notes

Joshua had to keep all that God's word commanded in order to be the Servant Leader God called him to be.

                                                                                                                                          Joshua: God's Servant Leader

Joshua 1:1-9

                                                                                                                                         1-9 After the death of Moses the servant of God, God spoke to Joshua, Moses' assistant: "Moses my servant is dead. Get going. Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people. Cross to the country I'm giving to the People of Israel. I'm giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on—just as I promised Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon east to the Great River, the Euphrates River—all the Hittite country—and then west to the Great Sea. It's all yours. All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I was with Moses, I'll be with you. I won't give up on you; I won't leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going. And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed. Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take."

                                                                                                                                      

Notes: God is continuing to give Joshua instructions on how to be his leader. God speaks to Joshua about how to stay in the right place as the leader of the Children of Israel.
 
                                                                                                                                           Question: What are some of the things God tells Joshua to be careful about?
 
                                                                                                                                       Answer: First he tells him to carry out every revelation that Moses has shown him, every last one of them.  In other words, God is telling Joshua that what you were taught you need to make sure you honor it and carry it out to the glory of God.  Secondly, he tells him not to venture to the left or the right, but to keep on course and to reach his destination.  In other words, God is telling Joshua allow me to fulfill my plan in your life, stay true to what you were called to do. The third thing he tells him is do not let the truth of the word get away from you.  Medicate on it day and night so that you will remember what is my will.  When we do these things we too can become God's leaders.  We can lead God's people to reach what he has for them if we keep God in front of everything we do.
 
                                                                                                                                          

Prayer: Lord, help us to become the leaders you have for us to be.  Help us to learn what is needed for us to carry out your assignment for our lives.

Teaching Notes

Joshua had the promise of God that he would walk with him every step of the way.  What a promise to know that you do not walk alone.

                                                                              

Joshua: God's Servant Leader

Joshua 1:1-9

                                                                                                                                         1-9 After the death of Moses the servant of God, God spoke to Joshua, Moses' assistant: "Moses my servant is dead. Get going. Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people. Cross to the country I'm giving to the People of Israel. I'm giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on—just as I promised Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon east to the Great River, the Euphrates River—all the Hittite country—and then west to the Great Sea. It's all yours. All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I was with Moses, I'll be with you. I won't give up on you; I won't leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going. And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed. Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take."

                                                                                                                                          Notes: After God gives Joshua the promise of giving him all the land he steps foot on, he also gives him another promise that is given as an encouragement to Joshua.

                                                                                                                                        Question: What was the promises that God gave to Joshua that was an encouragement?

                                                                                                                                          Answer: God told Joshua he would never give up on him. He promises to lead him.  He also tells him to have strength and courage.  God tells Joshua that he will help him to lead these great people into the land that was promised to their ancestor.  He promises him to be with him and that he will give him strength and courage for the job ahead.  What an encouragement to know that God will not give up on you.  You can do whatever God says you can because he will give you the strength and the courage to carry through.  He will help you accomplish all that is set before you.

                                                                                                                                            Prayer: Today, Lord help us to find comfort in your promises.  You said you would not leave Joshua alone to fight his battle, so we can trust that if we trust in you, you will not leave us alone either.  Be with us as we face all the things before us.

Teaching Notes

While we understand that Joshua's footprints did not look quite like this, simply image however, that every place he put his foot, God promised it to him?

                                                                                                                                          Joshua: God's Servant Leader

Joshua 1:1-9

                                                                                                                                 1-9 After the death of Moses the servant of God, God spoke to Joshua, Moses' assistant: "Moses my servant is dead. Get going. Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people. Cross to the country I'm giving to the People of Israel. I'm giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on—just as I promised Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon east to the Great River, the Euphrates River—all the Hittite country—and then west to the Great Sea. It's all yours. All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I was with Moses, I'll be with you. I won't give up on you; I won't leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going. And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed. Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take."

                                                                                                                                                         
Notes: We will continue today about the life of Joshua. God gives Joshua some promises that he had also promised to Moses.

                                                                                                                                         Question: What were the promises?

                                                                                                                                            Answer: God told Joshua that every step he took, that land would be given unto him.  God would remove the other nations from the land and would give it to the Israelites. He promises him that all the days of his life, no nation would be able to hold out against him.  The promises of God are true, we simply have to obey what he requires of us so that we can have access to those promises.

                                                                                                                                               Prayer: Lord today, we are thankful that just as you promises Joshua, you also promise us that we can have success in claiming the "land" for you.  You will keep every enemy back from taking us over as long as we trust and stand in you.

Teaching Notes

Joshua: God's Servant Leader

Joshua 1:1-9

                                                                                                                                 1-9 After the death of Moses the servant of God, God spoke to Joshua, Moses' assistant: "Moses my servant is dead. Get going. Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people. Cross to the country I'm giving to the People of Israel. I'm giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on—just as I promised Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon east to the Great River, the Euphrates River—all the Hittite country—and then west to the Great Sea. It's all yours. All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I was with Moses, I'll be with you. I won't give up on you; I won't leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going. And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed. Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take."

                                                                                                                                          Notes: Moses has died after leading the people of Israel from Egypt and wondering in the desert for forty years.  Now God is changing the leadership.  He is calling Joshua who has been with Moses as his assistant.

                                                                                                                                    Question: Why do you think God called Joshua?

                                                                                                                                         Answer: God had been preparing Joshua to take Moses' place.  He was allowing Moses to train Joshua and Joshua was submitting himself under Moses to learn from him.  One of the first steps to being a great leader is having a willingness to learn.  Joshua was blessed because Moses was a great leader/teacher.  However, you can still become a great leader, even if you do not have a great leader/teacher.  You can gain wisdom on "what not to do".  Yet, God when he wants to prepare you for something will ensure that you get the training that you need.  That is what he did for Joshua.  So when it was time for him to take the position of leader, he was ready to do so.

                                                                                                                                          Prayer: Lord, we thank you today that you prepare us to lead, by first training us through following.  Help us to follow your ways with a committed heart.

Teaching Notes

We should be willing to give praise unto God with all that is within us.  God's people willingly praise him.

                                                                                                                                             

Praises To God

Psalm 97:11-12 (The Message)

Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God's people, Joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil.  So, God's people, shout praise to God, Give thanks to our Holy God!

Notes: God's people shout praises to him and give him thanks because he is a Holy God.  The psalmist writes in this scripture a reason why the people rejoice.

Question: What is the reason why God's people shout praises?

Answer: The scripture says, seeds are planted in the souls of God's people.  The psalmist says that seed is a light seed and a joy seed.  These seed, light removes the darkness from the spirit of man.  The joy seed brings that "gladness" that comes only from God.  Now these seeds have to be planted some where for them to grow. These seeds are planted in good heart soil.  If the heart is not right, then God's light and joy cannot dwell there.  That means our soil (hearts) have to be changed first by God before the light and joy can grow within our hearts.  When the heart is changed, then we are able to rejoice. When does this change take place?  This change takes place when we are saved.  Then we can rejoice and praise God for his greatness.  If you are saved, surely you must be praising God?

Prayer: Lord today, help me to examine my life of praise.  Am I praising you for your goodness? Am I praising you for you beauty and your wonder?  If I need to give you more praise, please help me to do just that.

Teaching Notes

Praises To God

Psalm 95:1-5 (The Message)

                                                                                                                               1-2 Come, let's shout praises to God, raise the roof for the Rock who saved us! Let's march into his presence singing praises, lifting the rafters with our hymns!

3-5 And why? Because God is the best, High King over all the gods. In one hand he holds deep caves and caverns, in the other hand grasps the high mountains. He made Ocean—he owns it! His hands sculpted Earth!

Notes:  The Psalmist is really giving praises to God.  The writer of this psalm is talking about praising God in such a way that the very roof is lifted off. That's praise!

Question: Why do you think it was so important to the psalmist to praise God?

Answer: The psalmist was rejoicing first because of God being his "rock" that saved him.  In other words, that rock represents that God is solid, strong and sturdy.  We can stand on the promises of God and know they will not shift or be moved.  They are solid and strong.  The second point he brings out is that God is the best king, because what king can say that he made the oceans?  No one other than God.  The psalmist says, God owns it, the earth is his. Isn't that something to rejoice about?  To rejoice in the fact that God can do such greatness, isn't that something to get really excited about?

Prayer: Lord we want to rejoice regarding your greatness.  Let help us not hold back in our times of worship to you.  Let us give you the praises you deserve.  You are awesome!

Teaching Notes

It is wonderful to praise the Lord.  Some wonder, what do I have to praise God for if my life is not what I want?  Well, let's just start first with the beauty around us.  We can thank God for his wonderful work in nature.  The beautiful things he has given us to see and experience.  What ever you do, just start to praise him.

Praises To God

Philippians 4:5-7 (The Message)

4-5Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

6-7Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Notes: This encouragement from the book of Phillipians is to call the believer to a place of total trust in God.  The call is to revel or delight in God all day long, every day.

Question: Why is it important to praise God as directed in this scripture?

Answer: The importance is, if you are rejoicing in God then you will not allow the cares and worries of this world to make you get off the mark.  If you praise God even when things are difficult you can find your rest in God. Tell God your concerns and then trust him to take care of them.  If you do it that way, then you will not have the cares making you get worried about the answers.  You know how it is sometimes, you can get fretful about how something is going to work out.  Yet, if you trust God, praise his name and stay focused on him, he will answer your prayers and keep you calm in the midst of a worrisome situation.

Prayer: Lord, today we seek you because we do not want to fret or worry about any problems we face.  We know that we will have cares, but we also know that you are greater than our cares.  Help us to know you hear us and you will take care of what we need.

Teaching Notes

Imagine this, this flower is praising God because it is being just what it was created to be.  When we do what God has created us to do, we praise him with our lives and with our lips.

Praises to God

Luke 19:39-40 (The Message)

Some Pharisees from the crowd told him, "Teacher, get your disciples under control!" But he said, "If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise."

Notes: The Pharisees wanted Jesus to stop the praise of those that were standing around. Jesus gives them a response to their request.

Question: What was Jesus' response to the Pharisees?

Answer: Jesus told the Pharisees that if the people did not praise him, that the stones would cry out.  What does that really mean?  That let's us know that God is going to receive praise, even if the elements have to do it.  The earth will cry out because of the greatness of God if his children do not. God is worthy of praise because of his greatness and for his awesomeness.  So it is important to us to praise God and his Son for the great gift of salvation we have recieved.

Prayer: Lord, help us to give you the praise that you are due.  Help us to praise you so that the earth or the elements do not have to cry out for us. 

Teaching Notes

It is good to sing praises unto God.  He deserves all that we have and so much more!

Praises to God

Jeremiah 20:12-13 (The Message)

Oh, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, no one fools you. You see through everyone, everything. I want to see you pay them back for what they've done. I rest my case with you. Sing to God! All praise to God! He saves the weak from the grip of the wicked.

Notes: Jeremiah was talking to God about those that have been giving him trouble.  They have taunted him, called him a liar for telling the truth about God's word and he has had to continue being obedient to God even in the midst of the situation.

Question: What can we learn about troubles from Jeremiah's message?

Answer: Jeremiah did not try to handle his situations himself.  He took them to God.  What he did was say to God rescue me from my trouble. He says that he rest his case with God and instead sings praises unto him.  What he means is, he has given everything to God and now he doesn't have to trouble with it and he can spend his time praising God because he knows God will take care of him.

We can have the same assurance as Jeremiah had.  When people do not treat you right, you do not have to get them back or take care of it yourself, because God will.  Sometimes God will make you stand still and sometimes God will tell you to move, but whatever he tells you, you must trust in him.  If he tells you to stand through the difficulty he will give you the strength to do it.  If he tells you to move, he will direct you where to go.

Prayer: Lord, today we ask that you help us in our times of difficulty just like you helped Jeremiah. You help him to stand against those things happening to him.  Help us like Jeremiah praise you even in the midst of any thing we face.

Teaching Notes

A wise heart grows stronger and brings good health, a unwise heart brings sickness to the body.

What's In Your Heart?

Proverbs 10:8 (The Message)

8 A wise heart takes orders; an empty head will come unglued.

Note: This simply scripture is given to instruct one in what is important for the heart condition.

Question: What does a wise heart do?

Answer: A wise heart takes orders.  That means one that is wise in their hearts listens to what is right, thinks about it and then acts on it.  While a empty head will become unglues or make foolish decisions.  That means those that are not thinking with the mind of God then do not have a wise heart.  What is in their hearts is foolishness and they make foolish choices.  Choices that hurt people and bring destruction.  Let us have wise hearts this day.

Prayer: Lord help me to have wisdom in my heart so that I can make choices that do not undo me and destroy my life.  Help me to love what is right and to live accordingly.

Teaching Notes

What's In Your Heart?

1 Chronicles 17:2 (The Message)

2 Nathan told David, "Whatever is on your heart, go and do it; God is with you."

Notes: David asked Nathan the prophet about building the house of God. Nathan tells David he can do it, however he comes back and tells David it will get done, but it will be by his son, not him.

Question: What do you think it would be like to know that you have God's permission to follow your hearts dreams because God is with you?

Answer: Well I can tell you this, what a blessed place to be, in God's will. See, many times we believe God is out to stop us from going after things that are dear to our heart. That is not true. What God is against, is us doing anything before we speak to him or anything that is placed in front of him. God is not to be second in our lives. If we are obedient to God and seeking him with our whole hearts, he will gives us the desires of our hearts, first because what we desire is not against God's direction or purpose for our lives. Have you ever wondered that maybe that which is on your heart God put it there first?

Prayer: Lord help me today to have godly dreams on my heart. Help me so that when I come seeking you, you will grant those desires on my heart because you are with me.

Teaching Notes

We often say we give our hearts away, but do we really?  Do we really give our hearts completely?  Well today, let's give our hearts completely to God so that he can dwell within us. We can allow our hearts to be enveloped in the heart of God so that we can touch another person's heart.  That's what I think of when I look at this picture.  God is the big heart and we are the heart connect to him.  When then become the one to help connect the disconnect to God.  You do that by passing on the love of God that dwells in your heart.

What's In Your Heart?

Deuteronomy 4:39-40 (The Message)

39-40 Know this well, then. Take it to heart right now: God is in Heaven above; God is on Earth below. He's the only God there is. Obediently live by his rules and commands which I'm giving you today so that you'll live well and your children after you—oh, you'll live a long time in the land that God, your God, is giving you.

Notes: The writer is asking his audience to take some very important information to heart, which is that God is in heaven as well on Earth and that in fact, he is every where.

Question: What does it mean to take it to heart?

Answer: What that means is to take it very serious and to keep it close to you.  So in other words, the writer is saying keep these understandings of God so close to you, that they are where your affections come from.  They are the things that motivate you in what you do and  how you live out your life. So that is why the next request is to live out your life in obedience to God.  This will only be possible if your heart is for God.

Prayer: Lord, today give me a heart to follow after you.  Give me a heart to want to remember your commands and to live by them.  Help me to let you lead my life, your way.