Feature Friday

         Each Friday, I would like to start featuring one blog post from another blog. If you have written a post that goes along with the theme of this blog, please leave me a comment below with the link. I have asked a couple of readers about featuring their posts to get this started, but I hope some others will join in as well. I would like to use at least one picture from your post and I will have a link to your specific post. This is also an opportunity for you to get more traffic coming to your blog!

On the Subject of Prayer

"It is not enough for the believer to begin to pray, nor to pray correctly; nor is it enough to continue for a time to pray. We must patiently, believingly continue in prayer until we obtain an answer.

 Further, we have not only to continue in prayer until the end, but we have also to believe that God does hear us and will answer our prayers. Most frequently we fail in not continuing in prayer until the blessing is obtained, and in not expecting the blessing.

Those who are disciples of the Lord Jesus should labor with all their might in the work of God as if everything depended upon their own endeavors. Yet, having done so, they should not in the least trust in their labor and efforts, nor in the means that they use for the spread of the truth, but in God alone; and they should with all earnestness seek the blessing of God in persevering, patient, and believing prayer.

 Here is the great secret of success, my Christian reader. Work with all your might, but never trust in your work. Pray with all your might for the blessing in God, but work at the same time with all diligence, with all patience, with all perseverance. 

Pray, then, and work. Work and pray. And still again pray, and then work. And so on, all the days of your life. The result will surely be abundant blessing. Whether you see much fruit or little fruit, such kind of service will be blessed."

~ George Muller ~

The Four Steps of Lesson Preparation:

 1. Information - To study your lesson you read the Scriptures, the comments the lesson writers have to make about the Scriptures, and perhaps you refer to other sources to complete your understanding of the lesson subject.

2. Incubation - A period of brooding or reflecting or meditating upon the information you have obtained. You think it over, having in mind your class, each pupil in your class, and the needs of each pupil. You consider the methods for conveying the information to your pupils in the most effective way. You talk to God about the lesson, and about your pupils, and ask for His help.

3. Illumination - You catch the point, you see clearly what is to be done and how it is to be done. You become enthusiastic over the possibilities and are eager to "get the lesson into shape" for presentation.

4. Verification or Revision - This is "getting the lesson into shape," making an outline.

Taken from Teach with Success by G. Levitt

Being an Encourager

1 Samuel 23:16, 
"And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God."

Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God. I really like this verse because is helps me to encourage other people about staying strong in God.

 ~Kayla

How important it is to encourage and build up those around us, especially those who look up to you. Words are powerful things and may be used to edify or to tear down and cause destruction. Think before you speak and be sure that every word that you speak builds up and encourages.

Ephesians 4:29,
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."

From my bookshelf...

 

The Children of the King 

by Max Lucado

Illustrated by Toni Goffe

One of my favorite modern-day Christian children's authors is Max Lucado. I love how he takes a biblical principle and turns it into a delightful story for both the young and the old.  

The Children of the King is the story of a king who decides to adopt a family of orphan children. The king sends word that he is going to come for them. When they hear of his coming, the orphans all feel the need in someway to impress the king. All of the children possess a special talent with the exception of the youngest girl. 

All the children busy themselves with preparing for the king's arrival, while the smallest girl with no gift just waits. Finally the king arrives appearing as a poor traveler. The children do not realize who is and are too busy preparing their gifts to take notice of this stranger. The littlest girl with no gift, however, is not too busy to help this stranger. She helps him water his donkey and spends time talking to him. The king tells her who is and takes her home to live with him. While the rest of the children are left behind busying themselves preparing their "gifts."

This story shows how Christians are often so busy serving the Lord that they neglect what is most important of all. More than anything the Lord wants our fellowship and our hearts rather than our empty acts of service. To the lost child, this story shows that their is nothing they can do to earn their way to heaven. One is only saved by having a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus.

Thoughtful Tuesday

We do not segment our lives, giving some time to God, some to our business or schooling, while keeping parts to ourselves.  The idea is to live all of our lives in the presence of God, under the authority of God, and for the honor and glory of God.  That is what the Christian life is all about.

R. C. Sproul

Snowman Object Lesson

Here is a story that I found on another blog. I think it would make a great object lesson:

 

The Meaning of the Snowman 

Author Unknown

The white snow stands for the purity of the souls filled with God's grace.  The circular snowballs represent God's everlasting love.  The pieces of coal used to make the eyes, mouth and buttons symbolize God's Almighty power.  The carrot nose reminds us that God gives us everything we need to live and grow.  The scarf suggests the warmth of God's tender care.  The top hat reminds us always to keep faith our top priority.  The arms are outstretched to us as God's always are.  The broom made of straw and wood signifies that Jesus was born and died to cleanse us of sin. 

May your heart be ever warmed by the good news of God's great love for you!

You could have fun with this and let the kids make their own snowmen as a craft or you could make a big one as a group.