Looking Towards The Morning Sun - Devotional

Looking In Our Hearts Up To God

1 Peter 1:8
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

Psalms 5:3

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.  (David may be bowing his head to pray but in his heart he's looking up.)

Looking Towards The Morning Sun - Devotional

Our new neighbors planted some sunflowers in their garden this year.  Some of them seem to be facing our house so I get to enjoy them.  I love sunflowers, I decorate my kitchen with roosters, chickens and sunflowers.

Most of the flowers I plant do not face one way, but there is one in my garden that does.  My neighbor's sunflowers face the morning sun, and my gladiolas do too.  My "glads" didn't do so well this year, but when they do they face the morning sun.  When I notice these flowers facing our house, I know it has nothing to do with our house, it has to do with what's behind us.  The sun is behind us.

Sometimes I see the sunflowers bowing their heads as though they are praying.. but we do not have to bow our heads to pray we can pray to the Lord where ever we are.   When we are looking towards Jesus in our hearts and following the light of his Word.  We will seek the Lord in prayer. 

Psalms 5:3 

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.  (David may be bowing his head to pray but in his heart he's looking up.)

The bible tells us to seek the Lord in the morning... When I see my "glads' facing the morning sun.  I remember I should be glad in the Lord.  Rejoicing and praising God as soon as possible and making my requests known is a very imporatant part of my day.   Maybe God gave us flowers that face one way to tell us something.  God created things the way they are for a reason.   Maybe these are reminders that Jesus is the only place to look.

The bible teaches us that Jesus - IS The WAY, The TRUTH, The LIFE.  and that no one can have a relationship with God without him.   There are many religions in this world but Jesus is the only WAY to heaven according to the bible.  God tells us not to worship other Gods because they are false and will lead you into  death everlasting.  Which is also called Hell.

I think it would be very strange to see a whole garden of sunflowers facing the sun, to see one turn it's back to the sun.  When people consider other religions, other than the Truth Of God's Word.  (They are looking the wrong WAY.)

Sometimes people are looking for happiness in lots of different places... some people go out and party, drinking alcohol, doing some drugs... anything their heart desires.  (They are looking the wrong WAY.)

The bible teaches that sin brings pleasure for a season and it does, but soon the heart becomes grieved, bitter and trapped.  Then you think God will never forgive you.  Real happiness is not found in those things.  It can bring an evil joy in your heart and also a love of sin,  But God has a holy joy for us that causes us to rejoice over Him... We rejoice over God's Son...He is where to LOOK.  He is the Way to joy unspeakable. 

 1Peter 1:8 

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:  (Looking To Him In Our Hearts.)  

What if God's people were sunflowers?  We would go to church on Sunday to look to God in our hearts.  Looking at a preacher not because He's the preacher, but because He's speaking for the God who is behind Him.  We are looking toward the Son of God.  To lead us and direct our path.  In agreement all looking  the same direction in unity.  But sometimes one or two might be looking the wrong way.

I remember something from years ago my daughter had shared with me.  My daughter and her friend were out driving and they went out the wrong exit  while leaving a store.  A foreign lady rolled down her window and with broken English said these words, " Yourlll, going, the wrllllong way!"   For weeks for some reason, I have no idea why, we would repeat what she said with the same accent.  " Yourlll, going, the wrllllong way!"

Hopefully our motives as Christians are first to please God, looking to be led by God, and longing to be used by God.  The only way for that to be a reality is to be going the right way.  

There are those that have never looked Jesus' way.  They only see what they have been taught and blind to the Truth.  They are going the Wong Way.  Our prayer today is that they will (Look towards the SON)...the Son of God.  The hope of salvation to all who will believe and accept that Jesus is the only way of salvation.   He is the WAY.

Susan Y Nikitenko

August 18th, 2016 ©

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Don't Be A Judas

Don't Be A Judas

(Selling Out Your Team)

When I thought of this lesson I automatically wanted to use football as the illustration.  I've asked myself,  "Why do I keep referring to football?"  I never was that much into football not even as a kid.  I've never played any kind of band instrument and I've never been a cheerleader.  I was in the pep club for a brief time as a teenager.  I wasn't really anything special except I did make the honor roll when I tried to.  

My husband was a football player and loves football, so the majority of my life has included football.  I have been in the football stands nearly our whole marriage. 

One important thing I've learned from football is teamwork. 

Teamwork is very important in the winning of the game.  When a team works together, motivates each other and listens to the coach they most likely will be an effective team.

I have heard of an illegal practice where a player or team gets paid off to cause a loss of his own game.  They choose to become rich at the expense of others.   Some teams even being blackmailed into throwing a game because of illegal gambling.  I have often wondered if this kind of gambling could even happen among the players themselves. 

Even so on any team whether political, business, sports, or the home.  If we have a team that works together for the same purpose it will most likely be successful, but if we have a player or teammate secretly working against a win.  It could cause a loss for the whole team.

Nothing is more disheartening to think people work, put their heart and money into something, strive, even become older, to find they have been dooped by a supposed trusted team player.  It could also be a paid individual who is being paid to help his team win and at the same time being paid to help his team lose. 

We have a spiritual battle, as Christians,  that goes on all the time.  We know the devil has many tricks up his sleeve and wants to pull us from what God wants us to do.  When we are part of God's family we should give our best effort towards the things of God.  To be sold out for the things of Christ. 

 Our motivation should be higher than any earthly prosperity.  Though God does sometimes bless some with wealth, like Abraham. Abraham blessed God with his wealth but was not controlled by having wealth.

Don't be a Judas who was paid off to betray.    He loved money

more than He loved Jesus.                                                     

The bible teaches that the love of money is the root of all evil.

1Timothy 6:10

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Susan Y Nikitenko

Devotional: Don't Be A Judas

May 4th, 2016

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Pointing Fingers

 Pointing Fingers

When someone points his finger in an upward movement it could mean a number of things.  It could mean that a person has just had a bright idea or He's letting everyone else know He's the only ONE for the job.  It could mean we need to ask the One and only God in heaven, before we point our finger anywhere else.  It could be telling everyone that there's only One way to turn, in this case it would be to the right.  It's possible the upward pointing of the finger means we have One last chance as a nation to turn back to God.  Hopefully the finger pointing upward is not being used to make uncivilized jesters of hatred or vulgarity.

If the finger is pointing directly at a person it could mean someone is asking YOU to be the One to make the difference.  It could be saying I want YOU to help me meet this goal.  It could mean I want to be there for YOU.  Let's make a difference together. 

Now it could go the negative way,  that is sometimes necessary when it comes down to the future of a nation or any kind of governed body.  The finger could be pointing out the problems that need to be changed.  The finger could be saying," YOU are the problem or YOU are my first priority. " Hopefully it does not mean "I'm out to get YOU, I'm out to take YOU out...holding a finger as though holding a gun."

I asked myself "Does God ever point His finger at anyone?"  the answer would be...."YES."  For example, God used a pointed finger when He wrote on the wall.  Sometimes God has had enough and that's when He will point out the problem and will deal with it.  God will point out things to us through His Word, in our hearts, or through other people. 

There are always signs  of God's finger pointing, because when God starts  pointing, either it's  blessing, testing, or cursings.  God could have His finger on you right now saying, "YOU need to straighten up or I'm going to deal with YOU."  I believe God has His finger on this country right now and is saying that very thing.

Parents point out problems in a family, because sometimes for problems to be resolved, they need to be recognized.   If not,  the problem would remain and later become detrimental to a families well being.  Same way with churches, businesses, government or our nation. 

If the finger is pointed downward, sometimes people are saying, "You don't want to go there."  You know what I mean?  That four letter word, H-E-L-L. " 

The pointing finger could be showing that someone is being adamant, all the while moving his finger in a downward motion upon a desk, making a loud tapping sound.  

If we were to put a mixture of pointing out things together, it might sound something like this while he, the preacher, is tapping his finger upon His Bible.

 "You don't wanna go there, hell is hot and has a no return policy."  "You don't wanna go there, It's eternal, it's forever, there's no way out."  " You don't wanna go there, the time to get right is now, the time is right.  " God's got his finger on YOU.

If we were to put a mixture of pointing things out together, it might sound like this while a politician  is tapping his finger on the podium. 

"This may be our last chance folks, God's handwriting is on the wall. This nation has to turn back to One nation under God.  This nation has to turn back to the faith that made us great.  This nation has to turn back to family values and religious freedom.  God's finger is upon our nation, will it be a blessing or will it be a curse?"

As you can see in some ways some politicians and preachers can sound allot alike.

If a finger is pointing at one self, It could mean someone is saying, "The change has to start with me. " In some cases it could mean, "I need to forgive myself and get things straight."  If it was a person wanting to make a difference, He might be saying, "Here am I Lord, send me." or "Forgive me Lord, I turn to you."

Hopefully pointing at oneself would not be in a proud or arrogant way, as to say, "I'm glad I'm not like that sinner over there Lord."  Some people have kept busy pointing out other peoples sins just to make themselves feel better about their own sins. 

This reminds me of a song I wrote called "Pointing Fingers" .  The song is talking about self righteous, arrogant people, who tear other people down. It is not talking about people trying to govern a country in a political decision.

Sometimes God is pointing at someone like (You) to follow Him, to make the difference, to take the lead.  Then when you do, He will POINT the direction you need to take. Whether in governing a country, or somewhere else in life.

Now I would like to (POINT) out some verses where God is (Pointing You) in the right direction:

Susan Y Nikitenko
Devotional/Lesson
April 21st, 2015 

Proverbs 3:6

 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

John 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Psalms  37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

1Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Pointing Fingers

There will always be people pointing fingers;

At somethin' someone else needs to change.

But every time you point your bony finger;

When three point back, don't think it is strange.

While someone suffers wrongly because of you;

Pointing where, pointing should not be.

Remember God sees the inside of you;

He will judge you, just as harshly.

The fear of the Lord is the start of wisdom;

His judgement will fall where it may.

With the same judgement, whether of hate or love;

That same judgement, you'll face one day.

Susan Y Nikitenko

June 5th, 2014
Matthew 7:2 KJV

Listen To The Song On U-Tube

This is a song about judging others wrongly.  God hates sin and He wants us all to change in someway. It does not give us the opportunity to treat other people badly who need changed. We must pray for them and love them and ask God to change them but most of all we need to change ourselves.  It's about the attitude of the heart, even if we have to withdraw.

May 5th, 2014
Susan Nikitenko

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Keep Your Helmets On - Football Devotional

Keep Your Helmet On

Could you  imagine having a whole football team playing without a helmet?  It would be a disaster.  As rough as the game can get there would be injuries.  Just this past week I know one of the guys got his helmet ripped off his head and had an injury of some sort and was bleeding.  I'm  not saying he didn't put it on properly, but could that make it easier  for the enemy to rip it off his head?

In not wearing a helmet they wouldn't be keeping their head safe, they would be risking their own mind. Even if they had a helmet on, but did not put it on correctly, it still would not keep them completely safe.

A helmet was made to keep a football players head and mind safe from injury, but if they choose not wear one it doesn't work.  Any kind of head gear is to keep a person's safe from  injuries.  A person for example riding a motorcycle without a helmet would be at a greater risk for a permanent head injury than a football player.

The bible tells us to put on the helmet of salvation.  God tells us to put on a helmet because we are in danger without one.  Knowing we are in a spiritual battle as a people, we know God's not speaking of physical injuries in this passage.  Salvation is what  we put on when we accept Christ as our  personal Savior.  We become safe  or saved for eternity through what Christ has done for us.  Because we are sealed by what Jesus did for us.
We are to keep our minds in Christ Jesus and not allow satan to have any strongholds in our thought life.  We are to fill our minds with the Word, knowing that the devil  has taught many to play mind games with the unsuspecting and in deceit can collect information, posing as a friend.  We know this because we know Judas did this to Jesus.

It is vital not to let contrary ideas enter our minds as fact knowing the bible opposes the idea.  To do so would be the equivalent of a football player receiving an injury which causes brain damage.

Remember to keep your helmet on , put it on correctly and don't let anyone try to rip it off your head.  Cause  in the spiritual battle the devil wants to get to your head, but don't let him.  Keep your helmet on straight.

Football Devotional

Susan Nikitenko

Keep Your Helmet On Straight

Ephesians 6:17

 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Ephesians 4:30

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Show Appreciation

Show  Appreciation

One of the things we are reminded of each fall is to be thankful.

All things that we have, all things we enjoy. every person we love, those that love us, each

good thing we get to experience and learn are gifts from our Father in heaven.

When we are thankful to someone, an action sometimes comes along with being thankful.  The action is called appreciation. 

Sometimes we do not realize how much we love something or someone until we don't have them.  Then is when we realize we were not as appreciative as we should have been.

I remember when we moved from our home in Ohio to Oklahoma, after a while I realized  I missed some things I never thought I would.

I missed the smells of the woodsy areas and the sounds of the splashing stream echoing through the hills.  I missed autumn, because I didn't see the beauty of autumn there.  Though there are beautiful sights there, it's not the same.  I missed the taste of our water that flowed from a sweet water stream underground.  I missed the hills and the tall trees that seemed like they were miles high. 

Well, God brought us back to a place that has all those things seemingly, right in our own back yard.  In appreciation I put my heart into caring for it, as best  I can.  I thank God for the times I have been able to feel the old familiar feelings of home, the feeling I knew as a kid.

We should always show appreciation for people who love us, like our parents.  We should show appreciation through our actions, a card, a hug, acknowledgement, or just including them in our day.  One way that you can show appreciation to your parents is by obeying them.  When you give your parents a hard time it makes their life harder.  When you obey them, God is pleased with you.  if you see a job around the house that you can help with, do it.  These kind of actions show love and appreciation for your parents. Appreciation is evidence that we are thankful and is something that can be felt.

When someone does something for you just because they care about you, you should always show your appreciation. A person may even do something for you they really don't want to do, but they will do it because they love you.

I think of Jesus, Jesus did something he didn't want to do.

Let's look at this verse:

Matthew 26:39

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

 Jesus didn't want to suffer.  He didn't want to be nailed to the cross.  But he still gave himself willingly, because He loves you and He loves His Father.

It was not some random act of kindness.

 Sometimes we don't want to do something, but we want to, for only one reason:  We love the person we are doing it for or we are showing love to the person we are doing it for.

 When someone has spent their own money, taken special time out for you, they have sacrificed, even if it's the smallest amount.  You should show appreciation, even if it's just taking the time to say two valuable words.

Thank You.

 --------

Lord Jesus, teach us how to be people who appreciate the people you bring into our lives, help us to show our appreciation to the people who love us and the people we love.  Thank-You so much Lord for the kindness to us in giving us wonderful things in life to enjoy, like the beauty of the fall months.  Thank-you for providing us with daily needs and daily love.

In Christ's Name I Pray This,  Amen

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Susan Nikitenko
September 29th, 2014
Devotional


Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Be An Encourager

Be An Encourager

The bible teaches  us to be encouragers.  An encourager helps people get better at what they do or keeps them going when it would be very easy for them to quit.   Though there aren't many verses in the bible that use the word.   There is one particular verse that sticks out to me.  The bible teaches us, through David's life, to encourage ourselves in the Lord.  David encouraged himself in the things of the Lord.  The more we encourage ourselves in the right direction, the more encouraging we will be to others in their time of need.  I think it's very important that we learn to first encourage ourselves in the things of God.  We then can stand when no one stands with us, but God himself.

People may think you're off your rocker, if they see you speaking to yourself, but the bible clearly tells us to speak to ourselves.  So if you encounter someone speaking to himself or herself, remember Hanna, Hanna was grief stricken over not having a child.  She was accused of being drunk with wine.  But she prayed allowed with tears, in her grief of being childless.  Of all people, It was the Priest who accused her of being drunk.  Instead of being encouraged she was accused.

There will be times in life no one will encourage you, so you'll need to encourage yourself as David did.  David was a singer of hymns, praises and spiritual songs. It was part of his everyday life.  In the book of Ephesians, the bible tells us we are to speak to ourselves in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs and to make melody in our hearts.  David continued to sing of the Lord and to the Lord even through some of his deepest sorrows.

When we read about Jesus we can find Jesus constantly being an encouragement through his many promises.  His promise of eternal life and forgiveness, His promise of preparing a place for us. His promise of never leaving us.

 Paul was an encourager in some of the things he said, something he asked in Galatians to someone who was discouraged.

Galatians 5:7

Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

 Paul encourages us to continue in faith, continue in brotherly love, continue in the race set before us.

 Barnabas was an encourager, as a matter fact,  his name means "son of encouragement."  He encouraged John Marc when Paul refused to. 

Again and again the bible teaches us to be an encouragement to other believers by what is said and by what is done.

God himself encourages us through his presence in our lives as we pray and spend time with him day by day.  That's why we should be faithful in our prayers, song and devotion to him. He gives us strength for our journey, whether be good or bad. 

Let us remain faithful in being an encouragement to ourselves and to others.  Keep a good heart attitude.  (Keep Running - Galatians 5:7)

Ephesians 5:19

 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;1 Samuel 30:6b

but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

Susan Y Nikitenko
Devotional
September 24th, 2014


Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Faith Through Our Failures - Devotional

Faith Through Our Failures

If someone were to ask me, if I believe God can use our failures.  I would say yes he can.  We learn through our mistakes and learn to teach others.  Many geniuses have had failures and have learned what would not work, then one day they discover something the world never knew before.  There had to be failures in order to discover something amazing that God already knew. To say that we cannot fail would be saying that we cannot sin. Now, it is true that God cannot see our sin when we are under the blood of Christ because our sins were paid for at Calvary and are under the blood.  Though we are to confess our sins on a daily basis that the Lord would cleanse us from all sin.  We are human, made from the dust of the ground and there will be almost daily failure in one way or another.  Here are some examples.

A short fuse,

A judgmental thought, or other thought.

A hasty word, that should of not been said,

A mistaken lie,

A gossiping word by mistake,

A  failure to go to authority, when it effects  a church

A competing spirit of jealousy,

A failure to inform someone of a danger, without thinking,

Breaking a friends trust,

Destroying another's influence through deception, or trickery , because of jealousy or power,

Causing others to believe something that is not true, because someone listened to gossip,

Holding past mistakes against a person who has repented,

Failure to go to a brother or sister to clear up something before passing judgment .

Spending too much time on the computer, television, phone etc.  and neglecting other areas of life.

I can think of failures from many God fearing people of the bible..these are just a  few:

Abraham struck the rock twice for example, Moses failed to follow God's instruction of only striking the rock once... God said once, because Christ was to be stricken once, for our sin and it is and was enough.

David failed to have the " Ark of the Covenant"  transported the way God had instructed. 

Abraham failed to tell the King that Sarah was his wife.

Sarah laughed when God told her she was going to have a child in her old age,
so the list goes on.

If we can prove from scripture that Bible people failed in some way.  With these types of examples, we can prove if great people of the Bible had days of failure, we too have days of failure.

God tells us however, if we love God, he will work both failure and success, sorrow and joy, trouble and peace, all together for good.  For your good if you are a faithful child of God and for His good as well.

We should never think it's ok to sin but be striving to keep ourselves pure in an impure world.  Sin brings consequences.  However, if we do fail, forgiveness and restoration is always there when we return to a

right relationship to Christ Jesus. 

James 1:27

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

----------

Romans 8:28:

This is my life  verse because it has helped me through many, many hardships and troubles.  I believe this verse to be true.  If you do not believe it, it will not help you and you may resent it.  I just know it's helped me to keep faithful, through the most devastating things in my life.  Not all things are good, but God has promised that It will (work together) for our good, either here or eternity.  If we love Him and we are one of his, we can know that God will not and can not lie.  All things will work together for good, even if we may never understand how.

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Susan Y Nikitenko

July 23rd, 2014

Devotional- Failure

"Steps Of Spiritual Failure"

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Come Home - Devotional - July 23rd, 2014 - LOST

Come Home

One thing I'm afraid of is getting lost.  If I'm driving in an unfamiliar area and lose my way.  I begin to get very upset.  My grown kids get wound up and I have to pull over and collect myself.  I'm very afraid of being lost out on the highway.  I guess it's because I'm afraid  I won't be able to find my way home.  I have been lost a few times for hours and it is not fun at all.  Getting lost and not having a phone to call home is especially stressful,  because you know family members will be wondering where you are.

One Christmas, the Lord provided us with the money for a GPS.  I'm so thankful for the device, because I feel reassured I can find my way home.  Finding our way home is much easier today because of cell phones and other electronic devices but what about bible times?

I was thinking of bible people who couldn't find their way home and remembered the little lost lamb. The little lamb wandered away from the fold and was not under the protection of the shepherd.  The shepherd notices one missing lamb, when he counted his sheep.  The shepherd loves his sheep and WILL lay his life down for them.  He left the 99 sheep settled safely in the sheepfold and went out searching for his lost lamb.  The little lamb could not find his way home and someone loved him enough to go searching for him.  He finds him and carries him back safely to the fold.

I thought of the prodigal son, who left his home in rebellion, spent all his money in riotous living.  He wandered away from everything he was taught, everything he knew was right.  He ended up in the slop bucket of sin. The pig pin, eating the slop thrown to the pigs.  He realized for the first time.  I want to be home, I want to go home, but will I be loved?  Will I be accepted, just as a servant in my father's home?  He had to find his way home and when He did his father rejoiced at his return.

Some people wonder why  Christians use the word lost.  When someone is lost, he's someone who needs to be found, someone who needs to find their way home.  I'm reminded of the song Amazing Grace, in the words of the song it says " I once was lost, but now I'm found, was blind but now I see".

Without Christ we are lost in a world of confusion and hopelessness.  Without Christ our soul is lost and held captive and destined for damnation.  If you've ever played baseball, you know if you never bring the ball home, you'll never win.  We need to lead lost people home.  They can't find their own way home, they are lost and confused and need someone who can understand and see the things of God to show them and lead them the way.  Just as the little lost lamb, who would have died had no one cared.

Now some people who are lost, are people who have known the things of God but have made some bad decisions in life and lost their way and forgot their way home.  They are saved eternally but have been taken captive by sin or confusion.  They became distracted by other things and lost their first love for God.  They have done things they find hard to forgive themselves for and are wondering if God would really accept them back.  Some may be blaming someone else for their falling away and resentment has blinded their eyes.  They have believed the devils lies and cannot comprehend their way home.  God uses people to win people.   Using baseball for example , it may take a really good ball player to bring the ball into home base.  When the prodigal son returned home he didn't know what to expect. He knew he did not deserve loved because he had turned his back on his family, but when his father saw him from a distance, His father wept with joy to see him return.  With joy his Father's arms opened in acceptance  of him.

If we have wandered away as a child of God, if we are willing to come home to God the Father, with true repentance, He will not refuse us.  He will take us back with joy and love us just the same . 

Father God,

Help us to be an encouraging person today, help us love others back to you.  Help us have the wisdom and understanding how to guide the lost to you.  As you say in your Word, He that winneth souls is wise.  Open the eyes of those that have wandered away and open their hearts to understand you want them to come home. Lead us to the lost that we may bring them safely home, under the blood of your promise.

In The Name Of Christ Jesus I Pray  This - Amen

Luke15

                [4] What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

                [6] And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

.               [9] And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

                [24] For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

                [32] It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Luke:19

                For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Susan Y Nikitenko

July 23rd, 2014

Lesson/Devotional - LOST

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Strengthening Your Teammate - Devotional - Football

Strengthening Your Teammate

Sometimes a football player can become discouraged after a bad play. A player can become exhausted from just putting everything he has into winning the game but still knows the enemy has gained control and has the advantage in scores.  He could actually start questioning is own abilities after mental slams out on the field because of something he did wrong, even though he gave it his best shot.

The best thing for his teammates to do would be to get him pumped to do a better job next time.  Help him get his thinking in the right direction and the focus off himself.  A good leader will seek to restore the strength of his teammate.

In the Christians life, this kind of encouragement would be considered grace.

I think of Jesus after he endured temptation for forty days in the wilderness.

Even Jesus was ministered to and strengthened by the angels.  God sent angels to minister to our Savior.

We are to minister to each other in times of testing, and times of temptation in order to strengthen each other, especially when a team member becomes wearied by the sorrows of life.

God has given us grace because he knows how fragile we really are.  In comparison to all creation we really are very small, but if God thought us valuable enough to die for, then we should count every living soul valuable.

Valuable enough to lead them to Christ or back to the place they need to be in their relationship to God.

Mark 1:13

 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

Susan  Y Nikitenko

July 22nd, 2014

Devotional Football

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Fussers Or Fighters , Devotional , July 21st - Football

Fussers Or Fighters

It must be very disappointing  for a football player, who's all pumped up to play the game, ready to go, ready to win, to be wiped out by the enemy on the first play of the game.  He has to set on the bench and watch everyone else do what he was dreaming of, play the game he loves.  All he can do is pray and cheer his other team members on to the win.  He may miss out on a few games because of the injury because injuries need to heal.

Now a true leader will show a good spirit about himself  even when he himself has lost hopes in getting to play.  He will set on that bench and be the best bench sitter he can be.  He won't sit their pouting...He will sit their praying and showing a positive attitude that will help his fellow football players fight for the win.

I knew of a Christian who was discouraged, not by an enemy, but by another Christian who made a false judgment , and accused him.  The Christian who passed judgment went to many others and spread the accusation  and single handedly benched a faithful player who wanted to win.  He was taken out by a teammate.  

I guess you can say, the enemy blindsided him through a friend and as a result the injured warrior sets on the sidelines until he's spiritually well enough to lead again. 

Sometimes we go through disappointments that are designed to try our faith.  We have a choice at these times to be either fussers at the sidelines or fighters at the sidelines.  I want to be a fighter whether in the game or setting on the sidelines.  That's what I want to be, that's what I pray to be.

How about you?  Have you been hurt out on the field....are you fussing, or are you fighting to be the best you can be where ever you are?   Where ever you are, attitude can either give you the win or give you the loss.  Be a leader in the game and be a leader on the sidelines.  

Susan Y Nikitenko

July 21st, 2014

Devotional - Football

Galasians 5:7

Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Are You Ready?

 Are You Ready?

I was thinking today about how a fireman rushes into a fire to save the life of a trapped victim.
This particular picture gripped my heart because of the concern I see on this man's face as he grasps this small boy in his protecting arms.
He has prepared himself fully for the risking of his own life to save this child in dire need.
He has been equipped with the right protection so he himself can make it through without getting trapped or injured in any way.  Sometimes they do get injured and sometimes they may even die in
the attempt to save another.  This boy was saved by a very brave man who was ready.

Just as firemen are dressed in their firemen s gear, we as Christians need to put on the full armor of God in order to be ready to deliver someone from the fire.  The bible talks about eternal fire, a fire that cannot be quenched. It is a place called hell.

The motive of a fireman is one of love and care.  He knows that even the smallest burn can cause allot of pain that lasts a very long time.  He knows the desperate situation he is running into.
He knows without him it would be highly unlikely that the person inside would live.

God has given Christians a job to warn every man and teach every man.  We are to have compassion on the multitude that will not only face a fire but  live in eternal suffering and agony in a fire that will not be quenched.

The fireman brings water to quench the fire of a burning building. Without the water it would be most likely a hopeless condition.

We as Christians have the water of the Word of God and without it there would be hope for no one.
As we go into a world to pull others from the grasp of sin. We must be careful not to be overtaken by the
same dangers that have trapped them.   Just as this fireman had to be ready and knowledgeable.
We need to be ready by being strong and courageous in the Lord, by knowing the Word of God,
loving  the Word of God And obeying  the Word of God.

When we talk of fire, I am reminded of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who were commanded by the King of Babylon to bow before an idol .  They were thrown into a fiery furnace for refusing to break one of the ten commandments.  God has commanded us not to bow to any other God but him and to put no other Gods before him.


Daniel 3:12-29

 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.
Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were ready to die for what was right.  They did not have to fear an eternal fire because they were saved and knew if they were to die they would go to heaven.  They had faith so real that Jesus was seen in the fire with them.  The fire had killed the men heating the furnace by just the heat that escaped,  but it didn't even leave the smell of smoke on Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

We need to be so close to God that when we go out into the world that it does not effect us. It will not rub off on us.

They were ready!.... Are we ready?

Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Susan Nikitenko Nov. 17th, 2013
devotional

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Responding To Problems

Responding To Problems

 I know that everything that happens in life has a reason, but it's up to us how we respond.  There are things in life that happen that are very hard to get past.  I think of Joseph who went through a number of things that would be very hard to get over easily.   It must of been very hard being rejected by his brothers , who had shown no mercy at his cries when he cried from a pit in which they had thrown him.  Worst of all they took him and sold him into slavery and had not one drop of mercy as he looked back in tears.

I know it must of been very hard for Joseph to get past being accused of something he didn't do.  Especially because the accusation against him would harm his testimony as a Godly man.  Then to be thrown into prison for years and seemingly forgotten.  How he must of been tempted to become bitter at his situation. He must of spent many hours praying and wondering in his heart why.   Still he trusted and stayed faithful to God.

Then came the day  he became the "savior of the known world." God had blessed him with the unusual ability to know things through the interpretation of dreams.  He was blessed with the gift

even as a child.  The gift was one of the reasons his brothers hated him. His family did not believe him but the talent that God had given him would be used to save many people from starvation.  God had a greater purpose.

Now this story I'm about to tell  you may not seem to be as hard a thing to go through as what Joseph did,  but I know it is something  kids can learn from today.  When I was around seven or eight years old. I was an A student in my music class.  The school was having a Christmas program and I was in the bell choir.  I was all excited about it and ready to give it my all.  We stood up to perform our song and it was perfect as far as I can remember, but to my surprise, not a good surprise at all,  The boy behind me decided he wanted to move my chair from behind me.  The teacher motioned for us to all be seated and what happened?  I fell flat on my behind and bells were ringing everywhere.  Kids were angry at me for messing up the whole program.  They stood there laughing and some were mad.   The teacher pulled me aside and guess what,  She informed me my grade would be lowered  by one letter because of what someone else did to me.  Now I don't  remember what happened afterwards,  I'm sure I  was very heart broken, but I do know this.  When you get punished for something that someone else does  to you it's not something that you get over easily.  

Through life we go through things sometimes, so that later on, we can help others who may be going through tough times.  We may have even been unjustly treated just as Joseph.    God has given us the story of Joseph as an example how to react to life's problems. In the story of Joseph,  He becomes a very powerful man over all of Egypt.  He even had the power to put people into prison, but Joseph also knew to show mercy as he was lead by God.  Joseph was a powerful man but He also was a very humble man because of everything God allowed him to go through.  He was able to react to those who treated him unjustly with love and forgiveness, but he also used caution in his choices.  He was prepared by His problems for a greater purpose.

When problems come along in your life, remember Joseph and learn from his choices.  God has a purpose for you and if you stay faithful he will bring you to that purpose and your eyes will be opened to the why, just as Joseph learned why.

Genesis 50:20

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

Genesis 45:6-8

 For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.  And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

Children's Devotion:

Susan Y  Nikitenko November 17th, 2013

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Dying Without The Light - updated

Dying Without The Light

This past October I decided for the first time to carve some pumpkins.  Now last year my son in law and daughter carved the pumpkin for the  "Pumpkin With A Purpose Lesson", that I wrote last year, but we only used it in the classroom.

I had around eight pumpkins.  I  was thinking how  pretty they would look all lit up with

 the gospel message shining through.  Talk about scaring some devils away. - he he

Anyway, we carved six of the pumpkins and set them outside awaiting the day to light them.

We apparently had carved them too soon and the weather got warm and they slowly started to fade away.  My husband and I were the only ones here.   I have no little children here to enjoy them anymore.  We never have any trick or treaters, though we normally buy candy just in case.  So the pumpkins  just sat out  there and died without any light.  They said nice things like, Jesus loves you  and even had a cross, but there was absolutely no light on the inside.

This reminds me of people who have trusted in the wrong things for salvation.  The bible talks about them.

Like the people who will say  " Lord, Lord I've done many wonderful work in your name".  I'm sure they did many wonderful works even gave to the poor and the needy.  Those things are all great things to do

but there's only one way to heaven.  God's not going to open heaven's gate to one who has trusted his own good works to get him there.  I must also say though,  good works will be the fruit of a true believer in Christ.  Jesus said himself ,we shall know them by their fruit. 

There are many people who wear a cross and even tell others Jesus loves them, but the question is do they have a light on... on the inside themselves.  Have they ever really trusted in the right things for salvation? Without Christ living and dwelling in our hearts we would be religious, but we wouldn't  be saved.  We wouldn't have any light.

There are many people who are like those pumpkins outside that never got lit.  They die thinking  " I think I've lived good enough to make it to heaven", but they never were lit up on the inside.  They never trusted Christ alone for salvation.  They were really good people, seemingly perfect, but it's not the right way....yes even for a true believer,  we know Christ tells us there is coming a day when every man's work  (man and woman) will be tried by fire.  Then we shall know what manner of work it was.  but for an unbeliever his works were never done in the power of Christ.  He never had a light.

We as Christians need to be sharing the gospel light,  that others may believe and receive the gospel message and in turn be a light in a dark place.

Matthew 7:22-23

 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

1 Corinthians  3:13

 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 

 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Roman 1:16

 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

PS. Now You Know:  This Is Not Left Over From Last Halloween

devotional

Susan Y Nikitenko

November 11th, 2013

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.