Bible Study Snacks, Acts 13:1-12

Hi, everyone!

Happy Friday, and welcome back to another presentation of Bible Study Snacks. As always, I'd like to thank you so much for joining me as we walk through the richness of God's spoken word and wisdom together. I pray that today finds you in good health and strong in faith!

This week, I would like to continue our study of the Book of Acts, with Chapter Thirteen (Verses 1-12).

I have designed these studies to be brief, yet packed full of good information for everyone regardless of your level of biblical knowledge. I might add that these quick studies make perfect small group discussion starters, as well!

As always, I whole-heartedly believe in the importance that any Bible study should begin with prayer. If you have your Bible ready, let's pray together...

Heavenly father, please guide us as we study your Word today; I pray that our hearts and our minds will be open so that we will not only receive your Gospel, but learn from it as well; you are the Light of the world, Lord, and your Spirit will illuminate our path as we journey through your teachings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen

If you are taking notes for yourself, or using this for a bible study with others, here are the objectives for this week's lesson...

OBJECTIVES: This week, the reader will...

1) Trace the route of Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journey.

For your convenience, here is a summary of Acts 13:1-12...

With his attention now on the ministry of Paul, Luke narrates the beginning of Paul's first missionary journey. It starts with the call of the Holy Spirit, who instructs the prophets and teachers at the church in Antioch of Syria to separate Barnabas and Saul for the work He has called them. With fasting, prayer, and the laying on of hands, the two men are sent out on their journey (1-3)

Sailing from Selucia, they arrive at the island of Cyprus, the home country of Barnabas (cf. 4:36). Assisting them is John Mark (Barnabas' cousin who joins them earlier, and is later the companion of Peter and author of the gospel of Mark; cf. 12:25; Colossians 4:10; 1 Peter 5:13). Here they begin what Luke later describes as Paul's custom: preaching in the synagogues of the Jews (cf. 17:1-3).

Starting in Salamis, they make their way to Paphos, where they meet the sorcerer Elymas Bar-Jesus along with the proconsul Sergius Paulus. When Sergius wants to hear the Word of God, Elymas tries to prevent Barnabas and Saul from speaking.

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Saul rebukes the sorcerer and renders him sightless. Astonished at the power behind the teaching of the Lord, Sergius believes. From this point forward, Saul is now called Paul and also becomes the more prominent member of the missionary team (4-12).

REVIEW QUESTIONS: 

1) Who were the prophets and teachers at the church in Antioch? (Acts 13:1)
2) Who told them to send Barnabas and Saul on their journey? (Acts 13:2)
3) What activities helped to prepare them for their mission? (Acts 13:3)
4) From what city did they disembark, and to where did they sail? (Acts 13:4)
5) Where did they first preach? Who was with them? (Acts 13:5)
6) At Paphos, who wanted to hear the Word of God? Who sought to prevent him? (Acts 13:6-8)
7) What did Saul do to Elymas? What affect did this have on Sergius Paulus? (Acts 13:9-12)
  
After completing this week's study, go back and read through the material again. Take your time and read each topic and scripture reference as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you just might see something new that you overlooked the first time around!

As we journey through the Bible together, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until next time, I wish everyone a blessed week!

God bless you!

Sheri

What Brings On Apostasy?

Mark Twain married a Christian lady. She at first didn’t want to marry, but later did. He at first went through the motions of religion with her, but later said he couldn’t keep up with being a hypocrite. In time, she came to the place where she no longer believed in a personal God. During a time of deep grief, Twain said to his wife, “If your Christian faith will comfort you, go back to it.” She replied, “I have none.” (Source unknown)

Today, I would like to briefly discuss apostasy, or the willful rebellion against Christian truth. Obviously because of the magnitude of this topic; we can only scratch the surface here. However, it is a topic worth more time if you are interested. I am certain that it will definitely give you some food for thought and hopefully discussion, as well.

Throughout the New Testament, we read of individuals apostatizing from the faith, i.e., Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-10), Hymenaeus and Alexander (1 Timothy 1:19-20; 2 Timothy 4:14), Hymenaeus and Philetus (2 Timothy 2:17-18) and Demas (2 Timothy 4:10). These examples of apostasy should cause us to ask the following question: What precipitates apostasy?

1) Some leave the faith because of persecution. In one of His parables, Jesus spoke of the superficial person who endures for a while, but, “when tribulation and persucution arise because of the word, straightway he stumbles” (Matthew 13:21). The Christian is charged to be faithful, even if it means the forfeiture of his life (Revelation 2:10).

2) Others fall away because, not understanding the permissive will of God, i.e., his allowance of hardships as a consequence of humanity’s initial rebellion. They blame the Creator for those dire circumstances that sometimes invade their lives. As a result, they walk away from Providence. One of the great lessons of the book of Job is that God does not shield His people — even the best — from life’s tragedies. We must learn to trust our Maker — no matter what happens (Job 13:15).

3) Many Christian souls have become victims of false teaching. There are those who seem to think that “false teachers” do not exist. But the Savior warned of this danger (Matthew 7:15), and subsequent history reveals the devastation of believing error (cf. 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 4:1-4). In our own day, we have observed many yielding to the influences of denominationalism.

From Nashville to Abilene to Malibu, defection from the ancient faith is apparent. The expression, “the old paths,” (Jeremiah 6:16; cf. Jeremiah 18:15) has become a term subject to ridicule by a new clan of self-designated sophisticates whose ambition seems to center in fashioning a church after their personal desires.

4) Then there are those who simply ease away from fidelity, in an ever-so-gradual fashion. The writer of the book of Hebrews spoke of the distinct possibility of neglecting one’s salvation, hence, drifting away from the saved state (Hebrews 2:1-3). In our present environment of “busy” activities, it is not difficult to allow life’s distractions to “choke” out our passion for serving Christ (cf. Matthew 13:22), so that we subordinate the interests of the Lord’s kingdom to a multitude of trivial things (contra Matthew 6:33).

For not a few, worldliness has an allurement that has drawn them to destruction, much like the silly fly in Mary Howitt’s famous poem, The Spider And The Fly, who, with flattery, was charmed into the spider’s deadly web (cf. 2 Timothy 4:10). To employ a metaphor more in line with biblical imagery, some members of the church are languishing in a pigpen (cf. Luke 15:15), and they no longer can even smell the stench!
-Mike Riley

In conclusion, the solution to apostasy in the church is found in [1 John 4:1-6. Every Christian needs to return to the measurement “standard” of God’s Word in order to correctly measure and test each “spirit’s” teaching. Only in this way will we keep the church “pure,” “a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27; cf. Revelation 19:7-8).

For your own study, here are some passages which record cases of actual apostasy, 1 Timothy 1:19,20; 2 Timothy 2:17, 18; 4:10; 2 Peter 2:1,2. But there is no proof that the persons mentioned were true believers. The Bible itself teaches that there are persons who profess the faith and yet are not of the faith, Romans 9:6; 1 John 2:9, Revelation 3:1. John says of some: "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us," 1 John 2:19.  -Louis Berkhof, Manual of Christian Doctrine, Eerdmans, p. 276

Prayer: Dear Father, help us to hear the voice of the Spirit louder than any other voice. Help us to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches -- and to us. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

May God bless you always,

Mindee

Video - Beth Moore: The Law of the Harvest (Part 3)

Join us for the next several weeks as Beth Moore discusses the Law of the Harvest. This week: Part 3. ~Eve

To Listen Well Is A Godly Virtue

Hearing is easy; listening requires lots of skill. That's the gist of a fascinating article about "The Science and Art of Listening." The article reminds us that, "Listening is a skill that we're in danger of losing in a world of digital distraction and information overload."

If you've been trying to find a way to justify your poor listening skills, this article offers scientific proof that it's really hard, especially "when potential distractions are leaping into your ears every fifty-thousandth of a second—and pathways in your brain are just waiting to interrupt your focus to warn you of any potential dangers."  -The New York Times, November 9, 2012, Seth S. Horowitz

We have all experienced problems listening to the sermon/pastor while attending church, right? Maybe you were distracted by others shuffling around  you, or perhaps it was the disagreement you had with your children (or spouse) on the way in! Whatever the reason, you just weren't "feeling it" during the service. I know, I have been there, believe me. While delving further into this topic, I came across a wonderful piece on listening in order to get the most out of your church experience. I would like to share it with you today. And although it was written over two hundred years ago, the message still resonates with us today.

Jesus said, 'Therefore consider carefully how you listen' (Luke 8:18). Here are some cautions and directions, in order to help you hear sermons with profit and advantage.

1. Come to hear them, not out of curiosity, but from a sincere desire to know and do your duty. To enter His house merely to have our ears entertained, and not our hearts reformed, must certainly be highly displeasing to the Most High God, as well as unprofitable to ourselves.

2. Give diligent heed to the things that are spoken from the Word of God. If an earthly king were to issue a royal proclamation, and the life or death of his subjects entirely depended on performing or not performing its conditions, how eager would they be to hear what those conditions were! And shall we not pay the same respect to the King of kings, and Lord of lords, and lend an attentive ear to His ministers, when they are declaring, in His name, how our pardon, peace, and happiness may be secured?

3. Do not entertain even the least prejudice against the minister. That was the reason Jesus Christ Himself could not do many mighty works, nor preach to any great effect among those of His own country; for they were offended at Him. Take heed therefore, and beware of entertaining any dislike against those whom the Holy Ghost has made overseers over you.

Consider that the clergy are men of like passions with yourselves. And though we should even hear a person teaching others to do what he has not learned himself, yet that is no reason for rejecting his doctrine. For ministers speak not in their own, but in Christ’s name. And we know who commanded the people to do whatever the scribes and Pharisees should say unto them, even though they did not do themselves what they said (see Matthew 23:1-3).

4. Be careful not to depend too much on a preacher, or think more highly of him than you ought to think. Preferring one teacher over another has often been of ill consequence to the church of God. It was a fault which the great Apostle of the Gentiles condemned in the Corinthians: 'For whereas one said, I am of Paul; another, I am of Apollos: are you not carnal, says he? For who is Paul, and who is Apollos, but instruments in God’s hands by whom you believed?' (1 Corinthians 1:12; 2:3-5).

Are not all ministers sent forth to be ministering ambassadors to those who shall be heirs of salvation? And are they not all therefore greatly to be esteemed for their work’s sake?

5. Make particular application to your own hearts of everything that is delivered. When our Savior was discoursing at the last supper with His beloved disciples and foretold that one of them should betray Him, each of them immediately applied it to his own heart and said, 'Lord, is it I?' (Matthew 26:22).

Oh, that persons, in like manner, when preachers are dissuading from any sin or persuading to any duty, instead of crying, 'This was intended for such and such a one!' instead would turn their thoughts inwardly, and say, 'Lord, is it I?' How far more beneficial should we find discourses to be than now they generally are!

6. Pray to the Lord, before, during, and after every sermon, to endue the minister with power to speak, and to grant you a will and ability to put into practice what he shall show from the Book of God to be your duty.

No doubt it was this consideration that made St. Paul so earnestly entreat his beloved Ephesians to intercede with God for him: 'Praying always, with all manner of prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and for me also, that I may open my mouth with boldness, to make known the mysteries of the gospel' (Ephesians 6:19-20). And if so great an apostle as St. Paul needed the prayers of his people, much more do those ministers who have only the ordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit.

If only all who hear me this day would seriously apply their hearts to practice what has now been told them! How ministers would see Satan, like lightning, fall from heaven, and people find the Word preached sharper than a two-edged sword and mighty, through God, to the pulling down of the devil’s strongholds!

This excerpt is adapted from Sermon 28 from The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield. Published by E. and C. Dilly, 1771-1772, London. George Whitefield (1714-1770) was a British Methodist evangelist whose powerful sermons fanned the flames of the First Great Awakening in the American colonies.

In closing, the word sermon comes from the Latin word sermo, which means discourse or conversation. A sermon isn’t meant to be a monologue where one person speaks, but it’s a chorus of voices in conversation (and listening) about the things that truly matter. To be able to listen well is a godly virtue, is in keeping with a follower of Christ, and helps to build up relationships!

Scripture: Mark 4:24; John 10:27-28; Proverbs 2:1-5; Hebrews 4:7; James 1:22; Isaiah 42:23; 1 John 5:14; Revelation 3:20; Ezekiel 33:30-32; John 15:26

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we thank you for taking our old, egotistic, sinful nature to the cross. Holy Spirit, help us to become better listeners. Help us to overcome our tendency to think more highly of ourselves than we ought and to desire to understand others. May we show our love through listening well. Strengthen our important relationships. Amen.

God bless you,

Wendy

Does Anger Rule Your Life?

An Arizona woman, distraught over the re-election of President Obama, ran down her husband with their family car. Apparently her husband had the audacity to not vote in the presidential election. 

According to the news report, "Holly Solomon, 28, was arrested after running over husband Daniel Solomon following a wild chase that left him pinned underneath the vehicle."

Daniel Solomon, 36, tried to hide behind a light pole before he decided to make a break for it. That's when his wife put the pedal to the metal and ran him down—and over. Mr. Solomon told police that his wife was angry over his "lack of voter participation."  -NBC News, November 13, 2012, David Schwartz

In discussing the differences between the Christian and the worldling, Paul writes, “Be ye angry, and sin not…” (Ephesians 4:26). This is a quotation from Psalm 4:4 where both the King James and the American Standard Versions read “Stand in awe, and sin not…” Moreover, the American Standard Version mentions in a footnote that “Stand in awe” may also be translated, “Be ye angry.” In this Psalm, David (like Paul) contrasts the “sons of men” (vs.2) and the “godly” (vs.3). He says that it is characteristic of the godly to “Be ye angry, and sin not.” Thus we ought not to sin as the world does when they become angry, but sin not.

It is not necessarily a sin to be angry. Certainly God does not expect us to rejoice when people do wrong. We must be angry at sin. “God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7:11). Paul writes of the indignation that the Corinthian brethren had concerning the sin in which they had formerly been (2 Corinthians 7:11).

Jesus also was angry when he overturned the moneychangers’ tables as he cleansed the temple (Mark 11:15-17). However, when we are angry, we want to make sure that our anger does not venture into sin. So, let us look at a few Bible principles that will help us control our “righteous indignation.”

First, we should not be quick to anger. Many sins committed in the wake of anger are like a hot water geyser. They build up and spew out without any control. This is the kind of anger that leads to “crimes of passion.” It is the anger that causes us to say things that later we wish we had not said. This kind of anger strikes out at others and does not help anyone. Anger of this caliber is sinful anger. “A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife” (Proverbs 15:18).

Second, when provoked, think before you become angry. Ask yourself a few simple questions. Is this a situation over which it is worth becoming angry? Are there any dire consequences to the catalyst of my impending anger? Am I angry because of this situation, or am I angry because something bad in another part of my life is affecting my judgment? (In other words, am I “kicking the cat”?) Is my getting angry going to affect people in a negative way to hinder good relationships?

These are questions that we should ask ourselves when provoked to anger. Life can be frustrating (and often is). However, it just becomes more frustrating for more people when we unnecessarily become angry. James arranges it this way. “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19).

Third, when we do get angry, we must control ourselves. No problems have ever been solved by losing control. Loss of control builds problems. Although it is sometimes very difficult, we should bring our anger into subjection and deal with it in a rational manner. When we become angry, step away from the situation, cool down, and come back and confront the problem in an adult-like fashion. Throwing a tantrum is childish and will only gain disrespect from those in front of whom the tantrum is thrown. Another thing we might do is think of a person we know who often “blows his stack.”

It may be that in thinking of the way this person acts, we ourselves will see how ridiculous that behavior is, and avoid loss of control. Too, sometimes we must confront someone with whom we are angry. When we do, speak calmly and rationally. Keep body movements (especially arms) to a minimum. Further, it is likely that this person with whom we are angry will become angry himself.

When both parties are angry things are less productive and more time consuming. Regulation, however, conserves time and increases productivity. Controlling our actions is the key. If our actions are not in control then, our thoughts are not in control. God demands that we bring “…into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Finally, we must resolve our anger within the same day it is provoked. A sore left untreated will fester and fester until it becomes infected; it can then cause major complications with serious consequences. The smallest cut left untreated can end up as gangrene; many people have lost limbs and lives because of such. Anger is much the same way. If we allow it to continue it will grow and fester and our anger will become bitterness. Soon it is not simply a small mistake we made which irritates us, but the whole world.

Our bitterness then becomes cynicism and we begin to see deceit and dishonesty in every situation. We question peoples motives without reason. Soon we even give up on ourselves as our cynicism becomes despair. The ultimate fruit of festering fury is the destruction of our faith in God. Such a small beginning can have such drastic consequences if we do not confront and resolve our anger. The second half of Ephesians 4:26 says, “…let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” We only hurt ourselves when we let anger foster within us.

Anger is one of the most intense emotions God has given to us. However, we can use anger for a good purpose. Let us resolve: (1) not to become angry hastily, (2) to think before we become angry, (3) to control our anger should we become angry, and (4) to resolve our anger before the end of the day.

I certainly have not mastered anger. Nevertheless, I still want to learn God’s principles on the subject for on any subject he has “…given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3).

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31, 32).

Scripture: Nehemiah 9:17; Psalms 37:8; Psalms 145:8; Proverbs 14:17; Proverbs 14:29; Proverbs 15:1; Proverbs 19:11; Ecclesiastes 7:9; Matthew 5:22; Ephesians 4:26; Colossians 3:8

Prayer: Lord Jesus, there is anger in my heart and I cannot root it out. I know that I should calm down and offer the hurt and disappointment to You but my emotion is running away with me. Help me to overcome this weakness and give me peace of heart as well as mind. Let me learn from this experience and grow into a better human being. Amen.   
-Thank you Kevin Cauley

God bless you always,

Tori Ann

He Taught Them The Truth About God

Life is a matter of building. Each of us has the opportunity to build something -- a secure family, a good reputation, a career, a relationship to God. But some of those things can disappear almost overnight due to financial losses, natural disasters and other unforeseen difficulties.

What are we to do? Daniel Webster offered excellent advice, saying, "If we work on marble it will perish. If we work on brass, time will efface it. If we rear temples, they will crumble to dust. But if we work on men's immortal minds, if we imbue them with high principles, with just fear of God and love of their fellow-men, we engrave on those tablets something which time cannot efface, and which will brighten and brighten to all eternity.  -Morning Glory, July 3, 1993

"And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast" (Luke 2:42—KJV).

Joseph and Mary raised their son, Jesus, according to the law of God. Not only did they offer the appropriate sacrifices shortly after Jesus was born, but every year they traveled from Nazareth to Jerusalem to celebrate the festival of the Passover (Luke 2:22-24; 2:41). Knowing their son was the Son of God, they did all they could to raise Him according to the will of God and gave Him all the opportunities they could afford to allow Him to spend time with God in His Father’s house.

We wonder, therefore, that a day after they discovered Jesus was not traveling with them as they returned home that they began searching anxiously for Him. Not finding him among their relatives and friends, they returned to Jerusalem and searched three more days before they found Jesus in the temple.

What did they find Jesus doing in His Father’s house? He was "sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions" (Luke 2:46). Later, when Jesus began His public ministry, He continued to discuss the truth, the character, and the ways of God with the religious leaders and people. Just as all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and answers at the age of twelve in the temple, they were even more amazed during His ministry.

Out of the many things Jesus' parents could have found Him doing in the temple (such as praying); they found Him teaching. Jesus prepared for His teaching by praying, but a large part of His Father’s business was asking questions, listening to the questions of others, and then teaching them the truth about God.

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52; Luke 6:40; Psalms 32:8; Matthew 5:19; 2 Timothy 3:16; James 1:5

Prayer: Jesus, You are well-acquainted with my weaknesses and the condition of my heart. You know that I am often more concerned about my own comfort and my daily schedule than the needs of those around me. I know I can't save the entire world, but I can listen to Your still small voice as You place individuals upon my heart. Show me ways that I can make a difference. May the character of my life reflect the heart of Christ as I reach out to others in love and in obedience to Your calling upon my life. In the name of Jesus, Amen.  -Special thanks to L.J.Parkhurst, Jr.

Have a blessed day,

Kenna

Video: A Thanksgiving Message, Pastor Holly Johnson

A Thanksgiving Message from Christian Outreach Church in Morganton, N.C.by Senior Pastor Holly Johnson.  Let's remember to give thanks not only on Thanksgiving Day, but everyday!  ~Eve

Video: Thanksgiving Worship

A Prayer of Thanksgiving:
"Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we beseech thee, faithful stewards of thy great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen"

Due to the extended holiday weekend here in the U.S., our blog will resume Monday, November 26th. On behalf of all of us here at the Coffeehouse Bible Ministry, we wish everyone a blessed Thanksgiving holiday!  ~Eve

Video: Consumer Worship

When worship becomes all about our experiences, we are on shaky ground. Our bellies may be filled, but we've missed true worship by a mile and have become consumers of worship vs. those who are consumed for God's fame.

This video by Dan Stevers humorously exaggerates the consumer attitude that many have towards worship. How does it make me feel? Does it suit my personal taste? Do I have time for it in my busy schedule?   ~Eve

Are You In a Right Relationship with God?

Thankfulness seems to be a lost art today. Warren Wiersbe illustrated this problem in his commentary on Colossians. He told about a ministerial student in Evanston, Illinois, who was part of a life-saving squad. In 1860, a ship went aground on the shore of Lake Michigan near Evanston, and Edward Spencer waded again and again into the frigid waters to rescue 17 passengers. In the process, his health was permanently damaged. Some years later at his funeral, it was noted that not one of the people he rescued ever thanked him.   -Our Daily Bread, February 20, 1994

In spite of having disobeyed God, believers can “be justified” by God; which means, “Declared and prepared to be in a right relationship with God.” Paul, and the other apostles, taught that in order to come into a right relationship with God people only need to place their faith in Jesus the Messiah.

When people understand that they have sinned and deserve to spend eternity separated from God, and when they also learn that because of Jesus’ sacrificial death God can justly and mercifully forgive them and welcome them into His family, they often bow before God with loving and thankful hearts. Born into a new life by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ, they long to live right with God forever; therefore, Jesus comes to help them by living within them (Galatians 2:20).

Sadly, in Paul’s day, some “false teachers” taught a “different gospel” (see Galatians 1:6-7). They taught that to be justified people needed to believe that Jesus was the Messiah and in addition perform “the works of the law.” After Paul moved to begin a new church, these teachers often went into the churches Paul left behind, and they began “to pervert the gospel of Christ.”

Their teaching was not good news, for they taught that Paul’s gospel was defective and that to be saved believers needed to circumcise their males, abstain from certain foods, stop eating with Gentiles, celebrate special feast days, and perform other religious rituals. In his letters, Paul opposed these “false believers.”

Paul chose to "live to God." He chose to "live by faith in the Son of God." He chose to put his focus on God and Jesus Christ and trust his future to Jesus Christ and living according to His teachings. He found true joy of living in his relationship with, and service to, God in Jesus Christ and with his fellow believers.

Scripture: Galatians 2:16b; 1 Chronicles 16:4; Nehemiah 11:17; Psalm 18:49; Psalm 50:14; Psalm 69:30; Psalm 107:1; John 6:11; Ephesians 1:16

Prayer: Holy Father, although we all are sinners, I ask you to forgive me every day for what I might have done wrong, that I might not have noticed. Even though we all come short of the glory of God, I thank you for the sacrifice of your only son Jesus Christ for all our sins. Amen  -Special thanks to L.G. Parkhurst, Jr.

God bless you,

Priscilla

It's Good to Give Thanks

Dr. Alexander Whyte of Edinburgh was famous for his pulpit prayers. He always found something to thank God for, even in bad times. One stormy morning a member of his congregation thought to himself. “The preacher will have nothing to thank God for on a wretched morning like this.” But Whyte began his prayer, “We thank Thee, O God that it is not always like this.” Even if you can’t see any good coming out of a difficulty, you can at least thank God that you do not have to face that difficulty all the time. Furthermore, it is never so bad with us but it might be worse.

I believe everyone here knows what it means to give thanks. It is to be mindful of the favors and blessings that we have received, and express appreciation to God for them. I say that giving thanks is an important practice because of what Paul said in I Thessalonians 5:18. Here he is giving a series of important, brief commands to the Thessalonian believers. He says that we as believers should “give thanks.” Now that is excellent advice because a grateful person will be a happier person.

A grateful person will also be a healthier person. Being thankful reduces stress. Stress is one of the main contributors to illness. An attitude of gratitude will also protect you from pessimism. So learning to be a thankful, grateful person is indeed excellent advice. But this is more than just good advice. Giving thanks is important because it is a clear command of the Word of God. Gratitude is not an option; it is an obligation.  (I Thessalonians 5:18)

Now the fact that giving thanks is commanded is emphasized in two ways. First, the words “give thanks” are from an imperative verb in Greek. Paul

commands us to give thanks. Likewise, Psalm 105:1 says, “Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name….” The obligation to gratitude, often neglected by us, is earnestly and frequently encouraged in the New Testament by command, instruction, or by way of example. In fact words of thankfulness are found about 130 times in the Bible.

Secondly, he reinforces the command by saying, “for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus unto you.” He gives the command the highest possible authority by specifically saying that giving thanks is the will of God for your life. Thus, God’s will regarding thankfulness is not limited to a fortunate few. It is an obligation for all. Paul was writing to the whole church. So I hope you agree that it is so important that we learn to be thankful.

Since being thankful is the will of God, that means that ingratitude is a sin. Too often, instead of giving thanks, we grumble and complain. When we do so, we are living outside of the will of God, and we are committing sin. Not only that, but ingratitude is the mark of an unbeliever. Beginning in Romans 1:19 Paul sets out to prove the sinful nature of man. And one of the first sins that he mentions is found in Romans 1:21, “nor were [they] thankful.”

Our sinful, selfish nature is not naturally grateful. Have you noticed that you have to

teach a child to be grateful? At times you have to almost force children to say “thank you.” If you have no gratitude in your heart to God today, then you probably need to be saved. You need to be born again.

Have you thought about why we are not thankful? Besides our sinful nature, it is partly because we think we deserve all the good that happens to us, and don’t deserve all the bad that happens to us. But that’s not true. We have all sinned, and we deserve death & hell. Anything better than that is cause of thanksgiving to God for His grace, and for His provision.

In closing, I want you all to understand the importance of giving thanks to God. It is God’s will that you give thanks. You are commanded to give thanks. It is good for you to give thanks. I hope you are motivated to make a commitment to become a more thankful person.

Scripture: Acts 20:35; Philippians 1:3-5; James 1:17; Romans 1:21; Luke 7:47; Psalm 100:4

Prayer: Today is the day you made, O God. My heart rejoices in this day and the opportunities it holds for me to experience more of Your loving presence. I open my spirit to You, and I give thanks for Your life that fills every cell of my body and life. I open my eyes to You, and I give thanks for Your light that warms and brightens my day. I open my heart to You, and I give thanks for Your life that fills me with compassion, understanding, and peace. I open my soul to You, and I give thanks for Your presence in my life and in the lives of the people I hold dear. Thank You, God, for all that You are and for the blessings that fill every moment of evey day. Amen

May God bless you always,

Kathyrn

Video: Harmony Dust, Founder of Treasures Outreach

The story of Harmony Dust, founder of Treasures outreach and support group for women in the sex industry. This video was featured at the God Chicks Conference 2011.  A compelling testimony of God's unconditional love, grace, and redemption for everyone!   ~Eve

Weekend Scripture Gold with Bibi: Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of our main national holidays here in the U.S.A. A good question to ask is "Are we as Christians celebrating it the way the Lord would have us celebrate, or have we compromised with the world?"

Have we lost the emphasis on thanksgiving and prayer and shifted it to a gluttonous feast of food, drink and games like those in the world have done?

More and more the media is referring to this holiday as "turkey day" instead of Thanksgiving Day. They also eliminate the object of who we are to offer our thanks. We are just to be "thankful" we are told. Who should our thanks be directed to? The object of our thanks for our many blessings, should be directed to the Lord God. It should not just be a general "thanks."   

The psalmist said in Psalm 35:18, " I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people." You can be sure that the Bible encourages and commands the people of God to give thanks to our blessed and glorious Lord. There is something about the grateful heart that brings pleasure and satisfaction to the heart of the holy and righteous God.

I know that is so because it is clearly the will of God that His chosen people give much thanks unto him (1 Thess. 5:18). So many folks want to grumble, groan and gripe instead of thank God for what He has already given to them.

Rendering thanks to God is not to be an occasional act of God’s people, but it is to be a way of life. How do I know? The word "give" used in regard to thanks in 1 Thess.5:18 is in the Greek "present tense" in the New Testament. That suggest that thanksgiving is to be an ongoing and continual thing in the lives of God’s dear people. Why are we to give thanks unto the Lord?

I. It Pleases The Lord

(1 Thessaloninans 5:18). The practice of giving thanks to the Lord is clearly His divine will. Rest assured that God is pleased hen we do what He desires us to do in regard to any matter. Compare 1 Samuel 15:22. It delights God when we appreciate Him enough to render our thanks unto Him.

II. It Proclaims Our Gratitude.

If you recall in Luke 17, the Lord Jesus cleansed ten lepers. Only one of them came back to thank the Lord for the miracle of their cleansing. One out of ten is 10 %. I wonder in our churches if that percentage is really thankful to God.

III. It Provokes Others.

I do not mean to "provoke" in a bad sense. Hebrews 10:24 says we are to consider one another and to provoke one another to love and good works. The word "provoke" in that verse has the idea of inciting or stirring up others to do what is right. When you are thankful it is contagious: it will catch on and others will be.

IV. It Produces Contentment.

As we are thankful to God for what He has given us, we become more and more contented with what is already ours through and from Him. Refuse to live restlessly.

V. It Portrays Christ.
As you read of the life of Christ, He was repeatedly thankful to His Father for His goodness. See Luke 10:21 and John 11:41. We properly picture Jesus when we are thankful.  -Special thanks to Dr. Tom Walker 

The first American Thanksgiving was celebrated less than a year after the Christian Plymouth colonists had settled in the new land of America. The first Thanksgiving Day, set aside for the special purpose of prayer as well as celebration, was decreed by Governor William Bradford in July 30, 1623. There were harvest festivals, or days of thanking God for plentiful crops.

During the Revolutionary War, eight special days of thanks were observed for victories and for being saved from dangers. On November 26, 1789, President George Washington issued a general proclamation for a day of thanks. Our national day of thanksgiving was proclaimed by President Lincoln in 1863 with these words, "a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father."

Today we still celebrate this national and legal holiday, but are we celebrating in the right manner as Christians? Are we forgetting the main purpose of this day is prayer and thanksgiving as we feast and fellowship? The Lord is not opposed to our feasting and our gathering of friends and family to dine, but if our only prayer is to ask God to bless our food are we not forgetting the real meaning of this day?

God delights in blessing us as His children. However, do we, as His children delight in blessing Him with our prayers and thanks?  Let us ask God to forgive us and truly celebrate this day in real thanksgiving and prayer.  - Betty Miller, Overcoming Life Digest (Nov./Dec. 1997 Issue)

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 29:11-13; Psalm 145:7;  Psalm 107:1; Psalm 31:19

Now, let's pray...

O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for in thy name's sake. Amen

Until next time...

Have a blessed week!

Bibi

Video: Life With God

The last thing Jesus came to do was start another religion. He came to show us what life in the Kingdom of God looks like. Through the cross, Jesus offers us this same kind of life - a life lived in relationship with God. This powerful video by Dan Stevers illustrates the life changing invitation that God has made to us.  ~Eve

Bible Study Snacks, Acts 12:20-25

Hi, everyone!

Happy Friday, and welcome back to another presentation of Bible Study Snacks. As always, I'd like to thank you so much for joining me as we walk through the richness of God's spoken word and wisdom together. I pray that today finds you in good health and strong in faith!

This week, I would like to continue our study of the Book of Acts, with Chapter Twelve (Verses 20-25).

I have designed these studies to be brief, yet packed full of good information for everyone regardless of your level of biblical knowledge. I might add that these quick studies make perfect small group discussion starters, as well!

As always, I whole-heartedly believe in the importance that any Bible study should begin with prayer. If you have your Bible ready, let's pray together...

Heavenly father, please guide us as we study your Word today; I pray that our hearts and our minds will be open so that we will not only receive your Gospel, but learn from it as well; you are the Light of the world, Lord, and your Spirit will illuminate our path as we journey through your teachings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen

If you are taking notes for yourself, or using this for a bible study with others, here are the objectives for this week's lesson...

OBJECTIVES: This week, the reader will...

1) Review the untimely death of Herod, and the continued success of the word of God.

For your convenience, here is a summary of Acts 12:20-25...

While at Caesarea, the people of Tyre and Sidon come to Herod to appeal for peace. When he gives them an oration, the people praise his speech as "the voice of a god and not of a man." Failing to give glory to God, an angel of the Lord strikes Herod and he dies. The word of God, however, grows and multiplies. 

Barnabas and Saul, complete their ministry to the saints in Judea (cf. Acts 11:29-30), and return from Jerusalem to Antioch accompanied by John Mark. At this point in Luke's narrative of the history of the church, the focus turns from the ministry of Peter to the ministry of Paul (20-25).

REVIEW QUESTIONS: 

1) Where did Herod then go? Who came with an appeal for peace? (Acts 12:19-20)
2) When Herod gave them an oration, what did the people say? (Acts 12:21-22)
3) What happened to Herod? Why? (Acts 12:23)
4) Despite Herod's effort to harass the church, what was the result? (Acts 12:24)
5) Who returned from Jerusalem, and whom did they bring with them? (Acts 12:25)
  
After completing this week's study, go back and read through the material again. Take your time and read each topic and scripture reference as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you just might see something new that you overlooked the first time around!

As we journey through the Bible together, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until next time, I wish everyone a blessed week!

God bless you!

Sheri

What Is True Wisdom?

Robert Short opined,

The situation today is:  Lots of knowledge, but little understanding. Lots of means, but little meaning. Lots of know-how, but little know-why. Lots of sight, but little insight.

A certain bumper sticker conveyed a similar sentiment with these words, "You are only young once, but you can be immature your whole life." In a word, what we sorely lack today is wisdom.

What is wisdom? How does wisdom differ from its close cousins knowledge, understanding, and discernment? Knowledge is that which comes from the ability to see, to hear, and to ascertain through experience. Knowledge resides in the intellect.

Understanding is insight into the nature of a thing, a deeper level of knowing. A church member distinguished understanding from knowledge when he confessed, "I don't understand all I know about that." I know that a computer works with a binary code of 0's and 1's, for example, but I don't understand how a computer works.

Discernment is the ability to distinguish one thing from another and often involves one's moral sensitivities, i.e., feelings about right and wrong. The discerning person not only distinguishes one thing from another but will normally proceed to make a moral judgment as to which is best.

Wisdom goes beyond knowledge, understanding, and discernment. Wisdom is to exercise sound judgment based on these so as to pursue a proper course of action. The Bible terms as wisdom (hokma) various skills and abilities, including skill in spinning (Exodus 35:25), tailoring (Exodus 28:3), engraving and embrodering (Exodus 35:35), goldsmithing (Jeremiah 10:9), solving riddles (Proverbs 1:6) and soothsaying (Genesis 41:8), as well as the ability to work as a military strategist or statesman (Isaiah 10:13; 29:14; Jeremiah 49:7), architect (Exodus 35:30 - 36:1), or sailor (Ezekiel 27:8).

Over and above all of these exercises of wisdom, the greatest wisdom known to Scripture is found in the skill of living well. True wisdom is to perceive the nature of this world as created by God and to live in accord with it. In other words, wisdom is getting tuned into God's frequency for life and living in that frequency.

Solomon opens chapter two of the great book of Proverbs in an urgent plea for an acceptance of wisdom and discernment. Solomon with inspired wisdom sets forth this plea in the form of “conditional statements,” that is, IF we accept the conditions of the promise, THEN the fulfillment of the promise shall be ours to enjoy. We might call them “if – then” promises.

Solomon declares, IF “thou receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee” (Proverbs 2:1), that is, to accept and retain the word of God in our minds, THEN you will receive wisdom. IF “thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding” (Proverbs 2:2) – giving diligent attention to and have a favorable desire for wisdom, THEN you will obtain wisdom. IF “thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding” (Proverbs 2:3) – sincerely and earnestly trying to do what is right, THEN you shall find wisdom. IF “thou seekest her as silver, and searceth for her as for hid treasures” (Proverbs 2:4) – having the willingness to take great pains to secure wisdom, THEN you will come to know wisdom. IF we are willing to do all these things just mentioned, THEN “shalt thou understand the fear of Jehovah, and find the knowledge of God (Proverbs 2:5) and THEN “shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path” (Proverbs 2:9).

If we want to receive wisdom, we must have the knowledge of God, and to receive this knowledge we must embark on a diligent study of the Scriptures. “Give diligence [study – KJV] to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). We must also be like the Bereans, where of them it is said, “Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). Having a knowledge of God is the only means by which we can intimately know God, and therefore, the only way which we can gain spiritual wisdom.

Solomon teaches, “For Jehovah giveth wisdom; Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding: He layeth up sound wisdom for the upright; [He is] a shield to them that walk in integrity; That he may guard the paths of justice, And preserve the way of his saints” (Proverbs 2:6-8). In God’s word we gain wisdom (v. 6), sound wisdom (v. 7), and wisdom that preserves (v. 8). IF we are diligent students of God’s word, THEN we shall dwell in the wisdom of God.

But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell securely, And shall be quiet without fear of evil” (Proverbs 1:33).

Prayer: God our Savior, bring us back to you and fill our minds with your wisdom. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

May God bless you,

Julie

Proclaim the Message of Jesus

No people in history have had as many opportunities to hear the truth about God, to learn how salvation can be found by turning to Jesus Christ, than those who live in this country at the end of the 20th Century.

Do you realize there are 450,000 churches in the United States. In fact, 24% of protestant congregations in the world are in this country. There are 600 religious radio stations, the vast majority run by evangelical Christians, who daily broadcast the message of Jesus Christ to people across the land. Christian TV, Christian publishing, Christian music recording, all communicate the Bible’s message.

God has given us so many chances. But, there are so many folks who continue to reject the truth.  -Dan Erickson, Chisolm First Baptist

In Acts 28:16-25, 28-31 Paul preaches in Rome. Imagine what it must have been like to live in Rome during the first century. Imagine the crowds, spectacles, and events Paul may have witnessed or heard about. Consider how Paul, a man from a foreign land with different beliefs, endured in the midst of this city. In what ways did God uphold Paul? In what ways does God uphold us? God upholds us . . . .

Wherever We Go (Acts 28:16-20)

Notice verse 16, “When we got to Rome.” Paul traveled from somewhere. Paul had a starting point on his way to Rome. Later in verse 17, Paul says, “I was arrested in Jerusalem.” Paul’s journey to Rome originated in Jerusalem. From Jerusalem to Rome, God upheld Paul to proclaim the message about Jesus.

People today can travel across countries in only a few hours. If we board a plane in New York City in the morning, we can arrive in Los Angeles by lunchtime. And we can carry “the hope” of Jesus Christ wherever we go. Think about the last place you carried the message of Jesus. Did you take that message home, to work, to the neighbor down the street, or even to a different culture?

Whenever We Speak (Acts 28:21-25)

Upon arriving in Rome, Paul sent word that he wanted to meet and speak with the leaders of the Jews. A date was set, and a few days later, Paul proclaimed the message of Jesus from morning till evening. The Greek words used for “from morning till evening” in this text are proi heos hespera, which mean from “the fourth watch of the night, from 3 o’clock in the morning until 6 o’clock approximately” to “evening or eventide.” Paul spoke, taught, and explained things for a very long time.

Perhaps we should be ready to proclaim the message whenever we may need too. If it requires us to get up early and meet someone for breakfast instead of rushing off to work, then we should set aside the time to do so. If it requires us to stay awake a little longer, we should make that small sacrifice and be willing to talk to that person about Jesus. When was the last time you set aside time to speak with someone about Jesus?

Whomever We Speak To (Acts 28:28-31)

After speaking to the Jews, Paul declared, “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” (v. 28). Paul realized the message of Jesus wasn’t just for the Jews, but for everyone. Paul knew that all people, including whoever we speak to, needed to hear this message.

Perhaps, we should pray that we will teach about Jesus boldly and without hindrance. Will you talk about Jesus wherever you go, whenever you speak, and to whomever you speak with?  -Special thanks to Jonathan Feathers

Prayer: Lord God, I pray that you will fill my heart with the blessing of your Holy Spirit. Grant me this day the strength to be temperate in all things, diligent in my duties, and patient under my afflictions. Direct me in all my ways. Give me grace to be just and upright in all my dealings; quiet and peaceable; full of compassion; and ready to do good to all people, according to my abilities and opportunities. For the sake of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen

May your day be blessed,

Dina

Video - Beth Moore: The Law of the Harvest (Part 2)

Join us for the next several weeks as Beth Moore discusses the Law of the Harvest. This week: Part 2.
~Eve

Live In Faith and Hope

Live in faith and hope, though it be in darkness, for in this darkness God protects the soul. Cast your care upon God for you are His and He will not forget you. Do not think that He is leaving you alone, for that would be to wrong Him.   -John of the Cross

Abram (whose name God changed to Abraham) proved his faith in God by always and immediately obeying God’s commands and trusting in His promises. True, Abram did not always act wisely and rightly, for he committed sins with lasting consequences; however, every time he learned what God wanted, he obeyed in faith and believed that God would lead him rightly. Because Abram did not lead a perfect life, the Bible teaches how God considered Abram righteous because of his faith (see Romans 4).

Abram’s father, Terah, left Ur for the land of Canaan, but instead he settled his family in Haran. After Terah died, God told Abram to move with his family to the land that He would show him. Before he arrived, Abram did not know what the land would look like, but he believed that God would give him a better land, so he departed immediately. “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8).

Abram’s move required him to make many sacrifices, because God asked him to leave his country, his kindred, and the security of his father’s house. From that day forth, in a variety of ways, God taught Abram to find his security in God alone. Eventually, Abram became known as the father of all who share his faith (Romans 4:16-18).  Since then, millions of people around the world have come to honor Abram for his loyalty to God and his trust in God’s promises.

Scripture: Romans 10:17; Luke 17:6; John 14:12; James 1:3; Hebrews 12:2; Habakkuk 2:4; Hebrews 10:22; Galatians 5:5; Galatians 3:11-12; Ephesians 2:8; 2 Timothy 4:7; 2 Corinthians 1:24  (Special thanks to L.G. Parkhurst, Jr.)

Prayer:

Show me Your ways, O Lord. Teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me. For You are God, my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. (Psalm 25:4-5)

May God bless you always,

Brandi

A Church Moves Only As Its People Move!

Complacency is a blight that saps energy, dulls attitudes, and causes a drain on the brain. The first symptom is satisfaction with things as they are. The second is rejection of things as they might be. "Good enough" becomes today's watchword and tomorrow's standard. Complacency makes people fear the unknown, mistrust the untried, and abhor the new. Like water, complacent people follow the easiest course -- downhill. They draw false strength from looking back.  -Bits & Pieces, May 28, 1992, p. 15

I think the saying is basically true: we are either going forward, standing still, or falling behind. Sadly, this is also true in the Lord’s church The problem is that many congregations have become complacent and comfortable (the prelude to standing still). And once we are standing still, everyone passes us by and we begin to fall behind.

Paul believed in moving ahead (Philippians 3:12-14). Like Paul, we can’t rely on our past laurels or on past reputation. Moving forward is the only way to avoid decline and failure. As a church, we need to think about what it takes to move ahead. We must never be satisfied with the past or believe that what we are doing in the present is all that we can do or should do (2 Peter 3:18). To achieve all that God will give us opportunity to do, we must move forward to meet the challenges of the future.

In today's message, we are going to be noticing that there are challenges to accept if the church is going to move forward. Let's start with our first challenge, that is: Churches moving forward accept the challenge of making a difference in the world.

Notice this critical passage of Scripture (Matthew 5:13-16). People need to see a difference in us (1 Peter 2:9). We must “show forth” God by the things we do. We must accept the challenge of making a difference. That difference must come as we live rooted in and founded on the word of God. Christians have been silenced and made to feel unwelcome and unwanted by so many in the world. But we cannot let the world shut us up, shut us down, shut us out, or shut us in (1 Corinthians 15:58).

We must not resort to ungodly actions, but must continue to show the world that we have the answers to the problems plaguing mankind. We need to fight in our nation, in our communities, and in our schools for morality and oppose every evil. We can change the world the same way God’s people have always changed the world – by teaching and preaching the gospel of Jesus and changing the hearts and minds of those who live around us. Paul turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6). We MUST accept this challenge – the challenge of making a difference in the world!

Our second challenge is this: Churches moving forward accept the challenge of evangelizing our own community. Everywhere I have been, most people thought their community was not open to the gospel of Jesus. Was that based on the failure of well planned and well financed efforts to evangelize the community? – NO! Was it because there was so much opposition or animosity to the church that no one would listen? – NO! Was is because the people so hated God or His people that they refused to yield to His will? – NO!

It is mostly because the local church simply did not put forth the effort needed (Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:19-20). Here is an illustration to help us see the challenge: Coca Cola is so well known, that you can go into some of the most remote places in the world and there you will find bottles of coke. Their motto: Think globally but act locally. They want to be everywhere, but to do it they know they must take care of each location. The Lord’s church needs to learn this lesson. It is good for the church to be involved in mission work, but the most important work we need to be involved in is locally.

Many times our numbers drop because we are more concerned about evangelizing the world than we are our own community. Does the community cry out as did David in the long ago? “No man careth for my soul” (Psalm 142:4). The gospel is best spread into the world – one community at a time! Remember Proverbs 11:30.We must accept the challenge of making a difference in the world, which includes evangelizing our own community!

Now, onto our third challenge which is: Churches moving forward accept the challenge of developing leaders. Have you thought about who will lead the church 10, 20, 30 years from now? Elders….? Notice this key passage… 2 Timothy 2:2. Paul invested himself in the training of Timothy, and Timothy was to do the same with other faithful men, who would in turn invest themselves in yet others. Christian leaders must develop future leaders. There needs to be planning – leaders are not trained by accident – we can’t just work day to day.

Just as there is a responsibility of leaders to train, there is the responsibility of followers to become trained. The best leaders have had good followers. Good leaders first learn how to be good followers. We must accept the challenge of making a difference in the world, evangelizing our community, and developing leadership. This leads us to our fourth and final challenge, which is: Churches moving forward accept the challenge of following God's word.

There is a movement in the church today to abandon Scripture as our authority for what we practice. But as we move forward into the future, the Bible must be the foundation of what we believe and practice religiously. In recent years, there have been some decisions made that threaten to change the true worship and work of the church…changing worship, women’s role, etc.

Notice what the Bible says about the importance of God’s word: Deuteronomy 12:32; Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18-19. We must be a people rooted in the book. We must know what God’s will is… 2 Timothy 2:15; Matthew 15:9; Jeremiah 6:16-17.

Finally, ultimately moving the church forward into the future involves every member. Since we are the church, the church moves only as its people move. All these challenges are personal challenges to each of us!

Prayer: Holy Father, give me wisdom in the way I use my speech. May it be a blessing to others and a source of praise to you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

May God bless you always,

Sandra

Video: Gwen Smith, "Blessed Be Your Name"

Girlfriends in God co-founder, Gwen Smith, leads "Blessed Be Your Name" (by Matt and Beth Redman) at the FaithLife Women's Conference held at Irving Bible Church. Enjoy!  ~Eve 

Weekend Scripture Gold with Bibi: Why Church and Worship?

"I often visit newcomers in town and find them to be church shopping. They want to know what they can get out of church. Churches are one more consumer commodity. Worship services are not a place for us to serve God and neighbor, but a place where people expect to purchase the best: inspiring worship, good music, moving sermons, quality child care. As if we buy God and not vice versa."   -Arthur Boers in The Other Side, May/June, 1989 

Why does the Christian Church specifically gather for Worship on Sundays? How and why did this practice begin? 

These are questions often asked and very easy to answer. It is Jesus that started Sunday worship as that is the day that He rose from the dead and it is the "same day" that He began His church.

It is the glorious life-giving resurrection of Jesus, and the birth of His church that the church gathers to commemorate every Sunday as it gathers and worships Jesus. (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2) 

What is Worship? (Psalms 95:6)

The word worship literally means to acknowledge the source and sustaining of our life, the Christian acknowledges that life comes from God as God is the creator and sustainer of all life. The embodiment of life is the resurrection of Jesus; as it is now the resurrection life of Jesus that we, the Christian, live in and take part in having been rescued by Jesus from our own certain death through sin. Therefore it has been since the first Sunday and continues until this day that the church gathers to worship God on Sunday by acknowledging His life giving resurrection life.

What is the Church?

The Christian church is a unique gathering of people whose sins have been paid for in full by Jesus on the cross. The word Church means "out-gathering," or those that are taken out of this sinful world and gathered together into the sinless image of Jesus, by receiving His Holy Spirit. And having received the spirit of God, the Christian has now passed from death in sin into life in Jesus.

Why hasn't the Church always existed?

True Christianity is an intimate spiritual personal relationship with God. And a relationship with God is as old as creation. So it is accurate to say that Adam and Eve are the first Christians. But then sin separated mankind from an intimate spiritual relationship with God; and therefore postponed Christianity until after the redemption of mankind via the cross, and the resurrection of Jesus. Thus, providing for us a renewed intimate spiritual relationship.

The Church did not exist during the Old Testament times. In other words, Noah, Abraham, King David, Solomon, and even John the Baptist, although each was in a relationship with God, were not Christians and therefore not in the intimate spiritual relationship that the Church enjoys, and for a very good reason. Each of these people lived and died prior to the cross of Jesus. Before the cross of Jesus, the remedy for sin had not yet occurred. With sin, a "gathering of the sinless (in image)" was not yet available; as God's spirit is not intimately available with sin.

Once Jesus came into humanity in the virgin birth, and then died on the cross as full payment for all of the sins of the world; on His "Resurrection Day" the Church age could then begin. The Church could not be gathered prior to the cross; and without the resurrection there would not be the living leader.

Church/Christians are identified as those who have acknowledged the resurrection of Jesus and therefore have received the spirit of God. By receiving the spirit of God they are now in the sinless image of God our Father as the Christian is now a child of God. This event of Jesus giving the Spirit, and of individuals each receiving the spirit of God began on Sunday, the very day of the resurrection of Jesus. This continues on to this day as the resurrection of Jesus and His Holy Spirit are the lifeblood of Christianity.

Note: The verses and Biblical content of John 20:19-23 are dealing with a person becoming a Christian; with salvation; and with regeneration via the Holy Spirit. Forgiveness of sins (via the cross of Jesus); the imparting baptism of Jesus (via His Resurrection); and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit into a person are direct functions of the cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The knowledge of the removal of sin in the life of an individual person is referenced here in the Bible, on the day of the resurrection of Jesus; not on the day of Pentecost. Pentecost is referenced in the Bible in context with empowerment, and of a person being a witness of Jesus, but not in context of salvation; as the Resurrection Day is associated with salvation.

The phrase, "Whosoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosoever sins ye retain, they are retained" (John 20:23) clearly demonstrates that the removal of sin had occurred at the cross. Also, the knowledge of sin, and the removal or the presence of sin in the life of an individual, can be discerned by a Christian in the following ways: with the baptism indwelling of the Holy Spirit since the day of the resurrection of Jesus; and of the giving of the Holy Spirit.

There are several examples in the Bible of people discerning the presence or removal of sin from the lives of individuals. All Christians, even today, can at times discern the spiritual state of another individual. How often has someone said that they are a Christian then deny Jesus and every tenant of Christianity; and live a life completely opposed to the biblical Christian precepts? In this case, we can often discern that the person, though outwardly professing Christianity, still retains their sins.

On occasion some people are in deep despair, fearing that they can no longer be reconciled to God. Why? Because they have offended God too much, or have blasphemed the Holy Spirit; and now conclude that they are eternally damned. Yet a Christian can often discern that God has not given up on them. He or she knows that actually their sins are remitted and that they should seek after God because they will find God. (Acts 8:20-23; Acts 17:22; Acts 26:27-28)

The biblical reference also demonstrates that Christian salvation (the forgiveness of sins; and entering into a relationship with the Holy God by becoming a child of God, through receiving His spirit indwelling in us) is an actual event. It is an event predicated on an individual's faith and confession. Christianity is unique in that an individual can become a Christian at any moment and in any place, regardless of time or circumstances.

Since the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ, a person does not need another external event. He needs not a Pentecost or any event; not a certain moon phase or any celestial - comet occurrence; and certainly not a ritual, a feast or a festival to become a Christian. But with just a simple faith in the living Savior Jesus, and a desire to be united to God, a person will become a new creation; a 'born again' Christian.

Did the Church actually start at Pentecost?

Sometimes people think that the church did not start until fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus during a feast called "Pentecost" (Acts 2:1-4). However, remember it is the cross and resurrection of Jesus that paved the way for the church allowing for the individual receiving of the Holy Spirit of God; and not the waiting of fifty days by the disciples that paved the way for the Church.

There is a Feast of Pentecost every year, but there is only one cross and resurrection of Jesus. There is not a fifty day gap between the resurrection and the start of the church. The same people that gathered together(empowered) in Acts 2:1-4 had already received the Holy Spirit back in John 20:19-23. They would again be filled (empowered) in Acts 4:31, and at other times as the Holy Spirit is leading.

Is Sunday now also the Sabbath Day of the Church?

It is also important to note that Sunday is not a Sabbath Day and therefore the church is not resting on Sunday when it gathers to worship God but is rejoicing in the living, loving, Jesus.

Saturday is still the Sabbath day proscribed by God for the Jewish people to physically follow by physically resting. For the church, however, our rest is spiritual. We rest in complete faith of the accomplished, completed work of Jesus, His cross and His resurrection. (Exodus 20:10; Luke 24:1)

In establishing a time for the Resurrection, the disciples arrive at the tomb at about sunrise, or just prior, so we know that Jesus did not resurrect later than sunrise. Now, some might wonder if He rose earlier than sunrise, but the biblical answer is no! As it is exactly at sunrise that Jesus is revealing Himself to be alive.

Also many of the Bible's names, references, types, and prophecies all reveal that He is the "Sunrise from on High." For example, Jesus physically entered into the world in His virgin birth at night (into the darkness of this world); representing that Jesus is the light that shined and came into the dark world.

Subsequently, Jesus (the Light of the world) resurrected at sunrise; as His resurrection is the new dawn of everlasting life. (Luke 1:78; Isaiah 60:1; 2 Corinthians 4:3,4; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Romans 13:12)

Could the Church have stopped for a while and then restarted?

It is the cross and resurrection of Jesus, and only the cross and resurrection of Jesus, that paved the way for the Christian church. The Christian church has continued and will continue until Jesus receives His Christian church unto Himself in heaven where He is.

In order for the church to have started and stopped, and started again, it would require that the Holy Spirit would no longer be available to mankind. Then, Jesus would have to be re-crucified and the Holy Spirit re-given. These are events that could never happen again, and would never happen again, as the one crucifixion of Jesus is sufficient for all sins for all time. The one resurrection of Jesus is sufficient for all life for all time. (Romans 6:9-11; Hebrews 10:10) 

It really is a common Christian tenant that the Christian church began with Jesus, the eternal leader and founder, giving His Spirit to His followers on the day of His Resurrection Sunday. The church has continued, and will continue, until Jesus Himself receives His Christian church up into Heaven where He is currently at;  and we will forever be with Him in His glorious fellowship.   -Special thanks to David Anson Brown

Now, let's pray...

O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for in thy name's sake. Amen

Until next time...

Have a blessed week!

Bibi

Video: A Girl's Message to All Christians

We are always searching for videos/messages that might stimulate introspection among our viewers. Here, Emanuella presents her message to fellow Christians in a creatively thought-provoking manner. I encourage all to watch with an open mind. Enjoy!   ~Eve

Bible Study Snacks, Acts 12:1-19

Hi, everyone!

Happy Friday, and welcome back to another presentation of Bible Study Snacks. As always, I'd like to thank you so much for joining me as we walk through the richness of God's spoken word and wisdom together. I pray that today finds you in good health and strong in faith!

This week, I would like to continue our study of the Book of Acts, with Chapter Twelve (Verses 1-19).

I have designed these studies to be brief, yet packed full of good information for everyone regardless of your level of biblical knowledge. I might add that these quick studies make perfect small group discussion starters, as well!

As always, I whole-heartedly believe in the importance that any Bible study should begin with prayer. If you have your Bible ready, let's pray together...

Heavenly father, please guide us as we study your Word today; I pray that our hearts and our minds will be open so that we will not only receive your Gospel, but learn from it as well; you are the Light of the world, Lord, and your Spirit will illuminate our path as we journey through your teachings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen

If you are taking notes for yourself, or using this for a bible study with others, here are the objectives for this week's lesson...

OBJECTIVES: This week, the reader will...

1) Note the martyrdom of James, and the miraculous release of Peter from prison. 

For your convenience, here is a summary of Acts 12:1-19...

This chapter records the efforts by King Herod to harass the church in Jerusalem. This Herod was Agrippa I, son of Herod Antipas (who beheaded John the Baptist, Mt 14:1-12), and grandson of Herod the Great (who slew the infants at Bethlehem, Mt 2:1-16). Successfully killing James the brother of John with the sword, Herod has Peter arrested and imprisoned, intending to bring Peter before the people after the Passover.

Herod's plans are thwarted when an angel of the Lord frees Peter from prison. After meeting with brethren at the home of Mary, mother of John Mark, Peter sends word to James and the brethren of his miraculous release. When Peter is not found in the prison, Herod has the guards examined and executed. Herod then goes down to Caesarea (1-19).

REVIEW QUESTIONS: 

1) How did Herod begin to harass the church? (Acts 12:1-3)
2) When was Peter imprisoned?  When did Herod intend to present him to the people? (Acts 12:3-4)
3) How did the church respond to Peter's imprisonment? (Acts 12:5)
4) How was Peter bound, the night before Herod intended to bring him before the people? (Acts 12:6)
5) As the angel freed Peter and led him out of the prison, what was Peter thinking? (Acts 12:7-9)
6) After the angel led Peter into the city and then left, what did Peter come to realize? (Acts 12:10-11)
7) Where did Peter first go?  What were the people there doing? (Acts 12:12)
8) Who answered the door?  How did she react? (Acts 12:13-14)
9) What did the people think she had seen at the door? (Acts12:15)
10) After they finally went to the door and let him in, what instructions did Peter give? (Acts 12:16-17)
11) When Peter was not found in the prison on the next day, what happened? (Acts 12:18-19)

After completing this week's study, go back and read through the material again. Take your time and read each topic and scripture reference as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you just might see something new that you overlooked the first time around!

As we journey through the Bible together, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until next time, I wish everyone a blessed week!

God bless you!

Sheri